are you in pain (like i am)?

by vicar_amelia

Summary:

“I know what you are.”

“Oh, were you really so naive to believe I would ever hide it from you?”

~

Professor Jonathan Crane and his daughter, Alice Crane, are new to Gotham. Although they aren't, she isn't his daughter, and nothing they say is true.

Notes:

please read tags before reading! also this is less of a long chaptered fanfic and more of little scenes here and there from different perspectives of how scarecrow becomes scarecrow essentially!

Chapter 1: you have become the voice in my head

Summary:

chapter title: vore by sleep token

also note: if you had read this before 9/18/24, it has been reworked a little bit, but mostly minor editing and putting smaller chapters together, so no major updates!

also let me know what you think :)

“I know what you are.”

 

“Oh, were you really so naive to believe I would ever hide it from you?”

~

 

Three years from the time Alice confronted Dr. Crane, she sat in his office, spinning in his swivel chair. It was only his second week of teaching at Gotham University, and in turn, only her second week of studying there. Minutes ticked by, slower than she would have liked, while she waited for him to return from his last class of the day.

 

Alice could go home by herself, but she simply did not want to. Instead, she waited the extra two hours, here, in his damp, isolated office in the oldest building on the university’s campus. She would have expected the university to give him a better space, he was their newest and most accomplished psychology professor. But, seniority rules in such institutions. Just another reason for her to resent the school she was forced to attend.

 

Finally, the squeaky door knob turned and Dr. Crane stepped inside. 

 

“You don’t have to wait for me, you know?” He greeted her with.

 

“Yes, but aren’t you glad I do?” Alice asked, spinning the chair once more, bumping into his foot in the crowded room.

 

Jonathan caught the arms of the chair, pulling her closer to him. He towered over her with the largest smile the man could bear; an ever-so-slight tilt of the right side of his lips.  

 

“It’s been a long day,” Dr. Crane sighed, his breath invading Alice’s space. She basked in it for a second.

 

“It has. Ready to go home?” She asked, bumping her toes against his shins playfully. He pushed her chair backwards, causing the back of it to hit the front of his dingy metal desk. 

 

She frowned, looking up at him. He ignored her, picking up his briefcase which he had set down. He turned and opened the door again, throwing a glance over his shoulder at her.

 

“Coming?” 

 

Alice huffed at the way he beckoned her like a dog, but stood up and followed him nonetheless.

 

Walking through the hallways of Gotham University was a tedious thing, the two maintaining their distance and looking beyond disinterested in each student and professor passing by. They could not walk too close to each other, could not look at each other. Jonathan could not place a casual hand on her back like normal, even though Alice insisted no one would bat an eye. She knew, however, he refused to touch her in such a public space for his sake, not her’s. The revelation only added to the tension.

 

As they were reaching the exit, Alice heard a familiar voice call her name.

 

“Alice, wait!”

 

She turned to face Dick Grayson, a student in her same class that has for some reason taken a liking to her. He practically stalked her in the hallways, sat next to her every class, and even somehow managed to convince her to give him her number. He was too friendly, and Alice was not sure how to handle it.

 

“Yes, Dick?” She asked, glancing at Jonathan’s scrutinizing face. She could tell he instantly disliked the boy, though she could only imagine as to why.

 

“Bruce wanted me to give this to you and your father,” Dick said, holding a small golden envelope. Alice began to reach for it, but Jonathan snatched it from the extended hand.

 

Dick glanced uncomfortably between Alice and Jonathan, and she offered a small, awkward smile. Jonathan ripped the envelope open, quickly scanning the contents of what appeared to be an invitation.

 

“A gala,” Dr. Crane murmured. Alice gently grasped the letter from his hands, reading it for herself. Dick looked expectantly at her.

 

“Do you think you will go? Bruce wants to get to know your father since he is new to Gotham. And I mean, he gets a plus one but I figured you might want to come? Unless Mrs.Crane would rather?” Dick rambled, nervously scratching the back of his head.

 

“My mom is dead,” Alice answered, bluntly. Jonathan sent a sideways glance at her, knowing she was telling the truth. She just wasn’t answering the question.

 

“Oh, I am so sorry. I thought Bruce mentioned Dr. Crane was married,” Dick responded, obviously embarrassed.

 

“No matter, we will both be there,” Jonathan answered for Alice. She smiled, excited he finally let her do something fun. They had lived in their new apartment for almost a month and he had not let her out of his sights once. Although, she supposed they would be there together. 

 

Dick grinned widely, his dimples showing. He blushed, before muttering a quick goodbye and practically skipped out the door.

 

Alice looked at the professor, trying to discern the expression on his face.

 

“I don’t like him.” 

 

Alice laughed softly.

 

“I can tell.” 

 

~

Alice had been alone for two days now, with nothing but the tray the doctors left on the floor to decorate the small, padded room. She refused to leave her room, refused to attend group therapy. She was protesting the change of her doctor, she had loved Dr. Quinzel. Rumors around the facility claimed the doctor was compromised, but Alice did not know what that meant. All she knew is if she didn’t visit the new, bright-eyed doctor, then they would have no choice but to bring Harley back. Or at least, she hoped.

~

“Do I need to buy you a dress for this stupid charity event?”

 

 Jonathan asked that night, over dinner. She had made him his favorite meal, but he seemed distracted.

 

“What, you don’t want to see me in a dress?” Alice teased.

 

Jonathan only rolled his eyes.

 

“I know someone that would,” he murmured. 

 

“And who might that be?” Alice asked, wondering what his mood was for.

 

“Your little boyfriend.”

 

Alice narrowed her eyes. She presumed he was simply jealous, but he seemed to think she was at fault.

 

“He is not my boyfriend.”

 

“You could have fooled me.”

 

“Well, what would you have me do? Say ‘Sorry Dick, I actually can not flirt with you anymore. You see, Dr. Crane over here is not only my professor, but also my husband. Oh, right I forgot I told you he was my dad. We had to lie because otherwise we would both be thrown in Arkham.’”

 

Jonathan slammed his fork on his plate, causing a loud noise and the small kitchen to fill with silent tension.

 

“So you do flirt with him,” Jonathan accused.

 

“Jon-’

 

“Alice,” Jonathan interrupted, forcefully.

 

Alice’s eyes widened, looking at her husband’s hands, not daring to meet his gaze. 

 

“Have you forgotten so quickly?” Jonathan asked, slowly standing from his chair. 

 

He walked to her side of the table, placing his hands in front of her. His breath was hot against her ear and sent shivers down her spine.

 

“Whose are you?”

 

Alice gulped, not brave enough to respond.

 

Jonathan pressed closer to her, his hand grabbing not-so-gently at her chin, tilting her to face him.

 

“I asked you a question, whose are you?”

 

She swallowed tightly against his grip.

 

“Yours,” she squeaked out.

 

“If I say I do not like him, what does that mean?” 

 

“I won’t talk to him anymore, I promise,” Alice answered, fervently. 

 

“Good girl.”

 

 Jonathan let go of her, but not before kissing the top of her head.

 

“We will go pick out a dress tomorrow,” Jonathan stated, walking towards their bedroom. He shut the door behind him, signaling the end of their conversation.

 

However, Alice felt frustrated, in more ways than one.

 

She tentatively followed after him, watching as he undressed in the doorway of the bathroom. Her eyes trailed up and down his slightly toned back, light dancing off of each scar that littered the skin. Most were from experiments gone wrong, when he would scrape at his back maddingly. Some were from her. Either from her own madness, or pleasure. She was proud of them all.

 

She had her own scars, from him entirely. Small, little bands around her wrists and neck, causing her to cover them daily. The difference, however, was that he knew what he was doing each time. She had the excuse of fear toxin or sensation, save for a few. 

 

Jonathan was conscious and in control for each blow, each slash or stab. In more than one way, that fact warmed Alice’s blood.

 

She was proud of her own scars, and Jonathan was aware. He was proud of himself, too.

 

Jonathan stood in silence, stripping to his boxers. Alice knew he was aware of her eyes on him, the two could never be in a room together without being painfully aware of where the other one was. 

 

She swore he could read her mind at times. And, she sometimes glimpsed into his own psyche, if he allowed her.

 

“Did you need something?” He asked, knowing her answer. 

 

Instead of speaking, she stepped timidly towards him. She slowly reached for his shoulder blades, her fingers sprawled against the scarred skin. A shock jolted through her the moment she felt his warmth. He shivered.

 

She caressed the largest scar, below his chest. Alice herself had put that own there, and to this date, it was her proudest accomplishment.

 

“We don’t have to go,” Alice offered, weakly.

 

Jonathan laughed, silently, but Alice felt the shaking.

 

“I know how much you’re dying for me to dress you up and take you somewhere nice,” Jonathan chuckled. 

 

Alice frowned, her hand stilling.

 

“They think I’m your daughter. It’ll be weird. I’m used to being alone with you, not surrounded by people. I won’t know how to act.”

 

Jonathan spun around, quickly grasping her hands in his. 

 

“So? They can’t know, darling. Despite the fact that I essentially stole you away from Arkham, you’re only 18. We’ve been married for almost a year. They can do math, dear.” 

 

“I know, but for once I just want someone to know I’m yours,” Alice meant what she said, but she also knew he would like her reassurance. 

 

A small, appreciative smile creeped up Jonathan’s lips.

 

“When did you become so manipulative?” Jonathan breathed, yanking her hands into his chest, pulling her into him.

 

“I learned it from you.”

 

Jonathan laughed properly for the first time in weeks.

 

They both knew that wasn’t true.

~

 

“I hear you have a penchant for manipulation.” 

 

Alice’s new doctor, a 30-something year old Gothamite sat across from her. He had icy blue eyes and these ugly, square glasses that hid what she could tell was a handsome face. It was a shame he was dreadfully boring. She told him as much. He ignored her.

 

“I also hear you have been here for 3 months with no sign of release. Want to let me know why?” 

 

“No.”

 

He laughed, a surprising sound that snapped Alice out of her thoughts.

 

“I thought so. Well, I do not see a reason to continue. I can sign your release form if you want.”

 

“What? Just like that?”

 

The man paused for a second, calculating a response.

 

“If you want to kill yourself, go do it. Doesn’t affect me. I don’t have time for suicidal, uncooperative brats.”

 

This time, Alice laughed.

 

“Maybe you’re not so boring.”

 

Dr. Crane ignored her comment.

 

“Why did you try to kill yourself?”

“Are we playing at therapy, Dr. Crane?” Alice asked. 

 

“Yes, now answer the question.” He didn’t look up from his notes, presumably about someone else. Alice hadn’t seen him write once during their sessions.

 

“Are you satisfied with your life?” Alice inquired, instead. 

 

This time, he looked up.

 

“No.”

 

She was taken aback by his quick response.

“Will you ever be?”

 

He thought for a moment.

 

“No.”

 

“Then you understand.” 

 

“Then I understand.”

 

~

 

“What color suits my skintone the best?” Alice asked, holding two dresses up to herself in the store’s mirror. Jonathan wasn’t looking. Alice put the two dresses in the hand of the store’s attendant, frustrated with Jonathan’s obvious disinterest.

 

“I said I liked the green one an hour ago,” Dr. Crane huffed, straightening his cuffs.

 

“Just like it? I need something that’s better than that,” Alice moaned.

 

“Sorry, I meant it’s going to be difficult to keep my hands off of you all night if you wear the green one. Is that better?” Jonathan whispered, causing his wife to blush in front of the store’s attendant.

 

It was weird being observed by anyone other than Jonathan. In the past few years, Alice could count on one hand how many people she interacted with for more than a minute. 

 

The man looked expectantly at her, arching an eyebrow.

 

“We’ll take the green one.” 

 

~

 

“Your file doesn’t have a birth date or even a last name.”

 

“Looking at my file finally, Dr. Crane?”

 

Their sessions had been quick, non-therapeutic sessions occurring multiple times a week. In the past month, Alice saw Dr. Crane more than she saw Dr. Quinzel her entire stay. 

 

“Who put you in here?”

 

“No one. I don’t know. Why?” Alice asked.

 

“You don’t know?” 

 

“I don’t remember. I’m sure it says somewhere on there,” Alice huffed, frustrated with the line of questioning.

 

“It does, but I was curious to see if you remembered. I guess you don’t. Anyway, time’s up for today,” He stood to leave.

 

“You just got here! When are you going to actually help me?” Alice exclaimed.

 

“Help you? Is that what you want me to do?” Crane asked, smiling slightly. 

 

Alice folded her legs into herself, sighing.

 

“Whatever. Go.” 

 

“If you insist.” 

 

~

 

There were two more days until the gala, and Alice was growing anxious. She was hesitant to even go, especially with how distant Jonathan had become the past week, completely absorbed in adjusting to his new position at the university.

 

Walking into her first year biology class she was wildly overqualified for, she noticed Dick sitting in the front, in his usual seat.

 

She breathed in, before marching past him, hoping he wouldn’t notice her.

 

“Alice!”

She paused, considering the conversation with her husband from earlier that week.

 

“Alice, where are you going?” Dick asked, waving over at her. She turned to face him, and instantly felt guilty.

 

She slowly turned back towards the front, sitting in her seat next to him.

 

“What was that about?” Dick asked, casually.

 

“I don’t know, just tired I guess.”

 

She wasn’t lying either, her and Jonathan had stayed up into the early morning experimenting. But Dick didn’t need to know that.

 

“Aw, I understand. Bruce has kept me up all week prattling about, getting ready for this big party. The entire mansion is chaotic,” Dick laughed.

 

“Oh, I am so sorry that your mansion is a little hectic while your billionaire dad throws a giant party for all of Gotham’s elites,” Alice joked, and luckily Dick chuckled. 

 

“Well, what’s got you up all night then?” Dick asked, more concerned. 

 

“Jon- I mean, my dad, too,” Alice answered. Dick narrowed his eyes at her, expecting more. Fortunately, he didn’t notice the slip. Alice needed to adjust to her new role, as well.  

 

“Just some research project he’s doing and he refuses to accept the university’s research assistants. Claims only Cranes are competent,” Alice went on.

 

Dick laughed, pulling out his laptop for class.

 

“Yeah, makes sense. If you want it done right, do it yourself. Or, I guess family is close enough,” Dick stated.

 

Alice frowned momentarily, before pulling out her own computer.

 

She hoped Jonathan wouldn’t be too mad at her, but she figured he didn’t have to know. She should be allowed to have friends. She could hide one thing from her husband. God knows he knew too much about her already, having been in her presence daily for two years.

She could keep one secret.

 

Or at least, she could, until she went into his Psychology 101 class with Dick by her side. The pair sat together again, and before she even turned her back, she could feel Jonathan’s eyes piercing through her.

 

She ignored it, until she couldn’t anymore and a slow shiver crept its way up her spine. She glanced up at the front of the classroom, instantly locking eyes with her furious husband.

 

Dick looked over at her, then at Jonathan, and then back at her.

 

“Is everything, um, okay? He looks kind of mad at you,” Dick hesitantly asked.

 

“He’s tired too.” 

 

“Oh, okay,” He obviously didn’t believe her, but the finality in her tone kept him from asking further. 

 

As class went on, Dr. Crane was very clearly distracted and refused to look at Alice again for the entire period. Once students began to file out of the classroom, she and Dick stood from their seats.

 

“Coming? Was going to go to the library and study a bit if you wanted to join,” Dick offered. Alice smiled.

 

“Can’t, but thanks for the invite. I’ll see you later,” Alice saw Jonathan glaring at her from the corner of her eye.

 

“Yeah, see you,” Dick turned and left the room.

 

The room was buzzing with tangible tension as Alice watched the door close behind the last student.

 

She stood still in her spot.

Jonathan climbed the lecture stairs, aggressively snatching Alice’s waist once he reached her. He tugged her to the front of the room, pushing her on the wooden desk.

 

Bent over, he pressed her face into the wood, painfully holding her in place. She grit her teeth and thrashed against his grip.

“What did I tell you? If we were to return, you can’t get close to anyone, it defeats the purpose of it all,” He seethed, spit hitting her face. 

 

She closed her eyes, expecting a blow. She breathed for a count, for two.

 

When it didn’t come, she opened her eyes, only to be slapped the second her vision focused. 

 

“Why haven’t you learned anything? I’m trying to protect us,” He demanded as she was still reeling from the pain.

 

“I’m sorry, I just wanted a friend,” Alice cried, louder than she meant to. 

 

Jonathan quickly shoved his free hand on her face to muffle her.

“A friend? You think he just wants to be friends? He wants to take you, you don’t see the way his eyes practically devour you?” 

 

“No, he’s just being friendly,” Alice insisted, her breath hot against his hand.

 

“How would you know? You’ve never had a friend before,” Jonathan laughed, a cruel, disjointed sound.

 

Alice winced.

 

“I just want to protect you, why don’t you see that? That boy wouldn’t hesitate to send you back, you know that, right?” Jonathan asked, letting go of her face. 

 

“I’m sorry, I know,” Alice rambled, tears pooling on the desk beneath her face.

 

Jonathan’s hands let go of her, instead petting her raven hair in a soft, possessive way.

 

The moment he let his guard down, she bucked into him, causing him to fall against the floor. Alice kneed him in the face, holding him down on the ground with her body weight.

She wouldn’t be able to hold him long, and she knew she’d be in more trouble after this. 

 

“Fuck, baby. That fucking hurt,” Jonathan groaned, his hand grasping his nose. 

 

He didn’t seem at all worried about her towering over him.

 

They both knew he could kill her without much effort.

 

They both knew she could kill him, if she truly desired.

 

They danced over a remarkably thin line together, balancing each other’s violence.

 

“I just want a friend,” Alice insisted, once more.

 

Jonathan gingerly grasped her calf, pulling her down in one swift motion. She laid atop of him now, vulnerable once more in his tight grip.

 

“You can’t have friends,” Jonathan stated, firmly. He caressed her soaked face in his hand.

 

“Why not?” Alice asked, in a whisper.

 

“Because you’re mine, and only mine. I won’t let them take you from me.”

 

He kissed her nose, flipping her over so his chest was digging into her back. Her face rubbed uncomfortably against the carpet of the classroom.

 

“I can be yours and have friends, still, I’ll be smart about it,” Alice murmured, all though it was difficult with her cheek pressed against the ground.

 

“Well, I don’t want you to. Certainly not with him anyway,” Jonathan stated, casually sliding her tights to her knees. 

 

“If it was a girl would that be okay, if I promised to not get too close?” Alice questioned, tentatively.

 

Jonathan paused, before resuming his task of gaining access to her.

 

“Why do you want a friend so badly? You never have before.”

 

“I don’t know. I just feel like it,” Alice answered honestly. She didn’t struggle at all as he slid his belt off.

 

“If it’s a girl, maybe. But I don’t want you spending too much time with them,” Jonathan conceited. 

 

“Why not?”

 

“You’re easily influenced,” he stated, matter-of-factly. 

 

Alice gawked, thrashing against him again.

 

“No I am not,” she claimed.

 

Jonathan laughed.

 

“Darling, it’s okay. It’s a good thing, for me anyway.” 

 

“No-”

 

Jonathan’s hand slapped over her mouth.

 

“Shh. Yes, now are you going to behave? I’ve got twenty minutes until my next class. Be a good girl and shut up, okay baby?”

 

Alice nodded, forgetting whatever she was trying to say.

 

~

“Let’s try this again. How old are you?”

 

“Why, trying to see if I’m legal?” Alice teased.

 

Dr. Crane didn’t take the bait. She sighed.

 

“I’m fifteen. I know that, at least.”

 

“A little young to be in Arkham,” Dr. Crane commented.

 

“Well apparently you get special treatment if the Bat himself drops you off. No one questions it or anything.”

 

“Ah. So you do remember.”

 

Alice furrowed her brow.

 

“Of course I do. What do you mean?”

 

Dr. Crane looked at her, puzzled for a second.

 

He started laughing.

 

“Clever girl,” he practically purred.

 

Alice chose to ignore the lump forming in her throat.

 

~

 

After cleaning herself in the dingy faculty bathroom, Alice still looked worse for wear. A split lip, tousled hair, and a nasty, small, purple bruise on her cheek would have been a cause for concern for anyone who noticed it. She smiled, approvingly at her own visage.

 

She quietly snuck out, keeping her head down as she scurried to Jonathan’s office.

 

What she didn’t realize was that there was someone already inside, presumably waiting for her husband. The man jerked up as she opened the door and she practically slammed it on him, but in an insanely reflexive move, he caught the door with his hand.

 

It was a man in his mid to late thirties, possibly even early forties. He had a handsome, chiseled face with stark blue eyes and gelled black hair. Alice would recognize him anywhere.

 

“Ms. Crane?” Mr. Wayne asked, immediately concerned. 

 

Alice had no idea what to do, she probably looked like she just got robbed at gunpoint.

 

“Mr. Wayne, what are you doing here?” Alice squeaked out, hugging her arms close to her chest.

 

His eyes scanned her, mentally compiling the wounds and the state of her clothes, before leaping from the chair and gently, but firmly, grasping her arms.

 

“Are you okay? What happened?” His blue eyes searched her face, with worry, but something almost analytical.

 

“Nothing, I was just clumsy,” Alice lied, wincing after hearing how pathetic it sounded.

 

Mr. Wayne didn’t let go of her, narrowing his eyes at her bleeding lip.

 

“Here, let me clean that up,” He offered, reaching into his pocket to grab his embroidered handkerchief. 

 

He patted the spot on her lip, and her eyes trailed down to see the crimson red soaking the cream fabric. It was mesmerizing, in the way it always was; the aftermath of Jonathan’s anger. She never understood exactly why, but it was so intoxicating to feel and see the physical consequences of his passion, his fury. She felt dizzy with something akin to desire.

 

Bruce Wayne searched her face, following her eyes to his handkerchief. He must have found something in her expression, something he wasn’t supposed to see. He seemed almost hesitant, cautious of her. Alice was surprised how smart this billionaire playboy was, almost too smart.

 

Alice heard the familiar footsteps approaching the door, and turned just in time to see her husband twist the doorknob. Before he could open it, however, Bruce reached his hand to block the door. His arm, above her head, trapped her between him and the door.

 

“Is it him?” He asked, below a whisper. 

 

Alice shook her head hesitantly. 

 

He nodded.

 

The door opened.

 

“Mr. Wayne, how can I help you?” Dr. Crane asked, taking in the scene before him. 

 

“Dr. Crane, I was just stopping by to quickly formally introduce myself before tomorrow’s charity gala. You’re practically the guest of honor,” Bruce smiled, a beaming, fake thing.

 

Alice sensed a predator in him.

 

“Oh? Your son didn’t mention that,” Jonathan stated, a wired edge to his voice.

 

“Dick? He can be forgetful sometimes. Especially when talking to pretty girls,” Bruce joked, gesturing to Alice.

 

Alice held back another wince. Jonathan practically buzzed at that.

 

“She sure is pretty,” he agreed, keeping back a snarl trapped between his teeth.

 

“Well I’m sure she'll pick out a pretty dress then, for tomorrow. I know that’s all Barbara has been able to talk about,” Bruce laughed. 

 

“Barbara?” Alice asked, getting a sharp glance from Jonathan.

 

“Dick’s girlfriend, Barbara Gordon. She’s Commissioner Gordon’s daughter.”

 

With that one sentence, Alice felt an entire weight in her chest drop. Jonathan even seemed to relax. 

 

“I haven’t met her before, does she not go to school?” Alice asked, curious.

 

“She’s one year younger than you, I believe,” Bruce responded, glancing at his watch in a not-so-subtle way.

 

“It must be late for you, Mr. Wayne. I’m sure you have a lot to do in preparation for tomorrow,” Jonathan offered the man a way out of the increasingly awkward conversation. 

 

“Yes it is, but it was pleasant meeting the both of you. I’ll be expecting you tomorrow,” Bruce plastered another playboy smile, and Alice trusted him even less.

 

He left, marching confidently out of the dilapidated tiny office. The man seemed to fit in everywhere, as if he was a part of the scenery. Alice was a little scared of him.

 

“There’s something off about him,” Jonathan commented, contemplatively. 

 

“I was about to say the same thing,” Alice muttered in response, practically gleaming when he gave her an approving smile.

 

“Come on darling, we have to clean you up before tomorrow.”

 

“So does this mean-”

“Too early. Ask me tomorrow when I’m in a better mood,” Jonathan cut her off, knowing exactly what she meant to ask. 

 

Alice smiled a soft, private smile that Jonathan definitely noticed. He gripped her arm, hugging her close to his side the entire way out of the university.

 

~

 

“Why are you here?”

 

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that, Alice?” Dr. Crane asked. 

 

“I just mean, you don’t care about helping people. You don’t seem particularly interested in studying criminals. So what interests you?” Alice questioned.

 

“Right now, you.” 

 

Alice blushed, unsure why that comment made her stomach flip.

“What else?”

 

Jonathan contemplated.

 

“I’ve always had a professional curiosity of fear.”

 

“Fear? Why fear?”

 

“On the most basic level of human functioning, fear is the ultimate motivator. Fear of death drives us to live, fear of pain drives us to safety. Why not study fear?” 

 

“How can you even study that? It must be unethical.”

 

He removed his glasses.

 

Dr. Crane’s eyes glistened, meeting hers.

 

“Oh, it most definitely is.” 

 

~

 

The day of the gala, Alice’s bruise finally began to yellow. With enough makeup, it would be indistinguishable from the rest of her skin. Jonathan didn’t seem too anxious about the event, but Alice’s nerves were buzzing.

 

“Sit down, darling. You’re going to stress me out,” Jonathan stated, sitting comfortably on their apartment’s couch.

 

Alice paced the room, chewing on her fingernails.

 

“Alice, quit that. I’ve told you that’s a bad habit. Now will you come here?” Jonathan commanded, rather than asking.

 

Alice collapsed on the couch next to him, letting him pull her into his lap. She rested her head on his shoulder, listening intently to his heartbeat.

 

“How does that not terrify you?” Jonathan asked.

 

“What?”

 

“My heartbeat.”

 

Alice furrowed her brow, thinking for a moment.

 

“It calmed me down after the experiments and our little incidents, so I associate it with a positive experience, I think.”

 

“Anything I associate with my experience with fear toxin instantly scares me,” Jonathan admitted.

 

Alice smiled.

 

“Well that’s why I was able to overcome it without the antidote and you weren’t.”

 

Jonathan sighed.

 

“I still don’t understand how you were able to and I wasn’t. You practically are humming with fear at any given moment,” Jonathan commented, poking Alice in the temple.

 

She frowned, looking up at her husband.

 

“I am not humming with fear. I am not afraid,” Alice insisted.

 

Jonathan gazed down at her, with a non-patronizing, but unbelieving expression.

 

“You are so afraid, Alice. Of everything. Of everyone.”

 

“Even you?” Alice whispered.

 

Jonathan knew her own fear better than she did, in fact, he knew her better than she knew herself.

 

“Especially me.”

 

~

“How does it work, exactly?” Alice asked, holding up a tiny green vial.

 

“It’s a toxin. It enters your system via inhalation, and activates the part of your brain that experiences fear. It essentially convinces you that each of your worst fears is present, tangible, in front of you.”

 

Dr. Crane grinned wickedly. Alice was convinced that this was the most excitement this man was capable of.

 

“Have you tested it before?”

 

“No. Why do you think I brought you here?” Dr. Crane asked, gesturing to the private lab in Arkham’s basement.

 

Alice felt that fear creep into her.

 

~

 

“Don’t you look absolutely stunning,” Jonathan whistled as Alice stepped from their bedroom.

 

“You picked it out,” Alice blushed.

 

Jonathan ran his pointer finger beneath her chin, tilting her to meet his gaze.

 

“And I will rip it off of you later,” he smiled a cheshire grin.

 

Alice flushed.

 

“Now we better hurry before we’re late, darling.”

 

Jon grabbed her hand, pulling her towards their apartment’s front door.

 

Mr. Wayne had called a driver for them, and admittingly Alice was embarrassed he knew where they lived now. It wasn’t the nicest apartment in the whole city. 

 

The drive to Wayne Manor was long, but serene. Alice felt her nerves die down with every tree, river, or valley they passed. She hadn’t been out of the city before, at least not longer than the five minutes it took for her to change her mind three years ago, and in fact, this was the furthest she had ever been from Gotham. It was exciting and nerve wracking.

 

Jonathan held her hand the entire car ride, and the pair hoped it seemed innocent enough for a father-daughter duo to do. The driver paid them no mind, however. Only did he acknowledge them when they reached their destination.

 

Once arriving at the manor, Alice noticed just how many cars were present. There were many more guests than she expected, but she also didn’t have any real expectations. She had never experienced such a lavish party before, in fact, she can’t remember a single party she had been to before.

 

Jonathan stepped out of the car, holding her hand as he helped her down. Alice scanned the crowd of people entering, hoping to catch a glimpse of someone she recognized. When that proved fruitless, she allowed her partner to drag her inside the mansion.

 

Once inside, Alice realized just how lavish this gala really was. So much wealth, so confined to such a proportionally small space. She had never witnessed such an outrageous display of fortune. She felt out of place. 

 

“Alice! Dr. Crane!” Dick’s voice called. Alice glanced at her husband for approval, and he hesitantly nodded.

 

Dick approached the pair, smiling widely. He wore a simple black suit with a faint blue tie. Alice had to admit he looked rather dashing. 

 

On his arm was a girl, a redhead wearing a lilac gown. She was beautiful, Alice realized. She was ashamed to have ever believed Dick might even be attracted to her when he had such a temptress. 

 

“Alice, this is Barbara. Barbara, this is Alice.”

 

“Hello, it’s nice to meet you,” Alice smiled, extending her hand. 

 

Barbara studied her outstretched hand, almost cautious to touch her. She shook it, hesitantly, causing Alice to feel embarrassed. She felt heat rise to her cheeks.

 

Jonathan squeezed her hand, before removing his to place on the back of her waist. He lightly caressed, back and forth, soothing Alice. 

 

Dick glanced between the two girls, confused as to the strange display his girlfriend had exhibited. Alice felt very uncomfortable, and her friend could obviously tell. 

 

“Well, um, now you two know each other! Anyway, Alice, I wanted to introduce you to my brothers if that's okay?” Dick asked, trying to quickly change the subject.

 

Alice smiled, nodding, as Dick took her hand and pulled her away from her husband. She looked back at Jon to see him nodding, before he slipped off into the crowd. Barbara did the same.

 

“Does she not like me?” Alice whispered as the two weaved their way through the crowd. 

 

“I don’t know, honestly. She really wasn’t happy about you or your dad being invited for some reason,” Dick explained.

 

Alice felt a strange sense of dread pool at the base of her stomach.

“Why?” She asked, despite the lump in her throat.

 

“Something her dad said,” Dick waved her off.

 

Alice suddenly felt very cold. She remembered Barbara’s dad was Commissioner Gordon. If he had recognized her or Jon’s name, their entire plan would fail. She prayed silently that was not the case.

 

“Alright, here they are,” Dick said, gesturing to three black-haired boys loitering by the grand staircase.

 

Alice deduced they obviously didn’t want to be present but Bruce forced them. 

 

There were obvious age gaps between the four brothers, the smallest between Dick and the second eldest, and then the third, and the largest between the third and fourth. 

 

All looked like they could almost be related, besides a few key features.

 

“This is Jason,” Dick gestured to the most different looking one, the second eldest.

 

He had a white streak in his hair and an otherworldly muscular build. Alice wondered how every man in the Wayne family was capable of being so handsome.

 

“Hey. Maybe Dick’ll shut up about you now,” Jason said, scanning Alice up and down.

 

If Jonathan said Dick devoured her with her eyes, then whatever Jason did was on another level.

 

“Actually, hopefully he doesn’t. Who are you with, princess?” Jason stepped closer to kiss her hand. She felt suddenly bashful, at the public display and the pet name. She didn’t know how to respond to such attention.

 

“Uh, Dr. Crane,” Alice answered. She didn’t trust herself to call Jon dad.

 

“Dr. Crane? What, is he your professor?” Jason laughed.

 

“Yeah, actually he’s both of our professors,” Dick responded.

 

“Oh, does the little girl have the hots for the teacher?” Jason teased, but suddenly Alice’s face grew very warm. 

 

“No, Jason. He’s her dad,” Dick stated, matter-of-factly.

 

Alice blushed.

 

“Oh, is your mom here too? Bruce said Dr. Crane was bringing his wife,” Jason said, casually.

 

The cold feeling returned to Alice. There wasn’t any way Bruce Wayne knew their secret. But how would he have known Jonathan was married?

 

“Her mom is dead,” Dick said, somberly, smiling softly at Alice.

 

Jason glanced at Alice and noticed the chill that crept through her skin. He raised his eyebrow at her.

 

“So what I’m hearing, at least, is that you don’t have a date, do you princess?” He smiled a lopsided grin, leaning closer to her.

 

“Jason, first let me introduce her to the others before you try to get in her pants, please,” Dick pleaded, facepalming. Alice was permanently flushed.

 

“But she’s so cute, she doesn’t know how to handle it,” Jason cried, gesturing to her clear discomfort. 

 

“Anyway, Alice, this is Tim. The little brat next to him is Damian. Don’t bother trying to talk to him. Tim is nice though,” Dick stated, laughing when Damian playfully snarled at him.

 

Alice smiled, comfortable that the attention was off of her. 

 

“Nice to meet you Alice. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Tim smiled, shaking her hand politely. Alice glanced at Dick to see him slightly blushing. She made a mental note for later.

 

“Alright, now can we dance?” Jason asked, bowing before Alice, offering his hand. Alice stammered, unsure how to turn him down.

 

She searched the crowd behind her for Jonathan, but didn’t spy him.

 

“What’s the matter, sweetheart. Need Daddy’s permission first?” He teased, causing her to flush entirely red.

 

“See how she blushes, Dick. Why didn’t you just take her for yourself?” Jason laughed, playfully punching his brother’s arm. Dick looked about as uncomfortable as Alice felt.

 

As Jason was stepping to pull Alice’s hand in, Jonathan arrived with Bruce in tow. The two chatted amicably, Bruce smiling at the group.

 

“Boys, I hope you’re not giving Ms. Crane too hard of a time here,” Bruce scolded.

 

“No more than what is necessary,” Jason offered, laughing. 

 

Alice smiled, tentatively looked at her husband. He seemed annoyed at the man in front of her. She assumed he had seen the flirtatious display a moment before.

 

“Why don’t you dance with her, Dick?” Bruce propositioned.

 

Dick looked nervously between Alice and presumably wherever his girlfriend was. Alice felt Jon’s eyes piercing through the side of her skull.

 

“Bruce, you know he can’t do that. Babs would throw a fit. I, however, will sacrifice myself instead,” Jason butt in. 

 

“Sacrifice, how very brave of you, Red,” Bruce laughed. Alice titled her brow at the nickname, wondering its significance. 

 

She looked back at her husband again, who reached behind her to squeeze her waist in a firm warning. He nodded at her, signaling she should accept the offer but not allow him too close.

 

Jason gently grasped her hand, before pulling her swiftly onto the dance floor. His large, hard hands placed themselves comfortably on her hips, in a too familiar way. Alice felt sick, having been never touched by anyone before in anyway similar to this besides her husband. 

“Your dad has you on kind of a short leash, doesn’t he princess,” Jason purred into her ear, spinning her around the ballroom.

 

“He just wants to protect me,” Alice meekly responded. 

 

“Is that all he wants?” Jason asked, gesturing subtly with his head at Jonathan staring at the pair.

 

“I don’t know what you mean,” Alice answered.

 

“Is he actually your father?” Jason whispered, his breath hot against her nape. She ignored the feeling.

 

“Wh- what do you mean?” Alice asked, entirely red. There was no way he figured it out so quickly.

 

“Those aren’t the eyes of a man sad to see his innocent daughter whisked away. Those are the eyes of a man watching someone else touch his property,” Jason murmured. 

 

“I’m not his property,” Alice insisted. Jason quirked his lip at her.

 

“But you’re not his daughter, are you?” 

 

Feeling backed into a corner, Alice shook her head slowly. 

 

“I won’t tell anyone. As long as you answer my next question honestly,” Jason promised, using his hand to lift her chin to look at him. Alice could feel the rage boiling off of Jonathan all the way across the room.

 

“This little bruise here, the one you tried to cover up, as well as your busted lip. They’re from him, right?” Jason asked.

 

“No-” 

 

He squeezed her hip.

 

Alice paused.

She nodded, once, twice.

 

“Do you need me to deal with him?” Jason asked, deathly serious.

 

“Deal with him? What?” Alice exclaimed.

 

Before Jason could respond, Alice felt someone yank her arm away from him. Soon, she was being pulled towards the entrance of the party. Jonathan’s hand dug into her skin, leaving bruises.

 

“Jon- where are you taking me?” Alice asked, looking back at the manor.

 

“Home. That filthy bastard put his hands all over you, claiming you in front of everyone,” Jonathan gritted out.

Alice stayed quiet, afraid of setting her husband off. He shoved her in the back of the cab, coming around the other side to sit with her. He paid the man, more than he probably needed, before pushing Alice onto the seats. The driver closed the window and put on classical music.

 

“Fucking manwhore, feeling you up where anyone can see,” Jon grunted, wasting no time in pulling Alice’s underwear down. He ripped off his suit coat, throwing it on the floor of the car. 

 

“Caressing your face, calling you princess. He really thought you were his.”

 

“Jon-” A hand covered her mouth.

 

“What was he saying to you?” Jonathan asked, gaze boring into her eyes.

 

“He knows,” Alice weakly answered.

 

“Knows?”

 

“That we’re married,” Alice responded.

 

“Oh, I am going to kill him. Touching you like that knowing you’re mine. That boy is going to die,” Jonathan promised, and Alice didn’t doubt he meant it.

 

“See, I told you you’re too easily influenced. You let him whisk you away, let him defile what’s mine,” Jonathan accused.

 

“I am not your property,” Alice said, repeating what she had said before. 

 

“Oh? You’re not? Baby, you have my last name. You sleep in my bed, you take it whenever I give it to you. I own you darling, you don’t have a choice,” he chuckled, cruelly. 

 

“No-” the hand returned to her mouth.

 

“Shut up, listen to me. You don’t have a choice, do you understand?” 

 

Alice stared at him blankly.

 

“Do you understand?” He demanded, again.

 

She nodded meekly behind his hand.

 

“Good girl.”

 

~

 

“Good girl,” Dr. Crane cooed as Alice awoke.

 

She found herself strapped to a medical chair, sweating profusely with Dr. Crane’s hand entangled in her hair.

 

She had no recollection of whatever had occurred over the past hour.

 

“Did it work?” Alice asked, voice hoarse.

 

Dr. Crane laughed.

 

“That’s the first thing you ask?”

 

“Well, I didn’t really have a choice. So, I guess I am just curious if it worked or not,” Alice answered.

 

“It needs work. Luckily, I think I know what to do. And, you’re going to help me.”

~

 

Dick tried to ignore the dread increasing inside of him. With the fall semester coming to a close soon, finals were creeping up on him. And, criminals were too, often in dark alleys when Dick so desperately needed rest.

 

Living as a college student was already difficult, but adding the responsibility of Nightwing atop of that made it infinitely more difficult. 

 

Dick just wanted a break. Stepping into the manor, greeted by his furious girlfriend, Dick knew there would be no time for that.

 

“Dick, where have you been?” Barbara demanded, shrilly.

 

“At the library,” Dick answered.

 

“With who?” Babs asked, her hands planted firmly on her hips. She kind of looked like Dick’s late mother, scolding him for running off.

 

“Alice.”

 

“Alice? Oh god, Dick. I swear you spend more time with that weird girl than you do with your own girlfriend. Every since that gala, she is all you and Jason talk about,” Barbara scoffed.

 

“We have finals next week and we’re in almost all of the same classes. What is your problem with her?” Dick asked, walking through the foyer, not caring to see if Babs was following. 

 

“You’re obsessed with her,” Barbara accused.

 

Dick turned to face her.

 

“I’m allowed to have friends that aren’t you, Babs,” Dick stated.

 

“Yes, but why her? She’s creepy.”

 

“Creepy? Since when have you become so mean?” Dick asked.

 

“She looks like a vampire and not in a good way, she refuses to wear anything except a skirt, and she’s practically always hanging on her father. She’s weird, Dick.” Barbara said.

 

“You’re just jealous, Babs,” Dick pointed out.

 

“I don’t care that you spend time with another girl. I’m not that insecure,” Barbara replied.

 

“No, you’re jealous she’s close with her dad. And that I think she’s cool,” Dick answered, honestly.

 

Barbara gawked, stopping in her place.

 

“You do not get to use my family problems against me, Dick. If she’s so cool, go ask her to be your girlfriend. Because you certainly don't have one now.”

 

Dick froze, turning, but Barbara was already out the door.

 

He scratched the back of his head, wondering exactly what Barbara’s deal was. He figured it wasn’t his problem anymore.

 

With that, he began to climb the grand staircase, looking forward to his nap.

 

~

 

Do you believe in god, Alice?”

 

“I didn’t take you for the religious type, Doctor,” Alice said, pointedly.

 

“What did you think would happen when you jumped off that ledge in downtown Gotham?” Dr. Crane asked bluntly.

 

“I thought I’d hit the concrete,” Alice responded. 

 

“And what did the Bat say to you after he caught you?”

 

Alice thought, trying to remember.

 

“He asked where my parents were. When I told him they were dead he asked how old I was. Then he brought me here.”

 

“Do you resent him for stopping you?”

 

“No.” Alice answered, honestly.

 

“You said I wouldn’t help you, yet I think I must have,” Dr. Crane commented.

 

Alice didn’t meet his eyes.

 

“Alice.”

 

A hand gently rested on her thigh.

 

“I think there must be a god. The one that put you in here for me,” Dr. Crane whispered.

 

Alice’s voice caught in her throat, unable to speak.

 

“And I need your help to meet him.”

 

~

 

“Barbara broke up with you? Why?” Alice asked, the next day in their last Biology lecture.

 

“I think she’s dealing with some stuff,” Dick murmured.

 

“Well you deserve better than that, I think,” Alice replied, smiling at her friend.

 

Dick laughed, lightly. He felt more at ease in Alice’s presence than he had in the past months with Barbara.

 

“How come you’re single?” Dick asked, out of curiosity.

 

Alice blushed, looking down at her hands. She had a small silver ring on her left middle finger, her wedding ring. She couldn’t wear it on the right finger, however. She thought if she could, it would solve a lot of her problems.

 

“I don’t know, just not interested, I guess,” Alice mumbled.

 

“That’s fair. Don’t bother with it, honestly. Too much stress,” Dick joked, bumping her shoulder playfully.

 

As class continued, Alice realized she may have just lost her only friend. Jonathan would not be happy if he heard Dick was freshly single. 

 

When they, and all the other students, were shoveling out of the room, Dick placed a friendly hand on Alice’s back to guide her through the crowd.

 

Immediately, all of the blood in Alice’s body rushed to her face, causing her to become brightly red. Alice hoped Dick hadn’t noticed.

 

He kept the hand there until the door of Dr. Crane’s classroom, before removing it as they stepped inside. Alice was internally grateful that Dick removed it when he did. 

 

Alice peeked a glance at her husband, where he stood at the front of the class. He had his glasses on, his sleeves rolled up, thumbing through his journal. Alice suddenly felt very hot again. She gulped.

 

“What’s that he’s working on?” Dick asked, gesturing to their professor.

 

Alice, her eyes locked on her husband, had to rip her gaze away to look at Dick.

 

“His private experiments,” she mumbled in response.

 

“Is that what you two work on all night?” Dick asked, curious.

 

Alice just nodded mutely.

 

“What are the experiments about?” 

 

“Some psychological theories, nothing exciting,” Alice said, becoming suspicious of Dick’s growing curiosity.

 

“Sorry, I was just wondering. You never really talk about it, or your dad for that matter,” Dick commented.

 

“Yeah, I guess.”

 

“You two seem very close,” Dick observed.

 

Alice looked at her husband again.

 

“We are. It’s always just been us two,” she answered, quietly.

 

“I think it’s cool you work together. Bruce lets me work with him sometimes,” Dick said. 

 

Jonathan cleared his throat, signaling the start of class.

 

Alice was distracted the entire time, staring at Dr. Crane. The way he moved, the way he commanded the room, the little gestures he made while teaching. She felt really small at that moment, just another student staring at this brilliant man.

 

She wondered if any other students had the thoughts about him she was having at the moment. If any of them fantasized about being his, about maybe getting some extra credit. She was jealous of her imaginary competitors, but she swallowed it down.

 

She wondered what her life would have been like if he hadn’t entered it. If she was just another student. If he hadn’t treated her, introduced her to his work. If he had never touched her, never loved her. If he hadn’t consumed her entirely.

 

~

“Why the Batman?” Alice asked, sitting on Dr. Crane’s desk in his office.

 

“He’s the ultimate symbol of hope, or fear, depending on who you ask,” Dr. Crane laughed, his foot bouncing on the floor.

 

He sat in his chair, opposite of Alice, writing something in his leather journal Alice never sees him without.

 

Their sessions had gone from weekly to daily, from in the therapy office to his personal office. Alice was happy with the freedom.

 

“What is your plan?” Alice asked.

 

“I want to perfect the toxin and then give it to him. I want to test his mind’s ability against fear,” Dr. Crane mumbled around the pen he was chewing on.

 

“Why do you need me?” 

 

Dr. Crane paused.

 

“I don’t know yet,” he answered, honestly.

 

Alice frowned.

 

“Then why tell me?” she wondered.

 

“I have always worked alone, my entire life. Never cared for family or friends. Never had a partner. My research is my priority, I have never felt the need to maintain relationships.” He replied, after a moment. “I think you’re the same. There’s something about you, something inside you, I don’t fully understand. I don’t know what you want, and that frustrates me.”

 

“I still don’t understand,” Alice murmured.

 

Dr. Crane stood from his chair, surging forward to Alice. His hands were planted on the desk, trapping her beneath him.

 

“I want to dissect you, to lay your entire being bare in front of me. I want to be the only one to know you,” he whispered, menacingly in her ear.

 

Alice swallowed, the familiar lump returning to her throat.

 

“Maybe if you know me, I could learn to know you,” she offered. 

 

Dr. Crane’s piercing blue eyes met hers, licking his lips before speaking.

 

“How intoxicating would that be?” 

 

~

 

“Dr. Crane, I was just wondering if you knew what the final was going to be over?”

 

“This course,” Dr. Crane answered.

 

The short brunette student in front of him blinked.

 

“But more specifically,” she asked, again.

 

Alice approached the two, after class, her book bag hanging off her shoulder. Jonathan’s matching briefcase sat on the floor in front of his desk.

 

“Ask Ms. Alice here, she might be able to clue you in,” Jonathan waved her over, shooing the student away.

 

“No offense to Alyssa or whatever her name is, but a random student wouldn’t help me nearly as much as the professor,” the girl squawked.

 

“I’m sure if you ask Alice you’ll find she’s not just a random student,” Dr. Crane stated, disinterested.

 

“Playing favorites, huh?” the girl, emboldened, asked.

 

“Yes, now is that all?” the doctor asked, causing Alice to stifle a laugh.

 

The girl looked between the professor and Alice, frustratingly. She huffed, clutching her bag, marching out the door.

 

“Nepotism isn’t allowed in such a fine institution as this,” Alice spoke, slowly stepping towards the man.

 

She approached the desk, setting her bag next to his. Jonathan didn’t respond, his eyes raking over her as she leaned against the table.

 

“I don’t think it’s considered nepotism if we’re not related,” he finally replied.

 

Alice laughed.

 

“But they don’t know that.”

 

Jonathan stalked slowly towards her.

 

“No, but you’re still such a daddy’s girl anyway,” he teased.

 

Alice flushed.

 

“But they don’t know just how much that’s true,” he continued.

 

Jonathan’s hand met her hip, pushing her further onto the desk.

 

Alice stilled beneath his touch.

 

“Would you like to show me?” Jonathan asked, hot breath against her nape.

 

Alice nodded mutely.

 

“That’s my girl.”

Chapter 2: take me past the edge; I want to see the other side

Summary:

chapter title: the summoning by sleep token

also note: once again, edited! but just chapters smushed together with a little more proofreading, ignore if you've read before!

“Are you supposed to be here this late?” Alice asked one night, a month into her and Dr. Crane’s studies. 

 

“No one cares,” Dr. Crane mumbled. 

 

The doctor sat on Alice’s bunk in her little cell, scribbling away in his journal. She knew it wasn’t actually a cell, but it might as well have been. She couldn’t leave, anyway.

 

“Why are you here?” Alice asked, after a pause.

 

“Are you going to keep asking questions all night?” 

 

“You’re going to be here all night?” Alice pestered.

 

Dr. Crane closed his journal out of frustration.

 

“If you wanted silence, why come here? You haven’t even said anything,” Alice stated.

 

“I’m trying to work,” he gestured to his journal.

 

“Yeah, so why come here?” Alice repeated.

 

“I don’t know, I just kind of wandered here,” Dr. Crane admitted.

 

Alice swallowed, processing that information.

 

“What do you want?” Alice whispered.

 

“Don’t ask me that,” Dr. Crane muttered.

 

“Why?” Alice pushed.

 

“You know the answer already.”

 

“I really don't. I don’t understand what it is you think I can give you or why you’re even here now,” Alice responded.

 

Dr. Crane stood from his seat.

 

In the small room, he only needed to take one step to practically box Alice in the corner. She suddenly felt it was not a good idea to let the doctor in her room, alone, at night, without any guards nearby. 

 

“You get it,” Dr. Crane replied.

 

Alice swallowed, again.

 

“Get what?”

 

“Me. The work. All of this,” he answered immediately.

 

“How would you know that?” 

 

Dr. Crane stared at her for a second, scrutinizing.

“I see it in your eyes. The little sparkle. It’s understanding, or something akin to that,” he answered.

 

“I’m just a girl. I don’t know what you want me to do,” Alice muttered, honestly.

 

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of you,” Dr. Crane comforted, his hand slowly reaching towards her.

 

Her breath hitched in her throat when his hand met her cheek.

 

“I’ll get you out of here. I’ll take you home, I’ll keep you safe, it’ll just be me and you, together” he practically chanted in her ear.

 

“What do you want from me?” she asked, hoarse.

 

“Just tell me you’ll be mine, now and always,” he breathed.

 

Alice hesitated.

 

“Tell me.”

 

“I’ll be yours,” Alice whispered.

 

She didn’t have the chance to close her eyes before the doctor surged forward, crashing into her.

 

The kiss felt like a blow.

 

It felt violent; bloody. 

 

He felt sharp and contorted against her, something wicked, shaping her into his form. Molding her into his. 

 

In that moment, he was righteous; purifying. 

 

Alice knew she would never have desire as consuming as her need to worship him in his entirety.

~

The fall semester blurred into the spring semester, then the fall semester, then the spring, until Alice walked the stage with little care, ambitious for the next stage of life. Or, more aptly, her and Jonathan’s developing plan.

 

One stormy, cold night in November, Alice fell asleep on Jonathan’s lab desk, after working late into the morning.

 

“Alice.” 

 

Alice awoke with a snap. 

 

“You need to stay awake for this to work,” Dr. Crane muttered, pushing her lightly.

 

The metal of the laboratory’s desk was cool and firm against Alice’s cheek. She wondered just how many seconds she was allowed to sleep before her husband rudely interrupted.

 

“I was supposed to meet Dick today,” Alice mumbled.

 

She felt his glaring eyes before seeing them.

 

“I do not care if you’ve been friends with that boy for your entire undergraduate career, I do not like him,” Jonathan stated.

 

Alice laughed.

 

“You say that as if I actually went to school for more than two years.”

 

Jonathan looked at her, analyzing. 

 

“You’re still upset I made you go?” He asked.

 

Alice huffed in response.

 

“In order for us to actually complete our plan, you needed to go. How else would you be allowed to assist me in my lab?” 

 

“I had all of the credits beforehand, I didn’t need to go at all. You only wanted me to so you could live out your little teacher-student fantasy,” Alice retorted.

 

“Or, I needed us to slowly integrate ourselves into Gotham’s society again. You forget I already have a name here. I need a new reputation,” the doctor responded.

 

“Why? Don't want anyone to know the reason you left was so you could kidnap your favorite underage patient?” Alice teased, propped up on her elbows.

 

Jonathan smacked her arm, causing her forehead to crash into the table with a loud thud.

 

“Ow, what was that for,” Alice moaned.

 

“You’re being a brat,” Jon chastised. 

 

Alice blinked up at him, flirtatiously.

 

“I thought you liked it when I misbehaved,” Alice purred.

 

“No, I don’t like it. I like punishing you. There’s a difference,” Jonathan answered, blanky.

 

Alice huffed, relaxing further in her seat.

 

“Can we go home now?” She begged.

 

Jonathan didn’t respond, rummaging through the draw of the metal table. He wore his white lab coat, and Alice had to admit he somehow managed to look good in it. Or, maybe she was just tired and would have found her husband appealing in anything. Or nothing. She couldn’t decide.

 

“Alice, dear, can you let me focus for maybe five minutes?” The doctor breathed in frustration.

Alice pouted. Jonathan ignored her in favor of grabbing the small, green vial.

“Alright, I’m going to administer this to you now. Are you ready?” He asked, eyes focusing on the toxin. 

 

Alice nodded, her playfulness receding rapidly.

 

“It’s a miniscule dosage, but it should be helpful in the exercise,” Jonathan stated.

 

“Exercise?” Alice asked.

 

“I’m going to ask you a series of questions and with the help of a tiny dose of unadulterated fear, you should be able to answer honestly, from deep within your conscience,” he replied.

 

Alice gulped, closing her eyes as he slid the needle into her vein. She breathed in, out, in out. She counted her heartbeats, waiting for the slow panic to creep in. Once she felt that familiar tingling in her spine, she opened her eyes.

 

“Good girl,” Jonathan murmured, smiling softly as he met her eyes. 

 

His hand stayed on her arm, steadying her on the stool. He picked up his journal with the other hand, opening to presumably the list of questions.

 

“Okay, I’m going to start now. I’ll ask a question, you answer immediately with one word. Don’t think too hard. Your fear will be the guide,” the doctor instructed.

 

Alice nodded silently, not trusting her voice quite yet.

 

“What disturbs you?”

 

Alice thought, “People.”

 

Jonathan laughed.

 

“What comforts you?”

 

“Pain.”

 

“What haunts you?”

“You.”

 

Jonathan paused, looking at her, calculating.

 

“What is your biggest fear?” He continued.

 

“Nothing.”

 

“Nothing? That’s not an answer,” Jonathan corrected.

 

“I don’t know,” Alice responded.

 

Jonathan leaned forward in his chair.

 

“Think. Think about the blood pumping through your veins right now, about the anxiety clouding your brain. Think about the adrenaline pounding through your heart,” Jonathan said.

 

“Well that’s just the toxin,” Alice murmured.

 

Jonathan laughed, again.

 

“No, tell your brain it isn’t. Now, why are you afraid?”

 

Alice hesitated, thinking.

 

“Myself,” she whispered.

 

Jonathan narrowed her eyes.

 

“Why?”

 

“Of who you want me to be,” she answered.

 

“Who do I want you to be?”

 

“You.”

 

Jonathan’s eyes bore into hers.

 

“Is it so scary to be me?” He asked, half-joking.

 

Alice felt her scar, the largest one on her side, pulse at his words.

 

“I think it is.”

 

“Why?” He questioned.

 

“You enjoy hurting what you love,” she murmured.

 

Jonathan laughed, a cruel, sharp bark.

 

“Alice, darling. You’re the one who taught me that.”

 

Alice closed her eyes.

 

“You’re the one that showed me that you and I are incapable of nonviolence. Tell me, baby, was it not you who hurt me first?” He asked, barely above a whisper.

 

“You stabbed me,” she retorted.

 

“That’s not what I asked.”

 

“It was out of defense.”

 

“Not what I asked, either. And we both know that’s not true.”

 

Alice gulped.

 

“If you won’t answer that, then answer this, at least. You enjoy it.”

 

“That wasn’t a question,” Alice replied.

 

Jonathan smiled.

 

“I know.”

 

~

 

“Why are you here?”

 

“I have to do at least one session with you a week, Alice,” The doctor responded, monotone.

 

Alice rolled her eyes.

 

“I mean, here, Arkham. Why the criminally insane?” She asked.

 

Dr. Crane looked down at her.

 

“Honestly, I hadn’t given it much consideration besides I would have access to test subjects,” he answered.

 

“You’re only here for test subjects?” Alice asked, strangely offended.

 

“I didn’t have any other ambitions, really.” 

 

Alice paused, thinking.

 

“Am I just a test subject?” She questioned, meekly.

 

Dr. Crane laughed.

 

“You would be a lousy one. You’re out of the norm,” he replied.

 

“Everyone here is. It’s Arkham,” she responded.

 

“No, they’re all ordinary. Half of them are completely sane. The other half, predictable.” 

 

“But I am not either?”

 

“No, Alice. You’re neither sane nor predictable,” he answered.

 

“Do you just say that because of why I’m here?” Alice asked.

 

“Why you’re here? I don’t really care, truthfully. The most fascinating thing about it is that the reason you’re here hasn’t affected you at all. In fact, it’s like you don’t even remember it,” he said.

 

“I remember it,” Alice whispered.

 

Dr. Crane chuckled.

 

“Yeah, I know. But, Alice, that’s the least interesting thing about you.”

 

“I think everyone else would disagree,” she mumbled.

 

“Do you care about everyone else?” He asked, curiously.

 

Alice laughed this time.

 

“No, not at all.”

 

“I do have one question. Your past doctor told me to only call you Alice, despite that not being your name and no one else calls you that. Why Alice? What’s wrong with your real name?” He inquired.

 

“There’s nothing wrong with it, that’s just not who I am anymore,” she responded.

 

“What, did that person die along with your parents?” The doctor asked.

 

Alice froze.

 

“No one has mentioned my parents since I came here,” she stated.

 

“I figured. I guess you seem so innocent, so unlike everyone else. I think others decided to ignore your own history of violence to continue to believe that. But don’t worry, darling, I know the truth,” he responded.

 

Alice blushed at the pet name, ignoring the haunting tone.

 

“You enjoyed it.”

 

Alice’s eyes snapped to meet his. She didn’t respond.

 

“I figured it out. That glint in your eyes, it is understanding, but not of me, exactly. But of violence,” Dr. Crane stated.

 

“Are you not a violent person?” Alice asked.

 

“Not like you, anyway,” he answered.

 

“In what way, then?”

 

He paused, gathering his thoughts.

 

“I enjoy violence for science’s sake. You, on the other hand, bask in the bloody, rawness of it.” 

 

“Is that why you say I’m not sane like the others?” She questioned.

 

“No, actually, I’ve changed my mind. That makes you the most sane here,” he laughed.

 

“What does that make you then?”

 

“I guess you have a point. I suppose I’m the insane one, then. But, I do know you’re dangerous,” he said.

 

“Then why?”

 

“Why, what?” he asked.

 

“Why do you want me?”

 

He thought. Alice grew nervous.

 

“I don’t want you. I need you, I think. There’s a difference,” he finally spoke. 

 

Alice refused to meet his eyes, even as his hand firmly grasped her thigh.

 

“For once in my life, Alice, I think I’m afraid of another person. I’m afraid of what you’re capable of, of what you’ve done with no remorse. I could shape you into the most terrifying, beautiful creature, or you could break me entirely.”

 

Alice’s eyes glanced over at the small window of the room’s doors, no guards or other prisoners within view. She wondered what they would think if they saw them right now or heard their conversation. It felt wrong, and Alice knew it was.

 

“But darling, that’s what makes this so exciting. I feel like you could understand me, in a twisted, demented way. I am going to get you out of here, Alice. Despite what you did, I don’t think you belong here.”

 

“Where do I belong?” Alice asked.

 

“Beside me.”

 

~

 

Late the next night, laying in her and Jonathan’s bed, Alice awoke from a dream. 

 

She looked to her side, to see her husband awaking, almost as if he sensed her consciousness.

 

“Baby,” he groaned, tired.

 

“Jon,” she replied.

 

He sat up fully, wiping the sleep from his eyes. He reached towards her, pulling her against his chest.

 

“Same dream?” He asked, softly.

 

Alice nodded, appreciating the feeling of his strong arms caging her into him. 

 

“It’s probably because of the small amount of toxin I gave you. Don’t worry, it should dissipate by tomorrow,” he said.

 

Alice didn’t respond, running her nails through the fabric of her nightgown.

Jonathan’s eyes watched the ripples of the silk, trailing up to the pale flesh peaking out beneath it. One hand dipped below, stroking her skin.

 

“Does it still scare you?” He whispered.

 

“Of course it does,” Alice answered.

 

He paused, still stroking her.

 

“I would apologize, but I don’t think you’d appreciate it.”

 

Alice glared up at him.

 

“I never apologized, either,” she replied.

 

Jonathan laughed and Alice felt his chest move against her back.

 

“I never asked you to. I never want you to.”

 

“Do you feel it, sometimes?” She questioned.

 

His hand stilled.

 

“Yes, sometimes when I think about you,” he responded. “Do you?”

 

“Whenever you scare me,” she replied.

 

He nodded. 

 

“I don’t think many couples can say they’ve wounded each other quite like we have,” he commented.

 

Alice remained silent.

 

“I think in the past year I’ve made the realization that I have no control over you, that I never did. You let me believe I have the power, that I hurt you just because I can. But I don’t, and I couldn’t unless you let me,” he remarked.

 

Alice froze in his arms.

 

“You don’t have to say anything, or necessarily do anything to make me bend to your will. And I do, because I think I am the one that decided it for myself. But we both know that isn’t true. And Alice, you scare me sometimes, but I think that’s what I love most about you,” he murmured. 

 

Alice laughed, throwing her head back against him, gazing up at him.

 

Jonathan stilled, studying her eyes.

 

“God, when did you become so disastrously beautiful?” He breathed.

 

Alice stilled, flinching at the compliment.

 

“I think I have become you, or at least a distorted version,” she replied.

 

Jonathan closed his eyes, pressing his forehead against her.

 

“Or I have become you. Doesn’t matter, either way. It’s you and me against the world, baby. You’re all that matters.”

 

Alice smiled, softly, letting herself drift asleep in her husband’s grasp. 

 

~

 

“Why did you do it, Alice?”

 

Alice refused to answer.

 

Dr. Crane sat back in his seat, obviously tired or frustrated, or an unsatisfying mixture of both.

 

“If you want me to release you, you have to talk about it. You’ll have to do it in front of a court, too. So better start now,” he muttered.

 

Alice closed her eyes.

 

“I don’t want to go to court,” she moaned.

 

Dr. Crane chuckled.

 

“Then tell me, Alice, how are you going to get out of here?”

 

“Can’t you just let me go?” She asked, hopefully.

 

Dr. Crane narrowed his eyes.

 

“I mean, technically, I could. But you would just be found again, probably by the Bat. He takes Arkham escapees very seriously,” he answered.

 

“Is there nothing you can do?”

 

He paused. 

 

“Why do you want out so badly now?” 

 

“Is it not part of your plan?” She asked.

 

“I mean, it is, but you didn’t care to leave before,” he replied.

 

Alice smiled.

 

“I have something to look forward to now.”

 

~

 

“Congratulations on your new position, Doctor,” Bruce Wayne said.

 

“Thank you, Mr. Wayne. I’m looking forward to reforming the asylum and focusing on rehabilitation,” Dr. Crane responded.

 

Alice sat next to him, meekly, out of her comfort zone. Her husband picked out her dress, a short, black gown that hung off her shoulders. She felt exposed, but he reassured her she looked fine. With the way Dick was staring at her, she assumed she looked better than fine.

 

The small, private event was held in the lobby of Wayne Enterprises. Alice wondered why Bruce Wayne of all people was so heavily involved with the asylum. 

 

“Alice, you look nice,” Dick whispered to her, from her left.

 

Alice smiled appreciatively, thanking him. Jonathan looked at the two of them from the side of his eye.

 

“Is Barbara not here?” Alice asked. The pair, while having broken up, remained very close nonetheless.

 

Dick shook his head, looking down at his hands.

 

“She still has a problem with your dad,” he explained.

 

“I don’t understand why. He never did anything,” Alice replied.

 

Dick shrugged, nonchalantly.

 

“Her dad still suspects he had something to do with that fire in Arkham.”

 

Alice gulped, sneaking a glance at her husband.

 

“It was an accident and it was almost a decade ago,” Alice said.

 

“Yeah, but it is strange. Also, it’s Arkham. No one trusts anything that goes down there. Especially after Harley Quinn,” Dick responded.

 

Alice laughed, remembering her time fondly with the Dr. Quinzel.

 

Dick quirked an eyebrow at her, before smiling. 

 

“Why did you two leave Gotham after that? I don’t think I’ve ever asked before,” Dick questioned.

 

“Shame, or something like that. Besides, my mother had just died and we both needed to get away,” she answered, vaguely.

 

Dick nodded, understanding. He drank from his glass.

 

The two adjusted their gaze as someone sat across from them. It was Jason, dawning a sleek, black suit, his broad shoulders seemingly stretching the fabric. Alice tried to not stare.

 

“Why hello there, princess. I haven’t seen you in a hot minute,” Jason drawled, smirking at her.

 

In the past two years, although their time together had been infrequent and typically only in Dick’s company, Jason had refused to stop calling her that. Especially in front of Jonathan. Alice knew he did it just to make her husband jealous.

 

“That little black dress is doing you wonders. Why don’t you give me a little twirl?” Jason teased, causing Alice to flush.

 

Jonathan’s foot tapped against her leg lightly. Alice ignored it. 

 

“Jason, knock it off. I think she’s made it clear she’s not interested,” Dick said, behind his glass of red wine. Jason snickered.

 

“Aw, don’t get jealous, Dick. We can share,” Jason purred. Alice looked down at the ring on her hand, focusing on anything except for the warmth in her cheeks.

 

“Why did you even come?” Dick asked, an edge to his voice.

 

Alice made note of it, wondering if the two brothers were going through something.

 

“What, I was invited,” Jason answered.

 

Throughout the past couple of years, Alice noticed Jason almost keeping an eye on her. Whenever the Waynes were around the Cranes, Jason was there. He inserted himself in every conversation, observing the way Alice and Jonathan interacted. Alice knew he was trying to protect her, in some sick, sweet way. Of course, Jonathan felt threatened by it.

 

Fortunately for Alice, as she became more confident and comfortable in her relationship with her husband, the bruises became more uncommon, which meant Jason had less vague comments to make.

 

Bruce looked between the brothers, and Alice noticed a twitch in his brow. She assumed whatever divided the two was relatively fresh and probably involved their adoptive father.

 

He noticed Alice watching him and locked eyes with her. He stared at her for a second, eyes narrowing. He seemed to be observing something on her face, and Alice quickly ripped her gaze from him.

 

“So, Alice, what’s your plan now?” Bruce asked, after an awkward silence.

 

Alice gulped, fidgeting with her fingers.

 

“I am developing my own private research,” she answered, quietly.

 

Bruce nodded, approvingly. 

 

“Psychology, I assume?” He asked, smiling.

 

“Yes,” she answered, simply.

 

“She takes after you, Jonathan,” Bruce remarked, causing Jon to chuckle.

 

“Oh, she’s far more clever than I am. I expect she’ll go farther than I ever will,” he responded. She beamed at his proud, private smile as he spoke about her.

 

“Do you plan to work with your father?” Dick asked.

 

Alice nodded, looking sideways to him.

 

“After I establish a new system within the asylum, I plan to invite her to work with me. It would be a shame to be without her brilliance,” Jonathan said.

 

Alice blushed at the compliment, eyes glued to her lap.

 

“Is that technically self-flattery, if she practically has your mind?” Bruce joked, causing the pair to laugh lightly.

 

Alice went silent when she noticed Jason’s slight grimace. He seemed unhappy, but Alice couldn’t tell if it was with her, her husband, or Bruce. She prayed it wasn’t her.

 

“Fair. She is practically a carbon copy of me, anyway. Which is equally pleasant as it is frustrating,” Jonathan joked.

 

“I’m sure. While these two don’t share blood with me, they seem to somehow have inherited my most infuriating qualities,” Bruce laughed, causing the brothers to scowl. Alice tried to not giggle.

 

“Mr. Wayne!” A man called from behind the large dining table. 

 

“If you’d excuse me,” Bruce said, standing from his chair.

 

Alice watched as the man disappeared into the small crowd, chatting with a plethora of Gotham’s elite. She knew something was off about him, something she somehow related to. She spent many hours since meeting him trying to decipher what exactly it is.

 

The small event, celebrating Jonatha’s new role as director of the asylum, seemed to be more for the investors than the actual guest of honor. Alice didn’t mind, content to be silent next to her husband’s side. She was appreciative of Dick and Jason’s presence. If nothing else, they were a couple of familiar faces.

 

Alice froze as she felt Jonathan’s hand slide onto her thigh, where the fabric of her dress met her skin. The warmth was welcome; the touch comforting. She didn’t know why, but being in Wayne’s company made Alice nervous. 

 

“What do you say we get out of here?” Jason asked, eyes focused on Jonathan. Jon didn’t notice, or at least didn’t care enough to acknowledge it.

 

“Jason we can’t leave Alice here,” Dick replied. Jason scoffed.

 

“I mean with Alice. Let’s go get a burger or something,” Jason said. 

 

“She probably wants to stay with her dad, Jay,” Dick remarked. He looked at Alice, smiling softly.  

 

“Jesus, she’s always with him. Alice is a big girl now, she can make her own decisions,” Jason goaded, and Alice knew he was taunting the couple.

 

Jonathan’s hand grasped Alice’s flesh possessively. 

 

“Alice, is that what you want?” The doctor asked, facetiously sweet. 

 

She looked between her husband and her friends, silently begging for someone to make the decision for her.

 

“I should stay here with Bruce, Jason. But you two go ahead,” Dick stated.

 

Jonathan patted her thigh, and Alice took that as approval. She nodded, meekly, to Jason, who looked relieved.

 

“Alright, princess,” he stood, walking to Alice’s side of the table. He pulled her chair out for her, certainly not missing the sight of Jonathan’s hand on her thigh. 

 

Alice stood, following Jason out hesitantly. Her husband didn’t turn to watch her leave, presumably engaged in conversation with some Gotham elite. She did feel his mild frustration, however, and she assumed it was because she left his side. 

 

It would be fine, she reassured herself, Jonathan could survive on his own. Alice didn’t exactly expect the same of her alone in Jason’s presence.

Jason led her to the front entrance of Wayne Enterprise’s lobby, to a red motorcycle tucked in the alleyway beside the skyscraper.

 

Alice gulped, grabbing the scarlet helmet Jason handed her. She hesitated as Jason sat down, beckoning her over to sit behind him. Once she sat, and Jason had put his leather gloves on, his hands redirected hers to sit on his waist. She tried to not think about the firmness of his side.

 

“I bet if your man saw us now he’d lose it,” he commented, snarling instead of smiling. 

 

Alice didn’t respond. Jason started the bike, taking off towards downtown Gotham. 

 

Watching the scenery, the many different tones of gray and grime, Alice felt comforted. Gotham was her home, after all. It always would be, no matter what she and Jonathan planned for it.

 

When Jason pulled into an alleyway, Alice didn’t recognize it. He apparently brought her to a bar, some sleazy hole-in-the-wall. 

 

“Come on, darling,” he said, picking her up off the bike by the waist to set her on the ground. Alice blushed.

 

“Don’t be so nervous, Alice. You’re safest with me,” he assured. 

 

Alice didn’t know how to answer that, or what exactly Jason thought he was protecting her from. He treated her like she was naive, but he was. 

 

Jason led her through the doors, guiding her to a booth in the back. He seemed to be familiar with the establishment, but Alice wondered why the adopted son of Bruce Wayne spent so much time in Gotham’s underbelly. 

 

He slid into the booth, hand on Alice’s back as he pulled her next to him. She ignored the fact he didn’t retract his hand.

 

Leaning in, far too close, he tucked a strand of Alice’s hair behind her ear.

 

“What’s got you so wound up?” He asked, and Alice felt his breath against her neck. She shuddered.

“I’m fine,” she answered, curtly, not trusting herself to say anything more.

 

Jason laughed, his body rocking against her in the seat.

 

“You’re just like me, then. Always fine no matter the shit going on,” he remarked. 

 

A bartender approached them, silently setting down a glass in front of Jason. Alice assumed Jason had to be a regular for the man to know his order.

 

“Let me ask you something, and I want you to be honest with me,” Jason said, after a moment.

 

Alice met his eyes, timidly.

 

“If you could get away, would you?”

 

She paused, trying to understand his question.

 

“From Gotham, from all of this, from him,” he continued.

 

“From Gotham, no. From this, maybe,” she joked, intentionally ignoring the last part of his question.

 

When Jason didn’t laugh, she sombered.

 

“If I offered to help you, would you take it?” Jason asked, seriously.

 

Alice shook her head almost immediately. 

 

“I don’t need help,” she stated, matter-of-factly.

 

Jason nodded, slowly. 

 

“Are you just saying that? Or are you genuinely happy with your situation?”

 

“What situation?” 

 

He scoffed, drinking from his glass.

 

“Your pedophilic abuser of a husband,” he replied, bluntly.

 

Alice tried to not balk at the insult.

 

“You don’t know anything,” she muttered. Jason looked at her from the rim of the glass.

 

“Then tell me.”

Alice fidgeted, feeling the pressure of his hand against her waist. She supposed he was probably the only person in the world Alice could talk to.

 

“He’s not a pedophile,” she said.

 

“I doubt that. How long have you been together?” 

 

“We’ve been married for three years,” she answered.

 

“And you’re twenty one? Yeah, go ahead and try to tell me he didn’t fuck you before that,” he snarled.

 

Alice flushed. 

 

“Why does it matter to you so much?” She asked, instead of replying.

 

“Because, Alice, it’s wrong. He hurts you, he controls you. You’re just a girl.”

 

Alice tried to not feel insulted at the belittlement. 

 

“It’s not what you think.”

 

“Then what is it, princess,” he asked, softer.

 

Alice swallowed, gathering her words.

 

“He never forced me to do anything. I chose it, I chose him. Since the beginning. I knew what I was getting into,” she said.

 

“How old were you?”

 

“When I met him? Fifteen,” she answered, honestly.

 

Jason looked down at where his hand rested on her hip.

 

“You were just a child.”

 

Alice laughed, surprising herself. Jason looked at her, puzzled.

 

“Jason, don’t act like I’m a victim. You don’t even know how we met.”

 

“Then tell me.”

 

“I can’t.”

 

Jason rolled his eyes.

 

“Alice, I’m not asking,” he said, firmly.

 

Alice felt a lump forming in her throat.

 

“If I tell you, you can’t tell anyone, ever. You have to swear not to,” she said.

 

Jason nodded slowly.

 

“I was fifteen, like I said. It was during his residency at Arkham, before we left,” Alice stated, waiting for the words to sink in.

 

“You were in Arkham?” Jason asked, curiosity and something Alice couldn’t quite place seeping into his voice.

 

“Yes, but it was because I tried to kill myself,” she replied, which was the truth. It just wasn’t all of it.

 

Jason’s eyes snapped to hers, assessing. 

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“Don’t be. It was six years ago. I’m different now,” Alice said, specifically using the word ‘different’ instead of ‘better’. Jason didn’t catch on.

 

“Then he took advantage of you, not only because of your age, but your mental state, too,” Jason commented.

 

Alice shook her head, firmly.

 

“No, he helped me. If I hadn’t met him there, then I would still be there. Or dead,” she said.

 

“How did you get out? Just discharged?” Jason asked, obviously uncomfortable with her last statement.

 

“The fire.”

 

“The fire? You mean you planned that?” Jason questioned.

 

“I didn’t, but it was a chance to leave so I took it,” she answered, which was once again the truth, just not all of it.

 

“And what, you two escaped into the sunset?” He asked, incredulous.

 

“Something like that.”

 

“Alice, you have to know he is not good for you. You don’t deserve him,” Jason remarked, his hand squeezing her.

Alice looked down at her lap, suddenly becoming overwhelmed.

 

“I know I don’t deserve him,” she mumbled.

 

Jason’s hand pulled her closer into his side, turning her so that she had no choice but to face him.

 

“Alice, you deserve better. You deserve to be taken care of, not used,” he whispered into her neck.

 

“He takes care of me.”

 

“No, princess, he doesn’t. He doesn’t protect you or love you, he just hurts you,” Jason replied, steadfastly.

 

“No real man would lay hands on what’s theirs,” he continued.

 

Alice sighed softly as Jason’s hand reached for chin, pulling her gently. He waited until her eyes met his.

 

“I wouldn’t,” he whispered, his breath hot on her face.

 

Alice shivered, trapped in Jason’s hold. 

 

“Is he the only man you’ve ever been with?” 

 

Alice nodded, mutely, unable to squeak out an answer.

 

“Don’t you want to know what it’s like? For someone who cares, who wants the best for you?” He purred into her ear. 

 

His grip on her face tightened like a vice, forcing her to maintain eye contact.

 

“I would take care of you, Alice,” Jason drawled, eyes bright with hope.

 

Alice didn’t know how to respond, unsure of what her answer would be. Jason didn’t wait, however, before surging forward, trapping her in a harsh kiss.

 

Alice couldn’t fight back, couldn’t do anything except freeze in his grasp. Jason didn’t mind, practically pulling her into his lap. She remained still, not responding in any physical way, yet not rejecting it either.

 

She had never felt someone else like this before, never been held by anyone other than Jonathan. She felt sick.

 

 When Jason decided he was done, he kept Alice where she was, atop of him. In the small booth in the corner of the bar, no one paid them any mind. Jason’s hands ran up and down her sides, gripping harshly at her dress. 

 

His face was entirely flushed, his lips plump with spit. Alice could tell he was entirely bewitched, mind thumping with only one thought. She so desperately wanted the thought to leave his head and to never return. 

 

“You can’t tell him,” Jason said, a moment after regaining his composure.

 

Alice, thighs exposed on Jason’s lap, nodded, eyes fixated on her pale skin. 

 

“Just give me a little bit of time, princess. I’ll make sure you’ll be safe soon, with me,” Jason said, kissing the side of her head.

 

Alice knew Jason meant well, that he only wanted to protect her, to take care of the frail, little dove he thought she was. She pitied him, almost, for being so utterly naive. She was in no danger, in no situation that required saving. 

 

Jason, however, knew nothing of the danger he just got himself into.

 

~

 

“What exactly is your plan?”

 

“To get you out of here, darling,” Dr. Crane answered, vaguely.

 

“You know what I meant, Doctor.”

 

“God, Alice, don’t call me that, it makes me feel weird,” he said, exasperated.

 

“What am I supposed to call you? I don’t even know your name,” she muttered.

 

“It’s Jonathan.”

“Jonathan,” she said, testing out the waters. His gaze snapped to her, smirking slightly.

 

“Now, will you just be quiet and obey when the time comes? If you can promise to do that, we won’t run into any complications,” he said.

 

Alice nodded, smiling to herself.

 

“Good girl. I need you to come here tomorrow morning, I’ll have the matches by then.”

 

“Matches? What do we need those for?” Alice asked, curious.

 

The doctor’s grin grew vicious.

 

“Alice, dear, we’re going to burn this wretched place to ash.”

 

~

 

On Jason’s bike, once again, Alice’s hands shook, resting on his sides. She buzzed with anxiety, afraid of how Jonathan would react to the news. She supposed she didn’t really have to tell him, not yet, at least. 

 

Arriving at Wayne Enterprise, Jason pulled off into the alleyway he was originally parked in. He stopped the bike, pulling off his helmet and resting it on the handlebars. He grasped Alice’s waist, again, picking her up as if she weighed nothing.

 

Setting her back on the ground, his hands stayed wrapped around her. Jason looked down at her, eyes transfixed on her lips. 

 

“I don’t want to let you back in there,” he muttered.

 

Alice didn’t respond.

 

“I want to take you with me, to keep you home and never let you go,” he practically growled. 

 

Alice shivered as his hands gripped possessively, causing her dress to rise. 

 

“I might. Keep you safe. Never let him see you, touch you again,” he whispered, leaning forward so that Alice could feel his mouth moving against the side of her head.

 

“I have to go,” she squeaked out. 

 

Jason laughed, his body rocking back and forth.

 

“Princess, come with me,” he breathed, pulling her impossibly closer.

 

“You know I can’t,” she answered. Jason’s hands tightened, painfully.

 

“I’m not asking.”

 

“I should get back to my husband,” was her response.

 

Jason snarled in her ear, his jealousy instant and fiery. 

 

“You’re not his,” he stated, firmly.

 

Alice laughed lightly.

“Jason, I am. I always will be,” she said. 

 

“No, I want you to be mine. You will be mine,” and all though it wasn’t a threat, it felt like one.

 

“I’m sorry,” she apologized, but she didn’t really mean it.

 

It was the truth, she was Jonathan’s before she even met him. Alice was born with an ache in her soul that only Jonathan could soothe. Their minds clicked into each other like no one could ever understand, and Alice refused to be without him. She couldn’t, and she knew he couldn’t, either. Neither of them could survive separation.

 

“I’ll be back, I promise. I’ll protect you until I can take you,” he assured, which only increased Alice’s dread.

 

She nodded, not knowing what else to do. She backed away from him, gingerly pulling his hands off her waist. He refused to let go at first, before finally conceding and hesitantly letting her go.

 

She didn’t turn back as she entered the glass doors to the lobby, searching for her husband.

 

Finding Jonathan’s familiar head of sleek, raven hair wasn’t difficult in the crowd of old, balding men. He was laughing at something someone said, probably at them, when his eyes met Alice’s. He instantly sombered, his gaze sharp and unwavering.

 

Alice gulped, approaching him. His hand slid onto her back, welcoming her into the small circle of people gathered around him. Alice didn’t recognize any of them.

 

“Alice, meet Dr. Nygma. Dr. Nygma, this is my daughter, Alice,” Jonathan introduced, and a tall man with black, mousy hair and square glasses held out his hand for Alice to shake.

 

The man’s eyes were suspicious, almost analyzing Alice in her entirety. She held his gaze resolutely, shaking his hand.

 

“Hello, nice to meet you,” Alice offered, politely. The man’s grin grew pointed.

 

“Daughter, you said?” Dr. Nygma asked. Jonathan nodded, smiling.

 

“Well she certainly doesn’t get her looks from you,” the man joked, and Jonathan chuckled. His hand moved lower against her back, resting at the limit of what was deemed appropriate. 

 

“She takes after her mother,” was Jonathan’s answer.

 

Alice smiled, simply. The man’s eyes were sharp and calculating, and Alice knew he was not to be trusted.

 

Jonathan introduced Alice one by one to the little gathering, each man as uninteresting as the last, save for Dr. Nygma.

 

As the night grew later and later, Alice’s dread dissipated, sensing Jonathan wasn’t entirely displeased with her. She knew he had somewhat of a plan for the Wayne’s, and for some reason, he continued to use her to accomplish it.

 

Finally, the couple slipped away from the main crowd, tucked in an isolated corner, both watching Bruce Wayne. The man moved through the sea of people like a chameleon, blending in with whoever surrounded him. 

 

“I don’t know what to make of them, any of them,” Jonathan murmured behind his glass of wine he was nursing.

 

“Jason is definitely up to something,” she responded, earning a squeeze to her hip.

 

“Oh, he sure is. I can practically smell him on you,” he commented, annoyed. Alice laughed.

 

“You knew that would happen, why send me away alone with him?” Alice asked, curiosity apparent in her tone.

 

Jonathan set his glass down, waving her off.

 

“I can tell he’s the weakest one, as far as secrecy is concerned,” Jonathan answered. Alice nodded.

 

“I think he may be involved in some crime ring or something. He took me to this seedy bar in downtown Gotham and no one batted an eye at him. He also has continued to make vague promises of ‘taking care’ of you,” she said. 

 

“I don’t know why, but I think they’re at the center of it all. Especially Bruce, he’s something completely other,” Jonathan continued.

 

“He’s familiar, in some way. I can’t quite figure it out, but it’s almost like I recognize him,” Alice whispered, and Jonathan’s eyes narrowed at her.

 

“I don’t like it, but I think we have to continue. Where did Jason go?” He asked.

 

Alice shrugged, looking down at her feet.

 

“What did he say?”

 

“That he is going to save me from you,” Alice muttered.

 

Jonathan laughed, a full, hearty laugh.

 

“Oh, the audacity of that boy. He’s making it too easy,” Jonathan said, smiling, but his grip on Alice was tightening.

 

He leaned in towards Alice, mouth against her ear.

 

“I hope you haven’t forgotten whose you are,” he whispered. Alice shuddered at the feeling of his warm breath against the shell of her ear.

 

“Never,” she breathed in response. She felt her husband’s grin.

 

“That naive boy. He should come to my rescue, not yours.”

 

Alice laughed, softly.

 

“Wouldn’t make a difference. I would never let you go,” she responded, tone light, but words grave.

 

Jonathan pulled back, his eyes gleaming with desire.

 

“That’s my girl,” he purred.

 

Alice beamed, happy to be back in the presence and arms of the person she belonged to.

 

Alice liked Jason, but there was something so inherently good about him, so innately different from her. She could tell he used violence as a tool, but violence was Alice’s entire being. There was something so dark, so twisted and contorted inside of Alice, and only Jonathan could understand. 

 

Jason tried to push past against the thorns of Alice’s fury, but Jonathan bled himself on them. There was no disentangling the couple; they were no longer individuals, but one. Alice prayed Jason realized that before it was too late.

 

~

 

The next morning, Alice awoke with a pit in her stomach. She ignored it, forcing herself to rise and get ready.

 

She slipped out of her room, making her way to Dr. Crane’s office. The door was cracked open, but the doctor wasn’t inside.

 

Sitting on his desk, staring up at Alice, was a box of matches and a small, metal knife.

Chapter 3: i'm a danger; you're a long way from home

Summary:

chapter title: higher by sleep token

also note: ignore again if you've read this already!

also let me know what you think :) any feedback/criticism welcome!

One night, Alice, in the throes of sleep, swore she saw a hooded man watching her, standing on the fire escape. 

 

She blinked, and he was gone. 

~

 

The entire asylum was thrown into a dizzying state of frenzy, guard and prisoners alike running from the ever-encroaching fire.

 

Alice slipped into the small, isolated room at the far corner of the building, where Dr. Crane had instructed her to go.

 

She wasn’t sure of the entirety of the plan, of what exactly Jonathan had in mind for sneaking her out. She did as she was told, and she only hoped he hadn’t forgotten her.

 

When the door opened, and the doctor, adorning a sharp, fixed scowl, stepped in, Alice’s heart leaped with hope. 

 

“Alice, we have to go,” he said, as casually as the situation allowed.

 

She nodded, standing and grasping the hand he stretched out. His skin was warm to the touch, something so foreign to Alice. She hadn’t felt anyone’s touch in years before his. She had somehow, slowly, begun to crave it.

 

“Where are we going?” she asked, being tugged along by the man.

 

He pulled her through the winding hallways of the ancient asylum, through dilapidated corridors and stairwells. He seemed to know Arkham by heart.

 

Jonathan looked back at her, pausing for a moment, eyes raking up and down her. She felt nervous, suddenly realizing she was completely alone with the most dangerous man in the asylum. 

 

He smiled, and that fear crept back up her spine.

 

“Home.”

 

~

 

Jason, frustrated with the way just about everything in his life was going, was having an understandably hard night.

 

Dick and Bruce had been getting onto him about his ‘stalkerish’ tendencies when it concerned a certain, helpless, little girl. He couldn’t outright tell them why he had this protective streak when it came to Alice, he had promised to keep her dark secret just that; a secret.

 

He knew they would probably not care as much as he did, it was her life and she was an adult, but he supposed Dick might be a little wounded that Alice, who he considered his closest friend, had lied to him.

 

Bruce, somewhat suspicious of Dr. Crane for undisclosed reasons, might find it a little bit more concerning, but not for the same purpose that Jason did. Bruce would be focused on the fact that Alice was underage and an Arkham escapee, Jason focused on the fact that Alice wasn’t his.

 

It was an all consuming thought lately; taking Alice from the vice that was her husband. That man had no right to her, he did not deserve the innocence and purity that Alice embodied.

 

Alice was his little dove, who fell at the hands of a predator, a man Jason vowed to demolish. Despite Jason’s selfish desires to have Alice all for himself, he knew, objectively, that she was not safe with Dr. Crane. That man was a monster, for stealing a young, scared girl away and essentially locking her up in his ivory tower.

 

Dick and Bruce just didn’t see it; they couldn’t see it. Jason would have to show them somehow.

 

He thought of his plan as he climbed Alice’s fire escape, peeking in through her window, watching the couple entwined in slumber. How vicious that man was, holding her gently against his chest, every night, knowing what he had done to her. Jason would kill him, no matter what.

 

Alice would be hurt, at first, still under Dr. Crane’s influence, but Jason would have to teach her to be okay with it. He had to die for Jason to finally, completely, have her.

 

~

 

“You live here?” Alice asked, stepping into the shabby, little apartment. Jonathan had driven her across the city of Gotham, and Alice was astonished by how much she missed the gray, dull city. When the pair arrived to the worn down apartment, Alice didn’t know what else she had expected, but it certainly wasn’t this.

 

Jonathan laughed.

 

“No, Alice. We’re just here for a little while, then we’re going to Bludhaven,” he answered.

 

Alice raised an eyebrow.

 

“Bludhaven? Why are we leaving Gotham?” She wondered.

 

“Darling, we just escaped from Arkham Asylum. We can’t exactly just hang out around Gotham.”

 

Alice nodded, looking disdainfully at her surroundings. She supposed it would be fine for a night or two, but hopefully not much longer.

 

“You’re ridiculous,” Jonathan said, out of nowhere.

 

Alice looked up at him, offended.

 

“You’re okay with living in an asylum for a year and a half, but god forbid the apartment isn’t tidy enough,” he laughed.

 

Alice blushed, looking down at her feet. A hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her back against Jonathan’s chest.

 

“The nice thing, though, is that we’re all alone now,” he whispered into her hair.

 

Alice gulped.

 

“Such a pretty thing like you in a place like this feels wrong.”

 

His hands climbed up her waist, steadily, to the top of the asylum-issued gown.

 

“Does this feel wrong?” He breathed.

 

Alice nodded, once, twice.

 

“Smart girl. You’re probably also smart enough to realize what you’ve gotten yourself into, aren’t you darling?” 

 

Alice nodded, shakily, this time.

 

Jonathan’s breathy chuckle sent chills down her spine.

 

Fear crept in, again, a feeling becoming familiar with Jonathan as a whole.

 

Alice began to understand the appeal to fear, the intoxicating, mind-numbing chaos of it. It felt like Jonathan wrapped up into an unappetizing, yet completely irresistible concoction. Alice wondered if it would ever become too much, but she reasoned her problem would lie in not getting enough.

 

She so desperately wanted to consume him, to snap him into a broken, bloody mess of a man. The way his hands moved against her, she could tell he wanted the same for her. 

 

Everything about it felt so wrong, yet so in character for both of them. Alice’s fear and desire mingled into a sweet, toxic melt. She began to savor the taste.

 

~

 

Alice’s first day as an intern at Arkham felt little to no different than when she arrived that day, six years ago, in the grasp of the Bat.

 

She walked in, her husband by her side, and felt like she was entering the prison once again. The green, pale walls vibrated with dread. Alice wanted to leave.

 

Alice would follow Jonathan around, helping administer medicine and conduct therapy. She only hoped no one recognized her from her own stay.

 

Jonathan smiled at her, reassuring. Alice couldn’t ignore the way he looked back in this place, it felt like the first time she saw him. Some arrogant, dull-eyed doctor who already fell disenchanted with the system.

 

Except, this time, they both knew what they were here for.

 

It was finally time, finally the opportunity, to begin their plan. The spit on Alice’s tongue felt sweet with anticipation, the sweat of the prisoners moot in the excitement of it all. 

 

Alice could taste fear in the air.

 

~

 

Laying on the small, withering mattress, Alice felt Jonathan’s heartbeat against her cheek.

 

Her pale body was riddled with bruises, Jonathan’s not much better. Alice supposed it made sense neither could love without harming the other.

 

“I know what you are,” Alice whispered, above the dim hum of the metal fan.

 

Jonathan laughed, his chest bouncing up and down. 

 

“Oh, were you really so naive to believe I would ever hide it from you?”

 

Alice smiled, her hand grasping the item tucked into her gown.

 

Jonathan, his eyes closed and mouth open in subdued pleasure, didn’t stir until Alice sat atop of him.

 

His eyelids fluttered open, piercing blue eyes boring into Alice’s skull.

 

“Alice?” he asked, an edge of fear seeping through.

 

“I’m sorry,” she said. She knew he knew she didn’t particularly mean it.

 

The knife, although small, managed to plunge into his flesh with little resistance. Alice watched as the crimson blood poured onto her own pale skin, a dizzying scene of violence and carnage.

 

Alice took one look at Jonathan and knew he felt it too. The violence felt like worship, the stab an offering. 

 

Alice was so distracted by the unfolding picture, she hadn’t even noticed when the needle slipped into her neck. 

 

~

 

After six months of accustoming herself to the daily life of an Arkham orderly, Alice still felt out--or more aptly--too in-place in the facility.

 

Jonathan, however, flourished completely, reorganizing the entire system into a flawless, inescapable machine. That was, until Joker managed to escape, but that was entirely expected.

 

Batman even complimented the doctor on his work, which Alice was eternally grateful the vigilante hadn’t noticed or recognized her during his visit.

 

Alice was consistently mesmerized by the doctor’s antics, the way he commanded an entire institution like it was his birthright, which Alice suspected it might have been. He was almost too good at his job, and Arkham was Arkham, so it was expected that the Batman, or at least his proteges, checked up on the facility from time to time. 

 

This time, the infamous Nightwing decided to stop by. 

 

Alice watched as the man strutted through the gates, passing by and greeting each and every guard by name. Alice wasn’t moronic, she could see through his poorly veiled attempts of intimidation. He wanted the guards to know that he knew them, and in turn, he was watching them.

 

The man waltzed up to where Alice and Jonathan stood, on a little alcove hanging over the cafeteria area. He paused next to Alice, making a point to avoid looking at her. Alice realized she hadn’t seen Nightwing, at least in person, before. 

 

“All good?” He asked, his voice modifier deep and robotic.

 

Alice looked over her shoulder, at her husband, expectantly.

 

“Yes, now should I show you out?” 

 

Nightwing laughed, shaking his head in disbelief.

 

“Straight to the point, fair enough,” he said.

 

The way the masked vigilante’s hair fell on his face as he laughed was oddly reminiscent of someone Alice knew, but she couldn’t quite place it.

 

“We haven’t found Joker yet, but knowing Batman, it may be a while before we return him.”

 

“Why is it that you can decide when to return fugitives? Not only are they wanted criminals, they are patients of Arkham, and therefore my responsibility,” Jonathan remarked.

 

Nightwing looked taken aback by the criticism. 

 

“Well, when you can figure out how to keep him in, or even miraculously rehabilitate him, you can have him,” he answered.

 

His head lifted, and Alice caught a glimpse of the man’s masked face. He was entirely too familiar, so much so, Alice was second guessing if she had somehow met the man before.

 

“Until then, I’ll leave you to it,” he said, turning and offering the pair a slight salute, eyes lingering for a moment longer on Alice, before marching back the way he came.

 

“He might be my least favorite one,” Jonathan commented once the vigilante was out of earshot.

 

Alice giggled.

 

~

 

Alice awoke, her eyes adjusting to the dim hues of a yellow ceiling light. She was restrained, rather tightly, to a shabby, bloodsoaked mattress. The room was the same room as before, but predictably, neither Jonathan nor the knife were present.

In the corner of the room, barely out of eyesight, was a pile of browned bandages, used and torn. 

 

A pang of guilt rang through Alice, almost for a second, before receding entirely.

 

She couldn’t regret her choice, it was practically manufactured by the victim himself. Although, she supposed he had given her the knife with the instruction ‘only use if necessary, and preferably not on me’. Preferably, she reminded herself.

 

The brass doorknob creaked, and Jonathan walked through the threshold, hunched over, grasping his side.

 

“You’re awake,” he observed.

 

“So it seems.”

 

He coughed, walking around to the foot of the bed.

 

“I would release you, but I don’t entirely trust you right now,” he said.

 

Alice choked out a laugh.

 

“Fair.”

 

“Would you like to tell me why you felt the need to do that?” he asked.

 

Alice, looking at the makeshift handcuffs wrapped around her wrists, sighed.

 

“Tell me, if you were in my position, would you not have done the same?” she asked, instead of answering.

 

“No, because I never would have been in your position. What kind of stupid girl lets herself be stolen away by a man she’s scared of and then changes her mind after teasing him for a year and a half and stabs him? Mind you, I went to great lengths to free you,” he muttered.

 

Alice shook her head, yanking at the ropes suffocating her wrists.

 

“I’m not stupid,” she rebutted.

 

“Yes you are. You thought you were clever and could manipulate me into getting your way. The only issue, darling, is that I see right through you. Don’t try it again, or next time I’ll be less forgiving,” he warned.

 

Alice gulped, the words ‘next time’ rattling around in her head.

 

“You’re not going to kill me?” she squeaked.

 

Jonathan’s eyes snapped to her, scrutinizing.

 

“Kill you? Why would I do that?”

 

“Because I tried to kill you,” she responded.

 

“No you didn’t, foolish girl. If you truly wanted me dead, I doubt I would be here right now. No, you just wanted to see what it would feel like.”

 

“Would what feel like?”

 

“Vulnerability.”

 

“How is that being vulnerable?” she asked, incredulous.

 

“Love typically is,” he chided.

 

Alice blushed, a full, red flush.

 

“Love? I stabbed you!” she exclaimed.

 

Jonathan chuckled.

 

“Darling, I take it for what it was. Trust me, I feel the same,” he purred.

 

A cool, mystifying sense of dread washed over Alice. She ignored the warmth that spurned in her chest. 

 

Jonathan climbed over Alice, hands fiddling with the restraints.

 

“Should I let you out now?” he asked, barely above a whisper.

 

Alice’s face contorted with puzzlement, wondering why he was asking her.

 

“Are you going to be a good girl? I need help with this,” he gestured towards the wound.

 

Alice nodded, somber. Jonathan grinned, all teeth, untying the knots. He caressed the bruised flesh, not quite enough to scar, but enough to leave a mark for a while. He kissed the pale, purple skin, before biting down, full strength.

 

Alice shouted in shock, the fiery sting shooting through her nerves. Jonathan laughed, letting go of her. 

 

“You’re so pretty when you’re in pain,” he breathed, and Alice huffed in response.

 

“Now, behave and stitch me up, will you dear?”

~

 

A couple of weeks after the conversation with Nightwing, Alice found herself sitting across from Dick in a coffee shop.

 

She ordered a cappuccino, and he predictably sat nursing an iced mocha with whipped cream. He apparently took this as no offense to his masculinity.

 

“Sorry, but it still hurts my ego that you graduated a year before me even though you’re two years younger,” Dick laughed, leaning back in the cafe’s leather armchair.

 

Alice smiled, sipping her own coffee.

 

“You still graduated a year early, that’s not nothing.”

 

Dick rolled his eyes.

 

“You and Tim, man. He’s already on the way to a biomedical engineering degree and hasn’t even finished highschool.”

 

“Well, not all of us can be gifted gymnasts,” Alice replied.

 

Dick laughed, appreciatively. 

 

“I should never have told you that,” he moaned, annoyed.

 

“Too bad.”

 

“I don’t even have any dirt on you, you’re practically perfect,” he said, half-joking. Alice blushed.

 

“I am nowhere near perfect,” she said, honestly.

 

“Oh god, that’s so not true. You’re brilliant, hilarious, and too pretty,” Dick responded, wincing once he realized what he said.

 

“Well if I didn’t know any better I’d think you were trying to flirt with me,” Alice teased, trying to lighten his embarrassment, thinking he would deny it.

 

“Maybe I am,” he said, instead.

 

Alice paused, staring intently at the white foam in her cup.

 

“Would that be a problem?” he asked, gently.

 

Alice shook her heard, refusing to look up at him.

 

Their friendship had been so steady, so consistent in the past two and a half years. Alice was grateful for him, he was practically the only constant in her life that didn’t complicate things. Now, however, he was complicated. 

 

“It’s just that it’s been almost three years, Alice. I’ve been single for two, you’ve been single this whole time. Why hasn’t it happened yet?” He asked, hesitantly.

 

Alice didn’t respond right away, eyes glued to the small silver ring sat against the porcelain handle of her mug.

 

“Maybe it isn’t supposed to happen,” she answered.

 

Dick didn’t seem accepting of that answer.

 

“But why? There’s not someone else, is there?” he pressed.

 

“Dick, I don’t have time for anyone besides you or my father,” she said, which was the truth.

 

“What about Jason?” he asked.

 

Alice flushed. Dick noticed.

 

“I knew it, Alice. I can tell you two have been keeping a secret.”

 

“Maybe, but it’s not what you think,” she said.

 

“Then what is it?” 

 

Alice sighed, unsure of what to say to get him to stop questioning her.

 

“He’s just been helping me through something,” was the response she landed on.

 

“Something I can’t help you with?” Dick asked, an edge of hurt in his voice.

 

Alice shrugged, reaching her hand up to tuck her hair behind her face. The sleeve of her sweater fell due to the movement, exposing her forearm. Dick’s eyes shot to it, obviously noticing the most recent scar Alice adorned. 

 

It was a large slash, almost stretching from her elbow to her wrist. It was pink now, less red and angry as it had been a month ago. It still most likely didn’t look particularly nice. 

 

Dick’s hand reached out, catching her wrist and turning her arm to investigate it further.

 

“Alice, what is this?” he asked, concerning dripping into his tone.

 

Alice ripped her arm back, folding it into her chest.

“None of your business,” she answered, curtly. 

 

Dick sat up straighter in his chair, leaning closer to Alice to keep his voice down.

 

“Alice, how did that happen?” he asked, again.

 

She shook her head.

 

“The fact you won’t tell me is more concerning.”

 

His hands reached out to gently grasp Alice’s, pulling her arm back. His fingers reached beneath the knit of her sweater, feeling the scar and its length.

 

“Who did this to you?” he whispered.

 

“It’s not what you think,” she said, firmly.

 

“Alice, who?” 

 

“Trust me, I deserved it,” she mumbled.

 

“What does that mean?” he pressed.

 

Alice sighed, again. 

 

“Dick, I told you I wasn’t perfect. There’s things about me that you don’t know, and I honestly just want to keep it that way,” she stated with finality.

 

“Oh, but Jason can know? Is he the one that did this to you?” Dick questioned, incredulous.

 

Alice barked out a short laugh.

 

“Jason? I doubt he could hurt me if he wanted to,” she said.

 

Dick raised an eyebrow at her.

 

“What does that mean, Alice? I don’t understand any of this.”

 

“Look, I did something stupid and I faced the consequence for it. Your brother isn’t involved and that’s all you really need to know.”

 

“Are you seeing someone?” he asked.

 

Alice looked down at her hands in Dick’s, before looking up at him.

 

His brow twitched before his eyes narrowed, hurt gleaming in his blue pupils.

 

“Alice, why wouldn’t you tell me?” 

 

“I already told you, I don’t have time except for you or my father.”

 

“You’re protecting someone, but I can tell you’re not lying. It’s not me, is it your father?” he inquired.

 

Alice froze, her stomach dropping. She never was a particularly clever liar, and when it came to Jonathan, she knew her face always revealed. However, Dick was too clever, always too aware. He could read her almost as easily as Jonathan could.

 

“Jesus, Alice. Has he always done this?” he asked.

 

Alice shook her head.

 

“It was my fault, I mean it. Just an experiment gone wrong,” she said, which was a half-truth. 

 

“What kind of experiments are you two doing that cause that to happen?” he asked, gesturing to her arm.

 

“Honestly it was just some old, crappy equipment.”

 

Dick narrowed his eyes at her, trying to discern if it was the truth or not. Alice learned that with Dick, the best way to conceal the truth was to reveal part of it. 

 

He nodded, slowly, beginning to accept her answer.

 

“Why would you not tell me?”

 

Alice shrugged.

 

“I don’t want you to tell me to stop or something,” she said.

 

“God, Alice, I care about you. I don’t want you to hide things from me,” Dick said, still grasping Alice’s hands.

 

“I don’t want you to think less of me.”

 

“Why would I ever think that? You matter to me, Alice. More than you know,” he stated, eyes boring into Alice’s. She felt uncomfortable with the vulnerability.

 

“I just wish you noticed me, you know? I’ve always been right here,” he said, and Alice almost felt sorry. 

 

“I know, Dick. I care about you, so much so that I don’t want to lose you. I value our friendship,” Alice replied.

 

Dick nodded, understanding. 

 

Alice was growing tired of teetering on the edge of friendship with Dick; she had to keep him at a distance in order to keep him at all. 

 

She hoped that once he knew the truth, he didn’t hate her for it.

 

~

 

“God, baby,” Jonathan groaned, his greasy hand grasping at her hair.

Alice looked up at him, a sweaty, groaning mess.

 

Blood stained Alice’s hands, old, ripe bandages fell at her feet. She slipped the stitching needle in for the last time, earning another groan from the man.

 

“This hurts so much more than that stupid fucking knife,” he commented.

 

Alice laughed, causing her hands to shake. Jonathan shot her a threatening glare. 

 

She re-wrapped the wound, much tighter and more protective than Jonathan’s work. His hand didn’t leave her hair, yanking her upwards by it. She yelped, falling into him.

 

He groaned when her face hit his shoulder, but he didn’t move her.

 

“We were supposed to have a good, stressful couple of days before going to the wretched city of Bludhaven,” he complained.

 

Alice winced, guilt returning.

 

“I wanted to just spend it in bed with you, and it looks like we are going to spend it on that filthy mattress, just not the way I imagined,” Jonathan laughed.

 

Alice smiled, resting her head comfortably in the crook of his neck.

 

“That is, if you don’t stab me again or try to make a run for it.”

 

Alice turned her head, looking up at him.

 

“Why would I leave?” she asked.

 

“I don’t know, why would you stab me?” he countered.

 

Alice laughed, and Jonathan grinned, all teeth.

 

“You’re going to hate me when I’ve healed,” he said. Alice quirked a brow.

 

“In what way?” she asked.

 

“Oh Alice, I’m going to do a lot worse than just stab you.” 

 

Although it was a threat, Alice swallowed down desire; not fear. 

 

~

 

Jason stood outside of Alice’s window, watching her, just as he had every night this week, last week, and the past six months. 

 

This night, however, Alice wasn’t tucked in bed, wrapped in a firm, inescapable embrace like every night before. Instead, she was nowhere to be seen. It was nearing dawn, yet he hadn’t seen her once. He had other business to attend to, but currently, Alice was all that was occupying his mind.

 

Jonathan slept soundly in their shared bed, all alone. Jason was tempted to sneak in right then and end it, but as he was contemplating, he heard a squeak of metal behind him.

 

On the upper level of Alice’s fire escape sat the girl herself. She gazed down at the Red Hood with a small smile on her face, no sign of fear at all.

 

“Do you do this every night?” she asked, casually.

 

Jason, out of instinct, reached for his gun. Alice laughed.

 

“What, are you going to shoot me?” she asked, incredulously.

 

Jason huffed, letting his hand drop.

 

“What are you doing?” he asked, the helmet concealing his voice.

 

Alice tilted her head at him, dangling her feet, and she looked so innocent, so playful that a soft growl managed to escape from Jason. Luckily, the helmet’s modifier didn’t pick it up.

 

“You looked lonely,” she teased. 

 

Jason crossed his arms, leaning against the apartment’s brick walls.

 

“Most little girls don’t confront vigilantes just because ‘they look lonely’” he accused.

 

“I’m not little, and I’m not most girls,” Alice countered. Jason chuckled.

 

“Okay, but shouldn’t you be inside? Where it’s safe and warm?” 

 

“Maybe I want to know why one of the bats has been outside of my apartment every single night for the past six months?”

 

“Go back inside,” he commanded.

 

Alice’s feet kept swinging, back and forth, right above Jason’s head. He reached out and grabbed her calf, stopping her movement.

 

“I was actually worried the first couple of times I saw you out here. I wondered why exactly the infamous Red Hood was stalking me. But then I stopped being an idiot and realized,” Alice said.

 

Jason looked at her, expectantly. 

 

“You may have a helmet on, but I would recognize those biceps anywhere, Jason.”

 

Jason balked, letting go of her. He was thankful his comms weren’t on or Bruce would probably have broken his no-killing rule.

 

“Alice,” Jason warned.

 

“Take it off,” she responded.

 

Jason looked back at the window where Alice’s husband was still asleep. 

 

“Why?” he asked.

 

Alice shrugged.

 

“You look good like this, you know?”

 

Jason’s heart pounded in his ears.

 

“Alice,” he warned, again, this time for an entirely different reason.

 

“I haven’t seen you in weeks and we haven’t had a proper conversation in months, but here you are, watching me sleep every night.”

 

“I’m sorry,” he said, and he meant it.

 

“I missed you,” she whispered.

 

Jason smiled behind his mask, taking a careful step forward, resting his gloved hands on Alice’s thighs.

 

“I missed you, princess,” he said, the robotic voice of the helmet still conveying the gentle tone.

 

“Will you take it off?” she asked, again.

 

Jason thought for a moment, looking below and above, not seeing a single person in sight. It wouldn’t have mattered, anyway, they were already concealed by shadows.

 

He let go of Alice to press the release button on the side of his neck, and the helmet came off with a click.

 

Alice let out a small gasp at the sight of Jason’s head on Red Hood’s torso. She had to admit, he looked really appealing. As a young girl, before her stint in Arkham, the Red Hood was always her favorite.

 

“Is it bad if I said I wanted you to kiss me right now?” she asked, voice low.

 

Jason growled, and this time, Alice heard it.

 

“Alice, you can’t do this to me,” he said. 

 

Alice smiled.

 

“But it’s okay for you to stalk me?”

 

“It’s not stalking. I promised you I would watch over you,” he defended.

 

“Yeah, until you could ‘take me’. What does that even mean, Jay?” she asked, and Jason’s voice hitched at the nickname.

 

“Princess, you’re a clever girl. You know what it means,” he breathed.

 

Alice laughed again.

 

“Take me away from him?” she asked, gesturing to the window.

 

Jason nodded, resolutely. 

 

“I promise I will.”

 

“When?”

 

“Soon, darling,” he said. 

 

“Why wait?”

 

“I need help, but don’t worry, I’ll figure it out,” he responded.

 

“Help for what?”

 

“Alice, I can’t just whisk you away. You have a life, an important one, here in Gotham. So does he, especially now as the head of Arkham. It would bring attention if something were to happen, especially now,” he stated.

 

“What do you plan on doing?” she pressed, eyes furrowed in contemplation.

 

“I’ll take care of him so that I can take care of you,” was his vague response.

 

Alice rolled her eyes playfully.

 

“Not a real answer, but whatever. Are you still going to stay out here every night?” 

 

“Of course, Alice. I need to make sure you’re safe,” he said, gingerly.

 

“But what about Batman? Don’t you have better things to be doing?” she questioned.

 

Jason shook his head.

 

“You’re more important,” he said.

 

“More important than all of Gotham?”

 

Jason laughed, loudly, before quieting down, remembering the slumbering man three feet away.

“You think so highly of me,” he joked. Alice smiled.

 

“Maybe.”

 

“Go to bed, princess. We don’t want him looking for you,” he directed, tilting his chin in the direction of Jonathan.

 

Alice nodded, climbing down the ladder. Jason grabbed her waist when she was about halfway done, setting her down on the windowsill. 

 

“I’ll be here tomorrow,” Jason whispered.

 

Alice nodded, smiling.

 

“Sleep well, little dove,” he leaned forward, pressing a light kiss to Alice’s lips, then a firmer one against her forehead.

 

Alice blushed, ducking into the window, returning to Jonathan.

 

Jason had to look away as Jonathan, still asleep, tugged Alice into his chest, pressing a kiss to the same spot on her head as he just did. Fists clenched, Jason descended the fire escape, fury and desire renewed.

Chapter 4: most days you reach for safety, but you can't forget you know me

Summary:

chapter title: dark signs by sleep token

tw for con underage

also this is the first new chapter since reworking :) lmk what you think!

“Alice, why don’t you assist me with our incoming patient?” Dr. Crane asked, white lab coat swaying after him as he marched down the hallway.

 

Alice nodded, her husband not even looking at her. Instead, he was focused on his clipboard, reading the intake information.

 

“Huh,” he said, curiously.

Alice remained silent, and she knew Jonathan sensed her own curiosity.

 

“It’s Dr. Nygma,” he answered her nonexistent question, handing Alice the clipboard.

 

Alice raised her brow, looking down to see none other than the man she had met only six months prior.

 

“Why is he here?” she asked.

 

“I don’t know. Our winged friend dropped him off early this morning, I am only just now hearing about this.”

 

Alice, looking down at the mugshot of a grinning, bloody, Dr. Nygma, wondered if her instincts had been that accurate from when she met him.

 

“I knew something was off about him,” she commented. Her husband nodded in agreement, glancing at his watch.

 

“He seemed cunning and predatory, much like that brat’s adoptive father,” Jonathan replied, disdain apparent. Alice chuckled.

 

“Not everything is about Dick, or the Waynes, for that matter.”

 

“No, but we both knew there was something different about Dr. Nygma, and look where he is now,” Jonathan rebutted.

 

“Look where we are,” Alice countered. Jonathan, finally looking at her, smiled viciously.

 

“Yes, look where we are now.”

 

Their conversation was interrupted by a legion of guards surrounding one man, presumably the new patient.

 

Alice stood behind, watching as her husband approached the officers, instructing them to follow.

“Dr. Nygma, what a pleasure to see you again,” Jonathan greeted.

 

Alice saw the mousy head of black hair rise, his glasses shattered and lip bruised. Nonetheless, he was smiling.

 

“Dr. Crane, fancy seeing you here,” he slurred. 

 

“Why don’t we walk and chat?”

 

Dr. Nygma bowed, gesturing for Jonathan to lead the way. Jonathan waved the guards off, the handcuffed prisoner trailing behind the doctor.

 

Alice followed closely behind, but maintained her distance.

 

“What brings you here?” Jonathan asked, nonchalantly.

 

“You haven’t seen my work?” Dr. Nygma asked, incredulous.

 

“No, unfortunately I haven’t watched the news yet this morning. Mind telling me yourself?”

 

“Well, it was extraordinary. I can tell you would appreciate it,” he responded.

 

Jonathan chuckled, glancing back at Alice.

 

Dr. Nygma’s eyes followed Jonathan’s, narrowing at Alice.

 

“Ah, I remember you, you’re Mrs. Crane, correct?” he asked.

 

Alice raised an eyebrow, looking at Jonathan.

 

“Ms. Crane,” she corrected.

 

“Oh, forgive me, he did call you his daughter,” he apologized, but his grin was too sharp to be believable.

 

Alice made note of it.

 

“I would like her to conduct my intake interview, if that’s alright with you?” he asked.

 

Jonathan, still marching along, looked between the patient and his wife. He shrugged.

 

“I don’t see why not.”

 

Alice gulped, following the pair into the small, private room. There were no recording devices allowed for the primary interview, only a guard stationed out the door and the psychiatrist’s written notes. Alice remembered her own interview vaguely.

 

Alice sat in the metal chair closest to the desk, her husband standing behind her. Dr. Nygma took his place across from the pair, folding his handcuffed hands on the metal table.

 

“Alright, Dr. Nygma, I will ask you a series of questions and your only task is to answer them to the best of your ability,” Alice started.

 

“Sounds lovely, but I have one question before we start,” Dr. Nygma interrupted.

 

Alice looked at Jonathan for approval, and he nodded.

 

“Let’s make this more interesting, shall we? You ask me a question, I will answer it with complete honesty, and in turn, I get to ask you a similar question,” he proposed.

 

Alice shrugged, not exactly sure what the game was.

 

“Your name is Edward Nygma, correct?” 

 

Dr. Nygma nodded.

 

“Ed Nygma, as in enigma? I thought you said you would answer honestly,” Alice huffed.

 

Dr. Nygma beamed at her.

 

“Clever, aren’t you? Although it isn’t really that clever, most people didn’t notice. Now that I think about it, no one has so far besides you and the bat,” Dr. Nygma stated. 

 

“What is your real name?” Alice asked, ignoring that particular comment.

 

“It’s Edward Nashton, but that’s nowhere near as fun. Now, my turn. What is your real name?” He asked.

 

Alice narrowed her eyes at him.

 

“What do you mean?” 

 

“I mean, I know you call yourself Alice Crane. But that’s not your real name, is it?” He quirked his lip.

 

“Crane is. Alice isn’t, but why does that matter to you?”

 

“I just want to have full transparency with my doctor, is that unacceptable?”

 

Alice shook her head, and she heard Jonathan shift behind her.

 

“Alice isn’t my name, but I am still only Ms. Crane to you. At least, until I earn my doctorate,” Alice stated.

 

Dr. Nygma nodded, smiling.

 

“Fair. Next question.”

 

“Do you have a family?” Alice read off the next question.

 

Dr. Nygma shook his head.

 

“I suppose I don’t really need to ask you that. Instead, tell me, Ms. Crane, are you single?”

 

Alice balked, surprised at the question. Jonathan said nothing, so Alice figured she might as well answer.

 

“No. Next question, do you consider yourself a friendly person?”

 

“No, and I know you don’t, either. Do you use your appearance to your advantage?” He asked, casually.

 

Alice flushed, setting down the clipboard.

 

“That wasn’t similar at all,” she accused.

 

“Eh, friendliness and seduction are close enough. Answer.”

 

“Occasionally, but it’s natural and often uncontrollable.” Alice answered, honestly.

 

Dr. Nygma’s eyes shifted from her to her husband behind her.

 

“I’m sure he would agree,” he remarked.

 

Alice narrowed her eyes at him, trying to decipher his meaning.

 

“Have you ever been married? Divorced?” Alice asked, choosing to focus on the questionnaire. 

 

“Nope. How old were you when you married?” He asked, eyes still on Jonathan, so Alice assumed he was asking him.

 

“Thirty one,” Jonathan answered.

 

Edward shook his head.

 

“I meant her,” he corrected.

 

Alice could feel Jonathan’s eyes on the back of her head.

 

“I never said I was married.”

 

“Yes, now, answer.”

 

Alice hesitated.

 

“Eighteen.”

 

Edward grinned.

 

“Would you consider yourself an ambitious individual?”

“Yes, very much so. Did you two sleep together before or after marrying?” He asked, straight to the point.

 

Alice dropped the clipboard out of her hand, clashing it on the metal desk.

 

Jonathan stood straight up, approaching the desk.

 

“Dr. Nygma,” he warned.

 

Edward leaned back in his chair, arms up in surrender.

 

“What?” he asked.

 

“What do you mean by that?” Alice asked, carefully.

 

“It’s a pretty simple question, Mrs. Crane,” he teased.

 

“He told you I was his daughter,” she said.

 

“Yes, he said that. But all I needed was to see the two of you make eye contact to realize he isn’t your daddy. Or maybe he is, but still, you know what I mean,” Dr. Nygma chided, all too proud of himself.

 

“Explain,” Alice pressed.

 

“When I first met you, six months ago, Dr. Crane was vibrant in conversation, but visibly distracted. You arrived, wearing a dress no father would approve of, and before he even laid his hands on you, he gave you this look. Apparently his face told you a lot. You matched it, and any idiot could have observed that you’re most certainly not his daughter. You two have an entire language without words. Uncommon for such a simple relationship as a parent. Also, you said Crane is your real name and you’re both married. You basically told me.”

 

Alice crossed her arms.

 

“And the fact you’re here, now, silently communicating with each other, deciding what to do with me, shows me something else,” he continued.

 

“What would that be?” Jonathan asked.

 

“You two are like me,” Edward stated.

 

“No, we are not,” Jonathan replied.

 

“Ah, but you are. Dr. Crane, don’t think I didn’t do my research on you. I know that she is all too familiar with the walls of this asylum,” he said.

 

Alice didn’t reply.

 

“And, I know that you two are up to something.”

 

“What would that be, Dr. Nygma?” Alice asked, glancing down at the forgotten questionnaire. 

 

“I don’t know yet, but I know it involves Arkham. And would you look at that, I am here, in Arkham, how coincidental?” Edward smiled again, his eel-like eyes glistening with mischief.

 

“Yes, how coincidental. But don’t forget, Dr. Nygma, what side of the glass you are on,” Jonathan warned.

 

“Ha, I’m not scared of you Dr. Crane, or your little protege, either,” Edward scoffed.

 

Alice smiled.

 

“Oh, but you will be,” she purred.

 

~

The night passed with little to no incident. Jonathan remained on the mattress, feverish, sweating profusely. Alice was reassured, constantly, by the doctor that it wasn’t infection, but simple pain.

 

Alice figured if the man desired to die so badly, he should’ve just let her finish the job.

 

She awoke early in the morning, laying next to Jonathan on the dingy mattress, with a question rattling around her head.

 

“Jonathan,” she whispered, shaking the slumbering man. He awoke a moment later, eyes groggy and confused.

 

“Alice?” he asked, his morning voice husky and hoarse. Alice ignored the way it made her stomach flip.

 

“What is the plan?” she asked.

 

Jonathan’s hand climbed up her back, grabbing her waist gently. He tugged her into him, her face on his bare chest. The skin was cool to the touch.

 

“Well, the goal is to leave tomorrow,” he answered, waking up more.

 

“No, I mean, in regards to us,” she asked, less confidently.

 

Jonathan turned his head to look down on her, his chin against her hair.

 

“You mean our future?”

 

Alice nodded.

 

“Well, I hadn’t really thought about it,” he replied, after a moment.

 

Alice frowned against his skin.

 

“I just assumed you agreed to forever when you said you’d be mine. I thought you knew what that meant,” Jonathan continued.

 

She looked up at him, eyes raised.

 

“What does it mean?” she asked.

 

“It means you’re mine forever, Alice. Mine to keep and take care of. Mine to own, to do whatever I desire with. You gave yourself to me. You can’t take it back now.”

 

Alice felt her heart pulse at his words.

 

“What does that mean for you?” she whispered.

 

Jonathan chuckled breathily. 

 

“Well, I guess that makes me yours too. But there’s a difference,” he answered.

 

“What is that?”

 

“I can do whatever I want to you. You don’t have a choice, Alice. I’m going to break you,” he said, firmly.

 

Alice shivered, the warning and its meaning spiking her heartbeat.

 

“You mean it?” she asked, meekly. 

 

Jonathan looked taken aback, before leaning down to press a kiss to her head.

 

“Anything for you, dear,” he breathed, and Alice knew he meant it.

 

~

 

“What did he say?” Jonathan asked, later, as Alice was buttoning up her shirt in one of Arkham’s many broom closets.

 

Pulling up her tights and readjusting her glasses, Alice glanced at her husband. His coat was now wrinkled, but she figured Arkham employees and patients were probably more worried about other things.

 

“The same thing he always says,” she replied.

 

Jonathan scoffed.

 

“Did you have to ask him to kiss you?” he asked, frustrated.

 

“I had to distract him. Jason’s a lot like you, you know,” she commented.

 

“In what way?”

 

“He thinks with his dick,” she said.

 

Jonathan let out a mirthless laugh.

 

“Rude, and entirely unnecessary,” he replied.

 

“Sorry. But I couldn’t have him using his brain. It’s the easiest way to disarm men.”

 

“Maybe Nygma was right.”

 

“About what? The appearance thing?” she asked.

 

“Is that something unique to you?”

 

“No, and it’s something you’re familiar with yourself,” she chuckled.

 

“Me? I would never flaunt myself to get what I want,” he huffed.

 

Alice tossed him a withering glare.

 

“Is that not what you did before? When you were my doctor,” she teased.

 

“Trust me, the first time I met you, you were nothing but a patient to me,” he responded.

 

“What about the second?” she asked, joking.

 

“By then, I was already captivated,” he answered, honestly.

 

Alice blushed, reaching down to slip her heels back on.

 

“You don’t mean that,” she said.

 

Jonathan looked down at her.

 

“Of course I do, which is why I worry about Jason.”

“Jason isn’t a problem, and he’s already helped us beyond what we can imagine,” she responded.

Jonathan nodded, contemplatively.

 

“Why is he the Red Hood? The adopted son of Bruce Wayne? It makes no sense,” he remarked.

 

“I don’t know, but I think I can find out. And if I do, maybe he’ll get us closer to the bat.”

 

Alice gasped as Jonathan snatched her waist, tugging her into his chest. He gripped her face, forcing her to look up at him.

 

“He will not touch you,” he said, commanding.

 

“He may have to.”

 

He gripped her hips harder, his fingers bruising her flesh.

 

“He will not have you,” he repeated.

 

“Jon.”

 

“Alice.”

 

Alice huffed, trying but failing to release herself from her husband’s hold.

“You’re mine. The bastard shouldn’t be allowed to even speak to you, let alone kiss you. He will not fuck you,” he stated, tone grave.

 

“Okay,” Alice conceded, and Jonathan’s eyes narrowed.

 

“I will kill him if he does, Alice. I am not lying about that,” he warned.

 

Alice gulped, knowing he meant it.

 

“You’re mine, first and foremost. Our plan, the toxin, all of this, is secondary to that. I don’t want any of it if I don’t have you, if I don’t own you completely. No one else gets you, gets to touch you like I do. I’m the only one allowed to ruin you, do you understand?” 

 

Alice nodded, but his fingers on her face tightened, not released.

 

“Yes,” she said, but he still looked at her expectantly.

 

“Yes, sir,” she corrected, and he finally softened his grip.

 

“Good girl,” he praised, but Alice didn’t smile.

 

“Jason and Nygma both know about us,” she said.

 

Jonathan, still holding her, nodded.

 

“Yes, they do. Soon, it won’t matter. Everyone will know,” he replied.

 

“I’m worried about Dick.”

 

“Why?” he asked, not understanding her concern for the man.

 

“He’s my friend. He’ll hate me for it,” she muttered.

 

Jonathan shook his head.

 

“He doesn’t matter, he’s insignificant. His brother is the important one, but even then, darling, it’s just us. It’s always been us, it’ll always be us,” he whispered.

 

Alice smiled, softly, and not entirely unhappily. 

 

“I know.”

 

~

 

Having packed and already hit the road for Bludhaven, Alice was strangely reminiscent of Gotham. The city has always been her home, and it felt sickening to leave it, so much so, that five miles from the city limits, Alice asked him to stop the car.

 

“I can’t leave,” she said.

 

Jonathan looked over at her from the driver’s seat.

 

“Alice,” he warned, an edge to his voice.

 

“Can’t we just hide here for a little while?” she asked, meekly.

 

Jonathan looked out the window at the city surrounding them.

 

“Why can’t you leave?”

 

“It feels wrong, and I have this gut feeling that if we leave now, we won’t come back. Just please, Jonathan,” she begged.

 

Jon nodded, contemplating.

 

“I already gave Arkham my resignation,” he said.

 

“We don’t have to go back to Arkham, we can just stay here in Gotham for a little while until we’re ready,” she proposed.

 

“What would we do?”

 

“What would we have done in Bludhaven?”

 

“Find a job, wait until you are older,” he answered.

 

“We can do that here,” she pointed out.

 

“How? You’re sixteen, Alice. You can’t live with me, they would know,” he said.

 

Alice furrowed her brow, thinking.

 

“We can say I’m your daughter, that my mother died and now you have to take me in,” she suggested.

 

Jonathan adjusted his glasses.

 

“But then what happens when you’re older?” he asked.

 

“What would you want to happen?”

 

“I plan to marry you the day you turn eighteen,” he answered, and heat rose to Alice’s cheeks.

 

“Marry?” she asked, having never considered that before.

 

“Yes, Alice. I mean it when I say I want you forever.”

 

Alice nodded, looking down at her hands.

 

“Well, we don’t have to say anything, then. Just let people assume and when the time comes correct them.”

 

“That may work, but what do we do until you’re eighteen?” he asked.

 

“I’ll take classes online, then go to Gotham university. I assume I’ll need a degree to become a psychiatrist,” she said.

 

“I was offered a position at the university not too long ago. But, if we’re staying in Gotham until you come of age, I might as well continue my book,” he said.

 

“Your book?” Alice asked, this having been the first time he mentioned it.

 

“I’m not publishing it, Alice. It’s more of a manifesto, anyway.”

 

“Is that what you write in your journal?”

 

“Yes. Once I’ve tested the bat, I don’t doubt I will be caught. So, I’ve been writing every idea, every theory and equation about fear I have developed, that way all of my work will account for something.” he explained.

 

“What are you going to call it?” she asked.

 

“I don’t know quite yet, but I have thought of a name for when I become the embodiment of fear.”

 

Alice raised a brow.

 

“What?”

 

Jonathan smiled, the same, sinister grin he does before causing chaos.

 

“The Scarecrow.”

 

Alice laughed, lightly.

 

“The Scarecrow? Wow, you really are going full supervillain,” she teased.

 

Jonathan glared at her, a playful smiling tugging at his lips.

 

“What will you be, darling?” he asked.

 

Alice thought for a moment, fantasizing about her and Jonathan, masked villains tormenting the Batman. It felt unrealistic, but she knew that was ultimately Jonathan’s goal. 

 

“Sparrow?” 

 

“Sparrow? Why?”

 

“Well, you’re Scarecrow. I can’t be Crow, or Raven, so Sparrow,” she responded.

 

“You’re my sidekick in this scenario?” he asked.

 

“I guess so. It’s fitting, I think. Your sidekick being the very thing you ward off,” she commented.

 

“You’re not just my sidekick, Alice. You’re my muse,” Jonathan said, tone serious.

 

Alice’s smile faded, blush rising.

 

“You don’t mean that,” she mumbled.

 

“Darling, you know I do. I let you stab me and micromanage me, which I’ve never let anyone do.”

 

“I do not micromanage you,” she exclaimed.

 

“You’ve adjusted my plans like four times now,” he countered.

 

Alice smiled.

 

“I improved them.”

 

“You’re not going to even deny the stabbing?” he asked, incredulous.

 

“We were both there. No use trying,” she answered.

 

Jonathan laughed.

 

“I’m still not happy about it.”

 

“I wouldn’t expect you to be, but I haven’t had the chance yet to be afraid of your idea of retaliation,” she replied.

 

“I don’t even know if I’m exactly angry about it. Honestly, I shouldn’t have expected anything else from you. Maybe I’m disappointed in myself for underestimating you,” he said.

 

Alice chewed on his words for a moment, anxiously glancing out the window of his beat-up car.

 

“Well, at least, I doubt you’ll do it again,” she finally said.

 

Jonathan nodded, reaching over to grasp her thigh. His grin was sharp, but his eyes were soft.

 

“I can tell you’re going to be the death of me, Alice,” he breathed.

 

Alice closed her eyes, leaning back in the passenger seat.

 

“Only if it’s mutual,” she responded.

 

Jonathan laughed, before wordlessly turning the car around, back towards the city.

 

Alice felt a weight lifted off of her, from both the conversation and the change of plans. She knew, deep within her being, she belonged here, in Gotham, in Jonathan’s arms.

 

She only hoped it was in an embrace, not a chokehold.

 

Though, she supposed, she wouldn’t mind both.

 

~

 

“What would you prefer I refer to you as?” Alice asked, sitting across from Edward, or as he liked to call himself, ‘The Riddler’.

 

“Edward is fine. No need for formalities here, shall I call you Alice or Mrs. Crane? I don’t mind either,” he answered, dawning a polite smile.

 

Alice rolled her eyes.

 

“Alice is fine, I suppose,” she responded.

 

“What are you here for, Alice?” he asked.

 

“To try and diagnose you.”

 

“No, I mean Arkham, as a whole,” Edward corrected.

 

The conversation felt eerily similar to one Alice had herself with her own doctor, six years prior. She shook off the discomfort gnawing at her core.

 

“I’m here to assist Dr. Crane,” she answered, clinically.

 

“Assist with what exactly?” he pressed.

 

“Diagnosing you,” she said, flatly.

 

Edward must have found that humorous as he threw his head back in laughter.

 

“I can understand why he chose you,” he commented, casually.

 

Alice, despite her growing disdain for the man, blushed at the compliment.

 

“I’m just curious as to what exactly he chose you for,” he said, returning to his previous line of questioning.

 

“To help him with the Asylum,” she said, firmly.

 

Edward narrowed his eyes at her.

 

“Tell me, how old were you when he took you?” he asked.

 

“From here? Sixteen,” she replied. Alice supposed there was no harm in telling the man, it felt as if she didn’t, he would just figure it out anyway.

 

“Interesting. I’m sure our mutual friend would be quite concerned about that,” he muttered.

 

Alice furrowed her brow.

 

“Mutual friend?”

 

“The night,” he said.

 

“Batman?” she asked.

 

Edward nodded.

 

“He’s not my friend and I’m pretty sure he isn’t yours,” she stated.

 

“He saved you, didn’t he?” Edward asked.

 

Alice chewed on her lip.

 

“He put me here,” she said.

 

“Yes, after saving you from your parents.”

 

Alice adjusted her glasses, confused.

 

“No, he was too late to save them from me,” she corrected.

 

Edward’s eyes glistened with calculation, dissecting her entirely.

 

Alice grew uncomfortable under his gaze, it felt like he was somehow deciphering something Alice herself didn’t know.

 

“Interesting,” he remarked.

 

Alice looked down at the table, at her notepad. She started to dread having to work with Edward in the future. Not because he was unpleasant, in fact, Alice was starting to enjoy his company, but because she could hide nothing from him. 

 

And having known the man for a total of two conversations, it started to seem he knew more than her.

 

“Is there a reason you look so similar to him? Is it intentional, or have you two begun to blur so much you accidentally stole his entire look?” Edward asked, redirecting the conversation.

 

Alice furrowed her brow, considering.

 

“Do I really look like him?” she asked.

 

Edward let out a light laugh.

 

“Your hair is the same color, but I don’t think you dyed it. You also practically have the same pair of glasses, which in my opinion is in awful taste, but somehow works on both of you,” he commented.

 

Alice rolled her eyes.

 

“I don’t need fashion advice from the Riddler,” she huffed.

 

“Just offering it for free. Anyway, you both dress the same. Although, that may just be because of Arkham. You know, having to remain clinical. But, honestly, I think it’s more of something in your face,” he continued.

 

“My face?”

 

Edward narrowed his eyes, searching Alice’s face for whatever he was looking for.

 

“I think it’s the eyes. You two have the same cold, calculating look that makes you seem dead,” he answered.

 

“Are you just making fun of me?” Alice asked, growing annoyed.

 

“No. Actually, it reminds me of sharks. That’s how I knew,” he responded, confidently crossing his arms.

 

“Knew what?” she asked, incredulous.

 

“That you two were predators,” he replied, vaguely.

 

“Sharks, predators, what, do you think Gotham is the animal kingdom?”

 

“Yes, yes it very much is. But, you and I are on the top of the food chain,” Edward answered, seriously.

 

Alice chuckled at the humor of it all.

 

“I think we have someone above us,” Alice muttered, mirthlessly.

 

Edward nodded, enthusiastically.

 

“That’s why we have to rebalance it, which is a common goal we have.”

 

“No, it isn’t,” she stated.

 

“Alice, dear, I think it is.”

 

Alice groaned at the pet name, unhappy that Edward would ever consider her ‘dear’.

 

“Whatever, all I’ve learned from this conversation is that you have a long way to go,” she said.

 

Edward smiled, all teeth.

 

“Are you going to rehabilitate me, Alice?”

 

“Well, I’d like to try. But the first step is stepping out of delusion, which you seem to refuse to do. Luckily, Dr. Crane and I are working on something that may be helpful,” Alice said.

 

She reached into her briefcase, pulling out a small vial.

 

“Would you like me to administer a small dose?”

 

Edward’s eyes narrowed, looking at the green fluid.

 

“I don’t think I have a choice, do I?” he asked.

 

“No.”

 

Edward’s eyes moved from the toxin to Alice’s face.

 

Alice saw the vague hint of fear wipe across his features and smiled.

 

“You can come in now,” Alice called, beckoning her husband into the room.

 

The door creaked open, Jonathan stepping in, mask in hand.

 

Edward’s eyes flicked back and forth between the mesh mask and Alice’s hand grasping the needle.

 

“What is this?” he asked, frantically.

 

“Dr. Nygma, you asked what our ulterior goal was in Arkham. We thought we’d show, rather than tell,” Jonathan answered, grinning.

 

“I’ve changed my mind, I don’t want to know,” he said.

 

Alice smiled.

 

“I think it’s a little late for that. Now riddle me this, Edward, I am what you must not do, I kill the mind through and through, I am death, I am the void; face me and fate you avoid. What am I?” 

 

“Is that a quote from Dune?” Edward asked, causing Jonathan to chuckle.

 

“I think so. She reads too much. But anyway, aren’t riddles what you do best?” he asked.

 

Edward nodded.

 

“Then answer,” he commanded.

 

The Riddler gulped.

 

“Fear.”

 

~

 

“This is the best we could get on such short notice,” Jonathan said, opening the door to their new apartment.

 

It wasn’t shabby, at least nowhere near their past place. It wasn’t fancy either, but it was nicer than anywhere Alice had ever stayed before.

 

“I like it,” she said, circling around what she presumed would be the living room.

 

Jonathan nodded behind her, fiddling with the keys in his hand.

 

“Only one bedroom?” Alice asked, observing the single door.

 

“I didn’t think we would need two,” Jon said by way of answer. 

 

Alice nodded, chewing on her nail anxiously. Jonathan stepped forward, grasping her hand, yanking it gently out of her mouth.

 

“You do that a lot,” he commented.

 

Alice shrugged.

 

“Don’t do it anymore. It’s a bad habit,” he said, firmly. Alice smiled.

 

Jon let go of her hand, instead placing his hand on the small of her back, directing her towards the door. He opened it, stepping into their unfurnished bedroom.

 

“What if someone asks us why we have a single bedroom?” Alice asked, looking out the window. 

 

“No one will come here, don’t worry,” he responded. Alice fought the urge to chew on her fingernails. 

 

“No friends from school?” Alice asked, hesitantly. Jonathan looked at her from the side. 

 

“No friends,” he stated.

 

“At all?” Alice asked, nervously.

 

Jonathan shook his head.

 

“Too risky.”

 

Alice looked down at her feet. 

 

“But it’s okay, darling. You have me, and that’s all you’ll ever need,” Jonathan said, turning Alice’s waist so that she faced him. He tucked her under his chin, kissing her hair.

Alice knew he was trying to comfort her, but she felt unease bubbling in her stomach.

 

“What am I supposed to do for the next two years?” she asked, voice muffled by Jonathan’s chest.

 

“I’ll set you up with some online classes. I noticed at Arkham that you already finished high school, only at fifteen. When were you ever going to tell me how brilliant you were?” Jon asked.

 

Alice huffed.

 

“I’m not smart. I had to do that just to start working. I was never going to be able to go to university,” she muttered. 

 

Jonathan pulled Alice back, just enough to see her face.

 

“Well, you have the chance now. You can get started early, so that you can finish earlier,” he offered.

 

Alice smiled. She never expected herself to be able to receive higher education, in fact, with the way her life was going, she expected to work in a shitty cafe for the rest of it.

 

“I don’t have any money,” Alice said, remembering her reality. Just because she was free from Arkham and her parents didn’t mean she was free from the most simple, cruel aspects of life.

 

Jonathan laughed.

 

“Darling, why would you ever worry about that? I said I’m taking care of you, so I’m going to take care of you. What, did you think you’d have to help with rent?” he asked, incredulously.

 

Alice gnawed at her lip for a moment, unrealizing she was even doing it. 

 

Jonathan watched her, but she didn’t stop. He huffed, before quickly grasping her hair and pulling it backwards, forcing her head to snap back. Alice let out a surprised squeal.

 

“I told you to stop that,” he whispered into her ear, holding her in place.

 

“Actually, you told me to stop chewing on my nails,” she rebutted. The hand tightened, forcing her to take a step backwards.

 

Jonathan snarled, teeth grazing her ear. There was still an air of teasing, so Alice hadn’t grown nervous. Yet, at least.

 

“You can be such a brat, do you know that?” he asked. Alice smiled.

 

“No, I don’t.”

 

Jonathan chuckled, hand letting go of her hair, but not leaving her waist. He spun her around, taking a step forward, until Alice had to put her hands up between her and the wall.

 

Jonathan’s free hand bent her at the hips, pressing himself against her. He began petting the back of her thighs, wedging his knee between them.

 

“What am I going to do with you?” he asked, breathlessly.

 

Alice shrugged against him, startled when his hand left her behind to firmly yank her left hand, then her right, behind her, clutching them together behind her back. Her head hit the wall with a soft thud.

 

“You’ll have to learn to behave, darling. I told you I’d teach you a lesson after you had the nerve to stab me,” he whispered, deceptively sweet, into her ear.

 

Alice gulped, the uneasiness climbing its way into her chest.

 

“You’re a clever enough girl to know when to be afraid.”

 

He paused, using his right hand to climb up her stomach, to her chest, following the path of her discomfort.

 

“Tell me, Alice, are you afraid?” he whispered.

 

Alice hesitated, before nodding against the wall.

 

“Good girl.”

Chapter 5: you won't begin again

Summary:

chapter title: higher by sleep token

a little more Jason for my fellow Jason girlies :)

also posting is probably going to slow down due to the semester and work getting more busy, so please be patient! thanks for all the comments and kudos, I appreciate it!

Jason sat across from Dick and Barbara, swinging his feet on the table in front of him.

 

“Jay, stop that. Bruce doesn’t like when you get your nasty boots on his equipment,” Babs chided, causing Jason to roll his eyes.

 

“Mind your business. Besides, Bruce isn’t here,” he replied.

 

Dick looked up from the Batcomputer, tossing a glare at Jason.

 

“It’s getting kind of late, Jason. Shouldn’t you be stalking your girlfriend by now?” Dick asked.

 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jason said, nonchalantly.

 

Dick and Barbara casted a glance at one another.

 

“Every night before patrol you go out to Alice’s apartment. Don’t think we haven’t noticed,” Dick replied.

 

Jason narrowed his eyes at the two, kicking his feet off the table.

“What does it matter to you,” he muttered, grumpily.

 

“You gotta let her go, Jay. She obviously doesn’t want you,” Dick explained.

 

Jason rolled his eyes, more fervently this time.

 

“What would you know about that?”

 

Barbara crossed her arms, leaning back into her chair.

 

“I don’t understand why you two are so obsessed with her. She’s just a girl,” she remarked.

 

Dick and Jason looked at each other.

 

“She’s just a friend,” Dick defended. Barbara scoffed.

 

“To you, maybe,” Jason corrected.

 

Dick furrowed his brow.

 

“What does that mean?”

 

Jason crossed his legs, smiling.

 

“I mean that she’s your friend, not mine,” he answered.

 

Dick paused, hands retracting from the computer’s keyboard.

 

“Alice told me there was nothing between you two,” he spoke, slowly.

 

“Maybe she just didn’t want to hurt your feelings,” Jason teased.

 

“Jason, stop joking,” Barbara cut in. 

 

“I’m not.”

 

Dick turned his chair to face Jason.

 

“Why do you go there every night?” Dick asked.

 

“What do you think, bluebird?” Jason asked, smirking.

 

“Jason, does she know?” Barbara asked, tone serious.

 

Jason looked between the two of them and the varying degrees of concern on their faces.

 

“I didn’t tell her,” he shrugged.

 

“But does she know, Jason?” Dick demanded.

 

Jason sighed, crossing his arms.

 

“She figured it out, but it’s not my fault. Besides, she has no idea about you two,” Jason explained.

 

Dick threw his hands in the air out of frustration.

 

“I can’t believe you. You get one crush on one girl and you tell her our biggest secret?” Dick complained.

 

“I didn’t tell her about you.”

 

“No, Jason. But you endangered us all,” Barbara said.

 

“She’s smart, Jay. She figured you out, she’ll figure us out,” Dick continued.

 

“No, she won’t. Besides, I think I’m the least of her worries,” Jason scoffed.

 

Dick narrowed his eyes, puzzled.

 

“What does that mean?”

 

“Nothing. If she didn’t tell you, I won’t,” Jason answered, vaguely. 

 

“She said a while ago that you were helping her with something,” Dick said, remembering.

 

“Yeah, he’s probably helping her take those stupid tights off she wears everyday,” Barbara chuckled.

 

“Babs,” Dick warned.

 

“What? Who cares if they’re together. At least maybe that’ll stop you from ogling her,” she remarked.

 

“I do not ogle her,” Dick defended.

 

Barbara and Jason laughed. Dick rolled his eyes.

 

“So what, you’re dating her?” Dick asked.

 

Jason shook his head.

 

“It’s complicated,” he answered.

 

“What does that mean?” Barbara asked.

 

“I’m trying to help her out of a bad situation.”

 

“A guy?” Barbara questioned.

 

Jason hesitated before nodding. Dick looked down at his hands, contemplating.

 

“Who is it?” Dick asked.

 

Jason fiddled with his gloves, not answering.

 

“I kind of promised I wouldn’t tell anyone. Besides, it would complicate things a hell of a lot more,” he said.

 

“Is it her dad?” Dick asked. Jason paused.

 

“I can’t say.”

 

“So it is, right?” Dick asked.

 

“They’re so weird,” Barbara commented.

 

Dick side-eyed her.

 

“I remember during my freshman year, right before she graduated, she was in my advanced psychology class with him. There was a very weird dynamic there,” she said.

 

“How so?” Jason asked, trying to keep his tone neutral. 

 

“I don’t know, but I remember one day a girl was making fun of her and Dr. Crane told the girl to leave. After class, the girl walked up to Alice and asked her if she was more than just a teacher’s pet,” Barbara continued.

 

“What did she say?” Jason questioned, cautiously.

 

“She said something along the lines of ‘you don’t know the half of it’, and I always thought that was strange.”

 

Dick looked at Jason, trying to decipher his expression.

 

“What does that mean, Jason?” He asked, assuming he knew.

 

“He’s just a little overprotective, or I guess possessive, of her,” he answered.

 

Barbara narrowed her eyes at him.

 

“It makes sense, I think. Her mom died and they’re both a little out there,” Barbara said. Dick and Jason both looked at her, surprised she was defending Alice. 

“What? I know how weird father-daughter relationships can be,” she defended.

 

Dick shrugged.

 

“So, are you two actually together or are you just being creepy to the point she doesn’t know how to say no?” Dick teased.

 

Jason laughed.

 

“Oh trust me, she wouldn’t say no.”

 

“Wouldn’t? So you two haven’t slept together yet?” Barbara asked. Jason ignored the way Dick looked relieved.

 

“No, I don’t think she’s even hugged a guy besides her dad before,” Jason answered, which was the truth.

 

“Then what are you two?” Dick asked curiously.

 

Jason sighed, thinking.

 

“Well, I see her every night, just about. She knows about me, but not everything,” he mumbled.

 

“She doesn’t need to know about the resurrection, Jason,” Barbara comforted.

 

“Yeah, well, she kisses me,” he said, shifting gears, ignoring Barbara’s comment.

 

Dick raised his brow.

 

“She does?” 

 

“Yeah. Why, is that weird?” Jason asked.

 

Dick shook his head.

 

“No, I just didn’t think she was the kind to initiate anything,” Dick replied.

 

“Just because she doesn’t kiss you doesn’t mean she doesn’t at all,” Barbara chided. Dick grew red.

 

“No, not that. She just seems so shy,” Dick muttered in response.

 

Jason chuckled.

 

“She was, at first. She just needed time.”

 

“And what, you didn’t pressure her?” Dick asked, unbelieving.

 

Jason scratched his neck, remembering the night in the dive bar.

 

“I mean, maybe a little bit,” he conceited.

 

Dick and Barbara sighed at the same time.

 

“I don’t get what it is about her that drives you two crazy, but that doesn’t mean I’ll just allow you to force that poor girl into anything,” Barbara scolded.

 

“I don’t force her, really.”

 

“Oh yeah? Showing up at her window every night for almost a year isn’t pressure?” Barbara asked.

 

“Trust me, guys, she wants it,” Jason said.

 

Dick groaned and Barabra shook her head.

 

“How long has this been going on?” Barbara asked.

 

“Just a month, about.”

 

“Why haven’t you told us?” Dick asked.

 

“Because I knew you would be jealous,” Jason answered. Dick looked away.

 

“I just don’t understand. I thought it was going to happen between us one day,” Dick said, honestly.

 

Jason felt guilty for a moment, but then realized he would rather kill Dick than let him ever lay a hand on her.

 

“I would say I’m sorry, but I’m not,” Jason replied, truthfully.

 

Dick nodded.

 

“Yeah, if it were me I wouldn’t be, either.”

 

“If it were you you wouldn’t what?” Bruce asked, coming up behind the group.

 

Dick and Jason looked at each other, sheepishly.

 

“Feel bad about banging the Crane girl,” Barbara answered for them.

 

Jason and Dick both blushed.

 

“Alice? Who is ‘banging’ her?” Bruce asked.

 

“Jason,” Barbara chirped, unhelpfully.

 

Jason threw her a withering glare.

 

“Good for you, Jason. She’s quite the catch,” Bruce congratulated, tossing him a wink.

 

Jason shrugged casually.

“It’s nothing serious,” Dick commented.

 

Bruce narrowed his eyes at Dick, studying the distance and animosity between the two brothers. 

 

“I understand,” Bruce said, nodding slowly.

 

The room filled with quiet, awkward tension. Jason ignored the discomfort gnawing at him. He didn’t want anyone to know about Alice, but it was too late. He hoped she wouldn’t drive a wedge between him and Dick. Hell, if he were Dick, he’d probably never speak to himself again.

 

But Jason knew he had to have Alice, she trumped everything else. He wished Dick would understand one day.

 

“Alright, quit slacking. We’ve got a busy night ahead of us,” Bruce demanded, marching towards the armor rack.

 

All three vigilantes groaned. 

 

~

 

After finally purchasing a bed and most of their furniture, Alice collapsed into the fresh mattress, sighing. The pair had spent most of the past day shopping around Gotham, searching and carrying heavy pieces of furniture. She was tired, and wanted nothing more than to just pass out.

 

Jonathan opened the door behind her, following her to the bed. He sat on the edge of it, holding a package of new sheets.

 

“Alice, help me put these on,” he said. Alice chose to not comment on the fact he didn’t ask.

 

She groaned, before picking herself back up. She grasped one corner, sliding it over the edge of the mattress, then the next. Once they finished, she laid right back down, causing Jonathan to laugh.

 

“Did I overwork you today?” He teased. Alice swatted at his hand playfully. 

 

“Says you, you were just stabbed,” she muttered. Jonathan chuckled.

 

“Yes, I was. And I need to shower and change these bandages. Will you be a dear and join me?”

 

Alice sat up, again.

 

“Join you? Like, in the shower?” She asked, abashed. 

 

Jonathan smiled, nodding.

 

“Is that too much to ask? I mean, I’ve already seen it all,” he joked, causing Alice to blush.

 

“No, I guess it’s just kind of weirdly domestic,” Alice said. Jonathan narrowed his eyes. 

 

“Well, Alice, we are living together now. We’re getting married in two years,” he responded.

 

Alice nodded, before pausing.

 

“I never agreed to it, or at least I haven’t yet,” she pointed out.

 

Jonathan laughed.

 

“I know. I didn’t ask,” he replied.

 

Alice looked down at her hands. Jonathan knelt before her, grasping them in his, gently. 

 

“I’m not going to ask you about anything, Alice. That’s not how this works. I’m being nice enough to let you know, so don’t try to question me, okay?” He asked. 

 

Alice wasn’t stupid enough to miss the threat in his voice, despite the soft tone.

She nodded, compliantly. He stood, taking her with him. He led her to the bathroom door, starting the shower.

 

He stripped her slowly, kissing her shoulder blades. Alice’s eyes focused on the bandages wrapped around his midsection. Surprisingly, he had recovered without an infection. She was strangely embarrassed about the lack of severity of her attempted murder. His hands climbed her body, pausing at her neck.

 

“Sweet girl,” he purred into her neck, hands firmly grasped around it. He pressed a kiss to her nape, squeezing it ever so slightly.

 

Alice gasped, ignoring the stir in her core at Jonathan choking her.

 

“You trust me so much, don’t you?” he whispered, adjusting his grip.

 

Alice nodded.

 

“Would you let me do it?” he breathed.

 

Alice shut her eyes.

 

“Is that what you want?” she asked, hoarsely. Jonathan chuckled.

 

“Never, darling. But fear smells so intoxicating on you.”

 

Alice gulped, and undoubtedly Jon felt it.

 

“Remember this, the fear, when you want to leave,” he said. 

 

“I won’t ever want to,” Alice vowed.

 

Jonathan smiled.

 

“You will, trust me. But you’re stuck with me now, Alice.”

 

“Till death do us part?” Alice asked.

 

Jonathan laughed, kissing the back of her neck. 

 

“Exactly, sweetheart.”

 

Alice shuddered.

 

“Do you promise?” she questioned, meekly.

 

“I swear, Alice,” Jonathan whispered against her skin, and it felt like a prayer.

 

~

 

“How do you manage to get away every night?” Jason asked. 

 

Alice sat against the wall on the fire escape, her legs thrown over Jason’s lap. He kept his helmet resting comfortable beneath his arm, but remained in his usual Red Hood outfit. Alice liked the way his leather jacket hugged his arms, but she wouldn’t admit it.

 

“He’s fourteen years older than me. He falls asleep easily and stays that way,” Alice answered.

 

Jason nodded, splaying his fingers across Alice’s thighs. She wore her lilac nightgown, which poorly concealed her skin, letting light through the fabric. She followed Jason’s eyes as they danced across her flesh. 

 

“I told Dick,” Jason said. Alice snapped her head to look at him.

 

“Why would you do that?” She demanded, hotly.

 

Jason shrugged, kneading her flesh. She almost had the nerve to push him off of her, but refrained herself.

 

“I mean, he mostly figured it out himself. He can be rather nosy,” Jason complained. 

 

“How?” Alice asked.

 

Jason contemplated, wondering how to answer.

 

“He said the two of you had a conversation not too long ago, and I may have let something slip. Besides, he already knew I was coming here,” he settled on.

 

Alice raised an eyebrow, trying to decipher Jason’s expression.

 

“How did he react?” Alice asked.

 

Jason sighed.

 

“He was rather jealous.”

 

“Jealous?”

 

“Yeah, Alice. You do know that he has been in love with you for like the past two years?” Jason asked, incredulous. 

 

Alice blushed, looking down at where Jason’s gloved hands met her skin. 

 

“No, he never told me,” she mumbled.

 

Jason’s right hand left her thigh to gently grasp the bottom of her chin, pulling her to face him.

 

“It’s okay, princess. He understands that you’re mine,” Jason whispered. 

 

Alice swallowed, sneaking a glance at the window behind her, where her husband slept. She knew he never actually slept whenever Jason visited her, and she felt endlessly guilty that he had to listen to Jason making such proclamations.

 

“He won’t come anywhere near you,” he promised, tucking Alice’s hair behind her ear. She couldn’t help but stare at his lips, and Jason noticed.

 

“I can’t say the same for him, though,” Jason continued, gesturing at the window. 

 

“I think he knows, too,” Alice said, sheepishly. Jason narrowed his eyes, the grip on her thigh tightening. 

 

“Why do you think that?” He asked, firmly. 

“He told me the other day that I should be careful,” she said, meekly.

 

“Careful? Why?” Jason questioned.

 

“He said because not everyone will be as gentle as he will when they use me,” she answered.

 

Jason’s hand tightened to a bruising grip, hand on her nape flinching.

 

“I will kill him, Alice, for the way he talks to you,” Jason snarled.

 

Alice had to keep her gaze down to not laugh. She almost felt bad for how easily Jason played into her hand.

 

“I don’t care about how he talks to me,” Alice mumbled.

 

“Does he hurt you?” Jason asked, and Alice winced.

 

“No more than I deserve.”

 

Jason growled, lowly. 

 

“Do you want me to do it right now? I will, Alice,” he seethed, hand leaving her neck to reach for his holster. Alice spurred, reaching out to place her hand atop of his. 

 

Jason looked down at it, seeing her pale hand on his own gloved appendage. 

 

“What does he do to you?” Jason asked. It was the first time he demanded specifics, and Alice didn’t know how to respond. She needed him to feel like he had to protect her, but didn’t want him charging in guns blazing. She had to balance his anger and his possessiveness. 

 

“He doesn’t hit me, at least not anymore,” Alice replied.

 

Jason’s eyes narrowed at her, unbelieving. He remembered the first time he met her, bruised and entirely vulnerable.

 

“Does he force you?” 

 

Alice shook her head, hesitantly.

 

“No, but he isn’t gentle,” she responded.

 

Jason scoffed.

 

“What does that mean? You don’t know what it should be like, how it should feel. You wouldn’t even know if he was hurting you,” Jason huffed.

 

Alice frowned at the condescending tone. 

 

“How should it feel?” She asked, weakly. If she ever felt lost in conversation with Jason, the easiest way to distract him was through innocent seduction.

 

Jason looked at her, eyes glossy with something related to desire.

“I’ll show you, Alice,” he breathed.

 

Alice blushed, the wind flowing through her nightgown, revealing her body even more. Jason’s eyes raked over her like a hawk, absorbing every detail. Alice grew nervous and wished Jon would come save her. 

 

“Don’t tempt me, princess. I would take you right here,” he threatened, and Alice’s stomach flipped.

She almost asked him to prove it, before remembering who was on the other side of the wall. 

 

“I can’t,” she protested.

 

Jason pulled her entirely into his lap, his mouth against her ear. Alice chose to ignore how comfortable it felt, encased in his arms.

 

“Why’d you wear this, Alice?” He asked, running his hand along the silk fabric, rippling it to reveal her inner thighs.

 

Alice shivered, causing Jason to laugh a breathy chuckle against her ear.

 

“You aren’t so innocent, princess. You know what you’re doing,” he accused. 

 

Alice gulped. 

 

“What am I doing?” she asked, sweetly.

 

Jason snarled, teeth scraping against the shell of her ear.

 

“Torturing me, darling. Can’t you see what you do to me?” he asked, rolling his hips. Alice gasped, feeling him against the flesh of her thighs. There were only two layers between them, his cargo pants and Alice’s thin, lace panties. It felt like entirely too much.

 

“I can practically smell how much you want it, Alice, and you tell me you don’t?” 

 

Alice shook her head, lightly bumping into him.

 

“I said I can’t, not that I don’t want it,” she corrected.

 

Jason sighed.

 

“Why? I don’t mind if he sees, actually I might prefer it. Show him how you look when you like it, when you’re mine,” he groaned. Alice swallowed.

 

“Jason,” she warned. He pressed a wet kiss to the side of her head.

 

“Alice,” he mocked.

 

She rolled her eyes, putting her hands on his chest to create a modicum of distance.

 

“I should get back to him,” she whispered.

 

Jason pushed himself against her again, vying for any amount of friction. 

 

“Come back with me,” he asked, and Alice winced at the desperation in his voice.

 

“Jason, you know I can’t.”

 

“Please, Alice. I need you,” he pleaded. 

 

Alice shook her head, pushing herself further off of him.

 

“Jason, I have to go,” she repeated.

 

Jason sighed, lightening his grip on her. 

 

“Fine.”

 

Alice struggled to stand, so Jason rose with her, holding her up. She smoothed out the wrinkles in her nightdress, smiling sheepishly up at him.

 

“I’ll see you soon,” she whispered.

 

Jason nodded, tilting her chin up again. He bent down, kissing her with some force. Alice squeaked, startled. She sighed into the kiss, melting into his touch. He separated from her, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

 

“Wait for me, little dove. I’ll come back for you soon, I promise,” he vowed, brushing back her hair with his fingers.

 

Alice nodded, turning to enter the window. As she slipped inside, covering herself with the covers again, she curled against Jonathan.

 

“At least you didn’t let him fuck you tonight, who knows about tomorrow,” he muttered, angrily. 

 

“No, I won’t let him. I promise, Jon.”

 

“I can tell you want it,” he accused. Alice shook her head against his chest.

 

“I only want you,” she said.

 

Jonathan chuckled in the darkness.

 

“Sure, darling. I can feel you, you know?” 

 

Jonathan’s hand reached beneath her nightgown, caressing her. Heat rose to Alice’s cheeks.

 

“This isn’t because of me.”

 

Alice shivered at his touch.

 

“Maybe it is. Maybe I couldn’t stop thinking about you, and about how I wanted you to show him who I belong to,” she purred, pulling herself closer to him.

 

Jonathan’s free hand gripped her back, trapping her on his chest.

 

“Don’t say that Alice, because I would and you know it,” he warned.

 

Alice laughed.

 

“Soon,” she promised.

 

Jon pressed a firm, harsh kiss on the side of her head, before flipping her on her back, towering over her.

 

“What more do you need from him?” Jon asked, his hands roaming up and down her nightdress.

 

“I think he might have accidentally told me something I shouldn’t know,” she answered.

 

Jon raised an eyebrow, expectantly.

 

“I don’t think it’s weird that Jason Todd, the adopted son of Bruce Wayne, is Red Hood. I think it makes sense,” she explained.

 

“How so?” Jonathan asked.

 

“Because Dick is Nightwing.”

 

“How did you figure that out?” Jon asked, contemplating.

 

“Jason said Dick knew he was visiting here, which meant Dick knew Jason was Red Hood. Remember when Nightwing came by the asylum?”

 

Jonathan nodded.

 

“He felt familiar and he kept avoiding me. Besides, Dick would show up with weird bruises at university all the time. And, he told me he is an acrobat. Nightwing is, too.”

 

“Why are they vigilantes?” Jonathan wondered.

 

Alice shrugged beneath him.

 

“I would think it has something to do with Jason, he seems like he might have roped Dick into it. He’s a little out there,” Alice remarked.

 

Jonathan rolled his eyes.

 

“What do we do with this information?” He asked.

 

“If we know who Batman’s allies are, it’s safe to assume they can lead us to him,” Alice answered.

 

Jonathan smiled, canines exposed.

 

“Darling, we’re closer than ever before,” he breathed. Alice smiled, nodding enthusiastically.

 

“We’ve almost got him,” she agreed.

 

Jonathan’s hands picked up their pace, groping at Alice with excitement. She basked in the attention; the approval. She would do anything for his proud smile, for the look on his face when she did well.

 

It was worth sacrificing her two closest friends.

 

They would have to understand.

 

~

 

Two weeks after moving in and furnishing their apartment, Alice began to feel adjusted. Jonathan was busy looking for a job, anything to hold them over for the next couple of years. He reassured Alice that she didn’t have to work, but she still felt guilty for living off of him.

 

She had started looking into online classes, specifically accelerated psychology courses. Alice wanted to spend as little time at university as possible, she was desperate to begin her and Jonathan’s work.

 

As far as their little project had been concerned, it was all but forgotten in the past few weeks. Alice would notice Jonathan scribbling away at night, when he thought she wasn’t awake. She would just sigh and curl against his body, seeking warmth.

 

Sleeping together was interesting, but not unwelcome. Alice had never considered feeling comfortable sharing a bed with another person, and she never thought Jonathan would be the type for physical affection. She was wrong on both accounts, however. She felt remarkably safe in Jonathan’s arms, and he insisted on holding her throughout the night.

 

He also insisted on touching her whenever he had the chance, whether sexual or not. Alice preened under the attention, happy to be always on his mind. In the morning, as he sipped his coffee, he always beckoned her to sit in his lap. During the afternoon, as he searched for jobs, he kept a firm hand on Alice’s nape or thighs. At night, after ravishing her, he held her and petted her hair, whispering sweet nothings in her ear as she failed to hold back the drowsiness.

 

It was entirely too domestic, too unlike the two of them, that it made sense to Alice. They had to balance their violence somehow, and apparently how they accomplished that was through constant physical contact. 

 

That didn’t mean, however, that each of their penchants for violence didn’t bleed into their domestic life. Jonathan liked to constantly remind Alice of his power over her, both physically and mentally. Alice liked to remind Jonathan that she wasn’t afraid to retaliate. It was a delicate dance, a serenade from each of them. The routine began to spur something in Alice’s chest, a word she hadn’t dared to utter.

 

Love.

 

She hadn’t thought herself capable of it, but as she fantasized about strangling Jonathan or straddling him, it was the only word that rang in her ears. She assumed he had to feel it too, he all but said it after she stabbed him, but neither of the two were able to speak it into existence, not yet anyway.

 

How predictable that Alice and Jonathan had no qualms about stabbing, slashing, biting, or fucking one another, but shuddered at the thought of saying ‘I love you’. 

 

Hate was easier, and Alice felt that sometimes for him, too. But the balance between the two emotions only convinced her even further that she did, indeed, love Jonathan. And when he looked into her eyes, either when he was toying with her or inside of her, Alice saw the inkling of it there, too. 

 

She hoped he could understand that’s what Alice was trying to convey with every small submission she gave him, every allowance and displays of trust. She certainly felt it with his abuse of that very trust, every boundary he crossed.

 

She no longer knew if she feared him for what he was capable of, or feared the absence of him. The two were entirely entwined, and Alice knew they would be unstoppable when the time came. If, of course, they could survive each other until then. 

 

Of that, Alice wasn’t too confident.

 

~

 

“What are you thinking about, dear?” Jonathan asked, startling Alice out of a half-awake daydream.

 

It was late in the morning, the two laid lazily entangled in their shared bed, all limbs.

 

“Just us,” she answered.

 

Jonathan, whose face was illuminated by little rays of dancing sunshine, frowned. 

 

“That can’t be good,” he replied. Alice laughed lightly, feeling the way her body moved against his.

 

“Nothing bad, really. Just wondering if there was a way for things to be different,” she said, softly. 

 

Jonathan paused, contemplating.

 

“Different how?” he questioned.

 

“I don’t know, just the whole situation. If it could be any different,” she muttered.

 

“You mean, if we didn’t meet the way we did?”

 

Alice shook her head.

 

“No, I mean if we could act any differently. If we didn’t have to hurt each other,” she corrected.

 

Jonathan’s hand lazily stroked her side, climbing up her body.

 

“I don’t think so, darling. I think that may just be who we are,” he answered, after a moment.

 

“Is it? Or is that what we tell ourselves to not feel guilty?” she inquired, with more of an edge to her tone than she intended.

 

Jon’s hand paused. Alice swallowed.

 

“Be careful, dear,” he warned. 

 

“I just mean, do we really have to?”

 

“Yes, Alice. Maybe we don’t have to, necessarily. Maybe we like it,” Jonathan answered, sharply. 

 

Alice nodded, turning her head away, looking down at where their legs met. She wondered how something so simple as a Sunday morning in bed with her lover could cause such a knot in her stomach. 

 

She always felt like she was waiting, anticipating an attack from her husband. Like he was a lion ready to pounce and she was a mere meerkat, oblivious. 

Maybe she was doing too good of a job at convincing Jason she was weak and a victim, because she was starting to feel like it. She had to willfully push down the thought of Jason coming to save her, of a way out. She knew there wasn’t one, and she wouldn’t want one, anyway. 

 

At least, she tried to convince herself of that. 

Chapter 6: i will be watching for your enemies, to let them know that they contend with me

Summary:

Chapter title: Higher by Sleeptoken

Barely proofread so will most likely go over again!

Also sorry for lack of updates - very busy but trying to keep up!

 

Jonathan, fidgeting with the lapel of his lab coat, glared at Alice, who sat across from him on his desk.

 

“It wasn’t my fault, Alice,” he murmured.

 

Alice narrowed her eyes.

 

“Oh? It isn’t your fault? Tell me, what were you doing when he escaped?” she asked, pointedly. 

 

“Testing.”

 

Alice huffed, throwing her hands in the air.

 

“Without me? We’re supposed to do it together,” she said.

 

Jonathan rolled his eyes, leaning back in the swivel chair.

 

“I had something else I wanted to try and didn’t think I needed you,” he stated bluntly.

 

Alice tried to not feel insulted by the exclusion but failed.

 

“This is our work,” she said, meek.

 

Jonathan grinned sharply.

 

“No, Alice, this is my work. I’ve been working on it my whole life. You are just a small part of it, dear. If I say I don’t need you, then I don’t need you.”

 

Alice blushed, looking down at her feet, refusing to speak.

 

“Out of all the patients that got away, Edward is probably the most dangerous,” Jonathan said.

 

Alice laughed.

 

“Yes, he is. He’s also the most coherent, and he knows too much.”

 

Jonathan nodded, standing. He circled around the desk, his hand trailing along it.

 

“He knows too much because you’ve told him too much,” he stated. Alice glanced behind her at him, hesitantly.

 

“He figured most of it out,” she rebutted.

 

Jonathan chuckled.

 

“You didn’t need to confirm it for him, did you?” he asked.

 

Alice shivered. Jonathan’s hand continued its path, moving from the desk to Alice’s shoulder. He slid across the fabric of her own coat, moving to cover her neck. 

 

“Did you, Alice?” he repeated. His hand flexed against her skin.

 

Alice gulped, shaking her head. She didn’t look up.

 

“So if someone, say, the Batman, finds him, what will happen?”

 

“I don’t know,” she whispered. Jonathan squeezed, harshly.

 

Alice yelped, jumping, falling backwards against the desk. Jonathan stepped forward, his knee between her thighs, trapping her.

 

“You do know, Alice. They’ll take you from me and throw me into here, and when I’m in here, I can’t protect you. What do you think is going to happen to a little girl all alone in Gotham?” he snarled, against her cheek.

 

Alice flinched, trying but failing to create distance between the two of them.

 

“You think your little friend will protect you? No, Alice, he’s just waiting for his chance.”

 

Alice shook her head, firmly against him.

 

“He would protect me more than you ever have,” she gritted out, wincing when the room filled with tangible silence. She breathed out once, before feeling the sharp sting of Jonathan’s hand against her cheek. She entirely expected it, but still gasped lightly.

 

“I know you didn’t mean that, Alice,” Jonathan warned. Alice hesitated, before shaking her head again.

 

“You’re not allowed to see him again,” he commanded. Her eyes widened.

 

“I need to,” she said.

 

Jonathan laughed.

 

“No, you don’t. And from now on, you’re going to stay away from Arkham. Do you understand?”

 

Alice huffed.

 

“How am I supposed to help?” she asked.

 

“You’re going to help by staying far away. I can’t have you ruining everything so close to our goal,” he said, deceptively sweetly. Alice flushed.

 

Out of everything Jonathan had ever said and done to her, Alice felt the most wounded by his exclusion. She felt a whirlpool of dread swell in her abdomen, a sick sense of disappointment and shame.

 

“Do you understand?” he repeated, hand grasping her chin. 

 

Alice nodded, her face void of emotion.

 

“Good.”

 

Even his praise fell flat. 

Alice stepped aside from him and the desk, surprised he let her go. She didn’t even glance back as she left the room. 

 

She marched the halls of Arkham, ignoring the way the guards looked at her, curiously. She assumed she had a red mark on her face, but she couldn’t care less. Exiting the Asylum, Alice began formulating her own plan, one that didn’t involve Jonathan.

 

If he didn’t want her anymore, Alice figured she didn’t need him, either.

 

~

 

After a month of lounging about the apartment, Alice began to grow stir-crazy. Jonathan had found a job, small time psychiatry at a small time office, and Alice had never felt so lonely before.

 

Her days were the same; wake up with Jonathan, cling to him as he drank his coffee and dressed, go back to bed until an unreasonable hour, tweak the toxin formula, then cling to Jonathan as he returned from work. She felt somewhat like a dog waiting for her master’s return, but she shoved that feeling down to maintain her sanity.

 

 She began to wonder if this is really all that Jonathan wanted; Alice locked up in an ivory tower, safe and secure from everyone else but him. She chose to focus on the desire that revelation brought, not the dread.

 

~

 

“What are you two up to, Alice?” Jason asked, gripping Alice’s arm.

 

“I don’t know what you mean,” she answered.

 

Jason had visited Alice’s apartment during the day, which immediately alarmed her. He stood in her living room in an almost anonymous Red Hood suit, leather jacket and red, basic helmet, but no symbol.

 

“In the past two months, four Arkham inmates have gone missing under your husband’s watch. Six more have gone somehow more insane. Half of the times I’ve tried to see you recently, you’re not here. Even at three in the morning. So, what are you up to?” he asked, firmer.

 

Alice narrowed her eyes at him, crossing her arms. Jonathan wasn’t home, he was consumed with his work at the hospital for the past two months since dismissing Alice. In fact, she had seen him only a few times, assuming he had begun sleeping at the hospital.

 

Alice wasn’t going to complain about the space or the emptiness of their apartment. 

 

“It’s Arkham. People go missing all the time,” she responded. Jason didn’t move.

 

“Not like that, Alice,” he said.

 

“What are you asking me?”

 

Jason sighed, taking a step towards Alice. 

 

“Your husband isn’t exactly a good man, princess. He took you from Arkham, and I’ve started to think the fire was his fault,” he explained.

 

Alice raised an eyebrow. 

 

“I wouldn’t put it above him to be up to something nefarious,” he continued.

 

“That’s a big word for you,” Alice commented. Jason rolled his eyes.

 

“Will you take me seriously, Alice? Batman is starting to think the inmates going missing or mad is your husband’s fault. If he’s asking me to look into it, then it must be serious.”

 

“Does Batman know?” Alice asked.

 

Jason put his hand on her shoulder, squeezing.

 

“No, not about you and the doctor,” he answered.

 

Alice shook her head.

 

“No, I mean about us,” she corrected.

 

Jason stepped closer, hand moving to the small of her back.

 

“Yes, he does. Which is why I think it may be a problem,” he answered.

 

Alice looked up at him, calculating.

 

“There’s something else,” she said. Jason’s hand flexed. He sighed.

 

“Batman found an inmate who had been missing,” he responded.

 

“Found who?” Alice asked, keeping her tone neutral, but she knew who. 

 

“Doesn’t matter, but he found some sort of drug in his system. From what we can tell, it seems to be associated with fear.”

 

Alice gulped.

 

“How did you figure that out?” she wondered.

 

Jason furrowed his brow.

 

“B did.”

 

“B?”

 

“Uh, Batman. He can break apart drugs and study them, I guess. It goes over my head,” he answered.

 

Alice nodded, slowly. Jason studied her face.

 

“You know about it,” he stated, not asked.

 

“What else is there?” she asked, ignoring him.

 

“Nothing, Alice. Which is why I came to you. What are you two doing?” He repeated, more firmly. 

 

“I can’t account for everything Jonathan does,” she said, slowly. Jason scoffed at the lack of an actual answer.

 

“No, but Alice, I think you’re involved. I know how smart you are,” he said.

 

“Thanks for the compliment, but I’m not sure what that means.”

 

“He had help developing that drug, princess,” Jason said, lowly. His hand pressed against Alice, pushing her closer to him.

 

“So you think he made the drug?” She asked.

 

“Alice.”

 

Alice rolled her eyes.

 

“I don’t know what you want me to say. If you think he did it, why haven’t you thrown him in Arkham?” 

 

“Despite what all of Gotham thinks, we don’t just toss people in Arkham without proof or even an understanding of what’s going on. We don’t know what you two are doing, so there’s nothing to arrest you for,” Jason answered.

 

“Arrest me?” she asked.

 

Jason sighed, again.

 

“If whatever you’re doing is illegal and harmful, which I’m starting to suspect it is, then I would have to. But Alice, if this is all him, you need to let me know. I can protect you,” he whispered.

 

Alice let out a mirthless chuckle.

 

“Protect me? From what, Jason? Jonathan or Batman?” she asked, dubious.

 

Jason looked down.

 

“Just please come with me, Alice. I can take you to him and we can talk,” he offered.

 

Alice searched Jason’s face, trying to decide if he was being serious or not. 

 

“Take me to him? As in Batman?” 

 

Jason nodded.

 

Alice contemplated for a minute, before smiling.

 

“Okay,” she agreed.

 

Jason’s head shot up, looking at her.

 

“Really?” he asked, uncertain.

 

Alice nodded.

 

“You’re not scared of him?” Jason questioned.

 

Alice laughed, this time with humor.

 

“I’ve met him before,” she responded.

 

Jason frowned, puzzled.

 

“When?” 

 

“He was the one that took me to Arkham, like seven years ago. And he helped me find my cat.”

 

“He never told me that,” Jason mumbled.

 

“I doubt he remembers me. I was a child and had a different name back then, and I’m sure he’s found his fair share of cats before,” she explained.

 

“A different name?” Jason asked, this being the first time he heard of it.

 

“Yeah, not just Crane, but Alice, too.”

 

“Alice isn’t your name?” he repeated, and Alice didn’t miss the quick flash of hurt on his features.

 

“I changed it in Arkham, or more accurately, someone picked it out for me,” she said.

 

“Jonathan?”

 

Alice laughed.

 

“No, Harley actually,” she corrected. Jason’s eyebrows shot up.

 

“Harley, as in Harley Quinn?” he asked, disbelieving.

 

“Yeah, she was my doctor before Jon.”

 

“How was she, before, you know,” Jason trailed off.

 

Alice smiled.

 

“She was really nice, and she seemed to understand me. She promised me after I got out she would take me in and we could be like sisters,” she said. 

 

“But then the Joker happened?”

 

“Yeah, I guess that’s what you could say. It worked out, anyway,” she muttered.

 

“I’ve always liked Harley despite her proximity to the Joker,” Jason remarked.

 

He practically snarled as he said the word ‘Joker’ and Alice made note of it mentally. She suspected it could just be because of his vigilantism, but it seemed like there was something more, something personal there

.

“I’ve been hoping to meet her again, but haven’t had the chance,” Alice said. 

 

Jason nodded, slowly, thinking.

 

“In what way, exactly?” he asked.

 

Alice huffed.

 

“Through Arkham, obviously. Despite what you think, I’m not joining the rogues, Jason.”

 

Jason laughed, before growing solemn once more.

 

“Well, are we going to do this?” He asked.

 

Alice nodded, smiling as Jason’s hands placed themselves comfortably on her hips. He pulled her against his chest, his mouth on the crown of her head.

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll take the lead,” Jason stated.

 

Alice squirmed in his grasp to look up at him.

 

“It’s going to be weird, isn’t it?” she asked.

 

“Probably. Especially since they know about us, and I think Batman knows that you know my identity.”

 

Alice furrowed her brow.

 

“You’re the first to know, you know? No one is supposed to know, or at least live if they do,” he threatened, but a smile teased his lips.

 

“You’re really bad at threats, you know?” she asked, playfully.

 

“I’m sorry, it’s just so hard to stay serious around you,” he jeered, hands kneading into her flesh.

 

“Will you stop with the distractions? Don’t we have someone to meet?” she asked, serious, but with an edge of humor.

 

“Alright, princess, let’s go,” he pulled Alice in for a kiss, breaking away from her, smiling.

 

“Where is he, by the way? Will he be looking for you,” he asked, his breath against Alice’s cheek.

 

Alice shook her head, bumping into him lightly.

 

“He’s at the asylum and will probably be there all day, night too,” she mumbled.

 

“Are you going to tell him?” Jason questioned.

 

Alice looked up at him, staring into his blue-gray eyes. 

 

“It depends on how it goes, I guess,” she answered, honestly.

 

Jason nodded, once.

 

“I’m getting closer everyday to just taking you with me and not letting you go,” Jason said, truthfully, and desperately. 

 

“I’m getting closer everyday to letting you,” Alice rebutted.

 

Jason growled, lowly.

 

“Don’t say that, Alice. I’m not joking,” he warned.

 

“Neither am I.”

 

“I know we have somewhere to be, but I am seriously considering taking you to your bedroom right now,” Jason breathed.

 

“Why? Want to fuck me on our bed?” she asked, innocently blinking her eyes up at him. 

 

“Where he fucks you?” Jason snarled. Alice laughed.

 

“Well, yeah, Jason. He’s my husband,” she said, but Jason’s grip on her tightened, bruising and threatening.

 

“You’re mine, Alice. Not his,” Jason stated, but it felt more desperate than commanding.

 

“I’m married to him,” she countered, although lately it hadn’t felt like it.

 

“Not for long,” Jason said. 

 

“What, are you suddenly a divorce lawyer?”

 

Jason smiled, his canines exposed.

 

“You won’t need one, princess,” he purred, and Alice didn’t miss the threat. 

 

She gulped, adjusting herself in his grasp to look more fully at his face.

 

“You’re not going to kill him, Jason,” she said.

 

Jason shrugged.

 

“I thought that was against your code,” Alice pointed out. Jason huffed.

 

“Not mine.”

 

Alice shivered.

 

“We should go,” she said, trying to redirect the conversation. Jason nodded, pulling back from her, but not before kissing her nose.

 

He led her out of her own apartment, predictably to the small alleyway with her fire escape, the one he usually climbed up. His bike sat nestled against the wall, his plain helmet and a smaller one resting upon its handles. Alice smiled at the fact he obviously got a helmet just for her.

 

He picked her up, placing her gently on the back of the bike. He pulled her hands along his waist, holding them firmly across his midsection. She leaned her head on his large back, her helmet bumping against him. 

 

They approached an unassuming apartment complex, and Alice suspected it was Jason’s. He helped her off of the bike, leading her to the elevator. Once inside, riding all the way up to the penthouse, Alice grew nervous.

She hadn’t seen the bat in person since he apprehended her. Jonathan had seen him a few times at Arkham, but Alice made sure to never be present. She wasn’t scared, exactly, but more anxious he might recognize her. She supposed it didn’t matter, especially since Jason already knew.

 

Jason must have sensed her nervousness, placing a hand comfortably on the small of her back. She looked up at him and saw the anxiety in his own posture.

 

“It’ll be okay, Alice,” he whispered. Alice nodded as the elevator doors opened.

 

Stepping inside of Jason’s apartment for the first time was much like she imagined. The place was completely bare, save for a few clothes strewn across his couch. He obviously hadn’t used the kitchen in a long time, and the only door opened was the one leading to his bedroom.

 

Alice wondered why he needed so much space, but she assumed if he was the adopted child of a billionaire that it made sense.

 

“He’ll be here soon, I think. In the meantime, would you like a tour?” Jason asked. Alice nodded in response.

 

“Okay, well this is the living room, obviously.” 

 

Alice smiled.

 

“Uh, that’s the kitchen, and that’s my room,” Jason said, gesturing to the opened door. Alice peered in through the crack, seeing a messy room with an unmade bed.

 

Jason stepped closer to her, mouth against her ear.

 

“I’ll give you a tour of my bed later,” he flirted. Alice giggled.

 

“Very subtle, Jason,” she teased. 

 

He shrugged, kissing the shell of her ear.

 

Alice felt the energy of the room shift, suddenly cold. Against the door, she noticed a shadow move. She tossed a slight glance over her shoulder.

 

“He’s here,” she whispered to Jason.

 

Jason turned around, spinning Alice with him. 

 

“How’d you know that? He always sneaks up on me,” Jason joked, looking at Batman directly. 

 

He stood in the kitchen, with his cloak wrapped around him. It pooled at his feet, its arching cut circling around him. His gaze was sharp, although Alice thought it might have just been the angle of the cowl. He was large yet small at the same time, a fly on the wall, but ready to pounce at any given moment. 

 

Alice didn’t feel fear looking at him, but rather a strange sense of security.

 

“Hello,” she squeaked out, as casually as she could.

 

Both Jason and the vigilante looked at her, surprised. 

 

“Alice,” Batman said, his voice low and robotic. It sounded different than what Alice remembered.

 

“What is it that you need from me?” she asked, gaining confidence in her ability to speak.

 

“I just have a few questions,” he answered, curtly. Jason’s hand hadn’t left Alice’s waist and she was suddenly very aware of it. Batman’s eyes, although completely white and she couldn’t technically tell where he was looking, were fixed on it. 

 

“About?”

 

“Your father,” the vigilante answered, curt.

 

Alice nodded, crossing her arms.

 

“Ask, then.”

 

Both Batman and Jason looked taken aback at the fact Alice was the one commanding the dark knight, not the other way around.

 

“What is the toxin?” he asked, bluntly.

 

Alice narrowed her eyes.

 

“What toxin?”

 

Jason looked at her sideways.

 

“The toxin Nygma described.”

 

“Nygma?” Alice asked.

 

Batman nodded.

 

“He called himself the Riddler. Said you did his interview and Jonathan conducted his therapy.”

 

“I remember. He’s an interesting patient,” Alice commented. 

 

“He said your father administered a toxin to him. We found traces of it in his blood. What is it?” Batman repeated.

 

Alice shrugged, looking between Jason and the vigilante.

 

“I wouldn’t know. I haven’t been to the asylum in months. If he’s trying out a different type of therapy, I would have no idea,” Alice answered.

 

Jason turned towards her, confused.

 

“I thought you were working there?” he asked.

 

Alice shook her head.

 

“He fired me.”

 

Jason glanced at Batman.

 

“What, why Alice?” 

 

Alice shrugged.

 

“Ask him. I haven’t even seen him in a week or so,” she said, which was the truth.

 

Batman stepped closer.

 

“Nygma said you were working with him,” he stated.

 

Alice nodded, chewing her lip.

 

“I was somewhat involved in his therapy, but I mostly took notes or asked questions. He was the psychiatrist, I don’t know what drugs he was administering,” Alice said.

 

“If I were to bring you to Nygma, could you ask him about it yourself?” Batman asked.

 

Alice furrowed her brow.

 

“Why can’t you?” 

 

“He’s hard to speak to. I can’t figure out the antidote.”

 

“Is he hard to speak to because of the toxin, or because he’s difficult?” Alice questioned.

 

Surprisingly, Batman chuckled. Alice ignored the heat that rose to her cheeks.

 

“Both. And I think you can help with both,” he said.

 

Alice nodded, glancing at Jason. Jason kept his eyes on his partner, something sharp in his gaze.

 

“There’s something else,” Batman said, after a pause.

 

Jason looked nervously at Batman.

 

“I looked into you and Jonathan, but strangely, I couldn’t find your birth certificate, Alice.”

 

Alice’s eyes widened, and Jason looked down.

 

“I did find something else, though. Jonathan’s marriage license. I didn’t recognize the name. At first, I thought it was your mother,” Batman said.

 

Alice sighed, looking down at her feet. She figured he knew everything, then.

 

“Do you remember?” she asked, weakly.

 

Batman nodded as Alice looked up at him.

 

“Are you going to take me back?” 

 

Batman grunted, or at least that’s what it sounded like through the modifier.

 

“To Arkham? No, you never belonged there,” he said.

 

Alice narrowed her eyes at him.

 

“Yes, I did. Besides, why take me there if I didn’t?” she questioned.

 

“I took you there to see one doctor, Alice. Not to stay,” he answered.

 

Alice contorted her face in puzzlement.

 

“I don’t understand,” she muttered.

 

“I can explain if you’ll help me,” Batman offered.

 

Alice nodded, slowly.

 

“Take me to him, then.”

 

~

 

“When can I leave?” Alice asked, one night.

 

Jonathan glanced at her from the side of his eye. 

 

“Leave?” he asked, hesitantly.

 

Alice nodded, gnawing on her lip. Jonathan’s hand slapped her side lightly, and she let the skin go from between her teeth.

 

“The apartment,” she specified.

 

“Why?”

 

Alice shrugged.

 

“It’s kind of lonely here,” she murmured.

 

“Lonely? I’m here, darling,” Jonathan replied, petting her hair softly.

 

“I just mean to get out and do something, I haven’t left once since moving in.”

 

Jonathan’s eyes raked her face, analyzing.

 

“You don’t need to leave, Alice. Everything you need is here, I’m here. I’m all you need,” he whispered.

 

Alice nodded slowly.

 

“Can I at least get a cat or something?” she asked.

 

Jonathan let out an abrupt laugh.

 

“Sure, dear, if that’s what you want. But you have to feed it,” he conceited.

 

Alice beamed up at him. She didn’t allow herself to linger on the feeling that Jonathan commanding her like she was his legitimate daughter caused.

 

“When can we pick it out?” 

 

Jonathan narrowed his eyes at her.

 

“We can go tomorrow after work.”

 

Alice smiled, throwing her arms around Jonathan’s neck. If she had to choose everyone else in the world or only Jonathan and a cat for company, she’d pick the latter. Besides, at least Jonathan was allowing her something, something that was hers and not his. If anything, it made her feel like her own person again, not his.

 

She knew at the back of her mind that Jonathan was only granting her this small wish in order to keep her compliant, unwavering in her submission to him. Alice figured it wouldn’t hurt to play his game for a little longer, he was after all helping her achieve the only thing that she really wanted. 

Freedom from herself.

Chapter 7: show me those pretty white jaws, show me where the delicate stops

Summary:

Chapter title: Jaws by Sleep Token

CW: Implied suicidal ideation

I am back from the dead! Sorry got caught up in school and moving out, but I have been sitting on this for a while so I should have lots to come out soon :)

Let me know what you think!

Alice didn’t mind, or entirely not expect for Batman to hand her a black bag to presumably place over her head. She did mind, however, as Jason’s hand slid down her back, with all pretenses in simply guiding her, but the heat distracted Alice from the mantra repeating in her head, over, and over.

Jonathan can not find out.

She knew the moment her husband was aware that she not only made contact with the Bat, but visited his lair, he would jumpstart all of their plans. While she anticipated and waited daily for that moment, she knew they were not ready. Not only because their toxin was half-formulated, but also she did not know where Jonathan stood. If she was still his ally, partner, wife, or not.

She supposed she would find out soon, regardless.

Jason, however, needed to believe she was innocent. She knew Batman saw through her, but Jason couldn’t see past her. He couldn’t ignore the version of Alice he had crafted in order to understand who she really was; what she really was. His shortsightedness had worked in her favor for so long, too long even. For a vigilante such as the Red Hood, he couldn’t be stupid. Maybe he was just blind.

She had to keep him as blind as she currently was, underneath the black hood, in the back of presumably the batmobile. Alice listened to the familiar hum, the sound of its massive wheels striking the uneven streets. It lulled her into an almost nostalgic trance, reminding her of the first time she had been in the vehicle. Alice was surprised to find it brought her comfort, not unease.

“Alice,” Batman said, through his modifier.

Jason, after guiding Alice into the vehicle and placing a not-so-subtle kiss on her covered forehead, had driven separately. She was alone with the Bat.

“Does Jason know everything?” He asked.

Alice contemplated for a moment, wondering what exactly he meant by ‘everything’.

“About my husband?” she questioned.

“Yes, and Arkham,” he responded.

Alice gnawed on her lip beneath the fabric.

“He knows bits and pieces. Nygma knows more,” she answered, trying to guide the conversation away from the uncomfortable parts.

“He’s very perceptive. But I’m curious why you haven’t talked to Jason about it,” he said, swiftly refocusing. Alice huffed.

“What would I say to him?” she asked, incredulous.

Batman didn’t respond for a moment.

“Take off the hood, Alice,” he said, surprising Alice.

She hesitated, before slowly grasping the edges of the bag and pulling it over her face. Her hair stuck to her cheek, and she removed it as she eyed the bat from the side.

The windows of the batmobile were tinted enough that she couldn’t exactly make out the streets and buildings surrounding them, but were light enough she was aware that there were streets and buildings.

Batman looked at her, his cowl revealing nothing of the expression beneath.

“What do you remember?” he asked, almost too softly for a vigilante of the night.

Alice inhaled, deeply, shutting her eyes, blind once more.

“Fire, smoke, the wind on top of that building. Your voice in my ear as you caught me,” she whispered.

Batman nodded, beckoning for more.

“The first night in that wretched place, and how contrasting Dr. Quinzel was. She made me laugh, somehow. I can’t remember how. All I know is I didn’t want to end it all in that one, specific moment. Is that what you mean?” she asked, sharper than she intended.

Alice blushed, staring down at her hands. She had unintentionally snapped at the last person she should be snapping at.

“Kind of. I mean about your parents,” he said. The softness was still in his voice, or at least how much it could be with the modifier on.

“That I killed them?” she mumbled.

Alice couldn’t ignore the way his gloves tightened, untightened, and tightened again on the steering wheel with each beat of silence.

“Who told you that?” he said, but Alice caught the edge of his tone.

“What do you mean?” she asked, confused.

“Who told you you killed your parents?” he restated, firmly.

She shook her head, eyes still transfixed to the gloved hands.

“No one did. I know I did,” she responded, but it sounded less convincing than she meant.

“Alice,” Batman said, and it came out weak, strained.

She didn’t look up at him.

“Did Dr. Crane not let you leave the Asylum?”

Alice furrowed her brow.

“He was the one who helped me escape.”

Surprisingly, Batman let out a laugh, albeit a strangled one.

“Escape? Alice, you were never locked up there,” he said.

Alice’s heart thumped behind her skull, pounding against her ear. She had to swallow acid down.

“Yes, I was. You put me there,” she accused.

“No, Alice. I took you to see Dr. Quinzel so she could assess you. She kept you for one week, one, Alice,” he said, masked eyes staring painfully into the side of Alice’s head.

The breath Alice drew in was cold and unsatisfying.

“Then why was I there for over a year?” she asked, meekly.

She jumped when she felt one of those gloved hands on her shoulder, squeezing as gently as she imagined the Dark Knight could, reassuringly.

“Because your husband kept you there,” he answered, in a short, but earth shattering sentence.

~

“You have had that cat for a day, Alice. What do you mean you lost him?”

Alice sat, sobbing uncontrollably, on their queen-sized bed.

“I must have forgotten to close the window, he jumped out!” She cried.

Jonathan paced in front of the bed.

“I have to go to work, I can’t wander around Gotham all day searching for your cat,” Jon said.

Alice huffed between sobs.

“I didn’t ask you to,” she responded.

Jonathan’s pacing halted.

“Do you not want me to help?” He questioned.

Alice paused, unsure of her response.

“You just said you couldn’t,” she hesitantly answered.

“You think you can handle it all by yourself?”

Alice didn’t miss the condescending, unbelieving tone.

“I have to,” she replied.

Jonathan nodded, slowly, leaning down before her, his hands placed on opposite sides of her hips.

“When you can’t find him, I will. He was a gift and you lost him, darling. He was yours and that’s how you took care of him. Imagine if that was how I took care of what’s mine?” he whispered, breath hot against her cheek.

Alice shivered, forgetting about the anxiety surrounding her lost cat, swiftly replacing it with fear of the man before her, once more.

Jonathan pulled back from her, fidgeting with his cuffs.

“I will be late tonight. I hope you’ve found him by then,” he said, offhandedly.

Alice nodded, mutely, knowing she wasn’t even in his line of sight.

Her eyes trailed to the open window, wondering if she hurled herself out of it, she would perhaps find her lost cat on the way down.

~

“What did you do to her?” Jason demanded, stepping into Alice’s view.

After leaving her to stew in her silence for the rest of the ride, the pair had finally arrived at the Batcave. Alice was distracted, however, and could not decipher the location whatsoever.

Batman, wordlessly, had carried her out of the batmobile when he realized she wasn’t moving from her transfixed spot, and still held her in his arms. She chose to not acknowledge how comfortable it felt.

Jason reached for her, trying to snatch her from his clutch, but failed as Batman turned, his cape slightly blanketing Alice.

“Batman, give her to me,” Jason seethed, his mask poorly concealing the fury rolling off of his wide shoulders.

“Jason, I need you to back off,” Batman responded, firm, but softly, as to not frighten Alice.

He stepped past Jason, slowly carrying Alice further into the cave, but she couldn’t make out anything beyond his arms or his cloak.

He climbed a series of short stairs, stopping before dropping into a chair, Alice still in his grasp. She sat up, ignoring how she was currently, and comfortably, sitting in her supposed enemy’s lap. His cape drowned her frame, swallowing her shoulders, to where only her face poked out of the deep fabric.

Jason followed, brow furrowed as he observed her. Alice assumed he thought Batman must have done something, or given her something, not that he merely told her the truth.

“What did you do?” he asked, again.

Batman shook his head.

“I didn’t do anything, Jason. We had a conversation,” he answered, vaguely.

“Yeah, well we all know how your ‘conversations’ go,” Jason huffed, eyes scrutinizing Alice’s face. She refused to look up at him.

“I think she just needs time to process everything,” Batman said, but it sounded more like a warning.

Alice’s fingers began playing with the edges of his cape, focusing on the way the bat’s chest rose and fell against her, rather than the sinking doom climbing its way between her ribs.

She was more angry at herself, rather than Jonathan. He had told her many times that he saw people as nothing more than a test-subject, yet she never thought of herself as one of his projects. She supposed she should have, especially since she began questioning her arrival at Arkham, all thanks to Nymga.

Nygma, who Alice remembered she was here to see, must be inside of the cave somewhere. She could not see where, really she could not see anything but the cavernous walls, but she still scanned her surroundings.

Jason followed the movement of her eyes, before inching closer.

Batman’s hand, which Alice hadn’t realized had been on her waist the whole time, moved up to the back of her neck, kneading gently. Alice was surprised at how comforting the vigilante was attempting, and succeeding, to be. It felt foreign to her, a hand that comforted despite not being the one to injure. She suspected it was foreign to the man the hand belonged to, too.

“Process what?”

Batman huffed, stopping his movement, before pulling the cape together, forcing Alice against his chest.

Alice watched the quirk in Jason’s brow, presumably from jealousy. She wondered just how deep his possessiveness ran that he was jealous of Batman.

“I’m sure she will tell you if she decides she wants you to know,” Batman answered flatly, somehow pulling a giggle out of Alice.

Both Jason and Batman looked down at Alice, Jason confused, and even though the Dark Knight wore a cowl, Alice could feel the air of humor surrounding him.

Alice was surprised, and somewhat suspicious, to find that she was beginning to like Batman.

There was something so steadfast about his demeanor, yet so cushioned and soft beneath the firmness, that Alice knew he would never intentionally hurt someone unless he felt justified. Unlike Jonathan, he would protect those closest to him, only use the edge of his violence against enemies, not loved ones.

It was somewhat pathetic yet endearing, so much so Alice began to wonder if that feeling of invulnerability is really what she sought in Jonathan, rather than the vulnerability he forced upon her.

She shoved that revelation deep, down into her core, past the swirling dread from a long, unknown betrayal.

Batman curled his arm around her, pulling her sideways, to where the mouth of his cowl pressed against her ear.

“Are you able to talk to Ngyma?” He asked, softly. His hand stroked her side, gloved, harsh hands contrasting the gentle movements.

Alice nodded, listening to the small breaths exhaled against her temple.

“Give her a moment,” Jason butt in.

Alice turned to face him. He had taken off the helmet at some point, the red hood laying innocuously on a nearby desk.

“With you?” Batman clarified.

Jason scoffed, stepping closer, again, leaning down to Alice’s height.

“Alice,” he said, in as soft of a tone as he could muster.

Alice looked up at him, trying to decipher his expression.

“You don’t have to,” Batman assured her, hand squeezing gently.

She sighed before nodding, not missing the hesitance from Batman as he released her. She stood, as Jason reached forward, pulling her straight into his chest. He not-so-gently turned them around, away from Batman.

Alice was skeptical of the way Jason seemingly tried to shield her from the other vigilante, yet she felt safest with him. He knew everything, besides her hands-on involvement with her husband, yet he didn’t fault her; he protected her.

Jason however, was full of wrath and jealousy. He was noticeably unstable and obsessive, and he seemed to think having Alice would fix everything. She knew, however, she would only ruin him further.

“Did he hurt you?” Jason whispered, hands grasping desperately at her waist.

Alice shook her head. Jason sighed, resting his head atop of hers.

“What happened?”

Alice let him pull her further into him, encased by his leather jacket. It wasn’t as warm or inviting as Batman’s cape.

“We talked about when I was younger and he told me something I didn’t know,” she answered, vaguely, but trying to satisfy his curiosity.

“Are you okay?”

She nodded, listening to his thumping heartbeat. It was almost as violent as the man himself.

“You don’t have to do this, princess. I can take you back to my place,” Jason offered.

“Your place?” She asked.

Jason chuckled.

“Yeah, Alice. I’m not taking you back to his,” he answered.

“It’s mine to,” she countered.

Jason pulled her back, slightly, to see her face.

“You’re not going back again, Alice,” he said, firmly.

Alice narrowed her eyes.

“You can’t just say that,” she accused.

“It’s not safe for you.”

“And what, Batman’s lair is?” she asked, incredulous.

Jason let go of her with one hand to pinch his brow.

“No, but I will keep you safe in my apartment,” he answered.

Alice shook her head, stepping back from him, as far as he allowed.

Batman stood behind them, watching, but not intervening.

“So you would replace my so-called prison with another one?” she asked.

She knew Jason was taken-aback by her newfound defiance, his jaw ticking. She leaned up to whisper into his ear, her hands planted on his chest.

“He lets me out of his sight, Jason. Would you?” Alice purred, knowing the answer.

Pulling back from him, knowing she shattered Jason's expectation of her, a small, fragile thing needing protection. She figured he would know the reality of her soon. Somehow, Batman already knew of it.

She turned back towards Batman, studying the angles of his cowl, searching for a clue of the man beneath. When she found none, she lifted her chin.

“I'm ready. Where is he?”

~

After deciding to ultimately not kill herself, Alice found herself leaning off of the fire escape, calling out for her cat.

The day already bled into night, a warm, citrus-orange sunset already asleep past the hills of Gotham.

Jonathan still hadn't returned and Alice wondered how late he intended to stay out. He probably just wanted her to revel in her misery. Or, Alice just assumed he did, which was unfair on her part. He wasn't the one who lost her cat.

She huffed, hanging off of the railing, staring down at the streets. She lost herself in thought for a while, thinking about how each car housed a different person; a different story. She wondered what any of them would think of her now, abed with a monster.

Alice hadn't noticed someone was standing next to her, until she heard the thud of an arm on the railing.

She jumped, turning to face none other than her previous savior, the Bat.

“I get worried when I see you standing over the edge of buildings.”

Alice paused, at a loss for words. Not only was the Batman standing next to her, but he remembered her.

“Are you going to do it again?” he asked, not unkindly.

Alice turned back towards the street, gazing downwards. She shook her head.

“I never thought I would see you again,” she whispered. She felt afraid to even talk to him, that any word she might say would cause him to disappear in a puff of smoke.

“Normally, people I run into tend to avoid running into me again,” he responded, causing her to smile.

“Yet here you are,” she replied. He nodded next to her.

“Yet here you are, too.”

“Were you looking for me?” Alice wondered.

The vigilante pulled his arm off of the railing, standing to face her.

“No. Although, I think you expected me to,” he said.

Alice furrowed her brow.

“What do you mean?”

“The fire. Arkham,” he answered, vaguely.

Alice nodded slowly.

“I don't care about it,” he stated, bluntly.

Alice inhaled, relieved, and suspicious.

“You're just a child, El-”

“Alice.” She cut in, refusing to hear that name again.

He nodded, understanding.

“Alice. You aren't meant for a place like that,” he said.

“But?” she asked, sensing a continuation.

“But, you aren't meant for a place like this, either,” he responded, gently.

Alice inhaled, not entirely surprised he knew about her current situation.

“I have nowhere else,” she countered.

“I know. Just promise me something, Alice. Know you are not alone, now or ever. If you need me, I'm here,” he offered.

Alice looked up at him, contemplating.

“How would I even contact you?” she asked.

“You don't have to. I'll know,” he said, in such a way Alice sensed a warning behind it.

“I need help now,” she said.

“With what?” he asked, curiously.

“I lost my cat.”

~

Nymga sat in a glass cell, criss-cross on the floor, smiling widely up at Alice. It was unnerving how happy he was to see her.

“Mrs. Crane! How lovely it is to see you here!” He cooed.

He seemed satisfied with himself, almost as if he had thought he had revealed a bit of information neither Jason or Batman knew, but, of course, he was wrong.

“I told you to just call me Alice,” she said, through her teeth, but smiling.

Nygma laughed, throwing his head back.

“Don't want them to know the truth?” he purred.

Alice sighed, shaking her head.

“It's a shame, but I think they figured it out before you did, Edward,” she chastised.

It had the intended effect of ripping the smile off of his face, replacing it with a furrowed brow.

“Why are you on that side of the glass?” he inquired.

Alice looked back behind her, to where Jason sat on an upper level, out of earshot, and where Batman stood less than five feet away, monitoring the conversation.

“Why are you on that side?” She asked, instead.

Nygma chewed on his lip, eyes flickering back and forth between her and the bat.

“I did kill someone, before I went to Arkham. And Arkham is apparently not safe for me now, so Batman has been nice enough to let me crash on his couch,” he teased.

“Nygma,” Batman warned, growing frustrated with the man's behavior.

Alice lifted her hand, signaling she had it under control.

“How did you escape Arkham?” she asked, trying to maneuver the conversation.

“Your little boy-toy let me out,” he answered, giggling.

He paused for a moment, looking up at Jason and Batman.

“I guess your next question is going to be which one, right?” He cooed.

Alice felt heat rise to her face, not at the implication of her and Jason, but at the implication of her and Batman.

“Why would Jon let you out?” she asked, ignoring him.

“'Jon' let me out because he wanted our friend to find me,” he answered.

Alice chewed her nail, subconsciously. She jolted when Batman stepped forward, silently, and pulling her hand away from her mouth. She was unnerved by how much the movement reminded her of Jonathan.

“Why would he want that?” she asked, distractedly.

“Because I think he's further along than you think he is,” he replied, ominously.

Alice tossed a glance over at the vigilante closest to her, who was already facing her.

“Oh, and before you ask, yes our friend already reversed the toxin. He's got an antidote and everything,” the Riddler chirped excitedly.

Alice accidentally shot her gaze towards the bat again too swiftly, no doubt causing suspicion.

She opened her mouth, then shut it.

“Oh, I don't think she's too happy to hear that, do you Bat?” he laughed.

Alice had to fight down the urge to snap at the man in the cage.

“Alice,” Batman warned.

She looked down at her feet, her glossy black heals covered in dust from the cave. Her tights were ripped around the ankle and she wondered when that happened, probably as she was carried earlier.

“It was his doing,” she whispered, but she knew he didn't believe her.

“I know,” he said, and he knew she didn't believe him, either.

~

Hours passed before Jonathan returned, black coat wet from the rain. He shook it off in the entry way, hanging it up.

Alice sat on the couch, cat purring in her lap.

As Jonathan stepped into the room, he paused when he noticed him.

“You found him,” he said, disbelieving.

Alice merely nodded, petting the cat's soft coat.

“Where was he?” he asked.

Alice shrugged, gnawing on her lip. Jonathan took a step towards her, sitting beside her on the couch. He reached to pet the cat's head, but before he could, the animal batted its paw at him. It startled a laugh out of Alice.

“I don't think he likes you very much,” she teased.

Jonathan smiled, timidly, almost afraid to upset her. She wondered what his hesitance was about.

“Have you picked a name out?” He asked.

Alice nodded, smiling softly.

“The man who helped me find him helped me pick out a name, too.”

Jonathan's eyes raised.

“A man helped you?” He asked, slowly.

“Yeah, he was in the area and heard me calling out. He found him in the alleyway, eating some trash and gave him to me,” she answered, which wasn't technically a lie.

“Interesting. Well I'm happy for you,” he said, grasping her shoulder, pulling her into him to place a kiss on her cheek.

“Me too,” she whispered.

Jonathan looked down at her hands stroking the cat. There was a strange contemplation, a sense of unknowing in his eyes.

Alice felt heat rise to her face, uncertain as to why she had lied about the Batman visiting her. Jonathan would have been ecstatic to hear, but she felt unsure and unsafe. She knew he would put her in a position she didn't want to have to be in; between them.

“What was the name?” He asked.

Alice smiled.

“Bruce.”

Chapter 8: fall into your eyes like a grave; bury me to the sound of your name

Summary:

Chapter Title: Like That by Sleep Token

Really excited for this one! I think I'm about half-way done now, which is kind of sad knowing I need to start wrapping it up soon but still, happy to have y'all along for the ride!

“Alice,” Batman said, again, following after her as she climbed the many steps of the Batcave.

 

Jason stood, further up from where she was, perceivably blocking her from continuing. She just huffed, standing in front of him with her arms crossed.

 

“I'm sorry, Alice. We can't let you leave,” Jason apologized, but Alice knew he was anything but sorry.

 

He had her right where he wanted her, not in shackles, but nonetheless shackled to him.

 

“He's right, Alice,” Batman called, stepping closer to her, essentially boxing her between the two men on the steps.

 

Alice spun to face him, staring down at him.

 

“Going to throw me in there with him?” She asked, gesturing towards Nygma.

 

“No. I was going to ask if you wanted to come upstairs,” Batman corrected.

 

Alice heard Jason gawk behind her, but she was only confused.

 

“Upstairs?”

 

Batman paused, studying her for a second.

 

“Ah, I was mistaken,” he said, after a moment.

 

“What do you mean? Why take her upstairs?” Jason asked from behind her. Alice didn't bother glancing at him.

 

“I thought you knew.”

 

Alice shifted her eyes down, focusing on the masked man's jaw. She searched her mind, anything to piece together what he was trying to convey.

 

She recalled the last two conversations she had with him, the night he rescued her and the night he found Bruce.

 

Bruce.

 

Suddenly, it clicked for Alice.

 

She grew pale, swaying slightly on the step. If she leaned too far, she would drop into the waters beneath her. Batman, or Bruce, realized this, stepping forward and catching her in his arms.

 

“There we go,” he soothed, petting the side of her face as he held her.

 

“Why?” she squeaked, weakly.

 

Bruce laughed, steadying her.

 

“Why what?” he asked.

 

“Why name my cat that?” she asked, incredulous.

 

“What?” Jason asked, confused.

 

The pair ignored him.

 

“I wasn't in the best state of mind back then. I think I was trying to tell you,” he confessed.

 

Alice looked up at him.

 

“Why me?” she whispered.

 

Bruce let go of her for a moment, hands climbing to the sides of his helmet. The cowl lifted with a click, before he grabbed ears, yanking it off slowly.

 

As his jaw gradually became more exposed, Alice had to close her eyes. She refused to look into those blue eyes, the ones that read her for filth the first time she came into contact with them, masked and unmasked.

 

The cowl dropped on the step behind them with a cold thud.

 

“Do you remember what you said to me before you jumped?” he asked, gently.

 

Alice blinked up at him, surprised he was bringing it up, now nonetheless.

 

She shook her head, slowly.

 

“That the world has no place for us, regardless of the masks we wear,” he answered for her.

 

Alice's hand rose to her face, biting her nail. He stepped forward.

 

“Do you remember what I said as we fell?”

 

Alice found it suddenly difficult to breathe.

 

She shook her head, again, watching as his gloved hand slowly grasped her wrist, pulling it from her mouth to the symbol on his chest.

 

“That we don't need them, the world or the masks.”

 

Jason moved from behind them, but Alice paid him no mind. In fact, she paid attention to nothing else besides the billionaires lips, how they twisted when he spoke. She could tell he spent most of his life either smiling or grimacing; no in between.

 

“I can't count how many people I've caught while falling off of buildings, but you, Alice, are the only one I remember every second of the fall,” he admitted, which Alice could tell pained him to say.

 

Jason cleared his throat, hand roughly grasping Alice's shoulder. He spun her to face him, ripping her hand away from Bruce's chest.

 

“Bruce,” he warned.

 

Alice looked back at the unmasked vigilante, seeing something akin to bitter acceptance cooling his features.

 

“Go with Jason,” he told Alice.

 

Alice shook her head, defiantly. She wanted to reach back for the man, to feel his heart thumb against the cold kevlar. But Jason pulled her back, forcing her up the steps.

 

She began struggling in his grasp, and Jason didn't know how to respond. He tightened his grip, pulling her onto the platform where the computer screens were. Once on flat ground, he scooped Alice into his arms, carrying her away.

 

Alice couldn't keep the tears from falling as she began banging against Jason's chest. The red, metallic bat symbol on his torso brought her less comfort than the black one that adorned Bruce's.

 

She could tell Jason felt uneasy and out of his element, unsure of how to react or soothe her outburst. Alice knew Jonathan and Bruce would know how to calm her down, though in two entirely different ways. Jon would flip her on her back and make her cry a different way, which, admittedly worked every time, and Bruce would hold her until the sobbing subsided.

 

Jason just pushed her face, rather uncomfortably, into his chest, shushing her occasionally. He had, at some point, pulled her into the chair, petting her side as she cried into him. She had lost all motions of a fight, merely sobbing, broken.

 

Batman, or Bruce, was nowhere to be seen by the time Alice gradually managed to lift her head. Her long, black hair was a mess, strands sticking to her cheeks and the leather of Jason's jacket. Her glasses had been discarded long ago, presumably in the bat mobile. Her shoes were taken off at some point, probably by Jason. Her skirt had ridden up past her thighs, though luckily her tights hadn't ripped that far up yet.

 

She looked like a wreck, yet eyeing Jason's face, he seemed entirely entranced.

 

“Alice,” he whispered. Her eyes fluttered across his features, his firm brow, his strong jaw, his soft lips. She knew in another world, in another life, she should have chosen him.

 

“Is there something going on between you and Bruce?” he asked, gingerly, although there was a sharpness there.

 

She screwed her lips shut, trying to hide her palpable confusion, and embarrassment.

 

“No,” she answered, with as much confidence as she could muster.

 

She wasn't lying, but it felt like it. In reality, she had spoken to Bruce a handful of times over the past three years, and Batman far less. Yet, there seemed to be something related to understanding between the two of them. She was more intrigued by him than Jason, but she didn't need to tell him so.

 

“I have never seen him act that way before,” he commented, accusatory.

 

Alice swallowed her discomfort down.

 

“How many people know?” she asked, intending to change the subject.

 

Jason paused, calculating.

 

“Me, Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and now you,” he answered.

 

Alice realized Jason was not aware she knew the identity of Nightwing yet.

 

“Does Dick know I am here?” she asked, casually.

 

Jason looked at her, deciphering how to answer.

 

“You know?”

 

Alice laughed.

 

“What, Jason? You and your adoptive father are vigilantes and Dick, the acrobat, isn't?” she teased.

 

Jason chuckled, shaking his head, amused.

 

“You're too smart for your own good,” he breathed, causing both to pause.

 

No one had mentioned her involvement with her husband's experiments yet, but it was entirely implied. Jason assumed. Bruce knew.

 

Yet, there was an unsaid pact to not mention it. She assumed neither of the men desired to paint her in that light; an accomplice to a criminal. Neither wanted to break the spell they both knew they were under, to see Alice as anything other than a helpless girl.

 

“Alice,” Jason suddenly said, tone growing serious.

 

She looked at him, expectantly.

 

“You said you haven't been at Arkham in a month,” he said, slowly.

 

Alice nodded.

 

“Then where have you been?” he asked.

 

Alice froze.

 

“What do you mean?” she asked, innocently.

 

“At night. When I visit,” he said.

 

Alice's heart thumped into her ears.

 

“Out,” she answered.

 

Jason's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing.

 

“Out?” he repeated.

 

She nodded, looking down at her hands.

 

“Some nights, I looked for you,” she whispered.

 

Jason's hands rose to her face, cupping her cheeks.

 

“You didn't have to, Alice. Just call me,” he said, seriously.

 

She nodded, chewing on her bottom lip.

 

“The other nights?” he continued his line of questioning.

 

“Rooftops, mostly,” she answered, vaguely.

 

“Rooftops?”

 

“Yeah, there's this one, near the building I used to live in. You can see almost all of Gotham, despite the smoke and fog,” she said, fidgeting with her fingers.

 

“Is it the one?” he asked, weakly.

 

She nodded.

 

“Alice,” he said, and Alice wondered if he simply liked saying her name.

 

“Did you want to?”

 

She chewed more intensely, trying to focus on anything other than the tears welling back up behind her eyes.

 

“I do,” she answered.

 

Jason huffed, pulling her face into his chest.

 

“I will never let you go, princess,” he promised.

 

After a moment of silence, Alice heard footsteps in front of them. Bruce stood, now wearing casual clothes. She wondered wear he stashed his suit.

 

“Ready to go up?” he asked the pair.

 

Jason looked at Alice expectantly.

 

She nodded, not missing the way Bruce's eyes fell to her chewed lip.

 

~

 

“Does it haunt you, being here?” Jonathan asked.

 

He had brought her back to the rooftop she had thrown herself off of, over two years ago.

 

She shook her head, looking down off of the ledge at the street below. It was taller than she remembered, although in all honesty, she didn't remember much from that night.

 

“It just makes me feel small, I suppose,” she answered.

 

Jonathan stood behind her, hands on her waist as she peered off of the building. She wasn't sure if he was securing her so she wouldn't fall, or preparing to push her.

 

“Do you wish you had succeeded?” he asked, voice warm against her neck. She swallowed.

 

“Sometimes. Sometimes I wish you would do it yourself,” she squeaked back.

 

Jonathan laughed from behind her, before picking her up and spinning her to face him, feet off the ground.

 

“Darling, are you really that scared of me?” he asked, unbelieving.

 

She paused, before nodding.

 

“I would never hurt you in any meaningful way, do you know that?” he asked.

 

She exhaled, not making eye contact.

 

“Maybe not physically. But I think if you betrayed me, you might as well stab me,” she replied after a beat.

 

Jonathan narrowed his eyes, thinking.

 

“Betrayed you how?” he asked, slowly.

 

Alice shrugged in his arms.

 

“Anyway, I suppose.”

 

“I won't, baby. I promise,” he swore.

 

Alice believed him, no matter how foolish she knew it was.

 

~

 

Jason led Alice through the manor, a place she had been many times before, but it looked different in light of new information.

 

He directed her up the grand staircase to his old bedroom, one Alice had been in a couple of times throughout her collegiate career. She remembered laughing on his floor, ignoring the way his eyes trailed her body. She remembered Dick waking him up late in the afternoon to force him to grab food with them. It all felt so distant now; tinted with the realization that both had been keeping secrets the entire time.

 

He opened the large wooden door to his bedroom, inviting Alice inside. She hesitantly entered, jumping when the door closed behind them. At some point, Alice didn't know when, the sun had set. She wondered if Jonathan was just arriving at home, but she doubted it.

 

“I can't let you sleep alone,” Jason said, awkwardly filling the silent room.

 

Alice eyed the king-sized bed.

 

“Because?” she asked.

 

“A few things. Mostly because I'm not sure what you would do to yourself right now,” he answered, not unkindly.

 

Alice eyed him out of the corner of her eye, making her way towards the mattress. She hadn't realized how exhausted she was, presumably from struggling so viciously in Jason's arms earlier. She didn't have the willpower to be embarrassed.

 

“What, afraid I would kill myself?” she asked, hotly.

 

When he didn't respond, she sighed, throwing herself on the bed.

 

Jason stood at the foot of it, eyes boring into her skull.

 

“I know you probably don't think much of me right now, but I do care for you Alice,” he said, out of nowhere.

 

Alice sat up to get a proper look at him.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Between Jonathan and Bruce, I'm probably just some blubbering kid to you. But I'm not. I've been through shit too, Alice. Things you wouldn't believe,” he implored.

 

Alice narrowed her eyes.

 

”I don't think of you that way, Jason,” she breathed.

 

Jason took a step closer to her.

 

“Then what do you think?”

 

She paused, gathering her thoughts.

 

“I think, out of everyone I know, you're the most honest. That I don't have to play these stupid mind games with you. That if I told you something, you wouldn't twist it or use it against me. You'd just listen,” she said, shocked at the vulnerability she allowed herself to display.

 

Jason closed his eyes, before kicking his shoes off. He placed his hands on either side of Alice's body, leaning over the bed.

 

“I want you to tell me everything, Alice. I want you to be completely honest with me, only me,” he breathed.

 

Alice squirmed beneath him as he continued climbing onto the bed, his knees now boxing her in.

 

“Tell me, princess. What do you want?” he asked.

 

She looked at the way his biceps strained as he held himself up, on all fours, towering over her.

 

She shuddered, knowing her answer, knowing he knew it, but afraid to speak it into existence.

 

“Shh, it's okay, doll. I know,” he assured, face now mere inches from her own.

 

Her breath hitched as one of his hands found the collar of her sweater.

 

“Is this what you want?” he asked, his blue eyes searching hers for an answer.

 

She nodded, unable to speak. Alice then remembered her place, eyes widening with horror.

 

“Jason wait,” she protested. He paused, pulling back off of her slightly.

 

“He said he'd kill you,” she explained.

 

“Crane?” he asked.

 

She nodded, sitting up. Something flashed across his face for a moment, too quickly for Alice to decipher.

 

“I’m not too worried about his threats, princess,” he all but purred into Alice’s ear.

 

She ignored the shock it sent to her core.

 

“Besides darling, how would he know?” he asked.

 

Alice flinched at the use of the nickname Jonathan used most often with, convincing her even further that she was not supposed to be here.

 

“He always finds out,” she replied, lazily.

 

“How would he? He’s never going to lay eyes on you again,” Jason said, gravely.

 

Alice gasped, searching his eyes but finding nothing but sincerity.

 

“You don’t mean that,” she tried.

 

“I do, Alice. He can’t have you. Bruce can’t have you,” he rebutted.

 

“Bruce doesn’t want me. Neither does Jonathan,” she muttered.

 

Jason scoffed.

 

“Trust me, Bruce doesn’t know what he wants. And if you’d listen to Nymga for more than a minute, you’d know your husband is obsessed with you.”

 

Alice paused.

 

“What do you mean?” she asked.

 

“Nygma has painted a very visual image of the things Crane told him. All about you. Nygma didn’t help us much at all, except to wax poetic,” Jason huffed.

 

“What did he say?” she asked, curiously.

 

“Nothing you don’t already know. Just that Nygma wouldn’t understand unless he had a partner, a pet, like you.”

 

Alice was shocked to find that being called Jonathan’s pet stirred her insides in a pleasant way, rather than an unpleasant. She suspected she just wanted to be his in some way, any way.

 

“You said you don't care about the way he speaks of you, but Alice, just hearing the things Nymga said makes me want to put a hole through his skull,” Jonathan growled, startling Alice.

 

“Jon's or Nygma's?” Alice asked, trying to lighten the mood.

 

“Both, I don't know. But you act like he abandoned you, but the way it seems, you left him,” Jason commented.

 

Alice opened her mouth, holding back the urge to scream at Jason for not understanding.

 

“He told me I would ruin everything,” she muttered.

 

“Ruin what, princess?”

 

Alice shook her head.

 

“Everything he's been working towards,” she answered, vaguely.

 

“You know more than you're letting on,” Jason said, but it wasn't entirely accusatory.

 

“What do you want me to say, Jason? That everything was all him, I didn't want him or the things he did?” Alice asked, exasperated.

 

“Yes, Alice. I want you to tell me he forced you to marry him and to work with him,” Jason responded, immediately.

 

“What good would it do?” she whispered.

 

“I need to know this isn't you Alice, that he isn't,” Jason pleaded.

 

Alice felt the tears returning, but she ignored them.

 

“I don't know what I am without him,” she confessed.

 

Jason pulled further off of her, sitting on the bed beside her, facing away.

 

“I'll show you, I promise,” he said, with resolution.

 

The statement frightened Alice more than it inspired her.

 

~

 

When Alice awoke, a few hours after her and Jason's conversation, Jason still slept soundly next to her. She assumed he didn't have the need to stay awake all night watching her if she laid next to
him. Regardless, he should have, as she slipped the covers off, barefoot hitting the wooden floor, softly.

 

She still wore the same clothes from the day before, tights ripped and all. She lost her coat at some point, and she knew the wind chill of Gotham would affect her. Nonetheless, she still gently pulled the wooden door open, stepping into the dark, familiar halls of Wayne manor.

 

Approaching the library, where she knew a windowed balcony was, she suddenly noticed a warm light underneath the door. She started to turn, but before she could, the door squeaked open.

 

“Alice,” Bruce called from behind her.

 

She paused, knowing she couldn't run away now. He would simply catch her.

 

He stepped towards her, hand resting gently on her shoulder. Alice turned to look at him, watching as warm light illuminated half of his face in the dark.

 

“Where are you going?” He asked.

 

“Nowhere,” she answered.

 

Bruce let out a quiet laugh.

 

“Well, if you have nowhere to be, care to join me?” he asked, gesturing towards the open door.

 

Alice looked inside, hesitantly, before nodding.

 

The pair walked inside, his hand still resting on her shoulder, before he reached behind, shutting the door. He led her to a cushioned bench, sitting her down, and then sitting next to her.

 

His hand slipped from her shoulder, trailing down to her waist, resting there. Alice felt heat rise to her cheeks.

 

“Trying to leave already?” he asked, humored.

 

Alice shook her head, knowing it was a lie.

 

“It's okay, I wanted to talk to you anyway,” he said.

 

Alice looked up at him, curiously.

 

“I need you to understand something, Alice,” he said, and Alice could tell he was uncomfortable.

 

She nodded, slowly.

 

“I'm not sure if it's intentional or not, but whatever you're doing, you need to stop.”

 

Alice's face pinched in confusion.

 

“Stop what?”

 

“With Jason. And Dick, too. And whatever this is,” Bruce gestured between them.

 

“What do you mean?” she asked.

 

“Jason doesn't know it, Dick does but he can't accept it,” he continued.

 

“Know what?” Alice echoed.

 

“That they'll never have you,” he answered, bluntly.

 

Alice gnawed on her lip.

 

“But you will?” she asked.

 

Bruce huffed, looking down at where his hand rested on her.

 

“I could, if I wanted,” he said, not unkindly.

 

Alice felt her face grow impossibly hot, embarrassment obvious.

 

“But I understand you, Alice. They don't. It's not your choice.”

 

“What isn't?”

 

“Jonathan. Jason thinks you had no part in it, no desire for it. But I can tell, Alice, that this is what you live for. He is the reason you live. And I know now, with him so far away, you're not sure you
want to anymore,” he stated.

 

Alice's eyes fell to her lap, thinking. It was pathetic how easily he read her, how easily he pushed past her masquerade.

 

“What do I do?” she asked, weakly. He seemed to have all the answers.

 

“Go to him, Alice. And when you realize he is not what you want or need, I know you'll come back,” Bruce said.

 

“Come back?” she wondered.

 

“Yes, to me, Alice. When you doubt him, you lean so heavily on me or Jason. I know Jason scares you, and I know you feel safe with me. It'll only be a matter of time before I have to catch you again,” he answered, face hovering above hers.

 

“And what will you do if that happens?” she breathed.

 

“I won't let you go.”

 

~

 

The rain was so heavy, so cold, Alice shivered uncontrollably. She hadn't had time to run by her apartment and grab another coat, so she stood, at the gate of Arkham, completely soaked.

 

She slipped inside the doctor's entrance, shaking off whatever rain she could. She trailed the hallways, quietly, which were eerily empty. Regardless, no one would pay her any mind if she had been noticed.

 

She reached the door to Jonathan's office, and she suddenly felt a pang of anxiety at the base of her stomach. Alice couldn't decide if the worst thing that could happen would be him kicking her out or letting her inside.

 

She raised her hand to knock, but before her hand made contact with the door, it opened. Jonathan, wearing a creased lab coat, his hair disheveled and glasses askew, looked at her with a blank expression on his face.

 

“Alice,” he said.

 

Her eyes fell to her feet.

 

“Where is your coat?” he asked, so casually, that it caused a sob to wreck through her.

 

He stepped closer to her, hands gingerly grasping her cheeks, pulling her into his chest as she began to cry. He began petting her hair, so softly, so lovingly, that Alice felt remarkably safe and at home in his arms.

 

Jon pulled her inside his office, leaning against the desk so that he could carry the whole of her weight. Alice practically laid upon him, hands grasping desperately at his lab coat.

 

“Darling, where have you been?” he whispered into her hair, never pausing his stroking of it.

 

“You left me,” she sobbed.

 

“No, baby, I would never. I've just been so busy,” he said.

 

“You told me to never come back,” she accused, muffled by his chest.

 

He pulled her back, tucking her hair behind her ear.

 

“I didn't mean it, Alice. I thought you would come back.”

 

“You've practically trained me to listen to you and what, you just wanted me to not listen to you?” she cried.

 

Jonathan laughed, gently.

 

“Baby, when do you ever listen to me?” he asked, lightly.

 

Alice looked up at him, looking into his familiar blue eyes that she tended to drown in. The slight smirk on his lips caused her to feel faint, swaying in his arms.

 

“You're my everything, darling. You seemed like you needed space, so I gave it to you. I never banished you from here, and certainly not from me,” Jon said.

 

He paused, eyes falling to her frame.

 

“Where have you been?” he asked, curiously.

 

Alice gnawed on her lip, which immediately caused him to grasp her face. She let the skin fall from her teeth.

 

“Jason took me to see Batman,” she answered, watching as Jonathan's face grew expressive.

 

“Batman?”

 

She nodded.

 

Jonathan picked her up, spinning her around to set her on the desk, hands resting not-so gently on her sides. He invaded her space, nose inches from her own.

 

“Darling, you're amazing,” he purred, planting a firm kiss on her lips.

 

Alice jolted back, not expecting it, before melting into his embrace. The kiss slid from her lips, to her jaw, trailing down her neck. He held her so securely in his arms, yet she never dreamt of
escaping.

 

She had expected him to be angry at her for meeting with their enemy, but he seemed ecstatic. It was almost like he dangled her in front of the bat, hoping he would make contact. Alice became suspicious of the fact that apparently, the only meaningful thing he talked to Nygma about, was her. It was almost as if he let Nygma go in the hopes that Batman would catch him, and in turn, catch her.

 

She pulled back from him, placing a hand between her and his chest, creating distance. Jonathan looked up at her, his cheeks flushed.

 

“Darling?” he asked.

 

“Jon, did you want him to catch me?” she asked, with as much confidence as she could.

 

He blinked at her.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

She scoffed, annoyance creeping in at the edge of her skull.

 

“Is that why you let Nygma go?”

 

A smile fought its way onto his face, exposing his canines.

 

“I knew you'd figure it out eventually,” he said.

 

Alice shook her head, remembering what Bruce had told her.

 

“Figure what out? That I didn't actually kill my parents?” she asked, which had the intended affect of sucking the air out of Jon's chest.

 

The smile fell from his lips as he opened, shut, and opened his mouth again.

 

“I never told you you did, you believed it all on your own,” he defended, lamely.

 

Alice huffed, unbelieving.

 

“No, but you gave me the toxin and kept me there for a year, twisting and turning my mind any which way that you desired,” she accused.

 

Jonathan stepped back, his hands falling from her sides.

 

“You were my patient,” he stated.

 

Alice stood.

 

“No, I never was. I was Harley's, you were supposed to discharge me,” she countered.

 

“What did you expect me to do, send you to an orphanage? I was protecting you, is that not enough?” he asked, incredulous.

 

“I didn't want you to screw with my mind or groom me to be your partner!” Alice cried.

 

Jonathan's jaw ticked, and she could tell she struck a chord.

 

“Yet, you came crawling back to me, Alice. Tell me, dear, did he fuck you too?” He asked, cruelly.

 

Alice blushed.

 

“Who?” she asked.

 

“Who else? The Bat. You reek of kevlar,” he spat.

 

Alice looked down at her legs, to where the tights had shredded around her ankles.

 

She shook her head, afraid of looking up at him. He placed a hand under her chin, forcing her to face him.

 

“Are you still mine?” He asked, slowly.

 

Alice paused, unsure of her answer. She wasn't certain of what he meant, but she knew what she wanted to be true. Gently, she nodded.

 

“Good,” Jonathan purred, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

 

She sighed, glad he settled on kissing her, not bruising.

 

“Why did you lie?” she asked, weakly.

 

Jonathan shrugged, inching closer to her once more, leaning her on the desk.

 

“I was curious what would happen.”

 

Alice didn't respond.

 

He gingerly turned her around, to where she laid on the desk, Jonathan hovering over her body.

 

“Did he touch you like this?” he whispered into her ear.

 

She shook her head, disgracefully.

 

“Did you want him to?” he asked.

 

Alice gasped as his hand rested on the back of her thigh, just under her skirt.

 

“No,” she gasped.

 

“Not even that kid?” he teased.

 

She shook her head again.

 

“He tried,” she said.

 

Jonathan clicked his tongue.

 

“I'm sure he did, darling. But you stopped him?” he asked.

 

She nodded, which earned her a kiss between her shoulder blades.

 

“Good girl, you haven't forgotten whose you are,” Jonathan praised, standing up tall behind her.

 

“I'm going to need you now more than ever, Alice,” he said, seriously.

 

Alice leaned over to look at him.

 

“I think we're ready, dear. Are you?” he asked.

 

“Yes.”

 

“Good, I need my little sparrow. Fuck, baby, how I missed you,” he breathed.

 

Alice tried to remember just exactly she wanted before walking through the door and seeing her husband again. She knew she was angry, but those feelings were so distant now. Instead, all she could think of as his hands roamed her body was how wrong she was for ever believing she could be without him.

 

His teeth against her neck, his hand in her hair, it was something so familiar, so intoxicating for Alice. Jason could never supply her with a similar feeling, could never give her what she so desperately sought from Jonathan.

 

Alice did struggle, however, to push thoughts of Bruce out of her head as Jonathan took her. Not because she wanted him, but because she wondered if he knew where she'd be, what she would be doing after he let her go.

 

She wondered if this is what Bruce had wanted to happen.

 

The thought stirred an unfamiliar feeling in her chest.

Chapter 9: i'll see you when the wrath comes

Summary:

Chapter Title: Nazareth by Sleep Token

I have like 3 chapters finished but I'm spacing them out in case life gets in the way again, but it's so hard! I'm so excited about where this story is going!

Let me know what you think :)

P.S. I know about the spacing but am too lazy to fix it rn

Days passed, lazily, without much incident. Alice laid atop Jonathan’s chest, listening to the soft heartbeats.

Jonathan seemingly had forgiven her for whatever trespasses he thought she had committed. It didn’t feel like enough, however. Alice expected punishment for deviating from his plan, yet, somehow, she knew she had fallen exactly into what he had required of her.

It almost stung more than him leaving her; the realization that she so easily submitted to his will without even knowing.

She shoved the discomfort as far down as she could manage, instead, trying to replace the feeling with some sort of pride in herself for always being reliable as a partner and wife to Jon.

It was a lousy explanation and attempted comfort, but it was easier than believing she was so predictable, so far entrapped in Jonathan’s unwinding plans. She hoped it would pay off in the end, that nothing else would matter besides being beside her husband.

Or underneath; it didn’t really make a difference to her.

Jonathan noticed her pause, his hand climbing to the side of her face, caressing her raven hair.

“Baby, what’s up?” he asked, voice husky.

Alice peered over at him, eyelashes fluttering in the growing sunlight.

“Would you consider this manipulation?” she asked, lightly.

Jon narrowed his eyes.

“What?”

“Everything you do to me. Is it all just a calculated formula?” she questioned.

Jonathan sighed, hand twisting one of her waves.

“No, I never know what to do with you. Yet, you always seem to figure out a way to further our plans or improve them,” he answered.

Alice nodded, contemplating.

“Do you think I manipulate you?” she wondered.

Jonathan laughed, not unkindly.

“I don’t think we have the ability to manipulate, I think we just ebb and flow into each other, blurring the line between you and me. Somehow, you anger and inspire me all at once. I suspect I do the same for you.”

Alice glanced down to where her hand rested on his chest. She wondered if she was only feeling his warmth through the skin, or if she was absorbing him, cell by cell.

“There’s something different about you now,” Jon pointed out.

Alice looked up at him, curious.

“Since you met the bat,” he continued.

“I don't know what you mean,” she replied, shocked to find she meant it.

“It's almost like you've developed a firmer resolve. As if you're more convinced now. I'm curious to know how the Batman managed to inspire that in you,” Jonathan remarked.

Alice inhaled, thinking.

“Do you want to know?” she wondered.

Jonathan's brow furrowed.

“Why wouldn't I?” he asked, suspiciously.

“I need you to understand, Jonathan, that everything I do, everything I have done, has been for you,” Alice stated, slowly.

“I know, darling.” He replied, egging her to continue.

“But, I get so lost sometimes,” she breathed.

“Lost?” Jon echoed.

“Into you, from me. I never know if this is what I want, or what you want for me,” she answered.

“And what does the Bat have to do with that?”

“He helped me disentangle it all,” Alice muttered.

A beat passed.

“In what way, Alice?” Jonathan questioned.

She shook her head, resolutely.

“He simply told me to come back to you, is all.”

“Wait, he let you go? And he knows?” he asked, sitting up, taking Alice with him.

“Of course he knows, Jon. And yeah, he let me go because he doesn't know everything,” she mumbled.

“Do you know who he is?” Jonathan asked, slowly.

Alice had to cool her expression, finding a deep sense of commitment to conceal Bruce's identity, despite him being her husband's enemy.

“If I did, you would know,” she lied.

Jonathan nodded, pulling her into his lap.

“Good girl,” he purred, fingers twirling her hair.

The skin to skin felt too like much suddenly, their pheromones bleeding into one another in an uncomfortable way.

She wondered if he absorbed her fear with pleasure or distaste. Pleasure from the fact he could scare her so terribly, distaste from her weakness.

“You've always been mine,” he whispered, lips against her shoulder.

Alice shuddered.

“No one knows you like I do, no one understands your fear like me,” he breathed.

One of his hands climbed to her nape, the other still grasping a curl that had formed from the humidity in the small room.

“Tell me, darling, what am I?” he asked, hand squeezing gently.

Alice swallowed, the familiar panic in her bloodstream becoming too much; not enough.

“Fear itself.”

~

Bruce sat at his desk in the Batcave, three days after letting Alice go, trying to ignore the pounding headache forming.

The headache, which was named Jason, stood behind him, shouting.

“You can't just tell me to leave her alone!” he accused.

Bruce grunted.

“Yes I can, and I did,” he replied, flatly.

“How did she leave anyway?” Jason asked.

“You tell me, she was in your room,” Bruce rebutted.

Jason huffed at that, leaning against the metal of the desk, just out of Bruce's peripheral.

“You knew.”

“Knew what, Jason?” he sighed.

“That she was going to leave! That she was going to go back!” Jason exclaimed.

Bruce lifted his head out of his palms, turning to properly look at the other vigilante.

“She wasn't a prisoner, she was allowed to leave if she wanted to,” Bruce stated.

“She should have been,” Jason mumbled.

Bruce crossed his arms.

“Jason, I understand that you feel the need to protect her, but she is ultimately her own person. If she wants to be with her husband, then we have no right to stop her.”

“Not even if he hurts her? If he was her doctor and stole her from Arkham? When she was only sixteen, at that,” Jason scoffed.

Bruce shook his head.

“There is no evidence that he hurts her, or that it was not consensual,” Bruce explained.

Jason stared him down.

“She was fifteen when they met, Bruce. Fifteen. She's just a girl,” Jason's voice broke.

“I know this is hard for you, Jason. But the best thing to do right now is to let her figure it out herself.”

“How am I supposed to do that knowing what he is probably doing to her right now?” Jason pleaded.

Bruce exhaled.

“Try to understand this, Jason. If you think her husband is controlling her and forcing her, do you really think controlling her and forcing her yourself is any better?” Bruce wondered.

Jason gawked, glancing away.

Dick had began climbing the steps to the pair, still clad in his Nightwing uniform, dripping from the rain. He looked up at the two, angling his head.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

Jason looked away.

“Damn, you look moody. Is this about Alice?” Dick questioned.

Jason’s eyes snapped to him, curious as to how he knew.

“Did she break up with you?” Dick asked when he didn’t receive a response.

“No, she’s just being stupid,” Jason muttered under his breath but Dick caught it, arching an eyebrow.

“Dick, we’ve been working on something on the side,” Bruce cut it, ignoring the insult to Crane.

“Yeah, I kinda guessed that when I saw the Riddler in the box over there,” Dick gestured behind him.

Bruce let out a slight chuckle, happy to have Dick there to break the tension.

“It is about Alice,” Bruce said, cautiously.

Dick furrowed his brow.

“In what way?”

“We have reason to believe that Dr. Crane has been conducting what some would call unethical experiments on his patients,” Bruce answered.

Dick paused, thinking.

“Alice told me he would experiment almost every night, but I never asked what about,” he remembered.

Bruce didn’t respond.

“Is Nygma one of these patients?” Dick asked.

He nodded.

“And you think Alice is involved in it?”

“It’s hard to say,” Bruce landed on.

“It’s all his fault,” Jason butt in.

Dick glanced at him, expectantly.

“Her father?”

Jason huffed, but didn’t correct him.

“I think that we can agree Jason is too close to monitor this situation. It would be helpful if you could, Dick,” Bruce interjected.

“Because she knows his identity?” Dick asked.

“Among other things, yes.”

“Wait, you knew that she knew?”

Bruce nodded.

“What else does she know?” Dick questioned.

Neither of the men answered.

“What kind of experiments?”

“I’ve had the chance to break down the formula of the toxin that was in Nymga. It appears to induce fear in some capacity, and it was more complex than anything I have ever encountered.”

“Is there an antidote?” Dick asked, crossing his arms.

Bruce nodded.

“I developed it from what I could gather of the rest of the toxin. It worked, and I think if it hadn’t, Nygma would be dead.”

“Why is he doing this?” Dick wondered.

Bruce sighed.

“Current theory is he’s trying to restore order to Arkham, or at least some version of it. A few inmates have gone missing, but Nygma is the only one we’ve found. I wouldn’t be shocked if the others were dead,” he answered.

Dick chewed his lip.

“So it really is a big deal?” he asked, but it seemed like he didn’t want the answer.

Bruce nodded, leaning back in his chair.

“And his daughter knows Jason’s identity?” Dick gestured towards the man.

Jason rolled his eyes.

“But it’s Alice, she’s probably one of my closest friends. I don’t think she would be able to do something like this,” Dick remarked.

“But she has to know about it in some capacity. She’s Crane’s right hand at Arkham. And, not to mention all of their private research,” Bruce pointed out.

Dick screwed his face in contemplation.

“She’s got all of those scars,” he muttered.

Bruce narrowed his eyes, confused.

“They look like burns from rope and scratches along her arms. She said she got them from faulty equipment during their experiments,” Dick explained.

Jason inhaled sharply, wondering how he never noticed them, before reaching a conclusion.

“He’s experimenting on her,” he breathed.

Both Bruce and Dick looked at him, nervously.

“Oh, I am going to kill him,” he seethed, standing up straight.

“Jason, calm down. We don’t know it for sure,” Bruce warned.

“Dick, do you remember if any of them were recent?” Jason asked, ignoring Bruce.

Dick thumbed his lip, thinking.

“Yeah, a few months ago was when I saw them for the first time. There was a new one, it was pretty bad, like a gash all the way up her arm,” he recalled.

“What kind of long term effects would something like this have on someone?” Jason asked.

“If she was administered an antidote, I think just PTSD. If not, I can only assume it would cause mental deterioration and probably a constant state of fear. He couldn’t have given her large doses, though, otherwise she’d be dead,” Bruce explained.

“When Nygma mentioned the antidote she looked surprised,” Jason said.

Bruce looked down at the floor.

“So what? Her father gave her small doses of a fear toxin over and over and never gave her an antidote? Why would he do that?” Dick asked.

Bruce and Jason glanced at each other.

“When she told me you were helping her with something, Jason, did you mean her dad?” Dick turned to face him.

Jason nodded hesitantly.

“Why wouldn’t you say something? We could have figured this out a long time ago, before someone got hurt,” Dick implored.

“Someone was already hurt! She was,” Jason exclaimed, causing the other two men to flinch at the crack in his voice.

“Jason, I know this is upsetting, but we have to do this the right way,” Bruce said softly.

“He’s been doing this for years! Probably since she was in Arkham!” he cried.

“Arkham?” Dick asked, confused.

Jason huffed.

“Oh right, you still don’t know anything,” he muttered, cruelly.

Dick looked at Bruce, expectantly.

“You’re going to have to talk to her yourself, Dick. I can’t explain it,” Bruce said.

Dick inhaled, nodding.

“Is that you want me to do? Talk to her?”

“Yes, but to keep a close eye on her too. She can’t see you as Nightwing,” Bruce answered.

“Why not?”

“She’d probably figure it out.”

Dick nodded, understanding.

“When do you want me to go?” He asked.

Bruce glanced at the computer screen’s clock.

“Now would be good. The sooner we can get out of this mess, the better,” he answered.

Dick widened his eyes, nodding.

He turned, stepping down to the bottom of the cave to where his bike rested.

Jason, still facing away from Bruce, slammed his hands on the desk.

“You let her go back to him, you said he wouldn’t hurt her,” he accused.

“I never said that. I just said we don’t have evidence he does hurt her,” Bruce corrected.

Jason scoffed.

“What is it with you? You’re either sitting her down in your lap, treating her like a pet, or sending her away to be tortured!”

Bruce exhaled sharply.

“I do not treat her like a pet. She wanted to leave.”

“So you did let her go!”

Bruce shook his head.

“Jason, I need to realize that she’s probably struggling too,” he said softly.

“I know she is! He’s doing it to her!”

“No, she probably is confused and scared. Alice had problems before meeting Crane, and if drugged her for years, she probably is terrified and has no idea what she wants.”

“So what do you propose? You save her?” Jason barked, harshly.

“I think the best thing for her right now is to come willingly.”

“Where?”

“To us, to helping us investigate her husband,” he answered.

“You think she would do that?”

Bruce paused.

“I hope so. I wouldn’t like the alternative.”

“What do you mean?”

“If she doesn’t help us, and instead chooses to remain by Crane’s side, I would have to treat her as an accomplice,” Bruce said gently.

Jason scoffed.

“She’s a victim, not an accomplice.”

“Two things can be true at once. But I need you to try to back off a little bit, Jay. Try to get through to her differently, not guns blazing. She’s scared.”

Jason sighed, nodding.

“What about Dick?”

“What about him?”

“He doesn’t know anything, and when he finds out, it’ll break his little heart. He doesn’t understand Alice at all,” Jason mumbled.

“He will soon enough.”

~

Dick found himself, somewhat awkwardly, peering into Alice’s window from her fire escape. Bruce had warned him not to let her see him, and Dick tried his best to accomplish that.

Yet, when he saw Alice, he had to restrain himself from going to her. She sat, innocently, on her couch with a book in her hands. Dick had never laid eyes on her apartment before, and he felt aptly voyeuristic, watching her in her own home.

He watched as Dr. Crane stepped into view, behind the couch, resting his hands on her shoulders. Dick clenched his fist, remembering what Crane had done to her, over and over, for years most likely. He wondered how a father could do that to his own child, how he could live with himself.

More-so, he wondered how Alice could stand to look at him, to be near to him. She had such a fierce loyalty to her father and Dick couldn’t help but suspect Crane forced it into her, rather than it developing on its own.

He remembered when they were both still in university and Crane was their professor, how often Alice would show up to class with faint bruises and bags underneath her eyes. He remembered how often she would shrug him off in favor of her father, how Crane seemingly didn’t like Dick nor his brothers.

He thought he was just protective of Alice, since her mother had passed and it was only the two of them. Now, he realized, Crane wanted to keep her on a short leash, to make sure it was only the two of them.

And that confused Dick even more, why a father would imprison his daughter like that.

Something else seemed to click in place for Dick, as he watched Crane lean over Alice, whispering something in her ear, which caused her to giggle.

Alice was dependent on her father for stability, Crane was dependent on his daughter for companionship.

Or at least, that’s what he believed, until he saw Crane place what seemed like an innocent kiss on Alice’s cheek, until she turned towards him, kissing him fully.

Dick gasped, stepping back, unable to look away as Crane circled around the couch, pushing Alice down on to the cushion, hovering over her. His hands trailed up and down her body, groping and grasping at her. She smiled, throwing her arms around his neck, pulling her down to him.

Dick felt heat rise to his face, less from the fact that he was watching Crane with his daughter, but more so from the fact that he was watching Alice. A pang of jealously shivered through his body, and Dick suddenly felt cold.

Jason and Bruce knew; they had to have. They knew that Crane not only physically abused his daughter, but also sexually abused her. Yet, they hadn’t done anything. That almost angered Dick as much as Crane had.

He turned away, having seen enough.

Arriving back at the Batcave, Dick was on a warpath. He stomped up the stairs, reaching where Bruce sat. Jason was gone, seemingly having stormed off. Bruce looked wary.

“Why didn’t you say something?” Dick asked, trying to mask the frustration in his voice.

“About what, Dick?” Bruce asked, tiredly.

“Crane fucking his daughter?” Dick demanded.

“Oh, that,” Bruce murmured.

“Let me get this straight, Bruce. You know Crane has killed multiple people. You know he experiments on his daughter. You know he rapes his daughter. Yet you haven’t done anything?” he accused.

Bruce sighed, turning towards him.

“I told you to talk to her,” he answered, gently.

“I wanted to, but it was kind of hard when her dad was on top of her!” He exclaimed.

“Dick, step back for a second and think. You’re supposed to be the smart one.”

Dick huffed, crossing his arms.

“Think about what? Your inaction?” he hissed.

“That’s one way to say it.”

Dick paused, thinking.

“She knows Jason’s identity. Jason said she spoke with Nygma, meaning you brought her here,” Dick said.

Bruce nodded.

“You brought her here not as a prisoner, but as what?” he asked.

“I wanted her to try to get through to Nygma, or at least that was what I told her. Really, I was trying to understand her place in everything,” Bruce answered.

“Jason said something about Arkham and Crane,” Dick pointed out.

“Really, you should be asking her about that. But I guess you’ll figure it out soon anyway. When she was fifteen, her parents died in a fire. She tried to take her own life shortly after, but I saved her,” Bruce explained.

“Her parents?” Dick echoed.

“I brought her to Arkham, briefly. However, it was just as Dr. Crane arrived the first time. He decided she needed to stay for longer, and kept her there for a year,” Bruce continued.

”Wait, what are you saying? Crane isn’t her father?” Dick implored.

Bruce didn’t respond.

“What is he, then?”

“He’s her husband.”

Dick gawked.

“Her husband?”

Bruce nodded.

“Why did she say he’s her father then?” Dick wondered.

“Because, like I said, she was fifteen in Arkham,” Bruce answered.

“So it’s worse than him being her father. He trapped her in a mental asylum, as her doctor, when she was underage and then married her?” Dick exclaimed.

“I guess so.”

“I still don’t understand why you haven’t done anything,” Dick repeated.

“It’s complicated,” Bruce landed on.

“In what way? He’s killed people before and he treats his underage wife like a guinea pig!”

“Because she doesn’t want me to stop him.”

Dick stepped closer, his mouth agape.

“She told you that?” He asked, cautiously.

“She wanted to go back to him, so I let her.”

“Bruce, have you considered that she’s scared of him? That she doesn’t know what she wants?” Dick asked.

Bruce slammed his hands on his thighs.

“Of course I have, Dick. Do you think I wanted to let her go?” Bruce asked.

“Does she know, Bruce?” Dick asked, after noticing a flicker of something on the vigilante’s face.

“Know what?”

“Your identity,” Dick said.

Bruce sighed.

“She does! She probably knows about me too!” Dick exclaimed.

“We don’t know that, Dick.”

“She’s smart, Bruce. She does know,” Dick breathed.

“Well, what do you want me to do, Dick?” Bruce asked, defeated.

“There’s something about Alice that gets in the way of you and Jason’s critical thinking,” Dick accused.

“And you’re immune to it?” Bruce teased.

“No, but I at least am aware of it. Neither of you would know about her unless it was for me,” Dick defended.

“So I should be thankful?”

“No, I just mean I understand why Jason has a hard time around her, he doesn’t try to hide the fact that he’s obsessed with her. You, on the other hand, are weird about her for an entirely different reason,” Dick answered.

“And what reason is that?”

“You saved her once, and it did more harm than good. I think you want to fix it, to fix her,” Dick commented, not unkindly.

“I don’t blame myself for Crane,” Bruce gave a non-answer.

“No, you blame yourself for Alice.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes, you do. And you need to figure out your self-loathing before it gets too complicated. Like you said, she’s scared and confused. She doesn’t need Jason trying to steal her away and keep her locked up forever, but she also certainly doesn’t need you using her to remedy your guilt.”

“I’m not using her at all, Dick. I’m just trying to stop Crane,” Bruce said.

It fell flat to both of their ears.

“Sure, keep telling yourself that, Bruce. But remember, you’re not much different than Crane when it comes to Alice. She was fifteen when she met you, too,” Dick warned, ominously.

“I don’t like what you’re implying,” Bruce stated.

“Then don’t do anything you shouldn’t, Bruce. I wouldn’t doubt she’d let you, but she needs support, not another Crane.”

“And you’re going to support her I presume?” Bruce scoffed.

“Yes. And so will Jason. And you. But we need to get her first,” Dick responded.

“And how do we do that?”

“I have an idea.”

~

Over the past three days since Alice had left Bruce standing by his door, Jonathan hadn’t let Alice out of his sight. He kept her, trapped in the apartment with him, much like their early days. He hadn’t explicitly told her she wasn’t allowed to leave, but it was implied.

He kept her never more than an inch away, pulling her from room to room with him, to eat, to journal, to shower. She was bathed in his attention, and it distracted her from her guilt.

Guilt that she both regretted and didn’t regret coming back to Jonathan.

She knew she wasn’t supposed to enjoy Jonathan’s painstakingly obvious possessiveness of her, but it was so familiar and intoxicating, she didn’t mind it. In some ways, she realized, he was worse than Jason when it came to jealousy. He was furious, without admitting it, at both Jason and Batman for breaking through to Alice when he could not.

Alice suspected he was beginning to understand that he had started to lose her, and would continue to do so if he didn’t keep her close.

Which explained his sudden need for their proximity when a week ago he hadn’t even desired to lay his eyes of her face. Maybe he had missed her as much as she had missed him, but Alice doubted it. He probably just missed having her squirming underneath him, in his vice of a grasp. To poke and prod with whatever manipulations he chose.

The thought was exhilarating and both humiliating, which was generally the consensus of Alice’s feelings when it came to Jonathan.

She supposed that was simply the experience of love.

Love was what remained on her mind as Jonathan played with her hair, something he had grown rather fond of doing lately, as she rested her head in his lap.

“What are you thinking about?” he wondered.

Alice blinked her eyelids open, softly.

“Do you love me?” she asked, bluntly.

Jonathan’s fingers stuttered.

“Why do you ask that, darling?” he asked.

“Is it something I shouldn’t ask?”

“No, no, it’s okay. We’ve just never really talked about it before,” he explained.

“You don’t find that strange? We’ve been married for three, almost four years, and we never talk about love?” she implored.

Jonathan laughed, breathlessly.

“It just feels juvenile for us. But Alice, darling, do you really need me to tell you that for you to know it?” he asked, eyes boring into the side of her skull.

She didn’t look up at him.

“Do you?” she squeaked, again.

“Come here,” he beckoned, pulling her up into his lap, facing him.

He brushed a wave out of her face, eyes fixated on her lips. She exhaled.

“I didn’t think I knew what love meant until I met you, Alice. I figured everyone else lied about it, that it wasn’t a part of the human condition,” he explained.

Alice stayed as still as she could manage.

“But, then you came to me. Such a weak, tiny little thing, so needy for validation and a purpose. I gave it to you, and I expected you to scurry away once you understood me more. And then you didn’t, you let me break you over and over, with the toxin or my hands, and instead of hating me for it, you adored me,” he breathed.

“Why would I hate you?” she asked.

”For all of the things I did to you, before and after we married. For making you marry me. For not giving you a choice in anything at all.”

“I had a choice,” she said.

Jonathan laughed.

“No, dear, not really. But the difference between it all is that you don’t hate me for it, when you really should,” he corrected, gently.

“How could I?”

“You're so sweet, so naive, Alice. I'm sorry for not being the one to protect you,” he whispered, pressing his lips against her nape.

“Is it too late?” she replied.

He exhaled sharply against her skin, causing her to shiver.

“I'll protect you from everyone else, darling. But it's too late to protect you from me. You're all mine, my little sparrow,” he purred.

She supposed that was a good enough concession, that he would be willing to shield her from everyone else but him.

It made his tongue feel less corruptive, less venomous as it coaxed hers. She let him whisper all sorts of meaningless promises in her ears as he ravished her; words contrasting his touch.

It was another victory for him, but she didn't necessarily believe it was a defeat for her.

Until, much later in the night, when Alice realized that he never answered her question.

Chapter 10: there’s something in the way you lay; enough to make the dead switch graves

Summary:

Chapter Title: Jericho by Sleep Token

Here's one of my favorite chapters yet! Hope you enjoy!

 

Also still too lazy to fix spacing... I'll get to it I promise ;)

For the first time in four days, Jonathan let Alice leave the apartment. It wasn’t to go far, really, just down the block to pick up more cat food for Bruce.

Bruce, her cat, not Bruce, the bat.

The thought made her giggle quietly to herself, before she straightened up, realizing she was probably growing manic and stir-crazy. The situation was entirely too maddening for Alice to be able to pick it apart in any meaningful way, so she decided not to. Instead, she ignored all of the confusion and anxiety bubbling in her gut.

It was her typical strategy for maneuvering Gotham and its insanity. Ever since fear remained her constant, she found that ignoring everything helped clear the cloudiness of her mind. She knew it was probably not healthy, but then again, nothing in her life was.

For her, it was about survival, rather than quality of life.

The little corner shop wasn’t much, but to Alice, after being locked away with Jonathan for four days, it felt like a whole other world. Navigating the tiny, packed-in isles, she located the cat food, bringing it to the counter.

She looked out the window as the cashier rang up the till, watching as rain fell, coating the streets with slick, dirty water. It was always raining in Gotham, and Alice found comfort in it and the bright, flickering neon lights that flooded the streets.

As she carried the ten pound bag out the door, she listened to the chime of the door. She rounded the corner, to the alleyway that led to her apartment. But before she could open the lobby door, a hand covered her mouth, yanking her back.

She dropped the bag of cat food, as strong arms picked her up, her feet dangling in the air. She began struggling and attempting to scream, but the hand muffled her voice and the arms wouldn’t give way.

She was pressed against someone’s chest, and after a second, the initial panic and reaction died down as she recognized the gloves. He pulled her against the wall, concealing them with shadows. No one on the street paid them any mind, anyway.

“Shh,” Jason whispered in her ear, holding her still for a moment.

Alice, after realizing it was someone she knew, paused her struggling, before realizing that it was Jason and continued to thrash in his arms. She chose to not acknowledge the way her insides turned once she realized there was no way to escape Jason’s grasp.

Jonathan was strong, but Jason was on a whole other level. Alice couldn’t deny the fear swirled with a pang of desire in her stomach.

“I need you to be calm, okay?” he said, breath hot against her ear.

Alice huffed, not wanting to submit so easily. Jason only pulled her closer to him, the forearm around her throat pressing down, lightly. Alice sputtered, hands clawing at his arm, before ultimately realizing she had no escape.

“Are you going to quit it now?” he asked, and Alice caught the edge of amusement.

She paused her struggle, falling limp in his arms, but he still held her impossibly close.

Once Alice fully calmed down, Jason lightened the pressure on her mouth, but not pulling his hand entirely away.

“What do you want?” she gasped.

“A lot of things, but right now, I need you to come with me,” he answered, vaguely.

Alice tried to look up at him, but only saw the familiar glint of the red helmet. She shook her head, defiantly.

“Princess, I’m not asking,” he commanded.

Alice attempted to knee him in the groin, which he must have predicted, picking her up higher so that she missed. She then bit down on his hand, but Jason remained unphased.

“Quit squirming. It’s not having the effect you think it is,” he growled, rolling his hips into her backside and Alice suddenly grew hot.

Having disarmed her, he managed to twist her sideways so that her feet were kicking at nothing but air.

He began moving towards the other edge of the alley, where Alice hadn’t noticed before, a familiar black car had parked. She began struggling and screaming again, but to no avail, as the car door lifted open, and Jason all but threw her in the backseat.

Once the door slammed shut, and Jason hopped in, practically laying on top of her, she began to kick at his shins. Jason groaned, clearly not having expected her to continue to fight him, before repositioning himself entirely on top of her, pinning her arms down. She continued to kick at him, before he put the bottom half of his body’s weight on top of her, forcing her to stop.

She shook her face, trying to get the hair out of her eyes. Jason, still adorning his mask, looked down at her.

“Go,” he told whoever sat in the front seat.

The batmobile’s engine purred, before taking off in a direction Alice wasn’t sure of.

Jason kept her motionless for a few minutes, just looking down at her, silent, and occasionally readjusting to prevent any effort of struggle.

Alice remembered someone was driving the vehicle, and tried to get a glance at it. She wasn’t shocked to recognize the shoulders, draped in a black cloak, of Batman.

“Alice,” he greeted, when he noticed her staring at him.

She huffed, turning to look away and meeting the gaze of Jason again.

“Can you let go of me now?” she asked, blinking up at him.

“Are you going to fight me again?” he asked, matching her tone.

Alice hated how much Jason was clearly enjoying this.

She shook her head, and Jason began hesitantly lifting off of her. She sat up once she was granted mobility, smoothing out the wrinkles in her coat.

Jason took off his helmet, casting it aside on the seat. Alice looked at her reflection in the red metal.

“The doors are locked,” Jason said, voice clear without the modifier.

Alice tossed him a withering glare.

“Why did you kidnap me?” she asked.

Her eyes met Bruce’s, or Batman’s, in the mirror.

“I’ve had a change of heart,” Bruce answered for him.

Jason rolled his eyes next to her, before picking up the helmet again to put it as his feet. He then pulled Alice into the new space, pressing her into the crook between his arm and chest, tucking her head against his bicep.

Bruce eyed him, brow arched.

“Am I allowed to ask what that means?” Alice asked, ignoring Jason’s hand that had started to play with her hair.

“It was Dick’s idea,” Bruce said, not answering her question.

Alice’s eyes narrowed.

“What? To tie me up and throw me in your trunk until I agree to tattle on my husband?” Alice asked, incredulous.

Jason snickered.

“Essentially,” Bruce responded.

“Why didn’t Dick do it himself, then?” she wondered.

“We agreed that you’d probably be more comfortable with Jason,” Bruce answered.

“Oh thank you for considering my comfort when kidnapping me outside of my home,” she rolled her eyes.

“Alice,” Jason warned.

“What? I’m allowed to be angry about this,” she defended.

Bruce shrugged in the mirror.

“You can be angry all you want, but it’s not going to change anything,” he said.

Alice sighed, looking up towards Jason. He smiled at her, and that caused Alice to scowl.

“Jesus, sweetheart. Don’t look at me like that,” Jason laughed.

Alice blushed at the nickname and the condescending air from both men. They were treating her like a child, like a lost puppy furious its owner was taking it back home.

They acted like they knew what was best for her.

But then, Alice thought, maybe they did.

“Where is Dick?” she asked.

“At the manor,” Bruce replied.

“Did someone tell him?”

“About what?” Jason asked.

“All of it.”

Bruce glanced at her.

“Kind of,” Jason answered.

“Kind of?” she echoed.

“About that. Bruce made him watch you instead of me since you can always tell when I’m there for some reason,” Jason explained.

“You’re no good at stealth, that’s why. What do you mean watch?” she pressed.

“I’m choosing to ignore that. Anyway, he sort of saw you and Crane.”

Alice felt heat rise to her face.

“Saw us what?” she asked, but she knew the answer.

Jason looked away and Bruce made a point to not look into the mirror.

“He figured it out from there,” Bruce said delicately.

“And what, he convinced you that you were stupid for telling me to go back to my husband?” she spat.

“Yes,” he answered bluntly.

Alice smiled.

“You know he’s going to be upset,” she commented.

“Yeah, that’s kind of the goal,” Jason said.

She narrowed her eyes up at him.

“Why?”

“If we can make him expose himself, then we may have reason to act,” Bruce replied.

“It won’t work out the way you want it to,” Alice warned.

“Whose side are you on?” Jason asked.

“Maybe I’m biased, but you did just kidnap me,” she admonished.

“And what, he didn’t?” Jason countered.

Alice gnawed on her lip.

“Jason be nice,” Bruce scolded.

“He’s going to blame me for this, you know,” Alice interjected.

“Well it won’t matter. You’re not going to be out of my sight again,” Jason said, gravely.

“What does that mean?” she asked, eying Jason nervously.

“We’re not forcing you to come with us, Alice, but we need to make sure that you're going to be safe,” Bruce answered.

“And how are you going to accomplish that?”

“If you're willing to work with us, then we have a few ways.”

“You're going to have to stay in communication with us, or at least me. And I have to know where you are at all times,” Jason said.

“How am I supposed to do that?” she asked.

Bruce reached over to the passenger seat where a small, black box sat. He reached behind the seat, handing it to Alice.

She opened the lid, seeing a small, black device inside that appeared to be an earpiece.

“I'm supposed to wear this all the time?” she asked, incredulously.

“Preferably, yes. It also shows your location,” Bruce replied.

“What else?” she asked, expecting more.

“We need you to get him out of the apartment for like an hour at least,” Jason said.

She looked down at the little black device in her fingers.

“Why?”

“To put cameras up.”

Alice gawked.

“You're not putting cameras up in my apartment!” she exclaimed.

“It's either that or he drives us to the manor and this time, you're not leaving again,” Jason warned, but Alice could tell he would have actually preferred that.

“Not in the bedroom,” she conceded, blushing.

Bruce cleared his throat.

“Sorry, but we have to,” he apologized.

Alice pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, chewing.

“No,” she repeated.

“You don't have a choice, princess,” Jason said, his hand sliding down to her shoulder. She tried to shake him off, but he didn't budge.

“I do not want you and your dad watching me! It's bad enough Dick already saw!” she cried.

“Alice, I know it's hard, but I promise you we won't cross any boundaries, okay? I'll be in charge of it, so don't worry about Jason,” Bruce assured.

“That's almost worse. I don't want anyone, especially you, watching me and my husband,” she muttered.

“It's nothing we don't already know,” Jason said.

“Then why do you have to watch?” she asked.

“Because, Alice, we need to know he's not hurting you,” he replied.

“He's not. I've already said he isn't.”

“He may not lay hands on you like he used to, but don't act like he doesn't hurt you,” Jason said.

“He really doesn't,” she defended.

Jason reached over, grasping her arm. He pulled up the sleeve of her coat before she could realize what he was doing.

“Then what is this?” he demanded, gesturing to the scars around her wrists and trailing up her arm.

She huffed, looking away.

“It's not what you think,” she muttered.

“Then explain.”

She didn't respond.

Jason sighed, letting go of her arm.

“We know what he's been doing to you, Alice. The toxin,” he said, lightly.

Alice turned to face him, scrutinizing.

“What about the toxin?”

“That he's been giving it to you.”

Alice laughed, looking down at her wrists and the scars that adorned them.

“Okay?”

“What do you mean 'okay?' Your husband has been experimenting on you!” Jason exclaimed.

Alice rolled her eyes.

“It's really not that big of a deal,” she defended.

Bruce glanced at her in the mirror, calculating, but didn't say anything.

“Did he ever give you the antidote?”

“We don't have one,” she answered, flatly.

Jason squeezed her, harshly, without realizing.

Bruce kept his eyes on the road.

“We?” he asked, after a moment.

“You're going to find out everything, anyway, with your whole Big Brother scheme,” Alice supplied.

“Alice,” Bruce began.

Alice looked towards the road, too.

“Did you help make it?” he asked.

She froze, only for a second.

“You already knew.”

“You knew?” Jason asked, looking between the two.

Jason let go of her, slightly, and she found it hard to not feel insulted.

“It's his formula, I only improved it.”

“And he tested it on you?” Jason asked.

Alice looked down at her lap.

“But I’ve grown relatively immune to it.”

“Is that why you let him give it to you?” Bruce asked.

Alice nodded.

“How long can you go without it?” Bruce asked.

Alice paused, thinking.

“A couple of days at most.”

“Go without the toxin?” Jason interjected.

Alice nodded.

“Not only have you built a natural immunity to it, but you need it, don't you?” Bruce inquired.

“Jonathan would hurt me most by withholding it from me, not giving it to me,” she answered.

Jason leaned back, his grip on her entirely lax.

“How can you need it?” he asked.

“I don't have the normal response to fear. The toxin only reacts to how you react to fear, if you're like the majority of people, fear equates danger. So, the toxin makes you feel like you're in danger. It doesn't for me.”

“What does it mean for you?”

Alice blushed, looking down at the floor of the car.

“Is it natural, or did it develop over time?” Bruce asked, ignoring Jason.

“Natural, but it was enhanced with repeated use.”

“You can't let him give you anymore,” Bruce commanded.

Alice gasped lightly, meeting his eyes.

“It's probably how he controls you. You associate fear with him, right?”

Alice nodded.

“Then you can't take anymore. No matter what.”

“I don't understand,” Jason mumbled, causing Alice to giggle.

“If you promise to not kidnap me again, I'll explain it later,” she told him.

Jason looked down at her, smirk teasing his lips.

“I can't promise that, baby.”

Alice grew red with the nickname, and for a reason unbeknownst to her, her eyes met Bruce's as Jason said it. His jaw ticked.

“Are you going to be able to get Crane out tonight?” Bruce asked.

“I think so. Are you going to take me back now?”

“Already trying to run away again?” Jason accused.

Alice chose to elbow him in the side, which she knew he didn't feel at all. He pinched her thigh in response, causing her to yelp.

The bat mobile rolled to a stop, an Alice assumed Bruce had merely taken it around the block a few times. She had counted the amount of right turns.

“Remember what I said,” Bruce reminded her.

Alice nodded.

Jason pulled the door open, forcing her to climb over his lap to exit. It was intentional, and Jason didn't even try to hide as his hand squeezed her rear. She squeaked, and could only pray Bruce hadn't noticed.

Jason winked at her as the door shut, and Alice was alone in the alleyway again.

She picked up the bag of cat food that was still discarded, turning to the glass doors of the lobby.

The black ear piece beeped once in her ear, and she pulled the doors open with a sigh.

~

“What took so long, darling?” Jonathan called from their bedroom.

She stepped inside, shaking off the rain and shrugging off her coat.

“They were out of it so I had to go down to the next one,” she answered.

She stepped through the threshold of their room, watching Jon write in his journal. He didn’t have a shirt on and the curtains were open, the window reflecting raindrops on his skin.

She had the thought to lick them off, smiling to herself. She kicked off her shoes, laying down on the bed beside him.

“You smell like clouds,” he murmured next to her.

Alice laughed, rolling on her side to face him.

“You smell like citrus and plastic. Did you get into it while I was gone?” she asked, gesturing towards the closed office door.

“Only to pull some more. You’re running low,” he warned, dropping his pen in the book.

He sat up, pulling her into his lap.

She rested her cheek against his cool skin.

“What would happen if I waned off of it?” she wondered.

Jonathan clicked his tongue, thinking.

“It would probably be really rough for a few weeks, and then I’d imagine you’d feel the best you’ve felt since before,” he answered.

“Should I?”

“Do you want to?” he asked.

She nodded against his chest.

“Then I don’t need to pull anymore. But dear, I’m not exaggerating when I say it will be really difficult for a while,” he warned.

Alice sighed, tilting her face to see him.

“When are things not difficult?” she asked.

Jonathan laughed, pressing a kiss to her nose.

“I think you're the one that makes things difficult, darling,” he purred, hands climbing the side of her body.

Alice shivered, remembering that Bruce and Jason could hear everything. And that soon, they would be able to see everything, too.

Jonathan kissed her neck, his other hand gently fisting her hair.

“Why so rigid, baby?” he asked, against her skin.

She shook her head, sheepishly.

“I don't know,” she answered.

Jonathan left her nape, traveling downwards, unbuttoning her shirt gradually. When his cold fingers grazed the skin beneath, she flinched. He chuckled breathily.

“So wound up,” he cooed.

He lightly pushed her down, forcing her on her back. His lips caressed the skin poking out through the unbuttoned blouse. Alice shivered, hand climbing to his head, grasping at his dark locks.

She knew Jason would probably burst a blood vessel if he heard the soft fluttering of Jonathan's lips against her skin, the gentle exhales that escaped her own.

She wondered what Bruce was thinking, if he cared at all.

If they were actually concerned about her, or if Jason was more concerned about the thought of her being with someone else and Bruce was more concerned that he might have been the one to put her in danger, not save her.

Alice knew she was distrustful, but over the course of her life, the only person she could rely on had been Jonathan. And now there were two men, that she had only known for a couple of years, that insisted Jonathan was the last person she should rely on.

She was confused, to say the least.

But as Jonathan's hands held her, so delicately as if he was afraid too much pressure would reduce her to ash, she felt so secure; so safe. It was hard to not feel an overwhelming sense of appreciation for her husband in that moment, as he was the only one to not judge her, to completely accept her.

Jason said he would accept her, flaws and all, but Alice knew there would be exceptions.

Bruce didn't want her, as he told her.

So it was easy for Alice to drown out the noise with Jonathan's voice and touch. Two things that could twist into something ugly at any given moment, yet remained soft and comforting. It was gratifying to relax into him, ignoring the jolt of Jason and Bruce at the back of her mind.

Until, Jonathan whispered against the flesh of her stomach.

“If you're going to try to lie to me, darling, you need to do better.”

Alice froze, her hand falling from behind his ear.

“I can smell it on you,” he said, the timber of his voice vibrating against her core.

She shivered, throwing her head back to stare at the ceiling, bracing herself. Yet, his lips continued their path downward, and no blow came.

Alice noticed he didn't even seem particularly angry at her.

Only amused.

The realization brought a smile to her lips.

He must know, in some capacity, that she flirted with the idea of betraying him. Yet, he wasn't upset, or vindictive. Maybe he knew Alice would never go through with it.

Or, maybe, he thought it made it all more interesting.

And Alice intended to keep it that way.

Chapter 11: until i wake, i’ll dine on old encounters

Summary:

Chapter Title: Jericho by Sleep Token

 

getting swept up in life but don't worry, still working on it!

Getting Jonathan to leave the apartment ended up being a nonissue for Alice, since the next morning, she awoke to him putting his shoes on and informing her he was headed to Arkham, before leaving.

She hadn't necessarily expected him to laze around their apartment for the end of time, but she felt a little bit misguided in his intentions as he left her so simply, so casually.

Alice suspected the hurt that she began to feel coursing through her nervous system was from the fear of him leaving her and deciding to not return.

Yet, at the darkest corner of her mind, a voice began whispering that maybe that was what she truly desired.

She ignored it, the same way she ignored the small black device resting comfortably in her ear canal.

When she was reminded of its existence, she began growing suspicious that somehow, Jason had the ability to whisper doubt in her own voice, so silkily and convincingly she believed it was of her own volition.

Alice knew, however, that that wasn't the case, and as she often did, she tried to blame Jason for any aspect of her life she had grown dissatisfied with.

She didn't inform him of this habit as he knocked on the door of her apartment, a mere hour after Jonathan had departed.

“Alice,” he greeted, smiling lopsided at her.

She rolled her eyes, pulling the door open further, allowing him to step past her.

Bruce hadn't accompanied him, and Alice tried to not feel disappointed.

She knew what Jason was here for, she knew he had been listening enough to at least know Jonathan had left.

He had brought a black bag, full of what Alice assumed were the dreaded cameras.

He dropped it on the floor, turning towards Alice as she shut the door. He strode towards her, hands wrapping around her waist, tugging her into his chest.

“I missed you,” he murmured into her hair.

Alice sighed, hoping Bruce wasn't listening at the present moment.

“You don't have to say it, but I know you did too,” Jason said, causing Alice to giggle.

She was surprised, but not entirely, when she found that to be true.

He pulled her back, looking down at her lips with a glint in his blue eyes.

She let her eyelids close, feeling Jason's breath before his lips as they slid onto hers.

He was so warm in a way that Jonathan wasn't, it almost made him feel more alive than her husband. In turn, Jason made feel Alice more alive, which was a feeling that she had to actively suppress in order to not grow addicted. She failed more often than not.

Jason's hands gripped at her waist, fingers digging into her skin, the thin fabric of her pajamas not protecting nor concealing much. Alice gasped into his mouth, their breath and spit mingling.

“I need you,” he whispered, in a way that Alice knew he didn't mean merely her flesh.

He was so desperate and unafraid to show his vulnerability. It made Alice's heart skip a few beats.

“I know,” she replied.

He answered with a small laugh against her cheek, his nose nudging her. His left hand brushed a few locks of her hair off of her shoulder, leaning down to press a kiss to the skin poking out of her collar. Alice shivered.

“Sensitive, are we?” he purred, the vibration of his voice sending shockwaves through Alice.

“Aren't you here for something?” Alice asked, attempting to disrupt Jason's distraction.

“You.”

Alice huffed, hands climbing to his chest. Jason pulled back from her, still smirking.

“Do you really want me to put those cameras up?” he asked.

“Of course not,” she answered, tossing him a withering glare.

Jason laughed, squeezing her softly.

“Can I convince you to just leave with me instead?” he asked, eyes boring into her.

Alice chewed on her lip. He was still playful, but she could sense the nervousness beneath.

“You know I can't do that.”

“No, actually, I don't. Tell me why again?” he said, tipping her chin up with his finger.

“I can't just leave him,” she said, weakly.

“Why not?” he repeated.

“You're not making things any easier,” she mumbled, ignoring his question.

“Good, I don't intend to,” he smiled.

“Jason,” Alice groaned.

“Alice,” Jason purred.

She ignored the way the timber of his voice twisted her insides.

“What is he planning?” Jason asked, studying her face for clues.

Alice bit her cheek.

“You heard everything I heard,” she said.

“Yeah, as of two days ago, but not before then.”

“I don't know anything,” she defended.

Jason's brow furrowed, unconvinced.

”It's more than just you having a shitty husband, Alice. He's hurt, and possibly killed, multiple people. He's hurt you,” Jason implored.

“He's not shitty.”

Jason laughed.

“Jesus, Alice. What will it take for you to realize he's not good for you?”

“I know he's not good for me,” she countered.

“Then why do you choose to deal with him? You have a way out, so take it, Alice,” he pleaded.

“I never said I wanted out,” she answered.

Jason couldn't help but wince, and Alice wondered if her being with Jonathan hurt her or him more.

“I would be so good to you, princess. I'll take care of you, you don't need him anymore,” Jason offered, pulling her closer.

“I'll always need him,” Alice whispered, before she could think better of it.

Jason’s breathing paused, for only a moment.

“I’ll show you that that’s not true,” he promised.

“What are you going to do Jason? You can’t rewire my entire nervous system or my mind,” she said, defeated.

Jason pressed her ear against his heart.

“Don’t underestimate me, baby.”

Alice laughed, not shocked to find ease growing in her in Jason’s present.

“Have you been listening?” she asked, but she knew the answer.

“As much as Bruce lets me,” he murmured, clearly dissatisfied.

“Does he listen?”

”When he can, which is pretty often, honestly,” Jason answered.

Alice blushed, remembering the other night.

“But as far as I can tell, nothing has really happened.”

“Are you going to watch me?” she asked.

“Yeah, I will. Try to not be creeped out by it, think of it as me watching over you, not peeping,” Jason said.

Alice giggled.

“What, are you going to turn it off when I change?” she teased.

Jason kissed the top of her head.

“You know me better than that, princess,” he growled.

Alice looked up at him, smiling softly.

“Is Bruce going to let you?” she wondered.

“You’re fine with him watching you undress?” Jason asked, suspiciously.

Alice shook her head, blushing.

“I don’t think I have a choice, though.”

“Don’t worry about it, Alice. He’s more like a dad, than anything else. He’s old enough to be yours.”

Jason paused.

“Although, I think you’d be into that, actually,” he teased.

Alice grew red, burrowing her face further into Jason, causing him to chuckle.

“I’m just joking, princess. Besides, you’re all mine.”

Alice lifted her head, the blush still dusting her cheeks.

“You like that, don't you?” he asked, lowly.

She didn't miss the sparkle in his eyes, or the way his canines glinted. She swallowed. His gaze fell to her throat.

“He won't be back for a while, will he?” Jason asked, voice masked with huskiness.

Alice shook her head, nervously.

Jason hummed, considering. His hand rose to her cheek, climbing to her ear. He pushed her hair back, gently pressing his fingertip against her ear canal. The black earpiece beeped, signaling he had disconnected it.

“Bruce won't like that,” Alice chided.

“I'm sure he'd prefer that to listening,” Jason countered.

“Listening to what?” Alice asked, blinking up at him.

Jason smiled, but the groan he let out contradicted his playfulness.

“You can tell me no, Alice,” he offered. He looked pained as he said it, and Alice knew he was practically begging her not to.

She nodded, or at least the best she could do with Jason's hands grasping the sides of her face so intently.

Jason leaned in, kissing her with more ferocity than she had ever experienced, from him or Jonathan.

She let him lead her to her bedroom, kicking the door open as he practically carried her. He rested her on her shared bed, and she tried to forget who she shared it with.

Alice knew Jonathan would know, in some impossible way. No matter the amount of showers, the amount of soap, he would be able to smell Jason on her. He'd know she let Jason take her; corrupt her. The thought only excited Alice.

She expected Jason to essentially consume her whole, which he definitely attempted.

She did not expect, however, to be wholly focused on her and her pleasure, rather than his own.

Or, that he wasn't even merely focused, but entirely obsessed.

It was an experience so new; so unlike what Alice was accustomed to. She found herself almost enchanted by his hands, his touch. The simultaneous callousness and softness brewing something within Alice that she suspected she would be addicted to.

And by the way Jason's eyes and touch absolutely devoured Alice, she knew he felt it, too.

As her hands softened from their desperate clawing of Jason's shoulders, and Jason's grip on her waist lessened, Alice lost herself in the pattern of their breathing. Jason's exhale, her inhale, it was almost as if they were breathing one another in.

It felt more erotic than the skin to skin, or their sweat convoluting itself. It was something so entirely different, other, than themselves. The understanding that neither of them should have the other, yet they did. They do, for the time being. For this one, singular moment.

Jason pressed a kiss to Alice's neck, retracting from her. Alice remained motionless, blinking back the last of her tears. She wasn't entirely sure if she had started crying from pleasure or something else, but she suspected it was a combination of both.

“I don't think I can leave you here,” Jason said, breaking the spell of silence.

“What do you mean?” Alice asked, looking over at the side of his face.

“I don't think I can just sit and watch as he fucks you, or injects you, or hurts you,” he explained, his voice taut.

“Then don't watch,” she said.

Jason huffed, rolling onto his side to face her.

“I don't think I can do this much longer, Alice,” he said, his hand contouring the angles of her body.

“I'm not sure what you want me to do,” she replied, shivering at his light caress.

“Leave with me, baby. You won't have to deal with any of this again, your husband, Batman, Arkham,” he pleaded.

“Just you?” she asked, arching her brow.

“Just me, Alice,” he swore.

“I thought you understood,” Alice whispered.

“Help me understand.”

“I don't want to leave this. I like the game,” she confessed.

Jason narrowed his eyes at her.

“The game of what, baby? Gotham?”

Alice let out a soft laugh, nodding.

“You're just like me, princess. I feel pointless with out it all. Without the hood,” he admitted.

“Then why ask me to leave with you?” Alice wondered.

Jason paused. His hand kneaded Alice's hip, not ungently.

“Because you're important to me, Alice. More than any of it,” he answered.

Alice blushed, eyes trailing down his chest, anywhere but his face.

“Would he be willing to leave it all behind for you?” Jason asked.

Alice froze, her breath catching in her throat.

“There's no us without our work,” she muttered.

“Are you confident in the fact that he doesn't see you as just a part of his project?”

Alice didn't answer.

“Why did you marry him, Alice?” Jason asked, an edge of desperation peeking through his tone.

“It was his idea.”

“I'm sure, baby. But why go through with it?” he repeated.

“What else would I have done? Bruce said he would look after me, and he didn't. Only Jon did,” she answered, harsher than intended.

“I'm not Bruce, or Crane. I'll take care of you. I'll protect you. Just come with me,” he begged.

“And do what, Jason?” she asked.

“Just be mine. I'll figure everything else out. If you seriously want to stay involved in this, you might as well join us. You already know everything.”

Alice gnawed on her lip. The sweat had cooled from both of their brows and the room smelled of sex. It was somehow miserably domestic.

She nodded, hesitantly.

The pair jumped as there was a knock on the door, disrupting the little world they had crafted together.

Alice looked up at Jason, nervously, as he began shuffling out of the bed.

“Are you expecting someone?” He asked, reaching for his discarded boxers.

“No, and Jon wouldn't knock,” she answered, pulling the sheet around her nakedness.

Jason continued dressing as the door pounded again.

Alice jumped up, grabbing a nightgown and throwing it over her head.

Once Jason was somewhat modest, Alice left the bedroom and opened the door.

“Robert,” Alice greeted, recognizing the guard from Arkham.

“Alice, sorry to barge in like this,” he apologized, intentionally not looking down at her attire. Alice blushed.

“How can I help you?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“I was hoping to speak with your father about a somewhat delicate matter,” he answered, scratching his neck.

“I thought he was at the hospital?” Alice asked, confused.

“Uh, no. He hasn't been there in over a week. We don't really want to involve anyone, but we will have to if he doesn't get back to us,” Robert answered.

“Involve anyone? What's going on?” Alice echoed, perplexed.

“I'm just going to leave you with this. Tell him to call me, please. They're pretty sure they're going to demote and possibly fire him, Alice,” he said, handing Alice what appeared to be an inventory sheet.

She glanced down at it, briefly.

“It's serious, and there's talk about involving the police,” Robert whispered.

“I'll tell him to call you,” Alice offered.

Robert nodded, saying his goodbyes before awkwardly staggering down the hallway.

Alice looked down at the sheet in her hand, studying it.

“What is it?” Jason asked, peeking over her shoulder.

“It's a list of missing chemicals and medical supplies from Arkham,” she answered.

“And what, he stole them?”

Alice looked over at him, shrugging.

“What is he doing with them?” Jason wondered.

“I think I know,” Alice murmured.

“Is it bad?”

Alice nodded, mutely.

“He told you he was at Arkham?” Jason asked.

“You heard it. He lied to me,” she said.

“Why would he keep it from you?”

“Because he's starting without me.”

“Starting, what Alice?” Jason demanded.

“The Scarecrow.”

~

Alice let Jason take her to the bat cave on the back of his red bike, in light of new information. He had brought an extra helmet and Alice suspected he truly believed showing up to her door, fucking her, and asking her to leave would have worked.

Although, in some way, it did.

With her hands resting on his firm sides, Alice watched the dirty streets of Gotham from beneath her feet as they travelled to the manor. She wondered if it would feel any different working against Jonathan, rather than for him. It didn't matter, she supposed, if in the end her goal was the same.

To be free from fear for once in her life.

Alice did find, however, that the nagging constant of fear ebbed in not only Jason's presence, but Bruce's and Dick's, as well. She wondered if it was their presence, or the lack of Jonathan's that suspended her fear.

In the end, she would find out soon enough.

As Jason turned onto the large gravel driveway of Wayne manor, Alice felt dread blossom in her gut. She unintentionally squeezed Jason, and he in turn casted a glance back at her.

He rolled the bike to a stop, hopping off before plucking Alice off of the seat. She blushed, remembering the first time he had done so. It was an age away now, and both had evolved into someone different before.

Yet, here they were, together, as Jason had always imagined.

“It's okay, baby. No one's going to blame you,” Jason said, after pulling his helmet off.

He reached over and pulled Alice's off, as well, smiling at the way her bangs incorrectly framed her face. She blew air at them, trying to fix them. He chuckled.

“You just need to explain it to them,” he continued, pressing a guiding hand to the small of her back.

He led her into the foyer of the manor, Alfred greeting them. Alice never asked Bruce if Alfred knew everything, she only assumed he did. He was always around whenever Alice had visited previously, and he seemed close to all of the boys.

Alice always liked Alfred.

“Ms. Crane, Master Jason,” he nodded.

Alice smiled at him, but quickly frowned as Jason practically tugged her away. He led her through the downstairs library, to the grandfather clock that she had learned was the entrance to underneath the manor.

Alfred followed the pair, closely behind. His brow was furrowed, and he watched Jason curiously.

“Master Bruce is currently occupying the cave,” he said.

“What about Dick?” Jason asked, pulling the latch open, revealing the staircase.

All three climbed down, Jason in front and Alfred behind.

“I haven't seen Master Dick today yet.”

Bruce sat in front of the computer, his chin in his hand. He seemed to be studying something, and as the trio grew nearer, Alice realized it was the blueprint for Arkham.

“Jason,” Bruce greeted, then noticed Alice, and seemed surprised, but somewhat delighted.

“Alice, what are you doing here?” as he asked, Alice watched his face darken, most likely realizing something was wrong.

“We need to find Crane,” Jason stated, crossing the small bridge to the platform, stepping behind Bruce.

“What happened?” Bruce asked, eyes shifting between Alice and Jason.

Alice pulled the sheet of paper out of her satchel, ignoring the A.C. engraved on the lip of the leather. She handed it to Bruce, and he glanced at it.

“Arkham chemicals?” he asked.

Alice nodded.

“The one's that are missing, coincidentally after Crane's gone missing,” Jason clarified.

Bruce looked at the inventory again.

“Alice, you know what he is going to do with these?”

Alice chewed the inside of her cheek, nodding hesitantly.

“Some of these were in the original compound, but some of these weren't. He's making toxin, I assume. But what else?” Bruce wondered, looking up at Alice expectantly.

“There's a new compound,” she answered.

“What's new about it?” Jason asked, crossing his arms.

“It's hard to describe, really, but this toxin is less temporary,” she explained, vaguely.

“Less temporary in what way?” Bruce questioned.

Alice sighed, eyes glued to the sheet of paper in his hand.

“It binds to whoever is affected. Your antidote won't work,” she said.

“Is there an antidote?” Jason asked.

Alice shook her head.

“Do you know the formula?” Bruce inquired.

“Yeah, I developed it.”

“That's good then, you can make an antidote,” Jason interjected.

Alice sighed, turning to face Jason.

“It's more complicated than that. Like I said, it binds to whoever it affects. I would need to make an antidote for each individual,” she explicated.

“He knew we had the antidote, so he made you formulate one that would be impossible to make an antidote for,” Bruce said, nodding.

“You told him about the antidote?” Jason accused.

Alice looked down at her feet.

“Jason,” Bruce warned.

“I knew an antidote was possible for the first formula before you made it,” Alice defended.

“I know. If you can't make a universal antidote, can you make one that would dampen the affects?” Bruce asked.

Alice chewed on her nail, thinking.

“I can make it so it wouldn't kill them, but there still might be permanent affects.”

“Like what?” Jason asked.

“Anxiety, PTSD from whatever the person experienced. But the psychosis and mania would be temporary,” Alice answered.

Bruce nodded.

“I can work with that. Besides, who doesn't have anxiety or PTSD in Gotham?” he joked, and Alice gave him an unconvincing smile.

“How is he going to spread it?” Jason questioned.

“Through the waterway,” Alice answered.

Bruce and Jason glanced at each other.

“Do you know where he is?” Jason asked.

Alice shook her head, making eye contact with Bruce. He arched his brow.

“Does he have everything he needs?” Bruce urged.

“He should, but without me it'll take him longer. He has the formula, but he doesn't really know how it works,” Alice responded.

“How long for the semi-antidote?” Bruce asked.

Alice paused, calculating.

“A day, at most.”

“How long for him to develop the toxin?”

“A week, maybe. But he has the head start.”

“Jesus, Alice. If you're the brain, what is he?” Jason laughed.

“If the formulas are all yours, why did he leave?” Bruce ignored Jason.

Alice chewed on his words.

”I think he knew, or suspected, that I was working with you. But he doesn't care, not that much, anyway. It doesn't matter to him,” she landed on.

“Why doesn't it matter, Alice?” he pressed, not unkindly.

“For one, I already gave him what he needed, the toxin. He knows he's going to get caught, but he wants to make an imprint on Gotham first. Second, it makes it more exciting. Makes me more interesting,” she answered, lowly.

“Is that why you're here?” Bruce asked.

Alice shook her head.

“I've found that I no longer care what he thinks,” she replied, shocked by how much she meant it.

Bruce nodded, understanding.

“That's good. I need your help, Alice. But I need to know that you're not going to go back to him,” Bruce said, firmly.

Alice flushed from some sort of embarrassment. She nodded, flinching as Bruce laid a hand on her shoulder.

“I'm glad you're here, Alice,” he whispered, squeezing her.

Before Alice could even consider a response, he pulled back, turning towards the computer.

“I should have everything you need to begin developing the antidote. Alfred will show you around,” Bruce said.

Alice nodded, smiling at Alfred.

“What do I need to do?” Jason asked.

Bruce paused.

“Babysit, just for now,” he answered, causing Alice to squawk.

“I can do that,” Jason replied, smirking at Alice.

She rolled her eyes, turning back towards Alfred.

“Follow me,” he commanded, turning down the steps.

Alice and Jason followed, with Jason's hand finding itself on her waist, a static similar to resolve in the air.

Alice felt as if she had finally tipped the scale over, favoring Bruce, favoring Jason, over Jonathan. She knew she had betrayed him in a way that would most likely tarnish her forever for him, isolating her from then on.

She was surprised at how good it felt.

Chapter 12: you gave me nothing whatsoever but a reason to leave

Summary:

Chapter Title: Granite by Sleep Token

 

I am still updating this as often as I can! I have more chapters, I'm just staggering the publishing! Getting into the meat of it, and I am super excited for what comes next!

Alice wasn't surprised to find that Bruce had probably the widest variety of chemicals in a lab she had ever seen before. She wasn't surprised, either, to find that the bat cave had the nicest lab in general she had ever seen before.

It made her feel giddy the way a child felt in a candy store, or something similar.

Jason followed her as she explored the large, steel room, smiling as she practically gushed over all of the equipment.

“I'm sure Bruce is going to love your reaction,” he commented, humored.

“Does anyone even use it?” Alice wondered, noticing the pristine condition.

“Bruce does, when he needs to. Recently, for the antidote. Tim sometimes messes around down here, but don't tell Bruce that,” Jason revealed, smiling.

“I don't even recognize some of the equipment. I bet I could get it done in less than three hours,” Alice remarked.

Jason raised his brow, planting his hands down at the large island separating the two.

“You're kind of scary, do you know that?” he asked, not entirely unserious.

Alice smiled, looking down at his reflection in the steel of the counter.

“I know you're not the smart one, Jason, but really?” she teased.

Jason laughed, throwing his head back.

“You can be a brat sometimes,” he chastised, his canines exposed.

He rounded the table, his hands sliding against the metal. He leaned over Alice's shoulder, not touching.

“Aren't you supposed to be babysitting me?” Alice asked, against the lump in her throat.

“You said it wouldn't take long. We have time,” he answered.

Alice crossed her arms.

“It's been maybe two hours, Jason. And your dad is up there,” she chided, gesturing towards the upper platforms.

“Not now, or here, but after. If you're going to stay, you'll have to get used to it,” Jason purred, twirling her hair in a way eerily similar to Jon.

Alice gulped, causing Jason to laugh breathlessly in her ear.

“You should get to work, princess,” he instructed, pulling back from her.

Alice rolled her eyes, tossing him a withering glare.

“I assume you're not going to help?” she asked.

“God, no. I don't know anything about chemistry,” Jason replied.

“Are you just going to distract me the whole time?” she questioned, incredulous.

“Of course, baby,” he answered, smugly.

Alice sighed, turning to the shelves that housed most of the glassware. She pulled out vials and beakers, spreading them across the surface. Jason jumped up onto the counter, pulling his gun out of the holster.

Alice eyed him as he began to twirl the piece, trying to trust he wouldn't accidentally shoot his face off.

She found a lab coat in a closet, slipping it on and pulling her hair back. As she stepped into the main lab, Jason glanced at her, arching his brow.

“Don't you look good like that,” Jason whistled, causing her to blush.

“Shut up,” she murmured, turning back to the beaker, and he laughed.

“I'm glad I didn't have to go to university. If you were my lab partner, I'd never be able to focus. I feel bad for Dick,” he said.

Alice paused, considering.

“Why didn't you have to go to school? Dick mentioned that Bruce made all of you,” she asked.

Jason stopped fidgeting with the gun. Alice sensed she had struck a chord and immediately regretted it.

“You never ask questions and I appreciate that,” he said, tightly.

“Are you telling me to not ask?” she clarified.

“I know it's not fair, since I know everything about you. But there are some things I don't talk about to anyone,” he answered.

“Is that healthy?” Alice wondered.

Jason barked out a humorless laugh.

“Nothing I do is healthy, really. Except you, maybe,” he said.

Alice huffed.

“I'm probably the last thing you need,” she muttered.

Jason jumped down from the counter, approaching her.

“I don't think that's true, baby. I think you'll help me with it all, even if you're not trying to. Maybe one day you'll know everything I never wanted anyone to know,” he whispered, sincerely.

Alice swallowed, leaning into Jason's side.

“You know all of the things I have done, yet you haven't left. Do you think I would?” she cautioned.

“Yes, I think you would,” he answered, his voice strained.

His hand grasped the side of her face, bumping her head against his. His forehead was cool against her skin.

“I won't,” she swore.

“And I'll never leave you, Alice. Even if you want me to,” he promised.

Alice smiled, allowing him to press a soft, but long kiss to her lips.

She pulled back from him, after a moment, basking in the heat radiating off of his body.

“I will never want you to,” she muttered.

Jason squeezed her, pressing a kiss to her crown.

“I can still smell me on you,” he remarked, lowly.

Alice flushed, lowering her head.

“I bet Bruce noticed it, too,” he murmured.

“He knows anyway,” she mumbled, weakly.

“Does that bother you?” Jason asked, putting enough distance between the two so that he could search her face.

“That your dad knows we fucked? Yes,” Alice answered.

“Why? You don't want him to know we're together?” Jason pressed.

“No, I just wish sometimes that not everyone had to be so involved in my sex life,” she responded.

Jason laughed, lightly.

“It's not my fault you have such an interesting history,” he replied.

Alice huffed, looking away.

“You didn't fight the fact I said we're together,” Jason pointed out.

Alice blushed, looking up at his jaw, not quite his eyes.

“We haven't talked about it,” she said, lamely.

“Then let's talk about.”

“It's complicated,” Alice said.

“Because of Jonathan?” Jason asked.

”Yes, and just about everything surrounding it.”

”Are you afraid to commit in case he comes back?” Jason questioned, not accusatory.

Alice sighed, her chest rising against Jason's.

“Not exactly. I don't want you to commit to something, and then realize you've made a mistake after everything is settled,” she whispered.

“I've made a lot of mistakes, baby, but you'll never be one of them,” he swore, his lips ghosting Alice's brow.

She shivered, his arms tightening around her.

“So tell me, sweetheart, what do you want?” he asked, gently.

Alice froze, unsure of how to answer. She knew she wanted Jason, but it was too selfish to ask. He was so just; so righteous in his violence. Alice, on the other hand, not only justified violence as a necessary tool, but enjoyed it. Jason rejected his own capability for violence as an instrument, Alice exuded it.

She craved it, either by her own hand or others. And Alice couldn't disentangle Jason from his violence; she didn't know whether she craved his soft touch or his blow.

It felt unfair to him, to expect him to provide her with the sort of strength that could counteract her weakness. Yet, she desired him too greatly to be selfless.

“I want this. I want you, or whatever you'll give me,” she answered, honestly.

Jason swallowed, absorbing the words as if they were sacred.

“I'll give you everything, Alice. You only have to ask,” he vowed.

“Do you hate me for it?” Alice cautioned.

“For what, baby?”

“Jonathan. Marrying him. Using you,” she clarified.

Jason's lips parted.

“I could never hate you, sweetheart. But I do have to ask. Are you planning on divorcing? And are you still using me?” he inquired, gently.

Alice paused, never having considered either question before.

“I guess it would be the right thing to divorce once he's caught. Or annul. I don't really know how it works,” she replied.

Jason nodded.

“And yes, I would say I am still using you. You're my stability, Jason. I can't let that go,” she confessed.

He leaned the side of his face against the Alice's scalp.

“I will never let you go, Alice. So don't worry about it,” he promised.

Alice believed him, against her better judgement. Promises were many in her past, yet few were upheld. But, with the crease of Jason's brow and the severity in his gaze, Alice couldn't help but hope.

She carried that inkling of hope in her chest, fluttering in above her stomach as butterflies, as she turned from Jason, continuing her task.

The fear and panic that attempted to creep in behind Alice's eyes were shunned away with Jason's reassurance, and Alice wondered if that was perhaps the only antidote she would ever require.

She knew Jonathan would find her pathetic, swooning at the sight of the first man to promise to take care of her, and she wondered if maybe she was indeed pathetic.

Alice couldn't find shame in that, not when Jason was so sincere with his desire.

~

After a few more hours of Jason succeeding at distracting Alice and Alice failing at ignoring Jason, she had finally finished her antidote.

She carried the small, clear vial up the stairs, Jason hot on her heels.

Alice didn't miss, however, the giant glass box to her right, just near the lab. Edward sat, criss-cross, reading some old, giant book. When he noticed her, he perked up, snapping the spine of the book shut.

“Alice, dear! How lovely it is to see you again!” he exclaimed.

“Oh god,” Jason huffed, rolling his eyes. He backpedalled to where Edward couldn't see him, slipping on the helmet he had carried down with them.

“I didn't expect to see you again, Mrs. Crane. Still not a prisoner, though,” he commented, skeptically.

“Hello, Nygma. No, I am not,” she greeted.

Edward's eyes drifted from Alice to Jason as he rejoined them.

“This one seems to have taken a liking to you,” Nygma remarked.

“Shut it before I shoot you, Riddler,” Jason threatened.

Alice clicked her teeth, admonishing Jason. He shrugged.

“Is our friend up to any good?” Edward asked, casually.

“Jon? I wouldn't happen to know,” Alice answered.

“Ah, marriage struggles. Sometimes, I wish I had found my own protege like he did. Then, I remember I continue to see your face here, in the bat cave—his enemy's lair—and I think better of it,” Nygma laughed.

Alice sighed, turning back towards the steps.

“Wait!” he exclaimed.

Alice paused, expectantly.

“Tell the big guy up there that if Crane is AWOL, the least he can do is throw me back into Arkham,” Edward pleaded.

Jason scoffed, opening his mouth to speak.

“Will do,” Alice quickly offered, ignoring Jason elbowing her side.

“Thank you, Alice. You've always been a doll, except, you know, when you're not,” Edward complimented, giggling.

Alice continued up the steps, listening to Edward's laughter echoing off of the cavernous walls.

Jason slipped his hand around her waist, trailing behind her.

“I'm sorry,” he apologized.

“Sorry for what?”

“Nygma. Bringing up him,” he explained.

Alice stuttered in her climb.

“I'm not going to forget, Jason. Now or ever, so there's no need,” she replied.

His hand squeezed her, but he didn't respond.

The pair reached the top of the stairs, stepping onto the platform that housed the bat computer. Bruce sat in front of it, eyes pouring over a map of Gotham city.

“Bruce,” Jason greeted, still adorning the helmet.

Alice realized Edward was at the deepest section of the cave, unable to hear or see anything. She wondered if they had constructed the cage for Edward, or if they held prisoners previously. She wondered what it would feel like behind the glass walls.

Jason pulled the mask off, approaching Bruce.

“Alice,” Bruce said, spinning the chair around to face her.

She held out the small glass vial, along with a paper riddled with her somewhat smudged handwriting.

“I take it you finished?” he asked, grasping the vial and paper out of Alice's hand.

She nodded, watching as Bruce studied the formula she had written.

“This is brilliant work, Alice. I don't know if I could have done this,” he praised.

Alice flushed completely, unable to hide the small smile tugging at her lips.

Jason watched her, crossing his arms.

“Your husband never compliment you before?” he teased.

When Alice didn't reply, he dropped his smile.

“Wait, actually?” he asked.

Alice shook her head, meeting Bruce's eyes.

“That's a shame. This is seriously impressive,” Bruce remarked.

This time she didn't hide her smile. Bruce smiled back at her, before turning back towards the monitor.

”I can replicate this at a large scale, but honestly I'd rather not have to use it. We're ready in case he attacks, but I'd prefer to prevent it,” Bruce explained.

Alice and Jason stepped closer, looking at the screen. There were red circles around certain locations, seemingly ones that Bruce deemed as possible targets.

“I think I've narrowed it down to few potential spots. Although, Alice, if you have an idea of where he might be, that would help,” Bruce said, looking at her over his shoulder.

Alice crossed her arms, thinking.

She knew, in fact she had known since the guard from Arkham had knocked on her door, but she wasn't ready to completely betray Jonathan before.

She didn't know if she was ready now, either.

“I have an idea,” she said, after a moment.

Both Jason and Bruce perked up, looking at her expectantly.

“But, I want to talk to him first,” she finished.

Jason eyed Alice carefully.

“Why?” he asked.

Alice ignored him in favor of turning toward Bruce.

“Not alone,” he stated.

Alice nodded, looking at the map.

“Wait, you're actually going to let her?” Jason asked, disbelieving.

“If that means she's going to take us to him, then yes. Besides, she won't be alone. And I'm sure she has something she wants to say to him, if I was her I would,” Bruce explained.

“I'm going then,” Jason demanded.

“No. Just me, Jason,” Bruce said.

“What, why?” he exclaimed.

“He knows who you are. And I don't trust that you'll be able to control yourself with him,” Bruce answered, bluntly.

Jason gawked, throwing his hands up.

“Fine, but you need backup. Dick, Tim, and I will be there while she has her little 'chat',” Jason spat the last word.

Alice frowned, trying to discern whether his anger was directed towards her or Jonathan.

“If he touches her, I'll kill him,” he said, gravely, confirming the source of his ire.

”It won't come to that,” Bruce said.

Alice wondered if Jason threatened murder often, since Bruce only looked slightly perturbed, despite his adamant no killing rule. She then wondered if Jason ever did kill, and that was what he was afraid Alice would leave him over upon discovery.

He did carry guns with him, and he was the only bat to do so.

Alice would have to ask him about it later.

“He didn't lie to me when he said he was going to Arkham,” she began.

Bruce turned to the screen, pinpointing the asylum on the map.

“There's a lot underneath the hospital, caves and whatnot. There's also a pipeline,” Alice explained.

“It doesn't feed into the city, though,” Bruce said.

“No, but it is the hospital's water supply.”

“So his plan is to what, gas the hospital?” Jason asked.

Alice chewed her lip.

“It's his distraction, first. If all guards and inmates of Arkham are contaminated, Batman would be forced to respond. He expects them to escape,” she replied.

“Then what, Alice?” Bruce urged.

“He had a few options next, but I'm not sure where he will go,” she answered.

“But he is underneath Arkham?” Bruce questioned.

“Unless he lied to me, but that wouldn't make sense.”

“Why not?”

“It was my idea, for one. And, he had already began work down there before he fired me.”

“Where's Dick?” Jason interjected.

“On his way,” Bruce responded, standing.

Jason grabbed his helmet, walking towards the base of the steps.

“What, are you going now?” Alice asked.

“The sooner, the better. Since you want to see your man so bad, you're coming too,” Jason answered, his sentence cut off by the modifier as he slipped into the helmet.

“He's not my man,” Alice mumbled.

Jason scoffed, throwing his jacket on.

“You don't have to convince me,” Jason replied.

He paused, looking her up and down with his hands on his hips.

“I don't think you're making a mistake because he's your husband and I'm jealous, I know you're making a mistake because it's stupid and dangerous,” he sighed.

“He won't do anything,” Alice countered.

He stepped closer to her, lessening the distance.

“I can't afford to lose you, baby. Not when I just got you,” he explained, hands gripping her arms.

“I swear, he won't do anything,” she repeated.

“I know you trust him. But I don't, Alice. And your definition of 'something' is a lot different than mine. You said he wasn't hurting you for years, yet, he was,” he pointed out.

Alice looked at her distorted reflection in the red metal.

“Bruce will be there,” she said.

“That's the only reason I'm letting you come. He wouldn't let you get hurt,” Jason stated.

Alice nodded, jumping lightly as Jason pressed the cold helmet to her brow.

“Be smart, please. Don't do anything,” he whispered.

Alice paused, considering the warning.

“I won't, I promise,” she swore.

Bruce rounded behind her, holding the cowl.

“You don't have to do this, Alice. We can take care of it,” he offered.

Alice looked between the two men, understanding that they wanted to take care of it on their own, without her.

“I have to. I want to be done with it all,” she affirmed.

Bruce nodded.

“Then you can ride with Jason. I'll have Dick and Tim meet us there,” he said, striding past her, to the series of steps that led to the driveway.

Alice followed behind Jason as the three declined the platform, rain and bat squeaks filling the heavy silence.

Once Bruce climbed in the batmobile and Jason propped his bike, Alice stepped up next to him.

He snatched her by the waist, picking her up and resting her down behind him. He handed her a helmet, and she slipped it on.

She breathed in, lungs filling with the smoke and salt of the cave.

“It'll be okay, baby. You won't have to worry about him or any of this ever again,” he said.

Alice found that difficult to believe.

Chapter 13: I want to taste you better

Summary:

Chapter Title: Give by Sleep Token

The ride to the Asylum was filled with a heavy silence, save for the cobblestones as they met the wheels of Jason's bike.

 

Alice held onto Jason's sides, wrapping her arms as best as she could across his width, resting her head against his back. He wasn't wearing his hood yet, as that would call for more attention than just a girl and a stranger. His bike helmet still concealed his face, which Alice was somewhat grateful for.

 

He didn't speak to her until they crossed the bridge to the hospital, parking on the shoreline closest to the cave's entrance.

 

“We beat Batman,” he commented lowly, picking up Alice off of the bike, setting her down on the ground gently, as to not make any noise.

 

“We have to wait,” Alice replied, half a question, half a statement.

 

Jason nodded, leaning against a nearly decayed wall of brick.

 

“He said he'll go with you. I'm not sure what that means, though,” he said.

 

“If Jonathan sees him, he won't talk,” Alice stated.

 

“So what do you want to do? Go alone? Like that's happening,” he scoffed.

 

“I still have that earpiece. I can go in alone, but Bruce can stay close by,” she pitched.

 

Jason crossed his arms.

 

“And what happens if the moment he sees you, he tries something?” he poised.

 

Alice shook her head resolutely.

 

“He won't. He'd never actually hurt me,” she insisted.

 

“Your legion of scars says otherwise.”

 

Alice rolled her eyes, stepping away. Jason caught her arm, pulling her into him with a slight thud.

 

“I just want to protect you, baby,” he whispered.

 

Alice closed her eyes, pressing into him.

 

“Your safety is more important than anything else, do you understand? I don't care if he gets away, Alice, as long as you're okay.”

 

She nodded, swallowing.

 

The pair looked up as they heard wheels hitting the gravel of the shore, the batmobile rolling into view. It parked, and Bruce, Dick, and Tim climbed out.

 

Alice realized she hadn't seen Dick nor Tim since before they knew, and she was hesitant to greet the brothers. Dick however, stepped forward, pulling Alice into a somewhat bone-crushing hug.

 

“I'm glad you're okay,” he whispered as he let Alice go.

 

She smiled up at him, happy to know her oldest friend seemingly didn't harbor any resentment for her.

 

“Alice,” Tim greeted, waving at her.

 

She returned the wave, slightly timid from anxiety and distant embarrassment. Bruce walked passed her, pressing a brief, gentle, but reassuring, hand on her shoulder.

 

Jason cleared his throat.

 

“She wants to go in alone,” he said.

 

The four men circled together, leaving Alice on the outskirts.

 

“She has her earpiece still?” Bruce asked.

 

Jason nodded.

 

“It makes sense for her to talk to him first, before we go in,” he said.

 

“What is she doing?” Dick asked.

 

“Trying to get him to cooperate. She didn't say it, but I assume he has something rigged already,” Bruce commented.

 

Alice blushed, Bruce continuing to surprise her with his ability to see completely through her. Yet, she couldn't discern any kind of bitterness. It was almost like he expected her to lie and conceal, and he wasn't entirely disappointed
when she did.

 

“So she goes in, finds out what exactly he did, and then we go in?” Tim asked.

 

Bruce shook his head, fingers pinching the exposed chin.

 

“If we go in while she's still in there, he'll probably use her as leverage. She needs to leave first,” he replied.

 

“He would do that?” Tim wondered.

 

Bruce and Jason glanced at each other, both nodding.

 

“He's a threat, first. Her husband, second,” Jason answered.

 

“Are you okay?” Tim asked, cutting out of the huddle to check on Alice.

 

She nodded, surprised, at first.

 

“It was going to happen sooner or later,” she said, vaguely.

 

Tim smiled, weakly. He turned back towards the other vigilantes after a moment. Alice leaned against the wall, chewing on her nails.

 

“Okay, she goes in, gets the information and whatever else, and he lets her leave?” Dick clarified.

 

“If he doesn't let her leave, then we'll have to step in,” Bruce replied.

 

“If he threatens her or seems like he's about to hurt her, I'm stepping in,” Jason warned.

 

“Fine, but we need him alive, Jason,” Dick teased.

 

“If we're understood, then she should get ready,” Bruce said, ignoring both of the brothers.

 

Alice stepped off of the wall, reaching Bruce.

 

“It's going to be fine, alright? We're all here,” Bruce assured.

 

Alice nodded, walking past the three brothers, towards the entrance of the cave. Jason stepped behind her, wrapping his arm around her waist, tugging her against his chest.

 

“I'm right here, baby,” he whispered, breath hot against her ear.

 

She shivered, nodding, as he lessened his grip on her. She slipped from his arm, stepping onto stone, her shoes clicking. Alice walked towards the mouth of the cave, allowing the darkness to envelope her as she continued further.

 

After a moment, she turned back to see nothing but an empty shoreline, the four men seemingly concealing themselves. She continued her journey until she saw the flickering pale green lights of the lab's lamps illuminating the stone.

 

She knew Jonathan could hear her by now, and she pressed the tip of the earpiece still resting in her canal, waiting for the beep. Once it beeped, she stepped into the lab.

 

Jonathan was slumped over his makeshift lab bench, his hair and glasses askew. He perked up when he saw Alice's shadow against the cave wall, blinking up at her.

 

“Alice,” he croaked.

 

She stepped towards him, less than a yard away.

 

“A man came by,” she greeted.

 

He scoffed, sitting up.

 

“Let me guess, he wants the chemicals back,” he droned.

 

Alice nodded, cautiously.

 

“You look good. Come here,” he commanded, reaching his hand out for her.

 

She hesitantly rounded the bench, leaning against it in front of Jon's chair. His hand grabbed her hip, squeezing as he pulled himself toward her. She instinctively ran her hands through his dark locks, smiling at the little groan he let out.

 

“I've missed you,” he muttered.

 

Alice laughed.

 

“You saw me this morning,” she admonished.

 

“And? What took you so long?” he asked, resting his face against her abdomen.

 

“You said you were going to Arkham,” she reminded him.

 

“Am I not in Arkham?” he wondered.

 

“You know what I mean.”

 

“What do you do when I leave? Lounge about until I come back?” he questioned, smiling up at her.

 

“Sometimes,” she agreed.

 

“And the other times? Don't answer that, darling. I don't want to know,” Jon declared, ripping a giggle out of Alice.

 

“I got tired of waiting,” she said, and Jonathan hummed, his voice vibrating against Alice's stomach.

 

“Well, I'm just about done so you won't have to wait any longer,” he replied.

 

Alice's eyes widened. She had a plan before stepping into the lab, yet it felt so distant now. She was somehow more inclined to assist Jonathan, rather than arrest.

 

Jonathan looked up at her, detecting something in her expression as his eyes narrowed. He stood up, towering over Alice. He gently rested a hand on her neck, pulling her gaze up to his.

 

“Alice, I need you to know something,” he began, his tone low and solemn.

 

Alice blinked up at him.

 

“None of this matters if you're not here with me, dear. I know I get wrapped up in the work, but you're more important than it,” he said.

 

Her breath hitched as she searched his eyes for deceit, but found none.

 

“I know your faith in me waivers, and I suspect it does now. But you must know, Alice, you're my everything,” he whispered, his face inching closer to hers.

 

“Would you leave it behind?” she cautioned.

 

Jonathan paused, taken aback. His jaw ticked, his eyes falling to her lips.

 

“Why would you ask that?” he questioned.

 

Alice shook her head, the spell broken.

 

“Alice,” he warned, his grip fastening around her arms.

 

He loomed over her, studying her.

 

“Why are you here?”

 

Alice froze, not knowing the answer.

 

“Look at me,” he demanded.

 

Alice met his eyes. His grip on her neck hardened, causing her to whimper.

 

“You smell like bat,” he accused.

 

She didn't respond.

 

“And sex. Am I right to assume the two are connected?” he asked, the timber of his voice a low growl.

 

She shook her head, and his hand left her neck.

 

Alice braced herself, wincing before the slap connected to her cheek. The cave walls rang with its echo, taunting her.

 

“I told you that if you must lie to me, you would have to do better,” he belabored.

 

Alice whimpered again as his hand caught her hair, yanking her down. She collapsed to the floor, his hand not leaving her hair. He pulled it, tugging Alice towards his feet.

 

“You're pathetic,” he hissed.

 

Alice smiled, despite the pain, gazing up at him.

 

“Say that again,” she muttered.

 

His grip tightened, causing her to steady herself on his shins.

 

“You're pathetic,” he repeated.

 

He lifted Alice up enough to slap her again, causing her to stumble against his feet. Her face rested against the cold leather, her breath fogging its smooth surface.

 

He let go of her hair as Alice laughed against the floor. Her body shook beneath him, and he bent down to pet her raven hair.

 

She giggled, lifting her face, her hand catching the blood that fell from her nose. She watched as the crimson blood bloomed on her pale skin.

 

Jonathan eyed her, warily.

 

“Can he do this to you?” he wondered.

 

Alice smiled, all teeth. She assumed the blood had slipped into her mouth by now, as Jon's eyes fixated on it.

 

“Do what?” she asked.

 

Jonathan lifted her up, pressing her against the steel bench. He hovered behind her, hands coaxing the side of her head.

 

”Make you feel like this?” he purred, slotting his knees between Alice's thighs.

 

Alice gasped, feeling him against her. She was dizzy, either from the blow or desire, and she almost forgot that Bruce and Jason were listening in.

 

“Answer, Alice,” he demanded, teeth grazing her ear.

 

“No,” she exhaled, ignoring the pang in her stomach.

 

“Can he fill that hole I’ve carved so delicately inside of you? Could he ever satisfy this craving? This need for me, Alice?”

 

She shook her head, smiling as he nipped at her neck. He suddenly pulled back, and his heat was missed. Alice almost groaned.

 

He reached behind her, hand slipping into his pocket. He pulled something out, but Alice couldn't see.

 

“How long do I have, darling?” he asked.

 

Alice paused, trapped between the bench and him.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“I'm not that stupid, Alice,” he laughed, humorlessly.

 

Alice swallowed.

 

“I don't know,” she answered.

 

Jonathan leaned over her again.

 

“My little sparrow, such a small, fragile thing” he purred.

 

He gently ran his hands through her hair, pausing below her neck. He swept the hair across her shoulder, exposing her now-bruised nape.

 

“You’ve done so well, so much better than I expected you to,” he praised.

 

Alice had the idea to thrash beneath him, but remained motionless. She shut her eyes as the needle slipped into her skin, basking in his words.

 

“I love you, Alice. Don’t forget, that, now or ever,” he whispered, so quietly she thought she made have misheard.

 

She didn't particularly mind as the world grew dark.

 

~

 

“Why is she provoking him?” Dick asked.

 

The four men crowded around the small radio, listening to Alice and Jonathan's conversation.

 

Jason sat, perched, closest to the cave. His hands tightened around the gloves he held.

 

“He's hitting her,” he growled.

 

Bruce glanced at him. He sighed.

 

“You said if he touched her he would go in,” Tim pointed out.

 

“I had the privilege of listening to them for days,” Bruce explained.

 

“Why don't we go in?” Tim repeated, anxiously wringing his hands.

 

Jonathan slapped Alice again over the radio. The sound reverberated against the rocks of the shore. Alice's giggle was quiet, but still discernible over the static.

 

“This is how they flirt,” Bruce murmured, detached.

 

Dick and Tim glanced at each other nervously. Jason's eyes remained fixed on the cave's mouth.

 

“Can he do this to you?” Jonathan whispered over the radio.

 

Jason growled beneath his helmet, the modifier distorting it.

 

“Jason, ignore it,” Bruce commanded, firmly.

 

“I'm going to strangle him.”

 

Alice whimpered as Jonathan seemingly grabbed her.

 

“Bruce, shouldn't we go in?” Dick echoed.

 

“He hasn't said anything yet,” Bruce replied.

 

“Is it worth it if he's hurting her?” Dick asked.

 

“Not if this is what she wants,” he answered.

 

Dick exhaled, focusing on the radio again. Tim swallowed nervously.

 

“How long do I have, darling?” Jonathan asked.

 

The four men perked up, the brothers watching Bruce expectantly.

 

“He doesn't know, does he?” Tim asked.

 

They listened for a moment longer.

 

“He knows,” Bruce confirmed.

 

Jason stood up, striding down the bank. Dick hopped up behind him, Tim and Bruce on his heels.

 

“Jason, wait,” Bruce called.

 

Jason ignored him, hand resting on his holster, his fingers splaying across the handle of his gun.

 

“Wait,” Bruce repeated.

 

Jason halted, tossing him a glance over his shoulder.

 

“You can come if you want, but I’m not going to let him gas her, or worse,” he stated, continuing his stride.

 

The group marched behind Jason, Bruce and Nightwing falling back, Tim jogging to reach Jason. The radio went silent and Jason picked up his pace.

 

As he reached the makeshift lab, he found Alice crumbled on the floor, underneath the bench. He ran to meet her, scooping her head off the floor.

 

Bruce, Dick, and Tim joined him in the large room, Bruce searching the area.

 

“Crane’s not here,” he said.

 

Dick glanced at him, before gesturing at the second entrance.

 

“Nightwing and I will find him,” Bruce said, and Dick nodded.

 

The pair ran out the cave opening, leaving Jason and Tim alone with an unconscious Alice.

 

“Is she okay?” Tim asked, kneeling beside Jason.

 

“He gave her some sort of sedative,” Jason answered.

 

He pulled Alice against his abdomen, holding her as her breath steadied.

 

Jason ran his hand through her now-tangled hair, whispering her name.

 

Her breath hitched for a moment, and Jason repeated her name with more volume.

 

“Jonathan?” she whispered, voice thick.

 

“No, baby, it’s me,” he whispered back.

 

Alice perked up at the sound of the modifier.

 

“Jason?” she asked, unsure.

 

He nodded, pulling her up further to cradle her against his chest, her face gazing up at him.

 

He ignored the still drying blood that dripped from her nose and the now dried tears.

 

“Are you okay?” he asked, as gently as the modifier could allow.

 

She nodded, blinking up at him and then at Tim, who smiled at her.

 

“Hey, Alice,” Tim greeted.

 

Alice sat up, Jason’s hand guiding her, still keeping her in his lap.

 

“What happened?” she asked.

 

“Crane drugged you and then ran away. Batman and Nightwing are after him now,” Jason explained, his voice taut.

 

Alice remembered the earpiece, taking it out slowly.

 

“I guess I don’t need this anymore,” she said.

 

“No, especially since you’re not leaving again,” he replied.

 

Alice smiled softly, gazing down at her fingers.

 

“Do you want me to take a look?” Tim asked, gesturing towards her face.

 

She shook her head, adamantly. She couldn’t stop the blush that crept up her neck and face.

 

“Are we going to talk about it?” Jason asked.

 

Alice burrowed her face into him, trying to ignore both the bright lights and Jason’s gaze concealed by the hood.

 

“Talk about what?” she murmured against his kevlar.

 

“Whatever that was,” he huffed.

 

Alice peeked up at him.

 

“Are you upset with me?” she poised.

 

Jason looked away, his grip lessening on her arms.

 

“I’ll go wait by the car,” Tim interjected, trying to cut through the tension.

 

Alice nodded and smiled at him before turning back towards Jason. She sat up, scooting off of his lap to face him.

 

“I’m not going to apologize for trying to help you,” she said, slowly.

 

“Help me? You just wanted to see your husband again,” he exclaimed.

 

“If that were the case, why would I take you here?”

 

Jason huffed, not looking at her.

 

“Jason, I need you to understand something,” she said, gripping at his arm.

 

He turned to look down at her.

 

“It’s not a competition, so don’t act like it. That’s not what I need from you right now,” Alice spoke.

 

Jason narrowed his eyes, the tension rising and falling from his chest.

 

“What if this is not what I need?” he asked.

 

“What isn’t?”

 

“You. Your husband, all of this shit,” he clarified.

 

Alice let go of him, eyes screwed with confusion.

 

“You said you wouldn’t blame me. That you didn’t,” she accused.

 

“You make it very difficult, Alice, when you practically mew in his presence,” Jason hissed.

 

Alice began to stand, ignoring when Jason’s hand gripped her ankle, shaking loose from his hold. She stepped away, looking down at him with her arms crossed.

 

“What do you think this is, Jason?” she asked.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

She sighed, staring into the white eyes of the mask.

 

“What do you expect is going to happen?” she reiterated.

 

“Hell, I don’t know, Alice. We’ll catch him. You’ll divorce him, you’ll stay with me,” he said, confidently.

 

Alice laughed, a disjointed sound.

 

“Divorce him, Jason?” she echoed.

 

Jason began to rise.

 

“Yes, Alice. You’re going to leave him,” he stated.

 

“And you’re not asking, I assume?”

 

“Fuck no. You’re not staying with that man. And I don’t know why you find that difficult to comprehend,” he replied, hotly.

 

He stepped into Alice’s space, looming over her. His wrath was electricity, pooling off of his shoulders.

 

“Are you jealous?” she wondered, trying but failing to conceal the lack of her indifference, and in turn, exposing the abundance of her amusement.

 

“Yes, Alice. This isn’t funny. You promised me you would be mine,” he reminded.

 

Alice quirked her brow.

 

“I remember making vows to him, too,” she countered.

 

She gasped as Jason’s hand gripped her chin, painfully.

 

“Where is he now, sweetheart? He left, didn’t he? He left you here, all alone, for me to have,” his tone was deceptively sweet.

 

Alice felt a chill climb its way up her spine.

 

“You’re going to stop calling him your husband, okay? Because he’s not anymore. And you’re going to stop going back to him,” he commanded.

 

He lifted Alice’s jaw up, forcing her to look at the brow of the helmet. His other hand grasped her left hand, splaying the fingers out, slowly lifting the incognito wedding band off of her middle finger.

 

Alice tried desperately to struggle, to make him stop. But he didn’t; he only held onto her firmer, pulling the ring off completely.

 

“No, stop, give it back,” she cried, her face screwed tightly together within his grasp.

 

“You don’t need this anymore,” he said, depositing the ring in his pocket.

 

Tears poured down Alice’s face, pooling in the wrinkles of Jason’s gloves. She tasted salt and iron, the once dried blood now pouring into her mouth, diluted by her tears.

 

“Jason,” she cried, again, but he didn’t react.

 

He let go of her face, only to lift her by her waist, tossing her over his shoulder with a thud. All of the softness, all of the pretenses of gentleness, were now forgotten, and Alice could only see Jason as the man before her; the Red Hood.

 

She cried onto his jacket as he began carrying her towards the edge of the cave, before banging her fists against his back in a panicked fury. He faltered, before wrapping his arm around her midsection even tighter, knocking the wind out of her.

 

When Alice realized that wouldn’t work, she began screaming and kicking, anything to get him to misstep, to release her. Jason grunted beneath her, patting her side harshly to placate her. The effort was for nothing, and Alice continued her screaming.

 

The pair reached the edge of the cave, standing on the windy shore. Alice knew her skirt must have lifted in the wind, but she couldn’t be bothered to care. Her hair flapped in her face, covering her vision, yet she heard footsteps approach.

 

“Red,” Batman called from behind them.

 

Alice stopped her crying, falling lifeless in Jason’s grasp. She pushed the hair out of her face to see Dick and Bruce standing in front of her. Jason turned halfway.

 

“Did you find him?” he asked.

 

Dick shook his head, eyes never leaving Alice.

 

“Put her down,” Bruce commanded.

 

Jason scoffed, turning forward again, resuming the march to the bike. Alice hit his back again, aware that Dick and Bruce were watching.

 

“Tell me when you’ve found him,” Jason grunted over his other shoulder.

 

Bruce and Dick followed closely behind, Bruce’s jaw ticking beneath the cowl.

 

“Red. Put her down,” he repeated, striding to close the distance.

 

He grasped Jason’s shoulder, spinning him around, but Jason’s grip never wavered on Alice.

 

“Why? So she can run back to him?” he scoffed.

 

Dick reached them, obviously unsure of what to do, positioning himself next to where Jason held Alice.

 

“I told you this is not how you’re supposed to handle this. Give her to me,” Bruce stated, stepping into Jason’s space.

 

Alice couldn’t see, despite her craning her neck. She only made eye contact with Dick, who merely frowned at her.

 

“She’s not yours, back off,” Jason growled, adjusting her in the crook of his elbow.

 

“She’s not a thing to be had,” Bruce countered.

 

“I’m taking her,” Jason said.

 

Alice’s eyes climbed down Jason’s side, upside down, until they met the holster. She softly reached down, clicking the holster open. Dick noticed, tensing, but didn’t react. She met his eyes as she quickly snatched the gun from its place.

 

Jason noticed immediately, reaching to stop her hand from pulling it out, but it was too late. He all but dropped her as he reached for the other holster, pulling the gun out, but stopping as he heard his pistol cock.

 

She held it to his helmet, knowing it would do no damage, but the threat remained.

 

Dick reached for his sticks, but didn’t draw them. Bruce, as far as Alice could tell, remained motionless.

 

“Alice,” he warned.

 

She laughed, lightly.

 

“Give it back,” she repeated.

 

When Jason didn’t move, Dick spoke up.

 

“Give what back?”

 

Jason turned his head to look at Nightwing. He reached in his pocket, holding it up for him to see.

 

“Her wedding ring?” Dick asked.

 

“Why did you take it from her?” Bruce interjected, but made no move. He simply studied Alice.

 

“She’s not married to that asshole anymore,” Jason replied.

 

“I’m not divorced and I won’t,” Alice hissed through her teeth.

 

Jason looked up at her, the gun resting in the center of his forehead.

 

“You will.”

 

Alice shook her head, frantically. She looked down to where he held the ring.

 

“You’re not getting this back. Shoot me, I don’t care,” he grunted.

 

Alice paused, considering. She removed the gun from the helmet, and as Jason began to rise from his kneeling position, she turned the gun on herself. She propped it beneath her chin, the safety off, her finger resting above the trigger.

 

At this movement, Bruce reacted, stepping forward, nearly tossing Jason aside. Both Jason and Dick scrambled, leaving Alice surrounded by the three men.

 

“Drop it, Alice,” Bruce demanded, stretching his gloved hand out.

 

“Give me the ring,” she said, meeting Bruce’s eyes, defiantly.

 

Jason neared her side, and Alice made the mistake of glancing at him. In that moment of vulnerability, Bruce kneed Alice in the stomach, causing her to collapse, the gun falling to her feet. He swiftly picked it up, half-cocked it, and unloaded the magazine.

 

“Fuck,” Alice groaned, doubling in on herself. She laughed, the salty wind stinging her eyes.

 

Bruce stepped back, assessing Alice with calculating eyes. Dick reached for her, resting a hand on her shoulder. Jason turned his back, retrieving his gun.

 

“Give it to her,” Bruce said, glancing back at Jason.

 

“Fuck no,” he responded, curtly.

 

Bruce stepped towards Jason once more, gripping his shoulder.

 

“Are we going to do this again, old man?” Jason taunted.

 

“Don’t make me. Not in front of her,” Bruce pleaded.

 

“Alice, are you okay?” Dick whispered, but Alice ignored him, fixated on the pair in front of her.

 

“Give the ring back to her and maybe I’ll let you anywhere near her again,” Bruce offered.

 

“What’s that supposed to mean? You’re the one who just punched her in the gut,” Jason scoffed.

 

Alice smiled, her hand grasping the flesh where Bruce had attacked. In some way, she knew he had desired to do so, from the moment Alice had stepped into the cave, if only to stop her.

 

“Not the first time I’ve had to intervene with her attempting to kill herself, Red. You can think she’s bluffing all you want, but I know she wasn’t.”

 

Alice huffed, causing Bruce to throw her a glance.

 

“Is that how this is? She’d rather shoot herself than be without her stupid husband?” Jason remarked, pushing past Bruce to approach Alice.

 

Alice didn’t miss the way Dick’s arms raised instinctively to protect her.

 

“Tell me, Alice. Were you going to do it?” he asked, kneeling before her.

 

Alice bared her teeth at him.

 

“Give it back,” she echoed, again.

 

Jason cocked his head to the side, gazing down at her.

 

“Here’s how this works, princess,” he sneered, “I’m taking you back with me. You’re not going to complain, at all, do you understand? You’re not going to mention him, once. You’re going to be a good girl and behave, won’t you? And if you’re on your best behavior, maybe I’ll give it back.”

 

“You’re not taking her,” Bruce called, from behind.

 

“But you’re not going to need that ring anymore, you see. I’ll give you one of my own,” he continued, ignoring Bruce.

 

He reached for Alice, to presumably grasp her face, but Dick raised his arms, shielding her from him.

 

“Seriously? Fuck off,” Jason warned.

 

Dick didn’t move.

 

”You need to check yourself, right now,” Dick muttered.

 

Jason stood, looking down at Alice.

 

“Alice. Is that what you want?” Jason asked.

 

Alice furrowed her brow.

 

“Of course it isn’t what she wants,” Bruce answered, stepping between Jason and where Dick shielded Alice.

 

“Answer,” Jason said, looking over Bruce.

 

Dick met her eyes, puzzled at her hesitation. Alice sighed, moving to stand, staggering up, her hand clutching her abdomen.

 

“What’s my other option?” she asked, directed at Bruce.

 

Bruce looked over at her, eyes warily observing her condition.

 

“You’re not going back, if that’s what you’re asking. I’d take you back to the manor, and you’re not leaving this time,” he answered.

 

Alice nodded, considering her choices.

 

“Are you just going to come to the manor if I choose that?” Alice asked Jason.

 

“Obviously,” he scoffed.

 

“I won’t let him hurt you,” Bruce said.

 

“Hurt her? Jesus, I’m not going to lay a hand on her,” Jason huffed.

 

Dick and Bruce exchanged glances, unsure.

 

“Alice, let’s get you back and cleaned up,” Dick said, standing with her.

 

“Did you really not find him?” she asked, quietly.

 

Dick shook his head, offering her a reassuring smile.

 

“But we managed to dismantle the toxin bomb he had, so you helped,” he said.

 

Alice smiled, unconvincingly, nodding her head.

 

“Red, ride back on your own,” Bruce called, resting a hand on Alice’s elbow, guiding her to the vehicle.

 

Jason shrugged, turning away from the trio. They reached the car, where Tim leaned on it unassuming.

 

“Alice, what happened?” he asked, observing Alice’s current physicality.

 

She shook her head, allowing Bruce to sweep her off of her feet, resting her in the passenger seat of the Batmobile. Dick and Tim climbed in the back, exchanging quiet words. Alice couldn’t find the strength to listen, instead gazing out of the tinted window.

 

She startled, halfway through the drive, as Bruce rested a hand on her leg, somewhere between her knee and her thigh. She blushed, glancing up at him.

 

“It’s going to be okay,” he whispered.

 

Alice smiled, softly, knowing it was nothing but a lie.

Chapter 14: you taste like new flesh

Summary:

Chapter Title: Jericho by Sleep Token

 

sorry for the delay -- spring break and all of that. we're nearing the end! don't worry though - it won't be the last i post of alice!

The water of the shower pounded harshly against Alice’s flesh, stinging her in all of her bruises at just the right angle to hurt but to also comfort. She basked in the heat of the steam, taking her time in disentangling the knots from her wild hair.

 

The water washed off a near pink hue, the blood crusted to her face melting off in the warmth. Her bones felt tired in a way they hadn’t in so long, not since the initial trials of her and her husband’s toxin.

 

Jonathan.

 

Alice remembered, for a brief moment, panicking slightly. She wondered, although she couldn't admit she also hoped, that he had admitted he loved her. She suspected it could have merely been a manipulation, but she also suspected she wasn’t supposed to hear it.

 

That left her towing a dangerously thing line, between pleasure and misery, between Jonathan’s wrath and his love.

 

Yet, Alice knew, he wasn’t the only one brewing resentment in regards to her. 

 

She hadn’t seen Jason since Bruce whisked her away from the shores of the asylum, and she couldn’t discern whether she felt disappointment or relief in his absence. 

 

Alice was afraid of him, something he hadn’t managed to accomplish up until that point. It was exhilarating in all of the ways it shouldn’t be, but Alice still felt that blossom of anxiety when she anticipated his return.

 

She pushed the glass shower door open, tugging a black knit robe tight around her figure. She flicked the lights off, listening to the soft hum of electricity, as she exited the bathroom.

 

Bruce sat on his master bed, his hands cascading around his face. He perked up when he saw her, eyes trailing from her wet hair to the BW embroidered on his robe. 

 

“Um,” she said, unsure. 

 

Bruce had changed from the armored suit, wearing simply a black t-shirt and sweats. His face had grease or dirt of some sort on it, surrounding his eyes. He looked entirely worn down.

 

“Alice,” he greeted, rising from the bed.

 

She wasn’t exactly thrilled about her current situation, and she definitely wasn’t when Bruce initially informed her that she would have to share his room for the time being. She would have almost rather stay with Jason, but she knew that was out of the question. 

 

“You look better,” he complimented, walking towards her. The mahogany floorboards creaked with each step, filling the silence.

 

“You look like you could use a nap,” Alice replied.

 

Bruce smiled appreciatively down at her, raising his hand to reach for her, before thinking better of it and letting the arm drop awkwardly between them. He cleared his throat.

 

“I know this isn’t exactly ideal, Alice. But I can’t risk you leaving. Or doing something,” he apologized. 

 

Alice nodded, understanding. 

 

“I wasn’t going to do it,” she murmured, after a beat.

 

Bruce sighed, tapping his foot before ultimately deciding to raise his arm again, tucking a wet strand of hair behind Alice’s cheek. Heat flushed up her nape.

 

“It’s okay, Alice. You don’t have to explain yourself to me,” he said, softly. 

 

Alice, inexplicably, felt tears well up behind her eyes, and did her best to blink them away. One escaped, despite her efforts, trailing down her cheek. Bruce brushed it away with his thumb, slotting his hand behind her ear.

 

“I understand why you feel the need to hold on to your husband. I also understand why you're afraid of Jason. It’s conflicting and contradictory, how your mind bounces back and forth between who’s right and who’s wrong,” Bruce spoke.

 

Alice shut her eyes, uncomfortable with the certainty behind his words.

 

“But you know me, Alice. I won’t change for you. I haven’t changed, in your mind, since the moment we met. Tell me, do you remember anything before then?” he asked.

 

Alice paused, searching her mind for a memory. Any memory before the rooftop that night. She couldn’t even recall the blank faces of her parents that used to torment her sleep.

 

She shook her head, looking down at their feet.

 

“That’s what I thought. So don’t worry, Alice. You trust me, I know you do. So trust me when I tell you that I will protect you, no matter what you decide,” Bruce promised.

 

Alice looked up at him, searching his blue eyes for something, but she wasn’t sure what.

 

“Why?” she croaked.

 

“Why what, sweetheart?” he echoed.

 

“Why are you okay with it? With me?” she managed.

 

He guided her, gently, to the bed, sitting down next to her. Alice remembered she wore nothing except for the robe, and could almost feel the lack of Bruce’s sight on her pale skin. 

 

“Because it isn’t your choice, Alice. You think it is, but deep down, you’re bound to your will and your desire. I understand because I am the same way,” he answered, without shame.

 

Alice looked over at where his hand rested on her waist, his thumb lazily drawing circles in the fabric of the robe.

 

“How do you overcome it?” she questioned.

 

Bruce laughed, looking down at his lap. His matte black hair fell in front of his eyes, and Alice wondered how she never realized how beautiful he was before.

 

“I did, for a while. But the fact that you’re here right now means that I have failed,” he replied, honestly.

 

Alice parted her lips, confused.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Bruce grasped her hands in his, eyes boring into her skull. She met his gaze with hesitance. 

 

“I struggle, Alice. With my desires. My desire to protect you, most of all,” he said, vaguely.

 

“Why would that be a problem?” she wondered.

 

“I don’t mean it like that, Alice. I mean that I want to keep you, like your husband or Jason did,” he restated. 

 

Alice looked down at his firm hands gently holding her soft ones, and felt a flutter in her stomach of unexplained origin. 

 

“Jason and I aren’t together,” she attempted, lamely.

 

“Then what are you? You’ve slept together, I know that,” Bruce asked.

 

Alice blushed, having forgotten that Bruce was aware of all of Alice’s dealings for the past few days.

 

“I don’t know. I’m not sure anymore,” she muttered.

 

Bruce nodded, caressing her fingers gently. 

 

“You don’t have to listen to him, Alice. You don’t have to go near him, either.”

 

Alice scoffed, looking back towards the bathroom door, contemplating escape.

 

“He hasn’t returned yet, has he?” she asked.

 

Bruce clicked his tongue, shaking his head.

 

“You worked him up quite a bit. It might be a while,” he answered.

 

“Is he ever going to forgive me?” 

 

“Yes. I’d even wager he’s angrier at himself, or your husband, than you,” Bruce replied, immediately.

 

“I’m upset with him,” she admitted.

 

“I know, Alice. You have every right to be. He threatened you and stole something important to you.”

 

“You’re the one that actually harmed me,” Alice said, but there was no heat to her words.

 

“Do you care?” Bruce asked, delicately.

 

Alice laughed, watching a smile tug at his lips.

 

“I didn’t think so. You’re not the type to shy away from violence,” he teased.

 

“And you don’t mind? That you hurt me?” Alice implored.

 

“No, not for a few reasons. You tried to hurt yourself, and I know you savor the pain. Besides, that was far easier than this,” Bruce answered, gesturing towards where his hands connected with hers.

 

“Than what? Being gentle?” Alice clarified.

 

“No, dear. Restraining myself,” he breathed.

 

Alice felt that familiar heat climb her face, gnawing her lip. 

 

“Why am I here? And not with Dick?” Alice asked, suddenly.

 

Bruce huffed, the warmth of his breath dancing in the air between them.

 

“Would you rather be with him?” 

 

Alice shook her head, mutely.

 

“Then don’t worry about it, Alice. I won’t do anything, I promise,” he vowed.

 

She arched her brow up at him, challenging.

 

“Why not?”

 

“You’re married, for one. You’re kind of with my adopted son, for another. And you’re fifteen years younger than me,” he explained.

 

“Would any of that stop you?” she inquired.

 

He laughed, shaking his head, causing more of his hair to fall into his eyes.

 

“You underestimate me, Alice. Regardless, I wouldn’t do anything unless you were committed to it. And I know you’re not, not now at least.”

 

“Because of Jason?”

 

“Because of Crane. You went off the rails after Jason took your ring. It’s safe to assume you’re still somewhat aligned with him,” he answered.

 

“That doesn’t bother you?”

 

He sighed, removing one of his hands to place it on her shoulder, pulling her to look up at him.

 

“I don’t think you’ll ever be free of him, even if we catch him. You’re his creation, after all,” Bruce remarked.

 

“Am I? Truly?” Alice pressed.

 

“You’re not mine, at least. You certainly aren’t Jason’s.”

 

Alice looked away, watching the light flicker from the lamp on his nightstand. 

 

“Don’t worry about it, sweetheart. We are going to catch him, and you can choose to help or not. But, you are going to have to stay here.”

 

“And why is that? To protect me?” she spat. 

 

“God, no, Alice. I’m not foolish enough to not understand that you’re the dangerous one, not him,” Bruce laughed.

 

Alice met his eyes and couldn’t help but share a smile.

 

“A prisoner?” she asked.

 

“Mine, this time,” he replied.

 

Alice swallowed. Somehow, in some dark corner of her psyche, something purred that this is what she had truly wanted, since the Batman had embraced her on her fall. 

 

~

 

Alice slept soundly, or as soundly as she could with a vigilante sleeping next to her. He had, fortunately, opted to sleep on the floor, but she was still too aware of his presence.

 

She was tempted to sneak out, but she knew Bruce could tell when she even just thought about it, so in the end, she decided against it. The morning came with thick bands of light illuminating the room, and Alice wondered if the Batman was allowed nights off.

 

“Bruce,” she whispered, arching herself over to glance at the floor.

 

He was already awake, his head resting in his hand, gazing up at Alice with unblinking eyes.

 

“Sleep well?” he asked, his voice hoarse from lack of use. 

 

Alice’s stomach flipped despite her wish against it.

 

“Did you?” she echoed.

 

He lifted his head out of his palm, tilting it to the side.

 

“Better than usual, surprisingly,” he surmised.

 

Alice nodded, slowly. She wiped the sleep from her eyes, watching as the sleeves of the robe fell with the movement. Then, she noticed the skin of her chest peaking out, but not enough to expose anything. 

 

She hurriedly wrapped the robe tighter around herself, Bruce’s eyes cutting through her. Alice looked back towards him just in time to watch him swallow, thickly. 

 

“Alfred should be done with breakfast,” he commented, his eyes stuck to her torso. 

 

She cleared her throat, and Bruce’s eyes climbed their way to her face.

 

“Shall we go?” he asked, somewhat stiffly.

 

Alice nodded, pulling the blanket off of her. Bruce's eyes trained themselves to her body, climbing up her legs to where her thighs poked out of the robe. Alice watched him, rising slowly, as to prevent the robe from hiking up any further. He seemed almost disappointed. 

 

“Jason hasn’t returned, as far as I’m aware,” he said, after a moment.

 

Alice stepped off of the bed, glancing down at him. She hadn’t noticed he had slept without a shirt on, and the sheet he had slept under was discarded next to him. She tried to not pay attention to the way the light glistened off of his skin. 

 

She stood, uncomfortably, in the middle of his room, looking down at her own attire. Bruce noticed her, tossing a grin as he pulled his shirt over his shoulder. Alice desperately tried to rip her eyes away from his muscles as he strained them, but failed miserably.

 

“I’ll grab you something to wear. It’s not going to fit though,” he called as he turned towards the master closet.

 

He stepped inside, rummaging around, before walking out with a shirt and a pair of sweatpants. He tossed them to Alice, and she held onto them, pausing for a moment. Her eyes wandered to the bathroom door, and Bruce’s gaze followed.

 

“You can change in there if you’d rather,” he suggested, although the tone implied he expected her not to.

 

She mulled over the options for a moment, before turning her back. 

 

“Don’t peek,” she squeaked, causing a laugh from Bruce. She began shrugging the rob off.

 

“Nothing I haven’t seen before,” he muttered, causing Alice to whip her head back to him, the robe falling around her arms.

 

“What do you mean?” she asked, attempting to cover her chest.

 

“What, you thought Jason was the only one to watch you?” he asked, his back turned to her. 

 

Alice gnawed her lip.

 

“Yeah, I guess so,” she replied.

 

Bruce looked at her, over his shoulder. Alice blushed, aware.

 

“Unlike him, I know how not to be seen. But it wasn’t that big of a deal. I just checked up on you every now and then,” he explained.

 

“Why did you pretend to not know Jonathan and I were married?” Alice wondered, pulling the robe completely off. She wasn’t sure if he was still watching, and she didn’t know which she preferred.

 

“To let you think you had the upper hand. I also didn’t want to embarrass you.”

 

Alice pulled his shirt over her head, almost painfully conscious of his smell on the fabric.

 

“Was it hard for you? All of these years, pretending you didn’t know me or my secrets?” she questioned.

 

Bruce moved behind her, the floorboards giving him away. 

 

“Yes, Alice. And it only became more difficult the closer you became to Jason and Dick. You were here, in my home, with or without your husband, and I had to act like I didn’t know what happened behind closed doors,” he confessed.

 

Alice finished pulling the sweatpants on, cognizant of the fact she was without underwear, but didn’t linger on that detail. 

 

She turned to face him, noting that he was completely turned towards her, seemingly having watched her dress. 

 

“Why didn’t you do something about it?” she asked, stepping closer.

 

He looked down at her, taking in the sight of her in his clothes. Something flickered in his cerulean eyes.

 

“It wasn’t my place. I failed, when I took you to Arkham. I should have brought you here, but I didn’t want to ruin your life anymore. I now know that I should have, otherwise we wouldn’t be in this mess,” he grumbled.

 

“What, are you against female wards?” she joked.

 

Bruce’s gaze hardened.

 

“No, but I wouldn’t trust myself if you were here,” he admitted.

 

Alice swallowed, sheepishly turning away.

 

“We should go down,” he advised, curtly. 

 

Alice nodded, following as he pushed the wooden door open, stepping out into the hallway. The pair descended the grand stairwell, parking in a large, sunlit dining room. Dick sat at the end, tablet in one hand, coffee in the other. He perked up when he saw Alice, tossing her a smile.

 

Tim sat across from him, eyes glued to his phone. Alice rounded the table, slotting herself next to Dick. 

 

“Feeling better?” Dick asked, gently.

 

Alice nodded, offering a subtle smile.

 

“You look better,” Tim provided, from across the table.

 

“Thanks,” she muttered, somewhat unsure.

 

Bruce made his way behind her chair, resting his arms on the top of it. Alice could feel his heat.

 

“No sign of Jay yet?” Dick asked.

 

Bruce shook his head, gazing down at Alice’s crown.

 

“He’ll be back, sooner or later. He wouldn’t leave her here, I don’t think,” Bruce replied.

 

“Are we going to talk about it?” Tim interjected.

 

All three stared at him, expectantly. 

 

“What he did? The way he treated her?” he clarified.

 

“He was out of line, and I’ll remind him of that,” Bruce said, mystifying. 

 

“I don’t know if I’d really trust him around her right now. Sorry, Alice,” Dick sympathized. 

 

“It’s okay. I doubt he’d actually hurt me,” Alice butt in.

 

The three men froze, sharing a look. Alice couldn't interpret it. 

 

“Has he told you about what happened to him?” Dick questioned.

 

Alice shook her head.

 

“Then I’d wave your belief in him, for right now. He can’t always control it,” he continued.

 

“Well, whatever he’d do wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen to me,” she said, abashed. 

 

Dick groaned, turning away.

 

“That’s not exactly a good thing,” he muttered. 

 

Alice looked up and behind her at Bruce, who tilted his head down to smile at her. He rested a hand on her shoulder, squeezing. 

 

“Nothing will happen, so don’t worry,” he assured.

 

Alice gnawed on her lip, looking down at her hands in her lap. Bruce kept his hand on her shoulder, gently massaging. 

 

“Would you like some coffee?” Tim asked, gesturing towards Alfred who held a pot.

 

Alice nodded softly, watching as the brown liquid poured into the glass mug. Alfred smiled at her, and Alice allowed it to comfort her. 

 

Bruce bent closer to her, whispering in her ear.

 

“You don’t have to help us. You can just sit this one out, if you’d like.”

 

Alice lifted the glass, swirling it, watching the bubbles circle around the rim.

 

“Is that what you want?” she asked, lowly, so only Bruce could hear.

 

He titled his head, left to right. 

 

“Yes and no. I’d appreciate your help, but I’m not exactly sure I want you close to Crane again,” he replied.

 

Alice turned to look up at him, their faces inches apart. She stared, resolutely, in his eyes, conscious of the others’ presence. 

 

“Am I never going to see him again?” she wondered.

 

Bruce opened his mouth, but closed it again. When he opened it to finally speak, all four people whipped their head around as the door pushed open, loud enough for them to hear from the other room.

 

Bruce rose immediately, marching to position himself between Alice and the door. Jason sauntered it, eyes snapping to Alice as soon as he entered the room. The silence was palpable, tension waiting to be severed with a knife.

 

“Jesus,” he muttered, hands in the pockets of his cargo pants. 

 

Alice swallowed, glancing up at Bruce to gauge his reaction. He narrowed his eyes.

 

“Jason,” Bruce greeted.

 

Dick looked at Alice, trying to discern her comfortability. 

 

“You don’t have to treat me like a loaded gun, guys. I’m fine,” Jason affirmed. 

 

Alice shifted in her seat, unsure of what she should do. She met Jason’s eyes after a moment, and couldn’t stop the hitch in her breath.

 

“C’mere,” he said, directed at her.

 

Alice watched as Bruce’s fist clenched at his side, but he made no move to stop her as she rose from her seat. She stepped, tentatively, towards the entrance of the dining room, placing enough distance between her and the man.

 

He stepped closer, into her space, causing Bruce to inhale sharply behind her. 

 

”Alice,” Jason murmured, quietly. 

 

He raised his hand, gently lifting Alice’s chin up. He turned her face side to side, observing her.

 

“He didn't leave much of a mark,” he commented, thumb gliding over the slightly bruised skin on her cheekbone. 

 

His other hand reached out for her, pressing her abdomen lightly, causing Alice to whimper.

 

“Jason,” Bruce warned. 

 

The man let out a breathy chuckle, smiling down at Alice.

 

“Bruce sure did, though,” he remarked. 

 

Alice felt the inkling of a smile tease her lips, and she witnessed a sparkle cloud Jason’s irises. 

 

“Are you going to lose your shit if I take her for a moment?” Jason asked, his hand still caressing her cheek. 

 

Alice didn’t turn to face Bruce, but she could feel the anxiety buzzing off of the man. 

 

“Just a moment,” Bruce conceded, sighing.

 

Jason grinned, his canines tugging at his lips. His hand left Alice’s face to rest on her waist, guiding her away to a nearby study. He slipped them inside, shutting the door behind him. He sat in a velvet armchair, pulling Alice into his lap. She felt stiff with anticipation, and a slight tang of fear.

 

“Did I scare you?” Jason whispered, into her ear.

 

Alice shivered. 

 

“You can be honest, princess.”

 

Alice nodded, timidly. 

 

“Will you give it back?” she asked, after a beat.

 

Jason laughed, a nearly harsh bark.

 

“I promised you that you wouldn’t need it anymore,” he replied.

 

Alice wrenched her face, turning to look him squarely. 

 

“I want it back,” she insisted.

 

Jason sighed, rolling his pale blue eyes. 

 

“Would you take one from me?” he asked, instead.

 

She gnawed on her lip. 

 

“I’m not ready for that, Jason. I don’t even know what we are,” she expressed. 

 

“What, don’t want to jump into marriage with me?” Jason teased, but there was an edge to his tone. 

 

“What is this, Jason?” Alice repeated.

 

He exhaled, sliding his hand underneath her shirt, gently rubbing circles against her ribs. 

 

“I just want you to be mine. I don’t want you to worry about him again. I hate it when you speak of him, when you’re near him,” he gritted out. 

 

Alice sighed, leaning closer to him. He welcomed her against his shoulder, resting her head on his collarbone. 

 

“It’s more complicated than what you think,” she whispered.

 

“I know, baby. But it doesn’t have to be. Move in with me,” Jason pleaded.

 

Alice lifted her hand to play with the collar of his jacket. 

 

“Bruce wouldn’t let that happen. They think you’re going to hurt me,” she pointed out.

 

Jason squeezed her side. 

 

“I know. I was out of line, and I’m sorry. But you don’t need to be afraid of me, Alice. I promise I am nothing like Crane,” he swore.

 

Alice glanced up at him, looking at the sharp angle of his jaw.

 

“Don’t apologize, Jay. Not when you were just getting interesting.”

 

Jason let out a half-gasp, half-chuckle. 

 

“What is it with you and fear? Is it because of him?” he questioned. 

 

Alice mulled it over. 

 

“Not exactly, or not that I am aware of. I’ve always been like this, or at least I should have been for him to find me.” 

 

“You said you don't have a normal reaction to fear,” Jason remembered.

 

She smiled, raising a hand up the back of his nape to play with the small hairs there. 

 

“Have you figured it out yet?” 

 

Jason huffed, straining his face to look down at her. 

 

”I hope Bruce doesn’t know,” he joked.

 

Alice rolled her eyes. 

 

“He does, he knows everything.” 

 

Jason laughed, squeezing Alice against him. 

 

“Well, I’m not going to lie or sugarcoat it, baby. I’ll do it again. I’ll fuck up, over and over, but I’m selfish. I’m not good for you, and I don’t care,” he stated, suddenly serious. 

 

“At least you own up to it,” Alice responded, trying to alleviate the solemness. 

 

“I meant what I said before, Alice. I don’t want you going back to him ever again. For your sake, and for mine. You don’t really have a choice, honestly.”

 

Alice gulped down the threat. 

 

“Then what are we? Can you at least answer that before I agree to anything?” she asked.

 

“It’s too late for you to agree or not, doll. I’ve tasted you and I can’t go back,” he purred, his hand groping up her side, squeezing the soft flesh of her chest.

 

Alice gasped lightly, adjusting herself, only to feel his hips roll into her thighs. 

 

“But you’re mine. I’m serious when I said you’ll be getting a ring from me. I won’t push it on you yet, but expect it,” he continued. 

 

“And in the meantime?” Alice pressed.

 

“I’ll stay here with you, at the manor. We’ll wrap all of this up, and you’ll come back with me to my place. Since you’ve already involved yourself with us, I’m sure we can work something out. But I’ll protect you, and you don’t have to do anything you won’t want to. Hell, you don’t have to work,” he said. 

 

“Do you really think we could just play house?” she wondered. 

 

“Are you going to be able to handle it?” he rebutted. 

 

Alice eyed him curiously. 

 

“If you promise to tell me everything, especially what you don’t want to.”

 

Jason parted his lips, quirking his brow. 

 

“Sure thing, sugar. But don’t go running away on me. I’ll just catch you,” he purred.

 

Alice laughed into his neck, the familiarity and newness of it all allowing a certain quietness to seep into her mind. She was thankful for it, but something buzzed at the back of her skull, warning her. 

 

She swallowed down that fear, allowing herself to feel peace for the first time in years.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of batman collection