[RL - Waiting up late for Batman, backdated to the 4th]

[tntandgasoline]

It wasn't like the Joker to return to the scene of one of his videos - at least, not so soon after making it. Tonight, though, was a special occasion. The Batman, as far as the Joker was concerned, had gotten the message just as he was supposed to, and if he knew the fly-by-night vigilante (and he did), the man would be arriving at the scene of the crime very shortly to look for clues.

He'd almost stayed in the George Washington getup that he had worn for the video, but he'd had to go to the hideout to pick up some last minute supplies and that wig had been itchy, so he traded the costume back in for his normal clothing.

Now, he was just waiting on the rooftop, looking over the dying flames of the explosion he'd caused, smoke still floating in the air from the fireworks. He'd used too much gunpowder - all right, he'd have to fix that.

Waiting was always so boring.

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The knife caught in the Batman's leg and he howled, jerking away and stumbling backwards, dropping the Joker in the process as the knife tore back out of his flesh, leaving an unpleasant tear in the material between plates of Kevlar armor. It wasn't a particularly damaging wound, but it had gone deep into the muscle tissue. He'd need stitches. Rugby, again, he could already hear Bruce saying. There was no chance of getting an injury like that in Rugby, but no one would ask twice.

"I'm sure you'll forgive me for not taking your opinion into deep consideration," he hissed, coming forward again to throw another punch.

[tntandgasoline]

This time, the Joker decided to spice things up and duck away from the fist, putting up his fists in a melodramatic display of a drunken boxer. "You know what they say about the seed of doubt? Once you plant it, it's a pain to get out." And it had most definitely been planted. If it hadn't, the Batman was just crazy about beating people up. "You're a sadist, aren't you?"

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He didn't want to answer that. No, he was not a sadist, was the indignant response that Bruce was begging to throw out but Batman wouldn't have that. That was pedantic and defensive and too much Bruce Wayne and too little Batman. The line was getting thinner and thinner.

"You bring out the worst in me." That, he was certain, was something the Joker wanted to hear, but it was beginning to look more and more like the truth. "But not even you can make me doubt what I'm doing. I'm going to save this city from the likes of you." He followed this up with another punch aimed at his head, this time followed up quickly with a knee toward his solarplexes, apparently hoping that he'd be too busy blocking his face to dodge the knee.

[tntandgasoline]

"I get that a lot," he drawled, "And I think you mean the likes of us." He managed to get away from the fist to the face but the knee to his gut - not so lucky. With a grunt, he dropped to one knee and made an undignified snorting noise, spitting out blood. "I think you chipped a tooth!" he exclaimed, looking more horrified by that than anything else that night.

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"Good." He rested one foot - the one from the injured leg - on Joker's shoulder and kicked, pushing him over backwards. Even Batman got to the point where he wasn't above kicking a man when he's down. "I'm not like you. We're talking in circles. It's time for you to go."

[tntandgasoline]

That was enough of that. If he wanted to get the shit beaten out of him - well, he had Harvey to do that. Still floating on air from the spectacular show earlier, the Joker came to realize that this whole fight was just filler. The Batman wasn't up for doing what he needed to and the Joker - well, he wasn't up for goading him any more.

He twisted and rolled onto his stomach after the blow, shoving himself up and taking a few hop-skips back, away from the Batman. "You know what, you're right." He held out his hands, "All we ever do is talk in circles. Our relationship really needs to broaden but you're not ready for that. Don't worry, though, I'm a patient guy!" He giggled, "I don't need you to put out on the first few dates."

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That wasn't right. Why did Joker sound like he was the one controlling the situation? "You'll need that patience where you're going." He advanced on Joker, trying to corner him without accidentally backing him off the building. That would definitely be considered breaking his rule. "But, not for the reasons you're talking about." He moved to try and grab him - the best thing he could do was to try and knock him unconscious while Batman took him to Arkham.

[tntandgasoline]

The Joker put his hands to his mouth, looking obviously insincere as he trembled in terror at the Batman's approach, stepping back to the edge of the roof. "Oh, no! I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, aren't I? Whatever will you do to me, Batman?" He held out his hands, pleadingly, "You aren't gonna beat me up, are you?"

Then he laughed and threw out his arms, "Oh, wait, too late for that. You know, it's been really fun, but I think I left the stove on and you know how Harvey is with fires. Better go check in on him."

With that, he spun on his foot and promptly took a great big step out into the open air. Oh, escape plans.

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Concern never crossed the Batman's face - even if Joker hit the ground from this height and cracked his skull, he'd feel no guilt. It would be ruled a suicide. He stepped to the edge and peered over after Joker had disappeared, just in time to see him going in the window of the building. He'd be gone by the time the Batman reached that floor, though. He swore under his breath, cloak swishing as he turned around dramatically, going to make a more productive use of his time and maybe vent some frustration over the Joker's escape before he called it a night.