I'm not sure how long this story will run. Basically until my love of Batjokes dies down. lol As stated in the summary it also won't be like a traditional story, more a series of drabbles that flow in chronological order but don't have a big arc going. I mean, things will develop, but not the way they do in novels. Anyway, this one was inspired by a headcanon I saw on tumblr. Enjoy!

It is late at night as Batman sits in his living room, still suited up. Even now that he has a family he still prefers to run around like this. Some habits die hard, that's for sure. He has Titanic stuck in tonight because why not. He has yet to fix his sleep schedule either and moments like this, sitting alone in front of the tv, make him feel as if nothing has changed at all and he is once more all alone. He fidgets in his seat. He has a powerful urge to go and check on them, Richard in particular, but with a snort and a bit of chastising he presses the feeling below the surface. Still, he is not blind to how his restlessness inches upward because of his choice. If only he had someone here to distract him.

A crash and a thump punctuate his thoughts. He jumps in his skin and twists around, glaring into the darkness. What the heck? "Alfred?" He says with heavy suspicion. That sounded more like shattering glass than rummaging in the kitchen. But it was from the kitchen. He's sure.

In the next instant a long sigh seeps from the kitchen and a figure appears in the doorway.

Batman starts, going rigid. "Joker!" He narrows his eyes. "What the heck are you doing here?" When he speaks again his voice is low, a precaution against any potential eavesdroppers, "This is not what we agreed on. Tomorrow. To-mor-row."

Joker sighs again and meanders over to the couch. . "Oh, Batsy." He flops over the back of the couch, his fingertips dangling just above the seat cushions. "I just had to come."

"No you didn't." He crosses his arms. "Unless…" Fear sparks in his eyes.

Joker shakes his head. "No…nothing like that. No bombs, no fighting…" He yawns.

Batman blinks. "Well why not?" He puffs his lips out. "There have to be bombs. You know that!"

"I'm not so good…"

Batman's brows furrow and he tilts his head as he really takes in Joker's appearance. Purple rims his eyes, his face is creased with an unusual amount of lines, his expression is worn, and the light normally overflowing from his eyes is snuffed out. "What's wrong with you?" He frowns.

Joker shakes his head. "I haven't been able to sleep in days."

Batman raises a brow. "You've never had this problem before. At least you better not have!" he says indignantly. Otherwise he might not be as awesome as he thinks if Joker was only functioning at half capacity. Ha! As if.

Joker chuckles. "No, I mean, yeah, occasionally it'll happen, but Harley was always there to help me sleep."

"And…she's not now?" He makes a face. Did they get in a fight or something? Oh geez is he gonna have to play therapist? Please no.

"She'll be back. Just went out."

"Out?" Batman leaps to his feet, ready to spring into action.

Joker smiles. "Not that kind of out. No crime. Just spending time with Poison Ivy is all."

Batman narrows his eyes. "That just makes her even more suspicious." He sinks back onto the couch anyway.

Joker shrugs. "Well…she's been gone for almost a week now. And it hit me bad. Stupid insomnia."

"And you came here becaaaause…?"

"Company. It helps." He puts the extra effort into widening his eyes to stare pleadingly at Batman.

Batman snorts and jerks his head in the opposite direction. "Yeah sure whatever. But I hate this so much. It would just be boring to kick you out when you can barely walk straight."

Joker's smile spreads clear across his face. Hate. His heart flutters.

Batman glances at Joker from the corner of his eye. "And we're watching this movie and you just have to deal with it." He shakes his remote in the direction of the tv.

"Ooooh, Titanic." Joker pulls himself over the couch and slumps down, deep into the cushions.

For the next thirty minutes Batman's eyes flit to Joker every other second. He can't stop himself from thinking the guy will try something. Also, he does look pretty bad. What if he passes out and dies or something? It makes him almost as anxious as being alone, almost. He definitely isn't more anxious. Absolutely not.

Eventually he gets his mind off of Joker enough to focus on the movie. When the movie reaches the peak of chaos he turns to say something and the worry comes back full force.

Joker is bent over. He presses his fingers along the bridge of his nose and then along his temple, over and over again.

"Are you okay?" Batman watches Joker carefully.

"No, not really." He breathes deeply in and out. His mouth is way too watery and he has to swallow every few seconds. "It's really loud too."

Realization lights in Batman's eyes. "Oh, yeah." He hits the pause button. "Want some ibuprofen or something?" He stands in preparation.

"That'd be great."

Batman hurries to the kitchen. He rummages through the cabinets and after a few mumbled curses stumbles upon the medicine he wants. He nabs it along with a cup of water and heads to the living room. When he returns he sees that Joker isn't even bothering to sit up anymore.

Joker lays on his side with his legs curled up, one arm hanging off the side of the couch and one over his eyes.

Batman shifts from one foot to the other. "Um, hey." He nudges Joker. "Here's the stuff." He holds them out for Joker.

Joker props himself up on his elbow and holds his other hand out for the pills.

Batman drops the pills into his hand.

Joker throws the pills into his mouth and snatches for the water to help swallow them. He wishes the relief was instantaneous, but he doesn't have enough energy to trick his mind into overcoming matter.

Batman sinks back onto the couch, now less than an arm's length away from Joker.

"Hey," Joker says weakly. "Say something."

Batman makes a face. "What?"

Joker shrugs. "Harley rambles for me when I can't sleep. It's nice to hear a constant noise."

Batman snorts. "Last time I checked my voice is the exact opposite of soothing. No one wants to listen to this." He motions at himself.

"I like it," Joker says absently.

Batman jerks his gaze the opposite direction, his cheeks flushing beneath his mask. "Yeah, well, I don't like to talk." He crosses his arms. "So there."

Joker frowns. "Yeah, alright."

Batman peeks from the corner of his eye. His bites his lip and drums his fingers against his arms. Tentatively he reaches over and places a hand on Joker's head.

Joker blinks up at him, even this action coming off sluggish.

Batman hesitates, lifts his hand, and drops it again. Then he makes the choice, he runs his fingers through Joker's hair.

Joker smiles through the pain of his headache. He even dares to wiggle closer, close enough to lean his head against Batman's leg.

Batman stiffens and freezes when he feels Joker leaning on him, but after a long moment he snaps himself out of it. He relaxes and begins to rub Joker's hair once more.

Joker lets out a breath and shuts his eyes for the millionth times over these past few days, praying that sleep will come this time.

Batman glances at Joker's face. "Don't you dare tell anyone." He narrows his eyes.

Joker smiles. "Never."

It isn't instantaneous, but after so long Batman feels Joker become heavier on his leg and when his breathing evens out. He leans forward to peer at Joker's face as he pauses his hand to test it. When Joker offers no protest and doesn't so much as flinch Batman knows he really is asleep. He smiles.

Only now…how the heck is he supposed to sleep? He groans beneath his breath and throws his head back. Stupid Joker. Still, he mumbles, "Hate you forever."

Anyway, the headcanon is that Joker has a problem with sleeping, like insomnia. Since this is the tentative start of their relationship without the fighting, Batman obviously isn't a hundred percent comfortable yet. Well, I hope you enjoyed it. I know I had fun. Please review!