Arthur Fleck and Joker Imagines

A Chance Meeting - Part 2

"I was thinking..........next week we have a function here, it's a fundraiser to get money so that we can bring new exhibits to the museum, and I was wondering if you would be my guest. I try not to go to these things normally, but I'm under strict orders from the Director that this time I must attend, so I was hoping that you would come with me, I really don't want to go by myself, and I'd like to spend more time with you, Arthur." (Y/n) said, blushing softly herself, as she looked up at Arthur.

Arthur was most certainly not the one that anyone would normally invite to any kind of function, especially not some kind of high end fundraiser, and given his own dislike for crowds he would normally do all he could to avoid such situations, but given the pleading look in (Y/n)'s eyes, and the fact that he was elated that she wanted to spend more time with him, Arthur couldn't help but agree with her request.

"Sure.....but I have to tell you that I'm not to good with these things myself." Arthur explained, but almost immediately forgetting about his own reservations about the situation as (Y/n) threw herself into his arms and held him tight.

"Thank you, Arthur, you have no idea how much better that makes me feel." (Y/n) said softly, as she buried her head into a flustered Arthur's chest.

Arthur felt his arms slowly creep around (Y/n)'s waist, finding himself sighing happily as (Y/n) kept her head over his heart, a heart that was now threatening to burst from its bony confines; he didn't know which god was looking down on him at the moment, but whichever one it was he would have to remember to thank them later for this unexpected turn of events.

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Arthur nervously fingered his collar as the cab drew up to the front entrance of the museum, the old building lit up with great white columns of light which seemed to be attracting the great and good of Gotham who were dressed in their finery, like sparkling moths to a flame.

Arthur paid the driver and reluctantly stepped out of the vehicle onto the damp street, (Y/n) had told him that she would wait outside so that the two could go in together, and as his eyes fell on her slightly shivering form, he couldn't help but feel the slightest bit guilty for making her wait.

Walking over to her, Arthur couldn't help but notice how she was dressed, the long dark blue gown that draped itself over her curves like molten metal was flowing over her skin left just the right amount to the imagination, and at this moment Arthur's imagination was running wild.

"Arthur, thank you so much. I really owe you for this." (Y/n) said, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek as Arthur gave her his arm to take, the two making their way up the stairs and into the already busy museum.

(Y/n) had been at Arthur's side all evening, the two seemingly joined at the hip as she introduced him to the some of the most important academics and richest people that Gotham had to offer, but as (Y/n) went to powder her nose, Arthur found himself alone for the first time.

"I didn't know that our dear (Y/n) had a gentleman friend, she certainly kept you quiet; and what do you do, Mister.........?" A man that (Y/n) had pointed out to Arthur earlier on as the Director of the museum asked, holding his hand out for Arthur to shake.

"I'm not......er well, I'm not really (Y/n)'s boyfriend, and my name is Arthur, Arthur Fleck." Arthur explained, as he shook the older man's hand, noticing that he seemed to be smiling at the information that he was not (Y/n)'s boyfriend.

"Is that Doctor Fleck, or Professor Fleck?" The Director asked, as he peered at Arthur over his glasses.

"(Y/n) is one of the most talented Egyptologists there is, so I can only imagine that someone from a similar field would attract the attention of such an intelligent woman." The man told Arthur as he seemed to stand up taller, looking down slightly over Arthur.

"I....well, I'm actually a clown, I perform at kids parties and for sick children at the hospital." Arthur reluctantly explained, as the man in front of him began to laugh.

"Oh, I knew that (Y/n) had a wonderful sense of humour, but this is marvellous. I didn't know that she was playing a prank on someone." The Director chortled, as Arthur became more and more uncomfortable; had (Y/n) asked him here as a joke, had all the conversations they had had been yet another lie in a life full of lies? Arthur shook his head, trying to fight off the negative ideas that were filing his mind, his laugh abruptly clawing to escape from his throat as he rushed off leaving the Director behind him, his hauntingly painful laugh finally breaking free as he ran off into the darkness of the museum.

"Colin! What did you say to Arthur?" (Y/n) growled, as she hurried over to the Director, the man still laughing at the distraught fleeing man. (Y/n) had been on her way back to re-join Arthur, watching in confusion as he began to laugh and then flee into the darkened building.

"I didn't say anything (Y/n), I just found it amusing that such an intelligent woman would lower herself to be seen with a clown." Colin continued to laugh, until a sharp slap stopped him in his tracks.

"How dare you stand there and judge Arthur, he is a better man than you will ever be." (Y/n) shouted, before turning around and making her way to find the obviously distraught man.

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"I thought I might find you here." A soft voice said, as Arthur felt someone gently drop down onto the floor next to him.

"There is something about the big guy that I find strangely comforting when I am stressed or unhappy." (Y/n) said, as she looked up at the giant statue of Ramesses where they had first met, the two now sitting on the floor in his shadow.

"I'm sorry (Y/n), I should have told you about my condition before, I didn't mean to embarrass you. That man......he, well he........." Arthur began to explain, as he felt (Y/n) slip her hand into his and squeeze it tight.

"There is nothing to be sorry for, and you just didn't feel comfortable with telling me about your condition yet, its ok, I understand that somethings you just can't blurt out, they take time to explain; and whatever Colin told you, don't listen to him, to put it brutally, he's a dick, and he's been trying to convince me to go out with him for months, and I always turn him down. And you didn't embarrass me, I don't really care what any of those people think, you are important to me Arthur, and I don't care whether you're a clown or a garbage man, I still want to get to know you better." (Y/n) said, as she snuggled into a shocked Arthur's side, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Come on, I have something to show you." (Y/n) abruptly told Arthur, springing to her feet and pulling him up from the floor.

"Where......where are we going?" Arthur asked, as (Y/n) pulled him along the corridor and further into the building.

"We are going somewhere special." (Y/n) told him, as she held his hand tightly and led him up flight after flight of stairs.

Opening a door, Arthur realised where (Y/n) had taken him, his eyes widening in amazement as she led him onto the roof of the enormous old building, the sky above them seeming to be filled with a billion sparkling stars.

"I come up here a lot, it doesn't matter how hectic the world below gets, up here it always seems peaceful, and the stars always seem to be just that ever so slightly brighter." (Y/n) said softly, as she turned to look at Arthur, her hands gripping his as she looked up into his green eyes.

"I would like it if you would let me bring you up here more often, I would like it if we could leave this stupid party and you could come back to my apartment with me; you are a wonderful, intelligent, funny and caring man Arthur, and I want to keep you in my life for a lot longer, if you'd like that?' (Y/n) asked, as she moved her hands to cup Arthur's face, her lips softly brushing against his as the two moved closer.

"I'd like that very much." Arthur almost whispered, as he summoned all his courage, and pulled (Y/n) in for another kiss, the two forgetting about the party, about Colin, about the noisy, bustling Gotham streets below, and melting into each other's arms.

As Arthur held (Y/n) close, he looked up to the stars and thanked the heavens for the rain and the chance meeting that had led to this moment, a moment he knew that he would not let go.