Gotham Light #1

Walking in broad daylight was beyond bizarre, first of all because everything around her seemed out of comic book, almost literally, just different, everything was alive, real, but still it had that certain factor that made Harley want to gawk at everything. It was the fashion, the architecture, the technology, the style, it really was the Gotham she had seen in the cartoons and comics, the gothic and art deco combination that immediately said ‘Batman’, but it was real life, with real people and real objects, it just made Harley feel like this was her new world, her new reality.

It was weird to walk in broad daylight too because she was a notorious criminal, right? Well, it seems that most people didn’t recognize Harleen Quinzel outside of the form fitting red and black outfit that the Joker had given her, and why would they? She was right now wearing something very similar to the things she used to wear back then, the very professional combo of pencil skirt and button up shirt, she even had her glasses, non prescription, only for show, but it made Harleen feel like Superman; glasses, Clark Kent, no glasses, Superman, it was so dumb, but hey, it was a classic for a reason.

So it was like this that both women walked into the more residential part of Gotham, while other civilians walked alongside them, all enjoying the nice weather, none blinking at the two women walking hand in hand, like a pair of new lovers, which they were; it was definitely an experience that Harleeen was enjoying considering the insanity of the last few days, having to get used to the idea of living in a world filled with superheroes and villains.

Seems that Arkham was careful with the material they gave to the inmates; those that were the most volatile or had certain obsessions, well, they were treated accordingly, but those patients that were more open to treatment or were more focused on the world were given access to reading material and even games. With those rights, Harleen quickly began to check on several newspapers, including one Daily Planet, and there it was, on the front page, a man wearing a blue suit and red blowing cape, flying through the sky holding a stolen car, the thieves still inside.

So Superman existed, and checking other places she quickly found out Keystone City, Coast City and even Bludhaven and Jump City; this was beyond bizarre, but at least Harleen had an idea of what was going on in the world. This wasn’t the only city with villains and superheroes, the world was vast, but she would have to find her own feet before thinking about that, so she just kept walking and enjoyed the day with a woman she wanted to know better.

They soon reached an apartment block, something that was in a nice part of the city, just nothing that screamed money, but it seemed well cared, even the elevator to the fourth floor, where Renata had her apartment and they were out of the sun and into a nice, if a little austere apartment interior.

It was clear that Renata lived alone, but she took good care of everything, so for now maybe she lived here? She hasn't talked with Renata about it, not to mention whatever Doctor Lin had in mind, lord knows that woman was always thinking about something, so Harleen will have to keep an eye on, not to mention, what would happen if an Arkham inmate went out in search of her? Not that she was expecting that, she was sure that the joker didn’t really care much for her, at least she hoped, but what about Poison Ivy? That, well, she will have to get back to that later on, for now, just try to have a normal life, just a normal life, and maybe have some calm and quiet for the first time in this world.

As she went into Renata’s bedroom to leave the clothes she had left Arkham with, she heard Renata walking behind her before holding her in a hug.

“Ah, Renata?”

“The Doctor’s letter also said something… uhm, about you having something else?” Turning around to hold Renata, she saw the almost timid look in the shorter woman’s eyes and immediately Harley knew what she was talking about, welp, so much for calm and quiet, right?

-

It hadn’t taken that long this time, after all, Harleen was more attuned with the changes as she used them more, the only difference is that this time she was putting in practice what she had learned with Renata.

All of their clothes were left on the floor in just seconds as the two quickly moved things into the bed; now, what could be minutes or hours, neither of them were sure, Renata was now on her back, her legs in the air, her arms embracing close Harleen as this one kept hammering away, driving her hips forward with such **** that the bed grumbled with their movements, in the back of her head Harleen made a quick note to get a sturdier bed some other day.

For the moment, Harleen simply enjoyed the feeling of being free and with a woman that apparently loved her, it felt different than with Dr. Lin, this time it was less raw, but with more emotion, with Renata saying sweet things in her ear, asking her to keep on loving her in this way, how good it felt, it was too much and too little for Harleen who simply let go and enjoyed the moment to the fullest.

-

By the time Harleen had regained control of herself it was already night by the darkness outside the window, she began to gather her clothes and made use of Renata’s apartment… was it her apartment too now? Whatever the answer to that was, Harleen took a long shower, enjoying the feeling of the warm water falling over her. It was a complete change from the showers at Arkham, this time she could take her time, enjoy the peace and quiet.

Once she was done and completely dry with the help of a very fluffy towel, Harleen wondered if any neighbors would complain to Renata, hopefully the apartments had good walls, or there would be some rather awkward moments with the others in the apartment block.

Taking a seat at the vanity, Harleen finally took some time to look at the whole place, she did silently since Renata had fallen asleep. They will definitely have to change the… well, everything in the bed if they were to spend the night, but Renata had such a sated look on her face that Harleen didn’t want to wake her up.

With the silence and her new freedom, Harleen found herself at a weird place, what would she do now? She was not keen on keeping the charade and turning back into Harley Quinn, there was no way she was going to let herself be a victim of **** like that, but the idea of villainy itself wasn’t that appetizing, so what then? Having a normal life alongside Renata? That wasn’t that bad as an idea, but sadly, what would Harleen do? Go back to her previous profession? No way she would be able to do something like that with her kind of rap sheet; well, she still had some time to think, not to mention that she could talk with Renata about their future, because Harleen really wanted to get to know the woman better.

Looking at Renata with a smile on her face, Harleen’s peace and quiet was interrupted by a sharp feeling, something in the back of her mind, it was like a signal, something that activated, maybe another part of her new found powers.

Without even blinking, understanding what the feeling was immediately, she climbed outside the window, taking hold of the still and pushed herself upwards like an acrobat, a maneuver that came so easily to her, maybe it was her body, maybe it was what she gained from the gray pyramid, but whatever the case, she climbed upwards with such ease that she was astonished at the agility she possessed.

In a few seconds she was on the rooftop, without feeling a bit winded by the effort, but that was not the thing that caught her attention, it was the man. The moonlight and lights of the city made his shadow grow bigger, while he stood there, studying her, he was a presence of power and fear for many, this was the caped crusader.

“Batman.”

“Harley,” he simply said.