Greetings, everyone! Sorry I've been gone for so long. Here's a one-off I wrote to get back in the swing of things, based on an excellent idea by a loyal reader. Hope you like it!
*****
'Every time,' Poison Ivy thought.
Ivy looked at the woman who was standing sheepishly at her door step. Trying not to sound judgmental, Ivy acknowledged her.
"Harley."
"H-Hi, Red."
Harley Quinn always ended up on Poison Ivy's doorstep eventually. Sometimes it took weeks, sometimes months, but Harley always ended up appearing in front of Poison Ivy looking like she did now: her blonde ponytails disheveled, lines of black mascara running down her white powdered face, perhaps a rip or two in her red and black jumpsuit, a ratty bag thrown over her shoulder, a hangdog look on her face.
Each time Harley left, Ivy had threatened her that that Harley wasn't allowed back, that Ivy would leave no clues for Harley to find her, that next time she'd be all alone. But, each time, Harley would show up at Ivy's doorstep and Ivy couldn't bring herself to turn the lovelorn jester away. There would be a pause, a heavy sigh, and then Ivy would step to the side and allow Harley to enter.
"What happened this time?" Ivy said heavily.
"Oh Red, it's all my fault!" Harley said as she walked past, burying her head in her hands. "I'm never getting him back this time!" Harley collapsed onto the first thing she came past, which happened to be an immense violet. The flower lurched under Harley's weight and Ivy winced.
Harley began to sob, her hands still on her face, her body shaking the violet underneath her. Ivy crossed her arms and tapped her foot; this little routine also happened every time. Harley would cry and cry and blame herself for losing the favor of her psychotic boyfriend, The Joker, and then she'd mope around wherever Ivy was laying her head. Ivy steeled herself for the next few days.
The vegetarian villainess sighed once more, walked laboriously over to Harley and patted her on the head.
"There, there, Harley," Ivy said, rolling her eyes, "It'll be okay."
Harley didn't reply, only sobbing into her hands even harder. Ivy continued patting the top of her head and bit her tongue to prevent herself from saying something crass.
'Men,' Ivy thought to herself.
Harley cried and cried while Ivy waited and waited. Finally, the jester's sobs began to subside. Harley grabbed a leaf off of a nearby plant and used it to blow her nose while Ivy gritted her teeth. Harley wiped her nose and tossed the leaf behind her, then looked up with red eyes and smeared mascara.
"Can I stay here tonight, Ivy?" Harley said pitiably.
Ivy sighed once more. Every time.
"Sure, Harl," Ivy said with resignation. "Cot's in the back."
***
The next night, Poison Ivy was busy at her work desk. She had her fiery red hair held behind her head by a pencil and a white lab coat on that stood stark against her light green skin. Safety goggles securely fastened on her head, Ivy busily concentrated while she combined two chemicals.
Tried to concentrate, it should be said.
"OH HARLEY
YOU'RE SO FINE
YOU'RE SO FINE
YOU BLOW MY MIND
HEY HARLEY!
HEY HARLEY!"
Ivy placed the chemicals down and then leaned back in her chair. She glanced in frustration at the door to the next room, where Ivy could hear the sound of running water and the off-tune wailing of her wayward roommate. Ivy took off her safety goggles and rubbed her eyes.
Harley's mood had been veering from euphoric to deeply depressed all day. It was hard for Ivy to keep track; one moment Harley would be doing cartwheels, the next her eyes would tear up at the sight of some random trinket that reminded her of The Joker. Right before she had gotten in the shower she had become despondent when she saw a purple lilac because it reminded her of her beau's favorite color.
But now she was happy again. Ivy glanced over right as Harley bounded into the room clad in a small white towel. She was drying her wet blonde hair and smiling brightly.
"So Red," She began, "I was thinkin' that you and I should hit the town. Y'know, do somethin' fun. Get up to some mischief. Commit some hijinx. Hit the town runnin'. Paint the tow-"
Ivy put up her hand. "I get it," She said. "But Harl, I honestly have a lot of work to do. They're planning on opening up that new make-up plant in 3 days and if I don't get this poison up and running by then..."
While Ivy spoke, Harley's face fell. Her wide smile withered and died on her face and her shoulders slumped towards the ground.
"Oh," Harley said softly. "I understand." Harley turned and walked slowly back to the bathroom, her head hanging towards the floor. She stopped once and looked back with welling eyes at Ivy. Then she continued her long, doleful walk.
"Harley, wait, I-" Ivy began.
"No, no, it's okay," Harley said. "I understand that you're too busy for me. You probably don't want me around, just like... just like..." Harley's shoulders began to convulse and Ivy could tell she was winding up for a breakdown.
"Okay, okay," Ivy said quickly, jumping out of her chair and walk-running towards Harley. "I can wait until tomorrow to work on this. Let's go out. Whatever you want to do." Ivy put her hands on Harley's shoulders gently and steered her around.