Chapter 30: Interested

Bruce walked into the room and noticed Jack flipping through a magazine.

The bedroom was silent, save for the rustling of pages.

The afternoon sun streamed through the window onto Jack's features, his blond hair melting into the warm yellow, his once pale skin now tinged with warmth, softening his features. His green eyes, focused on the pages, were dotted with golden light, like the shimmering surface of a lake.

This was a stark difference from the Joker, Bruce thought.

The Joker was always insane, perpetually restless, his laughter shrill, like a mad, clawing beast. But when the terrifying smile faded, the exaggerated makeup gone, he seemed surprisingly quiet and docile—like a normal, ordinary person.

Bruce didn't disturb him, but quietly walked over and sat down beside him.

The rustling of pages faded, and Jack tilted his head to look at him, a smile playing on his lips.

"Did I ever tell you I've been bored lately?" he asked, his fingers lightly brushing the pages as he closed the magazine. "Since we don't have to deal with company matters right now, why don't we go for a walk together?"

Bruce hummed softly.

"I can take you for a walk in the gardens."

"No, no, no," Jack explained with a smile. "Not in the manor. I mean downtown—we can walk along Maris Avenue all the way to Bro Park."

He paused, as if remembering something, and added, "There's a tailor nearby. I had a suit custom-made there a month ago. We can pick it up there."

"If you need anything, I'll have someone contact the tailor and have it delivered to you," Bruce said calmly.

Jack sighed softly, his expression becoming somewhat resigned.

"I mean—this is an invitation, darling, a date. We haven't been out together in ages." He licked his lower lip, winked at Bruce, and asked, "You don't want to refuse me, do you, sweetheart?"

No, he thought.

Ever since he'd confirmed that the Jack before him was the former Joker, he'd quietly pressured the theater to suspend all of Jack's work, just to keep him at the manor.

Of course, Jack knew nothing about this.

Bruce's initial plan was for Jack to stay at the manor for now. Once he'd investigated everything, he'd send Jack back to Arkham. Jack wasn't allowed to be alone with anyone—at least not until he was completely proven to be no threat.

But he also knew he couldn't keep Jack here forever.

He chose to compromise.

Bruce picked up his phone, opened Google Maps, and did a quick search for restaurants near Broward Park. He showed Jack the interface.

He casually said, "We can go to the nearby shopping mall. This restaurant has good reviews. If we leave now, we can have dinner there."

Jack's eyes lit up, and he stood up from his chair.

"So, you agree?" His tone was slightly excited, his voice filled with uncontrollable joy. "It's hard to ask you out—baby, is this a real milestone in our relationship?"

Bruce didn't answer his question. He stood up and picked up his coat from the bedside.

"Shall we go?" he asked.

"Wait, wait," Jack said hurriedly. "I need to get dressed, and you too—"

He drawled, looking Bruce up and down.

"Honey, I love you in that khaki trench coat. It photographs beautifully. We can go to the observation deck at Burrow Park and take some pictures. Believe me, it'll be romantic."

Bruce raised an eyebrow. He rummaged through his closet and pulled out the clothes Jack had picked out for him.

"Meet me downstairs in ten minutes. I'm going to drive."

He turned and left the room.

On his way downstairs, he also picked up some small devices that could help him put Jack down in time.

When Bruce drove up to the door, Jack was already standing there waiting for him.

He was wearing a well-made dark green suit with matching trousers, a crisp tie, and a purple scarf. The suit was well-cut, highlighting his tall, straight figure. At this moment, he was waving happily at Bruce——

… Some familiar memories instantly flooded his mind…

Bruce forced himself to suppress the urge to get out of the car and punch him in the face.

I have to find time to check Jack's luggage when I get back and get rid of those strangely colored clothes… Forget it, just put them where he can't find them.

He thought silently.

When the car stopped, Jack quickly opened the passenger door and got in, then he quickly closed the door and fastened his seat belt.

When the car drove out of the iron gate of Wayne Manor, the street lights on both sides of the street had just turned on.

Jack turned his head, supported his chin and looked out the window, the flowing lights imprinted in his eyes, he looked in a good mood.

"I just checked the restaurant we're going to later," he said excitedly, "It looks like the environment there is very nice, the dishes are very creative, and I noticed that they just launched a new summer limited dessert, which looks delicious--"

He paused, suddenly remembered something, and asked pitifully: "I think my sugar abstinence can come to an end for now? Baby, I really want to try it--"

Bruce's mouth curled up slightly, he looked straight ahead, and replied without comment:

"Okay, today only."