I’ve got my eye on you, Valentine! 💘
Pairing: General!Scarecrow x F!Reader
I’m super late for Valentines Day (I’m on vacation cut me some slack) but o finally finished this. Some characters may feel a little bit ooc and the pacing may be a little fast, but I tried my best I hope you guys like this.
Rating : General Audience. A little bit of angst, but mostly fluff.
For most of his life, Jonathan hated Valentine's Day.
He remembered the time at school when the day finally came and all the kids were exchanging cards, but Jonathan only found his box empty. Worse were the few times when he actually received a letter and there was that temporary feeling of happiness, only to later discover that it was all a cruel joke from his classmates.
Who in their right mind would have a crush on Jonathan Crane? The lanky, weird boy who always wore patched clothes and had his face buried in books.
Over the years, the date stopped being terrifying and became just annoying. Jonathan couldn't help but roll his eyes when he noticed that stores hanging up the pink and red decorations, how couples seemed even more clingy in public and the chubby image of the Cupid with his little bow was everywhere he looked.
Deep down, there was still that disappointment, the loneliness that seemed to follow him wherever he went, but he tried to cover up any silly feelings with his work and studies. He didn't have time for romance. He didn't need the chocolates or teddy bears or stupid cards.
And that was why Jonathan felt in a bad mood today.
"Valentine's Day. February 14th. Day to celebrate the martyr Saint Valentin.” Calendar Man whispers to himself as the Arkham staff handed out colored paper and blunt scissors to the patients.
For some reason they thought it was a constructive activity to make Valentine's Day cards. Nonsense. Nobody was interested in this stupid holiday. Well, except Harley who seemed to squirm in her seat with excitement.
Jonathan stares at you from across the room. You looked concentrated, your tongue tucked between your lips as you took the red paper and cut it into the shape of a heart. Your eyes meet for a second and you smile sweetly at him before Jonathan looks away.
You were a relatively new piece in Gotham's criminal world, but you had already done enough noise to be sent to Arkham by the Batman.
You and Jonathan got along well, you could even say you were friends, but nothing more than that. You seemed to actually pay attention to his lectures about fear and the human brain and he liked listening to you talk as well.
Maybe he could do something for you. You were kind after all. And funny, your laugh never failed to bring a smile to his lips. And smart. And beautiful. And…
Jonathan shakes his head. God, the doctors were right about him finally going crazy. You would never accept anything he gave you. Jonathan had always been the weird kid and that hadn't changed.
“Out of ideas, Jon?” Edward asks as he spies over Jonathan’s shoulder.
“No,” he says without looking at him. "I won’t do anything."
“Oh my friend, don’t be so grumpy,” Tetch says, cutting out several paper bunnies holding hands. “Would you like us to make a card for you?”
“No,” he says again, crossing his arms. “I don’t want anything from either of you.”
Edward follows his vision to you, a mischievous grin on his face. “Let me guess, you’re embarrassed to send her a Valentine’s card, aren’t you?”
Jonathan feels like he was back to his school days. Not exactly, since he didn't have any friends back then, but Edward was like an annoying friend pressuring Jonathan to confess to his crush.
“Don't say nonsense, Edward. I’m not in the mood for your jokes.”
Edward throws his head back in laughter. "Don’t be shy. You can tell us if you have a crush on someone. After all, we are your best friends, right, Jervis?”
Jervis at the moment seemed more interested in the paper hat he was making, so Edward decides not to wait for his answer.
“Come on, I can even help you,” Edward says, nudging him with his elbow. “Ok, write this down: What is a vampire’s sweetheart called? A ghoul-friend!”
Jonathan roll his eyes instantly. “That was terrible.”
“Trust me, women love riddles.” He winks, brushing his hair back.
“I won't take relationship advice from you, Edward.”
"What do you have to lose?"
“Let’s see…” he adjusts his glasses before starting to count on his fingers. “My dignity, my time, my patience…”
“You complicate things too much. Don’t tell me you’re scared.” The look Edward gives him is challenging, a smirk on his lips.
Jonathan opens his mouth to defend himself. Fear? He was the master of fear! He was the bogeyman that hid in the shadows. The nightmare of Gotham's citizens. But any complaints died on his tongue.
He stares at Edward full of venom before speaking again. “Pass me the damn crayon.”
Edward grabs a red crayon and hands it to Jonathan, still smiling smugly.
Jonathan curses under his breath as she folds a light pink sheet in half. The crayon stays in the air for a few seconds until he finds the right words and starts writing.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, from your friend Jonathan Crane.” He writes simply in his impeccable handwriting.
"Done. Satisfied?" He lifts the card into the air, showing it to Edward.
Edward wrinkles his nose. “This is so boring! It doesn’t even have hearts!”
“You're crossing the line, Edward.”
“Actually, he is right.” Tetch says in a moment of sudden clarity. “It’s a Valentine’s Day card, it should have lots and lots of hearts like mine!”
Tetch shows his card full of collages and details dedicated to his beloved and unreachable Alice.
Jonathan rolls his eyes again and sighs in defeat. He decides to add a small heart in the corner of the page, discreet enough that you might not notice it.
“Good enough,” Edward pats his shoulder before leaning back against his chair, looking pleased with himself.
The rational decision would be to throw the card away, but something about it stops Jonathan from doing so. Another dark part of him has the desire to add more details. Spilling out all his feelings and secrets until every corner of the paper was filled with sweet, silly things. But he holds back, clutching the crayon in his hand.
When the time runs out and the cards start to be handed out, his chest tightens.
Edward and Tetch were kind enough to hand Jonathan cards, although Tetch wrote nonsensical rhymes and Edward’s had a riddle that he answered before Jonathan could finish reading.
Even if Jonathan didn't want to admit it, he was grateful for them. Edward and Jervis could be difficult and annoying, but they were the closest thing he had to friends. It was an unlikely partnership, but it worked. Sometimes.
The two of you are the last people in the room when you get up and start walking towards him. It's at this moment that Jonathan realizes how fast his heart is beating inside his chest. How sweaty his hands are and how dry his throat is. He knows these symptoms very well. Fear. He was afraid.
“Good afternoon, Dr. Crane.” Your tone is light, but the way you say “doctor” sends a shiver down Jonathan’s spine. He swallows hard, giving a small nod.
"Evening."
"What you got there?" You ask.
Jonathan fumbles for a second before realizing you're referring to the cards in his hand.
“Oh, Edward and Jervis did this for me.” He feels heat rise to his face. Was he actually blushing?
"Can I see?"
Jonathan doesn't answer, just hands you the cards. Your lips stretch into a smile as you read what Jervis and Edward wrote.
“I didn’t know these two could be so cute.” Your gaze turns to him again. “They must really like you.”
“Don't be fooled. They can be truly horrible when they want to.” Jonathan says in a somewhat playful tone and you chuckle.
“And from who it is this last one?” You gesture your head towards the card in his hand.
He squeezes the paper even tighter between his fingers. He could just lie. Forget about this silly Valentine's Day idea and tear that damn card into little pieces.
But the way you look at him, full of expectation, makes Jonathan's heart melt inside his chest.
“Well, it’s… for you.”
“Oh, good, because I made one for you too.”
He stares at you dumbfounded for a few seconds in silence.
"Really?" It's stupid, but he can't help but ask. He feels like a kid again, like at any moment the curtain will fall and everyone will laugh at him for believing anyone could ever like poor Jonathan.
“Of course it’s for you, silly. Who else would it be for?” You wink at him, handing him the card.
Jonathan takes it with trembling fingers, handing his to you as well. The paper feels like it will disappear from his hands at any moment, but it is so real, so tangible.
You glued some big and small hearts on the front with “Happy Valentine’s Day” written on the bottom in red ink. He rubs his thumb over your handwriting, trying to savor every detail. When he finally opens the card an unconscious smile spreads across his face. You had made a simple drawing of a crow holding an eye in it’s beak and on the side it said “I’ve got my eye on you, Valentine.”
"Did you like it?" Your voice pulls him back to reality.
“I… Yes, of course.” He clears his throat, trying to compose himself. “But I’m afraid mine isn’t as good as yours.”
And then he notices the way you are holding the card, pressed against your chest like something valuable.
"I loved it. Seriously. But I think you forgot a little something.”
“Sorry for the lack of details. I don’t have much practice with this.”
You shake your head, chuckling softly. "It's not that. You forgot to ask me if I want to be your Valentine.”
He waits for the the joke to sink in and for the moment you brush him off with a laugh, but you don’t stop staring at him with a serious expression.
He hates it. He hates it how exposed he feels. How bare his is before you. He hates even more how he hopes this not some kind of joke afte all.
“Stop playing with me.” He almost sounds like he's begging.
"This isn’t a joke."
"You can’t be serious."
You cross your arms, frowning your eyebrows at him. "Why not? Why is it so hard to believe that I want this?
“Oh, please. This is ridiculous. Is this some kind of prank? I have been the target of this kind of joke before and belive me when I say they aren’t funny.”
“Oh my God! You’re can be so dense sometimes!” You sigh in frustration, taking a deep breath before speaking again. “Well, if you're not going to ask me, then I will. Jonathan Crane would you like to be my Valentine?”
If he was blushing before, now his face is burning hot. His brain is a mess of emotions, but it’s unable to actually form any coherent words. He can’t even remember the last time he was speechless.
You’re staring at him and he knows he needs to say something. Anything! Jonathan could never forgive himself if he ever let you go without knowing how much you matter to him. So he decides to do the only thing he is capable of.
He approaches you slowly so as not to startle you, his eyes searching for any indication of discomfort, but you dont move a muscle. He leans towards you and when he's sure you want this, he presses his lips against your cheek.
The kiss is shy and quick, barely brushing your skin, but when Jonathan pulls away you're staring at him as if he'd placed the stars in the sky.
“Yes,” He finally manages to say, “I would like to be your valentine.”
Before you can say anything, a guard appears in the room, interrupting your intimate moment.
“What are you two still doing here? You should be in group therapy. Come on, move before you get in trouble!" The guard orders.
In any other situation Jonathan would be annoyed, but now he just does what the guard says, pulling you out of the room with him.
The two of you sit silently side by side on the chairs positioned in a circle with the other patients. Jonathan knows someone is babbling something in the background, but all he can focus on right now is how your knee is touching his.
Jonathan catches you staring at him, your lips stretched into the sweetest smile he's ever seen and he can't help but smile too.
This may be the best Valentine’s Day he had in a long time.
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