#meesha-meeko

[imagine--if]

Safe - Gotham!Jonathan Crane Imagine

Petrified.

One of the main emotions he felt, day in and day out. The Scarecrow was always there, looming in the shadows, ready to pounce and play his torturous games. He could never be rid of it.

But there was one thing - one person - that could ease the extreme terror of it all. One girl that could majestically, even angelically, cause the Scarecrow to flee, just by her casual presence,

And that girl was you.

His dad was obsessed with conquering fear, and as his son, Jonathan Crane was involved in the toxin work. Of course he wouldn’t go against him. But one night, when the GCPD discovered what was really happening, his father got shot - but not before injecting Jonathan with a huge amount of the toxin.

That was when the Scarecrow made his appearance. And when he did, well, Jonathan couldn’t think straight - in fact, he couldn’t think at all. He would scream until he couldn’t scream anymore, absolutely terrified of the demon who ceaselessly haunted him. Which was often.

You had met Jonathan a few months ago or so, your curiosity getting the better of you when you followed Gerald Crane and his son to a pool, where an apparent attempted murder happened inside. You had accidentally bumped into his son when you decided it was probably best to leave, and though he was wary and seemingly nervous at first, to you he was just an innocent boy. After a few minutes, you were forced to leave, as his dad was making his way back - but ever since then, you two had seen each other around, and you were pretty much his only friend. In fact, friend was quite an understatement. You two were very close.

So when you came to him when he was in hospital after the incident, instantly ridding him of the Scarecrow that was advancing towards him - much to his astonishment, and got him out of having to stay in an asylum (as he didn’t really have anywhere else to stay) it was agreed that he could stay with you, in your apartment, with a much more positive and homey vibe to it. The two of you started dating not too long after, and Jonathan was in constant awe of how his waking nightmare would vanish as soon as you came near. But your good-nature and kindheartedness were so comforting and lovable to him, and he couldn’t understand how you were so happy with staying by his side, calming him down after nightmares or being there, listening.

This particular night, though, the hated figure haunted him yet again, in his sleep, and his whimpers and unconscious struggling caught your attention from your bedroom, which was opposite his. You weren’t really asleep anyway, reading a captivating mystery novel in the dim yellow glow from the lamp on your nightstand. Placing the book down, you slid out of bed and immediately went over to Jonathan’s room, concern and sympathy in your expression as you gently shook him awake, causing him to inhale sharply, green-blue eyes wide. He let out a shaky breath after noticing you sitting beside him, relaxing slightly and stuttering your name.

“It’s okay,” you said softly, brushing chocolate-brown locks out from his face and holding his shaking hand, “it’s okay, Jonnie. Breathe.”

Jonathan held your hand tighter, sitting up a little. “God, I hate this,” he mumbled. He glanced around the dark room quickly for any sign of the dreaded creature, but it wasn’t there. Of course it wasn’t. You were here.

“I know,” you said, shifting a little closer to him, “I’m sorry... just, try not to think about it, okay? You’re safe.”

Jonathan nodded, and you smiled warmly, wrapping your arms around him and hugging him tightly. He returned it just as tightly, burying his head in your neck and breathing in your sweet, calming scent. 

“Thank you,” he whispered, pulling away and meeting your gaze with a weak smile, “thank you, for not leaving, or anything...”

You nodded and smiled. “Yeah, of course. Shall I go now, or-”

“No,” he said quickly, before breaking eye-contact nervously, “no... ca- can you stay?”

You nodded again in understanding. “Sure.”

Jonathan moved over a little and you climbed in beside him, where he immediately wrapped his arms around you, as if you were the only thing grounding him to the earth, to safety and literally everything else. Which you kind of were.

“You alright?”

He nodded, his breathing slowly returning to normal as you ran your fingers through his hair. After a minute or so, he whispered your name, and your gaze flicked to meet his.

“Yeah?”

He hesitated for a few moments, a blush dusting his cheeks before he quietly said, “I... I love you.”

You smiled, butterflies and affection forming at his words. “I love you too, Jonnie.”

He pulled you in then, pressing his soft lips to yours, pleasure and warmth spreading throughout his body as you returned it. You eventually broke apart, and Jonathan hugged you tightly again, nuzzling against you tiredly before you both drifted to sleep in each other's arms.

So, it was true - petrified was one of the main emotions he felt, day in and day out. But the others he felt, when he was with you - they were love, comfort, and just... safety. Completely safe, so long as you were with him, being the light in his darkness.