As (Y/n) took another drink from the bottle of brown liquor that sat on her table, she grimaced at the taste, and the burning sensation that it made as it flowed down her throat. She didn't drink, but the pain of not having him was getting too much, and the thought that whatever alcohol she was consuming might help her forget, even if for a short time, had spurred her on to consume the vile tasting liquid.

She had been Arthur's friend for years, been with him through thick and thin, helped him whenever he needed anything, and he had always told her that she was his one true friend; but things had begun to change when Arthur had met her.

Sophie was young and pretty, and perfect, all things that (Y/n) thought she wasn't. (Y/n) was a book worm, a librarian, a no one, and she knew that she couldn't compete.

(Y/n) had met Arthur on one of his visits to the library to find a new book to read to his mother; he was a regular visitor, and (Y/n) had noticed him on more than one occasion, especially when he came to the counter to check a book out, he always had a smile, and his bright green eyes spoke of a gentle soul that she couldn't help but find herself drawn to.

"You don't look like the usual type that check out romance novels." She had whispered to him one day, finally plucking up the courage to speak to him.

Arthur had spun around dropping the pile of books that he had in his arms, a bright pink hue instantly flooding his cheeks as he looked at the smiling woman before him, and then down at the mess that he had made.

"T-t-there not for me, it's for....... it's for my mother." Arthur managed to say as he crouched down to pick up the books, dropping them again as his fingers brushed the hand of the woman as she handed him one of the books.

(Y/n) couldn't help but chuckle, could this man get anymore adorable?

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. If you are looking for a good book, your mom might like this one." (Y/n) told him, handing him one of the books from the floor.

"I've been told it's very good, if you're into that sort of thing. But I think that this one would suit you more." She said, handing him a book that she had been holding to her chest.

Arthur really didn't have time to read much, but as he looked at the cover, he couldn't help but be intrigued.

"It's one of my favourites, and I thought that you might like it too"

Arthur didn't know what to say, he wasn't used to people just coming up and talking to him, especially women, but she seemed so genuine and the look in her eyes told him that she hoped that he would accept her offer, so he found he could do nothing but agree.

"Thanks, it looks interesting. I'll check it out with the other one." Arthur told her, as he finally managed to clear the books from the floor.

"Oh, don't worry, that's my book, keep it as long as you like. My name's (Y/n) by the way." She said, holding out her hand.

Her own book? Why would she offer him her own book? Arthur wasn't sure what to think, but her smile was so beautiful that he didn't care.

"Arthur." He said, shaking her hand firmly.

"Nice to meet you Arthur. Maybe when you've finished the book, I could find you another one."

Arthur had spent every free moment reading the book that (Y/n) had given him, finding it completely fascinating. When he took it back, he found himself sitting happily talking to her about it over a coffee as she offered him another one from her collection. And so it went, their meetings becoming regular things as they talked about books, and their lives and dreams; Arthur had finally found someone that he could be himself with, a true friend, and he couldn't be happier. (Y/n) was kind and helpful, she was always there when he needed her, and she would be for years.

                                                              >>-----------------------------------<<

As she remembered that first meeting (Y/n) poured herself another glass, swallowing the brown liquid down in one gulp. Refilling her glass, she remembered the first time Arthur had told her about Sophie, how he gushed over how perfect she was, and she also remembered how Arthur would come and see her less and less, something that (Y/n) could only put down to Sophie.

Suddenly (Y/n) turned, throwing the empty shot glass at the wall, smashing it into a million tiny pieces, she had get out, she needed a walk; she knew that the streets of Gotham were no place to take a late night stroll, but as the alcohol coursed through her veins and muddled her mind, she didn't care. Picking up the bottle, she took it with her as she ventured into the night.

                                                        >>----------------------------------------------<<

Arthur was surprised by the knock at door, he was even more surprised when he noticed it was midnight; he cautiously peered through the little peephole, not knowing what to expect, no normal person in their right mind would just be making house calls at this time of night, not as though there were many normal people to speak of in that part of Gotham, but he had let his curiosity get the best of him and he had to know who his visitor was.

His eyes grew wide as he saw (Y/n) leaning against the door frame; hurriedly he opened the door.

"Dear god (Y/n), how did you get here." Arthur asked, noting the empty liquor bottle in her hand, and the smell of alcohol on her breath. Arthur knew that she didn't drink, so something must have been terribly wrong.

"How did I get here? I FLEW!" (Y/n) told him, trying to straighten herself as she slurred her words.

If it had been under any other circumstances Arthur would have laughed, but instead he dragged her into the apartment, taking the bottle from her hand, and sitting her down on the sofa.

"Are you ok (Y/n)?" He asked, hurrying off to get her a glass of water.

"I'm absolutely fine. I love everyone, especially Arthur!" She said, a wide beaming smile on her face.

Arthur spun around, nearly dropping the water as he looked at her wide eyed; had she just said that she loved him?

"Did you just say you love Arthur? Which Arthur?" Arthur spluttered out, as he shakily handed a wobbly (Y/n) the large glass of water.

"Do you always ask stupid questions? There's only one Arthur, Arthur Fleck, DERRRRR! And of course I love him, have you seen him? He's handsome, and funny, and have you seen those eyes? WOW!" (Y/n) hummed happily, as her foggy mind thought of him.

Arthur sat next to her in shock, it was obvious that she had no idea that she was professing her love for him to him, and it was also apparent that she didn't even know that she was at his apartment. He was so used to her being quiet that this drunk version of (Y/n) was a bit of a shock, but despite wanting to just put her to bed to let her sleep it off, he found he wanted to know more.

"So you think Arthur is handsome?" He asked nervously, as she sat, smiling at him like a Cheshire cat.

"No! I think he's gorgeous. Oh...... did I say he's handsome? I can't forget to say he's handsome." (Y/n) slurred, as Arthur helped her drink some of the water.

This time Arthur couldn't help but laugh, the thought that someone as wonderful as (Y/n) could think that he was handsome sounded so funny; he had thought she was beautiful since the day he had seen her in the library, and as they had become friends he realised that she was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. He had always hoped that their friendship could become something more, but things had always seemed to get in the way of him telling her how he felt, and he had only taken a liking to Sophie as he believed that if he told (Y/n) how he truly felt, it might ruin the wonderful relationship that they already had; but here she was, telling him that she loved him.

"Why don't you tell Arthur that you love him?" Arthur said, as he watched tears form in her eyes.

"Because he loves someone else, and I don't want to ruin his life by telling him. Arthur deserves to be happy; he deserves to be loved, and if that means he wants Sophie instead of me then so be it. Arthur being happy is all that matters." (Y/n) told him, wiping the tears away on her sleeve.

Arthur couldn't believe it, his best friend, the woman that he cared for beyond words, was willing to sacrifice her own happiness to ensure that he was happy. His heart didn't know whether to break or fly, the tears rolling down his cheeks, as he watched her cry next to him.

"You know, I think that Arthur might love you too; if I were you, I'd tell him." Arthur said, raising her head so that he could look into her eyes.

"You know something, you are very clever, whatever your name is." (Y/n) said, a small smile spreading to her tear soaked cheeks.

"Arthur, my name is Arthur." Arthur said with a chuckle, as he picked (Y/n) up and made for the bedroom.

"Hey! You have the same name as Arthur, he's called Arthur too. And your nearly has handsome as he is." She said as she nuzzled into him, as he made his way through the apartment.

"Come on (Y/n) lets get you to bed, and you can sleep it off." He said, placing her on the mattress and pulling the covers over her.

"Ok Arthur two." (Y/n) mumbled as her eyes slowly closed, leaving Arthur to contemplate how he would make things right in the morning.

                                                   >>-------------------------------------<<

As the sunlight streamed through the thin curtains in the bedroom, (Y/n) began to move, her hands quickly finding a pillow to cover her head, shielding her eyes from the bright light.

She groaned loudly, her head throbbing and her body aching as she attempted to sink further into the mattress beneath her. Slowly she removed the pillow, her eyes creeping open presuming that she had somehow managed to find her way to bed the night before. Tentatively raising her head, she realised that she was in a room that she had never seen before, in a strange bed, under someone else's covers.

Before she could contemplate her current whereabouts any further, the door to the room opened and there stood Arthur.

"Good morning (Y/n), I think you might need these." He said, handing her a glass of water and a bottle of aspirin.

"How did I get here?" (Y/n) asked, as she swallowed down two tablets.

"You knocked on the door at midnight, I'm afraid you were drunk, and I couldn't let you leave, so I brought you here so you could sleep." Arthur said, sitting on the side of the bed.

"Oh god, I am so sorry Arthur, I hope I didn't cause you any trouble." (Y/n) said, dropping her head into her hands and rubbing her temples.

All of a sudden, her head shot up. "I didn't say anything stupid, did I? I mean...... I didn't say anything I shouldn't have, did I?" She said, sighing loudly as she saw the look on Arthur's face.

"Oh no, what did I say?" She asked, her eyes falling to the floor, desperate not to meet Arthur's gaze.

"Well, you told me that you love me." Arthur said, as (Y/n) fell back onto the mattress, pulling the covers over her head, hoping that the earth would swallow her whole.

"Did you mean it?" Arthur asked, as he cautiously reached up his hand and gently pulled the material from her head.

"I er....... well...... I ......." (Y/n) tried to say something, anything, but as she seemed to have lost the power of speech, she resorted to a simple nod.

"Good. Then I can do this." Arthur said, as he leaned in, placing his lips on hers.

As he pulled away, (Y/n) let out a soft moan, as the warmth of his soft lips left hers, and then a groan as her head reminded her of her hangover.

Arthur chuckled, as he lay her head back on the pillows.

"Next time I tell you that I love you, I'll try it without the alcohol, its less painful that way." (Y/n) said, pulling Arthur down for another kiss.

It might not have been the best way to tell him how she felt, but with a little Dutch courage, she finally had her man.