Just a little something for violentcosplay 😃 I hope this makes you feel better 😊

Arthur couldn't help but notice the young woman that sat on a stone step busking as the seemingly busy people of Gotham passed by. He was advertising for some big sale at a new store, and from the moment he had stepped outside and heard the melodious sounds of the cello float through the air, the music kissing his ears like a lover's lips, he knew that it could only be one person. As he looked over at the source of the wonderful noise, his eyes fell on the beautiful woman that he knew all too well, an exquisitely crafted cello gripped firmly between her knees as she skilfully manipulated the strings, making the inanimate wooden instrument burst to life in a glorious song.

(Y/n) had moved in just down the hallway from Arthur's apartment a little over a year ago, and despite his usual reserved nature, he had gone to introduce himself to his new neighbour. He had been shocked to discover that the young woman was actually one of the street performers that he would see in the heart of the city, a performer that he would often stop and listen to when she would play the cello, the joyful sounds calming him, as every note seemed to relieve his shoulders of the burden of yet another dull day in Gotham.

(Y/n) had remembered Arthur from when he had watched her, and she had also seen him on the streets when he was dressed as Carnival, chuckling at him as she remembered that one time he had begun to dance as she played, the two performers making the strangest double act, but somehow it had worked; and as their friendship had grown, so had Arthur's love and admiration for the woman.

Like him, (Y/n) lived alone, except for a big black cat that she called Vivaldi, and Arthur would often open the door to his apartment so that he could better listen to the glorious resonances as she would practice at the same time every evening, the sound bringing a strange kind of brightness to the usually dark apartment building, and to his world.

As the months had passed, Arthur found himself spending more and more time in (Y/n)'s apartment, the two sharing their lives and thoughts on the world as they sipped on the camomile tea that (Y/n) got especially for him, having told him that it was supposed to help people relax and sleep better.

"Carnival!" A voice suddenly called out, bringing him back from his thoughts. He had been too busy thinking about her to notice that (Y/n) had packed away her instrument and was making her way over to where he was still dancing on the street.

"Hi Carnival." (Y/n) said, kissing him softly on the cheek, doing her best not to ruin his makeup.

"Don't forget to remind Arthur that he is supposed to be coming around to my place for dinner; 7:30 ok?" (Y/n) reminded him, as she kissed him again, before rushing off to catch her usual bus.

"Bye Carnival." (Y/n) yelled out, waving her free hand as she disappeared around the corner.

Arthur couldn't help but chuckle to himself, (Y/n) always had a way of making any day, or situation better; and even when she insisted that to her, Arthur and Carnival were two different people, and that they both deserved recognition, he couldn't help but smile, seeing the childish glint of happiness in her eye, as he had to agree.

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

The elevator finally made its way up to Arthur's floor, and as he stepped out, he couldn't help but overhear what sounded like a woman crying and a raised voice coming from (Y/n)'s apartment; making his way over he noticed that the door was slightly ajar, and despite himself he began to listen to the voice from inside.

"The man is a weirdo, a complete freak, a loser; I wouldn't want anything to do with him." A voice exclaimed, a voice that Arthur recognised instantly as (Y/n)'s.

As Arthur listened, he could feel his heart break into a million pieces, was that what (Y/n) really thought of him, that he was a freak, a loser? Was she telling someone else that she wouldn't want anything to do with him, the woman that he secretly loved, didn't want to know him?

As he began to leave, he heard another voice. "You can't say that (Y/n), you don't know him like I do." Another woman said, obviously through tears.

"I know enough to know that Alex is a loser, and you are better off without his two timing ass, April, you can do so much better; he's arrogant, conceited, dull, and he is just down right horrid." (Y/n) told the other woman, as Arthur moved back to stand next to the door.

"You don't need a man like that ....... you need a man...... well you need a man like........" (Y/n) began hesitantly, before the teary April interrupted her.

"I need a man like what, (Y/n)? Tell me..... as you seem to be the expert." April scoffed, knowing full well that (Y/n) didn't have anyone.

Ignoring April's snide comment, (Y/n) swallowed the huge lump in her throat, as she finally let out all her feelings for Arthur.

"You need a man that has the softest wavy brown hair, hair that just begs for you to run your fingers through it every time you see him. You need a man who is kind, caring and loving, a man that is sometimes so painfully shy that you just want to take him in your arms and protect him from the world. You need a man whose heart is made of gold, a man whose smile can light up even the darkest night, and whose eyes seem to be able to speak to your very soul." (Y/n) sighed happily, as her thoughts were filled with Arthur's handsome face.

"(Y/n), is there something that you want to tell me, because that sounds like you were talking about someone you know, and if I didn't know better, I would say you were in love." April sniffed, as she blew her nose on the tissue that (Y/n) had just absentmindedly handed her.

(Y/n) though; of course, how could she be so stupid, how could she be so blind to her own feelings after all this time? She was in love with Arthur, she was in love with the clown down the hall, in love with the best man she had ever met, and even if he didn't feel the same way she had to tell him, to let him know that he wasn't alone.

"(Y/n)?" April said, clicking her fingers in front of her friend's face.

"Are you ok (Y/n)?" April asked, as (Y/n) suddenly looked at her, a huge smile spreading across her lips.

"Yeah, I don't think that I have ever been better. I ...... I just have to go tell Arthur that I love him." (Y/n) announced, as she got to her feet, and headed for the door.

"(Y/n)! What are you talking about? Arthur who?" April called out, as (Y/n) reached for the door.

In the hallway, Arthur stood next to (Y/n)'s door, his eyes wide and his mouth agape, his mind trying to fully comprehend what he had just heard. (Y/n) had just said that she loved him, that she wanted to tell him that she loved him; she had described him as if she had studied each and every line and wrinkle he had a thousand times, as if she could see past the awkwardness, the shyness, and his condition, to the lonely, fragile man underneath that only ever wanted to be loved.

Suddenly the partly opened door flew open, a nearly running (Y/n) bumping straight into Arthur, as the two almost fell to the floor.

Without giving a second thought to why he was there, (Y/n) took hold of the collar of Arthur's shirt as she looked into his sparkling eyes.

"Arthur...... I love you! I love everything about you. I love that you are shy and sweet, that you are funny and awkward; I love that you are a clown and you spend your life trying to make others happy. I love how you blush at the slightest things, and how you rub the back of your neck when you feel uncomfortable; I love your smile, I love your eyes, but most of all I love your heart, the heart that I want to belong to only me; and even if you don't feel the same way, I at least have to let you know that someone cares, and I have to do this." (Y/n) blurted out, as she pulled Arthur to her, her lips crashing into his.

For a moment Arthur was shocked, unable to believe that the woman he loved could actually reciprocate his feelings; but as (Y/n) deepened the kiss, her fingers brushing through his unruly hair, Arthur wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her flush against his chest.

A sudden cough from behind the pair, brought them both back with a start, the two reluctantly separating as April looked Arthur up and down.

"Yep, someone is definitely in love." April chuckled quietly, as she leaned over to speak into (Y/n)'s ear.

"Looks like someone found herself a keeper, whatever you do, don't let him go." April told her, kissing her friend on the cheek as she looked at Arthur.

"Look after her." April said, wiping the tears from her eyes as she made her way back towards the elevator, smiling softly as she saw Arthur pull (Y/n) back into his arms.

"I..... I love you too (Y/n)." Arthur said tenderly, as he rested his forehead against hers.

"And don't worry, I'll never let you let me go." Arthur assured her, as (Y/n) pulled him into another kiss, Arthur smiling as he knew that they may only be a clown and a busker, but they were a double act made in heaven.