Harley Quinn's eyes shot open like fireworks, sparkling with the gleam of child-like joy and happiness.

"Jay!" She squealed, shaking Joker awake with such force that it rattled the bed.

He groaned and rolled over, gently shoving her away.

"Geesh Harley, just another hour for cryin' out loud..." He mumbled into his pillow.

"Nuh-uh, Puddin'! Come on, it's Christmas!"

"I don't see what's so exciting about it."

"What do ya mean, Jay?" For a moment, her voice sounded hurt. Harley put a lot of effort into making Jay's very first Christmas with her special. Did he not care about what she did at all?

He sighed, "You know that's not what I meant, Harlez." He pulled her into him and buried his face into her long blonde waves, "It's just that... I've never had a Christmas before. Not a real one, anyway."

"Never?"

Joker shook his head, still hidden beneath her messy bedhead.

"Oh, well there was one time when I was a little boy," his voice sounded muffled, "I asked my father why we didn't celebrate Christmas like all my friends did."

A pause.

"He pulled on thick gloves and reached right into the burning fireplace, can you believe it? He grabbed a hot coal and told me to close my eyes."

Harley held her breath, already sensing what was coming.

"When I opened them, coal was in my hands and a couple layers of my skin had already burned white."

"Is that why there's scars on your hands?" She whispered, her voice barely audible.

He chuckled, "Like I told ya, life's a comedy, it just took me a while to get the joke."

Suddenly, she took his face in her palms. His green eyes widened in surprise.

"Your life isn't a joke to me. And neither are you, Puddin'."

Gently, he kissed her. Very soft, very slow. It was a melody, a melody he played for her, and for her alone. It was a song, a song only she was allowed to hear.

"Come downstairs with me, Puddin'. This'll be your best—and first—Christmas ever."

Harley Quinn skipped down the flights of stairs, eagerly leaping to the gleaming tree in their living room by the fireplace.

Harley grabbed a green present, and tucked it close to her chest.

"Hurry, Mistah J! I can hardly stand it!"

Joker rubbed his eyes as he thumped downstairs, "It's six in the morning, Harley. Give me a minute."

"Alright, alright," Harley grinned, barely containing her bursting excitement. He plopped down next to her, eyeing her bedhead and then smirking.

"Oh give it a rest, Mistah J! I just woke up!"

He rolled his eyes, "I was going to say you look cute."

Harley's cheeks flushed, "Oh, uh, thank you, Puds," She smiled shyly, "Anyway! Open this one first!" She shoved a green present into his chest.

His eyes widened suddenly, "H-How?"

"You've never opened a gift before?"

He shook his head.

"Well, you're in luck! It's easy! All ya gotta do is tear it."

"Tear it?"

"Yep, tear it!"

He shrugged, "Seems simple enough, I suppose." He started to rip the bright green wrapping paper, and Harley watched his eyes light up.

"I think I did it. Now what?" He demanded.

"Just pull open the tape, and then ya open the box!"

Joker pulled the tape off the cardboard box quickly, and discarded it onto the floor. He opened the box, and lying inside was a pair of green and purple clown slippers.

He was silent as he stared at the gift.

"Well... Do ya like it?" Harley asked tentatively.

Joker pulled out the slippers from the box and stared at them.

"No."

Harley's face fell.

"I love it," He grinned.

"Oh, yay, Puddin'!" Harley threw her arms around him, squeezing him tightly.

He gently pushed her off, but Harley could tell how much he enjoyed the hug.

Suddenly, his expression turned downcast.

"I didn't know I was supposed to get something for you," He mumbled.

Harley gave a half smile and kissed his cheek, "Hey, Puds. It's okay."

"No, it's not. I want to try and... Have a Christmas but... I don't think I know how."

"'Course you do, Jay. Ya just gotta spread the love. You bein' here is enough for me anyday!"

"Really?" He seemed skeptical.

Harley's expression turned serious as she took his hand, "You're the best gift I've ever gotten, Puddin'." She looked him up and down, "Kiss me."

"Huh?"

"Kiss me. Kiss me right no—"

She didn't have to finish that sentence.

"You're the best gift I've ever gotten, Harley baby," He mumbled against her lips.

"Best Christmas ever?" She said between kisses.

"Best Christmas ever."