46 Chapter Forty-Five

(Uptown - Gotham City - 7:45)

The next day, Jayden finished up his work at the barber shop, feeling a sense of relief.

As he climbed up the stairs leading to his apartment, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity about what awaited him upstairs.

Pushing open the door, Jayden was greeted by a lively scene.

Harley had made herself right at home, sprawled on the couch and engrossed in a video game on his Xbox.

The room was filled with the sound of her laughter and the playful trash talk she exchanged with an unsuspecting opponent through the headset.

Chuckling at the sight, Jayden leaned against the doorframe, watching as Harley skillfully navigated through the virtual world, occasionally letting out a triumphant whoop or a cheeky taunt.

"Having fun, Harley?" Jayden asked, a smile playing on his lips as he joined her in the living room.

Harley paused the game, turning her attention to Jayden with a mischievous grin. "Oh, you bet I am, Jayden! I gotta say, you've got quite the game collection here. Mind if I indulge a little?"

Jayden chuckled, shaking his head. "Not at all( Plus you've already helped yourself)Harley. Make yourself at home. It's good to see you enjoying yourself."

As Jayden settled onto the couch, he noticed that Ivy was nowhere to be seen. He couldn't help but wonder where she had gone off to.

However, he trusted that she was capable of taking care of herself and might just need some time alone.

As Jayden settled onto the couch, joining Harley in her gaming session, he listened to the lively banter that ensued between Harley and an unsuspecting opponent on Xbox Live.

The voice of a young boy crackled through the headset, his frustration was evident as Harley expertly outplayed him.

"Nice try, ya little squirt! But you can't catch me that easily," Harley taunted, her tone playful and arrogant."You gotta step up your game little man you wanna stand a chance against me!"

The young boy on the other end of the line growled in frustration. "You're cheating! No way you're this good!"

Harley laughed heartily, her enthusiasm infectious. "No cheating here, kiddo. Just pure skill and a little touch of insanity. You should see me in real life, it's a real treat!"

Jayden couldn't help but chuckle at Harley's spirited trash talk. As the game progressed, Harley continued to dominate, each victorious moment met with her signature laughter and taunting remarks.

"Aw, don't be a sore loser! It's just a game," Harley playfully teased. "But hey, if you need some pointers, I can give you a crash course in Harley-style gaming. Might up your chances next time!"

The young boy grumbled in response, clearly taken aback by Harley's offer. "Uh, no thanks. I think I'll pass. I've had enough of your crazy tricks for one day."

Jayden leaned in closer to the headset, unable to contain his amusement. "You heard the kid, Harley. I think you've given him quite an unforgettable gaming experience."

Harley grinned mischievously, a glint of mischief in her eyes. " Life's too short to play it safe. Gotta spice things up a bit, even in the virtual world."

With each victory and playful exchange, Jayden and Harley forged a bond through their shared laughter and gaming.

As the sun began to set outside, casting a warm glow through the windows, Jayden couldn't help but notice that even after all this time Ivy still hadn't made an appearance.

Jayden' told Harley he was going to check up on Ivy, but Harley had already tuned him out, concentrating solely on the game she was playing.

...

As Jayden walked onto the lush green rooftop, his eyes briefly scanned the vibrant foliage surrounding him, and a sudden sense of foreboding washed over him.

Something wasn't right. He called out Ivy's name, his voice carrying a hint of concern, but there was no response. The silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the gentle rustling of leaves.

Then, as if time itself had slowed down, Jayden noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. Plants. A swarm of green tendrils and vines snaked their way toward him with surprising speed. It was as if they had a mind of their own, coordinated and purposeful.

Jayden's instinct urged him to dodge and evade the approaching threat, but he hesitated. Instead, he stood his ground, his curiosity getting the better of him. He wanted to understand, to see where this would lead.

And just as the tendrils reached him, they wrapped around his arms and waist and soon after Ivy emerged from her camouflage. Her emerald eyes met his, a mixture of surprise and confusion shining within them.

"I... I didn't expect you to let them catch you," Ivy whispered, her voice filled with a mix of awe and curiosity.

Jayden offered her a small smile, his voice filled with sincerity.

"Ivy, I've seen on the news that you have a deep love for plants. If I had accidentally harmed one of them while struggling, I knew you would be upset. I wanted to respect your sanctuary and see what you were trying to show me...and to check up on you."

Ivy approached Jayden, her touch soft and delicate as she brushed a strand of hair from his face. "You truly understand Jayden. It means a lot to me that you respect my connection with nature."

Jayden nodded, his gaze locked with hers. "I believe in the power of empathy and understanding. I wanted to show you that I value what's important to you, even if it meant letting myself be captured by your plants."

Ivy's expression softened, a mix of gratitude and admiration radiating from her.

"Why did you build all of this, do you perhaps like plants as well," Ivy asked Jayden.

"Well when I first moved here I didn't really like how empty the rooftop felt, and my uncle Jamie always had me water his plants as a side Job so I guess you could say I like them."

Jayden replied, and Ivy nodded her face inches away from Jayden.

She was so close he could practically feel her breathing down his neck. Ivy looked at him, her mind filled with who knows what.

" It's dangerous for me and Harley to be here you know, Batman isn't one to give up chase easily, hell he could already know that we're here.." Ivy said, trying to sound serious but he had already taken everything into account.

Even before bringing them to his home, he had created an anti-tracking device so if Batman had bugged the two it would be worthless.

Not to mention his hair's armada ability to use illusions to not only trick the human eye but any man-made machines as well. No sonar, echolocation or thermal technology would work, not even satellites.

It would just appear like Jayden, his customers and Raven were in his building.

"Batman could come here at any moment to capture us but if he doesn't and finds out you helped us, he could try to integrate you, and trust me Batman isn't nice to anyone that gets in his way of justice..." Ivy growled that last bit as she leaned in closer.

"But with a simple kiss I could wipe your memory of us, he's a pretty good detective so he'll figure out that you were a victim and he wouldn't bother you after that."

"This is for your own good you know." Ivy said, while her lips were only an inch away from his lips. Jayden winced feeling the vines wrap around him tighter."

But just as Ivy was just about to go in for the kiss she stopped." You really don't care...do you, even after everything I told you." Ivy said in a shocked tone.

" Like I said before...Just doing what I can to help. I knew the consequence of trying to help, I'm not a child you know..."

Ivy stared at Jayden, her lips still an inch away from his, she only had to lean in and he would be under her control...

Ivy sighed in frustration...but also for some reason relief. She stepped back while the vines entrapping Jayden let him go.

" The plants, they seemed to have taken a liking to you, you've taken good care of them..." Ivy said before walking past Jayden.

But before she went back inside she looked back at Jayden and smirked." Don't say I didn't warn you, me and Harley can be quite the handful..." She said before heading back inside.

And Jayden who was still on the rooftop may or may not have taken a peek at her behind while she did so.

Hey, you can't blame a brother for looking, especially when she was wearing Selina's short shorts.

"Looks like I managed to at least break down some walls between the two of us, hopefully, if I can get closer to her I can cut her and Harley's hair in the future.

Then I'd be one step closer to completing my dream."