cold_nostalgia | Another quick fic (Reply)

Title: Death to Our Friends
Disclaimer: Don’t own them
Author: Cold Nostalgia
Challenge/Claim: Harley & Ivy
Characters: Pamela Isley/Harley Quinn
Prompt: 12. Death
Universe: General DCU
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 330
Summary: The words change from visit to visit but the sentiment remains the same.
Slash/warnings: Slash yes. There are some themes in this fic that might offend the more spiritually inclined. Sorry.

Ultimately in life she had achieved nothing. In the end, the toxins that flowed through Pamela’s veins began attacking her vital organs and her last days on earth were spent in Arkham’s hospital wing withering away in agony; a bruised and comatose Harley lay silently in the bed opposite.

Pamela hadn’t considered an afterlife. She never expected a university campus on a chilled, overcast day. They told her death was neither a reward nor punishment, but a journey. They told her she had much to learn.

Shortly after her passing, Pamela discovered ways to return to the land of the living. It's always Harley she visits. Harley when she is alone; when Joker has made yet another attempt on her life.

Pamela does not whisper words of comfort or assurances to her dearest friend who sits slumped among bloodied bandages and stares despondently at nothing. Pamela is cruel, and she tells her cursed friend that she is worthless, that she always was, that the world would be a better place without Harley Quinn.

The words change from visit to visit but the sentiment remains the same. There are times when Pamela truly believes that Harley can hear her. Perhaps it is the way Harley’s eyes dull when she talks, Pamela can’t say for sure.

Her malicious, goading words aren’t meant to inflict any real lasting damage. In life Pamela Isley failed to save rainforests that stood proudly for thousands of years. In death she will not fail to save Harley. To keep Harley safe. Harley was always safest when she was with Pamela.

And if death is but a journey that goes on for the rest of eternity then Pamela doesn’t want to be alone for it. Not anymore. She needs Harley and Harley needs her. Preying on Harley’s self-doubt and self-esteem is the only option available to her.

The faceless guardians don’t pretend to understand her reasoning. They tell her she has much to learn.

Pamela doesn’t understand them.