Work Text:
"Y/n again, the same perfect scores just as always!" Mary happily said. The rest of the kids in the room sighed, pissed off knowing Y/n always won these quizzes and exams unlike everyone else. They smugly smiled, their ego seemly growing by the praised. "Oh, you flatter me, Miss Mary." They joked before looking at Joker who was looking at his own scores. "Still worrying about Mr. Smiley Face getting mad at you for failing again?" They asked while wrapping their arm around his shoulder. "Um, well, yes unfortunately..." He admitted. His guardian was quite cruel towards him unlike Y/n's guardian. Miss Michiko was gentle and nice, although scary when mad.
He was quite envious of Y/n for being so lucky. Imagine being so gifted, unaware about this hell holed of the world, and have such a nice mother figure... He wished he was like them, it felt unfair, but he didn't want these dark thoughts to get the better of him. Besides, he enjoyed that part of them. He... Grew to love Y/n. They were like his savior, they protected him because he was an outcast among the other children. They were friends, and the two only had each other to comfort the other. So, he did the thing that felt right.
Keep them innocent and unaware of the truth of the death singing competition. he didn't want them to be scarred or fear of losing him. He wanted them to be happy without knowing at some point, one of them will die. Unless, he made a planned that could prevent the two of them from dying. He wanted to protect them, just like how they protected him.
"Joker, there's something I have to confessed..." They said. Their head was lowered down in shame, like the confession they were going to tell him wasn't going to be good news. He didn't care, he still smiled at them even though the situation might take a turn for the worst. "What is it y/n? What do you want to confessed?" He asked. They gulp before speaking. "I knew the truth, about the outcome of this life and death singing showcase. You were preparing for your death, day and night while I pretended not to know. I don't want to take this secret to the grave if you or I died, knowing I deceived you... So please." They grabbed his hand. "Don't sacrifice yourself for me. Live, learn how to live without me in this world instead of me." They begged. Joker smiled. He pulled his hand away from their grip before covering their mouth to shush them. "What are you saying? I'm not, My plan is for us to get a tie and they will spare us! None of us will die. I promise, okay?" Then he pulls them into a hug, embracing them. "Just go with the flow." He whispered. Everything will go according to plan.
...
Everything will be okay, we will survive this. Joker smiled at Y/n as they singed together. It felt like forever since the last time Joker felt genuine happiness with Y/n.
...
Joker, you know how I always outstanded you, and Mr. Smiley Face would often tell you how much he wished I was his pet rather than you, because I was skillful. I hated overhearing that. I wanted to punch the living deadlight out of that scumbag for making you feel not enough, but, you knew if I did so, then I would get in trouble. So...
Y/n smiles bittersweetly at Joker, sweat dripping down from their forehead knowing what was about to happen. The dread creeping up at them while trying to forced a smile for their beloved. Their scores begin to show for the hunters, who were watching this all happened. Joker, 87. Y/n, 86. Then, blood splatters onto Jokers face. His eyes widen from the suddenness. No, this wasn't supposed to go like this... This was not the plan. The microphone in Y/n's hands drops to the floor, letting out a piercing sound on the stage. A pool of their own blood surrounding their lifeless body now. The hunters who watched this happen clap their hands, out of joy from the exciting showcase they just watched. Joker's world was shattered into pieces.
...So this time, you get to outshine me like how I always wished for you to do so, Joker.