He was her Puddin’, the faith etched into her bones, the dream she couldn't bear to shatter even after he had hurt her a million times.
The furry coat draped over her shoulders had long since fallen to the ground. The bitter wind whipped flurries of snow against her, chilling her to the bone, but Harley felt none of it.
She buried her face in Pamela's arms, breathing in the fresh, leafy scent unique to her-the only thing that made her feel safe. Yet her mind was filled with Joker's smiling face, his voice, and all those romantic Christmas promises they had never had the chance to fulfill.
"It's my fault. I shouldn't have disobeyed him. I should've gone back to him. If I go back, he'll forgive me..."
"Ivy, I miss him so much..."
"Without him, I have nothing..."
Her face grim, Pamela reached down and lifted Harley, who had already sunk into self-doubt, into her arms. Selina quickly picked up the furry coat and draped it back over Harley, shielding her from Gotham's winter wind.
Back at the apartment, Pamela carefully laid Harley on the bed and gently brushed aside the stray hairs plastered to her forehead by tears. "Harley, it's okay now. Get some rest, and you'll feel better."
"Puddin’... my Puddin’..."
Harley was still murmuring to herself.
"There's no Puddin’! Harley! There isn't!" Pamela held her close. "Harley, look at me. It was just a stupid balloon. It wasn't him. It wasn't Joker! You can't let him keep you trapped anymore."
"No... only Puddin’ loves me most... he's my everything... without him, I have nothing..."
"You have me, and you have Selina. We'll always be here for you." Pamela patiently repeated it over and over. "He never loved you. Everything he told you was a lie.