Part 1: HERE Part 2: HERE Part 3: HERE Part 4: HERE
GENERAL DISCLAMER: gender-neutral reader, mild description of gore, obviously not canon-accurate (more obvious with the x-reader sections) and just general Harley behaviour.
a/n: i don't write headcanons very often, even more so as an x-reader headcanon shots post of all things, and it isn't properly proofread... BUT i hope someone will still enjoy this!!
human!harley in the workplace.
・Avoids touch and interaction like the plague, always gives the excuse of ‘being hygienic around operating spaces’ and whatnot, but everyone just thinks he's a big germaphobe.
・Leith Pierre once hung his arm around Harley’s shoulder one day, and Harley shoved the man off and barely spoke for the rest of the day. Was also very cranky.
・He's pretty closed off, usually sticking to his office, except for the times he needs to go out and operate on a toy or report things to the executives. If it were up to him, he would move the operating room to his own office and just tell the executives to piss off.
・The screams of the children didn’t bother him whatsoever. In fact, he's felt confused whenever any of the new scientists get visibly upset or uncomfortable when seeing what he’s having to do. It's just a normal day for him.
・Becomes overwhelmed and upset when he's denied something. Control over his workspace? Deadlines? New details only being revealed to him later on? This man is fuming.
・Takes his own revenge when he knows he’s able to do things and the executives can’t stop him. Gets a little cocky when he knows he’s done something and Leith or Eddie can’t fire him over. After all, he knows they need him for this project.
・Is very particular with his foods (ahem- sweet pickles dilemma) picky eater, and such. Due to this, is probably at least malnourished in some categories, and is also worsened because of his work conditions and tendency to overwork to perfection.
・A perfectionist and a neat-freak, obviously.
human!harley with the player/you!
・Thinks of his associates and colleagues as ‘pests’ if you will. None quite up to his level of expertise, but also painfully annoying to be around.
・He doesn’t find you quite as overbearing as everyone else in this dreadful company, but still not as great as he is. (This man has an ego the size of the sun.)
・He knows a thing or two about you simply by observing the way you go about your day. (The style in which you write down notes, the way you hold your pen, and how neat your handwriting is.)
・Ask him about it, and you’ll get shut down immediately.
・Similarly, it's also easy for you to understand Harley and how he likes getting things done. (How he wants things to be laid out, how he formats his reports, and his severe dislike of sweet pickles.)
・It's also easier to get in trouble less. If you'd mess up, albeit in an experiment mishap, pissing off executives, arguing, or making a big scene in front of other scientists.
・You would, somehow, not get any punishment whatsoever. Maybe a small lecture from Harley if he's having a bad day, rambling on about what it does for his reputation as you're technically associated with him, but 95% of the time, nothing.
・If he noticed you having a bad day, he wouldn't particularly know what to do (he has no perception of emotional intelligence), but he would probably give you space, found out through trial and error.
・He'd never admit to giving you a concerned glance, finishing any leftover paperwork of yours, or getting you out of situations, but he does care, in his own, creepy, distant way.
doctor!harley with the player/you.
・'The Doctor' Harley is much different to how you once knew him. He's lost his compassion for you and essentially only kept his pity for you.
・The moment he laid his eyes on you through the security cameras, it was like a sense of deja-vu struck him. He never thought he'd actually see you again; he thought you were killed off during The Hour of Joy. Then again, the Prototype always liked a good joke to piss him off.
・Once he decided to monologue through the speakers to you, he watched for your reaction, hoping to see if he could sense a change in your stance or behaviour.
・He was almost about to empathise with your struggles. He noticed your limp, the way you shook and shuddered after every step; he notices a lot of things. More than anything, he was interested in seeing a human after all this time.
・If you were to manage to wrangle your way into his domain, he wouldn't be surprised, but secretly hiding his excitement. He'd access your person, seeing no resemblance to his thoughtful assistant who once used to brighten up his mornings, bring him his coffee, and stress out about his working habits.
・He would find a weak, wounded little bird who only managed to make their way here due to bizarre circumstances and luck. If he didn't pity you before, he does now.
・Depending on the events that occur, he might just take you in as his own personal project, figuring out what makes you tick. He might just leave you to defend yourself against the monsters in this hellhole and watch as you struggle.
・One thing's for sure, he isn't the same Harley as he was 10 years ago, and you can't change him. The only thing you can do is learn how to live with it or abandon him like he once abandoned his own feelings for you. No one could ever love a monster like him, after all.
a/n: this probably won't get very popular since the release of chapter 4 was monthssss ago, but i still wanna show Harley some love!!
edit: chapter 5 released... HE LIVES!! also theres a lot more of you now who liked this fic, hello!