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send me 👫 for headcanons about our muses !
of all his rogues, batman perhaps feels most responsible for harley quinn. not that he blames himself for her “fall from grace” – as he thinks of her transition – but he feels responsible for anything that happens to her. it’s a way of victimizing her, in his mind – in trying to believe in the better of her in comparison of her counterpart. he thinks of her as dr. harleen quinzell, bright and young doctor fresh out of medical school – not what she actually is.
this sword is double-edged – batman doesn’t underestimate her intelligence as she’s swayed so many to do – but he underestimates her intentions. on more than one occasion, she’s managed to ambush him because he doesn’t want to hurt her. as brilliant of a detective batman is, harley quinn is one of his major shortcomings.
bruce wayne is personally responsible for her accommodations during her treatment in arkham. as a member of the hospital’s board, he’s probably one of the only voices for rehabilitation of the patients – let alone humane treatment. despite the hard times she’s given him as batman, he’s always ensured she’s been given proper treatment. perhaps, again, more so than any of his other rogues. it doesn’t have to do with favoring – he simply thinks the most of her – that she can be easily redeemed.
there has been more than one occasion in which harley quinn and batman have teamed up with each other – and each time, the other party’s manipulative tactics have managed to create some sort of falling out. however, the dynamic is surprisingly fitting – and it works out. though batman hardly trusts her – even if she is friends with selina.
