Inspiration

Chapter 5: That One Time Scarecrow Really Didn't Want To Use His Fear Toxin

One day, Jervis asks why there are so many different strains of Fear Toxin. Scarecrow excitedly explains all the differences, ending in one he's still testing, but is pretty sure makes one mentally live through their absolute worst fear.

Jervis makes an offhand remark about wondering what his own greatest fear is, causing Scarecrow to snap back to his Jonathan mindset and say something like "...excuse me? Could you repeat that?".

Jervis reiterates that he's curious, stating that his mind's often too scrambled for him to guess. He then nervously asks if, perhaps, he could volunteer for one of the Fear Toxin Trials?

Trying to keep his reputation intact, Jonathan reluctantly agrees, giving multiple warnings. Cue a lot of angst on Jon's part during the days leading up to the trial, trying to understand why he doesn't want to put the Hatter through this.

Maybe because they're friends? But he had once used a dare to more-or-less force Edward into going through one of the trials. He'd never done it to Harleen, but part of him sees her as a child, no matter that he met her when she was already in her twenties.

So why, why, WHY?!!! (Cue manchild tantrum where he wrecks part of his hideout).

On the day of the trial:

* Much nervousness and attempts at hiding it

* Jonathan (who can't switch to Scarecrow mode, no matter how hard he tries) explaining in faux-gleeful detail what's about to happen.

* Jervis slowly starts to panic, ending in him screaming for the trial to end before it's begun, morosely apologizing.

Turns out, he only wanted to do it because he wanted to do something nice for his March Hare, but he was too 'weak'... He's so very sorry-

Jonathan, kinda snapping, yells at him that he's been a wreck the past few days because of how much he did not want to do this! He was only doing it for Jervis' sake (and a tiny bit for his reputation), and it turns out the Hatter never even wanted to do it?!

Fluff, bonding, maybe love confessions? Nursery rhymes and quotes. Maybe accidental fear toxin exposure?

A bit of explanation: this fits into my headcanon that, besides enemies/specific targets, Jonathan's Fear Toxin is volunteer only. He holds regular trials to test his Toxin on volunteers, paying them relatively well, but doesn't accept children/the elderly/those with heart conditions/etc.

Oh, and Jon has two different 'mindsets' (Professor Crane and Scarecrow) but it isn't exactly two separate personalities. If you write this, use whichever interpretation of Scarecrow vs Jonathan you wish, that's just the one I was using when I wrote these notes.