dusting off this account

[killthisparty]

That ain't fair. It ain't fuckin' fair.

Another one? Pluckin' the lil' bit straight outta -- I mean what the FUCK is up with that.

It ain't fair.




--An' those two. They better take care 'a her. I don't care what happened, they gotta get their shit together make it better fer 'er.




God fuckin' knows we can't.

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[kidjoy]

[She doesn't like that look, and she drops her gaze to her shoes. She shuffles in the dirt, trying to keep her shoulders from tensing under his grip.]

Run.

[killthisparty]

[ ...he relaxes his hands, and gently nudges her chin up. ]

Keep running. Don't you stop. Okay?


[ Party, you're just messing her up without realizing it. ]

[kidjoy]

[Her jaw's tense and the smile she pulls is fake. She nods again. The running is getting harder; she's not sure how much longer she'll go before she has to take the load off, catch her breath. Make her chest stop hurting. But if he asks, she'll do it.

She'd always hated the idea of disappointing him.]

I ain't, I won't. I promise.

[killthisparty]

[ They both know the smiles are fake. They both know this isn't really a happy reunion. They both know they're ignoring several elephants in the room, but it doesn't matter. He wants to know she can take care of herself. He wants to know she'll be okay, and that their failings aren't hers. He wants to make sure that it was all worth it - the running, the fighting, going through all of this, putting her through all of this.

And he knows she can do it.

She could never disappoint him. ]

Good. Now, c'mere again, I ain't done with you. [ And, with that, he pulls her over again - but tricks her into getting noogied on her little head. ]

[kidjoy]

[It feels like a challenge to look him in the eye, to keep all the things trying to burst out of her skin on lock down. Keep in the apology that's souring on her tongue, bite down the questions. She'd been the one to get caught, everything that came after was on her shoulders. There was a lot there to say.

She glad for the distraction when he pulls her in, glad that the giggle doesn't sound nearly so forced. She shakes her head, trying, but barely, to get away.]

No, hey! Don't go messin' with the fro. Got a look goin' here.

[killthisparty]

[ He never liked long words, he never liked apologies. He's got so many of his own, pushed down deep inside somewhere where they fester and rot, but he rather leave them there.

Right now, he just wants to try and make the kid laugh a little. ]

S' the only fro I can mess with. Sorry, kid, them's the breaks.

[kidjoy]

[There's a little pang in her heart at the words. Because what's that supposed to mean? Jet's not around at whatever fucked up version of the afterlife they got stuck in? But she doesn't react, just snorts and tries to wrestle from his grip.

Just like old times.]

Grow your own, P. Don't got get all envy-green just cause I'm the pretty one.

[killthisparty]

[ Honestly, the reason for it is not that depressing. It's just that Jet will literally flip him over if Party even attempts to mess with his fro.

He lets her go, mouth open in a fake, exaggerated expression of true offense. ]

'Scuse you, 've ALWAYS been the pretty one.

[kidjoy]

[And the laughter now is about as genuine as it gets.]

Dirty, nasty lies. Keep trying to sell yourself that noise. We both know what's real.

[killthisparty]

How the fuck dare you? Them's fighting words.

[kidjoy]

Then put 'em up. I don't do take backs.

[killthisparty]

[ He stands up and holds up his fists - deadly things, for a scrawny little runt like him, but never with her. ]

Bring it on.

[kidjoy]

[Another snort, an eye roll. Her little chest is puffed up, a shit eating grin on her face. She doesn't bother putting up the dukes, she goes straight for kicking at his ankles.]

[killthisparty]

[ Straight into the cheap shots! He's so proud.

He jumps back and bops her on the head. ]

'Ey 'ey 'ey. C'mon.

[ He's smiling, he's having fun. That was rare enough without the being dead part.]

[kidjoy]

[She learned from the best. Take the hit where you can get it, fighting fair's for chumps.]

C'mon what punk? You started it.

[She rubs at her hair for a second then darts forward to punch at his arm, little fist swinging wide.

It's freeing that he looks happy. The good times are rolling and it's better than she's felt in weeks.]

[killthisparty]

[ It's better than he'll ever feel again, right? It doesn't even count. But, like everything else, he'll shove that feeling into a corner, where it can rot and fester with all its buddies.

He grabs at her tiny wrists. ]

You scrappy lil'-

[kidjoy]

[He's pulled another laugh from her and she's grinning all shark-like and wide. It's making it a little hard to keep it straight for their scuffle.]

Lil' what, huh? Huh?

[Scrappy? She'll take that. She goes limp in his hold, ready to spring back into action the second he lets her go.]

[killthisparty]

[ He catches her, holding her for a few seconds before he pretends to drop her. ]

[kidjoy]

[She starts thrashing as she feels the drop, trying to wiggle away. When she realizes he still has hands on her, she frowns and looks back up at him. She's getting pretty good at that stink eye.]

Aww, come on Party.

[killthisparty]

What y' groanin' about, heh? Wanna hit the floor? [He teases again, bouncing her o0n his arms.]

[kidjoy]

Gonna make you hit it. [She scrunches up her face, trying vainly to hide her smile behind a scowl.] Ya know I'd get ya and that's why you're playin' all dirty.

[killthisparty]

[ He flicks her nose. ]

Talkin' big talk, short stuff.

[kidjoy]

[She snorts, swats at his hand.]

I can back it up. Ain't just a lot hot air like you.

[killthisparty]

Oi. [ She pinches her nose between his fingers, keeping it there. ] The fuck you say?

[kidjoy]

'eyyy. [She squeaks out, grabbing at his wrist and trying to pull him off.] Don't be gettin' all pissy 'bout the truth.