The Stars Watch Over Us All

How Wrong We Were To Think That Immortality Meant Never Dying - Fun Ghoul

Fun Ghoul's struggling to stay standing

Ghoul wiped his sleeve across his face, the tears still streaming down his face in a never-ending way that was sure to leave him dehydrated after. Party had long fallen asleep, the emotional stress of the night finally getting to them. They had their head on Ghoul's shoulder, dried tears on their face. Their breath was coming out in short huffs, their eyebrows furrowing occasionally.

Sniffling, he tried to quell the tears, only succeeding in hiccuping in that wet way that only happens when you're trying to stop crying. He glanced at his soaked sleeve – no doubt ruined by now – and did his best to dry the damp fabric.

There's nothing quite like drowning in the desert, drowning in your own tears.

Finally managing to calm down enough to take deep breaths, Ghoul leaned his head back against the headrest. The tears were still leaking down his face, but he finally was able to think clearly.

"Party," he gently shook his partner's shoulder. "Love, wake up."

No response, not even a stir.

"Party?" Ghoul started to get worried, not even sure why. Party was just asleep... right?

Shaking Party a little harder, Ghoul could feel the tears drying rapidly on his face.

"Party fucking Poison, I swear to the Phoenix Witch, if you died from crying–" Ghoul left the threat open.

"First of all, fuck you," A hoarse voice came from Party. "I'm gonna die in a firefight, not from something as shitty as crying."

"And second of all?" Ghoul asked while reaching back. He fished a bottled water out of their rapidly dwindling supply and passed it to Party.

"Second of all..." Party trailed off. "Second of all why are you giving me water?"

Ghoul sighed. "You need it."

Party sat up, rubbing their face, before taking the bottle. "That wasn't a really fucked up dream, was it."

"I wish it was," Ghoul muttered, eyes searching the desert.

The silence was awkward, even more so as Ghoul took a sip of water. He knew that Party was watching but he tried to ignore it.

Putting the cap back on the bottle, Ghoul tossed it to the backseat. "Ready?"

Party cocked their head. "For what?"

"We're going to The Suitehearts." A short statement. Nothing more was needed.

Party paused for a moment before opening their mouth. Then closing it. A swallow. They opened it again. "Should we tell Jet?"

Ghoul's eyes widened. "Shit."

Hopping out of the car, Ghoul ran around to the back of the diner, and scrambled up the ladder. Peeking over the eave of the diner, he could see Jet Star hunched over, shoulders slumped, and The Girl awkwardly hugging him from the side. Clambering up onto the roof, Ghoul cautiously walked over, avoiding the edge– heights were scary.

"Jet? Girlie?" Ghoul called, standing a few steps away from the two of them. It was only a few steps but it felt like the entirety of Route Guano was between them.

The Girl twisted, looking at Ghoul before standing up, jostling Jet in the process. Jet had no reaction, he stayed hunched and virtually motionless.

"Heya Ghoulie," The Girl mumbled, eyes fixed on Jet, "Whatcha doin'?"

Following The Girl's gaze to Jet Star, Ghoul walked over and wrapped an arm around her. "We're – me and Party – we're going't The Suitehearts. Did one'a Jet's Beads break too?"