Keep Running Darling

Reunion

"Yea... it's me Aria."

That sentence was running on replay in my mind as Ger- Party and I sat on my bed. I was curled up with my knees to my chest, Party's arms were wrapped around me. I had my head in the crook of his neck as he rocked me back and forth. I had stopped crying but he didn't let go. I didn't want him to. 

He hummed as he stroked my hair. I missed that. I missed everything about him. I ran through all of the memories of him as he held me. 

"I'm so sorry..." I muttered, beginning to cry again as I thought about our last fight. "I-I didn't mean it." 

I was sobbing again. practically screaming into his chest, soaking his t-shirt. 

"Shhhh, I know, I know. That doesn't matter anymore. All that matters is that you're here."

"No," I looked up at him now, "no... it does matter and I never should have said it! I was angry and I've hated myself everyday for saying those words to you!"

"Toxic," He started, but I was turning into a screaming mess in his arms, "...Aria, please." 

I felt my heart break hearing my name leave his lips. 

"Aria, I know you didn't mean it. I also know you never would have said it if you knew what was going to happen."

"But I still said it," my voice was barely above a whisper now, "I said it and I've lived the last however many years hating myself for it. I thought those were the last words I ever said to you. I thought you were dead. It killed me everyday to think about that."

I looked into his eyes realizing they were also beginning to refill with tears. 

"I thought you were dead too." was all he said. 

We sat there for a while, unmoving, just staring at each other. 

"I never imagined that my girlfriend would ever be the most bad-ass killjoy ever." He smiled and I couldn't help but smile back at him. 

"Party, I wasn't your girlfriend." I said sadly.

"I wanted you to be. I meant it when I said I loved you... I sti-"

He was cut off by Kobra entering the diner. His eyebrows were furrowed and he was obviously distressed. I looked at him for a minute before remembering who he was. 

"Mikey?" I whispered, remembering Gerard's little brother. 

He ran over to us enveloping me in the biggest and warmest hug, pulling me from Party's grasp. 

"Aria... I'm so sorry. I had no idea." 

"Kobra, none of us did. It's no ones fault." 

He smiled at me and pulled away, looking to Party who was now rubbing my back. 

Ghoul and Jet were the next to come in the diner, looking awkward at best. I realized they probably had no idea what was happening, and I doubted Kobra was in the mood to enlighten them. 

"Um, sorry about that," I started, wiping the tears from my eyes, "we knew each other before the fires. I thought they were dead, they thought I was dead."

They looked at me with pity in their eyes and for a moment I resented them for it. I hate being pitied. 

It was silent for a moment before Party cleared his throat, "Um... Toxic and I need to get to the radio station for the debrief. You guys stay here."

They all nodded. Party and I stood, his hand still on my back as I grabbed some clothes and headed for the bathroom. I stopped in front of the door, turning to face him.