We Are the Kids From Yesterday

As Soon As I Get My Gun

A/N: Some SHIT goes down in this chapter!! Be prepared, it's intense!!

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It had been a hot minute since the last time Party had properly relaxed. It seemed as if life had finally calmed down for the Fabulous Four, for a moment at least and he was glad. Of course, it was always when things seemed fine disaster seemed to strike but Party felt amazing. He had spent a lot of time with Ghoul, was genuinely happy, and the others were too. At least to his knowledge. He hadn't had a single terror and in the few weeks since the four had come to the diner, Party had done a little check in with Kobra once a week. He had come to look forward to these moments, when he and Kobra would share all their emotions and struggles in the past week and Party would always check to make sure Kobra wasn't hurting himself, even if he said he hadn't been. It wasn't that he didn't trust him, more that it wouldn't be the first time Kobra tried to keep Party away from that sort of thing. Overall, life had been good.

"So, how's your week been kiddo?" said Party, sitting down with Kobra once that time of week came around again. "Mine's been pretty great. I'm still so.... in love."

Kobra looked down where his hands were folded in his lap guiltily. "I'm gonna say something. And can you promise not to hate me?"

"You know I'd never really hate you," said Party. "That's what today is for, emotions."

"I want you to--" he stopped himself quickly before glancing from Party back to his hands, his voice barely above a murmur. "Nevermind, it's stupid."

"Tell me."

"You'll hate me/"

"Kobra, c'mon."

"You--" Kobra let out a grunt, knowing Party wouldn't leave him alone until he said something. "Fine. I--" he took a breath before continuing really quickly. "I want you to spend less time with Ghoul, I feel like you put him before all of us even yourself and if I'm being honest, I'm sick of it and I miss the way everything was before you got together and how we were."

"What?"

"Told you you'd hate me."

"No, Kobra," Party smiled and put a hand on his shoulder. "Of course I don't hate you. Now, if you could explain for me that'd be great."

Kobra took another deep breath before saying, "It's just, we've drifted apart since you got with Ghoul, I feel like. You spend more time with him than with the rest of the group and when you guys are with Jet and I, you're hanging on each other and making out the whole time. Like whatever it takes to see you happy, but I thought the Fabulous Four meant more to you."

"Have I really been spending that much time away from you guys with him?"

"You have."

"God, I'm so sorry," said Party, planting a hand to his forehead. "I'm such a shitty person and an even worse brother, I'm sorry."

"No, it's not a big deal," said Kobra, suddenly quiet again. "It just... it was getting on my nerves. Jet's too. Thought you should know."

"Damn right I should know," said Party. "I shouldn't need you to tell me! I--I should be a better brother to you than this. Fuck, mom would be pissed."

"Shut up, there's no way in hell mom would be pissed at you right now," said Kobra. "You practically raised me, got me out of the deepest places, went through so much shit, and honestly? You're fucking incredible. Mom would be so proud."

"I love you so much, Mikey," said Party, seemingly not realizing the slip of Kobra's former name, as he hugged his brother tightly.

Maybe he didn't notice, but Kobra did when he muttered, "You too." Then ever so silently added, "Gerard," as they broke apart.