“Well, day three. Here’s hoping she comes back.” Dr. Death Defying said as Boom Box wandered into the kitchen, looking sad. She’d been pretty down ever since Smile left, especially knowing her friend probably wouldn’t return.
The Kobra Kid nodded silently, pretending not to notice Party Poison was acting like he hadn’t heard anything. Sometimes, Kobra wondered if his brother really was older, or if he just liked saying it.
Not long after the awkward moment in the kitchen, Party Poison took off to hit the Dead Pegasus and see what was going on. Killjoys tended to leave messages for each other in the broken pump, and he hadn’t been through to check what was left for a long time; not since he’d been through Battery City, in fact.
The three remaining Killjoys listened to the motorcycle engine fading into the distance, then released a sigh in unison, wondering what to do about the suddenly angsty man. Their silence was interrupted after only a few minutes by a motorcycle engine, and the Kobra Kid stood up. “I’ll go see what he forgot.” Her mumbled, wandering to the door, freezing when he opened it.
“What’s wrong?” Dr. Death Defying immediately asked, but the Kobra Kid apparently hadn’t heard him. He stood, frozen, as he watched the pair climb off the motorcycle, one of them grinning behind his green, tipped-up mask.
“Kobra! You’re alive!” Fun Ghoul yelled, catching sight of his friend and suddenly launching himself across the distance between them, tackling the taller Killjoy. “Oh my god, I thought you were dead! I saw them shoot you!” Fun Ghoul yelled as he clung to his friend, nearly hysterical. Smile just patted his shoulder as she wandered past the pair into the Lair, Dr. Death Defying sitting stunned as he watched the reunion. Boom Box, however, squealed and ran to Fun Ghoul, making the embrace a group hug.
“Party’s gonna be so happy when he gets back!” She yelled happily. “We just need Jet, and we’ll all be together again!”
The Kobra Kid pulled Fun Ghoul inside and sat him down in the kitchen to catch up on what had been happening on both ends. The two had been chatting for a long time, Boom Box and Death Defying sitting with them happily as Smile hid in her room, when the door opened.
“She made it back? I guess suicide missions aren’t what they used to be.” Party Poison rolled his eyes as he walked into the kitchen and froze when he saw who was sitting with his brother, grinning like a madman. “Ghoul?”
“’She’ brought him back.” The Kobra Kid said sternly, and Party Poison had the grace to look somewhat ashamed of himself before he grinned, attacking his friend in a hug.
After catching up with Fun Ghoul, Party Poison took a deep breath, swallowed his pride, and approached Smile’s room, knocking hesitantly on the door. He paused for a moment, not sure if he should just go in or wait for her to open the door, before his impatience won out.
Smile adjusted her helmet, obviously having slammed it on quickly as soon as she heard him knock, and tipped her head to one side in wary confusion, knowing that the Killjoy didn’t like her. Nonetheless, she motioned him inside, and he stepped in, unintentionally setting her on edge when he shut the door behind him.
“I just…” Party Poison sighed in frustration, running his hand through his bright red hair as he searched for the right words. “Thanks for bringing Fun Ghoul back. And… I’m sorry I’m not… the friendliest Killjoy…” He trailed off awkwardly, gazing at the floor, glancing up quickly to see Smile’s visor before looking away again. There was a sort of desperate sincerity in his eyes; he meant his apology, he just wasn’t good at them.
He wasn’t looking at her, so Smile moved forward and tentatively touched his shoulder, nodding in acceptance. Party Poison grinned at her crookedly, mostly apologetically. He’d always been one to hold a grudge, and he was surprised this girl was willing to forgive him. “Thanks.”
Smile nodded again, just once, then playfully shooed him towards the door, making his grin widen.
“Alright, alright, I can take a hint.” Was he almost laughing? “Just… you don’t have to stay locked up in here all the time.” He looked through her visor, trying to meet her eyes and make her feel welcome, but she waved her hand dismissively. Party Poison rolled his eyes playfully before heading back out into the hall, leaving Smile alone in her room, wondering what had just happened.