Preview

Somehow, nobody else knew about their spot, a small area hidden behind a few stray boulders and dead bushes. Or maybe they did know, but didn't want to ruin the sacredness of it for Love Riot and Kobra Kid. The two Killjoys always found themselves coming here to get away from it all, to vent to each other, to relax in silence, to share a secret. It was theirs, and no one ever disturbed them.

They were sitting next to each other, masks off and guns set aside, staring up at the stars. Party Poison was three days late.

"Kobra?" Riot broke the silence.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think... do you think he's ever coming home?"

Kobra sighed heavily. The council had agreed to only talk positively to the other Killjoys for now. He had lost count of how many times he reassured some bright-eyed kid that his brother was alright. "Don't put any letters in the mailbox yet, kid," he would say, "Poison's going to be fine. He always is." But Love Riot wasn't just any other Killjoy. She didn't know it, but she was one opening away from a seat on the council herself. She was also his best friend; she could see through his bullshit any day. She deserved to know the truth.

The moon was full that night, so when he looked over at her he could see the tears forming in her eyes at his hesitation. "Kobra, what do you know?"

"Nothing," he answered honestly, looking back up at the stars. He thought for a moment, then decided to change his answer. "No. You want to know what I know?" Riot looked at him, but he kept his face turned to the night sky. "I know that my brother is a fighter. I know he would never give in to any drac, or Scarecrow, or even Korse. I know he would die to keep us safe, he would die for this fight, and that is why I know my brother is never coming home."

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, angry tears began to spill down his cheeks. No one had yet dared to admit the possibility of never seeing Poison again, and now that he had it was all too real.

"Hey," Riot said quietly. When her best friend turned to look at her, she was struck by how young he looked. He looked young and afraid and already lonely without his brother around. She turned and held her arms open to him, "Come here." A quiet sob choked out as Kobra Kid accepted her embrace, and then they were both crying. "I know, Kobra. I know," she whispered, trying to comfort him through her own tears. His hands grabbed fistfuls of her jacket and he buried his face in her shoulder. Riot held him close and cried with him, already hating the idea of waking up tomorrow and still not having Poison back.

"You love him," Kobra said, pulling away to look her in the eye, "Don't you?"

Riot nodded, "Yeah," she admitted for the first time, "yeah, I really do. And I realized it the day he left. How's that for shit timing, huh?" she forced out a dry laugh.

Kobra wiped the tears from her cheeks and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I knew it," he muttered.

Riot rolled her eyes and changed the subject, "So, when's the council going to call it?"

"Whenever we have proof. We know Korse would never let him die without bragging to us about it, so I guess we're just waiting... which is probably the worst part." Kobra shook his head and dropped his chin, "I just wish they'd get it over with, you know? Just let me mourn my brother."

"I thought Killjoys never die."

"Party Poison wont, but my big brother will."

Notes

SO YEAH. Let me know what you think! If you want to hear the rest of the story (where Riot came from, how they met and became friends, will Poison ever return, and everything that happens after) you gotta tell me in the comments! I'll get to work on making sense of the various bits and pieces I have scattered throughout notebooks all over my room. Haha Believe me there's a LOT more to Love Riot's story than just this little piece, and I'd love to share it with you if you want to hear it!