In Kobra's last moments, their mind was filled with memories. Flashes of a long-forgotten life in Battery City merged with a life in the zones.

Watching your life flash before your eyes, right before you died. Was it a life well lived? Did they make a difference?

Many moments flew by; growing up in Battery City, escaping, finding a crew, finding The Girl. Smiling for the first time in years. Happiness. Love.

But also fear. Anger. Distrust.

Negatives and positives in a life where you can't have just one.

Eventually they settled on a day at the diner. A few months after Benzedrine's death. Like rewinding one of those burnt-out tapes.

Everyone was still in mourning.

The thing with living in the desert was that you grew used to 'Joys being dusted right, left, and slightly off-center. You learn to deal with it. Because, if you don't, you may end up dying of grief.

And one of the worst ways to die in the desert was by giving up.

"I'm going over to Sandman's," Was the first thing Kobra said after he ate. They had all been eating in silence, none of them feeling in the mood to talk.

Benzedrine was one of their closest friends.

"Kobra," Party, who was still eating, sighed, putting their spoon down. "Please don't run away from your problems."

"It's not running away," Kobra hissed. "I just need time."

Party bit their lower lip, looking at Kobra with furrowed eyebrows. There was worry in their eyes. After a moment, they looked away glancing around the diner.

"Fine," They said. "But come back before it gets dark?"

"I'll try," Kobra replied, looking anywhere but Party.

Break. Rewind. Restart.

"I can see your roots," was the first thing Kobra said when they saw Party lying on the floor. Party had The Girl on their chest, her small hands clasped on their jacket.

"I'll dye it later tonight," Party murmured, seemingly trying to avoid waking The Girl.

"Why's she sleeping on you?"

"She's tired, I guess." Party had a small smile on their face. "She's gonna save us all, you know.

Kobra shifted, trying to seem less awkward when looking down at his sibling. "You act like she's some sort of prophet or something."

Party smoothed out The Girl's hair. "Did you hear what Dr. D said about her and her mom?"

"Yeah, but do you trust everything Dr. D says?"

"He hasn't been wrong yet." Party smiled up at Kobra. "And I'm praying to the Phoenix Witch that he isn't wrong this time."

Back to the beginning.

"Together?" Kobra asked. "Party, you promised we'd do this together."

"And I didn't lie," Party hissed. "Just give me a second; I can't find my ray gun."

"Hurry up!"

"You could help me!"

Kobra rolled his eyes before moving across the room to look for Party's ray gun. They looked under the bleached white sheets and behind the monochrome emotionless cabinet.

"Aha!" Party exclaimed, "Got it! Now let's go."

"Thank the Phoenix Witch," Kobra sighed. "I can't wait to leave this place."

"Fuck BL/ind and everything it stands for," Party added.

"May the Zones welcome us with open arms," Kobra agreed.

Something that I started a while ago and finally finished (ish) while procrastinating on my homework :)