([CM] I'm having a hard time choosing which pairings I should incorporate into the story. Leave your favorite pairing(s) in the reviews and I might go with your suggestion!)

Sollux grabbed hold of the hipster's shoulder, yanking back hard as they both came to a stop. The Gemini wheezed heavily. He wasn't used to so much physical activity, as he was usually locked up in his room playing video games with Karkat.

"Thlow down, athhat!" Sollux gasped, planting his hands on his knees as he desperately sucked in much needed air.

Eridan was panting heavily too, though not quite as much as the other. Ignoring the insult, he squinted his eyes at a bright light in the distance. "Sol, look. Is that a fuckin' gas station?"

Sollux glanced up, peering at the darkness and finding that one lone light that didn't seem too far off. "I think it ith," he managed between gasps. He glanced back at the sound of footsteps, glad to see it was only Gamzee and Tavros.

"W-where's Vvris?" Eridan looked at the two curiously.

"She's all up and gone, bro," Gamzee explained, "The motherfuckers ate her."

Tavros quivered in his arms.

"W-whale good riddance. I nevver really liked her anyw-way." Eridan crossed his arms, before motioning towards the distant light. "W-we think it's a gas station."

"Could be good for finding thome thupplieth." Sollux straightened himself, having gotten most of his breath back. "If we're lucky enough to not run into anymore undead creeps, that ith."

Gamzee nodded approvingly. "Sounds good to me. Tavbro?" He looked at the trembling boy.

Tav looked at Gamzee, slowly nodding his head.

"Then it's agreed." The man pushed past the other two and lead the way to the gas station.

"If it's safe enough, can w-we stay there for tonight?" Eridan whined, him and Sol following their new leader.

"If it's safe," Gamzee confirmed with another head nod.

A small bell rang as they entered the dimly lit gas station, the small troop piling inside. The door swung shut behind them and closed silently. No zombies. All was peaceful. Gamzee was about to relax and put Tavros down when he froze as the sound of a gun cocking. The four looked to where the sound came from, finding a man with a shotgun behind the counter.

Smoke swirled out from the cigarette held in his mouth, trigger finger ready. He slowly lowered the gun and revealed his features. He wore a biker jacket and a white tank top underneath, hair slicked back with too much hair gel and a jagged scar above his right eyebrow.

Eridan's frozen look of fear melted away. "Cro?" The rest of the team slowly relaxed.

"Hey, what's up, little brother?" The man grinned and set the gun down on the counter. He looked down at his side and lightly nudged something with his foot. "It's okay. It's just my brother and his goons."

A shaggy haired boy slowly rose from behind the counter, grumbling small insults at the other for making him hide during a false alarm. His hair hung down and completely covered his eyes, his shirt striped with black and yellow like a bee.

Sollux took on an expression of surprise. "Mituna?"

The boy curiously looked his way, a wide grin spreading his lips as he waved. "Hi Tholluth! I wath hiding!"

Sollux let his palm collide with his forehead. Mituna was as clueless as ever. But at least he was safe.

Gamzee grinned lazily at the two behind the counter, setting Tavros down, though the boy didn't move from his side. "Nice to see a couple of brothers made it out alive."

Cronus nodded, taking a drag from his cigarette that was now between his fingers. "'A course we made it. I know how to deal with a couple a rottin' freaks." His New Yorker accent was heavy as he spoke, and it was clear that living in the south hadn't affected him in the past few years. "Tuna here was just so lucky I went by to check on 'im. That's when the creepers hit."

Mituna was now sitting cross-legged on the counter, eating a candy bar he'd found earlier. He wasn't paying much attention to anyone else until Sollux came over to him to make sure he wasn't hurt. The boy on the counter, however, refused to let his brother touch him anywhere.

A quick discussion passed between Gamzee and Cronus, and it was decided him and Mituna would join the group. But for now, they were all going to settle down for some well-deserved rest.

All except for Cronus. He insisted on keeping watch. No one argued with him, seeing he was the only one with a weapon.

Mituna and Sollux claimed the spot behind the counter, Cronus lending them his jacket to use as a pillow or blanket. Cronus himself sat on the counter, keeping watch through the windows with his gun at the ready.

Eridan was by himself. He'd decided the best place to sleep was near the back where the freezers for drinks were. According to him, that spot was the safest because it was the farthest away from the doors and windows.

Gamzee and Tavros were sitting in one of the aisles that had chips and Faygo. Gamzee said the Faygo reminded him of miracles for some reason.

"It's probably because of all the different colors," he explained, "Like a motherfuckin' rainbow, you know?"

Tav, who was cuddled against Gamzee's side, nodded. "I, uh, like the orange one. It looks nice."

"Yeah, it sure does," the taller male agreed, eyeing the different colors. "But the grape one tastes the best."

It didn't take long for Gamzee to figure out Tavros had fallen asleep. He smiled warmly at the boy, before frowning. They'd forgotten his jacket back at the temporary camp they'd set up. He wasn't worried about the jacket itself, it wasn't important. But think of all the uses it could have been good for. Oh well. No use pouting about it now.

He shifted, careful not to wake Tav, and took out a cigarette he'd had in his pocket. He'd taken a pack from the counter, not that anyone but Tavros complained. He lit the drug stick, placing it between his lips as he put away his lighter. Breathing out slowly, he watched the smoke curl and flicker in front of him. He closed his eyes and leaned against the shelves behind him.

Where were the others? How many more were dead? Would they ever get to see each other again?

So many thoughts drifted through his mind as he felt sleep grasp him and pull him into its dark embrace. They'd be alright. He was sure of it.