A/N: Well hey there everyone! Neither me, or the story died, we just took a little break ;)

But we're baaack! And boy have I got a chapter for you! I hope you all like angst and drama because I've got plenty of it!

Thank you so, so, SO much to my amazing and PATIENT reviewers, I really apprieciate it so much.

Gasoline Diamond: I can tell you Jimmy doesn't get any less confusing in this chapter! You'll still want to shoot him though, obviously.

MyChemicalLoveAffair: Yeah, that was pretty unwise of Poison, going to that room with Jimmy alone. But at least it wasn't as bad as it could've been... And aww, yeah. I feel sorry for Ghoul. He's having a hard time of it too.

Also a big thank you because I know I've got some new followers to this story, so thank you for that. And also thank you to anyone else who happens to be reading this :)

Right then, well, big old chapter, with lots of things going on, so I should really let you get on with it!

The chapter title comes from the awesome Danger Days track "Save Yourself, I'll Hold them Back"

Disclaimer: I own no one you might recognise, only the girl and the idea.

Chapter 27 - I'm The Only Friend Who Makes You Cry

He laid in bed, wide awake, only vaguely aware of the others, all sleeping. Rave was sleeping too, peacefully, beside him.

He closed his eyes again, but they kept opening, didn't want to let him sleep.

Then he heard, "Having trouble, Cherry Top?"

Party Poison sat up, saw Saint Jimmy standing at the foot of his bed, eyes steady on him, smiling. "Can't sleep." He replied, simply.

Then Saint Jimmy held out his hand. "Let's see what we can do about that, huh?"

Sceptical about what Saint Jimmy could mean, Party Poison still took his hand, let himself be led out of the room.

He didn't recognise the room they ended up in, he didn't know it. But Saint Jimmy didn't give him time to take in the surroundings. "You know what a good cure for insomnia is?" Saint Jimmy asked.

Before he could answer, Party Poison was pushed against the wall, Saint Jimmy's lips on his.

He didn't even think about stopping him.

Saint Jimmy's hand had already gone between them, he was already snaking his hand up and under Party Poison's shirt.

Party Poison was suddenly very aware of his lack of clothing, dressed only in his shirt and boxer shorts.

He was pleased about that.

Aware that Saint Jimmy was in charge, that he didn't want to push him, didn't want to do anything wrong, Party Poison still couldn't resist. Pushing his hips forward slightly, rubbing against Saint Jimmy.

"Oh. Horny are we?" Saint Jimmy purred. Party Poison shivered as he breathed lightly against his ear. Then he yelped when Saint Jimmy nipped his ear. "I asked you a fucking question, angel. And I expect an answer." He growled. "Are you fucking turned on? Do you fucking want me? Do you want me to fuck you and touch you until you fucking come?" Party Poison closed his eyes, breathing heavy. "Yes." He was panting already, and Saint Jimmy had barely touched him. "Yes, Jimmy I want-"He didn't finish that sentence, Saint Jimmy had, without warning, yanked his boxers down, and Party Poison was shocked by the feeling of being completely exposed. "Relax, baby." Saint Jimmy told him, a hand cradling his cheek as he kissed him, deep. It was all Party Poison could do to stay upright.

Then Saint Jimmy reached down, taking hold of him, like before, more gentle than might've been expected.

Party Poison gasped at the touch, then moaned loudly. "I think he likes it." Saint Jimmy said, teasingly. Party Poison nodded, his eyes closed, his head tilting back against the wall. Saint Jimmy took the opportunity of his neck being so exposed to kiss him there, gaining further gasps and moans. Saint Jimmy took pleasure in those sounds. They were like prizes to him.

"Undress me." Saint Jimmy demanded. Party Poison opened his eyes again, he looked unsure.

Saint Jimmy stopped moving his hand, though he didn't take it away. Party Poison tried not to whimper.

Please don't stop, please.

"Angel, baby. What are you so scared of? Not like you haven't been naked with another man before, not like you haven't been fucked by another man before. Why do you look so Nervous?"

Party Poison didn't reply, found himself doing exactly what Saint Jimmy had asked of him, belt undone, jeans unzipped.

He was rewarded with Saint Jimmy's hand moving, stroking him again. "Don't stop, Cherry Top. If you stop, I stop, get it?" Party Poison nodded, trying to concentrate.

"Pull them down." Saint Jimmy instructed, Party Poison obeyed.

"Now." Saint Jimmy said, "Slip your hand inside. Touch me, like I'm touching you."Again, Party Poison was nervous, but he did what he was told. Saint Jimmy moaned, happily. "Holy shit you know what you're doing, huh?"

Party Poison was pleased, pleased with himself for the reaction Saint Jimmy was having. He felt proud to get such a positive response.

"How does it feel to you, huh? Cherry Top, how does my dick feel? Good? Do you want it inside you?" Party Poison couldn't even create words for that. He simply nodded, eagerly.

"That's what I thought." Saint Jimmy told him. "Now turn around."

Party Poison's eyes snapped open, and he sat upright quickly.

Taking in his surroundings. He was in the bedroom, in his bed, Rave was beside him, Fun Ghoul's (currently empty) bed on one side, Kobra Kid the other side, Jet Star the other side of Kobra Kid.

He was home, he was safe.

Then he spotted the fifth bed. Saint Jimmy asleep in it.

Everything about the dream came rushing back to him. And Party Poison got a nasty feeling in his stomach.

He got off the bed and ran for the door, getting outside just in time to throw up on the ground.

He braced himself with one hand against the wall, his stomach still hurting, still feeling sick. He'd be sick again in a minute, he knew it.

Oh God, someone get him the fuck out of my head

Fun Ghoul was just coming back around that side of the building, he'd gone out a little further this time, he felt more wary than usual tonight.

He knew they'd stayed too long, they should've moved on by now. But every time someone brought up the idea of moving on to Party Poison, he changed the subject. Fun Ghoul understood why, he felt safe here. But the truth was it wasn't safe, at all. Poison was deluding himself, and it scared Fun Ghoul to think what might happen to him, to all of them, if he didn't stop. And the earlier events of the day had only made it even clearer how unsafe they were here.

He heard the doors slam, then the unmistakeable sound of someone being sick. Fun Ghoul ran, somehow knowing who it was before he saw him.

Party Poison had crouched down after a second wave of nausea hit him. He still saw, in his mind, all the things from his dream. It'd felt too real. Saint Jimmy kissing him, touching him.

The other thing that haunted him was the thought of… What if he hadn't woken up? What if it'd continued on? He knew exactly where it'd been heading. Saint Jimmy would've fucked him, and worst of all, he'd welcomed it, wanted it.

That tipped him over the edge again, he was sick some more. No, I don't want him. Why won't he leave me alone?

Fun Ghoul reached him right around then. Sad to see his assumption had been correct, but not surprised.

He slowly came up behind him, "Poison?"

Party Poison flinched, half started to look up, but stopped. "I'll be right back." Before Party Poison could protest, Fun Ghoul dashed inside, grabbed one of their few bottles of water left, then brought it back out to Poison.

He'd stood up now, but was still slightly hunched over, not trusting himself. Fun Ghoul held out the water to him, silently. Party Poison looked up at Fun Ghoul.

He looked more pale than he had in the last few days, a horrible sheen of sweat and tears on his face. "Fuck." He muttered, hating that he'd been seen like this. Then he finally took the water offered to him, a small "thanks" offered back.

The first mouthful he spat back out, trying to get rid of the taste in his mouth. Not because it reminded him that he'd been sick, though that was bad enough, but because it reminded him why he'd been sick.

A few more grateful swallows, starting to feel back to normal, Party Poison let himself fall back, against the wall, closed his eyes.

Fun Ghoul watched him, trying to figure out what was going on in his head, what'd happened. "Dreams again?" He took a guess, knowing how haunted they'd been lately. Party Poison nodded. "Better Living?"

Party Poison shook his head, covered his face with his hands.

"Saint Jimmy." It wasn't a question, Fun Ghoul knew, if it wasn't Better Living, it had to be Saint Jimmy. But still Party Poison nodded.

He dragged his hands away from his face, tried to smile a little, make it all go away, make it all better.

It couldn't be as simple as that. "It's always either him or them." Party Poison said, his voice was shaking, though he was trying to sound confident, trying to sound fine. "Sometimes… Sometimes it's both. Stupid fucking dreams. It's fine. No big deal. Just dreams. They can't hurt me. I'm… I'm okay. I-" A sudden, heavy sob broke it's way out of him, cutting him off completely.

Fun Ghoul was there. "Fucking liar." He muttered, slightly annoyed that Poison hadn't just admitted it. But it was never that easy, was it? Party Poison let himself fall into Ghoul's arms, waiting, willing to hold him. "It's alright." Fun Ghoul told him. "I promise. You're safe."Party Poison ignored him, or didn't hear him. "I can still fucking feel him." He said, clearly tormented. "Fuck. He's inside my fucking head. Fuck. Fuck!" Fun Ghoul, not knowing what else to do, just continued to hold him, then, tentatively, not sure if this was alright, if it was allowed, Fun Ghoul rubbed his back, just gently, reassuringly.

"Frank." Shit.

He hadn't just heard that name, had he? Poison hadn't just-

"Get him out of my head. Please. Please…" Party Poison had finally figured out a way to get rid of the memories, the feelings of Saint Jimmy. Replace them, distract himself. He looked up, right at Ghoul, who wasn't so sure. "Poison, what… What do you mean?"

Poison leaned in slightly, they were close anyway, and gently pressed his lips against Ghoul's.

And Fun Ghoul nearly lost his head entirely. Never mind the fact that Poison was upset, never mind the fact he'd just been physically sick, never mind all the shit he'd been through. For a second all Fun Ghoul could think was just like before. It's just like before, I've got him back, somehow, I've got him back.

He forced himself to stop.

"Gee. Wait. Are you sure-" He'd said Party Poison's real name, no, his nickname, without even thinking. It really was like before. It'd always felt so natural to call each other by their real names, and it did again now.

Poison kissed him again, more surely, deeper, and that time, Fun Ghoul was utterly lost. All he could focus on was himself and Party Poison, their lips on each others. Hands roaming, exploring, remembering. He'd missed this. Fun Ghoul's brain skipped ahead, and he could see them, in a few minutes time, fucking in the sand. He was certain he'd be on top, though Poison had started this, and somehow it was now Fun Ghoul's back against the wall, there was a definite vibe that he wanted Fun Ghoul to take control. The thought of seeing him naked again, the thought of being inside him again… It was too much, he'd never expected to have this again.

Party Poison was just as eager, if not more so, unbuckling Ghoul's belt quickly, undoing his jeans. Party Poison didn't have to worry about his own, he was barely dressed, exactly like in the dream. Saint Jimmy, kissing, stroking, rubbing- No! Focus of Frank!

Somewhere, deep in the back of his mind he knew what he was doing was wrong. He knew he was taking advantage of Ghoul, of the feelings he knew he had for him. You know this will just hurt him. He is going to know you are using him and he is going to feel like shit when you just get up and leave after. Stop this! Deep down he didn't want to be doing this. But the problem was, he needed to do it. So he ignored that voice in his head, kissed Ghoul more forcefully, pulling him forward slightly, grabbing his hair. Fun Ghoul moaned in response. Poison didn't allow himself to think at all anymore. He slipped his hand inside Fun Ghoul's jeans, changing his mind, slipping inside his underwear, finding he was already getting hard.

It should've taken Fun Ghoul under more, made him more of a lost cause to Party Poison's escape route for himself, but somehow, it set off alarm bells. It woke Ghoul back up to the fact that something was very wrong with what was happening.

"Gee… I don't think… I don't think this is such a good idea." It was difficult to concentrate on this thought with Poison's hand still touching him. And Poison was ignoring him entirely.

"Touch me, Frank, please? I want you to…" Party Poison gasped, taking Fun Ghoul's hand, guiding it, until he felt Ghoul's fingers slip down past his waistband. "Get rid of him, Frank, get him off me, get him out of me." He begged, almost whimpered.

Fun Ghoul, hesitant, took his hand away as soon as Poison would let him. Then, he tried to push Party Poison's hand away too. "Gee, listen, I don't-"

"Fine, if you don't wanna touch me, let me touch you. Let me get you hard, you're the one who needs to be anyway. I need you inside me, Frank, I need you to get rid of him, I need you to fuck me so hard it-""No!"

And that finally did it. He finally snapped.

Fun Ghoul pushed him away, hard, and Party Poison stumbled back, fell to the ground.

Ghoul was immediately sorry, moved to help him. "Oh shit, Gee, I'm sorry, I-"

"Stay away!" Poison shouted at him, sounding hurt, betrayed, exactly how he was feeling.

"It's fine. I get it." He spat, venomously. "You don't fucking want me anymore. Fine. Sorry I thought you fucking cared." That hurt, stung. Now it was Fun Ghoul's turn to pretend there weren't tears in his eyes.

"Don't you dare, Gee, don't accuse me of not caring. I care, I care so much. I fucking care enough to tell you no when you fucking throw yourself at me!"

"Nice. Now you're calling me a slut?"

Fun Ghoul knew what he was doing, trying to get a rise out of him, get him to shout back. Maybe even get Fun Ghoul to hurt him.

He wouldn't give in to that though, it was stupid of Party Poison to think he would.

Fun Ghoul went to him, and Party Poison watched, scowling, but obviously cautious as Ghoul knelt down beside him. "Stop that, right now, Gerard." Fun Ghoul told him, sternly. "Stop trying to turn me into the bad guy. I am trying to help you, I am trying to protect you." He stopped, looked down, he wanted to reach out, take Poison's hand, touch his face, something gentle, something reassuring. Certain he was unable to. "Gee, you… You've been through so much, and if I let this carry on, I'll be taking advantage of you. I can't do that, I won't."

Party Poison wasn't backing down, it was as if he was refusing to hear any of the good Fun Ghoul was saying.

"I am not some child, Frank, I know my own fucking mind!"

Fun Ghoul shook his head. Gently, quietly he said, "Wasn't suggesting you're a child, Gee, but you have been-""Damaged. Go on, fucking say it. I'm damaged, broken, fucking damaged goods, right?" Party Poison snapped.

It hurt so much to hear him say that.

"Stop it…" His voice was too small though, he knew he wasn't heard.

Party Poison couldn't stop now, even if he'd wanted to, he couldn't stop the words spilling, pouring, tearing out of him. "Fucked with by BL/I, fucked with by Saint, I'm fucking tainted now, aren't I? Used to be you couldn't wait to get my clothes off, couldn't wait to fuck me." Yes, he was angry at Fun Ghoul, angry he wouldn't give him this escape. Angry at himself for needing it so badly. "Now? Now I fucking need you, you won't fucking touch me!"

Fun Ghoul smacked him, hard.

It shocked them both.

Ghoul couldn't believe he'd done it, he'd tried so hard to keep calm, but in the end, he couldn't. He couldn't stand hearing Party Poison talk about himself like that.

The blow shocked Poison into silence, a hand going to his stinging cheek, he looked at Fun Ghoul finally, eyes slightly wide. He wasn't sure if he was afraid or not.

Knowing he, finally, had Party Poison's attention, Fun Ghoul told him, calmly as he could.

"I told you to stop it. You are not broken, you are not fucking tainted. You are vulnerable. But being vulnerable is not something to be ashamed of, you have been through so much shit, Gee, and I am not going to add to that shit. So no, I won't touch you right now, not like that, I'm not gonna have sex with you, because as much as you think it is, that isn't what you need."

Fun Ghoul stood up then, held out his hand, which Party Poison took, allowing himself to be helped to his feet. For a second, tension crackled between them, neither knowing what to say or do.

Then Fun Ghoul turned, left without a word.

Party Poison stared after him, wondering what it was he did need.

Rave had been distracted all day, everyone noticed, but they all assumed it was due to the fact that they'd nearly lost Party Poison again.

But that wasn't it, not exactly.

It was the fact that she was very scared she'd already lost him.

Saint Jimmy's words from the previous day had been running through her head all day.

"It is true though. And you can see it. Just like you can see him getting closer to Someone else."

She couldn't keep denying it.

Ever since they'd got Poison back, Ghoul had been… Different. She'd thought he'd just been scared to loose one of his best friends, they'd all been scared, so maybe Ghoul was just showing it in a different way.

But Rave knew she'd been kidding herself. She knew when she'd seen him looking at Poison, it wasn't just admiration for a leader, a best friend.

It was love. She knew it, because it was the exact same way she looked at Poison.

The thing she'd really been kidding herself about though, was that it was a one sided thing. That it was just Fun Ghoul, that maybe even Party Poison had no idea.

But he knew. Rave knew he did. And, though he tried a hell of a lot harder than Ghoul did to hide it, he felt the same.

And damn, Ghoul had tried to hide it. But the look of guilt in his eyes when he looked at her now…

It was almost as bad as the look in Poison's eyes.

He was fucking distant. Which was so unlike him, it scared her.

That morning, she'd gone to kiss him, but he turned his head, subtly, but enough that Rave got the hint.

Again, she'd tricked herself into thinking it was just down to all the things he'd been through, he was under a lot of stress, things like kissing and being intimate were the furthest things from his mind. It wasn't like she knew exactly what'd happened to him at Better Living, for all she knew he was now scared to be touched, in any way.

Last night though, when Poison had woken up from another nightmare, and run outside, Rave had woken up, of course she had. She'd gotten up to go after him, but saw Ghoul get to him first, she'd hurried back to the bedroom when she saw Ghoul coming inside.

Rave had waited, and waited for them to come back in.

When Poison finally did, she'd still been sitting up, staring at the door. "Everything okay, Poison?"

He'd nodded, but didn't say a word. He seemed distracted.

When he came back to bed, Rave noticed the smell of sweat on him, not strong, or overly unpleasant, but that kind of clean sweat you get from, for instance, running. And of… Something else. Something familiar that she couldn't quite place. She only knew it didn't usually belong on him.

Again, she ignored it.

She'd ignored so much.

That morning, after Poison had refused her kiss, she'd seen him with Ghoul, outside. They'd looked at each other awkwardly, shyly. Then Poison had smiled, and Ghoul had smiled.

Poison had laid a hand on Ghoul's arm, gently, affectionately.

She had to stop ignoring it.

"Ghoul."

Poison had gone now, off to join Kobra Kid again for more training. After the day before, Poison was determined to keep going, to get better, better than he had been before, even.

Rave hadn't wanted to approach them both at the same time, so now Ghoul was alone, seemed the perfect time to do it.

Fun Ghoul looked up, smiled at her. "Hey Rave."

could you at least pretend you don't have starry eyes from looking at Poison, please, Ghoul? Rave silently begged. Out loud she said, "Can I talk to you, in private?" The smile dropped, a small frown replacing it. "Sure." She lead him back to the bedroom again, far enough away that no one would overhear.

Rave had a feeling neither of them wanted this being overheard.

Fun Ghoul perched on the end of his bed, looking up at Rave, who stood by the wall, trying to figure out her words.

"Ghoul. I know. I know something's going on. With you and Poison."

Fun Ghoul stared at her, blankly, from where Rave was, it looked like he was completely void of emotions.

That was so far from the truth.

He was panicking, scared, ashamed, guilty, sorry. Too many thoughts and feelings to process. He felt sick.

The silence was heavy, as Rave stared right back, waiting, her eyes demanding an answer. Finally, Ghoul opened his mouth, a couple of words falling out, "I don't-""Lying has never suited you Ghoul. Don't start now." Rave said, calmly. But Ghoul could sense the edge to it. He lowered his head, couldn't bring himself to look at her anymore. "How… How did you know?"

"I'm not stupid, Ghoul." Rave told him. "And I'm not blind either. You think I haven't seen the way you look at him?"

"I-""And the way he is with you? The way he is with me?" Rave could feel her voice cracking, but she wouldn't let it, she wouldn't break down, not when she still had so much to say, had so many questions. "Do you have any fucking idea what it's like to watch someone you love become so… Distant, pushing you away. Do you have any-""Yes." Suddenly Ghoul looked up again, met her eyes, the intensity in them now matching her own. "Yes. I know exactly what that feels like." Images of the time they'd been caught by Jet Star, and the kiss that'd ended it, the weeks, months where Poison had barely looked at him.

Yes. Of course he fucking knew.

And he was so sorry that now Rave knew too.

"This was never supposed to happen. I'm sorry." It took Ghoul a minute to realise he'd said those words out loud. Rave had closed her eyes, was shaking her head, trying not to cry. "How- Why, Ghoul? Just… Why?" "Because I-""If you fucking say the words 'because I love him' I swear I-""Why not?" Ghoul demanded, getting to his feet finally. "Why can't I say that? It's fucking true and I have spent so long denying it and now I finally admit it, to myself, to him, if he'd let me, but you tell me I can't. Why not? I fucking love him, alright, and I am sorry that hurts you but it's like you said, lying isn't exactly my style."

Rave was glaring at him, angry, furious at him for what he was saying. "No. Lying is exactly your style. You kept this from me. And you made me think you actually cared about me. But instead you just saw me as an obstacle.""That's not true!" Ghoul protested, coming closer, reaching out his hands to her, dropping them, knowing that if he touched her, Rave would lash out right now. "God Rave, of course that's not true. I do care about you, I love you like a fucking sister, and I never, never meant to do anything to hurt you. I was happy for you! Happy for you and Poison. I was so fucking pleased for him when he found you. That day he carried you back to camp, I knew, I knew what you were going to mean to him, even before he did. And when you guys finally said it, said you were together, who was the first one to congratulate you two? It was me. Because I knew he needed you, more than you ever needed him. He fucking needs someone, someone he can go to when this all gets too much. He leads us all so fucking well, looks out for us, looks after us, but it gets too much for him, he hates admitting it, but it does. He needs someone, and I knew that was you." Rave shook her head, furiously. "Then what the fuck are you doing, Ghoul?""I-""What's going on?"

They both looked to the door.

And, sure enough, there was Party Poison.

Neither of them spoke, and Poison looked between them. Saw Ghoul's look of defeat and shame, and saw Rave's anger and tears.

And he realised exactly what he'd just walked into.

"Fuck." He breathed.

Then, collecting himself, and focusing on Rave, he began, "Rave, I don't know what-""Don't even fucking try it, Poison. Ghoul's already given up your dirty little secret." Ghoul flinched, hating that it'd been called that. Knowing it was really him that was being called that.

Party Poison held up his hands, defensively, closing the door and then stepping further into the room. "Okay. Alright. No denying. But I-""How long has it been going on?" Rave interrupted. Poison paused, considering the question before attempting to answer.

Ghoul got in before he did. "It depends what you mean." Poison turned, glared at him. "Don't you dare-""Why?" Rave demanded. "What does he mean by that Poison, huh? What are you so scared of me knowing?" Then, though he was talking to Rave, Ghoul kept his eyes locked with Poison's. "He's scared of anyone knowing that we were together, before. Before you even joined us. We were together and it was fucking good but he screwed it up!""I screwed it up?" Poison demanded. "Sure. Like there was even anything to screw up.""Liar." Ghoul said, simply. "You were together… Before?" Rave asked, quietly, shakily. And Poison turned his attention back to her. "I- Rave. It was a long time ago. And it wasn't even a proper relationship. We just-""Why didn't I know that before?" Rave said. "How come no one talks about it?" "Because no one knew." Ghoul answered before Poison, again. "Poison was ashamed of me. And of what was going on, what we were doing.""That's not true, I wasn't-""Does Kid know?" Ghoul suddenly demanded. "No. He doesn't, you wouldn't even tell your own brother about what was going on between us because you were too fucking ashamed. You were terrified of him knowing! Then when Jet found out you fucking panicked and ended it! I was ready to be open about it Poison, it was you who wasn't!"They were so wrapped up in being mad at each other, both were startled when another, small, disbelieving voice cut in, "Jet knows?"

They both looked at Rave, who, if possible, looked even more hurt than before.

"Jet…" Poison sighed, trying to push away the memories of it. "Jet… Caught us. He said he'd guessed something was going on but… But he hadn't told Kid.""He caught you." Rave repeated. "Doing what?" "Rave…" Poison sighed, not believing that she really wanted to go into this, knowing that he certainly didn't. "Doing what, Poison?" She pressed. Glaring at him darkly now.

Poison looked to Ghoul now, knowing that if he didn't say it, Ghoul would for him anyway.

It wasn't like he had to think too hard, it came to mind easily. "We were… I was…" He sighed, closed his eyes. "I was on my knees… I was…" He trailed off, knowing he didn't really need to say anything more, there was really only one thing he could've been doing."Oh my God…" Rave said, hand going to her mouth suddenly. "You… You've really had sex with him, haven't you? And you-" It'd suddenly become very real now. Poison had done everything to confirm it, except say the words, and he didn't need to do that anyway.

Rave could see it all perfectly, as if she'd actually witnessed it herself.

And it was all too familiar.

Rave gasped as the realisation hit her, and slowly looked up to stare at Party Poison, wide-eyed. "It's like Jimmy all over again." She whispered, making Poison flinch at the name, and the comparison.

But Rave wasn't done yet.

"No. It's… Oh my God you're worse!"

She felt sick, dizzy, this hit her harder than anything. This realisation, the realisation that the man she loved, trusted had betrayed her in a way not even the man who'd hurt her the most had.

And as for Poison, he felt like if she'd physically punched him, that couldn't hurt nearly as bad as this.

Rave was suggesting he was worse than Saint Jimmy? Even ignoring his own experiences with the Saint, Poison could easily, but painfully bring to mind the things Rave had told him. The things Jimmy had done. To her, to others. He could remember the night she'd surrendered it all, let it all pour out of her so easily.

Rave was shaking, badly, worse than she had for weeks, was it possible she'd relapsed somehow? Without taking more of Better Living's supplements, could you get worse again, go backwards?

Then Poison had remembered what'd happened to his own brother. Concluding that yes. Yes you could.

Party Poison had been outside, had left Fun Ghoul in charge of Rave. She seemed to trust him, not as much as she trusted Poison, but she didn't flinch away as quickly when Ghoul was near her. Poison knew it bugged Kobra Kid that she was so defensive, and that Jet Star wished he knew why Rave seemed so scared.

In any case, Rave seemed nearly as calm around Ghoul as she was around Poison, so that was good enough, and allowed Poison to get on with other things. He did want to stay with Rave, but he didn't like leaving his group to look after themselves.

He was leader. It was his job to be in the thick of it.

It was getting dark out, but Poison could still see, so he wasn't worried, just yet.

Then he saw Ghoul running towards him.

"She's worse?" Poison asked before Ghoul had even stopped. He nodded, a look of worry Poison hadn't seen in so long. Even when they threw themselves into a fight, Ghoul never looked worried.

Only ever at times like this.

Rave was huddled up at the top of Poison's bed, the blanket wrapped around her, tightly. Her head buried.

The shaking was awful.

Poison had told Ghoul to go now.

"I didn't- Poison I swear I didn't do anything. She was fine, she was even talking to me and then-""It's okay, I know. But I think it'd be best if it's just me right now."

Ghoul had, hesitantly, agreed.

When Poison got nearer, he could hear Rave, muttering something under her breath, over and over.

He sat down on the bed, pulled her onto his lap, holding her gently, but firmly, hand stroking her hair, her back, whispering soothing words, waiting for her to calm down.

When Rave finally did, Poison was relieved. It meant this wasn't a relapse. When Kobra Kid had relapsed, he hadn't stopped shaking, he only got worse.

It did bring up the worrying question of what it had been, though.

Poison had a feeling he might get his answer to that by asking another question.

"Rave?" The girl raised her head from where it'd been previously buried against Poison's shoulder, her eyes wide and still shining.

"Who's Jimmy?"

She'd told him everything.

About meeting Jimmy, falling in love with Jimmy. The drugs, the deals. The sex (Poison could tell she hadn't wanted to talk about that, she'd looked away from him as she said it. But it was an outpouring of thoughts and emotions, she couldn't stop it)

Told him about Johnny. How Jimmy toyed with him, but how she always knew he was the one Jimmy really loved. How she stayed anyway, hoping to change his mind.

Told him about the fight they'd had. How she'd left their building. Wandered out on the streets.

About how a warning had gone up. Rebels had got into the city. Everyone had to get inside. Anyone caught outside would be presumed to be a rebel, or to be aiding the rebels, and would be treated as such.

Saint Jimmy had often scoffed about how the company thought they owned the city, while everyone who really knew, knew he still did.

Right then it seemed Jimmy had been very, very wrong.

She'd panicked. She'd ran.

She remembered other people running, most going the other way, which should've been her clue.

She remembered noticing a few people hiding, crouched down. She didn't remember looking at them for very long, only. "I remember something catching my eye I remember…" Rave stared straight at Party Poison then, frowning slightly, thinking hard, trying to work something out. Finally she finished her sentence, "Red."

Prying one of her hands away from where she'd been clutching Poison a little too tight, she brought her hand up to his hair, gently stroking it, then letting her fingers sift through it, drawing it a little closer to her eyes. "All along…" She muttered.

Rave leaned closer again, placing her lips gently against Poison's cheek. "Thank you."

And Poison could guess just what that thank you meant.

Saint Jimmy had been ruining her, slowly, before the fateful night when the Killjoys had got into the city, and Rave had, accidentally, got out.

And now… Now Rave was saying he was worse?

"Rave…" He tried to force the words out, but they came slowly. "I don't-""At least when Jimmy was fucking around, screwing his 'best friend', he did it openly. He never tried to fucking hide it from me. At least he was honest!"

Poison felt like he'd been punched, again. "I… Rave! I have not been sleeping around! Yes, okay I slept with Ghoul. But it was once, years ago! It was before I even-""Holy shit, Poison, either your math or your memory is fucked." Fun Ghoul interrupted, causing Poison to turn and look at him, but not in time to stop him from continuing. "Once? Once?" He repeated Poison's words. "It was so much more than once, Poison, and you fucking know it.""Go on then." Rave said, flatly. "Why don't you tell me? Go on Poison. Tell me. How many times was it really? What was it like? What was he like? Good? C'mon Poison, don't spare me the details." She could feel the grin on her lips, she knew it was nasty, and it reminded her, scarily, of Saint Jimmy. But she couldn't help it, couldn't stop it. She knew she was doing what she always did when she was hurt. She was lashing out, aiming to hurt someone else because she was hurting. And oh God was she hurting. Her heart ached more than she'd ever known.

Rave could see it, actually see that she was hurting Poison, but fuck he'd hurt her.

"Rave." Fun Ghoul said gently. "I think that's enough." He was feeling awful too, even more twisted up in knots, a bundle of emotions, of pain, of guilt, of anger, of sympathy. He felt guilty as hell for what had been going on with him and Poison, but he wasn't going to apologise for the past. He was mad at Poison for trying to pretend it didn't happen, or that it had been 'only once'. He hated that Poison was trying to pretend nothing had happened recently, pretending that things hadn't changed between them, again. Poison was, so obviously ashamed of him, not just that he was sneaking around behind Rave's back, Poison was ashamed of him. It was just like last time, when they'd snuck around and pretended everything was normal, but this time it was worse, because Poison was openly denying it. Ghoul couldn't even pretend anymore.

But still, he knew he was being cruel right back, not letting Poison get away with anything, snapping at him. Ghoul could see that, between them, it wasn't going to take long for himself and Rave to break Poison completely.

And he felt guilty for that too.

He'd never wanted to hurt Poison, he'd wanted to help.

Rave snapped her attention on Fun Ghoul, sharp look in her eyes, and grin gone. "Don't you dare try to tell me what to do. What you've done… It almost hurts more." Ghoul lowered his head, ashamed. He knew.

"You've been my best friend since… Since I got here Ghoul! I've trusted you with… Everything. I have always been completely honest with you, and yet you never, never once mentioned you'd been in a relationship with Poison.""It never seemed… Relevant." Ghoul said, in a small, quiet voice.

"Well, it's suddenly very fucking relevant now, isn't it?" Ghoul didn't answer, he didn't really need to. "When exactly was it you decided you were going to start trying to get my boyfriend into bed with you again?" Rave asked, acidly. Ghoul looked up, shocked at what Rave was suggesting, what she was thinking. "Rave! I- I never decided that. I-""Fine then, I'll put it a little differently. When did the starry eyes start again? When did you start to look at him differently? When did you realise you still had feelings for him?" Ghoul closed his eyes. He didn't want to talk about this, not with Poison right there. The only way he'd ever expected to tell Poison this was if they had ever got back together.

He knew the chances of that now were basically non-existent, so what harm could this do anyway?

"After he was taken." Ghoul admitted. "After Better Living took him. I… Fuck. Poison, I missed you as soon as I knew you were gone. Then I realised I'd been missing you a hell of a lot longer than that." He'd looked to Party Poison, begging him to understand, but Poison wasn't looking. He wasn't looking at either of them.

"That's why it was so hard to get you out of this room, while Poison was unconscious. You never wanted to leave here." Again, Ghoul didn't answer, he didn't need to.

Rave turned her attention on Party Poison again. "And you? When did it all change for you?" Poison just shook his head. "It hasn't." He said.

"Liar!" Rave snapped, making him flinch. "You tell me when it was that you decided you'd rather be with him than me." Again, Poison shook his head. "I didn't." "Stop lying! I know you too fucking well Poison, I can read you like a fucking book, and I know it's changed, you've changed, towards me, towards him. You're always going to him, Poison! When you need someone, it's always him!""He's my best friend of course I-""Your best friend who you just happened to have fucked!" Rave screamed at him. "And the way he's talking about it, you've fucked plenty of times. I wonder where. When." Poison didn't say anything, there was no point, nothing he could deny anymore. "I know one place for certain." Rave continued. "I'm sure you fucked in here, in your bed. In our bed. The same bed where you held me and comforted me. And made me feel safe, and loved and human again after all the shit I went through with Jimmy." Almost as one, Poison and Ghoul figured out where this was going, they looked up, eyes wide and mouths full of words to stop Rave from going where she was heading.

But the words never left them in time.

"The same bed where you tried to make me a mother!" Poison flinched, looked down again. Though he'd known it was coming. It was still painful. "Rave." He said, quietly. "Please. Don't. Don't bring that into this." Rave wasn't listening. She couldn't stop now, the memories of that pain now heaping on the new. "I wanted that… I wanted a child, yours, so badly. You didn't. Now I'm starting to wonder if-""Rave! Stop. That has nothing, nothing to do with this! I know, I know what you wanted. But you're right. I didn't. And you know why. You know I, we, all know what it's like to have a child out here in the zones, and-""I thought you'd fixed me. When you got me off their pills, I thought you'd fixed me. I thought it would work.""So did I, Rave. And we tried. Even though I didn't want to, we tried. I wanted to make you happy." Then, coming closer, daring to, finally, Party Poison put his arms around Rave, to comfort her. This was a difficult subject, for both of them, but it was worse for her. "Please, Rave. Please don't blame me for the things Better Living did."

At first, Rave was stiff in Poison's embrace, refusing to give in, to let herself be comforted. But when she felt his hand on her back, palm running small circles, it was so familiar. She breathed in, heavily, breathing him in with it. The familiar smell of his jacket, of the soap they all shared, but which mingled pleasantly with his own, personal scent. A little bit dusty, a tiny bit dirty, but, undoubtedly nice. And Rave relaxed into him, letting him hold her, finally. She pressed her face against his neck, missing his hair that used to brush against her face, reminding her of the things Better Living had done to him. Reminding her she hadn't been held like this by him since it'd happened.

Then she remembered why.

Rave pushed him away, sharply, causing Poison to stumble slightly. "There's still something I can blame you for though."

Party Poison looked at her, feeling hopeless, defeated. "Enough. Rave." He sighed, heavily. "It's history. Me and him, we haven't-""I see the way you look at each other Poison!" Rave snapped, fury back in full force. "I've seen the way he gets so hesitant to touch you, the way you lean towards him. I've seen the smiles on your faces as you catch sight of each other." Now her voice broke, sounding as defeated as Poison looked. "I wish I didn't see it, Poison. But I do."Party Poison was shaking his head, denying it all, denying it to himself. "No. We… We haven't been like that for years. We-""Fucking hell Poison!"Poison's attention snapped to Fun Ghoul, who, honestly, he'd forgotten about, the other Killjoy had been so quiet for so long, and Poison had had his back to him for a while now. Now he looked at him, and he saw all the pain and anger in the other mans eyes.

"Enough of this bullshit! You know what? I'm sick of it. Sick of lying. I don't want to lie anymore."

And now, Poison panicked, thinking of all the things Ghoul might be about to say, to let spill out. "Shut up. Right now." Poison snapped, seeing Ghoul wince slightly at his words.

You hurt him again.

But it didn't stop Ghoul, only made him pause for a second.

"Who the fuck are you trying to fool, Poison? It's out now, too late! Don't make things worse by lying. By saying nothing happened.""Stop it." Poison said, hands and jaw clenching.

"So, what?" Fun Ghoul asked, shrugging his shoulders. "We're going to pretend you didn't kiss me? Going to pretend I didn't have to physically push you away last night? If you'd had your way, we would've done it. All. Again. You where-""I said stop it Frank!"The silence was deafening.

Party Poison hadn't realised what he'd said at first, why Fun Ghoul had suddenly stopped, why he looked so shocked.

Then he realised, and he felt himself grow very, very cold. He couldn't look at Rave.

"What…?" he slowly turned as he heard her voice. She looked even more shocked than Ghoul. And he knew very little of that had to do with the things Ghoul had said.

"Rave, I-" He was pleading, again, but he knew there weren't enough apologies.

"Is that how it works?" Rave asked. "You pretend it's the past? Pretend it's before you needed 'names. Pretend it's before you knew me? Is that how you let yourself justify it?" Poison moved closer again, going to her, changing his mind. A shaky, unsure hand brushing back through his hair. "No! I… We… I don't know! I've not… I've not called him that since-"Last night." Fun Ghoul cut in, causing Party Poison to turn on him again, more angry than before. "I told you to shut the fuck up!"

Ghoul ignored him, and looked straight to Rave, and told her, "It's not about being in the past. It's about being open, honest, letting us be… Us. It's about being free."Poison was still staring at Ghoul, angrily, the fact everything he'd just said was completely right, and true did nothing to calm Poison.

He was so wrapped up in these thoughts, he didn't notice Rave coming closer, didn't notice her at all.

Until she slapped him.

It was almost as loud as any of the raised voices that'd filled the room.

Poison once again looked to Rave, a hand going to his stinging cheek.

The fire and pain in her eyes was worse than it had been. She'd never raised her hand to Poison before, never wished him any harm, but right now, he could see, this was the least she wanted to do to him. There was no remorse for her actions.

"I haven't heard you say my real name since the day you asked me what it was." Rave said, her voice cold, hard. "And yet his falls from your mouth easily."

Poison tried to think of a way to defend himself, to apologise, to make it better, but he didn't know how. "You know… I wouldn't even be surprised if you told me you'd thought about him when we…" Poison closed his eyes as she said that, unfinished though the sentence was, wishing he knew the words to tell her that wasn't true, and have her believe him.

"I'm sorry." Rave said. "I'm sorry I was never what you really wanted."

Party Poison opened his eyes just in time to see her dashing for the door, he reached out to her, snagging her elbow, trying to stop her. But she shrugged him off.

After she was gone, Party Poison found himself staring at the door.

Had they… Had they just broken up?

Fun Ghoul watched him, feeling helpless. Any and all anger he'd felt towards Poison had melted away, now all he wanted to do was go over to Poison, comfort him.

Just comfort. Nothing else. He just wanted to help his friend.

"Poison. I'm-""Just leave me alone." Without even a glance at Fun Ghoul, Party Poison left, going through the same door Rave just had, but with no intention of following her.

Fun Ghoul watched him go.

The fact he'd mostly likely just lost two friends (not to mention any chance of him and Poison actually being together) weighed heavily on him.

He stepped back, sitting down on the nearest bed, closing his eyes.

"I'm sorry Gerard."What have I done?

Party Poison didn't know where he was going, he only knew he wanted to get away.

Then he spotted the car.

He could get further in that.

Not letting himself think about it any longer, Poison found himself in the drivers seat.

Hands gripping the steering wheel, eyes fixed straight ahead.

But he didn't start the car.

He couldn't. He couldn't just leave his friends, leave them here, stranded, with no quicker way than on foot to get away if there was danger. He couldn't leave them without a leader, either.

But, on that point he wasn't so sure. He'd been a shitty leader lately, and he knew it. None of them said anything, and they certainly didn't try to make him feel bad about it, but still he knew.

And now he'd done something even worse. He'd hurt and upset two of them, to the point where he was near certain they hated him. Sure, the last thing Ghoul had said to him had been gentle, but then Poison had snapped at him again, he wasn't expecting to be given another chance.

And Rave… Rave he was certain he'd lost, entirely. Not just as a partner, which, he was pretty certain he had lost, but even as a friend. Maybe she'd even leave the gang completely. She felt hurt by Fun Ghoul too, and though she was close to Kobra Kid and Jet Star, Poison had a feeling it wouldn't be enough to make her stay.

And as for Ghoul?

Fuck, Why had he been so stupid about it? Why had he denied it all, with Ghoul right there? He'd been trying to save himself, save the situation, but every denial had hurt Ghoul, and Poison knew it. He'd known it as he'd said it.

Poison was sure he'd lost him too.

Why, how had he been so stupid? It was all his fault. He should've just ignored all the signs from Ghoul. He certainly shouldn't have kissed him. He shouldn't have let it show that he had feelings for him.

And he definitely shouldn't have tried to have sex with Ghoul.

He was so glad Ghoul had stopped it.

Or was he?

Fuck. Poison wasn't even sure anymore.

He knew he loved Rave, hated seeing her hurt. He'd felt so proud of her, watching her lately. She seemed so… Strong. She'd really become like a mother to all of them.

But… He couldn't deny, though he had, verbally, loudly and more than once, that he was in love with Ghoul too and not just… Not just the sex. He knew that. That had been part of what had scared him so much about their previous relationship. That's all it had been, sex. A mutual using of each other as a way to deal with all the shit going on around them. And that's what he'd been planning last night. But… The kiss the day before. That hadn't. That hadn't been about sex. That had been gratitude and relief and…

He shook his head. Why was he even trying to figure this out? They both hated him, he'd screwed it all up. They'd probably discuss it between them, how much they hated him, how he'd used them both. Then they'd tell Jet Star and Kobra Kid and-

Fuck.

Kid.

He'd find out Poison had lied to him. Kept secrets from him. His own brother and…

It was all so fucking messed up.

Party Poison fell forward, despair washing over him as his forehead hit the steering wheel.

What the fuck was he going to do?

"Going somewhere, Cherry Top?"

Party Poison jumped at the unexpected sound of an unwelcome voice. He looked up, scowling at Saint Jimmy, who was leant up against the side of the car, just barely perching on the very edge of the hood, leaning slightly on the wing mirror, his hand on the window where it was half down.

How long had he been there? And where the fuck had he been all day?

Party Poison found he didn't much care.

"Shouldn't you have thought of a different nickname by now?" Poison quipped. "That one's a little out of touch with my style." Saint Jimmy laughed. "Oh. Getting feisty with me now, huh?" He said, approvingly. "Good. I like a bit of fire." "Fuck off Saint." Poison replied, tiredly. "I can't deal with you right now."

"Ah yes." Jimmy said, nodding, knowingly. "There's a little trouble in the ranks, isn't there? And all down to some serious indecision on your part. Or… Was it just greed?"

Now Poison stared up at him, wide eyed and shocked. And also ashamed. "You… Heard?"

"Aww, angel." Saint Jimmy cooed. "You should know by now, very little gets past me. But… I did also already know about your little extra 'time' with darling Fun Ghoul.""How did you- ?""You weren't the only one to give something up to me. Gerard."And that was about enough for Poison. He shoved the car door open, Jimmy only moving seconds earlier to avoid injury, and then off the car and backing away from Party Poison. "What the fuck did you do to him?" Poison demanded, catching Jimmy now, grabbing him, one hand ready on his gun.

Saint Jimmy, maddeningly, just laughed. "Oh. Oh! Don't worry sweetheart, I only messed with him a little. Barely even touched him. I didn't have to. All I had to do was tell him the things that went of between us and he got all defensive. Practically fell over himself to tell me he'd fucked you. But, then, spoilsport, he refused to go into detail. And I so wanted to hear what it's like…" Jimmy suddenly sounded wistful, and Poison could see Jimmy's eyes darting to his lips. He was thinking of kissing him, that much was obvious. And though Poison's every instinct told him to get far away from Jimmy, he found the urge to keep hold of him, punish him somehow, was too strong.

And his mind was also clouded with new questions, new worries. Fun Ghoul knew more about what Saint Jimmy had done? And… He'd told Jimmy about… About them? How much had he told him?

Though he really wanted to be mad at Ghoul for telling Jimmy… He couldn't. He knew first hand how manipulative the man was.

"What's the matter, Cherry Top? Feeling betrayed? Lied to? Now maybe you know how Rave feels, how dear Ghoul feels. No wonder they want nothing to do with you anymore, huh? There's only so much a person can take. I mean, poor sweet Rave. She trusted you, didn't she, and all this time you were in love with one of her best friends, and he was in love with you. Not to mention you couldn't give her the one thing she really wanted. What was the matter, darling? You a little… Inefficient?" Saint Jimmy grinned, reached his hand down, his fingers just barely grazing against the front of Poison's jeans before he was smacked away, then violently pushed back.

Feeling both violated and offended, Poison distanced himself from Jimmy as best he could, glaring at the hated man. "It was Better Living's fault. Part of their cocktail of pills, we couldn't reverse it. But then you should know that, Saint. You know a lot about the company's supplies, after all." Saint Jimmy nodded slightly. "Ah yes. I know the one. Did not know Rave was on it, But no, you can't flush it out like some of the others. There's a procedure. But then… Would you really want her to be able to have children? Sounded like you were pretty against the idea, lucky really that it turned out she couldn't. And it wasn't even your fault. You could carry on doing what you were doing, screwing every night, fulfilling your part of the deal, but knowing you'd never have to deal with the consequences." Poison shook his head. "There were consequences." He said. Saint Jimmy just smiled. "Oh. I'm sure there were. How long was it that she refused to let you touch her? How many months did you have to go without… Release?" Poison didn't answer. "Or… Maybe you decided, in that time, you'd fall back on your good friend Ghoul, huh? Did he fill in for a while? I mean, c'mon, not like he'd say no to you, right? He do anything for you… Or to you." A little wink from Saint Jimmy.

"No! He didn't! I didn't! We weren't even… We weren't like that! I was never with him while I was with Rave, I never cheated.""Until recently." Saint Jimmy corrected, with a smile.

Party Poison hung his head.

Saint Jimmy wandered closer. "And that was cruel on him." He said. "You knew he wanted you, knew he had feelings for you, and you used him." Jimmy was getting close now, and Poison stepped back, finding himself with his back against the car. And Jimmy was still advancing. "You gave him just enough of a taste of you and then expected him to be at your beck and call again. Now, I know what it's like to have a little taste of you, and let me tell you…"Saint Jimmy was right up against him now, hands pressing Poison's hands flat against the car, he leaned in closer to whisper in Poison's ear, "It's maddening."

He'd known it was coming, but it was still a shock when he felt Saint Jimmy's lips against his. And though his first thought was to push Jimmy away, to fight back, his second thought was a lot more worrying.

Just let it happen.

What's the point in fighting it?You've lost everything anyway.

At least he wants to show you some kind of love.

Even if it is purely dominant.

And you have no say in any of it.

Why bother fighting?

He gave in.

Relaxed under Jimmy's hold.

And kissed back.

The response from Jimmy was immediate. Poison could almost feel the excitement, the triumph, surging through him. He pressed his body closer against Poison, gripped his hands tighter and kissed with bruising passion.

Jimmy broke off the kiss only to start kissing Poison's cheek, jaw, neck, tracing an erratic trail, and making Poison tip his head back as Jimmy sucked softly on the skin on his neck. "Finally." Jimmy murmured between kisses. "Finally got you, haven't I, angel? Knew you'd give in eventually. Knew it."Poison didn't respond, just concentrated on what Jimmy was doing.

Pretending it was someone else.

Saint Jimmy returned his attention to his mouth again, tongue pressing against Poisons closed lips, which he surrendered, opened without protest, allowing Jimmy entry.

Jimmy's hands started to wander, confident he had Party Poison now, he wasn't fighting anymore.

He slipped his hands behind Poison, drawing him even closer. Then, bring one hand back around, Jimmy started unbuckling Poison's belt.

Still, he wasn't stopped.

Poison felt like he was tearing in two. One half of him was screaming, telling him to stop this, telling him to push Saint Jimmy off, to fight. But the other half was calm, telling him to let it happen, telling him it was alright, telling him it felt good, right?

When he felt Jimmy's hand slip inside his jeans he felt like crying.

It took him a second to realise he already was.

Saint Jimmy's cheek was against his, lips close to Poison's ear. "It's okay, angel, it's okay. I'm gonna make it all okay."

Poison wasn't so sure of that. But it wasn't like it mattered, he was letting this happen anyway. "You'll have to tell me how I compare to the delightful Ghoul when we're done, Cherry Top."

And that's when it changed.

You've already fucked up enough. Why the hell are you making it worse? If either Rave or Fun Ghoul find out what you're doing with Jimmy you'll ruin whatever chances you might have left. And what about Kobra Kid? What if he finds out his brother is this fucking weak? He'll be more than disappointed, he'll be crushed.

Now. Fucking. Stop this!

Party Poison snapped open his eyes and suddenly, forcefully, pushed Jimmy away, catching the Saint completely off guard, and he stumbled back, only just managing to steady himself.

The look of shock lasted barely a couple of seconds, quickly replaced with a look of pure rage.

But Poison was looking back with equal hate.

"Oh. You're a tricky one, Cherry Top." Saint Jimmy spat, trying to grin, but failing, he was clearly angry. "But you forget, I told you what a little taste of you does to people."

The blow was too quick for Poison to stop it, to even see it coming. A sudden pain to his stomach and he was down. Saint Jimmy suddenly baring over him, grabbing his hair, wrenching his head up to once again whisper in his ear. "It's fucking maddening." Then Saint Jimmy roughly let him go, let him fall. A sharp kick as he went past, then, once again, Party Poison was alone.

Really alone this time.