lucie, hope you like it :)

everyone else, too, of course ;)

)o(

Rory Hawthorne

I barely make it into our small bedroom, out of Vick's and Posy's sight, before finally allowing the tears to fall. I meant what I said to Prim, I really did. She can make it home, she has a chance. But that doesn't mean she actually will. And even if she does - the arena might break her. Everyone in the District sees what it has done to our only surviving victor.

But no – Primmie's stronger than that. She has to be and so do I. I have to be okay when she comes back home. I'll be there to greet her at the station and I'll smile for her, because I never, not one second doubted her.

But for now, the tears won't stop and I'm glad when Ma's fake-cheerful voice orders Vick and Posy out to play, because that means she'll come hold me.

"Oh my god,"Ma breathes out next to me and Posy squeals in delight, throwing her arms around my legs."She's an angel, Ror, isn't she?"

All I can do is nod, transfixed by the flames of her costume. The Capitol people are screaming her name and a laugh bubbles from my lips."She'll have sponsors. Prim'll have sponsors."

We watch the bloodbath in the town square to be with Katniss and Mrs Everdeen. There's an unspoke rule of the tribute's family having to be available to the cameras for the opening of the Games. I spot the Mellarks a few steps over, catching Mr Mellark as he stares at our group with pain in his eyes. He probably knows his boy doesn't want to come home, not after what he said at the interviews. I'm sure Peeta means to protect Prim, which ultimately means he's decided to die.

Miss Undersee – Madge, I remind myself, she said to call her Madge – and Gale had a fight about it. They don't think anyone heard, but I did.

Gale wouldn't have said it to my face, he treats me like I'm fragile, but he doesn't believe the baker's boy. Madge was very adamant that what Peeta said is true and that it'll gain both him and Primmie sponsors. She yelled at him and everything, telling him to be very careful not to look like anything but Katniss's friend, not to jeopardise what Peeta built for them. She reminds me of Prim, the way she's all gentle and kind until she has enough and then she'll explode.

Whether or not Gale has decided to believe Madge's assessment of Peeta or just doesn't want to ruin the sponsor scheme, he lets the mayor's daughter stand between him and Katniss as we wait for the screen to flicker to life, one arm slung protectively around my shoulder.

My nails are gnawed to stumps, there's bags under my eyes and I can't keep my hands from shaking. Mum cries and shouts and begs, Gale orders and pleas, Posy's confused and Vick's terrified of how I'm changing. But I won't go away from the broadcasts. I have to see what is happening to Prim. It's all I can do for her.

In the beginning of the Games, I went to class. School's pretty much optional during the Games but Prim would always make me go, because she said learning is important, so I went ahead. And that brute from Four almost killed her while I wasn't looking.

So now I won't look away again, because if I do, it'll be her blood on my hands.

Primmie's finally awake again, the horrible hallucinations over at last. But my relief doesn't last long, because the mutts attack. Claudius Templesmith jibbers on about whatever those things are, but I'm not listening.

"Katniss!"I scream over my shoulder and she bursts into the room in seconds. To get us both to eat and sleep, the Everdeens more or less have moved in with us. Between us, our mothers, Gale and Madge Undersee, someone is always watching. They've sworn to call us the second Prim is on screen or something important is happening, so we now sleep and eat in shifts.

I grab her hand as she drops down next to me and we watch the scene unfold before us in horror.

Posy stumbles into the room sleepily after a while, rubbing at her eyes and yawning."Wha's 'appening? M'sleepy."

I shoot up and gather her into my arms as Katniss turns down the volume, her hands shaking furiously. When I return from bringing Posy back to bed, the mutts have gone and Rue lies soaked in her own blood.

Madge shows up at our house not twenty minutes later, out of breath and covered to the knees with coal. She must've ran the whole way. Mum forces a glass of water in her hands, a concerned look on her face."You all right, darling?"

The mayor's daughter nods."It's the final eight now. They'll want interviews soon. We have to figure out what everyone will be saying."

"Everyone?"Gale cuts in, suddenly appearing in the doorway, Posy on his hip."No way are you dragging my family into this!"

"They're already in it, Gale,"she replies, sounding exasperated."You and Rory will have to do interviews and if we plan them well, it'll atleast keep Posy and Vick out. District Two will be playing up their star-crossed pair, don't you think we owe Prim decent interviews? The sponsors will decided who to give their money to for the last stretch."

My brother frowns."Yeah, okay. I'll do it, but that's it."

"No, they'll want to see me,"I interject angrily."It's me she screamed about, Gale. They won't care about you anywhere near as much."

He opens his mouth but I cut him off."No, Gale. I have to do this. For Prim. I have to."

I turn to Madge, completely ignoring everyone else in the room."So how do I play it?"

)o(

I'll do the interview chapter Atashi Desu asked for next :)