A/N: Well, this is it. The final chapter of Radioactive…. *sniffles* But not to fear, I'm writing the 21st Games, a continuation of these characters in the second generation! It'll be up soon, so check if you're interested! Thanks to everyone who read, and especially everyone who favorite/followed, and especially to everyone that reviewed! Shout-outs to Wetstar, Kate-The-Great-And-Powerful, and HogwartsDreamer113 for your support! Alright, I think that's all I have to say. I didn't think I'd get so attached to any of these characters… Also, this chapter is the first that will go back and forth on POV's!

Guys… I bawled my eyes out while writing this. Just a warning.

Platinum's POV

Nate is the only person I have left. My District hates me and everyone in every single other District is probably sick and tired of seeing both of us. Nate still has friends that he loves, and I respect that, really, but I can't help missing him badly when he's away and I'm alone. After Cassia died and Nate gave in… I was terrified. I still am terrified for him. But I choose to go into prostitution with him, without being asked. Or, well, I think threatened is a better word.

I think it's because there's nobody out there to threaten me with, except for Nate, but they could never kill Nate and get away with it: the Capitol people, and I'm sure those in the Districts, especially 2, love him way too much to buy that his death was by an accident.

So we go together, Nate and I, and I'm determined to protect him. After all, I promised it to everyone in my speech, and though Nate's the only one that heard that speech, I still have to keep that promise.

Obviously, losing your virginity to someone you don't know at all is going to be torture no matter which way you look at it, but hopefully I can do something to carry at least some the weight off his shoulders, even if it's only a little.

When I catch up to him at the auction, the poor kid looks shocked and horrified. He hugs me anyways, and whispers, "You too!? They forced you, too?"

In a way, yes. I don't need him worrying too much about it, so I whisper, "Yeah. It'll be alright, though, we're going together. I'll protect you, alright?"

"But-"

"I know how this works, Nate, I've had sex already, a lot more than anyone would know, and I can help to make this easier. I'm definitely going to try."

He lets out a little sob and just nods, not saying anything. Then the auction begins, and with it, all innocence from both of us is gone forever.

I wake up to the soft sounds of someone sniffling. I lazily blink and look around.

Where am I?

Then I remember everything. I never thought it would happen, but it happened.

God, no.

Please… No…

The room is dark, the covers and some Capitol person are wrapped around me. Nate isn't laying against me like he was when I fell asleep, and I notice his figure on the foot of the bed, hunched over.

I slip out of the grasp of the man that bought us, and start searching the floor for my clothes. I find my boxers and pants and slip them on before running to Nate's side, and sit next to him.

The T-shirt he has wrapped around him is much too big: I think it's mine: and he appears to have found his boxers, too.

"Hey, buddy," I whisper, hearing his sniffling and immediately frowning, "Don't cry…"

Nate ignores me and buries his face in his hands. His uneven breaths signify that he's crying, but trying not to. He leans over against me, but keeps his face buried deeply in his hands.

"I'm wearing your T-shirt," he whispers, tears in his voice, "Sorry, not sorry." He suddenly stops talking and goes back to the fight against tears. I put an arm around him and hug him tightly.

"Don't worry about it," I whisper. He wraps the shirt around him and buries his face in the fabric, taking deep breaths.

"I can't believe he really forced us here," he whispers tearily.

"Me neither," I whisper back sadly, keeping my arms around him. Nate finally moves his hands and the shirt from his face and buries his head in my bare shoulder, instead. I stay up with him like that for a while until he finally looks up.

"Hey, Platinum?" he whispers.

"What's up, Cupcake?" I whisper back. He lays his head on my shoulder and looks up at my face.

"I'm sorry for everything I've said. Everyone I've ever thought or done out of hatred for you. You didn't deserve any of it, at all."

I run my hand down his head, through his hair, which still isn't as soft or as dark as I'd be looking for. "Yeah?" I ask, smiling slightly. Nobody's ever told me that before.

"Yeah," he whispers, tears seeming to have gone away but still with a hurt tone. "Because…" he holds my T-shirt to his face again and takes another deep breath. "Because I've really come to look up to you, Cupcake. And…" he bites his lip in the dark. "I really trust you, Platinum."

He tries to smile but ends up burying his face again, this time in my neck, which I really wish didn't have hickeys. Hell, I wish my mouth didn't taste like dick, and I wish we wouldn't even have to be here, and I wish that he could be home safe and sound with his friends, like he deserves to be. I probably still deserve this, really.

Just like the Games was my punishment for being so violent all the time, this is a punishment for my sex obsession.

I just hug him tightly, making wishes for him that can't come true, before I finally speak up again. "I wish this had never happened, Nate. But I will always be there to protect you, if you need me. I have no one left but you, anyways, which means that I've dedicated my life to keeping you safe. I promise I'll never let you down, alright?"

He nods sadly into my neck and whispers, "Alright. Thank you so much. I couldn't ever repay you for everything you've done for me."

"You should try to sleep again," I tell him.

"I really don't want to. I'm too scared."

I glance over at the Capitolite who is still sleeping peacefully.

"Don't worry, Cupcake. Think about me if you're scared."

"Yeah, sure. Thinking of your dick'll help me feel better for sure," he says sarcastically.

It's a lame joke, but it's still a joke, so I try to find it as amusing as he does. I lay back down and so does he, and we both fall back asleep.

Nate's POV

A little while later is the officially opening day of the Academy, and I'm invited to attend as a special guest. I heard that the Academy's actually been named after me.

(Trevor told me even though Trevor was technically not supposed to tell me.)

Trust me, after all of the smiles and fame and acting I've had to do, acting surprised is nothing, and I make it believable enough.

After I make a short speech about how much the academy helped me to win the Games (which isn't a lie: without Trevor teaching me sword skills, I never would've gotten as far as I did, I'm convinced), they officially cut the ribbon and it's open to train as much as anyone would like. I'm invited to be a mentor and trainer, and Trevor is officially announced the Head Trainer.

Then we're released for the banquet and I meet up with Talon and Brandt. Valentina looks pissed, but Nick looks so proud you'd think his father had actually won the Games.

Trevor comes over and says, "Hey, there's the Victor!"

I just kind of wave awkwardly, "Yeah, hey!"

Nick hugs my legs, "You're so cool, Nate!"

Trevor smiles down at him and then looks back up at me. "Your speech was wonderful, Nate. I'm glad I ended up being a help to you after all."

"Yeah, me too," I say smiling. He grins proudly back at me. Then I think to say, "Oh yeah, and congratulations to you, Head Trainer!"

He smiles, looking satisfied, "Oh, yeah, you know, I'm glad I got chosen. I'm going to make Nick the fiercest tribute to ever live, and he's going to win the Games someday. Just like you."

I smile, hiding the sadness I feel at that statement, "Nick has potential."

"Sure does." Then, he pipes up in a joking voice, "Oh yeah, and congratulations on getting an Academy named after you at the age of fifteen!" he winks and slaps me hard on the back.

"Ha, thanks."

"You seemed pretty surprised," he says, grinning, "Didn't you remember me telling you that they named it after you?"

I grin, "Yeah, I remembered. It was all I've been thinking about for weeks. Acting surprised is nothing."

But I know that I did it well, and that's something that's reassuring.

"Good for you, kiddo." He glances over at the food table and says, "I'll talk to you later!" before going there. Nick giggles, "Bye Nate!" and skips off after his father. Poor kid has a black eye that could've easily been from either of his parents.

Suddenly I'm tapped on the back, and I practically jump out of my skin, "Oh God!"

Talon giggles, "Sorry!"

I roll my eyes but try to smile. I hate it when people touch me.

"Good speech, Nate!" Talon says, grinning, "I can't wait to start training! I wanna go in there right now!"

I laugh, "But there's food! And we all know how you like to eat."

"You're exactly right!" he picks up some unfamiliar green pastry and takes a bite. "Mm!" then he pauses. "Actually, this tastes really gross!"

I laugh as Brandt walks over and Talon runs to the trash can.

"Hello Nate."

"Hey. How are you enjoying it?"

"It's fine."

"Yeah…" And once again, we're left in awkward silence, something that Brandt seems totally okay with. He is such an awkward person, I swear to God.

I speak up again, "So, uh, have you tried anything new yet?"

"No."

"Oh. Well some of it is good. Some of it just kind of sucks."

"That's often the case," he says.

Suddenly the mayor gets the District's attention again as Talon skips back over to us.

"Attention, District 2!" The square goes silent instantly and I wonder what this is all about.

"Today is a day of celebration, for the completion of our Academy. We commemorate the young Nate McIalwain, courageously volunteering last year to represent his District in the Games!" The District applauds for me, Talon high-fives me and Trevor whoops.

"And, today, I have with me, the names of those two courageous young adults that have been selected to volunteer for the 3rd Hunger Games."

They're choosing people!? What!? People actually want to volunteer?! This is bad. This is a terrible thing.

"The girl this year is… Jasmine Foxx!"

Everyone bursts into cheers and applause, and I look in the direction that everyone else is looking to get a glimpse at her. Jasmine, a girl with long brown hair with blonde tips and way too much eye-liner on around blue-violet eyes, is grinning and high-fiving everyone around her that's squealing excitedly. She'd do fine as a Victor, she's definitely enough of a whore.

"And the boy this year is… Our very own Brandt Manson!"

Trevor fist-pumps and everyone claps and cheers. He looks shocked at the response, looking around. "YAY BRANDT!" Talon says, hugging him. The older boy stiffens up, not liking hugs.

"Sorry," Talon says, letting go.

"N-no…" Brandt stammers. "I-It's okay…"

"Congratulations," I say, trying not to look as afraid or upset as I am.

"Thanks, Nate."

And then he smiles. It's a small one, but Brandt Manson smiles.

The Games made Brandt smile more than anything anyone's ever done for him. I…I can't believe it.

The really excited teens and adults all run to the two volunteers and eventually lift them up and carry the around happily, cheering, laughing, and shouting.

That night, I call Platinum for another one of our night-long conversations.

"So… What are you going to do?"

"I have to get Brandt out alive, Platinum."

"You will, don't worry."

"Alright…"

"Really. You're good enough, you can't do it."

"I hope…"

"Get some sleep. I promise it'll all work out."

"Okay." I smile slightly.

Then I go to sleep.

It's a little while later, the day after the end of the 4th Hunger Games. Platinum and I sit quietly together. We have to be at an auction, together, at eight in the morning tomorrow so he's staying the night with me in Two. It's early evening and we've run out of things to talk about that won't cause tears.

Brandt Manson's been dead for a year. Elijah's been dead for three, and Ashley. Priscilla, God, Priscilla… And Cutter… And Bean… I killed them all (or got them killed) two years ago. Cassia, my sister… Dead for about one and a half years. We're both still prostitutes.

Much has changed in the four years since the rebellion.

I wish I could be the happy 13-year-old I was before the Hunger Games ruined my life.

I'll never be that boy again. Because I will always have the weight of those deaths on my shoulders. And everything that Platinum and I have been through…

It's awful. And there hasn't been a day that's gone by since Brandt died that I haven't felt just awful. I have a feeling deep in my gut that everything is more my fault than I'll ever know. Somehow, everything Platinum's been through could possibly be my fault, even though there's barely a way it could be. It's just a feeling I have.

Platinum and I sit in dead silence for a long time before I speak up.

"I'm sorry," I mutter, finally.

He looks up. "For what?"

"I'm sorry you're being forced to do this!"

He frowns at me. "It's not your fault, Nate. None of this is your fault."

I sigh, "Yes it is! All of it is, I just know!"

He puts an arm around me, "It's not!"

The tears start to come back, "Yes it is! Somehow, some way, it's all my fault, even for you!"

He hugs me and shakes his head, "It's not, for either of us! Nate, this is the Capitol's fault for forcing you in!"

I look up, "Wait, what?!"

"It's-oh." He lets go of me and looks like he just told the biggest secret in the world.

"What the hell are you saying?" I ask, trying to control the rage building up inside me.

"Nate," he starts, quietly, "Wait."

"You… You weren't forced?" I squeak. "Th…That means…" Thoughts fly through my mind and I finally collect them, putting it together.

"Nate…" Platinum says, "Hold it, please-"

"You… You CHOSE!" Tears pour out of my eyes and I let them.

"Nate, hold it!" Platinum says, trying to calm me down.

"You… You inconsiderate bastard! I TRUSTED you! For years, I've trusted you!"

"Nate!"

"I. Told. You. EVERYTHING!" I shout at him, "I was positive that you were the only person who understood me! I was sure of it! I trusted you so much, with everything!" I scream and sob, still in shock and disbelief. "You're nothing but a WHORE! I can't BELIEVE you'd go so far to have SEX just because everyone HATES YOU!"

"Nate, listen!" I look at him, hurt, and tremble from tears.

"I didn't choose for the reason you think, Nate!"

"YOU CHOSE! YOU PUT ALL THAT SHIT ON BOTH OF US!"

"Nate, stop! I chose after you gave in, alright!?"

"Oh, so you just wanted to see my dick, then?"

"No! Nate, I-"

I don't want to hear his excuse. "I let you see me cry! I let you comfort me! I trusted you!"I sob, voice squeaky, "AND-" Suddenly his strong hand grabs a wad of my shirt and tugs so hard it hurts, "SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO ME, CUPCAKE!"

Hearing him say those words hate me. Cupcake, a word I called him at first out of hatred, that turned into a joke. Now, it's only a cruel reminder of how the one person out of everyone that I got truly attached to was never really honest like I thought.

I shut my mouth, anyways, terrified.

"I chose because I wanted to protect you. I lied so you wouldn't worry, or be hurt. I don't want you to suffer any more than you have to?"

I glare at him. "How can I believe you? How can I believe a single damn word that comes out of your mouth ever again!?"

"Because everyone else in this world fucking hates me except you and I've given my entire EXISTANCE to you because I CARE about you!" he wipes his eyes.

I blink. "So… You're telling me that... My suffering isn't your fault." He nods. "But you're saying that…" I stare straight forward with wide eyes of horror. "Your suffering… is my fault."

"No, Nate! That was never the point at all! Not even close!"

I stand up, "That's it, I can't take this anymore." I hold back the tears and grab my sword, for defense, just in case. I never leave the house without it. "And don't you dare follow me!"

Then I take off running outside, to the mud pit behind my old house. I still like to cry there. I'll never stop, I don't think. Being a Victor is miserable. I collapse on the grass and lean against my old house.

The sky is clear, the moon is golden. I remember when I sat in a tree and mourned for Elijah.

It was just one person, then. One that I loved more than anything, but only one. Amazing how things have changed, I guess. I never thought I'd be here. Hurting for Ashley, destroyed over Elijah, without my big sister, wishing Priscilla was alive, wishing I could tell Cutter I'm sorry, and so upset over losing Brandt Manson, of all people…

And I thought I had someone left. Someone who understands me. But I don't even have Platinum any more.

It hurts me endlessly, all over. I'm all alone, and everything was my fault. My weakness destroyed both of us.

I shouldn't be alive. I shouldn't be sitting here. Cutter should've won the Games. Priscilla, Cliff, anyone but me!

And in that moment, all I want is a way out.

A way out… That's it….

I always thought of carrying my sword with me everywhere as a sign of power, or strength. Or mistrust… Or even as a trophy.

But now, I have it to do the ultimate giving up.

I unsheathe the sword and examine it for a while, in the moonlight. I remember how happy I was to see it after the Boeh incident. I killed Bean with the weapon. And Priscilla, too.

I killed Priscilla with this weapon.

It flashes before my eyes. How rabid I looked on the television. How rabid I felt. How angry, wrathful I was, but she was right! She knew it all along, she knew I'd be a terrible Victor, like I am now. I should've listened. If Cliff had won the Games, he wouldn't be here now. He wouldn't be contemplating suicide, of all things, because he had four little siblings, and they're the sweetest people I met on my Victory tour. He should've won, I should've gotten eaten!

I put the tip of the sword to my chest. I want it to happen fast, and Platinum can't see. My heart rate sky-rockets.

"Nate… Don't do it…" Elijah's voice says in my head. "Don't."

That's when I discover that no, I was never okay with any of their deaths. Ever. Not any of them.

"You have positives, Nate," Cutter's voice chimes in.

"Think about it." Priscilla says, "Think about this before you do it."

"Don't!" Ashley squeaks.

No. The weight is just too heavy for me to carry on my own, now that Platinum won't be here to help me.

"Nate. Think. About. Talon. Think about Nick. Don't do this to them," Brandt warns, "Don't do it to yourself."

That makes me stop and think. But me being around isn't going to help Nick at all. He'll grow up wanting to be just like me and then waste his life, anyways. And Talon will keep going. He has his new friend that's a girl.

"Please," Elijah's voice quivers, "Please."

But I don't listen, and I start counting down from ten, mentally, muttering under my breath.

"I've been put to the ultimate test of character," I whisper, voice quivering, "This world has done everything it could to get me to SNAP! Well, I give up! I failed the test, I can't survive like Platinum can!" My voice crescendos, "I give up, alright!? I hope you're all happy now! What're you all gonna do, Capitol!? Yeah, FUCK YOU! ALL OF YOU! ESPECIALLY PRESIDENT FUCKING AUGUSTUS! You've made my life HELL! And the joke's on YOU now, because NOW YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO YOUR WHOLE CAPITOL WHY I WAS SO DEPRESSED I DIED BY MY OWN HAND!" I wipe my eyes, though it doesn't do much because both of my cheeks are soaked. "I HOPE ALL OF YOU ARE FUCKING HAPPY NOW!" My screams are carried away in the wind.

I stiffly jerk the sword towards my chest, but a loud noise startles me just in time for me to plunge it into my upper abdomen instead. The noise? Platinum screams my name at the top of his lungs and runs out from where he was hiding in a bush.

His strong arms pick me up like a baby.

"NATE!" he's sobbing so hard I can feel his body shaking, "NATE PLEASE! Hold on for me! I'm sorry, I…" he collapses on the ground, still holding me and sobbing. I take his hand and squeeze it, gathering the last of my strength to stare him right in the eyes.

"Of anyone's arms to die in… I'm glad they're yours."

And then the world fades away to white.

Platinum's POV

He's dead.

Nate McIalwain is dead.

And… It's all my fault.

I should've saved him. I should've protected him. This shouldn't have ever happened to him. Had I just been ten seconds earlier… Had I just made it better before it got worse… I could've saved him.

But I didn't. I'm a horrible person. I can't hold onto someone without hurting them, or worse!

And now, I get to be the one that tells his family and friends.

I place his body down on the ground gently and walk to Valentina and Trevor's house first. My heart aches, all I want to do is burst into tears and not look at any of them ever again, but I can't. I have to tell them, no matter how much it hurts.

I knock on the door and Trevor answers, Nick shyly behind him.

"Where's your wife?" I ask him.

"With her dad." he blinks, "Boy, you look upset. What's wrong, did you step on a fly and want to have a funeral for it?" he laughs, obviously thinking he's funny.

I take him by the shirt and slam him against the wall. "Listen up you little shit! Nate McIalwain is DEAD!"

Trevor looks shocked, "What? How?"

"He committed suicide!"

That dumb smirk comes back soon enough. "Huh. So he's just as weak as Valentina's brother. Figures. I'll just throw it out there that my son is going to win the Games and he'll be twice the Victor that Nate McIalwain ever was."

I slug him in the face. "Nate McIalwain is ten times the Victor your son will ever be! And he's fifty times the man you've ever been, you are, and you ever WILL BE!"

I let him go by shoving him back in the house and then I walk to the Crowly household.

The image of Nate's body in my arms and seeing his drying blood on my sleeves makes me miserable and sick to the stomach but I keep it together long enough to knock on their door.

Valentina opens and doesn't look particularly thrilled to see me there. "What do you want?"

"Can I come in? I have something important to say."

A tear escapes my eye and Valentina's eyes soften as she lets me in.

"Where's Nate?" she asks, sitting back with her father.

I can't control the tears anymore as I whisper, "He's dead."

She stands back up again, "What?"

"He committed suicide! I couldn't save him…" I bury my face in my hands, "I'm so sorry!" I turn and run out of there.

I hear a lot of screaming go on in the house. A relationship is broken apart.

We have a funeral for him the next day, and the whole District is in attendance. They bury him in the ground next to Elijah. Best friends forever.

Valentina screams and cries throughout the entire thing. Trevor stands in the back, covering his black eye. Nick looks confused, wandering around by himself. I try to keep the tears away but they don't stay away. The moment that Mr. Crowly makes his speech about how Elijah and Nate caused chaos with their cat, and always smiled, and always chased each other around, I start to sob uncontrollably. We all have a toast with apple juice, in memory of Nate, and I can barely even swallow it, thinking about how he always smiled when he had apple juice.

Everyone leaves and I'm the last to go, until I see a shadow throw himself down at Nate's grave. He hugs the tombstone and shouts with tears, "THIS NEVER SHOULD'VE HAPPENED TO HIM! I SHOULD'VE DIED! HE SHOULD'VE BEEN HAPPY! I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THIS TO HIM! I NEVER SHOULD'VE FUCKING LET HIM VOLUNTEER!"

Poor little fourteen-year-old Talon's screams are heard by everyone. I approach him gently, "Talon…"

He looks up with teary, scared brown eyes, and quickly gets up and runs away as fast as he can, back toward the orphanage. I kneel down at the grave and the mud seeps into my jeans and makes my knees cold. When I look down, I see a knife there with fresh blood on it. My eyes go wide and I look Talon's direction, but the orphan is long gone. My heart hurts. I pick it up and chuck it into the woods nearby, not wanting anyone to see it.

Then I run my fingers over the letters of the tombstone, feeling so sick I might throw up.

I shakily put the red rose I've been holding onto all afternoon on his grave, gently, as if he might wake up if I did it too forcefully. I have pricks all down my fingers on both hands, but I don't care. I deserve more than just that for what I did to him, anyways.

As I kneel on the grave, though, I start to think that a fate like this couldn't have been avoided, no matter how hard I tried.

Nate was always doomed to a fate like this. There would be no escaping, it had to happen someday.

After all, he was past the point of rescue.

He was radioactive.