Chapter 27

Another Love

And if somebody hurts you, I wanna fight

But my hands been broken, once too many times

So I'll use my voice, I'll be so fucking rude

Words they always win, but I know I'll lose

And I'd sing a song that'd be just ours

But I sang em' all to another heart

And I wanna cry, I wanna fall in love

But all my tears have been used up

On another love

Rory

Rory had watched as Prim ran from the fire, barely escaping with her life.

If it weren't for Cato protecting her and becoming a piece of burnt toast in the process, she wouldn't be alive, and Rory can't help but feel indebted to him for that. And everyone knows that it's in his blood to hate debts, to hate owing people anything. But he's not sure this is something he can repay.

The Everdeens and the Hawthornes are camped out in Rory's living room, watching the screen. After that first mandatory viewing in the town square, they've been watching it here since. Katniss and Rory are the only ones who barely leave the room, only leaving the view of the TV to eat or use the bathroom. Rory knows his mother and Gale are worried about them, but he can't bring himself to stop. Or care.

Everybody leans back in their seats, the room relaxing, as they watch Prim and Cato jump into the water, safe from the fire. Rory buries his head in his hands, his heart still racing. He's so angry; angry at the Capitol, angry at himself for not volunteering so he could be there. But he had promised Prim, they had made a deal, and he doesn't go back on his word, even though he feels like an idiot for it.

He should be there, Rory thinks, running his hands through his hair in frustration.

He can't help but look at the screen, not wanting to miss anything. He watches in puzzlement, as the arena is flooded with artificial light, making it look as if the sun has risen quickly. Why…

"Oh god," Vick chokes out in horror. Rory quickly sees the cause of it when they finally get a good view of the career's back.

"Jesus H. Christ," he mutters. That must hurt like a bitch. His mother, who is standing behind the couch twisting a dishtowel in her hands nervously, quickly hits him with it.

"Ow! Ma!"

"Language!" Hazelle reprimands him. Not only does she see it as cursing, but anything religious is also seen as treasonous now, even though there is a copy of the bible hidden under the floorboards in the back room that their father had read to Gale and Rory before he passed.

Rory just grunts, not taking his eyes off the screen.

"Oh Cato," He hears Prim whisper when she sees his back. Rory has to watch as she touches his shoulder.

"She'll know what to do. She knows how to treat burns," Mrs. Everdeen mumbles, most likely to herself more than to the room.

"But that's way too severe, I don't think a couple of aloe vera plants are going to fix that," Katniss murmurs, her voice filled with anxiety. She's still clutching onto Gale's hand for dear life, but now that Prim's safe from the fire, Rory can see that Gale has stopped wincing from her grip. "They'll need medicine."

"We sent Haymitch all the money we collected from everybody," Gale says hesitantly. Money that the citizens of 12 were more than willing to give after watching what Prim did for Rue. Most couldn't afford to give them any money, but did anyways. Hell, even 9 and 11 both sent her things in the arena. Rory knows that that is a prime example of the effect Prim has on people. And she doesn't even know it.

"Maybe they'll get some more sponsors," Posy pipes up, tears still in her voice.

"Maybe, Pose," Gale says to her in a gentle tone.

They all watch as Prim explores the cave that practically has the gamemakers' signature on it. Rory thinks that it might be a trap, but it's their best option.

"The only problem is getting you up there. The climbing would stretch the skin on your back and be pretty painful."

Rory examines Cato's face, hoping that the career will know that even though it'll be painful, it's worth it to get Prim safe.

"Can't be worse than running, right?"

Rory can't hide his shock at Cato's words. He also can't hide his grudging respect for the career either.

"He must really care about her," Posy says, watching the screen with rapt attention, "If he's willing to go through all this pain to keep her safe."

Rory tries to ignore her words. What 11-year-old thinks like that anyways?

Rory can't ignore it any longer as he watches Prim reach up and kiss Cato on the mouth. It's like a train wreck; he can't look away even though he wants to, even though it's awful to look at and causes jealous to burn in his chest.

He had to watch as they kissed and made up the night before, feeling the same anger and jealousy, having to watch them cuddle together in their sleep. Rory had to watch as Cato stayed up another hour after Prim fell asleep, just playing with her hair and gazing at her with lovey-dovey eyes.

Rory can't take it any longer; he gets up from the couch and walks out of the room, slamming the door closed harder than necessary on his way into the kitchen.

A/N: Super short chapter! Just wanted to give a little glimpse of a heartbroken Rory's response to everything going on. Reviews are welcome and greatly appreciated :)