A/N: I wrote a smut scene for this chapter, but it was getting pretty long so I didn't put it in. Probably a good thing, too, really, but I promise I'll warn if I decide to post it later before bumping up this story's rating to M. Just thought it's a possibility. So basically no smut yet, but maybe someday...?

Pride's POV

I lean back on my hands on the grass and look down.

Smiling, dark green eyes that roll backwards as the girl that owns them lies back on the grass.

Her little giggles and occasional snorts that make my heart happy.

Her pretty, straight teeth that grin at us.

Fortune Polius is perfect. She sprawls out on the grass and says, "How'd I get blessed with you two!? Honest to God," she says, grinning.

"I dunno," I say, grinning and laying next to her.

I look up at the final part of our trio.

Grinning navy eyes that sparkle with friendship and caring.

His tan skin, with ink up his arms done by his brother: just enough to be both classy and hardcore.

His slightly crooked grin that he doesn't do a lot but is wonderful when he does.

Cordovan Prior is perfect, too. He lays next to me and we all look up at the sky together.

"You guys are just… More than I should ask for," Fortune sighs.

"I agree," Cord sighs happily.

"That's what makes it great, though," I point out, "We make each other happy."

"Yeah, exactly," the other two chime.

I feel a pressure in my hand as Cord takes it in his with a firm grip that makes my heart flutter a little bit and I take Fortune's. She squeezes it back and my heart flutters again, a small chuckle, a laugh, made up of nothing but happy. I wish I could feel like this all the time, but it's only when Fortune and Cord are near.

"You two make me feel so weird, but a good weird. Like… I dunno… Would it be weird if I were in love with both of you? I mean, there should really be just two people in a relationship, right?" Fortune says, looking at the sky.

"Not necessarily," Cordovan says, "I guess if three people were in love, what's to stop them?"

"You… You don't think it's weird?" she asks seriously. "I mean, it wouldn't be like cheating, would it, because we're exclusive to each other. It'd just be extra-happy, right? Because I love you both with all my heart."

"I know how it feels," I interject, "As weird as it sounds, like, I would date either of you or both of you." A blush brushes across my face and I realize I probably just humiliated myself.

"That… That'd be… That'd be really cool," Cord says, staring at the clouds.

"Really!? Like, you think the three of us could date!?" Fortune asks, lighting up. My heart pounds hard in my chest, practically flying through the air.

"I'm in," Cord says, "What about you?"

"Me too!" Fortune says, and I release the hopeful breath in my lungs and say, "Y-yeah! Totally!"

Fortune giggles and squeezes my hand. Soon, Cord does the same and I squeeze them both back. My heart is pounding hard in my chest and happiness surges through my body like it never has before. The three of us laugh together happily for a while. I live in this moment, not ever wanting to go home.

Fortune lets go of my hand and snuggles against me, and I pull Cord closer and close my eyes, feeling the sun on my face, and my best friends in my arms, and allowing myself, for once, to grin like a complete moron. I know that Mom and Dad won't care, as long as I still volunteer, so I don't even think about them. I feel Fortune breathing against me and stroke Cord's hair.

"So… D'you two want to go on a date with me, then?" Fortune asks.

"There's no reason not to!" Cord roars happily. He has a naturally loud voice but today it just makes me even happier to hear.

I laugh and say, "We can have dinner at my place. As for after that… I guess we'll see, won't we?"

The other two laugh and the noise is music to my ears.

Yes, I barely deserve them, but I've got them, and I'm nothing but glad that I do.

Do I feel bad for dumping Cord? Yes.

But was it the right thing to do? Yes, I think so.

Do I love him? Maybe, but I guess I don't. Obviously my heart's going to be sick either way, right, after all, he's my best friend. Having a three-way relationship is just a lot of stress and it was easy to see it was getting to him. Besides, Fortune is my one and only, and I guess it took until then to realize it.

I wish it hadn't been raining, but I guess the weather really did set the mood. He knew he was drifting apart from us from the very beginning.

"Cord…" Fortune sniffled, burying her face in her hands, "I'm sorry… Really, both of us are sorry, but this just isn't working. The three of us."

"Wh…What'd I do?" he asked, quietly. "What'd I do, you guys?"

"It's not you," I try, "It's just us. We were caught up in happiness, I guess we were just clouded, between the barrier of friendship and love."

He buried his face in his hands and growled, "So you're dumping me, then?"

"We love you, Cord," Fortune sobs, "Really. Just… Not like that. It's a lot of stress, Cord."

"And I'm not worth it," he grunted.

"No, that's not it!" I pleaded with him, trying to make it my fault so maybe it wouldn't hurt as bad.

"It's just…"

"Whatever, I get it," he said quietly into his hands. "I'll leave you to it, then, both of you. Hope you're happy."

He got up and I'll never forget the look he gave us. It was the most hostile look I've ever seen in my life, teeming with anger. Cord looked truly savage, and the image was pressed into my mind. He ran out and slammed the door shut so hard Fortune erupted into a new fit of sobs.

It was the right thing to do, though. I'm positive it was the right thing for all of us.

"Pride!" I don't look over. "Pride!"

Cordovan runs over to where I sit with the gun on my head.

"Pride," he pants, "What… What are you doing?" He crumples down next to me.

"My parents don't love me anymore, Cordovan. They never did," I mutter miserably.

"Of course they do!"

I turn away from him. "You don't understand, Cordovan! I was never anything to them but a Victor." I swallow hard and avoid his eyes. I feel those soft, unforgiving eyes staring at me.

"Congratulations, though," I mumble, "You deserve to volunteer, you deserve to win the glory."

He rips the gun from my hand with some scary force. "You really thought this was the right answer!?" he whispers at me harshly.

I hang my head and mutter, "I'm weak."

"Pride, you're not weak."

"Then why am I here? Huh?" I hate to be so vulnerable now, of all times, in front of someone who should hate me, nonetheless.

"Because this is the first time you've experienced anything like this. Your heart's never been broken before now, has it?" His voice catches on the last syllable and another wave of guilt rushes through my body.

"They're going to kick me out, Cordovan, or worse! I'm going to die on the streets, alone."

"You've got a girlfriend," he says, "And you best be thinking about her, if not of anyone else."

"So? What's she going to say?"

"You think she cares?"

I shrug, not liking this argument. "Still."

"Besides," Cord says, "I wanted to talk to you. If you remember at all… You'd know that I've never wanted to volunteer for the Games. I want to be a Head Trainer."

"Of course I remember…" I say, feeling even worse.

"So, I want you to volunteer."

The words take a long time to sink in completely and I realize he's giving me the chance of a lifetime… That I probably don't deserve.

"You're not serious," I mumble.

"I'm completely serious. I know that you want to be a Victor, and if you're confident, who's stopping you?"

"But… Cord, your Mom already signed the letter! What'll she say?!"

"Fuck the letters, what do they know? And, there's no need for you to worry about me. I can face the consequences, I'm used to it."

The realization smacks me in the face harder than Cord could've ever slapped it in that moment. How many nights has he been out here, alone? How much has his heart hurt that we haven't seen? How many nights has he been in these very shoes, with no one to talk to him?

"You're supposed to hate me," I croak out quietly, into my palms, "You should be encouraging me, not saving me."

"Suicide isn't a game, Pride. I wouldn't wish a fate like that on my own worst enemy. Certainly not someone that I love."

"You still-"

"Love is a bitch," he says, in a tone that warns me to back off and not say anything else about the subject.

"Seriously, though… Thanks. I… I…" I don't even know what to say, so I hug him tightly and let the rest of my tears do the talking.

His breathing stays perfectly steady. I don't think I've ever felt it change from those calm breaths except for once or twice when we were in bed. I press my lips to the side of his neck in gratitude and longing to be happy with him and Fortune, but he jerks up and I realize I probably went too far.

"Good night," he says quietly, "And good luck."

I stare at the stars and mumble the weakest, "Thanks." I knew from that day on I never ever deserved Cordovan Prior.

I jolt awake quickly and pant quietly. I have a second of panic and forget where I am.

I touch the wooden ground with my palms and feel the texture of the wood, letting the sounds and smells of the night remind me that I'm in the Arena. Then I lay still, taking quiet breaths to prevent from shaking or crying. I have a position to fill, after all, and the whole nation is watching.

My eyes scale the rest of my alliance, who all seem to be sleeping alright. I think I catch Fabian's eye, and my stomach feels sick because he reminds me of Cord, a lot, actually.

I force my eyes to smile and sit up as if I've had a wonderful dream where I killed tributes.

I might act like I'm the strongest person around… But I know, and Fortune will know, and the baby will know, and especially Cord knows what I really am.

Someone who never should've been so weak.

Cordovan's POV

I walk down the empty, black streets, trying to think of something… Anything… other than the throbbing pain that shoots through my head and the wailing of my broken heart. I close my eyes, remembering the feeling of the last time he held me in his arms and cried into my neck. That night when I saved him from suicide, even though he broke my heart. I know it was the right thing to do, but now it doesn't matter.

Nothing matters anymore.

Pride's dead.

Suddenly I see a figure run outside and my stomach turns. I keep walking, hoping she won't notice me, but she does and runs over, crying into her hands. I try to get away but she shouts after me, "Cord! CORD!" and I stop in my tracks.

She catches up to me and takes both of my hands in hers, staring at me with wild, teary green eyes. "CORD!" she sobs out, and I really don't want to have to deal with her right now.

"Fortune-"

She sniffles and then says, "I'm pregnant."

The news takes a while to sink in. Horror and anger builds up in the bottom of my gut before I finally force out, "Who's?"

She stares at me, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Huh?"

"WHO'S?!" I roar out, not meaning to roar but not sorry for it.

She wipes her eyes and says, "P-Pride."

I let go of her hands forcefully, relieved that this isn't my problem to deal with.

"C-Cord!" she shouts, and I realize I can't leave her there.

"Cord, please, please, help me! You have to help me through this, Cord, please!" she squeaks out, trembling, taking my hands again.

Thoughts whiz around my head that I can't collect. I don't know what to do or say…

"What do you expect me to do!?" I ask her, trying to hold in my rage so I don't hurt her.

"Please don't be mad at me!" she sobs, "Please!"

I try to calm down, taking deep breaths. Then, after a long pause of her staring at me, I ask her again, in a calmer, quieter voice. "What do you expect me to do?"

She gasps for breath and says, "I-I'm gonna be kicked out, and I-I'm not ready to be a Mom, Cord! And Pride's not here for me!"

I stare at the sidewalk below. "Fortune, I wish I could have you over to stay with me, but I've got a bunch of shit going on at home that doesn't involve the two people I love breaking my heart."

She squeaks, "I'm sorry! Just… Please…" She clutches onto my hands tightly.

"There's nothing I can do. My parents already aren't happy with me because-"

"Because why?" She stares at me and then whispers, "The relationship?"

I turn away from her, once again trying to release her grasp on my hands, and nod. I don't mention, but it never helped that I'm bisexual and passed up the opportunity to volunteer, in their eyes. Nothing ever would've, though.

She wipes her eyes again and says, "What am I going to do?"

"I dunno, Fortune. I wish I knew what to say all the time, but sometimes I just don't."

She reaches in her jacket pocket and says, "Pride always said he'd rather die than have to be a teen parent."

I groan, grabbing the container from her hands and having another small explosion, "But he'd also rather die than lose you!" I take a strained breath or two and then growl out, "Don't be dumb, Fortune. I really can't tolerate it right now."

She sniffles to herself and says, "You're right, Cord…" she buries her face again and says, "I'm a mess, and I still have to tell my parents and Pride's… C-Can you come with me to do it? Please?"

I purse my lips, "Maybe."

"Please! Please, can't you try and do something for me!? Anything!"

I still have no idea what I can do.

I scowl, frustrated and wishing this had never happened. "Fortune, you're my best friend, and I love you. And I promise that I'll be there for you, someday. I just… I can't make any promises to when." She throws her arms around me and sobs into my neck. "Thank you, Cord," she whimpers, and then she takes my lips into one of her soft kisses.

I pull away from her and try my very hardest not to glare, though it doesn't work very well. "Don't. Don't try and replace him."

I shake her off my hands and stomp off, stressing out to the max and wanting nothing more than to break something

I hear her weak voice behind me, "Cord!"

I turn around to face her, spitting out: "What!?"

She looks at me with hurt eyes and says, "You're… You're bleeding… A little." She touches her head with her finger gently, the same spot the vase made contact with my head before. I don't know what to say, I've been caught unloved and bloody. So I just grumble, "Yeah I am," and storm off with much haste.

I sit on the hillside beside the fence out of the District and bury my face in my knees, feeling the throbbing that pounds across my head. I stare down at my bloody hands, unsure of how the hell I'm going to be able to do any of this. Pride's gone, Fortune's pregnant, and I'm alone.

As I bend my fingers and stare at my palms, I make a sudden and brash realization. I saved the loves of my life from suicide… when I can barely save myself. I can't give up now, I can't leave Fortune in her time of need, and I couldn't face Pride if he could see me now.

That's what being human is all about, though. Saving each other and helping each other out, in times of need, and having to walk the road alone, every once in a while.

It'll take a lot of putting back together again, but I'll do it. The reality is that I have no other choice.

Fortunado's POV

"Davison!" I turn around at hearing my last name. "Huh?"

It's… It's the Head Trainer!

What does he want with me!?

Might I be getting a letter!?

Don't be silly, Fortunado, you're just 14!

Oh, but maybe!

"Come," Mr. Prior says, and I follow him walking out of the Academy. He walks with me, far away from the city, and I can't say I know what's going on. I just keep walking with him, through all of it.

"Fortunado, sit down." He takes a seat and I obediently sit down next to him.

"Look…" he sighs, turning to face me. He has gentle, dark eyes that I know I can trust by looking at them.

"You're a good shot," he says. "Good at training."

"I…I am!?" Hope builds up within me.

"But listen to me, and listen well. There's not a prayer you're going in the Games."

My heart sinks to my stomach and buries itself there. "Wh-What?"

"You heard. Your name will never be on the list."

"Wh-Why not!?" I say. This is so unfair, how can he say this!? I'm only 14, after all, he doesn't know anything!

"Your Dad."

"My what!?"

He stares at me with soft eyes. "I knew your father. Well."

Curiosity flutters in my chest and makes its way to my throat. I've always wanted to know about my father, and my mother as well. My real Mom and Dad. And now I might be able to figure it out!

"You knew my Dad?" I ask.

He sighs and says, "Yes, I did. And the Games ruined your father."

I stare. "Huh?"

"You'll never volunteer for the Games because it was the Games that ruined lives. The Games are the reason your mother's homeless, and that you have no father."

"My mother is alive!?" I had always thought her to be dead. My Mom and Dad now said that I'd never get to meet her.

"She is. But the Games ruined her life, and your father's. He had to be something he wasn't in that Arena, and I hate to say that he didn't exactly die a hero's death."

"Yeah," I remark flatly, "He was certainly far from perfect, from what I've seen."

"He was perfect. T-To me, and to your mother. Before the Games, he was perfect. And after the Games… Everyone's lives have been ruined. Now, I'm not saying your father would've stayed if he had lived: your mother's convinced he would: But he would've been a good Dad. He was a good friend."

I nod, trying to make sense of his words.

"You shouldn't judge based off of what you saw of your father in the Games. He really was… Perfect." He chokes on the word. I frown and say, "You know where she is, then?"

He looks up, "Huh?"

"My Mom. You know where she is? Is she well?"

He sighs and says, "Alive."

"Could… Could I meet her someday?"

"You already have. But, formally, properly…? We'll see."

My heart soars and I want nothing more than to hug my real Mom and give her comfort.

"So you may be the best, fittest person out there, but you won't be volunteering for the Games. I promise."

"Why am I suddenly the object of your affection?" I ask him with a small sigh.

"Because I've got nothing left." He pats my head and says, "I'm your godfather."

"You are!?"

"Not officially. But, thanks to your mother's wishes, yes."

"So you could get me away from my Mom and Dad!?"

"No. I couldn't. I can only protect you from a distance, and maybe I can set up a time and place for you to meet your mother."

My heart sinks again, even if it's only slightly. "But…"

He stands up and pats my head. "Maybe we'll talk again someday. It was nice to talk to you, even if it was only for a little. Until then, just stay safe."

He walks away and I stutter out, "O-Okay…" and he turns around and leaves me speechless.