looking for answers {Cato/JB Blitz

[Knuckles]

W E A V E R

His fake smile slowly disappeared as the peacekeepers led him into the justice building. Looking through the glass at the walls Weaver felt like he had been there before, yet it was all foreign. The world was blurred as he counted how many times his hands clenched into a fist. It was an escape something to cool him down, but his heart roared inside his chest pounding fiercely against hollow bones. He was nothing more than a pawn used to destroy his brother like Iain was used to destroy Kirito, and Weaver wasn't impressed because he knew the moment his name was called his life had ended all he was waiting for was the time and the place.

Another door opened in front of him, and he quickly walked inside hoping the door shut fast so nobody could see him anymore. Once the lock clicked, Weaver strutted to the couch lifting a cushion to his face before screaming into it releasing all the anger boiling inside him. A waterfall of angry tears slid down the side of his face for only a moment because he had to regain control of himself before someone walked inside.

He placed the pillow back in place before walking to the far corner of the room, and he stared out the window wishing he wasn't on this side before dropping to his knees. Five years ago he walked into this room saying goodbye to his brother Crusader when he was reaped for the games. Two years ago he walked into this room saying goodbye to Harbinger never expecting to see him again, yet he broke through, and somehow managed to survive. A soft sigh fell from his lips.

And he heard the doorknob click, and he heard it close, however, he refused to turn around and look someone in the eye when all he wanted to do was cry.

Made by Frankel

[Cato]

Harbinger Rhodes Twenty | Male | District Eleven

Finter tries apologizing to me after he leaves the stage, but I can't look at him. I can't stare the man in the eye who just condemned my brother to death. I try to tell myself over and over that it wasn't him. That it was in fact president snow, but I know it was my own fault for winning the games. I have ruined my family. I've cursed them just like Kirito's family is cursed. I wouldn't put it past him to rig the reaping until they're all dead or past the reaping years. But even my child. My own family. They're still in danger, but I'm alive. I survived the hell. I survived the hunger games, and now my life is a living hell.

"Harbinger, I didn't know."

"Why are you apologizing to me? You pulled his name. You called his name. You sentenced my brother to death." I find myself starting to yell as my heart drops to the ground. But I think of Navya, and I know I need to see her before I leave because I can't go like this. I have to let it out before I try something I'll later regret. But it wasn't Finter's fault Iain or Weaver was reaped - it's mine.

I sigh silently to myself as I make my way through the hall of the justice building, and the sound of my footsteps match the rhythm of my heart. The peacekeepers try to stop me as I reach towards the doorknob to see my brother. I turn and glare at them. My blood boils inside me, and my face turns warm. "You will not stop me from seeing my brother." One of them tries to grab my wrist. "Do not even think about touching me!" I shout as I pull myself away. "I have a right to talk to him. Now get out of my way!"

Before one of them can stop me, I reach down and open the door, and close it behind me, and turn around, and all the anger flies away. My heart shatters when I see Weaver on his knees staring out the window, and he doesn't even turn to face me. That's when I know this is bad. I can tell he's hurting, yet he's trying to hold it all in. And every word I had wanted to say flies away as I slowly walk towards him.

"Weaver, I'm - "

sorry.

Victor of the 71st Hunger Games

[googlefont="Nothing You Could Do:400"]

[Knuckles]

W E A V E R

Footsteps grew louder behind him until they finally stopped beside him, and he heard the voice before looking around, and he knew Harbinger had come to see him. Tears stained his eyes, but he tried to make himself look like he was still doing fine, but Weaver Rhodes wasn't fine. His life was ruined. Thrown away like it meant nothing to the rest of the world, but he was strong. Every time someone needed a moment to cry, Weaver stood beside them holding them up despite the world pressing down on him, yet he pushed them away. His needs weren't important only the needs of the others.

His eyes met Harbinger's, and he felt himself break more than he ever imagined, yet he planted his feet on the ground and he stood up greeting his brother. "Harbinger, I need you to be strong, for me." His voice was quite laced with pain and sorrow. Butterflies twisted his stomach, and he wasn't sure of what to say because his life was on the line this time, but even when it was Crusader and Harbinger's life on the line, Weaver was at a loss for words. Yet he settled for trying to keep him strong because Weaver's world was crashing, and he didn't need Harbinger to fall with him.

"I know I'm usually the strong one, but I need you to be strong too. I can't carry this load alone. Please help me."

Made by Frankel

[Cato]

Harbinger Rhodes Twenty | Male | District Eleven

It's hard standing here knowing that my brother is in danger, and I can't do a damn thing about it. I can't tell him it'll be alright because that's a terrible lie, and I refuse to lie to him because he deserves better. Weaver is smart, and he's my brother, and I owe it to him to be honest, but I don't want to hurt him any. When he turns around and looks at me, I can see the whites of his eyes. I can see the red inside them, and I know I'm not going to be able to console him, but his statement almost caught me off guard. Weaver asked me to be strong.

"I know I'm usually the strong one, but I need you to be strong too. I can't carry this load alone. Please help me." My heart shatters into tinier pieces, and I find myself falling, but I force myself to stand. I force myself to look my brother in the eye. I remember just last year when Iain was is place, and I remember watching Kirito go through a lot of pain, and now I understand where he's coming from, and once again it's all too real. But I can't deny my brother his request because this is the first time in his entire life that he's ever asked for help.

I nod my head before wrapping my arms around him embracing him in a brotherly hug. "We can carry the load together. Me and you." I whisper into his ear still unsure of what to do. I remember Crusader being here. I remember trying to console him. I remember my brothers trying to console me, but there's nothing anyone can do to take away the fate that's been placed upon them. "Together. Forever. I promise to help. For all eternity."

Victor of the 71st Hunger Games

[googlefont="Nothing You Could Do:400"]

[Knuckles]

W E A V E R

"We can carry the load together. Me and you." A genuine smile spread across Weaver's face as he placed his head on his brother's shoulder fighting to hold back the tears filling his eyes. It was nice knowing Harbinger had his back, yet it wasn't nearly enough to take away the pain and anger lurking inside threatening to burst free at any given moment. "Together. Forever. I promise to help. For all eternity."

Weaver pulled away from the embrace long enough to look at Harbinger and take in the man his brother became. The games may have changed him, but Weaver was proud of him for everything that he's done. Yet he never wanted to follow his steps. He never wanted to journey through the arena, but he had no choice. Just like Crusader, and Harbinger - Weaver was drafted for the games, and now he must serve his country.

"Do you remember when me and Elidor used to sing around a camp fire?" He asked curiously while raising an eyebrow trying to find a way to lighten the mood because he knew all he needed was a distraction. "And we'd sing until night fell, and you and Crusader, and Drogon would always tell us to be quiet because we sounded like dying animals?" He couldn't stop the silent chuckle from fleeing his lips, and he soon realized that the sound he heard wasn't the sobs and screams he imagined.

Happiness floated around him, and he hoped and prayed Harbinger would go alone because he needed him right now. Harb was his strength, and he needed something to happen. Something to make his last few days the best days of his entire life.

Made by Frankel

[Cato]

Harbinger Rhodes Twenty | Male | District Eleven

Seeing his smile almost hurt me worse than seeing him sad, but part of me is grateful for it. Yet I can't help but wondering why he's smiling in this given situation, and I hear him speak, and I listen to his words, and I know exactly where he's going. "Do you remember when me and Elidor used to sing around a camp fire?" Of course I remember the camp fire. I remember him singing, and I remember joking and making fun of them because they both can't sing, but it was one of their favorite passing times. "And we'd sing until night fell, and you and Crusader, and Drogon would always tell us to be quiet because we sounded like dying animals?"

His laughter is amazing, and I can't help but laugh with him knowing that it was such a funny memory. But it seems so unreal right now. We shouldn't be sharing this together because he's leaving the district to die. Yet it makes sense. It's a way to distract him, and I know where it's going.

"Of course I remember. You and Elidor were singing loud, and I was trying to sleep or something, but I couldn't because of you. I remember walking outside to see the campfire Elidor built. After that we all just kinda sit around the campfire telling stories." My own lips twist into smile spreading from ear to ear, and I don't think about the idea of seeing him lying lifeless on the ground as I stare through a screen. "Do you remember the one about the cat and how it got stuck in the trashcan?"

Victor of the 71st Hunger Games

[googlefont="Nothing You Could Do:400"]

[Knuckles]

W E A V E R

Weaver wasn't weak, yet he stared at his brother knowing this was his weakest moment. Harbinger stood in front of him almost in a protective matter, but Weaver Rhodes didn't need protection. He was strong and brave, but at the same time he was so weak. Tears filled his eyes, but they never fell down the side of his face as the story went on. It was almost like he was sitting at the campfire again singing horrible songs with his brother, Elidor, as the moon slowly ascended into the sky. He could hear the cracks of the fire, and it was one of the happiest moments of his entire life. He could hear Harbinger shouting from the house taunting him before Crusader and the others joined in with him. But it wasn't about that. It was a small moment he shared with those he loved, and that was a memory he'd keep for the rest of his life.

"Do you remember the one about the cat and how it got stuck in the trash can?"

His weight shifted backwards as he looked Harbinger in the eye trying to stifle the laugh falling from his lips. Weaver knew Harbinger was still making fun of him with a brotherly intent. Of course he knew the story about the cat. Elidor loved sharing it when he was out in the district square. But what Elidor never realized was Weaver never said a word. It was all him. Elidor Rhodes was the dying cat, but Weaver didn't have the heart to tell him or anyone else. Yet his mind was done. Blank as the door clicked behind him, and his words froze on the tip of his tongue. He rushed the words hoping they made sense, and he hoped Harbinger understood. "It was such an amazing moment. One I'll always remember."

And all the anger flowed into his veins again as he glared at the door. His body locked in place daring the peacekeeper to take him away. Weaver felt his hands ball into fist as he turned his gaze towards Harbinger the moment the door flew open. I guess I'll see you soon.

Made by Frankel

[Cato]

Harbinger Rhodes Twenty | Male | District Eleven

I sigh wondering what I can do to help him. I hate feeling so helpless, but I'm not. I can't change what the Capitol has done, but I can give Weaver a chance. Yet I find myself lost as he pulls away laughing. He's smarter than most give him credit for, and I hope he can use his smarts when he's in the actual arena, but I know even the smartest of tributes could potentially die. My eyes look at the clock, and I know the time is up, and I don't even pay attention to what my brother is saying as the door swings open. Yeah I'll see him in a few moments, but these peacekeepers should be punished for interrupting an important moment. Weaver was feeling. He allowed himself to feel, and I was about to break through his thick skull, but now I may never succeed.

My hands ball into fists, and I stand beside my brother glaring at the direction of the peacekeeper. If we wanted to we could take this one and run, but I can't risk destroying the life of Navya. I can't risk her's because I would never live with myself if she died because of me. "Get out!" I shout louder than I meant to, but I mean every word.

"Time is up." The peacekeeper stated plainly before walking into the room. "Even victors have a time limit."

"I don't care! Fuck off!" His hands reach out trying to grab me, but I move away. "Don't you even think about touching me. I will leave when I want to leave." And I raise my own hands before stepping forward slowly backing the peacekeeper up before finally slamming the door in his face when he's finally standing in the hall. "I warned him not to fuck with me." But I don't turn towards my brother. I just stand there seething.

Victor of the 71st Hunger Games

[googlefont="Nothing You Could Do:400"]

[Knuckles]

W E A V E R

"Get out!"

His mouth opens, and his chin drops to the floor while his gaze shifts from Harbinger to the peacekeeper wondering what could possibly happen. Weaver knew his brother was angry, and he knew that the allotted goodbye times weren't nearly enough, yet he wanted more time. He wanted a chance to say goodbye before the train whisked him away to the Capitol to prepare for the ultimate game of death. But it felt like Harbinger wasn't having anything to do with rules today.

Weaver stood in awe watching the scene take place, and he watched as his brother pulled his arm away from the grasp of the peacekeeper's hand. The younger brother wanted to stand beside his older brother, and he wanted to help him, but he knew he wasn't in any power to do so. His gaze dropped to the floor as a river of tears fell from his eyes blocking it all out until the door slammed, and Harbinger was still standing in the room.

"I warned him not to fuck with me."

His heart shattered into thousands of pieces because Harbinger wasn't one to use the words of a fowl man, and it showed just how angry he was. As much as Weaver appreciated Harbinger wanting to stay, he needed time alone to pull his thoughts together before he was taken to the train.

A heavy, gut wrenching sob fell past his lips as he forced his gaze from the ground at a complete loss of words.

And for the first time, Weaver cried in front of his brother as his mind and body went numb.

Made by Frankel