Of Thorns and Friends {Ollie, Rogue, & Marley // JB}

[Tom]

Rogue

Plain hallways with death smeared across them, not literately, but metaphorically. She could smell it as her feet step down the hallway with another following her. Quicker to go in and say goodbye in groups, but Rogue's feeling herself pace for whatever reason. Was she anxious? Was she nervous? No she couldn't be. She didn't even like Ollie. The threat of when she first arrived still fresh upon her tongue. All she did ever was bite the heads off of all the kids from the pound. That was until Bella Rose was reaped. Watching the person who she knew in the orphanage as a decently kind member turn into something more. Almost a hero in Rogue's eyes, but lately she's been feeling under the weather so maybe it was an illusion in her head. A sigh falls from her lips as she waits impatiently for the room to open up.

What does she even say to a little girl who has to fight for her life against older and much stronger people?

Death seems like the only option for a girl like her, but something in Rogue's chest screams to help out Ollie in some form. It's almost as if her body is tearing into two as she fights on what to believe. A silent pace back and forth as she dreams of going back to the garden and forgetting everything once again like she had done with Bella, even though her favorite flowers still bloom in the spot Rogue set aside for her. The rose in her pocket reminds her of Bella, even though it's meant for Ollie. May Ollie hold it for good luck when she gets in there. A sigh as the guards let them in, Marley is with her and she gives a small smile of reassurance and then replaces it quickly with a glare.

Hand opens out to in front of Ollie as she speaks softly.

"Here. They were Bella's favorite."

A moment of silence in her head as she breathes out a groan of impatience and speaks once again.

"Don't think that I like you now Ollie, but come back to us. 'Kay?"

[pearl mcclain d4 [ryan]]

You didn’t have a clue why this had to happen all over again.

First Bella and now Ollie. It was like death wanted to make sure you remembered that you were next on his list always.

You waited until after the reaping, blessed that you didn’t hear your name called upon the stage, but worried because you heard the name of someone that you knew.

You held your locket close so you felt like Bella was with you.

It would never be the same without her here, but you found a way to cope. You focused on being a person that Bella would have been proud of, and as much as you hated to think about her death, you knew that is what she would have wanted.

You were strong for her, and for no one else.

Because at the end of the day, no one could know what you were going through.

---

but that didn’t stop you from heading to the justice building with Rogue, of all people. However, Rogue changed since Bella was gone. It was like she started to sympathize with you just a little more because now you knew what it was like to lose the person most precious to you.

To how she didn’t think that losing your parents in a fire wasn’t proof enough was beyond you, but nothing was said, because you knew that people had their own ways of showing emotions. Rogue just happened to be a little more jaded than the rest of them.

And at the end of the day, you were still very appreciative to have her be a crutch for you to lean on.

---

And so you stood at that door to encourage Ollie to go out there and give it her all. To win it for Bella.

While you knew that the odds were against her, that did not stop you from wishing her the best.

From the oldest to now the youngest, the pound was losing its children one by one and you hoped that your name would never be called.

But for now, you had to put those thoughts beside you, because she walked through that door, and you couldn’t help but smile.

This was a sad moment for the pound, but a chance to vindicate them as well.

---

and then Rogue had pulled out a Rose and for a moment, you thought that everyone had forgotten about Bella’s favorite flower.

However, it didn’t surprise you that Rogue remembered, because as much as she claimed to hate everyone, she did have a soft spot for some people.

It was probably why you and her had become so close over the last couple months.

Because at the end of the day, broken people knew how to find each other, so they can put each other back together.

”Im surprised you remembered Rogue.” You smiled for a moment, holding onto your locket as hard as you could. Bella would be so happy right now if she were here.

”Ollie, remember to keep your head held high. Bella would say that to you right now.” You offered her warm sentiments as your arm came up to pat hers in a comforting way.

”Were always going to be with you. No matter what.” You ruffled through your pocket, your hand remaining in there as long as it had to.

You weren’t sure if she was ready to receive the gift you are about to gift her.

Not yet at the least.

[Cameo {RIP Charlie}]

The all too familiar foreign rituals of farewells were becoming more manageable, and yet more unbearable, as the goodbyes arrived and departed. Powerful speeches, and encouragement to strive, were absorbing easier within Ollie’s ears - crafting confidence within her naive heart, while the rest of her continued to shrivel into weakness of the truth. Another visit breached into her captivity, an unusual pair of Rogue and Marley though understanding still. The death of Bella had affected all, and even provided a covered crack upon Rogue’s unbreakable core. A wobbly grin spreads across Ollie’s lips nonetheless, just as it did for any to seek a final encounter.

A single rose unveils from Rogue’s clenched palm of all people, while she whispers out the reasoning for her offering. Of course it was Bella’s favorite flower. It’s apart of her name after all, and as beautiful and fierce as she once was… “Thank you.” Ollie quietly breathes out her gratitude, gently capturing the precious nature within her own clasp.

Annoyance exhales from Rogue herself, and despite being innocent in her youth, Ollie understands it’s her way of dealing with the event. The stern Brunette is compelled to state her lack of caring for the tiny Blonde still, though she wishes for her return to not be within a coffin. A somewhat stronger smirk steadies upon Ollie’s cheeks, though they wobble slightly still. And without a second’s notice, she envelopes Rogue within a -probably unwanted- embrace.

“I’ll try.” Is promised by the Rascal, before she releases Rogue from her clench faster then she claimed it - knowing she most likely despised it entirely. Those enlarged chocolate eyes travel to Marley next, purely for guilt to join her melting pot of emotions upon her young features.

Hell may be breaching to engulf Ollie, but it’s Marley who she feels bad for - though self-pity had never been prone from the Blonde anyways. Still it was Marley who was about to endure a second year in a row of someone close to her venturing through the demise of an Arena. Surely the past was far more mentally gruesome given the blood sister involved, but even now it’s a sister nonetheless - the heartache will break from a few, and there’s nothing that Ollie could do to prevent such. Words of encouragement confidently pays from Marley despite however.

“We’re always going to be with you. No matter what.” Vows from her a mental presence of the new family Ollie now cares deeply for. The smile refutes to budge from the Blonde’s cheeks, though her bottom lip quivers further.

By no means would Ollie wish for her foster Siblings to join her on such a dangerous journey. Relief collapsed upon her when none of the boys were called to join her upon the stage. But still, their physical company on this endeavor would make it actually bearable. If only there was a way they could, without their fate being claimed as well. First response is for the tiny rugrat to engulf Marley in a hug as well. This one doesn’t halt as quickly as the former, assuming she won’t despise it as much as Rogue probably had.

“And I’ll always be with you guys, even if…” Her statement pauses with no desire to continue. Eyes travel back to Rogue, as even she wishes to see Ollie return to them alive. Past words spoken between her and the Seismos siblings returns to her thoughts. “I’ll try to be strong like Bella was.” Is another oath she conjures. Promises of trying are the safest, as even when failed it’s at least not a broken promise as well.