XXX

when i wake up, i don't feel much, but the inside of my head is fuzzy, like it's packed with cotton balls. i know that i lost, and the only thing keeping the pain at bay is what is making it difficult to think straight.

"how's she doing?" someone asks.

my eyes open. sitting to my right is haymitch, and next to the door stands theron. my lip feels like it's being split open, i place my fingers on them and feel the deep cut and the dry blood. with a groan i manage to push myself up into a sitting position.

"you shouldn't try moving," haymitch advised.

"i'm embarrassed enough," i say, ignoring the dryness of my throat. "i was practically murdered in front of everyone and now the other tributes know i'm weak."

i look at theron, he's still standing by the door hesitantly but he says, "don't worry about it. you can still make a good impression on the game makers during the private sessions."

"you could be in so much trouble for being here."

"i don't care," he says firmly. "i had to make sure you were okay after the beating you took."

i give him a small smile and look around the room. "wh-where's kit?" before i can think logically, my whole body begins to tremble and when i think about where he is only the worst comes to mind.

"he's okay," haymitch said quickly. "he's with the other tributes on the training floor doing the second half of it. the fighting is over. it's just more training."

i nod and take a deep breath, still convincing myself that he's okay. "i should be there. can one of you help me up?"

theron shared a look with haymitch before grabbing a small mirror off the nightstand and handing it to me. i look at him quizzically before holding it up to my face, my lips part in surprise. i'm worse than i thought. not only do i have a cut on my bottom lip, i also have bruising all over my cheeks and even down my jaw and chest. that's not even the worse part, there's also a deep gash on my forehead that's bandaged but blood still bleeds through it.

i know i should feel like crying right now because of how many wounds i have but all i feel is anger and hatred. i put down the mirror and push off the blankets. "after today there'll be no more time to train. i can't just lay here like a wounded puppy. i'm going to train with or without your help."

theron looked at haymitch again, who shrugged, before coming to my bedside and reaching his arm out for me. "fine," he sighed. "i think your tattoo should've been little warrior instead."

i grin and grab ahold of his arm, wincing from the movement but determined not to miss out on any more training. i know kit is going to be protecting me in the arena but i can't let him do all the work.

we successfully make it to the training floor and i didn't expect to see so many tributes missing. only a few remain unharmed enough to keep training and to my disappointment, all the careers are here. besides them, kit isn't the only one there though. adonis and astrid are there as well, training right next to kit by the knife station.

theron stays hidden behind haymitch so neither of the other tributes will notice him with us. "davina," he said quietly. "there's only an hour left of training. i suggest focusing on weapons. you're good with knowing what's dangerous and what's not so don't waste time on the computers."

"okay," i say.

"and," he says with a pause. "please don't push yourself too hard. let yourself heal. you'll need the strength in the arena."

i make sure no one is looking before i wrap my arms around him in an embrace. "just in case," i say, trying to keep the tears from falling. "i don't want to leave anything unsaid. you're my friend... actually my best friend and not just in the capital. you understand me in ways nobody else does and i need you to promise me something."

theron kept his arms tight around me. "anything," he says and although i can't see his face i can still hear the pain in his voice.

"you'll be watching everything on a screen," i say quietly. "but promise me you won't watch me die..."

haymitch looks back at us, his eyes wide but all he says is, "kit noticed us standing here. it won't be long before the others do too."

i step away from theron and i can now see the horrified look on his face. a single tear slid down from his wide, warm blue eyes, followed by another one, and another one, until soon, a steady stream of salty tears flowed it's way down his pale cheek. he can't speak but he mouths the words, i promise.

*

my brOTP 😭😭

hopefully this isn't the last davina/theron interaction because it's so sad