Never Surrender {Mattio/VT}

Iain was dead, and the world felt like it hard returned to normal. District citizens waltzed through the district like nothing had happened just like the Capitol wanted, but for Carrita's family, and the Miristioma family a normal life was far from possible. Many tears slid down Ikaia's face as he stared angrily at himself in the mirror repeating the same phrase over and over again. It should've been me. Yet when the time had come, Ikaia choked fainting in the midst of the district square as his young cousin was shipped to the Capitol for a game of slaughter where his untimely death was met.

But today wasn't about mourning the loss of his precious cousin because Atticus Manor, the victor of the seventy-second hunger games, was coming to the district for a celebration every victor was forced to attend. Ikaia wanted to hate him, yet hate was far from his mind knowing Atticus hadn't been the one to kill him, and in a way, Ikaia understands the pain as he watched his twin brother battle through it all. The games tore apart their relationship, and it felt like nothing could ever repair it.

Ikaia sighed silently to himself as he threw on his best outfit preparing himself for the horrible day lingering in front of him. Tears set awkwardly in the corner of his eyes threatening to fall down his face, yet Ikaia refused to cry. Not today when the newest celebrity was making his way through the district, but none of that mattered. Families were torn apart every single year, and Ikaia was close to mending his relationship with Kirito, but this was probably the final straw the two of them could take.

His mind raced with every step he took towards the district square knowing in only a few hours Atticus would stand on the stage talking to the entire district like nothing had ever happened, and the Capitol wanted the citizens to welcome him and pretend all was well, but Ikaia refused to feel that way. His heart shattered the moment Iain's name was called. The remaining shards were crushed under the weight of the world the moment Iain's cannon sound, and nothing in the world would ever repair them. Yet he put a fake smile on his face fighting against the tears because he wanted to make his cousin proud.

Chatter buzzed around him as he took his place on the family section. Iain's face danced to life behind him, and the tears Ikaia was holding back silently dripped from his eyes - his gaze never left the stage as Atticus made his way onto the platform. Just a few short weeks ago Iain stood on the stage staring into the audience as nobody tried to save him, and Ikaia hated himself for it over and over. Kirito shouldn't have gone into the games. Iain shouldn't have gone into the games. Ikaia should've died twice to save his family from the pain he caused them.

Silence devoured him as Atticus continued on with the speech. Truthfully, Ikaia drowned him out until the sound of clapping brought him back to reality. One step after another, he marched forward with one purpose in mind. Perhaps he was broken and needed a chance to see life in another district, but most importantly Ikaia wanted to ask him a question. He wanted to know why the district three victor didn't kill him when Iain was lying on the ground beside his friend. Atticus helped him, and all Ikaia wanted to know was why. He stopped at the stairs of the stage before shifting his gaze towards him. Inhaling sharply, Ikaia allowed himself to speak, and hopefully Atticus would take the offer.

"Would you like to go for a walk? I could show you around."