I dared reality [Rory/Rodney] JB blitz

With every step he took to the Justice Building, the plans of what he wanted to say and do moved as quickly as the birds that fly away when someone climbs a tree. It was perhaps the last opportunity that Rodney Benstaloe had to give his little brother a taste of his own medicine.

Ever since Rowdy died, the blame that Rory planted into Rodney for not stepping up into the overwhelmingly favorite brother's spot slowly bit away at him. But what good would it have done if Rodney took his place? He had too much influence on Rowdy's every move, and with him gone, there's no telling what the boy who fell on his head would do. And even without Rowdy's dependence on Rodney, Rodney couldn't just give up everything he had for him. He loved Rowdy, more than anyone could ever know, but loving someone does not guarantee that you will jump into certain death for them. He would've been plain stupid to do it. If the names had been reversed, Rowdy easily would have jumped for him. They loved each other more than any two brothers should, but the sacrifices each were willing to make for each other were very, very different.

Rory cried and complained that Rodney failed to volunteer for their brother and save their favorite sibling, yet he volunteers for a stranger?

How dare he.

With anger in his eyes, his fingers grabbed the doorknob to Rory's room in the building. He smiled, pushing it open to see his flesh and blood, several days away from death.

He stared at him like a lion it's prey, calculating the best moment to pounce.

"I don't want you here, Rodney."

Rodney laughed, continuing to walk into the room. His hand grabbed the back of a chair, and he leaned against it.

"Oddly enough, I don't want you here either," he stopped to take a breath, "I want you dead, lil' brother."

Rodney let go of the chair, and walked closer to him.

"This volunteerin' shit. Five years too late, you think?"