Still Standing // Ambrose -Oneshot-

It wasn’t cold for once.

Ambrose walked the stretch of the Cemetery clutching a bouquet of roses until he reached the plots set aside for his family. His Grandparents were buried there, as was his mother. Damien and Todd’s graves were next to each other and to Damien’s left was Siberia and Kiera. The twins. To Todd’s right was his wife. Ambrose reflected on the fact that every time he visited it seemed like the walk was a lot longer. As he walked he made sure to leave a flower on each and every marker before coming to a stop between his brothers stones. “Well. Here we are again.” He always held conversations in his head with them on days like this one. Ambrose felt worn, tired out from too much worrying. But when he had already buried so many family members it was hard not to fall into a bad place when yet another one of them was in the hospital. It was easy to seek out comfort. Letting out a soft sigh, Ambrose planted his feet solidly in between the two of them and took a deep breath.

“Todd. Damien.”

Beneath his shimmering irises he could almost picture them sitting across from him, Damien with a roguish smile and wearing the same things he had on the day he had died. Todd looked as he had in their youth, before the world had sucked everything that made him him out and left him to shrivel up and die. That was how Ambrose liked to remember him. Not as a the red-eyed drunkard that beat his wife and and son but as the knuckleduster with a guitar and more love harbored in his heart than most would imagine. “I’m sorry that I missed our last talk. Things have been... strenuous this past year to say the least.” He shuffled awkwardly back and forth before moving into a full blown pacing motion. “I’m sure by now you’re both aware that I buried a second daughter, this one taken from me by the sixty-second annual hunger games. My darling Kiera.”

A pang of sadness stabbed at his heart as he recalled a memory of spinning her around in his arms at the age of seven. It only took a moment to clear his throat. “Yes, well. I’m sure the two of you are looking out for her the same way you’ve done for Siberia since the earthquake. But that’s not what I’m here about.” He shot a pointed look at Todd’s headstone. "He’s back. Your son I mean. He’s been back since she was reaped. Hard to believe I know.” Ambrose grimaced slightly, lost in remembrance. “I’m still not sure if he really was the one that mixed your last cocktail but...He’s just like you. Both of you really. Headstrong and brash, does things without thinking, intelligent as all everything and easily hurt. Since I practically raised the boy, its hard to forget those things in spite of the pariah he’s become.”

He continued to pace, rubbing the back of his neck with his left hand in thought. “He’s more of a criminal then you ever had a chance to be Damien, I’m fairly certain he’s broken every law in the country. And I know what you’re thinking “goodie two shoes Ambrose” wouldn’t let that fly in his house for too long.” He stopped pacing and clasped his hands together behind his back. It was a struggle to get the next words out, but he did, albeit haltingly. “I suppose its selfish of me, for keeping him safe puts others in harms way. Plus, most of the district believes him to be dead already. I just... do you know that he’s started a crusade against the rich and powerful for what they’ve done to our family? That he’s more skilled as an orator than one would ever believe?” They believe in what he stands for and dare I say it, I think I do too.”

Ambrose inhaled deeply as he felt his vision beginning to blur. “Aurora’s in the hospital. She was mugged while walking home. The ruffian stabbed her in the lung. The lung!” His voice cracked on the last word and he had to wipe some tears away from his cheek. “Do you know how long I paced in the waiting room before they came out to tell me she was going to be alright? How much I blamed myself? Another one of my flowers pruned far before her time? All I could think was... Not her. Not again. Not like this. What did we ever do to the district to deserve everything that’s happened to us? My heart can only break into so many pieces. That’s why I haven’t turned him in Toddy.” He sniffled a little and cleared his throat as it felt like it was sticking together. “I...I can’t do it again. I’ve buried so many members of our family. I don’t think I could handle it if they executed Kaelen. He... he deserves the worst, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still love him.”

Ambrose let out an awkward cough and fumbled in his coat pocket for a small box. “A-Anyway. I should really be going. I’ve got to check on Aurora and then pick up some groceries for Letty for dinner. But before I forget...”

The small box was a deck of playing cards, many of which were creased and dog eared, however all fifty-two were there. “I was cleaning out the attic yesterday and I happened to come across this tucked away in the corner of a box. I thought it would be appropriate seeing as how I’ve got no use for them and they were yours anyway.” Ambrose nestled the cards in the grass by Damien’s headstone and turned to leave. “It was good to talk to both of you. I’ll keep you informed about Kaelen’s activities Todd and hopefully he won’t be joining you until I’m old and grey and gone. And Damien?” The last sentence he spoke over his shoulder as he walked away.


“...Happy Birthday.”