Everybody Hurts // Kirito x Katelyn

                                                               - - - 

Tenderly tracing the lines of the page Kirito's eyes indulged in every word. Ever since the turbulent train ride the world seemed different. As though a great pillar for which he rested had been crumbled to the desolate dirt. Icy winds now bellowed from some northern hell as their Queen continued to beckon them forth from her anger. An anger so non angelic and abnormal there was no known defense for it. Her warpath had no foreseeable end and her eyes only glistened ever more so with the grimness of the past. Katelyn had eternally endowed herself with a position of solidity over the past yearning  years of sorrow. Rarely would her walls wilt as the monstrosities of her life tore them down. She was strong in every sense of the word, yet now she was in a cage so common to Kirito he shivered at its thought. Weakness in ones with gruesome greatness only breeds emotional turmoil, turmoil Kirito had experienced with his own soul. 

In his right pocket Kirito's Key pocket watch tuned with a ticking to announce the arrival of a new hour. Slowly Kirito lifted his gaze from his newest medical book's fifth chapter,  the procedure process of replacing eyes, to glint at the dim dark room he was seated in. Aside from the ticking tune of his pocket watch not another sound seeped from any direction. Harbinger was somewhere seeking future sponsorship if Kirito could recall correctly, and as for Katelyn, for the first time since his mentorship Kirito was not sure. Alas Kirito could not shake the daunting dreams within his mind that wherever she was her storm was still reeking havoc. Sadly Kirito's dark day dreams were only met with cruel confirmation. 

Across the room the telephone sprung to life beckoning Kirito to its side with its rampant rings. After swift subtleties were exchanged the important news was delivered to Kirito's ear. Like lead Kirito's stomach sank to his shackled shoes. Then the other end of the line ended the brief call. For minutes Kirito did not move or even set the phone back down. He stood frozen and fixated within the mists of his mind. He could feel the weakness whipping throughout his knees as he struggled to stand straight. However, just as a parent and as a friend Kirito was responsible for going and fetching Katelyn from a fight. A fight with another District's tribute none the less. A tribute who's brother Katelyn had killed. 

The elevator ride was silent and short, yet Kirito's mind still turbulently tossed. No details were given that were not necessary. Kirito didn't know whether to expect blood to be dripping from Katelyn or her victim, however Kirito was all but certain if there was one bleeding  it would be the latter. Still even more thoughts trickled during the time of the swift ride. Since when would Katelyn attack and threaten a tribute? Especially one of those who shared a face so similar to one she has already slain? Something stirring beneath the Snow Queen's skin was slaying herself. Killing Katelyn and leaving her with immense pain and anger. Kirito couldn't risk her slipping towards a darkness where demons are born. A darkness his own soul slipped within to during the sorrows of his own games. It was hell and nothing short of it. 

A slight swoosh and the doors were opened. Several steps and Kirito was at the scene of the "scuffle." Red ripened Katelyn's cheeks and Kirito could physically see the hatred heating her eyes. Locked within her hating irises was Rolf Parks who's own eyes now shook with sorrowful anger as well. He had every reason to want to kill Katelyn, and now he had even more motivation to do so. Sickeningly Kirito was satisfied the boy had to survive the slaughter of twenty three before he could attempt to target her. Still it would become a never ending thought tethered to Kirito's worrisome mind. 

Silence stretched with each step Kirito took alongside Katelyn away from the scene. Even as Kirito rode with her inside the elevator no words were able to formulate properly upon Kirito's tongue. What could he say to save a slipping soul? What had Katelyn said to him all those years earlier? Kirito needed to solve the perplexing puzzle but he had no idea of which piece to place first. So he did whatever came to his mind first and he pressed the button for the roof. 

"I figured we could use some fresh air, I think the center is a bit stuffy today anyway."

When the doors finally slid open to reveal the roof Kirito walked towards the edge of the roof and leaned lightly against the railing. Below the lives of unconcerned capotolites continued where up here Katelyn was trapped within insidious internal horrors. However, Kirito knew if he could pick whether to be blind or to be where he was, he would pick to stand by Katelyn's side any day. Therefore, after several more silent seconds Kirito looked calmly towards one of the closest friends he considered himself to have with his eyes blank and non judgmental. 

"Something is getting to you. Its hurting you and I can see that. I see it in your eyes. I won't ever judge you for the choices you make. But when its your turn to be the one to hurt I want you to know that you can fall back on me. You can tell me anything if you need to. Even the strongest people get hurt Kate, if we were all made of stone then we wouldn't be human, whether we're murderous victors or not. Everybody hurts."