A Day At The Career Center. [Dom/Topher]

Bursting outside the academy doors, the wind was the first thing I noticed. I instinctively lifted my arms behind my head, enjoying the breeze with a calm smile. Although my body ached in protest, I forgot how nice it felt to be outside. How clean the air felt compared to the stale musk that never fully left the training corridors. The academy wasn’t so bad, but there were few things you can replace like the natural heat of the sun, the current either volatile or soothing, or the atmospheric smell of grit that permeated our shambled district. Looking at my companion, Topher’s grin and confident demeanor coaxed me out of my shell. Out of the shell Thrax forced me into. How long had I lived this way?

While jogging down dim alleyways to come, for once my mind didn’t jump to whatever will lurk around each corner, or more so who. My eyes didn’t search for the tattooed arms with fabled doom inked across or of any viper kin. I found my gaze glued to the back of the lumbering man before me, jutting down. The scent of blood and sweat trailed behind him, scents that once terrified me that now I find comfort in temporarily. Upon us reaching our destination, my hand lifted over my eyes as I tilted my head upward, peering at the feat ahead. Chuckling at the boy's cocky words, I titled my head to watch him climb up. “Hope you aren’t afraid of heights” he taunted as Topher started his hike. “Screw you for making a stabbed girl climb” I laughed, trailing after. The rust pricked at my palms as I climbed higher. My stomach seized in pain, causing me to halt my climb. While doing so, I rested my cheek against the corroded metal. Charcoal coils flitted around my eyes, the heat of the sleepy sun shining onto my exposed tawny back.

The boy’s eager words above encouraged me to rise higher. Like a pied piper, I trailed after him on the rusted ladder. I wondered how often he visited here, if I could see my old home from here. I lived right by the academy, towards the marketplace and the bustle of the town. Back when I was younger, I never muddied around the academy for long, always coming straight to and back from the school. Was this a hot spot for all or just a treat for him? I slid out of the shoot, once there was room, going slowly to ensure I didn’t place extra pressure on my abdomen. God, we would be sore by tomorrow. I twisted over to fully take it in, my smile widening at the sight before me. “It’s beautiful” I breathed, stepping over to him. Anxiety muddled his features, I studying his body mannerisms as he spoke. My hand rose hesitantly to his welted forearm, rubbing the skin above soothingly in a tame attempt to help calm his troubles. “What were you trying to save her from?” I asked hollowly, yet I wanted to ask why.

Saving things in a world like ours is futile, Topher. There are no saviors to be had when we live in a zero-sum game. Although the arena is a finite event, the games are infinite in the districts beyond. We are all fighting within our own arena, so why fight for others when there is no guaranteed victor. Curiosity gutted the best of me as my eyes lifted to meet his. My fingers glided down his arm, tracing the curvature of his muscle before dropping off while I spoke. “What were you trying to save yourself from?”

Watching the boy pick at his bandages, my face instantly contorted in disgust. I crossed my arms, burying my hands under my armpits to control myself from not smacking his curious hands away. It partially was out of guilt for not wanting to see the pain I caused the boy standing before me, but also because it’s simply fucking gross. I don’t want to see that shit. My vision wandered to the city around us as he spoke, my head tilting to his direction as he started speaking. He seemed kind, wanting to protect a friend’s family. Why would someone stretch themselves to such lengths? It’s a death sentence, Topher. I offered a polite smile in his direction as we walked to our destination. My left arm extended, hand patting his shoulder in comfort briefly before it dropped to my side. “You’re a good person, just don’t stretch yourself too thin.” Things snap when that happens. Life becomes messy and soon enough, you realize there are a lot more pieces to pick up than before. And when that happens, it certainly isn’t as fun.

I sat down cautiously, the worn seat creaking from underneath me. Legs crossing, my right hand rested disinterestedly on my calf while my right arm rested on my left leg, offering support to my fisted hand that rested my chin. A chuckle escaped my mouth at his words. “We’re fucked, aren’t we?” I mused before his demeanor sharpened. Being in the games seemed a thought always distant yet looming, like the clouds above. Thoughts you know are there if you peer upward, but a presence forgettable aside from the constant exertion. The swelling of my bicep reminded me of my reality. A smirk danced across my face at his fondness. “We’d make a fine duo, just don’t die before it gets interesting.” My right foot kicked against his shin playfully before continuing. “With your performance today, I can’t guarantee that outcome Valentine.”

My thickened eyebrows knitted in caution, a finger extending to drum against my jaw. I laughed a bit, biting my lips to hush my tone. “What makes me tick huh?” I breathed, shifting in my seat to lean back. My arms slid down the handles, resting laxed as my face tilted to face him. “That stunt you pulled sure did. You could have gotten people killed back there.” My left foot bounced slightly, I uncrossing my legs to soothe my temper. “It’s all fun and games until you have internal bleeding. Thanks, by the way, for not giving me that” I grinned towards my companion. “I’ve had it once, don’t recommend it.” Looking towards the academy in distant view, I jutted my jaw to it before returning my gaze towards Topher. “Fortunately, that protects me from getting it more often. I’m lucky to be there. Well, that is unless your glaive does the trick next time, then I won’t be so lucky.” Smile returning, I hoped to lighten my words. “I haven’t always been lucky, so there’s not much that can make me tick. There’s not much I have left that can do that for me anyway. So I enjoy making others tick instead.” My eyebrow arched, my voice coy with amusement. “Why do you ask? Eager to find my weak spots?”

Slinking back on my hips, I twisted my waist so my frame faced the boy, my right-hand cupping my jawline while the left laid across my bandages. I felt like a laxed cat in that small chair, sunbathing as my eyes followed the glinting toy before me. Soft sunset washed over his skin, illuminating his weathered appearance yet inviting demeanor. I found myself biting my lip in amusement at his words. Although Topher stood taller than I, he had the aura of a child. In the curious manner he engaged others, cautionary yet vulnerable. Were you holding these thoughts in for long?

Your truth spills recklessly out your mouth, similar to your now bandaged former gushing sores. Although you promised to beat me, your heart bled as visibly as your skin did earlier. Bandages can hide, but as does blood, guilt has a stench that permeates any air. Your hands cupped your sore face, looking like a giant defeated kid sulking on a swing set. I let you have your pep talk in silence. Although I drank the nectar of compliments usually, this felt tainted. Tainted with perhaps lethality or of longing. Longing for a past long forgotten. Maybe you and I aren’t so similar. Perpetually stuck on a hamster wheel that attempts to poorly turn back time by thrusting heedlessly forward. It’s impossible, we both know it, but sometimes striding forward is all we can do to come to terms with our past. You’ve heard of mine, and I of your ghost that haunts you, yet how much of it is true? As friends, we can surely find out. I’ll promise to not toy with you too much. Laughing leisurely, I mused at the boy’s belated conclusion. “That would suit you well, although something tells me maybe a spear is your calling. At least then, it would be fair game.”

I sunk forward, creaking the chair under my weight as my right hand extended forward, tracing the skin on his forearm, sliding upward slowly, yet further than before. My voice hummed at a low purr, continuing “or maybe you could beat me at my own game. Although I doubt it.” I shot him a cocky smile while sliding my finger upward, surely sending goosebumps along its path as I spoke. “Since you’re so fond of games, how about we play another?” My pointer finger now slid under your jaw, coaxing the boy to meet my gaze. “How does two truths and a lie sound? Loser has to put the other’s equipment away for a month. That is unless you get reaped and chicken out on me.” I removed my finger, innocently tapping his skin lightly as a declaration of both finality and initiation. Let’s see how true your rumors ring, lover boy.