Thread: A Mockingjay Fettered (HeavenSundered & Randomname)

Supporting part of Troy's weight as they walked was no easy task, especially since Katniss was already quite tired and sore from dragging the deer and then fighting off her attackers, but she managed to suck it up. She had no choice, and every time that her muscles felt like they wanted to quit, she reminded herself that Troy had it a lot worse than her, so she couldn't give up. Hearing him speak made her feel a bit more optimistic that everything would be alright, but at the same time, she hated hearing him groan in pain when he tried to chuckle. Stop talking! Katniss snapped more harshly at him than she'd intended. It was mostly out of concern for his well-being, though she also wasn't a fan of being reminded that her family was struggling, nor did she appreciate offers of charity. Especially when they both knew perfectly well that she was the one who owed him, not the other way around. If Troy hadn't shown up and been brave enough to intervene when he did, Katniss knew she would have lost a lot more than just the deer. That thought bothered her a great deal, which probably contributed to her less than sunny disposition. Ever since her father had passed away, Katniss had taken it upon herself to fill that void for her family as best she could. That meant keeping her mother and sister safe, and to do that, she needed to be strong. If there was anything that she absolutely hated, it was feeling weak, feeling helpless, being made to cry. She felt embarrassed that Troy had seen that. Once they'd gotten through the fence, with some difficulty on Troy's part due to his wound, it was only a few more minutes to Katniss' house. This way. She lead him through the mostly deserted streets of the Seam, most people still busy working at this hour, though they did get some bewildered looks from the few pedestrians that they did cross. Keeping her head down, Katniss ignored them and got Troy to her house, barging through the front door with him. MOM! she shouted through the house while guiding Troy towards the room which her mother used as a clinic. Mrs. Everdeen showed up in the doorway with Primrose in tow just as Katniss was helping Troy sit up on the elevated table in the center of the room. Kat! Honey, are you alright?! Rushing into the room, Katniss' mother grabbed her by the shoulders and inspected her, obviously concerned and confused as to why she was all dirty and only wearing her bra beneath her jacket. I'm fine. Mom, really, I'm fine! Katniss insisted as she untangled herself from her mother, who shared little resemblance to her. The bruise from the kick to the ribs that she'd received was still hidden beneath her jacket, and she decided to keep it that way for now. Troy was the one with a more pressing need for his wound to be properly tended to, so she got out of the way to let her mother get a better look. He got stabbed. Don't ask. she said firmly, not wanting to get into the details right now. I did my best to slow the bleeding, but I think he lost a lot of blood. His name is Troy. Okay, Troy, let's take a look, Mrs. Everdeen spoke in a reassuring tone as she stepped forward and began undoing the leather strap from around his torso. Meanwhile, Prim ran in to give her older sister a hug until her mother asked for the scissors, at which point Katniss' little sistes quickly jumped back into her role as their mother's assistant. Not bothering to have Troy lift his arms to take his shirt off, Mrs. Everdeen simply cut it off instead. Here, bite down on this, she told him, holding a thick piece of cloth up to his mouth before using another cloth imbibed with alcohol to clean his wound. Now, I'm going to have to give you a few stitches. Prim had already laid the suture kit out on the table next to Troy for her mother to use. Katniss was content to stay out of the way, sinking into the chair in the corner of the room, though she kept her eyes locked on Troy while her mother started with the stitches. She'd never noticed before just how well built he was. Without thinking, she allowed her eyes to roam over his arms, his chest, down to his chiseled and incredibly well defined abs... Now, do either of you care to explain what happened? Mrs. Everdeen's voice - sterner now than before - finally drew Katniss' attention away from Troy's body. Blushing slightly, Katniss crossed her arms over her chest and looked away, clearly still not intent on sharing any of the details. Realizing that she wasn't going to get anything out of her daughter, Mrs. Everdeen momentarily turned her inquisitive gaze up towards Troy before continuing with his stitches.