Heading back into the cave was stupid, Tim told himself a dozen times as he made his way back down the curving path, one hand trailing along the stone and the other gripping his staff. He had gotten lucky the last time, finding Damian and providing the Capitol with something that they could and would twist into a ridiculously heart-warming scene. Two brothers, one or both doomed to die, finding each other against all odds.

But he couldn't keep staying away from it. Not after searching aimlessly for some other connection. There had to be a way over there. There had to be more than just a tease. How else would the field ever narrow down to one? Maybe they'd open them up when the numbers got lower. Maybe they were open now, and he could get out of this oven-roaster hellhole.

When he was nearing the gate again, Tim caught his breath as a voice carried down towards him, followed by the sound of someone struggling against the bars. He knew that voice. He had to stop himself from racing the last bit - he was not going to give them the satisfaction of a slow-motion instant replay of lovers running to each other.

This was a set-up, and he knew it in his core. They want their highlight reel, and he, well - Tim wanted to see for himself what shape Stephanie was in. There was nothing else to do but walk forward, pulling Punchy's mask down to hang around his neck, until Stephanie came into view. "So. What're you in for?"