A/N- As I said in the summary, this story is a sequel to another one of my fanfics, and it is recommended that you read it (Victoria Diligo) before this one.
Chapter One
Mentor applications. Who would have thought they would be so hard? But half-way between the Games and the Victory Tour, they are necessary. I always thought that is was optional to become a mentor, but here we are, filing out the required forms. Unexpectedly exasperated with this, I push the papers aside and let out a long sigh. Honestly, this all just feels wrong... I used to always want to be a mentor one day, which requires winning, but still... I can't quite pinpoint why this feels wrong. I shouldn't be encouraging more people into this, right? I mean, I'm having second thoughts about everything...
But good has come from all of this. In order to remind myself of that in this situation, I grasp my wedding ring in between two fingers and twist it around slightly. 'This wouldn't have happened if you weren't in the Games,' I remind myself as I twist it around. I have had to do this so much in the six days that I've been wearing it that there is already a blister forming, and it is almost a subconscious motion now. Exhaling slowly, I go back to the papers.
'What were your weaknesses in the arena?' The question jumps out at me, and clarity rushes through everything. Technically, I should be writing something about how I was too impulsive, or played too many different roles for both the audience and my fellow competitors. But instead, the truth hits me; the weakness happened before the Games even began. By allowing my district's process of allowing traditions to brainwash us, I, and many others, set ourselves up for this emotional turmoil. We are viewed as the strongest, yet we are really the weakest... We allowed our sense of humanity to please their ridiculous expectations in a way that should never be done...
As quickly as possible, I get the forms done and shove them into the envelope they came in. The tidal wave of emotion floods me as a sharp scream is ripped out of me. Then the tears flow down, burning hot at first, but the emotional release ends up feeling so good that the warmth is comforting. Yet, at the same time, I hate it...
Another scream leaves me, and the world doesn't seem to exist anymore. I am not aware of what's going on, and I'm not sure I want to...
The next thing I am aware of, though, is a feeling of pressure and warmth against me. "Hi," I say with a sniffle as Cato comes up behind me and pulls me into a hug. I continue to cry slightly. Honestly, I hate this. This never happens...
"We have to do something," he says to me. "We have to change this."
What is he talking about? Changing the entire system of the country? No, we can't do that... "You want to revolutionize Panem? That would be your second completely crazy decision this year alone."
"We have to something... And what was the first?"
Wiping some of the tears away, I state the blunt truth. "Marrying me. I'm a wreck..." As expected, there are protests to this, but I tune them out. It isn't until we are eye-to-eye that I take any of it in.
"Listen, Clove," he begins slowly and thoughtfully. "That was the best decision I could ever make, and I hope you feel the same because, quite frankly, I'm a wreck, too." I feel the slight shift against my body as he takes a deep breath. "We just need each other, okay?"
After a moment, common sense kicks in. "Okay," I agree. It's true, after all. Beauty can rise from ashes...