The first thing Wiress noticed was that her hand fit around the wine glass properly, rather than the glass being rather tall for her grasp. Recalling that the last time she was at a Capitol party, she was a thirteen year old girl forced to act like a woman. Beetee noticed that Wiress had indeed grown from a sweet intelligent girl to a beautiful, stunning, brilliant woman. He put his arm around her waist and kissed her on the cheek before they held hands and walked further into the banquet hall and ballroom of a hotel close to the City Center. They said polite hellos to the Capitol citizens there and were welcomed with applause to the dance floor. Beetee held Wiress close as they danced the first dance of the evening as onlookers and Panem Weekly camera crews took pictures. As the dance ended, Beetee and Wiress shared a kiss before sitting at the table reserved for them. Their meal was waiting as the waiter had brought their meal while they were on the dance floor.
"Well, some of Kev's old friends are here. Most have sponsored other tributes of course as it's been five years since you've both mentored." A man explained. "I'm sure I can help once the Games start." Wiress nodded.
"Wiress?" A teenager's voice asked as a fifteen year old Capitol boy approached the table.
"Sit down, young man." Beetee said offering the boy his chair. "You look like you just saw a ghost."
"Dad said you died." The boy said simply. Beetee stared hard at the boy. He knew the boy looked familiar, but he didn't know why. From the silence the boy was receiving, Beetee knew Wiress was working out how they knew each other also.
"Seneca Crane?" Wiress asked suddenly realizing who the boy was. Seneca nodded slowly. Wiress smiled. "You were the curious little kid that drew arenas like I drew my inventions." Seneca chuckled, but the sadness didn't leave his eyes.
"I know. We would talk about inventing things - well - you would, and I would talk about being a gamemaker when we both grew up. But I thought the Panem Weekly's article was a hoax - that you two were coming back to mentor. Both of you. I saw - I saw Wiress just laying there - in the Gamemaker room -" Beetee nodded grimly as he remembered being forced to watch Wiress being tasered by the Peacekeepers as part of his punishment.
"I know." Wiress said quietly, tears coming to her eyes. "I remember. Bits of it. But I'm here now."
"Also, the new inventions coming out of District Three should've clued you in that she was doing quite well." Beetee said smiling and putting his hands on Wiress' shoulders while standing behind her.
"Thank you for your concern, Seneca." Wiress said smiling. "What are you doing now?"
"Gamemaker training." He said. "I guess it's sorta like the Academy in District Three, right?" Wiress and Beetee exchanged glances. The Engineering Academy was a place for young minds to pursue their dreams of inventing. Academy students and alumni mourned deeply when a student was reaped and never came back from the arena. They knew Panem had lost another potential inventor. Students at the Engineering Academy also dreamed about one day using their inventions to overthrow the Capitol rather than supply it with more luxury and entertainment.
"Well," Beetee began carefully. "In that students focus on a specific trade, which in this case is engineering." Seneca nodded.
"Might I - Might I dance with Wiress?"
"Yes." Beetee said. "I suppose she'll be making her rounds."
"With your permission." Wiress said playfully smirking at her boyfriend before they shared a kiss. "Because I am yours."
Several Capitolites danced with Wiress feeling Beetee's eyes in the back of their heads the whole time. Finally, the night ended with Wiress feeling stuffed and a bit ill from the rich Capitol food. After dancing one last dance with Beetee, they exited the party at Olivia's request. "I know you two lovebirds want to stay and dance, but we must go!"
Olivia walked them to a hotel room and opened the door. "Now, I'll get you both at eleven am sharp for breakfast! If you need anything before that, just call room service." Beetee nodded.
"Thank you." He said before letting the door close. "So you and Seneca were friends? In the Capitol?"
"Yeah. A lot of time, we were the only kids at parties. He would talk about designing arenas and I would talk about inventing." Wiress explained. "Of course - I wasn't - I wasn't seen as a child." She ended in a whisper before wrapping her arms around herself getting chills as memories flooded her brain.
"I know, Wiress, I know." Beetee said gently putting his arms around her and guiding them to the couch near the window. "Every day, I wished I could just come here and take you home. Every day."
"Beetee - you love me. That much." Wiress stated quietly using her fingers to turn his face towards hers as her hand rested on his cheek. "I - I love you - so much, Beetee."
"I know, Wiress." Beetee responded before Wiress kissed him on his lips.
"Beetee - you've waited so long. For me." Wiress whispered before resting her head in the hollow of his neck.
"Wiress -" Beetee asked sensing his girlfriend was trying to communicate something of utmost importance. "What is it, sweetie?"
"Sometimes - when -" Wiress gulped relieving her time in the Capitol. "When it was nice, I - I thought of you." Beetee nodded. "Do - Do you want -"
"Wiress, baby, I would never ever force you to do anything like that." Beetee whispered. "Never. I would only if you wanted to."
"Beetee, I want to." Wiress said simply causing Beetee's heart to beat faster.
"Here?" Beetee asked.
"Not on the couch -" Wiress began before giggling and playfully smacking him.
"I - I guess - why here and not at home?" Beetee asked. "I guess I would think it would be logical to be at home." Wiress shook her head.
"No. I - This is the only way. To keep the memories away - please, Beetee - If you want me."
"Of course I do." Beetee whispered before kissing her gently. "Please don't feel like you have to do this."
"I want to show them -" Wiress breathed in his ear. "Who I really love."
"That is a genius plan, my beautiful inventor." Beetee said before picking her up and holding her close as he kissed her before they lay on the large soft bed."Wiress, I love you." Beetee whispered as their kisses became more passionate. "I always have and I will always love you."
"Beetee, I love you." Wiress whispered as she used her newly manufactured light switch by the bed to dim the lights just so. She knew the cameras would capture the act, but she wanted to show those that used her that their acts didn't stop her from finding true love.