AUTHORS NOTE: Wow... All I can say is I AM SO SORRY. OMG. Sorry because I have completely forgotten about this fic due to my studies but also because I got distracted by my other fic "Behind The Fame". I didn't realize how descriptive this pic is. Wow, how did you all read it?!
Oh God, I don't even know if anyones still following this fic. I know I struggled trying to remember everything that happened... I'm so sorry guys! But a GIANT THANK YOU to my friend HEDDERDAWNN who urged me to get my sh!t together! Hahaha!
I don't know how many people will still be reading this... So if you guys could indicate how many of you would like me to carry on this fic... that would be great! :)
Anyway, I do not own anything not Glee of Hunger Games
Sorry for any mistakes! My bad!
Enjoy!
"Pretending we don't know each other is getting really difficult..." Leroy muttered.
"Sorry, I wasn't expecting that we would run into trouble this early…"
"It's fine. It's just, Hiram is starting to ask questions and I've been lucky at avoiding them since every time he brings it up; Santana's health gets in the way."
"How convenient."
Leroy and Haymitch were sat in the warm glow of the tall lamp in the corner of the room near the head of the table where Leroy was sat. The old friends were secluded accompanied by a third guest, a carafe of liquid amber resting indolently on the table; patiently waiting for the stream of truths.
"Do you mind?" Leroy asked as he catered a glass of scotch, moving his right wrist in a slow circular motion to make the liquid languidly swirl in deep slow circles.
"Mind what?" said Haymitch, as he hissed the burn of the alcohol out of his throat.
"Telling me what happened? Why it happened? How did you find her? How on earth did he not find her? I only heard things from Benny, but you and I have never actually spoken about it." The tanned man requested from his friend who looked at him expectantly, as if he knew that the conversation was inevitable.
"No, not at all... " replied the other gentleman. "Just, keep the scotch coming... It's going to be a long night..."
"Antonio called me up the day before. It was the last we've had and he asked me to come down to District 2. Of course, I wasn't aware that it would be our last conversation and the drunken bastard I am; I remember swearing at him over the phone for calling so early." Haymitch shook his head upon the memory.
"I was passed out on the couch as always. When the receiver rang, I answered, swore a bunch of times and he just laughed at my ass-ness. Even though he called at a bad timing, I wouldn't hold such trivial thing against him. So, I left early so I can surprise the mother and the pain in the as. I was excited to see the little devil and have Maribel scolding me for spoiling the kid rotten." He brought hit glass up to his lips and tipped the alcohol into his lips.
"What I wasn't expecting though, was a massive bonfire."
Leroy watched Haymitch refill his still full tumbler of scotch, filling it ¾ in, not giving the alcohol enough space to breathe. "I arrived at District 2 just after ten in the evening. A cult of people surrounded the dilapidated house. You'd think living in a small community where you knew everyone; people would be more united. You'd think people would be willing to help out this family who had done so much for them… Maribel who shared their meal to the homeless, low-life leeches who are undeserving of help… Those dirty beggars actually had the audacity to break in the house and steal the family's belongings!" Haymitch spat bitterly, his countenance was shaped as though he had just killed a man.
The dark skinned man closed his eyes in despair as he listened to his friend. "I ran around the burning house, I looked at an opening, I tried Leroy! I really did!" The dark haired man patted the back of the tortured soul telling him that he understands, trying to soothe away the shame.
"I couldn't… I couldn't get Maribel out… the fire had already spread… So I just, I just watched the flames eat her and their home…" Haymitch took a generous gulp of the alcohol and carried on.
"For a second I thought the little bugger hadn't made it out until I saw a trail of leaning crops… I ran so fast, I followed it. I yelled out her name but there was no answer, it took me to tall tree in the middle this clearing. It was empty, the trail stopped there. She had to be there or they must have found her, but when a small droplet of tear dripped on my face; it made me look up. Sure enough-" Haymitch released a small chuckle.
"The little fighter was up the tree…"
"'Tana? Hey little one it's me… it's Uncle Mitch…" The young Haymitch cooed to the small Latina wedge in between heavy branches and leaves, but the younger girl remained still. She hid her face behind the leaves fluttering from the cold twist of the wind.
"After that, she became an introvert. She just stopped talking… I thought… I thought I could handle raising her up… But honestly I think I did more damage than good…" Haymitch chuckled bitterly at himself.
"I started drinking more and I actually forgot that I had to be strong for her… There was this thing one time… I came stumbling home drunk; Santana was locked in that pigsty house in the Victors Village in District 12… I passed out on the dining table and I felt her tiny hands tap me on the shoulder…."
Haymitch stank of alcohol his limp body was haphazardly resting on the round wooden table which was littered with various tumblers, glasses and bottles and bottles of alcohol. The room was dark and damp; the only thing which illuminated the room was the grey measly moonlight. A small girl in an oversized shirt approached the slumbering man who had been gone the whole day leaving the young girl in solitude, hungry and lonely. She tapped his shoulder and the man merely grumbled in response. She tried again.
"What…" The alcoholic mumbled into his arm in irritation as his head pounded in dehydration.
The little girl tugged harder on his shirt which made him swing his body up callously and faced the little Latina who was filthy and underweight, her collarbone protruding out the shirt she was given as she had no other clothes.
Santana with her lips she kept tight merely rubbed her stomach to gesture she was hungry. It was obvious to Haymtich what the girl had wanted but with him intoxicated, the influence of the alcohol played with his temper. The silence of the girl irritated him greatly.
"What do you want?!" He growled, urging some response to the mute girl who only cowered away from him in response.
The small child bowed her head and started to walk backwards, retreating from the inebriated man. She trembled in fear and her eyes welled up with tears as the monster before her roared. This only made Haymitch boil in anger. He grabbed the fragile arms to pull the girl closer to her and shook her shoulders forcefully. His large hands painfully crushing the tiny shoulders which made Santana whimper in pain and terror.
"SANTANA FOR FUCK SAKE! TALK AND TELL ME WHAT THE FUCK YOU WANT!" Haymitch spat. His breath stank of alcohol, teeth were clenched with heavy tension as he growled monstrously and his eyes were red and manic as he harassed the poor girl. And when a silver tear drop fell from his god daughters fearful eyes, he lost it.
Haymitch went on a destructive rage, he let go of the smaller girl and stood up abruptly making the chair screech and clatter on the marble floor. He pulled his hair in frustration, he wasn't angry at Santana, he was angry with himself. He failed to protect the only family he had left and he was failing to provide any comfort to the girl who had just lost her parents. He was hurting and he was furious with himself for being so selfish for being an incompetent guardian for Santana. The cyclone of emotions that wracked Haymitch's body blinded him as he went on a rampage, he back handed the bottles aggressively, and exerting all energy he had as he sent precious innocent beakers flying off the desk. Glasses crashed and shattered as he flipped the heavy mahogany table with his brute strength. It slammed down heavily and echoed in the house as it crushed the shards into smaller pieces.
It left an eerie silence.
Haymitch's chest was heaving from the adrenaline. He stood like a statue as a ghostly sense of calm washed over him. When he regained some control over his body he suddenly remembered the presence of the young girl. He threw his head wildly in fear that he had made the girl run away in horror but when his eyes fell on a petit figure who stood idly in the shadows, all apprehension left him.
He swallowed dryly.
"Santana?"
The little girl remained unmoving.
The broad man gently approached the girl before him and crouched down to her level. He looked at his foot as glass crunched under his shoes. What caught his eyes however was the blood trickling from Santana's small legs which had debris of glass stabbed into them.
Haymitch cried in shame.
Whilst Santana stood with tall, her shoulders squared and her eyes as cold and sharp as a cave full stalactite.
"We travelled a lot. We couldn't stay in one place because I know that Dante would be looking for her… As she grew, she became more distant. She was quiet but not in fear, but of cold. But there's something different about her these these days…" Haymitch pondered, his mind going to a specific young woman with blonde locks, tall frame and contagious smile, when she so chooses.
"Anyway, not long after that. I decided to go AWOL on the games. I had to, I thought it was the only way I could protect her. Then I taught her how to fight…" Haymitch pursed his lips as Leroy laughed at imagining a young Haymitch completely bewildered with what to do with the young Santana.
"Well nobody warned me that she was going to grow up into an excellent lethal weapon by the age of 13 and become a suicidal 17 year old!" Haymitch exasperated in his defense.
Leroy chuckled softly at his friend's unconventional parenting skills, until the playful tone dissipated away and was replaced by the cold reality. "She really wants to join go, huh? No way of changing her mind?"
"Just earlier tonight she was talking about training. I would have blamed it on the painkillers making her go cuckoo except that would be a lie… How stupid was I thinking it was a good idea to raise a little princess into a soldier…" The man scoffed and shook his head to himself with disapproval.
Leroy looked at his friend with pity and gave him a reassuring pat on the back "You did good… She can't run forever…"
"I know… I know…"
After Santana woke, she stayed another two extra weeks in the Berry household despite her protest as ordered by Leroy. He wanted to keep a close eye on Santana's recovery and learning about her stubborn nature, he knew that the young woman will only strain herself and will probably not show up if he schedules check up with her.
Staying under the doctor's watchful eye sucked.
The Latina's actions were limited and even the perimeter she was allowed to walk to was limited. She was only allowed to roam the garden and the front yard, so for most the time she had to kill she helped Hiram do house hold chores. Nothing too heavy, as well as listening to the Berry's sing which at first she deeply despised but started to grow on her. It became her "common interest" with Rachel. She thought that the shorter brunette deserved a proper shot to be friends with, and turns out she was alright; loud, but alright.
Well the plus point is that Santana at least got to learn more about Brittany, without her even asking the brunette. She learned that the gossips in the market were wrong about the blonde. As a matter of fact, Brittany apparently excelled tremendously in her studies. The young woman even received special recognition for her achievements. However, she chose to give up her education at the age of thirteen in exchange for caring for her brother. So her parents can focus on their finance. Despite Anna urging her eldest daughter not to abandon her education, the blonde was determined to take up the responsibility of caring for her siblings; to the extent that she orchestrated her own expel through purposely failing all of her final exams through pretending that she had cheated in them. Thus, the rumors of her being daft; Brittany is not stupid at all. She's smart, selfless, compassionate and loving.
Brittany's choices both saddened and awed Santana. But the Latina was glad to learn that the other woman's potential are not wasted. As apparently, Leroy had offered to tutor the blonde about medicine. But Brittany had declined the kind offer in the past until Santana's incident. This delighted Santana.
Learning about the mysterious blonde was probably the Latina's favorite part of the day during her ground.
Nonetheless, she still hated being inactive, she felt as though she was wasting time just lounging about. It didn't help that every time Haymitch came to visit, he would tease her about it too.
But what sucked the worst for Santana were the visiting times.
Staying at the Berry household was lovely and Santana knows that she is forever in debt to the humble family but she really did not like the visiting hours, it's not like they've set a time for people to visit her. The Pierce and Haymitch can stop by any time! It's just, Brittany can't. The blonde's chores didn't permit her to visit the brunette. The thing was, the adults purposely made it this way. They knew that the growing friendship between the two will only inspire them to sneak out and will lead to Santana constantly urging for her release.
So the blonde and the brunette were forced suck it up.
The two weeks felt like two months and the time being apart from one another placed both Santana and Brittany on edge. They feared that after Santana's near death experience which brought them together, everything will go back to how it was before then. They will seize to talk to each other again. Brittany didn't want that.
Santana on the other hand feared that Brittany's compassionate side was strictly limited by the pity she feels for the Latina. That once she was all patched up, Brittany will return to her distant and passive aggressive self.
If that's the case, Santana thought to herself that she would gladly whip herself with that Peacekeeper's dirty cable every day. That's if it meant having a caring Brittany; whose smile lit up the heavens and whose touch were warm and nurturing as the sun is to the summer fruits.
After long days of restlessness and anticipation, the emotions were quickly replaced with trepidation and panic as the day of the brunette's release finally came.
Santana was sat on the neatly made clinic bed as Leroy examined her stitch and arm.
"Oh no…" Leroy frowned as he inspected the young woman's healing incision right above her new kidney.
"What?" Santana's eyes widened as she saw the way lines on the medic's forehead creased.
"This doesn't look…" the man dragged out.
"What?!" the Latina was growing more and more alarmed as the fear of having to spend more time in solitude grew on her.
"Leroy, what's going on, please?!"
Old brown eyes looked solemnly to the young woman as Leroy slowly spoke "Santana, I'm afraid your stitch looks infected… I'm afraid that the kidney transfer may not have worked…"
Santana's heart started to beat faster.
"What?"
"It means that you're going to have to stay for another month, at least so we can pay close attention to your healing… I'll go and make call for Haymitch to inform them about your postponed return." Leroy got up his seat and took off the rubber gloves and disposed of them as he slowly made his way to the door. The man coyly watched Santana's face fall in disappointment. He saw how Santana started playing with the pillow on her lap and softly beating it with her fist. The man released a small chuckle and immediately felt bad for pulling a joke on the girl.
"I'm joking Santana"
Santana's head shot up and looked at Leroy for another confirmation.
"You can go back to the Pierce's dear, your arm looks like it's healing very well and same goes for the stitch on your stomach."
"Really?" the suddenly rejuvenated girl asked.
The older man smiled "Yes, really"
The brunette broke into a wide smile as she laughed in relief.
"However…" Leroy started at a chastising tone "This does not mean that you can go ahead and start climbing tree's and go off picking a fight with the rest of the Peacekeeper's, ok? You are allowed to leave but you must promise me that you will not take part in any strenuous activity until I say so, and Santana I will know when you disobey me."
"Yes Sir." Santana replied as she nodded her head enthusiastically, eager to see Christa, Andre and of course… Brittany.
"Good. Here's two weeks' worth of painkillers" The man handed a bag over to Santana "Take one every eight hours; so two a day. Your wounds are still tender so you will need them. Come back here when you've finished these medications. Also, keep an eye on how you're feeling. The moment you feel something is off, you come back here straight away. If I find out -and I will know- that you've been unwell without telling me. You will find yourself back in this room for another three months with my daughter's singing. So you will do as you're told. If not, you might as well get yourself comfortable on that bed again. Do we have an agreement?" Leroy commanded half joking in his authoritative voice.
"Yes Doc. You have my word." The Latina replied honestly, nodding firmly as she emphasized her commitment to their deal.
"Good, now. Go on ahead! Your chariot awaits, princess." The doctor beckoned Santana to follow him out of the makeshift clinic down to the living room where Rachel, Hiram, Haymitch and Benny stood having friendly chat.
Haymitch heard Santana and Leroy's footsteps and turned to address them "All good?" he asked.
"Yes, all good." Leroy replied as he gave the tanned girl a pat on the back. "Santana's making a remarkable recovery and we've thoroughly discussed the repercussion of her carelessness if she falls ill. So you no longer have to worry about her pestering you about letting her do work."
"Great!" Haymitch smiled mockingly at the Latina which the girl simply rolled her eyes to in reply.
"We better get going then!" Benny announced.
The trio left after giving thanks to Leroy for his amazing help and the rest of the Berry's for their hospitality. Not to mention after Santana was pulled into an abrupt "Berry Family Hug" as Hiram engulfed the young petite girl in a giant embrace joined by Rachel and Leroy. The Latina felt her heart sink a bit when she saw the Berry household disappear into the horizon but was also enlightened and relaxed as she left the cool wind fill her lungs. She couldn't wait to be home.
In the Pierce household, Anna, Brittany, Andre and Christa were all busy setting up the table. They were having yet another generous meal for supper. Evers since Haymitch and Santana arrived, the Pierce had been spoiled to luxuries they couldn't afford without spending a months' worth of earning. Tonight, they were having salmon and sorts of seafood. The salmon was a beautiful flush of pink and red accompanied by the swordfish's glistening white fillet and meaty shellfish; and for desert an indulgent triple layered chocolate stood indulgingly as the melted chocolate oozed in between the sponge. Quite a peculiar and exact choice of menu Brittany thought, but paid no more attention to it. It was Haymitch's idea after all.
When an extra plate was out, Brittany saw nothing of it. She carried it to the kitchen and stood beside her mother who was getting the utensils out, waiting for her to move so she can return it to the cabinet.
Anna noticed her eldest daughter lingering beside her "What's up honey?"
"Oh nothing, I'm just returning this extra plate that Christa got out."
Brittany didn't know about Santana's return.
Just on cue, Brittany's little me noticed the disappearance of the seventh plate.
"Britty, what are you doing?" she tapped on her older sisters leg.
"Just putting the extra plate back sweety."
"What extra plate? There's seven of us, I counted! I even counted again with Mum!"
"No honey, there's only six" Brittany smiled.
"No there isn't" Christa persisted, her bottom lips jutting out in protest which her sister found adorable "There's: You, Me, Mum, Andre, Dad, Uncle Hay and-"
Just before the youngest Pierce finished her list, heaving drumming of hooves beating the ground and rubbing on the dirt and sand interjected her conversation with Brittany.
"They're home!" Christa squealed excitedly and rushed towards the door, Brittany followed her sister still holding the extra plate.
Brittany opened the door and walked towards their gate. The moon was up and her path to the stables was paved by the moonlight. Christa followed her sister with Andre and Anna mere yards away from them holding a lamp. They approached the two men stood by the small shack.
"Hey Dad! Hey Uncle Mitch!" the small little girl ran towards her father who was swiftly lifted up by Benny and was placed on his shoulder.
"Come on in, the table is set" Brittany beckoned smiling at the two men. She was friendlier with Haymitch now, embarrassed by her impulsive behavior assuming that the man will fail Santana. It was the least thing she could be.
"Sure thing Princess, we're just waiting for the Frog here to tie up the horses." Haymitch replied.
Brittany frowned in confusion at this as she cocked her head to the side.
"Frog?" Brittany said out loud.
"Shut up Haymitch! I'm doing this as fast as I can! Bear in mind that there are no lights in here!" The voice in the stable replied clearly irritated as it mistook her voice for Haymitch.
The retired mentor let out a hearty laugh and Benny just smiled shaking his head. Not long after the scuffling and chiming of the chain and locking of latches were herd, a small figure emerged. Brittany squinted as she made out the outline.
"Santana?" she thought to herself "No, I'm pretty sure she's getting back tomorrow. I'm picking her up with Dad and Haymitch as well." Brittany told herself as she miscounted the days.
The trio and the mysterious figure then proceeded to walk towards her. Once the soft glow of the moon shone on the fourth character, the face which Brittany didn't know she longed for so much illuminated her senses. Her fingernails dug into the smooth ceramic of the plate and she felt goose bumps cover her skin and her breath.
Brittany scolded her body for over reacting so much "What is wrong with you Pierce?! Snap out of it!" she thought, but when Santana said her name.
"Brittany"
All of her pretenses fell apart "Santana" she said with a relieved smile taking over face which was impossible to hide from the rest of the family who simply grinned at the duo's complete opposite attitude they had initially towards one another.
That night they all ate happily, especially Santana. Small conversations were made across the table but for some reason the brunette and the blonde just couldn't look at each other. When the other one steals a glance and is caught, they simply avert eye contact and squirm into their chair as they scold themselves but does it again anyway. That's Brittany learned that the food was indeed chosen purposely by Haymitch for the Latina. It was her favorite meal. Brittany learned that the brunette fondness of seafood was because it reminded her of District 4, why district 4 when Santana was from District 2? She doesn't know but she was determined to find out some day; after the meal with their stomachs full, and with Christa dozing off on Santana. They decided to call it a night.
Brittany was about to retire to back to her parents' bedroom when Haymitch reminded her that she was sharing a room with Santana which made the blonde blush. So as they all retreated to their respective rooms. Santana and Brittany laid very much awake on the double bed. Their hands stiffly placed on their sides. The walls of the room seemed to slowly creep into the bed closing in on them as an oppressive air suffocated them. Forcing them to hold their breath, and just when the two felt that they were about to explode. The door to the room was flung open by small little girl who then proceeded on climbing up on the bed squeezing herself in between Santana and Brittany.
"I wanted to sleep with you to Tana! It's not fair that Britty gets you all to herself… She already had you at Rachel's house" The young girl gibbered on sleepily.
Santana and Brittany threw a quick thanks to the sky for Christa and shyly smiled at one another.
They weren't snuggling like they did before but at least they weren't stabbing each other with cold stares.
If anything, this is more than what the two can ask for.
They get to re-live as they rebuild the bond they had in the Berry household; only this time, the stars the limit.