One year, seven months before the 127th annual reaping
-Basil Oberoi, District 1-
Every time he woke up in Cruise's arms, he knew it was going to be a good day.
Basil closed his eyes again, trying to hold on to the dreams that graced his brain through the night so he could share them with his boyfriend when he woke up. However, the more he tried to remember them, the more he forgot. Basil took in a deep breath through his nose, which quickly tried to become a yawn. He closed his eyes again, feeling bad when Cruise shifted beside him, rolling over and trying once again to get comfortable. Basil took the chance to rotate as Cruise stretched out his arms. It was disappointing to lose the warmth and then gentle scent of Cruise behind him, but Basil knew his arms were probably asleep.
He didn't mind being the big spoon though. Basil took a few slow blinks before he roled over and wrapped an arm around his boyfriend. Despite his eyes being closed, Basil could see the small smile that spread across his handsome face thanks to the sun that streamed in through the small crack in the blinds. It was always such a beautiful feeling, when Cruise smiled and it was because of him. Even after dating for two years, he still felt this way every time it happened. It was just… Amazing.
Basil couldn't help the content sigh that he let out, cuddled close to his boyfriend. He loved being here so much. He hadn't been this happy in so long, and he was going to hold onto that happiness for as long as possible. He would absolutely never let go of it.
Cruise's eyes flickered open once again as he turned again to be facing Basil, pulling the blanket around himself.
"Did I waken you?" he asked quietly, trying to aim his morning breath away from Cruise's face.
"Nah," said Cruise with another long yawn. "You're good."
"Sorry."
Cruise slowly reached over and squeezed Basil's cheeks together with his hand. "Shhhh. No."
Basil just couldn't stop smiling as he softly laughed and relaxed once again into Cruise's arms. He was always apologizing, but here was one place he finally felt content. This place, this tiny-ass apartment, it felt like home to Basil. It was where he belonged, right here, right now, with his boyfriend who he loved so much. The one he was so ready to spend the rest of his life with, and vice versa.
"No work today." He grinned at the knowledge that he was going to have Cruise here with him all day today.
"No, but we have to go home for dinner," Cruise said. "It's Sunday."
"Right, right." Basil knew he made a deal with his family, and he was going to honor that deal. In all honesty, Basil felt scared to break it. Not that his family would get mad at him or anything, no, absolutely not… They were so nice, and loving… But they chose to allow Basil into their household, and become part of their family. He thought he was a lost cause until they came into his life, and treated him with so much kindness… Plus, they let him move out to chase his dreams and be with his boyfriend, despite being so young. He was terrified of disappointing them. He never wanted to wrong them. And as much as he loved them, and started to see them as his true family… He always felt like he was walking on eggshells when he and Cruise visited each Sunday. That was exactly the reason he had to leave. He couldn't take any more of that feeling, not after five whole years of it. Sure, it got better when he put it out into the world for them to understand, but even after he talked about it, he still felt like an intruder in their household. At least now the family understood that feeling. But they were so nice to him, why would he feel like that in his own house?
Basil took a deep breath, trying to keep himself out of a spiral. He wasn't the type to have those negative, ugly feelings. And while he trusted Cruise, saying them out loud did absolutely nothing to help. It would only make Cruise feel bad for him, and the Pressleys feel guilty for something that wasn't even their fault. It was Basil's.
"What are you thinking about?" Cruise could see the expression on his face. He was practically psychic, and often knew how Basil was feeling before he said it out loud. That was why he loved him so much. And how knew they were absolutely meant for each other.
"Going home," he said honestly. He had no reason to lie. "Seeing everyone again."
"It's only been a week," Cruise said with a laugh as he ran a hand through Basil's thick hair which was so rough and tangled this morning.
"Yeah, you're right. I just… I don't know." There was no reason to talk about this right now. "So much has changed." That's right. That was why he felt particularly good this morning. "I mean… We're officially on the waiting list! We're going to have a child!" he couldn't stop the smile now. He had forgotten about it – it was like a dream, almost too good to be true. He would be so happy to be a father. He wanted nothing more than to give a child the opportunity that he received from the Pressleys.
It was so perfect – Basil was going to be dropped from the Academy and would find a real job, Cruise was working a well-paying job as a blacksmith. Basil could work from home, Cruise could be the main breadwinner, and they would have a pair of tiny feet, gleefully toddling around their house. What would the child look like? Would they be shy or outgoing? So many questions that Basil just wanted the answer to!
But, they were on the waiting list, so it wasn't going to happen right away. Basil tried to look towards the future – in three months, they would almost certainly have a child to call their own. He couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face. He didn't get emotional often, but he was so passionate about this and ready to give a kid the same opportunity he had as a young person. These children, they needed someone that fucking understood them. And nobody understood what it was like to be given up better than Basil.
"Right… Yes, we are," Cruise said, smiling over at Basil, who was absolutely beaming.
"Oh, I can't wait to know what they'll be like so we can set up their room. They'll need a crib, or a small bed depending on the age. And we'll have to be sure to have kid-friendly silverware, and set up the living room so they can play and imagine with toys, and-"
"Yes yes, there is a lot of work to be done, but don't get too hung up on that right now, we were only put on the waiting list two days ago." He leaned in to give Basil a kiss on the forehead, who was still smiling dreamily.
"You're right again," sighed Basil. "I'm just so excited. This is a dream come true! And you're an important part of it. I love you."
"I love you too, Baby," Cruise said, gently petting Basil's hair. "But I have to piss."
Basil laughed and moved so that Cruise could get up, and watched the back of him as he walked to the bathroom. It really couldn't get better than this. Well, it could, but that was in progress. Basil stretched out his arms as he heard Cruise brushing his teeth, and went in to do the same and put up his hair in its typical small bun. Cruise went to get dressed and Basil followed suit.
"What would you like for breakfast, Babe?" asked Cruise, smiling at him as Basil tugged on a shirt.
"Eggs?"
"Omelet or a breakfast sandwich?"
"Do we have bacon?"
"I think so."
"Sandwich then. With cheese. Thanks, Babe." He leaned over to kiss Cruise on the cheek. "I'll go grab the mail and check for packages." He pulled on some shoes.
"Alright, but don't take too long," Cruise said with a wink as he grabbed a pan out of the cabinet.
"I definitely won't!" Basil smiled as he walked down the stairs to the mailroom of their apartment complex. He couldn't stop daydreaming and smiling. He hadn't been this happy or excited since… Well, he couldn't even remember when. Would he be Dad, or Papa? He didn't know which he loved more. As he was looking through the mail, Basil's eyes got wide. A letter from the agency! He took the stairs two at a time, as fast as he possibly could. This soon!? His heart was pounding. He wasn't sure if he was ready for it this soon. But this was amazing! Better than he ever would have hoped for!
"Cruise!" he said as he practically burst through the door. "The agency!" He waved the letter, quickly throwing down the rest of the mail and putting his finger under the flap to open the envelope.
"Oh… Al… Already?" asked Cruise, looking at Basil who opened up the letter.
"Yeah!" He softened for a moment before he opened it at the look on Cruise's face. "Hey, I know that it's sudden. Hell, I wasn't expecting it this soon either, but… We're ready, Cruise. We're going to get ready. This is amazing!"
"Right, I know," said Cruise softly. Basil took a deep breath as he opened the letter, looking for a name or a picture, or something… And not finding one. Basil slowed down, holding the letter back so he wasn't squinting so much at the words. His heart fell to his chest as he read the first paragraph.
We regret to inform you that we cannot fulfill your request at this time.
"Cruise…" he held out the letter to his boyfriend, who took it and squinted at the words briefly.
"I'm sorry Basil…" said Cruise, frowning.
"The secretary said we were successfully put on the list!"
"She did," Cruise confirmed, putting a hand on his shoulder and moving the pan off of the burner to be fully present with his boyfriend. "I'm so sorry. Something must have happened with processing or something, from how the letter sounds."
"That's not fair, they told us…" Basil said, staring at the letter again as his eyes filled with angry tears. No. That wasn't fair, for them to deny him the opportunity to give a child what he'd been given! His heart was aching for those poor kids that would remain in that inhumane fucking orphanage, all because…. Because why!? Because he was young? Because he was gay?! Because his skin was dark!? They didn't give a reason. It made him mad that they didn't have to. "That's… That's fucking bullshit!" he roared. Basil blinked the tears out of his eyes that were stinging as he crumpled up the paper and threw it on the ground. He stomped on it as hard as he could a few times out of anger.
This wasn't how this was supposed to happen. This wasn't part of Basil's plan. What, did they think he wouldn't be successful? Was money an option? Why?
"It's going to be alright," Cruise said, but Basil shook his head and stomped on the paper again.
"No! It's not!" he yelled. He picked up the crumped up paper, already half-ripped in the middle by his foot, and ripped it to shreds with an angry yell. "What gave them the right to do this to us!?"
"Basil, calm down- "
"I won't! It isn't fair, and nobody will understand how unfair it is except for me because I've been through it!"
"I know you have, and I'm so sorry. It isn't fair. But the letter said we can come back in a few years, so maybe we just wait until then."
"I don't want to wait, Cruise! I don't want our child to spend another minute in that hell hole of an orphanage! We have to get them, and we have to get them soon. Save them the years of pain I felt in that place."
"What are we even going to do? We're not even married, Basil."
"Whatever it takes," Basil said. His eyes went out the window to the billboard outside. The way that Cartier Candelaria was smiling so widely, flexing his muscles… Basil suddenly knew what he had to do. "That's it. I have to go."
"Where are you going?! Don't go there, they won't-"
"I am going there, and they're going to feel my wrath!" But then, he had to make a second stop. The Training Center. They couldn't possibly say no to a Victor, could they?! Absolutely not. He was going to show them, he was going to save those kids from a life like he had and be their father like he'd always wanted. "I'll be back before dinner," he said, and Cruise just helplessly watched him walk out the door, slamming it shut on the way out.
"Basil, wait!" Slam! Cruise's eyes started to fill with tears as he buried his face in his hands and wept quietly.
"Oh my God… What have I done?"
~.~.
One year, six months before the 127th annual reaping
-Ryder Kota, District 2-
"Catch me if you can, Ryder!" The loud voice of Shani rang through the training center as he held up a sword and wiggled it towards his step-sibling.
"I always do!" Ryder called back, although today they weren't so sure. For once, they decided to rack their greatsword and practice with a secondary weapon. The bow an arrows weren't unfamiliar to Ryder, but they definitely didn't feel as confident. And if they couldn't even get Shani, who was towards the bottom of their year, what kind of impression would that be making?! Ryder shook out the thoughts (and the few strands of hair that were tickling their face) as they took aim at their step-brother. Shani jumped to the side, but Ryder was locked on their target. Anticipating his next move (which was extremely predictable, in their humble opinion), Ryder had the arrow going, which stuck itself to Shani's calf with a firm plunk.
"I can still fight!" called Shani, charging towards them as Ryder swiftly pulled another arrow from their quiver, aiming it straight at the body.
"Not for long," Ryder said, filled with confidence after the success of their first shot. Quickly and instinctively, Ryder let the arrow go, which sailed through the air before firmly landing on Shani's chest. The force of the shot sent him backwards, falling right on the floor on his butt and snapping the plunger arrow that was still stuck to the back of his leg in the process.
"Shani!" Ryder immediately snapped out of their stupor, dropping the bow and hurrying over to their step-brother. "Are you alright?"
"Besides my bruised ego? I'm fine. But what else is new?" Shani gave them a toothy smile as Ryder reached down a hand to help him up. "I just hope the ladies didn't see that one."
"Don't mean to be that person bro, but the ladies aren't blind." He looked over to where a group of female trainees quickly looked away from them, giggling. "See?"
"Can't you just let me win once?" Shani pouted. "Just for clout."
"Sorry bro, you have to earn it. I can't have the Victors walking in at the wrong moment."
"Yeah, that would fucking suck ass."
The voice behind Ryder made them jump out of their skin.
"Do the bit. You know…" She lowered her voice. "'She's right behind me… Isn't she?' That one."
Ryder stared over at Shani, who was looking at the woman behind him with widened eyes. The look on his face said it all… Ryder was dealing with this alone.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Kensy, ma'am!" Ryder stood up taller.
Pit didn't hesitate to take Ryder's chin and stare at their face. "Aha." Ryder could feel their cheeks heating up. "Just as I thought. Your eyeliner is still, as they say… On-point."
"Thank you…?" Ryder didn't know how to respond to that. But they definitely wanted to! They wanted to get to know the Victors better, especially if they wanted to be one.
"You're welcome…?" She laughed at herself. "Listen, I may be old and apparently senile, but I definitely see something here. Now, I would like to give you a couple of pointers before I go, if that's alright."
Ryder looked at Shani with wide eyes. "Yes… Please!" they practically burst out.
"Of course. What's your name? I promise I'm sane enough to remember. Nothing stops the great Pit Kensy Hollenbeck!"
"Ryder! Ryder Kota." They tried to clam down, but it was hard to calm down when one of the District's most famous Victors – known for her use of bow and arrow – stopped to give them advice. They couldn't believe it. Their mother would be so proud… And Cheri too… They couldn't stop the smile that spread across their face. They were almost going to take a risk and go edgy with some light pink lipstick, but they were glad they didn't. Not when it had the chance to be smeared in front of Pit Kensy!
"Well Ryder, my first piece of advice for you Ryder Kota, is that if you want to win the Games and be super famous, you should probably get your own look."
My own look. Yes, of course! Wait… "Uh, ma'am… What exactly do you mean by that?"
Pit just laughed and tugged on the attempt at a bun that turned into a small ponytail instead. "I mean that Pluto Nicastro already won the Games, and I know them, we don't need another one."
Ryder blushed as Shani's face suddenly darkened. Ryder would have disagreed with the Victor, but they certainly did not want to start an argument with her. She was known for being stubborn and breaking furniture, after all. They looked at Shani for a moment, who gave a small nod of agreement with her as Ryder tried not to blush.
"I really didn't mean to copy them…" said Ryder. "Any resemblance is all a coincidence!"
"Just pointing out the obvious," Pit said with a smirk. "Alright alright, all joking aside now…" she said, launching into some technical jargon about archery that Ryder listened closely to. But even while they were trying to absorb her advice, they were distracted. They could practically feel the look that Shani was still giving them at the mention of Pluto. Everything was going so well for them, too, until that happened…
"So, let's see it," Pit said, putting an arm around Ryder to guide them over to the archery station of the center. Ryder followed, resisting the urge to look back over at Shani. They couldn't handle the look that they were inevitably getting from him.
Ryder's archery did get better under Pit's guidance, even if they weren't really focused on her, too busy worrying that Shani was going to be mad at them through the association – and go back and tell Cheri about it. Ryder didn't want to cause any trouble at home… Maybe they should do something…
"Alright, let's see you shoot."
Ryder's hands started to shake in fear that they weren't going to live up to her expectations. She was talking about their… Elbow? Ryder didn't know. They didn't want to make a bad impression by seeming arrogant or vain, like they wouldn't listen to her… Oh God…
"Don't think, just shoot."
Don't think, just shoot. Ryder really tried. But… How were they supposed to get a good shot fi they weren't thinking about it?! That just seemed impossible, not with how little experience they had with the weapon. They tried to follow her advice, quickly putting up the bow and taking less time to aim before shooting, so it seemed like they weren't thinking…
Pit laughed. The arrow hit the rim of the target at least. "You'll get there, once you embrace that philosophy."
"Thank you so much, ma'am." Ryder bowed their head, resisting the urge to shake the hair out of their face.
"You're very welcome. Keep working, and maybe your dreams will finally come true. What are they?"
Ryder looked around the room nervously. Shani was off training with another group of boys his age, far enough away that Ryder felt like they could speak honestly to the Victor. "I want to inspire young kids… Just like Pluto inspired me. Being an openly nonbinary volunteer from District Two… It's a very big deal, especially to me because… So am I." They smiled a little at the memory of the Pride party upon Pluto's return home. They had so much fun there… Guilt suddenly crashed over them. How could they have so much fun when their would-be step-sister was dead at their hands!? They couldn't help it… They didn't know Kehlani before they started to love Pluto… Ryder cast their eyes away from Shani's direction. That was his sister… Ryder felt absolutely horrible. Pluto killed her in cold blood. That was nothing inspirational… How could Ryder cause trouble at home about something as silly as a favorite celebrity!?
"Well, I'm sure those little kids out there would love to see that they can do anything, even without conforming to the binary gender. Good on you. I hope you get there Ryder Kota." Pit tapped her head to show that she would remember their name. "And before you try…" She winked over at them. "This gray hair would look terrible on you."
Ryder managed a laugh as she turned and walked away from them with one last wave, before Ryder went back to focusing on the archery station.
They could have been paying better attention… After all, this was the queen of the bow! What the hell was Ryder thinking?! Getting so caught up on what Shani would think of them… But no, it wasn't worth stirring drama. They would have to get Shani's trust back when they walked home from training together. He knew Ryder didn't really mean it, right? He had to know… Ryder felt desperate and guilty as they looked over at Shani. And now they'd lost a private session with Pit Kensy…. Fuck! They felt like a fucking idiot. They had to keep in it if they wanted to volunteer and make their mothers proud.
Ryder tried to make the most of the rest of the day, but felt unfulfilled at the end of it. They definitely could have done more and worked harder… And when Shani was cheerfully chatting with them on the walk back, they felt even worse. He didn't even seem to be upset with them, so why did they waste so much time worrying about that?! Dammit… If they wanted to be a Victor, they had to step up.
On the way home, Shani's cheerful chatter stopped when they heard yelling a few blocks down. It was obvious that the couple was arguing – this wasn't the first time they'd seen it on the way home from training. Ryder looked away, but recognized the sound of a punch from all their time in the Training Center. Out of the corner of their eye, they could see the scene: the man beating the woman, who was crying and had now resorted to begging. Ryder hated to see people get hurt…
They could see it in their head. They would run out to stop the scene in front of them. It wasn't right, after all! She was being hurt, and she needed someone to help her. Ryder had trained, they could go help her…
But at the same time, the man was tall and strong. It wasn't really any of Ryder's business to get tied up in. And, well, if they got a black eye or something, the Victors definitely wouldn't like that. Actually, that guy could do much worse to Ryder. It would be a losing battle for Ryder, they couldn't actually change anything… That guy could could break their bones, and if that happened, well, they'd be set behind in their training and could possibly lose the chance to volunteer, and inspire all those kids…
By the time Ryder was done thinking about it, the couple was gone anyways. At least it was over…
I could have stopped it. If I had just acted without thinking, like Pit said.
"You coming?" Shani's voice snapped them out of their thoughts, but the pit in their stomach simply wouldn't go away. They knew that woman was hurting. And there was nothing they could do now. The chance to be a hero was gone.
But not forever…
Shani held the door for Ryder to go into the house, where their mothers were waiting for them. Cheri was holding Ania's hand and sitting at the table, the two of them watching the news.
"What movie is this?" asked Shani, raising his eyebrows. It was truly chaotic. People screaming and holding guns. The voice in the background made both of them realize at the same time…
"Riots. Gunshots. Violence. This is the Panem inspired by traitors. Is this the reality you want to live in!?"
"Wait, this actually happened!?" Shani asked, his jaw dropping. Ryder hated to see the people hurt on the screen, but they couldn't look away.
"When? Why?" They were obviously Capitolites, some of them laying in a pool of blood, some of them reaching out, wishing to be saved. What was happening?
"Over the summer. Incited by the words of the mother of that Capitol girl that died in the Games," said Ania, her voice nice and steady. "They didn't release the footage until today…"
"Oh…" Shani and Ryder's voices both went soft.
"It's sick. She shouldn't be dead, she was grieving!" Cheri said finally, startling the group but hitting her hand on the table. "She's right. The Capitol took her daughter just like they took mine, and they deserve to pay for it."
"I'm going to shower," said Shani, obviously not wanting to hear her talk like this anymore.
Cheri's glance settled across the room, on Ryder. "Of course. Honey, can you go check the oven?"
"Of course," said Ania. Ryder was glad to see her happy, but intimidated to be with their step-mother alone. As soon as she left, Cheri's gaze set on Ryder.
"You're interested in volunteering for the Games?" she asked, knowing the answer.
"Yes ma'am," Ryder said. Should they not be? The way she sounded so… So disappointed with them was making them nervous. They didn't want to be the reason this didn't work out for their mom…
"Even after seeing footage like this?" She paused the screen on the face of the woman that was crying. "Does this seem right to you?"
Ryder frowned at the pain on her face. "No. I don't want to go in for riches or to kill anyone… I just want to be inspiring…"
"And make a difference?"
Ryder looked over at her. "Yes." Yes, they really, truly did want to make a difference.
"You know, Ryder, you could make an even bigger difference than just being a figurehead to stick on a lunchbox. You could really make things better. You could help end the Games for good, Ryder, and end… All of this violence. You could make the Capitol pay for the fact that you could never meet your step-sister, my daughter… Shani's sister…"
"Cheri, I… This is a lot…" Ryder felt bad for not agreeing right away. The Games were wrong, they could see what they did… What Pluto did… To their family. They could make a difference… They wanted to…
"I know. But on your journey to volunteer… Just keep that in mind. Alright?" She gave them a pleasant smile, which Ryder hesitantly returned.
"Dinner's ready!" called Ania. "Come and get it!"
"Coming, dear!" said Cheri. She gave Ryder a smile and put a hand on their shoulder, pulling them closer to her. "Come on, kiddo. Let's go grab a bite as a family together."
Ryder smiled, happy that she seemed to be pleased with them, even though they couldn't give her a straight answer. "Of course!" they walked ahead of Cheri to see if Ania needed help setting the table for dinner, which they happily gave.
Cheri smiled at them, as her son came from the shower at the guise of food. Maybe it wasn't an immediate agreement… But she was satisfied.
Cheri had planted a seed. And the more she watered it, the more it was going to grow.
~.~.
A/N: Updates are slower, but still coming. Do not fret! I'm going to keep on chugging through this story one way or another. Inspiration struck and these awesome characters kept it going for a whole chapter in a day. I hope you enjoyed meeting these two Careers and how different they are! Thanks to Glader and Lauren for Basil and Ryder respectively.
Nothing new to announce, really. Be nice to your teachers lol, tell them you appreciate them. Stay safe, wash your hands, and wear a mask. See ya whenever I see ya for the next pair.
CQ: Same as usual. Thoughts on both? Which stood out more and why?
Next Chapter: Form #5 and Form #17, quite an unlikely pair.