*A/N - I want to apologize as I had my timeline mixed up about the preliminaries! I forgot all about the tribute parade that was supposed to have happened earlier! I threw in a little flashback here about it, so it's not completely forgotten, but I just wanted to say, if it doesn't fit exactly into the timeline I had originally that that is my own fault and I'm just pretending that it does! Hope you still enjoy!
The Interview
Steve woke to soft knocking at his door.
"Yeah?" He asked groggily. When there was no response he realized it was one of the servants. "You can come in," he croaked.
The servant entered and stood at the door. Steve took this as the sign that he was due for his styling and he sighed. He'd meant to wake up early to eat and prepare a bit. Hopefully he could grab something on his way down.
He stumbled out of bed, went to the bathroom quickly, and followed the woman out the door and down the elevator. She did not exit with him, but just pointed in the direction he assumed he needed to go. Guards lined the hallways and he tried to say hello to them but they studiously ignored him.
He heard lots of commotion behind other doors. Each door was labeled with a district number and he walked all the way down to the last two. He stared at the one that said "Male tribute, District 12" in large letters.
"Guess that's me." He said out loud to no one in particular.
He was shocked at how large the room was. There was a center space that had a chair and carpet and looked like a luxury lounge, but on every side of the lounge there was a different station. One he immediately recognized as the body cleansing station from his first days here, and what looked like a station for hair, and a rack of clothes that were covered… so wardrobe, he thought.
Howard stood at the back of the body cleansing station looking at a tablet. He hadn't noticed Steve yet.
"Howard?" Steve called out, alerting him to his presence.
"Ah, Steve, come on over." He waved at him and went back to checking his tablet.
As Steve rounded the large plush couch, he looked up and noticed the glass ceiling. This room didn't have a roof, and it took him a moment to process that they were being watched by the game makers. Men in white suits, and black coats paced in and out of Steve's line of sight. He realized that all of the tributes were being watched and researched as they were being prepared. All this information would go out to the public to encourage betting and participation in the sponsorships of the games. He suddenly felt like a mouse in a maze and he crossed his arms over his scrawny chest.
"Ignore them." Howard said with a theatrical wave. "They like to see what's going on." He clapped Steve on the shoulder. "Good news, they're allowing you to keep the monitor. They don't think it will give you a significant advantage." Howard looked at him with his eyebrows raised, but didn't continue.
"I don't think I have a significant advantage over anything." Steve laughed self-deprecatingly.
"Maybe not physically." Howard said without malice. "But I think you'd be surprised at how many people are rooting for you." He slid a robe off of a hook and handed it to Steve. "You'll wear this until we dress you in wardrobe, for ease of the team." He turned his back and Steve took that as his cue to change.
Steve put the thought of them watching him away, he realized that for the rest of his very short life nothing would be private so he might as well get used to that now. So without hesitating he stripped down, tied the robe around his waist, and folded his clothes very carefully. He cleared his throat to let Howard know he was finished and Howard walked forward to press a button on the wall.
A few team members walked in and began getting the room ready. He felt the heat rise significantly and steam began to fill the room.
He was led to the shower in the corner. The motioned for him to remove his robe and it took every ounce of humility he had to follow that order. Both men and women stood around, but they looked at him as if he were just an object, which, he realized, after the amount of tributes bodies they've seen and watched die, he probably was.
He hung the robe on the hook and they started the process of prepping him. His skin was rescrubbed and then oiled with something that made his skin feel as soft as silk. He was surprised to see old scars disappear. He briefly wondered why they hadn't done that in his first round of scrubbing during training, but the capitol always had their reasons.
After his hands, face, and any part of his skin that would be visible tonight was ready, they moved him over to the hair station.
His hair hadn't grown much since they'd trimmed it last, but they reworked it with product, and styled it to look clean cut and gelled back. He tried not to make a face, but Howard caught his pursed lips. He walked forward, and with a small comb, pulled a few of Steve's front hair out of place. They hung down just a bit and gave Steve a more relaxed look. It made him feel a bit more like himself and he relaxed which caused Howard to smile.
"Sometimes we forget you might know a thing or two about yourselves." Steve smiled in response and they continued. They had him shaved, although there wasn't much to remove, and then they painted his nails with a shiny gloss.
They finally moved onto the wardrobe and Howard unzipped the covering on the clothes rack.
Steve was surprised to see four different suits hanging there. They ranged in color and fabric but he was immediately drawn to the one on the left. A dark midnight blue suit, with small reflective stars across the chest and back of the suit jacket. All the trimmings were a black silk that made the contrast of the stars even brighter. The suit itself was a velvet and felt like butter.
There was a red suit, an all black suit, and even a deep green suit, but none compared in his mind to the one he was holding.
"Stars." Howard said with a smile, "She was right about the stars."
Steve's mind went to his conversation with Tatiana and he smiled. He did have a thing for stars.
The team helped him dress properly. The suit, while it looked relatively normal, was actually more complicated than Steve realized. The pants were the easiest part, and they fit him snuggly. He was grateful that they had his proper sizing down and that Howard had once again added in the padding to make him appear fuller but also relieve his joints so he wouldn't appear too stiff onstage. The undershirt was a sheer mesh that ran to his wrists and tucked into the pants below. Then he was fitted with a padded vest, and a formal silk white shirt on top of that. A thin midnight blue silk tie with matching stars, that Steve realized now were small diamonds with fiber optic lights underneath to make them shine, was tied around his neck.
After that his jacket was slipped on carefully and buttoned. The team put on his shoes for him as they didn't want him bending over and messing up the outfit which made him chuckle and they smiled in response to his mirth.
Tatiana walked in and made a dramatic showing of fawning over him which made him laugh and roll his eyes but accepted with good humor.
After he was deemed officially and finally ready, he went to turn towards the mirror, but Howard stopped him. "Not yet."
"Why not?"
"Because there is a charm in someone not fully realizing how handsome they look." Tatiana quipped, touching a gloved finger to his cheek.
Steve felt a flush at his collar. He'd never been described as handsome and he was pretty sure they were just trying to make him feel confident, but he shrugged and let it be. He'd seen himself in a mirror before, he couldn't look that different.
—
As he was being transport to the capitol dome, his mind wandered back to their first public appearance in the tributes' parade.
He and Maureen had been dressed in all black satin, his outfit was a suit, and her outfit a full ball gown. They had had what Howard described as a "fog machine" attached that would activate as their horses pulled the carriage.
After Steve and Maureen had discussed District 12 with Howard at length, he had decided to go with the theme that "coal dust sticks to everything."
"No one will forget you guys. I'm going to make sure you guys are everywhere. Memorable. Unforgettable. Stuck to them like coal dust." He'd had a gleam in his eye that Steve had been unsure of, but as they'd driven down the massive parade route, he'd realized the magnitude of Howard's statement. A huge glowing cloud of black surrounded and followed them making them look like they were sailing through a dark cloud. It moved and flowed. Once their chariot had stopped, the "coal dust" fog had emanated from their chariot and surrounded the other tribute's chariots making the other horses skittish as they could no longer see their own feet. Steve and Maureen's horses remained calm and he reeled at the idea that Howard had somehow had time to train these specific horses to this phenomenon.
"This is wild." Steve had whispered.
"He wasn't lying." Maureen whispered back. "They won't forget this."
President Schmidt had risen to speak. He was wearing a capitol red suit with black tentacles stitched all over the coat. Steve kept his eyes on the president, as was expected, but he unfocused them and did not listen to the welcome or speech that followed. Something about Schmidt, he'd say it over and over, but something about that man made the inside of Steve's stomach churn. Something about him was not right.
After they'd been hurried back to their penthouse, he'd fallen asleep and dreamed that Schmidt's red coat began to melt onto his skin, turning him a blood red with black tentacles stretching towards Steve. He'd woken up sweating, breathing heavy and his heart racing. He changed the room setting to look like home to calm himself down.
—-
Steve snapped back to the present as Maureen appeared. She was in a light blue dress with white trimmings.
"You look fantastic!" Steve smiled at her. They'd captured the feminine innocence perfectly that her and Phillip's had discussed at length on the train.
"Steve!" She gawked, "You look so handsome!" He smiled shyly and she laughed. He quickly changed the subject to how they thought the interviews were going to go and she readily began going over ideas and topics that might come up. They were going over a few pointers when Phillips arrived.
He pulled each of them aside and reminded them in his gruff manner that these interviews were extremely important; more than anything else other than the actual games. He reminded Steve that his volunteering and selflessness in that act were his best asset. When Steve looked at him with a sense of unease, Phillips softened and reminded him.
"Trust me boy, no one thinks it was a performance. No one thinks you did it for attention." Steve nodded softly and felt Phillips' hand on his shoulder. He looked up in surprise. "You go out there and you show them your heart." A small smile pulled at Phillips' lips before he went off to sit with the other mentors.
Steve took his seat next to Maureen. He would be the very last tribute to go and that made the anticipation worse.
This was his first chance at really hearing the tributes talk and get to know them, so he listened in on the interviews.
District 1's female, Sapphire, was a tall, brooding brunette. She was obviously going for overly sexualized and dangerous, which he thought her team pulled off well. She was wearing a tight black dress that showed every curve and he could see every tribute glancing at her often. Throughout her interview she would smile seductively at the audience and move her skirt ever so slightly to continue to reveal more skin. As much as Steve knew it was supposed to be a turn on, he kept thinking how disgusting it was that she was being forced to use her body just to potentially get a sponsor. It made him sick and he kept his eyes focused on Hayweather.
Her counterpart Clayton, the male tribute from District 1, was a hulking blonde monster. He was monosyllabic the entire interview no matter how many intricate questions Hayweather asked. He stood up and flexed at the audience which got a thunderous round of applause.
District 2's female, Destiny, was a picture of pink. Her wardrobe, accessories, and anything not her skin or hair was colored in various shades. She would giggle and laugh, and woo the audience with her soft simpering voice, but Steve knew it was all a lie. In training he'd seen her rip apart a training dummy with her bare hands. She was incredibly lithe and strong and this act may fool the capitol but none of the tributes were having any of it.
The male, Desmond, was Steve's least favorite tribute. He had covertly been harassing Steve in training, moving things into his way so he would trip, messing with his plants or knots, making snide comments about his size and strength whenever Steve was in ear shot, but Steve was not expecting anything tonight which is why when all remaining tribute's eyes turned towards him he realized he had missed something important.
"-I just feel like there should be some sort of entrance test." Desmond was saying with an exaggerated huff of annoyance. "What honor is it really if I win over a 5'1 'man'" He used air quotes and Steve felt his pride bristle. He wanted to react but could feel not only the tributes watching him but the mentors, prep teams, and servants. He stayed calm. He picked at a piece of fuzz on his jacket and brushed it off. He turned his eyes back to the screen as if what was happening didn't bother him. "I'll tell you what Hayweather. There isn't any honor in winning easy. I just wish there was some way to weed out the lesser-abled tributes." Maureen grabbed his wrist and squeezed so hard that he felt his joint protest. "But hey, just makes it more assured that I will see you on the other side." Hayweather laughed politely at his joke and then he was being sent to his seat in the rows behind the stage.
"It's fine Maureen, this is nothing, I've been hearing this stuff since I didn't hit my first growth spurt."
She pursed her lips and let go. "If I can, I'll kill him for you." She whispered with deadly force.
"No." Steve said too loudly. He dropped his voice. "No. You won't. Don't let this show" he waved at everything around them, "make you forget that we're all picked to die. He's no better or worse than me. He's just scared. Okay?" Steve took a deep breath and returned his attention to the screen.
District 3's tributes, Freesia and Gavel, were relatively calm. They both played the "we're smart and hoping to outsmart everyone", card which Steve believed. He'd seen what they could do in the training section with just rain and some wires.
District 4's female, Aurora, couldn't be missed. She was almost 7 feet tall and she wore a tight fitting dress that wrapped around her like water. It matched her eyes and her hair had been dyed a silver to create a shimmering effect. Steve and Maureen both eyed each other as she stood up and walked on stage.
"How does one get that tall." Maureen asked.
"Beats me." Steve replied, laughing quietly. Her interview was not what either of them expected. Steve thought she might go the same route of District 1 or 2, but she was kind, and gracious with Hayweather. They talked about how much she loved the water and how she missed the weather at home. They laughed about her height and she said that she would always be able to see someone coming in the arena which was helpful. They laughed for a bit and then it was onto the male tribute, Bowman.
He was a quiet guy, but he answered with ease and intelligence. Steve wasn't sure what his play was, but he'd watched both of District 4's tributes dominate in the knot tying, swimming, spear throwing, and wildlife section. They were not to be trifled with.
As with their readings, District 5's tributes, Opal and Theseus, did not stand out. Maureen leaned over and whispered,
"It's like their mentors couldn't decide what angle to go for, so they just left them to drown."
Steve grimaced, he had to agree that that seemed like an accurate assessment. Next was District 6's turn. He'd still not spoken a word to her since the day when she'd gasped at his bruised chest. But he'd been paying attention when no one else was.
He did not look up when her name was called. But once she was onstage he allowed himself to watch the screens.
"So, Miss. Carter, Hayweather began. "Tell me something that no one knows about you! Give us a juicy secret."
She looked at him and smiled in such a way that Steve felt his heart pick up the pace. Her dress was a deep scarlet red. It flared at the waist and the color matched her lipstick.
"Well," She looked at the audience and then back in mock embarrassment, "I was surprised to be picked at the reaping."
Hayweather nodded studiously, "Because of your father?" He asked curiously.
She waved him off with a kind hand motion. "No, no… I understand that anyone in the right ages can be chosen. But to tell you the truth, and I hope my family doesn't get too angry at me." She paused and while Steve could see this was an act for the audience, there was also something so bright and true in her eyes that he realized, what she was about to say might actually be a true secret. "I was going to volunteer this year."
A gasp went out through the audience and he was also surprised. While it was against the rules, it was common knowledge that careers (districts 1 & 2) trained for the games and would volunteer. To win in those districts was a great honor. But it was pretty rare for any other district to have a volunteer. As horrible as it made Steve feel, he realized that he probably wouldn't have volunteered if it hadn't been Bucky who had been called up there.
"My dear, so brave! Can you tell us why?"
"Well, I think that District 6 hasn't won in many years, and the victor's earnings would be a great asset to my family and my district. I'm not saying that I think I will for sure win, no one is that foolish." She made a marked glance and smile back towards Desmond who scowled, "I just believe that if I can do anything to help my district than I will."
"What an honorable thing to do, young lady! And it would seem fate would be on your side as you didn't even need to volunteer."
"So it would seem." She responded demurely. "I look forward to trying to bring honor to my district."
They exchanged a few more pleasantries and then it was District 7's turn.
Kacey and Theo were both average sized. Kacey played the cunning and coy angle while Theo played the "I'm not scared of anything angle."
The female from district 8, Dove, a 13 year old and the youngest in the group, smiled at Steve as she was called up. They'd become friends in the training center over plants and Steve hoped she would do well in her interview.
She didn't play girlish or giggly, but she did play innocent well. And maybe it wasn't all show. She talked at length about her family and her favorite animals back home, and how she couldn't wait to go home and make sure her nana was okay. With the way the audience was cooing at the end Steve was impressed and happy for her.
The male, Hearth, was a large boy, but he was only 14. He did not have an act. He was just angry with everything and wanted the audience to know it. At one point he was up shouting and screaming at the audience with Hayweather just sitting calmly letting it happen. Steve was concerned but the audience took it with good humor as they always did. Guards came and escorted him to his seat where he sat fuming.
"I guess after 73 years of tributes they've seen it all." He whispered to Maureen.
She nodded and watched as Hearth kept making rude gestures at the camera.
Districts 9 and 10 went quickly. They ranged in sizes and ages, but none of them stood out much against the other tributes they'd already seen. The girl from District 11, Mauve, was dressed entirely in a dress made of leaves. They rustled as she walked and she was good at making the whole audience laugh. Her and Hayweather bantered back and forth about what fruits the capitol citizens liked most and least depending on the fashion season and there was raucous laughter throughout. Steve was so impressed that he was almost sad when her interview finished. Her male counterpart, Lukas, was not nearly as engaging but he was a strong and formidable looking opponent.
Before he could register that it was their turn, Maureen was being called and she stood up hastily.
"You are going to do great." He said, squeezing her hand. She looked nervous but then as she faced the stage he saw her square her shoulders and walk out with confidence.
Her interview went as well as they could have planned. She really connected with the audience. Making them feel for her that she was just on the cusp of womanhood, only to be taken to the arena. She was bashful at the necessary moments but emboldened about her passions. The audience clapped and cheered when she finished.
"Steven Rogers" sounded into the waiting room that he was now all alone in, and he stood up. His joints protested after sitting for too long, but he stretched for a second and walked towards the stage.
—
Back in District 12
Bucky sat with Mrs. Rogers on one side and Rebecca on the other. They'd watched each interview, taking in the competition.
Bucky had almost thrown something at the screen when that guy from District 2 had started running his mouth.
Mrs. Rogers had been quiet for almost the whole time. And Rebecca, usually a bouncing and energetic ball of sass had been rather subdued.
This was their first real sighting of him since he'd left and none of them knew what to expect.
The female from their district did well in her interview, and Bucky thought he might have seen her at school but she was younger than him by a few years so he didn't know her well.
"And last but certainly not least," Hayweather cried from the stage. "We have our volunteer from District 12, Steven Rogers!" The crow erupted and Mrs. Rogers was now grasping his wrist tight.
It took a second, but then he was there, walking smoothly onto the stage.
He heard Rebecca gasp. Steve's suit was glistening. Tiny pinpricks of light on his suit made it seem like he was covered in stars. The audience noticed too and they clapped and shouted for Steve to spin around. Even from this distance he could see Steve blushing and the fact that Steve still had the mindset to be embarrassed told Bucky that maybe he was doing okay. He did look fuller. Something about the way the clothes fit him made him seem less scrawny.
"Does he look okay?" Mrs. Rogers whispered. Ever since the news he'd arrived at training late, they'd been on edge worrying about him.
"I think he looks great." Rebecca breathed in awe. "I've never seen him look so healthy."
He was still short and small and Bucky knew his best friend Steve couldn't have changed that much in two weeks, but he was glad to see that nothing terrible had occurred since he saw him last.
"So!" Hayweather began, "you must tell us about your suit. Who on earth came up with this fabulous design?"
"I was very fortunate to be assigned Howard Stark as my team." Steve said laughing. "My whole team."
"What?" Hayweather said in a mock gasp. "Your whole team?" Bucky knew this conversation was for the capitol audience, that Hayweather knew everything already, but it was interesting to see him pretend.
"Apparently Howard wanted complete control over everything, so he asked to work alone. I thought he was crazy at first, but turns out I was the crazy one! Howard's a genius, and I know Maureen and I are lucky to have him. And the prep team he assembled." Steve smiled a genuine smile into the audience and the camera panned to a man in a suit with a full mustache.
He could tell that their little group huddled together on this couch were all hanging on Steve's every word. Looking for some clue, any clue on how he was doing and what he felt about going into the arena tomorrow.
"Well, hats off to Mr. Stark!" Hayweather clapped and the audience joined in the round of applause. "Now tell me Steve. What was going through your mind on the reaping?"
"Oh…" Steve rubbed his hands against his pant legs, something he always did when he wished he could avoid a subject. "I don't know. I just knew that…" He looked up and out and while Bucky couldn't see where he was looking, he knew that was the general direction of the mentors. Something must have been exchanged because Steve sighed and looked at Hayweather with a sheepish grin. "Can I be honest?"
"Well of course!" He shouted, the audience echoing his assent.
"I don't know if you've noticed…" He paused for dramatic effect, anyone but Bucky might have thought that he was shy, but Bucky could tell he was preparing himself for what he was about to admit. "I'm rather frail, pretty sickly and I'm not a very large guy." Anger flared up in Bucky, where was Steve even going with this, how was this helpful? But he didn't react, Mrs. Rogers was still grasping his wrist and he didn't want to make her more upset.
"In fact, my whole life, I've had people who've had to take care of me, or make up for what I lacked." He scrunched his nose up and shrugged in a self-deprecating way, "And one of those people is James Buchanan Barnes. Even when I had nothing I had Bucky. So when his name got called I just… I didn't even think. I knew that the only way I could ever repay him for everything he's done for me is to volunteer. There wasn't much running through my mind other than I knew it was the right thing for me to do." He fell silent and the crowd was responding with shouts of affirmation and 'awws'. Bucky wanted to punch Steve and hug him at the same time. You punk he thought to himself.
"So, Steven. You volunteered to save a friend which is indeed one of the most honorable things a man can do. But I've heard a little secret that you've been saving many friends for many years. You said people have always taken care of you, but you have been taking care of others since you were 12! Do you want to tell us about that?"
Bucky could see Steve looked genuinely confused, he was looking up at the mentor section again and didn't seem to receive the response he needed.
"I'm sorry Mr. Hayweather, I don't know what you're referring to?" If the confusion was an act it was a good one.
"What's he talking about Jimmy?" Rebecca asked.
"I don't know Becs."
"Ohhh, now Mr. Rogers, they told me you were humble but this is too much." Bucky could see that Hayweather was trying to gauge whether Steve really didn't know. "You're going to pretend that all 97 entries into the reaping were just for you and your mom?"
The room went silent, Bucky froze and he felt Mrs. Roger's heart falter.
The camera zoomed in on Steve's horror stricken face. He looked desperately at the mentor section as the audience reacted with gasps and cries of shock.
97? Steve had 97 entries into the reaping? How! When?
"Steve, Steven are you okay?" Hayweather laughed lightly and poked him on the shoulder. Steve was still frozen in place and Bucky could hear the audience growing concerned.
Steve choked out an "I'm sorry." And he rubbed his eyes. Something caught his attention in the audience and he plastered on a fake smile.
"You're going to get me in trouble Hayweather!" He said with a brittle humor.
"I would never do such a thing! But just out of curiosity, who would ever get you in trouble for that?"
"Oh, just the people who didn't know until this moment. Sorry mom!" He waved and smiled a sheepish smile that Bucky knew from experience meant he knew he was worried he was going to get a talking to later. Except this time there wasn't a later.
"Did you know?" Mrs. Rogers' steel voice cut through the tension.
"No Mrs. Rogers, I swear. I had no idea. I don't even have close to that many. I would never have let him if I'd known! Who was he even giving it to?" Bucky watched as Steve continued to talk with Hayweather.
"Anybody who needed it." Rebecca said quietly. "I guess it makes sense though right? I saw him delivering a tessera to my friend's house once, the one who's daddy died in the mines?" Bucky nodded, knowing who she was referring too. "When I asked him about it, he just said it was extra that they didn't need. I didn't question it because why would I? It's Steve. But now I know. It was a new tessera in his name."
Tears fell down Sarah Rogers' cheeks and Rebecca climbed over Bucky and into her lap. She hugged Mrs. Rogers as the interview continued.
"My oh my Steve, I didn't mean to get you in trouble. But I bet if you make it back home they'd forgive you."
Steve laughed lightly, it still not reaching his eyes. "Yeah, maybe…" then he smiled ruefully. "Probably not. If I get home, my ma and Bucky will never let me hear the end of it."
You're damn right Steve. Bucky thought angrily.
"So what's the plan?" Hayweather asked. "In the arena?"
"Well, I don't want to kill anyone. I don't like bullies, no matter what district they're from." Steve kept his eyes on the audience but the camera panned to District 2. "But I promised my ma and Bucky that I would try. That I would do what I felt like I could, to make it home. That's the plan."
"Well Steve. I know all of us here at the capitol wish you good luck."
"Thank you Mr. Hayweather." Steve stood, and Bucky noticed that he still struggled to stand up straight with his tight joints. He and Hayweather shook hands and he walked up the steps to his seat. The capitol symbol and music appeared and then their screen went black.
All three of them sat there in silence for a bit. Rebecca still comforting Mrs. Rogers.
"Well," Mrs. Rogers finally spoke. "I should be angry at him, for putting himself in that much danger. But I suppose pretending I could ever stop him from doing so would be a silly thought."
"Steve always wanted to help. That's the way he knew how." Rebecca said wisely.
Mrs. Rogers nodded and after a while she left to go home. Tomorrow they would get the tributes' scores and enter the arena. He knew they were going to be getting very little sleep for the foreseeable future, so she was smart to go home and get some rest when there was nothing else for her to do.
Bucky decided sleep was the best option. He clenched his teeth as he thought about the interview. Steve admitting how small and frail he was, and Bucky just finding out about the tessera? He thought he knew everything about the little punk…
He fell asleep with the thought that Steve better come home so he can belt him a new one for keeping secrets.
—
*A/N - next stop, THE ARENA! Excited to get intoit! Would love to hear your thoughts on the story if you have the time!