This story of mine was published and taken down about a year and a half ago. Honestly, I'm going to try my best to get it done (as it was always meant to be a short and sweet fic) but in the last 2 years I got engaged, married, graduated from university, pregnant, now have a 4 month old baby boy ect. I barely have time to sleep and shower right now so bare with me. I'm so honored by all the love this twisted little tale has gotten. Please know that I only took it down because I didn't have the time for it and more and more people were reading it in my absence and I didn't want to disappoint even more readers than I already had (I also have a profile devoted to the Twilight fandom with extremely popular stories over there I've left them high and dry with). I'm reposting because of a review from TheShadowedKissedAngel, who very kindly wrote that she missed this story and wished that the existing chapters were still up for her to read.
So, here's to you TheShadowedKissedAngel, and everyone else that has given my writing a chance. I am deeply humbled.
Disclaimer: All Hunger Games characters and core personality traits are the property of SC. I own nothing, nor do I plan on profiting from using her work. No copyright infringement is intended.
Prologue; The Career
The audience watched with rapt attention, not a soul able to look away from the handsome tribute. The boy, more man than anyone in the world could claim to be, exuded the most perplexing conundrum of vibes that had even the seasoned and unshakable Caesar Flickerman baffled in his handling of this particular interview.
Being able to recognize the young blonde as lethal was as easy as sensing death from the center of a swarm of Tracker Jackers, but he was more beautiful than any advanced Capital procedure could replicate. The boy had a smile that could lure even the flightiest of creatures to their demise.
Panem was in love in ways that put Finnick O'dair to shame.
"As of the latest figures, you have the highest odds out of the entire lot, my boy," Flickerman continued after sensationally witty introductions, grinning with that air of personal warmth he seemed to be capable of replicating no matter his company, "With chances like those, you must have already purchased your ticket home."
The audience giggled as a collective entity.
"I'm much more comfortable with action than I am planning, Caesar. I'll buy that ticket when I've earned it," the boy said humbly.
Not a single one of the other tributes believed a breath of that; not only his show of modest self-confidence but more importantly, the notion that he wasn't an absolutely master of strategy.
The blue-haired show host seemed genuinely taken in, patting the charming character's shoulder. "We're sure you will, we're sure you will…" he waved his hand and was instantly backed by the mass cries of reassurance and faith, "But when you have, my boy, what is it you want most from that bright future?"
It would ordinarily be a cruel question, considering the grand majority of the children to walk that stage hadn't a chance in hell at a future that didn't end in a painful and highly publicized death, but few held any doubt of this candidate's abilities and Caesar was able to take liberties.
The alpha male grew pensive for a moment, short enough to fit nicely into the brief interview allotment, then leaned into Flickerman as one would when sharing secret, "To be honest, I've always wanted a family."
Every womb in the audience ached simultaneously and women of all ages cooed at his sweetness. Most competitors from his district were machines so bent on killing that even faking a desire for such human urges was beyond them.
Flickerman placed a hand to his chest in a show of fighting back deep emotion, "Well none of us have any doubt you would be more than capable of protecting your brood," he flattered shamelessly, inciting laughter, "And I couldn't imagine anything short of a full line of young ladies vying for your affections. Do we have any special girl in particular out there rooting for you?"
The blonde smiled, surprisingly skilled at conveying wistfulness, "There's a girl out there, Caesar, the most beautiful in all the districts and braver than any of them combined. However, I can guarantee she isn't rooting for me."
The viewers gasped, sure that no girl in her right mind could possibly resist such a specimen of virile and masculinity. Already the flighty females of the Capital were prepared to leave their wealthy husbands for the district visitor should he so much as grace them with a glance in their direction.
Flickerman clucked with indignation on his companion's behalf, "I'll tell you what. You go out, and you win these games and I'm sure you'll win her heart right along with them."
The boy's eyes flashed directly into the camera as the last seconds of his interview dwindled by, all of Panem privy to the unsettling ice-blue hue of a powerful predator and for a beat in time, it seemed as if the whole of the nation felt the chill of his intensity.
"Winning wont help me in this cause, I'm afraid. When I watched her sacrifice herself to save her sister I knew she was the one for me…
"I also knew I'd have to kill her."
The chime of the buzzer went unheard as the crowd dissolved into earsplitting peels of scandal and excitement at the confession of Peeta Mellark, career tribute from District One.
Behind the stage, Katniss' knees buckled with fear.