Fawkes

My stomach is fluttering with excitement as I walk to the District 10 lounge for my final interview.

The crowning ceremony yesterday was one of the happiest moments of my life. It was fantastic having the adoring crowd of fans cheering for me. I felt like I could appreciate it more knowing I wasn't going to die and I was no longer in danger of being sold to the Capitol. I got a bit misty-eyed when Snow put the victor's crown on my head because I've been dreaming of that moment for years but I never believed it would actually happen.

When I arrive, Caesar Flickerman greets me like an old friend.

"I'm glad I get to interview you again," he says. "You were my favourite this year. I was thinking about going into retirement but you're always such a joy to interview, I thought I'd stick around a few more years."

"Aww, that means a lot to me," I say. "You were always such a hero to me growing up. The Hunger Games just wouldn't be the same without you. I know my tributes will be in safe hands for the interviews."

We chat about mentoring and Caesar recommends some nice places in the Capitol to meet with sponsors or throw parties. Then the tech team finish setting up the cameras and, after a brief countdown, we go live.

"Hello Panem!" Caesar says. "I'm hare with Fawkes Chau, victor of the Third Quarter Quell. Since the Quell was such a special games, we are going to be doing this interview a little differently. Are you ready, Fawkes?"

"Of course, Caesar!" I say. "Will there be a dance battle?"

Caesar laughs. "No, unfortunately. Maybe next time. It turns out, there's a bit of footage we didn't cover in the first recap and everyone in Panem wants to see your reaction."

The TV turns on and starts showing the clip of me and Manel kissing. I blush, pretending to be shocked. I've been preparing myself for a moment like this ever since Snow came to my room in the Remake Centre and told me that the rebels had leaked that clip.

"Now," Caesar says. "It's time to bring in a very special guest, Manel Lobos!"

Manel walks into the room. Part of me knew we'd be reunited on live TV for maximum drama. It doesn't stop me from being overjoyed to see him. He looks so much healthier than he did last time I saw him. There's absolutely no sign of the cut on his face. I almost trip over my own feet running to him. Manel wraps his arms around me and pulls me close. For a moment, the world fades away. It's just me and Manel.

"I made it," I say. "I won for you."

And I feel like I have made it. I've won the Quell. I've found a way to protect Manel from the Capitol. Maybe I am good enough for him. Maybe it's not too selfish of me to want to stay in his arms for a bit longer. Maybe I can really make him happy.

"I love you, Fawkes," he whispers. He presses a gentle kiss to my lips. For a moment, all I can think about is the fireworks going off inside me.

Then I remember we're on TV so I pull away slowly. I glance over at Caesar, who's looking at us, eyes wide with excitement.

"We've got an interview to give," I say. "C'mon."

I take Manel's hand and guide him over to the sofa. I can feel him tense up when he realises that the cameras are on him. I wonder if he's always been camera-shy or whether it's just beca of all the abuse he's suffered. Either way, I'm going to get this interview done as quickly as possible.

Maybe once it's over, I'll finally get another chance to be alone with Manel and we can talk about our relationship. We can establish some boundaries and make a plan for what to do if we ever want to break up. That way, neither of us will ever feel trapped in this relationship.

I squeeze Manel's hand as we sit down together. He squeezes back. For now, we just need to act like we're madly in love, which should be fairly easy because we definitely like each other.

"So," Caesar says. "How did that kiss in the video come about?"

"It was after the interviews," I say. "I got into the elevator because I wanted to go to the roof to get some air and then Manel just walked in. I was amazed because I'd had a crush on him since I was fifteen. Then he turned out to be even more wonderful in person than he was in his games. We just hit it off."

"What about you, Manel?" Caesar asks. "Did you have a crush on Fawkes when you met him?"

Manel blushes. "I… I really liked his interview."

"Of course," Caesar says. "Did you like the part where he said he was single? I guess you knew he wasn't going to be single for long."

"Yeah."

I laugh. "I lasted about an hour."

Caesar smiles. "I can see why you both fell in love so quickly. One thing that I don't quite understand is this. Fawkes, you've been through two Hunger Games since the night you met Manel. You've had plenty of opportunities to use your relationship to win sponsors but you never did. In fact, you lied and said you were single in your most recent interview. Why is that?"

"I'm really sorry that I lied," I say. "I love my fans and my sponsors. But I love Manel more. I lied to protect him. I knew if I said I had a boyfriend, even if I didn't say who he was, there would be all this speculation and people would figure out it was Manel eventually. I knew he wasn't ready for people to know about us and I was fine keeping our relationship a secret until he was ready."

"Why weren't you ready, Manel?" Caesar asks.

Manel takes a shaky breath, like he's about to cry. I squeeze his hand and he looks at me like a deer in the headlights.

"It's okay," I say. "Tell him what you told me on the train."

"What's that?" Caesar asks.

"I'm gay," Manel says. "I only dated women because I was scared of being found out. I know that seems weird to all of you in the Capitol but District 10 is really homophobic. I was scared everyone would find out and they'd all shut me out. But now I don't care if they shut me out because I have Fawkes by my side and no matter what happens, I know I won't be alone."

Manel wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer. I can see tears in his eyes. I give him a reassuring smile and he smiles back.

"You two look so happy together," Caesar says. "I'm sure if the people of District 10 have any sense, they'll accept you both. Now let's talk about the Quell!"

"Cool!" I say,

We enter the familiar territory of the post-victory interview. I get asked most of the questions, which is a relief. I get to talk about my strategy and how it felt to be in the arena. I make sure to be as respectful as possible when talking about my opponents and to thank everyone who helped me get this second chance. I only directly thank my sponsors and Lopez but I know I'm also thanking the Capitol indirectly. I smile to the camera, laugh at Caesar's jokes and play the lovable outlier underdog.

Occasionally, Caesar asks Manel what it was like to watch some of the major events of the Quell. They must've let him watch a recap because he's able to answer every question. Luckily, Manel is known for only giving short answers in interviews so nobody expects too much from him.

Until he's asked a question about mutts.

"What do you think of Fawkes using jabberjays to win the Quell?" Caesar asks. "You're famous for hating mutts but now your boyfriend owes his life to a little jabberjay named Ramona the Third. Do you think you're ready to make peace with mutts?"

"I think so," Manel says. "I hated those jabberjays when I first saw them. I thought they only existed to hurt people. But then Fawkes proved me wrong. Maybe it was naïve of me to think that it was impossible for a mutt to change. Maybe things aren't always so black-and-white."

"Would you get a pet jabberjay?" Caesar asks.

Manel shakes his head. "I'm sorry but I have to draw the line somewhere. I don't want a bird flapping around my house repeating everything I say. I'd lose my mind. But I am open to other pets. A cat, a dog…"

"A chicken?" I ask.

"Of course," Manel says. "There's lots if space for one in the garden. We could name her Ramona the Fourth. It'll really annoy Lopez.

I laugh.

"That sounds excellent," Caesar says. "One final question, before I give you two lovebirds some alone time. Do you both want to mentor next year? It would be fantastic to have you both back in the Capitol. Plus Ramona Lopez and Maia Nuñez have both expressed an interest in mentoring next year. If you both come back, District 10 will have a full set of four mentors for the first time in the history of the games."

Manel and I both exchange glances. We know neither of us are going to be sold by the Capitol next year.

"I'd be happy to mentor," I say. "I'd love to come back to the Capitol and it'll be so cool to hang out in the Control Centre and spend time with all the other mentors. I think I'd really enjoy it."

"I'll join in too," Manel adds. "I've never enjoyed mentoring much but I know it'll be better doing it with Fawkes."

He squeezes my shoulder and I kiss him on the cheek.

"I'm glad you'll be with me," I say.

"I look forward to seeing you both next year," Caesar says. "Perhaps we can finally have that dance battle. But for now, you've both been booked a couple's suite in a five-star luxury hotel so you can spend your last night in the Capitol together."

I gasp. "Oh my goodness! Thank you, Caesar!"

"You're welcome, Fawkes," Caesar says. "It's been wonderful having you both here tonight but now it's time to say goodbye. Goodnight Panem! I hope you all have a wonderful evening."

I can tell when the broadcast ends because Caesar's expression suddenly turns serious.

"Don't thank me," he says. "Thank President Snow."

Okay, firstly, time for a confession. I messed up last chapter. I feel like I forgot half of Manel's reaction to Snow telling him about Fawkes almost sacrificing his freedom and only remembered it after I posted it. Manel would definitely be happy that Fawkes would go to such great lengths to protect him but he'd also be angry at Snow for considering hurting Fawkes and worried about Fawkes' well-being. Manel is really protective of Fawkes so it's pretty OOC for him to go 'So Snow was considering selling Fawkes' body and putting him through the abuse I spent years going through? Okay.'. I actually considered going back and editing it but I decided to leave it because a) Manel was in a coma for the last week so he probably still had some pretty powerful drugs in his system that could explain why he was so OOC and b) it'll lead to Manel getting some much-needed development next chapter.

As for this chapter, Fawkes and Manel are finally reunited! Unfortunately, they can't have a normal conversation because they're being interviewed. Snow just can't stop interfering with their relationship, can he? Maybe they'll get a chance to talk next chapter.