I don't own Hunger games.

We made it before I thought we would. I was worried that Glimmer would start complaining about how Katniss got more attention than her. The weird thing was that she never did. Which was worrying. I introduced myself to the monster from District Two. Everyone exchanged greetings only to stand in silence while we waited for the other tributes to arrive.

I zoned out on the instructors rules and advice taking in the stations they have set up. Climbing, fire starting, medicine, plant, snares/knots, weapons, swimming, camouflage, and shelter making.

The second she dismisses us the four of us go straight to our weapons of choice. We spend the whole day of training showing off in our field of choice. Cato swords, Clove knives, Me spears, and Glimmer mace's. The only reason I didn't move to a new station was that after lunch I switched arms. Throwing helped me clear my mind so I always make the best plans after practicing.

After we finish up we all leave. My arms are sore but I'm still not tired. It feels like I have more energy than anything. I don't get to do anything though Gloss drags me off the elevator by the back of the neck. He's throwing me in the shower before I know it.

"We are making a new plan, tell me what you got so far." He says as soon as I finish.

"Well I need to have a good balance between how I act and the mask. Slowly I think I would discard it in the Arena. It would look good if I portray myself as a jokester and selfish adding a few caring and serious moments when they least expect it. Everyone loves a fixer upper. I was also thinking of sneaking down there to practice with the swords, knives, and axes tonight. That way I can get used to how they make them. I will also practice with the other stations with the more complex stuff. During training I will go to the fire starting, plant, snares/knots stations. I don't want to do too much. Everyone needs to see that I won't just focus on the killing part but I will also know how to survive on my own." I explain to him.

"Alright you got that down. I do agree on going down there to practice with the other weapons. They weigh them differently from what you know. You have the training down so I will work on the sponsors. I talked to Lexis after you went to bed she told me what you want to do and I agree. As for your Private training I would stick to spears, plants, and climbing. Make a variety since District One and Two are known for their physical training so you doing something else is a good surprise." He explained before sitting on my bed.

"Now that the important stuff is taken care of, what are you planning? And what was that thing during the parade and on the elevator. Haymitch chewed me out this morning completely sober." He stared at me until I gave.

"Stop staring! I was out of line on the elevator. I know that but I can't go and apologize. Also I am not planning anything." I say as I get dressed.

He looked at me for a few minutes before leaving. I actually do have a plan I won't go into details but I need to have some sort of relationship with Katniss. There is also a fifty percent chance that I will most likely die. So I won't tell them anything until I know for sure that my plan will work. It looks like it's not going that way but this is only the first day.

After sneaking into the training room I practiced with knives before moving onto the survival stations. I did medicine first then plants and finally swimming I finished up before one in the morning. I went up to the roof after I was done instead of going to bed. I stared at the city not looking away even when someone came up next to me.

"So are you just going to stare at the city in silence?" Katniss commented.

"That was the plan. This place is very beautiful. A lot more extravagant then at home." I say softly looking at the lights.

"Are you serious? Wait don't answer that of course you are. You don't even see what this really is. You are so privileged that I bet you have never actually lost someone you care about. I don't think you care about anyone but yourself." She hissed at me.

Okay I don't even know what I said that led to that outbreak. I mean what right does she have to tell me that I don't care about anything.

"I do care about things. If that is all you think of me then you are blind." I say without taking my eyes off of the city.

"You are just like the capitol. You and all of the victors are all the same. All you care about is your selves and the capitol. They only sit by twiddling their thumbs letting their districts starve while they get drunk, high, or screw anything that has legs." She said, turning to leave.

I grabbed her pushing her against the railing. She really crossed the line.

"How would you know what I'm like? I bet that you just believe whatever you see right? You don't even try to understand why they do the things they do or why they are the people they are. The games have never ended for any of the victors. There is no getting away from Snow. The second you are chosen for the games he owns you." She stops struggling looking straight into my eyes.

"You will never be your own person. Did you ever think why your mentor and other victors' families were in an 'accident'. Did you ever wonder why Finnick Odair has a Capitol woman on his arm every day or why he fucked everyone? You don't know how lucky you are to still wear those rose tinted glasses of yours. Continue to live in your perfectly straight forward world where people are whores just because they want to be. Don't think for one second that you know me or them. You know nothing Katniss Everdeen even if you are the victor you would just wish you died in the arena just like everyone else. You are so naive it makes me sick." I let go of her and started to walk away.

"A suggestion don't repeat anything that was said on this roof. The walls have ears. Don't want to die do you?" I say before shutting the staircase door behind me.

I measured my breathing stepping lightly as I walked down the stairs. I stopped on the Twelfth floor. Going in not bothering looking around. Opening one of the doors I walked in to see Uncle Mitch sleeping. Not a drink in sight just like Gloss said.

I tear off the blankets. In the next second I had a knife at my throat and my Uncle was rubbing his eyes. He sighed when he noticed it was me. I cut him off before he could say anything.

"Katniss pissed me off so I told her all about the victors without saying a lot just enough to let her figure it out if she wants. You're probably going to want to straighten that out before she disregards what I said and talks to someone about something or lashes out. She's on the roof." Taking a breath before turning around and leaving.

I go straight to bed falling asleep before I could think about anything else.

Haymitch Pov

It's reaping day another year where I take the time to get shit faced. I stopped bothering to mentor them after they stopped trying to live. All anyone in Twelve sees the Hunger Games as a funeral. All they ever do is resign themselves to die. I'm not a bad mentor but I refuse to be the kids suicide note. Every year no one wants to live and every year I get blamed for being drunk. The only reason I'm drunk is because I don't want to remember or get to know someone who is going to die.

I sit on stage barely buzzed wishing I could be with Marvel and Alex. I wish I didn't have to come back here where everyone hates me and go home where I have family that don't stand for my crap. Where I don't have to see their faces everyday. I don't want to be here with all of these kids. When it's my turn to make a speech I decided to not 'faint'. I move to the microphone.

"If you have already resigned yourself to dying then don't bother talking to me I won't acknowledge your existence. Oh and I would rather be a drunk then some kids suicide note thank you very much." I say all of it with a smile sitting down and taking a big swing of whisky.

I could feel their astonishment but from here I could see the realization dawning across all of the kids faces. They got the message 'If you chose not to fight then you will die alone'. Most of them looked resigned and others had a little spark in their eyes. There was one bonfire in the girls section. Robert's eldest daughter Katniss. That girl is the picture of rebellion while her little sister Primrose was the picture of innocence.

Robert was my best friend. While I didn't take his family in I did make sure they didn't die of starvation. Or make sure that Katniss doesn't get caught by the few peacekeepers that actually care about the system. I might not be in their lives but I do know that they don't have to worry about starving to death.

"Primrose Everdeen" Trinket announces

I felt my insides go to mush. The little girl I have looked after for the past five years just got reaped for her death. I chant in my head for anyone to volunteer for her. This sweet girl is still so innocent despite losing her Father and Mother in a short year.

I stop breathing when her firecracker of a sister volunteers for her. I try not to cry when I see not Katniss but her Father stepping up on the stage projecting the very strength that I try to mimic on good days. I don't even have to look at the girl to know that even though she is scared she is even angrier and determined to win.

I vaguely hear the boy tribute get chosen. I walk away before the ceremony ends. I lose track of time as I drown in my past in my room on the train. I'm pouring myself a scotch when the boy -peeta I think- turns on the TV to watch the reapings.

"Welcome everyone. This year we will begin watching the reapings together. Now let's start with District One." Caesar Announces.

A blond bimbo is reaped. I calculate if she is a threat or not before taking a nice long sip of my drink.

Then I hear them announce Marvel's name. My nephew just got reaped to fight in a blood bath. The boy that pulled me from the brink and gave me a purpose to live the reason I was even incontact with District Thirteen just got reaped. I didn't even realise I moved to the couch till I hit my head when I threw it back to laugh.

"That son of a bitch actually put him in there! Hahahaha this year just got a whole lot worse!" I stop laughing and throw back the last of my drink before looking at the tributes for this year.

I could see Katniss ignore me focusing on the screen and the tributes being reaped. The boy -Peeta- alternated glancing at me then the TV before staring at Katniss. It's surprising that she doesn't even notice his staring even though she is known for being a hunter.

'Looks like the boy might be a good way to help Katniss with his googoo eyes. Katniss though will be tough she doesn't understand that she needs to be likable to win. She won't put on a show without a good reason.' I think to myself.

It's lunch time before I know it. Peeta is the only one that tried to get some advice from me. While I do appreciate the effort he doesn't plan to use the information for himself. I can see how he doesn't plan to get out. Katniss on the other hand hasn't tried anything it's like she plans to try to get out of there without me. While ambitious she really needs a reality check if she thinks it is that easy. I decide to give her a push.

"Well looks like this year's Victor will once again be from the Career Districts. Unless that big guy from the Eleven can do something with that big frame of his. Yet another year of suicide notes. I really don't think that my speech was actually stuck. Too bad I re-" I'm cut off when Katniss stabs in between my fingers.

"It's about time you took this seriously sweetheart." I say pulling the knife out of the expensive wood.

"So you were just saying that to rile me up?" She commented.

"Well that and making sure you actually want to live. It seems like you don't really want to ask me for any advice. I mean you have to be pretty stupid and blind to think for a second you can win without me. Right?" I said to her glaring to show her that she is out of her dept.

"Right." She answered breaking eye contact.

I nod before conversing with Effie. I need to know what the Capitol people are like as well as having someone to bounce some ideas off of. Effie is not as blind to the districts as everyone thinks she is none of the Escorts are.

I think I got through at least a little bit to Katniss because now when Peeta asks me something she is paying attention. It really is the only reason I answer the kid. I know she will never ask me anything and the boy also knows this.

"So how do we win?" Peeta asks.

I would have just answered with something obvious but I need both of them -Katniss- to understand that this game started the moment they got on the stage.

"Survive. The whole point of the Hunger Games is to survive long enough to be the last one standing. That is the basic and most obvious answer anyway. There are four things you need to win. Sponsors, Skill, Knowledge, and Will. Sponsors are the most important one you need the citizens of the Capitol to like you enough to send money to me so I could get you the things you need to survive. They decide whether you win or not. That is something I will elaborate on when we get there but so far you need to wow the ones I tell you to. Skill is either in hiding, fighting, or acting. All three are important but if you even have one of those you can make it past the first day. Knowledge most of the time is overlooked mostly by the Careers but sometimes by the outer districts. It doesn't matter if you know how to fight if you end up in a tundra and can't light a fire or find editable food. Lastly is Will I mentioned it in my speech. For the past twenty-five years I have never had any tributes that want to or expect to live through the blood bath. I refuse to try to get through to some kid who decides that they are already dead before they are even picked. Will is the only reason I am talking to you in the first place. Without it you will either be dead or like Annie Cresta." I lecture making sure to glare at Katniss when talking about Sponsors.

I get up to get a snack and a big glass of water leaving the two of them to soak this in and hopefully take everything to heart.

When we are close I make sure to tell Peeta to wave and smile when we can see the people. Katniss I have told not to smile or wave to anyone unless it is a child. When we get there they do exactly what I say and it works. The crowd goes wild when Katniss catches a child when they get pushed.

'So far so good.' I think to myself as I drop the kids at the remake center.

I make sure to tell the designers to tell the kids to smile and wave only part of the time not all of the time. I sit with the other Mentors in a reserved box. I sit in between Finick and Gloss both making sure that they don't show how they relax when I sit between them.

"Got any good ones this year old man." Finnick comments while waving at some of the vultures.

"Don't know depends on what happens tonight." I reply trying to sound annoyed.

"I doubt that Twelve will ever have any victors this year. Especially since One has a legacy this year." Gloss comments growling at the 'legacy' part.

"We will see." I end the conversation just as the drums start.

Marvel's stylist does good this year his outfit shows off his power and underlying strength while also having the feathers act as luxury.

The rest of the costumes mimic all of the previous ones. All of us tense when the stadium goes silent. Flinching when they go crazy.

"Well damn guess we know who will have the most sponsors this year." I comment when my eyes land on Marvel in all of his frozen glory.

The ice on the costume and hair bring out the ice in his eyes. You would think that it would look off with his green eyes and better with the boy from District Two and his blue eyes but Marvel's Green eyes glow.

The rest of the tributes don't even matter any more since Marvel showed his colors. At least until the last carriage comes out. I'm filled with dread and pride when Katniss comes out on fire. The screams are split between Marvel and Katniss. Both on the projectors. Katniss and Marvel made the biggest impact since the games started.

"Fuck." I say as I watch Marvel and Katniss have a stare down during the President's speech.

All of the Mentors rush to get to the tributes as soon as the President is done speaking. I am the first one to make it composed myself as I walk to where the Carriage will stop at. I could feel all of the Mentors eyes on me. I also knew they were also paying attention to Gloss as he walked to his tribute.

When they got there I told them they did a good job then herded them to the elevator while everyone talked. I didn't notice that Katniss was at the back or that someone was coming up behind her.

I turned just in time to see Marvel knock her over grabbing her out of reflex before she hit the ground.

I put my head in my hands shaking my head mumbling about my luck and how the two people with the worst tempers just met.

I look up just in time to see them look at eachother. I could see Marvel is exhausted with how cloudy his eyes are and how they droop just a little bit. I don't blame him when he doesn't say anything and just walks away. I pray that Katniss doesn't say anything but my luck has not been good so far.

"I thought that the oh so mighty District One would have more manners than a brick wall." She mocked.

"Darling if manners got me anything then I certainly wouldn't be here. Besides I doubt you would actually accept my apology. Not like I would have given one any way." Marvel says as he steps into the elevator.

We also get on the elevator somehow ending up with Katniss and Marvel on one side and them on the other with me in the middle. I'm just waiting for the fight to start wishing I wasn't the one closest to them.

"You sure have gone quiet, spitfire got nothing to say?" Marvel says as he presses the 1st and 12th button.

"I don't have to say anything to you. You won't get things handed to you on a silver platter here." She says looking out the glass.

He grabbed her, spinning her so that he pinned her to the wall. Making sure to lock down her arms and legs in case she tried something. I was honestly surprised he would never do something so threatening when tired but I kinda expect him to have a shorter fuse when it comes to Katniss.

He says something else to her before walking out of the elevator when the doors open. I grab onto her just before she lunges at him struggling to keep her in the elevator as she kicks and bites. I don't let go until we make it to our floor. I grip her arm dragging her into her room, closing her door behind us.

"You cannot do that. Even if he pissed you off. It could have ended very bad if it had been that boy from district two instead of Marvel. They will try to push your buttons and by acting the way you just did you are playing into their hands. You need to calm down and ignore them when they try to rile you up. There will be no point in mentoring you if you can't stop picking fights. What did he say for you to even react that way?" I asked standing in front of the door.

"Nothing. Everything. I don't know. I just want to punch him everytime he opens his mouth. It's just him that makes me angry." She says sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Just ignore him. He was out of line as well. I will talk to his mentor, you just need to keep that temper of yours in check." I say as I walk out of the room.

He was really out of line. It wasn't like him to let her rile him up. This also gives me a chance to go check up on him.

I take the stairs to get to the first floor. I open the door making it inside just as the elevator doors open. Gloss, Cashmere, Finnick, Enobaria, Brutus, and their tributes are on it with them.

"Your tribute is messing with mine Gloss. I don't appreciate the man handling." I say leaning on the wall.

"What's wrong Haymitch, your tribute can't take a little teasing." Brutus mocked holding the doors open.

"I don't mind teasing but he didn't just tease her he slammed her into the wall. I won't be the only one mad if she gets injured when he wants to tease her." I say watching as the other Mentors faces get serious.

It was a rule that none of the tributes or Mentors can hurt a tribute before the games. If Katniss had gotten injured because of Marvel it would have been bad for all of us. The last time someone did that, the tribute that injured the other died a painful death and the one that got injured was 'replaced'. Both of their families, the Mentors families, and anyone else that was involved families were all in 'accidents'.

Finnick, Enobaria, and Brutus were going to make sure that their tributes were never going to speak of this to anyone. This was one of the things all of the Mentors agreed on making sure that something like that never happened again.

Brutus let the doors close when Cashmere, Gloss, and the female tribute got off. Cashmere dragged her tribute to her room while Gloss led me to his room. He didn't look at me till his door was shut.

"What did Marvel do Mitch?" Gloss asked, leaning on the door.

"Nothing too bad. He just pinned her to the wall any harder though and he would have hurt her. What is wrong with him? I have never seen him get angry when he was tired." I answered.

"I don't know he hasn't talked to me at all since he got on the train. He is planning something though." Gloss said sitting on the bed.

"Well keep an eye on him and try to keep him in line. We can't have this happening again. Don't worry about what he is planning he will clue us in when he needs to." I say patting his shoulder before leaving.

Everyone was eating Breakfast in the living room so we could watch the reruns of the Parade and the commentary. Caesar comes on the TV as soon as everyone is settled.

"Ladies and Gentlemen we will now play the reruns for those that missed it last night. Let me tell you, you missed a lot. I will play the footage with the commentary from last night so sit back and enjoy!"

"Alright everyone here comes District One they do look good don't they? Very sleek with the right amount of feathers. Then District Two well don't they look fierce. District Three very sciency. District Four is wearing a - oh what is this look at District One they look like they're covered in Ice. Oh my this must be inspired by the Ice Gem! For the people that don't know of it the Ice Gem is very rare but very beautiful. District One was known for mining the beautiful Gem that is even stronger than a diamond. The District One stylists have done an amazing job this year! Do you hear the crowd! It also looks like they favor the male tribute and I don't blame them he looks like a block of polished Ice. I'm getting chills just looking at him."

"Moving on looks like Twelve is coming out - they what!? They are on fire can you believe this! They look amazing, especially the female tribute even the other tributes agree."

"She's beautiful."

"I must say the Male tribute from one is right she is stunning. This year we have two favorites. The girl on fire from District Twelve and The boy carved out of ice from District One. Katniss Everdeen and Marvel Breckon Ladies and Gentlemen."

"Wow I all I have to say is wow! The two stars are completely opposites. Fire and Ice! I can't wait to see what they have in store for these games!"

I wince when I look at Katniss after that comment. She looked confused, angry, surprised, and embarrassed at the same time. I don't blame her. I did not see the comment from Marvel coming. With how he talked to her in the elevator it was like he was mocking her now one TV it shows he was complimenting her.

"Alright you two hurry and finish so you can get dressed. Katniss don't forget what we talked about." I say snapping everyone out of the shocked silence.

Effie escorts them to the training floor while I resist drinking to get rid of the headache my nephew was giving me.

"What are you doing Marvel?" I say to myself.

I don't expect to wake up to that very same boy standing in my room at two in the morning. I pause at what comes out of his mouth next.

"Katniss pissed me off so I told her all about the victors without saying a lot just enough to let her figure it out if she wants. You're probably going to want to straighten that out before she disregards what I said and talks to someone about something or lashes out. She's on the roof." He said before leaving.

It takes a few minutes before it really sinks in about what he said. I groan as I get a hoodie from my closet before heading up to the roof. When I get there I am just glad that Snow didn't reinstall the microphone that Beetee took out.

She is leaning on the railing facing the city when I open the door. She doesn't look at me even when I lean on the railing next to her. We stayed there for a while. I'm about to sudjust go inside but she speaks before I do.

"Am I naive?" She asks in such a small voice.

"That depends. An example is to compare your experience to that of someone who has never had anything bad happen to them. That person is more naive than you because they haven't experienced what you have so they don't know what you do. So in your eyes they are naive. You and Marvel have different experiences so you both see the world a different way. So in his eyes you are naive you can always change that. Of course you are as stubborn as a mule so that might not happen." I reply smiling as she laughs.

"Thank you Haymitch." She answers

"Your welcome Sweetheart. He is right though you can't repeat or say anything related to what he said anywhere even in the arena." I say looking her in the eyes.

"Now how about I make us some Hot Chocolate? It is really freezing out here." I say when she nods her head.

We both head inside to warm up not saying a word about what was said today.

Review and Favorite please. Also check out my other stories. I know Katniss doesn't really act like she does in the movies and books but that is because she knows from the beginning that she can rely on Haymitch. That she doesn't have to be strong all of the time. Thank you for reading!