Epilogue 2:

One Month Later

Seraphim Lukianas, Co-Head Gamemaker

Seraphim's steps are heavy as he heads up the stairs to his mother's apartment – only taking the stairs instead of the elevator because having a career victor boyfriend has made him realize he needs to get in shape. He thought the preparations for the Quell were exhausting but this…this is taking a whole different kind of mental toll on him. There's just so much that has to get done in the months leading up to the victory tour when the training centers will open District wide. So many things to consider with the changes.

At least he's not doing this alone and Zephyr agreed to help – he really doesn't know what he would do without help. But tonight is one night a week he insists on not thinking anything about work, just spending time with his mother and one screaming nightmare.

"Hey Mom," Seraphim calls out as he lets himself in to the apartment, finally starting to get used to the ever present guard stationed there for her protection.

He can hear her cooing at baby Cain from the kitchen and a smile comes to his face as he stops in the doorway, watching his mother make all sorts of noises and faces as she looks at the baby. Tara soon looks up at him, grinning as she picks up Cain and walks over to him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Hi Serry."

Seraphim gives her a side hug before leaning over to give little Cain a kiss on the forehead, his heart melting at the sight of the baby. If anyone asked him what would be the most shocking change in his life from everything happening during the Quarter Quell, he would say his mother adopting Cain and Seraphim actually loving being around the baby.

"How's he doing?" Seraphim asks her and Tara begrudgingly hands Cain over to him, making Seraphim give her a look. "Come on, Mom, you get to spend all day with him."

"I know, I just love having a baby around," Tara answers with a laugh as she heads back over to the food cooking on the stove. Seraphim sits down gently at the counter, cradling Cain as he watches his mother finish cooking. "Since you're all grown up now and have not yet given me grandbabies, I am going to enjoy having Cain around."

Seraphim's cheeks flush at the comment, just like every time his mother brings it up – which is nearly every week. "Mom, there's too much other things going on right now with the Games. I don't have time to be raising a kid… And I don't even know if Zephyr wants any, that's not a conversation to have in the first month of dating."

"That's why you have Grandma to help babysit," Tara turns towards him, putting one hand on her hip and pointing at him with the spoon in her other hand. "Seraphim, you clearly do not pay enough attention to that man," Tara tells him, making his cheeks flush even more because he knows he spends enough time focusing on Zephyr, maybe a little too much at times. "That man melts as soon as he is around Cain. You know…if you did want to adopt him…"

"I can't be thinking about that right now, Mom," Seraphim answers her with a sigh, even though the thought had crossed his mind before during the late hours of the night when his brain wouldn't shut up and kept playing through everything that happened during the Quell and trying to figure out if he could have done something differently to stop the loss of life. "There's too much to do and it's not fair to Cain that I wouldn't be around often. Same thing with Zephyr now that he's taken this job with me."

Tara turns back to the pots on the stove and stirs the food as Cain starts to fuss in Seraphim's arms, so he gently rocks him until he stops. "You know," Tara calls back over her shoulder after a couple minutes of silence. "This stuff with the Games and rebels isn't going to go on forever. Rosabella wants to end it in under ten years… What about then? Then you'll have time to raise a kid or two."

"I can't think that far ahead or I might just have a panic attack," Seraphim tells her, already feeling his chest tighten from the thought of having to figure out life after all of this. It's all he's known for the last thirteen years… "Let me take it one step at a time."

Tara glances back to smile at him, "I know, dear. But I'm just saying that if you wanted to adopt Cain in a couple years from now… Well, I'd be sad, but know you would raise him well and I could still babysit him."

"I…" Seraphim lets out a sigh as he shakes his head, too overwhelmed at just the thought of raising the baby on his own – well…hopefully with Zephyr, but still… "He's lucky to have you," Seraphim says quietly, looking down at the sleepy baby in his arms. He can't help but think of what could have happened to Cain if they hadn't protected him. Would the rebels have raised him to be like Elin? He wouldn't have been safe, and he knows that's all Adam wanted for his son. "He has the best mom in the world raising him."

"Grandma," Tara jokingly corrects, making Seraphim shake his head at her, but he can tell she's flattered by the comment. "I'm not going to raise him making some claim that he is mine. He will know exactly who his parents were."

"Good," Seraphim answers quietly, growing serious at that. "He deserves to know the sacrifice his father made for him."

Two Months Later

Amelia Fensa, Survivor

Amelia thought this day would be more exciting, thought it would pick up her mood that had been steadily declining over the past two months, ever since they all went their separate ways after everything that happened. Finally she found friends that care and understand exactly what she's been through and they're scattered across the country. Sure, they talk often and Odyssey cracks a lot of jokes in their group chat, but it's not the same as having them in person.

It's time for her to admit it. She's lonely.

Amelia lets out a loud sigh as she stares up at the ceiling of her dorm room, having nothing to do today. First day of university and she's in her room moping… Amelia brings her arm up in front of her face, pinching the skin as she watches it turn red, before releasing and letting her arm flop back down. Still nothing…part of her still hopes that whatever they did will eventually wear off and one day she will wake up and be able to feel again. She'd like to not have to watch what she's doing every day and check over her body for injuries she didn't know happened. She'd like to feel someone hugging her, feel the warmth of someone holding her…

Damn it, she's lonely and desperate.

She shouldn't be surprised though that she hasn't heard from Argos in over a month… He's turned out to be exactly what she expected him to be: a fuck boy that only wanted a one night stand. Sure, it was fun and she doesn't regret it…but she feels dumb for thinking he would be different. What she should do is just give in to Adrian's flirting and date him instead of being hung up on the victor's son…

But she really doesn't want to.

There's a knock on the door and Amelia turns her head to look over as Richelle opens the door. Thankfully, she had chilled somewhat with demanding Amelia go out and do things after she returned, realizing Amelia needed time to process everything. But now… "Don't say it."

"Say what?" Richelle asks as she walks into the room, amused look on her face. "I am just here to tell you that there's some new kid here that wants to see you."

Amelia groans in annoyance at this and puts her pillow over her head to hide her face. "If it's someone who just wants to gawk at me for what happened, tell them to fuck off."

Richelle grabs the pillow and tosses it across the room, not letting Amelia cover her face immediately once more. "He said he has met you before and was very insistent on seeing you. Said something about betting?"

Amelia sits up at this, her hopes stupidly getting up. "He? And betting?"

Richelle wiggles her eyebrows at her as she starts to leave the room, calling back over her shoulder to her, "Yeah you might want to fix your hair, he's a snack."

Amelia jumps off her bed and runs over to her mirror, straightening out the hair that has become a huge mess from her sulking. "This is dumb," Amelia whispers to herself, yet still finds herself wanting to go out and see who it is. She shouldn't be getting her hopes up…after all, what would he even be doing here? He could go to university in Five instead…

Amelia leaves her room and freezes, staring at the boy sitting at her kitchen table. She slowly reaches over to pinch her arm as he stares back at her, before she glances down and realizes she can't even feel her pinch. "Damn it, can't even pinch myself to know if this is real or not."

"I figured I would take the time today to meet people on my floor," Argos tells her with an amused smirk as he stands up from the table and slowly walks over to her. Amelia stares up at him with wide eyes, part of her in disbelief that he's here, and part of her angry that he didn't even tell her he was coming her. "I'd say you're definitely the – ow! What was that for?"

Amelia stares at Argos putting a hand to the spot where Amelia smacked him, shaking her head when he doesn't even look the slightest bit annoyed by it. "You haven't called me in over a month."

"A phone works both ways," Argos responds and Amelia cringes slightly, knowing he has a point. She just…thought he didn't want anything to do with her. "And I guess I just wanted to surprise you here and knew I would blow it if we talked…"

"Did you come to university just to be with me?" Amelia asks softly, feeling her eyes start watering stupidly.

"Well when you put it that way…" Argos chuckles softly as he rubs the back of his neck awkwardly and his cheeks flush a bit. "Well?" He asks as he holds out his arms and Amelia runs at him, grabbing him tightly in a hug. "Oof, a little tight."

"Sorry," Amelia mutters as she loosens her hold on him, trying not to let herself get upset that she can't feel his arms around him the way she did that night before the Games. She quickly pushes the thoughts away, focusing instead on the fact that he's even here. "I can't believe you have had this planned and didn't tell me."

"Do you forgive me for not talking to you now that you know the reason?" Argos asks her and Amelia thinks about this, surprised to find herself feeling happy and no other dark emotions lurking and threatening to bring down her mood. "I figured you could use a pleasant surprise after everything…"

"I needed this," Amelia whispers before she turns her face up to look at him, giving him a wink. "Well, I don't know if I completely forgive you yet…I can think of how you can make it up to me."

Argos grins as he chuckles at this before suddenly scooping her up, making her laugh loudly as he carries her over to her room. "Anything you want, it's yours."

Three Months Later

Elias Pilkvist, Survivor

Elias has been dreading this day approaching ever since he received the letter about it – a letter he asked Anastacia to read before remembering that she could not do that. Luckily for both of them, Cecy was there to help him receive this important news.

Today is the first time Elias has been back in District Six since he was chosen for the Hunger Games. Today is the day his parents will be on trial. Today is the day he will testify against them and have to break the number one rule he always had as a child: never tell anyone about what they did to him.

Elias is shaking as they stop in front of the Justice Building, taking Anastacia's hand to bring her to a stop. "I am scared," Elias whispers and Shadow, Anastacia's service dog, notices his growing panic right away and rubs against his leg, trying to distract him. He pets Shadow as he stares up at the intimidating building, knowing he will have to see his parents in there. What if he does not have the courage to say what they did to him? What if he freezes up and they are able to get away and can keep harming his sisters?

"You can do this," Anastacia tells him encouragingly with a gentle smile as she looks at his face, getting better at staring in the right direction. "You need to go up and just state the truth. No matter what you say today, they will not be able to hurt you. I will fight anyone who even thinks about hurting you."

"How will you know who is thinking about hurting me?" Elias asks her, tilting his head in a bit of confusion. "And please do not fight anyone for me… I do not want you getting hurt."

"It's a figure of speech," Anastacia answers him gently, no hint of sass in her voice like she has for everyone else. "And be more concerned for them, not me. They're the ones that dared to hurt you and they deserve whatever punishment is coming their way and more."

"Elias?" The two look up at the doorway at the sound of his name, finding the mayor standing there waiting for him. Mayor Sandhya gives Elias an encouraging smile as she waves them up. "We're ready for you."

Elias takes a deep breath as he tightens his hold on Anastacia's hand and keeps his other hand resting on Shadow. "You can do this," Anastacia whispers to him as they start slowly walking up the steps. "You are so brave for doing this and once this is done, you will finally be free from them."

"I sure hope so," Elias answers her as they reach the top of the stairs. Mayor Sandhya motions for them to follow her into the building and they walk in silence, followed by Peacekeepers like always, into the large courtroom.

Elias comes to a stop inside the room when he sees his parents sitting there in prisoner jumpsuits, glancing back at him and giving him stern looks that make him want to stay quiet and say nothing at all. Anastacia is pulled to a stop by him and her face hardens as she looks around the room, fixing everyone with a glare. "Where are those bastards, I'll punch them and more."

Mayor Sandhya clears her throat at this, bringing Anastacia's glare directed to her. "Please…no attacking the prisoners. Elias, whenever you're ready you can take the stand. Anastacia, over here please."

Anastacia is directed over to one of the benches and Elias does not want to let go of her hand as the mayor continues leading him to the front of the room where the judge sits over them. He stumbles as he walks past his parents and begins to shake in fear at the looks they are giving him and he can feel his throat tightening. He cannot do this…he cannot speak out against them…

Elias silently goes into the booth next to the judge, his hands shaking as he looks around the courtroom, trying not to focus on his parents' silent stares. He does not know why Anastacia had faith in him to do this… He does not want to let her down, but he fears he will…

"Elias? Whenever you are ready, please tell us what Freja and Theodor Pilkvist have done to you."

Elias stares at his parents, feeling his whole body beginning to shake in fear under their harsh glares, silently telling him to not speak out. He can still hear the way they would yell at him for speaking out as a child before they conditioned him to stay quiet. He cannot feel the way they would hit him, all from the condition he has that has been a blessing and a curse… "I-" Elias stutters, trying to speak against them, but terrified of doing so. Yet he cannot lie to the judge…

Elias looks around the room with wide eyes full of panic and his gaze lands on Anastacia who sits there quietly, giving him a thumbs up of encouragement from her seat. He tries to slow his racing heart by taking slow breaths, imagining Anastacia beside him and coaching him through it just like she has done at home during the middle of the nights when he has awoken from nightmares in a cold sweat, unable to escape his parents or the rebels.

"I…" Elias tries to start once more, keeping his gaze on Anastacia even as he is tempted to look back over at his parents. He cannot do that…he must say what he has rehearsed with Anastacia.

I am brave.

Elias clears his throat as he looks down at his shaking hands in his lap, not wanting to look at anyone. If he does not look at them, perhaps he can pretend they are not here and he is just speaking to himself aloud. "My parents have wanted to turn District Six into a career District, starting with training myself and my siblings to fight…"

Four Months Later

Fox Durham, Survivor

Fox has noticed a change in Paloma ever since he returned home to her after the Hunger Games ended. At first, he assumed it was just the stress of watching him go through everything that happened on top of all the pregnancy hormones. He couldn't blame her for being stressed and standoffish to him considering they got the unexpected news that she was having twins. Then when the babies were born and it continued, he thought maybe it was the stress of having two babies around and a two year old. She hasn't gotten nearly enough sleep and neither has he, but he has loved every moment of being around his children. They have been the only thing helping him hold it all together in the last few months, stopping him from letting his thoughts go back to being held prisoner by the rebels, seeing Adam…

No, he cannot go down that path.

Even when the nightmares kept him up, he could just go hold one of his children until he let exhaustion overwhelm him.

But when he walked into their bedroom one day and found Paloma crying on the bed, Fox knows something is wrong.

Fox drops to his knees in front of where she sits at the edge of the bed, reaching out to take her hands. She pulls her hands away from him and Fox flinches at the action as a frown begins to form on his face. "Pal, what's wrong?"

"Leave me alone," Paloma tells him through her sobs, even trying to shove him away. But her hand barely makes him move and he just grabs onto the hand, not letting go of her.

"No, Pal, you need to tell me what's going on," Fox tells her, feeling his eyes starting to prickle with tears from seeing her crying. "Please, you need to let me in… Something has been bothering you ever since I got home…"

"You should just leave me," Paloma shakes her head at him as tears keep pouring down her cheeks. Fox reaches out to brush away her tears but she pulls back from him. "I-I shouldn't be near you after what- what I did…"

Fox tenses up at this statement, a chill running down his spine as he stares over at Paloma. "What you did?" He asks in confusion and fear of whatever she might say. "What did you do?"

"I…" Paloma's sobs increase as she pulls up her legs to her chest and holds them tightly, burying her head in her knees. "I cheated."

Fox can only stare at her, body frozen in shock and disbelief, feeling his stomach drop and almost as if he might throw up. She…cheated? How…?

"When?" He asks quietly as tears begin silently falling down his cheeks as his world starts crashing around him. He thought he would never experience anything as awful as what happened during the Quell, but this…this has broken his whole world…

"A few months ago," Paloma answers, muffled by her face hidden. She can't even look at him as she breaks his heart…

"Months? Pal, how could you?" Fox asks as he forces himself up, needing to step away from her. He paces around their room, staring down at the ring on his hand, realizing that it means nothing to her… But then a dark thought crosses his mind and he turns to look at her, afraid to even ask but needing the answer. "Are the twins even mine?"

Paloma looks up at this question, fear in her eyes as she answers him, "I don't know…"

Fox can only stare back at her in silence, everything he knows turning out to be a lie… "You and the kids were the one thing I held onto during the Games and everything that happened to stop myself from losing hope and giving up. Because I knew I had a family depending on me to get home and be there for him. I just…fuck, Pal, I never thought you would do something like this…"

Before Paloma can answer him, Fox storms out of the room before he can listen to her make lies about it. He slams down his wedding ring on the dresser as tears begin streaming down his cheeks and he holds onto his sobs as he moves quickly, not wanting to wake up the kids. Fox runs out of the house, stumbling to a stop and falling to his knees out in the backyard, feeling the whole world shift out of focus. He lets out a scream of frustration and pain before slamming his fists into the ground. How could she do this to him?

He can feel his throat tightening as he glances back at the house, knowing he can't stay here. He can't be anywhere close to her right now, not after she's broken every bit of trust he ever put in her. But where can he even go? He can't call Amelia, not when she's busy at school and he can't bring three kids there… Anastacia is busy enough with Elias… Which leaves one person…

Fox takes out his phone with shaking hands and finds the number to dial, the seconds of waiting as it rings dragging on as he panics at the thought of him not answering. Could he call Tara if he needs to?

"Hey Fox, what's up?" Odyssey asks as he picks up the phone. Fox tries to answer him, but only lets out a sob. "Fox? What's happening?"

"Paloma, I…she cheat-" Fox cuts off to sob and he can hear Odyssey talking to Misha with concern in the background. "I just…I need to get out of Ten with the kids. Please, help me."

Odyssey is quiet for a minute until he finally answers him, "Let me call Seraphim." Odyssey lets out a heavy sigh at this and Fox knows how difficult it is for him to do that. "We'll get you to Two."

Five Months Later

Anastacia Astoria, Survivor

Anastacia is guided to a stop by Shadow, the dog sitting patiently beside her as they stand in front of the house in the Victor's Village that is all hers.

No, not her actual house. That one is next door to this one. No…this house, while technically hers, belongs all to those that she now has the means to help. All it took was a little bit of negotiation – and maybe a couple glares – at Seraphim to work out a deal of giving her this house to have as a safe space for those kids that are getting abused in One, all in the name of glory for the Hunger Games. The kids like Pad and Major – God, she's still reeling from that realization and it's been months – that need a safe space to go to in order to escape their family. The victims of the Hunger Games.

Fitting that she is also one of them, just in a different capacity. But hey, at least she can do something good with it.

"Describe it to me," Anastacia tells Elias, holding his hand as he stands next to her. Elias and Cecy had been very excited when she asked them to paint the house and make it something cooler than what is supposedly boring gray. She wouldn't trust anyone other than Elias to paint it nicely and not just put dicks all over it just to mess with her being unable to see it. She could have been told what they painted as they went, but Anastacia wanted to wait until they were all done.

"It is that pink that you asked for," Elias tells her, making Anastacia immediately start smiling. "On the inside, we painted each room differently… Cecy painted really pretty landscapes but mine are just abstract colors…"

"I bet yours are even better than hers," Anastacia reassures him, fighting down the bit of longing that flares up in her to see it. Maybe someday Seraphim will fix this mess, but Anastacia isn't keeping her hopes up. Besides, then she wouldn't be able to keep teasing him about it and making him start panicking as she practices her long stare at him. "And I'm sure everyone is going to love the rooms. So thank you."

"You are welcome," Elias answers her and Anastacia can hear the happiness in his voice. "I have loved painting… Do you think I can paint the other house?"

"Of course, go nuts with it," Anastacia chuckles at this. "I can't see it so might as well let the people who can enjoy it."

Anastacia lets out a sigh of relief as they fall silent, standing in front of the finished house. "You know, I always knew I would see this happen someday," Anastacia says proudly before chuckling to herself. "Just didn't realize I wouldn't actually be able to see it."

But Anastacia knows she would go through the hell of the arena over and over again, lose her sight every time, if it meant finally getting to reach this goal of hers. If it meant helping at least one person – and it has, she can hear the change in Elias every day – than it was worth it. She can deal with being blind for the rest of her life if it means she has the opportunity to help children in One escape the hell that their parents are inflicting on them, all in the name of training for the Games. And someday she'll expand to other Districts, especially now that there's going to be training in each one. But for now…yeah, she's content with helping out some kids here in One.

"You and Cecy will be the first ones to live there," Anastacia tells him, feeling her eyes welling in pride that she has been able to help those two. "Unless you want to keep living in my house with me, that's also totally fine."

Elias is quiet for a moment and Anastacia turns her head in his direction, giving him an encouraging squeeze of the hand. "I like staying with you."

"Me too," Anastacia answers quietly, feeling a bit of relief in her that Elias doesn't want to move out. She doesn't know when she started feeling this way, but she's so happy having Elias as a friend that having him as her neighbor just seems weird. Even Cecy is great to have around the house and she's had a field day decorating. "We can be one big fucked up family together."

"You are crying," Elias points out to her and Anastacia nods her head before reaching out to him and pulling him into a hug, too overwhelmed with the fact that after all these years… She finally can do some good in the world. And maybe more importantly…she has a friend.

This is for you, Pad. And Elias. And even that bastard Major.

Six Months Later

Odyssey Gunderson, Victor of the Sixth Quarter Quell

Tomorrow is the big day that they'll set off on the victory tour across the country, showing everyone the united front of the Quell victor and survivors, demonstrating that people from different Districts can be united. Seraphim had the great idea of having everyone come to District Two a day early so they could reconnect in person before showing the country they're friends. For once, Odyssey actually agreed with Seraphim on the decision and didn't mind getting reunited with his friends.

Yet he's more anxious about tonight than traveling around Panem to each District when there's an ongoing rebel threat.

Odyssey knows Misha meant well when he suggested having a small send off party and drag show the night before the tour since everyone would be here. It was just going to be Odyssey's family and friends, and the four survivors. That's it, a small group. But Odyssey had been putting off this day where he gets back into drag, afraid the Games will have taken away the one passion he had that drove him to volunteer in the first place.

Which is how he has ended up sitting in the dressing room in a state of his makeup half done – he hasn't even touched his eyeshadow yet, afraid he won't be able to do it with his hand – and half dressed. His head is in his good hand as he tries to hold back the anxious tears and the pit in his stomach. Why did he agree to do this in the first place? Because Misha looked so excited at the idea…and he really couldn't say no to Misha.

A knock on the door startles Odyssey and he sits up, blinking a couple times as he takes a deep breath to compose himself. "It's me," Misha calls out before he opens up the door, holding a box behind his back and a grin on his face. "I have someth- what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," Odyssey says quickly, but Misha shuts the door behind him right away and from the look on his face, Odyssey knows his boyfriend knows something is most definitely wrong. Odyssey sighs as he looks down at his lap as Misha sets the box to the side and sits down next to him, taking his hand right away. "I just…I'm worried I won't enjoy this as much as I used to," Odyssey says as he gestures to the makeup scattered in front of him. "And this just feels like…like a mask to hide everything that I've been feeling. I'm scared I won't like it anymore."

"I'm sure you will still love it," Misha tries to reassure him, but Odyssey shakes his head, not believing that. "Okay, it is going to be a bit different, but this was your passion – still is your passion. You were willing to go through literal hell on earth to do this for the rest of your life. I highly doubt you won't enjoy it."

Odyssey looks up at Misha, finding him giving him such an adorable encouraging smile, and Odyssey can feel his eyes welling with tears right away. "I love you so fucking much."

Misha blinks a couple times in surprise at this before his smile turns into a grin as both of them realize what he said. Odyssey can feel his cheeks heating up at actually saying that, but he knows it's the truth. "And I love you so fucking much," Misha answers before leaning over to give him a kiss on the cheek since Odyssey's lips are already painted red.

"What would I do without you?" Odyssey whispers as he leans over to give Misha a quick kiss on the lips before he can move away, making Misha chuckle a little.

"Let's not think about that because we don't want you to be sad anymore," Misha tells him as he sits back and reaches for the box he brought with him that Odyssey eyes curiously. "Now what I came here for originally was to give you this. Because a few months ago, I made a promise to a certain queen and I have been waiting to hold up my end of that promise."

Odyssey takes the box gently and opens it, thankful that Misha just put a bow on it and didn't wrap it, making it easier for him to open. And when he opens it and pulls out a dazzling outfit, the memories of what Misha promised come rushing back along with tears. "I forgot you made this promise to Venus before the Games."

"I didn't," Misha answers as his cheeks flush a little bit, just like they always do when it gets brought up just how long Misha had feelings for him and how long Odyssey was a complete denial boy. "And I figured…well it would be fitting for you to wear your first time back in drag."

"I love it," Odyssey says as he gently sets it back in the box for later, before looking up to grin at Misha even as he can feel tears forming. But at least for once they're tears of happiness. "I love it and I love you."

"I'm glad. I just want you to be happy," Misha tells him, taking the box from him and setting it out of the way. He reaches for a tissue and gently helps dab away the tears falling down Odyssey's cheeks. "Now, no more tears or you're going to mess up your makeup that we need to finish. Anastacia was just challenging Amelia to a drinking contest and if we take too long, I worry they'll get Fox and Elias involved."

"Oh no," Odyssey says with a laugh before thinking about finishing his makeup. He winces as he glances in the mirror before down at his prosthetic, knowing he is struggling and needs to just ask for help. "Misha…can you help me?"

"You know all you had to do was ask," Misha answers immediately with a smile as he picks up a makeup brush and an eyeshadow palette, staring at Odyssey for a few seconds. "Let's turn you into the best queen there ever was."

"Now that's a bold statement," Odyssey says with a laugh before relaxing his face and letting Misha get to work helping him. And with his boyfriend helping him put on his makeup, taking plenty of opportunities to kiss him with his face being so close…his fears start to melt away a little bit.

Maybe Odyssey can do this as long as he has Misha by his side. Because with him…he can focus on what matters. Not the past and the mistakes he made and the pain of the Games. Not the future with the uncertainty of what's to come and having to begin training kids in the Capitol.

But right here, right now.

Well...here we are. I'm gonna get real sappy so just stay with me lol. It's so bittersweet reaching the end of this story for me because I love this story and the characters so much and don't want it to end, yet I know that I will still get to write them. This story has been there for me through a lot of changes in my life over the past nearly two years, both good and really awful things. Writing the Games for this story helped me get through what is probably the lowest point of my life and helped me have something good to focus on. And so it holds a special place for me because it helped me get through so much and it's been there through a lot of changes in my life. I'm always proud of my stories when I finish them but I think this one...yeah, it might be the work I'm the most proud of.

I know I couldn't have done this without the support of everyone involved in some way, so thank you. As always, your support throughout the story has been so appreciated and it is what has helped me keep writing this story. Every review was so greatly appreciated throughout this story and seeing excitement for the things I had planned for months (or even years) just further fueled me to keep going with it.

To all the tribute submitters, thank you so much for participating in this story! You have been a key part in how much I loved writing this story because you submitted such an amazing cast of tributes that I loved so much that I had to keep more than one alive. I don't think this story would have been what it was without the tributes I had and I feel so lucky to have had a group this great. Seriously, I don't think I could thank the tribute submitters enough for this group of tributes!

And to all the escort submitters, thank you as well! I know I didn't write the escorts as much as I did in Overlooked, partially because I had a group of tributes that I loved so much that I focused more on them (even skipping out on my mentors and you know I love them too), but thank you for still being part of the story. The escorts were still a very important part of the story and I enjoyed writing all of them!

I hope you all enjoyed this epilogue as much as I have. I truly love this group of survivors so much and I am so happy I can continue writing them and their friendship. They're going to be an integral part of my verse moving forward in the sequel.

Of course, this isn't goodbye to this cast of characters since Renegades will be starting next Friday! But this is goodbye to Senseless. Here's to finishing one story and to starting a new one. I hope if you've made it to this point, you'll join me on the next wild ride. I can promise even more angst than in this story. I feel like I have so much more I could say but this A/N has gone on long enough, so I will stop now. See you all in the next one!