Kurt and Burt decided to forgo work the next day. They both knew that the next few days would be the last moments they would be able to spend together and, considering the situation, their jobs just didn't seem to matter. His father was never two feet away from his side as he cooked, cleaned or relaxed on the couch. Neither of them said much, but Kurt could see the tears brimming in his father's eyes as he watched Kurt go through his daily activities. It took all of Kurt's will power not to burst into tears himself.
As he lied in his bed that night, with his father away at the Hunger Games meeting, Kurt stared at the ceiling and finally let the tears that he held back all day flow down his cheeks. He never really thought of his death before. He knew residents of District 7 did not have an extremely long lifespan but there were a few who were able to make it to eighty or ninety. Kurt was one of the more fit citizens. Growing up on a strict budget did not allow for any sweets or any fattening foods. He always ate healthy foods and worked out regularly. After seeing many of the boys eat their weight in sweets sold by the cute baker's daughter down the road, Kurt knew he was going to outlive them by a good few years. He had the idea in his head that he would live until he was at least sixty.
But now his death was only a short few weeks away- if he was that lucky, of course. What does one do when they know they only have a limited amount of time left? Kurt imagined most would do the things they've wanted to do their whole life. The only thing he wanted to do was to fall in love and be loved in return. There was absolutely no chance of that happening anytime soon. Kurt sighed and buried his face into his pillow. Now that he thought about it, he probably had no chance of being loved even if he was sixty. Maybe it would be better if he just died already…
His dad's face flashed across his mind and suddenly Kurt wanted to cry all over again. He knew that this was worse for his father than it was for him. If he died, he died. He didn't believe in God or any sort of afterlife, so when he was gone that would be it, no more pain, no more sorrow, no more anything. But his father would still be here. It was Burt who would have to live by himself, mourning the loss of the two people he loved most in the world. His father would still hurt.
He knew that he shouldn't, but Kurt blamed himself for everything. If he hadn't wrote in that stupid journal then no one would know he was gay and all would be normal. Before, people had still treated him differently, but at least they weren't willing to send him to death. They weren't blatantly mean. No one had hurt him or threatened him. Life was good, and he ruined it with that stupid journal.
Kurt heard the front door open and then immediately slam shut. His father was home, and he knew exactly how that meeting went. Kurt knew that his father was doing everything he could, even though they both know it was useless.
There was a sudden crash of glass shattering and Kurt jumped up immediately, wiped his tears quickly, and entered their dully-lit living room.
His father was bent over a shattered lamp, cursing and carefully trying to gather the pieces together. Kurt kneeled down to help him in silence. Burt snatched the pieces from him, threw all of them into the garbage and walked across the room to the window that overlooked the woods. Kurt bit at his bottom lip as his father continued to stare outside and completely ignore him.
"Just tell me Dad," Kurt whispered.
Burt didn't respond.
"Please, dad. I know what they said so just tell me…"
"Do you really want me to say it Kurt!" Burt yelled at him as he spun around, tears starting to pool in his eyes.
"You already know what happened! I can't change their minds! It was unanimous! The decision has already been made! There won't even be any more meetings before the reaping! I'm going to lose you, son…. and I can't do anything about it," Burt collapsed on the couch with his face in his hands.
Kurt hurried to his father's side and hugged him tightly. "Dad….I promise, that I will try my absolute best to come back…and if I don't I will go down fighting. I will show these people that you can't mess with a Hummel. You may not be able to do anything but I can….I will show them Dad."
They sat there hugging each other close, and for the second night in a row they cried themselves to sleep.
The rest of the week was spent at home. Neither of them went to work and they spent their last week together sitting in a comfortable silence they always could share. When Reaping Day appeared, Kurt and Burt had resigned to the fact that there was nothing they could do now but hope that Kurt would be able to outlast the other tributes and make it home.
They walked together to the center of town with Burt's large arm slung proudly over Kurt's slight shoulders. They walked past the other citizens of District 7, some chose to ignore them, a few gave Burt sympathetic looks, while most looked at Kurt with sly smiles. They knew they were finally getting rid of the district gay.
Parents and children were separated at the square and normally parents and children would be sobbing together before the Peacemakers would tear them apart. This year, the parents knew their children would be safe so there were no needs for goodbyes. Kurt and Burt reached the square and were the only ones in the farewell area. They knew that this would be their last moment together without the pressure of cameras and Kurt's trainer rushing him into the train that already waited at the station.
They hugged each other tightly as Burt whispered "I love you" into Kurt's ear.
Tears were falling from Kurt's eyes as he held his father closer.
"I love you too, Dad. You are the best father anyone could ever ask for. I love you so much."
They broke apart, and Burt stood arm's length away holding Kurt's shoulders and looking him straight in the eye.
"Give 'em hell," he said giving a slight smile and Kurt smiled back. "Come back to me."
"I will."
With those final words they parted, each heading to their designated area for the Reaping. As soon as he reached his spot, the Reaping began. The District governor stepped up to the stage in front of the courthouse.
The Governor looked like a stereotypical lumberjack. He had the beard, the hair, the muscles and the height. Instead of his normal flannel and overalls, he was dressed up for this occasion, because it was to be broadcasted to the rest of Panem. His hair was actually combed and he wore the same fake grin he wore every year, because he himself had children and it was a known fact in the town that he hated the Hunger Games. He reached the podium on the center of the stage and took out the cards the Capital sent him to read.
"Hello citizens of District 7 welcome to the 25th Reaping for the Hunger Games. As you know this year was the 25th Anniversary of the destruction of District 13, and to remember this event this year is our first Quarter Quell. As you all know it was the decision of the parents this year to decide which children would receive the honor of representing District 7 in this year's Hunger Games."
Kurt has heard the same speech all his life, so he didn't pay attention. He knew what was going to happen, so why even pay attention? He took a look around at the people around him; most of them were staring at him. It seems as if they all knew too. It was when he took a look behind him that he saw Blaine looking at him with sad eyes. Blaine raised his hand with his thumb, index, and middle finger up, while the other two stayed down- the typical District 7 sign of farewell.
Kurt didn't understand why Blaine would make this gesture towards him. It wasn't like they knew each other well, and he didn't think that Blaine would care that much that Kurt was going into the Hunger Games. Kurt returned the gesture with a small smile and turned back to the stage.
The Governor was now announcing the children chosen to be tributes.
"The male chosen to represent District 7 in the Quarter Quell is…" He stretched out the 'is' as he opened the envelope that contained the tributes name.
"Kurt Hummel."
There were no shocked gasps or hysterical cries that normally occurred when a name was read. Everyone silently stared at Kurt as he made his way to the stage, his head up and his eyes dry. He stood next to the Governor and allowed the District to take a good look at him, the boy they themselves condemned to death. He waited as the Governor began talking about the female tribute.
Kurt was somewhat curious what female they chose to send to the Hunger Games with him. Burt told him that it wasn't right for him to say anything because the parent of the child had chosen not to tell her. So no one in the district, besides the parents, knew which female would join Kurt.
Kurt turned his attention to the Governor as he read the decision of the parents.
"The female chosen to represent District 7 in the Quarter Quell is…Camille Anderson."