Chapter 2
The smell of blood was on his breath. He probably drinks it while he eats the souls of children. Santana felt numb as she heard a car come to life outside the window, soft and quiet, before it faded away into the distance, unnoticed. As it came over her that he was gone, the room seemed to begin to spin slowly. She leaned forward and gripped the desk with one hand, her other one clutching her chest. She's barely aware of the door opening and closing, followed by light footsteps.
"Santana..." She couldn't look up as Quinn knelt beside her. She needed a moment to collect herself after what just happened. The president's visit symbolised her world veering out of control, with everyone she loved doomed for her actions. And god only knew who else would have to pay. Quinn began to stroke her hair softly, and placed a comforting hand on her knee.
Santana took a deep shaky breath as she calmed herself. She didn't know how she was going to convince the president; Quinn was the one who could lie, and Blaine the likeable one. How was she supposed to convince a nation she was the guys best friend when her distaste at the act would be evident on her face? She finally opened her eyes, to find Quinn's hazel pair full of concern and worry boring into her own.
I've got to do it. Looking into Quinn's eyes, she knew she didn't have a choice. As fucking corny as it sounded, she knew she couldn't live without the blonde, or knowing she was the reason the love of her life was...
"San, are you ok?" Santana cupped her girlfriend's cheek with her right hand, softly stroking her rosy cheek with her tanned thumb. It helped stop her lightheadedness and calm her down.
"He just came to...inform me of what I need to be prepared to do. On the tour." She was pretty convinced Snow had this room bugged and would hear every word they spoke, but she knew Quinn would catch on. She was smart; Probably the smartest out of them all, minus Sue. Sure enough, understanding and alarm flashed on Quinn's face.
"I see. And do you think you'll be able to do it?" Santana really was a sucker for distressed blonde's, because she couldn't bare to see Quinn so distressed. She leaned in slowly, and kissed her softly. Quinn hesitated for a moment before kissing her back, her lips moving with Santana's slowly. After a long moment, Santana pulled back and rested her forehead against Quinn's.
"I've got to." Quinn sighed, biting her lip as frowned. She subconsciously traces patterns on Santana's knee as she was silent for a moment, and Santana- despite being one of the most impatient people out there- waited for her to speak. She's give Quinn the full story later, but for now she'd let the blonde process what was going on. It wasn't just her that was affected here.
"You don't have to do this alone, S." Quinn's voice was careful and genuine. "I'll be there to help you, no matter what. And the others-"
"My parent's can't know." Santana pulled back, her face serious. "About any of this." Quinn looked like she was about to argue, but said nothing and just nodded her head.
"Ok. Whatever you want." The sound of her Mami's light tread coming down the hall interrupted them. Quinn stood up, straightening her smart, dark teal dress, and gently took Santana's hand, pulling her to her feet. She snaked her arms around Santana's slim waist, and Santana wrapped her own around Quinn's neck, snuggling her face into the crook of her neck. She inhaled the scent of lavender, and allowed herself to be comforted by Quinn's secure embrace. She pulled away slightly as her Mami knocked on the door and entered, but kept around Quinn's neck.
"Is everything all right, Mija?" she asked.
"It's fine. We don't see it on tv, but the president always visits the victors before the tour to wish them luck. Right, Q?" Quinn gave a tight lipped smile and nodded. Her Mami's face flooded with relief.
"Oh. I thought there was some kind of trouble."
"No, not at all. The trouble will begin once my prep team descend on me..." she shuddered and her Mami laughed.
"Why don't I start your bath?" Santana smiled at her mother, trying to ignore the guilt she felt for lying to her.
"Si, that'd be great." Her mother left the room and she visibly slumped, pinching the bridge of her nose.
How the hell am I supposed to keep this up?
Xxxx
"We never used to have hot water for baths," Santana murmured as she slid into the silky water. Her Mami had added a small bag of dried flowers that perfumed the air. The water was silky, with some kind of oil having been added to it. Quinn sat by the wall near her head- she'd refused Santana's offer to join her, saying that Santana actually needed to bathe herself, but gave into Santana's pleas to at least keep her company. Not that she was one of those over reliant, desperate-for-attention, clingy girlfriends, she just needed Quinn around to keep her from losing it right now.
"Really?" Quinn seemed surprised and Santana hummed in response. From what she'd heard from Quinn about District 4, though it wasn't nearly as lavish as the Capitol, it was still a few steps above District 12. Not to mention Quinn had come from a well off family, where they'd always had electricity and hot water. It was why Santana always got a kick out of taking Quinn to visit the Seam- the girl hadn't truly gotten a taste of the poverty of District 12 on her victory tour, and Santana made sure to correct that.
"You should tell Sue. If anyone will know what to do, it's her." She was right. As Santana's mentor in the Games, it had been Sue's job to keep her alive and she'd done a hell of a job. She could only hope she was still up for the job.
She better be. After buying all that shit off Sandy for her, she owes me one huge favour.
Santana slid down into the water, letting it block out the sounds around her. She wished the tub would expand so she could go swimming, like she used to in the lake with her Grandfather on hot summer Sundays in the woods. Those days were always a special treat. They'd leave early in the morning after her mother would cook them up a large breakfast. They'd hike further into the woods than usual to a small lake he'd found while hunting. She didn't remember learning to swim- she'd been so small when he taught her. She just remembered diving, turning somersaults and paddling around.
She'd never taken Puck to the lake. It was a place she hadn't wanted to share with just anyone- It was her and her grandfather's place, it belonged to them. Since the Games, when she had little to occupy her time, she'd taken Quinn a couple of times. Naturally being from District Four, the fishing district, her skill in the water put Santana to shame. The girl was never more alive than when Santana took her there, doing complicated dives and only coming up for breath when necessary. She'd helped Santana to improve her technique as well, and Santana had shown her the basics of archery too. They'd been some of Santana's happiest times, and she'd hated how they had to return home.
Even underwater, she could hear the commotion outside. She came back up and heard the horns honking, shouts of greeting, doors banging shut. Quinn leaned in and kissed her cheek, wishing her luck before going to greet the others. Santana barely had time to towel off and slip into a robe before her prep team burst into the bathroom.
Here we go.
"Santana, your eyebrows!" Harmony shrieked right off, and Santana had to prevent an eye roll and stifle her laugh. They've all changed their hairstyles and had tattoos altered or removed, so she can't see what's so shocking about her eyebrows. Unique came up and patted Venia's back soothingly. Santana still wasn't one hundred percent sure whether Unique was a man or woman, so she made a mental note to ask Kurt later.
"There there. You can fix those in no time. But what is Unique going to do with these nails?" Another thing she didn't get. Why Unique referred to herself in third person. It was completely pointless and pretentious. She grabbed her tanned hand, and pinned it'd lay between her two dark green ones.
"Really, Santana, you could have left me something to work with!" she wailed. Santana shrugged, not really caring. So she bit her nails a little- whatever.
"Whoops," she said drolly. Adam lifted a few strands of her wet, tangled hair. He gave his head a disapproving shake, causing his now dark, curly hair to bounce around.
It's the same colour as Blaine's now...
"Has anyone touched this since you last saw us?" he asked sternly. "Remember we specifically asked you to leave your hair alone." Minus her Mami or Quinn styling it a couple of times, she hadn't.
"No ones cut it." That seemed to mollify them, and they all kissed her, set her on a chair in her bedroom, and, as usual, started talking non stop without bothering to notice if she was listening.
Kill me now.
Xxxx
"There she is." Despite him only living a few doors away, Santana couldn't help but grin at the sight of Kurt sitting in her sitting room. She met up with him and went for walks regularly, and he'd done his best to attempt to mend the rift between herself and Blaine. Not that it had worked very well. He'd also helped her out with her talent quite a bit. Apparently he was some amazing singer as well- who knew.
Every victor was supposed to have one. The talent was an activity the victor was supposed to take up since they don't have to work in either school or the Districts industry. Blaine used his love for theatre, and would wow them all with his amazing showmanship. Though she'd been hesitant, not wanting to sing for the Capitol, she'd eventually relented. What else could she do, hunt illegally in front of them?
So she'd started writing some songs, with Puck accompanying her on guitar whenever she got him around, and Will played some chords on piano for her when she asked. Blaine was apparently a trained pianist from a young age, but she couldn't ask him. Kurt and Quinn provided harmonies.
Kurt was placing sheets of music, an old guitar and he had somehow managed to find a piano to fit into the room. She walked around, impressed by the layout.
"Nice job, Porcelain." He smiled at her, walking over and adjusting the sweater woven from green and blue and grey strands of soft will over the white shirt she wore, and twirling her to exam the soft black trousers.
"Thanks. All I did was the presentation- the rest is all you." He handed her a pile of cards where they'd wrote what she'd talk about for the cameras. "Try to sound like you care."
Just then, Holly arrived in all her glory to announce to everyone "We're on schedule!" She walked over to Santana, looking as odd as ever, and kissed Santana on both cheeks.
"Hey, sweet cheeks." Then she waved the camera crew in and ordered her into position. She began walking around and talking about how she'd began song writing, and reading some lyrics to her songs and explaining what was going on. She could hear Quinn being interviewed in the kitchen, and her parents in the living room. Eventually, Kurt was there telling her she should sing for them.
"She's amazing. Just wait and see," he said to the camera. He leaned over and whispered to her, "Girl on fire." She cocked an eyebrow at him but nodded. He went and sat at the piano, having grabbed some sheet music. She turned and looked directly in the camera. This was dangerous, but she couldn't back down now.
"This song is called 'Girl On Fire'. I wrote it just when I got back from the Games." She turned and nodded to Kurt.
"She's just a girl, and she's on fire
Hotter than a fantasy, lonely like a highway
She's living in a world, and it's on fire
Feeling the catastrophe, but she knows she can fly away
Oh, she got both feet on the ground
And she's burning it down
Oh, she got her head in the clouds
And she's not backing down..."
She paused for a moment, letting the passion she was feeling from singing the song wash over her. She looked directly into the camera lens.
"This girl is on fire
This girl is on fire
She's walking on fire
This girl is on fire
Looks like a girl, but she's a flame
So bright, she can burn your eyes
Better look the other way
You can try but you'll never forget her name
She's on top of the world
Hottest of the hottest girls say
Oh, we got our feet on the ground
And we're burning it down
Oh, got our head in the clouds
And we're not coming down
This girl is on fire
This girl is on fire
She's walking on fire
This girl is on fire
Everybody stands as she goes by
Cause they can see the flame that's in her eyes
Watch her as she's lighting up the night
Nobody knows that she's a lonely girl
And it's a lonely world
But she gon' let it burn, baby, burn, baby
This girl is on fire
This girl is on fire
She's walking on fire
This girl is on fire
Oh, oh, oh, oh
She's just a girl, and she's on fire." She finished and was met with silence for a moment for the entire room burst into applause. She gave a small smile to the camera, gaze flickering over each of the overwhelmed camera crew. Holly was clapping enthusiastically to the side, tears in her eyes. Santana walked over to a beaming Kurt and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you," she whispered into his ear. She turned to see a small robin on the windowsill, staring at her chirping, before taking off, up into a tree, moving as effortlessly between the two as...
The memory hit her like a physical blow, forcing her to actually stagger back. She could see Brittany, the bubbly blonde girl from District 11, perching in the tree grinning down at her, her ally in the arena. Brittany, who could fly from tree to tree effortlessly. Brittany, who she couldn't save. She could still recall it perfectly, the image of Brittany dying on the ground, the spear protruding from her stomach...
Who else is going to die because of me?
She realised Kurt was tugging a coat onto her, and she cooperated, putting her arms through. It was fur, inside and out.
"Ermine." Kurt explained without her needing to ask as she stroked the white sleeves. He handed her a pair of leather gloves, as well as a bright red scarf. She saw him with a pair of earmuffs and held up a hand.
"Hold up. What the hell do you think you're doing with them?" Disdain was evident in her voice.
"Ear muffs. You're bringing them back into style."
"I'm not bringing them anywhere. I've been deaf in an ear before, and I ain't going back there." He sighed and rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Santana-"
"Not happening, Lady Lips."
"You're so stubborn, Satan! Just put on the ear muffs!"
"I am not putting on those fucking ear muffs. Now get your ass out of my way, Lady Hummell, before I go all the Seam on your pale ass!"
"Santana, be nice to Kurt." She pouted as Quinn, dressed in a red stylish coat and black gloves, walked over to them, greeting him with a kiss to both cheeks. She then turned to Santana and took one of her hands, smiling softly.
"Don't pout, S." Santana pulled a face at her instead, causing Quinn to laugh briefly. She grinned at the sound- she couldn't help it, Quinn was so uptight sometimes when she let loose and showed genuine human emotion it made those damn butterfly's in Santana's stomach flutter all the more.
"You're such a child," she tutted. Santana shrugged.
"S'why you love me." They turned to walk out hand in hand and Santana scowled when she noticed the cameras rolling. So much for privacy in your own home. Quinn walked out ahead with Kurt, while Santana hugged her parents goodbye. They weren't happy to see her go; The last time she'd left, she nearly didn't come back. After her Papi released her from his tight hug, her Mami placed the necklace with the mockingjay around her neck.
"For good luck." Santana hugged them both one last time, promising to call them and to come back soon.
"And make sure to take care of Quinn too. Treat her properly." Her Papi said firmly and Santana blushed.
"Si, Papi." Holly clapped her hands and announced their first outdoor shoot. Santana plastered a huge fake smile on her face as Holly literally shoved her out the door.
It took a moment for her eyes to adjust because it was falling so hard. Then she could make out Blaine coming through his front door. In her head, she could hear President Snow's directive, "Convince me." She knew she must.
Her face broke into a huge smile and she started walking in Blaine's direction.
"Sup Warbler!" she called and he laughed and grinned back at her. He wouldn't condemn her, and she began running towards him. He caught her in a secure in embrace, and then slipped- he still wasn't entirely in command of his artificial leg - and they fell into the snow, her on top of him. They laughed, and he hugged her tightly. Damnit, she'd missed him more than she cared to admit, and the security that came with his hugs returned. She also knew he'd back her up, that he'd deal with all this crap with her. He was still looking out for her. Something which just made her feel worse.
She pulled him to his feet, tucked her glove through the crook of his arm, and merrily pulled him on their way. She couldn't see Quinn or Kurt, so they must have already headed to the train. The rest of the day passed in a blur of them getting to the station, bidding everyone goodbye, the train pulling out, the old team- Blaine and her, Holly and Will, Quinn and Sue, Kurt and Isabelle- dining on an indescribably delicious meal she couldn't remember.
Then she's swathed into pyjamas and a voluminous robe, before sitting beside Quinn in their plush compartment.
"Why are you staying up?" Quinn yawned, snuggling under the covers sleepily. Santana pushed a strand of blonde hair off the exhausted girl's face, continuing to play with her hair after she did so.
"I gots to go talk to Sue later." Quinn nodded, clearly struggling to keep her eyes open.
"Do you want me to go with you?"
"No, it's ok babe. I can handle it. You just go to sleep." Quinn didn't put up much a fight, and after a few minutes drifted off with a sleepy "I love you".
"Love you too." Santana kissed her forehead, allowing her gaze to linger on the beautiful face of her girlfriend for another brief moment. How the hell had she gotten so lucky? Maybe it was God's way of paying her back for her nearly dying. Which suited her just fine.
She put on her slippers, noticing how Quinn groaned as soon as she left the bed, and padded down to Sue's door. She knocked several times before Sue answered, scowling, as if she was certain she had brought bad news.
"What do you want, Sandbags?" she said.
"I have to talk to you," Santana whispered in response, flinching at the word Sandbags. Now wasn't the time to fight that battle. Again.
"Now?" Santana nodded. "This better be good." She waited but Santana was certain every word they uttered on the train was being recorded. "Well?" Sue barked.
"The train's so stuffy." It was a harmless sentence, but Sue's eyes narrowed in understanding.
"I know what you need." She pushed past her and lurched down the hall to a door. She pushed it open, and a blast if snow hit them. She tripped out onto the ground, and Santana was thankful the train stopped for fuel.
A Capitol attendant rushed to help, but Sue waved her away as she strutted away.
"Out of my face, alien."
"Sorry. She threw a tantrum. You know how she is," Santana said apologetically. "I'll get her." She hopped down and stumbled along the track behind her, soaking her slippers with snow, as she lead her beyond the end of the train so they wouldn't be overheard. Then she turned on her.
"What?" Santana told her everything, about the president's visit, about Blaine, about how they were all going to die if she failed. She's face sobered, and she looked older than Santana had ever seen her.
"Then you can't fail."
"If you could just help me get through this trip-"
"No, Santana. It's not just this trip. Even if you pull it off, they'll be back in another few months to take us all to the Games. You and Blaine, you'll be mentors now, every year from here on out. And every year they'll revisit the epic friendship and your personal lives, and broadcast the details of your private life. You'll never, ever be able to do anything but live happily ever after with Quinn and remain best friends with that boy."
The full impact of what she was saying hit Santana. She will never have a choice on many things from now on- spending the rest of her life with Quinn she had intended anyway, but having to keep up these appearances with Blaine? Pretend he's replaced Puck as her right hand man?
"Do you understand what I mean?" Sue pressed her.
Santana nodded. She meant there was only one future, if she wanted to keep those she loved alive and stay alive herself. She'd have to more or less replace Puck with Blaine, and stay best friends with him for the rest of her life.
I fucking hate the Capitol.
Xxxx
A/N: This was more like a filler chapter to get things going. People asked for more Quinntana in this fic, so I tried to add a lot more here and I'll continue to do so. Thank you all for the reviews, and leave me another letting me know what you thought in the meantime! - Q