A Dangerous Game
Chapter Four: The Blackbird of District Eight
Kurt didn't see Blaine again until they were all called in for their presentation before the Gamemakers in order to earn their scores. Scores were vital, ranging from zero to twelve, because without a good score what sponsor would give you gifts? And gifts were life in the arena.
Kurt sat, waiting for his turn in front of the Gamemakers. He had to go before Rachel, so when his name was called, he turned and wished her luck.
"You too." she whispered. She had gotten quite talented at sword-fighting, so she would be showing that skill to the Gamemakers. Kurt was hoping that he would at least be good enough with his sai swords to not get the lowest score compared to the other tributes.
He got up, walking slowly into the large training area. The Gamemakers were sitting on a platform overlooking and judging his every movement. Sure enough there was a pair of sai swords on a rack waiting in the center of the floor for him. He picked them up, cringing at the racket of metal against metal doing so produced. He nearly dropped one of the swords, but managed to catch it. He smiled up at the Gamemakers, "I meant to do that."
That earned him a laugh, but he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. He started twirling the swords and as soon as enough momentum was built he sent them flying towards the pair of dummies a few yards away. To his surprise as much as the Gamemakers', each sword skewered the bull's-eye of each target.
Shocked, Kurt turned to the people on the platform and bowed. For good measure he did a quick back bend, kicking, as he did so, the third target. The Gamemakers applauded and Kurt fled before he could do something to ruin his good impression.
On his way back to elevator that would take his back to district Eight's apartment, he felt a hand grab his arm. He tensed, but relaxed as soon as he saw that it was Blaine. "Hey how did it go?" Blaine asked.
Kurt grinned, "Good... I think. You?"
"I hope so." Blaine ran a hand over his gelled hair, "Um... Kurt I was wondering i-if you would ally with me and my sister." He looked at him with round gold eyes, ever hopeful.
Kurt wasn't sure what to say; he didn't want an ally as one of them would eventually be dead, but the idea of not spending as much time as possible with Blaine seemed insane. He nodded, wondering if he should be regretting this decision.
Blaine smiled, "Great. I'll see you later, okay?"
Kurt nodded again, his heart beating at twice its normal pace.
Later that night, Sue had Kurt and Rachel sit down in front of the viewing screen to see what their and their competition's scores were. All of the Careers got either tens or elevens, except for Sugar Motta, who surprisingly got only a six. Kurt was happy to see that his new ally got a nine, but little Chelsea got only a four. It didn't matter; he and Blaine could protect her.
Rach got an eight, but Kurt was absolutely shocked to find that he had managed to get a ten, the only non-career to do so. He sat there with his jaw dropped, vaguely aware that the others were congratulating him.
"There has been a slight change," Mr. Schue came hurrying in while Kurt and Rachel were having breakfast the next day.
"What's wrong?" Kurt asked around a mouthful of toast.
"Is there a change in the rules of the Game?" Rachel asked hopefully.
"Nothing like that," Schue said, "It's for your interview. The Gamemakers have decided to emphasize the personalities of the tributes this year."
"Why?" Kurt hissed, "To them we're just cattle going to the slaughter."
"Kurt, don't." Schue warned. "I want you both to think about what it is that others like least about you, but you have accepted."
"My nose," Rachel said without hesitation or thought. She tried to glare at it but ended up going cross-eyed. She blinked, "everyone says it's too long."
"Nose," Schue muttered, writing it down on a piece of paper. "And you Kurt?"
Kurt was silent for a moment. "I'm gay," he whispered. He didn't know how Schue would react.
Schue just nodded, "Likes boys," he wrote down. "Alright, I'll go tell Emma. By the way, she wants you downstairs in an hour."
"No extravagant costumes?" Kurt asked, disappointed, looking down at the white shirt with the words 'LIKES BOYS' printed on it which he was supposed to wear for his interview with Caesar.
"It is a costume!" Emma said cheerfully.
"I was hoping for feathers, or gems like the tribute from One last year," Kurt admitted. "The shirt is nice too, though," he added, seeing the Emma was somewhat hurt that he didn't want to wear it.
"All the tributes are wearing these," she explained.
"And I'm looking forward to wearing it, I might even keep it," the last part was more of a question.
Emma nodded, "Sure if you'd like."
"It's just I was looking forward to the outlandish..."
Rachel emerged from the changing room, looking very much put out. "When I told him 'nose', I didn't expect to have to wear it across my chest." She crossed her arms, hiding the word from view. "Everyone is going to think I'm vain."
"You are vain," Kurt said, smirking.
Rachel stuck her tongue out at him.
Schue poked his head in through the door. "They want you on the stage."
"Good luck!" Emma shouted after them as Schue led them away. The area under the stage was dark, but they could hear Caesar greeting the crowd.
Kurt gasped in surprise when he heard Sue's voice behind him, "Hello Porcelain."
"Hello yourself, where have you been?" Kurt snapped.
"That's good, keep that sarcasm up on the stage. The whole point of this year's theme is to be yourself, so that's exactly what you are going to do. Stupid theme in my opinion. Then again if I was in charge of the games, I would have the Gamemakers up there fighting for their lives. You're kids; you shouldn't have to do this."
Kurt turned around, amazed at this new side of Sue, "The Gamemakers wouldn't last a minute."
Sue laughed, something he had never heard her do before, although it was actually something that more resembled a bark. "They wouldn't."
"Can I ask you something?" Kurt asked hesitantly, as a stage hand buzzed around his head hooking up his microphone.
Sue gave a sharp nod of agreement.
"Did you volunteer?" He wasn't sure what answer he was expecting. She seemed to be the type to have volunteered, yet she had such a hateful view of the Games.
"I did."
"Oh…"
"My sister was chosen, and there was no way I was going to let her compete. So I volunteered. Didn't know that did you?"
Kurt shook his head.
"Get up on that stage, Hummel."
He obeyed, casting one last look over his shoulder as he hurried up the steps. The stage lights made it impossible to see the audience, but Kurt knew they were there as they were cheering loudly. He waved to them, smiling more easily than he had at the Parade.
"Hello Kurt," Caesar said, shaking his hand. "Have a seat."
Kurt greeted him, sitting in the large chair across from Caesar.
"Great shirt." Caesar told him. He then turned to the audience, "Best I've seen so far, wouldn't you say?" The audience agreed wholeheartedly, clapping and shouting their agreements. "Is there anyone special at home? Someone that shirt refers to?"
"Sadly no," Kurt said, then added "but there is someone" before he could stop himself.
"Someone… here? Well, who? We all want to know!"
"Bla…" Kurt thought of the boy from District Three and his heart literally skipped a beat. But Blaine had shown no interest in him, other than being allies that is, "He doesn't feel the same way, I'm sure."
"Poor luck." Caesar quickly changed the topic, "So Kurt, what do you like best about the Capitol?"
"Your fashions," Kurt exclaimed, gesturing to Caesar's hair which was dyed bright orange.
"All thanks to your District. Now Kurt, do you have any hidden talents?"
"You mean which weapons am I good with?"
Caesar shook his head, "No, no. Talents. Can you juggle? Dance?"
The question took Kurt aback for a moment. "I-I can sing."
"Let's hear it!"
Kurt raised an eyebrow, "Really?" Schue had told him that they were going to be emphasizing the tributes' personalities, but he hadn't expected this.
Caesar nodded.
Kurt got up slowly, nervously taking center stage.
"Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings, and learn to fly.
All your life,
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night,
Take these sunken eyes, and learn to see.
All your life,
You were only waiting for this moment to be free."
It was incredible for Kurt, singing not only for the audience but for everyone in every District watching in their homes or in the city squares. It was exhilarating knowing that all of Panem was listening. This was the fame he wanted, not to be a tribute, but to be known forever more for his voice.
"Blackbird, fly.
Blackbird, fly
Into the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird, fly.
Blackbird, fly
Into the light of the dark black night."
Everyone was cheering as he sang the last lines.
"You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise"
Kurt stood there for a few moments after the last notes rung out. He was overwhelmed as the crowd burst into applause. At some point after Kurt had taken a few bows, Caesar was next to him. Barely able to hear, Kurt managed to make out Caesar shouting "Let's hear it for Kurt Hummel! The Blackbird of District Eight!"
"You were great!" Kurt spun around when he heard Blaine's voice. He was alone in his dressing room and wasn't exactly expecting company.
"Thanks, you too," Kurt smiled, "the things you said about protecting your sister was heartbreaking, you'll get lots of sponsors. I'm just the 'Blackbird of District Eight'. Sort of silly really."
"I especially liked the shirt," Blaine looked down at his own, which read 'SHORT'.
"Why did you pick me to be your ally?" Kurt blurted out.
Blaine gently took his hand, leading him over to the couch. They sat down next to each other, Blaine's leg brushing up against Kurt's. Blaine took a deep breath, "Kurt, there is a moment when you say to yourself, 'Oh, there you are. I've been looking for you forever.' You're all I've been thinking about since that day in the training center… Watching you do blackbird…" his voice broke with emotion, "you moved me, Kurt. And allying would just be an excuse to spend more time with you." He then started to lean in, hesitatingly at first, and then more deliberately when he saw that Kurt was doing the same. Their lips touched. Kurt gasped into the kiss, cupping Blaine's cheek. Blaine deepened the kiss, one hand on Kurt's back. Eventually, they pull away.
Blaine smiled. "While we have some time alone, we should… we should practice."
"I thought we were." Kurt answered back, out of breath. Their second kiss was more passionate, it felt like a lifetime. If only it truly was.
"Meet me on the roof tonight," Blaine rested his forehead on Kurt's, his breath ghosting over Kurt's nose, their hands intertwined.