A/N: This is definitely an M-rated chapter. The Bundrens are definitely strong. Trigger warning for mentions of rape (there is NO rape scene, though, just mentions) and very strong language.
Diesel's POV
"Diesel Brian, we're going to be late if you don't hurry up!" my mother calls.
"Don't call me Diesel Brian!" I go down the spiraling staircase two steps at a time, tying my tie on the way.
"I'm certainly not going to call you by that atrocious first name without a Gaelic name after it," she says, crossing her arms.
"Help me here!" I turn to my sister, two years younger than I am, who stands beside my Mom and is already taller than her at age 15.
"Sorry, brother, but I can see where she's coming from."
"Honest to God, why did I let your father name you?" my mother Sharon sighs. "If anyone asks tonight, you're my son Brian."
"I'm not going by Brian. 'F you didn't want a kid named Diesel, you shouldn't'a married a bum," I say simply.
"Your father's not a bum!" Sharon says.
"Then Diesel's not a bummy name!"
"We're going to be late if you keep arguing like this!" Mary Catherine whines.
Sharon takes a deep breath. "Come then." She leaves and the two of us follow.
My name is Diesel Bundren, and I live in the Capitol. I'm 17 and going to parties like this is pretty normal. My family is rich but we're not enough to go to Games events, so tonight we're going to Sharon's friend's place for a Games party.
My Dad is out with his friends tonight at the bar, which is where I'd rather be in all honesty. With the guys, drinking some good hard beer as we watch the start of the Games together, singing bar shanties all the way…
Unfortunately for me, though, Sharon says I'm too young to drink and would make a fool out of myself. In other words, she'd rather me get drunk off of champagne than beer. She thinks champagne disgusts me enough that I won't drink it. Woman doesn't know I'd do just about anything for a buzz.
We arrive in the ballroom of the gigantic house and realize that the party's already begun. Lively instrumental music plays and people everywhere chat, eat, and drink.
"You know," Sharon says, "Here's the kind of place you might find your soul mate, both of you. After all, soon you'll both be so busy with school."
"Sharon, there's no way in hell I'm going to Gamemaker school."
She blinks at me, her huge fake eyelashes bouncing in chastisement. "You'll be studying hard and busy with Gamemaker school."
She sees a group of ladies just as pretentious as she is and quickly goes off to meet them, calling out to us, "Make an effort, you two!"
Mary Catherine and I immediately walk together to the food table, a silent agreement between us. She pours me a glass of champagne and then takes one for herself. "So, who shall be our companions tonight, Big Brother?"
"I dunno. These people look old."
"They're all old shits," Mary Catherine sighs dejectedly. She flips her light pink hair behind her shoulder, sighing. "At least some of the guys Dad drinks with know how to fondle boobs."
"The only person in this room that knows how to fondle boobs is me," I sigh, "And I doubt you want me fondling yours."
She shoves me aside, almost spilling the champagne in my hand.
"Ignorant pig," she sighs. "Besides, I can fondle my own damn well."
"Yeah, I've walked in on that way too many times."
"I don't really care."
I laugh and lean back against the wall, downing the alcohol. Mary Catherine downs hers and we both get seconds and thirds and fourths. Soon we each take a bottle and pop it gleefully.
Suddenly a lively waltz comes on and two teens approach us: a tall, stocky boy with beautiful dark green hair and a girl with long, luscious locks colored green, blue, red, purple, and pink.
I snap out of my daze when Mary Catherine nudges my mouth shut from where it was hung open, staring at that beautiful hair that highlights a defined, square face.
The boy, the most beautiful thing I've seen in a long while, smiles at my sister and holds out a flower to her.
"Would you care to dance?" he asks.
I barge in, quickly taking him by the hand and waist. "Of course I would!"
His eyes widen (beautiful, the same color as his hair with specks of bright gold), and he soon falls into step with me, getting a better grip on my hand and putting his hand on my shoulder. When I look over at my sister, she downs some champagne and soon starts twirling around with the girl.
"My name's Diesel. What's yours, Pretty Boy?" I spin him around, trying to guide him, but he won't have it, which makes me admire him even more.
"Viridian. Viridian Turner."
Even his name is beautiful. I close my eyes and imagine the word rolling off my tongue in bed. Viridian…
"Who's that lovely lady over there with my sister?"
"My sister Vienna."
"What a name. Seems to fit her."
"She's very… rebellious. I'm not so much. Just a real nerd. Classically trained pianist and violinist, and dancer, too."
"Oh really?" He's smart, too.
"Mmhm. My Mom wants Vienna and I both to play tonight."
"You must have nimble fingers…" I've had a few dancing lessons myself, because Mom didn't want me and Mary Catherine making fools of ourselves at parties, but obviously nothing compared to Viridian. Each time I try to get dominance over the dance he easily takes it back with a well-placed spin or shift to the left or right.
"I suppose a bit." He chuckles a bit nervously as we spin past Mary Catherine and Vienna.
My hand accidentally slides down a bit on his waist and he makes a tiny whimper-ish noise, face turning so red it looks like Christmas with his hair.
"Any idea what I'm out for yet?"
"N-Not really," he says, laughing a little bit and pushing my hand back up.
"I think you're lying."
"I think I'm truthing."
I laugh. He sounds stupid so he must have some idea.
"Why don't we get some more of that glorious champagne? Then maybe later you can show me the… rest of the house…"
He quickly slips out of my grip and heads to the food table, Vienna and Mary Catherine soon following.
The shorter girl with colorful hair stands on her tiptoes and holds a hand out to me. "Hi there! I'm Vienna! You are?"
"Diesel." I glance over to where Viridian chats up my sister.
"Care for some champagne?" I ask, pouring myself a glass.
"Oh, I'm underage."
"So are we." She shrugs so I pour her some and we clank glasses. Soon Viridian joins us with Mary Catherine soon behind him as the song ends.
Together we all down some alcohol. The tipsier we get, the giddier the flirting gets all around the four of us. Viridian's face turns pink as he gets tipsy, and he giggles and sways side-to-side. Vienna giggles just like her brother at things that aren't half as funny as they are to her. She soon takes to skipping around and Mary Catherine soon skips with her, spinning and giggling and singing along to the instrumental music.
As I get tipsy, the music gets sweeter and sweeter, my feet feel lighter and lighter, and I feel a lot more lighthearted. Every second that goes by, I don't think Viridian can get any more handsome, and every second that goes by he does.
Finally I'm about to make a move, but as soon as I step close he takes my waist and hand and spins me out onto the dance floor, giggling in his tipsy way. The more time that goes by, the closer to him I find myself. Finally, I lean in for the kiss, when he's suddenly escaped from my grasp.
"Sorry Diesel!" he calls, "I have to play a song or two!"
I watch him jog over to the stage and all I can do is stare dumbly. I can't believe I let him escape my grip.
Like a little tweety bird.
~.~.
Dear Mary Catherine,
Arrived in District Twelve today. It was a long few months of training, but I made it! To celebrate, the guys and I had a drinking party. I taught them some of our old bar shanties. Tell me how things are going, why don't ya?
Your ever-so-loving brother, Diesel
~.~.
Dearest Diesel,
Mom put up a fight for your letter. I took it from her nightstand, though. I'm oh so glad you're doing well. Do write back, if you're lucky I'll sneak a picture of Viridian's ass for you.
Yours so very truly, Mary Catherine
~.~.
My loving sister,
I've settled in quite well. There's a hot tattoo artist here, so if you take the midnight train, I'll set you up. SIKE! He's actually very very gay so the joke is on you! I suppose orientation doesn't matter if you've got the right drugs, though...
Please do write back. I think a Viridian ass picture is a great birthday present.
Sincerely, Diesel
~.~.
To the so very sweet Diesel:
Shame on the gay artist. Is he any good, at least? When you come back to the Capitol, you should bring him. Shame they don't let Peacekeepers bring cameras. And I wouldn't come to District 12 even if you told me Finnick Odair was there. Getting an appointment with him is so hard, Big Brother!
With love, Mary Catherine
~.~.
To my delightful little sister:
District 12 has a lot of cats. They follow me around like I'm their mother. I keep warning them that someday I'm going to get a big dog that'll scare them away. The pictures turned out real nice, by the way, they had me up all night almost. In your next letter send some pills so I can get in on some action, eh? I love you!
Your big brother, Diesel
~.~.
Dearest darlingest big brother:
I sent what you wanted. I'm going to go out and have some fun of my own with these. Viridian is saying he's in a relationship with someone else but we both know he's direly mistaken. I'll see if I can get him tonight and send you some dick pics. Anything for me yet? You promised, Big Brother!
Love, Mary Catherine
~.~.
To my dearest Mary Catherine,
Thanks for the drugs. You hooked me up with one of the less disgusting Hob folks. The tattoo artist here is named Dennis, and he's fantastic. I'll be sure to bring him back if I decide to come home. I made sure to tip him well. The people here are pretty gross, but I'll do my best for you.
Yours, Diesel
~.~.
To my spectacular older brother,
Mom is livid I'm still talking to you. She wants you to come back and go to school. Last night I got some girl drunk and the fucking was fantastic. Still waiting for you to make progress in Twelve.
Love, Mary Catherine
~.~.
To my sweet baby sister:
Please give this letter to Mom.
Dear Sharon,
Fuck you and fuck everything you want me to be. Your son, Diesel
P.S. Please give this letter back to Mary Catherine now.
Anyways, today we got a newbie. A loudmouthed, whiny little bitch named Rouge Beauregard. She's a lesbian and such a bitch I want to see her miserable. Midnight train, then?
With all the love in my heart, Diesel
~.~.
Dearest Diesel:
Come home and bring them, why don't you? I could use another tattoo. If not then there's still no way I'm coming to Twelve. Also, I fucked some drunk girl on Mom's bed, just for you. Don't say I never did anything for you.
Your kind and caring sister, Mary Catherine
~.~.
My lovely sister,
The guys and I finally figured out how to stick it to Rouge. Yesterday, we held her down and had our fun with her. I got to fuck her in the ass, and listen to her cuss us out as she bled. She's close to cracking now, I think. Tonight, we locked her out and told her we wouldn't let her in until she made her first arrest. She found some creepy kid wandering the Village at night and whipped him SIXTY TIMES! What a laugh I had! Tomorrow we're gonna lock her out topless. I'll sneak a pic if one of the guys will lend me their camera.
With my love, Diesel
~.~.
To my caring, kind, handsome, strong big brother that loves his little sister very much:
Viridian got really drunk and fucked me. On your bed.
~.~.
Dearest Diesel,
You haven't written in forever, and I bet it's because you're mad at me. But I have dick pics, and I'll exchange them for boob pics.
Love, Mary Catherine
~.~.
Bitch:
Viridian is MY fuck. Send me the stuff, I included my share. I'm bored to death and no one is interested. And one of the cats ripped up that ass pic. And stay away from Viridian.
Your loving, kind, and forgiving brother, Diesel
~.~.
Asshole:
Thanks for the pics. Damn, not a bad rack. I won't make any more moves on Viridian but if he comes to me I'm not turning him away. He wasn't bad for being spitting drunk. I hope you have fun with your cats. Oh, and have the pics. With a rack like that to look at, I don't need them.
Your smiling little sister, Mary Catherine
~.~.
Dear Mary Catherine,
Are you ready for tomorrow's reapings? I, for one, am excited. 73! I hope we get a kicking, screaming kid reaped this year that we have to carry up and drop on the steps. That's the only time it's interesting around here. God, Rouge is such a whiny little bitch! You should come shut her up.
Lots of love, Diesel
~.~.
My dear, dear Diesel;
I'm never going to leave the Capitol. The districts are gross. Too bad the reapings went calmly. The tributes this year from 12 look like hair balls and cat piss, I can't imagine how they smell. Write back soon!
Yours, Mary Catherine
~.~.
To my baby sister,
We had some more fun with Rouge today, that bitch. I put in a lot of pictures. There was so much blood I think she was on her period, even if she insisted she wasn't. Wish you were here!
Love, Diesel
~.~.
To the ignorant Diesel:
You've obviously never fucked a girl on her period before. Definitely not, you were just pounding really hard. Honest to God. Anyways, the Games are moving along pretty well. I got two tickets to the interviews, want to come? Haha, just kidding, I have a whole group to go with.
Sincerely, Mary Catherine
~.~.
Sissy,
Whatever, I don't like girls as much anyways. Lucky you, getting to watch Flickerman talk up the tributes. I never cared to see stuff live anyways. I got another tattoo yesterday from Dennis. I could fuck that kid all night long, him and Viridian. How is he, anyways? Missing me?
Your brother, Diesel
~.~.
Brothey-kins,
Viridian is fine, he hasn't said anything about you and I think he's been avoiding me. The interviews were spectacular to watch in real life, it was a dream come true. I could see myself being an interviewer or something even though I'm being forced into Gamemaker school. Wah!
Love, Mary Catherine
~.~.
Sisterino:
There's a reason I left to be a Peacekeeper. I'm not smart enough nor creative enough nor determined enough to be a Gamemaker, or really have anything to do with the Games. Here we just get to drink a lot and give Rouge Beauregard trouble. I'm telling you, it's not that bad. You should come on over, sis.
Yours, Diesel
~.~.
Brotherino:
I don't want to go to school, come save me. But there's no way I'm going to District 12, either, those uniforms are a bit repulsive. Diesel, my hair is yellow now! I changed it from the pink. I think it suits me much better. If only you were here to see…
Your golden-haired sister, Mary Catherine
~.~.
Goldilocks:
The Games are finally getting interesting. I hope the 14-year-old will die soon. Who are your favorites, sister? I'm guessing it's the girl from 10 because she appears to have the biggest rack. Plus, that chariot outfit is the second sluttiest thing I've ever seen, the first being you.
Your brother, Diesel
~.~.
Big Brother,
You're right, I'm rooting for the girl from 10. Though the girl from 5 isn't bad and the girl from 1 seems dumb enough to manipulate. In other news, Viridian COMPLETELY changed his hair and eye colors! It's a really god-awful puke green now. I put in a picture. So much for him. I guess you have better luck with this guy from 12. And don't be mad at the messenger this time, eh?!
Go leor de ghrá, Mary Catherine
~.~.
Deirfiúr,
Pulling out the Gaelic on me? Fine, then. I think it's the sexiest language ever. So, what do you think of the Victor boy? I'd buy him out. Maybe when he comes around on the Victory Tour. Dennis apparently scared everyone out of the Hob today. He's really upset over that boy from his District.
Yours, Diesel
~.~.
Diesel-
The kid from 3's not really my type. In fact, nobody in the Capitol's going crazy about him. You know who I was rooting for, but in terms of boys I guess the kid from 12 has a really nice ass, though I was mostly loyal to the boy from Four. Write me back!
Love, Mary Catherine
~.~.
Dear Mary Catherine,
Letter delivery is getting slower and slower for us… I blame the lovers on fire. Send some drugs in your next letter, why don't you? I think I'm going to go after Dennis. He's been cooped up in his little shop carving graves for the past couple of days. He's vulnerable and upset and that's the best shot.
From your big brother that loves you, Diesel
~.~.
My beautiful little sister:
Thanks. Mission success. Hopefully this rebellion fizzles out so I can make it home.
-Diesel
~.~.
Diesel,
Please hurry home. This talk of rebellion is a bit frightening. Hopefully by the time this letter arrives you're already on your way. Please write me back and promise you're leaving for the Capitol soon!
Love, Mary Catherine
~.~.
To the family of Diesel Bundren:
It is with our deepest respect and also deepest sympathies that we are writing this letter. Your family member Diesel has made a courageous sacrifice on July 3rd of this year serving as a Peacekeeper in District 12. We at the Bureau of National Peacekeeping are deeply sorry for this loss and have included a celebratory Medal of Honor to thank Diesel for his service and his courage. Your family will be fully compensated and the body will be sent back to the Capitol for a proper burial and service of your choosing. His comrades and authorities will mourn him deeply.
We thank you for your loved one and we celebrate you for your sacrifice.
With great remorse,
Charles Antius, Head of the Bureau of National Peacekeeping