Chapter 28:

Clemont Rodge, District Two, Age 18

Victor of the 103rd Hunger Games

Kat can claim all she wants that she's the reason careers came back to District Two, but at the end of the day, Clemont knows the truth: it will be because of him. Don't get him wrong, Kat certainly paved the way for him and she's a brilliantly terrifying woman – not that he'll admit that to her. But she lacked the…charm that was needed for the Capitol to fall head over heels in love with the careers once more.

Charm that Clemont is full of. He had the Capitol practically eating out of his hands before the Games started, charming the pants off them and money out of their pockets. He hasn't seen anyone receive as many sponsor gifts as he has in the arena. And he's not just talking about packets of nuts that someone will just sit and eat while fighting is happening around them. He's talking full blown fancy ass sword and shield to fit right in with this medieval arena. Okay, turns out using a shield is a lot more difficult than he ever thought, but he's still wearing it with pride to not disappoint whichever silly Capitolite dished out this week's wages on it.

He has a theory about the Capitol's support of Two and with it down to himself and one other career, he's just waiting for them to prove him right. Any minute now would be nice for them to give him some sort of sign to start the finale. If they take much longer, he's going to need to stop and eat again.

"I'm ready whenever you are!" Clemont calls out lightheartedly to the Gamemakers, not expecting them to give some sort of acknowledgement. It's still early in the afternoon, they're probably waiting for everyone to get their bets in and be ready to watch.

But boy, do they answer him.

A huge roar comes from behind him and he ducks down, putting his shield up to cover his head. Wind buffets down on him as he strains his neck to look above him, and for all the talk he's given about his bravado, he thinks he might have just peed himself a little bit. He'd like to see anyone not pee with a huge ass green dragon circling the skies above them, staring down at them with glowing orange eyes. Clemont stumbles back and the dragon starts to lower to the ground, so he raises the shield to brace himself. Would they really attack him with the mutt at this point? He doesn't think so…but he's only about 90% sure.

The ground shakes as the dragon lands and he sways a little. It tucks its wings against its sides as it starts stomping towards him, staring at him with those glowing eyes. Clemont raises his sword, even though he knows he could never defeat this kind of mutt, but hey, gotta keep up appearances…right? But the dragon stops in front of him, staring at him and baring it's very, very sharp teeth for a moment, before it lowers its head and sets it on the ground, waiting for him to do…something.

It takes a moment for it to click in Clemont's head past the fear coursing through him and when it does, he starts grinning as he lowers his sword and shield. He did want a sign from the Capitol and he'd say this is a damn flashing sign.

Oh yeah, the careers are back.

"One free dragon ride to the finale, huh?" he asks the dragon as he starts stepping towards it. He pauses to look around, trying to find a camera, before winking and blowing a kiss at one. He's gonna play up all of this, make sure everyone is rooting for him to win this final fight. "Hey Kat? I expect a full red carpet welcome when I get back to the Capitol."

He grins to himself as he steps up to the dragon, knowing they're probably loving that comment – well, everyone but Kat, he's sure. But she knew what she was getting into with him when she asked him to volunteer and he knows she won't be able to complain when he becomes the victor.

Yet Clemont still hesitates for a second once he's standing right next to the dragon, unsure what exactly he should do. He reaches out a hand slowly and presses it against the scales, watching as the dragon turns its head back to look at him. "Aren't you a terrifyingly magnificent creature?" he asks it quietly, hearing a low rumble come from its chest in response. He grows serious for a moment, taking a deep breath to prepare for the fact that he's about to fly on a fucking dragon before grinning at that very thought. Who else can say they've done that? No one. He's going to be a damn legend. "Thankfully, I am also a terrifyingly magnificent man," Clemont jokes aloud for the Capitol before climbing up onto the back of the dragon.

He slides into place right in front of its wings, fitting almost perfectly and he knows this dragon was made for him. This victory was made for him. There's absolutely no doubt in his head now that he has solidified the careers in the favor of the Capitol. Sure, he couldn't have done it without Kat – and even Tanya, as bitter as Kat is about that woman. They walked so he could run. Well, so he could fly. He's making history right here and what a heady feeling that is to know he will be remembered and talked about for years.

Clemont turns his focus to the dragon he sits on, just waiting for some sort of signal. He grins at it, nowhere near ready for what flying is going to be like, but also so ready to be announced as victor.

"Let's go win these Games."

There we have Clemont Rodge, victor of the 103rd Hunger Games! He was making riding on dragons cool long before Lisia and the 137th Games lol. I do love my cocky men victors lol, and especially my careers. So buckle up, there will be a lot of careers in the next...hmm twenty ish years of Games? Yeah, around that lol, give or take a couple years. It's prime time for the careers again!

Next up, the victor dad. See you then!