What Comes After Victory

by Stargirl94

Cato Gunnerson has won the 74th Hunger Games. He dominated his alliance, defeated everyone who challenged him, and won decisively. He fulfilled his dying father's wish, set up his mother and sisters for life, brought honor and glory to his district, and completed his life's purpose. Now Cato just has to live with himself and everything else afterwards... (Companion story to Icarus

Hello, I've been writing my main story, Icarus, an alternate universe SYOT where Katniss and Peeta died early in the 74th, so the rebellion is delayed. In their absence, Cato was crowned Victor. I've considered a fair amount of what things were like for him both during and after these alternate games. Initially, I thought I'd incorporate these ideas into the main story, but after some thought, I think that Cato needs space to tell his own story separately. So here's the start. My intention is still for this story to line up with Icarus, and some events alluded to here may be shown their, and vice versa. Also, since FFN doesn't allow strikethoughs, I'm using underlines instead. Any time something is underlined, assume Cato crossed it out in universe

Enjoy!

Dear Journal:

Is that how this is supposed to work? I'm supposed to pretend I'm talking to someone? To a book? Is it my new imaginary friend? My very secret diary,just like my little sisters have?

Screw this.

Oh, according to Sybelline, apparently it's not a secret. No, everyone's supposed to read this. It's supposed to give people "insight into the mind of a true Panemian icon."

I said, maybe I don't want Panem in my head, because it's mine. And they don't want to be in my head either.

She just giggled and said, "Not 're a Victor now, Cato. Victor's belong to us all"

Wish they told us that at the Academy

God, I hate that laugh.

Reminds me of her.

Wonderful.

Sybelline's been Two's Escort for Ten years, and apparently she's given every Victor the same thing as a Victory present. A diary.

Not something I'd actually want, like a weight set or-

Or-

Or something I'd actually like. No, a freaking book that's not even for me, but for "the good of Panem." That's not a present, that's chores. No tv until you do twenty more push ups.

Now she's not gonna stop hovering until I "contribute to Panem's history," by recording my deepest darkest feelings. Because being a Victor isn't enough of a contribution.

So yeah. I'm just going to list stuff until she gets bored.

Cato Gunnerson, the Victor of the 74th Hunger Games. At home, I have my mom, Catyln Gunnerson, and two little sisters, Octavia and Julia. My dad died from cancer five years ago. A

On his deathbed, he told me to volunteer and win the Hunger Games. To not let anything get in my way.

I wanted to volunteer.I fought to volunteer.I broke bones and lost friends all to get the chance.

I volunteered for glory and honor. For District Two and its children. For the safety of Panem.

I fought in the games for twenty-one days. I killed six-no, seven- people for my country.

And I won. I'm a Victor. I got my crown., zoned out during the recap and got dragged off the stage for screaming at Caesar Flickerman.

Now, I'm in the Capitol hospital, waiting for someone to say I can go home. I can't sleep. My brain is no longer my own.

And I'm supposed to tell you how all this feels.

…

I'm supposed to tell you it's great. come true and all that stuff every Victor from Two says

Or maybe admit I'm more like a pathetic outlier Victor, crying over everything I've done and wishing I was the one who died in the arena.

But the truth is-

I'm not sure I feel anything at all.