Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hello! Thank you for clicking on this fic! I intend to use this chapter to give you a brief overview of what you could expect from this fic, so you can set your expectations. I will start spoiler free & then move onto some light spoilers, so you can choose how far you want to read/how much context you want! 

I decided to write this fic after I read SOTR & apparently all my interests when I was twelve have looped back around to bite me now that I am no longer twelve, hence this fic. This is an AU & therefore it is set in the universe of THG but I played fast & lose with some elements, though heavy inspiration is taken from the books/films. It is however not a crossover, so there will be no appearances from THG characters nor am I giving anyone a 1:1 role or following the plot of any movie in specific. So you will see certain elements of certain plots, but nothing is going to go the exact same way it did in THG movies/books, I am following the broad strokes of the universe.  You do not have to have read any of the books/movies to understand this fic, but it may be easier to understand if you have! Same concept applies if you have not read the avatar books, & thus do not know about some of the other characters & ships, you can just skip chapters centered around their POV, I will make note of it in the chapter summary for each chapter.

For the actual structure of the fic itself I am following the basic plot of catching fire in terms of the games themselves, but I will be writing from a variety of POVs, pretty much every character that is tagged will get at least one POV & some amount of attention. Most chapters will be single POV, but that is only because I struggle to write from multiple POVs in one chapter lmao.  I have a few different plots that will be running at the same time all culminating towards a shared end goal, but this will be a fic where you could read only a handful of POVs & get the full story (at least for those characters). Eventually, I intend to culminate each ships specific plotline & publish it as a seperate fic with some extra stuff added in.

The four ships tagged first are of relatively equal importance to the plot! So no matter which one you are here for you will have something of interest to you :), I will put more specifics in the light spoilers section, but I wanted to mention it here.

I will mention first that the backstory of this fic was me having so many individual hunger games AUs swirling around in my head that I could not decide on just one to write, I wanted to get as many characters as possible involved, but also I wanted an interconnected universe to do something like this fic, so I could not exactly put everyone in one games. Then I realized I could simply work in reverse order, write this first & then write prequels for specific characters as requested. All that to say I do know exactly what each of these characters games looked like, I just need some extrinsic motivation to write them lmao, so if you find anything here interesting let me know & I can move that fic off the back burner. Regardless I do intend to work on some other fics in this universe & publish them at the same time as this one!

This first upload will be a dump of chapters, so there is a decent amount for anyone who clicks on this to read instead of just 1-2 chapters. In the future I am aiming for 1 upload a week, but I make no promises one way or another.

In case you choose not to read past this point to avoid the light spoilers, I want to thank you in advance for clicking on this fic! It has been a lot of fun for me to write & I hope it is an equal amount of fun for you to read! If you do enjoy it I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments & kudos are always appreciated!!

Light spoilers start now!! Nothing too intense just an overview of some dynamics/arcs so you can get an idea of where we will be going :) but if you want to go in fully blind to the actual plot scroll now! 

If you did not get the vibe from the tags, this is going to be an angsty fic. From the jump. There is some comfort, but there is significantly more hurt & I promise no happy endings. My only promise is at least 1/4 of our main ships will get a happy ending, and at least 1/4 wont, but I have happy & unhappy endings planned for all of them, it is more deciding which one I go with in the end.

I will also just say it now, obviously the ages are not canon to the atla timeline. When possible I kept them close to accurate, but generally that was not possible. Mostly because of what I wanted/needed to include. So just keep in mind that fact, do not expect everyone to be their canon ages, but if I do not specify that they are older/younger, use their canon age as touch point lmao. 

At the point this fic starts all the ships tagged are "together" in some capacity or another. None of them are 1:1 with any hunger games ships. I assigned characters to districts on a mix of vibes & what the plot needed. If I do not state otherwise you can assume the function of a given district is largely the same as it is in THG universe, but I tried to keep in mind that the world of panem is based entirely on America & obviously none of the avatar characters are American, so I took inspiration not from any one nation but from a mix of nations in each, to try and blend the two different worlds together. 

Last note on individual characters, I was worried about making anyone seem ooc, so keep in mind this is an AU in which everyone at this point has been HIGHLY traumatized, so they might be acting in ways that feel slightly ooc to their original selves, but in the context of what has happened to them they will probably act & react like slightly more traumatized versions of themselves. I note this because although I will hint at what has happened to each of them so far, I do not intend to be super explicit about it until whenever I get around to writing the 'prequels' if you would of which I have several planned & I would love to hear your thoughts on which specifically you would like to see!

I gave kataang the first place tag because they are the closest mirror to everlark, which is the main couple of the hunger games book series, so it felt appropriate. At the time the story starts they have just been crowned co-victors & there is chaos that follows that, as there is in the books/movies. They are also in a fake relationship much like everlark is, but they have real feelings for each other. Neither of them are 1:1 with Katniss & Peeta, and I do not intend to follow that plotline 1:1 but it is a major inspiration. I would say that as a result their relationship is the one that is most 'developing' into a relationship, though it has already begun in a lot of ways. 

Related to kataang, yangvik got the last tag because they are the only of the main four that do not have their "own" main plot, instead they contribute majorly to kataangs plot & have their own little subplot. I really debated on including them at all, since they are heavily underrated and ik of all the 'canon' main couples they are probably the least known about/appreciated, which is sad because they are honestly my favs! So in the end I couldn't resist including them, but I did restrain myself. Their role is probably the biggest deviation from the canon plot of the movies, as I made it so that they are the previous victors from district 12 & thus kataangs mentors, not co-victors, but they won separate games about 3 years apart & there is more lore & chaos there but if I tell you about that then it will no longer only be 'light' spoilers so I will restrain myself. I have seen a lot of kataang fans, even those who have never read the yangchen novels, enjoying kataang/yangvik parallels & there are plenty to be found here! 

Moving on, both korrasami & rangshi have kind of similar backstories at least in a basic sense but the specifics vary. In both cases they are from different districts & only met when one half was assigned to mentor them because (& this is a fact that we learn in SOTR) when a district has no victors a victor from another district will be assigned to mentor them. In both cases they fall in love in the process & are in a relationship by the time we see them here.

For Korrasami I put Asami in 3, because that felt right with the focus on tech, & I put Korra in four, which took me a long time to decide on but I landed on it eventually because I ended up giving her an arc that takes a lot of aspects from Finnick from the original THG series. Take that as ominously as you want. I will say for them being in different districts has not stopped them, light spoiler explanation is that one headline that's like "Lesbian woman escapes Russia by boat, sails to Canada to be with her lover". That but instead its "Bisexual woman escapes district four", is all I will say for now, she puts that swimming & sailing to use & that is how they see each other, but it is still a secret relationship. obviously at the point of this fic they are both victors, but Asami won her games first & then Korra won the year after, the 70th & 71st respectively!

For Rangshi I put Rangi in 2, because with the whole honor thing that felt right, and Kyoshi in 7, which was more based on vibes than anything in specific, she is not anything like Johanna nor is her arc based on hers lmao, felt like a disclaimer I should give. They, unlike korrasami, do not see each other outside of when the games are going on. I did debate on putting them in the same district, but I decided against it eventually. Unsurprisingly in their original dynamic I put Rangi in the role of the mentor lmao, but they are basically the same age bc I have her winning her games very young. There is also the added dynamic there of being career & non-career, which technically korrasami also has but way less tho. Their backstory has a touch of an enemies to lovers tinge, but by the time we get here they are firmly in the lovers half of things.  

That is all from me for now! I will come in to add anything else if I need to, but for now this covers the bases! I hope you enjoy!!

Chapter Text

0:00am Capitol Time

The TV flickered alive, the dim symbol of the capitol covered by flickering static, as if that could delay the inevitable. 

Through the grainy footage and flickers of half transmitted light two figures could be made out. An older man, though you couldn't tell that from his looks, his skin still smooth and his hair dark black and slicked back. Beside him sat an even younger looking woman with long purple hair, a blinding colour bright enough to match the sickly green of her eyes which barely even spared her pupils. 

They would be tonight's presenters, and yet even they clearly did not anticipate what would be revealed when that envelope had opened. 

Sat behind a simple yet elegant white desk, they had some papers barely visible from beyond the lip of the desk where the camera was focused. Papers that looked to have been shuffled around, with notes likely hastily jotted as a team of make-up artists prepared the two to be camera ready, not a single strand of hair out of place. 

“Wow! What a shock folks!” The male host spoke finally, extending one of his arms out as he spoke so it could be seen beside the edge of the desk. 

“Absolutely I don't think anyone was expecting that.” The woman laughed as did her male co-host, their eyes enthused but showing the calculations running behind their eyes as they decided how to run the show going forwards. “I hope everyone at home managed to stay awake long enough to tune in.” She continued after the moment of laughter, which of course only sparked another fit of laughter. 

“Oh I am certain they did.” He replied, “I feel sorry for anyone who missed it. I mean we were all expecting something big after last year's excitement.” Excitement was certainly one way to put it, some would also use chaos, rebellion, anarchy, any number of words really.  “But reaping from the existing pool of victors.” There was an awe in his voice as he said it, the kind of shock one might see on the face of a child who had asked for a lollipop and received an entire candy factory. 

“I know, I know!” His female co host reaffirmed his message while he still seemed too lost in his own giddiness to comprehend his surroundings.  “Now, are there any returners you are looking forward to this year.” She asked, as if there were a multitude of options to pick from. 

“Well, you know me.” He spoke, leaning in as if they were sharing an inside joke with the audience. “I love a dynasty. I know I know it's cliche!” The host waved their hands in front of themselves, miming the action of defending themselves from some imaginary audience booing. 

“Well I love an underdog.” She snickered as she said it, raising both of her hands in a manner similar to the previous host. As if despite both picking differently they felt the need to defend themselves in the same comedically overblown manner. 

“You know what I think?” He continued after a moment. “I think both of us will be able to get something we want out of this year's games.” He leaned in as he said it before pausing, as if he was waiting for the applause of a rapturous audience, one that was not present in the studio. 

“There’s a couple key districts to watch out for, no matter what type of tribute you’re looking for.” The co host finally spoke again, returning to the original programming. But before she could continue, her male counterpart cut her off. 

“A reminder for our dear viewers, the reaping will take place tomorrow at noon, mark your calendars, you will not want to miss it.” He said, pointing a finger at the camera like a chiding parent. 

“Speaking of the reaping,” His co host chimed in, pretending the segway was something entirely natural. To her credit, she was handling his interruption of her earlier point well. “I think we should walk our viewers through who we might be seeing this year.” She concluded with a wide smile, showing off each and every one of her bleach white teeth. Again, trying to drag the discussion towards what she knew her audience wanted to see. No one needed to be reminded when reaping day was, especially not in a year as exciting as this one was shaping up to be. 

“Yes yes, it will be a very interesting situation.” He affirmed, bringing one of his hands to stroke at his chin as if he was deep in thought. “There has never been anything like this before folks, a wonderful reminder of how even our oldest traditions can be made new.” He said, his voice carrying a surprising amount of gusto for his earlier contemplation, as if this spreading of new truth reinvigorated him. 

“How true that is.” His co host added, clearly feeling whatever spirit of energy had run through the room. 

“Now what districts are you watching out for this year?” The host finally asked, turning his chair towards his co host and placing one of his arms down against the desk in front of them. Ceding the floor to her finally after running her in circles trying to get to this point.  

“Personally,” She began clearing her throat and straightening her back, speaking only to the camera, her fluorescent eyes laser focused. “I am watching seven and twelve.” 

“Ouuu, I’m going to cut you off there my friend.” He interrupted, though his tone was kept playful. “I think our viewers will be wanting to head off to bed or whatever other plans they have, parties to attend and the like.” He joked and she forced out a huff of air that sounded like a laugh. 

“With that in mind, why don't we begin with some of our more popular districts?” Uncrossing his legs he righted himself in the chair to focus himself on the camera. It was an ironic sentiment, given that many people were tuning in very specifically to hear about district twelve given the stunt their victors pulled last year, but that was television. 

“There is district one of course, lots of possibilities from there.” She began with an open ended statement, clearly wanting to give the spotlight he had wanted so badly back to him. 

“Yes yes lots of history there, and gorgeous outfits every year.” He said and she hummed, seemingly checking if he had more to say, he did.

“Remind me, who were their last victors? I’m sure our viewers could use a refresher, in case they find themselves at any trivia parties in the coming days.” He laughed fondly, as if recalling his own memories of attending. 

“That would be a boy named Zuko, he won the 68th games at 16 years old.” She recited it perfectly, as if she was regurgitating it for a test answer. Which was something she probably had to do before being allowed to get this job in the first place 

“And did his sister not win the year before him?” He asked, continuing the theme of bringing up trivia facts. 

“She did!” The woman replied. “I’m surprised you don't remember this, what with your love of dynasties, their mother won as well decades ago now, as did their uncle.” She explained with only a slight smugness making it into her voice, as if this was genuine stupidity and not an act they had rehearsed. 

“Oh don't tell me her name.” He said, drumming his fingers against his forehead as he did. His co host leaned in as he pursed his lips, pretending to still be thinking things over. “Azula!” He finally shouted after a moment of silence, narrowly avoiding smacking his co host in the face as he outstretched his arms in glee when she nodded. 

“What a year that was.” He said, a fond chuckle lingering in his voice. “She remains in that three way tie for the youngest victor in history, and what a bloody year for a girl so young to win.” He continued as it was clearly his turn to list trivia facts. 

“Now remind me, with whom does she share that title?” He asked to toss it back to his co host. 

“Well my friend, that would lead us directly into district two as both of the women who share that title with her are from there.” She said, returning to smiling brightly. “Beginning in age order there is Toph, the winner of the 25th games.”

“Obviously her age means it is unlikely she would fare very well in the arena, but she may have a leg up as a mentor this year. She was the victor of our very first quarter quell.” The man said enthusiasm practically dripped from his voice, he was clearly a fan. That was not an overwhelmingly uncommon sentiment, it even appeared to be one he shared with his co host. 

“Yes that she was, and what an exciting year that was!” She began with a genuine enthusiasm in her voice. “Tributes being voted in by their districts, what a message that sent, it made for a very interesting year.” She reminisced before shaking her head as if to dislodge the topic from her mind. 

“Well the Beifongs have certainly managed to turn things around for themselves since then.” He continued fawning. “There are many victors in their family these days, peace keepers as well.” He managed to contain himself as he finished, nodding a solemn respect to those who dedicated themselves to that oh so noble occupation. 

“Speaking of dynasties.” His co host cleared her throat. “There is another one in district two, granted it is a bit smaller, but certainly no less fearsome.” She considered, though this time she anticipated his interruption in advance and paused herself in time. 

“I think I know exactly who you are talking about.” He said, slamming his hands down on the table and leaning forwards in childish glee. 

“You are talking about none other than everyone's favourite mother daughter duo, winners of the 40th and 68th games, the women tied for the highest kill counts in hunger games history…” He dragged the reveal out, despite there not being anyone else who they could be referring to. “Our beloved Hei-Ran and her daughter Rangi?” He phrased it like a question, but given that he was all but drum rolling up to this point, it was an answer by any other name. 

“Of course!” She smiled wide and produced a chuckle as she did, though apparently she had wasted her effort, as he did not seem concerned with her reaction in the slightest. “Although the same thing you mentioned for Toph applies here, the daughter is barely in her early twenties, certainly young enough to add a second win to her impressive history.”

“Oh and returning to your earlier point, Rangi is the third victor tied for the title of youngest victor ever, she also won her games at fourteen.” She looped things back around like a well trained host as he clearly drifted away into his own thoughts again. 

“Speaking of things that come in threes, we cannot forget about district three.” She continued, calling the male host's attention back to her. Clearly he had wanted to skip right past this and blaze into four. 

“Oh you and your underdogs.” He joked, scrunching up his face as he seemingly tried to force a laugh to escape from him.  “This is one of those districts with only a few victors to pick from.” The first host began and the other gave some affirmative nods. “In fact, if I remember correctly there is only one male victor?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. 

“Correct you are my friend.” His co host replied, “But I don’t think we can count them out yet, they have had a string of good luck in recent years that I think could give them an edge.” She continued, as if she had this spiel prepared in advance. “I mean two victors in under five years is extraordinary for any district, but especially for one like three.”

“Yes and what explosive performances they have had.” He laughed as if his joke had been a particularly untapped well of comedy. “I mean their latest victor, that boy Mako, the one who won the 73rd games, I thought he was going to blow the whole arena away when he pulled that stunt to win his games.” He continued to amuse himself with bad comedy and over exaggeration. 

“And he is not the only one,” His co host cut in, clearly not half as amused by him as he was. “Who could forget the 70th game? Asami and her traps were invigorating to watch, I think it would be hard for even our most battle tested victors to avoid them.” She gave just enough context to intrigue people without giving so much away it spoiled any reruns people might want to tune into. 

“Now I will let you get on to district four.” She relented finally.

“Another one where we can anticipate our returners.” He jumped at the opportunity to talk again. “For the women this time at least. I must admit though that is where my focus is for this district, what with them gaining their only female victor when Korra won only three years ago.” He said.

“I know many of our viewers at home will be excited to hear that name.” Again she was speaking to the hypothetical audience more than anyone else, no longer bothering to even glance at her co host. “She really was a fan favourite, the likes of which I think we rarely see, no other tribute in her games even came close.” The woman said while nodding appreciatively. 

“She certainly maintained her confidence both in and outside of the arena.” He acknowledged. “And it paid off for her, what with her receiving the most expensive gift in history.” 

“Though I will note that I worry her popularity has waned in recent years, I think the disappointing performance of four in last year's games left her rather overshadowed.” It was a clear attempt to continue framing the conversation around what he wanted to talk about, but she was not going to fall for it this time.

“You wont like this, but it is time to leave your dynasties and safe picks behind.” She giggled as she said it, looking over. “In the interest of saving time I will restrain myself and only talk about the two districts I am most interested in.” She acquiesced despite her co host only manifesting his discontent as a forced laugh. “I will spare you the wait, seven and twelve are where I think the wild card picks for these games come from.” 

“Firstly district seven.” She straightened her back and again faced only forwards, as if her co hosts disinterest had turned him invisible to her. “There are two male victors, neither of whom are overwhelmingly interesting to me.” She dismissed them both with a simple wave of her hand. 

“Well then I think I know who you are interested in.” He sounded amused as he seemingly contained the urge to leap from his seat to rejoin the conversation. “Much like district four, seven has only one female victor and what a woman she is.” He said refocusing himself. 

“Kyoshi is her name right?” He added as an afterthought, more for the viewers sake than his own. Despite his hijacking of the discussion clearly perturbing her, his co host only nodded. 

“Some would even say she is worth two women.” He continued with his train of bad jokes, much to the annoyance of the woman beside him. “Do you remember what I said when we first saw her reaped, I said they were sending us a tree instead of a tribute.” He laughed at his own joke, not only his own joke but his own old joke retold, which was markedly worse.

“For her size she is surprisingly agile, freakishly so even-” She was cut off before she could bring up any of the other topics she was clearly wanting to discuss. 

“I hope they are projecting an image for our viewers at home, to show you just how tall that actually is.” He chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “For those of you who have trivia events in your future, yes, she is the tallest tribute to ever participate, let alone the tallest victor.” 

“I think that would be the easiest round of trivia ever.” She chuckled harshly, clearly losing her patience with each ongoing moment, but she remained professional enough to get by. “For those of you who may advance to more challenging rounds of trivia, she won the 69th games at 17 years old.”  

The only evidence of her annoyance was the shifting of the copious amounts of makeup that had been slathered on her face as her skin attempted to move beneath it. If he took any offence, he hid it behind a hearty chuckle and they both seemingly moved on. 

“Now the moment we, or at least I, have been waiting for.” She began excitedly leaning in, as if she was sharing gossip with her audience. “District twelve, the home of last year's victors, our only case of dual victors in the games entire seventy four year history, can you believe it!” Her eyes widened as she said it. 

“They are not the only victors from twelve we might see more of.” He spoke again, clearly making a habit of raining on her parade. “As you know there is one other male and one other female tribute from that district.” 

“Of course, and they certainly had their love story in the limelight. As I am sure we all fondly remember.” For the millionth time this night her farcical smile made itself known, as she brushed aside what she did not want to talk about. 

“Now returning to what I am sure those of you who have stuck around are here for, we will be getting our first look at everyone's favourite pair of star-crossed lovers and co-victors, Katara and Aang from district twelve.” She gave a recap that was as gleeful as it was unnecessary. The memories of last year's games were not far away from anyone, capitol and district alike. 

“I will not spoil anything, but I have heard from my friends close to the couple that they may have some exciting news for us when we see them tomorrow morning for their pre-reaping interview.” Her eyebrows waggled as she said it, teasing the audience. 

“Hopefully that can cheer up anyone feeling in poor spirits about the possibility of losing both of them in these upcoming games.” She added, looking for a second genuinely sorrowful. 

“What exciting news!” He clapped his hands together as he said it, for once allowing her to finish her whole thought before interrupting. “Now my co host and I have to go for now.” He said apologetically, bowing slightly to the nonexistent audience. 

“No matter what happens folks you can get twenty four hour coverage of all the events live right here.” She again flashed her blindingly white smile, not one of the teeth in her mouth appearing to be real. 

The image disappeared in the same manner that it had appeared, flickering in and out of visibility until it was lost again to the TV static. 

Chapter Text

0:00am Capitol Time, 12 hours until the reaping

Four hours ago, the biggest problem in Katara's life was picking a fake betrothal necklace. One she would have to replace her usual necklace with, at least for the next few weeks while she paraded herself in front of cameras as a happy bride to be. 

Hours ago she had the ability to worry about that. Her biggest concern was setting a date for the fake wedding, she wasn't even going to be the one doing most of the planning. 

All the air was sucked from the room, there were no words to say, nothing that could possibly express what had just happened, what they had all just seen. 

Her father made a guttural noise, like an animal being slaughtered. It cut through the air so loud she was certain it could be heard in the Capitol. Not that it would change anything even if it could. 

She felt her brother hug her, felt his shaking arms wrap round her as he became her only meaningful anchor to the real world. Nothing else existed outside of that. 

Someone must have turned off the TV, or maybe unplugged it all together because she was dimly aware that there was no more sound coming from it. That was comforting, but about as good as pouring alcohol over a gushing wound. 

At some point her father left, she had no idea where he was going. Hopefully off to the woods to hunt something, maybe something they could butcher and eat for breakfast. So the last thing she would taste would remind her of home. Maybe she could hold that taste in her mouth the whole way back to the capitol, refusing to swallow the last bite until the cannon sounding her death went off. 

She wanted to stand up, to ask to go with him, to follow him out of the house and into the woods and never come back again. She wanted to walk with him along those trails to where her mother was buried.

Maybe they would let her father bury her there, after all she could cause no more trouble once she was dead. That must be why they were doing this then, to punish her, to punish them for what they had done. 

At some point the door opened. She didn't know who she wanted it to be.

It turned out to be Yangchen, which was to be expected, her mentor had always been a kind woman. There was no way she would abandon the people she had mentored to handle this alone, at least that was why she assumed the woman was here. 

She didn't need to say anything, her mere presence was enough to indicate that her family should make themselves sparse. That it was no longer time for regular people, no, now the victors were going to talk. For anyone else, it would be like listening to a conversation in a different language. 

Did she even have any family to spend the day with? Probably not, maybe she had watched the announcement with Kavik. That probably would have made things worse though, even if she failed to understand the complicated relationship status of her mentors she doubted this turn of events was any easier for them. 

It was impolite to just keep sitting there, to not welcome her somehow but Katara found that each and every pleasantry she considered felt ridiculous in the face of their circumstance. So she sat on the couch instead, barely bothering to look up at the woman. 

If Yangchen was offended by this, she kept those feelings to herself. That was another thing she excelled at, something Katara figured she lacked in comparison. It also turned out that grace in the face of circumstances such as these was not something that could be taught, at least not in the short span of barely over a year that the two had known each other. 

Instead of demanding any response from her young mentee, she simply walked over and took the seat beside to Katara on the couch. Not touching her nor initiating conversation, but sitting there facing slightly towards her waiting for her move. 

“This is all my fault.” She whispered quietly, not even meaning to say the words that had been pounding around her head aloud. 

“Do not say that.” Yangchen spoke sharply but her words were not aggressive. She was firm and decisive, this was not going to be a thread of conversation that was entertained at least not around her, no matter if it was true or not. 

Despite that, Katara found herself unable to simply drop it. There was some deeper guilt that lingered, at the idea that she was the one putting everyone through this for a second time. She was the one who had broken things, and once one rule was broken the whole thing had fallen apart. That was what everyone had always been told and she had allowed momentary desperation to get the best of her, she had forgotten and now they would all be reminded of it. 

“But it's true.” She dimly felt wet tracks of tears begin to leak from her eyes as she said it, she had no idea how long she had been crying for.

“No, it is not.” She insisted, putting one hand on Katara's shoulder drawing her attention away from herself. “Look at me,” She instructed and she listened without hesitation. Probably another force of habit from their stint as mentor and tribute, a dynamic they would now be repeating. 

“Make no mistake this is because of what happened in the arena last year, but this is not your fault, never let yourself think like that.” As she finished, her eyes quickly darted around the room as if she was looking for something or someone. 

She decided to bury herself within her mentors words, to allow herself to believe that the woman had some higher knowledge than she did. It was the only thing she could think to do in that moment, there were no other options or possibilities. There was only a singular desperate possibility presented to her and she clutched her fingers around it even if it burned, even if those flickers of doubt and guilt remained lapping at her, she chose in that moment to endure. There was no other way. 

“Come with me.” Yangchen instructed, practically dragging her along towards the house's first floor bathroom. Their houses must have used the same floor plan, because she knew exactly where it was. 

As soon as they entered she immediately turned on the sink as well as the tub, she turned the knobs all the way causing the water to rush out. Seemingly satisfied, she immediately began to undertake an equally confusing task, rummaging through the space under the sink looking for spirits knows what. 

Apparently, her target was a blow dryer, as she reappeared from beneath the sink clutching one in her hands. Knowing that did not clarify anything about the situation. 

The whole series of events left Katara so confused that she didn't even have time to question any of the events until the sound of the blow dryer running joined the loud mix of running water. 

“We must have this conversation like this, it cannot be overheard by anyone, nor can it leave this room.” Her voice was so certain that it almost made Katara forget that she had seemingly abandoned every single one of her marbles, each and every one of her screws firmly popped loose. That did not align with what she understood to he true about her, but there was no other explanation for why she was suddenly doing this. 

Instead of expressing either of those sentiments, she nodded along, pretending to understand what the older woman was getting at. Apparently her earlier devotion could be stretched pretty far, it remained to be seen if that was a good thing or not. 

“Please, forgive my caution and my vagueness, this has been… in the works for decades now. It began long before I even won my games.” Yangchen began, gently returning her hand to the other girl's shoulder. “This may not have happened, but we victors were going to stumble upon some reckoning soon enough no matter how your games turned out.” She said with such a conviction it made Katara believe her, even if it still made no sense.

What sort of reckoning was she talking about? She wanted to ask but some part of her knew better. If the conversation they were having was one that could only be had in these sorts of circumstances, then it was not something she would be at liberty to reveal details about.

It reminded her of her own childhood, how her mother used to take her out to the woods and show her the different herbs that grew there and how they could be used. She hadn't known it at the time, but her mother had been using those herbs to heal anyone and everyone she could free of charge. That alone was not technically a crime, but in the end that didn't matter.

The peacekeepers had broken into their house in the middle of the night demanding her mother bring herself forwards, they executed her the next morning. It was something about aiding rebel movements or sympathizing with them too heavily, the actual charges didn't matter, they were a barely there pretense to give people the illusion of justice.

The details of it were a secret her father held so dear he had refused to tell her even when she had left for the games the first time, he was okay with her going to her grave never knowing the truth of it. That was something that still burned at her, still strained their relationship even to this day. 

“No matter which one of us goes in there, and to be clear I intend it to be me, the other will have a role to play.” She continued, her words pulling Katara back to attention. “It may be one you are unfamiliar with, but you will not be alone. You have no shortage of allies, never forget that.” She brought her free hand to the other girl's cheek, wiping away a singular tear from her eye. 

“No matter how this ends up promise me this,” she said, her grey eyes boring into her own blue ones. “Remember that your enemy, your real enemy, is not found amongst the victors.” Her voice lowered, so quiet now that it was barely audible above the water rushing and air whirling about the room. 

Her words still made no sense, but she left no time for them to be questioned. Instead Yangchen reached out and embraced the other girl, wrapping her in her arms. The embrace felt motherly and she let that comfort her, even as it dragged up guilt about her own mother to throw onto the pile already burying her alive. 

They could have stayed like that all night and into the next day, until someone came along to fetch them and force them out. They could have, but they didn't. 

“I must now be honest with you.” Yangchen sighed, stepping back so she was almost leaning against the door. “I have already spoken with Aang, we have come to terms on a plan one that I must ask you not to interfere with.” The words were spoken with her usual confident tone but there was a detectable amount of fear still. “If my name is the one pulled, I have to ask you not to volunteer.” Her voice was still confident but it was quieter now, she knew Katara was smart enough to figure out the other part of this deal. 

“And you asked Aang to volunteer if Kaviks is?” She scoffed, suddenly angry as if they were now in competition with each other. 

“Yes.” Yangchen spoke without hesitation or remorse. “And I swear to you that I will bring him home to you if he is sent with me.” She said it was such confidence that Katara wanted to believe her, but she wouldn't let herself do that. Not because she didn't trust her, or even that she assumed she was lying, no it was something deeper than that. 

Even if he came back physically, there was no way he would survive another trip into the arena. He had refused to even kill anyone the first time, not taking a single life the entire game. A principle she knew he would not back down on even now. 

There was no way even if somehow they made it to the end that he would simply roll over and let her die on his behalf. No he would insist on being the one who died, he may well manage to out scheme even someone as intelligent as Yangchen was if he really put his mind to it. 

“He didn't agree to the last part, did he?” Katara sniffled, wiping away her tears despite the futility of it. 

She didn't get a verbal answer, just a gentle squeeze on her shoulder that told her everything she needed to know. Of course he hadn't agreed to that part, he had every intention to go in there and he either didn't care or didn't want to come back from it. 

That thought flashed anger through her, one that remained even as Yangchen said a quiet goodbye and made herself scarce. At least she had been considerate enough to turn off what she had turned on as she did. 

She had to do something to protect him. If there was anyone alive who deserved to survive this it was him, exactly because he barely wanted to. 

It gave her an idea, one that drove her past the ornate door of her own home and across the courtyard to the middle house in the victors village, the very first one to be inhabited. 

Kaviks house was in the worst condition of the four, she assumed he didn't bother to maintain it but there was also the possibility of intentional neglect, it was also the oldest so it had been subjected to more wear than the other three. People rarely talked about his games, or what happened to him and his family afterwards. It was only him and his brother who lived in that house, though she had never actually seen his brother in the house, but she did not exactly visit often. 

Despite her plans she hoped Kavik would be somewhere else other than the living room, so she could have some time to sort things out and really plan what she was going to say. Alas, she was again unlucky as the second she blew in through the door she saw him. Sat at his dining table, far enough away that she could not tell exactly what he was doing but not so far away that they could not see each other. 

“So you finally decided to show up, huh?” His words were hostile but his tone was empty, as if he had been carved out and placed at the table an empty husk of himself. 

She knew it was bad when she took in the full picture of him as she approached, he was drinking. Kavik never drank, he never had no matter how bad things got. People used to say that was how you could tell him and his older brother apart, he was never drunk and his brother was never sober. 

“You know Aang was here an hour ago? Begging me not to listen to you?” He raised an eyebrow as he said it and his tone was that of questioning, but she knew it was not really a question. “Sit.” He instructed, gesturing at the seat across from him she was already approaching. 

All the words she had prepared immediately failed her and she sat across from him in silence. Silence he eventually broke when he slammed down a glass of god knows what type of alcohol in front of her. 

Normally, Katara didn't drink either, but nothing about this was normal so without a second thought she slammed back half of the glass. The bitter taste as it ran down her throat barely registered to her, the burn felt comfortingly familiar. It hurt and yet it was the best she had felt all day.

“I know I cannot ask you to do this.” She finally began, her hands trembling as she clasped them together on the table, leaning slightly towards him. It was not fair for her to ask him to do this, but she did not particularly care right now. He stood a better chance in the arena anyways, even if it had been longer since he won his games he was by no means old. 

“What? Ask me to die? Yeah, a bit of a big ask.” He wasn't really laughing as he said it, but some part of him made an attempt at it. Instead of a laugh, it came out like a croaked hiccup, his face still stuck in a mask of shock and horror as his still blown wide eyes met hers. 

“Yes.” She said, trying to will away the fear from her voice and her face, which she was sure was no better than his. 

His eyes washed over her, his lips twitching as he finally put down the bottle he had been drinking from. 

Instead of speaking, he started laughing, his entire body collapsing into convoluted fits of laughter as if she had just told him the funniest joke he had ever heard. His body folded in on itself, leaning so far forwards his forehead was almost touching the table as he continued to cackle. 

It was a dreadful fit, almost looking more like a seizure than a fit of laughter, as if he had lost control of his body for a moment. 

“I’ll do it.” He snapped back into himself, the fit ending as suddenly as it had began, his eyes suddenly filled with a stark certainty as his back straightened, sitting up in his chair again. 

“On one condition.” He added and she already knew what he was going to ask. An equivalent exchange, his life for her life. 

“Yes.” She didn't hesitate, because there was nothing to think about. Her mind was made up before she got here, whatever it took was a fine enough price to pay. 

Again he spent a moment appraising her, as if he was trying to ensure they were on the same page. Maybe he was just so drunk he was confused now.  It was probably the latter, or at least that was what she wanted it to be. 

“You've got yourself a deal then.” He raised his bottle slightly, inviting her to clink it against her own glass in a macabre form of celebration. “To our impending doom!” He gave her an empty smile as he said it. 

She took him up on that offer with an equal lack of hesitation as their last deal. Knocking their glasses together before immediately downing the remaining contents of her drink. It felt about the same as it had the first time, which was an oddly comforting thing. 

She considered for a moment spending the night into the morning and maybe even the next day sitting here drinking. 

“Great.” He snorted, “Glad we agree on our deaths.” He finished and she worried for a moment he was going to start laughing again. Thankfully, he contained himself, standing to retrieve another bottle of alcohol from one of his cabinets. 

She briefly considered questioning why he had so much of it given that he didn't drink, but she immediately thought better of it. Despite herself, she still accepted his offer of a refill finding herself in desperate need of a dash of liquid courage.

“Do you know why it took me so long to get here?” She asked, standing up but accepting both the glass and his refill of it as she did. 

“Why?” He enunciated every letter of it, swinging one of his arms out to make a real sarcastic gesture of it. 

“Because I was talking to Yangchen.” She turned her back as she said it, unable to bear whatever his reaction would be. 

There was no need to say what the conversation was about, they both knew, their partners were far better people than either of them were. 

Her feet moved without any conscious input from her mind, slinking out the front door and letting it slam shut behind her. There was somewhere she needed to be, somewhere she needed to go more than she needed to breathe. No it was something even more important than that, so much so as she rushed across the victors village she was sure she didn't take a single breath. 

Not until she reached his door, not until she pushed inside past his door not bothering to knock. Only then was she able to breathe again, able to gather herself enough that she could climb upstairs and towards his bedroom. 

It was the smallest bedroom in the house, but Aang had insisted it was the best one because it had a view of the woods behind the village and it got the best sunlight in the mornings. She hadn't understood why he cared so much at the time. Now, she could only picture him sitting there alone watching the sunset tonight thinking it would be the last real one he would ever see in his home. 

It was a thought that made her quicken her pace again, no longer worried abut disturbing him, she doubted he was sleeping anyways.  

“Hey.” She whispered, slowly creaking open the door and taking stock of the room. 

Aang was sat towards the end of his bed, his sketchbook sat on his knees and a few different pencils splayed out on the bed beside him. 

He didn't look surprised to see her, but there was a visible shift in his eyes, her presence was reassuring to him. A small comfort she was sure, like a singular candle in an otherwise pitch black labyrinth. Maybe he had been expecting her, maybe he had just been hoping she would so up, she figured it didn't really matter.

"What are you drawing?" She whispered slowly approaching him and lowering herself down to the space on the bed beside him. 

He flipped the book closed as she approached, not letting her get a close look at what he was actually sketching. She looked between him and the now closed sketchpad in his hands but his eyes never left her face, his eyes traced each edge and curve trying to soak up whatever he could see in the low light of his bedroom. It went on for so long she worried for a moment that he had not heard her at all.

"Something I don't want to forget." He whispered fondly as he stood up, gathering the pencils from the bed and slipping them and the sketchbook back in their respective spots on his dresser. It was as small and understated as anything in his room, he didn't wear any of his upgraded wardrobe anyways. 

It was unfair to say they hadn't seen each other much since the victory tour, they saw each other at least three nights every week. When everything they had endured became too much to bare the weight finally breaking one of their backs and stealing away their ability to sleep undisturbed. They would find each other in those moments, curl up together and enjoy the silent comfort of each others company. 

As he came back she felt his presence comfort her like a balm for her aching wound, even as all he did was sit beside her. 

There was no need to say anything, she pressed her head into his shoulder and on cue he leaned back against the sheets of the bed. She shifted so that she was laying on her side, with her head buried underneath his and she let his presence quiet her raging thoughts. For now they had this, no matter what happened tomorrow this could not be taken from them.

The night went by in a blur, she was certain that she didn't sleep because she had no nightmares to show for it. Her only indication that any time at all had passed was the rising sun making itself known through the drawn closed blinds of his room. Neither wanted to get up, wishing to draw out this daydream for as long as possible. If for no other reason than to escape the nightmare on their horizon. 

One of them broke the embrace eventually, she didn't know which one of them it was. Nothing else from that point mattered to her. Her brain was acting on a single minded instinct. 

She was locked in a desperate battle to outrun the fear chasing her. It nipped at her heels as she futility tried to outpace it, going through the motions of preparing for the day as if it was any other reaping day. The only difference was the clothes she wore, far fancier than she would have owned before. A constant reminder of how different her life was, one that forever grated against her skin. 

Her family said brief goodbyes, like they did every year before on the chance that either her or her brothers names might have been pulled. There would be time to say goodbye later, that was another reality that was comforting enough it allowed her to submit to routine. She knew what she had to do, so she waited alone even after her brother and father left, they had to be their earlier than she did given that she was the main event again this year. 

Thankfully she didn't have to walk alone, Aang again appearing to spare her that cruelty finding her as she left the courtyard and silently slipping into place beside her. They walked together quietly, and she chose to ignore the bursts of comforting heat she felt consume her when their hands touched.

A choice she no longer had when they began to approach the town scare as he brazenly grabbed her hand into his own. 

"The cameras." He whispered, leaning in towards her to whisper it into her ear and playing it off as a kiss on her cheek. One that made her blush in a way that could not be hidden from the cameras, even if it was not an act put on because of their presence. 

She clung to his hand like a lifeline until they reached the stage and even then she held on as tightly as she could for as long as it was physically possible. 

The second his fingers slipped from hers the panic she had felt earlier began to rise within her again. Anxiety rooted her in place, the only thing keeping her upright, clouding her thoughts but that was a small price to pay in the end. Or at least it was until she almost missed her chance. 

The escort had managed to reach her hand into the bowl and draw a name without Katara even noticing, she only noticed when Yangchen began to move towards the front of the stage, she must have been the one chosen then. 

"I volunteer!" Katara shouted, louder than she needed to be given that they were all within a few feet of each other, but it was another overwhelming instinct that she had no choice but to obey. 

Thankfully, Yangchen was too smart to actively argue with Katara on it. She was also standing in front of Katara, which meant she could push past her without ever having to look at the woman's face. 

It was only when she saw her family in the crowd that it really hit her. She had betrayed them, she had abandoned a chance to stay with them, they were again at risk of losing her, she was the one putting them all through this. Even when she explained it to them, they would never get it, even if they pretended to for her sake. 

She stood there silent in her prison of guilt and remorse, looking at her feet and trying to block out the glimpses of the crowd she saw. Her eyes finally turned towards their escort as the woman crossed the stage and approached the other bowl. Katara watched in silent agony as the woman made a real show out of it, or maybe it was her own vision that was running in slow motion. 

It didn't matter, because once that seal was broken nothing would ever be the same again, no matter which name was called. A ringing in her ears silenced the world around her, blocking out any sound, even the words coming out of the woman's mouth but it didn't matter, she knew it as soon as she watched the womans pursed lips begin to form the first letter. 

She had pulled Aangs name. 

As soon as the words left their escorts mouth all of them knew exactly what was about to happen. The world faded out for a moment, overwhelmed in Katara's mind by some overwhelming haze of relief. She never heard him say the words, 'I volunteer', but she knew Kavik had fulfilled their promise.

She had never felt relief like that since the last time she had heard those words. When Aang had volunteered for her brother exactly one year ago. The boy who was willing to give up his life if it meant sparing a family from losing both their children. The boy who had resigned himself to death in an instant would be denied the chance to do it again. 

Beside her, Yangchen clenched her eyes shut as if she had been hit, her whole body tensed as her shoulders trembled becoming the only evidence of her emotion she was allowing to be visible. All her best laid plans had crumbled before her and it was Katara's fault. She found herself unable to bear what that looked like, choosing the blinding light of the sun over continuing to observe her.

“You can't stop me kid.” She heard Kavik mutter it, even as she didn't hear what Aang had said. She didn't need to hear him say it anyways, she knew exactly what he would be saying about this. He would be insisting against it, desperately pleading. She couldnt bring herself to so much as look, again choosing the painful glare of the sun to the pained look he must have on his face. 

This had been her plan, executed flawlessly from start to finish and yet there was no satisfaction in it. Not for anyone on the stage, and seemingly not for the crowd watching the event either. 

Her brain had shut itself off, completely unable to process anything around her. Not the shouts from the audience, boos not directed at any of the tributes on stage. No, there was something else happening here entirely, something too overwhelming to comprehend. 

Something went flying past her head, snapping her back into reality as she narrowly avoided being hit with a stray shoe that had been thrown at the stage. Not at her, at the peacekeeper behind her, or maybe the escort beside her, it didn't matter who the intended target was. It set off a wave all the same, spreading from person to person like a wildfire consumed a forest. 

Arms encircled her and her head whipped around panicked, thinking it was someone coming to drag her off. Every muscle in her body tensed and then relaxed in an instant when she whipped around. It was Aang, he had practically thrown himself on top of her in an attempt to protect her from any projectiles no matter how harmless. He had moved so fast that if she didn't know better she would have thought it was some sort of instinct. 

As fast as he appeared he was pulled away, when her dazed eyes finally found him he was being dragged off by at least five peacekeepers. He had clung to her so hard that when he was pulled off he had taken the fabric of her sleeve with him, ripping it off and keeping it clenched within his closed fist. 

She tried to cry out but she was grabbed before she had a chance, a harsh hand on her shoulder where Aang's gentle one had been before. It dug into her skin and left dark marks in its wake, pulling her along and through the building doors. 

It was disorienting, the bright sunlight disguising the now nearly rioting crowd outside. Oh spirits what were they going to do to them. How would all those people be punished for this.

"Please!" She begged instinctively. "They don't know what they're doing, please don't hurt them!" Her desperate and impassioned pleas didn't earn her so much as a glance from the small army of peacekeepers she saw forming in front of her, appearing from the depths of the justice hall building, all of them carrying various weapons. 

She opened her mouth to speak again but before any words could leave her mouth a baton cracked open, rose up and then came down, directly against her face. It hit her in the nose, a fact she knew only by the feeling of blood dripping from it and the sickeningly familiar sound of bone and cartilage crunching. Her world spun around her, she watched the peacekeeper that had hit her the first time raise his baton again and braced herself, but the blow never came. 

When she finally dared to open her eyes again, worried for a second they may have been waiting for her to do that so they could take her eye out, she found Kavik standing in front of her. His mouth was moving as if he was arguing, and he might have borne a matching bruise as hers at this point but she had no way of knowing. Her ears were still ringing as the world around her spun. This couldn't be happening, there was no way this was happening. 

Her hazy mind finally recognized why he was here at all, he must have been brought along with her, that meant they were going to be sent to say their goodbyes. That was why they had been pulled away into this room together, it had to be. 

It was an illusion that was wrenched from her as hands wound around her, encircling her and beginning to pull her away. Pull her further from what she knew, from what she needed to do. Pull her closer to that place, back to those games, back into that arena.

She needed to say goodbye first.

"Wait I get to say goodbye." She insisted desperately, her head whipping from side to side causing the end of her braid to beat against her skin with each desperate movement. 

"Change of plans, too dangerous." Some gruff male voice, probably a peacekeeper, spoke from behind her. His words made no sense, there was no way they could take even this from her. She had to say goodbye, she needed to say goodbye at the very least. If they were going to force her to go back, if they were going to steal this from her she had to at least say goodbye to it. 

“Hey, hey don't fight, you'll only make it worse.” Kavik spoke as the voice of reason, he must have been somewhere in the room too but she didn't know where. It didn't matter anyways, his was a voice she could not bring herself to listen to. She only looked to him desperately, childishly pleading for him to make it right, to fix all of this somehow. He looked away. 

“No! I get to say goodbye!” Her scratchy voice insisted desperately no longer in any conscious control of her words. “I have to say goodbye please!” She begged even as she knew no one was listening to her. They only answered her by continuing to drag her along, one pulling her by each arm. 

It enraged her, stoked that fire within her into a raging inferno, one that gave her the strength to break their hold. Managing to get one arm free she flailed it out desperately, looking for anything to cling onto but nothing presented itself. She had been dragged out too far, out of the justice building and onto the deck behind it where a car and then a train surely awaited them. 

She barely felt the prick of a needle pierce her skin and she was only able to force out a barely audible cry of goodbye before darkness stole her fight from her.

Chapter Text

0:00am Capitol Time, 12 hours until the reaping

Once those words were said nothing else mattered. The entire world ceased to be, fading out of existence and into some inescapable nightmare that had replaced reality. 

Without a second thought she stood up from her couch and ran from the house. Nearly pushing the door off its hinges as she bounded down the stairs of her house and out of the victors village. Her parents might have been calling after her, even following her, but that didn't matter. 

Nothing else mattered other than her destination, other than the girl she needed to see there.

Reaching the oceans edge she pushed off without a single thought. Her arms and legs propelled her forwards, putting all of her strength into defying the will of the water she swam on. 

Once she was far enough out, she twisted her body sideways, taking her head out of the water as she flipped to her back. Her body was moving on instinct, she knew where she was going, she knew she had to get there. Even as her mind was still in shock her body moved on instinct, like a wounded predator returning to its den. She had to get home.

It propelled her forwards as she began to swim along sideways, watching the rush of cliff edges go by as she did.

The swim between district three and four was not pleasant, nor was it overwhelmingly safe. There were jagged rocks and parts where rip currents could pull you out a hundred feet if you weren't careful, saying nothing of the freezing temperatures or the possibility of encountering a less than friendly animal. 

But at that moment, none of that mattered. The bitter chill of the cold barely even registered, nor did anything else that she would have normally factored in while making the swim.

It normally took her just under an hour, sometimes longer if she had to stop or take particular care due to rough conditions. The fastest she had ever done it was just under forty five minutes, she was pretty sure she was about to beat that record. 

She saw it finally, fifty feet out, then forty, then thirty, then twenty. Rushing ever closer as her desperation increased, translating into harder and faster strokes against the water. Time had no meaning anymore, neither did the burning pain shooting through her limbs as she propelled herself forwards. 

It didn't occur to her until she was finally so close to land that her feet could touch the sandy bottom that she had no way to know if Asami would actually be out here. She could still be at her house, with her own father processing the news. That should be where she was really, not out here, breaking every law imaginable. 

Thankfully, her girl was as reckless as she was. 

The beach they always met up on was quiet, no one else ever came out here besides them. It was blanketed on all sides by cliffs, which one had to know the proper path around to get here. She had never asked Asami the specifics of how she got out here, but she knew it involved a nearly equally treacherous journey as her own. But there she was, unmistakable even when made out at a distance. 

Her dark hair whipped about her face in the cold night air, but at least she seemed to be appropriately dressed for it. She had not yet noticed her approach, focusing her attention on some far off point in the sky instead of the ocean just in front of her. 

Normally, swimming this far left her tired if not outright exhausted. It was something that would typically only catch up to her once she hit the shoreline and walked up onto the sand beach. 

Now, even as she was vaguely aware of some distant ache in her body, seeing her standing up there barely 20 feet away was enough to reinvigorate her fully. She ran across the sand beach, shouting her loves name to draw her attention, a task she succeeded at and this whole journey was made worth it when she saw her face. 

For a second, she had clearly been so overwhelmed with joy it had beat out any other reaction. Korra only had to hope it stayed that way long enough that she didn't panic and hit her when they finally got close to each other, either for being reckless or for scaring her, or probably for both. 

“What the hell are you doing here?” She whispered in shock, her hands immediately latching themselves to her shoulders, applying a vice grip that was far stronger than what she looked capable of. Which was unfortunate, granted Korra had planned to pick her up the second she reached her, but that plan was thwarted. 

“I needed to see you.” She panted, straightening her back as if she was trying to make a good impression. As if her posture would be the difference between her gesture being well received or not. Surely, it was her posture that was the problem, not the whole breaking every law ever written by swimming across the borders between districts. 

Not only were the waters themselves dangerous, it was so illegal not even being a victor, and a popular one at that, would save her if she was caught. No they would not even stop with her, they would probably take Asami right along with her, both their families as well. If they were feeling particularly cruel they might go even further until every single person who so much as expressed half a sympathy towards the doomed couple were sent to join them. 

Yet, here they both were. 

“You idiot.” There was no venom in her voice even as she brought one of her hands from her shoulder to smack limply against her chest. It looked like she was about to try and rationally explain her argument, bringing up how dangerous it was, but the fight fell out of her immediately. 

“Besides, you were out here looking for me weren't you?” She said, only able to reproduce half of her typical moronic grin, the one she knew Asami pretended to hate.

There was no other reason for her to be out here, at the place they always met in secret. They never planned their meetings too far in advance, and never exchanged anything at them nor left any other clue behind what had happened at all. It was all done in such great secrecy that neither even told their families what was happening. 

Usually, they could never meet too close to when the games were beginning, because security would be too tight and too much publicity would be directed towards them. It was ridiculous for her to have come here now, but it was equally as silly for Asami to be here waiting. 

But again, here they both were. 

She neither confirmed nor denied that, instead she took off her coat and wrapped it around her. 

“You will get sick in wet clothes like that.” She chided, still harping on those silly concerns, as if she could ground herself in reality enough. It was a fine enough strategy, certainly a better one than she had at the moment. 

“Does that matter now?” Her attempt at humour rang hollow, but it didn't stop Asami either way. She had a tendency to get possessed with something once she set her mind to it, it was one of the things she found most endearing about the woman. She was the kind of determined that was able to beat the worst sort of odds, but it seemed her luck had run out. 

“Of course it matters.” She muttered, “You need to keep your strength up.” Her voice still sounded strong even as a tremble infected it, that was an incredible skill of hers, one she had always possessed. 

For all her talk of strength even she couldn't bring herself to say why Korra would need her strength, despite the fact that they both knew it; There was no other female victor from district four. It was only her.

It wasn't an overwhelmingly unique position, she knew of a few other districts who would have victors in the same circumstance, but it burned nonetheless. 

There was only one other female victor from district three, an older woman who barely even remembered her own name these days. Sending her in would be a death sentence, she didn't even have a chance. But she would have rather killed that poor innocent woman with her bare hands in the arena, so long as it meant Asami would still be out there, waiting for her to come back. 

She didn't know what kind of person that made her, in some way she didn't care. 

They had already survived one games like that, it was how they met, separation was all they knew. Of course it was unlikely Asami would be assigned her mentor again, but that didn't matter. 

There was so much to say and yet no words formed in either of their mouths, instead they silently and wordlessly slunk down to the ground together. Sitting beside each other and looking out at the water.

It had started innocently enough, barely a peck on the lips. A simple romantic gesture to fill the silence. Both would have blamed the other for escalating it if asked, and yet neither complained. 

“You taste salty.” Asami breathed out when she finally had to pull back from the kiss. Clearly, it wasn't that much of a complaint because she immediately dug her fingers into her shoulders and dove right back into their heated kiss. 

Using that same grip Asami pulled herself up and over into the other girl's lap so she was straddling her. Clearly no longer worried about leaving marks, her fingernails drug red marks into Korra's shoulder. It was the best kind of burn, the same kind that was overtaking her lungs with each desperate kiss. 

Her own hands danced along Asami’s back, one finding purchase at her waist gripping it like a lifeline. The other made its way further up, tangling itself in long black curls and relishing in the gasp it earned her. 

She wanted to eat her alive. To know every part of her, to hear every sound she made, to taste each and every part of her until there was nothing left unknown to her. 

She wanted the same done to her, an equivalent exchange until they knew each other so well where one began could no longer be untangled from where the other ended. 

Acting on her desire she broke their kiss, not even bothering to break for air before she began to make her way downwards. Untangling her hand from her loves hair, she brought it down to undo the buttons of the other's blouse, pushing it off her shoulders and savouring the view of her breasts she was granted. 

This too was only for her, not for anyone else, her own private feast. 

Normally, she never left marks but she couldn't help herself. Her lips danced across her breasts, nipping and sucking as she went along leaving little red marks she could only hope would remain. They were in a place no one would see them, but they would both know they were there.

She relished in every reaction her work earned her, every twitch and shiver, every breathy moan only encouraged her to work harder, to work faster and with a more insatiable appetite. 

She was only drawn up by a firm grip in her own brown hair, demanding her attention elsewhere. Pulling her back up towards her lips with an iron grip. 

“Please.” She whispered, her voice barely audible above the crashing ocean waves beneath them. It was the best sound Korra had ever heard, sweeter than any music, better than even the most beautiful siren call. 

Who was she to deny her girl anything? 

Their lips collided again and in that moment Korra was sure all the poets were fools because they all claimed to know pure bliss and yet none of them had known this woman before. They had all known false realities, but she knew the truth, it was all hers. 

She had every intention of continuing this until Asami stopped her. For the rest of the night, into the next day, until they were both late for their own dates with destiny. None of it mattered. 

Apparently however, her mouth did not get the memo from her brain on what their intention was for the evening. 

“What if we left.” The words sprung forth from her mouth before her brain had any time to process exactly what she was saying. Immediately she regretted it, not because it was untrue, but because it made Asami stop kissing her. 

It then made her lean back, so they were no longer pressed against each other. Which made her regret so strong for a moment she thought she may have been capable of rewinding time to the second before she said it. 

“We can't.” She whispered, her eyes desperately searching her lover's face as if she was trying to assess how serious the request had been. Unfortunately, she had been dead serious and never overwhelmingly skilled at lying to Asami.

“I know-” Korra replied, leaning forwards trying to lure her back in for another round of kisses, one that would hopefully wash this interruption from both of their minds. She was cut off before she got the chance, 

“Not yet, we can't do it until the games are over.” Her words were spoken softly, if it weren't for the faint traces of her breath visible in the night air, Korra would have thought she had somehow imagined it. 

“Come back to me and then we can do it.” Asami instructed it, moving her hands to grip both of her lovers cheeks as she said it, forcing eye contact. She was not the kind of woman to joke about these things, nor leave room for discussion about it once she had made her mind up. 

She could only nod dumbly in response, an action that was made challenging by the hands still gripping her cheeks. It turned out to be the right answer as Asami immediately practically dove back in, kissing her firmly and with a desperation that matched if not exceeded her own. 

They fell into each other against the sandy beach and tried to stretch that moment into an eternity. It went on so long it denied the rising sun, forcing the moon to remain as countless unknowable hours ticked by, nothing else mattered. The world stopped turning, time stopped moving, it was only them, nothing else mattered. 

Even then, it was not enough. The sun rose and the passing of time could not be stalled long enough, she would have to go, there was no other way this ended for them, but that was enough. 

They came apart eventually, with a reluctance so great it almost forced the tides of the ocean to recede again. Even as they separated to gather their clothes and make themselves appear somewhat decent again they never strayed too far. Whispering quiet 'I love yous' whenever they were close enough to hear each other. 

They walked hand in hand to the water's edge, another tradition they maintained every time they did this, holding onto each other for as long as they were physically able. 

Korra thought that this was the last time she wanted to see her, because this was exactly how she wanted to remember her. 

The moonlight illuminating her perfect face, her beauty outshining every single star glimmering in the sky above them. She watched it as she swam away, holding onto that view, raising it above all else even above the sun in the sky. 

This was something that could never be taken from her, from either of them. Even if they both died this place would still remain, it would remember them even if their names were never spoke again. 

She got back in the earliest hours of the morning, her parents didn't ask her where she had been. Maybe they were just glad she had come back, maybe they didn't want to spend what might have been their last hours together arguing. It didn't really matter. 

It was as easy to get ready for this year's reaping as it had been every year before, easier perhaps in some ways. There was a certainty to it, one that left her uniquely positioned. The terror of the reaping was that it was random, anyone could be subject to its cruelty even if the odds were tilted in one direction or another. 

When she had been reaped the first time she was scared, but she had pushed that feeling down. Finding bravado and false courage much easier to stomach at the time than the overwhelming fear her own mortality brought her. 

Now she had no more false confidence, only real certainty, no matter what it took she was going to survive this, as long as her reason to survive remained. 

She kept her head high as she walked towards the town square. Crowds parted around her as she went, giving her a wide berth. Whether they were admiring her, afraid of her or sympathetic to her she didn't know and she found that she didn't particularly care. They were watching all the same, they were always just standing there watching. Nothing ever changed that. 

They still went through the show of drawing her name anyways. It was ridiculous, a single name sitting in a bowl that was usually full. They must have been mocking her. 

Of course she had known this was coming, since she had been glued to the TV since the early hours of the morning. She knew of course that she wouldn't be able to watch district threes reaping anyways, it was occurring right now and there was nothing she could do about it. 

That was a far greater mockery than anything they were doing to her here. 

They pulled the male tribute next, there were a few more options there all far older than her. It would be unfortunate whoever it was, she had come to know them all in the years since they won and none of them deserved it. No one deserved this kind of thing really, and yet here they all were. 

The one chosen to die was a man named Kuruk, who silently accepted it, moving to his spot towards the front of the stage without a single complaint. 

That was sad, he had a wife if she remembered correctly. Their wedding had been a small affair, kept quiet and hidden beneath the Capitol's nose, she had helped with that and the whole thing had gone off without a hitch. That would have been about two years ago now, their relationship barely begun and yet facing this. 

At the time, she had only been able to think about how she could pull off some kind of wedding with her own girl. They could have, should have, done it together in secret a long time ago. It didn't really matter now. 

She scanned the crowd for his wife and found the woman being comforted by her own mother. At least they would all have each other, both of their families remained safe. 

Normally, more ceremony would have been made of it but for whatever reason they were both rushed off back into town hall. Maybe there had been some sort of upset in another district, she hadn't seen it on camera but then again you never did.

This was familiar to her at least, but it burned all the same. Her parents tried to be strong on her behalf and she did the same, performing on each other's behalf. 

When a peacekeeper told her that time was up she didn't fight it, she knew better by now. For a moment, her mothers grip tightened on her as if she was going to try something, anything to keep her daughter from being taken away. That was a horrifying possibility, she could not handle this if she did not know her mother would be safe here. If she put herself in danger now by making a scene then there was every chance that even if she returned, she would return to an empty house. 

As if her mother could read her mind, she released her grip. A small miracle that gave her the push she needed to whisper a final goodbye before stepping away. 

Through the crack of the door she saw her parents break down, but if she didn't walk then she would be dragged away so she forced herself forwards. 

Forwards into a car, and eventually into a train where she found Kuruk had already beaten her there. 

“My parents will look after your wife, if she needs anything.” She spoke instinctively upon seeing him, feeling the need to offer him something. He had helped mentor her the year she had won, though he had been more occupied with the male tribute at the time. 

According to Asami, he had helped arrange some of her largest sponsor gifts, so she had a lot to thank him for, a pretty big debt to pay back. 

“Thank you kid, but I intend to stick around to do that myself.” He said with a kind smile, as if he had not just sort of threatened her. It was such a disarming and confusing display of emotion she simply decided not to question it. 

District partners stuck together for the most part, it was the only natural alliance you were granted in the arena. Everything else began with distrust and had to somehow meander its way towards trust. That was a long and often challenging road, it was easier to work with what you already knew. 

No matter her own district partner, there was a far greater concern for her. 

At some point their escort also materialized, and ushered them both into the dining car to talk about something. She had no idea what because frankly she was paying absolutely no attention, but she went through the motions either way. 

As their escort chatted about the upcoming events her eyes remained glued to a TV screen in the corner of the car. It was no longer showing footage of the reaping's, it had switched to show some sort of recap of events. 

Victors' faces flashed across the screen, their district number below them and just below that in smaller lettering the year they had won their games. After the face faded away, it would cut to some sick highlight reel of the games they had won and how they had won it, occasionally with commentary from the announcers. None of which she could hear of course, either because it was turned off or because her escort was simply that loud, it was probably the latter. 

As if the universe could not be more against her, they were going in reverse order from district twelve up instead of from district one down. 

At least both of those lovers from twelve hadn't been reaped, she was glad to see that, on a personal level and because she chose to believe it was a positive omen. If one pair of lovers could make it out, at least somewhat, then she could as well. 

The coverage dragged on, denying her the one thing she wanted to see more than anything else at that moment. Of course she felt sympathy for the other tributes, she had felt sympathy for the other twenty three kids in her own games, but right now none of that mattered.

As the numbers ticked up she began to find her escort's droning voice more and more annoying, something she must have let show on her face as the woman's ire was suddenly drawn towards her. 

Korra continued to pay her absolutely no attention, rapturously focused on the TV screen she was watching. Only when the screen flicked off, only getting as far as district five, did she finally turn to face the woman. 

Her lips were still moving, but it was taking all of Korra's effort not to leap the table and punch the woman. A task she continued to do even as the effort of it only increased. 

It would get her nowhere to throw a fit here, they would find some way to punish her for it. If she seemed overwhelmingly invested in the outcome of district threes reaping in particular, she ran the risk of giving away their relationship.

That would have consequences for both of them, and was enough to ensure that even if she escaped the games Asami would never be safe again. It was dangerous to be associated with her, for anyone, especially for another victor who already had to walk on eggshells. 

So she kept her mouth shut, biting her tongue and biding her time.

Chapter Text

0:00am Capitol Time, 12 hours until the reaping

They should have been watching for the announcement. It would be close to midnight capitol time right now, even though it was only the late evening at the moment. Yet here they were, 2/3 of district sevens victors shirking their duties to pretend they were kids again. That they had no responsibilities for a moment. 

“Are you worried?” Yun asked, drawing her attention away from her own thoughts, his eyes were scanning the length of the district that stretched out before them. They sat here every reaping day, they had done so even on the years both of them were reaped. Maybe it was a bad omen to be up here again. 

“Not for me.” She answered truthfully. Her time to worry about such things had passed, she had nothing to worry about in her life really. Since she had won, her needs had been met and exceeded, it was far more luxury than she knew how to live with. 

“Two families out there are about to have the worst day of their lives.” He muttered, not necessarily seeking a response but simply wanting to get his words out into the void. It was far easier to live with things once you said them out loud, it breathed life into them, made them an undeniable truth. 

He was right of course, it was that simple fact that made this time of year impossible. Every step was a reminder of it, that two more kids would be sent to die. They both knew exactly what that felt like, it was something that was impossible to forget a constant shadow stalking their lives. 

“It shouldn't be this way.” She whispered, for a moment anger burned through her, righteous fury that she very nearly failed to contain. Thankfully, she had more than enough practice at pushing that feeling down even as each time it cost her a piece of herself. She would sell herself in entirety if it meant being able to endure this easier, but it never was. 

“But it is.” He replied, “It was before us, it will be after us.” Those did not seem to be words that brought him joy. Instead he seemed resigned to this fate, like the games were as inevitable as any other natural disaster, an act of god no mere mortal could change. 

Kyoshi didn't want to agree, but for the time being she had both no counter argument and no desire to argue. Not with her longest friend, one of two people alive she thought truly understood her. 

So she held her tongue and enjoyed the silence for as long as she could. As it turned out, that was until the sun went down. Darkness fell over the district they both quietly made their way from their perch and back to their respective houses.

They had never discussed if they were going to watch the ceremony together, but some part of her felt the need to do this alone. She had no idea what they were going to unveil, only that it was going to reign some fresh hell down on more undeserving families. Both of the past quells had been particularly brutal, though she had been unable to bring herself to watch any of the many reruns that had been playing for weeks now. 

That was the worst part about this time of year. Everyone told her it would only be a few weeks each year, that if she could endure that then she would be fine, but that was a lie. 

Two months before the reaping people started talking, worrying amongst themselves about the odds for this year. That generated interest, which of course coincided with the reruns starting to play on every screen that had a stable enough connection to play them. They were in every store around every corner as constant and inescapable reminders of what was coming. 

She rarely went to town as it was, preferring to avoid the stares she got. If she was an oddity before she was a victor then she was something incomprehensible now. Even the few ‘friends’ she had before now kept their distance, averting their eyes when she walked past, avoiding her at events and only acknowledging her with a harsh distance when they had no choice. 

Pulling her knees up to her chest she curled in on herself, as if that could protect her from whatever fresh horror would be laid at her feet. Whatever it was it had already happened, there was nothing she could do anyways. 

Still, until that TV turned on nothing was real, it was just another year. 

Sometimes when she couldn't sleep at night she pretended she could turn off this part of her life. Not because she wanted to die, nor because her previous life had been something worth envying, but because what she had before, what she was before, felt more real to her than anything had since. She wanted to turn it off, just for a while to make everything go away. 

But she couldn't do that. So she settled for sitting on her couch pathetically afraid of turning on her TV, like it was somehow at fault for everything. 

When she was seven she had nearly fallen to her death from the highest branches of a tree. Children weren't supposed to climb that high, but no one had believed her when she had insisted that she was too young to be doing this, they said if she wanted her pay she had to do it. For two days, she held out in protest until a combination of hunger and thirst made her so weak she had thought she would die anyways, and falling would be quicker. 

So she climbed the tree, all the way to the very top. For a moment she breached the treeline, seeing everyone beneath her. In that moment she had felt no fear, no anger, no sadness, just pure emptiness. 

The branch broke beneath her and she fell nearly forty five feet straight down. In that moment she had felt the certainty of death, it was an inevitable impact that she was rushing towards. 

Ten years later she had won her games the same way, luring the last surviving tribute up a tree and onto a branch she knew couldn't hold their weight. They fell, but just like her they had survived for a while, except they didn't have anyone coming to save them. 

She had sat there, curled up and frozen on a high branch, trying desperately to cover her ears and block out the screams. Only when the sharp cutting boom of a cannon pierced her ears did she climb down. 

When the rerun footage of the announcement ran, she fell from that tree again.

There were no words to say, nothing that could possibly express the multitude of emotions she was feeling at that moment. 

She was going to die. 

She was going to die.

She was going to die. 

There was no other way this ended, she was going back in there and this time she was going to die. 

When she had been reaped the first time there had been no warning. It had been like a gunshot going off, blowing through her and knocking her from her feet. It was fast, so fast now that she could barely remember those hazy days before it had happened. 

Since then there had been a bleeding wound in her chest, one that was gaping and unhealed. One that she had spent five  years now stuffing and cleaning, trying to keep herself from bleeding out. All her work had been undone in five minutes. 

She was going to die. 

She was going to die.

She was going to die.

Her mind repeated to her that same empty and hopeless spiral as she sat there desperately trying to hold her body and mind together. 

She had no way of knowing how long she stayed like that, not so long that she was interrupted but long enough that no more light was so much as attempting to shine through her curtains. Whatever the TV was still playing had become an overwhelming whirr that drove her deeper. 

Once her mind had built within itself a wall of hopelessness so high she could barely even see an escape, it allowed her to focus on other things. Her own situation was hopeless of course, but hers was not the only life she was worried for. It was probably the life she was least worried for at this moment. 

Her best friend, her lover, her soulmate, whatever words were used to describe their relationship didn't really matter. The one upside of this time of year was being able to see her again, getting a few moments together always came at the cost of the lives of twenty three children. 

At least district two had more than one female victor, there had to be at least ten. She wracked her brain, trying to work out the odds that her girl would be the one chosen. They were low, not in her favour by any means, but low. It was probably close to one in ten, which was only ten percent. That wasn't factoring in the chance that some zealous victor or another might volunteer, eager to snatch glory one way or another. 

Whatever Rangis odds were, they were far better than her own odds of course. There would only be one name in that bowl and it would be hers. The odds had once again stacked against her. A one hundred percent chance that she would be the one picked for a second time. 

That could be okay then, one singular bright spot amongst what would otherwise be a churning ocean of empty blackness. It was enough to keep her last thread of sanity intact. She had one singular hope to cling onto, her life raft in the storm. 

So she clung to it, and she used it to give her the strength to turn off the TV.

That helped, but in one singular movement she felt as if she had exhausted days if not weeks worth of energy. It was the kind of tiredness she had not known in recent years, that deep ache that goes beyond your eyes or body and bores itself deeply within your brain. 

Despite that she could not bring herself to go to sleep, knowing she would be met with any number of horrific dreams the second she did. So she stayed as she had been all night, curled up alone doing nothing in particular. 

She had thought either of her district's male victors might appear at some point, maybe to check on her, maybe to strategize, maybe to tell her it was all some sick joke and announce what reality was. Any of those would have been acceptable answers to her, but instead she sat alone. 

She figured at least they were probably together, that would have made sense. She would have been welcome to join of course if she wanted, she only needed to walk the small distance between their houses. 

Both of those houses had once been hers as well, for some short period of time. She had been a servant both times, only taken in as a result of favours and friendship and yet she was happier then than she was now. 

Eventually, her earlier assumption turned out to be at least half correct. Yun finally appeared so late into the night it was practically morning, eyes red and smelling of some sort of liquor. Thankfully, he made enough of a habit of drinking that he had a tolerance, but not so much that he was an outright alcoholic, that made him easy enough to deal with even in this state. 

She had made him shower and washed his clothes while he did it, old habits from her days as his maid died hard, even now that they were on even footing. Footing at least one of them would have to lose.

It was wrong but she hoped against all odds that it would not be him, even if his chances were probably better than the other male victor. Jianzhu had won over two decades ago now, he was nearing the later end of his fifties now. To send him into the games would be a death sentence no matter how smart he was. But she found herself willing and able to sign his death warrant herself if it meant her friend surviving. 

The rest of the morning blew by in a blur, no one said anything to her and she was grateful for that. At some point food was put in front of her, she had no idea who had made it but she made an unsuccessful attempt at finishing it. Normally that would have made her feel guilty, to be wasting food when people just outside the gates of her fancy house in the victors village were starving, but now she was simply met with nothing. No guilt, no fear, no anger, no sadness. It was that same pure and overwhelming emptiness she had felt earlier in the night. 

She left her own house as late as she possibly could, as if that would delay the inevitable somehow. At least she found the other two waiting for her, so she would not have to walk to her death on their own. All three victors walked together, a small unit as if their numbers incurred them any strength. 

People were no more wary of her than usual, which was a small comfort, at least the feeling of isolation was familiar. As familiar as the feeling of climbing the steps, putting one foot in front of the other until she found herself at the top of the stage. 

She thought it was cruel to make her come out here at all. To stand here as if there was any other outcome that was available for her. At least the people of her district had something to look at, she could give them one last spectacle and then they might finally be rid of her for good, 

When they called her name she willed herself not to react. Her fate was sealed long before their escort had dug her well manicured fingers into that bowl and broken the seal on her slip of paper. 

It was an act she was able to keep up, at least until their escort finished her spiel and shifted her attention towards the male tributes. Her eyes immediately darted to the two men, focusing specifically on the younger of the two, trying to assess how he was feeling about this.

At first he seemed to be doing the same thing she was, putting up a strong front. Then, in an instant she watched as it all crumbled away. Physically he remained unmoving but she saw it in all the subtle motions of his face he could not hide. 

It was as if a premonition of doom had come over him, before their escort even opened their mouth she watched as he collapsed internally. His glistening eyes hardened, pupils contracting as a tension ran through him forcing his back straight and his hands to clench to fists at his side. 

She wanted to race to his side, but she knew better. That would ruin the show, that would get them both punished. 

So she stood there, back straight and eyes forwards until she heard their escort call for them. She moved towards the center of the stage like a zombie, eyes focused on the burning light of the sun because even that was easier to look at then the crowd in front of them. 

They both went directly to the train, neither had anyone to say goodbye to. His only family would be following them anyways, and there was no one in her district to say goodbye to. 

To his credit, Jianzhu had walked solemnly behind them until they reached the train and then he had made himself sparse. Spirits know where he had gotten off to or what he was doing, she did not particularly care. 

They found themselves again sitting in silence, this time in the furthest car back in the train. It had full windows on all sides including the roof and with a push of a button the train's floor would become see-through, making the room almost like a fishbowl. But just like a fishbowl there was no escape, they were contained where they were. 

He showed it to her on the way back from her games, trying to find some topic of conversation that didn't feel overwhelming. They had ended up sitting there for hours, not speaking but watching as the landscape blew by them. 

It had gone on to become another habit they kept to keep themselves sane, but it was not enough to be any comfort now. 

“Did you look at the reaping bowls, at the papers in them?” He finally broke the silence, staring straight ahead at the marble floors of the train car. Not bothering to so much as glance at either her or the landscape around them. 

“Yes?” Even her skeptical reply was not enough to raise his attention, so she thought of more to say on the confusingly mundane topic. “There was only one for me in one bowl, and then in the other one for you and one for-”

He cut her off before she could even finish her thought, turning sharply to face her, his face hollowed out without even a hint of emotion creeping into his voice. 

“No, he didn't have a name in the bowl.” His words made no sense and yet he said them with such a hallowed conviction she was forced to believe him. 

“What are you talking about? There were two slips in the bowl.” She insisted, refusing to allow herself to believe it. Because it made no sense, it was completely ridiculous. 

“No Kyoshi I saw it.” He insisted right back, a sudden desperation taking hold of him. “My name was the only one in there, it was in there twice.” 

“I am sorry to interrupt.” A female voice pulled their attention away from each other immediately. Despite her apologies, she was in fact interrupting and from the look on her face she knew it. At least her entrance had come too late to overhear their earlier conversation, a small blessing if nothing else. 

“You're not interrupting much.” He lied through gritted teeth, easing himself back into his usual skin. At least he would be ready to face the cameras when the time came, maybe they could all focus on him and ignore her. 

Upon appraising the girl for a second she recognized her. She was another victor, albeit not one from seven. If she was remembering correctly her name was Suki, she was from district eleven and she had won two or three years ago. 

Killed the boy from district seven to do so. She could still picture the scene, his body twitching as his killer ran away from the scene, fleeing it as if it had never happened at all. 

A flash of anger ran through her and for a moment she felt like shouting, but she came back into herself before she did that. That boy's killer was the same one that had killed every tribute before him, it was not the girl standing across from her right now. 

“My name's Suki, I think we've met a few times before.” The newcomer began to introduce herself, confirming her suspicion about her identity but not about her reasons for being here. 

“I’ve been assigned as your mentor this year, since district seven only has one female victor.” She answered as if on cue, though that answer didn't really explain why specifically she was here right now and not meeting them in the capitol. It was also strange this tradition would be continued at all, given that there were certainly not enough victors to go around. 

“I don't really know why I’m here now to be honest.” Suki said, continuing the trend of somehow reading her mind, maybe she really would make a good mentor. “They pulled me off the train the others from eleven are on and shoved me in here, barely told me what's going on.” She huffed, “I didn't even know I was in district seven until I saw both of you.” As if the indignity of her situation had finally grated on her so much that it had overtaken the shock. She seemed to be the only person who had reached that threshold so far. 

Upon again receiving no reply her confidence seemed to crack slightly. Honestly it was impressive she was able to rally enough to appear strong at all right now. “I know I’m younger than you, and-” 

“It’s okay, you don't have to justify yourself.” She gave a half smile that was returned by their newfound ‘mentor’. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to have her around after all, if for no reason other than to enjoy the company of one of the exclusive group of people who understood. 

“I will leave the two of you alone for a bit. I just wanted to introduce myself.” She excused herself with a smile. Kyoshi thought it was good that she had somehow managed to avoid all of this, she was still so young. 

“And for whatever it's worth I’m really sorry this happened to you, and I want to help however I can.” She sounded genuine, and was far more confident in her abilities than Kyoshi would have been in her shoes. Forced to mentor another district was bad enough, but her whole situation was so confusing it was surely worse. There was no way sending her here had been unintentional, though what greater purpose it served was unknowable for the time being. 

“Wait before you go.” She grabbed Suki's attention, causing the girl to whip her head around back to them. “Have you seen footage of any of the other reapings yet?” She asked, trying to disguise how desperate she was. Of course she could have watched the footage herself, but the idea of having to wait felt impossible. 

“A few yes, one and two-” She clearly had more planned to say, but she didn't get to finish her sentence. 

“Do you remember who district two's female tribute is?” She was certain her voice was now soaked in a pathetic anguish that it was futile to even try to hide. If all of her muscles were not locked in a silent tense prayer, she would be crossing her fingers. She settled for the second best thing and squeezed her tightly collapsed hands together in her lap. 

“I think so.” Suki paused for a moment as if to think things over, not yet ingratiated enough in the circle of victors to remember their names automatically. “It was Rangi, I think, she volunteered.” Her words were cautious and somewhat confused, but she may as well have shouted them for the effect they had on Kyoshi. 

All other emotions rushed out of her as soon as she heard it, replaced with a burning hot anger. 

She was going to throttle that woman. Shove her hands around that perfect muscular neck and squeeze the life out of her. That stupid, idiotic, egotistical, moronic, romantic, caring woman. She was going to grab that stupidly perfect black hair of hers and pull her right back to where she belonged, safe in her own district not throwing herself into harm's way like this. That intolerable woman. 

She knew exactly who her first kill was going to be.

Chapter Text

Everything from the moment he volunteered had been an absolute blur in Kavik's mind. The chaotic reaction from the crowd, the violent response from the peacekeepers, none of it felt real. It existed instead in some blurred version of reality that he had fallen into at some point.

He was not overwhelmingly sad to miss his chance to say goodbye, there was not a lot of love lost between him and his brother, but for Katara's sake he did wish things had gone differently. That was probably why he had jumped in front of her when the peacekeepers tried to hit her again, but even that had been more of an instinctual reaction then anything planned or thought out. It had earned him a bruise across the right side of his face and a black eye on the left, but they had left her alone physically after that so it was fine. 

She was sedated now, dragged off to somewhere on the train to sleep it off. They couldn't hurt her right now, not when she was still the capitols darling. In fact he was pretty sure whatever peacekeeper had marked up her face right before she was supposed to make a live TV appearance would be in trouble. Not any significant amount of course, but trouble nonetheless. 

For his part in everything he had been dragged off as well, sure to put up enough of a fight that attention was directed towards him instead of any of his companions. That part of his plan had worked, but it had also gotten him thrown into the room he was in now. 

It was by no means a jail cell, and it was fancier than even some of the nicest houses in district twelve, but compared to what he knew the other parts of this train looked like it was definitely supposed to be a punishment. 

He was also probably not locked in the room, but he was probably not supposed to leave it at the moment anyways. Which would have been fine, if the person he was most worried about was not somewhere outside of the room. 

In all the chaos he had barely seen what happened to Yangchen. She had probably followed after wherever they were pulling Aang off to, but he hadn't actually seen where exactly that was. They probably wouldn't hurt her, but he still worried, and at the moment worry was all he had to work with. 

He might have stood there for a couple of minutes, or maybe hours, time was no more important then the throbbing bruises on his face, he had another focus at the moment. Finally, blessedly, in the only act of mercy he had been on the receiving end of in the last days the object of his worry made her way into the room.

As soon as she laid eyes on him she threw herself on him, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in his neck. He reacted in time to stop them both from falling over, holding her so tightly he was pretty sure he lifted her slightly off the ground as he returned the embrace. 

He would have stayed like that forever, but she pulled back slightly after a moment. Her hands going from clutching desperately at his back to tracing across his face and neck, as if she was trying to find something within him. Whatever it was she saw, it clearly satisfied her, as her grip on his face suddenly tightened and became leverage to pull him into a desperate kiss. One that he was eager to return for as long as she would let him.

Apparently, the answer to how long she would let him was how long it took her more rational mind to kick in and remember that she was angry with him at the moment. He tried in vain to follow her lips as she pulled back from the kiss, inspecting his face again as if she was making one final check that he was really still alive. 

Upon confirming he was alive, she nearly immediately remembered that she barely wanted him to be. It was an interesting switch of emotion to watch as it swirled around in her deep grey eyes. Granted, it would have been far more interesting if it did not mean that she stopped kissing him. Not only did she stop kissing him, she wriggled herself out of his grip all together, gracefully dropping the inch or so to the floor as she slipped herself out of his arms. 

“Wait here.” She instructed as she stepped back brushing imaginary dust off her clothes to try and situate herself. He of course had no other choice but to wait here really, there were not a lot of places on the train that he could evade her, but it was a bad idea to point that out when she was already pissed. 

So, he kept his more petulant thoughts to himself and situated himself at the small metal table in the middle of the room.

The TV in the corner was playing reran footage of other reaping's, nothing from district twelve yet, but that was unsurprising. Somewhere there was definitely some capitol folk desperately trying to edit together enough usable footage to air, but that would be challenging given the absolute chaos that had broken out. If there wasn't the possibility that a major crackdown was currently terrorizing most of the district, he would have found the whole situation at least a little amusing. 

As if answering his question on cue, the projection on the wall across from him finally flickered onto some cut of their reaping. It only showed a brief flash of events, cutting out every inch of possibly rebellious sentiment. Instead of that, they had seemingly decided to fill the air with a recap on each of their games, and thankfully for him they followed the format of ladies first.

Or at least he thought that was what they were doing, until they immediately began to intersperse scenes of Yangchen with scenes of him, both in and outside of his games. He didn't know what exactly the announcers were talking about, but even with the sound off he had a pretty good idea. Clearly he and Yangchen had the attention focused on them again, probably to distract from the fact that the other pair of lovebirds from their district were now overdue for a highly anticipated interview. 

Although he knew exactly what they were going to play, and he desperately wanted to look away he found himself compelled to keep watching. They began with exactly the clip he had expected, the answer he had given that had set this whole thing off for them in the first place. 

There had been a media storm when they got off their train, someone had messed up and not properly cordoned off the area where they were disembarking. It was a complete frenzy, he was barely able to hear anything above the noise as they fought their way through the crowd. There was only one question that had really stuck out to him. 

“Your girl back home, how are the two of you doing?” Some reporter had shouted it loud enough he heard it over the noise and for some reason he felt compelled to answer. 

He had no idea why he was asked that of all questions. Sure, he had played into a bit of a loverboy persona during his own games, talking about a ‘girl back home’ he was fighting to win for, but it had never come up beyond brief mentions in interviews since then. Still, he had answered it honestly. 

“Not great, because this year she came here with me.” He mouthed the words as the image of his past self on screen said them aloud. 

It was a reckless decision, one made in the panic of the moment and the immaturity of youth and it was the best and worst one he would ever make. 

Though at the time all it had earned him was a firm hit to the face the second he and Yangchen were alone together. In the end it had saved her life, helped her win her games and come back home. It had also cost them both the chance of ever having the relationship they wanted with each other.

The next clip that played was seemingly designed to mock him. 

It was from her games, he remembered that day as he did every other excruciating day he had spent waiting. She had just gotten a sponsor gift, medicine she desperately needed to treat a wound that had become infected. 

Delirious from the pain and fever, covered in a mess of dirt and other grime she had collected across her time in the arena she had looked right at the camera and blown him a kiss. 

A perfect scene from start to finish, it was no wonder why they played it every time. Honestly, it was probably a major part of why he was able to secure even more sponsor gifts for her from that point going forwards. 

Still, he hated that scene more every time he had to watch it. Because it perfectly encapsulated that uncomfortable core of their relationship, how neither could ever tell how truthful the other was being. 

There was always a camera watching, and even when one wasn't trained on them its presence lingered. Permeating through every one of their interactions, seeping in like a deadly poison.

She had told him once that she hated him because she could never figure him out, could never untangle what to believe, that uncertainty drove her mad. 

At the time, he'd run out of things to say to make her believe him so he'd kissed her instead, and asked her if that was real enough for her. He never got an answer out of her, but she had never needed to say it out loud for him to understand. 

That coupled with how their relationship had begun meant she struggled to discern how much of it was real. He could tell her a million times that it all was but he thought some part of her still didn't believe him, no matter what she said. 

As if hearing her cue Yangchen appeared, certainly not in the mood to blow him any kisses at the moment. Which was to be expected but a part of him had hoped she would have calmed down given a little time and distance.

“Ice.” She stated the obvious as she tossed the baggy of ice towards him. He thought distantly that it was nice of her to not throw it directly at his face, but she was probably resisting that urge because he was injured. 

When he did not immediately act upon her impulses, she half stomped her way towards him picking the ice back up from the table and situating herself beside him so she could hold the ice to his bruised face. 

Well, hold was probably too passive a verb to describe what she was doing. Push, shove, force any of those would have been far more accurate descriptors but he kept that to himself. 

“That was stupid.” She lectured and he let her have it. “And reckless, completely ridiculous.” She continued, none too gently pushing the ice against his face so hard now it almost hurt. 

“You could have lost your eye, and that might have been one of the better outcomes.” She worried her lip between her teeth as she continued to push the ice against his face.

He hated seeing her like this, especially when he was the cause, but this was not something he could back down on. They both knew this conversation was not about him stepping in front of a peacekeeper, it was about far more than that. Though she was probably also mad about that, she was a multi-talented woman. 

“You would have done the same.” He said doing his absolute best to keep his tone from coming off as argumentative. Apparently, his efforts were in vain, as he received a glare in return.

He realized suddenly that this was completely uncharted territory for her. Mentoring was not of course, she had almost as much experience in that as he did, but she had never had to mentor someone she truly cared for. 

Of course she wanted the best for each and every tribute she had mentored over the years. He knew better than anyone how much their deaths affected her. Even if she tried not to let it show he saw how it destroyed her, how she blamed herself for it each and every time despite knowing better. 

But he knew better than anyone that there was a unique tragedy to mentoring someone you already cared about for the games. He had technically been her mentor once, but she had never been his before. 

Beyond mentoring, the pain of watching someone you care about in the arena was one they were both intimately familiar with. 

For him, it had been watching her. He remembered every moment of that year, seared into his mind like a permanent branding. He imagined it was the same for her, at least in some ways. 

The last time she had watched someone she cared about go into the arena would have been the year he won. Though, at the time he was not the one she cared about, at least not more than a passing affection, nothing that compared to who she had really cared about that year: Her sister. 

That was still a sore spot for them even now, something they tried not to speak about if it could be avoided. It was hard to forgive the person who killed your sister, no matter what the circumstances had been. 

They had allied together, managed to stay alive until the final few tributes despite everything. That arena was awful, from start to finish, filled with mutts and other fresh horrors every day that were far worse than any of the tributes they had encountered.

When it was down to them and a handful of other tributes they decided to separate, because they didn't want to survive until the end only to have to kill each other. It was a mistake, one that he had played over endlessly in his mind pointlessly yelling at his past self as if that could change anything. 

He had barely gotten twenty feet away when he heard her scream. It was the kind of scream that could never be forgotten. It was pure terror and agony put to sound.

Jetsun had been a brave girl, braver than most girls her age, but everyone was afraid in the face of death. Especially one that was as brutal as hers had been.

He had never been able to bring himself to watch the footage of what exactly had happened, but he hadn't needed to. The memory alone was more than enough for him to torment himself with. 

There was nothing he could have done by the time he got there, her body had been mangled but somehow she was still alive. Alive enough that he had to face down the impossible choice of leaving her to die slowly or killing her himself to end her suffering. 

He made the second choice, holding the remnants of her hand while he ran his blade across her throat. The cannon that sounded when he was done still rang in his nightmares till this day. 

Even if it was an act of mercy, even if her death was sealed from the moment her name had been called. In the end he came back and her sister didn't, that was an exchange she wouldn't have made at the time. He doubted she would even now, and he tried not to let that fact hurt him. 

It was better if she directed the anger at him and not at herself. He could handle it, as long as it came with the assurance that she was okay herself. 

She had broken down once, the night before she went into her games, and told him everything. How the guilt from it ate her alive. How she felt responsible for her sister's death. How she wasn't afraid to die now because she felt it was a fitting punishment, for being too afraid to volunteer for her sister when she had the chance. He would never tell her how glad he was that she didn't.

“How are the kids?” He asked, it was a force of habit to call them that even if they were not all that young. It was a poor attempt at distracting himself from his own thoughts, but it worked well enough for the time being. 

“Alive, though Katara is still unconscious, she will be fine once she wakes up, just sore probably.” She said as she pulled the ice away from his face to inspect the bruise on his face. Thankfully, she decided the ice had done its job for now and she pushed it away. 

“They won't be recording their interview, at least not until her face heals.” She sighed pushing her head into her hands for a moment.

“We can fill in for them?” He suggested, testing her reaction to the idea.

“I don't think we have any news that would be as exciting as theirs.” Was not technically a no, but it was her version of one. Though it did seem like a negotiable no, so he figured he would push his luck a little trying to lighten the mood. 

“We could tell them you're pregnant?” He joked, and did not receive even the slightest amount of laughter. “Kidding, of course.” He added after a moment, hoping to avoid receiving a matching bruise on the other side of his face. 

It was not that they had never discussed having kids, but it had never really been a question for them. When they talked about it, it was always a far off hypothetical about what they would do if they were different people in a different world. In the world they lived in, with the people they were, it could never happen, but it was sometimes nice to ponder what a world in which they could might look like. 

“Besides, we can't go on air, you don't look much better than Katara does at the moment.” She tried to phrase it like a passive comment, a simple statement of fact, but there was a smugness she was simply unable to hide. 

“Hey, it's not that bad.” He tried to defend himself though he didn't know what the extent of his injury actually was. It was probably relatively minor compared to what he had dealt with in the past, but a victor appearing bloody and bruised outside of their games was never a great look. 

“You're right, not that different from usual.” She snarked, looking rather pleased with herself. It was better than her earlier worries, so he let her have it. 

“How's Aang holding up?” Instead of arguing back he switched the topic back to what they had been discussing originally. That trick was a favourite one of his to use when she was pissed at him.

“Physically he's fine, but he's certainly not in any state to be on camera.” She didn't need to clarify what exactly she meant by that.

“He's not pleased with me?” He asked, despite knowing the answer. Of course the kid was pissed, that was kind of expected given the circumstances. 

“He will come to his senses eventually, he is still young.” She sighed, “But yes, he is not pleased with you at the moment, to say the absolute least of it.” Clearly, she had at the very least heard how displeased he was about the whole situation. 

It was kind of funny to imagine Aang getting that angry, but given the circumstances it was hard to find any real humour in it. 

Thankfully, by the time their conversation reached a lull, the projection was no longer showing footage of either of their games. Instead it had skipped to a simple screen showing the faces of all the tributes that had been reaped. It was probably to give any Capitol citizen who had missed the reaping footage a chance to decide which ones they wanted to watch. Some liked the surprise, but others preferred when they could anticipate the outcome. 

He scanned over the faces, all of which she recognized. Some were sadder than others, but there was a sting associated with each of them. He had come to know each and every one of these people throughout the years, as they had come to know him.

There was some part of him that still doubted this whole thing was even happening, if only because he struggled to imagine a world in which all these people decided to try and kill each other. 

"Both the siblings from one got reaped." She said it with an odd air of sadness, like it had slipped out of her mouth. It was probably because she had been thinking about her own sister, given the circumstances no one would blame her. There was also the fact that reaping a sibling set together was especially cruel, but that was merely another additional cruelty in what was already unfathomably awful. 

He watched her instead of the screen, using the moment to try and etch her face into his memory in case this turned out to be one of the last times he saw her. That was not a line of thinking she would have approved of, in fact she would have adamantly disapproved if he mentioned anything about that out loud, but what she didn't know couldn't hurt her. Well, that wasn't exactly true, but in this case he supposed it was true enough. 

"I wish they would have had a few years to get to know everyone." Her words broke through his thoughts, as if she had somehow read his mind and decided to change the subject. Although he would never put mind-reading past her, he figured that was probably not the case.

Instead she was probably trying to plan something, to stop herself from worrying. Even in the best of circumstances she was the kind of person who had backup plans for her backup plans backup plan. 

"It would make forging alliances much easier." She added, indirectly confirming his suspicions.

She always got like this when she was worried, retreating into her mind and hiding herself behind a veil of strategy. He had learned better than to fight it by now, it was like fighting a living tornado, that is to say pointless and painful. 

“But they know who we are.” He began, “They know who you are, they should be willing to work with you.” He tried his best to calm her racing mind by reminding her who she was. Over the years she had grown from a hapless girl to a strong and calculated woman, she had never been one to remain a passive victim of circumstance. He was not the only one who thought that about her, they had spent almost two decades at this point working with other victors, they knew each other well. 

“It is not me I am worried about.” She sighed, “In terms of allies, I’m not worried about you either.” She finished, letting the addition at the beginning hang in the air between them, she was still worried about him. 

Well that technically left two options, but there was only one person she could be referring to. Their little spitfire of a girl who they would now have to corral into working nicely with others, the difficulty of that task would depend entirely on how cooperative Katara felt like being. 

If she was willing, she could work exceptionally well in a team. If she was unwilling however, it would be damn near impossible to change her mind about it. That was a trait of hers they had both discovered while trying to mentor her the first time around. 

“She will refuse to work with the careers, though I doubt they will offer.” He began the conversation with an open ended statement, tossing her something to work over in her mind. 

“You could try and suggest someone like Mako? The boy from three, he has a younger brother, might endear him to Katara.” She suggested clearly reaching for anything that might grant them a solution to the impasse they had found themselves at. It was a good suggestion though, even if they did not know the boy very well. 

“If he sticks with his district partner, then that will loop in Asami, and that should bring in district four as well.” The gears turned visibly behind her eyes as she thought it out, he was happy to just watch her think. 

“I think Korra might grate on her.” He added after a moment, though it was more of an afterthought than a primary concern. “But we could try to keep them apart during training, minimize the chances they have to annoy each other.” He suggested more to watch her eyes light up as she was given something else to think about than out of any real strategic genius. 

Suddenly, she snapped her fingers as if an idea had washed over her. 

"What about seven." She began, "The girl from seven specifically, Kyoshi, I think Katara would like her." She continued still not asking for his input but he nodded along anyways. "Now the boy might be a problem, but that's not important, because if we ally with seven then that could loop in district two." There was a glint in her eyes as she said it, a shining satisfaction of a plan finally coming together. 

Not only would that plan give them several strong allies, it would break up the career alliance which would make things significantly less dangerous for them. It was a longshot, but he could see the possibility beginning to take shape in her mind. Whatever she was planning, he knew it went far beyond the games themselves. 

"Okay, we will try for three, four and seven, and if that brings in two as well all the better." He restated her plan and she nearly immediately gave a nod as her own stamp of approval. 

He was invested in the plan of course, but what was worth more than any plan to him was watching her come back to herself as she made it. Deciding to push his luck, he reached across the table to gently lay his hand across hers. If she minded the gesture, she kept her complaints to herself. 

They couldn't stay like this forever. There was far too much to do, even staying here now was probably ill advised given how little time they had until everything began, but it was that same lack of time that made him want to desperately cling to this moment. 

He didn't know whether she was thinking the same thing or not, but it didn't really matter. They had each other and that had to be enough. 

Chapter Text

The rest of the train ride had been spent in almost complete silence. Suki, bless her heart, had made the rounds every now and again and they had spent a few hours talking strategy, but it all felt of little consequence really. At least compared to what she was really concerned about, what waited for her in the Capitol and terrified her far more then any arena she might find herself within in a weeks time. 

When they arrived to the Capitol they had all made their way off the train with equally little fanfare, the media kept away by barriers that had been erected. Normally, they would have been allowed to at least watch as the trains arrived but apparently that was not the case this year. They were able to cross the distance from the train station to the tributes center without encountering a singular flashing camera.

The tribute center was as drab as it had ever been, but it looked slightly more rundown this year. There were other victors were lingering around the area as well, despite the fact that they were technically not supposed to be here. It seemed one of them had decided not to listen to the rule and all of them couldn't be punished at once. 

But they were all unimportant, there was only one person she was looking for. As it turned out, that person was also looking for her. 

She barely got ten feet into the room before it felt as if she had been hit by a miniature hurricane, ripping her away from where she was standing from and pulling her along. It was concerning for a moment, until she looked down and realized the mini hurricane in question was the exact woman she had been looking for. 

There was no need for verbal instructions, she knew better than to question whatever plans Rangi had. 

They found themselves tucked behind a pillar in the furthest right corner of the room. Although it was technically an open concept, it was L shaped and most people were currently congregated towards the entrance and not in the longer part they were in. 

The position also hid them from cameras, or at least she assumed it did. Rangi had always been the one who knew where all of the cameras were positioned and how to avoid them. 

Despite planning any number of possible greetings once they met again, most involving some form of shouting, now that she had been given her chance Kyoshi was too stunned to do anything at all. She could only stand there and let herself be dragged along, positioned so that she was facing the other girl who had her back pressed against the pillar. 

It only took her a second and a glance at the pillar to figure out what her plan was, though she was still too dumbstruck to either help or hinder it. Rangi pulled herself up onto the small ledge jutting out from the pillar, carefully balancing herself so she could sit on it. That gave her just enough leverage to reach up and close the distance between them.

Rangi kissed her like she always did when they first saw each other again, like she was trying to fit a year's worth of kisses into one. It was desperate, clashing teeth and tongues, there was nothing gentle about it. She wouldn't have had it any other way.

They were never this reckless, but she supposed it didn't really matter anymore. Keeping their relationship a secret had been a necessity for fear of being punished, but at this point there was not much greater punishment they could inflict. 

In the spirit of recklessness she shifted her grip bringing her hands to the underside of the shorter girl's thighs. Using the new leverage, she raised her up a few more inches in the air keeping her back pressed to the wall. 

Though she could pretend her original intentions were pure, she could not resist taking advantage of her grip to appreciate her girlfriends well-built form. Her efforts earned her a bite to her lip in between kisses, which only encouraged her further. 

She lost herself in between their lips meeting, it was the only thing she was able to focus on, nothing else mattered. Barely even breaking the kiss to breathe all other concerns slipped from her mind as she felt herself descending into a comfortable haze. 

Somewhere around her third time trying to get a word in but instead being immediately pulled back into a passionate kiss, she realized this might be a distraction strategy. 

“We need to talk.” She managed to get each word out in between kisses, which was challenging given how much her focus was split, but she pulled it off. 

“Yes, we do.” The other agreed, finally pulling back though she was still flushed and panting.

It made Kyoshi want to kiss her again, but in a feat of control that was truly herculean in effort, she resisted that impulse. Though she made no move to put her down, not yet angry enough that she wanted to lose that point of contact. 

As they both gathered their breaths there was a somewhat awkward silence between them. One that made her realize that despite how much she had thought about this, she had not even begun to plan this conversation. Seizing her opportunity Rangi stole the chance to start the conversation.

“This shouldn't be happening to you.” She whispered, her voice sounding uncharacteristically weak and almost childlike. Her hands, which were still wrapped around Kyoshi's neck locked onto each other firmly, strengthening her hold on the taller girl, as if she never wanted to let her go. 

It was almost enough to make Kyoshi forget how mad she was for the millionth time so far, almost being the operative word. She had been unable to bring herself to actually watch the footage of the reaping, knowing it would push her over the edge from anger into fear and guilt. Fear because there was now only one way this could end, and guilt because if it ended any other way then she would be the one ultimately responsible for the death of the love of her life. Even if she didn't kill her with her own hand, if she only came here because of her then what difference did it make whose hands did it. 

“And you think it should be happening to you?” She snapped back, suddenly feeling very annoyed. How dare she talk like that, when she had decided to put herself through this again. 

“What?” She looked genuinely taken aback, as if she couldn't even begin to understand what Kyoshi was getting at. That should have made her consider her words more, but at the moment she was a little too angry to do that

“You volunteered!” Her exasperated whisper was strained with the effort it took her not to shout and give away their hiding place. 

A cascade of emotions ran across her face, none staying long enough to be identified, but it gave Kyoshi enough pause to allow emotions other than anger to make themselves known. 

“To be clear, I volunteered because they pulled my mothers name.” She finally spoke after struggling with her words for a moment. There was a twinge of weakness that broke into her voice and her face as she said it. 

Well, that was enough to make her feel awful. She shouldn't have assumed everything would be about her, she probably wasn't that important to the other girl anyways. It was stupid of her to assume there was any other reason why she would volunteer. 

Afterall she was just some girl from a backwater district. She had no heritage to claim, nor had she trained or worked her whole life for something, she had really just been floating her way along hoping things would work out. 

She needed to apologize, but her lips were unwilling to cooperate with her mind. The only movement running through them was a tremble as she fought to hold back a sob. 

“But I would have done it anyway!” She added after poking her head around the pillar, seemingly confirming everyone else was far enough away that they would be able to speak freely. 

If it was her mission to make her poor girlfriend oscillate between pure guilt and pure anger, then she was succeeding at that mission absolutely flawlessly. Excelling in this as she did all other things, she seized the moment of shock she had caused to continue talking. 

“I’m not leaving you to face this alone.” She huffed, seemingly taking advantage of her opening now that she had successfully overwhelmed the other. Her face was a hardened mask as she said it, and if her arms were not already occupied she probably would have crossed them across her chest to emphasize her point. 

“I would have rather done this alone knowing you would be alright!” Kyoshi insisted when her jumbled mind managed to fling forwards enough words to form a sentence. It came out weaker then she had planned, an overwhelming swell of emotions cracking through any chance she had at maintaining a facade. 

“Alright.” Rangi's brows furrowed together as she repeated the last part of the sentence back to her, as if she had not been the one who said it in the first place. “You think I would be alright?!?” It came out like it was supposed to be a hiss, but ended up being louder then she had intended.

“You would be alive!” All the fear and anger and grief that had been overwhelming her for the past few days spilled out in her words. She was probably crying now despite her best efforts to stop that from happening, her efforts had been about as successful as her arguments. 

She did not seem to have a reply to that. Or more accurately, she did not seem to have a reply to that which did not involve hitting her, something she thankfully restrained herself from doing. 

That only infuriated her further, it meant she had come into this with every intention of dying. She was on a suicide mission on her behalf, without so much as consulting her about it first. 

“Ally with me.” She said, having seemingly calmed herself enough that she was willing to progress the conversation. That was not something Kyoshi had achieved herself yet, but the other either did not notice or did not care. “In the arena, work with me, your odds will be better that way. Between me and the rest of the-” She definitely had more to say, in fact she probably could have rambled on for however long Kyoshi let her talk for. 

“There is no way the others will agree to that.” She said, though she had admittedly little experience with the career districts outside of Rangi, who she understood to be an outlier. From the experience she did have however, they were not overwhelmingly big fans of any other district outside of their own club. 

Even if they did somehow agree to it, she had absolutely no interest in working with the career pack. There were some moral standards even she had to hold herself too, and apparently this was one of them. 

“I can convince them.” She whispered, her warm breath standing in contrast to the overly air conditioned holding room. “They will listen to me, my mother is well respected and-” She listed a million perfectly logical reasons to support her plan. Because it was a perfectly logical plan, at least from her own perspective.

“No.” The words left her mouth before she had any time to consider them nor their impact.

In terms of impact, Rangi looked at her as if she had actually just hit her square in the face. That was enough to make her wince and consider dropping the subject all together, but she had dug too much of her own grave to jump out now. 

“I am not joining that alliance.” She kept her voice firm, desperate to maintain the illusion of confidence and certainty she absolutely did not have. 

Her eyes danced across Kyoshi’s face, looking for something, probably trying to assess how serious she was being about this whole thing. 

“Fine, then neither am I.” Rangi replied, quickly righting herself and bringing her face back to that stern emotionless mask. She said it was as simple as an observation on the weather and not signing her own death warrant. 

“What!” It had taken a second for Kyoshi to say anything at all. Her mouth opening and closing uselessly several times before even a single response had so much as crossed her mind. When she eventually found one, it was sputtered out and nonsensical. 

“You heard me.” She said it confidently, as if hearing was the problem and not the absolutely ridiculous thing she was saying. 

“No!” She tried her absolute hardest to insist, not having a better counter argument available to her at the moment. Spirits this woman, following her in here to keep her safe while outright refusing to do anything to try and keep herself safe, it was just like her actually. 

“Wherever you go I am going!” Her voice was raised now, as if all the emotion she had been trying to keep out had rushed back in louder. Bronze eyes were boring through her, leaving slashes across her form as they appraised her.

“No!” She repeated, as if it would be received differently the second time she said it. “Your best chance at winning is with them and I-” Desperation piqued in her voice as she fought desperately to defend her point. The idea of Rangi throwing it all away and abandoning herself to die on her behalf was unfathomable. 

“You think I don't know that!” She shouted back, her voice impassioned even as tears welled over from her eyes. “You think I care about that at all?” She finished, bringing her hands to Kyoshi's face, tracing across her cheeks with her thumbs. Her gentle hands were the final nail in the coffin, ensuring all of Kyoshi's efforts had to be diverted to stop herself from crying leaving her with no chance to respond. 

“Do you actually think I would just be fine watching you go in there again?” The words barely made it from her lips, coming out choked and quiet as she fought to hold back tears. 

For the millionth time today she forced her to oscillate between guilt and anger. At the moment though, she had landed firmly in the category of guilt, which she felt burning through her body with each beat of her heart. 

If their roles were reversed she would have done the exact same thing, without hesitation. The thought of doing something else probably wouldn't have even crossed her mind. Because to her living without Rangi would be the same as being dead.

They were at an impasse then, nothing more to come of this discussion. Unstoppable force meets immovable object or however the phrase went. That phrase definitely did not account for circumstances in which the immovable object was your smoking hot girlfriend, who's was notably still suspended in the air in your arms. She really wanted to kiss her, but at the moment she couldn't even bring herself to look her in the eye so she settled on biting her own lip instead. 

They remained in silence like that for some time, neither having anything else to say. It gave Kyoshi ample time to run through any number of scenarios in her head where one or both of them met gruesome ends. The means varied each time, but each and every time she was always the one responsible. 

"I'm sorry it was your friend who got reaped with you." Rangi finally spoke again, breaking through the silence and drawing her out of her own internal spiral. That reminder was enough to give her something external to spiral about. Actually it gave her any number of things to spiral about rather generally but thankfully they were both interrupted before she was given the chance.

“Talking about me?” Yun's voice called both of their attentions away from each other. How long had he been standing there? Hopefully not long, though he was probably only here to make sure she was alive given that she had barely gotten a foot in the building before she had been dragged off. 

“Ugh. Speak of the devil…” Rangi whispered, rolling her eyes.

“And he shall appear.” He completed the phrase, as if it had been a call and response and not an insult against him. 

That sort of thinking really did seem to form the basis of whatever their unique relationship to each other was. To be honest Kyoshi didn't really understand how they got along, or even if they really got along at all, but she decided not to think too hard about it at the moment. 

Suddenly, it dawned on her that the two of them were still in a very compromising position. She had never explicitly told him that they were together, because there had never really been an opening that presented itself, then again he was not blind so he had probably figured it out on his own. Well if he hadn't figured it out yet he definitely knew now, no real excuse for their position existed. 

With that in mind, she decided that she would not be putting Rangi down until she had to, and if the girl in questioned disagreed with that sentiment she kept it to herself. 

“I assume you two have forged an alliance?” He mused raising an eyebrow, though it seemed he assumed it to be a forgone conclusion. There was no way he could have known how that exact subject had been what they were arguing about just a few seconds before his arrival. 

"Yes." Rangi answered for her in a split second and Kyoshi briefly considered dropping her. 

"Great!" He clasped his hands together, "Room for one more?" He asked his eyes flitting between the two of them, though it seemed he also knew what the answer was going to be before he did. 

"Of course." This time it was Kyoshi who answered too fast. It earned her a glare but Rangi didn't protest, they were friends after all, no matter how strange their friendship was. "We'll have better odds with the three of us." She nodded as she said it, trying to convince herself. 

“The three of us, that should be more than enough.” He suggested, seemingly trying to cultivate a jovial air of companionship even in these circumstances. 

“Yes, it certainly would be more than enough.” Rangi agreed, though she placed heavy emphasis on the more part. But at least she was cooperating, that meant she trusted him, that was enough for now.

It was not a good long term plan, given that no matter who they allied with there was only going to be one victor, but it was a good enough plan for now. 

“By the way, you should probably go save your mother a second time, or save your stylist from your mother. I’m not really sure who’s in more danger in that situation.” He shrugged, throwing his hands up in a mock surrender as he said it.

Rangi sighed, clearly familiar with all forms of her mothers nonsense. This was one thing that Kyoshi had known about for a while now, though she would not pretend to know the woman very well. 

She did however know about the older woman's enduringly complex relationship with district twos stylist, a woman named Atuat. Mostly because Rangi, who had to endure far more of whatever those two had going on than she did, would rant to her about it. 

At the moment it only really bothered her because it meant she could no longer ignore Rangis efforts to wiggle out of her arms and she eventually had to put her down. It seemed that was a mutual sentiment, as even while she walked away to handle whatever mess her mother as involved in she maintained some point of contact for as long as she physically could. 

Kyoshi watched her go with a forlorn sigh, it earned her a snort from the boy beside her reminding her that he was still there. Not only was he still here, they now had a golden opportunity to finish the conversation that had been interrupted on the train. 

“About what you said on the train.” She whispered, wanting to take advantage of the little time they might have without a million cameras trained on them. Of course there were still cameras around, listening devices too, but there were far less here than anywhere else they would be.

Immediately he stiffened, body and mind. It only lasted a split second, gone in the blink of an eye but it was there. 

"I was wrong, it turned out to be nothing." He looked confident and cheerful, like he always did, and he even sounded it too but still there was something wrong. It was like a painting that started to use a different shade of one colour halfway through, there was something noticeably off even if she could barely put her finger on it. Instead of letting her investigate further, he opted to turn on his heel and walk away. 

"But-" She tried to insist, not wanting to let this issue rest. Not only had it clearly been bothering him it was important on so many other levels. 

"Kyoshi. Drop it." He instructed through gritted teeth, not even turning to face her as he said it. 

A part of her wanted to protest, to insist that he had most certainly been serious at the time. If there was even a chance something like that could happen, it would indicate so much more. But what would she be able to do about it anyways? 

Chapter Text

There were many things that Suki considered herself to be skilled at, minding her own business was not one of those things. That coupled with her knack for ending up far beyond her depth in situations was what she intended to blame for how she ended up here. It was either that or some cruel form of divine intervention, and she personally preferred the former explanation. 

She was wandering through district sevens apartments, not really for any particular reason. Both of the tributes were off at the tribute parade moment and technically she should have been watching them, but she had let herself get distracted. 

While she had been standing around watching a feed of the different districts as they blew by along the parade's path, she had noticed something. There were not enough mentors milling around watching. 

Of course some filtered in and out, talking to each other and generally milling about the space but it was not enough. 

Maybe it was nothing, but she had found it worth investigating anyways. If it was nothing then all this would cost her was a walk. Given that she did not know what exactly she was looking for, she didn't really know what she stood to gain but there had to be something. 

From the additional rule of this year’s games, to her own strange position something was off. It was like being able to see the tip of an iceberg bobbing above the waves, she knew something was underneath but she had no idea how far down it went. 

No matter the specifics, it was enough to intrigue her and warrant further investigation so here she was, further investigating. 

She had started with district seven, because she was far more likely to get caught up in any nefarious ongoing if it pertained to the district she had been assigned. 

The first thing she noticed when she entered the floor was that the power seemed to be out, or maybe turned off she had no way to know. Turning on a light would be the easiest way to give away any semblance of cover she would have if something was going on, so she decided against checking. 

Thankfully, the layouts of all the different floors were largely the same, though as her eyes scanned the room she noted that the view from here was worse then the one on elevens floor. 

Physically, nothing was out of place but something compelled her to keep looking. Maybe it was a force of habit left over from her own time in the games. She had managed to win her year by hiding and tracking, hunting when necessary but mostly preferring to use that skillset to avoid people. 

Whispered voices caught her attention, pulling her down the hallway as she looked for the source. Careful to stay light on her feet, she made her way along the hallway even as the voices quieted she followed along to where they were coming from. 

The lights in all of the rooms were off, so she made her way down the hallway pressing her ear against each door as she went. She continued like that along the hallway, pausing when the quieting of the whispers made her worry she had been caught.

Really, she should have thought this whole thing through more than she had, but she was already here now. 

As if on cue the whispers resumed, getting louder as she continued her process along the hallway until she finally found it. Pressing her ear against the door she stayed crouched low to the floor, careful to remain as silent as possible barely even breathing. 

“We are not all here yet.” A male voice spoke, confirming that this was the right room. 

She supposed it made sense to meet covertly like this, with most of the peacekeepers reassigned to watch over the tribute parade there was an opening. They must have also found some way to deal with the cameras and listening devices, but she had no idea how they could have pulled that off. 

“Yes, but we cannot afford to wait any longer, we will have to find some other time to fill her in on the plan.” Another male voice spoke, this one slightly higher pitched but sounding more worried than the first. 

“Fine.” A female voice spoke for everyone in the room with a sigh. Apparently Suki had arrived just in time for whatever meeting was going on here to begin in earnest. 

“How do we even know they intend to help us, I mean how many years have they just watched in silence, why step in now. There must be something else they're getting out of it.” The same female voice from before spoke again, though she no longer seemed to hold the dominant opinion in the room as there was a murmur of discontent that ran through the room after she finished.

So this was not the very beginning of their conversation then, she had missed something. That or there was some other pre-established context that she had missed out on due to her not actually being apart of planning whatever this was. She still did not know exactly what this was, even if she was sure this was where 

She pressed herself as close as she could to the door without alerting the room's occupants to her presence. Staying close to the wall, she strained to try and hear anything she could.

“I do not think it is wise to work with her, no matter what she might bring us.” A different female voice hissed, keeping her tone low even as they had to assume they were having this conversation in private

“If this plan is going to work, then you will have to put aside family drama.” The first male voice returned to lecture her. 

Suki cursed herself for not putting this all together earlier, if she knew what this ‘plan’ was, then she would have been able to make sense of this much easier. 

“Family drama!” The woman spoke again, sounding truly indignant. “Family drama is when your daughter runs away from home for a week to be with a boy, or your mother shows up drunk to family dinner, this is NOT family drama.” She insisted and it sounded like she could have kept going. Unfortunately, she was cut off before she got a chance to give away anything else. 

“No matter what you want to call it, without her we don't have the manpower to pull this off, it's as simple as that.” A second female voice spoke, her tone was high pitched carrying a dignity to it. 

“You want to talk about family drama, why is she even here?” The indignant woman spoke again, seemingly still annoyed about that quip. “She only decided to get involved once it was her family getting hurt.” She spat and Suki was grateful whatever meeting this was about she was not a part of it, all these people seemed challenging to work with.

“We all have our own motives for being here.” A deep male voice spoke, “What matters is that we have a plan and we agree on it, no matter our individual feelings.” He continued and he must have held some sway in the room given that the worst of the bickering seemed to quiet when he spoke. 

That or everyone was just thinking up their next witty response, or maybe someone had figured out there was an eavesdropper listening in. 

“Don't you have a parade to get to.” The same woman spoke again, clearly finding her sass again after a moment. 

So some of the victors who had been reaped were here as well then? If she knew everyone better then she would be able to identify them based on their voice alone. 

“Even if we have her support, how do we know this plan will actually work?” The second male voice added, finally deciding to speak up. 

“He’s right, how many victors do we even have in on this?” The indignant woman from earlier, who had now seemingly calmed down enough to call the plan into question in other ways, asked. 

It was the perfect question, if she could do it without blowing her cover she would have thanked her. 

"Not enough." The woman with the high pitched voice sighed, sounding more resigned then stressed. Which seemed odd given that whatever this conspiracy was, it was one that had to be discussed in the utmost secrecy. 

“Enough.” The first male voice spoke again. “A lot is riding on this, we cannot back down now, we will never get another chance like this. Especially not now that we have already begun, this is not something we can take back.” He finished, his voice apparently carrying enough authority in the room that no one else questioned him from that point forward. 

With everyone now in silent contemplation this was the perfect time for Suki to make her own escape before the meeting wrapped up. Or at least it would have been. 

A hand on her shoulder. Gentle but firm. She had been caught. There would be no smooth getaway for her. 

Footsteps, she should have heard footsteps. Maybe she was just too focused on what she was hearing but it didn't matter now, she had been caught red handed in the act. 

Her mind scrambled uselessly looking for any possible explanation as to why she would be here. 

“There's no need to stand out here.” The woman spoke practically into her ear as her strong grip on her shoulder encouraged her to stand. “Why don’t you come in with me?” There was a smile in her voice as she said it, one that Suki could not assess because she was still too paralyzed to even consider turning around to face the woman. 

“Apologies for my lateness,” Her captor spoke. “I brought someone new, and as it turns out she’s already an expert on our plans.”

Chapter Text

“I cannot believe this, dumping all this work on us, making us work on VICTORS with absolutely no warning!” However awful Asami’s day was going, her stylist seemed absolutely certain that his was going worse. 

“Ugh! It is alright, twelve is not even here yet.” Her stylist sighed and then immediately went back to poking and prodding her. Apparently reminding himself others had it worse was comforting for him, of course the ‘others’ he considered was very limited, but at least he considered anyone at all besides himself. 

At least with the time constraint there was only so much damage he could do, and he was one of the better stylists available. Though the coil of wire off to the side did worry her, whatever plans he had definitely involved using that somehow. Asami was rather unsure if she wanted to find out how, but that was out of her hands. 

“Okay off.” He instructed, standing up and turning around at least granting her dignity for a moment. Not that it really mattered, as he would be dressing her anyways, but it was still nice. 

Only when she slipped off her shirt did she realize that it had absolutely been an oversight to allow marks, as her chest still bore the remnants of last night. 

When her stylist turned back around, he noticed the marks at the exact same time as she noticed the coil of wire was now in his hands. They both had about the same reaction to their realizations. 

“We will bring up the neckline then.” He whispered under his breath, before shouting it louder out to the styling team milling about preparing things. 

It went on like that for at least two more uncomfortable hours. People rushed in and out of the room carrying papers, or styling tools or in the worst case scenario even more wire. She went along with it of course, but mostly because she had learned it was better to not try and fight the inevitable. 

Even if they had been unprepared, they pulled things together well enough, all things considered. They had her in a floor length dress seemingly made entirely of various wires instead of fabric. She was thankful they were interwoven enough that everything was covered, but they were still real wire and not some sort of replica. That made it very cold, exceptionally challenging to move in and even more uncomfortable. 

Even her hair had not been spared the treatment, piled high atop her head with the same wires running through it appearing as if they were holding it in place. Of course what was actually sustaining the gravity defying hairdo was enough hairspray to cloud the room in a sort of smog that made her fight to hold back a cough. 

“There!” Her stylist smiled, clapping his hands together as he took a step back, observing his work. “Perfect.” At least he sounded satisfied with his work, and it was certainly not as bad as it could be. 

“Now, where's that boy from your district?” He asked after a moment, snapping his fingers together and beginning to urge her out of the room paying no mind to how difficult her current outfit made moving. 

When he did not immediately materialize from thin air her stylist nearly immediately began to frantically whip his head back and forth. As if he was going to be hiding in the room somewhere. 

“I’m here.” Mako thankfully made himself known after a moment, slipping into the room from the hallway where he had been standing. Spirits knows what delayed him, but all that really mattered was that he was here now. 

Immediately he was practically pounced upon by the styling team, they encircled him completely like insects swarming. She felt bad about leaving him behind pretty much as a sacrifice, but she did not feel bad enough to continue enduring the whining of their stylist, so she left anyway. 

A peacekeeper escorted her along to the loading area, where she found a few other districts were milling about, identifiable by their equally ridiculous symbolic outfits. Poor district seven, always stuck looking like trees. It didn't look any more comfortable than being wrapped in wires, but it was probably easier to move in. 

District seven, no matter how unfortunate their plight at the moment, was not who she was actually looking for. No, there was someone else she needed to see, and it was important enough that she pushed through the uncomfortable cutting of the wire against her skin. 

There she was, stood alone leaning against the chariot making conversation with whoever had flocked around her. A twinge of jealousy made itself known but it was immediately subsumed by a wave of emotion. 

All the air fled the room and everything else ceased to matter as time ground to a halt. The sound of wires grinding against the ground was the only indication that she was moving at all. 

She crossed the distance at an inhuman speed despite not being able to run, flinging herself around her target in front of everyone watching. Cameras and other victors be damned, not one of them mattered to her. 

Thankfully, probably hearing her approach, Korra was able to prepare herself in time to catch her, and do an expert job of it at that. She was also feeling more rational than Asami was at the moment, which was something she was distantly grateful for, as the woman slipped them both away from the commotion of the main area. They couldn't go far of course, but they were able to slip away somewhat to behind district fours chariot, putting distance between themselves and the commotion. 

Once they were tucked away she quickly righted herself, she planted her feet firmly on the ground using the chariot against her back to help catch her slight fall. The stupid dress made it hard to maneuver herself especially without cutting her or the woman across from her on a stray wire. 

“Hey.” Korra whispered, cradling her head and leaning forwards so their foreheads were touching. 

Somehow she must have found out about this already, that the worst case scenario for them had come true. It didn't look like she had accepted it, not really, but she was probably trying to hold it together for her sake. 

“I’m sorry.” She whispered, “We should have left like you said.” As she continued, tears began to well behind her eyes despite her best efforts to push them away. 

She could picture it in her mind, what their life could look like if they did it. It was a perfectly clear image, the result of countless days spent talking about it, about what their life would be if they were different people in a different place. She had spent even more nights thinking about it, till the image was so real to her it was almost enough. 

The exact scenery varied, but they were always by the ocean and they were always far away from anybody else. Sometimes they had children, usually two or three girls. All of whom grew up free from fear or hunger or any of the other things that had permeated their lives so far. 

“This is not your fault.” Her tone was still quiet as she said it but there was a hint of anger that she simply could not hide. 

“I know.” Asami sighed, taking a deep breath and steadying herself, pushing away useless emotions to allow for the one that had been driving her these past days to make an appearance again.

Anger, more than anything else she was really fucking angry. Angry that this would happen to her, would happen to everyone else for a second time. Angry that this happened at all, that everyone just sat by and watched. 

She refused to sit by anymore, this year was the year that something would change. Whatever it cost she was willing to pay that price, as long as she alone was the one paying for it alone.

“It's their fault.” Asami whispered through gritted teeth, barely audible as the words had practically escaped her. 

“Hey, you're not planning anything stupid in that genius head of yours right?” Korra’s words slipped out like they were halfway to a joke, but there was a worry etched into her face as she said it. 

It dawned on her then that she had not been trying to contain her anger in fear of upsetting her. No, she had been trying to contain her anger in fear that if she let on how upset she was, it would make Asami do something rash. 

It also reminded her how little the other knew, and how she needed to keep it that way for her own safety. 

That was why she had never involved Korra in it, even when it had been suggested to her she outright refused. It was the line in the sand she had drawn, the price of her cooperation had been that promise. 

Even if she didn't have a full picture about what was going on, clearly she was privy to the fact that Asami was involved in more than she let on. It needed to stay that way, even if that meant lying to her. 

“Of course not.” She gave her a slight smile as she said it, trying her best to look convincing. It didn't really look like she believed her, at least not entirely, but she let the issue drop for now.

This wasn't really the place to be discussing such things anyway.  The cheers of audiences both outside waiting for them and piled high atop the structure itself served as a reminder of that fact. All of them were clambering and desperate to get a single glance at their chosen victor. She was certain no small number of them were here to try and catch a glimpse of her victor, but they would have to wait. 

For now she did not belong to them, neither of them did. Here, tucked just out of sight the only people that owned them were each other, an equivalent exchange. 

“You look amazing.” Korra spoke after a beat, breaking Asami out of her spiraling thoughts. Her words sounded honest, and her eyes matched as they raked across her body and the ridiculous wire dress covering it. 

“Oh please they basically threw a bunch of wires at me and called it a day.” She snorted, raising her arms and causing the wires to clink against each other for emphasis. 

It made Korra laugh, and that was enough to make the stupid wire dress worth it, she would have to thank her stylist later.

At least one of them liked the dress, and as it turned out she liked the dress quite a lot if the change in her originally chaste touches was any indication. 

“Careful, you'll electrocute yourself.” She teased though the other girl did not seem overwhelmingly concerned, as she immediately dove in for a kiss. One that did not get to go very far as they were nearly immediately interrupted. 

“AHEM!” A female voice cut clean through their moment, immediately calling both of their attention away towards whoever had appeared. 

The woman was old, very old, with long white hair she kept bundled up atop her head in a precarious looking hairdo. She was dressed well, but somewhat understated, and she was notably not wearing any shoes. For anyone else, that would have been too great a fashion crime to commit on any day anywhere, let alone here, so that left only one person this could be.

“Who are you?” Korra, who clearly had not done the same math she just did, began to practically interrogate the poor woman.

“My name is Toph.” She began sounding somewhat miffed, and talking much louder than was necessary given how close they were. “And I have been assigned as your mentor this year.” She said it with a slight glee in her tone and yet it still rang almost like a threat. 

“Great, they sent me an old woman.” Korra muttered under her breath, clearly not expecting her assigned mentor to be of much help but still finding herself annoyed. Probably more so because the woman had interrupted their moment of alone time then anything else. 

“Who has NOT lost her hearing yet.” The notably not deaf old woman chided, raising a bony finger to her newfound mentee as she did. 

Whatever their problem was going to be, Asami did not feel the need to get involved with it. She would probably have enough to deal with whenever she met her district's own additional mentor. 

At least if anyone was going to catch them in a moment like this it was a blind woman, in that regard it really couldn't have gone better. 

Thankfully for the time being Korra managed to bite back any other remarks she had for her new mentor. The effort was visible on her face and it almost made Asami chuckle, but she exercised some control of her own.

“Now I’ll let you two get back to canoodling, or whatever else it is you were doing, but I expect to see you at 9am sharp tomorrow morning before training.” It was an interesting mix of nonchalance with slight satisfaction in her voice, she definitely found this whole thing entertaining. 

“Oh we're not-” Asami tried to insist, a force of habit even if it was apparently pointless. 

“I may be blind, but I am not senile either.” She noted in response, shutting down any possible argument either of them could make. At least she didn't seem to have a problem with it. 

The worst she was doing was making fun of them, something that seemed to amuse the woman as she continued chuckling to herself as she walked away. 

They exchanged a glance after she left, waiting until they were absolutely certain she was out of earshot before they both burst out laughing. 

“Good luck with her.” Asami breathed out through her fits of laughter. 

“It seems like I might need it.” She giggled barely managing to calm herself. If she was barely able to hold it together know, spirits help her and her poor mentor in the week ahead of them.

“Well I’m glad that I'm not at risk of losing my spot as your favourite mentor.” She joked, smiling coyly as she said it. For a second she thought that was going to be enough to derail the whole conversation, but they both contained themselves. 

"You were never at risk of that." She again replied with shocking honesty, as if she was being completely serious and yet her tone remained playful. It left Asami stunned for a moment, not because it was out of character but because something about the moment gave her pause. She wanted to remember it, to preserve it perfectly in her mind so that it could never be taken from her. That thought drove up a desperation in her, one that she knew would derail the moment again if she made it known so instead she changed the subject.

“I think my escort mentioned one of her daughters was going to be assigned to my district, because we only have one male victor.” Asami mused as she busied herself with righting the wires that composed her dress. 

They had probably run out of male victors to assign, but she couldn't really complain one way or another. If anything it might be nice to have someone older passing on advice, though from her understanding the type of advice she would get would vary greatly depending on which daughter she had been assigned. 

“Mako will have his work cut out for him too then.” Korra shook her head, apparently having something against this entire bloodline. 

“You have something against her daughters?” Asami questioned having never met either of the women herself for more than a few moments she couldn't really make a call. All she knew from gossip was that they were opposites and barely tolerated each other. Allegedly due to some incident in their youth, though the specifics of that incident varied greatly based on who was telling the story. 

“Only one of them.” She replied, providing no further context but sounding rather annoyed at whatever memories she was currently recalling. There was definitely a story there, one that Asami was honestly curious to hear but she was cut off before she got the chance. 

An announcement blared over the speakers, instructing them to begin getting in position behind their own chariots. That meant they would have to separate, at least for a moment and that thought was completely intolerable. 

As if sensing her changing mood Korra practically sprung into action. Leaning forwards, and adorably up onto the tips of her toes, she placed a gentle kiss on Asami's forehead. 

"Don't worry," She smiled, "I'll be right behind you." Despite how ridiculous of a joke that was to make, there was something about it that was so overwhelmingly endearing about it. There was no argument Asami could raise against it, nor anymore anger left that would let her.

She stole one last kiss before they had to part, trying to stretch that moment on for as long as she could.

Chapter Text

She had always hated this god forsaken parade, she hated the pageantry of this whole event each and every single year. It was her personal hell, being poked and prodded and preened and endlessly questioned about things. If she was a religious woman, she would have thought this was the souls of the people she had killed coming back to haunt her. 

Thankfully, she was not a religious woman, so she just found this whole thing mundanely ridiculous. 

Speaking of things designed specifically to torment her. 

“Azula!!!” She knew that voice, she would have known that voice anywhere.

“It's so good to see you again!” Ty Lee smiled as she said it, practically skipping over to wrap her into a hug. That at least was the same as it had always been, her suffocating hugs were an inevitability she had never been able to escape before, not that she really tried anymore.

“You’re a full stylist this year?” It was not really a question, nor did she really care one way or another but she asked anyway. 

“Yep!” She began, her face cracking somewhat as her eyes raked across her tribute. “Finally got the promotion.” She smiled as she said it but she seemed to derive no real joy from it. Which was odd, given that she had wanted the job for as long as Azula could remember, maybe it just turned out to not be everything it was cracked out to be in the end. 

“Come come, we haven't been given much time to prepare but I have something ready for you anyways.” She fought through a smile and linked their arms, dragging them both along. 

They found themselves in a familiar setting. District ones prep room was as sterile and unwelcoming as ever, but if she was honest she didn't really mind that aspect of it. 

Her fingers danced along her shoulders, as if she still needed to take any of her measurements. They had been working together in some capacity or another for years now, since she had won her own games. 

At first Ty Lee had only been one part of the prep team, barely an intern. She had managed to get herself assigned straight to the top working with district one in her first year. 

It was fortunate for her then that she had been given a tribute like her to work with. Being a part of the prep team that helped produce a victor in your first year was grounds for promotion from intern to a more permanent position. 

As much as she loathed to admit it, she would rather have been stuck with Ty Lee than any other sorry excuse for a stylist she might be sent. A fact she had made known the one time they had tried to send her to another district. Azula had scared away the new girl before she even had a chance to touch the tributes from district one that year. 

There was comfort in the familiarity of her touches. As she worked her way around her body primping and preening at the fabric as she laid it all out. She let herself fall into that comfort despite knowing better, closing her eyes and enjoying the sensation as the other worked. 

“Annnnnddddd finished!” She had the same tone she always did, but there was something different about it. An undercurrent of sadness that she either didn't bother too, or couldn't hide. 

As tribute parade outfits went, this one was not so bad. It was more like a fancy suit of armour than anything fanciful and ridiculous. She had even managed to restrain herself and include barely any glitter or sparkling parts. 

“You look amazing.” She smiled, leaning her head over Azula’s shoulder to appraise the look in the mirror. 

Her hands lingered for a moment, finding their way to her arms for the briefest of moments before she backed away entirely. 

They had to go and yet neither were in any hurry to abandon the moment. 

Eventually, her instincts took control of her and she stepped away from the mirror, preparing herself to exit the room entirely. Something she would have done both alone and unhindered, but with a truly impressive speed the other had managed to snatch up her hand in her own. 

Neither said anything about it, no matter what they both understood the gesture to mean it would not change anything. It did not change anything, she still had to go, so she left. Ty Lee still trailed slightly behind, holding onto her hand as she did. If the peacekeeper escorting them thought it odd, he kept those thoughts to himself opting to escort them both along without mentioning it. 

“Hey!” She called out, grabbing her attention and refusing to let go of her hand even as the distance between them increased. “I’m not allowed to bet anymore, but if I could, I would bet on you.” She gave her hand a squeeze as she said it and it looked for a moment as if tears were glistening in her eyes, but they were gone as fast as they appeared. 

Azula had no response to her, nor to the bubbling swell of emotions she felt in her stomach. So she elected to simply return the gesture, giving her hand a squeeze before slipping away from her. 

There was no need to look back, she knew the other girl's eyes would be on her for as long as they could be. Still, she felt them burning through her, so hot even she couldn't bear to turn back to look. 

She found her brother standing silently by their chariot, stroking the horse's fur as if it was his personal pet.

“Are you ready?” Her words cut clean through his silent repose and he immediately tensed up. It was important that he be not only physically ready, but mentally prepared for what was to come. The frumpy schoolboy act may have worked for him last time, but he needed to portray himself with more dignity this time around if either of them were to have a chance. 

“I’m dressed.” He replied as if that had at all been her question. For a moment, she contemplated if he was being obtuse or if he was simply so dumb that he had not caught her meaning. 

“That's not what I asked.” She returned attempting to glare an answer out of him. 

However admirable her attempt, it ultimately failed as he just shrugged and went back to petting the horse. She could push him on that, but for some reason she didn't, though even she couldn't identify the reason for that. 

“There will be more competition this year.” She sighed, rolling her shoulders and cracking her neck in an attempt to prepare herself. Honestly, this alone was far worse than anything they could throw at her in the arena. 

“Our uncle says-” He began, surely about to launch into a spiel about whatever wisdom their good for nothing uncle had decided to impart upon them on the train here. Honestly the only good thing about being trapped here with both of them again was that they would entertain each other instead of bothering her. 

“If our uncle jumped off a cliff would you follow him?” She rolled her eyes as she said it, finding herself more impatient than usual. 

“Actually, don't answer that. I don't want to know.” She scoffed upon watching him begin to open his mouth as if he was going to answer that question. 

Immediately his mouth snapped shut, though he looked as if he still had something he wanted to say. It was as if whatever he wanted to say was swirling around inside him manifesting as a stupidly disgruntled look on his face. 

Whatever, as long as he kept it to himself it would be fine. 

Her eyes surveyed the competition around her, though it was hard to see them as overwhelmingly dangerous given everyone and their absurd costumes. 

Two would be a problem this year, if only because they would not be the trusted allies that they normally were. Honestly she would have taken a Beifong, even one of the old ones, over what she got. 

Normally she would have turned to four in lieu of two, but district four would be no better. Both had abandoned themselves to other priorities. But it didn't matter, they would fall all the same. There was no other option, that was the only way things could go. 

It didn't seem like twelve had managed to get here yet, but that was all the better really. Those victors last year had caused a real problem, for everyone really, that was why they were here in the first place. If those two could have just sucked it up and played along like everyone else did then everything would have been fine. 

But no, they were in love and they had to make it everyone else's problem. Truly the theme of making your relationship everyone else's problem was really starting to grate at her nerves. None of these people had ever denied themselves anything, they were not worthy of the title of victor and yet. 

As an announcement blared she knew to take her position without even needing to hear the words. Her brother was a moment slower, spirits he must really like that horse for some reason, but he arrived beside her all the same.

Even as the horses took off and the blinding light of the sun hit her face she refused to allow herself to flinch. 

Staring straight ahead she plastered a dignified smile on her face and brought one hand up to wave at the crowds. 

She would not deny enjoying their cheers, that was only natural. The sacrifices she had made to get where she was deserved to be recognized. It was the right of a victor, to live their life in comfort and luxury. 

But now she was being called to sacrifice again. Now she was being asked to sacrifice something else entirely. 

She noticed her brother falter for a moment, nearly falling from his position. Maybe because he was feeling uncertain or maybe because he had been jostled by something, she didn't know and she didn't particularly care. 

Reaching over slightly she used the hand that was not distracting the crowds to grab his free hand. She refused to even glance at him as she did it, keeping her eyes and her mind straight ahead even as she felt his eyes glance to her searching for something.

Whether he found it or not he returned her grip, going back to smiling at the crowd on his side of the chariot. 

He needed to stay steady, if he fell or slipped that could derail things entirely and make them both the laughing stocks of the Capitol and all the districts. That was the only reason she was doing it, there was no comfort to be found in the gesture, absolutely none. 

Apparently district twelve had finally decided to arrive. Something she was only alerted to when people began to cheer.

The crowds practically erupted in applause at the sight of their precious victor. Even amongst the indistinct chanting she was able to hear distinct shouts of the girl's name. It was a comfort that people were not equally interested in the male tribute, but an exceptionally small one. 

“Don’t.” She whispered harshly, not allowing her mouth to move from its smiling mask even for a moment. “Don’t look at them, that will only give them even more attention.”

It was infuriating, how they could do this. Even now, even when their actions had already gotten so many people hurt they wouldn't stop. 

So she refused to look back, even as something bright and sparking caught her eye causing the crowd to erupt into even greater cheers. 

She didn't look back even to see how others were reacting to whatever fire was breaking out back there. For all she cared this whole place could burn to the ground, she needed to keep looking forwards, no matter what that meant.

Chapter Text

The night since the parade had gone on largely without event. Despite arriving so late they barely made it to the parade, she had managed to avoid missing it. Even with some remnants of whatever sedative she had been given still pulsing in her system she had managed to drag herself on the chariot and stay on it successfully the whole time. 

Granted, the sedatives were clearly not wholly out of her system, as she passed out somewhere in between the elevator and their apartments. Or at least she had to assume that was what happened, as her last memories were a blurred and hustled mix of moments before she woke up the next day tucked into a bed. 

Still she managed to drag herself from her bed and prepare herself for the day. Everything still felt so absurd she was sure some part of her hadn’t processed things yet, maybe that part of her was shielding her enough to get through this. 

At least training didn’t start till around 10am, which was more than enough time to take advantage of easy access to good coffee. She was also able to request that it be brought to her, in order to avoid any unfortunate conversations she was at the moment unwilling to face. 

She knew it was inevitable, but there was some childish part of her that still wanted to deny it. Apparently, that childish side of her was the one that controlled her today. Maybe it was just easier that way. 

Sneaking out of her room she continued to avoid any conversations with an impressive amount of skill. She made her way from the apartment still without incident and her luck continued even the whole way down the elevator to the tributes centre. Even as she walked across the top floor of the tribute centre and into the elevator that led to the training floor, she still managed to avoid running into anyone at all. 

Her luck ran out only when, just before the doors of the elevator closed, Kavik slipped through right after her. Where had he even appeared from? It was like he had waited in hiding specifically to catch her at the one moment she could not escape from him. 

“You can save your speech.” She preempted what she knew he was going to say with her own statement. “I did this all last year, remember.” She snarked, apparently in more of a mood this morning than she had originally thought. 

Glancing at her briefly, he looked as if he was trying to assess how much of a mood she was in at the moment. 

“Look, I’m not saying last year was easy, but you cannot go into this with the same mentality you did last year.” He said, as if she didn't know that already. “You will need allies, we will need allies.” Again he stated the obvious. 

“I know that.” She huffed, refusing to meet his eye. 

“Then why do I get the feeling you don't intend to make any allies?” It was a completely rhetorical question, she was sure he knew exactly why but instead he insisted on stringing her along through this conversation. 

“I mean how could we ever trust each other.” She posed the logical question, the one it seemed no one except her was so much as considering.

“Trust has nothing to do with it.” He responded in an instant, “It’s about survival, nothing more, nothing less.” His answer was simple and it seemed for a moment like he was going to leave it there, something in the distance catching his eye, but he stopped himself.

“Just, remember today is about making allies.” He turned himself fully to face her as he said it. “Try not to start any fights, okay?” The look on his face as he said it was so completely moronic she considered for a moment starting a fight on the spot, with him as her target. 

“I am not going to start any fights.” She said in a tone that entirely contradicted her words. Thankfully, he let her go anyway without only a wary side eye as warning to behave. 

As she surveyed the landscape of people around her, many caught her eye, but none for the right reasons. 

Honestly, the first thing she noticed was how few people overall actually seemed to be here. Especially considering that attendance was technically mandatory for everyone. She supposed that for those who had already given up any hope of surviving, there would really be no point in attending. What was the Capitol going to do anyways, kill you a second time? 

Of those who were here, some seemed to be genuinely practicing while others seemed somewhere between slacking off and dissociating. The second inclination she understood herself, but she could not let herself fall into the trap and give up. She owed everyone at least that much.

The duo from district one had situated themselves by the weapons rack, though neither seemed to be training with that much intensity. Neither bothered to so much as glance at her though the boy seemed to consider it for a moment. 

When they were practicing they worked with an impressive synchronicity. That would be the advantage of being here with a sibling she supposed, the only advantage you would get. 

It reminded her of how she used to go hunting with her own brother, though they had never once been quite so attuned as the siblings here. Their hunts rarely ended with finding food, and at the time they had been more annoying to her than anything else. She would give anything to hunt with him again. 

Pushing the thought from her mind she began to survey the rest of the room, trying to find the people she had been told were a good place to start. Although she wasn't sure how much she trusted her mentors' assessments, there was only one way to find out. 

She had been advised to start with district four, but they both seemed to be otherwise occupied at the moment. Given that they were occupied with district three, the other people that she was supposed to be talking to, it left her almost out of options. 

The almost was key, as she had technically been instructed to speak with some others as well. Specifically, district seven had come up as people she might want to ally with. From the bits and pieces she remembered of both victors and their games, she decided it would be best to start with the female tribute from that district. 

It wasn't hard to find her in the room, she was tucked away in the corner working away on a long dark training mat. She seemed to be working with some form of bladed war fan, it was large and clearly required both skill and strength to practice. Her movements were fluid, it almost looked like some form of intricate dance to which only she knew the steps. 

Clearly, Katara was not the only one who was enthralled by the performance.

The girl from two, although she was still standing with the career pack at the moment, had never once stopped staring at Kyoshi. It was so obvious surely everyone else around her must have noticed as well. 

It made her shiver and she wasn't even the target of it. She had to intervene, if only so that the poor girl didn't drop dead of a heart attack before they even went into the games. 

“If you teach me how to do that I can teach you how to shoot a bow.” She began her approach with what was practically a sales pitch. It wasn't that she really wanted to learn how to use a fan like that herself, but it seemed like a decent enough trade off. 

Kyoshi looked surprised for a moment, but she quickly calmed herself. Though for a moment there was a glimmer of some distant sadness in her eyes that Katara could not even begin to place. 

“Sure” She aquised without putting up any argument, maybe she wasn't as suspicious of things as Katara was herself. That didn't seem overwhelmingly likely, but she could think of no other explanation. 

They didn’t speak much after that point, she supposed there wasn't really anything to discuss. A simple exchange of information did not constitute an alliance, nor did it necessitate any further discussion. 

It was about as challenging as she thought it would be, but the older woman was a good and patient teacher. She demonstrated a variety of forms that Katara attempted to copy to the best of her, currently rather limited, abilities. 

It took about three hours for Katara to get to some form of passable skill with the majority of the forms associated. Though some still eluded her, there was something useful to be gleaned from practicing them. 

She may not use the fans specifically, but the movements were still useful to practice. It gave her more confidence in her footwork, something that was useful no matter what one's weapon of choice might be. 

With the first portion over they moved on, still not really talking about anything in particular. 

Even as they crossed the room to the area designated for archery she could still feel the eyes of that girl from district two staring them down. She would have to reconsider an alliance with her then. If for no other reason than because whatever was going on between those two, Katara did not want to find herself in the middle of it. She would be enough of a target for the career pack already, no need to put an even bigger one on her back by allying with another person they seemed to hate. 

Still she had to fulfil her end of the bargain, and that meant they would continue to work together for at least the rest of the afternoon. Unfortunately that also meant she would have to continue to endure that piercing stare, but she tried to push aside her worried about that for now. 

“Do you want to go in with me?” Katara asked, slinging the arrows around her hip as her father had taught her. It was different from how most people would wear it over their back, but it was far easier to use that way. 

“No, I’d rather watch at first.” Kyoshi waved her on, situating herself off to the side with a clear view inside of the room allowed by the glass doors.  

She felt bad for a moment, given how much effort the other had extended her but she took her at her word. 

Slipping into the training room she heard the clink of the glass doors closing behind her sealing her in. There was a hum as the room came to life, bright lights nearly blinded her for a moment as they began to create targets for her to shoot at.

Targets that took the form of humans, rushing at her from all sides holding various forms of weaponry. There were even some archers situated higher up in the room, shooting beams of light down at her. 

The movements were as ingrained in her as they had ever been. She whipped around the room, firing arrows at the moving targets that rushed her. Ducking and dodging when she needed to, bobbing and weaving between the beams of light that were projected from above to form the targets. 

For each that she took down another appeared in its place. Some were faster rushing at her while others trailed back attempting to sneak up on her. No matter their approach none of them were successful.

With a practiced ease she took each one down. Forcing her mind through the motions was far more challenging than her body but she kept the effort up anyways. 

Finally after an unknowable amount of time the simulation slowly ground to a halt around her. The lights flickered as the projectors wound down and reality began creeping back into the once transformed room. 

She panted, gasping for breath for a moment, sweat dripping from her brow as her muscles punished her for her efforts. It had not been her intention to lose herself so entirely to the moment, but it seemed that had been the result nonetheless. 

Turning to the woman she was supposed to be teaching, a realization dawned on her. 

“You already know how to do this don't you.” Katara recalled suddenly, the rush of endorphins from the exercise clearing away her mind. 

She recalled watching Kyoshi's games, though she had been young at the time she was old enough to remember parts of it. Apparently she had not remembered it well enough to remember that she had used a bow at points. 

From what little Katara could remember, the male tribute from her district that year had taught her how to use one. She couldn't remember much about the boy other than that, he died about halfway through the game from some sort of poison. It was a particularly brutal death, a fact she only remembered because she recalled one of the kids in her class passing out as they watched it.

“Maybe a little.” Kyoshi confessed with an awkward shrug. “But it was still helpful to watch you.” She added after a moment, waving her hands slightly in front of her as if to defend herself. 

Apparently, she was not the only one who thought that. Out of the corner of her eye Katara noticed that practically the entire room had slowly congregated around the archery area, watching her performance. 

No one said anything, but she could interpret a variety of responses rippling through the room around her. People leaned to those around them, speaking in hushed whispers that bounced around the area. 

Well, she had certainly made some allies. Equally as many enemies, but still some possible allies nonetheless. 

“Why don't you try.” She said as she practically forced the bow into Kyoshi’s hands, desperate to take the attention off herself. 

It did mean throwing the poor woman into the center of attention, but people seemed to dissipate once they realized the main portion of the show was over. 

She flew under the radar for the rest of the day, not interacting with anyone if she could help it. Although it did nothing to reduce the stares she got from the people around the room it avoided any chance to make things worse for herself. 

It left her in an unfortunate position, wanting the day to end in order to escape the stares but also wanting to prolong the day in order to avoid the conversation she knew was coming. 

She managed to delay it by running off to shower practically as soon as she returned to the apartments. A shower that she extended for as long as possible, enjoying the heat on her still aching muscles. 

Still even with the seemingly endless supply of hot water in the Capitol, there was only so long that she could reasonably shower for. Eventually she had to slip out and into simple clothes, formal enough to be passable but comfortable, perfectly appropriate for the dinner she was about to endure. 

They had settled around the table, like a macabre family dinner. At least the food was as good as it had been last year, if not better. 

“After your performance today we have our pick of allies.” Kavik gave her a slight smile as he said it, looking vaguely like a proud parent boasting about their child's achievement

“So,” Yangchen began, as if they had planned out this tag team approach. Honestly, they probably had. “What do you think? Anyone caught your eye today?” She sounded cautiously optimistic, which was unfortunate because she was not going to receive the news she clearly wanted.

“Honestly? I don't like any of them.” Katara began, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms against her chest. If it was a fight they wanted she had been at training all day, she was ready for a fight. 

Whether they wanted a fight or not remained to be seen, but it did seem they had all expected it regardless. 

“Okay let's do it this way then, who do you hate the idea of working with the least.” He sighed as he said it, comforting himself with another bite of their dinner instead of making a snide comment. 

She wracked her brain for a moment going over each and every possibility and finding an overflowing list of cons compared to an incredibly minor list of pros. Honestly she wished everyone would stop pushing this on her so hard, it didn't really matter who they worked with, they would have to turn on each other eventually. It would be easier to not make any alliances at all, save themselves the trouble of everything. 

“I like the girl from seven, the really tall one.” Aang suggested when no one spoke again. His eyes darted around the table looking for anyone who might be willing to take up his cause. “We talked for a bit before the tribute parade, she was really nice.” He smiled as he said it recalling whatever their chat had been about. 

From her limited experience with the woman, she understood how those two might get along. Still fancy footwork and skill with fans did not make her trustworthy. The same bladed fans she had taught Katara to use could just as easily be used to cut her throat should the moment necessitate it. 

“Kyoshi?” Yangchen replied hopefully, as if either one of them were going to have to be the ones actually working with these people. Or the ones actually killing them when the time came. “She would be a good pick, very strong and agile, kind as well.” She added the last part while looking directly at Katara, as if trying to figure out what qualities specifically she was looking for. 

“She's… alright.” Katara began tentatively, “But I don't like the boy from her district, and I don't think she intends to leave him behind.” She continued, dashing her poor mentor's hopes slightly. “Plus I think she might be an enemy of the career pack or something.” It was an afterthought, and she phrased it as such and yet it seemed to only draw everyone's attention in further.

“What makes you say that?” Yangchen asked her voice an octave higher than usual which was the tone she always used when she was genuinely interested in something.

“The girl from district two was staring at her the whole time we were training, I mean death-staring her. It seriously looked like she was trying to start something.” She muttered, digging her fork into her food trying to dispel whatever it was that made everyone focus so much on what had been a casual comment. 

Kavik nearly choked on his food, barely able to contain his reaction and completely unable to contain the cackle that escaped him. He was there as well, he had definitely noticed it too. That must be why he was laughing, it had been a pretty entertaining scene if you looked at it a certain way but Katara had just felt bad for her the whole time. 

“Uhhh… I do not think that is the case.” Yangchen finally answered, barely able to contain her own giggles. 

Katara looked between them desperately, even glancing at an equally confused looking Aang, desperate for anyone to give her an answer here. 

“Katara, those two are together, romantically.” Yangchen continued after clearing her throat, still clearly fighting off laughter as she said it. At least she was trying to fight it off, Kavik was no longer trying at all, completely abandoning himself to the apparent hilarity of the situation. 

“OH!” The realization shot through her like a bolt of lightning straight to her chest. That made a whole lot of pieces finally assemble themselves in her head. Her cheeks flushed at her own naivety. 

“I still don't trust her then, not if she’s going to be allying with a career.” She looped it back around to her original point, barely over her earlier embarrassment. 

Maybe it was the fact that everyone was still in the stages of getting over their laughing at her expense, but the reaction to that was oddly understated at least for a moment. 

“Fine,” Yangchen conceded, “What about three then, what do you think about those two?” She ignored their reactions and continued clearly having her own end goal in mind even if no one else was privy to it. 

She racked her brain thinking about the two. If she remembered right they had been hanging around four, who were not her favourite but they were certainly more trustworthy than the rest of the careers would be. 

They had watched her accidental performance and both seemed decently intrigued but neither had approached her during the day.

“I’m not sure.” She began tentatively not wanting to give nor dash any false hopes. “I didn't get a chance to talk with either of them today.” It was an honest answer and it was one that seemed to be at least somewhat accepted by the others at the table. 

“You will talk to them tomorrow then?” Yangchen instructed more than she asked, even if her tone made it sound like she was asking. 

Still, Katara nodded along even if she was not entirely sure that's what she intended to do. 

“Then I will tell everyone the two of you are still considering things.” She sighed, practically floating out of the room, her dress running the length of the floor behind them.

It was a small gift, to put off that kind of discussion for one more day. One that was only given to her on the basis of trust, trust that she would comply and actually go out and make allies. Even if it had never been said so explicitly, that basis was why she knew, no matter what she personally wanted, she would do tomorrow as she had today. Trust was one of those things that was so rare once you find it, you cannot afford to let it go. 

Chapter Text

The worst part about secret plans was also the most essential part, keeping the plan a secret.

That aspect alone would not be the most unfortunate part, but it was the constancy of it that drove her insane sometimes. Still she was an expert in it, no matter how absurd and tedious it became at times. When you have spent as many years as she has now attempting to communicate covertly a few things happen.

One; you become aware of methods of surveillance that no one else would think about. Not only the technology that is used but the placements of that technology are constantly evolving and changing. If you aren’t constantly monitoring for and aware of changing methods, you will be caught completely off guard.

Two; as a result of the above fact, you become aware of an extensive list of ways to subvert the equally extensive list of methods. There were basic ones such as speaking in code or more advanced ones that somehow involved altering the surveillance technology in some way. All types carried some amount of risk, so it was more about choosing the best one for the scenario then perfectly applying them.

Three; you accept that some amount of surveillance is inevitable no matter your own best efforts. Sometimes it's too risky to remove the surveillance, or there is simply too much of it to be removed. Even when you can remove it all, sometimes it’s best for your enemy to feel they have an advantage on you by letting them in on bits and pieces of information.

All that to say one has to get creative with their methods of transmitting information. This was, in her opinion, a solution that was equal parts fun and useful.

It also took advantage of the very real asset that was her, somewhat real, marriage and the benefits that afforded her and her, somewhat aware, husband. Said somewhat aware husband was currently completely unaware as he was passed out asleep beside her in their bed. A bed they were only allowed to share because of their ‘marriage’, which was only one of the advantages she intended to use in their favour.

Married couples, no matter how ‘real’ their marriage, were known to if not expected to engage in certain activities. Especially when they were together alone in the privacy of a bedroom.

No one surveilling them would think it odd for the two of them, a married couple, to engage in said activities together. They had done so in the past, both for real and for other purposes such as her current plan.

What they would find it is somewhat awkward and embarrassing, it meant intruding on an even more private moment than usual. Some might have no qualms with it, but it was something at least the average person was generally averse to.

Even those who may be dedicated enough to listen willingly and put aside their embarrassment would still be hampered by some other aspects of the plan. Often the plans that work best are the ones so absurd one would assume no one would ever think of using them.

What kind of person would pretend to sleep with someone in order to cover up a secret conversation?

Stopping for a moment to observe him she almost considered abandoning her plans entirely for a moment. He looked so peaceful laying there asleep, at least for the time being.

It was a moment that did not last very long as if on cue he nearly immediately proceeded to shift in his sleep, stealing the blanket they were allegedly sharing as he did. Well, at least he intended to make this easier for her.

Shifting from her position she practically climbed on top of Kavik’s sleeping form, gently pushing him over so she was laying on his back and she was over top of him. Not allowing herself to be distracted by him any further, she spoke before he had the chance to react. 

“Good morning.” She said it loud enough for it to be perfectly audible to the surveillance in the room. Instead of letting him respond, or get a word of his own in, she immediately leaned down, closing the distance between them for the second time.

It was only when instead of kissing him again, she had leaned down and whispered into his ear that they needed to talk that he had seemingly clued in on the plan. Something that was obvious by the way he nearly immediately deflated when he put everything together.

There might have been better ways to pass on information like this, but this was certainly the most fun.

Shifting herself so she was sitting up, she braced her hand on his shoulders making sure the sheets stayed covering her lower half.

With his, rather eager, assistance they managed to get the top half of her robe undone, pushing it down so it sat around her hips. She knew all the cameras in this room were positioned opposite to the bed, so he was the only one privy to the most explicit parts of this performance. Something he seemed to consider payment enough for his role as his earlier disappointment was not still visible on his face.

She didn’t intend to give him too long to stay off task, they had a job to do after all. “Things have changed.” She whispered, “We managed to secure sevens cooperation another way.” Following up her words with a distraction, she guided his hands to her back and let out a rehearsed sigh as she shifted her hips slightly.

She left him to figure out the implication there himself, something he may have been better at doing if he was not currently short circuiting. At least that was what she assumed him to be doing, she was rather well acquainted with his face and what his various expressions meant.

Maybe he needed an extra moment to process it then, she could certainly give him that.

Leaning back down she began trailing her lips down his neck, intermixing gentle kisses with harder bites. It was always a good idea to leave evidence to prove your cover story.

She only became distracted from her task when he let out a pitched moan, one that may have been a result of her efforts instead of faked. It made her smile even as it reminded her of their original purpose.

Trailing her kisses upwards, she allowed herself a singular additional distraction pausing briefly to nibble at his earlobe. “You need to push hard for two.” It was always good to lead an ask as big as that with a favour, or at least to continue the trend of leaving him so disoriented that he didn’t have time to question it.

“Two and seven are a pair.” She whispered as she took one of her hands from his shoulder to his stomach, pushing up his shirt. Seemingly snapping back into reality, he nodded and nearly immediately began to help her with her efforts, dramatically tossing his shirt off to the corner of the room for effect. That or maybe he truly was that enthusiastic, both possibilities entertained her.

“Two knows, seven doesn’t” She whispered practically into his mouth before immediately stealing another desperate kiss.

In order to keep things realistic, she reached down pretending to fiddle with the waistband of his pants, the sheets kept her actions covered anyways. In that same spirit she shifted forwards slightly rolling her hips and earning herself the exact reaction she expected for that.

It was an action she would have to repeat several times, but for his sake she shifted slightly, taking some of her weight off his lap. There was the added benefit of it helping her stay focused, but that was neither here nor there.

Apparently giving him any assistance was a bad idea, as he nearly immediately pushed his advantage. Shifting himself upwards he moved his hands from her back to tangle in her hair pulling her hair gently as he moved it aside and immediately using her own tricks against her.

“What about three and four?” It was said breathily and between leaving open mouthed kisses along her neck and then down towards her chest. If his own quiet tone didn’t do enough to disguise their conversation, she was sure the barely muffled sounds she made as he reached his destination did.

After a moment he glanced up at her, not pausing his ministrations but clearly expecting her to respond. A task he made challenging by immediately continuing his downwards course, moving his hand from her hair as he did. One came to rest at her hip and the other replaced his mouth against her chest, something that could be construed as an apology for his absence if he did not look so pleased with himself.

That was however his fatal mistake as it returned the advantage to her, giving her an opening. Acting on it, she immediately shifted her weight downward again, rather firmly continuing to roll her hips as she did.

The reaction was exactly as she expected it would be but she wasn’t done yet. Pressing her advantage further she snatched his hands away from their positions, clasping both of his wrists together in one of her hands and pushing him against the mattress.

“Behave.” She warned audibly, even if it was more to keep their act realistic than anything else. At least that’s what she told herself, but even she couldn't deny the satisfaction at the speed with which he nodded.

“Focus on three today.” She instructed this time so quietly only he could hear it. He again responded with a nod, and she closed the slight distance between them to kiss him as a reward.

Assuming that he would still be listening to her earlier warning, at least for now, she released his hands. “Three knows, four doesn’t and you cannot tell four.” Hiding her words under a loud moan, one she timed to align perfectly with his hands coming to grasp at her hips, assisting her rocking even if it was only torturing him further at this point.

She had communicated all the information she needed to now, which meant it was time for things to wind to a close, or rather a finish. Beginning a stronger performance now she let him know that they were reaching the end of their little game, at least for now. She had conveyed all the information she needed to which meant that this was over for now, after they finished things off of course.

Something they both did shortly thereafter one after the other, even if there was no relief accompanying it. Shifting back slightly, she kept her position sitting atop his lap but moved her hands to rest against his thighs behind her allowing her to take in a full picture of him.

He looked a complete frazzled mess, his hair a mess and an honestly excessive number of marks practically coating his neck. Oh well, his training uniform should cover most of them and whatever it didn’t would serve as proof. Both of the validity of this encounter and of something more than that, but she refused to investigate that second concept or the deeper satisfaction it brought her at the moment.

“It’s only 9:30.” From how he was panting as he said it one would have thought the words were challenging for him to say. The implication was obvious enough, training didn’t start till 10, that was half an hour from now.

Half an hour they could use to do any number of things technically, but she knew there was only one thing on his mind. If his words were not clear enough, her current positioning gave her a few other obvious clues.

“Hmm.” She pretended to be thinking it over, “I guess I do owe you one.” She fought hard to maintain her nonchalant tone of questioning. It took considerable effort given the face he was making, something akin to a kicked puppy, was hysterical but she thought she pulled it off alright.

Apparently she did not pull it off as well as she had originally thought, as when she glanced down she saw another very recognizable expression on his, still notably flushed, face. He knew he was about to get what he wanted.

It left her briefly so annoyed she considered leaving him alone, denying her own satisfaction in the process but she gave in in the end. Still, she would never pass up an opportunity to fluster him.

Bringing her hands to his neck for leverage, she placed them gently on either side of his neck as she leaned in closer, applying only a feather light pressure as she did so. Still it was enough to knock the smug look right off his face. The remnants of which disappeared entirely as she gently dug her nails into the back of his neck leaning so close that their chests were pressed together.

“Say please.” She instructed her voice barely audible. Their faces were so close together she got a front row seat to how his eyes blew wide and his entire face turned a shade of red she barely thought him capable of.

“Please.” It was out of his mouth in an instant, as if it had escaped without his mind's consent driven instead by instinct. This was something he needed, not something he wanted, as fundamental to his survival as oxygen or perhaps even more so.

That alone would have been enough to knock her off balance for a moment, but coupled with the morning's events so far it completely deprived her of her logical thinking. All the responses she had planned to tease him further deserted her in an instant.

“Go ahead then.” She said, swallowing down her desperation in an attempt to maintain her composure.

The reaction was instantaneous. He tightened his hold on her waist and flipped them both over with a slight desperation he was clearly no longer bothering to hide. Still she let him, tangling her hands in his hair and only offering him a giggle in response to his efforts.

If the Capitol thought they had enough stamina for round two, that was but an additional benefit.

Chapter Text

Feigned incompetence was by no means new to Asami. Back home in her district people, generally men, had a habit of assuming that she was somehow incapable. At the time it had been infuriating, but in retrospect it had helped her develop a useful skill. 

When she had won her own games, she had done so in no small part because of that skill. During training she had pretended to be meek and useless, by the end of the three days she had barely scored a five. 

Everyone had written her off as a lost cause, someone who was unlikely to even survive the bloodbath.

They had all been wrong of course, but that was by design. As soon as she got her hands on some tools she got to work rigging up traps arena wide. In the end her games had been one of the fastest games ever, ending in just under 5 days. 

All that to say she had the skillset to complete her current mission, she just needed her target to take the bait. 

Her target for today was district twelve, either of them really, but she had special interest in the girl. She had been told she should direct her focus there, as getting Katara on board would be more of a challenge. 

Still, she was not yet certain that the girl was actually necessary to their plan, and she refused to risk working with anyone she couldn't trust. Even if she had accidentally set this whole thing in motion, that did not mean she could be trusted to keep the ball rolling so to speak. 

With that in mind she had formulated a plan, one that served both to test the other girl and to demonstrate that she was a trustworthy and useful ally to have. 

Knowing her skillset from watching last year's games, she knew her target knew a lot about herbs and plants. She had used some last year as medicine to treat a wound she had received.

Admittedly, Asami had never been as well versed in the natural aspects of survival. There weren't exactly a lot of wild environments back home in which she could practice these sorts of things. 

The only time she really spent outdoors was at her beach, the one that met the water they shared with district four. Korra had taught her all about the various plants and animals around there but she had never really cared to listen, far more occupied by simply watching her talk. 

Her mind briefly drifted from her task and her eyes began to search the room for her lover. It was a distraction she should have snapped herself from immediately, but she found herself unable to deny herself at least a glance. 

Her eyes found the other on the opposite side of the training area. She was leaning against a wall chatting with a few other tributes. For the briefest of moments, Asami felt the tinges of jealousy begin to burn at her but she pushed that away as fast as it appeared. 

She had to refocus herself, she had a job to do and it did not involve ogling her girlfriend.

The station she found herself in front of was simple enough, it was a screen that was linked to a smaller screen in front of her. Displayed on both screens were pictures of various types of plants, her job was to click on the non-poisonous ones. 

After doing a final check to ensure that her target was still in the area, she began the task in front of her. She only got a few plants before she intentionally misclicked and sighed as the screen lit up red. 

From the corner of her eye she saw her target glance over to her, but she wasn't making any moves to approach her yet. 

So she tried again, this time making it slightly further, though still not very far, before intentionally failing. Again she received only a side glance but no offer of help or attempt to initiate conversation. 

Perhaps she should have thought of a different task. Given that her target was a woman, maybe she was simply too smart to fall for some act like this. 

Regardless she was committed now, there was no backing out without making herself look like not only a fool but a quitter. That and she had no backup plan for grabbing her attention otherwise.

Katara watched her fail the task twice more before deciding some intervention might be helpful. 

“You can tell by the leaves.” She finally spoke and Asami almost jumped out of her skin, for a moment she had become so focused on the task she had forgotten her original goal. 

“The poisonous ones, you can tell them apart by the leaves.” She repeated herself offering a slight smile in an attempt to make herself appear non threatening. “If it’s poisonous, it'll have pointed leaves, round leaves are generally safe.” 

She flew through her next attempt and although the other girl's advice was not the sole reason for that, it was still helpful. 

“Thank you.” Asami smiled as the screen flashed a bright green, indicating her successful completion of the task. 

With that out of the way she could move on with this whole interaction. As helpful as that advice was, it was not what she was actually here for. 

“I could teach you how to rig up some basic traps, if you want?” She offered with a smile, it would be a good excuse to move them to a better position for the next part of this exchange. 

When the other only acquiesced with a nod, she knew she had won, at least for now. 

Crossing over to the station with a variety of different mechanical parts she set them both to work on a simple electric wire trap. After a moment of working together in silence save for brief instructions, Katara was a fast learner, maybe she would prove herself to be a useful ally in the end. Regardless, she needed to act now before they actually finished and she lost her chance all together. 

“Look up.” Asami whispered, keeping her face a smiling mask. “At the gamemakers, look up, do you see it?” She raised her eyebrows but never once broke eye contact with the other girl.

Watching the wheels turn in the other girl's head she saw the exact moment at which she did in fact see it. 

“It’s a forcefield.” She whispered quietly as if she was still working some things out. “They probably put it up because of me.”

Of course, Asami already knew that, she knew about that incident from basically the moment it happened onward. Instead of letting that show however she simply raised an eyebrow, content to let the other divulge only as much as she wanted to. 

“I shot an arrow at them last year,” Katara elaborated, “I guess they're worried I’ll pull something again.” She finished with a small chuckle. 

She could not possibly know how right she was about that. They weren't only worried about her, they were terrified about all of them, about what had started. 

Still, this was not the place to be discussing such things so openly so she redirected things before she could get carried away. 

“What else about the forefield do you notice?” She kept her tone light and inquisitive, leading the younger girl to draw her own conclusions. 

“It’s flickering.” Katara whispered, seemingly intuitively realizing this was the sort of thing that should be discussed in hushed words. So she was as smart of a girl as she had been told then, that was good. 

“Why.” She tested, despite knowing the answer herself she wanted to see if she could tease out an answer from the other girl.

How she answered would say a lot. It would indicate how aware she was about the goings on of other districts, which she may have seen glimpses of during her victory tour. 

“They’re directing power elsewhere, this place must use a lot.” She answered and on its face that answer was not the one Asami was looking for but there was something more there. “Maybe they didn’t have as much time to plan it.” She finished and that was exactly what Asami was looking for. 

That meant she knew, even if she didn't know everything she knew enough to be trusted, she knew what side she was on. 

“Exactly.” She smiled, her eyes glimmering as a mark of a job well done. “There’s always a loophole, you just need to know where to look for it.” Her face never broke from its mask. 

With that she gave Katara a small nod of understanding before wandering off, she had said everything she needed to already. 

Maybe this whole plan really could work out.