Chapter Text
Every year it's the same thing. Grey skies, dead wet grass, a palpable stillness in the hot sticky air. There are no smiles, no pleasantries, no hope on reaping days.
It’s the 74th games, just two more years left before Mai and Masako age out. This year marks the last for Naru, Gene, and Yasu. Free from the reaping pool, free from fear, and free to enjoy their freedom. Whatever that really means in the districts.
She spends that morning in the Davis household wringing her hands together on the stool as Luella does her hair. Despite this somber event, all participants must look presentable for the cameras. She twirls a lock of hair that frames her face, feeling the pins that Luelle slides in her braided bun to keep it together.
From the corner of her eye she can see Naru hovering by the doorway of his parents bedroom. He’s stuck closer to her in the past few days, a sign of his everpresent concern multiplied by ten today. Eugene's rambling voice floats from downstairs, egged on by Yasu’s declarations.
A soft snort escapes her, drawing a look from Naru. She gives him a shy wave from the mirror. Just barely he waves back.
Her thoughts wander as they always do. John has aged out of the reaping, lucky git. Masako hasn’t joined them, as the mayor's daughter she has her own responsibilities to perform. Not that there's any real worry for her name to be picked. The same could be said about Naru and Gene. They’re better off than most, not having to worry about entering their names in for extra rations. She’d been orphaned at the ripe age of 12, just in time for her first reaping, luckily the last time she’d entered her name twice. Shortly afterwards, she’d been taken in by Ayako and Monk, who’d forbidden her from entering her name for extra rations. Statistically she was safe, her six entries nothing compared to her peers hovering around the 20 mark.
“All set dear”
“Thanks Luella”
She hops off the stool and joins Naru, intertwining their hands together as they head downstairs.
* * * * * * * * * *
There's a shocked silence in the crowd. On stage, she can see Masako trembling in fear while Monk shoots out his chair, knocking it to the floor, mouth agape in horror.
What did she say?
“ Mai Taniyama? Mai Taniyama!”
Michiru gives her hand a final vice-like squeeze before Keiko gives her a small shove, startling her out of her stupor. Her legs feel like lead as she exits the crowd and the peacekeepers descend on her like the vultures they are. They won’t risk an escape attempt, it's senseless to try.
The sun peeks out from the clouds, burning her neck to match the heat on her cheeks. Her heart is thundering away as her worn out shoes crunch on the gravel. What the hell, just when she and Naru had settled into their relationship after years of dancing around their feelings, just as her and Masako had set aside their differences, just as Ayako had started teaching her medicine. Why now?
All too soon she’s standing on stage next to the butterfly covered Effie. Mai looks out at the sea of faded dresses and button ups, desperately searching for her loved ones through squinted eyes. Perhaps the sun is beating hard to save her from what she sees. In the far back she can see Ayako's flaming red hair shining brightly under the sun's intense rays, shoulders shaking as she sobs. Luelle has her hand over her mouth as she grips Ayako in solace. Martin and Lin share dumbfounded looks, their bodies poised to break into a run. She sweeps the crowd again as Effie continues her incessant yapping, searching for Naru.
She finds him standing by Yasuhara and Gene, with such a devastating look on his face. One she never imagined he’d wear. Despite the circumstances, she can’t help but notice how handsome he looks in his weathered blue dress shirt.
“Now onto the men!” Effie trots over to the large bowl filled with white tickets, dramatically dunking and swirling her hand around before plucking the next unlucky tribute.
“Ahem! This year’s tribute for the men is … Oliver Davis!”
Oh kami, what the hell?
Naru doesn’t take his cerulean eyes off her, in fact he’s walking all too quickly to meet the peacekeepers before another voice booms out from the crowd.
“I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!”
“Like hell you will!”
“I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!”
The peacekeepers yank Gene from Naru’s outstretched hands. Yasuhara holds him back with an equally pained expression as the shouting continues. The tears she’d held back began to freely stream down her face.
“Wonderful! Marvelous! And what is your name sir?”
“Eugene Davis”
* * * * * * * * * *
They’re all but thrown into the waiting room. It’s one of the few rumored places to hold the elegance of times before, filled with polished oak furniture and plush pillows. A room few ever see, the one that haunts families for decades after.
“Gene, why? Why would you do that?”
He turns to pull her into a hug, “C’mon Mai, how could I not?”
“How could you?!”
“What else could I do? Let my brother enter the game with his girlfriend?”
“He’s your brother!”
“I- I know! But this is the least I can do.”
They stand there crying silently for a few minutes. There's a sharp knock on the door as they separate. The peacekeeper motions for the group behind him to enter.
“You have 30 minutes” he barks as he slams the door shut. Immediately everyone begins speaking. Mai is wrapped into a crushing hug by Ayako, and she breathes in the familiar scent of antiseptic and cherry.
“My baby” she croons, which is all it takes for Mai to begin sobbing. John is beside her, rubbing her back in circles and praying quietly. Yasuhara and Masako for their part remain to the side, waiting their turn for a final hug.
Besides her, the Davis family is huddled together.
“You’re such an idiot! No one asked you to volunteer!”
There's a strangled chuckle, “That's what big bro’s do for their little brother.” She hears more than sees Naru whack him on the head.
Ayako releases her hold on Mai, allowing her to get swept into numerous hugs and words of encouragement. She sees Gene get the same treatment. Naru approaches her last, kissing her softly as his own tears glisten in his eyes.
Despite the somber event, there’s a warmth in the room that gives Mai comfort.
Lin speaks up, “You two must stick together at all costs, and if you do get separated, make sure you have a plan on how to locate each other.”
“The other tributes won’t know what’ll hit ‘em!”
Lin doesn’t bother to spare a glance at Yasu, “Listen to Monk and trust your instincts. Put what I’ve taught you to practice.” Mai and Eugene nod, they’re quite aware of the impossible task.
“Gather as much information as you can about the other tributes, it might not hurt to make allies there.”
“One minute!” the guard yells.
Masako hurries forward to press something small and cold into Mai’s hand. “My mother gave this to me to remind me of home, please wear this for luck.” Uncurling her hand, she sees the gold and pink sakura earrings laid in her palm.
“Thank you” she murmurs.
Naru approaches the duo, and the three fall into a crushing hug.
They extend their pinkies out like they do whenever they want something.
“Please come back.”
* * * * * * * * * *
The train is unlike anything in District 12, immediately putting the waiting room to shame. The duo can't help but gawk at the buffet of food laid out in front of them.
“The food is for eating not staring” Monk laughs like this is any other day. Nothing else comes to mind to dispel the reality of their complicated situation.
How cruel of kami Monk thought. He’d been the unwilling victor in his games 10 years ago, and now a mentor to his pseudo daughter and her best friend. Her boyfriend's brother no less. He brushes aside the desire to focus only on Mai. Perhaps if the male tribute had been someone else, some stranger he could harden his heart against, he wouldn’t have hesitated, favoritism be damned. It's ludicrous to even think but he does anyway. He’d give anything to stop the games.
* * * * * * * * * *
The absence of Mai and Gene hurt, made much more apparent in the deathly silence that clung to the group as they gathered every night. Though it was required viewing, it had been easier to distract themselves from all the deaths when it hadn’t been personal. Now…
The first night of the week had been hard, he’d never gone more than 24 hours without Mai and Gene by his side. He regretted not having anything to offer as a token, overwhelmed with gratitude that Masako had at least one thing to offer in his stead.
The first time he sees them is the opening ceremony. He had wanted to view it alone in the privacy of his room, but Lin had convinced him to join the others to sooth his parents' tears. He wasn’t sure how much comfort his pathetic presence would bring given his identical appearance to their lost son who’d volunteered in his place. It made him sick to his core but he followed Lin listlessly.
District 12 being last had never been an issue but now it had been tortuous waiting for Mai and Gene to appear. He didn’t care to see the other tributes in their flashy and gaudy costumes. Didn't need the reminder that winners came from the career districts. Finally District 12 is announced and Naru drinks in their appearance. Mai and Gene are dressed in black skintight suits, a complicated half up do of braids for Mai, slicked back hair for Gene, and surprisingly, the appearance of the sakura earrings as the only other pop of color. It’s a move away from the traditionally lazy look from previous years of coal dust and overalls. It’s weird to see himself on screen, simultaneously pleased to see “himself” next to Mai and fatal to see his twin in his place alongside his lover. He watches as Gene’s face breaks into a huge smile, sees how Gene nudges Mai and just barely sees his lips move. Mai hesitantly morphs her face into a false cheery smile, both waving to the crowd right as they burst in a cloud of flames.
A gasp comes over the group, had it been under different circumstances (different tributes his mind supplements), it would have been a worthy moment. It’s clear there’s a new stylist this year, one with actual ambition. It’s the smallest sliver of hope he gets, more attention means more sponsors, which usually translates to more help in the arena.
* * * * * * * * * *
The second time he sees them doesn’t really count but he does anyway. The game hosts are announcing each tribute's scores, a large projection of their portrait is displayed, the only image they get with their training gear. No one really knows what the score is tested against, what the standards are. Monk had scored low in his game and yet to the astonishment of everyone had wound up that year's victor. That knowledge hadn’t stopped him from worrying, it was afterall a vital number to gain sponsorships.
Martin whoops out, “That’s my boy!” at Gene's score of 8.
“I bet he showed them that trick with swords” Lin nods his head in agreement with Madoka’s claim.
Yasu and Ayako jump up and down at Mai’s score, “That’s my girl!”
Naru wishes he were as vocal as the rest of the group, and although he doesn't voice his thoughts he agrees. Mai’s score of 11 continues flashing on the screen as the hosts are loudly discussing what she’d done to impress the panel.
He’d make sure to tease his brother for life for scoring lower than his girlfriend… when they're back of course.
* * * * * * * * * *
The third time he sees them is for their interviews. Hidden in the privacy of his room, Naru sits on the edge of his bed as close as he can to still view the screen. He doesn't want his parents scrutinizing his every micro expression for this broadcast.
When it’s Mai’s turn, his heart jumps to his throat. She looks stunning in her blinding red dress, large jewels adorning her pinned up hair, her neck glittering with small jeweled beads. Things he’ll never be able to provide for her. The sakura earrings make another appearance.
“Wow, aren't you stunning! A lovely young lady such as yourself must have a handsome beau waiting for her back home right?
A soft blush appears, the one he’s gotten used to, “Y-Yes”
“Ah-ha ha ha! I knew it. Do tell us about this boy.”
“Well his name is Oliver -”
A dramatic gasp, “The very boy who your fellow tribute volunteered for? Those extremely dashing twins?” Mai nods, her blush deepening as it creeps down her neck.
Caesar continues, his easy and large personality allowing Mai to relax, her natural bubbliness and warmth dominating the stage. Her interview ends all too soon, with a memorable spin of another flaming outfit. The audience is as captivated as he is and she exits the stage more confident than before as Ceaser bellows out, “Mai Taniyama, the girl on fire!”
His heart does a flip when she pauses and faces the camera, cheekily waving her pinky out. He feels his cheeks burn at the private implication and can’t stop the smile that breaks out.
Then she’s gone and Gene appears swiftly, dressed in a similar fashion in his red and black silky suit.
“So Eugene, we all were touched to our core seeing you volunteer for your twin brother. Tell us, was there any question you’d volunteer?”
Gene adjusted his cuff sleeves, “Never! I love Oliver to death, if things had been the other way round, I know he would’ve done the same. I just couldn’t risk his life with Mai in the games too. He’s a lovestruck fool who’d prioritize her safety over his. If you’re watching, leave it to me, I’ll protect her with my own life, she’s my best friend too!”
That idiot he thinks, lovestruck fool? If anyone's the fool, it’s Gene for even volunteering in the first place. He makes a note to punch him the next time he sees him.
“I love it! I love it! So you intend for Mai to win?”
“I don't intend to lose either” Gene smugly proclaims, and just like Mai, he extends his pinky out to the camera.
* * * * * * * * * *
They’ve had several conversations leading up to the eve of their game. Strategies to kill, to win, to die quickly if it comes to that. They hadn’t wanted to talk about that, but Monk reminded them that it would be an act of mercy to be killed quickly rather than be left to the fate of a new mutt.
“I made a promise to Ayako and Luella to do everything I can to help you two. Once you’re in the arena, there’s not much I can do. It’ll be up to you two to make the hard choices. I won’t talk your ears off anymore, you two need to rest.”
The duo share the same amused look. Sure they’ll rest as much as they can given the bloodbath sure to come tomorrow afternoon. They rise from the dinner table and head to the rooftop as they've done every night. They spend hours talking as much as they can, but inevitably they speak about Naru more often than not.
Gene speaks first, “When we win, I’m gonna throw the biggest wedding for you and Naru”
Mai laughs at that, “We’re too young for that! And we’re not even engaged silly.”
“Not yet you aren’t. I’m sure that’s the first thing Naru will ask when we come back. It’s not a big deal anymore, people marry young all the time AND our parents will be over the moon. Luella and Martin already consider you part of the family. It’s only a matter of making it official.”
Her blush blooms fiercely on her face. “Not if Monk has anything to say.” An image of Monk objecting at the wedding springs into her head.
If there's a wedding at all in her future.
Despite her cheery nature, pessimistic thoughts rage through her mind. Sure, the games allow tributes from the same district to win if they’re the last ones standing. Only the careers ever make it, they strike pairs from the lower districts first. Or the lack of trust in partners prevents any proper teamwork. With the very real promise of death over each tribute's head, it’s no wonder it’s every man for themselves. Even the careers have been known to abandon or turn on their partner. Whereas the other district tributes do it for survival, the careers get to pick between survival or glory.
* * * * * * * * * *
Naru lays in bed unable to sleep. In a matter of hours, his most beloved people will be thrown into the arena. He lets his emotions swallow him whole.
He regrets not giving in to more of Gene's whims. He should’ve put his book down and his stubborn attitude away. He visualizes the joy it would’ve brought Gene if he had joined him at the fishing pond three days before the reaping.
He regrets not asking Mai out earlier. If he had, they would’ve had more time together than the short 4 months they shared. He’d been stupid to ignore his own feelings, stupid to not notice Mai’s reciprocal affections. No wonder Gene was always calling him an idiot.
* * * * * * * * * *
Mai fiddles with her earring while Gene looks sick beside her as they sit in the transport truck to the arena. Monk isn’t with them, he’s not allowed to accompany them all the way. So they’d said their goodbyes before, over and after breakfast. It hadn’t been enough for either of them.
Her eye itches but she reminds herself to avoid touching her face. It’s ridiculous that they’re wearing makeup into the arena, it wasn’t going to last longer than the first day. It's another form of cruel embarrassment for the sake of entertainment, the only odd assurance she can give herself is that her corpse would look pretty at least. Their looks also served to provide one more showcase of their stylists talent. Cinna had the sake of mind to apply as little as possible. It was a bold look for her, black eyeliner with a sharp ring of red eyeshadow encircling her eyes, tapering off at the corner. Gene wore the same eyeliner while sporting a solid band of red eyeshadow across his eyes. She appreciated the way his oceanic eyes contrasted against the makeup.
In all her years of knowing the twins, Mai has never viewed one as the other. Yet she’s thankful for the chance to see what it would look like for Naru to wear makeup. If she survives, would he let her apply eyeshadow on him too?
* * * * * * * * * *
No one dares to move as they watch the countdown.
8 seeconds…Mai and Gene are situated next to each other, as close as can be as they stand on their platforms, heads on a swivel. It's a calculated move keeping the district pairs together. On one hand, it allows them to team up early, on the other hand, it makes it easier to wipe out two tributes with one stone, or blade. Either works.
5 seconds… He watches them share a pointed look, it’s clear they have a plan. Naru can guess the reckless pair have chosen to prioritize securing a weapon over running into the cover of the trees.
3…
2…
1…
It’s an immediate bloodbath.
The small girl from District 11 darts off into the woods, her fellow peer running headfirst into the center. Mai and Gene follow suit, weaving and dodging the bodies and eventual flying weapons. District 10 is slaughtered ruthlessly by the neighboring District 8 teens. They’re able to secure a bow and machete before sprinting off towards the woods. Gene slides on the grass to avoid the swing of a sword, snagging an ugly orange backpack, and swings it over his shoulder just in time for a dagger to pierce it.
He lets out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding and Naru’s grip finally shatters the porcelain teacup he’d been using to ground himself. He stares at the tiny cuts on his palm and snorts at how fitting it is that he bleed too.
* * * * * * * * * *
Mai can’t think, she knows she’s wildly swinging, moving against the teachings of Lin. But she’s dizzy, there's blood in her eye, and Gene is laying unconscious on the ground. The only reason she knows he’s not dead is the missing sound of the cannon. She wonders how critical Lin must be watching her sloppy fight, her fist colliding with the boy from District 4 whose name she can’t remember. Maybe it's better this way if she has to do what's expected of her.
What's this guy's name? She uselessly wonders as he pins her to the ground, his breath hot against her face. It would be their luck that they came across a lone career tribute, though odds were the game master had gotten impatient after 3 days of nothing and led them to cross paths. Although Gene had been quick to respond upon confrontation, he’d suffered a stab to his calf and subsequently lost his upper hand as he was smashed down against the root of the gnarly tree.
The soft dirt underneath her offers no solutions, she’s frantically kicking her legs and she forces down the bile gathered in her mouth as she grabs the boy's face, digging her thumbs into his eyes. Hot blood drips down her arm, splattering on her cheeks and lips. The taste of iron overpowers her tastebuds, and she gains a moment of clarity to take in the person whose face is contorted in pain from her hands, sees her own desire to live reflected back.
He’s salivating from anger and his eyes turn to slits before slamming his forehead against her, black spots flashing like quick bursts of fireworks. This really fucking hurts but all she can do is grit her teeth.
Her bow is useless in this close combat and the machete is somewhere in the brush. If only she hadn’t let Gene carry the dagger on his belt, she might’ve had a chance. The dirty blonde grabs her by the throat, applying a deadly pressure to her windpipe. Her adrenaline is pumping, not like this!
Finally she grabs something, and without a further thought, she swings the rock as hard as she can to produce the sickening crack of his skull. Another useless thought rings through, would Masako want the bloody earrings back?
It’s not enough to release his hold on her so she swings again with the same lethal force, over and over and over with the rabid panic of a cornered animal. Mai knows it’s overkill when the pink of his brain peeks out from the white bone of his skull. The rock falls from her limp hand.
The boy's hair is no longer dirty blonde, painted in a red shade that’s all too similar to Ayako's. Mai scurries backwards, hyperventilating and dry heaving. Her bloody hands come up to drag against her face and to settle in the tangled nest of hair.
Stop, stop, STOP. It’s not the time, get it together! You need to move!
You just killed someone, her mind supplements.
Get it together anyway.
Mai crawls towards Gene’s body.
“Gene? Gene. Gene!”
She slaps his face, willing him to wake up already. She’s too small to move him by herself, and they need to clean and bandage their wounds if they hope to avoid an infection.
His eyes flutter open as he lets out a groan, “Dude what happened?”
Stupidly she responds, “Uh dude, we got wrecked.”
* * * * * * * * * *
A silver canister flies down to meet them as they search for a safe haven. Gene grabs it to reveal their first gift, it’s a salve for their wounds.
A singular note rests on top, Sorry - Monk.
Sorry for their injuries? Or sorry they’ve finally made their first kill?
* * * * * * * * * *
They sit in the darkness of the cave they stumbled upon, barely able to see each other. She’s grateful she can’t see Gene’s expression, doesn’t want to see the disgust he’s surely wearing, doesn’t want to imagine the same expression on Naru. If she makes it out of the games, would he even stomach being with her anymore?
She pulls her knees closer to her chest, feeling as small as she looks as her body shakes. The hot tears sting her eyes and she stifles a sob that threatens to escape by biting down hard on her tongue.
A hand covered in scrapes and ointment settles on hers, startling her briefly.
“It’s okay,” he whispers.
No it's not she internally shouts, but her sobs escape her and she jams her fist in her mouth, not wanting the noise to attract the attention of nearby tributes. She feels Gene shift, his arms tightly wrap around her trembling form, only making it worse.
“Really, it’s okay. Oliver and the others will understand.”
* * * * * * * * * *
Naru is sick.
Not because he watched Mai kill someone, he knows it's inevitable in the arena. And she’d done it protecting his brother, a justified kill in any book. Not because he knows it’ll stay with her, that's a problem he’d tackle with her when she’s safely back home.
He’s sick because he knows it's wrong and twisted to feel jealous as he watches his identical half hold Mai. If Gene hadn’t volunteered, it would have been him comforting his girlfriend right now. His nails dig into his forearm, and he attempts to shake these thoughts from his head reminding himself that he should and is grateful to his brother for his sacrifice.
* * * * * * * * * *
She can picture how absurd this scene must look. Her hand against her neck, mouth open, and Gene staring at her with comically wide eyes. Despite the gravity of the situation, he can’t help but laugh.
“Shit, shit shit.”
“Oh shit.”
“This is your fault!”
“I - I didn’t know!” He’s laughing harder now.
“Oh no, I can already feel it. What do we do?”
Gene practically doubles over, gasping for breath. “Oh kami, you’re gonna trip so hard.”
Mai sticks out her tongue with a lopsided smile. Gene had come back with the deadly nightlock berries wrapped in leaves, and she’d promptly snatched them out of his hand. Unfortunately a trackerjacker had followed the sweet scent of the berries and stung Mai. In large quantities their poison was deadly, but everyone knew you could get a decent high off one or two stings. A favorite pastime of her more delinquent peers.
“How many fingers am I holding?”
“Six”
Gene wipes the tears from his eyes, “I’m concerned you think you’re seeing six fingers on one hand. I’m only holding up my pinky.”
“If I could tell which of you was the real you, I’d knock that laugh off your ugly face.”
“Pfffftttt, ok. Says the one dating my brother”
She can’t string a decent insult to bite back except for, “I’m gonna hurl.”
He grabs her by the arm, “Lets go back to the cave before you cover yourself in vomit, that’s definitely not an image you want Oliver to have of you.”
* * * * * * * * * *
Little Rue had followed the duo to the cave, amused by the sight of poor rambling and stumbling Mai accompanied by Gene who wouldn’t stop laughing. Gene had welcomed her in, his sincerity allowing Rue to get closer and provide some help with Mai. It took until nightfall for her high to wear off, and now they sat eating the flavored jerky Monk had sent. The sight of the three kids laughing and teasing while in the thick of the hunger games is jarring to see.
Even in the games, Mai and Gene demonstrated their compassion and empathy to young Rue, the unfortunate tribute from District 11. Kids of her age never survive the games and John knows the pair do too. He also knows how painful it’ll be for their big hearts to handle her inevitable death.
He’s glad Rue will have them at her side, for however long, and potentially avoid a drawn out death by the cruel career pack. Based on the broadcast, it seems everyone had settled for the night, so he’s not too worried they’ll be attacked in the cave.
It’s late, and John tucks himself into his sleeping bag. He’d joined everyone at the Davis household in solidarity, unable to face the church congregation. Maybe that’s cowardly of him… he lets that thought drift off. He chooses to remember fondly the times Mai, Gene and Naru (no doubt dragged) to help him out at the orphanage, letting it lull him into, hopefully, a dreamless sleep.
* * * * * * * * * *
They’d destroyed the career’s base, scattered to collect the sparse rations of food and another weapon for Mai to rely on besides her bow. They’d foolishly left Rue to light several fires as a distraction, banking on the hope that her small stature would allow her to nimbly climb a tree to escape death.
Though they’d run in different directions towards Rue’s screams, Mai had reached the clearing first.
The glint of the metal butt of the spear shines brilliantly under the sparse sunlight filtering through the trees. Tracing its length, Mai gasps to see it lodged through Rue’s tiny chest. A pool of blood has formed on her stained shirt.
“What did you do?!”
Mai fumbles with her arrows and Gene takes that opportunity to rush forward to strike down Shinji, the boy from District 7.
One slash on his back, his body twists around, another to his neck. He takes a step forward, the blood spurting from his mouth and neck, and then falls forward with the hard thump only dead bodies make.
He draws in a deep breath and keeps his gaze pinned on Mai. He doesn’t dare look down to the body millimeters from his feet, keeps himself from flinching at the sound of the cannon. Gene tells himself he can process his kill later.
He bites the inside of his cheek, internally reprimanding himself, how is it that I said I’d protect her and yet all I’ve done is let her suffer? Naru’s going to kill me if I don't die in the games first.
Her shell-shocked figure stands beside Rue, and he takes her hand to guide her to the floor. He knows she can’t speak at their failure, so he sings a soft lullaby Luella had taught him. Rue’s face relaxes the tiniest bit as a stray tear rolls down her face. Her agonized breathing ceases as her eyes shutter with finality. This time he does flinch when the cannon booms overhead.
“Go in peace” he whispers, imagining her spirit floating up to the heavens.
A few moments go by before he sees Mai stand up and stiffly walk to gather the wildflowers around them. He understands what she’s doing and quickly they’ve amassed armloads of colorful flowers. They gently lay the bundles around Rue, tuck in her arms and place a small bouquet between her hands.
It’s not smart for them to linger by Rue’s body, however it wouldn’t feel right to just walk away before the hovercraft collects her. They watch the claw lift her tiny body away, the pretty flowers swirling around the clearing. They press three fingers to their lips and offer it to the sky, District 12’s goodbye salute.
* * * * * * * * * *
Before they enter the cave, they receive their third gift.
Gene takes the note out to read outloud, “They want you to have this - Monk”
It's a loaf of bread branded with the number 11. Gene splits it in half and wordlessly offers hands it to Mai. They stuff it in their mouths to stifle their cries.
* * * * * * * * * *
There’s only one more tribute standing in their path to victory. However it doesn’t appear that tonight is the night. Naru rubs his eyes, and grimaces as he drinks his bland tea. He misses the way Mai would make his tea, the way she’d always done.
He’s barely slept, choosing to watch the continuous livestream of the games. He can’t help himself, not wanting to miss anything. Too scared to miss their fight to survive, too scared to miss the possibility of witnessing their final breath. It's a thought all too consuming as the games dragged on.
Naru finds himself grateful that no one else is awake to listen to the conversation meant only for him.
“You good?.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah…?”
“Errr- I could be better?”
There's a restless silence between the two, he sees Gene rub at his neck when he’s at a loss for words. He knows his brother and Mai well enough to guess at what they’re feeling, what they’re thinking. His heart aches to be reunited with them, he’s never experienced this level of longing and solitude. Six days of preparation before the games, 17 days since they’d entered the arena, 23 days total since he’d been left behind.
“What do you think Oliver’s doing?”
The transition is awkward to anyone else watching, but not to Naru. They talk about him a lot, and it hasn’t escaped his attention that they never refer to him by his nickname. Most likely as a way to keep a part of their heart from the audience, their little secret gesture thrown in every day too.
“I bet he’s watching us right now.”
“Drinking bland tea.” He almost spits his drink out.
“Do you think he actually made it himself?” Gene shrugs his shoulders, a sly grin crosses on his face. “I bet he’s feeling cold and lonely in that big bed”
“If he is, Yasu is more than happy to offer his services to warm him up.” They roar with laughter while Naru waves away that frightful image.
“Well baby bro, if you’re watching this, which I know you are, why don’t you go ahead and rest your pretty little head.” Naru rolls his eyes.
“Yeah Ol-i-ver.” His heart flips at every drawn out syllable. “How can we talk behind your back when you’re literally watching us.”
“He doesn’t need the cameras to know when we are. He always knows.”
“Thats why he’s the smart one out of us…don’t let that go to your head!”
He watches them wave their pinky in the air.
“I hope you dream of us!” He knows he will.
* * * * * * * * * *
“Your breath stinks!”
“Why don’t you just die already bitch?”
“Get your hands off my best friend!”
They’re fighting and rolling around the slippery roof of the cornucopia, the last safe oasis as the mutts howl below them. Cato’s beefy hands attempt to wrap around Mai’s neck as she struggles to hold him off. Gene’s got his arms around his barrel of a chest, taking an elbow to the face. Mai’s able to bring her knee up just enough to ram it up between Cato’s legs. Thankfully he lets go of her neck and Gene is able to lift him off her. She rolls out from under him to reach for the knife edging dangerously close to the brink of the roof.
Cato’s a lot stronger than they anticipated, he must’ve undergone intense training back home to simultaneously fight off two people. His burly form grounds him as he regains his footing and twists around to throw another punch. Gene is just able to block his attack before the second blow lands on his right side. The sound of his breaking ribs riles up the mutts even further. Despite the pain, he grips Cato’s jacket with both hands to prevent himself from being shoved off.
“Gene!”
Knife in hand, Mai runs up to the pair, intending to maim Cato. Gene twists Cato back around, but his legs kick out right as Mai swings the knife down, slashing his face instead of his throat.
“FUCK OFF!”
Small droplets of blood fly around them, glistening under the moonlight. She pushes back to her knees and sinks the knife in Cato’s foot. He roars in pain as he jumps to his good foot and Gene flings him off into the salivating mouths of the mutts from hell.
They both share a look as they try not to dwell on Monk’s last words. They’d robbed Cato of a merciful death, his screams settling deep in their bones as the mutts rip him apart.
They find themselves breaking out into manic laughter despite the blood, grime, and smeared makeup. Gene pulls Mai into a loose hug to avoid agitating his ribs further.
“We did it!”
“I knew we would! I said it in the beginning didn’t I?”
Their celebration is short lived as an announcement rings out overhead.
* * * * * * * * * *
Everyone stares at the screen, horror replacing their happiness.
Ayako can’t believe it.
Luella wails on the couch.
Lin and Madoka take a step closer to Naru waiting for his reaction.
The announcement continues to ring.
This year's games will have only one victor.
* * * * * * * * * *
A chair flies across the room, followed by several glasses, a scream, another chair, and finally Monk collapses on the couch. He can’t believe what he’s hearing. The capitol will on occasion twist the rules to emphasize the district's punishment and provide a more exciting experience for the game sponsors. He hadn’t thought to plan for this, they’ve never implemented this rule consecutively. So why this time?
Of course he knows why. He knows how the story looks.
Gene the selfless brother sworn to protect Naru’s girlfriend.
Mai, the beautiful young lady who had captivated the audience. Her name dominated the polls, number one tribute in popularity, a clear favorite of the capitol citizens. How could she not, when her whole situation was centered on her love story?
He should've seen this coming after the interviews. The sponsors had come flooding in that night, doubling and tripling for Mai before the sun fully rose. It made for a great finale, would Gene walk back on his promise and kill his twin's lover? Would Mai kill her lover’s twin who wore the same face? Would one of them kill themselves to avoid the fatal showdown?
He doesn't know the answer, he hadn’t thought to plan for this.
All he can do is listen to them argue, voices rising higher and higher. Eventually their fight transitions into a physical one on top of the steel cornucopia.
* * * * * * * * * *
They sit with their backs to each other, watching the sun rise. There are no tears, no voices to shout with, no energy to physically fight, they’d worn themselves out a while ago. Her thoughts drift to Naru for the millionth time. What would he do? She snorts lightly, she knows if he were here instead, he would’ve already sacrificed himself for her.
It wasn’t fair, the games never are.
Mai knows they need to act soon, she doesn't want to sit around and wait for the game master to decide their deaths for them.
Her head shoots up, that's right, they shouldn't let their deaths be decided by the wretched capitol.
“Gene”
He lifts his head from his hands, his eyes red and swollen. He waits for her to continue.
Heart thundering in her chest, she pulls out the nightlock berries she’d gathered earlier for a different plan they hadn’t executed. There’s just enough for both of them.
* * * * * * * * * *
“NOOOO!” Ayako screams as she falls to her knees. Madoka rushes in to hold her, and John turns white as a corpse. He closes his eyes, and for the first time in his life he can’t bring himself to pray.
Naru shoots up from his seat, he doesn’t want to watch, doesn’t want to see the two people he loves most in the world choose to die. Doesn’t want to wish for one to survive but he can’t and won’t tear his eyes away.
Not as he watches Gene take half the berries.
Not as he watches them lift their hands to their lips.
And not when he watches the berries fall on their tongues.
* * * * * * * * * *
They’d been delayed in the capitol after winning, Gene’s leg needing additional care after it was discovered an infection that had been close to reaching his bone. Meanwhile Mai had been whisked away to isolation, a sign of the capitol's anger as she finds it hard to believe they’d treat a victor this way. It wasn’t as if she were injured or sick to be kept away, and she’d heard Monk shouting in vain as he attempted to visit her. It's two days later when she gets released for the victory interview when she finally sees Gene and Monk.
They only have a few moments together, but they listen intently to Monk's warnings. To dazzle the audience, to make them believe in their desire to spare Naru of the pain of watching them fight to death. That there had been no deeper meaning behind the berries.
Caesar spoke with exhilaration and awe. “How’s the leg Eugene?”
Gene makes a show of his leg, “Never better, the medical care you guys have here is incredible.”
“Your district is no doubt proud of you two, with the highest kill count of any previous district 12 victor. What do you have to say about that?”
Mai can’t bring herself to speak, she hadn’t expected their, her, kill count to be brought up.
“We’re honored to bring glory to our district.” Caesar is evidently pleased with Gene’s answer.
“I was in tears at the way you two viciously protected each other” They both can’t help but flinch at his wording.
“How did it feel, Mai, partnering with your best friend?”
“Like I was on top of the world”
“How did it feel for you, Eugene?”
Gene reaches over to grasp her hand, “I couldn’t ask for a better partner ”
“We’re the perfect team,” Mai sweetly says, hoping the audience can’t see past her fake expression. The crowd remains oblivious as they coo over their show of solidarity.
“For Oliver” they say in unison. The crowd goes wild.
“Ladies and gentleman, the lethal fighters for love, from District 12, this year's VICTORS of the 74th Hunger Games!”
* * * * * * * * * *
She knows they’re screwed. She doesn’t need another reminder from Monk to know that the capitol has viewed her stunt with the berries as an act of rebellion. She knows there are consequences awaiting them but she doesn't have it in her to care at this point. They defied the odds, emerged as victors, a few hours away from reuniting with their friends and family. She’s barely listening to Monk as he moves on from his lectures to do his best to distract the pair from their pitiful attempts to eat.
“You’re gonna have your own house now!”
“You’re not gonna know what to do with your prize money!”
“You’ll be the legendary victors of District 12”
* * * * * * * * * *
The train rolls into District 12’s platform, screeching to a slow stop. There aren’t any guards this time around, unlike the career districts, there are no grand welcome home celebrations. Monk stretches and he shakes the two teens awake from the bed they’d shared. Neither had wanted to sleep alone.
Through the fog, a large group stands impatiently waiting for the train's steel doors to open. They hear the hiss of the seal split open, and Naru darts forwards as two figures jump out at him. They fall to the ground, a jumble of limbs and tears.
“We’re home”
* * * * * * * * * *
Not much had been said on the walk home, but several passerbys offered their salute to the group as they marched on.
The silence followed them all the way home, it was clear to anyone to see the exhaustion oozing off of the victors.
The adults watch the trio head outside, a blanket tucked under Naru’s arm.
As they exited the house, they turned to Monk to finally discuss what to do with the no doubt traumatized teens.
Meanwhile, Naru spreads the blanket out by the tree like they’ve always done, and they lay down together, him in the middle. Mai shifts to nestle on his left side, and Gene's fingers search for Naru’s. He can’t remember the last time they’d held hands.
They don’t speak. Not yet as they savor each other's presence. Tomorrow he’ll make sure to fulfill his promise to teach Gene a lesson, tomorrow he’ll hold Mai and tell her how much he loves her through kisses, tomorrow he won’t let them out of his sight.
It's Mai who speaks first. “I missed you.”
“Me too”
“Me three”