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It had been almost 48 hours after the victory, Wyatt had been counting every minute, every second since they all left. They, the loose canons, had surprisingly made it out alive of the 50th Hunger Games. Louella was clinging to Haymitch for dear life, and Haymitch, well, he was unreadable. All Wyatt saw of him was that he kissed his flint striker. And Maysilee, oh Maysilee. In the Arena while trying to hunt down Silka and Maritte, they had shared their first kiss in that damned arena. ‘Only thing good that came from it’ Wyatt thought. Not just their first kiss, but their second, third, fourth, and so on. As he waited for the others to finish their baths to take his, he glanced back at their not so normal confession.
“Wyatt! You’re alright! I thought… the pink birds-” Maysilee exclaimed while she cupped his jaw, trying to hold back tears. Wyatt only smiled back at her, but it was probably the biggest smile he had ever had. “I’m fine, I promise, the medicine from the sponsor, it worked like a charm.” Wyatt winked. He wasn’t much of a charmer like Haymitch, he probably made a fool of himself because Maysilee bursted out laughing. Wyatts hands gently placed themselves on top of hers, never wanting to let go, never wanting to leave this moment. The pain scoured his back, though the wounds were healing. “Did you mean it?” Maysilee asked, she was trying to hold back tears, but Wyatt noticed, he always noticed when it came to Maysilee. “Mean what?” Wyatt asked cluelessly. Maysilee giggled.
“That you loved me, for a while now.”
“Ah. I did say that didn’t I..”
“Did you mean it?”
“Of course I did, I don’t blow smoke”
“Good”
With that Maysilee kissed him, slightly sighing into Wyatts chapped lips. Wyatt was caught by surprise, but soon melted into it. In that moment, time had stopped, they weren’t in the Hunger Games, they weren’t starving, they weren’t in incredible pain or trying to hunt a girl from District 1, it was just… Them. Then Maysilee broke the kiss, both of the gasping for air, which was hard to find in a poisonous arena. Was it wise to be sharing their breaths with each other? No, but it could very well be their last, so why not enjoy it together? This time, Wyatt pressed their lips together, initiating the kiss. His father is probably raving about how it was a “wasted bag”, meaning a bet that never was placed. That would rarely happen when Wyatt was there to make the odds, but he’s not. Wyatt Callow is currently kissing the girl of his dreams. They broke the kiss, Wyatt was again gasping for air, while Maysilee just looked at him, with a certain look in her eye that Wyatt could not place. Maysilee lips then attacked Wyatts jaw, causing him to slightly sigh, wanting it to never end, but then being snapped back to reality, they weren’t alone, they were being watched by millions, and then it hit him. Haymitch and Louella were right there. “Not in-front of Haymitch and Louella—“ Wyatt laughed. Maysilee’s lips let go as they look at each. Wyatts left hand cupping her face and Maysilee’s hand holding his wrist as they looked into each others eyes not wanting the moment to ever end-
“Ahem.” Louella coughed.
“Baths all yours Wy.” Maysilee called out to him from the bathroom doorway. Wyatt turned his head toward her, and he took a longing glance at her. She had a white robe on, her hair damp. Maysilee blue eyes shined in the dark living room, only being illuminated by the light flooding in from the bathroom. Parts of her legs were still wet, she must’ve rushed her bath and drying process just so he can take his. Wyatt slowly got up, back aching, legs weak and wobbly from being under bright lights of a medical room all day. But Maysilee was curing his aches and pains, ‘she really was a sight for sore eyes’ Wyatt thought. “Thanks.” He smiled. She gave him a small smile back before heading for the girls room, and he was about to go into the bathroom and shut the door, until Maysilee hesitated.
Wyatt stopped instantly, looking towards her. Maysilee Donner isn’t one to hesitate, she displayed that very well in the arena. Whether it was putting her self between Panache and Louella before killing him or killing that gamemaker, she didn’t usually put a stop in her plans. Maysilee’s body went still, Wyatt was about to rush over before she put her ear to the door. Her eyes widen and then pulled back. Maysilee then started to walk towards Wyatt with a somber expression. “What’s wrong?” Wyatt whispered to her.
“It’s Louella..”
Wyatt loves Louella like a little sister. Being the youngest in a family of boys, he felt like a punching bag to them. But when he met Louella, he felt a certain instinct to protect her, and he would sacrifice himself just to keep her safe, thats what he almost did in the arena. If it weren’t Maysilee and her metal water jug, slamming it repeatedly into Panache’s head five times, until he was knocked out, and Wyatt stole his sword. There was no doubt that Wyatt would sacrifice himself for Louella in a thousand life times.
“She’s sobbing… saying she doesn’t want Wellie to go…” Maysilee mumbled. Wyatt could never forget the scene of it all. Wellie’s head dripping blood in Silka’s hand, her axe covered in the remains of Wellie’s life clashing with Louella’s sword, that Wyatt gave to her that was originally Panache’s. The only thing Wyatt remembered in the moment was that he felt pure rage against Silka. Though, he couldn’t bring himself to fully hate her, she was also a kid trying to survive the Games. He felt horrible for killing her.
“I think we might have to stay in the same room tonight, she trusts Haymitch the most, so I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t want us in there.” Maysilee sighed. Wyatts olive toned face turned into a deep shade a red. It was “funny” thing that happened ever since he was little. Any time he was embarrassed or flustered, his face would turn “beet red” as his mama would say. He remembered the time when he was little, his older brothers Kennedy and Kenneth thought he was having an allergic reaction after falling down on the playground. Usually he would cover his face with his news boy hat, but since that was long gone, he resorted to what he did when was little, covering his face with his hands. Maysilee let out a small chuckle, before moving his hands and holding them. She kissed his nose before walking off to the room they were about to share. Feeling more than embarrassed and flustered, he quickly shut the door to the bathroom, and drawn out a new bath.
After his bath, drying off, and changing, he had entered his and Maysilee’s shared room. The room was dark, but he could hear all of Maysilee’s necklaces clattering against each other as she rose up. She turned on the lamp in their room, slightly fixing your hair. There was a moment of silence, not uncomfortable nor pleasant but a moment that was just there. If you listened hard enough, you could hear Louella’s sobs and cries from the other room. Maysilee slightly shifted in the bed, toying with her golden locks. Wyatt had a crush on Maysilee for 2 years and 25.5 days, but he thought it could never work, even his older brother Ben had said so.
“A seam boy like you and a merchant girl like her?” Wyatt could hear his brother’s voice so clearly, and how baffled he was by the suggestion that he might like her.
“You? The oddsmaker everybody hates? And her? The most stuck up girl in town?”
Ouch. That had always hurt him. That no one, before Maysilee and his own family, really liked him. They only liked him for his odds or they didn’t like him at all. It was hurtful, to be honest, and it especially didn’t help that he was as blunt as an axe. But he never understood why Maysilee was considered stuck up though. Sure she could be rude at times, but it was only if she had probable cause. The time she yelled at Aaron Pactor for trying to kiss her for the 10th time that day, she was only defending herself. She was just as blunt as him, and they both gained bad reputations for it. But look at them now, both victims of the Hunger Games. Victor and Victim of a system that wasn’t going to end in their lifetimes, he had put the odds to it. But maybe, since all four of them at had won the quarter quell, he should probably check them again. Wyatt sat down on his bed and his face went blank, it was his usual face when he calculated odds. He popped out the script coin from the necklace that his love, Maysilee had made him, and started flipping and weaving it in his fingers.
“Wyatt?”
“Hm?”
“Are you calculating odds?”
“Hm?”
Maysilee sighed, She got up, walked across the room and sat next to him. Maysilee then lays her head against his shoulder, groaning in tiredness. “You should really get some sleep Wyatt,” Maysilee smiled. “Im ready to be serenaded by your snores.” She finished while giggling, eliciting a small laugh from Wyatt. Wyatt was sure she was the only person in the entirety of Panem that could pull him away from his odds making. “You’ve been up all day looking after us, rationing the milk and bread that stupid Snow left for us.” Maysilee grunted that last part. “I know.. I’m just trying to take care of y’all, like you guys did for me in the arena.” Wyatt acknowledged. He’s been trying to do that ever since they stepped foot off those podiums in the sickeningly sweet arena. “And you have, but you need your rest.” Maysilee looked at him, with those big, beautiful, icy blues of hers. Some strands of her golden blonde had gotten in her face. Wyatt then moved some them behind her ear, then smiled at her. “You sound like me in the arena.” Wyatt pointed out. Maysilee chuckled “Maybe you should take your own advice.”
“Fine..”
Wyatt tossed and turned in his sleep, he was in a cold sweat. He was dreaming of his most painful moment in the arena, the stupid pink birds that tried to get his girl.
Wyatt looked up and saw multiple pink… things flying from above. They were mutts no doubt, but as he readied his sword, he noticed the flight patterns of these birds. They weren’t normal, trying to spread out and get all of them, they were aiming for one them, and the one was Maysilee. Wyatt, the quick thinker he is, forced Maysilee down to the ground and used his body as a human shield. “What are you doing Wyatt!?!” Maysilee shrieked. Wyatt did not move. Maysilee squirmed underneath him until he let out an ear-spitting scream. “Wyatt?!?!” Maysilee screeched as her body went still. The pink birds attacked and stabbed their beaks into his back as he held strong and protected his crush. Wyatt let out a yell of pain, alerting Haymitch and Louella to come run from the edge of the arena. “I-it’s all right Mays—AH! —Just c-close your e-eyes and breathe..” Wyatt croaked through yells of pain. The feeling of agony surged through his entire body, his back was raw as birds swooped in from every direction, tearing his shirt and poncho. Parts of his head and neck were being ripped and torn. He could hear Haymitch’s and Louella’s grunts and huffs of effort as they swung at the birds that were harming their district partners. Wyatt couldn’t think of anything really, only thing he could focus on was his attempt at protecting Maysilee. His broad shoulders and arms shielded her from any attacks. “Wyatt!” Maysilee yelled trying to see if he was alright. But it was too much, too much pain. This is where he dies. His dad probably already placed a bet that he was going to die by this, and he couldn’t help think that his father was right. This is where the story of Wyatt Callow, the oddsmaker, the blunt as an axe boy, this is where his story ends. Not an old man warm in his bed, but a young man, getting eaten by birds.
“Wyatt! Wyatt!! Wyatt!!!”
Wyatt immediately woke up, rising up instantly. He felt a warm hand on his chest, he frantically looked to his left and saw Maysilee, eyes wide, brows furrowed with concern. “Wyatt, what happened? Was it a nightmare-“ Maysilee was cut off by his swift, tight, hug. His jaw clenched, his breath was rapid, his eyes wide. “Wyatt you’re okay, I’m here,” Maysilee said “Do you want me to get some milk?” She asked. “N-no…” There was a burning sensation in the back of Wyatt’s eyes. Maysilee consoled Wyatt as she let his tears flow onto her shoulder. He whimpered and sobbed into her as she heard somewhat inaudible words that were spoken into her now damp shirt. Maysilee could only make out the word “protect” as Wyatt continued to cry.
Wyatt was on the ground near the campfire, groaning in pain. It was night time and the artificial moon was a skew in the sky. Louella and Haymitch were asleep, while Maysilee watched over everyone. Haymitch had tried to insist that he could take watch tonight, but Maysilee refused. And now here they were, a beat up and hurt oddsmaker, the rascal and lunatic sleeping, and the “shrew” watching over them. Wyatt’s body tensed up as he started to shake and squirm in pain. “Wyatt please stay still, the leaves and gauze will do you some good” Maysilee said, her words came out strangled, her throat tightening. He slowly shifted his head to the side and studied Maysilee’s face. “You’re about to cry.” Wyatt said bluntly. “Wyatt please-“
“I’d never thought or wanted to die like this.” He lamented. “I always thought I was going to die an old man.” Wyatt tenses, knowing that wasn’t the case anymore. “Wyatt please. You’re gonna be fine.” Maysilee said in a not so convincing tone, her voice started to break. “I f-feel so s-stupid.” Wyatt stammered in pain. “Why? you were protecting me, I don’t think i could ever repay you.” Maysilee admitted, tears now rolling down her face. “N-no not about that.” Wyatt tensed “Its about something else, something I should’ve a-admitted.”
“What? You can tell me, I’m good at keeping secrets.” Maysilee laughed with a broken voice and through heavy tears. Wyatt paused, his face blank. For a spilt second, Maysilee thought he had slipped into death until he let out a heavy breath.
“It’s that I like you.”
“W-what?”
Maysilee wasn’t one to stammer or stutter. She spoke her mind, whether you wanted her to or not. It was trait that few liked about her. It was out of character for her to stutter, but she was too shocked, too bewildered to think her crush liked her back. She sat their mouth agape, eyes wide, eyebrows raised. “Actually… according to my brothers and the w-way they say I talk about you, t-they would s-say that I loved you.” Wyatt gushed “Which isn’t wrong either.” His eyes locked with hers. Maysilee’s cheeks had turn from pale to a rosy pink, her messy blonde curls falling over her face. Her brain had short circuited, she wasn’t able to think, let alone reply to his confession. “I know it’s stupid and honestly s-somewhat cheesy to say this as I’m dying—“ Wyatt was interrupted by sound of small chimes. Maysilee’s face lit up as she focused her gaze upward, pulling her eyes away from him. “A sponsor!” Maysilee exclaimed. A fairly large sponsor as-well. She grabbed it mid-air and quickly opened it, seeing two small circle tins, a black shirt that was much too big for her, a roll of bandage wrap, and a needle and medical thread. There was a note left in there that said a message:
“Fix up your lover boy, apply Ointment generously”-M & W, M & A
Maysilee opened the small tin can, it was the ointment. There was no doubt in Maysilee’s mind that M & W were Mags and Wiress and M & A were Merliee and Asterid. Maysilee looked at Wyatt, with a small glimpse of hope that he could be all right. “Wyatt.. This might—“ The canon boomed. Maysilee’s heart started racing, her breath becoming fast and shallow, her eyes wide, and tears starting to swell. She looked at Haymitch and Louella, they were also startled awake by the canon. Both of them rushed to Wyatt’s side. Maysilee, Louella, and Haymitch all looked down to see him, eyes wide, sweat running down his back. “Am I dead?” Wyatt asked cluelessly. Maysilee let out a laugh, trying to relieve her stress as Louella put her head and her hands. Haymitch sighed heavily, a smile creeping on his face. “No… you’re not dead, we’re not gonna let you die” Haymitch said while standing and looking into the sponsor box. Maysilee crawled closer towards him, looking at the gashes, holes and slashes that littered his back. “Wyatt this is going to hurt… try to stay calm for me, okay?” Maysilee asked her crush. “For you? I’ll do anything—“ Louella gagged at Wyatts overly cheesy words. Maysilee had to admit that even she cringed, but it was endearing. She wiped her hands from any dirt that could get trapped in the wounds and decided to start on the biggest gash. Maysilee put a dollop of ointment on the her index finger and gently rubbed as Wyatt shrieked in pain, flinching away from her finger. “Wyatt, please stay still..” Maysilee sighed. “S-sorry..” Wyatt choked out.
After sewing up the largest gash, Maysilee worked on the “smaller” ones. Some of the slashes blended into each other, making it slightly difficult to sew and close them. On one of the gashes Maysilee was working on, was one of the deepest, causing Wyatt to cry in pain “I-its feels like I’m gonna die—“
“No! Shut up!”
Wyatt stopped, Louella and Haymitch glared at Maysilee, probably thinking she went back to her ways of being mean. “You’re not going to die! Stop saying that!” Maysilee snapped. “Yes ma’am—“ Wyatt was cut off again by Maysilee. “You’re are going to live or so Panem help me! I will burn this arena down with me inside!” Maysilee shouted. “Well don’t do that…” Wyatt said sheepishly. “I know it hurts but you need to stay still! I was with you when we fought those stupid careers, I was with you when you almost sacrificed yourself to save me! And I’m with you now! I’m always with you.” Maysilee finished her rant. Haymitch and Louella looked rather shocked that she was being king and angry at the same time. Louella beamed at her, while Haymitch looked sort of scared. Wyatt went quiet as Maysilee rubbed ointment on one of the last open wounds.
After a while, Maysilee had finished sewing up Wyatts back, she gave him the shirt to change into, it was obviously tailored to his stature. Louella and Haymitch fell back asleep, this time closer to Maysilee and Wyatt. Maysilee sat next to him and sighed as he finally laid comfortably, as comfortable you can be in arena, on the ground. “You feelin’ better?” Maysilee asked, a bit of her District 12 accent peaking through. “Yeah, a-lot better” Wyatt sighed, his eyes shutting, his body relaxing.
“Did you mean that?”
“Mean what?”
“That you’re always with me?”
“Yeah, with you, always.”
Maysilee snapped back into reality as she saw Wyatt finally lay back down on the bed. Her mind had wandered after he mumbled the word “protect” into her shoulder. She needs to protect him now. He would probably be having far more nightmares about those stupid pink birds down the road, but she would be there with him. Maysilee placed her hand on his cheek, Wyatt’s stormy gray eyes moving to look at her icy blue ones. They shared this small moment, just soaking in each other’s presence. Maysilee swore her and Wyatts heartbeats sinked up in this very moment. A instance of peace in a storm they’ve just got thrown around in. Wyatt then shifted his head slightly, kissing Maysilee’s palm, causing her to look away, blush creeping on her face and neck. “These nightmares are gonna come back.” Wyatt deadpanned. “I know.” Maysilee said. “You don’t have to help me with them, I don’t want to burden you.” Wyatt said, looking away from her. Maysilee grabbed his face and turned his head towards her, looking straight into his mesmerizing eyes, pieces of his shaggy black hair framing his face. Maysilee smiled at him before gently kissing him with a smile. “Im with you Wyatt.” Maysilee whispered.
“Always with you.”