Chapter Text
District 4
“Get up. Snow wants you at the Capitol in two hours.”
A sharp slap to his thigh causes George to jerk upright. “Ow-” “Up. Let's go.” Marcus snaps again. “Okay, okay I’m moving..” George crawls out of bed, his body aching. He looks around for a moment, Ah, Marcus must’ve brought me to his house after last night. “Did Toto keep my key or something?” George asks, pulling on a shirt. “No, I have it. I didn’t want you to be alone after what happened.” Marcus pulls a small key and gives it to George, “Anthony said Kimi was there too?” “Yeah, he tried to spike my drink. Spending too much time with Toto.” George says, running a hand through his hair. “Let's see if Toto buys me out again, yeah?” “Yeah, kid..”
-
The Capitol
Max runs a hand through his hair. Why do I have to be here so early?
“Ah, Max Verstappen, just the victor I wanted to see.” Max internally rolls his eyes at the familiar sound of Plutarch Heavensbee. Max squared his shoulders before turning around to face the Game Maker. “So you replaced Seneca? Why?” Max asks, he was told why, after the events of the 74th Hunger Games, but he wasn’t really paying attention. “Seneca? That bastard was a part of the rebellion or something. President Snow had him hanged.” Plutarch gladly answers Max’s question before asking one of his own. “Why are you here anyway? Thought you’d be too busy partying in District Two to be here.” “Some interview or something,” Max replied carelessly, “And picking up something for my father.”
Plutarch simply nods, opening his mouth to say something back when the door swings open, revealing George Russell.
“Ah! The man of the hour! George Russell, back so soon?” George doesn’t miss the condescending tone in Plutarch’s voice, “Mm, yes well Snow wanted to see me-” Max cuts him off with a laugh, harsh and mocking, “Something funny, Verstappen?” George growls, As if my life couldn’t get worse, he’s here..
“So grumpy this morning, Russell. What? Tired of swallowing Capitol -” Max’s words are sharply cut off by the entrance of President Snow, “Ah Mr. Verstappen and Mr. Russell.. It’s so intriguing to see you both in the same room.” Max doesn’t miss the way George turns white as a ghost when Snow says his name. “Come now, Mr. Russell, you have a busy schedule today.” Snow turns and starts walking away, Marcus gives George a small nudge when he doesn’t move, whispering something in his ear that Max can’t make out. When George and Marcus finally exit the hall behind Snow, Plutarch mutters something Max can only make the back end out; “...hours at least.”
-
George carefully steps into the crowd, mingling himself with the guests who waste no time in putting their hands all over him. He tries to keep a clean face but his upper body is still very sore and tender from last night with Toto.
“George! George!” George’s head snaps over toward the voice, his eyes locking on Lando Norris, victor from District 6 and Oscar Piastri, another victor from District 6. “Hey Lovebirds, how was the wedding?” George says as Lando pulls him into a hug George stiffens slightly but luckily Lando doesn’t notice, “It was great! Too bad Snow won’t let us take a honeymoon. We didn’t see you at the reception. Is everything alright?” Lando asks, pulling back from the hug to look George up and down, George responds quickly, “Yeah, just been busy at the Capitol.” “You sure? You look a little tense.” Oscar’s brows furrow slightly, matching his husband's concern for their friend. “Yeah, Toto’s just been keeping me busy.” George lets out a laugh, it’s fake, but he tries to divert the subject, “Speaking of, I should probably go, it was great seeing you two.”
George walks away quicker than he intended, his breath hitching. He can feel his heart pounding in his ears, the corners of his vision blurring at the corners.
“George.”
George’s head whips around quicker than intended, his eyes lock onto Toto Wolff, then travel to Christian Horner. “My, my, don't look so frightened dear.” Toto coos, his bottom lip jutting out in a fake pout of false concern. “I’m sure you’ve met my lovely friend Christian.” George nods quickly, swallowing the lump in his throat, “I-I have, yes..” “Perfect, then you’ll be no stranger to his ways. Come on now.”
George, Toto and Christian disappear down the hall.