The Price of Champions and Crowns (Hunger Games)

23

Liam's hand in mine feels like a dream. So much so that I subconsciously dig one of my nails into my other hand. To prove that this is real when every instinct in me screams its not. And I'm still here. Still hidden in his side as he weaves through eager crowds to find some source of privacy. 

Until he's stopped moving and I notice we're in an abandoned ball room. One that has tables and sofas covered in white sheets. It's a grand room with ornate vases filled with dead roses. The chandeliers are covered in cobwebs but I couldn't care less. 

Liam's eyes are still concerned. Even as he cups my cheek I notice his eyes seem to flicker over every single feature of my face in worry. "Talk to me".

I sigh and shrug. "I'm fine, really I am. I couldn't be happier actually".

He smiles. Not a smirk but that breath taking smile from the arena that I never thought I'd see again. Without thinking I bite my lip and then I press my lips onto his. I don't want to talk. I just didn't want to be there. I want to be here with him. Always with him. 

Liam's reaction is instant. His hand slowly moves from my cheek to the back of my neck, the other on my thigh to hoist me up ever so slightly. And we become breathless. This right here is everyth-

Sarcastic loud clapping has us instantly detangling ourselves and staring out at about fifty or so Victors in shock. All of whom have just entered the abandand ball room. They're all clumped in groups, some leaning on the wall with board expressions and others sitting ontop of the covered tables while leaning back arrogantly. And in front of all of them stands Haymitch Abernathy wide smirk and hands clapping up at the pair of us.  "Now, that was what I call a reunion".

I frowned and I could feel Liam's rapid breathing echoching around me. The both of us so shocked and still breathless from that kiss. It gave Abernathy the perfect opportunity to continue talking without the two of us interrupting him. "Suppose it helps you two actually love eachother. You had has all worried there for a second Liam, thought you were going to kill Caesar".

A few victors smirked, especially those I noted who were from Districts One and Two. Haymitch winked at us and flipped his hair with his hand that was also holding a glass of scotch. "I guess we have a lot to talk about".

"Gee, you think?". I couldn't help but glare out at them. They all knew, of course they did but still. I visited all their Districts and non of them breathed an utter word about Liam being alive. So much for fellow victors having your back. I understand why some victors like Ceceila didn't tell me. She probbaly found it comforting to know that I was in pain. But all the others? I looked around at the many victors like Glamour Rooth from District One. He won what? Seven years ago now? Why didn't that asshole who has no alligeince to anyone in the quater quell tell me?!?...whats to gain from keeping the Capitol's secret!?!.

A cackle sounded from somewhere in the back of the room. I felt Liam's grip on me tighten as my mother seemed to leep off the wall she'd been leaning against. A wicked eyebrow raised pointedly at us. "What's that saying you have in your distrcit, Liam?. Loose lips sink ships. Better you two knew nothing. Especially when one of you is hardly ever sober". 

The last end of her sentence was biting and very heavily directed at yours truely. I scoffed. But Haymitch interrupted before I had the chance to rehtort. "Lets not lose our heads. But first its time you two knew the truth".

Doubt swims on Liam's face. "The truth?".

Finnick somehow seems to magically appear beside Haymitch. He nods at Liam. "All of it".

Its very final and serious. Its not bright and sultry like you'd usually hear coming from Finnick. No its the opposite. This conversation is life and death.

So maybe it was fear, or curisotiy. But both of us decided collectively to hear them out. To finally get answers that can somehow justify the lies and betrayal.

Haymitch smirked and pointed between the two of us. "Well, to put mildly, you two fucked up".

Johanna tusked but Haymitch ignored her. "See, we had this grand plan figured out when the quarter quell was announced. We all knew it was rigged from the start. The most famous and the ones who Snow focred to have children were going in. That was obvious. And that included Terrance and Poppy".

Liam frowned. "What do the dead Mellarks have to do with this?".

I made a point of not searching out Katnisss and Peeta in the massive crowd after Liam's insensitive tone.

Beetee a victor I'm suprised I actually know the name of pushed his glasses further up his nose and muttered. "Everything". from beside us.

Haymitch pointed at Beetee in agreement. "They were the original plan".

I shared a look with Liam, both of us seem to be uncorfotable talking about them. Memories filled my head of the arena and I had to bite my lip to ingore the sound of my axe stabbing Terrance's spine that was echoing inside my head. 

Haymitch seemed oblivious. "See no one in the districts have forgotten the seventy fourth games. And who better to pull the same stunt but the symbol of the Capitol's mistake?".

I gulped. "The Capitol's mistake?".

Finnick winked at me. "The twins never would've been born if Katniss or Peeta died".

Right. I nodded but I was still very confused. Haymitch nodded and kept going on. "The twins being the children of Katniss and Peeta would've been the best two to inspire the second revoultion by pulling the same stunt".

Liam made a disgusted noise beside me. "But that's incest".

Haymitch gave him a pointed look. "I never said with each other ".