Hunger | A Jikook Hunger Games AU

«̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ «̶ ̶̶̶ Chapter Six ̶ ̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ »̶ ̶̶̶

Hoseok was waiting for them in the crystal elevator when Jimin and Jungkook were ready to go up. It was circular, and made of glass, so one could see everything from all angles as they got shot into the sky.

Jimin actually finds himself being relieved that Hoseok's duties only stop when either all his tributes die, or after the festivities if his district does in fact have a victor.

Hoseok was familiar with everything around here; he'd help guide them, more or less. And Hoseok would help them get sponsors—because Yoongi didn't seem like a people person. After all the people he had met today, after Topaz, and Marius, and Brielle, and so many others, Jimin was able to tolerate Hoseok just a little bit more.

"You guys all did so well!" Hoseok beams once the doors close behind the six tributes. His voice echos around the elevator, bouncing around the walls and high ceiling. Jimin sees a few of the tributes flinch at the sudden loud sound. The whole lot of them were pretty fragile, all things considered. "I talked to a few people who were considering sponsoring—all very nice people—and I told them what you would be wearing. I told them how stunning you looked—so loud, and brilliant! But not one of them believed me. However, get this! The second I pointed you out, I swear their jaws dropped to their chests! I of course won't name names, but a few of you were more popular than others."

Hoseok shoots a not-so-subtle glance at Jimin. He made the smaller feel a bit singled out.

The crystal elevator flies up to Floor 10—which makes sense, being the same number as the district they were from. The contraption was fast and smooth—it barely felt like they were moving at all. It quickly makes The Capital people below look like bright, colorful ants.

"Alright, why don't you find your quarters? Dinner should be ready shortly!" Hoseok ushers the tributes out of the elevator. "I'll have an avox fetch you when it's ready. Go relax, it's been a long day!"

Jimin and Jungkook separate when Jimin reaches his room. It wasn't too hard to find—they put names on the doors. He quickly finds himself in disbelief. The Capital was so technologically advanced, he couldn't believe it. Just the shower alone had hundreds of settings and modifications. Jimin wanted to take a shower, to try everything out, to distract himself, but he already felt so clean from the prep team fixing him up that it almost felt...wrong.

At Jimin's house, he could only shower twice a week so his family could save money. They were fortunate enough to have running water, but heating bills were expensive. Sometimes Jimin had to shower in freezing water, even in the frigid temperatures of winter. If the cold was truly unbearable, he could boil the water manually.

The Capital had all this stuff at their fingertips. Why couldn't they share some of it with the districts? If Jimin's family had a fraction of all the things in here, they would be immensely comfortable for the rest of their lives and more. He could just imagine Jihyun spending hours on end trying these gadgets out. He was still just a kid, after all, wonder still dancing in his eyes every now and again. Jimin misses him so much already.

What Jimin settles on doing is changing his clothes. He didn't really want to keep this cow print outfit on. It was tight and loud, and he didn't like it, no matter how much praise Hoseok and Seokjin gave. He rustles through the drawers until he finds a baby blue sweater and some straight-legged jeans. He strips out of his clothes, peeling off the layers one by one, before putting on the garments he chose. He found these clothes much easier to breathe in. And Jimin needed all the breathing room possible.

His quarters were too big, too spacious. Jimin feels small—smaller than he ever even felt with Jihyun and Jungkook's incessant teasing. His room at home was tiny, he shared it with his brother. There was nothing he longed for more at this moment than company. Just...another person around him so he could feel more at ease.