mastermind | the hunger games

CHAPTER VII

Hades Grace had his arm tightly wrapped around Persephone Chase, keeping her pressed against his chest, as the two walked throughout the cold streets of District One. Even though it was in the heart of summer, District One still felt bitter, wind biting at both of their cheeks. 

The taller dirty-blonde man kept his eyes on the crowd that formed around them, scanning them over and over again as if they were some sort of threat to the smaller blonde he held tightly. It was Hades first time in the luxury district, wanting to help Persephone decorate her home since she had not been sleeping well in the dark and gloomy mansion that she was forced to call her own. 

It had been a little over a month since their first kiss, the one Hades swears to Chiron was only to help her from panicking, and the two kept growing closer as April faded into June, nothing exciting happening in May besides more Capitol parties.

No one in the gathered crowd said anything to the Victors as they strolled through the main streets of District One, most too intimidated to say anything in the presence of Hades.

"What store are we going to?" Hades mumbled into Persephone's ear harshly as she guided them through the cobblestone streets she knew all too well.

"There's a furniture store just up the block, I think they carry paint too," Persephone said back, keeping her hand interlaced with Hades' as he subtly messed with her gold signet ring, the same one he had gifted her.

Hades stuck to a nod, keeping his eyes on the people that walked past them, which caught Persephone's attention.

"You know they aren't going to do anything, right? The worst they'll do is criticize your outfit or try to say your rings or chain are knockoffs," the petite blonde teased, jokingly poking Hades in the side.

Hades smirked at her joke, opening the door to the furniture store in front of them, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at the bright pastel aesthetic that he thought only Persephone could pull off, before leaning down to whisper in her ear, "Baby, you and I both know my rings and necklace are real diamonds, I don't do knockoffs."

Persephone's face immediately flushed, still feeling butterflies in her stomach every time Hades called her a pet name, his most common ones being "baby" or "sweet girl".

"How can I help you both today?" an overly eager, brightly dressed man, around twenty-two years old, asked the Victors.

Persephone immediately smiled at the man, her natural kindness on display while Hades glared, still on high alert.

"We are just looking around, trying to decorate my home," the blonde girl said softly, gentleness laced in her tone. 

"Perfect, well, if you guys have any questions, please feel free to ask," the man with a nametag labelled "Stone", his name not matching his bright personality, said to the two. 

Persephone nodded, dragging Hades immediately to the paint samples, going right for the pinks and yellows, but her attention was grabbed by a dark red.

"What do you think about burgundy red in the kitchen and a soft pink in the living room? Since it's an open kitchen and dining room, I'm thinking the red will blend nice with the pink. Maybe some black and gold accents?" The Chase girl asked, holding two swatch cards up to Hades' face.

Hades grabbed the cards from her hands before squinting at them and nodding, "Yeah, that could work. Did you already pick out your furniture and stuff?" 

"Mhm, furniture is going to be delivered by tonight. You're staying the night again to help me get everything painted and put together, right?" the blonde hummed, looking up at the older man sweetly.