If It Means A Lot To You (A Hunger Games Au)

Chapter 10

"Niall, calm down. He's safe."

"We'll what if he isn't."

"He is."

"How do you know that?"

"Because I checked up on him a few minutes ago. Please, you've got to calm down."

Niall sighed, "Fine."

Caroline nodded, smiling gently at her tribute.

"I'm proud of you, Niall. You made it."

He grinned and nodded, hugging Caroline, the older woman rubbing soothing circles on his back.

"It's going to be okay, I promise. You'll be okay. I'm really proud of you; you deserve it Niall, You really do."

"Thank you."

*

It's not that Niall's nervous, it's just that he hasn't seen Zayn for two days because of their recovery and whatnot.

So when they told him they'd be reunited on the day of the Victor's Crowning, Niall told himself it'd be okay to be a little nervous.

"A little nervous" is an understatement. Niall feels like his heart is ready to jump out of his chest, his palms are sweaty and he's breathing as if he'd just ran a three mile race.

He's waiting backstage in one of the studios, the one where they had been interviewed before the Games, gnawing nervously on his bottom lip. Lou takes notice, immediately stopping him with a smack on his arm. It works for a second or two, before he begins once more.

Lou sighs, "Calm down. Please Niall. We at least need you in one piece physically for the interview."

"I'm sorry, it just that... well what if it's- different?"

"I'm sure it won't be, honey. Just try and relax, at least for my sake?"

Niall's only response is a nod, nothing else.

*

He can see him. Not clearly, but he's pretty sure it's him from the other side of the stage. Niall's shifting from one foot to the other over and over, not being able to stand still. Lou's moving her hands up and down Niall's from behind in an attempt to calm him down. It's works for the most part, he's not squirming as much but he's wringing his hands together, his palms partly sweaty.

"You're okay Niall. and I told you he'd be okay."

"Yeah."

"Okay. You're on in five."

She walks away, leaving the boy taking deep breaths to stay calm, his thoughts running through his mind widely.

The five minutes pass as if they were seconds, and soon he's standing near the steps, with Ceasar greeting the crowd, charming all of them easily. He's announcing the Games and how well they came out, the fallen, the final four, and then... them.

He calls their names, and Niall finds himself walking up the steps. He finds the lights blinding for a moment, and he blinks for his eyes to adjust, blue locking with hazel. His heart stops, his throat closes. He finds it rather hard to catch his breath.

Zayn's... Zayn's okay. He really is okay. More than okay. He looks fantastic.

Zayn stares at him, and they don't realise they're running to meet each other in the centre of the stage, as if they had been magnets.

Niall falls into Zayn's arms, holding him tightly. He's saying things to him, Zayn burying his face into his neck. He can't really make out what the boy is saying to him except for "you're okay" and "I'm okay" "we're fine" "I'm not leaving" "I've got you". Ceasar gives them a moment, beaming at them, as well as everyone in the crowd. They're cheering and whistling, but Zayn can only hear the blonde's velvet voice in his ear, and vice versa.

They pull back just enough to press their lips together. Zayn's holding Niall tighter than ever, and it doesn't seem like either of them are letting go anytime soon. "Aww"s are heard throughout the studio, an Niall can feel himself getting red. He pulls back, his forehead pressed against Zayn's, smiling shyly.

"Hi."

Niall's smile grows bigger,

"Hi."

He hears more "aww"s, causing him to hide his face in Zayn's neck, the older boy chuckling slightly.

Ceasar motions them to sit as soon as the crowd dies down. Niall's tucked into Zayn's side, feeling comfortable and safe once more, letting that two day breath out.

They're greeted, and asked a few questions. Niall doesn't talk much, instead playing with Zayn's fingers that are entangled with his, letting said boy answer by the questions by himself, occasionally adding a him or a nod or a shake of the head.

It's that one question that catches his attention.

"How do you think you're brother has reacted to this?"

He lifts his head from Zayn's shoulder, looking over at Ceasar,

"What?"

He's either made the question up in his head and believed that Ceasar has said it, or Ceasar had said it and he's taken too long to answer it.

"Your brother? How do you think he'll feel about you going home? He must be really proud of you."

He thinks of his answer for a moment,

"Well, I... I just wonder that he's exciting to have me home. I m-mean. I'm really happy. I just hope.... I hope he is too."

Ceasar smiles at him, before turning to the audience and telling them that's the end of the interview.

And... well that's it.

* 

They're on the train home, Niall once again tucked into Zayn's side, The sky dark without a single star.

"What do you think they'll do?"

"'Bout what?"

"We're aren't exactly from the same districts, Zayn."

"They'll figure something out."

"Like what?"

"Why does this have you all worked up?"

Niall sits up, "We knew each other, Zayn. Districts aren't allowed to be friendly with each other."

"You're scared."

Niall looks away from him.

"About what they'll do."

No answer.

"And not just to us. No, this has to do about your brother."

"Zayn-"

"Our families. You're worried about them."

"Aren't you?"

"Of course I am, but I'm not going to over think this."

"Well, I don't want to under think this."

"Relax, well find a way to keep them safe. Promise."

Niall sighs, "Together?"

"Together."

-~

A/N: So it's done!!!! :D I'm writing a sequel however, so you keep your eyes open, yeah? :) Love you guys thanks for reading.