Chapter 3 (The Parade)

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Viktor takes Yuuri's hands. 

"Soon it's the tribute parade, just go with what the stylist does and smile on the chariot. We need sponsors" 

Yuuri nods, taken aback by the sudden seriousness in Viktor's eyes. 



Yuuri stays silent as he's washed, poked, prodded and smothered in make up but internally he is screaming. 

Yuuri sits silently in his robe in a now empty make up room waiting for his stylist to arrive. 

Please don't be a weirdo, please don't be a weirdo Yuuri prays. 

"Hello, I'm Georgi! Oh, you are a good looking one, aren't you? I'll just touch you up, you don't need much make up and your hair would be sexy if we slicked it back don't you think?" 

Yuuri stays silent as his stylist babbles and fixes his hair. Normally, compliments make Yuuri blush but Georgi is so fake he's almost like a buzzing fly in Yuuri's ear, annoying but harmless. 

Yuuri is forced into a jewel covered suit that to him is way over the top even for the Capital, Georgi finishes sticking jewels beside Yuuri's eyes and smiles.

"You look amazing!" 

Yuuri looks in the mirror, he guesses Georgi hit the brief for his District (luxury). 


They walk together to the chariots, Viktor chats away to the notoriously sexy Christophe Giacometti a victor from district two. It is well known that Viktor and Chris are friends after winning back to back hunger games. 

"So, coach Viktor huh? Who's your tribute?" Chris asks. 

Viktor hangs his head low. 

"No..." Chris whispers. 

Yuuri stands beside the chariots and catches Chris' eye. 

"Shit... Viktor..." Chris pats Viktor's shoulder. 

Viktor walks towards Yuuri, Yuuri could swear he saw a hint of a tear threatening to fall. 

"You look... lovely" Viktor smiles, Yuuri laughs without thinking. 

"I look like someone covered me in glue and dragged me through the sequin factory in District one" 

Viktor roars with laughter at Yuuri's description just before the drums start. 

"Quick, up" Viktor helps Yuuri up on to the chariot beside Gina, Yuuri forces what he hopes is a dazzling smile as the doors open and the horses start to move. 

To Yuuri, the whole parade is a blur, he was fake and disconnected from his surroundings. He doesn't even remember President Snow's annual speech. 

He tunes back in when he feels Viktor's hand on his arm to help him off the chariot. 

"Well done, many sponsors have come forward for you" 

"Okay" Yuuri mumbles and lets Viktor pull him up to their suite on the first floor. 

Yuuri ignores the dinner table and heads straight to his room, he looks through the drawers and takes out black pants and a silky blue top. He goes into the bathroom and showers off the excessive make up, a warm breeze dries him off without bothering with towels. 

He puts on the outfit he chose and sits cross legged on his bed. 

"Yuuri?" Viktor knocks on his door but Yuuri doesn't move "Yuuri we need to talk about training tomorrow" 

Yuuri sighs maybe I should take advantage of Viktor's knowledge so I'll have every chance to survive 

Yuuri clicks open the door with the handy remote by his bed. Viktor walks in with a tray full of food. 

"Yuuri, I know it's hard but you must eat. You are already very skinny" he sits beside the raven-haired tribute who flinches at his closeness. "Just try the soup, you need something" 

Yuuri sighs "Okay" 

Viktor hands him a bowl and spoon. 

"So tomorrow basically don't get involved in fights, get to as many stations as you can and focus on camouflage. I think hiding is a good idea, I don't want to see you hurt" 

Yuuri freezes at the last comment. 

"Hurt..." he whimpers.



"Yuuri... I know this may seem weird but can I stay here tonight? Just to enjoy your company" 

Yuuri considers, he thought he wanted to be alone but being left alone with his thoughts seems dangerous. 

"Yeah, okay" 

Viktor gives his now familiar sad smile Yuuri notices. 

Once Yuuri eats enough soup to satisfy Viktor, he lays under the blankets. 

"I can't sleep. Tell me a story" Yuuri says. 

Viktor is momentarily surprised by Yuuri's request but lays closer and gently strokes his hair. 

"Okay. A lonely man was walking through the abandoned buildings at the edge of District one on a particularly boring day when he saw a beautiful raven-haired boy dancing gracefully to a song only he could hear. The lonely man watched mesmerized through the dirty window until the boy left. From then on, the lonely man kept an eye on the boy, he watched the boy's training and held his breath at every reaping, praying the boy's name wouldn't be called. The boy was amazing, good at training but with a kind heart that seems unique in this world" 

Yuuri closes his eyes. 

"But one day in the reaping of the 70th hunger games, the lonely man was assigned to be a coach when he heard the name he never hoped to hear during a reaping 'Yuuri Katsuki' he was shocked and saddened that he had waited too long to talk to the boy" 

Yuuri snuggles closer to his pillow as Viktor whispers the final words. 

"But the man knew he would do what he could to bring the boy home" 

Viktor curls up in the blankets and watches Yuuri sleeping, he's so relaxed. 

The calm before the storm.


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