the 61st hunger games • chanbaek

pt. 2

the months spent in the outskirts of their districts soon progressed into years, the meeting spot becoming a second home as they greeted each other with a warm smile.

each year passing by with a weight off their shoulders, they were still together; still not picked for the games.

they had another year ahead of them of this stuff to repeat until they were free; free enough to no longer worry every year on a certain day.

baekhyun was relieved, it meant he'd finally have a steady income for his family but he knew what working in the factories meant. once his brother started he was rarely home on time, he was always held back due to the demanding workload.

he worried if it would impact his time here with chanyeol.

the sun was beating down on the two, their jackets abandoned on the grassy field below their feet. chanyeol's head was in baekhyun's lap as he laid on the grass. baekhyun's calloused fingers rested in between his curly brown locks, constantly weaving strands of hair together before brushing it out.

it was silent between them as they savoured the moment; an uncomfortable presence looming between them, no one ever spoke about it but anyone with a common sense could feel it. the small hint of dread in the atmosphere today, the way kids trudged their feet behind them as they got out of bed, tense smiles and lingering touches.

today was the reaping.

"how many times has your name been put in the bowl?" chanyeol spoke up, his voice scratchy from not speaking for a while.

baekhyun let out a long sigh as he looked up to the distance, his eyes gazing out to the gentle hues of blue and white that rested on the horizons of the endless meadows and hills that he always thought about running towards and never looking back, "i don't know, the mid-twenties probably."

chanyeol let out a long breath at the response, his name was in but not as much as baekhyun's. he just didn't want it to catch up to him; he didn't want to lose him. but baekhyun was too stubborn, constantly telling chanyeol he had to do this for his brother.

"what would you do if i was picked today?" baekhyun questioned, his fingers still playing with chanyeol's hair; it was a comfort thing for both of them, something baekhyun always found himself doing it to try and relax.

"don't even mention that." chanyeol frowned.

"i'm curious, what would you do?" baekhyun chuckled, "would you be sad?" he questioned, their eyes locking as chanyeol looked up at him.

"of course i'd be sad." the taller huffed.

"would you watch me?"

chanyeol shook his head, "i try not to watch the games anyway," he tried to put up a strong demeanour, even though the reason would be to not watch baekhyun get hurt, "so i don't see that there would be an exception this time."

baekhyun only laughed at that, the joyous sound causing chanyeol's lip to curl as he looked up, "what's so funny?"

"just you," the smaller chuckled, "acting all tough." he grinned as he squished his cheeks together, his tough act quickly going over baekhyun's head at the sight of his soft brown eyes and pouted lips.

chanyeol eventually pulled the smaller's hands from his face, still holding onto them he spoke up, his tone serious, "we should head back, we still need to get dressed for today."

baekhyun let out a long sigh, "i don't want to go." his voice was quiet, wanting to keep his hatred for the day to himself. he always wondered how chanyeol was so calm about these things.