Kurt dresses Blaine in a simple jumpsuit, the structure of it looks like bread crust, but it feels comfortable and easy. Even if its just for the opening ceremony, Blaine decides to like his stylist.

Kurt is currently working on his hair, trying to style it down with a ton of hair gel. Except it isnt like the stuff he uses in the District. He doesnt use much in the District, never feels comfortable walking around with his curls plastered to his head. To him it feels like showing the people he has money to spare, money for hair products. People watch him when he does.




Of course he does occasionally, when they have dinner with the mayor, when they visit the local theater for a performance or when he himself performs there. Its occasional, but it happens. When he tries to control his curls at home it takes him hours, two washings and at least half a pot of hair gel. Kurt just uses a special brush and some spray and his curls do exactly that what Kurt wishes of them. He wonders if its Kurt who has taught Cooper to style his hair all wavy and perfect.

“Were you Coopers stylist, too?” He asks, breaking the comfortable silence they had been having so far. Its strange, really, the way Kurts presence sets him at ease in a way neither Cooper nor Quinn have managed thus far into the trip.

“How old do you think I am?” Kurt chuckles, “I was a mere child when your brother won the games. I remember, though, he was my very first crush.”

Blaine coughs. He knows Cooper is wanted, knows The Capitol wants Cooper to do things, want him to spend time with people for money that Snow strikes up. He knows people like Kurt want his brother, that he is desired.

“You like my brother?”

“I did, when I was ten.”

Its been twelve years since Cooper won the games at sixteen, Kurt was ten. So that means hes twenty two now, not that much older than Blaine himself.

“Youre young to be a stylist, then,” Blaine says and Kurt shrugs.

“I guess Im talented. They dont pick people lightly for this, you know, there is a whole screening. My hands bled for five days after I went through it. So I expect you to win this thing for me, Im not doing this to lose the person they make me dress.”

“Ill try,” Blaine is the one to shrug this time. Even though Kurt is nice and gentle and it looks like he really wants Blaine to win, he still is from The Capitol and considers five days of bleeding hands as terrible as trying to survive in an arena with 23 other under aged children. Cooper had warned him for that, that people in The Capitol dont understand real struggle. They dont see their friends struggle to feed themselves every day, they dont watch their teacher being thrown into custody because she teaches about a Panem before Panem existed. To them, the greatest fiasco theyve ever experienced are broken nails and bleeding knuckles.

Kurt smiles at him gently, almost warm, and then ushers him out towards the carriages. The horses in front of them are majestic to say the least. Kurt watches Blaine watch the horses and takes his hand to lead him to the back, where they wait for Tish and her stylist. He looks around, trying to find Cooper and Quinn but he cant.

“Smile and wave at the crowd,” Kurt tells him as he squeezes his hand lightly, “make them fall in love with you. I know you can, its in your blood. Its how your brother did it.”

Right, brother, he has a reputation to live up to on top of everything else. His brother, whos not even here at the moment. He climbs the chariot with Kurts help, and tries to avoid looking at all the other Tributes. Which he cant. They all look amazingly different from what he had seen on the broadcast of the reapings. He knows theyve all been through similar preparation rituals as he did, the girls probably even more. None of them look like District kids anymore, but no amount of make up, scrubbing, clothing and hairspray can hide the fear in their eyes. Its amazing, really, how they can all have different skin tones, different costumes and features and yet all look alike because their eyes all shine bright with the same emotion.

When Tish and her stylist, Tina, walk towards them, Blaines mouth drops open. Gone is the small girl that got on a train with him, and in her place is a fierce young woman, dressed in a tight jump suite similar to the one Blaine is wearing. Her posture is straight, straighter than it was and she walks with her head held high. Blaine sees it immediately, this girl didnt get on a train to surrender. She will fight to stay alive. Blaine isnt sure what brings it on, maybe some sort of primal instinct, but immediately he stands up straighter himself. If she will fight, he will fight. He doesnt care how or why, she and he are from the same District and he knows one of them need to survive. District 9 deserves as much.

“Lets do this,” she says with a strong voice and Blaine helps her up on the chariot.

“Lets do this,” he agrees. One last look at Kurt and Tina, a forced smile and then the horses start pulling the carriage. He holds on tight as they race down the wide open space with the audience on either side. Blaine barely registers what happens, focuses on staying atop the carriage and smiling. The list of focus in his head adjusted now Kurt and his prep team have informed him a little more on what will happen.

Opening ceremonies, training, interviews, rating, trying not to die.

The noise around him is loud, he keeps his smile bright and tries to soak up Tishs fighting energy to match it. He might even succeed, because when he sees their bright faces light up the screens, the cheers in the crowd seem louder than ever. Of course, it can be his imagination, but it still gives him hope and so he courageously lets loose one hand and waves at the crowd. In response, the cheers get louder and he sees people get to their feet.

"They love us,” Tish whispers and Blaine immediately knows shes right. Something in the atmosphere around them changes. The crowd goes wild as they both dare to wave more excitedly. Blaine lets himself be influenced by the excitement around him and almost misses when the chariot reaches its destination, the horses coming to a sudden stop. After almost falling off, he quickly regains his composure and watches President Snow getting up on his step, his trademark rose placed neatly in the lapel of his jacket.
He holds his speech, probably something inspiring and creepy. Blaine doesnt hear a single thing he says, keeps his eyes focuses on the rose as to not get distracted, and starts repeating the list in his head again. Its strange, how his thoughts are all over the place. How one moment he can wave and smile at the crowd and think he has a chance of winning, and look at the career tributes from District 1, 2 and 4 the next and feel his death upon him.

“I present to you, the tributes of the 73rd Annual Hunger Games!”

After Snow has concluded his speech, the crowd around them erupts in applause and cheer, the horses pull the carriages forwards again and Blaine has to hold on tight to make sure he wont fall off. The horses speed them back towards where they came from, they smile at the crowd as they rush back and before he knows it, Blaine and Tish are back in the hangar, where now Cooper and Quinn stand waiting next to Isabelle, Tina and Kurt.

“You guys did great!” Isabelle says excitedly, before extending a hand to help Tish down from the carriage. Kurt does the same for Blaine, and he takes the hand gratefully. When he steps down he almost trips, not used to the heel on his boot. He lands half in Kurts arms, though the pointy pads around Kurts silver shoulders make it impossible for him to catch Blaine properly.

After hes scrambled up from the awkward angle he ended up in, he follows Isabelle towards a set of elevators down the hall from the hangar. Tish walks steadily besides Quinn, who is complimenting the girl on her chariot ride. She talks animatedly about how important it is to gather sponsor and to come across as likable. Maybe, Blaine thinks, theyll really do everything they can for her as well.

His gaze leaves Tish and Quinn and lands on Kurt's back. He walks gracefully, even in the enormous high heels he is wearing. It's not until now that Blaine realizes Kurt must very much be into silver. His pants, tights, whatever they are, are silver and hug his legs tightly. They blend into the shoes and Blaine wonders how Kurt even manages to get into the whole thing in the morning.

His shirt, or dress, Blaine isnt sure what it is, sticks out in sharp points at his shoulders, hugs his torso tight and spreads out into a wide hoop just below his butt. Blaine is mesmerized by his outfit, something he couldnt really say about Isabelles outrageous dress. Blaine is also very much a teenage boy, and despite going into the Arena and most likely dying before the month is over, he can see Kurts body is something to appreciate. He sees it in Tina, too, her suit skin tight and a deep purple that brings out the color of her natural skin perfectly. He wonders if its a stylist thing, knowing how to dress themselves, but he doesnt dare ask. So he watches, watches Kurt walk in front of him with the long, lean legs on the high sequined heels. His body is fuller than most bodies Blaine has seen in his life, and yet gorgeously lean, probably to do with eating healthy and on a regular base, but there is something else about him that fascinates Blaine.

“Are you guys staying here?” Isabelle asks them sweetly, but with a tone to her voice that sounds a bit on the fence about it.

“We thought we would,” Tina says, “we thought we would get to know them before we start the designs for the interviews.

“Its just one dress, you can go home.”

“Our apartment is on the other side of The Capitol,” Tina shrugs, “we have our materials in the atelier here, we have our subjects here and Crane said there are enough bedrooms in District 9s quarters for us to spend some quality time with them.”

Blaine can see in everything about Isabelles body language that she isnt used to be talked back to, but Tina stands strong and the tone she used isnt one Blaine would argue with either. Subjects, though, she called him and Tish subjects. Its a weird thing to get upset about, but its so impersonal it makes Blaines skin itch.

He looks at Isabelle again, at her overtly styled hair, her bright green dress, bright blue tights and the bright green shoes on her feet. He observes the gemstones plastered all over the skin of her arms, their colors matching the colors of her dress at tights. The gemstones in her hair equally as blue and green as the rest of her. Her skin is pale, paler than Kurts and obviously powdered beyond recognition. He wonders if she does it all herself, if every Capitol person who looks as unnatural as Isabelle do their own hair and make-up every morning, and how long it takes them to look as weird and fake as they do.

Of course, in The Capitol it is fashion, but as a District person he cannot imagine ever worrying about his looks the way people from The Capitol do. Even if he has money, more than he can use, he sees his friends struggle to even dress themselves with long sleeved shirts in winter and here people throw around silver and gold as if it costs nothing. He wonders if thats really how it is to Capitol people, if they dont care about the people in the Districts at all, if they really so that superficial or maybe just uneducated.

He wonders if theyre mere subjects, the way Tina said they were, or if thats just a word stylist of The Capitol use for all their clients. Do they even have clients, or are they busy year round designing for the Games?

Blaine had been so busy thinking about Kurt and Tina and their work, he hadnt even noticed they got on an elevator until Isabelle announced this was their floor. Floor number nine, entirely theirs. Isabelle instructs Cooper to show Blaine his suite, and Quinn to show Tish her suite. She waves to some bedrooms on the far end of the hall for Kurt and Tina and tells them to be ready for dinner in two hours. Blaines stomach grumbles immediately at the mention of dinner, realizing he hadnt had lunch during his excessive preparation ritual.

He and Cooper follow Kurt and Tina down the hall and Cooper shows him his suite. Its a gorgeous open space, a large bathtub next to a double sink in the corner. The bed is so big, hes sure there are families of five back home who share a smaller space. It all looks comfortable, it all looks too much. It mostly looks like youre going to die in a few days, were trying to make it up to you with a few last days of extraordinary luxury.

“Were still going to save you, Blainey,” Cooper starts as Blaine helps himself out of the bread crust looking jumpsuit. The nickname, Blainey, it sounds so wrong all of a sudden. So childish. Blaine doesnt feel childish anymore, or young. He feels the weight of the world is on his shoulders.

“Well get you sponsors, well get you everything you need. Were getting you out of there, I promise.”

“Cooper..”

“Ill charm my way into some sponsors hearts, you put on your bright smile and maybe Ill make Caesar ask you to sing a song. The people would love your voice, Blainey. Im just thinking aloud here but...”

"Cooper!”

“We can absolutely make people love you. The sponsors will get you food and water and medicine if you need it. Thats what important. Youre going to hide, youre going to run away from the Cornucopia and well provide for you and then well...”

“COOPER!”

It takes Blaine every ounce of strength in his voice to make his brother stop talking. Cooper focuses on Blaine, then follows his gaze to the door where Kurt is standing wide eyed. Hed stood there from the moment Cooper started talking, and the shock on Coopers face confirms Blaines fear that it wasnt a good idea for a Capitol resident to hear his plans. Kurt takes a deep breath, then looks at them both and steps inside. He pushes a button next to the door, which closes it and then walks over to the bed.

“Can I sit?” Blaine answers with a curt nod, quickly throws on a comfortable pair of pants and a long sleeved shirt from the closet in his room, then wonders why he even did that. Its not like either Cooper or Kurt havent seen him naked before. Hell, Kurt even took all his measurements including the length of his penis this morning, needing to know everything for the suit hell be designing for his interview. Still, he feels more comfortable completely dressed before he joins Cooper and Kurt on the bed.

“I get it,” Kurt starts once Blaine is seated cross-legged with his head against the headboard. Hes not comfortable by far, fearing what Kurt will say. Hell probably sell them out and Blaine will be dead before the count down ends. Hes seen it before, Tributes tripping before the sixty seconds are up and exploding on the spot. Cooper has told him those are usually corrupt Tributes. In a sense it might be a good way to die. He doesnt have to fight in the Arena, wouldnt have to see anyone die or be responsible for deaths. He wouldnt die a slow death by infection. Just one big blow and everything would be over. Maybe thats why they do it, corrupt themselves and make The Capitol know so itll be over before it even starts.

But then he remembers what usually happens next. Tish might be standing next to him, the explosion on his platform will cause a loud noise and it will startle the people next to him. Usually either the force of the explosion or the bang it brings makes for the people right next to the exploding Tribute to stumble and fall as well, and itll be over for them just as soon. He remembers one year where this happened and five tributes in a row had fallen off their platform, starting the bloodbath at the Cornucopia with nineteen instead of twenty four Tributes. He doesnt want that to happen, if hes going to die he wants Tish to live. District 9 deserves a win, Quinn and Cooper deserve to finally take home a victor. Maybe even have a year off next year for Quinn, if Tish wins she can mentor next years female Tribute. Or a year off for Cooper, if Blaine wins he can come back next year and be a mentor. They deserve this, and either he or Tish will win.

“Please dont sell us out.”

“Im going to help you.”

They say it simultaneously, and both Blaine and Coopers mouths fall open as they register what Kurt had just said.

“You mean -”

“Ill help you. I cant get sponsors for you, Im not allowed to mingle in the Sponsor crowd because I might be biased – which I am, but I can tell you who are my friends. I can tell you who has enough money to help you, who will want Kurts designs to be seen back on the aftermath interviews, who want me to have a job during the Victory Tour.”

“So youre doing it for yourself, so you have work?”

“Maybe,” Kurt answers honesty, “but mostly Im doing it because I have a family and you guys are the only family within the mmentors and tributes. It hurts me to think about losing my father. I almost lost him not too long ago, and when I look at you guys I see the same kind of love. Thats why Im doing it.”

“We only just met,” Blaine says, still not convinced, but Cooper elbows him in the ribs and gestures for Kurt to continue.

"I have money, my father has a high job and I get half of his money so thats not why Im doing this. But I am doing it because of him. I lost my mother as a little child and I almost lost him quite recently. I dont like to see families ripped apart and I dont want my next design after the games to be the one you will be buried in. I dont want to design for dead bodies, I dont want to design for dead brothers. I want you to win because youre a nice person and you deserve it.”

“We all have families. Tish left her parents and two little brothers home. Why should she die and not me?”

“No one should die.”

The words hit Blaine like a train. He always assumed every single Capitol person sees the Games as something exciting, as something entertaining. He feels tears well up in his eyes and forces himself to hold them back. Its the first since his name was reaped that he feels the real urge to cry, but he cant. Not in front of Kurt and Cooper, not if its true what Kurt says and he wants to fight for Blaine. Break the rules for him. He still feels like he needs to be cautious, if he says yes and Kurt turns out to operate on Capitols orders, trying to unmask any corrupt tributes, he is screwed for good.

Can I think about it?”

Almost the same time he hears a deafening scream come from the other side of their quarters and Cooper shoots up immediately.

“Quinn!” he exclaims, “I have to go. Quinn! Im coming!”

Both Kurt and Blaine watch Cooper run towards the door, watch him almost run into it before finding the button and then rush to the other side where hell find Quinn. Kurt looks at Blaine in question, who simply shrugs.

“They have a weird relationship,” Blaine says, “theyre very close.”

“Are they in love?”

“Im not sure,” Blaine answers, “he sleeps at her place almost every night. Says it helps with the nightmares. I guess its because theyve had similar experiences, both winning the Games and all.”

“Yeah...” Kurt mumbles absentmindedly, his gaze still on the door Cooper had disappeared through, “I had nightmares when my mother died.”

Blaine wants to scream at Kurt, yell and say it isnt the same. He doesnt, though, because he can feel Kurts sincere, Kurts trying to understand and its a hell lot more than Cooper has ever given any Capitol acquaintance credit for.

“To answer your question,” Kurt says after he comes back to himself, “of course you can think about it. Tina and I will be here when you come back from training tomorrow. Ill leave you to get some rest before dinner, tell me tomorrow or the day after that. Take your time.”

He gets up and walks towards the door. Its only then that Blaine sees he took off the ridiculous boots and is now gracing the carpet with his bare feet. It feels close to domestic, watching this fashion icon so unguarded and casual.

“Do you sing?” The words are out before he can even try to stop himself from asking them.

“I... – what?”

“Do you sing? Your eye, its got to do with music, right? Ive never learned to read sheet music, but I know those signs. Or clefs. Or what do you call them?”

"Clefs, yes. But no, I dont sing. I play the piano and my mother used to sing to me when she was little. My father tells me I stopped singing the day her heart stopped beating.”

“Thats really sad.”

“And you, do you sing?”

"Yes,” Blaine says and feels the smile on his face returning, as it always does when he gets to talk about performing, “I love to sing. Its my favorite thing to do. We have this small theater in District 9 and I sometimes get to perform there. I love to make people forget about their struggles for a while.”

“I love seeing shows and forgetting about life for a while,” Kurt says, “when I hear a really great singer, or see an amazing fashion show, I can forget for two or three hours that I still have to sew a dress together, thats the best thing to ever happen.”

Its there again, that difference between The Capitol and the Districts, but Blaine doesnt mention it. Doesnt mention that still needing to sew a dress is a whole other struggle than wondering if my children will survive the week. Kurt cant know, hes probably never even been in the Districts. He grew up here, this is what he knows and if sewing a dress together is a struggle for him, then it is.

“I bet you have a beautiful voice,” Blaine tells Kurt, “but tell me, what do you play?”

“On the piano? I wish I could show you. I love just playing with the keys and finding my own melody. What about you, what do you sing?”

“I sing a lot, songs from our Districts. Songs Quinn taught me. Shes taught me a lot of songs from her family. They have been passed on generation after generation. I have this one favorite, Im not sure what its called. I should ask her later.”

Theres a soft smile that appears on Kurts lips. “You guys must be close,” he whispers as he sits back down on the bed. He curls his legs up, they mostly disappear under the large hoop of his upper garment, “if shes willing to let you in on family secrets like that.”

“We are her family,” Blaine explains, “she won a year before Cooper did. She was fifteen when she won, he was sixteen. Theyre only two weeks apart. Her parents died not long after she won. First her father had an accident in the factory and later her mother committed suicide. She lived in Victors Village alone, until we joined her after Coopers Games. Our parents sort of adopted her. Shes been a sister ever since.”

“She lost both her parents?”

Kurt looks paler than before, Blaine thinks he must be missing his own mother in this moment. With Kurt sitting closer to him than before he can see the eyes arent as gray as they looked this morning, theyre green and blue, still a little gray and he even has some tints of District 9s trademark hazel. Its almost as if Blaine can find the entire spectrum of colors inside those two irises staring off into a distance farther than the wall hes facing.

“She did.”

“I had a taste of how that feels,” Kurt says softly, “I think I understand why she screams the way she does.”

“Sing for me?” Kurt asks after he adjusts his gaze from far beyond the wall back to Blaine. “Please?” He says, his eyes brimming with tears. The silver lines along his eyes sparkle through them, his face is real and Blaine fights the urge to take Kurts hand to comfort him. He shouldnt be the comforting one. Hes here to enter the Arena, hes here to fight to the death, he shouldnt feel sorry for the person waxing his body and preparing him for the fight by making him likable for Sponsors.

“What would you want me to sing?” He asks, because the connection from his logical thinking brain to his mouth seems to be lost, and in the place is a connection between himself and this silver man, apparently stronger than any sense of should and logic his brain can comprehend at the moment.

“Can you sing me the song Quinn taught you?”

“Id rather not,” Blaine says. “Ive never sung it out loud before, Im not even sure if Quinn wants me to. Besides, its our lullaby, something Quinn used to sing to me when I was just a little boy and had nightmares.”

"Something from your District then?” Kurt asks, not questioning Blaines rejection. Blaine digs deep in his mind, trying to find the perfect song for the occasion, and when he finds it he starts singing softly. Kurts eyes fill with tears as Blaines voice fills up the room. The tiles in the corner at the tub and sink offer an amazing acoustic to the room, and Blaine lets his mind fill with thoughts of home.

He sees his bedroom, he left it untidy yesterday morning and he feels guilty about it. His mother is probably cleaning it up right now, wanting for him to return to a neat place. He thinks of the fireplace in the living room, the couch on which his parents will curl up tonight to watch the rerun of the opening ceremonies. He thinks of Quinns house and all the other empty houses in Victors Village. He wonders if hell get assigned his own, should he win. If he could offer it to Tishs family and remain with his own if he lived. He wonders if Tishs family would take it, or if they would hate him and blame him for killing their daughter

Its not until he feels a soft thumb stroking away a tear on his cheek that he notices they are falling. Tears stream down his face, he stops singing and just cries. He lets Kurt, a man he met not more than ten hours ago, gather him in his arms and he lets his tears fall freely. He keeps thinking about his mother. He sees her face, the fear he will always remember. He was a tiny six year old boy when his brother was sent off into the Arena to fight and he had to watch every single second of it. He remembers watching his mothers face more than the screen. Seeking reassurance. He remembers asking her when is Cooper coming back, mommy? When is Coops going to play with me again?

They lived in a tiny hut near the factory his dad worked at back then, they all four shared a bed and it had been cold without Cooper in it. Im not sure Blaine. His mom had been sharp, maybe even mean, but now hes older he understands she was scared. Hes scared.

“Im scared,” he cries into Kurts pointy shoulder pad. “I dont want to die.”

“Of course not,” Kurt whispers, “you wont.”

He stays in Kurts arms for a long time, longer than should possible be comfortable, but he cant seem to stop crying. Kurt fumbles on the bed and holds him close as he gets into a more comfortable position against the headboard. Kurts thumb is strong as it strokes against his back, and he smells sweet. He adjusts his position so he gets even closer and cries into Kurts neck rather than the weird pointy shoulder he still doesnt quite understand. He lets his walls down, decides to trust Kurt wholly from this point on out. It would be too late to back out now. Hell still take the few days, but he knows he wont refuse the help. If Kurts lying, hell die anyway. If Kurts sincere, he needs to take any chance he can get to survive this Arena.

He cries until his tears stop flowing, and he stays in Kurts arms even after. Kurts thumb remains strong and where Blaines ear is resting against his neck, he can vaguely hear Kurts pulse there. Its a calming thing Blaine doesnt want to give up.

Eventually, though, he has to. Isabelles voice is shrill down the hall as she tells them its almost time for supper. Kurt shoots up, sending Blaine into a sitting position with him.

“Your eyes are red from crying,” he says, “pour cold water on them, it helps. I dont have enough time to fix it completely, Im sorry. I hope you can cover it up."

“I dont care if they see my flaws,” Blaine bites.

“Its not a flaw,” Kurt whispers as he cups Blaines face with his hand, “I just dont want Tish, Tina or Isabelle to see you weak. Theyll think you arent worth fighting for and you are.”

“Oh.”

“So, cold water and Ill see you at the dinner table.”

Kurt is out before Blaine finds word to respond, so he takes Kurts advice and splashes some ice cold water on his face. He rubs his eyes as best as he can, eventually settles for looking sleepy rather than cried out, then sets himself at the dinner table.

Tina and Isabelle are still dressed in their expressive, wide and bright colored Capitol fashion, but when Kurt enters he has replaced his hoop shirt for a more casual one. Though still silver and sequined, its loose fitted and has a deep v-neck. Blaine tries not to stare, but its hard to keep his eyes from the flawless skin it shows.

Blaine isnt sure how body modification works, and when he sees the powder white faces on his television hes always wondered if the paleness of those peoples faces traces down onto their bodies, but now with this low shirt Kurt is wearing he can at least tell Kurt hasnt altered his skin in the slightest. Along his chest are a few tiny freckles and dark dots of which Blaine assumes are of his chest hair growing back. Hes staring, he knows hes staring but he cant tear his eyes away from the chest on which he had just minutes ago been crying.

Out of the corner of his eye he sees the elbow coming, but it isnt until it pokes him harshly in the ribs that he realizes it was Coopers and Cooper saw him staring. Kurt turns around to call one of the servants to him and God, without the enormous hoop covering most of his thighs, legs and ass, the silver legging is by far the hottest thing Blaine has ever seen on a guy. Cooper elbows him in the ribs again, and Blaine snaps his mouth shut.

“Could you bring over some ice cold water?” Kurt asks the girl behind him kindly, after which Isabelle tells her to go ahead and put the dinner out as well. The girl does as she is told in silence, nods only in answer when asked a question and fulfills The Capitol residents every wishes. Blaine doesnt want to ask her or her colleague for anything, doesnt feel comfortable and he notices neither Cooper nor Quinn do it either.

Tish asks the boy, who to Blaine looks no older than twenty, for a refill on her wine glass and he obliges. Theres an awkward tension in the room from that moment on, though Blaine only feels it on either side of him, where Cooper and Quinn are sitting.

Blaine had learned a long time ago from Cooper, hes seen a hundred Avoxes like these two people in his lifetime. Ever since his brother became a Victor of The Hunger Games he has had dinners with new Victors during the Victory Tour. There had always been Avoxes waiting on them, serving them their food and making sure their glasses were never empty. Blaine had learned a long time ago that being served by an Avox was not something he wanted to participate in.

“Well theyre quite rude,” Tish says as the boy stands back in his corner where he waits until someone calls on him, “they could at least say yes or tell me to enjoy my meal.”

“Theyre Avoxes, honey, they dont speak.”

“Well, thats just plain weird. Back home if I didnt say please and thank you to my fathers costumers hed smack me.”

“They dont have a tongue.”

Quinns voice is sharp, so sharp it makes the rest of them gasp and look at her in horror. Blaine hadnt noticed until now how pale she looks. She looks tired, skinnier than before and sad. She doesnt look at Blaine as she speaks, though she looks around the group.

“Theyre slaves of The Capitol. They did something wrong once, The Capitol captured them and took out their tongues so they couldnt speak anymore and now makes them work for us. They like to remind us not to step a toe out of line.”

“Dont worry about yourself darling,” Isabelle tries to comfort the shocked looking Tish, “if you win the Games, theyd never do that to you. Youd be of too much value for us to maim you like that.”

“Because thats so much of a better fate,” Quinn bites back at Isabelle, after which the rest of the meal is eaten in awkward silence. Blaine manages to to sneak glances at Kurt, who keeps looking down at his dinner, though he doesnt eat much. Blaine keeps eating, both to drown out the stifling silence and because he hasnt eaten since breakfast. The food is absolutely delicious.

Being a victors brother, Blaine has never known much hunger. At least not since he can remember. He sometimes sees the images of himself from before Cooper had won, before they had been assigned the house in Victors Village. He was skinny, he was pale and his eyes were sunken. He cant remember much of it, because as soon as Cooper had come back from the game they had moved to Victors Village, Cooper had picked the house right next to Quinns and suddenly theyd had money. Blaine still sees the guilt in his mothers eyes when she walks to the bakery to get fresh bread and sees others scrambling up the change they have to buy two tiny rolls for an entire family of six.

He knows fresh bread, he knows a well cooked dinner, but nothing really compares to the food hes had since he got on the train to The Capitol. So, he devours it as the awkward silence around him continues. He sees Tish do the same, though she does it with wide eyes and a lack of dignity that Blaine still manages to hold. Tish is one of the children who have to share bread rolls, he thinks, she is one of the poor people. He hasnt spoken much to her yet, but he thinks he wants to change that. Tomorrow, in training, hell be nice to her.

Sleep that night comes surprisingly easily. Hed expected to have the dinner conversation creep into his dreams, the games played out before him. Hed expected to see himself or Tish die in his dreams, to see himself murder people, but none of that happens.

Instead, he dreams of silver streaks in chestnut hair, he dreams of silver-green eyes with a tattoo next to them, and a kind smile. As his dream self pillows his head on Kurts chest, he even dreams of his smell. When he seats himself at the breakfast table the next day, Kurt and Cooper are already there. He hears the shower in Tishs room run, and Kurt informs him that neither Isabelle nor Tina will be up before noon today. Isabelle had asked Kurt to escort Tish and Blaine to the training center.

They chit-chat lightly, dont even come close to touching the subject of Kurts offer to help. They dont talk about the clash between Quinn and Isabelle. Cooper and Blaine tell Kurt about life in Victors Village, Kurt tells them about his father. Blaine sees Kurts eyes light up when he does, the man obviously loves his father very much and it gives Blaine an odd sense of safety and familiarity. When Kurt talks so fondly about his father, it sounds like the way Blaine talks to strangers about Cooper.

Tish arrives at the breakfast table not much later. She looks well rested and she eats her breakfast with a little more reserve than she was able to show the night before. Shes probably less hungry than she has even been in her life, fully satisfied for the first time.

Kurt and Cooper both escort them to the training center. The elevator ride takes longer than Blaine remembers, and Cooper keeps talking to them. He tells them to practice the most basic skills first. Make sure you can start a fire, make sure you can hide the fire as soon as your food is cooked. Make sure you know how to cleanse water. Learn to recognize edible plants. Learn to dodge rather than to fight, learn to hide.

Kurt leads them to a dressing room in the basement of the tall building. He hands them their track suits and after which they have to say goodbye.

“Dont show them your strengths,” Kurt says before he pushes them into the big open space that is the training center. Looking around, most of the other Tributes have already arrived. Just Eleven and Twelve arrive a little later. The girl from Twelve is a young girl, thirteen and the smallest girl in the group. Blaine hadnt paid much attention during the recap of the reapings, but looking around now he takes them all in as much as he can.

He knows he needs to get to know them, get to know their strengths and weaknesses. Needs to know how to get them, how to outsmart and defeat them. The six Career Tributes from District 1,2 and 4 are all standing in a group. Blaine feels Tish stand closer to him as they look around, and he immediately knows there is no way hell survive this on his own. He grabs Tishs hand, it feels clammy and cold in his own, and pulls her towards the little girl from Twelve. The boy from Twelve stands next to her and catches Blaines eye as they walk towards them.

Blaines sure the boy is the same age he is. He smiles at Blaine tentatively and looks down at Tish and Blaines intertwined hands. He puts an arm on the little girls shoulder and pulls her close. Her eyes are big and earnest when she smiles up at Blaine.

“Youre Cooper Andersons brother,” she says and Blaine throws her a smile back. The second she mentions it he feels eyes from all across the room settle on him. This is who he is, Cooper Andersons brother. A victors brother, someone they have seen interviewed before. He may have been six years old when they did, but he knows as well as anyone that he hasnt changed much. He just got a little older.

He looks around the room, a lot older in the past 72 hours, he thinks. Tish squeezes his hand lightly and beams up at him. Its weird, how he feels close and connected to her in this strange little place where more than ever they realize at least one of them is about to die. Still, shes from home. She knows people he knows. She knows what the Justice Building on the square looks like. They keep looking at each other without saying anything, and Blaine smalls down at her. Shes shorter than him, though not much, and all the vile from the days before seems gone. Its almost as if she believes Cooper and Quinn will really help her as much as him to get out of the Arena.

Looking at Tish and seeing in her eyes she supports him, it helps distract him from the stares he gets. The girl from Twelve, who introduces herself as Pennie, wriggles herself loose from the grip of her District partner and steps closer to Blaine.

“Just for the record,” she says, “I dont think you have more chance of winning just because Cooper is your brother. I think youll die pretty soon because they all hate you.”

She gestures to the careers, who are indeed eying Blaine intensely. He wants to answer her, tries to think of something to say, but before he can gather coherent thoughts and open his mouth theyre all called to attention by a trainer in the middle of the center.

The woman points out the several stations where they can practice their skills in the next four days. Its got everything they could ever imagine, they can learn how to build fire, how to disguise themselves. They can learn to hunt and to cook. After the fourth day theyll be judged by the Gamemakers.

“You can pick your strongest skill and show it to them in a fifteen minute session. Theyll rate you, and the higher the rating, the more chances you have of a nice group of sponsors. So please keep in mind, make sure you are at the top of your strength during your session.”

She releases them to train at a station of their own choosing, Blaine guides Tish towards the fire building station. Its in a back corner, a place where mostly no one can hear them.

“I dont think I have any strengths at all,” Tish says as she takes two twigs from the trainer at the station and sits down next to Blaine.

“Well find something for you,” he says as he starts trying to build a fire. Hes not sure why Cooper wants him to learn all these basic things, wonders if Cooper even understands how much of a target he is as a victors brother. He wants to learn how to fight, and though he and Quinn have never managed to get anyone out of the Arena before, he needs to trust them. He needs to trust someone in order to get out of here just a little sane.

He and Tish stick together for most of the training session, eat dinner in silence that night. Something between Isabelle and Quinn seems irreparably broken and Cooper and Kurt try their best not to let it ruin Isabelles attitude towards their two tributes.

Quinn keeps on ignoring Blaine, though that night she does crawl in bed with him and sings their lullaby softly. Blaine doesnt need it necessarily, but it feels like Quinn does and so he lets her sooth him. Her voice fills the room as if it was made for it and he ignores her tears as he feels them fall on the back of his neck where shes holding him close.

She sings to him about pureness and innocence, about a simple life and a lucky lucky girl. Blaine feels like he takes a hit in the chest when she does. Every second in this place he feels his innocence being ripped away from him even more.

Day two of training he sees Tish toughen up, he sees her determined to find a strength of her own and he doesnt tell her he has no idea yet what he will show the judges.

Pennie proves to be excellent at setting traps, knows how to knot better than Blaine has ever seen anyone knot before.

Barse, the boy from twelve, watches over Pennie like an older brother and there are moments where Blaine thinks they might even be brother and sister. Tish tells them theyre not, though, but when he notices how he and Tish grow together over the course of the first week, he isnt surprised it is the same in the other Districts pairings.

The careers leave Blaine alone after the first two days, get lost in their own excessive training sessions and Blaine stops worrying about them as much. Cooper and Quinn set up a plan that included both Blaine and Tish and how to survive. Theyll get sponsors (just for you, Blaine, Cooper adds as soon as he can), they wont participate in the bloodbath right after the start of the Games. Theyll run, theyll hide and they will let the others fight amongst themselves.

It takes Blaine to the end of the second day to gather courage, before he can seek Kurt out again. He and Tina have been obviously on the background of everything since the first day. They are around in District 9s quarters, watch the television and join them for dinner, but they dont participate in the planning the way Quinn, Cooper and Isabelle do. Blaine wants Kurts help, he wants it in order to save either Tish or himself. So eventually he does seek out Kurt in his room and sits down on his bed.

“Do you have an answer for me?” Kurt asks sweetly. Hes dressed in comfortable clothes. Theres paper with design sketches scattered all across the floor. Its weird, Blaine sees his own face staring back it him from several of them. The designs all seem pretty basic and simple. No frills or feathers, mere simple suits with several cuts and colors. Blaine doesnt know much about it, but he can see with his own simple eye that Kurt is going for the boy next door look. He cant say he minds very much.

“I want your help,” he says surely, “on one condition.”

“Which would be?” Kurt asks, picking up one of the sketches he was eying and crumbles it into a small ball before tossing it in the trash.

“If I die -”

“Ill make sure you wont.”

“Kurt... -”

“Okay, go on?”

“If I die, youll do everything within your power to get Tish home.”

Kurt looks at Blaine with earnest eyes, picks up another sketch to toss in the trash and then sits down on the bed next to Blaine. Blaine has an inexplicable urge to grab Kurts hand, but he holds them in his lap instead. He sighs deeply, then talks.

“You have to know what Im doing is very risky,” he starts, “If I could, if I was allowed, Id put my own money on you, but I cant. Im supposed to be impartial and Im not. I want you to win, Blaine, and Im risking my career on this. Maybe even my tongue.”

“I dont want it. I want Cooper and Quinn to have a win, I want District 9 to win and I want Tish to get the same help you would give me or I dont want any of it. I need to know shell be taken care of if Im gone. Theres a great chance Ill die, Kurt, even with sponsors. I know it seems settled now, but Im a target to the careers. They know my brother knows how to win, know my brother will do everything in his power to save me. More than others would. Ill most likely die before I can even run away from the Cornucopia. I need to know shes safe. I have gotten to know her so much over the past few days and she is great. She deserves to win.”

“You deserve to win.”

“Kurt..-”

“Okay,” Kurt relents, “okay. If you die before she does, Ill divert my attention to her. But you have to know Im doing it all for you.”

A silence falls between them, Blaine doesnt know what to say to that, but he doesnt need to. He stares at the sketches around the room. Wonders if hes even allowed to see the suit hell be interviewed in before his first fitting, but he cant help himself. He looks at the drawings Kurt has made of him. In each and every one of them his hair is styled, plastered to his head the way it had been in the opening ceremonies.

“Which do you prefer?” Kurt asks eventually. Blaine points to a dark gray suit, it almost seems silver in the sketch. Kurt picks it up, confirms its his favorite as well. He talks to Blaine about the tailoring, how he wants the cut to be straight and narrow around his legs, the blazer to hug his body like a glove. He talks about fabrics and colors exquisitely and all Blaine can do is listen to his passion. Its nice in a way, to be distracted and think about nothing but clothing and fabrics for a while. The training has really taken a lot out of him and he still has a two days ahead of him before the night of the rating and then his interview the day after that.

The next days Kurt proves to be the best distraction for him. After dinner he and Blaine curl up on the couch together, where they talk. Tish retrieves to her room after dinner both nights. Isabelle joins Cooper and Quinn in plotting a survival plan for their two tributes (for you Blaine, Cooper comes to tell him one night before they go to sleep) and Kurt explains Tina needs a lot more time than Kurt to design Tishs dress. Dresses are harder than suits, he tells.

Kurt does most of the talking the first night. He tells Blaine about life in The Capitol, about struggles that dont feel like struggles at all to Blaine. Except when he talks about his father, he does it with so much love and care Blaine cant help but feel warm inside when he does. Kurt asks Blaine questions, about home and his parents, about Cooper and Quinn. He asks Blaine about his childhood, but Blaine only answers politely. He doesnt want to talk, he wants to listen. Listening to Kurt is somewhat addictive it seems. He likes to stare, too, at The Capitol's perfection.

Kurts skin is clear, due to a rigorous skin sloughing routine Kurt tells him. The Capitol has the best products for a clear skin, it has medicine that heels wounds in mere hours and creams that make spots on your skin look invisible within minutes. Its amazing, Kurt is beautiful and mesmerizing to look at. His voice is angelic to listen to and Blaine wishes for all good that it does that he and Kurt could be friends after the Games. If anything, this distraction sessions with Kurt makes him even more inclined to fight until he is the one to walk out of that Arena. Something about Kurt makes him want to fight, and if Kurt is doing everything for him he might as well do everything for Kurt.

The night before his private session with the Gamemakers he still doesnt have a plan as to what to do for them, no idea where his strength lies when he and Kurt settle down on the couch. Tish has long since decided shell show them her disguise skills. Blaine wonders if she would be on a prep team were she born in the Capitol. She uses the paint and make up station to make herself look like trees, like rocks, she can make herself hide better than anyone else has ever done.

Blaine tells Kurt about his indecisiveness. His fear of not being good enough at anything to get a high rating. He apologizes to Kurt for being so incredibly stupid, tells him its probably going to be impossible for him, Cooper and Quinn to convince the sponsors to help him.

“Calm down,” Kurt shushes him and takes his face between his hands. Blaine searches for a tiny trace of the panic he feels in Kurts eyes, but he finds none. Kurts hands are strong on his cheeks and he holds onto Blaine until Blaine can breathe regularly again.

“Well find something,” Kurt whispers, “I dont care if we sit here until three oclock in the morning, well figure something out for you.”

Kurts voice has never been more reassuring than it is in that moment, Blaine wishes Kurts hands would stay on his cheeks until three oclock in the morning. The strong grip calms him, sooths him and grounds him. It keeps him in the moment. When Kurts hands leave his face it feels as if an ice cold breeze surrounds him. He sinks in the cushions of the plush couch and tries to answer Kurts questions.

What did you like as a child? Do you dance when you perform? Have you ever broken any laws? Did you ever hunt or fish? Have you ever been in a fight? None of the questions seem to lead to a talent that could help Blaine get a high rating, until Kurt asks him what his favorite sports or games to play were as a child.

“Im flexible,” Blaine says, “Cooper and I, we used to play hide and seek and I used to hide in the smallest places. I can curl up in a tiny ball, I can climb trees. We didnt practice those kind of skills in training because Cooper told us to do the basic survival. Do you think that could work in my favor?”

“I dont know how the Gamemakers think, but if I was one of them Id understand that being flexible and good at hiding, good at climbing, would help me escape my enemies. I say go for that.”

“Thank you. I think I will.”

“And Blaine?”

“Yes?”

“Dont worry about my sponsors, theyre not going to care about your ratings. Theyll do it for me, I promise.” Kurt throws him a soft smile, which Blaine cant help to return. “And now you need your sleep,” Kurt says as he takes Blaines hand and pulls him up. They say goodbye at Blaines bedroom door and as soon as Blaine is in bed, he falls into a peaceful slumber.

Waking up the next morning, he feels well rested and confident for his rating. They have the day off until rating starts, and he uses it to take a long shower and start an easy morning. He sees Kurt working in his room when he walks past it, decides not to disturb him and have breakfast for himself.

He talks strategy with Cooper some more, while Quinn busies herself talking to Tish. Cooper keeps insisting theyre doing everything in their power to get Blaine out, and though Blaine makes him promise to save Tish after he dies, he doesnt feel like he can ask too much of Cooper in that aspect. He cant imagine having the strength to save a life if he ever lost his brother.

“Dont play the brother card here,” Cooper makes Blaine promise, “show them your flexibility and climbing skills.” He promises to stay far away from the skill Cooper had used, which had been throwing knives at moving targets. Cooper and Quinn escort them down to the training center, where they get in their training gear and then are sat down to wait their turn for rating.

It goes in Districts orders, and Blaine watches the careers from 1 and 2 go in, theres exactly fifteen minutes between each called in tribute, theyre exact to the second. He waits as 3 and 4 go in, and by the time the tributes from District 5 are called the minutes seem to last longer than the ones before. Theyre still accurate by the second though, and so when Tish gets called in before him he watches the second hand on the clock over the door like a lifeline. He wonders what shes doing inside, if shes too nervous to do it right or if shes showing them a marvelous job. He wishes he could watch her, send her a secret smile to cheer her on.

He thinks about how amazing she is, how strong shes been all four days of training. She has never wavered in her confidence any second, truly believed Quinn at least was at her side. Blaine keeps feeling conflicted about it. He wants himself out alive. Or her. He wants to survive this and hell do anything for it, but should it come down to him and Tish, hes not sure what he would do.

Finally, finally its time for Blaine to go in. The Gamemakers sit on their high platform in the middle of the right side of the training center. Head Gamemaker Seneca Crane welcomes Blaine with a creepily kind smile and gestures for him to do his thing. Blaine looks around for things to climb and settles for the thick, steel foundation of the knotting station. He climbs high up in it and then balances himself on the top bar.

He sneaks a glance at the Gamemakers. Most of them look bored and are sipping from whatever, most likely alcoholic, beverage it is they are consuming. Only Seneca Crane and a round, older guy next to him are following Blaines every move. Blaine looks around for something to either jump or climb to when he realizes theres nothing around for him to move over to.

He looks up. Hes a small guy, but if he does this right he could do it, and he could really make an impression. Hes only got one shot so he crouches on the bar, tightens every muscle in his body to stay balanced and then shoots off as hard as he can. He grabs onto two of the metal bars that make the checkered ceiling. He swings himself forward to an open space in it and then pulls himself up to crawl in it.

Through the small checkers he can see more Gamemakers looking around now, hears one of them ask if Nines time is over yet. They think hes left, they cant see him though he can see them. Seneca Crane and his colleague watch the spot where Blaine has disappeared into and when he moves forward their eyes dont move with him. The inside of the ceiling is dark, and Blaines only option is to crawl through it until he finds an opening to let himself out again, or move back to where he disappeared and let himself down onto the ground easily. He decides quickly that the former is his best option now, disappear and reappear somewhere else might convince them hes got a good sense of hiding and dodging his enemy, thus being worthy and a convincing candidate for winning.

Blaine crawls towards the sound of voices. Its uncomfortable on just the metal bars that are crossed into a checkered pattern, with just a thin layer of sheet over them that guides as his disguise, but where the voices are the loudest he sees a gap in front of him. It seems like the gaps offer ventilation into training center, as it is in located the basement, and its the perfect size for Blaine to fit through. He grabs two metal bars under the sheet at the side of the gap, curls his legs from behind him, through under him, until he can lower them through the gap. He lets his body come behind him and when his head goes through he looks down to see how deep his fall will be.

It wont be deep at all, so he unleashes his hands and braces himself for the landing. Its easy, he bends his knees just a little to keep steady and when he looks up he looks straight into Seneca Cranes face.

Its only then he understands why the floor had been so close, hes landed on the platform of the Gamemakers. Hes not sure what to say or do, his brain seems to stop functioning whatsoever and so without thinking he says, “Im excellent at creeping up on my enemy. The element of surprise isnt one that should be underrated.”

He jumps of the platform, lands painfully on his left foot but holds strong and ignores it until he has left the hall of the training center. Cooper, Tish and Quinn are waiting patiently and look up with wondering faces as he gets through the door.

“Well, that was a dumb idea,” he says.

He explains what he has done in the elevator back up, Quinn stares straight ahead the whole time and her face is unreadable. Cooper sighs deeply and rolls his eyes, but doesnt say anything. Tish, however, panics and almost starts hyperventilating. She keeps saying its bad, hes done bad, hell never get Sponsors now. Blaine wants to tell her to stop worrying, make her realize its only convenient for her that he screwed up, but he agrees too much with her to actually do something about it.

Back in their quarters Cooper repeats the story to their stylists and Isabelle, who gasps loudly and smacks Blaine on the back of the head.

“How could you!” she barks, “that is a sacred place to those Gamemakers.”

“I didnt know Id end up there!” Blaine defends himself.

“Well, you had better hope they understand that boy, or you will be dead before you reach the Cornucopia.”

“Lets just watch the actual broadcast,” Kurt suggests from his spot on the couch, turning on the television where Caesar Flickerman sits ready to announce everyones rating. They all take their places on the couch, Blaine next to Kurt. Its a little tight with all of them, and theyre sitting pressed close together.

The Tributes from One through Four all get ratings higher than a seven, Five and Sixs ratings vary between fives and tens, but by the time District 7 and 8s ratings are announced, Blaine isnt paying attention anymore.

Kurt is breathing heavily next to him, and has gripped Blaines hand tightly. Its a clammy hand, and Blaines not sure if its his or Kurts thats shaking with nerves so badly. Its probably the both of them. Eventually Tish gets assigned a simple six, to which everyone nods and agrees its a perfectly okay score for her, and then its time for Blaine.

His ears are ringing as he listens to the red haired man on the screen speak.

“Now for the moment youve all been waiting for,” he starts off, “our very own sort of celebrity tribute for this year. It is Cooper Andersons brother, the young and handsome mister Blaine Anderson. I remember Cooper Anderson having an amazing aim, bows, knives, spears, he could throw them all. Its what got him the victory in the end. Im curious if his brother is as talented as him.”

In the background theres a replay of the famous moment of Coopers win, where he had thrown a spear right into his last enemies gut. Its not an image Blaine likes to see, and he knows Cooper avoids it at all costs. Still, its there and as soon as its gone Blaines face comes into view over it, dressed in his training suit. The picture had been taken during day one of training, and if Blaine wasnt too busy clutching Kurts hand desperately and waiting for his score, hed notice how utterly scared he looks in the picture.

“For Blaine Anderson,” Caesar exclaims loudly, “we have a score of three!”

Three?

Three.

A score of three. The lowest score thus far. A heavy silence settles in the room, Tishs fond smile changes into a worried frown, Isabelles proud beam does the same and Quinn and Cooper both stare blankly ahead. Kurts grip on Blaines hand becomes almost unbearably tight, squeezing his knuckles together painfully. Blaine isnt sure what he feels. Caesar Flickerman keeps talking on screen. The lowest score so far, not at all like his brother, who scored a ten. Its probably not a family thing then, victory.

“You have to win,” Kurt whispers in his ear, “you have to prove them these scores mean nothing.”

Yes, he thinks, I have to win.

Theyre already playing the brother card, comparing him to Cooper, comparing his scores to Cooper. He knows the Capitol loves Cooper, knows how often Cooper has to turn down an invite from President Snow because the Capitol wants him to visit. Hell make the Capitol love him just as much. Caesar is talking about Cooper now? Hell talk about Cooper tomorrow, too.

They finish watching the broadcast, District Eleven scores two fours, and though thats low too, it doesnt make Blaine feel any better. Pennie and Barse both score a seven, which suprises Blaine. Still, thats all the feelings hes got energy for. He cant be happy for them, or feel even worse about himself. Its as if getting the lowest score out of all the tributes has lit a fire in him. Hell prove them wrong, he was smart and he showed great skills. Sure, he pissed them off but he showed them he was smart, smarter than them. And if hes smarter than the Gamemakers, he sure as hell is smarter than the rule-following Tributes.

Sleep doesnt come that night. Quinn keeps screaming and he hears Cooper trying to calm her down all night. Theres a nagging feeling in his stomach that hes the one causing it, the screaming, but shes been ignoring him ever since his name was reaped and so he doesnt feel the need to get out of bed and comfort her.

He wants to get out and go into Kurts room, talk to him about what to do now, but before he can Kurt comes knocking on his door. He doesnt say anything, just crawls into bed and spoons Blaine from behind.

“I know you would rather have Cooper or Quinn hold you tonight,” he whispers eventually, “but theyre so busy calming each other down I thought I would help you out.”

Blaine doesnt tell Kurt how much he actually enjoys being in his arms, but he also doesnt resist crawling back closer to Kurts warmth and comfort. Its amazing, how in a few short days Kurt has become one of the biggest sources of courage and reassurance for him. How he trusts everything Kurt says and does. Thinking about the gorgeous suit Kurt has designed for him, he falls into a dreamless sleep.

And gorgeous was the right word to use for the suit. The next day goes by in a blur, until hes alone in a bright dressing room with Kurt. The room is prettier than the dim, stale room in the basement of the building where the training center is. If he wasnt here to put on a suit hell be buried in if he dies in the Games, he would almost call the ambiance cozy or romantic.

“You look absolutely stunning,” Kurt tells him as he gets out from behind the curtain. He looks in the long mirror on the wall and cant help but to agree with Kurt. His prep-team had styled his hair into a tight helmet again, using so much product Blaines afraid it will take him five hours in the shower to get them out. Still, he likes the way it makes him look. He looks stylish, comfortable and almost dapper. The suit is, conveniently, the same cut as Coopers was on his interview. The color is a shining dark gray, almost looks silver, and to Blaines amazement it suits him.

Kurt stands behind him and looks over Blaines shoulder into the mirror.

“Just one more adjustment,” he says, “you look almost exactly like Cooper did, I want you to be your own as well as his brother.”

Kurts arms come around him with something that looks to short to be a tie, and when he starts to knot it Blaine notices it is a bow tie. On it are, ironically, tiny silver stars. Cooper had worn a silver star as a token on his suit, then on his track suit in the Arena.

“I have a clip on one for your token, too, if you want it,” Kurt says, “I just thought the little bow tie you wore on your reaping day should be something that made a come back. You looked absolutely lovely in it.”

“I never usually wear them,” Blaine says, “only special occasions.”

“Well, an interview with Caesar Flickerman is about as special as it gets,” Kurt smiles, “but dont be nervous. Tina and I will be in the audience and Cooper, Quinn and Isabelle will be backstage.”

Kurt takes him to a long line of Tributes, sets him behind Tish and squeezes his shoulder gently before heading off to find his seat. Tish looks absolutely beautiful in her dress, a dark green one that shines just like Blaines suit does. Her make up is simple and natural, yet she looks about ten years older than she is. Her hair is done up in a lovely coif, though Blaine isnt sure how they managed it with the little amount of hair she has. He doesnt talk to her, though, doesnt ask her how long her prep team had been busy with her. He hadnt seen her since morning, so he assumes it has taken her a whole lot longer to look the way she looks now than it did him.

One by one the Tributes are called up on the stage, Caesar asks them all about their home, how they like the Capitol. Tells them all to do their very best, wishes them all luck and says to all of them he hopes they win. Ironic, Blaine thinks, you want us all to win and yet you sit here night by night animatedly recapping your favorite deaths. The more vicious, the better.

Eventually its Tishs turn. Blaine is left backstage with only the boy and girl from Eleven, and Barse and Pennie from Twelve. Pennie is dressed in an adorable light pink dress, her hair in a short braid with the lose hair under it styled in ringlets. Her make up, too, is natural, but her cheeks are made rosier than they were during training and her lips are as light pink as her dress. It almost makes Blaine sick, how obviously they are playing the little girl card with this girl. This little girl, because its true that she is one. Still, making the Capitol feel sorry for sending such a young person into the Arena should make them understand how sick the Games actually are?

Before he knows it Tish is walking up the stage and he hears, again, the familiar sounds of Coopers Victory. They really are making the Capitol understand he is his brothers family.

“And now, ladies and gentlemen,” Caesar yells to the crowd, “the moment you have all been waiting for. Lets find out if he is as charismatic as his older brother, here is Blaine Anderson!”

Blaine walks onto the stage with his head held high. He greets Caesar with a smile as charming as he can muster, then seeks out Kurts eyes in the audience. The first thing he sees is the silver tattoo next to Kurts eye shining with the light from the stage. He sits right up front, and closes his eyes while nodding at Blaine. Its as if hes giving him a confirmation. Youre doing well, keep going.

“So nice to see you again, Caesar,” Blaine says. He wonders if Caesar even remembers meeting him that one time he came to the District 9 to interview Cooper in their home. It was about three weeks after Cooper had returned from the Games, twelve years ago. Blaine was just a little boy then.

“Well you too, Blaine, you look a whole lot better tonight than you did when I first met you.”

“Thank you,” Blaine chuckles. Frankly, Caesar is right.

“Let me explain to the people watching,” he starts, “about twelve years ago I visited District 9 for an interview with that years victor. His name was Cooper Anderson and he had this cute little brother named Blaine. Blaine was only six years old, but already a real rebel, I can tell you.”

The crowd laughs when Caesar laughs, as if he pushes a button and they react.

“So you imagine, I walk in there fully expecting a well dressed family ready to be interviewed. Its what I got, apart from this little nugget here. He didnt like the clothes his mother had laid out for him and so he had refused to get dressed. I believe you wore a potato sack in protest? Is that right?”

“I think it was a sack we store the grain in in our District,” Blaine corrects Caesar with a fond smile.

“Ah yes, you are absolutely right my boy, the last time I saw you, you wore a grain sack. You looked cute then, but Im happy to see Kurt Hummel thought this would suit you better.”

“So am I,” Blaine says genuinely and sends Kurt a wink. The audience sighs out an awe as he does so, but then its on to Caesars next question.

“So, Blaine, lets talk real now. How are you holding up?”

“Im doing okay, thank you Caesar.”

“And how are you parents and brother holding up?”

“Well,” Blaine starts, “my parents are obviously shaken. It cant be easy to see your second child go off into the Arena. I mean, how much can the odds be in anyones favor?”

“Of course, of course,”

“As for Cooper,” he continues, “hes doing everything he can to hold it together. Its very hard for him to be a m,entor to his kid brother. I might be eighteen, but Im always his little brother you know. I think its almost as if he's sending his own child into the Arena.”

A few audience members gasp, and Blaine tries his hardest to believe the tears in Caesar Flickermans eyes are real. But whether they are or not, hes made the audience do what they meant for him to do; feel empathy with him on a personal level. Mothers and fathers throughout Panem will see him as their own child now, because hes one of their families. Cooper, being a victor, is seen as a hero, their hero. He is Coopers family. Maybe, just maybe, this will make up for his low score.

“Blaine Anderson, my dear boy,” Caesar says as he slaps a firm hand down on Blaines shoulder, “you and that gorgeous bow tie will have to do everything you can to get out of that Arena. For us, for our Cooper.”

“For Cooper, I will.”

Thats it, its over, the interview is done. Everything thats left to do now is sleep, get up very early and be taken to the hovercraft. Hes done it, hes done it all and his list is finished. Opening ceremony, training, rating, interview, trying not to die.

Trying not to die.

Trying not to die. Its all thats left to do. He walks backstage in a trance, hugs Cooper, then Quinn and Isabelle at the same time. Tish gives him a soft kiss on his cheek and congratulates him. They all praise him, tell him hes done amazingly. Tell him the crowd loved him, but it goes by in a trance for Blaine. Everything is a blur, hazy and it doesnt feel real anymore. His list is done, trying not to die, keeps floating through his head, trying not to die.

He doesnt bother watching Elevens interviews, is happy he doesnt know their names because it will make their deaths less painful he thinks, and when Pennie graces the screen backstage, he watches her mouth move. He watches Caesar being sweet with her, but doesnt hear a word they say. Tish stands close to him at his side, he pulls her even closer to her and hugs her tightly. This is his last chance to let her know.

“Ill take care of your family,” he says, “if you dont win, if I do, Ill make sure theyll be fed and cared for.”

“I know,” she whispers, “Quinn promised me too, I know.”

“But you have to fight as hard as me,” he makes her promise, “please fight with me. One of us, it has to be one of us. Or Pennie.”

“Pennie, you or me,” she agrees.

When they get back up to the ninth floor, Tina and Kurt are already waiting for them. Tina hauls Tish off to her bedroom to help her out of the complicated dress and hairdo, and Kurt smiles bashfully at Blaine.

“You did amazing,” he says shyly. Blaine wonders where it comes from, maybe from the compliments he and Caesar had given Kurts design, “the crowd loved you.”

“I couldnt have done it without this,” he gestures down to his dark silver armor, “you truly did an amazing job with this.”

“Oh silly,” Kurt smiles, “Im sure theyd have loved you just as much had you worn that potato sack.”

“Grain sack,” Blaine corrects him.

“Right, a grain sack. Theyd have loved you very easily. Youre very easy to love.”

Kurt blushes to the tip of his ears when he says it, and the air in the room feels a little bit thicker than before. Its quiet in the living room, with just Kurt and Blaine standing there. Quinn and Cooper are busy chatting up Sponsors downstairs, Isabelle is most likely having drinks with friends from the Capitol. Its just them, even their Avox servants are nowhere to be found.

“You should get some sleep,” Kurt says softly after a long, too long, silence, “tomorrow is a big day. Youll need your strength.”

“Yeah,” Blaine agrees quietly, “I probably should.”

They walk to their rooms together, its a bit awkward and uncomfortable, but at the same time Kurt at Blaines side is a very welcome feeling. He doesnt really want Kurt to leave, but when they reach his room he cant think of a single reason not to say goodbye.

“Ill see you tomorrow,” Kurt says, “have they explained how tomorrow is going to go?”

“Vaguely.”

“Okay, youll leave here with Isabelle, Tina, Tish and I. Isabelle will come with you on the hovercraft, where theyll have some last minute preparations to take care of. Tina and I will be taken to the Arena, where we will get your suit and token ready for you. Ill see you right before youll be send off. Ill be there.”

“Im glad,” Blaine says, “Ill see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah,” Kurt whispers, then squeezes the arm Blaine hadnt even noticed he was holding, “see you tomorrow.”

Again, sleep doesnt come. Its not like Blaine isnt tired, but just the idea of going off into the Arena tomorrow, of watching people die before his eyes isnt something he can just shake. He keeps tossing and turning, hoping for someone to come into his bed and hold him. Sing to him. It doesnt even matter who, Cooper or Kurt. What he doesnt expect, though, is Quinn again. Just like a few days ago, the first night after the reaping on the train, she crawls in his bed and sings their song again.

Pure and simple. Innocence, a lucky lucky thing. She sings about things Blaine doesnt understand, not anymore. Innocence doesnt exist in a world where children get send off into an Arena to fight to death, and none of them are lucky, lucky things.

He falls asleep eventually, though hes roused again mere hours later. Quinn isnt anywhere to be found, and Cooper is just able to give him a quick goodbye before hes off to the sponsors to talk up to them.

“Fight, Blaine, fight for me.” He hugs him close, kisses his curls and tries not to show Blaine his tears. He does see them, he sees them and he feels his own tears starting to surface. Kurt grips his hand tight after Coopers elevator disappears and his thumb strokes softly over Blaines hand. It doesnt comfort him much, but it comforts him as much as is possible in this moment.

Everything is hazy as the elevator comes back up and takes them to the platform where theyll find the hovercraft. Tina and Kurt are hauled off before he can say goodbye properly, they need to be in another hovercraft than the Tributes. Then he and Tish are pushed into a compartment and subsequently pushed down into chairs where theyre bound tight with belts.

A faceless peacekeeper takes Blaines arm and jabs a thick needle in it. When he gets the syringe out, it seems like the needle is still inside his arm. Right, the tracking device with which theyll know where he is at all times. He looks around at the other tributes as they get stabbed with the needles. All of them seem to live in their own world for now, but soon itll be their world. The world of these twenty four people. Thats all therell be, and only one will come back to the real world.

Tish stares blankly ahead, Pennie searches around for someone to look at her and when she sees Blaine, she smiles and winks. He smiles and winks back, feels terrible for hoping hell win because it means shell die. And Tish, and Barse, and all these people. He wants to throw up.

Before he can truly come to himself, take a calm breath and think, the hovercraft comes to a sudden halt and the doors open. All their escorts stand at the door and theyre let off the craft in District orders. Twelve first, Eleven, Ten, And then its Blaine and Tishs turn to leave into the last stop before the Arena. Blaine isnt sure how the construction works, but Cooper had explained to him hell be put in a a tube and sent up into the Arena. So they must be under the Arena now.

Isabelles heels make a loud clicking sound in the echoing hall, she drops Tish off first and when she does Blaine gets a quick glance at Tina waiting there. He wonders what kind of token she and Tish have decided on. Tina and Tish, a team to be reckoned with he thinks. They shouldnt underestimate that fifteen year old girl, she might just show them how strong she is.

The next door they reach is Blaines final destination. Isabelle comes to a sudden halt, blinks a tear away and tries to straighten Blaines clothing, though its nearly impossible in the skin tight suit hes wearing.

“Just try to win,” she whispers, “Cooper always talks about you so fondly, I feel like I know you more than anyone Ive ever sent in.”

And thats when Blaine gets it, when everything clicks to him. Its not just Cooper, its everyone in the Capitol who knows Cooper. They all love him, they all want Blaine to win. No, not Blaine. They just want Coopers little brother to win. The careers will give him hell for it.

With his heart heavier than ever before, he steps into the sterile room where Kurt waits on him. Kurt has a thick coat ready for him, the bow tie with silver stars clipped in the front pocket. Blaine gets into it quietly, takes the heavy boots Kurt offers him and those, too, he puts on in silence.

“Two minutes to take off,” a voice breaks the silence between them and Kurt lets out a little gasp. Blaine looks up at him, sees the tears stream down Kurts face and shoots up to hold him tight. He hears himself shush Kurt, though hes not aware why he does it. Its not like it helps. Kurt only sobs louder.

“Youre the first person Ive ever styled for,” Kurt cries, “youre the first person Im seeing off. I care too much. I need to learn not to care.”

“No,” Blaine says firmly, “please, always care like this. Im about to go in there and fight for my life. If the last person I see who should be on my side would be indifferent, Im not sure if I would have much strength in me. Being here, with you, it gives me a reason to fight. Please, always care.”

“Of course,” Kurt says, “Ill always care about you, how could I not care about you? I mean, look at you. Even with your curls and in this ridiculously plain, thick coat, you look amazing. And youre so strong and sweet. Ill always care about you.”

“Thats good,” Blaine says and wipes the tears from Kurts eyes with his thumb. His breath catches when he slides a thumb over the tattoo at the corner of Kurts eye. Hed expected to feel a little bump in the skin, but everything is still flawless when he thumbs over it. Kurt notices Blaine checking out his tattoo under the feel of his thumb and smiles tenderly.

The silence stretches as they watch each other, Kurt covers Blaines hand with his own and neither of them know what to say. They smile at each other, smile some more, and it feels like an electrical shock through Blaines body when he notices how close they are standing together. He still strokes his thumb along Kurts perfect, pink cheekbone and when Kurt leans just that little bit closer he -

“Thirty seconds to take off.”

He presses their lips together in a harsh, rushed kiss before he pulls back and steps on the platform where a glass tube closes around him.

“Im sorry,” he manages to say. His lips are tingling with the sensation of Kurts, and though he cant hear Kurt anymore, the awestruck look on his face promises him the kiss was no mistake. He puts his hand on the glass, and sees Kurt cover it with his own. Blaine can make out the words you and win. Yes, he thinks, for you Ill win.

For Kurt, for Cooper. For Quinn and his mother. Hell, even for Isabelle and the Avoxes that have been serving Cooper and Quinn for years. Hell have to do this for all of them, show the Capitol hes worth so much more than that three. Kurts friends will be his Sponsors. Hell fight, he knows how to fight. Hell run away from the Cornucopia, find shelter, get sponsors. Hell try to keep Tish alive as long as possible, Pennie too. Hell manage to form an alliance with them. Theyll be a force against the nameless people Blaine has to face in the arena.

He looks Kurt in the eyes for as long as he can, tries to ignore the tears still flowing. He mouths thank you, hopes Kurt understands. Thank you for everything, thank you for lighting my fire and giving me a reason to fight. Thank you for being so much more than anything I had expected from The Capitol. Thank you for being you.

The platform Blaine is on starts to move. Kurts hand moves up with him, to keep it covered over Blaines. His shoulders are shaking with sobs and he tangles his free hand in his hair. It almost looks as if hes about to rip the hair out. Soon enough Blaine has to crouch down to keep his hand with Kurts, but when Kurt starts to shake his head violently he knows he cant do that. He needs to stand up straight when he enters the Arena. Everyone will see him rise from the ground. And if he does that while hes yelling comforting words to Kurt, it wont do him any good.

He takes one last look at Kurt, kisses his fingers and points them at him, then looks above him, where the ceiling opens. In streams a bright, white light. His head is through first, which is startled with sharp cold. He closes his eyes tightly, the whiteness surrounding him causing a sudden blindness. Its not until the platform that lifted him comes to a halt that he manages to open his eyes again.

Around him, everywhere, theres snow. He looks around, sees Tish next to him and shes staring straight ahead. Shes staring at the count down over the Cornucopia. Blaine sees it, too, 50 more seconds to go. He looks down, then, sees weapons and food. He sees backpacks and fire wood. He looks around, tries to find a route to escape to. Tries to sign to Tish to follow him, but she doesnt even look around. All she does is watch the clock religiously.

Blaine takes up the Arena. As far as he looks, theres snow. Theres a bunch of trees into the far distance behind him, but he knows theres no chance of running there to find shelter or seek safety higher up. The snow will slow down his sprint and hell have a spear or arrow through his back before hell reach them.

Ten

He looks around. On his right theres Tish, on his left theres no one. Hes on the outer platform of the twenty four.

Nine

Theres trees around the Cornucopia. A whole bunch of them. If he manages to get to the back unseen, hell get to the trees.

Eight

Except he cant run in the snow and as soon as someone has weapons and theyve seen him go, hell be a dead man.

Seven

Tish is still watching the countdown like a cat watching a bird in a tree.

Six

Wheres Pennie? What is Pennie's plan?

Five

If he could just seek it higher up somewhere, hide out until the initial blood bath is over and come up with a new plan then.

Four

If he could only watch whats behind the big Cornucopia, right behind it. If he could only look at the Arena from a bit higher up, from the middle of it and look around to see what he could do.

Three

If he could climb something to hide and simultaneously think of a new plan he could -

Two

He could climb the Cornucopia. Run to the back, climb on it before anyone realizes where he is. Wait there and hope no one will find him.

One