Chapter Text
“Lights! Cameras! And we are live in three, two, one…”
The light on top of the camera drone turned to green and Monty plastered his most charming smile on his face. He had to be perfect for his fans in the Capitol. He had to be perfect for the Capitol.
Cesar Flickerman’s voice rang through the usually peaceful living room.
“We are live with our fabulous Victors from District 6: Ewen Montagu and Hester Leggatt! How are you guys doing today?”
Monty crossed his legs and leaned back on the couch acting as relaxed as possible.
“We are doing fantastic, Cesar. I hope everyone in the Capitol is also doing well.” He winked at the camera.
He hated it. Monty hated it all. It wasn’t like he had a choice though. The Capitol crowd loved his debonair and laid-back personality. That was his brand.
“Oh, I can assure you we are doing fantastic here, even more now with the next game approaching so quickly!” Cesar exclaimed, followed by his signature laugh that made Monty’s skin crawl.
The young man risked a sideway glanced toward Hester. His fellow Victor was sitting with her back straight, her hands folded neatly in her laps. Hester was as perfectly put together as always, except for the single curl that fell across her forehead which had become her mark after she had won her games.
“What about you Hester?” Cesar inquired. “This year is a big milestone for you!”
Monty felt his smile falter slightly and Hester tensed beside him.
He had forgotten that this year marked the 30th anniversary of the 44th Hunger Games that saw Hester being crowned as Victor. 30 years. 60 tributes. Only two of them made it home after Hester, and Monty was the only one still alive.
“It is, indeed, Cesar,” Hester said quickly, before changing the subject, “but as Monty said, we are doing fine here in District 6. And we are preparing to help our tributes as best as we can.”
The interview lasted a while longer, filled with Monty flashing his fake smiles, and winking at the camera while Hester acted as put together as possible.
When the director finally yelled, cut, Monty sighed in relief. The Victor sank into the couch hoping to be able to relax but Hester forced him to help pack the filming equipment.
“Why do they have to be so annoying?” Monty sighed, dramatically, as the door finally closed behind the capitol crew.
Hester shook her head. “They’re just doing their job, Monty.”
“Yeah, of course.” Monty mumbled. “Anyway,” he continued loudly, “it’s almost the end of working hours so I am off! Try to not have too much fun without me, old girl.”
Monty walked past Hester, almost skipping to the front door. The Victor stepped outside into the warm summer air. As he was about to start his trip from Victor’s Village to the factory, Hester called out to him.
“Ewen!”
Monty turned back toward her with a raised eyebrow. Through her glasses, he could make out the warm, yet worried, look Hester was giving him.
“Please be careful.”
Monty gave her a small, genuine smile. He climbed back the five steps leading to the front door, leaning up to press a kiss on Hester’s cheek.
“Don’t worry, mum, I will be.”
Monty waved at Hester as he almost ran out of Victor’s Village.
It had been ironic at first, calling Hester mum. A way to lighten the mood and make fun of how she had fretted over him since the day he had been reaped. But after his victory, Hester had been to only one here for him. She had been the one to take care of him at his lowest, staying with him while his nights were plagued by nightmares. She had taught him how to deal with his panic attacks, she had sung him lullabies to help him sleep. Since then, calling Hester mum had lost all its irony.
It wasn’t like Monty’s actual mother wasn’t still around. But after his victory, Monty had refused to see his birth parents and had moved in his new house on his own, only accepting visits from his brother, Ivor. No, Monty would never speak to his parents ever again. How could he after what they had done to him?
Hester was his only family now. Well, her and his genius boyfriend.
As the sun started its slow descent over the horizon, Monty reached the factory and waited. The workday would be over soon, and the victor would finally be able to reunite with his lover.
The whistle blew and Monty's lips stretched into a smile. He watched carefully as the men and women from District 6 flowed out of the building to go back home.
Finally, Monty saw him. Charles Cholmondeley. He walked out of the factory, wiping the sweat from his brow. He was handsome, and he was his. Monty's heart skipped a beat when Charles’ face lit up as he spotted him.
Monty tried to calm down his beating heart as the taller man walked toward him.
“Hello, Charlie.”
“Hi, Monty. How was the interview?”
Monty sighed as they started walking side by side. It was their little routine. Monty would meet Charles at the end of the workday and walk him home.
“Boring as are all interviews for the Capitol.”
Charles nervously checked around the empty alley they were in. Even if no one was nearby, it was a well-known fact that walls had ears.
“Don't worry. No bugs here. I checked.” Monty reassured Charles.
He pointed at the watch on his wrist which was flashing a small green light. Hester had gifted him the watch a few months after his games. It was simple enough to use. Not only did it give the time but the tiny flashing light at the bottom would tell you if the place was bugged. Green for safe, orange for unclear, and red for danger.
It had been very useful since Monty and Charles had started dating a few months ago. Everyone knew people close to the victors were more likely to end up getting reaped. Hester was the perfect example of that, Monty thought sadly. Charles would turn 19 in only 2 months and only had to go through tomorrow’s reaping before being safe.
Monty came to a stop in the alley and leaned against the wall. One more day. One more day and Charles would be safe.
“Don't be nervous for tomorrow.” Charles said, softly, leaning on the wall next to Monty. “I never took any tesserae. My name is only in there 7 times. The odds are most likely in my favour.”
Monty smiled as Charles pushed the glasses up his nose. The smaller man wrapped his arms around Charles' waist, leaning against his chest.
“I love you, Charles Cholmondeley, and I can't wait to announce it to the world.”
Charles smiled down at his boyfriend, a small blush on his cheeks and leaned down to capture Monty’s lips.
“I love you, Ewen.” He muttered after breaking the kiss. “I can't wait until the reaping is over and I can finally be with you.”
Monty smiled up at him before reluctantly stepping out his embrace. The curfew was approaching, and they both needed to go home.
“How was work by the way?” Monty asked as they reached the busier streets. He quickly glanced at his watch. Unsurprisingly, the light flashed red.
“It went great! We’re almost done with the hovercraft order. It’s so fascinating how they work, Monty. I wish I could fly one someday. Oh, and you never believe what happened during my lunch break! I went to the pond and there was a frog. Well, I think it was a frog. I have never seen anything like it!”
Monty smiled as he listened to Charles rambling about frogs and the various bugs he encountered today. Monty would never get tired of listening to Charles talk about the stuff he loved.
Too soon, they arrived in front of the small cabin Charles and his mum shared.
“Well, I should go. I need a good night's sleep before tomorrow.” Charles muttered.
Monty nodded. “See you tomorrow, my genius.”
With one last smile, Charles opened the door and stepped into his home. Monty sighed and checked the time. He needed to hurry if he wanted to be back to Victor’s Village before the curfew. As he turned around a corner, Monty spotted his parent’s house. He froze for a moment before continuing his journey.
Monty’s family was one of the richest in the district. The Montagu’s were influential and knew how to use their connections to their advantage. Monty clenched his fists.
Monty was 14 when he had announced to his parents that he was transgender. They had refused to acknowledge his new name and identity, trying to convince him that it was a mistake and to see how this would hurt the family reputation. But Monty knew that he had always been a boy, no matter what his birth certificate indicated.
At 16, he officially changed his name and started living as Ewen. The Capitol agent in charge of the registry barely took the time to ask him if he was sure before changing his paperwork and informing him that for the next reaping, his name would now be placed in the boy’s draw. Monty had been ecstatic. To the eyes of the state, he was now officially a man.
Of course, his parents got angry, furious even and threw him out. It was Hester, a few days later who had found him on the streets and offered him free meals before finding him a small hut that he could live in. Everyone in the District knew that Hester was a kind person, and she was a beloved victor even amongst the Capitol. Yet Monty had been so surprised when she helped him instead of walking past him. After that, Hester didn’t talk to him again until the reaping.
It was strange how the brain worked sometimes. Monty, freshly turned 17 at the time, remembered very clearly the second of joy at hearing his new chosen name being called into the square before realising what it meant. Monty was now a tribute in the 67th Hunger Games. As he stood on the stage, he had seen his parents looking at him with a neutral expression. Monty knew at that moment that the reaping had been rigged. His parents probably gave a good amount of money to have his name being called so they could get rid of their embarrassing child. Of course, the Capitol had probably heard of Hester’s generosity toward him, and it was too good of an occasion to pass. They had to entertain Hester’s tragic character and backstory that the Capitol loved so much. Standing on that stage, looking at his parents, Monty had sworn to come back victorious.
Seven years later, now that he was a victor, Monty didn’t wish victory in the games to anyone.
The Victor’s Village was gloomy with all the empty houses. Monty hesitated for a moment before deciding that Hester would most likely want to spend the evening before the reaping on her own.
Monty sighed as he entered his house. Maybe with Charles finally coming to live with him it would start to feel like a home.
He ate a quick meal, took a quick shower, taking the time to wash off any product the Capitol team had applied to his hair before collapsing on his bed.
He knew sleep would evade him tonight. Monty couldn't help but wonder who the two poor kids they would have to watch die would be. He quickly popped sleeping pills in his mouth hoping to grab a few hours of nightmare free sleep.
As his eyes started to close, Monty clung to the thought that after tomorrow, him and Charlie would finally be able to be together.