if i ever opened up to you, i was joking.

28. escort. capitol/district seven.

[leanderwinter]

“How long will this go on for?” Leander worriedly asked, as he watched the gravity levels in the Arena go haywire. Tributes were being flung in all directions, at some moments flying while at other points they were smacked back down to the ground as though something had held them up and decided to drop them again. Pepper and Hazel were still doing well enough, but no one could ever be sure when the Gamemaker influence was so dangerous. “Has anyone-” He looked down at his tablet, his tributes’ vitals brightly displayed on the screen. He’d began to speak, and promptly, the vitals for the girl from District One ceased showing any sign of life. “Oh. That’s- Well, that’s unfortunate.”

[leanderwinter]

moxiepitlock​:

“No – I –” Moxie allowed herself to start, frustration, exhaustion – who knows what to take hold of her response for a moment. She deeply inhaled, attempting to shove back down the part of her that wanted to snap at Leander away; that wouldn’t give them any time off. “They’re so fake,” Moxie spoke, her voice falling flat, the usual joy sucked out of it, “And they think horrible things and they do horrible things and advocate for things that are totally inexcusable and I don’t know if I want people like that to care for our daughter. Even if she’s just a baby.”

“You’re a good person, you’re not – I don’t think you’re like that at the very least,” Moxie spoke softly, eyes screwing shut. “I just think there’s a lot of people who could make her grow up to be a horrible person.”

“Like what?” Leander asked, though his voice wasn’t soft this time. There was something Moxie wasn’t being honest with him about, and he wanted to know hat it was, even if he had to pull it out of her with hundreds of questions. Something had been a little off from the moment she’d agreed to be his girlfriend, but he’d pushed it aside and chalked it up to other things. Stress, and whatnot. Was this stress as well? “Explain this to me, Moxie. Please.” 

“Do you think that, though?” He couldn’t help the slight, even if irrational hurt that seeped into his tone. “She’ll be around this all her life, I don’t think it’s just on other people if she grows up to be less than nice.” Obviously, he wanted his daughter to grow up to be a good person. But he’s met so many different people in his life, that he just knows it doesn’t always depend on the parents’ wishes. Sometimes, children go their own ways, even if it’s not good ways. 

[leanderwinter]

avenue-barcroft​:

“So far, I’ve worked on some fire making, which is surprisingly very hard, I’ve done a smidge of first-aid, and just a little sprinkle of plant identification. I’d like to get back to fire making today after lunch, but I don’t think I’ll circle back to the other two until tomorrow. I haven’t even touched weapons yet.”

“Woah,” he muttered. “Good luck with all of that. Are you actually learning things that way? Or just doing them to have done them sorta thing.”

[leanderwinter]

moxiepitlock​:

“No,” Moxie laughed, shaking her head, “She’s a teenager and Nemesis seems to like her.” She sighed and shook her head pulling away from Leander, “It was an idea – and I know we can find people from the Capitol but…” She cut herself off, brows knitting together as she raked a hand over her face, “I don’t know how much I trust those people, okay?”

“Sis is about three months old. She’ll like anything,” Leander narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean, those people?” He was tinged with confusion now. “We are those people, Mox.”

[leanderwinter]

moxiepitlock​:

“And I’m trying,” Moxie promised, taking the chiding in stride. “I just don’t know how to slow down but – that’s why I’m saying we go do something, anything.” A timid smile worked over her teeth and she could only manage a slightly anxious shrug, “I think Sera – one of the mentors from Twelve – she’s a great kid and Nemesis already adores her so – not a bad idea.”

His eyes widened the slightest bit. “Are you crazy?” He genuinely asked. “Seraphina Hilt is like ten, and you’re gonna trust her with our kid? We’re in the Capitol, Mox, we can find a good babysitter who doesn’t still have her own.” Perhaps he was a bit mean in saying this. He didn’t really know Seraphina beyond her status as a victor and resident youngster alongside Cain. Nemesis’ safety went beyond anything though, in his eyes. 

[leanderwinter]

avenue-barcroft​:

“Noon, okay,” she confirmed with a sharp and satisfied nod. “I’ve put a lot of thought into it,” she agreed. Not so much before today, but today she’d put a lot of thought into it. “I think it’s good to have a plan, don’t you? This doesn’t seem like the sort of thing you should wing.”

“Absolutely,” he agreed. Involuntarily, his heart gave a little flutter at this girl’s attitude. He couldn’t help but root for her, since she was from home. Perhaps this was the first time the Capitol would come around to a victor. Immediately, guilt settled in his stomach. His job was still to support Hazel and Pepper. “So, what have you all done?”

[leanderwinter]

hazel-sawyer​:

“Well, I’m not planning on flirting with anyone and if I do it’d literally only be for publicity and not for like – shit, I dunno love or whatever,” Hazel defended throwing her hands up in front of herself, “What’s your beef with love, anyway? You sound like so freaked about it.”

“Also, bro is like – I dunno you give bro-y vibes, you know?” Hazel laughed furrowing her brows at the man in front of her. “Also, like, you’re still in your twenties, that’s definitely still within bro-range.”

“No,” he furrowed his brows. “No flirting at all, even if it’s for publicity. What, do you think you can’t shine on your own, that you need a fake relationship for it?” He did feel a bit exasperated. For some reason, Leander felt confident that this girl could be great on her own, just because she was. His face grew red at her question. “What the fuck, hey, what we’re not going to do is question my issues with love. Those are my issues, get your own.” 

“Okay, so once I turn thirty, I’m not within bro range anymore?”

[leanderwinter]

moxiepitlock​:

“Since when have I ever taken things easy?” Moxie asked easily, voice thick with amusement. She pressed a quick kiss to his temple and shook her head, “We can both relax.” Moxie sighed, adjusting to cradle Nemesis in one of her arms and she moved to run her fingers through his hair, “I mean, we could get a babysitter and just take some time for us. Her voice felt thick, exhausted, “We haven’t really had a break in the past three months.”

“Exactly,” Leander said, flabbergasted at her audacity. “No better time to start taking things easy then when you have a newborn. You gotta listen to people one of these days, hot stuff. Or you could get in serious trouble.” It was more of a tease, but he meant the sentiment of it. More than anything, he wanted her to be alright. “A babysitter? Do you have someone in mind, or do you want to put out an ad in the gazette or something?” 

[leanderwinter]

hazel-sawyer​:

“Wasn’t fuckin’ planning on it bro,” Hazel assured with a huff of laughter, “Like any of it - I don’t have a girlfriend and I’m not trying to sneak out of the tower.”

“Aspen didn’t have a girlfriend either before she came here, if I’m not wrong,” Leander said, tilting his head to the side. “Then she got one, and they killed someone. So... don’t fall in love, and don’t go on a killing spree afterwards. You’ll be golden. I mean, inside the Arena it’s different. But the love part still stands.” Then, he grimaced. “By the way, why are you calling me bro, I’m twenty-eight.” It did make him feel young, though. Like a solid twenty-two instead of his old, old age. “Actually, no. Keep going. Bro.”

[leanderwinter]

avenue-barcroft​:

@leanderwinter​

“How long until we all break for lunch?” Avenue asked, approaching a person she was almost positive was an escort for somebody. “Because I’m thinking if I can budget time for every station before lunch, or if I should try to break the day up into two phases. Obviously, some stations will take more time than others, so I’ll have to take that into account too. I think forty-five minutes per physical station makes sense, but probably only twenty for the survival ones, I think. I can always go back to them tomorrow, but anyway, do you happen to know what time we’ll have lunch?”

“Lunch is at noon,” he responded, after checking his watch again for safety. While she spoke, his brows rose in wonder. “You’ve really put some thought into this, haven’t you? Determined to win?”

[leanderwinter]

moxiepitlock​:

“Are you sure?” Moxie asked, keeping her voice as gentle as possible. It was almost as if she thought a whisper would keep Nemesis from getting any further upset. The baby was all so new – Moxie knew that she loved her, that was factual; sharing DNA with a tiny human that was now reliant on her ensured that. Still, there was a disconnect – a man who she was sure loved her and a baby – that made up a family, didn’t it? So, why did she feel this disconnect? Why did Moxie feel like she may as well be floating three feet behind herself, watching someone else pilot her decision-making? She couldn’t explain it. “Are you sure, lover-boy?” She murmured, quirking up a quick smile, “I don’t want to put you out.”

“Shush,” he firmly said. His escort responsibilities had never been his heart and soul. The more of his tributes died, the more he felt his own mental health slipping. He wanted to save them, at least one of them, but if he couldn’t... It was difficult to stick around like this. “We’re going to relax. You’re going to relax. Didn’t the doctors tell you to take it easy? For once, take some advice, hot stuff.” 

[leanderwinter]

hazel-sawyer​:

“I mean, if you tell me what you told her it might, like, I don’t fuckin’ know dude,” Hazel began, furrowing her brow, “Tell me what not to do?” She crossed her arms across her chest, “Listen, I’m not like, gonna bite you or whatever, I’m just looking for advice, dude.”

“Don’t kill someone outside the arena,” he frowned. “And don’t get so close to someone else you’ll want to, I don’t fucking know dude, sacrifice your life for theirs. Did you not watch your sister in there?” 

[leanderwinter]

hazel-sawyer​:

There was a brief moment of fear with the Games. A micro-expression of a furrowed brow and glassy eyes that lasted for only a second. She needed to do this, despite how her family felt, despite how much she had trained with Pepper. It was necessary. Hazel sighed as she leaned against the counter on Seven’s floor and she began to grill Leander for information, “Okay, so, how do I get good sponsors – like what do they even want from me?”

@leanderwinter​

Oh dear. Oh, dear. Another one of those Sawyers. It left a bitter taste in his mouth. Leander had a sneaking suspicion that he couldn’t help Hazel in any way, shape, or form. Not because he wasn’t foolish confident with everything he did, but because his advice to Aspen hadn’t worked out in the slightest. She’d still died. And apparently killed someone before going into the Arena. “Do you want to hear what I told your sister, or do you want to stay alive?”

[leanderwinter]

moxiepitlock​:

“If you take Neme now, I can maybe talk to the sponsors for an hour or –” Moxie sighed, feeling the tug at her heartstrings as she bounced the fussy baby in her arms, unconvinced she’d ever settle down. “Or we all three ignore the Games and try to take a nap?” She suggested, eyes feeling heavier than ever. She glanced up hopefully toward her boyfriend, gently shushing her daughter, “Do you think we can get away with it?”

@leanderwinter

Leander didn’t quite now where to put his hands, or where to look. It was always either Moxie or Nemesis, one hand on the small of his love’s back, or paying attention to the restless baby. Nothing ever seemed to be enough for a heart so full that it felt fit to burst out of his chest any second. He had a child now, a family to share the happiness with. He’d never have thought it would be in the cards for him. Moxie, Nemesis and him, one little unlikely family. “Go take a nap,” he gently told Moxie, one hand rubbing down her back reassuringly. “I can talk to sponsors for the both of us. I’m sure they don’t mind me making propaganda for both Seven and Twelve,” he snorted. “Just get some rest. I know how exhausted you are.”

[leanderwinter]

the way it looks, you’re family now the way it looks, it’s only us now we have to get through this now blood is thicker than beer

sorry, you’re not adopted

[leanderwinter]

gatlin-hazer​:

“Maybe next time,” he told Leander flatly, not really having the space to make him feel better. “How’s life?” Gatlin echoed the question. “It’s pretty much a lot like this,” he admitted, letting Leander decide if he would take it as a good thing or not. Gatlin had been shuffled around from district to district, and now there was this party. Everyday he’d woken up so angry, and he was exhausted. “You?”

“Parties?” He wondered if that was what Gatlin meant, when he said life now was pretty much always like at the victor’s ball. Leander wouldn’t exactly say that a life full of parties was bad, but he assumed he was more used to them than Gatlin was. “I’m guessing you don’t like parties?” Leander grimaced slightly, shrugging. “I have a kid on the way soon, so... stressful? Just a little.”

[leanderwinter]

moxiepitlock​:

“I think I’m over schmoozing,” Moxie declared, “I’ve out-schmoozed myself – I’m kind of over talking to sponsors about the next Games.” She sighed and tucked her arms around herself as best she could, “They only want to talk about the newest victor anyway – maybe you’re kind of right about this whole ‘not being an escort’ thing.”

@leanderwinter​

“See!” It was hard not to sound triumphant at Moxie’s words. Gently, out of habit, he stepped closer and settled an arm on her waist, thumb softly rubbing circles into her skin. “I told you so. I’ve... been sort of thinking of doing something else, anyway.”