For anon...reader is a past victor as requested. Enjoy!
Y/N glanced around the massive stage as the bright lights nearly blinded them. They had yet to do their interview. The plan was to act superior to the Games. Y/N’s first Games was the opposite, be as quiet as possible. In their Game, it was to deter the other tributes from accurately estimating their skills.
Now, Y/N had to be seen as a tough competitor. There was no way they would survive as the shy child from a lowly district when the other tributes were fellow Victors. Y/N’s repertoire would be totally different with the show host: Caesar Flickerman.
Y/N wanted to hate him. They wanted their bones to be on fire from just glancing at him. They wanted to be angry for being part of the Games a second time. On stage seemed the best time to show that rage. However, Y/N couldn’t help but to think of his perspective. He was from the Capitol, never thought to disobey. To him, the Games were a necessary part of life.
Unfortunately, the other tributes didn’t care about the man’s perspective. At the moment, Y/N wished they didn’t either. Y/N just wanted to see him as a measly tool to keep ratings up. How were they supposed to act superior if their mind was trying to understand the other side?
Y/N inwardly groaned.
Y/N hobbled into the plane’s cockpit. They knit their brows in confusion when they saw Haymitch speaking with Plutarch Heavensbee. Noticing Y/N, Haymitch smirked.
“Looks like you were lucky,” he told them.
“What do you mean? What’s going on?” Y/N rasped.
“We’re bringing you to District 13,” Plutarch explained, “If you hadn’t been so close to Katniss, we may not have been able to pull you out.”
Y/N closed their eyes. “A rebellion.”
“That’s right, cupcake,” Haymitch replied in a snarky tone, “And the Capitol can’t touch you.”
“The others?”
Heavensbee shook his head. Y/N lowered their eyes. Even though they weren’t the best of friends, Y/N believed they didn’t deserve any of the Capitol’s assured punishment.
Y/N walked into a room with a round table. The remaining surviving Victors each sat at a chair, save Katniss. She still hadn’t awoken from her latest injury. Y/N’s eyes shifted over to President Coin. The woman nodded.
“It appears we can begin.”
Y/N took their seat next to Annie and Finnick. The young Victor offered Y/N a smile, to which they returned.
“As of recently, the soldiers of District 13 have captured someone you may all have a mutual interest in. Myself, along with others, believed it best to leave his fate in your hands.”
“Who did you capture?” Johanna Mason snarled.
“Caesar Flickerman.”
Y/N’s eyes widened. Johanna was vehemently vying to kill the man. He had helped the Capitol lead them to their deaths. He had every reason to be a part of the blame as well. Peeta, unsurprisingly, remained quiet. Seeing no one else speaking against Johanna, Y/N stood up.
“Look, I understand your hate for him,” they started.
“Are you about to defend him?” Johanna sneered.
“He made us put on a show that wasn’t meant for us to live through.”
“I can’t believe this.”
“But he was just as much of a puppet as all of us,” Y/N finalized with a tad louder voice.
Johanna clenched her jaw. The rest of the room had yet to say anything. Y/N swallowed.
“He lived in the Capitol. He had a stable job. He always had cameras on him. I’m not saying it justifies his actions. All I’m saying is that maybe he deserves to at least live,” they paused, “If you want, we can put him in a prison for life. Let him live with his decisions. But to condemn him to death for playing a role just as we did would bring us down to the Capitol’s level. We’d be no better than them.”
Johanna stared at Y/N for a long moment. Eventually, she rolled her eyes and looked away. The other tributes were exchanging glances between each other. After a few extended moments, Beetee cleared his throat.
“I think Y/N has made some good points,” he complimented, “And I feel as though I can live with him in prison.”
Coin glanced at the other tributes. “Are we all in agreement?”
The Victors nodded their heads, and a moment later, Johanna reluctantly joined. Alma Coin smiled briefly before addressing everyone.
“It seems that settles it. Caesar Flickerman will be sentenced to life in prison.”
Y/N let out a breath they hadn’t realized they had been holding.
