Chapter Twenty Three: Victory 

As soon as the cameras shut off, Peacekeeper's led the four victors off of the stage. Caesar followed behind and when they were backstage he paused for a moment and looked at them. He looked like he so desperately wanted to say something, but something forbade him to say it. So instead he put on a brave face and smiled. 

"Congratulations, all of you." Caesar breathed. 

"Thank you," Lucy bravely spoke up as the others didn't know quite what to say. They didn't know whether to decide if Caesar was being nice or that he was making them fall into some kind of trap. 

He nodded once and advanced towards his dressing room and turned back just for a moment, just to say one last sentence to them. "May the odds be ever in your favour." 

His dressing room door slammed shut behind him and Lucy wondered as to whether he was going to have a mental breakdown. But then again, Lucy thought he couldn't say too much as he would probably get executed for being a traitor or being on their side...

But what harm could that do? He was only supporting the tributes that had become Victors...was there something serious going on or about to happen? 

A Capitol lady and Haymitch, a District 12 victor, rounded the corner and then began talking to Katniss and Peeta, congratulating them as they walked off, readying themselves for when they would be crowned Victors. Then it made Lucy think about Gloss, she hadn't seen him in ages and really wanted to see the person who had mentored her in these games. 

"Congratulations," an unfamiliar voice said and both Lucy and Marvel turned around to see a blond haired lady who seemed to be related to Gloss. Lucy then realised it was Cashmere. "Congratulations, both of you." 

"Where's Gloss." Marvel demanded, he wasn't questioning he was demanding. It was as though he was angry at Cashmere for taking Gloss' place. 

"Somethings come up, he couldn't come today." Cashmere replied simply, not hurt at all by the anger in Marvel's voice. 

"Don't be silly, Gloss would have been one of the first people to come and see us when we'd one. So I shall ask again: Where's Gloss?" 

"Back in District 1, it was urgent. He couldn't come today." 

"So it was so urgent he couldn't come and see his two tributes who'd made it out of the games?" 

"Marvel," Lucy said, placing a hand on his arm. "It's OK, I think it's very kind of Cashmere to come and see us." 

"But where's Kathleen? Has everyone gone missing?" Marvel demanded just as Kathleen rounded the corner, as if on cue, and squealed. 

"Oh! Oh! Oh! You're alive! I can't believe it!" Kathleen grinned as she ran over to the two of them and managed to pull Lucy — and Marvel — into a hug. 

"We can't believe it either..." Marvel grumbled and Lucy giggled. 

"You're about to be crowned Victors of the 74th Hunger Games! Isn't it exciting? I knew you could win!" 

"Oh, Kathleen, I've missed your upbeat attitude so much I might convince my parents if we can have a holiday in the Capitol." Lucy smiled but Kathleen frowned. 

"You can't do that, transport into the Capitol and the Districts is forbidden." 

"Don't frown, it causes wrinkles." 

"You're right...I should have known that..." Kathleen stopped frowning and touched her face worriedly. "We better get you up to President Snow's balcony, otherwise you won't be crowned Victors! Oh my! Quickly, now!" 

*      *      * 

Ten minuets later, Lucy was sat next to Marvel, Marvel was sat next to Peeta and he was sat next to Katniss. Four crowns sat on four pillars in front of them and they were waiting for President Snow to crown them as Victors of the 74th annual Hunger Games. The crowd waited eagerly as President Snow came out onto the balcony. 

He took Katniss' crown and she stood up, he place the crown on her head and he admired her pin. The Mockingjay pin. He then moved onto Peeta but didn't say anything, Peeta was crowned and Snow moved onto Marvel. 

"Well done, I heard you've always wanted to win these games," Snow said blankly. His face was emotionless. "I think you've done your mother proud." 

"I hope so, Sir," Marvel bowed and Snow nodded before moving onto Lucy. 

Lucy stood up and stepped forward, President Snow took her crown in his gloved hands from the small pillar then turned around and face Lucy. He placed the crown on top of her head and then reached into his pocket. 

"For someone who thought they weren't going to win the games, you've done pretty well." Snow said, his face still blank, un-readable. 

"Thank you," Lucy said and gave a small bow. 

"I believe you are missing something though — " he reached into his pocket and pulled out the necklace Marvel had given her and clicked it open. "Yes, yes I've met Mayor Dime and what a great man he is, such a brave daughter he has too." He clicked it shut then un-did the catch on it and placed it around her neck before doing it up and then gave one small smile (which Lucy thought she had imagined) before leaving the balcony. 

The four Victors left the stage and were taken by their stylists and their prep teams to get changed into something else for the train ride home. 

"Didn't think I'd be seeing you again." Marcel smiled as he helped her get into a turquiose dress with short sleeves on it. He helped her slip a loose, long cardigan on and left her black shoes. 

"I didn't think I'd be seeing you again," Lucy agreed. "I didn't think I'd be seeing anyone again." 

"No, but at least you can go back to District 1 and see everyone again. Everyone you love."

"But I gained someone that I loved here in the Capitol, too. Someone I thought was just my friend all these years wanted to be something more." 

"But was it all for the cameras, Lucy? Do you think he said that to get medicine from sponsors to try and keep you alive?" 

"I believe that he truly meant what he said." 

Marcel nodded, although he was a little amused by what she said. "We better get you back on the Capitol train, so you can get back to District 1. Back home, that's where you wanted to be, right?" 

"Yes, I want to go home now." Lucy smiled as Marcel placed her crown back on her head. "It was nice meeting you, Marcel." 

"You too, Lucy." 

Lucy was escorted onto the Capitol train by Peacekeeper's while the Capitol crowd cheered her name. When she got on the train, the door was slammed shut and she saw Marvel standing there by the open window, (wearing an outfit similar to the one he wore for the interviews,) waving to the Capitol people. She joined his side and waved to the cheering Capitol people with him. 

The train began moving and Lucy and Marvel waved to them until they were out of sight and were heading back to District 1, Marvel closed the window quickly and Cashmere excused herself from the room as soon as they were going at full speed, probably in fear that Marvel was going to growl at her. 

"I'm so happy we're going home, now. Because there's no place like home." Lucy sighed and leant her head on Marvel's shoulder, he put an arm around her waist. 

"You're right. Although, it's going to be different when we get back home. Like you said in the arena." Marvel replied and he suddenly gripped her tighter as though he was scared. 

"They won't take me now, Marvel, I've got you. They won't take me away now." 

"That's good," he smiled and kissed her on the cheek. "I'd take your place anyway." 

"Thank you...but what happens when we get back?" 

"I guess we start our new lives." 

"But I don't want to start my new life, I want everything to be the same as it was before I left...except I'd  still want you to be in love with me. That's been the only positive thing about these Games." 

"Oh I don't know...the food was good." Marvel grinned and Lucy laughed. Marvel took the crown off of his head and admired it. "And even though I've always wanted it, this crown doesn't seem so fantastic anymore." 

"You should keep it though, it shows you're a survivor." 

"Yeah...I should." Marvel nodded and then looked at the crown as though he was holding something vile. "It's worthless though." 

"Keep it," Lucy said and took the crown from him and placed it back on his head. "You deserve it much more than I do — don't start arguing with me." 

"Fine...if you say so..." 

The rest of the train ride went by quickly and when the train pulled up and Lucy and Marvel were sitting down, she jumped up and looked through the tinted windows. Her and Marvel could look outside but all the excited citizens from District 1 couldn't see them. 

"We're home! We're home!" Lucy squealed in excitement. "We're back home!" 

"Calm down," Marvel laughed as Cashmere appeared back in the room. 

"You ready, you two?" She asked. Lucy nodded vigorously as the two stood in front of the door and it slid open, the cheers of the crowd grew louder as they all waved at District 1's Victors. The crowd drew smiled out of both Lucy and Marvel and he took hold of her hand, making the girl's in the crowd jealous. 

"People mock what they don't understand," Cashmere whispered in Lucy's ear as she hopped off the train. 

Peacekeeeper's made a walkway for them and they hopped off the train and walked through the wild crowd that was ecstatic because two children had won the 74th Hunger Games from their District. 

"Lucy!" 

Lucy heard someone squeal and she looked ahead and saw her mother and father, waiting at the end of the walkway for her. She gasped then let go of Marvel's hand and ran towards both of them happily. 

"Mum! Dad!" Lucy cried. She couldn't believe her parents had called her by her now real name. She accepted her mother's hug and noticed she had started using less make-up. 

"We're so proud of you, Lucy!" Her dad said as he gave her a hug too. "I knew you could do it." 

"Thank you," she whispered. "I've missed you so much." 

As Lucy's parents hugged her, Marvel stood there awkwardly, he was trying to find his father in the crowd but he couldn't see him. All he could see was a clump of people cheering wildly at District 1's Victors. But then Lucy's father looked up from Lucy and he looked at Marvel.

"Marvel?" He asked. 

"Yes, Mayor Dime?" Marvel replied. 

"You're part of the family now," he winked and gestured for him to join them. Marvel hesitated then walked towards them. Lucy's mother immediately hugged him. 

"Thank you for looking after my daughter, Marvel," she said. 

"Any time, Ms. Dime," Marvel said as he itched the back of his neck awkwardly. "I said I'd get her out of the games alive, didn't I?" 

"You certainly did!" Lucy's mother giggled. "Now she'll have someone perfect to marry!" 

"You have my approval," Lucy's father laughed. 

"Dad! I'm too young to marry!" Lucy whined. "Far too young!" 

"It won't be long, sweetheart." 

"Is it normal that my parents approve of my boyfriend?" Lucy asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"Where? Who? Who's this boy you speak of?" Marvel demanded, looking around frantically then he grinned. "Just messing with you." He laughed and gave her a hug. 

"Marvel?" Someone asked. "Lucy?" 

They both turned around and saw Glimmer. Her blond hair stood out from everyone else's as she was allowed out of the crowd by Peacekeeper's. She looked very worried and had been for a while. Perhaps she'd watched all of the 74th Hunger Games and had been worried for her friends. 

"I just wanted to apologise," she whispered. "I'm sorry I didn't volunteer for you, Lucy, it's just that I needed to stay for my family and — " 

"It's OK, I don't mind." Lucy smiled and she looked at the other girls in the crowd, probably wishing that they had volunteered for her so that she couldn't go out with Marvel. 

"Are you sure?" 

"I'm sure." 

"Friends?" 

"When were we not?" 

Glimmer walked towards Lucy and gave her a hug. Lucy suddenly remembered Clove and sadness washed over her, if only Clove could be alive too. Glimmer let go of her then ran towards her family. 

"Miss Lucy!" Gaze squealed and squeezed through her parents. "Oh how I've missed you!" 

"I've missed you too," Lucy smiled and then Gaze looked up dumbstruck at Marvel. 

"Is this Mr Sanford?" Gaze whispered. 

"It is." 

Gaze bowed suddenly. "Thank you for looking after my Mistress, she's such a wonderful Mistress and you're very lucky to have her as a girlfriend." 

"Thank you," Marvel said as Gaze straightened up. 

"Gaze, get back to cleaning, we want a nice clean house for Marvel when he comes in!" Lucy's mother said. 

"What?" Marvel asked. 

"You're most definitely going to have to stay with us! We can't ignore a young man who was risking his life to save our daughters!" 

"Oh I um..." Marvel began as someone placed their hand on Marvel's shoulder. 

"It's OK, Marvel, you can go," a voice said and Marvel turned around and saw his dad. 

"Dad," Marvel whispered. 

"You made it out of the games, I knew you could...you were so brave for risking your life." Marvel's father smiled. 

"I had to though, I couldn't let Lucy die." 

"Which is perfectly understandable, if I was you I'd do the same thing." Marvel's dad said just as Marvel's ten-year-old sister, Glamour, appeared behind her father. 

"MARVEL!" She screamed and hugged him. 

Lucy rarely saw Glamour as she was in a lower year to both Lucy and Marvel at school and spent most of her time with her father. Lucy smiled as Marvel winced as his rib cage was being crushed. 

"Glamour!" Marvel protested. "You're going to break my rib cage!" 

"Don't care! Don't care! Don't care!" She laughed. "You're back home! I can't believe it! I didn't think you were going to make it!" 

"Neither did I," Marvel smiled and then bent down to her. "Hey, I got something for you." He said and then took the crown off of his head and placed it on top of her golden hair. 

"But this is yours, you got it because you're a Victor!" Glamour said although she seemed very fond of the crown. 

"I don't need it, you can um...show it off to your friends and consider yourself Princess of..." Marvel thought. 

"Princess of District 1," Lucy said as she lifted Glamour up. 

"But you're the Princess of District 1!" Glamour protested. "I'm not the Mayor's daughter, you are! Although, I wish I was...living with Marvel is horrible." She then whispered in Lucy's ear. "He only baths once every two weeks! How do you put up with him?" 

"No idea, Glamour, no idea..." Lucy laughed. 

And right now she was exactly where she wanted to be. 

With the people who loved her most. 

With the people she was proud to call her family.