Suprises and Sentiments// Theo&Cassius

[Hafen d4 ⚓︎ minie]

Today was Mama’s birthday and the shop was closed as we set up the birthday decorations in anticipation of her friend’s arrival in only mere minutes.

The usually clustered filled shop mimicking her brain was all tidied up and covered head to toe in balloons and multicolored streamers. I had spent most of the day making sure everything would be perfect, she had always worked so hard for me to have everything. I just wanted to make sure her special day was filled with joy. On the left wall of the main shop floor, there was a table set up with all kinds of backed goods that Henry’s mom had sent over earlier. Our moms had been friends since the day they started school and Henry and I had been friends since the day we came out of the womb. Didn’t really have much of a choice there.

The guy was supposed to help me set up the party but instead I had received a message that the jerk was out with some sort of flu. As if…he had probably just had a bit too much to drink down in the fields and couldn’t get his hungover ass out of bed. Seemed to be the case with most of my friends these days, they always were out drinking in the same ‘ol field with the same ‘ol people every single day. Sure, it was fun, but sometimes I just wanted to do something else, hell I would even settle for just drinking in a different field for once.

Mama came down the stairs from her work room wearing what the dress I had sewn for her last week. Slowly, I was becoming more confident in designing bigger projects and Mama’s burgundy dress for the party was my first real project. There was a joy in her smile when she had opened the box this morning, I could not tell if she liked the dress or if it was the fact that I definitely took after her skills. There has even been talk that once I graduate this year, the shop would become our shop. A family business where Mama would teach me everything I still had to learn and one day I would do the exact same for my kids.

I did not have much time to say anything before the door to the shop opened followed by a sharp ringing of the bell and she had already made her way over to great her first guests. It was not long till the shop was full and the table on the right wall was aligned with all sorts of gifts varying in shape and size. Mama being the kindhearted extrovert that she was seemed to have invited the entire district, anyone from neighbors and close friends to clientele had received an invite. The chatter amongst the room was loud and it was hard to focus on any one conversations as I squeezed my way through the crowd over to the table with the drinks and the deserts.

Grabbing a glass of wine, I slowly examined everything that Mrs. Becker had brought over for the party. My eyes stopped at the apple pie as I could smell the warm mixture of cinnamon and butter radiating from it. A treat Henry’s mom always made sure to send our way at school. It was his contribution to the group and there was never a crumb a left. With the pie and wine in hand I turned back around to start making my rounds to say hi to everyone. That was until a face that I had not seen in years, unless it was plastered all over our televisions had caught my attention. I knew mine and Theo’s mom still were in contact, and I assumed she would make an appearance at the party, but I did not expect district eights latest victor to be present.

There was a time where Theo sat at lunch with Henry, me and all the others but those days were long gone. I could not just ignore him and pretend that I did not see him, besides without Henry here was not really anyone else my age here.

”Hey, you uhh…want some pie”, I held up the slice as an almost peace offering. For what exactly? I couldn’t tell you, but it felt as if one was needed. ”Henry Becker’s mom made it. Ya know, she’s the one with the bakery over on Elbert Lane”

ELEGANT

[marcellus rhodes 11b arc]

Rafael provides a lot more support than the world thinks. He provides an embrace that’s comforting, a body that Theo can trust for once. Outside of his partner, he felt that winning the Games would leave him more alone than ever before. While he’s never talked to his mother about his apprehension toward her, he never felt the need, concerned that she would tell him to ”toughen that shit up” and he can’t be actin’ like that if he gon’ be doin that mentor shit.

Mariah didn’t know shit about him, not before the Games, and not what he’s like after. Theo understands this, and simply lets her live within his walls to say that he’s giving back to the only family he has left. His uncle shows up with Shane and Dena, but it’s not the same, knowing that they just like the cushioning his furniture provides. Shane isn’t a fan of the foxes, but they’ve claimed this land well before Theo had with the timeline of his post-games commitments, leaving the household to his mom and a bunch of foxes.

Somehow, the foxes are more calming than anything else. Dorothy, Elm, Svet, they all live as their own skulk of comfort. He knows that the foxes, just like his fallen friends, will fight for him. To Mariah, he’ll always just be the kid she talks about with the girls. He hoped that her words regarding him would glisten in pride, a feeling he had only ever felt from his father. But she never gives in, writing his trauma as a weakness rather than a power for what he endured for it. For her, the ungrateful bitch, as she sits and plays poker and lights another cigarette into the walls. She damages his home just as much as his ego, yet, he continues to allow her inside of it. One would hope he could take his mother’s advice and drop that shit, but he’d be left alone. He can’t be alone anymore, and Rafael’s back in the Capitol.

Theo feels too much like a burden to Woods. Never will admit it, which causes a tension that he upholds himself by not welcoming his lovers’ concern. Theo’s only known Woods as a teammate, a whispered affection rather than a screaming embrace of care. He’s never really had that embrace. Regardless, he returns to his mother’s call like the little boy who tussled in the streets until the moon was his only guide.

He had been called to go to a party with her. She thought that he needed to get back out into the district and make some friends, and this was the best way possible. The party was some birthday get-up for a friend of hers, some wife to a professor that used to be in his mother’s social circle. She kept in touch because she works with the woman, but Theo grew distant to the child. Those kids reminded him too much of his father, and he couldn’t bear that memory. He didn’t remember much about the kid, but all he could hear is that ”maybe you can talk to that Cass boy, you used to be friends with him”, which seemed to be enough for his mother.

It didn’t take much to convince him to attend. Outside of trying to coach a few new hopefuls for the exy team, he had little to do within the district. His mom made a beeline for alcohol - the only mirror she provides to him is through alcohol, but those drinks were for the mothers, and certainly not him. Theo acted as a fly on the wall for the most part, hovering around and admittedly being ignored. He did have a natural bitch face - the boys back at the BASE made sure he knew, but he felt incredibly out of place. So much for trying to please his mom; being her +1 had left him alone. There was a table of desserts, which didn’t always speak to him, but there was a signature smell that he was reminded of. When one of the boys, Henry (was that right?), had parties growing up, his mother frequently baked goods for the boys to eat. Theo never liked sweets, but he did enjoy the smell of them. Sure enough, Cass was nearby the table with a glass of wine, and offered Theo a slice of the cinnamon-sugar-apple wafting baked good.

”Ah, well,” he grimaced, hesitant to take the slice. He never liked sweets, but something about Henry’s mom’s shit was always good. Add some ice cream to it and it was like a dessert for kings.

And, well, he was pretty damn close to a king now. ”Ah, fuck it.” He remembered the baker very well, maybe Cass assumed Theo's absence was a sign of disinterest rather than loss. Regardless, Theo figured that he was better with a mouth full and an excuse not to talk than looking lonely. Cass gave him a slice, but Theo was stuck looking around for forks. ”Do you guys have more forks? I’m not, uh,” he pointed at the pie, ”this ain’t for eating with your hands.”

[Hafen d4 ⚓︎ minie]

My eyes widened for a second as Theo inquired about a fork. Right, that would have probably been a smart thing to go with the pie I was offering the guests. My mind was so preoccupied with the thousands of different little details to ensure mama’s birthday went without a hiccup (and that my only company had abandoned me) that I guess there was still a few creases that needed to be ironed out.

I wracked my brain trying to figure out what I had done with the cutlery, probably lost in thought I had forgotten it somewhere. My head scanned the room for a medium sized white box what would have held the good China. Mama always liked to keep up appearances, other people’s opinions seemed to always matter most to her. Consequently, growing up, they also mattered to me. What people thought of one was a wicked currency that seemed more addictive than money.

That is why the party was so important, just another way for Mama to stay relevant in the community. I might have been doing some soul searching, figuring out that everyone else’s opinion did not matter, however knowing the fact and acting on it were still two entirely different ordeals.

”Um yeah, they are uh…” I hesitated as I looked around at the laid-out table noticing that I had entirely forgotten them from the set up. Shit. I turned my attention back to Theo for a moment with a slightly embarrassed grin on my face. Guess today was not going to go as perfect as I had hoped for it be. ”Guess it seems like I must have forgotten them upstairs.” I took a swig from the glass of wine that didn’t ever seem to end. Maybe I just needed to drink a little more, take of the edge and everything will be all right in the end. The people in attendance seemed to have their cups filled at all times, if they were drunk enough no one would care about the delayed arrival of a few forks.

Don’t stress too much about it, dude

That is at least what I had told myself. A few more glasses of wine and I would not give a flying fuck about whatever mistakes I had made while sober. If anyone complained, well that would be a problem for my tomorrows self.

”Ya see that bastard Henry was supposed to come help me set up things but he bailed. C’mon we’ll go get you one and then get you a drink. He was also supposed to be my drinking buddy today, but uh guess you’re gonna fill his shoes.” I signaled for him to follow me not entirely sure if he actually would or if he would just wait there for me to bring it to him. Couldn’t quite figure him out when we were kids, I definitely did not stand a chance of that nowadays. ”If wine ain’t your thing, we got the liquors and spirits upstairs as well.” I joked before heading up the wooden stairs towards the left of the table.

ELEGANT

[marcellus rhodes 11b arc]

God, this felt weird. It was rusty. Old. Like your foot falling asleep, and no matter how much you shake it, it won’t fuckin’ wake up. Seein’ Cass was weird. When you get older, you tend to forget the importance of those initial innocent friendships you had as a child. I had completely abandoned every person involved with the school when Dad left. Mom was close with a few of the wives, one specifically, but it wasn’t the same I guess. Morriah knew those girls before dad was in the picture.

Cassius seemed to freak out with the fork question. Did he not know his own house? Or did they just not prepared well enough? I know damn well his momma’s different than mine, if it’s the later. Morriah would’ve had the damn table set the night before. She’d be up my ass about cleanin’ bathrooms or stocking soaps. Even if she did live under my own damn roof now. It didn’t stop her from naggin’ my ass. This ain’t my party anyway, so not my fault.

Dude stuttered and looked around for a fork. A fork. Did they not think people would bring food, or was it supposed to be all finger food? Clearly they knew the pie was coming. Who the fuck eats a pie with their hands?

Okay, well, actually the BASE used to do that. But that’s because we had nowhere to wash silverware. We have an excuse! Cassius… doesn’t, but that’s not my place to instruct proper party hosting. The Capitol’s given me that at least. Momma hosts them more than me, cuz’ she likes to show off the place like it’s hers, but still. Cass presented an embarrassed grin, and stated that ”it seems like I must have forgotten them upstairs.” You kidding me, dude? My mom would tear my ass to shreds. I’d be a fuckin bag of fertilizer for the cherry blossoms out back. She wouldn’t let me step anywhere in my own fuckin house if I forgot to wipe down a damn counter. I watched as Cass took a sip, almost a bit dumbfounded. I mean, sure, priorities with alcohol over silverware, but how the hell am I supposed to eat this damn pie?

”Ya see that bastard Henry was supposed to come help me set up things but he bailed. C’mon we’ll go get you one and then get you a drink. He was also supposed to be my drinking buddy today, but uh guess you’re gonna fill his shoes.” Right, Henry. I kind of forgot about that little twink. Dude would be a fat fuck if it wasn’t for the fact he did all the heavy lifting for his mother’s bakery. Good thing he doesn’t show up then. Because drinking. Nice. I didn’t need Henry to bail to get a glass, but now I won’t be looked at with such judgment if I’m doing it with someone rather than out of the flowery flask hidden in my jacket. He offered other shit, but honestly, I’ll take the first damn thing he gives to me. Being back around Dad’s people was weird.

”I’ll take whatever ya’ got.” I huff out. ”And yeah, a fork would be, nice dude.” It may appear a bit rude, but honestly, I’ve spent too much time being nice and pretty for people lately. I didn’t know where to go though. It takes a few moments for Cassius to actually start moving, which causes an eyeroll as his back is turned to me. These kids were supposed to be smart, weren’t they? Unless they dropped off as bad as I fuckin’ did. I take the cap off of my flask, taking a swig and placing it back into the pocket inside my jacket. ”Nice place,” I comment as we file through the rooms. It’s nicer than what my momma and I had before I won, that’s for sure.