Who Puts You First? // [Kieran/Mace Blitz]

It doesn't hurt me.
Do you want to feel how it feels?
Do you want to know that it doesn't hurt me?
Do you want to hear about the deal that I'm making?
You, it's you and me.

Regalia had practically bundled him out the door. "It's Sunday," she repeated. "I'm sure he's home and I suspect he could use a little pick-me-up right now. Don't you remember what campaigning's like?"

Mace blinked as she slid a basket over his left arm. "That was a long time ago already."

Nevertheless he heeded her advice. Down the road he walked, basket swinging, breeze in his face and warm sun on his neck. He was so goddamn glad to be an increasingly obscure Victor, former Mayor, resident of Ten. Hardly anyone troubled him any more (excepting Calliope Bloom). There were younger, more interesting Victors and Mayoral candidates. He was slowly leaving Panem's collective consciousness.

And slowly walking towards peace.

He didn't bother to knock at Kieran and Paige's home. He let himself in, gave Elonna a quick kiss on the head, and left the baked goods on the kitchen counter. "Your Aunt Reggie sure doesn't want you to starve," Mace said to his son, his gaze sliding over and over again to the basket. He hadn't peeked. Better not to know what delicious things were intended for someone else.

"So, son." Mace puffed out his chest in the 'we need to have a talk' fashion. "How's the election comin' along?"

And if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building.
If I only could, oh


running up that hill
-placebo-

[dars]