They were escorted back to their 'apartment' Daryl sat on the couch quickly setting his feet up on the table as he flipped the TV back on. "We are extremely excited to see all of our tributes in their chariot outfits. How are we feeling about the districts? My personal choice right now is the male tributes from ten, one, and twelve."

Daryl's head lifted up quickly.

He was one of Caesar Flickerman's projected winners?

Andrea smirked and punched his shoulder, he looked up at her with narrowed eyes unsure of why she would hit him. "What was that for?" Daryl grunted looking her over.

"It's endearing." Andrea grinned, "you're being projected, it's good for our district."

"Not for you," Daryl muttered to himself. "Is that a good thing?"

"Yes." Andrea smiled. "Either one of us winning will be great for our district."

"Shouldn't we be more worried about our survival than our district?" Daryl argued raising an eyebrow in frustration, he didn't like the games and he certainly didn't agree with the sentiment that it was good for the districts to lose working hands. Lose children.

"The point of the games is to bring honor to our districts, that's the reason we do this."

"No, the reason we do this is because the capital thinks it's okay to slaughter children." Daryl, rolled his eyes as Caesar continued to yammer on and on about 'the importance of this day' and how 'they should be proud to represent their districts'. Daryl snorted softly, taking a moment to look around him at the overly extravagant building he was in. The many pictures of home were making him homesick in the most twisted of ways, he never wanted to see his father again, but he wanted to see Paul.

The chariot entrance was big talk, speculations on the costumes were growing. Everyone's district always had a select amount of costumes that they seemed to rotate through. Daryl honestly didn't enjoy the costumes they were going to be wearing, but it was better than the stereotypical cowboy hats.

He put his feet up on one of the hay bales and watched the program while Deanna fussed over their standings with the capital.

If Deana knew about the young president's son's crush on Daryl she would undoubtedly be overjoyed by the news.

Andrea sat and braided her hair as the announcer continued on about everyone's possible costumes. "Can I braid your hair?" She asked surveying him for a reaction.

He narrowed his eyes at her, she scoffed, that seemed his typical reaction. He didn't trust her much. He didn't trust anyone much however so that wasn't new information to anyone. "Why would'ya wanna do that?" Daryl asked his southern drawl becoming more apparent as he adjusted himself upward in the chair pulling his feet off the hay bail.

"Your hair is long enough for one, and it's nicer when it's out of your face for training, if I learn now I can do it up when we start training." Andrea remarked softly, she was trying to be kind to her fellow tribute but it was clear to her Daryl had little understanding of why anyone would be kind to him.

Daryl grunted in agreement and made his way over to her sitting cross-legged at her feet. "Alright.."

Andrea smiled proud of herself for getting him to agree to getting his hair done. Deanna grinned at Andrea giving her a thumbs up for her achievement. Daryl felt her hands run through his usually dirty hair, it was strange to him to have it so well cleaned. He worked with animals all day, in the dirt. He didn't have access to soap and running water like people in the capital did. Andrea was lucky her family lived in the better part of their district.

Daryl continued to watch Caeser blab, he rolled his blue eyes before the screen flicked to a new program.

The president, and his son.

"Handsome isn't he?" Andrea asked, pushing on Daryl's shoulder knowing he liked men.

"Negan?" Daryl asked, looking at her over his shoulder.

"Yes, the president's son, he's like everything."

Daryl watched the sharply dressed young man stand beside his father. The Smiths held all of the power in the capital. "I mean yes, he is handsome. I have a fiancé, remember."

He held up his sparkling ring to get her to look it over.

"I know, but he's the president's son."

Daryl nodded but didn't make any attempt to reply to her. He just watched them. "Are you excited for the games President?" A reporter asked.

"As always, we are very excited for the games this year." He replied placing his hand on Negan's shoulder with a smile.

"And you young Negan?" The reporter moved her microphone closer to him.

"I am excited of course, always entertaining. This year however, I've.. Well, I have a bit of a crush. I only hope they win, I'd like to offer them my hand."

"What lucky boy is your pick?" The women asked, everyone knew young Negan Smith liked men.

"The boy from ten. Daryl Dixon." Negan replied.

Daryl blanched. Andrea kicked him softly with a giggle. "He fancies you!"

"Oh god." Daryl was physically sick. "What is Paul going to say?"

"I'm sure he's overjoyed, you just got yourself sponsors you didn't know you had by his admittance." Deanna replied. "Negan Smith likes you Daryl, that is big news!"

Daryl stood up and headed away from the TV, he couldn't watch anymore. "We spoke to families and friends of all the district's tributes for future projection. According to one boy he is Daryl's fiancé, how do you plan to win his heart?"

Negan froze before smiling. "The capital has never been a place where polygamy has been looked down upon. I would be happy to bring the other boy into the relationship if he would have me in the first place."

Andrea raced into the bathroom to find Daryl dry heaving into the sink. "Daryl, calm down, it's okay."

"This is not okay! The president's son likes me! He wants to offer me his hand! I am engaged!"

"There is good news." Andrea assured him rubbing his arm. He looked up at her like a scared rabbit.

"How is there good news?" Daryl whined looking himself over in the mirror, he was pale.

"The president's son said he would be happy to have a polyamorous relationship. So you could still be with your fiancé." Andrea smiled brightly, rubbing his arm a bit to try and calm him. Daryl took a few deep breaths.

Now he really had to win, not only did he need to get back to Paul but now the capital's darling was crushing on him already offering his hand. On top of that he was a projected winner by Caesar himself.

He began to breathe heavily, his hands were shaking and his eyes dilated. Andrea helped him to a seat. "It's going to be okay Daryl."

Deanna nodded, smiling at him, Daryl looked up at the screen. Negan and his father were waving to the crowd. Projecting other high players in the games on top of their plans for the winners feast.

Daryl had to win, or the consequences were more dire than just losing his life.