Daryl woke that morning terrified, another reaping. He was so close to being out of the reaping but he knew he had so many tickets in the fish bowl the crazily dressed women would pull the names out of that he was most likely going to be picked for this year's games.

He walked up to the cracked mirror and did the best he could with his hair, a knock at the front door came. He heard his father yell for him. "You better come get the damn door before the games isn't the worst thing that happens to you!"

Daryl raced towards the door opening it quickly. "Paul.."

"Hey, I wanted to help you out. Figured since I don't do the reapings anymore..." He smiled. "Mr. Dixon." Paul smiled, waving a hello, Will snarled and rolled his eyes.

"Hope you get reaped." Will growled eying Daryl who lowered his head with a soft sigh.

"Let's get you ready." Paul whispered, pulling him towards the bathroom past Will who ignored his son and his friend. Paul brushed through Daryl's mid length hair, the chocolate strands were stringy. Paul knew Daryl didn't have much in this life, and Paul couldn't help as much as he wanted to. He continued to brush through his hair before he pulled it back and braided the brown locks.

"I'm gonna look like a girl." Daryl muttered, the idea itself wasn't bad, but his fathers comments would be.

"First impressions," Paul remarked. "If you get reaped, god forbid, this will help get you sponsors for the games Daryl."

"Are you putting a ribbon in it?" Daryl asked, seeing a flash of color in the mirror.

"Have to, like I said, you need sponsors. You and I both know the amount of tickets that have your name in that bowl." Jesus whispered as he finished the braid, the ribbon was a soft blue that matched his eyes, he also intertwined two Turkey feathers at the end. "You look great I promise."

Daryl bit his lip trying not to burst out in tears. He didn't know if he would ever see Paul or the district again.

He was also trying to ignore the fact that his brother was MIA and no one knew where he was. He was probably going to miss the reaping, Daryl just prayed he didn't get in.

That was the last thing he wanted.

Daryl looked over the braid, it was more feminine but he didn't actually mind the look. He also really appreciated the feathers. He was well adjusted in his manhood even at only 17, and he knew Paul found it cute.

He and Paul were best friends, and Daryl even had a small crush but he knew until his time in the reaping was over not to think about love or a life.

Daryl didn't know it but Paul also had a crush on Daryl.

Everyone lined up by age and gender at the reaping, the woman from the capital was dressed in a gaudy cow print dress. Daryl rolled his eyes at it, he found that the capital even after all the times they were told about their district, still only believed they had cows.

They had much more than that, they were the livestock district not the cow district. They had chickens, turkeys, pigs, cows, sheep, bulls, cows, horses, ox, and more but everyone knew them for their cows.

"I hope you all are ready for the reaping of the 42nd hunger games?" The capital woman asked, raising her arms to make a spectacle of the show.

No one cheered, she clapped regardless.

"Ladies first." The woman, Deanna, smiled while clapping her hands. Daryl saw all the girls grow stiff, Daryl grunted knowing the boys would soon feel the same way. He could almost taste the fear wafting off of the possible tributes.

"And our female tribute is..." she swirled her hand in the bowl pulling out a small slip of paper. There was almost an instant suck in of breath from every female waiting, like an audible gasp. "Andrea Harrison."

A blonde girl about his age stepped forward shaking. Daryl was sizing her up already, he felt bad about it but everyone was his enemy when it came to the games. Even his district companion. "Come on up here sweetheart."

Everyone from the capitol watched as she shakily made her way up to the woman. Daryl gulped feeling sick. "Now for our male tribute."

Paul held his breath as he watched Daryl side stepping. He knew it was coming, Paul felt his stomach drop as the horribly dressed woman stuck her hand in the bowl and pulled out a slip of paper.

"Daryl Dixon!" She yelled while holding up the paper.

"No.." Paul whispered to himself as he saw Daryl standing frozen.

Deanna called his name again and finally he made himself move. He shuffled up to the stage, Paul was in tears and his father was smiling like he had made the choice himself. "Well doesn't your hair look darling, get a close up."

Daryl was in a daze as one of the camera men grew closer, she turned him around and showed off his braid.

Daryl didn't know he was already picking up the attention of some of the capital's elite with his hair in a braid the way it was, the ribbon and feathers were a nice touch and it was rushing through the capital like wildfire. "Did you do it yourself?" She asked with a smile.

"N..no my best friend did.. he.. he works with the horses.. braids their tails a lot.. he.. he helped me." Daryl admitted stuttering. "He's real good."

"A future stylist perhaps." She chuckled, Daryl didn't hear a single laugh from the crowd but he knew all of the capital was laughing about the stupid joke.

The camera soon panned away and Deana had Andrea and Daryl scoot closer together for more shots. "Your district ten tributes." She smiled, clapping as she squeezed them both. "Andrea and Daryl!"

Daryl felt sick, he couldn't believe it.

He didn't know if he would live or die, but he knew it was going to be another hell.

Will Dixon crossed his arms with a smile on his face as Daryl was pulled away to the small cabin they had for the families to say goodbye.

Daryl sat alone waiting for Paul, he knew his father wouldn't come. Merle probably wouldn't either unless he recently came around.

He was surprised to see Merle as the door opened up. "Heard the news, I'm sorry little brother but you're dead meat. Good luck, you'll need it."

Daryl bit his lip as Merle waved to him but walked out of the room without another word. Daryl burst into tears as another hour passed.

Paul hadn't come yet, and he wasn't even sure he was going to.

As a half an hour remained before the goodbyes were to end he saw Paul enter, his face tear stained like Daryl's. "Sorry... woulda come sooner but I.. I couldn't stop cryin..."

"I'm gonna die..." Daryl whispered. "Merle said so."

"No, you're going to live and come back to me." Paul said as he pulled Daryl into a hug. Daryl held him tightly as he felt Paul press a kiss to his forehead. Daryl's face grew a deep shade of pink as he felt his lips on his face. "You're going to win the hearts of the capital and you're going to get sponsors to keep you alive you hear me?"

Daryl tried not to snort. "Yeah.. yeah.."

"Daryl... I.. maybe this is a bad time to say it. But I love you."

Daryl looked up with wide eyes. "You do?"

"I do." He tilted his chin up and kissed him for the first time. Daryl's world was turning upside down, he couldn't believe it. "So I need you to come back to me and become my husband when you get back... on your birthday you'll get a sponsor and you'll know it's from me okay?"

Daryl thought and realized he would turn 18 the sixth day of the games.

If the games lasted that long.

He'd seen a few last only a few days and others last over a month. Of course they pushed the tributes closer to each other to make the games last only a few weeks at most but he also knew some people would have strategy like he did.

He wouldn't put himself in danger unless he needed to.

Then it dawned on Daryl. "Did you just ask me to marry you?" Paul nodded and pulled a ring from his pocket, it was a simple silver band, but it meant something.

He slipped it on Daryl's finger. "I did."

"I... I will.. when I get back I will. I'll live through the games for you." He promised as he kissed Paul back before he heard a knock at the door.

"Times up."

Daryl sighed, this was supposed to last longer. "Promise me you'll stay safe, be careful okay? I love you."

"I love you too Paul." Daryl managed through tears. "I'll do my best..."

"I know you will."

Paul left after another soft kiss. Daryl was left alone once more in his own thoughts until the door opened and three capital guards helped him to the train. He saw Andrea tear stained like himself as they were accepted into the train and set together in the first cart.

This was his first step into a new world.

He just prayed he lived through it.