The Desert's Edge ➣ Gloss/OC

My love, you are an arid summer storm;

Hello and welcome to my Gloss/OC story! I thought it would be interesting to write a story for Gloss, who is a character that is not mentioned very frequently in the books. I hope you all enjoy how I've developed his character throughout the story, as well as the original character that I created. To anyone who has read my Finnick/OC story, The Sterling Nightingale, this one is much less encompassing by comparison where it concerns the other characters and the canon plot itself. While this story will span the rebellion, the focal point is on the relationship between Gloss and Elara over what is going on with District 13, the rebels, and the other Victors.

This story is rated M due to explicit sex scenes throughout, as well as scenes depicting rape and torture. Because there are so many of said scenes, I may not always remember to add chapter warnings, so I want to extend a warning right now to anyone who is not a fan of smut. This story is definitely not for you.

Chapter One | My love, you are an arid summer storm;

"With love's light wings did I o'erperch these walls;

For stony limits cannot hold love out,

And what love can do, that dares love attempt."

2.2, 66-68 Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare

Elara Winston does not like crowds. She doesn't like a great many things, most of which bear resemblance to the city she is now in. Having just arrived in the Capitol that morning, her mood has plummeted to the very lowest point imaginable. She knows from experience that it will only continue on its downward course. She hates it here in this wayward metropolis, but she can't let it show. When the lights from the many interviews she will be filming blind her, she can't cringe. When the screams from adoring fans deafen her ears, she can't wince. There is only one reason why she likes this city, and that reason isn't scheduled to be at the Capitol for another few weeks. She's alone in this hellhole, for now.

The only other redeeming quality of her current circumstances is that she's only here for a few more days before returning to her home in District 5, which means she'll be back in her own bed, with her younger sister by her side, in no time at all.

As one of the many celebrities of Panem, Elara must do her part to appease President Snow just like all the other Victors. If that means going to the Capitol a few times each month to keep up appearances, then so be it. She's got a sister to protect, and she knows only too well what happens to family and friends when a Victor says no to the President of Panem.

Standing off to the side of the stage she's about to walk onto, Elara brushes her hands over the crimson gown her stylist, Ignatius, had concocted for her this evening. It's an eye-catching number made out of silken fabric that is artfully twisted around her body. It matches the deep red lipstick she's wearing, well as the ruby earrings twinkling in her ears. It looks nice enough, she guesses, though she'd much prefer being at home where she doesn't have to bother with all these fancy clothes – and all of these hair pins that are digging into her skull.

By the time her name is announced by Caesar Flickerman, Elara is more annoyed than nervous – a typical response from her, at this point. She's been a Victor for eight years now, and she loathes these interviews with everything that she is. But, as she paints a smile on and steps onto the stage, Elara Winston looks far more enchanting and far less likely to rip Caesar's head off, as her fingers itch to do.

She can't help it – his gaudy blue hair is making her eyes hurt. Her ears hurt, too, but she's accustomed herself to both the Capitol fanatics as well as to Caesar's ever changing fashion sense.