A/N: I'm a horrible person who should go crawl into a hole and stay there for the remainder of my life. I mean seriously, I thought Finnick was hot before Sam Claflin was casted. Sam Claflin just made Finnick 10 times hotter in the movie and I have no self-control (re-watched the movie twice just to see Sam as Finnick adfsh;gsdkglh;HSGLAK). So thank you (?) Sam Claflin for finally making write this shit.

It was a sunny day out in District 4. Then again it was always sunny; even in the coolest of winter he could walk by the beach and wiggle his feet in the cool water. Today, however, instead of getting on his boat and enjoying the gentle waves and fish some catch after a long week in the Capitol; he decided to go and visit Cape Horn. It was a rocky place with certain areas that would stick out like a horn and—if you knew the area well enough—there are some crevices in which you can slide into and fall into a pool of freshwater with connecting caves to the surface.

His purpose today was to find such a crevice and hopefully enjoy some swim time. Sadly, the direction appointed by a close friend and Peacekeeper was so awful that he was sure he was at the wrong place. He could easily go through the cave and swim, but apparently it was not the same feeling as falling into the unknown. Just when he was about to give up and head back he saw a figure standing by the jutting rocks. Deciding to take his chance he called out to the figure.

The person that turned back to face her was a very beautiful girl. She waved back and walked towards him, all the while having a peaceful smile on her. He noticed her blue eyes like the sky and her hair as dark as the rocks they were standing on. Her dainty figure, billowing white dress and hair that blew to the wind made him wonder if she was a mermaid that lost her fins. A ridiculous thought obviously, but one couldn't help it in the presence of such a beauty.

She stood an arm's length apart and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "hello there Finnick Odair." Her voice was rather high pitched, but the calmness behind it gave a smooth quality that—if she tried—could seduce any man. Definitely a mermaid.

Clearing his throat he asked her, "have we met?"

"No, but I certainly know you. After all, you won the 65th games and most desired man of Panem," she let out a small laugh as if there was a joke somewhere. He supposed the joke was that he wasn't clever enough to figure out that it was only natural for people to know him. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Yes, first I'd like to know such a beautiful woman's name."

Again that small laugh—maybe it was a giggle—and she took her hand out, "Valeria Portshore. A pleasure to make your acquaintance Mr. Odair."

He took her hand and, keeping to his confident and smooth façade, gingerly kissed it. He made sure to stare into those blue eyes and he was glad that she just gave him a soft smile instead of looking away and blushing. "The pleasure is most definitely mine."

"You are very charming Finnick." She put a finger onto her lips and smiled thoughtfully, "I'm guessing you're here to do a bit of adrenaline blind jumps. Not many come here for just the view."

He liked the calm demeanour Valeria gives off, and behind the calmness he could see a gentle strength. Thinking back, never had he met someone who gave him such a strong impression. More than having her creep into his heart, she slammed full force like the harshest wind during hurricane season. He was breathless and he felt like she knew it. "I'm trying to get to the one where you need to enter through Blind Roost Cave."

She let out a laugh, "that has got to be the worst pool to jump into. The trek back out is long and the pool isn't all that nice either. If you come along I'll show you a secret place."

Being through what he was in the hands of the Capitol, he felt a guarded wall built the moment secret was mentioned and defensively asked, "is there something you want in return?"

She tilted her head to the side and smiled, "hmm, thank you for the offer, but there isn't anything that you can give me. Being friends sounds nice though."

He nodded at her and gave her a smile. She turned and motioned for him to follow. The walk there was filled with questions and answers between the two. Valeria Portshore was the eldest sibling of three. Her father was a fisherman, but after the hurricane season two years ago in which he lost his leg, she inherited his boat and went out exploring the sea as far as she was allowed. After that she decided to explore Cape Horn and all the ravine jump spots. He also found out that by the time the Reaping comes around she'd be the same age as him. She'd never volunteer for the Reaping—but if her name is called she won't let anyone go in her place. A part of him wanted to warn her about going to the Games and ending up as a Victor, however he knew the chances of her name being reaped is small.

Stopping near the edge of a ravine Valeria announced that they had arrived. She then started taking her dress off. Finnick coughed and looked away, he may not be innocent, but he had the decency and morals to respect Valeria. "You don't have to look away Finnick, I'm wearing swimming clothes underneath. If you don't want your clothes wet drop them here," she quickly tossed her gown down the crevice. She looked at her and saw her dressed in a white band around her breast and white underwear.

Finnick had to admit the she was very desirable. Definitely a prime candidate for the jobs the Capitol had for Victors and he couldn't help but send a prayer that she never has to be anywhere near the Games. He looked at her eyes and she noticed a smirk, "are you going to stare or come and join me Finnick?" Really, now she was trying to seduce him with that voice. She let out a laugh as if reading his thoughts, "come along Odair, before you fall to my seduction." He was beginning to feel glad for deciding to try these blind jumps instead of trying to calm down by the beach.

Finnick quickly took off his top and dropped it at the exact spot Valeria did. He saw her sitting by the crevice, her legs dangling into the dark unknown. She smiled at him as he sat by her side. "Just remember to always look straight ahead when I tell you to let go." And just like that she slowly settled herself between the crevices and slowly moved down by shimmying her back down followed by her hands and feet.

He followed her into the crevice. He was athletic enough to not feel tired by the movement he was doing that needed all his muscles. The crevice became darker the further down they shimmied. He turned to see Valeria smiling as she worked her way down. Trusting himself, he decided to trust Valeria in return.

Her eyes sparkled in the low lighting and there was that confident smirk on her lips. She slowly leaned close to him and whispered, "let go." Just like that she disappeared into the darkness. His heart pounded when he heard no splash after a second. Is she alright? Soon after he formed the thought, he heard a splash.

He heard nothing but the pounding of his heart in his ears. He should let go like she did. Resisting from peeking down because he knew that would just hurt his pride. He let out a shaky breath and relaxed his body. Soon after he slid down the small crevice. Remembering Valeria's advice, he looked straight ahead. The pounding in his hears grew louder. And when he thought the darkness won't end. He felt water touch the tip of his toes and he smoothly splashed into the water.

When Finnick resurfaced his body thrummed with excitement. What he just did felt amazing. He never felt as refreshed as he did in a while. It felt as though he could almost return to the time before the Games. Deciding to take a look at the pool Valeria brought him to; he was surprised to find it well lit. He had expected a rather dark place; instead he found it not a cavern at all. Behind him he saw the mouth of a cave and in front of him was a view of the sea. It was like swimming in a pool close by the ocean. It was rather breath taking. In the corner of his eye he saw Valeria swim closer to him. She turned on her back and floated calmly, with her eyes closed she said, "this is one of my secret places. Hearing the waves crash by the rocks always calms me down and when ever I feel like I need an escape I just have to look out to the sea."

That was his first experience with Valeria Portshore. Definitely one of his most memorable. After that encounter they decided to spend more time together. She was his friend and return he was hers. Every Sunday of the last month—usually after his return from the Capitol—they met up in Cape Horn and they'd do more blind jumps. He was shown a pool with crystals on the roof that seemed to glow blue and in return made the pool glow. Another one was a small cove with sand that glittered like diamonds and squeaked when walked on. Their meetings during the winter consisted of exploring the caves in Cape Horn or going to see the sea by his boat. After returning from trip with Valeria he would fall into a restless sleep, as always, but with no nightmares. A change that he would welcome. By the time the Reaping came around he was called less into the Capitol—why would they bother when he would spend at least two weeks there every Hunger Games?—and in turn he found himself spending more of his time with Valeria.

However, as all things are with him, Finnick knew that a bit shred of happiness would not last. It happened when he hear Valeria Portshore called up for the 68th Hunger games.