I got the idea for the story while reading Salt and Sunshine written by SmurfLuvsCookies. It is an excellent story. I obviously do not own the Hunger Games or any of the characters.
Finnick stands at the door of yet another hotel room. He knocks on the door with his usual rhythm of beats. In a few minutes, the door opens and a young woman with long brown hair, who doesn't look much older than Finnick, stands there with a purple robe on that matches her violet eyes perfectly. Finnick almost wants to ask if her eyes are naturally that color, but he figures that can come later.
"Come in, Mr. Odair," she says as she looks him up and down.
Finnick strolls past her and looks around the room. It looks just like one of the many other hotel rooms he has been in before. There is a bed with royal blue bedding, two chairs and love seat that provide a sitting area, double doors that lead to the balcony, a bar that is usually well stocked to add to the pleasure of the woman, and a bathroom with a rather large and well accommodating shower.
The woman closes the door and walks over to stand in front of him. She looks like she has no idea what to do now.
"So you know my name. Can I ask you yours?" Finnick questions.
"Oh yes, my name is Celeste."
"Nice to meet you, Celeste. It has a very heavenly ring to it." Finnick smiles one of his award winning smiles.
This makes Celeste smile shyly. "Yes, my mother gave me that name. She was an astronomer and loved to study the stars."
After another odd silence, Celeste shakes her head. "How silly of me. Please, Mr. Odair, make yourself comfortable. Would you like something to drink?"
"Just some cola would be fine." Finnick never drank even though most of the time he wished he could drink enough to forget these occasions.
Celeste headed to the bar to get the drinks. She poured Finnick's cola and one for herself also. She also picked up the tray of crackers, cheese, and cookies that had been placed on the counter.
When she turned around to head over to the love seat, she almost dropped the tray at the sight of the now naked Finnick lounging on the bed in amongst all the pillows. "Mr. Odair, what are you doing?" she asked, quite aghast. "I said to get comfortable; not take off your clothes."
Finnick just shrugged and climbed off the bed and began to pull his pants back on. His cheeks were a little flushed, but he did not act as if anything was wrong.
Celeste watched him out of the corner of her eye as she went to set the tray down on the coffee table between the chairs and loveseat. She had to admit that Finnick was very nice to look at with his handsome face, chiseled abs, and slender hips. She found herself feeling a little warm and tingly.
As he zipped up his pants, Finnick sauntered over and took a seat in one of the chairs and rested his feet on the edge of coffee table. "Sorry about the little peep show, but usually when a woman tells me to get comfortable, that's what she means."
"Oh," is all Celeste said as she handed Finnick his drink before picking up her own and sitting in the love seat across from him. Finnick took a long drink and then looked over to find Celeste staring at him with her violet eyes with a strange look of fascination as she took small sips from her own glass.
Finnick set down his glass and gave her one of his womanizing smiles. "So what are the plains for tonight?" he asked nonchalantly.
With eyebrows suddenly knit together and lips puckered Celeste asked, "What do you mean by plans?"
Finnick genuinely smiled at her surprised look. "What are we," Finnick motioned with his hands back and forth between to the two of them, "going to do?"
"Oh," is all Celeste said with still a little question in her voice. As she thought about it she tucked her legs up to the side. She looked down at her hands as she thought. "We could just talk," she said, glancing back at Finnick.
"About what?" Finnick asked while folding his arms over his still bare chest.
"About you or the games."
"Well, I guess we could, but you probably already know a lot about me since you are having me here tonight…"
Celeste rolled her eyes and interrupted before he could continue. "Mr. Odair, let's get one thing straight about me. I do not want you like so many of the capitol women do and I have no intentions of sleeping with you tonight. In fact it was not my idea for this night to happen at all."
"Really," Finnick sat up a little in his chair, as this had never happened. "Do continue," he said with interest in his green eyes.
Celeste put down her drink and sat up straight in her seat. "I am not looking for a lover like you because I do not need one. I am to be married in one month to the love of my life." She held out her hand, which Finnick took and found a very impressive engagement ring.
"Then whose idea was this night?" Finnick said with a tinge of amusement.
"It was my father's," Celeste said with a roll of the eyes and shake of the head. "He seems to think I need lessons in the bedroom and thought who could be a better teacher then the ever popular 'Finnick Odair'."
Finnick had to chuckle. "This is getting better by the minute."
Celeste's face hardened. "I do not see what is funny about this situation at all, Mr. Odair."
"Oh, this is a hoot if you ask me. So what does your mother think of this little arrangement?"
At this Celeste's eyes became cold as ice. Finnick thought he could see the tears forming in the corners of her eyes as she stared at the glass in her hand. Without a word Celeste set her drink down and walked out on the balcony where she stood motionless at the railing.
Finnick felt a prick of guilt even though he did not know what he had said wrong. He got up quietly and stood by Celeste on the balcony gripping the railing tightly. After a bit he finally looked over at her and found big tears slowly sliding down her cheeks. "I'm sorry," he said softly laying a hand on her shoulder with real sympathy in his green eyes, "I didn't mean to hurt you."
"It's not your fault. You didn't know what happened," she said as she turned away and wiped the tears from her face.
"What happened to your mother? Did she leave you? Mine did when I was young, or at least that's what my father told me," he asked letting his hand drop to his side.
Celeste slowly turned to face Finnick. She could tell he was really interested. "No she didn't leave she was taken from my father and I when I was five," she stared down at the lights and people bustling about below them. "My Father was the head gamemaker for many years, but then one year, I think it was the 54th games, there was trouble. The mutts that were being held for later somehow got out during the bloodbath. Only one tribute survived. That game only lasted a few hours. The capitol was in an uproar. The mistake was ultimately blamed on my father. Snow's men took my mother and we have not seen her since. Since that time I refused to watch any part of the games until I was old enough to start sending gifts to tributes."
"I'm sorry for you and your father."
"What's done is done I guess, but thank you," Celeste smiled weakly. After a minute or two she spoke again. "After my mother was gone my father and I would spend evening up on our balcony looking at the stars. It is a shame the lights are so bright here. I don't think I can see any stars."
Finnick followed her gaze upward. "Yeah, it is a shame. The stars are beautiful in district 4."
"Tell me about your home." Celeste looked over at Finnick.
"Well," Finnick thought for a moment. "I grew up on a houseboat before I became a victor. I loved swimming in the ocean. Still do when I have the chance…" Finnick told Celeste all about home. While doing so he pulled the loveseat over to the doors of the balcony so they could sit and talk while still looking out at the lights.
They talked about many other things as well. "So you said you send gifts to tributes. Would you sponsor my tributes?"
"Maybe, but I never know who I want to sponsor until I've seen how things are going."
"Let me guess. You have to see who is worthy of your gifts," Finnick's demeanor suddenly went cold as he felt a tinge of revulsion as he looked at her. I've met her kind before he thought.
Celeste crossed her arms over her chest as she met his gaze. "No, you are totally wrong about me. I don't pick tributes that I think will win. I mean I hope they will win, but that is not how I pick them."
"How do you pick who to send gifts to then?" Finnick asked coolly.
"I try to figure out who I think my gift will help the most." Finnick just eyed her suspicously as she continued. "Last year, for instance, I sent healing cream to a boy who had been badly burned. He was killed later, but at least he did not suffer the whole time."
"Do you ever send gifts to careers?" Finnick asked in a slightly softer tone.
"Just once," Celeste said with a small smile looking down at her drink. She did not wait for him to comment. "It was my first games. I was 16 and my father told me to try to make my gifts count. He said it would be like a tribute to my mother." Celeste looked over to find Finnick's eyes on her. "That year I spent all my money on one gift. Do you want to know what that gift was?"
"Yes?" Finnick said cocking his head out of interest. Perhaps he was wrong about this young capitol girl.
"My gift was a trident." Celeste paused as her words began to sink in.
Finnick looked at the floor and his eyes slowly got bigger with realization. "Wait, you sent me the trident in the arena?" He looked up to see a small smile on her lips as she slowly nodded her head. "You sent me the trident that would help me win the games." His eyebrows were still knit together as he tried to fathom it all. Finally he raised his head. "Why?"
"Because you were the underdog and needed help. I knew you would know that weapon the best."
Finnick nodded his head as his mind went back to his first games. "You saved my life many times with that gift." He looked at her and smiled with a look of new respect. "But how did you know that was the weapon for me?"
"Well, after the reapings of that game my father told me I would be allowed to send gifts that year. He told me that to be able to send gifts I would have to get his permission. He said I should learn about the districts so I could make wise choices. He gave me a book that told about each district and told me to study it. He also told me that each year I had a winning tribute that he would increase the amount I could spend on gifts."
"How often have your tributes won?"
Celeste was silent for a bit while she thought and counted in her head. "Three, but that is not why I send gifts." She shrugged her shoulders.
They continued to talk some but also just sat and watched the people below. As the night went on Finnick felt Celeste leaning against his shoulder. He glanced over and smiled as she had fallen asleep. He was not tired since he had gotten used to many late nights while here in the capitol.
In the quietness Finnick did not wake Celeste. He let her head rest on his shoulder as he continued to watch the lights of the capitol. It gave him time to think about the many things that were swimming in his mind: the impending games that were only a week away and the advice he would give to his tributes.
Only when he felt Celeste shiver and nestle closer to him for warmth did Finnick realize how cool the night air had become. He got up to pull the covers back on the giant bed. Then he walked back over to where he had left Celeste curled up on the loveseat. He easily lifted her small frame into his arms and carried her over to the bed. He lay her gently down and pulled the covers around her.
As he turned to head back to the loveseat Celeste caught his hand in her own. "Stay," she said groggily with her eyes barely open.
"Are you sure?" Finnick questioned.
Celeste only nodded then rolled onto her side as she pulled the covers closer.
Finnick walked to the other side and climbed in but lay there on his back with his head resting in his hands. He was still trying to figure out what he thought about this girl who had saved his life so many years ago and whom he had only just met. Finally he succumbed to sleep.
Celeste was the one to wake up later and lay in the covers trying to remember for sure how she had gotten to bed in the first place. The last thing she recalled she had been sitting on the loveseat with Finnick. She turned over as she felt movement next to her. She found Finnick's bare chest next to her. She frantically tried to think of what had happened before she fell asleep. They surely hadn't done anything had they? She was brought back to the present when felt Finnick move and heard him mumble in his sleep.
She opened her eyes again and looked at him to find a concerned expression on his face though he seemed to still be asleep. She watched as he clenched and unclenched his fists many times. "No, please," he murmured. "Don't hurt Annie, please. I'll do whatever you want." He began to wrestle in his sleep even more.
Celeste became more concerned as tears ran down his checks and his face contorted in as if in great pain. "No, she can't. She's very frail. She won't be able to take it."
Celeste sat up and reached over to place a hand on his arm. "Finnick, wake up," she said and shook his arm a bit. He did not wake up but only became very still. "Finnick open your eyes. It's only a dream.
Finally after some vigorous shakes Finnick's eyes opened. He took in gasping breaths and sat up, nearly hitting heads with Celeste. Luckily she leaned back just in time. She watched him silently. It seemed as if he didn't know she was there. He clutched at the sheets at his side and took several deep breaths. Sweat trickled down his face and chest.
Celeste didn't know what to say or do so she reached down and tentatively took hold of his hand that was still gripping the sheet tightly. He looked at her with confusion as if he were not really sure she was actually there. She massaged his hand to loosen the death hold he had on the sheet. "It was only a dream," she said soothingly.
Slowly his grip on the sheet loosened, but his body was trembling. Both hands reached up to grip his copper hair that was now matted with sweat. "No, that's the problem. It's not just a dream; it's my life." He rocked back and forth squeezing his eyes shut as the tears continued to fall down his cheeks. "Sleeping with women night after night. Do you know how dirty it makes me feel?" He slowly opened his eyes and turned to face her as if to make sure she was not just part of his nightmare.
"Can't you just tell them no," she asked as she put a hand on his shoulder.
He shook his head sadly. "The capitol will never let me quit. And if I refused they'd hurt Annie."
Celeste looked at him with sympathy tears welling up in her own eyes. "I'm sorry, Finnick," she whispered and leaned over to wrap her arms around him. She easily pulled him over to her so that his head rested on her shoulder. She could hear his almost silent sobs and felt a tear fall on her neck every now and then but she didn't move. In her arms was not the arrogant man that came in the door but a broken boy who had had to endure so much at a young age.
Even after his breath became even Finnick still rested his head on Celeste's shoulder. He felt comfort with her closeness and that was something he had not felt when in the arms of other capitol women.
After a while he slowly raised his head and she loosened her arms so he could sit up. "Are you okay?" she whispered. He weakly nodded. Celeste wiped away the last tear that lingered on his check.
Without any questions Celeste lay back down. Finnick followed suit. Then he looked over and hesitantly moved his still shaky hand to entwine his fingers in her hand that rested near by. He felt her squeeze reassuringly ever so lightly before he closed his eyes to try to sleep for another few hours.
When Finnick woke the next morning he breathed in deeply. The most wonderful aromas filled the air. He opened his eyes and looked around. He saw the coffee table filled with trays, which must be where the smells were coming from.
He glanced about the room, but something was wrong. He suddenly realized that Celeste was not around. He looked toward the bathroom but the door was wide open. For a moment he was worried she had up and left like he did most of the time. She had said she never intended to sleep with him. Maybe she still looked down on him for what he did. His shoulders slumped a bit as he thought of the bond he thought they had formed.
"Celeste?" he weakly called his voice still groggy from sleep. Had she really left without a goodbye? He slowly crawled out of bed and looked around. "Celeste?" he said again as he noticed the doors to the balcony were open.
When he got to the door he felt a wave of relief as he saw the familiar brown hair and purple robe. Celeste turned to Finnick and smiled. "Good morning." Then she turned back to look over the balcony. "I love the early mornings, because it is quiet. The only noise is the Avox workers. Sometimes you can even hear a bird or two."
Finnick joined her at the railing. He had never really stopped to enjoy the morning. Usually he was hurrying to leave.
Soon the smells of breakfast became too hard to resist. Plus Celeste heard Finnick's stomach growl. She turned to him with a mug in her hands. "I've been waiting on you for breakfast but couldn't resist the hot chocolate." She padded over to the coffee table with him following. She breathed in the delicious smells. "Let's eat, unless you want to shower first."
"No, breakfast sounds great."
They sat on either side of the coffee table and began to pull the lids off the trays. Under the lids was every breakfast food imaginable. "Wow, this is a lot of food. Father must have preordered it."
Soon they were both digging in. They ate in silence for a while when Celeste finally spoke. "Finnick, can I ask you a question?"
Finnick looked up to find Celeste with a serious look in her violet eyes. "Sure. Is something wrong?"
"Oh no. I was just thinking of last night…when you had your nightmare." Finnick watched her trying to recall what had happened, as she seemed a little leery to speak. "Last night you mentioned Annie. Who is she?"
"Someone very special to me,"
"Is she your girlfriend?"
"Yes, she lives in district 4. Why?"
"You just seemed very concerned for her. That's all."
Finnick looked down at his food for a bit and then looked back at Celeste. "She is very…fragile and can't handle situations like I can."
"You must love her a lot if you are willing to do whatever the capitol tells you."
Thinking of Annie made Finnick's eyes twinkle and a small smile form. "Yes, she is all I have." Celeste smiled too.
They finished their meal with light small talk. Finnick glanced up at the clock. "I should probably get back to the training center. My tributes may be wondering where I am." He pulled on his shirt and brushed his teeth.
Celeste walked him to the door. When he turned to say goodbye she put her hand on his cheek. "I am glad I got to know the real Finnick Odair, not the arrogant man that so many of the capitol women find so intriguing."
"Me too, but don't tell anyone," he winked, "I don't want to ruin my reputation." Finnick stood tall with his chest pushed out and his hands on his hips.
Celeste laughed but then looked down at the mug still in her hand. "However I am still not sure what I will tell my father."
"Just tell him you don't kiss and tell."
She only shook her head, "But we didn't kiss."
"Well, then," he said as he leaned down to kiss her gently on the lips. Celeste closed her eyes and leaned in. The kiss lasted longer than Finnick intended. He pulled away and smiled a genuine smile then winked. "I truly hope to see you again."
"Me too," Celeste whispered as she leaned against the doorframe.
Finnick turned and walked down the hall. He would never forget this capitol woman.
I would love to hear what you think. I will write more for this story but I need to finish my other one as well.