Chapter Six

'I'm going to be sixteen tomorrow.' Katniss thought while her hand ran over the seashell in her hand. It was coarse on one side, the other smooth like silk. It reminded her of Finnick, whose hands were calloused from days of training with his trident. While his chest was as smooth as marble. His stylist was sure to keep up on him whenever he was whisked away back to District Four. He always smelt of the sea, and Katniss wished they could spend more time there.

The ocean was as big and blue as she dreamed. Finnick took her sailing, as promised, and they would fish. Ocean fish were a lot different from those in Twelve. They were vibrant and lively. Finnick and her had to mirror this there. At home, home was her Finnick. He was calm and quiet. Not touching her every second, and smiling for cameras he knew were everywhere. His smiles were true and they lit up his face.

She liked the Finnick who walked with her to The Hob. The one who ate Greasy Sae's cooking and told her how her beef was better than the Capitol's. The one who spent ridiculous amounts of money buying treats for the starving children. The Finnick that hunted with her in the woods, smelling of the salty ocean and the oak trees, and moss. The Finnick she loved best of all was the one who held her in his arms so tight she felt nothing could hurt her. Not President Snow, not the Games, and not her nightmares.

Katniss wondered if she would have fallen in love with anyone that spent as much time with her as Finnick had. She might, she reasoned, if they understood her like he did. Or if they treated her as an equal like he did. Or if they chased away her nightmares like he did. Then again, he had been treating her much like a child the last two years. Probably more so since their interview.

He was much older than her. He would be twenty-three in June. Her mother disapproved. He was the most handsome man in all of Panem. His bronze hair so perfectly curly, she regretted the height difference because she rarely was able to touch it. His eyes were so brilliantly beautiful, especially when he smiled. She stared at them whenever he was not looking. His lips, she had been studying those lips for years. They way he smiled, the way he ate, the way he frowned, the way he laughed. She wanted to know how those lips of his kissed.

His body, still battle honed and chiseled, was enough to make her blush fully clothed. At night when he slept without a shirt. Katniss let lose an involuntary shiver. Well she stopped sleeping in his arms as much. She had caught her hands moving on their own, touching him. Things became awkward, so she decided they would talk until the first yawn and then go to bed separately. It was only over the phone they slept together now.

Katniss knew what was happening, she was attracted to her handsome Finnick. Always had been if she were honest. She noticed he was attracted to her as well. She had grown another two inches and at five foot seven she was as tall as she would be. Her body had curves instead of being the tiny stick most girls of the Seam her age seemed to be. She was blossoming into a woman. Finnick's sea green eyes showed hunger the last time she had been to Four. They were walking on the beach, and her top clung to her from the ocean spray. His eyes traveled her up and down. The look only lasted a few moments, but it happened.

'How long has he been looking at me like that? How long have I been looking at him like this?' She wondered to herself. She continued fiddling with the seashell. She heard her mother calling her name and rolled her eyes. She was sitting on her porch staring at the sky.

"Katniss I need to speak with you." Her mother, opened the front door. "Come inside dear."

Katniss did as her mother asked, only because moping and thinking about Finnick was not going to bring him to her any sooner. "Yes mother?" She asked, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

"I wanted to talk to you, about boys."

"Goodbye mother." Katniss stood up with a blush on her face and was about to run from the room.

"That is exactly why you should not be thinking about Finnick Odair."

Her mother's words stopped her dead in her tracks. She whirled around and glared. "Mother, I've been considered an adult for four years. I think I can make my own decisions."

"Katniss, he's a man and you're still a girl. He'll want things from you, and then he'll break your heart."

"You don't know him!" She was screaming, glad Prim was still at school.

"He's done it for years."

"He stopped for me!"

"And when he gets tired of you he'll go back to it."

"He's always treated me different. I'm special to him mother. He stopped that years ago. We've been with each other since I won my games."

"He has helped you, but I don't think his reasons are unselfish."

"I trust him more than anyone!"

"Why, why would you trust him over your own mother?"

"Because you abandoned me and Prim, and he never has. He made clear if he had to be away, and then we talk every single chance we got. Now that's pretty much everyday. He understands me!"

Her mother flinched. "Katniss, I, I just needed medicine. The depression was too much I lost-"

"You lost the man you loved. Prim and I lost our father and our mother. Not to mention the children we've lost. I've lost six children mother. I watched six children die and it was my fault. Haymitch, he's lost forty five kids over the years, and Finnick has lost eighteen. They may not be our own children, but they may as well be. So don't lecture me on depression. You left your eleven and seven year old daughters to starve and die. I saved us. I'm why we live in this house. I'm why we have enough to eat. I'm why we're alive." Katniss words were harsh.

"Katniss-"

"No mother, if I want to daydream about Finnick Odair I will. If I want to give him my kisses, I will. And if I want to be his girlfriend I will." Katniss declared stomping her foot.

Haymitch coughed. "And here I thought you'd let me chase him off once or twice for fun sweetheart."

Katniss turned and she smiled running to hug him. "Maybe, but only for fun."

Katniss' mother started to open her mouth when Haymitch shook his head. 'You can't change her mind. Accept it, accept her.' He mouthed while holding the angry girl in his arms.

Katniss mother stalked out of the room and locked herself away in her apothecary. "Thank you Haymitch."

"She loves you."

"I know."

"Try being nice to her sweetheart." Haymitch advised.

"Maybe tomorrow."

Haymitch plopped down on the sofa in the living room and turned on the television. "Can't you watch TV in your own home?" Katniss wondered.

"Sure, but I can't when you're screaming at your mother loud enough to wake the dead."

Katniss had the good sense to flush. "You came running when you heard my screams?"

"Only to shut you up." He was smirking at her. "Tomorrows going to be a big, big day." He called out in his best Effie impression.

Katniss rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah?"

"You'll be all grown up." Haymitch was evasive.

"You're worried about Finnick too!" Katniss groaned.

"Hold your horses sweetheart. I happen to know that man would die for you. I just don't want you to rush into anything that's all."

Katniss sat next to him and laid her head on his shoulder. "I'll always be your little girl."

Haymitch bit down telling her she should say that to her mother. "Did your mother have the talk about boys with you yet?"

"Goodbye Haymitch!" Katniss growled. She stood up as fast as she could. 'Why does everyone want to have this talk today?'

"Kidding sweetheart." Haymitch gave the spot next to him a pat.

"Anything good on TV?" Katniss decided to forgive him, and took the offered seat. She chose not mention it was her house, and she could sit or stand wherever she wanted.

"Nope, but I hear tomorrow there's going to be this big party tomorrow. Everyone who's anyone will be there. Even Finnick Odair!" Haymitch played Effie again and Katniss started laughing.

"Really, the Finnick Odair! Oh my I hope it's not too late to get an invitation?"

"Sorry sweetheart. The list was tight."

"Maybe you can take me and I can meet him?"

They were rolling on the couch laughing, and Haymitch smiled at his surrogate daughter. "Tomorrow everything starts changing.

"You think things will get better?" Katniss wondered.

"One day. One day, things will be perfect." 'Once the Capitol is gone.'

"Who knew you were such a dreamer Haymitch?" Katniss punched his arm lightly.

"Don't dash my dreams the rivers will flow with alcohol."

They were still laughing when Prim came home from school. She ran to Katniss and hugged her. "Is he here yet?"

"Nope, he'll be here later tonight. I'm not sure which of the Everdeen girls love fish boy more?"

"Katniss!" Prim laughed. "Katniss loves Finnick more than I do."

"Yes, but I love you the most little duck." Katniss ruffled her hair.

"You're going to marry him and have his babies though."

Katniss was shocked something like that was coming from her mouth. She mirrored most of her innocence after Prim when she was in the Capitol after all. The words clicked in her head and Katniss frowned at the thought of marriage. If she married Finnick, Panem would expect children. Katniss wondered if she could put up with the act long enough for Prim to avoid a reaping. She could not do it long enough to get through reaping of any child, or even multiple children. Just to stay in President Snow's good graces to keep them safe too. 'No, I won't marry him, but I could be happy with just him.'

Finnick often talked about having a family. His children would fish and hunt and be so beautiful. Katniss had a feeling even then, he was thinking of having kids with her one day. He was so obvious about his feelings. She would have to be deaf, dumb, mute, blind, and dead not to notice. Though it did take her quite a few years to realize this. Even with Madge telling her Finnick was in love with her. 'I'll have to tell him. Maybe one day we could. But not until long after Prim is safe.' Katniss decided, 'or there are no more Hunger Games.'

"Who said anything about babies!" Haymitch grumbled. "I'm tossing that fish boy right back on that train!" He saw Katniss' frown. He knew marriage would be a hard sell. Worst comes to worst, they would tell her Snow wants it. Or Prim would be in danger and Finnick has to go back to whoring himself.

"No! We haven't seen Finnick in a month." Prim begged.

"Only if you promise no more talk of babies." Haymitch held out his hand. The little darling shook it firmly.

"Deal. Where's mom?"

"We had a," Katniss paused, 'fight so bad I told her what I thought of her and she ran off? No.' "Disagreement." Katniss settled.

Prim frowned. "About Finnick?" Katniss nodded and Prim threw her hands in the air. "Everyone knows Finnick loves you."

"She's just being a mother." Haymitch tried to pacify the two stubborn Everdeen girls.

"I'm going to go do my homework."

"Need any help little duck?" Katniss wondered. "It'll be the last year I can help." Prim would have attended school longer than her soon.

"I'll be alright." Prim went up to her room to study and finish her homework. She wanted to enjoy her sister's birthday party tomorrow.

They both watched her leave with a smile. "Cinna should be here in the morning. He wants to make sure you look beautiful. Effie is coming too."

Katniss elbowed him at the mention of her name. "Oh, excited?"

"Please," he groaned, but smiled with his eyes. "Wanna take bet's on the color of her hair?"

"One week of sobriety if her hair is pink. I pick the week."

"One month of you not pestering me about my drinking, purple."

They shake on it. "Deal."

"No calling Effie to change her hair!" Katniss warned.

"Same to you too."

"What if it's something else?"

"Effie wins I guess."

Katniss shrugged. "Seems fair."


They both zoned out and watched television until dinner. Katniss' mother was subdued, but kept her opinions to herself. Everyone knew who the real matriarch of the family was. Dinner was a peaceful enough affair. Prim was so excited she kept staring at the door. Katniss was too nervous to look. Haymitch rubbed his eyes, because the Everdeen girls were far too much at the moment. Their mother had gone back into her little shop to make medicine. Thus avoiding any fights. She tended to shut herself away when Finnick came around. Katniss would not tolerate her mother bad mouthing Finnick in her home, in his presence especially.

When there was a knock on the door Katniss stood, but Prim was racing to the door. "Finnick!" She cried as he opened the door and threw herself into his arms.

"Hello there little duck. How are you today?"

"Good, we've missed you Finnick. Especially Katniss." She whispered.

"I've missed you both too. Especially Katniss." He shared the obvious like it is the most conspiratorial thing he had ever done.

Prim took his hand and lead him to the couch. Katniss was trying to keep herself from jumping into his arms. Haymitch smirked. "I swear Odair, all they can talk about is 'Finnick this' and 'Finnick that.' It'll be nice to finally have a conversation." Katniss and Prim both shot Haymitch matching glares. "See," he pointed at them, "she's even got Prim doing that death stare now." Katniss and Prim rolled their eyes. "She's been mirroring her sister for months now its creepy."

Finnick left his bags by the door and picked up Prim and twirled her around. She began laughing and giggling. "Maybe you just make Everdeen's grumpy."

Haymitch threw his hands in the air. "You deal with them then. I'm going home for a drink."

"You mean a shower and laundry." Katniss smirked, her eyes knowing. "You want to make a good impression on Effie."

Haymitch gave her his own glare, but they both knew the truth. "So she won't yell at me again. Yeah, I like my eardrums as they are thank you." He smirked and headed to the door. "You girls play nice."

"We will." They chorused. They were his precious daughters, and he loved every bit of their sass.

Prim turned to Finnick with a big smile. "Did you bring me anything?" She held her hands to her chest and beamed up at him expectantly.

"I thought it was your sister's birthday tomorrow little duck." Finnick smiled and ruffled her hair while pulling out a bag of saltwater taffy. "How did you know I would bring you a present too?"

"Because you're Finnick." Prim laughed and popped a candy into her mouth.

Katniss kept quiet and just watched her family interact. They were the most important people in her life. She was not at all nervous seeing the man she loves. Not a bit. Nope. "How has school been little duck? Good grades I hope."

"I've got straight A's!" Prim shared with pride. She noticed her sister was being oddly quiet and pushed Finnick to sit next to her. "Sit down, I've loads to tell you."

Finnick followed her order and sat himself next to the Everdeen he loves most. He pulled the blonde ball of energy onto his lap. He laid one arm on the back of the sofa, and left it up to Katniss to seek his comfort if she wanted. "Oh, and how is Rory doing?"

Prim blushed, and quieted herself. "Prim, and Rory?" Katniss asked.

"Finnick! You promised it was our secret."

"Sorry little duck. I can't keep my mouth shut around my kitten." He felt Katniss lean into him, and he brought his arm down to rub her back.

"Primrose, what have you been doing with Rory?"

Katniss' motherly tone sent fire running through his body. 'She's going to make one hell of a mother.'

"Nothing!" Prim exclaimed.

"That's not what I heard." Finnick teased.

"What have you heard?"

"Oh no, I'm staying out of this one."

"Finnick, you're so mean."

"Then you should have told her."

"Told me what?" Katniss tried to lean back now, as she wanted them to know she did not like this secret one bit.

Finnick kept hold of her and continued drawing patterns on her back. "Try not to sound so upset and maybe the little duck will tell you."

"Fine."

"Rory and I held hands yesterday." Prim admitted and was blushing so much, her ears were turning red.

Katniss laughed and pinched her little ducks cheek. "Is that all? Here I was worried, since it was a secret," she puts emphasis the word. "I thought you were doing something bad. I think its cute you and Rory."

"Really? Rory was sure you'd be mad."

"Why is that little duck."

"You yelled when Gale tried to kiss you."

Finnick froze at this bit of information. 'Someone else tried to kiss her?' He was suddenly upset and hurt. He tried to reason that anyone would have to be dead to deny how amazing Katniss was. He still felt hurt. "So Gale kissed you?"

Prim wisely knew she needed to leave them alone. "I'm going to go read upstairs for a while. Make sure you come up and say goodnight later."

"Of course little duck, we'll tuck you in." He promised and watched her slide off his lap and scamper us the stairs.

Katniss, frozen because her sister has turned everything on her, tried not to panic. "She really missed you."

"I can tell. So, how was it." He cursed himself for asking. 'You don't want to know. Stop bringing it up.'

"How was what?"

He gave her a hard look. 'Is she giving me an out?' "The kiss with Gale." 'Stop asking!'

"We never kissed. He tried and I broke his nose. He's still sore with me." Katniss admitted with a laugh. "He's been pouting ever since, refusing to go out hunting together."

Finnick felt his body relax. "I wish I could have seen that." He could not stop his laughter.

"Oh ha ha. He is my friend you know."

"I know." Finnick's words made her stop glaring and she looked at him.

"You were jealous. You though I kissed him, and were jealous." Katniss' eyes lit up at the thought and she smirked at him. "Maybe you should hurry up before someone beats you to it."

Finnick looked at the TV and blushed. "You're still-"

"You're really holding on to that whole 'until I'm sixteen' thing. Aren't you? You've got a few hours to go. Maybe I'll go kiss Gale then." She teased, because watching Finnick squirm was too adorable. She liked having the power to drive the sensual handsome man a little crazy.

"You are staying right here with me." Finnick pulled her closer.

"See, jealous."

"Who wouldn't be? Katniss you have no idea what you do to me." Finnick groaned, because she had been an adult mentally for the last four years. She was going be a woman in a few short hours. He left months ago because it was too tempting to be around her. She had grown so much from the tiny little fireball who was reaped four years ago. She was more breathtaking every time he looked at her. He loved her, and soon he was going to let himself love her as a man loved a woman. Not a friend, or protector, though that relationship would always be there. He was going to love her like he had loved no one else. 'If only she would quit teasing me and just wait.'

Katniss kept quiet for a few minutes. She watched his inner turmoil. "That was the first time you've called me Katniss, in a long time."

Finnick glared at the clock on the wall and willed time to speed up just for a few hours. "That is your name."

"No, my name, or rather the name you use, is kitten. You've never elaborated why."

"Kitten-"

"I know about what Snow made you do."

The bomb had gone off, and thankfully the sexual tension with it. "I, wha, how?"

"Haymitch let it slip while we watched what happened to Johanna's family. Later she confirmed Snow tried to do it to her."

Finnick looked, really looked into those fiery soulful eyes he loved. Katniss knew about what Snow did to him, to all of them. She knew and did not judge him. She was pissed about it. She knew, and flirted with him, held his hand, spoke with him, treated him the same as she always had. 'Did she know about the wedding?' "So you know-"

Katniss placed her fingers on his lips. "I know what he made you do, and I'll never let him do it again." It was so quiet he barely heard her, but the fire in her eyes spoke volumes.

"Katniss, I," he could not bring himself to tell her. He loved her, and did not want to risk the truth separating them. Snow asked him to woo her and bring her into his clutches. Finnick did not want that, he did not want his beautiful Mockingjay to be the Capitol's symbol. He fell in love with her the moment he saw the fire in her eyes. Snow never needed to ask him to pursue her, he would have done it himself. At least with Snow wanting this he had the freedom to pursue her.

He watched as her face came closer. Finnick let go, the Games ripped the innocence from a person. Victors, no matter the age had seen the worst of life, and would forever live with the pain. He was not some sick Capitol freak who wanted her. He was Finnick Odair the man who swam in the ocean. She was Katniss Everdeen, the woman who hunted in the trees.

His hand reached to her face, trembling. She caught him off guard, blasting her way through the walls that safeguarded his fragile heart. She looked at him the way he always dreamed someone would look at him. He pulled her face closer, his breath mingling with her own. Understanding, compassion, a lot of attraction because he was handsome, and love. True, pure, innocent love. His lips ghosted over her own, and a spark ran through him. His hands buried themselves in her dark locks and all the waiting, and frustration could never have prepared him for this. Happiness.

Katniss placed her hand over his heart and felt the rapid pulse mirroring her own. He was as scared as she was. He had loved her as long as she had loved him. She loved him the moment she learned he was her boy with the bow. She gripped his shirt with her hand and pulled herself onto his lap. He had watched over her, protected her for years. He had calmed her nightmares, fought off all her fears. He had been there whenever she called, whenever she needed. He had loved her, as no one else could love her. He was her Finnick, and she his Katniss.

Their lips parted, and were both left gasping. "I love you Katniss." Finnick whispered on her lips. "I've been waiting for four years to love you like this."

Katniss leaned her forehead on his. "I love you too Finnick. But I'll never be able to be a wife and have your children. Not as long as there are Hunger Games, not as long as Prim is in danger. But I will love you, and only you."

Finnick wanted to tell her she had to. She had to marry him, Snow, the Capitol, everyone since that interview expected her to marry him. 'Damn them to hell.' "I will be with you always." The mood was heavy and he could not help but try and lighten it. "You'd be a fool to leave the Finnick Odair anyways." He looked into her eyes a gave her a roguish smirk. 'I'll worry about convincing her later.'

"We'll you'd be an idiot to mess things up with the Girl on Fire. Hell hath no fury." Katniss teased him.

The gongs of the grandfather clock began, and they counted them together. "Happy birthday Katniss." He gave her a peck on the cheek. "You always get your way."

Katniss showed him her brilliant smile. "I do, don't I?"


Katniss was sad to watch Finnick go back to District Four, but the Reaping was next week. He had to be present for them. She walked home singing to herself. Everything was as good as life could possibly get. She was not worried about Prim. She has done everything Snow has asked. Her sister would be safe. She smiled as she reached her house and saw Haymitch. He looked at her with pity. He has never once looked at her like that. That was not entirely true. At least he has not looked at her like that since that one moment on the train. That day four years ago, the day she was reaped. Something clicked in her mind. She gasped, and ran to him.

"No, no he won't send him back to those women!" Katniss screamed.

Haymitch shook his head. "I'm not sure, but this came for you. Finnick made me promise me to pretend like everything was fine. You deserved to see him off happy, to be happy, before this all starts. I'm so sorry sweetheart."

Katniss took the bouquet of roses and read the card attached.

Miss Katniss Everdeen,

I do so hope you'll consider rethinking your stance on marriage. I would hate for Mr. Odair to stray. Do think carefully my dear, our actions have consequences. Happy Reaping Day. May the odds be ever in your favor.

President Coriolanus Snow

Katniss screamed. 'Prim is going to be reaped! He might take Finnick away!' She turned to Haymitch, following him into his house and hissed. "What are we going to do?"

"We're going to start an innocent little rebellion. You do what I say when I say and we'll bring the Capitol to their knees." Haymitch glared at the flowers and threw them into his sink and lit a match. Katniss' eyes grew dark as she watched the petals burn. She glared with all the hatred in her heart at them, and what they symbolized.

Haymitch watched the hate, rage, and rebellion rise within his daughter. 'You've just created a monster Snow, and she'll be coming for you.'