*awkwardly clears throat* Is it okay if I come back now? Will you still have me?

Finnick:

I don't think I'll ever truly get used to being blinded by the harsh hanging lights on Caesar's stage. Every time they are abruptly pulled up at the beginning of a show or interview my vision goes white, and I can feel my heartbeat in my eye sockets as I desperately attempt to maintain an unblinking smile through the pain. Today, I am thankful to have Cato alongside me. Flickerman directs his attention first to my blonde counterpart, as he is sitting the closest. This gives me time to adjust to the intensity while Cato is asked menial introductory questions. I vaguely hear a young lady scream a wedding proposal at Cato as he speaks and don't bother to hide my smirk. Before long, the attention is turned to me.

"And Finnick, how great to see you! You look wonderful, my boy! Tell me, have you been working out?" Caesar claps me on the back and feigns injuring his hand. "My goodness, I'd say you have!"

The crowd erupts into unified laughter, and I smile with them. Were I with my friends or family, I would answer with another joke or a sarcastic remark. But I'm not, and that's not who these people want me to be. And honestly, I don't want to share my sense of humor with these monsters. They've preyed on my outwardly appearance since I was fourteen, and I will not share my internal being as well. These people do not want funny from Finnick Odair. No, they want me to be sensual and enticing. And after all these years, I've learned exactly what it takes to maintain my appearance.

I dart my eyes to the floor and bite my lip in artificial modesty, then glance back up into the crowd with the most charming smile I can muster and reply, "Caesar, some might call what I've been doing 'exercise'. But really, I'm not sure I could ever really classify it as 'work'."

I finish with a wink into the crowd. No less than one hundred women desperately call out my name, each determinedly convinced my affection was directed at them. I resist the urge to laugh at their stupidity, their vanity. Beside me, Cato scoffs, but I'm the only one who hears.

"My my my," Caesar mimics fanning himself. "You two sure know how to heat up the atmosphere in a theatre. Am I right, ladies?" The crowd roars to life again in response, but Flickerman quiets them down before continuing. "Okay, okay. Let's get to the good stuff. Cato, Finnick, how have you enjoyed this years games so far?"

Cato speaks first, "Well, I can certainly say I'm impressed with all of the exquisite new training facilities built explicitly for the Quarter Quell. These tributes don't really understand how good they've got it. You should see the weapons selection they've so generously been afforded. Unbelievable, really."

Caesar nods in agreement, and I can feel Cato trying not to squirm. I know he's livid with the outcome of the games so far, but we all agreed that everyone but 12 needs to maintain a low profile. For me, this really just means not openly taking any particular stance. But for Cato and Ares, this means upholding an appearance of loyalty and gratitude to the Capitol and our charming President. I'm so lost in this train of thought that I don't notice they have both turned to me and are awaiting my answer, whether to the same or a different question I don't know.

I start to panic a little. Cato is looking at me expectantly. "Well?" Caesar prompts.

"I'm sorry. I've just been distracted momentarily. I must been caught up in the dreaminess of Cato's lovely blue eyes. Have you gotten a good look at them today? They're positively sparkling," I use one hand to turn Cato's bewildered face towards Caesar, who blinks in shock and then doubles over laughing. The crowd soon follows suit, and I'm thankful to have avoided accidentally admitting what I was really thinking.

Cato slaps my hand away from his face and rolls his eyes. Caesar beckons the camera over so that the crowd and viewers at home can get a good look at Cato's eyes. After a second of him icily staring into the camera, I might as well milk it a little. Maybe this show will earn our tributes a few extra sponsors.

"Hey! My eyes are dreamy, too!" I whine, trying to push my face alongside Cato's and into the frame of the camera. This time he pushes my face away with both hands, and I plop back down into my seat, arms crossed and pouting. Though he tries to hide it, I can see the corners of Cato's mouth quirking up into a smile.

The crowd is beside itself with laughter, and for a moment it irks me that I've drawn a bit of my comedy out for them to see. But this is better than the alternative. Caesar seems to be particularly enjoying himself, and he uses the opportunity to transition into his next question, "You two seem to be genuine friends. Tell me, is this friendship one that has translated over into your tributes this year."

Cato snaps a resounding "No." At the same time I confidently say, "Yes." Caesar quirks his head to the side out of confusion.

"What we are trying to say," I correct. "Is that our tributes have certainly met and seem to be civil, but friends may not exactly be the correct term."

"Acquaintances would work fine," Cato interjects, and I have to stop myself from rolling my eyes. I know he's trying to eliminate the idea of a romantic relationship between them, but he's going to far. I send him a scathing look commanding him to play it cool. If you tell everyone they don't know each other, no one is going to support their alliance, you idiot.

Caesar laughs. "Come on now, boys. You don't have to lie to me. I can keep a secret. I promise I won't tell."

He winks at the crowd and some giggle in response. Now is our chance to announce their alliance to sponsors. As they have made their plan to work together clear to the other tributes, announcing it now can only give them more time to accumulate resources. Before Cato can announce again that they have nothing to do with each other, I lean in conspiratorially towards Caesar and mummer into my mic, "As long as it stays between us, I'll admit there may be an alliance in the works."

"I believe there may be more than that," Caesar laughs. Cato sends him an incredulous look, which I'm sure is similar the one of total confusion on my face. His eyes light up as he realizes we are in the dark. "Why, I believe I know a secret that not even you two are privy to yet. What do you think, folks? Should I share it?"

The crowd is begging him to let us in, to let them in on his treasured secret. "Are you sure? I have a reputation as a trusted secret-keeper, you know. This could ruin me."

"I'd quite like to know," I muse aloud, and the crowd goes wild. Cato, however, looks less optimistic.

Before he can interject his opinion, Caesar shrugs his shoulders and says, "I guess one little secret can't hurt anybody."

Cheering threatens to deafen me as screens drop down on either side of the stage. A video clip cuts on and we are shown a surveillance clip of a training room hallway. This is strange. Suddenly, two figures appear at the top of the screen. They get larger and larger as they jog towards the camera, coming to a halt right at the end of the corridor where the camera is located. Finally, the faces come into focus, and my stomach lurches. Oh shit. Oh holy shit. Athena raises one eyebrow and mouths a few words, but, before she can even finish her sentence, she is cut off by Tide's lips making contact with hers. At first she doesn't' seem to understand what's happening. Then, it's like a light switch is flipped, and she buries her hands in his hair, pulling him closer. In a split second, he has pulled her off the ground, and she has wrapped her legs around his waist. They go at it like that for what feels like two whole minutes.

This is where the video ends, and, in the half second that follows, a several thoughts flit into my mind. A part of me can't help but be proud of Tide. He is my younger brother, after all. At least no one can accuse him of being afraid. At the same time, I remember how happy Cato had been with her this morning, and my heart breaks for him. Then, I register that Cato is no longer breathing. In fact, he's turning quite an extraordinary shade of pink. Next, I consider the fact that if Cato makes it through this interview without strangling Caesar, his next target will be Tide. How much damage can he actually do the night before the games? I mean, they won't let Cato kill him… Right?

Only now do I realize that Caesar and the rest of the crowd are staring, anxiously awaiting our opinions. I sneak another glance at Cato. Huh. I didn't know a person could turn that color purple. "Well," I clear my throat. "I don't think either one of us saw that one coming."

I give a half laugh, and slap Cato on the back, frantically hoping to physically knock some air into him. He sputters and jaggedly inhales, finally tearing his eyes from the screen where the image of Athena and Tide kissing, her legs wrapped around his waist and his hands cradling her bottom. For a moment, I think he's going to lose it right here. But he closes his eyes, swallows, and clears his throat. When he opens his eyes again, he appears calm and collected, but I can see the anguish behind the face he is putting on. He smiles, and it almost hurts me just to watch. "And I thought she was coming home flushed from training because she was tired from a workout."

The tension in the air is broken as everyone succumbs to laughter again. I even force out a shaky laugh or two. Caesar smiles, "I think it's safe to say we can expect an interesting games from your districts this year! Unfortunately, that's all the time we have for this afternoon, but I'll have you two back up here plenty over the next several days. And don't forget! Come back and see us in three hours for the much-anticipated interviews! Who will steal the show this year? Will it be our lovebirds for the second year in a row? Perhaps the formidable Cassius or the lovely Sapphire? And, we will finally get to sit down with the one and only Primrose Everdeen, sister and inspiration to the Girl on Fire! It's going to be a great day, Panem. Happy Quarter Quell! And may the odds be ever in your favor!"

With that, the stage lights come down and we are quickly and quietly ushered off stage to an invisible yet thunderous applause. Caesar makes his way over to us, offering a warm and genuine smile. "I'm sorry, boys. I genuinely thought you knew. I didn't meant to catch you off guard."

I offer a small smile in response, but Cato has already pushed passed the film crews in a furious beeline to the elevators. Great. Here we go.

Athena:

"Turn," My stylist, Reina, commands. I resist the urge to sneer at her. I hate this. I hate to be ogled as if I am a bird in a cage. After two more spins, she holds up a hand to stop me. "So, your final decision for your angle was aloof?"

"Yes," I reply simply. I can feel goose bumps rising on my skin. Standing here naked and exposed makes me uncomfortable. Only one person has ever seen me this way before now, and his looks were always far more distracting. Before I realize it, I've allowed myself to lazily drift back into thinking about last night and this morning. My heartbeat picks up speed when I think about the coming night and the possibility of spending it with him again.

During my musings, my prep team has been putting the finishing touches on my body, make up, and hair and then fully dressing me for the evening. "Miss Laud," Reina demands my attention yet again. "I believe I have outdone myself this year, which is actually quite a feat. Continuing my brilliant theme of your namesake goddess, you will be transformed from the actual human representation of her that you were in your chariot, to a transcendental creation."

"I'm not sure I understand," I say. She scoffs and claps her hands. In scuttles my prep team, giddily pulling a large frame along side them. When they come to a stop in front of me, I am enthralled by the splendor of the portrait.

The girl standing in front of me is almost otherworldly beautiful. Her dress is a deep navy blue; it would appear black were it not for her mildly tanned skin. The front has a high neckline that reaches all the way to the hollow of her throat, but there is no back to be spoken of. From the shoulder blades to the dimples in her back are entirely exposed. It is full length, touching the tips of silver, high-heeled toes in the front and opening into a pooling train in the back. But the most stunning part of the dress is the diamonds that coat nearly every inch of it. They even extend up into her hair, which is done in a voluminous side braid that accentuates natural curls. Her eyes are a brilliant crystalline blue, surrounded in white shimmer shadow to make this stand out without creating a sensual affect, and her lips are a natural pale, glossy pink.

I stare at her for a moment, taking it all in. Then, when I go to move, she girl moves with me. I pause, and she does the same. It takes me several seconds to realize that this is not a painting at all, but a mirror. My jaw drops. This is being cannot be me. I am far too plain to be confused with this astonishing creature. Yet she continues to move with me, and I accept that it must be me. I'm at a loss for words. Luckily, Reina seems to have enough for the two of us. "Twist and turn in the light, and tell me what you notice about these gems." She tells me what I am looking for I can guess. "These gems, they do not glow or sparkle or glitter. They twinkle, as if emitting their own source of light."

I stare at her incredulously. I have spent my life learning to disembowel and murder, and she expects me to understand the difference between "glittering" and "twinkling". I cannot help the giggle that escapes my mouth. Reina scowls.

"You foolish girl. They are stars! Constellations, if you will. You are no longer simply a goddess, you are a physical piece of the heavens plucked from your place beside the moon and sun. You grace these earthly beings with your presence this evening. How's that for aloof?" She cries before tossing her pink, shimmering hair over her shoulder and sweeping out of the room.

In this moment, I feel guilty for upsetting her. It really is brilliant, magnificent even. My prep team steals one last proud look before dismissing themselves, informing me that my mentor and trainer will be here to collect me in about an hour. I resume examining myself in awe in the mirror. Five minutes do not pass in their entirety before I hear shouts coming from the hall. Though muffled through the door, I can hear two voices arguing, and they're getting closer.

"He's lucky that's all that he got!"

"Lucky?! He'll be lucky to see out of it tomorrow! You know, tomorrow? The start of the Hunger Games! You could have really hurt him! He would never be able to protect himself injured!"

"Do I look like I give a fuck if he can defend himself?! I hope he gets bloodbathed!"

Abruptly, the door to my dressing room is ripped open and in bursts an extremely angry Cato and a very perturbed Finnick. Cato freezes when his eyes fall on me, and I see it happen all over again. I can see his breath stop in his throat and his eyes fall down my frame in adoration. My heart swells. This is it. This is the look he used to give me before, before everything was ruined. Finnick has skid to a halt behind him, with both hands raised as if he's afraid Cato's suddenly internalized rage will cause him to explode.

Then, Cato's worshiping expression transfigures into one of pain, followed by sadness and rejection. Finally, rage and hatred refill his features, and it terrifies me. Part of me muses that he's the only one, the only thing that can really scare me anymore. He yanks Finnick out of the doorway, turns, and deadbolts us in. My heart is thumping loudly behind my ribs, begging for an explanation.

"Sit." He growls through clenched teeth, and I somehow know he's not talking to Finnick. Yet, I don't move. His jaw tightens, "Athena Laud, sit your tiny ass down right this second."

"No." My voice is stronger than I had thought it would be. My mind is racing. What's happening? What has changed from this morning? Is it possible I imagined it all? The apologetic half smile Finnick gives me tells me it was real. He slides quietly out the door, leaving it unlocked behind him and leaving us alone together. But I still don't understand. Before I realize what's happening, my feet are pulling me toward him until we're standing face to face. His eyes are moving back and forth between anguish and rage.

I raise my hands and place them on his chest, "Baby, what's wro-"

He cut's me off by stepping around me towards the monitor on the wall. He makes a selection on the tablet beside the screen before turning to face me. I'm watching a clip of what I assume to be his interview from this afternoon. The crowd is watching anxiously as screens are lowered on the sides of the stage. When the image of the hallway appears and two figures come jogging toward us, the air leaves my lungs. By the time we finally kiss, I have already crumpled to my knees on the floor.

"Please, stop the video," I murmur into my hands, trying desperately to stop the inevitable tears from falling and ruining my stage ready make up. "Please stop the-"

"I heard you the first time," He spits. I flinch at his words. "What? You can't watch it? You did it!"

"Please!" I scream, sitting up but still not finding the strength to rise again. "Cato, please. I'm so sorry. But you knew. You knew he kissed me."

"Are you fucking kidding me, Laud?!" He bellows, pulling me up from the floor roughly by my arms and pointing vigorously at the screen. "That's not a goddamned kiss, Athena! He's holding you up by your ass, and you've got your tongue stuck halfway down his throat. Christ, were you trying to touch his tonsils? Since when did you become such a slut, Athena. Is this how you became when I left? Do you just give it up now to any guy who'll tell you you're pretty? Maybe it's a good thing I left."

I feel my knuckles crack as they make contact with the side of his face, and I'm not sure which hurts more: my pride, my heart, or my hand. I clamp my jaw closed, "Get out, Cato."

He looks back into my eyes, and I see realization wash over him. "Athena, I-"

"Get. Out." I repeat harshly, closing my eyes and turning my face away. I'm still trying to process what he has just said to me, but my mind refuses to believe it. Quietly, I turn to go back into my private makeover quarters. "I hope you can live with those words being the last you ever spoke to me if I die tomorrow morning."

He whips me around and I now see choking panic in his features, but I'm too hurt and angry to care. "Athena, no. I'm so sor-"

"I believe she told you to leave." We both turn to see an extremely pissed Ares standing in the doorway, arms folded over his chest. He heard. He scowls, "Porcius, you're lucky I've let you live this long after the statement you just made. You have fifteen seconds to leave before I decide to stop being so kind."

"Ares, we just need a minute," Cato's voice sounds slightly hysterical. "What-"

"Cato, please," I whisper, barely audible. I can't bring myself to look at him, but I can feel the electricity between us dim as he leaves the room. Ares and I stand quietly together for a moment before I finally mumble, "I'm fine."

"Okay, Thena," he whispers, but he's still looking at me like a wounded animal. "Do you want me to kick his ass?"

"I can do it myself," I state defensively.

The corner of his mouth twitches up into my favorite crooked smile, a Laud family signature. We stand there for a moment more in silence before there's another knock on the door. Finnick steps in first, looking worse for the wear than he did this morning. He is followed by Tide, whose eye is already almost entirely purple. He smiles at me anyway, and in a way it almost makes him more handsome. Rougher around the edges.

The air is thick and silent for a moment before Finnick finally speaks, "So… does this mean I get the next kiss or?"

And I can't help but laugh.

So after some really terrible reviews from the last chapter, I got really very discouraged about this story and couldn't find the motivation to really keep it going. But after much consideration (and maybe a kind message or two. thank you. you know who you are) I have decided to finish this story. I'm very very sorry to the people who were genuinely interested in updates, and thank you so much to every one who has stayed with me this long. This time, I pinky promise not to leave.

If you're still out there, I'd love to here from you (especially if you've been here since the beginning). Until next time!

xoxo