Chapter Twenty-One: Insanity Is All Around Us

A/N: Another update already! Honestly, your reviews really do motivate me. If I haven't said it enough already: you lot continue to be a bunch of amazing reviewers, followers and favouriters. Please keep up the good work! It's always good to know that my writing is appreciated.

All you Finnick/Elethea fans are going to be saying FINALLY! by the end of this chapter...but bear in mind that their actions will have consequences!

"Strip me, tear me apart

Break me, right from the start

Use me, fill in a hole

Rip me, lose your control."

- Strip Me, Omega Lithium

Leon's POV

The better I do in training, the less Kaya likes me – although, it's to be expected. But after what I found out from Elethea, my heart has hardened towards them all, Capitolians and fellow tributes alike. So I come with a plan, a deadly one. To make sure it works, first of all I have to befriend the tributes from Districts 1 and 2. Maybe once upon a time, when young tributes never won the Games, they might have rejected me. But by the 71st Hunger Games, things have changed.

"Leon Ambrose." I confidently hold out my hand for the boy from 1 to shake. He's a big guy, easily over six feet. I'm five foot eight and he towers over me, but he grasps my hand firmly. I don't flinch even as he tries to crush my knuckles. He's probably fifteen or sixteen and he inclines his head.

"Macklin Moro."

Okay, so it's not the stupidest District 1 name in history. I turn my attention upon his district partner. Unlike most District 1 girls who are slim and pretty, she's brutish and muscular for a girl. She's older than him, probably about eighteen. She stares at me with contempt in her eyes, folding her arms over her chest.

"Who's this runt?"

"Play nice, Umbriella," Macklin sighs. "His name's Leon."

Umbriella? Now that's a name that nearly has me laughing. These two clearly aren't your traditional Careers. Umbriella stares hard at me with her jaw clenched, daring me to mock her name. Beside me, Kaya openly smirks, tossing back her hair. She's not afraid of what anyone thinks of her. Neither am I, but I'm trying to earn support here.

"Everyone calls me Brie."

I take this as acceptance. The pair from District 2 have wandered over, clearly wary at seeing the rest of us bonding. The girl saunters over, with a big smile and a huge mass of ringlets. She's got a pixie-like figure, despite being at least sixteen.

"I'm Elsa," she says brightly, nudging the surly boy beside her. Surprisingly, he's only a year or two older than me, and probably around the same height. "This grump is Wulf."

"Wait, Leon Ambrose?" Macklin questions, as though he only just remembers my name. A grin spreads across his face. "Is your sister Elethea, the girl who won the 69th Hunger Games?"

I nod hesitantly, although I could have seen this question coming. How could anyone fail to establish a connection? Elethea and I look alike, and there can't be too many Ambroses in District 4.

"She's pretty hot," Macklin comments, glancing around and smiling smugly at his fellow Careers. "Reckon she'd go a round with me before the arena?"

Maybe Macklin doesn't know about Elethea's occupation, or maybe he does. I can't be certain, but my blood boils with fury, rising right to the surface and threatening to make me explode. I won't let this jumped-up dickhead from 1 talk about my sister like that, but I also can't afford to make enemies. He's now a part of my plan, although he doesn't know it.

"Shut up," I snap at him.

"Oh yeah, sorry." Macklin turns his attention back on me. "Forgot you were only thirteen. I won't talk like that in front of you anymore."

I stalk over to the rack of spears and heft one up. It weighs a considerable amount and by the way the other Careers have fallen quiet, they wonder whether I can do it. The muscles in my arm burn, but I've trained since I was ten. I know how to do this. I know how to win. I hurl the spear and it strikes the target dead centre, quivering slightly. I whirl around to face them, spreading my arms wide.

"So? Does a thirteen-year-old make the cut?"

Elsa claps her hands and laughs, and even Wulf is smiling slightly. In fact, it's only Kaya that's looking sour now, and I can't help but offer her a wink. If she's going to be pissed because I'm better than she is, so be it.

"You definitely do," Macklin states, nodding decisively as if his word is law.

I grin and pick up another spear, narrowing my eyes as I focus on the target. This time, I imagine it's Macklin's heart.

Elethea's POV

"I looked like a complete idiot today," Kaya snaps as she and Leon cool down from training. She's leaning against the bench sipping a cup of water. I can't help but think she's like a cat. She has slanted features, she moves with an elegant grace I can't hope to achieve. Sometimes when she talks, it's like a low purr. She glowers livid rage at my brother, but I was watching. I know why Kaya's angry, and it's not Leon's fault.

I shrug. "Maybe you should try and make some friends yourself instead of relying on Leon to push alliances."

Kaya laughs lowly. "Oh, but wasn't that the same with Dom? He was the one who made friends while you just acted like a brat. Don't think I've forgotten your Games."

Maybe she thinks that talking about Dom is going to get me all riled up, but I've learned to control the feelings that pop up when my district partner's name is mentioned. I take a deep, calming breath and count to five. I'm not going to let some know-it-all like Kaya push me into a position where I lose control.

"That's right, Kaya. But we're meant to be learning from our mistakes, not repeating them. So if you want to last five minutes in that arena, you have to put in the effort as well."

"What's going on?" Finnick enters the room and glances around, clearly sensing the tension immediately. I fold my arms and let Kaya answer, which she does by slamming her cup down on the bench and jerking a finger in my direction.

"Elethea is being a bitch, as usual."

"I'm giving her advice and she's not liking it, as usual," I reply wryly, leaving Finnick to make up his own mind.

Kaya glowers at me. "Giving me advice? For all I know, you could be younger than me. I bet you're only intending to sponsor Leon, isn't that right? Make sure your precious brother wins, but it doesn't matter if I die out there."

"That's not true, Kaya," I say harshly, although I do feel guilty that there is an element of truth to her words. I made a special deal with Hyperion, but that doesn't mean I won't look for other sponsors for Kaya. Some are more kind than others, and don't require me to sell my body to get items for my tributes.

I glance at Finnick, but there's no support coming from him. I'm instantly angry and hurt. Does he believe what Kaya is saying as well? Does he really think I want my brother to win so badly that I'm going to stack the odds high and neglect our other tribute? Finnick folds his arms, but still says nothing. I'm seething in anger and I whirl around, looking to Leon. I know that he, at least, will back me up.

"Shut up, Kaya," Leon hisses, glowering at her, "What the hell do you know about being a mentor?"

Kaya scoffs. "More than your sister, obviously."

"Finnick." I stare across at him, narrowing my eyes. Kaya is abusing me and he's just standing here watching. What is it? Why isn't he saying anything in my defense? I can't help but feel bitter towards him. "Can we talk in private?"

"Alright." Finnick shrugs, leading the way into his room. Taking one last glance at Kaya and Leon – who have taken their argument to the lounge – I follow Finnick into his room, closing the door shut behind me.

Finnick's POV

"What is your problem with me?" Elethea demands the moment she enters my room. She plants her hands on her hips and her green eyes are fierce. Damn, I knew this was coming. This is what I get for trying not to take sides. I know that if I agree with Elethea, Kaya will only think that's one more person against her. I don't want to play gang up on the least liked tribute, because that's unprofessional.

"I don't have a problem with you, El," I reply, pinching the bridge of my nose. "But I'm not about to go bagging Kaya out."

"Bagging her out?" Elethea says furiously, advancing on me. "I'm not asking you to bag out anyone, I just want some support! We're meant to work as a unit, and we're not doing that if we're divided."

"You're being overdramatic," I tell her with a heavy sigh. She feels like I'm turning on her, but it's the furthest thing from it. I'm simply trying to let her defend herself. This is something between her and Kaya, something I don't feel I have the right to intervene in.

Elethea's eyes harden and she grips me by the shoulders, shoving me back against the wall. For a moment I think she might hit me, but then she's kissing me hard, and it's pleasantly surprising, so much so that I find myself kissing back. She doesn't hate me. In fact, I'm not sure that Elethea knows exactly what she feels. I grab her arms and spin us so that she's the one pressed against the wall.

For a moment she gasps and tenses, and I think I've done something wrong and I loosen my grip. But then she's kissing me again, arms coiling tight around my neck and pulling me in close, and it's like I can't resist. I hoist her up so that she's closer to my height, and she responds eagerly by wrapping her legs around my waist. I grip under her thighs to hold her up, my lips working down her neck as she tilts her head backwards in delight.

"Elethea," I whisper hoarsely, because I know by the wild pounding of my heart that if we keep going, I won't be able to stop. "Elethea, I want you. Tell me to stop, now."

I put her down, giving her the opportunity to brush past me and leave. Instead she pushes me onto the bed and clambers on top of me, her chest pressed against mine. There's lust in her green eyes and I know for certain that she wants this too. Why deny it if it's what we both want?

"I don't want you to stop," Elethea murmurs, pulling her shirt over her head and quickly getting rid of mine as well. I sit up, dragging her into my lap and planting kisses all over her collarbone and chest. Her fingers wind into my hair and she grinds her hips against mine, eliciting a low groan from me. The little minx definitely knows how to turn me on. I roll us so that she's lying beneath me, and I reach behind her to undo her bra.

I begin fumbling around in the drawer beside my bed for a condom, but Elethea catches my wrist and raises her eyebrows.

"What are you doing?"

"Condom," I say huskily.

Elethea shakes her head vigorously. "Don't waste your time looking for one. I'm on birth control anyway."

She flings the bra across the room and takes my face in her hands, kissing me again. She tastes so sweet it's like heaven. My mouth descends on her breasts and she becomes putty in my hands, wriggling and gasping beneath me. Her small fingers trace down my arms, my chest…and undo the zip on my pants. I examine her closely, because even though there's no doubt that I've got an erection and I want her badly, I want to make sure she's 100% willing.

"Are you sure?" I ask her.

"I've never been more so," Elethea replies breathlessly, lifting her hips and shimmying out of her jeans and undies. She lies beneath me, completely naked and with her green eyes shining. I kick off my pants and press close against her, gently pushing into her as her eyes flutter closed. My lips find purchase on her neck once more, and she starts to moan as I move my hips. Her legs wrap around my waist and I run a hand through her hair and kiss her again.

It's like anything I've ever imagined, only a thousand times better. Elethea clings to me like her life depends on it, tilting her head back and letting me take control. Her nails dig into my arms and although it stings a little, I like it at the same time. She's so beautiful, and as she moans in pleasure at my movements, rocking her hips against mine, it's amazing to know that I'm the one coaxing such noises from her.

"Finnick," she whispers over and over again, "Finnick."

"Oh god." I bury my face in her neck as I feel myself starting to lose control, my thrusts becoming harder and faster. I know that I'm about to unwind completely. Her fingernails rake down my back. "Fuck. Elethea…"

Elethea's dark hair is splayed across my pillows and she's clinging to me so tightly that I know she's about to climax too. I wasn't sure, because it doesn't always happen with girls. But she cries out and shivers and I know for sure. I cling to her tightly and groan loudly as I reach my own, burying my face in her breasts and panting as I collapse on top of her. She strokes my sweat-lank hair rhythmically.

I pull out and flop beside her, pulling her to me. She snuggles close, resting her head against my chest. It was amazing, and I shouldn't want to do it again, but I do. Not now…no, I'm content with just holding the sweet dark-haired girl who's in my arms. I kiss the top of Elethea's head and judging by the lazy smile on her face, she's happy too.

"I love you," I say, before immediately tensing up and wondering whether I've said the wrong thing. Shit, that's one thing you're not meant to say after sex…but I really do love her. Sex was just something that happened, my feelings for her are what's real. But she looks up at me and kisses my cheek softly.

"I love you too, Fin."