What started off as a casual kick-back with friends quickly turns into a huge party, beaming with life. There are so many people- some familiar, some not- that it's difficult to keep up.

Domi is sitting on the couch in the corner, drinking a margarita and worrying about Gale. He isn't in the house, and his phone is turned off. She doesn't know where he could possibly be, but she hopes that he's safe.

Finnick takes a seat next to her, already red-faced and drunk with the most ridiculous smile on his face. "D, baby, I fucking love you."

"I love you, too, honey." Domi says with a small smile. "Are you having a good time?"

Finnick turns his face away from her, staring straight across the room. Anyone who cares could see that he's hurting, but masking it with alcohol and cheap smiles. "Yeah, I'm great. Having a blast. This is exactly what I needed, you know? This is perfect."

Domi's mouth tightens into a false smile. "I'm glad to hear that, sweet pea."

"Yeah," Finnick says to himself. He's not fooling either of them, but maybe he can still distract himself. He looks around the room, observing all of the faces when something catches his eye- a pretty girl with curly brown hair dressed in a green sweater and jeans. Something about her is alluring and beautiful, but it could also be the alcohol talking. Either way, Finnick wants to meet her.

"Do you know who that is?" Finnick asks, gesturing to the girl.

Domi looks over at the bar table. "No, I don't. Why, honey?"

"I'm going to go talk to her. You know, introduce myself," Finnick explains. He gets up from his place on the couch and starts to head towards her.

"Oh… okay, honey," Domi answers with a sad frown. She's too worried about Gale to stop Finnick from doing anything stupid. When he makes his way towards the girl, she decides to leave the party.

"Hey there," Finnick coos to the girl with a seductive smirk. "I hope I'm not being a bother, but I couldn't help but notice you and wonder who this beautiful woman is and why I haven't met her. I'm Finnick Odair."

"This is your place? It's beautiful! Oh, I'm Annie Cresta. It's a pleasure to meet you," Annie admits with a shy smile.

"Annie? I like it. Cute name for a cute girl. Are you enjoying the party?"

The blush on Annie's cheeks brightens even more. "Yeah, definitely."

Several hours pass and Finnick and Annie only become closer. He touches her soft hair, caresses her shoulder. Though shy at the contact, it's obvious she's enjoying his company. They flirt for hours until everyone is so drunk, they are either leaving the party or making themselves more comfortable, becoming more intimate with one another. Finnick leads the new girl towards his bedroom, holding her hand and whispering sweet promises in her ear. They giggle in delight, both drunk and excited.

When they enter the room, Finnick closes the door and approaches Annie standing in the middle of the room. "You're so beautiful, Annie. Can I kiss you?"

With cheeks as red as cherries, Annie nods with a small smile. He strokes her curly hair, places the strands behind her shoulder before leaning in and kissing her. The kiss starts off soft, almost romantic. But after a few minutes have passed by, they become more excited and the kissing become more rough and passionate. Soon, they pull at each other's clothing, their intentions clear as day. Finnick picks her up bridal-style and carries her to the bed where he gently places her down and continues to kiss her. They both feverishly take off each other's clothing and grind against one another. They are so receptive of one another, so in tune. It's perfect.

Perfect, that is, until somebody walks into the room and gasps with shock.

Finnick and Annie look up, startled. All hell breaks loose when Gales stares at them both, his eyes wide, bright gray orbs. His face is smeared with dirt, bruises, and small trails of what appears to be blood. He's wearing torn, dirty jeans and a gray t-shirt that's torn on his left shoulder, his arms are covered in black, purple, and bloody patches. It looks like he was in a very serious fight. And his face is so white, eyes wide and wild like fire, he looks like death's soldier.

"Gale, what the f-" Finnick starts, but Gale ignores him and charges at him, crashing his body against Finnick's. His fists start flailing as fast and hard as he can manage. He hits Finnick several times and doesn't stop- even when Annie starts screaming.

When Finnick comes to his senses, realizing what's going on, he fights back. The two brawl on the ground for what seems like eternity. Annie hastily grabs her clothing and runs out of the room in a panic. She closes the door behind her, breathing in fast, sharp gasps. She covers her ears and curls her body into a small ball on the ground. Her heart races a mile a minute and she can't seem to calm herself down or call for help.

"What the fuck is your problem?" Finnick demands when he's finally gained the upper-hand, pushing Gale away from him and into a wall. They're both sitting on the ground, staring one another down. In a fit of rage, Gale punches a hole through the wall.

"I always knew you were one of them! I knew you were no good! Nobody believed me, but I see right through you, terrorist!"

"Terrorist?" Finnick screeches. "Terrorist? Really? You have gone off the fucking deep end, you know that? I knew that letting you move in was a bad idea! This whole thing was a stupid idea. You're fucking insane, and Myka's a liar, a con artist, and nothing but a good-for-nothing, back-stabbing-"

"You're blind, terrorist. And you're not going to fool me! I know what you are!" Gale yells. He lifts himself from the ground, ready to charge at Finnick again.

"Leave. Now." Finnick says simply. "I mean it. You're not welcome here anymore. Neither is Myka. Just get out and never fucking come near me again! I can't handle your shit! You have a fucking problem and you need to see somebody about the drugs."

"I'm not on anything!" Gale yells in frustration. "Why does everyone keep saying that? You're the one that's crazy!"

At that, Finnick can't help but laugh. "You really don't see how bad you've gotten, do you? You ever stop to think that all your friends and family don't want to be near you because something is just wrong with you? You're the most confusing person I have ever met and I just don't get you! You are crazy, and you're dangerous, and you're not welcome in my home anymore. Get out, never come back, and leave me and my friends alone. That means Domi, too."

Gale suddenly charges Finnick again, and they begin to brawl on the ground once more. "I know what you are! And I won't let you take Domi from me! Terrorist! I won't let you take her!"

At this point, a couple of people race into the room to find out what the commotion is about. There is a small group of people, but the only familiar face is Thresh. He quickly turns towards the crowd and orders them to leave. They follow his demands and quickly turn away.

"What the fuck is going on here?" Thresh demands after slamming the door shut.

Finnick and Gale stop fighting. They're both covered in blood, their skin already bruising from the fists and kicks they've delivered to one another. Their faces are beet red with anger, but neither of them answer.

"You know what? I really don't care. Gale, get out and clean yourself up. Finnick, put on some fucking clothes. We need to talk."

The two young men on the ground glare at Thresh, but do as they are instructed. Gale stomps out of the room and slams the door on his way out.

When all the people from the party stare at him, he glares. "Party's over. Get the fuck out! Now!"

And like terrified sheep, everyone leaves the party, too shocked to say anything.

"Holy shit, Cato. You won't believe what the fuck just happened at Ken doll's party," Marvel announces excitedly on the phone. "You would have loved it!"

"What happened?" Cato asks on the other line.

"I have no fuckin' idea, but we were all just drinking and shit and then Gale came in all black and blue and bloody, and he stormed into Finnick's bedroom and then some chick was screaming, and she came out crying, and we all heard this crazy shit like they were beating the hell out of each other!"

"Ugh," Cato scoffs. "Marv, I really don't give a shit what those two do."

"No, no, no- it was crazy! Gale looked like he was possessed or some shit and Finnick was naked! Gale totally cock-blocked it, man! It was great!"

"Gross."

"Right? Anyway, I didn't get to see most of it because Thresh came in and made us all leave. I don't know what's going on, but these fucks are definitely getting what they had coming to them for a long time."

"Did you go with Glimmer?" Cato suddenly asks.

"No. Why?"

"Just asking."

"Is Peeta with you?" Marvel retorts, a little angry.

"Yes." Cato answers simply.

Marvel rolls his eyes and lets out a sigh. He was going to accept this, but it was going to take some time. Peeta is the only one Cato spends any time with anymore, and it's a bit unfair. They're still best friends. Or, at least, Marvel certainly hopes so. "When are we getting together, man? It's been a while."

"You were just over for movies," Cato points out. When Marvel doesn't say anything, Cato understands what he means. "My head's been killing me, but we'll hang soon. How is everyone doing? Who did you go to the party with?"

Marvel shrugs his shoulders, forgetting Cato can't see him through the cell phone. "I met up with Gloss and Cashmere. They left a while ago. I just got home, myself. Hey, listen- I've got to go. Glimmer's calling. I'll talk to you soon though, right?"

"Yeah, man. Later."

When Cato hangs up, Marvel answers the other line. "Hey, Glimmer."

"Don't you 'hey, Glimmer' me, you prick! Where the hell have you been? I've been trying to call for hours!"

Maybe, Marvel thinks, he can get rid of her by just pressing the end call button. He debates the option for a moment. If he does hang up on her, he'll have to deal with her times ten later. He decides against it and indulges her instead. "Was at a party-"

"A party?! What the hell? Why didn't you bring me along? What's gotten into you lately?"

"I was with Gloss," Marvel explains. "He wanted some guy time. We were only there for a couple minutes."

"I'm sure. And I'm sure you both had a wonderful time talking to all the whores there! You are such an asshole, Marv!"

"Wait, hold on now! What did I do?" Marvel demands.

"You've been distant with me lately, and I never hear from you. And now you're going to parties and not bringing me along, and… Marvel, are you cheating on me?"

"What? No! Why would you even-"

"I'm serious, Marvel." And her words are not accusing or cruel. They're sad, vulnerable, honest. "If you're seeing somebody else, I have the right to know." She waits a moment for him to answer.

"Glimmer, I would never cheat on you. I mean, it's been rocky lately. I can't explain it, but I do care about you."

Glimmer is silent, processing the information. "What's bothering you? You can tell me. I love you."

It's the wrong words, and Marvel hates to hear them, but he knows that she does in fact love him. She may be a bit of a bitch at times- most times- but she has been there for him. She does deserve something, he decides. "There's just been a lot on my mind. My best friend nearly died in front of me, now he's never around. I feel like I'm losing my best friend. And I care about you and want you to be happy, but you want more than I can offer. I know you wanted an engagement ring, but I'm not ready to give you one. It scares me, Glimmer, because it doesn't mean I don't love you. And I don't want you to think I don't care just because I can't ask you to marry me right now."

A silence passes over them, uncertainty hanging in the air.

"Marv… do you want to breakup with me?" Glimmer asks in a soft voice.

"No, Glim, I…" Marvel ponders the question in his head. "No. I don't want to breakup with you. I'm sorry I've been distant. I just need some time."

"Okay, Marvel." And Glimmer means it; everything is alright. She does not hate him for needing this space, but she also can't help but wonder if there is something wrong with her, if she isn't enough for him. And it hurts. "I'm going to go now. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Marvel answers. "See you tomorrow."

The next morning does wonders for Peeta. His headache has vanished and he feels completely refreshed. He is surprised, however, to awake with an arm around his torso and a sleeping Cato next to him. "Cato?"

The tired blonde wakes from him slumber with a groan. He rubs his face with his hand, willing himself to wake up. "Hey, Peet. What time is it?"

"It's nine," Peeta answers. "Do you need more sleep?"

Cato shakes his head even though it's quite apparent that he probably could use a few more minutes of rest. "No, I'm fine. Are you hungry? Anything you need?"

"Well, I need to eventually get back home. We've got school tomorrow. Are you going in? I mean, after the surgery and all, do you think you'll be staying home?"

Cato shrugs his shoulders, a bit uninterested. He hates feeling locked up in any place, so he figures he'll likely go in to school tomorrow, despite the warnings to stay home and rest. "I'll take you home in a bit. I need to shower."

"Alright," Peeta nods. He hops off the bed and begins to pull the sheets and blankets into their rightful place when Cato suddenly starts undressing. "Um… do you want me to wait in the other room?"

Cato offers him a cocky smirk. "Why would you need to do that? You've seen me naked plenty of times before. Or does my nudity offend you?"

"Well, no, but-"

"But nothing. We're two grown men. Did you want to shower first?" Cato offers.

Peeta shakes his head. "No thanks. You go ahead and take your shower. I'm just going to finish packing."

A moment passes. It's quiet and eerie, and Peeta knows that Cato is approaching him from behind. He presses his face into the younger's blonde's neck and hair, breathing in softly. "Or…" Cato offers, "you could join me."

"I… what?" Peeta asks, his brain suddenly lacking in oxygen.

"Join me," Cato repeats with a purr.

"I- oh!" Peeta gasps when Cato gently bites at his shoulder blade. There are hands everywhere, and he isn't sure which belong to him, and which belong to Cato, but they feel wonderful across his stomach, his hips, and his… "Okay. Yeah… shower. That sounds nice."