Chapter 25: Will You?

The sun had just set, its rays finally descending from its spot on the president's walls. Snow leaned back against his plush seat. His granddaughter playing with her dolls in the corner. On his holographic screen the latest 'Life of a Victor" played out. This time he previewed the damn thing before allowing it aired out. What he did not know was that they had a way around his permission, well that's something to worry about later no?

He watched at Katniss and Finnick played up an innocent flirtation. His mind pondered letting that possibility actually come to fruition. The revenue alone from donors coming to collect on the last of Finnick Odair's time as a single man. That would certainly boost his coffers as he contended with District 13. He had left them alone for far too long. He heard reports of defectors and how their trail turns cold the moment they leave District 12. That alone not surprising the fact defectors make it that far certainly does.

Finnick's little rebellious attempt has only stirred the pot. Soon enough Odair will realize it would be best to stop his still rebellious impulses before they got people other than him into trouble. That's when his mind turned toward the lovely Katniss Everdeen, a girl whose birthday was coming up. In fact, if his files were correct, it would be right around the time of his own beloved granddaughter's.

The timing was far too perfect to be ignored.

Katniss Everdeen's episode was proving to be much more reliable than Finnick Odair's video. While it provided much more travel between the districts which while troublesome it has hardly problematic. In fact, it provided his citizens with lovely bonding moments between the girl and other victor's. Now this was the kind of attention he needed for Panem. Perhaps it was time to really use the girl for better uses. The young Odair fought hard to keep her out of similar appointments. Now with her video…It was positively a glowing review of his system. A slow smile spread across his face as his granddaughter called for his attention.

He looked down at her little blonde head as she held her 'Katniss Everdeen' doll. His smile widened, "Princess, do you want to meet her?"

His heart constricted at his granddaughter's eyes widened her young body began jumping up and down, "Can I grandpa? Really? Oh Grandpa!"

Her tiny hands wrapped around his chest as far as they would go. He gently patted the girl on her head. Sending the girl on her way back towards her parents, who would soon be returning towards the mansion. As the door closed on President Snow who brought his hands to his mouth, a small smile still in place. Yes, this development would do quite nicely.

Pressing the correct button on his desk, the intercom could be hearing clicking over to the connecting desk.

"Send out an invitation to Miss. Everdeen to my granddaughter's party. Ensure that she attends."

XXX

The invitation felt like a bomb in her hands. Her name scrawled along the vanilla envelope in elegant script. When her mother returned from the mail white as a sheet, Katniss did not expect this. An invite to Caitlyn Snow's tenth birthday party.

"You have to go," Haymitch pointed out unhelpfully. Grabbing his hands on a bottle of bourbon, holding his hands up muttering this was his off time he was allowed one drink damn it, pouring the correct amount into a glass. Taking a swing to offset the nerves that seeing the invite sent down his spine.

"I was going to decline," Katniss snarked, "Of course I can't decline. The question is what exactly does Snow want from me? We kept my video tame on purpose."

Haymitch shrugged, "Most likely to set Finnick on edge, a gentle reminder of his place and their agreement. To get an inkling of your popularity amongst the paying sponsors. We could use this to our advantage however."

Katniss poured a second glass of bourbon holding it just out of his reach, "Explain."

She smirked when he called her she-devil before muttering, " Why not take advantage of the huge crowd?'

"How?"

Haymitch groaned internally questioning why he was the one to be saddled with this oblivious girl. Looking Katniss straight in the eye he said, "Use the crowd against him, perhaps a certain gentleman caller of yours can make an appearance."

Haymitch grinned as he watched the understanding flow through her eyes, "You want him to make a huge deal out of it. Proposal?"

Haymitch shook his head, "To dramatic, especially for a ten-year-old's birthday party. But if her two favorite victors were to make their coupledom official?"

"Coupledom?" Katniss asked amused.

"Hey, don't mock I am saving your oblivious ass."

Katniss hid her smile. Haymitch narrowed his eyes knowing better and threw a pillow at her earning a shriek from the girl. Katniss eyes found a stack of throw pillows from their place of safety on the couch. Haymitch noticed them too, the two victors raised eyebrows at each other before diving towards the pillows.

Prim's laughter could be heard throughout the house as she sat on the staircase watching the two hardened victors throwing throw pillows at each other. Katniss landed one straight at his head while Haymitch caught her on the ass.

Prim giggled watching as Katniss hit her mentor so hard that the stuffing inside began to leak. That did not stop the older victor only caused him to attack harder, Katniss shrieking as she raised around the room. Mrs. Everdeen came in from the marketplace to find Haymitch Abernathy in a pillow fight with her fourteen-year-old daughter as her youngest was giggling on her back from the safety of the staircase.

The blonde woman walked right past them calling for Prim to come help her. Hearing the matriarchs' voice caused both fighters to pause in their fighting. They then looked around at the pillows and their stuffing thrown across the floor.

"You two" Mrs. Everdeen pointed from the doorway, "Pick that up or no dinner."

"Haymitch?" Katniss asked after a moment.

"Yeah kid?"

"What do you even get the grandchild of a fucking tyrant?"

XXX

"Did you get an invite to a ten-year-old's birthday party?" Finnick did a double take as he picked up the phone for his weekly call with Katniss.

"Katniss?" He asked questionably. It was most definitely her voice even if the question out of her lips was the most bazaar he had heard from the girl yet.

"Finnick did you?' The girl asked insistently wanting to find out if she needed to sneak him in as a plus one or not. She eyed Effie from behind her with concern as the bubbly woman began to make lists on what was needed for the birthday party.

"I see you were also invited to Caitlyn Snow's birthday" Finnick responded, understanding finally reaching him.

"Yes, and now I can give my plus one to Effie. I fear she would murder me if I did not" Katniss said only half joking as the woman in question glared at her. Katniss gave her a friendly wave only for Haymitch to eye roll at the two.

"Haymitch has been thinking again hasn't he?" Finnick said in a serious voice, an amused tilted to his tone.

Katniss laughed, " Not his strong suit I know."

"I assume you are about as excited for it as Prim is to see you leave again" Finnick sighed, thinking of Annie who was doing so well back home. Mags and Annie spent a lot of time together, Annie even began to write to Peeta Mellark the boys gentle manners seemed to open the girl up.

Finnick was happy for her, now if only his own District 12 member would stop being so stubborn. Alas luck was not on his side as the girl in question kept arguing with Effie about what kind of gift would be appropriate to give to a ten-year-old.

"I'm guessing she and Haymitch will not be procreating" He laughed once he caught her attention was back on him.

"We can only hope" Katniss murmured darkly.

XXX

If Finnick were a braver man, he would have told Katniss that she looked just about ready to bolt. Finnick while brave was also a survivor, one who knew when to pick his battles. That was not a hill to die on. Especially when those gray eyes would be by his side for years to come, if he got her to actually admit what was between them. He would prefer it if she was not plotting his death their entire marriage.

He hoped.

Instead of speaking his mind Finnick Odair was standing by Katniss's side as they exited the limo sent for them by the president. The mansion had not changed at all, the country's leaders' home was just as cold and unfeeling as the man. The line to enter the mansion was long, every single person dressed in formal attire.

"I thought this was a child's birthday party" Katniss hissed, suddenly understanding Effie's heavy handedness in getting her dressed earlier that evening. Spotting her handler, Katniss mouthed thank you to the woman. Effie's eyes glowed in happiness blowing the younger girl a kiss.

Katniss definitely needed to be nicer to Effie.

"It's also President Snow" came Finnick's reply.

Quickly they were ushered through once the bouncers at the gate noticed them . Katniss shared an amused look with Finnick. Clearly she was expected. Katniss had to raise her hand in order to protect her eyes from being blinded by the amount of sheer light that surrounded them. Thankfully her eyes soon began to adjust, allowing Finnick to guide her until she could see for herself.

"What do you think the theme is supposed to be?' Finnick asked as if trying to conspire with her.

Katniss took a moment to really take a look around. Everything was so shiny, it made her head spin the amount of metallic, gold, and was that glitter? The brunette shook her head, "I would not even dare to guess."

"You are no fun," Finnick pouted, his companion rolling her eyes at the man. Before the woman could respond a few of the president's guests walked up to the pair.

"Ah, Mr. Odair, Miss. Everdeen it's a pleasure to finally meet you" The silky voice greeted as Katniss's hand was forcibly grabbed and the man's lips attached themselves to the back of her hand.

Katniss was never so grateful for Finnick's grip around her waist, signaling for everyone else in the room that she was with him for the evening. As well known and documented friends no one really bat an eye at them. Yet his presence still provided her some protection. Relaxing into Finnick's grip, the female victor attempted to smile at the man.

"Kat, I would like you to meet Mr. Grinning and his wife," Finnick spoke softly, his eyes landing on the woman for longer than he did the man. Katniss noticed as understanding dawned under her smile. These were some of his sponsors, the ones who required a more personal touch.

"It's a pleasure to meet you" Katniss greeted politely, tugging a little sharply relieving her hand from Mr. Grinning's grip. The man had a predatory smile on his face, at the movement. The only sign of movement was Finnick's fingers tapping lightly along her side. It was only Finnick's gentle tapping that made Katniss ignore the urge to shoot the man with one of her arrows.

Suddenly Effie's insistence that all her arrows remain in District 12 became particularly clear. The older she got the more insistent Effie was that all her weapons remain away from those she might use them on. She was sure Effie would make an exception if she sent this man her way.

"Are you familiar with my mentor, Haymitch Abernathy? You see him over there let me introduce you" Katniss did not let anyone get a word in edge wise as she grabbed Finnick by the hand and led the group towards Haymitch and Effie.

"Effie allow me to introduce you to Mr. Grinning" Katniss greeted, kissing the woman on both cheeks. Whispering for her to please distract the man. Effie brought her into a hug, a sign over the years that she had heard.

"Mr. Grinning? It's a pleasure. You know Katniss's mentor the one and only Haymitch Abernathy" Effie smiled.

Katniss silently told herself to remember that Effie was going to get the most expensive and ridiculous birthday party ever. Looking over her shoulder as Finnick quickly led them away from the group at Haymitch's face that she owed him a cabinet of bourbon.

"HAYMITCH DON'T PUNCH THE MAN!"

XXX

Finnick and Katniss stood in line to greet the birthday girl. Katniss held back a giggle as a few feet away from them Effie was still nagging on Haymitch for punching the man. A small pale girl could be seen at the front of the line with her parents, the powerful grandfather nowhere to be seen.

"How long do you think she'll be angry?" Finnick chuckled when Effie smacked the man on the arm. Katniss smiled watching as Haymitch gaze softened looking over at Effie but still muttering about dominating women in his life.

"I'll give them until tonight. Then Haymitch will come up a way to make it up to her" Katniss face scrunched up having an idea of exactly what that would be. Finnick spotting the disgusted look on her face chuckled.

In no time they were at the front of the line where the little girl noticed them jumped up in glee. The couple laughed softly as she was to the point of rudeness with the couple in front of them in order to get to the two victors quicker.

"Hello Caitlyn" Katniss greeted kindly once it was her turn to greet the child. Finnick bowed playfully in front of the girl causing a blush on her cheeks. Katniss couldn't help but smile despite the family she came from; she was still on innocent.

One that would never have to fear being reaped. The victor knelt down so that she and Caitlyn could see each other eye to eye.

"How are you enjoying your birthday?"

"It's okay. I wish grandpa could have made it" The little girl whispered after eyeing her parents to make sure they were not really paying attention. Katniss looked up and saw the girl's parents were busy talking amongst themselves only occasionally glancing towards the girl.

"I'm sorry" Katniss said, knowing what it was like to miss family. Even if the man the girl was missing was an arrogant evil control freak. The girl remained silent for a few minutes when Finnick knelt beside Katniss, their gift to the child in his hands.

"This is from Katniss and I" Finnick said gently pointing a finger between the two victors.

"Thank you," Caitlyn whispered hugging the both of them together. Katniss coughed thinking that the girl had a very strong grip.

It was a few hours later, when Finnick was sure the young birthday girl would be going to bed soon that Finnick began to gather people's attention. Grab their attention he did, as the young man knelt next to the birthday loudly proclaiming that he has an announcement he wished to make if it pleased the birthday girl.

Interest piqued the girl nodded. Finnick stood once again calling for the attention of everyone in attendance. Katniss spotted Haymitch and Effie by the sidelines, Johanna who was much closer to her gave Katniss a wink. The crowd had started to gather around the bronze haired victor.

"Ladies and Gentlemen with the permission of the birthday girl" Finnick threw a wink towards Caitlyn who giggled waving.

"Is Katniss Everdeen still around?" God Finnick was ridiculously good with dramatic flair. Katniss stepped up waving her hands around herself based on Finnick's answering grin her annoyance was noted.

"Katniss Everdeen. It has been my esteemed pleasure getting to know you these last two years," As if on cue the female in the audience awed. Haymitch was rolling his eyes miming a choking action. Katniss had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. Finnick continued on despite, Katniss knowing he saw what Haymitch was doing out of the corner of his eye.

"I've enjoyed getting to know you Katniss. I think we have a lot going for us, if we could just give it a chance" Finnick took a few steps closer to her. Katniss held her breath, the last part was most definitely not for the audience. She couldn't even respond because of the audience, sneaky bastard. Finnick had taken the last steps that separated them, now they were right in front of each other. His hands took hers into his own. The audience had broken out into whispers.

"Katniss will you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes," Katniss answered.

What Katniss did not expect was him to kiss her. His lips were firm against her lips, gently encouraging her to kiss him back. He made no other attempt to push her into action. Katniss's actions surprised her even more. Her lips moved on their own accord beginning to kiss him back. The squeals of the women in the crowd barely reached her ears as she could barely focus on the lips on hers. They shared a few more rounds, her hands holding onto his upper arm for support as her body leaned into him. Katniss felt the grin against her lips, as he slowed the kiss before pulling away.

Subconsciously Katniss touched her lips. She had kissed the capital playboy Finnick Odair and had liked it.