Epilogue
Three Months Later….
As expected, former President Snow had been tried and found guilty of recently passed laws against what District 13 called human rights. It was all fine and dandy in Katniss's opinion; if he was not dying already, Katniss knew the only way to keep him down would be by ensuring he was dead.
Yet Snow had already killed himself, with his damned poison for years.
"They want you to do the deed," Haymitch grunted, sitting on the opposite side of the table in Finnick and Katniss's temporary home inside the capital. They had managed a few months helping Katniss's family return to District 12, allowing for both sister and mother to open up an Apothecary and help the other returning residents start the rebuilding process.
They were in the middle of planning a visit to District 4, where Annie and Mags were being visited by Peeta when the call came in. All victors were being called to the capital, and it was time to deal with President Snow.
Katniss barely acknowledged her mentors' words as her husband poured her a glass of…actually she didn't know. Now did she care as the victor carelessly tipped the glass back, swallowing the substance in two gulps. Johanna whistled softly at it, from beside Annie who had crawled into the brunette's lap as the more vigorous of the surviving Victor's squabbled about how Snow would die.
It was then that Coin held a hand up, a small smile on her lips. As the hall went quiet, the woman suggested Katniss for her known skill with the bow. Historically Panem had execution guards from guns to archers to shoot the offender.
The bitch wanted his blood on Katniss's hands, a quiet reminder that the brunette was a killer. Something to remind Katniss and the other district 13 members that they only got here through cold-blooded murder. The woman truly loved her propaganda.
"That went over well" Johanna snorted, "any particular reason why they didn't just ask which one of us wanted to stab him?"
Haymitch sighed, looking much closer to his age than any other time before. "Coin didn't want a blood bath. She thought it would be poetic if Katniss did it."
"Political Garbage, we all know Coin hates Katniss and wishes for everyone to see her as a murderer so she can't somehow go after her," Finnick growled fisting his hands causing Katniss to lay a calming hand on his clenched fists.
"That and the rest of us kill very….closely" Johanna licked her lips. Glancing over at the brunette, Johanna said, "Finnick and you are probably the only ones capable of long-range kills."
Katniss bit her lip, remembering what happened the last time, "If I do it… it won't end well."
Haymitch and Finnick's reactions were immediate; they looked up at her, both looked ready to burst. Luckily for her Johanna laughed out loud, "with your luck, something wrong is bound to happen."
"Not funny, Jo," Finnick hisses. "You…you killed Coin originally, didn't you?"
"I found out she was the one responsible for the bomb that killed Prim" Katniss's response was short, robotic in nature. Far different than the warmer, softer, protective side of her they had gotten used to.
"Prim's safe," Haymitch reminds her. "The bomb never went off."
"Thanks to Boggs," Katniss muttered. "I couldn't manage to get Gale to see reason until-"
"Gale tried to stop the bomb once he realized they wanted to use it in the city. Gale told Boggs of his issues, and Boggs managed to deal with it. Got demoted for it too," Johanna pointed out, flipping Katniss on the nose, much to her irritation.
"It took too long to get through to him last time," Katniss growled, "the bomb might not have gone off, but Coin is still dangerous. Have they suggested another game yet?"
Johanna's eyes widened, while Finnick's face went blank, Haymitch's eyes just looked resigned. So the idea has been lobbied about, if not decided. Haymitch shot her a look that spoke of how much he regrets being a part of this nonsense. Katniss had to fight the smile on threatening to appear on her face, the man was in denial over the fact he liked it.
"It's been talked about. Yet Coin has not discussed it. I believe they would like the Victor's vote on the matter" He grunted in disgust.
"They want to use Capital children don't they," Johanna guessed correctly; seeing Haymitch nod subtly, the woman rolled her eyes. "They can't come up with an original idea to save their lives, can they?"
"The problem is how the victors will vote," Finnick sighed. "There are a lot of victors who would see it as justice."
"And loves destruction," Haymitch mumbled loud enough for them to hear. Katniss squeezed Finnick's hand, looking up at the other two with resigned eyes.
"We lost the vote originally, but there wasn't a lot of victors left last time."
Haymitch's eyes strayed to the edge of the room, the trio before him as one silenced themselves. The District 12 mentor was a man who knew the surviving victors best. Katniss could see him methodically categorizing every victor into one side or the other.
"We have a shot, but there are two who I just don't know about. They are also tough to convince" Haymitch shot Finnick a look as the bronze haired man closed his mouth sheepishly.
XXX
Katniss smiled from her place on the bed dressed in a green dress as Finnick walked back into their bedroom, finishing up with his cufflinks. Her grey eyes scanned him up and down his body appreciatively, thoughts drifting towards last night. Finnick's low chuckle alerted Katniss to the fact that she was caught.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Finnick's lips pressed into her forehead as he carefully helped her stand, wrapping his arms around her waist. Katniss sighed softly, leaning against his chest, allowing his frame to take most of her weight. His hands caressed her back with a gentleness that only he was capable of.
"I wished we didn't have a wedding to attend" Katniss kissed the skin available to her at his neck. Trailing her lips upwards until she reached his jaw. She smiled at the tightening of his grip on her hips.
"I think we could be late," Finnick suggested as his hips thrust forward to her pelvis, sending shivers down her spine.
"Effie would never forgive us" Katniss tried to keep the moan out of her voice when his lips captured a sensitive spot on her neck. Her arms slipped between their chests, wrapping around his neck, pressing his lips further into her neck despite her words.
He bit a sensitive part of her neck, grinning at the way his wife's body shivered at his touch. They had finally had a chance to enjoy each other with Snow captured and the city quickly accepting all demands placed upon them. Despite the work only just beginning, the couple had time to enjoy themselves.
Finnick truly enjoyed not fearing for this life if this was the consequence.
"Finnick," Katniss fought off the moan that threatened to escape instead groaning softly as her hands slid down his chest and clenched into fists. She pushed him away slightly enough that he was forced to look her in the eye. "I don't want Effie hunting us down because we missed her wedding."
Finnick sighed, looking down at his wife with puppy eyes, "she would forgive you."
Katniss snorted, "Haymitch would wouldn't though, if he has to suffer through the pomp and ceremony, then so do we."
"He's the one who chose to marry her," Finnick wheedled, pulling her back to him, kissing his wife from her cheek down to her shoulder. Katniss closed her eyes, enjoying the sensations his lips caused.
"I'm afraid we have to go. Cinna's already dressed me up and everything" Katniss pointed to the green fabric she was wearing.
"Look's delightfully easy to undo," Finnick teased, playing with the straps.
"Finnick," Katniss voice held a warning.
Finnick pouted, "can't blame a man for trying."
Katniss rolled her eyes as Finnick took her hand as they headed towards the door. "I love that you try. I'm just more afraid of Effie."
"I believe that shows just how wise my lovely wife is," Finnick whispered as he offered her the matching jacket.
"You are offering too many compliments. What happened last night?" Katniss narrowed her eyes, trying to spot anything that alerted her to her husband's activities last night.
"It was a bachelor party," Finnick chuckled warily, his hand on the doorknob.
"Did Haymitch get drunk?"
"We all got drunk."
"Finnick," Katniss growled, walking out of their temporary capital apartment. Effie refused to marry any place else. But did agree to hold a much smaller ceremony in District 12, where they would live permanently.
"Alright, Haymitch might not look like himself at the wedding. That's all I am saying on the matter" Finnick shivered as he wrapped an arm around Katniss.
"What did you do? Dump Blue paint all over him and dye his hair neon green?" she said sarcastically only for her eyes to widened when her husband avoided her gaze. "Finnick, tell me you didn't."
"Technically, it was Cinna," The man defended himself, "And Beetee, those two together are scary and should never ever be in the same room with alcohol again."
"Effie is going to murder them" Katniss felt the familiar pressure building up in her head. "Do you think he'll be back to normal in time?"
Finnick shook his head, "Not unless you can make them postpone the wedding for another two weeks."
Katniss hummed to herself as Finnick kept the elevator door open for them. The married couple remaining silent until they reached the seventh floor, where Johanna, in a matching green dress, hopped into the elevator. "What happened to you?" Johanna asked Finnick, who kept glancing at his wife nervously.
"Finnick joined Haymitch and the others for a bachelor party last night. Apparently a few of them returned looking blue with matching green highlights" Katniss replied in his stead. Johanna held in her response for exactly a single second before she bursted into laughter.
"Why aren't you blue?"
Finnick sarcastically muttered, "I'm not that kind of drunk."
"What kind of drunk are you?" Katniss asked sweetly, earning a small giggle from Johanna and a large gulp from her very own husband.
"The smart kind who knows his wife would murder him for getting plastered."
"Wimp" Johanna coughed into her hand offering him a smile as he glared at her over his shoulder. The trio shared a laugh, when the elevator suddenly pinged alerting them of reaching their destination. Johanna exited first, turning her head to look over her shoulder she said "I do hope Haymitch blames you."
"Johanna don't be mean" Annie's voice echoed in the lobby standing beside a nervous looking Peeta, holding his hand.
"It's not my fault a bunch of victor's can't handle their alcohol" Johanna cackled enjoying the way Finnick groaned hiding his face in Katniss's hair. "I didn't even drink" He bemoaned in her ear.
Katniss merely raised an eyebrow "then you are responsible for what happened".
"You just wish that you had a front seat" Johanna snickered while the brunette shrugged, "who knew that a few years away from a drink would cause Haymitch to become a lightweight?"
Katniss rolled her eyes at the back and forth banter taking the time to look over at Peeta. Her former tribute partner had his hand in Annie's and his merchant blue eyes couldn't look away from the redhead. He was smiling listening to her chat between Finnick and Johanna. His eyes no longer held that haunted look, nor was he addicted to anything to help him sleep.
She made sure to check his medical records from District 13, much to Haymitch's amusement. Peeta Mellark was as he should have always been, a survivor. Her long ago promise that he would survive his games, back before she knew anything about revolutions, time travel, government sanctions or prostitution rings held firm.
Their small group was met with a long limo courtesy of the newly appointed President Coin. It left a vile taste in her mouth allowing that woman to assume power. It was only the cautious look of Plutarch, Haymitch and other leaders of the revolution that allowed Katniss any semblance of peace. Coin would not stay in power long, not when Gale and Boggs own concerned murmurs to her in the hours after Snow's arrest spoke of anything.
Coin had tried to use Gale's bomb, even after he explicitly tried to retake his weapon back. It was only Boggs quick thinking that had saved the medics that day, even if Prim was thankfully, not among them. What the group refused to speak on was the vote that would happen a week after the wedding.
XXX
Johanna was not a patient person. She never had been. All her life the short haired woman could hear whispers behind her back calling her wild and destructive. Johanna knew that the rumors often bothered her mother, not that the woman believed them but rather for the concern it caused the woman about her daughter's future. Who would marry a wild girl?
It was almost a relief when she was reaped. As much as she would miss her family Johanna was no longer a major concern. Either she would die or become a victor. She was grateful that she was barely given a chance to say goodbye. For the whisperers that were being said was that as a victor no man in the village would think of rejecting her. They couldn't when victors were capable of lifting them out of poverty.
Johana snorted as if she'd choose any of them… who thoughts as awful as watching the game was, the thought of never going hungry was too tempting to pass up.
Dying in the arena would have been tragic but almost unavoidable. Her parents would have been able to mourn but focus on her younger siblings…the ones who didn't cause their neighbors to flinch. The villagers had no words when Johanna returned home, a victor.
A singular victor.
Her parents were proud, Johanna could vaguely recall the way her father grabbed her by the shoulders pulling her into him with vigor she had not seen since she was a toddler. Her mother had made her favorite foods for days on end. When Snow came knocking demanding that she pay back the sick fuckers that had paid for her items during the games that's when tragedy struck.
With her denial came the accident.
It was no coincidence, Johanna didn't believe in those. Katniss and Finnick had indeed tried to warn her, help her come to terms with being a victor. She had to assume Katniss didn't connect the reasons for her parents deaths until Johanna's heart wrenching phone call.
It came as no surprise that Johanna was one of many victors who was always in a constant state of motion. Finnick was biting his lip, Haymitch was constantly scanning the arena, his hair finally back to its normal dark shade and skin pale as ever. Johanna mourned his previous look, Effie had started bawling her eyes out thinking it was planned as a surprise for her. Who knew blue and green were so in right now?
Beetee's hands were fiddling with some invention while his partner tapped on the table as if she could sense something no one else could. Katniss who sat between Finnick and Haymitch looked ready to bolt. If you didn't personally know her, Katniss appeared aloof, cold, as if her mind was not there but Johanna knew that was not the case.
Chaff and his partner sat on the other side of Haymitch, the man nudging Haymitch softly muttering about him finally having a ball and chain.
"Shut up" Haymitch snarled good naturedly earning an eye roll from Katniss. Most of the victors ignored Enobaria and the few other victors that remained in the capital. Yet it did not matter for when Coin and Plutarch stepped into the room the conversations died.
"Good everyone is here" Coin's smile was robotic, sterile as she allowed Plutarch to hold out the chair for her at the head of the table. Plutarch seated himself to her right, held in his hand was a vanilla file he gently set it down on the table as he took his seat.
"You've been invited" here Johanna and Finnick both snorted earning a warning glance from Haymitch and an amused look from Beetee and Chaff. Coin's lips moved into a single line the only physical sign of her displeasure.
"You've been invited here today," She said again "to give your opinion on an idea that's been floating around. As you know we wish to offer some form of consequence on the citizens of the capital for their part in the abuses that took place in the previous regime."
Annie who was on Finnick's other side turned subconsciously towards the two people she felt safest with. Finnick wrapped an arm around her shoulder as Katniss leaned into Finnick to grab her hand. The embrace was intimate one that those with limited knowledge would balk at. Coin's brow was raised in question before she continued on, "It's our believe that by creating one final hunger games we can teach those who have been protected from it, the atrocities of you have endured."
Beetee looked up, "you're arguing for us to put more children into a game where they will be forced to kill each other. That sounds more like revenge than reparations."
Coin pursed her lips, "the capital citizens have lived privileged lives for decades. They know nothing of suffering, trauma or what you've endured. This is simply meant to be a singular exercise in which they get a taste of what you've been dealt with. Of course I am leaving it up to the victors."
It was then that Plutarch stepped in, "Let's go around shall we? Enobaria?"
The sharp toothed victor grinned, "Yes."
"Yes."
"Yes."
"Yes."
Katniss felt nothing as the career tributes easily voiced acceptance of Coin's plans.
Then the Morphine twins voiced a unison "No."
Beetee, "No."
Wiress whispered "No" while looking directly at Katniss. The brunette gave the older woman a soft nod as the woman went back to humming softly.
Annie went next with a feverent, "No."
Finnick winked at her before scoffing a loud, "No."
Now it was Katniss's turn, "No" she said with a small smile looking the woman in the eye. Katniss felt the anger the other woman held inside herself, Coin's hands pulled into fists at her side.
Haymitch stayed silent for a moment before glancing at her, his eyes lit up in amusement, "No."
Johanna was next, Katniss paid close attention while the woman sounded against the idea, she had still voiced approval of the vote in her last life. Not that Katniss could truly blame her, if she had truly been given a choice she would have voted yes to being the person allowed to give President Snow the death blow.
Johanna looked over at Coin and shrugged, "No."
The line continued a few more acceptances, Haymitch's friends Chaff and his partner both were a resounding negative as was Mags who slipped in behind Finnick offering Annie a comforting squeeze. Plutarch dutifully recording their answers. As a master spy the man allowed no signs of feelings to show on his face about the way the vote was going.
"Madam President it has been voted down" Plutarch announced once he finished calculating the votes.
XXX
Later that month was Snow's schedule execution, and Katniss was still the one announced to do the deed. Much to Finnick's annoyance it was Boggs who would be escorting her and her little gang of misfits to the capital for the event. Namely Haymitch, Finnick, Beetee and Johanna. Mags stayed in District 12 tagging along as Annie went to visit Peeta and Madge.
Her friends and husband were escorted to a raised dais near President Coin at the her insistence. "Your all heroes after all. Some pomp and circumstance can be appreciated" she said with a smile.
Boggs stood in his full military gear, they were a mere hallway or two away from where the execution would take place. He explained how they would wait until they heard the drums start, as Coin was speaking they would make their way outside.
"You know she won't stop" Katniss spoke softly, wary even if they appeared to be alone. District 13 guards were stationed all over.
Boggs looked over at her and sighed, "I know. There is already rumors that she plans on offering her Capital Games idea for the representatives to vote on. Once the elections are officially over."
"She'll rig it won't she" Katniss felt all the moisture in her throat evaporate. Her fingers twitching at the bow that would soon be in her hands.
Boggs shook his head, "Coin… is many things but a cheat is not one of them."
"She took over an interim president under the guise of it not being appropriate to hold elections right away."
"She was the leader of the army who helped rid Panem of an abusive government. Who else was there?" Boggs challenged.
"Perhaps a representative, voted on by various districts until a nationwide election could be held? Or the Mayors of each district?" Katniss listed two obvious options raising her brow. They could hear the drums start to beat, Boggs offered her his arm. Smirking Katniss stepped in front of him and walked ahead.
"Katniss" Boggs spoke pausing before they made it into the eyesight of the audience. The brunette turned facing the man with an inquisitive look on her face.
"She won't stop even if she manages to lose this election. Alma Coin will always be in power. If she loses this one then she will simply wait it out" Katniss never saw Boggs look quiet so serious. She could feel dread starting to grow in the pit of her stomach, as heavy as led.
Katniss nodded turning her back on Boggs without another word. Looking up at the dais she could see Finnick looking over at her with concern. Her gaze turned towards President Coin announcing her presence and the role she would play today. Then finally her gaze turned to see the pale President Snow, looking exactly like the last time they were in this position.
He was dying.
Katniss gingerly took the bow checking her grip, plucking the string ensuring it was in working order. Her mind was blank going through the check-up of her weapon. The crowd roared in anticipation watching at the victor took the arrow placing it against the string. Changing her grip Katniss took a breath as the arrow slid into place.
Snow was dying under guard, most likely he succeeded in sneaking in a poison that would kill him before her arrow even got to him. Katniss steadied herself as she made her final decision. Taking aim she lined up her arrow at Snow, pulling her arm back before switching her aim and letting the arrow fly. As soon as Coin gasped reaching her hands to her chest, the guards had already grabbed Katniss placing her on the ground. She heard her name being called as guards surrounded her family and friends on the dais. Finnick was fighting against the guards trying in vain to get to her.
XXX
Finnick's arms were warm as they wrapped themselves tightly around her. Her arms wrapped around his back, her nose pressing against his chest. Katniss allowed herself to breath again as Finnick's breath hit her neck.
"What the fuck were you thinking?" Finnick hissed in her ear.
Katniss pulled away, looking Finnick in his sea-green eyes before closing them as Finnick caressed her cheek. Both victors ignoring the guards on the outside of the cell as Finnick brought her up for a kiss. Kissing his palm Katniss whispered, "He was already dying. We both knew this."
Finnick pressed his lips to her forehead, "So you decide to kill Coin instead?"
"She would have gone ahead with the games. Found a way around us given enough time, she would have had them thinking we were insane from our time in the arena. Anything to get what she viewed as justice" She whispered.
"You've got to stop doing these things yourself" Finnick murmured into her hair. "Haymitch and Plutarch are trying to get you out of here."
"It'll be okay" She reassured him, careful not to say too much with the guards listening. Katniss only hoped that Finnick understood what she meant. She let out a small smile as a glimmer of understanding showed up in his eye.
As it turned out she was let out later that week when the new president, the former commander in District 8 refused to prosecute her. The evidences that was given to him by the many commander's in Coin's command, along with the suspicious arrival about Coin's plan to ignore the renewed constitution showed that she had saved them from another potential dictator.
Haymitch and Finnick were waiting for her outside of the former tribute center where she had been held these past couple weeks. Katniss wrapped her arms around Haymitch first, "No more murder, okay kid?"
Katniss laughed, "I'll try to refrain from murdering any more of our leaders" she immediately leaned into Finnick's side once she felt his arm wrapped around her.
"Is it finally over?" Finnick asked her leading her into the rented car on their way to Haymitch's temporary apartment. They would be leaving the capital in the morning.
"All of my knowledge is useless now" She confirmed, "there is no more I can do."
Haymitch let out a happy sigh, "So no running for Mayor of District 12 or 4?"
Finnick snickered as his wife punched her mentor in the arm, "If I never have to see another fucking political meeting again, It'd be too soon" Katniss said.
"So what should we do next?" Finnick whispered in his wife's ear.
"I just want to live my life with you and our friends" she said leaning her head on his shoulder.
"Sounds perfect."
A.N: That's a wrap! I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who supported this story. I can't believe I've been writing this since 2016! Now I did want to point out one thing, I did leave out Katniss having children. This is because throughout the series Katniss has never expressed a want of children, she bonds well with them, cares for them but most definitely did not express wanting them. Yes, this is mostly because of Snow and his rule, but I always felt like the ending with Katniss having kids was forced. Falling back into things with Peeta was one thing, but then to add in children with how depressed she was? It didn't feel right. So I chose to leave out her having children. I'm not saying she wouldn't choose children especially in this reality, but that's a later story not this one.