Chapter 2
Finnick carried a still struggling Katniss over the threshold of where her demons lived. Except the thick layer of dust everything was just as it had been before the bombing. The layout of the house was similar to those of the Victor's homes in district 4, albeit less extravagant. He headed straight up the stairs to the master bedroom and adjoining bathroom. Katniss not even taking a breath while cursing and berating him.
"Put me down right now Finnick Odair," she shouted. "What the hell do you think you are doing?"
"First I'm getting you into the bath, I didn't think it was possible but you smell worse than Haymitch."
He set her on the edge of the over sized tub and began fiddling with the various knobs. He ran the steaming water and chose a scent that wouldn't bring Katniss painful memories, a combination of the sea and sandalwood. Home.
When he turned back to her she was still glaring at him. "Well are you going to undress or do you need some help?" He gave her his best cheeky grin. But turned to give her some privacy.
Still glaring she stood up, a bit unsteady, and stripped off her clothes. Modesty was something she had abandoned after spending so much time being handled by her prep team.
She got into the bath and despite her best efforts a small sigh of relief escaped her lips as the hot water washed over her aching muscles. Finnick chuckled and sat on the floor with his back against the side of the bath. He pulled a small length of worn rope from his pocket and began tying one of his intricate knots. They sat in a companionable silence for a while. The only noises were Finnick's hands gliding over the rope and the occasional swish of water as Katniss readjusted herself.
Finnick turned when he heard Katniss dunk herself under the water, laughing when she resurfaced with her face covered in soapy bubbles. She gave him the briefest hint of a smile before reaching up to undo her braid. He noticed that she flinched when she went to lift her arm above her head.
"What's wrong?" He asked with concern.
When she shook her head he stood up and walked behind her. He wiped the foam from her back and inhaled sharply. Covering one side of her back and shoulder was a large bruise. It looked several days old and had begun to take on nasty shades of yellow and green. She must have been too angry for it to bother her before.
"What the hell happened?"
"It's nothing, I tripped and fell on a crate the other day." She said.
"Things like that tend to happen when you're piss drunk. At least that's what I hear."
"Well nobody asked you," she said flatly as she swatted his hand that was still resting on her back.
She went to continue undoing her braid but let out a sharp hiss of pain. This time it was Finnick who swatted her hands away and gently took her hair.. She folded her arms across her chest and let out a huff as Finnick's hands worked to undo the intricate, but matted braid. When he was finished he ruffled his fingers through her hair shaking loose any stubborn knots. Then he reached down and filled his palm with a healthy blob of shampoo from one of the many buttons, and began working it through her hair. He took his time, careful not to pull her hair. His skilled fingers massaged her scalp and she let out another groan.
"Careful kitten, I might start to think you're enjoying this." He said pulling his hands away to let her rinse her hair. When she resurfaced he slathered her in conditioner, pretending to ignore the dirty look she shot him.
He was suddenly struck of a memory of washing Annie's hair. He was the only person she trusted when she was near water. It would usually end with her in Finnick's arms, trapped in a flashback. Fragile, broken Annie. In the end he had failed to save her.
Katniss pulled him back to reality by whispering a soft,"thank you Finnick."
He smirked and stood up from the tub. "Consider it my genuine pleasure." He left her to rinse and get dressed.
He made his way to the kitchen, noticing that it lacked the layer of dust that covered the rest of the house. He was pleasantly surprised to find that the cupboards and refrigerator were freshly stocked. There was no bread in the kitchen however. A wise decision Finnick thought. He assumed that Haymitch had informed Greasy Sae of his arrival and she had planned accordingly. He praised her silently and set a kettle to boil on the stove. Also pulling a pot of what he assumed was stew from the fridge.
He thought back on the moment his phone rang in District Four. It was the middle of the afternoon and he was weaving fresh knots into an old net. Johanna never called until well after midnight. Mostly so they could fall asleep on the phone together or to let him grieve over Annie. When she had died he thought he was lost, but Johanna, of all people, had pulled him out of the darkness. Unwilling to let "the only fucking friend she had left" leave her. When he answered he was surprised to hear a mostly sober Haymitch on the other end.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of you sobriety?" He asked casually, his hands still weaving.
"I don't have time for your cheeky nonsense fish boy," Haymitch answered gruffly. "It's Sweetheart."
Finnick's hands stopped abruptly, "What's wrong," he asked gripping the phone tighter against his cheek.
"She's in a bad place. She needs more help than I give her. I been giving her space but it's been a year and if she keeps this up she's going to wither away to nothing."
"She doesn't want anything to do with me Haymitch. She hasn't returned my calls or letters, I'm just another reminder of what she's lost." Finnick said lamely.
"Jesus boy. She hasn't returned any calls or letters. Even that quacky doctor she's supposed talk to. She's been drinking herself to death in my living room. Can barely get her to eat or do anything. She hasn't even set foot in her house." Haymitch responded.
"I'm not sure what help I can be Haymitch. I might just make things worse." Finnick said, even though his mind was already turning.
"I'm not sure it can get much worse fishboy. You two have always had somethin' special. You connected. Do you think I was blind and deaf while they had me detoxing in that godforsaken district? I know Annie is gone and you are hurting, but maybe this will help you too, It'll be good for you to get out of District 4. "
Finnick murmured in agreement.
By the end of the conversation it was decided that Finnick would travel to District 12. He threw some things and a bag and found that there was a train leaving in a couple hours.
The kettle started to whistle on the stove so he turned and filled up the two cups, placing tea bags in them. He set the cups and sugar and milk on the table. When he looked up he saw Katniss standing in the doorway. She was dressed in a green cashmere sweater and a pair of fitted tan pants. Although they didn't quite fit anymore it was obvious that these were clothes Cinna had tailored just for her. She hadn't rebraided her hair and it hung down in loose waves framing her face. She was beautiful, but Finnick noticed she looked hollow, gone was the Girl on Fire, defiance burning in her eyes. What was left was hopelessness and sadness evident in slumped shoulders. A cold resignation that nothing would ever be happy again.
"Tea?" He asked his hand waving over the table.
She sat down warily, "what are you doing here Finnick?"
"Want a sugar cube?" He asked popping one into his mouth and holding one out to her. "These aren't for the horses."
Despite herself she gave him a small smile, remembering their first conversation. She put it gingerly on her tongue and let the sweetness coat her mouth. He suppressed a small laugh by taking a long swallow of his tea.
Finnick stood up and went to the stove, the stew had filled the kitchen with an enticing aroma. He spooned two heaping helpings into bowls and returned to the table. He set one bowl in front of Katniss and sat down with the other for himself. He put a finger to her mouth when she started to object. "Eat first, talk later." The stew was delicious and Finnick was reminded that he hadn't eaten on the train. He was too distracted and found himself pacing the corridors instead. He had also spoken extensively to Dr. Aurelias.
After they both had second helpings Katniss set the spoon in her bowl and eyed Finnick. "What are you doing here Finnick?"
He fidgeted in his seat, "You never returned my calls and I needed a vacation. So I thought I'd come say hello."
"And you thought dragging me out of Haymitch's house in the middle of the night and giving me a bath was the proper way to go about that?" She snapped.
"Well I do like to make an entrance," he snickered.
She stood up and slammed her hand on the table, "It's not a joke Finnick. Haymitch or I could have killed you. Sneaking into his house like that. Unless... unless he knew you were coming. He's the one who called you isn't he?"
Realization dawned on her face, Finnick and Haymitch's words from earlier coming back. "You're here to try and fix me."
"I don't want your help, I don't need it." Katniss spat when she saw the guilt on Finnick's face. "I'm fine."
"So what? You're just going to stay in that chair getting piss drunk every night? You can't hide forever Katniss. Sooner or later you have to deal with this." He retorted.
"Why not? There's nothing to deal with." She glared at him. "They're all gone and it's all my fault, at least when I'm drunk they aren't haunting me."
"Stop that pity me crap, it's not your fault. Blaming yourself for their sacrifices only dishonors their memories. And hiding behind them is even worse. We all have ghosts and we all cope different ways, but you've seen what good being a drunk has done for Haymitch." He raised his voice.
"Yes, you seem to be coping well. Showing up here thinking you can make every thing all better, like it will change anything. Acting like you are perfect, telling me what I need to do. Do you even miss her?" Katniss screamed.
Finnick saw the regret on her face instantly, but it was too late. He stood so quickly that the chair toppled over. Katniss took several steps backwards, "Finnick I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it."
Finnick didn't spare a backwards glance as he stalked out of the kitchen and slammed his way out the front door. Leaving Katniss calling after him as tears threatened to spill down her cheeks.
He walked quickly to Haymitch's house and sat himself down on the chair across from where Haymitch was sitting drinking from a bottle. He took the bottle from him and gave it a long swallow before handing it back. "I told you this was a mistake." Finnick said.
"Nah, makin progress already." Haymitch slurred, using the bottle to point out his window where the light in Katniss's bedroom had turned on.