Chapter 41: Best Friend Falls in Love Again
When Katniss and I and the rest of the Mockingjay's team sit down for our first private meeting with Coin, the President makes it clear that she wants to deploy Katniss out into the field immediately… ideally, to some of the fiercest fighting on the front lines. For once, I have to appreciate how Plutarch can be a pompous ass, which he does to great effect when disagreeing with Coin, insisting that Katniss needs proper training in Weapons Development before being sent out on any tour of duty. After all, Plutarch insists to her, I am the Mockingjay's handler, and I know her needs best. I want to say that it is actually I who knows Katniss's needs best, but Plutarch's presumption is enough to get Coin to agree to at least training for the next several weeks. Although, the President does not look happy when giving the order, which makes my stomach clench in suspicion. Something is off about this chick….
Katniss and I continue filming propos, and though she tries harder, her performance remains stilted. My goddaughter is prone to heavy sighing and occasional bouts of tears; I know Peeta's absence still weighs on her deeply. So it is an immense relief when final approval is granted for Katniss to go up to the surface and hunt once a week. Boggs and a contingent of his men will accompany her aboveground every Friday morning; though they must be careful about lingering risks of radiation exposure, there is apparently plenty of game to still be had in the desolate forests. Pollux asks Katniss if he might come along and bring his camera, to film her. When she hesitates, he signs that the quality of the propos might be elevated if he films her doing natural things. She won't even know he's there. To my surprise, Katniss actually agrees, answering in sign language that she thinks this is a wonderful idea. A final addition to the hunting party is Gale Hawthorne, allowing Katniss to have a fellow bowman watching her back…. and also giving Gale some time away from where he has been spending every free moment he can with Johanna Mason. I hope the two young Seamers will at least get to know each other.
Katniss's hunting privileges mean I essentially have Friday mornings off. Since I've never been the type to sit still, I decide to fill this chunk of free time by going down to the medical ward and lending a hand. It's better than sitting in my apartment alone while Danny is working in the kitchens.
My presence as an extra body, when I first arrive there looking to volunteer, is much needed. Annie Cresta has landed herself in the medical ward for psychiatric evaluation, after suffering a particularly traumatic flashback to the arena. Finnick is profoundly grateful that somewhere is there to spell him when he cannot be at his love's side; he's been busy splitting time working with Beetee and Gale in Weapons Development, while also giving lectures to District 13's Joint Chiefs about amphibious combat, for a water campaign to liberate District 4 that is looking increasingly likely.
Though neither of them are trained in psychiatric care, Proximo and Belle (and once in a while, Primrose) stop by as often as they can to at least evaluate Annie's physical condition. The poor girl seems to do best when she is surrounded by people she knows. She remembers Proximo from the Training Center when she was a tribute, and once she gets to know Katniss Everdeen's mother and baby sister, she takes a liking to them right away.
On this particular morning, as I sit at Annie's sickbed and hold her hand, Proximo is regaling his patient with a story about a visit he took to Four while on paid leave, at the invitation of a friend in that district's Peacekeeper Barracks during the Games off-season.
"I've always wanted to go back there, Miss Cresta," Proximo expresses, as behind him, Belle checks Annie's vital signs and the measurements of her fluid intake from her IV stand. "Perhaps when the war's over, I'll buy myself a boat."
Annie giggles. "Wait till my uncle gets to know you. He's the dockmaster for the port on Victors' Island. I bet he'd allow you to captain one of his fastest ships."
Proximo chuckles, the sound fading as he gets a far-away look in his eyes. "… The winds aloud howl o'er the masts and sing through every shroud… Pale, trembling, tired, the sailors freeze with fears – and instant death, on every wave appears!"
Annie claps her hands in delight. "Homer's Iliad!" She plays with the edges of her down comforter happily. "Oh, I think that's one of the most beautiful things ever written…"
Smiling softly, I chance a glance at Belle, only to find that my best friend is gazing at Proximo with wonder, as if she's never seen him before. Thinking back to one breakfast several months ago, when Danny said how he had seen that look before, I suddenly realize what he meant:
Belle is looking at Proximo the same way she used to look at Glen.
On Friday morning a week later, I am taking a prescription notice down to the far end of the ward, on an errand for one of the doctors. As I pass by a medicine storage room, I hear moaning and heavy breathing coming from inside.
"Mmmm….. No, Proximo, we mustn't…."
"We can. Why shouldn't we? I've seen how you look at me…"
"Hmmmm…. My – my daughters! My daughters would never forgive me if we – Mmmm…."
"You're so beautiful…. Belle…."
Frowning, before I can second-guess myself, I try the door handle and find it gives for me.
I walk in on my former trainer and my best friend wrapped in a close embrace, kissing heatedly and their lips parted for each other. Belle has one leg hoisted to Proximo's waist. His one hand rests on her bum while the other is groping under her skirts, which are now bunched up around her hips.
Belle's eyes – closed dreamily – suddenly pop open at the sound of the door opening. Her blue orbs lock onto me, and she squeaks, wrenching her lips free of the kiss and quickly disentangling herself. Proximo releases her, looking a little guilty and gawping when he sees me.
"Maysie!" Belle gasps out, turning beet red. "I… I….."
Glancing between the couple, I smile knowingly. Ignoring my best friend for the moment, I turn to her lover. "Proximo…." I wag my finger in his direction. Come hither.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't satisfied to see Proximo gulp a little at my invitation, glancing once to Belle, who shakily nods. Following me out of the storage room, I close the door behind us.
"How long has this been going on?" I ask.
Proximo rubs at the back of his neck sheepishly. "…. I've lost count?" he finishes lamely. "Time passes oddly down here."
After a moment, I smirk. "It passes even more strangely when you're in love." I remember well my early courtship with Danny. The days seemed to fly by.
Proximo smiles weakly.
"You know…. she's my best friend. And she's gone through quite a bit of heartbreak in her life. Broke off a serious relationship after I came home from the arena. Then she married outside her class, only to become widowed when Primrose was still small. So, if you aren't serious about her, you need to tell her now. You need to tell me now…. so I can make out a return policy on that naginata you gave me – right into your gut." I cock a loaded eyebrow at him, and Proximo turns a little pale.
To his credit, he nods solemnly. "I love her, Maysilee. She's amazing."
"She's also mother to two pretty headstrong young women who miss their father terribly. Think you can handle that?"
"Of course. That doesn't bother me. I've spent time with Primrose – she's a lovely girl; just like her mother."
"It's not Primrose's approval I'm worried about, Proximo," I confess. "It's Katniss's."
Belle now steals out of the storage room, glancing between the pair of us, concerned. A besotted expression coming over his face, Proximo steps quite close and whispers something to her that I can't hear. Drawing back, Belle's cheeks are pink again, but she nods bravely. Proximo beams, pecks her on the cheek and is gone.
"What did he say?" I prod teasingly, expecting Belle to snap that it's none of my business. So, when she whispers to me what Proximo asked her and requests my help, I also go red.
"There's lots of leftovers you can re-heat," Belle is prattling that night, as she gathers up her medical bag with basic supplies (and also some toiletries stuffed, unseen, in the bottom). "Make sure Prim does her homework and both of you – get. To bed. On time." She lays down the law through gritted teeth. My best friend makes a show of checking her tattooed schedule on her arm. "I should be back in the morning, by breakfast. You can be in charge that long, can't you?"
Seated on her bed, Katniss is only half-listening to her mother as she fingers the spile from the arena – the only thing she really has to remind her of my son. "Yeah, but… why am I in charge again?"
"Just a last-minute night-owl shift at the med ward," Belle fibs lamely.
"Really? Then why wasn't it printed on your schedule?" Prim's brow furrows as she rolls up her own sleeves.
Belle can't quite look her youngest child in the eye, as she mumbles, "I told you – Proximo asked me, and it was last-minute! Now both of you, be good. Auntie Maysilee will be here if you need her!" She kisses both of her daughters on the forehead. "Good night! Love you!"
My best friend and I step out onto the balcony and begin walking over to Proximo's apartment. Belle is jittery, wringing her hands, and I can't help but smile. She's as nervous as a schoolgirl, as nervous as when Glen would so much as enter the room, or when my own husband – her ex-boyfriend - would sit next to her in class, once upon a time.
"Am I doing the right thing?" she bites her lip.
"You love this man, don't you?"
"Yes," she whispers. "Gods, I haven't felt this way since…."
I smile wider. "Since Glen?"
"Yeah…."
A pause and then I get out:
"Night-owl shift at the med ward?"
Belle shrugs. "They believed me, didn't they?"
I burst out laughing. "Oh, Belley…. You really shouldn't lie to your daughters."
"Well, why not make an exception here?"
"Because you suck dick at it!" I gape in shock and chuckle all the heartier when Belle's face blooms aflame at the words. "OK…. considering what you clearly intend to do tonight, maybe that wasn't my best turn of phrase. At least promise me you'll use protection?"
She rolls her eyes. "Yes, Mother." She checks a slip of paper with an address written on it, as we come to a halt likely before the door in question. A small pause, and my best friend turns back to me. "Do you think Glenny would be….?"
I smile tenderly. "I think he would be happy for you." So saying, I reach around her and rap on the door.
Proximo opens it almost immediately, eyes only for Belle.
"Hi."
"Hi," she squeaks. Leaning in, they kiss lightly. I snort, and Proximo looks over at me.
"Thanks for the time, warden."
"I'd prefer the term chaperone," I quip dryly. "You kids have fun."
Proximo ushers Belle in and closes the door behind them. Loitering slightly, I press my ear to the wood. Before long, I can hear giggling, followed by moans, grunts and the creak of bedsprings. Smiling in satisfaction, I turn around and stroll on back to the Everdeen apartment to check on the girls.
A couple of Fridays later, just before lunchtime, I am at the lifts waiting to meet Katniss and her hunting party as they return belowground from another successful outing. When the elevator doors open, I am shocked to see my goddaughter's one arm saturated with blood, and Gale Hawthorne supporting her. Pollux is hovering behind them both, looking deeply concerned.
"What happened?" I take Katniss from Gale.
"Stupid buck charged her and she barely managed to fell it in time. Beast nearly ran her down," Gale huffs. "Thankfully, we were just about done for the day."
Katniss hisses through the pain, and I pat her head. "Come on, young lady, to the med ward with you."
We get there in record time, and quickly bump into Primrose, who takes one look at her sister and calmly waves us back to the storage rooms.
"I have some antiseptic we can put on that…" Primrose opens the medicine storage room, only to find her mother and Proximo heatedly kissing. The pair snap apart hurriedly, Belle squeaking and wiping at her mouth when she sees both of her daughters gawping at her.
"Prim, darling…. Katty! Back so soon? How was your hunt?"
A long, tense pause. And then, growling in rage, Katniss strings the bow across her back and actually takes deadly aim at Proximo.
"NO!" I grab her arm and yank, forcing the shot to go high; the arrow pierces a box of Melatonin instead.
"What the hell are you doing with her?" Katniss spits angrily at her former arena trainer.
"I… I…." To his credit, Proximo backs up, hands raised in surrender. Katniss lunges for him again, and I slink my arms about her waist and hold her tight against my chest, ignoring how she thrashes and screams.
"Stop it! ….. Katniss Magenta Everdeen, stop it this minute!"
"You stay away from her, you hear me?!" Katniss shrieks invective as we back out of the storage room, a sheepish Prim reaching around to grab the antiseptic on our way out the door. "You'll never replace my father, understand?!"
The door mercifully closes, and I set Katniss down, though I keep a grip on her shoulder.
"Primrose, take your sister down to an open bay and get that wound treated."
"But, Auntie…." Primrose is whimpering, also starting to come to terms with what she just saw.
"Go," I order. Prim takes Katniss's hand and the two girls slink away down the corridor. A moment later, Proximo and Belle emerge from the storage room guiltily. My best friend allows herself a quick kiss before hurrying to the opposite end of the ward.
Proximo furtively checks down both ends of the hallway. "Is it safe?"
"For now," I concede.
He chuckles awkwardly. "I taught you both too well in the Training Center." He sighs heavily. "I always thought Katniss liked me. She visited all my stations the most…"
"Yeah, but that was before she found out you're now shagging her mother," I remind him gently.
"Right." He shifts from foot to foot. "I'm never gonna get her approval. Not now, anyway. She doesn't even want to know me, does she?"
"That is not true," I shake my head. "She's just…. so stressed out missing her own love and missing her dad, and clinging to…. anger and stubborn pride that it's all getting in the way of her realizing how much she wants to know you."
"Yeah…." he mumbles, clearly not believing me.
"Hey: I'll talk to Katniss, and she will come around. It may take some time, but she'll come around. I promise you that."
Back at my apartment that night, when I recount the story to Danny, he laughs and laughs.
"It's not funny, Dannel! Katniss could have killed him!"
"I know, dearest, but…" he cackles, crowing. "I knew it! I knew something was going on between Belle and that guy!"
I bite my lip, studying him. "Do you think Katniss will accept Proximo?"
"Well, she clearly is protective of her mother. But if Belle and Proximo are meant to be, then it all will work out. Besides," and he wraps his arms around me. "Anybody who loves that strongly once can do it again."
I smirk up at him. "Just look at us. We're living proof."
My husband smiles back, and we kiss.
