oOo

They'd won! In her ninth year as the escort to District Twelve, her district had finally won the Hunger Games - and both of her tributes, too! It was the love story of the century: soulmates, kept apart until they came together in that most dangerous of places, the Hunger Games!

Effie was ever so excited.

Unfortunately, both of her Victors were still in the hospital, and it looked like poor Peeta would lose his leg. But at least he wouldn't lose his life.

Effie had gone to the hospital, but there wasn't anything for her to do there. She made certain the doctors knew to call her the instant either Katniss or Peeta looked even close to waking up. But after that, she returned to the Training Center. After all, she couldn't go home yet - she would be needed. Would, not might. This year she wasn't sticking around just to go to the parties. No, this year she had a purpose.

Standing on the roof, staring at the Capitol, Effie reveled in her success. Their success. Katniss and Peeta had been worthy tributes. Haymitch had actually done his part for once. And she'd been the best escort she could be. Watching the parties, letting the glory wash over her… she felt it out here. And it was amazing.

There were footsteps on the stairs and then beside her. She didn't turn to see who it would be; she had a feeling she already knew.

"Hey."

And she was right. It was Finnick.

This was their fifth year meeting on the roof.

"Hey," she responded.

"Congratulations."

She beamed at him. "Thank you!" She placed her hand over his where it rested on the railing. "I'm sorry. About your tributes."

"Thanks." He smiled that honest smile, the one she only saw up here. The one she only saw when they were alone.

After five years of meeting on the roof like this, she almost felt like they were friends. And wasn't that odd? She'd had such a crush on Finnick, but now… now she was just glad to be his friend. Or, well, whatever they were.

The cheering in the streets was audible even from up here. The two of them watched in silence.

Finally Finnick broke it. "Tell me something."

Her lips curved. "Like what?"

"A secret."

"I don't have any of those."

He grinned. "I don't believe you."

They had the same exchange every year. And every year, Effie told him something about herself. Her hair, her dislike of her full name, her utter failure at finding a job until she'd become an escort. Last year she'd told him about her mother's pressure to deliver grandchildren.

This year, she knew exactly what she wanted to say.

"I don't like sex."

Finnick tilted his head at her.

"I just… I don't see the point."

"Have you had good sex?"

"Yeah." She had. It just hadn't done anything for her.

"What about romance?"

"I like romance. I wouldn't mind being wined and dined. But I could do without the sex." It was a large part of why she'd never had a long-term serious relationship. Everyone wanted something she didn't.

Finnick simply nodded and stared out at the city again. Effie joined him and they watched as the fireworks started. A heart appeared outlining Katniss and Peeta's names.

"Can I tell you a secret?"

That wasn't part of their usual exchange. But there was only one possible answer. "Of course."

"I don't much like sex either."

She had to bite back her automatic response. He was Finnick Odair, playboy. He had to like sex!

But there was the fakeness of his smiles. The way he hid himself. The way he never quite seemed happy when he was on a date.

Some of the things her mother had said.

Instead of saying anything, she just put her hand on his. They stood together, watching the fireworks.

When the fireworks ended and the party moved south, away from the Training Center, Finnick spoke. "I should go check on Mags."

Effie nodded. "I should go check on Haymitch."

He tugged on her hand until she faced him. "I'll see you at the banquet?"

"If I'm not too busy with Katniss and Peeta."

His expression turned complicated in a way she couldn't read. "Take care of them. They're going to need it."

She squeezed his hand. "I'll do my best."

oOo

For the first time since he'd won the Hunger Games nine years ago, Finnick wasn't the most popular Victor in the room.

No, tonight that honor went to Katniss and Peeta.

He felt old. Old and weary. Those kids had no idea what they were getting into or what they were going to have to do to survive. Being soulmates and together would get them out of some of it. But it would make other parts worse.

He didn't bother trying to meet them. Getting through the crowd wasn't worth it - and besides, they'd have plenty of time for that later. All those long years of mentoring loomed ahead of him for a moment and he had to hold himself very still to keep himself from vomiting.

Distracting himself by looking around the room for the other Victors, Finnick spotted Haymitch standing by Katniss and Peeta. Effie was with him, fluttering as ever. He knew her well enough to know she would be trying to be helpful but failing miserably - Katniss was far too similar to Haymitch for Effie's Capitol ways to work on her.

Effie caught his eye and smiled, then nodded at the pair. "Sorry," she mouthed.

He shook his head, giving her a shrug that hopefully would tell her not to worry about it. She needed to take care of her Victors. They'd talk next year, or maybe on the Victory Tour.

The next person to catch his eye was Johanna, who was holding court in her usual way: insulting anyone who came near. He'd never understood why the Capitol kept coming back for more, but some of them seemed to like it. Masochists, maybe. She winked at him, then said something that made the whole group laugh.

In one corner he saw Cashmere and Gloss, looking like nothing so much as ornaments for the glittery purple Capitolite between them. Probably their patron for the night.

Finnick shuddered. At least he'd never had to fuck any of his siblings.

Wiress and Chaff stood talking in another corner, unpopular as ever. Lucky them. Mags and Annie joined them after a few moments, then Mags and Wiress made an exchange: Mags handed her Annie and received some small item that Finnick couldn't see. At least Annie would be safe with the reject Victors.

He paused in his watching to flirt with a Capitolite who'd approached him - nothing serious, just smiles and words.

And then Mags was standing next to him. "Can I steal you for a bit?"

Finnick smiled at the girl he was talking to, then gently kissed her hand. "Duty calls," he said, making sure it was still his flirtatious voice.

She giggled. "Of course, of course! Will I see you again?"

"I hope so." He didn't. But he couldn't exactly say that. At least he had Mags affecting a rescue.

Mags took his arm and they walked to one of the balconies. One of the smaller ones, Finnick noticed, with only enough space for maybe four people to stand unless they were literally on top of each other. Oddly, Mags closed the door behind them, closing them off from the banquet as much as she could.

Finnick frowned. "What's going on?"

Mags took out the item Wiress had given her and pressed a couple of buttons. Suddenly there was this almost buzzing sound, just below the edges of his hearing. "There," she said. "Now we can talk privately."

Whatever the item was… apparently it blocked the bugs. That made it worth its weight in gold. "Is there something to talk about?"

"He's not happy." She didn't have to say who 'he' was. "Katniss and Peeta defied the Capitol. They're going to be a focus for rebellion."

"That would be great if there was a rebellion."

She grinned. "There is. And it's time you knew about it."

Finnick stared at her. He'd been collecting secrets for years now in hopes that one day he'd be able to bring Snow - and ideally the whole Capitol with him - down. But most of him hadn't really expected it to go anywhere. "What?"

"District Thirteen isn't gone, lad. We've been in contact for a while, and plans have been in progress. The details are being worked out, but next year is the Quell. With that and two Victors this year… we've finally got a figurehead."

He nodded slowly. "I've been collecting secrets."

"And you may be called on to use them."

"Who else is involved?" He had suspicions. Beetee and Wiress had to be, if they were making devices that blocked bugs. A lot of the other Victors were likely… He quickly sorted them into 'yes,' 'no,' and 'maybe' categories in his head. Johanna was probably too volatile, and Districts One and Two were almost certainly out. Annie wouldn't be trusted. But Haymitch was likely in, along with Chaff and Seeder and probably some of the other older Victors.

Mags opened her mouth, but the device in her hand gave a warning beep. "Let's go back to the party," she said instead of whatever she'd been about to say. "I'll introduce you to some of the others."

Finnick took her arm. "Sounds like a plan."

oOo