Wild Heart
A/N: In this chapter, we see the official meeting between Katniss and President Snow. As I mentioned in the last chapter, watch for Prim's companion. This time, however, I am not talking about Rue. Also, we get to learn a bit about Finnick's personality, as well as learning of his unknowing connection to Katniss…
Setting: We begin in the Presidential Gardens exactly where the last chapter left off. However, we will subsequently jump three days into the future within the walls of a Coliseum. The chapter will end there.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
∞K&F∞
Chapter 03
Nobody can tame you…
(Katniss' POV)
"Katniss!"
In this moment, my entire world is complete again. For once, I do not mourn the loss of our parents, nor do I wait anxiously for the next misfortune to occur. No. In this moment, I simply relish in the feeling of my darling sister happy and healthy within my embrace. Her small hands clutch desperately at the evergreen material of my gown, her tearful babble ghosting against my chest. I distantly feel tiny little Rue's palm against my arm, but all that I can think about is how happy I am to have my wonderful little Prim back in my arms…
"I missed you so much," she whispers as she presses her forehead against mine. I smile lovingly.
"I do not need to tell you just how much I missed you, do I, little duck?" I ask playfully. She giggles happily whilst wiping away her tears. I kiss her forehead before returning to my feet. My sharp eyes come to rest upon the man waiting patiently, seated just a few feet from the three of us…
"Welcome, Ms. Everdeen. It is such a pleasure to finally meet you," he says 'warmly'. However, I can honestly say that I have felt more warmth from an arctic wind…
"The pleasure is mine, sir. I apologize for not speaking to you upon coming into your presence; it is highly impolite to not address someone, especially a man of such high regard." A snowy eyebrow rises at my words, surprise evident upon his serpentine face. He is definitely a citizen of the Capitol, if his unnaturally formed lips are any indication…
"Well, I was most definitely not expecting such a well-spoken young woman. Please, take a seat. Young Rue, you may entertain sweet little Primrose while the two of us speak. Ms. Mason will be watching the two of them, so do not worry, Ms. Everdeen. I have heard of your rather…protective nature where your sister is concerned." I smile pleasantly, fighting off the urge to bury a knife in his throat. What? Do you honestly think I would go anywhere in this place unarmed?
My eyes shift from the man in front of me to lock upon the young woman standing off to the left. From the fiery look within her deep chocolate eyes, she is one to not be taken lightly. A sweeping brown dress of several layers cascades down her slight frame, her short brown hair pinned up in a delicate bun. The top of the dress is very reminiscent of the Grecian togas of yore, her back and arms exposed. A smirk forms upon my lips as I notice the many scars going up and down her arms, the markings of a warrior. Noticing my smirk, she offers one of her own.
"Do not worry, Twelve redux, I will make sure that your sister is well taken care of. Besides, I do not need him any more pissed at me," she quips brightly before whirling around and sauntering off…
Yes, I like her already.
Once the three of them are out of sight, I return my gaze to President Snow. He is dressed in an evergreen suit that matches mine perfectly, his snow white locks reflecting the silver accents along his blazer. A single white rose is pinned to the front, his trademark accessory. He is a small man, Snow, but his presence is what makes him seem larger than life. Seeing him in person, I can more than believe that he has survived the worst that life has had to offer. I can also believe that he can be solely responsible for the deaths of countless unfortunate souls.
"So, Ms. Everdeen, I hear that you are here to volunteer for our lovely Hunger Games. What spurs this desire, if I may?" I lean back into my seat, crossing my legs before staring directly into his eyes.
"The very child that plays amongst your trees," I state firmly. He is no fool, though; he can hear the underlying meaning to my words. Pain, loss, truth, retribution, all is borne from the anguish of living life outside of these mighty walls. It is not Hell out there, but it is pretty damn close, regardless of the 'ever-promising conditions' spoken of by the Capitol.
"I see. Ms. Everdeen, let us make a pact this day. From this point forward, we shall speak openly and honestly with one another. I will never lie to you, as you will refrain from doing so as well. Do you agree to those terms?" I nod almost immediately.
"Agreed," I bite cruelly. We level one another with open apprehension, sizing the other up as beasts vying for supremacy…
"How did you find your way to him?"
"How many have died at his hands?"
"What makes you think that I will not kill you here and now?"
"What made you kill my parents?"
"Silence," he commands angrily, his hands clenched in rage. I can feel the red-hot tears of my own rage cascading down my cheeks, my nails digging into the thick wood beneath my fingertips.
The air between the two of us is thick, weighted with the tension of two domineering souls. I can almost feel his desire to have me killed, his usually calm demeanor fallen to the wayside in our moment of truth. To be honest, though, I know that he will not follow through with his instincts, as I did not before. He and I are one and the same, two dangerous individuals capable of doing unspeakable harm to anyone that dares to cross our paths. Rather than finish it now, though, he will wait, biding his time until he can reap the maximum benefits of my demise…
Too bad two can play that game.
"Well, I must say, you are truly a decent adversary. I am sure that this will be the first of many meetings, Ms. Everdeen," he says darkly. I smirk.
"Katniss. Call me Katniss," I toss evenly. He nods, quirking an eyebrow.
"Coriolanus." I cock my head to the side.
"Just like in the old Roman texts," I whisper curiously. He frowns deeply, but before he can ask any questions, Haymitch walks into the clearing…
"To what do I owe this interruption?" Snow asks exhaustedly. For once, we see eye-to-eye on something…
"You have another visitor…both of you…" At this, we share a quick glance, frowns marring both of our faces. If I did not hate the man so, I would question whether he was my father…
"Very well. Katniss, my dear, this is far from over," he says before standing quickly and stalking off into the woods. I shrug before standing and heading off in the direction that Prim and the others went earlier…
"Hey, sweetheart," Haymitch calls to my retreating form. I look over my shoulder uninterestedly…
"What in the hell do you want, Abernathy?" I snap. He simply smirks, propping up against the nearest tree.
"Did you not hear me just a minute ago? Something about visitation and whatnot!" I laugh despite my current loathing of the man. This is just like old times…
"There is no damn visitor," I toss before strutting off. His laughter echoes behind me.
Yep, just like old times…
∞K&F∞
(President Snow's POV)
"What made you kill my parents?"
It has been at least two hours since our meeting, but her words continue to haunt me. My eyes move upwards, staring distantly at the beautifully crafted ceiling above. My feet skim the surface of the water as they shift back and forth, just barely disturbing the glassy surface. My young protégé sits lays beside me, eyes trained on the wall opposite our position. Neither of us says a word, each caught up within the web of his thoughts. Ironically, both of our minds lay upon one young woman in particular, the current bane of my existence…
"Katniss. Her name is Katniss Everdeen. She is equally as stunning as she is stubborn. You were right, Finnick, she is definitely the serpentine seductress. I almost bit the apple tonight, my boy, almost bit the apple…" He says nothing, but I can feel his aquatic gaze burning into the side of my face.
From the moment she stepped from within the grove, I knew that she was trouble. Never in all of my years have I seen someone so beautiful, even able to stand in comparison with the young man beside me. Her beauty, though, is not only physical, but spiritual as well. When she walked past me, I could feel an energy off of her that made me want to be closer to her, to know more about her. She is a very dangerous young woman, and I will see to it that she meets her end. She is far too similar to myself for my liking, but then again…
"You seem quite smitten with her," comes Mr. Odair's sultry voice. I look down into the mirth-filled irises of my young companion…
"Do I?" I ask with mock uncertainty. He chuckles lightly before laying a cool hand on my forearm…
"Oh yes, very much like a young schoolgirl with her first crush!" We laugh wholeheartedly for a bit before settling into a companionable silence…
"What made you kill my parents?"
"Why did you? Kill her parents, I mean," he asks softly. My eyes drop to the cool marble floor beneath as a frown forms…
"I honestly cannot remember," I mutter in mild frustration.
District Twelve has always been a place of little consequence, only remaining intact due to its endless supply of fossil fuels. And until the few hours prior to now, I had no knowledge of Katniss Everdeen's troubling existence. I close my eyes for a moment, clawing desperately at the far reaches in the back of my mind for any evidence as to what provoked any purposeful killings there in that unfortunate hellhole. I sigh rather dramatically as I return to the present empty-handed. Something is gnawing at the edge of my consciousness, but it will have to reveal itself in its own time, I suppose…
"Some things are best left forgotten, although I wonder if you have truly forgotten…or have you blocked something integral in order to protect yourself…or her." I look at him for a moment, truly taking in the entirety of Finnick Odair for the first time…
"I can truly see exactly why I reaped you, son," is all that I can say before leaning over and placing a gentle kiss to his forehead. He smiles softly as I stand to retire for the evening.
"Goodnight, young Finnick," I offer gently. He stares blankly for a moment before he replies…
"Remember, Coriolanus Snow, that there is often truth hidden in dreams. You would be wise not to forget what haunts you this night." I can only nod slowly in response…
"What made you kill my parents?"
∞K&F∞
(Finnick's POV)
My eyes remain closed, the world around me nonexistent. My mind is completely devoid of thought, my heart of feeling. A calm wind sweeps across the sandy expanse, releasing a snakelike hiss as it draws closer. The air is hot and humid, sweat dripping down my golden brow. Coriolanus has always favored the more tropically-themed arenas for whatever reason, this particular one a favorite of his as well as mine. After all, this just so happens to be the very Coliseum that saw me win my first and only victory. After winning, I was taken to begin my…'other' profession.
"Thinking of competing again?" I chuckle deep within my chest at the sound of his voice. I turn just as he steps right inside my personal space. I shrug at the intrusion.
"Not in the least. You are wearing far too many clothes, by the way, Peeta dearest!" I chirp brightly. He snickers, shoving my shoulder playfully.
"Says the man wearing only underwear," he snarks. I roll my eyes.
"They are shorts, Mellark, not underwear. I simply prefer things…tight, which I am quite sure that you remember." It is his turn to roll his eyes.
"Whatever. Seriously, though, why are you here?" he asks softly. The kindness and tenderness of his tone pulls none-too gently at my heartstrings, something that only he can do…
"Do you remember when we first met, Peeta? You were so young, so afraid of everything around you. Even so, you kept up the image of the bashful youth with quick wit and an endearing heart. I was furious with Snow for reaping you, let alone attempting to bring you into the 'fold', so to speak. I have forgiven him, though, having become endlessly thankful for your constant companionship. I love you, Peeta, you know that, right?" I sigh sorrowfully when I feel his arms wrap around me from behind, his warm chest pressed against my back. My hands lock around his.
Peeta is another one of the rare Tributes from District Twelve, just as Haymitch Abernathy before him. Unlike his predecessor, however, Peeta is not a drunken asshole. He is the exact opposite, actually. Most Tributes are reaped from the general pool for tournament purposes only, their future presence in the Capitol (should they win, mind you) nothing more than fuel for the fire that drives Coriolanus. There are a select few, such as myself, that the President himself decides should be reaped. He then either retrieves the person himself, or he has the pool rigged. With Snow, there is no room for uncertainty.
He had spotted Peeta on camera one afternoon, the young man helping his family deliver cakes to the Mayor's estate. And yes, the President does have cameras setup all over Panem so that he may watch and reap as he pleases. His rule is absolute, and he is more than capable of maintaining the endless truth to that statement. I have obviously seen more than most, so I can personally attest to the great lengths that he will go to protect his beloved homeland. Manipulating the reaping is but a small example of that.
I had just begun to settle into my new lifestyle as when I was summoned to the Presidential chambers. There were few occasions that required my presence there, so I knew that it had to have been something important. I will never forget the look on poor Peeta's face when I walked in, a horrible mixture of anguish and rage. He kept his cool, though, something that I could not honestly claim. Our beloved President wanted to make him another me, another sexualized sociopath whose very soul will remain forever tainted. I did not want that for him.
Most people are not aware of certain aspects of Coriolanus' persona, such as his penchant for sexual perversion. Evil can transfer itself onto any aspect of one's life that it chooses, even sex. Good ole President Snow is the epitome of evil, so it stands to reason he would be the type to get off watching two young souls suffer. At that point, I had bedded quite a few men and women, all of which who met watery ends. Peeta, though, he was just so fucking pure and innocent that I…I just could not bring myself to desire him in such a manner. Still…
What Snow wants, Snow gets.
He was clad in only a pair of pale blue briefs, his skin sprinkled with golden glitter. Snow has always had a great respect for ancient design, Peeta's overall look that of a beautiful young god. His blonde locks were swept around his head, forming a beautiful glowing halo. He had been cleaned and perfumed to oblivion, yet the telltale scents of coal and bread refused to be completely suppressed. In all honesty, I could see why Snow wanted him. His beauty stopped my very heart for a moment. If he could be taught to harness his presence and use it as a weapon, he could be just a deadly as I…
Alas, it was never to be…
"What is your name?" I ask as I approach him. He looks me dead in my eyes as he speaks.
"Peeta. Peeta Mellark." His eyes swim with unshed tears, his body trembling with barely concealed rage.
"You know what I am about to do?" I ask softly, my right hand gently stroking the side of his face. He nods slowly, jaw clenching tightly. I cannot stop myself as I lean in to kiss the side of his mouth tenderly…
A single tear falls, shattering my heart into millions of pieces.
"Alright boys, let us begin. Finnick, show Mr. Mellark what I expect of him. And please, gentlemen, try and put on a good show?" I nod numbly as I step in close, pulling Peeta's face to mine.
"Finnick?" he whispers so softly that only I can hear. I move my eyes to his.
"Yes?" I ask just as softly. Another tear falls as he speaks again…
From the look in his eyes, I know that I will never forget this moment for as long as I shall live.
"What you are about to take from me, return to her should she ever share this same fate," he begs sadly as his finger ghosts down the side of my arm…
"Peeta," I call suddenly, a sense of urgency washing over my entire body. I feel him frown against my bare skin.
"What is it?" he asks curiously.
"That night, when we…what did you spell out on my arm? To whom was I to return your innocence?" He unwraps himself from around me, moving instead to stare into my eyes. The emotion swirling within those cerulean irises frightens me.
"The one person I promised to always be strong for, the very person that I saw that night when I first looked at you." As he places his hand on my arm, my mind goes back to that night…
I press a chaste kiss to his lips before slowly moving down his body, his briefs following shortly thereafter. His body is solid, broad and strongly built from years of hard labor. His fair features point to his family's merchant status, the bread scent pointing to that of a baker's son. Unsurprisingly, his member is flaccid, his nerves keeping his bloodflow centered around his pounding heart. I spin him around then, shoving him face-first upon the soft surface of Snow's bed. The tension riddling his form is obvious, each touch seeming as if it might shatter him like glass.
I can feel Coriolanus' eyes upon us, watching every minute of our tryst. Looking at the young man sprawled before me, and I know exactly what I must do. I slide up his body to hover over him, aligning myself with his entrance. I press my face into the back of his neck, mouthing an apology and instructions to remain as he is. I smile in relief as he nods imperceptibly. Pressing another chaste kiss to his neck, I slide into him without any warning. He bites his lip to suppress the scream that I know must be tearing at his throat. I may be a bit of a monster to most, but I do have a heart for those who do not deserve the shit dumped upon them by the voyeur across the room.
I fuck him with abandon, mercilessly drilling into his ass. His hands are snow white as he grips the sheets, his nails leaving little tears as I move inside of him. I glance emotionlessly at Snow, pleased to see the disapproving look in his empty eyes. He will allow me to finish, but will send the boy to the Training Center to begin preparing for the upcoming Hunger Games. I will assure his victory in penance, just as I will watch over him as he sleeps tonight…and the following nights up until the Games. A sigh of relief escapes my lips as I feel my orgasm beginning.
As I am spilling my seed inside of him, he suddenly reaches back, laying his hand upon my chest. His finger moves across the sweat-slick expanse quickly, spelling out the same thing over and over and over again. As I still my movements, my mind runs over the sensation continuously. He is openly weeping beneath me, pleading with me not to forget my promise. Snow curses softly before walking out of the room, his evening ruined. I withdraw from within him, pulling him up and pressing him against my chest. I hold him until they come to escort him away…
"K-A-T-N-I-S-S," I whisper softly as his finger moves just as it did many, many moons ago. My eyes widen as I realize exactly what I just spelled out…
"Katniss. Her name is Katniss Everdeen."
"Finnick, what is it? Are you okay? Finnick!" My entire body grows cold as realization dawns upon me. It cannot be…it seriously cannot be…
"Your friend, the one person who you love more than life itself, her name is Katniss," I whisper distantly. He nods slowly as I step away from him…
"Yes. Why are you freaking out like this? You are the last person I ever expected to see like this, the last person. Her name should be of absolutely no importance to you…unless…unless she is here…" The distraught look that mars his beautiful face rips my heart in two. Not only is she here, but I almost raped and killed her, not to mention that I…
Three days ago, I planted the idea in Snow's head to kill her.
Without a second glance, I whirl around and tear into the foliage behind us. I ignore Peeta's anguished calls as I race towards the exit. I can only think of one thing: reaching Effie Trinket and finding out exactly where Katniss is. I am not sure of my plan after that, but I must at least find her. I owe Peeta that much. As I round a particularly sharp bend, I crash unceremoniously into someone. We both fall over into the pond beside us. When my eyes finally come back into focus, I both want to curse and cry at the same time…
"You!" we cry in unison.
∞K&F∞
Review, please. The story is about to progress rather quickly, so any feedback would be appreciated. Here are a few things to note about this chapter:
Not all Tributes are young, depending on the pool at the time.
Effie is always the one who draws the names, but Snow has control over the process.
She is kept in the dark when he decides to change the pool.
Peeta was a virgin at the time he and Finnick had sex.
Finnick's sexual preferences are completely disregarded, Snow deciding who he is to bed.
Most of the Coliseums are destroyed after they are used, with a few exceptions.
The next few chapters will introduce different characters, each with a fair amount of importance, so keep track of their interactions with Katniss, Finnick, and Prim. Thanks to alainwonderland, Sarasva, and hollyandvine for following, as well as to my faithful reviewers. And nimthriel, I love you to pieces, lovebug!