Disclaimer: I do not own Hunger Games.
AN: Sorry it took so long to upload, been busy and dealing with some things!
Finnick was sitting at the table eating breakfast with Mags when Haymitch barged, he stopped in his tracks and looked at them with a confused expression like they were the ones who had run into his room without so much as a word.
"Can I help you?" Finnick said not really sure what to say. His eyebrows were furrowed in confusion but a smile sat on his lips. Haymitch looked between the two of them for a moment before smiling and moving forward in the room, He took a seat between them and crossed his arms.
"No, but I can help you." He said the smile still on his lips. When neither Finnick or Mags said anything he sighed quickly and stood up.
"You know that person I told you about the one who I said you'd like." He said quickly, he seemed distant while he said it. Finnick shrugged. He'd said it a few weeks ago but Finnick remembered it like it was yesterday. It wasn't that he particularily cared what Haymitch had said it had been what had come before that that made Finnick remember so clearly. "You are mine." Snows words rung in Finnicks ears and sent a chill down his spine. He heard Haymitch continue talking but was still thinking about that day when he brought someone else through the door. Finnick had to do a double take. His jaw dropped. Before him stood someone he'd hoped he would never have to meet. Johanna Mason. The rumours surrounding her were quite frankly terrifying. He'd heard about how she'd tried to make it seem like she was weak and couldn't fight but ended up being a killing machine. He almost shuttered but then realized that he should probably say something.
"Umm hi. I'm Finnick." He said awkwardly. He knew that he was attractive; the Capitol had made sure he knew that, but it still felt strange around girls. At least girls who knew it was all a lie, a front put on for the Games. She smirked and crossed her arms.
"I know who you are. Everyone does. You're the Capitols golden boy. I was wondering where they'd hidden you away." She said, she looked at him pointedly, as if expecting him to say something. He just sat there with his mouth open. This girl, woman that stood before him was so intimidating. He really didn't know what to say. She was only a few years older than him, and he was taller than him but he had no doubt she could kill him with her bare hands.
"Uh thank you?" he said, not really meaning it to be a question. She laughed and sat down. He looked over at Mags who looked at him for a moment and continued eating. Finnick looked at Haymitch who was standing in the doorway hoping he would say something or do something. Haymitch just looked back at him, Finnick raised his eyebrows and Haymitch shrugged. Finnick sighed and and put his head in his hands.
"Hey if I said something I'm sorry." Johanna said, Finnick was fairly certain she wasn't sincere judging by the laughter that came along with the words. He rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands.
"No, no it's fine. I just… I'm just stressed I guess." He didn't look up but he could feel their stares on him. He didn't want to cry, not now, not in front of everyone but the truth was that he was still a kid. He wasn't ready for this, he wasn't ready to do what the Capitol wanted from him but he didn't see a choice. He rubbed the tears from his eyes and sat up. He took a deep breath and smiled.
"So Johanna tell me about yourself."
Finick and Johanna ended up talking for hours. Mags and Haymitch got sick of them after a few minutes and left them alone. They sat in Finnicks room and just talked. It turned out that Johanna wasn't like the rumours. She was cold on the outside but when she let you in she let you see who she really was. She was scared; she was full of sorrow and hate. She hated the Capitol for what it had done to her.
"So, what Haymitch said to me the other day, about his family…" Finnick said not wanting to finish his thought for fear of the answer. He looked her and she shook her head.
"I didn't believe them. I was an idiot and they died for it. Just like Haymitch and a lot of other victors, I'm alone now. They're my family now, the victors. That means you. I like you Finnick. I'm going to help you." She said smiling. She stood up and pulled on his arm. He stood up and followed her out of the room. She dragged him all the way into the lobby where they found two men at the doors.
"Excuse me boys, I need to take my friend here out to see the world." She said attempting to push past them. They took a step forward and gently pushed her back.
"Sorry Ms. Mason, Mr. Odair is not permitted to leave the building." They said no trace of expression on their faces. She looked back at Finnick and smiled. He narrowed his eyes in confusion, he didn't see how that was something to smile about.
"Alright buddy, we tried. Time to move on." She said walking away from the doors and back to the stairs. He sighed and followed her. He walked up the stairs slowly. She was far ahead of him but he figured he would wait for him. When he got to the top of the stairs he found her sitting on the ground in front of his room.
"God, you're slow." She said standing up, smoothing out the creases in her jeans. She laughed at his expression and motioned him over to the door.
"Sorry, we can't all be as resilient as you I suppose." He said quietly. He walked to the door and pulled his key card out. He was about to push it into the door when Johanna caught his wrist. He looked up at her, confused, to find her staring at him rather harshly.
"Come on kid, what's wrong?" she said, not joking anymore. He liked that about her she knew when to joke but she also knew when she'd taken it to far, with him anyway.
"I just don't like this. Not being able to do anything. If they're going to force me to do this then they could at least let me go outside." He said his voice full of gloominess. She sighed and wrapped her arm around his shoulders.
"I know kid, it happens to the best of us. It's not so bad once you get used to it." She said as he opened the door. They walked through it together and sat down at the table again. The food from before was still there so he started picking at it again, not really hungry just wanted something to do.
"Well, there's got to be something fun to do around here." She said putting her feet up on the table, kicking her shoes off. He looked at her and couldn't help but smile. Even though he was in this situation, this horrible situation, she could make him forget it, if only for a moment.
It had been two weeks when he got the phone call. Finnick was sitting on his bed watching Johanna pace around in front of him. She had been doing so for the past ten minutes. She seemed more nervous than him. Haymitch was leaning on the door watching her as well. Finnick sighed nad fell backwards splaying his hands out on either side of him.
"Nope, you can't do that on me Finnick." She said abruptly grabbing his by both hands and pulling him back up into a sitting position. She raised her eyebrows at him like she was daring him to disobey him. Finnick raised his hands in front on him in defeat. She made a noise and resumed her pacing.
"Look guys there's nothing we can do about it we might as well just accept it." Haymitch said from the door in a bored tone. Johanna shot him an angry glance that shut him up.
"It'll be fine Finnick, don't worry." She said offhandedly, trying to come off cool and collected. Finnick shook his head at her and sighed. He didn't understand why they were over reacting like this. He'd gotten a phone call that morning from Snow asking Finnick to meet him in the hotel bar. Finnck had immediately gone to Haymitch and had gotten Johanna who had freaked out.
"You guys really. I'm ready for this, I'm not worried." He said, hoping he sounded sure. Mags looked him then, not in the way Johanna had been, but like she knew what he was really feeling. He loved Johanna and had grown every close to her over the past weeks but there was still something only Mags could understand about him. Johanna walked over to him, interrupting his train of thought, and threw her arms around him. He hugged her back, wanting the comfort.
"I know Finnick. I'm just worried for you. I choked and my family paid for it, I don't want that to happen to you." She said quietly for only him to hear. She pushed her face into his shoulder like she was going to cry but then she pulled back and sat down at the table. He looked at her and smiled. That was when the phone began ringing and everyone froze. He sat there for a moment just staring at the phone on his bedside table. Snow had said he would get a call sometime telling it was time to come down. Finnick was all dressed and had been waiting in his room with them for about an hour. He just stared at the phone for a moment longer before Haymitch cleared his throat loudly and intentionally. Finnick walked over and picked it up.
"Hello?" he said said, trying to sound strong. He didn't want these people thinking he was weak. He knew what came of weakness in this place.
"Mr. Odair, President Snow requests your presence in the hotel bar at this time." Stated the voice Finnick had never heard before. He cleared his throat and responded.
"Yes of course, I'll be right down." He put down the receiver and turned around. He nodded to the group and walked out the door. He held his breath down the hallway, all the way till the elevator where he knew he was alone. Or the most alone he could be in this place.
AN: So I have no idea if I wrote Johanna properly. I tried to do her justice but I just don't know. I always imagined that her and Finnick would have been good friends. Anyway I'll try to update this story more regularly from now on. If you liked this chapter, or didn't please let me know, I love to hear from you guys!