Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games.
Review reply to i don't have one: Thanks for the review. I'm trying to update as often as i can but uni is always hectic for me (especially when the internet dies and your house is somewhat broken. That's always fun) so it's sadly not gonna be too consistent :( I hope you enjoy the fic!
A/n: Nearly time for me to start doing work so i think daily updates are now a figment of the imagination. Hopefully not.
17) Finnick Odair – Invisible
It is sometimes said, by those who speak, live and work with them, that those who are mad often appear more normal than those who are 'sane'. Finnick is someone who thinks that this is true, because Annie sometimes seems saner than any other person around. But maybe it's because what she really does well – better than any other person he knows – is see Finnick Odair.
For most of his life, Finnick has been invisible. He has been placed in the public eye with thousands watching him but none of them have ever seen him. When he was fourteen, they saw only the good-looking teenager, fighting for their entertainment. As a victor, he was simply a prize to be won and a person designed to further the Hunger Games. As a Quarter Quell rebel, he was someone who could die for the cause. As a rebel he is a pretty face for the cameras, to say to President Snow, "Up yours!"
All of these people watch him and none of them see him for who he is.
But Annie – Annie is different. When they met, he was a mentor but even then, she spoke to him as though maybe – just maybe – he had feelings of his own. And even when she had won and begun to live in her own world, she would look at him and ask him about the small things in life. The things no one discusses with him because he's far too important for them. And then she would talk about the big things but as though he was an equal – not out of her league nor just another person to control. It was Finnick who had to hide things, not her.
He sometimes wonders whether the reason she does this is because her insanity allows her to act as no other person does. But he knows that's wrong. She does it because that's who she is.
He pulls on his suit, ready for the wedding. Another event where people will watch him as a symbol of happiness and rebellion and not see him for who he is. But that doesn't matter because Annie will be there and she'll see what the wedding is for him.
And as long as the woman he loves can see him, why should he care when the rest of the world looks right through him?