A/N: Wow. This fic has come so far! A big thank-you to AliceW, the 200th reviewer! And a big thanks to everyone who's ever read this. You guys make me really happy!
Finnick comes down the hallway a few minutes later, and his jaw clenches when he sees me. He scoops down and picks me up, bridal style, and carries me to my room. Finn drops me on the bed unceremoniously, and the paces the room angrily. "Who do I need to kill… What did he say to you?"
"The truth." I mumble. "Look, the last thing I need is for my best friend and my boyfriend to hate each other. Just come here." I stand up, and he hugs me tightly. I feel safer in his arms. "Lets just go to sleep, alright?" Finn nods in agreement. He turns off the light and crawls into bed with me.
Breakfast the next morning is awkward. Effie tries making conversation, but Gale is glaring at me over his toast, and Haymitch is hung over. I try to talk to Effie. Fashion is a safe topic. "So, Effie. What do you think of that red and black striped that everyone is buying?"
Effie shakes her head. "I think it's atrocious. The fabric is so cheap looking, and everyone still pays for it. And if everyone has the same dress, then the whole purpose of fashion is lost. The point of fashion is to express yourself and be original!" She seems to be getting worked up.
Portia nods in agreement. "Exactly. I couldn't agree more." Soon enough, we're in District One, and everyone is relieved this is the last district we have to go to before the Capitol, and then home. Gale gives the same speech he's given ten times before, and the Mayor gives a plaque, some children give him flowers. We go back to Cashmere and Gloss' house to get ready since we have four hours before we need to go to the dinner. Sometimes I forget they're siblings, so they live together. I wonder how traumatizing it was for their parents to have both their children in the Games, back-to-back.
Cashmere greets us at the door, pulling me in to give me a hug and brush her lips against my cheek. "Come in! It's freezing out." She pulls all of us into the main room. "Mother, dad. You know Haymitch and Finnick. This is Katniss Everdeen, and her cousin, Gale." A tall man, who looks like an older Gloss, shakes both of our hands and gives us a polite smile.
A tall woman, with ice-blonde hair that's short and curly shakes my hand and does the same to Gale. She smiles at me, her deep red lipstick a little to dark for her pale skin. "It's lovely to meet you two. We've heard all about the cheating scandal. The press makes up the craziest things!" She laughs, then turns to Finnick. "Oh, hun. You look like you've lost weight. You need to eat more! Good to see you're well, Haymitch." She looks like she's about to say more, but the telephone rings. Theirs is much more modern than mine. "Oh. The Mayor has an important last-minute conference tonight, so your dinner is being rescheduled for tomorrow. You're all welcome to stay here. Sleeping on that train is so uncomfortable." Haymitch, and Gloss and Cashmere's parents go into the kitchen to talk about something or another, so the five of us go into the living room.
Gloss gives me a bear hug, and picks me up. "We missed you. Cash over here wouldn't shut up about some of your dresses." He turns to Finn and does some weird handshake with him, and gives Gale what he calls a "man hug".
We all sit down, and talk about things. The tour, the cheating "scandal" and my favorite - the Quell. It's going to be announced after Gale's victory celebration back home. I'm terrified. What kind of horrors will the Game-makers bring, on top of having the Games in the first place. Usually, the worst part of the Quell is something in the reaping, not in the actual arena. I wonder how bad it would have been to been voted to be in the Games by your district. In the Careers, it must have been an honor or exciting. But in the other districts, it must have sucked. A lot. I try not to think about it. "So, Cashmere. How's your love life?" Finnick asks. I'm not sure what he's getting at.
"It's nonexistent." She laughs, pushing her long hair behind her back. "There's this one guy who's pretty cute, I guess."
Gloss slams his can of beer on the table. "Could you two just make out already?" Everyone looks at him, confused. Gloss puts his hands up in the air, giving up.
"Cash, Gale. You've been ogling each other for God-knows how long. Do us all a favor and hook up. Go." He says, rolling his eyes. I really like Gloss. He's just a funny guy. Gale awkwardly kisses Cashmere, and Gloss cheers. Cashmere stands up, and drags him to some room. "Gale has no idea what he just got himself into."
Finn laughs, and puts his arm around me, kissing me passionately, but quickly. "Well that worked out pretty well."
"Could you two stop eye-fucking?" Gloss sighs.
"No. They can't." Haymitch comes over, bringing Cashmere and Gloss' parents. They sit down on the chairs, wine glasses in hands. "Seriously. It's ridiculous."
I scrunch my nose up at him. "Hypocrite." I say.
"So," Gloss and Cashmere's dad asks me, "What's District 12 like? I've never been, and I've always been curious about it. Haymitch isn't very good at describing it." Haymitch laughs.
"Well, it's pretty cold, and very small. We're the smallest district, actually. There's about two or three thousand people, so I know pretty much everyone. Most of the adults work in the Coal mines, but there's other jobs and lots of shop-keepers." I explain.
"Well we'll have to visit." Their mother adds. A timer goes off in the kitchen. "I made duck in orange sauce. Dinner should be ready in an hour or so. I better check." She excuses herself.
"How's Jo?" Gloss asks Haymitch.
"Homesick. She's back in 7 now." Haymitch sighs. He misses her. I think it's cute.
Gale and Cashmere come back into the room. Cashmere's hair is all mussed up, and Gale has a bit of pink lipstick on his lips. Gloss laughs and high-fives Gale, who wipes his mouth on a napkin. He sits down next to me. "You were right, by the way. Last night I mean. Thanks. And sorry." I give him a small smile. I don't really know if I'm ready to forgive him for acting like he did last night, but at least he knows he's in the wrong. That's a step in the right direction. I really would like to have things go back to normal with Gale.
I decide I like District One. They have the most variety in profession - some of them make wine, others mine diamonds, and some make silk and furs. They act formal, and dress like a toned-down Capitol, but they seem pretty down to earth. I wonder how the Career academy all the children train at is like. A part of me doesn't even want to know. It could be terrifying. Then again, anything related to the Games is pretty terrifying. I fidget with the halter strap on my deep purple dress. It's tight all the way to the bottom of the dress which hugs the tops of my knees.
Cashmere and Gloss' mother- who's name I learn is Emerald - makes the most delicious food I think I've ever had outside the Capitol. She says she wanted to be a chef when she was younger. Emerald is sweet, but seems like she can be harsh when she needs to be. I also can tell she's very intuitive. I wonder if she knows about Cashmere and Gloss' jobs. After the lovely dinner she made, we all help clean up, and Cashmere invites me to play cards. We play on a team against Finn and Gloss. Gale doesn't know the game, so he just watches. Cashmere and I win. Emerald, her husband, and Haymitch go out to the closest winery for drinks, and Gloss breaks out the vodka. We play a game called 'Never Have I Ever', which Finn saw on a Capitol television show a few weeks ago. The person who starts says something they've never done or had, and if you've done it, you have to drink a shot. Finn goes first. "Um, never have I ever had sex with a dude." Cashmere and I drink a shot, and she shoots him a look. Gale goes next.
"Wait it can be anything, right?" He asks. I nod. "Um. I have a good one. Never have I ever had sex." I almost spit out my drink.
"Not fair." I say.
"That needs to be changed. Right now." Cashmere looks appalled.
"This is kind of dumb." Gloss points out the obvious, "I mean there's not much we haven't done. We're whores." He says it so casually, I don't know how I feel about it. Finn puts his arm around me, and I lay my head on his chest. "We could just all go around and list something about ourselves. Its the same, but less stupid."
"Works for me." I shrug. There's always more to learn about people. "My first kiss was broadcasted on national television."
"In the cave?" Cashmere asks. "With the boy? No way. Alright. My turn I guess. Um, lets see. "I've never been in a relationship that has lasted more than a month."
"That's cause you're a player!" Gloss jokes. We all know the real reason why, Gloss included, but we're smart enough to not bring that up. Not here.
"Seriously?" Gale asks, astonished. He doesn't believe Cashmere for a second. "But you're gorgeous…" We all go quiet as we realize what he said. Cashmere blushes.
"You're not too bad yourself, Hawthorne." Cashmere responds playfully.
I sit with Gale in the glass-ceiling car of the train as we pull into the Capitol. He's seeing it from a new perspective now. He's loved there, and while he has reason to be scared, it's much less scary than when he was on this train six months ago, waiting to face his imminent death. Now, he's being celebrated. I should be happy for him, but I'm honestly terrified. We stay in the Capitol for a few days, have our celebration in 12, and then the Quell is announced a few days later. I have no idea what it could be, and that in itself is probably almost as scary as what it will be. Not being sure makes me question, and I always cause problems when I over think things. "Wow." Gale whispers, as we round the familiar turn into the Capitol. "It's amazing what they can build."
He's right too. I hate the Capitol with a burning passion, but their architectural designs are fantastic. Effie is interested in buildings and structures, so she talked my ear off a few times about certain buildings in the Capitol. "You're going to freak out when you see all the food they have. One table is enough to feed all of 12 for a few months." I tell him. Sadly, I'm going to miss a lot of the Capitol's celebrations - I have appointments. In the four days we'll be here, Gale has a set schedule: the first day - today - is his interview with Caesar. Tomorrow is when Gale meets with President Snow to be congratulated publicly. The day after is the banquet at President Snow's mansion, and we go home the afternoon after. I have eighteen appointments in the first three days. That's six a day. I cringe. That's not gonna be fun.
Oh, the things I learn. Apparently, Johanna Mason has gone missing, and she's staying with my second appointments' sister. Yeah, right. My third client claims Finnick and Gale are best friends and live together - that's partially true. Finn lives with me, and Gale's over so frequently, it's like he lives there. I also found out the President has a granddaughter, and that she's of Reaping age. That means that someone actually had a child with him. I don't know why, or how.
I sigh, relieved, as soon as I can get in the cab and head back to the training center. Today was not fun. After my third appointment, I was worn out. I take of my shoes once I get inside the training center elevator, and hobble into the bathroom, ignoring looks from Gale and Haymitch. Effie shakes her head, but thankfully, she's as ignorant as ever. I'd like to keep her that way. I throw my dress on my bed, and step into the shower. I sit in the bathtub, cross-legged, letting the scalding hot water beat down on my back, soaking my underclothes, which I forgot to take off. I don't find the will to stand up. I'm stuck. I'm alive, but is this really living? I wake up late, sleep with men, cry, get drunk, cuddle with Finn, and repeat. I was more alive when I was starving to death in the Seam. I'm constantly under pressure, with the lives of my loved ones on my shoulders. And they have no idea. I hear someone bang on the door. I wonder how long I've been in here.
A few minutes later, I hear someone come in, and pull open the shower curtain. It's Finnick. He looks just as worn out as I am. He furrows his brow, and then stands me up. "I heard you had six today," he tells me, as he pulls off his shirt. "Me too." He opens his mouth as if he's going to say something more, but decides against it. I pull him into the shower. I don't know if I want to cry in his arms, or make out with him. I don't think it matters. I look at us: me in my red lacy underwear, and Finn in his soaked grey boxers. Sure, we're considered 'beautiful people' by the Capitol magazines, and I'd be lying if I said Finn wasn't beautiful - but we're so screwed up. We should be enjoying our youth, and instead we're fucking rich weirdos. I pull him into a hug, laying my head on his muscular chest. I wonder if he knows how much I need him. I wonder if he needs me as much as I need him.
"I don't know what I'd do without you." I mutter, looking up to stare in Finnick's green eyes. He tilts my chin up, and kisses me gently. I reach over him and turn the water off. I reach out of the shower and grab two towels, one for each of us. "We should continue this dried off." I tell him, drying off my legs.
"But Effie…" Finnick points out. Crap. I forgot she believes the Capitol rumors.
"I honestly don't care." I tell him. "I just want to be with you."
"You sure?" Finn asks me, and kisses my forehead. "I'm happy with that if you are." It sounds selfish, but I don't want him to sleep with anyone else. I'd like it to be him and I, in a real relationship. But that's unreasonable. I wrap a fluffy, warm towel around my torso, and other I twist my hair into. He just wraps one around his waist. We have to cross part of the living room, where everyone is. Gale's wearing a suit, and pacing. Tonight is his interview. I smile at him, and give him a thumbs up, wishing him good luck.
We sit down on the couch by ourselves, since Effie and Haymitch brought Gale down. Caesar Flickerman is wearing his famous powder blue sequined suit that matches his hair. He welcomes Gale onto the stage, and they shake hands. Gale sits in the same white chair that he sat on six months ago when he thought he was going to die for sure, the same chair Peeta sat on when he confessed his love for me, the chair I sat on when I told all of Panem that I was dating the Finnick Odair. They talk about the victory tour, fashion (which I can tell Gale has to try hard to not roll his eyes at all of Caesar's comments), and then what happens now. Gale mentions about how I'm going to help him mentor, and this will be Haymitch's first year where he doesn't have to mentor since he won. They chat a little longer. Finally, Caesar asks about if Gale has a special woman in his life. Gale smiles, and says "Maybe. I'll keep you updated on that." Caesar thanks him, they stand up and shake hands again, and the anthem plays, followed by the seal of Panem. The television goes black.
"You know they had sex. Gale and Cashmere." Finnick says, drawing me back to reality. I tilt my head at him. "I heard them. Last night. Before we left." He clarifies. I had a little too much to drink at the mayor's house in District 1 last night, and I honestly don't remember a lot.
"Oh." Is all I can say. I don't know how to respond to that.
Just then, Haymitch, Effie and Gale walk in. Haymitch and Gale wear identical amused grins when they see Finn and I, towel-clad, sitting on the couch. Effie turns pink, then red. She looks at me angrily, but turns to Finnick. "How dare you. You hurt Katniss, you hurt my friend. You're not welcome here." I groan in disagreement and turn towards him, kissing him. Effie raises an eyebrow at me. "You have some explaining to do." She tells me.
I shrug. "Finnick and I are back together. I'm giving a second chance. That's all there is to tell." I think I see Haymitch chuckle softly. He knows we didn't even break up in the first place.
Effie huffs, and straightens her bright orange wig. "Well don't say I didn't warn you." She tells me, and then points her finger at Finn, "I don't care how attractive you are, you hurt her in any way and I'll-" She's cut off by Finnick cupping my cheeks and pulling my lips to his. I smile into the kiss, and put my hand in his soft hair. I'll never get tired of kissing him. I don't know what the future holds for us. Realistically, we could break up any day, or even get married one day. Nothing is certain - I could screw up and get him killed tomorrow. Not knowing scares me, but I know that we'll have this, right now, forever. And that's good enough for me right now.
"Get a room." Gale grins at me. I'm not sure if he's being a jerk, or friendly about it. I tell myself it's the latter.
I smile warmly at him. "You did great out there. We'll get to go home soon." I turn to Haymitch, "I think he's going to be alright." Haymitch says nothing, but shrugs, oddly aloof on the topic. I hug Gale goodnight, and Finnick gives him a weird high-five pat-on-the-back thing that a lot of guys do to their friends. I think it's weird but don't comment on it. Finnick in I sleep curled up in the same bed I lost my virginity to him a year ago in.
"I like this bed." Finn grins at me, clearly remembering what we did here. He absentmindedly twirls a strand of my hair around his finger. "I remember the first time I saw you was when you volunteered for Prim. You looked so scared and determined. But you were beautiful. And you still are." I lean over and kiss him. Tonight I have no nightmares. I feel almost… safe.
We all wake up very late the next morning, around eleven or so. Today is the banquet at President Snow's mansion. He calls it a house, but it's the largest mansion in all of Panem. I hate to admit it since he owns it, but it's beautiful to say the least. I wear the most 'sexy' dress I own - a tight, strapless dress that goes to my mid-thigh. It's borderline indecent, but here in the Capitol that's fashionable. I put on nude-colored high heels, and they make me only a few inches shorter than Finn. I put on a lot of eye makeup, deep red lipstick, and straighten my wavy hair. I think I look pretty good. Jaws drop when they see me. I look mature. Everyone babies me because I'm not even eighteen yet, but now they won't. Finn and Gale both wear suits, and they look very handsome. Gale chokes on his water when he sees me. "You're wearing that?" He asks, taken aback, but I notice how his eyes linger on my body.
"Wow." Haymitch and Finn say at the same time when they see me. Finn puts his hand in mine. "You look stunning. Are you ready for tonight?"
"Ready for what?" Gale asks.
Finn takes a breath before responding, "If anyone asks, we're gonna tell them the truth - that we're back together. I love Katniss, and I'm not going to hide that.
Haymitch shakes his head. "That's a death wish. I swear on all the liquor in the world- if you even hold hands at that party, I'll kill you both before Snow can."
I sit next to Finnick but I don't touch him. I walk off on my own and instead of dancing with him, I dance with the rich Capitol people Effie tells me I need to know. I shake hands and kiss cheeks with some people, make small talk with others. Whenever I'm asked about Finn, I respond exactly the same each time: "We're friends now, but that's it, and all it's ever going to be again." The President makes a short speech about how honorable Gale was, and how is Games are a legacy in the Capitol. We all raise our glasses of clear-yellow bubbly drinks- champagne- and drink to him. I go back to talking to Capitol socialites.
One man who catches my attention is a fairly normal-looking man, who asks for a dance. We dance to a song awkwardly for a song, and then he asks me if I'd like a drink. We make our way over to one of the multiple bars.
"You look quite lovely, Miss Everdeen." He tells me. I thank him. "Oh, let me introduce myself. I'm Plutarch Heavensbee, the new Head Gamemaker this year." Seneca Crane supposedly died during some car accident, but I have a feeling he just managed to piss off Snow.
"Congratulations. That must be an honor." I say, smiling at him. I take a large sip of whatever the man at the bar gave me. It's numbing. That's good.
He shrugs, nonchalantly, "I guess so. We've been working on the Arena for the Quell for quite a while. They usually take a bit of time, but this one took over a year, since the Games are going to have a twist this year. I'm quite anxious to find out."
"Me too." I confess. We're anxious for much different reasons.
Plutarch rolls up his sleeve to look at his watch, and then shows it to me. "It's a Mockingjay, like your pin. They're all the rage in the Capitol." He kisses my cheek. "Well, I have to get going. It was lovely finally meeting you. There's… a last-minute meeting for Gamemaker executives. It starts at midnight." He goes over to get his coat, and leaves. Something about what he says sticks with me. Why does it even have significance?
It starts at midnight.
A/N: How was that? Did you like it? Be honest!
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Make sure to check out my other story, Trident.