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#annie x reader angst
kometqh · 5 months
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𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐎𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐗 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 (fem reader) 𝟓𝐤 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: 𝐍𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐩𝐭.𝟐 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝-𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭-𝐰𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 ,𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲. 𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚. 𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐠𝐨 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫?
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Tugging at my hair, the wind brushed past me in a hurry. It came from far away, seemingly always looking for something, never being able to find it. Paired with the wind, a steady but small wave washed up against the shoreline, the thinnest part of the wave just barely scraping my feet.
I looked up at the sky. It was partly clouded, but beautiful nethertheless. The sun was just barely breaking through the horizon, casting gentle light across the beach. It mixed with the blue sky and formed a rose-pink colour across the clouds, the shore and the sea. Was it always so beautiful here? 
I shook my head, casting my gaze to the side, my eyes landing on a lone boulder which sat in the water. The exterior was decorated by lavish long seaweed and a cluster of barnacles. It sat proudly in the water, the waves crashing against it every so often, sprays of water flying into the air. It was a pretty sight. Almost pretty enough to distract me from the anxiety tugging at my heart.
A sliver of water touched my feet, before being dragged back to the sea.
Today is my last year of reaping. Today is the day that decides whether I'll be free for the rest of my life, or whether I will die fighting for my life in a gruesome bloodbath.
Though in this context, freedom isn't exactly what one might think it is. Nobody is ever truly free in Panem.
Someone like me would not survive in any of the arenas we've seen so far. I can barely handle killing a fish, let alone an entire human being, a child. I can feel a shiver travel down my spine, and I shake my head, casting those thoughts aside. Nothing will happen, I think to myself, and continue to look at the splashing waves, hypnotised by the rhythmic back-and-forth movement, accompanied by occasional licks of water against the tips of my feet, which have found respite in the sand.
With a sigh, I lean back on my elbows. Squinting slightly, I observe the clouds. None have any particular shape to them, but it feels comforting to stare at them as they move. Would I get to see them in an arena? I don't think so.
Time passed by rather quickly. When you lay on a beach with no form of watch or clock, a minute can quickly become an hour. And before I knew it, I began to notice some small boats setting out into the sea, as the sun slowly climbed up higher into the sky. It must be what...7am? Maybe 8. That's usually when people wake up to go fishing, since the waters are calmer in the morning.
With a sigh, I begin to think of the day ahead. It is mandatory to attend the reaping. If one doesn't, they'll be dragged out of their homes, whipped in the town square, and then forced to watch. I sigh heavily, fingers digging into the sand beneath me, and with a light shake of my head, I reluctantly heave myself up and off the sand, heading towards the treeline.
Nobody really ventures into the wooden forest, in fear of the peacekeepers that guard the borders of District 4. Although I learned very quickly that they're further out than one might think, many citizens of District 4 have no interest in venturing out, believing that there isn't much out there to be seen in the first place.
But not me.
When I was much younger, I'd often run into the forest to go exploring. There aren't many dangerous animals in there, so nobody would worry unless I haven't returned by the evening.
On one of those adventures, I had discovered a bunch of rock pools. Now that may not sound fantastic, but it was. I saw big animals, at the time I wasn't sure what they were, but now I do - they were seals. All bearing different kinds of fluffy coats of fur, ranging from pure white, to a spotty grey, brown and black. 
After that day, I'd always return at least once a week to observe them from afar. I don't know much about them, and I'd prefer to minimise the risk of being mauled by an animal. But each year, I'd see small seal pups, sunbathing around the rock pools, chasing each other over the expanse of the beach, or cuddling up to their mothers.
Other times, when the seals weren't there, I'd venture further out, playing around the rock pools, observing the little creatures stuck in them. Sometimes there'd be small crabs hiding in crevices, other times there'd be small fish swimming endlessly in circles. 
I'd sit there each day, staring at and observing the different animals, until I'd look up and realise I've overstayed my welcome. On one particular day, I walked around the beach for so long, mesmerised by the waves, gazing at the stars in the sky, that I hadn't noticed it was dark. Upon realising it I had hurried back home, still in a daze, but it was already pitch black by the time I returned, and I had gotten the biggest scolding from my mother, asking where I've been. She was quick to ground me, and I wasn't allowed out of other people's sight for almost two weeks.
Annie Cresta, my best friend, had repetitively asked where I went that day, but I never uttered a word of it to her, only insisting that I had been diving too far from the shore. I've been friends with her for years now, practically since we were in diapers.
A long time ago, we'd go out swimming together in the kelp forests near our homes, they were far away from the main area of fishing, but close enough for adults to not worry. We'd often see sea otters swimming around the kelp, but they stayed far from us. Me and Annie would often follow the otters, as they knew where to get Abalone from. But after each return home, we'd be scolded by our mothers, who insisted we had to stop if we didn't want to get into trouble.
I guess finding abalone and bringing it home without the permission of the authorities counts as poaching.
We'd sometimes share some with other families of trusted friends, but mostly Finnick Odair's family, who were just as close to us.
Anyway, I'm not willing to disclose information about the beach, or the animals, to anybody. Not even my long-time crush, Finnick, the boy with sea-green eyes. I've had a crush on him for years now, but his eyes were always on Annie. I can see why, their personalities match so well, Finnick's confidence and caring nature complements Annie's shy and anxious one. I'm just the third wheel whenever all three of us are together, but I guess I don't mind.
I'll find the right one eventually, I hope.
Too deep in my thoughts, I had failed to realise that there was a low lying tree branch ahead of me. And looking up too late, I walked face first into it. The pain struck me all at once, and I swear I heard a tiny 'crunch'.
"Ah! Fuck! Fuck fuck fuck!" I shouted, hissing in pain. "Stupid branch! Why is it even there?!" I shouted at no one in particular, holding onto my nose tightly. I slowly let go, feeling the burning pain flare up on my skin like a smouldering flame, and then I felt it. The steady flow of blood. It was everywhere. My face, lips, my hands, even my clothes. Who knew a human nose could bleed so much? I looked over myself, crying out at the state of my shirt.
I have to get home, I thought. With quick, long strides, I soon found myself walking through the front door of my house, being greeted by my mother standing in the kitchen, preparing our clothes for the reaping. "I'm home." I said loudly, my tone laced with annoyance, I stepped in and shut the door behind me, walking into the kitchen, still holding tightly onto my nose.
My mother turned her head to greet me with a smile, but that smile quickly disappeared at the sight of me.
Her face paled and her eyes widened in shock, mouth falling agape as a worried yelp left her lips. "What happened to you dear?!" She screamed, dropping everything mid sentence as she made her way over to me.
I rolled my eyes, sighing loudly. "I walked into a tree branch." I muttered under my breath, my shoulders slumping in defeat.
My mother laughed at me, all of the initial worry dissipating from her body. "Really?" She asked in disbelief, howling in laughter, holding her stomach. After two minutes of her laughing, she finally calmed down enough to take a look at my injury, deciding that some cold, wet rag will be enough to soothe both the swelling and the pain. "Annie will be laughing just as much as you, I bet," I said as I walked over to the tap, turning it on, "'Y/n you're so clumsy!'" I mocked her voice, groaning in anticipation of that knock on the front door, awaiting my closest friend to come and retrieve me. I began to wipe the blood off my face and hands with some water, using a towel to dry off after.
Early this year me and Annie had decided to go to our last reaping together. We had both turned 18, and so it would be the last year that our names would be put into that glass bowl. We were ecstatic over it, but at the same time terrified. This was the last year, but what if one of our names gets pulled out? We're both anticipating it, and praying at the same time that it won't happen. It would be devastating, and I don't believe that either of us are prepared to face 23 other tributes in the arena, let alone kill any of them.
But putting those thoughts aside, I decided to focus on the present. I had managed to drown out my mother's voice, but when I tuned in, I realised she was talking about the dress I'll be wearing. It was a sundress, in the faintest colour of royal blue possible, with a frilled, off-white hem. "I wore it years ago, at my very last reaping too," My mother spoke, her hands lovingly gliding over the faded fabric, "I was told that all the boys looked at me that day." She laughed at the memory, now gently holding the dress by the straps, pressing it against my body. "Hold it, dear."
My hands gently held the dress, and I looked down at myself, my eyes widening in shock as I looked over the intricate designs scattered across the expanse of the dress - sunflowers graced the fabric, painted in the faded blue, overlapping each other.
"Go, try it on dear." My mother said, ushering me to my room, "I'll do your hair after, okay?" She said, and shut the door on me before any words could form at the tip of my tongue.
I shook my head with a small smile, setting the fabric down onto my bed. I turned away, beginning to strip out of my blood-tattered t-shirt, discarding it to a dark corner of my room, my shorts and socks following in tow. I walked a few steps over to a large cracked mirror. It leaned proudly against the wall, reflecting the bright sunrays that made their way into my room.
How many hours has it been?
I looked myself over, turning from one side to another, observing. If my name was to be called out...Would I even have a chance in the arena? Most of the kids that are chosen are frail and skinny, others are fit and healthy, and others are strong and tall. Which category did I belong to? With a loud sigh, I moved away from the mirror and back to my bed, where the beautiful dress laid. I looked over it, staring intensely. The sound of birds chirping in the distance, the gentle breeze coming in through my window, and the smell of the sea all invaded my senses at once. I love this place - no matter how difficult life may be. I'll always have some form of a safe place in District 4. If only the circumstances were different, maybe I'd be able to-
"What are you doing?" A voice asked, ripping me out of my thoughts. I slowly looked over to the person, my eyes going first as my head followed suit. It wasn't Annie, nor was it my mother or sister.
"Finnick?! Look away!" I shouted, grabbing the dress, covering myself up. Maybe I did have a crush on him, but that didn't mean I would happily expose myself. "It's not like you've got something I haven't seen already!" Finnick laughed, a wide amused grin gracing his lips, exposing his pearly white teeth. Though in my embarrassment, I failed to hear the dark undertone in his voice. "I don't care! You don't just invade in on my privacy like this!" I said, chucking one of my pillows at him. "Alright, alright! I'll cover my eyes! Is that good enough?" He asked, a tint of amusement still lacing his voice, but the genuineness was unmistakeable.
"Fine. What did you want anyway?" I asked, slipping the dress on as my eyes focused on him like a hawk, making sure his eyes were covered.
"Just came to say good luck, since y'know, it's your last year of reaping." He said, smiling at me as his hands covered his eyes. I smiled with a huff, and smoothened the dress out over myself. The end of it just about reached my knees, but the material was stretchy enough if I needed it to be. I walked over to my mirror, stunned at how it complimented my skin tone, and looked over myself, turning from side to side, completely forgetting that Finnick was even there for a moment. 
"Can I look now?" He asked, his voice so smooth and gentle it made my heart flutter. "Yes, go for it." I said, walking over to him. 
"How do I look?" I asked, giving him a small twirl. The end of the dress seemed to flow in the air like a jellyfish, the beautiful blue turning almost into a gentle wave, rising slightly before it dropped as I came to a stop.
I looked up to Finnick, searching for a reply, but there wasn't any. He simply stood there, silently watching, but his eyes were slightly widened. I cleared my throat, snapping my fingers near his face. "You look great, I'm sure any guy you want will chase after you after seeing this." He said, almost breathless but still confident, a smirk gracing his lips as he looked me up and down through hooded eyes.
I laughed, shaking my head in denial. "No, I don't think so," I said, leaning against the window frame, staring into those pretty eyes of his. I looked him over, noticing that he was wearing a dark blue tank top, along with some form of tight-fit joggers. His hair glistened in the sun, his skin tan from the rays. His hand slowly reached out to me, and his rough fingers gently latched onto the straps of my sundress, toying with the material. 
His touch against my skin seemed to set it on fire. My heart began thudding aggressively against my chest, and I had to focus on breathing normally, fighting the rising heat in my cheeks.
Does he always have to be so touchy? If he comes any closer he'll be able to hear how fast my heart is beating. 
 "Anyway, have you seen Annie?" I asked, quickly diverting his attention, and his gaze. At that he shook his head, looking up from my shoulders to my eyes. "I was gonna see her after you." He said, biting his bottom lip in thought. 
"I'm sure she'll appreciate it, you know how she gets." I finished quietly as a pang of hurt tugged at my heart. Was I jealous?
"Yeah, but it can't be that bad. What are the odds?" He asked, his fingers lightly tugging at the material of my dress, observing how the fabric bounced back to my skin. His eyes concentrated on the material again, his eyebrows furrowing in worry as he remained silent, still chewing on that lip. I observed him, looking over his hair, it looked so fluffy. His forehead glistened, some sweat having built up, his green eyes stuck in a trance. His fingers felt soft against my skin, and his breath lightly fanned over my neck.
I took a deep breath, focusing on how my chest rose up as air filled it, giving myself a spare moment to realise my thoughts. My hands came to hold his own, gently rubbing the sun-kissed skin.
"It'll be okay, if anything happens...I'll be there." I said, giving his hands a soft squeeze, reassuring him softly, "You better get going. She'll think you won't show up." I stroked his cheek affectionately, smiling down at him. I could tell that Annie was at the forefront of his mind, after all, he did have feelings for her, even if he hadn't admitted it. To anyone. But, as a person who believes herself to be in love, I can recognise another person that's in love. Or so I think. "Go Finnick." I said, pushing him away with the tip of my finger against his forehead.
He sent me a quick but charming smile, nodding softly, saying his goodbye's before jogging off in the opposite direction of my house. I began to feel a sadness tug at my chest, and even though I knew I shouldn't feel like this, I couldn't help it. 
That sadness stayed with me for a while, it stayed as my mother tied small strands of hair together so that it resembled a net, it remained as she talked about the dress my sister would wear, it remained whilst my sister gaped at how pretty I looked, picking at her nails in nervousness, it remained until the moment that Annie's gentle fist knocked at my front door.
My mother quickly opened it, greeting her sweetly. A small 'Where's Y/n?' could be heard, and I peeked my head out, ready to go and face our last reaping.
"Y/n? You look...Amazing!" Annie exclaimed, a bright smile on her face as she trotted up to me, extending her arms for a hug. "So do you Annie, so do you." I said happily, careful not to ruin her hair. It was tied up into a thick ponytail, with a couple of braids running through it, and two strands of hair framing her face prettily. My own hair was let down, however the top pieces were tied together into an intricate net pattern. My mother had outdone herself, genuinely.
Annie's hugs were a different kind of love - warm and gentle, but they conveyed everything that her words failed to. I could tell by the way her hands trembled around me that she was anxious. Annie wasn't a fighter or a hunter, and anyone that had been around her could tell.
Someone began running to the front door, stepping loudly onto the floor. I looked behind me and saw Hali making her way towards me, her arms outstretched. "Are you going now?" She asked, her voice quiet. I wrapped my arms around her in a hug, placing a small peck on the top of her head. "Yes, we want to be there early to avoid the crowds." I said, patting her head with one hand. Hali looked up at me with her big doe eyes, her bottom lip quivering.
"I'll see you there, right?" She asked, and I could hear the fear in her voice. I nodded softly, smiling at her. "Yes, you'll see me and Annie standing with the other oldest girls, alright? I'll wave at you too." I reassured her, not letting go until she was ready. She nodded her head quickly, shaking like a leaf.
"It'll be okay. They won't choose me." As I said it, Hali unlatched her arms, stepping a bit away. "Alright, I really hope not. But what if they do?" She asked, twiddling with her hair. 
"If they choose me, then I'll need you to support me from home okay?" I asked, kneeling down in front of her. "I'll need you to take care of mum, and take care of yourself until I return. Is that okay?" I asked, looking at her with a small smile. She nodded her head, wrapping her arms around my neck in a hug. She didn't want to let go, and Annie had to step in and ask 'Are you ready to go' before Hali unwillingly detached herself from me. With a quiet 'yes', I gave Hali one last hug and a reassuring squeeze of her hand, making my way backwards to the door.
"You'll see me for dinner, okay?" I asked, and she nodded her head, wiping away a few tears. "I love you." She said through her tears.
"I love you too, now go get ready." I said, giving her one last hug before walking out of the house, bidding my goodbyes to both my mum and Hali. "Take care of yourself dear. We'll see you there." My mother said, waving to me as she placed one hand on Hali's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"You'll see me there, mum. I love you." I said, my mother whispered an 'I love you' back, shutting the door gently. With a heavy sigh, I turned to Annie, linking my arm with hers.
 Annie looked at me worriedly, chewing on her bottom lip - a nervous habit she had picked up over the years. "Do you think we'll be okay?" She asked quietly, looking at me, concerned. I nodded my head, forcing a smile onto my lips, even though I could feel the sick tumbling around in my stomach. 
Suddenly, the air began to feel a bit too warm, and I could feel sweat beginning to cling uncomfortably to my skin. "We'll be okay Annie," I reassured her, giving her a side hug, "You've got me." I said quietly, nudging her to keep moving forward.
The town square wasn't so far away that we had to hurry, yet we made it there in record time. The queues weren't massive, and so we got through to the courtyard rather quickly, holding onto our throbbing fingers. It wasn't long until everyone else had slowly started filing into the courtyard, every person of every age group was there. I looked around, noticing how quickly the yard had filled with people. My eyes then looked at the entrance, trying to see my sister and mother. Soon enough they entered the courtyard, hand by hand heading to the side-lines, where other adults and young children would file and stand. 
Hali's big, wide eyes scanned the area, and she looked like a lost rabbit, all alert and ready to run. She was looking for me, and soon our eyes connected and I sent her a reassuring smile and a thumbs-up.
I then looked forward, staring ahead at the temporary golden podium. There were four chairs situated just behind the single podium and two glass balls on each side of it. One chair is for our Mayor, one for the announcer, and two for the two Victors from District 4; Finnick, and an elderly woman named Mags. Everyone is seated in the appropriate seats. 
Once the crowd begins to come to a stall, the Mayor takes it as his sign to walk up to the microphone, looking up at the big clock above him, clearing his throat.
It struck 12. 
He begins by greeting the citizens, and then proceeds to tell the history of Panem, as he does every year. He talks about the natural disasters, the uprisings, the destruction of District 13 - all of this is old news. After overcoming the Dark Days, laws were created, and alongside them so were the Hunger Games. I manage to tune out his voice, and instead focus on those behind him.
The announcer, who every year comes from the Capitol, gets the opportunity to personally pick out which children will be sent to their deaths in a bloodbath. 
Her hair was styled into some sort of glamorous, 3 story high bun, with a few loose strands framing her oddly sharp face. It was dyed an unnatural golden colour, and had sparkling silver beads embedded into it, two particularly large ones placed just at the tip of her hair strands, sitting comfortably on the frilly material of her sparkling, turquoise two piece - a skirt and a corset, her feather-like, white skin covered by the material of a matching jacket. She really outdid herself.
Seated on her left were Finnick and Mags, both looking over the crowds, both wearing unreadable expressions as the Mayor continues to talk. 
For a second, I believe that Finnick has noticed me, it looked as though he was looking directly into my eyes. His sea-green eyes peeking into my very soul. My heart fluttered, and the butterflies started circling around in my stomach. I felt the heat rush to my cheeks. I took a deep breath, but then I'm harshly hit with reality, and remember that Annie was right next to me, probably looking at him too.
He looks away as the Mayor begins to name the winners of District 4, and stands up along with Mags to wave at the crowds, being greeted with the appropriate level of applause. Curt and short, but it didn't matter. Next, the Mayor announces the Capitol representative, Sylvia Borgnino, and she stands up, waving excitedly at us, making tiny steps towards the microphone, her cheery voice echoing around us in seconds. 
"Happy Hunger Games everyone! And may the odds be ever in your favour!" She shouts excitedly, almost hopping on her toes. 
I guess there is at least one person here that's happy about the games. 
She thanks the Mayor for his kindness and welcoming, and then quickly turns back to us, the audience, her voice changing to a more serious tone.
"And now," She pauses, leaning over the podium and looking over at everyone, "We shall draw the names of the Tributes." She states, slowly walking over to the glass bowl full of girls' names, the sound of her heels clacking, beating at my eardrums.
"Ladies first."
I look over to Finnick, and then Annie, and then Hali. Hali is already looking at me, and so is my mum. I reach my hand out to hold Annie's, squeezing tightly as I feel how clammy her hand is, my chest tightening as I breathed. I swallow an imaginary lump, feeling how my throat constricts uncomfortably.
The sun was beating down on us, its' rays glazing over my skin, bubbling up sticky sweat. Were did the clouds go?
Wearily, I glance up at the large clock towering over us, its' heavy ticking weighing down on my shoulders.
Sylvia Borgnino's gloved hand shoots up into the air dramatically, and the crowd collectively goes silent. No one dares to even breathe as she animatedly rummages through the name cards for a solid 10 seconds.
It better not be me. I swear if it's me I will riot, I think to myself. The nerves tickle at the inner lining of my stomach, and for a moment I believe that I might throw up.
A bead of sweat trickles down the side of my forehead
Tick, tock.
Was the sun always so hot?
Tick, tock.
I swallow heavily.
Her hand grasps onto something, and she dramatically withdraws it, menacingly crossing over to the podium.
"And the female tribute from District 4 is.."
Please not me. Not me. My breathing quickens as she draws on her silence, smiling devilishly down at the crowd. My hair was sticking to my neck, creating an unpleasant sensation. 
I swallow dryly, my mouth feeling as though I had been deprived of water.
As the words leave her mouth, I can feel my heart drop.
"Annie Cresta."
Time seems to stop. I can no longer feel Annie's hand in my grasp, her fingers having slowly slipped out. I turn my head, feeling my chest heaving up and down, tears pricking at my eyes. My hands fly up to my mouth in shock, intense tremors travelling from my shoulders up to my fingertips.
Annie falls to her knees with a thud, hiding her face in her hands as she cries out hysterically, her mane-like hair looking like a flame. I follow suit, embracing her in my arms, whispering quiet 'It's okay's', holding her head on my shoulder. The other girls slowly step away, creating a circle around us.
What do I do? Do I let her go? That girl won't last a minute in there!
Two peacekeepers rip through the crowds aggressively, roughly pushing anyone out of their way, before coming to a stop in front of us, heaving Annie up by her arms, ushering her towards the stage. Her face is covered in sweat and tears, her fiery hair sticking uncomfortably to her face, her mouth wide open as she wails.
"Please! No! I can't go in there!" She screams, digging her heels into the ground, protesting, thrashing her arms around. She looks as though she suddenly became haunted, a sort of violent air surrounding her. 
With small footsteps, I attempt to follow after her, but more peacekeepers arrive to stop me, creating a blockade of bodies. I look towards my mother and sister, eyes wide, and see their shocked faces. My mother is shaking her head in a 'no', but it's too late. Hali looks at me wide-eyed, tears starting to fall from her eyes as she senses what I'm about to do. 
I look to Finnick, noticing that he had stood up from his chair, his fists clamped shut, once tan skin now having turned a strained white colour. His eyes are stuck to Annie, and never dare to leave her once.
Before Sylvia Borgnino can utter a single word, I raise my hand, pushing through the peacekeepers. All heads turn to me. The guards stop pushing Annie, and she looks to me, her thrashing easing a bit.
The words leave my lips before I can even process them myself. 
With a dry mouth, clammy hands and a wildly beating heart, I shout, "I volunteer!"
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heaven4lostgirls · 5 months
Note
Hi!! I was just wondering if you could do a Finnick Odair x reader where Finnick is sick or something but refuses to ask for help because he is still being forced to do stuff for Snow and the reader eventually taking care of him after it gets really bad?
pairing: finnick odair x reader
warning: angst, mentions of blood, scarring, cuts and bruises, mentions of finnick's trafficking and panic attacks.
word count: 965 words
a/n: hi my love! thank you so much for the request! i hope this is what you imagined
Your heart clenches as you watch the clock tick on the wall of Finnick’s house within the victor’s village in district 4, Finnick was supposed to meet you over an hour ago however, as of late, he seems to be showing up later and later. The urge to bash your head into the wall in front of you out of frustration. You sigh softly before you hear the click of the door opening.
You look up and watch as Finnick stumbles into his house, clenching his side as he grits his teeth. You gasp softly which draws his attention to you. Your eyes are wide with shock and  slowly start to fill with tears before he quickly hobbles his way to his room and then to his en-suite bathroom.
“Finnick!” you admonish as you watch his huff and wince as he clutches his side through his shirt, that he struggles to pull it over his head. You wonder if whether you should walk over and help him. You know more or less of what his visits to the Capitol were for, but you never knew that his…customers, were so harsh on him.
You let the tears welling in your eyes fall freely down your cheeks, which you hastily wipe, this has nothing to do with you. You walk swiftly over to Finnick as you watch him give up on trying to get  his shirt off and instead dabbing the cuts on his face with alcohol.
“I’m assuming this is why you were late” you speak softly as you see him wince and look down in shame, your heart cracks at the embarrassed expression that floods his face. He nods in response, “Snow only let me know after I was done getting ready to meet you” he mutters as he scoffs, and you bite your lip to hold back a sob at his damaged self.
“Let me” you urge him as he tries to dab a cut on his cheek, you reach for the cotton pad but as your fingers come in front of his face, he flinches and backs away from you with a scared expression. “Finn?” you question his reaction, apologetic and scared of hurting him even further.
“Don’t!” he exclaims as you try to walk closer to him, “please don’t! no more!” he cries as his voice breaks and you immediately crouch next to him, careful not to touch him. “Hey hey, It’s Y/N, okay? I’m not going to hurt you” you soothe his incoherent mumbling as you speak to him in soft tones.
His panicked gaze meets yours and as his eyes shut in pain, you can only watch as tears fall from his eyes. You keep your expression calm and understand that you must put Finnick’s wellbeing before your own. “Can I touch you Finnick?” you ask him softly and as you wait for his soft nod; you encompass his frail form in a hug.
His body starts to shake as sobs wrack through it and you bite your lip to stifle your own sob. You hold him softly as you rock him back and forth as you let him cry it out, you know that he hasn’t been able to tell anyone about his circumstances with what Snow has been doing with him, but you know he needs you right now.
“I-I’m sorry” he blubbers through his tears that he tries to wipe away, but you softly place your hand on his as you wipe away his tears with the wrist of your shirt, “There’s nothing to be sorry for Finn, it’s perfectly alright” you say with a warm smile as you finish wiping his tears.
He looks up at you shyly, you stand up before outstretching your hand to help him up. He does so slowly before you manoeuvre him patiently to sit on the counter and as you stand in his open legs as you reach behind him for the cotton pad doused in alcohol.
“Let me help you, please Finnick” you plead into his gaze, and he waits a second before he nods softly. You take the cotton swab and delicately dab his cheek, stopping when he hisses too loud. Slowly but surely, you make your way through cleaning and treating his cuts and bruises.
As you softly pull his shirt over his head in slow and calculated motions, you’re met with the gory gaze of sharp cuts all over his side and back. You place your hand over your mouth in horror before you open your mouth to speak in a breathless manner, “this looks like they were made by a-” your sorrowful voice is interrupted by Finnick’s cold and distant one, “A whip” he says without emotion and wince.
“Oh Finn” you soothe, and he only shakes his head as he reaches for your hands, “I’m fine, I’m going to be okay” he says looking into your eyes. You grit your teeth as you watch him try to excuse what had occurred, “I’m going to kill Snow-” you utter before Finnick tuts at you.
“Calm down trouble.” He smirks at you, and you can only shake your head, “Finnick look at what he did to you!” you exclaim, and he only brings you into a soft hug as he kisses the side of your head and when your frown stays in place, he pouts a little before he returns to placing kisses all over your facet that inevitably fades your frown and in place emerges a soft smile and giggle.
“My little vigilante” he hums and you only scoff as you softly push his chest in feigned annoyance, “Shut up Finnick” you urge and he only gasps before he picks you up swiftly to carry you to the bedroom, “Make me” he raises his eyebrow.
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nightfall-kachiniko · 5 months
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⋆。𖦹 °.🐚⋆❀˖° HUSBAND! ARMIN HEADCANONS
paring: husband!armin x you
cw: some smut, and a lot of fluff. hes so loveable I love armin .
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- Although your husband is the rather busy commander, he always makes sure to spend some time with you.
- Mainly that’s because he can’t be away from you for more than a few hours without having a stroke. He doesn’t seem like it, but he really is clingy. He always wants you by his side, and him by yours. He can’t stand being gone the whole day without any sort of interaction from you, it’ll drive him nuts.
- He expects a kiss when he walks out the door, and a kiss when he comes home. And if it’s a stressful day you know he’s gonna be rubbing up on you, begging for cuddles. (Come on you have to give it to him)
- He can’t stop touching you. Maybe it’s by habit, but there’s always a hand on your thigh or holding yours. Even brushing the hair out your face, that’s all that man does. he loves fidgeting with your wedding ring too. Especially kissing it when he kisses your hand. He worked hard for that ring, and he couldn’t imagine who else he’d want to wear it.
- BUT MY GOD SLEEPY ARMIN. Him all passed out on his messy desk, soft snores filling the air as he rests his head on top of his arms. Poor baby’s exhausted, he’s barley had any sleep in days, and you know how badly he just wants to rest. I can just imagine you walking in on him and you drape a blanket over him to keep him warm. God he’d love that <3
- armin’s so soft, even in the bed when you two are making love. I know this man loves some Lacey lingerie but would never say it. He’s the type to be too shy to buy you some for Christmas, but desperately wants to. He’d see a sexy pair in the store and would imagine you in it all day.
- He’s so vanilla omg 😭 When you two do get intimate, he’d do his best not to hurt you.
“It doesn’t hurt does it lovely?” Like yes it does please fuck me harder commander.
- into grabbing your hair, or pulling it back into a ponytail while he does back shots. Obsessed with the way your ass jiggles with every thrust he does. He loves how pretty you look with his hands running down your body, and with his creamy cum all in your cunt.
Please wear some white lacey lingerie for him. His dirty thought are all about you. (Visual link)
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http-finnick · 1 year
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𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐬 - 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐫
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finnick odair x fem!reader
summary: as finnick sneaks back into your cart during the victory tour, you start to pity him as he wraps his arms around you, knowing that this is all for the captiol and none of it is true...at least not for you.
cw: almost one-sided love, katniss and peeta trope, no smut, and lots of crying.
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with how the trains speeds you feel as tho you're flying, laying in your bed with the new weather outside your window. yesterday it was snowing, now it's spring.
the silk bedsheets mold your skin as you lay there, regretful.
a hand snakes under and up to your abdomen, the scent of musk heavy on your nostrils as he pushes himself closer to your back.
he sighs once he has your touch back into his grip and you stay put, hoping he falls back to sleep.
it was a mistake, letting him back into your bed again.
it wasn't like you two did anything..it's just for the nightmares. but still.
he thumbs your shoulder softly, brushing the finger on your body to test your awareness, you feel his eyes on your neck.
once he gets no indication of your conciseness, he dips down to lay a soft, quick kiss on your neck.
it makes you shiver, a little fever sparking in your spine for that moment. it wasn't forced for his own excitement, it was a little good morning for you.
and that just makes it worse.
you pretend to flutter your eyes and he quickly sinks back into the silk sheets. you sit up and drowsily grab a towel before walking towards the bathroom that's connected to your cart.
you eye him as you take tip-toe steps, as if not to wake him. but you catch his lips flashing a soft smile before forcing down into a line.
you sprint into the bathroom and turn on the shower as you feel your chest heavy with breaths. you lock the door and sink down as you choke on air and have tears rush out of your eyes
he loves you
he loves you so much.
your mind brings you back to Annies sobs and pleas for you to return finnick to her, safely. to bring her love back.
I wonder how she felt seeing you brush his hair back in the arena before dipping down to kiss his puffy lips.
I wonder how she felt when 'her love' came home with a new love.
you confessed to him on the train that it was a lie. your love wasn't real and you watched him fight back tears while putting on a sad smile
"it's okay, really"
that's what he told you when you turned to look back out the window of the train car. you knew it wasn't your place but your cloudy mind thought it was a good idea
"fin...um...Annie was talking to me before the games and-"
"please. I don't want to hear anything about annie cresta."
so you both sat in silence as the train brought you back to four.
and now, on your victory tour with the capitol and everyone breathing down your neck, you realize that you will never have a life without odair being next to it.
you can't help but claw at your chest with sobs as the shower spits water at you, because finnick takes this as a chance, a chance for you to love him.
but you would never give yourself that chance
not with that promise you gave to annie.
and not with that vow you gave to yourself.
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an: I might do a part 2 for this, katniss and peeta trope is such a good one I just had to make some angst for it. I hope that you guys liked it even though its short :( I'm sorry I cant do super super long ones, I just write when I can and post right after lmao. Also my babies!!! We got to 70 followers! I love you guys so much, when I started this acc I didn't think anyone would still be around for thg content, but you guys came through and made me love the fandom even more...I love you guys so much! mwah!
part 2
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thisisourlovestory · 4 months
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Safe and Sound
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Finnick Odair x reader soulmate AU
Summary: you are a victor from district 4. The Quarter Quell has just been announced. How will you cope with the turn of events coming your way.
Word count- 2.8k
Chapter 1
I woke up early on the day of the reaping. Blinking awake slowly, head spinning from the effects of what even Haymitch from district 12 would class as too much alcohol, not that I’d really ever spoken to him, just from observation. I shuffled into my fluffy slippers and stumbled over to the table in the middle of my kitchen. Sitting down heavily, I groaned as lightning shot through my head and I scrubbed a hand across my face, reaching out to grab a glass of water and downing it in one gulp. Once my head stopped spinning I made myself a cup of coffee, mixing in milk and spooning in an inordinate amount of sugar, I made my way outside and sat on a chair, sipping the too sweet mixture from time to time, hands curled around the mug as I gazed out at the sunrise. Pinks and purples blended together, swirling with orange hues as it got lighter with every passing second. The sun rose above the horizon, bathing me in golden light as I breathed in the fresh air, letting go of all my fears and doubts for a moment to just take in the beauty of the world around me.
The trees swaying gently in the breeze, leaves rustling, songbirds chirping. One landed on my shoulder, twittering a joyful tune in my ear. I tapped my foot to the rhythm, singing quietly, whispering lyrics swept away by the wind. A ringing of the bell snapped me out of it, a harsh reminder of reality, of the games. I gave a grim smile and walked back inside, swigging back the last drops of my drink. Once back in the house I filled up the bathtub with steaming hot water, drizzling some scented oil in it and immediately stepping in. The water burned my skin, turning it red and raw, irritating the cuts on my feet as they stung and I hissed in a vague degree of pain. I grabbed a cloth and scrubbed my body viciously, stripping it of any dead skin and dirt that had collected over the past few days as I had moped around the house just waiting. My hands grabbed a bottle and I poured the contents onto my hair, scraping my nails across my scalp, rinsing it, then tipping a bottle of conditioner into it, massaging the smooth pink substance into my hair, making it smell like honeysuckle, sweet and overpowering.
I drained the bathtub and stepped out, wrapping myself in a fluffy towel. I picked through my clothes, discarding some to one side and placing others over the mirror in my room. I ended up with three options and I frowned as I assessed them. I didn't want something that would make me seem weak, but I still needed to portray the innocence of a child that the Capitol loved me for. Eventually, I settled for a light green dress that fell just above my knees, I studied myself closely, the dress clung to my upper half but flared out at the waist, the loose sleeves covering the mark on my wrist. I smiled at my reflection in the mirror, it was perfect; for a second I looked like a girl. A normal girl who hadn't been affected by witnessing death, who got to live a happy ordinary life with her family. And for just that one second I wished selfishly with all my heart that I could be with the person the universe chose for me, because he loved me. I snapped out of my daze and stared into the mirror, light reflecting off the surface and bouncing around my room. I turned away and face planted on my bed, the mattress muffling my scream of anger. My fingers gripped the sheets tightly, refusing to let go for a second as my breathing quickened and tears pricked my eyes. Now is not the time to cry, I berated myself silently, my nose still buried in the bed. Now was the time to stand up and show that I was not afraid, that they could throw anything at me and I would come back stronger. I sniffled slightly, sitting back up and dangling my legs off the bed as I wiped away a few stray tears. I gazed at my reflection again. So different from the confident girl I had been before, now a pathetic weakling, if that's what a few minutes could do to me then I hated to see what damage hours or days could inflict on me.
I heard people talking outside and moved silently to the window.
“Don't worry, it’ll all be fine.” I knew that voice.
“But what if I get reaped,” I knew that one as well, “I can't go back in there.” I peaked out to see Finnick and Annie, engrossed in conversation.
“I promise I won't let anything happen to you,” Finnick continued, gripping her arms and staring at her, “I promise.”
I smiled sadly at the sight, it hurt a little, it always did but I was happy for them. I truly was. I couldn't let my feelings get in the way of their romance, it was quite clear to me that they belonged together, the universe makes mistakes and it seemed like he and I were one of them. They walked back into his house and I stepped back into my own room, closing the window behind myself and trapping the cold air inside. Shivering, I picked out a white knitted cardigan and pulled it on, the soft fabric providing a thin layer of warmth from the chill. The clock on my wall struck 11, I breathed out deeply and walked downstairs, slipping on a pair of beige sandals, tying the brown leather just around my ankle in a bow. Taking a last look around my house I trailed a hand along some of the pictures lining the walls, photos of my mum and I smiling and laughing together from when I was little. It seemed so long ago now, I was no longer a child and my mum was no longer alive. My hand finished on the last picture, the most recent, one I had snapped a couple of years ago of Finnick and I. It was one of the last times I had spoken to him, before Annie. It had been after a particularly nasty nightmare and he had cooked breakfast, pancakes with syrup. He smiled as I got the sticky substance on my cheek and wiped it away with his thumb. I had laughed and held the camera up, both of us smiling widely as my finger pressed down to take the shot.
It was a reminder of happier times, as happy as they could be at least. I made to step out the door but I remembered something at the last second. My shoes. My ballet shoes. If I was going back then I wanted them as my token. Granted they weren't the pair I had the first time, those had long since worn out, but that didn't change the way every new pair of shoes made me feel. What they made me remember.
I had been 4 when I first decided I wanted to dance. I had seen the Mayor's daughter wearing a pair of ballet shoes and dancing in the garden with them on. I immediately fell in love, and ran home to my mother, so excited I talked about them for hours. Every day from then on I would go and watch the girl dance, I would copy her movements until I could do each and every one with the drop of a hat. Then one day a few years later they caught me watching. They had beat me black and blue and sent me running home crying, knees scraped and clothes torn. My mother had comforted me, singing a lullaby as she rocked me to sleep. The next day I woke up to a pile of books on the table and a box topped with a ribbon. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion but my mother smiled gently and nudged me forwards.
“Open it,” she said, “I think you’ll like it.” My eyes widened as I opened the books, there were pages upon pages of text, instructions, they were tattered and dirty but they taught me everything I knew about ballet. How to do the steps, how to strengthen my body and become more flexible, how to fully immerse myself in the dance and feel the music. Then I turned my attention to the package. I ripped the ribbon off and was greeted with a pair of ballet shoes. Slightly worn and ripped but in my eyes they were perfect. I shrieked in excitement and threw my arms around my mother as she caught me laughing.
“Calm down little bird,” she said, ”it's an early birthday present. And besides,” she continued a mischievous glint in her eyes, “I want free tickets to all your shows.”
I nodded my head, pulling away to look at her.
“Do you think I can actually do it?” I asked innocently. Her gaze became serious.
“You have nothing to prove to them, little bird, you hear me. But they will always look down on you, so you can either let them or you can prove that you are more than what they see.” She paused for a second, “You can do it my little bird, and you will be incredible.” I burrowed into her and she wrapped a soft blanket around us, cradling me like I was a baby again. She passed me the packaging and I lifted the shoes out, holding them carefully, as if the slightest move could break them. My thin fingers traced along the fabric, smoothing the heel over and tapping on the box, grinning in delight at the hollow sound it made.
“Go on,” my mother encouraged, “try them.”
I scrambled to the floor and pulled the shoes on, they were a bit loose but I simply tied the ribbons as tightly as possible and tucked the knot in. I stared down at them as I stood there, they were so beautiful and delicate. I wobbled onto the tips of them, my feet pointed, balancing on the very ends of my toes. My mother clapped as I walked around the small living room in them, being ever so careful to not slip over and ruin them. When I finally took them off, my feet had little blisters on them, I didn't care. I would endure anything to prove myself, to show that I wasn't just another district girl. I went to bed the happiest I'd ever been that night. My mother stroking my hair as I drifted into the dreamworld, filled with thoughts of dancing and performing where everything was perfect.
In the present I shook myself out of my reminiscing and grabbed a pair of the shoes, ribbons dangling loose, tucking them into a small bag and slinging it over my shoulder, I slammed the front door behind myself and strode out of victor's village, down the gravel track to the town. The sharp stones cut my bare feet in pinpricks and I winced, regretting my choice of footwear.
A light breeze brushed against my face and I pulled two pearl hair grips out of my bag, twisting the front strands of my hair and pinning them up together. As I walked, I was surrounded by nature, trees filled with green leaves and song birds, beautiful flowers the colours of jewels, fluffy clouds overhead. I breathed in the fresh air just before I reached town, something took hold in me and I twirled, laughing as the skirt of the dress flew out in a circle, it swished around me as I revelled in a moment of happiness, dancing around like a child, spinning wildly, leaping in the air with my arms spread wide for a final minute of joy. My cheeks flushed as I walked past the peacekeepers who had witnessed my outburst, they stood still, guarding the entrance to town. Making sure no one could escape. I made my way to the justice building, ignoring the looks people threw my way. Disgust, worry, pity a few of them among thousands. I strode to the desk where I had to register.
“Name.” The peacekeeper asked.
“Y/N Y/L/N.” I answered, holding out my arm for them to take my blood.
They gestured to the stage and I made my way up, taking in the thousands of faces looking up at me. Children probably grateful they wouldn't have to worry this year, parents glad they wouldn't have to lose another child yet. I look to the side at Annie and Mags, both deep in conversation as if they hadn't even noticed my arrival. Mags hugged her reassuringly and my heart cracked a little, wishing I had someone to comfort me like that. I turned back to stare at the wooden floor of the stage remembering the last time I stood here seven years ago after my name had been called.
I had been shaking like a leaf, terrified as I stuttered how old I was. The looks of pity sent my way by everyone and the horrified look on my mothers face as I had walked up escorted by peacekeepers. Lysander read off the boy's name but I couldn't hear anything, my heart pounding in my ears. I had kept my head down as I was led to a room for my last goodbyes. My mother rushed in and held me close as I cried and she wiped my tears then held my face in her hands and told me.
“You fight little bird. You hide and then you fight, you understand. You come home to me, I'll be waiting.” Then she pushed my pointe shoes into my arms and kissed me on the forehead before she was led out, giving me one last smile as I gripped the shoes. Then I was taken to the train and we were on our way to the Capitol
I smiled prettily for the Capitol, shyly answering any of their questions. ‘Yes I was a bit nervous’, ‘I loved to dance’, ‘Of course I could give them a tiny demonstration’, ‘I would try to win, for my mother but I had never known my father’. That got their attention, the poor little girl from district 4, no father, only a mother who she loved dearly, more than her own life. So when I got into the arena I did what mother told me, I hid and I fought and I got out but when I came home she wasn't waiting for me. She was gone. They told me it was an illness, one that was untreatable. So she was gone and I was left alone. I often thought I would have been better off dead. At least then I'd be with her.
All went silent and I was pushed out of my thoughts as our escort walked onto the stage, dressed outlandishly as always in the flashiest colours and cuts of fabric.
“Welcome all to the Quarter Quell,” he starts, “Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favour.” The usual video starts to play and I roll my eyes as I hear the words ‘War, terrible war’. It's the same every year, a montage and voiceover which has no purpose anymore. We know what happened, we know what's happening now and we really don't need to be reminded of it. After what seems like an age the clip ends and Lysander claps excitedly, he’s the only one and the noise rings in my ears.
“I get goosebumps every time,” he gushes cheerfully,”It just gets me every time. And now for the moment you've all been waiting for, it is time to choose our tributes for this very special year. First the boys,” He walks over to the huge bowl containing one small piece of paper and dramatically dips his hand in. He picks up the paper and unfolds it painfully slowly. “Finnick Odair.” He announces and I have to fight back a cry as he steps forwards, waving and smiling at the cameras, my fingers itching at my wrist as the mark burns from the close proximity to him. Lysander grins almost maniacally as he congratulates him on this honour. Patting him on the back and exclaiming how exciting this will be
“And now time for the ladies.” He says and walks over to the other bowl with three pieces of paper in. I stand nervously, twisting my hands in the sleeves of my jumper as he reaches in and waves his hand around for a minute before plucking a piece out. He shakes it in front of him and unfolds it as slowly as the first one. I breathe shakily, in out, in out. He reads the name off the slip of paper.
“Annie Cresta!”
Taglist:
@nekee-lilac02 @hinata7346 @bambikitten @the-lonely-abyss
If you want to be added to the taglist let me know and I’ll add you to the next part!
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lokiandbuckysdoll · 5 months
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𝐻𝒾𝓈 𝒫𝓇𝑜𝓉𝑒𝒸𝓉𝑜𝓇
Summary: You will do whatever it takes to protect Finnicnk in the Quater Qulle, even if that means sacrificing yourself.
Pairing: (mention) Annie X Finnick, Finnick x Reader.
Word count: 821
Warnings: unreciprocated feeling (one-sided on the reader's side) ANGST!!, love confessions, the reader being sad about the circumstances.
A/N: I watched TBOSBAS which made me rewatch all the THG movies... I fell in love with Finnick Odair again and wrote this. This is my FIRST time writing anything for the THG fandom so please be kind, this may not be the best but i like how it came out. As always let me know if I missed tagging something :)
Read part 2 here
"The male and Female tributes are to be reaped from the existing pool of victors in each district"
As soon as President Snow said those words, the breath in your lungs physically disappeared from your body. You were immobile and felt as though you had been transported back in time to when you were a little 15-year-old girl and heard her name called at the 68th Hunger Games reaping.
You quickly knew what was to come, you had to volunteer as tribute. If Finnick's name was to be called you were willing to volunteer to protect him at any cost. You deeply loved Finnick even if he did not reciprocate your love back.
You also knew that if Annie were to be called Mags would volunteer to save her, but just like Mags, you couldn't fathom having Mags back in the games either. You stood up wiping your tears away; from this point on you needed to be strong.
Knowing that Annie's house would be where they would all be, you went there. As soon as you walked in, you could hear Annie's weak sobs as Finnick was holding her. The image broke your heart because, deep down, all you wanted was to be Annie, cuddled up in Finnick's cozy embrace, right now.
When Mags emerged from the kitchen, you sprang to give her a firm embrace. You whispered in her ear, "It will be okay mags, I promise I'll bring him back to you both," but all she did was hold you more tightly. You glanced up, meeting Finnick's gaze, and cracked a smile.
The days before the reaping passed quickly as you made an effort to avoid Finnick, which was initially successful. You were fully aware of the need for these precious moments between him and Annie.
When the day came sure enough Finnick's name was called, " Now our female tribute from District Four is Ma-" the mayor couldn't finish as you interrupted. " I volunteer as tribute!" you moved to stand next to Finnick holding his hand. " Wow! Our tributes from District Four Finnick Odair and Y/N L/N!"
Once your goodbyes were said and you stepped foot on the train you let out a sigh, Finnick looked up from where he was staring at the floor. You’ve tried to get him to move and stall the process of talking to him, but his feet are locked in place.
“Finnick, move.” You tell him, arms crossed over your chest. “It’s not happening, Y/n, why would you volunteer? You should've stayed here in District Four.” You take in a breath, shaking your head, “I need to start getting ready now if we plan on being on time to the capitol. We can talk about this as I get ready.” You point to the side to get him to move. “I’m serious, Finnick. Get out of the way.”
“I'm not moving” He shrugs. You huff out a sound of frustration." If you want to have this conversation right now then at least sit down please" you gestured for him to sit. He listened and sat down. " Why would you volunteer? I could've protected Mags and Annie"
"You're saying you wouldn't be able to protect me?" you questioned back with hurt. " no i- that's not what I meant, if something happens to you I can't let myself live knowing you died trying to protect me" he leans back looking out the window. " Mags told me what you whispered to her the night Snow announced the Quarter Quell. You'd promise to bring me back safe to them. But I can't let you do that because.." he pauses
"Because what fin?" you already know what he's going to say, every time he says it, it pushes you further into the deep end hurting your heart.
He looks to meet your gaze "Because I love you, and I can't lose you just for the benefit of protecting me. I just can't you mean too much to me"
You scoff at his admission "That's just it, you may love me Finnick, but you are not in love with me! I am the one who's in love with you, and I am the one suffering!" You smile sadly at him as you both know this was true and he hated himself for it."At the end of the day, I am willing to protect you at all costs, because you are the only person I have left in my life who I love. Mags and Annie need you more than I do" You wipe away the tears that are now freely falling. " So that's why I volunteered" You get up from the chair. " I think we should get ready now, we will be at the capitol soon" You leave the room fast to not cry anymore, you know now that Finnick knows he'd tried his best to protect you even more.
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miserablebl00d · 3 months
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Odesta x reader. Where Annie and Finnick are slowly falling out of love,they both know it but stay together because of reader. Then the quarter quell is announced and reader volunteers for Annie.
Annie is just hysterical cause even tho she's not in love with Finnick she still loves him but she's in love with you and now she'll potentially be losing both the people that she (at one point) loved equality and would do anything for and she feels even more guilty than she wishes you'll be the one to win and not finnick. She wishes she can feel enough grief for finnick that it won't haunt her conscious to essentially wish death on him for you You could be each other's rocks,she's not stupid she knows how much you love Finnick and how much it'd affect you — she's not that oblivious — she could help you,you two could support each other to the point where you become happy again and live the life maybe not her but you deserve.
And Finnick slowly feels himself resent Annie for being the reason you're in the arena again but feels so guilty for it cause it is not her fault. He knows he wouldn't be able to kill Annie even if she was there but he'd wish to get back to you and he knows what that means for Annie. But he thinks he deserves a life with you because even tho he doesn't deserve you if he were to die and it be you and Annie,it would've just made your life harder. Annie would rely on you so much and you'd have no one to lean on for support. You could never be happy with Annie after the quarter quell maybe not even because he died but because Annie would never let you grieve,or move on because she relies so much support that shed be weighing you down and even tho you can cut the weight of he knows you won't and you deserve better then that.
Both of them wish the best for you but it makes them selfish because they want the best for you to be when you're with them.
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tonks-21 · 5 months
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Are you a jab? 'Cause you got me hooked | Annie Leonhart x reader | Modern AU Boxing AU | +18
TW: +18, blood, boxing, fights, swearing, heights/weights mentioned, trauma, deja vu.
Shipp: Annie Leonhart x reader
Summary: You and Annie are both boxers, only Annie is from Marley Club and you are from Shiganshina Club, two clubs with the biggest and longest rivalry in the whole city. Once, you and Annie were both selected to fight for your clubs, and you lost because you had a traumatic deja vu. From that moment on, Annie had been curious about you.
Word count: +8500 words
Tw: +18
Clarifications: 
Eren’s weight is made up by me, I didn’t find it, I invented it. So don’t worry about these tiny things and just have a good time.
English is not my first language, so sorry if there are typos/errors here.
Also, the measurement scales I use are not lbs or feet, so if you see anything that looks like an error, please let me know.
Interest picked? Let’s start then!
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“Annie, your rival is another person now, Mikasa had a problem with her knee” the coach said to the blond-haired short woman.
She raised her eyebrows and made a “tsk” sound with her mouth. “I don’t care, I’ll beat the shit out of her, no matter who she is” she answered, but it bothered her a bit indeed, as she has a special hatred towards her predicted opponent. Since she started having fights with her the tall dark-haired woman could get on her nerves. So Leonhart was always up to fight her.
But, in any case, her rival was going to be someone from the Shiganshina Club, so pride and rivalry is involved there no matter how the person in the other color looks like.
Annie reflected then who will fight her as she wraps her wrists, which are already scarred from so many times she has done this, up to the knuckles with bandages. She didn't know so many girls there, apart from Mikasa, she have had met with Ymir and Historia out of the ring sometime. But Ymir was so tall to be her rival and the blond one was on another lower level. Then, as she put on her gloves, she remembers having seen a fight of Shiganshina vs Marley, Pieck was representing them. She was confronting a brown-haired loud girl called Sasha. She was 5’5 feet tall, and Pieck was 5’ feet tall; looking at the numbers, they were 13 cm apart, Sasha having the advantage. 13 cm is not far from 15 cm, the blue-eyed woman thinks. Would it be unfair? From head to toe. But is it possible in this shitty place?, totally; she thought just before the guest changing room.
It would be either Sasha or another person that she didn't know about, she thought, being blinded by the shot of light that was generated at the door of the room from which she had just exited.
“In the blue corner, The Female Titan of Marley… that has shown us so many times what she can do… 5’ feet tall, 119 lbs… ANNIE LEONHART!!!”
The blond woman started walking through the white smoke they fired for her entering in stage when she heard her name. She was pissed off by her nick, but, after all these years, she didn't care anymore. She advanced until the ring, which was opened by two young men, one on each side of hers. Leonhart entered without any repetitive movement between the ropes, followed by her technical team. She didn't have a characteristic entrance or anything like that, she just wanted to win. And fuck the crowd, she was not there to dance for them.
When the blond-haired one up on the ring made her way to her corner, already talking to her coach, one of the presenters introduced the Shinganshina’s fighter.
The crowd shut and silence dominated the place, white smoke mixed up with the air as the door of the changing room you were in was opened slowly.
"In the red corner, back from the State League, to which she was invited, with a bronze medal in her hands… The Shiganshina Club's new star is back strong and with no rest. Standing at 5’ 4 feet tall and weighing in at 132 lbs... Y/N Y/S!!!!"
Leonhart is impressed by the fact of the gained medal. She had also someones herself, but the State League was at a higher level, even surpassing her own. She respected you even though she didn’t know more than your name and some award thing.
You started walking with your eyes stuck in the ring, where your rival was. You knew all her data some minutes ago, as Mikasa’s knee started aching, and not being able to lift her body while she was doing her last-minute stress-killer practice. 
This Annie was a few feet shorter than you, so you have the height advantage, which would allow you to fight to keep the distance you needed to land blows and stay on top of the situation, you analyzed.
You entered the ring doing this repetitive movement your idols had always done before waving and smiling at the crowd.
You were a proud one, Leonhart thought, let her land a hand on you and you’d know the future result here.
She was a lone wolf, you thought, as she was there without anyone more than her coaches and trainer.
Both of you let your coaches put your helmet on your head and say the last tips for each of you, offering you water and checking your clothes and the gloves were well-adjusted and in their place. 
“You’ll do well, just throw the first one and you’ll not have any obstacles” Jean said to you. Maybe it was not the best one in terms of behavior, but he was a helpful friend when you were about to start a fight.
Finally, Levi, your coach, patted your two shoulders and gave you one last pat on the back. He always did that, let's say that his gestures are more than his words, and you were already used to it. 
The ring sounded and, before you collided your gloves with your rival’s, simply out of mutual respect, you started to feel out the distance between your guard position and the other's face, to get used to each other's height and to analyze each other's fighting style on the fly, as you two have never competed before and this was not planned.
It was quite a challenge not knowing not only that you were going to fight in some minutes but also that you didn’t know your opponent at all. You knew data but at the last minute, so your senses are working at their highest to get to be the winner of the first assault for the sake of the final result and for taking Annie down psychologically in the process.
With some jabs and crosses thrown, you know that Annie goes all out and goes for the victory. That's her style. You had always admired that kind of style, even achieved it, but that doesn’t help much if it’s shown by your opponent.
You dodged a jab, but she feinted and the cross goes to the side you didn't expect. With you halfway to the sleep room she took the opportunity to land an uppercut. The referee put his arm between you two, before the blond could land several blows to your stomach that would have made you vomit blood, and does the 10 sec countdown on you. 
While you were on that loop of nearly being unconscious, you centered your gaze on Annie, not seeing the referee’s hands counting along with his talk. She was adjusting her helmet giving you her back. Is something about her that intrigued you. But you didn't really know what it was. You didn't have time, by the way, your brain understood this when the referee got out of your way and you were facing the shorter girl.
Maybe because you were thinking about something other than that you were a bit dizzy, it helped you to dodge her first punch. It didn't matter now, you had to continue. You threw another one-two after reaching her right, leaving her unprotected on that side. Dizzy, she tried to stop you, throwing misdirected punches to your head that only annoyed you but you pivoted like never before in your life and pressed your abdomen to increase the speed of your movements and overcome her uncalculated defensive blows with a hook, now to the liver. 
She arched her back and you continued hitting her where you could. Ribs, neck, jaw, head… Where you could before she could cover it. She ended up hugging you making it impossible for you to continue making points.
As you separated from her, you breathe heavily. That was great, you thought, if you could make another one like that or at least connect her some good hooks, this assault would be yours undoubtedly.
When she was back in front of you, you felt she was more aggressive, that’s not that normal when you had just landed a lot of blows on her. She had to be slower, she had to faint more, you thought dodging her in the best way you could. But she blew two good hits on your head. Because you were taller and the blows pushed you back, Annie didn't get to hit you with the uppercut. And thank goodness she didn't, you were sure that would have resulted in a knockout.
The referee gives you another ten seconds as you hit your head a bit trying to get back from the door of the sleep room, as you had one more minute ahead of fighting this Female Titan.
Then you noticed she was getting tired from all the blows he had thrown at you, so you took it slow, concentrated but cautious, waiting for at least 10 seconds to pass like this, breathing in and out. But that’s not like that, as you saw her gaze changing and her arms throwing them at you, her feet pivoting ceaselessly and her waist wasn't different.
You dodged, not concentrating on each one, but on your survival, to one side and the other. Right and left, right and left while blocking the majority of the ones that would hit you. She'd get tired, you thought, trying to not let your head get pushed so back, to not let her punch you without any defense. 
Eventually, you striked back, hitting her liver sometimes before centering in her head. Annie covered it, and the crowd it's so loud you couldn't even breathe for air.
The ring sounded when you were nearly pushing her against the net, with a combination of at least 6 hits, not getting bothered by her hugging you trying to make you stop.
First round was over, you thought, already breathing and giving her your back for going slowly, step by step, to your corner, where your team had already setted a chair for you and your coach is gesturing you to sit.
He droped water in your helmet talking to you about the situation.
“That was great, this round is ours. Listen, for the next one you have to cover up more, she doesn’t just punch, she goes all out in every one of them, so be careful with that” oh, yeah, you know it well “I know you can handle it, okay?” you noded, trying to catch any piece of calm of the cold water now falling through your pressed hair. 
But you could only think about her face. Her blue eyes combinating with her blond hair. You could think about Armin, Erwin or Nanaba… but it’s not the same.
She was pretty.
The moment you thought that you shook your head of that sentiment and continued to focus on Levi’s indications.
You noded another time as he put a hand on your shoulder and you felt another two on your back, probably from Nanaba, your second coach, and Erwin, who is always there for every fighter of Shiganshina Club.
Those hands on your back gave you the impulse to step into the ring again, hearing the sound that gave you the start of the second round.
You jumped a bit on your feet, trying to make yourself move again and to get rid of that stupid thought.
“You’d have won the last one, but this one’s mine” you heared her between tired breaths before she throws a good one-two at you, forgetting to collide gloves already.
You dodged it, but this is the easy part, and you knew it. Both of you exchanged blows in a row, so that both of you do not take a breath for a good few seconds.
God…
You thought, feeling your abdomen was going to explode from all the pressure you are putting in it to pivot every single time.
In one of those, Leonhart faints in the fastest way you’ve ever seen and gave you a good uppercut. You tried to recompose yourself by giving steps behind you, caring at the same time of her hits, dodging them the best you could. But the physical power you had isn’t as high as your mental one, so you felt dizzy and end up falling near fainting. But you fought to keep your brain focussed on moving your hands a lot inside the gloves and looking at the audience, reminding yourself that this is a great fight with a lot of expectation. That half of the people were there for you. And, finally, you looked at Erwin. He was the man who recruited you and who inspired you to continue in this every day.
The referee went to you, sitting you on the floor and asking you if you could continue.
“You okay?” he asked, kneeled in front of you, lifting your head “you can continue? Should I call the doctor?” 
But you denied with your head and make the gesture of standing up, he noded at you and helped you get up. You heared the crowd screaming, cheering you to continue up.
You glanced a second to Erwin, Levi and Nanaba. They noded at you, decided; the blond-haired man raised his fist. You felt Annie’s glance on you but you chose to ignore it, you had to stay up right now. Anyway.
You spit down your throat.
Okay.
You’re good.
Just continue.
You have to.
You can…
Of course you can.
With that, you convinced your heart to continue, which tricked your brain to do so.
As every single time.
You can do it.
You breath. 
You can do it.
The ring sounds, but you are already on guard.
Let 's go!
With that, you forgot it all and started throwing punches here, there and everything in between. You didn't care about tiredness anymore. You were here to battle. The three sets, nine minutes in total, as the regulation of amateurs, both male and female, mark, are a sprint to be done. And you were not falling behind.
You saw Leonhart surprised by your change of strategy. After all, she nearly left you in the sleep room seconds ago.
You didn't see it, because you were too focused on giving it all in every punch, but Levi, some meters behind you, was smiling sideways. He was proud that you got the gut to train such a strategy, and even use it in a fight.
That’s my girl, he thought.
Leonhart tried to escape these connections you are making but you don’t even cover up. She hits your liver, your sides, your head… But you just continued punching her and cornering her, ignoring the hits and the pain. Leonhart then gave up and went into you, hugging you so close that you didn't have space to hit her again. She had such a grip.
When you stoped, well, the referee stoped you, you felt her face on your chest before she separated from you. The blond looked up at you and you two look at each other for a second. You break the connection.
The referee gestured to you both to continue after giving the 10 seconds to the blue corner fighter while you got the air you couldn’t before.
Leonhart looked at you with suspicion, as if that part of you hadn't expected it.
A mix of punches and pivots was shown again in the ring. The public was cheering for you both. The lack of air. You couldn't think much in these moments, it’s just mechanics. 
One two, try the cross. Nope. Another one two and then an uppercut.
It may seem repetitive, but up there was hella tiring.
Then, a technique that you couldn’t think about takes place. She pushed you in the shoulder, you got confused because she went straight to that, you weren't cornering her. You noticed how she moves her leg and found out what was going on. Only that you touched the ground before.
MUAY THAI, SERIOUSLY?
You thoughtbefore getting up and groaning. Thank goddess you practiced a bit of judo when you were little, courtesy of Nanaba, and knew how to handle a fall like that. The floor didn’t even rub your helmet.
Well, she had to do something, this round was going to be mine…
When the referee told you to continue, only for her eyes, you knew that she noticed your perfect judo fall. I mean, you even hit hard with your gloves, it was unconscious.
After that, you two faint more, it’s normal, you discovered more abilities from each other, with the cards already on the table, any of you could do something surprising.
And like this, the second round ended.
Well. Two falls… This one’s her’s… fuck
You literally threw yourself on the seat one of your technical team members placed for you. You breathed while Levi pours water between the helmet and your head. It seemed that your brain was going to freeze, but nothing felt better than this, honestly. You threw your head back, leaning on the padded corner.
“Here, drink too” Nanaba entered the ring and put the water bottle in your mouth. 
Erwin massaged your shoulders a bit, showing his support. 
“You did so good, Y/n. Great reaction to that one technique” Nanaba pointed out, on her fingers.
“Yeah” Levi signed “do you want more?” You noded as Nanaba put the bottle again in your mouth “hear me out” he put his hands on your thighs, talking right in front of you, as the crowd would distract your accelerated state. It functioned, you focused on him “We already know her card up her sleeve: Muay Thai mixed with knocks. That's done, you handled it so well, okay?” You noded again, too focused on not doing anything but relax, distension, and low your heart rate “You need to find a way to handle it. You can dodge down too, that would be exhausting, but I know you can do it; but you can also try and counter it with your judo knowledge. I don’t know how much you can put that card of yours on the table, but if you try, you know how it works…” he said.
“All or nothing” out of the excitement, you four said it at the same time.
Before the ring took place between the sound of the crowd for the third time in this fight, Erwin pated your shoulders and Nanaba dried you a bit. Levi noded at you before exiting the ring.
Yeah… At the end… All of it depends on me.
All or nothing…
All or nothing…
You repeated yourself, not knowing if you had the energy to persecute that “all” you all are talking about.
You breathed in and out glancing at your rival. That eyeing gave you courage.
You smiled sideways and frown, making your posture go down a little.
“All”… I’m going for you!
Not only you did think about it figuratively, but you moved forward decisively. An aura of positiveness and tireless energy covered you. "That's my Tn'' Levi thought to himself just before you went with everything against Leonhart after the ring sounds.
“Make a nice one!” Nanaba cheered for you.
Consider it done, Sir.
You smiled more through the helmet. Your rival is surprised by this energy you seemed to have, even before the fight. 
Last round. Last two minutes. Just two. C’mon, you can do this, Yn. Nothing is decided yet!
You thought to yourself throwing the first one two. You continued until you hit her with an uppercut, her tiredness was felt as she as didn't cover herself after it, letting you attack in any way. First, a cross, then a down hook. And then one more. Two. Three. Four. Fi- the hand of the referee interfered and cuted you there.
You gave your back to them, you hit your own fists of emotion and lift them up. Seeing the audience screaming, crying, going crazy... These were the moments you live for, they didn't compare to any other you have had ever lived, after all. Gold. That's what they werefor you.
Normally, you would be surprised if your rival got up after this, but, after the Muay Thai technique, you weren't surprised by anything this Annie Leonhart did.
A good rival, no doubt about that.
And when you turned around, you saw what you’ve just thought. The referee gave her 10 seconds and Leonhart tried to help herself to get up with the net.
You jumped a bit again, throwing punches to the air. You didn't feel the tiredness nor the pain. You were in your 110% obsession state. You felt like you could eat the world just now. 
Your favorite sensation.
C’mon, get up. I’ll make you fall again!
You smiled.
This was so good for your points.
When the countdown finished, you had the blond-haired right in front of you again.
This is mine.
You thought, as you remembered the analysis you did before this fight started. She was aching, so she’d fainted and dodged a lot. She was not going to attack without caring of the defense any time soon. So if you dominated the distance, you’d have this duel in your hand. You only had to keep her some centimeters away from her punch distance, as you could still hit there.
And it worked! For 30 seconds this strategy gained some good points for you, but as soon as she huged you and breathed a little bit, you knew from her eyes that you’d have to defend more now.
So you dodged and covered yourself. As if it were a guardian angel, your mind thought that Leonhart was going to use some technique of his specialty again. And, thanks to that, you were able to dodge it and counterattack with another sweep. You thoght fast, and a Ōuchi gari was the best option. You pretended to dodge and approached her to hug her and prevent her from pushing you, but you were the one who grabed her arm and shoulder and pusheed them sweeping one leg of hers with yours.
She tried to hold on to you, but she falled on the attempt.
You breathed.
YESS!
You heared your team cheer for you and the crowd filled the ambience with your name. You celebrated it by raising your arms.
You heared her cough and sign when she got up again after a 10 countdown.
The narrator said that there's only one minute left.
This is done. You are done.
You thoughtto yourself, convinced.
You two followed with jabs and crosses, you continued throwing some of them at her. One. Then two. And then three, four… There was no option to maintain the points, you only could look up at the highest you two can get.
You could see it in her face. It was going to be a knockout if you continued. You smiled excited, you had never did so.
But, in the last punch, your eyes connected with her’s. That blue eyes were now transparent. You could see fear in them. The time passed by so slow then. You could sense all your body in tension. Your abdomen, your waist, your feet and your fist. It was well-directed. Like every single one you connected. But something was off. Her eyes. Even though it was difficult to see them through the helmet, you were able to look directly into them. You know she was scared.
Oh…
For a second, your vision got you to that day. You saw a small girl. It was just like Leonhart. Blond, blue eyes, short… It was Historia. You were teaching her some simple movements, you were sparring with her. And you connected an under hook, like you are about to do now. A millisecond passed and you saw her on the floor, aching. She was crying. 
A feeling of regret mixed with fear attacked you like poison, and it spreaded throughout your body, circulating like blood, paralyzing each one of your muscles.
No…! Not again!
You stoped in your pivoting, you saw Leonhart now, already on the floor, aching. But that was not what was happening, she dodged the last weak punch and gave a last-hope uppercut.
For her eyes, you knew it was desperate, but for the impact… you didn't feel anything. Nothing at all. Only relief. It was a strange sentiment as you were now falling back, with wind caressing your skin and a huge blow all over your body ended you.
It was a knockout.
.
.
.
“See it this way… at least it’s her first knockout. There’s always a first time” Nanaba tried to cheer up a bit the other coach and the trainer.
“I guess… But she has never feared them, so… I don’t know how this leaves your argument…” Erwin said as Levi remains silent.
You were hearing them, but you weren't seeing them. So you fought to open those eyes of yours. You saw you were laying on the floor, hearing Leonhart’s name being shouted from every direction.
“Hey… you good?” asked Levi softly but loud enough for you to listen, caressing your shoulder with his finger as Nanaba got your head out of the helmet.
You tried to get up but Erwin stoped you.
“Hey, hey, take it easy… You’ve been knocked out” he said looking down at you concerned.
“I’m…” you were trying to say okay but you ended up saying “dizzy” while you rubed your head, all wet and sweaty from the fight.
“Yeah… we know” Nanaba said, trying to dry your hair and forehead a little bit with a towel.
You breathed out calmly after what seemed a lot of time. You saw Eren, Ymir and Historia, the ones that were there today and Hange couldn’t stop before getting on the ring to see you. They saw you from there, worried.
“I’m fine, guys…” you said, making a reassuring gesture, trying to smile, but you were too dizzy. Historia couldn’t help but get your hand.
“You are clearly not, Y/n! You’ve received a knockout!” she screamed, you heared it even through the crowd’s noise. The Reiss hugged you, not caring a bit about all the sweat. She was kind of your apprentice, she looked up at you since she was little. So seeing you this hurt and dizzy hurted her a lot.
Ymir put a hand on her shoulder, and your coaches and trainer let them talk to you, as you were answering without much effort.
“She’ll be okay, Historia, she’s Y/n, after all” the tall girl said.
Next to you and your friends was the blue corner fighter standing up with the arm up by the referee. You couldn't see it from the floor, because Levi’s figure was covering your sight, but Leonhart was looking at you. It seems like she was looking down taking air, but she was indeed glaring at you.
The blond one was giving the final seconds of the fight a thought. 
Why did she doubt?
Why did she flinch?
Was that fear in her eyes? 
I was not the one hitting her…
Why?
Why?!
Why did she let me win?
It was a bittersweet victory, as Leonhart knew she didn’t deserve it. That if you have had continued with the blows, she would be the one knocked out.
And she couldn't stand that. She didn’t gain the victory. So… why did she win?
What the fuck meant that win then?
She was internally in rage. She couldn't stand a win like that. 
But she didn't do anything. She let the referee lift her arm, her friends hug her and her coaches congratulate her.
Some minutes passed, and the public was now thinking about the next fight already.
Ironic, right?
You were left in the Paradis locker to get a shower and change yourself. You put the automatic, it was your house after all, you knew where all was located.
When you were done signing in the cold, nerve-restart shower, you get out of it and put on your rest clothes.
You let your sports shirt fall after it is over your shoulders and finished ordering everything. Out of nothing, someone knocked on the door.
“Uh… You can enter, i’m done” you said thinking it’s Historia again or some of your high level friends as Hange or Rico trying to cheer you up. But when you turned your head you found no less than Annie Leonhart, your rival in the blue corner.
“What are you doing here?” you asked, not daring her or something, just confused “this is the house’s locker room” you said.
“I know where the visitors’ one is, Y/s. I just wanted to talk to you” she said calmly, looking at you for the first time directly, without helmets on or the pressure of being rivals standing on the ring.
You got a moment to analyze her, looking at her from head to toe. Wet hair, gray sweatshirt, baggy sweatpants, shoes without a platform…
As it was a bit long, if she didn’t even take the time to dry her hair that was because the thing she wanted to talk about is important, you realized.
“So what’s up? Shouldn’t you be celebrating your victory with your team?” you asked, still feeling your eyes itch when you say your victory.
“Don’t say that, I don’t even want it if it’s this way” you heared the short one say.
“And you are an amateur? This is sport, you can win or lose in a second. Nothing is decided before the ring sounds. Sentimentalisms and morals don't count” you tryed to be mature about it, but even if you said this, she could feel your voice shaking a bit.
“It’s not about that, obviously I know what a knockout is!” she punched the door. You looked at her as that was what she asked for with that movement, your attention.
“So? What’s the point then?” At this point you only waneted to exit that room and cry on Levi’s lap.
“That you let me do it. Hit you, I mean. You let me. Why?” she explained herself, frowning and not even glancing anywhere but your eyes. She was upset about it.
“What are you saying? I didn’t let you” 
“Yes, you did. I saw you. I saw it in your eyes, it was… doubt there… You could punch me right, but you didn’t, and then you stopped” she looked away looking for words. “Why?”
“What? I didn’t do what” you defended yourself. You would die instead of admitting you let a Marley fighter win.
“Don’t be a fool” she said going towards you “You flinched! You doubted! I saw you! Stop avoiding the question and answer me!” she took you by the shirt. She was angry. You let her do so.
“I couldn’t stand going on with that energy” you lied, it’s pretty obvious, but you couldn't think of something better in your exhausted state.
Leonhart doesn’t move, decided to make you split it up. Those big blue eyes are making you nervous.
“I, uh… okay…” you signed, nothing matters now, you lost, and she would not give up until you told her “I…” you looked her in the eyes again “you… I saw you were scared… I saw it in your eyes… and I… I just couldn’t do it, okay? I’m weak, that's all!” you said pushing her, quitting her grip on you and not looking at her surprised expression.
“You… are making fun of me?” she followed you, with a non-believing tone.
“I’m not. You asked me, I answered you. Now, can you leave?” you said, nearly bursting into tears. Saying it was kind of bringing it to reality. Admitting things was always hard for you, after all.
You didn't look at her, but you heared her leave with a quick step. You didn't know if your ears malfunctioned, but you swear you heard a sob.
Well, there was so much sound outside, so you didn't really know what you have heard.
When you are back with your team and friends, you noticed she’s no longer there.
[ ]
Some days passed, and you couldn't understand why she, of all your past rivals, made you doubt. Because obviously you have had seen that scared expression before, but you didn’t let the win go. You didn’t even pay attention to them. So why her?
You tryed to convince yourself that it had to be because of her similar traits with Historia, but you knew something didn't seem right there.
But there was no time to think about it , you had another great fight between the eternal rivals: Paradis and Marley; in Marley’s house this time. The contestants of this contest, if everything went well, were going to be Reiner, in the blue corner, and Eren, who defended the red one. 
With Mikasa still treating that knee, Eren asked you to enter with him the ring. You were confused about why didn't he ask Armin. The long haired one told you that it’s because your vibes match better. In other words, you lifted his spirits more.
Some minutes before you were cheering him and helping him to put on his entering suit.
“You have reached a lot this months. Go there and show it to all of them. Reiner is no longer someone you have to see up, it’s on the same level as you, understood?” you said giving pats on his chest.
He smiled proudly “I didn’t mess up asking you to be here with me” he sayd, as a thank you.
You smiled. “Let’s go” you said as you all heared the narrator introducing him.
“In the red corner, the heavyweight of Paradis, The Attack Titan, only surpassed by his own trainer, comes from a defeat, the strongest way that anyone has ever returned to the ring in all history" he took a breath "At 21 years old, 6 feet tall and 176 lbs in weight... With you all tonight: EREN JAEGER!” 
You let him, Levi and Hange enter, and steped in behind along with Erwin. You two looked at each other. That small glance only could mean something: this is our revenge, we are gonna win this one.
Eren waved at everyone and hited his own fists after taking off his entering-in-stage clothes. 
You put a hand on his shoulder looking at the Marley’s locker room just before their fighter presentation began.
“In the blue corner, right back from an injury in the arm, he’s called by The Armored Titan… by friends… and enemies…” he paused before continuing “With 21 years old too, 182 lbs of weight and 6 feet with 2 inches... REINER BROWN!” as soon as he announced the young man’s name, he entered the stage.
“And, in a few moments, ladies and gentlemen, we will witness a fight as epic as it is long-awaited... The Attack Titan vs The Armored Titan!” the narrator continued talking about their life a bit while they are preparing to fight each other. 
You lightly slaped the cheeks of Paradis' fighter "Ready?" you asked him with a decided face.
“Yes, I’m gonna beat his ass” he sayd excitedly, already giving small jumps. 
“Let’s go then, attack with all. Always” you cheered him, leaving the ring just because Hange was pulling you out of it. 
While you were stepping outside, you see the short blonde from the other day sideways through the audience. You looked the other way when you see that she was staring at you too.
You sat up next to Mikasa, ready to see a good fight between these heavyweights.
The ring sounds and the two fighters collided their gloves peacefully, ready to start pivoting and hitting.
They started throwing some jabs to each other. These were the first seconds, so they were warming up and getting used to the height of each other.
Eren was the first one that got to hit a good up hook, and tried to connect it with more hits, but Reiner recovered from it fast and threw a one two to the shorter one. Eren received it, and Reiner gived him another uppercut. 
“Fuck…” you said, concentrated in the match trated in the fight, not really caring about the glance of the blond still on you for some reason she didn't even understand herself.
The two of the heavyweights men moved from side to side, from left to right, dodging the most hits as possible while throwing them at the same time. With all his concentration turned on, Eren gave him another uppercut, his best movement, and connected it with another direct jab and a down hook. Reiner felt his head fall behind, but he recomposed himself. He was not called The Armored Titan for nothing.
The taller fighter continued playing on the defensive side, while Paradis’ Eren striked connected blows. First a one two, an uppercut and then a good down hook. Even if Reiner is the Armored Titan, Eren was still the Attack one.
This looks like it's going to be a close one
“That was a good one, Eren” you congratulated him as he celebrates it marking his arm muscles in a manly motion while Reiner had the referee right in front of him counting him the 10 seconds countdown.
In this moment, you remembered all the 10 seconds countdowns your fight had. You were the one doing some of them, you picture the referee in the same position and the crowd cheering for you both. So you looked up at Leonhart in the public. You were not seeking anything in particular, you just had the urge to do so. To see her.
And there she was, looking at her fellow fighter, calm and serious as always. With her hair tighted in a bun and silent. Making contrast between the hectic and noisy crowd.
The fight continued and the blond one was ready to cover himself up and defend with all his force. And the one in the red corner wasn’t different, ready to attack with all the rage.
Eren forced a good hat trick of blows which Reiner could merely defend. The first one brayd, so the other took advantage of those seconds and attacked with a one two trying to connect it with a cross. But he couldn’t, since Eren covered himself first. Then the blond tried to hit a cross by the other side, this time the other received a bit of the force of the impact. This made his head fall a bit behind, but recovers easily and feints a little bit. Feints that didn’t help him as he got hitted with a jab and an uppercut.
Eren took some seconds to recover, but as he seemed dizzy, the referee stoped Reiner and gave the red corner fighter 10 seconds. When the fight continued, Eren changes the strategy. Analyzing the last blows between him and his rival, realized that, if he could connect more, he wouldn’t be cornered that easily. So that’s what he did. He feinted, hits included, and pivoted more as he dodged the tries to do a jab-cross from Reiner. Then, after some feints, he threw a force punch that hit right in Reiner’s jaw. From there, he continued connecting more force hits as he cornered his rival. 
The ring sounded and the referee had to get in the way of the Attack Titan.
One of the technicians put a metalic chair on his corner to sit on it, as well as the other corner did; and the coaches and the trainer standed on the ring. They gave him water and tips they saw he could use to defeat his rival.
“I’m going quickly to get a drink” you said to Mikasa, who was on your right. 
“Ah, I'm going with you too” replied Jean on another chair.
“But hurry!” the dark-haired woman warned you two.
“Yeah, yeah” Jean said as he sighed.
“Yes, mum” you responded, pulling your head to the side playfully.
You two went ahead and pour some drinks in two plastic glasses.
“Hey” you heared a soft but strong voice on your left, when Jean was in the opposite corner of the table.
You turned around, surprised to see the blond-haired woman of the fight the other day you two fought.
“Hm! Hey there, came here to see the fight of the heavy weights, uh? Pretty… interesting fight” your friendly and composed vibe falled around when your eyes connect with her’s.
Annie wasn’t frowning or mad, or even staring aggressively into you; but her glare was a bit… unusual. Kinda surprised. You didn’t really know how to describe it. But god, she had a very strong eyeing that madr you stupidly nervous.
She noticed this, and tried to pull out a more soft glare, but didn’t do much at all. You signed, recomposing yourself.
“Yeah, indeed, they are really good. Both of them” Leonhart said.
“Hm” not knowing how to continue, you started to serve yourself with some low-calorie juice you really liked and noticed the girl didn’t move from her spot “Uh, you want some?”
“…Yes” she said, not convinced.
“Then let me serve you” you said, as was natural that you just did those tiny things for people. You put your plastic vase near the dispenser and pushed the button to the juice to spill out of the machine.
“Hey, idiot, aren’t you done already?” murmured Jean coming to you two.
“Umm, near. I’m taking it for her” you leaned back a bit, letting him view the girl that you were covering from his sight.
“Uh, ok. Eh? Aren’t you from Marley. The one that fought with Yn last week?” he realized.
“Yeah, she is” you commented, giving her the drink “Here it is”
“Thanks” she said with a low tone, that sounded different to the other interactions you had or heard about her.
You heard the song BOXER by Stray Kids being played. And, somehow, it gave you the courage to say “I'm staying here, go with the others”.
Annie was nervous for no reason about you leaving since she sensed in her hands the warmth of yours the second you two rubbed them as you gave her the glass.
For a brief moment, Jean looked confused at you, but, even if it was strange in him being friendly, or even chill, with rivals of other clubs, he took the hint and left you, not without a tiny wink.
“The night is your’s, ladies” he joked.
“Shut up” you said.
It was true. It was true for the moment you saw the blond-haired short woman for the first time in the court, no less. She was stunning in every sense, but also worried for no reason and strangely nice with you. You just couldn’t lose the opportunity. Analyzing it, if she was really just being kind to you with really no reason at all, that would end there. And you two probably never talk to each other again, or fight, as Mikasa was coming back in a week or two, just for the next competition between clubs. 
But, if not, if she really was into you, and you did nothing but ignore your growing feelings for her, the future would be the same as, knowing her type of personality and interaction with others, she would feel dumb, back off and just not talk to you any more. And you didn’t want that. Not at all.
You smiled, even if it was for a moment you knew this night was gonna be fun, awkwardly fun.
“So… who do you want to win?” you said, noticing the stupidity of the question the second you spell it off “Uh, yeah, quite obvious, uh? Reiner, the Marley’s” you laugh at yourself, not daring looking down to her.
“Yeah” out of nothing, even your calculations, she laughed. Annie just laughed. Annie, the cold Marley’s fighter, had laughed at one thing you said.
Imposible
You thought, but it happened. And it made you look at her, her face itching to give you a radiant smile, full of laughter and eyes closed in total harmony. You swore you could see her laugh all day long.
Totally out of any perception of your reality at that moment, the second round started. Sweat running their tensed bodies, jabs being thrown every ten seconds and two big weights contesting the fight of the day.
“You know” out of your calculations, another time, she said “The other night, I’m still curious about that flinch of yours” almost doubting, Annie pulled out the question.
You sign, eyes down to your drink, cupping it between your hands. This made you lose the look the blond gave you, worried about have fucked it up. But, you got her unexpected too “Christa. You know, one of my club. The short one that’s always with Ymir”
“Yeah… what's up with her?” curious, she questioned.
You didn’t even know why, but you explained that to a Marley fighter. No, not to a Marley fighter. To Annie, who still was it, but she was now more than that.
“So, I don’t know if it was the physique or what, but … I had kind of a deja vu” you sighed in your story “You know, sometimes I ask myself if I’m really made for this… world” looking up to the fight before you “Sometimes it’s just so, I don’t know, violent…”until you felt too exposed and back it off “You might wanna laugh at me now, a boxer having fear to box, how ironic, uh?” you say, covering the tears with a masked smile you know really well from years of practice, adding a small laugh.
But when you looked at her, you knew your actuation was not necessary anymore.
“No, it’s not a silly thing” the blond-haired said seriously “It’s quite normal, indeed. Sometimes, even I, feel that doubt” you looked at her astonished. That made her look down at her feet “The aggressivity of our hits, the pain we can cause, the, even, careers or lives we could end in a two minutes round. It’s huge” says in a breath ”And the weight on our shoulders depends on it, as well as our reputation, the discipline and eagerness we put in each training each day. It’s really overwhelming. So don’t feel weak for that, because you are quite the opposite. You are strong, Yn” she said, clapping your back with her hand.
You wanted to cry, lay in her arms, have a life with her by your side. The feelings were overwhelming. You were told that other times, yeah, by Eren, Mikasa or, even, Ymir; but Annie. Her saying it was different. It was not about validation or acknowledgement, it was something about her. Talking to you. Making you feel proud of yourself because of your own gains, not done to praise her or anything. Just the “you” for the “you”. And that was golden. It really was.
You showed a bitter-sweet smile, without looking up again ”Thanks. I’m gonna spin it up a couple of times in my head though” you said, finally free to take your chin up, looking at the gym, at the crowd and at the night itself, showing her reality, your reality of it, right there.
“Good. That question is worth answering it from time to time” and after some seconds, she added in a joking manner”And when I say strong, I don’t mean only physically”
She gave you a slight punch on the triceps. You laughed, it was cute seeing her like this.
”You too, you too”
The ambience became more calm and collected. You two were happy with the other’s presence. You two have been exchanging looks from time to time during the third round until the party moved on to a disco. At the end of the day, you were all humans, and if Eren and Reiner could have a beer together after literally fighting to death, you all could. 
However, Annie stayed near you the whole time. It was like an artwork. You could never get tired of seeing and wanting to review every part of her, just to never paint a drawing that could equal the feeling she made you experiment. It was just impossible, and you liked it that way. 
“Hey… you know you are too pretty” you said in one of these watching expeditions that interested you more than the actual combat.
For a brief moment you saw her smile drawn in her face, just to be turned to the other side, take air and finally face you, her hand on the table.
“It may be irrational, but I do think the same for you. Normally I do not see the others that way, I just don’t care”
“It’s not supposed to be rational, is it? Neither normative or sound possible” you replied, getting closer to her.
“You know, you have really flaming eyes, and that I like that so much about you” Annie took another step, in that moment, your bodies were nearly brushing to each other. And the height difference was really noticeable at this point. But you two only thought it was so cute.
“You do?” you said, taking a strand of her golden, perfect hair behind her ear.
“Mhmmh”she mumbled.
You two looked so close, and you didn’t want it to be far. The song was oblivious, just a rhythm your head was accustomed to, the others screaming and fighting a bit, outer noise; you were there, Annie before you, with only a thing in your minds. 
You leaned over her and your lips touching made an electric current go all the way through your senses as well as your body. Her lips were soft but rough, a combination that suited her very well. Your bones filled with waves of fire and your soul being sieged by flames of water, touching your every muscle and bursting every one of your cognitive connections. It was like each part of that dead star that made your body functioning alone all this time was lighted up and finally made its way to the eruption. 
You’ve been locked in here forever
And you just can’t say goodbye
Your lips, my lips
APOCALYPSE
Your lips, my lips
APOCALYPSE
Go and sneak us through the rivers
Flood is rising up on your knees
Oh, please
Come out and haunt me
I know you want me
Come out and haunt me
You smiled, recognizing the lyrics, Cigarettes After Sex made its appearance just in time.
“Are you an uppercut? Cause you got me hooked” you joked, making her laugh.
Annie was astonished, even if she kissed you, even if she came to that snacks and drinks table just to talk to you, even if she worried that much that, the first time she saw you flinch, she runned to watch out for you, she haven’t had thought you would mean this much to her. Even if her own heart was screaming it at your very first sight. But, with this kiss, she knew it, she knew she didn’t want to kiss anyone but you the rest of her life.
“So… wanna go for a drink and kiss in the most embarrassing moments of songs?” you asked, laughing softly.
“I couldn’t want it more” she answered, a smile printed on her face, caressing your cheek before getting on her toes and giving you a soft kiss. The brush felt like heaven down at the earth, she surely was just like magic.
---
I also posted this on AO3 :D Link Below. Thanks for reading, hope you like it as I liked to write it.
Are you a jab? 'Cause you got me hooked | Annie Leonhart x reader | Modern AU Boxing AU | +18 - Tonks21 - Shingeki no Kyojin | Attack on Titan [Archive of Our Own]
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glazelilyy · 2 years
Note
Hey, congrats on your milestone! Hoping for many more to come. <3
Also, your event looks stunning, I hope it's okay if I request- and please let me know if I did it wrong!
noctua, black holes (resolved argument, if that's okay), hurt/comfort!
ofc no pressure, delete this if you don't want to do it <3
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request - noctua (diluc ragnvindr) + black holes (arguments; resolved) + hurt/comfort x gn!reader
warnings - arguments, crying, "love" and "darling" as pet names, happy ending!
a/n - WEEEEE i love love love hurt/comfort i will jump on any chance to write it LOL. thanks for requesting ky!! i hope you enjoy your req hehe <3 the words of advice crepus gave diluc about his vision are inspired by what fire represents in atla (avatar: the last airbender) and i mimicked a scene from dr. strange for the actual argument portion :P
participate here!
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diluc can still remember the words of advice his father uttered to him when he first received his gift of the heavens; his vision.
"pyro consumes and burns, so you must learn to control it and show restraint."
there had been another part, but diluc's mind was too fumbled to remember it at the moment.
he learned control; not only in wielding his flames so that he no longer singed the ends of his hair or burnt books accidentally, but also in his behavior and composure. he deemed himself a man of duty and formality (even if formalities were the bane of his existence).
he learned restraint; knowing when to act and when not, knowing when fire would aid or hinder. such values are what kept him alive and surviving for all these years and they continued to do so.
he wished he had called upon those values before you walked out the winery doors.
"diluc," earlier, you called for him as he bandaged the remnants of his wounds from last night's battles, "could we talk?"
the wound from the pyro abyss made stung as he finished wrapping the gauze around his bicep, taking care not to let you see the wince that flashed ever so quickly across his face.
you appeared to see it all the same.
"is something the matter?"
"yes, actually." you fidgeted with your hands, eyeing the many bandages and supplies that littered his body and the dining table. "i'm...worried."
worried, you say? has he given you reason to worry about anything? but you're well taken care of, and surely adelinde or the rest of the staff hadn't been crude to you in any way? no, that was impossible—adelinde adored you, hillie and moco always ran to you to show off their embroidery, and elzer always let you help him set he table. finances? no, he had that covered. were you not comfortable? had something happened overnight?
"has something happened? have you been hurt?" his hand cupped your face and even through all the callouses and warmth of his skin, he felt your tense body melt under his hold.
"no! no, nothing like that."
slivers of dawn creeped through the glass pane windows and illuminated your face with the gentle glow of the rising sun. now that diluc thought about it, it was far too early for you to be up and yet here you were, eyes wide and flickering between him and the floor. diluc stood up from the chair he'd been dressing his wounds on and slid his hands into yours, thumbs rubbing over your knuckles in silent encouragement for you to continue.
"i'm worried about you."
him? what could possibly have given you reason to worry about him? diluc's mind frantically walked through the past few days, scanning for any sign of some wrong he might have done against you only to come up short. perhaps he was missing something? no, he was quite perceptive at reading your response to things and he'd seen nothing but contentment.
"me? whatever for?"
you cast your eyes to your intertwined hands and diluc could tell you had been preparing these words carefully for a long time with how fluently they came out of your mouth.
"you're always so tired and exhausted. you work an entire week's worth of duties in a single day and don't even allow yourself sleep because mondstat needs you. have you not thought about how much your body needs you as well?"
this was beginning to delve into familiar territory—at least for diluc. it wasn't as though he were unaware of the painfully longing gazes you'd send him as he mounted his horse and set off into the city at night, or when he'd return and fix himself proper for a day of being a wine tycoon needed by his staff.
"you know i cannot just abandon my duties-"
"and i'm not asking you to! but i can't allow you to run yourself into the ground trying to balance the weight of the world on your shoulders."
diluc scoffed, exhaustion from the previous night flooding upwards to his mind. he slid his hands out of yours and opted to run his fingers through his messy, red locks instead as he leaned against the dining table. deep down, diluc knew you were right, but something bothered him nonetheless. he needed help from no one else and you were no exception, he was meant to protect and stand against darkness as the light of dawn itself.
"then how, pray tell, would i manage my duties? there is a need for me and i will not fall short of it. i refuse to." diluc said, firm and purposeful. his eyes could not meet yours.
you tried approaching him physically this time, your hand coming to gently cup his cheek and turn his face your way. "love, even kaeya has started to become worried about you-"
"kaeya? what- don't tell me that fool has finally realized how inexplicably inefficient the knights are? why would he show concern for myself? ridiculous."
control. restraint. diluc heaved a breath and ran a hand down his face.
"kaeya cares about you! i care about you! diluc, what will it take for you to care about yourself for once?" he'd commend you for keeping your voice even this whole time if he weren't trying to repress his own frustration. he knew of his stubbornness, it was quite infamous after all.
you seemed almost pleading at this point, eyes wide and hopeful with the sliver of a chance that he might listen and heed your worries. "we can help you, i know we can! the knights aren't as inefficient as you say they are: kaeya and jean do a great job with their patrols! and...and i can help you with the winery! please, diluc-"
"what part of my duties do you not understand? they are mine alone to carry and that is final, i can manage myself just fine." he snapped, eyes blazing for a mere moment.
you, undeterred, pushed forth. "but you have people who can help you! want to help you!"
"what, people like you?"
he wish he hadn't spoke. control. restraint. but diluc was tired. control yourself, restrain yourself! but diluc was tired.
you seemed taken aback, lips parting as if to speak yet his words robbed you of your vocal chords. the fire in his eyes was unquenchable, blazing dangerously and ferociously. a snarl sat on his face and he hated how comfortable it felt.
"you think you can help me?" stop, stop speaking, "you think you could even manage a sliver of all that i do?" please, stop speaking, you're scaring them, "that's ridiculous and you know it, so stop speaking of fantasies like that. i don't need help from anyone—certainly not you."
it was only when your lip wobbled and tears gathered in your eyes that diluc felt the harshness of his words,
and archons did he despise himself for being the reason you cried.
he reached a hand out for you, waves of horror now crashing in his pupils instead of the flickering flames of fury, "love, i-"
"no, no, it's okay." suppressing your sniffles, you hastily rubbed your eyes and turned away from him, "i'll leave you be. it seems i'm not needed here."
you left him be with the solemn click of the winery's wooden doors and never before had diluc hated silence so.
his own words made his gut twist and shrivel in his body and he was forced to acknowledge that he had burned you by not controlling himself or showing restraint.
the pain was unbearable.
by the time you returned, the sun had risen higher in the sky, diluc's eyes were red-rimmed and in his hands he fumbled with his ruby brooch, torn off from his white collar. he sat with his elbows on his knees at the dining table, head hung low and shameful. he wasn't sure how to approach you—by all means you had every right to be angry or shout at him, yet instead you passed by silently, solemnity embedded in each of your footsteps.
diluc trailed behind you wordlessly, fumbling with his cufflinks as you entered the master bedroom and slipped back under the covers.
"love?" he tested the waters, uncertain and hesitant.
you hummed an acknowledgment from beneath the thick duvet yet made no move to show your face. you were upset, and it was all his fault.
tentatively, he sat on the edge of the bed to gauge your comfort and slid himself under the blanket once you scooted over and made room for him. instead of your beautiful face, diluc only had the displeasure of seeing your back.
"diluc?"
"yes, darling?"
your shoulders trembled as if to keep the composure in your already strained voice, "do you really think so little of me?"
in an instant, diluc was at your side as you fell apart and cried into your hands. warm, strong arms wrapped themselves around your waist and cooed sweet nothings into your ear.
"no, i think the world and beyond of you." he answered in a whisper once you calmed down.
you let him envelop your hand in his and press it to your shuddering heart, pulse alone speaking volumes.
"i'm sorry." you whimpered and turned your body so your tear-stricken face buried itself into the safety and warmth of his shoulder.
diluc cradled the back of your head and felt his insides twist and clench, tangled on the wire of guilt, "you need not apologize for being correct. i'm sorry for saying such cruel and untrue things to you, the one i love most."
"you aid me in seeing light where i thought light not possible, so please, always know that you are what supports me when even i am ignorant to it." purposefully and gently, diluc glided his gloveless hands across your back as your hiccups slowed to occasional sniffles.
"tell me again when you're ready- of your worries, i mean." diluc sighed and cupped your wet face, eager to dry the tears he had caused, "i promise you, i will listen intently and act accordingly."
his heart fluttered upon being blessed with your giggle, light and airy and free of strife as it should always be. "so professional, but thank you. i'll take you up on that offer. and thank you for the apology, i appreciate it."
he thanked his lucky stars that you trusted him enough and prayed to whatever god was listening that you'd be a constant in his life as he continued to cuddle you close and whisper words of love and reassurance in your ear, dedicated hand rubbing soothing motions into your back.
it was as he began to drift off to sleep that he remembered the last of his father's advice, and thought his moment of recognition could not be more appropriate.
"but pyro is also life, and warmth, and comfort. this gift of yours is not meant to burn mindlessly and destroy, but to provide sanctuary to those you love."
diluc pulled you closer and pressed a kiss to your forehead, silently swearing to himself to dedicate his warmth to you.
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eclecticqueennerd · 9 months
Text
Confessions
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Part 6
*angst, violence, language, 18+ smut, mentions of torture*
As you set your fresh clothes on the closed toilet lid and start the shower up, you hear the bathroom door click shut. You turn to Ben, and he gives you a knowing look, eyes dilated, and cocky smirk plastered on his face. You smirk back at him as he starts to slowly approach you, licking his lips like a hungry animal.
Ben reaches out and gently grabs the zipper to your tactical suit and at agonizingly slow speed, pulls it down. Your heart is wildly beating in your chest as your top is now exposed to him. You shimmy out of the skintight suit and lock eyes with him after his scan up and down your body.
“Fucking gorgeous.” Ben leans forward and gives you a bruising kiss; one with teeth and tongue. Your hands fly into his hair, Ben backs you up and lifts you to place you on the lip of the sink, never breaking the kiss. Your hands wander over his thick shoulders, his muscular back and travel down to the globes of his ass and squeeze. This earns you a growl. You remove your lips from and begin unclasping the padding on his chest and let it fall to the floor. Ben was trailing kisses down your jaw and neck, attempting to distract you from your mission.  Ben, now only clad in his boxer briefs, stops you from completely undressing him as leans down and takes a nipple into his mouth. He sucks aggressively, nipping at the sensitive bud while massaging your other breast. He switches to the other side and repeats his actions. You feel the spot in your underwear, covering your core, become damp from your desire. The room is filled with heavy pants, soft moans and water running from the shower. You pull your body away from Ben and slip off the edge of the sink. Eyes locked, you kneel to the floor and begin stroking Ben through his briefs. His eyes flutter shut for a moment, then open again, pupils blown. Once fully hardened, you loop your fingers on either side of his hips and pull his briefs to the floor, pooling at his feet.
His cock springs free, rock hard and ready to go. You take the tip in your mouth and begin sucking him off. Bens hips buck slightly at the sudden feeling of your mouth around him. You start off at the tip of his cock and then slowly work your way further and further into your mouth.
“Fuuuck.” You hear Ben moan; this only fuels your desire to please him, sucking, stroking, licking, and squeezing. Then, as Ben’s heavy breathing becomes ragged, he pulls you off him. You look up at him puzzled and his only response was to lean down, cradle his hands just under your jaw and guide you up to his lips. As he kisses you, one hand travels down and rips off the offending garment covering your core and plunges his fingers inside. You let out a moan. Desire dripping down the inside of your thighs, Ben stops.
He lifts you up and walks the two of you into the shower. Water cascading down the two of you, he sits on the edge of the tub, and you move your slick entrance to the tip of his cock. Once he filled you to the hilt, you began grinding yourself on him, rubbing your clit against his pubic bone, then transitioned to riding him. Ben takes a nipple into his mouth and grabs a fistful of your hair. The bathroom is filled with steam, your moans and pants and slapping skin. You feel the band in your belly begin to tighten, Ben must’ve felt it too as he is now thrusting up into you chasing his own release.
“Gonna make you my wife and the mother to my babies. We’re gonna have so many babies together.” You miss Ben saying this, caught up in the thralls of your own pleasure. Ben’s hand snaked around your throat, and he gently squeezed. This pushed you over the edge as you felt white hot pulse through your body. Ben came with a roar and stilled himself inside you. Coming down from your high, you lock eyes with Ben and giggle. He looks back at you with a look of devotion. You slowly start to climb off Ben’s thighs, hissing when the two of you separate. Your legs feeling like jelly, you had to grab the support bar in the shower to prevent yourself from collapsing. Ben grabbed a bottle of sweet pea and violet body wash,
“Let’s get this dirty girl cleaned up.”
*
You and Ben would pass the next few days fucking while waiting to find the twins at Herogasm. If there wasn’t anything going on workwise, you’d fuck. You’d fuck in the shower, on the couch, in your bed and once in the kitchen. It was hard to keep from laughing when Hughie freaked out about a sweaty butt print on the kitchen counter.
“I never thought I’d have to tell you this y/n but stop fucking in the kitchen. It’s just unsanitary! We eat there man.”
After collapsing on to the bed after another session, this time felt different. Ben held you tighter than before and whispered sweet nothings into the shell of your ear. You snuggled up close to his chest and rubbed circles on his soft skin, silence fell between you.
“Y/n.” You look up and saw that same devotion from before on his face. Ben reached out and cupped your face with one hand, eyes scanning every corner of your face. A look of hesitancy flashed in his features until he looked into your eyes and said,
“I love you.” You smiled brightly, shifted up closer to his lips, and kissed him.
*
The day has finally come when you got to see what Herogasm was all about. You knew of the event, it’s where supes go to have orgies, but you never expected anything like this. You were able to talk Ben into letting you and Hughie go into the mansion to find the twins to prevent any collateral damage. Using Hughie’s powers, the two of you teleported in and were completely naked.
“Okay, um, I’ll take this side of the house and you take that side.” You and Hughie split up. Walking up a set of stairs, you begin to feel weirded out. Seeing a man with an endless penis make his way thru the crowd offering ecstasy, people floating in air fucking, one man shoving an icicle up his butt and acting like it was a butt plug. Everyone here, strangers, complimenting your body, hitting on your and making you feel like ick. Then, you came across Annie. Annie left the group soon after finding out Hughie was using Temp-V, which she advised against, claiming it turns your brain to mud.
“Y/n.” Annie exclaimed. You felt your cheeks grow hot as she approached. “What are you doing here?”
“Soldier boy is right outside and is looking for the twins. He’s given both me a Hughie 3 minutes to find them otherwise he’s gonna come in and look for them himself.”
“Oh god, if he has another meltdown then that means all these people are going to die if we don’t get them out.” Annie starts telling people that they need to leave. She’s met with hostility from party goers. Turning a corner you run into MM. MM  accompanied Annie, he also separated from the boys after Butcher betrayed him by drugging him. MM sees you and his eyes are promptly cast downward to the floor. You see that he’s covered in a white gelatinous fluid.
“What are you covered in?”
“You don’t wanna know. What are you doing here and where are your clothes?” You explain the situation and the topic of discussion walks into your line of site. MM follows where your gaze is, and he sees Ben. MM prepares himself for a fight, grabbing a baseball bat and a shiny tin from inside his jacket pocket.
“Y/n I think it’s time for you to leave.” MM says. You shoot Ben a look, hopefully it conveys a plea of, don’t hurt him. You know MM is going to try to avenge his family, you know MM won’t win and that there would be no point in stopping him.
You left the scene to attempt to get more people out of the mansion before shit hit the fan. You stepped into a room filled with baseball memorabilia, then, a bright blinding light shone through the entire room and then darkness.
*
When you started to come to, your ears were ringing, and you were flat out on the ground. You took in your surroundings and it looked like a bomb had gone off outside, rubble painting the marble flooring. You hear someone from a distance calling, but you couldn’t make out the words, only muffled noises. You slowly tried to sit up but there was a shooting pain in your left side, so you stopped. You looked down and saw there was a thick chunk of wood protruding from your abdomen. You swear silently to yourself.
“Y/n! Y/n are you alright?” You look up. It’s Butcher. He knelt beside you and took in your form briefly before removing his trench coat and draping it over you, careful not to move the large wooden piece.
“I thought you were bullet proof.” You scoff,
“Accelerated healing, I can still catch those bullets.” Butcher chuckles at the joke you made on your own expense.
“Wait here, I’ll go get help.”
“Well, well well. Look who we have here. It’s my long-lost y/n.” You look behind Butcher and see him. Red, White and Blue, face plastered with a sharky grin, Homelander. Blood drains from your face as you begin to have flashbacks to when Homelander kidnapped you.
*flashback
“Look, all I’m saying is that when you put them together, they’re the goddamn fucking Spice Girls.”
“How do you know so much about the Spice Girls?”
“How did we get on this topic?” you spoke into the comm as you set up your stake out location on top of an apartment building roof. You’ve been with the boys for a few months now and it was quite an unconventional group. Frenchie, who had the softest heart in the group but also a complete maniac when it came to drugs, bombs and the authorities. MM who not only had combat experience as a corpsman in the Marines but is very particular on tidiness, possible undiagnosed OCD? Hughie, the newest member, was just a shy tech nerd that had the unfortunate experience of seeing his girlfriend turned into pink mist as A-Train ran through her. Then there’s Butcher. We’ll if you’ve never had the experience in meeting the man before, don’t. He’s a gigantic asshole and his determination to obtain justice for the death of his brother Lenny will only put you in harm’s way. His personality is massively off putting to anyone who comes across him and he isn’t afraid to tell someone when they’re being a cunt. You, however, never faced this side of Butcher.
“Can we get back to the task at hand here? We need to find that supe. Y/n do you have eyes on her?” Frenchie asked. You stumbled across a hostage supe while searching a drug den for Compound V. Frenchie had begun gaining some trust with her while in the subway tunnels, until Butcher threw out a smoke grenade. She made a break for it, and you now just got word that she’s in the area.
“Not yet. I’ll let you know wh-” Then, suddenly, a blur came swooshing by and grabbed you. Before you had time to process what was going on, you were in a new place. Walls painted white with counters housing centrifuges and tube racks filled with a cobalt blue substance. Steel working benches, microscopes and cabinets filled with various medications. A steel surgery bed placed in the corner of the room with heart monitors and IV lines set up. This looks like a lab suite. Once your legs steadied, you suddenly had the strong urge to vomit and then,
“Why do they always do that?” You wipe your mouth and look at the speaking figure. Homelander. You know Butcher had such animosity towards the man, understandably so. This fucker has gone on too long unchecked.
“Why am I here?” He chuckles dryly,
“I’ve been watching you and your little motley crew for a while and I know you killed Translucent.”
“Oh really? What proof do you have?”
“Well for starters your blood pressure just increased, and you now have beads of sweat forming on your brow.”
“Did it ever occur to you that being kidnapped can cause undue stress to the victim? Why I’m here?”
“Like I said, I’ve been watching you for a while. I’ve seen the way Butcher looks at you… you took something from me, now I’m taking something away from him.” Faking bravery you straightened your shoulders.
“Go on, kill me.”
“Oh, I’m not going to kill you.”
*present day
You come out of your trance and see Butcher, Soldier Boy and Hughie trading jabs with Homelander. You see across the room MM laying under the rubble. You fight every ounce of pain in your body to get up and move to where he is, you check a pulse, it’s steady. Kneeling beside him, you begin tapping the side of MM’s face and he flails awake, knocking the chunk of wood deeper into your abdomen. The pain was so severe it felt like your soul left your body. Once MM realized what he did, he caught you as you slumped to the floor.
“BUTCHER!” Your eyelids become incredibly heavy. Fuck this is bad. Probably nicked my renal artery… I’m gonna die.
*
Butchers POV
“BUTCHER!” Butcher turned his head to see MM cradling a now unconscious y/n. “she’s dying man!” Panic shook his body. He can’t lose you again. Butcher was torn between finally getting revenge for Lenny or losing the woman he loved. Butcher turned his head back to Homelander,  watching as the supe cunt struggle under his hold.
“If you’re gonna do it, now’s the bloody time!”
“I’m working on it!” Solider Boy shouted back. Butcher glanced back at MM holding y/n and saw the color drained from her face. Homelander sensed Butchers hesitation and with one last final push, lifted himself free of the three men trying to kill him and took off through the ceiling.
Butcher spared no time in getting up from his spot on the floor and ran to y/n. Oh shit, oh fuck, oh shit, oh FUCK! Butcher’s hands wrapped around y/ns cheeks; her skin felt like ice. Tears began forming in his eyes and Butcher tried his best to blink them away.
“Come on love, stay with me.” Butcher gently patted your face. “Hughie!” like an obedient dog Hughie was at Butchers side in no time.
“Get ‘er out of here.” Hughie lifted y/n into his arms and vanished. Butcher was not a religious man, but he prayed to God that you’d be okay.
@butchers-girl @deans-spinster-witch @syrma-sensei @xmariakx
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laceswan · 8 months
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An Incredibly Informal Epilogue to the Smiling Princess Series
For anyone who wants to know what happened after part five: Taglist: @zulpix-blog
Just to clear it up, Finnick did encounter those mutts, he just didn't die from the attack. But they did leave him with some nasty wounds, which took a little while to heal from (which is why he was in that medical tent).
If the capitol took Sylke to compromise Finnick, they wouldn’t have taken Annie. And thus she was probably killed in the Victors’ Purge. :(
When the dust was beginning to settle, Coin called all of the victors to a meeting made her proposal.
Knowing that Sylke’s presence there would likely put majority with those against her proposal, Coin refused to recognise Sylke as a victor.
Obviously Finnick thought that was fucking bullshit and brought it up, but he was shut down as Coin introduced her proposal.
In the aftermath of Coin’s assassination, Sylke and Finnick agreed to live a quieter life away from politics and far away from the capitol.
The two of them settled in four. As one might guess, Finnick worked as a fisherman and Sylke as a dancer.
Saturday mornings and weekends in general were simply the best.
They relaxed in bed together for as long as they wanted, usually not getting up until midday.
Cooking together was regularly interrupted by bits of dancing. Once, they forgot to turn the flame off, but that didn’t happen again.
After dinner was usually the time to take a walk to the beach. By sunset, they would be walking hand in hand with water lapping at their feet.
And of course nothing is truly perfect. Finnick would still get nightmares. There were times when Sylke truly questioned reality. But each time, they were kind to themselves and each other. They had mercy for every mistake and every shortcoming. And they offered grace to themselves and the world around them.
For one must simply be kind, have mercy, and offer grace.
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kometqh · 5 months
Text
𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐎𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐗 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐭.𝟐 (fem reader) 𝟗.𝟕𝐤 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤. 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐞. 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐢𝐭, 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐛𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐠𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞-𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐲, 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮. 𝐇𝐞'𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲, 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲.
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As the words leap off the tip of my tongue, I freeze. Time stills, and all that I can hear and feel is the hurried beat of my heart. The tips of my fingers begin to prick, just like on that day.
I'm taken back to an icy, cold, windy day. Some of the water at the harbour had frozen over, large shards of ice hitting against the wooden structure. We were carrying large nets filled with all kinds of creatures; fish, crab, lobster, abalone, the whole lot. The children would often come to help out, as the work was long, tiring and difficult, stretching out until it became pitch black outside.
Me and Annie had been helping my mother out with carrying the nets, as she had been pregnant back then, her stomach too large to let her do anything but sit and debone the fish, or pack it away into freezing boxes that were to be transported straight to the Capitol.
On that day, the excess water that had been brought by the creatures had dripped heavily onto the wooden flooring, freezing over. Everyone was aware of it, some going out of their way to warn the others. I listened, focusing on the floor beneath my feet. It creaked heavily, and Annie had to catch me by my arm a couple of times. 
I remember it like it was just yesterday; the water was scalding cold.
It pricked at my skin with invisible nails, burning every inch of it through my coat. The water had instantly gotten through my throat, and then it began to freeze my lungs over. My hands felt like burning icicles, but I did my best to swim my way up, panicking for air. Gurgled screams escaped my throat.
I didn't swim for long enough, as my limbs began to become numb. I had ceased all of my movement, convinced that I was gonna to die. Feeling too worn out to continue swimming, even though just a mere moment ago I was ferociously fighting for my life. 
The cold was engulfing me like a spikey blanket, wrapping around every crevice of my body as my lungs sputtered out water, though more replaced it in mere seconds. My entire body kept twitching, but the icy water kept burning me. 
My body began to slowly sink, exhaustion taking over as I inched further down, surrounded by darkness.
Then, in the far distance, I saw it. The splash.
I saw it from the corner of my eye, a figure swimming towards me. At first it was just a blur of bronze, but then it became slightly clearer. Arms extended, it reached out to grab a hold of my hand and pulled, and I floated up after it towards the surface, arms latched loosely around his neck. My eyes slowly closed, too exhausted to stay awake.
I don't remember anything after that. All I know is that it hurt, and I almost died. I struggled to walk for a while, the stinging pain reappearing from time to time.
That's how I felt in this moment; legs frozen, heart pounding violently, lungs burning. I guess it took me too long to keep moving, as I quickly felt a pair of hands harshly grab my arms from each side, ushering me up and onto the stage.
"Wonderful!" Sylvia Borgnino exclaims, reaching her pointy gloved fingers towards me. "What is your name darling?" She asks in a heavy accent, her breath lightly fanning over my face as she leans in close. I clear my throat, looking between her own honey-brown eyes and the audience. "Y-Y/n..." I stutter, feeling my hands tremble.
"Y/n?" Sylvia asks, her eyebrows raised questioningly, nudging me on.
"Y/n Montford." I finish quietly, my throat has dried up, my voice coming out croaky and timid. I look around, noticing the shocked faces of the people around me. Some of our school friends have taken Annie to the side, consoling her with hugs as they all solemnly stared at me.
Suddenly I feel a light squeeze on my forearm, and look up to see Sylvia looking at me gleefully. "Our most recent tribute in District 4! Let's give her a round of applause, everyone!" She excitedly speaks into the microphone, clapping her gloved hands. Some people in the audience join, not out of excitement or joy, but rather out of respect. Or so I assume. I wouldn't know.
Clearing her throat, Sylvia begins, "Thank you! Now, onto the male tributes." She says gleefully, stepping over to the other glass bowl, repeating the same actions before dipping her hand in, fishing around for that one piece of paper. Once she found it, she walked back over to the podium, leaning over slightly. "And the male tribute from District 4 is... Beau Murland! A round of applause for him, everyone!" She shouts excitedly, clapping her hands once again.
Some people form an empty circle around a young boy, he must be no older than 14. He was stuck in place, his wide, innocent eyes staring ahead at the stage. Someone in the crowd poked him, fishing him out of whatever trance he put himself into. With small, timid steps, he made his way over to the stage, hugging himself.
Now that he was closer, I could see his features clearer. He had big, bright blue eyes that stared into your soul, soft wavy caramel hair, and sun-kissed skin. He just barely reached the height of my shoulder. He looked skinny and frail, like he barely ate. Sylvia quickly begins asking for any tributes, but no one speaks up. The mayor quickly takes over, beginning to speak out a memorised essay on the Treaty of Treason, as he does every year. It goes by quickly, and before I know it, me and the boy are being asked to shake hands, before the national anthem begins to play. From there, we're escorted by peacekeepers into the Justice Building, led to separate rooms before the doors are closed on me.
I sighed loudly, the initial shock having washed away like a morning breeze. I turned away from the door, and was welcomed by a grand, red room. The windowsills seemed to be lined with gold, glazing lazily in the sunlight that streamed through. There were curtains that extended all the way to the ceiling, probably made of some expensive material. In the middle of the room there was a couch and two armchairs, a coffee table separating all three. Further down, against a wall, a big chimney rested, but there was no fire crackling.
I seat myself down in the middle of the couch, gasping quietly at the sheer softness of it. To be honest, I have never felt such luxury. What was it? Velvet or something?
With a loud creak, the big wooden doors slid open, and I was greeted with the sight of my teary-eyed mother and trembling little sister. As the peacekeeper closed the door behind them, I stood up, not daring to move in fear of my legs trembling. Hali ran up to me, and her slender arms encircled my waist. Her tears stained my dress, but I didn't mind. 
My mother stayed a bit back, a pained expression present on her face. Her hand was covering her mouth, though I could tell there was a scowl on her face, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
"Why-" She paused, taking a deep shaky breath. "Why did you volunteer?" She asked quietly, yet still loudly enough for me to hear. I shook my head, closing my eyes as I felt tears well up. 
"I- I don't know. I had to." I respond, and my chest begins heaving up and down, and I begin to hiccup. "Annie has- she's helped us so much... I owe it to her." I say quietly, my hand caressing Hali's head. A loud sob escaped her lips. 
An exhausted sigh leaves my mothers' lips, and she sniffles.
"You don't owe her anything! It's normal for everyone to help each other out, that's how we live!" My mother shouts, hiding her face in her hand. "Y-you're just throwing your life away... If you hadn't volunteered, you'd be free." She says quietly, more to herself than to me. Her legs slowly begin moving, and she's quickly pulling me into a bone-crushing hug. 
The three of us stand there for a bit, just embracing and crying. Hali's sobs began to quieten down, but she's started biting down on her nails. "Hali, stop it. You'll hurt yourself." I mutter quietly, taking her hand into my own, squeezing it reassuringly.
She shakes her head, and more tears spill out. I pull away from my mom, and lead them to sit on the couch on either side of me. 
"Take care of yourselves, okay?" I asked, looking between the two as I caressed Hali's head. My mother nodded, her hand coming up to hold my cheek. "We'll be okay. And so will you. You have Finnick, he w-won his games right?" My mother asked, stumbling over her own words. I nodded my head, before leaning into her hold.
"I'll be okay..." I whispered brokenly. We sat there in silence for the remaining few minutes, exchanging hugs. As the peacekeepers escorted them out, I shouted 'I love you's' to them. My mother opened her lips to respond, more tears escaping her eyes but the door was slammed in my face before I could hear what she said. A strangled sob left my lips, and in a combination of frustration and stress, I kicked the door, slamming my fist against it with a strained scream.
After a minute or so, it opened again. 
I saw her fiery red hair first, bouncing up and down as she ran over to me, tears streaming down her face yet again.
"Y/n! Why?! Why did you volunteer for me?!" She shouted at me, shaking my shoulders. Her nails dug into my skin, and her eyes looked desperately into mine. 
"You didn't have to and you know it! What if something happens to you?! What if you get seriously injured or- or killed?!" Annie continued, leaning her head on my chest. Her voice was strained and hoarse. I held her in my arms, gently stroking soothing circles into her back, as I always would. After a while, she looked up at me, her eyes teary and her face flushed.
"I'll look after your mom and sister, I promise." She said quietly, resting her chin on my shoulder. "When you're in there-" She paused, taking a shaky breath. "You won't need to worry about them, okay?" She asked, her hand caressing the back of my head, the other caging me against her body.
I nodded my head, looking up to the ceiling as tears began to prick at my waterline, "I'd appreciate that, thanks." I say, my voice tender, barely above a whisper. 
I squeezed her tighter, and we sat there silently comforting each other until the peacekeepers returned, escorting Annie out of the room, just like they did with my mother and sister. For a minute or two, the room is completely silent. My breaths are shallow, and I've successfully stopped the tears from falling.
I won't cry. I can't cry.
I sit there for a while, and soon the doors open once again. For a moment I believe that the peacekeepers will take me to the car, but I'm faced with a much more disappointing sight.
"What are you doing here?!" I screech, my lips forming into a disgusted scowl. The sight of him made me sick. He was a tall, skinny man. His skin was saggy, hanging onto his body, and he was permanently stuck looking tired and sickly.
He took his hat off, twisting it between his hands. He sighed heavily, smacking his lips. For a moment, he said nothing. But then he began. 
"I- I came to wish you luck. Sweetheart, I know I hurt you, but you must know I still care about you." He said quietly, keeping his distance. "I know you don't want to see me, but I had to give you this." He said, stepping closer as he extended his hand to me, something green and golden glinting in his palm. I know what it is- 
"It was your grandmothers... I kept it after she passed away," He pauses, stopping in his tracks. His gaze shifts from anywhere, to my eyes, and I can see the pain in them. "She wanted you to have this, so take it, it'll keep you safe." He insisted, and had come close enough to place the bracelet into my hand. My heart swelled, and I became overcome with pain. 
After my grandmother passed, my scumbag of a father had packed his bags and left for another woman, leaving no trace of himself or my beloved grandma in the house. 
"I hate you..." I said quietly, my heart hurting too much to even be angry. I spun the bracelet in my palm, though slowly and gently, I was suddenly afraid that it would break if I held it too hard.
"I know, I know you do. But I needed to give you this. No matter how much you hate me, I still love you." My father says quietly, looking into my eyes hopefully. 
I shake my head, looking away. "Get out."
A gasp escaped his lips, and I raise my voice. "Get out!"
I can hear his footsteps moving away, but I'm not looking. Instead, I stare out the grand window, my arms crossed over my chest as my thumb massages over the bracelet. I can hear the door opening and closing, before I'm completely swallowed by a deafening silence. 
I swallow thickly, and a lone, strangled sob escapes my throat. I refuse to cry though, as he doesn't deserve my tears, or sympathy or gratefulness. I continue to stare out of the window, at the beautiful garden behind the Justice Building, until the peacekeepers come to retrieve me. I put the bracelet on though, afraid that I'll lose it otherwise.
The peacekeepers reappear after a short time, and escort me out to the car. When I arrive, the other boy is already sat there, twiddling with his thumbs, head hanging low. Next to him is sat Sylvia, the announcer and District escort, looking at a notebook as she busies herself with ticking something off. I seat myself next to her, and the door is promptly shut on me.
No words are exchanged, and the car ride is short and swift. 
The cameras are relentless and blinding. The crowds of cameras are thick, and refuse to make way for us. I look at the train ahead, patiently waiting for us to board it. And then I catch a glimpse of myself on a large TV screen. 
I look confused, shell-shocked. My eyebrows are scrunched together, the corners of my lips tugging downwards. The boy next to me, Beau, looks absolutely terrified. It is clear that he has been crying, his cheeks are freshly stained red, his hair unruly and tremors gloss over him from time to time.
The cameras continue to bombard us with clicking sounds and flashing lights, taking pictures of every angle until we reach the doors of the train. Sylvia instructs me and Beau to smile and wave, and even insists on me blowing kisses into the lenses. 
Eventually we're let onto the train, the doors behind us zipping shut. I have to take a moment to adjust to the barely-lit train cart, as I can still see the colourful lights flashing in my vision. I'm quickly pushed into another cart by Sylvia, who doesn't give us a moment to recollect our thoughts. 
Finnick and Mags are already there, sat waiting at a dining table. Sylvia ushers us forward, her heels no longer making that daunting clicky-clacking sound as she walks over a soft carpet. Finnick turns in his seat, his gaze instantly catching mine, observing.
I don't lift a finger, don't utter any words. Instead, I shift my gaze to look over the interior of the cart. There are large, crystal-clear windows, thick mahogany curtains embracing the edges, and golden ropes keeping the curtains bound to the sides. The carpet itself is also red, with golden lining travelling parallel on both sides as it extends into another cart. Most of the furniture is silver; chairs, table, sofas, cupboards. The wallpaper is a faint blue, with diamond shaped-patterns stretching out across the expanse of the cart.
A voice rips through the air, struggling. I look to the source of it, and notice Mags trying to speak. She gestures for us to sit down, and we reluctantly do so. Beau takes the empty seat next to Mags, whereas I have to sit next to Finnick. 
"So," Mags starts, taking in a breath, "How are y-you two feeling?" Her voice is quiet, croaky, and her accent is much more noticeable than mine or Finnick's.
I look to Beau, who stares at his hands. I look back to Mags, and manage a faint smile. 
"Not so good, but does anyone feel good after realising they're taking a train to their death?" I ask quietly, my smile faltering as I look away, rubbing my arm. She heaves a heavy sigh, moving around a bit. 
She coughs quietly, and it's evident that she is struggling to speak. 
"Me and Finnick are going to do our best, okay you two?" She asks again, her hand shakily moving to hold Beau's in a tight grip as we both see that the boy has started to tremble.
Beau takes in a deep, shaky breath, and shakes his head. "I don't want to die, I can't die. What will happen to my sister?" He asks, his free hand coming up to wipe away his tears. Mags has a big frown on her face as she moves her chair closer to Beau, holding him in her embrace. "You'll be okay, child. When Finnick was your age, he won the games. You can do the same." She reassures, clearing her throat as she shakes her head.
I look towards Finnick, and notice that his eyes are slightly puffy. His gaze is fixed on Mags, and he doesn't acknowledge me or Sylvia.
He's silent throughout the rest of the interaction, but his hand eventually inches downward, his fingers tracing the silver framing of my chair, dancing over it. I look down at it as Mags, Sylvia and Beau talk to each other, digging into their food that the kitchen staff had brought for us. All of a sudden, his fingers wrap over the framing, and pull on my chair until it's close enough for our arms to touch. Though it doesn't ease the constant ache in the pit of my stomach, it feels nice to have his skin brush mine, even if it's not romantic whatsoever. It's still enough to make my heart rate spike, and my breathing to become shallower. 
I turn to face him, looking at his eyes, but he's not looking at me.   
If he were to turn his head to look at me...We'd kiss.
I force myself to look away and towards Mags as I feel the heat suddenly rush up to my cheeks.
Turning to the trio, I tune in on their conversation. Mags was speaking quietly, just barely above a whisper. She was asking Beau about any special talents that he may have, and at that, Beau straightened up, dropping his cutlery, his face flushing instantly.
"I... I can sing." He responded, his voice as light as a feather, and a small, barely noticeable smile tugged at his lips. At that, Sylvia's eyebrows rose, and she looked up from her food, intrigued. "Well then, can you sing for us?" She asks, placing her cutlery down, placing her elbows on the table as she locks her hands together. So now she's paying attention.
"W-well, I don't know that many songs!" Beau exclaimed, an unsure laugh leaving his lips as he scratched the back of his head. "My mom taught me a few bits and bobs, b-but that's it really!" He continued, looking between Mags and Sylvia, before he turned to me, diverting their attention.
"Do you have any special skill? Uh-" He asked, pausing a little as he looked away, scratching at his chin. "Y/n, was it?" He looked to me, his eyes glinting with uncertainty. I nodded my head, biting down on some duck meat. I take a moment to chew, before replying with, "Yeah, uh, I'm not sure if it counts as a 'special' skill but..." I paused for a second, thinking of my answer. "I'm quite good at playing the guitar." I continue, looking down at my plate. 
I had gotten myself a rather large portion of a duck, some mashed potatoes and greens. I opted for a simple combination, as the chefs had brought more food than any of us could eat. It was so much better than any meal I have ever tasted, the duck was juicy and tender, melting away in my mouth. The potatoes were smooth and soft, with a hint of salt in them. 
Though I can confidently say it doesn't beat my mothers fish stew. Nothing beats home cooking.
 I feel Finnick shifting next to me, and from the corner of my eye I can see that he's looking at me. For a moment, I doubt that he'll say anything.
"I believe I've made up a plan." He says curtly, reaching for my hand. He takes hold of it, pressing the plush skin of my fingertips, scarred by numerous hours of practice, feeling how it springs back. Everyone's attention has turned to him, and nobody speaks. 
"For now, I believe that the best way to gain sponsors is for the two of you to stick together," He pauses, looking between me and Beau. 
"Beau. You're small, you're adorable. During your interview, Caesar will lead the conversation. It would be a good idea to offer to sing for the audience, if you're nervous." Finnick pauses, waiting for some sort of response from Beau. 
The boy nods, his big eyes gazing up at Finnick from underneath thick eyelashes.
Finnick then turns to me, his hand having shifted from my fingertips to the bracelet I was given just a few hours prior. He spun it slowly around my wrist, his eyes fixed on the object.
"As for you, Y/n, I think Caesar will be willing enough to make some... Accommodations." He states, his thumb glazing over the bracelet, tracing its' golden lining. 
"I'll speak to him beforehand, and ask him to prepare a guitar for you, so that you can play a song. It'll create a kind of 'connection' between you and Beau, the audience will love it." He finishes, looking up into my eyes. 
"How are we going to do that?" I ask, swallowing the shame I feel as he rests my hand on his thigh. "It's quite simple, really." He quickly replies. "With your guitar, you and Beau can work on a song together. I'm sure the editors will make a montage of sorts, pairing Beau's singing with your guitar. It'll make the audiences go wild." He finishes, and for the rest of the evening doesn't say add on much else, leaving the planning to Mags and Sylvia, with Beau and I occasionally butting in.
After all of us finish eating, and the conversation dries up, Mags quickly ushers me and Beau to our chambers, mumbling about how we're going to have a busy day tomorrow.
The silver doors once again zip shut behind me, but this time I'm left all on my own. All on my own to process the days' events, emotions and weariness. In my room, there is a simple bathroom, it is adorned with a pretty white porcelain sink, a cubed shower, and a large mirror.
There is a whole collection of soaps and shampoos to choose from, and I decide on a honey-scented soap, and a chocolate-scented shampoo. Chocolate is some sort of dark brown, squared treat that nobody in District 4 has even dreamed of. 
The walls are tiles in the colour of a deep red, and the ceiling light casts a golden glow on the interior, creating a false sense of comfort.
I stare at myself in the mirror as I strip, observing my skin, the different marks, moles and bruises that decorate it. I look at my face, noticing the deep shadows, or rather eyebags, that hang on the crease under my eyes, painting the area a darker tone of my skin. My hair, once a beautiful picture-perfect net impersonation, is now a tangled mess, and I hiss in my pain as I tug at the knots in it. This will be a long night, I think to myself.
A shiver runs down my spine as I step into the shower. The small cube-shaped space consists of clear doors, a porcelain seat of sorts and a tiled floor with a drain situated just below the showerhead. The water is at first scalding hot, burning my skin before I'm able to adjust the heat. After that, it's all bliss and comfort as I dip my head under the water, the droplets feeling like a warm summer sprinkle. I've never had a shower; those are only accessible to the wealthiest.
Usually, at least in my area of District 4, we have showers just outside of our houses, sheltered away from curious, and perverted, onlookers by four wooden walls and a roof. There is a pipe that connects to another pipe that connects to some treated water, and although it's freezing cold, it is much better having that than sea water. After spending hours on a boat fishing, or working at the harbour, many people grow to hate the salty wrinkles that take hours to completely disappear, only to reappear the next working day.
But this water is so much different. Warm and gentle, it detangles my hair, and cascades down my back, easing my sore muscles. I've never felt such luxury. Does everyone in the Capitol have access to this?
I lather my hair with the sweet shampoo, and have to fight off the urge to taste it. My fingers move across my scalp, rubbing the liquid into the roots. It takes a while to wash out, but I eventually get out of the shower, brushing through my hair with my fingers.
After I leave the bathroom, having washed myself and brushed my teeth, I feel as though I just left heaven. My muscles feel relaxed, my head is in a state of bliss.
As I sink into the bed, I am welcomed by the soft material of the sheets. The sheets wrap around me, my body melting into the soft mattress, swallowed by warmth and fuzziness. For a moment, I am stuck in that blissful state, but then my mind wanders.
Do Capitol citizens have access to this? Do any Districts have access to this kind of luxury? Is it 24/7, or do only the wealthiest have access? It doesn't seem fair. 
But I shake those thoughts away. After all, I will most likely be dead soon. It won't matter anymore, whether I suffer or not. Another tribute will probably kill me quickly and swiftly, ending my short-spanned life. 
The least I can do for myself now is enjoy the luxury that is being thrown so viciously at me. For the first time in my life, I've been able to go to bed with a full belly. For the first time in my life, I feel relaxed after washing myself. For the first time in my life, I can go to sleep without any pain, or hunger, or anything. Just bliss. Just comfort. Just luxury.
But that doesn't last long either. Oh, I forgot. Materialistic luxury is fleeting, sleep is the true luxury. But even now, as I'm trapped in this rich-laid room, I cannot afford the luxury of sleep. I twist and turn in the bed for what feels like hours, unable to sleep. 
My stomach twists into knots, and I soon have to take the duvet off of me, as I'm drenched in sweat. The stillness of the room allows my thoughts to wander. 
I'm scared. I'm absolutely fucking terrified. I just willingly threw myself into the hands of death. What was I thinking? That I can win the Games? That I can kill someone, let alone a child? Children?
I take in a deep breath, feeling as the air enters my lungs, and a shiver runs down my spine. The heat I was feeling just moments ago has dissipated, and I'm left a trembling, cold mess. 
I wrap the duvet over myself again, trying to contain the tremors. I'm shivering uncontrollably, my legs and arms twitching as I pull the duvet impossibly closer.
I start thinking of Hali and my mom. Of Annie, her tear-stricken face, the mess her flaming hair had become in her panic. I think of Finnick. Was he disappointed by the fact I had volunteered? Was he angered by it?
I couldn't tell. But it didn't matter in the end; I couldn't let Annie go into that arena. She was too kind, too gentle, too fragile. If there is a world full of those who deserve to be put into an arena, fighting to the death like wild animals, Annie isn't a part of that world. She took care of me after my deep-dive into the icy waters, helped my mother nurse me back to health, she took care of me when we were kids, provided me company and listened to all my secrets and grievances, helped me deal with my fathers sudden abandonment. And now has even promised to look after my loved ones as I willingly shove myself into a gruesome bloodbath.
I could never repay her. I could never repay her for all the things she's done for me and my family.
With a loud sigh, I sit up, clutching the bedsheets tightly in my fists. With the back of my hand I wipe away a few stray tears.
A cup of water sounds nice. 
I put on a bathrobe that has been hung in a fancy wardrobe, still shivering, I put on my fluffy slippers, and press a button. The doors in front of me zip open, shaking lightly as the train passes over something rough.
The corridors are dark, as only a single light shines. I trudge through the cart, sliding another door open. It's even darker in here, this cart being much longer than the one that carried Beau and I, and I think Mags and Finnick and Sylvia have their rooms in here. I quietly walk through, looking at the doors. Maybe Finnick is behind one of them, and if he is, then it's just my luck.
His silence at the dinner table was unnerving. I need to know what he was thinking.
There's two doors on my left, and one to the right. Any normal person would assume the left is for the ladies, right? With that, I gently knock on the door to my right, and I hear someone shuffling about, before the doors slide open and I'm standing face to chest with a shirtless Finnick Odair.
At my height, the tip of my head reaches just the top of Finnick's shoulders. Goddamn, was he always so freakishly tall? I slowly look up to him, my neck bending slightly. He's already staring at me, though there is haziness in those beautiful green eyes of his. 
He doesn't utter a word, and instead reaches for my hand - his skin is scalding hot against my icy hands - and he swiftly pulls me into his room, the doors sliding shut. I bump into his chest head-first.
"Are you okay, Y/n?" He asks, his voice as warm and sweet as honey. I almost melt on the spot, though the shivers continue travelling down my whole body. It takes me a whole minute to compose myself. He definitely knows I like him. My lips open and close, no words leaving, and I'm stuck. What did I come to him for again? With a sigh, Finnick gently takes a hold of my hand and leads me to his bed. As he sits me down on it, I notice that it is far bigger than mine. That's unfair. Though he is the 'Capitol darling'.
"C'mon darling, I'm waiting." He says softly, again. He stands in front of me, and I finally realise that I'm gaping at him like a fish. 
I take a sudden, sharp breath and shake my head. "Uh... I- I needed to talk to you..." I whispered, blinking slowly like a child. A soft smile tugs at his lips, and I instantly know that whatever mood he was in earlier, it's definitely gone now.
"So? To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" He asks, sitting down next to me. He sits criss-crossed, his knee digging into my side. He pulls me closer, rubbing my arm with his hand, muttering something about how cold I was. 
He sure was muscular. What did he do all day? Exercise? I doubt it.
I think for a moment, trying to finalise my words, but with a shake of my head, I decide to shoot straight. "Why were you so quiet at the dinner? I thought you'd be helping out more," I say softly, unsure of whether to continue or not. I look up into his eyes, and see a glint of softness shining in them, "I mean, I know what you're like... But- But it made me nervous..." I finish, looking away and instead choosing to focus on how the skin has begun to peel from my cuticles.
Finnick sighs quietly, his free hand reaching to hold my own.
"I wasn't angry with you, nor disappointed if that's what you're thinking." He states softly, and I swear my heart will collapse if he continues to be so sweet and soft. "It's just that-" He pauses, casting his gaze elsewhere, "I just couldn't imagine what you felt, when you volunteered." He says, gently stroking my hand with his thumb. "You're so good to Annie, you'd do anything for her. And I think it was really selfless." He finished. The words bounced around my head, the meaning completely avoiding any sort of understanding.
Another tremor goes through me, and I tuck my legs against my chest, teeth chattering.
My eyebrows scrunch up in confusion. 
"What do you mean? Annie's the amazing one, not me." I scoff. I shake my head, looking up at him. Just how delusional is he? Me? Selfless? Somehow I can't see how the two mix well together.
Finnick's grip on my hand tightens, and he heaves a sigh. "See, you don't actually realise just how kind you are. I mean- Y-You literally provide for Annie and her father. You helped me out so much, you listened to me when I needed an ear." He says, his tone shifting to a more annoyed one.
I look at him in disbelief.
"You're kidding, right? I mean-" I pause, releasing a shaky breath. "Y-you're the one that saved me. Annie's the one that took care of me. You think I wouldn't do everything in my power to repay you?" I asked, tugging my hand away. "You're being ridiculous, Finnick." I quickly add on, but Finnick completely ignores me, instead opting to change the conversation. 
I don't know if I'm genuinely upset by his words, or if it's the adrenaline that's rushing through me. I rub at my arms, frantically attempting to warm up.
Finnick doesn't reply for a moment, and as I stare at him, I notice how prettily his hair falls over his forehead, a few strands extending over his lash line. 
He sighs quietly, and turns to me again.
"We're not going to argue about this. I see no point in it, and you're clearly too anxious." He says, pulling me closer to his chest. I don't resist or pull away, instead I lean into his warmth. 
"I-I couldn't- I couldn't sleep." Softly I admit.
"I thought so... It would be weird if you were completely fine." He responded, his voice was like honey, dripping sweetly into my ears, warming my heart.
"I know it's weird of me to ask, but... Can I stay with you? Just for tonight, I promise." I ask, my gaze fixed on a hair strand that stuck out in front of my face. I don't hear a response, but Finnick doesn't waste a second to lift me up, moving the duvet before placing my body down on the bed, joining after.
"C'mon then, we don't have all night." He gestures to me, a cheeky smile on his face. That's the Finnick I know. I nod silently, and clamber further up the bed. Finnick pats the empty spot beside him, and as I join, he drapes the velvety duvet over the two of us, before his toned, muscular arm slides beneath my neck. He brings me in closer, and my face rests against his hot chest, the warmth radiating off him as if he was the sun. My own, personal sun.
"We're gonna be cuddling?" I ask, giggling slightly. The shivers have eased, though my hand is still quite shaky. Unsure of where to go, I rest my hand on his toned stomach, fingers itching to glide over his skin, to feel every crevice and stretch of skin that he can offer. I've never been this close to him... Am I going feral? What the hell?
Finnick chuckles in reply, and I feel him shifting slightly again. I look up to him, and notice that he's already staring at me, a toothy grin stretching through his lips. "If you have a problem with it, then I can sleep on the floor. That'd be more favourable, wouldn't it?" His voice is low and gravelly, but also husky and comforting, his hand softly stroking circles into the skin on my arm. I shake my head with a smile and thank him.
We sit like this for a while, just feeling each others warmth. It's much better than sleeping alone, that's for sure. Finnick's natural scent has long since invaded my lungs, but I feel myself becoming drowsy, enamoured by his every characteristic. The hand that was stroking my arm eventually stopped, but he never ceased to hold me tight to him, his nose stroking against my hair as he breathed softly.
No words were exchanged, and we laid there for hours. I would often drip in and out of consciousness, startling the two of us awake with a loud gasp. He would comfort me, realising that I was constantly having nightmares, and he would lull me back into sleep with his honeyed voice, whispering sweet nothings into my ears.
Eventually, Finnick moved positions, turning his body sideways, pulling me even closer into his chest - if that was physically possible. Now, with my face flushed against his chest, I could fully relax. It may have been a bit much, but I lazily draped my leg over his own, not thinking in my drowsiness. Though it seemed to help, as my breathing steadied and I almost lulled myself back into a dreamless sleep. Better than nightmares, at least.
Finnick's soft voice gently awoke me, but it sounded as though he'd also been dosed with the natural sleep syrup.
"It's just like back then, isn't it?" He asks sleepily, his voice raspy. His body had slid further down the bed until my nose rested against his neck, inhaling his sickly-sweet scent. I nod my head lazily, grunting out a throaty 'mmm' in response. I earned myself a chuckle, and a quick 'I'll let you sleep now', before I completely drifted out of consciousness.
I don't wake up again on that night, but slowly rouse myself awake as I feel the sunrays poking at my closed eyes. 
I can't move, as Finnick's arms grip my body, keeping me close to his own. For a while, I lay there, content with just laying with my eyes closed with Finnick holding me.
But the growing anxiety in my stomach gnaws at my nerves, and I can feel my pulse in my ear.
Though I try to fight it, I eventually raise my head, peeking over Finnick's broad shoulder. Still sleepy, I act before I can think. Placing my hand on his waist, I lean in close enough so that my nose nuzzles against his bicep, inhaling Finnick's sickly-sweet scent. It comforts me enough to settle my nerves. 
It's a surprise that I'm not sick of it already.
My eyes slowly flutter open, and I have to blink a couple of times to adjust to the light. The train is still moving, though now we're passing by a grand lake, surrounded by some mountains. Wherever we are at, it sure is beautiful. I look down to Finnick, and a startled sound escapes me as his eyes are already boring into mine, though tiredly. No matter the time of day or night, Finnick Odair will always find it in himself to dish out sarcasm. "Having fun, sweetheart?" He asks, though by the look in his eyes, I can see that he needs no answer.
I shake my head, feeling my cheeks flush out of embarrassment. Did he really just lay there? Whilst I literally nuzzled my nose against him? Am I crazy?! Or... Is he?
I can't form a single reply, and my mind goes blank. May the arena take me already.
"What? Cat got your tongue?" He nudges further, that toothy grin making a reappearance as the sun lazily glosses over his skin. I shake my head 'no', though still can't form a single sentence. I swallow heavily, and take a deep breath.
"Isn't it- Isn't it time?" I ask, feeling my brain short-circuiting.
"Time for what?" Asks Finnick, shuffling lightly. His voice is gravelly and husky from sleep. My fingers gently grip at his flesh, unknowingly. "That tickles y'know." He says, chuckling under his breath.
"What?" I ask, confused.
He doesn't say anything, but instead his gaze points towards my hand, his eyebrows rising slightly. My nails are lightly digging into his skin. I blink once, then I blink once again. As if he just burned me, I retract my hand instantly, hiding it behind my back. I take a deep breath, focusing on letting it out slowly. With an accusatory tone, I ask, "How long have you been awake?"
Finnick laughs, crinkles of skin appearing at the outer corners of his eyes, paired with the dimples that form whenever there is even the tiniest hint of a smile. "Long enough for me to feel you sniffing my arm." He admits, still amused. My face grows red, and I could swear steam was coming out of my ears. A shiver runs through me.
Before I can ask any further questions, or even think of a reply, someone's knocking on the door. Then, a panicked Sylvia Borgnino is speaking.
"Finnick? Finnick are you awake?! You better be!" She shouts, and Finnick swiftly gets out of the bed to open the door. His back is muscular and toned... Wow.
The doors slide open, and he asks, "Sylvia? Did you need anything?" Leaning lazily with his body against the doorframe.
"Yes! I did. I went to wake Y/n but she's not answering the door! Come and-" She pauses, as her eyes catch onto someone in Finnick's bed. "Is that-" She pauses, her fingers reaching up to massage her temple, taking a deep breath. "Is that Y/n?" Finnick slowly turns his head, locking eyes with me, he winks, before he nods, and turns back to Sylvia.
"Yeah, it is." He confirms, his head resting on the doorframe. "Did you need anything from us? 'Cause if not... Then I'll get back to what we were doing." He says, his voice raspy from sleeping, yet still soft and melodic. I can almost hear him smirking.
I can hear a gasp, followed by a, "Where are your manners, Finnick?!" Her tone is accusatory as I see Sylvia eyeing Finnick up and down, a clear scowl on her face. She huffs out a breath, and tiptoes to see over his shoulder.
"Hi...Sylvia?" I ask carefully, my voice light and high-pitched as I'm uncertain of what her reaction will be. Her eyebrows are scrunched up in disapproval, and she doesn't respond to me. Instead, she turns to Finnick, glaring at him with a glint of danger in her eyes. "You two better be ready in 20 minutes! If either of you are late I-" She exclaims, but pauses as she deliberates on what to say. "I'll make sure you two regret it!" And with that she leaves, her footsteps thumping down along the corridor.
"She seemed... Pretty angry." I say quietly, meddling with my bracelet, unsure of Finnick's own mood. Though he is quick to reply, an amused smile tugging at his lips. "She certainly is, she won't let us forget this for a while I don't think." He finishes, scrunching his nose at me, a smile now prominent. The crinkles beneath his eyes deepen with the scrunch, and his dimples make an appearance. I laugh quietly, covering my smile with my palm.
"No, no don't cover yourself honey. You don't need to hide your smile from me." He says, his voice hushed yet soft, as he crawls on the bed towards me. He maintains steady eye contact, and neither of us are willing to look away. If I were to look away now, I'd feel as though I've lost a battle.
I feel myself slipping away, drowning in his sea-green eyes, unable to escape. His gaze is hooded, his long eyelashes lazily fanning over his eyes. I blink rapidly, feeling my breathing becoming heavy. His voice, as sweet as Sleep Syrup, whisks me away back into the present. "Well then, shall we get ready?" He asks, now having laid his chin on my outstretched legs, his hands sturdily holding onto my calves.
I gulp, and nod my head, though neither of us move.
Finnick continues to lay still, his eyes boring into mine. I gently nudge him with my foot, which seems to get a reaction. He slowly rises back onto all fours, and proceeds to get off of me. He walks up to my side of the bed, hand outstretched. He wiggles his fingers, and that toothy grin returns.
"C'mon, I'll take you back to your room. Once you're done, I'll meet you in the dining room." He states, and I lend him my hand. He swiftly pulls me up and we proceed to my room. The walk isn't long, but I'm unwilling to let him go, fear flushing over my body like a wave.
"Finnick..."
"You okay honey?" He asks, not sparing a moment to think to respond to me, it felt very much instinctual. I hesitate, and decide not to pursue the topic. "Nevermind, it's okay. I-I'll see you in a bit." I smile unsurely, waving him away, although he remains still, his eyebrows scrunched up in concern.
"If you wanna talk, if there's something on your mind, you can tell me, Y/n." He says, his voice having taken on a serious undertone. I nod my head with a small smile and thank him, before I step into my room and the door slides shut, separating us.
I take a quick shower, the warm artificial rain slightly easing my nerves, I brush my teeth and change my clothes before I take one last look in the mirror. My hair looks fine, my teeth are clean, but I can still feel the rattling of my heart, the shakiness ghosting my legs, and the pricking of nails at my hands.
I shake my head, taking a deep breath. This is not the time, I think to myself, and exit my room.
The train is eerily quiet as it travels. It is much different on the inside than it is to the outside. Whenever I got to see a train, I was overcome with fear and anxiety, as it would travel awfully fast and make tons of noise. It would make me terrified and anxious, and although I'm on the inside of the train, those same feelings are now making an appearance.
I continue on, my feet shuffling towards the next cart, though I feel them becoming numb.
There is loud chatter coming from the room, and as I come closer, I can hear Beau telling a story, and soon I can see Finnick and Mags listening intently, giving their breadcrumb opinions on the matter at hand. As I enter the room, Beau exclaims a loud, "Y/n!", and everyone turns their heads. Mags greets me with a strained voice and a gentle smile as she smothers a piece of toast with a clumpy liquid, Sylvia and Finnick turn to me with smiles. 
"We've been waiting for you, Y/n. Come, sit with us." Finnick says as I make my way towards him, and I notice his smile from earlier is now gone. 
"We've been discussing the games, and everyone agrees on what course of action we'll take." Bringing up a steamy cup to her lips, Sylvia says before sipping on some black liquid. 
"If you want me to play the guitar then I'm gonna need to know what song I'll be playing to." I state quietly, lathering some toast in jam. 
My stomach twists and turns as I'm reminded of what's to come. 
The Games. The bloodbath. The paparazzi and the flashy cameras. I'm gonna be put up on display like a wild animal. I'm going to be placed in that arena, forced to fight to the death against twenty-three other tributes. I feel my stomach drop, and one of my legs begins to bounce up and down rapidly under the table. 
I might as well step off the metal plate before the gong sounds and blast myself to pieces. I remember watching a tribute in the Games a few years back. She was fiddling with something in her hands, trembling so much that she dropped it. It was far too late for her to catch it, because as soon as it hit the ground, she was blasted into pieces. 
I pitied her, though now I considered sharing the same fate. How ironic. 
Either way I'm trapped. I'm trapped in this train, I'll be trapped in the Capitol, and I will be trapped in the arena. 
The only means of escape is death. 
Finnick continues to discuss the plan with the others, and I'm able to get the gist of it. It's enough for me to realise he wants me to help Beau in the arena, which I don't have an issue with in and of itself.
The issue will be when we have to split up, or if we both end up getting through to the final showdown. What will we do? Fight each other? 
I lean back into my chair, abandoning the jam toast on a porcelain plate, barely having taken a bite out of it. I can't eat anymore, I don't want to. I swallow thickly, but notice how dry my throat has become. 
I take in a deep, shaky breath, and think of reaching for some water. 
Water. Water sounds nice. Reaching for it shouldn't be too difficult to do... Right? The bouncing of my leg has increased in speed. I feel goosebumps travelling down my arms.
I can't.
The cart feels so much colder now, so less spacious, and my hands and arms feel numb. I tune out the conversation in front of me, instead focusing on a faraway, high-pitched noise. Was that the train screeching against the tracks? Isn't it supposed to be silent? 
It starts off slowly; the trembling. A couple shivers here and there, but it soon turns into full-blown chills. They really must've crammed the air conditioning up. I look to everyone, from Beau to Mags, Sylvia to Finnick. But they all seem fine? Maybe- Maybe it's just me. My hands feel clammy, sweaty. I try wiping them on the long sleeves of my shirt, but the clamminess doesn't go away.
I need to get out of here. 
The walls feel too close, and my head feels heavy. I close my eyes, lifting a shaky hand to massage at my temple. My breaths are shaky. My leg doesn't stop bouncing. The shivers continue. 
Get up, get up, get up, get up!
My legs don't listen, and I bite down harshly on my bottom lip. Tears start pricking at my eyes, and I have to blink rapidly to get rid of them.
I hear a voice. 
It feels so close yet so far. 
The tears are now fully welled-up in my eyes, on the verge of falling. I bite down harshly on my bottom lip, feeling the skin crackle under my teeth. 
The iron taste of blood sits on my tongue.
I look around, anywhere. But I catch the gazes of everyone around me. They have stopped talking between themselves.
They've stopped talking? 
Why aren't they talking?
I look down at my lap, heaving in a shaky breath. It sounds as if I'm wheezing. 
"Y/n?" It feels distant, and I'm not sure who the voice belongs to. A warm hand nudges me, and I look up, seeing Finnick's sea-green eyes boring into mine.
There is a clear concern glinting across them, and his mouth is slightly parted. 
I can't breathe. I can't get enough air into my lungs. Why can't I breathe? 
Calm down, Y/n. Calm down.
But I don't calm down. Instead, I begin gasping for air, my chest shakily heaving up and down, the tears escaping like water from a broken dam. My cheeks flush, and I try to supress my sobs. I bring a shaky hand up to my mouth, shaking my head in the process.
I feel arms wrapping around me, and soon I'm scooped up into the air, my head resting against a sturdy chest. It's Finnick. 
In any other situation, I'd try to sniff his scent, or focus on the heat radiating from his body. But now, all I can do as I try to breathe, is cover my mouth. The sobs grow louder, and more tears slide down my cheeks. 
"Fuck... Fuck, fuck fuck!" I wail out, my knuckles aggressively wiping at my eyes. I'm not supposed to be crying. I'm supposed to be strong, I'm supposed to be tough.
My body bounces up and down as Finnick runs through the carts, eventually leading me into a room.
Finnick soon lays me down into some silky sheets, although I can't tell who's room I find myself in. 
My chest is aggressively heaving up and down, but I can't catch my breath. 
My chest feels tight.
I supress another loud sob. 
The room suddenly becomes dark, and I find some comfort in that.
"I w-wasn't-... I-I wasn't supposed to cry!" My voice is sickeningly high-pitched and drawn out, and I cry out, covering my face with one hand as I turn on my side, gripping the sheets tightly in my other one.
I can feel Finnick's hand softly caressing my hair, but I continue to cry.
His arms wrap up around me, and I can hear him telling me 'It's okay's'.
I manage to supress my sobs and wails, though my lips are tugged downwards in a scowl, my eyebrows furrowed and I'm pretty sure I look pathetic. Not strong, or tough. Just pathetic. And Finnick is witnessing all this.
"Get out..." I say quietly, a small sob leaving my throat. 
"What?" Finnick leans in closer, unable to hear me coherently.
"Get out!" I exclaim. "P-please get out!" I shout, though it's not as loud as I convince myself it is. "I don't want you to see me like this..." I insist, my voice hoarse and small. 
More sobs break out through me, and I feel more tears welling up in my eyes.
"Please... Just leave me alone-" I continue, wrapping my arms around myself. 
Finnick shakes his head, repeatedly saying soft 'no's'. I ignore him, my hands pushing away at his chest. 
Without a second thought, he scoops me up into his lap, forcing my face into his chest. My sobbing only becomes stronger, but it soon eases into soft hiccups as Finnick begins humming a lullaby, stroking my hair with one hand, cradling me with the other. 
I focus on the sound of his voice. 
His voice is so lovely... So soft.
I close my eyes again, grimacing as I let the tears flow.
It takes a while of Finnick humming and caressing me, but my breathing eventually steadies, with occasional, throaty sobs making me hiccup. I continue wiping aggressively at my eyes, but the longer that Finnick hums, the more I let them cascade freely, until eventually they stop and I feel the wetness of my eyelashes against my cheeks. 
We sit like this for a who knows how long, long after my crying has ceased. A scowl remains on my face, but I continue listening. It has been a long time since someone has comforted me like this... 
The last person I remember doing this... Is my grandma. 
She was a wonderful woman, though strict at times and painfully honest, she never failed to show me just how much she loved me. Guiding me through meltdowns as a child, in just the same exact way as Finnick is now.
"I'm tired..." I softly mutter to Finnick, hiding my face further in his chest. My voice is raw from crying, and my eyes slightly burn from all the salty tears and rough knuckles. Finnick's shirt is damp with them, but I don't think he minds it too much.
"D'you wanna sleep? I can stay with you if you'd like..." He whispers softly, his large hand coming down to caress the side of my face, his thumb lovingly stroking the apple of my cheek. I nod my head gently, and feel the tears trying to return, but I blink them away. "Okay, we'll take a nap, and then we can talk about what happened, okay honey?" He continues, his voice sounding as sweet as honey tastes. I sniffle quietly, and nod my head again, doubting that my voice is steady enough to talk more. 
Finnick lays us down on the bed, and drapes the duvet over me, his chest presses against my back. I close my eyes, and feel the drowsiness slowly lure me into a dreamless sleep.
@bambikitten @noisyalmonddreamer @avoxrising @honethatty12 @circe143 @dnpo1son @innercreationflower @lagrimasdepandora @iwantmyredvelvetcupcake @lil-tracys @i-bitch-you-bitch @pinkigirl @yourdailymemedelivery @nexxus13 @ropickle @spilled-coffee-cup @zucchinimalfoy @l5byrinth @superbfishhumanoidweasel @whens-naptime @nordicvxid @luvrboiwonu @lili19080 @nojustn00 @antoheartit
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sunricecake · 2 years
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💭 aot girls toxic traits
feat. mikasa, annie, hitch, ymir, pieck, yelena
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MIKASA
shifts the blame on you every time you argue. knows that you have a weak spot for her and uses that to her advantage so you would have to be the one apologizing, even if she was in the wrong. guilt trips you a lot too simply cause she thinks it's cute, but tends to go overboard with it.
ANNIE
gives the silent treatment. NEVER opens up about her own feelings to the point it makes you go like damn are we even dating?? she's also passive aggressive so you often catch her sighing and scoffing at you out of nowhere, not bothering to explain herself no matter how much you ask.
HITCH
reveals embarrassing things about you in front of other people. she has no filter when she talks and that often results to her saying private things about you. uses you as the butt end of her jokes and brushes it off when you get mad, saying you're just being too sensitive.
YMIR
talks over you and disregards your opinions. does that thing where she ruffles your hair and goes “sure, sweetheart” then does exactly the opposite of what you told her, just to prove her point. she's so annoying ugh she never listens to you and gets so mad when you give her simple reminders.
PIECK
continues to be physically affectionate to people, even those who she knows have a thing for her. acts oblivious about it too when she's called out. she enjoys having other people's attention, and she thinks that shouldn't stop even when you're together.
YELENA
judges other people a lot and is super blunt about it. she often does it to strangers in public, not caring if they hear her and simply flipping them off. but sometimes, she does it to you too. a slip of the tongue, she says when she makes a particularly harsh comment about your outfit before going out and heads for the door as if nothing happened.
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jjk girls ver <3
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nightfall-kachiniko · 10 months
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༅ 。ₓ AOT girls (+hange) reacts to you crying during an argument…
paring: mikasa x reader, annie x reader, pieck x reader, hange x reader, sasha x reader.
˗ˏˋ꒰ ☁️ ꒱
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𓏲·˚ ͙ mikasa
- you felt your heart bang with every word that came out of your wife’s mouth. her voice riddled with irritation at your lack of understanding, as you continued to go back and fourth. “I don’t like the idea of you out there for that long!” You shouted, desperately trying to explain. “You’re being dramatic,” she said, “it’s apart of my job, y/n. Theres nothing I can do about it!” It felt like you two had been saying the same thing over and over again. “6 months? Halfway across the world?! And you’re okay with that?!” You shouted angrily. “I have orders, y/n. I don’t have a choice.” She said sternly. “And there is nothing I can do or you can do to change that!” her aggressive words hit you in the heart as you felt your eyes start to water. the air was finally quiet for a few moments as you processed everything. ‘she has to. It’s her job. i need to understand that…’ you thought. But you just couldn’t. you just couldn’t stand the thought of mikasa being gone that long. the silence finally broke in the air as your voice choked up “I just don’t want you to leave me..!” your voice broke, as the tears you’d been holding in did aswell. You choked out sobs, deep, heavy, sobs, as your voice shattered sentences of incoherent. Mikasa froze for a moment, before her gaze went soft as it lied on you. her warm embrace laced hands around your figure as it held you tightly, her eyes filling with sadness. “Oh..don’t cry love..” she whispered as your cries continued, her arms wrapping lovingly around you. “I know darling, I know this is hard.” Mikasa said, as her hand raised your face from your palms to look you in the eyes. her fingers caressed tears off your face as she helped you calm down. “I promise you, I’ll never leave you.. no matter what distance lays between us.”
𓏲·˚ ͙ annie
“You never listen to me! Ever! I mean fuck y/n why do I even bother at this point?!” Annie shouted angrily, her tone filled with more rage than usual. It started off as a dumb couples fight to now a full on argument spurring out angered insults with mindless thinking. “Oh really? You’re one to talk! That’s all you ever do is blame everything on me!” You spat back. Annie’s figure swiftly turned around to face you, “you’re the one that starts shit y/n, not me.” she sternly said. “I put up with your shit every day for the past 5 years. 5 YEARS Y/N! I’ve had to mother you! I’ve had to care for you! IM BASICALLY A GODDAMN BABYSITTER!” Her screams rang in your ears as you closed your eyes, her aggressively packing her bags.“Seriously?” You mutter out, “I’ve sacrificed friendships, I’ve sacrificed LIVES for you! I’ve sacrificed everything just to be with a warrior! I’ve done so much for you!” you screamed back. Annie looked at you, her eyes as stern as ever. “ All you’ve ever done for me is cause me problems,” her voice was serious, her voice was real. i think that’s the part that hurt the most, the fact that her voice said what her mind wanted to. and she was being honest. The anger you once had in your eyes faded to a soft gaze as you felt your heart shatter. Your eyes filled with tears as you stayed silent, trying not to cry. “That’s all you ever do.” Annie sternly said, failing to realize your soft whimpers would soon break into sobs. as you felt your world crashing down on you as tears streamed down your cheeks, your palms held your face in your hands as you cried. Annie turned back around from stuffing a shirt in her suitcase, her eyes landing on you. she stayed silent as you cried, not knowing what to do. But what she did know, that she really fucked up. Annie glanced at your figure, feeling that out of regret and guilt arise in her stomach. She softly came towards you, her arms carefully wrapping around your body as you dug your head into her shoulder, sobbing. “I’m sorry..” she whispered into your hair. “I’m sorry..” she said a bit louder. But you could tell from the tone in her voice, that she was being honest.
𓏲·˚ ͙ pieck
“Please y/n, I’m not in the mood.” Your girlfriend said, tiredness on her face. “But you said you’d stay tonight..” you disappointedly breathed out. “I barley see you enough as it is. You can’t just stay a few hours?” the woman turned around swiftly to look at you, “I don’t know how many times I have to repeat myself. I said no y/n, what part of that do you not understand?!” Her aggressive response caught you off guard, your air feeling more heavy around you. “..you don’t have to yell at me pieck..” you softly muttered out before she cut you off. “Well sometimes you just don’t fucking listen!” She shouted aggressively, taking out her anger on you. “Pieck stop! I don’t want to fight with you!” You called back, trying to calm her down. “Then stop being so needy all the time and let me rest!” She replied. Her words made you feel like a burden as you felt your chest get tighter, confused and saddened as to what you did wrong. “..fine…” you sighed out, turning away to walk upstairs. You heard pieck mutter a “finally” under her breath as your vision became blurred, tears swelling up in your eyes. You turned back around in the doorway to look at pieck. “..I’m sorry If i did something wrong..” your voice wobbled out, catching her attention. Pieck starred at you, tears flowing down your face as you slightly hummed soft cries. She was token aback by your state, clearly now realizing how she acted towards you. “Oh.. dove..” pieck softly said, “no..no no sweetie” the messy haired woman came over to you, her eyes fixated on your own watery orbs. Guilt plastered on her face as she hugged you tightly, making you take in a deep breath to stop your sobs from getting worse. “Honey, I’m so sorry dear.. I don’t know what gotten into me lately.. I’ve just been so stressed.. I shouldn’t of token it out on you love… I’m so sorry sweetheart please don’t cry..” she said, drying your tears with tissues. “I..know you’ve been… stressed.. and I’m sorry I just miss you…” you managed to get out in between breaths. “Im sorry darling..”
𓏲·˚ ͙ hange
The one night that you rarely have with you and hange alone, cancelled all because of some stupid paperwork they could get to in the morning? “Seriously Han?! Do you know how long we’ve been planning this?” You hear hange sigh from their desk as they touch the bridge of their nose. “I’ve told you y/n I have too many things to do! Why do I have to keep repeating myself like a skipping record?!” Hange scolded at you. Apparently this date meant more to you then it did to her. Way more. To the point they’d rather do paperwork than go on it. “You can do that shit in the morning! This is the one night we finally can go out and you’re telling me no?!” You angrily shouted at her. “Fuck hange! I’ve barley seen you in weeks! I wake up and your not there! I go to sleep and your not there! Why is everything about your fucking work?! Why is it never about me?!” You shouted at them, their face filling with more irritation than before. “I’m not saying it again.” They said, picking back up their pen and scribbling down on their paperwork. “Really? You’re really gonna do this to me?” You said, trying to not flip out on them. Hange didn’t reply, but just ignore you. “Gonna ignore me like you always do, huh?” You scoffed. A rage burning up inside you as you ranted. “You know why the hell are you even in a relationship if you’re commander?! You leave me out in the fucking dust! You act like I’m not even there! Is all I am just a fuck to you when you’re too stressed to function?! Huh?! Is that paperwork more important than me-“ “YES! FUCK ANYTHING TO SHUT YOU UP!” they yelled, cutting you off. You felt your heart sink as they screamed, going on about how you never listen, always complain, how they’re always too busy and stressed. Too focused on their rant to notice the tears falling down your eyes and your small shaky breaths. “AND I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH ENERGY TO DEAL WITH Y-“ they cutt themself as they saw your shattered figure, your eyes filled with tears as they kept streaming like a river down your face, dripping onto the floor. ‘At least now they were quiet, huh hange?’ they thought, realizing how badly they hurt you. You just started at the floor avoiding eye contact as they breathed out a sigh, fixing their glasses. “I..c-come here love.” They said, their hand gesturing for you to come closer as they walked towards you. Hange sighed as they felt you collapse into their arms, not knowing when the last time they held you like this was. She let you sob, rubbing circles onto your back as she occasionally pressed kisses into your hair, relaxing into you. “I know I haven’t been the best partner, y/n. I’m not a good partner at all. I’m sorry.”
𓏲·˚ ͙ sasha
“I am doneee!!! Donee!! No more arguing i cant hear you!!” Sasha plugged her ears as you continued to pour out everything that was in you. From the late nights out, to the not knowing where she was. It was too much. You’d never get a serious answer, all you’d get is your concerns blown off with a ‘ehh you’re dramatic babe’ it was like she took nothing seriously. Not your emotions. Not your concerns. Not even your relationship. “Sasha fucking stop!” You yelled. “I’m trying to talk to you about something that concerns me and all you do is plug your ears and ignore me!” You cry out. “Do you even care about us at all?!” You say, to be greeted with a nonchalant “oh wow and now you think I don’t care?” Sasha scoffed, hopping off the counter. “You’re frustrating me! Ive already told you I’m having fun I’m safe I’m fine I’m not cheating on you!” They blurted out. “Sash that is not even my concern! Maybe you’d know what it is if you’d actually listen!!” You yelled out. “Oh trust me, I listen.” She bit into her Apple. “I have to listen to your insecurities all the time. And I have to deal with ‘em. I’ve gotta put up with ‘em!” She remarked back, making you even more frustrated. “Then why don’t you do anything about it?! Why don’t you care?!” “Damn it y/n I do!” “Then shut up and listen!” She laughed at your remark, confusing you. “Gosh you really don’t quit do you?” Sasha chuckled, making your blood boil. You had enough, you were so filled with rage and hurt. You felt tears start spurring out your eyes as you yelled and cried and sobbed, catching Sasha off guard. “Y/n?” She looked around, lost. “Hey-uh..” Sasha just starred at you and your broken figure, sobbing and crying. “D-did I really make you that upset..?” She questioned, taking in the state you’re in. “Babe..” they came closer to you as you muttered a “go away..” in between sobs. “Hey no nooo babe.. ah gosh..” Sasha said, trying to comfort you. “Ah..please don’t cry pretty, I’m sorry darlin’..” she hugged you tightly, pressing your figure up agaisnt hers. “I’m gonna do better honey, I promise.”
a/n: I AM SO FUCKING TIRED
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http-finnick · 1 year
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𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐫
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finnick odiar x fem!reader
summary: after the war, your whereabouts are a mystery left with missing next to it. finnicks days are gloomy without his love as jealous friends burden him.
request: hi I love your finnick stories so much!! i really like reading them ♥️ i saw requests are open an was wondering if you could do a finnick x reader where its after the war and he thinks shes dead but later finds out she’s alive and he’s just happy and excited to plan their life together? thank you ♥️
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I dont..miss her. it's strange. I- I want her here it's just..I feel like I've lost something..like I'll find it soon. It'll be in arms reach soon, just...wait. that's all. wait.
"you're grieving. It's denial" his head pops up to see a red-headed woman cross her legs, he almost forgot he was saying that all out loud
"she isn't missing, Finnick, she isn't at arms reach. She's dead." Annie moves her hair behind her ear before resting her head on her hand, staring at his expression, for a reaction to her statement
"some shrink you are." he scoffs, he hates how she's talking. she isn't dead. she cant be.
"...finnick" pity. her tone is pitiful and there's nothing he despises more. he struggles to find logic to support his calm as he fumbles from rage
"no body."
"what?" "no body. no proof. she could be alive" now he stares straight at her. her wide brown eyes flashing a sign of annoyance before being coated with a wave of seriousness.
"we went over this. you need to look at the facts-" "I am. no body." now he's getting defense, how could she say that? wheres her hope? she never gives up on anyone why would she give up on you so quickly?
"you called me a shrink. I'm not. I'm a friend and you need to listen to me as that. mourn her. do it now before you hold onto her forever"
.
she's gone. I know that now. I don't talk about her anymore, annie doesn't like the noise. mostly to myself when I want to reminisce on good memories that just end up with me crying in the bathroom like a pathetic wimp. sometimes I think to talk about her to annie but she just tells me to let go of her. but I can't.
the 5 stages of grief. Annie told me about that. is confusion one? I feel confused.
I sit on the island counter as I hear fabric on fabric, it's the dress of annie swiping against itself as she walks in to check on me.
"hey, you okay?" she leans against the wall, fiery red hair longer than ever as she awaits my answer
"uhh, yeah, yeah." brushing it off as I sit up, she isn't satisfied. he knows but it isn't the time.
"wanna talk about it?" seriously? he can? and to think she hated the noise
"it'd be nice" he answered sniffing slightly as he was already getting emotional
"what's the matter?" she sits down and motions for him to do as well, he hesitates, feeling more in control of the situation by standing and looking away, but, he sits.
"uh, I'm really am missing her a lot more" he watched her chew her cheek and he starts to feel claustrophobic. is he a burden? an annoyance to bring up the past? to dwell so heavily?
"what are you hanging onto so much?" her tone is soft but he knows spitfire when he hears it, he smiles and bites his bottom lip, he knew it was too good to be true.
"what?" shes clueless. utterly clueless and he's about to snap
"no it's just, wow."
"..wow?"
"you tell me to mourn but I'm never allowed to!" he smiles while sitting up, completely done. over her bullshit and looking for a fight
"well, mourning isn't clinging onto things fin." she hits right back, ready to get this over with and go to bed.
"what the hell is wrong with you? I- I have no one to fucking talk to!"
"you aren't here when you talk! you are somewhere else living in the past and you can't hear anyone when they tell you the truth!"
"oh- oh so what this truth?" he pushes her, ready for her to say, daring her to.
"that she's dead and you need to get over that." she strikes for the kill and it fucking hurts. he bites his tongue as she scoffs and tries to form a semi-redeemable apology that he knows he just bullshit
"no. I need you to get the fuck out." he waves his hand mindlessly towards the door as he stares at the floor, feeling blood pool into his mouth from biting his tongue a little too hard
.
two of the most important women are gone from his life and he only has a chance with one of them.
he wears dress pants and a button-up with flowers he picked this morning. he needs at least for this to work out.
he slides the bouquet onto the counter and lets his fingers run through his fluffy locks as he opens the fridge, trying to find some drinks they can have together as he scans the empty cold box.
he throws his head back at the sound of the rippling scream of his phone, he can't deal with post-capitol shit right now.
he swings his feet and grabs the telephone off the wall, stating his name and 'hi' as he waits
a woman chimes in on the other line stating herself and her authority as she starts to say things he doesn't really understand, numbers of times and dates, he doesn't do appointments or capitol press anymore
"wait- wait. I'm sorry, what?"
"for ms.l/n, when will you arrive for her?" he drops the phone as his throat closes up. they found her. they found her. they found her.
her body.
pickup. they want me to come to get her. his knees became weak and he slid to the floor, only now hearing her voice asking for him as it dangled next to his shaking body
he grabs it and puts it up to his ear, his voice cracking as he asks what date, time, and location to...pick her up.
he couldn't help but notice the way she talked about 'ms.l/n' in a slight past tense. he wanted confirmation for the longest time but it was bittersweet knowing she was actually gone. no fuck that. it's bitter it hurts like hell. it feels like the day he found out she was gone and panicked looking for her, though this time actually finding a body. he isn't gonna let Annie's "coping 101" infect his brain now. he is in pain. he feels like he is dying.
his love is gone. It's been months of her gone but now she's gone.
the train ride was silent as he just sat there in shock the whole time. he was lucky enough to get one today. he hopes they are wrong, hoping when he walks in it'll be someone else.
he stumbles into the hospital, telling the nurses about the call and about the woman on the other line. they tell him a room number and he floats there without question.
he notices how the room isn't leading to a morgue but rather a patient room. maybe it's full. maybe they found her with other missing troops.
and turns the door and cracks it open, he can't stop himself to shut his eyes tightly as he hopes shes is in a zipped body bag at least
he opens his eyes right when he walks in.
there. it's you. no doubt.
it's you sitting up. you're alive.
"y-y/n?"
"holy shit finnick..you're all dressed up for me?" how, how could you joke at this time? how can you joke at all? you were dead. he thought you died he-
he sprints towards you and hugs you tightly, tears flowing from his eyes as he smells you, feels you, loves you again
"I- I thought you died.."
"me too" you mumble feeling your own tears slip out as he weeps against you. you're safe.
"I love you, I love you so much" he cries out, not daring to pull away from you but you manage to lift him up just enough to be face-to-face with him. you kissed him softly, his lips familiar and warm
"I love you too"
you're thin and bruised. utterly beaten down by nature as your busted lip smiles at him, and he knows no matter how long you were lost you were the same old you deep down.
"let's get married. let's get married and move anywhere you want." he smiles, thinking of living with you in the meadow, alone, just the two of you.
"woah, next you're gonna say let's make a million babies" you giggle, pretending like you weren't about to say the same thing.
"not quite a million my love but close to it" he laughs and you fall into it as well. wiping your tears with your free hand had only now noticed how hard your other hand was gripping his
"I missed your laugh so much" he sniffs, tears still spilling out as he smiles at you
"I missed everything about you so much" you dip back in to kiss him and he goes right to it, hugging you deeply as he thinks about how soon you'll be his wife. soon he'll be your husband and soon you two will have a life. a real one.
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an: I hope this is okay! I added Annie drama on accidentally lmao. I hope I didn't pace it weirdly and I hope I was able to catch how Finnick was feeling at least a little well. like he knew deep down she was alive but he was just mourning her absent presence. I hope you guys enjoyed it! mwah, love you so much!
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thisisourlovestory · 3 months
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Safe and Sound
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Finnick Odair x reader soulmate AU
Summary: you are a victor from district 4. The Quarter Quell has just been announced. How will you cope with the turn of events coming your way.
Wordcount- 3.1k
Notes: Sorry this one was so late, it was just not chaptering but it's here now so enjoy!
Chapter 5
My heels clicked as I walked across the stone floor. My dress swirling around in the light breeze that flowed through the opening at the other end of the room. I felt eyes on me as I walked. So many eyes. All latching onto me and following my every movement. I locked my own gaze on the horses. Beautiful creatures, tall, strong and powerful. I stopped next to the chariot I would be riding in and stroked the horses pulling it. I found myself drawn towards the one on the left. His depthless black eyes pierced my skin. I felt as if he knew everything I was feeling, everything I thought, everything I had done. I stood directly in front of him. My own eyes locked on his as I lifted my hand to stroke his face. Dark fur like velvet under my touch. He nickered quietly, hooves pawing at the ground. 
“It's okay. It's okay.” I soothe him gently. “I'm a friend, I won't hurt you.” I hold his head and stroke along his nose to calm him down as I chatter mindlessly to him. “You're very beautiful, you know. I'd love to see you free, running in the wild. I'm sure it would be a sight to behold, you in the meadows. I think you'd like that, meadows are pretty. Especially if they have lots of flowers, my favourites are the blue and purple ones. Then again you might eat the flowers.“ I frown. “I don't know if flowers are good for horses so you maybe shouldn't eat them.” He snorted as if laughing at me and I smiled before turning around and taking a step forward. Immediately, eyes were on me again, assessing, questioning, some downright sadistic- as if they were already plotting how to kill me. I shuffled nervously on my feet, putting my hands behind my back and fiddling with my fingers as I peered around curiously myself, Cashmere and Gloss were stood chatting to Enobaria and Brutus, their sneering expressions as they glanced over me giving away exactly what they were talking about. Other tributes were milling around, chatting to each other quietly, trying to not draw attention to themselves. I decided to mingle a bit, I meandered through the room, not looking directly at anyone but nodding hello or raising a hand in greeting. Without realising it I somehow ended up by the district 12 tributes, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. The winners of last year's games, the star crossed lovers. I gave them both a quick nod and turned, in doing so I lost my balance and wobbled, almost falling over but Katniss grabbed my arm and righted me. 
“Thank you.” I muttered. She said nothing in response so I thanked her again awkwardly and made to walk away. 
“Wait,” I turned to see her holding a hand out to me. “You're Y/N right. The winner of the 68th.” I nodded.
“Yes, I am.” 
“I remember the year you won. I watched your entire games. You won by killing the three career tributes didn't you.“ I shivered at the reminder and replied softly. 
“Yes.” 
“Nobody thought you would be the one to win. I didn’t either. Thought it would be the district 2 boy.” I laughed lightly. 
“That makes two of us.” I stopped for a second before continuing. “I know you don't know me or anything but for what it’s worth I’m sorry you have to do this again. You and Peeta. You don't deserve it.”
“None of us should have to do this.” Peeta interrupted. “None of us.” I quirked an eyebrow as I studied him. His face set in a stony expression. 
“You shouldn't have won either but you did and here we all are again.” I turned away from him to face Katniss again. “And what you did for your sister last year was brave.”
“What you did for Annie this year was brave.” She countered. I hummed
“How do you know I didn't do it for glory?”
“Because none of us want to go back in there.” I studied her, a sad smile on my lips.
“That's not entirely true.” She looked confused for a second and I shook my head. “Some of us want to go back in, not for the reasons you're thinking, not for glory or bragging rights. Some of us just want to protect other people.” I shook my head slightly, my hair falling over my shoulders. “Like him,” I nodded to Peeta who was petting the horses,”He wants to protect you and he didn't want Haymitch to go back in because he would have probably died.“ She gazed at me for a second. 
“So you volunteered to protect someone as well.” I stared back at her. 
“I didn't mean to volunteer. It just happened.” She opened her mouth to respond but we heard a scream of my name from across the room. I turned and was immediately enveloped in a huge hug, my face filled with coiffed hair and I spluttered as it covered my mouth and nose.  
“Effie, hair. Face. Hair. Breathing.” I stuttered out, Effie pulled away from me and gasped. 
“Oh you look so beautiful! Absolutely gorgeous!.” She grasped the fabric of my dress and inspected it closely. “The stitching is impeccable and this colour is so lovely on you.” 
“Wait a minute, how do you three know each other?” Katniss interjected.
“We met when I was in the games, Effie loved me from the start because according to her I was ‘just so adorable’ and Haymitch warmed up to me after a while. But we’re only acquaintances, very rarely see each other.” She looked sceptical but nodded anyway.
“Effie’s right kid. You look pretty incredible. They'll all love you out there.” Haymitch said from behind, patting me on the back. “How’ve you been doing?” I shrugged. “Come on, something must have happened since we last saw you. It's been what, three, four years since you refused to see us again?” 
“Four years, eight months and twenty seven days.” I muttered, looking down at the floor and laughed awkwardly. “There have been some tough moments, nightmares that you can never get rid of, but other than those I've been fine. Same as I always was. Same as I always will be.” I squinted at him. “What about you?” 
“We’ve been very busy looking after these two and making sure they are adapting well to life as victors but other than that it's been much the same as usual.” Effie chimed in, sending a glare Haymitch's way and mouthing something I couldn't discern. Haymitch rolled his eyes at her and spoke to me as she fussed over Katniss.
“You volunteered. I thought you said nothing could ever make you come back.” I looked down.
“I lied.”
“I don't know why you did it kid and I know you won't tell me because you don't get close to people if you can help it, so just,” He  sighed, ”Just try and stay alive as long as you can alright.” He patted me on the back again and went to talk to Peeta as Effie 
“I have missed you like you wouldn't imagine darling. Although I did see you dancing a few times, it was so graceful and beautiful.” She covered her mouth. “You've grown up so much. Now where is that escort of yours, Lysander?” I shrugged again. 
“Don’t know. Probably hounding Finnick or something.” Effie let out a loud sigh. 
“He really is useless. Utterly useless. And I’ve told him that before you know. But apparently my advice is meaningless! Does he even know what his job is? It’s to help you win by getting you sponsors. And ignoring you completely is not the way to help.” 
“It’s okay. Finnick has got the better chance of survival anyway, it makes more sense to focus on him.” Haymitch sent me a look.
“Do not look at me like that. I'm going to try my best but let's be honest it's not going to be enough.” I scrunched my nose up and tipped my head to Katniss. “See you out there girl on fire. It's been a pleasure meeting you.” She shook my hand.
“See you out there.”
“And you Peeta.” I called out to him. “We’ll all bump into each other again at some point I'm sure.” With that I walked off, leaving them all staring at my back in surprise. I let out a shuddering breath as I leaned against a wall, my head tipping back and my eyes shutting in a moment of peace that was over as soon as it began when they called us all to our chariots. I pushed myself off the wall and made my way back over to the horses and chariot, stroking their noses quickly before being helped up into the chariot. Dark metal and deep blue flowers at the front to represent District 4. I picked a petal and smoothed it over with the pads of my fingers, smooth and velvety. I felt a tap on my shoulder and jumped, turning to face a smirking Finnick. 
“Sugarcube?” He asked, holding them out to me. I took one hesitantly and bit into it, the sweetness spread across my tongue, coating my entire mouth. 
“Thank you.” I mumbled, sucking the rest into my cheek. Unfortunately, I finally clocked what he was wearing, or lack thereof, and almost choked on the sugar as I inhaled sharply and swallowed at the same time. I had been prepared for this to happen. But clearly not as prepared as I had thought I would be. Because there stood Finnick Odair, still smirking, biting a sugarcube with his back teeth, dressed in nothing more than a golden net tied in a knot to secure it around his waist. He was perhaps the closest thing to naked I’d ever seen a person be before, I thought to myself idly and swallowed again, the grains of sugar scratching my throat. I averted my gaze quickly as I felt heat rising in my cheeks and resolutely stared anywhere but at him. He laughed next to me.
“I didn't expect that.” I admitted quietly. “I thought you'd at least be wearing actual clothes.” I peeked at him for a second, the man was built like a greek god. All muscle and tan skin and just unfairly perfect. 
“My stylist is of the belief that the more they see of me the better.” He held out a hand towards me. “I don't think we've been properly formally introduced. I'm Finnick Odair.” My heart broke in my chest at his words but I shook his hand and whispered my own name back as the chariots began to move forwards. I smoothed out the creases in the delicate fabric of my dress and plastered a pleasant expression on my face just as the noise of the Capitol hit my ears. And we were out. Parading down the Avenue of Tributes with people cheering for us yet again, but this time multiplied by a million. It was the one event of the week that every single person in the Capitol came to see and they all blurred together in a mass of whirling colours. I smiled faintly and tapped a small raised gem sewn into the sleeve of my dress. Immediately, water began to trickle down from my tiara. It seemed to have a life of its own and left cold trails on my skin. It touched the fabric of my dress and a brilliant blue bloomed from the patch. As it trickled further down, the rest of my dress turned similar shades until the water stopped flowing and collected in a pool at the hem of my dress, dripping slightly and leaving a damp patch on the surface of the chariot. I gazed up at myself on the projections as the people went wild and threw flowers at us, hollering for our attention. The top of the dress had become a dark blue the colour of the deepest parts of the ocean and it faded into a powdery blue the colour of the flowers that had lined my mothers porch years ago. I looked like a queen of the sea. My dress was a representation of the ocean and of District 4, of my home. Megara had outdone herself and I would wear it with pride. So I waved and blew kisses to people, a smile as bright as the sun on my face. I could hear the commentary vaguely in the background. Exclamations of how they had never quite seen something like that before, how beautiful the dress was, how perfect it was for me, for their angel. Others had attempted to copy the artificial flames but compared to the original they seemed like cheap knockoffs. Hardly impressive. I could understand why Megara would use water then, to make a different statement. Fire had already been seen, it was old, except for on district 12. But water, the opposite of fire. They had never seen that before and it really helped that she was styling for our district. And yet when Katniss and Peeta emerged, dressed in a blazing inferno, I was forgotten. As expected the attention all shifted to the star crossed lovers of district 12. Not that I could blame them, they were a sight to behold, even more dramatic than last year. The chariots circled and everyone waved up to President Snow. I simply nodded my head towards him, my gaze cold. Eventually we came to a stop in a semi circle and President Snow stepped up to the podium overhead.
“Welcome all to the 75th Hunger Games. We thank our tributes for their great sacrifice. We shall be sad to see them go.” With that he sends us on our way, we roll out and back where we came from. I leapt out as soon as we passed the entry way, my dress dragging along the floor, dust sticking to the damp fabric. I saw Mags waiting and brushed past her without a glance. I walked around for a bit, the architecture of the building was so new, it was clear they had it built especially for us. It was like a fortress, cameras everywhere, the thickest glass they could have found for windows, doors that couldn't be opened unless the guard stood next to them opened them for you and white walls all around. It wasn't just a training centre. It was a cage, our cage for the next week. 
I laughed. They really didn't want us going anywhere at all. And they weren't taking any chances if they could help it. They could mask it with pretences of hospitality and wishing for us to enjoy our stay but even a blind man could see that this was a prison, and one made specifically to keep us in. I pressed a button on the wall and stepped into the elevator. Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch all greeted me with nods and Johanna grinned widely at me as we started moving upwards. 
“Well well well. If it isn't the little princess. Tell me, how's life been treating you in the Capitol?” She asked, venom dripping from each word. I regarded her silently, assessing as she stripped off her dress. She had never liked me. She thought I was just some pretty little doll that the Capitol kept and never touched. They all thought that though, each and every victor knew I danced and sang and that was it. They had never been so wrong in their lives. But who was I to tell them that? It's not as if they would listen to anything I had to say. 
“Life has been,” I paused, “It's been wonderful.” I watched her eyes darken with anger as she pulled off the last of her dress, leaving it in a heap on the floor. She quickly turned to Katniss and Peeta, flashed a cat-like grin.
“Thanks. This has been fun, we should do it again sometime.” With that she flounced out of the open doors. Haymitch whistled.
“Thank you.” Katniss sent him a disgusted look and I disguised a laugh with a cough. As much as I disliked her I could admire her. She was everything the Capitol didn't want her to be and the looks on Katniss and Peetas faces were something. She was confused, he was almost impressed and Haymitch was just like me, trying to not laugh out loud at their reactions
“Johanna Mason, district 7. Won the 71st games by pretending to be weak and then killing the remaining tributes with her axe. Delightful girl.” I rolled my eyes.
“Except for if she hates your guts. So try and get her to like you.” Peeta glanced at me.
“What do you mean?”
“If I know one thing about Johanna Mason, and I think I do. It's that she doesn't care about anyone or anything. And I'm pretty sure she has a hitlist and I'm number 1 on it.” 
Before they could answer, the doors opened again and they all got out without a word, leaving me alone to go down again. I leant against the glass, looking out to see peacekeepers crawling about like insects, escorts rushing around for no reason whatsoever, tributes and mentors staying well away from the two former as if they were the plague. The doors pinged open and I made my way down the corridor. I pushed through the double doors and was met with expectant looks from everyone. Mags, Lysander and Finnick all sat at the table. 
“I'm not hungry.” I said quickly before they could even ask me to sit. 
I practically ran to my room and threw myself on the bed, silk sheets scrunching up under my weight. The door clicked open and I looked up to see Megara standing there with an eyebrow raised.
“They want me to convince you to come out. But I've got better plans for tonight.” She pulled out two tubs of ice cream and a plate of intricately decorated cakes and biscuits. She set them down on the table and waved me over. 
“First of all, get changed. There's clothes in the drawers. Second, by my logic if they really wanted you to sit and eat dinner with them they would do it themselves. Third, I brought food,” She picked up a spoon and dug into a tub of ice cream, “And I'm not waiting for you to start. Plus,” She grinned, teeth coated in chocolate,”I want to know everything.”
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