The Price of Champions and Crowns (Hunger Games)

21

I felt my grip tightening on her hand. She's alive. She's here. With me...

I think I understand now why my father never lets go of my mother's hand. If she ever left me again I'd break. And here, in the Capitol I don't trust anyone. Not even my parents. 

I bit my lip and made eyecontact with my mother. She stood next to Finnick and once her eyes met mine she sniffed and buried her face into dad's chest. 

Betrayal I didn't even know was possible to feel hit me in the face. She knew. Finnick lying to me, well that wouldn't be a first. But mum...

What the fuck?!?.

I trusted her, I defened her to no end and I thought we she was different. Different than every other victor in this room. I thought she'd never be like us. Not like me. But that was a mistake. Afterall she was career. Went to the academy and volunteered. Had a score of eight, could weild a spear. If she hadn't seen that boy be decapitated, would she have killed?...yeah, probably. 

And it highlights something I was too blindsided to see. My mother isn't sweet. She's capable of terrible things and at the end of the day she's in this room for a reason. She's married to someone like Finnick for a reason. 

I Victoria's her forehead as a few tears brimmed in my eyes. Both my parents are victors. And I never gave them credit for it. Not Annie anywa-

"I think we're all very emotional right now, Liam a bit of a shock.  I know President Snow has just been dying to tell you both. What you like to say to him right now for this fantastic surprise?".

Caesar smiled at me and I really wanted to punch him. Or stab him...I sighed. "I guess words aren't enough and I'll forever be in debt to him".

In my peripheral I saw Finnick hang his head. I guess that wasn't the right think to say but its the truth. Who knows what he'll make me do now. He wasn't wrong, I held her tighter. 

After tonight you won't even think about saying no, ever.

Well, doesn't that makes a lot more sense now.

Victoria's bright blue eyes stared up at me, and I felt myself inhale just a little bit. So beautiful, and I know I won't regret whatever it is they make me do. 

Just as long they don't touch her. 

****

The interview seemed to last for an hour. I could feel Liam's annoyance at Caesar never waver but I didn't care. Because he's alive. 

Once it wrapped up we were left standing, in a room of about fifty people. Fifty victors. Some with a good reason to want us dead. I gulped and jumped a bit as Liam instantly made a bee-line for Finnick and Annie. 

And me, still holding his hand just kinda stumbled along with him. I exhaled as we finally met the pair. I could feel everyone watching us. If a pin had dropped you'd be able to hear it. Finnick stood, white shirt and hair immaculate in that rugged way. His sea green eyes where exactly like Liam's if not missing something in there that makes them shine like his. I guess a soul.

I thought Liam was staring on Finnick, execpt he wasn't. He was glaring at his mother which caused me to frown. Annie even though I could only see the back of her head, she looked beautiful. And still a tad bit deranged. Liam tusked. "You going to face me or just hide behind dad?".

Finnick instantly rose an eyebrow and smirked. I felt sick, Finnick finds this amusing...

And I felt awkward. I shouldn't be here for this, actually I don't want to be here for this. But every other Victor does. Because they haven't dared move. Like this is the real entertainment of the night. Some are enjoying it and others, like Wireless seem to want to just give Liam a hug. And I'm not going to cause a scene and run out of this room because I'm too intmidated to witeness whatever is about to happen.

Liam straed at her, waited and then he scoffed. "I thought you were different but you and dad...you really deserve eachother".

I don't know why, but with the silence of the room and his biting tone...it was hurtful. Especially if you're already aware of what Finnick Odair is like. Then you'd know Liam didn't compliment his mother, he just slapped her in the face. And about half the room knows it.

I exhaled and looked around the room. Victors that were young, who'd only won recently were smirking. Mostly careers. And then theres old looking elderly Victors who are frowning at us. And Victors like our parents, late thirties to early forties. 

They look like they're about to either jump to Annie's aid or scream at us for somethimg else. I frowned, this isn't what they hoped for. Actually for some reason quite a few victors are staring at Haymitch Abernathy.

As if he's supposed to just magically help. I nearly scoffed, the victor who can't even walk in a straight line. I sighed and shook my head. "Liam..."

His harsh glare dropped and he looked at me in concern. "Yeah?".

I gulped. "If you want to talk to your parents that's fine, but maybe you should do it somewhere more private".

I indicated around us. To everyone and I could see his face tense up.

So yeah, we're in deep shit but so are they.