Parachutes | Finnick Odair

Two

The moment the anthem ends, Bluebell is taken into custody. Peacekeepers march the two tributes through the doors of the Justice Building, reminding Bluebell of the time she saw a tribute try to escape. It was a boy, only fourteen, and the peacekeepers had caught him within seconds, dragging him into the building much more harshly than they had his district partner. 

Once inside, Bluebell is conducted to a room and left alone. It's the richest place she's ever been in, with thick, deep carpets and a velvet couch and chairs. When she sat on the couch, she couldn't help running her fingers over the fabric repeatedly. It helped to calm her as she tried to prepare for the next hour, the time allotted for the tributes to say good-bye to their loved ones. 

Bluebell's family came first. Her mother ran through the door, Posy reaching out to her sister from her mother's arms. Gale followed, while Vick and Rory held each other tightly. Bluebell took Posy from her mother's arms, the toddler's arms going around her neck and legs around her waist. Gale sat on the velvet couch next to his sister, eyes boring into hers. 

"Why?" he demanded, jaw tightened. Bluebell sighed. 

"She wouldn't have made it."

"And you will?" Bluebell flinched at her brother's tone, covering Posy's ears. 

"I have a better chance than she does. Besides, you can take care of the family. What would have happened to Prim?" Gale scoffed. 

"What'll happen to you?"

"I'll manage," his sister snapped. "I love you, okay? If this is my last time talking to you, I don't want to argue." Gale's eyes softened as he pulled his sister into a hug.

"I love you too," he whispered. Bluebell smiled softly. 

"Mom, keep trading. Gale will hunt with Katniss. Everyone is going to be alright." Her mother set Posy on the velvet couch before pulling Bluebell to her feet and looking into her eyes. 

"I love you, Belly," she whispered, tears dripping onto her daughters neck. Bluebell tightened her arms around her mother, holding back a sob. 

"Vicky, Rory," she gasped, pulling away from her mother and pulling the two boys into a hug. "I love you two." They didn't respond, only wrapped their arms around her until the peacekeepers came to tell them time was up. 

Next came the Everdeen family. Katniss stared at Bluebell, unblinking. Prim jumped on her lap, wrapping her frail arms around the older girl. 

"Thank you," Katniss' mother gasped, her blonde hair obscuring her teary face. Bluebell shook her head. 

"I could never have let her go." They stood in silence until the peacekeepers arrived again. 

"Thank you," Katniss spoke up, her voice cracking. "You didn't have to- I would have never expected-"

"I promised to protect you. And I did what I could," Bluebell forced a smile. "I love you Catnip." 

The door opened again to reveal Peeta, the boy from the bakery. Bluebell smiled at him. 

"I guess Catnip owes two debts more than she'd like right now." Peeta frowned.

"She told you about that?"

"Not the details," she shook her head. "Just that you saved her life. She's not a very talkative girl, that one."

"I don't know why I did it. I've just noticed her ever since we were kids, and-"

"It's a crush Peeta. Oh, don't worry, I won't tell her when I get back." And Bluebell cracked a grin at the boy. 

"You think you'll come back?" he asked genuinely.