If we burn } Finnick Odair

Chapter 28 ~not fragile~

He's dead. He's finally dead. No more Snow. No more Coin. No more constantly being watched and worried about our next move. Finnick picks me up. "We did it! We finally did it!" We cry into each others arms. Our tears aren't sad or sorrow. They're tears of relief. We get our happy ending.

Haymitch comes up to us. "Once they clear everyone out they'll send you two home. District 4 right?" We nod smiling at him. "What are they gonna do about Katniss." "I'm sure they'll get her out as soon as the crowd dies down. Nobody liked Coin anyway." "Who will get office you think. It's up to Panem. But I'm betting Paylor." "That role's deserved." He nods in agreement. "You'll visit right?" "Come on angel I know you two are adults but you can't expect me to trust you all by yourselves. Plus I know they'll be kids in the future so they have to know me." I laugh with more tears stinging my eyes. I know this isn't goodbye but it feels so surreal. He hugs me. "I'm proud of you angel. I'll always be here for you and Finnick both for as long as you need me" "You said my name." Finnick says. "Yeah don't get used to it Fishstick." "Alcoholic." "I've been sober for months now." The two of them smile at one another before he hugs Finnick. "Thank you for everything Haymitch." He nods a goodbye to us before going back to deal with Katniss and Peeta.

We go to our room one more time. Getting a few of our things that were brought here when we returned. The shark tooth necklace, Finnick's shell necklace Ren and I made him so many years ago, my necklace Finnick gifted me back then as well. "We should give the shark tooth back to Mags." I say. "I agree." "It really has brought us good luck over time." He wraps an arm around me pulling me to him. We hear the train. "You ready Pigeon?" "Never been more ready." We walk outside Johanna, and Jezebel stand there. Jezebel hugs us first. "My beautiful victors. I'll always love you guys. Please give me weekly updates on your lives, or daily. I'm not that picky. Gosh I'm so happy for you both but I'm going to miss you." "We'll miss you. Thank you for always being there. And thank you for bringing us together." "I just pulled a slip of paper out of a bowl you two were always destined for each other."

After we hug her Johanna nearly tackles us both to the ground. "Call me every single day, I don't care how boring the day is. Invite me to everything. I better be the first one to find out you're pregnant, I better be the first one to know the babies gender, please visit me in seven every once in a while I'm gonna be so lonely." "Of course. But you're always welcome in four Jo." "I know. I love you guys so much. Gosh I hate love it's so confusing. But you're my family. Always will be." "We love you so much Jo." Jezebel clears her throat telling us we need to get on the train before it leaves. "See you Jo." "See ya Daph, See ya Clamshell." Finnick sighs. "You know Daphne and I BOTH are from District 4. Why am I the clamshell?" "Because it just makes sense. Bye lovebirds." "Bye Jo!"

We get on the Train. "As soon as we step foot in four we're going to the beach and we're getting married. For real this time." Finnick says. "I couldn't think of anything else I'd rather do." We snuggle up together the entire ride home. Finnick falls asleep against me. I'm too excited to sleep even though I'm literally exhausted. He's such a pretty sleeper though. That sounds weird. I'm allowed to say that though. But I mean it like you have ugly sleepers and pretty sleepers. His lips are barley parted only soft snores escape them. His whole body just feels so relaxed yet so tense at the same time. Relived it's over still traumatized from everything though. Eight years ago I bet neither of us expected to be where we are now. Well not under the same circumstances at least. We knew we'd never leave the train, but we wouldn't think we'd be on this train free from Snow and the rest of the capital.

As soon as the train hits four I immediately smell the saltwater. "Finnick! Finnick wake up we're here!" I exclaim in nearly a whisper. He yawns immediately stretching a little bit in attempt to wake himself up more. "Did you sleep at all?" He asks. "Nope." He laughs before looking out the window with me. Four still looks beautiful. I was worried it would look nearly as bad as twelve. destroyed or abandoned. It's still beautiful. The sun hits the waves making them sparkle. The sand looking soft and untouched. The train comes to a stop as we exit. We breathe in our home. I look at Finnick a glint of mischief in my eyes. "Race ya to the beach!" I yell taking off leaving him in the dust. "Daphne!" He groans from behind making me laugh. I make it to the water first him right behind me swooping me up in his arms. He takes a scoop of water in his hand. I take my fingers wiping some of the water on his lips. He wipes some on mine. We smile at each other one more time before locking our lips together. We're officially married. We finally made it. His hand gets lost in my hair mine rests on the back of his neck. This isn't the wedding we planned, but I don't think it could feel more right than it does right now.