BOMBSHELL - Finnick Odair

9

Ember

I watched the pair dancing around the palace's floor, waiting for the opportunity to introduce myself.

"Ember, come on," Johanna groaned. "It's your turn."

I turned back around to face the group. "You know," I started, "this game isn't near as much fun without the man who showed it to us."

As if on queue, he approached the table and said to me, "Slide over, princess."

"What?" Johanna scoffed sarcastically, "Finally get away from your star-crossed lovers?"

Haymitch ignored her, per usual, and bounced the coin off the table and into the glass. Groans of annoyance could be heard by all the others. "Take a shot, all of you," he said, directing the last part in my direction with a point of his finger.

I smiled and threw the shot back, not needing a chaser after several years of being drinking buddies with him and Felix.

"Ember, I'm not sure you want a repeat of your Victor party," Finnick said, coming to join the group of us sitting at the long table.

Johanna smirked, "I remember pictures being plastered everywhere that year, even all the way back in District Seven."

He didn't sit, instead hovered next to the couch. "I believe I owe you a dance."

I sighed, turning around to fully face the handsome man. "Finnick, you say this every year."

"And every year I will make it up to you," he said, holding his hand out for me to take. Everyone cheered in encouragement, telling me to take his hand. I rolled my eyes playfully, and allowed him to pull me up to my feet and across the room to the dance floor.

We fell silently into our comfortable sway. Our fingers interlaced, my hand around his neck, and his other on my waist. "How much longer are you in the Capitol for?" He asked.

I shrugged, not being able to keep track of all the performances Snow ordered from me. "At least a few more nights, I believe."

Finnick smiled his dazzling smile. "Good. Maybe you and I could put that training room to use."

"Hmmm," I hummed, "I do think you could work on those trident skills of yours."

He scoffed, "Right. I'm not sure I would even call that knife throwing a skill of yours."

My mouth opened in protest, but before I could get any threatening words out, he spun me around.  My heels glided across the concrete floor, making a squeaking sound as I twirled. He pulled me back in until our chests were touching and I gave him my best scowl. This caused him to start into a laughing fit.

"I'm only kidding, darling," he said, still laughing. "I know you could hit me from clear across this room."

I glanced over at the other couple for a moment, watching their uncomfortable faces as they talked to two Capitol stylists. "And you better not forget it," I said, turning back around and narrowing my eyes at him.

He nodded and followed my eyesight to the two Victors. "Maybe we should ask them for a dance?" He suggested.

I smirked and let him lead me over to them. "Katniss, Peeta," Finnick said, interrupting the two stylists babbling on about trying the food here.

The victors eagerly turned around to greet who saved them from the conversation. "Ember Black," I introduced myself, holding my hand out to shake. Katniss eyed my hand warily, but Peeta didn't hesitate to shake it.

"Peeta Mellark, and this is Katniss," he said for the both of them. I smiled. "This is Finnick," I said pointing my thumb back to the man hovering behind me.

"Do you two care for a dance?"

Katniss, still staring at me warily, said, "I'm not sure we're up to par with your dancing abilities."

I tried to cover up the sting her comment left with the smirk I had perfected. I shrugged, "Probably not."

"Come, Peeta," I said, holding my hand out for him to take.

Finnick scoffed, "Maybe I wanted to dance with Peeta."

I laughed, knowing that he was completely serious. Peeta glanced at Katniss before placing his larger hand in mine and allowing me to lead him.

It wasn't anything like dancing with Finnick. Peeta was stiff and clearly scared to touch me the wrong way. He never looked at my face, instead trying to hide the fact that he was staring at Katniss dancing with Finnick.

"You love her," I told him.

His eyes finally met mine, looking like I uncovered a secret that was not as subtle as he thought. He didn't deny the fact, but didn't outright agree with me either.

"You love him."

I paused in my step. "Well, that is what the tabloids say," I said, trying to cover up my surprise.

Peeta didn't choose to disagree with me, instead changing the subject, "I heard you're a painter."

The thought of painting made a smile grow on my face. "I am," I said fondly. "It would have been my talent."

Peeta's face contorted into one of confusion. "What made you decide on dancing?"

He wasn't judging me in the way most people do, he was genuinely curious.

"Guess it wasn't meant to be," I said with a sigh. I couldn't dare tell him the truth. At least not in front of all these listening ears. And for a Victor, Peeta seemed very...pure. I wasn't oblivious and I knew he wasn't either to the Capitol's cruelty. But I didn't want to be the one to let him in on the first hand accounts of it.

Again, Peeta didn't pressure me. I could tell he knew enough to understand what I meant though.

"What's your favorite thing to paint?" He asked, still swaying us to the beat of the music.

"Hmmm," I hummed, "I believe the sunset. It's never the same."

He smiled, a real one. The music came to an abrupt end and so did our dance. We both released one another and went to rejoin Katniss and Finnick.

The latter seemed to be pleased with the worked up girl. She looked as though steam would start rolling out of her ears. Peeta and I glanced at each other warily and then sped up to reach them faster.

"Finnick," I said in a subtle, scold-like manner. He gave me his typical mischievous smile. I narrowed my eyes at him in a way to say Behave.

"I think you would've been better off dancing with Peeta," Katniss mumbled.

Finnick pointed a finger at me as he said, "Trust me, I did you a favor."

I rolled my eyes and ignored his attempt at aggravating me. "It was lovely meeting you both."

"You as well," Peeta answered.