He meant everything to her. Three years later and she'd still do anything to keep him safe, sacrifice everything to protect him- even if that meant keeping him at an arm's length.
She was the one person who truly knew him. The one person he'd choos...
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— — —
A gray, satin robe wrapped around Cass's body as Apollo worked his magic. He lifted his straightener up to the top of her head, encasing another strand of dark hair and sliding over it in a downwards motion. He let go of the section, immediately brushing through it to create the image he'd conceived in his mind.
Cass watched his reflection in the mirror, noting how his eyes lit up when something turned out the way he wanted. In her case, his eyes never went dull. He was her stylist, after all. It was his job to make her look good and he was one of the best.
His eyes narrowed as he gripped the edge of her chair, spinning her around to get a closer look at her makeup. "Let's see." Apollo murmured, leaning closer to her with a mauve tube. He dipped the brush inside before swiping the liquid across her lips. He stepped backwards, setting down the lipstick and simply stared at her. "Perfect."
Her chair swiveled back to the front as he brought her hair over both shoulders, the waveless sections falling down to her ribcage. Slate gray liner winged out from her eyes, a coppery shimmer coating her eyelids. The look was minimal—for the Capitol anyway—yet stunning.
"What do you think?" Apollo asked, bringing his hand up to his chin.
"I love it." Cass admitted, turning in her seat to meet his gaze. "Thank you— for not making me look like just another Capitol knockoff."
Apollo let out a short chuckle. "Trust me, Cass. You could never be a knockoff." He admitted, tilting his head down at her. "When Daisie told me how you felt, I was a bit surprised. But you know me and I will deliver. And to be completely honest with you, I think I like this look better."
"I don't even wanna know what the original plan was." Cass shook her head and let out a sigh.
"Well, baby, what I can tell you is that you and Finnick don't need the glamor." Apollo reassured her as he sat down. "I mean, you're both going to look as captivating as ever, but that's not the point. Something that you two both inherently do is draw people in. Not by your skill, not by what district you're from, and certainly not by being victors. But by your tenacity. You're stubborn, daring, and bold. That's why you're the Capitol's sweetheart."
Cass dropped her gaze, her voice lowering as a result. "What if I don't wanna be that anymore?"
Apollo grinned, mischief twinkling in his eye. "Well, then it's a good thing all of those qualities also define firecracker."
"What exactly are you saying?"
He leaned forward, the smirk on his lips only growing. "I think you know."
"Snow will have my head on a platter." Cass pointed out.
"No, he won't." Apollo shot back, raising his brow. "And you know how I know that?" He didn't wait for a response, continuing on. "Because the people love you. You're untouchable. Make him regret putting you back in that arena. Walk that stage and show him who you really are. Not some facade or act to sway the people." He leaned back in his chair, shrugging his shoulders ever so lightly. "You're not the same girl you were seven years ago; even Snow has to have realized that by now. Be exactly who you are and bring the Capitol to its knees."
