Pearls and Perils ・❥・Finnick Odair x Reader

Chapter 2

I'm ushered into town hall as a peacekeeper explains that I get a few minutes with my family. I can't bear to see them right now, especially not Cora. How am I supposed to leave her all alone with dad? Especially if dad has now lost the love of his life and child? I shudder at the thought of Cora and my lifeless dad living in misery.

"Y/n!" Cora exclaims as she bursts through the door. She runs into my arms and I hold her closely, I smooth her hair and wipe her tears. My dad comes stumbling in but for now I stay focused on Cora.

"It's gonna be alright. I'm strong, I have a few years of training, I'm good with a trident." I say, wondering if I'm actually just reassuring myself. "And besides you're smart, you already make good fishnets you can sell those."

"Don't start talking like that." Cora croaks. "You have to win." I pull her closer to me, all of this mess still becoming reality. I look over her shoulder and make eye contact with my dad, Cora slips out of my arms as I walk to him.

"You have got to get your shit together." I finally snap. "For her! Please." I say gesturing to Cora. For the first time since my name was picked I allowed myself to cry. My dad still looks at me with sad hollow eyes.

"I know." He says. The way he says it makes me want to believe him, and the hurt across his face feels like a thousand knives.

"I love you." I say as I pull him in for a hug. Suddenly, the door swings open.

"Time's up." The peacekeeper remarks plainly. I give Cora one last hug before they are forced out of the room.

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I step foot on the train, Seraphina leading the way and with Ronan close behind me. My eyes immediately focus on the mountain of fresh food on the table. Stacks of meat, endless bread, fancy dishes of vibrant colors, ingredients I couldn't even pronounce. Then something else catches my eye, our mentors.

"Y/n, Ronan, these are your mentors. District four's very own Mags Flanagan and Finnick Odair!" Seraphina exclaims. Mags gives a kind smile. The poor woman won so many years ago and has been dragged out for centuries now to relive the experience and watch the children of her district die.

Then of course there's Finnick Odair.

Before his games, he was only a grade older than me in school. I remember watching his games, his interviews, everything. There was no doubt in my mind, I knew he was going to win. Not only was he able to win over the audience and gifted in combat, he was showered with gifts from sponsors; while the other tributes begged for a piece of bread. Once he received the trident it was over for everyone else, I have to admit I was jealous of it, I wanted a trident as decorated as that one. He won only 3 years ago at the age of 14, the youngest victor ever. He is easily the most beautiful person I've ever seen. I've always had a secret crush on him, even before the games. I mean can you blame me? His perfect sandy hair, sea green eyes, and those dimples! I'm a sucker for dimples. But nonetheless, I need to focus on what's important. Besides, what would Finnick Odair ever want with me anyway? I'm most likely going to be dead in two weeks, and he must have way better options than me; I mean he does spend all of his time in the Capitol now.

"I'm Finnick, nice to meet you." He says extending his hand politely to Ronan and then me. His hands are soft but his handshake is firm. He stares into my eyes, looks me up and down, still holding onto my hand his brows furrow. "Do I know you?" He asks. Uh how am I supposed to respond to that?

"Oh uh I don't know, I think we used to go to the same school." I replied. He doesn't look convinced and then looks me up and down again. He lets my hands slip from his.

"Yes but I remember you from training, and somewhere else too I think." He trails off. "That was a few years ago though, why'd you stop coming?" Am I supposed to tell Finnick Odair seconds after formally meeting him that my mom died and now my family's broke so that's why I disappeared. But he looks at me with genuine concern and interest, so I tell him.

"My family couldn't afford it anymore." I say, and that pretty much sums it up.

"That's a shame." He concludes turning to Mags and Seraphina. "Y/n's strong, and good with a trident." He smirks, turning back to me. Him just saying my name is enough for me to need to take a deep breath, let alone him somehow remembering my existence. His eyes linger on me for just a moment and my heart feels like it's about to explode. Holy shit get your act together! You're really simping for your mentor when you're about to be thrown into a death arena? But deep down I know his slight flirtation isn't personal to me, it's just his personality after all. I hear Ronan make a sly comment under his breath because he's just been grazed over, Finnick shoots him a quick look and he immediately returns to a neutral face.

"Well now that we're all acquainted," Seraphina sighs. "Who's hungry?" I had almost forgotten about the mountain of food sitting in front of us.

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After the meal, all of us sat in the common area of the train. Supposedly this was our time to ask questions and talk strategy, but it was silent for a while.

"So how the hell am I supposed to win this?" I finally say, breaking the silence. This brings out a chuckle from Finnick and a soft smile from Mags. However Ronan rolls his eyes and Seraphina doesn't look too impressed either.

"Maybe flash the cameras and see if that gets you any sponsors?" Finnick laughs

"Y/n Language! And Finnick, that's a completely inappropriate comment!" Seraphina snaps. Finnick laughs again at her reaction but then immediately stops when she shoots him a glare.

"Sorry." I start. "I just didn't know how else to open the conversation, or where to even start it." From there we dive into a long conversation about training, sponsors, interviews, survival skills, and allies. I learn lots of things: don't just train with weapons but learn what's safe to eat and how to build a fire and shelter, force the capitol to love you in your interview, allies can be complicated- choose them wisely, how to deal with injuries, study your opponents- find out their strengths and weaknesses. It's a lot but I try to cling to the information as much as possible.

When it gets late, Seraphina suggests we go to bed because god forbid I have dark circles tomorrow. We got a whole room to ourselves with satin sheets and a fluffy mattress, it was the most luxurious bedroom I've ever seen. I say goodnight to everyone and they say it back, except Finnick, he looks upset.

"Goodnight Finnick." I say catching his attention and taking him out of whatever haze he was in

"Sorry," he starts, "goodnight y/n." He smiles reassuringly and I head to my room.