Come Back to Me

XII

(TW: This chapter will take us into the start of Cordelia's games, which will include descriptions of death that may or may not be disturbing to someone reading! So, proceed with caution but, enjoy!)

Cordelia rolled over, snuggling her head into the hard surface underneath it.

"Cordelia," Finnick whispered, running his hand over her soft, black waves, "are you awake?"

She pressed her hand onto his chest, smiling lightly, "Yeah, I'm up. Just trying not to be."

He fell quiet and she tilted her head up to look at his face. His green orbs narrowed, attempting to take in all of her features.

"What's in your head?" She whispered cautisouly, almost scared to hear his response.

"I've just...found that I like looking at you." Finnick answered with a hint of a chuckle.

The room was dark, other than the hint of light breaking through a nearby window, but he still felt her shake her head, and he still knew of the disapproval in the notion.

"Mentors don't say things like that to their tributes." Cordelia corrected, not having the energy to feign sterness.

Their conversation from last night was still fresh on her mind.

"Mentors also don't share beds with their tributes, or cuddle them to sleep," He retorted, smugness hinting in his tone, "but, I'm being serious Lia. Even in the dark, you're the most beautiful person I've ever laid my eyes on."

It was true. Finnick could look at the girl all day if he had the chance and even when he couldn't really see her, even in the dark, looking into her eyes made him feel better about every bad thing that he had ever been through. She soaked in the moment, closing her eyes once more to pretend they were back home, instead of laying in the Capitol, awaiting for her to be sent off to her quite probable death. He chuckled deeply as she buried her head into his covered torso.

"So, today's the day I guess." The whisper cracked as it left Cordelia's lips.

"Try to stay calm," Finnick advised, "and I know that's not going to be easy but, you're gonna want to stay out of your head enough to make decisions rationally, if you let yourself become overwhelmed with fear you'll become vulnurable and your opponents will use that as an opportunity to strike. Especially the ones who don't yet understand the gravity of the situation enough to have anything to be scared of."

So the Careers.

"So switch to robotics, got it."

She meant to add a humorous tone to her voice but, her thoughts were getting the best of her.

"Lia," Finnick sat up, causing the girl to follow suit, "you can't let your emotions control your decisions but, if you turn them off completely, you'll lose them for good, I've seen it in other victors. If you let yourself go, she won't come back. Remember everything we've gone over, and I believe you'll do fine. I won't lie and tell you that you'll be okay because, even if you make it through this you'll gain nightmares that you'll never be able to get rid of but, you'll be alive and you'll get to see your family again."

She'd get to see him again. Cordelia took a deep breath, fighting the urge to lean in.

"Got it," She breathed out, "thank you, for everything Finnick."

He reached over, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, leaning in and placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Finnick than threw the covers off of him and pushed himself to her door, "I should get back to my room, before everyone wakes up."

"Okay." Cordelia mumbled unsurely.

"Cordelia," He opened her door quietly, meeting her eyes one last time before leaving, "I'll see you on the other side of this. Just...come back to me, whatever it takes, alright?"