𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 || 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐎'𝐃𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐱 𝐎𝐅𝐂

(viii). will we ever learn? we've been here before

The soft tendrils of dawn's light began to creep through the window, casting a gentle glow over the room. Finnick laid in bed, his arms wrapped around Malia, watching her sleep with an adoration that seemed to grow with every passing moment. He couldn't help but marvel at the peaceful expression on her face, even in the midst of the horrors that awaited them in the arena.

As he brushed a strand of hair away from her face, a small, hesitant knock came from the bedroom door. Jake stood in the doorway, a solemn look in his eyes as he watched the two of them entwined in each other's arms. He knew he had to be the one to give them a reality check.

"Finnick," Jake said quietly. "It's time for you to go. Your stylist is going to be in your apartment soon to take you to the hovercraft."

Finnick nodded reluctantly, his gaze never leaving Malia. He wished for more time, for moments to last longer, but the Games cared little for such desires. With great care, he began to extricate himself from Malia's embrace, moving so gingerly that he barely disturbed her.

As he managed to sit up on the edge of the bed, Malia stirred and her eyes fluttered open. Her voice, still heavy with sleep, carried a note of disappointment.

"Is it time?"

Finnick met her gaze with a mix of tenderness and determination.

"Yeah, it is," He whispered, caressing her cheek gently. "But I'll see you soon."

He reluctantly pulled away, leaving the warmth of the bed and her embrace behind. Jake quietly waited by the door, knowing that this was one of the hardest parts of the Games. Malia watched him go with a mix of longing and anxiety, her heart heavy with the knowledge that they were both headed back into the brutal arena.

With one last lingering look, Finnick left the room, his footsteps soft and almost reluctant. Malia pushed herself up, wiping the sleep out of her eyes as Jake walked over, stopping at the edge of the bed.

"You ready?" Jake asks her.

"Not really," Malia replies, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Well, you don't really have a choice," Jake tells her. "Up up up!"

Malia groans and flops back down on the bed.

Jake sighs and places his hands on his hips.

"Well, I didn't want to have to do this," Jake says.

"Do what?" Malia asked.

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," Jake tells her.

"What's the hard way?" Malia asks.

"It's... harder than the easy way," Jake replies. "Definitely harder."

Malia chuckles and rolls her eyes.

"Alright, hard way it is," Jake says, throwing Malia over his shoulder and leaving her room.

Malia sighs and just dangles over his shoulder, she didn't feel like fighting him.

Jake drops her down onto the couch just as the front door swings open.

Emery walks inside and claps his hands.

"Let's get to work!" He exclaims and the Triple X team rushes over towards Malia. They pull her off the couch and usher her into a bathroom where they hand her the arena uniform.

"A wet suit?" Malia asks.

Xelda just shoos her away, urging her to hurry up and change into it.

Once Malia steps out dressed, Xanthe steps forward and quickly fixes Malia's hair to look presentable. Once done, the team ushers her out and Emery clasps his hands together.