Monster (Finnick Odair x Reader)

Guitar?

**ARIA'S POV**

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Caesars voice boomed as I watched him from the TV in the dressing room where the stylist was adding finishing makeup touches. "The final night has arrived!"

I was supposed to be dressed like I was ready to fight, given my public persona, so I was dressed in black combat boots with cargo pants and a long sleeve shirt. It wasn't fancy but neither was I.

Caesar continued to prattle on and James and I took our seats in the stage wings.

Every tribute sat silently, waiting for their turn to be interviewed. 

I watched as Mags was called and struggled to communicate with Caesar, and then Finnick who dazzled the crowd as always, and then me.

"Please welcome our victor from the 67th Hunger Games, Aria Triank!" That was my cue to walk on the stage and I did, shaking hands with Caesar and sitting down across from him. "So! Tell me, what's it like being back?"

"Let's call it... surreal." I nodded. 

He laughed and nodded, "Understandable. So, Miss Triank, you've gained the reputation of being... dangerous. Thoughts?"

My jaw tensed and I clenched my hands, "It's... handy. For the games I suppose."

**FINNICK'S POV**

"It's... handy. For the games I suppose."

I watched as Aria's muscles tensed when Caesar brought up her reputation and my suspicions were confirmed. She's not a fan of the whole 'crazy girl' story.

I never understood how anyone could call her crazy. If the Capitol hadn't portrayed her the way she was, she probably would've turned into a sweetheart like me. She was pretty enough for it, long caramel colored hair with brown eyes speckled with green and gold flecks, tan skin.

"Anyone rooting for you back home?" I heard Caesar asked and tuned out her response.

I shifted uncomfortably in my interview outfit, cloth draped around my waist, coral colored shoes and my regular shell necklace. Apparently I was supposed to look like a 'sexy fish' as my stylist described. How can fish be sexy in the first place?

"Now Aria, do you have any secret talents?" 

I turned to look at the stage, interested in her response.

"I play guitar." She suggested.

"Guitar?" Caesar asked surprised, "Where'd you learn that from?"

"My momma used to play for me when I was little.." I smiled as her eyes softened for once. "She used to sing songs and me an' my sister would dance. She taught me how to play once I was old enough."

"Do you still play? Mind playing anything right now?"

I heard her hesitate, "No.. it's a special family thing."

I was confused for a moment and then realized the Capitol doesn't know Snow had her family killed. 

Caesar nodded understandingly and then dismissed her, she hurried offstage and sat next to me and James.

"Guitar?" I asked quietly.

"Shut up." She muttered.

I sighed, not knowing why I expected any other answer besides that.

The interviews slowly progressed, leading to Katniss and then Peeta.

Peeta's interview was coming to an end when I noticed him say, "If it wasn't for the baby."

Everyone's jaw backstage and in the audience dropped. Baby? Katniss was pregnant?

Peeta tried to hurry offstage but was stopped by Caesar as he attempted to calm the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, the tributes of the third Quarter Quell!" 

Peeta held his hand out for Katniss as she joined him onstage and held his hand, raising their joined hands high in the air. 

The cameras panned to us as we all joined hands in a stand of solidarity.

**ARIA'S POV**

Katniss was... pregnant? She never seemed like the kind to want children.

Finnick released his hand from the tributes and raised his hands into the air, grinning wildly as everyone did the same.

The crowd went wild, "Cancel the games!" A lady screamed.

"Stop them!" A man yelled.

"Cancel it!" Someone shouted. 

The in-studio monitors cut to static and the house lights went dark. 

All the tributes were sent back to their floors and I stood in the living room, watching the rioting crowd down below. 

James on the couch, "They surely won't cancel the games.." James said uncertainly.

I shrugged, "Capitol tends to do what Snow wants."

Aurelius came in to answer our questions, "The games are still on." Causing the two of us to groan. "Listen you two, this is the Quarter Quell and there tends to always be a pattern. Find it fast."

We nod and glance at each other before looking away.

We ate and went off to bed, although I barely slept. Nothing could prepare for stepping foot back into the arena. 

I tossed and turned all night, having nightmares whenever I did sleep. Nightmares of my past tributes and their dead eyes.

You never forget the look of life draining out of someone's eyes.

Never.