THE SIREN'S SONG 𓇼 F. ODAIR

55 ~ the wedding of the century

Finnick listened to Fletch half-heartedly explain details from that morning's meeting as he tied a snell knot into a small piece of rope. The older man did this every day, so he was already used to Finnick's short attention span. However, Finnick's attention was finally directed at only Fletch when he began to talk about District 13's newest mission.

"District 8 was heavily bombed at 9 o'clock this morning," Fletch said. "They're sending a group of soldiers to film propos. Katniss included."

"Okay," Finnick nodded and started to get up from his bed. "I can be ready in 10 minutes."

"What?" Fletch asked.

Finnick placed the piece of rope on his side table and leaned down to put on the slippers that the medical wing provided, all the while repeating, "I can be ready in 10. I should be able to make the hovercraft in time."

"Finn, no," Fletch said.

"What do you mean no?" Finnick stopped, turning to look at Fletch. "Am I not going on the hovercraft in an hour? Is there a later one?"

"No," Fletch shook his head. "Finn, you're not going to District 8."

"Why not?" Finnick scrunched up his face. "I have more years of training than Katniss and the other 'so-called' soldiers. I would be a great asset. Surely, I'm going."

"You are, Finnick," Fletch nodded. "A great asset, that is. But you need to pass a psych evaluation before you go on missions."

"A psych evaluation?" Finnick scoffed. "I'm fine, Fletch."

"Finn–"

"I am! I really am!" Finnick said. "I haven't had a panic attack since–"

"Last night," Fletch finished for him.

"That's not fair," Finnick held up a hand in defense. "They re-ran Lina's interview last night."

"And what if someone brought her up while you were in District 8?" Fletch asked. "Or Annie or Mags or anything else that could elicit that reaction out of you? Finn, you could jeopardize the entire mission."

"That wouldn't happen," Finnick shook his head.

"You don't know that," Fletch said. "Which is why you are staying here."

Finnick huffed, grabbing his rope and moving to walk past Fletch. He headed straight for the medical wing's exit, ignoring Fletch's calls for him to stop. Finnick continued his trek until he was in the elevator, pressing the close button until it shut right in Fletch's face.

Finnick didn't have a plan. He was just agitated enough to do anything that would get him a spot on that hovercraft. He was sick of sitting in the medical wing, completely useless to everyone around him.

The elevator door opened in front of Katniss and Boggs, and the moment Finnick caught eye with the girl on fire, words started to fall out of his mouth uncontrollably.

"Katniss, they won't let me go!" he said. "I told them I'm fine. But they won't even let me ride in the hovercraft!"

Katniss had been nicer to Finnick since their first interaction in District 13's medical wing. He understood her perspective on the situation. She thought he lied to her. She thought he was partially responsible for Peeta's capture. He would have reacted the same if he thought Katniss was responsible for Carolina getting taken.

He could see himself becoming close to her. Almost as if he had a little sister.

Katniss smacked her forehead at Finnick's words.

"Oh, I forgot," she said. "It's this stupid concussion. I was supposed to tell you to report to Beetee in Special Weaponry. He's designed a new trident for you."