A fate worse than death~~A Finnick Odair story~~

37. He'll be fine

I think walking off that stage was the worst thing I ever did. Participating in the Hunger Games was worse, even worse than anything with Cory, because it meant it was real. Ian's name had just been pulled from the goddamned fishbowl and his fate was sealed. Even worse was that I wouldn't be allowed to meet him until the train. A desperate peck towards where I knew Melinda was and the mouthed words.
"Comfort him."
Was all I could do before the world consisted of the peacekeepers who surrounded us and escorted us to the train, and away from my brother.

I could barely concentrate enough to notice where I put my feet, much less when we got on the train. All my thoughts were with Ian, what was he thinking now, was he scared, or of course he was scared just the thought of how I felt could confirm that. Tears had begun to well up in my eyes and as we sat on a padded couch Finnick held me and whispered words I didn't register.

The only time I opened my mouth to speak was when they were discussing mentoring. I would have Ian, if I didn't get him they could just as well leave me here in four. No one dared to contradict me.

Or maybe no one else wanted my brother's blood on their hands.

~~~

I hugged him tightly when they finally reached our wagon. Understandably, he was numb and didn't say much. But I hugged him anyway. All the tears were dried from my eyes. I couldn't cry, wouldn't cry. Now more than ever Ian needed a strong big sister, but could I really be that.

We don't spend much time in the carriage with the others before we excused ourselves, Finnick close behind. Most likely, they thought we were going to talk strategy, or rather most commonly. They or they thought I was about to start crying.
Both were wrong.

"You know you can win, you will win!"
That was the first thing I said, and Ian just nodded.
"I was the same age as you when I won so there's nothing to say you can't do it!"
He didn't answer and instead glanced at Finnick.

"She's right you know, you can win, but you'd need the right kind of splnsor."
"Yeah, it might feel overwhelming at first, but just get dea's attention and it'll be fine!!"
My heart pounded with suppressed fear and sadness, but Ian just nodded in response.
"Ian, I understand it can be a lot, if you need to be alone the door two doors down is yours."
Finnick spoke to him, so comly, as if what we were discussing was everyday.
Ian just nodded.

And when he left us for his room, I finally let the feelings out. I cried and cried as Finnick held me. I was so thankful that it was him and he let me cry without stopping.

"You said it yourself Izzy, it'll be fine." And then I just cried, because to be honest, I didn't know if it was true,
I just knew that I wanted to believe. And gods I hoped Ian did.

~~~

Never had I reacted when our tributes were taken away to get ready.
It was natural, it had happened every time, but this time, ohhh this time.

I wanted to scream and claw at anyone who tried to lay hands on my brother. What would they do to him, what if they hurt him!!

But I didn't do anything, didn't move out of the spot, because deep down I knew no one would hurt him. No one would dare, he would just be dressed up like a fool to please the capital!! Ohh look at that, my anger was back again.

"Don't you guys just look amazing!!" Evernis was the first to speak. He was so clean scrubbed and styled that I wouldn't have recognized him if I met him at home at four. They were dressed in some form of material that shone in different colors when it hit the sun.

I was 90 percent sure it would look like water in the sun, and on the girl it looked amazing, if a bit sexy, but it was obvious they didn't really know what to do with the manly tribute. He had been given a suit of trousers in the same material, or at least I thought it was a suit of trousers, but I didn't have time to think more, it was time for them to get into the carriages. Ian got up unaided and held out a hand to the girl, but she ignored him.

He withdrew his hand and turned to me and Finnick.
And in that moment I was incapable of speaking.
"Just wave, try to be yourself okay." Ian nodded.
"Play on the fact that you're Izzy's brother if you have to okay?!" Another nod.

Then they started rolling away.
Only then did I remembered how to form words and I screamed.
"I love you."
Towards his back, but the words were drowned out by the sounds of cart wheels and horse hooves.

Finnick squeezes my hand lightly and whispered down to me.
"He knows."
And again, if silently, the tears began to roll down my cheeks.

So, without further ado we met up with Annie and Mags and went to wait for our tributes.

~~~

"You did great Klara, both of you did." Mags was the first to speak.

Only now did I note her name. Klara, wondering if she would try to kill my brother, or if he would--.
No Lizzy, no, don't go there, Ian is here focus on him.
"I'm so proud of you Ian, you did great."

It sounded forced, but Ian never smiled anyway.
"Man what a schow, Ian you guys were amazing I bet everyone loves you!"
I froze when I heard who it was. Cory. What the hell was he doing here!!
I turned around to face him and smiled stiffly.

"Honey, what are you doing here?" "My two favorite people are in the capital and you didn't think I'd come and see you, are you crazy?!"
That last bit sounded a little angry, like I shouldn't have asked, like I should have just figured he'd be here. But that didn't stop him from getting between me and Annie and taking a firm grip on my waist.
And sending a look at Finnick? Because it was a look right?..
No, yes it was most definitely a look, but why?

"Everyone is going to love you Ian, I'm sure you'll win it all together!! What do you say, shall we go up to the flat?" "Honey, you're not allowed in our apartment, are you?"
"No he isn't."
Finnick answered before Cory even opened his mouth, and more lookes where exchanged.
"I have my contacts, Honey, so what are we waiting for!"

Nothing, we weren't waiting for anything, so without further ado we followed Cory to the elevator and up to the 4th floor.