Nightmares And Seashells

chapter five

Inside Caspian ran to his brother catching him in a bone crushing hug.

"Fin I'm so sorry it's all my fault!" He cried into his brothers shoulder. Finnick pulled away, looking at his brother completely confused.

"Cas it wasn't you that put my name in the bowl, and it wasn't you that pulled it out. How could any of this possibly be your fault?" He asked.

"The past few years, since the day before your first reaping, Avery and I would put a wish into shells. We'd wish that you and then later us wouldn't get picked and we'd throw it into the ocean. I thought it was silly, but it made us feel better.. Fin I was so mad at you! I didn't wish for you this year and now look at what happened!" Caspian rushed out cryng steadly.

"Cas, Cas! look at me." Finnick said grabbing his brother by the shoulders.

Once his watery blue ones met Finnick's green ones he continued.

"Breath Cas, it's okay. You had every right to be mad at me. I don't blame you at all. None of this is your fault, shells or no shells okay?" He asked searching his brothers eyes to see if he believes him.

Caspian could only nod not trusting his voice.

"I love you little brother, I always will." Finnick said pulling Cas in for another hug, then turning to his mother. Who was still crying watching her sons.

"Mom?"

Wiping her tears she went up to hug her first born praying that it wouldn't be for the last time.

"Mom I've trained for this, I can do this. Do you believe me?" He asked.

While holding his face in her hands lovingly he watched as another tear slipped.

"Honey, you're just so young..." After she trailed off, finnick put his hands over hers on his face before smiling at her.

"Then I'll be the youngest victor ever." He said full of resolve.

"If anyone could be the youngest ever it'd be you fin. Mom he's too stubborn to die right?" Caspian added trying to make their mom stop crying. Earning a nod from Finnick.

After a few more hugs and 'I love yous', there was a knock on the door.

Peacekeepers saying that the time was up. The three odairs hugged one last time and Finnick kept his smile on his face until the door shut behind them.

After watching his brother and mom leave. Finnick sat down with his head in his hands, letting his smile fall. "How am I going to do this." He thought out loud to himself.
Then hearing the door reopen he looks up to see Avery.

"Why didn't you come in with my mom and brother. Aren't you always attached at the hip?" He joked with a smirk back on his face, trying to hide his fear.

She saw through it but didn't comment.

"Family only, peacekeepers wouldn't let me." She told him, making him quirk an eyebrow at the redhead.

"Oh? Then how'd you manage to slip in?"

"Maisie's mom was making a scene, I saw an opportunity.. I had to see you before you left. I dont care about blood, you are my family." She said smiling at him.

"And I've got something for you."

Finnick was looking at her curiously as she pulled something from her dress pocket. It was a simple rope necklace with a single shell in the center.

"I know you're allowed one token from home in the games, I'd like you to take this one." She said looking down to her feet before looking back up and meeting his shocked eyes.

"I made it when cas and I got old enough to be reaped."

Remembering what his brother just told him, he asked.

"Does that one hold a wish too?"

Surprise filled her face, before she blushed. Not knowing Cas had told his brother about that. Thinking it was something just between them.

"Yeah it does. I know it's silly." She said smiling seepishly and scratching the back of her head.

"What is it? The wish?" Finnick asked again taking the necklacefrom her outstretched hand.

"Well, I'll tell you. But only when you come back to hear it okay?" She says smiling that cheeky smile he'd grown so accustomed to, before rushing up and hugging him.

Whispering "you got this Finny.."
She pulled away just as he hugged her back. Kissing him on the cheek before Peacekeepers came in and rushed her out.

Watching her go, he held his cheek feeling himself flush beneath his fingers.

"I got this.."