Nightmares And Seashells

chapter nine

After calming himself down Finnick walked out to the kitchen. There he found his brother sitting at the counter waiting for him.

"I saw him leave. Mom's out back in the garden she really didn't want to be anywhere near him.."

After only getting a nod in response Caspian continued,

"Finnick, what did he want?"

"Well in short little brother.. me."

By the time he had finished explaining the conversation Cas had stopped angrily pacing and turned to look at his brother.

"He threatened you?!" He nearly shouted

"It sure a shit sounded like it. The man likes to kill off 23 kids a year I wouldn't put it passed him."

"All because you won't give your body up to creepy old rich capital horndogs??" He asked again just trying to wrap his head around it.

"Yeah that's what happened. Cas what if I really fucked up?" Fear bubbling up again in his eyes.

"No. No don't say that. I am proud of you Fin you did the right thing. It's YOUR body. Snow can go try and sell his own if he wants more money!"
He said throwing his arm up in the direction snow had left from.

"But that seriously sounded like a threat what if he-"

"No, Finnick I'm serious. " caspian interrupted putting his hands on Finnicks shoulders in the same way Fin had done to him when they were saying goodbye before his games.

Angery blue eyes meeting tired green ones.

"Stop overthinking. Screw him, and his threat. I got your back brother. No matter what. We'll face whatever he throws at us together. I promise." After he was finished Caspian held his hand out to Finnick expectantly.

"Yeah, okay. Together." He agreed gasping his hand as Cas pulled him into a one shouldered hug.

"One thing though Fin, we should probably NOT tell mom.."

"Agreed."

Caspian was still fuming by the time he walked across the road to Avery's house to pick her up, and go to the market. They needed things for Finnicks welcome home dinner. He knocked a bit more aggressively then he meant to.

"Woah there Cas don't break my door down will ya? It's still too cold for that nonsense." She said joking until she saw how serious his face was.

"Cas what's wrong, why are you so upset what happened?"

"Snow happened! He was waiting for us at the house when we got home." Shocked at her usually calm best friend she grabbed his arm steering him to sit on Mags' front porch swing with her.

"What did he want? Finnick, your mom is everyone okay?"

"They're both shaken, but for different reasons. Mom just didn't like that man being in the house with us." She nodded when he paused

"Understandable the man's deranged... and Fin?"

"Aves what he asked Fin for is absolutely disgusting..."

"What did he want from him Caspian?"

"He wanted to sell Fin to whoever in the capital that has deep enough pockets and wants a night with him... and when Finnick said no he threatened him! Said he'd be sorry."

Shock was all avery could feel. Tears beginning to cloud her vision as she thought about it.

"He can't do that! Finnick is a victor now, I thought that meant something. Immunity sort of? Along with that eternal glory shit. Plus hes only fifteen for heavens sake!"

"Well apparently he can and did. Fin is freaking out thinking he fucked up. All worried of what he'll do to punish him."

"What like rig the games and throw you in?"

"I have no idea what, but my brother needs us standing by him.. You're with me right?"

"Forever and always Cas you know that.. You're family all three of you." with that she hugged him tight and stood up offering her hand.

"But we're going to be a very hungry family if we don't get to the market and get dinner. So come on my mad ass, badass best friend. Your family needs you."

Getting only a grumble, as he took her hand standing as well.

"Don't make me laugh Aves, I'm still pissed.."

After shopping, Caspian took the food home and Avery stopped by to pick up Mags.

While walking the older woman across to the Odairs, along with the cookies she had made this afternoon, Avery asked.

"How was Finnick during the tour? Did he get much sleep? He seems tired.."

Mags looked back at the worried young girl with a sad smile. As Mags patted her arm that was looped with her own she spoke,

"He didn't get a lot but that's to be expected little Dove. I wouldn't worry too much though that boy is tough, and he's surrounded by people who love him. He will be okay with time."

Avery nodded leaving the conversation at that.

After knocking their knock the women only had to wait a moment when Lillian opened the door a smile on her face.

"Come in! Come in ladies!" She said ushering them in and out of the cold.

"Avery lovely? Why don't you take Mags' coat for her so she can help me in the kitchen. The boys are in the den." She said patting the younger girls face lovingly, while taking the cookies from her hands.

"Okay Lily, come let me know if you'd like some extra help!"

After hanging her own coats and blowing into her hands to warm them slightly. Avery walked into the den. Where she laughed at the sight before her.

Finnick had Caspian in a headlock on the floor by the fire. While Caspian was flailing  in his grasp.

"Take it back little brother, then this can all be over!" He said looking down at a red faced Caspian.

"Pffft never!" Caspian yelled back with a smile on his face despite the predicament he was currently in.

Avery clearing her throat caught both boys attention, making them stop to look at her.

With one eyebrow raised she asked

"Do I even want to know what's happening here?"

"Yes!"

"No!"

They shouted at the same time, earning Caspian a glare from his older brother.

"Oookay.." she said smiling before noticing Caspian going purple and adding

"my goodness Finny just let the boy go before he passes out!"

Finnick after giving his brother a noogie for good measure. Released Caspian, getting up and dusting himself off and heading to the kitchen.

Cas sat there a moment longer wheezing and rubbing his neck.

"Cas how in the hell did you manage to get yourself nearing knocked out just in the time it took me to walk Mags across the street?!" Avery asked. Laughing at the boy still laying on the carpet, as she sat on the couch.

"Don't worry Aves, I'll tell you later!" He said loudly, sending her a wink.

Not a second later they hear Finnick yelling from the adjacent room.

"You will not Caspian, or so help me!"

The minute she made eye contact with her best friend they burst out laughing. 

"I think it's better for your safety that I stay in the dark on this one Cas." She said. Giving him a smile as he got up off the floor to sit by her.