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A Heart in the Arena (Finnick Odair)

The cold metal platform beneath your feet made your heart race as the countdown began, the familiar rush of adrenaline and fear flooding your senses. You had volunteered for Annie, convinced that Finnick loved her. It was the least you could do, you thought, for the woman who had always seemed so close to him. Even though it hurt, you had pushed your feelings aside, believing Finnick's heart belonged to Annie.

What you didn't know was that Finnick Odair, the golden boy of District 4, had been in love with you for as long as he could remember. His bright smile and flirtatious charm were a mask, a way to hide his true feelings. To him, you were everything—his anchor in a world filled with darkness. But somehow, you had missed every sign.

The chaos of the games was overwhelming. You had been paired with Johanna Mason for survival, her sharp wit and brutal honesty making her both a good ally and a dangerous companion. Together, you fought your way through the jungle, taking out threats, dodging traps, and barely scraping by. But your mind was never fully in the fight. Every time you thought of Finnick, your heart ached with longing. Was he safe? Was he thinking about Annie?

As fate would have it, after days of searching and near-death experiences, you finally found Finnick, Katniss, and the others near the beach. The moment Finnick spotted you, his sea-green eyes lit up with a mix of relief and something deeper, something you couldn't quite place. Without a second thought, he ran to you, his arms wrapping around you tightly.

"Thank god," he murmured into your hair, his voice rough with emotion. "I thought I lost you."

The warmth of his embrace made your breath catch in your throat. You hadn't expected him to react like this. You had thought he would be happy to see Annie, but here he was, holding you as if you were the most important person in the world.

"Finnick, I—" you began, but the words got stuck in your throat.

He pulled back just enough to look at you, his hands still gripping your shoulders. "Are you hurt?" His eyes roamed over your body, checking for any sign of injury. His concern was so raw, so intense, that it left you speechless. You just shook your head, too stunned to speak.

He smiled, that same smile that could melt the hardest of hearts. "Good. Stay close, okay?"

You nodded, though confusion clouded your mind. Why was he acting like this? Why was he the one so desperate to keep you safe? You were supposed to be here for him, to protect him... and Annie.

Days passed, each one more dangerous than the last. Together, you faced challenge after challenge, from poisonous fog to vicious mutts. Finnick never left your side, his protective nature becoming more apparent with each passing hour. He watched you like a hawk, stepping in front of danger, pulling you back when things got too close.

But you remained oblivious, chalking it up to his natural instinct to protect those he cared about. He was Finnick Odair, after all—the man everyone loved, the man who loved Annie. Or so you thought.

Then came the jabberjays.

The eerie, high-pitched screeches filled the air, twisting and echoing through the dense jungle. At first, it was just noise, but soon the screams became all too familiar. Finnick's voice, full of agony and terror, was calling out your name, begging for help.

"Y/N! Help me! Please, Y/N!" The cries were frantic, desperate, cutting through your heart like a knife.

You froze, your body going rigid as the sound of Finnick's voice consumed you. Every fiber of your being screamed to run, to find him, to help him. Your mind spiraled into panic as you searched for him, but there was nothing—just more screams.

"No! No!" you cried, your hands pressed against your ears, but it didn't help. His voice was everywhere.

On the other side of an invisible wall, Finnick banged his fists against the force field, his voice hoarse from shouting. "Y/N! It's not real! It's not real! Look at me!"

But you couldn't see him. The jabberjays had you trapped, the fake screams tearing you apart inside. Every second was torture as you heard Finnick's voice cry out in pain, making you feel utterly helpless.

He watched in agony as you broke down, unable to reach you, unable to make you hear him. His heart was shattering—he couldn't bear the sight of you in pain, especially when it was his voice, his screams that were causing it.

Finally, the torment ended. The jabberjays fell silent, their cruel trick over, but you were left shaken, your body trembling from the emotional toll.

When Finnick was finally able to reach you, he didn't hesitate. He rushed to your side, pulling you into his arms again, holding you as tightly as he could.

"It wasn't real," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "None of it was real."

Your heart still pounded in your chest, but his presence grounded you. You buried your face in his chest, feeling the warmth of him, the solid reassurance of his embrace. Slowly, your breathing began to steady.

"I thought..." Your voice cracked as you pulled back to look at him, tears blurring your vision. "I thought you were in pain. I thought I lost you."

His eyes softened, filled with so much love that it made your heart ache. "You'll never lose me," he said quietly, his hand coming up to brush a strand of hair behind your ear. "I'm right here. And I'm not going anywhere."

For a moment, everything stilled. The chaos of the arena, the danger looming over your heads—it all disappeared as you looked into his eyes.

"Finnick..." you whispered, the weight of your feelings finally too heavy to bear. "I need to tell you something. I—"

But before you could finish, he cut you off, his hand gently cupping your cheek.

"I know," he said softly, his voice filled with that familiar mix of confidence and vulnerability. "I love you too. I always have."

You blinked, your breath catching in your throat. "What?"

Finnick's smile was tender, his thumb brushing your cheek as he gazed at you with more love than you had ever seen in his eyes. "I've been in love with you for as long as I can remember, Y/N. It's always been you. You're the one I'm fighting for."

Your heart swelled, disbelief flooding through you. "But... I thought you loved Annie."

Finnick shook his head, his expression softening even more. "Annie's my friend. I care about her, but it's never been like that. It's you. It's always been you."

Tears welled in your eyes as the weight of his words sank in. All this time, you had been blind to the truth. Finnick Odair—the man you thought you could never have—was in love with you.

"I love you too," you whispered, your voice shaky but sure. "I've loved you for so long."

Without another word, Finnick leaned in, his lips capturing yours in a kiss that was soft, warm, and filled with all the love he had kept hidden for so long. The world around you faded away, leaving just the two of you, hearts intertwined, finally free to be together, even in the midst of the darkest of places.

As you pulled away, Finnick rested his forehead against yours, his eyes still closed, his breath soft against your skin.