𝙰𝚜𝚜𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚗 ✪ 𝙵𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚌𝚔 𝙾𝚍𝚊𝚒𝚛

- ɛʟɛʋɛռ

June 26th. Axel's 5th birthday and eight days until the Reaping. Willa sat at the kitchen table, her fingers idly tracing patterns on the wood. The morning was quiet, with Fallon having taken the kids out to give her and Katia a chance to breathe—a gift of calm in the midst of her rising anxieties. Outside, a soft breeze stirred the trees, their branches swaying in a rhythm that reminded Willa of the lullabies her mother used to hum. She leaned back, letting herself sink into the stillness, savoring every quiet second.

Katia moved around the kitchen, preparing tea with the same careful, practiced movements she used for everything. Willa watched her, the calmness of Katia's presence grounding her. Today was Axel's birthday, and in a way, it was a comfort to have something else to focus on—a reminder of the good things worth fighting for. Katia placed a steaming cup of tea in front of Willa and sat down across from her, her expression soft but searching.

"How are you feeling?" she asked gently, wrapping her hands around her own cup. Willa managed a small smile.

"A little better... but the Reaping's all I can think about. The idea of leaving, of not being here for them, of... missing everything..." Her voice grew quiet, the weight of her fears pressing down. Katia reached across the table, placing her hand over Willa's.

"It's okay to feel scared," she said softly, her thumb brushing over Willa's knuckles. "But you're here now, and today's a happy day for Axel. You've been holding everything together, Willa. I say this all the time but you're stronger than you think."

Willa swallowed, glancing down at their hands.

"Sometimes I wish I didn't have to be strong," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "I just... I don't want to lose them, Katia. I lost my own family. You guys are the only people I have left."

Katia's hand tightened around hers.

"I know," she murmured, her gaze steady and filled with understanding. "And I don't want to lose you, either. But no matter what happens, you're a part of them, and they're a part of you. Nothing can take that away."

Willa closed her eyes, letting Katia's words sink in. She knew it was true, but the fear still lingered, gnawing at the edges of her resolve. She took a deep breath, focusing on the warmth of Katia's hand, the sound of the birds singing outside, the faint laughter she could imagine drifting in from where Fallon had taken the kids. When she opened her eyes, Katia was watching her with a gentle smile.

"Come on," she said, standing and pulling Willa to her feet. "Let's bake something special for Axel's birthday. Something sweet to make him smile."

Willa couldn't help but smile back, feeling a spark of excitement.

"He's always asking for chocolate cake. It's his favorite," she said, the memory of his little voice chiming in her mind. Katia grinned, leading her over to the counter where the ingredients were already laid out.

"Then chocolate cake it is," Katia said. They fell into an easy rhythm, mixing ingredients and laughing as they remembered Axel's quirks—his endless energy, his fascination with animals, his constant insistence on doing everything his way. As they worked, Willa felt her shoulders lighten, her mind focused on the simple joy of creating something for him.

As the cake baked, filling the kitchen with a rich, sweet aroma, Willa found herself laughing, the sound genuine and light. For a little while, she allowed herself to forget about the Reaping, to lose herself in the joy of the moment. She and Katia decorated the cake together, covering it in layers of chocolate frosting, and Katia even let her get away with smearing a bit on her cheek. When the cake was finished, Willa looked at it, her heart swelling with pride. It was simple, but it was perfect, a labor of love for the little boy who had brought so much light into her life. Katia nudged her, her smile soft.

"You did good, Willa. Axel's going to love it," Katia reassured her. Willa felt a warmth settle in her chest as she looked at Katia, the reassurance in her gaze making her feel, for the first time in a while, that maybe things would be okay.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. They stood together in the kitchen, the cake between them, and Willa allowed herself a moment of peace, a moment to believe that, somehow, they could hold onto this—hold onto each other—no matter what lay ahead.

⊱ ۫ ׅ ✧

When Fallon returned with Axel and Clover later that afternoon, Willa felt a renewed warmth watching Axel's face light up at the sight of his cake. His small hands clapped together in awe, and his eyes sparkled with that familiar, boundless energy as he ran over, tugging on Willa's hand.

"Auntie Wiwa! Made just what wanted!" Axel exclaimed, beaming up at her. His excitement washed over Willa, filling her with a deep sense of purpose. She knelt beside him, brushing a bit of flour off his cheek as she smiled.

"Only the best for you, baby," she whispered, her voice catching slightly. She couldn't help but feel the gravity of these moments, each one precious, each laugh and smile something she'd cling to if things went wrong. Katia joined them, kneeling on Axel's other side, and tucked brushed hair out of his face.

"Should we tell him about the other surprise?" Katia asked Willa. Axel's eyes went wide, his head darting between them.

"More, Mama?" Axel bounced up and down. Willa grinned, leaning close as she reached behind her to pull out a small, carefully wrapped package. Axel's curiosity grew as he took the package from her hands, unwrapping it eagerly to reveal a wooden toy bird, hand-carved and painted with care. Willa had spent nights working on it in secret, shaping each detail to make it just right. Axel's eyes went round as he took in the small bird's intricate features, running his fingers over the carved fur and sharp little eyes.

"Like bi-rd outside! Thank Auntie Wiwa!! " the five-year-old said in awe, holding it close to his chest as if it were something sacred. She ruffled his hair, her heart swelling.

"I'm glad you like it. Now you have a friend to protect you, wherever you go," The words felt heavier than she intended, a promise in her mind as much as it was a comfort for him. She wanted him to have something to remember her by, just in case. Fallon set the plates, and soon they were all gathered around, laughing and sharing the cake, the warmth of their closeness casting a glow over the room. Axel, between bites, told exaggerated stories about his "adventures" outside with Clover, each tale filled with dramatic expressions and gestures that had everyone smiling.

As the afternoon passed, Willa found herself sitting beside Katia, watching the kids play with a wistful look. The Reaping was still days away, but the inevitability of it lingered at the edges of her mind, a quiet shadow. She felt Katia's hand slip into hers, her fingers squeezing gently, and Willa looked over, meeting Katia's steady, reassuring gaze.

"No matter what, this love we have here? It's yours to carry, Willa. Always," Katia's voice was soft but firm as she murmured. Willa nodded, taking in the scene around her—Clover and Axel's laughter, Fallon's warm gaze as he watched his children, the lingering taste of chocolate on her lips. She wanted to hold onto every bit of it, to store these moments away somewhere safe, somewhere the Capitol couldn't reach. The evening drifted on, filled with joy and laughter, a small haven amidst the uncertainty ahead. And though the Reaping still loomed, in that moment, Willa allowed herself to breathe deeply, to fill her heart with the love and light of her family. They were her strength, her courage, and with them, she felt—if only for now—that she could face anything.