𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫, Finnick Odair

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒔 𝑫𝒂𝒚

On Christmas morning, Aphrodite woke to find Otto still sound asleep beside her. She watched him for a moment, feeling a quiet kind of peace that she rarely allowed herself. Soft morning light slipped through the curtains of Finnick's guest room, casting a warm glow across the room.

Otto stirred, opening his eyes and breaking into a sleepy grin. "Merry Christmas, Aph!" he whispered, unable to hide his excitement.

"Merry Christmas, Otto," she whispered back, ruffling his hair. Together, they slipped out of bed and tiptoed down the hallway. In the kitchen, the smell of pancakes filled the air, and there was Finnick, standing at the stove with a spatula in hand, looking more at ease than she'd seen him in months.

Otto was the first to bound down the stairs. "Finnick!" he called, practically leaping into the kitchen.

"Good morning, champ," Finnick greeted them with a grin, flipping a pancake onto a growing stack. "Hungry?"

The three of them gathered around the table, sharing laughs and stories over breakfast. Otto's eyes kept darting to the modest Christmas tree Finnick had put up in the corner, its branches decorated with a few homemade ornaments made of seashells. And strings of tiny lights.

After breakfast, they gathered around the tree. Aphrodite reached into her pocket and pulled out a small box wrapped in cloth, handing it to Otto. Inside was the bracelet of string she had taken into the Games, now returned to him.

Otto's face lit up as he fastened it around his wrist. "Thank you, Aph!" he said, hugging her tightly.

Aphrodite knelt beside Otto, handing him another small, wrapped package with a soft smile. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he tore through the paper, revealing a small, hand-carved wooden boat painted with faded shades of blue and white. He held it carefully, studying every detail as though it might break.

"You made this?" he asked, his voice filled with awe as he looked up at her.

Otto hugged her tight, the boat clutched between them. She held him close, feeling an unexpected wave of relief as he took it from her, like passing it back had lifted a weight from her shoulders.

When they pulled apart, Finnick stepped forward, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Alright, Otto, my turn."

He handed Otto a small package, which Otto opened to reveal a collection of brightly coloured seashells in a small glass jar. Otto's eyes widened with wonder as he tilted the jar, watching the shells shift and sparkle in the light.

"Those shells came from all over," Finnick said, smiling as he watched Otto's reaction. "Some are from far-off shores, places I visited when I travelled for the Capitol. Thought you might want to start your own collection."

Otto beamed up at him. "I love it! Thank you, Finnick!"

Finnick ruffled his hair. "Anytime, buddy. Merry Christmas."

After Otto bolted outside with his new toy, a comfortable silence settled in the room. Aphrodite glanced around at the remnants of wrapping paper and felt an unexpected pang of contentment. She looked over at Finnick, who was watching her with that same soft, unguarded smile, one that she was beginning to notice more often.

"You know," she began, leaning against the counter with a smirk, "you're spoiling him. He's going to expect cool gifts every Christmas now."

"Me?" Finnick's eyebrows shot up in mock offence. "You're one to talk, Miss 'I built a Toy Boat.' I thought he might combust with joy."

She laughed, folding her arms. "Yeah, well... maybe I have a soft spot. You get it. Not like you're all tough and unbreakable yourself."

Finnick chuckled, but the look he gave her had an unusual warmth. "You're right. I get it. But, you know... You being here with me is nice. Really nice, actually. Makes it all feel real."