One-shots/Short Stories

Finnick Odair

The District Four Couple
"This just in! Hunger Games winners Finnick Odair and Malinda Samuels from District Four reveal their relationship to the public! Are we all happy and excited about that or what? Two powerful people, joined together with love. How touching -"
   "Why are we watching this?" Katniss interrupted the old news report, glaring at Caesar through the screen.
   "Because you're up against these two." Haymitch explained, as if talking to a small child.
   "They're just two people who have fallen in love. If anything, they'll be too busy protecting each other -"
   "Exactly." Peeta and Haymitch chorused. Haymitch pointed to Peeta with proudness.
   "See? He gets it."
   "Gets what?"
   "Katniss," Peeta started, "think about it. Two people who love each other and would do anything for them. Anything. They're dangerous. They would kill for them."
   "Especially Finnick." Haymitch added. "You try to kill his wife, you'll find a trident in ya before you know it. You harm Finnick, a knife will be sticking out of you. They're the power couple, you could say, followed by the power siblings."
   "So what do you want me to do, then?" Katniss frowned.
   "Befriend them. Get them on your side. Because if you do, there's a slim chance of you dying instantly in the games."

***

Katniss observed Malinda from her spot next to the horse of the chariot, the woman minding her own business with her own horse chariot. Katniss couldn't help but notice how kind and caring she looked, being in a place where you kill to survive. She saw Malinda's games from her meeting; she was fierce. Why was she now second guessing?

"She's quite a beauty, hey."

"God!" Katniss jumped, turning around to see the one and only Finnick Odair. He stood there with a smirk on his face, arms crossed in front of him. He looked at Katniss with a raised eyebrow.
   "Checking out my wife, hey?" He stood beside her, watching said woman as well. "Sorry, but my wife doesn't swing that way, and I'm pretty sure your Peeta wouldn't like that as well."
   "Finnick Odair." Katniss greeted in a monotone, gathering herself.
   "Katniss Everdeen, the Girl on Fire." Finnick smirked. He held out a sugar cube. "Want a sugar cube?"
   "Shouldn't you be asking your 'wife'?" Katniss mocked, petting the horse's nose.
   "Already did. She didn't feel like having any." Finnick looked to her curiously. "What's with the tone when you said 'wife'? What, you don't believe me?"
   "I dunno, you tell me."
   "Well, if you must know, Everdeen," he chuckled humourlessly, "I happened to be happily married with Malinda Samuels -well, Odair- for ten years now."
   "Married at quite a young age. . ." she said suspiciously. Finnick merely shrugged in reply.
   "Really? You didn't hear we got married?" he asked in mock surprise. "It was all over the news at the Capitol! Broadcasted everywhere."
   "Watching for gossip at the Capitol isn't really my thing." Katniss sassed.
   "Well, with the games on, there's no such thing as that. Do what you want to do before it ends suddenly. So, we got married. We knew we were for each other." He sent a longing look over at his wife's direction. "It's a shame we didn't have time to have a family."
   Katniss felt a small ounce of pity for the Capitol's Darling. "I'm sorry."
   "It doesn't matter." Finnick shook off, sending a forced smile. "Besides, who would want to raise their child in a world like this?"

***

She noticed a change in the Odairs during their Training Days.

Finnick looked absolutely crushed though tried to hide it, Malinda looking sad and scared - something you don't see everyday.
   Not only that, but Finnick kept an eye on her like a hawk during training, always being close. If there were any signs of her being stressed or injured, he was there immediately. Katniss was curious as to why he would show something like that in front of people who were going to kill him. When it was the interviews, she understood why.
   "So, how is it for the both of you?" Caesar asked the couple. "Love still in their air?"
   "Oh very much." Finnick agreed, pulling Malinda close to his side lovingly. "Malinda and I will love each other eternally. She will always have my heart." The women screamed in the audience at his words, Malinda a blushing mess.
   "Mrs Odair, anything to say on that?" Caesar grinned.
   "Well, I will always love him as well. It's just. . .a shame that it's ending so soon." Malinda looked down at the ground, trying to contain her sniffles. Finnick's face softened, bringing the crying woman into his arms. "I-I'm sorry. . ."
   "It's okay, it's okay." Caesar assured her. "Is there. . .another reason why you're crying? Apart from being sad that you're leaving us?"
   "Actually, there is." Finnick nodded. "If. . .we're the only two left in the games -" I doubt it, Katniss thought. "-Malinda has to live."
   "And why is that?" Caesar asked the burning question. Finnick didn't break eye contact with his sad wife, gently caressing her face with love.
   "Because," he almost whispered, "she's carrying our child." Everyone gasped at his words, shocked at the announcement. They didn't know what to do.
   "Cancel the games!" someone yelled out, followed by many others.
   "Uh, Finnick and Malinda Odair!" Caesar announced nervously, quickly telling them to move to the back. Luckily he got the crowd to settle, but after what Peeta says, he had no power to calm the crowd.

***

"So why do you think three from your district had to be volunteered?" Katniss asked them. Finnick, Malinda, and Mags looked to each other with shrugs.
   "Probably because of Finnick and I." Malinda shrugged.
   "Why?" Peeta asked from his spot on the ground, looking around the jungle with caution.
   "Because he doesn't like the fact that we're married." Finnick answered. "He doesn't like the fact that the two hottest winners are taken."
   "That sounds a bit self-centred." Katniss stated.
   "But it's the truth." Malinda sighed, resting against Finnick tiredly. "Snow can't do anything though because the Capitol likes the idea of us two together. The District Couple."
   "I don't understand." Katniss mumbled. The three from District Four shared a sad look with each other.
   "You will in time." Malinda assured the two from District Twelve sadly.

***

"I'm sorry. About Malinda." Katniss got no response, Finnick busying away at the small length of rope he received as a therapy treatment. "Finnick -"
   "She's pregnant, Katniss." Finnick whispered, cutting her off. "Pregnant with an innocent child. My child. Her child. Our child. And she's gone. Taken by Snow with Johanna and Peeta. Everything from my home is gone except Annie, who is like a little sister - but who am I kidding? The games ruined her." He tightened the knot on the rope. "I hate this."
   "I do too." Katniss whispered. "But we are going to get them back, Finnick. Malinda, Peeta, and Johanna."
   "You think so?"
   "Yes, I really do."
   "Even the baby?"
   Katniss hesitated. "Even the baby." she eventually replied, second guessing herself.

***

They barged through the doors, looking around crazily. "Malinda? Malinda!" Finnick called out desperately.
   "Finnick!" Malinda's voice could be heard. "Finnick!"
   "Malinda!" Spotting her at a bed, Finnick dashed towards her, enveloping her into a tight hug. "Oh, Malinda -"
   "Hey watch it!" Johanna called out weakly from beside Malinda's bed. "She's pregnant, don't kill the baby."
   "The baby!" he breathed out in joy, eyes lighting up in hope. "Is it -"
   "Peeta and Johanna took the harsh punishments that were supposed to be for me." Malinda explained sadly. "If I had gone with the tortures -"
   "The baby would be gone." Johanna filled in. She smiled at them weakly. "You're welcome."
   "Thank you!" Finnick whispered, hugging his wife to him in relief. "Thank you so much, Johanna."
   "Where's Peeta?" Katniss spoke up.
   "You're gonna have to ask Gale about that." Malinda explained, nuzzling her head into Finnick's neck lovingly. "He went with them to wherever they took Peeta."
   "Thanks." Katniss smiled gratefully at them. "And congratulations on the baby."
   "Thank you." the Odairs chorused.

***

Weeks went by, and soon enough William Scott Odair was born. It was the talk of the secret district, having Cressida film the ceremony dedicated to the newborn and having Beetie send it to the Capitol telling them they were still happy and alive. Soon enough they all had their happy ending. . .

Even when Finnick's life was sacrificed for his family's safety and happiness.

But Finnick didn't mind; he had what he wanted. A wife, a child he got to see momentarily, and a chance to stop Snow.

The End