Finnick Odair x reader (#SecretSanta2017)

Secret Santa

For GinaRoseJagger

Today was the day of the reaping. I didn't sleep all night. the worst possible scenarios were flooding my head. what if I was chosen as a tribute. I know I wouldn't stand a chance in that arena. I'd probably be killed before even running away from the cornucopia. And I can't even imagine taking the life of an innocent child. The Games are cruel, no doubt about it.

Finnick, my best friend, told me not to worry so much about it. my name hadn't been entered more times than it had to be because of my age. But Finnick had been training all his life for those Games. He was skilled in combat, especially with a trident. Also, being from District 4, he's an excellent swimmer. Not to mention, he is incredibly charming, meaning he would probably get all the Capitol girls gushing over him.

I dragged myself our of bed. I put on the outfit I had chosen for the reaping: a blue dress and white flats. I tried to eat, but I couldn't get a single bite down my throat. I had better things to worry about than food.

my mother walked me to the town hall. After the whole process I stood next to the rest of the girls, age from 12 to 18, who were unlucky enough to have their names in the bowl.

A woman with extravagant clothing, hair and makeup stood in the middle, facing us.

"Welcome", she said, "to the reaping for the 65th Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!".

She proceeded to show us the same video I've seen for as long as I've attended the reaping. A video about the Rebellion, about the destruction of District 13, about the death of the Rebels and how we have to pay by offering a girl and a boy as a tribute to the Capitol, to fight for their lives in the Hunger Games.

"As always, ladies first", said the woman. My breathing became uneven. I felt chills down my spine. I felt like I couldn't stand. I felt my heart's beating in my throat.

She reached out to grab one of the papers in the bowl with the names of the possible female tributes. She slowly opened it. It felt like torture. I caught a glimpse of Finnick and caught him staring at me, with a worrying look in his eyes. I knew that, no matter how much he would love to join, being a Career, he wouldn't want me in that arena. He had always been protective, since I didn't have someone protecting me. My mother simply couldn't care less, and my father had died long ago. I held onto the necklace around my throat, which be had given me. I thought of it as a good luck charm.

"Emerald Nightsmith", she finally announced, with a weird accent and a fake smile. I breathed a sigh of relief, and Finnick's worried expression turned into a smile.

"Now, for the boys", the woman proceeded to say, after the poor girl walked on stage. I started feeling tense again. I didn't want Finnick to be chosen. He's young, he could get killed, no matter how skilled he is. And I don't think I would take it if he did.

"Finnick Odair", the woman exclaimed. Tears started building up in my eyes. He smiled proudly and run on stage, shaking the hands of the other tribute and of the woman.

I wanted to say goodbye. For all I knew it could be the last time seeing him.

"(Y/N)", he started to say, seeing me standing on the doorstep of the room be was held in before he was taken to the Capitol, with tears in my eyes, but before he could finish his sentence, I fell into his armed and hugged him as tight as I could.

"You need get out of there alive. For me.", I said, untying the necklace around my throat, the one my father had given to me. Finnick knew how much it meant to me. it was my most prized possession.

"Just so you remember me. I hope it brings you luck in that arena", I said.

He didn't have time to say goodbye, as a Peacekeeper pulled my away from him. He called my name one last time, but it was too late.

I didn't eat for the following weeks. He was the only thing I cared about. Every thought I had was consumed by fear and anguish for him.

It was the night the tribute interview would take place. I watched almost anamused by every fake performance, praising the Capitol and stating, probably against their will, that it was and honor to participate in the slaughter that those Games are.

It was Finnick's turn. I tried to keep myself contained and not let a single tear stream down my cheek.

"So, a charming young man like yourself, Finnick, must have a special someone back home", Flickerman said. "Am I mistaken?"

Finnick held his head down for a while. I noticed my necklace hanging around his neck. He untied it.

"There is a girl I've known for a long time", he finally said, making a grin find its way on Caesar's face.

"I've tried to tell her, or at least show her, but it didn't work. She gave me this before I left home.", he continued, showing my present to him on the screen.

I gasped. I didn't know what to feel. He to react. Why hadn't I noticed before he left? Now I might now even get a chance at seeing him again, telling him that the moment I laid eyes on him my heart sunk. That nothing made me more sick than seeing in other girls trying to get his attention. That no one ever made me feel more loved than he did.

The Games seemed like they lasted forever. I denied watching it for a second. The weeks passed and I hadn't gotten myself out of bed. I didn't eat, sleep or take care of myself. I knew he'd want me to be doing all these things. but I couldn't find the strenght to do so.

About two weeks passed. I had finally managed to get about three hours of sleep, before being rudely woken up by my mother.

"Your loverboy is here.", I didn't know what she ment, too tired to try to make her words seem like they make the slightest bit of sense. But then I saw him, standing on the doorstep of my room.

I've never seen him be more shy. My mother's words probably didn't help. I got out of bed, which I hadn't managed in a long time, and rushed to hug him. His hand found its way to my hair. I noticed he was crying, something unusual for him.

We stood there in silence. He began to explain to me how he won, what happened.

"I guess the necklace did bring me luck, after all", he said, handing it to me.

"I had almost forgotten about it", I admitted.

"I love you", he said, and the words fell off his lips like he struggled to keep his composure. Like it was the hardest task he had ever faced.

"I know I should have told you before I le-", he began to say, but then he noticed the grin on my face. I guess that wasn't the reaction he expected.

"I know. I saw the interview.", I said.

"Then what do you say?", he asked, trying to keep himself together.

"Finnick no one has ever managed to make me feel the way you do. I found myself worrying more about you than myself the night before the reaping. Since I met you, I fought the feeling of having a stupid schoolgirl crush on you, but I failed. I love you.", I admitted, with strength I didn't know I had. I felt like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders.

He crushed his lips to mine, sending butterflies on my stomach. I'd read books about situations like this. I thought they were stupid. Silly love stories that ended somewhat along the lines of ours. But then I noticed ours was merely beginning.

The end

A/N: Sorry it's kinda late. I hope you liked it! Merry Christmas!