In the glittering yet brutal world of Panem, victors of the Hunger Games are showered with luxuries - but freedom remains elusive. Finnick Odair, the youngest victor in history, Panem's biggest sex symbol and a seemingly charming playboy, hides a dark secret beneath his beautiful smile. Every year, during his month-long Capitol visit, he's forced into a world of servitude, a twisted price for protecting the people he loves. When Annie Cresta, a poor orphaned girl from District 4, is reaped as a tribute, Finnick finds himself strangely drawn to her and desperate to save her life - no matter the cost. Annie survives, but I'd never the same. Haunted by nightmares and burdened by PTSD, the fragile new Victor finds solace in Finnick's arms. He's the only person who manages to soothe her panic, calm her nightmares and ground her in reality as she grapples with the consequences of the horrors she faced. Yet, their idyllic life together hides a gnawing truth that even she is unaware of - her life came at a terrible cost for Finnick. But their happiness is a fragile thing. Finnick's forced servitude as a Capitol prostitute casts a long shadow, and Annie's PTSD threatens to consume her. As their bond deepens, they face agonizing choices. Can Finnick protect Annie from the Capitol's cruelty, even at the cost of his own well-being? Will Annie's unwavering love be enough to mend the broken pieces of Finnick's soul? A captivating tale of forbidden love, emotional resilience, and the unyielding strength of the human spirit. Explore the Games from a new perspective, brimming with hidden secrets, heartbreaking sacrifices. Will Finnick and Annie defy the odds? This story explores mature themes, including violence, trauma, and sexual exploitation. Please read at your own discretion. Keywords: Hunger Games, Fanfiction, Pre-Canon, Finnick Odair, Annie Cresta, Romance, Angst, Trauma, Rebellion, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Unflinching Love, Dark Secret

~Sequel to Dead in the Water~ The rumors are true: Finnick Odair kissed Annie Cresta. But rumors travel fast, and President Snow has eyes everywhere. Even after another Hunger Games and a Victor that's almost as problematic as the last one, President Snow isn't just going to ignore Finnick's new girl in District 4. aka Finnick, Annie, Mags, and Bay take on the Capitol and Snow isn't ready for what's about to hit him.

I wanted to write a story with explicit scenes that worked perfectly well if you wanted to read it without them too. The love of Finnick Odair and Annie Cresta seemed so pure, so human, that I wanted to give them a fully fleshed put backstory, because let's face it, they deserve one. From their childhood, to Finnick's games, to his time in the Capitol, to Annie's games to the events of the actual series, this book has it all... and more! I will be returning to old chapters and fleshing them out as I see fit, as well as writing new ones. All explicit scenes will be handled tastefully in the regular chapters, similarly to Peeta and Katniss in mockingjay with the 'so after...'. The chapter after one of these moments will be an appropriately signed explicit scene, that won't add anything to the story that wasn't there already. So enjoy this story, but remember, in Panem, the odds are never in your favour...

Annie Cresta is eighteen and her life is over. She doesn't doubt her own ability to survive the Hunger Games, but the male District 4 tribute is none other than Kai Cresta, her little brother. Only one of them can make it home and Annie is determined that it won't be her. --- Shoutout to @TheBestWall who comes up with half of the plot points for this book and is basically a co-author at this point