This chapter is dedicated to the extremely talented AnnuCJ. Go check out her work and show her some love!
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I fell onto the ground and dodged another one of Finnick's swing with his trident. I lifted my spear just in time to block the weapon from impaling me, the metal on metal, making a screeching sound which rang through the training room. With a smirk, Finnick lent a hand and helped me up.

"Not bad. You're improving, Odair. Slowly, but surely." I grinned.

"Oh please." He rolled his eyes. "I have always taken you down before and I always will. I'm invincible."

I let out a snort, the smile remaining intact on my face. Grabbing a towel, I wiped the sweat off my face and turned around to face Finnick.

I let out a yelp and shut my eyes close immediately, desperately trying to erase the shirtless image of Finnick from my head. His laughter boomed across the room.

"Put on a shirt, you buffoon!"

"Why? Am I too distracting?" He asked. I grabbed the nearest object I could find with my eyes closed, which happened to be a bottle of water, before launching it in his general direction with as much force I could muster. He caught it effortlessly whilst chuckling. "Calm down, (Y/n). It's not like you haven't seen me without a shirt before."

"That may be correct," I said, opening my eyes to find him wearing a tank top. "But I'd rather not mentally scar myself further with all the ugliness."

"Ugliness? I'm Panem's heartthrob." Unfortunately, that was true. Even growing up, Finnick's looks and charm always managed to get the girls flocking towards him. And after he won the games, the small group of teenagers turned into a huge swarm of Capitol snobs. Old and young, men and women.

After taking a long gulp from the water bottle, Finnick wiped his mouth before saying, "Newt's been working with Beetee all day long, and we've got a few more hours to kill before dinner. What do you want to do now?"

"Honestly? I want to swim." I sighed. Finnick gave a sad smile and I knew that even he too, missed the feeling of the coolness of the water through our hair as we swam till our limbs got tired or our stomachs rumbled from hunger due to all the energy spent.

"I think I can help you with that." A voice echoed from the door. We looked towards the source to see Katniss standing there along with Gale. "Coin gave us clearance to hunt, and we found a river nearby. Maybe she will let you go for a swim."

My eyes lit up with excitement. "We'll go ask her right now. C'mon Finn, put on your best puppy face."

Finnick let out a chuckle. "Exactly where is the river?" He asked the pair.

"Once you're out of the gates, head west for a mile. You'll stumble upon a ruined, old stone building. The river is just beyond that." Gale replied.

"Thanks mate." We collected our items before heading to our respective rooms. Once dressed back into our jumpsuits, we made our way to Coin's office. Newt and Beetee were there and they were explaining some sort of plan to Coin, using various complicated holograms. Once they were done, I knocked on the door to gain their attention. I smiled in greeting befor stepping in, Finnick following behind.

"President Coin, Finnick and I were wondering if we could head up to the nearby river for a swim. Can we go?"

She eyed me for a moment before nodding once. "Be careful. And meet me after dinner, I've got to discuss some plans with you, miss (l/n)."

"Thank you." I said. "Newt, you wanna come along?"

"No, you guys go ahead." He said with a small smile. "I've got some stuff to finish up. I promise I'll join you once I'm done."

"Alright." Finnick said. "C'mon, (l/n). Let's go."

The scrunch of the leaves beneath our feet could be heard for miles. The sky was a beautiful blue, crisp white cloud floated through it effortlessly. The watch on my wrist read 16:00 as Finnick and I followed the path Gale had directed us along and soon, we reached the stone building.

"This place would be so creepy at night." Finn murmured, admiring the architecture.

"I see the river!" I pointed excitedly towards the water. We went towards it before removing our boots and our jumpsuits, leaving us wearing shorts, tank tops and undergarments. I walked into the crystal clear water until I was neck deep, the bed of the river just a foot away from my toes. It wasn't a very big river, the water flowed slowly and steadily as Finnick and I spent most of the evening plunged in its cool embrace, splashing water at eachother or having a race up-river. The sun was just beginning to set when I looked up to see Newt sitting on a low ledge of the building near our clothes, looking at us with a smile.

It felt nostalgic. When we were younger, everytime we saw a lake or whenever we went to the ocean, Finnick and I wouldn't hesitate to jump in. Newt was always the careful one, sitting on the beach, guarding our shoes and clothes and watching us enjoy ourselves while he read a book or worked with nets and wires. He used to join us sometimes, but never let himself get distracted from being cautious, afraid that one of us might try to drown the other. He enjoyed the little things, like the smell of the sea breeze or the calmness of the ocean when the waves were silent. I admired that about him.

I waved at him and he waved back with a grin. "Finn, I'm going to head up to Newt over there, alright?"

"Okay. I'm going spend just a little more time over here." He said, looking at the now pinkish-orange, the sun close to being hidden by the tree tops.

"Hey there."

I plopped down beside Newt as he handed me one of the two towels he had brought along with him. "Thank you." I said, using it to dry my hair. "What did Coin want to talk to me about?"

"The mockingjay. I guess they're planning on sending a rescue team for Annie and Peeta. And Coin said she wanted to ask you something about Katniss's place in the revolution after they're back."

"Oh, alright. I'll go see her as soon as we get back."

We looked at the view in front of us. The light from the evening sun reflecting off the surface of the river, the trees behind it, and the occasional chirping of birds were heard. Finnick was looking at the sky, as he floated on his back.

"This place is beautiful." Newt mumbled and I hummed in response. "What happens if we actually win this war?"

"When we win." I corrected him. "But I have no clue what to do after that. With all that freedom."

"We could go back to 4. Or stay here. Hell, we could even stay at the Capitol." He laughed.

"So many possibilities of having a new life and yet there is only one thing I know for sure." I said while looking at Newt.

His brown eyes held warmth in them, his lips curled up into a small smile. "And what may that be, miss (l/n)?"

"I want you in my future." I whispered.

His eyes widened for a fraction of a second before his smile widened. "And so you shall have me."

He leaned forward and placed a sweet kiss on my lips. The calmness of our surroundings only added bliss to it. I pulled away with a smile, happy to have him by my side.

The three of us made it back to the compound before it got dark. Once we were done with dinner, I headed up to Coin's office, where she sat behind a desk, reading a folder. She looked up when I knocked and said, "Come in, (Y/n). Have a seat." She gestured to the chair opposite to hers.
I sat down and waited patiently for her to finish up her work. Once she was done, she cleared her throat and said, "So once Beetee and Newt figure out a way to hack into the Capitol's defense system, we will be sending in a rescue team to get the victors out of there. My only concern is Katniss Everdeen." I waited for her to continue.

"Did she ever mention anything about what would happen if and when Snow is taken down?"

"Are we talking about politics that would happen only after we win this war?"

She gave a tight lipped smile. "The thing is, (Y/n), like I've mentioned before, Katniss can be very persuasive. She has the support of hundreds and thousands of people all over the country. A power like that shouldn't be put into a young girl's hands. If she has the wrong motives, she could bring destruction to Panem. You saw how she fought for Peeta's pardon. If she uses the same determination, knowing the fact that she has the people's support, she could turn very bad, very fast. It is up to us to make sure we contain it."

"What do you mean us?"

"You and I, of course. She trusts you. You can influence her decisions. Weren't you the one who partly convinced her to accept the role of the mockingjay?"

I let out a sigh, trying to figure out her riddles. "Madam President, if I may speak freely, the last time we had a similar talk about this, you asked me to convince her for the sake of Panem. Now that she is doing what she is supposed to do, you are concerned that after all this is over, she may turn her back against you?"

"I'm concerned that she may turn her back during any part of this war. She may change her views if we get Peeta out of the Capitol."

"You saw the footage yourself. When the hospital was bombed, Katniss was infuriated. I'm pretty sure she won't stop being the face of the revolution for Peeta."

"I need to be sure. At a time like this, I cannot have a liability like Katniss. She is a like a matchstick. She may seem harmless but she has the power to cause an unextinguishable fire."

"Do you want me to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't have any 'ulterior motives'?" I asked, a hint of mockery lacing my words.

"You catch on well." She said with a small grin. "Thank you, miss (l/n). You may leave."

I stood up and pushed the chair back into its original place before walking towards the door. I stopped midway before turning around to face Coin.

"May I ask you something, President Coin?"

"Certainly. What is it?" She asked.

"Don't take this in a wrong way, and correct me if I'm mistaken but... Does Katniss pose as a potential threat to you? Is that why I am here?" I pushed my luck. She may react to my very straightforward question in many different ways. She chose to give me a calculating look, and the spectacles perched on the end of her nose, made her seem intimidating for a second. I began to regret asking her that question but a smile broke out on her face.

"No, (Y/n). I do not feel threatened by Katniss Everdeen. Just doing what I need in order to control a spark in the revolution. Good night."

I gave a nod before turning around and walking out the door, swiftly. I nearly ran back to my room, and I locked the door while panting, feeling somewhat suspicious about the answer Coin had given to my blunt question. Why else would Coin be paranoid about Katniss's motive if she wasn't threatened by Katniss's popularity?

In the end, popularity is what gives someone power, right?

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Finnick, Newt and I sauntered into the dining hall quite late the next day. There was hardly anybody there except the person behind the counter. We grabbed our plates and sat down at one of the tables.

The TV screen lit up and the anthem of Panem echoed through the room. Our eyes were glued to the screen as Caesar Flickerman greeted the viewers with his usual enthusiasm.

The camera turned to Peeta Mellark. I let out an inaudible gasp as I took in his condition. He was dressed formally and fashionably, but the circles underneath his eyes matched the colour of his purple suit. He looked much thinner and more tired.

"So Peeta, you saw Katniss's footage in district 8, didn't you? What do you think of that?" Caesar asked.

"I couldn't believe it." Peeta mumbled, his voice hoarse.

"She was arguably our favourite tribute." He continued. The door to the dining hall opened with a thud and we turned back to see Katniss and Gale, a large bag and their hunting weapons in their hands. Katniss rushed forward and stood in front of the screen, concern and fear evident on her face. "And I think that's what we all find most astonishing, is that this girl was adored in the Capitol. And I think for you, Peeta, it must be particularly painful."

The camera turned back to Peeta and he was holding a white rose in his hands, his fingers fiddling with its stem. The rose was like the ones Snow always carried around.

"I wish I could give this rose to you, Katniss." He spoke, his voice cracking.

"He's changed so much already." She whispered, but her voice was loud enough for everyone present in the room to hear. "What are they doing to him?"

"A sweet gesture for a girl who inspired such violence." Caesar said with fake sadness.

"I don't think I can forgive her."

"Unless, of course, Peeta, you think that perhaps she's being forced into saying things that she doesn't even understand."

"Yeah." He said after a moment's pause. "That's exactly what I think. I think they are using her to whip up the rebels."

"Peeta, I doubt the rebels will ever let her see this. But if they do, what would you say to her?"

"I would tell her to think for herself." He looked directly into the camera and continued. "Don't be a fool, Katniss. I know you never wanted the rebellion. The things you did in the games were never intended to start all of this. They've made you into something you're not. So if you any power or any say in this, please, urge them to stop this war." His lips were shaking as he begged in front of entire Panem. "And ask yourself. Can you trust the people you're working with?"

"Thank you, Peeta for those words."

If Katniss chooses to believe Peeta's words, then we're all screwed. Big time.

"We need to respond." Gale said

"Did you see what he looks like?" She asked him in a pointed tone.

"I saw a coward."

"You don't have any idea what he is going through." Her voice rose as she spoke.

"I don't care! I would never say what he just said. Not if they tortured me, not with a gun to my head."

"That is the same Peeta that defended you at the whipping post." Newt, Finnick and I watched the two of them fight, silently.

"No he is not. Now he is only defending himself."

"What do you expect him to do?" I questioned in a low voice. "He can't be on the side of the rebels if he never knew what is going on. None of us told him about our plan in the games. The Capitol is clearly filling his head up with the twisted truth, making it seem as though we are the villains."

"Isn't Katniss's speech in district 8 enough for him to understand?" Newt spoke up for the first time. I turned around to look at him with surprised eyes. "What he just said would've caused thousands of people in Panem to be afraid to stand up against the Capitol."

"It isn't his fault! Gale may be brave enough to not speak stuff like that with 'a gun pointed to his head', but it is a different situation for everyone! They might have drugged him to say that for all we know!" I replied haughtily.

Right at that moment, Newt's and Gale's communicuff started to beep. Newt let out a sigh before looking at me with a face void of emotions. "Coin's calling a meeting."

"We need to respond." Gale supplied.

"Since when did we become you and Coin." Katniss asked with distaste.

"Everyone has a choice." Gale exclaimed, looking at both Katniss and me. "How can he just sit there in the Capitol and defend the people who destroyed his home and murdered his family?"

"Didn't you just hear what (Y/n) said?" Finn asked with raised eyebrows. "We don't know what's going on in the Capitol, they're probably torturing him."

Atleast he is on my side.

"He doesn't know." Katniss said, her voice softening. "How could he? Nobody has seen what the Capitol did to 12. I have to show them."

I groaned internally, for I knew Coin would force me to tag along with her. The last thing that I wanted was to go down Katniss's memory lane again.

Katniss and Gale left the room to go talk to Coin, leaving an awkward silence to linger between the three of us.

"Okay." Finnick said, clapping his hands together. "I'm going to follow them. So... bye." He walked towards the door and the moment he was out of sight, I turned towards Newt, who was staring at his boots.

"We don't know why Peeta said what he said, alright?" I mumbled. "Let's not blame him, he has been through a lot, you could see it on his face."

He looked up at me and smiled softly. "You're right. Let's just try to sort this mess out. C'mon, Coin's expecting us."

Once we explained the entire situation to Coin, she agreed to Katniss's proposition of back going to 12 on the one condition that I went with her. I didn't say no.

We called it a day, and on our way back to our rooms, Newt took my hand in his, all the while making me promise that I would be careful. I reassured him that I'd be fine and before he could ask again, Finnick, with an exasperated look on his face, grabbed him by the collar and pulled him into their room, muttering a 'Good night' before slamming the door close. Chuckling to myself, I entered my room and quickly got ready for bed. Peeta's words about trusting the people we work with and my conversation with Coin the previous day, were the last things running in my mind before I fell asleep into an uneasy slumber.
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