The Welcome Back || 73rd HG Victor / Others

Finnick had been glued to the screens, watching the final hours and forgetting the rest of the world. He wasn't sitting with just his Annie in their apartment as he wanted so badly to do, but in a gathering that had the guise of a party. Of course the mentors from Districts two and five were there, and Johanna Mason should have been. They were surrounded by Sponsors and Capitolites and booze and food. There was laughing and joking, but the mood was different. Everyone knew it was the finale, the most exciting part, and they were on the edge of their seats. While the District 4 mentor talked with the others and played the part he had to play, nothing else existed to him but the screens they watched.

He wished fervently that Annie wasn't watching, that she was asleep and safe and totally unaware that the final battle was now. She hadn't watched much after the beginning, relying on him for reports, and he hoped it was staying that way now. He wanted to be there when - if - Kai died because he knew that the moment it happened and she knew, Annie would fall apart. He didn't want to have to bring that news to her, dreaded it more than he could say, but he couldn't leave to be with her until it was all over. So he watched and hoped that the only thing he would bring, at the end was joy and love. The progression now was fast as Kai made it to the final five...four...three...two...one. One.

Kailani Sedna was the Victor of the 73rd Annual Hunger Games.

The room erupted in noise, in cheering and yelling all at once. Finnick jumped up from his seat and tried to push his way to the exit, constantly being stopped by well wishers and congratulations. He grinned at them and thanked them - but he didn't slow. Once free of that crowd, he pushed through the streets which were just as crowded in the agonizingly slow progression to Annie. Kai was coming home. She had won. He was happy, for his Annie most of all, even though he knew the battle for them all was far from over. Annie might not have to keep the promise she had made to Kai anymore, which put she and Finnick in danger, but all of Panem had seen it. They had heard every word. No, everything was just starting.

Finally, he made it to their room, rushing past a startled avox and going to his love. "Kai's coming home," he whispered and scooped Annie up into his arms. He held her tight and kissed her, only letting her see the joy of the moment. "She's coming home," he said again. Annie needed Kailani more than anything and she would have her now. She would have her daughter and Finnick would see her happy. The time would come for everything else soon enough, but he would deal with that when they got there. He would have to trust Kai, to remind her how strong she needed to be for Annie. For District 4. For Panem.

Soon they were making their way to the landing pad where they would greet their Victor along with escorts, stylists and sponsors. Finnick held Annie close as they all watched the hovercraft land and their beautiful - but forever scarred - Victor emerge. He broke from Annie the moment he saw Kailani and moved quickly to be the first one to greet her. He had to before she broke down, and before Annie made it harder for her to be strong. "Congratulations, my darling," he said to her and pulled the tribute-turned-victor into a hug. Close like this, with his lips right next to her ear, he whispered the rest that only she needed to hear. "Don't break down and don't cry. Keep that brave face on just a little longer. Be the Victor they want to see, Kai, and nothing else. Give them one more show. Do it for Annie." His words were quick and quiet, but he was sure she could hear. He pulled back and kissed the young girl's forehead before stepping back.

Aloud, Finnick said, "District 4 is proud of you, Kailani." He grinned. It's what everyone around them wanted to hear, and probably the last thing Kai wanted to hear. But he kept his eyes on her, smiling like his usual jovial self while trying to tell her how important the next few moments were going to be. There would be time to explain everything later, to let her know, but right now they all had to get through this final test.

As he stayed back and let first Annie then everyone else congratulate Kai, he glanced at the Peacekeepers who had been tasked with guarding her. He wondered if one of them had been there with his cousin, his sweet Olivia, on that train. He had tracked down a name - Dominic Williams - but he didn't yet have a face to match. There were too many for him to know them all. The dark-haired Peacekeeper met his gaze, and Finnick paused on him only a moment before looking back to his victor. Once the ceremonies were over, he knew he only had tonight before he'd need to return to District 4. His search might be lost after that until the victory tour at mid-year. He couldn't imagine waiting that long. He needed answers, but there had to be time enough for that later.

Right now, Finnick Odair had to focus on Kai. And he didn't envy Kai the tasks - or the life - she had ahead of her.


WC: 946