Private - To Finnick Odair

[immolates]

[There's a lot of things she knows she should be saying here, but instead of saying them out loud she's saying them in her head. So the first ten seconds is just dead silence. And then:]

I shouldn't have hit you.

[Referring back to the last time she saw him, of course. As if 6 months haven't passed.]

Comments

[65]

[hearing katniss on the other end of the line is straight up like hearing a ghost. he'd talked with francesca about her briefly awhile ago, and she told him that katniss had been really shaken by watching her die. finnick made francesca promise to look out for her, but since then ... he hasn't really had time to think about it. whenever he's on mission-related business, life is go-go-go 24/7. and when they returned to the castle for downtime ...

he should have checked on her. he should have and he knows it but he was too busy fawning over myri. (and now feels like a bag of dicks about it.)

and he was maybe a little afraid of what he didn't want to face.]

Don't worry, my wounds have had more than enough time to heal.

[he tries to sound casual. casual and happy. but it's more difficult than he may have anticipated.]

[immolates]

[Don't worry, Finnick. Her charming somber attitude can drag the both of you down and then you don't have to bother trying to sound casual or happy.]

I know that. [Stop pointing out the obvious Finnick, it's annoying.]

You still deserve an apology, even if it's late. I haven't been able to call until now.

[65]

[yeah he's just gonna drop it.]

What makes you think I would still be worried about that? I'm just glad to hear from you. [to know you're alive.]

[immolates]

I didn't know what else to talk about. It didn't feel right to contact you without something to say.

... where are you right now? I waited outside your door.

[65]

What's wrong with hello? Too old-fashioned for you?

[wow yeah she is out of the loop with his life huh. he still can't grasp it.]

Ne-- [like she'd know where that is. ... would she??? whatever.] Far away. Across the ocean. I'm doing more of what I do best.

[immolates]

Talking about yourself?

[It's a joke. Mostly. Look, she even manages a laugh.]

I thought of you when I was sent away. You're one of the few people I consider to be a friend.

[Nope. Emotions. Abort. Abort.]

[65]

I was going to say being famous, but I suppose talking about myself comes with that territory.

I'm your friend now? I'd hate to see how you'd treat me if I were your enemy. [HE'S LAUGHING OK.]

[immolates]

I wouldn't bother speaking to you if you weren't my friend. [Stop laughing.

Okay maybe she'll chuckle. Softly. And dryly.]

What did you do to deserve being famous?

[65]

It's an undercover mission. We're investigating these brothers who work with musicians, and I just so happen to be gifted with the right look.

[immolates]

[So much judgmental silence.]

So you're enjoying yourself.

[65]

There are worse roles in the mission to be tasked with.

[immolates]

[There's a soft noise of agreement there, if he's listening hard enough.]

Do you know when you'll return?

[65]

I have no clue.

[he doesn't want to say he was just at the castle ... ]

[immolates]

I understand. [Long awkward pause, because she is so skilled at having conversations.]

When you get back, I want to talk to you in person. It's not important, just about memories.

[65]

Sure.

You know, if it's urgent, you can always ask me now.

[immolates]

I just said it wasn't important. [She really needs to learn how to control that temper.]

It can wait until you get back.

[65]

You could have been lying. It's something people tend to do. Not that you've ever been particularly good at it. [it's a good-natured jab.]

If you're sure.

[immolates]

Lying isn't worth my time.

[But he's right, she's not very good at it. So she never bothers.]

[65]

Not until your life depends on it.

[immolates]

What is that supposed to mean?

[65]

Sometimes you do what you have to do to stay alive?

[immolates]

Anyone would. But that doesn't mean I would lie to you over something like memories. It's not that important, it can wait until you're back.

[65]

So you're all right?