It wasn't much, not how she would have originally imaged this kind of important life changing development to go, but she didn't think she would change it for a thing.

Stiff, sore fingers fiddled with a band cuff bracelet, drawing a delicate touch over the careful knots put together to form a easy wave like patterns, only discernible by the slight shift in colour of the interlocking shapes. It was something that could have been done easily in the hands of someone in District 4, maybe even in 8, but it wasn't something typically done by her people. That had never been the knot learning, bracelet making kind, butbit was something she worked hard to perfect nonetheless.

She placed it back down on the blanket she had pulled from the bed and settled on the floor, centering it across from her next to a crudely woven bowl made of twigs filled with bright orange sweetheart berries and a couple of miscellaneous herbs she had taken that she knew tasted well from experience, mainly with salted meats but they were fine alone.

It wasn't much of a display, just a few collected items that weren't the same as the things Terra knew she could have made for him.

At one time she would have purchased a large animal, something from the Combe ranch. She would have killed and cut it herself, would have cured and grilled it, salted and buttered with herbs. She would have done so much, adding all of his favourite dishes (fishcakes with dried seaweed, crab meat with grilled vegetables, stuffed salmon, grilled tuna sandwiches, chicken broth, sweet potato chips, sugar milk), but she was horribly incapable of doing it now, she might not ever be, amd figured that what she had now would have to be enough.

If she knew Finnick it would be more than he ever expected, more than enough for him.

Fixing everything so it looked perfect, Terra stood, brushing her palms against ths side of the oversized pants, wishing she had taken Katniss up on keeping the pants she had borrowed, but it was too late now. Some part of her wished for one of her silly dresses, something flowery and light, and as she fussed over the hair that hung loose around her shoulders Terra itched to tie it up in a bun.

Someone had once told her that she looked prettiest with it up, showing her face.

The door opened with a crash and she spun around in time to see him trip over himself to get inside, stumbling his way to her as he reached out, eyes wild.

"Terra? Thank god!" He grabbed her, pulling her up against his chest. "I couldn't find you, no one knew where you were. Never do that again."

She blinked, mouth working soundlessly as he worried, unable to form words.

"Where were you? What happened? Where did you go?" He demands, pulling back to look at her.

"Marry me."

Finnick froze. "What?"

Terra backed away, linking her hand in his and gesturing with the other. "Marry me. I know it's not much, I know that, but this is the best I can do when at my worst and I just . . . marry me. Marry me and be with me forever, as we're meant to be because I don't want to wait anymore when we have no reason to hide.

"I'm not the same person I was when we met and neither are you, but being loved by you is the sweetest, best thing to ever happen to me, Finnick. I want to spend the rest of my days with you, at your side, through whatever you feel is right, because I want to love you for the rest of forever, always, despite anything else that will happen to us. You're my home, Finnick, everything is right with you," Terra babbled, breathless as she stared into his sea-green. "Marry me, Finnick."

His eyes water, glancing between her and the blanket on the floor, and he scoops her up suddenly, pulling her against him and spinning around. She squeals, clinging to him and laughing against the curve of his neck.

"Always one to beat me to it, Land Pearl."

"Is that a yes?"

"Of course it is, my heart, my Terra," he sets her down, brushing bair behind her ears and presses his forehead to hers sighing blissfully, "My wonderful, magnificent Terra. I would move heaven and earth for you, my heart. I would marry you a thousand times over to solidify our love in the world, to have you as my one and only."

"Just the once will be enough."

She tilts her head forward, brushing her lips over his, in a careful, gentle feathery touch. Static sparks at the contact, shills run down her spine, igniting her veins and Terra feels weightless, drifting along the sea with lungs struggling to breath because Finnick makes her lightheaded, dizzy under his spell so hard to catch at the air, but it's not drowning, not really, because he presses life into her, sealing his mouth over hers, taking her in his arms and it's love and joy and promises that hold her afloat, calling her mind and keeping her here and now.

He drew ber back, slowly pulling her towards the bed, and Terra fell over him, landing on his chest with a small gasp.

"I love you," he spoke into the kiss, rolling so he hovered over her, a finger drawing down her jaw, growing closer to her neck, and she held her breath, eyes fluttering as Finnick brushed his thumb over the column of her throat, grazing over the bandage as Terra poured as much love and trust into the kiss that she could, arching up as she chased his lips.

"Should we come back later?"

She jerks away, a blush burning across her cheeks as she turns her head, but Finnick remains hovering comfortably, looking over to the open door and the group that has gathered.

Haymitch stood there smiling easily, a hand in his pocket as he leaned into the room, unperturbed. Katniss and Gale were there as well, politely turned away from her, but it was Marium, stood behind wringing her hands together that gave Terra a start, a shock relief running through her at the sight of the woman and it made her wonder who was still alive, which of the older Victors lived, which escorts and family.

Finnick seems to catch on and lifts himself up, helping her behind him as she sways slightly, an arm wrapping around her waist.

"I have all the time to spend with my fiancee, I'm sure we could spare a moment for old friends," he quips, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head.

"Fiancee?" Mariun gasps as Katniss grins, saying: "Your plan worked then?"

Terra ducks her head, reaching to wrap an arm around him. "He hasn't even looked yet."

"Looked at what?" Red hair popped around the side, peeking through bodies she could see Annie's curious gaze and the recognition that immediately flashed as she spotted the blanket.

She pushed forward, moving into the room quickly and Terra moved to catch her as Annir launched herself forward, throwing her arms around Terra's shoulders. She staggered, thrown by the weight, but stood steady despite it all, surprising herself only slightly as she knew she would always catch Annie.

"Congratulations!" Annie exclaims excitedly before she drops her voice, speaking softly, "You deserve so much happiness, Terra."

"Thank you."

Haymitch claps. "Yes, congratulations you two, but you're wanted in command, Finnick."

Terra doesn't look to acknowledge him, opting to keep holding her friend as though they could share their happiness through touch alone. She knew that Annie had a heart of gold, one that deserved peace and happily ever aftet more than any other. At one time she would have thought Annie was destined for someone as good as Finnick, but then she spoke of love, confiding in her how she envied him of his easy nature and capabilities to speak to girls so pretty and wonderful that it gave her a special type of anxiety. Annie had confessed to having feelings at one time or another for Terra, after having seen her win her Games against all odds and standing in the sunlight of District 4 with the blue of the sea striking behind her.

It wasn't fair that her friend might never get the happiness she deserved, even after her heart continued to yearn for someone that might never love her back. Because Johanna, as much as Terra loved her friend, as purposely oblivious matters of the heart - and she couldn't ever begrudge someone for wishing to keep themselves safe from pain and heartache.

A firm hand pressed to the small of her back, bringing her attention back to Finnick and the small, barely there worried gleam in his eyes.

"Do you want to come?" He asks, leaning down to speak by her ear.

"No thanks. I think I'll stay here and wait for you."

"I'll stay with you," Annie chirps, smilling happily as she moves away and sits on the bed, kicking her feet slightly as they dangle. "I've been spending all my time with Johanna I haven't had the chance to see you much."

An electric shock type of feeling snaps in her mind and she looks to her friend. "Have you spoken to Peeta since we were kicked out? I haven't had the chance to try again."

"He's asked after you. I think he's worried about you, T."

Terra frowns, biting the inside of her cheek.

"I'll be back soon," Finnick tells her, pressing a kick kiss to the cotner of her mouth before he disappears, following the others.

"Can I stay with you?" Marium asks quietly, shuffling by the door.

"Of course, you're always welcome," Terra motions her in, telling her not to bother with the door.

"Terra? I just - I want to thank you again, for taking my place. It should have been me there, you never shpuld have had to go through all of that," Marium blurts, gripping her hands tightly.

"I volunteered to take your place. It was my decision and mine alone. Don't feel responsible or guilty for anything that happened because it wasn't your fault," she tells her honestly, voice thick with emotion.

Because Terra had thought the woman dead. The kind woman whobhad cared for her when her family hadn't and she believed herself all alone.

"I don't regret my actions regardless of the consequences."

The elder woman shook her head, tears forming in her eyes, and Terra squeezed her shoulder, moving to sit beside Annie that had taken the makeshift bowl of berries from the floor, placing them somewhere out of the way with the cuff so she could use the blanket, cuddling up with the thin, sparse pillows. She eyed the open door as she climbed in beside her, trusting that people will leave them alone, and let her friend curl up next to her.

There was a constant battle in raging ear under her skin. Part of her always wished to be alone, to have her space bare of anything and anyone else touching her, fingers feeling like burning prods. The other wished to hold all those she loved close wanting nothing more than to listen to their heartbeat drum against her own or the rise and fall of their chest with each and every breath. She felt foreign in her own body at times, like an invader, but this was Annie, the sweet, tormented girl thay had reassured her from behind bars, that had been her friend since the moment she came to District 10 on her Victory tour.

"Will you marry him in the District 4 fashion since that was how you proposed?" Annie questioned with a smile in her voice.

"I don't know."

"Well 10 has all these traditions, you know," Marium puts in.

"Didn't you do the silly bull dance at your wedding?" Terra recalls, bringing her hand up to her head and wiggling her pointer finger where a horn would go.

"I remember you dancing along in the crowd. You spun around with those sisters of yours at the reception," Marium retorts and she snorts.

"That wasn't the ceremony."

"What's the bull dance?" Annie asks.

"It doesn't matter, I think. I would be marrying into your District."

"No one would start up the chain for you anyways. You have no family to call up a herd."

A chill runs down her spine and her head snaps to the open door, wondering why she ever believed she could have a moment without the prying.

Dark hair was pulled back in a tight braid, bangs clipped back to reveal dull dark blue eyes, bloodshot and rimmed red around the deep bruising thst revealed the lack of sleep. Her sister had never been one for keeping up with her appearance but it was important to her that she looked presentable. The way Lenna looked now with skin ashen and chapped lips, Terra could tell that there was something wrong beyond the obvious.

"Why are you here?" Marium asks, abruptly standing and blocking Terra's sight of her. "Why aren't you at work?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"I have permission to be here."

Lenna snorts. "So all Victors get special treatment and not just the important ones? That's hardly a surprise."

Annie recoils at her side and Terra can't help wincing at the harsh words.

"What do you want, Lenna?" She asks.

"Rumor was that you were spotted with the Mockingjay. I just wanted to see if it was true, that they were really letting someone like you walk around freely."

"Please, go away."

"No! I wamt to know what you've done. What sort of crimes did you commit to stay alive? What did you say to that man?" Lenna demands, voice rising and she can feel Annie shake against her, muttering about water and screams.

Marium squares her shoulders. "That's enough, Lenna. Leave."

"How can you defend her! She's nothing more than a murderer and a traitor! A coward! She's the reason they're all dead! She killed them all!" Her sister screamed, raging.

She recoiled this time, head hitting the wall hard enough to make her eyes water.

"Get out," Terra pleads, pressing her palms against her eyes.

"Not until you've answered for what you've done! You're the reason they're dead! Dad and Breena, my niece and nephew!" Lenna screeched and she lunged, knocking into Marium with the force to send her back. "You killed our sister! Our father!"

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2019-03-14