philophobia

16

"You love him, don't you?"

Finnick couldn't help but smile adoringly at Harley, watching as he stood behind Aspen in the water, teaching her how to wield the sickle. Katniss noticed almost immediately and Peeta followed suit, both finding their love almost refreshing.

"More than anything" he confessed.

Harley turned to face him as if he had a supernatural hearing that alerted him to the conversation but in all actuality, he felt Finnick's burning gaze creeping on his skin. He sent him a small smile before turning his attention back to Aspen, clapping for her as she properly thrust the curved blade forward.

Taking them all by surprise, Harley ducked forward and shoved his mentor behind him. With narrowed eyes, he lurched forward, setting the trio sitting by the fire on edge as they prepared their weapons, but were ultimately taken back as he darted forward with open arms.

"Johanna!"

"Harley!"

She jumped into his arms, laughing with a certainty of relief as he spun her around before the others ran over. As she made her way into Finnick's arms, he ran forward to hug Beetee and Wiress, ignoring her blabbering as he was just happy to see them alive. Harley tuned out Johanna's tale, catching something about blood rain and Blight hitting the forcefield. He only jumped into action when Katniss shoved Johanna, pulling the temperamental female into his arms and then dragging her into the water, giving Finnick a knowing look.

"You're so temperamental" he teased.

"Shut up" she sighed, sitting down in the water as he began scrubbing her hair, taking it upon herself to scrub her arms. "I'm glad you're all alright."

"I'm happy you're alive too" he chuckled.

"How have the lovebirds been?"

"Intoxicating us with their lovey-dovey bullshit," he remarked, unable to contain his smile as she scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Do you believe it?"

"What?"

"Their love? Do you believe it?"

His movements slowed for a moment as her words sank in. With closed eyes, Harley let the answer flow out of his mouth, knowing only the truth would flow smoothly.

"Yes."

"I didn't at first but, now I do" she whispered, glancing up at him.

"Well," he cleared his throat. "Onto more interesting topics, what did you mean when you said you killed them for Katniss?"

"Not just her."

"Huh?"

"Both of you" Johanna paused, pulling out of his reach and standing up. "Every death, every kill. It's all for the two of you."

Silence fell between them, eyes locked for what seemed like forever and only strayed when Katniss began hollering like a mad woman in the water. They all gathered on the sand before deciding they were too exposed with their backs to the jungle and headed to the cornucopia, walking along the slippery rocks with Finnick's hand on his lower back.

"The entire arena is a clock" Katniss began to explain as she simultaneously drew with a stick in the sand.

"Like, everything's timed or something?"

"Exactly" Katniss nodded at Harley as she began to break down the simplicity of her realization to the entire group.

"How the fuck do they even come up with this shit..." Harley's voice trailed off as Aspen slapped the backside of his head, her disapproving look made him hold his hands up and walk away towards the direction Wiress had been sitting.

He looked up just in time to see Katniss's arrow impale Gloss, a canon sounding immediately.

The Careers were finally making their move.

Johanna went after Cashmere while Katniss covered Beetee and helped him retreat toward the center of the cornucopia. Finnick had his trident in a defensive position as he guarded Peeta whilst simultaneously leading Aspen away from the combat.

"Fin, watch!"

Harley's sickle glimmered in his hand as he swung it at Brutus. He refused to let anyone hurt the people he loved and Brutus, like the sly man he was, had tried to pursue them knowing Finnick wouldn't be able to protect both of them without having at least one casualty.

Just as he knocked the machete out of the Career's hand, the island shifted.

A painful groaning noise echoed as the cornucopia began to spin, knocking them all to their feet. Brutus had a weak grip and Harley wasted no time, kicking his face as sharply as he could manage to knock him down into the water below.

He heard cries of frustration and fear coming from his allies, his eyes jetting between them all as he tried to rack his brain for a way to save them, or at least help them.

It wasn't until the island stopped spinning that panic began to set in for the young boy. Whilst everyone was beginning to calm down, his heart was beating hard against his rippled chest, his eyes scanning the curvatures of the island they were on at an alarming rate.

"Where's Aspen?!"