OCEAN EYES ✘✘.

“I thought this would help you out a little to feel better” Finnick said as he stood with his usual award-winning smile.  

“oh, finnick,” she muttered, a finger pressed tightly against her lips, as if she was thinking. “you know i don’t.. don’t really do.. that.” it was the best rejection annie could manage to stammer out, it would have to do. “but thank you anyway ??”

It was yet another year and another Games. Except that it wasn’t. This thought rippled through the mind of Lincoln Conway, as he entered the Tribute Tower for the Quarter Quell. His tributes quickly perished during the 74th Games, but at least the Everdeen girl had a chance. The Career pack was strong, but Katniss seemed to be the only name on everyone’s lips. Even Lincoln foolishly thought the unlikely tribute from District Twelve could have walked away with the crown. Except that she didn’t. A lump rose in his throat, as the unpleasant image of the girl’s demise entered his mind.

The male victor sauntered further into the Tower and sunk into a chair in the foyer’s seating area. A sigh escaped his lips, which the young man quickly covered with a soft smirk. It seemed better to allow the nearby reporters to believe his sigh was one of elation to be back in the Capitol. Unfortunately, that could not be further from the truth. Just before he sinking into his thoughts, he heard someone sit in the next seat. With a forged smirk, Lincoln turned toward them with the best smile an ex-Career could muster.

“Happy Hunger Games. Interesting Quell they’ve cooked up, huh?” He offered, allowing the agreeable smirk to remain on his lips.  // @thqstarter

“it’s.. quite something,” annie softly agreed, a nod complementing her statement. she’d somehow managed to make herself look even smaller; her legs were tucked up to her chest, her chin resting on her knees. it was protective - she still wasn’t quite used to all the noise, all the commotion of the tower. so she found comfort in what she did best: being as small, non-threatening and quiet as she possibly could be.

the quell hadn’t come as a surprise to her. in fact, she’d expected way worse than what it ended up being. she’d expected to be thrown back into the arena, have the tributes only be twelve-year-olds, something of the same caliber of horror.  maybe they were just saving the good stuff for the 100rd games. maybe annie would still be here for that. she tried to shake that thought out of her head, instead leaning forward. she reached out, tried to reach for lincoln’s hand, wanted to place her own over his, if only for a moment, unsure if it was her offering or seeking comfort. “are you alright, link ??” she asked him, mustering up as bright a smile as she could manage ( it wasn’t very bright ).