#4thdistrict

[pose1dson]

a breakdown of some of the events of the 67th hunger games

( under the cut bc this is gonna get long )

even 12 year old perseus odair knew something was wrong the moment no one stepped forward to volunteer. he locked eyes with his brother from across the crowd, and he could see the worry in his eyes, too. all those fears became reality when his name was drawn, announcing him as the male tribute for the 67th hunger games. even after his name was drawn, no one stepped up to volunteer, even though he'd heard who had been planned to step forward as volunteers for that year. instead, it ended up being percy and a 17 year old female volunteer.

he was taken to a room to say his goodbyes. first came mags, who brought him snacks and some of his things to take with him. after that was finnick, who immediately told him he was going with him. he insisted it was his fault, but wouldn't elaborate to percy as to why. he made it very clear that he was going to be his mentor, and that he was going to be by his side the entire time. it was the one comfort he had leading up to the start of the games.

during his training, he caught the eye of a district one tribute named clarisse la rue. she, along with many of the other tributes, made it well known that there was a target on percy's back. not only was the the smallest and the youngest of the tributes, but he was also a legacy the brother of a former victor.

finnick spent the next few days training percy. thankfully, finnick had already taught him how to fight just as a precaution, as percy's smart mouth had a tendency to get him into trouble. he also prepped him for interviews and warned him not to mouth off, though percy still made snide comments in his interview much to finnick's frustration. when it was finally time for percy to enter the arena, finnick gave him his necklace to take as his token, making him promise to bring it back to him when he wins.

when percy emerged from the tube and into the arena, he was met with the sight of a beach with large, choppy waves behind him, and what looked to be the ruins of a city looming in front of him. between them and the city laid a supply camp, with weapons gleaming in the sweltering sunlight. percy's eyes darted around, taking stock of his surroundings. he knew he needed to get his hands on a weapon a sword, preferably but as he glanced to his left and saw clarisse's gaze focused on him, he also knew that avoiding her was top priority. if he wasn't careful, his time in the games would be ending before he could ever reach the supplies.

as the countdown finished and the horn blared, percy took off running, but not in the direction that everyone seemed to expect him to. instead, percy ran towards the water, diving in and swimming towards a large cluster of rocks. he breached the water as he came up for air, hiding between the rocks as he watched the clarisse and a few others reach the supplies and take out the first batch of tributes. five tributes fell there, and he could hear clarisse yelling to the others about finding him. percy stayed where he was, well hidden, for as long as he could.

as night fell, percy finally emerged from the water, shivering. while he was used to being in the water for extended periods of time, even he knew that he needed to get his body temperature up. as if on queue, a cannister attached to a parachute descended from the sky. inside, percy found an emergency thermal blanket, a breathing apparatus, and what looked like just the hilt of a sword, along with a note from finnick. the note wished him luck, told him he was watching, and told him to 'show them what he could do' . curious, percy studied the hilt, and upon closer inspection, realized there was a button on the bottom. pressing it, it began to expand, growing until it became a full, gleaming bronze sword. well, percy thought. at least he wouldn't have to worry about stealing one from the supplies now.

hiding became easy with the help of the supplies he was sent. the breathing apparatus allowed percy to stay underwater longer, and he would emerge from the water at night, tucked away in a hidden alcove, and used the emergency thermal blanket to regain his body heat while he cautiously slept. he was also able to catch fish for food, which kept him from straying too far from the beach.

it didn't take percy long to realize what was happening with the water. by the morning of the third day, his alcove was nearly completely submerged. the water levels were steadily rising, which meant that percy was being pushed further inland and closer to the other tributes. he knew it was only a matter of time before he'd come face to face with the others, and he was determined to be ready when he did.

two weeks passed within the arena, and percy moved further into the city as the water levels began to rise. he was able to hide out of the water as time progressed, now able to move between ruins and the water with more ease. after the two weeks had passed, the capitol made it clear that they were frustrated with his ability to hide, as the water suddenly retreated. percy had a feeling he knew what was coming, and he turned out to be right: a large tidal wave slammed into the ruins, taking out most of the remaining tributes. percy was able to survive thanks to the training he'd gotten from his brother growing up, which made him more able to withstand the rough water. 21 days into the games, he and clarisse were the last ones standing.

the water levels were so high that nearly the entirety of the ruins were submerged. that, coupled with shark-like muttations that the capitol released into the water forced both percy and clarisse out of the water and into the open. now, percy had no option but to fight. clarisse was ruthless, coming at him relentlessly with an electrified spear. percy, who had now gotten his hands on a shield, as well, fought just as relentlessly, though he was fighting to survive, not to kill. at one point, clarisse thrust her spear forward, and it got lodged in the shield. as percy twisted, he snapped the spear in half. the lost of her weapon did not deter her, however, and clarisse lunged at percy. percy moved instinctively, and he thrust his sword forward, lodging itself in clarisse's stomach. he immediately released his grip on the sword, hands trembling as clarisse tumbled into the shark infested waters. the canon sounded, and the announcement came through: perseus odair was the victor of the 67th annual hunger games.

he didn't remember losing consciousness. one moment he was still in the arena, and the next thing he knew, he was waking up in the medical bay of the training center, finnick sitting at his side. hands still trembling, percy pulled the necklace from around his neck and handed it back to his brother, who simply wrapped his arms around him. percy finally allowed himself to break down in that moment, the gravity of everything that happened coming crashing down.

the next few weeks passed in a blur, and percy struggled to hold his tongue and control his anger, but did his best. the people of the capitol dubbed him as panem's favorite son, and they seemed to love the fact that there were now victors who were brothers. interviews and the victory tour finally ended, and eventually, percy found himself back in district four. he was given his own home in the victor's village, but that house remained empty, percy instead deciding to remain in his brother's house. sleep became scared, his nights plagued with nightmares usually of him being hunted down. he would visit the capitol quite often, as his brother spent a lot of time there. he attracted quite a lot of attention for simply having been the youngest victor in the history of the games, so even as he was forced to parade around lavish parties in the capitol, percy did his best to stay out of the public eye.

as he got older, he was requested to serve as a mentor. by then, he had learned how dangerous it was for him to say no to the capitol, so he returned to mentor the district four tributes for the 72nd games at only 17. there, he would encounter annabeth chase, the volunteer tribute from district two.

[lvebug]

get back to work

and how am i supposed to see your lovely and oh so helpful message if you keep telling me to get off tumblr???

[mckngsong]

@4thdistrict said “   one  of  these  days ,   you’re  gonna  give  me  a  fucking  heart  attack .   ”

 ‍  ‍ “ sorry, ” but katniss can barely suppress the smirk on her lips. she has always been soft - footed but maybe she takes advantage of it with finnick, especially in this hall where most noise resounds off the concrete and thick glass. seeing him jump always gives her a little bit of joy.

 ‍  ‍ she raises a brow, extending the rolled paper bag in her hand. “ they let me in to bring you lunch. ” did she need to? absolutely not. is this some strange, unspoken habit she has adopted since meeting aquarist? perhaps. prim is still in school and she got a half day at work, so what else is she going to do?

[murkyhazed-is-archiving]

LIKED : the office generated starters / @4thdistrict

feat. haymitch abernathy and finnick odair.

               ❝   oh   i   steal   things   all   the   time.      it's   just   something   that   i   do.   i   stopped   caring   a   long   time   ago.   ❞

[mcmorare]

@4thdistrict sent: " how's 'i don't give a fuck' going? "

“Is it cheating if I tell you I don’t give a fuck how it’s going?”  That’s not exactly true, none of them can entirely stop caring about how they’re perceived. Even if they say they don’t care. It’s a huge part of life after the games, being paraded around like some sort of grotesque show pony. A show pony with killing experience and emotional baggage. Eyes on you all the time. She fucking hates it. 

“Same shit as always. Smile for the camera, hide out at home,”  she confides with a shrug.  “What about you?”

[iccarian]

tie, sender helps tie receiver's tie. ― @4thdistrict.

he really shouldn't be this nervous. given everything he's faced, especially alongside annabeth, it shouldn't be a dance causing his palms to break out in sweat, his breath catching on nerves. it isn't even a formal suit and tie event, just a school dance, but he thought the tie looked nice and his mom bought it for him. percy's grateful, at least, it isn't her currently adjusting it through the collar of his shirt and deftly redoing the knot. he loves his mother terribly, but he thinks he'd rather disappear into a pile of sand than face her teasing.

as it is, he's already a little embarrassed he got it tangled up on his own and finnick had to step in. but it feels . . . right, in a way. something an older brother would do by instinct. one he has been hit with, since estelle was born. he wrings out his hands a little, tips his head up once finnick steps back to survey his handiwork and forces a grin to crook the corners of his mouth. ❝ so? what do you think? ❞

[fals3nd]

@4thdistrict said ; to katniss : "you don't have to forgive me, for what happened in the arena, but you do have to know that it's not what was supposed to happen. it's important that you know that. your forgiveness it's... well it's not what you're known for so," it's supposed to be a joke, but there's hardly life to him as he speak, "i won't hold my breath."

i'm tired. "i'm not ... mad at you." it's almost true. finnick is hard to stay mad at. it's easier with the others. coin and plutarch and haymitch. they're the planners, aren't they? finnick and beetee and johanna were just pieces in the game. moved into the correct position. my hands shake a little around the cup i'm holding as i lift it to my lips. besides, it's hard to be mad at someone who looks so damn sad. i wonder if i look the same way. i hate to look in a mirror these days.

it should be peeta here. if there was any fairness in this world, it would be peeta here. i'm the one who should be in a cell in the capitol somewhere, having who knows what done to me because i'm the symbol, i'm the mockingjay, i'm the ... whatever they want me to be. peeta is better than i am and everyone knows it. it's just a fact. the sky is blue and peeta is the one who should have made it out of the arena. "so. forgiven."

[was70th]

“ my dad moved back home this morning. ” it’s spoken matter of fact, as dull and detached as the glass-like look to her eyes. brine and guin went with him, that goes without question. she’s been sitting on mags’ front step for the past few hours, being plied with tea and barely picked at bread and a knitted quilt wrapped around her shoulders. staring across the way at her own house. it’s not home. it’s not. her mother doesn’t haunt it’s halls, tossed out to sea like she was. and it’s her fault, everything is her fault. she’s silent for a few more moments, then annie’s expression twists , something high and wet and hurting caught in her throat. “ he says he couldn’t be here anymore. ”

@4thdistrict ˡⁱᵏᵉᵈ.

[wasntfaira]

❛ THEY AREN'T GOING TO DROP THE ACT , are they ? ❜ there's some morbid curiosity in her tone as johanna eyes the newest victor's from across the ballroom. ❛ it was smart in the arena , i'll give them that. ❜ / @4thdistrict , ♡'d

[70won]

"okay, just-" finnick's eyes are wide, hands out cautiously right beneath johanna's. he knows he's in her space, but with the baby in her arms, he can't force himself to step back. "just make sure you've got his head." @4thdistrict

johanna thought baby's were like bombs. with every passing second, they grew closer and closer to detonation and any slight motions could set them off. had it been any other child, she would have promptly returned the underbaked human to their parent but this wasn't just any baby. this was finnick's baby and in turn it made him something like family to her as well. it's the only reason she looked down at him with fond curiosity. he blinked up at her, with eyes as clear as the sea, and it was like holding a younger finnick in her arms. one before the age of fourteen, untouched by games and war and everything else that this child would never have to face. she would make sure of it.

it's clear in her stance how unsure. johanna is about handling the boy. elbows jut out awkwardly and she cradles the back of his head with claw-like stiffness. finnick had every right to be cautious, but she swivelled the baby away from his hands with an irritated hiss nonetheless. " oh for fuck's sake, finn, i'm not going to drop your kid. " in her defence, she had never dropped her younger siblings accidentally. on purpose was a whole other story. johanna settled herself into the nearest chair to alleviate both their worries. her eyes settled back on the newborn now resting on her chest and a smile curled up her lips. " can't fucking believe it. finnick odair, the victor, the husband, and now the father. " she finally looked up at finnick again and raised her brows. " so, how does it feel ? "

[pose1dson]

" when are you coming home ? "

@4thdistrict

[lvebug]

@4thdistrict said: there's a stubborn and small hand closed around one of finnick's curls in a grip he didn't expect any baby to possess. "ah-" his head tilts at the tug, a smile pushed to his face despite the obvious struggle he's in. "ah- no, look, look who it is!" his free hand points towards the costumed hero, an attempt at a distraction. "it's lovebug!"

andie is a superhero, and superheroes save people. even when the person in need of saving is a dear friend of hers currently being attacked by... wait for it... their own baby! she swoops down and lands quietly in front of the pair. he's really squishable in this moment. (not the baby, though the little finnlet is also quite squishable.) finnick is all soft edges and brilliant—albeit pained—smiles.

"ahh," she coos, making a grasping little wave at the kid. she makes no attempt to save finnick from this mess. why would he want to be saved from something so cute? "and who is this?" her voice is high in what is universally known as baby talk and she grins widely at him, full of joy.

[mckngsong]

@4thdistrict liked for a lyric starter !

 ‍  ‍ “ we all still die, what will you leave behind? ”

 ‍ ‍   ‍ ― willow tree march, the paper kites.

[inbreeze]

"i'd always heard about you... in stories. my uh, mags, she talked about you, so did others." he blinks awkwardly, rope clutched in his fist, "i thought you were dead, to be honest. i'm think everyone did."

@4thdistrict

she smiles at him, a little bit sad, but happy all the same. lucy gray had never hoped for fame, but there was a part of her that desperately hoped to live on. the same way her parents had lived on through her, or the lucy gray she was named after lived on through her poem. maybe this means maude ivory and the others didn’t have to miss her too much.

“i never realized that word had spread. didn’t realize i was so popular.” she has more questions, but she won’t ask them yet. honestly, she isn’t sure that she even wants answers. because the more it says about the capitol, the more that it says about snow, too. and she’d had enough of him for a million lifetimes.

“so, what kind of stuff did you hear? did they tell you about my friend, the snake?” oh, the crowd had loved that.

[mcmorare]

@4thdistrict sent: his hands smooths out over the wooden toy, feeling all the small carvings, before a smaller hand tries to yank it away. when he doesn't let it budge at first there's a loud whine from the baby to protest and finnick gives in immediately. "well, i think it's safe to say he's a fan."

She can’t help the smile that spreads across her face.  “I’m glad.”  It had been a bit of a challenge, carving the little fish, considering she hasn’t really seen very many - she had to keep on pausing to think and remind herself how many fins there are - but she’s happy with the product. And clearly the kid is too. Granted, it’s a baby, it probably wouldn't have minded if she just handed over a random lump of wood. But it’s nice to make it into something more fun.  “That settles what to get for his birthday, then.”

[iccarian]

“hey, you did good,” finnick’s hands cup percy’s face trying to get him to breathe alongside him. “you did really good, okay?” one hand goes to gently tap against the other’s chest— “in and out… easy.” ― from @4thdistrict.

 ‍  ‍ his chest feels like it's on fire. like every breath he takes is burned before it even reaches his lungs, that ache and clamor for air. he imagines this is what drowning must be like, if it were possible. it sucks. the frantic, heavy beat of his heart threatens to concave into something hollow. now, don't get him wrong -- percy has had panic attacks before. he's well acquainted. but something about this feels worse than usual, reminds him of the poison of the chimera, the scorpion, the weight of the entire world. the next thing he's truly aware of is that he has stumbled to his knees in a vain attempt to reach the beach, that someone has come to his aid, grounding him.

 ‍  ‍ breathe. just breathe, percy. they aren't the words the other boy speaks but they resonate within him all the same, and his hand comes up unconsciously to grasp the hand on his chest like some lifeline. eyes squeeze shut, breaths stuttering in and out until he feels his chest moving alongside them, but he breathes. until the fear settles into something bearable, something he's used to. the constant that has been in the back of his mind since the day he was claimed. when he comes to, moments or centuries later, he is blinking back into the eyes of finnick odair, and his shame is painted red on his face. the demigod sinks awkwardly onto his haunches, using the back of his hand to hastily wipe the tears he wasn't even aware had fallen. you did good. is that all it takes? a simple reminder that he hasn't failed entirely, just yet? yikes.

 ‍  ‍ ❝ thanks. ❞ his gaze won't raise, keenly interested in the fraying threads on the cuff of his jeans. gods, he hopes finnick was the only one that saw him. what would the others think, the ones convinced he is the hero or the doombringer of the prophecy? a clear of his throat. ❝ and . . . sorry, about that. ❞