[For Finnick] I don't aim to blow your cover

[girlsolo]

William tugs at Kate's hand when they pass by the kitchen on the way from the Children's Office to home. "Hungry," he says in that quiet way he has, and Kate nods. "Okay, buddy." He's not scrawny like she imagines her and Will's son probably is at the end of the world being overrun by zombies, but she never says no when he wants to eat. "What do you want?"

The kid shrugs and gives her that soft-eyed look that pretty much means whatever since none of the stuff he usually likes to eat is here anymore.

"It's kinda rough, huh, the island changing all the time? Just when you think it's safe to go back in the water..." She quirks a little smile, and he smiles back even though he has no idea what she means. He just lifts his arms up and Kate hikes him up and sits him on her hip. "We'll find something." He rests his head on her shoulder and she kisses the top of his head. "Promise."

"Declan?" he asks suddenly. Perceptive little kid.

"Gone," she tells him.

"Like mama." He makes a sad face and says, "Sorry, Katie."

And if Kate holds him a little tighter when he calls her 'Katie', hugs him a little harder, is a little more affectionate than usual, William doesn't seem to mind.

*
Title ad cut lyrics from Dessa's Alibi.

Comments

[victorofthe65th]

'You're not the only one,' Finnick thinks with a slight grin, appreciating her all the more in that moment. Taking the plate, he wraps his other arm around her and pulls her in close to press a kiss to the top of her head. "You know that goes both ways, right? I promise I'm not just using you for your amazing sandwich-making skills."

[girlsolo]

This time, instinct stays quiet. Somehow, between taking a sandwich to William (who is smiling at them hugging; he likes hugs) and admitting he and Annie are pregnant, Finnick slipped inside her walls. Or maybe it's just been a shitty fucking few weeks, she misses Declan (and Will and Magnus) more than she wants to admit, and...

Whatever. She's totally ignoring the sting in her eyes and the ache in her chest when she hugs him back. She tells herself the lie she wants to let go and believes it enough to do it, then quirk a smartass grin back up at him. "You sure? I make a mean boar bacon, lettuce and tomato."

[victorofthe65th]

"Oh, I will never say no to more food," Finnick replies right away, not missing the way her eyes look a little watery, though not commenting on it either. He's fairly certain she wouldn't appreciate it. "I'm just saying it's not the only reason."

It's obvious (to him at least) that everything that's happened with her in the past month or so is weighing on her heavier than she wants to let on. But she's strong, as strong as any tribute he ever had to mentor, whether they came back to him or not. She'll pull through.