Reyna was sorely tempted to throttle the (poor excuse of an) instructor at the knots station. Put a weapon in her hands–handgun, sniper rifle, sword, dagger, whip, machete, throwing knife, bow, trident, slingshot, dart gun, broadsword, mace, club, cudgel, staff, spear, axe, hatchet, saw–you name it, she could use it to kill effectively. But she couldn't tie a knot to save her life–literally.

Which is why she had decided to learn how. An hour ago. She was still fuming about her encounter with Finnick the night before, radiating ice-cold anger and molten rage at the same time. Needless to say, everyone had given her plenty of space that morning.

The instructor tried AGAIN to teach her how to tie a simple knot. Her fingers shook with stress and fatigue. She had more nightmares last night, but when Finnick tried to comfort her, he found the door locked, barred, and–much to Lily's displeasure–stuck through with a dagger she threw at him when he wouldn't leave.

She was just about ready to slam the knot on the table–or strangle the instructor with it–when she felt cool hands snake down her arms to her wrists, then her fingers. Finnick.

He stood behind her, looking over her shoulder and moving her fingers for her, going through the motions of tying the knot. The first attempt was a complete failure, but though her anger was dissipating, she was still humiliated.

"Relax, Reyna. You're as stiff as a board." he said, running his thumbs over the backs of her hands. "You've got this."

She tried again, letting the tension slip from her shoulders. Only when she felt his chest bump against her back (to which he chuckled, which she could very much feel rumbling in his chest) did she realize just how much she had slumped, the events of last night finally catching up to her.

"Good job, Reyna. I knew you could do it." She turned her head to look at him quizzically (and tried not to think out how close this put her lips to his), and he nodded in the direction of their hands.

There was a perfect knot, to her complete surprise. "Did I do that?"

"Mhmm. Wanna try another?"

"Sure!"

And so they practiced until she could tie about four knots easily, without his help.

"You're pretty good at this, for a beginner." He commented, grinning at her.

"Thanks." She smiled. Then her eyes narrowed into sharp, lethal daggers, making him gulp. "But I'm still mad at you for teasing me like that."

He grinned nervously. "Would an 'I'm sorry,' help my case?"

Her glare lessened–but only slightly. "Tch. You're partially forgiven, but only because you taught me how to tie a knot."

His grin widened. "I'll take what I can get."

Katniss watched the whole exchange, standing next to Johanna. They were a distance away from the two, enough to be unnoticeable. A tiny smile threatened to sneak onto her lips at their antics.

Johanna (who Katniss found skilled, if not exactly agreeable) crossed her arms with a knowing smirk. "Do you know how they met?"

"No." Katniss looked at her curiously, obviously asking how.

The District 7 Tribute smiled a little and leaned her back against the wall, looking at the two nostalgically. "It was so cheesy. Might as well have been out of a film."

"What happened?"

Johanna smiled wryly. "That's a story for another day, I think. It's also better after you've had a bit to drink. Ask Finnick when this is all over."

Katniss frowned thoughtfully. "But when this is all over–"

"We might all live, Girl On Fire. We just might."

Katniss attempted throwing the knife for the umpteenth time. And missed, also for the umpteenth time. The closest she had gotten to the target was still about three feet to the left of it. Frankly, she was surprised the thing hadn't been turned to ash under her glare thus far.

"Dam-" she started to hiss out.

"Hey." Reyna leaned against the wall, her arms crossed and a small smile on her face.

Katniss turned, setting down the next knife she was going to attempt (read: fail) to throw with a sigh. "Hey."

"I don't suppose you'd be willing to let me teach you how to do it?"

"...would you? Teach me, that is."

"Sure." Reyna answered, standing up and going over to the younger woman. "Let me see your method."

Katniss brought the knife up, aimed for the target, threw the blade, and...hit the wall next to Reyna. The blue-eyed Tribute raised an eyebrow. She didn't flinch even a bit! The knife could've hit her! Katniss thought, astounded.

"Well done." Reyna said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now all you have to do is throw it right. And aim. I find aiming rather important."

Katniss rolled her eyes, gesturing to the other woman 'If you're so great, then show me.' Reyna smirked and walked up to the knives, picking one up and tossing it it with one hand before passing it to the other. She threw it up and spun, catching it in her right hand after turning a full 360 degrees.

The dagger was hilt-deep in the target's heart before Katniss could blink. Her eyes widened in shock. "How did you-"

"Years of practice. Now, come over here." She ordered, gesturing for the other to walk over to where she was.

An hour later the teenage girl could throw fairly well. "Good job, Everdeen." Reyna praised, putting a hand on the other girl's shoulder. "Just keep at it, and you'll do great." She turned and started to walk away, obviously satisfied that she would be fine on her own.

"Wait!" Katniss called.

"Yes?" Reyna turned around, starting to walk backwards.

"What do you want in return?"

"I'll call you on it at a later date."

"Change of plans!" Lily announced over dinner, a bit more excited than she probably should've been.

Reyna swallowed the last bite of grilled salmon and looked up curiously. "Oh?"

Her fellow Tribute set down his fork and waited for Lily to speak. "You two are playing a...new angle for the cameras this year."

"I'm listening." The 24-year-old woman said, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms. It was about as relaxed as she got.

"You two are going to be lovers."