CHAPTER ELEVEN
the moon and the sea

( content warning - steaminess (minor) and alluded near smut ;) you're welcome )

FINNICK HAD ADVISED TO SHOW OFF AS MUCH AS SHE COULD IN THE EVALUATION, BUT IN COMPLETE HONESTLY, THE INDIVIDUAL EVALUATIONS WERE BARELY OF ELEANOR'S CONCERN. Eleanor had laid in her bed the night before, simply lost in thought as she replayed the last few days in her mind.

Though, Eleanor did listen to what Finnick had to say. He would get annoyed if she didn't. His advise had simply been to show her skills off as much as she could so that she had a chance in the arena. But, in reality, there wasn't a lot to show off since Eleanor decided that she would impress the Game Makers with her knot tying, camouflage, and her knowledge on poisons.

Perhaps her arena would cater towards her herbal affinity and that would lead to Kai's victory.

Over the next few days, August lingered. She seemed more and more fascinated with Eleanor's entity, drawn to her like a moth to an open flame.

Eleanor was drawn to her too.

There was just something about her. Something beautiful, yet dangerous and perhaps forbidden.

It wasn't love, it simply couldn't be. She had only known August for a short while, so it was definitely not love. But, those lingering stares from across the room were so much more than simply being friendly.

It had happened just after the second training day. Eleanor was pulled to the side by August, who simply beckoned the girl to follow her.

They wound up in a closet and Eleanor emerged with puffy red lips and messy hair and a shit faced grin.

August Hasting was like a forbidden apple and Eleanor was poisoned by her entire existence.

"I-I've never felt like this about many,"  August's hand trailed down Eleanor's face, her thumb pressed against her pink lips. She stared at them just for a moment, before finally pressing her lips to Eleanor's.

It had not been the first time she had been kissed. It was no secret in District 4 that Eleanor Eves attracted the attention of many boys and girls. There had been times where she'd have small childish flings with kids in her class, some being girls who wanted to see what kissing a girl was like, and some were boys who simply found her aesthetically appealing to their boyish fantasies. So, when August Hasting had kissed her, it didn't shock Eleanor at all.

She just didn't know how to feel about her in these moments, simply staring at her from across the room. They planned to meet after their individual assessments, August inviting Eleanor up to the roof for a moment of peace. Finnick was vaguely aware of it, simply because Eleanor mentioned wanting some alone time after her assessment.

He just didn't know she was going to be with someone.

Waiting for the assessment was quite a wait. Eleanor had spent most the time assuring Kai, sneaking glances from Marlene, Sage, and August. She was more subtle about it with her allies, simply because she could see how the others acknowledged her and August's... situation.

"You'll be fine," Eleanor assured Kai as his leg wobbled as he shook on the spot. He was nervously fidgeting with the cuticles of his nails, something Eleanor had to physically stop him from doing. She took his hands into her own, holding them assuringly. Just moments later, his name was called and he exchanged one look with Eleanor before scurrying away.

"Nervous, aye?" Sage turned to Eleanor quietly, catching the brunette's attention. Eleanor jumped ever so slightly and faced the girl, nodding. "He'll be fine. Besides, he has you. Kiddo's sorted, right?"

"I doubt I'll get above a seven." Eleanor remarked, shaking her head ever so slightly with a slight laugh.

Sage joined in with the laughter, making everything feel more and more comfortable. "Well, not all high scores come from the brute. The strategic always come on top too. Beetee Latier, notably."

And Sage's comment stuck with Eleanor as she completed her assessment just fifteen minutes later. She didn't need to show off her new found ability to hold a knife in a position that won't afflict a wound like a paper cut, nor her ability to punch someone hard in the nose. Eleanor simply dedicated her time to things she knew.

Knots, camouflage, and poison.

That was enough. Enough for Eleanor.

She emerged from the assessment room feeling a sense of pride, the pride quickly being replaced with the butterflies she felt with August Hasting the moment she was yanked to the side. Eleanor let out a small laugh as she met the pale face of August Hasting, pulled into a small closet which made the space between them seem too close and suffocating.

"Hey," August grinned, her nose scrunched upwards. "Roof?"

And that was where the pair of them were now. The two girls sat opposite each other on the roof, grinning like mad men, knowing fully well they'll be a blushing mess soon enough. There was a mutual understanding that they were not up here simply to eat food, which made the butterflies in Eleanor's stomach flutter uncontrollably. She focused on so many of the small details August seemed to possess. Were her eyes always that dark?  "How do you think you did?" Eleanor asked August, snacking on a sandwich the black haired girl had managed to snatch up from the kitchen.

August swallowed the piece of food she had bitten into. "Honestly, I don't care."

"You don't?" Eleanor gave a laugh, enjoying the scowl which appeared on the girl's face. Her lips curled upwards in a playful smile as she tilted her head to the side. "But, you're like a career? No offence but don't you guys care about your training?"

"I don't," August gave a small laugh. "It's so stupid on why I am even here."

Eleanor's nose scrunched up as she grinned. "Tell me!"

"No."

She placed both the palms of her hands together jokingly. "Please? I'll kiss you again?"

A blush appeared on August's face. "Fine," She breathed out shakily, rolling her eyes slightly as she finally continued. "I had a crush on this girl and volunteered for her since she was reaped." Her hands snapped to cover her face in embarrassment. "There, I said it."

"You volunteered for your crush?" Eleanor's eyes softened, looking down ever so slightly. "So why you messing around with me, pretty girl? Surely you're gonna go home and ravish that girl as a reward for your victory?"

August inched forward so that her face was just inches away from Eleanor's, her lips hovering close to Eleanor's. Eleanor could feel the warmth of August's minty breath, their lips just inches apart. If she even moved just a little, their lips would touch. "Because you drive me crazier than she did." And as promised, Eleanor kissed August, the girl settling on her lap as her hands reached into her hair.

It wasn't how she had kissed those boys and girls before. It wasn't like kissing a horny boy who wanted more than just a kiss or an experimental girl who wanted to know what kissing girls was like.

It drove Eleanor crazy.

She had been pinning over Finnick for years, yet now all she could think about was August Hasting and how god damn intoxicating she was. How her lips were some sort of poison which seemed to make Eleanor fall deeper and deeper in the mess they were in. Eleanor moaned lightly when August tugged on her hair, mewling softly as she tilted her head back. Her lips were soft, yet rough, and Eleanor could feel her mind get hazy as she grew more and more drunk on her touch.

Everything just felt so right, so perfect, so meant to be.

They finally parted and before Eleanor could chase August's lips once again, August placed a finger over her lips. Their eyes bore into each others, vulnerable and true as they both relished in the heat coating their cheeks. August's heaves were audible as she stared at Eleanor. Her eyes trailed down Eleanor's figure, before she sighed out almost drunkenly. She laid her forehead onto Eleanor's, their noses brushing lightly.  "God, Pretty Girl, if you keep this going you don't know what this'll turn into."

"What?" Eleanor gave a mockingly innocent smile, looking up through batted eyes. She could feel her insides burn with a sensation she had never truly felt for anyone ever. It was the oddest sensation which left her face as raw as morning rain, making her feel totally vulnerable in front of August.  "This will turn into what, pretty girl?" She batted her eyes at the black haired girl, her left hand reaching up to tilt her head upwards. Eleanor placed her lip right underneath August's eyes, practically drowning in the way the girl shivered. She nipped August's ear playfully, smirking as August whimpered. "Say it, pretty girl."

"God," August whispered, finally moving to crash her lips against Eleanor's once more. It was a short kiss, yet Eleanor moaned out lightly the moment August finally began trailing her lips down her neck in a needy way. She could feel August move ever so slightly on her lap, moaning at the faint friction between them. Eleanor tightened her grip on August as she grinded down on her, their lips crashed together once, teeth practically clashing and whimpers becoming more and more frequent. In the midst of these kisses, August groaned out as she parted,  "I want you... I want all of you, here, now."

"Then have me," Eleanor whispered back, making August face her. She grabbed August's cold hand, holding it tight in her warm grip. Soft blue was fixed on Steel grey,  the sea had finally met the moon and everything felt right. "Ruin me, do whatever you want to me. Fucking destroy me, I just want you." Her lips hovered above August's. "Just have me."

And August had all that Eleanor could give her.

yes ik eleanor is 16 but lets be honest, 16 yr olds can make out and shit.

also ik the individual assessment scene sucked

i cant write it for shit

and there's no point in doing passionate descriptions of my girl tyeing a knot okay

but i gave u guys gayness

so be happy ;)