If there's a smile there to see on her face, Finnick pretends not to notice. He's too happy to needle Johanna, and too grateful, not just for her making him take the steps to make today happen, but for being here to see it. For being his friend here. For the history they had back in Panem. For understanding the rotten core of the Capitol in a way so few do, and for what that understanding meant in the Capitol, where everything was made of lies.

He doesn't hug her for too long; he likes and respects Johanna too much to push physical boundaries, but he does hug her tight for a moment, because that can say more than words, sometimes.

"I won't," he promises. "We've waited too long for that."

Her threat makes him laugh, though he doesn't think she's joking. When he speaks, though, his voice is earnest. "If we have problems, I deserve the axing." He pauses for a moment for emphasis. "Not going to happen."