"The hell did you drag me along for if you aren't even going to listen to my suggestions?" She narrowed her eyes at the far-too-cheery Capitol woman who was perusing the racks overflowing with clothes. She didn't take the hint, instead smiling widely back at her. Johanna bit back a growl. Holiday cheer was not her forte.

Finnick set the green sundress back down. "I am listening! Look how much we've found." He tilted the basket so she could see inside, revealing a sea-green shawl for Mags, a bottle of scotch, and several packages of candy. Predictable, Odair.

"You should really hope you're kidding."

"It's better than I did when I went out alone. What do you think of this one?" He held out another dress, this one with thin metallic straps and an obvious bulge below the waistband.

Yeah, a maternity dress is a great idea. Go for it. "Unless you're trying to send her a hint, I wouldn't recommend it."

"Why? Annie'll like it."

Why is it always Annie? Can't it be about me once in a while? "Yeah, if she's pregnant or enjoys you telling her she's fat, she'll be in love. But if you don't want to die, I'd recommend putting it back." Or maybe I should've just let you buy it and not said anything. I'd be more than happy to be your shoulder to cry on.

Finnick put it back in its spot. "Thanks for coming with me. I really appreciate it."

"It's no trouble. Not like there's anything else to do in this damn place." Except you. I'd be all right with that as well.

He smiled, and her heart sung. "I really do appreciate it, Jo. It's good to get out during the holidays, even if they aren't your favorite."

I used to like the holidays. Now they only remind me of everything I've lost. "Just because some people don't shit candy canes doesn't mean they hate the entire season." You make them bearable.

"I've got everyone else done. I'll just have to get Annie some other day. If I do some more thinking, I'm sure I'll find something." His eyes took on a mischievous twinkle as he looked towards her. "Unless you've had a sudden burst of feminine intuition?"

"Fuck you." I'm not sure I'd tell you even if I had. "Let's get out of here." She ignored the man at the register when he flexed as he spoke with Finnick. You could try being a bit more obvious. It might even work. She wasn't sure if she was talking to the clerk or herself. Johanna could hear the faint click of cameras, could make out a flash or two go off behind her, knew that precious Annie might see the pictures, but she couldn't bring herself to care. At least Flickerman will have something to talk about tonight.

Finnick didn't seem to notice. It's probably like working in a bell factory. Eventually, you don't hear the ringing. "Care for some eggnog?"

Of course. "Only if it's more whiskey than anything else. I'd like to forget this whole day as quickly as possible." I'm going to stow this day away in the corner of my heart where I go when it's darkest.

"Whiskey it is," he laughed, and he led her out into the street. It was a scene straight from the snowglobes she and Finnick had admired in the last shop. Carolers sang and bells jingled. A pair of white horses pulled a cart with a dozen smiling children. Snow drifted down from above, not torrentially as it did in Seven, but in soft, gentle flakes. Johanna stuck out her tongue to catch one, and Finnick pulled her close to prevent her running into one of the tipsy merrymakers that stumbled down the street. She nuzzled against his shoulder. It won't last. It never does. But for that moment, she pretended that this was her forever, that everything could stay perfect.

.oOo.

A/N: Written for Johanna [turtledoves] using the Caesar's Palace prompt ephemeral. I didn't intend for this to be a Black Friday story, but it somehow worked out that way.