Finnick had always been good at ignoring warnings, especially those that came from Peeta. For Johanna (Forest Bug). Happy Late Valentines Day, darling!
Falling Slowly
By silver-nightstorm
Words: 626
XX
It started off very simply. Almost but not quite a dare.
"She's very pretty."
"She's crazy."
Admittedly, it wasn't a dare, per se. It was a warning to stay away.
Finnick had always been good at ignoring warnings, especially those that came from Peeta.
i. falling – i don't know you but i want to all the more for that
She was an amazing swimmer but she jumped away from the water. He hadn't recognized her at first, merely approaching her because, well, as a lifeguard, he was required to make sure she was alright… even though she hadn't even stepped into the ocean. It was only when he stood by her that he recognized her dark, wavy hair and sea-green eyes.
"Annie Cresta?"
She laughed nervously and twirled a lock around the fingers of her right hand. She had a delicate pattern of anchors painted across turquoise nails.
"Hi," she said shyly.
ii. twinkling – take this sinking boat and point it home we've still got time
"It's not that scary, Annie, I swear you can do it."
She was trembling in his arms as he tried to coax her towards the water. Admittedly, he had made progress. She could stick her big toe into the waves for half a second before scurrying back to the warmer, dry sand.
But this time was different. She ripped away from him with a strength he didn't know she had and just ran. By the time he caught up with her, they were far from the beach. She had climbed up the craggy rocks that overlooked the touristy sands and was staring serenely at the ocean.
The waves looked tiny from up here.
"I know it's not scary," she began, mere moments after he sat next to her. "Gosh, I know that, I really do." She laughed, slightly hysterical. "I just… I can't after what happened to him… I can't help but think I'll drown like my brother…"
He didn't know what he could say to make her think otherwise so he wrapped his arm around her slight form and pulled her close to his bare chest. "You're strong. I know that better than anyone."
iii. spinning – falling slowly eyes that know me and i can't go back
"I told you she's not crazy."
"It's not the obvious sort of crazy, man. It's the sly kind. It sneaks up on you when you don't expect it. You won't see it now, but it's there, trust me. One day, when you're married, and you have kids, and everything seems perfect… well, that's when it'll happen. You'll wake up and she'll be over your bed with a knife at your throat. She's cracked. That's all there is to it. You can't loose a relative as traumatically as she did and just be all right."
He was silent for a few moments. "You really think we'll get married one day?"
iv. jingling – raise your hopeful voice you have a choice you'll make it now
He tried to ignore Peeta's advice, but the words rang in his ears like a discordant dance of doom. But the next time he saw Annie, saw her smile and her laugh and the love in her eyes… he ignored him. After all, what did Peeta know? He had the idiocy to let go of the girl he loved. Finnick wouldn't do the same.
He got down on one knee and he gave her the grin he saved especially for her.
He didn't care what would come. He didn't care if, one day, she would find that everything was too much. He would stay by her side and he would love her and care for her in sickness and in health if only she would have him as hers.
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For Johanna (Forest Bug). So sorry about the delay, darling. I hope my first attempt at Finnick/Annie did the pairing justice! :)