"I have to go back to the Capitol tomorrow,"
I stared at him mutely, trying hard to conceal my panic. "But you just got back two days ago."
He shifted uneasily, hands gripping the railing with white knuckle pressure, and though I stood facing him he refused to look at me. "I know. I'm sorry."
For a moment we were both silent, staring out at the waves from our second story balcony. I couldn't understand Finnick these days. Why all of a sudden he was so secretive, so serious. He had been to the Capitol three times as much as usual and whenever I asked him about it he threw out some flimsy, halfhearted excuse.
I crossed my arms. "What's happened to you Finnick? You haven't been acting like yourself at all these past few weeks." I leaned up against the railings on my hands and stared out at the sea, mimicking his position. "I don't know what's gotten into you."
He gave a short bark of laughter, still never turning his head toward me. "Oh Annie, I think you're imagining things." he said lightly, moving his hand over to cover mine. "Don't worry about it, everything's fine."
I yanked my hand out from under his. Shocked silence reigned as we turned to face each other. I had never moved away from him like that before, and I was surprised as he was. Shock turned to confusion turned to hurt, and I saw it all flash across his face in the span of microseconds. I longed to wrap my arms around him, to feel his iron arms encircle me but the distance between us seemed infinite. The silence was deafening.
"What is it Finnick? What are you hiding from me?"
My words, whispered through barely moving lips, seemed to physically strike him where he stood. It caused me pain, to see him flinch from my words with wounded eyes, but I needed answers. I needed to know why all of a sudden he was evasive in his answers to me, how there seemed to be calls at all hours of the night, how he seemed more distant and distracted than usual. I searched his face, desperate for answers, but could only see my reflection in his green eyes.
I wetted my lips anxiously. "Because I can't take much more of this. I can't," Against my wishes the tears started to flow down my face and my voice went all mewly and awful. "I don't know what's going on, all I want is you. Come back ," My voice broke. "Come back to me Finnick."
"Annie," His eyes were brighter than normal, his perfect faces stricken as he struggled to voice an answer. "Annie, I'll always be here. I'll always come back to you."
"Then what's going on?" I reached out a hand and laid it along his face as he closed his eyes. "Finnick."
He opened his eyes at my call, taking both of my hands in his. I had never seen his face so anguished. "I just need you to trust me on this one. Please Annie. Please trust me."
I gazed at him, tears blurring my vision. "Of course I trust you," I murmured, gripping his fingers tightly. "If this is what you need…then yes, I trust you."
As he pulled me in to kiss me, he whispered my name. "Annie."