Finnick found himself sitting in the sandy dunes of a unnamed beach in district 4. He stared at the never ending glassy water, the sunset painting a plethora of colors on the surface. Finnick wiggled his toes deeper in the sand and sifted through the sand with his hands searching for nothing in particular. He closed his eyes letting the sound, taste, smell, and feel of the beach take over his mind. The presence of another being awoke Finnick from his state. He snapped his head to his left what he saw sent a nervous and bubbling feeling into his chest. Annie.
She was mimicking him, sitting in the sand, moving her hands though it, eyes closed, peaceful and content. He felt the bubbles rip through his chest and the largest grin swept across his face. Annie.
Annie was sitting here with him, granted they were together, in love but it still surprises Finnick that she enjoys his company.
Finnick couldn't suppress the urge any longer, he leaned over stealthily and kissed her on her rosy pink cheek. Annie gave a small smile and leaned onto Finnick's shoulder.
Just the touch of her made Finnick's heart beat faster than usual. He took a deep breath and took in her smell, she didn't smell of the sea as the people from District 4 do, she smelt of daisies and light, airy, early spring mornings. Finnick closed his eyes, her smell was simply euphoric.
"Finnick?" Annie murmured lightly into his thin t-shirt.
"Mmmm?" said Finnick, not wanting to break the perfect silence with his words.
"Are you happy?" she asked softly, almost as if she were afraid of the answer. Finnick opened his eyes, concerned now, and moved so he was looking into her eyes.
"Why wouldn't I be?" he asked, his hand holding her face. He stared deeply into her sea-like green eyes that he so often got lost in.
"You are here." She responded avoiding his intense gaze, looking anywhere but at him. Finnick pulled away from her, now sitting cross-legged directly in front of Annie, staring at her eyes. He tried to understand why she would possibly feel this way. His heart felt heavy from seeing her sadness.
"That is why I am happy, I am here - with you," He studied her face, hoping she would take in what he was saying. "I love you, Annie," He took her face into his hands, forcing her to look into his eyes. "Annie Cresta, I love you and only you. You are my water, Annie, I need you." He was frowning, his eyes burrowed together. He swallowed the lump he felt in his throat, his eyes becoming blurred with tears.
Annie looked up finally, tears making her bright eyes sad and glassy. She uncrossed her arms and ran her hand through his salty, curly, bronze hair. They both felt the pain of their relationship bare down on them, so complicated and tragic.
Annie smiled while tears streamed down her freckled cheeks, "You know when you mentored me in the games, I-I just knew I was going to make it. You were just so…So protective of me, I knew I was ok."
"I would've done anything for you, I will do anything for you." Finnick swallowed again, tears threatening to fall.
Annie laughed a small and quiet laugh, "Am I the only one that gets to see the soft side of Finnick Odair?" Finnick smiled at her, knowing what she meant; the act he put on for the cameras, for Panem, the seductive, handsome, young, victor from 4 that every girl batted their lashes for. But Annie didn't have to, Annie knew that it was all fake. He was only real when he was with her.
Annie leaned into him and pressed her warm, salty lips to his. She pulled back a little, hovering over his mouth.
"I love you," She whispered.
Finnick bolted up. He looked around, seeing a wet, dark jungle around him. He looked around, seeing sleeping tributes. He face fell - he was in the arena. He was in the Hunger Games, the Third Quarter Quell. He fell back onto the sand. It was a dream, he wasn't' home.