I slip off my shoes before heading quietly up the stairs trying not to trip on anything, it being night time and so dark, I can't even see my feet. As I walk into our bedroom, I'm greeted by the most beautiful sight in all of Panem – Annie. She is sound asleep lying on her side with one arm under her pillow. She lets out a soft snore, even though she swears she doesn't, and I smile to myself. God, how I'd missed her snoring. Couldn't sleep the past week without it.
I take off my shirt and pants, laying them on the chair by the window, and climb carefully into bed in my boxers. I lie on my side to face Annie and happily watch her peaceful slumber, wishing she felt this peaceful all the time. A frown quickly takes place of the smile as I remember the reason why she rarely felt peace. The reason why either of us rarely felt peace or happiness.
I brush a stray hair away from her face and run a finger down her perfect little jaw. She softly stirs and her brown eyes open to meet my blue ones. Her face lights up.
"Finn!" she flings herself across the bed and grips me in the tightest grip. She has the warmest hugs, but maybe that's just because her arms are my happy place.
"Your home, finally." Yes, because when I'm in your arms, I'm home I thought to myself and gripped her tighter.
"I'm so sorry, Annie. I hate leaving you as much as you hate me leaving. But I can't even imagine what he would do to you if I didn't go." I gritted between my clenched teeth.
"All that matters is that you're here now. I love you so much, Finn!"
"And all that matters is that you know I'm yours and no one else's…..and I love you more." I laughed, bumping her nose with mine.
"Mush!" she giggled.
"Of course, you would say that. What? You don't like the famous 'Finnick Odair charm'?" I asked her jokingly, putting on my best, fake grin.
"Oh, you have no idea!" she kissed me passionately and I quickly returned it with much fervor. I could feel many emotions with this kiss- pain, suffering, anger (not at each other, but rather our circumstances), fear, devotion, passion, and mostly love. An emotion that I only felt from two people left on this earth. Annie and Mags.
"I brought you something home. Well, more like I made something, but it's still a gift."
"You didn't have to Finnick, all you needed to bring home was yourself." She smiled and my heart melted.
"Don't be silly, you deserve so much more than just me. So much more! Much more than I'll ever be able to give you. A life with a man who is faithful to only you, to begin with."
"Hey, now, none of that! You just got home and I don't want to think about them right now. They've had you physically for the past week; I won't let them take you away mentally as well. They already have one of us that way, they don't deserve to gain another." She said firmly, gripping my face in between her hands to get my full attention, not that she didn't already have it.
"You know that isn't true, Annie! You are perfectly sane. Every victor has their scars; some just affect others in different ways. Don't go thinking you're the weak one of us all, because in the end, you are the 1 out of 24 tributes that came home. You are strong."
"I'm tired. …do you want pancakes in the morning?" she said eventually, effectively ending the serious banter with a large yawn.
"Only if there's bacon to go with it." She giggled and rolled her eyes.
"How could I injustice the pancakes by not making bacon as well?" she sarcastically provided.
"Of course I'll make bacon, now go to sleep, you look exhausted and it's already morning time."
"Love you Annie." I mumbled, already half out of it.
"Love you more, Finn. I love you more."
I completely drifted into unconsciousness for the first time in eight days with Annie running her hands through my tangled blonde curls and my arms securely around her thin waist.
Oh yes, this was home.
