A/N: I'm still searching for a new name for this story. I think that When the Clock Strikes Midnight fits the mood of the first 5 chapters, but I don't think it really works for the rest of the fic. Does anybody have any suggestions? If so, please PM me or leave a review – I'm really not sure what this should be called!
Also, this is the chapter that earns the story an M rating for Odesta smut.
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Finnick sat next to Annie on the garden bench, nuzzling her neck. Over the last few weeks, he had made a habit of sneaking into Mags's quarters after the sun went down to see Annie again. Tonight, for the first time, they had dared to venture outside of the sorceress's chambers together. Finnick had convinced Annie to walk down to the garden with him. She didn't know it yet, but this bench was special to the Odair family. Seven generations had become engaged on this bench. Hopefully, tonight Finnick would make that eight.
Annie mumbled something unintelligible as he pulled away. He pressed a soft kiss to her ear then stood up. She looked confused as he knelt in front of her on one knee.
"Annie Cresta," he began. The words came out high and shaky. Finnick closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again, he could see Annie looking at him worriedly. He smiled, looking straight into her eyes as he started over. "Annie Cresta, I love you. I want to be by your side and care for you every day for the rest of my life. Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
He had never been so nervous. Finnick knew that Annie loved him. Every time they said goodbye, they would kiss and remind the other of their love. But would she want to marry him, promise to be with him forever?
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She had never been so happy. Her hand flew to her mouth, and a couple tears fell onto her face. Finnick looked worriedly at her. Not caring if her dress got dirty, Annie knelt down on the ground next to Finnick and crushed his face up to hers in a bruising kiss.
"I'll take that as a yes, then?" asked Finnick laughingly once they parted.
"Yes, yes, a million times yes," replied Annie. They hugged tightly for a long moment, both too happy to break the embrace.
"I don't know when we will actually be able to be married," whispered Finnick.
"I would be surprised if you did." Annie paused for a moment. "I am fine with this though. Being engaged is enough for right now."
"I want to tell Mags." Annie nodded.
"Let's tell her together tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Finnick looked at her questioningly.
Annie answered him with what she hoped was a seductive smirk. "Yes, tomorrow. Tonight, I think I would like to see a part of the castle I haven't been in before." Finnick still looked confused. Annie stood up and brushed the dirt off her dress before offering a hand to her new fiancée. Finnick allowed her to help him up.
"Where are we going?" Annie stayed silent, leading him along the garden path back to the palace. She could tell the exact moment when Finnick grasped her meaning. He squeezed her hand a little bit tighter and slowed his pace. "Are you sure that you want this?" he asked.
Annie nodded. "Very sure." She looked into his eyes so that he could see the certainty in her expression.
"It's just … I don't want you or anyone else to think that I only proposed for this. I want more than sex from you, Annie. I want to be there for all your future successes, and for you to be there for mine. I want –" Annie cut him off with a kiss.
"I know that, love." They were now standing just outside Finnick's quarters. He went inside first, telling his manservant that he would not need any help preparing for bed that evening. Annie followed him into his antechamber. Finnick then took her hand and guided her into his bedroom.
As soon as the door was closed, Annie pulled Finnick down for a passionate kiss. "Have you, errm, umm, have you, well, have you done this before?" he asked, undoing her hair ribbon to let her long dark hair flow freely down her back.
"Yes, but it's been a while. Please be gentle with me." Finnick nodded, leaning down to kiss her again. When they parted again, Annie tried to rid the somber atmosphere from the room. "You know," she said, "this is not going to work if you are still entirely dressed." Finnick grinned at her, and almost before Annie could register what was happening, he stripped off all of his clothes, leaving them in a messy pile on the floor. He was beautiful, all golden skin and defined muscle. Annie was allowed only a moment to admire her fiancée before he pulled her into his arms again. While they kissed, she traced the muscles of his arms and upper chest with her fingers.
Annie let out a little gasp of surprise when Finnick lifted her up off her feet. He carried her to the bed before gently, almost reverently placing her on top of it. He then climbed in himself, hovering above her with his weight rested on his forearms and knees.
At this moment, Annie realized how silly of an image they must make right now. She was still fully clothed in her slightly dirt-streaked serving girl's dress with her messy dark hair flowing free with an enormous nude man above her. Both of them were dwarfed by Finnick's ostentatiously large bed, covered in plump pillows in a variety of colors. Annie wasn't sure whether it was the mental image of them or her slight nervousness that made her start to giggle. Whatever the cause, she could not seem to stop laughing.
Finnick chuckled as well, and when both of them were done laughing, he sat back up. He hoisted her up to help her undress. Finnick undid the fastenings of her dress skillfully, pausing once in a while to run his hands over her newly exposed flesh. Annie raised her hips so that she could slip out of her dress entirely. Finnick reached for her breast, but jerked his hand back before he touched her. "Do you want this?" he looked at her, waiting for a reply.
Instead of answering, Annie guided Finnick's hand to her breast. "I love you," she said. "I want this." Satisfied with her reply, Finnick began to knead her breasts. Annie's moans were captured by a series of heated kisses. Finnick kissed her face and down her neck before taking a pink nipple into his mouth and beginning to suck.
Annie arched her back at the sensation and fisted her hands in his hair. She opened her legs, ready for him. Finnick surprised her by continuing his path down her body, pausing to nuzzle the curls between her legs before placing a soft kiss to her womanhood. Annie clasped her hand over her mouth to avoid crying out as Finnick gave her several long, loving licks down there. It would be terribly embarrassing if Finnick's manservant came to investigate shrieks coming from his master's bechamber.
Eventually, Finnick pulled back, situating himself at her entrance. "Ready?" he asked, determined that if she said no, he would stop.
"Ready." With Annie's permission, Finnick pushed in until he was deep inside of her. They kissed, wanting this to last. They set a slow pace at first, their rhythm picking up until they were pounding their hips into the others. Annie came first, and Finnick followed a moment later.
"I love you," Annie whispered, stroking his hair. Finnick groaned, not quite able to speak again yet. He rolled off of her, afraid that he was squishing her. He untucked the blankets from underneath them and maneuvered them both underneath the covers. Annie pressed herself against him, and Finnick responded by kissing her.
"I love you too," he said, his voice hoarse from their lovemaking.
"I am excited to tell Mags about our engagement," she said. He nodded, and with that they drifted off to sleep, cradled in the other's arms.
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A/N: That concludes the A Shift in the Winds section of the story! Thank you so much for reading. As always, feedback is both welcome and appreciated.