Chapter Thirty Six

Annie stretched a hand out to the wall as the train was plunged into the darkness of the tunnel. She stood still until they came out the other side and emerged into the light. Blinking until her eyes adjusted, Annie continued slowly up the train, looking for somewhere quiet to sit. Finding a nice soft seat by a window, she sat down and stared out at the passing mountains. She was on her way home. When the train stopped, she would be able to go home and hug her parents.

So, why was she overcome with a sick dread in the pit of her stomach? Wrapping her arms around herself, she drew one slow breath after another. She had survived the Hunger Games. She had gone through the horrible interviews the Victors were forced to endure after the event. She should be relieved to be going home. But, that was not all that she would have to do. She would have to face her parents who probably believed she had been screwing Finnick. The whole of District Four, indeed all of Panem, probably believed that. That was the point, they had chosen to do that, but she had not really been thinking she would have to go home and face her parents afterwards. Twisting her hands, Annie bit her lower lip tightly. What did her father think of her? What would he say to her?

Then there was Finnick. Caesar had asked about their supposed relationship, and Finnick's answers had been entirely about being her Mentor. Was that how he saw her? As just someone he had to mentor? Now that she was going home, was that it? Was his job done? Was he going to drop her off to her parents tomorrow and then go back to his life? Tears welled in her eyes as she thought about that. She knew that she had been fairly dependant on him since she had come out of the arena, so she supposed it would be a relief for him to hand her back to her parents and not have to worry any more. She did not want that. Swallowing, she rubbed her eyes. If that was what he did, she would have to deal with it. She would not make a fuss. That would not be fair on him. He had not asked for this, after all. He was only a year older than she was, he should not have to worry about things like this. He had his own problems to deal with.

Still, the thought that she would not see Finnick once she was home twisted her stomach and she doubled over on the bench seat. Bringing her knees up to her chest, Annie wrapped her arms around them, lying on her side. Unable to help herself, and feeling like she might throw up, she began to cry.

She cried for a few minutes until the door slid open and a soft voice reached her "Annie?" Two quick footsteps came toward her, and his voice became more desperate, "Annie, what is it?" Hands lifted her back into a sitting position and she opened her eyes to see Finnick crouched on the floor in front of her. She sniffed, just looking at him. His hands moved quickly over her, from her cheek to her hair and then down her shoulders and arms until he was holding her hands in her lap. "What is it?" He asked, "Annie…?"

She looked at him, trying to read the desperation in his face and voice. One of his hands moved back to her cheek while his eyes held hers. "Annie, tell me…" Annie considered her answer as he wiped away a tear with his thumb.

"They won't understand…" She murmured, looking at him.

"What?"

"My parents… Tari… None of them will understand what it's like…" She bit her lip, "They'll think they do and they'll give advice and they just won't have an idea." She watched him frown as he looked at her.

"That's why you have me." He told her softly. Annie's heart lurched. He tilted his head, frowning more deeply, "You didn't think I was just going to abandon you, did you?"

Annie dropped her eyes, looking instead at his shirt. Finnick's hand made her look back up at him. "I…"

"Is that what you thought?" he asked.

"I don't know." She murmured, "I hoped not…" tears welled in her eyes again and Finnick shook his head. She held tightly to his hand still in her lap.

"Going home doesn't change this." He told her, holding her gaze. "You can come to me whenever you need to. For anything."

"…what if I don't know what I need?" she murmured, "Or, I don't need anything?"

Finnick gave a small smile, "Oh, Sweetness. You can come to me whenever you want to."

Annie's breath caught in her throat as she tried to process those words. When she realised what he had said and that she wouldn't be losing him when they got home, she threw herself at him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Annie practically scrambled into his lap. Finnick fell back slightly before he was able to catch himself, holding her tightly. Annie pressed her face into his shoulder, trying to hold back tears of relief.

Finnick rubbed her back softly with one hand while his other arm snaked tightly around her waist, pulling her closer.

"You don't ever have to worry about me abandoning you." He told her quietly, "That's never going to happen, Annie."

Annie nodded, her face still pressed into his shoulder. Finnick's hand continued to rub her back gently for several minutes as he held her on his lap. She closed her eyes as his other hand slowly made its way into her hair. She shifted slightly, even though she was already quite comfortable with a knee either side of him and now rested her forehead against his shoulder. "You believe me, right?" he asked. Annie slowly looked up at him. She sat straighter until she could meet his eyes properly.

Finnick's hand continued to rub her back as he just held her gaze. Slowly, his other hand slid from her hair down until it was resting against her cheek. "You believe me?" he breathed. Annie held her breath, struck by the intensity in his eyes. Finnick's hand stopped rubbing he back and made its way up to her other cheek until he was holding her face gently in both hands. She nodded slightly.

"Yes" she whispered.

Finnick smiled softly, his eyes moving quickly over her face. Annie couldn't read the expression that crossed his own face then, but she drew a quick breath when he suddenly leaned closer and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. Annie's eyes closed and one of her own hands slid across Finnick's shoulder to the back of his neck.

A few moments later, both Finnick's hands were on Annie's waist and he lifted her easily. Getting to his own feet, he set her lightly back on the seat and sat down beside her.

"There's no reason for us to be on the floor." He told her, smiling lightly. She nodded, silent. Unsure of what had just happened, Annie remained silent, her eyes fixed firmly upon her hands.

"Do you feel better?" Finnick asked her after a moment.

"Yes." She replied, her eyes still on her hands.

"Good."

Annie chewed the inside of her cheek. She did feel better with him. She had proven that last night, and she had been considering what she would do tonight for most of the morning. All she had to do was ask. She knew that.

"Finn…?"

"Hm?"

Annie made herself look up from her hands. He was looking at her expectantly, waiting for whatever she had to say. "Would you… stay with me tonight?" She watched as he raised his eyebrows for a moment before understanding flooded his eyes.

"Of course." He replied softly.

"Thank you." She nodded.

They sat by the window in companionable silence until Pansy came to get them for dinner. Annie found that her appetite was slowly returning and, after eating a District Four roll that Finnick had handed her, she was able to finish two helpings of a thick stew that was absolutely delicious. After dinner, she was allowed to head off to her own compartment to shower and prepare for bed.

When she had showered and dressed herself in a nightgown, Annie sat lightly on the edge of the bed. She had asked Finnick if he would stay with her, and now she was trying to decide if she had to go and get him or if he would come on his own. She had just decided to wait a little longer when there was a light tap on the door.

"Yes?" she asked. The door opened slightly and Finnick stuck his head inside. Annie just nodded and he came inside, closing the door behind himself. Not knowing what to say, Annie simply got into the bed, tucking the sheets around herself. Finnick followed her. She watched as he slipped between the sheets and settled himself comfortably. When he looked at her, she bit her lip. "Thank you." She told him softly.

"You don't have to thank me, Annie." He replied, "Not for this."

"Oh."

He turned onto his side to look at her. "I want you to be comfortable and able to rest."

"I know…" she whispered, "I just don't want you to feel like… like… you get sent to people's beds… and I don't want you to feel like I…"

"This isn't like that, Annie." He replied softly, "I know that. I want to be with you. I want to be here."

Annie nodded, not taking her eyes off his face. If this didn't feel to him like all the other times he was ordered into peoples' beds then there was nothing wrong with it. She moved closer to him. Finnick's eyes immediately darted to her and he met her eyes. "I… don't need my own side." She swallowed thickly as she watched him take that in.

"Okay," he nodded and she moved even closer.

"Do you want me to hold you, Annie?" he asked slowly.

"Yes," she murmured, feeling her cheeks flush pink. She did. She felt better when he did and she was scared that she would have another nightmare. The prospect seemed less daunting if she were in Finnick's arms, though. "Is… that okay?"

"Yes." He replied, lifting an arm so that she could get closer to him. When she was close enough, she laid her head against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. "How's that?" he breathed.

Annie nodded slightly, "Perfect." She felt comfortable and safe and like she could actually have a good night's sleep.

"I wouldn't have thought you'd want this after your dream…"

"Mmm." She replied as her eyes grew heavy, "I trust you." She was vaguely aware of Finnick's hand slowly moving through her hair before her exhaustion won and sleep claimed her.

Author's Note:

Sorry for the delay. Busy, busy.

Thanks to those reviewing. You're all love.