Pearls and Perils ・❥・Finnick Odair x Reader

Chapter 8

I don't want to go to dinner. I have too much on my mind weighing me to my bed. I can still feel Ronan's hands on me, I can still feel myself struggling for air. It was a reality check for just how screwed I'm going to be tomorrow. A taste of how easily I can be overpowered, how easily I can be killed. I think of Ronan's words, will I really be his first target in the arena? I envision him going out of his way to find me during the bloodbath, I see myself succumbing to a brutal death. I imagine my sister's reaction. The pain across her face. I remember my dream where I found her dead; pale and skinny, due to neglect from my father. I try to talk myself up, I remind myself I got a 10 for a reason. But it still feels hopeless.

"Y/n." There's a knock at my door. By now, I can recognize Finnick's voice.

"Come in." I say softly. If it had been anyone else I wouldn't let them in. But Finnick is the only person I want to see right now. He opens the door gently and reveals a tray of food with two plates.

"So I guess we both skipped out on dinner tonight." He smiles, setting the tray down. "Mind if I eat with you?"

"I don't mind at all." I reply.

"It's a shame we missed the best night, district 4 inspired." He hands me a plate stacked with fresh fish, oysters, shrimp, and bread tinted green from the seaweed. I've caught all of this seafood before, but I've never been allowed to eat it. As if Finnick reads my mind he says: "Well, the capitol's version of district 4."

"Yeah I was gonna say," I laugh, "I don't think I've ever eaten any of this before, besides the bread." It's the first thing I take a bite of, and I feel a genuine sense of comfort; a genuine sense of home. Finnick looks at me as I eat, I can tell he's curious about what happened on the elevator but doesn't want to ask.

"My interview," I start, "that's what tipped him off." Finnick purses his lips and then lets out a deep sigh.

"He thinks I'm sleeping with you, to get ahead in the games." I continue. "He called me pathetic, and then he insulted you too, and that's when I lost it. I wasn't thinking and I shoved him, that's when he came back at me." Finnick continues chewing on his lip.

"It's my fault." He states. I shoot him a confused glance. "If anyone else was your mentor they wouldn't have turned this into a whole spectacle." He picks at his nails, I stop him by taking his hand in mine.

"That's ridiculous." I whisper. "It's not your fault Finnick." He laughs softly, which only confuses me more.

"I should be the one comforting you right now." He sighs. I take his face in my hand and turn it towards me.

"You have been this whole time." I assured. "You deserve to be comforted too." I rest my head on his shoulder. It feels so natural there. We stay like that for just a few minutes, heartbeats and breathing syncing into one rhythm. Finnick stands up suddenly.

"I have something for you, I'll be right back." He pushes my door open and the sound of his steps disappear down the hallway. I sit on the edge of my bed, curious as to what it will be. He rushes in with a cheeky smile on his face, and holding something behind his back.

"Close your eyes." He insisted. I roll my eyes playfully and eventually close them. I can feel the warmth of his body close to me as he flips my hair out of the way. He delicately loops a chain around my neck and then secures it with the clip. I open my eyes and stand up to go look in the mirror. It's the simplicity of the necklace that makes it so beautiful, just one shimmering pearl in the middle. I feel my cheeks red as a smile creeps on my face.

"I love it Finnick." I uttered.

"It's an heirloom of sorts." He grins. "You're supposed to give it to a tribute when you have a good feeling about them. Mags gave it to me, and now I'm giving it to you." It seems that everyone in my life believes that I can truly win these games, maybe it's high time I start believing in myself too. I roll the pearl between the tips of my index finger and thumb, just admiring the sentiment. When I look back up, Finnick is behind me staring at me through the mirror.

"What?" I laugh, turning around to face him.

"Just admiring you." He purrs. I decide that I get to admire him too. His deep sea green eyes that I know have seen a world of pain. His eyebrows perfectly contrast his eyes, a sharp shape framing his dreamy orbs. The way you can still faintly see his dimples even when his face is resting. His sandy hair that reflects an auburn hue when it hits the light. The way his pink lips soften when he's near me. His jawline that looks like it's been chiseled by a lumberjack in heaven. The broadness of his shoulders that hide his sensitive nature. This close to him, I'm able to tell that Finnick Odair isn't just a heartthrob, but a complex piece of art.
He moves in even closer, now just a few inches away from my face. I decide I won't kiss him, I want to, but if he wants to he will. And he does. Our lips locked, I feel like we're one being. He places his hands on my lower back, pulling me towards him. When most guys kiss you it feels like they're eating your face off; not Finnick. It's soft, but still passionate. When his lips slowly pull away my heart burns for more.

"As much as I'd love to do this all night you really need to get to bed." He sighs. The games. My heart sinks. For a moment all the bad things in my life had disappeared just for me to be flung back into reality. But he's right, I need rest so I reply with a nod. He wishes me a good night's sleep and I hop into bed.

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I'm in the games. Before I can even get a sense of the scenery the alarm sounds and every other tribute starts running. I hop off my pedestal. I pick up my left foot to start running, but I can't. I'm moving in complete slow motion, barely making any progress forward. I desperately try to pump my arms, it's no use. I've lost complete control of my body. I can't even change direction and try to run away from the bloodbath. I'm just running, helplessly slow, towards the cornucopia filled with trained killers. Ronan spots me. He starts pummeling towards me with a spear in hand. I strain my legs, hoping that I will magically be able to run normally. I try to scream out, whether for help or out of my own frustration, but no sound comes out. Ronan is approaching, making his way towards me with effortless speed. His menacing eyes are hyper focused on me. He's close enough that I can see him smiling.

"Told you you'd be first." He hissed. He raises his spear.

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I shoot up in my bed, finally able to let out a scream. I touch my bed, trying to ground myself, assuring myself that I'm here and I'm safe. The tears flow from my eyes naturally as I can still feel the fear of Ronan barreling towards me with a spear. I pace my breathing. I replace the visions from my dream with visions of beach days with my family. I see Cora running into the water, I see my dad running in after her, I see my mom sitting next to me in the sand smiling at the pair. This scene calms me.

"Y/n?" Finnick whispers as my door creaks open. I don't even have to reply before he's sitting on the edge of my bed. "Another nightmare?"

I nod. "It was Ronan." I take a big breath in. "I was in the arena and couldn't run. He came charging at me with a spear." Finnick moves closer to me and embraces me in a hug. I bury my face in his shirt as tear drops fall on it. He moves one hand and starts playing with my hair. I want to stay here forever. I try to hold onto it, a few minutes pass.

"How are you feeling now?" He finally breaks the silence.

"Better." I reply.

"Good. You really need some rest." He says, grip slipping from me as he starts to get up. Out of instinct, I abruptly grab his wrist and he looks back at me.

"Could you stay with me tonight Finnick?" I ask, still clinging to his wrist. He looks startled at first but his gaze softens.

"I would love to." He smirks.

"Don't get any ideas Odair." I roll my eyes at him playfully. I turn on one side as he climbs into bed. He moves in close and places one arm over me, holding me. He lifts his head and stretches his neck to give me a delicate kiss on my cheek.

"Sweet dreams." He whispers. I feel his body against my back, I melt into his arms, I fall asleep almost instantly.

Authors Note: Soooo sorry for the slow updates! School just started back up and I've been super busy thanks for your patience!!