Monster (Finnick Odair x Reader)

I've Been Exposed!

**ARIA'S POV**

6 months or so passed.

I learned how to walk with the crutch and Finnick stayed by my side the entire time.

After long nights full of screaming and nightmares, and days of meeting with Coin and reading, we'd reached some sort of normalcy.

There was still some odd parts of life though.

Finnick and I had never really defined what we were.

The kissing slowed to a stop and I became more distant, focusing on my leg mostly.

We still lived together, and people treated us like we were dating, but we had no label.

I was sitting on the couch reading when Finnick opened the door, wearily walking in and taking off his jacket. 

"How was your day?" I asked. 

He sighed, "Rough. Coin wants me to go out and help."

My eyes widened, "And.."

"And I'm really considering it." 

I looked around the room nervously then back at Finnick, "What about last time? I mean, my leg.."

"There's no guarantee that something like that will happen again."

"But Finnick-"

"I just said I was considering it. No decisions have been made yet." He came over and sat down, grabbing my hand, "If any choices are made, you'll be the first to know."

I sighed in relief, "I really don't want you going out there."

"It's not exactly your choice."

I suddenly remembered a very similar conversation happening months back, but I was on the other side.

"Finnick... when I said that last time... look what happened."

Finnick let out a low sigh, "We don't know-"

"I know."

He let go of my hand. "You can't assume I'll get hurt. Have some faith."

"I'm allowed to be worried."

He paused, "You're right."

"I know." I said bluntly.

He laughed softly, "Always the one to keep things light, aren't you?" He said with a sarcastic grin.

I shrugged, "The truth is the truth."

He dropped his head, staring at the ground, "I won't go." He said quietly.

"You're sure?"

"If you're that worried about me, I'll stay. Maybe I can help Beetee and Gale in the lab." I nodded slowly.

"Thank you." I grabbed his hand and squeezed it, "Really." He looked up at my, his eyes clearly tired. I pat my lap, "Lay down. You're exhausted."

He didn't put up a fight, laying his head down in my lap. 

I stroked his hair gently and he let out a warm sigh.

"Thank you." He whispered.

"For what?"

"For letting me love you."

That made me pause and think. He loved me. I was pretty sure I loved him. Don't people who love each other normally start dating? The last time he'd kissed me or said anything remotely romantic was when I woke up.

"Finnick?"

"Yes sugar cube?"

"What are we?"

He sat up and looked at me, "What?"

"Six months ago you said you loved me, then you stop being affectionate and now you thank me for letting you love me. What are we?"

He hesitated, "I just... figured.."

"Figured what?"

"I'm not exactly sure."

"So we've been friends this whole time?"

He swallowed, "It hasn't felt like friends."

"I agree. So again, what are we?"

"What do you want us to be?"

I paused.

What did I want us to be?

I was 99% sure I loved him, and he loved me. Obviously we weren't going to get married but.. our relationship was far beyond platonic.

"I... I don't know."

He smiled at me, taking my face in his hands, "Here.."  He kissed my softly, one hand wrapping around the back of my head and pulling me into it. It took my a second, but I kissed back. He pulled away and looked at me, searching my face for a sign. Anything. "So?"

"So what..?" I asked, confused.

"Did you feel it?"

"Your lips on mine? Yeah?" I was still confused and that made him laugh.

"No. There was a spark. I didn't want to acknowledge it because I didn't think you felt the same.. but.. something's there."

I smiled softly, cheeks flushing with color, "Oh."

"Oooooh... someones blushing." He teased.

I whacked his arm, "Be quiet."

He leaned back, tucking his arms behind his head, "Must be my irresistible charm."

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah mhm." I said sarcastically.

He looked back at me, his cocky smile fading just a bit, "So?" He asked again.

I stopped for a moment, thinking hard. I wanted it, he wanted it, so why couldn't we do it? I felt like there was a barrier between each other when there really wasn't.

"I don't know how." I whispered.

"I can teach you."

"What if I hurt you?"

"You won't."

"What if someone better comes along?" I asked, referring to Annie.

"There isn't anyone better for me."

He seemed to have the perfect answer for every question. 

I looked at the ground, then back at him. I slowly put a hand on his shoulder and kissed him again. 

"I'm in." I whispered as I pulled away.

He grinned widely and kissed me, gently putting his free hand on my cheek, "God you're intoxicating."

I smiled as he kissed my forehead and cheek, "Johanna was right.."

"Hm?" He looked up at me.

"You are 'down bad'."

"She said that?" I nodded and he groaned, "Nooo.." He whined, "I've been exposed!"

I laughed softly, kissing his cheek and playing gently with his hair.

"I love you."

He smiled at the sudden words, "I love you too sugar cube."