Stay with me? [Finnick Odair]

37

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Chapter thirty seven: Forgotten memories
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Finnick disappears upstairs to get changed, I take a seat for about two seconds before I can't stand the mess any more, I can't stop myself from picking up his clothes and dumping them in the washing machine— I then turn to the trash thrown about the room and go around with the trash can; picking up the trash. When I finish, the room looks so much better than when I arrived, I smile to myself and marvel at my work when I feel a pair of eyes staring at me.

I turn to see Finnick standing on the stairs with normal clothes on instead of his towel, eyes locked onto mine, a crooked smile on his face, I instantly feel my cheeks burn at the sight of him staring at me like that and I drop my eyes to the wooden floor.

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself," I let out a breathy laugh, he takes a moment, just staring back at me, then he laughs too. He genuinely laughs. It's the first time I've heard him laugh since I was crowned victor.

"It's fine," he speaks through a giggle, shaking his head as he took a seat on the couch; I join him and he takes a second to look around the room. "It looks so much better now that it's clean," he sighs.

I stay silent, not knowing what to say, he suddenly turns to me— that damned smirk plastered across his face.

"I should let you come over more often," he quips, eyes flickering for a moment, that flirty personality that I don't like coming out to play, I give him a short laugh and shake my head.

"I couldn't, I'm so occupied by Sn—" I quickly cut myself off, eyes widening, I look to Finnick to see if he had caught that but all I see is a confused look as he stares back at me. I clear my throat. "By Mae, now that our mom is gone I have to make sure she's taken care of," I cover up, voice quieter now, hoping he hadn't caught onto what I had almost let slip out.

Finnick seems to brush that little mistake off, giving a scoff. "Isn't she an adult too?" He questions.

I laugh. "She might as well still be twelve," I joke, earning a laugh from the blonde-haired boy sitting beside me, we both share this moment as a moment of pure happiness— the first happy memory I have made in years. The games torment us, all of the victors, but thankfully we have each other to take the bad stuff away. Even for a little while.

The laughter dies down, we both find ourselves just sitting and enjoying the other's company, I rest my head on his shoulder and his arm snakes around my waist. Just like when we were kids. I could sit here for hours.

Unfortunately, I can't, I have to go home sometime.

It's close to ten p.m. when I decide it is time for me to leave, though I don't want to, I pull myself from Finnick's hold with a sigh. His warmth leaves me immediately and I'm left longing for it back. "I should go, Mae is probably wondering if I've gotten lost," I laugh, rolling my eyes playfully, Finnick gives a laugh and a nod and walks me to his door.

I'm about to walk away when I catch myself turning towards him. I stare up at him for a minute, the amber glow of his porch light-catching every perfect feature of his face, lighting up his sea-blue eyes, I swallow hard and move closer to him.

"I had fun," I smile up to him, he smiles back and nods his head.

"Me too, we should do this more often," he jokes, a slight giggle slipping past his lips, I roll my eyes and go to retaliate when I feel his lips against mine. It's not quick, like the kiss we shared that night I came back, it's soft and careful; like he doesn't want to hurt me by being too rough.

His lips taste so sweet, the feeling isn't the same as those Capitol men I'm set up with, this one is like fireworks are set off in my stomach, it's comforting in ways that words never could be. His hand rests below my ear, fingers so close to becoming trapped in my tattered hair, thumb caressing my cheek with the gentlest touch as our lips moulded together.

I had never imagined how warm his lips would feel against mine, slowly moving, pressed so gently against mine, in a kiss that explains every little emotion we feel for each other in more detail than we could ever put into words, but now that I know, I can't get enough.

He pulls away before anything else can happen, I stare up at him for the longest time, just wanting to be frozen in this moment forever. Then he gives me a smile that just seems so genuinely sweet, holding just the right touch of shyness that sends an unexpected warmth rushing through my body. I can't move, my body is locked in his hold for what seems like forever, but he pulls back and I'm suddenly snapped from my trance.

"I should head home," I whisper, seeing the sadness on his face makes my stomach twist, I offer a gentle smile with a laugh. "We should do that more often," I laugh, practically skipping back to my house, I turn back to him to see him watch me walk away. I laugh to myself, rolling my eyes and entering my house with the widest grin on my lips.

As soon as I shut the door, Mae is turning the corner with an annoyed look on her face.

"Wherever you been?" She snaps, my smile immediately fades and my brows furrow at her.

"Finnick's," I reply quickly, her face softens and I scoff, disappearing upstairs without a second thought. I change out of my clothes and into a silk nightdress, tying my hair up in a high ponytail, I allow myself to sink under the covers and stare up at the ceiling with the biggest smile tugging at my lips...