Wish I could have been there. [ she smiles. ] I mean, Finnick's been a total pain in my ass for the last ten years but I'm glad. You two look really happy.
[ there's a wan upturn of her mouth at that, not even a half-smile. they did look happy. they were happy, and it was because of her and finnick, finding their happiness and sharing it with them all for a moment.
[ It isn't that Annie isn't grateful that she lives because goodness knows how she had often thought herself not as a survivor but as someone who simply got lucky and whose luck would turn at any given moment. Optimism is difficult to maintain, even for her.
[ his smile drops. you were meant to focus on the happy, annie. it's easier being slightly oblivious to what he had always known could happen if he left the walls of district 13, but to know it does is completely different. ]
No one. I don't want to. I don't like that it's the first thought on my mind, but – [ How often is there happiness in their world? Annie wants to cling to that hope but there is always a weight on her shoulders that she can never shake. ]
[ there's always a "but", and finnick wishes to see the but in a good, positive light — even if he understands such a light may see him no longer in the picture. ]
That future we always spoke about is right at your doorstep, Mrs Odair. You shouldn't leave it waiting outside for too long.
[ wrapping his arms around her, he rests his chin on the top of her head. ] Then maybe you should stop thinking about it. It doesn't matter. [ and although he knows what he's about to say may sound arrogant at any other point in time, he thinks it's necessary — and stripped of its own arrogance itself. ] Not when I'm here.
Alright. No more thinking about it. [ Not when he's here and she can hear his heart beating in her ears, echoing in a steady rhythm. Annie takes comfort in his warmth and touch and smiles into his shirt, finally at ease. ]
I think I'll just stay like this and you'll have to walk around with me around you.
[ it's with a laugh: ] That doesn't sound so bad to me. [ given how he has gone so long having to unwrap her from him in fear of her being found or harmed, or that piece of him being stripped from where he clutches it so tightly, finnick isn't going to protest if she wishes for him to carry her wherever he goes, near or far, for the rest of his life, no matter how short it may be. ]
[ his hand continues to glide up and down her back, hoping to bring her some comfort. ] Like a barnacle. [ finnick hums for a moment, pursing his lips, before his hands shift away from her back to curl under her thighs. lifting her up to settle against his chest, he peers up at her for once. ] That's better. Now you're all that I can see.
Like a barnacle, [ she repeats softly, nodding. When he curls his hands under her legs, she laughs in surprise and instantly wraps her arms around his neck. Her forehead goes against his and her eyes close with a happy smile on her face, content to be in his arms just like this for as long as he wishes to carry her. Finnick is strong, though he may contest that statement. ]
I like being all that you can see. I don't think we can move very much like this but – [ Annie shrugs casually. ] No complaints.
[ one arm remains beneath her as he wraps his other around the small of her back. though there's evidence finnick's stronger than he gives himself credit for, resilient when in times of strife, finnick will always consider himself to be weaker than most. he can carry the weight of mags and the rebellion upon his shoulders, but he had thought himself to buckle beneath the pressure. with his forehead pressed against her own, he grins, unable to bite it back; his brows raise, ] None?
Hmm. [ Annie hums, high-pitched and thoughtful, her head tilted to the side as she seems to seriously consider him. Her hands are busy, fingers running through his hair to make it stick up on end, a soft smile on her face. ]
None at all.
[ She kisses his forehead to punctuate her sentence. ]
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[... unsure. ]
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How d'you know that?
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Besides, you make a gorgeous bride.
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Y'know, while we can. [ Annie's lips curve into a small smile. ] He would've wanted you there too.
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It's going to be a better world. I'm just sorry we all had to lose something.
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[ Annie briefly and meaningfully looks down at her stomach and nods slowly. ] Everyone else gains something at the end, I think.
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[ and she'll have to agree with Annie on that. ] Yeah. And I think I'm okay with that.
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I know it's – [ She shakes her head, mostly at herself. ] But I still wish.
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We looked so happy for a moment.
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they'd both deserved better than this. ]
Yeah, we did.
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She still tries as hard as she can. ]
It still hurts, Jo.
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[ finnick smiles. ]
The first day of the rest of your life?
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It's the letting you go part that – [ She shakes her head. ]
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Who says you have to?
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No one. I don't want to. I don't like that it's the first thought on my mind, but – [ How often is there happiness in their world? Annie wants to cling to that hope but there is always a weight on her shoulders that she can never shake. ]
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[ there's always a "but", and finnick wishes to see the but in a good, positive light — even if he understands such a light may see him no longer in the picture. ]
That future we always spoke about is right at your doorstep, Mrs Odair. You shouldn't leave it waiting outside for too long.
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I don't intend to. Just thinking about it – I'm having trouble opening the door without you behind me.
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[ it's finnick odair; he hasn't left annie in this life and he knows he won't in the next. ]
As long as you stay near the beach, I'll always be there, Mrs Odair.
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[ The mere thought makes her smile and Annie inches forward to press her forehead against his shoulder, hands folded over her stomach. ]
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[ Instantly, she wraps her arms around his torso and turns so that she can bury his face in chest so she can smell the faint scent of saltwater. ]
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I think I'll just stay like this and you'll have to walk around with me around you.
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[ his hand continues to glide up and down her back, hoping to bring her some comfort. ] Like a barnacle. [ finnick hums for a moment, pursing his lips, before his hands shift away from her back to curl under her thighs. lifting her up to settle against his chest, he peers up at her for once. ] That's better. Now you're all that I can see.
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I like being all that you can see. I don't think we can move very much like this but – [ Annie shrugs casually. ] No complaints.
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None at all.
[ She kisses his forehead to punctuate her sentence. ]