Pastel skies and white fluffy clouds, detailed shadows that emphasized the vast sunset hidden in the grand horizon, it felt like I was floating in the very scene. That I was witnessing the tranquility the view had to offer me while acknowledging the wild dream that made my imagination drift further.
Arms wrapped around me as my back pressed against another person’s body, and I closed my eyes to enjoy the vivid feeling of comfort those secure arms delivered in this wondrous moment.
Leaning my head back, I looked up to see Finnick as he lowered his head to peer down at me. He looked so different. More mature, even. Maybe he was older with his hair now long like it had been back when we met, only it surpassed his shoulders and blew in the wind.
He looked so much like his parents, his eyes twinkling like his mother’s always did with immense compassion, while his facial structure was like his dad's. There was something different about Finnick, but it felt like for the better. As though he'd allowed the wings he thought burdened him to spread wide and allow him the freedom he deserved to see this wanderlust escape.
"You're missing out on the view," I whispered to remind him, and it merely made him smile with pride as his white teeth glimmered from the last rays of sunlight that washed over us.
"The best view in these lands is right in my arms, Red." His words made my heart swell, even if they seemed to echo in my mind instead of reaching my ears. The way I smiled made his grin grow further, and he leaned down until our lips pressed in a simple yet emotionally calming kiss.
With a smile against his lips, I broke the kiss to enjoy the view once more as he rested his chin on top of my head.
"Is this a dream?" I pondered.
"Could be," he replied. "No matter, though. It's nice. You seem tired though."
"Ya..." I whispered. "Finnick?"
"Hmm?"
"I've been wanting to help Elijah."
"Mhmm," he prompted.
"Do you think you and the others would be mad?"
"You know my answer here may be different in the real world, Red."
"I know."
He held me tighter as he moved his head to whisper in my ear. "No one would be upset, Brianne. You know that's not what's stopping you."
"Then...what's stopping me?"
He chuckled and kissed my cheek before he rested his chin on my head once more.
"You have to answer that, Notorious Queen. And when you do, we'll be there to lift you up." His words didn't make sense to me, and yet they delivered some sort of peace of mind.
"Thanks, Finnick," I whispered. "Even if this may be a dream. I'm grateful."
"Who knows," he replied quietly. "Dreams can always become reality."
He was right, and yet I wasn't sure as it seemed like my eyes were heavy all of sudden. I closed them momentarily as I enjoyed the warmth his embrace gave me - the sound of a paced beat soothing me further.
I remained still for a while as if trying to prolong this blissful serenity. The soft up and down movements of what I rested my head on were far more comfortable than a pillow. Something was stroking my head, almost like fingers were running through my hair.
The movement was encouraging me to drift off to sleep once more, but I decided I should wake up and see if I'd fallen asleep in class or something.
Opening my eyes slowly, I noticed the beginning rays of sunset that streamed into the room. My eyes lingered on the opened collar around the chest I'd been sleeping on while a soft, natural scent of pine tickled my nostrils.
"Finnick?" I questioned with my hoarse voice. It was still thick with sleep, which only confirmed what I'd experienced was a dream. I wasn't as disappointed as I expected, as if I'd been given a chance to sort out the emotions dwelling within me.
The stroking paused as I felt lips press lightly on my lips. My tired eyes closed once again at the soft touch, and I pressed against his soft lips that tasted like cherries for some odd reason.
"Cherries," I muttered when he broke the kiss to look down at me as I looked up just slightly with my sleepy eyes.
"I put on cherry chapstick earlier," he revealed. "Good evening, Red. Have a nice nap?"
"Nap," I repeated the single word as I blinked my heavy eyelids to try and get them to work. "I fell asleep?"
"You did," he admitted and leaned back so he could point at the desk. "Over there though."
"Oh." It was all coming back to me now that my brain was beginning to wake up. I'd come to check on Finnick after the new girl, Alicia, said he directed her to Professor Phoenix's classroom. I'd sat down to watch him work his magic but ended up falling asleep.
Lifting my head from his chest, I began to rub my eyes before I yawned.
"Still sleepy?" he inquired.
"Ya," I replied. "I have to see Professor Phoenix later, though. We didn't get to do our session because of some interruptions."
"You mean the new girl who looked like Alice in the star uniform?"
"Ya, but she wasn't the interruption," I replied. "Her name is Alicia."
"Hmm. Extremely similar, huh," he replied while working his fingers through my hair to make sure it didn't get into my face. "Brianne. Alice. Alicia. All redheads."
"Orange with-"
"Gold highlights," he finished with a wide grin. "Do you want to sleep more, or do you want to do something else while we wait for Professor Phoenix to contact you?"
"Something else," I mumbled and turned my head only to freeze in place. My jaw dropped at the finished portrait reflecting back at me - the stunning usage of teal, pink, and whites, with hints of glittering orange and gold coming together to bring the exact beauty I'd seen in my dream.
"How?" I questioned with a hushed voice as if I didn't want the rest of the world to hear my simple question. "My dream..."
"Your dream?" Finnick inquired as I returned my stunned eyes to his confused ones. "You dreamed about my picture?"
I slowly bobbed my head. "In my dream, we were floating in the sky. It was just like that, as if the sun was in its final moment of setting and the sky was a perfect blend of pink, orange, gold, and even teal. It was like a utopian paradise."
"Hmm." He looked deep in thought as he tried to think about it. "I only got the idea when I noticed you were sleeping at the desk. I decided it would be better if you slept in my lap since I didn't want you hurting your neck. Once you were settled in my arms, the idea kind of just flooded into my mind. I actually just finished not too long ago. Just need to spray it with something to give it a glossy finish, but it's done."
"Is this going to be used at the festival?" I inquired, though I didn't want him to use it. For some odd reason, it felt like something that was meant for just us.
"Nah," he replied, and I noticed he was staring down at me with an appreciative expression. "You don't want it to be seen by anyone else, huh?"
"I..." My words felt stuck in my throat as I stared into his eyes. "It's important...to me. I think? It just feels like something between us and the idea of it being seen by strangers feels...invasive. I don't know. Probably sounds silly."