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[odare]

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[odare]

[He's so awkward. It's cute.]

I just meant, like- you know I'll find someone, 'cause it's me.

[He runs his fingers through his own hair, quiet for a moment. He feels bad to just say "thanks, bye!" now, even though Dolph probably wouldn't care if he did.]

Do you wanna like, hang out or something? Want some... Tea? Or a drink?

[He points his thumb back at the castle.]

[laserhawk]

[ he nods. that is what he meant. he knew finnick would like it. he made sure to leave it bare because finnick would want to design it. make it his own. and finnick would find someone to surf with because he likes company.

it's simple. ]

Sure. If you want.

[odare]

Okay.

[He turns to lead Dolph into the castle.]

Come on in to our humble... Cozy little... Mansion, I guess.

[He sets the board near the door and heads into the kitchen.]

What can I do you for? We have uhh... Tea, coffee, beer, wine... Water? Fish? Bread?

[He's just looking around and listing a bunch of stuff.]

[laserhawk]

[ he raises an eyebrow at fish. ]

Beer's fine.

[odare]

Great choice. I fully agree.

[He takes two beer out of the fridge and opens them, handing one to Dolph and tapping the necks of them together. Then he takes a swig.]

My birthday is actually coming up. So you aren't allowed getting me a gift for that.

[laserhawk]

[ dolph does the same. ]

I'm not, huh? Duly noted.

[odare]

Mm-mm.

[Finnick shakes his head.]

Except your presence at the party, of course.

[laserhawk]

You sure? I'm not exactly a party personality.

[odare]

Yes, I'm sure.

[He's smiling, but there's a hint of exasperation in his tone. Dolph's self-esteem is so low, and Finnick just wants him to believe that he is liked and wanted.]

I'm inviting everyone. The entire town. But if I don't see you there, you'll be in trouble.

[He points and squints at him playfully over the top of his beer.]

[laserhawk]

[ his eyebrow climbs up. ]

The entire place? It's going to be hectic.

[odare]

Yes.

[He puts his palm down on the counter dramatically.]

Chaos. That's what I want. It'll be so fun!

[laserhawk]

[ being a rebel outlaw means adapting to circumstance, alex's voice drifts into his head, you should learn to embrace the chaos. ]

Well. As long as it's fun for you.

[odare]

Damn. Don't get so excited...

[Finnick deflates a little, leaning against the counter. He'd hoped Dolph might want to come or... Mirror his excitement even a little.]

[laserhawk]

[ . . . well. he feels a bit bad now. he's never been good at. this. with people who are bright and extroverted, who thrive with other people. he wishes he was, but dolph knows it'll never be him.

he ducks his head a little as he attempts to be nicer. ]

I just meant . . . that I hope it's fun. It's your birthday. You should enjoy it the most. Isn't that what matters?

[odare]

Yeah, I guess. But I want everyone to have fun, even if they don't know me. I want the party to be for everyone.

[He's speaking sort of quietly now.]

[laserhawk]

. . . There's no party that can do that. Just like there's no way to please everyone.

[ god, he's being a downer. should he lie? but dolph's never been good at lying either. ]

I think it's more important to chase your own happiness. And I'm sure the people will follow. People who enjoy that. And people who care.

[odare]

[Finnick exhales, not quite a sigh, and turns to rest his elbows on the counter, looking at his bottle and beginning to pull off the label.]

I guess that's just me, I always want to please everyone.

[He looks up at Dolph with a small smile. It's not exactly a downer, but Dolph does always make things feel... Deep, even something like talk of a party, which Finnick didn't think would get deep at all.]

But yeah, I will. I'll probably be having too much fun to notice if someone isn't.

And... If a party isn't your scene, we could do something just the two of us instead? Because I would like to see you.

[laserhawk]

It's not a bad thing. It's just . . . tricky because it can hurt when they don't.

[ it's never been his problem. he was a terrorist in the eyes of eden and its media. public enemy number two. where once he did tours for sick children and their "laserhawk" toys probably burned them in disgust.

he has manageable expectations. he is who he is, despite eden, despite everything. he may not be as charming or kind as others, but at least he is himself. he can own that.

dolph blinks for a moment. ]

I'll still come if you want me to. Like I said, I'm just not very . . . party person. But if you prefer something just between us, I'm fine with that too.

[odare]

Mm. If they don't, I'm not usually hurt, I just try again.

[He smiles.]

Which... Is exhausting.

[He... Didn't expect to say that part out loud. But it's true. It can be completely and utterly exhausting to always be what others want you to be.]

I would love to see you there... Why not both? That way you won't feel obligated to stay at the party if you're not feeling it.

Or is that too greedy of me? [He laughs. Honestly, he almost said "whatever you prefer", but that would be a bit too obviously people-pleasing where they're already talking about that.]

[laserhawk]

[ dolph . . . extends a hand and briefly pats his head. a bit awkwardly. ]

You should just be whoever you want. Be greedy, be selfish, be anything. That's what living is all about. The freedom to be yourself.

We can do both.

[odare]

[Finnick exhales a gentle laugh through his nose, looking down sheepishly at the bottle he's picking at.]

I'm not totally sure who I am.

[laserhawk]

Okay.

[ it's normal. sometimes he doesn't either. ]

Who do you want to be?

[odare]

[He furrows his brow as he stares at the little bits of label he's pulling, scratching at. He thinks for a while. He remembers his conversation with Night Sky on her birthday.]

I want to be... Someone who makes a difference. I want to help people and make things better generally for people who are struggling.

[laserhawk]

Then that's who you'll be.

[ there's no doubt in his voice. it's clear and unwavering, like always. ]

Just give it time.

[odare]

[He nods, then looks up at Dolph again.]

And you?