After a long day at work, Treech offered to take Cordelia somewhere, just the two of them. The events of the previous night had left him reeling, unexpected confessions slipping past the barriers he had erected around his heart. Opening up about his nightmares, his struggles to reconcile the horrors of the games with the semblance of normalcy he sought to reclaim, had been a daunting leap into vulnerability.
Out by the tranquil expanse of the lake, Cordelia and Treech settled by the water's edge, mirroring a scene from their shared past when they were just thirteen. Yet, despite the familiarity of their surroundings, this moment carried a distinct air of difference.
For Cordelia, there was a sense of liberation as she reclined by the water, unencumbered by concerns of getting dirty or mussing up her clothes. The cares and worries of adulthood seemed momentarily distant, allowing her to relish in the simple pleasure of the present moment.
Meanwhile, Treech found comfort in the familiar setting, where the lapping of the waves served as a soothing backdrop to his thoughts. Here, amidst the serene beauty of nature, he found sanctuary from the demands and expectations of the world. His parents understood his need for solitude during these moments, granting him the space he required to navigate the complexities of his own thoughts and emotions.
A tidal wave of insecurity crashed upon Treech's thoughts, its relentless current eroding his confidence bit by bit. Doubt crept in like a thief in the night, whispering insidious lies that echoed in the chambers of his mind. Cordelia, with her grace and poise, seemed to exist on a pedestal far beyond his reach. Did her really deserve her? The notion that she might be too good for him took root, insidiously entwining itself with his deepest fears.
In the shadowy recesses of his consciousness, a nagging voice insisted that there must be someone out there better suited to her, someone capable of providing the love and care she deserved. Someone who could offer her the sanctuary of a love unmarred by doubt or insecurity. It seemed inconceivable that he could ever measure up to such lofty expectations, that he could offer her anything more than a mere semblance of affection.
Yet, even as his insecurities threatened to engulf him, a flicker of determination ignited within him, a silent vow to rise above his doubts and prove himself worthy of the love he so fervently desired.
A tranquil silence descended upon them, wrapping them in a bundle of calm.
"Here. For you," Treech broke the silence, extending a small bouquet of freshly picked wildflowers towards Cordelia.
Cordelia's smile bloomed like the petals of the flowers in her hands. "Thank you," she murmured softly, her eyes reflecting genuine gratitude.
Treech returned her smile, his cheeks tinted with a subtle blush that added a touch of warmth to his demeanor. With a graceful motion, he rose to his feet, brushing off stray blades of grass from his clothes. "Want to go for a swim?" he suggested, the invitation hanging in the air like a promise of adventure and shared moments.
Cordelia shook her head slowly, her gaze meeting Treech's with a mixture of embarrassment and apprehension. "I can't swim," she admitted, her voice tinged with reluctance.
Treech's smile widened slightly at her confession, though he quickly suppressed it upon seeing her discomfort. "Don't worry," he reassured her, his tone gentle yet encouraging. "I'll show you."
With a determined expression, Treech proceeded to remove his shoes and shirt, his movements deliberate yet fluid as he prepared to offer Cordelia a swimming lesson.
"Is there anything in the water?" Cordelia's question hung in the air, her gaze scanning the tranquil surface of the water as she stood up, a curious expression etched across her features.
Treech responded with a playful roll of his eyes, a hint of amusement dancing in his gaze. "No," he answered, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips as he began to shed his pants, leaving him clad in nothing but his underwear.
"Alright," Cordelia acknowledged with a nod, a determined gleam in her eyes as she bent down to remove her shoes. As Treech turned around to face the water, Cordelia followed suit, swiftly discarding her clothing until she stood before him in her undergarments.
With a gentle grasp, Treech took Cordelia's hand, leading them both into the water. As they waded in, the sensation of the water enveloping their feet was both soothing and invigorating. The temperature was just right, neither too warm nor too cold, meeting Cordelia's preferences perfectly.
Gradually, they ventured deeper into the lake, the water rising around their bodies until it reached their chests, leaving their heads above the surface. Cordelia couldn't help but feel a twinge of panic as the unfamiliar sensation of being submerged set in, but Treech's reassuring presence beside her helped to quell her rising nerves.
"It's okay," Treech murmured softly, his voice a soothing balm against her unease. "Just try to relax and get used to the water." His calm demeanor and encouraging words gave Cordelia the reassurance she needed to push past her initial apprehension, allowing herself to gradually acclimate to the gentle embrace of the lake.
And that was precisely what she did. With each passing moment, Cordelia gradually acclimated to the water's embrace, her body adjusting to its buoyant embrace. As Treech held her securely, she felt a sense of reassurance wash over her, his presence a steady anchor in the fluid expanse around them.
With a gradual release, Treech loosened his hold on her, allowing her to find her own rhythm in the water. As he withdrew his support, Cordelia was left to navigate the aquatic realm on her own, the gentle ebb and flow of the currents guiding her movements.
Yet swimming didn't come naturally to Cordelia, unlike the effortless fluidity of mathematics. She struggled against the resistance of the water, her movements somewhat clumsy as she fought to stay afloat and maneuver through the liquid medium. Back home, swimming wasn't a skill she had honed; the vast expanse of water had always been more of a distant, intimidating presence than a familiar playground.
Cordelia's voice echoed softly against the backdrop of the tranquil waters, her grip tightening around Treech's arm as she struggled to keep herself afloat, her legs kicking fervently beneath the surface in a desperate bid to maintain buoyancy.
"This isn't fun," Cordelia murmured, a hint of frustration tinging her words as she battled against the gentle currents.
Treech, ever the steadfast presence at her side, offered a reassuring response, his voice a soothing balm against her rising apprehension. "You're just not used to it," he reassured her, his tone infused with quiet confidence as he sought to ease her worries and guide her through the unfamiliar waters.
The water rippled gently around them, casting shimmering reflections in the fading light of dusk as Treech waded closer to Cordelia, his movements graceful yet purposeful. With a tender hand supporting her, he positioned himself in front of her, his gaze earnest and inquisitive.
A tender smile graced his lips as his eyes lingered on the familiar glint of his necklace adorning her neck. For a while, he had assumed Cordelia's mother had thrown it away, deeming it insignificant or perhaps laden with painful memories. After all, he hadn't glimpsed it adorning Cordelia's neck in what felt like an eternity.
The delicate chain of Cordelia's necklace had become an inseparable part of Treech's being, a tangible link to the woman who had captured his heart. Whether nestled against his chest or tucked away in his pocket, its presence was a source of unparalleled comfort and reassurance. To Treech, it was more than just a piece of jewelry; it was a cherished relic of their shared history, a beacon of hope amidst the darkness that had engulfed him upon his return from the Capitol.
Each time his fingers brushed against its smooth surface, a flood of memories washed over him, transporting him back to a time when Cordelia's laughter had filled the air and her touch had ignited a fire within his soul. In the aftermath of leaving the Capitol, it was the only tangible reminder he had of her, a precious memento that served as a lifeline to the past.
"What were you and Oliver talking about yesterday?"
"Oliver mentioned that you have a crush on me," Cordelia revealed, her words hanging in the air, laden with a mix of surprise and amusement.
"What?!" Treech's response was immediate, accompanied by an incredulous shake of his head. The revelation that his brother had divulged his secret crush to Cordelia sent a surge of frustration coursing through him. He had thought himself discreet, careful to conceal his feelings, but evidently, his efforts had been in vain. With a sinking realization, he understood that if his mother knew, it was only a matter of time before his brothers uncovered his secret as well.
Treech's words stumbled out in a clumsy jumble, his uncertainty evident as he attempted to navigate the delicate terrain of the conversation. "Oliver... he's just... he's not... he doesn't always... know what he's saying."
Cordelia, her eyes alight with mischief, gently shook her head, a playful smile gracing her lips as she teased, "Oh, so that means you don't have a crush on me, then?" Each syllable dripped with playful insinuation, her tone laced with a hint of amusement, as if she already knew the answer but relished the dance of verbal sparring, nonetheless.
"Um, no... I mean, yes. I do," Treech stumbled over his words, his cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and sincerity.
Cordelia's smile widened, a playful glint dancing in her eyes as she observed Treech's endearing stumble over his words. Each syllable seemed to carry the weight of his uncertainty, painting a picture of earnestness tinged with a hint of awkward charm.
In a tender moment suffused with anticipation and longing, Cordelia's lips met Treech's with a gentle urgency, igniting a spark of desire that had smoldered between them for far too long. It was a kiss filled with passion and love, each movement conveying a longing that transcended words. As their mouths melded in a slow, achingly sweet embrace, time seemed to stand still, the world fading away until all that remained was the warmth of their embrace and the fervor of their connection with each caress a testament to the depth of their longing.
With a soft sigh of contentment, Cordelia's arms encircled Treech's shoulders, drawing him closer with an unspoken plea for closeness. Her fingertips traced the curve of his neck, a tender caress that sent shivers of delight cascading down his spine, while Treech, lost in the intoxicating warmth of her embrace, pulled her closer still, his arms enfolding her in a protective embrace of affection.
Breaking away from the kiss, Treech lingered for a moment, pressing a few more gentle pecks on Cordelia's lips before withdrawing completely. As he gazed at her, he couldn't help but admire the flush of pink that tinted her cheeks, the slight swelling of her lips, and the strands of hair that clung to her skin, dampened by the water. With her chest rising and falling in rhythm as she caught her breath, she appeared both vulnerable and breathtakingly beautiful in his eyes.
Cordelia's gaze lingered on Treech, her eyes meeting his. His cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, his damp hair tousled from the water, his lips slightly swollen from their affectionate exchange.
Their gazes locked in a fervent embrace, suffused with an unmistakable ardor that bespoke volumes of unspoken affection. In that moment, Cordelia and Treech found themselves engulfed in a whirlwind of emotions, their hearts beating in unison as they stood on the precipice of a love they had never dared to venture into before.
With a sincerity that rang clear in her voice, Cordelia made her admission, her words carrying the weight of unwavering conviction, "I'm really glad we met again." She nestled her head against his shoulder, a palpable sense of trepidation tinged the air, their intertwined souls trembling on the brink of an uncharted journey.
In that pivotal moment, amidst the gentle sway of leaves and the soft murmur of the breeze, Treech's heart swelled with an unwavering certainty and with each beat of his heart, he knew, without a doubt, that she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, hand in hand, until the end of time.
authors note:
THEY KISSED!
y'all, i dont know how to swim, so i tried my best to describe kicking the legs. i watched videos and i wrote this chapter at 2am, so im sorry if it's a bit off.
i'll post the ending tomorrow. i had fun writing this book and i hope y'all enjoyed it :)
*not proofread/ignore any grammar mistakes*