Mistaken Identity

[Fineon’s POV]

The world around me sways as I chug the burning liquid that still rests in my cup. This is drink number eight, maybe nine? I don’t know and frankly I don’t give a damn. As long as they keep doing the job of numbing my emotions they could keep coming!

"Another," I announce, fixing my bleary gaze on Jim’s. “Make it a double.”

"Don’t ya think you’ve had enough Fineon?" He asks, giving me a look of concern. "Don't ya know drinking your problems away ain't the answer?"

"No, I haven’t."

Frowning, I try to push images of the dinner I had to attend earlier aside, but they come unbidden along with her beautiful face. The same beautiful face that has haunted my mind since I was young.

Why the hell did Andria and Elleric force me to come along?

‘Because it was to celebrate a return.’ Franz tries.

A return? HA! No one returned and I had to spend the whole night watching her be cozy with him!

Gale… Why did my heart give painful squeezes every time I saw her?

How was it possible that my childhood crush still had so much of an effect on me after all these years?

‘Because you’re mistaken.’ Franz murmurs, popping into my thoughts unbidden. ‘It isn’t Gale that your heart is yearning for.’

Not Gale? How the fuck could it be anyone other than Gale?

‘You’re mistaken.’ I challenge, ‘Only Gale can make me feel like this.’

Instead of responding, Franz just gave a huff of disgust.

‘That’s right.’ I hiccup, ‘go back where you came from.’

"This is the last Finneon." Jim announces, passing me my glass and snapping me out of my head. "After this, you need to eat something and take your drunk ass to bed."

"Gotcha." I salute before downing the glass and getting up from my stool.

Immediately, the room begins to sway dangerously as I work to remain upright. Shit, maybe I did drink too much, but still not enough to stop that beautiful face from showing.

Grumbling to myself, I take a tentative step and then another until I’m slowly heading through the main alcove of the Red House.

Around me, everyone is enjoying themselves as they drink and flirt. It pisses me off because I so desperately want to be like them, but I can’t. At least not this evening.

"A bunch of braggarts." I huff, nearly colliding with a table.

"Careful." A tantalizing voice chirps from just behind me. "Are you okay?"

"Fine." I grumble, turning to see who has spoken. "You…"

My eyes grow wide as I take in the beauty that is standing behind me. But how could this even be possible?

Blinking a few times, I try to determine if I’m seeing things or if this is the real deal. When she remains the same, I feel an odd sense of hope.

"Finneon?" She murmurs, reaching out and touching my cheek. "Are you sure you’re alright? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

"I may have." I admit.

How else could I possibly explain having Gale standing in front of me? Not the Gale I know now, but the Gale I met as a child. Everything from the sparkling silver eyes to the golden hair that rivals even the sun. Her lips that turn down in a frown are even the same shade of pink, and that absolutely fucking adorable cupids bow is there.

"Come on." She sighs, "I think you should get to bed."

Nodding, I allow her to lead me out of the room and down the hall to where the guest quarters are since I no longer live amongst those that inhabit the red house.

When we arrive at my room, I stop and just stare.

Is this it? Will this be the last time I see her here? How could I possibly allow this to end?

"Do you want to come in?" I ask slowly, hoping I don’t sound too desperate. "To catch up, I mean."

There, that doesn’t sound too weird, right? It seems normal.

"I don’t know if that’s a good idea."

"Please," I gasp, reaching out and grabbing her tiny hand. "Just to talk, that’s it."

For a moment, her eyes snap down, taking in our entwined hands. A clear look of longing crosses her features before she finally smiles.

"Just talk." She says, gently pulling her hand free. "Nothing more, got it?"

"Of course."

Inside, the room has nothing more than a bed and a single chair that rests against the wall beside a large window overlooking Grishan.

"Have a seat." I say, heading towards the small cabinet that contains drinks and snacks. "I’ll pour us something to drink."

"Just water, please." She says continuing to take in the area.

Goddess, she looks so innocent sitting there, just like she did back then. How could it be possible that this isn’t the same woman?

"Water it is." I assure, grabbing a chilled bottle and bringing it to her. "Ta-da!"

With a flourish, I hold out the bottle of water and wait.

"You haven’t changed a bit." She sighs, taking my offering. "Still a complete show-off."

"Show-off?" I repeat.

"That’s right."

Letting an amused smile play on her face, she opens the bottle and takes a sip.

Reaching out, I stop a small bead that manages to escape her lips. A small gasp sounds, and I find myself suddenly getting lost in the wide eyes that are staring into mine.

In the moment, it feels like the world around me disappears entirely and all that exists is the woman in front of me.

‘Don’t you dare.’ Franz warns as I begin to lean closer. ‘You’re not seeing her properly!’

‘How am I not?’ I demand. ‘It’s Gale!’

‘It isn’t!’ Franz roars in frustration!

Before I can make any more progress, a small hand lifts and touches my chest, stopping me where I am.

"What are you trying to do?"

What was I trying to do? Wasn’t it obvious?

"I think it would be best if I left."

Remaining silent, I watch as she gets up from her seat and goes to move.

In that moment, all the emotions I had been suppressing for the past eighteen years came crashing down, threatening to suffocate me.

It’s all too much, and all rational thought seems to disappear entirely as panic takes over due to the threat of her leaving me alone.

"Why him?" I demand, reaching out and grabbing her arms, forcing her to face me. "Why?"

"I don’t…"

"What does he have that I don’t?"

I couldn't stop by this point; I was a desperate man in search of answers to questions that had plagued me for years.

"Please, tell me why."

For a moment, the room around us grew silent, so silent you could hear the slightest pindrop.

"Why aren’t you speaking?"

Tightening my hold, I lifted my gaze to meet hers only to find an unreadable emotion there that made my heart squeeze painfully.

"Let me go." She hissed through gritted teeth. "Right now!"

Before I could react, she was breaking free of my hold, stumbling backward, and plopping back down in her seat.

"Please," I repeat, dropping to my knees right there in front of her. "Choose me. Forget him and choose me."