My Bent, but Not Broken Love Chapter One

3RD POV

He looked down at the crippled shell of the girl he once knew; in the white gown, on a plain white bed. The color white was so ironic. It represented purity, and innocence; but the girl engulfed in it was so broken. She had seen far too much hatred, too much violence. What once was a sweet, beautiful girl, had been morphed into a broken, lifeless being by the Capitol's Games. And he hated himself every day for it. He blamed himself for not getting her more sponsors, not training her better. She smiled at him, her face bruised and scarred beyond recognition. This sent him over the edge, tears slowly spilling over and rolling down his cheeks. He loved her so much, and it was so painful for him to see her like this. So broken, so vulnerable. The laughing, smiling girl was gone. She would never fully be back the way she was before ever again. And it was slowly killing him.

FINNICK'S POV

We sat on the train, her hand in mine, silently enjoying each others company, without having to worry about impending death. Annie had to stay in the Capitol to heal for a week, so the Victory Tour had been postponed for her health's sake. We were to begin the tour in two weeks, giving us ample time to return home and start our life together. I couldn't believe how much this girl had changed. She had been through so much, more than I could have ever stood. She helplessly watched both her district partner and best friend be decapitated in the games, and she had to deal with the emotional and physical trauma of killing innocent people.

I looked down at the angel in my arms, her beautiful sea green eyes closed, shielding them from my gaze. How on earth did I get this beautiful girl to love me? Everything about her was perfect. The way her long, auburn hair felt so good between my fingers, those eyes of hers that simply put you in a trance, her gorgeous smile when she was laughing at something stupid I probably did. I missed that smile so much. The pure, happy smile. I hadn't seen it since she got back from the games.

Of course, she smiled when we first met again, and when she was in the hospital, but she wasn't truly happy. She still had the memories of the games haunting her. You could see the sadness in her eyes. The doctors at the hospital said she was crazy. Annie thinks she's gone mad. Everyone says she's broken beyond repair. I don't believe a word of it. Annie isn't broken, just… bent. No matter what, she won't be perfect again, but she can always get better.

ANNIE'S POV

I loved laying on the sofa, in his arms. I missed this feeling so much. I haven't been like this since before the games, but it has never felt better. I think being with Finnick now keeps me grounded. I would go completely insane without him, but being with him helps me keep the little bit of sanity I have left. I think I would die without him. I would go completely crazy, probably to the point of killing myself. But I hated thinking about things without Finnick, so I let my mind wander.

I thought about what would happen when we got home. We probably would head straight for the beach. We'd swim in the water and play and laugh, just like before the nightmare that is the Hunger Games. We'd love each other unconditionally, just as always. I could feel the waves crashing around my legs, the warm sand between my toes, the salty smell. It was home. That's why Finnick kept me grounded. He reminded me of home. Not only did I love him completely and sincerely, but he reminded me of a place I loved the same way.

I heard him start to snore, obviously dozing off. I smiled to myself and quickly shifted, hoping to wake him up. His eyes fluttered open and I laughed.

"No sleeping yet, Odair. We aren't even home."

"Whatever.." He replied, half asleep. I could tell he was dozing off again, so I decided to let him sleep.

I slipped out from underneath his embrace, walking off towards my room in the other car. I looked out the small window and saw exactly what I had been hoping to see- crystal blue ocean as far as the eye could see. I squealed a little, excited that we were finally home. It had been almost a month now, the longest time I had ever been away from the sea. I swear, the sea could fix anything, and fixing was exactly what I needed right now.

I skipped back down the hallway, calling out to Finnick.

"What?" He mumbled, still half asleep.

"We're home, silly!" I laughed, and he shot up.

"Really?" I instantly saw his eyes light up, and his smile grow wide.

He jumped off the sofa, picking me up and spinning me around. I couldn't stop the continuous laughter. If this is what it was like to be home, I never wanted to leave. He set me down, pulling me into a hug.

"We're home. You did it." He whispered into my ear. I did do it, didn't I. Against all odds.

FINNICK'S POV

That was it. That real, genuine smile I had missed so much. I swear I could get drunk off of her smile. The pure joy spread across her face lit up every room she entered. Since the games, I hadn't seen her let loose and enjoy herself. This was the Annie I knew, and I was so glad to have her back, even for just a moment.