Visit
The haunting noise of the curtain being drawn back reminds Finnick of his time in the hospital. He knows he should've visited her sooner, but he wanted to spend time with Annie. He was just glad to see Annie in person. He was glad to see her alive, but Annie wasn't the only person who came back.
Johanna did and she is one of his closest friends. The thought of her alone in the hospital didn't cross his mind for two weeks. He can tell Annie feels guilty because she doesn't have the signs of torture on her.
Johanna sits up and has a snarl on her face she wears very often.
"You finally came to visit me." She says. She doesn't sound angry but she expected him to come a few days ago.
"Johanna I wanted to go back for you-"
"Don't give me the speech I already know you would've gone back for me if you could. " Johanna says and moves over so there is enough room on the bed for him to sit.
She takes his hand and leans against his shoulder.
She doesn't love Finnick in a romantic way but he is one of her closest friends. He even tried to warn her multiple times about following the rules so her family wouldn't die but Johanna doesn't like to follow the rules, especially Snow's.
They sit there in a comfortable silence.
"They told me you were dead." Johanna says and lifts her head from his shoulder.
"What?" He asks surprised.
"They said the lighting tree took you out." Johanna says.
"It did give me a pretty back shock. I had memory problems." He says.
That's what the doctors said but it wasn't because of the shock it was because of Annie. All he could think about her; where she was and what they were doing to her.
"Did you believe them?" Finnick asks.
"I did... until I saw them dragging Annie down the hall. He wouldn't have kept her around unless you were still around."
"Haymtich told me the same thing."
Johanna shrugs.
"It's true though, Snow doesn't like her and knows you're too careful to tell her something."
Finnick nods.
"Did they do anything to her though?" Johanna asks.
Finnick is surprised by this question.
"Johanna-"
"Before you say Johanna I am just curious. Peeta and I sometimes shared cells and I saw multiple victors but I only saw her once. I'm just curious, did they do anything to her or did they just lock her in a cell." Johanna says
"All they did was lock her up in a cell."
Johanna scoffs. He can't tell if she finds it funny or is annoyed.
"They never let her leave though." Finnick says.
"That's the point of a jail cell Finnick." Johanna tells him as if he is stupid.
"She was kept in a dark room. It was always dark. She never saw any light the whole time she was in there. She couldn't even talk because she had a shock collar on." Finnick says
"The bruises on her neck." Johanna comments.
Finnick nods and they sit in silence again.
"If you just came here to apologize-"
"I wanted to make sure you were..."
"Don't say the word okay or tell me I'm safe." Johanna says with anger in her voice.
"I wasn't going to." Finnick says.
That's what all the doctors tell them. You're safe here, everything is okay but none of them will be safe until Snow is dead.
Finnick can tell Annie she is safe and okay here and she will believe him. Annie isn't stupid she knows that isn't entirely true. However, she knows if Finnick is with her she will always be safe.
"Good because they're stupid for even thinking that." Johanna says and takes his hand again.
"Why did you come here then?" She asks.
"To make sure you weren't terrorizing the doctors." He teases.
Johanna manages a smile.
She knows he did come to visit her and not just to say sorry. He came because he wanted to see that she was doing okay.
"I'm trying to be on my best behavior but I am stealing things." Johanna says and holds out a small bottle if clear liquid.
"Don't take that stuff Johanna." He says knowing it's morphling.
"I think those victors had it right, taking this stuff makes you feel light." Johanna says.
He takes it from her hand easily which surprises him. She usually puts up a fight.
"Fine I can take another later." Johanna says.
Finnick doesn't push it.
Johanna traces the ink on his arm from his schedule.
"Wonder if I'll ever get one of those."
"Once you leave the hospital you will get one. You're supposed to follow it-"
"I get the feeling you broke that rule."
"I get the feeling you're going to break that rule." He says with a smile.
"So do you like it around here?" She asks.
"It's better than the Capitol." Finnick says.
She nods then remembers something.
"These nurses gossip like Capitol citizens though." Johanna says.
"Really about what?" He asks.
"Still about you of course." She says and arches her brow.
It only take him a second to figure out what she means.
"Plutarch brought it up a few days ago but just to me." He says referring to him and Annie getting married for a propo
"Worried she won't want to marry you?" Johanna teases.
"Of course not."
"Worried she won't want to do it in front of all those people." Johanna says more seriously this time.
Annie doesn't like strangers. She was already shy and the games made her become more closed off.
"I do want to marry her, but I can't force her to go up in front of all those people Johanna. In front of all those cameras."
"She has your pretty face to look at and I think she can manage a few hours in front of all those people." Johanna says.
Finnick is surprised by this comment.
"Stop looking at me like I just said pigs could fly."
"You don't think highly of Annie."
"I don't call her crazy like others do. She's just different, but she should be happy enough to ignore all that other stuff. Besides, if you asked her nicely enough I'm sure you could convince her."
A loud noise goes off and Johanna grips Finnick's arm tightly. Almost too tight it's like when a child is holding onto their mother.
"It's just an alarm Johanna." Finnick says in the same gentle voice he uses to comfort Annie.
"I know." She says but is still gripping him tightly.
"Lunch time Johanna." A nurse says and pushes back the curtain wearily. She usually shouts at everyone to go away but to see her almost crying into Finnick's shoulder is different.
"Just put it on the table." Johanna says loudly.
The nurse sighs like usual and leaves.
Johanna let's go of Finnick and rolls her eyes at the food.
She glances at Finnick's arm. He has lunch now too.
"You should go eat lunch too." Johanna says.
He nods and stands up.
"But make sure to come back." She says. She can hear the desperation in her voice.
"I have free time later." Finnick says.
"Not today, just some other time." Johanna says almost embarrassed for holding Finnick like a small child would.
"Okay bye Johanna." He says.
"Wait." Johanna says as he is about to leave.
"What?" He asks concerned.
"Calm down I just wanted to say you should tell Annie about the wedding thing."
Finnick opens his mouth to say something but she ignores him.
"I know you're afraid to tell her and not because she won't feel comfortable in front of the cameras." Johanna says.
She's right of course.
"Snow can't hurt you here, he can't control you here." Johanna says.
"I know." Finnick says.
Finnick couldn't even pretend to be attracted to Annie while they were in the Capitol and they didn't want to sleep in the same bed so the tributes wouldn't get the wrong idea.
Finnick had to seem single and available at all times. He couldn't have the people see him tied down to one person. It's why he saw no one more than once. They needed to keep up the bachelor image.
"Then get married and stick it to him." Johanna says with a smile.
"Bye Johanna." He says.
"Bye Finnick." She says and waves as if to say go away.
Finnick leaves the hospital to find Annie. They have all of their meals together.
When he arrives in the cafeteria he spots her immediately. She has a tray full of food in front of her already.
Finnick collects his food and goes to sit next to Annie.
He kisses the top of her head and sits next to her.
"Hi." He says with a smile.
"Hi." Annie says. She smiles but looks nervous as well.
She styled her hair perfectly, not one strand is out of place. He can tell by the style that she is trying to conceal the bruises on her neck. From the side her hair covers her neck but if you are looking at her straight on it doesn't matter. You'll be able to see the yellow brown spots on her neck.
The doctors said they would go away in a few weeks.
He takes her hand and kisses it. He doesn't want to let go of her hand. He hates being away from her. It's almost as if she will disappear if he were to let her go.
"Where were you?" She asks. Her voice is hoarse. The doctors said her voice should go back to normal once the bruises are gone.
"I went to the hospital." Finnick says.
This alarms Annie.
"What's wrong?" She asks and looks at him carefully.
"I'm fine." He smiles and kisses the tip of her nose. "I went to visit Johanna." He says.
"Oh." Annie says.
She goes pale slightly. She feels guilty about Johanna and Peeta because she didn't get a torturing like they did.
"Did you go to apologize to her." Annie says.
She knows he has nothing to apologize for but she knows how Finnick thinks.
"I tried but she wouldn't have any of it."
"Good you have nothing to apologize for Finnick." Annie says. He thinks she's not talking about Johanna but himself. He isn't going to bring it up.
"Did you talk about me?" Annie asks.
Annie is slightly afraid of Johanna. She knows Johanna won't hurt her but her intensity and strong personality frightens Annie from time to time.
Finnick nods.
"I actually wanted to talk to you alone after meal time." Finnick says.
The people who are also assigned to this table sit across from them. They don't bother introducing themselves which makes both of them thankful. People from 13 look at outsiders differently especially the victors.
Annie is curious what could be so pressing that he can't discuss it in front of other people.
She eats quicker than she probably should. She isn't supposed to be eating hard foods most of the stuff on her tray is mush, but it still burns her throat on the way down.
"Slow down." Finnick says noticing this.
Annie nods.
They finish and then head back to their small compartment.
"What do you need to tell me?" Annie asks nervously and sits on the bed.
"It's about a propo Plutarch brought it up the other day." Finnick says.
"I don't need to know about that stuff Finnick." Annie says thinking of the violence they show in the propos. She knows it's important to show people but she doesn't want to see it.
"It's about you and me specifically."
"What does that mean?"
"Plutarch asked me the other day. He says he wants to wait until Katniss and the others come back from 2, but he wanted to put the idea in my... our head." Finnick says.
"Just tell me what is it?" Annie asks getting impatient.
"He thinks it would be a good idea to show something happy to prove the Capitol can't break our spirits."
"What does that have to do with us?" Annie asks.
Finnick kisses her forehead.
"They want us to get married." Finnick says and Annie is speechless.
"I-"
"I know it will be in front of a bunch of strangers and camera people but he assured myself it would still be special."
Annie pulls Finnick in for a hug. She buries her face in his chest.
"Annie?" Finnick says worried because he can tell she is crying. "We don't have to I'm sure-"
She moves her head from his chest and smiles. She kisses him.
"Of course I will marry you. I don't care when or who is there. I never thought I would be able to marry you or show how much I love you to everyone." Annie says.
"Me too." Finnick whispers and kisses her.
Annie looks down at her outfit.
"I don't have to wear this do I?" Annie asks.
Finnick smiles and kisses her again.
"Plutarch is a Capitol man, I'm sure he has higher standards than gray jumpsuits." Finnick says with a smile. "But it doesn't really matter as long as I can marry you." He says and kisses her.
"Yeah." Annie says with a smile.