"The hardest thing is to let go of something you never had. That it was never yours to keep in the first place. But it is the most morally right thing to do for all involved. Just let them go."

Finnick Pov:

Whatever drugs the doctors gave me really hit the spot, as I constantly drift in and out of consciousness for what feels like a few hours. During this drifting, I see the doctors wheel me out of the operation room and someone who appears to be Katniss sprint over to my bedside. This thought brings a smile to my face when I fade into the black again.

When I drift in again, it appears that Katniss and what looks like Peeta are having a serious conversation. She looks sad when she looks over at me. At least I think so, since I am also hearing music and a gigantic fuzzy teddy bear is sitting on the other side of my bed. What the hell did the doctors give me?

This is my last thought before I fade back into the black.

This time I drift back in, I know that I am fully awake. The music and the crazy ass teddy bear are gone, as well as everything looks clear again. Katniss is gone too. Did I hallucinate that she was at my bedside earlier? It is entirely plausible, due to the fact that I was hallucinating other things going on around me.

"How are you feeling? Need anything?" A voice removes me from my thoughts.

I crane my head to the left to see Peeta casually leaning against the back wall opposite of my bed. Due to me just waking up, as well as what appears to be mediocre lighting in the room, he appears to be mostly in a shadow. But for some reason, I can still see his eyes as clear as day.

His normally bright and lively eyes appear to have become faded and tired. Poor guy, I wonder what has been going on. If anything, Katniss should bring light to his eyes.

This thought drags down my spirits. I forgot, I gave Peeta the okay to be with her. Dammit, one of the few times that being selfless has bitten me in the ass.

Whatever, at least I know that she will be taken care of.

Johanna's voice rings in my head, "Remember what I told you, you idiot. Stop being so damn whiny and man up!"

I chuckle at the sound of her voice.

When I look back at Peeta, it looks like he is giving me a confused look. Right, he can't hear Johanna's voice. Now I look like an idiot.

I rasp out as best as I can while I close my eyes to focus on my voice.

"Sorry, just thought of something funny in my head. Shit, my throat is dry."

"Here." Peeta's voice sounds from what appears to be my left.

I open my eyes to see a glass of water in my face. I start to grab for the water, but my arm strength appears to be non-existent.

"Don't worry Finnick. I'll hold onto the glass while you drink. Just nod when you are ready and nod when you are finished." Peeta kindly says while giving me a smile that teetered between kind and heartbroken.

Once I had enough water, he sets down the glass and gives me look that appears to be as if he is trying to read me.

I clear my throat before I ask, "Are you okay? Something on your mind Mellark?"

Peeta's look softens when I ask.

"Do you promise to take care of her? Like for the long run?"

I look directly into his eyes as I answer, "Of course. She means the world to me. I would never leave her."

Peeta sighs before he continues, "I was initially wary about you before the Games officially started. You were the playboy of the Capitol, breaking hearts left and right. So, when you started to flirt with Katniss before the Games, I got angry…"

"Based on what my 'reputation' was, I don't blame you my friend." I interrupt.

Peeta continues, "Even so, I let my feelings cloud my judgment and prevent me from seeing the truth. Back then, I didn't realize that we were all in the same boat. Rather, I thought that it was my and Katniss in one, while everyone else was in another. I thought that you were an entirely different species. An errand robot boy for Snow who would kill us in a heartbeat at Snow's command."

"But…" I start to interject, but Peeta holds his hand up to indicate that he isn't done.

"However, once the Games started, I really began to see you guys as innocent kids like us. Sure, some of you were robots under Snow, but not all of you. You more so than anyone else I saw in the Games. You became an entirely different person, especially with Katniss. You were kind, gentle and nothing like the tool that we met beforehand. You selflessly saved her life multiple times when it would have been easier for your own safety not to. And don't tell that it was your duty. The looks you gave her during the Games say otherwise."

Peeta pauses to regain his bearings. I can see the impact that this is having on him. Once he feels well enough, he continues.

"Plus, you saved me. It would have been easier for you to leave me for dead. I owe you my life and I will never forget that. Not only that, but you tell me to take care of her. You put her happiness ahead of your own life. You are definitely not the boy I thought you were. Rather, you are definitely the man that she needs. So, I only ask that you take care of her and her heart. Beneath the tough exterior is a delicate soul that has been through so much. You are what she needs. Just take care of her."

I give him a genuine smile as I answer, "Of course Peeta. You have my word."

Peeta smiles and answers, "Good. Because, if you break her heart, I won't hesitate to kill you. Don't forget that."

Even though it shouldn't scare me, the threat causes a chill to go down my spine.

I gulp and shake my head, "No. Of course I won't. I would never dream of it."

Peeta's smile widens.

"Good. Now, let me get Katniss. She demanded that I wake her up as soon as you come to…"

My eyes widen.

"Wait, so she was at my bedside earlier?"

Peeta nods and says, "Yep. In fact, the only reason that she isn't here right now is because I had to pry her off of you and make her go to bed. She really does care about you."

As Peeta leaves to get Katniss, my heart flutters in joy.

So, she really was here.

My joy is temporarily paused by the random thought.

'Does this mean that the teddy bear was real too?'