This one contains Everlark. In fact, it's mostly Everlark-based to be honest, though there's also lots of odesta so I'm going to put it here rather than publish it separately.

Katniss is so difficult to keep in character. I really hope I haven't butchered her too much.

I love you, Katniss, I swear!

Odesta/Everlark Prompt: Katniss goes to Annie for some advice on how she can help Peeta.

When Peeta was in the Capitol, Finnick told her that he'd be better off dead. When she'd learned about the rescue party, she dared to allow herself to hope. When she was told he was safe and she could see him, she could hardly believe it. All those nights of nightmares and crying, all those days sitting with Finnick because he was the only one in this entire district who seemed to understand, over.

It seemed as though Finnick had gotten his wish, in part at least; the Peeta Mellark she knew, maybe even loved, had died in the Capitol.

Katniss had been explicitly told to go nowhere near his cell. In fact, Haymitch had actually said he'd rather she stayed in her hospital bed and got some more rest.

But Haymitch wasn't there, and she wasn't going to lie around and let such a perfect opportunity to escape pass her by.

Her feet took her towards Peeta's cell before she even realised what direction she was headed, and by then it was far too late to change course. Up to the one-sided glass she went, and dear lord.

They'd had to tie him to the bed. He thrashed against his bonds futilely, and it hurt. Katniss couldn't explain how, but it hurt her to see him like this. Physically, somewhere within her chest (as sappy as it sounded- urgh, she wanted to cringe just thinking about it), it hurt her.

She knew that currently everyone else in District 13 was listening to one of Coin's mandatory speeches (it was the only reason she'd been left alone in the first place), so headed back to the small quarters she shared with her mother and Prim to wait it out.

She knew it was over when she heard footsteps outside, and so left before Prim and her mother could return. Love them though she did, she didn't really want to see them right now. They wouldn't understand.

Finnick.

She had to find Finnick.

He might've had Annie back, but thus far he'd been the only person in 13 who had understood. Well, besides Haymitch, but if her ex-mentor learnt that she had defied his orders he would not be particularly happy with her, and she didn't much fancy being yelled at.

Many days spent tying knots together and recounting memories of Annie and Peeta meant that Katniss knew the way to Finnick's quarters by heart. Taking a deep breath, she pressed the buzzer to the right of the doorframe.

The metal door slid to the right, and Katniss was surprised to find Annie Cresta on the other side; she'd thought Coin was still keeping all the recently-rescued victors in the hospital, just until they'd built their strength back up again.

"Is Finnick in?" Katniss had never been one for formalities, instead choosing to cut right to the chase.

Annie shook her head, "President Coin wanted to see him. Why? Is something wrong?"

"No," it was her automatic response to any such question. "I'm fine."

But Annie could see right through her, and so stepped aside, "Come in. Finnick will be back soon, I'm sure."

Unsure of how to weasel her way out of this without being rude, Katniss accepted Annie's offer and walked through, sitting down on the sofa. The door hissed as it slid shut behind her.

"Can I get you a drink?" Annie asked. Katniss shook her head. "Well, I'm thirsty. I'll be back in two secs."

She disappeared into the small kitchen area present in all the District 13 rooms- which contained a sink and a cupboard big enough for a small amount of spare food, in case of emergency- re-emerging a short while later with a glass of water.

She sat down beside Katniss, took a sip from her water, and said nothing.

Katniss couldn't tell you what it was that made her open up to this person she barely knew. Maybe it was the fact that the silence preceding it was uncomfortable and stuffy. Maybe it was the fact that Annie just had one of those trustworthy faces, the sort that you just wanted to tell your entire life story to for some inexplicable reason. Whatever it was, Katniss eventually broke the silence:

"How do I help Peeta?" She asked, wincing at how desperate her voice sounded. "How do I get him back?"

Annie seemed surprised that Katniss had actually said anything, though she quickly shook her shock off. "You haven't lost him, really. He's still in there. You just have to remind him who you are and everything he felt for you."

"But how do I do that?" Katniss pressed. "The Capitol have convinced him I'm pure evil, that every hardship he's ever faced can be traced back to me and that I'm to blame for everything that's ever gone wrong in his life."

"Is that true?" Annie asked calmly. "Are you to blame for everything wrong in Peeta's life?"

"I'm probably-"

"Of course you're not to blame." Annie cut her off. "Would he ever have fallen in love with you if you were?"

Katniss mumbled out a quiet "no."

"You just need to remind him who you really are, as opposed to who he's been programmed to think you are." She continued, her voice unwaveringly calm. It was reassuring, its soothing quality reminding Katniss of her father a little. "It will take time, of course, but then most things worth anything do."

"Thank you," Katniss found herself saying, making a mental note to repay the favour and do something nice and helpful for Annie at a later date. Then, before she could help it, "You don't seem too crazy at all."

She regretted it almost as soon as she said it, could hardly pluck up the courage to look Annie in the eye afterwards. Still, she'd done braver things, and after a few seconds of inner conflict she allowed herself to glance up through her loose brown hair, making eye contact with Annie Cresta, the girl they called crazy.

To her immense relief, Annie didn't snap at her. Or burst into tears. Katniss wasn't sure which reaction she'd dislike most to be honest; she really didn't want to be yelled at while she was feeling so emotionally fragile, but at the same time she was never particularly good with tears either.

"No more crazy than anyone else who's survived the hunger games," She even joked, smiling slightly.

Feeling a little better about her whole situation, Katniss stood up. "I should be going."

"But Finnick isn't back yet!"

"I'm actually feeling a lot better now." Katniss said, giving Annie one of her rare genuine smiles.

"Should I tell him you stopped 'round?" Annie asked, getting up to follow Katniss to the door.

Katniss shook her head. "I wouldn't want him to worry."

She made a point to take the long way back to her own quarters, just to ensure that she avoided bumping into Finnick should he be returning from his meeting with Coin.

That night, for the first time since she'd arrived in District 13, Katniss slept peacefully. Because Peeta wasn't dead. He was just... lost, for the time being. She could get him back. She would get him back. She had to.