Looking back through this story, I realised just how crap my writing was lol, I hope it's improved now. I'm aware this is a really crap chapter (completely forgot why I had a Fannie chapter planned out, so this is a short improv thing) and I'm really sorry for that. It's short and kind of cute (hopefully). Here's your long overdue chapter - enjoy! :)

XLVIII.

"It's so nice here," Annie says, with a content sigh and a dazed, faraway look in her eyes as she swings her legs back and forth by the edge of the boat we've taken out. A serene smile tugs gently at her lips as her hair whips gently against her cheeks with the breeze that whips by. "I wish we didn't have to go back and stay out here."

I hum softly in agreement and nod, almost tasting the sea salt of the ocean on my taste buds. As the boat rocks back and forth gently, my thoughts drift back to the conversation in the Capital with Sisyphus Heavensbee. My mind has been almost completely focused on the rebellion for the past few months, and I've been genuinely starting to wonder if another rebellion would turn out successful - and even so, when? If it's only false hope, is it really worth it to risk the lives of my loved ones for something that possibly wouldn't even occur in my lifetime?

On the other hand, however, we could be free. Annie and I could be free. No more trips to the Capital, no unnecessary surveillance, and no Hunger Games. A world that seems more like a dream than a reality.

"Maybe we could one day," I find myself responding, taking her smaller hand in mine and kissing her knuckles gently. I can recognise the false hope that laces my words, but I can't seem to stop myself from wishing for a better place for the both of us. "One day, we can bring some food and stay out here for a few nights. Just have some privacy for a little while."

Just you and me, I add mentally as an afterthought, leaving the silent option of bringing a few friends out in the open.

"You think?" she questions, a small grin tugging at her lips as she turns back to look at me. "Just the two of us?"

After a few seconds, Annie falters briefly and her cheeks blossom into a light shade of pink before she adds, "I mean, we could bring some other people out too if you want."

Letting out a small laugh, I rest my chin on her shoulder and pepper a few kisses on her cheek. "Just the two of us," I repeat, squeezing her waist gently as she grins in response.

Just the two of us, with no distractions.

"You think we could do that tonight?" Annie asks, softly. She turns back to look at me with a hopeful glint in her green eyes and for a moment, I almost give in and say yes until she continues, "Before you need to go back to the Capital."

I close my eyes for a few seconds, the optimistic mood disappearing within an instant as I let out a long breath and shake my head. "We can't do that, Annie," I murmur, apologetically as I remember the call from President Snow I'd received just yesterday. This time, I was to stay at the Capital for an entire month before returning home - my time in the Capital had increased due to higher demands after Gloss was relieved by Snow for a year or two to take care of his infant. "I'm sorry."

She purses her lips and frowns in disappointment as she hears my response. Feeling incredibly guilty, I offer, "When I return, I'll take you out here, I promise." Running my fingers through her knotted hair, I press my lips against the side of her forehead gently and continue, "I'll be back for your birthday, Annie," though I'm not quite sure myself.

"What happens if you ever decline or postpone?" she questions, curiously and I'm aware that she knows what happens because I've told her several times now. Ever since the first time I'd declined, it had never happened again - and hopefully, never will.

Postponing a visit, however, I'm not entirely sure what happens. Usually, there isn't a schedule we must stick to unless President Snow calls and lately, those have been occurring more and more often. It's out of my control now.

With a grimace, I shake my head and murmur, "You know what will happen, Annie. I'm not taking any chances."

"What happens if I get reaped?" Annie ponders out loud as I pull her back against my chest gently, interlacing our fingers. "Would you be my mentor?"

"You won't be reaped," I insist with a shake of my head. I won't let her be reaped. As long as I agree to everything Snow demands of me, she will never be in danger, and in the next two reapings, her name will not be pulled out. "Don't worry about it, Annie. It won't be you."

"How are you so sure?" she presses, glancing back at me, green eyes wide with curiosity. "You didn't do anything wrong for Rhea's death, so maybe it isn't just what you do. Maybe you're just a source of entertainment for Snow."

"Annie," I respond forcefully, though my tone wavers slightly as I take what she says into consideration. For years, I've believed I was punished because I'd done actions that had left President Snow unsatisfied, but maybe I was just a pawn, just a source of entertainment as Annie had said. If so, even I were to please everyone, no one around me would be safe.

Holding both her cheeks in the palm of my hands, I press my lips against hers, hoping the action would be one to comfort her. However, I feel as if I'm more reassuring myself as she responds. I run my fingers through her incredibly tangled hair and pull her closer, the idea of staying out here for the night seeming more appealing by the second.

When we eventually pull away for air, I can't resist but kiss her again shortly on the lips, over and over again. "Don't even think about it, Annie," I mumble, nudging my nose against hers playfully. "I'll make sure you're never reaped, and if you are..." I trail off, regretting continuing my response. "I'll bring you back home, I promise."

As I reconsider what I've just said, I realise how selfish I sound. Maybe it's better for people to die in the Games than to suffer the ramifications. Their suffering would only be short-term.

Maybe she could pretend.

She could be physically appealing, and if Annie tried hard enough, she could possibly present herself differently.

Pushing the unnecessary thoughts aside, I tuck a few strands of her unruly hair behind her ear, my fingers ghosting over the smooth skin of her cheeks gently. For a few moments, I simply stare down at her finding myself astonished yet again by her natural beauty - large green eyes, a cute button nose with a splash of freckles scattered across her cheeks, and slightly pouty lips that made me want to kiss her more than usual.

I trace the outline of her bottom lip gently with a small grin, pressing my lips against hers briefly. "I love you," I murmur softly, forgetting out any other concerns that had worried me earlier. "I love you so much, Annie Cresta."

Instead of receiving the usual response, I love you too, Annie grins cheekily and sticks her tongue out playfully. "How much?" she asks, her fingers finding the gaps between mine and filling them up perfectly.

As she rests her head back against my shoulder, I smile and gaze down at her, wondering how I ever managed to be in this position right now with the one I love. It's almost like a fairytale, I realise as I recognise that this moment is only a short-lived one and soon, we'll need to head back home where reality will hit us once more.

"More than you'll ever know."