They were stronger together, of that Annie was absolutely certain. But still, it felt now as if every move they made was careful, delicate, as if this difficult compromise was impossibly fragile and might shatter should they apply too much force.

With a quiet, yearning sound, Annie leaned into him, her lips instinctively parting, this kiss almost as gentle and tentative as their first. It felt like they had to learn each other all over again; they were different people now, their eyes opened to too many things to pretend anymore.

"I missed you," she breathed into Finnick's mouth, her fingers sliding up into the hair at the nape of his neck.