Katniss quickly realizes that the change in rules means she and Peeta are allied again and that he was never her enemy. She reasons that the Capitol would only make such an unprecedented rule change due to public demand, which means Peeta has been playing the role of the lovesick tribute the whole time. She searches for him and discovers that he has camouflaged himself to stay safe from the Careers. Unfortunately, he is also fevered, dehydrated, and suffering from a festering wound on his leg that has cut him to the bone. Katniss does her best to treat him and hide them, but he is beyond her meager ability to heal. When Peeta tries to say goodbye and give her instructions for after his death, she kisses him. In response, Haymitch sends hot broth. Katniss understands the message immediately: One chaste kiss is only worth broth. It will take a much more convincing act of love to save Peeta.

Katniss acknowledges that allying with Peeta makes her extremely vulnerable, as she is bound to his needs. Remembering the importance of sponsors, Katniss plays the role of a teenager in the throes of a first love, hopeful that the strategy will not be as doomed as it once seemed.