Warning: this has prostitution, sex, cussing, rape, and violence. It's a very explicit story.

Katniss pov

I'm suffocating. The smell of blood and synthetic roses fills my nose. It's dark. But I hear voices.

Snow.

I hear his laughter.

Prim.

I hear her scream.

I call out to her but my voice doesn't work.

I shoot up from the bed. It was just a dream. My whole body is covered in a cold sweat. I hear the heavy thunder outside my window. Even though that, I can hear the tread of Peeta's steps.

They say tomorrow we'll be in the capitol. This victory tour hasn't been easy on any of us. But we'll be home soon. And then I can somewhat relax until the reaping. I hope.

I stand up and walk towards the door. Wandering around the halls helps me when I can't sleep. Sometimes I stop in the room that has a fireplace in it. The smell of burning wood reminds me of home.

Peeta wanders the hall at night too. Most nights I hear his heavy footsteps. It doesn't bother me because I'm usually up anyways. I walk down the hallway to the kitchen so I can grab a cup of tea.

When I open the door I find that there's someone there.

"I'm sorry-"I start, thinking that it's someone from the crew.

Peeta turns around and leans up against the counter. He crosses his arms over his flour covered chest and says,"can't sleep?"

I shake my head.

"Me neither."

"What are you doing?"I ask.

"Oh, I'm just making bread...It's almost 5, which is usually when I would wake up to make the morning bread. Baker's hours,"he explains.

"Oh,"I say. I step closer to him and reach for his hair. "You got flour in your hair."

He blushes as I wipe it out.

"Thank you,"he says softly.

"So what are you doing in here?"He says.

"I'm making tea, do you want any?"

"Sure,"he says nodding.

It doesn't take long for the water to boil. These capitol boilers are way quicker than the one I grew up with. By the time I have the tea ready, Peeta has the bread in the oven.

"Sugar?" I ask.

"No,"he says making a disgusted face. "It makes it too sweet."

I smile at his words. It Peeta would be sweet enough to not have sugar in his tea.

I hand him the mug and he thanks me. "It's really pouring out there,"he says looking out the window.

"Yeah, Effie's umbrella might actually come into use,"I say. Peeta laughs along with me as we think about that dumb umbrella Effie carries around, even when the weather is nice.

I head towards the door but freeze when I feel his hand on my shoulder.

"Where are you going?" He asks. I loom over my shoulder to find his blue eyes staring back at mine.

"I'm going to sit by the fireplace. Do you want to join me?" I say softly.

He nods.

We walk in silence.

This whole tour has been trying on Peeta and mine's relationship. Things are more confusing than ever. One night he's holding me at night, keeping the nightmares away. The next night he's kissing me in his room. And the next he's not even talking to me.

Not that I blame him.

This hasn't been the best situation for him.

We sit down on the couch on opposite sides and sip our tea in silence. I stare into the flames. I wish they would consume me whole. I wish my dress would actually catch on fire. And then this would all be over.

"Katniss?" I snap out of my thoughts. "You seem distracted."

"I guess I am."

He sips his tea and then sets it down on the table next to him. I have finished my tea. That's when I realize how cold it is. The nightgowns Cinna designed for me aren't exactly the most practical. And it's quite cold in here, even with the fire.

"Cold?" Peeta asks looking concerned.

I nod.

He opens is arm up motioning for me to lay with him. I scoot over to his side of the couch and lean against him. I rest against his chest and he leans his chin on my head.

The sweater that he wears is very warm and smells like him. I listen to his heartbeat and before I know it, I'm lulled to sleep.

When I wake up Peeta is asleep. I hear the gruff cough of Haymitch as he walks through the room. "Oh, there you two are. Effie has been looking all over for you."

"Why?" I ask.

"You're prep teams are ready for you. You have an important meeting today."

"Haymitch what are you talking about?"

"You'll want some of this,"he says holding up a bottle of alcohol,"you have a meeting with the president."

I feel like I'm going to throw up.

Peeta looks just as horrified.

I start hyperventilating.

"Here sweetheart, have a drink,"he says handing me the bottle. It burns as it goes down, but the effect is nice.

When my prep team gets to me, they fret over my hair and nails. I've been biting my nails. "Katniss darling, please stop ruining your nails!" Octavia says.

Cinna walks in and smiles at me,"there's my beautiful star,"he says.

"Cinna,"I smile and it's actually genuine.

"Today I've decided to go with a very elegant version of yourself. I want you to look like yourself."

"And why is that?"

"Because, when you walk into that meeting with the president, I don't want him to have the satisfaction of seeing you dressed up in the way he makes you. I want him to see you."

"Thank you, Cinna."

He keeps my makeup minimal. When I look in the mirror I still look like me. I wear a simple green dress and my hair is in a side braid.

Peeta walks out in a light blue button up shirt tucked into beige slacks. Much like he wore to the reaping.

The reaping wasn't that long ago, but yet I feel like we were so young. I feel like we are so much older now.

"You look beautiful,"Peeta says, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Thank you," I say smiling.

"You look like you,"he adds.

"And so do you,"I say softly.

"Come on kids, we gotta get a move on. Let's get this over with and get out of this hell hole." Haymitch says.

"Haymitch!" Effie looks very offended.

"Sorry, Sweetheart, but none of us like it here."

The crowd cheers as we walk up to Snows Mansion. I feel sick. The last place I want to be is in the home of the devil.

Peeta squeezes my hand. I know he's feeling the same way.

We are escorted into the mansion by Effie and Haymitch. It smells heavily of blood and roses. I want to choke.

His assistant greets us at the door, along with his granddaughter. She's younger than I thought. When she sees me she squeals. "Katniss Everdeen! I am your biggest fan!"

I'm taken aback by this.

The granddaughter of my enemy is my biggest fan?

She runs forward and hugs me. She's no older than Prim.

I don't know what to do. Thankfully the assistant pulls her off and sends her away.

"The president is waiting for you."

She leads us to a grand office where Snow is waiting.

Peeta holds my hand tightly as we walk in. He sits at his desk and smiles.

"There are my two victors, have a seat."

Peeta and I do as he says. "I'm going to get right to it. Everyone is in love with the two star crossed lovers. And they would like to see the love in action."

"Isn't that already what they're seeing?"Peeta asks.

"Ah, my dear boy, but they want more. They want a more intimate view."

"Prostitution." I spit the word as if it were filled with poison.

"Exactly. And I will give you a choice. Either you can stay together, most people want to see the star crossed lovers together, and no patron can touch you. Only each other. Or you'll be sold separately, and you won't have to touch each, there are many patrons who desire to touch you. But it is your choice. I'll give you a moment to decide."

He stands up and walks out a door behind the desk. Peeta grips his chair tightly. He looks like he is about to throw up.

I want to scream. He can't do this to us.

"It's up to you... either I rape you or a stranger." He doesn't look at me.

"Peeta, I can't-"I start. I choke on my sobs. I don't want this. I don't want any of this.

"I don't care, just make a choice!" He yells.

"You." I whisper.

He nods, his eyes squeezed shut.

"Okay."

I don't want to do this to him, but I just can't imagine any other man touching me. I don't want to think about any other man putting his hands on me. Or any woman putting her hands on Peeta.

"For Prim,"he adds.

I can't help but stare at him. At a time where he deserves to be selfish he is still thinking of me and why I'm even going through all of this. And in all truth, he cares about Prim so much.

"For Prim," I whisper.

I wipe the tears from my eyes. Snow walks back in and I can't help but glare into his snake eyes.

"So, have you come to a decision?"

"Together,"Peeta says in a lifeless voice.

"Then it's settled. As long as your performance is good, you'll get to stay together. However if it fails, then you'll be separated. You'll make a pretty penny,"he smirks.

As we leave he calls to me at the door,"oh and Katniss, do say hi to your sister for me."