AN: Ok. This is first of all best described as a rewriting of Catching Fire. This begins after the Victory Tour. Some things you should know- 1st - Katniss actually knows her feelings for Peeta and has chosen him over Gale so this is an Everlark fan fiction. 2nd- This is done in Katniss's POV strictly until possibly the Games. 3rd – Katniss will being acting somewhat OOC because to be honest, Katniss annoyed me at times so I'm changing her a little bit. Some of her OOC will be because of fact that she loves Peeta. 4th – The first few chapters are going to not seem to have a plot. It's a lot of Everlark but there is a purpose for it. 5th- In order to best understand this story, you need to have read The Hunger Games and not just seen the movie.
DISCLAIMER- I do not own The Hunger Games. If I did, Gale would have died.
Chapter 1: Back to the Capitol
Peeta wakes me up like he has since the Victory Tour ended. He proposed marriage and the Capitol ceremony is tomorrow. We had no choice besides marriage, but at least it's real. I love my dress; Cinna designed it with 'my' help which means I told Cinna to design it himself and he came through for me. I realize my hair is still back in a braid. It's always like that now, that's how the Capitol knows the girl on fire.
"Effie's coming today," Peeta says and I toss my pillow at him. When he awkwardly stumbles backwards my face instantly changes from joy to concern. Once again, his 'leg', which is my fault, is causing him problems. My nightgown flows around me as I rush to help him steady himself. Peeta pulls me into a large hug, knowing that I am about to relive the Games. "No, Katniss, no. Don't. Today's your last day as an unmarried lady. Enjoy it," he says. I tremble as I remember Glimmer, her bloated body with that horrible green color.
The simplest things do it- make me relive the Games. It could just be something obvious like the mandatory viewings of past Hunger Games to unlikely things like sleep syrup, which Peeta makes me take most nights. Haymitch says that it's part of Peeta's 'healing process' but I know it's just payback for the Feast.
I catch Peeta staring at me and realize that I need to respond. "I'm only sixteen, Peeta. I wish we didn't have to marry so soon. You know I love you, that it wasn't all an act. At first it was but then, I fell in love with you. It's just rushed," I say.
"I know and I understand, but…" I don't get to hear what Peeta wants to say because in comes Effie.
"Katniss! You are still in your nightgown? Get up! Today's going to be a big, big, big, day! The train will be here in one hour. Cinna and Portia will meet you two in the Capitol. You have a fantastic interview with Caesar tonight. Don't act like you come from District 12," Effie walks out of my room, followed by Peeta. That's Effie, always the most courteous of the escorts. I quickly change into brown trousers and a sunset orange t-shirt. It's not really the most flattering, so it will annoy Effie, but its Peeta's favorite. I take his jacket that he purposely left on my bed. It's light tan color goes perfectly with my outfit; but, even if it didn't, I'd still wear it everywhere.
I step out of the door, making sure that Prim and my mom are packed. I don't know why, but I was shocked when President Snow invited them; after all, it is my wedding and Prim is well-liked. I have nothing to pack because all of my clothes are Cinna-designed and waiting for me. My mother and Prim aren't so lucky. I walk across the street to Haymitch's house. I know that he is probably already on the train, but I'm going to sneak his favorite wine onboard. It puts him in a better mood, and if nothing else, I will forever owe him. He got two tributes out of the Games for the first time. When I walk in, I burst out laughing. Peeta's standing right I front of me holding the same bottle I was coming to pick up.
"Peeta, you're not going to start drinking this close to the wedding right?" I ask jokingly.
His response sobers me. "No, but I understand why Haymitch does now. I know you're normally the one with the extended nightmares, but I was thinking of all the people I want to invite to the District 12 ceremony and I realized that they scheduled the ceremony on the same day as the Reaping."
I fall down on my knees, shaking. I can't believe that it shocks me that the Capitol would do this, but I had tried to forget about the Reaping, about the Quell. Until another girl tribute wins in District 12 or I die, whichever comes first, I have to mentor the girl. Every year, I have to train someone just to watch them die and relive my Games. Peeta sits down next to me, trying to coax me back into reality but its too late.
I'm standing there, on the plate, looking at the Cornucopia. Peeta mouths 'no' and I've missed my perfect moment to get the bow and arrow. Clove stabs a boy and he spits blood on me before dying. I scream. I blink my eyes rapidly and I'm back. Peeta holds me close while Effie walks in.
"Oh my, Katniss, are you okay?" Effie asks.
"Drop it, Effie. She just went back into the Hunger Games in her mind. Katniss will never be okay again. She is never going to be some happy-go-lucky person and neither will I. That's why I paint- to help the nightmares that the Games cause seem more like nightmares and less like reality," Peeta comes to my defense.
I stand up and I help Peeta up, too. I see that Peeta has hidden Haymitch's bottle. He runs his fingers through his hair to make me laugh. It doesn't work; he just reminds me of Cato, a boy I killed as a mercy killing. He was being mauled to death by Capitol muttations who had the eyes of the dead tributes. I have nightmares every night about the arena.
We walk to the train. It's, of course, a silver Capitol model. State-of-the-art, just like the one we took to go to the Capitol before the Games. It might take us 3 hours if we go full speed, but they never do. That wouldn't give you time to think about the power the Capitol has over you. I freeze when I spot the gleaming Capitol seal. Peeta squeezes my hand in comfort. "This is really happening, Peeta," I say, in a daze.
"Yes," Peeta smiles. I know he's been looking forward to tomorrow since the Games ended, since he had a chance to keep me.
I step on the train. Haymitch is staring at me. "Why don't you kiss for the cameras?" He whispers and I feel like an idiot. I've given the cameras no show, just hand-holding, not even a hug. We are getting married tomorrow and I'm showing Peeta about as much love as I did before he announced that he was in love with me. As soon as Peeta climbs on board, I kiss him. Not overdone, just enough to make everyone in the Capitol psyched for our wedding. Maybe we could even convince Snow. The thought makes me chuckle.
Peeta loves it. As soon as I try to pull away, he pulls me back in, all while winking at the cameras. The cameras love him and they only tolerate me because I'm his future wife and a victor. Peeta senses my thoughts. He whispers in my ear, "They love you, you know. The people of the Capitol. You're Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire. You still don't get it, do you? You still have no idea the effect you can have."
"No, I guess I don't," I whisper back. He releases me. I fear that the Capitol will view this as a fight between the star-crossed lovers.
"Come on, Katniss, I want to show you something." I follow Peeta to his designated room. When we get there, Peeta puts on a video. I catch a glance at the words written on the spine before it's too late.
AN- I hope you like it. Review please. I will not add another chapter until I get at least one review, because a review lets me know that someone has read my story.