He had never expected his life to turn out this way, the way it did. I mean, don't get me wrong, his life wasn't bad (it was amazing, in fact). He just didn't think he would end up with the girl he had loved all his life. The girl who he watched walk home everyday. In his mind, he had two alternatives. One, watch her life her life from afar for the rest of his life. Or two, gain enough courage to start talking to her. The first option was obviously more likely than the second.

What he didn't expect was a third option. It involved the most complicated set of events.

1. Get reaped along with the love of his life

2. Tell practically the whole world he was in love with her

3. Join together as star-crossed lovers with said girl

4. Be told that it was all just a lie so that they could win the games

5. Ignore girl

6. Become friends with girl

7. Get kidnapped by the Capitol

8. Get hijacked into thinking that the girl he loved destroyed his home and murdered his family

9. Slowly begin to fall in love with the girl again

10. Stop girl from trying to kill herself

11. And then, finally, get together with her, and fifteen years later, have two children with her.

Though the other two options may have been a whole lot easier, he would never change his life for the world. All the hardships he went through were what made his relationship with her, and his life, what they were today. This option may have resulted in the deaths of loved ones, but they still had their memories, and their book, to remind them.

Without this option, there wouldn't have been a Mockingjay to instil peace. There wouldn't have been a Mockingjay in the first place. Without it, his kids would still have the fear of the games looming over them.

She may still wake up screaming, and he might have one of his episodes (as rare as they are now), but they still have each other

So in the end this is the option he chooses. One where his life isn't perfect at all, and yet it's exactly the way he wants it. Something that he wouldn't change for anything.

"So after, when he whispers, "You love me. Real or not real."

I tell him, "Real.""

Hey guys, so this is my first fanfic so please only supportive comments or constructive criticism! Anyway, thanks for reading! Love you!

PS READ MY FRIEND AND BETA thefaultinourducks ' STORY: Love Never Dies! Thanks!