Katniss was sitting on our bed, her legs crossed as she sat upright facing the head board. She does this whenever she needs to think about something important. Sometimes, when I know she's up here, I sneak up and just stare at her beauty from afar. Today was different though. I walked up and engulfed her body in my arms as I press my cheek to hers, my chin resting on her shoulder. I could hear her breath in and out, relaxing my nerves a bit as I pressed my chest against her back. My legs rested on the outside of her, protecting her from any harm.
"Katniss, I'm sorry about that fight we had last night. I overreacted," I said, her body squirming as my warm breath tickled her right ear. She didn't reply and I didn't expect her to. We just sat there, my head against her back as I softly hummed a soft lullaby I had once heard. Katniss began to get more comfortable under my touch as I rubbed circles in her back, massaging over the tight knots that had been forming from the stress I had caused. Finally, after what seemed to be hours, Katniss spoke.
"Peeta, you didn't overreact. You know how I feel and when you walked out, it was…devastating," she whispered, her head dropping down so that her eyes met her lap. I took it upon my advantage to rub my thumbs against her neck. She groaned as she pressed her left hand onto my thigh, squeezing lightly to reassure her love for me.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you like that," I sighed, continuing to massage her back and shoulders lightly.
"I didn't sleep. I didn't even try. I can't unless you're here to ward off the nightmares." Her voice was quivering as I wrapped my arms around her body, tears landing on my hand. She was shaking now as she sobbed.
"Please, don't cry. It won't ever happen again," I say crawling around her so I could see her face. Tears had caused her mascara to stain against her pink tinted cheeks. I wiped the loose tears that laid at the brim of her eyes with my thumb. "I'm here now." I held her closer to me, bringing her fragile body into my lap.
"Peeta, I've decided that I'll never be ready for what you want. I refuse to let it happen. I'm sorry Peeta," she said, her face burying into the crook of my neck.
"It's alright. As long as I have you," I coo, rocking her back and forth.