Author's note: Set very soon after The Hunger Games. POV of Katniss and Peeta alternatively. This is my first multi- chapter fic (hence some smaller chapters) and like all of the others it was done with no real plot in mind. I never know what direction these are going so feedback and constructive criticism are always appreciated. Flaming and mean- ness is not. There are obvious variations from the book. Enjoy!

P.s this was written on an itouch so it is not well formatted. Sorry!

*Disclaimer: I own nothing. Well, except the French Rose pie. I don't think that's real. Sounds delicious though, right?

~Katniss~

It's true that we don't acknowledge birthdays in the Seam. Sometimes I don't even remember my own. A child's first birthday is celebrated only because raising a healthy baby is a game of chance. After the first year it's still pretty miraculous to live an average life span, but really who has the time to celebrate a birthday? Not me. So tomorrow will be just like any other day.

Gale and I have taken a break from each other since the Games, so today I hunt alone. I like it better this way. We still check in on each other's families, but words between us are few. This time in the woods alone gives me a valuable opportunity to think. The way he's acting feels strange to me. He had always joked that Victor's Village scared him ("Those houses have been empty so long ghosts had to have taken residence there!" he insisted), but something else is bothering him.

And Peeta. Where do I start? He won't even look at me. I want so badly to take back everything that happened. I can't sort through my feelings properly so I decide to put it all out of my head and get to work with my bow, arrows and the fox I see behind a tree.

~Peeta~

The short walk to the Everdeen house is long today with my tray of muffins. Today they're blueberry- Mrs. Everdeen's favorite. When I knock she opens the door and smiles. "Peeta! I've told you a dozen times that you don't have to knock. Just come on in," she says, taking the silver pan from my hands. I can feel my cheeks get warm, and brush off her comment. Things are awkward with Katniss and seeing her makes me sad. I don't want to get too comfortable in their house. "I brought your favorite!" I say instead. She gives me a hug and lets me inside.

The houses in Victor's Village are identical inside and out. I feel like I'm in my own home, except for the addition of hunting gear and medical supplies taking over the kitchen. "You know you can come around when Katniss is here. She likes muffins." I turn to look at the voice. It's Prim, wearing a new red dress with her blonde hair in a french braid. I ignore her comment and hand her a muffin.

"So. What are you going to do today, miss Primrose Everdeen?" I sit on their tall stools at the kitchen counter and pick at a muffin. "Skipping school, are we?"

"It's Saturday!" she giggles.

"A likely excuse! Well, I could use help baking today if your mom doesn't need your healing powers." Prim often helps me bake on the days that she doesn't help treat people. It's nice to have people over. My large house feels empty when I'm alone. Haymitch often stops over to have meals with me, but he's not always a fun guest. Prim is fun to be around and she has a knack for baking. "Go on, Prim," Mrs. Everdeen says, "I'll get you if I need you."

"I got a new recipe to try from the capitol. It's called a French Rose pie," I say. Prim nods and looks at the parchment card the recipe has been scrawled on. Silently, we both start grabbing ingredients and utensils from the cupboards. "My sister's birthday is tomorrow..."