*Disclaimer* Suzanne Collins owns all rights to everything. This isn't my own.
Constructive criticism is very helpful and I'd appreciate it. Thank you.
Katniss's POV
Before I even look in his direction I know I don't want to hear it. I can hear his knee thumping the table rhythmically. Thump, thump, thump thump. Thump, thump, thump thump.
"What is it Peeta?" I ask, despite knowing the answer already.
"Katniss, please. You know how badly I want—"
"I know, I know. But I can't Peeta. Don't you see?"
It takes him a minute to respond. "But you love me, right?"
"Of course I love you. That's for sure."
"Then why?"
"I don't want to talk about it." I grab my bow and arrow and walk out the front door.
He doesn't get it, I think to myself. Everyone I loved, I failed. I don't want to take that chance. It's not that I don't love him. I don't not want kids for a selfish reason. I don't want to fail him. I don't want to fail our kids. I would make a terrible mother. An awful mother. He just doesn't understand.
Before I know it, I'm at the lake. The warm early summer breeze ruffles my hair and I stop. I just want to be alone. This is the place I'm truly at home. Flashbacks hit me of my father singing in the woods. Of Prim, telling me she was going to be a doctor. Rue, asking me to sing to her. Gale, mouthing for me to shoot him. And of Peeta, trying to strangle me. The wind makes the water ripple. It's almost sunset. Peeta's favorite time of day. I can't help but feel longing for him.
Stop it, Katniss, I think. You're supposed to be mad at him.
I gather my things and head towards the fence. I spot a turkey and I shoot him, so that I feel this venture was at least semi-productive. I shimmy under the fence, thankful it's no longer charged.