A flicker of bright lights; the sound of the air being slashed by a sword, panting, grunting, laughing, crying; the seventy-fourth hunger games, the clock ticking down, 60, 59, 58, 57, running, running straight into the towering blonde of district two, Glimmer getting killed horrifically by the tracker-jackers, Marvel getting shot, clove getting crushed by thresh, one by one the careers fell. Our camp thinned out, the cries of the people I had got to know, murdered, murdered by the people who forced us out of our homes and forced us into this world, the world of the Capitol. I dream about his smile, the smile he saved for me and me only. The way his eyes lit up like the dancing flames just like the campfires we made, like a thousand fireflies ignited in the night. His constant worry that his hair had been messed up, his hands always claiming my back pocket, whether he found it comfortable or he just liked feeling my butt was a mystery, but I loved it all the same.

I woke up to find I was pressed against a half-naked Cato; my face had been tucked away into his toned muscular side, his arms enclosing us in our own little refuge. The comfort of his heat radiating body beckoned me to sleep further, the soft pillow on the grand bed; the warming luxurious blanket that wrapped around us. I was cocooned; the tempting notion just to fall back asleep in his arms was alive and kicking in my mind.

It had just been mere weeks after the games had been over, all of the interviews, parties we had been forced to attend. Not even mentioning the appointments I had at the therapists to talk about my bad dreams. We haven't had any time to ourselves, the nights out had taken its toll and left us completely exhausted, no time to just be us. Cato had been trying to hide it, but he hadn't had sex, and it was bothering him. The nights where Cato had looked at me with hopeful mischievous eyes just to be substituted with a cleverly hidden disappointed smile had been more than just a few. Even with his surprisingly good acting skills Cato couldn't hide his sexual frustrations, or matter-of-factly the stains in his underwear he likes to make when he thinks I'm asleep – the rocking bed wasn't exactly helping me sleep believe it or not. Living with him, eating dinner, joking about, actually knowing that a few weeks ago the man I love was thinking about if I was career worthy and how he should kill me, moreover on the fact I was actually planning to kill him first. The games changed all of us.

We hadn't escaped the Capitol yet, we had won the games, it doesn't mean we get to return to our lives as they were before, if it means anything then I guess we've been long dead since we got reaped. I got cornered by Snow not so long after exiting the arena and finishing the interviews; Snow wanted me to work out more, get my hair styled, put all of these special Capitol face creams to make my skin look healthier. I was one of his pieces now, his pieces needed to look good... or else. If there had been only a single victor this year, if me or Cato had won alone, I've heard rumours what they do with victors, we all know about that Finnick's 'secret', I don't want to think what could have happened if my other half had even been touched by a single one of those - ...

I was afraid, my mind screamed for me to run, it wanted me to hide, to escape. It was a scream that could only be supressed by Cato; I don't think that I was the only one who had the screaming feeling. I sometimes watch him when he thinks I'm not looking, I think he tries to stay strong for me, truth be told, we're both just floating adrift in the storm. We have each other though, we could be on the run, homeless, starving, dehydrated, and he would make everything better for me.

After a while, I unbolted myself from his loving grasp and made my way to the bathroom; it was almost alien to me to be living a normal life after all of the nightmares we've been put through. We were living in the victor's village at District Two, with the history of my mother and the death of Katniss; I couldn't face my home district again.

I have a normal day today, no makeovers by Portia or Capitol parties, I was alone with Cato – I was finally alone with him. I emptied my head of all of the bad thoughts - just like the therapists told me – and I planned to make this day unforgettable for us both.

I could remember Cato's first words after the Victor's interviews, in my outfit which had obviously been made by Portia, I seriously loved that woman, we had wanted some time to at least comprehend that we had survived. "You clean up well twelve ".

That annoying District nickname he gave me, he's lucky he's handsome I thought to myself jokingly. I thought that to myself while I started my shower, I had his voice run around my mind while I did this, every word, every little way he said things, during the games just the way I feel about Cato had been enough to convince me I was crazy.

Pulling off my bedtime clothes that Cato hated so much, he hated not being able to see me naked I guessed. I hopped into the shower letting the warm currents wash over me, for a moment I like to think that everything's normal. It doesn't last long. I close my eyes, and just for a second I could see a flash of red, gingery ember hair. Foxface.

I'm a murderer. I could still see her lifeless eyes, staring at me, screaming at me for what I had done. I was only washing by the river - I found the berries, and I had left them by my clothing, it wasn't my fault it was nightlock.

I opened my eyes to find my hands clutching at my hair, the nightmare had finished. With that I wanted to forget all of the games, I let the water flood onto me and erode all of the bad memories away. I even used some of the Gels the shops provided which I had to use for my hair and body, they made me smell great according to Cato, and I even used his favourite scents.

I turned off the shower, stepped out and wrapped a towel around my waist. I wondered about whether I would ever be contempt with living a normal life, sitting around the house, cooking dinner but then I just remember, whatever I'd be doing , I'd be doing it with Cato – that allowed a smile to sneak on my face.

I looked into the mirror, and let Capital Peeta stare back at me, " Smile, one of you two have to stay positive, the more you smile, the more you resist Peeta. You're not a pawn on their chessboard"

(-)

Early morning cooking, a fiery passion; it was like an old friend, I hadn't cooked in a while, but I missed it. I was in the kitchen, eggs frying in the pan along with the bacon, toast cooking, and I had the table prepared. Not even the president himself could stop me at the moment.

I felt like I was in my home-ground, the place I thrive, I soar, the Sky to my mockingjay. I started to boil the kettle and then I sat down on our dining room table, located right next to the kitchen. I couldn't stop the smile on my face, moments like this was a life-saver.

I was going through what I wanted to do today, it was Cato's sister's birthday tomorrow, from the little I've seen of them his family were caring, friendly, loving... to Cato. He was lucky when it came to family, luckier than others. Everyone sees the district and they link them with Careers, in actual truth, they were a well-built community, as strong as the buildings they construct.

I didn't have time to stray away from topic, I got a plate out, placed the toast, eggs and bacon on them. "Like a professional Baker "I joked to myself, even with simple things like eggs and bacon, cooking made my day. I made Cato's cup of coffee, he liked two sugars, "Figures" I chuckled to myself, bringing honour to his district, district pride. Was I making jokes about his interviews now?

"Peeta? Peeta?" A strained voice echoed from up the stairs, I guess Cato just woke up.

I rushed up the stairs as fast as I could balancing the breakfast and cup of coffee as I went. I was met by a very bed-headed Cato popping his head out of the door way he had put on one of my shirts because it was ridiculously too tight for him. I could see the look on his face, did he have another nightmare? Anyways it must have been serious if he didn't even fix his hair.

"Peeta, what where were you? I woke up and you were gone, I freaked out" He must have had another nightmare, he refuses to talk about them, or even acknowledge them. He insists he doesn't have any, but I know.

"Hey, come on now. Just sit back down. "

"But I just wanna – "

"Sit" I declared with a big smile on my lips. He entered the bedroom with a cute little pout on his face, I could hear the rustling of the covers where he had wrapped himself back up, I wanted everything to be perfect, Breakfast in bed, everything. I walked in slowly, revealing the breakfast; you should have seen the smile on his face.

"Peeta, you made breakfast?" he laughed, he looked like a child in a candy shop. I set it up next to him leaving the coffee on the bedside table. He immediately leaned over it all and sneaked a kiss, okay two kisses, no three kisses. His kisses began to trail down my neck before he hovered his lips against my ear.

"How about you not eat me when I just made breakfast?" I uttered uncomfortably.

"You're the cook my l spicy JabberJay." He grumbled

"You don't need to tell me twice" I whispered back planting a final kiss on his cheek. "Now, eat your toast" I snickered, shoving a piece of toast in his open mouth before he could complain.

He placed the eggs and the bacon on a slice of toast, put another slice on top to create a sandwich, and he cut it in half with the knife I had provided.

"Only if you eat with me" He stated, he wasn't asking, he insisted in a loving way.

I took the half and I sat next to him, feeling the heat radiating from his body. He squashed himself against me, getting as much of me as he could in his arms.

"I can't even question how you made this so delicious Peeta, you have a gift." Cato mumbled between monstrous bites of his breakfast. Also, if you ever try to shove toast in my mouth again, I take that as a sign I get permission to shove something down your throat" Cato said casually.

I choked on my sandwich, "Cato!"

He laughed like a child before gobbling up the last bit of his breakfast. I couldn't seem to stop the scarlet blush on my face. I swallowed the last bit of my sandwich, Cato had drunken his coffee and we presumed our cuddle, his head on top of mine and his legs wrapped around my body.

"We're alone Peeta, no disturbances."

"What do you mean?"

"This."

He was on top of me before I could even manage to reply, his arms locking mine above my head, his muscular brawny legs pinned either side of my waist. I could only watch with wordless breaths as my mind shut down with pure horror, I mean, ugh... I don't even know.

"Would be worth anything if I say we have to let our breakfast go down?" I choked out.

"Nope". He let out before sinking his face towards mine.

"But we could start to feel sick or something."

"I am not stopping." His face dipped to my neck to divert his assault to distract me from trying to get out from his hold.

"I'm on my period?" I stuttered

He stopped his onslaught to give me a strong look of derision. "Seriously Peeta?" he pouted as he moved his lips to my ear. "You mean, you're not excited even one bit about what it feels like? Or it doesn't get you even slightly hot to think about what I could do Peeta? I've got something for you Peeta, I know you want it. "

"I, urmm." I mumbled.

His hands let go of keeping mine captive, and then he slowly began to take of his shirt. Once the shirt had been pulled off he discarded it behind him. He raised his arms behind his head; he flexing his pecs, stretching his chest. The sight of his muscled, burly tanned arms takes me by surprise. My mind freezes in pure pleasure; I couldn't help but stare at him, or stop the blood rushing to my pants. He leaned forward once more raising his arms above me. One of his arms dropped down and stroked my chin.

"You still not hot under the collar?"

"Cato, my god" I managed to squeeze out as pressed my lips against his, desperate for the friction. I felt a burning sensation, like a fire had just engulfed us. It felt like almost a tingling as I closed my eyes and continued the kiss.

As I pulled away from him, I opened my eyes to find him staring directly into them. My mouth had gone dry and as I tried to swallow. SHIT, I just practically bombarded his mouth, what if he didn't like that? "Cato – I"

"Shut up" He outpoured. His lips hot fire against mine; we were unable to contain our moans. I was unable to restrain my hands as I placed them on his back, pushing him forward towards me.

It was frenzy as my shirt was ripped of me, their warmth replaced by Cato's torso pressed tight against mine. He had moved his hands on my nipples, his hands moved down on my body like it was moving in treacle, he was making me wait. He reached the beginnings of my underwear, his hands entered slowly, but he didn't touch 'anything'. His hands drifted just above my manhood "You're mine" Cato mumbled into my ear, his lips slowly licking my lobe, and he bit down playfully. "You're going to enjoy this, trust me".