Renovatio

I do not own Hunger Games or the Characters within it

Belong to Suzanne Collins

Little bit of book and a little bit of movies.

Spoilers!

Prologue

Latin: Renovatio: renewal

Its been months since the war ended, and Katniss is back home in District 12. Its no longer the harsh cold winter but the warm, gentle, and colorful spring. She stood on a hill in the woods with her hair braded in its usual fashion, and she wore her brown leather jacket, dark grey pants, black boots, black quiver across her body, and she carried her bow in her hands. She stood silently looking at the beautiful colorful spring wilderness around her, trying to find peace within herself. Peace… is hard to come by lately for her.

The days and weeks following the conclusion of the war were filled with turmoil and pain for Katniss. The immediate conclusion of the war were anything but peaceful for her. Her sister was killed in an unofficial friendly-fire bombing of Capital children authorized by the recently deceased leader of the rebellion, Coin. Gale seemed to be the architect behind the bombing of children and the death of Primrose, causing Katniss to fall deeper into depression. She shunned Gale and refused to ever see or even speak with him ever again. During execution day she killed Coin instead of Snow which made her become imprisoned. But she was soon released after testimonies from Beetee and Gale of their involvement of the bombs on Snow's mansion to justify Katniss' action in killing Coin which helped reclaim her reputation as a hero. With the new evidence of Coin's corruption, people started to praise Katniss once again but she didn't want anything to do with it. Panem was now under new democratic rule. No more dictatorship and no more games… There is now freedom.

After her release she and Haymitch return home to the remnants of District 12, but Katniss' mother moves to District 4 instead because 12 is rot with bad memories and pain. Upon arrival at District 12, Katniss and Haymitch were surprised at what was left of their homes, their Victor's Village houses were in one piece but the rest of the district was still destroyed. Though, it was clear people were moving back in and slowly rebuilding the burnt remains of the old district. But, Katniss was still left alone at home as she fought the battles in her head caused from the war and the Games. Haymitch as usual found his solace in the bottom of the bottle in his own house. As time slowly moved on, she continued to fight the mental affects war and the Games caused on her. She is plagued with bad dreams and constantly wakes up with cold sweats and screams. Though, she often thought of Peeta, and worried where he ended up and who he became. She often wondered why Peeta wondered into her thoughts, it was like thinking of Peeta helped her not think about the bad things she experienced during the games and the war. It was strange…

Back in the present, Katniss shook her head of the past yet recent memories. She ran her hand through her dark brown smooth hair then drew an arrow for her bow. She squatted down and waited with anticipation with her bow and arrow for her target. Suddenly the large flock of birds in the distance started to fly from the trees which gave Katniss the perfect opportunity. Katniss expertly released the arrow and sent it flying into one of the birds, hitting one directly under the wing causing it to flutter down below the tree tops. She lowered her bow and smiled a confident smile. She laughed and for some reason she suddenly felt like she was finally home. She didn't know why. She put her bow across her body on the same side of her quiver and walked to where her prey fell.

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Victor's Village

The tall wire fence around the district that once was used to keep people in was now used to keep wild life out from bothering the good people who are tying to make anew in the district. Katniss was now free to go out and hunt as much as she wished. Katniss strolled back into the Victor's Village with her prey in one hand and her hunting gear across her body. She stopped in her tracks and saw a man who looked familiar bent over planting flowers in the dirt in front of her house. The man in question has neatly combed ashy blonde hair, relatively pale skin, and is wearing a dark grey shirt, black pants, and black shoes. Katniss slowly and quietly stepped toward the familiar person as she wondered if it really is the person who she thinks it is. The man stood up and ran a hand through his combed hair then put his hands on his hips. He nodded at his handy work with the flowers then looked to the clear blue sky.

Katniss stepped quietly closer as she realized who it was. She yelled out a name, "Peeta?" The man turned around and it was exactly who she thought it was. Peeta Mellark has come home. Katniss' jaw dropped, she dropped her kill then covered her mouth with her hands as a smile grew on her face.

Peeta smiled, "Hey Katniss." He said cautiously, not sure if she'd welcome him after everything that has happened. He looks healthier and more youthful than before; the effects of the hijacking are still present but he has spent much of his time since the end of the war to get himself under control. His old messy hair style has been replaced with a combed style that made him look more handsome than before.

Katniss couldn't believe who she was seeing. She hasn't seen Peeta since she killed Coin, and she only shared brief eye contact with him before she was taken away. The nice boy she went to the games with the first time is clearly not the same boy. He is a man, a gentleman who is kind, strong, and extremely brave. Even when he was hijacked he did his best to try to see Katniss through his own eyes instead of the Capitals. It took her a lot longer to see him trying to fix himself than everyone else. Even Finnick treated him better than she did when he was in pain. She stepped closer to Peeta, "Peeta, you came home!"

Peeta nodded, "Yeah…" He looked down at the flowers, "Sorry. I was…planting flowers. Uh, Primroses to be exact." He looked back up at Katniss, "Sorry if this doesn't seem like a good idea. I just wanted to remember…

Katniss smiled and rushed over and hugged him tightly. Peeta slowly and cautiously reciprocated the hug tightly. They both smiled in each others embrace. After a long moment Katniss let go of Peeta and smiled at him, "Its beautiful." She gave a small laugh, "I like it."

Peeta nodded with a smile, "Glad you do." He nodded to Haymitch's house, "I saw Haymitch earlier. Back to his usual self I noticed." He chuckled, "He said you went hunting." He squinted under the sun light, "So I decided to plant. Found the flower near the tree line, so I brought them here."

Katniss gave a genuine warm smile at him, "I love it." Peeta turned to look at his handiwork, but Katniss quickly and automatically embraced Peeta tightly. She hugged him so tight as if he was going to disappear again. She buried her face into his neck and said in a muffled tone, "What took you so long to come home?"

Peeta hugged her back and gently stroked her dark hair, "I'm sorry." He looked up to the clear sky, "I'm Sorry… I had to make sure I could be me again. I didn't want to face you when I can't even control myself." He gave a sad smile, "I wanted to be me not the Capital mutt that was your enemy."

Katniss let go of him to stare into his eyes. She was crying, "Peeta…" She shook her head, "I'm sorry I called you a mutt. That I called you my enemy…I shouldn't have." She looked at him with shame in her eyes, "You needed me most and I left you in a world of hurt. You were there for me but I couldn't be there for you." She looked down as tears fell.

Peeta smiled a reassuring smile at her. He gently pushed her chin up with his hands so she can look into his eyes. "Katniss…I don't blame you for the words you said to me when I was hijacked. I wasn't myself… I was the Capital's weapon. I was your enemy…" He started to tear, "Brainwashed to believe…that the person I loved almost all my life was my enemy…"

Katniss shook her head, "You were never my enemy…" She looked sadly at him, "I was just so lost..."

Peeta hugged her tightly, "I was too." Katniss hugged him back.

Katniss buried her face again in his neck, "I just want to find my way back."

Peeta pressed his cheek to the top of her head, "Then let's find our way back together." Katniss nodded in his embrace.

After a long embrace they finally separated. Katniss smiled at him, "You have a place to stay?"

Peeta shook his head, "Nope. I was going to go help others build new houses in town and maybe find a place there."

Katniss took his hand in hers and squeezed it affectionately, "Stay with me."

Peeta looked to the direction of the town then back at her. He saw in her eyes that she needed him, and it was true that she did, and he needed her. He nodded, "Okay…"

XXXXXXXXXXX

Katniss Everdeen Residence, Victor's Village

Peeta and Katniss spent most of the day sitting on the couch in the family room talking, playing the occasional "Real or Not Real" games, and even cracking jokes with one another. The sound of laughter could be heard outside the house for the first time in months even years. They started to draw closer together, the chemistry was there, and it was almost like nothing had happened. It wasn't perfect quite yet, but it was getting there. Slowly but surely. Peeta told Katniss that he tried to visit as many districts as he could before he returned to District 12. He said he needed the time to find himself again, to become the person he used to be. He told her that the good hard working people in the other districts reminded him of who he was and helped him when he snapped into Capital rage from the hijacking. He explained to her that the citizens of the New District 8 taught him ways to control what has happened to him, to help him realize what is real and what is not. Though it isn't flawless. He doesn't snap into a violent rage anymore, but merely is faced with a massive headache and haunted vision. He goes on to tell her all the funny stories he witnessed in the districts he visited to brighten the mood.

Katniss listened to each word and caught herself staring at him with a loving gaze and a warm smile. She couldn't help but gaze at Peeta as he told his stories to her, she had to stare. Every word he spoke gave her a funny feeling within her that she never experienced with anyone else. Not even with Gale, this feeling was different. Peeta had something within him that she didn't know he had until the end of the Games. She loved it. He is strong, confident, and all times kind. This is the Peeta she knew. The Peeta that she started to grow toward, and it scared her.

Time flew by. Katniss told her stories, saying that her stories weren't as exciting as Peeta's, but he insisted she tell them. She mentioned to him that Haymitch kissed Effie on the cheek and lips before they left. Peeta was just as surprised as Katniss was when she witnessed it. As Katniss told more stories of being home, she realized he was taking great interest in her story and she noticed he would stare at her too. At first she didn't think anything of it, but after she looked into his eyes she realized he was staring at her with compassion. Every time she thought she would begin to blush, she'd cover her face or turn away to cover it up.

That evening Peeta cooked Katniss dinner while they continued to talk. As Peeta cooked, Katniss sat on the island kicking her feet while they talked. Once in a while they'd briefly share a look before they quickly went back to what they were doing. Katniss knew Peeta could bake and paint, but she didn't know he could cook that good with the things she had in her kitchen. To say dinner was good was a total understatement.

Later during the evening Katniss showed Peeta his room to stay in. From there they parted ways for the night.

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It was late at night and Katniss had her long dark hair down, she wore a grey sweater and black sweats while she sat in her bed barefoot. She sat up against the head board as she thought to herself like she did every night. The room was dimly lit with only a single lamp on her night stand. She's glad, actually extremely happy that Peeta returned home. She hasn't been truly happy for a long, long time. Come to think of it, she doesn't even remember when she was actually truly happy last. It's amazing what one person can do to someone's state of mind. She smiled at the thought of Peeta being home with her. Its only been a day and she already feels stable and secure with him being close by. It was almost like the time they went on the Victory tour and he comforted her when she had bad dreams. She didn't know why she could only think about Peeta most nights.

She remembered something important, she quickly leaned over to her night stand and opened up the drawer to grab a small black box that she cherishes so dearly. She sat back up with the box in her hands and opened it gently. Inside the box was the small brilliant pearl that Peeta gave her back in the 75th Hunger Games. The pearl that she cherished all this time. She knew Peeta loved her, and the pearl was a symbol for how much he does. He fought for her, he comforted her, and he was there for her when she was in pain. Even when the Capital hijacked his mind, he still managed to show her that he was still the same boy she knew. At the beginning, she couldn't return his love, but now…after everything, all the things they've been through, and all the things he done for her. She couldn't help but to feel something for him…and it wasn't sympathy it was something more. This whole thing scared her but it didn't hurt, though it felt so good at the same time.

She sat and gazed at the pearl as a wave of emotion and memories swooped over her. She lost track of time as she continued to gaze at the precious stone. After a while she looked at the clock on her night stand and saw it was extremely late. Instead of sleeping, something compelled her to get out of bed and walk out of her room to Peeta's room that was down the hall. After leaving the pearl with the open box on the bed, she walked quietly into the dark hallway and stopped at Peeta's door. She was about to open it when she heard Peeta speaking to himself. At first she thought he was having a bad dream or was going into a Capital rage, but instead he was doing his remedies he learned.

Through the door she heard Peeta speak softly to himself, "I am Peeta Mellark. I am a baker, I am a painter, and I am kind. I live in District 12." She heard him breathe steadily, "I went to two Games. I came. I saw…I got conquered." She quietly placed her forehead against his door as she listened to him, "I did many wrongs, but I did many rights. I fed the hungry and I clothed the naked. I did what I could to mitigate my sins." She closed her eyes as she heard him take another breath, "I am Peeta Mellark… I love to bake. I love to paint…" She heard him slowly slip into sleep, "I love my friends…I love Katniss Everdeen… and" She removed her forehead from the door with that last statement. She began to slowly tear. She turned around and sat down against the wall next to Peeta's door then tucked her knees to her chest.

She smiled at his declaration, he was so grounded to her that he thinks of her to mitigate his pain. After all the things they've been through, and the things she said to him while he was hijacked, he still had that spark for her. She felt the strange feeling in her stomach as she remembered from earlier that day what Peeta said, "They taught me a little remedy to help me. List the things that make me, me. Then list the things that I did. The past experiences, wrong things, and right things, so I can come to terms with it. Then list the things and people I love to remind me that its okay to live, and all those things put together will slowly counteract the pain I feel." Katniss smiled at the memory of what he said, and decided to make a note of that for future use. It does seem like a good idea to make a list to help you fight the pain. She turned her head to the door and listened to his calm steady breath while he slept. Peeta Mellark was the last thought she had before she dozed off by his door.

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The next morning, Katniss woke up tucked into her bed. She propped herself up onto her elbows and looked around a little confused while running a hand through her soft long hair. She looked to her left and saw her pearl resting in its open box on the pillow next to hers. As she slowly got her bearings she looked to the closed door and remembered that she fell asleep outside of Peeta's room. He must've carried her to her room and tucked her in, she couldn't help but give a small genuine smile of the thought of Peeta. She smelled a wonderful aroma coming from outside her door, causing her to slowly get out of bed. She slowly opened the door and stepped into the hallway then realized the smell was coming from the kitchen. She stepped slowly and gently down the stairs as she followed her nose. She heard dishes and pans being moved around in the kitchen, she called cautiously, "Peeta?"

Peeta responded from the kitchen, "Katniss? Oh you're awake early." Katniss smiled warmly then picked up the pace to the kitchen. She stepped into the kitchen with a warmer smile when she spotted Peeta making food. Peeta turned around and smiled a happy grin, "Good morning!" He said cheerfully, "Hope you slept well. I woke up early this morning and saw you dozed off by my door. So I carried you to your room and tucked you in, hope you don't mind."

Katniss crossed her arms under her breasts as she shivered from the early spring morning. She smiled at Peeta, "No its okay. Thanks for that."

Peeta smiled and nodded then went about cooking food again, "Hope you don't mind me cooking us some food."

Katniss shook her head with a smile, "Go right ahead." She went around the island and leaned against it with her arms still crossed while Peeta cooked, "What are we having." She said fully comfortable in her sweater.

"Well I went to the reconstruction site and bought some eggs and some meat from the new vendors there." He chuckled, "Eggs, sausage, and bread. Pretty basic stuff."

Katniss chuckled, "With you. Cooking isn't ever basic." Peeta laughed at that. Katniss stared at Peeta cooking for a hot second. Laughter, humor, and even happiness…Peeta has brought it back to this house, and he hasn't even been home for a day yet. Strange…seemed like a lifetime since she genuinely smiled for anything. Peeta is the only one who she can smile effortlessly to now.

There was a knock on the door which brought her out of her thoughts. Both Peeta and her shared a glance, Katniss nodded, "I'll get it." She uncrossed her arms and quickly walked to the front door. She fixed her sweater then opened the door and there stood Haymitch in a tan t-shirt untucked with black pants and shoes. She looked confused, "Hey Haymitch?"

Haymitch chuckled, "How you doing sweetheart." He nodded, "Haven't seen you for a while."

Katniss nodded, "Yeah… I've been…Dealing with a few things." She said cautiously.

"I understand that." Haymitch just shook his head, "I didn't really help you much…" he said guiltily.

Katniss nodded to Haymitch, "Surprised you're up this early, let alone outside of the bottle. Out of liquor?"

Haymitch chuckled, "Ha you're funny." He shook his head, "No, its just…something better to do might be coming by, so that requires a change."

"Really." Katniss said with a little surprised tone.

Peeta was heard from the kitchen, "Hey Katniss, food is ready!"

Haymitch looked around Katniss to the direction of the familiar voice, "So. Peeta is here early in the morning." He chuckled, "Care to explain?"

Katniss shook her head, "Its not what it looks like."

"Sure it is sweetheart. Keep denying it." He stepped inside, "Perception is reality."

Katniss closed the door behind him, "Sure, come right in." She said sarcastically.

"what's eating you today."

"Nothing." Katniss responded in a cold tone.

"Yeah sure. Got some stuff to tell the both of you, but since you're both here this saves me time." Haymich said with a chuckle. He turned and went toward the kitchen with Katniss groaning right behind him.

Peeta saw Haymitch and Katniss walk into the kitchen, "Haymitch?" He looked surprised. The kitchen table had two plates of food set up along side utensils, one plate is at the head and the other was on the side.

Haymitch chuckled, "Good morning to you too. Why are you both surprised?"

"Well…first of all you're awake. Second you're in Katniss' house." Peeta responded with a smile.

Haymitch walked to the table and sat down on the side where there was no plate or utensils, "You're in her house too." Katniss stood behind Haymitch and crossed her arms and leaned on one hip.

Peeta chuckled, "You got me there." He nodded, "Want breakfast?" He looked at Katniss if that was okay, and all she did was shrug like she didn't really care. He could tell that she didn't know why Haymitch was here in the first place.

Haymitch nodded, "That would be great."

Peeta moved the plate from the opposite side of the table to Haymitch then moved the utensils to him. Katniss looked at him confused, "Peeta."

Peeta smiled, "I can always make more for myself, Katniss." He nodded to the head of the table, "That's yours." He turned to the kitchen to make more food.

Katniss followed Peeta with her eyes with a small smile creeping on her face. Haymitch turned around in his chair, "Not what it looks like is it? Sure." He chuckled.

Katniss moved her plate to the side of the table, opposite of Haymitch, the spot she usually sat in the past. She whispered, "what was that you told me before? 'I will never deserve that boy?'" She sat down to eat.

Haymitch chuckled, "I can be wrong. There are some things I can see that maybe you can't." Peeta obviously couldn't hear them because he was busy making food and making large amounts of noise as he cooked.

Katniss nodded, "What is that you see then?"

Haymitch spoke clearly like he never drank a day in his life, "You want it… and don't want it." He nodded, "I understand your broken…and I am broken too." He looked over to Peeta, "Even he is. If not more… See the thing is that Peeta never really had anyone…but he had you when you opened up to him." He sighed, "He went to hell and back…and he remembered you. He fought to remember you. That boy has strong resilience; a lesser person would've caved in instantly from what the Capital did to him. Don't you remember that? You were the only thing that was kept him fighting." He nodded, "Yeah I know he almost killed you…but he was under control of the Capital…"

Katniss nodded silently, barely paying attention to what ever Haymitch had said. She did hear and understand it, but she just didn't feel anything at first.

Peeta walked over with his plate and saw the head of the table was open. Katniss smiled warmly at him and patted the table, "Come and join us." Haymitch chuckled and shook his head. He hoped Katniss actually paid attention to what he said.

Peeta smiled and nodded then joined them at the table. Haymich nodded, "So the reason I'm here. A friend of mine called…"

Katniss asked, "Who called?"

"A friend."

Peeta swallowed a bite, "Which friend."

"Effie." Haymich mumbled.

Peeta chuckled, "Why would she call you?" Both he and Katniss shared a funny look with each other.

Katniss nodded, "Yeah, its not like you were presentable around her to begin with." She and Peeta both laughed.

Haymitch sighed, "So are you two going to annoy me or let me tell you the important news."

Peeta nodded, "Yeah we'll let you tell us. What is it?"

Katniss smiled, "Fine, Haymich what is it?"

Haymich nodded, "So before you say no. The Republic of Panem held its first free election if you didn't know." Both Peeta and Katniss remained silent. Haymitch nodded, "Right…so after the election, the new President is the former Commander Paylor. She's been on the job for a few months already, doing the good work of demolishing the arenas, eliminating The Hunger Games, and enforcing the Republic along with its new constitution."

Katniss nodded and said plainly, "Great…what's so important that you need to tell us." Peeta chuckled.

Haymitch sighed, "As charming as ever sweetheart… Anyway, there hasn't been an official inauguration so…"

Katniss shook her head, "No."

Peeta looked at her, "Katniss."

"No. I'm not going there. No." Katniss refused and already knew what was coming.

Haymitch sighed, "Sweetheart, the President pardoned you and reinstated you as a hero. She invited all of us to be her guests during the ceremony."

Katniss shook her head, "No."

Haymitch looked at Peeta next. He shook his head too, "Not doing it either. Not without Katniss."

"You two really don't make my life easy…" Haymitch sighed, "I guess I won't go either. I'll let Plutarch and Effie know." Katniss shared a look with Peeta.

XXXXXXXX

A week later Haymitch, Peeta, and Katniss watched the inauguration on the TV while they had food and drinks at Haymitch's house. Everything was looking up for everyone in all corners of the New Panem. Under the new President, the districts began rebuilding, there was no more aggressive peace keepers, no curfews, and no reaping's to dread the next year. For Katniss and Peeta time blurred together. They grew closer and Katniss was more and more comfortable in opening up to him. She formed a tighter bond with Peeta, a very close and intimate one.

One day Katniss and Peeta sat under the doorway of the open front door of the house, while they watched the Spring rains fall on District 12. The rain looked chaotic and disorganized as it poured onto the district, but to Katniss and Peeta it seemed anything but chaotic. They both enjoyed the sound that the rain made as it fell on the house and the Earth. In a way it seemed soothing and peaceful to them. As they watched the rain fall Katniss finally realized what Haymitch said to her, and what it meant. She realized when Peeta is with her she knew everything will be okay. He was the person who can help her start a new. Together they could rebuild what was lost as they said before. It finally dawned on her, months after the war, her feelings toward Peeta finally got sorted. She turned and gazed at him with loving and needing eyes, admiring his physical features and all that he is. Peeta was focused on watching the rain that he didn't notice Katniss watching him, but after a moment he felt someone looking at him. He slowly turned and met her eyes with his.

Katniss gave a loving smile to Peeta then remembered what Finnick once said to her. During an advanced Capital bombing strike on District 13, Finnick and Katniss sat next to each other and talked in the shelter. Finnick said to her, "After your first games, I thought the whole romance was an act. We all expected you'd continue that strategy. But it wasn't until Peeta's heart stopped and he nearly died that I knew I'd misjudged you. You love him. I'm not saying in what way, maybe you don't even know yourself. But anyone paying can see it." She didn't know what to think at the time, but now she does. She knows...

After a quiet day of unanswered loving stares, talking, lounging around, and cooking it was finally night. The two went their separate ways for the night like every day since Peeta's return. Katniss wore her grey baggy sweater and black sweats as she tried to sleep in her bed. But couldn't sleep, she twisted and turned all night in her dark room with no hopes of sleep. She couldn't sleep not because of her usual nightmares and bad memories, but because of Peeta. She finally stopped turning in her sheets and lay there quietly thinking about him. After a long moment she decided to get up and go to Peeta's room.

She slowly opened her bedroom door then quietly walked to Peeta's room. With each step she took closer to his room, her heart beat faster and faster. She hasn't felt like this before; it was a whole new world for her. She got to his door and slowly opened it to reveal a dim lit room. Peeta's room was clean and organized, and it was a lot like Katniss'. A single lamp was lit on the night stand and he was laying under the covers of the bed with his hands under his head while he stared at the ceiling. She fiddled with her hands as she quietly walked into the room, though she thought her heart was making the loudest sound in the room.

Peeta heard a faint creak in his room causing him to look to the sound. He saw Katniss walking toward him slowly while she fiddled with her hands. In the dim light Katniss looked more radiant than he ever thought possible even in her baggy grey sweater. His heart began to race as he sat up in his bed with a questioning look. Katniss stopped in her tracks and continued to fiddle with her hands as she stared at Peeta. After what seemed like an eternity, Peeta made room for Katniss in the bed in a silent approval for her to join him. Katniss smiled then crawled under the covers next to Peeta. Peeta automatically wrapped an arm around her and held her tightly, she didn't fight it because in his strong embrace she felt right at home.

Katniss rested her head on his chest while Peeta rested his head against the beds' headboard. They lay quiet for a moment with Katniss fiddling with Peeta's black shirt. Peeta broke the silence, and said what they both felt, "You love me…Real or not real?"

Katniss slowly got out of his embrace to look at him and said without hesitation, "Real." They shared a loving look for a moment. Katniss took his hand and interlaced her fingers with his then returned to looking at him. Peeta leaned forward slowly and Katniss did the same, their lips hovered centimeters away from each other. After a moment they finally kissed in a slow but passionate kiss. Feelings that seemed to be bottled forever poured into this loving kiss. After they deepened the kiss they slowly separated out of breath. They rested their foreheads together and they both smiled in the dim light. Katniss whispered, "I love you." She kissed him again, "I love you." Peeta let go of her hand to brush her smooth dark hair away from her face.

Peeta gave a small smile, "I promise to do right by you… I."

Katniss smiled, "You already have." She ran a gentle hand across his cheek, "I'm sorry I shunned you."

Peeta chuckled, "I remember that I was in love with a girl who didn't even know that I existed. She was an angel in my eyes."

Katniss smiled and joked softly, "Look how that turned out." She said in a quiet tone, "Peeta…" Peeta looked at her with a curious look. She continued, "I want to build this with you. You make me feel alive, you make me feel home again, you make me feel in a way I never truly felt before. With that, I will do everything with you."

Peeta cupped her face then slowly kissed her lips, "I love you Katniss. To a new beginning."

It didn't start as a bullet proof relationship, but it sure is forming to be one. After all that has happened… she's happy with this. Part of her still feels foreign to this and sometimes make her fear this, but this feels so right.

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I know many friends who suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from their deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Me and many others helped them along the way, and its amazing to see what one person can do for someone so broken. The trick is finding that one person that can heal a broken heart and mind. Best cure is not drugs but to talk it out with people. To my brothers and sisters, keep fighting the good fight.

I decided to write this story after watching the movie. I read the books a while ago, but got motivated to do this since Catching Fire the movie came out.

Hope you enjoyed.

Uh…I want to continue. Let me know.

Peeta is the movie Peeta. I know the one in the book lost his leg and stuff, but I'm a Josh Hutcherson fan and I liked the movie Peeta so…