A short Karvel oneshot. AU. I'll note that before this story, Katniss and Marvel are already in a relationship.
After surviving the Games, she reunites with Marvel in District One and stays with him for the rest of the Victory Tour. He keeps the nightmares away at night, and she comforts him during the daytime. She doesn't think she's beautiful. But Marvel tells her otherwise.
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They move in together when she turns eighteen into the Victor's Village in District One, taking Prim and her mother with them. They all fit easily in the house, with its four bedroom, four bathroom capacity. Marvel and Katniss have one bedroom, her mother and Prim have another.
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Every morning and every night he tells her she's beautiful. She doesn't feel like she is, or even remotely pretty. The burden of the Games weighs her down and doesn't allow any good thoughts of herself.
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They keep conversation light to avoid darker subjects, such as the Games, or President Snow. No one ever mentions Peeta, whom Katniss will never stop owing. They don't talk about Rue, either. Uncomfortable silence always envelopes them before they bid goodnight and slip into bed.
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He always tells her that she's perfect, but Katniss knows she's far from that. She hates Snow and his sick, twisted ways. Marvel agrees. "What I'd like to do most is stick a spear through his heart." She knows why.
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She's not excited to mentor, nor is Marvel. But they keep up their Capitol faces and pretend to look forward to it. Their interview is together, both dressed in green. It suits them best, the stylists say. They laugh and joke with Caesar, saying it's an honor to mentor the two brave tributes. No one else sees their smiles are fake.
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They both know they can't love themselves ever again, but they try to be as happy as they can in their state. The Capitol is oblivious to their pain, cheering on their favorite tributes and cheering when they die, too. Districts One and Twelve form an alliance, but the District One female and the District Twelve male die. The remaining two form a relationship, but the boy dies, struck with his own weapon, leaving the girl devastated. She wins, after vowing to avenge him.
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The girl is cleaned up and prettied up for the interview. She didn't do anything wrong. Dressed in a silky, knee length, blue gown, she portrays the innocent angle. Crying a little at the mention of her love, laughing at Caesar's jokes, and graciously thanking the Capitol for the honor of being in their Games, she is perfect. But inside, she is broken. She shares a special bond with Katniss.
After Snow's and Coin's Death
Their wedding includes the young victor, Prim, Gale, Marvel's siblings, their parents, Finnick, and Annie. Though it was small, it was the best moment of their broken lives. And that day, Katniss believed she could be beautiful after all.