A Year After
A year after the end of the last book, but before the epilogue, not married yet
Peeta, looking through the book he and Katniss made, reminisces through his journey with katniss in life. Suddenly Katniss barges in and collapses in a mess. "What the heck happened Kat? What in the world?"
As Peeta carries katniss to the very table where Gale was treated years ago, and sets her down. With Mrs. Everdeen in District 4, and Prim who knows where, Peeta can only wash Katniss up. As he gets a sponge and warm bath ready, Peeta slowly takes off Katniss' jacket then belt... "What the heck am I doing? I know that Katniss would 'see' me, so how should she feel about me seeing her? Oh (word of choice)! Never mind, she may be hurt...I would never be able to forgive myself again if she got worse because of me..."
Quickly, Peeta stripped Katniss and gave her a bath, put her in a change of clothes and lay her in his bed (which was bigger and warmer) all tucked in.
Katniss woke with a start to find Peeta at the foot of the bed looking away; he was worried she knew. Groaning, she rests her head back on the pillow as Peet walked over thinking she was still asleep. As Peeta gave her a light kiss on her forehead, and started to walk out of the room Katniss called, "Wait. I want you here; I don't want tone alone. It's warmer we you're here" Peeta looked back with an un-interpretable expression.
What should he do next?
"Okay, let me get your blankets first, then you'll feel better. Maybe a nice soup too?"
"No. Just stay here it reminds me of before..."
Peeta remembered. He remembered the time when they shared the same bed each night. Their warmth shared with each other, being passed back and forth. Back when everything was a mess, that was good. So he stayed and sat at the foot of the bed, reminiscing, nostalgic.
But Katniss was already asleep next to the wall leaving space for one more. With a smile Peeta snuggled in.
