Peeta's brow was furrowed as he swirled paint around; shades of green and yellow adorned the canvas as he gently smoothed over a patch of colour in the corner. Katniss was seated on the floor across from him, her face buried in a book. She glanced up at Peeta and couldn't help but smile as he stuck out his tongue; something he did when he was concentrating hard. Peeta noticed she was looking and stopped.
"What?" he asked, as if he had a mark on his face.
"You were doing it again," said Katniss, amused.
"Doing what?"
"That thing you do when you're concentrating. "
Peeta sighed.
"I do not stick out my tongue!" he said defensively. Katniss smirked.
"Sure."
Peeta gave her a look of mock irritation and continued with his painting. Katniss got up.
"I'll be in the shower."
Peeta nodded and watched her walk to the bathroom. He breathed in deeply and smiled.

"Peeta! Peeta!"
Suddenly shrieks of terror pierced the house. Peeta immediately dropped his paints and ran to the bathroom; he knew that scream all too well. Katniss was having a flashback to the arena. He barged his way through the door, and found Katniss sitting in the shower, panicking and shrieking; desperately grabbing the air around her as if trying to hold on to something. Without thinking, he dropped to the ground and held her tightly. Her screams became muffled and eventually ceased as he rocked her gently, soothing her, paying no attention to the running water leaving him drenched. Minutes passed, and he could feel her shaking lessening. He loosened his embrace around her and she lifted her head to look at him.
"P-.. Peeta.. I... I...it.."
She struggled to speak and her breathing was shallow. She knew that she didn't need to explain herself, but she always did anyway. She was looking at him as though coming out of a trance; her eyes wide. She was terrified. And grateful. And miserable. And happy. All at once. She noticed through the stream of water that he was fully clothed, and she smiled faintly before trying to speak again.
"It just.. they just come so suddenly and I...I..."
Peeta put his hand on her cheek and stroked it gently with his thumb.
"I'm here, it's okay. I'm always here."
His tone was soothing, but was also filled with pain. These moments broke Peeta's heart, because no matter how much he loved her and no matter how well she knew it, he couldn't stop the flashbacks and the nightmares.
Peeta slowly got up to a crouching position, and helped Katniss up. She was still shaking a little. He turned the water off, grabbed a towel and wrapped it tightly around her. She looked at him and said nothing. She didn't look scared or even unhappy. She just continued to look into Peeta's eyes and remain silent.
"Are you alright, katniss?" Peeta asked, slighly concerned. Her lip wobbled as if she was going to cry, which scared Peeta a little: Katniss was not known for crying. She held her gaze for a few more seconds before she spoke.
"Thank you, Peeta," she said softly. She reached for his hand and gently squeezed it before walking out of the bathroom slowly, clutching her towel. Peeta watched her as she left. He was suddenly aware that he was dripping wet. He didn't care though. All he could think about was Katniss' screams as he leaned against the sink. What he would do, he thought, to rid her of those flashbacks completely. He swallowed hard, sighed deeply and wiped away a small tear before following her into the next room. He was not going to give up on Katniss Everdeen.