The interview was going as well as all of the others. Caesar asked about their relationship, Katniss skirted around the question, and Peeta made everyone believe that they really were in love. That's what he did best, he made them believe. But tonight was going to be different, tonight he had to make her believe. Truth be told, he didn't care if anyone else believed his story as long as she did. He was doing this for her. He was doing everything for her. He looked out over the audience one more time and took a deep breath. Could they tell that he was nervous? He hoped so. This was the most vulnerable he would ever be, at least on this stage. He wanted them to see that. As he got down on one knee, an audible gasp came from the audience. They had to know that this would happen eventually, but nevertheless they sounded shocked. He closed his eyes for just one second, but it felt like they were closed for an eternity. He knew exactly what he was going to say, but the words choked him on their way out. The Capitol was waiting, and that wasn't something these people enjoyed doing. But he didn't care.
"Katniss..." his voice was soft, almost a whisper. He knew people would have trouble hearing him, but this wasn't about them. This was about her. "Katniss there isn't a second that goes by that I'm not afraid. Afraid that one day I'm going to wake up and this will all have just been a dream. The Reaping, the Games, everything. That scares me. Every single thing that has happened, both good and bad, has led us to this moment, and I wouldn't give that up even if I had to compete in ten different Hunger Games. You would make that worth it." He could hear the sobs starting to well up from the audience. They felt the sincerity in his voice. A lot of the things that these two had said were lies, but what h was saying right now was the honest truth, and everyone in the room could feel that. From his pocket he took out a small box and opened it, revealing an engagement ring. "I know I may not be the man you deserve, because I honestly don't believe that there's anyone alive that actually does deserve to be where I am right now, but I will always be the man you need me to be. I'll stand by your side through everything, I'll be there for you to talk to, to hold, to cry with, and to weather every storm that comes our way. You're the only person that I care about, and I would do anything you could ever ask of me. But right now I need to ask something of you. Will you stand by me? Will you take my hand and never let go? Will you marry me?"
A single tear dripped from his face. All of Panem was watching, but they only eyes he could feel were hers as she looked into his. He already knew her answer, Panem had already answered for her. She looked town at him with tears in her eyes and nodded "Yes." All of Panem cried when he slipped the ring onto her finger, but he didn't care. She said yes, and that was the only word he ever cared to hear.