I see him again, on my way back from the woods. He stands outside a bakery, and looks out into the sky. The sun is setting, his favorite time of day.
Before I realize it I'm standing beside him staring into the sunset. The memories hit me like a tidal wave. Peeta telling me his favorite color when we decide to become friends on the Victory Tour. Then me watching sunsets in 13 without him, imagining if he too can see them. Then us, in the Capitol, in the tunnels, where there was no sunset. And Peeta begging me to kill him.
I break down and start to sob. A awful sound like a dying cat rises from within me. Suddenly, I'm in Peeta's arms again. He whispers soft words that calm me down. I forgot what it felt like, to be in his arms, after all these months. Slowly my breathing returns to normal.
"Katniss, are you okay," he asks, his voice full of concern.
"Yes," I say in a shaky voice.
"Do you want to talk about?"
"I was thinking about sunsets," I say simply.
He is silent for a long time. I look into his eyes, looking for the blue that comforts me often. His eyes are grey though. His fists clenched at his sides, silent tears stream down his face. He closes his eyes.
"Peeta, Peeta, come back," I scream, while shaking him. His fists unclench, and he straightens out his fingers. I hear his heart beat slowly returning to normal. Then he opens his eyes, blue. Relief washes over me.
"Katniss, I'm so sorry. You don't understand," sobs Peeta. I pull him into my arms, and hug him. "Shhh, Peeta its okay," I whisper. "Katniss, I'm so sorry. Sunsets, they are so beautiful, but the Capitol, they steal the most beautiful things from me. It crushes me, I'm so sorry." He is still sobbing. "Peeta, its okay," I tell him, trying not to cry. I've never seen him like this. "No Katniss, its not. They've stolen you from me." His sadness and desperation is clear as glass in his voice. He lets me go, and I sit back.
"Peeta," I start. "Don't let them take me from you. You may think that you are the only one suffering, the only one who has been robbed. But you are not alone. They have taken everyone I love, except for you away. Please Peeta, take back what is rightfully yours."
And then for the first time in who knows how long, we kiss. Its slow, and soft. His lip barely touch mine. Its minutes before he pulls back.
I throw my arms around Peeta. "I've missed you so much," he whispers in my ear. His breath tickles, and a little shiver runs through me. I smile, and pull his lips back to mine.
This time I pull away. I smile at him, though I doubt he can see it. It completely dark now.
"Come on," I tell him, while I pull him to his feet. "Its time for dinner." We walk back to my house hand in hand. His hands, so strong, keep me safely beside him.