Chapter 1: The Blizzard

The snow is starting to fall heavily outside my family's house in the Victor's Village. I tear my eyes away from the window and try not to think of the poor citizens who will not be able to guard themselves against the elements tonight. Besides, there is someone right in front of me who needs my help.

It's been a week since Gale was whipped within an inch of his life by District 12's new head Peacekeeper, Romulus Thread. If it weren't for my, Peeta and Haymitch's intervention, I don't know what would have happened. Though it was immensely satisfying to see a Capitol lackey get shown up by some Hunger Games victors his first day on the job. I clear my head as I lift a cup of water to Gale's lips. He drinks incrementally, before giving me a weak smile.

"Thanks, Catnip."

Suddenly, I hear my mother shriek:

"Prim! Get the door! This snow is coming in fast!"

I whip my head back to the window. Through its panes, I can see two men hustling up the drive towards our door - both sporting very familiar crops of blonde hair….

My little sister obeys my mother and runs to the door, throwing it open. Whistling wind and furious snow flurries practically blow Haymitch and Peeta inside. The door slams shut.

"I brought some fresh bread. Had to stuff it up my shirt to keep it hot," Peeta proclaims, as he begins to untuck said shirt from under his heavy coat, producing a fresh loaf from his family's bakery. He flashes me a smile as he strides into our kitchen and holds it out to me. "Gale can't keep going on water and Lady's cheese forever." I smile back at him and accept the food gratefully. Even Gale cracks a smirk.

"Hey, thanks, Bread Boy."

"No problem," Peeta grins genuinely. I try to hide my amazement at this exchange. Honestly, you would think two rivals for the same woman's affection would be less civil towards each other.

"It's really bad out there - blizzard, no doubt about it," I hear Haymitch tell my mother as he hangs up his coat in the foyer. "Mind if we spend dinner here till it dies down?"

"Of course, Haymitch."

"Much obliged, Mrs. Everdeen." The stench of alcohol precludes the man as he swaggers in. He gives me a smirk in greeting. "Evening, sweetheart. How's the cousin holding up?"

"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Gale groans as he slightly raises his head from our kitchen table.

"I'll take that as 'a helluva lot better,' then."

"Hey, Haymitch! Wanna do a round of checkers?" Peeta calls from across the room.

"There's rubbing alcohol in the pantry if you need it, sir," Prim tells Haymitch sweetly.

Haymitch jerks his thumb in my sister's direction and shoots me a grin. "I like her." The rest of his phrase is clear, even if unspoken: much more than I like you. Peeta must be thinking the same thing, for I hear him snort. I shoot them both a scowl. They may be as good as family now, but that doesn't mean I have to like it when they both gang up on me. I focus my attention back on my hunting partner as Haymitch staggers away, slurring something about how he's going to kick Peeta's ass.

Dinner is a very quiet affair. We awkwardly sit around the table with Gale still on it, our bowls in our laps. Occasionally, someone will lift Gale's spoon to feed him. Not once does he complain. He's handling it better than I am, as I feel the urge to yell at everyone that he is not a dog. My mother enters with more soup and offers some to Haymitch.

"Oh, no thank you, Heather. That was delicious." He rises. "Well, boy, ready to head home?"

"You're the boss, mentor," Peeta grins and makes to follow.

"You aren't seriously thinking of braving this, are you?" my mother cries. I glance outside. It still looks pretty bad.

"It's calmed down a bit," Haymitch reassures. I can't tell if he's joking or serious.

My mother folds her arms determinedly.

"You boys will stay here until this blizzard lets up, Haymitch Abernathy. I insist."

Haymitch raises an eyebrow. It's obvious he's never met a strong-willed woman since… well, since me. But he acquiesces and nods to Peeta, who shrugs and promptly stretches out on the floor. I give my pretend lover a funny look.

"What are you doing?"

"Going to bed," he replies nonchalantly.

"You have got to be kidding me."

"Well, where else are you supposed to put us? The table's taken." He gestures at Gale; I notice Prim trying to bite back a laugh. "Besides, I can't exactly sleep in your bed, now, can I?"

I turn away so he can't see me blush. That's not exactly true. We would sleep in bed together on the train during the Victory Tour. It was the only way I could handle the nightmares. Come to think of it, I've missed lying against his warm body every night, his arms around me…. No, focus.

"You and Haymitch could share the couch in the living room. It's plenty big enough," Prim offers. The two men look at each other, and at once I can tell they don't like the idea. I can't help but snicker as I imagine Peeta and Haymitch awkwardly sleeping on the same couch, their backs to each other and lying on the edge so as to be as far apart as possible.

But what I say next amazes everyone, including myself.

"Peeta can share my bed. Haymitch can have the couch."

Now it's my mother's turn to disapprove of an idea. She shoots Peeta a frown and he grimaces nervously under her scrutiny. Nevertheless, he tries to sound sure of himself as he tells her: "I will respect your daughter's body and space, Mrs. Everdeen. On my honor."

"Of course he will. Besides, what does it matter? They slept together every night on the train."

The reaction to my mentor's comment is immediate and vicious.

"Haymitch!" I squeak, mortified.

My mother rounds on both him and Peeta. "Excuse me?" she snarls, and I can tell she's having second thoughts of letting either of them into our home.

Gale, for his part, looks stone-faced. Prim has her face buried into her hands.

"It was just regular sleeping! Nothing, well…." Peeta blushes. "Katniss says her nightmares go away whenever I'm with her."

Gale now looks pained, and I do my best to ignore it against my aching heart. Meanwhile, my mother relaxes.

"Fine. Just… be careful," she advises. She turns to my sister. "Primrose, go to bed."

"But it's only 8:00!" Prim protests. My mother shoots her a Don't test me look, and she reluctantly obeys, though still angry. Peeta finally has the good sense to get up off the floor.

"I'll go talk to her." He heads up the stairs. Everyone else disperses: my mother to clean away the dishes, Haymitch to fluff the pillows on the couch. I busy myself by cleaning up the men's checkers game, and am relieved when I turn back around to find that Gale has fallen asleep on the table. I decide to head upstairs to check on Peeta and Prim….