Peeta and Katniss go through with the Capitol wedding. There is no rebellion. Katniss' pov as she tries to prove to Peeta that their marriage is real.

After the wedding

We ride to the hotel in a limousine. Peeta is staring at the complimentary champagne but I know he won't open it. He seems lost in his thoughts with a small frown on his face. I study him, trying to decipher what he's feeling. Suddenly I'm brought back to Haymitch's words when I proposed this idea.

"What's wrong with him?" I'd asked. "I thought he wanted this." I can still see Haymitch's disappointed gaze as he responded, "Not like this he didn't." "You could live a thousand lifetimes and never deserve that boy" he said on another occasion. Even earlier this evening as we danced, "Try to treat him right, you're breaking his heart."

Is this what Peeta looks like with a broken heart? I think to myself as I continue staring at him. I try to put myself in his shoes. Forced to marry the person he loves in front of an audience. Having her act like she loves him back all as part of the show. Every kiss a painful reminder that he doesn't have what he so clearly wants.

Well he does have me now, I think. We are legally married. Divorce is unheard of in 12. And the idea that the Capitol would allow us to divorce is laughable. Though if we were married in 12, there would have been a toasting.

The limo slows and Petra glances up at me. He throws me a small smile as he takes my hand and leads me up to our hotel room.

The Capitol spared no expense at our wedding, nor in this room. The room covers the entire top floor of what must be the tallest building in the city. Peeta walks out to balcony and calls me over to see. The view from up here is breathtaking. I sneak a look at Peeta and notice he looks happy.

"I wish I could paint this," he tells me with an excited look.

"You should when we get back to 12," I tell him. "I can't wait to see it."

We both look at each other in silence for a beat, and I'm surprised that I have the urge to reach up and kiss him. I briefly wonder if any cameras are watching us now, and conclude that most likely there are. So I decide against it. Instead, I wrap my arms around him and lean my cheek against his chest.

Peeta rests his arms around me in a lazy embrace. Then he excuses himself to take a shower and I take one as well after he's finished.

When we settle into bed, I lay my face on his chest as his right arm holds me. I breathe in his scent. I can finally feel my muscles relaxing after such a stressful day. I bury my face further into the crook of his arm and tighten my arms against him.

Peeta leans down and plants a small kiss on my forehead. "Goodnight, Katniss" he whispers.

I know I should respond but I feel my eyes water up and I don't trust my voice. I know Peeta would never push me to do something I wasn't ready for, but I find myself disappointed that he didn't try. In fact, he's been strangely quiet tonight since we've been alone. "You're breaking his heart," Haymitch's voice reminds me. I hug Peeta even tighter. He doesn't deserve this. I don't know if I'll ever be able to fall in love or give him children. I can't afford to. But tonight I decide that I'll do everything I can to make Peeta happy. To be a good wife. To make the best out of our situation together.

With that thought, I give Peeta's chest a small peck. A promise. And I drift off to sleep.

District 12

Peeta is still being strangely quiet as he helps me move the last of my belongings into his house. Our house, I remind myself. Maybe it's the heat of the day, or my lingering disappointment over our wedding night, but I find myself growing increasingly agitated at his newfound silence.

"What's wrong Peeta?" I spit out a little too harshly. I straighten up from unpacking and stare at him, demanding a response.

He wipes off a few beads of sweat from his forehead as he considers me. He looks reluctant as he glances down, shaking his head and running his hand through his hair.

"I think we should talk," he says with a sigh.

I nod and follow him to the kitchen table. He pours us both a cup of water and I sit, running my index finger along the rim of the glass. His tone has made me anxious as I wait for him to start.

"Look Katniss, I've been thinking and I'm sorry," he says reaching out to clasp my hand in his.

"I know you didn't want to marry me. I'm sorry you didn't have a choice," he continues.

Peeta takes his hand away and stares at the wall to his left.

"I don't expect anything from you. I understand that you have feelings for Gale and I won't stop you from seeing him. I just want you to be happy. Well, as happy as you can be here with me," he finishes, finally meeting my gaze.

I feel my face settle into a scowl as I try to keep my temper in check.

"What!?" I snap at him. I take in the surprised look on his face as I begin.

"So you just happen to know how I feel, don't you, Peeta. Do you really think I would sneak around behind your back with Gale?" I ask.

"It wouldn't be sneaking around," he interrupts. "I'm giving you permission."

"Oh really? And what about you? Are you going to sneak off in the middle of the night with some girl?" I counter.

"No, of course not," Peeta states in a carefully controlled tone. I feel my anger deflate.

"Well good, because no one is cheating on anyone in this house. I took my marriage vows and I intend to keep them," I state, finishing my water.

"You don't mean that," Peeta whispers. "I know our marriage isn't real. You don't have to make it worse by pretending that it is."

The bitterness in his voice squeezes my heart. I stand up and move in front of Peeta's chair. I hug him and press his face to my chest. I run my fingers through his hair.

"Katniss, don't," Pests starts. He sounds pained.

"No, stop," I interrupt him. "Peeta, you're my husband. I'm your wife now. Maybe it didn't start off how we wanted but that doesn't mean it's not real. We're married. And I can't make any promises but I'll try to be a good wife to you."

I lean back and lift up his chin to meet my eyes and press a gentle kiss to his lips. Peeta doesn't look convinced.

"What about Gale?" he asks.

"What about him?" I sigh. "It's not like we could ever be together anyway."

"Yeah but you love him. You deserve to be happy with the person you love."

I scowl at him as I gather my thoughts. "Peeta, I want you to listen very carefully to me, because I'm only going to say this once. Yes, I love Gale, but I'm not in love with him. You're my husband. My future is with you. Only you."

I grin at him, "Will you allow it?"

He smiles back. "Yeah, I'll allow it."