Peeta POV:
The afternoon light shines through our kitchen window in Victors Village. I sketch quietly as Katniss quietly moves about the kitchen, humming bits and pieces of different songs. After a better nights sleep, Katniss seems happy and I smile to myself. All of the sudden, I am overcome with pain and I clench my fists as I hurtle back to the Capitol
Johanna's screams bounce off the concrete walls and it's all I can do to not yell out to her. I hear the Peacemakers' shouts, insults, as they land lash after last on her, demanding information on the Rebellion. She cries out with every whistle of the whip. Trapped in my cell, there is little I can do. Johanna's shrieks subside and my heart rate slows only to quicken when I realize that it's my turn next. I brace myself as the Peacemakers unlock the door to my tiny cell, holding a whip dripping in what only can be Johanna's blood. They kick me and spit on me until I'm standing with my face to the wall. One Peacemaker has his face right next to mine, "The Hunger Games seem so easy now, don't they?" I don't answer. Mistake. The Peacemaker makes a small cut in my back, "WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE REBELLION?" I speak, praying my voice doesn't tremble, "Nothing, sir. I know nothing" His foul breath stings my eyes, "Liar!" The whip whistles down and I bite my lip to prevent from crying out. I clench my fists against the wall.
As quick as it came, the pain, the flashbacks disappear. In its place, there is a lack of ability to stand, a feeling of absolute emptiness. I am a shell and I grasp the counter to stay balanced. Katniss is immediately at my side, her arms wrapped around me, her cheek resting on my chest, murmuring words of comfort. As the flashback effects begin to subside, I find the strength to wrap my arms around her, her body becomes my life line. She whispers from somewhere in my chest, "Do you need to talk about it?" I shake my head, whisper, "No" into her hair. She tilts her chin up, tears streaming down her face,
"I'm so sorry, Peeta. I really am. If I hadn't lost sight of you in the arena, if I hadn't taken my eyes off you, you would never have to clench the table, you would never have to feel like you'll lose control. I'm so so sorry." She breaks down and sobs rack her body. Forcing myself not to cry, I tighten my grip on her, thinking about all the things I could say to her.
I finally choose, "Katniss. It's never your fault. It never will be. If anything, you've helped me. Just like I help you. We heal each other." She smiles through her tears and presses her forehead to mine. I cup her cheek gently and kiss her. She responds hungrily, and as our mouths move in perfect sync, our kiss tastes of her tears, but also of hope. Hope that we will be able to move on. She pushes her body against mine, because even with little space between us, we aren't close enough for comfort. Breaking the kiss, she hugs me tighter than ever. I lean down the little bit that seperates us in height and whisper in her ear,
"You love me. Real or not real?" Katniss looks up at me with a smile that spreads her whole face and I know the answer before it comes,
"Real."