This chapter's really short so, sorry about that, but i hope you've liked the passed few. I'd love to hear your thoughts! Fluffy, just saying.
Spring begins to turn into summer and Peeta becomes less hesitant about being out in public more often. How strange it must be to see us, star crossed lovers, back home where we should be despite all the pain and heartache we've both caused and fallen victim to. Nonetheless it gets easier as people become more acceptant of Twelves future. A medicinal factory is in the cards for us, out with the coal and in with the new, I guess. Many welcome the change because, quite frankly, the population loss in our hands isn't nearly enough to sufficiently run the mines. This is perfectly fine with the people returning to 12, most of whom had sought refuge in 13. Being huddle up underground for so long in 13 has made most of the people who worked in the mines before even more sceptical to return. What with the bombings and mourning those they'd lost, most of them would be perfectly happy with spending the rest of their lives above ground. It's seen as a way to get Twelve on the map for good things, things that will affect others lives rather than put them at risk.
The warm summer's night lighten Peetas mood even more than usual as he insist on going for a walk around town. We walk hand in hand, in favour of the growing darkness so as to avoid the scrutiny and odd looks often thrown our way. Peeta talks for quite some time, pointing out how he remembers aspects of this and that. He hasn't had a hallucination quite as severe as the last for a good two weeks now which is promising. Despite this, they haven't gone away fully considering the intensity of his nightmares seems to increase every now and then. After waking for half an hour we both decide to head home, so we make our way back to the victors village.
"It's a beautiful night." Peeta smiles as the view of the town grows smaller.
"It is." I tell him, smiling back.
"Seems a shame to waste it." he says as he let's go of my hand and stands in front of me. I look to him confused. How could we have possibly wasted it?
"May I have this dance, Miss Everdeen?" he asks holding his hand out, a cheeky grin playing on his lips. At this I can't help but laugh and smile, because it's so spontaneous and so like the old Peeta.
I grin and take his hand as he pulls me in closer, putting his arm around my waist. He begins to move slowly, but as he does so, I realise that I haven't a clue how to dance like this. Effie had only ever taught us dances that were popular in the Capitol, and apart from that I only know traditional folk dances taught in school.
"But you should probably know, I haven't got a clue how to dance like this" I confess biting my lip. Almost instantly Peeta gently pulls me up, placing my feet on top of his own.
"There, now you don't need to." he smiles sweetly. I laugh and rest my head on his chest where I can hear his heartbeat, so steady and strong. We stay like this for a few minutes until I decide I want to know how to dance like this, and when else am I going to learn?
"Teach me?" I ask Peeta
He takes my hand, smiles and says "OK, follow my lead."
I stare down at his feet moving so swiftly, so effortlessly, that I'm unsure I'd ever fully grasp this. I feel my brow frown in concentration as I fumble the steps he makes look so simple.
"Hey, eyes on me." he says quietly putting a finger under my chin and lifting my head to meet his gaze. I do my best focus on his eyes rather than the steps and he gently laughs every time I miss or fumble a step. It takes all my concentration not to lose myself in his bright blue eyes, standing out now, even in the dark. I feel a small drop of water on my nose, and Peeta must too because we both look up at the sky. As if to add to the moment a light drizzle of rain begins to fall from the sky, and were both completely bewildered because it's the middle of summer and rain is a rare sight here. We stay outside until the rain gets heavier, forcing us in, and we make it inside just as the rain begins bucketing down.
"I think it's raining" Peeta laughs lightly
I roll my eyes in reply to his sarcasm but he catches my hand and pulls me into his arms. We kiss, for quite some time too, holding each other closer with every one, worried it might be the last. Despite the rain he feels warm and his kisses are like never before. We've both waited so long to regain this trust that now the opportunities' here we don't want to let it go so easily.
A few minutes pass and we finally let each other go. Peeta smiles and runs a hand through his wet hair. Together we collapse in a heap on the living room floor laughing more than we have in a long time. We start a small fire and sit on a blanket in front of it, regaining the feeling throughout our bodies.
"I haven't had that much fun in a long time" I tell him with a sigh
"I love you, Katniss." he Peeta says
"I love you, too" I tell him immediately because I know this is true and couldn't possibly deny it.
"Real?" he asks, the smiling on his face growing with anticipation.
"Real." I tell him with a kiss.
