A/N: Thanks for the reviews. Sorry for any errors.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games or any of the characters.
Capitol's Doll
Written by: kmac13
Original Post: 3/01/2012
Edited Post: 7/2/2012
Chapter 6
On the fourth day after the games they are allowed to visit Peeta and escort him back to the training center where he will be getting ready for the crowning and watching of the games and then the banquet.
Everyone agrees it is better that Katniss stays at the training center, so Peeta doesn't get any false hope that she cares for him. Finnick and Johanna stay with her. Haymitch and Cinna, which is really going to piss Peeta off, go to collect him.
When Peeta comes to, he is lying in a hospital bed. He looks around and sees Haymitch and Cinna sitting in the two chairs across the room. He grunts. Soon both men are up and standing by his bed. Peeta slowly sits up and searches the room, for something, for someone. His eyes show disappointment when he doesn't see who he was looking for. Haymitch rolls his eyes and scowls at the boy. Cinna keeps up his demure practiced appearance.
"She didn't come?" Peeta finally breaks the silence.
"She is at the training center. We felt it best for her not to come." Cinna answers. They all know who she is.
"Why?" Peeta asks angrily as he feels like they are keeping her from him.
Haymitch, growing impatient, growls, "Look Bread Boy. Be happy you are alive! Get her out of your head, because so help me if you don't, you won't be alive for much longer."
Peeta stiffens, but comes back just as angry in a low voice, "Why? So you all can have her? So they can have her? If you really cared for her as much as you pretend to then you wouldn't let her stay like this!"
Haymitch is losing it. He walks away and throws a chair at the wall. He is under strict orders from Katniss not to punch him again. "That little stunt you pulled in your interview only put her in that much more danger. So you need to forget her." Haymitch's face is red, he is leaning over Peeta. His eyes showing pure fire and hate in them. "I can't deal with this idiot anymore Cinna. Can you make sure he gets back?" Haymitch walks out of the room and heads back to the training center.
Cinna helps Peeta out of bed and hands him some clothes to put on. "Peeta, Please I beg of you, just stop with Katniss. You will only make things worse for her." Cinna's eyes plead with him and Peeta concedes.
When they get back to the training center Haymitch is on the couch grumbling something about idiot bread boys and drinking. Katniss is sitting with him and Finnick and Johanna. Cinna clears his throat as they make their way in. Katniss looks around and gives him a warm smile and then at Peeta only giving him a small smile. She doesn't hate him but is not happy with him. She is in so much fear for Prim and Annie that she can't show him any true kindness and let him believe she may even feel anything for him. Finnick stands up and outstretches his hand to Peeta with a wide grin on his face, "Congratulations Peeta!" he says cheerily. Johanna gets up and does the same, except far less cheery. Finnick heads back to where Katniss is sitting and kisses her on the cheek before he leaves. Johanna gives a blanketed grunt goodbye and they go back to their own floors.
Katniss stands and walks towards Peeta and Cinna. She sedately says, "Yes, congratulations Peeta. I am sorry to cut short but it is time for you to get ready for your closing ceremonies tonight." She nods at Cinna who leads Peeta back to his room. Peeta turns to look at Katniss one more time but she had already turned around and is almost to Haymitch again. He turns back around and hangs his head low as he follows Cinna. Cinna doesn't talk while getting him ready. The prep team rambles on and on, but Cinna's mouth stays closed. It isn't until Octavia mentions what Peeta will do to win Katniss over does Cinna show any emotion at all. He hides it quickly and waits to see what Peeta will say.
"Oh well. I don't know. Nothing." Peeta looks over at Cinna quickly. "I mean she is way out of my league, even before her games. That's not going to change now. I will just admire from afar." He finishes with a small self –deprecating smile.
Cinna relaxes at this and hopes the kid will keep up the act. Even though Peeta is the same age as Katniss, he is much more a child than she is. Even without her games, she was much more wise. Peeta, he thinks, is at least able to lie easily so that will do him well no doubt when Caesar asks him the same question. Cinna hopes, maybe since Snow doesn't want any of this that Caesar would be ordered to not mention it.
Katniss is able to calm Haymitch so he is at the very least not spewing curses at Peeta under his breath. When Cinna had finished with Peeta he gets Katniss and dresses her up. She again looks stunning as usual. Her dress is a sparkling black gown. Since the banquet will immediately follow the crowning, they needed to be ready to leave straight from there to the President's mansion.
Haymitch escorts Katniss as it is their mentor duties to be shown as a team. He never leaves her side. The crowd cheers when she comes on stage before Peeta. She waves and answers a few questions about how it feels to bring a tribute home her first year mentoring, nothing that would elude to his revelation before the games started. For this she was relieved.
Peeta comes on stage and is greeted by cheers as well. They watch the games again for three hours. They show the interviews from his family, friends and mentor. When he hears Katniss's interview his face saddens for a split second before he realizes he is on live TV. His father was tearful and wishing him luck, his mother was cold and preoccupied. His brothers and friends cheered him on. Haymitch presents the victor's crown to Peeta as he won the last quarter quell. President Snow did not make an appearance like he had for Katniss. He never came to these things, except for last year.
After, the group heads in a long black limo to the President's mansion. Just like in Katniss's banquet, Effie is introduces, then Cinna, then Haymitch and Katniss and finally Peeta. The crowd cheers for him. There isn't as much press and people are not as enamored with him as they were with Katniss. All night she is busy dancing with different men and talking with higher up people. People talk to Peeta, but they aren't as interested in him as they are about asking him about Katniss. He brushes them off with ease, never saying anything about his feelings towards her.
Katniss and Finnick have one more date that night after the banquet and when it is over they go back to his room instead of back to District Twelve's floor. They want to spend this last bit of time alone together. They will miss each other. They shower, make love and then sing each other to sleep. Finnick wakes before her and he watches the small girl in his arms, a smile across his face as she seems so peaceful. He knows Haymitch is probably up worrying about where she is, but it is still early morning and she wouldn't have to be upstairs for another hour. He plays with her dark silky hair as she sleeps against his chest. He kisses the top of her head and then pulls her up towards him. He leaves a trail of kisses from her temple to her lips. She smiles as she wakes and involuntarily clings to him. She loves the way he smells and tastes, like salt water and the sun, it reminds her of being at the beach in District Four, one of her happiest memories. She can't get enough of his large warm hands on her body. Each touch makes the butterflies in her stomach flutter like they are dancing around a May pole. They begrudgingly get out of bed and get dressed, she puts on a robe and he changes into the clothes he will be wearing on the train. "I'm going to miss you, you know?" He says quietly.
"Me too." She hums. They kiss one more time before she heads back to her floor.
When she gets up there Haymitch, Cinna and Peeta are waiting on her. Her face is relaxed and she is calm. They notice she is not in her dress but in a robe. "Decided not to come here after Sweetheart?" Haymitch says slightly bitterly. He is jealous, but knows she needs to do what helps her.
"Yeah. Just wanted to say bye to Finn." She looks at him, "It will be strange not seeing him everyday. You know?"
"Yea…I know." Haymitch admits. "Well you better get dressed. We have Peeta's interview and then we board the train. Effie is trying to keep a schedule." He gives her a smirk. She just smiles back and goes with Cinna to quickly change into a simple brown skirt with light purple Katniss flowers on it and a fitted sweater shirt that is the same color as the flowers. It is really simple compared to the other outfits she has gotten used to wearing, but she would be going home and they needed to leave the sexpot look in the Capitol. This made Katniss feel a little more comfortable.
Peeta is dressed in a navy blue suit with a light blue shirt. It brings out his blue eyes and makes them pop more than they normally do. The interview goes seamlessly. Caesar never mentions Katniss, even though the audience at home is probably dying to know. It is quick and before they know it they are on the train eating lunch. Haymitch and Katniss sit on one side of the table Effie is at the head and Cinna and Peeta are on the other side. As Cinna is Katniss's personal stylist, on top of being the tribute stylists, he is required to go wherever Katniss goes.
Finnick sits on his train thinking about Katniss. Mags knows it and tries to get his mind off of her, but knows it's of no use. She knows he is completely gone over that young girl. She is happy that Katniss has brought him so much joy in his pathetic excuse of life. It's not that he is pathetic, just the situation. Mags feels for him, she loves him like a mother.
"Mags," Finnick starts as the eat dinner. "What do you think of Katniss?"
"She is lovely and brave just like you dear…I don't think you could ever wish to do better." Mags responds in garbled speech. She gives him a gummy smile and pats his arm. He nods and sighs happily.
"You know…it's sick…I miss her so much that I almost want to be back with her in my arms in our Capitol 'home'." He admits embarrassed that he would rather be in that prison than at home, just so he could be near Katniss. Mags gives him a sympathetic look and shakes her head at him. She wants so badly for him and Katniss to have a future outside of the Capitol, to have their own lives.
After lunch Katniss and Haymitch drink and play cards. Peeta observes them. He notices they rarely speak, but seem to be having a conversation. Cinna notices and comes over to him. "If you are wondering, they are having a conversation." Peeta jumps a little as he is startled by the sudden sound of a voice.
He looks at Cinna skeptically. "How?" he asks, "They haven't said more than three words in an hour." Cinna gives a soft laugh. He knows how ridiculous it is, but when two people are as similar as Haymitch and Katniss in almost every way, it happens. The other person becomes part of you, an extension like another arm. He thinks that if she was Haymitch's age and they had met when they were younger they would have married.
"They are so similar and so much a part of each other like an arm or leg that they just can." Cinna tells him. Peeta nods and goes back to watching them.
Katniss feels Peeta's eyes on her. She has tried to ignore them for the last hour, but they don't leave. She looks at Haymitch quickly and then turns around to see Peeta and Cinna standing off in the corner. "Why don't you boys join us, instead of boring holes into the back of my skull?" She has a smirk on her face. The look on Peeta's face is embarrassment. He knows he has been caught. Haymitch and her laugh at the look on his face. Peeta shakes his head and Cinna and he go over to the other two.
Peeta looks over at Katniss as he sits. She is sipping her drink, white liquor, and studying her cards. "Katniss, I am sorry if I made things worse for you. Please let me know if I can do anything to make it up." He says assuredly. She glances over in his direction and turns one side of her lip up.
"Just don't say anything more about me." She says pointedly. He nods his head in assent. The rest of the day goes quickly as they play cards.
After dinner they all go to bed. Katniss goes with Haymitch and they fall asleep quickly in each others arms. Cinna has an idea though and he will need Peeta's help. He knows that Gale is on Katniss's mind and is one of the biggest worries she has with coming home, but as he cannot go to speak to him, he needs Peeta to.
Cinna knocks on Peeta's door. Peeta groggily answers. "Is it time to get up already?" Peeta asks sleepily, his hair is tousled and his clothes are wrinkled.
"No. I am sorry to disturb you, but I need your help with something….for Katniss." Cinna tells him in a hushed tone.
"Anything." Peeta says excitedly. He would do anything to help her. Just because he wasn't allowed to acknowledge he loves her doesn't mean he has stopped. Cinna looks him over once then starts to tell Peeta his plan.
"You know Gale. Well I know he is on Katniss's mind and she is worried about him and about how the district will look at her when she returns." He pauses seeing if Peeta is following. "I need you to talk to Gale let him know what you saw and what you know about Katniss. It hurts her deeply, because he is one of the ones she does this for so he will be safe." Peeta nods.
He is thinking about this. "How will I get him to talk to me?" He finally asks.
"I will have Prim and Rory bring him to Katniss's old house in the Seam and you will be there. We will have to do it in the morning when he is still hung over and more likely to comply….Haymitch has kept me abreast of the situation." He says.
"Okay…When?" Peeta asks as he tries to figure out the plan perfectly so he doesn't screw it up.
"The day after tomorrow. If you sneak out of your house early enough the press won't bother to follow you, they won't be up." Cinna tells him. He can see Peeta thinking this through.
"Okay I will. Anything to make things easier on her." Peeta states with a resolved smile.
The next morning they eat breakfast quietly as Effie explains the schedule for the day. First they will greet the press; this is when they will present Peeta as Victor. Then there will be the public welcome home, where Peeta will be reunited with his family. Next he will be presented his mansion in the victor's village and lastly there will be the feast in the town square. President Snow had not come to him to request the same as he had from Katniss so he would actually be able to enjoy it. Katniss will not be able to enjoy this feast as she will be flanked with Haymitch and peacekeepers. She requires higher security than most victors. Her detail when out of the Capitol is almost as big as the President's.
After breakfast they all changed into their attire for the day. Katniss is in another fitted sweater and skirt set. This time it is a light blue skirt with white Primroses and a white top. Peeta is in a black suit with a white shirt as is Haymitch. Effie has changed her wig yet again and it is now light blue and her makeup and outfit match accordingly. Cinna wears all back as usual, the only thing "Capitol" being his thin gold eyeliner.
Once they are all ready, they wait by the doors for them to open. When they do open, Effie steps out first to direct. Peeta follow her and he is followed by Katniss and Haymitch. Cinna will meet them back in the victor's village.
Katniss and Haymitch say their scripted speeches about Peeta and introduce him. Then they give their scripted condolences to Rove's family. Peeta also gives his condolences to Rove's family and his appreciation for his victory. Effie leads him off stage where his family waits to greet him. His father hugs him tightly and cries and smiles. Soon his brothers are piled on top. They are all so happy and full of life. His mother stands to the side. She is not smiling, she just glares at Katniss.
Katniss has five peacekeepers and Haymitch around her. She looks for Prim and when she finally sees her she starts to take off only to be grabbed by one of the peacekeepers roughly. "You need to stay with us at all times Ms. Everdeen." He snaps. She glares back at him with a scowl on her face and then slowly makes her way to her sister.
As she walks she mutters under her breath, "Is this slow enough for you?" Haymitch hears and gives her a smirk.
Soon Prim and she are hugging. She can't believe how big she has gotten in the last nine months. She is as tall as Katniss and is filling out well. She is much curvier than Katniss was at thirteen. Hazelle, Rory, Vick and Posy are standing behind Prim and when Katniss finally lets go of her sister she hugs and kisses each of them. They all look better fed and healthier. She feels proud that she is able to help them not starve. Once again her mother and Gale are missing. She didn't expect them to show. She holds her embrace to Hazelle for a long time, as Hazelle was more of a mother to her the last few years than her own was. Hazelle lets out a few tears as she is relieved to see Katniss.
Once all the greetings are done, they head to the victor's village to present Peeta with his own mansion. Even though she is flanked by peacekeepers it doesn't keep Peeta's mother from making horrible comments about her. Haymitch is getting angry that this woman is ignoring her own son and choosing to ridicule Katniss, the person who helped keep her son alive. Peeta's mother announces as they reach his mansion, "We will not be living here with Peeta and I would hope he will return with us to the family home, as I do not want to live near or associate with the Seam trash that lives here and the vile things I have heard go on here are not appropriate for my son."
What happens next surprises everyone. One of the peacekeepers who is assigned to Katniss is Darius and he along with Haymitch and Peeta were getting tired of her running her mouth. "Well then Mrs. Mellark, I guess I will be escorting you back to your house now as you are now on the suspect list and are banned from all public areas until the lovely Ms. Everdeen is safely away." When he finishes he grabs her harshly by the arm and drags her back to town. She is ranting and raving about the injustice.
Peeta smirks, but quickly wipes it off his face. Somehow that had felt like justice for him. His mother had yet to even acknowledge him and was going off about Katniss. He is happy she is banned for all public areas that would even include the bakery. She will have to stay upstairs in their house the whole two weeks.
Katniss feels bad for Peeta over the incident, but is so happy that Darius had stuck up for her. She thought about what Haymitch had told her after she won her games about Darius liking her and she realized it must be true. The other peacekeepers were surely getting tired of the ranting, but only Darius has forcibly removed the woman.
Haymitch is proud of Darius and happy that the evil woman wouldn't be able to bother Katniss. He feels like it is somehow payback for all the years she has been a horrible bitch about the people of the Seam and this will hopefully put her in her place.
Peeta and his dad and brothers explore his new house. They had put in a kitchen that puts the bakery to shame. His house is also decorated to what they thought his taste were, just like they had with Katniss. Other than the kitchen and decorations it is exactly like Katniss's and Haymitch's.
Katniss's mother stands out on the porch watching the circus across the street. She sees her oldest daughter surrounded by peacekeepers and Haymitch. She grows angrier. She feels like he stole her daughter from her, because he wanted her. She never liked him before, but now she loathes him. Katniss looks over towards her, a stone stare. She no longer has any emotions towards her mother. Her mother had died the day her father had and now she was really and truly gone from her life. She feels no need to see her or speak to her.
Prim holds Katniss's hand as they walk around. Prim is her reason to keep going, her only real reason. If she was to drop dead of course Haymitch, Cinna and Finnick would be devastated, but they wouldn't die without her. She thinks that even President Snow would mourn her more than her own mother…or even Gale. Hazelle would surely grieve, but she and the kids would survive. Haymitch would make sure of it. Prim is the only reason she continues on.
When Finnick makes it home everyone is happy to see him. He does the traditional condolences for District Four and makes his way back home with his family. Annie is with them and all she wants to know about is how Katniss is.
"She's good Annie. She told me to give you a hug and let you know she is doing her best to take care of me." He smiles at Annie when he talks to her. She is so much like a small child, so innocent.
"Good. Will she come visit again? I hope she will. How are you Finn?" She prattles happily.
"I am good too. I don't know if she will be able to visit again. I'm sure she will if she can. How have you been?" He asks.
"I've been good. I have a crush though." She admits shyly. Finnick looks at her skeptically. He is surprised and happy. All he wants for Annie is happiness.
"Oh you do, do you? And may I ask who this crush is on?" He inquires teasingly.
"You've met him…. He has the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen. I can't wait for the victory tour." She chirps. It takes him a minute before he realizes she has a crush on Peeta. He chuckles.
"I'm sure he will love to meet you too. He is a nice kid." Finnick tells her.
"I know! He has such a kind heart. In his games when he went to get his district partner…well that's what did me in." She squeals. Finnick is so happy that she is happy. He knows nothing will ever really come of this crush since Annie is like a twelve year old girl with a crush not like the twenty-two year old that she is, but he wants her to enjoy the feeling.
That night Peeta delivers his scripted speech before the feast. He sits near his brothers and father. Everyone in the whole district eats very well and it is joyous celebration. Peeta dances with several girls from school and jokes with his friends. By looking at him you would never think he had just gotten home from the games. He isn't showing the emotional distress that Katniss had. Then again he doesn't have to deal with what Katniss deals with. She hope his carefree attitude goes into his sleep too. She knows eventually he won't be able to escape the nightmares about the ones you have killed, the ones you watched die.
Katniss and Haymitch stand off to the side with the peacekeepers. Neither of them want to celebrate, but they are required to be there and look somewhat happy. It helps that Peeta looks happy. It also helps that Darius is standing next to them making jokes. He seems truly happy to have Katniss back home. He is one of the few. Most people in the district look down their nose at Katniss and barely acknowledge her presence. Greasy Sae had hugged her when she saw her and asked if she would be visiting the Hob. Only Peeta's dad, who came up to thank her for bringing him home safely, and Delly Cartwright, who squeezed Katniss and cried that she was so happy Peeta made it home, approached her during the feast. Small children would point excitedly as they passed her, because to them she was the living dream. She made it out of the Seam, out of District Twelve and is living the Capitol life.
"I can't speak for others, but I am happy to see you alive and in one piece." Darius coos in her ear. She laughs quietly at this.
"I'm sure you are….are you going to try to sell me on your kisses again?" She teases back. Haymitch smiles at the exchange, happy that someone is making her return better.
"Oh if you didn't take me up on the offer before I don't think I would be able to pay you for them now." He says jokingly. Katniss knows he is joking but she burst out in tears. She turns into Haymitch and he holds her to him. He knows Darius didn't mean anything by it. It was the way they had always joked about his kisses. He would try to get her to trade a rabbit for kisses, which in District Twelve a rabbit is better than money.
"Darius, I think this has been too much excitement for Katniss can we please escort her back home now?" He asks sternly. Darius nods his head quickly and the convoy starts to make its way back to the victor's village. Katniss keeps her head down and towards Haymitch as he leads her.
Peeta notices the group moving away and gives Haymitch a questioning look. Haymitch just shakes his head and waves the boy back to his festivities. Peeta worries about her, but knows if he leaves it would look bad for her.
Cinna talks secretively to Prim and Rory at the feast, both kids look at him skeptically, but agree to do anything to help make Katniss happy. Cinna is relieved and heads back to the house that he and Effie will be sharing the remainder of the trip. It is the guest house on Haymitch's property, as Katniss no longer lives with her mother. Even though the house is registered in Katniss's name, she would never kick Prim out.
When they get back to the Victor's village Haymitch dismisses all of the peacekeepers at the gate and only takes Darius with them towards his house.
"Darius, there are some things that cannot be known." Haymitch looks him up and down before continuing, "For one Katniss lives at my house…she and her mother don't see eye to eye on some things. For two, no more joking about buying of Katniss ever again. She has become sensitive to that sort of talk. Do we have an understanding?" His words are forceful.
"Yes sir. Of course sir. And Katniss," He looks at the girl he has teased since she was thirteen and no longer looking like a child, "I am so sorry to have upset you. You know I didn't mean it." His words are sweet and kind. She nods and gives him a sad smile.
Once they are inside, Darius goes back to his group. They will be staying in the security house at the front of the village. After Haymitch shuts the door he gets a bottle of liquor and leads Katniss to the couch. They sit there and drink in silence. She is in his lap and he kisses her head in between sips. After hours of sitting like this they head to bed. She removes her clothes and gets into bed in her underwear. Haymitch does the same. Once in bed they start kissing. She needs to feel love. Today has been a hard day for her and she craves his loving touch. They end up making love. He puts all the love he feels for her into it and hopes that at least for tonight she feels loved. They fall asleep in each others arms neither one has nightmares. Neither one wants to ever let this feeling go.
Haymitch knows he only has Katniss for as long as she will have him. He also knows that their bond goes beyond being "in" love. No matter whom she chooses Haymitch will always be with her as well. The physical part of their relationship may end, but not the mental or emotional, that is too deep to ever be cut.
Early the next morning Peeta leaves his house and heads for Katniss's old Seam house. Prim had already left to meet Rory and convince Gale to follow them. It shouldn't be too hard he is normally pretty easy to control first thing in the morning as he is still hung-over.
"Gale," Prim pleads, "Please come with us, there is something we want to show you back at my old house." Gale grunts, but gets up and puts on a shirt and his shoes. Prim feels relieved he is coming.
"What is it?" He grumbles.
"Oh we're not sure that's why we need you to look at it." Rory covers. Gale slowly shakes his head and mutters something incoherent under his breath. He looks like he has aged ten years in the last year. He looks like Haymitch.
When they reach the house and walk in Gale becomes mad. "What? Bread Boy here needs to lose his virginity too so he comes to me?" Gale fumes.
"Gale please just listen to him." Prim pleads, her big blue eyes brimming with tears. Gale sighs in defeat. He knows he can't say no to her. She is like a little sister to him. He can no better deny her than Posy.
"Well? I'm listening." He snaps at Peeta. Peeta looks at Prim and Rory.
"Prim, Rory…I don't think you should stay for this conversation. It may be traumatizing for you." He hopes they will leave. He can't tell Katniss's sister that she is held prisoner and forced to have sex and be tortured.
Prim sensing that it would be better pulls Rory out, before she closes the door she looks at Gale and very sternly tells him, "Be nice." She then shuts the door behind her and walks off with Rory. Gale falls into the chair that is across from Peeta and glares at him.
"Gale," Peeta starts, "I have been asked to make some things clear to you about Katniss. You need to keep your mouth shut until I tell you I am done. You need to listen to every word I say and picture everything I am describing. Can you do that?" Gale nods, still glaring at Peeta.
Peeta explains everything he was told and everything he saw. He gives a very detailed account of the marks on Katniss's body and the dead look in her eyes. He explains what Cinna had told him about Katniss and her relations to the three men and even what he had mentioned about Gale. As he speaks Gales face softens and hardens. He is angry at the Capitol. He is angry at himself, but more than anything he feels so bad that he wasn't there for Katniss that he had turned his back on her. She had warned him and he promised to be there but wasn't. And Gale Hawthorne did the unthinkable he sobbed. His heart was broken, not because he thought the love of his life had left him to be a Capitol slut, but because the love of his life was doing all of this just to save Prim and himself. Peeta answers whatever questions he can and then leaves Gale by himself as he needs to get back before the press are up and notice him missing.
Gale stays in Katniss's house. The one they had made love in. The one where she had warned him, tried to prepare him. He didn't drink that day. He didn't sleep with anyone that day. He sobbed all day.
Peeta informs Hazelle of the situation and when she gets off work she goes to the house she knows he will be at. She pulls her son into a tight embrace and comforts him. He feels so ashamed. Even his own mother had tried to explain, but he was too stubborn to listen. She tells him that Katniss is living at Haymitch's house and maybe he should pay his cousin a visit tomorrow after he gets cleaned up.
"You wouldn't want her to see you like this…it would just hurt her more. She has sacrificed everything to protect Prim and you as well. She and Haymitch have supported our family this whole year, because she loves you, us. Don't let her see it has been a waste. Don't let her feel like one of her only reasons for going on is wasting his life in a bottle and in the bed of any woman who walks by. Show her, her best friend." Gale nods slowly to his mother.
"How will she ever forgive me?" he asks.
"You know she will. It may take her a little time, but she will. She has been hurt more by you than her own mother shunning her. And trust me I have chewed out her mother on several occasions. I agree with Haymitch she is a weak excuse of a woman. Katniss got everything she is from her father." They get up and go back to their house. Gale has a real bath and shaves. He even cleans his best clothes and lays them out for in the morning.
After Prim and Rory left Gale and Peeta she went to Haymitch's house to spend the day with Katniss. They play cards and talk Katniss holds her sister every chance she gets. Prim and Rory have started dating and Prim is so excited. Katniss cries a little as she sees how wonderful her sister is growing up to be. She wishes she could watch her sister grow up, but she knows if she wants her sister to get the chance to grow up she won't be able to watch. Even though she is spending time with her sister who she has missed more than anything, Katniss can't stop thinking about Finnick. Her heart pulls each time she thinks about him. Her feelings for him are different from the feelings she has for Cinna or Haymitch or even Gale. Yes she loves each one of them, but she longs for Finnick. She still needs the others though for now.
After they ate dinner and Prim went home, Katniss and Haymitch drink and play cards with Effie and Cinna. The drinking and the card games help them to get through the constant down time. There is a knock on the front door that startles both of them. They have their knives out as they aren't expecting anyone. Cinna and Effie roll their eyes at the two paranoid victors.
"Who's there?" Haymitch shouts.
"It's me Peeta." Peeta calls through the door.
"Come in." He shouts back. Peeta carefully opens the door, "Hello?" he calls.
"Yea back in the kitchen." Katniss calls back. Peeta makes his way back there and sees the four of them playing cards. He sits down next to Katniss and on the next round without even asking if he wants to play she deals him in. As they play they joke and talk about superficial things like who was wearing the wrong outfit for the season back in the Capitol. Peeta stays fairly quiet and takes in the conversation. He can't relate.
After Effie and Cinna leave to go back to their guest quarters, Peeta asks, "So is it normal to wake up screaming your head off every time you go to sleep?" Katniss and Haymitch look at each other and then back to him, before Haymitch responds.
"Yeah. You must not scream as loud as this one…some nights I could hear her all the way from her house in the Seam."
"I stayed there after the press left because I hated burdening Prim and Hay with my screams." Katniss adds.
"Do they ever go away?" Peeta asks tiredly.
"No." the both respond dryly.
"Does anything help?" He pushes hoping there is a way to help himself.
"Depends," Katniss starts, "Some people prefer morphling, some alcohol, some sleep in bed with others so that someone is there to wake them before it gets too bad and some don't sleep until they are beyond exhaustion and wouldn't be able to wake from a dream even if it was bad. But then there are those who kill themselves to get away…that is the most permanent solution." Her face and tone are stone. It sends a chill up Peeta's back.
"Is that why you stay with Haymitch?" He inquires.
"Partly" She glances at Haymitch with a slight smirk, "Partly because Haymitch has been there for me and cared for me more than my mother has in the past six years." She responds coolly.
"If it will help you…you can sleep in the guest room." Haymitch offers, not because he is particularly found of Peeta staying here but he knows how hard it is on your own.
"No I don't think it will look good for all three victors staying in the same house while the press is still here." Peeta says after taking in the offer. Katniss and Haymitch nod their heads in understanding. Soon, Peeta leaves to go back to his house and Katniss and Haymitch go to bed as well.