A/N: Hi again! If you are at this chapter, I love you more than in the first one! I remember writing this part in my notebook in class. Inspiration moment. Enjoy!
Peeta
She has no idea how she's breaking my heart. To see her suffering this way makes me want to do anything possible to help her. Disgracefully I cannot. Only to make it worse, I know exactly that kind of pain. In that moment you just feel like throw yourself to die. Because you know very well you're being dropped away in a cruel world alone.
When she stopped crying, I must admit I feel like a relief. Her silent sobbing was like a stab in my chest. Then I noticed she had fallen asleep. Carefully, like the most fragile thing, I carried her to the bed in my arms. I wrapped her hurted fists in a bandage, she didn't wince. I covered her with a blanket.
I miss her eyes opened, glittering, the sweet way she blinks. Now those eyes are closed, and swollen from mourning. Girl, I so damn miss you… I want to make you laugh and kiss you when you don't expect it. I want you happy again. I deeply hate see her crying. But I'm aware it will take some time until she gets back to smile. By now, I rather watch her in this state, peaceful, calmed, and not crying. So vulnerable.
I'm here to protect her, I need to be strong.
We both might be dead at this moment. What happened? For some reason we're here, alive, and together. I remember how many times I've been so close to death. I'm kind of used to, this was one more time.
Excepting for a little detail. Someone has been delivered to me. Someone who needs me by her side. Someone who is in front of me right now, lying, silently breathing in the most peaceful state.
She doesn't understand childish things, like jealous scenes, maybe because of her love to freedom. She just cries when she feels it's strictly necessary. She doesn't care about what everyone else thinks about her. And over all, she believes in someone like me. She is not a child, is a strong woman, from some time ago. Even when everything around us is a reason to grow up faster.
I'm by her side, looking after her rest, and thinking so much. She changes her position and winces because of her fists but still asleep. I kiss her nose and stroke her hair. Even with rests of dust and ashes on her, I still can smell her special scent; it calms me in an incredible way.
The flashbacks of the first time I kissed her come to me.
I wasn't sure about how her reaction would be like, but I couldn't help to do that. Her soft skin, the wind blowing on her hair, everything was asking me to kiss her. And I did that. She didn't move at first moment, my mind was starting to tell me that I might be pushed away or something like that, maybe it was a mistake. She had been so kind with me and showed me that place even when she recently known me, we were starting a friendship. She trusted in me, I still don't know why but I was sure she did. Perhaps I was ruining everything. I thought.
Then, she did it, slowly raised her little hands, stroked me and wrapped her thick arms around my neck. That was letting me know I had to continue. She followed me on the kissing, sweetly.
After a long time, I was having moments close of happiness for the first time, when I almost forget everything else. When we are together. Since that day and for several days after I had a new idea drifting in my mind.
It wasn't planned. But I think I love her. Maybe a second chance.
Liby
I open my eyes, the dust and ashes are here again over me. That horrible sensation is penetrated on my skin and it will never leave me.
I'm on Peeta's bed, covered with a blanket, I feel a bandage wrapped around my fists. It completes the coming back of the painful memories. It's a new day. Then I see him, sitting by the bed, his head hiding between his hands. I put my hand on his knee, he looks at me.
"How do you feel?"
"I don't know" I answer. He looks tired. He hasn't slept in all the night.
"What have you been doing?... Why didn't you sleep?" I say
"I'm looking after you. I didn't want you to do anything crazy."
He knows me well, I'm sure if I were alone yesterday, I'd have done whatever that would cross through my disturbed mind. I'm still disturbed.
I blink and he takes my hand. "You need to eat." He says.
"I don't want, I don't feel like anything." I answer
"I... I understand... this will take some time. But you'll get through all this, I promise, I'll be with you."
He kiss my forehead and continues. "You must eat." He's standing and I grab his arm to stop him.
"You must have some rest, Peeta you're tired"
He keeps on standing and tells me. "Please Liby."
No, you please, don't ask me anything that way... because I won't be able to say no and you'll finally get what you want. It is not fair. Don't do this to me. I need more time, so bad.
"Wait... you said it's a question time, didn't you?"
"Yes, it is." He answers.
"When I'm sleeping... it's like... time goes faster." I explain, "Being awake, wake up is like coming back to a nightmare to me, I remember... everything again and again, it hurts and feels horrible."
"But, you can't sleep all the time" He seems worried.
"If you come and sleep with me, I promise I will eat. But... come with me, you need to rest."
He looks down. "I told you I don't want you to do anything crazy, you're still shocked. I must look after you"
"I won't. I promise. Come." And I move aside to make a place in bed for him.
"Liby..." And he sighs, but I cut him. "Peeta I wouldn't never break a promise to you. Never."
He slowly comes beside of me, and he holds me as he's trying not to let me escape. I won't. I have no forces.
"Don't leave me." He mumbles.
"I won't" I answer.
We both fall asleep, skipping this hard time together.
