For this chapter I took as inspiration one of my favorite quotes from the whole trilogy (you'll see which one it is). I have to say this has been one of my favorite chapters to write. I hope you guys like it. Is a tiny bit shorter than the past few chapters but I really wanted to write a powerful chapter. Once again, please review!

A/N All copyright belongs to Suzanne Collins.

Chapter 10

After saying my goodbyes to Peeta, I quickly head over to the Woods, excited by the prospect of bringing fresh game for dinner tonight. My physical condition is still not the best, so the long walk into the woods tires me a bit. Instantly, my hunter mode is activated and I'm quickly aware of my surroundings. I pay close attention to all sounds, to every movement out here in the woods. Shortly after, my patience is rewarded in the form of two squirrels and a wild turkey. I see the squirrels, perfectly skewered in the eye. I remember Peeta praising me on this on our first games. Out here in the woods, I allow myself for the first time to think about everything that it's happening between Peeta and me. I can see the both of us getting better, there's no question about it. Haymitch was right, we need each other. That's something that scares me. Not that I need him, but that I want him close. All my life I always tried to eliminate "wanting" out of my vocabulary. I always lived a life were I seldom got what I wanted. All my existence was always driven by necessities, my families and my own. Now I find myself in a situation when I want something and its right there? I have a hard time believing a life with Peeta is going to be easy. I'm still a mess and he still has problems on his own. I'm also scared I can't give Peeta everything he deserves. I'm scared that one day he will want more than the little I can offer him. Who would've known Haymitch was right about the both of us. No matter what, Peeta will always be someone I don't deserve. So how do you tell someone you are not good enough for them without hurting yourself in the process?

I'm ion sad by my sudden conclusion, and decide I might as well put an end to all of this. Before I hurt Peeta any further. The walk back home took twice as long as it did this morning; I feel my energy seeping out of me with every step I take. My stomach contracts by the thought of what I'm about to do. I suddenly have a hard time breathing. As I make my way to Victor's Village, my mind is a huge mumble, I'm trying to figure out how to break this out to Peeta. When I finally reach my house, I find Peeta outside, tending to the primrose bushes he planted when he came back from the Capitol. When he spots me, he smiles but doesn't make any attempt to approach me, he must know I want my space. I'm always amazed by his chivalry, the way he never pushes me. Instead, he makes small talk.

-"Hey there. Had a good day hunting?"

-"Yeah, it was good enough." If he only knew.

-"Hey, is something wrong? You seemed a little bit out of it."

I don't answer his question.

-"Can we talk about something?" I'm twisting my hands nervously.

-"Sure, just let me finish taking care of the garden."

I take a sit by the front door steps and stay completely quiet while he takes care of the garden. That's when I see it, the first dandelion of the spring. It's like we are 11 years old again. I remember that moment perfectly, that's the day I knew I will always associate Peeta Mellark with hope. I look up from the dandelion and realize that has never changed. Peeta still means hope. I suddenly see everything clearly. It's something that's always been right in front of me, I just never came to terms about it. That what I need to survive is not Gale's fire, kindled with rage and hatred. I have plenty of fire myself. What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again. And only Peeta can give me that. Somewhere along the way I fell in love with him. I'll never know exactly when it happened. Not that it matters, what's important is that he is here, with me. He is mine the same way I've always been his. This sudden conclusion makes my chest swell with so many emotions. Never, in my life, I've felt this way. I'm still reeling about my conclusion that I don't notice Peeta taking a seat next to me. He has to lightly shake me to snap me out of it.

-"Hey, what did you wanted to talk about?"

-"See that dandelion over there, by the tall grass?" I point out to the dandelion.

-"Yeah why?"

-"People have always seen them as ordinary plants, nothing pretty to look at. But not me."

-"Why is that?"

-"They have a special meaning to me. To me they mean hope."

-"Is that so?"

-"Yes. They have a connection to you."

-"What do you mean?"

-"You also mean hope to me."

I can see my words have a profound effect on Peeta. He is out of words, is not often Peeta is rendered speechless.

-"How much do you remember from the Quarter Quell?"

-"A lot of memories are shiny. Why?"

-"Ask me anything, I want to make things a bit clearer."

-"Alright." I can see he is scared about this, who knows, I could trigger an episode. "I gave you a locket. Real or not real?"

-"Real."

-"You destroyed the force field. Real or not real?"

-"Real."

-"You said…never mind, is not important." I can tell he is uncomfortable asking me this.

-"Peeta, you can ask me anything."

-"I don't want to bother you with false memories."

-"Go ahead. Try me." I smile.

-"You said you needed me. Real or not real?"

-"Real."

I can see Peeta consider my response. I can see him struggle with all the shiny memories trying to win his attention.

-"Today I realized that Peeta. Just how much I need you. That scares me. I don't mind being needed by someone else, but for me is something entirely new."

-"You know, Haymitch once told me we both needed each other. I always knew I did, but I never thought you would."

-"Haymitch is right about a lot of things. Don't tell him I said that." I cringe at the thought of Haymitch knowing I've acknowledged him in any way.

-"Why does it scare you? Needing me I mean."

-"I don't want to hurt you. I'm afraid I can't give you everything you will ever want or deserve Peeta."

He sighs heavily. –"Katniss, we've been through this before. I'm happy just to have you next to me. There's only one thing I've always wanted and that's you. I'm content with whatever you want. I guess it goes out without saying that I love you. I always have and always will. Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to earn your love too."

There's an unmistakable sadness in his voice, maybe he believes I'll never be able to love him as much as he does me. Little does he know how wrong he is.

-"Maybe you are not that far away you know." I blush a deep red.

He smiles and wraps his arms around me. I can truly feel him for the first time. His strong arms protecting me, his familiar scent and most importantly, the steady beat of his heart. Never in a million years would I've imagined that I was going to be sitting in my front porch, in Peeta's arms knowing that deep in my heart I've always loved him.

So after, when he wispers, "You love me. Real or not real?"

I tell him, "Real."