All characters belong to the amazing Suzanne Collins. I am merely a fan and an avid role-player who wishes to continue the story a bit farther. Please be respectful and keep in mind that I am not a professional writer…Positive critiques are welcome.

Chapter 10 – A Fresh Start

The storm that had offered a reprieve from our daily routines, and the opportunity for Peeta and I to spend time getting to know one another again took several days to die down. While I was glad to see the blue sky instead of the grey, I was sad to see the rain go. The last few days have been heaven compared to what I now refer to as my 'old life'. Waking up to warm breakfasts after having slept the whole night through in Peeta's arms is only one aspect of my time here that I will truly miss. Watching Peeta sketch while I pretend to read a book; Helping him cook our meals while lightly flirting in our own way; Talking in front of the fire while drinking cocoa…All of these experiences have filled my heart but now it's time for me to return to my own home.

As I stand looking out the front window at my house, the chill I feel running up my spine has nothing to do with the temperature of the room. My home, so cold in comparison to Peeta's, looms in the shadow of the trees, dark and foreboding. Unfortunately as luck would have it, my home wasn't needed to house the workers and families evacuated from town, and as such I have no excuse to linger here with the storm gone. While Peeta did invite me to stay, I feel awkward and a bit guilty at the idea. I know that Peeta enjoys my company just as much as I enjoy his, but can this really last? Even now I hear him moving around the kitchen cooking breakfast for the two of us, one last time. Sighing, I close my eyes and grit my teeth, steeling my resolve.

The life we've been living the past several days has been like a dream, a fantasy; and that's what it is. Having experienced so many hardships over the years with very little peace, I'm hesitant to believe in what I've experienced. It's as if I'm waiting for the axe to fall, to shatter what Peeta and I have built between us. I guess I'm not much of an optimist, unlike Peeta; he seems to see the positive in everything when I can't help but see the negative. Just this morning he happened to point out the good weather, hardly suspecting that I would soon be heading back to my old routine and he to his.

"Katniss, breakfast is ready." Sighing, I move away from the window, dreading the conversation that will likely come during or after the meal. I've already prepared my few belongings to take home and dressed in the clothes I wore for the special dinner with Peeta. I'm sure he's noticed my choice of wardrobe, but I doubt he thinks that I'll be leaving today.

Upon entering the kitchen I look to Peeta, who flashes me a warm smile before placing a plate of hot and buttered toast on the table next to the bowl of fresh fruit and the pan of scrambled eggs. Doing my best to smile back, I take my seat and politely wait for him to join me before I begin to fill my plate. I haven't taken more than a few bites before Peeta brings up the one thing that I don't want to talk about.

"I'm glad the storm's over…It'll mean that the workers can continue the construction without too much trouble." He starts off, leading me into the conversation, but I know what's coming. "But I'm sad that we won't be able to spend as much time together…" As his words trail off I look up to see him watching me closely, as if reading my actions and expresson to determine how I feel about the whole situation.

To buy a little bit of time before having to answer Peeta's questioning look, I nod and swallow the piece of toast in my mouth and drink a few gulps of my milk. Clearing my throat lightly I turn my gaze to his. I can see the sincere look in his eyes as well as his desire for me to tell him something positive. "Well…we don't have to spend too much time apart…I mean, I live right across the street, right?" I say with a smile, trying my best to be positive while avoiding the question that has gone unsaid and unanswered for days.

Frowning lightly with disappointment he looks away for a moment before turning his attention back to me. "Yeah…that is true…But, I mean…I guess…Well, I had hoped that you would want to stay…You know, here… with me."

The look in Peeta's eyes is so sincere and hopeful and yet so sad that I can't help but nibble my lip nervously. Turning my gaze to the small kitchen window I can once again see the outline of my house across the street. The same feeling of dread washes over me as I look at it and in that moment I have to ask myself; why should I go home? I like living here with Peeta…and he clearly doesn't mind the idea of me staying. Looking back to Peeta, I feel my cheeks heat in a light blush at the idea of staying here with him, of building our relationship…

Swallowing hard in an attempt to wet my mouth, which has suddenly gone dry, I gather my courage. "Are you sure? I mean…I'm not the cleanest house guest…" It's not the strongest argument against moving in with him, but I have to say something, or at least warn him about my habits.

Peeta's small chuckle and relieved smile relieves some of my nerves, allowing me to smile as well. "Of course I'm sure Katniss…I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't." He says with a smile, catching and holding my gaze with his. Leaning slightly forward, a look of longing in his eyes, he offers one last time, silently demanding an answer in his own way. "Katniss…will you stay here, with me? Will you share this home with me from now on? Please?"

Swallowing hard once again, I feel my cheeks heating in an even deeper blush as I nibble my bottom lip with nerves. Nodding slightly I lightly clear my throat before speaking, "Yes Peeta…I'd be happy to live with you…" By now I'm sure my entire face is red with embarrassment, but I've never seen Peeta look at me like he did…His desire and his longing were plainly written in his gaze…I can only imagine what he was thinking when he looked at me like that. I quickly grab my piece of toast and begin eating it with renewed gusto, making sure my gaze is anywhere but Peeta's face. His chuckle at my reaction is to be expected, but it only embarrasses me more.

When I continue to avoid looking at him, he reaches out to lightly grasp my hand in his. "Hey…don't be embarrassed…you have no reason to be." He says with a smile as he scoots a bit closer to me. Setting my toast back down on my plate I brush the crumbs from my hand before looking back up at Peeta. I'm surprised and happy to see that he's truly pleased with my answer…He's happy to hear that I will move in with him, maybe even as soon as this afternoon.

"I can't help it…I'm not sure why exactly, but…" Shrugging my shoulders I sigh lightly, "I guess…well, I guess I was prepared to go back home…you know? I guess I expected this to come to an end, for everything to go back to the way it was." My words hardly make any sense, but at the moment I'm confused as to how we got to this point in the first place. This morning I had made up my mind to go back home, or so I'd thought. Seeing Peeta's desire to have me stay, as well as realizing that I wanted to stay with him, made up my mind for me.

"I understand. But, I also know how lonely you can get over there, and I don't want you to feel like you need to isolate yourself." Looking up, I can clearly see Peeta's concern for me. He's been watching me, observing my behavior. He's clearly been worried about me. But how long has he been watching over me?

"You're worried about me…You're worried that I'm going to withdraw from everyone, like Haymitch." When he reluctantly nods, I feel both a little upset and a little relieved. I don't want Peeta to think that he needs to act as my guardian angel, but at the same time, I realize that I have been withdrawing. "Peeta…Im sorry…I didn't realize that I was…But you're right…." I'm not sure if moving in with Peeta will help me be more independent or if it will make me dependent on him. "But…if you want me here, just to keep an eye on me…"

"No. That's not it Katniss, I promise." Peeta says quickly, clearly following my train of thought. "These last few days…the time that we have spent together, how close we've become…I loved it. I don't want it to end…" He whispers lightly. "I feel more like myself everyday…We're both smiling more, laughing more…We enjoy spending time with one another…and in many ways, its healing us both…I don't want you to go…for both of our sakes."

Everything Peeta has said is true. I haven't felt this happy in…Have I ever felt this happy? I can't remember a time when I smiled this much, laughed this much. Even when Gale and I spent time out in the woods together, it was a different. Now…Don't we deserve to be happy? After all we've done, don't we deserve this feeling? "Alright…why done we get started…"

Smiling wide, Peeta leans forward and quickly kisses my lips, clearly happy with my decision. "My pleasure." After finishing our breakfast and washing the dishes, we pull on our shoes and head out the door. Hand in hand we walk the short distance to my house. Opening the door I find an agitated Buttercup, who growls at me in displeasure. I had completely forgotten about the fur ball during my time with Peeta. I know that he had access to plenty of food and water, which is always left out, but he gets lonely too, even if he only has me for company. In an act of indifference, Buttercup walks right past me and begins rubbing against Peeta's legs. Much to Peeta's amusement he chuckles happily. "I take it we'll be bringing him?" He asks, knowing how much the cat meant to Prim.

"I guess I'll have to…If I leave him he'll only follow after us anyway." As if to answer in the affirmative, Buttercup directs a loud hiss my way. Smirking I look around the surrounding area. "Packing shouldn't take too long…" Unlike Peeta, I haven't acquired very many possessions since the war ended. It takes us a little over an hour to gather my clothes as well as my few possessions of any sentimental value. We make several trips to and from my home to Peeta's, carrying everything in our arms as we go. Once everything has been moved, including Buttercup, I stand in front of my door, key in hand. Reaching out I place the key in the lock, only to lock the door and leave the key where it's inserted. I don't know if the house will ever be needed to shelter others, but if so, they wont have any trouble getting inside.

Turning my back on the house, I slowly cross the street to Peeta's. Walking away from my home, the home that I shared with my mother and Prim for a very short time, leaves me with mixed feelings. I know that I'm leaving my past behind and walking towards a new beginning. I'm scared and happy at the prospect…Reaching out to take the door handle to Peeta's home, I open the door, only to find Peeta standing there, waiting for me…

With a warm smile he opens his arms to me. Closing the door behind me I immediately step into his embrace and hold him tightly. As his arms wrap protectively around me, I feel his lips lightly graze my forehead in a loving kiss as he whispers, "Welcome home…"

End Chapter 10 – A Fresh Start

Story Continues in Chapter 11