Each Other

"Because that's what you and I do, protect each other."

I walk out the door, ready for another day of hunting, when I see Peeta coming towards me. I stop walking and wait for him.

"Wait, Katniss," Peeta says, "Don't go yet, can I come with you?"

Peeta wants to come with me. To the woods. To go hunting? He'll be too noisy. But I can't reject his offer, so I nonchalantly reply, "Sure."

Peeta's face immediately lights up in a smile I am sure I haven't seen in ages. We walk together, out the Victor's Village, through the town square, and to the woods. When we're at the brim of the forest, Peeta asks, "Where's the fence?"

"They took it down," I say without even looking at him.

"Oh."

Maybe, instead of hunting, we can go to the lake. I haven't took anyone to the lake before, besides Gale, but that didn't count. That was to talk with Gale. I'm with Peeta now.

We hike the long trek over to the lake, but when we get there, Peeta's smile makes the walk worth it. His eyes sparkle and smile seems to spread across his whole face.

We sit together, by the lake, with our feet in the water.

"You know, Haymitch told me that you've been reading those letters of mine," Peeta says out of nowhere.

I freeze. I can't think of anything to say, so I reply with a short, "Oh."

"You should know that I don't think you're a fire-breathing mutt anymore," Peeta says, with a slight grin.

I reply sarcastically, "I never knew…"

The walk home is full of laughs and sarcasm. Peeta and I are growing back together. Slowly, but surely.

Back at home, I shower, eat, and get ready for bed. But there's one thing that is missing from today. A letter. As soon as I realize this, I race downstairs.

I pick up a letter from the stack and start reading.

Dear Katniss,

You got shot on television. Today, we watched you in District 2. So you did blow up the mines. You also made a speech. You can really convince people, you know. Or at least some people. You're not bad with words, I suppose. I'm glad you had this connection with the mines, it convinced people a little more to help you. I hope you'll get better, but Haymitch says not to worry, the armor is so thick that it'll barely touch you. I hope it will, but Haymitch has always kept things from me. And you. So, you'll be coming back now? I hope you can come visit me soon, I've been asking Haymitch and he said maybe you can. I have so much to ask. I want to know the truth, not the lies the Capitol has fed me. I don't know what's true, but I have a gut instinct that if it comes from you, I'll believe it.

Sincerely, Peeta

Peeta is getting better and today's adventure to the lake has only proved it further. It'll just take a little time, a little hope, and a little work. We'll help each other. We'll get through this together. No matter what, I'm not going to let the Capitol win this last battle.

A/N: From now on, if you want to know when a new chapter is coming out or when new stories are coming out, you should check my profile. It'll say when I think the next chapter/story is coming out. Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great day!