XXX

The Capitol

"That's great!" Caesar Flickerman hoots, slapping his hand against his thigh after Peeta finishes a charming Victory Tour anecdote. The crowd in the Training Center is squawking like birds, loving every minute of the interview, everyone so glad to finally be seeing their victors on stage again. I brighten the smile Cinna reminded me to wear and nod as if the memory is on my mind, and not on what is about to happen.

Just as expected, Caesar quiets the audience down and then grins at, taking us in. "So," he begins conspiratorially, bright lips curling, "Tell us. What does the future have in store for Peeta and Katniss, hm?"

"Well, Caesar, I was hoping to find that out myself," Peeta says on cue, and then he turns and looks at me and my heart aches at the nervousness and excitement he's radiating so gamely. He takes both of my hands in his and, to the gasps and shrieks of the crowd, slides off of the loveseat we're sharing onto one knee. We haven't practiced this – in fact, since I suggested he propose a few days ago, we've been avoiding each other much like we'd been doing in 12 after the Games.

"Katniss," he begins, and his eyes are too blue, like the ocean of District 4. "In a short time we've been through so much together. But I have loved you since I was five years old, and I plan on loving you for the rest of my life, and longer. I know we're young, but I can't imagine spending another day without you." My eyes water of their own accord, and I try to ignore his honesty and will this to be just another part of the play we're acting. "So please don't make me. Make me the happiest, luckiest guy in the world. Marry me, please, marry me."

I choke on the lump in my throat, feeling desperate and despicable and unexplainably sad. "Yes," I whisper, and then louder: "Yes!" I jump to my feet and pull Peeta with me, and in this kiss more than any other I feel the lie we're projecting. But the audience loves it, screaming and crying and hugging each other, and the cameras love it too. Caesar Flickerman is beside himself, unable to speak.

When our lips separate I see President Snow making his way up the stage, his grin overly jovial, and I realize: This is it. This is when I find out my fate.

("I thought he wanted it, anyway."

"Not like this, he didn't. He wanted it to be real.")

XXX