A/N: sorry for the long delay. I've just started varsity again and the beginning of a year is always hectic. Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Johanna POV

Iris's hands were in my hair, tugging it gently as our lips moved in perfect synchronisation. I pushed her gently against the wall of the empty room we were in. My body pressed up against hers, moulding into it as we were two pieces of a puzzle.

My hands found her waist and started snaking up under her shirt. Iris hesitated and inhaled through clenched teeth. I immediately pulled back. "Did I hurt you?" I asked, cupping her cheek. "No," she said firmly. I could tell she was lying though.

I took a step back to compose myself, but Iris stepped forward, her lips finding mine again. I kissed her back gently, and then slowly pushed her away. "I don't want to hurt you. Your cuts aren't fully healed yet." I said, even though I was dying to get close to her.

A red spot on her grey shirt caught my eye. It was slowly spreading through the material and growing in size. "Fuck." I muttered and dropped to my knees in front of her. The wounds must have reopened. I started lifting her shirt to assess the damage when Iris's hands tried to push mine away.

I caught a glimpse of the scabs and scars on her abdomen before her shirt covered them again. I looked up at her, her eyes panicked. "Don't." She whispered. It had been a few days since the news about Finnick and since the war had been 'won'. I was still trying to cope with the loss, but Iris had been there the whole way. She comforted and helped me. I needed to do the same.

"It's okay. I'm just gonna take a look to see how bad it is." I said, pulling up the hem of her shirt. Her hands took mine and stopped them. I looked up at her again. "I'll get one of the doctors to take care of it." She said, with an apologetic look on her face.

Iris was scared of what I was going to think about the scars. She had been avoiding the topic and never let me look at them. I had seen the lacerations when she was brought in from the woods, so I didn't understand what the big deal was.

"Why can't I look?" I asked her, standing up. I was about two inches taller than Iris. Her hazel eyes dances with a flurry of emotions. "They're ugly." She said flatly. I kissed her, pouring all the things I felt for her into the kiss.

"You're beautiful." I said quietly, bringing my hand up to the side of her neck. Her eyes closed and she leaned into my hand. "Let's get you fixed up." I said, taking her hand and leading her out of the empty room. We walked in silence to the hospital. The whole of district 13 was very tense after the attack on the Capitol.

Katniss wasn't doing so great from what I had overheard. She was in the Capitol, along with Peeta and Gale. The loss of her sister had sent Katniss into a downward spin. We were supposed to be flying in to the Capitol tomorrow to watch Snow be publicly executed. I can't say I was excited.

I wanted Snow dead with everything I had left of me. But now? Everything seemed so out of place. Like we were turning into him. It had to be, we all knew that, but would it really change anything?

We reached the hospital wards and got a doctor to look at Iris's wounds. I turned and left the ward so the doctor could attend to it. I didn't want to disrespect Iris's wishes. I leaned against the wall outside the ward and crossed my arms over my chest.

I was worried. I worried for Annie and her baby that was on the way. She needed someone to help protect and raise the kid. I had promised Finnick I would look out for her. I would never break my promise to him. I was also worried for the future.

What was going to happen now that it was all over? Now that everything we fought for had been accomplished. I sighed and leaned my head back against the wall.

Iris came around the corner a few moments later. "All fixed up." She announced. I smiled at her and straightened up. She smiled back and my heart did a little skip. She really was beautiful. "Let's go for a walk?" She suggested.

I looked at her blood stained shirt and back up to her face. "Let's get you a clean shirt first. I walked down to the sleeping compartments and Iris followed. I opened the door to the room Katniss and I had been sharing. I sighed and walked in.

I opened my drawer and pulled out one of my shirts. I handed it to Iris. "Uhm, Johanna." She began, holding up the shirt to examine it. "I do have clothes you know." The shirt was one of the few personal items I had that was brought back from district 7 for me. I doubted that I'd ever be going back there.

"I know." I began, "but it will look better on you anyway." Iris turned her back to me and took off her bloodied shirt, tossing it on the floor. I couldn't stop my eyes wandering over the contours of her back. Her muscles rippled slightly as she pulled my shirt over her head.

She turned and walked to me, kissing my cheek. "Thanks." She said with a smile. We walked out of the sleeping compartments and up towards the underground entrance to the district. We were allowed to walk outside now that there was no fear of being attacked.

Iris led me out into the forest and I breathed in the fresh air. It felt amazing to be outside again. We walked through the trees for a while, Iris's eyes scanned around. "Don't get over zealous." I said to her. "We might get lost."

She shook her head and kept walking. "I came through this way when I arrived her. I know where I'm going." I followed her in silence, breathing in the scent of pines and grass around me. The sky was clear and the breeze that was blowing cooled down the air. It was perfect.

"We're here." Iris announced, stopping at the edge of a clearing. There was a small lake in the centre of the clearing. I froze as Iris walked towards it and knelt down, dipping her hand in the water.

"Isn't it beautiful?" She asked, standing up and turning to face me. I swallowed back the lump in my throat. The clearing was beautiful, no doubt, but I think Iris had other intentions for coming here. She walked to me and took my hand, tugging me towards the lake.

"I won't let anything hurt you." She said, planting a chaste kiss on my lips. I followed her hesitantly. She slipped off her shoes and I did the same, walking to the edge of the water. I let go of her hand and took a step back. The fear of this body of water crept up my spine and made my body rigid.

Iris stepped towards me and put her hands on my waist. She stood up on her toes and kissed me. Her arms wrapped firmly around me and she pulled me as close as she could. My hands tangled in her shoulder length hair and tugged it.

I kissed her back, letting the thoughts of the water drift away and I focussed on her lips. Her kisses were getting more urgent now. Her body was pressed flush against mine and her hands were becoming braver. They slid under the hem of my shirt and rested on my hips, eliciting goosebumps in their wake.

She dragged her nails gently up my sides, lifting the shirt up with them. I moaned softly against her lips and scratched the nape of her neck. Her moan echoed mine as she pulled the shirt over my head. She tossed it aside and her hands immediately found my lower back.

She pulled away from the kiss slowly and looked into my eyes. I could get lost in those eyes. She smiled and ran her thumb over my bottom lip. "Take a look at the ground." She said, her smile turning into a grin. I looked down and noticed suddenly that my feet were in the water.

The water just covered the tops of my toes. It took a moment before it sunk in and I began to panic. I let go of Iris and scrambled out of the water, collapsing with my back against a tree. The memories started flooding back and I covered my ears with my hands and rocked back and forth slightly.

Iris approached me slowly and kneeled in front of me. Her eyes were full of concern and remorse. I shook my head. "No. Don't blame yourself." I said to her, trying to calm my heart rate. She cupped my cheek and pressed her forehead against mine, "I'm sorry. That was stupid of me."

I hated seeing Iris upset, so I did the only thing I could at that moment, and pulled her into my arms. I ignored everything I was feeling, because this girl was more important than any of that. Before I could stop myself, my mouth voiced what my mind was dying to say:

"I love you."