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I'm sitting on the edge of my sofa, staring into nothing when I hear the soft knocks on my door. I feel dizzy for a few seconds after shooting up on my feet, still hugging Peeta's bag to my chest.

But just as I extend my hand to open the door, I find myself hesitating.

What if it's not the person I want to see? What then?

I bite my lip nervously and force out a short breath, muttering to myself not to be so ungrateful.

I open the door and there standing on the shabby Welcome mat is Peeta, a somber expression on his rosy cheeked face. He doesn't look the least surprised to see me, but his eyes do widen and his expression softens when he sees that I'm holding his bag close to me.

"Peeta! Come in! You must be freezing cold out there," I fret.

Unthinkingly, I stretch my hand out and pull him in, perhaps a little too unceremoniously because he stumbles across the doorway and bumps into me.

"Oops… sorry Katniss," he murmurs, pulling himself up and standing close the sofa uncertainly.

"No, no… it's okay. I'm sorry for pulling you in," I stammer, placing his bag next to his backpack on the couch.

"It's fine, Katniss, don't worry about it."

He then looks around with interest, his eyes roving over every single nook and cranny of the house where I grew up.

"It's not really much," I mutter, feeling a strange jolt of embarrassment run through me.

How old and run down must this place look compared to his mansion in Panem?

"It's very cozy in here," he says, breaking the silence between us. "I like your house. It has certain… charm mine lacks."

"Are you serious? Your place is so much better than this old house," I disagree, letting out a laugh of disbelief.

"Perhaps to you it does. But I bet the walls around us would beg to differ," he shrugs.

I stare at him, feeling confused.

"I could never call my place a home but this… this is a home. Where you have fond childhood memories with the people you love. These walls have witnessed countless love, laughter and happiness and I would never want to trade that for the world," he clarifies, glancing around the living room once more.

My heart twists bitterly in my chest at the lack of love and attention Peeta received in his childhood.

"I suppose you could say I got a large house to make up for the shortcomings of my childhood."

"Peeta."

But he just shakes his head and gives me a little smile.

"I like it here. Had you always lived here before?" he asks me.

"Yes, thank goodness the house was paid off by the time Dad died because then… we might have had to move somewhere else. Of course, by comparison this house is much better than any other one in the Seam. So many people live in huts and broken down shacks… we really did get lucky," I say, glancing around appreciatively.

He takes a seat next to his bags on the battered sofa and looks up at me, his blue eyes glowing in the dim room.

"Why are you here?" we ask at the same time.

His mouth quirks into a smile and I feel mine do the same.

"Ladies first," he offers politely.

"I came to sell the house."

His forehead creases with confusion, a corner of his pink lips turning down.

"Why would you do that? This house… is everything to you."

"It is… but it's time to let it go and start a new life," I answer simply.

He clearly misunderstands my answer because a crestfallen expression comes over his face.

"With you," I elaborate, sitting down next to him.

"What?"

"I want to be with you, Peeta. I thought that selling my house would be a way to show you that I want to commit myself to you. Besides, it was you who suggested I sell it."

He stares at me, doubt clouding his bright eyes as he glimpses around the room once more.

"Why are you here?" I ask, not wanting to give him a chance to turn me down.

"I… I came to see why you came back," he says, though he sounds unsure.

"Couldn't you have written?"

"I, um, probably could have. But that would have taken too long," he answers, his pale face slowly turning red.

"It doesn't matter. I would have answered you, surely you know that," I insist.

"Okay, fine. I wanted to see you. Happy?" he grumbles, crossing his arms.

"I'm happy to see you, yes," I tell him softly.

"Katniss… it's such a relief to see you too," he admits in a low voice.

Before we know it, we are in each other's arms. We finally pull away and watch each other, not minding one bit how his eyes look at my face hungrily.

"Katniss, you don't have to sell your house," he says guiltily.

"I know I don't, Peeta. But I want to. So I can be with you."

He gives me a brief smile before turning away from me.

This can't be good.

"I wouldn't dream of taking away the one connection you have to your father, Katniss. I know what this house means to you. It would make more sense for me to come live here, with you," he says, turning to look at me once more.

I open my mouth to reply but find that I've gone speechless.

Peeta… come and live here?

But he looks so serious and his body is just radiating a hope that I just can't ignore.

"You… you would do that?" I ask hoarsely.

"That and much more, Katniss," he tells me fervently, taking my hand in his and holding it tightly.

A shiver runs down my back at his tone but I find myself watching him with disbelieve that he would be willing to leave his palace for this house.

"What about your house?"

"We can take any furniture and appliances we need and then sell the rest, along with the house," he shrugs easily.

I look around the room yet again, trying to imagine what it would look like with Peeta's furniture.

"And your job?" I whisper.

"I… think it's time I take a sabbatical," he speaks slowly. "I'd like to live a little first. Then, maybe, I'll return to acting. But to be honest with you, I'd really rather not."

"How come?"

"It would come between spending time with you," he states.

A warm feeling spreads all the way from my head to my toes, the corners of his lips curving up slightly.

"What would you do then?" I ask curiously.

"Bake," he smiles brilliantly, squeezing my hand.

I watch the way his face lights up at the prospect of having the same job his father does and smile back fondly.

"But Katniss, before we continue… we need to talk," he tells me gravely, a corner of his lips curving downward now.

I nod, having an idea of what he's about to say next.

"I'm sorry, Katniss. I'm sorry for pushing and keeping you away, especially when we needed each other the most. But you have to understand that I just wanted to protect you from myself; it's the one thing that I thought I'd never have to do and it's the very thing that made me so cynical and self-loathing. How was it possible to go from the person who loves you the most to person whose hurt you most yet still wants you nearby?" he tells me passionately. "But then I would reach moments of immense clarity where I knew I wanted nothing but to have you by my side… but then my doubt would eventually creep back in. However, that torment was nothing compared when you went to visit me. How could you be so near, yet so untouchable? There were times when I almost reached out to you, but I would control myself at the last second. Watching you leave was both agonizing and liberating."

"I didn't want to leave you, Peeta," I tell him softly, urging myself not to cry.

"I didn't want you to leave either, Katniss. But my fear of hurting you was much greater than my heart's desire. I just couldn't cope with the fact that I sank so low, even if it was against my will. Not to mention that the doctor's weren't even sure how I'd react to you, let alone be in your presence. Half of me was stricken with fear at the thought of being overcome with such vileness again, which only made me hate myself even more," he sighs, closing his eyes.

"Peeta, I'm not judging you. You did what you felt was best for us and I really do understand. But please, don't beat yourself up so much, you deserve much better than that," I plead, taking hold of his arm and gripping it tightly.

He lets out a shaky breath through his rosebud lips but keeps his eyes screwed shut.

"You're giving me far more credit than I deserve, Katniss."

"Maybe I am," I shrug. "But maybe… it's because I love you, Peeta."

His eyelids flutter open slowly and his blue eyes flicker to mine. After a few more seconds of silence, he finally lets out a shaky breath.

"So I didn't imagine that," he whispers, his gaze electrifying.

"You did not."

"You love me," he states, as if suddenly understanding the meaning of my words.

His face transforms instantly; his smile becomes wider and dazzling and his eyes soften with tenderness. A nervous flutter grows in my stomach and it almost makes me look away but force myself not to because I know that this is an important moment for Peeta and me.

"I love you too, Katniss. I've always loved you," he confesses, unable to hold back a throaty chuckle.

"Why?"

He looks a little take back but continues to smile anyway and takes my other hand in his.

"When Haymitch had me looking at the entries for the contest I noticed that every single woman was grinning at the camera. Every single one. Some smiles looked semi-genuine but most were phony. Sure, they were smiling, but something was off in their eyes. Then I came across you…" he smiles, squeezing my hands affectionately. "The picture Prim submitted of you, I couldn't tell whether you were smiling or not. If I tilted my head one way, I could see a fraction of a smile but if I tilted it the other way, the smile was suddenly gone. It captured my attention immediately. But what made me partial to you… was your gaze. It was so earnest but it wasn't an unfriendly look either. I don't know, it just made me want to know more about you."

"I never saw the picture she submitted of me," I tell him, feeling my curiosity grow.

"I'll show you someday," he promises.

We watch each other for a few moments before remembering that he had been with Gale before coming here.

"I finally spoke to Gale," I tell him.

"Oh?" he asks, raising a golden eyebrow.

"I told him that I could never love him because I, um, love you."

He smiles amusedly and looks down at our hands.

"Yes, he told me," he confesses.

"He what?" I ask, unsure if I heard correctly.

"He told me," he repeats, looking up into my eyes.

"What else did he tell you?" I ask, feeling dread grow in the pit of my gut.

"He told me that if I hurt you, he would kill me," he smiles cheerfully.

I frown at him, suddenly wondering if he's feeling well.

"Is that something you should be smiling about?" I ask delicately.

He laughs and shakes his head.

"Probably not. But we've come to an understanding," he tells me, nodding seriously now.

"You and Gale reached an understanding?"

"Because we love you and respect each other."

"That's… wow, I'm not going to lie. I'm surprised. I was half hesitant that Gale be the one who went after you," I admit.

"Why?"

"I thought he was going to kill you."

"Come on, Katniss. He wouldn't kill me without reason."

"I told him… everything. What happened after I went with Finnick and Johanna, I mean."

"Yes, I know that too."

"Are you two best friends now or what?" I question, tilting my head slightly.

He chuckles and shakes his head once more.

"Definitely not. But we decided that you are more important than any misunderstandings between us," he answers me seriously.

"You make it sound like you're going to share me with him," I joke.

He pulls me suddenly into his arms and before I know it, my nose is wedged between Peeta's neck and shoulder. He smells so incredible that for a moment I wonder whether I'm dreaming or if this is reality. His skin is delightfully warm and I can smell the snow on him, along with that special Peeta scent of his; it's rather intoxicating, if I do say so myself.

"Definitely not. I came here for you and now that I have you I'm not letting you go," he tells me in a low voice that once again manages to send shivers up and down my spine.

"Are you sure?" I ask softly.

He stiffens and slowly pulls away from me, his expression a mix between hurt and guilty.

"How can I be sure you won't suddenly run out on me?"

"Why would I do that, Katniss?"

"I don't know, Peeta… what if one day you start to have second thoughts? Or what if the bad memories come back to haunt you? I wouldn't want to put you through that just so I can be by your side. Your well-being will always be a priority of mine," I explain, feeling mildly ashamed.

"I certainly understand where you're coming from, Katniss. But I… I went to see a doctor, a friend of Haymitch. He prescribed me medication and told me that while it wasn't going to make my, um, situation go away, it would help keep the bad memories at bay. I've been taking it for a few weeks now and while I'm not cured, I must admit that it's been helping me greatly," he confesses to me, nervously tapping his fingers against his knee.

"That's… that's really good, Peeta. It seems as if you are on your way to recovery," I commend him, gently squeezing his arm.

His eyes glance at my hand before turning to look at me again.

"Does that put your mind at ease, Katniss?"

I shake my head slowly and slide my hand down his arm, slipping it into his eternally warm one.

"It's not about me, Peeta. It's about you."

He watches me carefully before chuckling softly.

"You weren't like this before. I mean, I know that you've always cared for me, but… this is different. I like it," he admits, smiling shyly at me.

"I'm sorry, Peeta. That I wasn't able to realize that I loved you before disaster struck. You were always so kind and patient, I definitely don't deserve you. Now or then," I tell him, feeling my eyes water.

"Katniss," he croons. "I always had hoped that you would eventually realize that you loved me too. I couldn't give up on you, especially when my heart told me that you were the one from the moment I met you. I had hoped that you would realize what I felt for you on your own but you didn't, so I told you. I think that's partly the reason for you realizing "so late;" you weren't aware of my feelings so it didn't even occur to you to think of your own."

A tear slips from the corner of my eye and he reaches out to wipe it tenderly with his thumb.

"You always have been extremely forgiving," I sniffle, feeling pitifully weak but at the same time knowing that Peeta would never do anything to exploit it.

"Because I love you," he says, giving me an adorable lopsided smile that shows off that dimple that I so dearly love.

"Because I love you, I agree to your suggestion to live here with me. We'll work through our problems together, Peeta. Together, we have the world at our feet," I smile, feeling my heart pound stronger in my chest with love and adoration for him.

"That's all I have ever wanted," he smiles, pulling me closer to press a kiss on my forehead.

His delicious scent wafts to me again and it takes all my willpower not to pounce on him.

"You're all I want," I blush, knowing I sound ridiculous but I find that it doesn't particularly bother me anymore.

"Never thought I'd live to see the day to hear you say that," he admits, color rising to his cheeks but looking pleased nevertheless.

"Yeah, who would have thought that scruffy ol' Katniss Everdeen would proclaim her love for a man?" I scoff, teasing him.

"Did you think it would be to a woman? I did hear through the grapevine that you think Lavinia is quite beautiful…" he trails off innocently, widening his eyes.

I blush deeper but grind my teeth with annoyance.

"Finnick told you, didn't he?"

"I found it adorable, Katniss. You have nothing to be jealous of. You're the most amazing and breathtaking woman in the world and nothing will ever change that, you hear? Please stop belittling yourself because you deserve much more than that," he says, looking at me dead in the eye and in a tone so certain that I almost believe him.

I nod bashfully, breaking eye contact with him before I do something silly like blush again.

"Your running was amazing," I blurt out, turning to look at him once more.

He looks moderately stunned for a moment and I fear that I've hurt his feelings. Instead, he chuckles and leans back into the couch.

"Thank you, Katniss. I've never been one for running but it seems like the prosthetic has given me super running powers," he laughs easily. "But it's really thanks to my physical therapists. They pushed and supported me until I couldn't anymore."

"I should have been there for you," I say uneasily, gnawing on my lip.

"Don't worry about it, Katniss. I wasn't ready to let anybody see me in that state."

"Are you ready now?"

"I didn't have much choice. They all staged an intervention for me," he sighs, sounding embarrassed.

"They love you too, Peeta," I remind him, resting my hand on his knee.

"I know," he answers quickly. "It was a very emotional day. But everything's okay now."

"How did Johanna react?" I ask inquisitively.

"She pulled me into a hug and almost squeezed the air out of me. Of course, she pulled away just as quickly and punched my arm," he smiles, shaking his head at the memory.

"I like her, Johanna."

"She likes you too," he tells me.

"She… does?"

"Of course she does. Come on, Katniss. I would have thought you'd know her by now. Johanna downplays everything. It isn't like her to be overly loquacious or emotional. So she shows her love the best way she can: sarcasm and playful insults."

"I guess I just hadn't thought of it that way," I admit, giving him a little pleased smile.

"That's why you have me," he winks before grinning at me.

I blush again but smile coyly at him.

"Have you met Annie?"

"I have, yes. She's a very delightful girl. She and Finnick complement each other very nicely. Besides, he's out of his mind in love with her," he says, laughing with bliss.

"Who would have thought that Panem's most eligible actor would fall in love with a nurse?" I muse, tilting my head slightly.

"Don't be so fooled by him either, Katniss. It's all mostly smoke and mirrors with Finn but Annie brings out his true self, the self he's had under lock and key for years."

"Just as you hid your painting talent from Panem," I say.

"Hmm… you're right, Katniss," he nods thoughtfully.

"Peeta…"

"Yes, Katniss?"

"What are we?"

He looks puzzled for a moment but then a soft smile takes over his face.

"Well, I personally find that 'boyfriend' and 'girlfriend' sound too… trite. I feel like our bond goes beyond that, don't you think?" he asks, his blue eyes glowing and hypnotizing me once more.

"I agree. Though I personally think that 'Peeta Mellark's girlfriend' sounds rather far-fetched and ridiculous, don't you think?" I tease.

He narrows his eyes at me but soon his smile is back in place.

"I actually like the sound of that. I guess it's just referring to each other like that would be a bit strange," he shrugs.

"I'm pretty sure we'd scare people away if we called each other our 'soul mate,'" I laugh, imagining the look on people's faces.

Peeta remains still for a moment, a contemplative look crossing his face.

"That's not bad, actually," he says slowly, hesitantly, as if afraid of scaring me away.

"Do you really think I'm your soul mate, Peeta?" I ask, feeling incredibly touched.

"I do, Katniss. Why else would we be here right now in this instant together?"

"Because you came to visit me?" I joke.

He rolls his eyes jokingly but gives me a smile.

"Because everything happens for a reason and at the end of the day, you will be the one who has impacted and touched my heart the most," he tells me just above a whisper.

I practically melt before launching myself into his arms, pressing my lips fervently against his and kissing him with all the love I can muster; he responds in kind, his arms tightening protectively around me, his lips passionate but tender. My heart pounds against my ribcage in a frenzy and I know that while it hasn't always been smooth sailing for Peeta and I, this is absolutely where we're meant to be: in our home, in each other's arms as our love grows stronger by the day.

The end…

...for now.

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read! As I told you all in the previous chapter, this is the official last chapter. Of course, I have yet to write the epilogue so I'll be focusing on that for the next two days. The epilogue might consist of two separate chapters since I have an idea of what I want to happen, so we'll see. If anything, I'll let you know when I post next. ;)

Anywho, see you all on Wednesday!