*****DISCLAIMER!*****

Katniss: LovelyUnderland does not own the Hunger Games trilogy.

Me: How dare you! Why you little-

Snow: Don't hate just because you aren't Suzanne Collins.

Me: Shut up, Coriolanus!

Katniss: Well, it's true!

Me: Since when do you agree with each other?

Katniss: Since you refuse to do the disclaimer!

Me: You'll pay for this. Stomps away* You'll all pay!

Previously:

"I don't want to! I want to go home!" I whine, hoping that he will be satisfied thinking he's actually hurting me. "Fine, whatever, if it means the issue will be dealt with then so be it. Good bye."

At that, I turned and left. Had I known that what I had done would cost my closest friend, I would never have agreed.

Chapter Thirty-Five: Love And Pride
111513
LovelyUnderland

(KPOV)

The next morning, I practically danced into the living room. I was finally leaving the Capitol. In less than three hours, I will be heading to District 12 with Peeta and Haymitch. I'm going to live in the Victors' Village with them and, for once, I'm going to be free from my father. The thought brings a true smile on my face that I can't quash.

"What's got you smiling so much, Sweetheart?" Haymitch asks as I gracefully fell back on the couch.

"Oh, uh, nothing," I lie, but my smile betrays me.

"Uh huh, sure. Sweetheart, you can't bullshit a bullshitter. Something happened and I want to know."

I ponder for a while about whether or not I should tell him, but I decide against it. It's not often that I get to mess with Haymitch while he's sober, or at least partially sober, so I figure I should give him a run for his money before he is incoherent.

I look into his grey eyes and deadpan, "I fucked Peeta last night."

The face that Haymitch made would have been hysterical had I not heard someone else suck in a breath and start choking. Seeing who it was, I felt a block of ice form in my throat as my cheeks flamed like never before. Of all the people that could have walked in why in all hell did it have to be Peeta Mellark? Either he has the absolute worst timing or I do. I'm guessing it's the latter.

"So, lover boy, it finally happened?" Haymitch snickers once Peeta was able to breathe again.

"Uh…" confusion is written all over Peeta's face.

"Oh, just fuck me, I-"

"Katniss, I think Peeta's already done that," Haymitch snorts.

"Shut up, Haymitch! I didn't mean it like that. Peeta, I only said what I said to Haymitch because I wanted to mess with him," I snap.

"Wait, so nothing happened between you two? I find that hard to believe."

"Haymitch!" I whine wanting him to shut his mouth.

"Is there anything else you'd like to share with me, sweetheart?"

"Well, if this gets you shut your mouth– I'm going back with you guys to District 12."

Haymitch looks wary when I explain what my father had said to him and Peeta. I gave them the edited version of what was said. Personally, I don't want to tell them the complete truth.

Fortunately, Peeta bought it. Haymitch, on the other hand, knew better and gave me the 'we'll talk about this later' look. After a few questions and comments Haymitch left, saying that our train would arrive in two hours.

I'm excited to leave the capitol, but terrified as well. Will things change between Peeta and I? What would he say if he knew I told my father to do something about the reporters? Would he be ashamed of me?

I'm not sure why I'm so concerned about what Peeta thinks. Usually, I don't care about anyone's opinion. It's an odd change, to say the least.

We sit in a comfortable silence for about an hour until, once again, I am called out to see my father. Actually, I'm just sent to the dining room to wait for him. He walked in a few minutes after I planted myself in the obnoxious yellow chair. The fumes from the rose pinned to his satin lapel were overwhelming. I've never understood why he needed to make them so strong, but questioning him wasn't an option.

"Hi, daddy," I say sweetly.

"Hello, princess. I bet you're wondering why I'm here."

I nod.

"I just wanted to see you before you left. I'm very proud of you. Honestly, I didn't expect you to make it out of the arena. I know that what I did was harsh, but it was all necessary. We both know that neither of us are good at expressing our emotions, but when I say that I care about you I mean it.

"I may not act like it but I do care. You are my only daughter and I was truly terrified of losing you. Katniss, I'm letting you go back to District 12 because I know how much you enjoyed your stay there. I also know that I've kept you in the mansion far too long. After your mother left I was really afraid that she would come back and take you away from me. That's why I never let you leave."

The look in my father's eyes told me that he meant what he was saying. I never would've believed that he really cared about me had he not admitted it, and even then it's hard to believe. My entire life, I've dealt with his disapproval and I wanted, more than anything, to be enough for him. I craved his attention and love.

I didn't believe he would ever care or be proud of me. I thought that I got over wanting my father's affection, but I was wrong because after he opened up I yearned for it once again.

"Do you mean that, daddy?" I ask cautiously.

"I do, and I'm sorry that it took me this long to say it."

With that he held his arms open and I crawled into his lap. I felt like a child again, but this time my dad was actually holding me. A part of me felt like I was able to trust him, but another part felt like it wasn't safe to let my guard down. I didn't let myself doubt his actions even though, in the back of my mind, I know that trusting him would somehow backfire on me.