Peeta stared wide-eyed at the wall. He hadn't touched his second bowl of soup even though Aurelia insisted he eat it while it was nice and hot. But his mind was racing and his appetite was gone.

What Cretus had told him sounded insane, and yet… he remembered hearing bits and pieces of it already. From Duartyr, maybe?

He had been an experiment since his first day on District 2 soil. Thought to be a witch or some other sort of magical creature, the scientists had intended to test his blood for certain properties to find out if he had any kind of power. His strength, they'd discovered, was equal to that of a Career's. It was shocking, to say the least, to discover such physical attributes in a boy from District 12. They'd expected him to be starving and scrawny. Cretus had explained that the scientists had been working on a forbidden serum since before the Dark Days. A super soldier serum, he'd nicknamed it.

"The Capitol wanted weapons of war and they discovered their machines were no match against Panem. So they started to create super soldiers. People who looked ordinary on the outside but who could rival an army of ten. The Capitol thought they would win with such strength on their side."

But their idea had backfired, as the serum started to poison the soldiers' bloodstream. The super soldiers died and they'd discovered that it was the men and women from the Capitol who seemed to die the quickest.

"But WHY did the scientists think I was magical," he'd asked repeatedly. "Why would they think I was special?"

"We can talk more later," Cretus had said as he'd made his way to the door. "You should rest more."

And they'd left him here to eat and rest. Except he couldn't do either because he wanted answers. He had allowed the doctor to inject him again so that he was connected to a line that fed him serum. He'd wanted to ask why in the hell they insisted on keeping him connected to the stuff when they'd just told him the serum had killed many soldiers in the past. But the doctor hadn't seemed concerned as he'd injected another tube and left him in peace.

Glancing at his soup, he decided the pull of sleep was stronger than more food. He turned over and pulled the blankets over his head. Soon enough, he was pulled completely under.

"Peeta." Peeta rolled over in his sleep and gripped his pillow.

"Peeta, I hope you know how I feel about you by now. I am terrible at this...saying the right thing or doing the right thing. But I want to be with you, for as long as you'll allow me to. I don't need a piece of paper telling me that I belong to you. My heart is yours. Whether for five years… or for longer. It stopped being about a contract, for me anyway, after we toasted. This marriage is real. My feelings for you… they're real."

He moaned against the pillow, reaching out for whoever it was telling him such sweet things.

"And tonight, I want to give you the rest of me. My body, my thoughts, my soul… they're yours."

He remembered what it felt like to kiss her, his tongue wrapping around hers.

"If you've changed your mind-"

"I haven't. I want this. I want you."

"Tell me if you need me to stop. I don't want to hurt you."

"It'll be worth it."

He panted as he rubbed against the bed, remembering this feeling well. The way her wet walls felt around him and the tender way he had held her.

"I'm so thankful it's you." He bucked his hips as he remembered breaking through her final barrier. She had cried, but he had taken care of her. His fingers and lips had coaxed her through it and he rutted against the mattress, remembering what it was like to thrust into her again and again.

"You're mine, Peeta."

"Katniss," he whimpered in his sleep.

"Let go. Cum for me."

"Oh god."

"I love you, Peeta."

"KATNISS!" Peeta sat straight up in bed, his boxers sticky and his hand covering his chest to keep his heart contained in its cage. She had been right beside him! They had been together in the most intimate of ways… he could still feel her sweat on his skin. He shoved his hands through his hair and placed his palms on the bed.

"Shit," he panted, lowering his forehead to the sheets. It had felt so real. Real enough to make him make a mess of his underwear… he hadn't done that since he was twelve! Shaking his head, he flung the covers back and stepped onto the floor. He stripped out of his pants and underwear and groaned loudly. He didn't fancy putting his pants back on without his boxers but he didn't have a lot of options. He remembered many times he had done this when he was younger, when thoughts of Katniss started to escalate at night. His mother demanded to know why she had to do so much laundry all of a sudden, and the blushing and stammering little boy had struggled to find an explanation.

Huffing, he lay back down and hid his face in his pillow.

"Katniss," he said aloud. "I miss you. I hope you haven't given up hope that I'll come back to you. Please have faith that I'll find you again. We will end this war together, we will destroy Snow and his regime together, and we will finally BE together." He flipped onto his side and stared at the empty pillow by his head. He sighed and closed his eyes, squeezing them tightly.

"Katniss."

"Shh," he heard a soft whisper. He released a tiny whimper as soft hands pushed his hair back.

"I can feel you," he whispered. "Like you're really here with me." His fingers intertwined with more slender ones, their rings clinking together. He inhaled deeply and released a shuddering breath.

"I feel like we have been apart for ages."

"We have," she nuzzled against him. "I need you back in my arms, Peeta."

"Soon," he promised. "I will see you soon. I'm finally with the rebels. No more pretending. No more lies. They will help me get back to you."

"Not soon enough," she said sadly. "You haven't forgotten about me, Peeta? You haven't moved on? Please tell me you haven't moved on."

"Never," he gasped. "I could never… Katniss, you're my world. My everything. Even when they poisoned me, you were always there in the back of my mind. Always present. You're my wife and I will love you forever."

"You were dreaming about me, weren't you?" He could hear the smile in her voice and he blushed, even knowing that she wasn't really here beside him.

"Always," he admitted, his cheeks pink.

"I miss being with you," she sighed. "Touching you, kissing you, feeling you move inside me. The war will have to wait. When I get back to you, you are going to make love to me and make me scream your name all night long." Peeta groaned, feeling himself harden at her words.

"As you wish, my love."

"Touch yourself, Peeta," she purred. "Pretend it's me. Touch yourself." Peeta's hand moved over his pants and he jumped. Even though he had already finished once, he longed for her hands on him. He yearned for her touch and he lowered his hand into his pants. His teeth dug into his lip as he raked his palm over his shaft, his touch soft and teasing.

"Katniss," he gasped, flipping onto his back.

"Keep going, Peeta," she said in his ear. "I remember you like this. How beautiful you look when you cum. Will you show me?"

"Ah," he breathed sharply as he fisted himself and stroked. He slid the pants down his legs and tossed them aside, his chin tilted toward the ceiling. He felt her tongue slide down his throat and he swallowed heavily.

"Cum for me, Peeta," she whispered again. "Do you miss me? Do you miss me doing this to you?"

"God, so much, Katniss," he said through gritted teeth, his hand moving faster. He felt the telltale signs in his heavy balls but he wanted to hold on, to feel this feeling a little longer. He remembered her; he remembered her touch and her smell and the feel of her underneath him, or the way she looked when she was on top of him. He tossed his head into the pillows as his back arched off the bed.

"Katniss! Fuck, Katniss!" The room was silent as he spilled his seed over his hand and his head sank into the pillow. He didn't want to open his eyes but he did and his heart sank. Of course she wasn't here with him, and he was all alone in the room. Feeling disgusted and disappointed with himself, he reached for his soiled boxers and cleaned himself up before pulling the blankets over himself and falling back to sleep.


"Kat? Hey, you ok?" Finnick shook her gently and Katniss's eyes fluttered open slowly.

"Huh?"

"You alright?" His concerned face swam over her and she blinked sleepily.

"Leave her alone, Finn, she was probably having some yummy dreams about baker boy," Johanna cackled from the side. Finnick grinned but helped Katniss sit up.

"You were making noises in your sleep. You sure you're ok? Nightmares?" Katniss had told Finnick about her nightmares back in 13 but for the first time in awhile, she hadn't had any.

"No," she shook her head. "They were good ones. About Peeta."

"Told you," Johanna chuckled.

"Would you cut it out, Johanna," Gale said sharply.

"Awe, poor wittle Hawthorne is feeling left out and left behind, huh? Don't worry, stud. I can be the one to keep you warm at night from now on-"

"I said cut it out!" Katniss jumped as Gale stood and stalked to the front of the hovercraft. Johanna rolled her eyes.

"So sensitive, that one."

"He's just still not used to hearing about Katniss thinking about someone," Rory said as he cleaned his knife. Katniss was the one to roll her eyes next.

"He needs to get over that."

"I agree but you have to admit, it was just the two of you guys for the longest time. I'm not sure he'll ever truly accept that you chose someone else over him."

"Sounds like jealous baby boy needs a good fuck," Johanna said, glancing over at Gale.

"Oh god, Johanna, can you BE any more crass?"

"I sure can and would love to show you but nature is calling me at the moment." Johanna jumped to her feet and headed to the front of the hovercraft as well. The pilot had parked and hidden away behind a cluster of trees right outside the Capitol. They had been sitting here, taking turns to sleep and ready themselves before making their way to the city. Katniss had told them about Tigris and the group of rebels she had met in the Capitol and Finnick and Johanna, having been to Tigris's hideout, confirmed her story. Boggs had wanted to continue on in 2 but every person had voted on going onto the Capitol and finding a way in to find Tigris. The colonel still looked irritated that his squad had disagreed with him but Boggs was fair, if nothing else. If the rest of them were unanimous on the next step, Boggs wouldn't argue with that.

Johanna stepped over the hovercraft and nodded to Rye, who was standing guard at the moment.

"Look away, handsome, unless that's something you're into." Ryen snorted and shook his head.

"You passed my wife on your way out here, Johanna. For the thousandth time, I'm not interested."

"Good. You Mellark boys are cute but seem to have too much baggage." Rye's face fell and he started to say something sharp but clenched his jaw instead. When Johanna finished, she wiped her hands on her pants and came to stand in front of Rye, cocking her head to the side.

"Then again, don't we all?"

"Yeah, we do," he nodded.

"Your brother beat you and you still live with those scars. Yet, here you are, in the Capitol, searching for him."

"He's still my brother," he said firmly. "I don't blame him for anything that he's done. They experimented on him for months and I didn't do anything to stop it. Even if he doesn't remember us still, I'm taking him home. We can make him remember. We can show him we still love him. I should have knocked him out and taken him when we saw him in the Capitol the last time." Johanna pursed her lips.

"So that's what's been destroying you, huh? You blame yourself for letting him go. You've been blaming yourself for not bringing him home and so now you're telling yourself you're willing to die to get him out of here." Rye stared at her for the longest time.

"Are all Victors this damn intrusive?"

"Nah, that's been me all my life. I'm good at reading people. Now, admit I'm right."

"I'm happily married so obviously I'm hoping this mission won't cost me my life but you're right in doing whatever I can to get him back. Not just for him though. Katniss needs him. She scared me last night. Like legitimately terrified me, because she wanted Peeta. Madge and I have never seen her like that before. Granted, I didn't know her well when we were younger. Only that my little brother loved her. She always seemed like she had fire but last night… if we don't get Peeta back, I'm afraid she'll burn this country to the ground to get to Snow."

"Maybe that's what we need," she shrugged. "Start fresh. Districts 8 and 12 already have to be rebuilt. Imagine a new Panem, not just a free one."

"You're talking about genocide, Johanna," he said in horror. "What are we going to do with Panem's citizens? There's no safe place to hide them away during Katniss's rampage." Johanna didn't answer; she was staring far-off into the trees and let out a slight shiver as the wind blew her hair.

"Then we help her get to Snow, so no one else will be harmed," she said, her voice sounding far away.

"I think I remember Tigris having route prints, that lead directly to Snow's mansion. If we can get Katniss to the mansion safely, we can overpower his guards." Johanna was silent and Rye cocked his head.

"Johanna?"

"Hm?"

"What do you think?"

"I think there's a storm coming. We could always tell by the trees. The winds are shifting. Should roll in by this afternoon."

"Ok," Rye said bemusedly. "But what does that-"

"Rain and mud leave prints. We need to find a safe way into the city and make our way to Tigris's. That doesn't involve the roads."

"The hovercraft will be shot down if we-"

"There are other ways," she said, still in that dazed voice. Rye sucked in a breath as he realized what Johanna meant.

"Send Madge out here so she can be look out for a moment. We need to talk to Boggs."


Haymitch passed a steaming cup of something to the boys and noticed they were both trembling as they eagerly accepted. Coin leaned back in her chair and observed the boys over her sharp nose.

"So, let me make sure I understand this. Two fifteen year olds flee punishment in District 2, escape with a stolen car, make it to District 8 to see that it's gone and steal a hovercraft, then proceed to fly it to a district you doubted even existed anymore. All with a woman in labor in tow. Is that correct?"

"Look at my mate," one of the boys snarled. "Does it look like he escaped punishment?"

"Max," the other whispered, shaking his head. Haymitch grinned; the boy had spunk.

"Yes, President Coin, all that we have told you is true. You may ask Rosalie once she has had her baby, to confirm our stories. Though she won't be able to tell you much more than we have."

"And why not," Jackson asked sharply.

"They cut her tongue out," the one called Max mumbled under his breath. "Snow turned her into an Avox." Haymitch groaned and hid his face in his hands. He was hoping Rosalie would be able to help him fill in the pieces about Peeta. He pushed his graying hair out of his face and sighed, rising to his feet to pace.

"Any idea why Rosalie was even with Peeta?"

"Gen- Peeta told me that the Capitol killed her husband and forced her to become Peeta's wife."

"Sons of bitches," Haymitch grunted. "They hijacked him to make him think she was his true wife. And I imagine they told him a whole lot of other shit."

"Why are they going to these lengths to keep Mellark alive," Coin glanced over her shoulder to give Haymitch a pointed look. The boy opened his mouth to speak but Haymitch shot him a look and shook his head.

"I'm not sure, Madame President," the boy said quietly. "We were basic Peacekeepers-in-Training. Not important enough to be told anything." Coin pursed her lips, looking disappointed, but nodded.

"Very well. I believe you boys are telling the truth. Haymitch will show you to your bunker and you will report for duties at dawn."

"Thank you, ma'am," the boys rose to their feet and gave her a little bow. Coin watched as Haymitch lead them out of the room.

"They know something about Mellark," Jackson said immediately.

"Perhaps," Coin nodded. "Perhaps they are telling the truth about knowing nothing. We shall see. Right now I need to get in touch with Colonel Boggs. I had reports that he was landing outside of the Capitol this morning. The Mockingjay wishes to find the rebel headquarters in the city."

"You're letting a mere girl call the shots of the rebellion?" Jackson's eyes widened.

"For now. Allowing her to seek out the rebel party is a good idea, Jackson, it means more allies. And if she is able to kill Snow in the process… even better."

"And what about her husband? What if he finds her first?"

"Well, judging from what the boys just told us, he would take care of her so we don't have to."

"Madame President?" Coin turned back to Jackson, her jaw set.

"Sacrifice is necessary in times like these, Lieutenant Jackson. And the Mockingjay has fulfilled her duty. The districts of Panem are almost ready to fight but they need something, a little push as it were."

"You want to turn her into a martyr," the other woman said in a flat tone. Her eyes didn't betray any of the shock or uncertainty she was feeling. She kept her face a mask of silence at her president's words.

"Think about it, Jackson. When did Ash Everdeen's propos really start to spread? When did his words really start to get a reaction out of people?" Jackson was silent so Coin answered her own question.

"When he died. And I have it on good authority that it wasn't just a mining accident like everyone thought. He was murdered by the Capitol. So now I ask you, what more can Katniss Everdeen do for this war?" Coin didn't seem to mind that Jackson was remaining silent.

"Die for it, that's what. It would be perfect if her husband did it, then we would be able to get rid of him too. But if not, there are plenty of people in the Capitol who want her dead. One way or another, the Mockingjay won't be returning to 13. Of that, I know." Coin nodded to Jackson once before excusing herself to contact Boggs. Jackson stood, frozen, unable to speak or move. She wasn't much of a fan of the girl from 12 herself but she didn't think she deserved to die for the rebellion, especially after being separated from her husband for so long. But what could she do? She was second-in-command while Boggs was away. If she betrayed Coin… well, she had seen what had happened to traitors in the past.

Swallowing heavily, Jackson gathered the dishes the boys had used, blew out the candle, and returned to her bunker where she lay awake, staring at the ceiling.


Do you believe us, Mr. Abernathy," the boy asked as soon as they had exited the room. Haymitch put a finger to his lips and shook his head.

"Doesn't matter what I think. Plenty of people here will tell you that. Come on, I'm sure you both need to sleep." They looked dead on their feet and seemed to understand silence was needed at the moment so they followed the man down the hall.

"Haymitch Abernathy," Blaze whispered to Max excitedly. "I've just remembered who he was! Victor of the 50th Hunger Games!" Max's eyes widened and he couldn't help but stare at the old Victor.

Haymitch stopped at a door and shoved a key in, pushing it open with his door. Blaze and Maximus peered in, noting the two beds and twin desks on either side of the room.

"I suppose President Coin assumed you would both be alright with sharing a room. However, if it's a problem-"

"No problem, sir," Blaze said quickly. "Thank you for your help tonight. We were afraid of how people would react to us and President Coin's distrust is to be expected."

"Well now that you know I'm a Victor, you know I don't take shit from anyone. Especially on behalf of a kid." Blaze gasped and Haymitch winked.

"Good night, boys."

"Mr. Abernathy!"

"This is starting to make me sound old," he huffed. "Call me Haymitch."

"Haymitch… you know about Peeta's… past?"

"What are you referring to, boy?"

"You stopped me from telling President Coin about Peeta. So I assumed you know about it." Haymitch kicked the door closed and leaned against it.

"What do YOU know of it?" The boys exchanged looks and Blaze stepped forward.

"We've all heard the stories. Rumors, we thought. A single soldier from an outlying district was quarantined upon his arrival in District 2 and was tested upon. They wanted to turn him into a weapon, with constant injections of super strength and whatever else they used. He forgot who he was and the Capitol used him for various projects. They sent him out to annihilate rebels and destroy their uprisings. He did more damage than a trained army of 100. They said that districts were more afraid of him than the Capitol Peacekeepers, the most elite of soldiers. I never really believed the rumors. Assumed it was just a story."

"Yeah? And what made you change your mind?"

"Because my father was one of the soldiers who assisted the scientists when Peeta was first taken to 2. He kept records and logs of the serums they used on him." Haymitch lowered his arms.

"You know for a fact that it was Peeta Mellark?"

"I wasn't sure at first, until the soldiers at HQ started to talk about the new First General. And putting two and two together… Corialianus Snow didn't like to use hijacking much. Said it was crude and could risk too much. Peeta has probably been hijacked more than anyone else in Panem. And he's only survived it because of the experiments they did when he first became a Peacekeeper. Plus, I witnessed his strength firsthand. It was him." Haymitch chewed on his lip for a moment.

"You boys get some rest." He backed out of the room and closed the door behind him. Blaze fell on the bed and sighed.

"Why didn't you tell me," a soft voice above him made him wince. He looked up into the face of his best friend, who was looking devastated.

"Max-"

"We tell each other everything," his friend pointed out. "We never kept secrets from each other. All this time you've known our teachings were a lie, and you never told me?"

"Max, Dad found me eavesdropping on him and Grandpa one day. They were talking about sending the super soldier out for some more tests. After that, I went poking around and found Dad's book of notes. The super serum they injected into him, the reactions he had, the effects it had on him, all of it. But I didn't think much of it. Not until we got to HQ and started hearing the stories. I put the pieces together and figured it all out after Peeta saved me. I wanted to tell you! I really did!"

"The notes said it was Peeta Mellark?"

"Subject 290856 was what he was referred to." Max shook his head.

"You didn't… by any chance… you didn't happen to steal that log book… did you?" Blaze gave him a mischievous smirk.

"Course I did. Don't forget who has the stealth between the two of us."

"I'm the stealthy one," Max rolled his eyes. "Let me see it. Why didn't you give it to Mr. Abernathy?"

"I will tomorrow. Seems like the old Victor is keeping some things to himself, too. But Peeta saved my life. I want to help him, however I can."

"Didn't he say he was married to the Mockingjay? I wonder how long he's been away from her."

"Maybe that's how we can help," Blaze brightened. "Reunite them!"

"How are we gonna do that," Max asked doubtfully.

"We will think of something! Peeta looked so sad when he said he was trying to get home to her. Tomorrow, we can tell Haymitch and come up with a plan!" Max watched as his friend positively bounced around, readying himself for bed. He was the pessimist and the realist of the two of them. He often had to point out to his best friend that some things just weren't possible.

And after all, what could two fifteen year old ex-Peacekeepers on the run do?


I'm finally back yall and so sorry for the long wait! I wanted to go back and edit a few things in this chapter so that's what took so long. I'm basically on my 3rd day of quarantine so I'll be getting chapters up more quickly! Hope you all stay safe and healthy!

Love, from panskiss XoXo