It took everyone a few minutes to steady their breathing and as soon as Katniss caught her breath, she bolted upright and backed into the wall.
"Aurelia Snow," she hissed. "What is SHE doing here?" Aurelia cast Peeta an incredulous look.
"You didn't tell her?"
"Haven't really had time," he snapped, making his way to Katniss. "I told you we needed to talk. About a lot of things. But I want the doctor to look at that ankle first, for you to get some food and rest, and THEN we can talk. OK?" She scowled at him and he sighed.
"Aurelia is a rebel, just like we are. She has helped a lot, actually. She helped get me out of 2 safely. She's a friend, Katniss."
"The only reason I'm not attacking you is because I hurt all over," she barked at him. Peeta turned to Cretus.
"How soon can we get Doc Everett here?"
"Already ahead of you. We sent him a message shortly after you left and said we would probably need medical care for the squad." His eyes traveled over the group and cleared his throat.
"I'd say it was an accurate assumption. He should be here very soon. Tigris, how about we get some food for the team?"
"I'll help," Aurelia volunteered, scurrying after Tigris into the kitchen. Peeta sighed. He should have told Katniss that she was on their side, but he knew she would be angry.
Like she was right now.
He groaned and ran his hand over his face.
"Peeta, it appears you need some medical attention too," Cretus observed Peeta half standing on his injured leg.
"Um, yeah. But they need it more. Gale has… he was nearly eaten by mutts. Attend to his wounds first."
"Aurelia says you had your own run-in with a mutt last night." Peeta gaped at him.
"How does she-"
"Her father had a video in his study. She's got some new developments to tell us too."
"Sounds like it will be a long night for everyone," Peeta sighed, glancing back at the weary soldiers.
"Tigris and I already have pallets made for everyone in the basement. If they want to sleep before lunch, they can."
"Sleep sounds great except some of us are bleeding out here," Johanna said bitterly.
"Johanna Mason," Cretus laughed. "Haven't changed a bit, have you?"
"Not sure I can say the same," the Victor said with a scowl. "Never can tell whose side you're on these days. I don't recall seeing you at the Revolution meeting here a couple of months ago."
"That's because I was in 2, trying to collect information," Cretus said cooly. "I informed Duartyr and Lyme I wouldn't be able to make it."
"How very nice of you," Johanna rolled her eyes. "Are you going to help my friends, or what?"
"We can at least get you all cleaned up before the doctor arrives. Anyone with open wounds, please follow me." Katniss started to follow but noticed Peeta was lingering behind.
"Peeta, aren't you coming?"
"Um… I actually have a bathroom upstairs. I'll meet you back down here, ok?" She frowned as she watched him limp up the stairs.
Peeta removed his pants and winced when he saw his wound had opened up again.
"Ok," he said through gritted teeth. He went to the bathroom to clean it, and pressed a wet towel over it while he scrambled through his bedside drawer. His fingers closed around a syringe and he withdrew it, studying the dosage. It would increase his strength and also the amount of time it would take for him to heal. He was uncertain as to how much he should take but at the sight of his leg, he decided not to wait for the doctor after all.
He aimed the needle at his thigh, and stabbed it in. After all the pain he had experienced, a small needle prick should be nothing but he grimaced as he dropped it to the floor. The wound started to bubble and before Peeta's wide eyes, it started to close.
"Holy shit," he exclaimed, grabbing his leg. It was already feeling better too. He wanted to take the serum down to the others but he wasn't sure how it would affect them. Doctor Everett had explained that this particular serum had been created for him specifically. The medicine mixed with his blood was used to increase his physical strength and make him a powerful soldier. Everett had only replicated it with the recipe from Duartyr.
When he stood ten minutes later, the wound was practically gone. He pulled his pants back on and set the syringe on his table, before making his way back downstairs.
Katniss met him at the bottom, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Hey sweetheart, you feeling any better?"
"I told the doctor to tend to Gale and Finnick first. What were you doing up there?" He held up his leg.
"Tending to mine. Hey Doc, want me to take Katniss upstairs to get her off her ankle? I've already wrapped it, down in the sewers, but you should take a
look and see if it's broken or fractured." The doctor, who was stitching up a deep wound in Gale's neck, nodded without looking back.
"I'll be up after I'm finished with the others, Peeta."
"You heard him, come on." He started to pick her up but her hand flew to his chest.
"What are you doing?"
"Carrying you upstairs," he said, puzzled.
"Peeta, you are injured too! You need the doctor to look at yours as well."
"OK, ok, I will. Let's get out of his way and we can talk in my room."
"Be sure it's just talking you're doing," Finnick yelled from the corner, winking despite the bloody shoulder he was sporting. Peeta could see that Johanna, Rye, and Madge had disappeared, most likely to get some rest. Peeta helped Katniss up the stairs and gently set her on his bed.
"There. Later, I can help you take a shower if you want."
"How did you get a private room," she asked as she took in her surroundings.
"It's Tigris's apartment but she was kind enough to let me stay up here while I was healing. She says she is comfortable in the shop. So I have my own bathroom and kitchenette up here."
"Fancy," she said quietly.
"Hey," he sat beside her and took her hand. "God, there is so much I want to tell you, I just don't know where to start."
She watched him patiently, never pressing him, for which he was grateful.
"Ah shit," he sighed, running his hand through his hair. "I suppose I should… start with my training in 2, and what they did to me. It might help you understand present things."
Once he had started, he found that he couldn't stop. Emotions flowed as he told her everything. The experiments, the beatings, the way he had forgotten himself and his past, his promotions and the horrors he was responsible for. She had heard him talk about his past back at home in 12 but he was even more open this time. He explained the concept of a super soldier and how they had pumped him with serum and tracker-jacker venom, which is what they had done recently as well. He told her the doctor's suspicions that the two serums counter-acted each other and he had been able to regain his memories with the super serum. He showed her his wound, which was practically healed, and allowed her to run her fingers over it tenderly.
"Unbelievable," she breathed. She looked back up at him, as he lounged against the pillows at the head of the bed.
"I don't understand. What was so important about your blood that they decided to experiment on you? What did they expect to find?" Peeta's smile fell and he took a deep breath before reaching into his bag and pulling out a thick pile of papers. His hand shook as he handed them to her to read, and he leaned back against the pillows, watching her as she read.
A variety of emotions crossed her face. Shock, sadness, and then pure fury. He knew the moment she knew about his mother because her face flushed, her eyes danced with rage, and she was grinding her teeth. When she dropped the papers, she turned to him.
"Are you fucking kidding me?"
"Aurelia found these in her father's study. You can see Corialanus Snow's seal and signature."
"But why would your mother have dealings with Snow? What she could possibly have gained?"
"Getting rid of me?" he shrugged. "I honestly don't know but I intend to ask her as soon as we return to 13. If I can ever look at her again."
"But… what is this about you being a witch? That's ridiculous."
"I agree but that was the reason they wanted to do experiments and turn me into some kind of weapon. They thought there was some kind of magical properties in my blood."
"Peeta… I've heard stories about the witches of 12. Old magic. Ancient creatures in the dark. My mother used to tell me stories when I was young."
"Katniss," he took her hands and pulled her toward him. "Look at me, into my eyes, and tell me honestly if you think I could be some kind of dark witch."
"There isn't a trace of darkness in you, Peeta," she moved her hand to stroke his cheek. "But you're powerful. And strong. And you have survived an awful lot. Maybe there is a protective power over you."
"Not you too, love," he groaned.
"Would it be so bad if there were something? Something magical to help you win this war?"
"I'm married to the Mockingjay, the bravest woman I've ever known. Your love is powerful in itself. It has nothing to do with me."
"I think you underestimate yourself," she cocked her head. "You question your worth because you haven't had many to remind you of how powerful you are." She glanced back at the letter and frowned. "It says he encountered a legitimate witch. I wonder who he spoke to?"
"I remember my mother warning us against Greasy Sae when we were little. Said she was a witch and to stay away."
"Sae?" she laughed incredulously. Peeta shrugged.
"I haven't had much interaction with her but she's pretty old, I believe. But you can see how old I was there, it could have been anyone." She shook her head and set the papers on the nightstand.
"Ok, so finish telling me what happened after you were… after they used tracker-jacker venom on you again." She couldn't bring herself to say tortured and he kissed her palm before he went on with his story.
When he reached the part about believing he was married to Rosalie and expecting a child, a shadow crossed over her face and she lowered her head. Peeta noticed immediately and cupped her chin.
"Hey," his voice was serious. "You are my only wife. The only woman I have ever been with and the only woman I want to be with. Rosalie is a friend, and after she was turned into an Avox, she started helping me remember who I was."
"So you never… I mean, you two…"
"No, Katniss," he took her face in his hands. "Even when I was told we were married, I doubted it. I heard your voice in my mind. I never had any desire to do anything… intimate with her." She visibly relaxed and he kissed her forehead.
"Keep going," she sighed. He told her the whole story of returning to 2 and meeting the two young boys, who seemed to be very fond of him. He told her of the assignment he had been dealt, dealing with unruly soldiers, and being kidnapped multiple times. She wound up leaning her head back on his chest while she lay between his legs, his arms wrapped around her shoulders. His chin rested on her shoulder as he spoke, and she reached back to run her fingers through his locks. He stopped talking, lost in the sensations, and he sighed, his warm breath on her neck making her shiver.
"So we're sure Aurelia Snow can be trusted?"
"I had my doubts too but she's risked a lot. We are actually planning to help her take her rightful place as President." Katniss stiffened and she sat up to look back at him.
"What?"
"She has so many fantastic ideas, Katniss. She wants to abolish the Hunger Games, and set up health care, and to lift the ban on district travel. She will make a great leader, I'm sure of it."
"She's 16, Peeta," she said in shock.
"I know that. And she was the one who suggested putting together a board of representatives from every district. She was supposed to be the next President, not Caius."
"I doubt anyone outside the Capitol is going to listen to anything she says," Katniss said dubiously.
"I know. But that's why I want you and her to talk, to get to know her and hear her ideas. She may be young but she wants to turn Panem around and completely change the government."
"Peeta, President Coin is going to want that job. She's already preparing herself to take control of Panem."
"President Coin? As in President of District 13? Why does she think she has the right to demand that job? I know of plenty commanders who have fought beside their troops. Commander Paylor, of District 8, for example? I've heard she's a natural leader."
"I worked with her when I visited 8," she nodded. "She really is. But then why do you think Aurelia should have the job? When she hasn't done ANYTHING for Panem."
"She's the rightful heir to the office."
"A Snow? In office, even after we overthrow the Capitol. That is Peacekeeper talk, Peeta Mellark."
"Ok, ok, I'm sorry. I sprang the idea on you and I've had some time to think about it myself. I don't want to fight with you, Katniss. We can cross that bridge when we come to it."
"Right. We still need to plan how to conquer the Capitol. Snow isn't the only one we need to get past. Antonius needs to be taken down… and I would love to do it." Peeta saw her clench her fists and knew she was thinking of everything the Minister had put Peeta through. He pulled her back down to the bed and snuggled against her back.
"Why don't you tell me about President Coin? What's she like? Do you get along with her?"
Katniss poured it all out and when she was finished, Peeta had lost all color in his face.
"Boggs told you she wanted you dead?!"
"Yes. And she is sending another soldier to finish the job, if she can get the chance. She was supposed to be Boggs's second-in-command but now I suppose she'll be in charge."
"She won't get the chance. I'll kill her myself if I have to," he said angrily.
"Boggs said Coin feels threatened by me. As if I have any say," she shrugged.
"You DO, Katniss. Do you not understand that this rebellion is happening because you've spread your message throughout the country?" Her eyes widened.
"You… you saw my propos?"
"Only a few. When they were encouraging me to find and destroy you."
"Oh," she hung her head.
"But I still thought you were beautiful and powerful," he kissed her nose. She smiled and held him there before he could back away. She gazed into his eyes, drowning into his seas of blue, and examined the trail of freckles that sprinkled across his nose. His fair cheeks had a boyish blush, growing more red the longer she stared. His tongue darted out to wet his lips and her eyes followed the action. She didn't move, wanting to see what he would do next. Peeta's eyes lingered on her lips and moved back to her eyes. He leaned in, slowly so she could withdraw if she wanted to, and kissed her bottom lip. Her lips parted with a soft gasp and his tongue slipped inside her warm crevice. They didn't move to touch each other, nor move closer, and the kiss was sweet and passionate. Peeta angled his head to deepen their kiss, finally bringing his hands up to grip her shoulders. He was on the verge of moving his hands down toward her chest, when he jerked away with a gasp and a look of realization in his wide eyes.
"That's why she radioed us," he said in a whisper.
"What?"
"Coin radioed us. She let us know that the team from District 13 would be coming into the Capitol and would be making their way underground to get to Tigris's faster. She asked if a soldier could meet them, with a map, and lead them back to HQ. I volunteered, despite Cretus's protests and Coin sounded pleased." He threw his legs over the bed and sucked in a breath.
"She said she would speak to Boggs and inform him that I would be there to meet you all." He ran both hands through his hair while shaking his head.
"But Boggs said he never got the message. Coin wanted ME to find you all." He jumped to his feet and paced the room. "She was sure I was still struggling, and that I would kill you. She expected for me to kill you!" He looked sick as he clapped a hand over his mouth.
"Who knows what that other soldier will do when she gets here? Maybe Coin thinks she can trigger me or something. Make me hurt you."
"Peeta!" Katniss winced as she put weight on her ankle but limped to his side. "Peeta, look at me. LOOK at me," he obeyed and she took his chin between her fingers.
"You would never, ever, hurt me. Even when you were… tuned in with those mutts today, you shook it off and you came back. I don't believe you could ever harm me."
"Gale definitely does. And Finnick. And Rye, my own brother-"
"I don't care what they think," she said impatiently. "I know my husband. I know and trust the man I love. So I know, the Capitol can't make you do that. So to hell with Coin. When we return to 13, together, she will be really surprised." He threw his arms around her and buried his face in her shoulder.
"I'll keep you safe, Katniss. With all this super serum inside me, I will be your human shield when we go to war."
"Clearly you can still get injured," she glanced down at his leg. "So don't do anything stupid. Ow, I need to sit." Peeta helped her to the bed and stretched her leg out. He heard footsteps and turned to see Doctor Everett entering the room.
"Hey Doc."
"Peeta," he nodded. "And Mrs. Mellark, good to see you again." Peeta stood next to the bed as the doctor inspected and prodded her ankle. She bit her lip to keep from crying out and Peeta took her clenched fist, trying to get her to relax.
"Well, good news is it's just a bruise, but it's a pretty bad one. If you want to be ready to fight, you'll spend the remainder of the evening and all day tomorrow in this bed. Let Peeta take care of you. And I'll rewrap this for you, with some healing salve."
"I already used some earlier but if you think more will help, please," Peeta gestured toward her ankle.
"Put more salve on and change her wrap every 6 hours."
"Yes sir."
"And what about you? The gentlemen said you had a nasty injury yourself."
"Oh, uh…" He slipped his pants down a little and the doctor leaned in to inspect the wound.
"How much serum did you take, Peeta?" Peeta glanced over at the syringe on the table and Doctor Everett's eyes followed.
"Hmm," he swirled the contents around. "You should be strong as a tank at this point. This is not a magical potion, Peeta. If you get shot in the fighting, this won't magically heal you. Don't start thinking you're invincible with this."
"Got it, Doc."
"Glad to see the wound is healing, though I recommend putting healing salve over it after you shower tonight."
"Yes sir. Thanks Doctor Everett." He sat on the edge of the bed and buttoned his pants.
"I'm going to see how long before dinner is ready. It feels like we have been up here for hours." Katniss nodded, stifling a yawn, and Peeta hurried after the doctor. The room was empty except for Everett and Cretus.
"Thanks again for your help, Doctor," Cretus shook his head.
"I'll be back tomorrow to change the young man's stitches."
When Cretus closed the door, he turned back to face Peeta.
"How is Katniss feeling?"
"Sore but she's resting. I just came to see how long before dinner is ready."
"Tigris is insisting on making a special dinner, so it will be awhile. Mr. Odair has already gone to the basement to take a nap. Did you know we would have Victors turn up, Peeta? Finnick Odair and Johanna Mason?"
"Don't discount the others," Peeta replied with a smile. "They're pretty powerful too."
"Why don't you get some rest and I'll holler when dinner is ready?" Peeta knew he should really be helping scour blueprints and plans but his heart hammered, reminding him his wife was asleep upstairs and why the hell he wasn't joining her was beyond him.
"Thanks Leo," he waved as he made his way back up the stairs. Katiniss was indeed fast asleep and Peeta smiled as he slipped into bed next to her, wrapping his arm around her and inhaling her sweet scent as her warmth caused his eyes to close quickly.
Back in 13, Margaret and Violet were having a glaring contest and neither of them refused to say a word. Making a sound of disgust, Marget tried to make her way around Violet but the other woman was constantly blocking her. Margaret was not known for her patience.
"What the hell do you want from me," she exclaimed, stamping her foot.
"I just told you," Violet replied calmly.
"I don't know anything about magic. Just leave me alone, Everdeen." She found her way blocked again and huffed angrily.
"Why don't you ask someone else? Someone who knows more about it?"
"I have," Violet shrugged. Margaret's eyes narrowed.
"I knew it," she whispered. "I've always heard about the Iasos. Your mother was a witch and she taught you her ways!"
"My mother was a Healer and she married my father, who was the Apothecary's son," Violet corrected her. "I have no magic in my blood, though I have the gift of Healing. I can concoct various potions and herbal remedies. That is the extent of my powers. There hasn't been a witch with powers in 12 for hundreds of years." She cocked her head and examined Margaret.
"Yet, you believed Peeta was a witch. Why is that?"
"Gossip mills," the woman shrugged indifferently. "There was a lot of talk when my son was born."
"You sought out Greasy Sae before your son was born. Why?" Margaret's face turned red.
"Have you been SPYING on me, Everdeen? I'd have thought you had better things to do, like taking care of your two brats without-"
"Margaret Mellark, if you finish that sentence, I will have to explain to Bran why his wife's face resembles a carcass at the butcher shop," Violet's voice lowered to an almost whisper.
"Oh I'm sure you'd relish every second of that," Margaret snarled. "My husband, running to your aid. You weren't happy with just one, you had to take both men. Greedy greedy Violet Iaso."
"Everdeen," Violet's face was now inches from Margaret's. "I married the man I truly loved, Ash Everdeen, and wished Bran all the happiness in the world when he married you."
"Yes, and then you went and fucked him behind my back. Behind the back of the "man you truly loved", and you had the daughter I was meant to have. The beautiful, fair, sweet daughter I was told I would have."
"Sae never told you that you would have a daughter, just that your child would be twice-blessed. And when it was a son, you were ready to throw him out. Sae told Bran that he was blessed and you scoffed at that. YOU cursed your son to a miserable life. A terrible childhood and terrifying adult years. It is you who is the curse." Margaret's eyes were wide and horrified.
"How do you know this?"
"I told you, I have spoken to someone who knows more about it."
"Who? WHO has told you all of this?"
"Peeta is a blessed child," Violet continued patiently. "My question for you is what sort of magic is in your family's past?"
"None," Margaret spat. "There are no witches in my family. Nothing out of the ordinary."
"Do you know nothing of your ancestors, Margaret? Of where you come from?"
"My family were not witches," she spat the last word out as if it were poison she was expelling from her body.
"Then how do you explain Peeta's magic?"
"For the last time, I don't know anything! If you have spoken to Greasy Sae, then you already know everything."
"Not everything," Violet said carefully, though she did not elaborate.
"Very well. Thank you for your time." Margaret glared at her as she finally passed, storming off toward her bunker.
"I told you she wouldn't say anything," Violet sighed to the darkness.
"Perhaps she really does not know about her past," a gravely voice said behind her. An old woman with a cane limped toward Violet and grasped her hand.
"I'm not sure how else to gather information, if Margaret doesn't even know the tribe she comes from. We have to rely on Peeta knowing what to do when the time comes."
"Haymitch told me the Justice Building had records," Sae grinned a toothless grin. "When he came to me about the boy in the first place, he mentioned finding files in the remains of the Justice Building. There might be pre-Dark Ages records."
"That's a long shot, Sae," Violet said doubtfully.
"If I can sit down with Margaret, I might be able to tap into her mind and see if I can't see anything worth seeing."
"That's definitely a long shot," Violet said softly, staring down the dark hall.
Peeta's face was buried in Katniss's neck as she was nestled comfortably between his hips. He inhaled long and deep, drawing in the scent of the woods and the earth and something sweet, something so distinctly Katniss, his arms stretching even further over her. His eyes peered open and saw she was still fast asleep. He glanced over at the clock and groaned. It was quite late so he imagined they had missed dinner. Katniss needed to eat. He heard voices downstairs and suddenly, heavy footsteps coming up. A second latter, a pillow smacked him in the face and he jerked away.
"What the-" His brother's grinning face was above him, his arms crossed over his chest.
"We have been calling you two for the last five minutes. Get down there and eat some dinner."
"Damn it Rye, I was having such a good dream-" Katniss yawned and stretched. She froze mid-stretch when she looked beside her and inhaled shakily.
"Oh my g….. It wasn't a dream." Peeta blinked up at her before she threw her arms around him. "You're really here."
"You slept harder than any of us did then," Rye said with a wink.
"We'll be right down, Rye," Peeta grumbled. When his brother had done, Peeta pressed his lips to her temple and rocked her in his arms.
"You're not dreaming, love. I'm here and I won't leave you again." He stood and tugged on her hand. "Come on, I'm sure you're starving and Leo said that Tigris was making something special for dinner."
When they reappeared downstairs, he saw that a long table had been set up and the squad was sitting around, grabbing rolls from the basket or digging into a plate of what looked like pasta. Peeta led Katniss to two empty chairs next to Finnick and he squeezed her hand before he sat down.
"Were they sleeping that hard, Rye, or were they…" Johanna trailed off, winking. Katniss shot her a cold look.
"It has been over two months since I have slept more than an hour."
"Same here," Peeta said, spooning pasta onto Katniss's plate. "That was the best sleep I have had in months."
"I am glad you all were able to rest," Tigris said, as she poured water into everyone's glass.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Tigris," Finnick bowed his head.
"When are the others due to arrive," Gale asked Leo.
"I have been radioing multiple commanders and districts. The plan is to march on the Capitol tomorrow. Some will arrive by foot, some by hovercraft. Our forces in 1 and 2 will be frontline while we help the others sneak into the Capitol."
"Don't you think the easiest way to end all of this is for Katniss to kill Snow," Rye asked.
"It would be," Leo agreed. "Except that Caius Snow is craftier and harder to sneak up on. He has many resources at his disposal. We need to plan this carefully."
"Where did… Miss Snow go," Johanna struggled to keep the venom out of her voice.
"Aurelia returned to her home. Discretion is something we have been practicing daily."
"Says the man who sent a tortured, weak, and wanted man to the sewers to escort a squad of rebels," Gale glared down the table.
"He didn't 'send' me, I volunteered to go to the sewers and escort you," Peeta said as he rolled his eyes.
"Smart. Your face is plastered all over the city with a reward, and all alone, you leave your safehaven to track us." Peeta gritted his teeth and avoided looking at Gale.
"You'll understand my reasons when you are married and then separated from the love of your life for what seems like years. I have no regrets." Katniss covered his hand with hers and he brought them to rest on his knee.
"Gentlemen, please do not argue," Leo held up his hand. "We are on the same side. We want the same thing. And I know you have had a trying couple of days, so please, just relax and enjoy your dinner. Our war talks will resume in the morning."
Peeta tuned the rest of them out as they talked about simple things, about simpler times. He watched his wife eat, longing for an escape from all of this. After the war, Peeta would build a nice house for himself and for Katniss. Possibly in 12, possibly in another district. He would build a fence and they would plant a garden. He would set up a swing on the porch where he could cradle his pregnant wife as they sip tea and watch the sun go down. He would-
"Hello! Earth to Peeta!" Madge was waving a hand in front of his face and giggled when he blushed.
"Sorry. Can you repeat that?"
"Gag me. Those stars in your eyes are making me lose my appetite." Peeta turned to Johanna and stood half-way in his seat.
"Can you blame me for being starry-eyed over my wife, after spending two months believing I was married to another woman? Will you cut me some fucking slack, Johanna?" Katniss stiffened by his side and dropped her fork.
"I'm full," she said before pushing her chair back and running up the stairs, crying out as she nearly tumbled back down. Peeta groaned and pushed both his and her seats under the table.
"This was a delicious meal, Tigris, thank you." With a nod to everyone else, he made his way up to his room, to find Katniss sitting on the edge of the bed, her back ramrod straight and her arms wrapped around herself. Sighing, he crossed the room and dropped to his knees in front of her. When he reached for her hands, she jerked away.
"Katniss," he pleaded. "I've already told you about Rosalie. I'm so sorry I brought it up again. I'm just tired of being scolded just because I watch you, waiting for you to disappear at any moment."
"I'm not going to disappear," her voice was thick with emotion.
"Logically I know that. But try telling it to my heart. I've been in love with you since I was 5, Katniss. And we have been through one thing right after another.
Sometimes it seems…" he trailed off, shaking his head.
"Like we'll never be able to be happy together." His head snapped up at her statement and his eyes widened.
"No. No, love, I wasn't going to say that. Every moment I'm with you, I'm happy. I just meant, sometimes it feels like we are always fighting for our happiness and I'm sick of it. I just want to spend the rest of my life with you, making you smile, loving you in every single way I can think of."
"I think you were right, Peeta," she stared over his head. He grasped her hands and was relieved when she didn't pull away.
"About what?"
"About living on borrowed time. We are. It's only a matter of time before it all catches up to us. Before I lose you again."
"Katniss, don't," he said firmly, squeezing her hands. "Don't think like that. I was a fool when I said that. Things were different then. I didn't believe things could get better, that we had a chance of turning this country around. But now we do! You're the Mockingjay, and I your humble servant. Enough of this borrowed time. I'm taking eternity and spending it with you, because we both deserve it. We deserve happiness and we deserve love. I've found both with you, more than I ever thought possible, and I'm never letting that go." Her glassy eyes blinked down at him and he pulled her down for a soft kiss.
"Come on," he stood and pulled his shirt over his head. Katniss gasped as she hungrily took him in.
"I promised you a shower and afterwards, we can actually get a full night of sleep."
