Changing the Game Chapter 6: You'll Always be Peeta, a hunger games fanfic

Changing the Game

Chapter 6 : You'll always be Peeta

~ Katniss ~

"When she came to tell me good-bye, there were about two seconds where I thought that she was going to be the mom I've always longed for, a mom that would tell me she loved me and maybe give me some kind of words of encouragement, then reality punched me in the face. I must have been suffering from kind of delusional episode and realized I was living in some kind of fantasy world." My intensely dry mouth woke me up in the middle of the night, so I tip toe down the hall to get a glass of water from the kitchen. Upon exiting my room, I can hear Peeta talking to someone. As I get closer, I realize that Peeta's night companion happens to be Portia. I know it's wrong, but I continue to listen in.

"What do you mean Peeta?" Portia's voice is soft and gentle, mixed with a hint of confusion.

"Well, she just sorta walked around the room looking at anything but me for a minute or two, and then she said, 'District Twelve may actually have a winner this year' and even though I didn't plan on making it back, for just a minute I was hopeful that my own mother had faith in me, that she could believe in me but then she says, 'She's a fighter, that one is.' I mean…I should be used to it by now, she's never made it a secret that she hates me." My heart shatters at Peeta's revelation; my hatred for that woman growing tenfold.

"Peeta, I'm so sorry, you deserve so much better. She's a fool for not seeing the wonderful man you are!"

"I mean sure, it hurts, but my other 'mom' came to see me, so that made up for it in spades."

"Other mom?"

"Katniss' whole family."

"Peeta, tha—"

I enter the main room where Peeta and Portia share a blanket while sitting on opposite ends of the same couch.

"What are you doing up so early? Are you okay?" Peeta asks me.

"I woke up and I was thirsty." Do I pretend as if I didn't overhear Peeta's conversation, or should I come clean? I go into the kitchen to pour myself a glass of water and then make my way to the couch with Peeta. I sit my glass on the table and curl up next to Peeta, wrapping my arms around him and I squeeze him tightly.

"Katniss, I'm okay." He knows that I know, dammit.

"Your hug is full of pity vibes." Peeta whispers in my ear.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. And that wasn't a pity hug, I don't pity people." I give him my signature scowl.

"It's okay, it wasn't a secret." He sends me a gentle smile, dropping the pity conversation.

"What time is it anyway? Why are you guys up so late?" Portia quietly chuckles and then stands up to go into the kitchen.

"Kat, it's six o'clock in the morning. I woke up about an hour ago and Portia was already up so, I figured I may as well stay up since we have to be up soon anyway."

"Wow, I thought it was still nighttime." I exclaim just as Effie bursts through the door with a shocked expression on her face. She quickly readjusts her expression to one of excitement.

"Why, good morning my darlings! Aren't you just enraptured for today? Ooooooh, I am just bursting at the seams, I am so excited!" Effie trills as she closes the door and takes a seat in the recliner. I give Effie a befuddled glance as I try to figure out why we should be that excited, actually no one should ever be that excited this early in the morning.

"Um…remind me Effie, why are we so excited today?" Peeta is so good with Effie, I would have asked in a way that would end up pissing her off. She gives us an exasperated glare, as if we should already know the answer.

"Interviews are tonight children, which means we get to spend the day together! Katniss, you shall spend the first five hours with me while Peeta spends his with Haymitch and then we shall switch! Once we are done, your stylist will come to retrieve you to begin prepping you the interviews. This is a very big deal, children. Now, where is that drunken mentor of yours?"

"Speak of the devil." Peeta is the only one who hears me as I mumble under my breath. Just as Effie finished speaking, Haymitch struts through the door in his half-awake state.

"Somebody say my name?" Haymitch appears at Effie's side. Effie looks Haymitch up and down and shakes her head in disapproval.

"Get dressed, we need to get started. We'll meet you in the lobby in fifteen minutes." Haymitch tells us.

Peeta and I brush our teeth and get dressed and then make our way into the lobby where we see Haymitch and Effie.

"Why can't we do this together? We've done everything else together." Peeta asks Haymitch.

"Effie's gonna teach Katniss how to walk in high heels, do you need to learn to do that?"

"Okay, I get it."

"It's okay, I'll see you when we switch off." I try to reassure Peeta and then give him a hug and as I watch as him walk with Haymitch down the long corridor.

. . . . .

0o0o

. . . . .

~ Seneca Crane ~

"President Snow is ready for you, Mr. Crane." Eulyce smiles at me and sends me into the president's office. I knock on the door and wait for his verbal invitation.

"You may enter." The deleterious voice of President Snow reverberates through the door. I open the door, letting myself in, closing it behind me. I wait for his instruction to take a seat, remembering the last time I seated myself he nearly had a stroke.

"Have a seat Mr. Crane." My performance must be impeccable, for if he suspects anything, I'll surely be dead before the games have even begun. I take a seat, leaning back in a relaxed manner in my seat.

"Do you know why you're here, Mr. Crane?" Ah, so this is his strategy? Well, two can play at this game.

"I have my suspicions." I respond arrogantly.

"Please enlighten me, if you will." His 'please' is not merely a suggestion.

"I'm going to take a wild guess and say you aren't pleased with District Twelve's outstanding training scores."

"An eleven! What in the hell could possibly warrant an eleven? Some of the finest careers never receive an eleven!" His voice goes up an octave, clearly angry at my choice for the girl on fire.

"With all do respect, the girl earned every bit of her eleven. The vote on her training score was unanimous."

"She shot an arrow at you!"

"With all due respect sir, she shot at an apple." I have no doubt that had Katniss Everdeen wanted to shoot me, she most certainly would have hit her target.

"Must I remind you Mr. Crane, per our agreement, District Two is to be our victor this year. You do not intend to deviate from our agreement, I hope."

"Never, sir. I promised you the best games in history, and I have a reputation to uphold. All I ask is you trust in me to do my job to the best of my ability, and also remember that we have a show to put on. When you begin to have doubts, I hope you will take in consideration the fact that I have never led you astray."

"As I hope you do not intend to start now."

"No sir. I can promise you sir that the right tribute will come out victorious, you can count on that!"

"Thank you, Mr. Crane. You have alleviated my doubts. You are free to go, as I'm sure you have much to do before the games begin." I stand up and bow my head before making an exit.

I speed walk to my office, slamming the door behind me. I retrieve my key from the hidden compartment in my office, and then leave my office to get to my meeting. I hope they don't think I've stood them up, since President Snow's meeting held me up. I check in with my fellow gamemakers, telling them I'm leaving the building for a lunch meeting and they should expect be back in two hours. I exit the building casually, as to not draw suspicions.

'Poppy Shots' is a fifteen-minute walk from the training center, but I make it there in ten minutes.

I take a seat at the bar and wait for the waitress.

"What can I get for you today, sir?"

"I'd like a book about goats, recommended by Priscilla." It's the secret code language that tells her I need access to their secret room. In The Capitol, there are three separate locations that gain access to the secret location; 'Poppy Shot's' is one of them.

"Come with me, sir." She leads me to the storage room and disappears back to her job. I get through all of the locked doors until I'm finally at the last one.

Only two people are in here, which is what I expected.

"Well, it's about damn time!" Haymitch yells at me, and I can't help but notice the boy from District Twelve who sits next to Haymitch, his mouth hanging open in shock.

. . . . .

0o0o0

. . . . .

(Gale)

"Hey Prim, wait up!" I jog to catch up with Prim and her folks as everyone heads to the square for the mandatory viewing of the scores tonight. Mr. Everdeen turns around when he hears me.

"Oh, hey Gale. You watching with us tonight? You're welcome to stand with us if you want to."

"Thanks, but I kind of promised Madge I'd watch with her." I say, unsure as to why I'm embarrassed.

"She can come too, we love Madge, I just thought she'd be watching with her dad." Prim says.

"I'll be right back; I think I see her." I tell them as I spot Madge sitting all alone on a bench next to the library.

"Madge!" I yell out, and my stomach does this weird kind of flip flop thing as her face lights up in a smile.

"Did you still want to uh…um…did you still want to watch the scores, ah..um..you know..together? She smiles bashfully, probably laughing on the inside at my inability to form two coherent words.

"Yeah, I thought maybe you forgot or something." I don't understand why I become a blubbering idiot whenever I'm around Madge Undersee, but I like the way I feel when I'm around her, so I'm just going to go with it.

"Prim and her parents' invited us to stand with them tonight, did you want to? I mean…if we stand with them then we get front row seats." I think I'm trying to convince her to come with me.

Madge walks next to me and we find the Everdeen's at the very front, nearly in front of the screen. Prim spreads out a blanket for us to sit on, and I grab Madge's hand to steady her as she lowers herself to the ground and then take a seat next to her.

The seal of the capitol comes on, followed by the anthem. The seal slowly fades and transforms into the idiot in blue; Caesar Flickerman. We watch him as he excitedly lists off the tributes, followed by their district and training score. This should only actually take ten to fifteen minutes, but Caesar drags each listing out by speaking a few words about each tribute. I don't really care about any of them but one, so I stare at the screen, pretending to watch as I get lost in my thoughts.

After I caught Madge in that tree, something changed between us, and it doesn't have anything to do with that damn pen. The fact that she is involved in a rebellion could have changed the way I see her, but I'm certain there is more too it than that. It's hard for me to think of all the players that are involved in this thing, the hardest one is the mayor. I never doubted that my Catnip had the potential to win the games, but now I know for certain that I'll see her again.

Before the other day, my plan was that when Catnip returned home, I would tell her that I love her. I was going to try and convince her that we should be together, or at the very least give us a chance. I didn't even mind if I was just a replacement for Mellark. Madge telling me that they'd both be coming home had nothing to do with my change of heart but had everything to do with Rory. That stupid brother of mine can't keep his damn mouth shut.

(( Earlier this morning ))

"When are you going to admit that you're in love with Undersee?" Rory asks me as we take turns tossing a ball into this homemade net that I made years ago.

"What! You're out of your mind, I am not in love with her!" I say defensively, and then miss the goal.

"You are too, and if you say you're not again, then you're just lying to yourself."

"Whatever. And when are you going to tell Prim?" I've seen the way he's been ogling Catnip's little sister.

"You are Gale, maybe you just don't realize it yet, but she's all you talk about. It's all we hear around here anymore. Madge this, and Madge that, and Madge said this, and this one time, Madge did this. And we all see the way you look at her."

"We're just friends." Wait…what? When did we become friends? Rory shakes his head as he dunks the ball.

"Anyway, how is it that you think I look at her?" Curiosity is the only reason I'm asking.

"Like somebody shoved a flashlight up your ass, and now the light shines out of your ears."

I avert my gaze to Madge as I think about my brother's accusation. There's no way, it's not possible, I can't be in love with Madge, she's the mayor's daughter. A voice in the back of my head says, 'Then why is it that every time you look at her, your entire body is filled with this sudden warmth, this light that seems to emanate from every pore in your body?' I look at Madge again, and it hits me like a smack in the face, like it's been there the entire time, I've just been too stupid to see it. I'm dark, broody, pessimistic, grumpy Gale who is surrounded with darkness, and Madge is the light, she is the sun.

"…wonder how old she is?" I catch the butt of Madge's sentence, jolting me back to the present.

"Huh? What? Sorry, I was thinking about something." Madge points up to the screen referring to one of the tributes.

"The little girl who's right next to that great big giant, I wonder how old she is, she can't be any older than twelve, although she looks like she's about nine years old." The look on Madge's face is laced with pain, and I can't help but think if Katniss hadn't volunteered, that could be Prim up there.

"That was almost Prim." Holy shit, can Madge read my thoughts?

"They're next!" Madge grabs my hand in excitement, or maybe it's for support, and my instincts would normally jerk away from her, but instead, I accept her hand, needing the support for myself. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

"And now, Peeta Mellark, from District Twelve, with an amazing score of...Wow, can you believe it folks, a TEN!" Caesar shouts with excitement.

The entire population of Twelve erupts in a roar of excitement as I hear them cheering, whistling, and screaming out in pride. I look to see Prim's reaction and suddenly notice the baker has joined our little group. When did he get here?

Madge and I lock our eyes in shock as District Twelve's tributes have never scored above a six, at least not that I recall in my lifetime. Mellark is not my favorite person in the world, but this has to be a good sign. If he scored a ten, Katniss can surely earn a ten as well.

"And now….. Last but not least, all the way from District Twelve, the lovely… Katniss Everdeeeeeeen— The Girl on Fire, with a score of...OH MY GOD FOLKS, with a score of an eleven!"

I watch Madge's facial expression go through the proper motions, but something isn't right. Her smile is there, she's jumping up and shouting along with everyone else, but something isn't adding up. She knows something the rest of us aren't privy to, or at the very least she suspects something, and I intend to find out.

. . . . .

0o0o

. . . . .

(Dylan Everdeen)

After Lilly, Prim and I walk back home from the mandatory viewing of the games tonight, I already know Primrose is much too excited to go straight to bed. It is nearly unheard of for one of District Twelve's tributes to receive a decent score, but to have both of our tributes outscore the career's is beyond anything we could ever imagine.

A ten and an eleven will get them plenty of sponsors, but it will also shoot them to the very top of the career's hit list. I keep telling myself over and over that they're smart, they'll figure it out. At least it's what I hope. I just hope they aren't so overcome with joy at the prospect of having the highest training scores, that they don't ignore the fact that this puts them in so much more danger than if they had received a mediocre score.

"Okay Dylan, it's time to spill." I'm not expecting her as she bursts into our room, disrupting me from my thoughts.

"What? Spill? Spill what?" I say playing dumb.

"I'm not an idiot, Dylan, I know something is bothering you. I don't usually pry, but you're my husband and I know you. I 'know' something is off and that your reaction tonight was all for show, and you've been acting strange ever since you came home. You asked me not to ask you about your trip, and I haven't, but I have a feeling this has something to do with that trip, so yeah…spill." I hold my head down in shame, knowing she is right.

"Not here, Lil." She understands that my words aren't safe in our home. We finally manage to get Primrose tucked into bed, and then we leave under the guise of taking a moonlit walk under the stars to our secret place, where no recording devices can penetrate. By the time we reach the fence, the electricity has been severed. We duck under the fence and head in the direction of the lake. We climb the rocks that lead us to the waterfall where we pass through the wall of water to the other side. I hand Lilly a towel to dry her face as we sit on a stack of rocks that jut out above the water.

She looks at me intently, waiting for my explanation. As excited as I am to finally share this burden with my amazing, supportive wife, she will no longer be oblivious to the goings on around us, which could very well put her life in danger. Uncertain as to how I feel about this, I can no longer continue this charade.

"Haymitch sent me to District Thirteen a few weeks ago to speak with their leader." If she's shocked at my revelation to the existence of District Thirteen, she doesn't show it. She doesn't interrupt me once as I explain how President Coin contacted Ric, who discussed it with Haymitch. I tell her about the tree in the middle of the woods with the connecting tunnels, and about my hike to this supposed district. She doesn't flinch as I describe the elevator in their woods, and the fact that they live underground. And then we get to the real stuff.

"My first night there, just as I was about to go to bed, there was a knock on my door. This man comes in and tells me I can't let President Coin know that we spoke.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"I don't understand, why not?"

"First, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Cinna Beauxregard and I am merely a visitor here in Thirteen. My home resides in The Capitol. I am an undercover rebel who has taken cover as an up and coming stylist for the games. I assure you; I am on your side. We don't have long, but I must warn you of Alma Coin, District Thirteen's president. While she is not evil to the extent of President Snow, her intentions to strip him of his power is anything but pure. I fear she has her own agenda with your daughter.

You must agree with her, to her uh…'proposition' if you will. If you refuse, she will proceed without you, thus rendering you helpless….leaving you alone in the dark, if you will. By accepting her request to use your daughter, you will be invited to the inside, privy to her plans. There are many who fear her and are too frightened to question her motives here in Thirteen. But I promise you that there are many of us on your side, willing to ensure the safety of your daughter." And just like that, he's gone as quickly as he appeared.

The next morning, at 'zero-seven-hundred' which just means 7:00am, I was brought into the 'war room' where the highest officials gather to discuss their plans.

"Good morning Mr. Everdeen, I trust you slept well?" Coin greets me, shaking my hand and offering me a seat.

"I did, thanks." I respond, uneasy as to what she wants from me.

"I asked you here Mr. Everdeen, to ask you for your help. I want to put an end to President Coriolanus Snow, and his dictatorship vision of power, as well as putting an end of these atrocious Hunger Games. However, I cannot do it alone, which is where you come in." There is no emotion in this woman, and that is a frightening thought.

"How exactly do you presume I can help?"

"It's not you who can help our country, but your eldest daughter. Katniss, I believe?"

"Katniss is a sixteen-year-old girl, what can she possibly do?"

"Mr. Everdeen, in order to put this revolution into motion, we need the support of the other districts. Obviously having all of them behind us will result in the optimal outcome, but a majority will suffice. In order to gain their support, they must first believe in themselves. In order to believe in themselves, they must have hope.

Currently, there is no hope, as President Snow keeps it under lock and key with the use of his Hunger Games. I'm not sure if you're aware of our advanced technology, but several years ago, one of my computer programmers was finally able to hack into The Capitol's video surveillance system. Since then, we have several technicians who sole job is to watch the monitors, looking for someone in particular."

I continue to stare at this woman as she pleads her case, without interruption.

"I'm pleased to say that after years and years of searching for the perfect candidate, one of my people noticed a girl. She was a scrawny little thing, but you could see the fire in her eyes. At only twelve years old, she emanated strength, and power. At twelve years old, she was defying The Capitol as she trespassed under the fence to enter the forbidden forest to hunt, all in the name of feeding her family.

This girl had bravado in spades and was loyal to a fault. Her only vulnerability was her unwavering love and devotion for her sister. She appeared to be willing to die to protect her sister. We watched her for several years, as we must be certain that these…ah…abilities were not temporary. Does this girl ring familiar to you, Mr. Everdeen?"

"Katniss." It comes out in a hushed whisper, but it comes out none the less. Recalling my conversation with Cinna last night, I know my final response is to go along with this woman and her plan, but if I immediately agree, won't that seem suspicious? "What exactly do you want with my daughter?"

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"This woman scares me, Lilly, but I'm more scared for Katniss. President Coin has a way with her precision for words, but I'm well versed at reading in-between the lines. If I said no, she would find a way to hurt us and she would follow through with her plan. The only way to keep us all safe was to agree for her to rig the games.

She promised that was the extent of her using Katniss. To rig the reaping ball, and she would ensure she came back home. God Lilly, I can't believe I let them do it, I sent my daughter off to the slaughter. But then they called Peeta's name…"

I'm terrified as I await her response, does she agree that I'm a horrible father, will she leave me? But she's Lilly, and she's amazing, and she loves me and has always supported me, I feel guilty for doubting her, even for just a moment. She pulls me into her arms and just holds me.

"I'm so sorry that you've had to do this alone, but you're not alone anymore." I pull back and look into her eyes.

"You're not mad at me?"

"Oh yes, I am very mad, but what's done is done, the only thing we can do is move forward. So, are you telling me that Katniss will win the games? Dylan, Peeta is in there with her, and I'm not certain, but I have a pretty strong feeling that she will not willingly come home without him. I see the way she looks at him."

"And how is that?"

"It's the same way I look at you."

"Did I leave that part out?" She looks at me quizzically.

"There is a new plan to bring them both home."

. . . . .

0o0o

. . . . .

~ Peeta ~

"Where are we going? I thought we were getting ready for the interviews?" I ask Haymitch as we walk down the streets of The Capitol, disguised as women. I have a new appreciation for the torture that Effie will put Katniss through as I walk in high heeled shoes and carry a purse. The wig on my head is so hot and itchy, I'm not sure how Effie stands it.

"We are, just in a different way. Just keep walking, we're almost there." We walk for at least ten more minutes until we stop in front of a bar called, 'The Library'. It's such a strange name for a bar, although I don't know many bars; well any.

"Haymitch, you promised." I glare at him, referring to his promise to stay 'fairly sober.' He grabs my arm and drags me inside and we take a seat at one of the tables. A woman approaches our table and I do a double take as I take notice of her purple skin. I try not to stare, but it's not an easy feat.

"What can I get you ladies today?" She asks us.

"I'd like a book about goats recommended by Priscilla….and….a whiskey neat, and my friend will take a bottle of apple juice." Our waitress returns just moments later with our drinks. I wonder if it's normal to see two guys dressed as women, who sound like men when they speak? This waitress didn't bat an eye at us.

"Come on boy." Haymitch stands up, urging me to follow him.

"Where are we going?"

"Just shut up and follow me. Geez, it's no wonder Katniss hasn't punched you in the face yet, you ask too many questions." I silently follow Haymitch into what appears to be a storage closet. He pulls out a small piece of plastic and inserts it into a slot just above the doorknob. As soon as he pulls it out, a green dot lights up and Haymitch opens the door.

"Come on kid!" Haymitch urges me. I'm shocked, amazed, bewildered, and confused all at once, but I do as I'm told.

We walk in complete darkness down a long corridor until we come to a door. Haymitch places his thumb over a censor and the door unlocks, sending us down another darkened tunnel with another door at the end. His thumb is the key to this door as well. We go through one more door that leads us to a set of stairs. Once again, there is another door, but this one requires a numerical code to be punched in. Haymitch punches seven different numbers on the keypad and the door makes a clicking sound to signal that it is unlocked. I follow him through the door and nearly jump ten feet in the air as the door slams behind us with so much force.

Haymitch flips a switch that turns the lights on, and I'm amazed at wherever we are. It's just a room with a few tables and fancy chairs. There are two long rectangular tables with twelve chairs around each. The round table also has twelve chairs around it. The walls are solid white, and there appears to be speakers imbedded in the walls.

"Have a seat kid." He hands me my juice.

"Where are we?"

"Just have a seat, all of your questions will be answered in just a minute. We're waiting on someone." Haymitch goes over to the round table, which now that I look closer, there are buttons built into the table, and pushes some of the buttons. The lights in the room dim, and an image is projected onto the wall.

"What the hell?" I blurt out. "Haymitch, you need to tell me what the hell is going on right now."

"Do you wanna win the games? Do you want to go home?"

"Not if that means Katniss dies. You know that Haymitch, I thought I made myself clear on the train."

"If she could come home with you, would you want it?"

"Yes, of course, but that's irrelevant. There is only one winner, and it has to be Katniss. Her family needs her."

"What if it wasn't irrelevant? What if something changed?"

"Hypothetically speaking; there is nothing else I want more than for both of us to win, and to be with her. What are you getting at Haymitch?" My heart stops as I'm frozen in a state of panic at the sound of someone on the other side of the door. I don't understand why Haymitch is so calm. I'm certain someone saw us and called the peacekeepers, and it's the peacekeepers on the other side and at any moment that door will be knocked down and they'll shoot us dead.

The door opens, and although I've never seen him in person, I recognize his face as none other than Head Gamemaker Seneca Crane.

. . . . .

0o0o

~ Katniss ~

I was browsing through this book once, and I briefly skimmed over this section about death and dying. I read that there are five stages that a person goes through when someone they love or care about dies. No one died, but I'm pretty sure that applied to me earlier tonight.

When Peeta declared his love for me in front of the entire nation, at first, I was frozen, unable to move. I was in a state of shock as my brain registered his confession to Caesar. All of my senses seemed to have shut down as well. Once they released us and I regained control over my faculties, I bolted toward the elevator with complete tunnel vision. I saw nothing but the path to what I hoped would be an empty elevator.

Relieved with its vacancy, I pressed the number '12' button, and then continued to press the 'CLOSE DOOR' button repeatedly until finally it closed, hoping the repetition would expedite the process. While in the elevator, I replayed the events in my head. 'No, no, he didn't actually do that, he wouldn't do that. We agreed to reveal our friendship, only our friendship while hinting at 'something more.' I must be dreaming, or did I misunderstand what he said?' I'm not sure why I was asking myself because I knew the answer.

Once that passed, I was enraged to the point that I was seeing red. I mean, how could he? Why would he? What was he thinking? Why didn't he tell me what he was doing? What is his game plan? Doesn't he realize what a fool he made me look like? How would I ever get any sponsors now?

My ride to the twelfth floor only allowed my anger to fester. I could feel the blood in my body reach its boiling point, and sent steam shooting out of my ears. Once the elevator door opens, I storm into my room, slamming the door behind me. Wow, that felt amazingly satisfying. I began to throw things around the room, reaching for whatever object was closest at the time, not caring what I destroyed in the process.

Once there is nothing left in my reach, I sit on the bed. I must have poked a hole in the cloud of anger that I was trapped inside, and tears begin to fall from my eyes against my will. What the hell is wrong with me that I'm crying so much lately?

When there are no more tears left to cry, I feel dirty, grimy, tainted. I grab a pair of pajamas from one of the drawers and head into the bathroom that is connected to our room. Our. Not MY room, but our room, as Peeta hasn't stayed in his room once since we've been here.

I peel out of the dazzling dress that Cinna put me in for my interview and step into the shower to wash the remnants of The Capitol from my body. Once I'm clean, I begin to feel more at ease. I decide the hot water is the only thing I truly enjoy about being in The Capitol. If I want a hot bath at home, I have to boil the water and I'm just too impatient for that because it's not just one pot of water, its several. But it's so relaxing that I end up staying in until my fingers resemble prunes.

I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around my body and use another towel to dry my hair as best as I can, and then run a hairbrush through my matted locks. I wipe the steam from the mirror with my hand and I just stand there, staring at my reflection.

The image staring back at me looks like me, but it's not hard to see that something is different; I am not Katniss anymore. Even without the makeup and glitter and hairspray, The Capitol has changed me. Before I have even stepped foot into the arena, I am different.

I left District Twelve ready, willing, and prepared to die for my sister, I left District Twelve with Peeta as my best friend, loving him in secret and making the choice to keep it to myself. So much has happened, something is 'off' and I'm almost certain my dad is involved in it, and I have a pretty strong feeling that these games will be like no other. I'm not sorry that Peeta knows I love him, and I realize that I'm no longer mad at him.

I came into my room, fully prepared to lock him out for the entire night, but then I heard his voice in my head, 'Katniss, if this is all the time we have left, I refuse to spend it on opposite sides of a wall', and he's right of course. He's always right.

I put my hair in my signature braid, slip on my pajamas that I'm pretty sure is made of silk, toe my slippers on and open the door. As I open the door, the steam from the bathroom escapes in a huge billowing cloud. I'm surprised when I see the person who is sitting on my bed.

I glare at him, no scowl, no, I do my best attempt of shooting daggers at him as I stare into his drunken eyes. "Haymitch." I try to say with as much ferocity as I can manage.

"Don't be mad at the boy, he really loves you, you know. He was getting you guys sponsors." I allow him to continue as I sit next to him, urging him to proceed.

"He made you desirable. Before, all you were was 'The Girl on Fire,' and now every person in The Capitol wants you. People are lining up like cockroaches to sponsor you now. They're calling you guys 'The Lovesick Fools of District Twelve.' Kinda catchy if you ask me. Who knows, maybe they'll even ask for a rule change?" Haymitch adds.

"Wh-What'd you say?" Instantly intrigued, my head perks up wanting to know more. The second my mouth opens, Haymitch shakes his head.

"Where is Peeta?" I ask as an overwhelming urge to apologize to him consumes me.

"His room, said something about taking a shower and washing the 'Capitol Gunk' off." Haymitch places his hand on my shoulder as he stands up. "Get some sleep tonight, big day tomorrow. I'll see you in the morning before they launch you out." And then he gets up, walks out the door, leaving me once again, all alone with my thoughts.

Peeta never comes to me, so I find a piece of paper and write him a note. Once I'm satisfied with my message, I fold the paper a few times, slip it under his door and make my way to the roof.

. . . . .

0o0o

. . . . .

~ Peeta ~

I get out of the shower and put on a pair of pajama's that I found in one of the drawers of my room. Saddened by the thought of this being the first time I've actually spent any time in here.

I was so terrified that my performance for my interview would send Katniss into a rage, causing her to refuse to speak to me thus not having this last night with her. I had to do it though, it was worth the risk.

I know Katniss too well, and I knew she would be utterly pissed off at me, that was a given. But I also knew that my declaration would be the explosion that she needed to gain sponsors, and it was. So much more than even I expected.

Ready to give in and take my chances, I walk across the hall to check on her, when I look down to find a folded piece of paper on the floor with my name scribbled on the top in Katniss' handwriting. A smile creeps across my lips as I unfold the letter to open it, immediately feeling hopeful.

'Meet me at the top. 3 K'. Excited to see her, I slide my shoes on in a hurry. I find the main room empty of any grownups, and bolt out of the suite to the door that leads me to the only person in the world I want to see. I need to touch her, need to wrap my arms around her, I need for our bodies to be touching. I need to feel her lips against mine, so I take the stairs two at a time.

I open the door, closing it quietly behind me, but having the trained ears of a hunter, she hears me anyway. I stand there with my head down in shame; even though it is she who invited me, afraid of her rejection. I'm certain I must look like a pathetic, kicked puppy in this moment, but I don't care.

The moment she is aware of my presence, she runs into my arms, pulls me close and presses her lips to mine. I try to show her how sorry I am and how much I love her through my kiss. My heart races as our lips connect and the fact that she feels something too is nothing short of amazing. She smells like cake and flowers mixed together, and it's electrifying my senses.

Kissing her, having her in my arms knowing that she feels it too, it's like coming up for fresh air after thinking you may drown. It's pure ecstasy. "Come by the windchimes." Is it me, or is something different about her?

Next to the flowers, under the 'wind chime garden,' as we like to call it, Katniss has a blanket spread out. On top of the blanket she's laid out for us sits two pillows and another blanket. Wow, she really put a lot of thought into this, I think and smile to myself, as I ponder how to plead my case to her.

"Katniss, I'm so sorry, I know I should have told you, or clued you in somehow, but Haymitch said you're reaction would be better if you were truly surprised, and it— it worked, Haymitch—" Katniss silences me with another kiss.

"I was so mad, no I was completely enraged at first, I couldn't believe you would do something like that without at least telling me something! But I found Haymitch sitting on my bed and he explained, you know in his 'Haymitch way.' I'm not mad anymore, I know what you were trying to do, I'm just sorry it took me a while to realize it. Just promise me Peeta, no more secrets! If you so much as sneeze, you better find a way to tell me!" Katniss threatens me with a smile.

Should I tell her? Can I tell her? What if there are listening devices up here?

"Katniss…there is another secret, but it has to stay a secret for now." She looks at me with her cool, calculating grey eyes, as if she's trying to read me.

"I trust you Peeta." She seems to understand why I can't share, as her face softens.

I sit down on the blanket, positioning both pillows between the ground and the wall behind my back on our makeshift 'bed' that Katniss has laid out for us. I stretch my feet out and pull Katniss into my lap so that she is sitting in-between my legs, with her back against my chest. I wrap my hands around her middle to get us closer, and she leans back on me.

"Katniss, I'm afraid."

"I am too Peeta, I'm sure we all are."

"That's not what I mean, I'm not afraid of the arena or what I may face in the arena."

"Then what?"

"I just…I guess what I'm saying is I don't want them to change me. If I make it out of there, I still want to be me." I feel Katniss' body stiffen at my words.

"Are you saying you won't kill anyone?"

"No, I'm sure I will. I guess what I mean is I want to stay me. Peeta. I don't want to be another piece in their games. I want us to make our own rules."

"You'll always be Peeta, and if you forget, I'll always be there to remind you."

"Promise?"

"Always."

"Okay, no more depressing talk. These are the rules tonight," I begin. "We each get five minutes to talk business, and then for the rest of the night, we play make believe."

"Make believe?" She looks over her shoulder to look into my eyes, and raises an eyebrow

"You know, where we pretend that we are just two normal teenagers, excited to finally be alone together, who don't have a care in the world other than simply just being together. That we're not going into the games tomorrow, that there is not even a such thing as 'The Hunger Games.' I state matter of factly.

"Ok, I'll play." She says wistfully

"Me first." I beat her to the punch line. "When the gong goes off, don't go to the cornucopia. If there's something within reach, we grab it, and then haul ass toward the west. We find each other, and then we'll figure out how to get weapons and supplies. I need you by my side, I need us to stay together, all the way…to the end." There it was again, that phrase. I see the wheels in her head spinning like crazy as she makes her own adjustments to my plan.

"Okay." She says. "Anything else? You still have three and a half minutes." She states.

"No, that's all I wanted to say. I figured you might need an extra few minutes on your turn." I smirk at her.

"Oh, so our minutes roll over?" She asks with a mischievous grin. "Ok, well I was going to say pretty much what you said, except I was going to say that if we're close enough to each other, one of us could cover the other while we get at least something. A backpack, a jug of water….a weapon. Everyone knows the supplies increase in value the closer to the cornucopia you get. But I think we should try to get something! Even an empty bottle is better than nothing at all. Other than that, I want it to be us, all the way...to…the end….Is that, Dad, Portia, did he, OH MY GOSH!" Katniss' words get softer and further apart as she gets to the end, and then it's like a light goes off in her head as she finally makes sense of something that has been eating away at her. It's the phrase we've heard from so many people. Her dad, Madge, Portia, I think I've even heard it escape the lips of Haymitch and Cinna.

"Katniss?" She wasn't with me anymore; she was working something out in her head. I snap my fingers next to her ear to get her attention. "Hey!"

"I'm sorry! But it makes sense now, I get it." The questioning look I send her if for any cameras that may be watching us. "Anyway; you and me, Peeta, the whole way through. It's what I want. I'm done now, let's play make believe." She finishes.

. . . . .

0o0o

. . . . .

~ Katniss ~

"Peeta, tell me about our life, show me our future." I say as I try to bury myself even further into Peeta's lap. I can feel his body relax underneath me as he pulls the band from the end of my braid and begins running his fingers through my hair.

"I would walk you to school like we always do, except I would walk next to you, with our fingers intertwined. I wouldn't let you pull away when we get to school because I would want everyone to know that you are finally mine. At lunch, when Madge comes to sit with us, I would thank her for spilling the beans, because we both know that you would have never told me on your own.

Everyone at school is bewildered, unsure as to why we can barely contain our happiness, bursting at the seams with our smiles. Once I tell them that you are mine, they finally understand.

After school, we wait for Prim by the flagpole, and I'll walk you guys home and then go to the bakery for my shift. Once my shift is over, I sneak a cheese bun and a frosted cookie and bring it over to your house for you and Prim. Your dad will invite me in for dinner, but I politely decline so I can get home. Sometimes, I would sneak out and walk to your bedroom window just so I can see you and give you a kiss." I notice he doesn't mention his mom, or how much she hates me.

"That sounds so perfect, Peeta. Keep going."

"Once we have graduated school, my dad plans for me to take over the bakery. Knowing that I have a secure job and can take care of you, I ask your dad if we can take a walk without you knowing. That's when I spend fifteen minutes stumbling over my words, trying to talk myself up.

I tell him that you are stubborn, and grumpy, and you can always find the 'wrong' in any situation. You are picky, and messy, and you hate washing the dishes. You always throw your smelly socks in whatever direction is most convenient for you in the moment." I see him smirking as he kisses the top of my head.

"You are impatient and refuse to admit when you are wrong even if you know you are. But I tell him that these are all of the reasons that I love you, those are all of the things that make you special to me. I tell him that I love you more than anything in this entire world, and I promise that I will take care of you, and I will always love you, even when you drive me crazy. I promise to always put you first, and to never keep secrets from you, I promise to call you out on your bull, but I will always support you, no matter what.

Finally, I ask him for his blessing, I ask him if he will allow me to be your husband one day, because it's all I want in this whole world is for you to be happy. I want to spend the rest of my life taking care of you and making you happy, and if you will allow it, would he support it."

Tears stream down my cheeks, at the revelation of Peeta's transcendent words. I have no doubt that if given the chance, those would have been Peeta's exact words to my father. I'm not sure why Peeta's words are affecting me so much tonight. I want to interrupt, but my instincts urge me to have patience.

"I asked you three times before you finally said yes, but Katniss, you made me the happiest man on this planet when you finally agreed to be mine forever. I'm not positive, but I have a feeling that Prim had something to do with your final answer. A few years down the road, we have our toasting with our family and friends in the meadow at sunset."

If I wait any longer, I will surely combust with emotion at this fairy tale Peeta has created for us. I turn myself around so that I'm facing Peeta, wrap my legs around him, and press our lips together. I can feel his arms around my back as he pulls me closer on his lap.

This kiss is like no other kiss we have ever shared, and that's saying something considering how intense our first kiss was. I run my fingers through his hair, pulling slightly. My entire body is tingling in places I didn't know was possible. This kiss is deep, and it's passionate, it's intense, but it's still not enough. It doesn't seem to matter how hard I try, or how close we are, it isn't enough.

Peeta maneuver's our bodies so that I am lying on my back, and he hovers above me, never severing our connection. I need more of him, and I think he feels the same way. Peeta positions one of the pillows under my head, and I smile at his thoughtfulness, which is so Peeta. I would never have thought to do that; but it's Peeta so of course he wants me to be comfortable.

Our kissing is so intense, I'm rubbing my hands all over his back as I try to bring us closer. My fingers run through his tresses as I massage his head in the process, but it's not enough, I need more of him. He runs his fingers through my hair, massaging my shoulders and my back, and then I feel his hands squeezing my legs. It's the most incredible feeling in the world, and then he pulls back. I feel cold and empty at the separation of our lips, and I immediately want the warmth of his lips back.

"Wow, what did I do to deserve that?" Peeta's words vibrate against the crook of my neck as he speaks.

"You have to ask?" I don't want to talk; I just need him. I never know the right words to say, so I will show him. I need his lips, his hands; I want him to touch me and kiss me in places I never imagined were meant for touching and kissing. I'm afraid he wants to stop.

"I need you, Peeta." I've never been the type of person to resort to begging, but my need for Peeta is as crucial as my need to breathe. Our eyes connect and I plead with Peeta with my gaze, and there is something different about his eyes that I've never seen before. Where his eyes are usually so bright and clear, the eyes that look back at me are intensely dark and there is this intense ferocity of wanting; passion.

There must have been something magical about my words as he looks into my eyes for a fraction of a second before claiming my lips. Our tongues collide in a frenzied desire as they dance their music. We kiss and kiss, and my body craves more, it needs more. Peeta is my drug, and if I am not satiated, I will surely go insane.

His hands stay in the same places; in my hair, my arms, my back, and when he gets brave, they make their way down to my legs. I know he's waiting for me to initiate more than this, that I'll allow more, so I allow my hands to wander to his chest. I massage his chest, feeling the hard, smooth muscles of his pecs and slip my hand under his shirt to feel his skin. He's so strong, his broad chest so firm and muscular. He's not big like the career's, but a lifetime of tossing around hundred-pound sacks of flour has left his body very toned. His skin is so soft, it doesn't seem to matter where I touch his electrifyingly soft skin sends shivers to my core, warranting me to crave more.

He lets out a pleasurable moan as my arms wrap around his back, my hands against his bare skin, and I know I must be doing it right. I massage lower and lower until I reach the seam of his pants. I press my fingers into his lower back as I gather up the courage to go further.

Once my courage reaches its apex, I slip my hand under the waistband of his pants and place my hands firmly on his ass. The pleasurable moan that escapes Peeta's throat is too much. I'm squirming, and I feel like I'm going to combust at any moment. He can't take it anymore either, and Peeta thrusts his pelvis into mine, and the sound that escapes my lips would embarrass me if I didn't see the intense amounts of pleasure it brings him.

He can't take it anymore either, his lips leave mine, and for a split second, I'm disappointed until I feel the hotness of his breath against my neck. He runs his tongue along my neck, kissing and suckling, and I feel the goosebumps spread all over my neck, all the way down to my arms. It feels so good; I'm not sure how much more I can stand.

Recalling the immense amounts of pleasure it brought me when Peeta pushed his self against my center, I attempt to mirror his actions. It must feel just as good to him and I think he's not sure where to kiss again. His lips find my neck, then my lips, the other side of my neck all the way down to my collarbone. He has one arm around the back of my neck, and the other arm travels to my breast. He backs up, and our eyes lock.

"Katniss, can I touch you?" He asks me.

I don't think I could form any coherent words if I tried, so I grant him permission with a nod of my head. He reunites our lips, as one of his hands slide up my pajama top.

"Oh my God, these pajamas are so soft." His voice comes out deep and raspy, making me want more. He traces his fingers lightly over my stomach slowly going higher and higher, until he reaches my breasts. I am completely bare under my shirt so when his fingers brush lightly over my nipples, it instantly causes them to pebble, and I moan out in pleasure. He teases me like this until I can't take it anymore. I place my hand over his to put more pressure where I need it. He lifts my shirt up and dips his head down.

He begins placing small kisses on my stomach, as if he aims to kiss every inch of my torso. Just when I don't think I can take any more of his torture, his mouth wraps around my pebbled nipple and begins to suck.

"OH MY GOD PEETA!" I scream out, the pleasure taking control of my every sense.

"You like that Katniss?" His voice comes out seductive as he continues to tease me. The simple act of hearing my name escape his lips sends a shiver up my spine. He is doing so much to make me feel so good, and I want him to feel good to. I put my hands on either side of his head and bring his face closer to mine. I don't go for his lips though, I place wet kisses along his neck, his collarbone, and across his throat. I hear him grunt in pleasure just as I feel the evidence of his pleasure for me against my thigh.

Curiosity overwhelms me and I reach my hand down to feel his hard member over his pants. Not realizing that he too is only in cotton pajama pants, there is barely a barrier between my hand and what sits erect underneath.

He instantly pushes his self into my hand at my touch. I need him, and he clearly needs me too.

"Peeta," I manage to choke his name out, wondering if hearing his name from my lips has the safe effect on him as it does me.

"Katniss?" He can barely get the words out.

"Please."

"Please what?" Peeta pants.

Even though we've been touching and kissing each other in some very intimate places, it brings a blush to my cheeks.

"Peeta, I need you, I need- I want-" I can't seem to gather the courage to tell him exactly what I want, but I think he understands. His eyes light up in recognition, except he does the opposite of what I expected him to do. He peels his self-off of me, and lays beside me. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me close to him.

"We should slow down." He says, nearly out of breath.

"Peeta please, we don't know if we will ever have this chance again, and it just feels right." He scoots down so that his mouth is closer to my ear.

"Katniss, I want you so bad, oh my god, I want you so bad. You can't imagine how badly I want you right now, and I…I've wanted you for so long, and there is nothing else in this entire world I want more than to show you how much I love you, but not this way. Not like this. Not because we're scared that we won't have the chance again, or that we'll die. I want to make love to you, and I want you to make love to me because we love each other that much." He tries to hide the tears that escape from his eyes, but I saw it.

I understand what he's saying, and I know that he's right. However, it doesn't stop the surge of pain to course through me at his rejection.

"Katniss, you just admitted that you love me less than two weeks ago. Let's just go slow, because when I make love to you, and I will Katniss. When I make love to you, I don't want any doubts hovering over either of us." I scoot closer into Peeta's arms, instantly feeling secure. He's right, of course.

"Plus, I have a feeling we're not alone out here." Cameras, holy shit, he's right again. There are definitely cameras out here, I'm almost certain of it.

"I love you so much, Katniss." His voice comes out barely above a whisper, but I hear it all the same. Oh, how I love this boy, so much more than I ever thought was possible.

"I don't even know the words to describe my feelings for you, Peeta, but I know it's much, much more than love. I know that the word 'love' can't even begin to describe it." I hug his arms that are wrapped around me tightly.

Unintentionally, we fall asleep in the safety of each other's arms under the stars. For tomorrow, safety will be a thing of the past.