So I know I said don't expect anything really in December until break, but here it is! Another chapter! I've been sick for the past two days, which as most of you know, means you can't really do anything except sit on the couch or in bed. So I figured I'd write something for you guys as a little Finals present.

I don't know about you guys but I'm actually feeling ok about finals this year. It helps I only have three academic ones this year, but still I'm feeling pretty on top of things. Now talk to me next week and we'll see if that feeling stays the same or not.

So there's no song of inspiration for this one. If anything, this one is kinda dedicated to my friend who's really stressed out right now. She's going on a big trip soon and she's super excited but she's super nervous about it too. So I kinda wrote this to cheer her up. I just hope it works. :]

Please don't forget to review or add to your favorites/alerts. You guys make my day with those little notices. And so, without any further ado, please enjoy!

Just Relax

This was only happening cause I did something not quite unusual.

Peeta and I had just finished dinner; something simple since it was getting to be winter. I hadn't gone hunting in a while so we were short on meat. I was thinking of the best places to maybe find a pheasant or a turkey when I accidently dropped a plate on my foot.

I let loose a long stream of curses as I hopped on my good foot. Shards were embedded in the skin and were continuing to cut up both feet. Peeta was at my side in a flash, scooping me up in his arms and carrying me away from the sharp pieces of tableware. It wasn't until he stroked my face that I realized I was crying.

It wasn't that big of a deal, I told myself. It was only a plate. But I couldn't stop the tears from falling. Peeta just held me until I was done, not saying anything.

And now my feet not only are cold but also throbbing with pain. The fresh snow that covers the woods around 12 reaches up almost to my knees. Even with my winter gear the Capitol and 13 gave me under my father's hunting jacket I'm still freezing. My toes on my left foot are losing feeling and I'm pretty sure my fingers are stuck to the string on my bow.

I stamp my feet against the frozen ground and give a frustrated sigh. I've been hunting for almost three hours now and all I have to show for it are three thin rabbits and a small pheasant. I'd set a trap for something bigger except I don't think I have enough feeling to properly do one right now. And plus, I avoid traps as much as possible now.

I head over to the pond to try my luck there. Maybe I can get some duck. And if worse comes to worse, I can always fish. The thought makes me walk a little bit faster, my hopes rising a bit. It's comforting knowing I'll never starve as long as these woods are here.

The walking helps warm me up some, but I still feel like the cold has sunk farther down. It's not physical anymore, I know. I'm always cold now. Everything reminds me of Prim and everyone I lost.

But I've come to deal with it. I know it won't ever go away but I don't break down anymore like I used to. Prim wouldn't want that, I think. She'd want me to be ok and to be strong like I used to. So I do, for her, just like I used to do.

A couple of wild turkeys jump into the sky, startling me out of my thoughts. I breathe I sigh of relief as I draw my bow. Finally, some luck is with me today. I shoot the last two into the air, noticing that one of them is indeed fat. He'll do well in a nice stew, I think.

By the time I get back to 12 it's dark and I've also managed to grab three squirrels. But I'm in a sour mood again. My injured foot is pulsating angrily and I lost my footing on a hill and slipped, banging up my back and head on my down. And I twisted my ankle on a tree root buried in the snow about an hour ago. I'm pretty sure it's swollen, but it's been iced thanks to the stupid snow.

I'm growling incoherently when I limp to the door of the house. I hear something slam inside and Peeta curse. My frustration threatens to boil as I imagine Peeta having a flashback. I press my fingers against my temple, trying to calm myself down. If he is having one, I need to be calm and steady for him. Not about to have my own anxiety attack.

The smell of warm bread and cooked meat hits me as I walk in the door and makes me stop where I stand. Combined with the warmth drifting my way from the kitchen the sensation sends my mind numb. I close my eyes and inhale deeply through my nose. It's just so good. I love it when Peeta bakes for the simple reason of the smell. Sometimes I think to myself that I could survive on the smell alone.

"Hey!" Peeta's voice brings me out of my trance. "Close the door, Katniss! It's freezing outside!"

My cheeks fill with heat as I shut the door. All at once my fatigue comes racing back and my bones feel like I've just taken a dip in the pond. I start tearing off my gloves and boots, hoping now that I'm inside I can return the feeling to them.

Peeta comes out of the kitchen, a big dopey grin on his face. He's proud of something I can tell. But the look in his eye tells me he won't tell me what until I ask him.

That look is quickly erased, though, as he sees me standing in the doorway. I flinch slightly as I see in my head what he must see. My tired eyes and flushed face. My soaking hair and clothes. My blue lips and my body quivering as I try to warm myself.

"Katniss, you're frozen stiff!" He exclaims, his blue eyes wide with horror. I drop my gaze down to my feet and focus on trying to feel my toes wiggling. For some reason I feel ashamed. Like I've let down Peeta some how by showing up at home like this.

Suddenly, I'm swept off my feet and lifted into the air. Panicked, I latch on to Peeta' s neck and draw up close to his chest. I hear him chuckle, his chest vibrating with his voice and I scowl in protest.

"I'm wet." I say, pointing out the obvious.

"Yes." He agrees with a laugh. "And very, very cold."

He carries me over to the living room and places me down right in front of the fire. Immediately, I feel a little bit better. Warmth washes over me like I've been dipped in a warm bath. I scoot a little closer to the flame and Peeta helps me peel off my wet layers. Eventually, I'm only in my undershirt and leggings, but wrapped up in a blanket I feel oddly unconcerned about my lack of clothing. All that matters right now is the heat.

"Here." Peeta's holding out a bowl and a piece of bread for me to take. The heavenly smell makes my mouth water and I grab the bread first. Ripping a piece off in my mouth, I sigh with happiness at the taste. I'm still working on the bread when I take the soup from him. Peeta's laughing at my haste, but it's too good for me to slow down.

"Be careful." He warns, holding my hand. "It's still hot."

I blush, embarrassed at my rush to eat. I eat slowly now, focused on savoring all the flavors in the soup. Suddenly, it hits me that this is the first time Peeta's every cooked for me. Sure, he bakes, but never prepares full meals for the two of us. Usually it's me that makes dinner.

I look at him from the corner of my eye. He's watching me, a nervous look on his face. The bowl in his hands looks almost untouched, as if he's waiting for me to allow him to eat.

"Peeta," I say around a mouthful of bread. He raises an eyebrow at me until I swallow. "This is amazing."

He beams at me and I feel a different kind of warmth surge through me.

"I just thought you'd like it if you didn't have to cook tonight." He admits when we're done eating. I look up at him and his eyes meet mine. "You've been so tense lately. I thought I'd help."

"Thank you."

"I'm not done quite yet." He grins at me. "Turn around."

I give him a questioning look, but do what he says. I hear him shift around behind me before feeling his hands on my shoulders. My body tenses at his touch sending pain through my back and neck.

"Just relax, Katniss" Peeta says, his voice low as his hands start to rub. And I do.

My mother told me once that everyone has a physical "off switch". Some point in their body where the right amount of pressure will make them relax. This was back in her coherent days as a healer. It was part of her work. Whenever someone would come in in pain, she'd find that point and make them calm down to a certain point. Prim and I would poke each other, trying to find our own spots, but we never did.

But now with Peeta's hands on my shoulders I feel every little bit of tension evaporate from my body. Every wrong thing that I've been worrying about flies away. My mind numb, I only focus on his hands. Rubbing, pulling, pushing. It's like he knew exactly what to do to make the pain stop.

"Better?" He asks when he's done. I give a little noise of protest but nod emphatically.

"Much." I sigh, stretching a bit. His arms wrap around my body and bring me close to him. I snuggle in more and he wraps the blanket around us both.

"I love you." Peeta says, giving me a soft squeeze. I feel one of the rare smiles show and I turn my head to kiss him. Once again a different kind of warmth flows through me and I'm happy. I know Peeta is the only one that can give me that warmth anymore. He's the only one that can save me from the cold that threatens to consume me.