OH. MY. GOSH

HOLY COW BELLS...

WHAT ON EARTH?

WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE Y'ALL?

But as I promise! I respond publicly to you because I feel it has more meaning. :D

Suze18 - YAYAYAYA PEETA IS BACK... it's just gonna take a little bit for her to come around... THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING YOU SWEETHEART! :D

victorsofdistrict2 - YOU ARE FOLLOWING ME ON INSTA :D hahaha I do update more quickly than I have. I promise. But I have had finals and other school/work stuff so I haven't been able to give this much attention as I should have. But weekly updates are normal :D This will be a series btw. 3 stories that are super long SO YOU HAVE A WHOLD BUNCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO :D

yulie be me - PFFTTT IT LOVES YOU (not sure how that works but LOVE YA!)

kaylawilliams498 - HAHAHAHAHHAHA... her reactions is not what you would expect... (oops). THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING DEAR!

Bella K Potter - DAWWWWWW SHUCKS! I SHIP EVERLARK LIKE I SHIP PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY! MY OTP! I feel so terrible for Katniss right now. I really do. But it has to be this way for the everlark relationship and I wish I could just jump right into it, but I can't. BUT WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN OH ALL SHALL SQUEAL THE SONG OF OUR PEOPLE (fangirling)! Thank you very much about the novelist thing. THAT MADE ME SMILE SO BIG!

MiaBelles - YOUR BET IS CORRECT DEAR! HEEEEESSSSSBAACCCKKKKK! There is a good amount of PTSD in this fic, but I promise not to make it overbearing like some of the other out there. However, I want this to develop, but not drag. DO YOU SEE MY PROBLEM?! LOL She does seem like a lost kitten doesn't she? AWWW :( BUT HAVE NO FEAR, PEETA IS HERE!

SchoolGirl123 - OHHHH PLEASE OH PLEASE OH PLEASE don't hate me for this. The next chapter is where we see EVERLARK interaction. I had to bring him back in the way that I did. It is vital to the story that we see he is willing to fight for her. BUT I PROMISE EVERLARK!

LovePercabeth4eva - YAYAYAYA I AM SO GLAD YOU LOVE IT! I apologize for the wait for this chapter. And due the shortness of it, the next update should be this weekend (cough cough tomorrow, cough cough or Saturday - extended cough I wrote this reply at 1:30 in the morning so technically tomorrow is Friday so today or tomorrow, tomorrow being Saturday... did you follow that?)

HeatherMellark - PSHHH LOVING YOU! Thank you so much for taking the time to review! I am going to keep this truck up! YES THE TRUCK IS THE STORY I JUST NEEDED SOMETHING TO RHYME IT WITH! LOL

I can't believe I have 12 reviews in just three chapters. To me, that is incredible! I can't even begin to tell you what your support does for me and this story! Y'all are so sweet and inspiring and I am honored to have y'all as reviewers, followers and favoriterrrs (or whatever your special name is). THANK Y'ALL SOOOOOO MUCH!

As promised, Peeta returns in this chapter, but their encounter is not one you would expect (oops). BUT NEXT CHAPTER IS MAJOR EVERLARK :D

Y'ALL KNOW THE DRILL... READ AWAY MY LOVELIES!

(I do not own THG)

Stay beautiful

- CE

I just lie there. Like an idiot. Disregarding the fact that my mouth hanging open and allow my eyes speaking for me. He is standing right in front of me, with his hands shoved in his brown pants, with a red sweater, with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. His blue eyes stare at the floor of my room, refusing to make contact with mine. I can see three scratches on his neck that are so perfectly symmetrical that the only reason that could have come to be is through human fingers. I feel a slight twinge on the back of my neck and fear of the fact that I may have some of his DNA under my fingernails. However, they do not look fresh, and actually look somewhat treated. This makes me wonder the amount of time I have been asleep, and what I did to make those marks appear.

"Look, I understand you are probably not ready to see me. I just wanted to make sure you were ok. I suppose I will see you around then." He rubs the back of his neck nervously and motions Haymitch to join him. They make their way out of my room, down the steps, and as I hear the front door slam, I know that my reaction to seeing him, has now caused a web of problems that I am not sure I can untangle.

His P.O.V.

I pivot around as soon as the door slams. Haymitch is about to get an ear full.

"You said she was ready!" I shout.

"No, I said she may or may not be ready. You only chose to listen to the first half." His body language suggests he is right and willing me to prove him incorrect.

"You know what. If I hadn't followed her when I did, she could very well be dead. Where would that put us? Mhmm? You kept us alive through two Hunger Games, a rebellion, but you can barely keep her alive through life?" I shout, pointing my finger accusingly at him. "How is that going to look on you?" more importantly me, but I keep that thought to myself.

"Last time I checked, I wasn't the one who tried to kill her." That may be so, but he is very close to being dead himself at the moment.

"Haymitch, don't you get it? I lost her. She is gone! I have nothing left of her." I continue. I spin in frustration running my finger through my hair in anger. I sit on her front porch steps with my head in my hands. My huntress, so brave, so strong, nearly dead in my arms, and yet through it all, I am still yelling at Haymitch.

"Listen to me. This is going to take some time for both of you. It will be a journey that we can do together. She has lost everything just as you have, and as for me well, liquor is my companion." He smirks. I let a small smile jump on my face. We sit in silence as snow starts to flutter down like feathers being dropped from and open window high above. Counteracting Haymtich on arguing that she was ready for my arrival is just absurd, any attempts otherwise are fruitless. I did not leave her bedside for the past three days. The thought of her dying wretched inside me like the sickness of winter itself; a storm that I couldn't control and letting it rage on was emotionally draining.

"Haymitch, she almost died in my arms. She wouldn't even let me touch her. You saw the scratch. The only way I could get her to hold still was to say, "I will stay with you, always." If she had died, I … I don't …" I can't finish my words, because the thought of losing her, made my soul ache, and my voice become stricken with fear. I let a tear race its way down my red, frozen cheek. As we sit on the steps of her front porch in discrete silence, I steal a quick glance at Haymitch who has a look in his eye that I see only when I painful memory comes and plays with his head. My hands are folded on my knees, and my head is down. How could I have been so stupid? I almost killed her myself, there is no possible way she will ever exchange words with me again.

Oh, but how I do love her beautiful grey eyes, her cheeks that blush whenever a compliment is paid to her, her long dark hair that covers that blush whenever it creeps upon her. I love her will to fight, and to remain strong through trials beyond repair, and I love her steadfast spirit, that lets no one keep her grounded. If she could, I am most positive she would grow wings and fly from the place. However, the chains of law bind her to this frigged place, and she will always be confined to this cage. My poor Mockingjay, her wings have been clipped.

"Look boy. I am her guardian for now. Her mother wrote me a few weeks ago asking politely to watch over the dear sweetheart." He rolls his eyes, but continues, "So, as her guardian, I will protect her, and I will nurse her back to health, but I refuse to do it alone, because I am no good at this father rubbish. Plus, taking care of two people is much harder than just one. I don't want to end up with the both of you all right? She is a handful enough as it is." He smirks taking a swig of liquor, motioning his eyes to the window of her bedroom. I laugh lightly because, well in all honesty, he is a terrible guardian, but a heck of a mentor.

"So what are you asking me to accomplish here?" I ask.

He pauses for a moment trying to find the right words, "Stay with her."

"Always."

Katniss' P.O.V.

I hear him shouting at Haymitch downstairs. I have destroyed my one chance to make amends with him. I grasp the thought that lingers in the back of my mind, and make it reality. He will never love me again.

I crave the closeness of human touch, the smell of cinnamon and vanilla on his sweater, his rough hands, those blond curls, and I was stupid enough just to stare at him. Great job, Katniss, way to make progress.

A few days have passed and Greasy Sae comes over much more often to keep a watchful eye on me. On evening, she informs me that Haymitch will be joining us for dinner. She helps me out of bed and requests that I put on some other type of clothing other than my nightgown. Haymitch is no new guest. I cannot comprehend why she wishes for me to dress otherwise. However, there is no use in arguing, so I open my closet, but with discretion, being carful not to awaken the grief that sleeps inside and has yet to leave me. I take no time in pondering on such clothes and grab something so quickly off the racks, it looked like I have might have been frightened of something in the closet. I throw the pieces of cloth on the bed, only to turn around and see that I have chosen a dress. Of all things, a dress. I sigh in frustration and turn to the closet again, and as I open the closet door, a box stubbles out onto my feet. Since it doesn't seem heavy, there isn't pain in my toes, only curiosity in my mind. I bend down and pick up the box. It's a white box with my name on it, and wrapped with a bow. Do I dare open it? Against my will, my fingers take hold of the edge of the ribbon, and begin to pull until the ribbon has lost its grip on the box. I put a hand on the lid and take in a small deep breath, and release it. Katniss, calm yourself, it is just a box. I close my eyes and lift the lid. When I open them, a small smile and tears attack my face. Under that pretty tissue is the first outfit I had ever worn that belonged to the Capital. The dark green shirt, and black bottoms. I laugh lightly and pull out the outfit. A note slips its way out onto the floor. Again, curiosity overrides my mind, and I pick up the note with care.

Katniss,

I hope one day, this will remind you of everything you have accomplished. You have come so far, and I could never be more honored to be your friend. Remember, I am still betting on you.

~Cinna

I fall to my knees and sob, clutching the closet thing I have to Cinna. As I clutch the shirt and feel something hard in between my fingers. I open my eyes from the tears and look down in my hand. There, perfectly placed on the green shirt, it's my mockingjay pin. How in the world did it get there?

With him slipping through my fingers, my body stricken with sickness for two weeks or so, and the anniversary of the reaping just around the corner, the emptiness insides me threatens to swallow me whole.

I snap.

A scream emerges from the very pit of being and I toss the box away from me. This can't be happening, none of this is real, Prim is still here, he still loves me, my mother is home, the Games are gone, Gale is back in 12, Rue is alive, Cinna is in the Capitol taking on the fashion world, and I am free from fear itself. I yank my hair trying to rid my body of its panic and throw anything I can get my hands on. I see them all, dying in front of me, in perfect daylight instead of vicious slumber. I can't do this anymore, the grief is too much. I sink to the floor, clutching my arms to my chest as it shakes in agony.

I have nothing left.

I KNOW THIS WAS A SUPER DEPRESSING CHAPTER... Trust me ... I stared at for three hours trying to make it lighter but it just was not gonna happen. ANYHOO...

Leave me a little note, yeah? As promised above, I respond to everyone who reviews the chapter posted before :) Y'ALL ARE THE BEST! THANK YOU SO MUCH! YES I WRITE IN CAPS A LOT BECAUSE THEY ARE SO EXCITING!

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LOVE Y'ALL

Stay beautiful!

- CE