i have to be honest. i didn't re-read this before i posted it. i'm so tired, though, and feel like it's good enough at this point. i might re-read and edit it more thoroughly later, but at this point i feel like it's adequate. also, if you'll notice, i'm very set on developing peeta and katniss' romance. i will include gale repeatedly, and can guarantee he'll get an ending just like peeta got in this chapter. they'll both have a few, really. so if you're feeling the amount of one romance is getting a bit overwhelming, understand this is how i see it happening, and i write as i go.

-ws

I had worried, seeing Peeta enter my house with Gale sitting at my dining room table. I'm not sure why I worried...wasn't it always my plan to avoid marriage? Love, in general? But now, with the Hunger Games and the tyrannical President Snow long gone, how could I not? Wasn't it something of a necessity?

I pinched myself inconspicuously at the thought. How could I treat something that both Peeta and Gale felt so strongly about as something I needed to do out of obligation? I'd never been the real soft, lovey-dovey type, though, so it didn't seem fair that either of them would expect me to suddenly change since the war ended and the Mockingjay returned to a somewhat normal life.

Peeta set the basket in the center of the table. No sooner had he taken his seat across from Gale, he was greeted by a bowl of stew. Sae quickly left the room, probably to avoid getting in the middle of any deep, heart-felt discussion. Gale stared at his empty bowl silently, and I watched from the head of the table as the two avoided each others' eyes.

Peeta was the first to break the silence, and shocked us all when he directed the conversation toward Gale. "So, you're visiting from two. How long are you staying?"

"However long I need to," Gale said. I wasn't looking, but from the sound of his voice I could tell he was staring at me.

"He's here to help Beetee," I added, my gaze now far away from either of them. "They're trying to string wires through the districts." I could feel my voice trailing, having not been paying full attention to Gale's story while he'd spoken a few moments ago.

"Great. We'll finally have connections to one another aside from just telephones...and television..." Peeta's voice sounds sarcastic, and I could tell the conversation was going downhill.

"We're doing so much more than that, though. We're trying to find a way to use the wires to link each district to the other districts via transportation, and telecommunication..." Peeta was right. Why would we need a new wiring system? We were already connected. "Aside from the individual connections we have to the Capitol, that are primarily controlled there."

I could start to see Gale's point, but it was still clear that Peeta was in control of the discussion. He nodded, almost condescendingly, and continued to pick at his breakfast.

The next day, I didn't hear from either Peeta or Gale. Peeta had excused himself long before I had the chance to ask whether or not he'd be sleeping in my bed, something I wasn't entirely certain how to do with Gale present, so I knew immediately that his trust in me was faltering. Gale had left shortly after Peeta without answering my question about where he was staying. My offer to have him stay in one of the spare rooms went unheard also, and part of me was grateful about that.

It was Sunday (Greasy Sae had informed me that my assumption was correct and it was, in fact, the weekend), and Gale hadn't shown up at the rendezvous. After two hours of waiting I figured he wouldn't be showing up anytime soon, so I decided to hunt without him, assuring myself that he'd only just arrived in town yesterday, he probably wouldn't have the time to hunt. He probably had meant next Sunday. This kept my spirits level, at least for a while. I returned to the meadow with a game bag filled with squirrels and a pair of wild dogs.

Despite the fact that the electric fence was long gone I still walked across town from the Victors Village to enter the forest through the meadow near where my home in the Seam had once been. As I re-entered town in the same place, I could see that a survey team had begun measuring the city square and surrounding areas. The only reason I could tell them apart from the construction volunteers was the brown vests with the Mockingjay emblem I'd made so popular sewn to the back. I didn't want to get too close for fear of being recognized and drawn into conversation about my victory over Snow and my still-debated takedown of President Coin. However, upon looking closer, I could see Gale pointing this way and that, directing a small portion of the crew over toward what once was the Justice Building. I stopped moving, afraid he'd notice me, only to have my fears met with a shocked glance, and a blatant turn of the head. I ran the rest of the way to Victor's Village.

Once back at the house I stripped off my boots to avoid tracking dirt into the hallway. It wasn't until I actually entered the hallway that I started to take caution. At the end of the hallway there are three doors – one that leads to the kitchen, one that leads to the dining room, and one that leads to the living room. All three are in some way connected on the opposite side of the hallway, and there is an archway that leads to the family room and the staircase ahead of those three doors. From where I was standing, I could easily see that the door leading in to the living room was now slightly ajar.

I moved cautiously, setting the game bag down about halfway up the hall. In my own house I found myself walking without sound so as not to alert whoever had taken up residence on my couch. It couldn't be Sae. She only ever cooked breakfast and dinner. Lunch was my own responsibility, and she never stayed past noon. Especially not to spend time in my living room. I pressed the door open slowly, only to kick myself for even taking so much care in not alerting my "guest."

"Welcome home, sweetheart."

"What are you doing on my couch?" Haymitch obviously did not find this greeting suitable, but stood up regardless.

"You didn't think you'd seen the last of me, did you?" Of course not, his house was directly next door to mine. I could smell alcohol, but not as much as usual. Apparently, whatever he was in my house for was serious, otherwise...well, he wouldn't have been there at all. That's what telephones are for. I'm not sure if he was seeking a hug, but he approached me with his arms wide. "Been hunting?" So he was hungry. One of his open arms draped over my shoulders, turning me toward the door, the other directed me to the door as if to tell me I should be across the hall, in the kitchen, cooking lunch.

It wasn't until we were both finished with our lunch that we spoke again. I hadn't realized just how hungry I was until I saw the bowl of food I'd made. "So, you never answered my question. How is it you ended up on my couch, Haymitch?" I asked, finishing my last bite of a leftover cheese roll.

"I have something important to discuss with you," He said, removing the napkin from his collar and setting it on the table. I raised my eyebrows, obviously peeved that he was being so redundant. "About the Mockingjay."

I hadn't intended to be so obnoxious, but my fork clashed loudly against my plate as I set it down.

"I understand you thought it was over, being the face of the revolution, especially after what you did to Alma-"

"She was no better than Snow." I interjected, thoroughly annoyed.

"I know that. No one likes having a price on their head," He was right. I would've been dead before I ever made it back to twelve had she remained alive. "But since the people have taken your side so swiftly, President Paylor would like you to...make appearances, of sorts."

"Tour."

"Essentially."

A Victory Tour. Only this time, it wouldn't be for winning the Hunger Games. It would be for winning the war. I stared at my mentor for what felt like ages, hoping he'd break down in laughter and tell me th whole thing was a joke. Just a way for an old man to get a kick out of his otherwise uneventful life. His face remained stern, though. Still, I refused to say anything.

"You didn't think you'd just fall out of the spotlight, did you?" He asked, pushing his plate forward as if expecting a waiter to come scoop it up. "You're still the Mockingjay, and your stunt with President Coin needs to be recognized and recovered."

I felt my face scrunch in disbelief. And then it hit me. "Will I be traveling alone?"

His face contorted and I wasn't certain if it's was a smug look or one of discomfort. I could tell, though, that it meant I would not be alone. "Peeta will be traveling with you." Of course. "The audience wants to know what drove him to beg you for a cease-fire."

"Do you really think it's smart to put him back into that world?"

I could see the confusion, that slowly made way for realization. "It might do him some good. But we'll have professionals watching him." Still displeased, I stood and began to clear the table. I knew better than to dislike Haymitch who was only passing on the message, but it didn't make the situation any easier to bear.

I woke swatting invisible flames, screaming out to Cinna. This time, though, Peeta wasn't there to calm me, and I knew seeking words of kindness from Gale would be wild goose chase. Especially now that I'd be off on tour in who knows how long. It was still fairly early, the sky still a deep blue with only a few streaks of pink signaling dawn. I figured now would be as good a time as any to go for a walk.

I left a note for Greasy Sae that she need only make breakfast for herself and closed the door carefully, as if afraid I'd wake the other houses in the Village. I'm not sure how it happened, but my walk turned into a knock, and the next thing I knew I was standing in Peeta's doorway, words escaping the both of us as we tried to explain the situation we now found ourselves in. Silently he ushered me into the front room where I sat on the couch. He disappeared into the kitchen, returning later with some tea. I don't remember it being cold outside, but I hadn't really focused on anything so it shouldn't have surprised me when he draped the blanket over my shivering shoulders.

We didn't speak for a long time. I sat, hands wrapped around my tea, watching the steam rise as the heat coursed through my palms. Peeta took a sip every now and then, but I could tell he was taking it slow just in case he had to respond quickly. I glanced over at him without moving my head and saw that he'd turned his body toward me in an open gesture. I took advantage of this quickly, scooting in and leaning against him. He acted surprised, but I know he'd hoped I'd take that liberty. He reached out and set down his tea to free his hands and started stroking my hair.

"Do you think you're ready for a tour?" I wasn't entirely sure if he knew about the tour, but I figured he'd have to find out one way or another.

"I'm sure I'll manage." He started twirling a piece of my hair between his fingers. "What about you?"

"I slept through the night last night."

"That's not what I asked."

I didn't answer and took a small sip of my tea. It had been cooling, but it was still warm enough to send a pulse through my body. "With the right amount of preparation, I can survive anything." I knew he was smiling even without looking at him. I smiled, too, and reached my hand up to my hair where it found his, tangling its fingers amongst his. I'm not sure how long we stayed there, curled together on his couch, hand-in-hand. It felt like that evening on the roof of the Training Center, watching the sunset together.

"I wish I could freeze this moment and live in it forever," I said, smiling even wider as I felt his hand tighten around mine.