I do not own The Hunger Games

Chapter 21- Winter

(Katniss)

Winter was my favorite time of year. It was filled with the snowy woods and the warm bakery. The routine our life had fallen into was comforting. It was the perfect routine for two people damaged beyond repair.

I had taken to working in the bakery when I wasn't hunting, just as something to take up my time. I couldn't bake anything, or decorate, but I could clean and occasionally work at the counter. It was good work that made me tired and hungry. And Peeta was there, always ready to steady me, and I always ready to steady him. I fed of his presence. Though his nightmares still bothered him, he was stronger than I was. He always had been, and always would be.

"Ready to go home Katniss?"

"Yes, just let me put the broom in the closet."

I hurried and opened the small cleaning closet, placing the broom in the corner. I still had to fight the urge to crawl onto the floor and stay there for a while. The thought of Peeta's arms just at the front door was enough to make me run back to him. He put his arm around me and locked the door to the bakery and together we walked to Greasy Sae's house. Snow was caught in our hair and on our eyelashes by the time we knocked on her door.

"Hello Katniss, hello Peeta!" Greasy Sae said opening the door.

"Hello." I answered her.

"We brought you some bread." Peeta said, handing the large loaf over to her.

"Why thank you ever so much dears." Greasy said, taking the bread.

"I have some soup for you as well. Come in while I snatch it from the kitchen."

"Thank you." Peeta said as we stepped into her small living room.

"PEETA! KATNISS!" a small voice screeched.

"CALLIE!" Peeta called back with matched enthusiasm. She grabbed Peeta around the waist; he hugged Callie tightly. She hugged me next and her small body pressed against mine filled my chest with hope. It was nice to hug something so unscathed by the world.

Callie talked and talked about school and her friends and the flowers in the meadow. Greasy had to make her stop so we could leave. Peeta locked his arm back around me as we made the trek up to our house.

We ate the soup Greasy gave us and retreated upstairs. I showered and dressed in pajamas. When I walked into the bedroom, Peeta was already asleep. But it wasn't a sound sleep. His face was twisting and he was mumbling softly. I sat beside him and stroked his hair, singing softly in the dimly lit room. After an hour or so I laid beside him, pressing my folded arms into his and wrapping one of my legs over his. I watched his face calm as he sank deeper into his sleep. I fell asleep slowly to the feel of Peeta's body, and the sound of my own humming.

The next day was a hunting day. I didn't need to hunt for Peeta and I anymore, but the district was still full of starving people. I got up early, but Peeta was already downstairs making breakfast. I strode down the stairs and into the kitchen in my hunting boots and my dads jacket.

"Morning!" Peeta called out from the stove.

"Good Morning." I answered quietly.

Peeta walked over and kissed my cheek softly, and then kissed my lips even softer.

He smiled and returned to his cooking. We ate and discussed the plans for the day. I was going to hunt all morning, then go to the Hob to deliver the food, and then meet Peeta for diner at the bakery. We usually ate diner at the bakery with Ethan and his wife Susan. They were nice, and Susan was quiet. She reminded me a lot of Madge, which made me sad and happy all at the same time.

I set out to the woods after breakfast. The snow and ice crunched under my feet, and the wind nipped at my face. I had a good morning, moving quickly between the trees. When I had enough game, I walked to the lake and sat for a few minutes. Thinking about Prim, crying about Prim, and singing to Prim. Then I thought a little bit about Gale, who I still hadn't talked to. But that didn't really bother me. I missed him in the way one misses something they had once experienced. I didn't know the girl he knew me to be anymore. Therefore, I didn't really know Gale.

I thought about Finnick and Annie and their baby Finn. I thought about the summer we had spent in district four. It was fun and a little rejuvenating.

I cried and sang a little bit more and then walked back to town and dropped the game off at the Hob. I helped with some of the dishes and cleaned a few other things. After spending a good amount of time there I went to the bakery to see Ethan at the counter with quite a long line. I waved at him and went back into the kitchen. I smiled when I saw Peeta leaning over a cake. I could see the concentration in his face. I stood in the doorway quietly until he was done and noticed me.

He smiled, "Hello Katniss, how was your day?"

"Productive." I nodded. "How was yours?"

"Productive." He said.

We worked until Susan came in, she was a teacher at the school. Then the four of us closed the store and ate diner. Peeta and Ethan talked business and joked around while Susan and I shared glances and smiles while listening to them. After diner we all cleaned and got the bakery ready for the next day, then Susan and Ethan retreated to their home upstairs. Peeta and I went to Greasy Sae's to drop off bread, talk to Callie, and then retreated home with warm soup. We didn't eat the soup that night; instead we agreed to take it to the Hob the next morning.

I showered and walked into our room. Peeta laid awake and smiled when I stretched out next to him. He pressed me against his body and kissed me harder than usual. It felt hurried, like we didn't have time. But that's how it always had been with Peeta. His lips were warm and spread the familiar lightning through my body. It was one of those kisses that made me want another. He stopped to soon, closing his eyes tightly to let his nightmares passed. We fell asleep curled into each other's protective arms.

Peeta and I awoke the next morning and ate breakfast. He was going to go by the Hob and drop off the soup before work and today was the day I took care of Haymitch. I walked the short distance to his house and opened the door. The smell of alcohol hit me the second the door was ajar. I coughed and shouted, "Haymitch!"

"Sweetheart!" He answered me from the living room. I walked into see him sprawled out on the couch, a drink in hand.

'Good to see you." He moaned.

"You too." I answered, sitting down next to him.

We talked but mainly it was just Haymitch mumbling about his geese. I cleaned up and made him eat some real food. Then left him to his drinking.

I walked to the bakery and helped them clean and worked the counter for a bit to give Ethan a break.

Everyday was almost exactly like the one before. I always knew what to expect. That was what I needed, if I didn't have that steady comfort I would snap in half.

Yay! This was longer, right? Thanks for reading, please review! You are all fantastic!