It comes after the games. Peeta can't quite remember anything. Well, that's not true. His memories are there. But he just can't trust them. It's clear that what he remembers and what he's told are two different things.

Peeta's pretty sure that last night almost ended everything. Katniss is working on a book about their experiences in the games. While all of the games were televised - saving that footage wasn't the capitol's top priority. But Katniss and Peeta fought about what to do for those that they can't find images of anywhere. Peeta actually threw the book across the room at Katniss. It hit her leg.

He didn't plan to attack her. Well, he meant to throw the book. But he wasn't planning to do anything more than throw something at her. He walked toward the desk where a chair was. At first, he didn't realize what he had done. But then it clicked. He wasn't supposed to harm Katniss.

Peeta expected a dramatic turn away - maybe an exit. Katniss wasn't known for her clear head and calm demeanor. At least, Peeta didn't get that impression from his memories. But Katniss didn't.

She stayed. It wasn't easy, but she dropped it and hours later, they retreated to their own rooms for the night.

The next morning, Peeta was uncomfortable. He knew that he took it too far. He felt like the guilt was starting to eat him up. When they met for breakfast, Peeta brought it up.

"We should talk about last night," Peeta said as he bit into his oatmeal.

"What?" Katniss asked.

"We should talk about our fight last night. I mean, I think my brother always used to say that you should never leave a fight unresolved. " Peeta reiterated. And his worst fear - one he didn't even know he had - came true. Katnis left the room. Peeta was uncomfortable. He didn't think that she would leave at just the mention of the night before. She stayed then, why was this morning different?

Peeta could tell that he was working himself into a state of panic. But he couldn't help himself. He took a deep breath and before he could consider it further …

Katniss walked back into the room with a pair of long pants. They almost seemed … padded?

"Okay, let's talk," Katniss said. She had a wry smile on her face.

Peeta let out a breath. "Are you kidding?" He said.

Katniss smiled. "I'm not not kidding."

"Listen, if I'm hampering your recovery, you have to let me know. Last night, when you stayed," Peeta took a deep breath. "I needed that. And, when you just walked out of the room right now." Peeta took a moment. "I don't need you around me all the time, but if you're planning to leave, can you let me know? You don't have to tell me where you're going or when you'll be back. But I need some communication or I think I'll panic again." It was taking a lot for Peeta to get it all out, but he knew that it needed to be said. He wasn't ready to say what he was starting to see in his memories that he lo- no, that he had strong feelings for Katniss.

Peeta knew that he'd been hijacked. It wasn't a secret after everything that happened. Haymitch mentioned it; Katniss mentioned it; and even, his memories had a shiny quality to them where they didn't feel quite right. But that didn't mean that Peeta was suddenly fixed with that realization. He had warring factions inside his head.

Most of his thoughts revolved around Katniss. On the one hand, he was terrified of her and convinced she was a mutt that would kill him if he didn't kill her first. On the other hand, he had images of a young girl with pigtail braids singing so beautifully even the birds quieted to listen to her. Which was real or not real, Peeta didn't know.

He had been around Katniss for a few months now, and he knew that she wouldn't kill him. Yet, there was an irrational fear of her. It was only beaten out by the fear of not having her around. When Peeta wasn't sure where Katniss was, it was so much worse. He didn't need to know where she was all the time. But knowing that she wasn't back in the games … or that their child, wait. They didn't have a child. Right? He'd have to ask her. Really, all Peeta wanted was to know that Katniss was safe. Or at least not in immediate danger.

It may have taken some time, but Peeta had started to realize that most of the relationships in his life were not healthy. His mom would often put him down if not directly attack him or his brothers. His father never put a stop to it. His mom would take out all her problems - and there were numerous - out on him and his brothers. So, while his dad was kind, it was too little to make up for what they had to deal with from his mom.

His oldest brother married another tradesperson in town and got out of their home as soon as he could. He was still around and was quite happy to still be with his husband after everything. But Peeta's second oldest brother … didn't make it.

Annoyed with his inability to get the right color for the sixth time, Peeta let out another groan. He was trying to paint Katniss. While he knew it wouldn't be perfect, he still had hope that he'd be able to get the color of her skin right. The problem was that it wasn't too light but it wasn't too dark. He was trying to get to the happy medium, and he just couldn't swing it yet.

"What are you doing?" Katniss asked.

"Painting," Peeta said gruffly.

"Why are you so angry? Don't you love to paint?" Katniss asked.

"Yes - but I can't get this color the right shade and it's making me mad," Peeta said with an angry voice.

Katniss started to laugh. "You're mad at colors." She said, her laugh still clinging to her tone.

"When they won't cooperate? Yes, I'm mad at them." Peeta said. His tone had started to soften a little, but he still wasn't happy.

"Anything I can do to help?" Katniss asked as she walked more fully into the room. Peeta considered her.

"You think it's funny when I get mad, mad, mad. Real or not real?" Peeta asked. It wasn't a real memory, but more of a question of their current situation. Katniss didn't seem to mind though.

"Real." She said smiling.

"What are you doing?" Peeta asked as he walked in at the same time as Katniss. She was swinging her game bag onto the kitchen table.

"Carrying our food." She said.

Peeta knew that she hunted, but it was so early in the day. He hadn't expected her to be in the kitchen at this time. He hesitated.

"Do you need any help?" He asked.

"No, but you should stay and keep me company. Besides, you should learn how to skin a rabbit." Katniss shared.

Peeta started laughing knowing that she wasn't serious. Peeta wasn't good with knives. He was always laughing with Katniss.

"Your favorite color is green. Real or not real?" Peeta asked.

"Yeah, that's real," Katniss replied. Peeta gave a little nod and looked focused.

Katniss could tell that he was trying to concentrate.

"Your favorite color is orange. Not like a bright orange!" Katniss blurted. She took a second. "You like it soft, like the sunset."

"You took the time to memorize me?" Peeta asks.

"It was less about taking the time and more about I wanted to know you," Katniss said, her eyes shining at him.

Peeta knew the fight within him was already won. He wasn't convinced that Katniss was a mutt anymore. He stepped forward until there wasn't much space between them.

"Thank you." He breathed it out.

"You're welcome." Katniss' gaze dropped to his lips. Peeta took a deep breath and then stepped back and walked away.

A/N What do you mean that I can't just obsess over a random Taylor Swift song and pick a random couple I ship to toss into a story?