Chapter 7
When I wake up, it seems Gale's switched sides but when I open my eyes to see the hand holder, it isn't Gale, it's Peeta, stretched out almost ready to fall out of his bed, talking and laughing quietly with Gale. Gale glances up and nudges Peeta with a smile, "He she's awake. I'm gonna go check on Haymitch." He slaps Peeta's arm, not hard, but not gentle and Peeta smiles. "Take it easy man, don't let her give you too much of a headache. I know she is one." Peeta laughs and Gale turns with a smile and lifts a hand as he walks away, "Talk to you later Baker."
"Yeah, we really need to finish this later man." Peeta calls with a mischievous grin. I stare at Peeta, unsure if this is him. Unsure if that knock to the back of the head messed with Peeta's memories someway that affects his relationship with Gale. Gale and Peeta, laughing and talking and having a conversation they enjoy, unthinkable. Peeta looks at me now that Gale's gone.
"What was that?" I ask him.
"Gale was just sharing some interesting things with me." He says grinning. Then it dims and he stares at my hand, "I heard about your death." I begin picking at the soft fabric of the hospital blanket.
"I wasn't dead for long," I lie.
Peeta sighs, "Please Katniss, no more lies." He says tiredly. "I know how long you were dead." I open my mouth to respond but then close it. Peeta with his free hand pulls his covers off of him and starts sitting up.
"Peeta, what are you doing?" I ask, my eyes widening as he slides off his leg, followed by his replaced leg.
"I don't like being far away from you," he says. He stands shakily and starts moving the short distance between us.
"Peeta! Lie back down before you hurt yourself!" I order watching him shake as he sits on my bed.
"I will," he says smiling as he leans back beside me. He brings my hand up to his lips and kisses the back of it softly, and then he looks up at the ceiling and is breathing a little heavy.
"Peeta, don't do that again," I say scowling at him. He chuckles with the breath he's gained back.
"I'd walk a thousand miles with a head injury to see that scowl."
"Peeta-" I grumble.
"Katniss, I missed you." I look at Peeta who is staring at me intensely. I wasn't exactly gone long enough to be missed, but it's Peeta, so I would expect hearing nothing less from him I guess. Wait, it's Peeta. I understand now.
"I missed you to Peeta, a lot." Peeta slips his arm under me and lets go of my hand and brushes a piece of hair away from my face and rests his hand on my cheek, and looks me in the eyes.
"You love me, real or not real?"
"Real," I say hiding the worry that his moments of clarity were slipping. Peeta leans in towards me and I don't lean away.
"Stay with me. Please don't ever die on me again," he whispers, then just as he's about to press his lips to mine we hear a loud cough.
"Ah Gale!" A high female voice whines. Octavia.
"Sorry," he says, though he doesn't seem it at all. Peeta and I look towards the door and find Gale, arms crossed standing by Haymitch who's holding a bottle and grinning, leaning against the door frame. Effie is standing behind them peeking out with the prep team huddled close together to get a good look. My mother stands looking away on the opposite side of Haymitch and Gale. My cheeks are burning by the time Haymitch comes in and is chuckling.
"So how did you two manage this?" He says gesturing at the two of us in the bed. We don't answer. "Gotten seductive have we sweetheart? Or has Breadboy hit his head so hard he has no more sense?" I feel my cheeks burn hotter.
"Shut up Haymitch." Peeta says scowling. I don't know why I was embarrassed. They've all seen our romance before, all of Panem has. I guess it's just this time this is to up close and too personal. How long had they been there exactly? And Gale… Effie moves past Haymitch taking the bottle from his hands as she comes to the right side of my bed.
"Hey!" Haymitch cries in protest. Effie gives him a stern pointed look then smiles down at me and takes my hand gently but still rough enough to show she's excited about something.
"I just wanted to be the second to say happy birthday Katniss!" I look at Effie eyes wide.
"Actually Effie, you're the first," Peeta says a little sad.
Effie's smile dims, "But Peeta, surely you-"
"I forgot," he states.
I lean over and whisper so only he could hear, "Thanks."
He shakes his head, "Katniss, I had it set in my mind not to forget." He frowns, "When's mine?"
"October 12," I say mirroring his frown.
"Oh, right." He looks at me and smiles. "Happy birthday Katniss." His eyes glance around and he leans in and kisses my cheek and whispers, "I have a real present for you later."
Effie lets go of my hand and moves to the door and pokes her head out. When she leans back in she moves out of the way for two doctors who are wheeling in a cart of gifts. They put the cart according to Effie's direction on the other side of Peeta's bed then are dismissed. Effie bounces over to the cart and picks up a pink bag and leaving the liquor bottle on the cart, brings it to me and sets it on my legs.
"Here's my gift Katniss!"
"You didn't have to get me anything," I mumble.
"Don't be so modest."
"Honest, you really didn't!"
"Katniss," Peeta says in my ear. "Just take them and be happy."
I sigh, "Help me open them?" He nods and takes hold of the bag and leans it towards me and I reach and pull out the pink paper. Inside I pull out some black shiny leather boots.
"Well, what do you think? I thought these would be perfect for you. Now you can go hunting in style!" I stare at the boots that looked longer than my arm and were in no shape or form hunting boots.
I smile, "Thanks Effie. These are great. I can really use these." One glance at Gale and I can see him smirking. The prep team all crowd around the cart and grab their gifts.
"Open mine first!" Flavius says handing me a gold wrapped box. I take it and undo the paper then take off the lid of a black velvet box and pull out a brush. But not just any, the whole brush looks as if it's a burning ember. A fire long died and nearly gone out trapped in the brush with kept alive by the coals. It has a glow to it and when you move it, it looks like the embers suddenly begin spitting sparks. "Flick it." Flavius commands. I look up at him like he had just told me to stand up right now. "Go on, flick it." I look at the brush in my hand and then give it a flick. The whole brushes scheme changes in my hand. It's caught on fire and now it seems like I'm holding flames contained within the brush. I stare at the brush in shock. "Turn it over." I turn it over and on the back my mockingjay pin appears shimmering and flickering in the flames. "Do you like it?"
I don't dare look away from the brush, "Yes, it's beautiful Flavius, thank you."
"I designed it. I call it Flames of the Mockingjay. It'll be all the rage soon in the Capitol when I release it. I wanted you to have the first, sense it was inspired by you."
"Thank you," I say again, looking up and smiling.
He smiles, "Now blow on it." I do and the fire disappears, replaced by the coals and embers again. The mockingjay pin is still there, though barely able to see in the darkness of the brush.
"Open mine next!" Octavia says setting a lavender bag on my lap. Peeta takes away what I've opened already and sets them beside the bed. I take the bag and pull the paper outside to uncover-
"Octavia, is that?" Peeta snickers beside me and I scowl at him.
"Yes." she says bubbly.
"What is it Catnip?" Gale asks.
"Um..."
"Some clothes for Katniss during the summer." Peeta interjects with a chuckle. This time I elbow him.
"Oh?" Haymitch's eyebrows rise.
"Show us." Effie says.
I don't want to show these but I don't want to hurt Octavia's feelings either. Peeta reaches into the bag and pulls out the see through black tank top and holds it up for everyone. Everyone's staring and Octavia is smiling and I am dying of embarrassment as Peeta reaches back in and pulls out the matching underwear. Flavius, Venia and Effie begin to question Octavia on how she came across the clothes because apparently in the Capitol they were very popular, very hard to find and very expensive. Gale and Haymitch were both laughing. My mother had her hand covering her mouth trying to stifle her own laughter and Peeta watches me with a grin as he puts the clothes back in the bag and on the floor.
"Thanks Octavia," I mumble.
"You're welcome Katniss. A lot of my friends had suggested that, and they said Peeta would like it also." She says smiling really wide. That does it. Haymitch and Gale's laughter grow and I didn't think my face could burn any hotter with embarrassment.
"Haymitch!" Effie cries, breaking away from her conversation with Flavius and Venia. She hits his arm, "Manners!" Haymitch struggles to stop laughing and become serious again. My mother has kept her laughter inside but could not contain the wide smile on her face.
"Do you Peeta? Do you like them?" Octavia asks.
Peeta grinning nods, "Very much, I can't wait to see Katniss in them." That seems to sober Gale up.
"I'm so happy you both like them."
"Open mine now," Venia says placing a deep red box on my lap. I look at it a little wary, not trusting anymore of these Capitol gifts. Peeta picks it up and opens it and that huge grin he had is gone as he stares into the box.
"Katniss," he breathes as he reaches in and pulls out a green rectangular frame.
"What? Let me see," I say and take the frame out of his hands. My throat immediately tightens. It's a picture of Prim hugging my waist and smiling. I'm hugging her back around her shoulders. This picture must have been taken around the time of the Victory Tour because I'm all bundled up, wearing my mockingjay pin and camera ready. Prim's hare is in two braids, she's wearing a light blue shire that is tucked into a black skirt. A tear splatters onto the glass because I've noticed, her shirt in the back, has come untucked.
"Katniss, there's two more." Peeta says gently and lays a golden picture frame on top of the one in my hands, blocking Prim's smiling face and replacing her with a man I had considered a really good friend. In this photo, I'm wearing the dress Cinna made me for the big party in Snow's mansion on the Victory Tour. I'm hugging Cinna's neck and laughing as Cinna one arm hugs me and kisses my cheek. I can just see Peeta in the corner of the picture, but I know it's him. The next picture Peeta places in front of me is a picture of Cinna and the prep team smiling.
"Cinna had us all take that during you Games, he wrote on the back of it," Venia says. I turn the frame over and take the picture out and look at the back. And all it said was "Remember, girl on fire. I'm still betting on you." I slipped the picture back in its frame as tears fell.
"Well, the party seems to be going just fine, you aren't supposed to make the birthday girl cry. What have you done now Haymitch?" I look up and see Plutarch enter with something in his arms. Peeta takes the pictures gently rom me and set them carefully in the box.
"I have a bone to pick with you Plutarch," Peeta says.
"Later Peeta. Now to reveal my present. We recovered it from Snow's mansion and I thought you might like it back." He holds up what was in his arms and it's a long bag. He unzips it and I gasp.
"Is that my-?"
"Your Mockingjay wedding dress, yes." He zips it back up and lays it on Peeta's bed carefully. "Now that I've shared my gift, Haymitch, what did you get Katniss?"
"Nothing."
"Haymitch!" Effie cries.
"What?" he asks.
"You need to get her something!"
"No I don't. I gave her plenty in both arenas, didn't I sweetheart?"
"Yes you do need to get her something," Effie says placing her hands on her hips.
"Fine," he growls. "I will back in Twelve." He looks around and spots his abandoned liquor bottle and slinks off towards it. He grabs it and looks at the cart then back at Gale. "Gale what did you get her?" He asks taking a drink. Effie walks over to Haymitch and takes hold of the bottle and slaps Haymitch's hand.
"Outside, now mister." Effie tells him. He shrugs and walks out the door with Effie following him.
Gale seeing that the cart is now clear of drunks and crazy Effies, goes to the cart and picks up a rough sack looking bag. Gale's game bag. He hands it off to Peeta.
"Happy birthday Catnip," Gale says quietly with a smile. Peeta opens the bag.
"What is that?" he asks me. I peek inside the bag. There's wood and string and knifes and other things.
"Gale, is this all your hunting gear?" I ask looking up.
He nods, "I figured since I'm not going to be hunting in Twelve anymore, you could use it." My heart sinks.
"So you aren't going to come back to Twelve, ever?"
"Maybe occasionally. I figure though you can keep the gear in working condition and when I do come back, I can barrow it from you."
"What about Two? Wouldn't you need stuff to hunt there?"
"No. Two doesn't exactly have the best hunting grounds." I look at the bag hesitantly, and then I look back up at Gale.
"Thanks Gale, I'll keep it in great shape."
"I know you will Catnip."
I see my mother go to the cart and pick up a tiny white package. She brings it to me and hands it to me.
"This is from Prim and me." I stare at her. Peeta starts to reach for the package but I shake my head.
"I'll open it."
I tear off the wrapping and open the tiny box and inside are three things; a piece of paper, a card and a primrose. I take out the card and it has a smiling Prim on it and all her information beside it. How old she is, where she lives, her date of birth, etc. But beside her name there were an added two letters, Dr. I pick up the note and it's all in Prim's handwriting except for half of a muddy paw mark at the bottom. I look up.
"Thank you all for your wonderful gifts but if you don't mind I'd like to be alone for a little bit." They all nod and begin to shuffle out. Peeta starts to get up but I put a hand on his leg. "Stay," I whisper. He doesn't need any more words to convince him as he takes my hand. I take a deep breath as I begin to read Prim's letter.
Dear Katniss, Look at what I got! Aren't you proud of me? I'm a doctor now! Mom and I have been swamped with wounded and sick, I'm always afraid at some point one will be you or Gale or Peeta. How is Peeta? Is he any better? Don't worry Katniss, you'll find a way to get through to him. Haymitch is drinking as usual and he's very upset Coin sent Peeta out there to join you. Johanna isn't liking the fact she can't go into combat and is having to stay in lockdown because of her anger. Coin tells me you aren't supposed to see combat and I hope it stays that way. I'm not told or shown much, mostly because I'm being worked around the clock, but I think there's a lot more to it. Coin gave me that ID two days ago and she told me I was going to the Capitol today. I decided I'm going to send it to you when I get back so I don't lose it. I'm writing from the hovercraft, we're about to land so I have to go. I love you Katniss, me Mom and Buttercup all miss you. Be safe. Love Your Little Duck, Prim P. S. I had Buttercup sign this before I left.
There were no stopping the tears that flowed freely down my face; I was holding the very last thing Prim's very tiny capable live saving hands wrote, before she was killed. I was on her mind all the way from District 13 to the Capitol, and I was the last person she saw. My name was the last thing that crossed her lips. Not only would she still be alive if I had gotten to her sooner, but if I would have been there to tell Coin no, she can't go. But I avenged Prim, mostly, by killing Coin. The only one left to kill to completely avenge my sister, is Hustler, son and mutt of Snow, and right now, I feel fit enough to take on a whole pack of Careers. That is until I felt that burst of energy and hate leave me and my head felt suddenly heavy and lolled to the side and my eyes rolled up into my head. My fingers let go of the letter and I heard the loud long beep of the monitor before consciousness left me.
*CHAPTER 8 SNEAK PEEK*
I woke up surrounded by Capitol doctors, except one which was my mother. I felt things in my nose and I reached up to take it out but my mother caught my hand and laid it gently back down. I look around slowly and see Peeta through the bodies sitting on his bed, his hands cuffed in front of him, with two Peacekeepers on each side of him.