Effie called after the interview in near hysterics, Haymitch thought that sending him away was the original plan. She audibly sobbed on the phone for a few moments until she told us that Plutarch wants to start things off small. Once a week progress will be shown to the people. Oh, and district Seven has volunteered to televise the Lumber Games with a big festival for all of Panem. Each week a Victor will be selected to give an outline of their lives before and after. There's lots of hustle bustle to do see you soon. Her voice cracking. I turn to Katniss who seems indifferent.

"We're going to be taste testing tomorrow. Very excited!" I stroke the end of her braid.

"Can I taste these chocolate chip cookies?" She asked provocatively

"For a price." I tell her. She bites into the cookie

"Oh delicious!"

"I was thinking we could make it like a cafe, serve hot drink, a gathering place for the residents."

She nods.

"I love that." She picks up her game bag and trots out.

I don't like it when she's gone. I'm less grounded. I get disoriented I lose my grip a little bit. The shining memories occur to me glistening back and forth between the reality and the mutt reality. My home turns into the arena, and I get confused so I grab something and I return to where I am. Sometimes it's not enough. Kneading my hands in dough turns to cracking necks. I'm repelled. I punch through walls, screaming loud enough that Katniss ran home from in the woods. Holding me rocking me. I'm grateful for her. For the rest of the day she aides me in the kitchen although she's not very much help. Greasy Sae arrives to work on the recipes we concocted. When Sae arrives Katniss excuses herself to clean the game for her to cook.

"Should we try the venison stew first?"

I nod. Katniss makes herself useful as well she brings in fresh herbs.

"How are things at home?" Greasy Sae asks

"Good. We're coming along."

"I always thought Gale was her soul mate. I guess those damn Games changed everything."

I feel rage brew within. Katniss is "My soul mate."

Greasy Sae stops chopping parsley. Startled.

"Fire and Fire do nothing but destroy. They wouldn't have worked. She's marrying me. She loves me."

"I know, I know. You have a grounding effect on her. You were such a shy boy. It takes a lot to capture that girls attention. The stars aligned."

"That they did" I replied and smiled.

"Who's making the wedding cake?" She asked coyly

"Huh? Didn't think of that."

We chop and prepare Katniss cleans and butchers the game. Soon the house if fragrant with our conctions. Shepard's Pie, Wild boar stew with dumplings, Crepes. Buttercup howling by the door licking his chops for a taste. I realize that Haymitch would appreciate this more than anyone. But he has his demons to slay.

We store all the goods for the Panem Commerce Bureau tomorrow. Plutarch, Effie and the other Victors will be there as will camera's picking up all the good things which are occurring in the Districts. My brow is sweaty from the labor and my mind free from the memories thanks to the purpose I have. This is my life now. This is my legacy for my children. Not the Victor, the baker. Children, I want children. Of course, but Katniss is a different story. It's she I want though whatever comes will come. Sae and I clean up and she hugs us goodbye as the sun dips below the horizon. We shower and eat dinner and watch the evening report.

"Who's going to make our wedding cake?" I ask.

"You silly." She replies turning and straddling me.

"Yeah, you gonna pay me for it?" She runs her fingers through my hair then kisses me deeply.

"Mmmm… that's good compensation" She runs her fingers over my shoulders and I grab her hands. "Wear the ring on your finger okay?"

She smiles and nods, then I roll her over removing her clothes.

"Now say you're mine" I grip her hands over head pinning her helplessly to the sofa my erection growing, Her eyes fill with fire.

"I'm yours." I press my lips to hers, and pull down my pants entering her. She lets out a cry as I begin to thrust. "I'm yours" She whispers in my ear and I begin to thrust harder. Her panting and moaning cheer me on and I give her everything, sweat begins to drip from my brow and her body once pliable becomes stiff as a board. She's lost control of herself and is loudly calling out.

"Who do you belong to?"

"PEETA!" With that I empty inside of her, releasing my grip and wrapping my trembling arms around her waist. We must have fallen asleep there, the next sound I hear apart from our breathing is the prep team at the door. Katniss runs to the bedroom and I slip on some shorts and let them in. Fulvia is with them.

"Good God Peeta you look like a savage!" She says when she sees me. It's true I've let my hair and beard grow, but I like the look. I'm not the clean cut boy anymore. I'm a mutt. I begin warming food in the oven tying my hair back in a stubby ponytail. Effie arrives and gushes over the lovely smells.

"Okay, so be sure to go into detail about the new bakery and your plans for it within the community. You and Katniss will announce your wedding plans are back on and you will join everyone on a tour of the District. Very simple Caesar Flickerman will be here in the flesh so no awkwardness."

-"Good morning bitchess!"

It's Johanna. Dressed in a sleeveless dress and black slacks with matching flats. Her short hair slicked back.

"Smells great!" She says.

"Good to see you Johanna." I wrap my arms around her.

"Hi Peeta." It's Annie demur but looking bright behind the eyes little Finnick is with her.

I hug her and stroke the babies cheeks. Helmut nods, and Enobaria is passive.

"Looks like you're in full swing young man" Beetee says.

I hug him as well.

Katniss enters the room. They've pulled her hair into a bun and put on simple make up. She's dressed identically to Johanna except all in black her mockingjay pin on her shoulder.

"Hello, Hello everyone!" Effie ushers to big shots into my home along with camera crews and Caesar. "Peeta has prepared samples of the goodies he's putting on the menu for the bakery! We'll eat then look at the site okay?"

I gaze at the faces. Most I don't know there's pompus Plutarch, Diamond, and Gale yaking to cameras about how happy he is to see the progress of his home district. I stare at him. Hard. Katniss entwines her fingers into mine and I feel myself being pulled back to earth.

"Peeta! So happy to see you doing well young man!" Caesar says.

"Yes, I've been busy. Building a life after all that happened."

"Very glad to see. So tell us what have you prepared for us today? I must say it smells devine!"

I explain the dishes and the collaborative effort with Sae and Katniss. How we poured Twelve into each dish. Serving all present as I do.

"My boy this is delightful! Now I hear a rumor about some happy news?"

I smile unintentionally because I really feel it. I stare at Gale as I say it.

"Katniss and I have decided since the dust has settled and life is progressing we should move forward with the wedding"

"Wow! I'm so happy! A true inspiring love story! Miss Everdeen, or Mellark are you planning something lavish?" He looks at Katniss who is glowing

"No, I think we'd like something quaint here in Tweleve."

"Lovely, Lovely. Now show us around! Let's see that progress!"

We stroll about until we stand at the site where construction has begun on the bakery. The other Victors along side us. I wrap my arm around Katniss.

"I want this to be the center of our community. A place where citizens can socialize in the open. We can have live music, and celebrations. I hoping to call it Everlark's."

Caesar nods in approval. He turns to interview Gale and Plutarch. When the TV crews are done we disperse amongst ourselves. Gale grabs me on the shoulder.

"Don't be so smug. Your second choice."

Rage builds.

"Don't be so bitter, the only time she's happy in in my arms."

"I gave her some happiness while you were in their custody. You got seconds get it? If Prim were here this would look much different." He pats me on the back and walks away.

Blinding light and rage. He schmoozing. The war changed him. He's not Gale anymore. He's a mutt. I turn and go back behind my house where I close my fists and bang them against the brick. I collapse. Maybe I am second choice. I can hear their laughter around me, suffocating. That's what they all think. I'm second place. I hear my name being called. She's standing right in front of me.

"I'm second place to you aren't I. You can't be with Gale because of Prim" I choking back tears.

"No. You give me hope. Gale destroys, you bring life. You fed me, in multiple ways."

I look up at her. Her gray eyes sincere. She reaches up her arms and I take them. She kisses me and we join the others only Gale, Diamond, and Johanna remain.

"What happen to your hands Peeta. Lose it a little bit."

Rage.

"I can lose it a lotta bit too. Brutus got to see. Do you?"

There's an audible silence. Enobaria is standing behind me.

"Don't say his fucking name again!" She spits at me. She's crying. She feels.

"Enobaria…"

"Goddamnit! You think we're monsters don't you? Because we're Careers. The lot of you!" She looks at all of us. "We're all monsters! You wanna see mine?!" She hisses. Johanna stands up.

"I do." She draws a knife from her pocket.

Enobaria seems to come to her senses, or at least she's lost her lust for blood.

"Fuck you. We're all the same" She turns and leaves slamming the front door. Johanna returns her knife to her pocket and sits.

"And these are the Victors who we uphold." Gale says cynically "You're all barely sane. You'll all end up killing each other. Katniss, aren't you afraid Peeta will kill you? Even accidentally?"

My fumbling hands retrieve a cigarette from my shirt pocket and light it.

"Gale. I think you should leave." Katniss says coldly.

"Katniss…"

"Leave! I know what you're trying to do to Peeta. You won't change my mind. Leave!"

His lip quivers and his eyes grow icy. He grabs Diamond by the hand.

"Enjoy your life." He says leaving

"We will." I say as the door is closing. "We will."