Part Two

Chapter Eleven

I don't think we've ever talked this much. Sometimes we talk a little too much.

The last weeks have created a different kind of dynamic for Peeta and me. Instead of feeling like we are tiptoeing around each other, we've embraced this whole back-and-forth thing. We seek clarification when we need it and occasionally ask for some reassurance.

It's not exactly like having to relearn to ride a bicycle, but there are a few things we're surprised to find out. For instance, I like trying to fix things on my own and it drives me crazy that Peeta always wants to swoop in and make everything better. Peeta likes to lend a hand and it pisses him off when I'm too stubborn to let him help. So we try to navigate. Sometimes we're successful. Sometimes not so much.

And yeah, on occasion we roll our eyes at each other because it's so damn ridiculous being back on our best behavior. Peeta can't help but laugh and says, "You know, we could also learn that not everything requires a 10-minute dialogue."

"Amen."

…

We're huddled in the kitchen; he's making waffles and I'm doing what I do best—watching. He has the day off and promised me breakfast before I go to Esselon. I hold my hand around his waist, not wanting to let any space squeeze between us. I feel like I just got him back.

"I always liked waffles better than pancakes15." I startle and quickly turn. Haymitch.

"Jesus Christ, Haymitch. You scared me!"

"There's something about the crunchy squares that holds just enough stuff, you know?" He takes a seat at the table and I bring him some coffee. "And you even brought the fancy coffee home, sweetheart. How thoughtful. Well done."

"How many do you want?" Peeta is standing near the table with a plate and Haymitch motions him over, taking the whole stack. He grabs the butter and syrup while Peeta goes back to the waffle iron for round two.

"So," Haymitch takes a swig of coffee and another forkful of waffles. "We need to discuss the timeline for you two getting the hell out of my house." I look at Peeta and he looks at me. This was not on my radar.

"Oh."

"Yeah, well all good things must come to an end, right? The truth is, I like my space and you kids need yours. You're on your feet now and you need to move on. Find a place of your own." He looks from me to Peeta and then back to his plate. "Soon."

"Of course." Peeta joins us at the table and forks some waffles on my plate. "We'll be out of your hair as soon as we find a place. We can start looking right away."

I look at Peeta and he smiles, giving me a slight nod.

"Yeah. Um, I'll call Thresh to see if I can make up some hours another day."

…

My boots are laced and I wrap a scarf around my neck, waiting for Peeta to finish getting dressed. We now have a tiny thing to deal with on his day off (and technically, now mine): look for housing.

"I guess I didn't think it would happen so fast, you know? I thought we were keeping up with the housework and meals."

"I don't think it really has anything to do with us imposing on him, Katniss. I think this is Haymitch's way of pushing us just a little." He stands in front of me and pulls a hat down on my head. "You know, love disguised under general annoyance and disgust."

I throw my arms around Peeta and breathe deeply. I need to ask this, even after everything that we've said over the past weeks. "Are you okay though, with us staying in Amherst?"

He holds me tightly and answers, "On principle alone, I refuse to live in Belchertown16. Awful, awful name for a town. I can't have business cards and address labels with that on them. But yes, anywhere else in the general vicinity would be perfect for us, don't you think?"

I smile back. "Yes."

…

We spend a few hours walking and driving around, looking at pictures of places in flyers, in the paper and online. There aren't many listings, but there aren't usually many people looking for a place this time of year, either. There's also a lot to consider in a pretty short amount of time: Peeta needs space to continue his freelance work, neither of us wants an extensive commute to work and I'd prefer something a little more rural. Of course we will need to make arrangements to end the lease in Madison and get the rest of our stuff out here. Maybe everything can be stored at my mom's place until we go back for Prim's graduation.

"Hey, look at this one." Peeta shows me a listing on Craigslist for a small, single-family home just a few blocks from Haymitch's. "We've been driving around all day. Might as well go past it on the way home."

From the outside it seems perfect. The house is very small and looks like it would be at home on a Christmas card. The lot is heavily wooded and it's on a dead end street, too.

Peeta dials the number listed on the ad and I'm surprised when it sounds like we can look at the place in a few minutes. "Great! We'll be here." He ends the call and explains, "The owners live three streets down and will be right over. It sounds like they just want to get someone in here."

I open my door and get out of the truck to walk around. Peeta does the same, checking out the neighboring homes. "Am I the only one who cannot wrap their head around the last few weeks?"

"You mean you didn't anticipate fighting, having a come-to-Jesus and getting kicked out of your uncle's house?" We both start laughing. "It's been a pretty solid month, huh?"

The owners pull up behind us and we shake their hands before assuring them that we are not students and then head inside. The place is clean, with a kitchen, living room, den and bathroom on the first floor. The upstairs is open with sloped ceilings, ideal for a bedroom. Small doesn't do it justice. It's about the size of a postage stamp.

It's perfect.

"We know it's tiny, but there's plenty of storage in the basement and laundry, too. Doesn't take much to keep it warm in the winter and the fireplace works. There's a garage and you'd be responsible for snow removal and general upkeep. Rent is due on the first of the month, no exceptions."

I ask, "Do you mind if we walk around again?"

"Sure, take your time." They head outside to the garage to give us some space.

We walk down the stairs to the basement: it's nothing spectacular, but it's dry and has plenty of shelving. According to Peeta, the kitchen is small (no kidding) but workable. It'll be different just having the one bathroom on the main floor but the fireplace is a huge bonus. Plus, it's close to Haymitch's: I'd like to keep tabs on the old man and I want him to be part of our lives, too. Upstairs I look out each of the windows and turn to face Peeta.

"We'll need to start looking at Goodwill for some essentials, I guess. At least until we're able to get our stuff from Madison."

"Right. We can make due with a few things until then. We should just go to Bob's17 and get a new mattress though. Do you think Haymitch will let us borrow a few things?"

I nod absently, looking around and then back at Peeta. "What about your art? Will the space downstairs be enough for you?"

"It's great. It's on the main floor, so there's perfect access to everything I need and the lighting is good." He smiles and stands in front of me. "Katniss, I think this place is about as perfect as it's going to get on our budget. I love it. I say we take it and be done with looking."

I hold his face between my hands and kiss him my 'yes.' "Well, let's see when we can move in." I take his hand and we walk downstairs18.

…

"What do you mean you found a place?" Haymitch is at the table, beer in hand and Peeta's at the stove. I grab two beers from the fridge and pop them open, handing one over to Peeta before taking a sip.

"We found a place over on Shattuck Road this afternoon and we can move in this week. The owners are going to do a quick once-over for repairs and then we'll pack up."

"Yeah, but is the place decent? You'll probably get shit for heat and then what?" He shakes his head and continues, "You should have let me take a look before signing a lease, sweetheart."

Peeta interjects, "Haymitch, I think it looks great. Katniss and I have rented before and it's nearby. I doubt we could have done better."

I smirk. "And we're close enough to stop by for nurturing talks, heart-to-hearts and cozy family meals. It'll be like we never left."

"I told you I want my space, so don't get any grand ideas about dinners with Haymitch." He begins peeling the label off of his bottle and lifts his eyes to mine. "But I figure you'll need a few things to get started. You can take what you need, just until you get settled. This is still my stuff."

"Thank you, Haymitch." I take plates of food from Peeta and place them on the table. Once Peeta's seated we dig in. "But the weekly dinner is a non-negotiable."

…

If you think about it, there's not much to pack. Clothing, mostly. Some books, Peeta's art supplies. The bed was delivered yesterday and we've taken over a few kitchen items like pots, plates, silverware, glasses and utensils. We scavenged around some of the thrift stores, too and have a random assortment of lamps and tables, plus a dresser for the bedroom and a tiny TV for downstairs. Oh, and a Crock Pot! Haymitch even pitched in some towels and sheets for the interim, while coworkers have offered us everything from an old couch (yes, please) to a shag rug (thanks, but no).

"Katniss, I think that's everything." Peeta calls up the stairs and I quickly take one last look around. "Come on, one more trip."

These rooms have been my refuge many times over the years. It's bittersweet to close the doors again.

I walk downstairs and look around for anything I missed, knowing that I can come back any time. "God, this place looks completely different from when I first came here. 'Disgusting' wouldn't accurately describe it."

Peeta snorts and adds, "And it will probably look completely different after 24 hours of all-Haymitch all the time." He holds my hand. "You okay?"

My smile is a mixture of 'yes,' 'maybe' and 'I hope so.' "A lot happened here, you know? Things were fixed."

"I know." He holds me close. "Who knew that it would take a practically condemned house and cranky distiller to realign the planets?"

I laugh and squeeze him back. I know we'll be here often enough and I'm ready to start again in the new place. "Okay. Let's go unpack and christen the place."

"I like the way you think."

End Part Two

Chapter Eleven Notes:
16. Belchertown. This is a real town and I really did refuse to live there based on the name.
17. Bob's. It's a New England furniture distributor. You know that local business that has the most annoying commercials ever? The kind of commercial that you mimic, make fun of and/or quickly turn the channel to avoid? Yeah, that's Bob's.
18. A general note about them finding a place. Yes, it is fast. This is exactly how I found my first place in Amherst, so to everyone who says "No way that could have happened," it can, it did and it was fun.

Author's Note: so that's part two. I'll be posting it to tumblr sooner or later (sunfishdunes) and then it's on to part three, which is the final installment. Thanks for reading!