We walk in silence, hand in hand, already married, in no particular direction. Papers have been signed and we have kissed in front of a camera. Delly has jumped, cried, laughed, hugged us many times and even Thom couldn't avoid chucking at her behaviour.

"How come I just found out that Delly is married to Thom? They never seemed close back in Thirteen," I ask, trying to fill the silence.

"I didn't expect it either. I heard a lot of things changed after you executed Coin."

"What kind of things?"

"For instance, Thom and Delly had to run away. They weren't welcome anymore. She told me all that before you arrived. I forgot many things she said, but after the election she was employed as his secretary. It wasn't a love match. They are the couple number one of the experiment here in Twelve. He wants to give the example as the Mayor, you know."

"They looked cozy enough to me," I reply, bemused. He lets out an uneasy chuckle and shakes his head before getting serious.

"Johanna had to run, too. Annie. Your mother. All of them had to leave quickly," he explains.

"Where are they now?"

"Johanna is living with Annie in Four. Annie is in need of a lot of support these days."

Of course, because Finnick is dead. We were there when it happened. I watched everything. Hell, I still watch it every night in my dreams. I just don't understand why Peeta is grinning so widely. The subject is horrifying, not amusing.

"I had no idea, Peeta," I reply.

"I know. You don't read their letters and never answered their calls. But don't worry, Katniss, they know I've got you now", He grins again. So beautiful, I think. It makes me smile.

"But why did Thom have to leave? We were never particularly close," I muse.

Peeta stops and looks right into my eyes. "Thom was Gale's mate. Everyone in Thirteen figured we were a sham. They associated you to Gale, not to me."

"Gale and I were not a thing," I reply breathless and with reddened cheeks.

"Yeah..."

I'm too embarrassed to continue this conversation. Whenever Gale's name comes up, I feel like I've been caught in some kind of betrayal. Now I'm thinking about the sparkless kiss I shared with Gale when I thought I had lost Peeta forever. It consumes me with dread and self-hatred. I feel so disgusted at myself right now. I try to guess if something similar is crossing Peeta's mind, as the grip of his hand gets loose in mine.

"Why did you accept it?," he asks suddenly in a soft voice. "This fake marriage."

I knew the question would come, but I'm dumbfounded nonetheless. "I want the best for Twelve." I can't really tell him I want his children to grow safe, that would be awkward. I don't even know why I had such a thought. I don't ever want to have children and it kills me to imagine Peeta having them with someone who isn't me.

He sighs. "Me too, Katniss. But that doesn't answer my question."

"I guess I like the idea of the medicine factory. And the army. I don't want to see any more peacekeepers from the Capitol here."

He nods quietly.

I squeeze his hand awkwardly. "Please, don't be mad at me."

"Katniss, I could never be mad at you for this. It's just... It's a natural progression for all the lies we've been feeding the country and ourselves the entire time. The games never end. We just kissed for a camera. It's the same thing again and again. This is not real."

I try to hide my disappointment. I wish I could make it real, but I won't tell him that when he's clearly moved on. "Peeta... You'd prefer to be paired with someone else and start again, wouldn't you? I wouldn't blame you."

He shrugs. "Does it matter what I want? No one seems to care about what we want, Katniss. But we're here for each other. That's what we always do, right? We protect each other."

I try to smile. "That's right."

"It's just... The star-crossed lovers thing doesn't make sense to me anymore. That's not the nature of our relationship now. I thought we could start a new life with new roles. More dignified roles. We are life partners, you, Haymitch and I -"

"Well, I for sure wouldn't consider marrying Haymitch," I say. He chuckles and hugs me deeply.

"Katniss, I need to be alone for a while. I have things to do. Can we meet at dinner? Will you be okay?"

"Sure."

As I watch him leave, I start wondering why the idea of being married to me disgusts him so much.

He doesn't seem to hate me like before, when he was hijacked. He treats me well, better than I deserve, that's for sure. Is it too selfish of me to be disappointed that he doesn't love me anymore?

Maybe he met someone in the Capitol. Hardly. Or back in Thirteen. Yes, that's it, most likely. But, as he told me, he can't go back there because of his association to me. I think he mentioned to Delly that he wanted an annulment after one month. This theory is most definitely right.

I feel sorry for him if that's the case. I don't know what he can do if he likes a girl from Thirteen. He can't go there. He will have to bring her here.

Here! No, he can't do that. I won't be able to stand that. It will kill me to see it. I can't run away, I'm under arrest, confined to district Twelve. And he won't go away, either, he has a good house here. I need to brace myself for the day when they will be here, right in front of me.

Stupid boy! Why didn't he let me swallow the nightlock? Why does he always have to be noble? I'm so tired of suffering. I can't take this anymore. I need to run somewhere...

"Are you crying, sweetheart? Did you get into another fight with the boy?", Haymitch asks mockingly as he passes by.

"Get lost, Haymitch!", I yell.

"Just trying to be of help. Be proud! Whatever you did, he was crying more than you", he says as he keeps walking.

I run after him.

"Why do you assume it's always my fault?" I ask angrily.

"Because it always is, sweetheart."

"Oh yes? For your information, we just got married today."

"That fast?", He asked, but I can tell he's surprised.

"Does it seem like a joke to you?"

"Yeah. I'm going to buy some bottles of liquor to celebrate it. Although I for sure have seen happier brides."

"Have you heard of the initiative Repopulate Twelve? Everyone between ages 18 and 45 needs to get married in order to... You know, repopulate. How old are you, by the way?"

"What? Fuck that!"

"That's what I assumed."

We get to buy the liquor anyway.

Haymitch says he needs to buy more bottles in order to cope with the expectation of being called to the initiative, even though he swears he will never participate.

When we're heading back, we find Peeta heading to the newly improvised post office with a letter in his hand.

Of course. A letter to his new girl, explaining everything. Our wedding will soon be in the news and she won't like it. It's very thoughtful of him to do some damage control. To think that I could have been this girl.

"Still taking the trouble to write letters?"

"Not everyone has a phone, Haymitch," Peeta replies.

"I guess. I'm going home to celebrate your nuptials, boy."

"We're still on for dinner tonight, right?" I ask.

Peeta smiles and nods.

Peeta hasn't come for dinner.

I don't know if it's my place to go look for him at his house. He must have a good reason not to come. I would have checked on him yesterday without a second thought. But things are changed now.

We're married. I don't want him to think I'm trying to control him.

But I need to make sure he's safe, at least.

I head to his house. It's late and dark.

I open the door. I can't hear anything.

"Peeta?"

I turn on the light in the sitting room. Nothing. I turn on the light in his office. Nothing. Then I hear glass shattering. I hear growls in the kitchen and head there.

I turn on the light. Peeta is there, grabbing a chair with both hands. His knuckles are white. He groans and opens his eyes. He looks frightening to me.

"Katniss, run."

"Peeta, what's going on?" I ask faintly. He groans.

"I want to hurt you, Katniss. RUN!"