At first I'm too shocked to do anything, but then I run away. It's the first time I witness Peeta having a flashback since he's back in Twelve, which also means it's the first time I don't have anyone to protect me. I don't know if it's safe to go home. Will he come after me? Haymitch may be too drunk to help me. I also don't want to endanger Thom and Delly – they are living in the new Justice Building. No one else lives nearby.

I choose to run to the woods and climb a tree. I stay there for two or three hours until I realize that if I stay much longer I'll be dead by the morning anyway. The night is freezing cold and I didn't bring a coat.

I decide to go home and lock the doors and windows. Then I crash on the couch with a blanket covering me and put a large knife under the pillow, just in case. I don't want to hurt Peeta, but I need to defend myself. I don't sleep at all during the night.

And then it's morning. Someone is knocking at the front door and doesn't even try to open it. It's an unusual occurrence, as Sae, Haymitch and Peeta know they don't need to knock, other people rarely try to see me and I don't want to see anyone else. So I ignore it, but the person doesn't seem to give up. It makes me nervous. But I open the door anyway as I put on my robe.

"I told you many times that you don't need to knock," I say as I open the door, and he doesn't point out that it would be pointless, since I've just unlocked it.

"I wasn't sure if you wanted me to go inside after last night," Peeta replies, sheepishly, carrying my freshly baked breakfast in a basket. I study his face, which doesn't frighten me anymore. He looks like I feel. I'm sure he didn't sleep at all last night.

"Come in," I say as I walk into the kitchen.

Peeta follows me hesitantly and deposits the food on the table while I make tea. Greasy Sae doesn't come every day anymore. Since I got my own baker back, she just comes to clean the house twice a week.

"I thought you were cured," I say after some minutes of silence, seeing that he hasn't touched his food, "I didn't think they would let you come back if you weren't."

"I'm doing much better. But I don't know if I'll ever be totally cured. I should have told you," Peeta replies, mortified, "Are you – Were you afraid?"

"A little."

"I didn't touch you, did I?"

"No, you told me to run away, and I did."

He nods and sighs in relief, "Were you okay after?"

"I ran to the woods and climbed the biggest tree. I came back when I realized I would freeze."

Tears flood his eyes, "I think I should go away," he says.

"To your house?"

"Away from Twelve."

"Because of this?"

"It's reason enough. You shouldn't be choosing between being attacked or freezing to death." His food remains untouched.

"You'll stay. And I don't want to hear you say it ever again," I say, as I pull my chair to his side and start feeding him in the mouth. He fluctuates between looking intently into my eyes when I offer him the food and eating it with his own eyes faintly closed. When he's properly fed, I see the state of his hands.

"You're bleeding, Peeta!" I say and jump in the direction of the cupboard in order to get my first aid kit.

"I must have touched some pieces of shattered glass, I don't care," he shrugs.

I clean and bandage his wounds. Then I see a small scar in his hand, already healed.

"Peeta... Is this what I think it is?"

"Oh. May I present you to my Katniss bite?" He chuckles, "From the day you executed Coin."

I feel bad for him, but find the scar really sweet and feel almost nostalgic. This is a scar that eternizes yet another time this boy saved my life. He's full of those. But this takes me to the moment he stopped me from biting the nightlock and I bit his hand instead.

"I don't even know what to say," I giggle in embarrassment.

"You don't have to say anything. I just hope it never fades. This is the scar I love the most."

What a strange thing for him to say. I don't know how to answer, so we make playful conversation while I wash the dishes. I won't let him help me so he doesn't spoil his bandages. It's nice to be in front of the sink while his back leans on the cupboard and his hand touches my hip inadvertently.

Then, someone's knocking at the door.

"How come everyone decided to knock at my door today?" I say and Peeta heads to the door. Seconds later, Delly comes into the kitchen and involves me in a tight hug.

"Good morning, Katniss! I was glad to find Peeta here. How is married life treating you?"

"Fine, I guess. You?"

"I have something to tell you both," Delly squeals, "I'm expecting a baby. After only one month of marriage!"

"Oh. Congratulations, Delly. I'm sure Thom is very happy," I say, awkwardly. I don't know Thom that well, I'm just being polite.

"Oh, he is. Don't you say anything, Peeta? You're going to be an uncle!"

Peeta winces, "Congratulations," he says, staring at the floor.

"I'm sorry, Peeta. I shouldn't have said that. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, Dells."

I don't understand Peeta's reaction. He loves children and Delly is like a sister to him, so I would expect him to be overjoyed. I wonder if his torture in the Capitol has rendered him unable to have his own children. I know it would make him miserable. Delly would know about that, but I know nothing about his medical condition because, unlike everyone else, I never asked. I really am the worst friend.

"Anyway," Delly says, "I came because of Haymitch. He's been called for the Initiative, but he didn't show up for his appointment with the Mayor today. And he doesn't take our calls. I was hoping you two could help me convince him to show up."

"I'll try, Delly. But it'll take a lot of energy to try to convince him and I'm very tired right now. It wasn't an easy night," Peeta says.

"Yeah, we really need to sleep. Can you come tomorrow by this time?" I ask.

"Oh," Delly smirks mischievously , "Yes, of course. I'll be here."

I congratulate her one more time for her baby and receive a very enthusiastic hug.

"Peeta," I say, confused, as we watch Delly leaving, "Why couldn't you be happy for Delly?"

"I am," he replies, "But it's though."

"Why is it though?"

Slowly, he holds my hips and kisses my forehead.

"My brother Rye proposed to Delly right before we went to the Quarter Quell."

"He did?"

"Yeah, they knew I had made up my mind on a lot of things, one of them being that I had decided to die. I guess they wanted me to know what their future would look like because I would never be able to see it."

"I would never let you die," I whisper.

"Well, you had no choice. And they promised me they would protect you. Days later my whole family was killed. But I'm so proud of Delly for keeping her word and defending you -"

"Rye didn't like me. Your brothers always laughed to my face when they saw me."

Peeta giggled faintly.

"No, they liked you. They didn't laugh because of you. They laughed because they knew they were going to tease me later about you. They always knew I had a crush on you, growing up."

"Why would you tell them that?"

"I didn't, but everyone figured it out except for you," he smirks, "Even Gale used to throw me death glares whenever he would catch me staring."

"Really? Before the Games?"

"Yeah," he guffaws, directing me to the couch with his hands still on my hips.

"Peeta?"

"Yes?"

"I need you to to tell me what triggers your attacks," I say as I doze off.

Before he gives me a coherent answer, we fall asleep.