Spruce sighed. He straightened his shoulders and climbed the creaky steps to the back of the bakery. He knocked. The door opened.
"Bran."
"Spruce."
They were silent. Baker and hunter staring at each other impassively. Spruce certainly wouldn't be the first to break the silence. He increasingly hardened his jaw the longer Bran went without speaking.
Finally, Bran broke eye contact. "I hope you know we're sorry."
"Do I?" Spruce raised his brows.
Bran met his gaze again. He looked apologetic and embarrassed, for whatever that was worth. "I apologized to Katniss personally-"
"I'm aware."
"And truly, I feel terrible. We would be lucky to welcome her into our family." Bran insisted.
"And yet your wife hasn't apologized to my little girl." Spruce's voice was unyielding. "I'm the last person who'll listen to any of that seam town crap, Bran. You mistreat my daughter you apologize. Simple as that."
"I know, and I'm sorry." Bran nodded. "But I can't force her to do anything."
"Alright, this is the end of our business, then." Spruce nodded. "I won't be by again. Can't say we'll miss you at the wedding."
Bran looked surprised. "But-"
"No reason to take it out on the boy. He can't help who his parents are." Spruce crossed his arms. "And he's got a new family anyhow."
Bran's eyes were complex. There was a vulnerability there that hardened. He nodded, "Alright."
Spruce nodded in return. He turned away from the bakery and made his way down the steps with care, mindful of his bum leg. He was halfway across the backyard when Bran called out to him again.
"Would you tell Peeta we miss him?"
Spruce paused. It was just like him to end up in the middle of another town family's dramatics. He turned his head slightly back towards the bakery. "Tell him yourself."