AN. Well, this is it! Final chapter. Hope you enjoy.

XXXXX

"You have reached your destination," the mechanical voice in Peeta's geo-locator chimes.

With a flick of his finger, Peeta turns off the device and slips it into his pocket. Pulling his shoulders back, he takes a deep breath; a white puffy cloud escapes his lips as he releases it.

He can't believe he's here, standing just a few feet away from Katniss's cabin.

Captivated by his surroundings, he takes a moment to examine the spacious clearing, the small cement building, and the serene waters of the lake that lies to his left.

The quiet stillness of the late autumn morning infuses his soul with peace and wonder.

He's just begun to walk towards the cabin when the door swings open, and Katniss comes rushing out.

"Hey, Peeta!" she greets waving at him.

He waves back. "Looks like I made it!"

Katniss smiles. With a few quick steps, she closes the distance between them and throws her arms around his neck.

Peeta doesn't hesitate; immediately mimicking her motions and pulling her into his embrace.

"Welcome," she whispers into his ear. Her warm breath makes his skin pebble in the most delightful way.

"I'm glad to be here," he whispers back.

Katniss sighs in his arms, and Peeta closes his eyes, reveling in the feeling of her warm body relaxing against his chest.

After a few seconds, Katniss drops her hands on Peeta's shoulders and pulls back. Her gray eyes twinkle excitedly as she asks, "How about a tour?"

"Lead the way!" he instructs as he releases her.

Opening her arms, she turns to the water. "This is the lake!"

Peeta chuckles. She's so happy, so free, it makes his heart soar. He's not really looking at the lake or its surroundings when he says, "It's beautiful, Katniss."

Katniss beams. "It is."

"How did you find this place?"

Katniss wraps her arms around herself. For the first time since he got here, Peeta notices she's not wearing a jacket.

"My father used to bring me out here when I was little," she explains. Pointing her chin to the lake, she adds, "That's where he taught me how to swim."

Peeta looks out onto the water. His eyes narrow as he tries to imagine what that must have been like for her; spending warm summer days splashing around the lake with her father. It's hard to believe such a happy moment existed in the old Panem.

Turning around, Katniss asks, "Want to see the greenhouse first?"

"Sure!"

Slipping her small hand into his gloved one, Katniss begins to walk, guiding them to the cabin. "Watch your step," she instructs, pointing to a flat red wire on the ground.

Peeta stops for a moment. His eyes follow the wire as it goes around in a circle, wrapping around Katniss's home. "What's that?"

"An electric field," she explains, "It's not as strong as a force field, but it keeps the animals away. I only activate it at night, though, or when I'm not here."

Peeta nods, and they start walking again. They reach the cabin and keep going, circling the small structure until they reach the back.

A smaller building with see-through walls comes into view. Surprised, Peeta stops.

Katniss's greenhouse is like a shiny bubble of life standing in the middle of a leafless forest. Through the clear acrylic panes, he can see the flower beds where Katniss grows her fruits and vegetables, all bursting with fresh produce ready to be picked.

An amazed chuckle escapes his lips. "This is incredible!"

Katniss shrugs away his compliment, but when she turns to him, her smile's so bright he knows she's pleased.

"Did you set this up all by yourself?" he asks.

"Yeah, it wasn't so hard," she says, wrapping the end of her braid around the index finger of her free hand. "Thom sent me all the pieces and an instruction manual. All I had to do was assemble it. It only took me a couple of days."

"Well, I think it's awesome!"

Katniss's cheeks turn a pretty shade of scarlet. "Wanna see the rest of the house?"

Peeta eagerly nods.

"Give me your jacket," Katniss instructs as soon as they've stepped into her home.

Peeta shrugs his backpack off his shoulders and complies. Once he's handed his jacket over to Katniss, he kneels and begins to untie his shoes.

"You can leave those next to mine," Katniss says, pointing to the corner where her boots lie.

Free of his boots and jacket, Peeta glances around the room. It's not very large, but she's furnished it with practical pieces that enhance the space. The powder white walls and curtains give it a well-kept look, while the fire burning in the hearth makes it cozy and warm.

His eyes drift over the objects he recognizes from Thom's catalogs and, without even knowing it, he begins to compile a mental inventory of what he finds. There's the pallet, the table, the chest of drawers, the mini fridge, the hot plate…

On one corner, a couple of shelves catch his eye. They're laden with cooking utensils, canned goods, and labeled canisters containing dried grains, different types of flour, herbs, and spices.

Looks like she's set for winter.

"What do you think?" Katniss whispers, startling him from his thoughts. She's standing next to him, fiddling with the end of her braid as she looks intently into his eyes.

Silently, he reaches out to her and stills her hand. "This is great, Katniss! You have a beautiful home."

Katniss rolls her eyes. "Well, I don't know if it's 'beautiful,' but it is home."

Peeta chuckles. "Oh, I almost forgot," he says slapping his forehead, "I brought breakfast."

Katniss's eyes widen. "You did?"

"Mm-hmm." In one quick motion, Peeta lifts his backpack from the floor and slips his hand inside. With a triumphant smile, he pulls a small paper bag out of it. "Cheese buns!" he announces.

Katniss's eyes suddenly turn glassy. "Really?"

Peeta nods as he hands her the bag.

Katniss opens the bag and peeks inside, allowing the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked bread to spill into the room. Closing her eyes, she takes a deep breath.

Peeta watches as a wide smile splits her face. Quietly, he asks, "You like them. Real?"

"Real," she says, pressing the bag against her chest, "they're my favorite."

While Katniss goes over to the cooking area to begin setting up the cheese buns on a plate, Peeta steps more fully into the room.

"Grab the large pillows from my bed and set them by the fire," she instructs.

Peeta walks over to the bed. He's about to pick the cushions up when he notices a couple of picture frames standing on top of the crate Katniss uses as a bedside table.

Intrigued, he turns to study them more fully.

A small gasp escapes his lips as he recognizes the paintings on display. The first one is a portrait of Prim holding Buttercup in her arms.

The unexpected reminder of the young girl who had so sweetly commissioned him to paint her portrait brings tears to his eyes. He still remembers her bright smile when he gave the painting to her, and the way she jumped into his arms to thank him after calling it the "best present ever."

He knew it wasn't, Katniss had given her far better things, but Prim had always been enthusiastic and sweet. She was always kind to him.

The second painting is newer. It's the winter newsletter he made for Thom while he was in District 1. Without even thinking, Peeta reaches for it. "When did you get this?"

With quiet steps, Katniss approaches him. Standing on the tips of her toes, she peers over his shoulder. "Last winter. Thom sent it over. He sends one every month."

Peeta nods. His voice is thick with emotion when he says, "That's when you talked to Dr. Aurelius, when you sent me that message, right?"

Behind him, Katniss nods. Silently, she walks around until she's facing him. Her gentle hands take the frame from Peeta's and put it back in its place. Keeping her eyes trained on her bedside table, she says, "I knew you were studying in District 1. Dr. Aurelius had already told me that, but when I saw that newsletter…." Katniss trails off.

Peeta reaches for her shoulder and gives it a soft squeeze. "When you saw that newsletter," he prompts.

"I thought you were back," she quietly admits. "But then I called Dr. Aurelius, and he told me you were still there." She turns to face him, eyes glistening with unshed tears. "That's when I gave him the message."

Peeta drops his gaze to the floor. "I should have called you back then. I wanted to, but I wasn't ready to come back yet, and I didn't want to upset you."

Katniss cups his cheek, the soft stubble brushes against her skin tickling her palm. It's a feeling she's still not used to, it makes her smile. "You did nothing wrong," she assures him.

Peeta looks up. His hopeful eyes find hers, and he sighs, leaning further into her touch.

"I came here to run away from the world," she says, "I didn't want to talk to anyone. There was no way you could have known what I thought or what I wanted." After a small pause, she adds, "You were just trying to protect me, Peeta, I know that."

"'Cause that's what we do?" he asks, flashing her a crooked grin.

A soft chuckle escapes her lips. "Yeah. That's what we do."

XXXXX

Peeta and Katniss eat a quiet breakfast by the fire and then decide to go out for a walk. Katniss begins their tour by showing him the outhouse and the sink where she washes her utensils and her clothes.

"My father said this was a camp site before the dark days," she explains. "People came here with their tents and slept there. But they had these facilities they all could share. My cabin was probably the manager's office. That's why it doesn't have indoor plumbing."

"What about electricity?" he asks, intrigued by her living arrangements.

"It has all the wiring, but the original generator is busted. I use solar panels now, they give me all the power I need."

After their walk, they sit by the water's edge to enjoy the shy winter sun and watch the occasional bird soar across the sky.

They've been there for a few minutes when he notices it for the first time, a flash of gold circling Katniss's neck, gleaming under the sun's pale light.

Before he can stop himself, his hand reaches for Katniss's neckline. "Is that–,"

Katniss's hand flies to her chest. "Yeah." Blushing, she reaches under her neckline and pulls the locket Peeta gave her from underneath her t-shirt. Hesitantly, she drops it on Peeta's waiting hand.

Peeta stares at the round pendant lying flat against his palm.

His thumb traces the contour of the mockingjay's wings as a million memories of pain and loss flash through his mind; violent thunderstorms and flashes of lightning, exploding parachutes, and slain friends dance before his eyes. With a deep breath, he bites the inside of his cheek, pressing down hard until the pain brings him back to the moment, away from the terrors and to Katniss's side.

Although his heart is beating madly against his ribcage, he doesn't stop. Carefully, he slides his finger along the side of the pendant, pressing the clasp and pushing the locket open.

As soon as the locket's contents are exposed, Peeta releases a shaky sigh. There they are, just as he remembers them, Prim and Mrs. Everdeen smiling kindly at him.

His relief quickly turns to confusion. The third picture's gone. Gale's been replaced by a dried bloom.

A dandelion, he thinks as an old memory goes through his mind. Looking up at Katniss, he asks, "A dandelion?"

Katniss shrugs. "They're food."

Peeta's eyes widen. "They are?"

"Yep!" Katniss repeatedly nods, pressing her lips together as she considers her next words. Her sun-kissed cheeks turn a deep red when she finally says, "They…sort of remind me of you."

Peeta frowns. "They do?"

Katniss takes a deep breath and releases it, lifting her chin to look up at the sky. "That day after you gave me the bread-,"

Peeta stills. They've talked about this once before. It didn't end well. It's a conversation he wishes they'd never had; one he's not looking forward to reliving. But, even though he wants to kick himself for bringing up the subject, he knows it's too late to turn back. So, he nods, encouraging her to go on.

Slowly, Katniss turns to face him. His chest tightens at the sight of her gray eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"Those dandelions outside our school were the first flowers I'd seen in months," she explains, "The second I saw them I knew Prim and I would be ok. Winter was over, and there was plenty of food to be had. We just had to go look for it. So, I went to get Prim and I took her to the Meadow." A small smile curves her lips as she gets lost in her memory. "We ate dandelion salad that night. Dandelion salad and day-old bread. It's one of the best meals I've ever had." A sad tear escapes the corner of her eye. Hastily, she wipes it away.

Looking down at the open locket in Peeta's hand, she adds, "Every time I see a dandelion, I think about that."

Slowly, Peeta closes the locket and lets it go, smiling as the golden disc settles over Katniss's chest.

"Thank you for telling me," he whispers, reaching for her hand.

"I wish I'd thanked you sooner," she says, lacing their fingers together.

"We can't change the past, Katniss."

"I know." She nods, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "At least we have a future now, right?" she asks in a small voice.

"That we do," he says, leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss on her temple.

XXXXX

"Coming!" Thom grumbles as he rushes down the stairs and into the room at the front of the house.

He reaches the two-way radio just in time to answer the incoming call. "Hello?"

"Hi, Thom!" Katniss's voice crackles through the speakers.

"Hey, Katniss," he huffs trying to catch his breath, "how are you?"

"I'm fine, Thom, thanks," she says, sounding anything but fine. "Listen, have you seen Peeta?"

Thom slaps his forehead. Saturday!

"We were supposed to meet today," Katniss explains, "but he didn't show up. It's getting kind of late and, with the snow storms we've had… I just want to know if he's ok. Have you heard from him?"

Thom sighs, he can't believe he forgot to call her. She's going to be furious when she finds out what's happened.

Bracing himself for what's to come, he begins, "Listen, Katniss, I'm so sorry. I should have called you sooner, but things have been a bit crazy around here, and… I kind of forgot." Thom pauses for a moment, he needs to catch his breath. He doesn't want to sound anxious when he explains the next part. "Peeta's fine, he just… well, he had a bit of an accident."

"An accident?" Katniss screeches, "What kind of accident?"

Thom scratches the back of his head and reminds himself to stay calm. He can't let Katniss's anxiety get to him. "You know how he likes to walk around at night, right?"

"Yeah?" she urges.

"Well, a couple of nights ago, he went out on one of his walks. Everything was dark outside and," Thom takes a deep breath, "he stepped on a patch of black ice and fell."

"He fell?"

"Yeah," Thom pinches the bridge of his nose, steeling himself for the next part of the conversation. "Because of the fall, one of the wires in his prosthetic came loose and he couldn't stand back up again. He was able to repair it," he rushes to explain, "but it took him a while."

"How long was he out there for?" Katniss demands, anxiety giving way to anger.

Even though he knows she can't see him, Thom flinches as he says, "About an hour?"

"An hour?" Katniss's voice is so loud it makes the speaker screech. He's sure he would have heard her even without the two-way radio. "In this weather?"

"Yeah," Thom confirms with a tired sigh. "By the time he got home, he was soaked through and shivering something fierce. He took a warm bath, got into bed, and called the doctor the next morning. But it was too late, the fever had already set in.

"The doctor's been to see him every day," he assures her, "and Haymitch and Sae have been taking turns bringing him medicine and food. I was supposed to call you and let you know."

Thom sighs, allowing the stress of the last few days to seep out of him. "Again, Katniss, I'm so sorry. I know the last thing Peeta wanted was for you to worry."

Katniss's voice is terse as if she's trying to hide her concern. It doesn't work. "So, he's okay now, you're sure?"

"Yes. He's doing a lot better, he'll probably have to stay home for a couple more days, but he'll be up and about in no time. I'm sure he'll be fully recovered by next Saturday. Is there anything you want me to tell him in the meantime?"

There's a short pause. The sound of Katniss's labored breathing fills the small room. "Just, tell him I called," she finally says, "and that I know what happened. I'll call you back tomorrow to see how he's doing. Is that alright?"

"Sure, Katniss, no problem. You can call me anytime. I promise I'll let you know if anything changes."

"Thanks, Thom," she says, her voice cracking at the end. Thom's sure she's going to break down crying as soon as they end the call. "Goodnight," she quietly adds.

Thom disconnects the call and lets out a deep breath. Quietly, he walks up to the window and looks out. The storm clouds are gone, the sky is clear. There are still a couple more hours left before nightfall.

He thinks about Katniss, pacing around in her cabin, worried sick about Peeta's health. He doesn't know her very well, but he's seen her in action. She's not one to just sit and wait.

A sudden thought brings a crooked smile to his lips. Amused, Thom chuckles to himself. See you soon, Katniss.

XXXXX

By the time Katniss reaches the gates of Victors' Village, the sun has already set. Hidden behind one of the lamp posts which flank the entrance, she watches as the new residents of her old neighborhood go about their daily lives.

A group of men, dressed in worn overalls and sturdy boots, passes her by; their voices cheerful and loud as they talk about their day on their way back home.

A baby cries in the distance. A dog barks. A mother calls her children to come back home for the night.

The raucous laughter of a group of friends walking along the main road blends with the annoyed honks of a dissenting flock of geese. A string of expletives, delivered in Haymitch's raspy voice, soon follows.

Katniss smiles. It's been a long time since she's been surrounded by this much noise, this much life.

Keeping to the narrow streets, she quietly makes her way to Peeta's home. Once there, she circles the house until she finds the outside staircase which leads up to the living quarters.

She's about to knock on the front door when it swings open. Startled, Katniss jumps back.

"Hey, Katniss!" Thom greets her with a warm smile.

"Thom!" she exclaims, bringing her hand to her chest. Her heart pounds anxiously against her palm. "I'm-,"

"Here to see Peeta," Thom finishes for her. Leaving the door open, he turns towards the hallway. "Come right in," he calls back.

Katniss closes the door behind her and follows Thom through the entrance hallway and into the kitchen. Once there, Thom grabs a piece of paper from the counter.

"Alright," he says, handing the piece of paper to Katniss, "this is Peeta's timetable. Every visit has been registered here."

Katniss looks at the information before her. Haymitch, Sae, and a doctor she's never heard of before, Doctor Harris, have recorded everything that's happened in Peeta's life over the last few days. In one quick glance, she can see how much food he's eaten, what medicine he's taken, how high his fever has been...

Her stomach twists into a knot when she notices how hard it's been to bring Peeta's temperature down.

"As you can see," Thom says, cutting through her thoughts, "Haymitch took the last shift. He gave Peeta his medicine and made sure he ate something. Sae is scheduled to come by early tomorrow morning to bring breakfast." Turning to the pantry, he adds, "There's not much food left here, but I could bring something over from my place if you're hungry."

Katniss answers with a shake of her head. She doesn't want any food or drink, she just needs to see Peeta. "Thanks, Thom. That's okay, I'm not hungry." Leaving the schedule back on the counter, she asks, "Where is he?"

"Down the hallway," he says, "third door to the right. He was asleep the last time I looked in on him. The medicine the doctor prescribed knocks him out completely."

The memory of an unconscious Peeta lying on the cave's floor comes unbidden to Katniss's mind. With a shaky sigh, she wishes it away.

"Is there anything else you need?" Thom asks with that soft, even tone which has become so familiar to her.

"No, I'll be all right," she reassures him, "Go home, get some rest. I'll talk to Sae tomorrow morning. We'll figure it out from there."

Satisfied, Thom smiles. "Alright. Good night, Katniss."

"Good night, Thom."

As soon as Thom turns to leave, Katniss spins in the opposite direction and heads straight to Peeta's room.

Slowly, so as not to scare or startle him in case he's awake, Katniss opens the door.

He's lying in bed, swaddled in a warm comforter with his eyes closed, completely gone to the world.

She moves to stand by his side and takes him in. He's pale and his hair is a rumpled, sticky mess, but he still looks a lot better than he did when she found him in the arena, or when he was rescued from the Capitol.

Delicately, she places her outstretched palm over his chest and watches its slow rise and fall, following the uneven rhythm of the snores which fill the darkened room.

Tears sting her eyes. She blinks them away.

Tearing her eyes from Peeta for a moment, she inspects the room. She's never been there before and she's surprised by how stylish and unpretentious it is. Unlike her own bedroom across the street, this place looks welcoming and warm with its powder blue curtains and grain wood furniture.

Her eyes scan the paintings hanging from the walls. Peeta's paintings, she thinks, moving closer to admire the captivating images of pink mountain peaks and orange sunsets lit by the warm glow of the fire crackling in the hearth.

With a sigh, she turns to the armchair Peeta's set up in front of the fireplace. This will do, she quickly decides before grabbing the sturdy piece of furniture and dragging it across the room and towards Peeta's bedside.

With a tired huff, Katniss drops down onto the armchair and gives herself a moment to catch her breath. Cautiously, she leans forward and rests her elbows on Peeta's bed.

"Where are you?" she whispers, reaching out to brush a wave of dirty blond hair away from his face.

Peeta doesn't move.

Her chest tightens, burdened with anxiety and worry, and she lets out a shaky exhale as she tries to remain calm.

Gently, she runs the back of her hand over Peeta's cheek. The soft tickle of his golden stubble instantly soothes her, reminding her that they're no longer tributes, no longer playthings in other people's games.

We're not in the arena anymore, she thinks, we have friends, and food, and medicine. This is just a cold. Peeta's strong, he'll be okay.

Relieved by the thought, Katniss stands up and leans forward. Touching her forehead to Peeta's, she holds still, hovering over him for an instant before pressing a tender kiss to his chapped lips.

No fever, she thinks with a smile as she sits back down.

XXXXX

Peeta opens his eyes. Soft hues of pale sunlight bleed into the room painting the world in its hazy glow.

He blinks a few times, allowing the last tendrils of sleep to recede as he stretches slowly, like a lazy cat. He turns onto his side and finds Katniss sleeping next to him. He smiles.

He still can't believe she's there, in Victors' Village, in his house, in his bed.

He almost had a heart attack when he found her there the first morning, sitting by his bedside and holding his hand. His first instinct was to blame his fever, didn't people hallucinate when their temperature runs high? But the way she scowled as she scolded him for not being more careful immediately convinced him she was real.

He didn't want to be a burden, so he told her he'd be fine, that she was free to go. "Haymitch and Sae have been taking good care of me, I'm much stronger now," he boasted, wanting to sound self-sufficient but hoping she'd ignore his comment and stay all the same.

"Haymitch and Sae are busy," she said, sounding determined as she looked down at their joined hands. After a short pause, she added, "I know I'm not much of a healer, but you're stuck with me."

"Not much of a healer?" Peeta huffed. "I don't know why you have such a hard time accepting this, but I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you, Katniss. You're a great healer."

A mischievous smile curved her lips as she turned to look at him. "Well, I'm glad you think so because I'm not going anywhere; not until you've recovered, you hear?"

Two days have gone by since then, two days of having Katniss Everdeen all to himself; two days of knowing she's safe. But he's feeling better now. The medicine, the food, the company, they've all conspired against him. He's strong enough to go back to work, but he doesn't want to admit it. He's not ready to let Katniss walk out the door. So, he keeps still, quietly guarding over her as she sleeps.

Unfortunately, the sun's already out and, before long, Katniss's eyes flutter open.

Shimmering pools of silver find him and, as the fuzzy mist of sleep lifts, Katniss smiles.

A sudden warmth spreads through Peeta's chest, making him feel safe, relieved, loved. He would give anything to make this moment last forever.

Reaching out to brush a wisp of hair away from Katniss's forehead, he whispers, "I remember this."

Sleepy gray eyes look back at him. "What?"

"The peace," he says, slowly running his fingers along Katniss's messy braid. "The closeness. The comfort I felt knowing you were safe. The feeling that nothing mattered outside of this moment, this room... this bed."

"I remember that too," she admits so quietly he almost misses it.

Peeta's mouth goes dry.

Over the last few months, his relationship with Katniss has blossomed in a way it never had before. Without audiences or pressure, they've finally been able to interact naturally. It's been beautiful.

He feels closer to her than he ever did. And the fact that she's there, caring for him, tells him Katniss feels something for him too. But he's still terrified to hope, to dream that she might have wanted him as much as he wanted her then. As much as he wants her still.

A part of him wants to drop the conversation, to quit while he's ahead. But his heart refuses to listen to reason, pushing him to ask instead, "What do you remember?"

Katniss blushes prettily. "Um... everything you just said." Closing her eyes, Katniss lets out a long breath. Her voice falters slightly as she pushes the next words out of her lips. "Feeling safe, whole... happy even."

Peeta's breathless all of a sudden, practically gasping for air as his mind spins out of control. One word is all he needs to find peace. "Real?"

Katniss nods. "Real," she confirms as her gray eyes find his once more. "I used to think it was all about the nightmares, about keeping each other safe in the dark. But I know better now." With gentle fingers, she traces the line of his eyebrows. Following along the side of his face, she reaches his lips. "I've missed waking up next to you," she breathes.

Peeta swallows thickly. His heart is begging him to ask her to stay, tonight, tomorrow, always, but he doesn't want to break the delicate balance they've achieved by rushing into things.

Brushing his thumb over her lips, he says, "Me too." Using the last of his willpower, Peeta rolls onto his back and lets out a deep, cleansing breath. "We should probably get some breakfast."

Katniss's face lights up. "You're hungry," she says, propping herself up on one arm and reaching out to touch his cheeks and forehead more deliberately.

Peeta chuckles. "Yeah."

"That's good, means you're better."

Looking straight into her eyes, he says, "It's all thanks to you, you know?"

Katniss rolls her eyes. "Yeah, right!"

Peeta laughs again. He wants to hold her, to kiss her senseless until they're both breathless and spent, to press her against his chest and never let go. But he knows it's too soon for that. So, instead, he reaches for his prosthetic and focuses on their breakfast menu.

One step at a time, he repeats like a mantra as he gets out of bed.

XXXXX

They're clearing the breakfast table when Katniss finally voices what's been on their minds since their day began. "I think it's time I went home."

Peeta knows she's right. He's cured and they both have lives they need to get back to, but he refuses to let go without a fight. "Could you stay a bit longer?" he asks, trying to make it sound like a question and not a plea.

Katniss looks down at the tea towel in her hands like it's become the most fascinating thing in the world. Eventually, she says, "It's been nice, being here, but I need to go check up on things. I've neglected the greenhouse long enough."

Peeta nods. "Can I show you something before you leave?"

Katniss smiles. "Sure."

He leads her down the hallway until they reach the last door. Pushing it open, Peeta walks into a room. Intrigued, Katniss follows.

Her eyes widen in surprise as soon as she steps inside. A bedroom.

A rustic wooden bed stands in the middle of the room; its dark green comforter matches the ivy sprigs delicately embroidered on ivory curtains that fall from the ceiling covering the windows.

Katniss turns to the left and finds a balcony furnished with a teak loveseat. The perfect place to watch the sun set behind my woods.

A small smile paints her lips as she turns to look at the whole room. She notices a small desk with a chair, a chest of drawers that matches the bed, and a cushioned armchair, like the one in Peeta's room, that's been upholstered in luxurious green velvet.

The fireplace stands empty, but the watercolor hanging over it immediately catches her eye. It's a bouquet, a bouquet of primroses and katniss flowers.

"It's beautiful, Peeta!" she exclaims walking towards the painting. Her eyes are still taking in every brush stroke when she asks, "When did you paint it?"

"Before the Quell."

Puzzled, she turns to look at him. "Back when we were training?"

"Um, no. A bit before then," Peeta mumbles before looking away.

She's surprised to see him blush. She's about to tease him for being so modest when his words sink in.

Before their training.

When we were engaged, she thinks, as a furious heat warms up her cheeks. Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she asks, "Was this for me?"

Peeta nods. "It started out as a spare bedroom," he explains, walking over to the balcony and looking out into the woods. His shoulders slump. "But nobody used it."

She moves to stand next to him. "And then we got engaged."

"Yeah." After a pause, he adds, "I thought things would be easier for you if you had a place that was all your own."

Reaching out, Katniss slips her hand in Peeta's and gives it a squeeze. Blue eyes, bright with longing, find hers, igniting a fire in the deepest part of her being.

Katniss holds still as her mind reels and her heart races making her feel breathless and calm, confused and clear-headed, mad and sane all at once.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knows she has to go. Her deep-rooted fears still pull her towards her cabin, but she wants to stay. She wants to throw caution to the wind and stay. She wants to wrap her arms around Peeta's neck and stay.

Cupping her cheek, Peeta says, "I know you have a home, Katniss. I know you have a life. But I want you to know that you'll always have a place here with me. Whenever you want it, whenever you feel ready. I'll be here for you. This place will be here for you."

Warm relief spreads through Katniss's chest. Without a word, she steps fully into Peeta's embrace. His arms wrap tightly around her frame and she whispers into his chest, "Thank you, Peeta."

"You're welcome."

"I don't think I'm ready yet," she quietly admits.

"It's okay," he soothes, "there's no rush. There's no rush."

XXXXX

Days in the cabin grow long. Katniss is restless.

She'd hoped that going back to her routines would alleviate her anxiety and bring peace to her mind. But things haven't worked out that way. Spending time with Peeta in Victors' Village has only reminded her of what she's missing on. She loves her peace and quiet, but she now misses the joy, the laughter, the companionship; the warmth only Peeta's presence can bring.

When she talks to Dr. Aurelius about it, he says, "You're the only one who knows what's right for you, Katniss. The woods have been kind to you, but you're still young, it's natural to want a change of pace."

"I know, doctor, it's just… well, I don't know what I'd do there," she admits.

"Have you considered going back to school?" he asks, "I know you can't leave the district, but the long-distance courses are very good. You could study a full program without even leaving Victors' Village."

"I have," she says, looking at the course catalog Peeta gave her when she stayed at his place. She's been going through it with a fine-toothed comb and she's already found a couple of things she'd like to study.

Clearing his throat, he adds, "There's nothing wrong with leaving the cabin behind, Katniss. There's a whole world out there waiting for you, and you should be a part of it." His voice grows serious as he says, "And you don't have to go to Peeta's either; not if you don't want to or if it makes you feel like you'd be rushing into something you're not ready for. You can always go back to your own house or rent a room, or even an apartment, someplace else in the district. I'm sure Peeta will understand."

Katniss nods. She knows she doesn't have to live with Peeta. She's grateful to Doctor Aurelius for reminding her of the fact, but the truth is that there's nowhere else she'd rather be.

"Thanks for your help, doctor," she says before disconnecting the call.

XXXXX

It's cold outside, but Katniss and Peeta are back on their rock, bundled in their heavy jackets to keep away the biting chill as they sip hot tea and talk about their week.

"For you," Peeta says handing her an envelope. "Thom asked me to deliver it."

"Thanks," she says, laughing as her gloved fingers fumble clumsily with the flap. After a few attempts, she manages to pull a piece of paper out of the pouch.

"Peeta!" she gasps as soon as she sees the newsletter decorated by a wreath of poinsettias.

"You like it?"

She nods, "I love it! I think it's better than last year's!"

"And what about the activities?" he asks, leaning closer to her and pointing to the middle of the page.

Katniss follows Peeta's finger and reads, "Winter Fest-," Her breath catches in her lungs. "They're bringing the Winter Festival back?"

"Yup. Apparently, there are enough people now, and… Well, it was a beautiful tradition. Don't you think?"

Katniss drops the paper to her lap and takes a deep breath. The crisp wind fills her lungs making her shiver. Cold, she scoots over to get closer to Peeta. "It was," she says, turning to look at him, "It was the best celebration we had. The only one I really enjoyed."

Her eyes grow misty as her mind takes her back to those precious years of her childhood, back when life was hard but full of love.

"My parents always danced in front of the bonfire," she says, "I can still see them now, holding on to each other like there was no one else in the world." Tears slide down her cheeks and she quickly wipes them away.

Peeta wraps an arm around her shoulder and she leans into his side, grateful for his company, his warmth, his comfort.

A puffy white cloud escapes Peeta's lips as he asks, "Come with me?"

Katniss pulls away just enough to look into his eyes. "To the festival?"

"Yes," he says, his voice trembling.

She nods, her whole body tingles with excitement as she says, "Okay."

XXXXX

A thousand stars light up the sky on the night of the Winter Festival.

The people of District 12 walk around the main square, chatting and laughing as they sample delicacies from all over Panem.

Three large bonfires, set in front of the new Justice Building, crackle and burn while a group of musicians plays a cheerful tune, inviting everyone to dance, drink and be merry.

Katniss and Peeta walk around the square along with everyone else. Every once in a while, someone smiles or stops to greet them. The interactions are innocent enough, but each encounter triggers her anxiety, making her whole body tighten and tremble under her coat.

Peeta's hand on the small of her back keeps her grounded, but it's not enough. She's about to excuse herself and run back into the woods when she realizes something; these people aren't talking to them because they're victors. They're not greeting her because she's the girl on fire, the Mockingjay.

They don't want anything from her.

These are Peeta's customers. They are the men and women who respectfully call him Mr. Mellark and who buy his bread every morning.

Flooded with relief, she bursts out laughing.

"You okay?" Peeta asks raising a golden eyebrow.

"Yeah," she answers with a smile, "I'm good."

Now that she knows she's no longer the center of attention, Katniss begins to enjoy herself. Unburdened, she loosens her grip on Peeta's arm and allows him to show her around town.

Once he's taken her to the new merchant quarter and made sure she's tried at least one thing from every food stand, Peeta asks, "Dance with me?"

He's shy, all of a sudden, looking so much like the boy who held her hand during their first tribute parade that she can't refuse his request.

Slipping her hand into his, she allows him to lead her to the dance floor. Once there, she steps into his arms.

They dance, letting the sultry music guide them as they move together as one, following the simple steps Effie taught them so long ago.

Enveloped by Peeta's warmth, Katniss closes her eyes, happily losing herself in his embrace. As the world around her melts away, she knows that this would have happened anyway; that there's no universe in which she wouldn't have ended up in his arms. For Peeta is the sun that brings light to her darkness, the hope that helps her overcome her despair. Wrapped in his arms now, she feels like she's on the verge of something exciting, terrifying, brilliant, new.

Katniss smiles. She's not afraid anymore. She's ready to open her heart and love. Without cameras or audiences, without tricks, without acts. For him. For her. For always. For real.

XXXXX

AN. So there it is! I hope you liked it.

Once again, I want to thank the fantastic akai-echo for making such a beautiful banner for my story and the lovely 567 for giving me this incredible prompt, this story wouldn't exist without her.

I still have Emme's story somewhere, and I'll probably add it to this as a one-shot at some point, but I don't know when. It'll probably be a while since I'm trying to concentrate on finishing some of my other WIPs.

Thank you all for reading, following, and commenting. Your words and encouragement mean the world to me.

XXXXX

I love comments as much as Katniss loves watching a sunset with Peeta by her side. You always make my day when you share them with me. Thanks!

You can also find me on tumblr. I'm javistg over there, come and say hi!

The Hunger Games Trilogy is property of Suzanne Collins. No money was made off of the creation of this fanwork