Melting | an Everlark smut

Prologue

"Will you stay with me?"

"Always."

On the train to the Capitol

Peeta has still not emerged from his room. I can't face the thought of going to bed alone after having him there to comfort me these last few weeks. I hesitate at his door, not sure if I should knock.

"Leave him be," Haymitch says softly, sliding open the door to his own carriage.

"I thought he wanted it, anyway," I say.

"Not like this," Haymitch says, "He wanted it to be real."

I go back to my own room and shiver with apprehension as I slide under the covers.

That night, mutts with the eyes of dead children stalk me as I stumble through the woods of 12. I need to get to Peeta. I have to bring him medicine. Every step is as though I am slogging through the deepest mud. I know the mutts are coming, can hear them close behind, hear the dying screams of Cato, Thresh, all of the other tributes, all at once. The air is thick with the scent of their blood, mingled with roses. As I struggle forward, somewhere in the unending woods I hear Rue. And Prim. Both are screaming for me, begging for my help. The mutts will get them too if I can't hurry."Katniss, Katniss!"

"Katniss!"

I come to, screaming again, trapped again, fighting against Peeta's arms as he grabs me. "It's okay, Katniss." His voice is soft. "It's okay."

I cling to him, sobbing as he holds me. I ball my fists against his chest. "You left me alone."

"I know," he says. "I'm sorry."

"I don't want you to be sorry. I want you to stay." Impulsively, still crying, I lean up and kiss him. My stomach swoops and my heart is still racing but he is there, anchoring me. I go to kiss him again but he pushes me away.

"Go to sleep. I'm not going anywhere."

"Peeta..."

"Don't," he says, and the mask that appeared as soon as I suggested the public proposal falls back into place. "You don't have to do that for me to stay."

"That's not..." I can't come up with the words.

But his gaze is fixed forward. "Goodnight, Katniss."

I rest my head onto his chest, curling into him like so many nights before. I realize, too late, just as I drift to sleep, that I am disappointed.