Moving on: an Everlark fanfic

Chapter 10

Me and Peeta decided to start over. Our past relationship wasn't the way we wanted it to be. I felt like the romance was forced, all for the cameras, for the sake of our loved ones' lives. We wanted to put all that behind us and start fresh.
Peeta's always at my house. The only time he leaves is to grab some clothes and some of his stuff. I hunt everyday while Peeta paints and checks on Haymitch to keep himself busy.

We're resting on the couch with my head leaning on Peeta's shoulder with his arm around my waist, flipping through the channels on our holographic TV, after a long day of hunting. As I'm about to eat another bite of my squirrel stew, I hear Peeta start a conversation.
"Hey kat, I was thinking about something earlier and I just wanted to know your opinion on it", he says to me uncertainly. I smile and nod my head, urging him to continue.
"You know how they've been rebuilding the district?", he asks.

"Ya...just get to the point already, Peeta", I say impatiently.

"Alright well I was thinking on maybe talking to the workers to rebuild the bakery and open it back up."

"That's great! I think you should do it. It can take your mind off of the flashbacks and everyone already loves what you make"

"I was also thinking that it could be a way to pay a sort of tribute to my family. You know, because we've had that bakery for generations and I want to continue their work. I'm just worried it might bring some memories that could trigger a flashback. I don't wanna risk that", he says

"I agree it could be your own special way of a memorial to them. I love it! As for the other thing, I don't think you should let that limit you. I'm pretty sure you'll be fine. You've come a long way", I try to reassure him that it's a great idea because it truly is.

"Thanks kit kat. I needed to hear that", he says to me with a smirk forming on his face.

"Kit kat?! Excuse me? I hope your not planning on calling me that", I answer sarcastically. Kit kats were this candy that they used to make a long time ago. They're pretty outdated.

" I wasn't actually, but now that I see how much it bothers you, I think I will", he says laughing. Ugh.
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It's been about a month since Peeta talked to the new mayor and the workers about the bakery. They've agreed to rebuild it and they're just about done. Peeta wanted the bakery exactly they way it was before. But he decided he wanted to spice things up a bit, since he thought the walls were too bland. So here we are painting the walls a light shade of orange with some vines and greenery like he wanted.

Well he is. I'm just watching him turn the plain walls into an artistic masterpiece since I have the artistic talents of a drunk pig. All of a sudden I feel something run wet run down my shirt. It turns out Peeta thought I was a better canvas than the walls and just splattered me with a bunch of paint.

"Hey!! What the hell?!"
"Oh my g-god.. you should see the look on your face", he says barely able to breath properly due to his uncontrolled laughing.

"It's not funny, Peeta", I tell him unimpressed. After a couple minutes of him laughing like a dying ostrich, he finally is able to get himself together.

"It's not my fault your so fun to mess with. God, your reactions are priceless.", he says turning back to work.

"Whatever", I say flicking a drop of paint from my shirt. I then grab the extra paintbrush and just as I'm about to dip it in the paint, I get a different more cruel idea. I grab the whole bucket instead and by the time I'm done, Peeta's drenched from head to toe and it's my turn to laugh.

"That's a really nice color on you by the way", I say as he just stares at me with an amused look.

"I can't believe you would do this", he says starting to laugh as he looks at himself.

"You put it on me first, what'd you expect me to do, leave you alone? This'll teach you not to mess with me again", I snicker.

"Alright I guess I was asking for it", he gives up. But before I can react, he's at it again throwing paint at me.
Hours later, we're both covered from head to toe in different colors, looking like we just stepped out of a bad Capitol fashion magazine, barely able to catch out breaths. Every time we finally stop laughing, we just take a look at the other and go at it again. I never thought I'd ever be so happy and careless again. I guess that's what Peeta does to you. I defiantly could get used to this.

After we finally get cleaned up as best as we could and are heading out, I notice a plaque.
"In memory of the Mellark family. Should they find happiness and rest in peace.", it reads in careful cursive handwriting.
Peeta notices me looking at it and comes over wrapping an arm around my shoulder and sighs, reading it with me.
"It's beautiful, Peeta. I know they'd be proud of you right now", I tell him. He smiles with tears in his eyes and kisses the top of my head. With that, we make our way home, hand in hand.
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AN: so we've been focusing on katniss losses like prim, but people forget that Peeta has losses too. His whole family is dead and just wanted to focus on that a bit on this chapter. Until we meet again!
-Gigi ❤️