Hunger Games - Extended epilogue

Chapter One

So after, when he whispers, "You love me. Real or not real?"

And for once, it's not for the cameras, not for an audience to see. But for Peeta's own ears, and I truly know my answer to that question. I tell him, "Real." And allow myself my first real smile in a long time.

He lets himself smile too.

He comes closer to me, a small smirk tugging on the corner of his plump lips, and without warning he lifts me up in his strong arms that are always there for me, and spins me around so fast the world around me becomes a blur.

"Put me down!" I try to yell between laughter. An unfamiliar laugh plays out of my mouth and stirs an odd feeling of joy in my stomach.

We both become too weak with laughter he has to place me back onto the ground.

Peeta and I calm down, and we just hold each other. His arms holding me as if he'll lose me if he ever lets go.

We stay silent, just taking in each others presence.

With all the craziness that's been going on in the past year, especially with Peeta's mind being hijacked, nothing like this has happened. For the first time in what feels like forever, I have my Peeta back. The real Peeta. The one who protects me, and looks out for me. Not the one who struggles to believe I'm not a threat.

He pulls away and gives me a small peck on the lips. A kiss that signifies to me that he's here, alive and safe. Without any trace that this boy goes through rages of homicidal episodes.

--

The rest of the day is spent lounging around at Peeta's home in the victors village.

I don't go to my house much over the next few days. Only to get mainly clothes. Other than that, I barley leave the couch. No reason to. Can't find it in myself to do anything productive.

I sit around and try to flush out old memories. Try to distract myself from reality.

I dread going back there. To the house full of old memories. Memories I want and need to forget.

Memories of Prim sitting by the fire place, with Buttercup sleeping in her lap while she'd stroke his fur and he'd purr at her touch.

Whilst mother would cook up a delicious meal in the kitchen with the ingredients I'd collect in the woods.

I hate reminding myself of my Mother and Prim. Mother found a medical job in one of the districts, she never visits home for the same reason I don't go in that house. The memories of Prim haunt her.

She hardly calls anymore. And I know it's all too painful for her to freshen the memories with me.

And for Prim, well, Prim's never coming home. My sweet little Prim. All gone. Nothing left of her. I failed to protect her, I failed to keep her alive. It's my fault shes dead. I was the one who should've been there to keep her safe.

I miss her like a desert misses rain.

She was the only thing encouraging me to fight for what I believed in. I wish she were here right now. To say the right thing and make me feel okay. She always said the right thing. She had my fathers blood.

Peeta understands though, why I don't go to my home. And I'm so grateful for him to let me stay at his home.

He likes that I stay with him. Although he doesn't like the fact I'm too afraid to revisit my own. I rather Peeta's home. It's cozier, more welcoming. I feel safe in Peeta's house.

I sleep with him in his bed every night. We take on the nightmares together which makes everything a million times easier. The first night I spent here, I fell asleep on his couch and he carried me to his bed, only for himself to sleep on the couch downstairs in the living room. I suppose he thought he was being a gentleman, that's the Peeta I always knew, too kind to me.