A Fresh Start-After Mockingjay (Before the Epilogue)

Chapter Forty-Six

Katniss POV- (That night)

"Katniss?" Peeta calls from downstairs. "Come down here! You may want to see this!"

I sigh and get up, going downstairs to where Peeta is sitting, looking at the television in front of him. The headline of the news is 'STAR-CROSSED LOVERS OFFICIALLY BACK TOGETHER.' And there's two pictures of us at the top. One is Peeta carrying me through town and the other is when we were kissing, right after he asked me to be his girlfriend. Of course, I'm on top of him so I'm sure Panem is going crazy over it.

"Are you kidding me?" I groan, feeling embarrassed and angry.

Peeta flips off the tv and stands up. "I'm sorry, Katniss. I had no idea anyone was watching us. Let alone taking pictures of us."

I cross my arms, "You swear that you didn't know?" I ask him.

"What? Katniss, why would I let someone take pictures of us and put it all over the news?"

I shrug, "I don't know, I'm sorry."

"I swear, I had no idea." He says.

I sigh and plop onto the couch, "I give it about 5 seconds before either Haymitch calls or knocks on that door." I hold up my fingers and silently count to five. Right at five, there's a knock on the door. I look at Peeta and we exchange smirks. He opens the door and Haymitch walks in.

"I knew something was up. I just didn't think I would have to see it on the television to hear the news that you two are finally back together." Haymitch says, holding up a glass and taking a swig from it.

I scowl at him and Peeta closes the door. "We didn't know there was anyone watching us." Peeta says defensively.

"Freedom of the press. That's still a right. Even if old Snow is dead." Haymitch says.

"It is ridiculous they can follow us around like that." I say angrily.

Peeta sits down on the table in front of me and Haymitch sits down in the chair opposite of me. "Well, are you two back together?" He asks.

"Yes, but we didn't necessarily want all of Panem to know about it." I mumble.

Peeta nods, "Yeah, Haymitch. Isn't there something we can do to protect our privacy?"

"You're better off staying indoors. They're aware coming to our houses for pictures, to spy or do interviews is illegal. President Paylor enforced it to protect our privacy but the things you do in public are fair game." Haymitch explains.

"We weren't kissing like that in public." I add in.

"The woods are open to everyone now. Not just the brave, Sweetheart."

I roll my eyes at Haymitch and he scoffs. "Katniss, they would've found out anyways." Peeta says.

"But what happens when we go further? Like what's going to be in place to protect us when we get married?" I ask him, not even really realizing what I was saying.

Haymitch winks at Peeta. Peeta's face grows red. "When you get hitched, just know it's probably going to be best if you just agree to broadcast the whole thing. It's that or have thousands of reporters from the Capitol show up."

I glance over at Peeta and he avoids my gaze. "I thought this fame ended when the Rebellion did?" I ask Haymitch.

"I hate to break it to you but you two are still the Star-Crossed Lovers. Whether you want to be or not. Officially becoming the Star-Crossed Lovers again on your own, after all of this? It's got Panem in an uproar."