After Mockingjay

Recovery

I awake with a pounding headache on my couch. I try to sit up but almost immediately fall back down as the room spins. What's happened? That's when all the memories flood into my mind.

Peeta.

"Peeta?" I croak.

"Katniss?" A small voice says.

He steps into the room silently. It reminds me of Gale. A pain shoots through my heart. No. Gales gone I remind myself. Peetas holding a mug with coffee. His eyes are puffy and red from crying. I stare into his beautiful eyes that once made me feel safe now make me terrified.

"I'm sorry you don't need this. Those things I said they weren't true, I hurt you Katniss," he says as tears run down his cheeks.

"I know it wasn't you Peeta," I reassure him.

I can't take this. I'm so angry. Not at Peeta but at President Snow. For taking Peeta away from me. He makes his way over to me and holds my hand. We sit like this for a few minutes before he says, I love you.

I sit there pondering over his words. Of course I already knew this, but him saying it aloud is different. I just stare into those blue eyes wondering when I will feel the same sense of security I did just a day ago. As I stare I relive the moments in both arenas and know that Peeta is my choice. I kiss him.

The door bangs open.

"Hey lovebirds," Haymitch guffaws.

I pull away and giggle.

"What happened Katniss?" Shrieks Effie in her Capitol accent as she enters.

Peeta begins to cry as he burrows his face in his hands. Haymitch shakes his head meaning he understands.

"I need to talk to you boy," he says motioning Peeta to another room.

Peeta kisses me on the cheek as he stands up and leaves.

Effie sits awkwardly across from me and I realize she's still disgusted. I hear yelling from the bedroom.

"So Effie why did you come to 12," I say trying to be casual.

She smiles and just giggles.

"It's a surprise," she whispers.

Then Peeta and Haymitch come out clearly still upset.

"What's wrong?" I say to Peeta as I struggle to get up.

"No, sit down your going to bleed again," he helps me back down. " Haymitch is mad I went mutt."

"I said it was dangerous," Haymitch corrects him.

"Anyway we have big news," Effie grins.

"Me and Effie are going to get married," Haymitch actually smiles.

Me and Peeta crack up trying to stifle our laughs, we fail. Haymitch and Effie give us disapproving looks as they walk out hand in hand.

"That's... Different," Peeta laughs.

"Yeah," I agree as he sits down we laugh together.

Only it didn't stay happy very long.