A Fresh Start-After Mockingjay (Before the Epilogue)

Chapter Fifty-Six

Katniss POV-

"The train leaves in an hour." Peeta tells me.

I look up tiredly at him, last night wasn't a good night for either of us. "Do you still think we should even go?" I ask him, hoping he says 'no.' Last night completely ruined all of the excitement we had built up for this trip. There is no way Peeta and I can have a nice time now. Last night's nightmares set the tone.

"Katniss, just because we had a bad night doesn't mean this trip doesn't need to happen." He says, picking up our bags off the bedroom floor and putting them in the hallway. I hold my breath and Peeta comes back in, sitting down next to me on the bed. "What do you think?"

"We aren't making any stops then. So, don't let me look out that stupid window." I tell him.

He gets the hint of a smile on his face, "We can just stay in our room the whole trip, it's not like there is anything out there that we are going to miss."

"Haymitch." I say sarcastically.

He chuckles, "I think staying in our room is going to be a good thing then."

"Alright but it's going to be a long day."

"I'm just glad I get to spend all day with you." He says softly, holding his hand out to me. I take his hand and our fingers intertwine. Maybe it won't be too awful. Peeta nods, looking down awkwardly, "Hey, I'm sorry that I sort of got mad at you last night." He says.

"What are you talking about?" I ask him, confused.

He sighs, "I kind of yelled at you after I woke up from a nightmare and you were crying. I was having a mild flashback but I was able to push it back completely and then we both went back to sleep until the next nightmare."

"Oh." I say.

"I'm really sorry."

I sigh, "I didn't even know you did it, Peeta. I don't even remember it."

"I do. I feel terrible." He says and I nod my head. "I'm just glad that I was able to push it back and I'm glad that I didn't hurt you."

"Me too." I squeeze his hand. He smiles sadly and we sit there until we realize we should probably start towards the train station, being that we have to lug Haymitch alongside with us. We go outside and Haymitch is out in the early morning light, feeding his geese.

"Good morning." Haymitch says in an unlikely, too early for this cheerful tone of voice.

"Good morning, Haymitch." Peeta says back.

Haymitch looks up, "What's wrong with her?"

"We had a rough night." Peeta answers for me.

Haymitch snorts, slapping my back gently. "Was your lover here not passionate enough for you last night, Sweetheart? Peeta, kid. They make medicine for that sort of thing, you know."

"Isn't that what you have to take for Effie?" Peeta mouths off. Haymitch smirks, dismissing the comment and waiting for my reaction.

"I am not in the mood for your stupid remarks." I say truthfully.

Haymitch chuckles, "Peeta was that bad. Huh?"

"Shut the hell up." I say, rolling my eyes. He's ridiculous. "No, unlike you are for Effie, Peeta works just fine for me." I say sarcastically.

Peeta snorts and Haymitch chuckles. "Good thing our rooms are separate." He mouths off.

I roll my eyes, "Well, don't be too excited. Our rooms are next door so I'll make sure to be extra loud. Just for you." I snarl.

He laughs, "No worries, Sweetheart. I came prepared. I brought my earplugs."

"You're an idiot, Haymitch. We've never even had sex before." I say angrily.

Haymitch sighs, "I was kidding. Can't you take a joke? Your honey here sure can."

"It is kind of getting old, Haymitch." Peeta says in my defense.

"Fair enough." He says and we start walking towards the train station. Peeta and I lead the way and Haymitch follows behind.

"It's been two years since my family died." Peeta mentions to me.

I frown, "I'm so sorry, Peeta." I say softly. He frowns sadly at me and we keep walking.

"Two years is nothing. Try 10 or 20 or 30 years without your family. Without someone like Katniss by your side." Haymitch mutters.

I look at Peeta and he sighs. "I couldn't imagine going through any of this without her."

"Now you know how I felt. I lost the love of my life and it's only now that I've begun to move on." He says.

"I couldn't even imagine it, Haymitch. I'm so sorry." Peeta says quietly.

"I know you couldn't, kid. Now you see why I fought so hard for the both of you."

"Thank you, Haymitch. My life wouldn't be worth living without Katniss. She's the only thing I have left." I look up at Peeta with tears in my eyes and I blink them away.

"Well, I'm not much but you have me too." Haymitch shrugs.

Peeta nods, "And I'm pretty happy with my options." He says softly.

I smile sadly at him and squeeze his hand gently, "So am I." Haymitch and I say in unison.

"And honestly, I love you both." Peeta says.

I swallow hard, "I love you too, Peeta."

Haymitch doesn't reply but I glance back to see he gives us a nod as he keeps a steady pace behind us.