Life after the fall of panem

36

Chapter 36

I go to take a step toward Peeta and Haymitch stops me. Haymitch is leaning to one side, hand cupped on his rib cage. "Peeta." I whispers with desire. His eyes flicker open, his head slides down, his mouth drops, his expression - painful. "Katniss .." He begins to step toward me but Haymitch puts a hand out. "Wait." Peeta now frustrated, "What?" "You need to calm down before you touch her. You see that ?" He points at my now 4 month pregnant belly. "That's your baby, this ," he points at me," ..is your wife. Like it or not she is. She saved you countless times. Are you going to try to hurt her ?"" Haymitch." I speak sternly. "Haymitch , I .. I didn't.." Peeta begins then breaks down. He falls to his knees, hands over his face, head bowed, and shoulders shaking. "Katniss, I love you." I start to sob as well. I try to meet Peeta on the floor but Haymitch stops me. "HAYMITCH, he's okay ! Stop !" I push him out of the way and hug Peeta. "Oh Katniss, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it, I'm so sorry. Are you okay? Katniss." Peeta chokes on tears in my ear. I rub my hand down back of his neck, brushing his hair between my fingers. "Shh, Peeta, it's okay sweetie. You've held one in for a long time. It's my fault I said the wor-" "No Katniss. Dont say this is your fault. You didn't do anything wrong. I'm just a horrible person with crazy moods wings and flashback. I forget who everyone is, who I am , and I try to hurt you!" Peeta cuts me off. "Peeta , you're perfect. Stop, I love you. All of you. Always." I pull away and look in to his eyes. I kiss him , he pulls my back, pressing my belly to his chest. We kiss for a moment before Haymitch clears his throat. "Wait." I tell him as I pull Peeta up to the couch and grab him a blanket. I dialed Johanna on the phone. "Hello?" "Hey Johanna, can you stop by? Haymitch needs to go back to see my mom, his stitches ripped open I think." "Sure no problem! I'll be right over." "Thanks." We hang up the phone. "Let's get you cleaned up." I say to Haymitch. He walks to the kitchen. Peeta is wrapped in the blanket from head to toe. He looks so guilty, but it was an accident, a flashback , not something he can control. I grab the first aid kit and clean the blood off of Haymitch's ribs and stomach. "I'm just trying to keep you alive kid, you know that." He speaks softly, trying not to draw Peeta's ears to his comment. I just nod, Haymitch does do a lot for us, despite being an alcoholic, he's always had the desire to keep me alive. *Knock knock* Peeta doesn't move. I grab the door and Johanna walks Haymitch out to her car. They drive away and I close the door. I walk over to the basement door. I see Gale is sitting on the floor. I turn back to Peeta. He is staring off into space. I sit next to him and wrap the couch blanket around us both. "I love you Katniss. Don't forget that. I don't need real or not real with that. I know I love you. Despite the flashback. I just forgot for a moment." He speaks but doesn't look at me. I rest my head on his shoulder and kiss his arm. "I know. Always. Real." He looks down at me and smiles, then returns staring farther into space than before.