imperfect fit ; an everlark au based off of 'the selection' series

e i g h t y - f i v e

Leaving the hospital wing, I get my first look at the palace. It's hard to process the destruction. So much broken glass strewn across the floor, glittering hopeful in the sunlight. Ruined paintings, parts of the walls blown out, and menacing red stains on the carpets remind me of how close we'd been to death.

I start up the stairs, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone. As I pass from the second floor to the third, I notice an earring on the floor. I can't help but wonder if it's owner is still alive.

I make my way to the landing and see a number of guards as I walk toward Peeta's room. His door is open, and people buzz in and out, bringing in papers or taking away platters. Six guards line the wall leading up to the door. I brace myself to be told to leave. But as I get closer, one of the guards notices me. He squints, as if double-checking that I am who he thinks I am. Beside him, another guard recognizes me and they both bow, deeply and reverently.

One of the guards by the door extends an arm. "He's been waiting for you, my lady."

I try to be someone deserving of the honor they're giving me. I stand taller as I walk, though my scratched arms and cut-off dress do nothing to help. "Thank you," I say with a gentle nod.

As maid rushes past as I go in. Peeta is on his bed, the left side of his chest padded with gauze under his plain cotton shirt. His left arm is in a sling, and he uses his right to hold up the paper some adviser is explaining to him.

He looks so normal here, dressed down, hair a mess. But at the same time, he looks like so much than he had been before. Is he sitting a little taller? Has his face somehow become more serious?

He's so clearly king.

"Your Majesty," I breathe, falling into a low curtsy. Standing, I see the quiet smile in his eyes.

"Set the papers here, Starvos. Would everyone please leave the room? I need to speak with the lady."

Everyone circling around him bows and heads toward the hall. Starvos quietly places the papers on Peeta's bedside table, and as he passes, he winks at me. I wait until the door closes until I move.

I want to run to him, to fall into his embrace and stay there forever. But I move slowly, worried that maybe he regrets his last words to me.

"I'm so sorry about your parents."

"It doesn't seem real yet," he says, motioning that I should sit on the bed. "I keep thinking that Father is in his study and Mother is downstairs or in her office, and any minute one of them will come in here with something for me to do."

"I know exactly what you mean."

He gives me a sympathetic smile. "I know you do." He reaches out and puts his hand on mine. I take this as a good sign and hold his hand back. "He tried to save her. A guard had told me a rebel had my mother in his sights, but he ran behind her. He went down first, but they got Mother immediately after." He shakes his head. "He was always selfless. To his very last breath."

"You shouldn't be so surprised. You're a lot like him."

He makes a face. "I'll never be quite as good as him. I'm going to miss him so much." I rub his hand. He's not even my father, and I'll miss him. He was kind, and I think he would've been so much better if he hadn't let his wife throw him around. "At least your safe," he says, not looking into my eyes. "At least there's that." There's a long stretch of silence, and I don't know what to say. Should I bring up what he said? Should I ask about Delly? Will he even want to think about any of that now? "There's something I want to show you," he suddenly announces. "Mind you, it's a bit rough, but I think you'll still like it. Open the drawer here," he instructs. "It should be on top."