Simply Everlark (After Mockingjay)

Chapter 5

Walking back from the train station was difficult considering that we had what seemed like millions of reporters trying to get a glimpse of the action. Haymitch seemed to have scared them off though, showing a side of anger I had never seen before.

Currently, we are traveling on the same path used earlier to get to the station. Just like the path to get to the woods, this trail is matted down from the many people overtime who had used the route for transportation. I remain in the middle of the two on the narrow path, causing Haymitch to stroll on the grass from lack of space Peeta and I take up on the dirt road.

I take quick glances over to Peeta occasionally making sure he is still there and this isn't something my brain has managed to trick me into. But he is here, and he looks over at around the same time I do, causing me to smile at his curiosity.

We have some conversation while taking the long walk back to the Victors Village. We were all debating wether to have Peeta stay at Haymitch's home for safety reasons, but after a long discussion, Peeta wanted to start to take on things by himself, slowly getting back to trusting himself and becoming self dependent. We did although come to the conclusion to have Peeta make dinner for the three of us, starting to get his baking back on track while dining at his house. That I am looking forward to considering that Peeta's cooking is better than anything else here in twelve.

Now walking for quite a distance, I can start to make out the outline of houses up ahead. My ankles are sore, which is odd considering that I have made this walk many times before, but being so close to home, I decide to ignore it. Looking down at my shoes I make a guess that these are causing my ankle pain. The warn down heal and ripping leather make it obvious that I should get a new pair when I have the chance.

"Hey, you okay?" Peeta speaks directing the message to me as his gaze lands my way. I guess he had noticed my lack of talking and my cautious steps taken in order to cause the least amount of pain as possible.

"Yeah, I-"

"Oh, she is more than fine; Aren't you Sweetheart?" Haymitch interrupts my speaking and sends a smirk in my direction. What is he talking about?

I look at my mentor with a slightly confused and annoyed expression.

"Don't look at me like that." he smugly remarks which has me questioning if he is hiding alcohol in his coat and been drinking it when I wasn't looking. "You know exactly what I'm talking about."

"Uh," I give him wide eyes and clench my jaw, "I really don't."

I look over at Peeta only to see that he is as confused as I am. Looking closely I can see that he is holding back a laugh, questioning Haymitch's sanity.

I glance back at Haymitch who is now laughing like a mad man, shaking his head while taking uneasy steps trying to keep up with Peeta and I. "Oh Sweetheart," he breaths calming down his laughing fit slightly, "You will figure it out eventually."

Figure what out eventually? Thoughts race through my head as the three of us make it to the iron fence leading into the village. I take notice how Peeta's face lights up as he sees the couple of houses and a smile appears taking the whole scene in.

The people living in our district made the Victors Village look like a work of art. Flowers were planted all around the homes displaying every color imaginable. Workers who are paid by the capitol were to clean up the Village regularly and for only two victors living in the confined area, they put their life into making the place the best looking area in all of the district.

"This place looks amazing." Peeta breaths unlatching the hook on the metal gate with unsteady hands.

"They definitely cleaned up while you were gone, I'll tell you that." Haymitch mumbles while pushing past the two of us, making sure that he is the first to get through the gates. I will never understand his sudden mood changes. "Call me when dinner is ready." he speaks while swaying away, edging closer to his house and pulling out a glass bottle from his boot in the process. Damn Haymitch, I knew you had liquor.

I watch him closely until his figure disappears into his home with the loud bang of a slamming door. Directing my attention over to Peeta, he looks rather annoyed with Haymitch's sudden bitterness. I would have been just as angry if my mentor were to do something like this after not seeing him for a whole year, enduring the capitol world.

"I see Haymitch hasn't changed." He opens the gate holding it open for me like a gentlemen and following in shortly afterword.

"No," I shake my head, "But when there is nobody else around, he makes good company."

Peeta looks over and I end up doing the same, feeling his eyes on me. Our gazes lock for a while before he gives me a sad smile. Without noticing it, Peeta stops suddenly and drops his bag to his side, looking up at what seems like the greatest thing in the world in his eyes.

We are stopped in front of his home.

It was well cared for like the rest of our houses, but Peeta's was different. While he was gone, I stopped by often; cleaning and rearranging little things while spending time where Peeta once was. It was calm and peaceful almost when I walked around the empty rooms holding nothing but memories. While making one of my first few visits to the home, I was mesmerized by the masterpieces displayed on the wall. Each room was inspired by a different setting which Peeta had hand painted the beautiful things onto the once white walls. I was shocked at first seeing that Peeta had been working on these paintings for so long and I had no idea. But i was more curious to see that some of the rooms had not been finished; that when Peeta came back if they would ever become finished.

"Sorry," Peeta breaths while looking over at me smiling "I guess I never realized how much I missed it here."

I smiled back at his excitement and worry free state. "I cleaned up a little bit; I hope you don't mind."

He doesn't say anything back, he simply puts on a wider smile and walks closer to me. Before I realize what is happening, Peeta extends his arms out and wraps me in a tight hug. My body quickly comprehends with the action and I slither my arms around him, wrapping them around his upper back. Standing there in his arms, grabbing onto each other I am happy, finally happy and as long as Peeta is here, I hope to always be happy. And now noticing it, I never knew how much I missed Peeta until I saw how much I want to stay here with our bodies molded together.

"Thank you." He talks slowly before pulling away smiling at me, leaving with me the absence of his warm body.

While he is still looking at the house, I gently grab the bag of his and hand it over, brushing Peeta's fingers in the process. He takes the bag gladly but remains standing, now looking like he is thinking with his eyebrows flexing and relaxing again. He pauses for a second unsure about speaking, but finally does.

"Hey, do you want to help me," he struggles a little to get the sentence out, confusing me knowing that Peeta is nervous. "Do you want to help me unpack." He finally speaks scratching the back of his neck and looking down.

I smile slightly. "Sure,"

His head snaps up thinking that I would of rejected and all of the worry drains his face, replacing it with a laugh and relieving the smile that causes my insides to flutter.