Katniss and Peeta: For you

Petals and Thorns

Peeta Pov

We stand in a line, facing the entrance of Victor village. Katniss on the left, me on the right and Haymitch in between. For some reason, I think Katniss wanted it like this. 

  "Well look who's come to greet me! My darling victors!"                                                                                     

I grin. Effie rushes up to us wearing a pink dress with a sparkly flared skirt. But what's most shocking is her hair. Gone are her colored wigs, of pink and gold, now her blond hair brushes her shoulders, pinned back by a sparkly butterfly pin.

Effie reaches us, hugging Katniss tightly. "Katniss." She says, pulling away from Katniss. "You look lovely."

Katniss smiles sheepishly, She's wearing her fathers old jacket along with soft wool pants, her brown hair braid clumsily and her face free of makeup. 

 But I have to admit, she does look beautiful.         

   Effie turns to Haymitch. "Haymitch." She says. "Its..uh..good to see you again."                                                         

Haymitch looks at her hand. "Effie?"

"Yes Haymitch?" Effie asks, her hand falling to her side. "What is it?"

Haymitch lets out a sigh. "Oh god I missed you."  He pulls her into a hug.

They stay like that for a while. I glance at Katniss, she smiles at me momentarily before turning her attention to a stone by her boot.

Eventually the embrace ends and Effie turns to me. "Peeta! How's my baker boy doing?"

I stutter momentarily. The Capital not only changed my memories of Katniss, but of everyone else I know. I know Effie would never hurt me, but sometimes it's hard to remember.

I suddenly realize everyone's looking at me, Effie with worry, Haymitch with bitterness and Katniss...Katniss looks at me heartbroken. 

"Sorry Effie." I say shoving my hands in my pockets. "I drifted off. I'm alright, somedays are worse than others."

The four of us stand awkwardly, the last time the four of us were in the same place, it was the night before the Quarter Quell. So much has changed since then.

"Well," Effie says finally. "What say we go eat?"

"Sure." Katniss says. "Greasly Sae helped me prepare somethings."

"And I made cheese buns!" I say. "Your favorite Katniss."

"Thank you Peeta." Katniss says stiffly. "I can't wait to eat them."

Haymitch smiles sadly at me. He's told me about Katniss's nightmares, and their conversations, and how those conversations often have me in them.

We eat at Katniss's house. Conversations seem strange and forced.

"How long will you be staying Effie?" Katniss asks softly.

"Oh, I'm actually not sure." Effie says, running her hand through her hair. "A little while I suppose."

"Where will you be staying?" I ask. "Twelve doesn't have any luxurious places like the capitol."

Katniss grins at me and my heart seems to flip inside my chest. I made her smile. I think.

"Haymitch has actually offered to let me stay with him." Effie says, smoothing her dress.

"Oh really?" Katniss asks, a smirk appearing on her face. "That's so sweet of you Haymitch."

"Alright sweetheart." Haymitch says, gently slugging me. " Eat your food."

After dessert, we wash the dishes. Actually I wash, Katniss and Haymitch dry and Effie flutters uselessly around the kitchen.

Eventually dishes are done, and Effie and Haymitch get ready to leave. 

"Here's your coat Effie." Haymitch says. 

"Thank you Haymitch." Effie says, buttoning up her coat.

"Thanks for dinner Katniss." I say, "I better be getting home."

"Actually," Haymitch says. "Why don't you stay awhile? You two can play that game you used to play, uh...Truth or lie?"

"Real or not real Haymitch." Effie says. "Even I know that."

"I'll play..." Katniss says shyly. "If Peeta wants to."

"Um...sure, i'll play." I say. "Lets play in the kitchen."

Hey guys! Hope your enjoying my story, it's my first time using the website, tell me if I've made any spelling mistakes, or if there's anything I can do to improve my story

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