Katniss and Peeta: For you

The past

Peeta POV

She came to me last night.

Last night I heard her screams, I wanted to run to her, I wanted to throw my arms around her and tell her that she's safe, that I'm here for her.

But I couldn't, I stayed on my bed.

That's when she came into my room, cautious and shy, like she wasn't sure if she should be here.

She laid next to me. She let me put my arms around her.

My memories may be messed with, but I can say this with certain.

I am in love with Katniss Everdeen.

I can't tell her that though, it will frighten her, and push her into something she isn't ready for.

Love takes time. I remind myself.

When we get on the train Katniss takes my hand, eagerly pulling me to the back of the train.

We sit together, watching the scenery go by. 

We're silent mostly, we're just grateful for each others company.

But when we pass district eleven, Katniss jumps up. "Look!" She shouts.

I look out the window, I see the wall, that once  surrounded the district, was coming down, brick by brick, it was happening.

"Rue would be happy." Katniss says softly.

I stroke her hair. "She'd be so proud of you."

When we finally reached twelve I follow Katniss into her house, I get the sense neither of us want to be alone.

When we reach the kitchen, we see a small stack of letters on the table.

Katniss picks the first one off the table and begins to read.

Dear my darling Katniss

I hope things are are well in twelve.

 I miss you and your sister so much my heart aches all day and all night. 

Things are fine here in four, I've been kept very busy, the conditions here are quite better then district four, though I must admit, I was a bit alarmed when man was brought to me, apparently, a shark took a bite out of him. 

You are constantly on my mind, I hope Haymitch is taking good care of you and that you are eating enough.

I hope Peeta is well, tell him I say hello and that I think spending time with friends will help speed up his recovery.

I hope you visit soon. I miss you dearly.

Mom

"We should visit her soon." I say softly, she nods, but doesn't respond, she just presses the letter against her chest.

I hand her the next letter.

"It's from Gale." Katniss says, her voice flat.

I clench my fists. "What does it say?" I ask, my voice as flat and emotionless and Katniss's.

Dear Katniss

I know you must hate me now, I understand.

But I needed to write this letter to you.

I can't get what I did out my head, and I'm sure you can't either.

Please understand, I would of never designed the bomb if I knew Prim would be there when

it was detonated, you know that right? She was like a little sister to me. You know I loved Prim, I 

remember when you were in the games, I took Prim to the forrest and tried to teach her to hunt,

But she wouldn't, she didn't want to hurt the animals, she had such a gentle spirt, 

I know that you will never be able to look at me without seeing Prim's death, I know that's 

why you choose Peeta. Because he was willing to sacrifice himself for you and I designed 

the bomb that killed Prim.

I know I can never face you again, that's why I disappeared to two.

Shamefully signed,

Gale

Katniss wraps her arms around me, I hold her, waiting for her to speak.

"There's another one," She says. "It's addressed to you Peeta."

I take it, realizing that we're not going to talk about the letter, and I'm okay with that.

I open it, "It's from Gale." I say, my face wrinkling with confusion. Why would he send this to me?

Dear Peeta

I don't blame Katniss for choosing you. You did everything you could to protect her.

All I had going for me was protecting her family, and I screwed that up.

You have to promise me you'll take good care of Katniss, she needs someone

to be there for her, I don't care what your going through.

You have to be there for her, no matter what your facing.

If you don't I'll come back to twelve and end you myself, understand?

I'm glad she has you, I guess. Hope your doing alright.

Gale

"He's a god guy." I say. "I think he just made some bad choices"

Katniss stares at her letter, "But he knew Peeta, he knew there was capital children, he used those kids as bait. He didn't care"

"I know." I say. "Your right, that was his problem, he stopped caring for the people he was fighting for."