Aftermath

Frozen

I wake up with a jolt, Peeta's name hanging on my lips. I let out a relived sigh as I realize it was all a dream.

I glance sleepily around the room to discover the fire pathetically smoking in the fireplace, two warm muffins and a mug of hot mint tea delicately placed on the rustic coffee table. As I regain my bearings, I realize I'm alone with a blanket wrapped around me. 

I wave of panic floods over me, just like the way the wave crashed through the arena two years ago.  I shiver at the memory. Those Games still haunt me, just like they do Peeta......

Peeta!

Where is Peeta? I instantly find myslef on my feet.

Where is he? 

"Peeta!" I call trying to seem calm, just in case he's just gone to the bathroom or something.

No reply.

"Peeta?" I try again. 

Nobody replies, just the slight echo of my voice.

This is weird. Peeta normally rushes to my side whenever I call him.....or at least calls back.

"Peeta!" I can now hear the shrill coming through in my voice as I flutter around the house in panic.

 No reply.

"Peeta! Peeta! Peeta! Peeta!" I yell as I break into a run.

Still no reply.

I can feel fear overcoming me, swallowing me up again. I dash back into the kitchen one last time, but instead of finding Peeta, I find his coat and boots have gone and there's a note on the table. My heart stops.

Dear Katniss,

Sorry.

Love Peeta.

xxx

"No!" I inhale suddenly. I'm frozen, it takes me a few moments before I can think straight. I slam my feet up the stairs at rocket pace, throw on my jacket, shove my boots on-not bothering to tie the laces-and race out the door.

I find him where I expected to find him, the lake. He's sat alone on the bank skimming stones, a thick rope lying beside him.

"Peeta!" I yell at him. He turns around in shock.

"Katniss-! He begins.

"No!" I scream. "Don't you ever ever do that to me again! You idiot! You complete idiot!" I can feel the tears welling up now.

I almost lost him.

"I know," He say, enfolding me in his arms. "I scared myself, I'm sorry you had to go through this." He says stroking my hair and rocking me gently. 

I feel selfish.

It was him who was the one who almost killed himself because of how hard he's finding life, and here I am yelling at him for it.

I stare up at him trying to register how close he was to doing it. He reads my mind.

"Katniss." He says soothingly. "I only got as far as the town before I got my head straight again." I allow myself to feel slightly relived. "I promise you Katniss, as I did in the arena years ago, I will always be by your side." He reassures me. "Always."

"Always." I reply burrowing my head into his shoulder again.

Eventually we find ourselves spending the whole afternoon dozing by the lake together, after I flung the rope into the lake, destroying any threat of it re-appearing in future events. And before long arrive home with hollow, empty, raging stomachs.

Peeta quickly pulls together a homily meal and we tuck in beside the fire.

"You should start cooking you know." He smiles, a hint of cheekiness in his voice.

"Oh, yeah?"  I ask, with a soft chuckle. "Do you want food poisoning?"

He begins to laugh.

"You know what, Katniss?" He asks, still grinning. "I wish I could freeze this memory too." Running his fingers through my slightly matted hair.

I allow myself to smile.

"Permission granted." I reply, remembering how he'd said the same thing before.

"Thank you." He whispers before planting a kiss on my cheek, that spreads warmth over my entire body and sends a cool shiver down my spine.