Aftermath

Here for you

"Peeta!" I call from downstairs.  

"Yeah?" He calls back faintly.

"What do I do if the breads on fire?!" I call, trying to mask the panic in my voice as the flames climb higher.

A distant laugh calms me slightly. "Fire extinguisher!" He calls back.

I quickly scrabble for the extinguisher, ripping the safety catch off and dousing the flames with a crisp, white foam.

I curse under my breath.

"Katniss?" Peeta calls. "Still alive?"

"Yeah, I think so!" I reply, laughing slightly as I march up the stairs to his room.

I swing open the door to find Peeta lying motionless in bed.

"I'm so sorry!" I moan, collapsing on the end of his bed. Peeta grins.

"It's okay. I'm not hungry anyway." He says lightly, beginning to stroke my hair once more.

"No, it's not okay...I'm awful at this cooking stuff..." I say grimly, rearranging myself so I'm lying beside him, his arms wrapped around me.

"Honestly Katniss, I wouldn't have it any other way." He says, kissing the top of my head. "You're perfect just the way you are." He chimes, mimicking Effie Trinket's voice. "Which reminds me..." he continues, back to his own solemn tone. "How is Effie?"

I pause, in the midst of all this commotion, not once did I even bother to check on Effie. "I think she's okay." I say slowly. "I can remember vaguely the doctor mentioning 'stress' or something, otherwise she escaped unharmed."

Peeta nods, pulling me closer to him. I bury my head into his shoulder, preparing to drift off to sleep.

When the doorbell rudely rings. I groan and Peeta laughs.

"I could get used to this." He smiles, as I walk out the room, shooting him a dirty glare.

I slide down the stairs and skid towards the door.

"Hey." Gale says casually.

"Hey." I reply quietly.

Prisca glances from me to Gale, from Gale to me. Judging the amount of hostility we now have between each other.

"Um...Katniss." She says, smiling at me." We brought Peeta some provisions." She beams, holding out a basket filled to the brim with foods. "Gale told me how awful you were with cooking...." she trails off.

"Did he." I say, pursing my lips. Gale looks down at his shoes. "Where are you staying?" I ask politely, turning to Prisca attempting to mimic her fake smile. 

"With Thom and his family." She replies, nodding. "It's a lovely little house."

I nod. "Well...thank you." I say taking the basket off her. "That was very kind of you."

"Well, you're welcome Katniss. Feel free to call us if you need anything." She smiles, clasping her hands around mine. "We are here for you."

I nod smiling. Before closing the door in their faces.

I curse again, before bounding up the stairs with the basket.

"Hungry?" I holler, tossing him an apple. He nods hungrily. "It's your lucky day then!"

Peeta smiles. "Thank you Katniss."

I grin. "Don't worry, I'm here for you."