Katniss and Peeta: For you

Welcome To The Show

Katniss pov

My body shakes like a leaf as we walk. The hall is filled with a chilling silence, as our feet brush against the carpeted floors. All I can think about is what's waiting for me, twelve floors below. 

My past, living reminders of all the pain. My mother, a reminder of the guilt I feel after seeing my little sister be set aflame. My prep team, reminding me of the fear I had before the games. Johanna, reminding me of the last night in the arena, the night everything fell apart.

Everyone I care for, seeing them reminds me of those dark days. When everything was uncertain, even life and love itself.

"Hey, Katniss!" 

"Katniss!"

I jump, the voice pulling me back into reality. My vision clears and I see Peeta, standing several feet in front of me, his face a mask of worry. 

"Hey." He says. He walks closer to me, and brushes his fingers against my shivering cheek. "Katniss what's wrong?" He questions. "You stopped walking."

"I don't know if I can do this Peeta." I admit. "Seeing them all..."

"You can do this." Peeta promises. "I know you can, you've handled way worse, and remember, I'll be there right next to you."

He folds me into my arms, calming my wild breathing. "We can do this." He whispers into my neck. "Just hold my hand, and we'll get through this."

I nod slightly, and he releases me. "Thank you Peeta." I tell him, as I take his hand. "And the same for you, okay? You need me, make sure I know and I'll help get you through this."

He smiles at me lovingly. "I'm so lucky that you're here."

And with that the elevator dings open.

The floor is bustling with people, talking into earpieces, and shoving schedules in other peoples faces. They run around like soldiers on their own little battlefield.

"Ah, Mrs Everdeen, Mr Melark." A women clad in sparkly tight black clothing calls. "There you two are, so good to have you back with us."

She starts to gesture to her clipboard. "Alright, we're sending everyone out one at a time. You two will go last. Smile and wave-"

"Just like at our game interviews." Peeta points out to me.

"Yes well, Ceaser will be there obviously." The women says, ignoring Peeta. "But he'll mostly just be there as a host, to moderate. The audience will be asking most of the questions. Try to keep your answers short, five minutes at most. And please remember to k..."

Peeta pov

The woman continues to drawl out instructions for us,  but all I can hear is Ceasers cheery voice calling out the names of our friends.

My heart seems to burn like a volcano inside my chest as he calls the names.  My vision seems to tunnel on the women before me, and my breath struggles to enter my lungs. I feel like I'm going to pass out.

But then she's there. Taking my hand into hers, rubbing the back of my hand with his thumb. 

"I'm here." He whispers. "We're here, together." Her voice trembles, but her certainly grows as talks. She guides me forwards, not letting go of my hand for a second.

"We got this." She tells me, as we near our entrance. "Just stay by me and we'll be okay."

"And ladies and gentleman. The heroes of Panem, the stars of the night...Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Melark!"

And then we're walking out onto stage, Katniss's shoes clicking on the cold floor, and the multi coloured lights shining down on us. The crowds screaming our names wildly, just like back in the games.

Like in the games.

And that's all it takes to make me start trembling, just like when I was locked up in the capital. Body parts shaking out of my control.

But back then I didn't have Katniss with me,  who I know is just as scared as me. Who I have a inner duty to stay by her.

Before us a semi circle of plush chairs, each filled with a familiar person, dressed in fine clothing.

"Welcome you two." Ceaser says. "Please have a seat." He gestures to the middle two seats, Johanna slouches on the left of the empty chairs, and on the right  Venia sits delicately.

"Hey brainless." Johanna mutters to Katniss. "Ready for some fun?"

We both flash weak smiles at Johanna, before returning our attention to the faint outline of the audience, for the first time ever, the crowd doesn't just show capital citizens in their finest, now district citizens perch eagerly in their chairs, side by side with the capital.

Seeing this, a ray of happiness shines through my fear. Despite all the destruction and pain the war brought, equality and love was also brought into our world.

"I hope your travel was well." Ceaser says kindly. 

"Thank you." I say quietly. 

Katniss POV

My fingers tighten around Peeta's shaking hand. Together our hands tremble out of the cameras view.

"Before we start the questions." Ceaser says. "I wanted to tell you two how sorry I am to hear about Mr Abernathy."

A knife goes through my heart at the reminder of my unwell mentor. 

"Thank you." I say hoarsely. 

"How is he?" Ceaser asks.

"He's still in a coma." Peet replys, his eyes filling with pain. "Effie is with him and promised to call us if there is any change."

"Well please know, that the four of you are in our thoughts and prayers." Ceaser says.

I nod gratefully. "We appreciate it."

"Now, if everyone is ready, we will begin the audience questions!"

Thank you to lexii360 for your support! I'll try and upload again sometime this week!