The tension in this room was ridiculously noticeable and he had to wonder if it had been like this all morning or just because Katniss was here now. He was wary of the whispers and sadness, of the guilty feeling even hitting Peeta square in the chest.

As they ate, he enjoyed the distraction of chatting with Delly and getting some more information on what had been going on and how she and the other people left of 12 were coping. One of his hands slid beneath the table to give Katniss' leg a light, reassuring squeeze.