string_theory | (no subject)

They were rushed out quickly, and she had little time to make eye contact with Gale one last time, trying to pick up any ques from him before they were parted. But if he was trying to psychically communicate anything, their bond wasn't sending both ways.

They were lead down more blank, white halls, but unlike before there were quite populated. Even with the late hour. Until they reached the dimmed out living quarters, she wasn't even sure it was night.

Boggs opened a door, leading them into a sparse apartment. There was a small living area, with a door leading to the bedroom and bathroom to the right.

"Miss Everdeen, your sister and your mother are staying just down the hall. They will come find you tomorrow. In the morning, when you wake, put your arms there and you'll get your schedules." He swallowed, knowing that when he left there would be a lot of emotions in his wake. "Someone will come by tomorrow to help you find your way around."

And then he was gone.

The fact that he hadn't mentioned anything about a member of Peeta's family was more than enough to let him know indirectly. He had no one.

Once it was just the two of them again, he put on a brave face, giving her a bit of a smile. "You should go see them now anyway, I'm sure they're worried about you."

Oh, she wanted to go see them. Badly. But they were safe and secure, and Peeta...

She hadn't missed that omission either.

"It's late. They are probably both fast asleep. It's not news were here, anyway. It can wait."

Or it could. Unless he wanted to be alone. Katniss couldn't imagine what was going on in his head right now.

There had always been the possibility that he would never see his family again. The first time he was a tribute he was almost positive of that fact, but then he was able to go home and just briefly believe that things would be okay. Then the second round had come and he knew at least, even when he did die, his family would be okay. They'd move on quickly.

Would he have traded places with them in a heartbeat if he knew this would happen? Of course.

He felt selfish thinking of this when that meeting made it so clear that there were more important matters to focus on as soon as possible. His family was just a miniscule portion of the countless victims. They mattered to no one but Peeta right now.

"Are you sure? Prim probably wouldn't mind being woken up by you."

Maybe Peeta didn't want to be alone, but she knew if she had said all of that she would want nothing more than a few moment alone to...fall apart. Get herself back together.

"I'll just go say hi. Real quick." She squeezed his hands, before slipping out the door. Giving him some time.

In that moment when the touch of her hands still lingered on his, he felt grateful: grateful to still have Katniss in his life, that they were both able to get away alive yet again. Were they truly lucky or unlucky over that fact?

Once he was alone he headed to the bathroom, feeling like he needed a cold shower to wash away the staleness of the underground. It was there that he allowed himself to break down where no one could (hopefully) see him. Despite how unhappy their family had been, they were still his family, the only one he had in the world. They hadn't been the most loving, the most hopeful, and he knew they would have gotten over his death as quickly as it came in the Games, but he had not been prepared for this, to wake up and realize he was alone.

Yes, he had people here, friends he was glad to see alive and well. He had Haymitch and Finnick and Effie, - somewhere - even Gale he was sort of relieved to see.

He had Katniss.

If she hadn't taken over his whole world so far, she had now.

When his emotions had settled and the shower was too icy to handle any longer, he got out and headed to the bedroom to change into some real clothes, sitting up in one of the small beds there and just... waiting.

Her visits with her family stretched much longer than expected. It wasn't until Prim asked about Peeta that she realized a short, 5 minutes visit had somehow stretched into nearly a half hour.

She excused herself, slipping back to their room and finding Peeta damp and waiting. Sinking down on the bed next to him, she reached out to intertwine their fingers again.

There wasn't anything to say, or do. Not anything else.

Peeta would not have blamed her if she forgot about him altogether and stayed with her family. He knew how important Prim was to Katniss and after all of this, it was good that she still had her.

He'd be lying if he said he wasn't glad to see her when she did return however. His eyes were trained on their hands for the longest time, finally finding the effort to squeeze and lean against her slightly.

"...What a day already."

"Yeah, it sure had been."

Tucking her feet up on the bed, she leaned her head on his shoulder. Exhaustion had suddenly caught up to her, and she eyed the other bed, not wanting to leave Peeta's side.

Maybe they could move the bed. If not, they could just squeeze into the twin, she supposed. It was smaller than they normally slept in, but they could make it work.

"How are they? Prim and your mom?" Because it was easier to focus on her right now. Besides, he genuinely did care and he knew starting tomorrow morning, they probably wouldn't have many moments like these alone together anymore.

"Good. There's food and space for everyone here, and they're safe."

Which was better than before. Even if not for that cost. Never for it.

Studying his face, she tried to find something more to add.

"They're giving Prim medical training. A lot of people are getting training here..."

He couldn't help but smile a bit at that. "Little Prim getting medical training... Can't say I'm all that surprised." Such different sisters yet both able to help in their own ways.

Though he was starting to wonder just how severe Katniss' impact was going to be on the whole... and what was expected of him along with her.

He grew silent again but not for long, shifting some so he could turn onto his side and face her, never letting go of that hand. "We're really going to have to do something, aren't we?"

"Me neither. She'll be wonderful at it."

Something she could never be in 12. Another reason to be greatful.

"Yeah." Something. Something big. "But we've come this far..."

And lost this much.

Peeta smiles then, his free arm just gently resting across her hip. "We'll keep on going together."

She shifted, setting her feet on either side of him so they were face to face. The position was so close to how they had sat on the roof, and she reached out, cupping both his hands in hers.

"We're gonna make it through."

The bed was clearly far too small for the both of them but he didn't really care in this moment. He wanted to be close to her.

Her touch made him smile more and scoot closer if it was even possible.

"We can take a night not to think about it."

"Do you want to try to push the beds together?"

She wasn't about to pass out on him, not when this might be the last peaceful night they got. She wanted to make it last.

She also wanted to stretch out and relax. This was going to be their place, now, and she was going to settle into it. No matter what.

"Probably would be more comfortable," he agrees with a sheepish look, having to force himself to pull away from her and get up. Because even though they weren't obligated to behave like a couple for an audience here, this had nothing to do with a show or cameras or convincing anyone of anything. He knew they both needed it.

Walking to the other bed, he begins to pull it closer to the center of the room. The room itself is small and cramped, but not that bad for two people. It was... clean. Private (for all he knew). Warm. Those things mattered more.

Glad they weren't bolted down, she went to her's, pushing it towards Peeta's till the two were next to each other, making a decent bed in the middle where they meet.

She looked through the drawers, finding simple, plain pajamas for both of them. Simple and plain seemed to be how this place operated. She wasn't complaining.

"I'll be right back." She tossed him his PJs, slipping to the bathroom to change and wash up.

He was ready to tease her about not wanting to change in the same room as him, but she was gone before he could, just smiling to himself instead. He was quickly able to change and pull back the covers, trying to somehow mesh them all together to make the makeshift bed more comfortable. Sleep was something he wanted to avoid for as long as possible tonight, even though his mind was exhausted with all the new information that was pounded into them today.

The fantasy of escaping forever with just her was sounding really nice right now.

Even if they had still been pant-less.

With a sigh, he flopped onto the bigger bed on his back, staring up at an equally dull ceiling as he waited for her.

She wasn't gone long, quickly slipping back into bed with him. It took a moment to figure out the gap, before she settled her head into the crook of his arm with a deep sigh.

Had it really only been a few weeks since they'd laid like this?

But this time, the future held a lot more hope..

He gladly wrapped both arms around her, kissing the top of her head. This was nice. It always felt right with her.

"I'll be honest... It feels nice when you let me do this."

She let out a little grunt of laughter, not sure what to say.

"I...it's the only way I really sleep, anymore." She finally confided, twisting so her face was turned up to his. It was more candid then she usually was, but Peeta...she could tell him.

"Then we'll just have to keep doing it, won't we?" He said with a grin, completely content with that fact. "It really helps me too. You calm down the nightmares."

The soft laugh became a big grin, as she laid her hand on his chest.

"I have no plans to do anything differently."

And clearly no one higher up objected to this either, since they were given a room together without asking.

you are. Stop lying.

NEVER /flies away

no don't leave me.

... f-fine ;; /flies back to

yessss

pfft <3 sorry for so much tl;dr sob

it's beautiful

;;

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