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The fight or flight instinct still hadn't slipped out of Katniss's damaged mind.

She knew, factually they were in District 13. Even though they didn't even know it exsisted up until a few days ago.

Well, some of them.

Her family was here. Peeta was here. Gale was here. Katniss? She was pretty sure half the time she was actually still back in the arena. She had nightmares, she'd always had nightmares, but none has seemed to follow her into reality quite the same way.

Today was one of those days. She was completely still, breathing heavy, staring at the door, certain that what was going to come through wasn't going to be some District 13 medic. Sure the empty room was about to fill up with Capitol peacekeepers, or...worse. There was always worse.

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"I do too sometimes." Another pause as he considered her question on a deeper level. Without the reaping, who knew how long it would have taken for either of them to speak on a personal level? And with her close relationship to Gale, he was positive they would have ended up together somehow. They still could. This war was only starting and what if he ended up...

Ah. Thinking about the outside again.

"It would have been really easy to just be the boy who gave you bread forever. But I'd always have wanted something else... wished to have at least said something to you, even if it was as lame as the... weather or something like that."

"Really? I never would have guessed."

She was just straight up teasing him now. Still, the idea that Peeta was there, watching out for her...that that wasn't just some random act...it did comfort her.

"Hey..." He chuckles though, glad they're even able to tease and relax with each other. It was hard to think just days ago they were fighting to stay alive in the arena.

"What about you though? Would you have ever approached me?"

She stopped herself from pointing out she barely knew who he was before hand. Partially because that just seemed like the kind of things you didn't say. And also...

also, it wasn't true. It was something she had said, and thought, but Peeta was someone who had been in the back of her mind a lot.

"I always wanted to pay you back. Somehow."

"Even though things turned out the way they have, I don't really regret it." The pain, the struggle, both in the arenas and out were just... how their lives came to be and he could accept that. It didn't make reality hurt any less, but he had a feeling there was a reason they were a part of this mess. There had to be. "As long as we can stay like this."

She didn't know how it was so easy for Peeta to say things like that. It use to make her uncomfortable, but now she wondered if it was because she wasn't sure how she felt, or because she was jealous of how sure he felt.

"No one can stop us."

He can't help but smile at that, drawing her even closer and leaving another affectionate kiss to her temple.

"Exactly. We got out of the hospital pretty far together, didn't we?" A small chuckle. "That's saying something."

"Oh, yeah, that was our greatest success." She rolled her eyes, letting out a huff.

Granted, there were bigger things than her bruised pride. But she still wasn't thrilled with Haymitch.

He just laughed more at her comment, feeling more carefree tonight than he had in days. For a second he actually forgot about the horrible news he had just gotten.

"Come on, even you have to admit we probably looked hilarious sneaking around in our underwear."

She tried not to smile. And failed, finally laughing against his shoulder.

"We had to look like idiots."

The laughter was becoming difficult to control, covering his eyes with one of his hands the more he thought about it.

"It... seemed like a good plan at the time!"

Now there was no attempt to hide her laughter.

"Well, at least we got a show. Us, and everyone else."

Luckily, in the dark, Peeta couldn't see that she was blushing.

It was nice to hear her laughing, especially at themselves. It really was a rare occasion and it made him feel warm and... happy. Truly happy.

"I'm sure they'll be keeping the video on record..." he groans, "laughing at the tributes from 12 running around in their hospital gowns."

"At least that won't be broadcast across Panem."

Oh that would truly be awful. If this had happened in the Capitol...well, their nearly bare bottoms would probably be all over.

Small favors.

"Can you imagine if it had?" He snorted slightly, arm raising out above them as he exclaimed, feeling silly. "Such scandal!"

She shuddered softly.

"How bad do you think it would have gotten? Them recording our lives?"

That really was a horrible thought wasn't it? He cringed slightly himself, wondering how long they would have had to hold up the star-crossed lovers act in that way... not that... his feelings were fake by any means. He was sure the Capitol citizens would have been devastated if Katniss didn't pop out a baby that didn't exist in nine months though.

"It could have turned into something really invasive," he said. "More... invasive, I mean. Like a show on the mundane parts of our lives. That would be awful but they'd love it."

Somehow, that bothered her more than the idea of their wedding being televised. Because in the mundane moment they could fill in the gaps to make things...better.

But if they didn't have those?

"...like when they made us have kids."

"Sorry about that... lie, by the way." At least now he could finally apologize to her about it properly. No one in 13 probably cared if they were even listening. "I didn't exactly prepare you. Though I usually haven't..."

She shrugged. She didn't really want to say it was ok...but she also understood. Getting a reaction out of her that was real was almost as important as getting it from the Capitol.

"I think I can forgive you."

"That's a relief," he sighed with another smile, arm coming down to wrap around her again. "After this, we won't have to lie anymore. I hope."

Though the unsaid question was whether or not her feelings were a lie at this point. He didn't know how to even ask.

She shrugged.

"Who knows what they have planned here. What role's they have picked out for us."

Katniss was not someone who had ever thought she'd have to think about politics. That was Gale's area. But all of this had changed it. And she was catching on.

"We'll probably get to find out in the morning," he sighed. For now, he was content to remain blissfully unaware.

She nodded, staring up at the dark ceiling.

"I have no doubt."

Tonight she had a feeling sleep would be a long time coming. At least, until Peeta drifted off, she would have some one to spend the hours with.

The arm around her shoulders suddenly held on a little tighter, almost afraid of letting loose because it would mean he'd give in to the comfortable bed and warmth of her body, to his tired mind. He didn't want to fall asleep yet. Not when he could stay in this bubble with her a little longer.

"So Gale was here too..." he brought up a little awkwardly, though it hadn't been his intention to sound that stiff. "I'm glad he's all right."