;; the ʙᴀᴋᴇʀ

                        “you can wake me up, you know.” ]

       he snags broccoli, dips it in the spread and plops the        veggie into his mouth. a few chomps later and he knows        he will deserve a smack if he receives one. instead he        grabs another carrot and holds it to her mouth in a peace        offering, despite stifling a smug expression. 

   [she woke with a start, temples pounding as she reached    to her side, desperate for his arms. Coming up empty, panic    formed an irrational inability to breathe. Her toes touched the    cold linoleum and she was rushing down the hall, searching    blind for Peeta. Tears welled in her eyes as a sob escaped    her lips.                    “P e e t a? Oh God, where are you?”    she choked, turning into the kitchen. She caught sight of a    tall shadow through the dim light of the kitchen, and hurried    forward, burying her face in his chest.                              “I thought you left,”    she mumbled, the words barely distinguishable through his shirt.]

      " hungry? cause i don't think my shirt is edible. "

I had already set something in motion that I had no ability to control.

     she doesn’t say anything, or move much beyond blinking eyelids and chest falls with contented breaths. when she does elect to move, it’s only to turn her body towards his beneath the anchor of his arm that rests across her waist. when she’s facing him, she gives enough room to allow storm cloud grey to meet deepening shades of azure and she’s struck speechless for a moment or two, soaking in the warmth of his gaze, something that had seemed near if not completely impossible those handful of years ago. ’ why get up when it’s so warm right here? ‘

        she turned and his lips pull at the corners, a gentle smile tries to coax her closer. his hand slides, palm pressing at the dip of her waistline. her hair a nest of loose ends, eyes still heavy with sleep. peeta remains quiet and soaks in the moment, they had fought so hard for so long, it was hard to believe they could afford happiness. “ you worry me when you sleep a lot. ” he admits, but before the moment could linger with sadness he nudges his head closer on the pillow and offers a coy grin. “ i think this master plan of yours has pulled me in. ”

     a well timed grumble passes gently through just parted lips, hair shrouding a majority of her features, covering the discontent that awakens when he lifts the blankets and cold air eats away at her warmth. that feeling lasts but a moment until he slides in afterwards and she leans back  into the embrace he provides, even if it causes his jest to remain unanswered for a few moments longer, voice still slightly raspy with sleep. ’ that was the plan. ’

  it is hard to believe that they are given the opportunity to relax. but nights turned into weeks, rolling into months and years. the genuine memories are forever present in his mind but he has aimed to replace them and it all begins with her. the chestnut hair welcomes him before she can and he almost smiles at her irritation. “ -- you know i came in here with the purpose of getting you out. ”

Prim sounds about a thousand years old when she speaks.

                    ❛ ——— we can’t keep doing this. ❜

                           “ i never wanna see this face again. ”

“You’re alive,” I whisper, pressing my palms against my cheeks, feeling the smile that’s so wide it must look like a grimace. Peeta’s alive.”

I realize only one person will be damaged beyond repair if Peeta dies.                                                         Me.