Always: A Hunger Games Fanfiction

Chapter 34

I've had a few instant messages with suggestions for this. I think a couple were telling me to add in the "You love me. Real or not real?" Part. I did. All rights go to Suzanne Collins :D

Katniss

The dandelion. The sign that tells me things could be good again. That it isn't over. The moment I see it, I know I'll be ok. I know I could- would-never let Peeta go. He's my dandelion in the spring.

Peeta doesn't understand what this small, yellow weed means to me. He doesn't know I saw him at the same time I saw a dandelion, identical to the one here. He doesn't know that it meant I knew I wouldn't starve. He has no idea.

"Katniss," Haymitch says, interrupting my thoughts. I look up at him. "Pay attention, sweetheart." I scowl and look up at the images on the large screen in front of me. Plutarch and Haymitch are explaining it at the front of the room. Peeta grabs my hand under the table and squeezes it tightly. I half-smile at him.

"As I said, we're going to the Capitol. You two give a speech. Persuade them to choose your side," Plutarch explains. That reminds me of the 'show' Peeta and I had to put on for the Districts and the Capitol. We had to persuade them to believe us, to give us sponsors. Peeta is shifting uncomfortably beside me. He's thinking of it too.

"We need armor. And guards. I'm not getting killed today," I say firmly. Haymitch is nodding a long, taking swigs of a dark looking drink.

"Someone has an attitude," Haymitch snaps. I roll my eyes and lean back against the chair and cross my arms.

"We don't need that star crossed lover thing either," Peeta says beside me. That surprises me.

"Too bad. You two aren't faking anymore anyway," Haymitch says. He swings the glass around him, spilling out the liquid every once in a while.

"No. If I'm going to love Katniss, it's going to be real," he protests. If? I stare at him curiously.

"Then make it real. Don't act," Plutarch says. Peeta and I jump when he speaks. I think we all forgot he was there. Peeta looks at me and then back to them.

"Fine. Tell me when we get there," he mumbles. He stands up from his chair, dropping my hand. He exits the room. Haymitch sighs, but Plutarch's expression doesn't change. He sits there, looking as though he's considering something.

"I'll be right back," I say.

I walk to the door. It automatically slides open and I walk out. I'm not exactly sure where Peeta went.

I walk down a hall. I find him at the very back of the hovercraft, sitting on a padded windowsill, legs pulled up to his chest. I sit across from him. We both look out the window in silence. It reminds me of the night before the 74th games on the roof. He told me he wanted to be more than a piece in the games. He still does.

"What was that? Back there?" I speak up after a few minutes of silence. He doesn't reply for a minute, his blue eyes lock on something random outside.

"I'm just afraid that it will be an act, and that I'm getting trapped in a sick game. Again," he says quietly. "You love me. Real or not real?" I only hear him faintly.

It takes me a few seconds to answer. I need to make sure I'm absolutely certain. I can't hurt Peeta. I can't change my mind. So, finally, I tell him, "Real." A hint of a smile flickers across his face.

"You know I love you. Real or not real?" he asks. My heart feels as though it's melting. Butterflies flutter around in my stomach. Gale never gave me this feeling. Only Peeta has. In the cave and on the beach. The feeling of safety and happiness and love.