Ivy got changed before her interview. Effie thought it would be a good idea for their broadcasted engagement that they look more natural and not set up and the two victors agreed. Most people thought their love was an act and it was smart to try and make it look more natural. Peeta joined her just before she finished.

"Peeta don't we have to leave soon to meet with Effie and Haymitch?"

"Yes, but I thought it'd feel better to do it before." He got down on one knee. "Now I don't have a ring but I made it with the bread ties." He showed her the red twisted tie. "I've loved you since we were kids and I've never stopped. Never thought we'd have this day so Ivy Aurora. Will you marry me?"

A tear slipped her eyes and she nodded and laughed. He slipped the tie on her ring finger and got up to kiss her. She thought it was funny but cute and she appreciated the gesture. It was intimate and just them and it wasn't for the Capitol.

"Thank you, Peeta. For making it special in your own way." She kept her arms wrapped around his neck and smiled.

He gave her a big smile glad she had liked his proposal. He knew it wasn't much but he wanted to make sure something about their love was broadcasted and they could have it just to themselves.

"Of course sweetheart." He kissed her nose.

"I love you," she said as she slipped into a hug.

"I love you too."

•

Ivy watched the TV as Ceasar appeared on the screen. "Just when you thought things couldn't get more exciting going into a very special Quarter Quell, our two lethal lovers..." he paused. "My favorite expression." He laughed. "From District 12 have surprised us with a new twist in their love affair. Let's take a look."

The camera zoomed in on the video to show Peeta proposing with a ring Cinna made for them while at the interview with Caesar.

"Aw..." the crowd cooed while others applauded.

"A fairy tale ending for two star-crossed lovers. That's beautiful. Beautiful. and then tonight the tour that began in the hollows of District will end in the presidential palace."

•

Ivy wore her orange gown while Peeta wore a black suit with orange accents on the collar, handkerchief, and shoes.

"We are finally here. The party of the year." Effie gushed as they walked. "Eyes bright. Chins up. Smiles on. I'm talking to you Ivy." Effie looked at the girl who looked like she wanted to be anywhere but there. "I know you don't feel good and don't want to see all these people but you want to look good for them." They reached the mountain of steps and Ivy sighed to herself as they walked up. "Now there'll be photographers, interviews, everyone will be here to celebrate you, my victors. Breathe it all in children..." she turned to them. "This is all for you."

"It looks cozy," Peeta muttered.

"Attitude," Effie told him.

Ivy grabbed Peetas hand and they walked forward after Effie, letting her guide them.

"Come. come." She gestured for them to follow her.

"Excuse us." She smiled at everyone while Peeta and Ivy smiled and walked through. "Come come." She said again.

"They really know how to go all out," Ivy whispered to Peeta as they got close to the president's house where men spit out fire.

"And the library is all mahogany." Effie gushed. "Hello hello." She greeted people before seeing a woman wearing an odd hat with strings. Effie ran her hand through them quickly. "Ooh. Curtains."

"Everybody who is anybody's here and they all want to meet you." Effie turned and told them as they continued to walk through.

"Flavius. Octavia." Effie waved before taking off outside.

Ivy and Peeta looked at each other before he offered his arm instead of his hand and they linked together.

They eventually tried a few desserts and some chicken before feeling full.

"Try one of these they are divine." A girl held out some deserts.

"I can't even take it anymore," Peeta told the two Capitol citizens.

"Here." The man next to her offered a small purple drink.

"What's this?" Peeta asked taking it.

"It's for when you're full. It makes you sick so you can go on eating." The man explained.

"How else can you taste everything?" The girl laughed.

Peeta looked between the two as if waiting for them to say it was a joke but they didn't. He smiled and thanked them before handing them the drink and platter. "I actually think it's time for a dance." He turned to Ivy and offered his hand. "Ivy?"

She gladly accepted and danced with him. She smiled at him as he twirled her around. They danced for a little while longer before Peeta saw some people puke in buckets and he made a face.

"What's wrong?" Ivy asked with a small frown.

"People are starving in 12. Here they just throw it up to put more stuff in." He muttered.

"That's the Capitol for you. More disgusting in person."

"Ivy. Peeta." Effie called out to them and they stopped dancing. "This.. is Plutarch Heavensbee. Head Gamemaker. Successor to Seneca Crane."

"It's a tough act to follow," Peeta said, the tone in his voice showing he did not care for the man or the station.

"Peeta." Effie immediately chastised the boy.

"May I?" Plutarch smiled as he asked for Ivy. "Please."

Peeta moved out of the way and Ivy reluctantly accepted his offer and began to dance with the man.

"So how do you like the party?" He asked.

"It's a little overwhelming. All the people.. food."

"It's appalling," he said to her which surprised her. "Still if you abandon your wrong judgment it can be fun."

"So are you having fun then?" She asked.

"I'm head game maker fun is my job."

"I thought that's what happened to Seneca, too much fun."

"Seneca decided to.. uh.. quit breathing."

"Decided." She rolled her eyes, partially amused at the wording.

"It was that or poison berries. Head game makers have never been the most secure job in the world."

"Then why are you here? Why'd you take the job?" She questioned. He knew it wasn't safe and yet he applied. It made no sense to her.

"Like Peeta, I volunteered. To help."

She scrunched her eyebrows trying to understand what he was getting at. "Why?"

He shrugged. "A chance to make the games mean something."

"The game's only meaning is to scare us into submission."

"That's one way to look at it." His watch suddenly danced around the clock as it showed it hitting another hour. "Looks like its close to midnight."

Ivy stared at him for a moment. "It's pretty much one of the only ways to look at it."

"Maybe it was you who inspired me to come back. Make a.. difference."

Now she really wanted to get in his head. His tone suggested a hidden meaning but he said it so seriously she didn't quite understand what he was saying.

Before she could think more of it a wave of nausea hit her and she excused herself before finding somewhere private to puke into a bush. Effie noticed her after looking for her to gather them up for the event and rushed to her side.

"My my." She held the girl's hair back. "Get it all out." She looked around to see if someone could help get her something to drink. Some boy setting out new food came by and asked him to get her some water which he hurriedly agreed.

Ivy looked up and thanked Effie. "I told you I wasn't feeling good."

"You didn't take anything?" Effie asked concerned.

"No, I still can't believe you guys use those thing to eat more food."

The boy came back with water and Effie quickly handed it to Ivy to wash out her mouth and drink. "Was this the first time you've felt sick? Maybe you ate something."

"I've been feeling off but that's the first time. Why?"

"Nothing. Just eat a little bit and drink mainly water. I'm sorry honey."

"It's okay. I know this is something we had to do."

"Well we should get to the presidential welcome he'll be starting soon," Effie told her before guiding her to the center.

"Do you think we convinced him?" Peeta asked Ivy as Effie led her to him.

"I'm not sure what else we can do." She told him.

The crowd clapped as the president slowly walked out.

"Tonight.. on this the last day of their tour. I want to welcome our two victors. Two young people who embody our ideals of strength and valor. And I personally want to congratulate them on the announcement of their engagement." His eyes locked onto Ivy and Peeta as people cheered. "Your love has inspired us. And I know it will go on inspiring us. Everyday. For as long as you may live." He held up his drink as everyone cheered.

Ivy just watched him, unsettled by his words and presence while others looked at the fireworks behind them.

•

They were on the way home but Ivy couldn't sleep. She got out of bed and walked around as she ate strawberries. Eventually, she found an open door where peacekeepers watched people riot, burning things down and destroying things.

She almost dropped her strawberries in shock but before she got caught she walked away and put the strawberries up and slipped back into bed.

It had all gone wrong and they were inciting more violence. She laid her head on his chest and squeezed her eyes shut, trying to forget everything.

•

As soon as they arrived home Ivy told Peeta she'd be back home in a little bit she had some stuff to do.

She eventually found who she was looking for and rushed toward them.

"We need to talk," Ivy said glancing around and trying to lead Katniss and Gale into a more private place.

"What's wrong?" Gale asked.

"You guys still want to run away? Like you guys talked about?" Katniss and Gale furrowed their brows and looked at her like she was crazy.

"If we go now we'd be far away from here by tonight."

"What's going on?" Katniss asked concerned.

"I just need to get out of here. I can't live like this anymore. And I'm sure Peeta agrees. Snow has threatened us many times and I don't want to stick around and mess up more shit. I just want to know if you guys want to join."

"Do you even know what's going on in the Districts?" Gale asked her.

"No.. why, what have you seen?"

"There were people fighting in the streets. Fires and Peacekeepers were pinning them down but the people..."

"What? The people are what?" She asked concerned.

"They were fighting back. It's finally happening."

She turned away and ran a hand through her hair. "We should've just eaten the berries in the arena and died. This would've never happened. People would be safe."

"Safe for what?" Gale asked rhetorically. "To starve? Work like slaves and send their kids to the reaping?"

"I'm going to have to agree with Gale Ivy. You've given them the opportunity. And they just have to be brave enough to take it."

"There's already talk in the mines people wanna fight," Gale told her.

She started to panic now. "This isn't good. We stay, we're dead. They will kill us. Especially with the way you're talking Gale."

"What about the other families? The ones who stay? What happens to them? People are looking at you and Peeta Ivy."

"I didn't ask for this," she said with a shaky breath. "I didn't want anyone to look up to me. I can't help them. I can barely help myself."

"Ivy listen you can do what you want. I'm staying here. These people need us."

"Katniss?" Ivy asked.

"There's not much I can do but I can help fight. I want to stay and help Gale."

"I understand." She nodded. She had no idea what to do and staying and leaving scared her either way. Without looking back she ran to the bakery as cars big vans pulled in.

"I tried to convince them to go but they want to stay and help the people fight. Apparently, people around have been talking." She whispered to Peeta as he packed some bread.

"Ivy you know I love you but I think we should stay too." He told her as he closed his bins.

"What?" She asked.

"You are a fighter. Your father's still here, my family is still here." He pointed at the bakery. "Even if they aren't the best. And it's not just our families that need us. I know our situation isn't ideal but if we can help in any way I think we should."

"It's just too much," she said sadly.

"I know." He walked up to her and held her face. "But you've got us. And I will never leave your side. We do this together."

Just before she could say anything they heard yelling and cries. They looked out and saw fires being set as people ran or were pushed down.

Ivy ran out and saw Katniss get hit to the ground as she defended Gale who was tied to the pole with lashes marking his back. She rushed over to them and blocked them with her body.

"Move." He demanded. "You want in too."