~1 Month Later~

Peeta's P.O.V.

Things have gotten better for the most part now. It has been one month since I have been home. And one month since I have moved in with Katniss. She really needed someone. I stepped up to be that person. Since she hasn't a lot of people left. I work at the Mellark Bakery three days a week. Then spend the rest of the days with Katniss. There has been a lot of new additions to District 12. The hospital is built, and there are factories for work. A lot of people live here again. My old friend Delly Carthwright, even Gale's family. But with more people sadly brings more popularity. Paparazzi is trying to get into Katniss and I's life. And the Capitol. Which is not what we need right now. We are very careful. I make sure that whenever Katniss is out, she is covered. I do not need gossip to travel about her. Especially not about that topic. I care about her too much to have her life ruined by gossip. I could lose her if that news was sent around. So Haymitch and I care for her and watch her close. Me even closer. I feel more than I did before I got home. I'm not sure if it's love...or just...I don't know. I really care about her. And sometimes I can't stop thinking about her.

"Hey Peeta?" My coworker, Dallan says.

I snap out of my thoughts. "Yeah? Sorry, just thinking." I say.

"You're always thinking." My other coworker Luke says jokingly.

I shake my head and roll my eyes. "Anyways, what?" I ask and finish kneading the bread dough.

"We'll take your shift. Go home. Rumor has it that Paylor is announcing something tonight." Dallan says.

"Thanks, guys." I say.

"Take some goods with you. Business is a bit slow." Luke says.

"I will. And don't worry, business will kick back up." I say.

I wrap up two loaves of bread and take two cupcakes for Katniss and I. I leave the Bakery. I walk fast when people start to notice me. Especially paparazzi.

"Peeta!" They call. "Peeta have you hear of the special announcement that President Paylor is broadcasting tonight?!"

"How are things with Katniss?!"

"Are you two dating?!"

I don't say a word. I get into the Victors Village. They leave me alone at the gate. Only the Victors and our close friends are allowed in the Village. No one from the public unless we authorize it. I go up the steps and into the house.

"Katniss! I'm home!" I call.

Buttercup comes to me from the kitchen. "Hey Mister." I say and scratch his head.

"Peeta!" I hear Katniss call. She sounds scared or even hurt.

My heart beats faster. I go to the kitchen. She stands from her chair at the table.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I ask. I set the food down and hugged her.

"I can't." She says.

I let her go. "What do you mean?" I ask confused.

"Go." She says.

"Where?" I ask.

"Back there. They want us to go back." She says. "Caesar called. Paylor is going to announce something for the Victors and then they will need to come to the Capitol next week. But I can't go back there. Don't let them make me."

"I know this seems like a lot. But everyone will be there. They're are friends. And the Capitol has changed." I say.

"I can't." she says quietly growing teary eyed.

I hug her. "There may be something we can do, Katniss. Don't stress." I say. "We can do something to keep this off our minds."

She lets me go. "I was thinking of something, actually." She says.

"What was it?" I ask.

"I'll show you. Come on." She says.

She leaves the kitchen. I follow her to the office. She has things laid out on the desk.

"What's this?" I ask.

"I was doing this while you were gone. I just need your help with the rest." She says.

I look at what it was that she was doing. I see the names of our friends and families. Then a summary of their lives.

"It's a memory book. For all of them." She says.

"This is great." I say.

"I can't find a picture for some of them. That's why I need you." She says.

"I'd gladly." I say.

She nods. "Thank you." She says.

"Of course." I say. "I'll start later if that's okay."

"That's fine. Whenever you can." She says.

We both hear a knock on the door. We leave the office. And go to the door. It's Haymitch.

"Can you believe this?!" He yells.

"What?" We ask.

"Turn on the damn television." he says.

Katniss goes over and turns it on. I sit down. Caesar Flickerman is interviewing President Paylor.

"For those of you just tuning, I am here with the President of Panem. President Paylor. We have been talking about the new policy for the remaining Victors from the past Hunger Games and Quarter Quell. Like our favorite Star-Crossed Lovers, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark." Caesar says.

The phrase brings back cursed memories.

"Yes, thank you Mr. Flickerman." Paylor starts. "The new policy will be this. Three times out of the year the remaining Victors will come to the Capitol. Then an interview will be held. And once a month, they will send in monthly reviews. This has been put in place for the upcoming new honor which will be held in two years from now. The first of the three interviews will be held in one week. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation."

"This can't be a real thing, right?" I ask.

"It is. And you better believe how serious she is. I don't know why it matters so much." Haymitch says annoyed and sighs.

"This can't happen." Katniss says, quietly.

"Well it is, Sweetheart." Haymitch says.

Katniss stands up and walks upstairs. I hear a door slam.

"I need a drink." Haymitch says.

Katniss's P.O.V.

I slam the door to my bedroom. I sit in front of the door. I feel my heart beating a million miles a minute. My body is shaking. My mind is racing with all of the news I just heard.

I have to go back to the Capitol. And every year. I never wanted to go back. I was never going to go back. I can't. I look at my arms. I see the scars everywhere. I feel my heart sink.

'Everyone will know. Everyone.' I think.

I know that not even the best medicine or make-up will make them not seen. The world will soon know my problems. My pain. And it is no one's except for my family. This nation only likes me for my past. The symbol I once was. But I am not that person anymore. I am not the Mockingjay. I am not the Girl on Fire. I am Katniss Everdeen. And only Katniss Everdeen. Nothing more, nothing less. And I will not be held up to those titles again. And I will not go back to the place where the most pain was caused. I hear feet coming up the stairs. And then stop outside my room. There is a soft knock.

"Katniss?" Peeta asks.

I stand up and open the door. "I'm okay." I say.

"Are you sure? I know this is very messed up." He says.

"It is. But we'll have to live with it. As long as we die." I say.

"Sadly." he says and signs.

"Where did Haymitch go?" I ask and come out of my room.

"Home. I sent him there before he got drunk here. He can do it at his own house." He says.

I nod. "Why do they care about our lives? They aren't theirs. They have their own and should keep their noses out of our business. It isn't any of their concern how we are." I say.

"I don't know. You're right that they don't need to know. But I doubt that will ever change. I mean the paparazzi still follow us." He says.

"I know. But at least them I can stand. They leave and don't get anything out of us. If the whole world knows...." I say.

He smiles pitiful at me. I sigh. "We'll never escape it, will we?" I ask.

"I don't think so, Katniss." He says.

"That's what I thought." I say.

"Come on. Let's eat and get our minds on something else." He says.

"Okay." I say.

He offers me a smile and his hand. I return the smile and take his hand. We go back downstairs and make our supper. Buttercup sits next to me on the island. We both watch Peeta intently. I still have never been one with the kitchen. Even with Peeta's careful teaching, I still can't cook. I just watch him instead. He makes some soup and rolls.

"Here you are." He says and hands me my bowl.

"Thank you." I say.

Buttercup meows in distress.

"Don't worry, I didn't forget you." he says to him.

"That cat is so rottenly spoiled." I say.

Buttercup meows as Peeta sets a small bowl for him on the ground. Peeta takes a seat beside me. We enjoy of meal.

"I'll wash up." I say as I finish.

"That's okay. I can." He says.

I notice something. I take his hand and take him outside. I smile and sit down.

"Beautiful." Peeta says.

"Always." I say.

He sits beside me and he wraps his arm around me. We enjoy the sunset. And enjoy the peace in our life for what may be for a while.