*Katniss's POV*
*A year later*
Peeta's venom attacks have slowed down rapidly. He has them maybe once every couple of months. Although, they've been quite mild, he usually can just clutch the back of a chair until they're over. The reporters and cameras still are around every time we visit town, but we've decided to just be kind towards the cameras. There's no point in asking them to stop.

As I awake in bed, I find that Peeta's already downstairs. I try to put it together, why he's up so early, when it hits me. Todays the day he has to leave for the Capitol. I forgot. I quickly hop out of bed and walk over to the door. I open it and begin to walk down the stairs. I look over and find him standing over the dining table. I can't believe he's going to be gone.
"I still don't understand why I can't go." I huff as I make my way towards the cupboard to grab a glass. "I can understand business."
"It's nothing against you, darling." He mentions while placing something in his bag. "Plutarch just doesn't want to bother you. He said that you've done too much already." He walks towards me and kisses me on the top of the head. I sigh as he begins to walk away.

It seems like I haven't done anything in the past year. I'm not saying that I'd rather be fighting for freedom, but I would like to be important again. I feel as if everyone sees me as the girl I was in the first games, and that's far from the truth.

"I have to go." He says looking at his watch on his left wrist. "Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone." I laugh quietly and walk up to hug him. He stands there for a bit until I let go. He smiles softly at me as he walks out the door. I sigh as I hear it close. 

Although it hasn't been more than a few moments, I already feel empty. As if something has been stolen from me. Could I be too attached to him?
I decide to bide my time by visiting Haymitch, maybe he can bring me some company. I also really would like his advice, not that he has good advice, but he seems to be right sometimes.
I slip my boots on and grab a coat, there's a dust of snow covering the ground, even in this time of the year. I quickly walk over as the coldness bites my nose. I twist the doorknob and find the door unlocked.

"Hello?" I say peering into the living room, it's midday so I'm not sure he'll be awake.
"In here." I hear Haymitch's voice come from the kitchen. I walk towards him.
"Can we talk?" I ask as he gives me a look.
"The last time we talked Peeta wasn't too happy." He remarks, looking at me.
"I don't want to drink, I want to actually talk." I say laughing.
"Alright." He says while buttering his toast. We sit down at the table and he eats while we chat; crumbs falling over his shirt.
"I need advice, Haymitch." I say. "It's about Peeta and I."
"I'm not interested in personal matters." He says looking at me. I glare at him and set my head in my hand.
"Not like that Haymitch." I say disgusted. He laughs as I continue. "I feel so lost. Usually I know what to do but I just can't figure it out. Peeta really wants kids but I feel like I would ruin them."
"So?" He asks with a mouth full of bread.
"So, I feel bad that I can't." I say looking at the table. I'm always thinking of myself, and the one time I want to do something for him, I feel as if I can't.
"Katniss, have you asked yourself why you don't want them?" He asks with a mouthful of bread.
"I don't wanna bring children into such a harsh world."
"But it's not a harsh world, there's no games anymore." He says as if I'm stupid. I roll my eyes.
"What about the cameras, Haymitch?" I say. "The poor kid will be in the spotlight it's entire life."
I watch as he smirks then takes another bite. "It doesn't have to be."
"How?" I ask. "We can't make it past the entrance of the victors village without being bombarded with reporters."
"How will they know about the kid if you don't announce it?" He smirks. I begin to consider the smart proposition, but shake my head."
"They'll find a way," I remark, "they always do—"
"And if they do," he interrupts me, "you can always chose not to show their face."
"That's easier said than done." I remark, I remember trying to hide from the cameras a year ago. It doesn't work.
"The kid will be in a stroller till there atleast four, Sweetheart. And once there older, they'll know how to protect themselves. Or you can get one of the fancy body guards that all the other victors have. Effie's got a whole squad of them and she isn't even important." He says in disgust. I sigh and look at the table. "Sweetheart, you aren't even married yet. Why are you worrying?" He asks.
"I don't know. I just am." He takes my frustration as a sign to stop prying.
"If you do have kids, we can start from there. You're worrying about non-existent kids right now, you realize that?" He says. I laugh quietly as we begin to talk about other things.
"When are you and Effie going to get together?" I say grinning.
"Never." He says while taking a drink of what I assume to be alcohol. I stare at the drink for a moment, but come back to reality quickly.
"She's changed a lot, you know." I ring and he glares at me.
"Trust me it's not the looks anymore, it's the way she acts." He says shaking his head, he takes another sip. I shrug my shoulders and look at him.
"Maybe you should call her." I suggest.
"Maybe in another lifetime." He laughs. I roll my eyes and stand up.
"Call her," I begin as I start to walk towards the door. "I'm sure she'd love to hear from you." He rolls his eyes and nods. "And thank you." I yell as I open the door.
"Anytime, sweetheart."

_

As I'm laying on the couch, bored out of my mind, I decided to eat something. I know I can't cook, I'll probably burn the house down. Maybe there's leftovers in the fridge. I walk over towards the kitchen and move to the fridge. I open the door and see what looks to be a whole months worth of food. I realize he must've done this for me. I take little hesitation before picking the lamb stew. He even put heating up instructions on the package, I appreciate it a lot. Before heating it up, I decide to call him. Not that I need help, because he made the instructions super clear, I just miss him.
It rings a few times before he answers.
"Hey." He says. I hear some people in the background and I assume it's the other people on the train. I hear a few people start to laugh close to the phone, and I realize their voices I've never heard before.
"How's the train?" I ask while trying to listen. I hear them talk and then Peeta covers the phone and tells them to leave for a second. Who is that?
"It's good, a bit noisy but everyone here is pretty nice." He remarks.
"That's good." I say quietly. Is he with someone else?
"Are you okay?" He asks softly. It's funny how I called to thank him, but now I'm not sure if he's being honest.
"I'm fine." I say flatly. "I've gotta go, just call me later." I give him a second before hanging up. I hear him start to speak but the phone is back on the wall holder before I can make out the word.
I'm supposed to give him the benefit of the doubt, but is it possible that he's changed his mind? That maybe, he wants to be with someone else? Maybe that's why I wasn't allowed to go with.