01. vid

[howherolls]

[ the video feed flickers on, and a young man sits at a desk. On it, there's a paintbrush, a small canvas and a set of watercolors. None of them have been touched, but the young man's fingers keep flexing around the brush. ]

I'm...not sure why I'm here. [ he slowly clears his throat, staring not at the feed but at the brush ] My only guess is they saw something they liked on the footage. [ a finger twitches against the brush ] But...I am pretty sure I have other ideas this time.

[ he looks up ]

That person you saw in the Games and the interviews wasn't me. Not the me that I remember, anyway. So if that's what you were expecting, I apologize. I'm not here to fight. You don't want me fighting.

[ there's the sound of a sharp crack as the paintbrush snaps in half. It begins to reform itself ]

My name's Peeta Mellark, and I'm going to sit this one out.

Comments

[insecrets]

Well. As happy as Katniss can be. [... Hopeful sounding. Good. Maybe he won't have to kick Peeta's ass if he attacks Katniss.]

Real. [A shaky smile.]

[howherolls]

[ Peeta nods, exhaling. At least that part...wasn't theirs. ]

I'm not sure how I'm able to talk to you. But a lot of things haven't been making sense these days. [ a lopsided smile, almost like the old him ]

[insecrets]

I haven't... [He's had to explain this so many times, and it's never any easier.] I haven't died yet. We were still in the sewers when I was brought here. [His fingers twitch.]

[howherolls]

[ he frowns ]

I get the feeling this place is more...complicated than it lets on.

[insecrets]

[A nod.] Sounds about right.

You're the first person who hasn't tried to attack me. Or threatened to. [A playful scowl.] Johanna and Katniss, on the other hand...

[howherolls]

[ a grimace crosses his face at the implication of Katniss attacking, but he schools it down ]

There isn't much point in attacking you, I think. [ a strained grin ] I'm getting used to things being where they shouldn't.

[ a pause. he rolls his palms together, fingers flexing a little ]

They're doing well.

[insecrets]

Also, you owe me your life. So I'll say that it's squared away now. [He begins to grin and then his eyebrow furrow in confusion.]

Katniss and Johanna?

[howherolls]

[ he looks confused, until it dawns on him ] The force field. I guess it does.



No.


Annie sends pictures, sometimes.

[insecrets]

[...

His fingers twist a piece of rope around, deftly working on some new knots. He should stop asking questions.]

Pictures of what?

[howherolls]

Her. Him. Sometimes the ocean or the sand or fish, to help me with my baking. Usually they seem happy.

[insecrets]

[No he doesn't want to know. He doesn't want to know anymore, because it hurts too much. Is Peeta trying to tell him that Annie... No, he's dead, and she needs to be taken care of, but still...]

Him?

[howherolls]

[ Peeta looks up, alarmed. ]

You have a son. Real or not real?

[insecrets]

I- [Finnick makes a choking sound and stops his hands, knot only partial done.] I don't know!

[howherolls]

[ Peeta's hands start to clench, almost going into spasms. He takes a deep breath. ]

Sugar cookies are his favorite. He can't eat them, but he likes the colors on the frosting. Last month I made four dozen and sent them to Annie. They had gulls on them. And waves. His eyes are bright green. I haven't met him in person, but we get letters.



Real.

[insecrets]

[He'll just be here, shaking his head.] Johanna didn't tell me. They both didn't tell me.

[howherolls]

[ he doesn't know what to say, so he offers something else ]

He's safe. From the Games, we don't have them anymore.

[insecrets]

Johanna said. [BUT NOT ABOUT A BABY.]

[howherolls]

[ he begins to fidget with his hands ]

Things aren't perfect back in Panem, but we're working on it. He's going to grow up in a completely different world than us.

[insecrets]

Good. [Does he mean it? Yeah, he thinks he does. A son. His fingers work at the rope again, tying and untying knots as he slips into silence.

Annie's alone, and she has his son. They have a child, and she's alone. No, Johanna said that she's taking care of Annie. Which means she's taking care of their son.

Unless that was a lie.]

I'm glad that... That he had a chance.

[howherolls]

Me too.


Something was worth it in the end.

[insecrets]

[Sorry, bro. He's gotta jet. Weh.]

[howherolls]

[ off to cry another ocean, eh ]