Neither of them had much to complain about before losing their fathers. Their lives had been good for the most part. His less normal than hers but nothing either of them regrets. Too bad things couldn’t stay the way they wanted it. Too bad they both had to lose their fathers. She’d like to think that her own would like Matt. Approve of someone with his morals and standards despite the age gap between them. She has absolutely no intention of leaving. Not anytime soon. Not ever if she can help it. Having a home again (which is what the apartment had become after only a month of residing within) is n intoxicating feeling.

Sharing that home with someone who loves her? Even more so. Maybe all of this will be enough to keep her from ever being someone she never wanted to be. There’s so much opportunity in her life now. Given so many gifts she never should have had. The rest of her life is suddenly so much longer than it had seemed a year ago. And much more worthwhile to live.

Katniss sighs happily when he presses his lips against her head. Unlike the kisses they had shared just a little while ago, this one soothes rather than ignites. But she can sense the love behind the gesture nonetheless. Closing her eyes, she loosens her grip around him a little and wriggles up against him until half her body seems to cover his. One arm cradles her head against his chest while the other stretches downward across his stomach. She tangles a leg between his and when she yawns again, doesn’t bother to stifle it. She’s exhausted but sated and content, emotionally and physically. “Push me off if I get too uncomfortable,” she mumbles sleepily, remembering at the last second how sensitive Matt’s sense of touch is. “Won’t mind.”