Song Inspiration: "Remedy" - Adele

No river is too wide or too deep for me to swim to you

Come whatever, I'll be the shelter that won't let the rain come through

Your love, it is my truth

And I will always love you...

When the pain cuts you deep

When the night keeps you from sleeping

Just look and you will see

That I will be your remedy

When the world seems so cruel and your heart makes you feel like a fool

I promise you will see

That I will be, I will be your remedy

Katniss Everdeen was finally getting back into a routine.

Dr. Abernathy, or "Haymitch", as he liked to be called, gave her the go-ahead to return to her normal activity. After six months of physical therapy. The heavy brace was gone. Only occasional use for long days at work. She could actually take morning runs around the neighborhood.

But what was normal?

The confidence to walk without the crutch or a limp? Not automatically thinking she was being viewed as the girl with the fucked up knee? Being able to live out the plan she thought out in her head months prior?

It was hard to tell.

But the only positive out of this whole ordeal was her friendship with Peeta Mellark. Slowly, it blossomed into a thing Katniss was somewhat happy to engage in. They talked every day. Texting as soon as she got off of work. Weekend coffee dates. Long evening talks. Their interactions had become normal. When Peeta had the courage to ask her out to be his girlfriend, it was a miracle that she even considered the possibility. And she said with a short grin, "Okay."

The first time she visited Peeta's townhouse was very eventful. He wanted for her to fully heal before she came over. It was a fall day, a little cooler than normal, he set up a time for a home cooked dinner, naturally, and some good tv-watching. Both were off work the following day, so there was no need to rush anything.

"It isn't much," Peeta stated, "but it has character."

Katniss nodded, handing the coat she wore over to him. He was such a gentleman, waiting at the door for her, taking her things, making her feel at home.

"Oh, wow. It's beautiful, Peeta."

"You're just saying that."

She glimpsed at his bashful self. A blush tinting his cheeks that almost matched the maroon sweater he wore, hands stuffed into his corduroy jeans.

"I'm saying that because I mean it. You remember, I don't say stuff just to say it."

Kissing her cheek, he shrugged "Touche."

"Shall we get the evening going?"

Peeta quickly two large bowls of tomato soup and grilled cheese with pesto on their plates in front of the television. Peeta could make the mundane into something special. Katniss preferred that.

With the muffled sounds of the screen playing, Katniss could feel Peeta's eyes on her. He usually did when she wasn't paying attention.

"Katniss?"

"Yeah."

Peeta's eyelashes, almost invisible to see, fluttered. "I'm glad you're here."

"Thanks for inviting me."

The two smiled, then returned to their food.

"I have something to tell you."

"Well," Peeta inquired, "what is it?"

Biting her lip, she carefully selected the words to say. "I have an audition tomorrow."

Peeta's eyes widened in excitement. "Are you serious? Congratulations! You're going to do great."

Stirring the soup a bit to cool it down and deflect the nerves she was showing, Katniss calmly answered. "Maybe. We'll see."

Then, a silence came upon them.

"Do you have to leave early?"

"Well," Katniss hesitated, fidgeting with her braid. "I was thinking. I calculated. The studio is only ten minutes away from here. From my place, it's twenty."

Peeta chuckled, scooting closer to her, to the point that there was no space in between them.

"Oh. Care to stay here longer?"

"I'd like that," she snuggled into Peeta's chest. He was warm, as always. His breathing was steady and would tend to calm her down anytime they were together. That was their thing. Comforting each other. If he had an awful day at work. The emails and invitations to be seen weren't coming. They would hold each other, run their fingers in the other's hair, maybe a kiss or two. And things would be okay.

She was beginning to feel like this could be a good thing.

"Hey."

She grunted, leaving him in her wake as he entered the foyer. The door almost knocked him out when it flew open. He noticed that she wasn't in the same outfit as when she left his house. The hunter green dress shirt and dark washed jeans, had been replaced with an oversized hoodie and gym shorts.

"That doesn't sound good," he added, ruffling his blonde locks. The wind had shaken his coiffed style out of sorts.

A few more grunts.

"Oh. It didn't go like you planned?" Peeta asked sweetly, hoping for a peck or hug.

Katniss threw the notebook across the floor and crossed to the kitchen.

"Oh, no."

"I didn't get it," she answered with a tart bite.

"How could they not see how brilliant you are?"

Forceful slams of cabinet doors and the refrigerator were the answers he received.

"Katniss. Please. Don't shut me out."

Taking a few moments to reconsider the invitation she gave 18 hours prior, Katniss shook her head. The night before had turned wild. She let her hungry and passionate feelings for Peeta get in the way of her audition. Her head was foggy with intimacy and progress of things with him, that her main focus to get to the top was shelved. But she didn't want to tell him. That would make everything go to shit.

Piling on leftover rice, and shoving it into the microwave, Katniss continued to stay quiet.

"What did I do? Was last night that much of a disaster?"

She slapped her hands on the countertop. "Oh my God, Peeta. Will you just can it! Last night was great. I just…"

"I'm sorry. I'm a physical therapist, not a mind reader," he shouted. "The last thing we talked about was how we would celebrate and maybe have a repeat of this morning! So, obviously I'm going to think about all of the things I could have fucked up. Literally."

Katniss scowled; whenever Peeta argued with her, there was sense to his madness. "You don't get it. You'll never get it."

Peeta's jaw jutted. "Seriously? Where is this coming from? Like it's my fault."

"I don't have the personality of a saint or the appearance of a fucking angel to get the things I want. I wanted this. This is why I came to California. To get away from the shit I went through. To finally get noticed. Not be rejected. Again."

"But you can do this, Katniss! It was just an one time thing."

She rolled her eyes in irritation. "Peeta, you look at me like I'm pathetic. Like you're the only one who can be my cheerleader and make me feel better. Well, maybe this time you can't do that."

The pain was too much. Every failure, even from her childhood, was coming back to her remembrance, and she could not handle it. Not willing to pull out another hurtful word, Katniss walked to her bedroom.

"Fine," she heard him concede.

In the bathroom, Katniss splashed her face with cold water. She had to pull it together. She just wanted some type of remedy. This wasn't the life she wanted. Remaining in this funk would only continue to ruin her.

It took ten minutes to come back to her senses. Her path back to the him was quiet, taking short steps. She didn't want to interrupt him. Peeta was sitting at the kitchen table, reviewing a few charts.

"Hi," she whispered. "I thought you weren't bringing work here."

"Hard to shake off, ya know?"

Katniss understood how that could be. Standing behind him, she massaged Peeta's shoulders; her mother taught her a few techniques that finally became usual.. He left out a soft moan as she kneaded out the tension.

"Mmm. You're good at this. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Peeta gently asked her to step back, so he could move his chair.

"Come sit down."

When she did, Peeta smiled.

"You look so beautiful."

"I don't think so," she argued. "Certainly not after today."

Peeta's eyes squinted as he laughed. "Oh, but I have a good eye. You're the prettiest girl I've ever seen."

Compliments weren't her thing, so she moved her gaze her hands.

"Hey, look at me."

Katniss squeezed her eyes shut when his hand brushed against her cheek. There was no way she could meet him in the eye when she was so unabashedly cold towards him. Peeta's voice was incredibly soothing- perfect for a someone who helped others.

"I want to tell you something. It may surprise you."

"What?"

"I love you."

"Stop." Her command was harsh. She flinched just by seeing his eyebrows rise. But that shy smile of his returned.

"I know. It seems too soon to say it. But I do. I haven't been able to focus or look at you the same since we kissed that day. Right by your door," he pointed to the spot where they kindled their mutual attraction for each other.

Jaw dropped, Katniss stared at Peeta. "Shut up."

"Never."

Peeta cupped his hands on her face; his thumbs smoothing the worry lines near her temples, and placing several kisses on her lips.

"No."

More kisses and nose rubs. Foreheads resting against each other.

"You are just perfect," he mumbled. The heat of his touch made the hairs on the back of her neck stand at attention.

"I don't deserve this. I never have."

"Katniss. I want you to let it all go. Whatever crap you have."

Rubbing his leg, she explained, "It's not easy. You shouldn't tolerate my shortcomings."

"You don't dwell on my faults." Peeta reminded, moving to careful sucks on her neck. "Why should I focus on yours'?"

She sighed, "You have none."

Feeling a laugh rise up from the vibrations of his chest, he sweetly returned with a playful "Bullshit. I'm just as stubborn as you are. I curse like a sailor. I get very angry. I care too much. But you don't let that get in the way of you wanting me around. Am I right?"

Wrinkling her nose, she played it off. "Peeta, you're different. I think you're very kind to me and you didn't have to. Long before I was nice to you."

"I can handle this, Katniss," he reminded. "I deal with Haymitch's spicy ass every day. I am more than capable of working with the highs and lows of my girlfriend, who is Hollywood's best kept secret. Trust me on this one."

Allowing his hands to explore and her kisses to deepen, Katniss relaxed. Peeta's words were another comfort to her soul. Time would find a way heal the scars that covered her heart, and give her the chance to live to the fullest.

Thanks for reading.

xo