Slowly, his thoughts were becoming more his own after months of wondering where he was. Not only that but who he was. Spring became summer and somehow things were moving forward. Sure, he had moments where he could feel himself slipping but usually Katniss could return him to sanity.

Nightmares came and went but usually Peeta would hold her in his arms so she would not have to suffer any more pain. It upset him that for months, he had not been there, to hold her safely. But this time she began to scream ear splitting screams, Peeta tried shaking her awake. "Katniss, wake up it's okay," Peeta soothed her.

Katniss buried her head in his chest and sobbed. Peeta rubbed small circles on her back. "You did not know who I was again. You tried to kill me and…," Katniss explained.

"I'm here. It's just me, Peeta. I will never do that again. I'm here. I am here, always," Peeta tried to comfort her.

Katniss lay back down and Peeta put a reassuring arm around her. Just like they did back just before the 75th Hunger Games. "Peeta?" she asked in the darkness.

"Yes?" Peeta replied.

"Will it ever get better?" Katniss asked him.

He knew what she was talking about: the nightmares, the depression, the bad memories. "I think…it will get better in time," Peeta replied carefully.

"I hope so," Katniss whispered. "At least I have you back."

"You will always have me. I am not going anywhere," Peeta told her.

Katniss shifter her gaze to meet his she lifted up her hand and traced his jaw with the touch of her finger. Peeta leaned down and kissed her. It had been a long time since he felt her lips upon his. But something was different about it this time, it meant something different. It felt like the one on the beach that long time ago; it was real. An electrical current was brought throughout Peeta's body. Memories of every reason why he loved her flashed in his brain: her singing, avoiding her eyes in school as kids, the berries, her saving him by getting him the medicine, her nobility, how she hunts, all the things they mean to each other.

The kiss broke and Peeta smiled then pulled a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I am not going anywhere either," Katniss said.

Peeta smiled. He already knew the answer to what he was going to ask but he asked it anyways, just to hear her say it. "Real or not, you love me?"

Without hesitation she said "Real."

"I love you too, Katniss," Peeta said sincerely.