looking for a game maybe?

[howherolls]

 I'm not sure this applies as a good argument for "never giving up", especially since I'm the one you're sending to another game. Again.

I know it's not like it used to be, but I'm content where I am. Haymitch has geese. And I'm not...I'm not going to be hurting anyone where I am. 

I know my opinion's not worth much here, but maybe continuing the break will be a good thing. Here I can still be me, and Katniss isn't...Katniss isn't around to be hurt.

Comments

[stillplaying]

[Katniss isn't around to be hurt. She wants to yell at him, scream that he could never hurt her. Not really. What he did because of Snow's hijacking, that doesn't count. Not when it's been a year, more than a whole year, since that day he tried to choke her. A year also since he stopped her from killing herself.

The Peeta Mellark that had been by her side in the 74th Hunger Games would never purposely hurt her. She knows that. But the pain she does feel is still raw. He had been ripped from her side by the Malnosso. Sent back, away from her. And she was not allowed to follow. Peeta will always be her weakness.

And even when he's not around, even when it's been weeks since she awoke to find him gone, just his memory hurts.]

Don't let her, Peeta. [She won't look at him, no matter how much she means the words.] You're right to stay away from me.

[howherolls]

[ he winces. it's the truth, he knows. but there was still that expression about it hurting ]

I'll try my best. [ he exhales, suddenly looking tired ] But my best isn't exactly effective here. [ he folds and unfolds his fingers together ]

She won't put me somewhere where I can...adapt.

[stillplaying]

Try harder.

[The word is nearly a growl, her hands clenched tightly into fists. She looks downward, grey eyes studying his feet as if they're the most interesting thing in the room. What she wants is to run over. Run over and run her hands over every inch of his body. Make sure he's still okay. Whole. Or however whole he could be after everything that had happened to him. To them. Make certain that being sent away hadn't hurt him. That the Malnosso had conducted no more hijacks before letting him return to Panem.

Without her.

Maybe, in retrospect, it was the only smart thing her new Gamekeepers had ever done. Sending him back to Panem. To a place where he could - eventually - grow old without being a piece in anyone's games anymore. Maybe, rather than being angry, she should be grateful.

He deserves everything she doesn't.]

You deserve better.