The Nightmares; Katniss’ POV
His body goes rigid beside me as the nightmares attack again. I turn on my side to face him, finding his hand and interlocking mine with his. It’s nights like these that I choose to flee into the woods. Seeing him paralyzed with fear and pain has always been too much for me to handle. But tonight I choose to stay, one hand intertwined with his and the other gently caressing his face. He’s trying to wake, to escape the unavoidable grasp of the nightmares. It’s no use, I know the feeling all to well. Allowing the horrific scene to run its’ course is the only way out.
His eyes jolt open several minutes later, the vibrant blue of his irises never fail to captivate me. His heavy breaths begin to return to normal and he allows his muscles to relax. “You’re still here, shouldn’t you be gone by now?” he asks me, puzzled by my presence. I allow my eyes to graze over his face, his blonde hair that slightly covers his eyebrows, his beautiful eyes, the gentle slope of his nose, and the fullness of his lips before replying, “Not tonight. I’m staying right here.” He smiles and presses his lips to mine, where they linger for some time. I place my head on his chest and we sleep like this for the remainder of the night- bodies woven together, free from nightmares.
