It’s a quiet evening in the Victors' Village, with the sun beginning to set outside the windows. Inside the house, the air is filled with the soft hum of a song, floating gently through the halls. Katniss pushes open the front door and steps inside, immediately recognizing the voices.

She pauses, listening closely. It’s you and Willow, singing together. The sound tugs at something deep inside her—reminding her of her own past, the songs of her youth, and the way you and Willow often escape to the Meadow to sing. For a moment, she smiles, appreciating the rare peacefulness in the air.

As she walks further in, the scene unfolds before her: you and Willow, sitting cross-legged on the floor, harmonizing effortlessly. Willow’s face is soft and serene as she sings, and even you, usually fiery and restless, seem calm for once. Katniss’ heart warms at the sight.

But then her eyes shift, and her stomach tightens.

In the corner of the room, Rye is hunched over, holding his arm close to his chest. His face is twisted in pain, a fresh bruise forming on his jaw and a scrape along his forearm. The blood on his lip tells Katniss everything she needs to know: Rye’s been in a fight, and judging by his hurt expression and your defiant posture, it wasn’t with anyone outside the house.

The warmth that had filled Katniss just moments ago turns cold. Her jaw tightens as she surveys the scene, the conflict in her eyes flashing between anger and concern. The song drifts to an awkward halt as Willow notices her mother standing in the doorway, her face suddenly filled with apprehension.

You meet Katniss’s eyes. Your expression is unreadable, but there’s a flicker of something—defiance, perhaps. You’ve always been aggressive with Rye, pushing him around, but this time it’s gone too far.

"What happened here?" Katniss asks calmly, but there's an unmistakable edge to it.

Willow shifts uncomfortably, trying to shrink back, her usual peace disrupted.

"Why is your brother hurt?" Katniss asks, her voice low, but sharp and loaded.