Unexpected

Peeta had prepared for his travels shortly after, he was to leave that evening. He didn't come along with loads of material so it was no stress for him. Every sheet he folded into his archaic duffel had a scent of joy around it. Uncle Erik had a bittersweet feeling about his nephew's imminent departure. He had just seen for the first time in a long time for only and year which seemed short in his eyes that moment.

"Don't you worry dear Uncle" Peeta said while smiling,

"It is only for a brief period of time. I will be back to complete my education."

Peeta stood tall and embraced his Uncle soberly , with a bag in his left hand as a way of saying goodbye.

"Do not miss me too much sir"

With that he turned away from the house and waved goodbye with a bit of aplomb Infuriated with joy, he traipsed off into the dancing and busy streets of Amphire where he would find a carriage to pay as means of transportation. Peeta walked forward in optimism. He hadn't set his vision on Marianne for the better part of a year, so there was to look forward to in this journey.

Marianne on the other hand, wasn't expecting his as soon as a day or two. She was in for possibly the surprise of her life. There she was sitting on the front porch, inhaling the air her and nature were sharing at that moment, smiling. The letter did a good lot on her. In the respect of his homecoming, Peeta's family shared the same condition with Marianne, they weren't expecting him as well. He would take everyone by surprise, like a mysterious light shining far in the dark.

Peeta's journey took only a day as opposed to his first departure from his village which required an extra twenty-four hours. Seeing a familiar sight which had become slightly vague in memory was blissful. Every where he looked, he'd have memories. The weather was fine. The setting of the sun at a late hour was still and always in ordinance, the rowdy market was as ever rowdy, the farmers fields were filled with new crop for the season waiting to be harvested. Everything was just as he left it. Nature had accepted him back into his birthplace

Walking back from the transport stop to his village was as if he had the strength of someone who had just completed a marathon(he felt tired). The optimism of seeing his family that  lingered in his thoughts but was still incomparable to hopes of seeing his lover as soon as possible was what gave him strength to keep walking. Soon thereafter, he was in close proximity with home. His first center to relax was his house He opened the door, stepped inside, Adrian was sparring with himself using a wooden sword, Aden was playing cards with himself. It was like mutual discontent with the two little squirts that they didn't even notice their elder brother was back.

"Boys!" , he shouted in delight to gain their completely divided attention.  Their ears stood sharp like aware dogs. The voice was familiar to them. It sounded like how he would yell at them when they'd do the wrong thing. They turned with a sense of excitement, with the feeling of having their favorite toy which was seized from the come back to them.

Their eyes were lit up like star fires.

"Brother!!!" They yelled together in excitement whilst jumping on top him. Before Peeta knew it, he was on the floor on full assault from his younger brothers. The brothers were in delight to be reunited, a year felt like ten years. Rhisa and Mikael, his two respective parents weren't around. His mother had just gone to the market, and his father as usual was always a late comer. He settled back in, with the help of his diblings. Immediately he finished unpacking, he freshened up like a groom preparing to be wed and head straight to see Marianne. He got there to be greeted by an unexpected face, someone he wasn't used to seeing, her father.

"Good day sir. I'm here to see Marianme" , he said with an anxiousness. He always had good composure and comport of himself but this was different. Seeing her father for the first time in a long time was unexpected, even for him.

"Ah!, you must be Peeta" he said delightfully.

"Marianne's told me a lot about you."

"Oh", Peeta said slowly like he couldn't swallow any longer.

"Don't be afraid son, I am in total support of it"

"Of what?" Peeta asked.

"You do not requit  the feelings of my daughter? " he asked Peeta curiously.At this time they were both sitting on respective stools. Marianne's father inquisitive, Peeta shaky.

"Oh no sir, of course I love her. I love her very much."   Peeta said somberly.

The Frenchman informed him of his daughter's departure to the market an hour before he arrived, just like his mother. Coincidentally, the two most important women in his life we're not home.