The gesture of Katniss running her fingers through his hair, the touches, made Simon feel better and worse at the same time- because it reminded him of Kaylee, and once more of how much he deeply missed his girlfriend. But still- it was soothing, it was relaxing.

He was quiet for a while after she spoke, waiting until his tears started to subside. He didn't trust himself to speak until that happened. It was so rare that Simon was so open about his feelings like this, his grief, that he was a little surprised with himself. So rare that he was allowed to be open, that he could be without feeling guilty that he was thinking of himself and not River.

"I would have thought so, but the castle did manage to take that away. Even if it was just for a few months. She felt affection towards a brother, she knew I wasn't lying about being him, but somewhere in between there was a disconnect. I had to watch her go off and find a new brother, new friends, new people who she forged an instant connection with that she would never have with me. After all I gave up for her, all I sacrificed, all the love I felt... it was worth nothing."