NOTE: I do not own anything of the characters or premises of the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Chapter One

Strong sturdy hands grasped mine in a slow peaceful rhythm. His fingers were long and powerful, and I knew from personal experience how capable they were to inflict pain, but yet those same fingers held the right amount of delicacy. To admire them from the beauty that only he could create, as well the peace he could only give. Time made them a baker's capable hands; a choice made them a survivors hands, and love transformed them the most skillful weapon a lover could ever have.

His breath tickled my left ear sending chills to my body. A sigh escaped from my lips. I still could not believe we were here safe and sound. As his hand guided mine toward the color palette taking more paint in the brush. Our hands returned to the canvas in front of us, his entwined in mine making it seem that I was the one painting. I could seem childish to paint this way, but he asked me to paint with him, and even if he already knew my response, being that I did not know how to paint, he still asked me; so how could I deny him the simple pleasure of being in his company? And I discovered I was enjoying it myself so much.

"Katniss, if you sigh again I'm going to kiss you."

Smiling, I turn slightly. His forearms making a barrier between us and the world. I drink in the way his beautiful sapphire eyes glow with such warm, as well desire lurking there. It was hypnotic, a spell I could not break nor did I want to. I wanted to drown forever in those deep pools of azure enchantment.

He gently turns me toward his chest and kisses me. His lips were soft and yet they were demanding. I let the paintbrush fall to the floor as my hands twisted at the back of his neck bringing him closer. His right hand smeared with paint caresses my jaw, and his left hand pulls me even closer to him. I feel the warm emitting from his body as well his smell. He smelled like a sunset in winter, refreshing and full of promises. He melted my ice walls and brought me to life. I feel like the princess who slept for a thousand years, and finally woke up to find that there was indeed someone waiting for her. He is mine as I am his.

I smiled through the kiss, over thinking the same phrase that gave me strength each day. "Peeta is mine to love."

He breaks the kiss and stares at my eyes for a long moment. A silly grin splayed upon his face. "Were you smiling, love?"

"Yes," I could not hold my own happiness and giddiness.

His thumb gently pushes my chin upward, so that our eyes meet. "Why"

"Because, we remain with love and I love you with my life Peeta Mellark."

I put my hand above his heart, felling the steady rhythm. "You are mine to love… Peeta."

He brought his lips to mine with a force of a hungry man presented on a feast. He devoured, claimed and loved me like a starving man with so much untamed passion.

I broke the kiss gasping for air. He brought his forehead to mine and my eyes closed. It was blissful. It seemed so perfect.

He touches my cheek. "It's time for me to go, my love."

"Go?"

"I will always wait for you, Katniss. No matter what, I will wait." There was so much pain in his eyes.

"Wait? But you are here with me!" I tried to grab the hem of his shirt but he began to disintegrate.

"Bye…."

"Don't go!"

I wake up screaming and trashing in my bed. This was not possible Peeta, has been in coma for three years. I saw him every day laying defenseless and unknowing the world around him and it hurt. My hands closed over my ears and I screamed as much I could do, until my throat hurt, and until my body hurt from so much sobbing. There in exhaustion, I could find an abyss and only there I could contempt's; even if it was for a few hours. President Snow was dead, and why I fell that I was still under his paw. How much longer until I reach insanity?