To Fight in a War

Chapter 1: Frosted

December 1941

This is when the feeling sinks in,

I don't wanna miss you like this,

-Come Back...Be Here, Taylor Swift

The sun rose over the horizon shining through the window of a Mr. and Mrs. Peeta Mellark. The sun cast cold rays over the two sleeping forms in the bedroom as if to forcefully wake them and bring them to a day that both of them dreaded with all of their beings.

Katniss woke to the air biting at her exposed flesh. She shivered and glanced at the body wrapped around her sleeping next to her. His arms were wrapped around her and his legs are intertwined with hers; overall she feels safe in his arms and relishes in the moment. She closed her eyes once more as realization dawned upon her; she had realized what day it was. It was the day that Peeta would be shipped out.

He would be gone for God only knows how long and several things could happen in that time. Either of them could die with what way the war would go. She was terrified that Peeta would be out in combat, yet she was sure that her husband would be able to handle himself as he had been reassuring her of for months now. Katniss had been worried for him and it took her a couple weeks to voice her thoughts and he had started to reassure her in the simplest of ways until all she could do was believe that he would be fine. He had to be fine.

She was more worried that she had become pregnant over the times they had been together and she would have to raise the child alone, beside the fact that she was terrified of having children. Yet, Peeta was able to light a flame of courage inside of her and make her feel as if she was invincible. That was one of the reasons she loved him, was the ability he had to change herself for the better.

Katniss slowly sat up and slowly extricated herself from his arms, as most traces of sleep vanished from her eyes. She brought the blankets up with her to cover her bare chest as the night before they had spent trying to memorize the feel of each other's skin against themselves.

At pulling up the blankets Peeta stirred lightly. Katniss glanced at him, he looked peaceful in sleep and tried not to worry in how long it would be until she would see him sleeping again. She raised her hand and lightly traced the planes of his back with her finger. His skin was smooth beneath her fingers and felt him shiver underneath her touch.

Katniss looked down at Peeta and a blue eye opened and met her gaze. He smiled lightly at her and turned to his side. She looked down at him from her sitting position and let her gaze travel lower before quickly bringing her eyes back to his face. Peeta was smiling up at her almost smugly at her being caught looking at his form. Her face turned red and she looked away and heard him chuckling.

One of his hands reached from beneath the blankets and skimmed over her arm. She shivered over his touch it felt as if his fingers left a trail of scorching fire beneath his fingertips. He traced down her waist and Katniss could feel herself melting beneath his fingers and knew that she could hardly stop herself from doing anything else.

"We need to be ready to go." said Katniss as if to convince him, even if when hearing herself she was mostly sure that it was to convince herself.

"We have time," countered Peeta quietly. Katniss tried to shake her head. He had to listen to reason. Her mother and younger sister were possibly awake and lurking in the halls. She would be mortified if her mother or younger sister heard them. If they did she would never hear the end of it from her sister and she was not in the mood to worry about that.

Peeta sat up and let one of his hands trail to her waist and the other curled in her hair. He slowly drew his face closer towards hers and she knew that he was moving slow enough so that if she wished to stop him she could. And for whatever reason she was unable to stop him. He kissed her languidly and Katniss was frozen for a moment as she felt as if a dam had been broken down and was outpoured into the kiss. They had never experienced a kiss similar to this that caused Katniss to want to fully drown herself in him and never reappear.

It could have been that it could be their last time together or even one of the last times that she would see him. Katniss would claim later that she got caught up in the moment and it was the rush of war.

They were tangled in a mass of limbs, sweat and what could only be described as love. Katniss worked to remember the feel of his skin underneath her and the sound of his ecstasy filled voice calling out only her name. She revelled in the number of emotions that coursed through her veins; the feelings of sadness, happiness, hope, despair and want.

All too soon it was over and they were breathing heavily lying side by side. Katniss sighed and looked over at Peeta. His forehead was dotted with sweat along his eyebrow and temple, his eyes were closed and Katniss noted how heavily he was breathing. She tried to calm the emotions running through her and the worry of him leaving.

The constant worry of him dying had filled her for the past week and he had noticed the worrying glances she sent his way.

"I need to get ready." said Peeta, still lying with his eyes closed. Katniss looked over at him and sighed. Peeta opened an eye and looked up at her. Their eyes met for a moment before Katniss looked down; the bed creaked beneath Peeta's weight as he sat up.

Katniss kept her eyes closed as she heard him moving around the room. Slowly she opened her eyes and watched silently as he moved around the room getting dressed. She noticed how handsome he looked in his uniform and it hurt her to even notice that.

Peeta turned around and caught her eye he sighed and slowly walked towards her. "I hate this so much." said Peeta quietly. Katniss nodded and sat up. He sat on the bed beside her and kissed her soundly. She sighed into the kiss and felt him pull back. Peeta gave her a small smile before finishing getting ready.

The blankets were bunched around Katniss' chest as she blinked trying to wake up. Slowly Katniss pushed the blankets off of her and stood up. She ignored the brush of cold air against her body as she walked over to the closet. She pulled on clothes and attempted to ignore Peeta's stare against her back. She knew he would be watching her as he always did. What scared her was the possibility that that could be the last time.

"Ready to go out?" asked Peeta and Katniss nodded. The smell of bacon reached her nose and she glanced at the door. Either her mother or sister were awake and had started breakfast.

He reached for her hand and she grasped his. He tightened his grip on her hand and he gave her a small smile. He led her towards the door and pulled it open, Katniss passed through the doorway behind Peeta and ignore the gust of wind that caused the hair on the back of her neck to stand on end.

She looked up at him to see his shoulders straightened and walking confidently down the hall. Slowly Katniss felt strength running through her veins, but only the strength came from him. How would she survive without him?

They entered the kitchen and Katniss saw her sister, Prim at the stove preparing breakfast. She smiled at them as they entered and then focused back on the food.

"Breakfast will be ready in a moment." she said and Katniss tried to smile at her. Peeta nodded and led Katniss to a seat at the table. They sat down side by side as they heard other clamouring around the house. Katniss sighed as she heard her mother moving around, most likely not in her right mind.

Katniss watched her seventeen year old sister, as she cooked breakfast. Her blonde hair flowed down her back and Katniss looked back down at the table. Prim was just how she thought that she would turn out, a sweet, caring and just about perfect young woman.

The day before Peeta's father and brothers had came over for supper to say good bye. Especially as both of his brothers would be involved in the fighting as well. Peeta's mother had refused to come as Katniss and her family would be there. Since their courtship and marriage Peeta's mother had refused to accept that her son could fall in love with someone from the poor side of town. He had not been too torn up about not gaining his mother's approval and Katniss made sure to be there for him.

Prim set their plates down on the table, then setting another for their mother who would inevitably arrive any moment. Prim took her seat at the head of the table and sent a small smile their way. Not more than a second later the sound of footsteps echoed down the empty halls. Katniss looked up from her plate and met the clouded blue eyes of her mother. She gave them a short nod and sat at her place at the table.

Katniss' mother had shut down when her father died. He had died in a mine explosion when she was eleven years old and since then had been the sole provider for her family. At her father's death she had been devastated and had pushed it to the side and focused on making sure that her family would not starve.

Her mother was silent as she ate and Katniss set her fork down and stared at her plate. She felt a warm hand slip into hers, Katniss glanced over at Peeta to see him glancing between her and his plate that still had most of his food. It seemed that he only picked at it and she couldn't blame him. If she had to go like he had it would have been a miracle if she had fallen asleep. She squeezed his hand reassuringly and hoped that it was able to help him in the slightest.

The military vehicle horn haunts from outside and Katniss can feel all the blood drain from her face. She looks over to see Peeta has an almost identical look on her face, she glances at the ground and stands on shaky legs. Katniss knows that she needs to be his strength, she can't be a snivelling fool.

Peeta stands beside her and looks over at Prim and her mother. "Thanks." said Peeta in a hoarse voice. Her mother nodded solemnly and Prim quickly walked over with tears starting to stream down her pale face. Prim hugged Peeta and Katniss could feel tears pricking the back of her eyes. Katniss swallowed and tried to push the tears back.

Crying would do her good later. Any other time, not where Peeta had to go and worry about his own battles. She knew that she couldn't be holding him back too. There was no way that it could be stopped and they had to live with it. And all they could do was to hope for the best.

Prim reluctantly let go of Peeta when they heard the honking again. As Katniss looked at Peeta what she mainly noticed was how handsome he looked in his uniform. His blonde hair glinted under the morning sun and his eyes shone with what was most likely tears.

Katniss stepped forwards as she frankly did not want to say goodbye to him in front of her family. As if knowing what she was thinking he walked behind her. The sound of her footsteps echoed behind her, the hollow feeling in her heart had yet to cease and it was bothering her immensely.

She stopped on the porch and stole a glance at Peeta. She felt as if she was being eaten alive by her nervousness at him having to go. Katniss spun to face Peeta and gripped him in her arms. She was holding him as if he would disappear into thin air, he seemed to be holding her with the same air of worry.

Katniss tilted her head and looked up at Peeta. He seemed to take the opportunity and kissed her. His lips melded against hers and she felt the passion of several years build up. Their lips moved against one another synchronized with years of practice and Katniss ran her hands through his curls as his hands roamed from her waist to her braid.

The honk sounded and he hastily pulled away from her. She looked sadly up into his eyes.

"I promise I'll be back." said Peeta his eyes shining.

"I know," replied Katniss. And she did. She knew that he would come back, he would be determined enough and she knew that he would never willingly leave her alone.

"I love you," said Peeta gazing lovingly at her. Katniss swallowed and felt a tear roll down her cheek.

"I love you too." choked Katniss. He bent down and kissed her forehead before stepping back and walking into the morning light. As he walked away she felt as if a piece of her heart was going with him.

A/N: I know that I have a lot of other unfinished stories, but on the bright side I already finished this one. I'll be posting one chapter a day.

QOTD: What's your favorite color?

AOTD: Green/Blue

Disclaimer: I own nothing...