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Before the reaping, I was a normal guy. I kept to myself at the bakery. I didn't have many friends, but I chose that. If you have friends, they go to the games. I learned that when I was 10. My first and last best friend was reaped. I remember crying for days when he was slaughtered close to the beginning. From that day on, I promised myself that whoever went, I wouldn't watch. It was torture and it was what the Capitol wanted.

I watched Katniss sitting near the tree, head in her hands. She looked horrible. I remembered the last time that I saw her there. It was when I threw her the bread. I received the worst beating of my life from my mother that day but it was worth it. I couldn't bake for days. She then beat me again for that too. It didn't matter to me because I had a crush on Katniss since forever. I couldn't see her die.

I looked behind me, my mom was sweeping. I hid one of the extra mini buns I had baked in my pocket. Cleaning up my mess and placing the pan in the sink, I headed towards the door. "Bye Mom. School will start soon." She grunted a goodbye and I dashed out the door. It seemed to be stupid as hell of me to go to school the day before the reaping but it would keep my mind off of tomorrow.

I walked closer to the tree. I stepped on a twig, the sound bringing Katniss to life. Quickly, she grabs an arrow and almost shoots me. "Oh, Peeta!" She is so startled she drops her bow. "I'm sorry…"

I let out the breath I was holding. "Remind me to announce my presence next time…from my house." I joked. She smiled and I fished the bread from my pocket. "I had a few extra so…"

"I can smell it from here. Cheese buns?!" Her excitement delighted me, and my heart fluttered.

"Yea." I smiled shyly.

"They're my favorite you know." Yes, I know. She sniffed the bun before taking a huge bite. "Oops, sorry again." She laughed grabbing the bun from my hand before eating it this time. If she only knew how much she was killing me. I swallowed, wishing I was that cheese bun. Shaking my head subconsciously, I chuckled.

"You going to school today?" I wanted to see her more. We have one period together. My favorite class, Music. It's where I was able to hear Katniss sing for the first time and where I gave her my heart.

"Nah. I'm going hunting with Gale." With Gale…Gale…Gale…

"Good luck." With that, I turned and walked away, leaving a very stunned Katniss. I may be a nice guy but I didn't like to share and whether Katniss knew it or not, I loved her. And she's mine. Fuck you Gale. She's all mine. Jealousy sucked.

Closing up the bakery I sighed. Looking towards the tree, I noticed Katniss again. This time she was walking down the street. I frowned. It was almost 10PM and she was out and about. My parents were already sleeping and I had just sold my last breads to the Peace Keepers. I was still upset from earlier, but worry for her stopped me from closing the door. Slipping out, I ran up to her.

"Katniss, go home. You can't get caught out here. You know we have a curfew." I touched her shoulder softly.

"Peeta?" She turned and blinked. The smell of liquor hit me. She was obviously very drunk.

"Really Katniss?" I hissed. She tripped and almost fell. Scooping her up, I saw no choice but to bring her into my home as the bell chimed 3 times from the square. The Peace Keepers sound of marching came closer and they marched past, just as I shut and locked the door.

Luckily for me, everyone's rooms were on the top floor. I chose to stay in the back room of the bakery. I was thankful for that. It was easier to sneak her out when I had to. She was sleeping peacefully, crazy enough. This girl, I chuckled slightly annoyed. Placing her on the bed, I pulled the cover over her. She stirred and grabbed my hand.

"Hey." Her slurred words were soft.

"Yes, Katniss?"

"Get in and hold me…Please?" I knew that was the drunk scared Katniss talking. She would have never asked me or anyone else for any such thing. I obliged her, scooting under the covers and scooping her close to my chest. My heart was beating from the closeness of her. "I'm terrified of tomorrow."

"You won't get reaped Katniss. I promise." She lifted her head up and kissed my lips. I froze. This wasn't happening to me right? She wouldn't kiss me, a baker's son. A nobody. I hesitated since she had been drinking. It was the liquor talking, not my beloved Katniss. I tried to pull back but a hand gripped my shirt, and the other in my hair. Her mouth was soft and tasted sweet. Katniss, you keep killing me.

This is wrong. So wrong. She doesn't know what she's doing but I couldn't help responding to her mouth. It was frantic and she was warm. Her tongue flicked against mine. She broke away to catch her breath, face flushed. Her lips were swollen slightly from kissing. She moaned and attacked my mouth again. I was starting to get very turned on.

"Katniss, let's stop…" I whispered.

"Touch me." She whimpered, pulling my hand to her breast. "Make me yours."

"Katniss! I can't. If I make love to you, I want you to be sober." I take my hand away and push a strand of hair behind her ear.

"You don't like girls from the Seam huh? You're better than me?" She vehemently whispered.

"It's not that." I gave back to her just as angry.

"Not what your mom says." Animosity flared in her drunk eyes as her head lolled to the side.

"I don't care what she says. It's not true."

"It is true. Any Seam guy would have loved to be in bed with me. Gale would have fucked me but I chose you! Was I wrong?"

Shocked, I laid there. Gale would have fucked me. Did he fuck you Katniss? I was so disgusted. "Time to go home. I'll take you." I growled. After getting up I threw a coat at her. "Put that on, so no one can tell you're a girl. Since you want to have sex so badly, someone might oblige you."

She blinked at me, sobering some. "Peeta, I- "

I cut her off. "I'll wait for you outside…"

"Peeta!" Prim, Katniss' sister, ran up to me. "Did something happen between you and Katniss?" She looked concerned.

"Nope." I was more irritated than I thought I would be.

"I just...well she came home late...and drunk...I mean...I know you brought her home, I just thought..."

"As far as I know," Emphasis on the I, "she's still…pure." Relief flooded her face.

"Thanks." I nodded and she gave me a peck on the cheek. "Good luck."

"You too." I mumbled as she ran to her place in the crowd.

Everything happened so fast after that day. The reaping where they had called Prim's name. Katniss volunteering for her and my name being pulled. It was bittersweet my love. It followed us into the games. We both almost lost our lives but were saved by Katniss' brilliance. I wasn't sure if her love for me was real or not. Maybe it was just a show. After all, that's just what The Hunger Games was. After we got back, Katniss never talked to me. It had been 2 long weeks. I never saw her despite her living very close in the Victor's Village. My nightmares plagued me and I often spent my night tossing and turning. Surviving the games was one of the worst things that could happen. I almost preferred to be dead.

I gasped for air, as I sat up, looking around in the dark. I was safe. Shivering I heard the screaming still of one of the Careers. Shaking my head, I lay back down. That was the tenth dream this night. All of them were of the games. I heard a shuffling close to me and I grabbed my knife from under my pillow.

"Who's there?" My voice tried to sound threatening but it was shaky.

No answer and I clutched my knife to calm my nerves. I didn't really know how to use it besides in cooking, but I was strong. I'd find a way to win. I squinted in the dark, catching sight of a light blue gown. A woman? Why would a woman be in my home? She bumped into the edge of the bed. I noticed she was crying.

I turned on my lamp. "Katniss?" I probably was still dreaming. "What are you doing here in the middle of the night?"

"Peeta, Peeta..." She was panicking. That I could tell. I felt the same way. Hiding my knife, I hopped out of the bed and hugged her to me.

"Shhh, shhh. You're safe, with me, in my arms. You're safe Katniss. We made it out of there. Thanks to you."

"I killed people Peeta! Kids. Like us." She said the last part in a fit of tears.

"I know. You're safe. Nothing like that will happen again. I promise."

She sniffed. "You promised I wouldn't go into the Games."

I laughed. "No, I said you wouldn't get reaped silly. And you didn't. Trust me?" She nodded. "Good, go, get some sleep."

"Peeta…" She wouldn't look at me.

"Hmm?"

"Take me. I …I don't know if I love you, but I do like you. I like you a lot. Just…comfort me. Make me forget."

I couldn't believe that she was asking me for that again, sober. Well I sure hope she was. Last time this ended in a disaster. Even the kiss in the games failed badly. It ended with my heart being torn out after. I stared at her eyes. She was determined. I swallowed hard. What if she regretted it? What if she wanted to be with Gale? Even IF she did, why would she be here with me then?

"No Kat-"

My words stalled in my throat. Before me, Katniss stripped herself of her gown. She was naked underneath. I don't know why I hadn't noticed that before. I couldn't help my body's reaction as she started to awaken a stirring in my gut. I had never seen a woman naked. I never wanted to see one naked, besides Katniss. Here she was in front of me in all her beauty.

How the hell could I say no now?

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