Peaceful. How ridiculous of me to even think that of my current predicament. But it was true. For the first time, the arena seemed beautiful instead of deadly.

It might have been the soft sand I was laying on, the twinkling stars, the salty breeze coming from the water, or just looking at the magnificent boy curled up with me. Peeta looks so different when he sleeps. There is no worried, protective brow across his face and his golden eyelashes flutter occasionally.

I can't believe what the two of us have been through together. Being placed in the games a second time has only been the most recent occurrence. We have struggled so much, yet when I look at him I feel his affection and I'm glad I'm not alone.

I study him carefully while he lies with me. I look at his messy blonde hair, the tiny freckles dotting his nose and cheeks, those plush lips... I can't help but think of the first time we kissed and how hot they were because of his fever. I reach and barely touch my fingers to them. They're cool and slightly chapped.

Peeta stirs a little, loosening his hold on me. I sit up and observe the rest of his body. Looking at his strong chest and arms, moving downward toward his belt. My face becomes hot and I look away, embarrassed. It seems wrong to look there while he's so vulnerable.

I get up, not minding that the sand sticks to my sweaty, overheated body. I can't sleep so I may as well do something to entertain myself. I look over at the water lapping against the beach. I decide that I will go for a quick, refreshing swim. I take off my tattered wetsuit and undergarments and slowly step in taking care not to splash. The water feels so good on my body. I easily get carried away diving and swimming around that I don't realise anyone has been watching until I feel his warm breath on the back of my neck.

I turn and there he is smiling at me and I grin back, slightly surprised. "You swim just like a fish!" Peeta laughs as my cheeks turn bright red. "How long have you been watching me?" I question. "Since you first got in the water," he answers shyly while looking away from me. I then remember that I'm not wearing any clothes and sink under the surface, covering my exposed self.

I look at my partner in the light of the moon and see he's only wearing boxers. I blush and glance away as Peeta steps closer to me. "I hope you don't mind that I joined you." He looks dazzling. "Of course not," I say, still blushing, "but I think maybe I should put clothes on first." We laugh and he looks away as I put my undergarments back on. My wetsuit is too destroyed. We play around in the water for a little until Peeta captures me in his arms. "Let me go!" I giggle while he tickles me. We look deep into each others eyes and I feel like all my worries have been washed away by him. He leans in close, eyes dropped slightly to my lips. I can feel the hotness of his breath and his body. He whispers, "I'll never let you go."

I feel that thing I've only felt a few times before. The passion created when our lips meet. It's warmth spreads through me, making me desire more. We lay back down on the beach caressing and kissing each other, not planning to stop. Peeta's hands graze my neck and down my chest and send more fire through me. I kiss his cheek, then his jaw, then down his neck as he whispers "I love you, Katniss." I see his eyes shine and I know he's sincere. I lean into his arms and cuddle with him sleepily. "I love you, too, Peeta. I always have."