The Crust

"Drip, Drip, Drip…"

I look at the water that slowly falls onto us, in this dark cave. Unfortunately, we never got anything waterproof, so we must deal with the irritating water until it dries up. Likely. These Gamemakers will do anything to drive us off the edge.
I take the soup pot Katniss used to make my soup, and placed it beside her, so the water won't trickle towards her while she sleeps. It was her night to rest, and I fully intended on her to sleep. She had done so much for me. So I'll do the same for her. I love her.

A small sigh reaches my ears, as I turn to see her staring up at the ceiling. Her amazing grey eyes are staring at the stalactites, analyzing them to the last crumb. She never lets her guard down. I gently scooted over and stroked her hair, "Go to sleep, Katniss. You look exhausted."

She turns towards me, a stubborn expression on her face. She didn't want to sleep. Obviously. What was I thinking? She probably thought she owed me or something like that…not that I knew much about that. I still think it was cowardly of me to just throw her the bread; I should have actually walked up to her and presented it, like a proper man…

"Peeta?"

I'm snapped out of my thoughts, as she opened her mouth. Around her lips were very fine lines, of age. 'Katniss had to grow up too fast' I thought quietly. When her father died, I remembered her mother went into deep depression and she was left to take care of her family. She found a way, even in all that trouble. Then again, if it wasn't for her father dying, she wouldn't have had to scramble for food, and I would never had had my first contact with the Girl with the amazing grey eyes…

"Yes, Katniss?"

I was on the edge, hoping she would tell me words of love, and poems of passion. Of course, it could never happen. She was amazing. I was simply the boy who Mrs. Mellark hated, though I am Peeta Mellark…how could she ever love me? This act was fun, but I knew, deep down, that we're only pretending.

"What was it like?" she questioned, her eyes full of wonder, "Being able to be with the Careers? To know… you were the strongest without a doubt…"

I gently stroked her hair, as I thought about the answer. What had it been like? It had been more dangerous than breathtaking, to be honest. The pathetic love triangle, the loner outside, the deep lust for hate…I ignored all that, even though I did consider telling her about Cato and Clove…

"Well…I only did it so I could protect you. You know I love you, and that I had to do anything I could to protect you, Katniss. I couldn't save Rue…oh, don't look at me like that…"

She suddenly had a look of hostility upon her face. Like, that faithful night with the Tracker Jackers. If I hadn't warned her, she would be dead…and I could have saved Rue. I knew it was what she would have wanted. But I couldn't have done it.

"You know Rue. It was just one mistake. One tiny mistake. Katniss, please, look at me." She had turned away from me, and I lifted my hand to turn her face towards me. I knew she was angry. I knew she was unforgiving. And I didn't care. I loved her all the same. I brought my lips to hers, partly for the cameras, and partly because I was really sorry. When I let go, her lips were curled in a small smile. I smiled gently, and said "Katniss, you know there's more to me beyond the outer shell…like a crust."

An amusing expression crossed her face, somewhere between hostility and confusion, and it was all I could do not to kiss her again. She was so wonderful. I may be the weaker one, but I understood at least.

"My father once told me…" I began quietly "That people are like bread-"

"Of course they are"

I laughed, realizing how fitting it was. The Baker thinking everyone was like bread. I slapped myself mentally and continued on with my explanation "That, even if some have crusty outsides, they have the most wonderful, fluffy light inside"

She nods slowly, as if understanding. After a moment of tense silence, she says "Like Rue?"

I'm sure my face brightens up considerably "Yes, like Rue." I remember how quiet and small she was, and how most of the tributes were sure she would die on the first day. Then she survived, by jumping from tree to tree, and collecting food that I never imagined was out there. She was a true hunter. And I knew why Katniss loved her. "She was…just so much more then she was outside…"

I look at her, and she has an imploring look on her face. "Peeta…do you think I'm more then..." she pauses, before swallowing "I'm more then what people see?"

I bite my lip, before leaning in slowly and kisses her, slowly and passionately. I wondered if she felt the same thing when we kissed. If we feel the same feeling of curiosity and passion and love. "Katniss…" I say afterwards, after a few seconds of silence "Of course you-"

A sudden crack of thunder interrupts our philosophy discussion, and we both jump. I'm about to finish my sentence, when I realize she has closed her eyes again and that she was sleeping once more. I sighed, and took her hand in mine, though she didn't know. She would never know how much I loved her. How much I thought of her. And how much she could do.

I know! Sort of different from the original, but hey! What the heck.