Hey guys, this is my first Hunger Games fanfic, I hope you enjoy the first chapter. Not sure how many I'll do, but if you guys like it, leave a review and I'll get you the next chapter as soon as it comes to me. I guess that's it so enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own THG. But I do have a massive crush on Peeta. Why must he be a fictional character? Why?

Out Of The Blue

Chapter 1: Gradual

Katniss' POV

Sometimes things have a way of just happening. I don't know if fate or destiny have anything to do with it, or maybe sheer will power. All I know for certain is that I am not friends with Peeta Mellark by coincidence. I don't even know if 'friend' is the correct term for what we are. I was never one to care for labels, so I suppose it doesn't really matter. All that matters is that what we have is mutual. He looks out for me, I look out for him, and everything else falls into place. I used to doubt myself a lot. I realised I trusted Peeta wholeheartedly within a very short period of time. It scared me to think that it took almost two years for me to fully trust Gale, yet it took less then a week to trust Peeta. I don't doubt it anymore. I cannot and will not shake the bond I have with the boy with the bread, and I don't particularly want to.

The first time Peeta came onto my radar was just after the death of my father. I was just eleven. My mother had withdrawn into herself with grief, showing no signs of resurfacing anytime soon and Prim and I were on the verge of starvation. The sight of my frail little sister, pale with exhaustion, withered in hunger, drove me to find something, anything that would help. I searched for hours, trying to sell Prim's old baby clothes, to no avail. No one would bother to listen. My resolve was weakening by the second, and I resulted in scrounging around the bins of the bakery, hoping to some divine being that there would be something to save my sister. There wasn't. There never was. I was ready to die at that point. I had nothing left. So I dropped where I stood and huddled into myself, the smell of bread from the bakery torturously making its way into my system. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried not to think about food but the smell was so real and so very tangible. My mind wandered into thoughts of fresh loaves of bread and cupcakes and for a moment I had to check myself to make sure I had died and gone to heaven. I was brought back to earth by the sound of a woman screeching, probably at me, but I was past caring. Yet it had caught my attention so I looked in the direction of the sound and was met with two piercing blue eyes, half hidden by a mass of blonde hair, belonging to a boy standing behind the body of the screeching woman. I don't know how long I was staring but the woman ceased her noise and waltzed back into her warmth, dragging the boy with her. It wasn't long before I heard another screech from inside the bakery. The door opened and I half expected the deranged woman to come and beat me away with a rolling pin, but instead I saw the blue-eyed boy, holding two burnt loaves of bread and sporting a fresh red bruise right on his cheekbone. He waited until the door closed, breaking off the burnt bits before throwing the loaves directly at my feet and running inside. It took me exactly five seconds to register what just happened, and with the promise of food, I snatched up the loaves and ran all the way home to Prim. Peeta Mellark saved my life that day. He saved my sisters life. He saved my mothers life. I didn't know how to thank him. But I swore I would somehow.

About a month later, I was walking the halls in school with Madge when I saw the same blue-eyed boy at the lockers, with one of the idiot boys from the Seam towering over him. Peeta didn't look scared, he looked bored. Like he was used to the Seam boys threatening him just because he was born into merchants. At that point the Seam boy pushed Peeta backwards into the lockers and I flushed red in anger. I suddenly felt protective of the blue-eyed boy who saved my life, so I stomped over to the boy pushing Peeta around. He turned to me after I tapped him on the shoulder for his attention and I didn't hesitate to punch him straight in the face. The boy staggered backwards, where he slipped on the books he had knocked out of Peeta's hand and fell to the floor. I grinned at his idiocy and turned to Peeta, his eyes full of confusion. I never said anything, I just smiled at him and let my actions do the talking. I then walked back to where Madge was standing, confused by the whole incident and a million questions hanging in the air waiting for her to ask them. But she knew me better, so she never did.

A couple months after, Madge became sick and was kept home from school until she was better. I wanted her to be okay, but I knew that with her gone, I'd be alone. Still, I took it in my stride and went to every class and sat by myself at lunch, even though I knew other kids were staring at me like I'd grown a new head, whispering to each about 'loner Katniss who has no friends.' They could whisper all they liked, I didn't care. But one day during Madge's absence, all the whispering became frustrating so I slammed my tray down on the empty table and glared at the group of merchants staring at me. I collected myself and turned back to my lunch when someone put their tray down next to mine and sat down. I looked up to see none other than Peeta Mellark sitting next to me, eating his lunch comfortably, like he did it everyday.

'Hi.' I said, confused. He looked at me and smiled, greeting me with a cheerful 'Hey.' and carrying on with his lunch. I looked back over to the merchants who were staring at me before to find them shifting uncomfortably in their seats and avoiding my gaze. Smirking, I returned to eating my lunch with Peeta in peace and mentally thanking him yet again.

It became somewhat of a routine. Peeta and I would sit with each other at lunch and walk to lessons. We rarely talked, but it was fine. Our silence was comfortable and we both understood what it meant. Once I told him that he didn't have to sit with me, and that I was fine on my own, even if the merchants talked about me. He said that he knew I could handle myself and he just wanted to sit with me. I decided I liked Peeta and we gradually started talking more and more. At first, it was trivial conversation. 'The weathers good today…' 'Have you done any work for history class?' But after a while the conversations became more meaningful.

'Whats your favourite colour?'

'Green'

'Because you love the woods?'

'I never really thought about it, but I guess that's probably it.'

'It suits you.'

'What about you? What's your favourite colour?'

'Orange.'

'Orange?'

'Yeah. But not bright orange. Calmer. Like sunset.'

'Oh. That's nice. I guess that suits you too.'

Now I know everything about him, and he knows everything about me. I know that he likes to sleep with the windows open, that he always double-knots his shoelaces and never has sugar in his tea. I know that his mother is a heartless wench who gets aggressive at the littlest things. I know that Peeta is the youngest of three boys and that he is most like his father. I'm glad that he has no trace of that witch in him. He is too good. With Peeta, everything seems easier. It's a nice change. I still hunt with Gale, he is still my best friend. But sometimes I hold back my thoughts from Gale, in fear of what he may think or say. I don't have to hold anything back from Peeta.

But now I'm here in the woods with Gale, hunting for the next week. I spot a squirrel about twenty five meters to my left and take aim. The squirrel hasn't noticed any change to its life expectancy. It doesn't know it's about to die. I suppose that's the best way really. Ignorance is the final bliss. I release my arrow and it flies into the eye of the squirrel. I grin and go to collect it, putting it in my game bag and thinking of trading it with Peeta's father later. He has a fondness for squirrels. Gale whistles, impressed.

'You know, after seeing you do that countless times, you'd think I'd be used to it. But no, your aim is still superior.' he grins at me and I roll my eyes.

'Oh please, you'd think I was some kind of deity the way you talk.'

'Aren't you?' Gale laughs at my glare and I throw berries at him.

'Oh come on, I bet baker boy thinks so.' he teases, pulling on my braid like a four year old. I roll my eyes again.

'What has this got to do with Peeta?' I ask. Gale chuckles and shakes his head slightly.

'You've been hanging around with him a lot lately.' he says.

'You've only just noticed? It's been like three years.' I retort.

'Yes I know, but more recently. I just don't want you to get hurt, that's all.' Gale and I come to an opening in the trees where we eat lunch as we hunt. He sits down and looks up at me.

'Peeta wouldn't hurt me. He's harmless. He wouldn't hurt a fly.' It's true. Peeta has got to be the most gentle and patient person I know. And with my sister being little Primrose Everdeen, that's a pretty hard target. Gale raises his eyebrows.

'He didn't seem harmless the other day when he was pounding on some guy's face.' Now it's my turn to raise my eyebrows.

'What are you talking about?' I question.

'Some merchant guy was talking about you and-'

'What about me?' I cut in, defensive. Gale's eyes turn dark.

'You don't want to know.' I was about to say that if I didn't want to know then I wouldn't have asked but Gale continues.

'Anyway, I was about to go over there and do some damage to the guy's face and internal organs, but Mellark got there first and kicked his ass to the moon and back. It was quite impressive.' Gale nods approvingly while I am still trying to process this news.

'Well is Peeta okay? He didn't get hurt did he?' Gale laughs.

'Relax Catnip, you saw baker boy with your own eyes yesterday. He was fine. The douche didn't even get a hit on Peeta.' I visibly relax, knowing Gale is right but still puzzling over why on earth Peeta would do such a thing.

'He still shouldn't have done anything.' I counter. Gale laughs again.

'Katniss you can't expect him to just stand there and take it. If he didn't, I would've.' It's clear I'm not going to get anywhere with my argument now, so I pick up our stuff and head back to District Twelve, Gale following close behind with his haul from the snares. Altogether, we have three squirrels and a wild turkey. Not the best, but the squirrels are nice and plump and the turkey is big enough. I tell Gale to take the turkey while I take the squirrels to the bakery. He smirks at me knowingly and wanders in the opposite direction with his belongings. I roll my eyes and head towards the bakery, where I see Mr. Mellark at the counter, sorting through the till. He looks up when I walk through the door and gives me a genuine smile. He's always been nice to me. Like father, like son.

'Well Katniss, it's nice to see you again. How have you been?' His smile is infectious and I feel a similar one spread across my face.

'Fine, thank you. I have your favorite with me today. Care to trade?' I ask opening my game bag and showing him the contents.

'Well you have been busy. Normal trade seem fair? I would offer you more but unfortunately, we've been a bit short on staff since the eldest decided to go off and get married.' He chuckles fondly. I smile.

'Normal is perfect. You're one of my best customers, and one of my favorites,' I add, lowering my voice playfully, 'Just don't tell Greasy Sae that.' The old baker laughs heartily and reminds me so much of Peeta.

'I won't speak a word. Promise.' he replies, just as Peeta himself walks in carrying a very heavy looking sack of flour on his shoulder like it is nothing. He smiles as he sees me.

'Hey Katniss.' He greets me, throwing down the flour with about twenty others he must have placed before. I smile at him before I remember what Gale had told me earlier.

'I need to speak with you later, when you've finished work.' I explain. He looks at me, his eyes searching mine for an explanation. I raise one eyebrow and he chuckles slightly.

'Am I in trouble?' he asks playfully.

'Why does everyone always say that?' I wonder out loud. This causes Peeta to laugh louder and he walks over to place a hand full of flour on my shoulder, before grinning and saying, 'You can be very intimidating Katniss.' I glare at his white handprint on my shoulder and then at him. 'Luckily I'm used to it.' he adds. I can't help but smile.

'You'll pay for that you know. I'll get you.' I walk over to him and whisper in his ear.

'I'll get you when you least expect it.' Now it's my turn to grin evilly and he turns on the puppy eyes. I laugh.

'You know Peeta, those eyes could make people do anything you wanted.' I say, in the same expression as he did to me. He smirks. 'Luckily, I'm used to it.' I add. His grin disappears and I hear the laugh of his father echo behind me. I turn to find the baker smiling at us both, and I feel myself blush slightly. I don't know why.

'Well, I have to go finish my trading. Thank you Mr. Mellark.' I smile at him. I swear I smile more around the Mellarks' then I ever do.

'No problem Katniss. Anything for my favorite hunter.' He replies and winks at me. I laugh.

'Meet me in the woods after your shift.' I say to Peeta. He nods.

'See you later Katniss.' I throw him a parting smile and walk out of the bakery, to find Gale waiting for me outside. He notices the smile in my face, but he shakes his head and remains silent as we make our way back to the Seam. The rest of the day passes in a blur. Nothing of interest happens. Gale goes off with some friends from school so I decide to go to the woods early and relax before I meet Peeta. I've always loved the woods. The cool greens of the trees and the nature that promises food is comforting. I find myself sitting against the bottom of a tree, my eyes closed, listening to the rustle of leaves and the birds. After a while I hear a different kind of rustling. I instantly recognise the noise as Peeta's heavy tread as he makes his way to me. I don't need to open my eyes.

'Hey Peeta.' I greet him, eyes still closed. He stops in his tracks.

'How on earth did you know I was here? Your eyes were closed.'

I grin and open my eyes. Peeta sits himself down next to me with an amused look on his face.

'Don't worry. I forgot I was talking about the almighty huntress Katniss Everdeen.' I roll my eyes at his comment.

'Well you're not exactly as light as a feather.' I counter. He pulls face in mock offence and brings his hand to his chest dramatically.

'Are you saying I'm fat?' I can't keep the smile off of my face as I reply.

'No, but you are thick-headed.' He smiles.

'Whatever do you mean?'

'Gale told me you beat up some guy the other day.' I start, Peeta stops smiling and his face becomes neutral.

'What on earth possessed you to do that?' As I question, Peeta raises his arm in defence.

'You should've heard what he was saying about you Katniss. You would've gone insane. You wouldn't be able to stop blushing for a month. Not that it's that hard.' Peeta laughs lightly at my scowl.

'Whatever, I could take it. I'm not a prude.' I shouldn't have said that.

'Oh really?' Peeta asks. I really shouldn't have said that. Before I can protest, Peeta is up and right in my face, his lips inches away from mine. He's looking right at me and I can't seem to move my eyes from his. Peeta grins mischievously.

'So you're saying...' he whispers in a deep voice. I can already feel the heat flare up my neck. '...that you could handle...' My breath comes faster as Peeta moves his lips to my ear. I feel them brush me as he passes. My face feels like it's on fire. '...anything?' he breathes. It send shivers down my spine and I snap out of it, pushing him away as he falls back laughing. I scowl. Again.

'That's not funny Peeta!' I chastise.

'Really? Because I thought it was pretty hilarious.' He doesn't stop laughing as I shove him with my shoulder, and again I can't stop the smile from appearing on my face. He's lucky I like him. That's all I'm saying.

'Come on, it's getting dark. Let's go back.' We walk in comfortable silence back to the District.

I lay in bed with Prim curled up against me. I'm unable to sleep as the events of the day unfold in my mind and replay. Hunting with Gale. Finding out about Peeta fighting that guy. My unexplained blush at the baker watching Peeta and I. Meeting Peeta in the woods. Peeta calling my bluff. I feel the heat of a blush crawl up my neck at the mere memory of Peeta so close to me. Prim stirs beside me and I clear my head and closing my eyes. I eventually fall asleep with a familiar cool blue lodged into my brain.

I awake to the sound of someone calling my name and shaking me slightly. Prim is standing above me, her hair falling in front of her wide eyes.

'Prim? What is it?' I ask, sitting up and yawning.

'It's Peeta. He's hurt.' She says calmly, as if knowing I'd go mental at the thought. I jump up and fling myself down the stairs two at a time and find my mother and a shirtless Peeta in the kitchen. Peeta is sitting on the counter while my mother attends to a nasty looking burn on his upper right arm. I wince at the sight and rush to his side.

'Are you okay? What happened?' These are the first words that leave my mouth and I can't tear my eyes away from the awful burn. Peeta looks down at me and I'm suddenly very aware that I'm still in a flimsy nightdress with my hair in an abundance of curls from when I took out my braid. Then I become aware of the fact that Peeta is in fact shirtless right in front of me. I avert my eyes and cross my arms self-consciously. Peeta smirks.

'You know, you're really quite squeamish for a lethal person.' He informs me. I hear Prim giggle in the background and throw a glare her way, to which she smiles wider and covers her mouth with her hand. I turn back to Peeta and try to keep my eyes on his, but for some reason they want to explore.

'What happened?' I ask again. Peeta sighs and winces slightly as my mother puts some kind of cream over his burn.

'I was on the early shift at the bakery this morning, but I was really tired because I didn't get much sleep last night.' He begins to explain and I wonder what kept him up. 'Anyway,' he continues, 'I was tired and I must have not looked at what I was doing and slipped and fell onto one of the hot cake tins I'd just taken out of the oven. Oops.' Peeta attempts to dismiss the whole thing but I can tell by his eyes that something else happened. He stares me down as I raise my eyebrows. Eventually, he gives me a look that says I'll explain later and I nod slightly.

'Okay Peeta,' my mother speaks up, 'Take this cream and put it directly onto the burn twice a day. Morning and evening. Make sure your hands are as clean as possible, we don't need it getting infected.' Peeta nods along and my mother gives him his shirt back. 'I wouldn't cover it up, its needs air to it so it can scab over. Just try to me more careful next time.' My mother shoots him a look and Peeta looks guilty. He hops off the counter and thanks my mother for her help. I walk him to the door and open it as he struggles to pull on his shirt over the wound. I roll my eyes and take one side of his shirt in my hands, gently easing it over his shoulder. He smiles at me gratefully.

'Thank you.'

'Well, someone's got to keep you looking good.' I tease and he laughs along with me until an uncomfortable cough interrupts us. Gale is standing on the other side of the doorway looking between the both of us with raised eyebrows. His eyes widen at the sight of me and they narrow as he looks at Peeta.

Today is just not my day.

So thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I loved writing it. Leave a review and tell me what you think and I'll get the next chapter out as soon as possible. Thanks a lot guys :)