Katniss:

I sit in the kitchen of my home and stare out the window at the lush primrose garden Peeta had planted last spring. It's June now, lazy and hot and absolutely luxurious. I walk from my seat to get a glass of water and relish the peace and the cool liquid running down my throat. One of the straps of my green sundress falls down my shoulder, and I think again about how ridiculous I must look. But I wear it to honor Cinna, and I KNOW Peeta loves me in beautiful garments, though he would never admit it.

Suddenly, I can't get the image of what I imagine to be the truly perfect girl out of my head. I feel like he deserves a perfect little blonde housewife. Someone to cook and clean for him, kiss him when he comes home, ohh and ahh at the bouquet of flowers he thoughtfully picked for her, oblivious to what was a weed and what wasn't. I know Peeta loves me for me. I know that. But it's a natural feeling of inadequacy in the wake of all his perfection.

Peeta is completely unaware of how the girls in town sigh over him. He's every girls dream-charming, funny, kind as all get out, and completely gorgeous. And there's something so intriguing about his physicality, how a man of 6 feet, who is also 200 pounds of pure wiry muscle can concentrate on frosting cakes so delicately, or smile so gently after plucking a dandelion for a girl he has loved for the past twelve years.

Distracted, I glance out the window and am rewarded with the sight of Peeta sans shirt. His golden locks that sparkle, his rugged, manly jaw line, the bulging muscles of his upper arms- so strong and safe-, his hard abs that I love to trace and the clearly defined hip bones that dip into his cargo shorts- only one of the many weaknesses I have for him.

Even his scars were so sexy to me. They showed his love; how he fought for me and was ready to lay down his life for me. My stomach tightened at the thought of his kisses, his full lips pressing against mine, the way his eyes would light up when he saw me, and then darken when I let him grip my hips or waist. But we haven't pushed past lovely little kisses. I figured he wasn't ready yet, but then I quickly realized that it was on deference to ME... I was so lucky that this compassionate man loved me. But I want more. I just hope he will feel the same way. Maybe after I go over for dinner, I'll tell him.

Dinner is uneventful but pleasant. Peeta cooked us a summer risotto chock full with fresh vegetables, grilled some salmon I caught, and prepared a black forest chocolate cake for dessert.

I try to work up the courage all evening to tell him how I feel, but can never quite seem to find the right moment. He insists that I sit in the living room as he cleans the dishes. He comes back with two cups of steaming spiced tea, and the handle of a honey jar balanced on his pinkie finger.

We sit in companionable silence until I drain my cup. I reluctantly stand to go, and Peeta stands and pulls me into a hug.

"Thanks for coming, Katniss. I had a nice time." He says sweetly.

Suddenly, I don't want to go.

"Can I stay tonight?" I whisper.

His eyes fill with remorse. "Always, Katniss. You are always welcome here. I'm sorry if I've done anything to make you think differently."

Chivalrously, he dips one hand under my knees and the other across my lower back, and hoists me up the stairs to his tidy bedroom. My eyes prick with tears at the sight of his shoes, so neatly lined up against the north wall.

He sets me on the bed.

"lift up, Katniss." I comply, and he gently undresses me with tenderness and adoration, no malicious intent, with only the intense desire to care for me. He slips one of his t shirts onto my thin frame and I can't help but sigh as he rubs soothing circles into my back. On him, the shirt defines his strong chest and arms, but on me, it morphs into a short nightgown, covering me up to mid thigh.

He turns the bed down and slides me in it gently, pulling the covers up to my chin.

I admire his muscles as he strips down to his boxers and climbs into bed. He pulls me into a hug, tucks his legs in with mine; my back against his front. I snuggle into his warm chest and relish how his hard body cocoons mine. He makes me feel so safe. And dare I say, well, like a teenage girl who just wants to cuddle with her boyfriend. He presses a kiss to my neck and tells me what I need to hear. "I love you, baby."

I can't say it back. Peeta deserves to hear it, but I just stare out at the window, mute and paralyzed. He doesn't seem to mind and just presses me closer as he starts to snooze.

I can't pull the image of what Peeta deserves out of my mind. The perfect housewife; blonde and easy with her affections.

Frustrated and unable to sleep, I finally decide he has to know what is in my heart.

I shake Peeta awake, and his eyes snap open, ready to defend me from any attacker, real or imaginary.

Satisfied that nothing is outwardly amiss, he turns to meet my worried eyes.

"What's the matter, baby? You can tell me. Nightmare?" he asks.

I shake my head. And burst into tears.

He quickly pulls me into his lap."Oh god, Katniss, baby, no, please don't cry. Please don't cry. Hey, hey now. I'm right here with you. I've got you wrapped up tight. Nothing will hurt you. Please don't cry." He coos, all the while rocking me in his steady arms.

"Please talk to me. Tell me what's wrong so I can fix it. Please." He pleads.

"I just, I", I manage to choke out.

I try again. "I just… I love you so much and you- you didn't know. How much, I. I love you, Peeta Mellark. Please never leave me." I blubber out.

He laughs in acute relief before kissing me tenderly and smiling as he does so.

"Is that all? Well, I'm glad we have a similar problem." He says, a mischievous grin on his face.

"Huh?" I say.

He shrugs and replies simply: "Well, I don't think you know how much I love you, Katniss Everdeen." He teases.

He looks into my eyes again, deadly serious. "And I will never leave you."

And as he can read my mind, he continues "You're all I need. You're the only thing I've ever wanted out of life, and I'll be damned if I let you go now."

My heart surges with joy and I lean down to kiss his smiling mouth. He lays me back down and tucks me up around him. Light fingers stroke my hair until I drift off into a dreamless sleep.

I awaken the next morning swathed in dewy sunlight, and to my great delight, still wrapped up in Peeta's arms. I feel content, but something more. I can't place the feeling at first, but then I realize. Peeta feels like home. I smile at the thought. Home. I haven't felt this at peace in years, since before my father died. It feels so natural to be with him.

He tugs me closer and I freeze. I can't figure out why, at first. But then I realize, Peeta has an erection, and it's flush against me. I gasp quietly at his length and size. Peeta's not a small man, and it becomes even more apparent when he pulls me even closer that he is larger than I expected. I should feel embarrassed at his want, but I can't help but feel pride that I did this to him, that he is hard because of me. He wants me.

I turn to face him, so his erection now presses into my belly. I watch him open his eyes, a dopey smile appearing on his face when he sees me. The smile drops however, when he notices his morning hard on. He shifts away, mumbling an apology and something about damn morning wood. He shifts out of bed, but I stop him. I pull him back to bed and kiss his sleepy mouth.

"Katniss, I really need to go take care of this…" He says.

I decide to be bold, and respond with, "Why don't I help you with that, Mr. Mellark."

Peeta:

Holy crap. Did this gorgeous woman just offer to take care of my erection for me?

"Katniss-" she cuts me off with a kiss and pushes my chest down with her little hands. She straddles me with those long legs of hers so I lay flat on the bed.

Damn, I am so turned on right now. Nobody can deny that Katniss has killer confidence- that's one of the things I love best about her.

She presses kisses to my shoulders and chest and begins to work down my torso. She traces my abs and kisses each one.

Then she trails open mouth kisses along my hip bones before she pulls off my boxers. I am literary burning up, and I grow even harder under her scrutiny.

She stares, open mouthed, at my straining erection. Suddenly shy, she says, "I don't think I can handle you, Peeta."

To distract her, I reach up to tug at the t-shirt covering her body. I can't believe this is happening. I'm about the see the woman I have loved for twelve years naked.

She's…She's a vision. The early morning light illuminates her olive skin that stretches out over devilish, womanly curves, full breasts, a teeny tiny waist, flat belly, and her lush pussy looks like a tightly folded flower. I almost have to wipe the drool from my mouth.

Katniss shrinks back behind the dark curtain of her raven locks, looking worried. "Is everything…alright?" She bites her lip and I almost come right then.

"Of course, Katniss. You're so beautiful. You're like a goddess." I lean up to kiss her pretty red mouth, and she sighs in relief.

I see her eyes light up again with confidence. She pushes me down once again and takes hold of my throbbing cock. She gives it an experimental squeeze and pumps her hands up and down my length, running her finger over the head. She's unbelievably good at this. If she weren't so pure I'd assume that she's done this many times before.

I grip the sheets beneath me and start to moan uncontrollably. I feel a familiar tightening in my stomach. And then she takes me into her mouth. I grip her hair as she begins to bob up and down my length. Oh…God…

And then I let go, shudders of pleasure rock my body, and I release my seed into her mouth. Amazingly, she swallows and leans to kiss me.

"Katniss, I'm so sorry- I didn't want to come like that." I cover my eyes in embarrassment.

"Its ok, Peeta. I liked doing that for you." She blushes.

"Well, now I think I should return the favor…"

To be continued…