Chapter 2: More than an Act?

A few weeks passed. Katniss and Peeta basically continued with their lives the way they had been, the only exception being that they now lived together. Peeta felt awful that this marriage was turning out to be a sham; he knew the rest of the District was aware of this fact. At least he was grateful that nobody blamed him. He would honestly be more upset if anyone blamed Katniss.

All of this came to a head one day, when the pair learned that the Capitol would be stopping by to check on them for a news segment. Katniss panicked at this.

"They'll be expecting us to have at least tried for a baby, and we…." she blushed at the mere entertainment of that possibility. Peeta brushed it off.

"If they think that I'd have managed to get you pregnant in only a few weeks, I'd have to see what they've been drinking. Besides, that's the least of our problems. We have to furnish our acting skills."

"What are you talking about?" Katniss wondered.

Peeta almost lost his temper at this. Instead of saying You know damn well, he replied with simply, "You know. Forget there being no sex – I haven't kissed you once since the wedding. Hell, I've barely been able to touch you!"

Katniss raised an eyebrow, but did not get angry. "That's what this is about? You think I can't pull off a few kisses and hugs? I can. The question is: can you?"

Now it was Peeta's turn to do a double-take. "What exactly are you implying? That I can't kiss well?"

"A kiss goes two ways, Lover Boy. I may not have been open about letting you kiss me, but you haven't exactly tried either! We both need work, but you need it more. You can't lose your touch from the Games – not now."

She sat up on the kitchen countertop and beckoned him forward. "Come here. Let's do a practice run." Peeta refrained from rolling his eyes and moved closer to her, but nothing else happened. Katniss chuckled.

"You wanna kiss me, you're gonna have to touch me, Mellark." She got a flash of inspiration. "Put your hands on my hips." She guided them to the spot. Another thoughtful pause. "I'll probably put my arms like this." She draped them around Peeta's neck.

Peeta smirked. "How will you know what to do?"

Katniss scowled. "I've watched my fair share of rom-coms with Prim." This comment, plus their awkward position – despite the fact that they were married – was too much for Peeta. He cracked up.

"Look at me," Katniss ordered. She waited until he was before adding, "Close your eyes." Peeta obeyed and waited.

Gathering her courage after a few falters, Katniss leaned in and pressed her lips to Peeta's.

Electricity. That's what she felt. Though it could also be argued that she had almost forgotten what Peeta's lips tasted like. Anyway, at their joining, Katniss jolted slightly before deepening the kiss on her own, opening her mouth to let him in. She closed her eyes in contentment. Her hands fisted in his hair, running through his blonde locks. Almost involuntarily, Katniss hooked her leg behind Peeta's thigh. Peeta gave a small growl, as his hands dug possessively into her hips. He didn't grope any lower, which Katniss appreciated. But even this thought was barely brought forward as Katniss placed her arms back around her husband's neck, leaned into him and kissed him harder. This felt so wonderful…. why hadn't she been more open to doing this more often?...

At long last, she (though reluctantly) pulled out of this kiss and pushed Peeta away.

"What?" Peeta asked, immediately questioning if he had done something wrong.

"Lesson's over. You're good to go," Katniss said flatly as she slipped off the counter and away from him. Peeta peered closer at her, even if she was refusing to look at him.

"Are you blushing?" he asked with a grin, voicing his thoughts.

"I'm going hunting; I'll see you tonight," Katniss evaded. With that, she picked up her bow and bag and was out the door, Peeta staring after her.