CHAPTER ONE

Peeta and Katniss had grown into a routine over the past few years. They still struggled, Katniss with her nightmares, Peeta with his flashbacks. But they loved each other, consistently, and comfortably. They knew each other at the other's worst, so what else mattered?

Peeta had grown stronger than before. Having helped rebuild District 12 had gotten him back in shape. His arms were muscular and toned, his chest square and chiseled, his back lean. His hair was as blond as ever, and those eyes… those scintillating blue eyes actually had the nerve to make her knees go weak now. Her, the Mockingjay, the Girl on Fire, Katniss Everdeen.

She never thought it'd be possible.

Then again she never thought she'd love him.

Or that she could deserve him.

Yet, here they were, like they were every night, in their bed—though it was really Peeta's bed. She had moved in with him once he'd gotten back from the Capitol—give or take a few months of depression and relapses. This was their home now, and she had never thought of it any other way. She belonged there, the same way he belonged next to her.

Or inside of her.

Like he was now.

She didn't think she'd ever get used to their lovemaking. She'd gotten used to coming home to him every night. She'd gotten used to sharing chores and responsibilities. She'd gotten used to him going his way during the day and she going hers, and then meeting up at home later on. She'd gotten used to the way his arms wrapped around hers in the middle of the night. Or the way he covered her up as the night got cooler, because no matter what, she always fell asleep with the covers at her waist. She remembered how he had told her that one night he'd woken up to see her shivering and he couldn't understand why she just didn't cover up if she was cold.

"If I'm sleeping peacefully, I don't want to wake up. I like sleep," she had told him.

She had gotten used to the way he often came home with flour on his face after working in the bakery—the bakery he had rebuilt himself. She'd gotten used to his affection, to the way he showers at night and in the morning, to the way he could make her laugh over the silliest things. The way he always double knotted his shoes….

But this? Him, deep inside of her, day in and day out?

It was new.

It was always new.

Always unique.

Always beautiful.

Katniss wasn't the sentimental type. At least, she didn't mean to be. But Peeta… well Peeta bought that out in her. She didn't think she'd ever be the girl who'd care about how she dressed or looked. But she found herself doing the little things—making sure the windows were open before bed because he liked the windows open. Wearing green because he loved her in it. Watching the sunset with him because he could always find his favorite shade of orange.

But the lovemaking was something completely different.

It didn't matter how many times they did it…. And Peeta had a healthy appetite. Not that Katniss minded. Peeta was good at anything artistic, from painting, to writing, to speaking… so sex was no different.

It was brilliant.

Mind blowing.

She arched her back as she came again. How many times it'd been, she'd officially lost track. She found she lost a lot of things during this moment, from her mind to her voice.

It was always his voice that brought her back. It was so easy to get lost in his rhythm, in those long, deep strokes, but when he whispered, or groaned, or grunted, or yelled her name, it always brought her back.

It gave her great pleasure, almost selfishly, that she always made him cum.

His lips found her as he pumped into her and she cried out against his mouth as another orgasm hit her. He quickly followed.

Breathing hard she softened her grip on his back, then slowly relaxed under him. She could feel his heartbeat slowing down as he panted. He buried his neck in her shoulder, like he always did afterwards, and she smiled. He climbed off of her and she cuddled next to him.

Cuddling.

She never thought she'd be into cuddling. But here she was, curling up next to him, as if he hadn't just left the very essence of her.

She could, would, never get enough of him.

Her dandelion in the spring.

She was just drifting off to sleep when he spoke.

"Katniss?" he asked softly into the night.

She stirred and looked up at him, looked into those gorgeous blue eyes. "Yah?"

He hesitated for a moment before saying, "You'd marry me one day… real or not real?"

She stared at him for several seconds. "Are you proposing?"

Peeta shook his head. "No. I'm just asking for future reference. I wanna know if I did ask, what you'd say…?"

She didn't hesitate. She was surprised that she didn't hesitate. It was almost like she'd always expected to him to ask. "Real."

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Peeta kissed Katniss goodbye as he left, smiled as she gently stirred but didn't wake. The first time he did this she'd asked him about when he got home.

"Did you kiss me goodbye this morning?" she had asked. She had hesitated, almost if she was worried that she had dreamt it. He had smiled at her and nodded in the affirmative.

Ever since then it was a normal routine. He always woke at three thirty in the morning to make his way to the bakery by four. He always made fresh bread for his customers. He decided that at the end of every business day he'd give one family the leftover bread. Not that the residents of District 12 were in as dire need as they were before. No, things were changing for them. However, giving a different family the leftover bread at the end of the work day seemed a lot better than letting it go to waste. Besides, the shop was doing relatively well, and… well, Katniss and him still had more money than they needed from their winnings.

Peeta made his way to the bakery but did not immediately get to work. Instead he went to the back, got a piece of paper, and began writing a very important letter.

Dear Mrs. Everdeen,

How are you? I hope that you are doing better. Katniss

tells me you're fairing well in District 4. That's a relief.

Before I keep going, let me assure you that everything

is great here in 12. I'm not writing to you with any bad

news. In fact, I'd rather think it was great news.

As I'm sure you know, I love your daughter very much,

and have since I was five years old. With your permission,

I'd like to ask for her hand in marriage.

Please mail your response back to the bakery. I do not want

Katniss to suspect anything, if you are to give me your

blessing. I would have flown to you to ask you in person, but

Katniss would have known something was up.

Take care,

Lovingly,

(Your Future Son-In-Law?)

-Peeta

P.S. I think Katniss misses you more than she lets on. During

the engagement we'd love it if you stayed with us until the

the wedding.

Satisfied that the letter was good he folded it up and addressed it. He felt better. He wanted to do this right. And if he was going to do this right, he needed to talk to Haymitch as well.

After the lunch hour and things slowed down Peeta made his way back to Victor's Villiage. He knew that Katniss would be out hunting. He understood why she still hunted. It was a way for her to escape for a few hours. That was fine with him. Whatever made her happy.

He reached Haymitch's and could smell the geese, as well as what smelled like beef stew. Peeta knocked on the door and then entered without waiting for a response. He found Haymitch in the living room, TV on, a drink in his hand.

"Come to ask me to give Katniss away at the wedding?" asked Haymitch.

Surprised, Peeta asked, "How did you know?"

"Katniss came over earlier. She told me you wanted to marry her." Peeta didn't say anything. Knowing him, Haymitch continued, "She was thrilled, Peeta. She tried to tone it down, but she was excited."

Peeta smiled. "When the hell did I get so lucky?"

"Honestly?" Haymitch took a drink. "When your name was pulled at the Reaping."

It was ironic, but it was also true.

"So will you do it?" asked Peeta.

"If Katniss Everdeen, the Girl on Fire, the Mockingjay, asks me to walk her down the aisle and give her away, I'd be honored."

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On her 20th birthday Katniss woke up to the scent of bread. Confused she opened one eye and saw Peeta entering the room, a tray in his hand. He sat the down tray on her night table then walked over to the window, where he moved the curtains back to let in the sunlight.

"Wake up," he said cheerfully.

"Peeta, what are you doing?" She'd had a long night—thanks to him.

"It's well past noon, Katniss," said Peeta with a smile.

"Really?"

"I made you a birthday lunch." Katniss sat up and glanced at the tray. Sure enough, there were two of her favorite things: cheese bread and lamb stew.

"Looks delicious," she said with a smile. "Thank you."

"Anything for you." He walked over to the bed, leaned down, and kissed her.

"You didn't go to the bakery today?"

"Nope. Today's all about you. And you nearly wasted it sleeping." He chided her with a smile. "Finish up so you can shower and get dressed. I have a surprise for you."

"Are you gonna eat with me?"

"I'm not really all that hungry. I'm gonna get dressed."

She watched him as she ate, watched as he peeled off his undershirt, revealing his muscles. He was so damn beautiful. How had she never noticed him? He'd saved her life, burned bread for her family on purpose, and still she hadn't noticed him.

She watched him slip out of his old, worn jeans—the ones he wore around the house on lazy days like today—and walk to the closet in search of what she assumed would be a better pair of jeans.

She didn't let him make it to the closet.

"Katniss," he grunted when her lips captured his.

"It's your fault," she told him against his mouth. "What'd you expect, stripping like that?" She wore only his white shirt. She'd slipped it on some time during the night, after their late night escapade. Now he lifted his shirt as he picked her up and held her against the wall. He slid his fingers under her shirt and gasped.

"You're not wearing any underwear."

"They're wherever you left them last night when you took them off of me."

Her eyes blazed when he slipped a finger inside of her. Her gasp turned into a moan when he replaced his finger with his length. Gasping out his name she immediately started thrusting into him.

Gripping her hands he forced them above her head. He watched as her breasts bounced up and down through his shirt.

She didn't take long to cum. She never did.

She'd learned patience in the years since they'd been together. Peeta would do whatever she asked, whenever she asked, except for when it came to this. Here, he ruled. He had showed her that she would always get what she wanted, just not when she always wanted. So she didn't complain when her hands were above her head, even though she wanted nothing more than to claw at those muscles on his back. She let her impatience simper through every now and then with a whimper, but otherwise she figured she'd get her chance.

Sure enough, when she came again, she was rewarded. He let her arms go and she immediately gripped his back, arching her own and throwing her head back. He picked up his speed and she matched his thrusts with hard ones of her own.

She always gave so much of herself to him. He took great pleasure in knowing that the Mockingjay melted under his touch. It was he who could make her moan. The Girl on Fire was nothing more than Katniss Everdeen when they made love, soft and feminine, even if their lovemaking was rough.

When she bit him it took everything in him not to cum.

Instead he pulled out of her. She stared at him as if he were crazy. He didn't say anything, just pulled her towards the bathroom. He turned on the shower, steaming hot, the way both of them liked it after having to bathe in cold water for anything other than the day of the Reaping.

He pulled his shirt off her body, revealing her skin, her gloriously smooth, silky skin. Then he pulled his own shirt over his head and pulled off his pants.

He was showing off his strength as he picked her up, slipped inside of her wet folds, and then stepped into the shower buried deep inside of her. She held on to him, gripping his back, as he slammed her against the wall and started moving in and out of her.

"Peeta," she breathed.

His name was never as beautiful as it was when she called him.

Clutching around him, Katniss gave her final orgasm, Peeta following closely behind. He took a deep breath and gently bit her neck before sliding out of her. They quickly showered, in utter peace.

"Did you even eat?" asked Peeta once they got out.

"I was distracted," she told him with a smirk as she put on her bra.

Peeta snorted and watched her as she got dressed. Realizing he was probably a second way from drooling he put on his own clothes then grabbed her tray. "I'll go heat this up for you."

"Peeta," she called softly. He looked up and back at her. "I love you."

She didn't say it often. She didn't have to. She was here, with him, wasn't she? That had always been enough for Peeta. She didn't leave him when he had his flashbacks, and for so long he'd been afraid that she would. He'd never forgotten the distance, the betrayal, he had forged between them when he'd tried to kill her. So her being here, cooking for him, comforting him… that was enough for him.

He felt his heart pounding in his chest. "I love you too, Kantiss." He walked away, knowing that he was doing the right thing.

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"Where are we going?" asked Katniss.

"You'll see," Peeta responded. He had her blindfolded, but they didn't walk far. When they reached their destination Peeta stopped her and pulled off her blindfolds.

Katniss looked around, her jaw nearly on the ground. They were in the town, in the heart of District 12, on the path that would lead them to the bakery. Along the street were dozens of houses that had been rebuilt. Different families lived in there than before, and every single yard was filled with primroses.

"Peeta." He saw the tears in her eyes.

"Happy birthday, Katniss."

"When did you do this?"

"I had the seeds planted in winter."

"Everyone agreed?" She kept looking around.

"Everyone loved Prim, Katniss. She was everybody's little sister. It didn't even take any convincing. Now you can take Prim wherever you go. She's always gonna be with you."

Katniss flung herself into his arms. He hugged her, taking in her scent, his heart hammering at what he was about to do.

"You know I love you, right Katniss?" She looked at him.

"Of course."

"Good." He slipped out of her grasp and bent down on one knee. "I couldn't imagine doing this without Prim here, and I believe, figuring they came into bloom this week, that she has given me her blessing. So… with that said…." He grabbed her hand with one of his, while his other hand dug in his pocket. He watched as her eyes widened. "Katniss Everdeen, will you marry me?"

She felt like a girl. She could feel the tears stinging her eyes, and she was actually bringing her hand to her mouth in shock. She thought her smile was even brighter than the sun. The ring he chose was simple: gold all around with the single pearl he'd given her in the Games in the center. The last time she saw it was when she had taped it to a note telling Peeta that she needed him.

"Real," she whispered. "Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes!" Peeta got up and hugged her, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around. Katniss didn't even hear the applause or the cheers and whistles. As far as she was concerned there was only Peeta.

When he finally put her down he kissed her. She kissed him back with all the passion that she could muster. She wanted him to know how much she loved him.

He seemed to understand because his eyes were unusually bright, his voice noticeably thick, when he said, "I have one more surprise." He moved aside and Katniss' heart dropped.

There stood her mother, her hands clasped at her chest, tears running down her face.