Darius POV

I've never felt anything nearly as good as kissing Katniss Everdeen. Her lips are soft and tender, swollen from never been kissed before. But sadly, our beautiful compassionate kissing fest is quickly brought to an end when a small, blue eyed, blonde standing in the doorway interrupts us.

"Katniss, mother wanted you to-AHHH! What, are you doing?" Primrose shrieks, shielding her eyes. Katniss immediately retracts her lips from mine, and my body misses her warmth instantly.

"Primrose, we were just err, uhh…"

"I know what you were doing Katniss!" Prim shrieks as she storms out of the room. Katniss tries to follow her, but her ankle is preventing her from doing so. She huffs and plops down on the mattress and lets out an exasperated sigh.

"Katniss" I start

"Please, Darius. I-I don't really feel like talking right now," She says

"I'm sorry Katniss, I shouldn't have done that. It's my entire fault" I start

"No, Darius, it's not your fault. I should have known Prim would walk in" She explains

"Does that mean you enjoyed it? The kiss?" I ask tentatively. I sense her turn on her side and she lets out a breathy laugh.

"Sure" She says. I can practically see the blush forming on her face.

"Regretting all of those other chances you had to taste these lips?" I joke. I wait for a response, but sadly I don't get one. Did I piss her off?

"Katni-" I am interrupted by Katniss leaning over and kissing me. At first I'm frozen from shock, and when I start to kiss back we are interrupted, once again by the sound of someone clearing his or her throat.

Katniss immediately pulls away and we both look at the door. There standing with an un-amused look is Mrs. Everdeen.

"Mrs. Everdeen we were just errr, uhhh"

"I know what you two were doing, but remember boy" She takes a few steps closer to me pointing her finger at me "You better keep you hands to yourself. Understand?"

"Yes ma'am, I-I'll be sure to do that," I say as I run my hands through my hair. I look over at Katniss and she's blushing like crazy.

"Mother leave him alone," Katniss says trying to defend me as well as her. Mrs. Everdeen raises an eyebrow and gives Katniss a questioning look. She shrugs it off and explains to us that dinner is ready and that Katniss will need some help getting to the table. Then she leaves and everything suddenly becomes awkward again.

"It is a wonder that Gale slept through all that," She says breaking the ice. A smile creeps onto my face and I turn and look at her.

"Sit down on the bed and I'll wake up Gale, okay?" I explain. She nods her head and positions herself on the wrinkled mattress. I walk over to the other bed where Gale is in a deep slumber and slap him in the face.

"WAKE UP FOR GOD'S SAKE" I yell in his face. After a few seconds he flutters open his eyes and an annoyed look appears on his face. We stay like that for a few minutes, just staring at each other. I hear a huff from across the room and Katniss is sitting there with her arms crossed.

"Supper is ready" At that Gale pushes me over and stands up. I expect him to run out the door into the kitchen, but instead he walks over and helps Katniss up.

I watch as he wraps his arm around her waist for support. Then they begin to walk out.

"Hey" They stop and turn around "Do you want me to help you instead Katniss" I say as I grab onto her arm.

"No, it's fine Darius, let Gale help me" She says in protest and brushes me off. I groan inwardly and walk towards the table. I sit down and notice that Prim is glaring at me. I wonder what her problem is I thought she loved me.

Sitting in front of me is a platter of cooked Grooseling covered in herbs and spices, a bowl of raspberry salad with nuts and other berries mixed in. A jug of fresh water and some home made bread, a bowl of Chard dressed in Goat cheese, wild onions, and garlic are all placed out nicely on a fading checkered tablecloth.

Dinner consists of Mrs. Everdeen eating silently, Prim sneaking food to her cat when she thinks people aren't watching while Gale and I convers. Gale speaks to Katniss as well, but she's avoiding looking at me.

"Is everyone finished? How about I go bring out some dessert" Mrs. Everdeen says as she wipes her hands on her serviette and slides back he chair

"You made dessert?" Primrose asks wide eyed "We already had such a big dinner, I'm not even sure I can eat anything more"

Mrs. Everdeen smirks "I'm sure you'll find room sweetheart" She says as she kisses the top of her head. Then she rushes off into the small kitchen attached to the shack.

"So Katniss, I see the snares have been doing you good, that Groose is quite large" At this Mrs. Everdeen walks back in holding a tray of tarts. She places them down on the table and shoots her daughter a glance.

"Katniss" She hisses, and shoots her eyes towards me. Katniss looks up at me and I see it in slow motion. The way her hair flows around her shoulders and how her eyes spark up as they lock with mine. The way her cheeks flush as she glances at my lips.

"Yes, I agree. But they wouldn't be nearly as good with out Gale's input" She says as she places her hand atop his and smiles at him. I can literally feel my eye twitch as Gale returns the smile causing Katniss' cheeks to flush and glance down at her lap.

"Yum!" I am taken from my thoughts as Primrose munches loudly on her tart "This are so good, Mother"

"I agree with dear Prim, these are simply divine Mrs. Everdeen. You have such a way in the kitchen" She lets out a small giggle and a blush and I smirk to myself. I guess it isn't too bad to get onto her good side.

"Well thank you very much Darius, but Katniss made the tarts. And gathered the berries as well" I guess it isn't a bad idea to get onto her good side either.

"And you said you can't cook" I joke as I swivel my head to face Katniss. She looks down at her hands that are now thankfully both back in her lap and mutters something inaudible.

"Speak up Katniss, no one can hear" Mrs. Everdeen scolds. She shoots her a glare then raises her chin to look at me. Why does she seem to get more beautiful every time I look at her?

"I've been practicing" She says and appears to be off in her own little world as she stares into my pupils. Primrose snaps her fingers in front of her face and Katniss wakes from her trance. A blush finds her face and she returns to eat her tart. I do the same and I can feel the glare shot from Gale across the table.

Mrs. Everdeen POV

Why does Katniss have to be so stubborn? Right now she is sitting at a table with two suitable future husbands, and she is practically ignoring both! Yes, I know, she is only 16, she doesn't need to worry about a husband yet. But most girls find husbands when they turn 18. I know lots of men find Katniss attractive, but if she wants to ever get married, she needs to step up her game. And quite frankly, Gale and Darius are the only ones who I find acceptable to be a future son in law.

She will be wed to one of these two, whether she likes it or not.

OH MY GOSH! I AM SO SO SO SORRY! CAN YOU PLEASE FIND IT IN YOUR HEART TO FORGIVE ME? I have not been a very good author lately. I've neglected all of my stories :(. I was just taking a small break to refresh my mind. And you'll be happy to know that I have lots of ideas for ALL of my stories. If you follow any of my other stories don't worry, and update should be soon. Don't expect one before or right after the weekend(I might find it in me to write a chapter) because we're going away for the weekend and because Friday is my birthday! I'm turning 13! Anyways, I've been really busy, but that's no excuse.

I am surprised by the amount of people who like the story and your support means so much to me! Please leave a review, I love hearing feedback! You are the only reason I even update this story!