First of all, I can't tell you guys how sorry I am for the lack of updates. I just got out of exam week. I'm getting closer and closer to getting my degree so things have been a bit hectic. I was also trying to get over a terrible writers block. Without further due, here it is, my longest chapter to date. I hope you enjoy. I would love to read more reviews but nonetheless thank you all for the support.

A/N All belongs to Suzanne Collins.

Chapter 8

For some strange reason, I feel completely rested for the first time in months. I know its daytime already; I can feel the sunrays pass through my eyelids. This doesn't make any sense. Usually during the mornings, I feel tired, extremely tired and a sense of dread and fear lingers in my mind. Today, I don't have any of that. Instead I feel a peace and warm radiating everywhere. When I decide to open my eyes, I find myself wrapped in Peeta's arms. I hardly remember why I asked him to stay the night. It doesn't really matter why, I'm just glad he is here. We managed the darkness just like we did in the games, together. He still fast asleep and for the first time, I notice a scar just below his jawline. I run my fingers along the scar, and instead of finding those scars repulsive like I do the ones that mark my body, I find them beautiful. This is Peeta, and I will never forget how he got those scars, trying to reach Prim and me that awful day the Capitol fell down.

Prim. I miss her too much. I have to control my train of thought; otherwise I'll head down a place I can't out alone. I'm still stroking Peeta's face when he catches my hand and smiles. Still with eyes closed he asks:

-"No nightmares?"

-"No nightmares at all. You?"

-"Not at all. I missed having full night's sleep."

Peeta opens his eye and I can't help to be fascinated by his blue eyes. They are such an indescribable shade of blue. Peeta just stares at me smiling. I sense he wants to kiss me. I honestly don't know where we are standing. Sure we hold hands and a occasional kiss to the forehead. Asking him to stay the night feels like a huge step. Feels like some invisible barrier has been broken. I can't say that I'm sorry though, I wanted him to stay. I know Peeta will never push things; he is content that we are in speaking terms. The fact that he is always looking out for me, after everything that has happened, makes me want to cry. I will truly never deserve him, one way or another.

Peeta decides to wake up and as he is putting his shoes back, he asks me:

-"I wanted to make something special for you today. Would you like to come on a picnic with me?"

-"Where to?" This should be interesting.

-"I was kind of hoping you knew someplace we could go. I mean, you know the forest better than I do."

-"I think I know a place. Are you going to come for real this time?" As soon as the words leave my mouth, I instantly regret them. It was a low blow.

I see the pain that crosses Peeta's face and I know that I've hurt him. I really am a terrible person.

-"Peeta, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it that way." I feel horrible.

-"That's ok Katniss, I promised myself I was going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. For all the times I've hurt you." The pain in his voice is palpable.

I quickly stand up and wrap my arms around his neck and pull him close. His arms hesitate slightly before he rests his hands in the small of my back.

-"There's nothing you have to make up Peeta. That's my job. I'm sorry if I hurt you. I feel terrible; I will never stop owing you."

He stays silent for a long time. I can't help to feel worse and worse with every passing minute. When the silence gets unbearable, I speak again.

-"I would love to go to a picnic with you. As a matter of fact, I know the perfect place."

He finally speaks again. –"Are you sure? It's ok if you don't want to go. I understand."

I'm not having any of this. I unwrap my arms from his neck and pull him out of the bedroom.

-"Let's go, we are going on a picnic."

Peeta finally laughs and tells me:

-"You would probably want to go change. I don't think a sleeping dress qualifies as proper attire." He laughs again.

I take a look at myself and realize he is right. I laugh and tell him:

-"Oh that's right, I need to go change."

-"Tell you what, go change and I'll come back in a little while with everything."

-"Perfect." I say.

-"I promise I'll be back soon Katniss. Really I do."

I see in his eyes that he wants that this small promise to mean so much more. I smile at him.

-"I'll see you soon then."

I take a quick shower and after finding proper clothing, I hear a soft knock coming from my door. I head downstairs and when I open it, there he is. Peeta, carrying a picnic basket. He smiles at me.

-"I told you I was coming back."

-"You did, you were good on your promise."

-"You ready to go?"

-"Yes. Wait, I think I forgot something." I head back to my house and look for my bow and arrow. Perhaps today is the day I use them again. I feel better about everything when Peeta is around me. I figured it was worth the shot.

-"Ok, I'm ready. Let's go."

Peeta grabs my hand and simply says:

-"By all means please, lead the way."

We walk to my old house, to the place where I always entered the woods. I feel a familiar ache and a sadness that threatens to choke me. I feel Peeta's thumb rub soothing circles in my hand. Urging me forward, letting me know he is here. I push forward and before I know it, we are quite deep in the woods and I can't help to take my first real breath in months. There's something so liberating about the woods, it's something I can't really describe. I sense Peeta feeling the same. After walking for a while, we finally reach our destination. It's an overlook, and as far as the eye can see, there are mountains. It's beautiful. A sunset here, is one of the most spectacular things I've ever seen. Can't wait to show it to Peeta. He would love it.

Peeta slowly starts taking stuff out of the basket. He first pulls out a long blanket and carefully lays it out on the floor so we can sit. He then starts pulling our food. He takes out fruit, bread, and a small assortment of cheeses, cheese buns of course, and a bottle of juice. As we settle to eat our food, which is amazing, I have a feeling of happiness that I know is connected to Peeta. At the same time, it fills me with fear. Today I saw for the first time how much a few wrong words can hurt him. I can't stand hurting him anymore, not after everything we've been through. After we finish eating, Peeta tells me:

-"Would you mind if I sketch you? I brought my art supplies with me."

-"Sure I don't mind. What do you want me to do?"

-"Just stay as you are. It shouldn't take long."

I'm happy to look the beautiful scenery, so Peeta's request isn't much of a problem. Before I know it, Peeta is done.

-"Here, want to look at it?"

-"Sure, show it to me."

He hands me over his sketching pad and I'm amazed by what Peeta has done. I look at the drawing, and I see someone beautiful, radiant as the sun. I can't help but to feel confused. This can't be me. My body is scarred, the war left its marks everywhere. I look over at Peeta, and finally realize that this is how I look to him. No matter what, I will always be the most beautiful thing to him. Peeta clear his throat.

-"You know, you were right."

-"About what?"

-"I do have a weakness for beautiful things." He blushes beet red.

I can't help to blush myself. I really don't know what to say. Before it gets too uncomfortable, Peeta asks me:

-"Want to play a game?"

-"What game?"

-"I throw this apple to the air and you skewer it with one of your arrows."

The game does really sound like a fun. I better start of slow with my bow and arrow.

-"Alright, let's play."

Peeta throws the apple high in the air and just like the old days, I hit without a hitch.

-"Hey, you still got it. Want to do it again." Peeta is smiling at me.

-"Yes! It was fun."

Peeta gets another apple from the basket and throws it slightly higher in the air. Once again, it's a perfect shot. We do this 5 more times before Peeta announces we've run out of apples.

-"I think we should head back home anyway." He says with a sad smile.

-"Wait, there's something I wanted to show you."

-"What is it?"

-"You'll just have to wait and see." I say with a ring of finality.

Peeta lets it go, and lies down in the blanket. I sit next to him, waiting for the sunset to come. Shortly after, I'm rousing Peeta, telling him to look beyond the mountains.

-"I didn't think you would want to miss it. It's your favorite color." I say.

-"Wow. It's incredible Katniss. Thank you."

I know Peeta is mesmerized by it. I see his eyes trying to memorize everything. To paint it perhaps.

-"I wanted you to see it. It's my way of saying I'm sorry for hurting you today."

Peeta smiles at me and grabs my hand. Together we watch the last rays of light slowly turn to night time. He finally speaks:

-"I think we should really go now."

-"Yes, c'mon. I know a shortcut we can take."

With my shortcut, we are quickly back in Victors Village. Peeta and I make it to my home and as he goes to the kitchen to take care of some things from last night, I go to store my bow and arrow. When I come back to the kitchen, I find Peeta clutching to the back of chair, he is fighting an episode. I'm paralyzed with fear; I don't know what to do. I don't want Peeta to hurt me, but I don't want to leave him alone. As I'm deciding what to do, I see Peeta slumping to the floor. His episode must be over. I quickly head over to where he is and slowly wake him up. When he opens his eyes, I'm relieved to see they are no longer dilated. He looks at me and tells me:

-"Please tell me I didn't hurt you."

-"Peeta you didn't. I'm ok. Are you ok?"

-"Just a little tired that's all."

I help him get off the floor. He is very weak. His episodes must drain all his energy.

-"I should probably go. It's better if I leave you."

But I don't want him to go. I wrap my arms around him and hold him in place.

-"Please don't go."

-"Katniss is not safe. I promise I'll be here first thing in the morning."

-"Stay with me."

He leans his forehead into mine and I can feel the conflict of emotions boiling in him. Before I know it, we are kissing. It feels like we are kissing for the first time. I feel that thing in my chest again, the warmth that spreads everywhere, to the tips of my being. That feeling of wanting more and more. I don't know how long we stand there kissing. When we finally break apart, Peeta smiles a breathtaking smile and I know I have the same smile in my face. He kisses me one more time, a sweet and adoring kiss. I kiss his forehead and hold him even closer. I feel his arms encircling me, and I feel safer than ever.

-"Let's go, you must be tired." I say.

-"Ok, lets go."

As we settle in bed, the fear that I felt earlier has dissipated. It's no longer there. I drift off to a dreamless sleep, enveloped in Peeta's warmth.