A/N: Sorry about this one being so short.
Peeta-
2013
"Peeta... You wrote that note?" Katniss asks astonished.
"Yes, and I was such a doofus, I ran away when I saw Gale act like the note was his and kiss you. I thought you liked him. When you said you had to find out when he wanted to leave tonight. I thought you were still together." I admit.
"He... we kind of kissed. I didn't want to be kissed, so I pushed him away and then I felt bad. That's why said I would be his girlfriend. But Madge liked him. I'm pretty sure they like each other now, and truthfully, I liked someone else, back then." She says.
"Really?" I ask.
"Of course. You're not an idiot. I am, for not realizing you wrote that note. I was so mad that you moved away without saying goodbye. I never thought you could've seen and been hurt by Gale's actions. I'm sorry." Katniss apologize.
"You really don't need to apologize. I mean, i jumped to conclusions. Twice. Once back then and again tonight." I try to assuage her.
"I feel really bad about everything." She says and puts an hand on my arm.
I can't believe I've been so dumb. I could've... No I should've tried to get in touch with Katniss ages ago. I had Thresh's number. Joanna's. I could've looked her up on Facebook. Anything to keep in contact. If had, I would've found out she was available. I won't let anymore opportunities pass me by. If she let's me, I'm gonna show Katniss that I'm not the same scared 14 year old boy who wishes she would look my way. I'm gonna sweep her completely off her feet and...
"There you are. The bride and groom are leaving. Can we get a picture of the wedding party?" Cinna asks interrupting our private moment.
"Sure, no problem. If it's alright with Katniss." I answer for both of us.
She nods. I offer my arm and she takes it. We walk to where the photographer is setting up the scene.
"Smile everyone!" Mr. Castor, Effie's longtime photographer friend, calls to us.
We take some pictures with the whole wedding party. The bride and groom take some fantastic candids. Then the groomsman take group shots, and then the bridesmaids. Mr. Castor pairs us up next with our perspective wedding partners.
"Just so you know, you look amazing." I tell Katniss as we are being posed side by side.
"Thank you. You look pretty good in a tux, Mellark." She returns the compliment.
"I always wondered how you'd look when we got older. You probably haven't thought much about me, but..."
"Peeta, I wondered about you too." She admits.
Yes!
"Katniss, Gale said you might need a ride home. My dad won't mind." Madge tells Katniss after we've taken pictures, said goodnight to Haymitch and Effie.
We're standing on the steps outside the building.
"Oh, actually, I can take you if you want." I speak up.
"Oh! Well, I don't want to be a burden-" Katniss begins.
"She'd love that! Wouldn't you Katniss? You're so sweet to offer. Isn't he so sweet Kat? Oh, and Peeta welcome back. A bunch if us were going to the my dad's old lake house tomorrow. You're welcome to come. You could even pick Katniss up and force her to come along." Madge speaks so quickly, my head is spinning.
"Sure, if Katniss would like-" I start.
"Oh, she'd love to." Madge says.
"Madge!" Katniss scolds her and bumps into Madge's hip.
Madge bumps her back, only harder, making Katniss almost fall. Impulsively, I toss my arms out to catch her.
"Great! It's a date! You two have fun! Bye!" Madge says then leaves.
It's then that I realize, Katniss is still in my arms. I've gotten to hold her quite a bit tonight. She feels sturdier then when we were younger, but she's still petite.
"Uh... sorry! I mean thank you for making sure I didn't, eat it. That would've been embarrassing." She says as I let go if her.
"No, it's ok, really. I already told you. I got you, anytime. You have such a strong side to you. It's nice to think that you could need me once and a while. Makes you seem… softer." I say but immediately regretting the wording.
"Soft? Am I usually hard?" She says but thankfully doesn't sound upset. Just curious.
"I mean more feminine... Oh gosh. I mean... sexy. It's sexy that you could need me." I clarify trying to save it.
"Really? So, you've been hoping that I would... need you." She says chuckling.
"I meant like in a gentlemanly way. Or uh... I'm messing this up, aren't I?" I say laughing.
Katniss Everdeen is still so beautiful it gets me flustered.
"No. Your cute but I don't like to need people. Lately, I'm used to being needed actually." She says.
"Well it's okay to ask for a little bit of help. Every now and then. Like maybe a ride home?" I say.
She smiles.
"I guess you're right." She says.
"But before you take me home. I have a question." She says.
