The pizza is amazing, as all Capital food is.

"This is the best pizza I've ever had," I say, blankets and pillows sprawled around Peeta and I on the couch.

"How many pizza's have you had?" he asks.

"Two- no three! This one is definitely the best, though," I take another heavenly bite and Peeta laughs. "How many pizza's have you had?"

"Three," he answers.

"Do you think this one is the best?" I say with my mouth a little full and Peeta starts cracking up. "What?" I swallow.

"I've never seen anyone more in love with food."

I roll my eyes and throw a pillow at him. "It's gooood! Kill me!"

"You're right, you're right, I guess it is pretty good," he admits after he finishes laughing.

"Thank you!" I say.

It takes a few silent moments before Peeta asks "So what do you think about being the Capitals next power couple?"

I scrunch up my nose, "I think...I'm not very good with people, so, I don't see how that's going to work out for us..."

Peeta chuckles, "Dang! I was so hoping!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. You know if I could, I would so try to make it work, but, I just can't." I say.

"Damn it, Katniss!" Peeta smiles at me, both of us knowing it's a joke.

The butterflies in my stomach awaken and they are stronger than ever. I try to push them down, but, they aren't budging.

"So, do you-" Peeta starts, but, stops when I jump up and run into the bedroom, afraid of what might happen if the butterflies don't stop.

"Katniss?! I hear Peeta yell after me.

I am ahead of him, though. I'm already on the balcony by the time he gets up. I stand looking over the city, holding onto the railing so tight my fingers turn white. The fluttery feeling isn't as strong, but, it's still there. It has never been like this before, where I leave the room he's in and they're still there.

Much too soon, I hear the door to the balcony open and a new burst of butterflies fill my stomach. I don't turn around, I already know who it is.

"What was that, Katniss?" I hear him breathe.

I stay silent and still. I'm not willing to risk anything.

"Katniss?" his hand grasps my shoulder and I allow him to turn me around. I try not to look at his blue eyes.

"Why do you keep on running? Every time I feel like we are finally starting to...connect you run away and I don't understand why!" he says.

"I...I don't know," I say.

"Yes you do, Katniss. I know you do," he takes both of his hands in mine.

I finally look up at him, the fluttery feeling strong. "I'm scared."

"Of what?" he asks gently.

I start to look away and will never forget what happened next. I feel his hand let go of mine and turn my head softly, to face him. Both of his hands grab my waist as he steps forward and kisses me. His lips are soft and warm, yet strong and persistent. The butterflies are going crazy in my stomach, but, for the first time I give in to them instead of trying to resist. For the first time in forever all of my problems in the world are gone.

He pulls away. "Are you still scared?" he asks me.

"Even more than before," I smile and wrap my arms around his neck. "But, I'm okay with it now," and I lean in for another wonderful kiss.

When we pull away, I lean my head on his chest. I feel him bury his face in my hair.

"Are we rushing this?" I question.

"How long have we been married?" he mumbles into my hair.

I count in my head, "Three days." Was it really only three days ago that I was with my mother and Prim? It feels like that was an eternity ago.

"Hmmm, no, I'd say we're doing this just right."

After a while we go back inside and finish the cold pizza. As Peeta and I are finishing the last few slices I start to notice him struggling to keep his eyes open.

"Are you tired?" I ask.

"Are you tired?" he asks me.

"Not really," I answer honestly. "I could sleep if I wanted to, but, I could stay awake also."

"Yeah me too," he takes a bite.

"Oh really?"

He nods his head slowly up and down.

"Then why are you struggling to keep your eyes open?"

"No I'm not," he says tiredly and yawns.

"You know this isn't going to work if you lie to me, Peeta."

He smiles crookedly, "I'm sorry, I just want to stay up with you."

"I'll go to sleep. Like I said, I could go either way."

"Sounds great, I'll get the blankets out," he starts to get up.

"You know, I was thinking...we could just sleep in the bed tonight. There's no point in both of us sleeping out here. Plus, I was so sore today from sleeping on the couch."

"Yeah I was too," Peeta chuckles, rubbing his neck.

"Okay, if you want to go ahead. I'll clean this up," I say, referring to the pizza.

He smiles, "Thank you," and kisses me on the forehead and heads on to bed.

It doesn't take me very long to clean the empty pizza box and the two plates up. Once I'm done, I head to the bedroom. The lights are off besides a lamp on a bedside table. Peeta is at the other end of the bed, surely already asleep. I try to climb into bed silently and shut the lamp off. I get situated under the covers.

Once I'm done moving around I hear a faint "Goodnight Katniss."

"Goodnight Peeta," I whisper back.

I want to go to sleep, but, the kiss, or rather kisses, keep on replaying in my mind. I can't believe that actually happened tonight. It was so amazing, it was like his lips were made for mine. I wonder what Gale would think of this? He would probably rub the fact that he was right in my face.

The thought makes me smile.

Slowly, the pain spreads throughout my veins. The longing for Gale, Prim, and even my mother. For Twelve.

A tear slips through my shut eyes as I fall asleep.


"Look a cherry!" Prim shouts and picks it from the tree. The garden looks amazing this time of year, with everything in full bloom. Gale and Kailry start picking the cherries too and putting them in baskets.

"Do you want some?" I hear Peeta say. In his left hand is a wicker basket and in his right is my hand.

I rub my finger against his.

"You should do it Katniss, you won't have many more chances," my dad says. He is standing with his arm around my mom.

"Yeah come on Katniss, it's fun!" Prim encourages me.

"Ok, I guess," I roll my eyes at my family.

Then the ground starts to shake. I look around frantically, unsure of what was happening. Peeta suddenly gets split from me, the ground splitting open between the two of us. The same happens with my family. Gale, Kailry, my mother, my father, and Prim are standing by the cherry tree, a crack in the earth separating us. Peeta is on the other side of me, separated. Both of them keep on moving farther and farther away from me, the gap growing deeper.

"Katniss jump!" I hear my family say.

"Katniss over here!" Peeta shouts.

The two go back and forth, trying to get me to jump on their side. I look around frantically. Do I go with Peeta? Or do I go with my family? Seeing the gap growing even wider, I know if I don't jump now, I won't be able to be with either of them. Taking a split-second decision I leap towards my family.


I jump a little when I wake up. It's enough to wake up Peeta too, whose arms I am just now realizing are wrapped around me.

"Oh, sorry," Peeta says and starts to move away.

"No it's ok," I say.

"You sure?" he asks, a little bit in disbelief.

"Yeah." I feel his arms relax around me and I snuggle my head back into his chest. We lay there like that, enjoying the comfort and closeness of each other. I got pretty lucky, getting Peeta as my match. His politeness and patience calms me. The way he puts things makes me laugh. His baking his absolutely incredible. He always knows what to say and when to say it. His looks leave nothing left to be desired. And on top of all that, the boy can kiss!

I lean up and peck him on the cheek.

He opens his eyes in surprise, "What was that for?"

I smile at him, "I just wanted to."

He grins a sloppy grin, "Okay."

So, it's been a while! Hope you are still interested! This is a short chapter but my favorite to write. Read. Review. Favorite. Follow.

XOXO,

secretrisker