Peeta-

Three days later I still haven't heard from Katniss. I text occasionally. Just a Hi or Are you okay? but she hasn't responded. Part of me wishes I hadn't told her. Honestly, I had more to tell her, but I couldn't after she freaked out about the first confession. I guess I thought she'd say the past is in the past and it doesn't affect us or our future together. I see how stupid it was to hope for her to just, forget it ever happened.

"Bruh, what's up with your girl? You talk to her about Delly yet?" Thresh asks me, while we're back to school shopping.

I texted him everything that's been going on with Katniss and I. He thought we should go out and talk so the spies at his house, meaning Prim and Rue, couldn't get any Intel. So I asked him to help me get last minute stuff I'll need for class, and football, since I plan on going out for the team.

"T, I effed up. It's like I can't breathe without her. But she doesn't text me back. She has every right to never talk to me again. If I tell her about Delly, she's just gonna hate me more." I answer pitifully.

"She doesn't hate you, she's just pissed. And if she finds out some other way? Dude. Kiss your balls goodbye. Everdeen once hit a guy with a hockey stick, scratch that. His own hockey stick, for saying her ass was juicy. They still don't know if he'll be able reproduce. Katniss is my girl, but she can be eight kinds of crazy, if she wants to be. Beautiful and dangerous." Thresh relates.

"Don't you think I know? Remember, I taught her to box. That's why I didn't tell her right away about Delly. I would really like to keep my balls. You think she'd realize I was innocent in all that?" I ask my friend.

"I don't know. Break it down for me again, everything that happened. Just so I can wrap my head around it. I'll try to see how I'd feel from Kat's point of view." Thresh suggests.

"Okay." I agree.

Flashback...

"I'll leave you to it." Haymitch says walking out.

"Delly, hi. What are you doing here?" I ask, surprise apparent in my tone.

"I found out where you lived from Joanna's phone. Please don't be mad." She says walking closer to me.

"I'm not mad. Just confused. And truthfully, I have a girlfriend now-" I start but she cuts me off by running a hand through my hair.

"I just love your curls." She says sweetly.

I back up a step. Then she takes a step closer, running a hand down my arm.

"Thank you. I'm actually on-" I start but she cut me off again.

"Could I... Maybe we could hang out. I don't have any friends. And it's totes hard to be at that house with my dad, who's sort of a stranger. And Jo, who hates my guts. Just because my mom was prettier than her mom and daddy couldn't resist double dipping. I don't know if I can stay here. Can you help me? Tell me how you stay so strong?" Delly has tears in her eyes by the end.

I'm somewhere between offended from her jab at Jo's mom and feeling completely sorry for this girl. She's rubbing on my bicep muscles when she asks me to help her, and telling me how strong I am. I can tell she's trying to manipulate me. But I can also tell how good she is at it. Damn if she doesn't smell good. Or have on a mega tight skirt, and have on the lowest cut shirt in history. But she's no Katniss Everdeen.

"Delly, I'm not really that strong. And I'm with Katniss now so, I can be your friend. But I can't-"

While I'm talking, I pull both her roaming hands away from me, and hold them down in front of her. Unfortunately, that left my face unguarded. Before I can finish my statement, Delly kisses me. It only takes a second for me to turn my face away and let her go.

"Hmm, you are the man." She giggles.

"Delly, I'm sorry but this isn't gonna happen. I'm with Katniss." I say sternly putting more space between us.

"Katniss? That beyond basic, girl from the wedding? Peeta you could have all of this. If you want it." Delly tries to entice me.

"I don't want any part of it. And yes Katniss. She's everything I could want and then some." I relay.

"Yeah well, I heard she's a bitchy, virgin, dyke." Delly scoffs.

That pisses me off.

"Look, I don't appreciate you bad-mouthing Joanna's mom. And I really don't like girls who try too hard. And when you talk about my girlfriend, you're crossing a line you don't want to cross with me. So, you need to leave and I've reconsidered. I don't want to be your friend anymore." I inform her, pointing towards the door.

"I just wanted to offer you a chance to be with a real woman. But you'll regret turning me down." Delly threatens before walking out the door.

Present...

"So you gave the hooker the boot. Katniss can't be mad at that. Right?" Thresh offers smiling.

"I don't know man if you saw the way she was about Jen? And that wasn't even somebody she knows and despises. I want to tell her, but how do even I start?" I ask.

"Yo, I've seen you convince the grumpiest wrestling coach, not only to let you stay in a championship meet, with a black eye, that should've benched you. But also, he put you in a higher weight class, that you barely fit in, to take on the former heavy weight champ, two grades above you. And you won! I think you can tell your main chic, some side piece trick, came at you, uninvited." Thresh argues.

"Maybe. But first I gotta get her to talk to me. " I complain.

"You leave that to Big Daddy T. Just get your knee pads out and make sure you bring your A game." Thresh counsels.

Later that night there's a knock at my door. When I open it I'm shocked to see Katniss standing there. Beautifully donning her signature scowl.

"H...hi. Kat." I fumble.

"I know I should've called first. But Thresh insisted on dropping me off. He said you needed me? That you're a wreck. That I'm stubborn and wouldn't talk to you because I'm scared that I might need you too. He dared me to have a five minutes conversation with you. And that if I did he would leave me alone about it. So I'm here." Kat says crossing her arms defiantly.

"Well, I'm glad you're here. I missed you so much. I know you said you needed time to process. But I have another confession. And I don't want this to ruin us. I just have to be honest so we won't have anything between us anymore."

"There's more? Peeta. I don't know how much more I can hear. I've thought about what you already told me. And yes. Jen was a mistake that's in your past. I wasn't a part of the equation, but I just feel that if you couldn't get yourself out of that situation, how do I know you can handle yourself now?" She asks justifiably.

"Okay, I see your concerns. But I have to tell you something else which may convince you that I do know how to think with my head, instead of my hormones if I want to. I mean against anyone but you, that is." I say hoping she gets my meaning.

After all, I was dreaming of Katniss when Jen tried to wake me.

"This isn't the time to joke. Your five minutes is running out. What else do you have to say?" Katniss's snaps pulling me out of my memory.

"One; I didn't have sex with Jen. We almost did. I thought I was kissing someone else. It wasn't until Jen and I's clothes were off, we had touch each other in embarrassing ways, and I, was about two millimeters from entering her, that I heard Jen moan my brother's name. I instantly froze, realizing just how close I came to doing something terrible. I held her back and told her, I was sorry, but he was gone. Jen plunged out of the fog she was in and started hysterically crying naked in my arms. I cried. We held each other for a while. I explained I wasn't fully awake, she apologized, and then we dressed and never spoke of it again. I know that might not make up for it. But we recognized our mistake, and moved on. I don't love her and she doesn't love me, romantically. Two; I'm not joking when I say, I can resist any woman but you. Katniss, you're the kryptonite to my Clark Kent. And three; the other confession I have to make, I've only kept from you for fear that you would do exactly what you did when I told you about Jen. But I'm willing to risk your wrath because, I want this so bad. I will always be honest with you from now on. No matter how many people try to come between us."

"Peeta, if your second confession is about Delly Cartwright, I already know."

Oh shit.

Katniss-

I left Peeta alone for three days. No calls, no text, no interaction what so ever. But as soon as Prim got out of Thresh's car and he and Rue came waltzing up my walkway. I knew he was trying to reconcile Peeta and I. Little did Thresh know that, Delly had texted me earlier that day. She told me, over a week prior, she went to Peeta's at his request. She said they kissed and that she figured it was only right, to tell me woman to woman. She said Peeta called me boring and not as sexually experienced as he likes his women. She said he asked them to keep it a secret, until he could let me down easy.

I didn't respond to her text. I knew there was a chance she could be lying through her teeth. But my fears bubbled up to the surface like a gaseous, dead, body. I'm boring: he practically said that himself at the mall. I'm not sexually experienced: his tryst with Jen proved he had been with more sexually mature women. Asking her to keep it secret: I keep finding out secrets from Peeta.

He knew Gale and Madge were together. He used to draw me. He used to like me. He wrote me a note telling me, but didn't fess up to it. He sort of slept with an older girl. And now he is somehow involved with Delly freaking Cartwright! Even if I could get over the whole Jen thing. Not telling me for over a week, that my self-proclaimed arch rival was near him, let alone, lip-to-lip with him is possibly, unforgivable.

"Hey Kat." Rue greets me.

I give her a hug and she runs in the house, behind Prim.

"Everdeen, you know your boy is miserable without you." Thresh starts.

"What of it? He made his own bed." I spit.

"Yeah well, he's human, right? Like you and I, right? And he cares about you a whole lot or he would've never even tried, right? So, you gonna sit here and pretend with me? Your official, keep it one hundred grand man? And say, you don't miss him?" Thresh plies.

"I should really get in the house. But-"

"You are the most stubborn chica I ever met. No joke, I love you and Prim like sisters. I'd never let anyone hurt you. But, Peeta is like my brother from another mother. My dude is a moaning, drowning, tortured soul without you. He basically needs you. I think you should talk to him." He insists.

"T, I love you like a brother too. But you don't even know the half of it. Delly Cart-"

"Kat, do not even listen to that thirsty, two dollar, thot! That she-demon, popped up unannounced at his door, with all this, she needed a friend noise in his ear. Meanwhile, trying to rub up on ya boy. Peet told her he was dating you, and she flipped on him. Tried to kiss him, she straight out dissed you, and offered up all her goodies, for free. Then, threatened to get back at him, cause he wouldn't take the bait. She is jell-lous. That's all that is. For real." Thresh intercedes.

"How do you know he didn't just snack, on her goodies? I mean I know she's awful and probably trying to get a rise out of me. But he could actually prefer an overly willing, busty, blonde to, what I am. A plain, boring, poor-"

"Let me stop you right there. Katniss Everdeen is not boring. What did Gramps Chaff nickname you after you climbed that apple tree to save baby Peanut when you were only 13 years old? Come on I know you know." Thresh challenges.

"The girl on fire." I say smiling at the memory of their Grampa before he died.

"Girl on fire. That's right. You punched anybody but him who called you that. Hell, you've punched a few people just for calling you girl over the years. Now, I don't know which dirty, old, cracked, mirror you been lookin' in lately, but not one thing about you is plain. And, Peeta Mellark comes from nothing. Just like you and me. One of the most genuine, hardworking, humble guys I've ever met. He has every reason to have turned out a cocky, hateful, bitter, jerk. But he's not. You don't owe him anything. But he's hurtin' bad, and all he wants after having so much taken away, is a five minute conversation with you. Does that sound like someone who thinks you're a plain, boring, poor girl?" Thresh finishes.

Dammit, I believe Thresh. I don't think Peeta wants Delly. He could've had her the night of the wedding. Or any day after. But am I really ready talk to Peeta?

"I know you're terrified that you might need him to. So, Imma put it this way. I dare you." Thresh provokes smirking like the Cheshire Cat.

"T. I'm not a little kid anymore. I don't take dares." I protest.

"Okay, Kat. Okay..."

"Thank you."

"I double-dog dare you."

So here I am. Listening to Peeta explain that he didn't sleep with Jen and that I'm his kryptonite. Which is actually very flattering somehow. Maybe because I have always thought of him as so strong. Like my own personal Superman. He's about to confess something else to me.

"Peeta, if your second confession is about Delly Cartwright, I already know." I toss out.

He looks like he saw someone get run over with a Mack truck. I selfishly like watching him squirm. But then, he looks at my hand, which is playing with the pearl necklace around my neck. I freeze at being caught.

"You know... What exactly?" He hedges, cautiously coming closer to where I'm standing.

"That she came here... and tried to throw herself at you." I broach.

"She did, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I was distracted that whole morning, cause I wanted to tell you. But I was so worried you wouldn't believe me. I mean, why would you? I've kept secrets from you about how I feel. I know you're worried you can't trust me but, Katniss. You can. Please let me show you." He begs actually getting on his knees.

"Peeta get up, you don't have to beg." I scold him and pull him up.

I can tell he sees my expression go from ice, to something much warmer.

"I'll do whatever it takes. Ok, just keep talking to me. Don't give up on us." He says, pushing a stubborn piece of hair, that's come out of my braid, behind my ear.

I'm so starved of his touch. I lean into his hand involuntarily. He takes that as a sign to pull me into a hug. I find myself hugging him back.

"Katniss, I'm sorry." He says next to my ear.

"Me too." I blurt without thinking.

"Wait, what?" He asks pulling back to look at me.

"I shouldn't have gotten so upset about Jen. I do trust you. I just forgot to, for a few days. I know why it was hard for you to tell me...anything. I'm stubborn, like T said and I don't know what you see in me. So it's hard to believe you'd pick me over... anyone." I confess.

"I already told you. You're perfect. Stop doubting that. Okay?" Peeta says.

I'll try...

"Okay." I reply.

Peeta-

After our incident, that's what Katniss and I call it, we get back to our old selves. Joking, movie quoting, talking late on the phone. We've kissed, but nothing close the direction things were fast approaching before the incident. I just really want to make sure that she doesn't feel pressured. Ever since Kat told me Delly called her, sexually inexperienced. And Thresh told me she thinks, I think she's boring and plain compared to what I've had, I've tried to show her that I'm in no rush, while still showing her how beautiful and important she is to me.

And then school starts.

The wild, heathen, teens at our school are making out everywhere. In the cafeteria, the library, in the music room. The girls clothes seem tighter, and shorter here. We got a new counselor, who teamed with the school nurse to give out HPV vaccines and condoms.

Flavored condoms!

This is probably due to the fact that quite a few students have been caught giving and receiving oral, in multiple locations around the school.

Now I pride myself on having a modicum of self control. Though I'm a very normal young man who has shaken the weasel with the best of them. I'm not easily distracted by my hormones, but this is a lot of sex in your face not to notice, even for me.

To help distract myself, I stay fairly busy. I made first string on the Varsity Football team. I hired a handful of good people to run the bakery until I graduate, but I still do some morning prep and the special order cakes on weekends, when I'm not at football practice. I do all my homework. I tutor at lunch, occasionally. And I swim laps in the pool at home most night before bed.

But my smoking hot girlfriend is always there. Looking gorgeous. When I pick her up in the morning for school, all day at school and anytime she has a free lunch. She smells freaking unbelievably good and makes my car smell amazing. She texts me cute little notes sweet little emoji's, while I'm in class. She licks her GD pouty, luscious, lips as we eat together.

Of course, I hired her to work weekends at the bakery, as a cashier. She wears the sexiest apron, I can't help but imagine her in it... and nothing else. After work we usually go on a date somewhere and she always smells so damn good. At least if I have a game I get to hit someone, taking the edge off my frustration.

Some weekdays, after practice, she's waiting by the car for me, with that beautiful smile. When we go to her house to work on homework and she asks me to stay for dinner. After I get out of the pool and shower, I call her. Just to hear her sexy voice once more and say goodnight, but we talk way later then we should. Then basically the same thing the next day. Day in and day out.

To say I get pent up, is an understatement.

Oh baby, beat it again.

Huh?

"Babe, look. I beat you again. At Scramble. By like a hundred points." Katniss brags.

I fabricated seductive Kat again. Sometimes I don't hear what she's actually saying. My brain corrupts whatever the reality is, into something lascivious.

Kat puts her green phone closer to my face to show me the score.

"Oh yeah, I see. Who knew getting you a smart phone would turn you into this competitive, Athena." I tease.

It's Friday after school. I'm stretching my calves on the bottom step of the football field bleachers, while she sits two steps above that, making us almost eye level.

"So I beat you at Scramble, and all of a sudden, I'm the virgin, Goddess of war?"

Why did she bring up the virgin part? Or did I just hear what I wanted to, once again?

Quick, man. Say you gotta go do your laps.

"Come here, gimme a kiss. I gotta go do laps." I tell her.

I pull her close to me and slide in between her legs and kiss her. It's a good one. She wraps her arms around me and pulls the hair and the nape of my neck. That always gives me goose bumps. Her tongue is sweet like minty gum and I'm feeling, stirrings. So I peck both her cheeks, which is the slow down, we're outside, in public signal.

"Alright, see you after practice, number twelve." She fake pouts.

I sway her side to side and lean my forehead to hers.

"Aww. No pouting. I'll miss you. We can play Scramble for like a half hour straight at my house. Cross my heart." I promise.

I promise to suck you so much.

"What'd you say?" I ask her, shocked.

"I said, I promise to go easy on you cause you suck so much. I was just playin'. You alright? You look kinda queasy."

She feels my forehead with her hand. I realize I'm breathing way to hard, clutching her sides, and my now fairly raging hard on, is less than an inch from Katniss noticing, through my shorts and her jeans.

Peeta, I want you. Grab me and bite me. I'm your student. Okay? Please don't cum yet.

Oh my God! I'm losing it.

I know she wouldn't say that. I feel a little dizzy.

"Babe, can you repeat that. I'm uh, having a hard time concentrating."

"See? Loss of concentration. That's what I mean. I said, I want you to grab a bite to eat at the student store. Okay? Please don't forget." She repeats.

Yeah she's right. I just need some food in me.

"Babe? Baby? Peeta. You okay?" Kat asks snapping her finger next to my ear.

I hear coaches whistle blow.

"Yeah sorry, I really gotta go. Lov- later." I say and run off semi hard.

I jog slowly over to the rest of the team and think of my grandmothers teeth in a jar and vomit and disgusting medical surgeries from Grey's Anatomy. Finally, my dick goes down and I have time to mentally slap myself, for almost saying I love you to Katniss, for the third time this week.

Katniss-

"Peeta is weirding me out lately Madge, seriously. What do I do? Take him to an ear doctor?" I question my friend.

She just laughs and shakes her head.

It's been about three weeks since the incident. And although we've synced our schedules and we have a routine. It's like he's only half-way focused and can barely hear me. I'm getting so tired of repeating myself, but he's so distracted it worries me before I can stay mad at him.

"Sweetie, go easy on him. Peeta's a busy guy. He handles all his responsibilities like a Boss, and still makes sure he's a great boyfriend to you. I wish other guys would get a clue and put in that much effort." Madge advises.

By more effort, she of course means, Gale, and his lack of effort. Neither of us has spoken to him in weeks. But I know she still cares about him.

"You're right. I'm a worry wart. I just need to let it go. Thanks." I agree.

Madge and I are in the empty library doing homework, until Peeta gets done with Football practice.

"OMG. Isn't this the weekend Haymitch and Effie finally take their honeymoon? Which of course means sweet, nasty, alone time with Peeta at his place? Are you psyched?" Madge digs for gossip.

Madge can be as excitable as a week old puppy sometimes. But it's nice to have someone to talk about embarrassing stuff with. Besides Peeta.

"Umm.. yes they leave tonight. We're always alone, plus eww. And psyched about...?" I rebuttal.

I think I know where she's going with this, but I'm not in the mood. These math equations are kicking my butt.

"I know you've been alone. But didn't you say he leaves the door to his place unlocked, like a sign that they can trust you two?" Madge asks.

"Yes, they do trust us." I say.

"And now, they are going to another country? You won't have anyone even trying to interrupt you? Anytime you're at Peeta's house?" Madge drawls the end of each sentence out, and smacks her forehead, like I'm missing a clearly obvious point.

"Yes, those are all true statements, with a question-y tone at the end. But, so?" I say not seeing the relevance.

Score one sarcastic point for Goddess of war.

"Kat? What were you just asking me about, right here, two days ago?" Madge startles me by her exuberance.

What?

Why do you have to wear skinny jeans?

What's the point of clicking your tongue before saying, "Or Naw."?

What exactly is a vine?

Oh crap, she means...

"You mean, Peeta... and I, doing more than just kissing, stuff?" I whisper the last part.

"Honey, if you can't say it, you shouldn't be doing it. Repeat after me. Above and below the shirt petting. Clothes on grinding. Below the pants petting, fingering, and oral. Come on Katniss. We've talked about this. You're acting like you forgot. Do we need another lesson? Cause I-"

"No! I'm completely educated. I just don't think about it all the time." I clarify.

That's a lie.

Every time Peeta kisses me really good. Which is all the time lately. I get that, hunger; I felt the first time we kissed. And I want to do any or all of the things Madge just said. I'm flat out curious but also, because, if just kissing him feels so amazing, I have to know what the rest is like. Not that Peeta is willing to show me.

"Then why the Spanish Inquisition?" She asks.

"That was just me, educating myself in case we get to that point. Besides, having an empty house isn't gonna make Peeta do anymore than we've already done. He's very... Uh... responsible." I groan, flopping my head down.

"Katniss, I know you're not like every other teenager. I know you've had way more on your plate, at a young age, than most. And really, there's no rush. But it's also okay, to feel like a horny teen. The way you asked the questions you asked me last week... I know you are ready to take a next step. It can be a baby one, but trust me when I say, Peeta is so ready." Madge states.

"Why do you think that? How can you tell? Did he tell you something? Is he bored with me?" I rapid fire.

"Because he's a human male between the ages of 13 and death. If you're wondering why he's so distracted, it's honestly, probably you. In a good way. He hasn't said anything to me but... he's had to sit a little longer at a table quite a few times, so no one would notice his half mast. And sometimes it's still noticeable. Sorry sista, I've peeked. Not intentionally, but after the first time my eyes just, zone in." She chuckles.

I shove her lightly. In fairness I've sort of kissed and dated her man. So I'm not mad, just shocked I hadn't noticed.

"And by the way, Kat, Peeta thinks the sun and moon shine out of your ass. He's not bored. Just slightly blue balled." Now she's completely cackling.

"Not funny. And for the record. I've seen Gale look at you the same way. Not that I'm his friend anymore. Or wish I could see my two best friends finally together." I remark.

"Ha ha. This is your couch time, not mine." Madge dismisses.

We share a smirk, and then get back to work. I just thought of another question about sex stuff. Maybe I should've taken notes.

After a quiet ride from school to Peeta's house. We eat dinner with Haymitch and Effie. They give Peeta the rundown of what to do in case of an emergency, where they keep extra car keys and fire extinguishers, etc. Then they reiterate the house rules. Absolutely no, wild parties, I'm the only guest allowed passed ten, unless Thresh spends the night, and even I get kicked out at midnight. No one, under any circumstance, is to have sex in the pool or Jacuzzi.

"Except me, Sweetheart. It's my house." Haymitch jokes while Effie loads the taxi cab with the Cabby.

Never swimming here again.

"Peeta, my boy. Be safe, stay honest, keep her happy and all your dreams will come true. Ain't that what them Disney movies say." Haymitch gives his final advice, hugging Peeta.

"Thanks. Don't worry about anything. But umm.. Just make it back. O...okay? Mmm, Mmm." Peeta says low, then clears his throat while squeezing Haymitch.

"Will do. Will do." Haymitch promises.

I'm hugging Effie, but I see when Peeta lets Haymitch go and discreetly rubs his eyes.

"If you'd like to spend the night a few times, it's okay by us. I've talked to your mother, and she clued me in, to how smart her daughter is. But if you don't, well then that's okay by us too. Our little secret. Okay sweets?" Effie whispers to me during our hug.

I nod yes as she releases me, knowing I heard her.

"Have fun you two. Au revoir." Peeta says as they pull off.

"Au revoir." I repeat after him, waving.

"Aww, Merci mon petit cheris." Effie calls out her window.

We watch them until we can't see them anymore. I know it's hard for him to watch them leave after all that's happened. I grab his hand to focus him on me instead of ghosts.

"I did not know you spoke French." I admonish.

"Seulement un petit, mon cheri." He shows off shrugging his shoulders.

"What does that mean?" I laugh awed by how fluent he sounds.

We walk back to his house arm in arm.

"It means, Only a little, my darling." He clarifies.

Like he needs another sexy quality.