so just a warning but this one gets a bit smutty. It's their wedding night afterall ;) read at your own risk!


Peeta's father had already taken the leftover cake to wrap up at the bakery; Ryen and Madge were one of the few couples still dancing, and Prim had fallen asleep in her chair. Katniss gently shook her awake and hugged her family goodbye. Peeta kept a hand on her lower back as they made their way around the room, thanking everyone again. Darius and Rosalie gave her giant hugs, and Delly gave Peeta a loud kiss on the cheek. Finally, Peeta tucked her arm under his and escorted her out of the barn.

Peeta disappeared into the bathroom to change and to allow Katniss to change out of her dress. But she didn't move, her mind racing about what would happen next, and was still sitting on the edge of the bed when he reentered the bedroom. He stopped, cocking his head.

"Are you alright?" She nodded and stood, turning to present him with her back.

"Would you mind helping me? Prim and Mom helped me into it."

"Of…of course." His fingers fumbled as he slowly dragged the zipper down, revealing her bare back.

In another life, this could be real. This could be the start of their wedding night, in which he would gather her in his arms and give himself, body and soul, to her. He yearned to see her, spread out on the bed, only for his eyes. His mouth craved every part of her, his tongue darting out to wet his lips.

When he had the zipper down past her waist, he cleared his throat and made to turn.

"There you are." But she pulled her arms from the sleeves and let the material bunch around her waist. She turned just enough for him to see the curve of her uncovered breast. His mouth went dry as she brought one arm up to cover herself but the other reached down to push the dress down her legs. She stepped out of it, standing before him in nothing but a pair of simple white panties. He had a hard time swallowing and his hands hovered awkwardly in the air.

"Katniss," he said in a choked gasp. She bit her lip and turned her head to look at him over her shoulder.

"It's our wedding night, Peeta. Don't you want me?"

"You don't have to do this. We don't have to do this."

"Do you want me," she repeated, sounding vulnerable. He reached out a shaking hand and with a single finger, stroked up her back and across her shoulder.

"I have never wanted something so much in my entire life."

"Then I'm yours." She turned, slowly, her arms shielding her upper body from him and her face cast toward the floor. His eyes hungrily traveled across her frame but he cupped her chin and brought her eyes to his.

"Are you sure?" She surged forward and her lips claimed his. He moaned into the kiss, his arms wrapping around her slender form and pulling her back with him. He sat on the edge of the bed and she stood between his legs. She played with the waistband of his sleep pants; he shivered as her fingers slid under his shirt and tickled the skin she found. She dropped to her knees and pushed the shirt up and over his head. His head dropped backwards as her tongue darted out to taste his strong jaw. She secretly loved the little sounds that were coming from deep within his throat. As she sucked at his chest, her hands stroked him through his thin pants and he jerked his hips. His head snapped up when she tried to yank his pants down his legs and his hands flew to her wrists.

"Katniss, stop. You don't…I don't need…I mean…"

"I want to, Peeta." He watched her as she pulled the pants down and threw them aside. She licked her lips as she appraised him, which made him release a deep groan. Her fingers went to the waistband of his blue shorts and she looked back up at him.

"Can I?"

"I'm yours completely," he answered honestly. He lifted his hips to help her slide them down and those too were discarded. Katniss had seen a fair amount of naked men on her mother's kitchen table. But none could compare to Peeta.

To be fair, those men were sick or dying and Peeta was healthy and robust.

Beautiful, she decided. He was beautiful, every inch of him. And she'd never called a man beautiful before. But Peeta…her boy with the bread, he was glorious. She trailed a finger down his chest, following the trail of blonde hair past his belly button and down below to forbidden destinations she'd never allowed herself to imagine. He nearly yelped as her palm touched his sensitive flesh and she chewed on her lip, her eyes meeting his again.

"Help me?" Her voice was timid and she looked not only shy but embarrassed as well. He knew without asking that she had never done this with anyone before. Cray may have forced her to do things but it was obvious she was a novice in the ways of intimacy. Which means she'd never been with Gale Hawthorne. Peeta had been jealous of the taller boy, watching them together as they traded with his father. He thought Gale was something more to Katniss, someone she would share her secrets, among other things with.

She trailed her fingertips down his length and across his sac. Another gasp escaped him and she withdrew her hand.

"You can touch me," he moaned.

"Only if you want to."

"I want to…make you feel good. Will you show me?"

"You're making me feel good already. Just follow your instincts." He knew she was smart and her determination was one of the things he loved about her. He decided rather than coaching her, he would let her explore freely and would step in if she needed any help.

Her teeth buried in her lip, she held his balls in her palm, then moved up to rake her knuckles down his shaft. Her movements were more exploratory than seductive but that didn't matter to him.

"It's so hard," she said in awe, "but your skin is so soft."

He let out a nervous chuckle as she continued to discover him.

Peeta, for his part, was so close to coming undone and was fighting with everything he had to hold on. But she was the star of every fantasy he had ever had and he'd dreamed of having her hands on him for as long as he could remember.

And right now, seeing her on her knees, her small breasts on display, with her hand wrapped around him, was enough to do him in. She noticed a drop of liquid on his tip and covered it with her thumb.

"Ah fuck," he muttered, his hips jerking up. Her hands flew back to her lap and she looked anxious.

"Did I hurt you?"

"God no, Katniss. What you're doing feels amazing. You are amazing." She didn't contest him, but returned her hands and grasped him softly. It was his turn to dig his teeth into his bottom lip.

"You can grip harder…close your hand around me and squeeze."

"It won't hurt you?" He smiled, loving her all the more. He cupped her chin lovingly and leaned toward her.

"You could never hurt me."

She did as he said and closed both hands around him. He nodded and leaned back on his elbows.

"Move your hands up and down. And you can…do that with your thumb again."

"Like this?" He eyes slammed shut as her thumb stroked his head again.

"Fuck! Yes! Just like that."

"I've never heard you curse," she said in wonder, cocking her head as she moved her hand up and down. His face burned and he mentally kicked himself.

"S-sorry. It's just…you make me feel…unlike anything I've ever felt before. I feel like I lose all control."

"I like it," she said shyly, her eyes meeting his again. He hardened even more in her hand.

"Oh fuck Katniss, I'm so close. Just go a little faster. Move your-YES!" His head fell back again as she picked up her pace; she knew she should put her mouth on him but she wasn't quite ready for that. And she knew Peeta would never want her to do anything she wasn't ready for, even though Cray hadn't been worried about that. She shook herself, chastising herself for bringing HIM into their private moment.

"Katniss! Oh god, Katniss!"

She watched in wonder as white liquid spurted from him and all over her hand. She continued to move her hand up and down, uncertain when she should stop. He collapsed on his back and his entire body shuddered as he struggled to catch his breath. He reached down and closed his hand around her wrist. Her actions ceased immediately but he tugged on her hand.

"Come here." She crawled onto the bed and he turned on his side, wrapping his arms around her and burying his face in her hair.

"You're amazing," he sighed.

"Was it…good?" She sounded so uncertain so he kissed her forehead and smiled.

"It was the best thing I have ever felt," he said tiredly. Katniss smiled, pleased with herself. He kissed her temple and propped himself up on one arm.

"Now will you let me explore your body, the same way you just explored mine?"

She didn't know how she felt about the thought of Peeta touching her. She'd never touched herself before, always sharing a bed with Prim. Cray had stuck his finger inside her and she'd pleaded for him to stop. Besides, he had been too focused on his own pleasure to worry about her.

She bit her lip and fell onto her back.

"Katniss, I would never force you to do anything you don't want to. You know that." She nodded.

"I know," she said softly.

And she did. She trusted Peeta. And truth be told, she wanted him to touch her. She wanted to come undone at his hands, the same way he had just come undone at hers.

But she was terrified. And he knew that.

He leaned down to press a kiss to the corner of her mouth and he kissed her palm.

"I want to worship your body, Katniss. I want to cover every inch of you in my kisses and my reverence. Will you allow it?"

"I'll allow it," she said after a long pause. He flipped over and crawled up her body, his fingertips teasing her ribs and down her arms. His kisses kept her distracted but when he felt his thumb on her nipple, she broke the kiss with a gasp. Peeta gave her a little smirk before he lowered his head to her breast and wrapped his tongue around her darkened areola. Her hands flew up to his hair, wrapping around his curls. He moaned against her chest and moved to lavish the other one, while tweaking her nipples between his fingers.

"Oh," she gasped, arching her back.

Peeta kept his eyes on her as he trailed his tongue down her the valley of her breasts and down to her belly button. His eyes sparkled as he reached the edge of her underwear then drew back with a questioning glance. A quick nod was all he needed before he slowly pulled them down her legs. Feeling self-conscious, she twisted and writhed, trying to cross her legs.

"Katniss."

"I tried to shave my legs…and only managed to do one. I'm sorry." He laughed softly and shook his head.

"I couldn't care less about the hair on your legs, Katniss. You are so damn beautiful that it almost hurts my heart to look at you." She grasped the blankets with her fists and Peeta spread her legs, kissing her knee and inner thigh. When his lips met her soft lips below, she gasped and sat up straight. He massaged her knee with his fingers and leaned up to kiss her.

"Trust me," he said against her mouth. She nodded and he sucked her tongue into his mouth, inviting her to join in on the dance. His hand moved from her knee to her center, not pushing inside but merely massaging the fleshy folds. He tore away from her mouth and kissed his way back down her body, taking his time to suck on her breasts and leave kisses in his wake. When he lowered his head between her legs, she wanted to snap them closed in mortification; he was staring at her with a mixture of awe and adoration and desire. She lifted her head to see him but his eyes were so dark there seemed to be no blue left in them.

"Peeta-" she felt like she had swallowed her tongue, at the first touch of something wet and warm on her center. Peeta rested his palm on her stomach and used his other hand to part her folds. He merely touched her at first, trailing his fingertip across her sensitive skin, and then his tongue followed. He trailed his tongue up, until his lips found something extraordinary that made Katniss's back arch off the bed. He grinned to himself and nodded.

"There it is," he said, almost to himself. After that, he kept coming back to that spot.

Katniss wrapped her hands in his hair again and unknowingly grinded her hips against his face. His moan against her skin made her eyes slam shut and her legs fall open even wider.

He sat up on his elbow and kept his fingers moving across that spot he had found.

"I'm going to put my finger inside you. You tell me if you want me to stop." She tossed her head from side to side. She could care less what he did, as long as he never took his finger away from that spot. His thumb pressed against it while he slowly slid his middle finger inside her. He marveled at the way she clenched around him, the way her tightness surrounded him. Fuck, he wished it was his cock he was filling her with right now. Her fingernails scratched his scalp and he glanced up at her.

"Ok?" She couldn't nod but he took that as a yes. He bit his lip as he slowly added a second finger. She was so wet, he easily slid them in and out.

"Oh fuck Katniss, you are perfect," he muttered. He doubted that she could hear him, or was even paying attention to him in her state of delirium. He lowered his mouth again and replaced his thumb with his tongue.

"Peeta!" How his cock swelled at that sound. He unintentionally rubbed himself against the bed and winced at the friction. He wanted to draw this out longer, make it a long-lasting night of pleasure for her, but the way her walls were fluttering around his fingers told him she was close. His lips closed around that little nub of pleasure and he sucked, until she screamed his name, her entire body launching off the bed. Peeta held her down and licked her softer than he had been, until her tremors faded.

"You've no idea how many times I have dreamed of doing that," he said as he made his way back up to her mouth. She said nothing as she leaned up to kiss him and started when she tasted something strange. With a jolt, she realized it was from her and his lips and chin were shiny with her arousal. When she kissed him again, she found she did not mind it.

"Was that ok," he asked as he settled on his side, pulling her into his arms.

"I've never felt anything like that before," she said, her eyes already closing. "Have you done this with a lot of women?" He snorted and rested his head on the pillow.

"Why would you ask that?"

"You seem awfully learned."

For some reason, her voice was laced with something other than exhaustion. It was almost…bitter. With a start, he realized she was jealous.

"Would it bother you if I said I have?" She huffed and shrugged his arm off her shoulder.

"No. I couldn't care less."

"Your reaction says otherwise."

"Good NIGHT, Peeta." He chuckled to himself and draped his arm over her waist.

"It's only you, Katniss. It's only ever been you."

Katniss's eyes fluttered open for a moment; a smile played around her lips before she closed them again and fell asleep against his chest.


The next morning, Peeta woke up with his face buried in the pillow.

The sheets were wrapped around his bare waist and he lifted his head to look around his room. Had he really fallen asleep beside Katniss, after they'd pleasured one another? Or had that just been a dream? It wasn't the first time, he thought, waking up from one of those lovely dreams. But his pillow smelled like her and the sheets…no the sheets smelled like her. And him. And what they'd done. He knew Katniss was not ready for sex…but he cherished this feeling that was swelling inside his chest. The was she'd taken care of him last night and how she'd trusted him…the sound of his name on her lips. Oh he would never forget that.

Deciding he had better get up and get a shower, he wrapped the sheet around his waist and headed into the bathroom. Katniss let out a little scream, and his hand went to his chest.

"Katniss! You scared me!"

"You scared me! What are you doing?"

"I was coming to take a shower. What are you doing?" He then noticed she held a pair of scissors…and her hair was wet.

"Katniss?"

"It's a tradition for young women in 12," she explained. "When you become a bride, you cut your hair short. To signify that you are married and that you have…become a woman. I know we haven't…I mean, last night…we didn't…" her face turned bright red and she cleared her throat. "But I'm a wife now and have to cut it."

"Who says you have to cut it? That sounds like a silly old wives tale to me." She shrugged but he crossed over to her and took the scissors from her hands.

"Please don't cut your hair. The entire district saw us dancing together last night. They know we are married. You don't have to cut your hair to show you are a bride."

"It means that much to you?"

He lifted a few strands between his fingers and allowed them to slide through his hand. He nodded, his eyes bright.

"I love your hair. I mean, I love everything about you but I've always thought your hair is beautiful. Keep it long. For me."

She shrugged but secretly was grateful. She liked her hair long and felt comfortable with her signature braid. He ran his hand through the lengths and sighed.

"Will you teach me how to braid?"

"You want to learn to braid my hair?" He shrugged but still wore that sweet smile. "Ok. Here, use both hands."

"Ah." He glanced down at where he held the sheet around his waist and blushed. "Let me just put something on."

He hurried out to the room and pulled on a pair of shorts. It's not like we haven't seen each other, he reminded himself as he rolled his eyes. But then, he didn't want to push it. Too much too fast could truly push her away. And he was getting the chance if a lifetime, being with her. He could wait.


Bare-chested and glowing, he made his way back to Katniss and she avoided looking at his built form. Last night had been a completely new experience for her and not at all unpleasant. She'd never wanted to see a naked man before but looking at Peeta, she felt herself grow very warm and a tingling sensation coursed through her.

"OK, what do I do?"

"Separate the hair into three sections." She faced the mirror while he stood behind her, following her instructions. He was a fast learner and she brought her braid around to the side.

"Not bad. You learn quick."

"I stared at the back of your head a lot," he laughed. Her eyes met his in the mirror and she studied their reflections for a moment. She brought his arms to wrap around her and he pressed his chest to her back.

"Any regrets," he whispered in her ear. She shivered and shook her head.

"Me neither."

"Did you mean what you said?" He raised a brow and she turned to face him.

"About me being the only one? Was that true?"

"I won't lie to you and say I'm completely innocent, Katniss. We, uh, visited brothels and messed around. I've done stuff… but I never went all the way…despite my brother's constant teasing. That's something I believe should only occur when two people love each other. Sex shouldn't be taken lightly." She blushed brilliantly at the word sex and he quirked his brow.

"You're still so pure, Katniss."

"How can you call me pure, after last night?" His smile faltered.

"I didn't mean it as a bad thing. For me, you're perfect."

"You're not…disgusted then?" His brow furrowed.

"Why in the world would I be disgusted?"

"Because you know that someone else has…touched me..." His smile faded completely and his face hardened. Katniss found she did not like seeing that look on him.

"I will do everything I can to wipe every memory of that monster from your brain. He will never touch you again. No one will. I'll kill anyone who tries." She wanted to wipe that pain from his face. She wanted to kiss that worry from his brow and she wanted his eyes to brighten to their beautiful blue. She quickly wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled his cheek.

"I'm sorry," she said softly. "Forget I mentioned it. You are the only one I want... to touch me." He sighed and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

"Never doubt how much you mean to me, Katniss."

"You're being so patient with me, Peeta. I just need…a little more time."

"You don't need to do anything. I told you that," he shook his head. "I would never force you-"

"I know," she assured him. "But please know…I want to. I want everything with you, Peeta. Only you." He tried not to let her words affect him but damn it all to hell, she was pressed tightly against him and the thought of being inside her made his cock swell. He tried to back away, tearing his lower half from hers but she tightened her grip on him.

"I only have one request."

"Name it."

"Let me stay with you." He frowned and opened his mouth uncertainly. "I don't want to stay in another bedroom. I like sleeping beside you. I like waking up beside you. Please let me stay with you."

"Katniss I would love nothing more than to wake up with you in my arms,every morning, for the rest of my life." She nodded and leaned her head against his chest. Swallowing heavily,he wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head.

"As long as you know I never expected any of this to happen. And if you decide, at any time, that anything is too much, know that you just need to tell me. I want you to be happy. Whatever that may entail."

"And as long as you know that I have never wanted this to happen with anyone, until last night." He swallowed, his chin dipping as he stroked her cheek.

"Um, well...I'd better get a shower."

"I'll let you..." she shuffled around him, blushing. "Yeah."

"Yeah, thanks." He cleared his throat and she hurried out of the She smiled as she leaned against the door, remembering last night. She shook her head and moved to sit on the bed. What was wrong with her? Why did all common sense fly out the window when she thought of Peeta?

The door opened shortly after and Peeta walked out with a towel around his waist. Katniss's eyes locked on his bare chest and she swallowed as her eyes followed droplets of water, dripping past the edge of the towel.

"See something you like?" His tone was teasing but she jumped and blushed.

"Um. What do we have planned today? You. What do you have planned today?"

"Well we typically have several days to, ah, enjoy...married life. Um, a honeymoon period, they call it in the Capitol. To...go somewhere and spend time together." He coughed and blushed. "But, um...what would you like to do?"

She had a sudden desire to take him into the woods, to show him where she spent most of her years growing up, struggling to survive.
But he was a Peacekeeper. Employed by the Capitol, by the President, the very man who kept her and her district so oppressed.
So she shrugged and shook her head.

"I don't really know. I never spent a lot of time thinking about fun things to do with my time. You know, since I was fighting for survival and all." He blushed even harder.

"Right. Sorry. Um, well we could...go visit your mother and sister. Perhaps have a picnic?" Her brow furrowed and he coughed again.
"Or you could go see them without me. I mean, we don't HAVE to spend the day together, I just thought it would be nice but if you wa-mmph." She crushed her lips to his and his rambling was cut short. His hand came up to rest on her face as they both relaxed into the kiss. It felt natural. It felt right.

"I like the idea of a picnic," she said softly. "But can it just be the two of us?" His eyes widened but then a broad smile crossed his face.

"If you're sure that's what you want...I would absolutely love that."

"Then let's do it. Where can we go though? District 12 doesn't exactly have lots of great picnic spots."

"I know of a place. Let me get dressed and we can make lunch." She nodded and he kissed her forehead before moving toward the closet. She wasn't sure what she was supposed to do...was she supposed to sit on the edge of the bed and talk to him, like she and Prim did when they were getting ready for the day? Was she supposed to wait in the kitchen by herself? Marriage complicated things, she scoffed to herself. But Peeta made up her mind for her.

"So did you sleep alright," he called from the closet. She played with a design in the sheets and nodded to herself.

"Yeah, really well. To be honest, I've never slept alone. I mean I share the bed with Prim at home so I probably wouldn't do well with having my own room."

"That's fine. But I still want to set up that bedroom for you, in case you ever need some time to yourself. I've sort of started to decorate it but like I said, you're welcome to do with it as you please." He came out, pulling a shirt over his head. Katniss stared at the pale midriff that showed until he tugged his shirt down. She found that she loved that trail of blonde hair on his stomach. What an odd thing to appreciate, she scolded herself again. He looked so carefree in tan shorts and his fitted blue shirt.

"Want to help me with lunch?"

"Not sure how much help I'll be unless you need help eating. Then I'm your girl." He chuckled as he tugged her into the kitchen and opened the fridge.

"I could make some cheesebuns. They don't take very long to make."

She nodded eagerly, sitting at the counter and watching him move around the
kitchen, noting the intense look of concentration he got when he was
kneading dough.

"You make it look so easy," she broke the silence. He glanced up at her and laughed.

"I guess when you grow up in a bakery, it becomes second nature." He slid the tray into the oven, then turned back to the counter to finish making the rest of their lunch.

"Ok I feel useless. What can I do to help?"

"It's ok, Katniss," he laughed. "Just sit there and keep me company."

"I'm terrible company."

"Now that's not true at all. If you feel really inclined, tell me a story."

"A story? What about?" He shrugged as he licked his thumb to keep the honey from dripping down his hand.

"Whatever you want. Tell me about your sister. Or your favorite subject in school, although I already know it's not math," he shot her a wink. "Or a funny memory you have in the woods. I want to know everything about your life."

"There isn't much to tell," she muttered, rubbing her arm.

"You underestimate yourself. But I get the sense you don't like talking about your past, much."

"Well then why don't you tell me something about yours? Any funny stories from District 2? Did you visit the Capitol?"

"A couple of times. I met President Snow when I was seventeen. Only Rye could see how much I was shaking."

"Is he as terrifying as he seems?"

"Don't repeat this but I thought I was looking at a mutt. His face was so snake-like that I had a hard time looking him in the eye. And of course I had to make a good impression because I came from 12. He already knew who I was and asked to speak to me personally." She frowned as he sliced apples.

"What did he say to you?"

"You know I can't remember the conversation all that well. He was gracious when he welcomed me to the Capitol but he scared me. Like he was sizing me up, figuring out the best way to swallow me whole. And he reeked of perfume. To this day, I can't stand the smell of roses. He smells like he was doused in them."

She shivered, why she didn't exactly know but she already hated the man who ran their country. Hearing that her husband had actually met him did not soothe her.

"Ok, I think I said let's talk about something happy. Your turn. Tell me the happiest day you can remember."

"Ok. Did I ever tell you about how I got Prim's goat?" He shook his head and watched her as he placed apples on the little tartlets he was making. She talked in a low voice and he laughed in all the right spots.

"Wait, was she still wearing the pink ribbon when you took her home?"

"I think so. Why?"

""I'm just trying to get a picture," he said thoughtfully. "I can see why that day made you happy."

"Well, I knew that goat would be a little gold mine," she replied.

"Yes, of course I was referring to that, not the lasting joy you gave the sister you love so much you would marry a stranger," he said, shaking his head. She frowned and was about to answer when he set a tart in front of her.

"Have some breakfast. I need to check on the cheesebuns." She bit into it and her tastebuds were overwhelmed by the sweet honey and the tangy apple. He glanced at her as he pulled the tray from the oven.

"Good?"

"Delicious! Seriously Peeta, if you keep feeding me treats like this, I'm going to gain fifty pounds."

"That wouldn't be such a bad thing," he said softly, his eyes raking over her slim figure. She swallowed the bite of tart and rubbed her stomach self-consciously. The previous night came flooding back to her and she wondered, again, how anyone could find her beautiful. Her eyes locked on his strong arms as he held onto the hot tray and she swallowed.

"Could we take some food over to Prim and Mom before our picnic?"

"Of course. I made extra for them. Oh good, the cheesebuns look perfect. Can you hand me that basket off the top of the fridge?" He was too good for her, she decided. He cared so much about her happiness that he was taking care of her family. Or maybe it was because he was a genuinely good person who cared about people. And that was rare in 12.

She pulled the basket down and watched him wrap up their food and place it in the basket.

"Why don't you grab a blanket from the bed while I wrap these up for your mother and Prim?" She wandered into his bedroom...their bedroom, she corrected herself. Oh that sounds strange. Shaking her head, she
yanked the blanket from the bed and hurried into the kitchen.