*Hello! Thank you everyone for reading so far, little update a bit early for you!

Just curious, would you like to see some more smut? This is the first time I've ever wrote in the first couple of chapters and wasn't sure if it was okay?

Thanks for any feedback! - Shunice*

Hand in mine

"What am I doing?" Gale panicked, pacing back and forth the bedroom.

We were in a mostly bare bedroom of one of the empty Victor Villages houses. Everyone agreed that they should live here when they moved back home after the wedding. There wasn't many houses left after the bombs, but this one was mostly untouched. The families in town stayed in their own homes that they had rebuilt, no one tried to move up here. So they just sit empty and bare. It would be nice to have some other neighbours apart from Haymitch.

Gale was wearing a pristine white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a black tie hung loose around his neck. I've never seen him look so smart before. It really suited him, capturing his handsome features.

"You're getting ready for your wedding." I answered him.

He stopped and stared at me with a dumbfounded look. "Yeah, I am aware of that Katniss. I meant like 'What am i doing getting married?'" He panted, pulling at his collar nervously.

I walked to him and pulled him to a stop, flipped up his collar and tried to figure out how to tie a tie. "Listen, stop panicking. Everything is going to go great."

He looked down at me, his face full of worry. "Am I doing the right thing?" He paused and swallowed nervously. "The only girl I ever thought I'd marry one day was… Well you, and now here I am, marrying someone else." His voice was quiet.

I worked on the tie, trying not to look in his eyes. "Do you love her?" I asked.

He thought about it for a moment, his breathing slowed and a small smile formed on his lips. "Yes." He answered.

"Then, that's all there is to it Gale." I met his eyes finally. "Life doesn't always go as planned, if anyone should know that it is us."

He laughed lightly and nodded in agreement.

"Now," I continued and groaned, dropping the mess I had made with the tie. "Stay here while I get Haymitch. Maybe he will know how to do these things."

I can do many things, but apparently tying a tie wasn't one of them.

Peeta has decorated the place they were getting married beautifully. It was at the edge of the meadow, underneath a weeping willow. The branches were full of lights and some material cut out in the shape of stars. White chairs were all lined up facing the trunk of the tree where they would get married. The new mayor was there with Gale, talking about how the day was planned. He would marry them, and then after the exchanging of rings we would all go to the square to celebrate. I'm sure Peeta had worked hard there to decorate too.

Then, after all the festivities, Gale will take Johanna home. They will go inside, build a new fire in the fireplace and cook a piece of bread together. Symbolizing their strength as a unit, that they are better as one.

It was beautiful. The toasting was one thing i was looking forward to when i got married, well if i ever got married that is. I think I liked it so much because I always remembered the way my father used to talk about it. That when it was just him and my mother alone, building a fire and cooking the bread together, was when he felt the happiest he ever had in his life to that point. That he knew he would never love another like he did her.

I'd like to think the man I was marrying would feel the same way about me.

Standing in the meadow, the warm sun shining down on my face, I felt at peace. My hair was loose and in flowing curls down my back, and I was wearing a pale green dress that cut off at my knees. I thought looked pretty, even with my scars fully on show.

The laughter from the people around me soaked into my skin, it was intoxicating. I hadn't heard so much joy for a long time, it's been years since a wedding was held here last and it was nice to see it bringing everyone together.

Everyone knew Gale, he kept most of 12 fed with his illegal hunting for years, along with myself. We would sell meat in the Hob at a cheap but fair price, definitely more affordable than the Capitol would charge. We also wouldn't make you put your name in more times to the repeaing. If it wasn't for us, maybe half these people wouldn't be here today. That's why everyone was here to celebrate, they respected Gale.

I'm sure people thought that Gale and I would end up getting married. I caught a few side glances at me here and there, a few hushed whispers from the crowd. But I didn't react, today wasn't about me.

I hadn't seen Peeta since that day. He told me he needed time to think about what he wanted to do. So I left and went back to my own home for a few days to give him the space he wanted.

It was horrible.

Life without him was dull. My nights were filled with endless terror and there was no release without Peeta. I found myself missing the simple things, his laughter as we talked while eating breakfast. Coming home and finding him lying by the fire drawing. In bed, his hot breath against my neck as he slept.

But ultimately, if he decided that this was what he wanted then I'd have to start getting used to this way of life. No matter how hard it was.

Scanning the crowd, I found him near the trunk of the tree, adding a few finishing touches before the ceremony started. I wanted to go to him, ask him how he was, listen to him tell me what he'd done to decorate this place. But I bit my lip and stayed where I was. This wasn't the time or the place.

Haymitch wandered through the crowd, a drink in his hand as he scowled and tried to ignore everyone talking to him. Noticing me he waved me over. I sighed and made my way to him, I guess he was my company for the day.

Soon enough, everyone found their seats and the violinists started playing a beautiful melody.

To my surprise, Peeta sat down next to me. I glanced at him, trying my best not to ask him a million questions that have been racing through my mind these last few days. It's as if he could read my thoughts, he took my hand in his and brought it to his lips, laying a gentle kiss on my fingers.

"I've missed you." He whispered, the vibrations of his lips on my skin sending goosebumps up my arm.

"I've missed you too." It took everything in me to stay seated where I was and not get up and hug him. I just wanted him all around me.

His face looked troubled, he was silent for a moment, lost in thought. Finally he spoke. "I can't stay away from you Katniss, these few days without you have been horrible. I am just so worried that I'm going to hurt you." He looked down at our entwined hands, rubbing his thumb up and down my skin nervously. "I couldn't live with myself if I hurt you."

"Maybe we can try doing more Real or not Real games? They helped before." I suggested. "Also we have all these new untouched memories that will help bring you back if you do have a turn." The real or not real games really did help him tell the difference between what really happened and what the Capitol changed. I'm sure if we did more, even if it's repeated questions, it would help keep him straight.

He looked sceptical. "Yeah… but it only takes a few seconds and I could seriously hurt you." The fear in his eyes made my heart ache.

"I'm stronger than I look."

He nodded slowly, "I know… but you won't always have your bow and arrow on you. I'm stronger physically-."

"Peeta," I interrupted. "I understand your worries, but It's worth the risk. Having you in my life makes it worth it." I paused too and leaned in, gently kissing him to try and calm his worries. I could feel the tension drain from him under my lips, and when I pulled away, his eyes looked brighter.

"I honestly don't believe you'd hurt me that bad," I continued. "Maybe something like the other night but not anymore serious." I gently caressed his cheek. "It'll be okay."

He nodded in agreement, I could tell I hadn't erased his worries, and this conversation wasn't fully over. But for now it was enough. "Okay." He said softly.

The violinists started to play louder, we both turned our attention to them and saw Johanna. She looked radiant. She had a short white dress on that was tight until her waist then puffed out slightly in beautiful frills, ending just past her knees. A thin lacy strap came off the dress and covered her upper arms, there were small sparkling beads on them that glistened in the sun. Her hair was pinned back with her wispy bangs framing her face in waves. She looked so beautiful. I watched her walk for a moment, then turned my attention to Gale.

He stood at the base of the tree, watching Johannah with so much love and awe I found my breath got stuck in my throat. He looked so happy at that moment.

Is this how other people saw Peeta looking at me? And me looking at him?