Glenn

I'm nervous. I wonder if Daryl or Merle will answer the door. I haven't seen Daryl for a month since he stopped coming to the bakery. I think he figured out I have a crush on him and decided if he wasn't around I'd get over it. It didn't work. Hasn't he heard that absence makes the heart grow fonder?

The door opens and Daryl is there. His hair is darker than usual because we're coming out of winter and the sun isn't strong enough to lighten it a couple of shades as it does in high summer. See? This crush didn't start a few months ago in the bakery. I've been watching him for years – and jerking off thinking of him – but I doubt if he ever noticed me.

"This might need to be warmed up," I say to fill the silence although it's true because it's a mile walk and spring nights are still cool.

"Come on back to the kitchen." Daryl turns and I follow.

I've never been in a victor's house before. It's big and well-built, the Capitol does good work. Nice furnishings, at least what I see from the hall into two rooms we pass.

In the kitchen Merle takes the box and opens it. "That's a lotta food. Plenty for three," he says slyly.

Is it possible that Daryl's brother is playing matchmaker? Daryl takes the hint.

"Stay and eat," Daryl says. "If you're hungry and have time."

"Thank you." I'm always a little hungry and my time is my own until the bakery opens in the morning. And I'm not too proud to accept the invitation even if it was Merle's idea.

Merle fills a plate and goes to the study muttering something about writing a letter. Maybe it's an excuse to leave us alone. Although he might be writing to Haymitch Abernathy. On the other hand, or rather the one hand, Merle can't eat and write at the same time so for some reason Daryl's brother is throwing us together.

Conversation is a little stilted at first but soon smoothes out. We discuss spring planting and Daryl asks after Dale. We don't bring up anything personal but it feels like we're sharing our day with each other. Or maybe I'm pathetically reading more into this than exists.

But maybe not because when we finish and I put on my cap and jacket Daryl says, "I'll walk you back. Make sure the PKs don't hassle you."

"It's an hour until curfew. I'll be home before then." Why did I say that? It sounds like I don't want him.

"I can use the air. A walk before bed."

"I'd like the company," I say and then I shut up because Daryl said 'bed' and that turned my imagination loose.

We walk without speaking but the silence is comfortable. By unspoken agreement we stop at the edge of town. It's definitely chillier now that we're not moving and I can't help shivering.

"That jacket's not heavy enough," Daryl says. His own coat is thick and well-made.

"I'm fine. It's not usually this cold so close to spring." I don't mention that this is the only coat I own and in fact I do get pretty cold in winter.

Daryl unbuttons his coat and I'm afraid he's going to take it off and give it to me which I do not want but he does something better instead. He holds it open and stands there and it feels like he's opening up more than his coat to me. I step forward and he closes the coat around me. I slide my arms around his middle until they meet at the back.

"So you didn't stop coming to the bakery because you don't like me?" It's easier to ask this in the dark with my face against his chest.

"I liked you too much," Daryl admits.

"So, what's next?"

"We could get to know each other, like we started to at the bakery."

"Are you going to do your own shopping again or shall we pass notes to Merle?"

"You gonna give me a hard time about that? I was trying to protect you."

"I thought you were avoiding me because I embarrassed you."

I figured you were being friendly like you are to everybody and I was making it into more."

"I wasn't being friendly, I was flirting. When you stopped coming I was afraid I overstepped. You're the victor. Everyone is respectful."

Daryl sighs. "I hate that. You're the only one who treats me like a regular person."

"You don't mind if I'm forward?"

"I'm kinda flattered."

I tilt my head back and reach up and our mouths meet. Our lips are chilled and chapped but they warm up quickly and our tongues smooth the slight roughness. I've been kissed before but not like this. We're hungry for each other and I don't just mean sex although pressed together in Daryl's coat it's obvious that we're both getting hard. But it's too late and cold to do anything about it so we break apart.

"I'll watch until you're inside," he says.

I nod and trot across the square to the bakery. When I turn, Daryl lifts a hand. I wave back and close the door.

I'm in love.

Daryl

Daryl knows how life can turn on a dime. His own took a turn for the worse when he became tribute, improved when he won and got bad again when he became mentor. Things started looking up when he met Glenn then down when he thought he should stay away from him. And now tonight was the best night of his life and there seems to be more in store.

He was hungry for food the first 12 years. Since winning the Games he's been well-fed but the last few years he's been hungry for something else. He's pretty sure Glenn can satisfy his appetite. Not just for sex although that's surely part of it.

Daryl has to make the first move with town people, be the first to speak, and when somebody replies he wonders if they're just being polite. Most of the time he doesn't believe that because he knows the district is proud to have a victor. If there were a few more the awe would be spread out instead of concentrated on Daryl.

There are a few who are at ease with him. Merle, of course. Rick the mayor and Dale the baker. And the baker's assistant. Thinking of the kiss they shared makes his body stir again.

He's walking along the tree-lined avenue between town and village. It's more of a lane than an avenue but it's the only pavement in the district. It opens onto a large common area ringed with houses and enough trees circling it to give the illusion of woods. It's quiet and pretty and Daryl likes living there but it also isolates him and Merle. He supposes that's the point. Victors are alive but that doesn't mean they're happy.

Although he's pretty happy right now. So happy that walking is awkward. Daryl planned to go home, think about Glenn and let nature take its course. But a wave of lust surprises him so he steps off the pavement behind a tree. He breathes deep, trying to regain control. He cups his crotch and squeezes but that has the opposite effect. He can't wait. He strips off his gloves and opens his pants. The air is cool, his hand is warm, his cock is hot. He puts one arm against the tree to support suddenly shaky legs and strokes purposefully. He's standing close enough that the head of his cock rubs the bark. This close to coming the rough pressure feels good and he finishes fast.

Without all that blood his dick is freezing. He tucks it away and heads for home again, satisfied and a little sleepy. He wonders if Glenn is in bed asleep already or maybe he's doing the same thing Daryl did.

Minus the tree.