Glenn

Daryl stops by the bakery every day and the Dixons have a standing order for pizza delivery each week so Daryl and I see each other often. When he started stretching out his visits at the bakery months ago I didn't expect anything to come of it but now I'm a little worried that he could get tired of my nattering so, as usual, I just come right out with it:

"You probably noticed that I talk a lot."

He allows that I'm good with conversation which sounds like a compliment instead of an annoyance. I might think he's being tactful but Daryl is a straightforward person and tact isn't his style. I could even say he's blunt but I'm too tactful.

"I should be more quiet like you are," I offer up.

"Sometimes I wish I could talk to anybody about anything like you do."

"Well, if you want some peace, just tell me to shut up. I won't be offended."

Daryl looks at me for a moment then puts a hand around my head and pulls me to him. It's a great kiss, one of my top three, all delivered by Daryl.

When we separate I say, "That will work, too."

Daryl nods. "But don't think every time I kiss you it means you're talking too much. I like to hear you."

I revisit the age thing, too:

"Did our age difference really bother you?"

"You're 10 years younger. That's a lot at 18."

"So what? Should we each have found someone closer to our ages? How about Milton Mamet? He's between us."

Daryl snorts. "Most of the district is convinced he's a mole for the Capitol."

"Well, he's SSO and there aren't very many of us. Maybe he's just a loner."

"Or maybe he's plain weird."

"I'm glad you aren't making me wait. I'll get older with or without you but I'd rather it was with you."

"I guess it was mostly that I remember you as a little boy and now you aren't."

I can't help smiling. "You noticed me?"

"You kind of stand out."

District 11 is mostly dark-skinned people but with a decent percentage of white. Very few Asians.

Daryl goes on: "I felt bad when your folks died."

"Me, too. But I'm not the only one that happened to. Your parents died young."

"I don't remember Mama much, she passed when I was five. Daddy died when I was nine. But I had Merle. You lost all your family."

"The district takes care of orphans. I know you help."

Daryl shrugs. "It's a fund. Least I can do."

There are restrictions on how much victors can help their districts. Daryl doesn't make a big deal of it but I bet he gives the max. That seems like something the Capitol shouldn't control but one victor in a large district couldn't help everyone anyway.

This has turned into the best spring ever and it's not all due to Daryl. I didn't mind working in the gardens but I love the bakery. It's fulfilling in a way I never expected to feel about work. And I'm not in the bakery all day. Most people come to the shop but I deliver to a few places like Peacekeeper headquarters, the mayor and the veterinarian. One day I even helped Hershel deliver a foal when a mare was having trouble.

Daryl and I haven't told anyone we're seeing each other. We're not hiding it but it's not something you announce to the district. They'll figure it out soon enough. I'm sure Dale suspects and he must approve because when Daryl comes to the bakery, they visit for a few minutes then Dale makes an excuse to leave us alone together. Merle knows, of course. He seems to be encouraging the relationship and I don't know why. I'm glad, but I didn't think he'd be in favor. Actually, I didn't expect him to care one way or the other.

Daryl and I talk and fool around a little but we're taking it slow. I wouldn't mind speeding things up but even though Daryl said he likes me being forward, it's best to go at his pace when it comes to being intimate. I'm not sure why he seems reluctant because I know he responds to being near me. Maybe he's shy about his body although he looks so good fully dressed I can't imagine he's not even better without clothes. And what I've felt through those clothes is what makes me not want to wait. His arms and shoulders, butt and belly, his legs and what's between them. Yeah, it feels like Daryl is well-hung.

When it happens it will be at his house. I live with Dale above the bakery and even if my room was bigger and had thicker walls it wouldn't be appropriate. As it is, my room is so small that the bed takes most of the space but I don't mind because it's the first room I've ever had to myself. When I was little I lived with my parents in a tiny house. There are rows of them, shacks really, at the edge of town. I slept on a pallet on the floor. After they died I went to the orphan dormitory where we slept on cots in a big room. When I was 14 I moved to the men's barracks where the arrangements were the same but the beds were bigger. So my own room is a luxury. Dale and I get along really well – he's like a grandfather – and he's been so good to me I wouldn't want to take advantage. Plus when Daryl and I finally get together, we're going to want privacy.

Daryl

Daryl had been scrawny until he won the Games. Better nutrition and a couple of growth spurts made him taller and broad in the shoulders but he was surprised when his dick kept growing. He was a little worried about the first time they would get naked. It was coming as surely as he did every morning and night lately. He was looking forward to seeing all of Glenn and hoped Glenn would be pleased to see all of him. He had more than average and was kind of proud of his size but his limited experience had taught him that while a big cock was admired in theory, it could be a problem in practice.

But this kid had got under his skin and into his heart faster than he thought possible. He wanted to show what Glenn meant to him.

Glenn

Tonight Merle is buying drinks at the pub. He does that occasionally. Most of the district can't afford to eat and drink so it's a way to help them disguised as a party instead of charity. They're poor but proud. Daryl pays of course but he prefers that Merle host these events. Merle looks like he'd be a mean drunk but he's actually a happy drunk.

Daryl and I have a drink then he whispers, "Let's go home" and I know this is the night.

Six weeks ago we walked from the Victor's Village together. We're walking to it tonight. It's full spring and warm and we know each other much better. It's time.

We help each other undress until we're down to my briefs and his boxers. Daryl stands back and motions me to go first.

He looks me over and says seriously, "You're perfect."

I believe him. I just hope I'm perfect for him.

Daryl hooks his thumbs in his boxers and pulls them down his thighs. I realize with one glance that he was holding back because of his size. I'd like to tell him he's beautiful but I think joking might be better. He's used to that from me.

"Wow," I tell him. "There's plenty of perfect to go around. And you got more than your share." I lick my lips. "Is that why you always wear loose pants?"

"They're comfortable to work in!" Daryl says defensively.

"And non-binding."

"Am I too big?" Daryl asked hesitantly.

"Of course not. You're just … mmm."

"I mean, there's only so much room in an ass or a mouth."

"I'm looking forward to both but if I'm too tight for you there are other things we can do."

"Not me, I meant it might not be so good for you." Daryl's voice trails off. "You're really something. You knew I was worried so you turned it around."

"I really don't think we have anything to worry about. You're not abnormal, you know. You're just … mmm."

"You keep saying that."

"I run out of words when I look at you."

"Well, there's a first. So all I have to do to shut you up is kiss you or strip?"

"I'm honestly not sure which I prefer."

That first night was ... astounding? ... astonishing? I've run out of words again. We do things that are so much more together than they were with the few partners we've each had. Our bodies fit just right front to front. We haven't topped each other yet but we will eventually. For now, face to face frot is nice if you like to kiss and blowjobs just never get old.

We've been so happy that we almost forgot what happens every summer.