Chapter 7: Orange...like the color of Sunset

I decided to first make us dinner. I went to buy grains. While I was out, I saw this dress. Now I'm not one for dresses. Actually I pretty much hate them. But I want to look nice. For Peeta. And it's not gaudy; it's fairly simple. It's short sleeved that ends an inch above my knee. It's a v neck and it's a light orange color, which I know will make Peeta even happier. I buy it and decide to wear it for dinner tonight.
By the time Peeta returns, everything is perfect. I'm not the romantic type but I wanted to do this. It would be easier for me to tell him maybe. Hopefully. I turned down all the lights so he could barely see when he came through the door.
"Katniss?" He said, alert and worried. "Where are you! What's happened?"
I heard him quickly run through the living room right into the kitchen. He was still a little clumsy with his fake leg so it sounded atrocious. I was standing nervously next to the fresh meal. Now he looked puzzled and I saw the corners of his mouth turn into a slight smile when he took notice of me. "Katniss... What is this?"
"Dinner silly," I said. I walked over to him and kissed him full on the lips. He looked an even mix between startled and happy. "Sit down" I said. And he did. We ate and talked and laughed and enjoyed each other's company more than we had in weeks. Years even.
Finally he asked, "so what brought this about?"
I was about to answer when all of a sudden I was no longer looking at him. I heard a crash and knew he was on the floor.
"Peeta!" I screamed. "What happened!"
"You killed them!" He yelled.
"What? Who? Peeta!?"
"You killed them all!"
"I didn't I promise!
"You did! All you do is lie!"
Now I was sobbing. "Peeta you don't know what your talking about..." I know this happens a lot, but it never ceases to startle me when it does. And it never ceases to ruin our very few good moments together.
"Yes I do! You evil woman!"
I fell to the ground myself out of agony. I tore my dress in the process. I touched his hand and he pulled away abruptly and I continued to sob uncontrollably. That must have worked because I heard the tone in his voice change. "Katniss?"
"...Not... real..." I choked in between sobs. He got up and turned on the light. Then he ran to me and scooped me up in his strong wonderful arms and I gripped his neck tightly. He began to sob as well. "Katniss I'm so sorry. I just- I-" he muttered.
But for some reason I blurted out, "I love you."
He instantly stopped sobbing and set me down on the ground.
"What?" He took his hand and tilted my chin upwards so my tear strained eyes were forced to look into his beautiful blue ones that always comforted me.
"I love you." I said again. "I've wanted to say it for days but I never knew if I should. I was worried about how it would change our relationship. I wanted to do something nice for you. I should take it back..."
"Are you kidding," he said in a sexy voice. "Don't take it back."
I smiled up at him. Then we kissed. It was a lot like our many kisses before except better. There was passion and love behind that kiss and I felt that urge again to not stop and we didn't. Not for awhile at least. We eventually ended up on the kitchen floor just kissing like that. A lot like the Quarter Quell. It was magical. Neither of us wanted to stop but surprisingly Peeta pulled away first. "Come on. It's time for bed."
"Why," I asked slyly
He laughed "because we need to sleep." I didn't object because I knew I would be with him. He picked me up and noticed the tear in my dress. "Oh Katniss what will I do with you" he asked.
"Kiss me I hope." I giggled.
He laughed too and did kiss me one more time before we mad it to bed. I was more tired than I thought because as soon as we got in bed I dozed off, not before saying stay with me and hearing his response. Always.

Days went on and we fell more in love. We were hardly apart some days. We visited Haymitch one day to tell him and we almost thought he bugged our house.
As soon as we walked in the door he said "there are my two lovebirds."
"Lovebirds?" We blurted out in a chorus. "What gave you that idea."
"Please I know you two better than ... Well anyone... And I can tell."
We looked at each other and before we could respond we saw someone enter the room. She was covered in aqua. Of course it was Effie.
"Oh You two! You're in love I'm so happy for you ! Frankly it's about time you figured it out. How are you anyway? And more hijacks, Peeta? Still hunting my dear Katmiss? Oh I-"
"Won't someone interrupt her so she'll stop talking?" Haymitch asked.
Effie pursed her lips at him and looked to us expectantly.
"Oh right. Well yes were happy. Were good. Katniss hunts I keep the bakery up and running and sell paintings. And haven't had a hijack in a few days." Peeta smiled and looked at me.
"Wonderful!" Said Effie as she clapped her hands together. She was always quite cheerful.
We all sat and talked and caught up for awhile. Then Peeta excused himself to open the shop. I stayed with my other two favorite people for a little while longer before leaving to hunt. I caught and traded a lot and I was quite tired when I came home. Only to find the house dark. I was worried until I heard the love of my life walk to the door, smiling ear to ear. I couldn't help but smile back.
"What is it" I asked.
"I have something for you." He said happily.
"What" I said very excited.
"Not now after dinner. "
Peeta took my hand and led me into the kitchen where mountains of delicious food was laid. I smiled as he seated me. We enjoyed our dinner slowly. Feeding each other. Laughing. Eating with our hands. It was the best day I had had in a long time. Then after dinner he blind folded me and led me into the sitting room. He took my blind fold off and there it was. The most beautiful painting in the world. And it was one of me. I was in awe. I was utterly speechless. I could feel a wet tear trickle down my check as I felt his arms wrap around me from behind. I almost flipped him out of instinct but it was Peeta and in this moment I had never felt safer. He was about to ask what I thought when I turned to face him. Our faces were barely an inch apart. The electricity overtook us. We kissed. More deeply and passionately than we ever had before. If we hadn't just had dinner someone might think we were ravenous with hunger. But maybe we were. For each other. It was the most amazing feeling in the world and I never wanted to let go. And I don't think Peeta did either. We finally came up for air and he just pulled me close and held me. I felt so so safe in that moment and I wanted to feel that forever. Just then Peeta let go and was on the floor. But not for the reason I thought. From his pocket, he pulled a jewelry box. I didn't know whether I wanted to cry or scream. So I did what I do best. I ran.

Who saw Catching Fire! Wasn't it amazing! I want to see it again! Hope you enjoyed this chapter :) RXR