First of all thank you again to everyone who still finds their way back to this story. As I've said before it's very near and dear to me, and it means so much for my little fic to entertain you or relate to something in your own life. I love all the favorite, follow and review alerts I keep receiving so keep them coming. That little ding on my phone is the best sound ever,lol.

I have to thank my wonderful beta, Scoutchick104. She always has my back and never lets me settle when it comes to my writing. She's seriously the best! And I also want to thank jeeno2, withheartfulloflove, soles-of-wind, and chrissytron over on tumblr for pre reading this chapter for me and giving their opinions. I seriously love you gorgeous and talented girls! And I can't forget to thank the unbelievably talented and kind, shininalltheway for the awesome banner.

I can be reached on tumblr under the username: stacylk

Chapter Eleven

The feel of her fingers tangling in his over grown curls sends a tingling sensation down the back of his neck threatening to cloud his mind causing him to become dizzy. He doesn't dare pull away from her wandering hands as they now lightly scratch the skin at the nape of his neck. The air around them is heavy as they both pant for breath in between kisses, and Peeta is thankful for the cool breeze that makes its way down the shaded alleyway. Her tongue darts out to smooth over his swollen lips, as he feels Katniss shudder from the wind that's causing goose bumps to form on her shoulders. He had teased her about how minimal the tank top was that covered her chest, and she had countered how wearing light fabric would help with the heat. Peeta shook his head, as he laughed softly amused by her inability to detect flirting. They had been intimate for nearly a month already and it still tickled Peeta that he had to be as blunt as possible with her when it came to anything sexual. She bites his lower lip lightly, just enough to bring him back to the present. He tightens his grasp on her hips to bring her in closer to him, causing his groin to twitch at the sudden contact. Katniss shifts her hips slightly, causing the zipper of her worn slacks to scrap over his growing erection. The sensation that builds at his groin rushes up to the tips of his ears, and he has to pull back from her to gain any semblance of control.

His breath come out in sharp gasps, as he backs into the brick wall. "Not that I'm one to complain when it comes to you seducing me, but I think having sex in the alley wouldn't be the best idea."

Katniss narrows her eyes, a wide grin forming at her swollen lips. "Excuse me?" She reaches out to lightly punch his shoulder. "You were the one that pulled me in for a kiss goodbye."

Peeta nods, his grin matching hers. "Yes, but I was only wanting one kiss."

She crosses her arms over her chest as she steps back. "I'll remember that for the future."

He shakes his head closing the small gap between them. "Don't pretend to be hurt like some girly girl, Katniss. It isn't believable." Peeta can see the teasing expression fade from her face and he's suddenly aware that he may have insulted her. "What I mean to say is you're better than that. You're above all the games that girls play."

Katniss ducks her head as she bites her bottom lip. "If I remember correctly," she reaches for the hem of his shirt, knotting her fingers in the material, "you like when I do certain things that girls do to the boys they like." She lifts her head, a sly smile playing at her lips.

Peeta's breathe stops in his throat, causing him to cough. "That's something entirely different," he said reaching down to clasp her wrists lightly as she untangles her fingers from his shirt. "And lets not forget how we tend to get carried away, we've almost been caught more than once."

Katniss tilts her head to the side, her face perplexed. "You mean that little incident this morning?"

He couldn't stop the burst of laughter that escapes his lips, causing her to jump at the sudden outburst. "I think you pushing me out the window and my near fatal fall was more than an incident."

Katniss sighs. "Prim was already half way up the stairs by the time you got out of my bed. I had to get you out of there."

Peeta nods slowly. "And throwing my shoes at my head was also necessary?"

She throws up her hands. "Alright so maybe I panicked?"

He shakes his head as he reaches up to push a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His hand lingering at her cheek before falling to his side. "I came to that conclusion while you were pushing me out of your window half naked."

Katniss's face turns serious as she reaches for his hand, closing her fingers just slightly over his. "I don't want that to be the way she finds out about us."

Peeta squeezes her hand tightly, before smoothing his thumb over the back of her hand. "So there's an us?"

She searches his face for a few seconds before speaking. "You're not really going to make me go into all of that behind the Tailor's shop are you?"

Peeta gives off a hollow laugh attempting to seem indifferent, but he knows she sees right through him. "I would but I know how precious daylight is when you need to hunt."

Katniss nods, as the tension between them slowly mounts. "I'll see you later then?"

He gives her a quick peck on the lips but even he can feel how half hearted it is. The atmosphere seems to change instantly, and all of the issues they've been pushing aside are now hanging over their heads. Peeta attempts to give her a reassuring smile but it falls flat as he turns his back, struggling as he walks away from her. Struggling when all he really wants to do is take her in his arms and reassure her that everything else can always be figured out later, that all that matters are the moments they've had together. Instead he wills his feet to move leaving her behind, he can hear her turning on her heel and by the time he chances a glance her way, she's already left.

He rounds the corner of the alleyway, bathing himself in the sweltering sunlight. The town square is already busy with the bustling traffic of the day and he has to stop at the steps of the Tailor's shop to wait for a Merchant family to pass by. Peeta tries to keep his head down, neither wanting to be noticed nor to see the looks he usually receives when venturing into this part of the district. Most of the gossip and rumors surrounding him have died down, mostly because everyone moved on from him to the next scandal, but there was still a stigma attached to his presence. He tries to keep to the Seam for the most part since school let out, and it was where Katniss was most of the time anyway. But he had promised Hazelle that he would help with delivering the wash that she did for some of the Merchants. The Tailor allowed her to work out of the back of his shop for a fee of course, but on days when the heat was suffocating, she said the shops location helped her by not having to walk so far.

Peeta walks up the stone steps careful to give the Merchants passing by enough room to walk, he glances up to catch a few looks but for the most part he's thankfully ignored. When he reaches the door and walks in he can't stop the sigh that passes through his lips from the cool air that the ceiling fans distribute. He sees the Tailor's wife wave him forward from behind the counter, before she wordlessly points to the back of the building, her attention mostly on the Merchant woman who's describing in great detial a dress she wants made. Peeta nods his thanks as he moves around a group of customers, mostly consisting of girls he recognizes from school. A couple look his way and whisper to each other causing the group to erupt in laughter. He tries not to think about how they look at him, as he finally makes it to a large wooden door. He pushes it open to find Hazelle bent over a large wash bin, her hands beneath the water as she scrubs a load of laundry.

Her hair is mussed from the sweat and labor and he can already see how exhausted she is, as he steps further into the room the boards beneath his feet creak alerting her to his presence.

Hazelle pushes the strands of hair that have escaped her bun from her face with her forearm, greeting him with a smile on her lips. "Hey, there. I can't thank you boys enough for helping me out today."

Peeta stops short. "Boys?"

Immediately Gale stands up from behind one of the wash bins, where he had been separating laundry. "Yeah. Looks like I'm stuck with you for the rest of the day."

Hazelle shakes her head and with a sigh resumes her work. "Please try to be civil, Gale."

He gives his mother a wide grin, but it only causes Peeta's jaw to tense up. "I always am, mother."

Peeta clears his throat. "I thought you would be somewhere else today."

He's careful not to mention the woods or the illegal hunting that Gale and Katniss take part in. The older boy narrows his eyes as he approaches Peeta. "Well it hasn't been the same for a while. So I've been going for my walks earlier in the day."

Peeta tries to hide his surprise and confusion as to why Katniss hasn't mentioned to him that she and Gale had stopped hunting together. "I'm sorry to hear that."

Gale narrows his eyes as he closes the gap. "Are you really?"

Peeta shrugs. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Peeta watches as Gale grits his teeth and glances beside him to where Hazelle seems to be engrossed in her work. The dark haired young man looks back to him, his voice low. "I saw you two together. And even if I didn't witness it I would have been able to see how she's changed."

Peeta takes in a deep breath. "Believe me when I say it's not just sex. I care about her."

"What? I never said anything about you screwing her. I only saw you two kissing once."

The air has suddenly become thick and Peeta fights to breathe as he fully realizes the mistake he just made. Gale's expression turns cold, the nerve ticking at his jaw being the only movement he's made.

Hazelle breaks the silence as she stands up. "I need to go see if there's any more soap left in the storage room." She finally notices the tension between the two. "Are we alright here?"

Gale turns to his mother. "Yeah," he nods. "We're good."

She turns to Peeta for confirmation, but he merely nods his head not quite trusting his voice at the moment. Hazelle eyes him suspiciously before walking out of the room.

As soon as the door closes Gale turns on Peeta harshly shoving him back. "What the fuck are you doing? You come out of nowhere and take everything that's supposed to be mine."

Peeta catches himself from falling over the edge of a water basin. "I never meant to disrupt your life in the slightest."

Gale runs his hands through his thick hair, as he stares Peeta down. "I don't get it. I'm the first born, and I'm not the bastard. But everyone in my life prefers you. My family, Katniss, even my father. He could never forget about you, even when I wished he would."

Peeta clears his throat, uncomfortable with the way that Gale looks at him. "I'm sorry that you feel that way, but I don't have control over any of that." He stands up straight. "And I don't think I have to explain myself to you about what Katniss and I have. But what I will say is that you have no idea who she really is. You've made up this idea in your head of who you want her to be, and not who she is."

This only sets Gale off as he charges Peeta sending them both into side of the basin. The old wood breaks underneath their weight causing the soapy water to rush onto the floor with their bodies. The air rushes out of Peeta's lungs as his back collides with the concrete floor, his clothing absorbing the liquid as Gale begins to strike him repeatedly. He's able to fend him off as he grabs ahold of his wrists.

Peeta has to fight to keep his voice calm as Gale struggles against his grip. "I'm not going to fight you, Gale!"

Gale grits his teeth as he pulls free, the soapy water making it difficult for Peeta to hold on. The first punch lands firmer than the others had before and Peeta can feel the pain at the side of his cheek burn up to his temple. He tries his best to deflect Gale's punches, but after the fifth strike lands, he's had enough. Peeta grits his teeth as he uses his forearm to ward of Gale's onslaught before sending the heel of his hand to make contact with Gale's nose. The shout from the older boy and the spray of blood gives Peeta enough of an advantage, as he kicks Gale in the gut sending him onto his back. The water surrounding them sloshes about as Peeta prepares to stand up, his right hand at his jaw. His mind is muddled, so when Gale charges him again and Peeta punches him in the gut followed by a blow to the back of the neck he doesn't feel guilty. Any regard he had for the older boy is gone now as they pull, push and assault each other.

Their clothes are soaking with soapy water and blood by the time someone pulls them apart, as both boys continue to strike out at each other. Peeta's arms are already heavy, his muscles sore, so he's thankful for the reprieve. He can feel his temple throb and he's not surprised when he reaches up to the side of his head and his hand comes back covered in blood. He assumes Gale must have opened up a wound and by the way the older boy looks, Peeta can bet his appearance isn't much better. Peeta looks over to his side where Hazelle stands, her face awash in disappointment. His chest tightens and for the first time he feels truly ashamed of himself. There had been moments when he had seen himself as disposable or even worthless, but he had never felt as hollow as he did now. She silently shakes her head and Peeta could have swore he saw tears begin to form in her eyes. He looks over to Gale who is still seething, his clothes sticking to his body, as a man Peeta recognizes from the Seam, tries to calm him down. It's then that Peeta looks behind him where a crowd of Merchants and Seam customers have gathered watching the entire altercation. Most are silently watching in horror while the rest talk among themselves, and Peeta can only assume that his name is on all of their lips. As his eyes scan the crowd, he spots her and everything around him abruptly stops and becomes cold. The emotion on her face is nothing less than embarrassment and anger, which causes a nauseous feeling to gather in his stomach.

Her gaze burns through him until, Katniss turns around pushing her way through the crowd. Peeta stands there stunned still watching the spot she had been in, before commanding his feet to move. The crowd of onlookers seem to part to let him through. He tries to keep his eyes forward, he's only concerned with finding her. Peeta nearly slips more than once from the water that drips from his clothing, causing the floorboards of the shop to become slick. When he finally makes it outside, he finds her leaning against the adjacent building, her head in her hands. He isn't ready for what he sees when she lifts her face to him. He was ready for her to be angry, to call him selfish and reckless but he hadn't prepared himself to see her face streaked with fresh tears.

Peeta walks towards her but it only makes her move further down the alleyway until the square is out of sight. He wants to wait for her to speak, but the words leave his lips. "I should have handled that better." He sighs while Katniss keeps her back to him. "Gale came after me, and I tried to fend him off, but he…"

She turns around her red rimmed eyes narrowed. "Why did he come after you?"

Peeta runs a hand through his dripping curls. "I let it slip that we were together." He watches as her face becomes panicked. "But maybe it's better this way, that people now know. We don't have to sneak around like it's something we're ashamed of."

Katniss swallows hard as she looks anywhere but at him. "I can't do this anymore."

He laughs lightly while attempting to pull his wet shirt from his stomach. "I know. I'm covered in water, and I'm afraid to see what my face looks like."

She shakes her head before wiping at her face harshly. "No. I mean I can't be with you anymore." She finally turns to face him. "It's all too much. It's too complicated."

Peeta steps forward reaching for her hand, but she steps back from him. "That's life, but it doesn't mean you just give up."

Katniss folds her arms over her chest. "I can only be a certain number of things. Daughter, sister, friend." She takes a deep breath. "But who am I with you takes too much. I feel like I'm losing control and when it was just us it was simple, but now it's not."

Peeta shakes his head. "It is just us."

She steps back once again, as she holds her hands up signaling him to keep his place. "No, it's not. The entire district is going to treat my private life like their own personal drama. Everyone weighing in with their own opinion."

"You're scared, but that doesn't mean that you have to give up." He fights the urge to take her in his arms. He wants to console her as much as he wants to feel safe with her against him. "Sometimes the things that scare us are the most important to hold onto." Peeta searches her face for any indication that she understands, but the resolve he sees is enough to break him. "I can't go back. Please, I don't want to be invisible again." He's terrified of how small his voice sounds.

Katniss bites her lip and he can see the swelling when she releases it from between her teeth. "Maybe I'm just not as brave as you are." She steps forward stopping a few inches from him, Peeta watches her lift her hand but she drops it before it reaches his arm. "I'm not strong enough to love like you do. I've seen what losing yourself in love can do. I can't become my mother." She leans in, pressing her lips lightly to the corner of his lips. "Goodbye, Peeta. I'm sorry."

He keeps his place as she turns from him to walk down the alley, he feels stunned as though the walls around him are closing in. Peeta doesn't dare watch her leave, if he does he'll completely break down, every memory he has of her smile, or the way her naked curves feel against his fingertips will be replaced by the image of her leaving him.

A/N: Unfortunately there's only one more chapter left. Ill try to get it to you sooner than a month... I promise.

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