Peeta was just getting undressed from the suit he wore to the party, chucking his jacket onto the bed; he pulled his tie off and began to unbutton his shirt when there was a knock on the door. He went to open it and found Katniss, she'd changed out of her party dress but she still looked beautiful to him, as always, but she had a strange expression on her face. Before he had a chance to ask her what she was doing she began to speak.
"After seeing Snow at the party I don't think I'll be able sleep, and if I do I'll definitely have nightmares," That was true, although there were lies ready on her lips, "will… will you keep me safe tonight, please?"
"Of course I will, you don't need to ask, you never have to ask." He took her into his arms, and breathed in the scent of her hair. He pulled away from her to ask if she wanted a drink when she surprised him by kissing him. He kissed her back for a long moment, then forced himself to pull away, "what are you doing?" he whispered, looking into her dark eyes. She looked down at the floor.
"This isn't easy to say Peeta," she began, not sure how to word it, not sure how to make it sound most convincing, "I've never really done this kind of thing before, but…" Peeta waited, was this the moment he had been waiting for? Was she giving herself to him? "I need you to make me feel better," her eyes met his and he could see how nervous she was, "if… if you get what I mean." She looked away again, embarrassed.
Peeta lifted her chin, "if you're sure that's what you want." She nodded and he took her face in his hands and began to kiss her. He started slow, but she was kissing him desperately, like her life depended on it. What Peeta didn't realise was that she was kissing him like Gale's life depended on it. He carefully picked her up and carried her into the bedroom, gently laying her on the bed. She instantly sprang up to begin kissing him again, but he held her back softly by her shoulders "hey, we don't need to rush anything," he said, although he wanted desperately to make love to her, her welfare was more important to him.
"I'm just nervous, I'm sorry," she murmured, lowering her eyes.
"You've never done this before?" Something he had always wondered, he was hopeful he'd get the desired response. She slowly shook her head, still not looking at him. He smiled, "it's okay, I'll look after you." He gently began to kiss her again, and she slowed her kisses. He lowered her back onto the bed and began sliding his hand under her shirt and up her back. She began unbuttoning his shirt, remembering to keep it slow, her hands were shaking so much that she couldn't have done it quickly anyway.
He let her push his shirt off his shoulders and felt her run her hands over his back, his arms, before pulling her top off over her head. Unsure of how self-conscious she was he resisted the urge to look at her bare chest; instead he cupped her breast in his hand, feeling her hard nipple against his palm. His erection was so big it was uncomfortable in his pants but he didn't want to rush this moment with her.
Slowly they continued to undress each other, kissing gently, Peeta caressing her body. It was so different to being with Gale; it was slower, less passionate … more caring.
They were both naked now, their bodies pressed against each other. Trailing his hand down her body he found her entrance, despite how nervous she was, she was wet. He felt his erection twitch, desperate to be inside her. "Ready?" He whispered, she bit her lip and nodded, she still looked nervous as hell but he knew he'd been gentle with her, that this was what she wanted. He slowly pushed into her, groaning in pleasure, he heard her gasp underneath him, he continued slowly, careful not to hurt her, but he could see his efforts weren't enough as tears had formed in her eyes.
Worried it was too much, he stopped, concerned. "Keep going," she whispered, "it only hurts a little." He nodded and continued to pump into her, as he heard little moans of pleasure escape her he picked his pace up slightly. She ran her fingers through his golden hair as he began to kiss her neck, as terrible and guilty as she felt, it was difficult to ignore the pleasure he was giving her. He may have been going slow, but he was going deep, his hand found her clit and he began to rub it. She groaned, feeling how close to orgasm she was. Peeta sensed this, she no longer looked nervous, her eyes were tightly shut and she was moaning. He began to go harder, rubbing her clit faster, until he saw the waves of an orgasm crash over her, she moaned loudly and he thrust deeply into her one last time before he came as well.
He pulled out of her, and lay down on the bed beside her. She was still trembling and panting and he pulled her against him, her back to his chest and gently kissed the nape of her neck. She entwined her fingers with his and he pulled the cover over them. Peeta fell asleep easily that night, content and in love. Katniss, however, barely slept, she simply stared into the darkness, letting her tears slide down her face.