Hey yall! I'm going to be posting a new story soon…"Coming Together" – I hope you give it a shot and let me know what you think!

Thanks for everyone that's read and commented!

Katniss-

After Peeta left, I put on a pot of water to boil. As much as I hated to wash his scent off of me, I wasn't sure when my mom would be home.

Once my hair is clean and my skin was scrubbed, I washed and wrung out his shirt. I laid it across the window sill, it would take a while to dry since it was so cold but I didn't want my mom to find it. Not that she would really notice. She doesn't even come into my room after my father died. She tends to her patients, sometimes prepares dinner and drinks her tea with a bit of sleeping syrup. I put Prim to bed and help her with her own school assignments before working on my own every day, that's our life. I don't want to end up like my mom, after my dad died she lost all her drive.

Prim and my mother still aren't home when I slip into bed. The only thing running through my mind is the way Peeta looked down between my legs. How was he so good at that? I'm not sure that I want to know. The way that his hand slid over mine, up and down the length of his manhood made my center heat up. I knew I would see him the next morning, but I knew we wouldn't be alone. I'm almost thankful, I was worried about what would happen the next time we were by ourselves. I don't trust myself to stay off of him. Maybe I'm getting too close.

When I wake, Prim is tucked in beside me and there are several blankets wrapped around us. The sun is just barely starting to peek over the horizon when I quietly crept out of bed and pulled on a worn in dress that my mother had from her merchant days. Since I've started to fill out, it fits me well. Normally I would never wear a dress, other than on my birthday and reaping day but Mr. Mellark said that I might be up front helping with customers if they needed me to or even making deliveries. I tried telling him that I don't do well with people, but he just let out a loud belly laugh and said that I would be fine.

I quickly braid my hair and tuck it into a plait to keep it out of my face, give myself a once-over and pull on my boots and leather jacket. My mom is sitting at the table, still wearing her clothes from the night before. She's covered in coal dust and blood splatters with a vacant look on her face.

"Mom, it's my first full day at the bakery, do you need anything before I go?" she barely even glances my way.

"Please be careful, I know he means a lot to you." She doesn't want to look at me. "I am not sure if you know, but Wheat – uh, Mr. Mellark and I courted before I met your father. He is a good man and didn't deserve the fate he had after me. His wife, she isn't a good woman and thankfully those boys turned out like him. He is his father's son and I know how quickly they can grow on you. Just, please be careful. I've seen a change in you and I know that I haven't been the mother that you needed these past few years but I am here if you have any questions…about dating or um, things that can go along with that." Most embarrassing moment of my life.

"Mom, we haven't done anything like that. Although, he did walk me home last night and said he might want to speak with you about courting me. I – I would really like to be allowed to see him with your approval. I do care for him and I hope you agree to the courting, but I'm going to allow it anyway." With that being said, she turns to look me in the eye.

"You need to get to work, will you be home tonight for dinner?" I only nod and turn to leave. The walk into town is cold and quiet. Not even the miners are headed to the mine yet. I quickly wonder if Gale tried to go check his snares even with the light dusting of snow on the ground and the few flurries that drift around in the air.

I give a slight knock and push open the back door of the bakery to be met with Mr. Mellark and Peeta sitting on the large butcher block table together. Clearly I've interrupted them, but they would never admit to it.

"Katniss! Right on time! We have a busy day today, I'm going to start up the fire in the ovens and Peeta is going to give you a run down on the cash register. Once everything is started up, I'll make us some breakfast!" His smile is so genuine and I feel like he is actually happy to see me.

Peeta places his hand low on my back and takes me upfront. As soon as we are alone, he cups my face and kisses me deeply. My body melts into his and I wrap my arms around him, pulling him closer. "I thought about you all night, I'm so happy you're here with me." I can't help but smile against his lips. I'm happy too, happier than I've been ever.

He shows me the elaborate cash register, the notepad for special orders and how to package up the loaves and rolls from the bins. He assures me that during the lunch and afternoon rush that he will be upfront to help me or at any time that I need anything. My first task is to wipe all the counters and make sure the windows are clean.

"Now Ms. Everdeen, as the newest employee of the Mellark Bakery please know that I am your superior and you must do whatever I ask of you." He winks and I see the corner of his mouth twitch.

"Yes Sir, absolutely. I will follow your commands."

He pulls me closer and growls into my ear, "I love it when you call me Sir." His teeth nip at my ear and his fingers dig into my waist, a soft moan leaves my lips before I can stop it and between my legs twitch as his warm breath runs across my neck.

"Well Sir, then I think we need to get to work before you get too worked up and I end up pulling my skirt up for you." I know this will make him hard. I can't believe I said that to him, I've never let those thoughts leave my mind!

"Mmmmm. Oh fuck, Katniss. I would love to bend you over the counter with your skirt pulled up. Actually, I think I'll head up to my room and take that image upstairs with me before I have to go make awkward conversation with my dad." I slap at his backside and start cleaning up the front.

The morning went by quickly and there were people that I knew that came into the bakery. At first I was nervous, but there were only a couple people that whispered under their breath about me being there. Even Madge stopped in to visit on my first day. Mr. Mellark made me a sandwich with fresh bread for lunch and was going to show me how to make cinnamon rolls before the afternoon business comes in. Peeta heads upfront to mind the front of the shop while Rye and I sit at the table while Mr. Mellark flips through different recipes on the table. He asks questions about Prim's school and my mother's schedule. It seems there is a sparkle in his eye when he talks about my mom. I wonder how serious they were when they were younger. I had always heard from my parents that my father "stole" her away from someone else, but they made it sound dreamy and romantic. But Mr. Mellark is such a good man, I wonder if either of them could ever be happy again.

After the last customer leaves, we clean-up and Peeta wipes flour across my face. Even Rye stays downstairs to help, even though it's his day off. It feels so good to be around all them, everyone is happy and laughing together. With four of us there, we finish up really quickly and much sooner than expected. Mr. Mellark packed up a bag of items to send home with me and he announces that he will be walking me home with Peeta, he has a couple of things to talk about with my mom. I assume it's about my new work schedule and let it go. When we get to the Seam, Prim meets us at the door and is happy to see everyone. She puts on a kettle and sets the table for bread with blackberry jam that she and Hazelle made with the berries I found the weeks prior. I unpack the bag from the bakery while Prim and Peeta play a small board game that we've had for years. My mother comes in from checking on the miners and excuses herself to change out of the dusty clothes.

When she returns, she has her hair pulled back and it seems her cheeks and lips are rosier than normal. I watch as she sits at the head of our table, next to Mr. Mellark. Once the kettle is ready and everything is ready, I call Prim and Peeta into the kitchen. We all eat and laugh as Prim tells an exciting story about her rescuing our terribly ugly cat when it was just a small kitten, afterwards naming it Buttercup. I've never liked it, but it kept the mice out of the house and she seemed to love it. After a few minutes my mother askes Prim to clear away the plates and head upstairs, leaving Peeta, myself and our parents. Oh god, this can not be good.

Peeta-

"Peeta, is there something that you would like to discuss? Your father said that you had something that you would like to speak about." Her thin lips pressed into a line, I glance back at my dad who gives me the slightest nod and smiles.

I nervously cough, this has to be done. My voice is surprisingly shaky, "Mrs. Everdeen, I – um – yes, I would like to ask your permission to date – er – court Katniss." Are her eyes squinting? Did my dad already tell her what I was going to say?

"What are your full intentions with my daughter?" Shit. I wasn't prepared for follow up questions, I was only prepared to plead my case and in a last case scenario, beg. I look over to Katniss, who looks mortified and is clearly in shock.

"Well, I would like to court her with the intentions of putting down a dowry for her after she turns 18." I hadn't brought this up last night, and she obviously wasn't expecting those words from me because her eyes widen. "If she will allow it." I know she seeks approval, but I also know that she does what she wants to and I don't want her to think I'm not considering her thoughts.

I stare at her mother, not saying anything. Several times she started to say something, but didn't. Finally, "I know you two have been spending a lot of time together, but you're both too young and don't understand what comes with marriage." She takes a breath to continue but Katniss doesn't let her finish.

"I'll allow it." I quickly turn to her and her silver eyes dig into mine. "We will court for now, set up the agreement and then marry after our last reaping. Just in case…" Her eyes turn dark for a second, doubt? Worry? Fear? I can't think about the reaping right now; this is about us only.

"Katniss, I don't think you know what you're saying. Courting, marriage, it's a very big deal." I think she is trying not to embarrass anyone by keeping her tone low and steady.

"Mother," she sounds so cold, "I have seen what to do, and what not to do in a marriage. There is no better reason to be with Peeta than the fact that I love him. You've used to say that was the most important thing, it was the basis for a happy life." She what? She loves me.

Her mother and her are in a staring contest of sorts, neither would look away. I see both of their hands clench at the table. I look to my father, as good as I am with words…he is better and he knows my intentions are true. "Eva, we both know how these things go. They are young, but not any younger than we were or you and Wally when you married." The last part made his mouth frown, but his hand still slid across the table and gently covered hers. Mrs. Everdeen looked to my dad and I could see her pleading with her eyes. The corner of his mouth gave a smirk and she nodded her head.

"I can assure you that we would pay a premium dowry for Katniss, Prim could come work in the bakery part time when she isn't learning her trade. We would, of course, include food even before the toasting. My son," he pauses and gives me a wink. "has loved her for too many years to count and for him, this was a long time coming and a dream come true. Honestly I'm a little jealous of him getting to be with the girl of his dreams." He's blushing now, looking at me but I know he's truly talking to the girl he lost years ago.

"I trust you Wheat, I'll agree to it. Although I sense that it would have happened even without my approval. I'm happy that she found someone that she can't live without. I'm glad that it's your boy." I see her running circles with her thumb over his hand.

It seems my dad has forgotten anyone else was in the room and gives a slight cough when I stand and ask Katniss to walk with me outside so our parents can discuss some of the details. We only walk to a small clearing close to their home and sit on a small bench there. She looks so beautiful in the moonlight, her dress is covered in flour and it makes me daydream of her as my wife, working in the bakery with me. I grab her hand and have her sit as close to me as possible. We look up through the clearing, watching the stars starting to peek through the blue-black sky.

She's still looking up, but I can see tears leaving wet streaks down her face. "Katniss?" She doesn't even glance my way. "Look at me, Katniss." She turns to me, searching my eyes for something. "I promise I'll be a good husband to you and that I will take care of your family and someday, our own family."

Her eyes widen for a second, if I would have blinked I would have missed that moment of realization in her eyes. Our family. "But why me? Peeta, there are dozens of girls that like you. I hear them talking about you at school. You could easily marry one of them and have babies with blonde curls and blue eyes and beautiful pale skin. They were born for that life, I'm poor and broken. I – I don't know that I have that in me to give to you." God, she is so unaware of what she does to me.

"It's only been you Katniss, for years. I've dated those girls before and they could never compare. I want you; with your scowl and fierceness, you don't need anyone to take care of you and I love that. I love that you have a free spirit. I don't want someone 'ready for that life' because I don't want that life. I'll take care of everything else and you can take care of me, we will take care of each other." I wipe her tears with my thumb and cradle the back of her head with my palm and press her forehead against mine. I have to know she wants this too, "Tell me that you're mine."

It's only a whisper but it's all I need, "Always."