Chapter 2

The Return of the Boy with the Bread

A few days later, on Saturday, Katniss awoke to find three odd things happening in her home. One, the scent of cinnamon and coffee permeated the air. Two, the sun was already shining through her curtains. She'd slept much later than she usually did. Three, her daughters happy voice was drifting into her room, echoed by Hazelle's and…

Wait. Was that a man?

She slid out of bed before fully realizing that the panic she was feeling wasn't because she didn't recognize the voice. It was because she did. She quickly slipped on a pair of yoga pants with the tank top she'd slept in, and then crept down the hall. She didn't care that her hair was probably sticking up in ten different directions or that she had sheet creases pressed into her face.

Oh. My. God.

Katniss stopped short at the end of the hall leading into the kitchen. Her near silent tread kept her presence hidden from the small group in the kitchen.

There, kneading dough at her kitchen island like he belonged there, like he had done so many times before, was Peeta Mellark. Several emotions swept through her at the sight of him. The only one she allowed herself to acknowledge was anger.

He had been a constant fixture in her life since kindergarten. A beacon of hope in middle school and inexplicably Gale's best friend in high school, after she'd moved from that role to girlfriend.

She and Gale were Seam. Dark hair, grey eyes, lower class. Peeta was a townie. Blonde hair, blue eyes and upper class. And somehow, he fit with Gale. Even though he always made Katniss feel nervous and on edge, she'd accepted him. Her sister adored him. Her parents had as well. She was as welcome in his house as he was at hers or Gale's. Well, whenever his mother wasn't around at least.

He was the only other person in the world that loved Gale as much as she had, for the exact same reasons. She had loved Gale, but she hadn't been in love with him. And that was her shame to carry.

All of this hit her as she watched him calmly interact with her daughter and Gale's mother.

"Hello, Katniss."

Fuck. She'd forgotten he could do that. No matter how quiet she was he always knew when she'd entered a room. It was unnerving.

Peeta paused in his actions and raised his eyes to meet hers. His gaze was as blue as ever. His hair had darkened over the years, now a more burnished gold then summer sun, but it still curled around his ears and collar and fell carelessly across his forehead.

Where Gale had been tall and lean and had a hunters body, Peeta was solid, broad shouldered and narrow hipped. Strong. Well-defined biceps bulged from the sleeves of his faded blue t-shirt. Well-worn jeans slung low on his hips.

He looked ridiculously good and Katniss' eyes narrowed at the friendly smile he gave her.

"What are you doing here?" Anger coated her words, as well as the hurt she couldn't quite hide. He'd been Gale's best friend and he'd left as soon as the ashes were released. He'd run back to the Capitol and left her to deal with all this crap on her own.

Peeta's smile didn't falter, but she did see a flash of guilt in his eyes. She didn't like how much it pleased her to see it.

"Katniss," Hazelle said in a soft tone. Posy sat amongst the adults, her cloud colored eyes darting between them. For once, she stayed quiet. "I asked him to come."

"Why!?" The betrayal she felt dripped from her voice now and she flicked her gaze to her mother in law. Hazelle didn't look guilty at all.

"Because you need help. Peeta was at Mellark's. He's been helping Rye since…" Hazelle let it drop and Katniss watched the sorrow cross Peeta's face and she felt it as well.

"I'm sorry about your father," Katniss said, no trace of her anger in the sentence. The baker had had a heart attack. A massive one. There was nothing anyone could do. She'd gone to the funeral, but didn't go to the wake. She'd known he was back of course. But she didn't know he had stayed.

"Thank you."

And with that, the pleasantries were done.

"You left." She accused, her teeth grinding together.

"I know. I can't say how sorry I am."

Katniss nearly spit at this. Her eyes flashed and her arms were pressed tight together across her chest. She felt the burn in her eyes and refused to let any tears fall.

"Sorry doesn't fix anything. I…" she stopped herself short. She'd almost told him she needed him. And that would be something she'd never admit.

"I know it doesn't Katniss. I have no excuse. I failed him. I failed you." He sounded so tired. So broken. She couldn't let it get to her. "I didn't forget him. Or what I'd promised him. I'm here to make it right."

He was imploring her to listen, to forgive. God help her, she felt herself wanting too. She didn't like it.

"I don't need a babysitter, Hazelle. I told you that." Katniss shifted her attention to the person that caused this. Hazelle merely arched a dark brow at the younger woman.

"No, but it would make me feel better. And I think its what Gale would want."

"For what? For the best friend that deserted his wife to pick up the pieces to what…move in here?" She nearly laughed at the notion. Until she saw the look on their faces. "You want him to live here?"

Her first instinct was to say hell no. Absolutely not. Katniss saw the sharp look that Peeta sent Hazelle and she realized that maybe her mother in law hadn't been entirely truthful with him. Maybe he'd thought that Hazelle had talked to her about him living here. Or about any of this at all. Hazelle didn't see it; she was too busy sending guilt inducing looks to Katniss.

With a huff, and a glance at the wide-eyed Posy, who was watching the adults with wide, fascinated eyes, she snapped out at Peeta. "I can't pay you."

"Really, Katniss?" Insult dripped from his voice and it made her scowl deepen. She knew he wouldn't take money from her, even if he needed it. "I sold my bakery. And I still own a share of dad's. I think I'll be fine."

Peeta wasn't sarcastic often, but when he was, it was sharp enough to cut.

"Fine. You can use Prim's old room." She couldn't believe what she was saying, couldn't believe she was agreeing to this. So she completely ignored the relief she felt.

"Ok." He looked a little surprised at her sudden acquiescence too. "I'll go get my stuff after breakfast."

Katniss gave him a curt nod and shifted on her feet. She suddenly felt the need to get out. "I'm going hunting."

Katniss shot Hazelle a look that promised they'd talk later and Peeta one that clearly stated he had a lot of making up to do. Starting now.

"Can I stay with Uncle Peeta and Gramma, mommy?" Posy asked, her large cloud eyes imploring. Posy would normally go with Katniss on her Saturday excursions. Since she was a baby, Katniss would strap her on and trek out into the woods. After Gale died, it had been less about hunting and more about trying to be close to him again, to bring them both closer to him again. Now it was more about them spending time together, regardless of whether or not they brought anything back.

The killing didn't bother Posy any. She understood the circle of life. Thank you The Lion King.

"I can take her with me to Rye's, if you don't mind. He's got a daughter her age." Peeta offered.

Katniss knew that of course. The town was so small; the girls were in the same class. But this was the first test of whatever this new arrangement was. Did she trust him with her daughter?

She stared at him for a long moment, not letting her anger rule her. She knew Posy was still looking at her hopefully and Hazelle was watching as well. But this had nothing to do with either of them. Peeta just met her gaze steadily, waiting for her to make up her mind.

"That's fine. No cookies before lunch."

"Aw, mommy."

Peeta's lip twitched at Posy's outcry and Katniss had to struggle not to let hers.

"I mean it,"

"Of course," Peeta assured. She didn't miss the wink he sent Posy and figured that her daughter would get at least one. She could remember a time all too well when it was his father sneaking cookies to Prim before lunch.

"Fine then." The baker had slipped her a few cookies too. She stepped forward and kissed Posy's head, reminded her to be good and glanced at Hazelle who merely smiled triumphantly. Then, with one last warning look at Peeta she spun on her heel and left to get dressed.

"Well, that went better then I expected." Peeta said when she was out of earshot.

"Oh, she's not done." Hazelle told him. Peeta snorted and went back to the dough that had been forgotten.

"I know."

"Posy, pumpkin. Why don't you go watch some TV until breakfast is ready?" Hazelle suggested, running a hand over the girls sleek, dark hair. She felt her heart clench at the smile that looked so much like Gale's shown up at her.

"Okay." Posy flashed Peeta a smile before hopping off her chair and darting to the living room.

"She's amazing." Peeta said as she walked off. He'd missed so much with her. He should have been here to at least be a father figure for her, instead of running from the feelings he'd been dealing with for years and the crippling guilt that came with it. Neither feeling had ever receded. It would have been better to just stay and deal with it. He'd failed on so many levels.

"She is." Hazelle agreed. They sat in silence as Peeta finished working the dough and put it in a bowl to rise. They heard Katniss stomp down the hall, then wordlessly cut through the laundry room to the mudroom. The slam of the screen door leading out was all that announced her leaving.

"There's a lot of hurt there." Hazelle said her brows pulled together like she was wondering why. She understood being angry with Peeta. It was the hurt that was bothering her. She glanced at Peeta who wasn't saying anything. Hazelle had an unsettling feeling come over her and she wondered if she'd made a mistake today.

"You know Katniss," Peeta said after meeting her gaze for several seconds. "She holds one hell of a grudge." Then he turned away from her and started break eggs into a bowl.

"Yes. She does at that."

If Peeta heard the suspicion in her voice, he didn't let on.

A/N- so, this was supposed to be a lot longer, but I decided to split it in half. I also decided that I wanted to get on a Friday/Saturday update schedule so that's why this one is early.

I wanted to explain a bit. I don't like love triangles in general and I always thought that the Gale/Katniss/Peeta thing was kind of forced. But, I decided to use in it this fic as a way to see how Peeta would deal with loving Katniss and Gale. Differently, of course. I wish there were more Gale/Peeta bromance fics out there. In the next chapter there will be a flashback. I won't use these often; I think I only have one other written and the possibility of a third. But sometimes Gale's POV is needed and that's only achieved in flashback since he's dead.

Ok, I also won't have as long of an authors note on regular basis. Thanks so much for all the faves and follows and stuff. It makes me happy that you're enjoying my little idea. Tap that review button and let me know. :D Thanks again. Jypz.