(Hope you're enjoying my story still, glad to hear that you like the softer side of Johanna, she'll be back to her mean self soon though!)

I'm walking through the market brushing my fingers along the fine oak tables, when I'm startled by his voice.

"Spending some coins?" He asks me surveying the bag of fruit for Egor in my grasp. He looks ill. I'd underestimated how badly his family were struggling at the moment. It seems as if he has very little money at all.

"They're for Egor. How are you? You look ill?" I observe placing my hand on his forehead to check his fever. But I pull myself away because I know it's not my place anymore. Chuck presses his fingers against mine holding them in place. Neither of us are ones for apologies though because we're both stubborn.

"House is cold that's all." He assures me brushing his lips over my hand then placing it to my side. I hold onto his arm.

"You can always stay at mine..." I remind him softly.

"Hmm that went well last time." He says unsure. His face is pained. Pained because he's frustrated with himself for messing things up. For saying words that hurt me so much.

"You didn't mess anything up it's me.." I assure him gripping onto his arm so he sees sense. He smirks lowering his head so his lips disappear under his jacket.

I won't lie, the way he lowers his head in embarrassment makes my heart pound.

"It's not me it's you. I get it." He smirks. I don't know why he says this like he's heard it a thousand times because surely someone as handsome, hardworking and charming as him wouldn't be knocked back by anyone. Except me and that's only because I have more riding on my back than most girls.

"Actually no. It's both of us!" I laugh. "I'm a clueless bitch who's heads too messed up to love you properly and you..you're." I say stabbing his chest. "Just a nice guy who although he acts tough, deserves better than me." I admit to him.

"That you admitting you like me?" He asks me with his eyebrows raised. I crush my face into his jacket hitting his chest lightly.

"Does it have to be? All I'm saying is that if we didn't live in a world like this then you'd be with me already ." I admit to him but bottling it to say anyone. He tilts my head back brushing his fingers along my cheek.

The the snows hammering down now and all of his face and hair is completely white over. He pulls a longer strand of my hair behind my ear observing my face in full detail.

"I just want to make you happy. So yes that's good enough for me." He tells me softly.

I lean up and wrap my arms around his neck hugging him tightly. He nestles his face in my hair and we stay like that for what seems like forever.

"Come to mine. Warm food, bed?" I offer. He doesn't look like he's had a warm meal in days.

He takes my hand like always leading me through the snow so that I don't trip.

"At least you partly admitted it." He chuckles as I turn the key in the door letting him in. I smile slightly pressing my face into the door.

When we're inside I chop up some veg and beef and throw it all into a pan to make stew.

"You don't have to cook for me." He tells me as I hop onto the counter and he dusts the snow off my feet.

"You need some meat in you." I say firmly giving the stew a good stir. When it's cooked, I tell Jude to go fetch some wine from my cellar.

I serve it up and obviously Chuck's hunger takes over him because I'm only on the third bite when he's done.

"Take the rest home to your family. I've got plenty." I tell him taking a sip from my wine. I despise the fact I have all this money when so many others have so little. I was once one of the poorer families in District 7 so I know exactly what it's like. I know what it's like to feel so hungry you can't sleep.

"I don't like taking handouts." He says. I know what he's implying. To his other friends, I probably look like some rich girlfriend of his that's buying his time. But Chuck isn't like that to me.

"Well think of it as a peace offering then." I sigh taking my plate and sliding it into the sink. I owe his family tonnes of them.

On the way over to sofa, I pick up my glass of wine and place it on the coffee table. Chuck soon joins me and for the next few hours we laugh hysterically at all the Capitol movies.

"I prefer you when your laughing." He smiles as I tuck myself under his arm. It's good to have him back so close to me I won't lie. The last few days have been tortuous. Even if I have been mad.

"Why?" I ask tilting my head back so I can see him more clearly. His deep auburn eyes are staring intently into my eyes. I suddenly feel as of this man can see straight threw me. That he can see behind the vicious cover up I portray. That he can see the weak girl who was raised on next to nothing.

"Because I know I'm at least doing something right. I'm making you feel at ease." He breaths.

I can feel his breath on my damp lips now. It doesn't taste like Finnick Odair's when his lips are just centre meters apart from my own. This tastes good. It tastes like home. Like he's been chewing pine needles. It makes me long for more.

"You always make me feel at ease, more than most." I whisper. Even more than Finnick ever does because when I'm with him I always feel guilty about Annie or that I'm just his substitute. But with Chuck... I can't help feel like he truly wants me.

He leans in softly brushing his lips along my own and this time I kiss back properly. I kiss him back with all the feeling he deserves. He pulls me onto his knee and I wrap my legs around his muscular body. His warm lips move to my neck as I pull my fingers through his hair.

"I'm sick of not living in the moment..." I pant just as his lips part from my neck and go to kiss my lips again. "I don't care what happens tomorrow. I want you tonight." I whisper locking my hands around his neck and kissing him deeply.

I no longer care about what the morning brings because in this world you have to live in the moment itself. His hand pulls to my cardigan pulling it off my shoulders. I do not stop him because I'm yearning for more. I unbutton his shirt as he pulls my t shirt over my head and just as the last piece of clothing falls from our bodies he pulls me closer to him.

The heat is sensational and I've never felt so ravenous for this closeness before. Still kissing my bare shoulder blade, Chuck carries me up to my bed laying me down on the soft ivory sheets.

He plants himself on top of me and whispers in my ear: "Do you want this closeness or do you want me?" I can hear the doubt on his lips so I go in to peck them before I reply.

"Is it enough to just be ok for tonight?" I breath trailing my fingertips down his bare back. I wanted to say more but Snow on my shoulder wouldn't allow me.

Chuck peacefully climbs off of my body and slots himself down by my side. "What's wrong?" I whisper as he pulls me into his arms and places his lips on my forehead.

"Johanna, I can't take advantage of you when your hearts not in it." He breaths to me. My eyes become watery as I expect him to leave me here. Leave me here like Finnick does when we've gone as far as our conditions stand. Leave me feeling used.

"Don't leave me." I whisper pressing my face into his bare chest. He tightens him grip around me stroking back my hair. I haven't let anyone touch my hair in so long but it feels so good so I do not pull away.

"I'm not going anywhere. But we'll just lay here. Nothing more." He whispers. I pull my hand from his grasp trailing it along his abs.

"You're too good to me." I whisper just before we both fall asleep.