Peeta-

Although, I'd love nothing more than to stay in the car with Katniss. It's getting late. We've decided not to have another sleepover tonight. But we are spending the whole day together tomorrow.

"Peeta, I can't leave if you keep kissing me." Katniss halfheartedly scolds.

"I know... but you... are in... possession... of my favorite... things. So I'm... having... a hard time... letting go." I tell her in between kissing my way around and over her mouth.

"I'm going in right now before I change my mind and go home with you." She tells me.

"Don't you threaten me with a good time, young lady." I joke.

I attain my goal of making Katniss laugh, which had she asked me, I would've been forced to admit, her laugh is my second favorite thing about her.

"You are pretty great, you know that?" Katniss says while opening the door.

"I like how you slipped in that compliment to soften the blow of leaving." I say almost pouting.

"Bye boyfriend." Katniss says planting one more kiss on me before heading in the house.

On the drive home, I start to think about the day's events, when I get a text message from Katniss.

Kat-9:01pm

Call me when you get home so I know you made it ok. But don't respond to this cause you shouldn't text and drive. :)

I think about texting a quick I will at the next light, when another message comes through.

Kat-9:02

I mean it. You shouldn't even be reading this right now. Drive safe.

She's so cute, worrying about me. But I know better than to piss her off, so I don't respond.

When I finally do get home, there are five taxi cabs outside the front house. Everyone from New York is leaving tonight. I say my goodbyes, and hug Cinna and Portia because they are my favorite of Effie's friends.

"Okay sweet boy. I hate long goodbyes but you treat that girl right. You hear me? Annie's told me how much she's already been through." Portia warns me about Katniss.

"Woman, leave the man to handle his business. He's not gonna mess up with the love of his life. Am I right?" Cinna addresses his partner then me.

"How did you-" I start.

"It didn't take much to put two and two together, between what you said earlier and what Finnick and Annie filled in about both your pasts. I think you are good together. She's lucky to have you." Cinna states.

"Thank you. It seems to be going pretty well. I wish you guys didn't live so far away." I tell them honestly knowing I'll miss them.

"Well, we might be back sooner than you'd think. I have some stuff in the works. Take care." Cinna leaves me with.

Once I say goodnight to Haymitch and Effie, I realize my phone died and it's been over an hour since I left Katniss's house.

I plug the phone in to charge and take a quick shower. When I come out of the bathroom, I see that I have three more texts and 3 missed calls.

Shoot, I hope she's not mad.

I dial her number deciding I better not wait any longer. She picks up after the second ring.

Katniss-

"Hi Peeta, Katniss is umm..."

She looks to me.

"Tell him I'm sleeping and that you're on the other line." I whisper to Prim.

"She's uh, in the bed... and... Peeta why didn't you answer your phone?" Prim asks him.

Traitor!

"She was worried something happened to you, and honestly Katniss does not do patience very well, but I figured you must've had a good reason- Uh huh... Yeah... Oh ok. Sure, that's understandable. Well, no... She wasn't going to pick up the phone-"

"Prim, why are you telling him that? Just... gimme the phone." I cut her off to scold her.

"Here but listen to what he has to say. Goodnight Peeta." Prim says to me handing me the phone, then shouts loud enough for Peeta to hear.

I don't know why I'm so upset at him but I almost hang up after Prim leaves the room. I listen to him say goodnight back to Prim even though she can't hear it. Then it is silent except for his breaths.

I was a little worried when he didn't text me back after the time span it would've taken him to get home. But then when he didn't pick up after I called, and it went straight to voicemail... I panicked. All I could think was he'd gotten into an accident and was lying in a ditch somewhere.

My heart jumped into my throat when I saw his number pop up on my cell. I threw the phone at Prim who was in the middle of trying to reassure me he would call soon.

My first thought was it could be the police who located his mangled body. Or it was Haymitch using Peeta's phone because he was in an ambulance close to flat lining. Hearing his voice makes me want to cry out for joy that he's ok and scream at him for making me this crazy with fear.

"Katniss? Katniss, can you hear me? Please Kat-" Peeta pleads through the phone.

I think he stops talking when he hears the same thing that I do. I don't realize it's coming from me until I feel drops of something wet on my crisscrossed legs.

"Don't cry Baby. Oh God. I'm so, so sorry. I was saying goodbye to Cinna and Portia and my phone died. I'm stupid. I shouldn't have taken so long. I'm an ass ok? Don't cry, please I'll do anything... just don't cry." Peeta's words are dripping with sincerity but they're not stopping the wretched eye leaking.

"I didn't... know what... h-happened to you. I th-thought the w-worst." I cry.

"Please tell me how to fix this." Peeta implores.

"M-Maybe... I j-just can't h-handle... this kind of... re-relation... ship. I'm-Imma... mess." I barely get out.

"What? No! Katniss please don't say that. I get it. I do. It's not cool waiting by the phone, wondering. Your mind concocts the most awful things. But I'm fine. Please, I made a mistake. Forgive me. Katniss, forgive me. Please." Peeta sounds close to tears by the time he's done.

After a couple of minutes of him expressing how sorry he is over and over. I start to calm down a little.

"Katniss, I know that it might seem like an added pressure or extra thing to worry about losing, by being in a relationship. But I don't think I could ever not worry about losing you. Even if you weren't my girlfriend. The only thing that kept me from running away from home, to get back here to you after we moved, was thinking that Gale was taking care of you and making you happy. Because I convinced myself if you were happy then that was good enough for me. But I hadn't been truly happy since our last year at camp together. So, I get how freaked out you were tonight. I get how pissed you must've felt. I thought I'd lost you then."

"Peeta-"

"I know, I know it's not the same as losing our parents. But I sort of mourned for you just the same. Up until I saw you in that lavender dress yesterday. I was so happy to see you." Peeta finally finishes.

"I think I mourned you a little too. That year at camp... Peeta I never had anyone care about me as much as you did. Besides my dad. I lost him. And then I lost you. And now that I have you back. Losing you would be as hard as losing my dad all over again. I'm sorry I freaked out. I'm not usually this emotional." I admit.

I wipe my eyes and nose with tissues as quietly as I can. I can't believe this has affected me so much.

"It's ok. Really. I don't think I could lose you again either. Especially after, I got to be your first kiss. After I've felt your arms around me. I've seen how beautiful you are when you first wake up. Katniss, I've never felt so connected to anyone else ever."

"Me either, Peeta. I'm sorry I lost it. I understand your phone died. And I really like Cinna and Portia. I get saying goodbye and talking to them before they left. I shouldn't have let myself imagine the worst. I'm really new at this stuff. I guess it's a learning process." I say hoping it doesn't sound as lame as I think.

"Of course. I may have... kissed a few girls..."

I scoff but he laughs and I finally smile again.

"But this is kinda new for me too. I didn't officially date anyone or call them my girlfriend. I don't think I would've been a good boyfriend to any of them anyway." Peeta states huffing.

I can tell he's probably running a hand through his hair.

"You're not a bad boyfriend. I'm just... I just have issues apparently." I try to joke.

"You don't have issues, at least not any I don't have. You're perfect."

"Peeta, no I'm not. Why would you say that?"

"Because... Katniss, I- Damn, why is this so freakin' hard?"

"Peeta, I'm far from perfect, but you're sweet. I'm not upset anymore. Let's just talk about something else."

"Thank you for not being upset anymore. I hate seeing you sad."

Peeta-

Why can't I just tell her? I nearly had a stroke trying to speak the words… I love you Katniss.

Probably, because it's only been two days, that's why. And I'm a moron.

After another half hour on the phone, talking about what my new school will be like. Also, which are Katniss' favorite teachers, all I can think is how I wish she were here with me.

"So what time are you getting up, so I can come over and see those pretty lips I unwillingly said goodnight to?"

"Well, it's already past midnight. Maybe you could just come over now." She proposes.

"R-Really? I mean, I probably shouldn't. I wouldn't want you to get in trouble with your mom."

The horny teenager in me was hoping she'd take the risk. But I know better. We are supposed to take things slow, so it's more real. Not just your average teen lust. Eventually, she agrees we should keep talking on the phone.

Katniss explains everything I've missed about her and her mom's relationship. She tells me how today, was the first real bonding they've done in a while. I'm happy if my coming back had even a tiny part in that step.

"So you actually, shoot deer and rabbits?" I ask her after another two hours on the phone.

"I mean, yeah. Well, lately we've had more money to grocery shop, but we keep venison stocked in the extra freezer, just in case."

"You know, it's really sexy that you are a huntress." I say yawning.

Katniss giggles.

"You're sleepy." She states.

"No I'm not. I wide awake. Tell me about this rabbit stew you make. When are you gonna cook for me?"

"I don't know. You could, come hunting with me. Only if you want." She says then it's her turn to yawn.

"I would love to. I think you're the one who's sleepy."

"I am. But I love talking to you. So sleep can wait till next year." She jokes, making me laugh.

"This has probably been the second best conversation of my life." I admit.

"Hmm. When was the first?"

"Yesterday night when you stayed at my place."

"Oh, yeah? Well, me too. I can't believe some of the things I admit to you."

I can't believe what you've done to me. Or that I finally get to call you my own.

"So, what do you want to do today?" I ask.

"What do you mean today? It's still dark out." She yawns again.

"Kat, it's almost 3 am. I'm gonna start picking out my clothes and make breakfast soon." I joke.

"Oh that's right, bakers' hours. So when do you normally wake up?"

"I used to wake up... with my dad, around 4:30. We would usually prep the morning rush. I worked in the back making orders, or the stuff that sold out quickly, until 8:00. Then I'd go back home and get ready for school. But in order to wake up that early, I'd need to get to bed by around seven, seven thirty at night. Eight at the latest."

"Wow. That's pretty early for a teenager to go to bed."

"Yeah but enjoyed it. I miss it. But really I miss the time with my dad. He had a way of making you feel like whatever you did was important. Even sweeping flour off the floor." I reminisce.

"Yeah I understand. My dad was like that too. Did things get better with your mom?" She hedges.

"Yeah, much better. We actually moved to get her close to a facility that would help her deal with her depression. They found a medication that worked for her. We were still never as close as most mothers and sons, but we found a comfortable peace. She never hit me again and I forgave her before she... before the crash. Dad told me once that he didn't regret marrying her because... because she gave him such wonderful sons."

I'm trying not to let Katniss hear how close to crying I am.

"That's beautiful Peeta. I'm glad your mom got better. I was worried about you through the years. I hoped you were ok. I wondered if you ever told anyone."

"My brothers told my dad. That's actually why we moved. I shouldn't have been so stubborn and at least left a forwarding address or number with you. I could've got in touch with you sooner." I chastise myself.

"No, Peeta. I think, now that I have some perspective. Maybe it's good timing now. I was not in a good place. I mean, I went out with Gale just so I wouldn't have to deal with feelings, I wasn't even sure I had, about you. You, getting your mom to that place was the right thing for your family. And now that we are older... I don't know. It makes more sense. You know." Katniss reasons.

"Yeah, I think I do. If we had dated at younger age, we could've ended up like most young high school couples. We might not be together now. Really why do kids who can't even drive nor have cars date? Where are you going on a date? The mall? Your mom or dad has to drop you off. Your friends always get jealous or interfere somehow in your relationship. You're less mature and inexperienced in life in general." I ramble.

"Yeah and we would've been friends, but at some point a girl would've asked you out and I would've been like the movie sidekick friend who had a crush on you, but too scared to tell you. All very cliché. Now we can see where this leads. Maybe date through college and..."

"Possibly get married and have 2.5 kids." I cut her off without realizing.

Crap! Did I really just say that to her?

"Shoot! Hold on." She whispers, then there's a shuffling sound like she put the phone under a pillow.

"Katniss, are you still up? I'm leaving for work. If you need me to drop the car off on my lunch break, I will." I hear a muffled Mrs. Everdeen say.

"Oh, ok." Kat answers.

"Oh! I forgot. How was your date?"

"Good, uh, great actually." Katniss says.

"I'm glad to hear it. Peeta is a sweet boy. Just like his dad was. But let him know, when you two start school again, you are both gonna need more than three hours of sleep." Mrs. Everdeen says coolly.

"Mom, I..." Kat starts.

"I know. I was young once. And just a heads up, these walls are pretty thin. See you later, Peeta." She calls out for me to hear.

I hear a door close and then Katniss is back.

"Well, that was probably the second most embarrassing thing to ever happen to me. I'm sorry. I think her alarm went off like 15 minutes ago. So she most likely only heard the last 10 minutes of our conversation." Katniss tries to explain.

"Don't be embarrassed. I don't think we talked about anything she couldn't overhear." I try to assure her, and myself.

Just that I want you to have my babies.

There's a quiet few seconds, where I hope she didn't hear me mention marriage and kids.

"I don't think so either." She finally speaks.

"So you think we might date in college huh?" I ask.

"Yeah Mellark. I do."

Yes!

"Okay."

"So you talked all night. But no secksi-time talk? No brown-chicken, brown-cow? Oh P. Have I taught you nothing?" Joanna teases me in the morning.

After Katniss and I hung up at four am, I slept until eleven. As soon as I woke up, I texted my sweetheart, to ask if she wanted to get a late breakfast. I got dressed and then Jo called to be nosey. I need advice about how fast or slow to go with Kat, but I should've known Joanna, is not a fan of slow. I sigh audibly.

"What's wrong? You should be thrilled you finally got the girl."

"I know. I am. I just worry I'm gonna screw it up cause I want... I'm already there. Like there, there. You know?" I try to explain.

"Look, I know say stuff that makes you uncomfortable, but really I'm proud of you, Kemo Sabe. Just be yourself, and don't let her run everything. Cause I know that girl has a bossy streak. You're the man. Got it?" Jo asks.

I laugh at her, even though I'm touched at her maternal side.

"Yeah I got it." I humor her.

"Oh no, Goldie Locks. Say it!" She demands.

"What?"

"Say, I'm the man! Like you mean it." Jo isn't letting this go.

"I'm the man?"

"Louder!" She growls.

"I'm the man." I raise my voice this time.

"Again! Say it! Believe it!" She orders.

"I'm, the man!... I'm the MAN!... I'M THE MAN!" I shout at the top of my lungs.

"Alright kid we here ya. You're the man." Haymitch says behind me.

Joanna is cracking up on the other end of the line.

"I gotta go." I utter and hang up.

"Sorry to interrupt your Jerry Maguire moment but someone, is here to see you." Haymitch informs me.

I told Katniss I'd pick her up. So I don't know who it could be.

"Hi Peeta. I hope you don't mind me dropping by." Delly Cartwright says walking through my front door.

Kaniss-

Peeta is so sweet to pay for breakfast. But I don't want him to always pay so I tell him next time he's got. To let me get the bill. He smiles but it's not his usual heart stopping one.

"You okay. You were kind of quiet in IHOP. Didn't you like your pancakes?"

"Yeah, yeah just thinking. But I'm sorry, if I wasn't good company." He apologizes.

"No it's not that. You just seem distracted. Like something's bothering you."

"I... Everything's fine. What do you want to do today?" He offers.

"I don't know it's probably the first break I haven't needed to do an extra report or something. So maybe... we could go to the movies? Or we could hang at my house." I suggest.

"How… about… we watch a movie at your house?" He counters finally smiling a bright smile.

"Smart, Mellark. I knew there was a reason I keep you around." I joke.

"Well maybe we can come up with a few more reasons for you to keep me around." He says pulling me in for a kiss.

Being with Peeta makes me feel lighter somehow. We spend the next ten days practically attached at the hip. I love every minute of it.

We've stayed up late and watched movies at my house and his house. Those times usually end up with us making out until Prim comes and interrupts. Or Peeta stops us because it's getting late, wanting to keep on Effie's, Haymitch's and my mom's good side.

We've gone out of town for a day at the beach. We splash and chase each other. I teach him to float, just like my dad taught me. We share our secret of still peeing in the ocean even though we aren't little kids, anymore. We both reason that, toilet water leads to the ocean.

At the beach we collect seashells. Peeta finds a pearl in an oyster and gives it to me. Then later, even though I try to talk him out of it, he takes me to a jeweler to have it put on a chain for a necklace. It's my favorite thing, and I wear it every day after that.

We hang out at Thresh and Rue's with Prim sometimes. The guys play video games and talk sports, while Prim and Rue and I talk about cute boy bands and paint our nails.

Peeta even convinces me to go to the mall.

"I hate this. Please don't make me shop." I whine.

"Baby, please. Let me spoil you a little. That Velcro wallet of yours is falling apart. Don't you think Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a little too young for you?" Peeta presses.

"Whatever do you mean? Hash tag Team Mikey. TMNT for life."

This only causes him to chuckle and roll his eyes at my absurdity.

"Seriously though, my dad bought me this wallet." I say quietly.

"Oh Kat, I'm sorry. I... didn't-"

"No, it's ok. You couldn't have known. But I really don't need anything, really."

"You said prim could use new running shoes and backpack. And you know, you need a second phone. What if I want to text you something for your eyes only? Please? Do it for me. Do it for Prim." He persuades.

"Ugh, that's not fair and you know it, Mellark." I pout.

"Come on Everdeen. Don't be a stick in the mud." He says wrapping an arm around my waist, pulling me into a store I know, I would never go in otherwise.

After trying on at least ten outfits for Peeta, I have to admit modeling for him is fun. He cat calls, and tells me I look like a hottie, more than a couple of times. I get a few things for Prim I know she'll love. I'm talked into getting two, paid for outfits, by the silver tongue that is, Peeta Mellark.

"No way Kat, you should have the new phone." Peeta fusses.

"If I get a new phone, Prim should get it. I can deal with my archaic cellular device." I argue.

"Not flying, Everdeen. I need you to have a new phone. Preferably one that lets you take selfies and has the find my phone app. Just for my own personal pleasure and peace of mind. I'll let you pick the color, but if you don't go with me on this, it'll just show up in your room. Which means I'll be paying for it-?"

"Okay, stop. You're not paying my phone bill. Is it gonna cost a lot for data?" I begrudgingly ask.

"That's my girl." He gloats, pecking me on the lips, as we head to the phone store.

Then, one evening around sunset, Peeta surprises me with a picnic date. It's complete with a blanket, and a basket of food he made himself. He even got sparkling cider to toast our one week anniversary. The food is delicious, Chicken Parmesan with cheese buns for dessert. But the coolest part is that it's on the roof of the, currently being remodeled, bakery he bought.

"I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now, and live in it forever." Peeta tells me on the roof, after we've stuffed ourselves.

"Okay." I sigh contentedly.

His hands stop their movements in my hair, as I rest my head in his lap and he looks into my eyes. I know I'm blushing, but I also know he likes making me feel feverish with just his words.

"Okay? You'll allow it?" He asks softly.

"I'll allow it." I answer and pull him in for a kiss.

Peeta's completely silent on the way back to his house that night. Instead of asking about his thoughts, I decide to enjoy the quiet.

"Katniss, I don't know if I told you about my brother's... nurse, Jen." Peeta says once we get settled onto his couch.

"Oh, no. You didn't. But, I was pretty sure I heard you say bye to a Jen, the morning after I spent the night." I confess.

"You did? You never said anything. Didn't you wonder who she was?" He asks.

"Well, yeah. But I figured you would tell me eventually." I state.

He looks thoughtfully. Then down at the floor for a minute before speaking again.

"Thank you, for trusting me. She, Jen, is really great. I didn't want to talk to the doctors or anyone after... I only wanted to stay with Rye. Jen made the bed next to his available to me. Almost every time I fell asleep, I woke up screaming. Jen knew I would listen to reason, if I thought my nightmares were affecting him. I didn't want to take any medication, so I decided to speak with Dr. Aurelius. He's helped me to work through most of the guilt. He taught me to look forward, instead of holding onto the pain." He pauses sliding his hands into mine.

I can relate to some of what he went through. I hug him tightly to me.

"So what made you think about this now?" I ask.

"Well, besides the fact that I needed to tell you about Jen, in case she ever were to call while we're together. I get calls from her updating Rye's progress. But also, she is more than just a nurse. Jen dated my oldest brother Graham, who passed."

"Oh, that must've been hard for her. Were they still, together... when the...?" I try but thankfully Peeta knows what I'm asking.

"We... I didn't think so. But according to her, they broke up publicly to avoid the pressure my mom put on him to slow down their relationship, because he talked about marrying her. Jen said that privately though, they still were very much together. I thought maybe she shouldn't be Rye's nurse. Since she never really got a chance to grieve Graham fully. But she insisted that she felt useful and having a purpose, taking care of his brothers, helped her feel close to him. I know this must seem like a long winded story with no objective." Peeta chuckles humorlessly.

"Whatever stories you want to tell me, however long. I'm here to listen." .

He takes a deep breath. He looks into my eyes and they are slightly glistening. I can't tell what he's worked up about. Only that I want to be there for him.

"Okay, so. I slept in Rye's room at the hospital. And... When I had bad dreams, Jen sometimes woke me up. Sometime I didn't have bad dreams. Either way when guys wake up, they tend to wake up... with..." Peeta seems to not be able to find words.

He gestures to the area around his crotch. As soon as I figure out he means he had an erection, I look away from where he's pointing and he knows I get what he's suggesting.

"Okay?" I ask impatiently.

"The point is. Once, when she had to wake me, I thought I was dreaming, and... I kissed her. Well, kissed might not be the best... I practically attacked her." He sighs and I look back at him shocked.

"Did she slap you, or punch you, or push you away?" I ask pulling my hands away from his, to push my hair behind my ears nervously.

"No. She... she was sad and wasn't really thinking." He rushes out shaking his head.

"What do you mean, she wasn't thinking? She didn't think of how she was, what? Four years older than you? Which makes her an adult and you a minor? Or how wrong it is to kiss the brother of your dead...? Basically her fiancé." I raise my voice appalled at someone I don't even know.

"Katniss, she wasn't kissing me back. I was... him. To her, it was like getting to be with Graham. One last time. I was half way asleep. First, I thought she was who... I mean, what I was dreaming about. Then, I guess got too wrapped up in... In how good it felt-" He frantically tries to explain.

"Wait, be with him... one last time? Did you? Oh my God, you slept with her?" I shout.

"Kat, I wasn't... neither of us was in our right minds. It wasn't... I didn't, really-"

"You were in a hospital room? Right next to your comatose brother. With the girlfriend of your other brother! That's some twisted shit. I don't understand. What am I supposed to do with this information, Peeta? Is she someone you... Do you like her?" I berate him.

"No! Not like that. I wanted to be there for her, in a way. Some stuff happened, but not everything. I didn't think I'd ever be... I wasn't ever planning to ever speak of what happened to anyone. But I care about you. I just want to be honest with you."

I can barely comprehend what I'm feeling. I didn't think he was the kind of guy to let his penis steer him in the wrong direction. I sympathize with Jen's loss. But then I also hate her for doing that to Peeta. Ugh, correction. With Peeta. Really, it's technically his own fault. And I'm back to being mad at both of them. For allowing it to go as far as it did. For that being how Peeta lost his virginity, or whatever. I might throw up.

"Kat? Are you mad? Should I not have told you?" He asks looking like a beaten puppy.

On the other hand, he could have kept it from me. Maybe that would've been better. I didn't notice until now, that I'm pacing in Peeta's living room, wringing my hands. He looks like he wants to get up and stop my movements. But he's smart enough not to act on that impulse.

"Just give me some time to process all this." I snap.

"Of course." He resigns defeated.