A/N: Thank you so much for all of last chapter's reviews! They were so heartfelt that it motivated me to get writing a little early. Hint: reviews=faster update ;)

Chapter 8

The warm feeling of water running down my body is like an instant elixir for my aching body. Today, Peeta and I took out to the woods once again and I barely even noticed whether his steps were loud or not. It makes me feel happy to see how it didn't bother me that much today. Even though he has never known to what extent it annoyed me before, and my new approach to it, just knowing I am being nicer to Peeta in my thoughts helps me do it in my actions as well. Not once was I mean or rude today, to him, at least. I can't say the same for that girl receptionist who kept batting her eyelashes at him as we came back inside this afternoon. I had a tingling that she had a little crush on Peeta and I can proudly say I must have cured it today. I can't say I said nice things to her but at least I stopped her ridiculously excessive smiling at him. And it brought a rewarding burst of laughter from Peeta.

But at least to Peeta I've been nice, to the point that by midafternoon, Peeta was fully relaxed and being his usual playful self.

Nothing else has been said about yesterday and I am grateful for it. I know I won't be bringing it up. Walking all day, cloaked under the shade of the giant trees, discovering something new with every step, conversing and laughing with Peeta, it was easy to forget all our worries, all that awaits back at the Capitol and back home. I've noticed Peeta has that effect on people. It should help keep me sane. God knows I need it.

But even Peeta couldn't keep me from remembering it all when we came back inside and there seemed to be such a commotion among all the employees. When Peeta asked one of them as he breezed by us he cordially answered that there would be a special showing of the first episode of our honeymoon in the great dining hall and it was going to be quite an exclusive affair. They even were going to have a special table set out for us.

I tried to contain my disappointment as I had pictured my night in my head and it did not include dressing up and having dinner in a crowded dining hall where everyone's eyes would be on us more than usual.

And I wouldn't have my prep team with me.

But I've observed them enough to manage without them.

I get out of the shower and let the warm air emanating from the smart mat dry me and my hair. To avoid the embarrassing occurrence of two nights ago I made sure to bring in the bathroom the whole suitcase with the "Gowns" tag.

I attempt to braid my hair up in one of the simple styles that I often saw my mother do and that I actually remember how to replicate. It is elegant enough. I could always add something to it later when I choose my dress. I open the makeup suitcase, yes, suitcase and I am surprised I remember most of what these things are meant for. I apply them in a combination that isn't as dramatic as what my prep team would do but I don't risk anything bolder, I am not an expert in these things.

It's time to choose the gown. I open the suitcase and I search through it until a shade of blue pops out and catches my eye. I think I remember my prep team referring to it as azure. The fabric is soft and I can imagine it flowing around me as I walk. I try it on and decide I like this one. It has a thin net that starts from my sweetheart neckline up to my collarbone and just over my shoulders in a delicate jeweled pattern. It is fitted around my torso and the tulle flows out around me all the way down to my ankles, where my feet show off the matching shoes. I have to admit it is beautiful. I accompany it with blue sapphire diamond earrings that fall delicately about two inches from my shoulders. I notice it comes with sapphire pins that I attach along the braids in my updo. I think all things considered, Cinna would be proud of me.

I lightly spray an enticing fragrance and decide that should do it. I have taken longer than I thought I would and I can imagine Peeta must be impatiently waiting outside. I let him shower first and he was supposed to get ready while I was in the bathroom but he must have been done a long time ago.

I walk out the door and I am surprised to see Peeta wearing a shirt and tie that almost match the shade of my dress perfectly. And he must have noticed the coincidence because his mouth is open in surprise and his eyes can't believe it. I can't believe it myself.

"Everyone will think we did this on purpose huh?" I ask a dumbfounded Peeta. He seems to grab ahold of himself and asks:

"What?" a little confused.

"That we are matching, of course. What did you think I was talking about?" I ask, laughing.

"Oh my god, you're right!" he exclaims, smiling nervously.

I am taken aback. Now I am confused.

I replay his nervous laugh.

"Isn't that why you were surprised?" I ask. This is such a stupid question.

"Yeah! It's unbelievable!" he says as he shifts from one foot to the other. This situation has gotten strange. He is acting so weird.

"You're lying. What's wrong? Do you want me to change? Do you think it's too cheesy?" I question him. Then I look over at my dress. It doesn't seem so bad… or is my taste really that off. "Is it broken? Did I stain it with my makeup? Is it too over the top? Does it look that bad?"

"No, no, no, it's perfect. I mean, it's fine, don't worry, anything you wear will look great" he pauses and he must see my incredulous expression. "I mean, Cinna designs all your stuff, so everything he makes is great. Everyone has always loved all his stuff. He's great" he rambles on and on.

"Ok, Peeta, thanks for reassuring me. Can we go?" I ask him. He's being really strange.

He offers me his arm and we walk out.

"Peeta, what was that?" I ask him not knowing how else to describe his behavior.

"You look so beautiful, Katniss" he says with a small smile, no stuttering, no rambling.

I sigh, relieved.

"Well, you should have just said that" I tell him smiling. "I'm sure it's ok for a husband to tell his wife he likes the way she looks". And as soon as the words leave my lips, I mentally reach out and try to put them back in. Yes, we are married, but only for the cameras, and what I just said, though it is true, implies that our marriage isn't fake. Besides, he doesn't need to be my husband to tell me if he thinks I look nice. Why did I have to say that of all things? Why couldn't I just say thanks? Stupid!

"I'll keep that in mind" he nods at me with a small smile. No! Don't keep that in mind! Crap!

We are now in the elevator and it is quiet. Why do I keep making things awkward between Peeta and me? He's the one who is emotionally involved and yet I am the one who keeps saying stupid stuff, letting my emotions control my actions, and making things harder than they need to be, while Peeta is handling things annoyingly perfect, always in control, never saying the wrong things, always making everything better.

It's a fake marriage, for God's sake! It's supposed to be easier!

We are now at the doors to the dining hall and today there are two men opening the double doors for us. We walk in and about half the dining hall is half full which I'm guessing is about as full as it's going to get. We are guided to our table by the chef himself and he tells us he will personally be serving us today. Our table is in the very middle of the room, right under the chandelier. Perfect, now everyone can have a great look at us throughout the night. And I was hoping to enjoy my dinner. Yeah, right.

Peeta and I make our dinner selections and the chef asks us if he may surprise us with a new dish he has added to our menu, to see how we like it, as he trusts our taste blindly.

We agree and he turns around and leaves.

I take a deep breath then sigh in a manner that I am sure would send Effie into a fit.

I look around me and notice we are the point of interest in the room as I feel people's eyes on me.

"Everyone is watching" I whisper to Peeta. "Now I will have to eat with my silverware" I try to joke.

Peeta laughs wholeheartedly at this and gives me a mock disapproving look. I laugh at this and notice how the combination of the chandelier light and the reflection of the soft blue in Peeta's dress shirt make his eyes sparkle and look so very blue, and his teeth look so white in that signature smile of his.

I look away trying to hide my embarrassment as I realize I was staring for a few seconds. I curse myself as I feel my cheeks grow warm against my own will.

"It's ok, Katniss" he says in a joking tone. "I'm sure it's ok for a wife to stare at her husband if she finds him attractive" he says with a mischievous smile and takes a sip of water from his glass without taking his teasing eyes off me.

I try to hide a smile as he throws back at me my comment form earlier and find nothing clever enough to say back at him, so I smack his arm and he bursts out laughing at my annoyance at having no come back.

I finally just look down at my lap and let out a small laugh.

I look at him and he looks at me expectantly, waiting for me to say something.

Even now all I can think to say is:

"Shut up, Peeta" and then take a sip from my water as I avoid his eyes only confirming to him the truth of his statement, even though it is not true. But I can't think of anything to refute it that won't sound like one more assurance of its veracity so I keep my mouth shut.

The chef comes to us with what I assume is the appetizer.

"Here is our brand new item" he tells us as he sets down a basket with… cheese buns? And then he sets down a little bowl of some kind of oil for us to dip the bread in.

I quickly take one and put it in my mouth. I instantly recognize the unique taste of Peeta's cheese buns and my mouth melts at the delicious taste of them. Once I am done savoring it, I open my eyes to see Peeta's eyes on me.

"These are yours?" I ask him.

Before he can answer, the chef intercepts.

"Well, now they are mine. Peeta gave me permission to use his recipe and I promised to call them after you, but I can't seem to figure out what to call them. The only thing I can think of is Katniss buns but… I don't think so" he says and Peeta tries to hide his laughter under his hands and I try not to laugh but I lose that battle shortly after Peeta. As we see the chef getting a little embarrassed, we stop.

"I wouldn't mind it to be honest" he says to the chef with a wink, as he quickly peeks at me to catch my reaction.

"I'm sure you wouldn't" the chef tells him catching on the joke. "If I am not too bold to ask, were you able to fulfill your… ahem… marital responsibilities successfully last night?" he asks Peeta, recalling what he had said last night as we left the kitchen and I realize they are having a little contest to see who can embarrass me the most.

Peeta answers with:

"Well, I'm the wrong person to ask, truthfully, Katniss would be able to tell you better whether I fulfilled them successfully or not" he says trying to sound serious but unable to hide a small smile.

At that precise moment when he says that I had just stuffed my mouth with a cheese bun and I am thankful for it because I am so shocked he would say that, that all I manage to do is give a thumbs up as I refuse to say anything else that might ignite more questions since I can't deny it either since only Peeta and I know that our relationship isn't like that.

Finally the chef leaves and I could fulminate Peeta with my eyes and to my annoyance he is still smiling at his own jokes.

Take a deep breath, Katniss. Be a good sport.

The rest of our dinner goes by casually and when we are all done, the lights dim and a large screen rolls down by one of the walls.

Great. I had forgotten the real reason we are here. They are going to do a showing of our first day at the resort, yesterday. I am curious to know how they will spin off yesterday's events into our love story, and I am expecting a mediocre attempt to make it look real, waiting to laugh at the pathetic attempt to make anything good out of yesterday.

As the program progresses my smile starts disappearing. I unwillingly admit they are better than I gave them credit for.

They begin by talking a little bit to the employees and asking them what they had seen and almost like out of a script they all ramble on and on about how they have never seen a couple who loved each other more. I want to gag.

Then the actual footage begins with a shot of Peeta and me running down the hallway in the morning holding hands and laughing. I had forgotten about that. That was a pretty good move, I admit, from a movie maker's point of view. My own point of view is that looks highly unlike me. I never look like me on TV, I am always acting. But the crazy thing is that I wasn't even aware of being filmed at that moment.

I feel Peeta's eyes flicker on me for a second then go back to the screen that is now showing the good parts of our breakfast together, with Peeta romantically kissing my ring and me kissing him. I am more comfortable with this. This was acting.

Then it goes to show various moments of our excursion. Me helping Peeta various times when his leg wouldn't allow him to do something or get somewhere. I am surprised by the endearing look on my face when I am doing this. Then it's showing our conversation by the river and everyone awes as Peeta subtly tells me I'm beautiful.

Then some other shots of other parts of the excursion and then on to our lunch at the meadow. We look so comfortable, so eat ease.

Then the kissing begins. I find myself swallowing hard and I feel I must be blushing terribly. Thank God the lights are so dim. I don't even dare to look at Peeta to see how he is reacting. I couldn't possibly catch his eyes if he was doing the same thing.

This moment feels so intimate, so personal, and I can't understand why. Certainly we have never kissed like that for the cameras or ever for that matter. And yet, chills run up and down my body and I get goose bumps because I know that we won't be able to avoid talking about that kiss anymore.

A/N: Please, let me know what you think! Like it? Love it? :D Hate it? Tell me!