Have some free time tonight so I'm posting a rather long one! Hope yall enjoy! Again, I'm blown away by the support and awesome reviews-please keep them coming! They make tough days like today totally worth it, when I see someone enjoys my work!

And everlastingtrueromance, haha no, I'm a photographer at Walt Disney World and am with those royals quite often! :)

Alright, here's Katniss's POV, enjoy it!

Peeta has me hanging on by a thread when we hear a knock at the door. Suddenly shy and embarrassed, I pull my shirt on and run out of the room before he can see my red face. I straighten my hair and open the door and nearly fall out in surprise.

"Gale," I manage to whisper. There he stands, looking handsome and threatening as ever. I hear Peeta come up behind me and I imagine the look of surprise on his face. Gale gives me a nod and a smile.

"Do you have time to let an old friend in to chat?" I immediately stand aside and beckon him in. Gale steps in, hardly glancing around, before he turns back to us and clears his throat. Why did this situation just get SO awkward? Peeta clears his throat in return and I just want to die. The last time I saw these two together, I heard them discussing me, and which one of them I would choose. Gale told Peeta I would choose "whoever I couldn't survive without." I had been angry then, and it's angering me now to think of it.

"Gale, what are you doing here?" I close my eyes and mentally kick myself. I haven't seen my friend in months and it sounds like I'm accusing him of something already. "I mean, is everything ok?" There. I sort of fixed it.

"Everything's fine. I'm on a job from District Two, on my way to 11 and 13 and I wanted to stop by and see how you were doing. How you were both doing." Peeta steps forward and I feel his arm wrap around my waist.

"We're both fine, thanks for asking," he says in a strong voice. Gale's eyes flick downward and I know he notices Peeta's not-so-subtle gesture. Peeta is claiming me as his. The question is, am I ready for that? Am I ready for the world to know? We were already the star-crossed lovers for crying out loud. What would be so different?

Because Gale knows the truth. And I know Peeta expects me to tell him now. I sigh and think quickly. I move to the side, shrugging Peeta's hand away but I slip my arm under his and lean in close.

"Gale, did you bring your bow with you?"

"You know I left that thing behind. I'm sure it's in the same place?" His eyes twinkle and I can't help but giggle.

"Of course. In your spot, waiting for you."

"In our spot," he says softly. I feel Peeta tense up and I squeeze his hand reassuringly.

"Let's talk a walk then." Gale chuckles.

"You always were a better hunter than a talker." I shrug. He does know me well.

"I'll meet you outside." Gale nods and hurries out the door, knowing that I need to talk to Peeta alone. Once he's gone, I stand on my tiptoes and kiss Peeta's cheek. His eyes are filled with confusion and doubt.

"Why don't you start on the baking and I'll be home in a little while to help with dinner?"

"Katniss-"

"Peeta, don't. I need to talk to him. Alone. Nothing has changed since I told you I love you. I choose you. But I want to be the one to tell him. Do you trust me?" He searches my eyes for the longest time before he nods.

"Yes."

"Good. Now, I have to go. I'll be back soon." I lean up to kiss his cheek again but he grabs my face with his large hands and attacks my mouth. I'm about to go out and tell Gale I'd see him later but I know I can't do that. Still, Peeta has a way of knocking me senseless. He has a way of leaving me breathless and wanting more. I want to continue what we started. I need it and I know he needs it too, even if he won't voice it. But the hardness pressed against my thigh only moments ago tells me I'm right. I look up at him, brushing his hair out of his eyes.

"I love you," I whisper before giving him one quick kiss and hurrying out of the door before I can't find the will to leave.

Gale is waiting for me around the house and I can't see what he's looking at. When I come closer, I see him studying the primroses Peeta planted when he returned to the District. As a gift. A memorial to her. I feel my throat stick as I see his hardened face taking in the primroses.

"Are you still angry with me," he says quietly. I hang back, afraid to be nearer.

"No. I'm not angry. I'm sorry if I hurt you, Gale, I just-"

"Are you with him now?" His tone takes me by surprise. It had been obvious to me, when he had accepted a job and disappeared to District 2, that he didn't really care for me. He had written a letter, asking me to join him but he never actually came back for me. I find myself getting defensive.

"Why do you care?"

"Because I watched him nearly kill you."

"He's gotten much better, Gale. He knows who he is again, he's rebuilding his life." Gale rolls his eyes, and my jaw drops.

"How stupid can you be, Katniss? He was hijacked. You think that just goes away?"

"He has fought very hard to keep the flashbacks away," I say through gritted teeth. "And he works constantly, struggles everyday, to stay here with me. He loves me. And I love him." I see Gale's look of astonishment and I feel a fleeting moment of triumph and pride. Gale knows how I feel about love and marriage. I told him a long time ago that I couldn't think of anyone in that way. Now I'm admitting to him that I am, in fact, in love with the Baker's son. A Merchant boy. How Gale must hate that. And I can see it in his face. His jaw clenches and his eyes flash with fire.

"I thought maybe if I came back…he would still be in the Capitol. And I wouldn't have to compete anymore. Maybe, you actually missed me. I can see how wrong I was."

"I did miss you," I say softly. "But I missed Peeta in a different way. You never loved me, Gale. You loved the idea of being with someone who was like you in so many ways. If you loved me, you wouldn't have left."

"I left because I thought you still blamed me for this!" He waves his hand around the primroses and I feel my heart start to pound.

"I will never be able to forget that. I forgave you…but I won't ever forget. I don't know if you were responsible or not…and I never will."

"Do you love me at all?" I look up at him, shocked. He's so close I can feel his breath on my face. I bite my lip and look back towards the house. He sees the path my eyes take and he scowls.

"Gale, you know how important you have always been to me. But it was never like that between us. You have a rage inside you. Like me. You have fire and I have more than enough of that. We're just too alike. I don't need extra fire. I need the dandelion in the spring."

"What the hell does that mean, Katniss," he snarls. I gasp at my own words, finally hearing them. I mean really hearing them. I need the dandelion, the rebirth, the promise of tomorrow. My ray of sunshine that keeps me going. That's Peeta. No one else. I shake my head and take a step back.

"I love Peeta. And if you can't accept that and be happy for me, I think you should go." I watch him clench and unclench his fists for a few minutes before he seems to give up, turns, and stalks away. At the end of the road, he turns back and stares at me. I smile and lift my hand in the air, in an attempt to wave goodbye. Gale repeats my action, unsmiling, before he turns and leaves Victors Village. I don't know when I will see him again but I discover that I don't really care. My future is waiting for me inside.

When I open the door, the smell of warm bread hits me and makes my mouth water. I enter the kitchen and see him kneading dough, his back to me. I watch his muscles flex while he works, little droplets of sweat breaking out on his neck. His white shirt starts to stick to him in the heat of the kitchen and the way his pants curve around his backside make me forget everything else. His long blonde hair is flecked with flour, making him appear years older than he is. I grin and quietly place my bow on the floor before creeping toward him. My arms wrap around his waist and I press my cheek to his back. He jumps slightly but relaxes in my embrace, his hands covering mine. He turns to face me and I see his face is smudged with flour and dough. I smile as I trace a thumb over his cheek, wiping it all away.

"What happened? Where's Gale?"

"Peeta, really, you're a terrible liar."

"What are you-"

"I know you were listening at the window." He pretends to be shocked, which should irritate me but just makes me grin.

"I did not! I've been baking this whole time."

"Mmhm. What did you hear?" He looks sheepish.

"I swear I wasn't spying on you. When I heard raised voices, though, I opened the window just to make sure you were ok. I heard a little of what you were screaming about and I closed the window. All I heard was that you forgave him…but you will never forget. And that you have more than enough fire, so you need a dandelion. I agree with Gale, on that one, because I have no idea what you're talking about." I smile and shake my head. I'll tell him later. Right now, I want to forget everything except for Peeta. And the way his hands are running over my back is making it pretty easy to do that. I press up against him and hear him suck in a breath. My hands roam over his back as I back him against the counter, pulling him down for a kiss. As he kisses me, my hands slip under his shirt and trace along the muscles in his back. I feel an intense fire overcome me and I suddenly have to see him. Before he can react, I'm pulling his shirt over his head and I toss it aside. His wide eyes find mine and I reach up to kiss him again. As he'd done with me earlier, my lips travel from his, down to his neck, underneath his chin. His groan reverberates in his throat and causes a shiver to run down my back. I try to tug him toward the living room where there's a couch and it'll surely be more comfortable rather than us straining to kiss each other.

"Wait," he says before pulling away from my kisses. He turns back to the oven and I huff.

"Peeta, forget the food."

"I'll have you know I've already burned three loaves today, thinking of you," he says over his shoulder as he takes the trays out. He sets them on the counter and tosses the mitts aside before he turns back to me and pulls me to him. My arms go around his shoulders and I play with the short hairs at the nape of his neck.

"What do you mean, thinking of me?" He smirks and leans in for a kiss.

"After last night, I could hardly sleep. All I could think about was what we had started…what I'd like to continue. I just kept having these…visions all day while I was baking, I couldn't concentrate on anything." I grind up against him and feel his want for me. He lets out a low growl which I'll admit, makes me turn ten shades of pink. He quickly snatches me off the ground and carries me to the living room, where he sets me on the couch. I pull him to me, our tongues fighting for supremacy. I'm not sure if there's a winner but I'm feeling bold and confident and I climb into his lap. His little moans and growls are driving me crazy and I feel a dampness forming between my legs. I grind up against him and explore his chest with my hands. I'm fascinated by the trail of his scars. It makes me love him even more. How far he's come, how he's beaten all odds, to still be here with me. I gently bite his lower lip and relish his moan of desire.

"I love you," I whisper between kisses and I love the way his eyes light up before they lazily close again. I kiss my way down his neck and my tongue traces the path of his scars over his chest, stopping to lick at a nipple and smile against his skin when I feel him jerk underneath me. Every moan he makes, every twitch I cause, emboldens me. I reach down and rub him through his clothes. His eyes shoot open as he bucks his hips.

"Katniss," he gasps, as he grabs my hips. I give him a shy smile and trail my tongue down his chest, stopping at the waistband of his pants. Tentatively, my fingers slide under the waistband and gently trace a line of fire. He tosses his head back and moans and I grind against him again. My fingers play with the zipper and his eyes find mine again. They look apprehensive and I lean in to kiss him again.

"You've spent the last several years trying to make me happy. Let me make you happy for once."

"Katniss you make me happy just by being here with me. I don't need anything else from you." My heart swells with love for this boy. I tug at the pants and he lifts his hips to assist, finally kicking them off with his good leg. I can now clearly see his arousal through his boxer briefs. His face is turning pink and he swallows nervously. I suck at the spot I found at his throat that makes him moan while my fingernails trace lines down his chest. I love the way he moans my name.

"Let me make you feel good. Please." Silently, he nods and I reach for the waistband of his underwear and pull them down. He lifts his hips again and I finally see every inch of him. Every. Glorious. Inch.

I haven't seen a huge amount of naked men (I mean, I'd seen a fair few, it's hard not to when your mother is a healer) but he's absolutely perfect. His scars run down his chiseled frame and end right above his hip. His chest is smooth and pale, and my eyes follow a trail of fine blonde hair down past his bellybutton, that leads down to a thing of beauty that both terrifies and fascinates me. I tentatively curve my hand around it and I see him drop his head back on the couch. I bite my lip, suddenly nervous. I've never done this before and I want him to feel wonderful…so what the hell am I supposed to do? I swallow nervously until he looks up again and catches my gaze.

"Are you ok," he asks softly. My heart lurches. Always concerned about me, no matter what the situation.

"I just…I don't know how…I mean, I've never-"

"You don't have to-"

"But I want to!" I protest. My hand curls around him again and squeezes. His breath catches in his throat as he leans up to kiss me.

"Show me," I whisper against his mouth. "Please." I feel his hand on mine as he shows me how to pleasure him. He has me squeeze harder than I expect and I don't expect the moans or grunts that come from the back of his throat. His hand falls away and when I glance up at him, he just nods encouragingly. I stroke him the way he showed me, and his head drops back again. I increase in speed and suck at his neck while my hand travels up and down his shaft. My thumb shifts over the head of his cock and he jerks his hips again. I glance up at him, afraid I'd hurt him but he's gripping his hair tightly, his jaw clenched.

"Peeta?"

"Please," he gasps out and I figure out that he's not in pain. I go faster, my thumb flicking over the tip over and over and each time, it seems to send a spike of pleasure through every inch of him. His face is screwed up in delicious agony, his eyes squeezed shut. I feel him tensing up and his eyes shoot open and find mine.

"Katniss!" As he cries out my name, pearly white liquid shoots out all over my hand and his stomach. I stare, shocked, as he pants underneath me. A few moments later, he looks up and he blushes.

"I'm sorry." Before I can stop him, he pushes me back onto the couch and runs into the kitchen. I get a great view of his muscular backside as he runs, and he hurries back, holding a thick wad of tissues. He hastily cleans me up but I shake my head.

"Was it ok?"

"Ok?"

"I mean…did you like it?" He lets out a shaky laugh as he grabs me and kisses me.

"Katniss. It was fucking perfect." Something about my perfect boy cursing like that makes me SO hot and bothered. I grin and lean in to kiss him again. I leave a trail of kisses down his chest, his stomach, his thighs, and then I stop at the spot where his skin melds with the prosthetic. I run my fingers over the scar and kiss it gently. When I look up at him, his breathing is heavy and his eyes are wide with love and desire. He pulls me back to his lips and I feel his cock harden against my thigh. I glance down in surprise and he shrugs apologetically.

"It's what you do to me." It suddenly makes sense, all the mornings I woke up on the Train or in my bed with him pressed against me, how I had felt something hard and insistent and I hadn't paid any attention to it. It suddenly makes me blush, that I did that to him so long ago. I understand he's a guy and he has basic needs but I also know that he loves me and only I can make him come undone like that.

I hope anyway.

I don't notice that he is leaning me back until my head hits the cushion and he is wrapping my legs around his waist. He leans in for a kiss and I feel his cock brush up against my clothed center, which drives me even crazier. He grinds against me for a moment as he sucks at my throat, then he moves down and pushes my shirt up. I have a bra on but I'm still self-conscious. I don't think of myself as attractive. And his words from the hospital echo in my mind.

You're not very big are you? Or particularly pretty.

I'm suddenly very aware that his hands are reaching around and unclasping my bra. Before he has a chance to pull it away, I grab it and hold it in place. His eyes find mine and his face softens.

"Katniss, it's just me." I nod but I still don't lower my hands. These scars have ruined my body. My breasts were pretty much untouched by the flames but everywhere else, you can see where the old skin reaches the new skin. The Capitol tried to fix me but I was pretty much beyond their help. Growing up in the Seam, I haven't exactly been well nourished and my figure shows it. My time in the arena made me even skinnier and bonier and my breasts are rather small. I all of a sudden have the desire to run and hide. Peeta is perfect. And I feel absolutely imperfect next to him. I fight to keep the tears from my eyes but of course, he sees. Peeta always sees me. He knows me better than anyone. His eyes are full of concern as he leans in and covers me with his own chest. I welcome the weight and the blanket of security.

"Katniss, what's wrong?" He brushes the hair from my eyes and I squeeze my eyes shut, willing the tears to go away. I feel his fingertips at the corners of my eyes, confirming my suspicions that he has seen the tears. He leans in and kisses my cheek.

"What is it?"

"I just…want to be perfect for you," I stammer. I really hate myself right now. I've become a sobbing mess and I'm pretty sure I've erased all desire from Peeta's mind. But my stupid mouth keeps going.

"You deserve so much and I want to be everything I can be for you, to make you happy. But I feel so…imperfect." Peeta stares at me in shock. His bright blue eyes bore into mine and his smile fades away.

"Katniss…are you insane? You still have no idea, do you? The effect you have." I stare at him as he shakes his head and lifts me up a little, cradling me in his arms.

"You know how much I love you. Why would you think, even for a moment, that you are not enough for me?"

"Because this is the first time I am seeing you, actually looking at you, and I see how beautiful you are. Look at me!"

"I am." I grow frustrated with his calm demeanor while I'm freaking out.

"I'm serious, Peeta, look. I have…scars. All over."

"Yeah. I see them. I love them. They're a part of you. They represent what you have sacrificed and what you have gained. But guess what?" He takes my hand and brings it to his own chest, running it along the path of his own scars. I glance down, then back at him.

"I have them too. We're not so different, you and I. And don't forget…I fell in love with you a long time ago. Before I even knew what a woman was supposed to look like. My brothers laughed at me when I talked about how beautiful you were, my mother, of course, rolled her eyes but dad just laughed and said we would have a Seam girl in the family for sure." My throat seems to be stuck; I can't find the words. Peeta's hand caresses my face and he holds my gaze.

"You are beyond perfect," he says in a voice that's soft but strong. "You are perfect in my eyes and that's all that matters, because no one else should ever be looking." I smile, which he returns.

"We don't have to go any further, Katniss, but I'd really like to. I'd like to see you and worship you, the way your eyes are worshipping me." I'd completely forgotten he was still naked and I jump a little as he presses against me again, his half-hard cock coming to life. I wind my arms around his neck and pull him in and feel his hands move my bra aside and his soft palm makes contact with my aching breast. I arch my back, shoving more of my flesh into his hands and he moans into my mouth. Both of his hands reach down and squeeze gently, his talented fingers tweaking my nipple gently. Peeta breaks our kiss and gives me a loving gaze before his eyes shift downward and I feel my entire body grow very warm as he looks on. I see him wet his lips as he stares at me, my own tongue darting against my lips. He leans down and kisses my collarbone, kissing and licking and sucking a fiery path down my chest until he stops at my left breast, where his tongue gently flecks a nipple. I gasp and arch my back again and my fingers tangle in his hair. His hands gently push mine down and hold them over my head while his mouth closes over my flesh, taking as much as he can between his lips. I feel the ache leave my breasts and travel lower, where it makes my core throb. I jerk my hips and his hands rest on my sides, pulling me closer. I'm completely lost in Peeta and I'm fine if I never find my way back. As he switches his attention to my other breast, his fingertips gently slide down my sides and across my hips, to the buttons of my pants. Very slowly, as if not wanting to startle me (I'm a hunter, after all, I know how the predators approach their prey) he unbuttons my pants and slides a hand in, brushing over my underwear. I jerk underneath him and he draws back, his eyes finding mine.

Is this still ok? He seems to ask. I nod and he bites his lip as he tugs my pants down a little bit, looking to me to lift my hips. I assist him in pulling them off and he gently moves me to the side so that he can lie between my thighs. His lips move back to my skin and I wait for him to put the fires out. I'm the girl on fire once more. Peeta's mouth is blazing a fire down my body that goes to my very core. His fingertips graze my center and I stifle a cry. His gaze flies back to my face to make sure I'm alright. I'm incoherent with desire as his hands tease me in ways I didn't think possible. I'll be completely honest. I haven't had many chances to try this myself. I shared a bed with Prim most of the time, my baths were overseen by my mother, and I was reaped when I was 16. I hadn't had a lot of time to experiment, which is probably why I'm even more nervous. But Peeta soothes me with his kisses. He relaxes me with his caresses. The way his thumb is rubbing over my clothed center is about to drive me out of my mind. I reach down and grip his wrist, hoping he gets the hint. He does and leans down to kiss me as he slips my underwear down around my ankles. I'm now completely bare to his gaze and I once again feel like my entire body is on fire. I do my best to hide myself but Peeta senses this and holds my hands down again.

"Let me see you, Katniss," he whispers. "Let me love you." He trails his fingers down my cheek and I gently suck on one of his fingers, making his eyes darken with lust. I toss my head back as he takes my breast into his mouth, at the same time, his fingertip is traveling over my core. I'm trembling underneath him as his fingers tentatively explore me. He spreads my legs wider and leans in, his thumb teasing me mercilessly and his fingers spreading around the wetness that has gathered there.

I'm actually not sure if it's supposed to be like this but he lets out a groan against my cheek.

"God Katniss, you're so wet." I feel my face redden.

"Sorry," I say hoarsely, not really sure what else I can say to that. To my surprise, he chuckles and captures my lips again.

"Don't be. It's a good thing. And it means you're enjoying what I'm doing." I try to speak but at that moment I feel him slide a finger inside me and all words and thoughts are gone. I gasp at the intrusion, feeling dizzy and weak. Peeta leans back to look at me, and he never once looks away as he slips another finger into me. It's uncomfortable at first and I think he sees me wince because he changes it back to one finger, and is very gentle but as he leans down and kisses me again, another finger slides in. I feel myself being stretched and filled and I long for more. I want all of him. I'm about to speak when his thumb finds a certain spot that makes me scream. I start panting underneath him and he seems to understand that he has found a secret treasure. Pushing his fingers inside, his thumb gently brushes over that spot, then applies pressure. Sweat has broken out over my body and I am panting heavily, my hands going to my hair as I arch my back. I feel a rush coming on, something I have never experienced before. I'm moaning his name so loudly, I fear Haymitch is going to hear. Peeta doesn't seem to care. He's increased his pace and is thrusting his hand in and out, crooking his fingers inside me like a come hither motion. I bite my lip so hard that I taste blood.

"Let go, Katniss," he whispers in my ear as his thumb presses against that spot again.

"Peeta!" I scream his name as I arch my back and feel a wave of pleasure wash over me completely. I lay, sated and breathless, with my eyes closed, never wanting to leave that spot, wherever I have traveled to. When I come back to Earth and open my eyes, I see Peeta leaning over me, his face flushed, a broad grin tugging at his lips.

"You are so beautiful," he tells me. I tug on his hair and pull him down for a kiss, our lips and tongues clashing together desperately

"What…WAS that," I say breathlessly. The look he gives me is one of surprise.

"You've…you've never had an orgasm before?" Orgasm. I've heard that word, around the slag heap. Girls talking about what boys do to them. But I never once thought I would be one of those girls. Ashamed, I shake my head. Peeta's smile widens, however, and he leans in to kiss me again.

"That was the first of many, Katniss. I promise." I can't say anything to that either.

I wrap my legs around his waist and we both gasp as we feel our centers meet. He rubs against me, his hardened length against my soft center. I whine for more, I wriggle my hips, but he places a gentle kiss on my lips and pulls away. I sit up, following him, confused. Why did he pull away? Was I not what he expected? Did I do something wrong? I watch him as he moves to get our clothes.

"Come on. We need to finish making dinner." He pulls me to my feet and we quickly dress, my eyes never leaving him but he can't seem to look at me. I follow him to the kitchen, we wash our hands, and he goes to check the oven. I stare at him, hurt and confused. What the hell just happened?