Thank you for all the support. I don't know how else to thank you guys for all of it; reviews/follows/favorites. By the way, be patient with me. This story is rated M for a reason.

I intend no copyright infringement at all. The story is my own idea. Characters are owned by the awesome Suzanne Collins and all other incorporated parties.

Thanks Again.

"Finn, what are we doing here?" Peeta asks Finnick as they enter a bar.

"Watching the game. Come on."

Peeta was freaking out. He had never been in a bar. He was sure they would be found out and promptly kicked out, if they were lucky. If not, the bartender would call the police or worse his mother. She would surely kick his ass if she found out he was destroying his future by being at a bar.

"Finn…?"

"Peeta, chill. We're not going to drink. We're just going to watch the game."

They sat at the bar watching several of the big screen TVs that filled the room.

"Hey!" Peeta turned to look at the bartender yelling at them. Peeta instantly got up and put his hands up suggesting his innocence.

"Aw, shit. I knew it. Look, I didn't mean anything by it sir. I didn't even come here for a drink. I don't even have a fake ID! I was dragged here by…" Peeta looked at Finnick who was staring at him like a psycho. Despite it being his fault they were at the bar, Peeta still didn't want to get Finn into trouble. "I was kidnapped. Please, I'll never come back. Please don't tell my mom!"

The bartender stared at Peeta oddly than went over to Finnick.

"What's up, Finn? Long time no see." They shared a quick handshake than turned to Peeta again, "Whose your friend?"

"Brady, this is Peeta. Peeta, Brady."

"Uh, hi." Peeta awkwardly shook Brady's hand.

"Did you want a drink?" Peeta looked at the bartender incredulously, "Not like that kid. I do have non alcoholic stuff."

"Sure." The bartender left to get him his drink while Peeta sat back down next to Finnick.

"Yo, remind me to never take you on an undercover operation." Finn shook Peeta's shoulder attempting to calm his laughter down at Peeta's display of guilt. Eventually, Peeta had to laugh too at what he just did.

The bartender came back with Peeta's coke a little while later. The bar had become packed with football fans. Finn and Peeta both stood just behind the crowd watching one of the close games. They were having a good time hanging out with all the drunk spectators until one of them rudely bumped into Peeta, almost making him spill his drink.

"What the hell?!" As Peeta turned to look at the culprit, he came face to face with Gale Hawthorne.

"Oops. Don't I know you kids?" Gale looked at them with a deviant smile.

"Hey," Finn who was on the outside of the two jumped into the middle of them, "What's up Gale?"

"Who are you now?"

"You don't remember? I'm Finnick and this here is my buddy Peeta."

"Oh right, we played basketball together, right Peter?"

"It's PEET-A. Like the bread."

"Right. You had a girls name."

"What?! I have a girl's name?!" Peeta didn't like Gale for a lot of reasons outside of them both liking Katniss. Gale had been a junior when they met. Peeta was a freshmen. He had made the varsity basketball team his freshmen year and Gale didn't like being under his spotlight. His freshmen year, he had received so much praise and recognition for his abilities on the court. So, his sophomore year, Gale's senior year, Peeta didn't get to play. Despite earning his spot on the team, Gale benched Peeta for the season, claiming the rest of the team was better.

Finn was pushing Peeta back. "Dude, chill."

"I'm calm, Finn. Let me go now."

"You still warming the bench, Mellark?"

"Oh, really, Hawthorne?" Peeta was approaching Gale, while Finn tried keeping them at arms length. "Funny you should say that, because since you left, we've won two divisional AND state championships. Coincidence?"

"You're still trash, Mellark."

"You never even gave me a chance, Gale. You couldn't take being number two." Peeta was fuming now, "but we both know that's not why you hate me."

"Katniss is looking sexy as hell this year, isn't she?" Gale said with a smirk.

Peeta tried to even his breathing out again. Gale wasn't worth the trouble. Peeta wanted Katniss to be with him, but ultimately, he wanted her to be happy. If she should choose Gale, he wouldn't stop her.

"Look I don't want any trouble with you Gale. We both like Katniss, may the best man win right?"

"I've already won then, Mellark." Peeta looked at Gail strangely. "Because you never do forget your first do you?"

That was like a punch to gut. Peeta never really thought to ask Katniss about her dating history or her current dating situation. Peeta just assumed she didn't date. He also assumed that Gale and her were only friends. Apparently, they had been more than that.

Peeta quickly tried to recover from the emotional blow he was just dealt.

"That's alright, man. All that means to me is that you had your chance and you fucked it up. You might have been her first, but I'm her current, future, and forever."

Next thing you know, Gale throws an actual punch at Peeta. Peeta is far to quick and he catches one of the drunk guys at the bar instead. Once the drunk guy gets back up, a full on brawl breaks out in the bar.

Finnick and Peeta manage to get out of the bar unscathed.

"Yo man, that was crazy!" Finnick jokingly laughs and pulls on Peeta who stills seems to be out of it.

"Yea…"

"Come on Peeta. That was great! Did you see they guy who clocked Gale? Priceless bro!" Finnick was laughing so hard he could barely keep up with Peeta's long strides. "Come on, man. What's wrong with you?"

"Did you not hear what he said?"

"That shit about Katniss was bullshit and you know it.

"Finn what the hell am I doing? He's her best friend. I'm trying to get her by competing with him? I'm not meant to win this one Finn."

Finn grabs Peeta by his collar and slaps him across the face.

"Oww!" Peeta exclaims.

"Look at me bro. You love that girl! You've loved that girl for years and you are going to let that jerk in there scare you off."

"Finn…" Another slap to the face and he shoves Peeta towards the wall.

"So this is you now, Peeta? In all my years as your friend you have never quit. When six foot Cato tried to beat me up when we were twelve and you were half his size… remember when you almost drowned trying to learn how to swim…how bout when we were in pee wee football and they said you'd never be fast enough or strong enough to play…"

Peeta remembered all those moments. Cato was big when they were young, but slow. So he kicked him in the shin and ran off as fast as he could with Finn on his tail. They later became friends after Cato said "Peeta had balls." Then when he learned to swim. He had almost drowned that summer, but didn't quit and learned. And finally there was football. He was small when he was young. His coaches didn't believe he could be of any use on the field. Even his parents wanted him to do something else. No one had his back. Now he was headed towards a full football scholarship and the pros were in sight. There was no way he could give up on Katniss.

"I'm going to ask her out. Tomorrow." Peeta starts walking away. "And you're going to ask out Annie."

"No Peeta. I can't…Peeta?"