A dank cave on a rainy day isn't the most romantic place for an intense kiss, but the action itself makes up for it's lack of atmosphere.
This is Peeta's first real kiss. Katniss may have kissed him once before and since then, his lips have brushed hers a few times. But this is the first time he's ever done anything this - impassioned. They lean into each other and I swear heat actually burns between them. Katniss closes her eyes as the kiss deepens. My wife makes a disgusted noise in the back of her throat, but I can almost hear the sighs and cheers in the Capitol.
Peeta is the first to break away, his attention caught by the fresh blood staining the bandages on Katniss' head. He gives her another affectionate kiss on the nose, then his arm encircles her.
"I think your wound is bleeding again. Come on, lie down, it's your bedtime anyway."
I don't think it's gotten any warmer, but Katniss puts on her still damp socks and insists that Peeta put his jacket back on.
"I'll take first watch," she offers. When Peeta makes to object, she cuts him off. "No really. I've slept a lot today."
"Come here, then. The bag's big enough for two and I'm not sleeping unless you're beside me."
Katniss is shivering, despite the socks, so finally crawls in beside Peeta. He puts her head down on his arm so that she has something soft to rest on and then puts his other arm around her - safeguarding this girl against the night.
Whatever the Gamemakers wanted to achieve with the rainstorm, they haven't gotten their results yet because the weather continues through the next day. Katniss can't hunt until it stops, but they have no food in the cave. There hasn't been much conversation either - something that won't sit well with the Capitol for much longer, so it's a great relief when Katniss starts up a conversation.
"Peeta, you said at the interview you'd had a crush on me forever. When did forever start?"
It's the perfect question to pull the audience in. This should keep them safe for a bit.
"Oh let's see," Peeta pauses. "I guess the first day of school. We were five. You had on a red plaid dress and your hair… it was in two braids instead of one. My father pointed you out when we were waiting to line up."
I stiffen. It's the first time he's mention me onscreen. I can feel my wife's eyes on me, but I ignore them.
"Your father?" Katniss asks. "Why?"
"He said, 'See that little girl? I wanted to marry her mother, but she ran off with a coal miner," Peeta recalls.
"What? You're making that up!"
"No, true story. And I said, 'A coal miner? Why did she want a coal miner if she could've had you? And he said, "Because when he sings… even the birds stop to listen."
Now I can't brush off the burning glare she's giving me. I glance sideways at my wife.
"So now the truth comes out," she says in a measured voice. "You wanted her. You've always wanted her."
"No," I shake my head.
"You never wanted me, did you? Yes I was from a merchant family, but heaven forbid you get a community home girl!"
"That's not -" I try to say.
"Don't you understand that I never had anyone care about me? I wasn't in the home by choice! My parents were dead. My brother was soon to be dead. And now I find out that the only person alive who I thought cared about me wanted the apothecary's daughter? And not even from you! I find out from out nearly dead son via the national broadcast. Well, thank you very much for your years of dedication. Our own son knows more about taking care of someone that you do, apparently."
She gets up and leaves the room before I can get a word in edgewise. The room is very quiet now. It's true that I'd loved Katniss' mother. But she'd never given me so much as a second glance. Up until Peeta announced it to our whole world, I doubt she even knew I liked her in that way. She'd always had her eye on that boy … so after that… I let her go, right? I moved on and found love myself.
Just because I loved one woman in the past doesn't mean I don't remember exactly what caught my eye about the girl who became my wife. I admired her courage. She was in my year at school and always volunteered to answer questions - something that scared me to death. Everyone knew she was from the community home, but that didn't matter to me. I was always so impressed by her. And she was beautiful. Not everyone thought so but I did. Even still, it took me awhile to approach her.
I remember she didn't have any lunch one day and I worked up the courage to sit down next to her and share mine. We forged a bond that day. She was very clever and school came much easier to her, so she helped me with the work. I think I toned down her animosity a little too.
A few years later, her brother was reaped. It was the only time I ever saw her cry, even to this day. The fire inside was always there, but after that year, it was much more apparent. And since I have almost none myself, it enthralled me. It was only recently - maybe when the second baby was born - that she became angry to the point of abuse. But I vividly recall her gently cradling our first son the day he was born, so somewhere, underneath her temper, is the girl I fell for so long ago.
But I don't think she'll ever come back - not now. But there is one thing I am sure of. I must explain this to her. I can't live with myself if she thinks that I'm still stuck on Katniss' mother.