It's Always Been You

Chapter Seven; Any Other Way

I've never stepped foot on a real beach, never felt the sand under my feet. I've certainly never touched the ocean, but I never minded. I never understood what the big deal was, or why it was considered so special.

As I stare out of the window of the house Peeta and I are staying in for our honeymoon in district 4, I am finally able to understand why so many people yearned to see the beach. It is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. To top the scenery off, Peeta and I have our own private pool.

I look over to Peeta who is unpacking our bags and placing our clothes into drawers. Peeta and I will be staying in the beach house for two weeks, until we have to go back home for the reaping. I didn't pack any swimwear, but with a private beach, I suppose I could just swim in my bra and underwear. I walk over to him, smiling. "Did you look at the beach yet?" I ask eagerly. "It's so beautiful. I'm excited to swim." I offer him a smile, and he shakes his head, a crooked smile forming on his face.

"You're in a good mood today," he whispers, coming over to me and wrapping his arms around me. I shrug, biting my lip.

"I guess I just don't have a lot on my mind. I'm glad we can finally relax for a few weeks and not have to worry about the reaping or President Snow. I'm excited to just focus on ourselves."

"I am too," Peeta says sincerely, kissing my temple. He stands back up, putting our suitcases into the closet. I look around the bedroom. It's definitely unlike anything I've seen before, with a massive bed and a hot tub on the other side of the room. There are large entertainment screens and a table with chocolates and pastries placed all over it. I walk over to the table and take a piece of chocolate, eating it slowly.

"Are you hungry?" Peeta asks, coming over to me and taking a chocolate covered strawberry for himself. "We can order dinner if you'd like."

I smile. "I'd like that," I say, walking out into the living room and sitting down on the couch. I fiddle with the remote that is in front of me. It reminds me of the one that was in my room in the tribute center. It allows me to choose the view I'd like to have from our window. I wish the window could just be translucent, because right now, I want to look off into the beautiful ocean. I settle for the image of the forest. It always soothes me.

"Peeta?" I call over. He peeks his head out of the bedroom. "I think I'm going to go swimming while we wait for dinner to get here. Do you want to join me?"

Peeta looks down, merely sighing. "I don't know how to swim." He says daintily. He looks back up at me. "I could come watch if you'd like," he says in a deflated tone.

"Peeta, I can teach you to swim." I murmur with a smile. "Come on," I say, standing up and grabbing his hand. I pull him to the deck and we walk down to the pool area. I've never seen a real swimming pool. Only the highest class have ever had them. I touch the water with my toes, and it's surprisingly warm. Peeta comes over to me, sitting down and putting his feet in the water. I take my sundress off, leaving me in only my undergarments. I sit next to Peeta, slipping myself into the water. It's so much different than the lake. It's very soothing. I think I could easily spend the rest of my life in this water.

I swim to the deeper end, dunking my full body into the water and coming up for air. Peeta is staring at the water meticulously. "This is nice," he murmurs.

"Aren't you coming in?" I ask, swimming over to him and tugging at his arm. "Just take your shirt and pants off. There is a shallow end, and I can teach you from there."

Peeta nods, standing up to take his shirt and pants off. He walks over to the steps, walking into the shallow water. He smiles, looking over to me. "I've never been even swimming in a lake, let alone a swimming pool." He says, chuckling. "I think I could get used to this."

"You and me both," I say as I approach him. I place a kiss on his jawline, wrapping my arms around him. "I'm going to show you some motions that you make with your arms," I say, laughing slightly. I pull away, showing him what to do with you're arms while you're in the water. He laughs out loud, shaking his head.

"You look absolutely ridiculous, Katniss Everdeen," he says, watching me closely.

I laugh, looking down at the water. "It's Katniss Mellark now, you know," I whisper. "It's weird to think, I'm not quite used to it."

"Yeah, I almost forgot," Peeta whispers, going over to the steps and sitting down. I follow him, sitting myself next to him and looking at him. "I guess if the wedding were truly what we both wanted, we'd remember. We may even be happy about it..." He pauses for a moment. "Sorry, I just.."

"It's fine, Peeta." I say, brushing everything off. There I go again, actually thinking that my time could be peaceful and stress free. "Is the wedding what you wanted?" I ask, looking into his eyes. "You can tell me the truth, I won't be mad."

Peeta bites his lip, shaking his head. "I've wanted to marry you since I was five," he whispers with a chuckle. "So to answer your question, yes, the wedding is what I wanted. I just wish you felt the same."

"I do feel the same, Peeta!" I say defensively. "I mean, yes it was forced, but I couldn't really see myself with anyone else but you. You're the only person that makes me feel safe."

"Katniss, I know that it's selfish for me to hold you accountable for what you said in the games. You saved us, and I know that. That's all that matters. Us and our families are safe."

"Peeta, I don't say things that I don't mean. In the games, I was scared and vulnerable, and you were the only person that I could relate to. I've never been affectionate or close to anyone, and last night, I proved to you that I truly do want you. I need you, for that matter. I just have trouble getting emotionally close to people in fear that I'll lose them. I'm... scared. So if you ask me if I wanted this wedding, it's obvious that it is a no, but that is only because we were forced by Snow. I hate the interviews, and I hate the on screen love story, but right here, right now, when we are just alone in a peaceful area, you are the only person that I could imagine being around me. Not Gale, not even my mother or Prim. You."

It's at that moment that the same hunger that took over my body just last night returns. He looks towards me, and I push my lips against his forcefully. 

We spend the rest of our first peaceful night together under the stars, not wanting things any other way.