The Last Mockingjay

Chapter 10

It's just Peeta and I in our bedroom, slowly spinning in circles to the rhythm of the music playing on the stereo, our arms tightly wrapped around each other's bodies. I simply lose myself in his rich, swimming blue eyes, and let my thoughts fade into the distance.

Everyone else has gone to bed, including Gale. Now it is just us, and the rest of the world ceases to matter when his eyes are so intensely locked on mine. I feel my heart begin to flutter as our arms pull each other tighter, an immeasurable amount of space still remaining between us.I sigh and close the gap with a quick kiss, catching Peeta a little by surprise. He instantly returns the favor before I am able to pull away, and I laugh, our lips still connected. I feel a small spark between us, and before I know it, it's an inferno, the music slowly fading away into the background.

My hands run through Peeta's curly, blonde hair, and his are tangled in my now loose, brown hair. Our breathing suddenly becomes quicker and more urgent, as well as our kissing. Peeta gently guides our bodies to the bed, and sets me down on my back.

I wait for him to lie down as well, then I roll on top of him with a playful smile. He smiles back, his face making the dimly lit room seem as bright as noon. Our smiles collide after our lips meet once more, and Peeta rolls me onto my side. I let an audible laugh escape my lips.

"Katniss?"

"Mhm," I reply, leaning my head on his chest for a few seconds before I go in for another kiss. This time, though, when I pull away, Peeta doesn't move a muscle. I give him a questioning look. His face twists in concentration, preparing what he is about to say.

"I... um... I don't know how to say this, but..."

"But what?"

"It... this doesn't feel right," Peeta says, and I give him a confused look. What could feel more right than this. Me and him. "I feel like I'm taking advantage of you. I know that these past few weeks have been tough and-"

"What?" I say, baffled. "I've been through hell and back, and just because someone from my past nearly dies, you feel like I'm suddenly vulnerable?" Peeta just shrugs and tugs at the sheets beneath us, not looking me in the eye. I dip my head suddenly and angle it so that I lift his chin to face me again as I plant another kiss on his warm, familiar lips. Another smile creeps to my face.

"If anyone is taking advantage of the other person, trust me, it's going to be me," I whisper, and Peeta laughs, relaxing in my arms. I feel his hands slowly begin to creep under my shirt and up my back as mine are doing the same to him, and we continue to share passionate kisses all the while. Eventually, Peeta stops underneath my arms, not able to pull my shirt up any further. I gently extract my hands from his strong, warm back, and bring my arms above my head. I feel a gentle breeze blow on my now bare back, and in that moment, I instantly lose myself and all self control.

~

I awake to Peeta gently brushing my tangled hair from my face. I smile at him groggily, and he smiles back. The sun slyly peeks through the window opposite of me, illuminating the room with a reddish glow, and I begin tracing my fingers across Peeta's chest, making invisible spiral designs.

"Good morning," is all Peeta says as he kisses me.

"Yes it is," I return, our faces only an inch apart. I close the distance between us, our lips just about to touch, when I hear a high pitched, playful scream come from the living room. I sigh and reluctantly leave Peeta's arms. "Looks like our alone time's up."

Peeta nods and slowly unravels himself from the sheets. I bend over and pick up the clothes laying next to the bed, put them in the laundry, and go to the dresser. I grab an army green t-shirt and a pair of jeans and quickly slip them on while hopping over to my hunting boots and coat. "I think I'll go hunting today," I say simply.