It couldn't have been more than a month since Peeta Mellark had been one of two victors from the 74th annual Hunger Games, and yet there he was, drenched in sweat and wide awake after another terrible nightmare involving the mutts and a twisted ending to the games in which Cato threw him off the cornucopia and into the pit of dogs to die. Leaving Katniss at Cato's mercy, not that he had much to spare. Peeta sat up in bed, panting as he rubbed his face vigorously, trying to get the image out of his mind. It looked to be about 4am out and he could hear his mother leaving to tend the bakery. It took hours to bake enough bread and pastries for the day, so, naturally, she had to wake up rather early.

With a stretch, Peeta willed himself out of bed and splashed some water on his face before dressing himself. It was still dark out, and with any luck, he could get some fresh air without running into the one person he dreaded seeing the most. Gale Hawthorne had not said a word to Peeta since the games, but Peeta could feel the hatred radiating off of him. It was only for the games, he thought, but does he know that? Even Katniss had been avoiding Gale to the point where it had become obvious to everyone around them. Peeta had no idea why. Now that she had returned from the spotlight of being a Hunger Games tribute, she was free to love who she pleased, and yet she kept her distance from both Peeta and Gale. Peeta silently wondered if the nightmares had been getting to her as well as he walked out the door and into the brisk autumn air.

There wasn't much to see in District 12, just a lot of coal dust and dilapidated houses that seemed to cry out for attention. Peeta was thankful that the district was still sleeping. He could hardly stand the attention from the citizens, whispering behind his back and pointing. It was times like that he almost wished he'd died in the arena. If I'm gonna die, I wanna still be me. He could remember the way those words tasted leaving his mouth; he had meant them sincerely, but he hadn't realized until now that winning had done the exact opposite. He had now become part of the "star-crossed-lovers from District 12." Whether it was true or not didn't seem to occur to anyone. Peeta kicked the dust below his feet, sending up a puff that caught in his throat and made him choke.

"It'd be a shame for you to die from a little dust when you made it through that killing spree, lover-boy."

Peeta froze. He knew that voice, though it'd been a long time since he had heard it. He turned to find himself face-to-face with the taller, darker man. His bold features stood out even in the dark and Peeta couldn't help but understand why so many of the girls in District 12 swooned over him. He was beautiful in a cold way.

"What's wrong? Catnip got your tongue?..." Gale asked, his eyes shooting lightning through Peeta. What did he want him to say?

"What do you want, Gale?" Peeta asked, his voice soft but guarded. He couldn't honestly say he had anything against the man. Gale had never done anything to him but shoot him glares that pierced like shards of ice. "If this is about Katniss—"

Gale interrupted. "It's not about Katniss." He moved closer to Peeta, until their faces couldn't be more than an inch apart. "It's about you."

Before Peeta had time to expect anything, Gale's fist was submerged in his abdomen. Peeta collapsed, gasping to regain his breath. He groaned in pain and looked up at Gale. "I'm not in love with her, Gale…" Peeta winced as the taller man lunged forward again, this time planting his punch square in the baker's jaw. Peeta spat out blood, but continued. "I'm not in love with her."

Gale paused this time, his angry eyes turning into something Peeta had never witnessed from Gale before. Hurt. "I told you, it's not about her."

Peeta stood slowly, wiping his bloodstained lip as he watched the other boy with concern. What does he want if he knows I'm not in love with her…

Then, Gale leaned in again. This time though, it wasn't with anger. It wasn't harsh or cold. His hand touched Peeta's cheek with a softness that took Peeta by complete surprise. But not as much surprise as when Gale didn't stop until his lips reached Peeta's, caressing for a moment, and then full of passion.

And just as suddenly as it happened, Gale stepped back and ran before Peeta could even comprehend the turn of events. His hand touched his lips lightly where, just a moment ago, Gale's had been.

He wants me…