A Day at the Bakery

A/N: Hey guys! This is my first fan fiction that I have ever done and I'm so excited! I really love The Hunger Games and I always read fan fiction. Here is the first chapter, and I hope you enjoy!

Katniss POV

Things were starting to get back to normal in District 12. More people were moving back and helping rebuild from what was left of the ashes. Gale was still in 2 and unreachable. I didn't mind. After what happened in the square at the Capitol…I don't know what I would say to him. Let alone what I would do. And my mother, after Prim's death, decided to go to 4 and help with the medical facilities. I think she just doesn't want to come back to the monsters that wait for her here in 12. As for Peeta…well he's here. And we're doing better. He's in my bed every night with his arms wrapped around me. His heartbeat and smile have begun to be what I live for. What I get up for in the morning.

My nightmares are still there, vivid and grotesque, and Peeta's flashbacks still make unwanted visits. All I can do is stand there and watch him suffer, and feel endless guilt knowing that he has to go through this because of me. It's on days such as those where I feel like I will never deserve him, can live a hundred lives and still not deserve him, just like Haymitch said. And in the end, Peeta is the one comforting me, of all things. But I guess that's what makes us work.

We've been growing back together slowly here in 12. A kiss, a squeeze of a hand, a caress of a cheek. We were getting there, slowly, but surely. When I woke this morning, I couldn't help but smile when I saw the sun coming in from my window. I just knew that today would be different. After I get dressed and put my hair into my signature braid, I notice the note on a pillow on the side where Peeta sleeps:

Katniss,

Sorry for leaving you to wake on your own. I had to go to the baker early and fix one of the ovens. Meet me there when you wake?

-Love, Peeta

Holding the note, I smiled. I loved watching Peeta bake. The way his hands manipulated the dough, how his muscular arms flexed when he kneaded it. I will never understand how his hands that have caressed my face and held mine could make such intricate patterns on a cake with frosting. I went downstairs and grabbed my hunting jacket, and took off for the bakery.

As soon as I entered the door, the smell of freshly baked bread and the warmth of the ovens hit me. I took off my jacket and placed it on the counter and rang the service bell. "One minute!" I heard someone yell. I'm guessing it was Peeta. All of the sudden he appeared, confirming my assumption. I couldn't help but giggle slightly when I saw him. Peeta had flour all over his apron, arms, and hands, and a little on his face. "What?" he asked. "You, um, have some flour on you," I giggle as I go towards him. Peeta looks down at himself. "Oh, very funny, Katniss. I didn't know!" He starts to wipe off the flour from his arms. "Here, you have a little on your face…" I lean towards him and brush some off of his cheek with the pad of my thumb.

There's a moment when he looks into my eyes with his beautiful blue ones. I can always get lost in those eyes. Peeta looks at me and says, "Thank you," and smiles at me. I can't help but blush a little and smile back at him. "Come here" he says and pulls me by the waist. He locks his lips with mine and tightens his grips around my waist. I move my hands up and secure them around his neck. He pushes me into the counter and pins me there. His kiss deepens and I feel that hunger that I do almost every night, when he lingers on a goodnight kiss. I want more. But just as soon as it started, Peeta pulls away, his face flushed. Such a gentleman I think to myself. He never wants to push me.

Peeta sighs and pulls me by my hand. "Come on, I have to show you something." He led me to the back room where I see a table with bowls and mixing ingredients and a clean apron. "Are you hiring someone today?" I ask. "No, not exactly…" he smirks at me. Seeing my confused expression, he only smiles wider. "I'm going to show you how to bake today."

A/N: So, what do you guys think? Sorry that this chapter is a little short. Hopefully Chapter 2 will be up soon. Please rate and review! Thanks! :D