{You requested. . . and four years later. . . I delivered. WHOOPS. :) }

Katniss had experienced true fear more than your average teenage girl. When her father passed, and her mother became a shell of a person, she feared starvation. When Gale's brother had been caught trying to steal, she feared the Peacekeepers. Every year, she feared her name, or worse, her sister's name being selected for The Hunger Games. Having volunteered for said games, she had feared and fought for not only her life, but for Peeta's as well. But the uneasiness inside of her now was unlike any fear she had experienced before. It wasn't the fear of death, but instead, heartbreak.

They had won the 74th Hunger Games. Somehow, someway, they had come out with nothing more than scratches and debilitating nightmares. Now, before the victory tour was scheduled to take place, they were allowed a brief rest at home in Twelve. It wasn't really a rest though, not for Katniss. She feared what awaited her back home, what repercussions her actions would have. Her unease centered around Gale, and how she had possibly hurt him.

Katniss felt a gentle squeeze just above her knee, pulling her attention away from the window.

"Are you okay?" He was always so concerned about her. Peeta with his warm eyes and kind smile. He brought peace to her when she was lost in herself, and she welcomed the distraction.

He was looking forward to going home, she knew. He had won the games and gotten the girl. If anything, he would get cheers for their indecency in the cave. She on the other hand, had to face Gale and the judgement of her peers.

"I'm fine." She assured him, taking his hand from her knee and holding it in her own. She didn't regret what they did, if anything, it helped her figure out exactly how she felt about Peeta. She needed him.

"Don't worry about her, kid." Haymitch spoke up from his spot across the train car. The glass of brandy held precariously between his thumb and middle finger. "She's just worried about how everyone watched you get her off." Crude as ever, the alcohol only added to his personality.

Peeta didn't care too much for Haymitch's jokes, especially when he watched the look cross over Katniss's face. That was exactly what was bothering her. Katniss spoke up before Peeta had the chance to reply.

"Shut your damn mouth, Haymitch." She glared, and Peeta was suddenly thankful she didn't have access to a bow at the moment. If looks could kill, though.

The older man only smiled, lifting his hands in innocence. "Hey, you two chose to do that. I loved it." Peeta's eyes about bulged out of his head. "Oh sick, not like that, boy. I just mean, that moment you two shared saved your asses. We had donations pouring in. Even if it was just for show, it was damn smart of you." He finished off his glass, raising it in a salute to the pair.

"It wasn't for that." Peeta defended, squeezing Katniss's hand in his own. He had made sure it wasn't before anything escalated as far as it did. Sure, he would have rather been alone with her, but he didn't regret it at all.

Katniss excused herself moments later, needing a bit of space from the both of them. She entered her room and laid back against the bed. The train was traveling so quickly, she couldn't even feel the movement below her. She threw an arm over her face, taking in a slow breath. What was wrong with her? Why couldn't she be happy right now? They had won the games, she was confident in her feelings for Peeta. She was getting to go home, dammit. Just two days prior, she had been doubtful she would ever see Prim again. So why did it feel like a rock was sitting in the pit of her gut.

"I'm sorry he said that. I chewed him out after you left." Peeta's voice caused her to jump, her hand moving from her face to her chest. Again, she had been so lost in herself she hadn't heard him come into the room. It was odd, she had spent so much time recently listening to absolutely everything in her surroundings, waiting for the next attack. Somehow, he had been able to sneak up on her.

"Shit, Peeta. You scared me." She gasped. He took a seat on the bed, kicking off his shoes before laying back beside her. He looked up at the steel ceiling of the cart, his hands clasped over the pale blue fabric of his shirt.

"Sorry." He looked over, offering her a bashful smile. "Are you sure you're okay, though? We're okay…?" He needed a little affirmation. It didn't do much for his confidence having her walk away after Haymitch made the presumption they only performed for the cameras.

"We're fine, I promise." She might not be okay, but they were. "He was right. I was thinking about what it's going to be like going home after. . . everything."

"Just ignore everyone. They're going to say things, but it's just talk. We're not the first couple that's ever hooked up during the games. Hell, we were pretty PG compared." He turned on his side, propping his head up to look down on her. His other hand went to splay across her abdomen. It was true, there had sexual assaults that took place during the games, and alliances that formed through sex. All of which was aired in full detail to the country. What that did was minor in the eyes of the Capitol, but it was huge to her.

She didn't want him to know she was worried about Gale. She knew it would only cause him pain to think she had feelings for her lifelong best friend. It wasn't that she had feelings, exactly. That was something she had never explored. But there was a sort of understanding between the two of them, her and Gale. They had an unspoken agreement that they were going to end up together, and this really put a rock in that.

But that was before. She wasn't the same Katniss that left for the games. Maybe Gale wouldn't even be upset once he saw her. She wasn't the girl he had silently promised himself to. That thought gave her a little hope. Maybe it would all be okay.

Stepping off of the train and into the crowd of Twelve was deafening. Of course, there were still cameras around, capturing every moment of their arrival. Katniss felt overdressed in the dark leggings and deep red chiffon tunic. Most everyone else was dressed in their grey handmade clothes; and this sent a pang of guilt in her. Already, she was different in their eyes.

"Welcome home, our Star-Crossed Lovers, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark! District Twelve's own victors of the Seventy-Fourth Hunger Games!" The mayor spoke into the microphone stationed to the left of the platform where the pair stood. The cheers erupted and Peeta took Katniss's hand in his own, waving to the crowd with his other.

"Guess they don't give a rat's ass about me anymore." Katniss heard Haymitch's slur from behind them. This caused her to laugh, a moment that was captured and repeated across all of the capital. "The look of a woman in love".

"Katniss!" The familiar scream caught Katniss's attention, and she quickly searched the crowd until she saw the blonde making her way through the masses.

"Prim!" Katniss let go of Peeta's hand and ran from the stage and into the throng of people. Seconds later her arms were around her little sister, both sobbing into each other. Peeta had gone to embrace his own family, which stood on the opposite side at the bottom of the platform.

"I promised I would come home." Katniss said, pulling back and using her thumbs to wipe away the tears marring her sister's complexion.

"Welcome home, Katnip." Gale stood next to her mother, his hands shoved into the pockets of his dark pants. He was covered in soot, looking as if he had just come from the mines. When had he started working there? She felt panicked thinking of him down in the same place that had taken their fathers from them.

She embraced him suddenly, releasing Prim. He was hesitant, not wanting to dirty her clothes.

"I didn't think you'd come." She said against his chest, low enough so that only he could hear it.

"You honestly think I wouldn't be here to welcome you home? You've lost your damn mind." He said, moving her back. He frowned when he saw the black mark against the shoulder of her shirt.

Next, her mother hugged her tightly. It was the first time in years Katniss had seen light in her mother's face. Surprising herself, she hugged her mother back just as tightly. She had kept her promise, it seemed. She stayed for Prim. Her mother had come back to them; the thought caused Katniss to hug her mother just a moment longer.

Soon she was separated again from her family; coerced back to the stage to make a speech about coming home. Thankfully Peeta was the more charismatic of the two, and took over for them. After the cameras were shut off and people were forced back to work, Katniss and Peeta were released to go see the Victors Village, where they would now be living.

It had been updated since she had left for the games. The yards were neatly manicured, and there seemed a fresh coat of paint on the five houses that stood there. Only one had been occupied before this. Never had she imagined that Haymitch Abernathy would be her neighbor. What a joy that would be.

Katniss and Peeta parted ways as they came to the front walks of their homes. His was directly across the street from her, neighboring Haymitch to his right. Prim all but pulled Katniss into their new home. They had already settled into it, having been granted access the morning after Katniss had won the games.

It was breathtaking, honestly. Never had Katniss imagined she would live in a home like this. While it wasn't as modern as the homes in the Capitol, or even in the higher Districts. It was perfect, and extremely opulent for the likes of District Twelve. Prim was happy, as was her mother, and that was all Katniss really cared about. Her family was safe, and their stomachs would never know hunger again.

Suddenly, the nightmares were worth it.

The first night in the house was hard. Katniss hadn't slept apart from Peeta in days, and now left alone in the night, her nightmares had returned. Sitting up in her bed, covered in a sheen of sweat, Katniss's eyes swept over her dark room. The only light coming in provided by the moon through her open window. Across the street, she saw the upstairs light of Peeta's house on. He was awake, too.

She was silent as she slipped down the stairs and out of the house. After Prim had gone to bed that night, her mother had sat her down for a long discussion about what had occurred during the games between herself and Peeta. Her mother had expressed her disappointment, and her desire for Katniss to distance herself somewhat from the boy. Katniss had practically raised and provided for herself and her sister for years; the time for obeying her mother had long since passed.

She moved quickly across the dark lawns and to Peeta's front door. She knocked quietly, rocking on the heels of her feet as she waited. She pulled the silk robe tightly around her, the chilly night air causing goosebumps to pebble her exposed flesh.

"Katniss." Her name sounded like a gasp of fresh air. Peeta had opened the door and pulled her into his arms in the same instant.

She melted against him, wrapping her arms around him. "Sorry. I can't sleep. Nightmares." She explained, her voice muffled by his bare chest.

"I know, me too." He said, kissing the top of her head. He closed the door behind them and led her up the stairs to his room. As they walked, she noticed he wasn't trying to keep his footsteps quiet. Was no one else here?

"Are you alone?" She asked, as he opened his bedroom door and closed it once more once they were inside.

"Yeah. The family can't really move. They live above the bakery. It doesn't make sense for them to have to walk all the way there every day." He shrugged, moving to sit on the bed. "Besides, I'd rather live alone."

Katniss couldn't disagree more. She couldn't imagine living alone in this large house. Especially not at night, when the terrors came. Peeta moved the covers back next to him, urging her to join him. She slowly moved to the empty side of the bed and slid between the sheets. His arm wrapped around her as she settled herself against his chest. Katniss exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Home. As cliché as it sounded, she felt home and safe wrapped in his arms. The day had been a whirlwind and she hadn't seemed to get her bearings yet, but this helped.

"Prim was happy to see you." Peeta murmured, running his fingers along her back.

"I was happier." Katniss smiled, her own fingers dancing across his chest. She hadn't ever really admired him without his shirt. It was a sight to behold. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss against his collarbone, causing him to inhale sharply.

This was the first time they had been truly alone since the cave. Suddenly, with a force unlike anything else, that hunger from before returned to her. She needed him, like she needed air to breath.

"Katniss…" Peeta warned when she placed a kiss again, only this time a little higher on his neck. He gripped her hip tightly, willing himself not to take her right there.

"We're alone." She whispered, moving to kiss him again. She didn't get a chance before he had rolled over her, supporting himself on his forearms next to her head. The laugh the escaped her wasn't anything she had heard before. It was playful, joyous, and it drove Peeta absolutely wild.

His lips met hers in a deep kiss, softening only when she wrapped her arms around him. God damn, how he had dreamed about this very moment. His lips left hers to travel the path down her exposed neck. He continued down to her chest, his tongue sliding along the skin just above the swell of her breast. The night gown she wore was simple, and exposed just enough to still be considered modest. He moved the robe away from her shoulders as he kissed his way back to her lips.

"Peeta…" His name was breathy, her hands moving along his back before he captured her once more in a tantalizing kiss. His hips rolled against hers, revealing the effect she had upon him. He moved back, breaking the kiss.

"We should stop." He said, ever the gentleman. Though the very idea caused him pain.

"Peeta, we went further in the cave." Katniss laughed, meeting his eyes. What was the hesitation now?

"We thought we were going to die."

"I didn't let you touch me because I thought we were going to die." It broke her heart that he thought she offered that piece of herself to him because she thought death was imminent. "I let you, because I wanted you." She paused, kissing him again. "I want you even more right now."

It wasn't like her to be so forthcoming, but she felt brave. Braver than she felt when in the arena. What she was offering to him was scarier than a blade or bow. Giving him her heart gave him the power to hurt her far more than any weapon.

Peeta didn't need to be talked into this, especially once he was convinced that she wanted him as much as he did her. His hands moved to the bottom of her nightgown, slowly moving the thin fabric over her frame until she was left in only her simple black underwear. His blue eyes danced across her bare skin, taking in the sight of her for the first time.

The kiss was more intense this time, his hand coming up to roam over her exposed chest. The contact of his fingers grazing against her nipple caused her to gasp, breaking the kiss. The sound only urged Peeta on, moving his lips back down her body before taking the rosy peak between his lips. Katniss moved her hands into his hair, tugging at his blonde locks. She felt her need pool between her legs and she moved her hips against his. She craved the friction and the feel of him against her.

After paying equal attention to both breasts, he continued his decent until he came to the waistband of the black garment, barring him from his final destination. He looked up, placing a kiss against his hip bone and silently asking permission to remove it. Katniss couldn't speak, acquiescing with a nod.

Slowly, torturously so, he removed the panties and tossed them behind him. Now, she lay bare to him for the first time, and his eyes couldn't soak her up fast enough.

"Damn, Katniss. You're gorgeous." He breathed, before lowering his mouth back to her hips. He had longed to see her, taste her, when they were in the cave. Now, she was here in all her glory and they were alone. His mouth met her slowly, looking up to watch her reaction. Katniss's back arched, one hand gripping the sheets next to her while the other went into his hair.

Goddamn, this was different than before. The strokes of his tongue became braver and more intrusive, spurred on by her sighs of pleasure. He could have stayed down there all night long, taking in her essence. But the ache between his legs was becoming painful, as was her persistent tugging at his roots.

He kissed his way back up her body after making sure she fell apart against his tongue. She was breathless and flushed when he moved back over her. He placed himself between her legs, rolling his hips into her. Katniss's hands moved down to the waist of his sleep pants, tugging at them. Peeta laughed at her frustration when the pants didn't budge much, opting to take them, along with his briefs, off himself. He moved himself back over her once he was disrobed, feeling his bare length now pressed against her. Holy shit, this wasn't going to last long. He almost wanted to apologize in advance.

"Peeta, please." Katniss sighed, already having came, she still needed more. She wrapped her legs around his lower back, urging him closer to her.

He kissed her, allowing her to taste herself on his lips. Katniss was surprised at how arousing that was, deepening the kiss as he aligned himself with her entrance. She felt a dull pinch as he entered her, her muscles contracting and adjusting to accommodate his length.

"I'm sorry." He murmured, kissing below her ear as he paused, allowing her to adjust. He knew from his brothers that the first time could be uncomfortable for girls. He wanted anything but to make her feel pain or discomfort from being with him.

"I'm okay. Please, keep going." Katniss said, lifting her hips to meet his as he continued to enter her. Once completely inside her, they both gasped at the feeling. There were no words to describe the complete and utter euphoria that came with being together in this way. He kissed her again, slowly, tracing her tongue with his own.

Peeta set a slow pace, taking cues from her sighs and pleas to speed up or slow down. It wasn't long until she was urging him on and meeting him for every thrust. He could feel his own release starting to build, but he refused to come before her. He leaned up, moving a hand between them to rub against her most sensitive part.

"Oh. Oh god, Peeta." Katniss moaned, her nails grasping at his back as she met her release, the pressure against her clit enough to send her over the edge. Two thrusts later and Peeta emptied himself inside of her, her name leaving his lips with his release.

The next morning, Peeta kissed Katniss awake before the birds could sing. The sun was only just starting to make an appearance over the Eastern horizon when she stirred against him. They made love again before she snuck back into her own home where her mother and Prim still lay sleeping.

Peeta had told her of his plans for the day before she left. He was going to be in the bakery for most of the day. His mother had all but demanded it, knowing he would bring in the crowd. Katniss on the other hand, had to go speak to Gale. If anything, her night with Peeta had just reaffirmed her feelings.

"I'm going to go see Gale." Katniss said at the breakfast table, where the small family were finishing their meals.

"He's probably at the mines." Prim said, already dressed for school. She was a lot more excited about attending now that she was a Victor's sister.

An hour later Katniss was dressed and standing outside the mines. She wore her usual clothing, now that the cameras had left her. Her old hunting jacket was like a protective blanket at this point, which was something the figured she might need when she saw Gale.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Gale asked, walking towards her. He had already been at work for hours it seemed, based on the amount of grime on his clothes.

"I wanted to see you. I barely got to yesterday." She said, keeping a decent amount of space between them. She didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea about her and Gale, especially with so much speculation surrounding her and Peeta. One wrong move and the Capitol would absolutely lose it.

Gale nodded, leading her towards a more deserted area in the shadows of a half-demolished building. His eyes roamed over her, taking in the Katniss he had missed so much. She looked the same now that she was back to her old clothes. Still had her trademark braid, though she had more meat on her bones. She wasn't hungry anymore, and that brought Gale great comfort.

"I hate that you're working here." Katniss muttered, glancing around as a group of men entered one of the elevator shafts to take them down into the mines.

"Didn't really have a choice. Woods are harder to get into now. Can't hunt for shit." Gale answered, his hands going into his pockets. He didn't have long before he had to get back down there.

"Yeah, I'm sure that's my fault. I'm sorry. A girl from twelve wasn't supposed to be that good with a bow." It was true, it was blatantly obvious that she had had plenty of practice. She could only assume that the peacekeepers had been ordered to monitor the fences more so than ever.

"Is a girl from twelve also supposed to give herself up to the first guy that comes along on T.V.?" Gale asked, his arms crossing now. It was time to get this over with. He had been with her family the night that scene was played over their televisions. Prim had been sent out of the room, but Gale had to endure the sight, or more the sounds, of what was taking place beneath the sleeping bag. Those sounds had haunted him ever since.

Katniss glared, crossing her own arms over her chest and taking a step back from him. It was one thing for the public to make accusations at her about promiscuity. It was completely different for her best friend to do so. "I didn't give myself up to Peeta that night." She answered, her jaw tight.

"Please, Katniss. Don't embarrass yourself with a lie. The whole fucking country saw you. It was obvious." Gale was close to raising his voice, spurred by her denial.

"You didn't see anything. I didn't have sex with Peeta in the arena." She hoped he hadn't paid attention to her specification. What had the Capitol shown anyway? Had they made it seem as if the pair had actually been intimate that night? Well, they had, but not in that way.

"So, what would you call it then?"

"It wasn't sex." She wasn't sure what to call it, without using a derogatory term. She didn't want to say, 'getting off' or 'fingering', all of that felt disrespectful to what they had done.

"Whatever it was. . . How could you, Katniss? You knew we would be watching! Was it just for show? Were you trying to get donations?" Gale threw his hands up in exasperation. The girl in front of him looked like Katniss, but she was so different than before. He almost didn't recognize her.

At this, Katniss snapped. How dare he assume she would give herself to Peeta in that way for views and donations? He knew her better than anyone, and it broke her to know he thought so little of her. "What Peeta and I do is between us. That moment should have never been documented, and it wasn't meant for the world to see. That was for us and us alone."

"What about us, Katnip?" Gale softened, taking a step towards her.

"What do you mean? Gale, you're my best friend still. You always have been." Katniss was confused, she knew they had a silent agreement about their could-be relationship, but that was it. He had never made a move towards her before, and he had down right denied any relationship between the pair when rumors would fly around town. Suddenly, since she showed interest in someone else, he seemed to think he had a claim.

Gale didn't answer, instead he moved quickly and grasped her face between his hands. His kiss was sudden and forceful, different from Peeta's gentle ones. He tasted of limestone and sweat, while Peeta's taste was sweet. It took only for a moment for Katniss to push back, shaking her head at him.

"What the hell, Gale?" She asked, looking around quickly to see if anyone had seen them. Thankfully everyone seemed oblivious.

"I just needed a chance, Katniss. I needed to show you that I'm still here." Katniss took a moment to really look at the man in front of her. He was handsome, he had always been. He looked tired, more so than ever before. He was obviously working too much to take care of his family. He was still Gale, and there was a time when he had been what she needed. It was different now, though. She had been through something he would never understand. It was Peeta she needed now, more than anyone else in the world. But, how could she explain that to him?

"Gale, I know you're still here. You've always been here. But, Peeta..." Katniss didn't feel like she had to elaborate. She didn't want to hurt him anymore that he already was.

"Look, I've got to get back to work. Just know, I'm not giving up on this." Gale said, the look in his eye making it clear he meant it. Katniss sighed, nodding in response. What was there to say? Her mother had asked her to distance herself from Peeta, but Katniss knew it was Gale she would have to do so with.

The announcement of the Seventy-Fifth Hunger Games didn't come as a shock to Katniss. They had been on the Victory Tour and seen the uprising in the districts for themselves. Although it wasn't intentional, Katniss had lit the flame that began it all when she outsmarted the Capitol and their games. Now, there was a price to pay.

She and Peeta would be returning to the games, only this time, she knew President Snow would only allow one victor. Having built this life with Peeta in the last few months, she knew she wasn't going to be the one coming home. She would give her life for him in an instant.

She had moved in with him, despite her mother's disapproval. She was only just eighteen, after all. But her mother would never understand. Katniss was far older than her years, and she and Peeta needed each other. It was the only way to keep the terrors away.

There was only one flaw to the plan of sacrificing herself for Peeta. She knew he would never allow it. Not only because he loved her, but because she was carrying their life.

When Peeta took the stage with Cesar Flickerman, he created his own riot within the Capitol. One no one could have seen coming, not even President Snow, himself.

It all started with announcing their secret marriage, which wasn't exactly true. They had gotten engaged publicly during the tour. Something the Capitol had completely loved and ran with, now planning a wedding and venues.

They had already given so much of themselves to the public, including their first intimate moments together. They wanted their wedding to be private. It was Katniss's fears of the consequences that had held them back. She knew doing something so drastic without the cameras would only anger Snow, and someone they loved would lose their life. It wasn't a risk she was willing to take.

"But Peeta. . . The wedding, the marriage, never to be..." Caesar started, his tone very low to cause suspense and fill the crowd with emotion. He was good, that's for sure. But, Peeta was better.

"Actually, we got married. In secret." Peeta spoke, causing gasps over the crowd. Katniss tried to hide her panic. What was he doing? She tried to keep the smile on her face, knowing the cameras would be watching her every move as he spoke.

"A secret wedding? Alright, do tell..." Caesar seemed confused, keeping his tone light.

"We want our love to be eternal. Katniss and I, we've been luckier than most. And I wouldn't have any regrets at all. . . if it weren't." Peeta paused, looking back at Katniss and then to the crowd. This was his moment, the moment to save their lives or inadvertently, end them.

"If it wasn't for?" Caesar pushed.

"The baby." Katniss gasped, her hand going down to the ever so slight bump that had just began to develop over the last week. At twelve weeks along, she was only just starting to show. They weren't going to say anything, it was pointless anyway. She knew she was going to be killed quickly if President Snow had his way. It was better to die with it a secret than have her family mourn her death and the death of their unborn child.

The crowd was deafening, and the lights went out. Peeta joined Katniss on the stage, pulling her into his arms.

"What did you do?" She asked, her body wrought with fear of what was to come. She now knew why he said they were married. He didn't want her to be assumed an unwed mother. Even in such a perilous time, he was still doing everything in his power to protect her honor.

Peeta lowered his hand to the swell of her stomach, kissing her forehead gently.

"I did it for us."

-fin-

{OKAY. There's the epilogue that's four years overdue. Sorry!

I recently posted another one shot (Harry Potter fic. Love me some Dramione) and came back to read this and decided I needed to write an ending since so many of you requested one.

So, I've been pounding away for the last couple hours and this is what I came up with.

I hope y'all enjoyed this story! I love these two characters so much.

Disclaimer: For the end, I did take the lines from the movie versus the book. Only because, I didn't feel like searching for the page where Peeta dropped that bomb. Instead, I opted for youtube and just wrote out the script. :shrugs: call me lazy, just don't hate me. lol}