Please remember this is AU and so no angsty Katniss as she point blank refused to be written like that. Don't kill me. For the sake of simplicity and the fact I'm not a huge fan of long winded love triangles, Gale and Katniss's relationship is purely platonic.
The M+ rating is for later but the whole thing is dripping in sexual tension so I apologise.
Though, what can you expect when the version of Peeta you are trying to write tells you he wants to be the confident, uber suave and outrageously sexy one. He refused to be written onto paper otherwise. Katniss had no chance.
I do not own nor claim copyright to any part of the Hunger Games.
"Cinna for the love of god this is a ridiculously bad idea."
The man in question pouted, which should have looked ridiculous or at least disturbingly feminine on any fully grown guy, but Cinna somehow managed to look adorable, like a kid being denied his toy.
Which in a way, he was. There was no way in hell I was going along with his suggestion. Whether or not I owed him a years' worth of favours for the work he has arranged for me, or the doors that have opened in the world just by mentioning he was a good friend.
Cinna was this decades must have designer. The things he managed to create out of a yard of fabric were extraordinary. It also helped he was probably the most beautiful man this side of New York. Mocha coloured skin and cheekbones so sharp you could probably grate cheese off the side of them meant he was never wanting for female companionship. Or male, which was lucky considering that was the gender he was more interested in.
"Please Katniss I promised Finnick I'd have a surprise for his charity auction and what would pull the big spenders in more than a date with the Girl on Fire?" He pleaded. I rolled my eyes. He was of course referring to our first season together. Four years ago, A/W 09. When a new and exciting but not well known designer paired up with me, the girl who wore her old hunting boots about town and wore her hair in a braid so often it was starting to develop a wave. The dress he created was a vision of fiery red and orange hues that, as I reached the end of the catwalk, looked as though it caught fire as I span, and was so in demand I saw it copied time and time again that autumn. The moment Balenciaga referenced it as the inspiration behind his A/W catalogue of '10, I knew Cinna had made it.
And the only reason Cinna was referencing it was because he knew how much that first walk meant to me. Damn him. Trust him to go for the weak spot.
"Fine. I'll do it. But I swear to god if some sugar daddy who is old enough to be my grandfather wins that night, I will kill you before you are able to make another dress."
"Oh please, you love wearing my creations too much."
"Don't be so sure! You of all people know how good I am with an arrow!"
Cinna rolled his eyes, but it was true. Upon learning I had been on the school archery team (and had indeed gone national) Cinna had urged me to use it in the '11 W/S run. I remembered that run like it was yesterday, Cinna calling out to me during rehearsals.
"Now remember Katniss, you are unforgiving, do not spare the audience even a glance as they are beneath you and shoot the arrow at the end of the walk towards the ceiling. I'll organise for the thing to be set ablaze."
"Cinna, I am beginning to think you are a pyromaniac."
For those who don't know, Finnick and Annie Odair are the most influential socialite couple of Manhattan. Finnick, the most celebrated swimmer America had to offer behind Michael Phelps in his teens, consequently made his money through being the face of Adonis - the Nike of the swim world. Annie however had been relatively unknown until she appeared on the arm of the very single very eligible Mr Odair. At first dismissed as simply the latest in his string of short term squeezes (despite being the prettiest by a mile), it wasn't until an engagement ring had appeared on her left hand that people went a little crazy. They now hosted the best parties and were two of the nicest people I have ever had the privilege to meet. They were into charity work, so I wasn't surprised to hear of this massive charity auction. Neither was I surprised to see Finnick's number flash across my phone as I left Cinna's studio.
"News certainly travels fast."
"Oh don't be like that! Won't it be fun?" Finnick says and I can't help he's mocking me, "Don't worry, I'll be sure to invite all the rich, eligible bachelors... over 60 of course. Just looking after your... assets." He said this with such a sleazy tone if it had been anyone but Finnick on the line I would have hung up. I knew for a fact Annie had him wrapped round her little finger and he was head over heels devoted to her.
It was nauseatingly romantic.
I heard a screech of indignation and muffled giggling until a different voice came to the phone. "Hey Katniss what's up?" Annie's breathy tone filtered through the speaker and I had to sigh with relief at being able to converse with the sane one out of the pair.
"Tell your fiancé to calm down and remind him he's marrying you?" I spoke good naturedly.
Annie laughed, "Oh he knows."
Muffled, I could hear Finnick holler, "Damn straight, I'm marrying the most gorgeous woman in the whole of Manhattan!" Annie giggled.
"Uhm, so, when is this auction exactly?" I quickly butted in before it turned into a love fest between the two of them.
"It's this Friday Katniss. Don't worry, there are no rehearsals for you or anything, just turn up looking pretty and we'll do the rest!"
About fifteen minutes later I hung up promising to go see them soon for a catch up and groaned. Guess this ridiculously embarrassing affair was really happening. I better phone Cinna for a dress.
"Gale, can you accompany me to this stupid auction this Friday?" I was sitting in a coffee shop stirring my hot chocolate with my best friend when I asked this question. We had briefly discussed the event earlier in the day but his main response was incredulity when I told him what my role was.
"A date with you? Why on earth would any man subject themselves to that?" He had laughed, "Guantanamo Bay should implement it as a form of torture.
He had been speaking from experience; we had tried dating for a brief spell in high school when everyone else couldn't believe we weren't. Between a disastrous date featuring a rogue stray dog who took a disliking to me, and Gale breaking his nose, we decided to forgo that particular idea for our health and safety.
"Of course Catnip, I want to go to see if there are any young eligible bachelorettes who'd care to date me. Free of charge of course, can't put a price on perfection." He winked.
I laughed, "Only because no one would pay!"
"Shut up!"
Walking up to the Odairs house, I was hard pressed to see how anyone would want ever want to leave somewhere as gorgeous as this. A sprawling Victorian mansion, it could sleep about 100, and that was when you weren't sleeping on every available carpet space, which was a frequent after effect of their parties. I'm surprised I haven't developed back problems.
Ringing the bell, Gale and I stood in companionable silence, though inwardly I jittered with nerves as a million nightmare scenarios of just who might be at the other end of the bidding. I swear if some Hugh Heffner wannabe decided I was his arm candy for the night I'd just pay for the date myself. Heaven knows after the last four years working with Cinna I could probably afford it. I doubted bidding would go that high.
The solid oak door swung open with a screech.
"Katniss, Gale, good evening!" Annie smiled a welcome, looking almost ethereal in a long cream white one shouldered dress. "You are looking an absolute vision tonight Katniss! I'm guessing Cinna?" She questioned and I smiled.
"Guilty! He knows me too well for me to even question wearing anything else these days!"
Upon asking Cinna if he happened to have a creation that would be suitable for the auction, the idiot had gone into a frenzy of activity and created one from scratch. But I couldn't even pretend to be annoyed as it was the most gorgeous dress he had ever designed, Girl on Fire included. Sleeveless, the corset bodice gave way to a floaty fabric that fluttered round my ankles everytime I moved. The colour was hard to define, due to the fact it started at a pale and milky blue at my bust and gradually darkened until it was a dark cobalt blue at the bottom.
"It will be the ice to your fire." He had said, laughing with a touch of hysteria since, knowing him, he will have had a grand total of 10 hours sleep in the past four days just to get it finished. When Cinna gets inspired, there is very little that can stop him and something as insignificant as sleep certainly doesn't stop him in his tracks.
"Come in, come in! The auction doesn't start for another hour so let me introduce you to some of the people we've invited!" Tucking her small hands between our arms so she stood in the middle of Gale and I, Annie swept through the hallway where we quickly stripped of our coats, realising that Mrs soon-to-be Odair was on a mission.
Upon entering the massive dining hall, one of three in the whole house, my jaw dropped. They had moved the massive oak table that normally lounged across the room and instead dotted small, ornate tables around - upon which sat canapés and flutes of champagne.
The room was already crammed full of people, which didn't surprise me. Finnick and Annie's get togethers were the event of the season and everyone wanted on the guest list. Amongst the crowd I could even spot a few celebrity names, and despite the fact I had been moving in upper social circles for the best part of three years didn't mean there wasn't still a small part of me that screamed and wanted to run across and ask for autographs.
"First of all let me introduce you to a very good friend of mine if I can even find her... Ah! There she is." Moving through the crowd with a skill only a hostess can pull off, Annie located and pulled across the person in question. I felt Gale shift suddenly beside me and looked up to see him transfixed. Looking back towards Annie's companion, I could kind of see why.
"Gale, Katniss, meet Johanna Mason. Johanna - this is Gale Hawthorne and Katniss Everdeen." The woman nodded, and I couldn't help but watch Gale gulp beside me. I was enjoying his reaction. Good, so he's found someone I can ditch him with.
Johanna was quite a small, dainty looking woman at first glance. With short brown hair that stuck out in all directions (I had no doubt this 'devil-may-care' look had taken hours to perfect with help of a stylist) that should have looked rather odd but only managed to accentuate her wide set dark eyes and elfin like looks. But when she moved I could see well used muscles ripple and flex. The girl was clearly some sporty type much like Finnick.
Exactly Gale's type. No wonder he was having a hard time breathing.
"I see she hasn't plied you up with drink yet. All in good time once the party starts hopefully, that's the only reason I'm here. That and hopefully finding someone to take me home and ply me with something else." she spoke with a lazy drawl and a wealth of easy sexuality, like she was in no rush to finish talking and she expected everyone else to hang on to every word. It was a cocky confidence I would have normally felt unsettled around. Whilst I understand that moving in a upper social circle like this would tend to make most big headed, I couldn't understand it myself. Being a small-town girl meant I thanked my lucky stars every day waking up in a warm bed surrounded by good people and even better food. It made it easier to forget those days it was hard to even get out of bed, the hunger pains were that bad.
"You up for auction too huh?"
The words were directed at me and so lost in my reverie I didn't catch them first time around, looking up to see the group giving me blank glances.
"Oh, I'm sorry, my mind wandered for a moment there." I apologised, and Johanna snorted.
"I said, are you up for auction as well, Brainless?" Johanna laughed and smiled towards me to show it was in jest.
"Yes, unfortunately, still worried Finnick's sent all the oldest and nastiest men in New York with express command to bid on me just for a very elaborate joke." I rolled my eyes and Gale barked a laugh, only to cough slightly and go bright red. He is so very awkward it's hilarious.
Johanna eyed Gale slightly before replying, "I wouldn't put it past him. What's your enticement?"
"A date with me – The Girl on Fire!" I did jazz hands along with sarcastically speaking the name synonymous with my own.
"I knew I recognised you from somewhere. Mine's a day's worth of training with me. You'd think they'd stop playing the Olympic card by now."
Gale choked on air and began to almost hyperventilate. Not laughing was probably the most difficult thing ever, it was so funny to watch the normally smooth talker lose his nerve. Finally, he spoke.
"Of course, you are the Johanna Mason! Well done for the two golds in London."
Johanna looked him up and down, and I wasn't blind to the flash of appreciation in her eyes, "Thank you. Now I've got people to meet but hopefully see you later Brainless. And you," she spoke directly to Gale with come hither eyes and lowered her voice to a near whisper, "I hope you bid so I can train you in a few other things." With a smirk she slinked off and Annie murmured an apology for her behaviour before following.
Gale stared after her, "I think I'm in love."
I laughed.
After circulating for about half an hour I already felt bored. These gatherings, whilst fun, lost interest after a while. When these gatherings include people you don't know very well (and often, people you want to get to know better, or at least ask for an autograph from) you can never truly let your hair down as you can never be sure of what they will think. Or what the press will get hold of.
Turning to my current companion, the world renowned showman Caesar Flickerman, I was about to excuse myself when my eyes were drawn to a new face.
"Caesar, you know everyone do you not?" He nodded his ascent, his violet hair bobbing up and down with him, "Who on earth is that?"
He smirked. "I'm not surprised you've shown an interest in that particular piece of man candy, he seems to have a women magnet. I'm surprised you don't know him since he's constantly on the front cover of Financial Times and Wall Street Journal and whatever else those frightfully clever people read."
I gave a half smile, only partly listening. My eyes could not move from his form.
"He's rather famous about these parts. Best divorce lawyer in America would you believe. I believe they call him "Mr Payback" due to the fact he always gets the settlement. But ooh imagine what's beneath that suit."
I was imagining. Vividly. The subject of interest had just shrugged off his coat and was chatting animatedly to Finnick. He stood a little smaller than Finn, making him somewhere around 5'11 or 6'. But he made up for that tenfold with muscles that looked fit to burst out the suit. Just watching the material have to stretch as he moved made my mouth go dry. He had a full head of dirty blonde hair which, rather than seeming to be artfully shaken and hairsprayed by a team of stylists, was simply unruly. The unbidden images flashing through my head of me running my fingers through it whilst in bed did not help the increasing dampness between my legs. I wanted to clench them together, but being in a public place that would surely look weird.
It was only when he looked up and connected eyes with me that I felt a jolt of sheer primal lust. His eyes were the same colour as the mid length of my dress, an aquamarine blue so deep I felt I could fall into them. His jaw (oh god his jaw!) clenched, before breaking into a lazy smile my way.
"Caesar." I mutter, breaking through his asinine babble about how he would like to tie him up and see how the ever calm lawyer would react, "What. Is. His. Name?"
"Oh Miss Everdeen have you not been listening?" My eyes were still holding his clear blue gaze from across the room, "His name is Peeta Mellark."
It could have only been ten minutes later, but it felt like hours before he approached me. Every single one of my senses were tingling with awareness as I felt him walk up behind where me and another woman were having a mindless conversation about the recent Brad Pitt movie. Which probably wasn't the smartest idea, as I was sure he was probably somewhere at this party himself.
"Hello, I don't think we've been introduced." His deep voice sent a tremor down my spine and I spun towards him.
God he was even more gorgeous up close. It took all my will power not to just melt to the floor.
He held out a hand, "I'm Peeta Mellark, and you are?" I shook his hand, not missing how good my hand felt in his.
"Katniss Everdeen."
"Ah yes, the famous Girl on Fire. Finnick has mentioned you."
"All good things I hope?" I wouldn't be shocked if Finn had unconsciously managed to ruin my chances with the first guy to ever make me feel like ripping off my clothes and scream TAKE ME in a public place just because he had said things in jest this man may have assumed correct. It wouldn't be the first time.
"A gentleman never tells. Though I am angry with him." His voice was languid and oozed confidence. Cinna would have said his voice was the kind that could sell sand in the desert. And I would have to agree.
"Oh," my curiosity was piqued, "how so?"
"He never told me you were this beautiful." I hadn't realised, so mesmerised by him, but our hands had not disconnected and he chose that precise moment to take mine and raise it to his lips for an all too brief kiss. I closed my eyes momentarily at the feeling of his lips brushing across the skin, and wondered what they would feel like across other parts of my body.
I opened my eyes quickly after that particularly naughty thought, sure that my face was probably aflame.
"Thank you, but you must be joking." I laughed off the comment, it hitting to close to the barbs and taunts I used to receive when I was flat as a board and the only girl on the archery team. When you give the bullies THAT much, they hit the jackpot.
"I never joke about something this serious. But on another matter, what is your reasoning for being here this evening? Friends of the Odairs?"
"Yes, and they also unfortunately called in a favour. I am up for auction. One night with me." Peeta raised his eyebrows questioningly and my cheeks went red once more, "Not like that! I mean, one date. Totally PG level I swear it." My god Katniss you really are Brainless.
Thankfully, I was saved from any further mortification when Finnick called across the room whilst tapping a glass to gain everyone's attention.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, if you would please make your way across the hall and find a seat, the auction will be taking place shortly."
We both turned back towards each other.
"Well, I guess I'll see you in there?" I asked questioningly, hating how my voice let a thread of desperation show. I wasn't quite ready to let go of this fantasy yet.
"But of course, I can't very well bid from a different room can I?" His fingers brushed across my lower back and gently guided me towards the auction room. I shivered from the feather soft sensation.
"I have to make my way up to the stage. Good luck with your bidding." I spoke softly, and Peeta transferred his hand from my back to my hands again. Once more he brought my right hand to his mouth, but this time the kiss lingered.
"I will look forward to seeing you on stage, Girl on Fire." And with that he strode away, leaving me watching his perfect ass in his wake.
Oh please please let him bid on me.
My hands were shaking.
This wasn't regular nerves, not like when I used to compete for the archery squad. No, with that I was at home, in my natural habitat with leaves crunching under my feet and wind whistling through my hair. Up here I was a sitting duck, a waiting target. The air was not calming, but stifling, and I felt a faint layer of sweat build up. I was sure to walk out onto that stage and look a mess. I had asked Annie to speak for me and do my introduction and start the bidding whilst I stood there. I always had dreadful nerves in front of crowds which was why I was never nominated to receive our awards in archery club, for I was sure to fall over the stairs.
Johanna was up before me and currently on stage and I missed her company. At least her calm and apathetic attitude to the whole thing had calmed me down. It was only with the crack of the mallet I jumped and listened closely.
"SOLD, one day's training with Johanna Mason to number 68 – Gale Hawthorne for $35,000!"
Despite my nerves, I couldn't help but grin. The idiot would get his chance with her then. And for $35,000… Gale was going to be eating beans out a tin for a while.
The grin was gone as I heard Annie then begin my introduction. My hands fought with each other for dominance and played idly with the sides of my dress. Panic rose up inside me.
"So, without further ado, please welcome Miss Katniss Everdeen – The Girl on Fire!"
Walking out on stage, the lights nearly blinded me. The crowd seemed muted as they cheered and I almost wobbled right off the platform as I stumbled my way beside Annie.
"So, who will start the bidding?" Annie spoke excitedly.
"50,000$!" shouted an over-excited middle aged, rotund man from near the back of the room. From the way his equally round companion slapped him, then stormed out, I had to bet he was married. Please for the love of god let my suitor be better than that.
Surprisingly, the bidding increased and increased, but I still heard no word from Peeta. I couldn't seek him out under the glaring lights of the stage and the panic forced its way up my throat. Perhaps he was just a playboy looking for a laugh with the pathetically pure Katniss Everdeen. Maybe the attraction I felt was just fake.
And it was this panic that threatened to choke me when the bidding raised to 200,000$ from the most sickening man there. Old, with greying hair, a twisted grin, and a white rose in his lapel, I instantly felt nauseous just looking at him. There was no way I could buy myself out of this.
Resigning myself to my fate, I wished to god I had never agreed to this stupid farce.
"1 million."
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd and I searched for the owner of the voice, the panic subsiding as it registered just who that voice should, no must, belong to.
And there, staring back at me, was that man with the blue eyes.
Go and review please? I have the next chapter ready and will post it on Saturday but if I can get at least ten reviews I'll have it up earlier! #dangles
This isn't quite what I was expecting to write and it was written rather fast as my muse insisted I write it all down lest she have to repeat it and there was no way she was repeating her brilliance for anyone so it might be full of typos. On that note I am looking for a beta, anyone interested give me a PM!
