So as I mentioned in the summary I adopted this story through the adopt a story event hosted by Love in Panem from peetaspikelets (Pikelet184 on A03). I have her blessing for this story. She was happy I adopted this story and is excited about it. I got sent the first chapter which I have adapted and changed but still the original idea remains at the heart of this story. I have much love for this story and I've almost completed the 2nd chapter. This story is where my mind and inspiration has decided to take the story. This story is rated an for a reason ;) I'm not going to spoil it by saying anything.
Birthday Surprises
"Girl on Fire. What you up to?" The sudden voice breaks through her thoughts.
"Would you stop calling me that?" She looks up from her paperwork and sees her handsome bronze haired friend and boss leaning against the doorframe of her office wearing that familiar amused smirk. She enjoys their banter but an interruption from Finnick isn't what she needs right now. All she wants to do is close out her paperwork, and head home for the day. It's been a long week and she doesn't want to think about tomorrow. If only tomorrow could just drop off the calendar she thinks.
"No can do, Girl on Fire. Best night ever," he laughs, his tone teasing as his eyes brighten in glee. "Thanks to Cinna, you're going to be stuck with that nickname for the rest of your life."
"Never going back there again. Ever." She gives him her infamous scowl. He's never going to let her live to forget it is he.
Finnick chuckles, "we warned you. Alcohol is flammable. You're a lightweight. Bad combo. But Cinna likes you. So no lifetime ban for you." He winks at her.
Katniss waves him off. "While you ever stop with that." Finnick is always on her about the effect she has on people and she can't see it. He's always exaggerating. No have no idea the effect you have on people. Finnick's imagination runs wild as waves. He's got it in his head that people are either mesmerised by her or intimated.
"No need to pout birthday girl. I'm just messing with you."
Katniss sighs and puts her head in her hands, resting her elbows on the desk. "Please. Don't remind me about tomorrow. I don't want to think about it." He sees something pass across his eyes but she isn't sure what.
"What is it with you and birthdays." She knows this is a rhetorical question. It's just his mind wondering. Finnick is full of thoughts and that boundless energy. Along with always putting on a good face. It was one of the qualities which made him such a good friend, he'd always come to your aid.
"You're turning 23. Imagine if you were turning 100," he chuckles at that, "Although that could has its benefits. You know in England you get a birthday card from the queen. Imagine that." She laughs at that. Finnick is full of trivia like this. She doesn't know how but he is.
"I bet were you like this as a kid too, huh?" He flashes her one of those grins, "I'm betting on it." He's just teasing, being classic Finnick.
Actually, no, she hadn't been like that as a kid. She hadn't been that way at all. Growing up she loved celebrating her birthday with her family…and then as she got older and her family fell apart after the incident, she loved celebrating her birthday with him.
Back in Elementary school when her dad was alive he'd loved making a big fuss on her birthday. Her family would all wake her up singing happy birthday by the side of her bed and she'd get the whole day off school. Her dad would make her favourite breakfast, chocolate chip pancakes with rosewater butter cream, it was her grandmothers recipe. Her grandmother's secret recipe she made every year for her father's birthday until he moved out. Each year on her birthday her father would take Katniss and the collection of bows and arrows to the exclusive hunting grounds of Victor's County. They would spend the whole day there engulfed by the gigantic trees and surrounded by greenery spanning as far as the eyes looked. It was a birthday tradition, both a family one and one she shared with her father. During the time they were away her mother would set up the other half of her birthday celebrations usually a party in the garden with her sister's hand crafted buntings. Before they left they would stop at her fathers favourite willow tree, it was his way of measuring how much she grew each year, and her mother would replace the picture in the frame at home. She remembers how bright the sun was and the way gleamed down through the leaves onto her. It warmed her olive skin. Sometimes her dad would sing. He'd inherited it from his great grandmother who he'd been around all the years he'd grown up so he'd been very close. Singing reminded him of her and it made him sad she was gone.
The birds around them would fall silent, as though they'd stopped their own song to listen. Katniss had memorised those songs, the songs of her great grandmother and she'd sing too. They'd both inherited her beautiful voice her father told her.
It's funny how it was his singing that made mum fall in voice with him. Her mum had fallen in love with him from the first note that left his mouth. She had been a goner.
This birthday tradition could only be possible if she had the day off school. It was something that dismayed Principal Trinket especially, who took it rather personally according to her dad, but despite this each year he was able to persuade them. It became that each year her absence was expected and her teachers gave her the class work as well as homework beforehand. She always got it completed so they could never use it against her taking the day off.
She remembers with the greatest of clarity the smell and taste of her dad's famous dried plums with rice dish as well as her mum strawberry parfait. Her parents laughed in the kitchen. Prim couldn't be kept away so rather then try to keep her away they let her wash the vegetables and fetch the ingredients for the dish. The kitchen was at the heart of family life. Though they didn't have much they always had delicious homemade meals even if they didn't always have meat but just carbs. Her mum made a finger lickin' good fried chicken. It was one of Prim's favourites.
Another thing that Prim loved was the cake's down at the local bakery. She was a curious girl who had a taste for everything and she was feed up with dad's plum dish and mum's strawberry parfait every year. She wanted them to purchase a cake from the Mellark's Bakery in town. They were lovely cakes and well secretly Katniss had wanted to have one. She knew it wasn't due to money her parents saved for both their birthdays she had seen the jar in their storage closet.
Prim asked if they could get Katniss one of those forest cakes she'd seen on the windows of the Mellark bakery.
The stunned silence that followed that question was as thick and heavy as the densest fog. Kanitss felt like the air in the room had turned cooler and she could sense the tension rumbling in her parents who were both shaken by the question. Her mother was as distraught as Prim and her father seemed both furious and upset at the same time she could tell from the way he bit onto the inside of his cheek and anger flared in his eyes.
"You are to never buy anything or go into that bakery do you understand?" Katniss had never seen her dad so angry like that before. She'd nodded her head and fearful to question it.
"Good." He seemed releaved and comforted by the answer. Katniss' mum had gone to console Prim who had run to her room to cry. She really wanted one of those cakes for Katniss' birthday next year and Katniss did too. They were so beautiful and she bet delicious too.
The whole situation was puzzling. She'd never met Mr and Mrs Mellark before. She'd only caught glimpses of them as she walked past the bakery to and from school. The bakery had always smelled of spices and freshly baked goods when she passed by. The aromas overloaded her senses. The other thing was the designs of the cakes were phenomenal – they were cakes like out of a fantasy, a dream. They had cakes that were like a cat, a forest, and one that was like a ball gown for the doll in the middle. This why was Katniss and Prim always stopped to admire them for a few moments. They were so magical and you couldn't help them stealing your breath away.
Their youngest son, Peeta was in her class a school so she knew him though they'd never spoken before. Katniss had seen him casting glances at her. The times she had caught him his cheeks blushed and he'd given her a small sweet smile before casting his eyes away usually down into his hands. He'd been cheerful, shy and quiet boy.
The sound of Finnick crunching on caramelised peanuts pulls her back to the room.
He eats so much sugar, which he says he does for the extra energy, like he needs any more than the one he was born with. It's like the sounds of a squirrel munching away. She's not sure how Annie copes. She shakes her head as she watches him reach into his front pocket, pulls out a handful more and throws them into the air and catches them in his mouth. He looks like a seal. It's the bobbing movement of his head that makes her think so. He's so adorable.
She doesn't want to talk about this or think about it. So she partially answers his question. If she decided to share she knows Finnick would listen but she can't.
"This is how I'm now. That's all that matters."
"It's how it is. " She puts her hand up to silence him.
"I know."
"I was just asking. As your friend." I nod.
He smirks, "So I've guessing you've never received birthday sex. If you feel so crabby about your birthday."
I wasn't expecting that. I feel my eyes enlarge.
"What?"
"You know having birthday sex is the best way to celebrate. There's this song." He snaps his fingers, "How did it go?"
She's still in shock, she definitely doesn't want to talk about this with Finnick, when she hears him clearing his throat. Singing is not one of his talents the sounds that come out his mouth are out of tune.
It's your birthday, so I know you want to ride out
You say you want passion and I think you found it
Tell me where you want your gift, girl?
Girl you know I, girl you know I, I been feenin'
Wake up in the late night, been dreamin' about your lovin'
Girl you know I, girl you know I
Don't need candles and cake, just need your body to make
birthday sex
She hides her face in her hands as he finishes. The lyrics are direct and explicit. For her sex has always been an intimate thing not somebody she talks about with others. Yet she shouldn't be surprised with RnB being his favourite music genre. He's just being classic Finnick afet all. After all this time being friends with him she no longer blushes at the mention of sex as she once did and she can handle most of the teasing expect this is so explicit that she can't help but be embarrassed.
Finnick grins, "That guy had it right. What better gift than an orgasm." She groans with annoyance.
"Don't tell me. Along with hating compliments, your birthday you hate orgasms." He feigns a look of horror.
"Very funny," She scowls, "I'm not against orgasms. Just ask my vibrator." He cocks his hide sideways and grins. She's pleased to amuse him. He knows how far she's come to reveal such information let alone laugh about it.
"Should I now?" He just loves to banter like this. I nod.
"So it's been awhile." Again I nod in response. Katniss wants to put the conversation to rest because if Johanna heard well she's would never, ever, over the moon let her outlive it.
"When you say it's awhile. You mean like a couple of weeks? A month?"
She feels her cheeks flush in embarrassment. "You're not even warm. Yet alone hot to the answer yet."
"Girl on Fire!" Finnick gapes at her in shock, his eyes almost bugging out of his head. "How are you not humping everything and everyone in sight? How have you been able to keep away from me?" He winks at me.
"Much self restrain."
"Much. I agree."
"Wait 'til Jo hears about this. She's going to be on a mission to –''
"Don't you dare! That's exactly what I want to avoid. This reaching her ears. I'd never hear the end of it."
"Not having sex or orgasms equates to a criminal offence to her, you know. She'd just try to set you up with somebody. That's all. It's not like she'd arrange a booty call for you."
She laughs thinking yes, that's Johanna for you, anything other than the way she does things a crime to her.
"I don't want to be set up. Please Finnick. If you want to give me a gift, let it be that this stays between us. Just us. If Johanna had her way I'd be the booty call." He chuckles. Finnick knows Katniss is right; Johanna is devious in her scheming to have her way. Nothing is out of the question as long as she gets the end result. Katniss wonders sure how she went into physiotherapy rather than some secret agent.
"And Annie?" He laughs, "I'm just having you on, ok."
"Thanks."
"But you never know it might find you anyway. And if it does embrace it. Ok, Girl on Fire." She looks at him and has no idea what he's talking about.
Katniss flushes with the realisation, the meaning behind his words. It might find you. Embrace it.
"Please Finnick don't tell me you hired me a male prostitute." She cringes.
She sees his eyes bulge out. Nothing throws Finnick. She's never seen him like this.
His shaking his head, "I haven't. I can give you my word." Nevertheless she eyes him suspiciously. He hasn't but maybe it's not his doing.
"Johanna?"
"I can speak for her too."
Katniss sighs in relief. She doesn't know what she would do if they did.
"We are your friends Kit-kat. We'd never want to do anything that would make you uncomfortable like that." Kit-kat is the nickname Johanna came up for me. You know take a kitkat take a break. That's her motto. She just wants me to chill.
"Thank you," she nods to show her appreciation.
"But now that I know this gravitating fact about you, should I try to be less sexy around the clinic? I'm sure you're ready to explode so I don't want to be responsible for intensifying your urges, turning you on," he says playfully, striking a provocative pose. Finnick, is just being Finnick, after all.
Katniss rolls her eyes and laughs, though her voice is deadpan when she speaks. "You're safe, I'm immune to being bewitched by your charms." Well that's partially true she might be resistant to Finnick's charms but there's another whose charm she can't for the life of her resist.
Finnick smiles genuinely and his eyes light up at the sound of his wife's name. "Ah that's because Annie bewitched me. She was the mermaid I was the sailor she sirened away." She laughs.
Finnick is notoriously known as the most flirty and friendly guy in Victor's County, but that's his nature. He doesn't mean it with intention. When she'd first met him at the local college she'd baffled and nervous of his forwardness and flirty behaviour, but she'd soon realised there was a genuine sweetness and vulnerability to him. While sitting next to each other one day waiting for class to start, he'd started telling her about his Grandma Mags and how she had brought him up after his parents had passed away. This struck a chord with Katniss having lost her dad at a young age too and she felt like she knew both her great grandma and grandma. He had put off going to college in order to take care of her when she'd fallen ill. She'd passed away two years ago and left him enough money to finally attend college without any financial worries.
From that moment on a kinship had been formed and they became friends. The moment she'd seen Finnick's face when she introduced him to Annie, who was another older student in their course, Katniss thought he'd had a stroke – he just stood there staring at her and had become all shy and tongue-tied. Once Finnick had the courage to ask her out (which took two months) their romantic relationship progressed rather quickly that before she knew it Katniss had been helping Finnick pick out an engagement ring and holding Annie's hand when her pregnancy test turned positive. Their last year of college had definitely been a whirlwind.
Eighteen months after graduation, the couple decided to open up their own physiotherapy clinic in town, and offered Katniss a job. She'd jumped at the chance; it was perfect. She could stay in her hometown, work alongside her closest friends, she could finally quit her waitressing job and put her degree in physiotherapy to use. The clinic had just opened recently and so they were still trying to build their clientele. The people from their small town were a given but Finnick's goal was to entice or rather win over the citizens all the way from the Capitol to come and try out the clinic. Katniss is sure that with his charm soon enough he would.
"How we've got side-tracked," Finnick muses. She gives him a pointed look.
"That's why we call you girl on fire. You're always ready to shot."
"I came to see if you were almost done for the day?
She indicates to the manila folder sitting beside her. "Almost. And would have been if not for this interruption." She gestures towards him and he laughs at her theatrically.
"Just finishing up Rue Fields paperwork. You've got a client to see tonight, right?" she asks, looking up at him.
"Yeah I do. But something's come up so I have to run. I'll need you to take him. He's a new patient. Apparently he's just moved back to town and he's having problems with his right knee. I've made up a file for him. It's on the desk in reception. You just need to get him to fill out his personal details and his medical history on the patient card."
Today really isn't going as planned and there's tomorrow to come.
"Wait! What? Isn't he expecting you?"
"It'll be alright. I know your nervous but really you shouldn't be. You know with your mesmerising skills. Sorry about this. I really do have to run Kit-kat. He's such a sweetheart though. You'll be alright. I promise."
"Where are you off running to? What's this super duper important thing you have to do?" He grins at her; he loves it when she's sarcastic.
"Annie's in labour." He's calm and collected. She has no idea how he can so be calm and collected.
"Damn Finnick! What's wrong with you?"
"What?" He raises his eyebrows up at me.
"What are you standing here talking to me for?"
Finnick can't hold back his laughter and he places a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Calm down Katniss. Everything's fine. This isn't our first rodeo you know. Annie was in labour with little Finn for almost a full day. She rang me two hours ago so we have plenty of time."
"Two hours ago! What's the matter with you?"
"Nothing as far as I know," he deadpans. "Geez, seriously, Kit-kat. Anybody would think it was you going into labour."
"Out my office right now."
"Girl on fire. I can't leave until you tell me you'll take care of this new patient."
She throws her hands up. "Yes, yes. I'll take care of him. Now just go. It'll take care of it."
Finnick winks, "He'd probably like that a lot. Hell he'd love it." I groan. His mind is in the gutter.
"With your lovely lips and nimble fingers." She rolls my eyes at him.
She stands up and shoos him away from her office into the corridor. They walk to reception.
"Almost forgot." Finnick says as he reaches inside his satchel and pulls out a neatly wrapped gift box. He places it on the counter in front of Katniss with a knowing but affectionate smirk.
Although her birthday Katniss can't help but smile softly at the thoughtful gesture. Presents made her feel like a kid again.
"Thanks Finnick," she says as she runs a finger carefully across the green bow sitting proudly on top.
"It's your birthday and I'm your friend. I haven't got a clue what it is. Annie picked it out. I wanted to sign you up to one of those speed dating mixers but Annie she wouldn't let me. She didn't think it was an appropriate gift. Plus I didn't want one of your arrows lodged into my brain or my beautiful face. I might still decide to become a model you know."
"Well thank Annie for me, ok." She's not sure if Finnick was joking or not about the speed dating, but either way she's relieved Annie talked some sense into him. There's no way she would be caught at one of those events. She wants to meet someone special as she hasn't had a relationship with anyone since college, but attending a speed-dating mixer would be a disaster she doesn't need to try it out to know. Relationships have never been her forte, really.
"Annie's going through her nesting phase so she made you some cupcakes…I may have eaten a few," he says, opening up a drawer and taking something out. "Happy Birthday." He smiles as he places a plate with a beautifully decorated cupcake with green frosting in front of her, a candle placed on top.
Annie is always so sweet and thoughtful. Katniss has no idea how she manages everything but she knows that Annie loves to keep busy, it's been her nature.
With the amount of sugar in him, he's going to be bouncing off the walls in that hospital room. She loves him a lot and is used to his antics.
"Annie needs you. Leave now. Or I kick you out!"
"He should be here in 20 minutes."
I've got it. Out now. Final warning"
Finnick starts to leave, but then pauses turning around to look at her, his face beaming with excitement. "You and the baby might share a birthday! Imagine that! You don't mind sharing do you?
Katniss smiles as a memory of him pops into her head. She feels a moment of nostalgia wash over her. "Of course! It'd be sweet." Sharing a birthday can actually be pretty special she thinks.
"Remember, embrace it." Finnick grins then turns around to open the door. Katniss cocks her head. She feels he's up to something. That's the second time he's said that. She's not sure what to say.
"I'll text. Chao for now." he calls out and shuts the door behind him with a soft click.
Just like that he's gone.
Relishing in the silence of the clinic, Katniss walks back to the front counter. Picking up the cupcake she admires the colour of the green frosting which reminds her of the willow tree she used to sit under in elementary school. Unbidden a memory from her 11th birthday pops into her head. No matter how hard she tried over the years, she could never forget that day - the day that brought sadness but also unexpected surprises and happiness. It was Katniss' first birthday without her father who had died four months previously, but it was also the day she met him, the one who would become her best friend, and promised her that she would never have to spend a birthday alone again ever again.
Sitting alone under her school's big willow tree, Katniss stares out into space. She doesn't pay any attention to all her smiling and laughing classmates as they run around in the playground. This has become routine to Katniss for the last four months. She doesn't have many friends but the ones she did have, like her best friend Madge, gave up trying to get her to come and play a long time ago. It was her 11th birthday and her father was dead. There was to be no more pancakes, hunting, no more celebrations and singing. He was gone and her mother had too, in body she was here but not in mind. She just sat in her father's rocking chair by the back window watching the birds flying back and forth. Katniss is positive her mother doesn't even realise it's a Tuesday let alone her birthday. She doesn't care for much anymore; even at 11 years old Katniss knows she will never be the same and she wonders if her life will always be filled with sadness.
Leaning back against the tree, Katniss half-closes her eyes with a sigh and wishes her life could be different or better yet that her father was still alive so at this very moment they would be hunting in their woods. Katniss sees a flash of yellow and feels someone standing nearby. As she gains focus she is able to identify or rather distinguish the flash of yellow to actually be a mop of blonde curls. The curls belong to her fellow classmate, Peeta Mellark, with his bright blue eyes whose standing nervously in front of her.
"Hi," he squeaks. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's alright." He's standing in front of her makes her both nervous and excited. Why is he standing here? Why isn't he of playing with his friends? She wants to ask him why his friends to be here with her but she can't. The words don't seem to want to come out. She catches a glimpse of something in his hands. It's a small plastic container and on top there's a piece of paper.
"Can I join you?" His voice cracks hopefully.
Katniss nods her head in agreement. She sees a hint of relief in his face as he sits down beside her, their backs now leaning side by side against the willow tree on the green grounds on the outskirts of the playground. They both look ahead and listen to the noisy games taking place. Katniss sees some of her classmates play hopscotch.
"It's a beautiful day," Peeta says breaking the silence with a sweet smile. She remains quite because she just feels sad.
"The sun is shinning. The sky is blue. It's the perfect day for a birthday, don't you think?" Katniss swings her head around in surprise.
"You know?"
Peeta's lips turn up into a knowing grin and his eyes shine in amusement. "I do. I've known for a long time." Looking at the items sitting in his lap, he takes a deep breath and continues. "But I never had the chance to wish you a happy birthday. Until now."
Katniss is stunned as he hands her the piece of paper. However it's not just a piece of paper- it's a handmade birthday card. Katniss is confused at first about what she's looking at but then she sees it. It's a drawing of her woods – the ones she and her father went to. She's captivated by the detail. It's so real and so much more beautiful than a photograph could or would be.
"How did you know?" How can he have drawn this? How did he get it so perfectly?
"Everybody knew! I remember back in second grade Miss Trinket came and made a big speech to our class about the importance of school attendance and proper manners." He lowers his voice, pretending to tell Katniss a big secret. "Apparently there were a few kids in our class who tried to pull the same thing on their birthdays."
Katniss giggles and gives him a small smile. She looks back down at the birthday card in her hand and stares at it for a few moments.
"It's beautiful and so alike. How -"
He stops her short just by looking directly into her eyes.
"How did I know? I just googled it and looked at the pictures. That was what I drew from. I hoped it would turn out ok."
Katniss is still silent just basking in the beautiful drawing that a kind and almost complete stranger did for her. He's captured the uniqueness of the willow tree with its wide and bushy branches perfectly. Along with it Katniss can see a couple of birds sitting in the tree. It's perfect. Katniss feels a warmth rush to her heart and a silent tear escapes one of her grey eyes.
Peeta looks over suddenly distraught. "I didn't mean to make you cry. I just thought. Since you couldn't be there today that perhaps you would want to see it. That sounds stupid. Sorry." He looks sad. She wants to see his smile. It makes her feel happy too.
"Please don't be sorry," Katniss voice cracks but she looks over to him with a watery smile. She's smiled more in the last ten minutes than she has in a long time. "It's a wonderful present. It's prefect. And the only one I'll get."
Peeta smiles at her and she smiles too. She realises that his smile is contagious. "So thank you."
"It's the least I can do. I'm guessing if no present then no cake either?" I shake my head.
"Well I brought you some. It's your birthday so you need a birthday cake."
Wiping her eyes with her sleeves Katniss then notices the plastic container still sitting in his lap. "That's cake?" she asks curiously.
"Yeah." He opens up the lid and pulls out a cupcake decorated green swirls. It doesn't just look beautiful it smells delicious too.
"Did you make this?"
Peeta laughs. "Sort of. My dad helped me. You know we have our own bakery, so it's no trouble. There's cakes all around." She smiles.
The mention of the Mellark Bakery catches Katniss' attention. She remembers two years ago when her dad told her angrily that she could never buy anything or go into that bakery. She didn't want to upset or betray her dad. She looks over to Peeta who's still holding out the cupcake, he looks so hopeful and he's been so kind to her. If she doesn't take it'll hurt his feelings and she doesn't want to hurt him. It's so kind of him. It's been awhile since she had a special treat like this, the monthly food vouchers they get from the government only go so far. And technically she didn't buy the cupcake and she hasn't gone into the bakery, so she's not disobeying her dad. She reaches for the cupcake and she wants to taste it so much. Bringing the cupcake to her lips she takes a generous bite and moans in satisfaction as the smooth and sweet taste hits her tastebuds.
Her mom's cakes in comparison are mutt food. Her parents kept her from this. Its true that strawberry parfait after so many years gets boring, even if strawberries are your favourite fruit.
Peeta, seems pleased with her reaction and watches her eat with the biggest grin. He reaches in to pick up the second cupcake, which has orange frosting, swirls on it.
"That's a strange colour to put on a cake. Why did you choose it?" Katniss asks, her voice coming out a bit muffled as she chews through her last mouthful of cake.
Peeta laughs, but when he speaks, his voice is shaky. "Orange is my favourite colour and today is my birthday too so I thought we could celebrate together."
Katniss' mouth opens wide in shock. "Really? It's your birthday. Today?"
Peeta confirms with a nod of his head as his mouth is busy chewing on his cupcake.
"I didn't know. How don't I know?" she says out loud to herself.
He laughs softly. "Because you're been never at school on your birthday," he reminds her and shrugs his shoulders. "And besides we haven't really spoken before."
"You knew when my birthday was," she argues back.
"I pay attention so I know things. You know… about people," he wanders of nervously before clearing his throat to change the subject. It feels like he was going to say something else but she doesn't know why or what. She sees something across his eyes and his cheeks tint with a rose hue.
"So what hospital were you born at? Maybe we were born at the same one."
Deciding for now to forget about what made Peeta's face go red, she joins in with his questioning. She hasn't spoken to anybody in months and he was sweet and kind. He made her a cupcake and she wants him to stay under the willow talking to her. She also wants to see him smile again.
"I was born here at Victor's County Hospital."
"Really? Me too," Peeta says excitedly. "I was born at midnight, so I just made it to May 8th."
Katniss' mouth drops in shock. "You were born at midnight?" she asks incredulously. "So was I!" She astounded by it, and the look on Peeta's gobsmacked face staring back at her, Katniss is sure he's feeling the same way.
"What are the odds? Right!" He wonders out loud. "You know I was actually born seven weeks early. I was born at Victors but got whisked off to the hospital in Capitol."
"Oh no. You're a miracle then," Katniss whispers. "You made it" She smiles and he's smiling back at her. There's a curious look in his eye. She can tell Peeta is someone special and someone who'll go on to do amazing, great things. "How does your family celebrate your birthday?"
Peeta looks down at his hands, "They don't." She's confused and he sees that.
"We don't celebrate birthdays. So we do nothing. Or rather don't do anything special. It's just another day. My dad and I made these cakes. That's pretty much it." This takes her by surprise with Peeta's survival.
"How come?" The words come out before she can stop them.
"I'm sorry. You don't have to answer that."
"After I was born my mum couldn't have other children. So birthdays make her sad because she wouldn't have any more children. So I'm one of the students that prefer to go to school on their birthday. Keep busy." He nods. There's a sad look in his eyes. She wants to hug him and tell him it'll be ok but she's timid.
"Doesn't she love you?" The words jump out of my mouth. He
"I don't know. I'm not sure, I'm not sure she does sometimes."
Katniss feels terrible, someone as wonderful and special as Peeta should be able to celebrate his birthday and be loved by his mother no feel like its all his fault. It sounds like it was a miracle he even survived; surely his birth should be celebrated. Before she knows what she's doing she reaches over and takes a hold of his hand. It's warm and gentle and Katniss feels a spark shoot up her arm which she doesn't understand.
"It's the first birthday without my dad. My mom didn't remember when she woke up this morning, she barely registers that I'm around," She didn't expect to share this with Peeta but she has. There's something about him. She knows Peeta cares about her; he did her a drawing and brought her a cupcake. He didn't have to do that or come here instead of be of playing. The other thing is she feels that he'll understand and can trust him with this. He's shared about his family and his mum.
Peeta lifts his head and stares at her, his eyes turning serious. "I'm sorry."
"It seems both our birthday's suck."
Peeta looks at her captiously before speaking. "How about we make a promise to each other? That from now on we spend our birthdays together so we're never alone. Would that be ok?"
Katniss feels that warmth hit her heart again and she can't stop the smile that comes to her. "Yes! I promise," she says.
Peeta nods. "I promise too," he replies with a grin.
The loud sound of the school bell rings indicating the end of lunch time. As they stand up and gather their things, Katniss wonders what's going to happen now. Are her and Peeta friends now? She doesn't usually share things with people so she considers him a friend now. Will she just see him every now and again in class and then maybe get together on their birthdays? She's not sure how this will all work. He's already got a lot of friends, he's one of the most popular kids in their class. Where will she fit in? She hardly had any friends before and now she doesn't have any. Expect Peeta she thinks.
"Katniss. You coming?" Peeta asks pulling her out of her worried thoughts.
Katniss bobs her head in silence and starts to walk along beside him as they head towards their classroom.
"Would you like to sit next to me?" Peeta asks nervously when they get to the door of the classroom.
Katniss' heart leaps. She knows he thinks of her, as a friend so there's no need to worry.
"I would." Peeta gives her the brightest smile she has ever seen. Taking her hand he leads them up to the back corner of the classroom where two vacant desks are lined up next to each other.
The ringing of the clinic's phone brings Katniss back to the room. Sighing, she moves around the other side of the desk and leans over to pick up the receiver. "Welcome to 'Poseidon Physiotherapy Clinic,' this is Katniss speaking." She's finally over the eye rolling she would do every time she had to say the name of the clinic. Trust Finnick to name his clinic after a Greek God.
"Sweetheart, I need another appointment." She knows rough and slurred voice from across the receiver very well.
"Haymitch," She groans, "You had an appointment this morning. You missed it."
"That's why I'm calling. I need another one. Be a dear and pencil in a new one."
"It's your third time. Haymitch. Do you have any intention to turn up?"
"I would. If you don't book me in at sunrise." Katniss scowls.
"Why didn't you just tell me?"
"More fun this way," he goads her.
Katniss growls, "What is it with all the men in my life trying to rile me up today?" She flicks through the appointment book.
"All the men huh? I'm glad it's not solely my pleasure."
She ignored him most of the time rather than provide him with ammunition to use against her in the future.
"11.30. Next Monday. How does that sound?"
"Any chance at 4pm," he says abruptly, before cursing. She thinks she hears a bottle breaking in the background.
Heaving out a sigh, she replies. "I've got you booked in. Turn up or I'll hunt you down."
"Who lucky some man will be have you some day?"
Katniss looks up at the clock hanging on the wall and notices the new client will be here in a couple of minutes. Picking up the portable phone she heads into her room so she can get it set up. She pulls out a couple of fresh towels and a bottle of massage oil. "So how are your exercises going Haymitch? Are you still doing them?" she says into the receiver.
"I'm. What to do you take me for?" He snaps clearly offended.
"Walking from your couch to the kitchen. For more more liquor does not count. As exercise you know." She reprimands. "If I see no improvements in your back – "
"Geez what's crawled up your ass sweatheart? You seem more grouchy than normal today."
"Am not."
"Aim higher than the charm of a dead slug. There's this thing called a smile you know. Ever heard of it." He laughs.
"Ditto. You've charm equates that of a pest." He cackles loudly.
"Hush, sweetheart. Listen. I got news. Trust me you want to here this. You wouldn't believe it. I know it'll perk you right up. Guess who's back –''
Katniss moves the phone away from her ear as she hears the front door of the clinic opening. "I'll be with you in a moment!" She calls out, trying to sound cheerful and friendly. She lowers her voice to a whisper. "No time for small town gossip right now. He's here."
"A man? Well, well. May charm his pants of. With that winning personality. " he retorts sarcastically. She wonders what's with all the sexual innuendo jokes today first Finnick with those lyrics, then telling her to embrace it and now Haymitch.
Katniss makes a growling noise in the back of her throat and ends the phone call abruptly without a word. Placing the phone on her desk, she runs a hand down her blue shirt that is now looking a bit wrinkled and swipes back the bits of hair on her face that has fallen out of her braid. She makes her way down the corridor to reception. There's nobody in sight. Did he not hear her? Where is he gone? Her heart races. She promised Finnick. What is she to tell him? But as she takes another step she sees him standing in the waiting admiring one of the painting and he clearly hasn't heard her coming. The summer sunshine is coming through the French front doors and falling on him. Katniss can't help but notice how broad his shoulders are, how nicely they fit in his white polo shirt. Lowering her eyes she notices the plump butt in his low ridding jeans . The man could be a model or an athlete. She can't take her eyes of him even though she realises he could turn around and see her gawking. Katniss is taken aback when she comes to her senses when she feels her tongue across her lips. Oh she'd love to charm the pants of him despite it being unprofessional. She's never experienced an attraction like this before.
"Hi. I'm sorry to keep you waiting." She hears herself saying. It's then that he shifts and the sunlight no longer falls on him something yellow catches her eye. The yellow, it's a mop of blonde hair. She knows it can't be him. He left here years ago and hasn't set foot back here since. The odds of it being him are exactly zero. Her mind is just playing a memory that's all it can be, a memory and nothing more.
He's facing her now. Standing before are a pair of blue eyes and that smile. It's like she's looking into a photograph. It's like she's looking into the eyes of that sixteen-year-old boy. She knows those eyes and that smile. They belonged to him. Years might have passed but she'd never forget those eyes and that smile anywhere. Neither what they looked like neither nor how they made her feel. She'd recognise those eyes and that hair anywhere. He's ingrained into her every part of her, in her memories and soul. There's no mistaking who is standing in front off her.
It's Him. Peeta. He's here. He's standing before her.
"Peeta. It's you. It's really you." His eyes are wide and watchful.
She can't believe it. He's here. It's been six years.
"Katniss." Hearing him say her name sends a jolt down her. It's not a dream. She's not dreaming he's really here.
She darts across the room and throws her arms around him. He smells just like he did back then, of cinnamon and basil. She feels him warm and sculpted against her. He's real. She doesn't let go of him and she doesn't know if she can because she fears, he might disappear again like fog does into air, for she can't let that happen no matter what. Just like that his arms are around her and she can't believe she hasn't been in his arms for six years.
"Is this real? I'm holding you for real Katniss?" he whispers, like he's trying to convince himself I'm real.
"It's real Peeta. I'm here. I'm hugging you and you're hugging me back."
Katniss' feels her eyes start to water. She remembers the painful moment from six years ago that brought her world crashing down. It was as painful as her father dying. That day he got ripped away from her. He didn't have a choice and neither did she but he's here now. He's returned and he's in her arms.
"You are. I almost can't believe it."
"You're back." She knows she's stating the obvious but it's still sinking in.
"I'm. How do you feel about it?" he says against her ear, which sends a shiver down her spine.
Is it possible? Is it possible they set this up. Finnick made her stay late. Haymitch called right before Peeta arrived.
Their words spin around her mind. May you charm his pants of. But you never know it might find you anyway. And if it does embrace it.
They know tomorrow is her birthday but they don't know about Peeta. Expect. Expect Haymitch, of course. He knew.. All their teasing and their jokes. All the sexual references.
She feels Peeta's breath on her neck and she realises that she doesn't care. He's said himself that back and that's all she cares about.
"I can't believe it." Her voice is barely a whisper, "I didn't think. I never thought I'd see you again. I thought you were gone. Forever."
"Really? You thought that. That was no way that could ever happen. Don't you realise that."
She shakes her head.
"I thought you were gone from my life forever," she holds tighter onto him.
"Oh Katniss."
(Lyrics Birthday Sex by Jeremih)
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