"I wouldn't have any regrets if it weren't…" Peeta exclaimed dropping the timbre of his voice to sell the sadness of what he was about to say.
"What? Tell us…what?" Caesar prodded, anticipation and desire practically dripping from him. Peeta looked down as though he were unable to face the terrible weight of what his next few words would mean.
"…if it weren't for the baby." Immediately the room was filled with gasps, a swirling mixture of horror and surprise. The group was collectively upset with the prospect of sending someone carrying a child into the games. Even they, with their blindness to the horrors outside the capital, felt this was beyond acceptable.
Many anonymously shouted to cancel the games or do something to account for this new development but Katniss knew that these protests were empty and hollow. If it meant leaving the comfort of their seats or identifying themselves individually as opposed to the games, the cries of opposition would dwindle to none.
Caesar was losing control of the crowd and as Peeta took his place beside her and Katniss grabbed the hand of the man next to her the lights fell and the cameras stopped. If residents in the capital were opposed then the districts would be full on rioting so the broadcast had to stop before more fuel was added to the fire.
Standing in the darkness of the stage, Katniss smiled to herself. She and Peeta had been told to say whatever they could to try and stop the games but she had had no idea he was going to drop such a bombshell. It wasn't true of course. There had been no secret wedding and she had zero chance of being pregnant since she was still a virgin.
She had gone through every emotion in the span of a few seconds, from shock to rage to finding the entire episode amusing. She wanted to kill Peeta for not giving her warning of his plan but had to admit it was probably best because when the camera's had panned in her direction to reveal genuine shock plastered across her face people believed it was shock from the news becoming public rather than shock of it being untrue. Peeta reached for her hand as the competitors were herded off the stage and she took it before slapping his arm with her free hand.
"How could you do that?" she whispered leaning into him. She wasn't overly worried about others overhearing her as they wouldn't know she meant lying but she didn't want Caesar to catch wind of her being upset and call her back for an interview about what was going through her mind. She could play the pregnancy story but she was never good at interviews. Knowing her luck she would say something wrong and expose the entire thing as a fabrication.
"Ow!" Peeta yelped more in surprise than in pain. "I was just doing what I was told. I'm sorry but I didn't know I was going to say it until you were already on stage in that wedding dress…you looked beautiful by the way." Katniss slapped him again but couldn't help but smirk at the compliment.
By now they were off the stage and the others had scattered to their coaches and dressers. Effie and Haymitch greeted them with stone expressions and Haymitch pressed a finger to his lips in warning to avoid conversation until they were home.
This was big and they couldn't risk someone overhearing something that would reveal the truth. In silence the group walked to the train and sat uncomfortably for the journey home. As soon as the door to the apartment had closed, Katniss turned to the team and voiced the things that had been playing through her mind since the announcement.
"What the hell were you thinking Peeta? Now we are going to be the center of attention and scrutinized even more closely than before." She barked not caring that Effie would scold her for manners later.
Peeta didn't say anything but just shrugged with a smile and laughed nervously. He was more concerned about the reaction of Haymitch who was just watching the interaction play out.
"So…does that mean it is true or it's not true?" Effie questioned innocently. This made Katniss feel exasperated as how dense Effie could be.
"Ugh! Of course it isn't true! I'm not married to Peeta or having his baby!" Katniss insisted loudly throwing up her hands and turning to walk away. She had only taken a few steps when Haymitch broke his silence.
"Katniss…I know it wasn't what you were expecting but you have to admit that the baby bomb was actually a good idea. Look, the games are just a few days away and assuming nothing changes we still have some work to do. You are right. People are going to be watching you both now more than ever and you have to sell it. If they find out it is all a lie then you might as well die in that arena because the public and the government will turn you into an enemy." He explained while pouring himself a drink from the nearby bar.
Katniss felt her face becoming hot and the frustration over knowing Haymitch was probably correct make her tear up. "So what are we supposed to do then? I mean people are going to know it was a lie eventually. It's not like I can magically not be pregnant or married anymore if the games are cancelled. And if they aren't and I survive then people will expect news of a baby in a few months." She retorted, no longer shouting but almost sounding defeated.
She dropped to the couch and Peeta followed, placing a hand softly over hers but she pulled away and glared his direction. "I'm sorry Katniss. I didn't think about that…" he offered, "I was just trying to save you…" The last part was barely audible and Katniss knew this was Peeta bearing his sole. He truly loved her and she couldn't understand why since she had behaved with little above indifference to him since the last games. The only time she showed him any love in return was in front of the cameras and crowds when their love story was supposed to be on display. It wasn't that she actually felt indifferent toward him; it was that she didn't know how to show him she cared about him. Haymitch had been right when he said she didn't deserve him.
"Alright listen you two. You just worry about making allies and surviving out there. I will try to come up with a plan. Katniss, this is hard for you but when you are in public you sell yourself. You protect your stomach, you love your husband and baby's father. You let Peeta be protective of you. In this instance I want you to appear fragile...weak…got it?" Haymitch demanded earning only a silent nod from Katniss. Turning his attention to Peeta he continued his rant, "and Peeta. You would give up your life to save your wife and child. You never leave her side and present yourself as beyond happy to be a father but beyond sad about the circumstances. I want you to hold her, touch her belly, kiss her hand…anything you think sells that you are in love. As much as you were "in love" before, that is child's play compared to how you should be now. You need to communicate to people that this baby is the ultimate symbol of the love you two share and you want nothing more than to protect it."
Peeta shook his head in understanding and looked to Katniss to read her opinion of the tasks he had been given. She had a hard enough time selling the passion of dating. She didn't like the physical intimacy they had to display and it showed as soon as she let her guard down. Now she had to let Peeta touch her more than ever before and he hoped that she could handle it while appearing genuine.
"Do you think you can do this Katniss?" he questioned again placing his hand over hers. She didn't pull away like before and shifted her weight to better face him.
"I don't see that I have much choice," she responded coldly. The icy tone of her voice took him back but not as much as the warmth of her lips crashing into his own and the hunger he'd never felt from her before poured into the kiss. He felt her tongue brush his lips begging for entrance and gladly granted it all while bringing his palm to rest at her jaw line. For a moment he forgot it wasn't real. The passion felt so authentic and the kiss was deepening with every moment. He felt the heat growing in his stomach and pulled away afraid that any more would push him over the edge. He had dreamt of a kiss like that and of Katniss wanting him in such a way. Experiencing it, even simulated, left him breathless.
He had little time to enjoy the moment before Katniss stood and looked to Haymitch for approval. Haymitch stayed paused in surprise but clearly impressed with the display. As Katniss brushed past him he cleared his throat. "Yeah…that will do." He approved and brought his glass to his lips, quickly downing the alcohol within.
Peeta stayed frozen to the couch for a few minutes more before rising and taking to his bedroom. Katniss had really been holding back on him, he thought, and he planned to make sure she knew he had been holding back too. Two could play that game.