Chapter 2
"we are the reckless, we are the wild youth"
15-16: Sophomore year
There was a gradual shift in Peetas demeanor that anyone within a ten feet radius could detect. He was happy, much happier and the only reason being for the quiet brunette sitting in the stands as he sent the ball flying high in the air.
The two-a-days had started in early August, meaning he no longer had days on end to sit around with Katniss, lounge about her house and ravish in the feeling of having a girlfriend. He was a frequent at the Everdeen home now. His brothers had left for their respective colleges and his mother was even more of a pain now that the whole town knew of the pair.
"You're wasting your time with a Seam brat," she tells him, stomping around the house or the bakery or sometimes even in public. He ignores his mothers rants. He doesn't see her that way.
The transition between friends into a relationship had been a long, at times awkward one but they made it work the best they could. And it was going well. Really really well.
Peeta is so distracted by Katnisses figure, her nose in the book they were supposed to read over the break, that he doesn't even notice Thresh hurling towards him. He takes a particularly hard hit, taking a few moment to regain his bearings and get to his feet. "Sorry, man," Thresh apologizes, giving him a hand up.
"Nah, man. I should've been paying attention," Peeta groans, stretching the pulls from his muscles. But it was so hard to pay attention. So hard to pay attention when every few seconds Katniss would run a hand through the long dark hair that Peeta loved to get lost in. Or the way she would stand every few minutes to stretch her muscles, her back bending and her shirt rising to show the little bit of skin on her hipbones.
"Don't make me start making these closed practices Mellark!" Coach Abernathy screams from the sideline, his eyes making the same beeline Peetas were. He mumbles out an apology and runs back towards the huddle, trying his hardest to ignore the hard stares his getting from Gale Hawthorne.
Practice ends with ease and he skips the shower just so he can get back to Katniss.
...
"Are you excited about school starting?" Peeta asks. He and Katniss are laid out on the makeshift cot Prim had created for the sleepover she was having. All the girls had long retired to bed and Ms. Everdeen was still not home from her shift at the hospital.
Katniss wouldn't tell Peeta much about her family and he heard nothing about her dad. But he never heard any of them speak about him so he assumed it was a sore subject. Ms. Everdeen would leave in the early hours of the morning, sometimes take two shifts which left Katniss to take care of Prim in the night. Katniss said it was because they needed the money but Peeta got the sharpest feeling in his stomach that perhaps the older women was avoiding her children. Why she would want too, he didn't know but it was none of his business.
"No, not really," Katniss answers, her fingers toying with his, picking at the dead skin from the long hours of football training he was enduring. "I'm going to miss spending all my time with you."
"I know," Peeta says. He would too. His lips caress her hair.
"You're so stiff Peeta," Katniss comments, moving around him to massage his shoulders. His muscled ached every time he moved and nothing felt better than this. Nothing felt better than Katnisses nimble fingers working and unworking the muscles until the ache disappeared.
"You should look into this as a job," he whispers, a groan releasing him when she hits a particularly sensitive spot. Katniss just laughs, her lips moving to his exposed shoulder that the man tank he wears doesn't cover. He feels the stir in his belly that he always gets near her and prays that Ms. Everdeen isn't coming home for at least another hour.
"I feel better now," Peeta mumbles, turning on his knees so his lips connect with hers. The kiss is slow at first, like they always are. But it grows, her teeth nipping here and his tongue soothing there. They've become very good at it in the weeks they've been together and Peeta wonders how he lasted so long without knowing what her kisses felt like. Her lips tasted of the chapstick she wore, always cherry and sometimes mint. He always knew she was into the kiss by the way her hands would move to tangle in his hair, pulling and tugging and manipulating his head into going which ever way she wanted it too. Peeta didn't mind in the least. He would do backflips for Katniss if that is what she asked of him.
She put a strong hand on his chest, moving him to lie back. She hovers over his body, her lips moving from his to kiss a path down his neck, then across his collarbone until she comes back up and then repeats the process. When she did the first time, Peeta was sure it would be the end of him. Every time after, he was sure it would be the end of him.
His pants were growing incredibly tight and he longed to rid himself of them. But he didn't want to insinuate anything. The most clothes any of them had shucked were the sweaty t-shirt that Peeta wore once and the cover-up of Katnisses bathing suit one day when they were swimming in the pool at the Mellarks. Other than that, all clothes had stayed on and Peeta didn't want to rush her. He would take it as slow as she needed. He would wait a lifetime for her if that's what it meant.
"Peeta, move your hands," she whispers suddenly. He worries that maybe they've moved from her hips while he's been consumed in thought but when he peers down, their where he left them. When she senses his obvious confusion, she grabs ahold of his hands, moving them up her rib cage until they settle just under her clothed breast.
Peeta lets out an internal sigh, trying to remember whatever stupid advice his brothers had given him over the years. Not that he ever thought he'd use it but it seemed that fate had other plans. He silently thanks Rye and Wheaton in his head, making a mental note to call them after and share all the details.
So he moves his hands, placing them softly on her clad breasts, not moving for a moment. All he feels is the padding of the bra she wears and he longs to know what is underneath that only her eyes have ever seen. But he doesn't say anything, just continuing to kiss her. After a while he gives him hands a squeeze and nearly comes right then and there by the sound of pleasure he makes. Oh, for how long had he only dreamed that he'd hear those sounds. He would replay them in his mind over and over again he was sure.
Peeta experiments with the placement of his hands, giving a lit tug here and maybe a shaper pull there. Judging by the sounds he makes, he adjusts his assault on her breasts until she slowly grinding her hips into his. Holy. Shit.
Peeta attempts to be quiet, using her mouth as a muffling device for the loud moans he wants to release. Prim is in the other room. She is on the other side of that wall with three of her friends. The thought calms him down for a moment but only a moment because then Katniss has her shirt over her head. Now he sees what he's grabbing at. The black bra she wears is much more appealing to the eyes then the leopard print on his brothers had suggested.
"This is okay, right?" She asks, breathlessly. Peeta can only nod. It is more than okay. It is a million times more than okay. "Good."
She reattaches her lips to his, moving her tongue along his bottom lip as she begs for entrance he so willingly gives her. Her hands make their way under the Panem football t-shirt he wears, her fingers scraping over the skin underneath, over the taunt muscles that years of hard training had given him. Peeta knows there is no way he can stand anymore. He will only survive another three second before-
"Honey! I'm home," Ms. Everdeen blares through the doorway, the sound of her keys resting on the hook as she shakes off her coat.
Peeta pushes Katniss off his lap in a moment, grabbing her shirt and throwing it in her direction without even needing to be told. Peetas hand shake as he readjusts the obvious erection, standing to his feet and too attention like he was a solider in the army. "Don't look so suspicious!" Katniss snarls. He chances a glance back at her. She's already dressed.
By the time Ms. Everdeen saunters into the living room, both Peeta and Katniss are looking wide eyed and guilty. Katniss whispers hello to her mother, busying herself with cleaning the living room like the two of them were supposed too.
Ms. Everdeen smiles at Peeta, unrolling her hair from the pin that she wears on her night shift. "How are you today, Peeta?" She asks, her eyes falling to the heap of pillows and blankets on the floor of her living room. She begins picking up too.
"Never better, Ms. Everdeen," Peeta says, looking around for his discarded shoes. He should probably go now, call Finnick and ask him to fetch him by the gas station. Ms. Everdeen was supposed to giving him a ride home once she came back from work but that was before he had groped his daughter in her own home while she was away. He feels guilty, the redness that's surely covering his body a sign. "I should actually be getting home."
"So soon?" Katniss asks, coming up behind him to snake her arms around his waist.
"Yeah, I should really be getting home. School starts Monday and I have nothing ready," Peeta says. It's not a lie. He has't even looked at the backpack and supplies sitting in the corner of the room. "Finnick is going to give me a ride home."
"Nonsense. I'll do it!" Ms. Everdeen says, grabbing ahold of her car keys and walking to the front door, not giving Peeta any moments to object. Not that he would. He didn't want to be rude. He turns to Katniss who is stifling a laugh, holding her hand over her mouth as Peetas body turns a deeper shade of red.
"You aren't going to ride with us?" Peeta asks when Katniss makes no advance to the door. She shakes her head, moving around him and giving him a soft kiss on his cheek.
It's was a long, long ride.
...
The first day of school rolls around quick and Peeta walks in with Katniss on his arm. They ignore all the stares from their classmates, the ones who have never seen the couple actually together.
It had been a long summer and a lot of things had changed.
Cato and Glimmer were together now, probably the most good looking and obnoxious couple Panem had to offer. They spent the first hours of the morning making out in the back of Finnicks car, which he'd gotten on his birthday early in August.
That was another thing. Finnick could now drive and in a months time, Thresh would be able too. Peeta didn't get his license till March but with all of his friends already receiving theres, he didn't feel the pressure. It made for sneaking out to see Katniss a whole lot easier and the boys no longer felt pressure to be confined to their homes.
Thresh and Johanna had gotten together. They seemed like an awkward couple, weird at time. Johanna was very blunt. Thresh was mostly quiet. Peeta didn't see how the dynamic worked but Thresh had promised they were having a good time. So Peeta left it at that, not wanting to pry to hard on his friend.
Katniss had grown on his friends like he knew she would. In fact, the first time Finnick and Katniss hung out alone, he couldn't chase away the growing bit of jealousy he felt towards them. They had both told him it was nothing to worry about. Finnick wasn't her type. Katniss wasn't his.
"Look who decided to join us," Thom announces, opening up his arms to Katniss who is hesitant at first. Thom is a nice guy; always a little touchy but a nice guy. "We haven't seen the two of you in what feels like ages."
"We've been around," Katniss comments, taking a seat next to Madge who has, also, began to hang out more and more with his friends.
The bell rings after a few moments of mindless chatter, Peeta and Katniss going there separate ways with a small kiss on the lips.
It was going to be a good year.
...
The news cameras are on the field the morning of the first game because football was the only exciting thing to happen in Panem. There was a rush on the field and much to Coach Abernathys dismay, all of the football program, including him, had to be in attendance.
Peeta was a hot item that morning, every news station wanting to speak only with him about how it feels to be in his brothers shadow and if he thinks he'll ever make a name for himself. They don't really talk to him about the game or about how he feel starting. They just talk and talk and talk about things that have nothing to do with him. He gets frustrated after the third interview, stalking off into the locker room and ignoring the calls for him to return. There were plenty of other players to speak too.
He finds Coach Abernathy there as well, sipping what doesn't appear to be water from his water bottle. His eyes are on the small TV in the corner they use to watch film. He's watching the View.
"Hey Coach," Peeta greets, taking a seat beside him and removing the jersey he was forced to wear for press reasons.
"They get to you too, boy?" Coach asks, taking another sip of his water bottle, sighing as it goes down in to his system.
"All they want to know about is 'living in my brothers shadow' and what their chances are on starting this year," Peeta answers, his brow furrowing. "I didn't think I was living in their shadows until every person out there assured me I was."
Coach Abernathy scoffs, putting his hands behind his head as Barbra Walters comments on something. "Their all a bunch of pricks who spend their days thinking of ways to crush boys like you for the sake of getting a news story," Coach Abernathy says. "And their only doing it because their still living in their own shadows, wallowing around in this god forsaken town, thinking their doing something important when it actuality, they aren't doing shit."
Peeta says nothing, just watch the sullen look on Coach Abernathy face. Maybe he was grouping himself in the same category.
"If anybody's getting out of this town, it's you boy," He says. "You're living in no ones shadow, trust me. I would know."
...
Their down in the fourth quarter, Peeta having thrown two interceptions and Finnick dropping two passes. The other team is big, one hundred pounds heavier than the heaviest guy they have. Peeta has been getting pummeled all night, his back hitting the ground more times than he can count.
"Peeta, what do we run?" Luke, one of his teammates, yells above the roar of the crowd. They have three minutes left, three minutes to win this game and assure the town that this season will not be like the last one. Peeta feels the heat, feels the pressure from everyone. He has outperformed by a long shot but for some reason it doesn't seem to be enough.
Peeta calls out a play, one that will be simple enough to master; maybe get them a first down if their lucky. He sends the ball flying, flying high above the head of the defense. Finnick is down the field, a good ten yards away from the end zone and if he can just manage to catch this ball, they will win the game and maybe Peeta can stop living in the shadows.
"Go Finnick! GO!" He yells though he knows he won't be able to hear him. He hits the ground a half a second later, his arms going to his sides to attempt and catch himself. He hears nothing, nothing but the sound of his body hitting the turf for a moment but then there is a roar. A great roar that is much louder than just the regular chant. When he looks up, he sees Finnick in the end zone, the whole team enveloping him as the clock runs to zero.
They've done it. He's done it.
...
"Someone get this boy a shot!" Finnick screams over the party, raising Peetas hand high above his head like he just one a boxing match. It had become a tradition, of some sort, to have a party after the first game. Everyone's invited. Always at the Mellarks though now, Peetas brothers weren't there to help him. It was just Peeta.
Katniss was on his arm, laughing loudly in agreement as the entire party began to chant "shot, shot, shot, shot!". He looks to her, her eyes locked on his as she reaches up to place a kiss on his cheek. He downs the shot, wincing as the alcohol settles into his system, then placing a kiss on Katnisses mouth which results in another round of screaming.
"Let's party you assholes!" Finnick announces, jumping from the countertop he was standing upon, opting for everyone to take another round. No one wants too. The party has been going on for well over two hours and everyone was starting to feel the effects already. But Finnick was getting black-out drunk, at least that is what he'd told them all before. "It's a celebration!"
"Some of us actually want to remember this night," Thresh says, sipping from the plastic cup he holds in his hand. Johanna, on the other hand, agrees to the shot and downs it with Finnick, shaking her head rapidly from side to side. Finnick screams again and Peeta wonders what kind of night he's in for.
"This is fun," Katniss comments once the group has dispersed. She takes a large swig of her own concoction, prompting Peeta to do the same. "I've never seen half of these people before."
"Most are from the other teams school," Peeta says. "Our parties have become kind of famous so to say."
"Hm. We'll I'm not all that interested in being at the party anymore," Katniss whispers into his ear, her teeth tugging on his earlobe for only half a second. When she pulls away, her eyes are dark with desire and before she has a chance to say another word, Peeta hoists her up over her shoulder, running up the stairs with her laughing and ignoring all the looks he gets as he does so.
He kicks the door to his room open, only to already find it occupied with two seniors. "Get the fuck out dude!" The guy yells, using his body to shield his girlfriends naked one. Katniss and Peeta laugh loudly, continuing down the hall until they get to Ryes room which is, thankfully, empty. He locks the door with his left hand, his other going to discard the shirt he has on.
"A little presumptuous, are we?" Katniss teases, raising up on her tip-toes to kiss Peetas lips, her hands moving over the expanse of his back. His muscles flex under her touch and when she claws her way down his back with her nails, he can't keep in his moan of approval. "Take off my shirt," she whispers in his ear, biting his lobe softly once again.
Since that day in the Everdeen home, Katniss has become a lot more comfortable with her body, mostly because Peeta has to fight every sense he has when he sees it. She lets him take her shirt off, one time her shorts, never anything more than that but Katniss Everdeen in just her underwear is good enough for him. He would never complain.
He complies easily, removing the shirt from her body. His eyes widen when he sees whats underneath. "Like it?" She whispers, moving to sit on the top of Ryes freshly made bed. He can only nod. Her bra is different, light orange with lace on the bottom of the cups, pushing her breasts up to attention, the color just like the sunset. Peetas favorite color. "I got it the other day. I thought you might like it," she says, a blush forming on her cheeks.
"Katniss," he whimpers, moving over her in a minute, his lips claiming hers as his hands claw at the piece of material. "You're so beautiful."
She blushes at the statement, her lips sucking his pulse point and he's sure he's lost all ability to speak. "My shorts too please."
He doesn't need to be told twice. Peetas hands play with the button of her shorts, unsnapping them and pushing them down her legs. Now he sees it all. The ensemble. The matching pieces of underwear and their is no doubt in his mind she had planned this.
Peetas hands make their way to her back side, squeezing the fat flesh there that rest perfectly in his hands. It's her turn to moan. "Oh god Katniss."'
"I can't be the only one naked here. Shuck some clothes mister," she says, prying down the zipper of his jean while he works on his belt. The boxer briefs he wears underneath are unable to hide anything and when her eyes land on his growing erection, he's worried he's scared her.
But then he grows worried. As turned on as he is right now, he's not sure he's ready for what her actions are insinuating. Had she done this before? They'd never spoken about their private intimate moments, maybe she had done something with Gale. Something he didn't know about...
"What's wrong? Are you not enjoying this?" She questions, her eyes looking up at him. He realizes now he hasn't moved in probably five minutes.
"I just..." He stutters and a look of panic crosses over her features. She reaches around him to grab her discarded shirt, keeping it close to her body just in case he turns her away. "I can't have sex with you tonight, Katniss."
A look of surprise crosses over her. "I wasn't going to have sex with you Peeta."
"You weren't?" He asks. Peeta feels the moment of intimacy slowly passing.
"No, I just... Johanna said you might like this," she says, motioning down to her body. He should thank Johanna because he absolutely loved it. "But I'm not ready to have sex with you yet. I just thought we could maybe just try something we'd never tried before."
Peetas cheeks burn and he curses himself. "We still can!" He pleads, leaning down to try and capture her lips. But she turns her head to the side and they land on her cheek.
"Not tonight, Peeta. I guess I don't feel comfortable being in Ryes room first of all and there being two hundred people downstairs," Katniss says, pushing his body off of hers. She doesn't dress right away, just saunters around the room looking for every bit of clothing they lost along the way. Peeta could get used to seeing her this way.
"I'm sorry I ruined the moment," Peeta apologizes, running his hands over his face.
Katniss just smiles sadly.
...
"So you took her off your dick?" Marvel asks as they clean up the yard, being the only one sober enough to do so. Katniss was asleep in his bed, snuggled up against Annie. She had stayed the night, Finnick being to drunk to drive anyone home. Actually, almost everyone stayed in his bed and in Wheatons and in Ryes. Peeta was demoted to the couch by the time the party had died down and only his immediate friends were left.
"I didn't take her off my dick, Marvel. Jeez," Peeta says, throwing a round of plastic cups his way. "I'm just not ready to have sex and I didn't mean to ruin the mood but we were getting down to just our underwear and, I don't know. I panicked you could say."
"Oh Peeta. You still have so much to learn about the ways of the world," Marvel says.
"And what do you know about the ways of the world, Marvel?" Peeta asks in disbelief, wiping down a spot where there must have been a spill. Why were people such pigs in another persons home?
"I know that when a women is getting naked in front of me I don't ask her to put her clothes back on. That's for damn sure."
...
"You know who you should ask to the football mixer. Delly Cartwright! She is such a sweet girl," Mrs. Mellark says, drinking the remainder of white wine in her glass.
The Mellarks were having dinner as a family, eating off of the steaks that Peetas father had cooked in honor of an anniversary of some sort. Peeta had zoned out of the conversation. Life at home was much more dull without his brothers. He also kept checking his phone for messages from Katniss which were coming in rapidly. Apparently, Prim bought a cat, much to Katnisses annoyance and Peeta was getting the worst of the ranting. He didn't mind though. It was a good distraction.
Peeta groans quietly to himself, taking a sip of his water. "I have a girlfriend mom. I'm taking Katniss," he says for the twentieth time. But his mother would never understand; she could not understand. His father said nothing and busied himself in reading the news in the paper. He would not interfere.
"She is not someone you want to present yourself, Peeta. Believe me," she scolds.
"How would you know? You never speak to her," Peeta says.
"Because I don't want to present myself with people like that," she says. "Bannock, please tell your son what I am trying to say."
Peetas father says nothing because even he doesn't know what she is trying to say. She is being irrational among many other things though Mr. Mellark would never say the words in front of Peeta. Years of parenting had taught him what to do and what not to do.
When no one speaks, Mrs. Mellark does. "Fine, Peeta. Take the girl but you will see what I mean."
...
The football mixer is held at the country club on the westside of town, atop the green golf course that overlooks the city. The September air is cooling, making sitting outside seem more enjoyable and less like a chore. The players sit at long tables, their dates beside them as the coaching staff and boosters speak about all things Panem has too offer and how this year will be "the best one yet".
Finnick arrives at the Mellark residence at a quarter to six, dressed sharply in slacks and a button up, Annie on his arm looking stunning in a green dress. Peetas mother insists on taking pictures before Katniss arrives though they all refuse.
When Katniss does arrive, he is sure she is the most beautiful girl on the planet. Her hair down, curled all throughout, pulled back so you can see her face which is painted with the tiniest bit of makeup. She wears a red dress, one that blows rapidly in the wind, her heels making her legs look as though they go on and on.
Not only does Peetas mouth drop but Finnicks as well. He says nothing, just offers his fist to Peeta. Peeta does the same.
"You look beautiful," he greets, enveloping her in a hug. Peeta can feel the eyes on the two of them but tries his best to ignore them, focusing on the fresh scent of Katnisses hair as it washes over his face.
"You look pretty good yourself," she compliments, taking his hand as they all make their way to Finnicks car. "How long is this thing?"
"Hours," they all answer in unison, already groaning in despair.
And hours the football mixer takes.
Coach Abernathy doesn't talk for long, maybe fifteen minutes at the most but it seems every other male within the room has an hour long speech they wish to give. The head coach passed out a long time ago, the beers and wine their serving to the adults obviously getting to him. Peeta wishes he was so lucky but with Katniss at his side, it is almost bearable.
She had picked at dinner, refused desert, and was now only eyeing the coffee they had set in front of them. Peeta refused his as well so Finnick shot it back, more energetic than ever with a few kicks of caffeine in his system. But something was bothering Katniss; Peeta knew it. He knew it by the way she ignored the hand on her thigh and the way she worried her lip as her eyes shot around the room, almost as if she were on high alert. He asked her no questions, not wanting to draw any attention to the two. He simply held on to the back of her chair.
They are dismissed a little after ten. Peetas parents offer to give Katniss a ride home but he would much rather it be Finnick in order to avoid the tense car ride that was bound to happen. His father says hello to Katniss. His mother smiles.
"That is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen," Mr. Mellark offers, enveloping the small girl in a hug. "Peeta sure knows how to pick em'."
Peeta smiles, knowing his father is only saying these things in front of his mother to aggravate her and by the way her nails sink into her husbands forearm, he knows they've done their job. He meets his fathers sullen eyes for half a second, only long enough to catch the smirk similar to his playing on his lips. Then the two are gone, probably so Mrs. Mellark can give him an earful.
"Are you party animals ready to go?" Finnick asks, his arms visibly shaking as a result of all the coffee the boy has consumed.
"Maybe you should lay off on the caffeine next time," Katniss points out, laughing as Annie tries desperately to still his arm. When she manages to do that, his legs begin moving in tandem. He is lost to the effects and the four of them laugh.
"If we weren't drinking at this thing, I needed something to get me through it," Finnick says and they all understand. Four hours had been long enough and they all wish to escape this retched golf course.
But they must wait because an array of people come up to Peeta, congratulating him on his achievements in the past five games, telling him how he's really come into his own this year and their so happy to see him play. The boosters have a field day attempting to recreate the last minute play Peeta and his team made in the last minutes of last weeks game again Erich Ville.
"I'll tell you, I've never seen anything like it," an old man says, panting and wheezing after running about ten yards to exaggerate the play.
"Well thank you but it's really my team. I couldn't do it without then," Peeta says humbly, earning a smile from Katniss as she hangs awkwardly on to his arm. "And thank you all so much but I really have to get my girlfriend home. It's getting late."
As their walking away, Katniss chances a look back at the men who are talking amongst themselves, their state rings secured on their right hands. "Is this what my life has in store for me?" Katniss asks, turning up to look at Peetas face.
"What do you mean?" He asks.
"Am I going to be the pretty girl that sits on your arm while you talk football to everyone?"
"Only if you want to be."
...
Seeing Gale Hawthorne for two hours every day puts a hamper on Peetas mood.
He can't escape the accusation in his eyes or the snide comments the boy makes in the huddle. Every one else on the team is done with hearing it. A whole season had come and gone, there was no reason for their to be any hostility. Everyone else was over it. Why couldn't he?
So when Gale lets Thresh through the line for the third time without attempting to make a block, Peeta has enough, unsnapping his helmet as soon as he's gotten off the turf and taking ahold of the back of Gales jersey. Hands grab at him immediately, trying to stop him before he does anything stupid but it's too late. His anger has gotten the best of him and he pushes Gale to the ground without a moment to waste.
"Hey! Hey!" Coach Abernathy yells from his place on the sidelines, making no move to actually go towards the boys, just giving them a verbal warning. When he does begin to move, it's slow and without purpose.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me, Gale!" Peeta yells, shoving off anxious hands who try and stop him. "You can't make a block? You can't make that block?"
"Sorry, buddy," Gale says with mock sincerity. "Are you hurt? Did Peeta get an ouchy? Someone call 911 because we've got a cry baby!"
"You know what this is all about," Peeta says, his finger coming into contact with the front of Gales jersey.
"Enlighten me!" Gale screams.
"You're just jealous about Katniss! I don't know if you think her leaving you was my doing, but you're actions caused it so if you want to have a shitty attitude with anyone, it's going to need to be with yourself!" Peeta yells, his face flushed, his hands shaking. The boys no longer pull at Peeta and he no longer cares about making a scene. If Gale takes a punch, he'll get one back, simple. Peeta is trying hard to mentally prepare himself for it because a piece of him tells him it's coming.
"Oh please, Peeta. You think I give a shit and a half about that girl? Did she tell you we fucked?" Gale answers, coming in close so only Peeta will be able to hear the words. "Did she tell you about how she wrapped her little legs around me, how I had her screaming my-"
It's Peeta who throws the first punch. He knows the words are not true, surely they can't be. Katniss would have told him, wouldn't she?
Gale swings back, missing the first time but nailing the second. Peeta can taste the blood in his mouth but he doesn't care. He gets the chance to take a few more swings, one or two hitting Gale where he wanted them too before Thresh has him by the waist and is pulling him to the far end of the field. Gale is being pulled the opposite way, still yelling in anger.
"What are you doing man," Thresh says to Peeta, sitting him on the bench until his breathing returns to normal, his eyes losing the glazed look they had taken on.
Peeta doesn't have a chance to answer because the next thing he knows, he's being hoisted up by Coach Abernathy, his feet carrying him to the locker room. He goes without protest, knowing this is the part where he either gets kicked off the team or has two weeks suspension. He wonders how he'll tell his parents.
Coach Abernathy locks the door, walking around Peeta to take a seat in his desk chair, not saying anything for a good moment but continuing to drink from the water bottle he carries around. His tired eyes take a good look at Peeta, beaten and bruised but he doesn't think Gale looks any better. "Did you get that out of your system?" He asks after a few moments, biting on one of his nails.
Had he? He nods, taking a moment to spit the blood that had collected in his mouth into the trash can, sitting in one of the chairs provided.
"Good."
...
Katniss yells for hours at him, angry with his decision to punch Gale.
He doesn't tell her the things he said about her because they can't be true, can they?
...
All four of them are settled around the dinner table; Mr. and Mrs. Mellark, Peeta, and then Katniss, dressed in their nicest clothes as they chew on the duck Mrs. Mellark had prepared in honor of having Katniss over for dinner.
They had been dating for around four months now and Mr. Mellark had proposed the idea she come over for dinner for food and laughter and fun, as he had put it. Mrs. Mellark was against the idea. Peeta was even against the idea but his father had told him it wasn't up for discussion.
"I want to meet the girl my son is so in love with!" He'd said during their morning commute to the bakery.
So here they were, all sitting around the table in silence, enjoying the good food but not each others company. Katniss holds on tight to Peetas hand under the table, trying her best to keep her eyes down to ignore the looks from Mrs. Mellark she is receiving.
"So, Katniss. Do you plan on working once you turn sixteen," Mr. Mellark asks, taking a sip of the wine he kept coming.
Katniss nods, wiping her mouth with the napkin she had placed on her lap. "I do actually. I want to work in the hunting and sports good store on the west side of town," she says. "I really enjoy doing outdoorsy things and, I don't know, I guess it reminds me of life back in Iowa."
"Iowa? You lived in Iowa? Peeta never mentioned that," Mrs. Mellark says. But Peeta had mentioned it plenty of times. His mother just never listened to him when he spoke.
"Yes. That is where my sister and I were born," she says.
"Why did you move?" Mrs. Mellark asks, her curiosity suddenly heightened.
"My mother got a job as a nurse here in Panem and decided it would be a good, wholesome place to raise my sister and I."
"No resistance from your father on that?" Mrs. Mellark asks and her eyes flicker to Peeta because he had specifically told his family they were not to speak of Mr. Everdeen. But leave it to his mother to disregard his warnings.
Katniss is silent, her hand falling from Peetas and her eyes dropping down to her dinner plate which is still half full. "My father died when I was younger so, no," she answers quietly, excusing herself from the table. Peeta notices she takes her purse along with her.
He sits in silence with his parents for a few moments, Peeta so angry he could probably flip the table. He would if Katniss wasn't in the other room. His father has his eyes locked on his mother, surely he is just as angry as anyone. Mrs. Mellark looks unphased, untouched by the girls confession.
Peeta had known Mr. Everdeen wasn't around but he hadn't known the severity of it. He hadn't known he had died. Is that why they moved? To get away from the ghost of her father?
"Thanks guys," Peeta mumbles, sliding his chair back and sauntering out of the room to find Katniss. It isn't an easy job in his house, being it is so big, but he finds her sitting outside on the balcony he has in his room, her back to him, her eyes trained on the moon.
He takes a seat in the chair beside her, saying nothing but taking ahold of her hand. It's then he realizes she is crying, tears like the ones he'd seen last summer. She said nothing either, just held on to his hand and every so often, wiped her face.
"I'm so sorry, Katniss," he says finally, unable to take the silence any longer. It needed to be said anyway. His mother would never apologize; he was the next best thing.
"It's okay, Peeta," she says, running her thumb along the back of his hand soothingly.
"How come you never told me?" he asks, looking over at her.
She shrugs her shoulders. "I didn't want people here feeling sorry for me, I guess. Everyone back home just pitied Prim and I and, I don't know, I didn't want that anymore. Fresh start, you know? I didn't want you to talk to me just because you felt bad for me, I guess."
"You can tell me anything," he promises her, kneeling before her so she has no choice but to look at him. Her eyes are glossy, tired and she breaks down in his arms. He lets her because he knows how long she has probably been waiting to do this.
They don't go back down to dinner but when Ms. Everdeen arrives, her mother has packaged up all the left overs to send home with Katniss. Peeta knows this is her way of apologizing. It's not a real one but it's the best either of them will get.
...
"Boys, I have some news," Finnick announces on the ride to school one day. Peeta had known this was coming because Finnick had opted to take the long way to school, his go to move whenever he needed to talk about something.
"Who's pregnant?" Marvel jokes, at least he hopes it's a joke.
"No one know but I have found the women I'm going to marry and the mother of my children," he says, looking up at the boys through the rearview mirror.
Peeta groans loudly, rolling his eyes at his love struck friend. "Who?" He asks though he already knows the answer.
"Annie Cresta," Finnick says, a smile on his face as the car rolls to a stop at a red light.
No one says anything for a long while. They all just sit there in silence, not knowing wether to tell their friend he's lost his mind or congratulate him. When everyone starts to speak again, it's a mixture of both.
"You've lost it dude," Cato says just at the same moment Marvel says, "congrats man, that's great."
"One day, you too will find the women of your dreams. Keep the hope alive!"
Peeta sees Katniss waiting for him with Madge and he knows he has.
...
The day school gets out for thanksgiving break, Finnick has a party. It's pretty low key, not more than fifty people but once the drinks start flowing, things get a little out of hand.
Peeta is drunk and from the way Katniss hangs with an arm around his neck, he knows she's feeling it too. "This is so much fun," she slurs, downing the third shot Finnick placed within her grip. Peeta declines his own, knowing one of them needs to be present in order to make good decisions tonight.
"The best," Peeta says, his eyes roaming over Finnicks basement which is much to small for the amount of people in the room. If his parents were to come home now from whatever convention they were at this weekend, there would be no way everyone could get out. Peeta is starting to draw out his escape plan when Katnisses lips start making assault on the spot below his ear that always makes him melt.
"What do you say we get out of here," she says, licking the skin on his neck now. He's vaguley aware of the fact that they are in public, surrounded by millions of wandering eyes but her kisses are making him light headed. He could care less about all the people in this basement. Fuck the people in this basement.
"Where?" He asks. Finnicks younger brother and sister are asleep in their rooms and Peeta knows Finnick would kill him if they were to wake up now due to him and Katniss wanting some time alone. They could go to his house, he supposed. His mother and father would probably be at dinner. But that was a good three mile walk and he didn't want to kill the mood like he had the last time they were in this predicament. He needed an idea and he needed it now.
And then the lightbulb goes off.
He hoists Katniss to her feet, pulling her along with him as they make their way up the stairs. Finnick yells something to him about being safe but he doesn't catch it.
"Where are we going," Katniss asks once they've made their way into the cooling November air. "I left my jacket inside."
"You won't need it," he says, entering the pass code into Finnicks car, waiting a few moments before hearing the click. The doors are unlocked. When he looks to Katniss, her eyes are wide and her face pale. Her mouth hangs open at the suggestion. "Katniss, it's the only place I can think of. Please. He won't mind."
Katnisses eyes dart all around us. "What if someone sees?" She hisses, crossing her arms over her chest.
"It's dark. Everyone is inside. No one will see. He also has his windows tinted." The last part is a lie but Peeta is so desperate in this moment, he may say almost anything. He didn't know when it came to this but suddenly, he was here. Coaxing a girl into the backseat of Finnicks car. His life couldn't possibly get any better.
She reluctantly agrees, sliding into the backseat, giving him enough space to do the same. As soon as the doors close on either side of them, Katniss has her mouth on his, molding the two of them together for the most passionate kiss.
When she removes her own shirt, Peeta does the same. His disappointed to see that her orange bra did not make an appearance tonight but the black one she wears now looks just as beautiful on her. He moves his hands to cup her over the bra, moving and caressing and he, slowly, kisses her chest, licking a trail along her collarbone and then repeating the process several times.
"My jeans," Katniss gasps, moving her hands to Peetas belt buckle while he manages her own. "This is kind hard." She laughs when she realizes what she's just said and he does too.
"It's very hard," he jokes, wiggling his eyebrows at her as his pants are discarded. He opted to wear boxers today, hoping that this might be the way they ended up.
When their both in nothing but their underwear, Katniss reaches behind her back to dispose of the bra, her breasts hanging in Peetas face for the first time with nothing covering them. They aren't big, not like Glimmers or Cloves, but Peeta couldn't be more happy with them. They were perfect and Peeta tells her so.
She blushes at the statement, moving to cover herself as Peeta moves her so she is lying flat on her back. "Don't," he pleads, moving her hands away so he can see what he's touching. "You're beautiful, Katniss. I've always thought you were beautiful."
He kisses her, his mouth moving slowly. He wants her to know he means it; to know she is the most beautiful girl in his world and he will spend the rest of his life trying to prove that to her. He wanted her to know that he loved her but he wouldn't say the words now.
"We don't have to do anything, Katniss," he says then, realizing he may be pressuring her. She didn't want to get in the car in the first place and now, here she was, nearly naked underneath him. "We can sit here and talk for the rest of the night if that's what you want."
Katniss pulls away, looking into Peetas eyes as he stares down at her, his eyes never leaving her eyes. He no longer sees the glazed look he saw before, obviously his kisses sobering her up. But she just shakes her head, lifting her head again to meet Peetas.
"I want too," she whispers. He's not sure what "wanting too" has in store but whatever it is, he wants to, too. "Peeta, take my underwear off."
Now it's his turn to be worried. What exactly does he do once the underwear are off?
But he peels the black clothing away, tucking them in his back pocket for safe keeping. He needed proof for when his brothers question them, if she even let him keep them at the end of the night.
The car was getting drastically hotter, both Katniss and Peetas body heat combining to make the car fog up. If anyone was to walk by at this moment, they would know exactly what was happening in the old car. It would be like the scene in Titanic.
"Once again, we don't have to do a-"
"Shut up, Peeta," Katniss says, grabbing ahold of his hand and placing it on one of her thighs. "I'm nervous enough as is, I don't need you asking me a million questions."
Well okay then.
Without wasting another moment, Peeta thinks back to all the porn he's watched over the years. He knows first thing is first. He takes one of his fingers, pulling it through her wet heat until a moan falls from her lips, her eyes shutting as soon as Peeta makes contact with a little nub at the apex of her thighs. What had his brothers said to do to that? He knows it's something...
"Press," Katniss moans then, her eyes now open and watching him as he moves. He raises an eyebrow in confusion, begging her to say something else. He was embarrassed about his lack of experience to say the least but at least he was learning with Katniss. He wouldn't want it any other way. "Press down right there, Peeta."
And he does, his thumb playing with the nub, running back and forth, his padded fingers getting slick with her own arousal which was spilling over. He would have to apologize to Finnick later for this if they left a stain. She moans loudly then, her hips bucking in time with his motions and Peeta is surprised her hasn't come yet. He is on the brink, he can feel it, but he isn't worried about himself right now. He's worried about Katniss, and the way she's clawing at his back, and purring his name. If only Gale Hawthorne could see this now. Thinking of Gale is putting him in a bad mood so he tries to stop himself.
"God, Katniss, you're so wet," Peeta moans, slipping one finger inside of me as his thumb continues it's assault.
"It's all for you, Peeta," she moans, her hips bucking rather quickly now. He knows she's close. He can feel the way her walls contract around him. The way her eyes squeeze shut and her hands grip the headrests. "Shit, Peeta, I'm coming," she says then, her hips buckling wildly against his hands. He moves steadily, not stopping until her moans have subsided and her breathing had returned to normal.
He reluctantly pulls his fingers from her then, closing his eyes as he puts the digits into his mouth, taking away the last bit of arousal. He moans at the taste. Katniss does the same. "Have you done that before?" She asks then, staring up at him with hooded eyes. He shakes his head. "You were so good at it."
"I have two older brothers," he says. "And the internet, so..." This provokes a laugh from her, then she's kissing him again, nibbling on his lips and he knows she can taste herself on his tongue.
"Did you come?" Katniss asks, her eyes landing to the erection his boxers can no longer hide. Surprisingly, no, he hasn't. He shakes his head. "Good."
Then she slips her hand down the front of his pants, her hand making a small fist around him and pumping up and down. His eyes rolls in the back of his head. How many days had he laid awake at night just dreaming that he would only be so lucky. He was in his own personal heaven and he wished he could stay there forever.
"Do you like this," she asks huskily. He opens his eyes for half a second, to meet hers.
"Perfect. Everything about you is so perfect," he groans, unable to stop himself from pushing up into her hand.
When her grip on him tightens, he looses it, coming in spurts on her as he bucks his hips much like she had. He's unable to stop the long stream of curse words he also says.
When his own breathing has returned to normal, he closes his eyes and collapses against her, his eyes falling shut against her skin.
"I really loved that, Peeta," Katniss says, combing her fingers through his sweaty hair.
And I really love you, Peeta thinks to himself.
...
"Which one of you asshole had sex in my car last night?" Finnick yells, wildly parading around the kitchen. His younger siblings sit at the table, looking wide eyed and uncomfortable as their older brother speaks to his friends, his eyes wild and savage.
Peetas eyes go to the table.
"Which one of you was it?" He asks again, this time his voice low but with the same intensity.
No one says anything.
"My car smells like straight-up sex!"
"How do you know what sex smells like," Finnicks sister asks, her eyebrows shooting up.
"Get the fuck outta here," he curses, sending his siblings scrambling from the room, their uneaten pancakes that Peeta made in hand.
"Well," Peeta finally speaks up, his cheeks burning as his friends turn to look at him. "Katniss and I didn't have sex but we, you know, did things." The truth was bound to come out at some point.
Finnick doesn't stay mad when he hears this. He just makes Peeta give him thirty dollars to get the thing cleaned.
...
They don't really ever talk about what happened between them in the car but there are days when Katniss will say something that shoots straight to Peetas groin and Peeta will say something that makes Katniss blush.
They do it again, once at Katnisses house when Prim is staying with a friend. Another time in Peetas bedroom when his parents believe them to be studying.
Each time, after, he almost threatens to say the three words he's been dying too. But he doesn't want her too run.
...
His brothers come home for the Christmas holidays and for a moment, Peeta feel likes he could cry at the sight of them, each walking from their terminals to meet their family.
Rye actually does tear up when he sees Wheaton for the first time in months. Being twins, they rarely spent any time away from each other and college had torn them apart. Peetas mother does cry and they have a nice family moment in the airport. Once they get home, all is the same.
"How's life here in Panem, Peet," Rye asks, sitting atop Peetas bed. Wheaton closes the door, locking it with one hand. He knows this will be a long night.
"Pretty good," Peeta answers simply.
"Your big bros got you something for Christmas but if mom or dad find it, you have no idea where you got it from, you hear?" Wheaton says, pulling the black bag from around his back and placing it on Peetas desk.
Peeta unwraps a 100 pack of condoms they didn't even know were sold in stores.
He looks up at his brothers, his face red with embarrassment. The twins laugh, slapping palms and cracking jokes about Katniss and if he's gotten any yet. Peeta smiles.
Just like old times.
...
The school holds a winter formal each year for the student body of Panem. Last year, Peeta had been so deep in self loathing, he didn't bother to even try and go. But this year, he had Katniss on his arm. This year was different.
"Do you want to go to Winter Formal," he asks her one day during lunch, when all of his friends are busy throwing grapes into Marvels mouth that he knows none of them will ease drop.
Katniss turns to him, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "Are you asking me to be your date?"
"Only if you want too," Peeta shrugs. And he really wanted her too.
"It's on Friday, no?" He counts the days in his head.
"Yes, Friday."
Katniss nods, smiling at him and then turning back to her conversation with Madge.
Peeta can't keep the smile off of his face.
...
"I don't like the idea of you spending hundreds of dollars on this girl for one dance, Peeta. That is all I'm saying," Mrs. Mellark rants, throwing her hands up in exasperation as the door closes behind Mrs. Cartwright who had come in to stock up on cookies from the bakery.
But Peeta knew the problem wasn't spending money for the dance, it was spending so much money of Katniss. His mother had felt guilty for approximately three hours after Katniss left the house after their tense dinner weeks ago. Once the 180 minutes had spent, she went right back to cursing the girl and claiming she was a bad influence on her son.
All the Mellark boys are working in the bakery this evening, mostly because the bakery had been short staffed almost all of December and his father was beat with trying to keep up. They didn't mind though, as long as their mother kept to herself in the back which didn't seem like it was going to happen. She had been relentless.
"it's my money mom and I will do with it what I please," Peeta answers. His parents gave him a little money here and there to spend after working in the bakery. He had saved a good chunk of it. And how much could flowers really cost? Finnick had said the ones he purchased for Annie were only fifty dollars. He could spare fifty dollars.
"And what are you going to do come March when you have no money to spend on gas?" She questions, crossing her arms over her chest.
"It's $50 mother. It won't break my bank, I promise you. I'll manage," he answers, rolling his eyes.
"And what is she going to do for you that is worth $50, Peeta?" His mother huffs, storming off the back room to sulk.
"She'll hope on that dick, that's what she'll do!" Rye whispers under his breath, chest bumping Wheaton. "Really though Peeta, you should think about renting a hotel room or something so you don't have to do it in the back of Finnicks car again." He already regrets telling his brothers that story.
"I can't afford a hotel room, one. And two, I don't want to pressure her to do anything she isn't ready for," Peeta says. Getting a hotel room automatically meant sex and the last thing he wanted to do was make Katniss feel like she was compelled to give him something.
"Peeta, always the noble one," Wheaton says, ruffling his hair and attending to the mother and daughter who have just walked in.
...
Finnick tells him he rented a hotel room for Annie and himself.
"You know, just in case she wants to get up on this," he jokes. "But in all seriousness, if she tells me she isn't ready, I'll just cancel the reservation."
...
The day of winter formal, no one goes to school in preparation. In fact, all the teachers just showed movies all day, knowing no one would be there.
So Peeta spends his day with his friends, picking up flowers for all of their girlfriends and then, pre gaming, as Finnick put it, by taking a few shots in Marvels basement. Finnick stays sober, so does Thresh. They are driving tonight after all.
He calls Katniss just before he leaves, lacing up his dress shoes and fixing the bow tie the lady at the shop had pinned on him. He feels like he's suffocating but all of his friends assure him, their feeling the same way. He doesn't know if it's the nerves or the alcohol but whatever it is, he doesn't like the feeling.
She answers on the third ring, music playing loudly in the background and he knows she must already be at Annies. "Hey baby!" She greets, shushing whoever is in the background talking loudly.
"Hey, Katniss. Are you ready?" He asks, not really knowing what else to say. Peeta just wanted to hear her voice, not really to have conversation. He found it hard to go three hours without speaking to her. He was in too deep.
"Yeah, just finished putting my dress on. I'm really excited about tonight, Peeta! I hope you know," she says.
"I am too."
"I have to go now. I'll see you in a few hours?" Peeta nods, then realizing Katniss won't be able to see him.
"Yeah, see you then."
...
He has a genuinely good time.
Katniss is a surprisingly good dancer and all of his friends enjoy her company.
Glimmer and Cato win some type of award, but by that point, everyone just cares about getting to the after parties that are sure to be happening around town. Peeta has heard of a few but if he's being honest, the only party he wants to be at is a party of one with Katniss Everdeen.
When they all decide to leave, Katniss tugs on his hand, walking in the direction of her own home versus to the car with the rest of their friends. "Where are we going?" Peeta asks, looking around him. She's unstrapped the silver heels she wore underneath the light pink dress, walking barefoot along the street. "That can't be very comfortable."
"Prim is at a sleepover and my mother is working. Wanna come over?"
...
Peeta has successfully brought her to an orgasm three times when, finally, she decides she's had enough, rolling the two of them over until Peeta is lying flat on his back, his mouth attached to hers in a battle of dominance.
"I have to be honest with you right now, Peeta," she tells me, moving down his body to suckle on his jaw.
"Hm?" Peeta asks, not even caring what it is she has to say, just hoping to relieve the pressure in his pants some time soon.
"I really want to have sex with you tonight," Katniss says, freezing and pulling away from him to judge the look on his face.
"Really?" Peeta gulps, his stomach churning.
"Yes but only if you want too," she says, her mouth falling open.
Peeta worries his lip. How could she think she wouldn't want too. He loved her. He would be honored to lose his virginity to her. If things went the way he planned, he would never even be inside another women. "I want too," Peeta whispers finally.
Then she's kissing him again, slowly but with purpose. He closes his eyes, relishing in the last moments of being pure, being a virgin. He rolls her over so she is on her back, knowing this will be easier for her if he's doing most of the work. It hurts for girls, the first time or so he's heard. The last thing he would want to do is hurt her, but someones got too. Why shouldn't it be him?
"We don't have to do this if you don't want too," he tells her, just to be sure. This was becoming his favorite line.
"I want too," she says, pecking his lips as he settles over her.
"I don't have a condom with me," Peeta mummers, remembering his brothers advice about never ever having sex without one. Shit. He knew he should've broken into his stash.
But Katniss reaches behind her head and pulls one from under the pillow, a slow smile playing on her lips. "I came prepared," she says. "I just don't know how to put it on exactly."
Peeta takes it from her, thinking back to health class in seventh grade when his teacher demonstrated with a banana. He rolls it down his length, pinching the tip to eliminate the air. His breath catches in his throat as he does this. He was really about to have sex. He was really about have sex with Katniss Everdeen...
"I've never done this before, Katniss," he admits then, looking down at her and swallowing hard. He knew how, of course. He wasn't stupid but somehow, being in the actual moment, he was much more frightened than he thought he would be. Would she enjoy this? Would she go back and laugh at him?
"Neither have I, Peeta," she says then, reaching for his face. She palms the side of his face, making him meet her eyes before giving Peeta a small smile, one with a million messages lying beneath the surface. Peeta had known Gale was lying, but hearing her say the words does ease his conscience.
"Together?" He asks, taking ahold of his erection in his hand, placing it at her entrance.
"Together," she agrees, wincing slightly as he eases himself in.
When he hits the resistance he knew would be there, he has to close his eyes for a moment, listening to the way Katnisses breathing increases. "I'm sorry," he whispers before seething himself fully inside her, nearly coming right then and there. He doesn't move, knowing it will take her a few seconds to get used to the feeling. But when he feels her walls contract around him the way they do his fingers, he can hold back no longer.
He moves slowly because he knows this is painful for her and if he moves any faster, this won't last longer than eleven seconds. But moves, listening to her soft pants. "Are you okay?" He asks, using one of his hands to wipe away the tears that have begun to fall. She just nods her head, giving him a tight smile.
He doesn't last long, groaning when he pushes in once more, his head falling to her chest as she empties himself inside of her, his forehead sticky with sweat.
When he falls on top of her, he fights the urge to cry. When he looks up at her, she's already begun.
...
He calls his brothers to come get him sometime later because Ms. Everdeen will be home soon. When he gets into the car, his brothers both have a smug look on their faces but they don't say anything for awhile.
"You have a good time?" Rye asks. Peeta nods.
"Best night of my life," Peeta confirms.
...
He takes his brothers advice seriously days before Christmas, going to the mall with them in hopes that they'll find something for Katniss. Something that she'll love.
"What is she getting you?" Wheaton asks, gnawing on the pretzel he had purchased upon arrival.
"I don't know, Wheaton. It's a surprise," Peeta groans in annoyance.
"Why don't we just get her a gift card?" Rye suggests, grabbing ahold of one too Chick-fil-a.
"I'm not getting her a fucking credit card, goddamit!" Peeta yells. Why he even brought his brothers along with him, he doesn't know. What he does know is the two of them are about get a kick in the balls.
"Someone needs to go over to Katnisses after this little adventure to grind his aggression out," Rye says, making a thrusting motion. A few people eye them as they pass. Peeta want to die.
"That's enough. You guys are no help. I will walk home. Bye," he says, dismissing the boys.
But out of the corner of his eye, Peeta spots the perfect gift.
...
Peeta goes over to the Everdeen house on Christmas morning after his own family had exchanged gifts. Peeta had a good Christmas, his mother subdued by the spiked eggnog and his father cheerful as ever. His brothers were giddy and friendly and not crude for once. The only thing that could make this day better was seeing Katniss.
Gift in hand, he knocks on the door which is answered by Prim, wearing the dress Katniss had purchased for her Christmas. "Hi, Peeta!" She greets, moving from side to side, her eyes darting down box in his hand. "Oooh, that looks expensive!"
Peeta laughs, a blush falling over his cheeks. "I brought something for you too," he tells her, pulling the box filled with hair bows from behind his back, presenting them to Prim with a smile on his face. "Katniss mentioned you might like them." The smile she wore tells him all he needs to know and a moment later her arms are wrapped around him.
Peeta gives her a quick hug, smiling to Katniss who has appeared in the doorway, a smirk on her own features. He likes this face much better than the scowl she commonly wears. "Merry Christmas! I've come bearing gifts," he greets, shoving the small rectangular box into his back pocket, not really wanting the gift to be presented in front of everyone.
"Lucky for you, so have I," Katniss smirks, pulling from behind her back a long box, one much larger than the one Peeta holds and, for a moment, he worries what he got her won't be enough. "My mother had to go into work today so we can go to my room if you'd like."
Peeta nods his head. He would very much like that.
He says goodbye to Prim who teases the two for a short while, making kissing noises and using her tongue to make suggestive themes. "If you only knew Prim," Peeta whispers below his breath in a tone he knows she won't be able to hear, ignoring the scowl that now graces Katnisses features as she turns to look at him.
"Or we can open these in the living room," she threatens, moving her body to form a barricade between Peeta and the door. Her stance is short lived and the minute Peetas fingers begin to tickle the sensitive flesh on her hips, her appearance falters and she bursts into a fit of giggles, a sound so unlike Katniss that Peeta has no choice but to laugh with her. "Enough! Enough. I give up"
"Now where is my present," Peeta demands, sitting atop her bed, smirking when he realizes the sheets on the soft mattress have been changed.
Katniss sits criss cross beside him, handing him the gift. Peeta unwraps it slowly, his eyebrows knitting together when his fingers come in contact with the smooth wood of the box she'd carved, his initials on the top, hers in the corner.
"Thank you, Katniss," he says, being at a loss for words. Peeta kicks himself in the foot now. He should've thought of something with a little more detail.
"That's not all," she says, reaching around his shaking hands to pull the latch on the underside. It falls open, inside all of Peetas favorite things. The books he liked as a child, his favorite movie, a pack of his favorite candy, and two caps with his favorite sports teams. Looking into the box, he can't even remember when he'd mentioned this all and how she had managed to remember.
"This is for me?" Peeta mumbles then, noticing the way her eyes are locked on his face, begging him to say something, anything.
Katniss nods, laughing as she does so. "Who else likes the Sun Devils as much as you do, Peeta?" She jokes, pulling the cap onto her own head, smiling with all her might. Peeta smiles too, wondering how he made it this long without knowing her.
"Thank you, Katniss," he says, pulling her into a hug, smelling the shampoo in her hair. He doesn't pull away until she lets out a long sigh, moving to sit on hip lap as he pulls his own present from the back pocket of his jeans. "For you."
"Oh, Peeta," she says before she's even unwrapped it, her fingers playing with the bow on the top. It's too small to be anything but jewelry.
"Just open it, Katniss," Peeta says, moving to undo the top for her.
"It's too expensive," she whispers under her breath, refusing to look at the thing. She knows whatever it is, she'll love it and won't be able to give it back. But Peeta pushes it into her grip, smiling until her eyes catch hold on the tiny silver plated necklace that lies in the box, a Katniss flower on the chain, sparkling in all it's glory before her.
Tears well up in her eyes, her thin hand moving to cover her mouth which it threatening to release the sob she's been holding in. "Oh, Peeta," she says again, turning the charm with her fingers, looking all about the room as if she thinks the piece of jewelry would be taken from her. But it was hers. It would always be hers. "How did you find this?"
"Old man at the jewelry store owed me a favor. It took him awhile to find the right mold for the thing but eventually, he did. It's not exactly the most realistic looking thing but it was as close as I could get it," Peeta explains, noting the way the blading man had complained for hours to him.
She wraps her arms around him, snuggling her face into the crook of his neck. He can feel the wet tears rolling down her cheeks. Why she's crying, he doesn't know but he'll take all he can get for the time being.
When he kisses her hair, she pulls away, taking the opportunity to kiss his lips.
...
"I have something serious to talk to you about," Peeta tells Finnick. The two are outside playing a quick game of basketball in the Odiars backyard.
"What is it," Finnick asks, jumping as he makes the shot easily into the basket. Peeta scoffs. Nothing but beginners luck.
He waits for a moment, the words catching in his throat. Finnick wouldn't tell anyone, he was certain. After all, Peeta hadn't told a soul Finnick still pees his bed. They were best friends and were grown up enough to keep each others secrets. Right?
"Katniss and I had sex," he whispers, his cheeks burning as his eyes turn back to look at the house. Mrs. Odiar is still cooking away in the kitchen, Mr. Odiars car not yet pulled into the driveway. The two are virtually alone but Peeta knows how Finnicks younger siblings enjoy lurking the shadows. He hopes they are not around now.
Finnick catches the ball as Peeta bounces it too him, his eyes taking a moment to focus on the boy before him, his mouth opening and closing several times before he makes the choice just to sit on the ground, his head in his hands and his feet tucked under him. Peeta wonders if he's in the early stages of an emotional breakdown but he says nothing, just watching the way Finnick rocks back and forth on his heels. He wonders if he's even been heard.
"I said-"
"I heard what you said, Peeta. I just need a moment," he says, his eyes moving over the other boy enviously. "You had sex with Katniss Everdeen?" He asks again in disbelief, his own eyebrows coming together. Peeta couldn't blame him for being so confused. He almost didn't believe it himself.
Peeta nods, his cheeks blushing, the three pairs of sweats he wears starting to constrict the blood flow in his body.
"Did it hurt?" Finnick asks. Peeta smirks being that this is the one time he is ahead of Finnick Odiar.
"For her, it did," Peeta says, going to rub the back of his neck. Peeta was sure Finnick would relay the news to Annie but he hoped that was as far as it would get. He had told Katniss he needed to talk to someone, someone who would be helpful and knowledgable about sex after the third time they had it a few days ago. She agreed, telling him it would be fine as long as the school didn't hear of it when the Christmas holidays were over. Peeta hoped that too. He was not a man to brag about his sexual escaped in the locker room or with his friends other than Finnick. He didn't want every one to know about the love and attention he was getting from his girl behind closed doors.
"And you?" Finnick asks, raising an eyebrow, looking up at Peeta from over his shoulder.
Peeta just smirks.
...
He tells his brothers next.
They are sitting in his room one night after dinner, one of the last nights they have in Panem, when Peeta drops the news, making the entire room fall quiet as his words sink in.
He expected some big celebration or relentless teasing but he got none of that.
Just a pat on the back from Wheaton and a lecture from Rye about being safe.
"We are being safe," Peeta mumbles, not wanting the process of applying a condom to be relayed to him again. The first time had been torture enough and so far, Peeta was having no trouble.
Wheaton goes to his night stand, his fingers messing with the foil packets the two had bought him for Christmas, his eyes going wide when he only counts forty-seven in the box. "How much sex are you having?" He screams so loud Peeta is worried his mother will come barreling into his room at any moment. When a few moments have passed and there is no pounding on the locked door, Peeta finally answers.
"We've only had sex four times," he tells his brothers. "I gave her half so that if we were at her house and we were feeling like..." He uses hand motions to make the boys understand because he knows he'll break into a rash if he says the word "sex" one more time.
"How good is it?" Rye asks, winking to his little brother who has suddenly become a man before his very eyes.
"It's the most wonderful thing in the world."
...
When New Years rolls around, he opts to skip out on Marvels house, something that is becoming a tradition for everyone. Instead, he decides too snuggle up with Katniss on the couch at his house, his brothers out with their friends and his parents out with theirs.
Peeta managed to sneak some of his parents champagne, and the two were having a great time, watching the festivities in New York take place and watching bad television. It was the perfect holiday.
"I must say, this is a much better party," Katniss smiles, her lips falling atop Peetas, no longer hungry for the cheese and crackers the Mellarks had provided.
"I agree," he whispers, moving over her to have a better angle. He knew what this would inevitably lead too, already taking the time to put a condom under the couch.
Peeta enters the new year inside of Katniss and he can't think of anything better.
...
"So what do you do on these double date things?" Finnick asks, his eyes volleying between Katniss and Peeta who sit in the booth opposite himself and Annie. Finnick finally had the nerve to ask her on an official date, hounding Peeta and Katniss into making it a double date to avoid awkward moments.
But an hour into this and every single minute of it had been filled with awkward moments.
Peeta might have made a run for it if it wasn't for the thick snow that was falling by the buckets, the end of January pulling near and with it, all of winters wonders. He had never liked the snow but Katniss loved it. They had spent the entire day wrestling in it, starting snow ball fights with one another until Peetas mother insisted they come back inside before they caught a cold. Peeta would never do something so childish alone, but with Katniss it was something completely different.
"We talk, eat, go see a movie usually," Katniss says, stirring the hot tea she'd purchased. Peeta ordered one too; no sugar of course.
"Do you guys want to go see a movie? It isn't too late," Peeta offers, reading the worried looks Finnick gives him. Annie is unresponsive, her eyes trained on the steaming mug of hot chocolate placed before her. She hadn't said a word all night, just a simple greeting.
"That sounds fun, right Annie?" Finnick asks, nudging her with her shoulder, demanding her attention. She perks up at the words, sending Finnick a quiet smile.
"Can we eat first? I'm starving," she whispers, her eyes already trailing over the menu the waitress had set before the four of them when they'd arrived.
They all nod, the effects of hunger hitting them too. The date would be a complete bust if no one ate, after all.
They all talk amongst themselves, Peeta whispering in Katnisses ear most of the night. Peetas eyes find Finnick's, the exasperated look in them undeniable. Annie was actually leaning away from him, keeping to herself or attending to her phone. Peeta wonders if something had transpired in the car on their way here, something he did not hear, but everything seemed fine. But then again, Annie was Annie and things of this nature happened at time. Peeta had tried to warn Finnick.
"Can you two get a room," Finnick seethes, throwing a handful of his french fries at the happy couple that sits before him.
"I wish," Peeta smirks, leaning in to leave an open mouthed kiss on the hollow of Katnisses throat. She laughs, pushing him away with comical effort before turning towards Annie who was now spinning a piece of red hair around her finger.
"Annie, I have to go to the bathroom. Do you want to go with me?"
Annie nods and the two wander away, leaving the boys alone at the table for a moment.
"What the fuck is wrong with her, dude," Finnick asks, leaning forward, his face uncomfortably close to Peetas. "She was totally giving me 'I want the dick vibes' in the car and now she won't even look at me. It also doesn't help that you and Katniss can't keep your hands off of each other."
"I want the dick vibes?" Peeta remarks sarcastically, shaking his head at his friend. "Are those even a thing?"
"Yeah, douchebag. You wouldn't know because you've never got them," Finnick replies.
"Oh, believe me Finnick, I've gotten them. I've gotten a lot more than you have."
Finnick scoffs, pouting in the booth as the waitress comes to bring by the checks. There both paid for when the girls return what feels like hours later.
They all decide to skip the movie and just head home.
...
"Hey, Mr. Mellark I've been looking all over for you," Clove says, her hips swaying as she moves near him, her dark ponytail bouncing with each step she takes. Peeta notes she isn't wearing enough clothes, not to be comfortable in the February cold they were having to bear this winter. He tells her so. "How sweet of you to be concerned about me Peeta. But that's what heater are for, no?"
"Still. You might want to bring a jacket to class, just to be safe," he replies, burying his nose in the text book they were supposed to be studying, his eyes moving about the classroom. No one seems to be paying the two any mind.
Clove curls a finger around Peetas jaw, directing his attention back to her painted face. She's plastered on a smile, one that shows all the pearly white teeth she'd spent years perfecting. The only thing Peeta can think of is how much more beautiful Katniss is than this. "We should hang out some time, don't you think?"
Peeta shakes his head. "My girlfriend wouldn't like that very much."
"Oh, Katniss?" Clove asks, mocking his tone of voice, raising an eyebrow like she hadn't known. They had been dating for nearly a year. Everyone knew. "She won't have to know a thing."
He pushes her hands away, placing them back at her sides and far away from him, the whole direction the conversation is taking making him grow anxious and uncomfortable. "Clove, I think you have the wrong idea of the kind of guy I am."
"Please, Peeta. Don't be so self righteous. I just think we could go well together," she says.
"I have a girlfriend, Clove," he answers.
"Not for long," she mumbles under her breath, turning on her heel to walk away. Peeta catches her hand before she has the chance.
"What do you mean?"
"Go ask her what she's doing after school today."
...
It takes Peeta no time at all to find Katniss, deep in conversation with Madge. He doesn't apologize as he pulls on her hand with enough force to lift her, tugging her into the dark shadows of the hallway, away from curious eyes.
"Whoa, Peeta. Slow down," she says, pulling her arm away from his hold, crossing her arms over her chest defensively.
"What are you doing after school today?" He rushes out, his eyebrows knitting together in confusion, his throat tightening as he waits for her answer.
Her eyes widen, her tongue coming from her mouth to wet her lips. Normally, this action would turn Peeta on but now, it worried him. Katniss swallows a few times, her throat bobbing under Peetas gaze.
"What do you mean?" She finally says, her eyes directed on the tiled floor, refusing to look at Peetas face.
"Clove told me I should ask you what you were doing after school," he tells her.
"Why were you talking to Clove?"
"Why won't you tell me what you're doing after school?"
"Why am I-"
"I didn't know we were the couple that kept things from each other, Katniss," he interjects, his eyes falling on the freshman that managed to catch a glimpse at them. He scurries off.
The guilt in her eyes is undeniable and as she runs a finger through her hair, the words begin tumbling out. Word vomit almost. "I got a job. A job at the Hawthorne's car dealership and before you say anything, you have to understand that I really need this job and they were wiling to hire me a few weeks before I turned sixteen because they know how dire this money is for me and my family. Please don't be mad that I didn't tell you. I just didn't want you too over react."
Peeta doesn't have time to over react because he is having a hard time processing the words the small girl before him says. "Why didn't you tell me you needed money?" Peeta finally asks when all his thoughts are in order. "I could've-"
"You could've what, Peeta? Paid my phone bill," Katniss asks in disbelief, throwing her hands in the air in exasperation.
Peeta says nothing but the silence is all she needs to continue.
"The last thing I need is for you to always be taking care of me, okay? I can take care of myself, I can take care of my family, and I don't need anyones help to do it. You don't understand how hard it can be too look at all the things you have and know, that never in a million years, will life ever be handed to me the way it is handed to you," she spits, her face red with anger.
"You think things are handed to me, Katniss?"
"Oh, I know they are," she retorts, rolling her eyes in his general direction.
"Well if you ever had a problem with that, you've never said anything until now," Peeta argues.
"I've never had too," she says. "How could I expect you too understand me having this job? Yeah, Gale helped me out a little, he's just being a good friend. He can be a little more understanding about things like this than you can."
Being compared to Gale does something to Peeta, something that makes him want to rip the hair out of his head and scream for hours at the top of his lungs. He tries to convince himself she is just angry, she doesn't mean these things. "A friend?"
"Yeah, Peeta, a friend," Katniss whispers. "I'm not a Mellark. I don't have the world in the palm of my hand," she replies, retorting back to the comment Cato made.
Peeta rolls his eyes at such a ridiculous assumption. "You know how things are with my family, Katniss. How dare you say that."
"I don't expect you too understand."
"No, of course not, but Gale understands it all, no?"
Katniss slams the door to the stairwell on her way out.
...
Peeta has the urge to drive by the car dealership after football practice but Finnick convinces him it's not a good idea. He doesn't have much room to argue being Finnick is his ride home.
"You don't want to be that kind of boyfriend," Marvel tells him from the backseat, leaning his head against the passenger seat.
"I didn't realize I would ever have to be that boyfriend," Peeta says, clawing at his scalp in frustration.
"Man, calm down. It might not even be anything to worry about," Thresh agrees, prying Peetas greedy fingers away from his head. "Katniss is a nice girl. You should trust her."
"It's not her I don't trust, it's him," Peeta seethes. It would always be Gale Hawthorne, the center of his nerves as long as Katniss was around.
"Peeta, you're something short of a greek goddess. That girl would have to be handicapped to break up with you."
...
There is no resolve the following day at school, Katniss to stubborn to apologize and Peeta to angry to even think about it.
"Why don't you talk to her. No one said you had to apologize," Delly offers that day at lunch, sensing the tension as she sat between the two.
Peeta doesn't talk to her and she doesn't talk to him.
When she gets into Gale Hawthornes car when the school bell rings, Peeta doesn't flinch when his fist comes in contact with a stop sign.
...
It's the third day of them not talking that Peeta begins to worry.
Valentines Day is the following day, the first time in his fifteen years of life that he's been remotely interested in the holiday. He had booked reservations at a nice restaurant by the lake, one he'd never taken her to because he was saving it for something special. When he'd told her, she'd been excited and now he wondered if that was even the plan.
When she doesn't show up for school that day, he goes to her house promptly when school ends, not wasting even a moment to mutter out an excuse to his friends.
When he gets there, it's Prim who answers the door, her hair in a loose ponytail, one of the bows he'd purchased for her hanging on the elastic. She greets him warmly, inviting him in. He knows he will not get the same response from Katniss.
Peeta knocks on her closed door, taking a moment to listen for any resistance before shoving his way inside. He sees Katniss, bundled beneath a heap of blankets, her back turned towards him, what looks like untouched breakfast on the table beside her. Had she not eaten all day?
"Katniss," he says, moving slowly towards her. The bed dips as he lays on it, his body cradling hers. The last time they'd been in this position, they were both still naked.
She doesn't respond to his calls, just stiffens in his arms and he can hear her sniffle now and again. "Are you hurt?" He asks, his eyes racking over her body. She shakes her head. "What's wrong Katniss? If this is about me I'm-"
"It's not about you, Peeta," she interrupts, smearing away the tears that are coming down in long streaks.
"Then what is it?" Peeta questions, his heart beating rapidly within his own chest. Was this the day she ended it all? He would have to return the chocolates and teddy bear he'd purchased last week...
"My father," she croaks, a sob catching in her throat though she tries her best to disguise the sound, muffling it with the sleeve of the hoodie she wore.
Peeta couldn't see her eyes but he knew she was in pain, pain he couldn't understand because he had never been in the position she had been in. Maybe she was right. How could she expect Peeta to understand when, virtually, they lived in two different worlds? Hers with nothing but loss and heartache. His with nothing but praise and fulfillment. How did they get here?
"What about him?" Peeta asks, his arms tightening around her to pull her close. She stands away for a minute but then she sinks into his hold, kissing the hands that tie at her front.
"It's his birthday," she says. "He would've been forty-six years old today. Isn't that crazy?"
"My parents still have a good ten years on him," Peeta jokes, feeling her smile as he says the words. "Did you tell him happy birthday?"
She shakes her head. "No but my mother ran from the house this morning before the sun rose. I don't think she can handle..."
"Don't think she can handle what?"
"I don't think she can handle being around me. I remind her too much of him. I am too much of everything he was, you know?" Peeta didn't know. Physically, he supposed. She looked nothing like Prim and Mrs. Everdeen. He could only assume she looked like her father.
"Have you told her this?" Peeta asks, moving her hair over her shoulder, getting a clearer view of her pale face through the little light that illuminates from the window.
"No. She's here for Prim. What more can I really ask of her?"
"But someone needs to be here for you," Peeta whispers, placing a soft kiss on her exposed cheek, tasting the salty tears as they fall from her eyes. "I'm here for you."
"I know, Peeta. I'm so sorry. I was being so stupid the other day. I've just been more and more stressed with the date getting nearer and...and we did really need money for the phone bill but I did not mean to lash out on you," she apologizes, turning in his arms, tucking her face into the crook of his neck like she was hiding. Maybe she was.
"You don't have to apologize. I was being irrational," Peeta says.
"You were being a jealous boyfriend," Katniss agrees.
"Yeah. I guess it'll always be that way."
...
They go to dinner at the restaurant Peeta had reserved, eating the finest foods either of them had ever tasted.
Katniss offers to pick up the tab but Peeta declines.
She gives him a blow job in the basement of his house in return.
...
Their 9 month anniversary happens to fall on Peetas birthday.
When he wakes that morning, Katniss is downstairs, a plate of pancakes in her hand, a gift sitting on the granite counter top. His father is sitting at the table, Prim and Finnick too but his mother is no where to be found. Probably sulking in her room until Katniss leaves.
"Happy birthday, Peeta," she smiles, running to him and throwing her arms around his neck. For a moment, he's oblivious to the audience he has, sitting at his kitchen table. When he pulls away, she places a sweet kiss atop his cheek.
"You didn't have to do this," he tells her though he's glad she did.
His breakfast is nice, all his favorite people in one room, laughing and joking at his expense but he wouldn't have it any other way.
Mr. Mellark takes him to the DPS to get his license right after school. He delights Katniss by arriving at her house two hours later with a license in hand and the brand new Jeep his parents purchase for him.
"Take me somewhere," she says, toeing on the boots that sit by the front door, running at full force into Peetas warm car. "It already smells like you."
Peeta smiles. "What do I smell like?"
"Like cinnamon and raisins and everything I love!" She sings, throwing her hands in the air. The breeze is nice, the spring air trickling in though Peeta worries about Katniss without a jacket.
"Where do you want to go?" Peeta asks, putting the car into drive and waving at young Primrose who stands a the front window, waving excitedly at the two as the car makes it's way up the main street.
"Somewhere I can make love to you."
...
That somewhere ends up being Marvels lake house about ten minutes outside of town. He shoots Marvel a quick text, asking him for the passcode to the gate. He gets the code along with a long list of rules such as "no birthday sex on my couch". That one will just have to be broken.
Ten minutes later, all clothes have been shed and Peeta stares up at Katnisses naked body as she swivels her hips on his member, using her legs to propel herself up and down his manhood. He'd talked her out of the blow job she'd wanted to give him in the car, knowing there is no way he could've survived the night if that happened.
"Katniss, you feel so fucking good," he moans, placing his hands on her hips to help her set the tempo. She nods enthusiastically, moaning loudly as she does so. She'd long gotten past the pain and Peeta finds sex much more enjoyable when Katniss isn't crying.
"Is this what you wanted, birthday boy?" She whispers into his ear, using the tip of her tongue to leave a trail of saliva on jaw, nipping at the skin as Peetas mouth fights to find her own.
"No. I just wanted to be with you. This is just a bonus," he says, his head falling back and eyes falling shut. He knows the end is coming and he only hopes she reaches it before he does.
"Well this is what I want," she says, punctuating her words with a thrust. Peeta is sure this will be the end of him. He wouldn't mind dying now, dying with Katniss Everdeen riding him seemed like the perfect way to go. "I wanted to cook you breakfast naked but I don't think your parents would like me very much."
The image of her naked body with only the green apron she had on this morning is his undoing and he groans into the crook of her neck. He doesn't stop thrusting until he feels her come five seconds later.
"Happy birthday baby," she says breathlessly.
...
"How good was the birthday sex?" Finnick asks the next day, xbox controller in hand as he, yet again, gets blown to pieces by mutant rats.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Peeta says but the smile on his face says something different.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," he says, his fingers pausing the game. "Do you think Annie likes me?"
Peeta shrugs. "I don't think she would be spending so much time with you if she didn't."
...
Peeta goes by the car dealership two Saturdays later, surprising her with lunch from her favorite sandwich shop in town. Gale is not working today, he'd made sure of it before he arrived. He didn't need there to be any tension and he didn't want to make Katniss uncomfortable.
As much as he hated it, the two were friends. On days when Peeta was not there, he'd heard a wide range of stories about her being friendly with Gale Hawthorne. Finnick assured him, from what he saw, it was nothing romantic. But the thought of him being around still unnerved Peeta. He tries to keep the comments to himself but it's becoming more and more difficult. Katniss assures him he's being ridiculous. His friends assure him he isn't worried enough.
"We trust each other," he tells them. They leave him alone after that. Katniss could very well have her own reservations about Delly Cartwright and if she does, she keeps them to herself. So Peeta has begun to keep them to himself in hopes of avoiding any further tension.
She's working in a little back office when he arrives, her shoulder keeping the receiver in place, her smile brightening as Peeta walks in quietly. She holds up a finger, ending the phone call with whoever was on the other line. "Hard at work?" Peeta jokes, unwrapping the sandwiches he'd bought them.
"You know it," she says. "Peeta, you know a way to a girls heart."
"What can I say? I try," he shrugs.
"So, my birthday is coming up," Katniss says after a long while, sucking a bit of mustard from her thumb. "And I decided all I want from you is a batch of cheese buns."
Peeta laughs. "I did that last year. So unoriginal."
"I didn't get you anything for your birthday," she points out.
"Well, you kinda did so I mean," Peeta mumbles, his cheeks burning at the memory.
"Cheese buns or we're done," Katniss announces.
"You run a hard bargain, Ms. Everdeen."
"And don't you forget it."
...
The night before her birthday, he does in fact make her three dozen cheese buns like he had the year before, burying the charm bracelet he'd purchased for her in the one red velvet cupcake he'd made.
He should be studying for the finals he has tomorrow, but somehow making Katniss happy trumps all else.
"You're wasting your time with this boy," his mother tells him for the tenth time that night, shaking her head in disgust at the boy hard at work, bent over his creations.
"She didn't ask for anything, mom. I'm just being a good boyfriend," Peeta tells her.
"I'm telling you, you would just be better off with Delly," she preaches. "Her mother is always bragging in bridge club about-"
Peeta drowns his mother out for the rest of the night.
...
After Katniss finishes her fourth cheese bun, she then decides she's ready to swim, unwrapping the towel from around her slender body and running to the edge of the pool, screaming a warning to those who splash around, before plunging into the water. Peeta laughs, watching her dark hair fall in a halo around her, her grey eyes misty from the chlorine in the pool water.
"Peeta, you gonna get in or just sit there?" Marvel screams, being the only person in the hot tub. Peeta finds it ridiculous, almost. It was May, nearly ninety degrees outside. The hot tub didn't seem like fun.
"Yeah, Peeta. Jump in," Katniss says, her arms swinging rapidly as Thresh hoists her up into the air.
Peeta doesn't waist another moment, front flipping into the ice cold water, gritting his teeth as he reemerges at the surface. "It's too cold," he tells Katniss who locks her arms around his neck, giving him a small peck before moving away. They know Mrs. Mellark is keeping a close eye on the situation.
"I'll warm you up later then," Katniss purrs in his ear, making his cock stiffen. "I can see you like that idea."
"Katniss," he warns, swimming backwards and away from her body. There are too many eyes on them, too many of their close friends in this pool.
Katniss giggles and disappears below the water.
...
The next time the two are alone is the first day of summer.
The moment they were let out of school, the two of them high tailed it from the parking lot, making it to the Mellarks in record time. His parents weren't home, both still at the bakery being it was only a little past lunch.
They had hours Peeta realizes as he toes his shoes off, discarding his shirt as soon as the door gives a soft click. When his eyes find Katniss she's done the same, her hands moving behind her to unlatch her bra. He'd seen her naked plenty of times but her body was something that never failed to make him hard.
"Where to?" She asks, her breasts hanging in his face as she turns to face him, three steps higher than where he stood. He can't stop himself and takes one into his mouth, sucking on the dark puckered nipple until she sings. "Peeta, not here."
"Why not?" He asks, turned on by the idea of claiming her as his own on these very steps. He would never be able to look at them the same.
"Anyone could walk in," she gasps. She was right, of course. Just because his parents weren't supposed to be home for hours didn't mean they'd be gone the whole time. So he reluctantly releases her from his mouth, grabbing ahold of the lacy pink bra she wore in one hand, grabbing her other and pulling her up the stairs into his room.
"I've been waiting for this for a while," Katniss tells him, focusing her attention on his tricky belt buckle, ripping the pants down his legs as soon as she has it undone. "I haven't had you in weeks."
"More like a week," Peeta confirms, moaning as her small hand begins to pump his length, his teeth worrying his bottom lip until he can taste blood. "Katniss, stop. I'm not ready yet."
Katniss stands, peeling the dark wash jeans from her legs, taking her panties as well. She lies back on his bed, her head hoisted on the pillows his mother fluffed this morning, her legs falling open to his gaze as he watches her. Peeta was in complete awe of this women.
"I'm getting lonely here," she whispers, moving her hands to caress her breasts.
Peeta wastes no time jumping to her attention, his hand taking over the job and his other burying itself between her legs, two fingers slipping inside of her.
"You're so wet," he tells her. "I don't even know how it's possible."
Katniss smirks. "You know what you're doing," she compliments, moaning as his thumb joins in the mix, flicking the precious nerve at the apex of her thighs, not stopping until she's withering beneath him, chanting his name as she falls from her high. "Now I need you inside me."
Peeta reaches over to the bed side table, feeling for a condom. One everything is good to go, he eases inside her, giving her a moment to adjust to the feeling before starting to move, his eyes falling shut as he fills her to the brink, her moans the only sound in the room as he thrusts with purpose.
Sex was the best thing that ever happened to me. No, Katniss Everdeen was the best thing that ever happened to him. He would not want to do this with anyone else. As far as he was concerned, he would never do this with anyone else. She was it. She was all he wanted forever and ever and ever...
"Like that," Katniss moans, moving her hand down to rub her own clit. Peeta would offer to do it for her but the visual was more than enough to finish him. He knew this would be over in a few minutes. "Peeta, I'm coming," she says, her back arching as her walls tighten around his throbbing cock, giving him two more thrusts before, he too, succumbs to his orgasm.
He waits a moment, waits until she stops moaning and his head stops spinning, before pulling out, walking to the bathroom to dispose to the condom and then cradling her in his arms, kissing the back of her neck which is salty with sweat. He didn't care.
"Hey Peeta," she says after awhile, her hands moving to tangle in his hair.
"Yeah?" He asks, his eyes droopy with sleep.
"I love you."
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