A/N: Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews, it made me get this out faster. Hope you enjoy. I own nothing it's all Suzanne Collins. I did repost this if any of you are confused.
Also a special thanks to my beta girl: notagoodpenname you rock!
Chapter Two
Hours have passed by…slowly might I add. I sit at the kitchen table just watching the clock as my mother cleans up the kitchen. I can't help but wonder what Peeta wants to talk to me about? And in private! That just makes me wonder all the more. Our conversation this morning wasn't the best; I acted like an idiot because I was embarrassed about a dream he didn't even know I had. Yup that's me, Katniss Everdeen, the girl who was on fire, the dumbest girl alive...
Knock, knock, knock.
"Katniss, honey can you see who that is?" My mother calls from the kitchen. Yes that's right, we now have a real kitchen. After I won the games our house got totally redone. We now have full on electricity that doesn't short out, running water that stays hot for longer than twenty minutes, and to top it all off, ceiling fans in the kitchen, bedrooms, and living room. Who would have thought that you'd get an extreme home makeover for winning? And I don't even have to worry about upkeep—even though as a Victor I now have enough money to keep up every house on the block—because the capital actually pays to keep everything running nice for us. They even installed a fancy baking stove and fridge I thought only the bakery could have. So now, instead of food going bad after a couple of days, it can last for a week or two depending on what it is.
I walk over to open the door and am shocked at who I'm now looking at. "Katniss!" she yells while opening her arms to pull me into a hug. "I finally get to thank you! I haven't been able to see you since you got back from the games!" Mrs. Mellark squeals as she lets me go. She's even smiling! I can't help but be surprised that the muscles responsible for smiling are even capable of forming such a display of affection after what I had always assumed to be years of inactivity on their part. Who is this woman and what has she done to Peeta's mother? While I am still contemplating this she adds "You defiantly need to come by more." she pauses. "Is your mother home darling?"
Darling. Did she just say that to me? Why is she acting as if I'm her best friend? Last time I saw her she yelled at me for trying to sell a squirrel to her husband.
"Um yeah, I thought we were coming by your house tonight?" I question her confused on why she's here.
"About that." she steps in and I see Peeta who I'm guessing had been standing behind her the whole time. He walks in behind his mother caring a basket full of what looks like food. Mrs. Mellark continues, "The Capitol people are coming by this afternoon to renovate the kitchen and a few rooms so we won't be able to cook there. So I thought I could just make the dinner here, with your mother's help of course."
"Well that sounds lovely," my mother says with a smile. "Oh Peeta you can set that down on the table." she insists after seeing the basket in his hands. "It looks awfully heavy."
"No it's not that bad," he smiles as he walks over to the counter. "I've lifted things much much heavier—Right Katniss?" he adds with a wink. I blush and nod my head yes while I turn away.
"Katniss, why don't you go up to the market and get Prim some new clothes." My mother says. "Just don't over spend." she adds.
"Alright. Come on little duck." I say and reach my hand out to Prim and she takes it with a smile. As we head to the door I hear Mrs. Mellark say."Peeta why don't you join them while we get started. Besides I think you've cooked enough today anyways." I shake my head quickly trying to wipe the utter look of shock off my face. Mrs. Mellark letting Peeta out of work AND suggesting he spend time with me—now I know she has gone crazy!
"Alright." he smiles and follows us out the door. "So what kind of clothes are we looking for?" he asks.
"I want some new dresses." Prim says and smiles. "Maybe skirts but usually I always have a hard time finding a shirt that matches the shirts I have."
"She's in that weird stage where my clothes are too big for her and hers are becoming a tad too tight." I tell hime and he nods.
"Come on, come on, come on guys!" she yells, running into the shop all excited.
I couldn't help but laugh as I watched her run. I mean, I've seen Prim run and get all excited before but never have I seen her so excited about clothes shopping. Before the games we'd go to the back of the store where everything was used. And even then, we would only venture into the store as a last resort when I wasn't able to scrounge up anything at the Hob. Back then we could barely afford the most tattered used clothing, and never even bothered lifting our heads to see what new clothing was available. It still feels strange to be in this part of the store.
Prim squeals as she sees several dresses she likes and grabs them and goes straight for the fitting room. "So the Capitol is stopping by to renovate your house now?" I ask trying to break the tension between myself and Peeta.
"Yeah I guess I got the short straw and they did yours first which doesn't bother me." He says. "Plus I would have told them to renovate yours first anyways." He smiles. "I mean it is ladies first after all."
I smile at him. I can't believe he is acting so nice to me after I was such a jerk this morning. Actually, I can believe it; Peeta is always nice to me. As a wave of guilt passes over me I spurt something out before I have time to process what it is I'm saying. "I'm sorry I was such a snob this morning. I just had the strangest dream last night." Oh god. I should not have said that
"What about?" He asked leaning against the wall of the fitting rooms. "Anything good."
I blush and look away. I guess the cat's out of the bag. Well, if he wants to know about the dream, I'm going to make him work for it. "You may or may not have been in it." I tease, knowing now that he'd be interested.
"Really now." He says curiously crossing his arms. "And may I ask what it was that I may or may not have been doing?"
My cheeks get redder and I smile and look up at him. "Wouldn't you like to know?" Oh my god I'm flirting with him. With Peeta...and he's flirting back with me.
"Let me guess it was a good dream?" he says and I slowly nod. "Hmmm..." He looks at me with a devilish grin. "I was naked wasn't I?"
I look at him in shock. "No!" I say very high pitched and a little bit too loud. He's laughing now. "No." I say again and my cheeks are on fire.
"My my my." He's still laughing. "Katniss, with that reaction, I know I'm right!."
"No you are not." I couldn't help but laugh nervously. "No you were dressed." I add.
"Well yes I'm sure I was at the start" He teases. "Until you stripped me."
"Whatever you say Peeta." I laugh again. "Whatever you say."
"So let me get this right." He says with a serious face. "I was dressed and then I wasn't?" He paused. "Did you have a naughty dream last night Katniss?"
I can only imagine what my face looks like at this moment. All I know is I'm trying my hardest to keep my eyes from bugging out of my head. "PRIM!" I half yell and he laughs. "Oh honey that dress is pretty...but um… I think it's a little too big."
"I bet it was." Peeta mumbles so only I could hear.
"Why don't you grab a size smaller that fits you better?" I tell her. She gives me a questioning look and I know what she is asking.. "We don't need to buy baggy clothes to grow into anymore. It's alright Prim go on." I assure her with a smile and she hurries off to the dress racks with a big smile across her face. Prim grabs the same dress in a smaller size. It's a light purple sundress that comes down just above her knees with white horizontal strips. She looks rather cute while she admires herself in a mirror across the store. As I turn back I realize Peeta is still looking at me with that devilish grin.
"Let's just say it wasn't a usual dream for me okay." I say and look away embarrassed.
"So I am right?" He half teases but with a serious tone to his voice.
"Will you drop it if I say yes?" I ask him.
"Of course not." He smiles. "But, I might lesson my line of questioning if you can answer me this one thing." He paused. "Did you enjoy whatever it was I may or may not have been doing naked?"
Oh my god...now my eyes are definitely bugging out of my head. I look down, embarrassed both by his question and my reaction. I am blushing again…although I realize I've probably never stopped blushing since this conversation started—when I was stupid enough to mention the dream. I know there is a huge smile on his face now. He loves making me uncomfortable. "Maybe." I mumble.
"And that's why you were not very nice this morning at the bakery?"
"Well I haven't really seen you in a month so it was awkward seeing you." I said.
"Fully clothed?" He teases and laughs at my reaction. "Okay, okay I'll let it go."
"Thank you." I say annoyed.
"For now that is." He adds. "Somehow I will get the rest out of you. I don't know how yet but I will find out what happened. After all" he pauses and leans into me. His lips are right next to my ear and when he speaks I can feel his breath on my neck. His voice is much deeper now, and barely over a whisper, "it was dirty wasn't it?" I put my face in my hands and groan with embarrassment.. Peeta pulls back and is laughing harder than ever now. He couldn't resist saying that, knowing how I react to these kinds of questions. But at least now the conversation is done.
Shopping took a good hour as Prim tried on dress after dress. It wouldn't have taken so long if she hadn't decided to also try on several skirts. This lead to what felt like an eternity of her looking through all the shirts in the store trying to find one to match a skirt she liked. She keeps rambling about how she doesn't want to look five anymore and wants to look more grown up like me. Clothes are always a struggle with Prim which is why mom usually goes with her on these occasions. I did however pick out a couple of shoes she fell in love with.
After checking out we headed home with Prim half skipping half running in front of us eager to show mom what she got. Peeta is walking next to me with a smile on his face probably trying to think of ways to trick me into telling him more about my dream. I try to ignore him and just keep walking. My face is still red from blushing and Peeta seems to like that. He seems so different since I last saw him. More smiley and flirty and happy. I love seeing him this way. When he smiles at me I can't help but just smile right back at him. Who are you Peeta Mellark? Even after being home surrounded by tons of girls he still has his eyes set on me, and I have no idea why.
I stop walking as we reach my house and turn to him. "So what's up with our moms?" I ask. I meant to ask him earlier in the store but my stupid dream comment made sure that couldn't happen. "I mean she hates me but now is all buddy buddy with my mom? It doesn't make sense."
"Well after we were reaped they would watch the games together so that if/when one of us died they'd have someone with them." He tells me. "My parents took care of Prim and your mom after they saw how you were treating me in the arena, even when I was with the Careers and you thought I was trying to kill you. ."
"So because I didn't want you to die she loves me?"
He could see the confusion in my eyes and voice. "She loves that you kept me alive and didn't let me die."
"I would never let you die." I whisper mostly to myself and look down. He must have heard me because before I realize what's happening he has wrapped his arms around me and I find myself wrapping mine around him, tightly.
"I feel the same way." He whispers resting his head on mine. I didn't realize how much I missed his touch until just now. I feel so small wrapped in his arms. It is while I am trying to burn this moment into my memory that I feel Peeta tense in my arms and I know we've been spotted.
"Awe!" Rye said. "Look Wheat, they're so cute hugging all close and everything." we break apart immediately and look up. There they were Rye, Wheat, and Mr. Mellark walking towards us.
"Don't stop because of us now." Wheat smirks. "We will just be inside watching from a distance" he teases and we both blush. Both his brothers laugh as they walk past us and Mr. Mellark just shakes his head with a slight grin on his face.
"I miss your squirrels Katniss." He tells me. "They were always my after dinner snack and boy have I been longing for one."
"Sorry." I say and frown. "I haven't really been in the woods since I've been back."
"Oh it's quite alright dear, I'm sure I'll get to enjoy one again sometime." Mr. Mellark takes in a deep breath through his nose and sighs. "Smells wonderful doesn't it?"
I smile at him. "Sure does." I say and we all walk inside my house.
I walk over and sit down on the new love seat the Capitol gave us. It's very soft and fluffy. My favorite part is how I can push a button and it'll recline, making it even more relaxing to sit in. Mr. Mellark is in the corner reading a book he brought along while Rye and Wheat sit on the couch across from me playing some kind of card game with each other. Prim sits on the floor watching them play, amazed. Peeta walks over from the entry way and sits down next to me silently. I cross my arms across my chest and just stare blankly at Rye and Wheat wondering what they are doing. I've seen many kids at school play card games—I just never really cared to figure out how to play. It's not that I viewed the games as pointless, I just didn't have time for such things since I spent all my free time hunting and with Gale and just trying to survive.
"It'll be maybe another twenty or so minutes guys." Mrs. Mellark says from the kitchen. I look up to see her and my mother busy cooking. I'm not sure what they are making tonight but it smells so good. I sigh and lean back.
"Prim, sweetheart," My mother calls from the kitchen. "Would you be a dear and set the table for me." Knowing she has no choice she sighs and gets up. Picking up on Prim's sigh, Peeta's dad offers to help her. Their absence from the living room leaves me alone with Peeta, Rye, and Wheat. Great, this should be fun.
"So." Wheat starts as soon as Prim and his dad leave the room. "That was some hug huh?" he winks at us.
"It was a normal hug," Peeta states. I nod in agreement, but the more I think about it maybe we were a little too close. I mean, both of our chests were pressed together, and I mean very closely pressed together. It definitely was not the type of hug I'd give Prim or my mother. "What's the big deal?" Peeta asks.
"Well it just seemed awfully cozy to me." Rye adds.
"Exactly." Wheat teases. "Way too cozy for a normal hug."
"Oh big deal, we hugged. Get over yourselves." I say a little too harsh.
"My my, aren't we getting a little defensive now Katniss." Rye says putting his cards down. "I think that means you likes a certain somebody. But don't worry, I won't name names because I'm not that kind of guy, am I Peeta?" He puts way too much emphasis on Peeta's name. I have to get out of here.
"You know what," I say and stand up. "I'm gonna go for a walk."
"Awe come on now Katniss don't be like that." Wheat says amused. "We're just messing with you is all." I turn and look at him before he adds, "Because frankly you two just make it way too easy. You and Peeta blushing left and right, I mean come on, how can I refuse a little tease?"
I shake my head, turn, and walk outside. I head over to the candy shop which has already closed by now and sit down on the bench by the door. I look down at my feet trying to figure things out. Was the whole night going to be like this—Peeta's brothers looking for any way to make me feel uncomfortable?
I take a deep breath and try to relax. Even though I don't want to, I can't help but replay the dream in my mind. "I got something big and huge and I want you on it." My god, could he of said it any better? Just remembering that one sentence turns me on and I start to think about Peeta, again. His perfect body just has to torment me today doesn't it? His strong arms show off his muscles and his white shirt just is always snug against his chest showing off his abs. I could even feel his muscles through his shirt today when he hugged me. Maybe I should have taken that as a sign that we were too close, but it felt so right. I just want to run my hands all over his abs, tracing them back and forth. And I want to make him smile that sexy grin that lights up his bright blue eye. I could just get lost in them. As for the something big downstairs...that I have no idea about but boy could I only imagine…
"Mind if I join you?" My thoughts are interrupted and my body jerks up suddenly to find Peeta standing in front of me. I must look like a stunned animal. Even though he couldn't possibly know what I was thinking about, I am so embarrassed that even saw me while I was thinking about…well how well-endowed he might be. What is wrong with me today?
I shake my head no and he sits down next to me. "I'm sorry about my brothers Katniss." He says rather calmly. "If it makes you feel any better they are far worse to me at home."
I smile. "I can't imagine."
"It's not all bad, especially when I can get them back for it," he says reassuringly. There is a long pause. I finally lift my head up from staring at my feet and give him a hint of a smile. I feel a slight shiver run down my spine as he returns the look. "I want you to have something." he says reaching in his pocket. I watch him pull out a little black box and he hands it to me. "I saw it in the market the other day and it just had your name all over it."
"You didn't have to get me anything Peeta," I say, afraid to reach for it. I hope it's not a ring. That's and awfully small box. One that usually contains a ring.
"Here." He puts it in my hand and smiles. "If you don't like it that's okay too."
I breathe in slowly and hesitate before opening the box. When I finally lift the lid, staring back at me is a small silver arrow. I realize it is attached to a chain and I sigh as I take it out of the box. A silver arrow necklace. I couldn't help but smile. "I love it Peeta."
"I know how much you love your arrows…or, I mean, how good you are with the bow. This arrow can remind you of that." He shrugs. "You don't have to wear it. I just wanted you to have it."
"It's perfect." I say and take it out of the box. "Will you help me put it on?" I ask him and he smiles. He takes the necklace from me and carefully places it around my neck, clasping the chain shut. His hands brush against my skin and I shiver from his touch. The arrow rests on my chest, so near my heart, and I can't help but think of my father right now. Even though Peeta probably doesn't realize it, having this small little charm is a reminder of the skill my father taught me so many years ago. A skill that allowed me to keep my mother and Prim alive during those hard years in the seam when I would go hunting. And through that hunting I was able to meet my best friend, Gale. My father's teachings kept Peeta and I safe during the games too, and without that, I could not be here, in District 12, sitting next to Peeta, the boy with the bread, right now. I shudder as I think just how meaningful this present is.
"Cold?" He asks me noticing my shiver..
"I'm okay." I smile at him. I decide to change the subject away from the necklace so I don't become emotional. "You wanted to talk to me about something this morning." He looks confused so I continued. "You wanted to talk in private later today and you said it wasn't bad. Do you want to talk now?"
"Oh that." He says, the tone in his voice making it sound bad. He runs he hand through his blond hair and sighs. "Um well..."
"Katniss, Peeta!" My mother calls over to us. "Dinner is done!" Wow, could her timing be any worse?
"After you." He says moving his arm towards the door with a sadness to his face. I get up and he follows me inside. I take my seat next to Prim while Peeta sits down in the empty seat next to me. Great now I'll have to suffer through this meal wondering what he wants to tell me. He told me this mothingvit's nothing bad but somehow I have a feeling that it is. Maybe he doesn't love me anymore after all. Maybe I waited too long to realize I wanted him and he moved on to some ditzy girl that only wants him because he's a Victor and . Fantastic. I look down at my empty plate while my fingers mindlessly trace the outline of the flower design on my napkin.
I can't get the thought of him not loving me anymore out of my mind. I try to convince myself that's not true. He wanted me in my dream—am I really trying to convince myself that Peeta loves me because the "dream version" of him wanted me? I must be desperate for reassurance. Whatever works, I guess. Besides, wanted is a bit of an understatement, try he needed me. Why couldn't that be now? Well obviously not right this moment, as in here and now on the dinner table. Although now that the thought had entered my brain and I was thinking about it, I kind of wish he was. I wish it was just me and Peeta having dinner tonight.
He could slowly bend me over, my breast pressed against the table, and slide right in me. Or, I could lay back flat on the table near the edge and he could pull my legs apart and enter that way too. It would be quick and fun. Easier than the bedroom. His hands running all over my body as he thrust in and out of me, kissing me anywhere he could reach. Just one problem, Peeta and I aren't alone tonight. I frown.
At this moment I think I want Peeta more than I have ever wanted food. This is bad. I am very horny and at the dinner table with his and my family and all I can think about is fucking him on this table. What in the world is wrong with me? Did I hit my head this morning too? I glance down at Peeta's lap wishing I could see through his blue jeans wondering if he was turned on too. I just wanted to rip his jeans off with my teeth and have him for dinner and desert. I want to hear him pant my name. Katniss, Katniss, KATNISS!
"Katniss." My mom calls. "Honey can I have your plate."
I'm still staring down at Peeta's crotch but no one seems to really notice that. I didn't hear her at all. "Katniss." she says again and Peeta nudges me in my side. I jerk up confused. "Your plate honey." She smiles at me. "You alright?"
"Yeah, sorry I just kind of spaced out." I say holding my plate up for her and she takes it. I look across the table and Rye is staring at me with a smirk on his face as if he could read my thoughts. Oh god. I blush and look back down at my lap. My mom try's to give me my plate back but I'm not paying attention so Peeta grabs it from her and slides my plate right under my head. "Sorry." I mumble again wondering what everyone is thinking about me now. I look over at Rye who is still smiling over at me with his I know what you are thinking about smile.
Thankfully Mr. Mellark interrupts this awkward moment. "Here is to Katniss and Peeta." He says with a smile as he holds up his glass of wine. "For loyalty and friendship and, well…for not killing my son." We all chuckle as this, because really, there are only two reactions his words can bring, and laughing is a better alternative than crying.
"For taking care of each other no matter what happened." My mother adds with a smile.
"Till death do you part?" Wheat mutters and Rye nods in agreement. "To the start of something new indeed."
We all take a drink out of our glasses and set them back down on the table. Mrs. Mellark looks like she couldn't be happier. I glance over at Peeta who is looking at me with the sweetest smile, which causes me to smile right back. I am so thankful he is next to me right now.
A/N: I'm stopping here but don't worry the next chapter will pick up where this one end off. Tell me what you think, I love reading all of your reviews.