Thanks for reading, my little detour from RRS. I hope this is at least a little entertaining lol. I'm trying to keep it moving along, because lets face it, all the fun stuff in Les Mis happens in the second half.
Thanks SolasVioletta for being my patient beta.
Before any of them knew it, almost three weeks had passed. The Mellark men became permanent fixtures in their household, as Pya couldn't stand the idea of them being in a shelter. She knew that if they took up residency anywhere else, Peeta would be officially declared as "unregistered." The punishment, should he be discovered, was instant removal from his father, placement in the childrens home and a one way ticket into the arena once he reached the age of twelve. There would be no reaping for the boys, unless another family was caught attempting the same rouse. They didn't bother with a reaping if an unregistered child was caught. That sentence was automatic, unwavering, and with no chance of appeal.
Not one unregistered child had ever won the games.
It was a temporary solution and they all knew it, but Pya found that she rather liked having a man in the house again. It was wonderful to have someone home when the girls got out of school. There was always dinner ready when she came from the office, and when the snow she'd predicted began to fall the following day, her walkway was always cleared. In fact her neighbors thought he was a hired servant of the house and many of them offered him a few coins each day to clean their walkways as well.
Artos earned his board ten times over.
He'd run a bakery in Dasis and had been teaching her girls the finer points of flavor and decoration. On the night of her twenty-ninth birthday Pya came home to find a cake made of half a dozen combined flavors (many of which didn't blend well with each other) and covered with layers of frosting in colors that had been mixed together so many times the result was a sad looking brownish-gray. Artos had added some pink flower designs and the girls had declared it beautiful.
From across the table, he raised eyebrows to her in a silent apology. Pya smiled and ate every bite.
As they sat by the fire, Artos laughed, "Sorry. I tried to warn them that peppermint wouldn't mix with caramel, but they insisted."
Pya sipped on the glass of wine she held, "The strawberry mousse mixed with the cinnamon was a little unusual."
"Your girls are creative, I'll give them that," he said with a shake of his head, "I think they had fun."
"You're really good with them."
"Well," he told her, "I always hoped for a daughter. My boys are amazing, but we were wishing for a girl."
"You'll get one," she assured him, "A sweet boy like Peeta will find himself a nice girl one day. Of course, Katniss might never let him go."
When she was home from school, Katniss rarely left Peeta's side. Even now, they were upstairs, both fast asleep in her bed. Katniss kept her arms around him protectively while he slept, ensuring that they were never more than few inches apart.
"They're pretty attached to each other," he agreed, "it'll be rough on them when we leave."
"Do you think that'll be soon?" she asked, taking another sip from the glass in her hand.
He nodded solemnly, "Probably. We need to be somewhere safe by the time the real cold hits. I think we can reach Canaa if we leave in the next week. If we can get a break in the snow, that is."
Canaa was a town in Disrtict 11 that had met the same fate at Dasis. No one knew where it was anymore, or if it even still existed.
"What if it doesn't let up?"
"Don't worry," he said, "we'll be out of your hair soon."
"I don't want you running off in the cold," said Pya, "especially if you don't know exactly where you're going."
"We can follow the train tracks."
"And what if a train comes along?" she asked, "You'll be caught."
"What do you suggest?" he snapped impatiently, "We live the rest of our lives hiding out here?"
"I think you should go back to Dasis," she said for what must have been the hundredth time.
He held a glass of whiskey in his hand, from which he took a large swallow, feeling a fiery burn in his chest, "We can't go back there just to starve again."
"Artos, I have a house full of valuable junk and an account full of credits."
"No," he shook his head, "You've done enough. We can't live off your charity."
"Its not charity," she said firmly, "Its payment."
"For what?" he asked carefully.
Pya downed the rest of her wine. When she looked back at Artos, he could see the set determination in her eyes, telling him that she did not wish to be talked out of what she was about to suggest.
"When you go," she began, "I want you to take my girls with you."
His jaw dropped and for a long moment he sat in silence. Finally he took a deep breath, ready to make a logical argument as to why what she was asking was impossible.
"I'm serious," she insisted before he could speak, "They can't stay here. You know about the Games, Artos. If there is any way to keep them out of that, then I have to do it. I'll give you anything you want, if you'll get them out of here."
"It's not possible," he said gently, "If your kids come up missing, where will the peacekeepers go looking for them? You said it yourself, Dasis is free of government rule because we've kept under their radar. They think we died out. If they go looking for your girls and they find them in Dasis, they'll burn the city to the ground. There are hundreds of kids there and they'll all end up in the reaping pool or killed. And you know that if they find your girls there, its a guarantee they'll become tributes- both of them." He turned away, looking down at the glass in his hands, "Besides, what would happen to you if your daughters up and vanished? You'd be the first person they would suspect. They'd imprison you or worse. Everything you've worked for and done for this town would mean nothing. "
"I don't care about that," she said.
"I do!" he shot at her, "I can't help you. I'm sorry."
Pya felt her heart rate increasing. Artos was turning slightly red as she watched.
"Why do you care what happens to me?" she asked, "You don't even know me."
A smile crossed his face as he turned to look at her, "You and I have sat here- right here- every day for the last nineteen days. We've talked about everything."
"Still-"
"I've watched you," he said, "I see how you are with your kids and how you act with mine. I know that you come home completely exhausted, but you still see anyone who comes to your door needing help, usually without expecting payment. I know you fought for your position to help this town and you've done more for it in less than a month than the last one did in his entire first year. I know that you're willing to take a HUGE risk for someone that you don't even know because nineteen days ago, we didn't know each other. Your favorite color is purple. When you get nervous, you bite your bottom lip which you're doing right now," he laughed as she quickly let go of her lip and tried to make her face impassive to hide the flush. He went on, "Katniss does the exact same thing when she's thinking hard about something. Your daughters are just like you."
"That's a terrifying thought," she said hastily.
"I think its amazing," he countered, "You're a hell of a woman, Pya and you're teaching those girls well. Hell, I hope Peeta can find himself a girl like Katniss. I'd be damn proud...I just don't think it can be her."
She looked down at her folded hands, "She'll be heartbroken if you leave."
It was a silly thing to think about, that a six year old wouldn't move on to find someone else in the remainder of the long life she still had to live, but the idea of having to tell Katniss that she wouldn't be seeing Peeta again caused Pya's heart to hurt.
"What about you?" he asked, taking a hand off of his glass to put over hers. She looked down at where they touched and instantly felt a sense of calm at the sight of his skin on her own. They didn't make such contact often, but every time, she was acutely aware of the roughness of his palms and how his hands made hers look so small.
She slipped her fingers out of his grasp and stood hastily.
"'I'll miss you when you go," she said, as she walked her empty glass to the kitchen.
Artos was right behind her, "That's it?"
"What exactly are you hoping for here?" she asked, yanking the cork out of the wine bottle and filling her glass.
Artos took the bottle from her and set it behind him on the kitchen island. She spun around to face him, but before she could get a word out, he pressed her against the counter and crushed his mouth against hers.
At first, Pya was too shocked to move. No one had kissed her like that in over a year and she could honestly say, she hadn't expected this from Artos. But she couldn't say she hadn't thought about it. As his mouth moved above hers, she could taste the spice of the whiskey and sweetness from the cake they'd eaten. Just under was the lingering flavor of pipe tobacco.
She wasn't sure when her eyes had closed, or when she'd wrapped her arms around him in an attempt to pull him closer, but suddenly there she was, making out in her kitchen like some hormonal teenager, hoping that her kids didn't wake up and catch her in the act.
When his lips left hers, he stayed close, his forehead still resting against her own, his hands just under her chin. She opened her eyes and found him already looking at her, focused so intensely on every movement of her face, that when she met his gaze, she couldn't look away.
"I've been wanting to do that since I passed under your window three weeks ago," he admitted, "I shouldn't have waited so long."
"Now, its just going to be harder when you leave," she reminded him.
"We'll deal with it when the time comes," he assured her. He slid his palm up her side and rested it on her hip, "What do we do until then?"
Pya could think of only one answer. She leaned forward, pressing her lips briefly to his.
When she pulled away, she smiled softly and took him by the hand, "I suppose we'll have to enjoy what little time we have left."
Still entwined by her fingers, he followed her silently up the stairs.
They spent that night much as they'd spent every night so far, only now when they spoke into the late hours, they did so entangled together in her bed- a slaked, naked jumble of arms and legs. Pya hadn't expected to ever feel her body stirred like that again. She'd written off such carnal pleasures when her husband had died and certainly had not expected to be lying in bed with another man after only fourteen short months, but she found herself with no regrets or guilt. Something inside her felt as if an inevitability had been fulfilled, as though she'd known this would happen from the moment she invited him into her home. But this was not destiny, nor true love or a rash act of fiery romantic passion. They were two people who understood each other's pain, because they were suffering from the same kind, which wasn't to say that she couldn't see herself staying with Artos, she was simply too pragmatic for such thoughts, especially now that he was set upon leaving. She already knew that her girls would be crushed and it was too late to stop that. All she could do now was ensure that she would remain strong for them when the time came.
As the sun rose the following morning, Artos awoke to find himself lying in bed with a creature more beautiful than he ever thought he would find beside him. The sun that broke through the clouds and lit up the room was bright against her golden hair as it haloed around her head. The white sheet was draped around her waist as she slept on her stomach gave her the appearance of an angel who was losing her robe mid flight. He leaned over and placed soft kisses upon her pale skin, down her spine until he had to move the sheet out of his way. She shivered as she woke. She turned to look behind her and for a brief moment was startled at who she found there. Artos looked up to see the second of confusion in her face.
"Its a little strange to wake up to someone new," he provided.
"That's an understatement," she said rolling onto her back and opening her arms invitingly. Artos crawled up her front, making the same stops with his lips as he'd made on her back, until he reached her eager mouth. When his body was lined up with hers, she took hold of him by his hips and guided him forward until they were joined. She gasped as he filled her slowly going inch by inch. As he began to move, her mouth met his and her palms moved around to his muscular backside, pushing him forward in a silent request that he go faster. Her hips met his encouragingly on each thrust over and over until both were sated and wrapped around one another.
"I'm gonna get up," he said, before planting a long kiss on her neck, "And I'm gonna make a delicious breakfast."
"You do that," she replied, dreamily as his lips caused delightful tingles that were felt over her entire body, "I'll get the kids up."
"Oh no," he stopped her, "You lay right here."
"I have to get up," she said with a laugh, "I have to go into the office."
"Its sunday!"
"I don't really get days off," she reminded him, "You go down, cook up something yummy and I'll be down with the kids in half an hour." It took an effort on both of their parts, but eventually, they left the comfort of the bed.
Pya watched him as he reached for his clothes. At barely thirty-four he was a fine example of a man at any age. He was broad shouldered and strong backed from years of pushing carts loaded own with giant bags of sugar and flour. His hands were strong and his arms muscled from kneading and mixing huge batches of dough every morning. In his blue eyes was a worry that would never quite go away, and very small flashes of gray in his sandy hair were the evidence of stress brought on by years of running a family business almost completely on his own.
As she headed for the shower, she wondered idly where the people of Dasis were getting their bread, now that their baker was gone.
As promised, Pya came down the stairs thirty minutes later to find coffee brewing, muffins in the oven and three children sitting at the kitchen table in their pajamas happily munching on eggs and bacon. Pya place a kiss upon all three of their heads as she passed, then took a seat. Immediately, a large plate of food was put in front of her and a steaming mug of coffee. Before Artos could go back to the stove, Pya caught his hand and looked up into his face.
The corner of her mouth turned up in a knowing grin, "Thank you."
"My pleasure," he replied, returning the smile.
Within the hour, she was in her office at the justice building, staring at the paperwork in front of her, but not reading it. Her mind was so caught up in memories of her night with Artos that she was finding it impossible to take in any new information. Her hand rubbed the back of her neck and she felt a tingle shooting down to her legs similar to what his lips had given her only a short time before. She shook her head and attempted to refocus only to find herself smiling as she remembered the feeling of his hands on the insides of her thighs. She wasn't sure how many times she'd reread the same line, before she finally surrendered and sat back, letting the memories wash over her. A sudden heat flushed her skin and she found herself staring wistfully out the window in the direction of her home where a warm man waited for her to return so he could take her bed.
"Ma'am," called a voice.
She turned, startled to find Aldred standing in the doorway of her office.
She smiled innocently before running a nervous hand through her hair and clearing her throat, "Yes?"
He stepped into the room and sat in front of her, "Ma'am, I've been looking into the homeless situation like you asked me to."
"Oh?" she asked, having forgotten the request she'd made of him on the day that she'd met Artos until that moment.
"Yes, Ma'am," he replied, dutifully, "The man you reported to me- have you seen him since?"
"I can't say that I have," she replied quickly.
"Are you sure?" he pressed, "someone fitting his description has been spotted on your block a number of times in the last few weeks. One was also brought in for questioning in regards to a theft of your possessions. Myrell claims that you vouched for this man yourself. Ma'am, why am I searching for someone that you've already found?"
"I didn't ask you to search for him," she reminded him, "I asked you to find out where the homeless are coming from. Have you done so?"
"No, Ma'am."
"Then why are you sitting here, wasting my time?" she asked in a hard voice, attempting to hide her nervousness, "I have things to do, Aldred. Please come to me when you have real results, not wild theories."
He stood, accepting the dismissal, "Yes Ma'am."
Seconds after her was gone, she was on the phone, "If anyone calls upon the house, you're not there. Understand? Don't answer, don't make a sound. I'll be home as soon as I can."
She packed up the unfinished paperwork into a bag, which she slung over her shoulder, then exited the office.
When she walked through the door of her home, she was glad to find the lights off. The faint smell of their breakfast lingered in the air, but otherwise there was nothing to suggest anyone had been home all day. She climbed the stairs.
"Hello?" she called. She found Artos and the kids in her bedroom.
"Anything?" she asked, setting down her stuff before lifting Prim into her arms.
Artos shook his head, "No one's come by. What happened?"
She explained the meeting with the peacekeeper.
"We'll go," he said when she'd finished, "We'll leave once its dark."
"I know the patrols," she told him, "If you leave here at 9:30, you should be in the clear."
"Ok," he said gratefully, "I'm sorry, Pya."
She nodded, sitting upon the bed, still holding onto Prim, "We knew it was coming."
She glanced over at Katniss who lay on the floor beside Peeta, amidst a mountain of coloring books and markers, completely oblivious to what was going on around them.
As Prim began to snooze in her arms, Pya lay back onto the bed and closed her eyes.
She hated the thought of sending them into snowy night, but they were out of options. Aldred was dedicated to his position. He was smart, thorough and would take his job very seriously by following every possible lead, meaning that he would come looking for Artos.
The Mellarks would have to go if she was going to protect her girls and the sooner the better.
Thanks for reading. You may find me on tumlbr if you wish: wakebytheriver
