A/N: So I was going to update this on Saturday but my computer was being a dick and wouldn't connect to the internet, even though every other thing in the house would. So I had to fix that. And Sunday was the final episode of True Blood *super sad face* and I had to watch that and feel my feels. (R.I.P. True Blood)
So here it is today. It's a pretty good length, so I hope that makes up for waiting a little longer.
Chapter Twelve
Katniss's POV
Monday dawned brightly and I woke before Peeta. I could hear the birds chirping from the open window above our head. I laid there, staring at him. He was lying on his side, facing me, his face soft in sleep. I studied him, the light smattering of freckles that dotted the bridge of his nose and cheeks, the slight, blonde stubble peppering his chin. His eyelashes, so long they touched his cheeks, were so pale that in bright light they seemed to disappear. Contrastingly, though, his brows were darker and arched perfectly above his brow bone. His hair hung down across his forehead and I gently swept it back. I thought of last night, falling asleep in his strong arms after such a trying day, and just how much I've come to depend on him in such a very short time.
For a very long time I've been able to depend on no one but myself. If I or Prim needed anything, I was the one who'd have to get it. If we needed to eat, I had to go out and hunt it down. School supplies, clothes, medicine: you name it, it was up to me and me alone. But now I could lean on Peeta. Not for just physical things, but emotionally as well. And a heavy burden seemed to melt off me.
I ran my hand across his cheek, my thumb skimming his full, lower lip. Gently, I eased forward and captured his mouth with mine, planting a firm kiss on his lips. His startling blue eyes popped open in surprise. I smiled at him, and after a few seconds he broadly grinned back and me.
Suddenly his arms tightened around me and he turned, pulling me on top of him before his lips claimed mine in heated passion.
Out of breath, we finally pulled apart. "That was an amazing way to wake up, thank you." He peppered my face with tiny kisses.
I ran my hands through his unruly locks. I smoothed his brows and traced the tiny smile lines at his eyes and then the corner of his mouth, before landing a small kiss there.
His hands gripped my waist and then suddenly he had flipped us and I was underneath him. I let out a startled laugh as I brought my hands to his shoulders.
His hands drifted across my waist. "I can't wait to meet our baby." He pulled the fabric of my gown up and then kissed my bare stomach.
"Well, we still have some time to go." My voice wavered as butterflies erupted behind my navel at Peeta's mouth on my skin. My breath hitched as my gown rose higher, revealing my breasts. His mouth followed, settling on a nipple. I moaned lowly.
"Shhh," Peeta laughed quietly. His skillful hands kneaded and molded my breasts, gently, as his mouth worked magic on the other in tandem. My fingers carded through his hair, tugging gently.
Suddenly, he pulled my gown over my head and tossed it behind us. His eyes snapped to mine, dark blue and hooded. His mouth quickly claimed mine in a fierce and dominant kiss.
Leaving me breathless, his hot mouth slowly trailed down my neck to the junction of my shoulder. He nipped and suckled, his teeth giving small love bites. The sensation was incredible and a wave of desire quickly washed through me.
"Peeta," I breathed harshly.
He chuckled before moving down across my collarbone, down further still, taking my breast in his mouth again, suckling softly.
I arched my back into him, my hands running down his back before taking in fistfuls of the sheet draped across us.
I had never felt something so amazing before. Suddenly Peeta shifted and I felt him settle between my legs, his length hard against me. Instinctively, I squeezed my knees together to bring him into me further and he groaned.
"Oh God, Katniss."
I grasped his face and brought his lips to mine. He began rocking into me, each time his rock hard, pajama clad cock rubbing along my core.
An intense pressure was building in the pit of my stomach and I thought that my morning sickness was going to rear it's ugly head at this particular moment, but quickly even that though was gone from my mind. He quickened his pace and abruptly the pressure exploded into the most intense and wonderful feelings I've ever experienced. My whole body seemed to tense and then let go.
Peeta quickly captured my lips in a kiss as I moaned loudly, clutching tightly to his shoulders, my nails digging deeply into his skin. My core fluttered and throbbed. He kissed me firmly before pulling back and groaning softly.
"That was...oh my God Peeta, what was that?"
"That, baby, was your first orgasm." He dotted my face with kisses. "And I was the one to give it to you." he declared proudly. He kissed me deeply and more slowly until we were out of breath again.
I melted into his arms. "That was the most amazing thing I've ever felt before. Thank you."
"If I have my way, there'll be plenty more where that came from." He glanced over at the alarm clock on his nightstand and groaned. "Sadly though, we have to get ready for school, and I have to get cleaned up."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because, I had one of my own." He blushed deeply, then noted my quizzed expression. "And when a guy has one, the effect is a little different."
My knowledge of sex is very limited seeing as how I've never paid much attention in Health Class and my total sexual experience was lying under Gale, waiting for him to be done and the few things Peeta and I had done. But then I remembered how Gale had finished inside of me. I put two and two together. Then it was my turn to blush.
He kissed the tip of my nose. "Oh, Katniss, you have no idea the effect you have on me."
He slowly rolled out of bed and awkwardly walked over to the dresser. He pulled out his clean clothes, turned to wink at me as his eyes lingered on my naked breasts, then left for the bathroom.
I climbed out of bed, retrieved my gown to put in the hamper, then made the bed. I pulled out my own clothes and slowly donned them, changing my panties as well. I stood in front of the mirror to brush my hair, taking in my flushed expression and bright eyes. I ran my hand across my left breast, smiling softly at what Peeta and I had just done. I realized, with a dull ache between my legs, how much more I wanted to do with him.
"You look beautiful." He came up behind me and planted an open mouthed kiss on my neck, wrapping his arms around my waist. "I can't wait to get to school and show everyone my beautiful wife."
"But what if they talk about us?" I asked, suddenly a dark thought running through my mind.
"Then let them. They're just jealous anyway. Katniss, you know I don't care what anyone thinks." He caught my eyes in the mirror. "Except you. You're the only one that matters to me."
I turned in his arms and kissed him. "I love you Peeta Mellark."
"And I love you, Katniss Mellark."
He finished dressing and then we left our room to catch a quick breakfast. Rhyse was already in the kitchen whistling a tune as he scrambled eggs.
"Morning lovebirds." He glanced over at Peeta as he popped some bread into the toaster. I had pretended to be busy searching for butter, jam and milk in the refrigerator.
"Rhyse." Peeta's voice had a slight edge to it.
"You guys were up bright up and early. Probably just studying for an exam or something. Maybe, in Health Class?" He laughed at his own joke.
I felt my face heat up. I quickly deposited everything on the table, then searched for two plates and glasses. Peeta motioned to the correct cabinet.
"Oh, ho ho ho" Peeta deadpanned. "I doubt that you were trying to hear anything, but I wonder if Katniss would be interested in hearing about all those times you snuck that one girl into your room and when dad asked what those noises were in the middle of the night you told him you had a stomach ache. Or better yet, I wonder how much dad himself would like to hear about it?" Peeta smiled sweetly at Rhyse, who gulped guiltily. I laughed quietly.
Rhyse slowly held his hands up in defeat. "You win little brother, no more. Have all the good mornings, or nights for that matter, that you want."
The bread popped up and Peeta tossed it onto a plate. "Thank you, we will." he replied smugly. He pulled a seat out next to me and handed me two slices of toast. He waited until I had buttered mine to begin on his.
Rhyse soon joined us and the three of us tucked into our breakfast. Rhyse and Peeta, their small spat completely forgotten, chatted about the bakery and Rhyse's added responsibilities since he'd graduated last year and had started at the bakery full-time.
"You know I hate those stupid tortes and that's all Mrs. Cartwright wants to order. And low and behold, what comes in yesterday, another order for three more! Ugh!" He dropped his head to the table in agony. Peeta shook his head and rolled his eyes.
"Jeez Rhyse, grow up. I used to be the one who made them all, they're not that hard to do. Besides, be thankful for the orders at all. Times are getting harder around here." Peeta popped Rhyse on the head with the butter knife.
"Oww! My head, you dick!" Rhyse wailed in mock pain, then looked over at me. "What kind of husband do you have, Katniss, beating on his poor brother?" He rubbed his scalp. I laughed softly at him and shrugged my shoulders.
"You big baby." Peeta stood and placed our dishes in the sink. "Just get busy on those tortes." He was grinning.
"Yeah yeah. See ya bro, Katniss." Rhyse dug into his eggs again.
We retrieved our books and left for school. Peeta insisted upon carrying mine. I rolled my eyes at him mockingly but handed the books over.
He grabbed my hand with his free one and we started toward school.
"Peeta! Wait up!" We heard a girl's voice calling. Peeta and I turned and Delly Cartwright was running toward us. Peeta slightly shrugged at me and we waited until she had caught up to us, breathing hard.
"Hey Peeta." She smiled warmly and turned to me. "And Katniss?" She asked. Her smile seemed to falter.
"Hi Delly." Peeta responded.
"Delly." I smiled thinly at her. I'd never disliked Delly but honestly, I'd never gotten to know her either, though she did seem to be spoiled and snobbish from what I've always observed. She looked at our linked hands and her brows scrunched together.
Peeta smiled broadly. "Meet my wife, Katniss Mellark." He raised our linked hand and kissed the back of mine, my ring glinting in the sunlight.
Delly's eyes widened and her jaw popped open."That's, uh, wonderful. I'm so happy for you both." Her voice indicated another emotion altogether. "But, I didn't know you two were dating." Then her voice had taken on a falsely sweet tone.
"For a while now. We just didn't feel the need to announce it to the world." Peeta answered smoothly.
"Well, congratulations to both of you." She dazzled Peeta with a toothy smile. "I guess I'll see you two at school." Her eyes raked over me one last time, slowly from my head down to my toes, and then back up, before she started on.
"Delly is a really nice girl. She's just a bit, um, enthusiastic sometimes."
"I'm sure she is." I wasn't so convinced, but I didn't say anything. "Is she a good friend of yours?"
"Pretty good. We've been neighbors since we were little and played together quite a bit then and sometimes we walk to school together, but that's just about it. She comes over to the bakery quite a bit, I think maybe she likes Rhyse."
I nodded. Likes Rhyse my ass. I'm not stupid. Delly Cartwright is none too pleased about Peeta and I. I'm going to have to keep my eye out for her.
Finally we reached the school and climbed the steps to the front doors.
"We've got a few minutes before first period, walk you to your locker?" Peeta held out his arm and I tucked my hand in the crook of his elbow.
We made it to my locker and I swapped books. I had definitely noticed the looks we'd garnered from passing students, and even some teachers as well.
"So, we still have a few minutes..." Peeta leaned into me suggestively.
"It appears we do." I linked my hands behind his neck.
He leaned in further, placing a hand on the locker next to my waist. The other palmed my cheek. He gently captured my lips with his. Our mouths moved together in a heady kiss, edging into fiery passion.
"Mr. Mellark! And...Miss Everdeen?" Principal Trinket brought us back into reality with her shrill, amazed voice.
"Actually, it's Mrs. Mellark." Peeta responded.
"Uh, wha- what?" She ran her hands down her fur skirt nervously. Literally, a skirt that appeared to be fashioned from a brown fur pelt. Her jacket was an orange tweed. And her legs were covered in orange and brown striped tights.
"That's right Ms. Trinket. Katniss and I got married over the weekend." He had turned and was standing beside of me. His hand sought mine.
"It's true. You can check with our parents if you don't believe us." I added.
"No, I uh, believe you." Her gaze jumped from Peeta to me, taking in our linked hand, and my ring. "It's just that you need to go to the office and have your files updated." She patted her wild, ratted blonde hair. Just then the bell rang signaling first period. "Just be sure to do that after school." She turned to walk away, then stopped. "And, please conduct yourselves with a more decent decorum from now on." She tottered off on her orange heels.
Peeta laughed and kissed me softly on the cheek. "Guess I'll have to learn to behave. See you in second period." He walked off, turning once to smile at me. I waved and caught the attention of several more students who looked at me as if I had a second head.
Peeta's POV
I literally sank into my seat seconds before the bell rang. The teacher frowned at me as he began checking off attendance.
Delly, who always sat at the table next to me turned and picked something off my sleeve. I pulled my arm away and she frowned.
"So, Peeta, you're married?" She asked incredulously. I internally sighed. Sometimes she could be so dense.
"Yeah. Katniss and I got married Saturday." I couldn't help the wide grin that stretched my lips.
"But, Katniss?" She asked in a haughty manor, wrinkling her nose. "I mean, I thought she was with that Gale guy."
My anger flared instantly. My hands balled into fists and my eyes were like slits. "What do you have against Katniss? For your information, I love her more than anything in the world! She's the best thing that's ever happened to me and I'd appreciate it if you kept your stupid thoughts to yourself. And no, they were only friends, nothing more." My jaw clenched tightly.
Apparently I said that a bit louder than I intended, because just then Mr. Boggs bellowed out, "I'm sure your love life is very fascinating, Mellark, but maybe you'd like to join the rest of us for History?"
I swear that man must have served as a peacekeeper before he landed a job teaching. His hair was buzzed in a military style, his manners, his movements, hell his whole demeanor shouted military. As I glanced up at him, his face was contorted in anger.
My rage leaked down and out my toes and I shrunk in my seat, embarrassed more than anything. The whole class had heard my outburst. But then I straitened my posture. I was very proud to be Katniss's husband and I wasn't going to be embarrassed about it.
"Well, it is. I do love my wife, very much." I held my chin up.
He eyed me for a few seconds longer. "I'm sure you do. And since you've answered all our burning questions, may we all proceed to Chapter 17?"
"Yes sir." I knew I'd pushed him far enough, and garnered the quiet laughter and stares of everyone in the room.
Delly whispered a quiet, "Sorry," but I channeled my amazing wife and scowled at her, then purposely ignored her for the rest of class.
Finally the bell rang and I raced to math class, anxious to be with Katniss.
I found her sitting in her usual seat and I dropped into the empty chair at her table.
"Hey, baby." I leaned over and kissed her on the neck.
"Hi." She rested her hand on my thigh, under the table.
"How was your morning?"
"People are nosy." She frowned. But I got the distinct feeling they'd been a lot more than nosy to her. If I found out someone had said or done something inappropriate to her, their ass was mine. And they better have not thrown Gale into her face either.
I reached over and thumbed a stray lock of hair from her eyes. "Someone do or say something?"
"No." But her eyes wouldn't quite meet mine.
Just then Coin, our Math teacher, walked in. Boggs is a bunny rabbit compared to this woman. I don't know if she dislikes teaching in general or just teenagers, but she's manipulative, domineering and downright sour.
She dropped her briefcase on her desk with a loud thunk and turned to the class.
Apparently I wasn't going to be able to concentrate any better sitting next to Katniss than I could sitting behind her. I spent more time staring at her out of the corner of my eye than watching the equations scrawled across the chalkboard. Katniss on the other hand, paid dutiful attention, taking notes and highlighting various tracts in her book. Maybe this would be another perk to being her husband, I could ask her to tutor me.
Finally, this class was up too. We exited the room and began a quick trek to her locker, then mine.
"You know what would be so much easier?" I asked, my arm around her waist, walking to my locker.
"What's that?" She asked.
"If we just shared a locker. Then we'd only have one to go to."
She pursed her lips in a smirk and tilted her head. "I'll allow it." She smiled mischievously.
"That's awful nice of you." We laughed together.
We walked into the lunch room together and it seemed as if a sea of eyes turned in our direction. The chatter and cacophony of a room full of students died down.
I led us to the lunch line acting as though nothing was out of the way. Dean Barrows, whose parents own the lumberyard, appeared in line behind us shortly. He and I had always been on good terms.
"Hey Peeta, Katniss. I heard about your toasting. Congratulations to the two of you."
"Thanks Dean. Katniss, this is Dean Barrows."
"Nice to meet you." he replied, holding out his hand to her.
She stared at it for a split second, then up to his eyes before placing her own hand in his palm. They shook several times and it seemed as if that broke the spell cast over the cafeteria. The noise level returned to normal, everyone returning to their previous conversations. For the life of me, I still didn't understand the big deal.
As I carried our tray to an empty table, Dean stepped away from the line as well.
"Catch you later, Peeta. Katniss." He walked off to join his group of friends. Katniss spied Madge by herself, at a corner table and waved. Madge waved back.
"Do you want to sit with Madge?" I asked.
"Not today." She motioned to an empty table. I sat down across from her. "It seems they've already forgotten us," I said, looking around the room.
"Yeah, and all it took was the approval of a Merchant kid." Katniss spat, biting into an apple.
"It's not fair, I know, but Katniss, we knew it wouldn't be a bed of roses at first. I imagine people are just curious, is all. They'll come around. And besides, remember what I said this morning? I don't care what any of these kids think." I shoveled in a mouthful of mashed potatoes.
She sighed. "I know, you're right. I'm just stressed, I guess. I feel like I've been scrutinized all morning."
"Speaking of, what happened this morning? And don't say nothing." I paused, my spoon halfway to my mouth.
"It was some of the seam kids. They implied I must have some special skills in the bedroom to get you to marry a girl like me." Her scowl splayed across her face again.
I inhaled sharply in anger. "Don't listen to them, they're just a bunch of ignorant kids. Besides," I said in a lower tone of voice, leaning forward, "you do have special skills." I grinned wickedly at her.
"Peeta!" She gasped, looking around to be sure no one was in earshot.
"Katniss, you're so pure." I reached across the table to take her hand.
She frowned at me, her jaw tightening in anger. "Yeah, I'm real pure Peeta." She jerked her hand back from mine, wrapping her arms around her waist, studying the scarred, wooden table.
"I was just joking with you Katniss, why are you suddenly so mad at me?"
"I thought you said that I had done nothing wrong, that it wasn't my fault? And now you're throwing it in my face?" Tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
"What? No! I didn't mean it like that, Katniss. I would never do that! I only meant your heart is pure. You, Katniss. You're so innocent." I couldn't believe that she'd for one second believe I'd ever mock her like that.
She studied me for a few seconds. "I'm sorry Peeta. I should have known you wouldn't mean it like that." She grabbed the apple from my tray and bit into it heartily.
"I'm sorry too, Katniss, I shouldn't joke like that." I watched her eat the apple as if it were the most amazing thing in the world. "Since when do you love apples so much?"
"I don't know. It's just all of a sudden I want apples." She quickly finished it off and placed the core next to the first one, glancing around the room for more apples I presumed. I returned to the lunch line and came back with three more, placing them on the table in front of her.
"You can't just eat apples, you haven't touched your lunch." I sat down next to her this time.
She wrinkled her nose. "Mashed potatoes and mystery meat stew is the last thing I want right now." She pushed the tray away from her. "Besides, can you not smell it? It smells horrible."
"Smells the same to me." I pulled the tray to me and tucked into her lunch. "Here's to mystery meat." I laughed around a mouthful.
She shook her head at me, smiling.
Katniss's POV
After lunch, I sat in History listening to Boggs drone on about the so called virtues of Panem. I'd always liked him and he's always seemed to like me, but today I just wasn't in the mood.
I couldn't believe I'd almost blown up on Peeta at lunch, but when he had called me pure I just knew he was throwing what I'd told him about Gale in my face. I still didn't believe he could view me as pure, but I did believe he hadn't meant it badly.
The bell rang and as I stood to head out the door Boggs called me over to his desk.
"First Mellark, and now you. Though at least you didn't holler out your love for him to everyone in the room."
I looked at him quizzically, my brows furrowing together.
"I guess you'll have to get the story from him. I'm going to let today slide, but I expect you to be mentally present tomorrow. Understand?"
"Yes, sir. Sorry."
"Well, congratulations anyway. For what it's worth, I think you two make an interesting pair." He began stacking papers, tapping them roughly on the desk to get them even.
I'm pretty sure that was his way of saying he thought Peeta and I were good for each other.
I've heard so many students complain about Mr. Boggs and his demanding, firm demeanor. But from the first day of class he'd always been pleasant to me. I've heard it rumored he grew up in the Seam, but he's never volunteered any information on himself. It's hard to tell by his appearance as well, what with his non-existent, buzzed off hair and eyes that could be a stormy blue or a lighter grey.
But either way, I've never had a problem with Boggs, nor have I given him a reason to have one with me.
"Well, that's all Everdeen." He caught himself, "Er, rather Mellark."
I nodded and left the room, heading for art. It seemed, though, that apparently Peeta had a story to tell.
I found him in class already engrossed in his sketchbook. Over the course of this semester, I've secretly enjoyed watching him work. When he was absorbed in his work he was a sight to behold. His eyes would turn soft and hazy, focusing on nothing, and his tongue would poke slightly from the corner of his mouth. In fact, his whole body seemed to soften. It was as if he disappeared into a world that only he could see.
And so because I can't draw anything, I would simply sit and watch him, study his face, his arms and hands.
I sat down next to him, quietly, so as not to disturb him. I edged closer to him to see what he'd already began and softly gasped to see it was me. I could tell it was from this morning; me lying on my back, from the shoulders up. But it's beautiful. My eyes are soft and unfocused, my swollen lips tipped into a small, satisfied smile, my hair is disheveled and piled in soft waves around my face and shoulders.
He looked over to see me studying his sketch.
"That's how I see you everyday. Beautiful. Perfect." Then he leaned in to whisper: "and finally all mine."
As I stared into his eyes, a slight movement past him caught my attention. It was Delly, staring daggers into us. For spite, I giggled loudly enough for her to hear and then planted a small kiss on his lips. "And you're all mine."
Our art teacher, Cressida Bones, walked in and greeted the class warmly. She's fairly young, probably in her early twenties and, like Effie, she must have originated from the Capitol. Her head is shaved, with lacy, green vines tattooed along the sides. But, unlike Effie, her manner of dress is more simple. She mostly wears jeans with close fitting t-shirts and lug soled boots. In the winter she adds a black cardigan.
One of the biggest reasons I like her is that she seems so unaffected by the conditions of the District. She treats each student the same, whether they hail from Merchant's Row or the Seam. Except for Peeta. He's her golden student. He could burn the school down and she'd praise him for something. Probably creating more charcoal for drawing with.
"Hello, everyone. Please, take your seats. We're going to start a new project today, one that I'm really excited about. We're going to document our lives. Well our lives so far. I want family portraits, favorite places, important events and holiday. Basically a scrapbook of who you are up until this point in your life.
"The medium can be anything you choose, so far as it's portable and able to be contained in a sketchbook. Paints, oil sticks, charcoal, or even good old pencil. You have until the end of the semester to finish it and it will be forty percent of your grade.
"All right, go ahead and get started. I recommend doing some planning and rough sketches first."
Cressida walked up us and leaned down to place her palms on the table.
"Alright you two. I want to see something spectacular. I want you to document everything! The first time you met, how you fell in love, your toasting. I want it all. You can make it together, into one big book. The star crossed lovers defy all odds!" She had brought her hands up, spreading them to pantomime a large banner of some sort.
And I wasn't very happy with it. Our relationship, whatever it may be, was not for the entertainment of her or anyone else. I looked over at Peeta, chewing on my lip. He didn't look too pleased either.
"Well, frankly, Cressida. I don't think we want to go that far with our book. I'll definitely have a lot of Katniss in here, especially our toasting, but we don't feel everything should be. Our courting and marriage isn't for you or anyone else to ogle over." It was as if he'd read my mind. He took my hand in his to present a unified front.
I think she missed her calling. She should have stayed in the Capitol and worked for one of those gossip channels that air on TV periodically, pouring through someone or other's private business.
She looked none too plussed. "Well, if that's how you feel, but I think you're missing the big picture here. You have the opportunity to demonstrate how the gap between Seam and Merchant is foolish and uncalled for. You two have crossed boundaries and forged through unknown territory to find love. You've shown that we're all just people here; we're all the same no matter which side of the District we live in." She had her hands on her hips by this point.
"Yes, but just all the same, we'd rather not put ourselves up on display like that. Besides, just how many people are going to see these books?" Peeta asked.
"Well, me and Principal Trinket of course. But I was hoping to present them in a showcase this winter at the Justice Building. A look at District 12 through the lives of it's children. Just think of the impact it will have on not only our community, but Panem as a whole."
That's exactly what this district needs, something else to stir up a rebellion. Throw it into everyone's faces just how much our people struggle to survive. That won't send them running out into the night to die in another failed coup.
Since the last group that had tried to over take President Snow, things had eased off and tensions had settled somewhat around our District. The peacekeepers had finally cooled off and they'd lessened their squeeze on us. Now it seemed Cressida was hell bent on stirring that pot again.
"Uh, no. I think not. We'll have no part of an attempted uprising." Peeta seemed finished with the conversation. Cressida simply stood there, staring at him in seemed disbelief. I didn't know if it was because she'd never had a student defy her, or if it was because it was Peeta, her favorite, doing it.
"I didn't say anything like that!" She held her hands up in surrender. "You misunderstand me Peeta."
"I understand that if Snow views your little art showcase as a jab at him or his governing technique, then everyone suffers. Including my wife. I will not put her in harm that way." He crossed his arms across his chest.
"Like I said, you misunderstand me Peeta. I only want to celebrate our lives here."
"Not everyone would agree." He replied, a finality in his tone of voice.
She walked back to her desk.
We looked at each other, trepidation shadowed in our eyes and a silent understanding that neither of us believed her.
Finally school was over for the day and Peeta and I walked home, slowly, hand in hand. We had stopped by the office and changed the information in our files as Miss Trinket had requested.
"So, what do you want to do this afternoon?" Peeta asked.
"Don't you need to get back to work?" I was afraid I'd already kept him from the bakery for too long. The bakery was their livelihood and I didn't want to put them jeopardy.
"Tired of me already?" He laughed.
"No, that's not it. I just don't want you and your family to fall behind at the bakery. I mean, I don't want your sales to suffer or something." I still struggled sometimes to get my point across.
"You are my family now, Katniss. It's not you and them, it's all us. We're in this together."
He cupped my cheek with his free hand and planted a soft kiss on my lips. I felt like I was melting into him.
"And besides, I'm due some time off. Last month Rhyse took a whole week off because he claimed he had the flu. I think he was just being lazy. So don't worry, the bakery will be fine. Dad already scheduled me off the rest of this week anyway.
"I know! Since we have the afternoon off, I want to take you somewhere."
"Where?" I asked, cautiously.
"You'll see." He smiled mischievously at me but would say no more.
We stopped by the house and dropped off our books. Seeing his math book reminded me of something I'd meant to say to him earlier. I placed our books on the desk as he shut the door behind him.
"Peeta, you're going to have to pay more attention in math class. You can't sit and stare at me the whole time." I turned to him, giving him a stern look.
He smiled sheepishly at me, running a hand through the back of his hair.
"I can't help myself. And I don't see how it's my fault. I sit next to the most beautiful girl in the whole world, and you expect me to listen to equations? Just not possible." He shrugged then stepped forward and pulled me into his arms.
"But maybe my beautiful," he planted an open mouth kiss on my neck, "amazing," another one a little higher up, "smart as hell," this one was behind my ear, "wife," the next one landed on the side of my mouth, "will tutor me."
Then his lips finally captured mine. The fervor and desire took my breath. His mouth claimed me, his kiss dominating and demanding. His hands tightly gathered the material of my shirt on each side of my waist and I clasped mine behind his head.
Slowly, as he continued his onslaught upon my mouth, his hands roamed upward to my breasts, pushing the t-shirt up and over my bra. His hands made quick work of the clasp in the back and he pulled my shirt and bra over my head, tossing them onto the bed behind us. His hands slowly began kneading and massaging my breasts. I moaned lowly into his mouth.
He pushed himself into me and I could feel him, hard, against my lower stomach.
"Tonight," he gasped between kisses, "I'm going to do something I've dreamt about for a long, long time." He lowered his mouth to my breasts, one hand grasping my hip, the other on my back to hold me steady.
"I'm going to ravage you." His voice was gravely and deep. He looked up at me, his mouth still suckling my breasts. His eyes were a dark, dusky blue, much like the sky shortly before dusk.
I could feel wetness pooling in my panties and clutched his hair tightly, carding my fingers through his golden locks, pushing him into my breasts. I thought I would die of desire right there. Anticipation for the unknown sent deep throbs into my core.
"Peeta," I gasped haggardly, my breaths coming in hitches. His teeth lightly clamped down on one tender nipple and he bit gently. I moaned.
Reluctantly, he let go and placed one last, longing kiss on my mouth. "But first, we have somewhere to go." I whimpered, melting into him.
I held onto his shoulders and he pulled me into him, pushing his hardness into my stomach again. He groaned into my neck. "I didn't mean to get us so worked up."
"It was amazing." I laid a soft kiss on his bottom lip.
He grinned boyishly at me. "I aim to please."
Chapter Thirteen
Peeta's POV
As much as I wanted her so badly right then, I wanted to get this errand over with. And besides, I didn't want our first time to be a quickie.
I was, admittedly, though nervous too. I've never done anything close to this before. Hell, I'd never even kissed a girl before Katniss, much less seen one naked or had sex. But the way I looked at it, Katniss's one time with Gale didn't count, so we were both inexperienced. But still, I wanted her to enjoy it.
I went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face, willing my rock hard dick to subside. Finally, it did and I returned to the bedroom. Katniss had pulled on her clothes and readjusted her hair. She still looked flushed and flustered and incredibly sexy.
"Ready?" I reached for her hand.
"But Peeta, where are we going?"
I was taking her next door to Ms. Wilde's to have a new wardrobe made. She only had a few articles of clothing, and I wanted to give her clothes she could feel confident about herself in. Nothing fancy or over the top, but things she would want.
"You'll see." We exited through the back and I led her up the stoop to Ms. Wilde's Tailor Shop.
"No, uh huh." She stopped. "I'm not letting you waste money on clothes, when I won't be able to wear them for much longer."
"Then we'll get you some more then. In the mean time, you need some now. C'mon, I want to do this for you." I pulled her hand to my lips and kissed the back of it. "Please?"
She sighed. "But I don't want to dress any differently. There's nothing wrong with how I dress."
"No, there's not. But I'd like you to have more than a few shirts and and two pairs of pants. And I didn't say you had to start dressing any differently."
"Fine." She nodded. "If this is what you want."
"Katniss, I'm not going to force you."
"No, you're right. I guess I could use a few more things."
We entered the shop, a bell jangling as the door opened. "Coming," I could hear Ms. Wilde call out.
She stepped out of the back room. When she saw was it was us, a large smiled plastered itself across her face.
"Peeta, Katniss, what a pleasant surprise. Congratulations on your nuptials." She stepped around the counter. "What can I do for you two?"
"I'd like to fit Katniss for a new wardrobe."
"How wonderful." Not one for idle hands, she immediately pulled out her tape measure and got to work on Katniss.
"Such a lovely young thing. Oh to be young again." Ms. Wilde sighed. "Here dear," she pulled Katniss behind a screen to finish measure what I presumed was her bra size.
They stepped out, and sure enough, Katniss was beet faced. I smiled at her and she scowled good naturedly at me.
Then she began picking out the fabric. Katniss chose what she liked, and I added an order for several simple dresses and a few sweaters.
"She also needs say, five more bras and about, I don't know, about ten pairs of panties and socks." I looked off into nothing, trying to think of anything else. I kept thinking there was something I was forgetting.
"That's enough Peeta." Katniss laid her hand on my arm.
"It can seem like a lot, building up a wardrobe, Missy. But you're right. I think this should do plenty."
"Alright then. That will do it." Ms. Wilde and I stepped over to the register so she could tally the bill. I paid it and we turned to go.
"Katniss, dear, could I have a word?" Ms. Wilde stepped up behind us.
"Uh, sure, Ms. Wilde."
"I know it can be hard to go from one life to the next. Believe you me, I understand. I married my husband when I was sixteen, and people around here didn't make it any easier for me."
Katniss gazed over Ms. Wilde, taking in her dark, steel grey hair and clear, stormy eyes, and gasped.
"That's right." Ms. Wilde laughed gently. "I was born in the Seam too. When I met Mr. Wilde, though, it was love at first sight. I imagine you two can relate to that. But we made it work, and so will you. Keep your head up child. Not everyone around here will love you, but not everyone around here certainly hates you either. I have faith." She grasped our clasped hands in her firm grip. "You're just what they need around here."
"Thank you Ms. Wilde." I told her.
"Yes, thank you."
"Now you two run off and let an old woman get to work."
We stepped out into the warm afternoon sunshine. "There's just one more place I want to go. The shoemaker's." I held out my foot, showing off my worn and battered sneaker. "I need a new pair, and so do you."
Something flashed across her eyes for a second.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing. It's just that, I don't think Delly likes me very much." She seemed reluctant to tell me.
I was ready to deny that, but then I thought back to this morning. I would never have thought Delly to be so petty and closed-minded but I guess she was. It disappointed me very much in my childhood friend.
"You know what, then we don't like her very much. Let's hope nothing happens to those stupid tortes her mother's so fond of."
Katniss smiled.
As we entered, lo and behold who would be running the counter, but none other than Delly. She looked up, her face freezing into a smile.
"Hi. What can I do for you?"
"My wife and I need some new shoes."
Just then her father came in from the entrance, bearing a armful of bakery boxes. He laid everything on the counter and stepped forward to shake my hand. "Peeta, how wonderful to see you, I just came from the bakery. And this must be your lovely wife."
"It's nice to meet you." Katniss stood there nervously.
He pinched her cheek lightly. "Such a beauty. Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"Well I'm going to get these goodies stowed away. Delly," he turned to her. "You be sure to take extra special care of these two." He smiled at us one last time, retrieved his boxes and disappeared into the back.
We stood there for a few awkward seconds. "So, uh, what are you shopping for today?" Delly asked.
"I need a new pair of sneakers. Katniss needs sneakers too, as well as something to wear with dresses. She'll pick them out."
Since I always got the same kind of sneakers, black high tops, Delly only had to fill out the order form. After Katniss had been measured and picked out her own shoes, I paid the bill and we were free to go.
"They should be ready by the end of next week."
"Thanks, see you then."
"Um, Peeta." Delly started. "I just want to say I'm sorry for earlier. I'd like to apologize to both of you."
What she had said was callous and hurtful. But if she was really sorry, I could forgive her.
"It's okay, Delly. I'm sure you didn't mean it." Katniss looked at me with a gleam in her eye that let me know that she wanted answers as soon as we were alone, but she nodded shallowly at Delly.
By now it was past dinner time and we headed home.
"What was that about?" she asked quietly.
I explained what Delly had said, including my reaction.
She smiled. "Well that explains what Boggs meant earlier." She squeezed my hand. "Thanks for standing up for me."
"As if it'd be any other way."
When we got home, dad was finishing up dinner.
"Hey kids. Hungry?"
"Sure. We'll go get washed up."
"What can I do to help?" Katniss asked.
"Go get washed up."
She sighed and followed me to the bathroom.
After dinner, Katniss and I cleaned up the kitchen. My father retired to the office downstairs to work on the books and Rhyse hung out at the table to talk to us. We chatted about nothing in particular, just bakery stuff.
After a little bit, Rhyse excused himself, and went to his room, though he implied he'd be sneaking back out later. We were alone in the kitchen.
I checked to make sure all the doors were locked, then turned off the lights in the house, leaving a small lamp on in the living room. I had sent Katniss on to the bedroom a few minutes before.
She had already turned the bed down, and I found her retrieving her nightgown. It dawned on me: I had meant to get her several more from Ms. Wilde. Better yet, I'd make a special trip by myself and order her something a little more revealing than her faded blue one.
I stepped up behind her. "Care to join me in the shower?" I asked, planting a kiss on her shoulder.
"I don't know if we should, Peeta."
"Oh, come on." I took her by the hand and led her to the bathroom.
I closed the door and she locked it. I turned on the faucet to let the water warm up, then turned back to her and pulled off my shirt. I quickly abandoned my jeans and socks, standing there in my boxer briefs. Her eyes were glued to my body for several seconds.
She began to disrobe and I stepped up to help. "Here, let me," I whispered.
I slowly pulled her t-shirt up and over her head, tossing it onto my clothes. Then I reached around and unclasped her bra, pulling it down her arms. I could feel my cock twitch in anticipation as her nipples hardened from the exposed air.
I kissed her neck, then slowly down, taking a hardened nipple into my mouth. I suckled for a moment then lightly kissed it.
Then I unbuttoned her jeans and peeled them down her legs, first lifting one foot and then the other to free them from her. Her jeans followed the other clothes onto the floor.
She stood there in her panties, staring at me with huge, dark grey eyes, struggling to keep her arms at her side.
"You are so beautiful." I whispered in her ear. I captured her mouth with mine in a hungry, passionate kiss.
Finally, I pulled away, needing air, and turned on the shower. She pulled off her panties and I held the shower stall door open for her to enter. A flash of fear crossed her face for a moment.
"It's just me, baby." I said gently.
She stepped into the shower, under the warm spray and I followed behind. Immediately she turned to me and I pulled her into my arms.
I ravaged her mouth again, sliding my tongue along her bottom lip, gaining access. As my tongue battled hers, my hands traveled up her flat stomach and I began massaging and kneading her breasts. She moaned lowly into my mouth.
My cock sprang to attention, rock hard. I wanted to take her then, up against the shower wall, but instead I slid one hand down her waist to cup her center.
She gasped, her eyes widening. Slowly, I traced her slick folds.
Her hips jerked toward me and she whimpered., her eyes boring into mine I found the nub of her clit and rubbed my thumb in small, firm circles against it.
She rocked her hips into my hand awkwardly as I rubbed harder. Then I quickly plunged my index finger into her.
"Peeta!" she hissed, burrowing her forehead into the junction of my neck and shoulder, her hands finding purchase into my back, her nails digging in.
"You like that baby?" I asked in a low, gravely voice.
She whimpered, nodding. I pumped my finger in and out, quickening it's pace, while my thumb continued it's assault on her clit. Moments later, her core clenched my digit tightly, then fluttered around it. She seemed to melt into me, her breathing hitched and shallow.
I held her up, peppering her face with light kisses. After a minute or so, she pulled back to stare into my eyes. "I love you."
"I love you too, baby. Now let's wash up and we'll have some more fun."
I washed her hair, slowly rinsing it until all the soap was gone. The water was beginning to cool down, so I adjusted the faucet.
Slowly, I lathered her body, each and every curve and hollow. I massaged her breasts, then ran my hands up her legs, lightly brushing her folds. I scrubbed her shoulders and back. Then, just as slowly, I rinsed her off, kissing her skin, licking the water off her.
When I had reluctantly finished with her, Katniss took the soap and slowly worked it along my torso. She took great pleasure in running her hands along the planes of my body, across my back and my upper arms. Lifting all those hundred pound bags of flour had given me well defined arms and abs, and for the first time I was quite proud of my body, since Katniss seemed to like it so well. Before now I had never given a second thought to what my physique looked like.
She timidly kissed my stomach and smiled when the muscles jumped at her touch. She brought the soap lower, along my legs and I had to lean back against the shower wall. The sight of her washing me almost took me over the top. She worked her way back up and awkwardly ran her hand along my rock hard shaft. I hissed and she jerked her hand away.
"Do that again," I groaned.
She slowly brought her tiny hand back, grasping my cock, and began pumping up and down.
"Like this?" she whispered.
"Oh, God, Katniss, just like that." I moaned. She seemed to grow more confident in what she was doing because she tightened her grip just slightly, working my dick with a quicker pace. My hips bucked into her and before I could knew it, I shot my load against her stomach with a guttural moan.
"That was amazing," I lowered my lips to hers and kissed her fervently.
By this time the water was definitely getting cooler, so we rinsed off and stepped out onto the bath mat. I quickly toweled her off, taking care to not tangle her hair, before drying myself. I threw the towels in the hamper.
She had no sooner stepped into her panties, pulled her gown over head and retrieved our clothes before I swept her up into my arms.
"Peeta," she giggled quietly.
My only response was a firm kiss.
I carried her to the bedroom, gently lying her on the turned down bed. I took the dirty clothes from her and flung them into the closet. I turned off the light, leaving the room bathed a dim glow of the lamp on my nightstand. I doffed my clothes then peeled back the covers and slid in beside her.
I pulled her into my arms, kissing her for all I was worth. I tugged gently on her lower lip with my teeth before tracing her lips with my tongue. Her lips parted and I plundered her mouth.
My hands traced along her body, as hers skimmed along my chest and torso before winding themselves in my hair. I slid my fingers under her gown, pushing it up and over her head. I tossed it to the floor. My mouth kissed and licked down her neck, leaving small love bites in the nook of her neck.
I was hard again, harder than I'd ever been. I ground my cock into her hip.
"Oh Peeta," she gasped.
Slowly I inched down to take a firm nipple into my mouth. She moaned lightly and arched her back. My hand kneaded and tweaked the other breast, sometimes pinching the nipple.
Her hands tightened in my hair, pulling me up to her mouth. She kissed me, fiery and passionate. Her hands searing across my shoulders and back, then to my stomach.
I tugged her panties down, twisting down to pull them from under the covers and flung them across the room somewhere. I slid back up her body, stopping at her core. I kissed her inner thighs, spreading her legs apart with a hand behind each knee.
"Oh, God!" she gasped as I slid my tongue along her folds, her hands twisting tightly in my hair.
"You're so wet, baby." I greedily lavished her center with my tongue, before sucking on her clit. Her hips bucked into me as she panted heavily.
I worked my way back up her body, kissing and sucking, first her stomach, where our child resided, then along her rib cage and finally her breasts.
My cock was throbbing painfully and I didn't know how much longer I could hold out.
I took her mouth with mine, dominating her, showing her how much I wanted her, needed her.
I positioned myself between her legs. "Are you ready?" I asked. Her response was to buck her hips up into my cock. I groaned, lowering my head to her shoulder.
I slowly pushed forward, until I was buried inside her to the hilt. She hissed painfully for a second, her body freezing, her hands clinging to my shoulders. I kissed her lips, giving her time to adjust to my girth, fighting the strong desire to simply begin plunging into her. It was the most amazing feeling I'd ever experienced. I was afraid I'd lose my load right then.
"Are you okay?" She nodded, biting down on her lip.
Finally she began moving, rocking her hips into me. "It's okay, Peeta, you can move."
I began thrusting into her, slowly, before picking up more speed. Finally I was pounding into her, her moans ragged and guttural.
"Come on baby," I could tell she was near orgasm and I didn't want to come before she did. "Come for me, Katniss." I groaned into her neck.
"Peeta," she whimpered. I pulled all the way out, then slammed back into her, then again harder. Finally she exploded, coming undone beneath me. I captured her mouth with mine to silence her cries.
"Katniss," I groaned, releasing deep inside her. I clung to her, panting heavily, resting my head upon her breast, still buried inside her. Her core still milking my cock.
After I caught my breath I gently kissed her nipples, then her mouth. "That was amazing. Thank you so much, baby." I pulled out off her, rolled over to my side and gathered her into my arms.
"I love you, Peeta." She nuzzled into the crook of my neck, folding her hands into my chest.
"I love you too, baby."
I reached up with a free hand, slid the window open, leaned over and killed the light, then pulled her back into my arms.
We drifted off into sleep.
A/N pt 2: Now I don't fancy myself a comedic writer, but I try throwing it in there anyway.
Just wondering, how well does it come off to you? Is it funny or just plain dumb?
I imagine Peeta and Rhyse have a close relationship, full of good natured ribbing and name calling. (They are brothers after all.) Course I only have a younger sister and we've never really gotten along, so my experience at sibling-hood is quite different.
Let me know your thoughts on the writing in those moments and my attempt at the ha-ha, or if I need to stop.
-m
P.S. Obligatory statement of appreciation for S.C. creating the characters we enjoy so much.