I'm so very sorry for the delay. There are no excuses.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, just working with the idea.
She woke up in the middle of a field. A field that no matter what direction she looked in, it was endless and desolate. She sat on the ground, soaked from head to toe. She was shaking, but it wasn't from the rain. She's had this dream before. When most people would go insane not knowing in which direction to go, Katniss knew. She apathetically pushed herself off the ground into a standing position. She looked towards the sky as the rain fell and willed herself not to cry. Not in her nightmares. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction.
With a heavy heart, Katniss trudged through the muddy fields. She learned not to run anymore. She would wake up even more freighted and exhausted when she did. Frankly, it didn't matter how quickly she got to her destination; the outcome was always the same.
She hated this nightmare, not only for what it signified, but this one, was one she could never escape. Other times, she'd wake up in the middle of one of her nightmares. She would scream and sometimes cry, but once she woke up, it was over. This one, however, went on forever. She never could wake up. It started the same; her walking through a field for hours, an hour, if she was lucky.
She guessed tonight must have been a better night, because she did only walk for an hour. She finally reached that dreaded hill and looked up it. The sooner she climbed, the sooner it would be over. So she did. At the top, she overlooked a small mountain and a winding road. A body of water separated her and the moment that changed her life. Not five minutes later, a car rounded the road and swallowed hard. She recognized that car; it was her father's. She watched as a truck came speeding from the other side. Just like the police report had mentioned, the truck lost control and jackknifed into both lanes leaving oncoming traffic, her father, no other alternative but to swerve into the adjacent body of water.
This was usually the point where Katniss woke up screaming. This time was different. As she looked down into the water, she expected to wake up. Instead, continued to stand there, nothing happening. What could the dream want of her? She turned her head down the hill. Could it want her to jump? She had never jumped before. So she jumped. Only in her dreams would she be able to survive a jump from that altitude. She surfaced after a few minutes. She took a deep breath before diving further in, in search of her father's car. Katniss only managed to find it because of the headlight's reflection off the water. She swam over to the vehicle and peeked in. There was her father, struggling to break his way out. Katniss tried for the handle, but nothing. She tried punching the window out, nothing.
Katniss thought that tonight was a better night, but she was wrong. It was so much worse. It should have just ended after the car veered off the mountain. Now, she had to watch as her father tried desperately to save himself. She had to watch him die. She couldn't do anything, so she screamed in the water. She cried and reached out for him. She looked on, catching her father's eyes. She could just make out the word he was saying; her name. So she cried harder and punched the glass harder. He kept mouthing her name until she heard it, "Katniss!"
And just like that, the car got further and further away, until all she saw was open water. She was still screaming when she pulled through. She woke up with Peeta sitting next to her, shaking her in an attempt to wake her up.
"Katniss..." Peeta says softly. "You were screaming. And I..." Katniss shook in his hold.
"You know how my father died?" She says, while sitting up in bed next to Peeta. She was still spooked from her nightmare.
Peeta shook his head. "I do." Katniss threw her arms around Peeta, tears falling uncontrollably.
"Oh, Peeta!" She cried as he held her tightly against him. "No one was ever the same after that! My father was dead and my mom might as well been!"
She didn't know how long she cried or how long he held her, but he sat there patiently with her. Eventually, she pulled away a little, still in Peeta's arms.
"How do you do it, Peeta?" He cocks his head at her curiously. "Sleep? Go on? I lost my father and basically my mother that day. You lost everyone! How do you do it?"
"You think your father wants to see you hurt? Your father loved you. He loves you. In death. Always."
"Peeta..."
"My mother may not have loved me the way she should, but I know my father did. I know that. When I lost him and my brothers, I lost everything. But then I remember how much he loved me and how he always loved to see me smile. I knew I couldn't stay in the darkness like I wanted to. I had to live. Live the life I was meant to. Live the life they couldn't."
"Peeta..." He notices her tears starting up again. He pulls her against him again.
"You don't think you deserve to be happy? After your mother checked out, you took care of your sister right?" Katniss shakes her head weakly. "Gave up what you wanted to make her happy?" She shakes her head again. "The ghosts will haunt you either way. The best thing you could do is be happy. For your father. For you."
Peeta stills when he feels her place a kiss to his chest. Katniss runs her hand up his chest and to his cheek. She places a kiss on the bottom of his jaw.
Meanwhile, Peeta tries to run through the rule book in his head. Was this allowed? Was he allowed to actually kiss her? It was one thing to play along with her while they played house, but this was different. He couldn't deny his attraction to her. He would love nothing more then to kiss her senseless and have his way with her. But she was hurting and needed comfort. Peeta had no problem comforting her, just not in that way.
He felt one more kiss on his jaw before he turned to look at her. She leaned up to him and he let her kiss him. They shared a sweet kiss. He pulled back and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
"We should get some sleep." He tells her while getting off her bed. Before he can leave, Katniss stops him.
"Stay. Please?" Katniss pleads with him. He crawls into bed with her, spooning her from behind. Peeta wraps his arms around her waist before she drifts off to sleep. Peeta lay there awake in thought. If he let his emotions get in the way, it was dangerous. He couldn't protect her if he got too close. But he couldn't have her distressed. If worse came to worst, Peeta needed her to cooperate; to trust him. He would help her anyway he could. For now, hopefully being friends would suffice. Friends that kiss? Who have to pretend to be married? He shook the thoughts. He would help her. He would keep her safe.
Katniss tried to keep her mind off Peeta. After she woke up that morning, after the best nights sleep she's ever had, he was gone. His side of the bed was cold, like he'd been up for quite some time. Katniss looked out of the window in confusion. She wasn't sure why she'd kissed him like that. She had been caught in the moment. He told her to be happy and, oddly enough, he made her happy. In their short time together, she'd laughed more with him than with anyone else. Never mind the fact that they were on the run from some lunatic who was trying to kill her. They shouldn't be laughing. She should be cowering for her life somewhere. But Peeta made her feel almost like she was on vacation. The only time she had even remembered the danger she was in was at the party when Peeta questioned the man who was staring at her. Up until then, she had never felt like she was in danger.
But now, she was feeling conflicted. She liked Peeta and she liked the game they played. Touching and kissing each other whenever they were in public. It was fun, but it also put her on edge. Was it possible that she had kissed him because of something other then just their game? Katniss shook her head, sure that she had some form of the Nightingale effect.
She suddenly wondered where Peeta was. He wouldn't of left her alone. She was about to exit the room with only her bathrobe on, but the sudden need to look somewhat presentable rushed through her. Weird, she thought. She contemplated her options. What harm could it do? Katniss scrambled around finding something to wear. She took a quick shower and was ready to find Peeta downstairs.
She ran downstairs, unexpectedly giddy to see Peeta. She found no one in the living room, but did walk in on Annie drinking coffee in the kitchen.
"Good morning, sleepyhead." Annie says cheerfully.
"Annie? Didn't expect you here."
"Finnick really seems to like your hubby. Said something about a bromance. I'm tagging along to divert the attention from his man crush." Katniss laughs.
"Speaking of my hubby, where is he?" Before Annie can answer, they hear footsteps climbing the basement stairs.
"You want a good work out, you should hit the gym where I work." They hear Peeta from the kitchen.
"Maybe I'll join your class. I hear you run a mean kickboxing class."
"Sure do! It's always packed though. Good luck getting in."
"I'm sure it is with all that hot ass-" he stops talking when he sees Annie and Katniss in the kitchen. Peeta approaches Katniss, who is over by the counter pouring herself a cup of coffee. She smiles at him over her shoulder.
"Hey Peeta!" Katniss couldn't help but notice that Peeta was shirtless. She wondered if that man ever wore a shirt. She turned back to her coffee with a slight blush. She turned a deeper shade of red when she feels Peeta's arms wrap around her waist.
"Good morning to you too!" He leaves a lingering kiss on her cheek. She was blushing furiously, but there was no way she was going to let Peeta win at their game. She turns in his arms, -throwing her arms around his neck. She gives him a deep kiss before pulling back some. Katniss then runs her hands up his damp hair.
"Eww Peeta, you're all sweaty!" Katniss chuckles.
"I was working out for you!" He smiles at her.
"For me?" Katniss asks innocently. He steps back, showing off his muscled torso.
"You think this is for someone else?" He smiles at her still. She smiles back at him before he embraces her again. He kisses up and down her neck causing Katniss to laugh. She couldn't help getting all warm and fuzzy in Peeta's arms. This felt safe and comfortable. It felt natural, like she belonged in his arms. She was falling for her protector.
Katniss clears her throat as she tries to reclaim some control over her feelings. "Thank you for last night," Katniss whispers to him.
Peeta shakes his head to decline. "Don't worry about it." As she looks into his eyes, then down his body, the desire takes over. Katniss can't help but trail her hand down his strong body and stop once she has a grip on his waistband.
Katniss leans in and places a kiss on his cheek. Peeta's gaze follows as she pulls back to kiss his lips. She lingers for a bit until Peeta presses back into her kiss. When Peeta opens his mouth to adjust, Katniss wraps her arms around his waist. Peeta brings his hands up from their place on her hips and cups her face. Her hands play with his waistband before she pulls his hips into her by it. Peeta moans at the contact and begins to trail kisses down her neck. He grinds into her making Katniss cry out in pleasure. She's just about to hitch her leg when she manages to look over Peeta's shoulder. Bleary eyed, Katniss blinks a little, and sees Finnick and Annie staring at them with grins on their faces.
"Peeta, we have company." She says as she chuckles uncomfortably. He turns to Finnick and Annie, who stare at them with amusement.
"Shit!" Peeta curses under his breath as he swallows heavily. He had enjoyed their togetherness and he could only hope Katniss didn't catch on. He was losing control of the situation and it didn't sit well with him. Peeta quickly shakes his head and turns towards their guests. "Are you two still here?" Katniss slaps Peeta's chest.
"What were you two doing last night?" Finnick says with raised eyebrows and a smirk. It's quickly wiped away when Annie elbows him in the gut.
"Don't mind him. We were just wondering if you guys wanted to join us for dinner again." Annie asks them.
"In-laws are coming. Need backup." Finnick whispers to them. Annie scowls at him.
"What did he say? Did he make another crack at my parents?" Annie almost yells.
Peeta chuckles. "What you think, baby? Save the Odairs or not?" He jostles her gently.
"Your call, sweetie." She beams at him.
"Alright. Sure."
"Alright! Two weeks from today! And thank you so much!" Finnick exclaims while grabbing both Peeta and Katniss in a hug. They awkwardly hug him back. When they let go, Finnick and Annie leave wishing them more thank yous and goodbyes.
"Hey, I think we have this lovers act down!" Peeta tells her.
"Yea, I think it's more than an act." Katniss mumbles.
"What's that?" Peeta asks, thankfully not catching what she said.
"I said we're good at it." Peeta smiles at her. Peeta happily walks over to her and gives her a kiss on her temple.
"I'm going to go take a shower, seeing as I'm all sweaty and stuff." He walks away, his face instantly displaying a frown.
What was he doing? The moment he got into the bathroom, his body was at attention. Peeta was surprised he was able to hold back his erection for so long. He groaned. Katniss had gotten him all hot and bothered when she reciprocated his affection. He knew it was their game and that he had started it today, but it had felt too nice. Too real. There he goes again letting his emotions interfere. He groaned again. As he looked down at the bulge in his pants, he was surprised that Katniss had gotten him so worked up by what, just being close? They only kissed a few times, now look at him. Peeta had to get a hold of his urges before something drastic happened.
