Disclaimer: I do not claim any rights to THG. I am not benefiting from this fic.
Warning: Long chapter, sexy time and very coarse language below! Please proceed with caution!
Peeta pushed, pulled and worked the yeasty dough on the counter. He took immense joy in the repetitive motion as it provided a reprieve from thinking about Katniss. Thinking about Katniss caused him to feel empty and hollow. These emotions were foreign to the handsome blonde man. The eternal optimist, he had always been able to see the bright side of things. There was no bright side to this situation. Peeta had been played for a fool, used for his body, and then strung along until Katniss' real boyfriend had shown up. 'I hope he really is as terrible in bed as she claimed. Fuck her. Fuck him. Fuck this.' Peeta uncharacteristically snarled to himself and began punching the dough in front of him.
"Now that the dough is officially dead, you want to talk about where my son is and who this angry person is in his place?" Peeta's father stood in the doorway staring at his beloved youngest son with a concerned look on his face. When Peeta had shown up with a duffel bag and a tear stained face Mr. Mellark had greeted him with a hug and put fresh sheets on the tiny twin Peeta had slept on since he was six. Peeta disappeared for class and football functions but reappeared every night to help his dad prepare dough and sleep in his old room. "Peeta, it's been a week and if you're not going to talk to me then you have got to talk to someone. I appreciate the help but I would trade it in an instant to have my carefree boy back."
Peeta tossed the dough in the trash and walked to his dad and wrapped his arms around him. "I was just stupid. I trusted the wrong person and she used me and didn't care for me the way I care for her." He admitted as he followed his father to a small sitting area in the office.
"Does this have anything to do with the pastries you've been filching lately?" Mr. Mellark teased Peeta trying to lighten the mood but when he saw Peeta's countenance her realized that his son was not in the mood for jokes. "It's obvious that the 'using' you're talking about has nothing to do with pastry. Was she taking up with you because of your status on campus?"
Peeta smiled lightly at his Dad's reverence for his spot on the team, "No dad and that is one of the things I love about her. She could care less about season tickets or notoriety. Katniss is one of those girls who is absolutely breathtaking but doesn't realize it. She is so different from any other girl I've ever met before. She is so real and honest…shit she wasn't honest…" he trailed off revisiting his last comment in his head before clarifying "well, I mean she is honest but I guess I wasn't asking the right questions."
Mr. Mellark threw an arm around his son, "Can I ask what she said that makes you think that she doesn't feel the same about you? Did she actually say 'I don't want to be with you' or is it a situation where she is just trying to figure things out?"
"She led me on even though I made it clear I was falling for her." Not wanting to give his dad all the dirty details, Peeta admitted just enough to paint a picture, "She denied our relationship at a time when she needed to stand up for me. Even if she eventually decided she wanted me, I think I would be stupid to give her another chance. Her refusal broke me in such a way I don't think I can ever forgive her."
"Guess who has the 4-1-1 on Peeta's whereabouts!" Rue skipped through Katniss' bedroom door and paused at the foot of her bed before continuing, "All it took were a few strategically placed kisses and Thresh was literally gushing with information."
"Seriously?" Katniss peered up from her textbook.
"Yes! I wouldn't tease about something as important as this! I can't stand you being all grumpy pants when just a week ago Peeta was making you so much fun to be around." Rue smiled and extended a hand to Katniss. "I just want the scowling but slightly happier Katniss back. Let's go!"
Katniss' mouth twitched upwards into an almost smile as she waved away Rue's hand. "Gross! Seriously, you just all but admitted what you had been doing with your hands before you came here and now you want me to hold it. Uh, no!"
"I said kisses not touches, silly! My hands are fair game but you may not want to share a toothbrush with me anytime soon." Rue laughed back.
"TMI!" Katniss stood up quickly, "Are we going to see him now? Where is he?"
"To his parents sandwich shop, duh! I can't believe you had not looked there yet." Rue mockingly rolled her eyes at Katniss, "I mean c'mon you didn't think he was making all that pastry in his dorm room, did you?"
"I knew he was from Knoxville but I guess I didn't realize what his parents did." Katniss stared at Rue. "He knows about my family and my life in Oklahoma but I never asked him about his childhood." The realization dawned on Katniss how little she had tried to get to know Peeta as a person and not just a play time partner. "Wow. That is kinda shitty of me."
"Yup, it is." Rue agreed with Katniss, "now let's go make it up to him and maybe score a free brownie."
Peeta sat in the office working on a paper for his literature class when he looked up and saw Mr. Mellark standing in the doorway. "What's up, dad?"
"There happens to be a very lovely and skittish young lady asking for you out front, son." Mr. Mellark relayed to Peeta.
Peeta groaned and dropped his head heavily against the wooden desk, "Does she have dark hair and grey eyes? Possibly, is she wearing a braid down her back or resting on her shoulder?"
"Correct on both accounts." Mr. Mellark confirmed, "I take it this is Katniss?"
"Please just tell her I'm not here." Peeta pleaded with his father.
"Peeta, she wouldn't have gone to all the trouble to come here if you meant nothing to her. You think it was easy for her to ask me if you were here." Mr. Mellark asked shaking his head, "It wasn't easy for her at all. She stood pacing and looking over the pastry case for ten minutes before she finally asked for you."
Peeta stood and stormed to the front of the store where he was greeted with the sight of Katniss standing with her back to the pastry case. His breath caught in his throat and he found it hard to breathe. He felt his heart drop into his stomach and he had to grasp the counter top tightly to compose his self. Plastering a fake smile on his face Peeta called out to Katniss, "What can I help you with today?"
When Katniss walked through the door and laid eyes on Mr. Mellark she knew she was in the right place. Peeta was the spitting image of his father. The older man had the same sandy hair and kind blue eyes as his son. Rue's steady hand on Katniss shoulder prevented her from bolting for the door when he smiled warmly at Katniss and asked if he could help her. The smile lines around his mouth and eyes, light dusting of gray at the temples and slight paunch of the mid section were the only things that differentiated him from Peeta. The man emanated warmth and it was hard for Katniss to muster the courage to ask for Peeta.
When Peeta first spoke to her she thought that maybe he hadn't been avoiding her at all. Sure, he was asking her order and the smile was a little too big but he was talking to her. 'That's something, right?' Katniss thought to herself. She soon realized that there was no semblance of the Peeta she had come to know and the Peeta behind the counter. He was smiling but it appeared forced and uncomfortable. His eyes were not the clear, sparkling blue of her lover in the morning. They were dull and lacked life and energy. 'What has happened to my Peeta? What have I done?' The thought that he was like this because of her was more than she could handle and her eyes began to fill with tears.
Peeta could see the tears forming and threatening to fall. It was imperative that he retain his steely resolve and to do that he could not see her cry. He had to get her to leave so he channeled Finnick when he was being an asshole and trying to shirk off a girl he had tired of. "If you're not going to order I'm going to have to ask you to leave. The sign on the door clearly states 'no loitering.' Now, can I help you or were you leaving?" Peeta's resolve faltered momentarily when he noticed fat tears rolling down Katniss' flaming red cheeks. The moment passed and Peeta pushed forward with asshole mode, "Did you hear me?"
"Yeah she fudging heard you, but did you hear yourself?" Rue slapped her hand hard against the pastry glass before continuing," Katniss may have hurt your feelings but she's sorry and you're going to listen to her apology and respect her. Not be a flipping dick head, got it?"
Rue's words sent Peeta running to the back room. He was having difficulty breathing and ears were burning. He knew he was being a dick head and he was doing a terrible job of it because he was not supposed to feel embarrassed for it. Peeta was mortified at how he was behaving but Katniss had to understand she could not use him anymore. He was done. "Son, go apologize now." Mr. Mellark appeared and put a hand on Peeta's back, "I did not raise you treat a woman that way."
Peeta walked out to the store front but Katniss and Rue were gone. He stepped outside and saw Rue helping a bawling Katniss into the passenger seat of her car. This was not the Katniss that he had come to known. Even when crying over the Gale situation she was fiery and fought back proudly. Katniss' appearance was a reflection of how broken and lost he felt inside. Peeta approached the girls and asked if he could escort Katniss back to the dorms. Rue looked at him like he had grown a third eye and refused to let him near the crying girl. Katniss, on the other hand, had nodded and reached for Peeta's outstretched hand.
The ride back to the dorms was punctuated by Katniss' sniffles and hiccups as she attempted to self regulate from her crying fit. She had not sobbed this hard since her dog, Penny, died when she was thirteen. Peeta's rejection had broken a dam inside her and all the pain and emotions that she had been holding inside her came exploding out. A weight lifted from her chest when the tears flowed freely and she felt free. Making things right with Peeta was the next step. Even if he never wanted to see her again she owed him an explanation.
"I'm sorry, Peeta." Peeta inhaled sharply at her words but did not turn to look at her; Katniss took this as a sign to continue. "Bear with me. I'm not good with words but I'm trying here. There is something about you that gets to me. At first I thought it was desire and sexual compatibility but I'm quickly realizing it is deeper than that." They had reached the parking lot but Katniss continued, "Believe me when I say that I did not mean to hurt you. Gale and I were over a long time ago... and that is a story for another time… but I know what I said to you wasn't fair or even correct. Uh, well, you are more to me than just fooling around. Please don't get mad at me but I just don't understand what this all means yet." Katniss stopped as Peeta reached for her hand and twined her fingers with his. "I'm just so very sorry."
When Katniss apologized to Peeta it was in that moment that he realized that he was officially a goner. He had known he was falling hard and fast. Her vulnerable admittance of regret was the final push that made him realize he was in love with her. Full blown, forever love was something that Peeta had always dreamed of. It was why he held onto Delly for so long even when he realized there wasn't much complexity to their relationship. Now, here it was staring him in the face in the form of watery grey eyes and tangled brown hair. He had no clue how to proceed. He knew Katniss well enough to know that his words would terrify her so he chose action and leaned over and kissed her gently on the mouth. The kiss was chaste and gentle and he followed it with, "I know what you mean and I accept your apology. I'm sorry for being an ass. I was sorry and you did not deserve it."
Peeta woke with a smile and nuzzled his lips into Katniss' hair and gently kissed the crown of her head. His arm was numb from holding Katniss' weight all morning but his heart was full. Typically, spending the night with Katniss meant exploration and lots of touching. However, the previous night she had opened up to him and asked him about his dreams. It was new territory and he could tell it was difficult for her to try and get to know him. Peeta appreciated the effort more than any physical release she could have facilitated for him. Katniss looked beautiful tucked into him and his body suddenly craved the closeness that only she could offer. He needed last night to get things emotionally right and she had given that to him. Peeta wanted to give her something to let her know just how much he appreciated her gesture. He slid his hand underneath the covers and began to slowly stroke the skin underneath her t shirt.
Katniss woke to a gentle tickling sensation at her side and opened her eyes to find Peeta hovering right in front of her. He smiled at her then leaned in and pressed a kiss to her mouth. Katniss realized that the tickling feeling was Peeta's hand working its way languidly around her ribs, naval, and side. She wrapped her arm around Peeta's neck and started to pull lightly at the hair on the back of his head. He leaned in and captured her mouth in a deep kiss. Instinctively Katniss arched her body up into him and was rewarded with low groan from Peeta as he cupped her breast and worked her sensitive nipple with his large fingers. "I want you completely naked." Peeta murmured into Katniss' neck where he was suckling and teasing with his tongue. "I want to admire your beauty in the morning light." He continued as he nipped at her collarbone with his teeth before he continued, "and then I'm going to make you come…hard."
He pulled on the tail of her shirt, hoisted it over her head and propped himself on his elbows. Peeta cupped one breast with his hand while showering the other with wet kisses. Katniss could feel how hard he already was and reveled in the knowledge that it was all because of her. A silky wetness collected in her underwear and she moved to press against his erection for the rewarding friction she knew would occur when their bodies collided. Peeta shifted most of his body weight onto Katniss and she was unable to move. "I have something better in mind but you're going to have to be patient." Peeta's soft, lustful voice was almost more than Katniss could handle and she found herself whimpering with want. "Good things come to those who wait." He smirked before pulling on her nipple with his teeth. Katniss' body trembled and her muscles tightened so Peeta repeated the action on the other nipple. She felt something building deep inside her. He had not even touched her yet and she was climbing towards a release. Peeta recognized this and showered attention on her breasts kissing, nipping, and pinching her to a shuddering finish.
"That was ah-fucking-mazing. You're like unbelievable, Peeta. I didn't even know that was possible." Katniss exhaled as she slowly came to her senses. She squirmed underneath Peeta trying to reach for his arousal, "Time for someone else to have their turn."
Peeta stilled Katniss hand, "That was an unexpected surprise but I have something else in mind, do you trust me?"
Katniss looked at Peeta and earnestly said, "With my life" and Peeta kissed her heatedly on her mouth before trailing kisses down her throat. He snaked his tongue around her nipple before pulling it into his mouth and sucking lightly. He repeated the action with the other nipple and Katniss felt the flames of desire building in her again. Peeta worked slowly down her stomach kissing, licking, and tickling his way to the band of her underwear. He bit at the band and pulled it up from her skin before letting it fall back down with a 'pop' against Katniss skin and worked his way down her thighs continuing his ministrations against her soft skin. Peeta grabbed both of her ankles and pushed them up causing her legs to spread open and expose her sensitive nub to her cotton underwear. Katniss gasped as Peeta brought his face close to the thin strip of tightly stretched cotton and blew hot air against her middle. Involuntarily, her hips bucked up to meet his face and Peeta licked the fabric. "Fuck." Katniss moaned spurring Peeta to pull the crotch of her panties aside and drag his tongue along her folds. "Oh fuck…oh Peeta…please…oh please." Katniss begged and Peeta continued as he alternated licking and sucking Katniss before she pulled her hips from his face suddenly. He looked up afraid he had pushed boundaries too far to see Katniss staring back at him intently, "Let me kiss you too."
Peeta grinned, "Patience baby, I need to wrap some things up first before we proceed to me." He started to lower his face back down to Katniss.
"I meant that I want us to go down on each other at the same time." Katniss clarified boldly.
Understanding dawned on Peeta and he repositioned to align his self and Katniss sideways on the bed. Katniss stared at Peeta's fully erect erection and considered the impressive task she had brought upon herself. Timidly, she opened her mouth and placed open mouth kisses on his head. Peeta responded with a moan into her sex and the vibrations nearly sent her over the edge. Peeta's moan was the encouragement that Katniss needed and she opened her mouth and worked Peeta's length inside.
Katniss hot, wet mouth covered most of his erection and Peeta knew he would not be able to hold off much longer. He inched a finger into Katniss and began working it in her favorite curling motion while sucking on her nub. Her legs begin to clench and her walls followed shortly. As Katniss rode out intense waves of pleasure, Peeta pulled himself free of her mouth and spilled himself all over her chest.
The pair stared at the ceiling with silly grins plastered on their faces for longer than either of them intended. Katniss suddenly started giggling and rolled over and laid her head on Peeta's chest. "Did we just, uh, well you know?" She asked as she pressed her blushing cheeks to his heart.
"Now Miss Everdeen, I have no idea what you are insinuating. Could you spell it out for me?" Peeta teased Katniss. He loved the conundrum that was his Katniss. In so many ways she was innocent but in the throes of passion she knew just how to articulate her needs. He mused, "Sweetheart, you are so pure."
A/N: Thank you so very much for all the awesome reviews and input! You guys rock! There are a few of you (you know who you are) who have been so very thoughtful and helpful on this journey and I hope this chapter is all that you hoped it would be. In other news, my tumblr is registered and this is my contingency plan if my story suddenly goes missing you can find me with my login name kismet4891. PM if you need more details or leave a comment in a review!
