A/N: You guys are literally all my favorites. THANKS A MILLION. REVIEW.
Katniss' POV
"I love you, too."
He turns to me and looks shell-shocked. I see thousands of emotions in his eyes at once but the one that stands out is disbelief.
"You…you love me? Katniss, don't joke around with me. Don't say it if you're not serious…"
He thinks I'm lying? Saying something I don't mean? "Do you not believe me?" I say.
He just shrugs. "I don't know. Just a few hours ago you ran away from me and I think you tried to break up with me…"
He thinks… But… "I wouldn't say something I didn't mean, Peeta! I love you! Better? I love you, I love you, and I love you! Do you believe me yet? Or do I need to say it another thousand times?" I say, somewhat bitterly.
"Katniss, don't be like this-"
"No, Peeta. You're the one who doesn't believe that I truly love you! Have I ever lied to you? I can't even talk to you right now." I say as I get up and start walking. He, of course, didn't take that as an answer.
"No, you're not leaving right now! Stop running every time things get tough!" he yells as he grabs my arm.
"Peeta! I'm not running!"
"Yes, you are. You hate talking about anything emotionally straining so you avoid it at all costs. Please…" he pleads.
"How am I supposed to talk to you when you don't believe me?"
"I do believe you! Dammit, Katniss! It's hard to accept someone loving me after my mom, okay?! She never loved me and she was supposed to be the one who loved unconditionally. How do you expect me to accept love from others when I've never received it from my own family? This is hard for me too, Katniss."
This shocks me. I never knew he felt this way. How selfish could I be? I feel terrible. He deserves so much more than I can give him. So, so much more. So much better.
"Peeta…I'm…I'm sorry. I'm sorry I was selfish. I'm sorry I can't give you what you deserve. Maybe its better if," I choke up, "If we end this. You deserve better than me. I'm-"
He cuts me off. "Katniss, are you crazy? Is this still about money? Because that doesn't change anything!"
"No, it's not. Well, not entirely. You… you're so amazing. You're better than I could ever hope to have. To call mine. But at the same time, too good for me. You need someone who can help you, not hold you back. To balance you out, not add fuel to the fire. Peeta-"
"Katniss! STOP! Don't say another thing. Let me talk!" he shouts. I'm too taken aback by his loudness so I just nod. "I love you. Don't question that. Ever. You're the only one I could ever see myself with. I've known I loved you for years. I'm sorry I took so long to say it. Katniss, don't you dare say you don't deserve me! It's truly the other way around. I'm lucky to have you. I understand we have hit a crossroad, but it's not something we can't work out. I'm willing to get through this. You mean more to me than any other thing on this planet."
I'm left dumbfounded. Maybe I am overreacting. How much money he has doesn't change the fact that we love each other, right? And I can't blame him for second guessing my love. His mother ruined him. She'll get hers one day and I'll make sure of that. Everyone knows I've never been good with words, so to show Peeta that he and I will be okay, I do the only thing I can.
I lean in and crash my lips to his with more force than ever. He seems instantly surprised, but quickly reciprocates. He pulls me close so I'm straddling his lap with my hands tangled in his hair and holds my hips. He asks for entrance with his tongue and I immediately grant. We both fight for dominance but I soon back down and he overpowers. I don't know how long we sit like this on the beach, under the stars but soon we both break away to catch our breath.
Once we both stop panting, he looks and asks me, "Katniss, we're going to be okay, okay?"
I know he means it. I need to stop running from my problems, because he was right. I do. That's going to change. I'm done with the running. And he and I will be able to get past this and any other problems thrown our way.
So, I look deep into his blue eyes and nod, "Okay."
The weeks fly by after that. We talked about our problems and came to conclusions. No more running away. He also admitted to not being completely honest and we agreed that we wouldn't hide anything from each other. We also found out that my trip to the NBICC is next week, May 3rd to May 9th. The biggest disagreement I had with Peeta was whether or not to let him come.
He told me I couldn't stop him and he doesn't want me to go alone. I don't want him missing school right before finals but he refused to listen to me. He said he'll be fine and I'm more important. Also he wants to see his dad and his one brother, since the other is already living out here. Against my better judgment, I agreed.
Our plane leaves tomorrow night. I refused to stay at the fancy hotel Professor Trinket had booked, so she has a room to herself. I am, of course, staying with my mother and Prim. My mother and I don't have a good relationship, so I guess maybe I should try to fix it. I don't forgive her for what she did, but I won't let her die thinking I never loved her.
Peeta is staying with his family, which bothers me more than anything. I'm scared for him. I don't want him around that woman any more than he has to be. Something in the back of my head keeps saying that if she hurts him, it'll be my fault.
"Love?" he says as he comes into my room.
"Oh, hey." I say, throwing some more clothes on my bed. He pushes them aside and takes a seat.
"Are you alright? You seem… tense."
Of course I'm not. "Uh, yeah. I'm fine." I say, trying to sound as convincing as possible.
He gets off my bed and comes over to me and wraps me in a hug I so desperately need. I embrace back. "Listen, everything is going to be alright. I promise. This trip is going to be okay. You'll have an amazing time. I miss my dad and Rye, so this is a win-win. Plus, I don't want to be too far from you." He says, adding on the last part to get a laugh out of me, in which he succeeds.
"I know. I'm just nervous. You know that."
"I know." He says and kisses the top of my head. "I love you." He adds.
"I love you, too." I say and stand on my tip-toes to steal a kiss. It's a soft and sweet one with not a lot of passion behind it, which is okay. I actually think those are my favorite types of kisses. The ones that you can feel the love but not have to go any further. They're refreshing.
"Do you want help packing?" he asks as he breaks our embrace and settles back on the bed. I immediately miss his warmth.
"No, I'm good. Almost done, actually."
"Okay. Hey, you know…" he trails off.
"Hmm?"
"We're going to be home for your 22nd birthday."
How could I forget? Jo, Finn and Madge have been bugging me about a party. I told them I was going to be in State 12 for my birthday and they threw a fit. They told me we were celebrating as soon as I got home.
"Yeah, I know. Did you hear the shit-storm Jo threw about it?"
He chuckles before answering. "Yeah. That just means I get you all to myself."
"Is that a fact?" I ask, mockingly.
"I sure hope so." He answers back without a second's hesitation.
"Whatever, bakerboy. Go pack your own stuff for tomorrow." I say and steal another quick kiss.
"You're not going to offer me any help?" he says, mock-pouting.
"No way. You're a big boy."
"How rude" he says before leaving my room to go pack.
"Ms. Everdeen, I'm afraid your luggage has been lost in transit. Our sources tell us it has been left behind and will arrive tomorrow morning," the man at the service center says as he hands me a piece of paper, "please write down an address at which it can be delivered upon recovery."
You've got to be fucking kidding me. This trip has already been the trip from hell. Our flight was delayed until this morning because of some tropical storm which turned out to be a fluke. Once we actually got onto the plane, I learned Peeta wasn't sitting with me. His seat was 6 rows away. I was seated next to a younger guy that for some reason seemed familiar. I had the window seat, at least.
The flight itself wasn't terrible. Peeta constantly looked back at me and mouthed you ok? at which I always gave him a small smile and nodded. He always knows how to improve my mood.
Once we landed, we grabbed our carry-on and headed to baggage claim. Professor Trinket's and Peeta's bags came right around with everyone else's, mine didn't. After 25 minutes of waiting around, I finally had enough and headed over here to the service desk. Now, my suitcase is lost? Fuck everyone.
I quickly scribble down my Seam address and stalk away.
Peeta quickly runs to catch up to me and jumps in front of me. He gathers me in his arms and rests his chin on the top of my head. I need this.
"Relax, love. It'll be fine. Do you have anything to wear tonight?"
"No. Before I left for CU, I packed up every piece of clothing I owned. I'll just borrow something from Prim, I guess."
He shakes his head. "No, you can borrow one of my t-shirts and sweatpants. How does that sound?"
I have to admit, wearing Peeta's clothes is probably my favorite thing ever. All of his clothes smell just like him; cinnamon and dill. It's a sensation like no other.
"That sounds perfect." I say and reach up to steal a kiss. What starts out as in innocent gesture quickly starts to deepen. This has been happening a lot lately. One of us goes in for a kiss and we both end up wanting more. I've been thinking about it a lot lately, and I think I'm ready. I'm ready to open up my relationship with Peeta to the physical aspect.
A loud cough from behind me is what breaks us apart. We both start blushing as Professor Trinket wheels her suitcase past us. She quickly scoffs and yells, "Manners, children!" over her shoulder.
We both can't help but smile and he grabs his suitcase and we intertwine our fingers, following Professor Trinket to the car line. Prim insisted on picking Peeta and I up, since we are going back to Seam. Peeta retaliated that his dad would love to pick him up so we are all separating.
Once we make it to the car line, the three of us stand awkwardly for a second before we all go off to find our designated drivers. Before we leave, Professor Trinket speaks up.
"You kids have a good night. I expect I'll see you soon, Mr. Mellark. And Ms. Everdeen, you are to be to HG Arena at 9 a.m. sharp for the kickoff. Do you understand?"
"Yes. Thank you, Professor." I say.
"Please, call me Effie. See you soon." She insists and walks off to her waiting car.
Peeta and I start to walk in the other direction when I hear it.
"KATNISS! OH MY GOD KATNISS! LOOK AT YOU GUYS! WAIT… YOU'RE… TOGETHER!?" I hear. I turn around to find a squealing Prim running towards me. Before I can answer, she barrels into my arms for a dramatic reunion.
I laugh and say, "Hello to you too, little duck."
Peeta coughs and is smiling at me. I release Prim and cuddle into Peeta's side. Prim's smile reaches from ear to ear. "And yes, Peeta and I are together."
"Oh my GOD! We all knew it'd happen one day, it was just a matter as to when. WOW."
What? My eyebrows furrow in confusion and Prim explains. "Oh come on, Kat. He was never subtle. Everyone saw the way he looked at you. Isn't that right, Peeta?" Prim says and looks to Peeta. I turn to look at him, too. He just shrugs and pulls me to him tighter.
"Well then. I guess I never officially introduced myself. Hello, Peeta, I'm Prim, her little sister."
Peeta gives a fully belly laugh and says, "I never would have guessed. Hey, Prim."
"Awh, you're even sarcastic. You're the PERFECT couple. Peeta, am I driving you home too?"
"No," he says, "My dad is picking me up. He should be here any minute."
"Prim, let's wait here until his dad arrives." I say.
"Katniss, you don't have to…" he tries to persuade.
"Nonsense. I'm waiting. Besides, I'd love to see him." I say. As soon as I say this, Peeta grins wider than I think I've ever seen him and pulls me into a bone crushing hug. When he loosens his grip to look at me, he whispers, "I love you." I smile and before I can say it back, he smashes his lips to mine.
"Uh-hem." We hear and break apart. Standing next to Prim, smiling widely with his arms crossed over his chest stands Mr. Mellark. He's about the same height as Peeta just not as broad. He has the same blond curly hair, just his is laced with grey. His eyes are bright blue, not quite as bright as Peeta's but bright.
"Dad," Peeta whispers as he rushes towards him and envelopes him in his arms. Prim and I excuse ourselves to a nearby bench to give them a moment.
"So, are you happy?" she asks.
I smile before answering, "I love him."
She just smiles and hugs me, tighter than before. "I'm happy." She whispers.
We pull away and chat nonchalantly for a few minutes before I feel a tap on my shoulder.
"Now, let me say hello to the ever so lovely Ms. Everdeen."
I stand up to speak. "Hi, Mr. Mellark."
He laughs and pulls me into a hug. "Please, that's my father. Call me Matt."
I smile as we pull back and nod. I can see Peeta practically dying of happiness to my right and Prim grinning a mile wide on my left.
"Katniss, why don't you come over for dinner tomorrow night? We'd love to have you." Matt says. I can see Peeta immediately tense. His mother. I can't go within 50 feet of the woman. No way.
I stay as calm as I can as I answer, "Thank you, but I'm actually here with school. I'd love to, but I won't be getting to home until late."
"Oh, yes. Peeta told me you were here for NBICC, right? That's an amazing accomplishment. Congratulations," he says slinging his arm across my shoulders, "we in the business world know how honorable it is to go. Punks like Peeta have no idea." He says jokingly, winking at Peeta.
"He has no idea." I say, smiling at Peeta.
"I hate to intrude, but mom is expecting us in 15 minutes, Kat, and we're 30 minutes away. We better get going." Prim says, snapping me back to reality. I nod and walk over to Peeta, who suddenly grew pouty. I grab his hand and look up at him. "I'll see you soon, ok?" I say, trying to reassure not only Peeta but myself. He nods and tilts my chin up for a kiss. The kiss is long and lingering and when he pulls away, I'm left wanting more.
"I love you." He says.
"I love you." I say.
A/N: AYOOOO. CUTE, right? So much drama! I'd just like to thank you all.
Important! The 'M' rating will be coming into effect soon. It's inching up on us and I think it's time. How would you all feel about a chapter in Peeta's POV soon? Let me know!
