There's not much going on in the cafeteria when we're in line, but when we come out from behind the wall that separates the food and the tables, people all of a sudden get quiet and stare. From somewhere in the back, I hear Johanna call out,
"Over here!" We walk towards her, where she is waving her hands like a nut and sit with her. People are still staring, but have started whispering to each other.
"What's going on? Why is everyone being so weird?" I ask her as I load my fork up with mashed potatoes and some kind of meat.
"They all think you're crazy for going to the Capitol tomorrow. And they still think Peeta's unhinged enough to hurt you there, away from safety." She says this like it doesn't matter to her either way.
"What? Why would I hurt Katniss now?" Obviously this hurts Peeta more than me, I know better. I put my hand over his and shake my head,
"They just don't know you like I do, Peeta. All they really know about you is that you were caught, held, rescued, and make pretty cakes." Johanna snorts, making food almost come out of her mouth.
"Yeah, they really like the cakes." She says with her mouth full of food. Apparently no one taught her manners, or she just simply doesn't care.
"Shut up Johanna." I retort and look back at Peeta, "But really, they don't know how you and I work. They probably still think that whatever Snow did to you is what is controlling you now. You know what? How come you didn't tell me you were in training while I wasn't visiting?"
He looks away at first, to both sides of him, and then back at me with those lovely blue eyes and whispers, "Coin told me not to tell you. I don't think it's safe to talk about it here though either."
I nod, understanding what he is saying, so instead focus on what he trained in. "Well, they did strength training to build back any muscle I lost and I had to drink these really nasty shakes. I think they called them protein shakes so I could gain weight quicker. Then it was onto shooting and hand-to-hand combat. I'd never even held a gun before, so they were pretty happy when I picked it up pretty fast. The combat thing though, I mean, I had the edge because of wrestling, but the first couple of times were hard just getting used to having to fight again. I don't really like it."
"Yeah, more into a different kind of hands-on training, huh?" Johanna chimes in, wriggling her eyebrows in a suggestive manner.
"Johanna, really!" I shove her shoulder and she laughs.
"Just stating the obvious. You two were MIA after the second meeting and when I ran into Beetee; he mentioned that he found you two together in your room. I'm so sure you were just talking the whole time." She smiles as she says this and before I can hit her again, she bounces out of her seat and goes to throw her tray in its place. Peeta only shakes his head at her. I'm glad he doesn't mind her joking.
We eat for a few moments in silence, not paying attention to anyone's stares until the seat Johanna was in is suddenly filled by none other than Gale. Seeing the look at my face, he puts his hands up as if in surrender.
"Hold on, I'm here to apologize….kind of." Peeta gives him a dirty look as well. "Look, I know you're going to go whether anyone really wants you to or not, Katniss, so I'm going to say this once and one time only, I will protect both of you. Meaning you and the baby."
"What….are….you…talking about?" I hiss out. "Why would you offer me any kind of protection and not Peeta, but say it in front of him?"
"Because he's hoping I'll die and you'll go to him for comfort." Peeta suggests. "Isn't that right, Gale?"
Gale answers with a steely-eyed glare, so I point out, "He tried that before, when I thought you were dead and had just found out I was pregnant. Didn't go too well, did it?"
"Fine, no extra protection then. You two will are on your own." He shoves the chair back and stalks away. I stare after him.
"Did he really just say that to us?" I'm mad now and Peeta can see it in my face, hear it in my voice. "On our own? What a jerk! It's not like he was there in the Games with us, either time! He isn't the one who taught me how to shoot or you how to do camouflage! And I'm pretty sure he's never had to kill anyone yet in order to save his own ass!"
People snap their heads in our direction when I yell this last word. Parents shoot me dirty looks and Peeta just sheepishly smiles. "It's the hormones, sorry."
"Peeta, that is so not true!" Though my voice is lower now. He shakes his head and replies,
"But here is not the place. I agree with you one-hundred and ten percent, but just not here." Still looking after me, even though I let him down. I nod and start in on my pudding. I had never really had a sweet tooth before, but I guess this is just a side effect of being pregnant.
We finish our food in silence and then head out of the cafeteria. "I have to get some clothes out of my room. Can we stop by there first?"
"Of course. You think they'll let you stay with me though?" Peeta may be better, but this might be overstepping the boundaries a bit.
"We're going into the middle of a battlefield no matter what they call it tomorrow. I think that they'll let me stay with the woman I love tonight." He says matter-of-factly. We go to his room and when we open the door, there's already a bag sitting on the bare bed. Yep, I guess that's a yes that he'll be in my room tonight. Even after our afternoon romp, the thought makes me nervous and excited at the same time. We hadn't planned, at least I hadn't, sleeping together the first time around, the shower afterwards wasn't expected, and this afternoon wasn't really prearranged. Though, since we're engaged now and will hopefully be in our own home by the end of the month, it's only natural for us to spend the night together again.
We get to my room and he goes in first, as if he's checking to make sure it's okay to go in. I step in after him when he turns on the lights and lock the door behind us. I go straight to the clock on the dresser in-between the beds and say,
"I'll set the alarm for three, gives us plenty of time to…." I feel him right behind me and he wraps his arms around me, hugging me close to his body. I turn around slowly, knowing his lips will find mine soon and they do. We've spent most of the day together and I know now that this may be our last peaceful night together.
I lean into him and return the kiss with fervor. He lifts me up and places me on the bed, whipping off his shirt and pants in no time. I struggle a little, trying to go too quick and he takes over to relieve me of my clothing. He gets onto the bed, facing me, on his side and I turn to him.
"Can I just hold you and kiss you?" Such a simple request and I won't deny him. I snuggle my way into his arms as he lowers his head to mine and once again gives me the most precious of kisses. Slow, sweet and a little wet when I open my mouth to his. He pulls back and looks into my eyes. I don't know what he sees there, but I hope it's the same as what I see in his. Desire, contentment, devotion, and love, unending and true love.