Hi!
This chapter will be more focused on Katniss and Peeta! I hope you like it!
Thanks for reading! :)
Peeta looks at me and immediately knows what I'm thinking. He takes my hand and leads me outside.
"We don't know yet. There are a lot of people eligible, the chances against them are very small" he says. I think of Gale the number of entries he will have, 44 to be exact. The entries are cumulative from the past reapings and 2 more are added for your age after 18. So now that Gale is 19 he will have two more than he had last year, 44 in total. This if he doesn't apply for more tesserae.
"Easy for you to say, your brothers will only have nine entries, Gale will have 44. The odds may not be in your brother's favor, but they're definitely not in Gale's" I say.
"Katniss, that's not fair. I'm sorry I'm not from the Seam, we might not have starved like you did, but we certainly didn't have all the food we want. There were days we only had one bread for all of us, and it was burnt. All the good breads are sold, we only get the spoiled ones. So yes my brother's had to take tessarae, I also took some and no they won't have only nine." I wasn't expecting to hear this; I don't know what to say. I thought that he, being from the village wouldn't have to go throw the same difficulties that we had. Clearly I was mistaken.
"I'm sorry Peeta" I offer him my hand and after that a hug "I had no idea" I finish. "I know you had it a million times worst and that's why I never talk about my difficulties, but that doesn't mean I had it easy"
"I'm sorry, let's not talk about this anymore" I say and he nods.
"Do you want to go home and be with your brothers?" I ask. "No, I want to be with you" he says.
"What do you want to do then?" I don't feel like going back home, my mother and sister are relieved this next Hunger games won't affect our family directly and I'm not feeling like being near to them.
"I don't know anything, as long as it's just the two of us" I can agree to that, but I don't feel like going to his house either.
I'm trying to think of a place where we can go and be alone and I remember that the electricity on the fence was turned off indefinitely since it was taking too much energy from the city. Perfect!
"We can go to the forest, I've been wanting to show you a place where I used to go with my father" I tell him. I little smile flourishes in his face.
I lead him to the forest and we make our way to the lake. Peeta is silent the entire way there, I question myself if he is still angry at me for admitting that he didn't know what it was to live with difficulties. I truly thought that the people who lived in the village had it easy, that they never had to fight for anything, now I know that it wasn't like that, at least not in Peeta's house.
When we finally get to the lake, Peeta, still not talking seats by the water admiring the vivid colors and beautiful surroundings.
I kneel after him and wrap my hands around his neck. He still doesn't react so I get closer and kiss his neck.
"I'm sorry honey, I shouldn't have said that, I didn't know" he sighs.
"Sometimes I think you resent me for being from the village; that hurts me…" he finally says in an almost imperceptible voice. How can he think that?
"That's not true, I love you, I love everything about you. I love how kind you are to everyone, even the ones that harm you the most. I love that you can always see the beauty in the world even when all I see is hurt and suffering. I love that you can always see the best in people, even in the worst ones. I love the way you always make me feel safe, even in the darkest of days. I love the way you look at me, you make me want to be a better person. Of course I don't resent you, I love you. If I don't always tell everything is not because I don't want to include you, is because I don't want you to get hurt, I don't want you to worry. I see the look in your eyes every time I hurt myself…" I pause; he's looking at me unable to say anything. "Peeta… you are the most important person in my life, everyone else I can live without, I don't want it but I could if I had to, but not you, I need YOU" I extend my hand and touch his heart. "I didn't rescue you in the arena because I owed you, I rescued you because I couldn't live with the thought of not seeing you anymore… By saving you, I saved myself. You are constantly saving my life and I can't wait to spend the rest of my live making up for it" I don't wait for him to react I close the distance between us and seal our lips together.
"I love you too Kat, but you have to stop feeling like you owe me. You don't. All does years ago, when I saw you seating by that tree, all I could think about was how I couldn't let you die, how I couldn't live without you, even then, even if I didn't speak to you… Seeing you every day was enough to make my day brighter. Every weekend, when I couldn't see you, was a nightmare, I hated them; I kept wishing to be Monday again so that I could see you. So if I'm like this, I owe it to you, you make me the person I am and I couldn't be happier to be by your side everyday" I kiss him again and this turn around he returns my kiss.
"I'm sorry Peeta"
"I'm sorry too Kat" He kisses me once more but doesn't pull back, so we continue making out until his stomach interrupts us. I laugh.
"Come on! let's get some food in you!" I get up and find my fishing rod, in no time I catch two decent size fishes and gather some greens that go well with the fish. I lead us to the small old house by the lake and once inside I start a fire.
"I used to come here with my father when I was young, he taught me how to swim in that lake" I explain. "He discovered this house in one of his walks… after he died I began coming here to feel close to him... I've never brought anyone here" He has been walking around the little house dusting the table and making it proper to eat.
"Thank you for bringing me here! This is an amazing house!" he smiles at me, I've never seen him happier than he is now and it makes me really happy!
"I'm glad you like it" I look at the fishes cooking "Are you ready to eat?"
"Yes! I'm starving" I take the fish and the vegetables out of the fire, place them on the table and serve us.
"When you can, I would like for you to teach me how to swim too, if you don't mind" he says. It's not unusual to find people that don't know how to swim in our district. Apart from the lake, which is unavailable for almost everybody in the district, there are no more sources of water.
"Of course, I'll teach you when you want" he smiles and returns to his food. We eat all of it and gather around the fireplace in the old sofa the house has. I seat as close as I can to Peeta and he hugs me to keep me warm.
He then starts to rub my shoulders and kissing my neck. It feels so good I let out a quiet moan.
"I thought that after the day we had, we could use some relaxation time!" I couldn't agree more; I turn to him and climb on his lap. I give him a provocative kiss and he returns it with a passionate one. I take of his shirt, stopping our kiss for a second as the shirt leaves his head. He unbuttons mine without taking his lips from mine, soon after there are no clothes standing in our way. I reposition myself on top of him and help him get inside me.
I let out a loud moan once I feel all of him inside me; it feels so good I start moving up and down. He then grabs my butt and helps me continue to move. We pick up the pace and his lips find my boobs. He sucks and licks then as he continue to move inside me, his hands still holding my butt, it's so good I can't keep quiet and neither does he.
We don't stop and soon after I can't hold it anymore, I finish loudly followed by him. He pulls out and I reach my hand to feel him, I feel a sudden urge to take it and put it in my mouth, so I do, I can feel him looking at me. I move my tongue along his member to taste him. It's good, warm and salty.
I look up and he's looking back at me. "You taste good!" I say, he smiles and pulls me up to kiss me.
"I love you" he says. "I love you too. I really liked it today, I think we have found a favorite here!" I respond.
"Me too, it's good not to be careful about the noise" It's true, at home we're always concerned, trying not to make noise so not to wake up my family. Here we don't have to worry about anything and can love each other as we like!
"I know. I like being like this, just with you!" I add.
We end up falling asleep right there on the couch, I pull the old blanket to cover us both and we sleep clinging to each other.
I'm the first one to wake up in the morning, so I decide to go outside and pick some berries for breakfast.
When I get back Peeta is already up. "I brought us breakfast!" I say showing him a small basket full of berries.
"I wish I had ingredients to make us waffles to go with it" he says smiling as he admires the berries.
I go to him and give him a good morning kiss. We eat our berries, some of them Peeta squeezes to turn into juice.
"We should be getting back home" he begins. "I agree, but since we're here I would like to take some fresh meat home"
"Ok, can I come with you?" Hum, he's always too loud, but he can always gather some berries for us to take.
"Yes, but you have to promise not to make any noise" his face lights up. "I promise I'll help in any way I can!" he adds.
"Perfect, you can gather some strawberries and other berries from the bushes I point to you" I don't want the whole picking nightlock incident to repeat itself.
"Deal!" We finish our breakfast and leave for the woods. I hand Peeta a basket to put the berries in and show him where to harvest them. Once he's entertained picking strawberries and focused in making as little noise as he can, I fetch my bow and arrows and scan the environment. Immediately the presence of rabbits and turkeys becomes known to me. I move like a ghost through the bushes, hearing nothing but the animals, even Peeta stopped what he's doing to observe me.
When the rabbits spot me it's too late for them, I point my bow and take down three rabbits in a row. Looking back at Peeta I see admiration and pride in his eyes! I retrieve the now dead rabbits, my arrows and turn my attention to the turkeys nearby.
After some shooting and hunting, I return to Peeta's side with 3 rabbits and 2 turkeys, he has collected a basket full of strawberries and raspberries by the time I get back.
"Wow, nice catch" he says "I've never seen you hunt before, I knew you were good, but I had no idea!"
"Did you like it?" I ask. "Yes, I've always wanted to see you in action, I'm glad I had the chance today"
"So do you want to try it?" I wouldn't mind teaching him. "Hum… I don't know, I think I'll stick with baking for now!" I laugh and pick the animals to put them in the game bag.
"So what do you want for dinner?" I ask.
"I don't know maybe you could catch some more fish. I never had it before yesterday and I really like it" this is very common in our district, as there are no sources of water inside the district lines most of them never tasted it.
"Ok, I'll catch some for us!" We go back to the lake and he observes me while I throw the line into the water and wait for the fish to bite.
"Fishing seams easier and far less bloody than hunting" he says. "It is, you can take the rod if you like" "no, thank you, I prefer to just watch today!"
In less than an hour I catch 4 fishes and we decide to head back home. Half way home Peeta says: "I would like to pass by my parent's house to check on my brothers."
"That's fine, I also would like to pass by hazelle's and leave her some fresh meat. Do you want to take something to your parents?" I ask.
"If you don't mind I'll go with you to Hazelle's and then we can go together to my parents. It's about time you meet my family" I confess I'm little apprehensive about meeting his family, but I agree.
We get to Hazelle's , who welcomes us with a cup of tea. I take one turkey and one rabbit from my bag and hand them to her.
"Thank you Katniss, this will keep us fed this week, my boys will love it" she smiles thankfully.
"It's nothing! How are things around here?" I ask.
"They've been better; this last announcement left me very nervous" she's referring to Snow's announcement of the next Games.
"I know, but Gale has been safe the past years, there's a very good chance he'll be safe this year as well" I say. Somehow I can't help to think that Gale can easily be reaped if I disappoint Snow in any way.
"I know I just hope he doesn't do anything stupid" she pours out. I don't know what she wants to say with that but I answer anyway.
"I don't think he will, he has you and the kids to think about"
"I hope that's enough" she sighs. "It will be." We say goodbye and leave for Peeta's parent's house.
When we get there Peeta and I greet his father and brothers who are at the bakery. His father takes us to the bakery's kitchen and Peeta hand him the remaining turkey.
"How is everybody around here?" he asks. "We're fine, your mother was a little upset you didn't come to see us yesterday, but apart from that your brothers and I are fine." His father responds. "And Katniss thank you for the turkey, but I'm afraid I don't have how to repay it" Mr. Mellark continues in a sad voice.
"You don't have to repay me, we're family now, I'm happy to be able to give it to you" I say.
"Thank you very much dear, the business isn't going as well as it once went. People are afraid to get out of their houses because of this new commander" he pours out.
"Dad please, if you need anything just tell me, I have more than enough to support me and my family" Peeta says.
"That's not your job Peeta. Everything that you have almost cost you your life, it's not fair of us to live of what brought you so much misery" his older brother says as he comes forward to hug his brother.
"It's true, but it also brought me Katniss and for that I couldn't be grateful" Peeta reaches for my hand and I take his "Besides what good comes from having all this money if I can't use it to help the ones I love"
"Thanks little bro" his brother says and then looks at me "So you're the famous Katniss! I'm Rhys, it's nice to finally meet you" he extends his hand to greet me.
"It's nice to meet you to Rhys" I say. He has his mother's brown hair and eyes, but apart from that he's nothing like her.
"I'm glad to see you and Peeta sorted things out. I was getting tired of watching Peeta going around the house sighing about you" he mocks. "I never did that" Peeta says faking indignation, his brother laughs. Upstairs we hear their mother yell, both their faces change.
"You better be going now. I'm sorry it has to be like this" Rhys says. Peeta and I give both Rhys and Mr. Mellark a hug and leave.
I take the remaining game home, two rabbits and four fishes, and Peeta promises to come by to make dinner for all of us after he takes a shower. I do the same and after seat in the kitchen cleaning and arranging the animals. Briefly after, Peeta arrives and starts cooking dinner, my mother and Prim join us and help setting the table. We have a nice dinner with Peeta cooking the fishes to perfection, we don't talk much and after dinner everybody retrieves to their respective bedrooms.
Peeta is still here in the morning, I can't help to think that he's still avoiding his mother. I wish I could do anything to help him, but I truly don't know how.
I look at him sleeping, he looks so peaceful, so innocent, I don't know how anyone can find it in themselves to treat him badly, moreover his mother, she really doesn't deserve the son she has.
I give him a kiss to wake him up. "Good morning beautiful" he says in reply. "Good morning!" "So what do you want to do today?" I ask.
"Maybe we can go back to the woods and you can teach me how to swim?" he asks.
"Sure, you don't even have to ask!" I get closer to kiss him. We get out of bed and head down to the kitchen to star our day. Once we get there we find Peeta's father having breakfast with my mother and sister.
"Good morning son" he says with a shy smile. "I'm sorry but we're going to need you today at the bakery, your mother is sick so we're short one man. I tried to call you home but you didn't answer so I came here" he explains. A part of me suspects that his mother is only faking being sick to keep us apart, but I keep it to myself. Peeta looks at me with a sad look on his face.
"Ok dad, I'll go." He then turns to me "I guess our plans will have to wait".
"It's ok, I can teach you another time" I say as I take my hand and fondle his face. He smiles, gives me a kiss and leaves with his father.
Now that my plans fell through, I'm left trying to decide what to do: As today is Sunday and most of the people are home, Prim and my mother will be making house calls to sick people, they invite me to go with them but I politely decline. Haymitch is probably still drunk or recently fallen asleep, also not an option. Staying at home alone is worse than going to Haymitch's.
I decide to go to the woods even if Peeta can't join me and do some walking. I grab some food from the pantry and make my way without destination until something gets my attention. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going, so I didn't notice it before I was there. Mine and Gale's spot, I hadn't come here since the time I found Peeta here. I look around thinking how much things changed since that day, how much better my life got.
I had come here to be alone, same as today, but I wasn't alone that day, and neither am I today.