Chapter Eleven: Celebration

For the celebration, a large tent stood in the town square of Twelve. The flaps were pulled back so the night air could filter through. Lanterns lit the space, casting a cheery glow. A few tables were set up around the space. In the far corner a table was laden with food—stews made by Grasey Sae, berries collected by Katniss, and of course, a beautiful cake baked by Peeta. The middle of the tent was clear. Johanna assumed there would be music and dancing. She was never much for dancing, but she remembered how the people of Twelve threw down at Finnick's and Annie's wedding.

Katniss had even let her hair down, literally. Johanna couldn't remember ever seeing Katniss with her hair loose around her shoulders. She wondered if the waves were the texture of her hair or if it being in a braid every damn day left permanent marks.

As Johanna watched everyone mill about and talk pleasantly, she had to admit this celebration wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. She feared seeing everyone in one place again would remind her of how absolutely terrible life was the last time they were together. She also thought it would make the absences all the more painful, but while they were more pronounced, everyone together for something happy made it all hurt a little less. People were starting to live again.

Johanna rolled her eyes. Of course, Katniss and Peeta getting married would be so symbolic.

Johanna felt someone sit in the seat beside her.

"Here, Jo. You have to try some," Annie said balancing the baby on her lap and pushing a plate of cake across the table to her. Johanna had been worried about Annie, but she was handling everything surprisingly well. She had been talking with almost everyone. She had never seen her talk so much so freely. Maybe it was because she was primarily talking about the baby who already seemed to be developing his dad's personality. He smiled and cooed at everyone, waving his fat, little arms around gleefully.

As Johanna dug into the cake, she continued to look around. Gale, Rory, and Betee talked in a group, and it looked like they were all laughing at something. Probably some dumb science joke or something.

At a nearby table, Katniss explained to Posy what the different flowers in the vases were named. Posy seemed to grow bored with this quickly. She pulled the tie out of her ponytail and handed it to Katniss. At first Johanna wasn't sure what was happening, not being able to hear the conversation, but she figured it out when Posy turned her back to Katniss, pushing her hair behind her shoulders. Katniss laughed and gathered the little girl's hair into three sections.

Across the way, Peeta tried to steal Haymitch's drink away from him, but even drunk, Haymitch was too clever for him. As Peeta threw one glass of alcohol on the grass outside the tent, another seemed to magically appear in Haymitch's hand.

When the plates were cleared away, a small band started to play. At first the music was fast, and all the people of Twelve and the brave (or stupid) from the other districts lined up to dance. Johanna continued to sit with Annie, taking turns holding the baby, but even she couldn't help from tapping her feet. Eventually the music slowed and couples took the dance floor, standing close together and swaying gently.

"May I have this dance," Johanna heard Gale whisper in her ear. She turned to face him. She intended to say no with a biting remark, but when she saw his eager expression, she softened.

"Sure, why not?" she replied with a groan. Gale chuckled at her obvious reluctance but guided her to the dance floor. He spun her to face him taking her hand in one of his and pressing his other into the small of her back. She felt a shiver run up her spine. She couldn't help but notice that his hand might be slightly lower than strictly necessary. She draped her free arm around his shoulder.

As one song bled into the next, Johanna couldn't help but admit she was enjoying herself. Peeta and Katniss danced together, standing so close their bodies almost looked like one. They weren't even really dancing anymore just standing and holding each other. Haymitch had somehow convinced Effie to dance with him. Despite the scolding she was giving him for smelling of alcohol, Effie seemed to be enjoying herself. Annie still sat at the table, but she swayed gently with little Finnick in her arms, rocking him to sleep. Gale's mother was dancing and chatting with Beetee. Posy begged her other brothers to dance with her until Rory finally relented. Johanna sighed and rested her head on Gale's chest.

Gale held her close bending to whisper in her ear. "You look beautiful tonight."

Johanna smiled in return. "You clean up pretty well yourself," she responded.

"You know when you look the most beautiful?" he asked his voice still at a whisper but taking on a more gravely tone. Johanna gulped at the sound. She couldn't form a witty response to save her life.

"When I'm between your legs, my hands on your soft thighs, and look up at you. Your tits bouncing. Your head thrown back, so I can see your long neck." Gale traced a finger down her neck and over her collarbone, causing her to shiver. "Your mouth is open slightly," he continued, brushing his fingers over her lips. "And those sound you make."

His voice became hoarser with every word. Johanna could feel the vibrations from his words all the way to the apex of her legs. She pressed her body into his, and he groaned slightly when her stomach grazed his erection. She could fee his warm breath on her ear. She stifled a moan at his next words. "You taste so good. I love to see you come."

Johanna couldn't stand it anymore. She needed him. Now. She managed to choke out a strangled response. "Let's go, please."

Johanna and Gale slipped from the tent unnoticed and hurried back toward Victors' Village. Before they were out of the town, Johanna couldn't take it anymore. She pulled Gale behind the last building before the turn to the village. She pushed him against the wall and pressed her lips to his. She then began to slide down his body, but he grabbed her by her elbows and pulled her up.

"No," he grunted. "At least not yet, I want to feel you against me. Johanna pressed herself to him again and nipped at his neck. Instead, she slipped her hand down the front of his pants, grasping him in her palm. He groaned appreciatively and squeezed her bottom, making her gasp.

In their hazy state, neither of them heard the crunch of gravel underfoot, but they broke apart at the sound of a disgruntled shout.

"Damn it! I already have to hear Katniss and the kid going at it all the time. I don't need to see you, too. You all will be the death of me. I swear," Haymitch grumbled.

"What the hell are you are doing our here?" Johanna yelled back as Gale turned to adjust himself.

"Trying to find somewhere to take a piss!"

Johanna rolled her eyes but laughed. She brushed past Haymitch with Gale in tow. "The wall's all yours," she called as they hurried to a more private location.

Author's Note: I am so so so sorry for not updating sooner and basically abandoning this story. I didn't start the story with a full plotline in mind. The only things I wanted to do in the beginning was write some Gale/Johanna smut and do the "Friendly Competition" scene. I probably should have waited to post anything until I had the whole storyline figured out. I hope you are not too angry with me or too upset with the final outcome. The final chapter will be up later today or tomorrow. (I know how can you trust me now, right?) Hopefully, I've tied everything up okay as far as plot and you've enjoyed all the lemons and limes. Thanks as always for reading and putting up with my short comings! Love you all!