Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games trilogy. It belongs to Suzanne Collins. I just like playing with the characters and putting them in different situations.
New Summary: After winning the 74th Hunger Games, Peeta and Katniss learn to deal with their new life at District 12. During the six months before the Victory Tour, they find their way to each other and fall in love, their romance blossoming day by day. {A retelling, starting with Hunger Games through post-Mockingjay. Added scenes, twists, and romance. M for explicit sex/language/themes.}
Author's note: This story is now revised, though there still might be minor mistakes since I don't have a beta. I have combined some chapters which makes this story a chapter or two shorter than it was before.
Note: So Haymitch says some things. I know it might be weird, but I wanted him to give them a certain warning, and I wanted to explore and give more reasons to his drunk stupor that he's in during the beginning of Catching Fire, right before they all leave for the Victory Tour.
It's early morning when I wake, feeling cold and shivering. I tilt my head down, looking at my blanket covered feet, and see that there's only burning embers in the fireplace. I'm too comfortable to get up to start another fire, and I look over my shoulder and see Peeta sleeping peacefully. I decide not to wake him and carefully turn onto my side, facing Peeta, and shift closer to him, wanting him to keep me warm while trying not to wake him. When I settle down comfortably and close my eyes, Peeta stirs, then I feel his hand resting on my bare hip.
My face burns, my body tingling all over at the contact and at the memories of last night swarming my mind. I feel warm all over. A wave of pleasure washes over me, and I suddenly want to repeat or at least do something that we did last night. The idea of it warms me even more.
I feel his hand caress my hip to my lower back, then I feel him tugging me closer to him. My body moves on its own accord, making our bodies press up against each other, skin on skin. I open my eyes to see his eyes dark and bluer than they've ever been, and it takes my breath away, knowing the look he's giving me.
"Kiss me," I whisper as I'm overwhelmed with emotion.
Peeta's hand leaves my waist and moves to my neck as his lips touch mine. The kiss is hot and hungry, making me want more. I wrap my arms around his neck and shoulders, and tug him more on top of me as I shift onto my back.
Warmth courses through my body as our bodies are pressed back together. My fingers tangle in his hair as he deepens the kiss with his tongue, making me moan and arch up into his body, my breast pressing up against his chest.
"Katniss," he pants as he breaks the kiss and nuzzles the side of my neck and shoulder.
"Please," I moan when I feel how hard he is against me. I thrust my hips up against his.
He moans loudly and grips my hip, then his fingers trails over my inner thigh. We both only have one article of clothing separating us and keeping us from being completely naked, and I almost want to do something about it as I'm driven and wanting him. But I decide against it, knowing that we're both not ready for that, though the thought drives me crazy.
I tilt his head back up by his hair and kiss him. He deepens the kiss as he props himself up on one arm while keeping most of his weight on me. I try to arch my body, wanting more contact, but then I feel his hand on my lower abdomen and his fingers sliding under the band of my underwear.
The anticipation makes me squirm, thrusting my hips, and it's enough to feel his cock, warm and hard, making him moan. He sucks and bites at my upper lip, then his tongue skims the roof of my mouth before he breaks the kiss.
Peeta's hand trails lower, and I soon feel his fingers touching the bundle of nerves at my center.
"Peeta," I moan loudly in a voice that doesn't sound like my own. Heat courses through my body, and I desperately want more.
"You're so wet for me, Katniss," he groans as he rubs my center. His teeth scrap across my neck, sending more tingling sensations through my body.
"Yes," I pant, my toes curling and scrapping across the back of his thigh, writhing beneath him. My hand reaches the back of his neck, and I tug him back toward me, kissing his lips hungrily. I suddenly want to feel more of him.
My other hand slides between our bodies and under the waste band of his boxers. I feel him warm and hard and wrap my hand around him, stroking his cock slowly at first.
"Katniss," he groans between frenzied kisses as he rubs faster on my clit, and I try to mimic is his pace with my hand. His lips trail down my jaw to my neck, nibbling and sucking.
My body starts to tremble, bucking and arching my back, and I bite my lip, knowing that I'm getting close, but I don't want to finish until I know Peeta is close. It's hard holding off when it feels so good. My breathing is full of raspy breaths from holding it, and my nails are digging into his shoulders and neck, holding onto him tightly while trying to keep the pace as best I can for him.
"Let go," Peeta whispers in my ear, and his words send me over the edge. I come with a loud cry, panting and gasping for air, and he follows, groaning into my neck and sprinkling kisses on my skin.
My hand is slick with his come when I move my hand away. I look at my coated fingers and curiously bring them to my lips, giving them a small lick. The taste of him is slightly odd, being a little salty and tangy, but I like it a lot and take another taste. I stare into Peeta's eyes, still dark and full of love, and I shiver.
He moves my hand and gently pins it down next to my head as he kisses me deeply, his tongue running against mine and along the roof of my mouth before breaking the kiss as he bites my lower lip. "I love you."
My other hand brushes the hair from his forehead. "And I love you."
He kisses me again, slowly this time, then he moves off me and lies on his side, wraping an arm around my waist. His fingers feather up and down my spine, causing me to shiver.
I nuzzle my head into his neck and close my eyes as we both try to steady our breathing.
— • — • — • — • — • — • —
I feel Peeta's fingers ghosting over my back when I wake. I crack open an eye and see Peeta's blue eyes watching me with a smile on his face. I drown. "How long was I out?"
"Not very long." He kisses my forehead. "Just for a couple of minutes."
"Oh." My body shivers.
Peeta pulls the blankets tighter around us. "I can start the fire again."
"No, don't," I say, wrapping my arm around his waist. He's so warm. I open my eyes fully, seeing the room is still dark and seeing little light coming through the window curtains. "What time is it?"
"Still morning. Maybe a little later," he says.
"I think it's snowing again."
"As much as I hate to say it, we should probably get up."
"You're probably right."
Peeta and I start to get up and untangle ourselves from the blankets. My body shivers more. I wrap a blanket around me as I search for my clothes. Peeta finds his jeans and puts them on, then he starts to build up another fire.
While he's distracted I find my bra and pants and quickly dress in them. I still can't find my long-sleeved shirt as I go through all the blankets again. I let out a frustrated sigh.
"Here." Peeta, now fully dressed, hands me my shirt. "It was over by the couch," he says, his face turning a little pink.
"Thanks," I say as I tug it on. My own face heats. Wanting to distract myself from my desires, I straighten out the blankets and take a seat on top of them. Peeta does the same.
We're back where we started, sitting on the blankets and in front of the fire place. My body warms all over and it isn't just from the fire. Peeta's arm wraps around my waist, his hand resting on my hip. I lay my head on his shoulder and close my eyes, then I feel his head resting on mine. It's nice being like this with him, being warm and feeling loved.
Letting my desires get the better of me, I shift my head and kiss Peeta's neck. I feel his arm around me tighten and his head shift. His hand cups my cheek, then his lips meet mine, kissing me long and slow. He ends the kiss and rests his forehead against mine, looking deep into my eyes, making me blush and squirm.
"I should go home," I say. "My mother might be wondering where I'm at." As the words come out of my mouth I suddenly feel dumb for using that excuse. It's sounds so lame, but I know it's likely true.
"No, yeah. You're probably right," Peeta says, giving me an assuring smile, then kisses my forehead. He lets me go, and we both get up. "I need to do some things and clean up." He grins at me, making me flush.
"I'll see you later?" I ask, biting my lip, suddenly feeling shy.
"Of course," he says, then he kisses me one last time before he lets me go.
I walk toward the door and slip on my jacket. When I unlock and open the door, I see Haymitch standing in front of me, the smell of liquor in the air. I suddenly feel self-conscious and smooth my long-sleeved shirt of its wrinkles. Haymitch slants his body to the left, and I turn around seeing Peeta running a hand through his disheveled hair.
"Having fun, sweetheart?" Haymitch says, teasing me.
My face flushes in embarrassment. I didn't want him to find out so soon like this at all, not when I don't know where things are truly going with Peeta and I. I start to walk out the door, ignoring Haymitch, but he stops me.
"I need to talk to both of you," he says.
"Can it wait till later?" I ask, not wanting to talk about anything at all at the moment, especially if it's about us.
"No it can't. It's important."
I stare at him, and I can tell he hasn't gotten much sleep and that he's been drinking. Something is bothering him, and I suddenly fear for the worst.
"What's going on?" Peeta asks from behind me.
I almost jump out of my skin. "Haymitch wants to talk to us," I tell him, turning around to face him. His blue eyes look slightly worried, and I try not to frown.
"Come on in," Peeta tells Haymitch. I walk past Peeta as Haymitch enters the house, and the three of us make it to the living room.
I panic at the sight on the floor. Peeta and I didn't bother straightening up the place after we got dressed. The blankets and pillows are still scattered around the floor, though some are straightens out. I can only imagine what Haymitch must be thinking now.
Peeta clears his throat. "Would you like something to eat or drink?"
"No, that's alright," Haymitch says as he takes a seat on a chair. "I'd prefer no distractions." He looks at the floor, then at us.
"Must be serious then," Peeta says, and my heart sinks. We both take a seat on the couch across from Haymitch.
"It is." He sighs. "The Victory Tour starts in less than a month, and it's not going to be easy."
"What do you mean?" I ask. They've broadcasted the tours on television countless times. The victor gives speeches and spends a week at the Capitol with new headlines every other hour it seemed streaming on the television. It couldn't be that hard, right?
"You're still the star-crossed lovers of District Twelve. The Capitol hasn't forgotten it. You're going to be in the spotlight, and the media is going to be on you both every single day of every hour," he says.
"Great," I grumble.
"It sounds easy enough," Peeta says.
"Everyone at the Capitol will be watching you. There can't be any mess ups. You have to do everything right. That means whatever Effie or I tell you, you do it. Nothing else," Haymitch says, staring at us seriously. "It seems like you both have the romance thing down now, so it's one less thing to worry about, which will allow you to focus on the other things."
I feel my face turn redder.
"It should be fine," Haymitch tells us. "It's only a week long. You'll be back home before you know it."
"Is there anything else?" I ask. All that he's said has made me worry. Most of his words I know are directed at me.
"No. That's it. I just thought I'd warn both of you now what's to come instead of a day or two before when it happens."
I noticed that Haymitch's tone has gone sadder.
"It'll be fine," Peeta assures me, sensing my worry. He reaches for my hand. "Thanks for the warning."
"Just keep it up," Haymitch says as he gets up from the chair. "I will see you both later."
"I'll walk you out," Peeta says, releasing my hand and getting up, walking Haymitch to the door.
I hear the door open, and it takes a few moments before it shuts. I know they exchanged a few words, but I decide not to dwell on it now as Haymitch's words replay in my mind.
"Nearly a foot of snow is on the ground," Peeta says as he walks back into the room, rubbing his hands together to warm them up.
"Is it?" I ask distractedly.
"Katniss, it'll be fine," he assures me, picking up on my thoughts, as he sits back down next to me. "We don't have anything to worry about."
I let out a small laugh. "Right." I frown. "I hope so." I wish I knew. Things don't feel right at all. "I think I'm going to go back to the house now," I say, meeting his gaze.
"Okay," he says. "Try not to worry." Peeta kisses my temple.
"I'll try not to," I tell him, and I know I will anyway.
We both get up from the couch and make our way to the door once again. I suddenly have an urge to hug Peeta, and I do. "I love you," I tell him, hugging him tightly.
"I love you too, Katniss," he says, holding me close and resting his chin on my head. He kisses my head and let's me go. "I'll be over for dinner tonight."
"Okay," I say, giving him a small smile and a kiss before I'm out the door.
There's more than six inches of snow on the ground, and the wind is brisk and has picked up speed. As I walk home as fast as I can, I start to wonder more and more why Haymitch came by with this much snow on the ground. I know it couldn't have been easy for him.
When I reach the house, I notice it's quiet and warm. I hang up my leather jacket on the hook and take off my boots. As I make my way through the house toward the kitchen, I see a handwritten note on the table.
Gone out to check on some patients. We'll be back later this afternoon.
I smile. I'm happy Prim has been helping our mother with her rounds around town, knowing that she wants to help the sick and injured like she does. She's always had such a kind and gentle heart towards everyone. I only worry that the snow has delayed them and they likely won't be home till later.
I make my way upstairs to my room and freeze. There's a small box resting on my nightstand. I know it isn't from my mother or Prim. If it was from Peeta he likely would have given it to me while we spent the night together and not surprise me, knowing I don't like surprises at all.
I'm not sure how long it's been here or how it got here. I look around my room and see nothing out of the ordinary besides the silver and white box. Slowly, I walk over to my nightstand. As I get closer, I instantly smell the stench of what belongs to President Snow. My heart starts to beat faster, and I feel nauseous with every step I take toward it. I take a deep breath and open the box, setting the ribbon lid on its side. Inside the box are hundreds of white rose petals with a single strip of white paper with black letters on it.
You've been warned, Miss Everdeen.