Here is a long one for you wonderful readers and there is A LOT going on in it. Be warned, there are mentions of rape/non-con, so please read at your own risk. There is also a lot of smut in this one.
I have a couple of very busy weeks coming up with a wedding, a business trip, and a vacation to LA. I will try to post when I can but I just wanted to warn you all, it might be longer than usual.
"Senator Snow," Minister Antonius bowed low as the President's son approached the table. "An honor, sir."
"Evening Antonius," the man said, looking bored. "What's the good word, tonight?"
"We are just discussing the past Games, Senator," Antonius gestured to the men and women around him. "Quite the spectacle!"
"Was it? I personally think the Head Gamemaker is losing his touch," the Senator inspected his nails, which were painted black. "I've told Father it's time to replace him."
"Senator, where is the President this evening?" Antonius looked around and it both surprised and pleased Katniss that he was looking a bit anxious.
"Oh Father is indisposed. Afraid he isn't feeling that well. Rest assured, Antonius, I'm company enough." He laughed at his own joke and everyone forced out a laugh. Katniss had seen him on the holo a few times, always by his father's side. He resembled his father in many ways, though the President was clearly aging and often looked ill. The younger Snow was robust with a round face and a belly to match. His cheeks were dotted with a very strange pattern of facial hair and his eyes were yellow. Katniss had to look twice to make sure she was seeing correctly. Yes, his eyes were actually yellow. With an amused sneer, the man terrified her to her core.
She wasn't sure if she would be more afraid of the man's father, the man she hated the most. This man might very well come in second place in her mind.
"Well Senator, you remember Colonel Haemon and General Duartyr? Colonel Thicke and Commander Thread? And over here we have First Lieutenants Mellark and Fuldom."
"All fine Peacekeepers, so I hear," Snow nodded to the men.
"And of course you know the Victors."
"Of course," he shot a wink toward the woman who sat next to Gloss, who Katniss recognized to be Cashmere, the sister Victor. "Please, take your seats." Everyone was sitting already, save for Antonius, but they all bowed their heads in respect. Snow sat at the head of the table, the place that was reserved for the President but no one dared say anything. He clapped his hands and servants rushed forward with covered trays. Peeta found Katniss's hand in her lap and rested them both on his knee. Katniss tried to eat but her ridiculously long talons they had given her kept getting in the way. She glanced up and down the table but saw that no one was eating with their hands. Sighing, she set her fork down and reached for the bread on the plate. It was coarse and much too crumbly, nothing like the bread her baker made.
Peeta tensed beside her and she wasn't quite sure why until she saw quite a few pairs of eyes rest on her. Peeta watched as Snow's eyes narrowed in on his wife and the Senator whispered something to the Minister, who nodded and whispered something back. She swallowed and kept her head lowered, staring at her plate. The whispers buzzed like an angry tracker-jacker's nest.
"Who is she? I've never seen her before."
"I hear she's married to the Lieutenant but LOOK at that dress. That's fit for a Victor."
"I would kill for her hair!"
"Don't worry about it, sunshine," Johanna Mason hissed across the table. "They're all just dying to tear that dress right off your back. In more ways than one."
"Miss Mason, please," Peeta said through gritted teeth.
"Sorry sweet cheeks. You were a matter of interest last time you were here but it's her they can't take their eyes off of tonight." Katniss's cheeks reddened so it was a good thing she was covered in makeup.
"Pay no attention to them, sweetheart," Finnick Odair winked at her. She swallowed and went back to chewing her food. Peeta scooted his chair closer so that his thigh was touching hers. Other than the occasional glance, people left her alone.
Peeta watched her out of the corner of his eye, their hands grasped tightly under the table. Even with all of the makeup and the finery, they had still learned her identity. All he wanted was to get away from the Capitol with his wife safe by his side. He wondered when dinner would end and when it would be appropriate to return to their hotel. His eyes flickered to Senator Snow and he sighed deeply. Across the table, Haymitch caught his eye and gave him a subtle shake of the head. He frowned, uncertain as to what the Victor was trying to tell him but Haymitch's eyes fell back to his plate and he didn't look up again.
Avoxes came forward to collect plates and set down more in their place. Peeta felt ready to burst but the Capitolites kept eating as if they hadn't been eating all night. Katniss rubbed her stomach gingerly and he could tell she was feeling a bit ill. She definitely wasn't used to all of the fine food and he doubted she had ever eaten so much in her entire life.
"Dessert, sir?" One of the servants took a plate from an Avox and set it in front of him. He groaned internally when he saw dozens of little cakes and pastries.
"No thank you," Katniss was saying as they set another tray in front of her.
"Pass this to the Lieutenant's wife," Senator Snow said from the end of the table, pushing a tall flute filled with clear liquid. The Capitolites giggled as they passed the flute down the table and Katniss took it, blinking in surprise.
"Go on, Mrs. Mellark," Snow said with a smile as he sat back in his chair. "How else will you be able to have any fun at a feast?" Peeta realized what it was just before she took a sip, and he placed a hand over the rim of the glass.
"I presume we are meant to drink this in there," he gestured toward the toilets in the next room.
"Quite right, Lieutenant Mellark," Snow laughed. Katniss looked even more baffled and Peeta pushed his chair back.
"Won't you excuse us, Senator?" Snow nodded, his hands folded behind his head as Peeta helped Katniss to her feet and he took the glass from her. Haymitch cast him a look as he hurried his wife out of the room. Only a handful of people were eating dinner, while the rest continued to drink and dance and continue on their merry little ways.
Peeta pulled Katniss down a long hall and she struggled to keep up on the pointy uncomfortable shoes they had put her in.
"Peeta, please slow down."
"I'm sorry," he gasped, leaning against a door. Katniss took the glass and studied the contents.
"What is this?"
"Something to make you sick, I would assume," he shook his head. "People starving back in 12 and here, they're just throwing it up to stuff more in." He took the glass and dumped the liquid into a potted plant.
"When can we leave this place, Peeta?" He glanced at her and smiled weakly.
"Soon, love. Dinner will be over soon, and we can return-"
"I don't mean the mansion, Peeta, I mean the Capitol. It's awful. My skin is crawling. I just want to go home." He no longer cared about messing up her makeup. He reached for her face and pulled her close.
"I know, Katniss. I know. But you're doing beautifully. You've done such a wonderful job tonight."
"And it didn't matter," she shook her head. "They still know who I am."
"It doesn't matter," he said firmly. "You're my wife and I will protect you. They won't lay a hand on you, I promise." She blinked back tears and he held her face in his hands. She grasped his wrists and wanted to lean in to kiss him but was afraid of the headdress. He, however, couldn't have cared less. He tilted his head and captured her lips. She moaned into the kiss and he sighed as her lips parted, allowing his tongue to slip inside her mouth. She leaned back to breathe and he stroked her cheek.
"Are you ready?" She knew what he was asking. Was she ready to return to that table full of people she despised?
"As long as you stay with me." He offered his arm and cupped her chin.
"Always, Katniss."
When they returned, the Senator gave them a devious smile. Peeta nodded in his direction as he pulled the chair out for his wife, then sat down beside her. He was relieved to see most of the dishes had disappeared from the table and they weren't replacing them this time. Avoxes were handing out small cups of coffee and people were leaving the table. Snow stood and checked his pocket watch.
"Well the show will begin soon. Will my honored guests follow me?" Snow made eye contact with a handful of people and lead the way. How large was this mansion anyway, she asked herself. Peeta's hand slipped into hers and she felt a rush of comfort that she had come to associate with her husband. People were filing down the hallway, whispering amongst each other. Haymitch gave them a miserable look and gestured for them to follow him.
"Stay close, and whatever you do, do not let her out of your sight," he hissed over his shoulder. Peeta pulled her in closer and bit his lip.
"What's going on, Haymitch?"
"I was hoping they would spare us this but the odds have never been in my favor. Just sit beside me and keep quiet. Got it?" Peeta nodded and glanced sideways at Katniss.
Snow lead them to an even larger room and Katniss frowned when she saw not only a large bed in the center but several structures that she did not understand. Peeta's grip on her hand tightened as he threw Haymitch a frightened look. The Victor said nothing as he took his seat, gesturing for Peeta and Katniss to sit on his other side. Katniss didn't see Johanna Mason or Finnick Odair or any of the other Victors who had been sitting near them. Senator Snow stood at the front of the room and rubbed his hands together.
"As many of you know, Victors Unleashed is expected to be the biggest television phenomenon for years to come! Tonight, I'm going to give you all, an elite handful of my father's loyal subjects, an exclusive sneak peek of this daring show! Featuring all of your favorites, like you've never seen them before… unless you're rich enough to," he winked and there were some titters from the crowd. Peeta noticed Haymitch clenching his fists in his lap.
"Without further adieu, please welcome Cashmere and Brutus!" The crowd exploded as two Victors entered the room. Katniss wanted to clap her hands over her eyes; the male Victor was wearing only a tiny pair of underwear that covered absolutely nothing. Cashmere's long golden hair covered her bare breasts but she wore a skimpy purple… well, it could hardly be called underwear. She turned and her cheeks were exposed, with a tiny piece of material sliding between the cleft. She wiggled her ass and blew a kiss toward the audience. There were wolf whistles and laughs as Brutus grabbed a fistful of her hair and pulled her toward him. Peeta cast Haymitch a terrified look but the older man's eyes were pointed toward the ceiling.
"Peeta?" Katniss whispered in Peeta's ear, clearly mystified. Peeta wrapped his arm around her shoulder and tilted his body so that he was shielding her from the horrors they were witnessing. Brutus and Cashmere lost the skimpy material that covered their private parts and they were getting into a position that Peeta and Katniss had become quite familiar with but only in the privacy of their bedroom. The rougher the Victor was with Cashmere, the more the crowd cheered. Katniss felt sick as she watched Brutus force the young woman to her knees and fisted her hair as she took his enormous length into her mouth. Brutus looked over to the crowd and winked, before he jammed his cock down her throat, making her gag. The crowd laughed cruelly while Cashmere choked and gagged. Katniss searched the crowd for Gloss; surely he wouldn't be laughing at the way his sister was being treated but she didn't see him anywhere.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Peeta muttered, low enough for only her to hear. She nodded in agreement and squeezed her eyes shut. It didn't block out the sounds of Brutus's grunts or the crowd's frenzied cries at what Brutus should do next.
"Show her who's boss, Brutus!" Someone on Katniss's left cried. She shook her head and wished she could bury her face in Peeta's chest. The stupid headdress that she wore prevented her from being able to even turn away from the scene.
It was even worse when the next "act" began.
Johanna, Gloss, and another Victor from 2- Katniss knew her face but not her name. Her teeth had been sharpened, giving her the ability to rip peoples' throats out. Gloss had a thick leather collar around his neck and it was attached to a leash that Johanna held in her hand. Peeta sank back in his chair, gripping the edge tightly. The crowd cheered as Johanna took the whip from the other Victor's hand and started to beat Gloss with it while he serviced the Victors on his hands and knees. Katniss rubbed her stomach, feeling her dinner close to coming back up.
"Haymitch, please," Peeta said desperately. "She doesn't understand this. We can't...surely we can leave?"
"Don't draw attention to yourself," Haymitch said, his lips barely moving. Peeta glanced back up at the Victors and winced as he saw Gloss pounding into Johanna from behind. The other Victor, Enobaria, he remembered was her name, was approaching him from behind with a long rubber toy attached to her center. Peeta's eyes widened and he shook his head, looking away. If this is what it took to fit in, to hell with it. He could never understand this debauchery and was disgusted that it was a way of life here. He glanced around at the crowd and grew even more livid as they continued to catcall and cheer. His people were starving to death, dying in the streets, while these… animals sat here, glorifying this preversion.
Katniss looked like she was about to either be sick, or cry. Maybe both. He squeezed her hand and had a sudden urge to rip off her headdress so that he could hold her to his chest. The show went on until finally, FINALLY, the male Victor came all over the female Victor's face and the crowd cheered. Snow stood up and clapped, while the Victors hurried out of the room.
"And now, I need a volunteer." As excited as the crowd was just a moment ago, they were silent now and looked up and down each other's rows. They avoided the Senator's eyes, muttering under their breath.
"We need someone to partner with our Golden Boy. No one better than the Sun herself." Peeta forgot how to breathe. He gripped Katniss's hand even as some of the Capitolites stood and tried to pull her to her feet. Katniss threw Peeta a frantic look but she was determined to hold herself with dignity in front of these monsters. Peeta started to go after her but Haymitch grabbed his wrist. Katniss walked, her hands folded in front of her and her head lowered, towards the Senator. He held out his arms and gave her a smile. A chill was sent straight down her spine as he reached and grazed her arm.
"Have you ever wanted to fuck someone other than your husband? Now's your chance, my sweet." He removed her headdress and her long dark hair tumbled down her back. He steered her toward the bed, his hands on her shoulders, and made her sit on the edge. The door opened and Finnick Odair walked in, wearing only a pair of tight golden shorts. The crowd went crazy while Peeta bit down on his lip so hard it started to bleed. Finnick cupped Katniss's chin and gave her a smile. Only she could see the sadness in his eyes.
"Take off your dress, sunshine." She shook her head and Finnick knelt on the bed behind her. He moved her hair off to the side and kissed her neck.
"How do you fuck the Sun, Odair," Snow called from the side. "Willingly, or by force?"
"What do you think, Sunshine," he said in a stage whisper. "Will you spread your legs for me willingly or do I need to bind you?"
"Get your filthy hands off of me," she snarled, rearing back and hitting him in the face. The crowd gasped collectively and Snow's eyes flashed.
"The girl has fire," Finnick called laughingly. Katniss jumped off the bed and started to run but he caught her, gripping her arm tightly. Peeta leaped to his feet, struggling to get to her. Haymitch did his best to hold him down and it was hard to tell whose strength was greater, the Peacekeeper or the Victor.
"Haymitch, I will rip you apart if you don't let go of me-"
"I'm trying to keep you alive," the Victor snarled in his ear. Haymitch clapped his hand over Peeta's mouth and his eyes widened, tossing his head to get away from the drunken Victor. His senses may have dimmed over the years but his strength had not waned.
"I suppose that answers that question," Snow laughed as he dragged Katniss over to one of the structures and bound her to it. He started to unzip the gown, then gestured for Finnick to take over.
"Odair could have been gentle. They say he is the son of the sea god after all. But the sea does not like to be restrained." Finnick glanced at the crowd then back at the struggling girl before him. The dress stopped at her waistline and Finnick stepped back.
"Senator Snow, with all due respect, I think the Lieutenant should join in on the...fun. After all, she is his light. If she is indeed the sun, I imagine he worships her on bended knee." Snow jerked his chin and someone yanked Peeta forward. Someone else bound his hands behind his back and pushed him toward his bound wife. Her hands and ankles were chained to the structure, her legs spread apart despite the huge dress she wore. Snow stood by, his arms crossed, watching down his pointed nose. Peeta wished someone would run him through with a blade. He had failed her. He had failed to protect her.
He took a deep breath and turned to face the Senator.
"Sir… she's untouched. By any man, in fact, she doesn't understand any of this. District 12 maintains a certain sense of innocence. She has never been exposed to anything like these practices."
"You mean to tell me you haven't claimed your wife in all the time you have been married," the Senator snorted.
"We were only wed a week and some days ago. She remains a virgin, as do I." Snow uncrossed his arms.
"You? A Virgin Peacekeeper?"
"I never wanted anyone but her," he shrugged. "She's still innocent and I didn't want to push her in any way. We have always said it will happen in its own time. We don't need to rush it. I love her more than life itself, and will do anything to make her happy. I'll do anything to protect her." Some of the women in the audience sniffed and dabbed at their cheeks.
"Take me instead," he pleaded. "I'll do whatever you may ask, but just leave her out of it, I beg of you."
"What do you think, guests?" Snow turned to the crowd and held up his arms, reminding Peeta of a Roman conqueror, right before he was about to squash an army.
"Are we in the mood to see two virgins stumble through an awkward night?" The crowd seemed uncertain how to respond.
"They're not even Victors, Senator Snow," Finnick stepped forward, crossing his arms. "Why should we be interested in a couple from an outlying district when there is quality entertainment before you?" The Capitolites started to nod slowly, still muttering. Snow scowled, his eyes full of ice and malice.
"Fine. Release them. We are out of time anyway." Finnick stepped behind Peeta and tugged at the rope at his hands.
"Nice job," he muttered in his ear. Peeta frowned but as soon as he was free, he ran to Katniss.
"I'm right here," he stroked her hair and kissed her temple. She turned her head and it tugged at his heart when he saw tear streaks messing up the makeup. He and Finnick had her out of the chains and he pulled her to his chest, his heart racing against her cheek. Finnick gave them a nod and disappeared from the room. Peeta watched him go with his jaw agape. No one paid them any mind as they all filed from the room and Peeta thought it best to go ahead and be gone from there immediately. He looked around for Katniss's headdress and saw Haymitch held it in his hands.
"Come on," he jerked his head. "I'm ready to get out of here, aren't you?" Peeta nearly tripped over his own feet in his haste to get away from that room.
They shared a car with Haymitch and rode to the hotel in silence. Katniss kept her face hidden in her husband's chest the entire ride and Peeta stared out the window, his jaw clenched. Haymitch drank from the flask he kept pulling from his pocket. No one said a word.
Katniss stopped in front of their door but Haymitch shook his head and gestured for them to follow him.
"Just trust me." He pushed the door open and flung his key aside.
"You two go ahead and wash all that stuff off of you. There are robes hanging in the bathroom. When I finish drinking until my liver gives out, I'll get you a new room."
"Haymitch-" but the Victor closed the door without another word. Peeta looked around the room wordlessly, then his eyes met Katniss's. She wanted to stay strong, she really did. But the night's events had taken their toll and she felt her knees buckle. Peeta caught her before she hit the ground and kissed her forehead.
"You need to get out of this dress. It has to weigh at least ten pounds." She didn't protest as he pulled at the buttons and zippers until she felt it drop around her ankles. He walked around behind her and scoffed loudly.
"Why the hell did they put you into a corset, your waist is as big as my pinkie finger!" She remembered Cinna protesting that she didn't need the damned contraption but Portia had insisted. Peeta's hands worked at the stays and he grunted in frustration as he pulled it loose. He knelt and pulled the shoes off and rolled the silk stockings down her legs. She felt his fingers work at the complicated bra and she shivered as the cold air hit her nipples. His cheeks went pink and he swallowed.
"I'm sorry," he stammered. "I should have asked if… go ahead and finish undressing in the bathroom. Take a shower. You'll feel better." He turned and bent to collect all of her dressings and accessories. She wrapped her arm around herself and hurried into the bathroom. She stripped off her underwear and climbed into the shower.
She couldn't even feel the water as it beat down on her back, she was so exhausted. She placed her hands on the wall and lowered her head, finally allowing the tears to fall. With a sob, she collapsed to her knees and curled into a little ball.
That was how Peeta found her. He threw the expensive clothes aside without a care in the world and knelt beside her, pulling her into his arms and stroking her hair while her body shook with loud sobs. He had kept his satin shorts on and he stretched his legs in front of him so he could support her weight in his lap. She gripped his arm and cried into his chest.
He wasn't sure how long they had sat there. Haymitch could be back at any minute but Peeta doubted it; he imagined the old man would be lost in a bottle when they found him. The water was cold so he reached over to change the temperature. When she seemed to stop crying, he grabbed a cloth from the back of the toilet and wet it under the stream of hot water. He cupped her chin and gave her a sad smile as he brought the cloth to her cheek. Her makeup disappeared down the drain and he leaned forward to kiss the sliver of olive skin that reappeared at her neck. She shivered as his lips traveled up her neck, across her cheek, and over her nose and eyelids. She held his gaze for a moment before leaning forward and tucking her head under his chin. He dropped the cloth and wrapped his arms around her. He didn't know what to say, didn't know if there were words TO say, so he held her in silence. He dreaded returning to the mansion tomorrow. What new horrors awaited them? Surely President Snow was more dangerous than his son. And what would he do once he found out how Katniss had disobeyed orders? When he found out how Peeta himself had begged for mercy?
Peeta kissed her shoulder and gently rocked her back and forth, until she seemed to fall asleep in his lap. He fumbled for the rag and finished cleaning the pounds of makeup from her face. He knew she would want to take the nails off but he had no idea how to go about that so he left her hands alone. He quickly poured some of the hotel shampoo into her hair and scrubbed with one hand, gently dipping her head back to rinse it out. Sighing, he kissed her forehead and squeezed her hand.
"Sweetheart, can you stand while I wash off?"
"Hm?" Her eyes fluttered open and widened. "Oh! Peeta, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep-"
"It's ok," he cut her off. "I just need to wash my hair and my face. The robe is hanging by the door." She nodded and stepped out onto the rug, feeling a rush of warm air hit her. She gasped as she realized she was standing on a dryer and her hair was no longer sopping wet. Peeta stood under the stream, shivering as the water had gotten much too cold. He felt a little awkward showering in his underwear but holding his naked wife in his arms had given him a massive hard-on, as much as he had willed it not to happen, and he decided to keep them on to spare them both the embarrassment. He quickly ran his fingers through his hair, watching the gold color stream down the drain. He hadn't had nearly as much makeup as she had so he finished quickly and turned the water off. Katniss was standing in front of the mirror, wearing the robe, and seemed to be trying to poke her eye out.
"How do I get this thing out," she whined.
"Carefully," he grabbed the robe. "Just relax and breathe." She managed to get one out and she tossed it into the trash bin. When she turned to face him, he sighed with relief at the sight of her stormy grey eyes looking back at him.
"I missed my silver-eyed huntress," he stroked her cheek. She smiled weakly and rested her cheek against his chest.
"Hey kid, get out here," he heard Haymitch call.
"I'll be right back." He backed out of the bathroom and was surprised to see Haymitch standing up straight.
"I expected you to be passed out drunk by now."
"Have to get you two out of my room before I can do that," he tossed Peeta a room key. "Front desk has moved you due to some kind of contamination in your room. Chaff and I already inspected it. An Avox is moving your stuff as we speak."
"Won't Snow be suspicious that we moved rooms?"
"No. Hotels get bugs and mold all the time. And the front desk confirmed it. So go on and get out of my room so I can settle in with my bottle." Peeta collected their clothes and pulled Katniss from the room.
"Thanks Haymitch," he said softly.
"Don't thank me, kid. Not yet anyway." He glanced at Katniss, who was hiding her face in her husband's shoulder. "She ok?"
"She'll be fine. Just shaken up."
"You did good tonight, sweetheart," Haymitch said, surprisingly kindly. "Both of you did. I'll see you tomorrow. And I'll tell you what I've found out about Darius and Rosalie." Peeta wanted to argue but Haymitch looked ready to shut down completely, so he nodded and lead Katniss down the hall to their new room.
Katniss stripped out of the robe and pulled on her own threadbare nightgown. Peeta took a moment to change into some fresh underwear, then pulled on a pair of flannel pants. As soon as he sat on the bed, Katniss was on him, climbing into his lap and wrapping her legs around his waist. He gasped, his hands flailing in surprise as her lips crashed upon his. None too gently, she grinded against him and his hands flew to her hips.
"Hey," he leaned back, his hand moving to cup her cheek. "Slow down. It's ok."
"I don't want to talk," she tried to kiss him again but he leaned out of her reach.
"Katniss, we don't have to do this. Not tonight. We both need some rest."
"You don't...want me?"
"That's not it and you know it," he shook his head. "You're scared. I am too, but we can't use...this to make ourselves feel better. It's not right. I told you I won't let anything happen to you."
"You offered to take my place," she said faintly. He nodded solemnly.
"Whatever it takes to keep you safe, Katniss, I'll do it. Haymitch was practically sitting on top of me to keep me from getting to you. I was about to punch him out when they pulled me up there with you."
"He was just trying to keep you alive," she shrugged.
"If anything had happened to you, that wouldn't have mattered. And I would have killed anyone who had anything to do with it." Seeing his fierce expression, she knew he was telling the truth.
"I'm fine, Peeta. And Finnick looked...well, he looked sad. Like he didn't want to be there."
"I can't imagine he wanted to. I can't imagine any of them actually want to be doing that. Haymitch told me that Snow has the Victors sold but I didn't believe it until I saw it with my own eyes."
"So how can they stand it? Why do they do it?"
"I'm sure he has ways of forcing them. I was ready to take your place, to keep any harm from coming to you. I imagine it's the same with many of them. Snow can threaten someone they love. And he can make sure they bend to his will."
"I hate him, Peeta. I hate his whole family and I hate this place."
"I know," he pulled her toward him and wrapped his arms around her. "I do too. I despise what he stands for and hate myself for being counted among his rank of loyalists. I hate that I had to bring you here, to be this close to him. I hate that someone else actually touched you tonight and I didn't do anything to stop it."
"Well the whole Capitol knows we haven't had sex now," she said bitterly.
"Not the whole Capitol but I guess it will get around. As if there aren't more important matters to worry about."
"But Finnick is right. We're not important, like Victors. Why should people care?"
"I don't know. I'd like to say we aren't but the way that important people were interested in you tonight bothers me."
"Why did that Colonel talk like he knew who I was?" Peeta shook his head.
"I still don't know why the Minister was so interested in your surname and your father, Katniss. That's one mystery that is driving me insane. And I know Haymitch knows something but he won't tell me."
"My dad never left 12, as far as I know. I mean, it's hard enough for normal people but people from the Seam definitely can't leave." Peeta shook his head again and closed his eyes.
"Let's worry about it tomorrow. Do you think you can get some sleep?"
"I can try," she said dubiously. They settled against the pillows and he reached over to turn off the light.
"Why did Haymitch have our rooms switched?"
"He said our first room was bugged." Katniss frowned in the dark.
"What do you mean, bugged? Like we were being watched?"
"Yes. You spoke about feeling uneasy last night. Your hunter's instincts are even keener than I thought."
"But why would Snow set up cameras in our room? Doesn't he trust you?"
"I don't know, love. I thought he did but maybe… well, let's talk more tomorrow, ok? I'm exhausted." He kissed her forehead and grasped her hand. Sleep came easily to him but she was wide awake. She hated everything about this place and thought about the Victors. What they had been forced to do tonight. Was that a normal occurrence? What if someone refuses? What happens to them? And why hadn't someone stood up to fight before now? How did one man hold so much power over an entire country? District 12 wasn't the biggest district, it was true, but with the other districts combined, she was sure they could conquer the Capitol. What was it that Peeta had said the other night? About more than twelve districts fighting back? He had mentioned one district that specialized in nuclear weaponry… but that had been District 13. The Capitol had bombed 13 and had wiped away all memory of it. Could there be a chance that 13 wasn't gone, after all? What else did Peeta know? And what was it that Haymitch wanted Peeta to do so badly? What had Snow seen and heard last night? She was suddenly glad she had ceased Peeta's advances. She shivered and crossed her arms to cover herself, imagining if they had done anything. A room full of people watching them… it was disgusting. This place was vile, she decided.
Her head ached with all of the questions and she wished she could fall asleep as easily as Peeta had. She tried, wriggling around and closing her eyes, but she wound up throwing the blanket off and moving off the bed with a huff. Peeta didn't stir so she crept into the bathroom and closed the door. She still felt like she was caked in makeup and fragrances, her body tingling from the beauty treatments she had received earlier. She stripped her clothes off and filled up the giant tub. Making sure to only open one bottle this time, she tipped some of the lavender into the water and inhaled deeply. Her mother had always said lavender was calming. She stepped into the hot water and sighed. Taking the cloth, she scrubbed at her face and her arms, wincing as her long nails scratched her cheek. Groaning, she tried to pull the nails off but they were glued on.
"Fantastic," she grumbled. She would make them take them off tomorrow.
She leaned her head back and closed her eyes; they snapped open again when she heard the door creak. Peeta poked his head in, his hair tousled from sleep.
"What are you doing?"
"Can't sleep. Sorry I woke you."
"You didn't. I just… I panic when I wake up and you're not there. Stupid, really, since I've only had you in my bed for a little over a week." He shrugged and stepped into the bathroom. She sat up and cocked her head.
"Want to join me?" He stared at her for a moment until he pushed his pants down his legs and stepped out of them. She watched unabashedly as he pushed his briefs down and he bit his lip. His manhood lay flaccid against his thigh but seemed to twitch as she wet her lips. She patted her leg and he smiled as he lowered himself into the water in front of her. She wrapped her arm around his chest and his cheek rested against her breast.
"This is nice," he sighed, closing his eyes.
"Can't fall asleep," she warned. He chuckled lightly and glanced down at himself.
"I uh, don't see that being a problem." She followed his eyes and her lips curved upwards. It astonished her, how quickly she had gone from never seeing a naked man to wishing her husband would just do away with clothing altogether. It delighted her when she saw him coming to life, knowing that it was because of her. Because of how much he desired her. She reached down and closed her fist around him, smiling at his sharp intake of breath. She trailed her tongue along his ear and moved down to suck at his throat.
"Oh my god, Katniss," he moaned, his head tilting back. Katniss admired his throat, finding herself wanting to follow the pattern of his adam's apple with her tongue. He whined as her tongue trailed across his hot flesh, bucking his hips up into her hand. He sat up so suddenly she was about to ask if she had done something wrong but he spun around and leaned down to kiss her, his hands squeezing both of her breasts. She whimpered, which only made him harden even more, and with a low growl, he bent to close his lips around her nipple. She was sure they were soaking the floor, with the way they were splashing around, but he didn't seem to care and frankly, neither did she. Peeta's hand moved down her stomach and prodded at her folds, gently spreading her apart with his fingers. She stifled her cry when his middle finger made contact with her clit and he gently rubbed before pushing inside her. He muffled her moans with his lips, adding a second finger and curling them inside her. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head as she was overtaken by pleasure. Somehow, she managed to find his erection emerging from the water and she closed her fist around him, pumping fiercely. With the pent up frustration from the previous night, it didn't take either of them very long. Peeta spilled onto her breasts and she collapsed against the tub, panting heavily. When they came to, she leaned up and climbed into his lap. His arms automatically went to her waist and he hissed when she came dangerously close to his length.
"I don't want to be innocent anymore." His brow furrowed.
"What do you mean?"
"You talked about me being innocent. I don't want to be innocent anymore."
"Katniss, I was just trying-"
"I'm ready, Peeta." His eyes widened.
"Wait. What?"
"I'm ready. I want to have sex with you. If you can find...something… to prevent pregnancy, I mean, then I'm ready." He swallowed, feeling his cock come to life and he mentally scolded it. DOWN! NOT. THE. TIME!
"Katniss… you know I love you. And you should know how much I want you. But do you really want it to be here? In this place that we both loathe?"
"I don't care. I want you, Peeta." His eyes fluttered shut. Dear god, those words alone made him stand at attention.
"God I want you too," he murmured, tracing his tongue along her throat. "I just… I want to do this right. And not when we're both love-drunk from orgasm. Can we wait… one more night? If you decide, tomorrow night that you still want to, I will find some condoms somewhere and I'll make the sweetest love to you until you can't move."
"Why do you want to wait?"
"Because I want you to be absolutely sure. And I think you're still a little freaked about what happened tonight. I don't want you to have any regrets in the morning." She huffed and he laughed as he moved a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Humor me. I'm the one who has been dreaming of this since I was fourteen." She bit her lip but nodded.
"Ok, fine. Did I get all the makeup off my face?"
"Yes. You look like you again."
"Good." She stood up on shaky knees and Peeta determinedly tried to avoid looking at the sweet treasure between her legs. As many times as he had tasted her, he hadn't ever taken his time to really look his fill, and he licked his lips at the sight. A triangle of dark curls taunted him as she rubbed her thighs together. He glanced up at her before he leaned forward and pushed her legs apart.
"Peeta," she gasped above him, her hand flying to the wall to steady herself. Peeta closed his eyes as he explored her, relishing her taste. He knew as long as he would live he would never forget that taste, or tire of it for that matter. He'd been a little grossed out, when his brothers had first told him about the act of pleasuring a woman. That's where bodily fluids came from and… well, he wasn't too enthused. His thoughts turned, however, as he grew and watched Katniss from afar. As puberty set in and his thoughts grew more naughty, he dreamed of doing everything with Katniss Everdeen.
Now he gripped her thighs as his tongue plunged deep inside her, as deep as he could go. She gripped his hair and her moans echoed off the tile walls. His hand moved up to tweak her nipple as he flicked at her clit with the tip of his tongue. His eyes were locked on hers and the sight of his fair head between her legs was the most erotic thing she could imagine.
"Oh Peeta," she said breathily, her long nails stinging his scalp. He licked her through the waves of bliss, pulling away to kiss her stomach and her breasts. She threw her arm over her face as she leaned against the wall. His erection prodded his belly but he paid no attention to it as he cupped her chin and kissed her.
When they climbed back into the bed, Peeta could barely utter a word before Katniss was on her knees at his side and was taking him into her mouth.
Utterly spent and quite content, they both drifted off in each other's arms, no nightmares to speak of.
