The Victory Tour Approaches
So, Peeta stayed by Katniss's side that day, and she stayed by his. They did the same for weeks, and eventually months. The weather turned cold and soon enough District 12 was covered in a blanket of snow. Peeta and Katniss had visited their families a few times. Peeta's mother was still cold, but she didn't say anything cruel to Peeta and didn't even look at Katniss the wrong way. His father and brothers were happy to see both of them. Katniss's mother was still polite to Peeta, but he could see the underlying anxiety she had towards him. Prim was happy to have Katniss visit with Peeta, and they both liked seeing her the most. They had even dropped by at Haymitch's place a couple of times. He was always drunk, sometimes happy to see them so happy together, sometimes irritated with how "annoying" they were. Either way, they knew he liked their visits. They were pretty sure he was tired of being alone all the time.
Katniss had gone back to hunting, but she always brought Peeta with her. She only went once or twice a week, but that was enough for her. The first time they went back, Katniss took out her bow and arrows, telling Peeta that she probably wouldn't shoot anything. After a while of walking around, they spotted a rabbit. She took out an arrow and nocked it, but she never drew the string. She stared at the rabbit for a while, then put the arrow back in her sheath. Then they left. The next time they went out, Katniss got her bow and arrows again. But this time was different. They came across a flock of wild turkey. They both crouched behind some rocks and Katniss nocked her arrow and aimed at one of the birds. She let the arrow fly and not a second after did she reeled back and pressed herself against a tree, screaming and breathing hysterically. Peeta immediately comforted her, telling her that she was safe, he was right there, and that nothing was going to hurt her. "M-Marvel!" She sobbed, looking around wildly. Peeta pulled her into his lap, remembering how Marvel was her first kill in the Games. Eventually she calmed down, and they left in silence.
She stuck to him like glue that night, and wailed if he ever moved away from her. She was just about the same for a few days. After a while of Peeta coaxing her, she agreed to go back. She left her bow behind and took Peeta to a small cabin. She told him about how she and her dad used to come here and how she hadn't shown it to Gale. That made Peeta feel good, and Katniss seemed to have gotten a little more comfortable with being back in the woods. Eventually, she started hunting again, rarely having flashbacks. Whenever she did have one, Peeta was always there to comfort her.
Peeta kept up with painting and drawing, his collection had grown quite a bit. There were paintings of trees, the Mockingjay they had seen the first time Peeta visited the woods, a stream, and one of the Mellark Bakery. Most of them, were of Katniss, just her by herself. Sitting on the floor of Peeta's painting room, leaning against a door frame, peacefully sleeping on their bed. Some of them were of both of them together, sitting together on the couch, lying on the bed, sitting at the table, Peeta smiling at Katniss as she lay on the bed laughing, and his favourite, them standing close together, facing each other, Peeta holding her waist and Katniss cupping his face. His sketchbook was almost full as well.
They had just grown very close in general. Always by each other's side, openly saying what was on their minds. Katniss got over her shyness and didn't really mind Peeta handling her things, and her handling his things. They finished all of their chores together, even working was fun when they were together.
And of course, they couldn't resist keeping their lips apart. Sometimes they'd spend an entire afternoon kissing, sometimes they'd kiss late into the night, and sometimes they'd wake up and their lips would find each other, and wouldn't leave each other for a long time. Sometimes hands ran over clothes, sometimes over skin. They hadn't made love again, but neither minded. Holding each other, kissing, and caressing were enough for them.
Peeta ran all of this through his mind as he and Katniss were sitting quietly on the couch. Earlier that day they had paid Haymitch a visit. He reminded them that the Victory Tour was next week. No, they hadn't forgotten. They were just dreading it. Katniss nuzzled his neck. "I don't want to go." She whispered.
"I know. I don't either." Peeta admitted. "But we'll be together the whole time."
"I know." Katniss sighed. "I just don't see how going around to all the Districts that lost their Tributes is a good idea."
"I don't see how it is either, but we'll get through it together. I promise."
"Okay." She said. Then they were silent. "Come on, let's go to bed." She said sadly, getting up.
"Sure." Peeta said, standing up too. Katniss walked in front of him, and he could tell how she upset she was. He knew he had to cheer her up. He hurried forwards and wrapped his arms around her in hug. He pressed his lips to the back of her neck and peppered her with a series of loud kisses. He tickled her softly and she started to laugh.
"Peeta!"
He picked her up and spun around. "Yes?"
"Put me down!" she laughed.
He let her touch back down and he spun her around to face him. He grinned down at her and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She leaned close to kiss him then slipped out from his arms, giggling. She ran up the stairs and he jogged after her. When he reached the top of the stairs he wasn't sure where she went so he went into their room. He walked over by the bed and peered into the bathroom but couldn't see her. All of a sudden Peeta felt Katniss jump on his back, making him fall onto his stomach on the bed. She rolled off him, laughing hysterically. He laughed too, and turned onto his back. She slid over to him with a happy smile on her face. She twined her arms around his neck and kissed him. She pressed against him and rolled onto her back, pulling him on top of him.
She reached for the bottom of his shirt and began to tug it up. He lifted it over his head and left it on the bed, knowing Katniss would want to sleep in it later. They did this almost every night, but it wasn't at all routine. It came out of love every time, and always felt natural. He gently pushed her shirt up and she put her arms above so he could take it off. He let it fall on the floor and held Katniss's waist with his hand that wasn't holding himself up. She ran her hands over his chest and down his stomach, making him tingle. They kissed for a while longer then let each other go. Katniss pulled on Peeta's shirt and took off her pants while Peeta changed into his pyjama pants and a plain grey t shirt.
He waited for Katniss to finish in the bathroom before he went in himself. Katniss was brushing her hair when he came out. When she saw he was done she set down her brush and crawled under the covers with him. She snuggled up against his side and he put his arm around her shoulders. She rested her head on his chest. They quietly listened to each other's breathing before they fell asleep.
Peeta felt Katniss thrash in his arms, waking him up. She was having a nightmare. She had moved away from him, clenching the sheets tightly in her fists. She was breathing fast. Then she started screaming, and she jolted awake, sobbing. Peeta sat up and pulled her up so she was sitting between his legs.
"Shh, shh. It's okay, Katniss. You're safe." He cooed.
"Peeta!" she cried, clutching his shirt and burying her face in his chest.
"I'm right here." He said softly, stroking her hair with one hand while the other held her close to him.
She whimpered and nuzzled his chest. Peeta kept stroking her hair until she calmed down. "I'm sorry." She whispered, looking up at him. He could see the tear tracks on her cheeks. "I didn't mean to wake you up."
"Shh," he said softly, shaking his head, "don't worry about that. Are you okay?"
She nodded hesitantly. "Just hold me a while longer, please."
He kissed her forehead. "Of course. I'll always be here for you, Katniss." He said softly.
"Thank you. I love you." She whispered.
"I love you too." He said. Katniss strained her neck and kissed him softly. Then she rested her head in the crook of his neck. They stayed like for a while until Katniss's breathing shifted. He could tell that she had fallen asleep. He shifted a little bit and rested his head against the head board. He tightened his arms around Katniss and fell asleep.
*One week later*
Peeta woke up to the sound of a phone ringing. He heard Katniss groan against his chest.
"Katniss, I need you to get off me." Peeta mumbled tiredly. She snuggled against his chest more. "Katniss, come on." Peeta tickled her side and she squealed and rolled off of him. He sat up and grabbed the telephone off the nightstand. "Hello?"
"Peeta! Oh, darling, hello! It's Effie!"
"Effie?" Katniss turned and looked at him, her eyes wide.
"Yes, dear!"
"Oh, hi. How are you?"
"I'm wonderful! Well I'm just calling to remind you that myself and both you and Katniss's prep teams will arrive around three o'clock!"
Peeta was silent.
"Peeta?"
"Yeah?"
"I hope you're ready! It's going to be a big, big, big day today!"
"Uhh…"
"Oh, Peeta." She laughed. "Don't tell me you've forgotten! It's Tour Day!"
