Katniss wondered about the way her mother kept looking at Ryland.
She saw the curtains part as they walked past; she was sure it would be the piece of gossip around the dinner tables tonight. Katniss Everdeen, the Seam trash, on the arm of a high-ranking official.
Ryland lead her back inside and shrugged out of his jacket again. He went to use the telephone to order the medicines from the Capitol, while Katniss stood uncertainly beside the table.
"Right, my brother should be home soon. You, um, might want to change out of that dress before he-" he stopped at the sound of heavy footsteps in the front hall.
"Ah, um Peet," he bit his lip and cast Katniss a worried look. "Why don't you come in here?"
"What are you doing in my house, Ryen? We just got back to 12 and already you're eating my food?" Rye chuckled and turned to greet his brother.
"Peet there's someone I'd like you to, um…meet." Katniss jumped to her feet and stood very still as another young man entered the room. She felt her knees buckle and she let out a little cry of surprise, her hands clapping over her mouth.
He was older, stronger, more broad-shouldered, and his blonde curls were trimmed shorter but his eyes, those alarmingly blue eyes filled with warmth and kindness, were still the same. And at the moment, they locked on her and widened like saucers. His lips parted in surprise and beneath his crisp formal jacket, his heart raced in its cage.
Her silver eyes widened as she lowered her hands from her mouth. Rye stood between them, looking anxious. Her voice rang out in the large kitchen.
"Peeta?"
The young man sucked in a sharp breath at the sound of his name being uttered by those luscious lips. Too long had he dreamed of such a thing. He didn't think she'd even remember his name. He didn't even think she'd remember him.
But she did. She stared at the shy boy, her boy with the bread, the person who had saved her life, who was thought to be dead. He wasn't dead; he was here, looking strong and healthy and beautiful. She wanted to run into his arms and hold him until the end of time.
But she couldn't move. Neither of them could. Peeta opened and closed his mouth several times, mouthing wordlessly but nothing came out.
"What's," he started off with a cracked voice and he cleared his throat. "What's going on here?" Ryen cleared his throat.
"Katniss, why don't you make a pot of tea while I talk to my brother?"
"You're…you're alive," she all but whispered. Peeta swallowed and Katniss's eyes filled with tears, though she never looked away from Peeta's face.
"Ryen Mellark…I should have recognized you." Ryen cleared his throat again and shifted uncomfortably.
"Peet, why don't we talk out in the hall? We'll only be a minute, Katniss."
She nodded, her eyes never leaving him as Ryen tugged him out of the room. Her hands shook as she made the tea, though for completely different reasons than this morning. Her mind and heart raced as she waited for the men to return. She needed answers. She needed to know why he was here, after being presumed dead for so long.
And she wondered, as she sipped at her tea, why her heart was racing so fast.
Peeta listened while Ryen hastily explained his afternoon. How Commander Cray had invited him over for tea earlier and had called a young woman into the room. How he'd discovered she was none other than his little brother's crush, Katniss Everdeen, and they were betrothed. How she looked beaten and defeated and he knew he had to get her away from him before they were wed. How Ryen had offered a great sum of money, greater even than what Cray had agreed to pay for her, so he could take her for a bride. How he had explained to Katniss that she would not marry him, but his brother instead. How he feared that Katniss was no longer the strong-willed, fiery young woman Peeta had known; now she was withdrawn and gun-shy, broken and beaten by the old peacekeeper. Peeta listened with fire in his eyes. If the old man weren't his commander, he would march to his house and slice his throat right now. Ryen could see the rage in his younger brother's eyes and he squeezed his shoulder.
"I had to get her out of there, Peeta. She's agreed to become a wife so you just need to sign the contract, and then she'll be yours."
"Why… would she do something like this," Peeta asked shakily.
"Her sister is close to death." Peeta squeezed his eyes shut. Primrose, that sweet little girl, and Katniss's greatest love. Of course she would do anything to save her. Including selling herself to the highest bidder. Peeta felt sick and lowered his head.
"I know this isn't really how you planned it, Peet, but... it will all work out."
Peeta shot a sharp look toward his brother, who merely shrugged halfheartedly.
" Look, that girl in there, whether she's who you remember or not…well, she needed to be saved. I'm not certain what all Cray has done to her but she's very submissive and you can tell she's been abused. I don't know if…I mean, obviously I didn't ask what he's…ah, made her do." Peeta's hands balled into fists again and his breathing grew heavy.
"Say something, Peet. I did this for you. I mean… if you really want me to, I'll take her back to Cray and-"
"No," Peeta said sharply. "No, she's not going back there. I'll keep her safe and I'll get the money for Primrose's medicine."
"I already ordered it a few moments ago. They said it would be on the first train to 12, in the morning. I told Katniss she's welcome to visit with her family any time she wishes. Cray kept her away from her family and she has very few belongings so you'll need to take her to the market."
"Thank you, Ryen. I can't…I don't know what to say."
"I may be a jackass, Peeta, but I'm still somewhat of a decent guy." Peeta managed a weak smile and his brother clapped him on the shoulder.
"What are we going to tell the rest of the district," Peeta sighed.
"At least Mom and Dad already know we're alive. I've heard some of the crazy rumors people made up when we disappeared. Can you believe the one that Mom killed us both?"
"Not too hard to believe," Peeta said through gritted teeth.
"Just wait until she sees you now. A high-ranking Peacekeeper. You're not the little boy she used to hit anymore. We'll slip back into normal society slowly but I imagine people will talk no matter what we do. And so what if they do? We'll be with the people who matter to us." Peeta nodded faintly; he knew their return to 12 wouldn't be a simple one but he expected he might have some more time before he saw her again. He'd hoped he would have a story for her, an excuse for his absence, and a reason why he was coming to court her. He wanted the chance to love her and care for her…now that he was no longer the useless little baker he once was.
"She's the reason we came back here. So, should we go talk to your bride-to-be?" Peeta inhaled sharply and Ryen chuckled as he pushed Peeta back into the kitchen. Katniss was pouring a cup of tea, and Peeta noticed her hands were shaking. Ryen scooped up his jacket and cleared his throat.
"None for me, Katniss. I need to go speak to Mr. Undersee about planning my toasting."
"Wait a moment…you? You're the one who asked for Madge's hand," she asked quietly.
"I've had a thing for her since I was a boy. Mr. Undersee didn't seem to mind when he found out my rank but I imagine Madge will be pissed as hell that no one told her it was me."
"Understatement," she muttered and Ryen laughed. "You both…I mean, you were dead…you're both alive!"
"I'm sure Peet will fill you in. You two have a good night. Katniss, always a pleasure." He patted his brother's shoulder on his way out. Katniss and Peeta stood where they were, their gazes locked together. Katniss looked so lost but her gaze fell to the cup in her hand.
"Um…do you take sugar in your tea?" Peeta shook his head and Katniss passed him his cup. He took it with a nod but continued to stand. His eyes traveled over her slender frame, lingering on the torn dress and the fresh bruises around her eye. He gripped the teacup so tightly he feared he might break it.
"You must be exhausted," he said softly, setting the cup down. Her head jerked up and her eyes widened. "I know you must have so many questions but we can talk in the morning. Would you like me to show you where you'll be sleeping?"
"Yes please." He nodded and gestured for her to follow him. He walked through the house stiffly, giving her the tour of the house before stopping in the doorway of the bedroom. She carried her bag into the room and set it on the floor.
"I'm afraid I've only been given one bed but if you give me a few days, I'm sure I can order another one from the Capitol. I can sleep on the couch tonight." She turned back to him, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"You…you don't want me to share your bed?" He closed his eyes for a moment, forcing himself to stay calm.
"Katniss, you will not be my servant nor my…I will not use you in that way," he said uncomfortably.
"This is to be your house too and I want you to be comfortable. Whatever you wish, all you need to do is ask." She lowered her head and he wished he could see her face.
"Ryen says you brought some things from your home. We can go tomorrow to buy more of whatever you need."
"That's alright, Officer Mellark. I don't need anything." He cleared his throat and she looked back up at him.
"Please dispense with the formalities, Katniss. We've known each other since we were children. I'm still just Peeta."
"You don't have to buy me things, Peeta," she said softly. His heart fluttered at the sound of his name again.
"The wife of a peacekeeper shall have whatever she desires," he said firmly. "I know you don't really want this. But I'll do whatever I can to help you and to protect you." His words lingered in the air and they both stared at the floor. They were both thinking of that fateful afternoon, with blurred tears and burned bread. He cleared his throat, making her jump.
"I expect you'll want to retire. Sleep well, Katniss." He turned toward the couch and Katniss crossed into the bedroom to use the grand bathroom. Peeta sighed, realizing that Katniss Everdeen would be sleeping in his bed. If that wasn't a childhood fantasy come true…
"Peeta?" He turned to find her clinging to the doorframe, looking scared and anxious. Her nightshirt was threadbare and barely reached her knees.
"Would you…I mean…I know I don't have the right to ask this…"
"What?"
"Would you…stay with me?" His eyes widened and he swore he hadn't heard her correctly. She bit her lip, seeing the horror in his eyes and she cleared her throat.
"I'm sorry I asked, I'll be fine-" she fell silent as he came near, stopping in front of her.
"Katniss." She stared at the floor until he reached out to cup her chin. She flinched when she saw his hand come near and he lowered it to his side. He was heartbroken to see how right Rye was; she positively trembled when someone got too close to her.
"Katniss, look at me." Slowly she raised her eyes to his and he lifted a hand, almost like he was placating a startled animal. His lips a thin line, his eyes held her gaze and he couldn't help but push a stray hair behind her ear. He bit his lip when she closed her eyes and turned into his palm.
"You want me to stay with you?"
"Yes," she said softly. He nodded and followed her over to the bed.
"I can sleep on the floor if you prefer."
"This bed is huge, Peeta. And I won't bite." She climbed under the covers and looked up at him. He stood beside the bed, shifting nervously.
"Do you always sleep in that thing?"
"Oh," he quickly glanced down and shook his head. "I'll just change really quickly. I'll be right back." She settled into the blankets and puzzled while she waited for him to return. He certainly looked like the boy with the bread…but he didn't act like it. He was formal and almost…well, cold. His voice was deeper, his speech more articulate than anyone she'd heard in District 12. He hardly smiled; Katniss remembered the baker's son always had a smile on his face.
But his eyes. His eyes were the same.
When he returned, she was fast asleep. Smiling, he pushed his window open a little and climbed in next to her. He attempted to give her some space and he remained on his back, still, until he felt her small form cuddling up to him and her head found a place on his chest. He closed his eyes at her contented sigh and allowed his hand to fall to her hair, his fingers tangling in the dark threads. His heart beat rapidly for this girl that he loved so fiercely. No matter the reason why she was here with him, he vowed to keep her safe and provide for her. She needn't love him in return; he wouldn't ask for that. He would be a dutiful husband to his silver-eyed girl, while keeping his fragile heart guarded.
