Peeta grasped Katniss's hand as he led the way to the shower. He leaned in to start the water and when he turned back to her, his eyes widened and his jaw dropped to the ground.
She had taken her shirt and bra off and was working at the button of her pants. She paused when she saw his hungry gaze locked on her, and she bit her lip. His restraint snapped and his hands quickly pushed hers aside as he dropped to his knees in front of her. She inhaled sharply as he pressed a kiss to her skin, right below her belly button. He tugged her pants down and she held onto his shoulders to steady herself. He looked up at her, meeting her eyes, before he tugged at the waistband of her panties, kissing whatever skin he was revealing. He buried his face into her clothed mound and Katniss released a moan.
"Peeta," she hissed. "I can't even remember the last time I bathed. I'm filthy and I'm sure I smell awful. Let me get into the shower first." Peeta was about to reply that he couldn't have cared less but he nodded and finished removing her underwear before tearing his own clothes away. He cupped her cheeks as his tongue dipped into her mouth. He stepped backwards into the shower and pulled her in with him.
"You shouldn't really be standing for long so lean against the wall and I'll help support you."
The warm water felt heavenly on his back as he deepened their kiss. He spun them around so she was the one whose back was pressed against the wall. He reached for the soap and lathered her in the sweet scent. She squirmed as he rubbed the bar over her plump cheeks and brought it between her legs. Her knees wobbled but he continued his path down her body, making sure she was squeaky clean. When he reached her feet, he pulled one foot up so he could scrub at her soles. She released something between a sigh and a giggle. He grinned, glancing up at her.
"Ticklish?"
"Extremely but it feels really good."
"Turn around so I can get your back." He massaged the soap into her skin, kneading at her aching muscles. She hid her face in her hand, tilting her head back under the water.
"Feel good?" he whispered in her ear.
"So good," she moaned. Peeta hardened at the sound of it but shifted his bottom half away from her so she wouldn't know. His hands traveled from her shoulders down her spine to squeeze her ass once, before making his way down her calves and then followed the same trail back up to her neck. He leaned in and kissed her neck.
"I think you're clean. Want me to wash your hair?"
"Hang on," she reached for the soap in his hands. "You need a good cleaning too." He grinned as he handed the soap to her and switched places so she could be under the water. Leaning most of her weight against him, she continued to tease him with her soft caresses. The crazy thing, Peeta thought, was that she probably didn't even know how much she was driving him mad. Her touch was anything but innocent despite the fact that she didn't linger on any particular spot. She gently turned him and gave him a brief massage like he had done for her. He groaned and pressed his forehead to the wall while her fingers caused the pain and anxiety to vanish. Katniss bit her lip as she watched her own hands travel down her husband's body. His back and shoulders were so strong and she ran her fingers over the scars from the whip, barely visible but still a reminder of how deep his love for her went. Her fingers moved across his warm flesh and she watched the water stream down his spine onto his firm behind. His cheeks looked so firm and delicious, she just wanted to…
Peeta let out a loud yelp and stood up on his tiptoes as he looked down at her in utter shock.
"Did you just bite me?"
"These buns look good enough to eat," she shrugged. Peeta stared at her with a raised brow while Katniss waited for him to say something. Had she overstepped? She was opening her mouth to apologize or try to joke it off, but he burst into laughter and had to brace himself against the wall as his laughter shook his entire body. Whenever he stopped, he would start again and he shook his head. He wiped a tear away from his eye, his chuckles fading slightly.
"Katniss, you really are-OH FFFFFUCK!" What she was she never found out because it was that moment that she closed her soapy hand over his hardened length and licked a trail up his shaft.
"Shit," he said through gritted teeth, scrambling for something to hold onto. She gathered her sodden hair on top of her head and brought his hand to hold her hair up. He bent his knees slightly so she wouldn't be straining to reach him and his nails raked at her scalp. Her head bobbed up and down and Peeta felt like he could sink into oblivion as she hollowed out her cheeks and squeezed his shaft.
"Ka- Katniss. I don't want to… not yet…" She slowly released him, nuzzling his sensitive skin as his cock bobbed impatiently. He growled as he pulled her to her feet and turned her to face the wall. He slid his fingers through her folds, ensuring that she was ready, before he slid his head between her lower lips. He suddenly froze and Katniss glanced over her shoulder.
"What's wrong?"
"I… I don't have anything with me, love. I mean, I haven't exactly had time to go buy some-."
"You didn't think about that this morning," she mused, pushing backwards against him. His hands flew to her hips to hold her steady but he lifted his wide eyes to hers.
"And you… you did? You knew we weren't using anything but you didn't say speak up?"
"I didn't care today and I don't care right now. Just get inside me. Please." He glanced down at himself, his dick begging to be enveloped by her warmth but he bit his lip. He had been inside her without a condom once before but he had pulled out then. This morning… holy shit, he had finished inside her. She had said… what had she said about why they should have sex?
There was no certainty they would make it out of there alive. That's why she had been so adamant. Not that Peeta had put up much of a fight but was this still how she was feeling? That they wouldn't survive the war?
He slowly backed away, reaching up to run a hand through his hair.
"Please Peeta," she threw her arms out. "I need this. I need you."
"Your mindset is that we won't survive this. That one or both of us is going to die here in the Capitol, and I'm not ok with that. I told you I am staying by your side and will stand beside you when you bring down the Capitol." He backed under the water and shivered, hastily adjusting the temperature.
"And then we're going to go home, Katniss. I don't know where that is or what we will do when we get there, but I'm going to build you a home that you can be proud of. I'll be a husband you can be proud of," he said the last part rather desperately and it compelled Katniss to move off the wall. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I have always been proud of you," she said softly. "My husband. I couldn't be prouder of you. Wherever we go, that will never change. I am proud to call myself your wife." Peeta was looking to the side as droplets of water dripped off his chin. She gently tilted his face to look at her and she held his gaze.
"But you've got it wrong. Death isn't my mindset. Finality isn't my mindset. Desperation is. Love is. This morning was the first time I have been with you in over 2 months. I ache for you, Peeta. I have spent too many nights pretending you were beside me, and now that I have you in my arms, I don't ever want to let go. My fingers can't stop touching you, my lips won't stop crying out for yours, my body is burning to have you. I'm burning for you, Peeta Mellark. I'm the Girl on Fire, burning for you." If she had more to say, Peeta would let her say it later. His lips captured hers as he pushed her back against the wall again. Since he had been deprived of her soft skin that morning, he took full advantage now as his palms molded themselves to her curves. His lips captured a nipple and she released a breathy whine.
"Peeta, please!" No more words were needed as he scooped her up in his arms, her legs wrapping around his waist, and her hand reaching between them to guide him inside. He tilted his head back as he pushed into her. She could feel every vein as he plunged into her wetness, his movements excruciatingly slow. She tightened her grasp around his neck and he moved his hands down to her thighs to further support her weight and his balance.
"How do you want this, sweetheart? Hard and fast? Or I could draw it out, torturing us both, until we're both begging to cum?"
"There's been enough torture and begging and denial," she gasped in his ear. "Love me. Slowly. I want you to feel my love for you, and I want to feel your love flowing into me." He planted tender kisses behind her ear, over her cheek, and down her neck. He varied in pace, frantic strokes and then switching to slow and steady thrusting. His hips jerked and he groaned into her neck.
"I'm sorry, my love, I can't-"
"It's ok," she clutched his curls. "Go ahead."
"Not without you," he said through gritted teeth, moving his finger to her clit. She screamed and immediately clamped a hand over her mouth. Peeta grinned mischievously as he pressed his thumb down hard and felt her walls clamp around him. Her entire body was squeezing him so he couldn't move, and he was completely fine with that. He held her, his fingers digging into her thighs as her body milked his.
"I love you, Katniss," he panted, pressing his forehead to hers.
"I can feel you, Peeta," she squeezed her eyes shut. "I feel your body molding to mine. Like we're locked together. Oh my god, I love you!"
"Mmm," the sound came from his throat. His arms shook violently and he didn't want to drop her back onto her feet, so he turned and motioned toward the shower curtain. She got the hint and turned the water off before pulling the curtain to the side, reaching for two towels. He gently set her on the side of the bathtub, before taking a towel and wrapping it around her shoulders. He knelt in front of her and used a clean cloth between her legs, then cleaned himself,
before tossing it aside and taking his own towel.
"Holy shit," she said finally, her head hanging forward. He chuckled and kissed her temple.
"Yeah. What you said."
"What? My silver tongued husband has nothing to say?" His eyes narrowed at her.
"Plenty to say, but no breath to say it."
"Catch your breath then, while I get dressed." He watched as she stood and limped out of the bathroom back towards the bed.
You asshole, he swore to himself. She needs to be off her feet and instead you go wild in the shower.
She didn't exactly protest, another voice pointed out. In fact, she was pleading for it.
"Oh shut up," he spoke aloud, rolling his eyes.
"What was that," she called from the bedroom and he bit his lip as he wrapped the towel around his waist.
"Nothing," he poked his head out to see her bending over to towel her hair dry. His throat went dry to see her so vulnerable, so….exposed. He saw his own fingerprints where he had held her and as she started to dry her feet and legs, his eyes locked on her pink pussy, her dark curls glistening. She glanced at him as her head was lowered and his eyes flew to the ceiling.
Pervert, he screamed at himself. Gawking at her like some kind of horny jackass in a brothel. He turned to find himself some clothes and when he turned back to her, she was doing the same.
"OK, you need to get off your feet. Can I help you find anything else?"
"Um, do you have something I can sleep in? I didn't exactly bring a bag of clothes with me." Peeta smiled as he rummaged through his bag, pulling out a dress shirt that would likely swallow her whole. Tigris had provided him with more than enough clothes.
"Thanks. Just need to brush my teeth and braid my hair."
"Brush your teeth and come on back here. I'll braid your hair." She gave him a small smile, so full of love that his heart started to race. He couldn't believe she had finally said those words. Those 3 little words that his heart had longed for since he had discovered the meaning of them. Those 3 little words that he had convinced himself he would never hear from her. They married because of a contract. That particular memory had come roaring back into his brain several nights after he had been brought to the Capitol, and his heart had broken all over again.
But she had said them… repeatedly. He saw it in her eyes. He felt it in the way she gripped onto him. And she had been right… a few moments ago in the shower, it had felt like their bodies had clamped so tightly so neither of them could move for a moment. Like her body was demanding he stay right where he was.
Peeta was a soldier. He had always been taught to expect the worst, and to be prepared for the worst. Could he really blame her, then, for thinking they might not survive this? He wished he could take his earlier words back but still, she had assured him that death was not on her mind. He knew she lied. It was on everyones' minds. They could hope for the best, of course, and be as prepared as they could be but who really knew what would happen in the end? He imagined it was much like being a tribute in the Hunger Games. You can train and prepare but in the end, it's you against 23 others and there was no way to expect what could come your way once in the arena.
Lost in his thoughts, he looked up and saw her standing in front of him, holding out her brush. His shirt was buttoned down and met her mid-thighs. He saw the top few buttons undone and she had rolled the sleeves up her arms. He smiled and moved to the side, allowing her to sit in front of him with her legs stretched out. He brushed out the dark tresses before parting it and collecting the pieces in his hands. Katniss released a contented sigh as he worked.
"Do you remember the first time you did this," she giggled. "When you asked me to teach you?"
"I confessed to you that I stared at the back of your head a lot," he made an exasperated sound behind her. "I was shocked you didn't run like the wind after that morning."
"That was the first time I asked if I could stay with you." His hands in her hair froze and there was silence. She twisted around to look at him and he was staring back, wide-eyed.
"Do you remember?"
"Of course I remember," his voice sounded strained. "I had promised I would never ask you to sleep in my bed or do… anything. I was happy enough to be there for you. But that morning, you really did surprise me."
"That was such a peaceful day. We just lounged around, getting to know each other."
"It was our first picnic and I remember telling you how long I had dreamed about that. Just a simple picnic in the meadow with you. That's when you said… you were lucky to be married to me." His eyes were becoming glassy as he pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She turned around and wrapped her fingers around his arms, moving up to his shoulders.
"What else?"
"We watched the sunset together and when we went home that night, that was the first time I showed you my sketchbook. And you… you asked me to let me into my heart. You said you would try to let me into yours. And it was the first time… you told me you felt something for me." She cocked her head, staring at him in awe.
"You have a... remarkable memory."
"I remember everything about you, maybe you were the one not paying attention."
"I was paying attention! I was just being careful. Keeping my heart guarded because despite how much you said you loved me, it seemed that you were keeping your distance and were determined not to let me love you." His brow furrowed.
"What-"
"You blame yourself for so many things," she cut him off, gripping his face. "You call yourself a monster for things you couldn't help. Your mother was… ugh, don't get me started on her," he managed a weak grin. "But she didn't show you the love you deserved. And for some reason, you continued to punish yourself, even when I agreed to marry you, because you wouldn't see your worth. I told you that day, the next time you heard your mother in your head, to imagine my voice instead. Telling you how strong and handsome and wonderful you are." He gaped at her as she climbed into his lap.
"You're not the only one with a good memory," she told him before she kissed him. He moaned against her lips, his arms closing around her and twisting around to lay her beneath him. His hand moved up her leg, up her thigh, up-
His eyes widened and he nearly swallowed his tongue. She dared to give him a smirk and his eyes narrowed.
"Are you trying to kill me?"
"Just didn't want to put on dirty underwear," she shrugged innocently. Peeta's eyes narrowed as he draped her legs over his shoulders and raked his tongue along her inner thigh. She threw her head back into the pillows as his tongue sank into her. Blue eyes shone from between her thighs and when he pulled away for a moment, his lips were gleaming.
"Remember we have a full house, Katniss, my love," he smirked as he lowered his head again. "Try to keep it down."
Haymitch expected to be the first person at the hangar and was shocked that he wasn't. In fact, he froze when he saw how many people had gathered. He was more concerned with who rather than how many had arrived.
Vick Hawthorne, Blaze, Max, Prim, Cressida and her team, Jackson, and several refugees from other districts were all there and his wide eyes moved over the crowd. It startled him to see Vick with a gun. The kid was too young for a war.
"Morning Haymitch," a deep voice said behind him. He turned and his eyes widened.
"Bing, what are you doing here?"
"Both of my brothers are out there fighting. I would feel like a coward if I stayed behind."
"Yeah, but… April. And your new kid. You really-"
"April and I discussed this all night, Haymitch," the elder Mellark said, holding up his hand. "I'm going to help my family." Haymitch could see the man's mind was set and so he said nothing else.
More and more people arrived as the clock ticked on. When Plutarch and Coin finally appeared, he rushed over to them, nodding at people as he passed.
"President Coin, what is all of this?"
"This is war, Mr. Abernathy."
"You're sending them all to the front line?"
"We all must make sacrifices."
"Funny, I don't see many soldiers from 13 here," Haymitch fixed her with a cold glare, which she quickly returned.
"Another hovercraft will join you in the Capitol tomorrow. With many more soldiers. Whoever wants to fight for their country has a right to do so." Plutarch cleared his throat, clapping his hands together and desperately trying to look jovial.
"So Haymitch, slight change of plans. You'll all be heading straight to the Capitol, rather than District 8."
"What? Why?"
"Commander Paylor has already ordered her troops to move out. They're marching on the Capitol as we speak. We spoke to Rebel HQ in the Capitol a moments ago and we are assured the rebel camp will be set up this afternoon, so you can all settle in when you arrive."
"Soldier Cretus also assured me that our squad arrived safely and have been resting. Unfortunately, Colonel Boggs did not make it." Haymitch bowed his head.
"May he rest in peace. But everyone else is ok?"
"Minor injuries but he said everyone is safe and staying with Tigris."
"And what about Peeta? Did Cretus say anything about him?"
"He said Peeta was the one who escorted them from the sewers to HQ." Haymitch squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. Thank God. The kids were FINALLY reunited. He knew that they needed each other, especially with what was coming.
"Good," he said gruffly. "Then we're sure he's on our side again."
"Soldier Cretus said something that intrigued me about Peeta taking some sort of antidote to counteract the venom in his body," Coin spoke again, her grey eyes glittering. Haymitch frowned at the tone of her voice. "I am very interested to know how this was done. And how effective it's been."
"Let's deal with conquering the Capitol first, then we can focus on helping Peeta."
"Right you are, Haymitch," Plutarch clapped his shoulders. "Now then, the hovercraft has been loaded with all the necessary supplies. Food, medical supplies, tents, blankets, etc etc. Our lovely Miss Primrose here," he tugged Prim forward, "has been assigned the task of setting up the medical stations. The soldiers who join you tomorrow will bring even more supplies. The Capitol still monitors flight space and they have their guns at the ready. You need to be careful and hopefully, you can land undetected."
"We're just landing in the Capitol?" Haymitch scoffed.
"You'll land on the outskirts of the Capitol, near the border of District 1. There will be some rebel soldiers to escort you to the camp past the border."
"And our squad should be there to greet you as well," Plutarch nodded. Haymitch shrugged. It sounded too easy. It always sounded too easy. But he had promised both Bran and Violet that he would watch over Prim and make sure no harm would come to her.
"Alright, let's get going then." He strode toward the hovercraft, nodding to Cressida.
"So we're going straight into the lion's den, huh? We would have had more of an element of surprise if we had marched on the Capitol. There's no way we will make it undetected with a hovercraft." Haymitch merely grunted and pulled open the hatch so people could start loading. Prim sidled up to him and huffed.
"I really don't like that woman."
"Now, Prim, she IS your mother after all," he said hastily, pointing to his earpiece at her look of confusion. She nodded in understanding and took her seat on the craft. He looked back to see the rest of the soldiers. No one had come to say goodbye to their loved ones. He hoped everyone had made peace last night.
No one was acting as if they were going to war. Everyone was behaving as if they would return to their families in just a few days.
Did anyone truly understand what they were headed toward? As a Victor, Haymitch knew full well about the horrors the Capitol could concoct. He imagined Snow had Gamemakers working tirelessly to arm the city with mutts and pods. And what about his army of peacekeepers? Surely he knew that this wasn't just one girl marching on the Capitol… his whole country was rebelling against him and his family.
Haymitch closed his eyes and tried not to think as he strapped himself in.
"Safe travels to all of you," Plutarch called, waving stupidly.
"Remember soldiers, we are counting on you," Coin said firmly as she stood on the platform with her hands behind her back. "One way or another, you will soon be free of Snow's clutches. His empty promises and his cruelty. You are soldiers in the greatest revolution Panem has ever known. Good luck to you all."
This kind of speech would have gone over well with the soldiers of District 13, but as these soldiers were from other districts, the speech sounded empty and more like a death sentence. Coin stepped down from the platform and her soldiers were closing the hatch.
Haymitch noticed Prim's hands were shaking and he grasped one tightly. The girl looked up at him anxiously and he smiled.
"I won't tell you not to worry, Prim. Everyone was telling me not to worry before I left for the Hunger Games. It's stupid, pointless words."
"Then what words of wisdom do you have for me," she asked with a weak smile.
"Have faith," he said firmly. "You'll see your sister and your boy again. We will be fighting with our neighbors from other districts. And Snow is just one man.
We bring him down, we bring down the Capitol."
"Doesn't he have a daughter though? I don't want us to kill a young girl."
"We kill whoever is related to Snow and who could rise up against us," Vick said from across from her.
"Vick Hawthorne, you're no murderer," she said angrily.
"I'm not a murderer. I'm a soldier. I'll do what's necessary for my country." Prim huffed in disgust and settled back in her seat.
"I hope Rory isn't like this now," she whispered to Haymitch.
"War changes people, Prim. And Vick is right… any chance of a Snow seizing control again, we need to squash it. But don't worry. I met Leo Cretus a couple times and he's a good commander. Fair and loyal to the cause. We will all come up with the right decision, as a country. Not one person deciding our fates, because that's what we are trying to get away from." Prim noticed he had removed his earpiece and she sighed.
"Hey, cheer up. Did you hear your brother-in-law is safe and sound?"
"Really?" Her eyes widened. "I'd heard rumors but I never know what to believe. They're together?"
"Peeta was the one who escorted them to HQ. If I know the kids, they're cuddled up in bed together and blocking out the whole damn world for the few minutes that they can." Prim hoped so. After seeing her sister suffer so much the last few months, she was ready to see a smile on Katniss's face again. She knew having Peeta by her side would do that.
"Ugh, I don't feel that well," Prim clutched her stomach. Haymitch reached into his pocket and tossed her a package of crackers.
"I'm not much of a flyer myself. But why don't you try to rest a little? We will be there soon enough." She nodded and tucked herself into a little ball in the seat. Haymitch watched her fondly, before turning back around. He jumped a little when he saw Lieutenant Jackson kneeling beside him.
"I need to talk to you," she said in a low voice. Haymitch nodded, unbelting himself and following her to the back of the craft, where soldiers were already fast asleep.
