Thank you reviewers for your kind words. Hope to have Merrick back within 2-3 chapters so get ready ;)
Chapter 31
When I wake up, Gale is still with me and is under the covers. I begin to wonder at what point in the night he decided that he would stay with me. It's early in the morning but it's Monday, a workday for most people. I gently nudge myself into him to try to wake him from his slumber. It works. His sleepy eyes open slowly and a grin follows.
"You have to work today?" I softly ask him.
"No." he says wrapping his arms tighter around me. "I came back up here after everyone fell asleep." he mentions.
"So they don't know you're up here?" I ask him. He shakes his head. "They'll be up for school soon. We should probably go downstairs before they can catch us."
"I'm fine where I am." he comments, pressing his face against mine. We gaze into each other's eyes in the silence around us.
"It's funny the way things worked themselves out. You finally got what you wanted." I say.
"Which hardly ever happens. Took long enough."
"Some things take time."
"And you're happy with this?" he asks me. I nod.
"I didn't even think I wanted this. I never really even thought about it until recently."
"I'm happy you're with me." he says kissing my lips.
"I'm happy too." I say, kissing him back. "Do you think we'll always be this happy?"
"I'll do whatever I can to make you happy."
"Good." I whisper. The silence is interrupted by Gale's rumbling stomach. "Come on. Let's get you some breakfast." I say untangling myself from him. I change my clothes before we go downstairs where everyone is starting to assemble. The children are in the living room watching TV and my mom informs me that Hazelle went home to get clothes for the boys to wear to school, knowing that they can't dirty up their Reaping clothes.
I enter the kitchen and begin making a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast. Gale takes his portion as soon as they are ready, unable to fend off the hunger anymore. He feeds me bites of his food as I continue my work.
"Since when did you become so domesticated?" he asks me with a smirk.
"Need to fill in the hours of the day somehow."
"I'd like for you to make me breakfast more often." he says, wrapping his arms around my waist. He kisses my cheek and I loose my focus, causing me to burn my finger on the edge of the pan. I let out whimper and he asks if I'm ok. It's only a tiny burn but it still hurts.
"None of that while I'm in front of a stove. That's dangerous." I tell him as I run cold water over my finger.
"I didn't know you could be distracted so easily." he tells me.
"It's ok." I say before returning to the stove. Prim enters the kitchen and asks how much longer it will be. I tell her very soon. I ask for her to get our mom and the kids into the dining room and she nods. Things seem better today than they were last night. At least she is talking to me.
I plate the food and have Gale take it into the dining room. While he is doing that, I start of making lunches. I write their a name on each brown paper bag and stand them up on the counter. I make one for Hazelle and Posy to take with them as well. I fill the bags with snacks I know they will enjoy. I might have gone a little overboard, but they can always save what they don't eat for later. The last thing I do is make sandwiches for everyone. As I'm laying the slices of bread in front of each bag, I feel arms wrap around me.
"Where's my lunch?" Gale grumbles low into my ear.
"I thought you'd be having lunch here."
"I know exactly what I want." he says lightly biting my neck while his pelvis rubs against me.
"Gale." I groan turning around in the little space I have between him and the counter. His lips collide with mine and gyrations continue. With each thrust, I can feel his start to become harder. I place my hands on his hips and disconnect them from mine. I look down and see him starting to show through his pants.
"You really thing now's the time for that?" I ask with a raised brow. He's wearing a smirk on his face. He's not taking this seriously. "What if Posy had walked in on us? What would you have told her?" I ask with a firm tone.
"You're sexy even with you are mad at me." he says pressing himself into me to let me feel his excitement. My body betrays me, producing a small moan from my lips. I'm supposed to be letting him know this is wrong, not that I'm enjoying it. I slip away from him and go to the fridge to get what I need. When I turn around, his hand is cupping his crotch and he takes steady breaths with his eyes closed. He's does this until he's calmed himself down.
"I'm sorry." he apologizes.
"We just need to be careful, Gale." I say as I assemble the sandwiches. I hear the front door open and close, indicating that Hazelle is back. She comes into the kitchen and smiles, thanking me for what I am doing. I tell her it's no problem and then bring her a plate of breakfast and tell her the rest of them are in the dining room.
"What do you want to do today?" I ask him. He shoots me a mischievous smile, which I ignore. "I was thinking we could go hunting…and maybe trade at the Hob."
"No, I don't want to do any of that." he mutters to me.
"You need to make the most of your day off."
"The only thing I want to do today is be with you…and not in the woods. In a home, like normal people."
"Since when were we normal?" I ask him.
"We could try." he suggests. It might be nice if things weren't the way they are. The reality is that he is an underemployed coalminer that won't accept any financial help from me. Neglecting his duties will only hurt his family in the end and I could never allow that.
"Go set some snares." I say, increasing the distance between us.
"Katniss." he huffs, drawing closer to me.
"I'll be right here when you get back." I reply. I can tell he is still annoyed but he leaves without another word. After he leaves, the children collect their things and Mrs. Hawthorne escorts them to school. My mother mentions having to make rounds to help injured miners. It's always seems like someone is hurt but I guess that goes with the job.
I sit on the kitchen counter and wait in silence for Gale to return. The silence is unsettling. It only allows for me to think, the most dangerous thing a victor can do. Memories are unleashed and unfathomable hopes are whispered. The dead are dead. Your life is no longer your own as much as your think it will be. The Capitol will always own you in one way or another. As hard as you try to be invisible, it never lasts for long.
Much sooner than anticipated, I hear the front door open and close and Gale comes jogging into the kitchen.
"That was quick."
"I don't think I've been that fast in my life." he huffs with heavy breaths. I open my mouth to ask him about the quality of snares he set in such a short period of time but he speaks first. "The running. You know I can set up a good snare in no time at all. Now where were we?" he teases me as he draws closer. He grips the back of my tights and scoots me closer to him so that our bodies are touching once again. We waste no time resuming what we started earlier, this time without fear of interruption. My body is buzzing from his deep kisses and the movement of our hips in a succinct rhythm. From him, I feel an intense pleasure….something I'd never thought I'd feel for him.
Even though I am captured in the moment, it's not enough to make me miss the sound of a knocking on the front door. Gale starts to pull away but I grip onto his shirt to keep him close.
"They'll go away." I say, my lips skimming his. The knocking occurs once more followed by a silence. "What did I tell you?" I say with a smile. I speak too soon and jump when I heard the door open. Short after a loud slam, Haymitch enters the kitchen. I sit there dumbfounded still wrapped up with Gale.
"Morning, sunshine." Haymitch says with sarcastic jab. He then slams a bottle of liquor on the table and says, "Breakfast?"
"You should know I don't drink my breakfast." I said as I untangle myself from Gale.
"Are cousins supposed to behave that way?" Haymitch asks with a laugh as he takes a swig from the bottle. Gale scowls and starts towards Haymitch but I grab onto his shirt before he can get far.
"He's just trying to rile you up. It's a little game he likes to play." I murmur to him. I scoot off the kitchen island and join Haymitch at the table. "Why the intrusion?"
"I knocked." he corrects me.
"And I didn't answer."
"It's called a lock sweetheart. You see, you turn the latch and it keeps the unwanted out."
"You still didn't answer my question." I push. " Why are you here?"
"Got a call from Effie this morning. She insisted I come over and tell you about the Victory Tour."
"Since when do you ever listen to what Effie says?" I ask him.
"This tour is going to be different." Haymitch says. "I think it's best if prepare ourselves."
"Ok." I give in. Haymitch has a look of relief that I don't try to put up a fight with him. He then turns to Gale and flicks his wrist, telling him to get lost.
"I'd like to stay for this." he says taking a seat next to me.
"So invested in this relationship already." Haymitch says with a laugh. "It's a good thing we came up with that little story. Wouldn't want anyone to be suspicious about this." he says as he gestures to us.
"I don 't understand." I tell him.
"You're a widow, Katniss." Haymitch sighs.
"So?"
"So the Capitol is always going to think you belong to Peeta Mellark. You think they'd want to see you with someone new?"
"They'd want to see me happy." I interject.
"Their nostalgic. They love to reminisce. Can anyone really find true love twice?"
"She never even found it once." Gale grits, bringing up the fact that everything with Peeta was a lie.
"She has found it once before. I'm her neighbor, remember? I saw who came and went from this house." Haymitch cuts at him. I look to Gale, who looks like he could pounce on Haymitch at any moment. His hands grip the edge of the table, knuckles white, as his tried to control his anger. I place my hand over his and use my touch to try to calm him.
"Back to the tour. The district will be upset with you…that you made it out. These weren't random citizens that died. They were their idols, their celebrities. They'll be upset that they are gone. Might even try to take it out on you. You need to stick to the script. No improvising like last time…that got us into quite a bit of trouble."
"Stick to the speeches." I say nodding my head.
"When you get to the Capitol, you need to play the part of the grieving widow. People will be expecting that."
"That won't be difficult." I say, followed by tears streaking me cheeks. "I really did care for him. Losing him hurt so much." I murmur. Gale uses his thumb to wipe away my tears.
"Portia will be your stylist given…" Haymitch says, trailing off. The room is silent for maybe a while minute before he starts again. "I'm sure she has a few tricks up her sleeves and she did work with Cinna. She'll know what to do with you."
"Tricks?" I ask. The last thing I want is for her to get in trouble like Cinna did.
"It's an expression. I just mean that she knows what suits you. She'll be here in two weeks for fittings." he says standing up.
"That's it?" I ask.
"For now. When Effie sends the speeches, we'll have you practice them." he comments. He grabs his bottle and walks to the door, with Gale following him to show him out. When Gale is gone for longer than I anticipate, I look at the window beside the front door and see him in conversation with Haymitch. I don't stick around to eavesdrop. I know he'll tell me if I ask him.
I return to the living room where the TV is still on from earlier. I catch a glimpse of the screen as I reach for the remote and see Finnick's image on the television. Today is his birthday…or would have been if he were still alive. It's seems like it's still being celebrated in the Capitol. Clips of Finnick are shown and the host is taking calls from viewers sharing their sentiments about him. He had many admirers in the Capitol. His popularity was an asset to Snow, and Finnick told me about what he made him do. Maybe that is why he sacrificed his life for mine. If he had made it out, the number of appointments would have increased. I'm not really sure how he stayed sane after doing that for all those years.
I know that District 4 will be the most difficult to visit. I don't want to go to the place he's from and confront the people that loved him. I wish he lived in a higher numbered district so I could just get it over with.
I jump when I feel Gale's hand remove the remote from my hand. I look up to him with his brows furrowed as he clicks off the TV.
"This isn't good for you." he comments. I look down and it's not until then that I notice my cheeks are moist with my tears.
"I came in here to turn it off." I tell him. He sits down on the couch and pulls me into his lap. I rest my head on his chest as he smoothes my hair in a calming rhythm.
"I don't want to go." I whisper.
"You'll be ok. You've gotten through this once before."
"But I wasn't alone last time."
"Haymitch will keep you safe." he tells me and I guess he's right. Call Haymitch what you will but he's always had my back.
"I wish you could go with me." I reveal.
"I tried to convince Haymitch to let me go but it's not exactly allowed." he says.
"That's why you were outside so long?"
"Yes. You'll get through this Katniss. You'll come back here and you won't have to worry about any of this stuff for the next six months."
"I just want for all of this to go away." I mutter.
"That would be nice. A place with no Reapings and Hunger Games."
"Mmmhmm." I respond. We sit in silence holding onto the hope that maybe, just maybe we'll get our happy ending and be free of all of this.
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