Warning: This chapter contains frank discussions of sex as well as actual sex. Reader discretion is advised. The sex scenes will be edited on Fanfiction dot net but Archive of Our Own will have the full and complete scenes. Choose your path wisely.

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Brand New Breeze
by FanficAllergy & RoseFyre

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Chapter Seven: Come Out and Play

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Last Time in Brand New Breeze:

"Gale's got a lot more experience with girls," I tell him. "I hear he's the king of the slag heap." It's meant to sound flirtatious. It doesn't come out that way.

Gale picks up on that. "You almost sound jealous there. I promise I'll make it up to you."

I nod. "I'll hold you to that."

oOo

It's a little awkward when Prim, my mother, and Rory return. I'm still moving a little stiffly. I'm doing my best to hide it, but my mother notices anyway and raises an eyebrow at me. I struggle not to blush. There's no hiding what we've done from her.

Prim, on the other hand, wants to know what Peeta and I were up to all day. How am I supposed to explain that without lying? I can't do that to Prim. She'll know. I'm a horrible liar and no one knows that better than my sister.

Thankfully, I don't have to. Peeta's got it covered. "We stayed behind because we've got something special for you." He walks back into the bedroom and brings out a small stool for Prim.

She looks at Peeta then at me, happiness painted all over her face. "You made this? For me?"

"Yup, just for you," Peeta answers, smiling. "The very first of us to get a chair of our very own."

"Why'd she get a chair and not me? And where's my bed?" Rory protests.

"You keep acting like that, you're never gonna get a bed," Gale says, rolling his eyes.

Rory crosses his arms, a pout on his face. "Fine! I'll just sleep with you!"

"Oh hell no," his brother tells him. "There's already three of us sharing a bed. We do not need a fourth."

My mother snorts.

Shooting her a glare, Rory counters, "Fine! I'm sleeping in the kitchen until you make me an actual bed!"

"Just so long as you know that if somebody gets sick, you're going to have to move," my mother tells him serenely.

"None of you get sick!" He points at all of us accusingly, his finger lingering on me for some reason.

Peeta changes the subject. "I could really use some help for the next couple of days. We've got a lot of hides that need to be cured and it's a lot of work to do it by myself. I haven't been able to keep as many as I'd like." He's not wrong. He's managing to cure about six hides out of every ten. Unfortunately, he seems to be having problems with the larger skins and that book of my mother's gives only minimal instruction on how to do it. But without Peeta we'd probably only have a few furs and that's being optimistic. And I know that we're going to need those furs come winter.

My mother seems to understand that too. "We can help you, Peeta," she says. "It's a pretty slow time for me right now with the garden and I think a little bit of work would be good for Prim." She turns and looks right at Rory. "And I think your brother would be much more willing to make a bed for you if you spent a little more time helping us around the cave rather than exploring all the time."

Rory groans. "Fine."

oOo

I'm feeling better a couple of days later. The initial soreness has gone away and I'm starting to crave that pleasurable feeling that Peeta gave me again. It's never been all that important to me before, but now that I've felt it I want more.

I broach it with Gale that morning while we're out hunting.

He looks over at me half-hopefully and half-nervously. "Are you sure, Catnip?"

"Yes. I am." I nod and look up at him a little shyly.

He smiles and says, "So I'm free this afternoon if you are." His tone is light. Teasing. It's meant to make me feel more at ease.

And it does. I laugh and tug him back towards the cave. "Come on."

We slip back into the cave. "Hello?" Gale calls, swiveling his head around to make sure that nobody else is around.

No one answers.

His smile widens. "I think we're alone."

"That's good," I say, wrapping my arms around him. "I don't think I want Rory or Prim to see this yet."

"No, no, I agree." He bends down and kisses me. "I want you all to myself."

"You've got me," I reply huskily.

He hoists me up into his arms and I wrap my legs around him. He carries me to the bedroom, placing me down on our bed. He makes sure I'm in the exact center. Then, he starts removing his clothing.

I sit up to take off my shirt when he stops me. "No, I've dreamed of undressing you. Let me."

I nod my head, laying back down on the bed. I can accommodate him in this.

He smiles at me gratefully before finishing getting undressed and sitting down next to me completely nude.

I look at his chest and the small sprinkling of hair curled across it, trailing down to his legs. He's hairier than Peeta but I don't mind. The contrast is nice and both men are equally attractive.

Gale runs a hand through his hair. "Fuck, I can't believe I get to do this."

"Do what?"

He traces the edge of my cheek and down my neck, resting his fingers just above my heart. "I get to touch you." He kisses me lightly on the lips. "Kiss you." He laves his tongue along the column of my neck. "Taste you."

Closing my eyes, I arch my back trying to follow him. "Gale, stop teasing."

"But I like teasing." To illustrate his point, he traces his fingertips across my lips.

I nip at them and he laughs. My eyes snap open to glare at him. "If you don't stop teasing, I'll… I'll…"

"You'll do what?" It's a dare. I don't normally respond well to dares.

But this is different. I reach out and wrap my fingers around him.

He takes a breath.

I'm unable to keep myself from smirking. "I'll figure out something."

Gale moans softly. "Minx." He leans down to touch his lips to mine. The kiss starts off teasing but quickly becomes something deeper, more intense.

I moan against his mouth.

That seems to be the signal he's been waiting for because he reaches up and starts slowly unbuttoning my shirt. With each button he opens he pauses to take in the new expanse of skin, touching, licking, and kissing his way down my breastbone and across my stomach.

I sit up so that he can push my shirt off my shoulders.

When I'm bare from the waist up, he traces a hand down my side. "Are you real? Tell me you're not a figment of my imagination."

I wrap my arms around him and draw him in for a kiss. "I'm real and I want to be here with you."

The smile on his face is blinding.

oOo

Even though we're now sexually active, we have to call a halt to it for several days because it's too close to that dangerous time my mother mentioned. When I tell Gale and Peeta the reason why, they understand. We don't need a baby just yet. This is too new and I'm not sure I want children at all. It ends up working out in our favor because, for the next several days, we have a flurry of other things to do.

My mother's garden is finally starting to produce vegetables. Because nothing is in nice neat rows, it takes longer to harvest and all of us are needed to bring in the crops. The first crop we harvest is turnips. We've been eating some of the greens in salads and stews, but now it's time to harvest the roots so that we can try to get another planting in. We don't get as many as I'd like, but my mother seems pleased.

"I wasn't sure that would work," she says, dusting her hands off. "Hopefully we'll get more next time."

"I hope so too," I say. "You're the one who's so concerned about us getting too much meat, and I don't think I'm going to be able to gather enough vegetables to make it through the winter."

"I wouldn't worry about it too much, Katniss. I've noticed a few fruit trees and there are lots of oaks and chestnuts around. We might not have fresh vegetables, but I think we'll have enough other variety."

I nod my head. I have been keeping track of where I've seen various fruit trees even though they're not in season yet. And I've noticed my mother doing the same.

We spend the next few days experimenting with drying turnip greens and gathering what other plants we can find. I come back with a bag full of sweetgale and find Peeta and Gale finally working on Rory's bed.

Peeta eyes the bag. "What'd you find?"

"Not much. Burdock roots, some pond lily seeds, and some sweetgale."

"Sweetgale? What's sweetgale?" Peeta asks.

"It's a plant," Gale states flatly.

"I gathered that." Peeta gives him an odd look. "I meant what do you use it for?"

Gale sighs. "You can make a tea out of it and my mom used to use it for spicing up the food my dad caught. Kinda tastes a little like sage."

I blink. I didn't know Gale knew much about gathering or cooking. It's never really been his thing and the fact that he knows the plant so well surprises me.

I don't get a chance to question him further because he and Peeta get back to work making Rory's bed, leaving me confused behind them.

oOo

A couple days later we all head back out to my mother's garden to help harvest the beets and cucumbers. There's a decent number, and after our experimentation with the turnip greens we think we've found a way to dry the beet greens effectively.

Gale and I break off from the group, ranging out to check the snares and other traps situated around the garden. They're mostly there as a deterrent, but they seem to get something every day. Most of the time it's a rabbit, but sometimes we get something surprising like a turkey or wild dog. One time we even found a dead cat in one of the snares. We didn't dare tell Prim, but we did make sure that she did her best to keep Buttercup away from the garden. The last thing that we want is to have to tell my sister that that damned cat of hers that she insisted on lugging all the way from Twelve died in one of my or Gale's snares.

As we reach the first line of snares, we hear a weak high pitched meow. Gale and I share a panicked look.

Oh crap!

I hope it's not my sister's cat. That'd be bad. That'd be really bad.

Gale voices my fear aloud. "That better not be Buttercup."

Another meow comes from a few feet ahead. "I hope it isn't either. Come on, let's go check."

Thankfully, it's not Buttercup. That spares me the wrath of my sister, but we're not out of the woods yet.

Dangling from its back right leg about two or three feet off of the ground from one of our string snares is a cat. No, not a cat. A kitten. A tiny fluffy gray kitten with darker gray stripes and bright green eyes. It doesn't look to be more than two months old. It mews at us pathetically and I sigh. The damned thing probably got separated from its mother and wandered into our snare line.

"Fuck," Gale says. "It'd be better if it were dead." The animal is hurt and there's no telling how long it's been hanging there.

I regard the small fuzzy thing. "Yeah, but it isn't. What do we do now? Prim will never forgive us if we kill a kitten."

"Do we really need another cat?" Gale's voice sounds resigned, like he already knows what the answer will be.

I know what the answer is going to be too. There's no way I can bring myself to kill a kitten and be able to look Prim in the eye later. "It wouldn't hurt. Maybe it can help Buttercup keep the mice out of our stores."

"So I'm guessing we're giving this to your sister."

"Unless you think Rory wants a cat." My tone is teasing.

Gale shoots me a look. "We're giving it to Prim."

Gale grabs the kitten by the scruff of its neck. It goes limp in Gale's hands. I carefully detangle it from the snare, noting that the string has cut into the kitten's flesh. I wince sympathetically. Prim is going to be so upset.

Gale sees the injury and grimaces. "You know Prim's gonna want to doctor the cat."

I sigh. "I know."

"So I guess we should head back."

Holding my hands out, I say, "Give it to me. You finish checking the rest of the line and resetting everything."

"Gladly." He deposits the quaking ball of fluff into my hands. "I don't want to be in your shoes."

I don't want to be in my shoes either, but I take the small gray kitten and walk back towards my mother's garden. It's meowing pitifully in my hands and I can feel the small body shaking in fear.

"Is that a cat?" Peeta asks, looking up from a cucumber plant.

I nod my head and sigh. "It was caught in one of the snares."

Prim rushes forward. "Is it okay? Is it hurt?"

"See for yourself." I hold the cat out and Prim takes it.

"Oh poor kitty!" she exclaims, spotting the kitten's hind leg. "I gotta go take care of this!" She doesn't wait to see if it's okay, instead darting back towards the cave.

I shake my head and watch her go.

"So I hear we have a new cat?" my mother says, coming over.

"You should probably go after her," I say. "Otherwise you'll find all of your bandages and supplies you brought here used on the kitten."

"You're probably right," my mother says with a sigh. "You think the rest of you can finish this up?"

I nod. "Yeah. We've got this."

When we're done, we lug our harvest back to the cave to find Prim cuddling the kitten in her arms. Buttercup is glaring at the interloper and hissing at it every few minutes. I'm glad I'm not the only one he hates.

"So, how's the new family member?" Peeta asks, setting down his basket.

"Dandelion is doing well, poor baby girl," Prim answers, nuzzling the small cat. "We're really lucky we were able to get her patched up in time. She's really weak!"

"So she's a girl?" I ask. "How can you tell?"

My sister glares at me. "She doesn't have any male parts. Duh! She's a girl and she's gonna be Buttercup's new girlfriend!"

Buttercup hisses at the kitten.

Peeta smiles wryly. "I think Buttercup might have something to say about that."

oOo

In the beginning of July, the salmon start to run again though this breed seems to be a little smaller than the last bunch and is a bright red color. Even though Gale and I managed to bring down a cow a few days ago and we've had good luck with both the snares and hunting, we don't want to miss this smorgasbord of easy to obtain food.

Besides, we have another mouth to feed, even if it's a small mouth.

Prim's been fussing over the cat, much to Rory's chagrin. Although he's happy that his bed has finally been completed he doesn't like taking second place in Prim's attentions. He and Buttercup have that in common.

As for Peeta, Gale, and myself, once my dangerous time passes we resume having sex. My mother was right, it's very enjoyable and it's been a lot of fun learning each other's bodies and teaching each other what we like. Thankfully, the jealousy that plagued us before has not reared its head again and the boys are getting along.

Sometimes I think they like spending time with each other more than they like spending time with me. I'm guessing it's a guy thing. They often go off and do things together, laughing and joking the whole time. I'd be jealous except then I'd be a hypocrite. Besides, sometimes it's nice to be alone, although the three of us do spend plenty of time together, most recently gathering lots of berries.

It's been a busy time. All of us are working at new skills and we're slowly improving. While Peeta still ruins a hide or two here and there, it's not as many as it once was. Prim still hasn't managed a watertight basket yet, but she's a whiz at storage containers, which are actually more useful. Rory's even started contributing more to our table and I let him take a bow with him now as he goes out exploring. He manages to bring back several interesting items here and there so it's time well spent. He wants to range further afield and we're considering it, but not until after the salmon run is over.

The first day goes well. We manage to catch over twenty fish and our smoker is full to overflowing.

So on the second day, Rory comes down to take the catch from overnight up to our secondary smoker at the top of the hill.

Peeta and I are hauling in the nets near the mouth of the smaller of the two creeks when we hear a familiar male shout. We look up and back to Gale to see what's going on, but his eyes aren't on us. He's fixated on something behind us.

We turn to see five leather-clad sun-bronzed people running at us, brandishing weapons. "Hey! What are you doing?" a long-haired blond man with several pieces of jewelry on shouts. "This is our place!"

One of them, a young male teenager from the looks of it, starts whirling a sling over his head. I don't know who these people are or what they're doing out here, but one thing is crystal clear.

They're not friendly.

I drop the net and dash for my bow. I hear the sound of a stone striking a nearby tree and several of the others shouting, but I can't make out what they're saying. It doesn't matter anyway. They've attacked us and I have to protect my family.

Rory is the first of us to fire. He misses. The raiders are too far out of range for him.

But not for me.

I pick up my bow and nock an arrow. Out of the corner of my eye I can see my mother hustling Prim up the hill toward the potential safety of our cave. Good. I can't afford to be distracted by them.

Another rock whistles by my head. I don't have time for any more thought. It's us or them.

I fire.

The teenager drops, an arrow protruding from his neck. The woman near him cries out in sorrow. I don't have time to feel pity. He attacked us and the threat isn't over.

The rest of the raiders keep coming.

Other than the woman, I'm not even sure if they've noticed their fallen compatriot.

Gale fires at a dark-haired man who's getting ready to throw a spear. He hits the man in his chest and follows up with a second arrow to his head. The man drops.

This one they all notice.

"Take out the archers!" the woman shouts.

"Over my dead body!" Peeta responds, picking up his spear and running towards them.

"Peet! Get out of the way!" Gale yells.

Peeta doesn't listen.

Gale swears and starts pounding after him, pulling out another arrow as he goes.

The woman snorts and calls, "I'll leave those two to you, Lothar, Tyler. I'll take care of the little ones." She hurls a spear at Rory, who just barely manages to get out of the way. She swears and pulls another spear from a container on her back.

I can't let her get another shot. Gale would never forgive me if something happened to Rory. And I couldn't forgive myself.

Rory shoots at her but he's off-balance and only manages to graze her side.

My shot doesn't miss.

She falls to the ground, her spear clattering down next to her, an arrow buried in her heart.

I turn to see how Peeta and Gale are doing. I see that Gale's discarded his bow and is brandishing his hunting knife. Peeta's managed to get a good hit in on the blond raider and is now engaged in hand-to-hand fighting with the other.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Rory pick up his bow and take aim.

"Don't fire," I order. "You could injure one of them."

"We can't just stand here and do nothing!" he argues.

I drop my bow and pull out my knife. "You head back up to the cave, keep my sister and my mother safe. I'll go help your brother and Peeta."

"Oh yeah! Prim!" He darts off.

I dash towards Peeta and Gale.

Time seems to slow down.

Peeta's wrestling with the dark-haired raider. They seem evenly matched but it becomes clear as I get closer that Peeta's the better fighter. With a complicated maneuver of his arms, Peeta manages to get the upper hand. He twists the man's head violently to the left and I hear the crack echo through the air.

The remaining blond raider draws a knife and from the ground slashes at the inside of Peeta's left thigh.

Peeta goes down, blood spurting from the wound.

Gale cries out in rage, descending furiously on the fallen man, driving his knife through the man's neck. He pulls the weapon out, splattering blood everywhere. There's a liquid gurgle. Then nothing. The blond man is dead.

Gale stares down at his fallen foe for a few seconds before dropping his knife and yelling, "Peeta!"

Peeta's clutching at his thigh. "I think I'm gonna need help back to the cave," he says. His face is ashen.

I fall to my knees, pressing my hands against the wound to try to staunch the blood. It's bad. The knife has cut through muscle almost to the bone and Peeta's in real danger of bleeding to death. "We need my mother!"

"Is he gonna make it?" Gale asks, his eyes frantic.

"I'm fine," Peeta says, right before he slips into unconsciousness.

oOo

AN:
Written: 3/20/15
Revised: 4/9/15
Revised 2: 5/4/15

The title of this chapter comes from the Offspring song "Come Out and Play." It's a song about gang violence which kind of fit for what we were planning.

Essentially about three weeks of time passed in this chapter. We hit the highlights but you don't need to be shown all of the stuff that they do each and every day and that includes the romance. Assume they're growing closer and are having some nights that are essentially sitting at home on the couch watching tv or the survival equivalent. And yes, they are having sex. Right now it is one of the boys with Katniss, but so long as the other gets to have sex too they don't care. And yes, Gale and Peeta totally have bro time.

From the moment we started this fic, we talked about if Prim would get another animal. She's definitely an animal lover and when we rolled 100 on a snare we decided we could give her a cat. Specifically a kitten. FanficAllergy's cat she lost recently was pretty much exactly this kind of cat. A stray kitten who was in poor health from a colony of feral cats. Dandelion is going to be based in part on that cat. And yes the name is deliberate, because Prim likes her yellow flowers because she's named after a yellow flower so everything should be named after a yellow flower because they're awesome! Yay run on sentence!

On to the raiders. It doesn't makes sense for there to only be people in very small districts and nowhere else. Even now, there are people who live off the grid in small groups beholden to pretty much no one. In North America, this is especially true in less settled places like Alaska, Canada, the Western U.S. and rural New England. Based on what we hypothesized, these raiders would live in small groups of less than thirty people in places that are in between the districts or in the Wilds. These groups are going to have several elderly and children in them and they likely meet up with other groups in late spring/early summer for essentially trading and sexy times. Mid summer or so, they'd return to their homes to start stockpiling for the winter. Oh and those sheep and dogs from earlier… yeah… those were totally the raiders' flock. ;-) Yay! Misdirection! Yay! Unreliable Narrators! Yay! Lying Creators! (Although we were totally telling the truth about Anatolian Sheepdogs).

Things We Randomized:
- Everything they hunted (the cow was a one percent chance of rolling when we rolled for what they got after they managed to succeed on another roll)
- Everything new that they gathered (if they've found a berry patch, they're not going to lose it and they'll keep going back to it)
- How well Mrs. Everdeen's garden did
- Everything they salvaged
- If Peeta successfully tanned the hides he's been trying to tan
- How much they got during the salmon run and if there were any bears (there weren't)

Thanks again for reading! Please take a moment and let us know what you think!