The most, lovely sensation of someone running their hands through her hair, draws her from sleep. She wants to dive back into her dreams, when she remembers everything. Her eyes open slowly and she sees the back of the black lab. Fingers in her hair, gently tugging the tangles out, makes her eyes roll back in her head, it feels so good.
She closes her eyes, willing the hum of pleasure not to end. It's only then, that she realizes what, or who her cheek is laying on. The soft worn denim of his jeans cradles her, keeping her all nice and warm in the chilly cabin. Her inhale is slow, wanting to breath in everything he is.
His fingers scratch her scalp, and he says, "Are you awake?"
She slowly picks herself up, and looks at him. He took off his glasses sometime in the night—a quick glance behind him, tells her that it's still dark outside. His hand is still in the length of her loose hair, and she's glad that she didn't get the almost to her waist length hair cut like she almost did. "What's wrong?"
He shrugs. "I couldn't sleep."
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Me ending up in your lap probably didn't help anything."
His chuckle makes not only her heart-thump-thump-flip, but her whole insides too. It's like he wants to tell her a secret, but isn't ready to tell her yet. "You don't know the effect you have on people, do you?"
His eyes seek her and she knows in the dim light of the cabin, that he can't see her. She leans forward until his features relax. Her hand aches to touch him, but she doesn't dare move another inch. She decides to ignore the strange sentence he just uttered, and instead says, "How are you feeling? Do you need to get up and walk?"
"How much longer do we have until we land?"
"We have at least six more hours, Sergeant Mellark," the steward behind him answers. Katniss cringes when she sees what could only be slight panic cross Peeta's features, and she puts her hand over his—
Thump-thump-flip goes her heart when he visibly relaxes.
"Oh, dear, did I surprise you? I'm terribly sorry," the steward continues.
Katniss squeezes his fingers, and says, "It's ok. Sergeant Mellark hasn't slept any. Would you like something to drink, Peeta?"
"Water?" he mumbles. Katniss meets the steward's eyes, and tries to give a little smile that she is afraid looks more like a scowl. He turns to go fetch a bottle of water, and she focuses on Peeta. He's resting his head and his eyes are closed.
And she just wants to touch him, to smooth the lines between his eyes. To hold him until he feels—those Carolina blues open up—
Thump-thump-flip.
The steward appears behind Peeta, she takes the bottle from him with a whispered "Thank you." She lets go of him so she can open it, and offers it to him. After he takes a long drink, she replaces the lid for him. "Peeta? I know this might sound weird, but is there anything I can do to help you get some rest?"
He opens his mouth to say something, but stops before he can finish. She sets down the water, and mutters, "Oh, Peeta. You are so tired, aren't you?"
It's not until the words are out into the universe that she wonders if she overstepped her boundaries. But then, he exhales. And she knows—her hands cup his cheeks and his eyes flutter shut as he eases into her touch. It's in that moment she knows that she can touch him the way she's been wanting, craving to.
She runs her fingertips over those lines that are around his eyes. Her nails find the perfect stubble that lines his cheeks down to his perfect chin.
A curious thought runs through her head, and it must be because of the lack of sleep, the time change, or just the entire day- the last of it with him that makes her follow through with the idea. She lets go of him and his eyes fly open, looking for her. She whispers, "Shhh." Then she takes the couple of pillows they've been given, and props them against the window.
Leaning back, she takes his hand and tugs. "Are you sure?" He asks.
"If it means that we get some sleep, then yes."
Accepting her invite, he lets her guide him until his head is lying above her heart.
Thump-thump-flip.
She grabs the blanket and covers his shoulders, wrapping them both in a cocoon. Somehow, she can tell that he's not letting himself relax, then he whispers, "Are you sure this is ok?"
Thump-thump-flip.
"Shhh—" she hushes him. "You are perfect." His breath- his exhale leaves him in a rush. Instantly, she can feel his breath even out. Her fingers find his curls, and she gently lets them do what she's been aching to do— dance among them. Their breaths mingle as his hands tuck under her back, hugging her close. They relax together, and as much as she's waited for this, her eyes flutter shut as her dreams beckon her to come back to them.
kpkpkpkp
"Katniss?" The weight that feels so good moves off her, making her grunt. "Katniss? They're bringing breakfast."
Her eyes are grainy and she smacks her lips as morning breath makes her wish for her toothbrush as her surroundings come into focus. "Hey," she whispers to the blond who is really close.
His grin—thump-thump-flip- warms her. He slept in your arms. He offers her his hand and helps her to straighten up. "Do I have time to go to the bathroom?"
He shrugs. "I don't know, I can't see."
She can't stop the snort that makes them both giggle. "Smartass," she says under her breath as she stands up. Duke looks up at her with a worried look on his face. "Is there any way he can go too?"
Peeta shrugs. "I packed one of those pads—is there somewhere he can go?"
She steps over Duke, then over Peeta's legs, landing in the aisle. "I'll be right back." She ignores the dull ache in her back, and hobbles towards the restroom. After she's finishes washing, she whispers a soft "dammit," for forgetting her toothbrush.
When she opens the door back up, a stewardess rushes by her. "Can you help me?"
The redhead stops, and turns in a huff. Her face softens when she sees that it's Katniss. "Yeah, I can."
"The dog, Duke, he needs to—"
Understanding, makes the stewardess smile. "He needs to go potty?" She waits for Katniss' nod. "What we've done in the past is put down the potty pads in the break room. Can he aim pretty good?"
Katniss chuckles, "Yeah, he should, I taught him."
"You trained that big ole' lab to be a guide dog?"
"That's what I do."
"Thank you, for all that you do." She pats her shoulder. "Go get that pup and let's see if he needs to go. Meet me up front."
She quickly goes back to her seat, to Peeta. When she reaches him, she bends over and says, "They are going to let Duke go potty in their break room."
"Good, I know he has to go."
"I'll take him?"
"Thank you—" he says as he moves so Duke can move out into the aisle.
She heads for the front of the plane, and the stewards nod as she passes them. The redhead whose name tag reads Rollie waits for her. There are several pads spread on the floor. Katniss doesn't even have to tell Duke what to do when he squats.
"Poor fellow, he really had to go," Rollie says.
"Thank you for your help."
"No, thank you. You are helping so many of our fighting men. I just wish there was a way to help."
Katniss pats herself down, remembering something. "Come by my seat. My cards are in my bag. The website and all that is on it."
Rollie gives her a smile, and says, "Go on back now. Breakfast is coming."
Once she is back in her seat, with Duke looking much more comfortable, Peeta reaches for her.
Thump-thump-flip.
His fingers tangle with hers, and she is mesmerized by how they look. Her olive skin next to his sun kissed tones.
She tries not to think about how good he felt in her arms.
Rollie, thankfully, rolls the breakfast cart by them interrupting her thoughts. Little trays of yogurt with granola are set in front of them and Katniss says, "it's yogurt and granola."
His snort makes her smile. "I guess it's too much to ask for a Denver omelet?"
"I wish," Rollie says above them. "Everything is premade these days. It was only this year they decided to serve meals again."
Rollie turns her attention to the other people sitting across from them. Katniss says, "I'm sure there is a diner or something close to the airport—"
"Are you suggesting that we go grab breakfast when we land?"
Thump-thump-flip.
"Actually—I thought about going to the hotel for a nap."
His face pales. "I bet you didn't sleep, did you? Oh crap, Katniss, I'm sorry. See, I have to take you out for breakfast now."
"Well, I probably need a shower too," she whispers loudly, making him snicker. "I've never been to London; do they have Denver omelets there?" She laughs.
"I'm sure we can find something good," he says. "Will you come with me then?"
Thump-thump-flip.
"Sure," she tries to sound not as excited as she feels at the prospect of getting to spend more time with him. "Where are we going?"
His grin is everything in that moment. "We'll find somewhere to go."
"You've been to London?"
"Where are you staying?" He asks.
She decides to let him change the subject. "I'm not sure? All I know is that there will be a driver for me at the airport. Where are you staying?"
"You know that old friend? She's having some big to-do and I think I'm staying at the hotel where it's taking place."
What are the odds—nah. There's no way we are going to the same place. "That will be fun. I guess after breakfast—"
"Hey, I have an idea. Why don't you go with me to this New Year's thing? I know Effie won't mind."
That's who he's meeting. "I'm still not sure why I'm here, so can I let you know when we land?"
"You know what would be funny? If we were going to the same thing?"
"I doubt that."
"You never know." The squawk of the intercom prevents him from saying anything else as the pilot thanks everyone while he asks for chairs to be returned to the upright position and trays returned to the seats in front of them.
Thump-thump-weird flip at the thought that she wasn't going to see him for much longer.