Notes:
Many thanks to ClandestineClemintine, Court81981, and Fnur for pre-reading and beta work! Your encouragement, suggestions, and straight talk really helped improve this chapter, in my mind anyway :)
Thanks also to Suzanne Collins for creating such wonderful characters to play with.
Epilogue will be posted before this fic's 1st birthday on August 29, 2015.
…..
Katniss visibly tenses from my viewpoint on the floor. Fortunately for her, her skirt has flipped back down in the scuffle and is now covering most of her backside.
"Wait for me outside, Gale," Katniss says tersely. "And shut the damn door."
She scrambles off the bed and helps me up off the floor because I can't bear any weight on my bad knee.
We take a moment to straighten ourselves out, a little more for me as I struggle to balance and slide the waistband up my legs. She steps outside to talk to Gale.
"The door was cracked open – were you guys that careless? And that truck – it's like a beacon. It was more than easy to follow you two. You're lucky it was just me, and not John. He'd have your ass for real," Gale says.
I can hear every word through the cardboard-thin door. I imagine that it worked both ways and Gale could hear what he was barging in on. Bastard. He could have waited.
"Why are you here?" Katniss says.
"To warn you that he's on to you. And you can't hide the fact that you're fucking Peeta fucking Mellark from him forever."
"How did you….?"
"I ran into Bristel last weekend and she had no idea she was your little cover story for this bullshit," Gale says.
Okay, that's enough. I'm going out there too. I open the door and limp out into the parking lot. Katniss has her arms crossed and feet planted as Gale continues.
"I saw you getting out of his truck," Gale states while gesturing at me, "at the high school last Sunday evening. Your dad had asked me to check up on you, since you haven't been around much lately."
"I didn't think he was paying attention," she notes.
Gale stares her down. "Katniss, he notices everything. You've been different around the shop too – now I know why."
"The real question here is what are you going to tell him, Gale?" I ask.
"Nothing. That's for Katniss to share," Gale replies.
Katniss drops her shoulders in relief. "Thank you, Gale, for the heads up."
Wait, she's thanking him?
"So I guess it wasn't going to work, then? With us?" Gale asks.
She's shaking her head before she can release the words. "No," she says as she side steps closer to me. "I tried to tell you that night at Sae's. You're not the one I would choose. I would survive just fine without you."
Her statement rockets through me. She's choosing me over him. I reach out blindly for her hand and grasp it firmly.
"But him? You can't survive without him? Katniss, you've only been talking to him for what….two months? I know a lot can happen…"
Katniss shakes with anger. "Look, I can survive without either of you, but I choose him."
I've had it with this guy. "Look Gale, thanks for the early warning. We'll figure it out from here," I say.
"No, you're going to need me as an ally – especially if Katniss wants to hold on with to any future in the family business. We're going to have to figure out a way to work together," Gale says.
"That might be, but you need to leave. Now," I say.
"We'll talk tomorrow, Katniss," Gale says as he stalks off to his truck.
It's just barely noon as Katniss and I retreat into our room. She offers to grab some ice from the ice machine for my knee. Once we're back in the room and I'm leaned up against the headboard, I open up the picnic basket in case she's hungry. Katniss paces the threadbare carpet. I pick at my food.
"I thought I'd have more time. To figure out how to tell Dad. To point out his hypocrisy. To just….ugh…think this through," Katniss rambles.
"Did you mean it?" I interrupt with intrepidity. "About choosing me?" She stops pacing and draws close to me, kneeling down on the floor on the side of the bed and weaving her fingers through mine.
Her pleading eyes and lower lip tucked under her teeth begin the story, but I need to hear the words.
"Yes, of course, Peeta. You're what I need," she says as she advances and draws my knuckles to her lips. "I'm not giving you up," she vows while pressing small kisses into the ridges of my hands. "I've been trying to figure out a way to tell you, too, and kind of hoped that I was just showing you with my actions," Katniss says, pushing up from the floor to lock her silver eyes on to me.
Relief and awe course through me. "Well…." I start with a grin, when she stops me with the lightest whisper of kiss.
"Peeta, I love you."
I think my heart stops but there isn't time to react any other way.
"I love you too," I tell her and pull her up the length of the bed with me. She rests her head on my shoulder and we spend the rest of the afternoon working out a plan. We're in this together.
…..
I take Katniss back to the car after deciding on a strategy for her dad and the family business. I'm able to make an appointment to see the doc that next week once I get back home too. Until I can get more clinical advice, though, I'm just going to keep applying ice and rest my knee.
I get over to the doc on my lunch break on Tuesday.
"That's a hell of a bruise, Peeta," the doc assesses. "However did you manage it?"
"I….uh….fell out of bed," I manage. It's not a lie; I did fall off a bed.
The doctor advises me to wear a knee brace for a week. My brothers make fun of me, but at least they're not bugging me about my mood anymore. The brace is hot and itchy and, all around, no good. I move with a slight limp around the bakery during the day and count the hours until I can rest at night. I've just landed in bed and stripped the offending neoprene off my leg when my phone pings. I swipe the home page open and Katniss' smirk appears on the window. It's the pic I was able to sneak the other week at the motel.
K: hey good news!
This could mean so many things, but I'll try for the obvious.
P: Have you smoothed things out with your dad?
I toss the phone down and reach for my bag of ice when my phone pings again. She must be pretty excited to be responding this quickly.
K: Haha no. I got my period.
Oh. I tap out a quick response, just for clarification.
P: And this is good news…how?
K: Well it's one less concern on my mind and I need that right now. Hey, I gotta go, talk to you later?
I close up my phone and lay back in bed for a while. Pregnancy. We have certainly risked it plenty of times over now by only relying on her taking the pill. I make a mental note to buy a box of condoms, assuming that we'll find another way to have alone time after this thing with her family.
The pinging of my phone alerts me to a new message while I'm lost in thought.
K: I'm going to do it, I just don't know when. I changed my mind and want you here though. Will you come here, to the store after closing, if it's a weekday? When I'm ready?
The bakery closes at 5pm, but it shouldn't be an issue to get over there.
P: Of course, as long as you're sure I won't get shot on sight.
K: Yes, I need you.
P: Okay then, hope your cramps aren't that bad.
K: They are terrible, but thanks. Goodnight, love you.
P: Goodnight, love you more.
A dopey smile spreads across my face. She loves me.
Tossing the phone on my bedside table, I lay back and find my previous thought trail. The future. I'm grateful and also optimistic for the future. If Katniss' dad allows it and doesn't see our relationship as a breach in family loyalty or an unforgiveable act for her to date outside the tribe, then maybe we can really do this. Maybe we could do it without his blessing too, though I know deep down Katniss will want that.
We were purposefully vague last Sunday when talking about the 'after,' since getting through to her dad is the most immediate hurdle we face. I let myself wander down the path of 'after', just for a little while. Maybe we can move in and finish school together. Maybe we can get married, down the line. Maybe, just maybe, we can have our own family one day and I'll never lecture our kids or their dates about loyalty. Later that night, my dreams center around our possible future.
I get more used to the knee brace as I trudge through the next two weeks. Between being more nervous than ever about getting caught and me sticking with minimal activity, Katniss and I skip out on our weekend dates at the Cavern Lodge. She keeps me informed via text but it's not enough. I miss her being around, even if it was only for one day a week. She's been going through the motions of being a loyal daughter, true to her father and the family business. Apparently, she's even managed to increase sales in the last two weeks.
I survive another long weekend without her. I breathe a deep sigh as I climb into bed, missing her even more by Sunday night. My eyes have just drifted shut when I hear my phone ping. Her face on the screen jolts me.
K: Open your window.
I don't need to be told twice as I fumble with the lock and swing open the pane. My parents were always so concerned with us getting down the latticework on the side of the bakery that I don't know if they had ever us considered climbing up it. She's managed to scurry up the side undetected so far, but I don't want to tempt fate.
I usher her to me and we fall back on to the bed in my cramped room, with her curled up at my side and the ice re-situated on my knee. Her braid tickles my nose.
"So, now that you've got up here, what are you going to do with me?" I ask as I breathe in the sweet jasmine of her shampoo.
She turns to me and rubs her temple to my forehead, "Something that can't get you hurt," she nuzzles her nose against mine and adds in a whisper, "like last time."
I kiss her and she sighs. A hearty, contented sigh that fills me with warmth and satisfaction, melting away anxieties from the last few weeks.
She lays out her plan for confronting her dad, interspersing her words with kisses. She wants to enter into a business arrangement with Gale and work as partners but not as man and wife. After all, their dads aren't married – and they made it work. She also wants to branch out, with archery lessons, into the high schools and college through NASP, like I showed her at the falls. She recognizes that her dad has taught her about loyalty her whole life, she just wants to apply it to herself – and he should be proud of her. She concludes her practice spiel but she's still thrumming with anxiety.
"Is there something else?" I ask and drop the melted bag of ice to the floor.
"Well, we were rudely interrupted the last time. And I'd like to finish what we started," she says as she swings her leg over to rest on top of me.
Caught off guard but never one to say 'no' to Katniss, I seal her proposition with a kiss. Her tongue probes my lips and ventures further until I have to peel back from her for breath. It feels so impossibly good to have her in my arms again that I know that I won't be able to be without her for long stretches of time.
As I break from her, I acknowledge, "We'll have to be really, really quiet. And my range of motion is somewhat limited with this knee brace."
Katniss scans her eyes up and down my body, her dark eyelashes fluttering while she sinks her teeth into her bottom lip.
"I'll just have to be on top, then," she assesses.
I want to bark out a laugh, but that would give us away to everyone else on the second floor. "Your favorite?" I ask.
"Hmmmm…I dunno," she teases. "Seems like we should have more time for me to pick a favorite, give each position a few more rounds before picking favorites and what not," she says with a glint in her eye.
My jaw drops wide open at the idea, and in an instant, her hand is there to lift it back up and scratch the few days' growth of scruff. She leans down to slant her mouth over mine in more unspoken promises.
My hands instantly dive for her hips, holding her to my rapidly swelling erection. She curls her body across mine, flexing her hips and rubbing me against her while our mouths stay fused. I ease one hand away to delve into her pants. I find her more than ready and my resulting groan causes her to pull away from me for a moment. I take the opportunity to taste my fingers. Damn.
She tries to rush out of her pants, pushing the waistband over her bare ass, but I slow her down to reduce any potential noise. I draw each of her legs out, skimming my fingers up and down her skin to awaken her senses. It's been a long few weeks without her, without this. I've missed the closeness, the intimacy of it all. She rises up to ease my own shorts down my legs. My eager erection slaps back up on my belly after the waistband clears it. She grabs me and positions herself directly over me. I am delirious with want for her, but I catch myself at the last minute.
"Condom," I sputter.
"Condom?" she asks and raises an eyebrow.
"Condoms from now on," I say, "just to be sure."
"Oh, um…where…?" she wonders aloud as she scans the room, still hovering over me.
"Closet, top right," I motion with my head to the door. She glides off of me and soundlessly pads over to the closet door. I'm rewarded with a perfect view of her legs and ass as she reaches up to the top shelf.
"I got them the other week and wasn't sure when we'd have a chance…and well, I wanted to hide them from my mom," I whisper across the room.
She returns with the box and crawls back atop of me. She peels open the box and grabs a square, handing it over to me. "Will it feel…different?" she asks in a low voice.
"Well, yeah, but if anything, I might last a little longer," I say as I rip open the foil and place the condom over my straining cock.
"I thought you were doing just fine," she adds with a small smile. She traces my ridges and veins through the thin latex and if I wasn't wearing it, I would probably lose it.
"It's slick," she gasps. "I guess I didn't expect it to be so slippery."
"It's supposed to help, but please, c'mere," I beg. She holds on to the head of my cock and tucks me into her. She releases a contented sigh into my neck as we finally reconnect.
"This, I've missed this," she breathes into my ear as she lifts up on my cock. I dip up into her with slow, measured thrusts, as to not rock the headboard or squeak the springs in my mattress. It's a different challenge to do this quietly. I'm encased by her legs, her ankles digging into my thighs. Her bounces are small and relaxed. I long to flip her, to pound away, though this leisurely pace is nice too.
She leans back and claps my hands in hers, our fingers threading together. She presses the heels of her palms into mine and rocks onto me harder. She sneaks her feet under my hips, propping them up for her to grind against and ride me. As she gets closer, she digs her teeth into her bottom lip hard to stay silent. I feel her body tense after a few more deep thrusts and her lip goes white against her teeth. She releases my hands and I reach for her hips to push up into her a few more times. I hold her in place as I feel myself let go and her reflexes kick in to squeeze me as I empty my load into the condom.
She eases off of me and I grab a few tissues from my bedside table for her. I roll up the condom into another tissue and drop it on the side of my bed. I reach for her to cuddle back into the warm space we created.
"So, when did you want to confront your dad? This week?" I inquire after we've caught our breath and put our pants back on, lest we be discovered.
"No, next Sunday. I need the week to hammer out details with Gale and to prep my mom and Prim," she says.
"How do you think your dad will handle it?" I ask.
"I don't know. Dad might recognize the situation as his own, or he might be blinded by his own pride and demented sense of loyalty," she supplies.
….
The first Sunday of August rolls around and I meet Katniss out front, as she's promised, and she leads me inside the shop. I've never been inside and my last memory of the parking lot is not a good one. Once across the threshold, I feel like I've stepped into an arena. I'm grateful that my knee is feeling better, in the event that I'll need a quick exit strategy.
As my eyes adjust to the low light, I'm immediately jolted by how big the interior seems, even though it's partitioned into different areas. It's a large warehouse, by my estimate nearly 30,000 square feet. The front third of the space is designated for retail, which I'm standing in right now. I'm surrounded by barrels of fluorescent-tipped arrows, while bows flanks the walls behind the counter – looks like an even mix of recurve and compound bows, with a few crossbows in the corner. The recurve bows are striking, even in this low light; obviously handcrafted with an eye for beauty. The compound bows look more militaristic in design, but adorned bright splashes of color in the strings and base. An autographed photo of Finnick Odair smiles down at me, mocking our current predicament.
We venturing further into the building, toward a shooting range and workshop in the back two-thirds of the space. I can hear someone in the workshop and the faint grinding of machinery. Katniss seems to be vibrating with nerves and anticipation. She stops to take three deep breaths; I know because I take them with her. I'm scared too. Mr. Everdeen has shown me no favors and we're about reveal our relationship to him. I don't have any lines in Katniss' script, but know that I'm going to jump in when needed.
I'm surprised when she turns to face me and her lips descend upon mine quickly. The kiss is much too short, though I'm not too keen to make out here anyway.
"I love you," she says.
"I love you too," I return.
"Let's go, then," she adds as she grabs my hand to drag us further into the building.
"Daddy? Dad, do you have a minute?" she asks.
"Katniss? For you, honey, I have more than that," he says and stops short once he spies me as part of that equation. His olive complexion pales and his smile drops.
"Brought your friend back, I see," he adds, eyeing our clasped hands.
"Yes, you've met Peeta Mellark," she says and gestures to me. I can see him stiffen at the mention of my last name, as maybe a reminder to the story Katniss shared about the deep history between our families. His posture shifts from open to defensive with just a slight turn. Still, Katniss plows ahead in her speech.
"I wanted to tell you that Peeta and I are in a relationship now, a real one. We are in love with each other and therefore my future cannot be with Gale. I will find a way to work together as partners with Gale when the time is right and I'm out of school," she begins.
"Like hell you are! Does your mother know about this?" he asks and throws his hands on his hips.
"Yes, she does and she's on my side, Dad – she thought it would be better for us to talk to you about this alone," Katniss reasons as she tightens her grip on my hand.
"She did, hun? So now you're in love? You haven't been dating him very long, as I seem to recall the last time he was here, it wasn't even a date," he says with mock air quotes before running his hand through his coal dark hair.
I see my chance to contribute and support Katniss. "With all due respect to your feelings on loyalty and obligation – I've had a crush on Katniss forever so I'm not going anywhere without her. She's my one duty," I state as I put my arm around her.
"Young men always think like that. Well, what happens in a year to your….crush? In two years? In five? How do I know that you won't move on to someone else?" He directs this at me and then turns to Katniss, "How do you know he'll still be around?" he badgers.
"I won't move one to anyone else. I'm with Katniss as long as she'll have me," I say, still keeping my arm braced around her.
"You're not pregnant are you?" he asks Katniss.
"No, Dad. I'm not pregnant," she scoffs. "Peeta is in my life, though, and I want you and the rest of the family to know him too," she pleads.
"Well, you know well enough that 'Mellark' isn't an acceptable name around here, Katniss," he says coolly.
"Why, Dad? Because it's not a Lenape name? Because of Mom? Because of your ancient history? Because she was engaged to—" she says as she take one step towards him.
"BECAUSE HE'S NOT ONE OF US, KATNISS!" he yells.
Katniss and I have all but backed out of the workshop and into the store section with his ranting and barely have enough time to process his cruel words.
"And if you're with him, then you're not with us," he says.
"But Dad—"
"No, Katniss, my mind is set. Pack your things and leave with this boy if you are so determined to be with him. You'll see. You'll come back," John says.
Katniss grabs my hand and swiftly turns to leave the shop.
…..
Out of everywhere in town, I've never actually been to the Everdeen home. I've always had a vague recollection of where it is, but haven't driven by at odd hours or anything.
After her dad's cold dismissal, I followed Katniss home to gather things and to be there if she needed me. Once we arrive, she stalls going inside, punching out text messages to Bristel, and securing a place to stay for a few days, or until we can figure something out for our future. Katniss wasn't counting on her dad kicking her out and we certainly do not have a plan B in place. Thankfully, Bristel will let Katniss crash since Madge isn't in town.
Katniss' mom comes out of the house first with a knowing look and wraps one arm around each of us. Katniss melts into the embrace; her exchange with her father must have shaken her up more than I realized.
Her mother pulls me aside and extends her hand. "I don't think we've formally been introduced, I'm Nora Everdeen," she offers. Her blue eyes and blonde hair mirror my own features much like Katniss was a reflection of her father earlier.
"Mom…" Katniss exclaims.
"No, she's right. It's nice to meet you, Nora," I say as we shake hands as a matter of formality.
"Katniss' father is wrong. I know your father, Peeta, and the kind of man he would have raised. You have my support and I'll work on John," Nora says.
"Thank you, Nora. Katniss is my whole world," I say.
"I know. And you're hers and in such a short few weeks. Though I think it's been a long time coming, has it not?" she asks, giving me the impression that my secret crush has not been very well concealed over the years.
"Yes ma'am, I suppose so," I reply.
"Katniss thought she was being so clever, finding reason to go to wrestling matches, but I could hear the tone of her voice change whenever your name was mentioned,"Nora continues.
I'm sure the look on my face matches my astonishment, but Nora doesn't divulge any more.
"Well then, come on, let's help her pack up her stuff – keep up this act that she's actually leaving for John's benefit. He'll come around real quick when he realizes she's gone," she says.
We transfer a few suitcases full of clothes and other belongings, enough to leave an empty space. Prim watches in amazement, half sad and half in disbelief.
"You're not really moving out, are you, Katniss?" Prim asks as we load the last suitcase into Katniss' trunk.
"We'll see, Little Duck, we'll see," Katniss says as she hugs he goodbye and tucks her blouse into her skirt. It's something I've heard and seen Katniss do after years and years of observation, but being this close cements the moment in my head. I've been following Katniss' lead all day mechanically, without it setting in yet. Not only had Katniss chosen Gale over me, but over her family too. The weight of her—of our—decisions is incredibly heavy. The sense that it's temporary is floating around in my head, but as the last of Katniss' belongings are packed, it all feels very much real. I watch Katniss release Prim from their last embrace and she takes my hand to lead us out of her home and into our future.
…..
We drive out to the old train yard. We need somewhere to talk and plan. Katniss was so convinced that her father would side with her that any alternative would be unthinkable.
"What do you want to do now?" I ask.
She shrugs her shoulders at me and shakes her head.
"In the short term, you're set at Bristel's house….but the long term Katniss, you need a back up plan if your dad won't let you move back home," I say.
Katniss nods, but I think she must still be pretty overwhelmed to speak.
"Do you want to stay here, finish school, and see each other on weekends?" I try again.
Her head snaps up at me, "No."
"Okay good, me neither," I reply.
"We could move in together," she says finally.
What? "Really?" I wonder aloud, "I mean, I had hoped we'd move in together eventually, but not this soon."
"I thought you'd want this," she says, shrinking away from me.
"I do, I do," I say as I pull her back to me," we'll have to figure out how and where and all that….but yeah, we could do it."
"Okay then, together?" she asks.
"Together," I echo.
…..
She sleeps at Bristel's but never seems to stop planning while I'm at work in the bakery. We come up with a new strategy hashed out over phone calls, internet research courtesy of the Tributeton Public Library, and text messages. Katniss will transfer her Tributeton Community College credits to the junior college near my school in Capitol City. We'll find a place to live together and both start with our business classes. Katniss even manages to set up an appointment for an interview with the NASP people the following Saturday morning. If she secures the position, she'll be able to teach archery as an extra-curricular credit to kids.
We leave town on Friday after I finish at the bakery, and make the drive to Capitol City.
"Remind me again why we're not taking my car? It's more economical, you see…." Katniss taunts.
"Because it would arouse my mother's suspicion if my car was in town all weekend and I wasn't here," I breathe out. The real reason is that I'm just not ready to deal with facing my own parents on this matter. Katniss' bravery gave me strength to do it. I just want to let things cool down and for us to have a solid plan before telling them.
"Okay, okay," she concedes. "We have a long list to knock out between housing, registration, and my NASP appointment."
"And what time is that?" I ask.
"Um…mid-afternoon sometime. I'll have to look at that email again to find out when and where," she says.
"Okay, so we start the morning at the student housing office, deal?" I offer.
"Deal. And then register, and then you'll go with me to my appointment?" she confirms.
We talk more about our options, and what she's been able to review online. It's apparent that she's more nervous about her job prospects while I'm worried about finding a place that will fit our budget. They go hand-in-hand, but we're both looking out for each other, protecting one another in our own little ways.
Checking into the campus lodging is different yet still as strange as it was back at the Cavern Lodge. The rooms are meant for visiting families so we get serious side-eye from the woman working the night desk.
I ring the desk bell and hear her growl as she slinks off her stool in the office. It looks like she was watching an old television set before we approached. I confirm our reservation with 'Tigris' as her name tag reads, and provide the appropriate credentials and cash. I can't help but feel wary about the woman's lack of sincere hospitality.
We finally get to our room and all but fall into bed. It's our first real night together but I think we're both too wound up for sex. I just want to hold her and let it sink in that this is still really happening.
Bright and early the next morning, we greet our escort, Effie Trinket, as her desk plate indicates. She's a brightly dressed woman that I've seen around a few times in the past couple of years helping students find apartments. Since I've been on campus and in the dorms, though, I haven't needed to deal with her directly.
"Welcome, welcome. I will be your escort and guide as we find you two lovebirds a home in Capitol City," Effie says.
"I've already bookmarked some places from what I could find online this week," Katniss continues, "but I'd like to be between both campuses and near to some green space." And a small smile breaks through her business-like demeanor.
I reach over and grab her hand, knowing this will be hard for her to start over and away from her family. I'm going to spend every moment possible letting her know that I appreciate her sacrifice.
"Good, good. Let's review your options, then, and see if I can lend you any more advice before we set off," Effie offers.
She takes us on a tour of apartments between the two campuses in Capitol City. Her services actually prove to be quite indispensable. We find a few one-bedroom apartments that we'll be able to afford with our combined savings from my bakery and her archery shop earnings, plus whatever Katniss' new salary through NASP ends up being—assuming she lands the job.
After leaving Effie, we grab a quick bite and navigate to Katniss' NASP appointment at the local elementary school. She's brought her recurve and compound bow for demonstrations, if necessary.
"Ms. Everdeen, I presume?" a tall man asks, upon us entering the school lobby.
"Yes, I'm Katniss – it's Tax, isn't it?" she returns as he gestures for her to follow him. She greets the rest of team and they usher her into the gymnasium for a private session.
I wait outside and pace the length of the hallway after I've read the NASP brochure about five times. At the opposite end there's a glass wall so that I can see the interior of the gym. Katniss appears to wrapping up the interview portion of the appointment and moving on to the demonstration. She reaches for her compound but ultimately grabs her recurve bow and quiver.
At first, she shoots at the standing targets, but it's clear that they offer no real challenge for her. Then the trainer starts throwing fake birds up the air for her to hit. I can hear the muffled praise coming from the trainers at the end of the gym. I've never seen here actually shoot for real, so this is a treat for me as well. They start to increase the number of decoys thrown in the air for her to two, three, and up to five at time. She's knocking all of them down, too. Once she's emptied her quiver, she's met with cheers and applause.
The gymnasium door opens from the inside and they're still clapping loudly and pride swells deep in my heart for her.
"Thank you for your consideration," Katniss says to the others upon her dismissal.
Once back in the truck, she shrieks with excitement. "Oh, Peeta! It was amazing! Did you see? I thought I saw you on the other side of the wall," she says.
"I did, I did – you blew them away!" I encourage.
"Well, I hope so, I mean…I feel like the interview was awkward and it's a big part of my job to be able to talk to kids, but then the demo went great – so I'm hopeful," she explains.
"When will you know?" I ask.
"They said they would call over the next few days," she replies.
Except it doesn't take a few days; they call during our dinner, which turns into a celebration. Katniss will work with the schools twice a week and a few weekend days of the month for tournaments.
"I guess we can call Victor's Village? And see if we can sign the lease tomorrow before heading home?" she asks.
"Yeah, I think they open the office at 10 on Sunday mornings. We'll get it worked out. Don't worry," I say.
"Thanks – yeah, there's just still too much going on. So many changes. I'm just trying to cross things off in my head," she adds.
"C'mon, then, let's finish dinner and go back to our room and rest," I say.
We get back to my campus and creep past Tigris to the elevator. We're exhausted from the day as we finally reach the room. We have just enough energy to strip down to our underwear and brush our teeth before climbing into bed. We fall asleep almost immediately.
I am awakened a few hours later by Katniss twitching beside me. She's emitting low, throaty wails as she begins to rock back and forth. I reach out to comfort her, hoping that's the right move, with this sleeping together thing being still pretty new to us. She stirs awake, and curls up in the fetal position.
"Oh, Peeta, thank god. It was a nightmare. It wasn't real," she whimpers.
"Not real," I echo and stroke her back. "I've got you, it was only a dream. What was it about?"
"My family," she says. "An accident took my dad and my sister. My mom then fell into a deep depression and I lost her too," she adds, still shaking. I quickly encase her in my arms, soothing her.
"It's because I left them, isn't it?" she asks in a small voice.
"Katniss, these are scary first steps, but they are our steps, to take together. Your dad will calm down. Your mom and sister are already on our side. There will be time for him to accept our relationship," I promise her.
We settle back into our nest of sheets and pillows. I place kisses on her shoulders to continue calm her. She snuggles back into my body. After a few minutes of more snuggling, she can probably feel me start to poke her. I can't help it. It's been a few weeks and with the extra stress of our situation, I haven't been taking matters into my own hands. She reaches behind her to take hold of my semi-hard cock, pulling it through the gap my shorts. Even blind to the visual cues, she knows my reactions well enough by now and I sense hers too. My palm skims her breasts, finding her nipples hardened. I reach down to her stomach and below to find her panties have begun to dampen.
Wordlessly, she shifts her hips, adjusts her underwear to the side, and pulls my tip to her entrance.
I move into her and slowly retreat. I push into her again and nibble at the crux of her neck and shoulders. She seems content with this slow pace, and we're not in any hurry after all. This is the slowest and gentlest I've ever been with her, even more so than the first time. She needs to know that I'll always be here for her. That's she always have me. I brush my fingers across her clit and feel the pleasurable groan in her chest.
"More," she whispers.
I maneuver my other hand between the mattress and her hip for leverage to stay in alignment while the other hand keeps her stimulated. She's bucking back harder into me now and I can feel her clamp down on me.
My eyes pop open when I feel my own orgasm building. "Shit, Katniss, no condom, I...I forgot," I grit through my teeth while I continue to pump into her.
"Peeta, I'm so close, don't pull out, just stay – it'll be fine, I need you," she struggles as she reaches back to cling to me.
"Katniss," I gasp, "you feel so good."
"Don't leave me. Keep, keep your hand there," she releases in little breaths. Her inner walls tug on me and I try to hold back until I can feel her entire body go rigid. I keep pushing through her tightened hold for a few thrusts before I'm pulled under myself. The rush of the day and the feel of her body are too much for me.
"I'm sorry I forgot—" I start.
"Shhh, it's fine. The timing is fine and I'm still on the pill," she explains.
"I know, I just wanted to keep you safe," I say. It's true, I do. We're in no position to start a family at this point when we're just beginning our life together.
She twists her face back to me and dots my eyes with kisses before saying, "With you, Peeta, I know I'm safe."
I smile and cradle her to me. I feel safe too.
We roll out of bed and get cleaned up before returning to sleep for a few more hours. We get lost in the luxury of sleeping together and stay in bed much later than usual. We drive home on Sunday afternoon, after signing the lease on the apartment in Victor Village.
"We'll need a bed, of course," Katniss smirks on the way home. "And new soft sheets. I want blue, too. No more white scratchy motel sheets for us," she says.
"Of course," I reply while my mind reels. We'll need to gather up furniture for our apartment. "We can check the Hob for a secondhand dining table, desk, and maybe a sofa. We'll work a new bed into the budget though," I promise.
"We'll make it work," she says and I agree.
She ends up spending most of the week tracking down items for us at bargain prices. Arranging deals with the shops to pick the stuff up in two weeks.
Katniss stays with Bristel for a week again in mid-August, the peak of the heat in the summer. I spend a lot of time thinking about how I'll tell my parents, about how this all started, and about where it goes from here. What I'm most excited to do is stop sneaking around town. I want to take our relationship public over the weekend but I want to ask Katniss first.
P: So I have something to ask you…
I give her a few minutes to reply.
K: Oh yeah?
P: Yeah, I'd like to ask you on a not-a-date-but-really-date-date.
K: You're silly.
I smile to myself and withhold the urge to send her an emoticon.
P: Is that a yes?
K: Well where are you going to take me?
P: Somewhere I can show you off.
K: Ah. Sae's then? Okay, I'll allow it.
P: I love you.
K: I love you too, good night.
We make quite the entrance at Sae's on Friday night, in full view of a glowering Gale and both of my brothers, all jaws dropped in disbelief – I'm not sure if it's seeing us together, or just Katniss. She looks incredible tonight, in a black sweater that hangs off her shoulders. She's left her hair down loose from its usual braid and has on a pair of earrings I haven't seen her wear before.
Gale approaches us, eyeing her up and down. I still don't like the way he looks at her. His demeanor is a few degrees above simmering too, I wonder if he didn't expect us to go through with it. They stand there, face-to-face, but not meeting each other's eyes from my viewpoint.
"I heard Loverboy didn't go over so well with the family," Gale finally says.
"Just Dad," she answers. "It's just Dad that cannot make peace with this," she clarifies.
"And me," Gale says and Kantiss draws away from him. "I could taken care of you. Been a better fit for the family," he continues.
"No Gale, this would have happened anyway. You and I are too similar and we wouldn't have made a good match," Katniss reasons.
"So, it's done then?" Gale asks, "You're really with him now?"
"Yes and we are moving away in two weeks to start business classes at Capitol City Community College," she supplies.
"That's a little fast, don't you think?" Gale asks.
"Well my options are limited here and I want to be with Peeta. Besides, I'm going to teach archery as well to school kids there. Once Peeta and I have graduated, you and I can put our management plan in motion before our dads retire."
Gale touches her cheek and leaves, just in time for Piers and Paul to step in front of Gale.
"Katniss, allow me to formerly introduce you to my brothers, Paul and Piers," I say. She smiles through the introductions while my brothers continue to pepper me with questions.
"Whoa man, how long has this been going on?" Paul asks.
"Mom's gonna flip out," Paul says.
"You're not going to tell her, are you?" I ask.
"Hell no, man. That's all you. If someone else doesn't tell her first," Piers warns.
"I'll deal with it later," I say and steer away from them to an open table.
Over dinner, we decide to return to the falls on Sunday. "Hiking will be good for my cramps, anyway," she jokes.
"Cramps, hun? Well, I guess that knocks out my plans for later," I jibe back to her.
"Yep, I just want ice cream and maybe a movie. Can we do that instead?" she asks.
"Of course," I say.
…...
"I kinda liked it when it was just us," she admits about halfway down the trail the next morning.
"Just us?" I ask.
"Yeah, without all of these other opinions and questions" she adds.
"So, you don't like being open to others about us?" I tread carefully.
"No, it's just different," she continues. "I liked our private time better. I don't like sharing you with others," she explains.
"Well it won't be too long before it's only us," I remind her.
"Too true," she replies.
When we reach our regular spot, there's barely enough water to splash around in, let alone swim. We wade around for a little while to cool off and rest in the shade.
We enjoy our quiet time before our move and school kicks our lives into high gear.
Since being out with Katniss in town, I've been increasingly nervous each time I enter my own home. I draw out the task of coming home a little more and Sunday night is no different. I know my brothers won't tell on me, but who know about the other gossips in town. Maybe it won't be such a big deal to others.
After I get home from dropping Katniss off at Bristel's house, I'm confronted by my parents before I can even reach the stairs.
"Is it true? That you've been out with that Lenape trash?" my mom fires off. The way she's wavering on the bottom step confirms that she's been into the bottle of white liquor Dad keeps stashed in the cupboard.
"Edith, stop," my dad says from the hallway.
I sigh and turn to face them, knowing that this was coming, and I'm grateful Katniss isn't here.
"First of all, you will not refer to my girlfriend with crude names, Mom. And yes, Katniss and I are in a relationship," I tell them and add, "and we're moving in together in Capitol City while we finish school."
"That's fast. Where you even going to tell us?" she snaps. "Or just wait for gossip to spread?"
"When have you ever noticed anything I've done anyway? I've been in love with Katniss most of my life. We finally started talking this summer and she's my girlfriend now. Furthermore, we're going to start a life together. Would it be so hard for you to be happy for me?" I yell.
"It wouldn't be, if it were any other girl," she gripes.
"You sound just like her father," I return.
"Well, maybe we're the only two with any sense between us," she says.
"Or maybe you're the only two that can't see what everyone else can clearly see," I spit back at her.
I'm met with a harsh glare from her and eyes of understanding from my father. They exchange a hard glance too when she clears her throat to speak again.
"Look, Peeta, we will continue to pay for school, but I won't allow one penny to support your new living arrangement," my mom says in disgust.
"I don't need you to, Mom, I have my savings," I say.
"Good," she replies and stomps up the stairs to slam her door shut.
My dad moves forward to rest his hand on my shoulder. "If you ever need help just call, Peeta. She'll come around," he says, but even I can't be sure of that.
I think there's a better chance of Katniss' dad changing his mind before my mother changes hers.
…
It rains all that week and business is slow at the bakery. I manage to avoid my mother while beginning to pack up my stuff. These late August summer rains have undoubtedly refilled the streams. I hope the water has reached Parachute Falls and our pool.
Katniss and I drive to the archery shop early Sunday morning, hoping to catch it unoccupied, for the kayak and gear. Katniss has to go inside for paddles and life vests, I follow close behind. I don't like being here again, but the lure of getting back on the water one more time is strong. We stop when we hear voices inside the building. We edge a little closer and it sounds like her parents talking in the workshop.
"John, you know Katniss and Peeta were seen out and about in town and no one is making a big deal about it. It's just two kids in love. Times have changed," Nora pleads with him. "She's older than we were when we decided to elope, and she's got a level head on her shoulders. She's going to think it through."
His deep sigh echoes throughout the building.
"You're right, Nora," floats in, in the smallest whisper.
"Besides, do you really want your pride to stand in the way of seeing her happy?" Nora asks.
Katniss motions for me to back up, but my heavy tread gives us away. I step back onto a creaking board and our position is given away in the store.
John takes his head out of his hands to make eye contact with Katniss. He calls out for us to come forward. He clears his throat, "Katniss, Peeta…I've reconsidered my opinion. Katniss can stay at home, but she needs to graduate first before she can move in with you," he says.
Katniss tries to interject, but he waves her off. "The last two weeks have put the fear of God in me, Katniss. You're growing up so fast. I know I won't see you every day but the radio silence from the last two weeks has been unbearable," he admits.
"Oh Dad, me too," Katniss says as she crosses the distance to hug him. I take a few steps closer but do not want to intrude on their reconciliation. "I'm so happy you've changed your mind. I need to tell you though, we've already signed a lease on our apartment together, in Capitol City," Katniss says.
John flinches at this news.
"I'm already registered for classes, and have a position with NASP for the schools close to our new home in Capitol City. This is what I want. I won't be far. I'll be ready to be Gale's business partner once I finish school, on my terms," Katniss says.
"Okay, Katniss," John concedes, "you win."
"Dad…it's not about winning. There are no winners," Katniss reasons, "Peeta and I love each other – just like you and mom do, and this is the way for us to be together while still achieving our goals."
John's face softens and he pulls her to him for another hug.
"I've seen the change in you over the last few months. You're absolutely radiant," he observes.
"Thanks, Dad – I am very happy," Katniss says and my own heart skips to see them embracing one another.
"Okay, will you please move back home for the short while before you leave town for school?" John asks.
"I can do that, Dad, but classes start at the end of August, so I won't be here for long," Katniss replies, "but for Prim, for you, I'll do it."
"Thank you, Katniss," he says as he visibly deflates, all of the fight leaving his system, "You two get out of here – I'm sure you didn't plan on spending all morning in the shop," John says.
"No sir," I say.
"Now c'mon, Peeta, you're taking my eldest away from me. You can call me 'John'," he says and I'm not quite sure if it's a joke or not, until Katniss and Nora start laughing.
"Okay, good. Well we gotta go pick up Prim, she stayed at Posy's last night," Nora says.
I take this as our sign to leave, with all of the pleasantries being dispensed.
…
We load the gear and boat before heading out to Parachute Falls. We grab some headlamps in case we need them to light the path back up the trail since we're getting a later start and want to spend as much time together as possible.
We have the rest of the day to ourselves. We plan a day-long picnic. We eat. We lie in the sun. I sketch while she weaves with vines dragged off of trees. No one bothers us. By late afternoon, we're lying in the boat, with her head in my lap. I tell her that I want to freeze this moment. Katniss has reconciled with her dad but her life has already been realigned with mine. I think about our lives together, living together, cooking together, even mundane tasks like grocery shopping. All of it.
The blue bow of the kayak is pointed towards the sunset, pointed towards our future.
…..