Katniss-
At some point during the night, Dan and Rye came back. Either them, or Mr. Mellark, brought a blanket to me and covered up Peeta as well. I was still holding his hand and could feel his warm breath on my hair. It was still very early, the sun wasn't even out but Mr. Mellark was there, mixing something in a large metal bowl.
Suddenly very aware of my current position, I stood and adjusted my sleep clothes. "Good morning, I, um, fell asleep. I'm sorry, He did wake up for a minute last night but fell back asleep after a second. He didn't seem like he was in any pain." I feel like I should be apologizing, technically he is my patient right now.
"No need to say sorry, you watched over him. Thank you for staying, I was in no shape to – um, I wouldn't have known what to do. Your mother is a fine woman; I knew her when we were younger." His face seems sad when he's thinking about her. I wonder what happened. They did seem very familiar last night when they were together. "When Rye and Dan gets up, we can get Peeta up to his room. I'm sure his bed would be more comfortable than this wooden table."
I look back at Peeta, laying on the table in just his pants covered in flour and blood. "Of course, would you like me to make you some tea? Or some breakfast? I'm not sure if Mrs. Mellark normally does those things for you."
Mr. Mellark scoffs, "No Katniss, we Mellark men have been taking care of ourselves for a while now." He's smiling, but I'm sure that hurts. I know how it feels to not have anyone to care of you. "Why don't you get changed and I'll make us something to eat. The boys can fend for themselves since they want to stay out all night, doing who knows what."
This makes me smile and I head upstairs to the family bathroom to get changed. Everything is so clean, despite having three grown sons living there. Maybe Mrs. Mellark is a better house keeper than she is a wife. After I wash my face and re-braid my hair, I slip the night clothes that I wore into the hamper. One of the main differences between my house and theirs, they have electricity all day. Because they run a business and live in the upstairs quarters, they have an exception.
I flip off the light and run straight into Rye's bare chest as I turn around the corner. He immediately turned red. "I'm sorry Kat! You just surprised me, we don't have many girls running around our apartment." He nervously laughed. Did he call me Kat?
"No, I - I'm sorry. I was just changing. Sorry, go ahead."
"Hey Kat, thanks for taking care of Peeta. He never deserved this, he never deserves what she does to him."
"D-does this happen often?" I can see his eyes starting to gloss over with tears and I can feel mine burning too. "Wh- Why would she do this to him?"
"This is probably the worst that has happened in a while, she broke his ribs a few years back after he burnt that bread on purpose for- "His eyes meet mine and they widen, he tries to take it back immediately. "Katniss, I'm sorry. He told me a long time ago. He wanted to help you so bad, he felt bad that he couldn't do more."
"Sorry I startled you, Rye. I'll see you down stairs." I brush the tears from my eyelashes. That's twice that I've heard from the Mellark boys that Peeta has spoken about me. In spite of being completely embarrassed, I can't help but feel a smile on my face. I guess Peeta does remember the bread.
Mr. Mellark made breakfast and we talked about my squirrels. He kept passing me sweet bread with cream and sugar. There were eggs, pieces of dry meat and all the pastries that I could stomach. They even had coffee. I tried drinking it black, like Mr. Mellark, but he just laughed as I scrunched my nose. Then he mixed some cream, sugar and cinnamon in with it. It was so smooth and delicious, probably the most amazing thing that I have ever tasted.
Once Rye finally came downstairs, with a shirt on this time, he and Mr. Mellark picked Peeta up and took him upstairs. After some complaining about the huge breakfast spread that only I was privy to, he helped me clean up the table that Peeta had been on.
I like Rye, He was really funny, very vulgar but I could truly tell that he cared about his family. At one point I could hear him pleading with his father to make 'her' stay away this time, he was almost or possibly was in tears. When they came back to where I was sweeping up the flour and bloody bandages, I just pretended like I hadn't heard anything.
I knew my mother was going to be along shortly, it must have been a bad birth since she was so late.
"Katniss, um, Mrs. Mellark won't be staying here for a while and honestly I could use some help with Peeta and the shop. If your mother doesn't mind, would you please stay to watch over him for us?" He must have seen the shock on my face, "I will gladly pay you when you're here, and send bread home with you as well."
"Oh, um – Of course I will stay. You don't have to pay me to help" Gosh, I'm blushing in front of Peeta's dad. "I'm sure the bread would be enough. Thank you so much for the offer, I know my mother would appreciate it."
"Nonsense, you are doing us a favor. We should be thanking you and I most definitely WILL be paying you for your time. Why don't you go home and ask your mother? If she will allow it, bring back some things with you for a couple of days."
"Yes sir. Thank you again Mr. Mellark."
"Please, call me Wheaton – or Wheat," now he is blushing, I wonder if he offered because that is what my mother calls him. "I've also packed a bag of some things that I would like for you to take to your mother and please tell her thank you."
"Yes sir, I'll be back in just a bit. I should be back before he wakes."
Mother is sitting at our kitchen table with her bag when I come in the door.
"Katniss, I was just about to head into town. Is everything ok at the bakery?
"Yes, Mr. Mellark sent this to you. He did ask if I could stay with them for a couple days since Mrs. Mellark moved- um, since she won't be there for a while. Would that be alright?" Secretly I hope she says yes, for some reason I want to be there when he wakes up and to take care of him. But, I can't let her know that. "He also offered to pay me while I was helping in the shop."
"Yes, of course, he needs supervision. I was looking through some old medical journals and I believe he has a concussion, which is bruising on his brain. When he wakes, he might have trouble remembering and it would be nice for him to have someone to talk to. I'll send another syringe, more morphling with you, and some herbs for the laceration as well something for Mr. Mellark. I know this is taking its toll on him too." I can see she is worried about him, wait… is it Peeta or 'Wheat' that she is worried about?
"Yes ma'am, I am going to wash up and get some things together before going." I head up the stairs and find Prim still asleep, they must have been out late because she normally is the first to wake- except when I am heading out to hunt.
I pick out a night dress, the bakery is hot but I don't want to wear anything too short. Where will I be sleeping? I bring along my toothbrush, which is one of the only toiletries that they pass out to everyone at school, a couple of outfits, 2 pairs of my white panties. Most of the time I don't wear a bra, they cost too much and my boobs aren't too big for it to be necessary. I have one that used to be my mothers, with lacy cups and a clasp in the front. I don't want to sleep at the Mellark house without any undergarments on, so I toss it in my bag as well.
When I come back downstairs, my mother stops me on the way out. She hands me a bag of supplies, but she looks concerned. "Katniss, while you're there…please, um, be careful." Clearly she can see the confusion on my face, "I've heard things about those Mellark boys and well, I don't worry about you so much... as I do them being around you."
"Mom! I don't even know them; besides I wouldn't do that!" She is clearly embarrassed by the look on her face and well, so am I. Has she heard those things about Peeta? That makes me curious.
"Of course, dear. You're a beautiful young women and well, they are young men. I know you can handle yourself." At least she trusts me more than Gale does. If she only knew that I have thought about Peeta in that way too, she'd never allow me to go.
"Bye mother, I will send word if anything happens while I'm there. Um, I mean with Peeta…Ah, with his injury." Clearly my face glowing. I quickly leave the house to avoid any more embarrassment.
Back at the bakery, Mr. Mellark has made bread and muffins. I could smell them when I was coming over the hill to the back door. I told him that my mother was very appreciative of the food that he sent home with me and that she always has nice things to say about him, he quickly changed the subject.
"I've had Rye change out his sheets, he will be staying in Dan's room and you can stay there with Peeta." I must look surprised possibly terrified. "if you are comfortable with that?"
"Yes, I'm sorry, of-of course. That way I will be there if he wakes up and needs me – um, needs anything." I don't think he is too concerned with my stuttering because Rye immediately pipes up after me.
"You never let girls in my room! And Peeta gets to have one stay the night?!"
With a smirk, "Well Rye, Peeta doesn't sneak girls upstairs and fuck them when he thinks I'm busy in the front of the bakery." That makes me feel a little more at ease with what my mother said, maybe Rye is the one she's 'heard' about.
Rye is completely speechless and I can't help but giggle as he runs his hands through his hair. Do all the Mellarks do that? I saw Mr. Mellark do it too, when he was with my mother last night. "Ah, come on Kat…I'll take you upstairs." Mr. Mellark gives me a wink and a smile as he watches us go up.
"Hurry up Rye, I need you down here while I'm up front today."
Peeta-
My head is throbbing from the nightmare I was having. I was in The Hunger Games. My leg was cut so badly; I could smell the infection. Katniss was there too; we were huddled together in a safe spot. She kissed me, I was so happy. Then, she had to get medicine for me. When she finally got to it, there were mutts, these dog-like animals with fangs, I yelled and yelled for her. I couldn't move because my leg was cut in half, the blood filling the cave that I was in. It was suddenly shut off and I drowned in my own blood. I was screaming and gasping for another breath. Yelling because I lost her, after I just found her.
When I reached up to my head, I can feel the stitches and the dried blood in my hair. I must have been moaning or yelling because my throat is so dry. It feels like I've been asleep for ages and I'm starving. The bed shifts under me and I turn, she's there. It's like she was waiting for me, right there on the edge of my bed; her side is flush up to mine. The only thing between us is the bed sheet. I can feel her hand on my sweaty face, moving the curls that are stuck to my forehead.
"Peeta, are you alright? You were yelling, I think you might have a fever. Tell me how you feel... I can get you some morphl-"
"Katniss, you're here? Have you been here the whole time? I'm so happy to see you."
"You are?" she truly sounds surprised. "I, um, yes. I helped a little in the bakery and at bed time, I came up to check on you. Rye is staying with Dan and I'm sleeping in Rye's bed."
She sits there with me, stroking my forehead down my neck and her hand finally settles on my bare chest. I don't think she realizes it. But, I certainly do. I can't help but look over every inch of her. She's taken her braid down and her hair is in waves from being up all day, her face looks flushed and warm. The way her nightgown hangs on her thin shoulders and falls over the curve of her breasts, barely showing her nipples that are almost hard. Her shirt is askew and hiked up from sitting sideways on my bed. I can almost see between her legs and I wish I could feel the warmth from her pussy on me.
If she were to turn, she would see how hard I am. Does she know what I'm thinking? I can see her clenching her thighs together. She seems lost in thought, but I swear I can see her breathing speed up and her chest moving up and down more quickly. The longer she sits there with her fingers mindlessly running over a scar on my chest from years ago, I can feel myself getting hard from her soft skin touching mine and the tease of her cotton panties below her shirt. I shift the blankets and try to sit up so she doesn't notice my growing erection. When I'm in a sitting position, my head starts to pound.
"Ugggh!" I grab my head and rest my forehead on her shoulder. She's so warm and soft. The blood is rushing to my head and I feel like throwing up. Her arm wraps around my chest and lays me back against the pillow.
"Peeta, you have to rest. You, um, hit your head really hard. You have a concussion."
"I didn't hit my head, Katniss. My mom, my mother…she h-h-hit me, in the hea…" I couldn't finish before the sobs start coming. I'm so embarrassed, all I can do is try to cover my face so she can't see me. "Katniss, pl-please go. I'm so sor-sorry. Don't look at me like this."
She starts to stand up and I think that she is leaving, instead she asks me to scoot over. Being so upset, I just do what she says. She gently lifts the sheets up and slides in beside me. Her long tan legs gleam in the moonlight, she lifts my hands from my face and puts her forehead to mine. She gently wipes the tears from my cheeks, being careful not to touch my fresh stitches. My hand settles on her hip bone. I'm aching to touch her – just to be closer to her. She gives a small gasp and moves her face away from mine. Yanking my hand away, I can still feel how thread-bare her night gown is. I could almost feel her skin and her heat underneath it.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to touch you… I- I wasn't thinking. It's just that you're so close." Instantly, I regret saying it…knowing that she must think I sound crazy.
"I-It's okay, you just surprised me. Peeta, I was so worried when I showed up at the back door and you were bleeding." Her voice sounds so sad and desperate. "We don't have to talk about your mom. Please know that you didn't deserve this." She placed the softest kiss on my cheek, right below my cut.
My erection was just coming down, but when her lips touched my cheek and her hand slid down the muscle on my arm. It took all of my composure not to press my hard dick into her thigh. My face feels flush and I start to breathe hard, she must think something is wrong. She puts the back of her hand to my forehead and I see her face scrunch up. The only thing that I'm worried about is my dick accidentally rubbing her leg, or coming on myself because she is in my bed.
"Are you hungry? You've been asleep for almost a day… let me, at least, get you some herb tea to make sure you don't get an infection." I don't want her to go, not even for a second.
"Okay, please get some bread for us, too." She nods and turns to head downstairs. "Katniss, when you come back…will you stay with me?" She looks back at me, smiling.
"Always."