I'm so sorry for the long wait. I started doing but had to erase it all, re-starting a new one.
I don't THG characters or The Little Mermaid. Enjoy!
We gaze into each other's eyes.
His' shine with so many emotions. Countless. I think mine are the same because he has this huge smile on his face. We're face to face, holding hands while the priest recites some words.
The dock looks like home. The four wood columns on each side of the dock have colourful shells wrapped around them. The top of the columns hold emerald, light blue and gold see-through tissues that move with the sea breeze and from one edge to the other, there's a long cream carpet. People are lined along the dock. All with smiles. I see Effie holding an handkerchief, cleaning the tears that fall down her cheeks. But there aren't only people on the dock. In the water, dozens of merpeople are also witnessing this moment. I can see two of my sisters, Johanna and Delly. Johanna isn't one for touchy-feely things but she's giving me a gentle smile. On the contrary, Delly looks ready to shout and swim in happy circles.
I feel a tight squeeze on my hands. I return my eyes to Peeta. He mouths "your turn" and holds my hands comfortably.
I focus again on the priest and when he asks the question, I smile and say "yes". Peeta doesn't waste any time and kisses me. His warm hands rest on my face, still holding mine. His lips feel so soft and gentle moving with mine even though he's kissing me like he doesn't want the moment to end.
This isn't the first time he has kissed me. The first was an awkward moment.
I was walking down the staircase just when Peeta and Finnick appear around the corner. Finnick was laughing and Peeta had a stern look on his face. Finnick must have said something that make him uncomfortable. They both stop when Finnick sees me.
"Hello, little mermaid." Finnick calls. After he found out I was a mermaid, he started calling me that. "Isn't this a coincidence? Peeta and I were just talking about you."
I raise an eyebrow and look at Peeta. He is avoiding my eyes. Did I do something wrong?
"I was just saying I haven't seen you two together in a while." He continues.
"Finn." Peeta warns.
"What are you talking about? Peeta and I are always together." I say.
Finnick shakes his head. "That's not what I meant. Together as in holding hands or... kissing."
I feel my cheeks getting warm.
"Darn you, Finn." Peeta curses.
"What?" Finnick says innocently.
"Uh..." I'm speechless. Peeta and I have been together for one week. We should have kissed already but I guess the right moment still hasn't come. "We still haven't." I whisper.
"Peet, you two are in love. You should have already kissed." Finnick advises. "You know how I worry about you. I don't want to see my best friend unhappy."
"I'm not... unhappy." Peeta says slowly.
"Well then, go ahead and kiss your girl." Finnick encourages.
I just stare at Peeta. From the corner of my eye, I can see Finnick smirking. He's enjoying Peeta's discomfort. He's staring right back at me, searching my eyes. I haven't moved from the step I'm on. He takes a deep breath and then climbs four steps, stopping at the one below mine, putting us eye to eye. He rests his trembling hands on my waist, never breaking eye contact. I smile at him and he takes this as an encouragment. He leans and kisses me. He doesn't move, just rests them on mine. I close my eyes and savor the feel of his warm lips on mine.
"Wasn't that easy?" Finnick breaks us apart.
We both look at him. He's smiling knowingly.
"I'll leave you both alone." He turns around and walks away.
I look at the carpeted staircase. I can't even look at Peeta. I just want to go after Finnick and punch him. He has no right to get in between mine and Peeta's life. So what if we still haven't kissed? Peeta moves his hands to my low back and pulls me to him. I rest my hands on his shoulders and look into his eyes. I love his eyes so much. It reminds me of home even though I chose to remain an human for eternity.
Suddenly Peeta smiles and starts laughing.
"What's so funny?"
"The look on your face tells me you are planing to kill Finnick." He says in between laughs.
"Maybe I am. Next time, he'll drown." I smile.
I'm not mad at Finnick anymore and I have to thank him because after that, in every possible moment Peeta had, he would kiss me.
We break away and everyone cheers. Peeta puts his arm around my shoulders and smiles at the people. I look at the water, trying to find my father but I only hear the sound of tromphets. I see my father emerging from the water. Everyone is quiet. I guess it's because they never saw the King of Atlantis. He looks magestic, as always. He stops in front of the dock, looking at me while I step forward. We look at each other, without speaking. My father, after my mother died, closed on himself and showed little emotions. To look at me, with a proud gaze, it's the closest thing to an emotional demostration I'll have with him. I'm going to miss him. I was foolish to think all the words about not following the rules were his way to keep me locked up in the palace, not explore the outside but I know it was his way to protect me. I'm too precious to lose.
Without warning, I wrap my arms around his neck and hug him tightly. He does the same.
"I love you, dad." I whisper in his ear.
We pull away and I smile at him. My eyes feel heavy and when I touch them, some tears fall. I move back to Peeta's side and put my arm around his waist. He rests his on my shoulders. My father smiles at me and then looks at Peeta. I look up at Peeta to see him nod. He looks down at me and smiles. I smile back and he places a gentle kiss on my forehead, making me close my eyes. I open them and look at my father. He smiles gently, turns around and dives into the water. Some merpeople dive too, leaving only my sisters and Gale. Haymitch, whom I only caught a glimpse, left with my father but he'll come back later. My father has made him stay with me at night. I don't think that's necessary and also because he's always sending little stern glances at Peeta. He'll warm up to Peeta in no time. Everybody does.
Peeta gives me one last look before leaving me to talk, privately, with my sisters and Gale. I kneel on the dock, to have a closer touch with them.
"Oh Katniss..." Delly sheds a few tears. "I'm so happy for you." I chuckle.
"Delly, get a grip." Johanna scoffs. "It's just a wedding."
"It's our little sister's wedding and specially with a human." Delly smiles. "You have to tell me how you met him."
"Don't pry on other people's life, Delly." Madge scolds. She smiles at me. "We are very happy for you."
"Thank you, Madge." I say. "And you'll tell you some day, Delly."
"You know, Brainless, I never though you were the romantic type. Always with that scowl on your face, no merman would get two feet near you." Johanna teases.
"Always lightning the mood, Johanna." I roll my eyes.
"I'll only say this once." She turns seriously. "I would trade my life just to have you as my little sister." I think I see her containing her emotions and, specially, her tears.
"I love you too, Johanna." She gives me a tight smile and dives into the water.
"Where's Annie, Prim and Rue?" I ask Madge and Delly.
"Prim and Rue are over there." I look up to see them talking with some kids from the village. "And Annie is there." I look behind my shoulder and see a kneeling Finnick talking with a blushed Annie. I smile knowingly. So that's why he asked the question.
I look down at Madge and Delly again. They wish me luck and all the best wishes and then leave, with a promise to visit. They left me alone to talk to Gale. He isn't smiling.
"Do you really want this, Katniss?" He asks. Didn't I already explained this to him?
"Of course."
"He looks like a nice man but I still don't trust humans that much. Everyone can't be like him." He says.
"What are you worried about, Gale?" I ask. "I made my decision. No one is going to hurt me. I know Peeta loves me too much to do that."
He takes a deep breath. "I guess I'm jealous." I stare at him.
"You're jealous of Peeta?" I ask incrediously.
"It's just... Now you aren't a mermaid so you can't come and discover treasures like we did." He confesses. "I'm just afraid you'll forget me."
"You're my best friend, Gale. You'll always be important to me." I smile.
He sighs, relieved. "Alright." He smiles. "I'll leave so you can return to your wedding." I laugh and get up, straightening my white dress. The skirt, with some emboidery, isn't too full and reaches the ground, the corset hugs my torso, the neckline is straight and two small sleeves cover my shoulders. I wave until he disappears and turn around, searching for Peeta in the sea of people along the dock. He emerges from a group of people talking and laughing. I smile immediately when he stops in front of me.
"You look so beautiful surrounded by all these ornaments." He puts his arms around my back while I rest my hands on his shoulders. I grin and move my hand to touch his face.
"Have you seen Finnick?" I ask him.
He looks behind his shoulder and we see Finnick still talking with Annie. "That's my sister, Annie."
"He does seem caught her in her. Must be some mermaid enchantment." He looks back at me.
"What?"
"Like the one you put on me." He jokes.
"I..." I shake my head. "Which one did I put on you?"
"Your beautiful voice." He smiles and kisses me, sealing our destiny together.
So that's the end of my Disney stories. I hope you all liked them. Thank you for the awsome favourites and followers and amazing reviews. For your ideas but I would also like to thank, specially, to TributeAndProud and Jade R. Manning. You rock! Completely. Your reviews for each chapters always made me super happy :)
I think I'll take a little break and then I'll come back with a new story, next year.
CATCHING FIRE PREMIERES TODAY! I just want to say... You lucky bastards! I wish I lived in the USA. I have to wait until next Thursday, 28 (MY BIRTHDAY!) for it to premiere here in Portugal but I'll only see it Friday :_(
Ok enough chit-chat. Thank you all for your support *bows*