A/N: Thanks for reading the last chapter! Enjoy this one!
Disclaimer: I don't own!
Katniss's POV – Tension
After a few more days in bed, Peeta and I decided to get up.
"Let's be a married couple, Katniss Mellark." He said smiling broadly as he used my new name.
"What should we do, honey?" I asked.
Peeta thought for a minute, "Let's go bake together."
I nodded, "That is a great idea."
From there, we both dressed; Peeta watching me and I turned my back as Peeta was dressing. It was odd, even though we were married and I had seen him naked… I still didn't want to see him naked. Did that make since? No. It didn't.
"Still so pure." Peeta kissed my forehead after he was dressed. Then, Peeta intertwined our fingers and led me downstairs; we went straight to the kitchen.
"What would you like to make?" I asked, once we were in the kitchen.
Peeta looked around, thinking and then he shrugged, "Let's just make some cheese buns. I have always wanted to teach you how."
"That sounds great." I nodded smiling as he pulled out the right cooking tools and ingredients.
"Come here, love. I am not going to do this by myself." Peeta grinned, motioning me over to him.
I walked over to the counter, where Peeta was standing, and stood in front of the cutting board as Peeta wrapped his arms around me from behind. Momentarily, we both forgot that we were supposed to be cooking as he traced the waist band of my pants and kissed my neck.
"Peeta…" I half scolded-half moaned to him.
Peeta chuckled against my neck, "Well we are still on our honeymoon."
I giggled as he sucked on a sensitive spot on my neck, "I thought you wanted to bake."
That seemed to knock him out of his turned on mood, "Right, let's bake you some cheese buns."
Peeta's hands guided me through everything as he laid them over mine and told me were to move them and what to do.
"Now, make them into as big of piece's as you want to," Peeta shrugged, "or as small of pieces as you want to."
"I don't know how to..." I trailed off looking at the dough on the cutting board.
"Here." Peeta whispered in my ear, placing his hands over mine again, and started to help me.
After that, we made the cheese buns shape, placed them in the oven, and Peeta put it on the proper heat and time. Peeta leaned back against the oven, crossed his arms over his chest, and smirked at me.
"I told you it wasn't that hard." Peeta said smugly.
"I suppose not." I grinned, uncrossing his arms from his chest, walking into them, and placing them around my waist. I sighed contently, looking up at his handsome face, "I like being right here."
Peeta smiled at me, "I love you being here." He tightened his arms around me.
"You are so cute." I spoke my thoughts and then blushed with embarrassment.
Peeta grinned again and leaned down to kiss me. The kiss was soft at first but started to get aggressive, his arms around me tightened and they started to hurt me. I whimpered, coming out of the kiss and looked up into his eyes. Peeta's blue eyes were now black and his beautiful face filled with love was now filled with disgust and he pushed me away from him.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" He yelled at me.
Oh no, an episode! What do I do? Haymitch... should I get him? Would he know what to do? I thought.
"Peeta..." I whispered, completely not knowing what to do.
"DON'T TALK TO ME, YOU MUTT!" Peeta screamed, coming towards me with a spatula; raising it as if to hit me.
"Peeta, not real; it is not real." I pleaded with him, walking around the island in the kitchen in an effort to stay away from him.
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" Peeta yelled.
"Please, Peeta. Come back to me. I am not the monster in your memories," I pleaded fearing it would be too late, "it is me, your wife. Katniss, remember?"
"GET OVER HERE!" Peeta yelled trying to hit me with a spatula and a rolling pin.
"Peeta, please!" I begged desperately, "Come back to me, Peeta!"
"WHY DON'T YOU COME OVER HERE SO I CAN HURT YOU?" Peeta yelled, throwing the spatula at my head, and I dodged it.
"Not real!" I screamed, stopping in my place. "I am not going to run from you Peeta, I am your wife, I am going to help you through this! I love you please!" I realized I was crying. "Not real! Not real!"
"YOU MUTT!" Peeta came in front of me, staring into my eyes; preparing to watch me as I fell from him hitting me with the rolling pin. His eyes, little by little, were coming back into navy blue; not azure like I was used to, but navy into indigo blue.
Then, I threw my arms around his neck; kissing him hard on the lips. Peeta pulled back at first, but I was persistent, not letting go until I simply had to come up for air. Peeta's eyes were closed when I pulled back, and he dropped the rolling pin. I stroked his face while he slowly came back to me.
"Stay with me, Peeta." I whispered as I stroked cheek.
Peeta's eyes opened, now fully azure blue, "Always." He wrapped me in his arms.
I breathed a sigh of relief as I hugged him back, "I am so sorry." Peeta whispered in my ear.
"Don't be." I kissed his shoulder. "Just stay here. Stay as my kind, caring, compassionate, loving, Peeta. Please."
"I will." He pulled back, but kept me in his arms, "Where did I hurt you?"
"Don't worry about me, I am okay." I looked away, as I felt the bruises on my waist throb.
"Katniss... tell me. Please." Peeta begged, looking back into my eyes, and keeping eye contact.
I fell under his manipulative alluring gaze, "My waist, where you were holding me. You... you squeezed a little hard." I whispered giving in.
Peeta's face fell with sadness before he bent down, pulling my shirt up to see the purple-black bruises that were in the shapes of his fingers. Peeta looked up at me, so apologetic that I thought I might cry more. He then slowly pushed his head towards the bruises and started to kiss them, every inch of them, and then across my waist band to the bruise that was the shape of his right hand; he kissed all over that one as well.
"Katniss, I am so sorry." Peeta looked up at me with tears flowing down his face.
Instantly, I bent down in front of him so that we were faced to face inches away from each other.
"You couldn't help it, Peeta, please don't cry." I whispered, stroking the tears away with my fingers.
Peeta held my hand against his face, closing his eyes, and turning his head to kiss my palm a few times, "I don't deserve you."
I shook my head, gently moving his head so that he was looking at me, and I waited for him to open his eye. But then, I simply kissed him. Kissed Peeta hard and long trying to tell him that I did not deserve him. That is when the oven beeped to signal that the cheese buns were finished. I tried to get up, but Peeta pulled me back down tugging my lips back to his in the process. Easily, I flexed one of my hands to get the cheese buns out of the oven and onto the counter.
We didn't make it to the couch, much less the bedroom upstairs, as he started to take my clothes off.
"So, do you want those cheese buns now?" Peeta asked after we were finished.
I sat up, from lying on his chest; grabbing the pants and sweater I had on before and started to put them on. Peeta started to pout.
"What?" I asked starting to grin.
Peeta grinned back, "Me or the buns." He whispered seductively.
I looked back and forth between the cheese buns and him, I was starving and I was sure he was too and I loved cheese buns. But, looking at him beside me so adorably sexy I didn't know who to choose.
I bent down, kissing him intensely, and then I jumped up to grab a cheese bun off of the nearly cold pan. Peeta looked up at me and shook his head smiling, before getting up, wrapping his arms around me from the backside, and place his head on my shoulder kissing every inch of it.
"Peeta… I'm hungry." I whined.
He chuckled against my skin, "Come on, Kat. Let's go make some babies." He kissed across my back to the other shoulder.
Instantly, I pulled away from him and shook my head.
"No." I said, turning to face him.
Peeta looked shocked,"Katniss… oh… no I didn't mean… sweetheart, please." He opened his arms to hug me.
"We can't have kids." I declared, ignoring his open arms.
"You mean ever?" Peeta asked.
"I will not bring kids into the world that will be reaped and then killed…" I trailed off shaking my head.
"Katniss," Peeta looked incredibly sad as he closed his eye; willing himself to stay calm. "Please." He opened his eye to give me an intense look; that made me want to go make babies with him, but I pushed that thought away.
"Peeta," I placed the cheese bun on the table and walk forward, "I am not going to endanger their life."
Peeta looked angry, "Katniss, I have wanted kids since the day I fell in love with you. I wanted to be your husband and the father of our children. I… I want this… please."
I grabbed his arms, "Peeta, but you are my husband."
Peeta's eye narrowed, "That is not all I want."
I let go of his arms and walked away from him, instantly angry, but Peeta face changed into realization and he ran after me.
"Katniss that is not what I meant. You are all I ever wanted. All I ever want or need." Peeta ran in front of me.
"You just said that is not all I want when I said that I am your wife." I accused him. "That hurt me, Peeta." I said softer, looking at my feet.
"Oh, Katniss," He wrapped me in his arms, "you are my world. I love you so much. Please, I didn't mean to hurt you, I am sorry." He whispered into my hair.
I sighed wrapping my arms around his bare back, "I forgive you."
"Can we agree to disagree or comprise Katniss?" Peeta pleaded.
I sighed again, thinking for a moment, "Fine, Peeta. Just… give me some time to think about this, can't we just be married for awhile before we talk about kids." I whispered. "I never wanted kids." I added under my breath.
Peeta pulled back and grinned at me, "You never wanted a husband either, but I am right here, baby."He kissed me. "Thank you, I can respect that." He said before running back into the kitchen.
I sighed, but as soon as he was gone I broke out into a smile. How did he always know just what to say?
-A week later-
"Peeta!" I yelled as I ran out of the bathroom, in only a towel after my shower, and saw that Peeta was still in bed.
Peeta bolted up right, then saw that I wasn't hurt or being attacked, "Katniss," He rolled his eyes, "We still have three hours to get ready." He lay back down on the bed.
"Three hours to get ready and get there!" I ran to my closet, going through all of the fancy dresses that Cinna designed for me. Annoyed, I grabbed a few and ran out to show Peeta. "Which one should I wear?" I asked louder than I expected too.
Peeta opened an eye, looked me over, and then sat up to look at me properly, I held one up to my body."That looks beautiful." He said to the teal long dress. I held up another, "I like that one too." He nodded I held up the last one, a purple short dress, "I love that one, you look gorgeous in purple."
I sighed angrily, "For once I just wish you would say you look ugly in that one and that one and choose this one." I muttered to myself.
"I prefer not to lie, go try the purple one on." Peeta helped with a smile.
"Thank you." I blushed, going back in the closet to get changed.
I heard Peeta laugh, "Katniss, I have seen everything." He chuckled, but didn't however try to come in.
Today was the day that Johanna, Finnick, and I were going on a 'victory tour' but only really to thirteen. We had to attend a party at Mayor John's house so that he could crown us.
Once in the dress, I looked into my full-length mirror in the closet. Instantly, I felt that I could not wear this. It was a halter top that was fitted at the top and then flared at the bottom to about my knees; there was no cover for my arms or legs so my scars all stood in attention.
"Katniss, are you ready?"Peeta called from behind the door.
I wanted to lie, tell him no don't come in because I am too hideous, but that is no way to start a marriage, "Yes." I whispered.
Peeta came in the door, smiled beautifully, and walked over to me, "You look absolutely stunning." He wrapped his arms around me from behind.
"Peeta, look," I motioned to my arms and legs, "they are all out for everyone to see and for us to remember. I am sure you noticed them, but you are just too kind to admit how hideous I look."
He spun me around, placing his hands on my shoulders, "Katniss, all I see is how beautiful you look." His hands left my shoulders to run down my arms, "As for these, all they show is how strong, brave, powerful, and courageous you are." His hands ended at my hands and he pulled them up to kiss them, "Katniss, don't you ever say that you are hideous, please."
I felt tears roll down my face, I pulled my hands out of his, and hugged him tightly around the neck, "I love you so much, Peeta."
Peeta hugged me back, kissing my neck, "I love you too." We pulled away from each other to peck our lips together.
"You are still so perfect." I chuckled.
Peeta blushed, my how cute he was when he did that, and smiled moving my hair out of my face, "You are still so beautiful." His loving smile turned into a smug grin as he noticed something on my neck, "The only mark you should cover up is that one." He pointed to my neck.
Confused, I looked in the mirror and saw a purple love bite on my neck.
I blushed, "I'll just do a braid to this side." I started to work on a braid.
Peeta watched my hands and fingers as I braided and sighed happily. I rolled my eyes, "Peeta, why don't you go find something to wear." I suggested.
He didn't seem to hear me, "Peeta?" I asked, somewhat worried now.
This time, he seemed to notice that I was talking, "Yes? I'm sorry, love. I was just remembering the first time I saw you." He smiled contently.
"You remembered that?" I smiled, Peeta nodded, and I hugged him tightly. "Great job, Peeta! You remembered!" I kissed him.
Peeta smiled into the kiss, "I remember that you sang the Valley Song, your hair was in two braids, you were wearing a red plaid dress, and you were the most beautiful girl I had ever seen." He paused, "That deserves more kisses, doesn't it?" He grinned.
"You remember all of that?" I asked smiling. I then laughed, "I suppose it does, doesn't it?" I asked sneakily, kissing him.
Peeta moaned, "I love you."
"I love you too." I kissed him quickly. "Now, go get dressed!" I pulled away from him.
Peeta nodded, "Okay." He walked over to the other side of the closet and started going through his clothes; because it was cold, I grabbed a black leather jacket to put on over my dress.
After we were dressed and had driven to District 13; which a drunken Haymitch in the passenger seat of our car, we walked up the front steps and rang the doorbell.
"Victor Katniss, Peeta, and Haymitch, please come in!" John answered the door with open arms as he hugged us all.
Effie came over to us wearing a pink wig and an eccentric blue dress, "Katniss, you look beautiful. Peeta, don't you look handsome and Haymitch, you look dashing." She complemented us. Peeta and I thanked her and I glared at Haymitch.
"What?" He asked. I looked at Effie, her outfit, and then back to him. "Oh… Effie you look great. I love the… uh, dress." He muttered awkwardly.
Effie looked ecstatic, "Thank you!" She ran up to hug him. "I'm glad he likes it because I heard blue was his favorite color!" She thought as she hugged him.
Peeta grabbed my hand, "Let's leave them alone, shall we?" He whispered in my ear.
I nodded, "Let's." We walked away from the crazy soon to be lovers, into the dining room; which again was covered in tables.
Finnick, Annie, Cinna, and Venia were talking in there; we stepped closer to hear them.
"… When I get my crown do you think I should bow, wave, or just stand there smiling?" Finnick asked them.
Venia sighed happily, looking over his body, "Maybe you should rip off your clothes and give us a show like you gave Katniss."
Finnick nodded thoughtfully, "That is a good idea. I'll think about it."
"Katniss didn't want a show." Peeta stole my line as they all turned to see us.
Cinna and Venia immediately ran over to me, "You had to blow our cover." I rolled my eyes, talking to Peeta before they tore my hand from his and looked me over.
"Good… Good… Good… I like the accessories… this has my approval, what about you Venia?" Cinna asked.
"The nails are not to my liking, but I do love the dress, jacket, and shoes." Venia complemented me… kind of.
"Thank you?" I replied.
Finnick and Annie walked over to me, "Hey, Katniss! I missed you! You look so pretty!" Annie hugged me excitedly.
"Thank you! I missed you too, we need to schedule more meetings together! You look pretty too!" I replied looking at her black dress.
"I agree, we do, you look stunning, Katniss." Finnick kissed my hand and smiled.
"Thank you, Finnick. You look great." I looked over his black tux with a purple tie, "Look we match." I pointed to tie on his chest.
Finnick looked down, running his hand over the tie and then looking at my dress, "We do. Is this fate? Or just a strange occurrence?" He asked.
"Fate." I joked nodding.
Finnick laughed, "I agree."
Peeta walked over as well wrapping an arm around my waist, "It is great to see you too again." He shook Finnick's hand and kissed Annie's cheek.
"Look we all match." Finnick pointed out; sure enough Peeta had a black tie on to match Annie's dress.
"This has to be fate." I replied looking at Finnick.
Finnick nodded grabbing my hand, "Alright come with me we need to make this look normal." He pulled me against his toned chest.
I giggled, "This looks more appropriate."
Peeta grabbed Annie's and pulled her against him, "Your right, Finnick, do you mind if I steal Annie?" Peeta joked.
"As long as I can borrow Katniss," Finnick smiled back, wrapping an arm around my waist.
"As fun as this is," Annie laughed pulling out of Peeta's arms, "Katniss we set a date for our wedding."
"Really?" I asked excitedly, "When is it?"
"February 25th," Annie looked happily at Finnick. Finnick pushed me out of his arms to hug and kiss Annie. I walked over to Peeta; who opened his arms for me.
I walked into them, "Who cares if we are mismatched, this is the only place I want to be." I whispered to him. "That is great, Annie." I told her once they had stopped kissing.
"Thank you," Annie looked between Peeta's and Finnick's ties, "There is still this problem though." I thought she was joking at first, but then I realized she was serious.
I looked between the ties as well then I started to undo Peeta's, "Why don't we just switch them?" I suggested.
Peeta nodded with a smile, "That is a great idea, Kat." He replied as I took off his tie, handed it to Annie who handed me Finnick's, and started to redo the purple tie around him.
"There, problem solved." Finnick announced as Annie finished his tie.
"Yes, now it doesn't look mismatched," I nodded.
Peeta wrapped an arm around my waist, "Now it doesn't look off if I hold you." He kissed my cheek.
Finnick wrapped an arm, around Annie's shoulders looking lovingly down at her, "I like it better like this, no offense Katniss."
"No I know what you mean." I replied, only looking at Peeta.
After that, we exited the dining room and I saw a man I didn't know who was watching Finnick and I. I looked at Finnick and saw that he didn't see the man, so I shook it off and we continued the party.
A few hours later, it was time for crowning and Finnick, Johanna, and I were all backstage waiting while half the city was waiting in the dining room.
Mayor John walked in awkwardly, "Alright, we have a little bit of an issue, we only have two crowns."
"Two crowns? Well, I have to get one!" Johanna screeched.
"I am so sorry about this." John apologized. "But, we do have to pick two of you to get the crowns."
All was quiet for a few minutes.
"Well, ladies first right?" Finnick asked, trying to smile but he looked heartbroken.
"No, Finnick, you want this more than anyone." I reasoned with him. "I don't have to get one, because I already have my 74th annual Hunger Games crown."
"Katniss-" Finnick started.
"No, Finnick, you and Johanna are going out there and getting your crowns." I told him.
"Are you sure?" He asked, watching me carefully.
"Yes, I promise." I smiled. Finnick hugged me tightly, kissing my cheek a few times.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Finnick pulled away.
"Your welcome," I laughed, "Now good luck, I am going to see if there are any seats left." I replied, running out of the backstage area.
Silently as I could, I scurried over to the table where Effie, Cinna, Annie, Haymitch, and Peeta were; there were two open seats beside Annie and Peeta. I slid into the one beside Peeta.
"Hello everyone." I greeted them. They all stared at me as if I had grown another head.
"Katniss, not that I am not happy to see you but, love what are you doing here?" Peeta asked, turning to face me fully.
I laughed, "Oh, they only had two crowns and so-"
"They only had two crowns!" Effie cut me off.
"Yes, so I told-" I started again.
"Why didn't they have three crowns? They are supposed to have three crowns!" Effie interrupted again.
"I know, but I didn't need one because I already have the one from the 74th Hunger Games." I replied fast so she wouldn't interrupt again.
"Gosh, Effie, where are your manners?" Cinna asked. We all laughed.
Effie hit Haymitch on the arm, "I'm sorry, but you have to practice what you preach." Haymitch chuckled again.
Effie blushed, "All right, I should have used some manners. I am sorry I interrupted you Katniss." She apologized.
I nodded, "That's okay. So anyways, I told Finnick that he could have mine." I shrugged.
"You are so sweet." Peeta kissed my cheek. "Who knew?" I hit his arm. "I was joking sweetheart." He kissed my neck.
I pushed him away from me as the lights started to dim, "Look it is starting."
Mayor John, followed by Finnick and Johanna, walked out to the center of the room. "Hello everyone! Obviously, you do not see Victor Katniss behind me, the reason is; we had a little bit of miscommunications ordering the crowns. I fully apologize to Mrs. Katniss," He turned to me I nodded, "now on with the crowning!"
"First, Miss Johanna Mason for her handy work with an axe, witty personality, sarcastic humor, and graceful destructive matter I crown you victor of the 75th annual Hunger Games, Quarter Quell!" John placed the crown on her head. The crowd cheered.
"And second, Mr. Finnick Odair for his master craftsmanship using a trident, generosity for friends, fatherly manner for his team, strength, speed, and humor, and handsome way of helping people, I crown you victor of the 75th annual Hunger Games, Quarter Quell!" John placed the crown on his head, we all clapped happily.
"Let the feast begin!" John clapped his hands and our tables were pulled with food. Finnick walked over to us, kissed Annie, and turned to the rest of us.
"How does it look? Is it straight?" He asked, motioning to his crown.
We laughed, "Yes, Finnick it looks great on you." Cinna told him.
"Are you sure or are you just saying that? I think it could be straighter." Finnick moved it around on his bronze haired head.
Annie stood up, "Honey, it looks great." She assured him nodding.
"Alright." Finnick nodded. "Thanks again, Katniss." He kissed my hand across the table.
"Of course, Finnick." I nodded smiling back at his handsome face.
"Excuse me?" The man that I saw earlier watching Finnick and I walked over to our table. "Could I borrow you two for just a second, please?" He pointed to Finnick and me.
We all looked him over. He didn't look crazy, with his black slacks and brown dress shirt. The man was clean shaven black man with a bald head and shiny white teeth along with chocolate brown eyes.
"Umm... I suppose so." Haymitch replied first, looking the man up and down.
"What do you need them for?" Peeta asked protectively, holding my waist.
"I am just a fan that would like to speak to his favorite victors," The man paused looking around, "Don't tell Johanna I said that." He was trying to make a joke but no one laughed.
"What is your name? Where are you from?" Peeta asked.
"My name is Publius Laena, I am a resident here in thirteen I work in the construction department. Actually, I helped build a few houses in twelve." Publius replied.
I answered before Peeta could, "Thank you, you did a great job." I complemented him.
"That means a lot coming from you, Katniss." Publius blushed.
I looked at Peeta who still looked worried then I looked at Finnick who just nodded, "We will go with you Publius."
Peeta grabbed my arm before I could walk away, "Katniss…"
"Peeta, what is he going to do? It is not like he is going to ki—hurt us in the back room." I told him.
Peeta swayed, "Just be careful, and don't sign anything that is inappropriate."
I rolled my eyes, "Me? You think I would do that? Do you know me?" I laughed.
Peeta smiled, "I like to think I know you pretty well."
I kissed his cheek, "I love you, and I'll be back soon." I whispered in his ear.
After that, Finnick and I followed Publius out of the dining room and into the living room Publius sat on the couch while Finnick and I sat on the chairs across from him.
Publius smiled at us both, "First of all hello and thank you for coming with me. I never thought that this would happen."
"You're welcome." We both muttered back.
"Second, I have been watching you two all night and I must say that you two have sexual tension radiating off of you." He whispered.
Finnick and I looked at each other, "I think you are mistaken sir." I shook my head.
"She is right, I love you Katniss, but not like that." Finnick shook his head.
"Don't blame me; blame your personalities and your attractions to each other." Publius shrugged.
"Well, I am attracted to Katniss, but again I love Annie not her. She is married to Peeta and she loves him." Finnick nodded.
"I'm sorry, Publius, but you have been mistaken." I replied before running out of the room into Peeta's arms as fast as I could.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Sorry this one is late! I had exams this week so I couldn't work on it very much!
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favorite, etc!