AN; I didn't expect so many reviews! Thank You! This chapter is in Peeta's point of view…
Peeta
We finish visiting the other districts and soon we arrive at the Capitol, where I'll be asking Katniss to marry me. I bet this will come as shock for both her parents- I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Everdeen killed me. Thinking back now I don't think I've ever had a proper conversation with him. We've nodded and smiled at each other and have only said a few words to each other.
I hear someone clear their throat behind me and I turn to find Katniss wearing a beautiful shimmering gold dress that falls an inch above her knees. Her dark hair has been pushed to one side and made into ringlets. She fiddles with her hands nervously and I smile.
"You ready?" I ask as Caesar Flickerman greets the crowd on stage. She nods and takes my hand.
"Let's welcome onto the stage- Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark!" Caesar yells and I give Katniss's hand a squeeze before walking onto the stage.
We spread fake smiles across our faces and wave with fake enthusiasm. "It's lovely to see you, Star-Crossed Lovers!" Caesar says and shakes my hand and then kisses Katniss's cheek.
"It's lovely to see you too, Caesar!" I grin and sit down on the love seat. Katniss curls up besides me and rests her head on my shoulder.
"So, how have my favourite victors been?" he asks.
"We've been fine- great actually," I reply and look at Katniss. I quickly press my lips before looking back at Caesar.
He makes a few jokes and when he starts talking about the future I get down on one knee and beg Katniss to marry me. Despite this all being fake I see tears in her eyes and I wonder if it's from being forced to do this or if she really wants to marry me. I hope it's the latter. "Yes," she grins and throws her arms around me. Snow comes out and congratulates us and I try to ignore the silent conversation Snow and Katniss have with their eyes.
As soon as the interview is over we have an hour to change before the party starts in President Snows mansion. I meet Katniss outside the ballroom door and we wait for someone to announce us. "What was with you and Snow earlier?" I ask, curiously and take her hand.
"President Snow was just informing me that we haven't- I mean I, haven't convinced everyone in the districts that I love you," she replies as if the news is nothing special.
Before I can say anything our names are called and we enter the grand ballroom.
We spend the night talking to the peculiar people from the Capitol and dancing so much with nearly everyone from the Capitol that by the time we're walking back to towards the train I fell my feet will fall off.
Katniss and I get to her room and while she gets change in the bathroom I take my shirt off and slide dark blue pyjama bottoms on. I jump into the bed then and wait for Katniss. She comes out a few minutes later and crawls into bed. She turns the lamp off and then presses her back against my chest while I wrap my arms around her waist.
I try not to think about the other night because I understood clearly that she didn't want me to think she returns my feelings. My first time with the girl I love- not everyone is as lucky as me.
Instead of thinking about Katniss I try thinking about returning home to District 12 tomorrow. Of course, that makes me think about how Mr and Mrs. Everdeen will feel about me proposing to her daughter. I bet Prim is ecstatic. She reminds me so much of Rue. I sigh at the thought of the bird-like girl who's now in a better place.
"We're finally going home," Katniss whispers.
"Yep," I sigh and she turns so she's facing me.
"What's the matter?" she asks and I smile.
"I think your dad is going to kill me," I reply and she laughs.
"Nah, he won't. He likes you and he asks about you all the time. I think he's more confused than I am," she says and buries her head into my naked chest. Her warm breath tickles my stomach and thoughts of the other night come to mind again.
"You are making this so hard for me," I whisper. I look down at Katniss when I don't here a reply and find her sleeping peacefully. I smile, press my lips to her forehead and then close my eyes and go to sleep.
Katniss
I lazily wake up at noon, deciding to sleep longer than usual since I've had a lot of late nights in the Districts. I sit up and find Peeta sitting cross-legged on the floor while sketching.
I know it'll take a few more hours until we arrive home so I sit quietly and watch him. I try to ignore the images of Peeta and I a few nights ago but it's hard to forget that night. It was… amazing. I feel so safe in his arms and I love the feel of him rubbing his hands all over my body and- Peeta looks up from sketching and I look away, my face cherry red.
"Good morning," he says, "No nightmares?"
"No," I reply. I never do have nightmares when Peeta is holding me. "You?"
"No."
A feeling of dread floods through me. When I get home Peeta won't be able to hold me while I sleep and help fight the nightmares. A shiver goes up my spine and I pull the blanket tighter around me. In nine months time I'll also be having nightmares about the tributes Peeta and I might not be able to save.
"What's the matter?" Peeta asks, dropping his sketchpad and slipping into bed next to me.
"We'll be mentoring in a couple of months," I reply and lean my head against his shoulder while he puts an arm around mine.
"Let's not think about that now," he whispers and I nod. "This is the last night we have to party and then we can settle down again."
I sigh. "Great- another day of make-up and dresses," I moan and Peeta chuckles.
"You'll live," he says, "I'm going into my room to have a shower, okay?"
I nod and he pecks my lips before leaving.
As soon as he leaves I go into the bathroom and have a shower. After I'm done washing my hair and body, I step out and tie my robe around me, realising there's no point in getting dressed since my prep team will be coming in to beautify me soon.
I turn on the clever machines and they dry my hair. A while later I order a snack and eat it on my bed. Peeta comes in wearing his robe and I force myself not to blush when I remember I'm only wearing a fluffy robe and nothing underneath.
He grins and sits on my bed next to me. "You smell of lemon," he says and I smile.
"And you smell of strawberries," I reply. "I don't think I'm ever going to be able to work those showers properly!"
"All those buttons give me a headache," he laughs.
We sit talking about un-important chitchat. Half an hour later my prep team rushes into my room ready to beautify me. Peeta leaves to find his own prep team and mine start painting my nails and braiding my hair.
An hour later I'm walking to the Mayor's house hand-in-hand with Peeta and Haymitch walking in front of us. When we arrive we don't even have a chance to greet our family before we are led into another room to await our entrance.
Peeta and I find ourselves waiting in the Mayor's office. We sit on a black leather sofa, anxiously waiting for the night to be over so we can go back to our normal selves. I close my eyes and lean back into the sofa. My eyes fly open when I hear a loud beeping noise.
I look around in confusion and my eyes settle on a large TV with the words: 'Uprising In District 8' flashing on the screen.
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