You guys may say this is a boring chapter, just a little victor-bonding time and actually enjoying their new lives. But I assure you, upcoming chapters have PLENTY of action and drama ;) that's all I'm going to say. Have a great week loves!
XOXOXO
We haven't had a night this bad in awhile. She refuses to talk about her nightmares but I have a pretty good guess what they are about. Johanna's statement about us being sold made me pretty sick too. But it seemed to really affect Katniss. Maybe because she is so naïve. I knew a long time ago that it could happen. Haymitch had warned me and I told him I would never let anyone else touch her. He had assured me that he and Effie had taken certain measures to ensure that that wouldn't happen.
"But you've protected her all your life kid," he told me once. "And you'd better keep it up. You keep on protecting her. You two are the Capitol's new darlings and everyone wants to see the star-crossed lovers in love. You realize what I'm saying, don't you?"
I wasn't stupid. I knew we were to be sold like the rest of the Victors. And it should have comforted me that Katniss and I would be sold together but it didn't. I couldn't imagine doing that to her. I knew she didn't want me like that. And despite my fears about her and Gale, I had a feeling that she was pretty innocent. Why would the Capitol want to watch a couple of kids who had no idea what they were doing?
Last night, I heard Katniss screaming my name from the bathroom. I found her crying and tossing her head about in the water. "Leave him alone" and "Peeta, it's not me, I'm right here, it's not me" was coming from her mouth and I remember telling her about what they did to me one night with the girl who looked like her. Somehow I knew she was dreaming about that. I chanted her name and slapped her until she woke up and still she continued to shake and whimper in my arms all night.
We both wake up with dark circles under our eyes.
We're quiet as we dress to go get Annie and Finn from the train station. Johanna is silent when she joins us and I wonder if she suffered from the same nightmares. Of course, I know she still suffers from them. Hell we all do. But at least Johanna and I share that similarity. We know what happened to the other in the Capitol. We know what they did to Annie. And we will probably never be able to speak of it.
Katniss's hand finds mine as we walk and I squeeze it gratefully. We hurry through town and nod as people call out to us.
Annie looks thin and pale but Finn runs into my arms and it brings a smile to Annie's face. Johanna and Katniss walk ahead with Annie while I lift Finn over my head and carry him on my shoulders. I grab what bags they brought with them and the girls take the rest. Finn chatters happily from my shoulders and I grin up at the boy. I'm excited that Annie decided to stay in 12. Saying goodbye gets harder and harder each time they leave and I have really fallen in love with this little boy. I love watching him with his "auntie Niss" too. She treats him like she's always treated Lara. Something to be cherished and adored.
"You're bunking with me," Johanna says as we near Victor's Village. "I'm just staying here until the wedding. Then you'll have the place to yourself."
"Johanna you know I don't mind," Annie says sweetly, following Johanna inside. We set the bags down and I put Finn down as well. He immediately runs to Katniss and she scoops him up, laughing.
"How's my little guy doing," she says while she kisses both his cheeks.
"I'm surprised he is still awake," Annie says, stifling a yawn. "He didn't sleep on the train at all."
"Nor did you it seems," I say softly. Annie yawns again and nods.
"Why don't you two get some rest? Katniss and I were just going into town to see if my dress has arrived yet."
"Are you sure?" she tries to stifle another yawn and we chuckle.
"Yes, I'm sure. We can go have lunch at Peeta's bakery in a little while." I nod, agreeing with Johanna and Annie nods.
"Ok, that sounds great. Come on Finny, let's go lie down."
"But I don't…wanna," Finn protests through a yawn. I laugh and ruffle his curls.
"Listen to your mama, buddy." He yawns again and Annie picks him up.
"We'll see you guys in a little while." Annie carries him upstairs and I glance at the clock above the stairs.
"Guess I'd better get going. See you guys about noon?"
"Make it 12:30 so we can avoid the lunch rush. I want you to be able to sit down and eat with us," Katniss says, leaning up to kiss me.
"OK," I agree, kissing her deeply and hearing Johanna huff beside me. I turn to glare at her and Katniss sticks her tongue out.
"You and George are far worse than we are when you're together."
"Yes but he's not here! Doing that in front of an engaged woman is just plain mean."
"We're married," I remind her. "I have no shame."
"You're an ass, Mellark. And your wife isn't much better." Both Katniss and I smirk at her and I drag her outside and pull her into my arms. Katniss laughs.
"She can still see us, you know that right?"
"Don't care," I whisper as I claim her lips with my own and my hand reaches down to squeeze her through her jeans. She squeals into my mouth and I grin as I pull away.
"You are an ass," she scowls and laughing, I turn to walk to work.
Lunch with the girls is really pleasant by the end of it, I notice Riley has developed something of a crush on Annie. He kept coming out to the porch to serve us and kept asking her if he could get her anything else. Johanna and Katniss found it amusing but I'm not sure what to think. Should Annie think about dating again? Can she, after losing Finnick? And what would Finn say to another man in his life? I clear my throat as I hurriedly clear the table and rush back inside.
"Oh Peeta," Riley says, fumbling with the tray he holds. "I was just bringing dessert."
"Thanks Riley. I've got it. Why don't you go help Rory with the wedding cake he's working on?" Riley nods sadly and goes back to the kitchen. Sighing, I carry the tray of desserts out and Johanna groans.
"I won't be able to fit into my dress, bread boy!"
"No one is forcing you to eat, Johanna," Annie says delicately.
"What do you expect me to do when you put a plate of sweets in front of me," Johanna exclaims, grabbing a pastry. I laugh and pass the plate around. Johanna shakes her head.
"How are you still so skinny when you're married to a baker,"
"Give me a break, Jo, I grew up in 12 with no food. I mean…not a lot to eat," Katniss amends her statement but it still makes my heart ache.
"Well, I'm sure your baker boy is doing everything he can to fix that," Jo scoffs.
"Yes, he likes to fatten me up," Katniss says with a smile. I squeeze her shoulders and lean in to kiss her cheek.
"Blegh, gag me." Annie glares at Johanna.
"You're getting married soon. Can you still say things like that?" Johanna shrugs.
"My therapist says I should never censor anything anymore."
"Oh because you were so censored before," I say with a snort. Johanna makes a very rude hand gesture and Annie gasps.
"Johanna! My child is watching you!" To prove her point, Finn giggles and repeats the gesture. Katniss snorts.
"Great role model, Johanna." Annie rolls her eyes and gently slaps Finn's little hand.
"You do not do that again, you hear me? That's very bad."
"But Auntie Jo did it!"
"Auntie Jo is very bad," Annie says sternly. Johanna giggles and offers me her hand.
"Here Uncle Peeta, punish me too." I roll my eyes and slap the back of her hand.
"Ouch! Damn Peeta, you didn't have to hit so hard!"
"Johanna! Do you mind?" Annie huffs and covers Finn's ears. Katniss can't stop laughing.
"I hope you have a little girl who is just like you," Annie says, her eyes narrowing. Johanna's laughter ceases.
"Who says I'm having kids?"
"I know George wants them," Annie shrugs. "Why wouldn't you?"
"How about the fact that I would make a terrible mother," Johanna snorts, shaking her head. I glance at Katniss and see she looks surprised.
"I think you would make a great mother, Jo," she says softly.
"Yeah, well, I think you would too," Johanna replies and I bite my lip as I see Katniss's face fall.
"Is this some kind of competition," I say in a higher voice than usual. I clear my throat. "Let's just agree that all three women here would be outstanding mothers. And we'll leave it at that." They all fall silent and I sigh, lifting my water to drain. Finn reaches over and brings Katniss's hand to his face. He brings Johanna's to his other cheek and he smiles.
"I love all my mommies." I see Johanna, Annie, and Katniss all lose color in their faces. At the same time, all three women have very teary eyes and I continue drinking my water, staying silent.
"You aunts love you, Finny," Johanna says, leaning down to kiss the boy's cheek. Katniss nods.
"So much. You and mommy mean so much to us." Finn just grins, having no idea how big of a can of worms he opened today.
After lunch, Johanna mentions dress shopping to Annie and Annie looks wistful.
"I would love to see it."
"Why don't you take her to see it," Katniss says, ruffling Finn's hair. "I'll watch Finn."
"I really need both my girls. We need to find you both dresses."
"How about you girls go into town and I will watch Finn," I suggest. Annie looks surprised.
"Peeta, are you sure? A baby at the bakery-"
"I'm no baby mama," Finn protests and I grin.
"He's right. He's no baby. Finn can help his Uncle Peeta out, can't you buddy?" He cheers and throws his spoon off the porch. Annie stifles a laugh.
"If you're positive-"
"I am. Go have a girl's day. It's been awhile since any of you have had one of those." Annie shivers with excitement and even Katniss and Johanna have large grins on their faces.
"We should visit that new spa," Johanna says. "Get our nails done. And you girls have to help me with the wedding lingerie!"
"Ok, that's my cue to leave," I say hurriedly and the three women giggle at my flushed face.
"We call Katniss pure but look at Peeta," Johanna chuckles. "He's redder than a cherry."
"Maybe I just don't want to think about one of my best friends in…that."
"Think about your wife in it, then," she says with a wicked smile. I glare at her and see Katniss looking at me with those silver eyes. The look in her eyes is one that she gets when she drags me up to our bedroom and I let her have her way with me. I gulp.
"I should get back to work. Finn, let's go meet the rest of my team." Finn jumps up and I lift him on my shoulders as I lift the tray of plates and carry it back inside. I can hear the girls giggling behind me.
"Seriously, what did he say when he saw you in Cinna's lingerie?"
"Johanna! None of your business!"
"Oh come on! I bet it was good. Did he-"
"Jo, I'm not telling you anything about our intimate life. Stuff it."
"You're no fun." I shake my head and carry Finn inside the bakery. The girls come inside and say goodbye to everyone. Katniss leans over the counter to kiss me. What starts out as a sweet chaste kiss quickly deepens into something more heated and I have to pull away. She bites her bottom lip, smirking, and my eyes narrow.
"Get out of here you little minx," I mutter in a low voice. She laughs and turns around, her hips swaying and her long braid nearly hitting me in the face. She blows me a kiss through the window and the girls disappear. I shake my head as I take Finn back to the kitchen to meet everyone.
Everyone takes to him immediately. Cora is just in love with him and can't stop ruffling his bronze curls. Branelle keeps sneaking him cookies and I have to sternly tell her to stop or he won't be hungry for dinner later.
The bakery is a complete mess by the end of the day and Rory good-naturedly offers to stay a little longer to clean up. Finn offers to help too but winds up making it worse. I ask him to wait in my office and give him some crayons and some paper to pass the time. When we have everything cleaned up and completed, I lift Finn on my shoulders again and lock up the bakery behind us. He asks if we can stop by and 'see the horsies' so I carry him down to Colton's stable, where there are several horses trotting around the corral. A brown horse whinnies when it sees us and Finn claps excitedly. I set him on the ground and hold his hand.
"Star!" A face peeks out from the stall and breaks into a smile.
"Why Finn, how you doing buddy?"
"Colt," Finn cries excitedly and Colton laughs as he walks toward us.
"Sorry about this, Colton. Little guy really wanted to see you and the horses."
"No harm done, Peeta. It's great to see this little one again. Hey Finn, you want to come say hi to Star? She's missed you!" Finn claps and with a questioning look at me, Colton takes his hand and leads him into the corral. I walk closer to the fence and grin when Star nuzzles Finn's hair.
"She sure likes you, buddy, " I call out.
"I love her too," Finn says, clapping again. Colton laughs and lifts him up to pet Star's neck. These two boys, so torn by tragedy, look so happy and carefree right now. Colton glances at me over his shoulder.
"You the babysitter today, Peeta?"
"I am. The girls are dress shopping for Johanna's wedding. But we should probably get home and start on dinner. Finn, can you say goodbye?"
"Not yet, Uncle Peeta," the boy whines. I have to smile. He reminds me so much of Finnick.
"Come on, bud. Your mom and aunts will be home soon. You wanna go see Auntie Niss? And Auntie Jojo?" Finn takes off toward me, limping a little on his bad leg. I sweep him up and perch him on my shoulders again. I should let him walk and get used to it but I can't stand to see the kid in pain. Especially since I was the one who agreed to let the doctors take his leg.
"Thanks again, Colton. We'll see you soon!"
"Stop by anytime, Peeta. Bye Finn!"
We enter Victor's Village and I see all three women on the porch. I'm surprised to see Effie in the middle of the circle and she's positively glowing. Uh oh.
"Oh Peeta, you must see what Haymitch bought for me!" She holds out her hand and I see a sparkling gold bracelet, inlaid with diamonds and pearls. It's lovely, really, and perfect for Effie. I was so expecting her to show me a ring and from the look that Katniss gives me, I think she expected the same.
"That's beautiful, Effie," I nod.
"Oh thank you, my dear, I thought so too. He really is wonderful when he doesn't have a drink in his hand." Katniss makes a face and I bite my lip to keep from laughing.
"Anyway, I must be going. We're having dinner at that new restaurant that just opened up. Take care my darlings." She hugs the girls (Johanna makes a face behind her back) and gives me a kiss on the cheek.
"So, did you girls have a good time today?"
"Oh darling, do check out my perfect nails," Johanna says in a Capitol accent and Annie and Katniss shriek with laugher.
"You girls be nice. I'm really happy for her. Happy for them both actually."
"I am too," Katniss says immediately. "And yes we had a good time. What about you?"
"Oh Finn is on his way to becoming a fine little baker," I wink at Finn, who has his arms around his mother's legs.
"Mmmhm, and I'm sure your kitchen is just covered with flour," Annie says disapprovingly.
"Not anymore it's not," I say with a smile.
"Alright, I'm exhausted. Night everyone," Johanna yawns and turns to go across the lawn. Annie nods.
"I second that. Thanks again, Peeta. Good night Katniss."
"Night," we call, watching Annie and Finn follow Johanna.
"You hungry?" I ask as we make our way into the house.
"Oh, we actually ate in town," Katniss says looking apologetic.
"That's ok, I'll just whip myself something up real quick," I shrug, checking the fridge for something fast. Katniss leans up to kiss my cheek and says she is going to take a shower. I quickly make a sandwich and carry it upstairs. She's left the bathroom door open and I grin as I toss my clothes aside. She's humming to herself and doesn't notice me until I pull the curtain back.
"Damn it Peeta, don't scare me like that!"
"I love this new prosthetic," I chuckle. "So light and quiet."
"Don't ever sneak up on me in the woods," she says sharply as she tilts her head back under the water. "I could put an arrow through your chest."
"You think I'm that much of an idiot to sneak up on you while you're hunting? Jeez Katniss, give me a little more credit than that." She leans in and shakes her head and my hands fly up in front of my face to block the shower she is giving me.
"You are covered in flour," she says laughing, tugging at my curls which are now white from the flour and sugar.
"Finn thought it would be more fun to throw it rather than mix it into the cake." She laughs again and wraps her arms around my neck. My hands rest on her hips, slowly traveling up and down and I let out a sigh at the feel of her warm, wet skin underneath my fingers.
"You really are wonderful with him," she says quietly. "I know Annie appreciates it. She really needed today."
"I'm glad I could help," I say honestly. "I think all of you girls needed that."
"I guess I kind of did. This wedding planning is exhausting and I feel like I just finished with Delly's and jumped straight into Johanna's."
"That's because you did. I feel like I haven't seen you in months." She quirks a brow at me.
"You sleep beside me every night."
"Not the same and you know it."
"Hmmm," she says softly, as her hand moves down my side, teasing my thigh before she grasps me in her hand. I gasp against her lips and she leans back a little, teasing me to no end with light strokes and the faintest of caresses.
"Katniss," I say through gritted teeth. She pushes me into the wall and I yelp at the cold tile on my back. But I don't have time to protest. Her tongue is on me and I am incoherent. She pushes my cock against my stomach so she can suck at my balls and my knees shake, my hand scrabbling against the wall, desperate for something to hold onto. My hands bury themselves in her dark hair, my nails scratching her scalp as I hold her hair out of the way. Her eyes bore into mine as she takes me into her mouth and she hollows out her cheeks.
"Fuck, Katniss," I hiss, my chin resting on my chest. I keep my eyes open and connected with hers. She releases me and slowly crawls up my body, bringing me down to her to kiss her. Her breasts rub against my aching cock and I moan into her mouth. She moves up and down and breaks our kisses to push her breasts together and move over me.
Holy shit! Oh my god, she is jerking me off with her breasts! My eyes widen, my jaw has gone slack, and I lose it when she puts her mouth on me again. I cry out of her name, warning her I am so close but she takes me even deeper and I am gone. She lets me fall from her mouth as I lean against the wall, panting, my stomach jerking every time she breathes. She plants little kisses on my stomach as she rises to her feet.
"I…I gotta…get out," I manage to gasp out and I stumble out of the tub. She giggles behind me as I wrap a towel around my waist and go to our closet to find clothes. I'd never heard Katniss giggle in my life. Before we were Reaped, I rarely heard her laugh. It makes my heart race to hear that sound now.
Only when I realize I am trying to pull on one of her nightgowns do I sit down and give my head some time to catch up. I hear the shower turn off and I stand up, finally having caught my breath. Now it's her turn to be breathless and incoherent.
I enter the bathroom to find her standing in front of the mirror, spreading the healing salve over her stomach. She looks surprised when I reappear and opens her mouth to speak but I don't give her the chance. I whirl her around and capture her lips and feel her knees buckle. I hoist her onto the sink and throw the towel aside. Gripping her thighs, I pull her closer to the edge and bury my face between her legs, one of my favorite places in the world. She lets out a scream as I attack her clit with my tongue. No teasing tonight. I want her to come fast and hard. I plunge two fingers inside her and curve them slightly, feeling her shake underneath me. Her fingers tug at my curls but I don't slow down. In fact, my fingers and tongue are moving so fast that she is banging against the mirror. Neither of us care. I pull my head back to watch her as I rub fast and hard. Her legs shake and her hips jerk up off the counter as she screams my name. I jump to my feet and grab her into my arms. Fuck leverage. I don't need it. I hold her up with one hand while my other helps guide myself inside her. My arms go underneath her legs and she wraps her feet around my back. Thank god for all those years of carting around huge sacks of flour. My arms are shaking but I could care less. I know I'll be sore tomorrow but this is the best damn work out I could ever have. Katniss's fingers rip at my hair and I look up at her, her head thrown back, her breasts bouncing in my face. I try to take one into my mouth but the way we are moving makes it impossible.
"Peeeeeeeta," she moans loud and long. I smile, bucking my hips and increasing my thrusts.
"Yes! YES!"
"Katniss! Oh my GOD!" I set her back on the counter and continue to plunge in and out. I hold her legs open by her ankles and her newly manicured nails scratch at my arms. My fingers find her clit and I start rubbing again. We're screaming each other's names and the loud grunts and moans coming from us would make anyone blush. You want to know the truth? I honestly don't care. Too long have I longed for this girl. For this moment. For those whimpers and moans with my name dripping from her lips. I make her come again and she screams my name again, clenching around me for several minutes until I explode inside her. Exhausted we fall into bed without even dressing and it's not until I'm almost asleep that she says shyly we will have to shower again. I chuckle as I pull her closer, falling asleep to the sound of her breathing and the smell of lavender and pine.
There's a knock at my door and I pause in straightening my tie. It's probably Johanna again. For someone who was so adamant on keeping me from seeing my bride on the morning of my wedding, she has been sneaking over here to try to see George before their wedding in a few hours. I roll my eyes and yank the door open. Katniss grins up at me, and pushes past me into our bedroom before I can say anything. She's still just wearing a robe but her hair and make-up are flawless, done by Effie.
"Is there some kind of rule about seeing the bridesmaid before the wedding?"
"I don't think so. And even so, Johanna is breaking her own rules as we speak. She and George are next door." I huff and roll my eyes and she smiles as she searches her jewelry box. She selects a pair of gold hoops that I bought her for her birthday. The tiny pearls seem to glow in the morning light.
"You look beautiful," I say softly as I stand behind her. Her eyes catch mine in the mirror and she smiles as she puts on her earrings. They match perfectly with the necklace she is wearing. When I take a closer look, I see that the gold chain has three symbols on it, a tree, a fish, and an arrow. Johanna's gifts to her bridesmaids it seems.
"You don't look so bad yourself," she says as her eyes appraise me. "I do love that tie on you."
"Really? I thought you just loved to take it off," I smirk, recalling the last time I wore it. In April, Paylor made a visit to 12 to talk about the plans for the memorial. She had invited Katniss, Haymitch, Annie, Johanna, and myself to a fancy luncheon at one of the newest restaurants. The girls all looked beautiful and even Haymitch had dressed for the occasion. Whether it was just the tie or because she was quite emotional during the luncheon, the moment we were back in our house, Katniss had pounced on me and practically tore my clothes off with her teeth. I wound up tying her to the bed with that tie and we had REALLY intense sex that night. Mind-blowing to say the least. She seems to be remembering it too as she fingers my tie and her hands creep up to neatly-styled curls.
"Ah, Katniss, watch the hair!"
"We should have a recap of that night later on," she purrs. "Johanna thinks she and George can outsex us."
"Outsex us," I repeat, snorting at the ridiculousness of it all. Women. Honestly.
"Hmm. Fine then. I can see my efforts to seduce you are all for naught." She turns away and starts to leave when I grab her arm and whirl her around.
"I didn't say that," I growl, my hand slipping under her robe to find her only wearing a pair of underwear. I yank the robe off and throw it aside before I push her down on the bed.
"Just don't mess up my hair," she says with glittering eyes and a wicked smirk.