Sorry for the delay in updating the chapter. But that's what the infamous sophomore pressure inflicts upon you. Hope you may appreciate the chapter and let me know of anywhere that you find deserves constructive criticism. And yes! May the odds be ever in your favor!
~ Aeigns
As soon as a medic came heading towards them with a syringe on Peeta started using his 'Silver Tongue' to its full power. "Can you please give us the time until we reach the headquarters before sedating us? We have some urgent words we need to speak with our mentor and we also have to thank him for all he has done to keep us alive." When the medic still looked hesitant Peeta played it even more thickly, "I know you are doing your job and I also know it must be very difficult for you to sedate panicking Victors every year just for ensuring their good health and also to check them up. But I can assure you, we aren't hurt anywhere seriously and are more exhausted than anything else. What I'm just requesting of you is some quality time with my girl here before we both go for heavy treatment."
The medic finally nodded with a smile and said, "Alright Mr. Mellark. Since you ask so kindly I've no qualms against your wish. Take your time here but please do not spend more than 10 minutes once the hovercraft lands. And you may hear of this more later, but still congratulations both of you to be the first co-victors of the 74th annual Hunger Games." And with that he trailed off.
"From whom did you inherit your tongue again?" asked Katniss in awe despite the situation, once the medic was out of earshot.
"I'be been asking myself the same question since I learnt to speak."
Even before the door of the hovercraft could open the sound of squealing from an excited and hyper Effie assaulted the ears of the 2 District 12 Victors, making them shudder in the process. No sooner had the door fully opened than Effie rushed the few steps inside and grabbed Peeta and Katniss in a strong bear-hug. "I knew this year I was bringing jewels to the Capitol," she squealed in delight. "You showed them finally what District 12 can really be capable of."
"Spare them some room to breath Effie. They had afterall just won the games and fought a mutt-pack not even an hour ago," said Cinna with hint of exasperation and amusement as he appeared from behind the escort. Effie broke the hug with a blush, apologized profusely before leading them down the hovercraft. "You have to excuse her. She never had a Tribute who survived longer than the Bloodbath yet. So 2 Victors at a single blow, and of a Pre-Quell nonetheless is too much for her," said Cinna while on the way as Katniss and Peeta nodded. The medic signaled to Peeta mouthing 10 minutes before trailing off. Finally Cinna said, "Congratulations you both. As I said Katniss I was rooting for you," said Cinna with a proud smile as Katniss hugged him tightly. Turning to Peeta he said, "And thanks to you for taking great care of her."
Peeta waved it off saying, "Don't worry I had my own personal motives behind them. Those kisses for instants," said Peeta with a laugh which Cinna joined as Katniss blushed deeply – something she had been doing quite regularly for a while, and made a good show of hitting Peeta hard on his arms, though smiling herself. As soon as Peeta and Cinna broke from their manly hug a blonde bullet hit Peeta with a great force that made him stumble a bit trying to hold both their bodies erect.
"You made it out of there alive! Unscathed! I was so worried when you got in bloodbath! Oh and the skills were impressive! What possessed you to join the Career Pack you fool – it's a good thing you were playing them off and protecting Katniss all that while. And what possessed you to take on 9 mutts sigle-handedly," continued babbling Portia as she was both crying and laughing and rebuking at the same time – an impressive feat to be accomplished actually.
"I should have made you aware of that I guess," said Cinna sheepishly as Katniss smiled at Portia's antiques – finally feeling comfortable with more familiar people other than Peeta.
Gathering his bearings straight, Peeta encompassed his stylist in a tight hug and said with amusement in his voice, "And I love you too Portia." The comment finally made Cinna and Katniss break down in laughter/giggle as Portia, finally composing herself, hugged Peeta tightly and the next instant was fussing over his wounds like a mother-hen.
"When I said I was sent 2 fighters this year I was wrong," came a familiar voice from the doorway where moments later a surprisingly sober Haymitch materialized. "They apparently sent me 2 man-killer winners one of which was a humiliator while the other – an all rounder," he finished with a proud smile and despite herself and her initial negative impression of the man, Katniss ran upto him and caught him in a hug. "You did well out there Sweetheart. Though I don't really appreciate the way you waltzed into the Bloodbath, but I'm glad you did whatever you did and brought me another Victor alive and intact." Peeta was more mannered and manly in his hug. "I've no more to say to you then a perfectly well-done job. I've never said this to anyone but you deserve my respect boy. However I have more serious topic to talk about later with you and sweetheart," said Haymitch sincerely.
Discretely, Peeta shoved a letter in Haymitch's pocket that he retrieved from the bag Rye sent before destroying it. He whispered so low that none but Haymitch could hear – not even the cameras. "To the Head Game-maker. No questions asked. And as soon as you can while you still have the chance. Very necessary. Trust me on that," Peeta finished. He felt a small nod on his shoulder, signifying Haymitch understood. They broke the hug just in time when a sound of throat-clearing came from behind Peeta
A medic said, "Mr. Mellark and Ms. Everdeen the head-Healer has asked me to kindly inform you that your ten minutes of recuperation is up and that I'm to guide you to the room where he is expecting your immediate presence."
Nodding in understanding, Peeta said, "Lead the way."
~Katniss POV~
When I wake, I'm afraid to move at first. The entire ceiling glows with a soft yellow light allowing me to see that I'm in aroom containing just my bed. No doors, no windows are visible. The air smells of something sharp and antiseptic. My rightarm has several tubes that extend into the wall behind me. I'm naked, but the bedclothes arc soothing against my skin. I tentatively lift my left hand above the cover. Not only has it been scrubbed clean, the nails are filed in perfect ovals, the scars from the burns are less prominent. I touch my cheek, my lips, the puckered scar above my eyebrow, and am just running my fingers through my silken hair when I freeze. Apprehensively I ruffle the hair by my left ear. No, it wasn't an illusion. The hearing I had lost in the Bombing of the Cornucopia is healed. I can hear again. And much better to boot. Maybe now I can compete against Peeta's heightened senses. His both pairs against mine.
Recovering from my musings, I try and sit up, but some sort of wide restraining band around my waist keeps me from rising more than a few inches.
The physical confinement makes me panic and I'm trying to pull myself up and wriggle my hips through the band when a portion of the wall slides open and in steps the redheaded Avox girl carrying a tray. The sight of her calms me and I stop trying to escape. I want to ask her a million questions, but I'm afraid any familiarity would cause her harm. Obviously I am being closely monitored. She sets the tray across my thigh sand presses something that raises me to a sitting position.
While she adjusts my pillows, I risk one question. I say it out loud, as clearly as my rusty voice will allow, so nothing will seem secretive. "Is Peeta alright?" She gives me a nod, and as she slips a spoon into my hand, I feel the pressure of friendship.
I guess she did not wish me dead after all. And Peeta is alright. Of course, he is. With all their expensive equipments here and then his supernatural body. Still, I hadn't been sure until now. As the Avox leaves, the door closes noiselessly after her and I turn hungrily to the tray. A bowl of clear broth, a small serving of apple sauce, and a glass of water. This is it? I think grouchily.
Shouldn't my homecoming dinner be a little more spectacular?
But I find it's an effort to finish the spare meal before me. My stomach seems to have shrunk to the size of a chestnut, and I have to wonder how long I've been out because I had no trouble eating a fairly sizable breakfast that last morning in the arena. There's usually a lag of a few days between the end of the competition and the presentation of the Victor so that they can put the starving, wounded, mess of a personback together again. Somewhere, Cinna and Portia will be creating our wardrobes for the public appearances. Haymitch and Effie… well mostly Effie, will be arranging the banquet for our sponsors, reviewing the questions for our final interviews. Back home, District 12 is probably in chaos as they try and organize the homecoming celebrations for Peeta and me, given that the last one was close to thirty years ago.
Home! Prim and my mother! Even the thought of Prim's scruffy old cat and Lady makes me smile. Soon I will be home!
I want to get out of this bed. To see Portia, Effie, Haymitch and cuddle with Peeta and lastly to find out more about what's been going on. And why shouldn't I? I feel fine. But as I start to work my way out of the band, I feel a cold liquid seeping into my vein from one of the tubes and almost immediately lose consciousness.
This happens on and off for an indeterminate amount of time. My waking, eating, and, even though I resist the impulse to try and escape the bed, being knocked out again. I seem to be in a strange, continual twilight. Only a few things register.
The redheaded Avox girl has not returned since the feeding, my scars are disappearing, and do I imagine it? Or do I hear a man's voice yelling? Not in the Capitol accent, but in the rougher cadences of home. And I can't help having a vague, comforting feeling that someone is looking out for me when Peeta is unable to.
The next time, I'm not in a daze, I'm alone. I'm also strapped to the bed by my waist. I can't sit up. Instead, I wiggle my fingers, pleased when I find I still have the ability. After this small exercise, I try to move my toes. But my toes remain unresponsive. Feeling frustrated, I'm debating on lifting it completely when the Avox girl comes in, flanked by Haymitch.
The Avox girl presses a button on the side of my bed and it lifts me so that I'm in a sitting position. She also places a tray consisting of food in front of me. I grab the spoon and attack the food, angered that they once only gave me broth and apple-sauce again.
I'm halfway through my small meal when I remember Haymitch standing there. I glance up at him, still not trusting that my voice will work. He coughs and then moves closer to my bed. I swallow a quick spoonful of broth and look up at him.
"What's going on?" I croak, and I'm surprised my voice still works, although it is hoarse from lack of use.
"Well, for starters, they repaired your ear," Haymitch says smoothly. I raise arm and ruffle the hair behind my ear. It's my relief that I find that I can hear again and reassert the fact. Smiling slightly, I turn back to Haymitch.
"And Peeta? How is he? Is he alright?" I ask anxiously.
"He's fine," Haymitch says somewhat with a genuine smile, and I breathe a sigh of relief. "He's going to have to have some minor physical therapy to help him give some finishing touch to his leg, and that mutt-inflicted wound was also there. The most they are working on though are scars from whipping on his back which he must have got from his mother. Though he clear-out vetoed up that offer saying the wounds are the only thing his mother gave him in real and since it has nothing to do with the Games so it is his decision entirely. None could come up with an argument after that."
I can feel my eyes widen as Haymitch's words sink in. I can honestly say that I am quite disturbed with the news though and was truly worried to imagine what must Peeta and Rye have endured all these years living with the hag. "I'm still contemplating on thrusting an arrow through the hag's head."
Chuckling Haymitch replied, "Go on. I won't stop you. And you might even impress the boy by gifting him his mother's head on his birthday. It'd truly make both his and his elder brother's day," A short laughter came out of me at a birthday gift idea courtesy of Haymitch. Truthfully I found it quite appealing and despite the initial shock, Peeta might be really ecstatic of the outcome.
Finally thoughts of home came to my mind with an essence of peace in it. . We'll get to go home. Together. "When can I see Peeta?" I ask Haymitch.
"Soon, sweetheart, just be patient alright?" Haymitch tries to talk in his usual tone, but I hear something underneath it, something I can't quite place. But I push the matter away from my mind. The only important thing is that I can't see Peeta right at this moment, and I don't like it one bit.
Haymitch sees that I'm done with my food, so he calls the Avox girl to lower my bed again. The he leaves, taking the girl with him. I try to struggle out of my band, not minding the fact that I don't know how to walk yet. I just want to see Peeta so we can go home together. But once again a white liquid snakes into my arm through one of the countless tubes, and I pass out yet again.
Once again time passes, and once again it has no meaning for me. Once again I eat, then get knocked out. Then one day, I wake to find that the band no longer restricts me. The restraint around my middle has been removed and I am free to move about. I start to sit up but am arrested by the sight of my hands. The skin's perfection, smooth and glowing. Not only are the scars from the Arena gone, but those accumulated over years of hunting have vanished without a trace as well. My forehead feels like satin, and when I try to find the burn on my calf, there's nothing.
I slip my legs out of bed, nervous about how they will bear my weight and find them strong and steady. Lying at the foot of the bed is an outfit that makes me flinch. It's what all of ustributes wore in the arena. I stare at it as if it had teeth until Iremember that, of course, this is what I will wear to greet my team.
I'm dressed in less than a minute and fidgeting in front of the wall where I know there's a door even if I can't see it when suddenly it slides open. I step into a wide, deserted hall that appears to have no other doors on it. But it must. And behind one of them must be Peeta. Now that I'm conscious and moving, I'm growing more and more anxious about him. He must be all right or the Avox girl wouldn't have said so. But I need to see him for myself. Kiss him, cuddle him, hug him – anything to reassure myself that he is alright.
"Peeta!" I call out, since there's no one to ask. I hear my name in response, but it's not his voice. It's a voice that provokes first irritation and then eagerness. Effie.
I turn and see them all waiting in a big chamber at the end of the hall — Effie, Haymitch, and Cinna. My feet take off without hesitation. Maybe a Victor should show more restraint, more superiority, especially when she knows this will be on tape, but I don't care. I run for them and surprise even myself when I launch into Haymitch's arms first. When he whispers in my ear, "Nice job, sweetheart," it doesn't sound sarcastic. Though for the Games or for escaping the room I would never know. But that's typical Haymitch for you. Intellectuality is passed by him through riddles or sarcasm. And only Mr. 'silver tongue' has the rare ability to keep his foot on the ground.
Effie's somewhat teary and keeps patting my hair and talking about how she told everyone we were pearls. Cinna just hugs me tight and doesn't say anything. Then I notice Portia is absent and get a bad feeling.
"Where's Portia? Is she with Peeta? He is all right, isn't he? Imean, he's alive?" I blurt out in a single breath.
"He's fine. Only they want to do your reunion live on air at the Victor's Crowning ceremony. Portia is with Peeta, helping him get ready for your reunion. He's completely fine Katniss. He's more worried about you then he is of himself." says Haymitch.
"Oh. Well if that's all," I say trailing off, my voice laced with disappointment and a feeling of raw anger sprouted in me which was directed towards the Capitol. The awful moment of thinking Peeta's dead again passes. But it still does nothing to satisfy my worry. "I guess I'd want to see that my self."
"Go on with Cinna. He has to get you ready, so that you are made pretty again," says Haymitch.
It's a relief to be alone with Cinna again, to feel his protective arm around my shoulders as he guides me away from the cameras, down a few passages and to an elevator that leads to the lobby of the Training Center and finally to my room on the 12th floor. Its refreshing to be there with the preps babbling and Cinna's calm presence. He puts me into a yellow dress, and then helps me stand so I can look in a mirror.
"Have you given up the whole 'girl on fire' thing?" I ask him as he helps me stand. The dress doesn't look fiery, but I'm also dealing with Cinna. "You tell me," he responds with a light smile.
I see my reflection, and I am still on fire. Although instead of being garbed in downright flames, I am wearing soft candlelight. My hair is down, held back with only a simple headband. I notice though, that the dress is padded with extra curves. My hands go right to my chest, and Cinna gives me an apologetic smile.
"I know," he says. "But the Gamemakers wanted to alter you surgically. Haymitch had a huge fight with them over it. This was the compromise."
I nod and go back to the dress. "This is the best one yet," I tell him sincerely. "Except… Well, I thought it'd be more sophisticated-looking," I say, trying not to sound harsh.
"I didn't want something that would get in the way of that leg too much," Cinna says carefully. "And I thought Peeta would like this better."
I wonder if he's not being entirely truthful, but the mention of Peeta's name brings my mind back to him. "When can I see him?" I ask somewhat over-eagerly and Cinna laughs.
"In just a couple of minutes," he replies as Venia helps me step into my shoes. "Know what? You are smitten. And just before the Games you were trailing off the poor boy's ulterior motives. Think I need to learn from the boy myself on how to deal with the fairer sex," said Cinna in a teasing tone turning me to a bright tomato while my entire prep team shared a nice laugh at my expense. Once everything was done, Cinna lead me to the elevator, and then to the area of the back-stage… or bottom-stage to be more precise, from where I will rise onto the stage and be formally crowned the Victor. With Peeta.
"Did you tell them?" I hear Cinna whisper.
"What's the point?" Haymitch retaliates. "They're both already there, so there's no point." He notices me watching him, and then tells Cinna to get into place. I can tell he knows I heard part of their conversation, but he doesn't mention it.
"This is your night sweetheart," he says instead. "Enjoy it." And with that, he goes to his metal plate.
The prep teams must have just gone up, judging by the amount of noise. Then the noise is doubled for what must be Effie's appearance. They go crazy for Cinna and Portia. Haymitch's arrival brings five minutes of downright stomping. Then it's my turn. The plate rises, and for a moment, I'm blinded by lights.
And then I see Peeta ahead of me, him and his polished blonde mane now glowing. He is wearing a shirt which is made of the same fabric as my dress, and black pants and even without any cape or saber-claws, he was looking dashing to me. Well best part was I had already grabbed the heart-breaker to myself. Seeing Peeta after so long made my mind go haywire. Forgetting the fact that I'm in the Capitol with thousands of people watching all over the country, I start to run towards Peeta.
I lost balance and was about to fall flat on my face with my first step. Peeta's at my side in an instant with his now signature inhuman speed and reflexes, holding me up. Before a single word can be said, we're kissing each other, drinking in the fact that we can finally be together without the looming threat of the Games. After ten minutes of straight kissing, Caesar Flickerman taps Peeta on the shoulder, and Peeta pushes him away without even looking back – to which the crowd shared a wide laugh. I tangle my hands in his gold-mane and kiss him harder, pressing him to me closely and tightly.
Finally, Haymitch shoves us apart good naturedly. Peeta still keeps a firm grip around my waist, and I use my arm to grip onto him. He helps me to the love seat, which has been arranged specifically for the both of us if my hunch is correct, from where we are to watch the Games. Peeta sits first, and then gently sets me on his lap. I settle my head onto Peeta's shoulder as he secures his arm around me tightly and protectively. The warmth of his protectiveness and his scent soothed me to a degree which even the best medicines of the Capitol failed to attain.
"I'm so glad that you are here with me now," he mutters from where his face was buried in my hair. I glance up at him lovingly.
"And so am I," I confessed to him.
"Together?" he asks with a grin.
With a smile I reply, "Forever." And with that, I sealed the deal by kissing him again in a light chaste kiss. Uncontrollable cheering erupts, and I remember that everyone can hear what we're saying. I blush crimson, but then the Games begin to replay and I have to sit back and watch.
The Games are horrible, and I don't think I could have sat through them without Peeta here. I have to see the Tributes who are all dead. But I also see a love story, specifically my love story. I can see how much Peeta loved me, and how I came to love him. How he cared for me. Looked after my health and well-being and also hid my trails that he recognized, from the Careers. More than once he led them back to a wrong way to keep them away from me.
The gruesome parts are still there. Peeta in bloodbath. Then all his conquests before the ones I witnessed. How he slaughtered 2 Careers to claim dominance of the pack. How he marvelously finished off the District 4 girl who was trying to murder him in his sleep. Then I see Peeta arranging food – fishing, hunting, cooking. Then comes videos of him feeding Rue, Dylan and Glimmer, and even me as well. I see myself dropping the Tracker Jacker nest on the Careers and the end of 4 Careers. Then I watched myself laying the foundations of the now infamous Bombing of the Cornucopia. And so it continued until I watched as Cato gets shot by me and Peeta bravely square off with the genetic-mutts. But amongst them and the worst of all – I relive Sybil and Rue's death.
When the Games are over, Peeta tilts my face up to meet his. "We made it," he whispers, and kisses me softly again. This one can't last long though, seeing as we are about to be awarded our 10 wishes to each as we are privileged for being the co-Victors of a Pre-Quell. That and also our Crown from President Snow signifying our victory. He passes me a piece of paper to look into which I find out to be suggestions for my 10 part wish. And since he has made less than 10 wishes, and I really hadn't planned about it anyway, and that his wishes are extraordinarily chosen and framed, I decided to just make the suggestions my wishes. Sometimes I wonder how more wonderful Peeta Mellark can be.
~Katniss POV~
(A/N) : Possibly one or two more chapters are left to finish this first part of my series. Awarding of the Ten Wishes ceremony shall be covered in the next chapter so stay tuned.
~ Aeigns