A/N: Should the story end: right after the Quarter Quell is announced, and writing a sequel, or just keep writing here...
Chapter 12:
The camera crew came by everyday for a week, showing Panem the loving 'forbidden couple' and their love story, shoving their cameras in Nikki and Peeta's faces. Effie, behind the scenes, kept saying stuff like, "You need to always be close to each other, otherwise no one will believe you actually love each other."
Nikki rolled her eyes at Effie. "You know, you aren't actually thinking, are you?"
Peeta smiled slightly, trying not to laugh out loud.
"Why do you have to continue insulting me?" Effie asked, not knowing that the cameras never actually stopped filming.
Nikki sighed, trying not to glance at the cameras. "Because, Effie, if you were thinking, you would know that Peeta and I don't need your version of 'helping' which is only you telling us to lean closer and be all sickly sweet. We don't need that. We love each other just fine. If Panem isn't stupid, they'll see our love without you trying to force interactions." She glanced over at Peeta and burst out laughing. He was red in the face from trying not to laugh and he was bent over, holding his stomach. At Nikki's laugh, he let go and laughed too. Nikki smiled as she walked over and touched Peeta's shoulder. "Peeta, take a breath."
It took him a little bit, but Peeta was finally able to straighten up and breathe normally. "Thanks. Both for the laugh and the recovery."
"You're welcome." Nikki tilted her head as she looked up at him. "You should laugh more. Your entire face lights up."
Peeta smiled down at her, raising a hand to brush her cheek. "I could say the same for you. I love it when you smile and laugh. Your eyes sparkle when you do." Nikki blushed. "I also like it when you blush. Did you know that as your cheeks get pink, your lips turn dark red?"
Nikki let out a little gasp. "Yes? Mama did mention something about that once." She stared into his eyes, noticing that he was getting closer. The cameras faded into the background as Peeta's lips brushed against hers. She was taken back by that, letting out another little gasp, and felt his tongue slid into her mouth. Nikki kissed him back, pouring her love into the kiss, and ignoring everyone around them. She wrapped her arms around Peeta's neck, pressing herself against his strong body. Peeta slowly wrapped his arms around Nikki's waist, holding her close. Nikki's eyes were closed, so she couldn't see his expression or even if his eyes were closed too.
Someone cleared their throat, drawing the kissing teens apart. They blushed darkly as they pulled apart, and looked at their feet. Effie was looking at them in shock. Maybe they really were telling the truth. It was really starting to look like they weren't pretending for the cameras. "Well," she said, drawing everyone's attention. "I'm sorry, you two. I thought that if you didn't do certain things, then you weren't really in love."
Nikki sighed. "That's the problem with the Capital," she said, noticing the camera crew's shock out of the corner of her eye. "The Capital is all about 'showy' events, and they forget that we are simple people that don't need the frivolous over-the-top shows. We only want to love each other without outsiders trying to make it into a show." Her face showed her honesty and sincerity, and she glanced back at Peeta. "We just want to be left alone to let our love grow naturally," Nikki said.
Peeta smiled at her warmly, in an infatuated way. "She's right," he said.
"And, cut," said the director suddenly, making Effie, Peeta, and Nikki jump and turn to look at the cameras.
"You were still filming us?" Effie asked, shocked and horrified.
"Yes," the director answered. "I wanted to show the interactions between them without you directing them." She shrugged at Effie's affronted look. Then she turned to Peeta and Nikki. "I think we're done here. We'll leave you alone until the Victory Tour. Okay?"
Peeta and Nikki exchanged looks and shrugged before Peeta told the director, "I think that will be great. We really appreciate your decision." He wrapped an arm around Nikki's shoulders. When the camera crew left, taking Effie with them after she let them know when they were to go on the Victory Tour, Peeta turned his gaze to Nikki. "Want to go for a walk and talk?"
"Sure," Nikki said. "What about?" she asked as Peeta turned them towards the end of the village.
"Nothing really, just about what we want for our lives?" Peeta glanced at her as they walked past their houses and past Haymitch's house to a small field.
"That's fine," Nikki said, heart pounding as she worried -perhaps needlessly- about Peeta's true feelings for her.
"What kind of life do you want in the future?" Peeta asked as they sat down in the field. He rubbed his hand up and down her shoulder.
"I want the type of relationship my mom and dad have. The perfect wedding, a loving relationship, laughter in the kitchen, the sound of little feet pattering in the house, and maybe a garden." Nikki blushed at the look on his face.
"That sounds lovely." Peeta looked away shyly.
Nikki bit her bottom lip. "What kind of life do you want in the future?"
Peeta smiled. "I think that would be a good future. I like that."
"With Katniss?" The question was out of her mouth before she could stop it. Her face turned bright red and she turned away from him.
"What?" Peeta looked at her sharply. "No, I wasn't thinking about Katniss. I was thinking about you." He frowned slightly. "Are you still worried about me liking Katniss like that?"
"Obviously," Nikki stated as she tried hard to get up on her own. Her right leg kept trying to buckle under her.
"Nikki," Peeta helped her up, standing afterwards. "I've come to realize a while ago that my feelings for Katniss aren't the right kind of feelings. I've started looking somewhere new, at a different brunet." He wrapped his arms around her stiff form from behind. "I love you, Nikki Swift."