AN: Happy new year!
And... I'm back! Finally. I want to thank you for your patience. I hope you're still interested in my little story. I'll be going back to more regular updates from now on.
This chapter took a bit longer than I had anticipated, but I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. I hope you enjoy it.
CHAPTER 10 The Deal
Katniss Everdeen cursed under her breath, she was running late.
Exhausted and breathless she pushed herself to walk faster. This was her first visit to Victors' Village, and she didn't want to keep Peeta waiting.
Her muscles, stiff and slow, reminded her that she had barely slept the previous night, tossing and turning while her mind replayed the events of the day.
Her morning had been ordinary -the same endless string of tedious classes which blended into each other had filled her day-but her trip into the woods had been a productive one.
Gale's snares had yielded a fat rabbit, and she had managed to shoot a couple of squirrels and a duck. It was a pretty good haul for autumn.
After trading at the Hob, Katniss had gone to the bakery.
Mr. Mellark had been his usual friendly self. He'd asked about her family and pretended to haggle only to end up giving her the customary day-old sourdough in exchange for her squirrels.
Tired, and eager to go home, she had turned on her heel, too distracted to notice Peeta working in the kitchen.
She was almost at the end of the street when her whole world had been turned upside down.
She still couldn't believe Peeta Mellark had called out to her, or that her first conversation with the victor had taken place just a few steps away from the spot where he'd helped her all those years ago.
The sound of her name on Peeta's lips invaded her memories, sending her heart into a mad frenzy that left her in a daze.
When she closed her eyes, she saw his -bright and incredibly blue- looking back at her. The hint of cinnamon she'd detected while talking to him clung to her skin, tickling her nose and making her mouth water.
It had all happened so fast.
Before Katniss even knew what was going on, Peeta had offered to start trading with her.
Shocked, and a bit overwhelmed by his appraisal of her skills, Katniss hardly remembered her walk back to the Seam.
As the enormity of Peeta's offer sunk in, one notion took over her thoughts. Before any deals could be made, she needed to clear the air. She would never feel comfortable bartering with him while she was still in his debt.
Katniss had already spent many sleepless nights throughout the years wondering how to repay Peeta for his kindness, but she had never found the right words. No gesture had ever seemed meaningful enough. And now, on the cusp of their potential partnership, she was just as clueless as she'd ever been.
Frustrated, she looked at the ceiling and scowled. She was scheduled to meet Peeta in Victors' Village the following day. Time was running out, and she was no closer to figuring out this puzzle than she'd ever been.
As a victor, there wasn't much Peeta needed. Whatever he wanted he could just buy. So, what could she offer him?
The solution to her predicament came suddenly; hitting her like a slap in the face and leaving her shocked and breathless under the sudden clarity it brought.
There was something Peeta wanted. And, according to him, she was the one person who could provide it. Granted, he was willing to pay for it; but who was to say she couldn't give it to him for free?
Just this once, she told herself. As a thank you, a token of good faith between traders.
The more she thought about it, the more sense it made. Given their circumstances, a modest offering and a brief explanation would be a lot better than trying to come up with a grand gesture she couldn't really afford.
Drained, Katniss had finally fallen asleep sometime in the early hours; convinced that short, clear, and simple was the best approach.
XXXXX
Katniss climbed the few steps leading up to Peeta's front porch. Her sweaty palms tingled nervously as she reached the front door.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, she knocked.
A moment later, a familiar voice called out, "Coming!"
Katniss's heartbeat picked up speed. Nervous, she tried to dry her clammy hands with the soft cotton of her pants.
The door swung open.
A gust of hot air spilled from the heated house enveloping Katniss in its warm embrace. Startled, she awkwardly jumped back.
Peeta's voice, deep and friendly, greeted her, "Hey, Katniss!"
Slightly embarrassed by her ungraceful reaction, she turned to face him.
He was looking straight at her with a shy smile on his lips. A mop of tousled golden waves fell over his forehead, almost touching his ocean blue eyes.
Not for the first time, Katniss wondered what it would be like to brush the unruly curls away from his face.
Annoyed with herself, Katniss cleared her throat. Her small hands reached for the strap of the hunting bag which hung across her chest. Clutching it tightly, she reminded herself to breathe.
She wasn't there to touch Peeta Mellark, —or to notice the maroon sweater he wore and the way it hugged his chest, highlighting the well-defined muscles she remembered from his wrestling matches and his days in the arena— she was there to talk business.
Pushing herself to focus, she answered, "Hey!"
Peeta's smile widened. "Did you find the place alright?"
Unable to look away from him, she nodded.
"Good." Peeta stepped out onto the front porch and closed the door behind him. Pointing to the porch swing, he asked, "Would you like to sit down?"
Again, Katniss nodded.
She reached the swing and carefully sat at the far end of the bench, resting her hunting bag on her lap and protectively wrapping her arms around it.
Peeta followed, lowering himself onto the seat and leaving as much space between them as possible. His eyes, bright and curious, flitted briefly in her direction before quickly turning away.
The gesture was so familiar it made her heart ache with an inexplicable longing for the past.
She drew in a breath. Cool, crisp autumn air filled her lungs instantly soothing her frayed nerves and helping her relax.
A moment later, Peeta leaned forward. Resting his forearms on his knees, he turned towards Katniss's general direction and asked, "Should we talk shop then?"
"Yeah."
His shoulders rose and fell, following the deep breath he took. "Alright," he began, "so, this is what I've been thinking. We can trade for coin, or goods, whatever you prefer."
Katniss considered his words. Payments in coin were always welcome but, for a girl from the Seam, wares she could consume or trade were usually better. "I'd rather take goods whenever you have them," she answered.
Peeta nodded. "I figured as much." After clearing his throat, he continued, "We could trade for regular bread but, since you already get that from my dad, I'd be happy to give you other types of baked goods; like meat pies, and buns, and such."
Katniss nodded. Her mouth watered as she thought of the delicacies Peeta described. She'd only eaten meat pies made with the flour from her tesserae grain and, while filling, they hadn't been tasty. The baker's son's version would undoubtedly be better.
Peeta went on, "In a few more weeks, I'll have some fresh vegetables. I'd be happy to trade those as well."
"Fresh vegetables?" she blurted in surprise. "But it's almost wintertime!"
Peeta smiled, pointing his thumb to the back of the house, he explained, "Yeah, I have a greenhouse in my backyard. Want to see?"
Completely overriding her brain, Katniss's mouth immediately answered, "Sure!"
Without wasting any time, Peeta stood up and gestured for Katniss to follow.
Gingerly, Katniss stepped into the victor's house. The scent of freshly baked bread tickled her nose, and she stopped for a second, hungrily filling her lungs with the mouthwatering smell as she studied the room around her.
The entrance hall was warm and welcoming. A large, round mirror hung on the wall reflecting the golden light coming in through the window. Under it, a wooden console table with a rustic, unfinished look reminded her of the fallen tree logs which lay scattered on the forest floor.
On the table, a tall glass vase with a single maple branch brought the colors of the season into the house.
Wide-eyed, Katniss trailed behind the young victor; silently taking in her surroundings as he guided her through the long corridor which led to the back of the house.
A handful of open doors lined the hallway. Curious, Katniss sneaked a peek through them as she walked past.
The large luminous spaces, decorated with warm earth tones and unassuming rustic furniture, surprised her. The soft worn leather couches, sturdy tables, and elegant chairs of smooth unvarnished woods were luxurious, but they retained a modesty she hadn't expected to find in a victor's home.
A quick glimpse into the kitchen made her gasp.
Two tall windows looked out onto the garden filling the room with natural light and casting a warm glow over the entire room.
She had always thought Madge's kitchen was impressive, but compared to Peeta's -with its stainless-steel appliances and marble countertop- the mayor's mansion seemed shabby and dark.
She briefly wondered whether her friend had ever been to Victors' Village. Had she ever sat at that island to share a scone and a cup of tea with her cousin?
Peeta cleared his throat.
Startled, Katniss turned to him. He was standing by the door at the end of the hallway. His hand hovered over the brass doorknob as he quietly waited for her to join him.
A soft blush crept up her cheeks. Embarrassed by getting caught snooping, she blurted, "Do you ever get lost in here?"
Peeta chuckled, a low, raspy sound that made her heart flutter. "Not anymore. But I took a lot of wrong turns when I first moved here."
At a loss for words, Katniss smiled and closed the distance between them.
Peeta turned and opened the door, showing her out to the back porch.
The expansive lawn which greeted her took her by surprise. There was a small lily pond to the left and a row of fruit trees encircling the yard, separating it from the rest of the world.
Katniss's eyes widened taking in every tree as she tried to identify all the fruits contained in the victor's orchard. She had never seen so much variety in one place.
A long building ran along the back of the property. Its large glass windows and white wooden frame gleamed under the afternoon sun. It was so beautiful it took her breath away.
Peeta's soft whisper brought her back to reality. "What do you think?"
Keeping her eyes on the building, Katniss answered, "I… I'd never seen anything like it before. It's… gorgeous."
"Want to go inside?" he offered.
Katniss's face lit up. "Really?"
Peeta chuckled. "Yeah. Come on!"
Eager to keep exploring, Katniss followed Peeta.
He reached the wooden building and, with a theatrical flourish, held the door open for her. "After you."
Katniss walked past him, focusing on the green leaves she'd spotted from the doorway and trying her best to ignore the way her body tingled at Peeta's proximity when she crossed the threshold.
The air inside the greenhouse was warm and sweet. Small condensation droplets covered the glass walls and ceiling turning the streams of light into delicate rainbow beams.
Losing herself in the green oasis, Katniss whispered, "It's incredible."
Peeta closed the door. His voice was as soft as a caress as he explained, "it's divided into two sections. The one on the right is for vegetables. I already have some tomatoes, spinach, and squash. But I also want to plant peppers and peas."
Katniss took in the area Peeta had described. Green sprouts and shrubs of different shapes and sizes were already breaking through the soil. She turned to the left and frowned, the flower beds were empty. Pointing at them, she asked, "What are you growing here?"
"Nothing yet. I was thinking about planting some herbs. Basil, rosemary, that kind of thing."
Katniss turned to face him. "Would you consider growing medicinal plants?"
Intrigued, Peeta raised an eyebrow. "What did you have in mind?"
Katniss shrugged. "I don't know. Um, maidenhair fern, green amaranth, maybe some Echinacea?"
Peeta nodded, absentmindedly chewing on his lower lip as he considered her words. "Where could I find these plants?"
"I could get them for you," she offered.
"Out there?" he asked, nodding to the woods.
"Mm-hmm."
"Could you bring some of the others as well?"
"The edible ones?"
Peeta nodded.
"Sure, I can bring anything you like."
"Alright, we'll make a list. You'll collect as many herbs and medicinal plants as you can find, and we'll plant them here. I'll grow them for you and include them in our trade. Would that be ok?"
"Yeah," she answered, satisfied with his terms.
"One more thing," he said, "this whole plant thing is very new to me. But you seem to know a great deal. Would you consider helping me? I'd compensate you for your time, of course," he rushed to assure her.
Katniss took one more look at the greenhouse, a luminous bubble of eternal spring. How could she say no to spending more time in there?
"We could work something out," she said.
Peeta's smile was as blinding as the sun, "Great!" Looking at her hunting bag, he asked, "So, what have you got for me today?"
Katniss cleared her throat. It was her turn to show her wares.
Trying to keep her voice as steady and clear as possible, she explained, "Well, it's Saturday today, so I have a little more than usual." She opened her bag and rummaged around, listing all the things she carried. "Let's see… I have a squirrel, a rabbit, a pheasant and two trout!"
"Wow, that's pretty impressive for just one day!"
Bashful, Katniss kept her eyes on her satchel and bit her bottom lip. She could feel her cheeks burning under his praise. "What would you like?" she whispered.
"Um, I'll take a trout. Is that alright?"
"Yeah," she assured him. "You can have anything you like. Why don't you take something else?"
Peeta thought for a moment. "I guess I could take the rabbit, I've been wanting to try my hand at preparing stew for a while."
"Ok."
Katniss walked over to the worktable where Peeta kept his tools and covered it with a thin plastic sheet. Carefully, she placed the trout and rabbit on top of it.
She looked at her offering. She knew it wasn't bad. There was enough food there to feed her family for the better part of a week. But she wasn't sure it covered five years of debt and silence. "Are you sure you don't want anything else?" she insisted.
"Yeah, that's plenty."
Katniss nodded. If Peeta didn't want to take more things, she couldn't force him.
"So, what would you like in exchange?" he asked, "I have spinach and mushroom pie, and I have cheese buns. I also have some apple crumble, it's from yesterday, but it's still pretty good."
Katniss shook her head, keeping her eyes trained on the worktable she said, "You don't have to give me anything for today's game."
Peeta frowned. "What? Why not?"
Katniss's mouth went dry. This was the moment she'd been dreading. Her chest constricted and every muscle in her body tightened. She felt like she was about to snap, but it was too late to back down.
Forcing herself to look at him, she mumbled, "Because I still owe you… for the bread."
Peeta's eyes narrowed as he tried to understand what she meant. "But… I haven't given you any…"
She knew the second it hit him. His whole expression changed. His eyes widened, swallowing her in their shimmering depths, and he gasped, suddenly trapped in a distant moment in what already felt like someone else's life.
"Katniss," he said, finally finding his voice, "you don't have to pay me for that. It... it was a long time ago, and…"
Katniss held up her hand. Startled, Peeta stopped talking.
"You gave me two loaves of bread," she said, her words strained as she tried to keep her anxiety in check. "I never thanked you for it, and I never paid you back. I know it was a long time ago, and that my offering probably doesn't cover…"
Rattled, Katniss trailed off. She knew perfectly well how Peeta had paid for those loaves of bread, but she couldn't bring herself to mention it. Shaking her head, she pushed herself to speak again. "We can't start a trading arrangement unless we're even."
XXXXX
Peeta considered Katniss's words. The fact that she remembered the incident didn't surprise him -she had been desperate that day, and District 12's merchants weren't famous for giving away perfectly good food- but, even as a kid, he'd never expected Katniss to give him anything in return. A part of him abhorred the idea of accepting some type of payment at this point.
Still, there was no mistaking the meaning behind her words. To trade with him, she needed to trust him; and she would never do that with the shadow of some unpaid debt hanging over her head.
As understanding dawned on him, he looked into her eyes. Even if he hadn't been ready to give in, the tender plea he found in them was enough to stop him from arguing any further.
Resigned, he sighed. "Fine, we'll do it your way. I won't give you anything for today's food. But that's it. We're even now. We'll start trading properly the next time you come round."
Katniss's eyes lit up, and she smiled. He hadn't realized how tense she was until he saw her shoulders relax.
"Good," she said.
Still surprised by the direction his first trade with the huntress had taken, Peeta offered his hand for her to shake.
A moment later, Katniss followed his lead.
Peeta's heart raced, amazed by how perfectly Katniss's small hand fitted inside his.
Before the gesture could turn awkward, he looked straight into her eyes. "We have a deal, then," he said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze before letting go.
Her answer was music to his ears. "We have a deal."
XXXXX
Katniss reached the small clearing where she usually met Gale and scowled. Her hunting partner was nowhere to be found.
With an annoyed huff, she dropped onto the large rock which protected her from the damp earth. Cold and cranky, Katniss wrapped her arms tightly around her chest and tried to keep warm as she waited.
Minutes went by, and her mind wandered. She still hadn't decided whether to tell her hunting partner about her new arrangement with Peeta, or not.
A part of her wanted to share the good news with him. The deal Peeta offered was far better than any they'd ever had before, and she felt like celebrating. But the mere thought of bringing Peeta up in a conversation with Gale made her chest tighten, drowning her good spirits in anxiety and dread.
Turning her eyes to the faraway branches of the surrounding trees, she sighed. Her warm breath turned into a puffy cloud that happily floated away as it tried to reach the sky.
"Hey, Catnip."
Startled, Katniss turned to face Gale. His ability to walk through the forest undetected never failed to surprise her.
"About time," she grumbled, scooting over so that he could sit by her side.
"I'm sorry," he apologized, "I was waiting for Rory."
Gale slumped on the rock, frustration evident on his face as he rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. "I swear the boy thinks coming to the woods is like going on one of those vacations they show on Capitol TV." With a shake of his head, he added, "He wanted to bring dad's harmonica with him. Can you believe that? A harmonica, to the woods! No animal would be foolish enough to stick around that racket!"
Katniss chuckled. Rory was a good kid, but he was having a hard time adjusting to his new role as family provider. It wasn't that he was irresponsible, or that he was trying to shirk his duties, but merely that the 12-year old wanted to hold on to his childhood for as long as possible.
Katniss often wondered how the boy had managed to stay so innocent for so long. Even with Gale's protection, District 12 was a harsh place. There wasn't much room for frivolity and fun when you grew up in the Seam.
Katniss glanced around. "Where is he?"
"I left him by the creek. He's checking the new snare line."
"Do you think he's ready to reset it on his own?"
"Probably not," Gale admitted, "you might have to keep an eye on him through the week."
Katniss nodded. Helping with Rory's training had always been part of their deal. He was already joining her a couple of times a week.
"I'll make sure he gets it right," she promised.
"Thanks, Catnip." Gale's hands dropped limply to his lap. His eyes focused on some distant point on the horizon, and he sighed. "I really don't know what we'd do without you," he whispered.
Katniss's earlier annoyance gave way to the deep-rooted sadness she sometimes felt when she thought about Gale. Mollified, she looked at him.
The daring boy she'd met in the forest had already begun to lose his luster. His work at the mines took up most of his time and drained him, slowly dulling his bright, lively eyes and burying his spirit under the same layers of coal dust which clogged his pores.
When they were in the forest, the one place where she knew he was truly happy, the anger and frustration he kept at bay during the week spilled out of him; pouring out of his lips in a cascade of rants and insults directed towards the system which kept him trapped underground.
He had always been like that, angry and explosive. But his new circumstances were also turning him bitter.
The easy rapport they'd once shared was growing weaker under the strain of his new attitude.
Unwilling to join him in his diatribes, Katniss had begun to withdraw into herself, keeping her conversations centered on their hunting agreement, and avoiding most of the more personal topics she'd once shared with him.
It was hard, keeping her distance from him. They had spent years facing their problems together, drawing strength from one another and their friendship. But Gale was a grown up now and, for the first time since they'd met, the small age gap between them felt like an enormous chasm.
For her, the mines were a horrific nightmare looming on the horizon. But, for Gale, they were a reality. And, as hard as she tried, she just couldn't share the burden he carried.
She sometimes wondered what it would be like to be the one stuck in a dark hole all day while her friend roamed happily out in the open, but she never dwelled on the subject for long. She'd have plenty of time to know what that was like.
In less than two years' time, she'd be stuck under the ground, working alongside her friend.
It was in those moments, when her own fear of the mines made her more sympathetic to Gale's plight, that she pledged to be more tolerant and supportive of her friend. Sadly, her promises to be more patient and understanding quickly crumbled whenever he was around. Because, as much as she wanted to empathize, Katniss was still hurt by the words he'd spat at her doorstep on that muggy summer night.
She didn't understand what had come over him that day, or why he had been so adamant to know the nature of her relationship with Peeta.
His heated words still echoed in her mind, making her feel cheap and small.
She hadn't been able to forget the judgmental glint she'd seen in his eyes. And she resented his insinuation that her relationship with the baker's son was a sordid and shameful affair.
Up until two days before, her relationship with Peeta Mellark had been non-existent, and the only thing she was ashamed of was repaying the kind boy's sacrifice with five years of silence and indifference.
Peeta's generous gift on that cold rainy day had nothing to do with Gale. And, if Gale thought threats and insults were the way to earn her trust, he was sorely mistaken.
The funny thing was that, for someone who liked to vent and rant, Gale had been surprisingly eager to sweep their argument under the rug.
In the weeks following Peeta's victory, the hunting partners had settled into their current routine without ever mentioning the incident. It was almost as if they believed that, somehow, ignoring the things Gale had said would make them go away.
Happy to avoid confrontation, Katniss had followed Gale's lead, acting as if nothing had happened. But the damage had been done. Something precious had broken between them that night, and they still hadn't found a way to make it right.
"So, where would you like to start today?" Gale asked.
"Um, well, I wanted to follow the east trail. I was hoping to gather some herbs and plants today."
"Didn't you do that last week? Rory said you spent Wednesday afternoon drying leaves for your mother's pantry. I figured she was set for winter."
Katniss nodded. "She is, but I still need a few more things."
Gale narrowed his eyes. "Are you trading them?"
Katniss's stomach dropped. She knew what was coming next, and she couldn't avoid it. Softly, she admitted, "Yeah. We, um... we have a new customer."
"A new customer? That's good!" he said smiling, "Who is it?"
Katniss braced herself. "It's Peeta," she said, "Peeta Mellark."
Like a hawk who spots a mouse running through a field, Gale trained his sharp eyes on her.
Katniss stood still. She recognized the look on his face. She knew him well enough to know she was being studied; like a wild animal which needs to be understood so that it can be cornered and trapped.
He's always been good at that, she thought, building traps and setting up snares.
She had put up with Gale's interference when she was younger. She'd actually appreciated having someone who had her back and helped her whenever she was in a bind, but this new attitude that made him act like he had a right to infringe on her life and pass judgment on her decisions made her bristle.
She didn't like it, and she wasn't willing to put up with it anymore. The days of Gale Hawthorne meddling in her personal affairs were over.
Katniss pushed back her shoulders and looked straight into her friend's eyes. "Enough," she warned.
He pursed his lips. "I haven't said anything."
Katniss scowled. "You don't have to. I know what you're thinking."
"And what is that?" he challenged her.
"You're thinking that victors are as capricious as Capitolites and that he's going to take advantage of me in some way."
Gale smirked. "And doesn't that give you some pause, Catnip?"
Annoyed, Katniss shook her head. Before Gale could assume his "big brother" stance and began dictating what her conduct should be, she added, "I know what I'm doing, Gale. This is a good deal. You don't want to be a part of it? Fine. Don't be. I don't need your help to keep up my end of the bargain," she finished with a shrug.
A storm raged in Gale's gray eyes. His words dripped with barely contained rage when he spoke. "Fine. Push me aside, have it your way. We'll see how long this "good deal" lasts before our young victor decides squirrels and fish aren't enough to fill his needs."
Katniss's hands clenched into tight fists by her side. Her words, fueled by anger and disappointment, hung in the air between them. "I don't know what's worse, the way you judge Peeta without even knowing him, or how little you think of me.
"Think about it Gale, have either one of us ever given you cause to believe our dealings would be nothing but proper?"
Gale dropped his gaze to the ground. His shoulders slumped forward as he let out a frustrated sigh. "I'm just trying to protect you, Catnip," he whispered.
"I appreciate that, Gale," she said shortly, "but you need to trust me on this one. Peeta is not a threat, and he's offering a good deal. This will be good for us. You'll see."
With a bitter laugh, Gale turned to look at the woods. His voice was hoarse and distant when he asked, "Just promise me one thing."
Katniss eyed him warily. Promises and vows were something Gale took very seriously. "What?"
"If anything ever goes wrong, you'll tell me about it. Alright?"
Katniss rolled her eyes. "Fine," she relented, "If that sets your mind at ease... I promise."
"I'm not playing, Catnip," he warned, locking his bright gunmetal eyes with hers. "Promise me."
Eager to put the matter to rest, Katniss repeated, "If anything ever goes wrong, you'll be the first to know. I promise."
Seemingly satisfied, Gale dropped her gaze. "Alright."
The sound of a twig snapping, followed by a hushed curse, made them turn. Rory.
"Hey, guys!" the boy greeted. "The snare line is clean." Noticing his brother's tense posture, he asked, "Is everything ok?"
"Everything's fine," the hunting partners huffed in unison startling him.
Gale stood up. Stretching his long limbs as far as they could reach, he filled his lungs with fresh forest air. After holding the posture for a moment, he relaxed his muscles and exhaled, expelling the air with a low whistle.
On quick, silent feet Gale reached his brother's side. "Katniss is going to check the East trail today," he explained. "You should probably stick with me."
Rory's eyes sparkled at the prospect of spending the morning with his brother. "Alright!" Turning to the huntress, he said, "See you tomorrow, Katniss!"
Katniss was already standing up, her hunting bag hung from her shoulders. "Yeah, see you tomorrow." Before turning around, she added, " Bye, Gale. I'll see you next week."
"Yep, I'll be here. Hopefully, I'll even make it on time," Gale added, casting a sideways glance to Rory who had the decency to blush.
As Katniss made her way through the woods that day, she felt light and cheerful. All in all, she'd had a pretty good weekend.
After years of living burdened by guilt and remorse, she had finally found a way to make things right with Peeta.
The terms of their deal made the upcoming winter a little less daunting. And the idea of helping him with the greenhouse thrilled her. Having easy access to fresh plants for her mother's pantry all year round, sounded like a dream come true. She still couldn't believe she had stumbled onto such a precious opportunity.
Her mind flitted back to Gale and their conversation. Things between them were far from perfect but, at least, they had reached an understanding. No matter what her hunting partner thought now, she was sure that in a few months' time, he'd be just as happy with their deal with Peeta as she was.
Yes, Katniss thought, it's a pretty good weekend indeed.
XXXXX
AN: I want to thank the lovely AlwaysEverlark for the beautiful banner she made for this story.
I love reviews as much as Effie loves good manners. You always make my day when you share them with me. Thanks!
You can also find me on Tumblr. I'm javistg over there, come and say hi!
The Hunger Games Trilogy is the property of Suzanne Collins. No money was made off of the creation of this fanwork.