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aereres · 3 years

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Stuck On You - Cale Makar

Summary: What started as a friendship between you and Cale takes a turn during one of the best summer vacations of your life - a week in a campsite with your new friends from Colorado.

A/N: A self-indulgent Cale fic, who would have thought lmao. Definitely not my best work but I hope you enjoy!

Word Count: 5k

Warnings: a couple swear words, mentions of break-up

Summer. Summer held something you couldn’t quite place. Maybe it was the road trips with music blasting from your car’s speakers, or the endless nights spent drinking cheap beers with strangers while sitting on docks. Maybe it was the seasonal loves, the ones you’d talk about with your friends after coming home, or maybe it was the memories.

Summer had always been something you had never missed, no matter how hard school got, or how good your job paid people to stay during the hottest months of the year; and, in Colorado, it wasn’t any different.

You were gasping for breath when you finally reached the perfect spot for camping, your backpack heavy on your shoulders as your friends walked past you. The excited giggles that left their lips joined the sound of birds chirping as they pushed their own belongings on the ground.

“Oh my God,” Johanna laughed, Andre’s arm wrapped around her shoulders as she looked around the empty side of the forest your getaway was going to take place in. “This place is beautiful,”

“It is,” Sydney said from beside her, eyes cast on her bag as she started to take some stuff out.

You were still taking the beautiful view in, a smile on your lips as you realized that summer was finally starting. A new summer, you thought, with new friends and a new spot.

“Y/N, just come here already!” Andre yelled from the distance, pushing you out of your trance. “Your tent is not gonna build itself,”

“I’m coming,” you giggled, jokingly rolling your eyes your friend’s way as you pushed your backpack down your shoulders, looking around for an empty space for yourself.

“I’m here-”

The breathless words were mumbled behind you, making you turn around quickly to find a flushed face. Cale’s cheeks were their usual dark shade of red, sweat lining his forehead as he tried to gain back his breathing.

“Oh- hi, Cale,” you smiled, heart fluttering when your eyes met his face. “You doing okay?”

“I was a little late,” he mumbled, waving JT’s way before his eyes gently settled on you. It seemed like he had realized you were there in front of him just then, his body tensing as a small smile formed on his lips. “Hi, Y/N,”

“Oh my God,” Nate huffed. “I’ll literally let the two of you sleep with the bears if you don’t start with the tents,”

“Fine, fine. You guys are annoying as hell,” you mumbled, brushing past him to reach one of the last two empty spots, throwing the bag that held your tent on the ground. The paper that slipped out of the opened zipper was filled with instructions, the words so small you almost struggled to read through them. If it wasn’t already difficult enough, the drawings explaining how to set up the tent weren’t helping, either.

You were just starting to understand something when your friends’ loud laughter filled your ears, along with the sound of bottles of beer being opened. You laughed to yourself, taking one of the many thin poles in your hands as you tried to figure out where it was supposed to go, one of your palms burying itself in your hair.

You had never been the greatest at building things, and you weren’t surprised when you grew close to calling one of the guys and ask for their help. Their tents had been built in less than half an hour, helping you prop up yours wasn’t going to be too difficult. Right?

“Here, give it to me. I’ll help you,” the familiar voice snapped you out of your thoughts, as deep as you remembered it to be. Cale was standing beside you, arms folded over his chest as he gave your work a quick look, a teasing smirk on his lips. “Never been camping?”

“Not really,” you giggled awkwardly, handing him the item in your hand as he figured the mess out. His feet carried him to the left side of the tent, sliding the first part of the tube in its place.

“Alright, go on the other side,”

With Cale’s help, building a tent had never been easier. He knew what to do and where to start, he honestly made it look easy. Your shelter was ready after just a couple of minutes, and you found yourself smiling Cale’s way as soon as he mumbled a quick ‘we’re done’.

“Really?!”

“Yeah,” he chuckled, taking his place by your side again as the two of you gave the results one last look. “Looks better than mine down there,”

You giggled, turning around to wrap an arm around him, pulling him in a quick hug. “Thank you so much,” you said, pushing a stray hair out of your eyesight. “Wouldn’t have made it, without you,”

“You’re welcome,” Cale said rather rushedly, his cheeks blushing slightly. You weren’t able to see the way he flushed, though, turning around way too quickly to unpack your bag and getting the last few things for your shelter out.

As you pushed your phone out of your pocket, you realized just then how messily the butterflies in your stomach were dancing. And it was all because of Cale.

The sounds of the fireplace were comforting you as everyone enjoyed the first night of the summer together with a beer in hand. Loud laughter was coming from the Avalanche players, and you could hear a few laughs and giggles coming from your own friends, too.

“I can’t believe they gave you a penalty, man,” Tyson admitted, referring to Nathan’s last call on the ice that cost the team a power-play goal. “It was a clean hit and we all saw that,”

“Yeah, man,” EJ agreed, tipping his head back as he finished his beer.

“Call was ridiculous,” Nate agreed, shrugging slightly to signal the end of the conversation before letting an arm wrap around his girlfriend. “What have you been up to, Y/N? You’re the only one we don’t see too often,”

You chuckled at his words, shaking your head as you swallowed the last piece of s’more in your mouth. “Just been working, trying to get a promotion,”

“You go, girl,” Johanna cheered, making you laugh. “And Christian?”

The laughter left your body as soon as your ex was mentioned, the last words of your final argument repeating themselves in your mind. “Christian?” Was all you were able to mumble, eyes cast on the fire as you buried your hands in the pockets of your hoodie.

“Your boyfriend,” Susanna stated, making you chuckle out bitterly.

“Well, ex-boyfriend,” you sighed, shrugging when you looked up to see a few shocked faces. “Broke up a few months ago, now,”

“And you didn’t tell us?!” Mikko yelled, his voice loud over the mixed words of shock from your friends.

“Sorry,” you mumbled, casting your eyes to your lap as everyone kept talking, slowly starting to express the way they all almost despised your ex. Nathan - and his girlfriend agreed with him - said something about Christian hitting on his girl, Tyson complained about the fact that he had never seemed to treat you good, and all the girls agreed with him.

Thinking about your break-up on the first day of your summer vacation wasn’t something you had planned, so you silently kept to yourself, hoping the conversation would drop quickly. Your eyes lifted up from the orange flames of the fire, finding the stars illuminating the dark sky, so subtle yet so beautiful. All the voices of your friends were silenced as you admired the beauty of the night, a breath you didn’t realize you were holding in finally leaving your lips.

A gentle hand nudged your elbow, your attention snapping towards the person to your right in a quick second. Staring back at you was Cale, a soft smile on his lips as he held a stick with a roasted marshmallow between the two of you. “For you,”

“For me?”

“I know you love roasted marshmallows,” he mumbled, sheepishly scratching the back of his head. “Just thought of making one for you, I guess,”

A small smile formed on your lips at his kindness, cheeks burning as you accepted the stick. “You’re too sweet, Cale,” you mumbled, your shoulder leaning against his as you grabbed the candy from the top of the branch, pushing it in your mouth.

He grabbed his own marshmallow and slid it in his mouth, your eyes meeting as you silently looked at each other. His cheeks grew bigger from the size of the candy, a small piece of it coloring the side of his mouth.

You giggled, his own laughter following yours as you swallowed. “Hang on, Cale,” you mumbled, coming closer to him as you tried to ignore your heartbeat picking up its pace. “You’ve got something-”

Your palm cupped his scarlet cheek, warm against your skin as your thumb smoothed the sticky substance away, your eyes barely leaving his as the two of you sat back in place. Both of your heartbeats were loud, cheeks burning as you acted as if the closeness hadn’t affected you in any kind of way.

You silently hoped nobody had paid attention to the two of you, knowing the guys wouldn’t hold down the chirping; but when you looked back at the team and wags, they all seemed to be too focused on their conversation to even notice Cale’s burning cheeks, or your fingers slightly touching.

You were the first one to wish everyone a good night, that day, to retrieve in your tent and listen to your heart beat loudly. You felt like a teenager again, feeling just so jittery after the interaction with the man you had always spent too much time looking at, and had always looked for whenever you’d join the group at any kind of event.

You had always repressed whatever you had been feeling for Cale, pushed it to the side to avoid any kind of rejection. But the way Cale smiled your way, the way he helped you out whenever he could, the way he tried to find subtle ways to gently touch you.

Something in you, that night, was guessing that your feelings might have been mutual.

-----

“Does this happen every time you guys go camping?” You asked Sydney breathlessly as you took a look at the hiking path in front of you. You were already two hours into the hike, the guys all walking ahead of you as if the uphill path wasn’t tiring them, at all. “Like, do you ever get a break when hiking with the boys?”

“Nope,” Sydney giggled from beside you, stopping in her tracks to take a sip of her water. “You’re a newbie to our camping trips, you’ll get used to it,”

You laughed along with her, looping your arm around hers as you followed the rest of the group through the sunrays-lit forest, sweat threatening to line your forehead. Walking in front of everyone was Cale, laughing along with Nate as you watched him, a smile of your own forming on your lips.

The moments of the previous night kept repeating in your mind as you silently walked, hoping the man living in your mind wouldn’t notice the fondness in your eyes whenever he looked your way.

“So, you and Cale?”

The words leaving Sydney’s mouth had your cheeks burning, the smile on your face quickly turning sheepish as you kept walking. “What about me and Cale?”

“C’mon,” she laughed, looking at you with an eyebrow raised. “Last night?”

You rolled your eyes with a chuckle, shaking your head slowly as you looked at the path in front of you. “That was nothing,”

“Nothing?!” She cried exasperatedly, pushing your shoulder as she kept walking. “You looked like you were going to make-out on the spot,”

“That’s not true,”

“That’s more than true, Y/N,” she laughed, silence settling between the two of you after her teasing words. Maybe you and Cale hadn’t been that smooth, you thought. Her elbow was quick to hit your ribcage after a few minutes, her eyes finding yours again as a small smirk formed on her lips. “He’s single, you’re finally single. You should give it a thought,”

“It’s just a stupid, small crush,” you admitted. “Nothing more,”

“Then why not try and see where things would lead?” She stated, knowing she was right. “I’ve never seen Cale act like that,”

“Like what?”

“Like a smitten teenager,” her honesty had you laughing, your head shaking as you were the one to push her shoulder, that time. When your laughter died down, her voice made its way inside your ears. “But really, you should try,”

She didn’t give you time to give her a response, slipping away from you to reach her boyfriend’s side, who had called her name. You were left on your own once again, staring ahead of you, your eyes focused on the back of Cale’s head as you struggled to keep up with the group.

Was it so easy to notice? The way your cheeks would heat up, or the way your smile would turn giddy as soon as he’d be close enough to have your fingers brushing against his. Was it that easy?

“C’mon, Y/N! We’re almost there!” EJ yelled from the front, his toothless smile shining from the distance as he walked backward. You laughed, throwing your head back for a quick second before meeting eyes with a smiley Cale standing by his side.

His cheeks were their usual scarlet color, hair slightly tousled from being pushed back too many times, but he still looked like the kind of person who would steal your heart in no time.

“Good night, Y/N,” Tyson was the last person to leave the fireplace, a smile on his face as he walked towards his tent, the silence of the night engulfing you in a warm embrace.

Your eyes drifted up towards the sky - as they always did - and found the patterns of stars painting it. The moon was shining brightly that night, its rays illuminating your face as you silently thought about your day. And Cale.

The hike had gone surprisingly well: the various hours under the hot sun had been worth it, the view from the top of the mountains so beautiful you could never forget it. But you couldn’t just forget Cale, his lingering touches, and the way his eyes would be staring deeply at you whenever they could.

When he had helped you down a particularly high, rocky step, your breath had hitched, the feeling of his rough yet gentle hands on your waist pushing the butterflies in your stomach back to life. You were sure you had never felt so deeply connected to someone, the way Cale was making you feel just so unknown to you. You didn’t want things to end.

“You sure you’ll be okay out here on your own?”

Your head snapped towards the source of sound, the nest of tousled blond hair you knew too well finding your eyes in less than a second. “Yeah, don’t worry, Cale,”

Your gaze fell back on the stars, ignoring the sound of his footsteps until the shuffling of his body next to yours snapped you out of your thoughts again. “The stars are beautiful, tonight,” was all Cale mumbled as your shoulders touched.

“City pollution doesn’t do them much justice,” you chuckled, wrapping your arms around your folded legs as you sent him a quick glance. “I should probably come here more often,”

“It’s such a nice place,” Cale stated, a layer of comfortable silence settling between the two of you. Your body leaned against his on its own command, your head almost resting on his shoulder as the sounds of the crickets surrounding you pushed you into a state of calmness.

His body seemed to tense for a second, but his arm wrapped around your middle when he realized there was nothing you wanted more than to feel him close to you. He was silent for a few minutes - just enjoying your closeness and the warmth your body held - before letting his eyes close.

You didn’t recall walking back to your tent, the next morning when you woke up, but his hoodie still covering your body was a tell-tale sign Cale had brought you back after a while. You buried your flushed face in your pillow, that morning, the sun warming up your tent as you still felt Cale close to you.

Did he feel the same way?

-----

“Oh. My. God. Y/N!” Johanna yelled, trembling as the chilly water of the lake hit her back, all thanks to your splashing. You giggled at her exaggerated reaction, dipping underwater to escape any of her splashes as she tried to look for revenge.

The sun was setting after another long hike, its reflection painting the lake an orange shade as you cooled down, enjoying the last day of the vacation with the team. It was a summer you were going to remember, but you felt stressed, in some kind of way.

Your heart was beating for someone, and that someone was Cale. You had never felt as close to him as you did on the trip, and you felt like something was going to happen. Eventually.

But the trip was coming to its end: you’d have to go home and get back to your schedule, the guys would go back in full swing to their own jobs, and you weren’t ready to give up on the progress you and Cale had made, not yet. It felt as if the universe wanted you to be happy, giving you Cale and feelings you just couldn’t hold back, and just a small time to find your happiness.

The water had stopped moving around you, and you realized just then that Johanna had left, and you were - yet again - on your own. The water had started to cool down even more due to the dark clouds already painting the sky, pushing you to sit on the dock with a towel wrapped around your shoulders to warm up.

The world seemed to grow quiet as you watched the clouds move, reminding you of the sleepless night you were going to spend in your lonely tent due to the upcoming rainstorm. You smiled, though, taking a deep breath as the sound of laughter from the distance slowly put your world back into motion.

“You’re going to get a cold,”

“Would be worth it,” you giggled, watching Cale move until he was sitting next to you on the dock. “What are you doing here?”

“I was looking for you, dinner’s almost ready,” he mumbled, his own eyes falling on the sky. You hummed, wrapping the towel tighter around your shoulders as you scooted closer to him.

“I’m going to miss this,” you whispered truthfully, your cold fingers busy on the strings of your bikini. “Camping, nights in front of the fireplace, you guys,”

“Same,” Cale admitted. “I don’t want it to end, you know? I’m going to miss you,”

Your heart fluttered at his words, sending the butterflies in your stomach in a spiral for a quick second as he kept talking. “And it’s stupid to say, because I see you just so often,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. “But I’m going to miss you, and what happened between us here,”

You took a second to let his words sink in, just how quickly they made your body feel warm and how they made you feel like a teenager in love all over again. “It doesn’t have to end, Cale,” was all you whispered, your eyes meeting his as you let your heart beat loudly, not caring if anyone heard it.

“I didn’t think you’d feel the same way,” he said, honesty slipping from his lips as he let a hand cup your cheek tenderly.

“And I didn’t think you’d feel the same way, either,” you giggled, your chest warming up unexpectedly when his lips brushed up in a smile. You admired him, letting your eyes rake across his eyes, then his nose, his rosy cheeks, and - soon after - his lips. “Promise me we won’t let this go to waste,”

“We won’t,” he whispered back, his free hand lacing with yours as your lips finally met. Your world felt complete, at least, it seemed like it. With his hands on you and his gentle kisses, you felt alive, you felt like you were finally home.

One of his kisses turned into two, and two turned into three. As warm as he made you feel, your body heat was lowering and you had to pull away with clattering teeth before you bit his lip a little too hard. Your foreheads met for a moment, your eyes closing as you spent one last moment with him, the closeness having you weak.

“You’re freezing,” he stated, eyes carefully taking notice of your purple lips and shaking limbs. “Let’s go, you need to get changed before you die on me,”

“I’m fine, Cale,” you giggled, taking his hand to stand up with him before you started to head towards your camping spot, where the rest of the team was making dinner. His hand stayed in yours as he led you towards your tent, not caring - or worrying - if your friends saw.

Dinner was quite uneventful after that. You ate in silence as you missed Cale’s touch, a smile on your lips as you caught him staring your way from the distance. You didn’t set up the fireplace, that night. Rain started to hit your skin by ten, and everyone pretty much understood your last night had come to an end.

You had wished Cale goodnight with a subtle squeeze of his hand before heading towards your tent, sliding under your covers as you thought about the events of the day. Your mind went back to the man that stole your heart, thinking about the way your heart would stutter every time he’d look your way, or just how quickly your mood could change when his skin touched yours.

Saying you were stuck on him was an understatement.

The tiredness from the activities started to kick in - your eyes feeling quite heavy as you pushed your phone away from you - but the sounds the rain made, the fear of a storm and just what it could cause, they were keeping you up.

The raindrops were hitting the fabric of the tent harshly, and as much as you tried to relax, you just couldn’t. It was well past midnight when an idea popped in your mind, but you just couldn’t. It was too much, and too early.

You rolled to your side, your air mattress making a squeaking noise as you did so. It was too early. Your phone vibrated, pushing you out of your thoughts as the screen lit up, a new message waiting to be read.

I’m outside your tent.

Your brows furrowed at Cale’s text, looking up to see that, in fact, someone was standing outside your tent. You crawled towards the entrance, pushing the zipper down until the cold hair of the night hit your face, and your eyes met Cale’s frame.

“What the hell are you doing here? You’re going to catch a cold!”

“Would be worth it,” he repeated the words you had used earlier that day. “Can I come in?”

“Of course,” you whisper-yelled, almost dragging him inside before you closed the tent back up. “What are you doing here, Cale?”

“I noticed you couldn’t sleep,” he mumbled, sitting on the edge of your mattress as his eyes stayed on your features even in the darkness of the night. “And I couldn’t sleep either,”

You giggled, shaking your head when you had realized you had had the same idea at the same time. You had been so close to joining Cale in his tent to relax and let all your worries leave your body, but he had beaten you at your own game.

With your last ounce of courage, you pressed a quick kiss to his blushing cheek, pulling him along with you to lay on the mattress. “Just come here,”

You were facing each other after you slipped under the covers again, his eyes staring into yours as you felt your body snuggle closer to his at its own command. One of his arms wrapped itself around your body, pulling you even closer as you felt a tender kiss being pressed to the crown of your head.

“Get some rest,” he whispered in your hair, your face buried in the crook of his neck as he talked. “I’ll be here in the morning,”

“Good night, Cale,”

“Good night, Y/N,”

Morning came quickly, too quickly for your liking. The sun was weakly lighting up your tent, its rays shining against Cale’s skin just right. He was still with you - as he had promised - and you were sure there was no better way to wake up than to open your eyes and see Cale, before anyone else.

He was breathing shallowly, eyes still closed as his arms kept tight around your waist, no sign of him waking up just yet. Your heart was a fluttering mess: you’d gone from complete strangers, to friends, to what seemed like lovers. And, God- you didn’t want it to end.

One single digit of yours ghosted over his soft cheek, starting to trace his features as lightly as it could as you admired him with all you had, hoping he wouldn’t wake up from your motions. A long sigh left his lips at your touch, eyelids squeezing for a quick second before he let them open.

“Good morning,” he grumbled, voice gravelly as he closed his eyes for another moment.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you,” you whispered, retrieving your hand as he pulled you closer. “Slept well?”

“Yes,” he dragged the last letter, the smile on his lips making you giggle. “You?”

“Like a baby,”

“That’s good,”

Silence settled between you as you enjoyed his warmth, brain running way too quickly at just eight in the morning while you traced shapes on his clothed chest. “They’re gonna chirp the hell out of us,” you giggled.

“Oh, God,” Cale chuckled, his palm landing on his face as he remembered about his restless teammates. “Might as well just die in here,”

You giggled, tugging the tent’s zipper open and grabbing his hand to get him out of your bed. “Just let them talk,” you whispered in his ear before stepping outside, stretching your limbs. His quite taller frame struggled to exit the tent, but when he did, a chorus of gasps surrounded you.

“I knew it!” Johanna yelled, receiving a slap from a sleepy Sydney when her loud voice scared her. “I fucking knew it!”

“Cale is getting it, guys!” Tyson said loudly, making Cale’s cheeks heat up.

“Shut the fuck up, Josty,” you spat out jokingly, pushing his shoulder as you found an empty spot to sit on. “Don’t chirp my boyfriend,”

The weight of Cale’s body sitting next to you was enough to distract you for a second, but his thick voice in your ear really took your breath away. “Boyfriend?”

You bit your lip, looking up at him innocently before sending him a quick smile. “Only if you want to,”

He hummed, jokingly leaning down to press a kiss on your cheek, your heart beating loudly against your ribcage. “I’ll think about it,”

Breakfast was over in a rush, and you found yourself packing your belongings with sad sighs leaving your lips every now and then. Even though summer had barely just reached its peak, you weren’t ready to leave the memories of the camping trip behind just yet.

On the hike back to the parking lot, your hand stayed in Cale’s. It fit in his palm so easily you couldn’t help but think you were never going to stop holding his hand, as pathetic as it sounded. The air was chilly, and it held sadness as you two and the rest of the group walked back to your cars.

“I don’t want this to end,” Susanna said, hugging you tightly as you all said goodbye. “I’m going to miss you girls,”

“We’ll find a way to see each other, babe,” Sydney reassured her as they embraced each other.

“Y/N,” Nate greeted you with a smile, a smirk on his lips as he hugged you. “I’m hoping to see you at our next game with an eight on your back,”

You punched his shoulder jokingly when you parted ways, laughing along with him. “I’ll miss you too, Nate,”

Your last goodbyes were sad, numerous people piling in cars as you waved their way, your back resting against your car as you sighed softly.

“So,” Cale mumbled from behind you, stepping closer to your frame as he looked down at you. “Would be interested in our next game’s ticket and my personal jersey, as Nate suggested?”

You giggled, shaking your head as you wrapped your arms around his neck. “I mean, maybe,” you joked, biting on your lip as you let your eyes meet.

“As my girlfriend, you should probably say yes,” he said, looking down at you with a smirk as he gave you no time to respond, his lips meeting yours in a kiss.

“Girlfriend?”

He matched the smile on your face, leaning down to press another kiss before mocking your words from that morning. His voice was smooth, making your heart beat faster than usual, the butterflies in your stomach so crazy you were worried he could feel them.

“Only if you want to,”

Taglist: @thirstyybitch @bellaguarneri @boqvistsbabe @trashforbarzal @captaindaddies @keithseabrook27 @heatherawoowoo @sidscrosbyy @laurenairay @nathan-baelieu

#cale makar #cale makar x reader #cale makar imagine #nhl #nhl x reader #colorado avalanche #hockey imagine

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letsperaltiago · 3 years

Text

somewhere only we know

This is my entry for the B99 Summer 2021 Fic Exchange and it's for lovely Johanna aka. @amyscascadingtabs <3 I picked the prompt: "Jake and Amy going on a babymoon and enjoying some time together before everything changes for good."

It's very simple and just pure good, happy parents to be-vibes so yeah :) I initially wanted to add smut but didn't have the time to write it :(( If you feel like it's something you'd like, then feel free to lemme know! I can always add a chapter two heh. Anyways, enjoy!!

Rating: G

Words: 2.7k

Read here or on Ao3

“Jake, this is… amazing.”

This seems to be all Amy can come up with as the hotel room presents itself before her. Better or bigger words seem to be lacking from her otherwise excellent vocabulary but she blames it on the fact that she’s been carrying a tiny human for the past 35 weeks - not that she’s complaining. It’s been hard, both physically and mentally, and there are a few more weeks to go but by the end of it all, she’ll be holding her little baby boy.

She’s tired and every inch of her body swollen and/or sore, but more importantly she’s eager and excited. Jake is too, if not even more than her, and this has resulted in the current scene: their babymoon.

“You like it?”

The way Jake asks her, eyes shining with innocent expectation and voice laced with childish excitement has her imagining just how their little boy will turn out to be. She can’t hold back her smile. This man will walk to the end of the earth to make her happy, essentially already has during this pregnancy, and the babymoon is just as much for him as it is for her.

She turns on her heels to face him, showing him the bright smile that’s plastered on her makeup-free face which has gained some freckles during her pregnancy.

“You could’ve planned a trip to a dumpster and I would still love it.”

Hands cupping his scruffy cheeks she pulls him in for a short but tender kiss that even so many years later, after thousands of kisses, has his toes curl in excitement. She truly would’ve stayed anywhere as long as Jake was with her. Although she does appreciate the fact that she’s standing in a beautiful lakeview suite at the LakeHouse Inn.

“Should we reassess how much we refer to dumpsters and other gross locations when we declare our love for each other?”

She chuckles at his comment, lips resonating against the corner of his grin.

“Should we?” She slowly slides her hands to the back of her neck, entangling her fingers to keep her latched onto him even as she pulls away to flash him a pretend contemplative expression.

Eyebrows cocked in playfulness, they share an indicative look in silence, only for them to break it in unison. “Nahh.”

“Right? It’s what makes us us.” Jake pulls her in by the hips which are carrying their son.

Everything about Amy reminds him of their little miracle and makes him feel all tingly and excited. One look at her, one touch, and he forgets about the rest of the world and its crappiness. He has Amy and together with the tiny human in her belly, she is his entire universe.

“Exactly.”

She closes the gap between them (as much as she can with the full-blown balloon shape of her stomach).

“So,” she mumbles against his lips, “what are your plans for us?”

Sadly, the 3-hour drive from home didn’t do wonders for her heavily pregnant body and even though she won’t admit it out loud, she hopes her husband’s plans for tonight will demand the bare minimum of her. She feels his lips and body withdraw, prompting her eyes open however the mischievous smile that meets her has a dimmed anxious feeling creeping over her - he does remember she’s 35 weeks pregnant, right?

“I know that look, Peralta.” Her voice is distrustful, and after 7 years together she should know better than giving in to his teasing, but her suspicious air only fuels his fire and desire to mess with her.

“In honor of my incredible and always so organized wife, there’s a tightknit schedule waiting for us.”

Tightknit schedule? Amy would usually be beaming at these words but right then and there, swollen legs, hungry and feeling everything but hot and fit after the drive, she aches to fall back onto the bed and sleep for days. It’s huge, king-sized, with crispy white sheets and the fluffy pillows are definitely calling her name. Although, the fact that Jake has everything planned out for their last vacation together, just the two of them, does pull on some heartstrings. He loves her so much and she loves him so much too. So much that she (almost) doesn’t turn a hair when he proudly starts listing their schedule for the evening and following day.

“So right now it’s 4 PM which means unpacking-time. At 6 we have a dinner reservation at this cute little restaurant in a little town nearby so we’ll need to leave at approximately 5.45. At 8 there’s a showing of Die Hard at the local movie theater, which I thought we could attend?”

Okay, maybe her left eye flinches at this but very discreetly (or so she chooses to believe).

“Then tomorrow there’s breakfast at 7, which is perfect because we have canoeing on the lake at 8.30...”

She zones out after this. Hormones, tiredness, the fact that she can’t feel her feet- there are a thousand reasons but Amy can feel the most is tears prickling, threatening to spill. Not because she doesn’t appreciate her husband’s efforts and grand gestures, all for her, but because she can’t stand the thought of doing any of these sweet things he’s planned for them. She can’t cry though. He’s going to think something is actually wrong.

“Babe?”

However far gone she was, the sound of Jake’s voice pulls her back in and there’s a confusing mixture of mischief and pure adoration shining from these famous deep brown eyes. Why is he almost smiling when she’s having a tiny meltdown?

“Are you crying?”

“No?” she scoffs although she’s proven wrong upon touching her cheek where her fingers are met by a thin wet streak. “I’m just,” she clears her throat in hopes of avoiding a strained voice, “so overwhelmed by happiness and everything you’ve planned for us. It all sounds… great.”

Silence dawns upon them as Amy’s fake smile tries to convince him. On his part, Jake is biting his lip in an attempt to hold back a laugh, but his wife’s panicked look and teary eyes have him failing to last and after a couple of seconds he breaks the quietness.

“Honey, I’m messing with you,” he chuckles and quickly pulls her back in for a tight hug, as tight as the belly allows, pecking the top of her head. “I know you love a good schedule but the only plans I have for us are: staying in bed, ordering room service, and watching tv.”

“Oh, thank God.”

The moan of relief flies out of her before she can even consider how it must sound to Jake, a great deal of embarrassment hitting her upon realization. She just made it sound like she wouldn’t appreciate her husband’s effort to make this weekend of theirs the best.

“Jake, I’m so sorry! I didn’t-”

She pulls back to look him in the eyes, ready to offer a sincere apology for her blunt exclamation. She never gets to. Instead, she’s met with a huge grin and her husband looking everything but mad or hurt. Almost as if he knew. He knew how she’d react. He wanted her to react.

“You sly sneak! You knew you’d freak me out!”

Only her husband can trick her like this, and, on one hand, it’s very endearing... Jake Peralta is more than just a good cop; he’s excellent. Brilliant and bold, maybe even too much sometimes, although he usually gets away with it. Usually, she’s always on his heels and she hates to admit it, but her mommy brain and restless hormones are making it much harder, if not impossible, to keep up with his always upbeat pace.

“Of course I knew, babe.”

No matter how hard she tries, she can’t even find it within herself to be genuinely annoyed with him. He’s pulled her back into his arms and is looking at her with that mischievous smile that can both infuriate and enchant her. Tonight it’s a little bit of both although mostly the latter, she has to admit and the last bit of annoyance melts away the second he leans in, offering her a soft kiss that lets reminds her of the fact that he’s the best thing in the whole damn world.

“I love you,” she manages to mumble against his lips before he can pull too far back, her swollen fingers cradling his jaw to emphasize her words. It tampers with any kind of reasoning and her ability to remain miffed.

“I love you too...” her husband mumbles back against her lips.

Pulling away isn’t an option, he’s too addicted and he enjoys feeling the air coming from her nose when she chuckles. “How much?”

“At the very least enough to not make my heavily pregnant wife canoe around a lake.”

“Peanut and I appreciate that very much.”

Although after all these months there’s a comfort and familiarity in being able to rub her belly and know her son is in there, safe and sound, knowing he soon enough will be out here in the real world with them has butterflies fluttering in her chest. Jake’s hand joining hers in stroking her belly only causes the number of butterflies to multiply, explode all over again, and her hormones are making her question whether she wants to cry or laugh - or perhaps do both. After such a long wait, from the second they decided to start trying, there’s no blaming her impatience. There’s so much to expect and patience has never been her strongest asset. Only when it comes to Jake and their son. She’s impatient to see, hear and feel it all. The life and adventure she’s created with the man she loves the most seems scarily close yet torturously far away.

With no reason to leave in sight, Amy finds herself bundled up in a hotel bed sent from heaven, wearing nothing but panties and her favorite nursing bra. Jake is on an errand run to grab her the creme cheese-filled pierogis and Arroz con Leche their son and she are very much craving. Although she does prefer her abuela’s homemade version of the latter, even a pregnant Amy can come to terms with the fact that there are limits to Jake’s super husband-powers. He can and will get her almost anything as long as physically possible - or within a radius of 20 miles which Abuela Dolores at this given time for good reasons isn’t.

Amy had insisted on the hotel’s room service menu being more than fine, but her husband knows her all too well and could tell she wasn’t content with the ravioli and créme brulée she’d originally settled for. Before she could even begin to protest his offer to run out and get it for her, her husband had pulled on a pair of jogging pants and a hoodie, grabbed his keys, and left her behind with a peck to the top of her head and a promise to be back in not too long.

In all honesty, the ravioli and creme brulée would’ve been fine, and she would’ve preferred Jake to be here to cuddle her. Nonetheless, there’s no denying how loved and important Jake makes her feel. Especially when he suddenly walks in the door, multiple plastic bags hanging on his arms and car keys dangling from his mouth. The view is hilarious, to say the very least, and she wonders: how did she ever get so very lucky?

Perhaps she will never know the answer to this. Luckily when you’re cuddled up in a soft hotel bed eating pierogis, fries, grapes, and Arroz con Leche with the love of your life, it doesn’t really matter how you got there. Being too busy talking, eating, and making out, the documentary about the history of paper Amy’s been dying to watch is mostly just background noise.

“Can you believe we’re having a baby?”

Her husband’s mouth is filled with fries and before she can even think of answering his question, she has to reach over to wipe ketchup from the corner of his mouth.

“Yes… but also no. In a good way.”

It’s true. She always knew she wanted kids but wanting is one thing; actually outliving it still seems surreal to her, even as she runs her hands around the curve of the skin encapsulating their very own little human being. What makes it so much more surreal is the fact that Jake Peralta is the father. Jake Peralta, the guy who she 6 years ago could only pine for. Now she’s lying in bed with him, watching him smile at her with those soft, brown eyes and warm rosy lips that she not so secretly hopes their son will inherit. He swiftly wipes oil and salt off his fingers before reaching over to place his hands on top of her belly. Placing hers on top of his happens like a newfound reflex of hers. His hand is warm and feels like home.

“This is probably the last getaway we’ll have, yanno, just the two of us.”

His soft voice has her looking up from their joined hands on her belly to see him looking directly at her with glistening eyes, the blue light from the television casting a blue hue on the side of his head. He looks so handsome, pensive, so perfect and she can’t come to terms with the fact that he’s her’s and she his, and together they’ve created new life.

“Yeah. More likely than not.”

“How do you feel about that? Are you scared? You know- of giving birth and how life will be after that?”

A few beats of silence go by, only the dull sound of the tv filling the otherwise silent room. His hand never slips out of from beneath hers. Does this question maybe reflect some worries of his?

“Not scared, per se...”

She quickly makes sure that there’s no food in-between them before scooting in closer to him. Her hand slips off of his only to slide up his arm, all the way up to cup his face. There’s close to no room between them. Her thumb dances across his cheekbone.

“... Excited, maybe a bit anxious, but I know it’ll be alright and so very worth it in the end. And yeah, our life nd dynamic might have to change a bit but it’ll always be us. But I’m not scared,” This seems to put a damper on his running mind. “And you know why?”

“Hm?”

“Because I have the world’s best baby daddy.”

As hoped a wide smile lights up his face, pure unadulterated joy so obviously present in this little moment of theirs. Worries seem irrelevant and non-existing.

“Are you worried, babe?”

She sees his smile fade a bit but not enough to genuinely worry her. Just like everyone, he has his thoughts and worries. With care comes worries. He wants to do his best, she knows.

“Maybe a bit, you know? Like not genuinely worried like I would’ve been a few years ago, but just… averagely worried.”

“That’s okay,” she comforts, her thumb still tracing smooth lines on his cheek. “It’s normal. It just means you care and want to do good, which is all I can really ask of you.”

“I do care. A lot. So so much,” he chuckles shyly.

“Which is also why you’re going to be fine, I will be fine and everything will be fine.”

She doesn’t give him the time to agree nor protest but instead leans in to place a long, tender kiss on his lips, inviting him to join in on the moment. It’s just a simple kiss, soft, like the one they had a Shaw’s after agreeing to stop trying (which eventually lead to more trying, but that’s beside the point). With every breath, they take the kiss grows deeper, longer. It’s as if their bodies are aware of the fact that this will be the last time they get to do this without a child to get home to; without the responsibility of being a parent. All at once, it’s frightening but also, more than anything, exciting. Their lives might be on the verge of changing forever. Although lying there in bed together, feeling the soft touch of their spouse, it feels like they’ve never changed and never will. They’re always going to be Jake and Amy.

#B99 Summer 2021 Fic Exchange #b99 #brooklyn nine nine #jake x amy #peraltiago #fluff #brooklyn nine-nine #jake and amy #mac peralta #baby peraltiago #oneshot

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nightlock-1989 · 3 years

Text

Side-Parts and Skinny Jeans

A short story about what happens when Millennials find out Gen Z is ripping on their precious side-parts and skinny jeans.

Context: I am a 31 year old proud Millennial. I graduated in 2007. One day, scrolling through Tik Tok, I kept seeing things about old people and their side-parts and skinny jeans. I googled it and what do you know? Forget the Boomers because the Zoomers are targeting us now. Thought it might make a good Everlark story. You can also find it on AO3 here.

Takes place in September so that school could be in person again. Enjoy!

September 2021

The first week back when school begins is always taxing on both the students and staff. Add in 18 months of virtual learning at home and it’s a surprise that everyone isn’t already passed out in Haymitch Abernathy’s yard a victory.

It’s always been a tradition. The principal hosts the school staff the first Friday after the school year begins for a barbeque and alcohol. Normally alcohol is always aplenty since it’s Haymitch but this year everyone is a little even more stressed.

Effie Trinket, the school secretary is walking around with a tray of Jell-O shots.

“Thanks, Trinkie,” Haymitch gruffs before slurping down a green one and handing one to the English teacher Peeta Mellark. He hesitates briefly before Delly Cartwright, pulls it out of his hands and slurps it down.

“Very nice,” Haymitch remarks.

“Thank you, Mr. Abernathy,” she responds.

“You know you can call him, Haymitch; right?” Finnick O’Dair, history teacher, reminds.

“HA,” Peeta responds.

“He’ll always be Mr. Abernathy,” Delly tells.

“You’re 28,” Finnick says

“Doesn’t matter,” Katniss Everdeen, biology teacher and Peeta Mellark’s lifelong crush strides forward.

“Sweetheart,” Haymitch gestures.

“Mr. Abernathy,” Katniss greets.

Peeta and Delly both point fingers at Finnick.

“Grill’s ready,” Effie hollers.

Katniss takes a Jell-O shot and sighs before tipping it back.

“Is this the first time we’ve all drank together?” Delly asks gesturing between Peeta and Katniss.

Katniss, Peeta, and Delly were in the same grade at District 12 high; however, only Delly and Peeta hung out. Katniss kept to herself for the most part, having a difficult life. Katniss was the newest hire at District 12, having transferred over from 8 last year. She didn’t attend last year’s barbeque to Peeta’s sadness.

When Peeta saw Katniss in the auditorium for in-staff training, he nearly fainted and when he realized she lived in the same apartment village, he thought he would have a heart attack. Although she still sports her signature braid every now and then, she’s taken to wearing her hair down and walks with a new-found confidence that has only made her sexier. Everyone knows how much he likes her, except Katniss.

“Probably,” Katniss answers heading over to the kiddie pool filled with beer. She bends down to pick one up, giving Peeta the perfect view of her ass. Her jeans fit like a second glove and Delly smacks Peeta in the chest to get him to stop gawking.

The food is ready, and everyone dishes up. The alcohol and conversation flow generously.

Haymitch begins telling a story about how for seniors, they have alternatives for the seniors who have a lot of detentions left to serve. Instead of serving one detention at a time, they can pick up trash or volunteer for a student event.

“So, we needed someone to remove the gum from under all the auditorium seats.”

Katniss groans.

“All 896. I offer to free up 4 detentions. Sweetheart had 12. No one is taking it, but I can tell that I’ve got some interest peaked. I get up to 7 and Katniss sees Johanna about to pounce. She screams, “I volunteer, I volunteer.””

“Well, I wasn’t the only one who volunteered,” Katniss reminds before looking at Peeta.

“Sweetheart, you aren’t even the butt of this story. Then, the boy over here,” he says while gesturing to Peeta who puts his face into his hands, “also volunteers. I was only looking for one.”

“You let us both though,” Katniss says.

“The deal was for seven detentions total,” Haymitch emphasizes.

“But seven of mine did get wiped out,” Katniss says.

“Exactly,” Haymitch points out. “The boy didn’t even have any detentions.”

Everyone but Peeta and Katniss roar with laughter.

“Wait, what? I’m so confused,” Katniss says more to herself because she’s at that point of intoxication.

“You really always have been Brainless,” Johanna Mason, physical education teacher teases. “Let’s get another beer,” she says, pulling Katniss with her.

Delly’s phone chimes so she takes a look. Peeta, still mortified is keeping his eyes on the two girls but he stops staring when he hears, “Miss Cartwright, Miss Everdeen, Miss Mason.”

“What’s that,” he asks looking towards her phone. Delly has open the Tik Tok app and the short video shows video of the respective teachers at the same time as their name.

“Side parts and skinny jeans…….so old,” the voice in the video adds.

“NOOOOOOOOOOO!” Delly shrieks as she chucks her beer bottle into the yard.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Johanna asks.

Delly is in such a mini-rage that she picks up her fold up chair and also chucks that off of the deck. She reaches for the outdoor end table before Finnick grabs her wrist and pulls her into him.

“Are you okay, Delly?” Katniss attempts to rush forward but trips in the process. Peeta rushes to help her up.

“We,” Delly emphasizes by pointing to all the young teachers, “have all had to deal with fucking everything. School shootings, terrorist attacks on live TV, two fucking wars, the housing market crashing, a great fucking recession, $4.00 gallons of gas, a global pandemic, ANOTHER FUCKING RECESSION….and now THIS. I’M NOT EVEN 30,” she finishes before letting out a guttural moan. Katniss leans in closer to Peeta, obviously scared before Johanna marches up to Delly who is holding up her phone.

They all crowd around and watch the offending video. It is showing the various female teachers and on the bottom is a tally marking all the women who have a side part and skinny jeans.

Johanna is first to break the silence by grabbing her folding chair and hurling it off the deck.

“Those little Tide-Pod eating Zoomers can go rot in hell.”

“Yeah, why can’t they just nearly succumb to alcohol poisoning in the cornfield like we did?” Delly cries.

“I like my side part,” Katniss says to herself.

“I have full-bodied hair. A middle part is boring,” Delly whines.

“Do they want us to wear the stupid mom jeans that they’re donning?” Johanna volleys back.

“Would they like it if we just went back to fucking ultra-low-rise jeans and had our thongs on display again because I’m not going back to that, Finnick,” Delly sobs into his chest.

“I didn’t say anything,” Finnick interjects staring cluelessly at Peeta. “Wait, wasn’t this like a thing in the spring?”

“They didn’t make a fricken Tik Tok that specifically targeted us then” Johanna states.

“Does this mean I have to give up my skinny jeans?” Katniss asks to the empty space next to her.

“Don’t even think that, your ass looks fantastic in them,” Peeta answers.

Everyone goes quiet and stares at Peeta. He is perplexed before he realizes he actually said that out loud.

“No—I didn’t mean that,” Peeta begins before backtracking, “You know what, I didn’t mean that either…. I’m just going to go over there.” He heads down the deck stairs and grabs one of the chairs and plops down on it.

There is an awkward silence before Finnick says, “you should just side part your hair even harder.”

All three girls light up before agreeing. Katniss looks out and sees Peeta sitting alone. Delly tilts her head in a “go talk to him” motion, Finnick smiles and nods, and Johanna mimics a blow job.

Katniss orders an Uber before she heads over to Peeta.

“Peeta,” Katniss begins. He looks up with such sadness that Katniss interrupts him before he can even start, “Why’d you volunteer?”

“Um,” he stalls. “You know what, fuck it,” he resigns. “I had a huge crush on you growing up and I just wanted a reason to hang out with you.”

“So, you volunteered to remove chewing gum off hundreds of seats during our spring break?”

“Yep,” he answers with a pop.

“You know you only said like four words that whole time we were cleaning up?”

“That’s because when I’m around you, I feel like a mumbling idiot. Even now, 10 years after high school, you make me feel like- “He is interrupted by Katniss’s lips. She pulls back and smiles.

“Um, how drunk are you?”

“Definitely Ubering……. but I’ll definitely remember this in the morning.” She leans in again. He breaks apart long enough for him to stand and continue the kiss. Cheering can be heard from the deck causing both of them to laugh.

“Did you mean what you said about how good I look in these skinny jeans?”

“They look amazing on you.”

She leans up and whispers in his ear, “I think they’d look a lot better on your bedroom floor.” An alert sounds on Katniss’s phone. “Uber is here.”

Peeta wastes no time in grabbing her hand and practically dragging her to the car.

Effie comes out with another round of Jell-O-Shots while Haymitch grabs one.

“To young love,” he says.

“To side parts,” Delly adds.

“To skinny jeans,” Johanna finishes.

“We’re going to tease them mercilessly on Monday; right?” Finnick asks.

“Duh,” Delly states while everyone laughs.

Monday morning comes around and true to what Finnick suggested, their side parts are more pronounced, and they are all donning skinny jeans, their own form of mini rebellion.

And once again, Katniss’s pair ends up on Peeta’s floor that night.

#everlark

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jlalafics · 4 years

Text

“Lesson Learned”-Part 3 of 4

Yes, we’re almost to the end.

Also, we’re about to have some major changes in this next section.

It’s a little squicky on some subjects but nothing I don’t think you can’t handle.

Thank you if you’re still reading! Enjoy!

Summary: Sometimes Katniss asks too much of Peeta. This time she’s gone too far. College Everlark. Katniss and Peeta POV’s. Rated M.

Previous Parts:

Part One

Part Two

_______

Those words coming out of her mouth are like a shot of electricity.

Her stare is bold, though I do see a sliver of uncertainty.

“It’s not that difficult,” I tell her. “Your hand…my hand…orally…vaginally…I assure you that it will get hard.”

She meets my eyes, chewing her lower lip thoughtfully. “Which one do you like?”

Blowjob!—my cock practically screams at me.

This isn’t about me, however. This is about her.

“What would you like to try?”

“Uh…hand, I guess,” Katniss tells me.

I nod and take her hand. “Should we do this in your room?”

She doesn’t reply; instead, she pulls me along to the open door of her bedroom and we walk in.

Katniss’ bedroom is softly lit by two tall paper lanterns that sit on each of her side tables. Her walls are painted a soft white except for the sage green accent wall behind her bed. Her bedding is a grey and white pattern with light green throw pillows.

She leads me over to the bed shyly. “Is it easier if you lay down?”

“I mean, that’s how I usually do it,” I offer, and she snorts. “Just trying to be honest.”

“Honest and gross are two different things,” Katniss informs me. “So…hop on that bed and let’s get to it.”

“Setting the mood, aren’t we?”

I sit on the bed and lay back as she follows, scooting next to me before going to her knees. We’ve laid on this bed millions of times to watch movies or listen to music. I’ve even slept here when I was too drunk to make it to my apartment. However, it is awkward to be here completely exposed as she kneels besides me and examines every inch of my skin.

“I don’t know what to do,” she finally tells me. “You have to guide me.”

I nod, taking her hand and bringing it to my cock.

“This is a penis.” Katniss rolls her eyes and I chuckle, covering her hand with my mine. “There are different parts.” I guide her hand along my length which has stiffen at the warmth of her touch. “This is the shaft. Most of the stimulation is along it—”

“Tell me more, professor,” she jokes though there is a distinct purr which cause a frisson of heat to travel through me.

My dick is definitely hard now.

“So you’re going to stroke…” I move her hand along with mine in a slow rub, letting her get a feel for the rhythm. Fuck, this feels amazing! My hips begin to move along with her caress. “Do you think you have the hang of it?”

I manage to push the question through clenched teeth.

The curiosity in her grey eyes is unbelievably sexy.

“I think I got it,” she tells me, her eyes on my hard-on. Katniss matches my movements, even following the amount of pressure I usually use to a T. The softness of her skin and the firmness of her strokes causes me to push up into her hand. “Am I doing this right?”

“So right…” I reply breathless.

“And, do I anything with the head?” Katniss asks. Her eyes peer as a pearl of pre-cum seeps out from the tip. Her thumb unconsciously reaches to smear the liquid along the head and as she sweeps on the underside of it, I suddenly feel it happen—

“Fuck!” My hips shoot up as I abruptly come, spunk covering her hand…my stomach…her sheets…I feel dizzy at the sensation.

Shit—I can’t believe I came so quickly.

It’s like a girl has never put a hand on me or something. As I come down, I realize the mess that I’ve made and look to a shell-shocked Katniss.

“I’m so sorry…I should’ve mentioned getting a towel or something—”

“No,” she blurts out. Katniss is flushed, her whole body taking on a rosy hue. “Um…it was actually amazing to watch.”

“But the sheets…” I croak out. “I’ll pay you back.”

“You better.” She looks at her hand, covered by my essence. “How does this taste?”

And without another thought, Katniss sticks her finger in her mouth—

“UGH!” She blanches and then looks to me aghast, her eyes almost bugging out. “In Johanna’s books, they all make jizz sound so good. This is…not. No offense.”

“I don’t exactly sample my semen,” I tell her as I sit up. “But how does it taste?”

Katniss smacks her lips. “Like nothing at first and then extremely bitter—” She gags. “And I feel like my mouth is going to be dry for the rest of the night…I need water…or a beer.”

“I’ll grab you one,” I tell her. “But first, I need a towel.”

+++++++

Peeta returns after taking a quick break from the bathroom and then the kitchen. He’s holding out a beer and a bottle of water for me.

“A peace offering for ruining a very nice duvet set,” Peeta says. “Which one?”

“I’ll take the water first.” The bitter taste hasn’t exactly disappeared from my tongue or my throat. “Out of curiosity, is there anyway to fix that taste?”

“I’ve heard that pineapple juice helps,” he replies. “I’m not sure how much the guy needs to drink but it doesn’t hurt to try, right?” Joining me on the bed—my sheets have now been pushed to the foot of the bed—Peeta turns to me. “Have you ever tasted yourself?”

“No. I don’t exactly think about sticking my fingers down there,” I say.

“You had boyfriends,” Peeta says, resting back on a pillow. “Have any of them ever kissed you after oral?”

I find myself scoffing.

“I had no idea how to give a handjob, you think that someone has gone down on me?”

My experience has consisted of some over-the-shirt action during a movie in high school and one rub over Marvel’s jeans which was quickly cut short because his mom had come home early from work.

And finally, this evening.

“We have to do something about that,” Peeta declares before taking the water from my grasp. “Lay back.”

“You really don’t have to,” I protest. “I’m learning how to seduce a man—”

“Listen, some guys are all for their own pleasure,” he tells me. “However, the right guys are going to reciprocate. If Cato doesn’t, he’s fucking trash.”

Oh, Cato. I forgot all about him.

The image of him has become a distant memory in comparison to watching Peeta come undone at just the stroke of my hand.

Makes a girl feel a little powerful, you know.

I nod in agreement as I lay flat on my back. “Do I ask him or should he just know?”

“The right guy is going to want to give you pleasure. Don’t sell yourself short, Katniss. You deserve someone who wants to give you what you need.” Peeta settles next to me, his lips going to my neck and I try to bite back a moan, but the feeling of his kiss goes straight to my pussy. “I want to hear you. Don’t hold back.”

“Peeta, have you been with many women?”

He stops, pulling away, and looks to me…guiltily.

“We said honesty, right?” I nod and he lets out a sigh. “I’ve done stuff with girls. But I’ve never gone all the way.”

I’m intrigued. The campus is full of beautiful women and more than one woman has come to me asking for help in regard to catching Peeta. “Why?”

Peeta shrugs. “We get to that point and…it never pans out.”

“So, I would be your first?” I ask slowly. “If it pans out.”

He nods. “Are you mad?”

I shake my head immediately.

“No. I can’t really judge you on waiting when I’ve done the same thing. It just has to be the right person and we trust each other. We’re not afraid to be real—even if it hurts.”

“Right,” Peeta agrees quietly. He looks down at me. “You really are a queen, Katniss.”

That look in his eyes; it’s full and warm. I can’t breathe from the intensity of it all.

“Now, I demand that you touch me,” I say, hoping that my voice sounds light. I take the hand resting against his side and press it to one of breasts. His eyes go to his hand, cupping my breast, his thumb just hovering over my nipple. “You have touched a boob, right?”

That snaps him right out of his trance. “I have…lots of them!”

I laugh—hard—at the incredulous look on his face. “You just looked really in over your head for a moment!”

“You have a pair of gorgeous tits in your grasp, you’re going to be a little overwhelmed,” he protests with a grin. His thumb brushes over my nipple—finally!—and I’m immediately squirming at his touch. Peeta notices, his eyes go to me. “You like this.”

I love it. I’ll never admit that it’s because the sight of my arousal causes his whole expression to go slack. I have a power over him, and I enjoy it.

“Obviously,” I choke out.

Then Peeta leans down, taking my nipple into his mouth.

Everything flips and I lose myself of the sensation of him teasing the peak to full height. He nips, not too hard and swirls around my areola gently.

However, when he suddenly sucks—

“Stop!” I yelp.

Peeta pulls back immediately. “What?”

“Too much, dude!” I push up on my elbows. “Honesty, right?” He nods, still silent. “You have to be a little gentler. No girl wants to feel like you’re trying to milk her like a cow.” Taking his hand, I bring my mouth to his index finger and suck gently at the tip of it. Peeta starts at the motion. I draw my lips away slowly, eyes on him, pulling out with a soft pop. “Like this.”

He lets out a ragged breath. “You’re amazing.”

I snort as I lay back down. “I just believe in a good education.”

Peeta moves down, mouth just over my breast and with the slightest of touches, takes my nipple into his mouth once more.

And it’s fucking amazing.

My lower half twists and I can feel the gush of wetness between my thighs as he sucks and savors. I don’t think I’ve enjoyed anything more than feeling Peeta’s mouth on my tits.

Maybe there is one thing.

Our first kiss.

Peeta is moving downwards, his lips on my abdomen, gentle as he tastes my skin and it sends shivers through me.

This shouldn’t be happening; I shouldn’t be enjoying this…

This intimacy, those kisses.

I shouldn’t be having an epiphany about my feelings as Peeta kneels in front of me and parts my thighs. He lays on his stomach, resting my thighs onto his shoulders, and bringing his mouth over my netherlips.

“What are you doing?” I ask, pushing myself onto my elbows to look at him.

“I’m going to eat you out,” he replies matter-of-factly. “Didn’t we just have this talk about reciprocation? I swear sometimes I don’t think you really listen to me—”

“Stop with the melodrama.” I take a deep breath before speaking. “I feel a bit overwhelmed. Because I’m not going to come right away. Maybe I won’t even come.”

“This isn’t about an orgasm,” he argues. “It’s about learning to enjoy yourself. Any decent guy will enjoy the sound of his girl enjoying herself, okay?” Peeta looks at me in exasperation. “Now will you lay back like a good girl and just let me eat your pussy already?”

I huff and lay back.

The first swipe is not so bad, just a quick sweep from my lips to just above my clit, and I hum in contentment. He takes that as a good sign and continues, listening for whenever a hiss and groan escapes my lips.

I don’t make it very easy on him or myself. I’m stuck in my own head about whether or not, it’s okay down there…scent wise.

“Peeta?” I push back onto my elbows. He looks up, doe-eyed and his jaw covered in…me. “I smell okay, right?”

“You smell lovely,” he assures me with chuckle.

“Lovely?” I raise a brow. “Like what does that exactly smell like?”

“Kind of musky, but not too much,” he informs me. “And you taste just as nice.”

“How’s that?”

Peeta sits up for a moment, thinking on my question. “Faintly salty, but good.”

I tilt my head at his words. “Like a salt-water gargle?”

“No…” He pauses. “…more like chicken broth?”

I can’t help but laugh. “That’s about the realest answer I’ve heard.”

“Would you settle for bone broth then?” he retorts with a grin. “It’s much better for you.”

“Why am I friends with you?” I ask.

Peeta smirks—and he’s so damn handsome that I want nothing more than to just be near him.

“Because I’m the shit.”

I’m on my knees right in front of him. I can smell myself on his lips, it’s not bad—faintly musky.

“Shithead,” I retort.

Peeta wraps his arms around my back, pulling me close.

“Taste yourself on me,” he whispers.

I press forward, my mouth slanting over his, tasting that tang of myself. He responds ardently, his tongue rough inside my mouth, hungry and yearning for something that I desperately want to give him.

Love.

Did I just fucking fall in love with him?

He pulls away breathless, his blue eyes dark and full as he looks at me and only me.

“What did I tell you?” he says huskily. “Lovely.”

Yes.

Yes, I fucking did

#Lesson Learned #Part Three #Everlark Fanfiction #Everlark #college!Everlark

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katnissdoesnotfollowback · 4 years

Text

Outside Chance Revival #6

By popular request, this one’s being written in two pieces, from two different POV’s. We start with some more Finnick and then we’ll switch to Peeta. I don’t have the Peeta portion written yet, mainly because it’s a completely different mindset from what you’ll be reading here. It should be soon-ish, though.

Shout out to @sunsetsrmydreams, @lovely-tothe-bone, and cheapchinesebicycle who all asked for this and/or the next part as well. I hope you enjoy!

Have no idea what I’m talking about?

Missed one or checking to see if I’ve written what you asked for?

I feel like a sales person, lol. Without further ado... the chapter 8 club scene from Finnick’s POV:

“Hello, gorgeous,” I answer the phone and Annie scoffs.

“I’ve got about five pounds of sea salt in my hair. I’m not sure that qualifies as gorgeous.”

“Do you not know me, my love?” I tease and she chuckles. “How’d it go today?”

“Tiring but good. Just wondering what you’re up to.”

“Besides missing you?”

“Well I figure that’s a given,” Annie says softly and I grin.

“We’re out at a club,” I tell her and glance around the room. It’s the least crowded club I’ve ever seen. I guess Jackson, Wyoming isn’t exactly a hot night spot. Still, it’s not exactly a thin crowd either.

“Wait. A club? How come I can’t hear any music then?”

“It’s a silent club,” I tell her and then I explain.

“Oh that sounds so cool!”

“Peeta’s idea to unwind.”

“Sounds like him. How’s he doing? Still training with that girl?”

“Yeah. He’s alright, I think. There’s more to that story than he’s telling us, though.”

“Finnick,” Annie says in her warning voice.

“What?” I ask innocently.

“Just do me a favor. Don’t scare this one off.”

“Hey. I did him a favor scaring off little miss Cyndee.” Annie sighs in my ear.

“What was so wrong with her?”

“Besides the fact that her parents can’t spell?”

“Finnick--”

“She wasn’t good enough for him!”

“No one is good enough for him in your eyes,” Annie says. I open my mouth to explain-deny-defend why that is, but she sighs and then softens her tone. “Be gentle.”

“Annabeth Cresta. I am insulted. I am the definition of discreet.” Annie snorts at that.

“Hey Finnick! The strippers are here!” Darius shouts right next to my phone as he wanders by, hands filled with drinks. I flip him off and Annie laughs.

“Was that Darius?”

“Yeah, unfortunately.”

“What’s with him?”

“He’s gotten bold lately.”

“Oh?”

“He’s been getting laid all week. On the regular.”

“No kidding! Darius managed to get in with a snow bunny?”

“Desk clerk.” My phone vibrates in my hand and I glance at the text. “Annie, my love, I gotta go. I’ll call you later so you can tell me all about today.”

“Alright. And I wanna hear more about Darius’ desk clerk and everything else. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

I hang up and look at the text. The time stamp is from ten minutes ago. Damn mountain screwing with reception.

Running a little behind

Might be bringing a friend

Yes! I pump my fist in the air. I’ve been not so subtly hounding him to invite the mysterious Katniss out to do something with us. He’s got one excuse after another and I’m not sure if that should worry me or elate me. All I want is to make sure my friend isn’t gonna plunge himself into something that’s worse for him than whatever trauma he’s not telling me about. Yikes. My head spins just thinking about the tangled web obscuring his past. Hopefully, I can pluck a few strings out of obscurity tonight...

Does this friend shoot at things?

Yes

So you asked her on a date

Not a date. Post training relaxation

Is that what the kids are calling it these days? ;)

I’m serious dude

I’ll behave.

No hazing

You have my word

Johanna?

You know I can’t control her

Have you tried rope?

I laugh out loud at that.

Interesting thought. She might enjoy that tho…

Try For me

For you, anything.

Leaving in just a second here. Be there in about twenty

I glance at the time on my phone and hurry back to the table and knock Castor’s feet off a chair.

“Liven up, assholes. Peeta’s inbound with company.”

“You’re such a dork,” Johanna mutters into her drink.

“Hey. You. Sourpuss. Look at me.” Johanna lowers her drink and glares at me. “Be nice. Nicer. Or just...less than what you usually are. Promise?”

Johanna rolls her eyes and snarls.

“Pollux, help me out here,” I look over at him and he shrugs, leans over to whisper something in Johanna’s ear. She guffaws but she’s blushing. I really don’t wanna know what he’s promised to do to her later, but if it keeps her from committing assault or starting a bar fight--

“Fine. I’ll play nice. But if he’s bringing old, bad news with him--”

“Thank you,” I cut her off before she can go any further.

“Who’s he bringing?” Darius asks, holding one headphone cup up to his ear and halfway dancing to the music.

“The girl from the ski lifts the other day,” I say, rather annoyed with my friends and their nonchalance over this whole thing. Maybe they just didn’t see what I did at the ski lifts. Maybe they haven’t really noticed the subtle changes in our friend. While I’ve talked to Peeta about it, all they seem to have noticed is that he’s been busier than normal. I glance over at Johanna and she smirks before taking a healthy swallow of her drink.

She knows. But I chalk that up to the fact that she spent close to a year working and living here. She’s seen Peeta in a way the rest of us haven’t gotten a chance to. She’s heard things. Most of which she’s shared with me, but I prefer to hear the tale from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, rather than get it second, third, or fourth hand through the gossip chain. There’s too much room for error in the rumor mill.

And also, Johanna’s pretty much had a lady boner for Peeta since the first time she heard him give me shit. Which was the day I met the asshole. It’s only gotten worse since then. It’s not that she’s in love with him. I actually think if she got her wish, she’d let it go after that, but that’s not what he needs right now. I’d kinda hoped that banging Pollux would get her off that train, but it’s like Katniss' return to Peeta’s life has only made her worse. Almost… jealous? Which means her opinion on this is already tainted.

I drop it and the conversation moves on to less volatile subjects. For my part, I keep checking my phone. Finally, I spot them enter the club and smack Johanna’s arm.

“They’re here.”

“Ow!”

“Just be chill, okay?”

“We are chill,” Pollux says.

“So chill,” Darius adds.

“You’re the one who’s not chill,” Johanna adds. “Jealous she might steal your boyfriend?”

“You really wanna go down that road?” I whisper and she glares at me.

I open my mouth to say something else when Darius cuts me off. “God damn. She’s got hellacious legs.”

“Dude,” Castor mutters and shakes his head. “Are you ever not horny?”

“What? She does,” Darius says and motions towards the door. I glance over and spot Peeta sliding Katniss’ coat off her shoulders and handing it to the bouncer, trading for a pair of headphones. She looks a little lost. Both of them tense and nervous. What the fuck happened when they were fifteen? I wonder again, for the thousandth time this week.

“Think I can get twice lucky this week?” Darius asks then and I stare at him as though he’s got two heads.

“The female population of Wyoming cannot be that gullible,” Johanna mutters. “If they are, I disown them.”

“Alright, I’ve had enough of you assholes,” I mutter then stand up and wave to grab Peeta’s attention. Katniss is smiling now, pulling the headphones off and speaking with animation. As though she’s really into this idea of a silent nightclub.

I yell Peeta’s name and move a little away from the table, before I punch my friends for being shitty friends. Specifically Darius and Johanna. What the fuck is wrong with them? Can’t they see how tied in knots Peeta’s been?

After all he’s done for them. I shake my head and plaster a bright smile on my face before Peeta and Katniss reach us and I slide right in front of her.

“You know the rules, Peeta. You can’t bring a date unless she answers three questions.” I say as an opener and Katniss blinks at me. That’s it. No other reaction from her suddenly guarded face. It’s completely at odds with the flushed, smiling woman who shouted at Peeta on the slopes earlier in the week. Maybe I’ve read her all wrong.

“Katniss isn’t a date. We grew up together,” Peeta reiterates and gives me a half furious look. He looks at everyone at the table, too, as if challenging them to contradict him.

A quick glance back at Katniss and I catch a flash of what looks almost like pain in her eyes. Interesting. She clenches her fist and tries to smile while Peeta continues the introductions.

“So you’ve met Finnick, he’s kind of hard to ignore, much as we try.” I nod at her and step back. I did promise Annie I wouldn’t scare her off unless I had reason to. “Dude with the imitation Shaun White hair is Darius.”

“So if you’re not Peeta’s date--”

“Can it Darius,” Peeta snaps and my eyes snap wide as I stare at Pollux, whose eyebrows have gone all the way up his forehead. “At least let her sit down before you hit on her.”

Holy shit, I mouth to Pollux and he glances nervously at Castor. They share a look. Now they’re paying attention.

“Next to him is Johanna.” Johanna gives Katniss the slow, intimidating examination and pops her gum. I turn just enough to see that Katniss’ cheeks have darkened a little.

“So you’re the famous bi-nap-lete, huh?” Johanna asks.

I’m just thrilled she’s being nice. Ish. For her, at least. So I plop into a seat and drop my head back on it to fake a loud snore. If Katniss can’t take our mildest teasing, that’s the first warning sign.

“Yep, that’s me. Able to shoot a two inch target at fifty meters. Total bore, though,” Katniss quips back and I lift my head. Whoa. She’s smiling. The expression sly and knowing. Like she’s already got Jo’s number. Already assessed her as more bark than bite. Or knows that to show any kind of weakness in front of Jo would be a mistake. Johanna pops her gum again.

“And before anyone loses their eye, Castor and Pollux.” Peeta motions towards the twins. “They will at some point try to confuse you as to which one is which. They will succeed.”

“Hi,” Katniss says shyly and waves at them.

“Come on, Pollux. I wanna dance,” Johanna says and drags Castor towards the dance floor. I think. Unless they switched chairs when I wasn’t looking.

“That’s Castor,” I say and look to who I think is Pollux for confirmation. “Isn’t that Castor?”

Pollux shrugs and takes a drink. He’s smiling though, and I tilt my head to pick out the freckle pattern on his neck. Yep. Johanna’s dancing with Castor right now. Brilliant. I grin at Pollux.

“Do you want a drink?” Peeta asks as Katniss slides into an empty seat across from me.

“Sure. Beer is fine,” she tells him and he gives her a tentative smile. Shy and -- oh damn, he’s really got it bad. It’s even worse than I thought. He slips away to get their drinks and I fix my curious but taking no shit expression on my face. Katniss turns back to us and tilts her chin up slightly. Proudly. Almost a challenge, but not exactly hostile, I don’t think.

“Could you really shoot out Jo’s eye at that distance?” Darius asks and leans eagerly across the table towards her.

“Um yeah, on a good day. Eyeballs are a little smaller than my targets when I’m shooting prone,” she tells us.

“That’s fucking hot,” Darius says and I elbow the idiot. “What?”

“Nothing,” I say casually, but really I want to scream at him. Peeta’s always turned a blind eye to Darius’ flirting. With Lavinia. With Cyndee. With the blonde in our sophomore year I thought actually had a real shot but turned out to be a three date fling. With the girl Peeta wound up having a one night stand with our senior year when he and Lavinia were on the outs again... the list goes on. If Peeta’s dated her or slept with her, Darius has hit on her. Well, that’s true of pretty much everyone in this group. He flirts with Annie, too. We’ve all shrugged it off before because it’s been harmless.

But… this is different. There’s some kind of painful history here, and I already know Peeta’s never slept with Katniss. Never even managed a first date, he said. Still, no matter how many times my friend denies it, I can see he cares about her. A great deal. There’s the skis, the amount of time he’s spent with her this past week. The sketch which he claimed was of Skadi, the Norse goddess and namesake of his family’s lodge...that looked an awful lot like the girl sitting across the table. The fact that he even brought her here tonight. The fact that he shut down Darius’ flirting that fast -- zero tolerance fast -- makes me think Peeta’s feelings run a whole hell of a lot deeper than he or even the stories Johanna’s gathered around Skadi, have let on.

This just keeps getting more tangled.

Darius shakes off my warning, though.

“You wanna dance, lethal lady?” He grins at her and I hold my breath, watch her closely. She looks over her shoulder, towards the dance floor, and even in profile I can see the longing in her eyes. She wants to dance.

Then I follow the line of her eyes further and-- holy shit. I suppress a grin as I watch her, watching Peeta at the bar.

“Maybe later,” Katniss says, and I have to restrain myself from doing another fist pump or celebratory dance. She turns back around and looks right at me, face once more impassive. But now I know.

Mutual pining. Yeeessssss!

“What three questions did you want to ask, Finnick?”

“Hope you don’t regret it,” Pollux mutters. But I, personally, am thrilled at this opportunity. I throw her an easy cop out first, see how she takes it. False sense of security.

“From whence do you hail?” I ask her.

“I was born here.”

“That doesn’t count,” Darius argues. “Peeta told us two seconds ago that she grew up here with him.”

And you, little fucker, were actually listening for once, I think testily but don’t say it. If he keeps pushing the flirting, though, I’m throwing Monique’s name at him. In front of Katniss.

“I’ll allow a do-over for Finnick’s half-baked brain,” Katniss says with a half little smile, eyes still fixed on me. I can’t help but play along with her. Hold out my shirt and take a deep sniff while the others laugh.

“Shit I thought I washed this after my last joint.” She asked for it, though. “First question! Favorite band?”

“A Tribe Called Red.” The answer rolls off her tongue easily.

“Never heard of them,” I admit, kind of curious why. Is this a group Peeta would listen to? Or maybe he’d avoid them because of the connection to Katniss. But the point is, she had a ready answer. Music is such an ingrained part of Peeta’s life that her quick easy answer tells me something. I’m not sure exactly what yet, but I feel like it’s important somehow.

Time to solve a mystery and keep Darius from laying on anymore lines. “Google it, Darius.”

Darius bends his head over his phone and I… I prepare my next two questions. The stingers. I know they never went on a first date, but I have a hunch… a sneaking suspicion.

“The last person you kissed,” I say, containing my glee.

“Someone I rather wouldn’t have kissed, and technically, he kissed me. But don’t worry. He won’t be trying it again,” she drawls and I can’t help but grin. She’s spunky. I like it. Pollux laughs and chokes on his drink. Darius deals with that and I use their distraction to ask the one I think she really won’t want to answer.

“First person you kissed?”

She freezes. Her lips twitch a little and her eyes go a little vacant, almost...terrified. Why? Because it was Peeta? Or because it turned out badly.

We were fifteen when it all went to hell, he admitted in a moment of weakness.

I can’t help but taunt more of a reaction out of her and wink. So she knows that I’m on to her. She makes a weird sort of stuttering noise, and then I’m in trouble.

“What the hell did you say to her? I was gone for maybe a minute,” Peeta asks as he sets two drinks on the table and practically shoves me out of my chair.

Katniss is fighting her face and Peeta’s glaring at me. Furious.

“She said she didn’t mind answering three questions!”

“Peeta,” Katniss says and it happens so fast, I almost miss it. The glance at me and then towards Peeta, who is now focused on her. My brain races and reaches the answer. I smack my hand on the table and crow in triumph.

I knew it! Clever girl.

“What did I miss?” Darius asks.

“Where is the restroom?” Katniss asks. Peeta points it out and she thanks him then makes a hasty exit.

“Oh shit,” I say as Peeta turns murderous eyes on me and I have to swallow my gleeful smile.

“The. Fuck. Finnick?!”

“Shit man, relax. It’s not a big deal. All he did was ask who her favorite band and her first and last kiss was,” Darius says and Peeta turns those murderous blues back on me.

“And?”

I stand up so Darius maybe won’t hear what I say. And also because while Peeta’s probably the most laid back person I know, he’s kind of fucking terrifying right now, looming over me like that. Pollux, thankfully, picks up on what I’m doing and starts asking Darius about the band Katniss named.

“She didn’t exactly answer the first kiss part, okay? I just thought--”

“Whatever you thought, can you let it go? You have no idea--” Peeta falters and stops talking.

“I would if you’d fucking talk to me,” I hiss at him, suddenly furious too. He knows pretty much everything about me and the others. Every awful fucking sordid, horid detail. He glances over my shoulder and I can see in his eyes that Katniss is on her way back to the table.

“Not now.”

“Later,” I insist.

“Fine. Later,” he says and then glances at me. “Who’d she say her last kiss was?”

“Oh no, asshole,” I turn away from him to take my seat again. “I’m not giving you that until--”

“I was her first,” Peeta says.

“What? You and Katniss?” Darius asks and I give him an exasperated look.

“You know. You all knock me for falling on my ass, but I think Darius here’s fallen on his head too much.” Pollux laughs and Darius starts making excuses. I barely hear what Peeta says to me under the cover of the two of them making noise.

“And she was mine.”

“Yeah. Somehow, I figured that part out,” I tell him over my shoulder. When Katniss makes it back to the table, we’re all seated and relatively back to normal, Darius showing me what he found about this group -- A Tribe Called Red.

Huh. Well that helps form a better picture of who she is, I think as I watch her take her seat and mouth the words, I’m fine. Right at Peeta, even though he hasn’t moved or said a word to her. The look that passes between them speaks volumes. For some reason, it’s that little look that makes me relax a little, allows me to just let the evening go and observe Katniss rather than poke her for more information. There’s a kind of understanding building there. Or maybe mending.

In that moment, I’m really glad Johanna’s out on the floor with Castor still, because whatever there was or is growing or mending between Katniss and Peeta, it’s still fragile. Annie was right. Gentle is the way forward. And as much as I love Jo, she’s pretty much the antithesis of gentle.

“How hasn’t she figured it out yet?” I ask Pollux, motioning towards the floor.

“I should probably be insulted,” he says and laughs lightly.

“Means he’s a better dancer than you,” Peeta says and Pollux turns to throw one back at Peeta, but Katniss is smiling a little and the tension seems to have eased.

We drink and chat, without the burden of having to yell over the music. Katniss seems more at ease now, and that sets Peeta more at ease.

Darius makes another attempt at flirting with Katniss, once more asking about her sport, although the line about endurance is either too subtle for her to pick up on, or she chooses to ignore him.

“Have you heard from Monique tonight or has that flame already burned out?” I ask Darius.

He half turns to me, looking almost confused.

“What? No.”

“No you haven’t heard from her or no the flame hasn’t burned out?” I persist. Hopefully he can forgive me for making him look like an ass in front of Katniss, but right now, I’m more concerned with Peeta.

“Who’s Monique? Another one of your friends?” Katniss asks and looks over her shoulder, as though expecting someone else to show up. Pollux pitches in this time.

“Nah. Desk clerk at Skadi. She’s been giving Darius extra special guest services.” He winks and Katniss’ cheeks turn pink. That she picked up on. Peeta leans in and says something that makes her smile and relax again.

After that, Darius seems to get the hint. The conversation moves on. Darius and Pollux wind up in a heated debate about something dumb and I watch Katniss leaning in to say something quiet to Peeta that makes him laugh and her eyes shine.

It becomes a pattern. Every now and then, Peeta will lean over and whisper in Katniss’ ear. She leans towards him, every time he does, meeting him part way. Shakes her head at whatever question he’s asking her. Saying something that only he can hear that makes him smile or sometimes laugh.

Eventually, Katniss herself laughs at one of my stories. Then her laughter comes easier. Maybe it’s the beer, maybe it’s time. Or maybe it’s Peeta, who she keeps leaning towards, although I’m not sure she’s aware that she’s doing it.

I start to imagine an invisible spring between them. Before I can really get started on that metaphor, though, I’m interrupted.

Johanna finally figures out that she’s not been dancing with her fuck buddy and drags Castor back to swap out twins. She flips the bird over her shoulder at us as we heckle her. And Katniss is still laughing.

But like all good things, it must come to an end.

“Well there goes my ride,” Castor says and waves towards the door a few minutes later. We watch as Johanna and Pollux fail miserably at sneaking out the door.

“And your roommate,” I remind him. “Luckily, I now have an extra bed in my room. You can crash with me tonight.” Castor nods.

“Thanks man. Darius, you’re the last DD standing. You better be sober.”

“Fuck, I hate being DD sometimes. Yeah, I’m sober. Been drinking Sprite all night,” Darius says. “Puke in my car and you die.”

We chug down the last of our drinks and stand. Katniss is now fascinated with her empty beer. I point at Peeta meaningfully.

“You. Safe driving. Have fun. Don’t stay out too late.”

“You know me, honey,” Peeta says and puckers his lips in an air kiss at me then smiles slightly. I consider dragging his ass out the door, but Katniss hasn’t moved. She clearly isn’t ready to go home yet. And I have a bad feeling the little shit is going to use this as an excuse to not tell me anything tonight.

I should make a scene, but Peeta’s grin widens. “Tell Annie I said, ‘Hi,’” he says, a little too cheerfully.

“You’re joining us on the slopes tomorrow, yeah?” I say and he nods.

“I plan on it, but you know. I still work here.” I scoff and then tap the flat of my fist on his shoulder.

“Stop making excuses. It was good talking to you, Katniss.”

“You too,” she says, and despite the rocky start to the evening, I actually believe her.

In the car, Darius hands me his phone. “Text Monique for me, will you?”

“Why can’t you do it yourself?”

“I’m driving.”

“Fine. Fuckface. But at least conduct your booty call wherever she lives this time? The rest of us are tired of hearing it.”

“Alright, alright. Just text her to see if she’s free.”

I grumble but I do it. Because it’s better than listening to them fucking. Again. Maybe Annie and I will actually be able to have a decent conversation tonight. Unless Johanna and Pollux are getting rough with each other...

“I hate every last one of you,” Castor says in the back seat.

“I’ll cuddle with you if you’re that lonely,” I tell Castor and he chuckles.

“You’re only offering because Annie isn’t here. Or Peeta.”

“You want company or not?”

“I’m big spoon.”

“Fine by me.”

“You all are weird,” Darius says. Then looks up at Castor for a second. “Do you want me to ask Monique if she has a friend?”

“Cold day in hell when I let you set me up.”

“I don’t know about you but it’s pretty fucking cold to me,” I say as Monique answers that she is free and was hoping to hear from Darius. I deal with that, ribbing Darius for making me play go-between for him, then switch to my phone, consider texting Peeta for a second then decide not to.

I manage to wait until I’m back in the hotel room and Darius has left with Castor to meet up with Monique and a friend of hers before I send a simple:

How’s it going?

to Peeta. And get back the auto reply that he’s driving… I glance at the clock and wonder if that means things went really well, or if things went horribly wrong. I guess I’ll just have to wait and find out.

I hate waiting.

#outside chance revival #outside chance universe #words are peetas thing not mine #today we drag the muse back from vacation

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ilguna · 4 years

Text

Tacenda - Chapter Five (f.o)

Summary: you’ll never truly be free from the Capitol.

Word Count; 2.8k

Warnings; swearing, DEATH MENTION

NOTES: i give reader a last name to fit the world.

–

You throw another pillow at Finnick’s head, making him roll over and turn his back to you. He’s not very amused by this game of getting him to get up and get ready for today, another training day. He’d rather stay and bed and sleep for a little while longer. You think that the games are just beginning to dawn on him.

He knows that they’re happening, just like everyone else does. But you think that the nightmares are beginning to sprout again. And just because it’s Finnick, he refuses to wake you up and tell you about them. He did it for a couple of years, and eventually stopped and you never got to know why.

He might have thought that it was affecting you, but as far as you knew, it wasn’t. Or maybe it wasn’t completely obvious. Maybe you were hovering over him a little more to make sure that he wouldn’t have anything that would trigger him around. It seems like something you would do.

Unfortunately, you can’t remember that stuff anymore. It did happen a while ago, and if you were to bring it up now, he would find some lame excuse to get you off his trail. If he pretends like he’s uninterested in his own health, or makes it seems like it’s not as important as it is, he thinks it gets you off of his ass.

You make it seem that way to make him feel better. However, in the background you’re doing something for him secretly. Going to the doctors, mentioning it to Mags to get her advice, telling the people around you to watch what they say, etc. You worry over him like a concerned wife, because you are.

“It’s time to get up, grumpy.” you tell him.

He grunts.

Sighing, you head for the door so you can go to your room and grab your things. You’d think that the Capitol would think ahead and put some of your stuff in his room and vice versa, because you’re married and all that. Then again, you’re not really supposed to be spending the night in his room, being together or not, the rooms are made to fit one person at a time.

You grab another sports bra and the same leggings. You pull them on, skipping over a shower so you can take one later today. In the bathroom, you brush your teeth even if you’re going to eat in a moment. After putting your hair up, you debate over wearing shoes today.

Looking at the back of your feet, you frown when you see that it’s still healing. You applied the cream last night when it was given to you. But you suppose that it isn’t a life-threatening injury and they decided to give you something slow for it. Rather than having it heal all at once.

They want you to suffer a little bit or something.

You skip the shoes, and then head right back over to Finnick’s room. He’s sitting up at least, but he’s rubbing the side of his head like he has a headache.

“You feeling okay?”

“Just a nightmare.”

You go over, sitting on the bed, “Tell me about it.”

He clearly doesn’t want to tell you. Instead, he wraps an arm around you and pulls you into his side. You hug him and sit there silently, not wanting to pry if he doesn’t want to say anything.

He kisses your forehead, “It’s… I’m afraid of you dying in the arena. I keep watching you slip through my fingers because of Typhoid.”

Ah, it’s that nightmare. He’s had it before, even years later, it haunts him. Watching you turn pale, and weak. Sometimes back home in District Four, he’ll worry about you drinking the water. Because you wouldn’t survive another round of it if it came as hard as it did the first time around.

“I suppose it could happen again,” you look up at him, “But it’s unlikely. We know to be especially careful now.”

He nods, “Yeah.”

“Are you going to get ready or do you want to sit here for a little while longer?” you tease slightly.

“I’ll get ready,” he lets you go, and you head to the bathroom to grab your wedding ring.

“I’m gonna scope out Mags and Elysia,” you tell him, “Also make sure to comb your hair.”

He gives you a straight face, not amused.

“Love you!” you chirp, before skipping out of the room and into the hallway. The door shuts behind you, and you take your time with making your way to the dining room.

Sitting at the table is Elysia, not quite Mags. Elysia looks up at you as you come closer, “Good morning.”

“Hi,” you greet, “Mags up yet?”

She nods, “She ate already, she’s going to go talk to your stylists today. I’ll be following shortly after. How’s your feet feeling?”

“Still healing,” you take your seat at the table, “I’m going barefoot again today just to make sure that I don’t fuck it up with the shoes that they provide.”

An avox serves the regular, lamb stew. She provides rolls, orange juice, water and coffee, as if you’ll be indecisive. As you drink the orange juice, Finnick comes into the room, all dressed and more awake than he had looked before. He sits to your right, and raises the question about Mags.

You answer it for Elysia, and he nods, not too worried about it. Mags will be doing her mentoring things. Making sure that your outfits for the interviews are coming smoothly, making adjustments as she sees fit. You told her that you don’t want yours to be as revealing as your chariot ride outfit, which is obvious.

All Elysia told you last night about the dress that you’re wearing, is that it’s a head nod towards your first interview dress. It’s very similar, but since you’re so grown up, they’ve adjusted it accordingly. Also because these games are for the big-kids. This is no walk in the park, you’ve got to look your best.

There’s been no word on what Finnick’s wearing just yet. You have a slight feeling that they might go for something much more comfortable for Finnick. All Finnick had asked was that he wouldn’t be wearing a suit. No blazer, or dress pants or fancy shiny black shoes. He wants something breathable.

It was an interesting take, considering that everyone will be going for something formal to make themselves look expensive and rich. While he’s going to be more laid-back. You suppose it fits his personality more, he’s not normally uptight with things. He lets things take its course unless he’s sure that it’ll end badly.

You and Finnick eat a couple of bowls worth of food, making sure to drink plenty of water in the process. Just before you go to leave, you drink all your coffee at once to ensure that you’ll be bouncing off the walls inside of the training arena. Elysia doesn’t find it so funny at first, but then she says, ‘wreak hell’ and you know she’s on board.

You and Finnick take the elevator, and just with your luck, it’s a full house. Katniss, Peeta and Johanna are already inside.

“The gang’s all here,” Johanna sounds thrilled, but she motions for you to join her on her side of the elevator.

Finnick takes the middle, smiling at Peeta slightly as he moves you to Johanna. Johanna finds this funny and she snickers to herself as she looks out the window.

Once the doors are opened, Johanna is the first out. You and Finnick follow behind loosely, not really in a hurry to get inside of the training center. It’s going to be the same as yesterday. Learning, catching up, fighting with holograms.

“Do you care if I stick with you guys today?” Peeta asks.

You’re a little surprised, looking over to him. Katniss doesn’t seem all that bothered, and she shrugs when you look to her. Almost like a ‘I don’t control him’ sort of shrug. She didn’t set him up to this, he’s making allies by himself, just as Haymitch said he would.

“Sure, if you can keep up.” Finnick tells him.

“We can make another rope swing,” you laugh, and Finnick joins in.

“You made one yesterday?” Peeta asks.

Despite you suggesting a rope swing, you head right over to the hologram spaces, right next to where the careers already are. You want to try the one where you’re in the middle of the station, have them run at you from all directions like Katniss had.

Only, you don’t want to be shooting arrows.

You pick up a sword, swinging it in your hand. It’s too heavy, so you switch it out for a different one. It’s just light enough, and you’re easily able to swing it in your hands like a spear.

“Here we go with the magic tricks.” Finnick teases.

You look over your shoulder at him, “Says you, you twirl around those tridents like they’re batons.”

“What can I say? They’re just so light.” he shrugs.

While you set up the station, Finnick talks to Peeta. He hands off the advice that really matters with the careers: they’re just not worth it. If you team up with them, then that means you have to be ready to turn on them at any given moment.

As you’re messing around inside of the station, you pause to catch your breath, “You need to be aware of their plans at all times. If you make good friends out of them, then you have a better chance at them getting too attached to kill you.”

“There’s that,” Finnick motions to you.

You go back to swinging the sword at the holograms that come.

“What else? That can’t be it.” Peeta says.

“Definitely not,” you grunt, dodging the orange knife that comes flying towards you, “I made friends out of the careers after Finnick had ditched me.”

“Strategy,” Finnick begins to argue.

You point the sword at him, “I think you mean ‘bullshit’.”

Finnick rolls his eyes, “Go back to fighting or whatever.”

“It’s over.” you tell him, heading over to where they’re standing. You’re a little bit lower than them, since they’re on a platform. You stab the sword into the foam mat and lean on the hilt of it slightly, “If you do end up teaming with the careers, all the more power to you. I was friends with them for a while, and they think and act like careers.”

Peeta looks over, and you and Finnick follow. They’re all standing with each other, talking, joking around, Brutus wanders over to the station programming tablet again and tries to set up a game for himself.

“They’ve got a tight knit community.” you tell him, “They’ve known each other for ten fucking years now. Getting in there wouldn’t be a bad idea if you want them to protect and save. However, this Quarter Quell is different because it’s all victors. They’re going to be merciless and go through people like they’re burning through paper. Soon enough, they’ll run out of people to kill and just settle for you guys instead.”

Peeta looks at you now, and you point to him, “Which is not how we won the games, by the way. I got caught too quickly.”

“She’s impatient.” Finnick jokes, and Peeta cracks a smile.

“I am not, he was getting paranoid.” you argue, pulling the sword out of the mat, “I did what I had to.”

“And nearly got yourself killed because of it!” Finnick gives you a thumbs up.

“Give him a good whack on the side of the head for me, will ya?”

Finnick gives Peeta a look that says ‘don’t try me’. He helps you out of the pit, and you drop the sword back where it’s supposed to be. You go ahead and grab a water bottle from one of the tables, and motion to Peeta.

“Show me what you can do.”

Peeta shakes his head, “I’d rather watch.”

Finnick laughs, “If you’re worried about us knowing your skills, then you are severely mistaken. Everyone here watched you play last year, don’t be so shy.”

You roll your eyes, not too interested in the fight that’s about to break out between them. They follow behind you as you head to some first aid place with a teacher and all. Peeta breaks off sometime during the walk, leaving you and Finnick to do your own thing.

Finnick had definitely annoyed Peeta, but he was telling the truth. There’s no reason for him to act like he doesn’t need to show everyone his skills. If anything, you show off, you make yourself bigger, and you get more allies. It’s all about strategy.

Then again, you’re already their allies. You and Finnick will be babying them inside of the arena presumably. Make sure that they don’t get into any fights with the careers, or some people that are outside of the alliance. As far as you know, at least half of the people inside of here are in it.

You and Finnick. Johanna and Blight. Cecelia and Woof. Seeder and Chaff. The morphlings. Beetee and Wiress.

At least half the people that you just named are capable of keeping Katniss and Peeta from getting killed. The others are just a buffer, distractions maybe. But what would be a perfect fucking distraction, would be if someone in the alliance gained the trust of the careers and then guided them around like dogs.

Your eyes flicker up to where they’re all training. They’re showing off, acting hostile to try and get people to be afraid of them. You’re not, though. It was a damn shame that they were picked–and others volunteered–to be inside of the arena, of course. But no one is undefeatable.

You’re sure that they would want Katniss as an ally, at least. They wouldn’t mind having you around either, you think. Just because they had tried to talk to you during the tribute parade after years of despising each other. Maybe they were hoping that an alliance would spark between you guys.

Imagine, the career districts all sticking together. You guys would be so hard to work past, just because of all the things you know between each other. Not to mention, you’re all deadly anyway. What would be even better, is if a few others were added to the equation as well.

Johanna, most definitely, and you’re sure that Blight would be good too. Katniss would have to be included because she’s skilled for long-range fighting. Maybe a few of the outsider districts, but you don’t know them well enough.

It would be a team to fucking beat. No one would stand a goddamn chance, and when you all would turn on each other. Call that a second fucking bloodbath, because no one is leaving that unscathed.

“Hey, Finn.” you nudge him slightly.

“Yeah?” he asks, looking up from where he’s wrapping his hand with medical tape.

“What if one of us were to stick with the careers?” you ask him, and his face twists, “It’s just an idea, but hear me out. Let’s say that you go with Katniss and Peeta inside of the arena, and I go with the careers. I corral the careers to make sure that they keep away from you.”

Finnick makes a face, “Not a bad idea. But I’m pretty sure that you’d never leave my side for them.”

“Like I said, just an idea.” you look over to the careers, “I’m sure that Katniss and Peeta will be an ‘all hands on deck’ situation anyway.”

He laughs, “Tell me about it. Did you see the way Peeta soured up?”

You both turn to look to where Peeta and Katniss are standing together, “I bet they’re scheming.”

“Just like how you just were?” Finnick bumps you shoulder slightly, and you laugh, shaking your head as you look down at your ankle wrap.

“I think this is one sturdy ankle.”

“Never say that again, thank you.” Finnick says.

“I’ll remember this if you break your ankle inside of the arena,” you point at him, “don’t think I won’t let you suffer.”

“Like you’d let me run on a rolled ankle.” he scoffs, “Do you even know yourself, mom?”

You raise your eyebrows at him, “Do not call me that.”

“You’re right,” he snickers to himself, putting the tape down almost like he’s preparing for a fight, “It’d be disrespectful to my actual mom.”

He was right, because you drop your tape too. You raise your fists, “You’re gonna eat shit here in a second.”

“Bring it on!” he laughs.

#ilguna #finnick odair #finnick odair imagine #finnick odair oneshot #finnick odair x reader #finnick odair fanfic #finnick odair tacenda #tacenda

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littlemisssquiggles · 4 years

Note

Non-Oscar related question, but I have a quick theory about Robyn Hill. I think Robyn is eventually going to discover the importance of the Amity Arena and Salem. Instead of Ironwood telling the whole world about Salem, it'll be Robyn. This might lead her to convince the citizens of Atlas to blame Ironwood for keeping secrets about the biggest threat of Remnant thus gaining votes for herself for the council seat.

Hmmm. Interesting theory anon-chan and there is a possibility that you could becorrect in that regards. However, if I may, speaking for myself here, I have adifferent outlook on Robyn’s role with Ironwood and everything surrounding Amity Arena.

Last episode, Robyn was noted telling her subordinates—Happy Huntresses Fiona, May and Johanna to do whatever it takes to find out what Ironwood is doing with Amity Area.

“What now?”“I want to know why Amity Colosseum is suddenly so important. Whatever it takes.”

Based on this quote from Robyn in the last episode and the fact that the episode synopsis for V7CH6 “Night Out” described our heroes taking a break from huntsmen duty to attend the Watch Party for the Atlesian Elections, one can predict that while she is attending the rally, Robyn will send some of her Happy Huntresses to scope out the site for Amity Tower. It’s as Clover mentioned during his itinerary run-down in CH5.

“Eyes up huntsmen! Time to get used to the new normal in Atlas. Your top priority is Amity Tower. That means protecting supply runs from Grimm and bandits and protecting the site itself…”

Part of our heroes’ responsibilities in the preparations for Amity Tower is protecting the construction site, as told by Clover. However if our heroes—JNR_RWBY will have a night off from duty, then who will be protecting the tower site in their absence? Will it be Clover and Qrow on duty? Will it be the Ace Ops? Let’s say…it’s the Ace Ops on duty for guarding Amity Tower while JNR_RWBY get to have their break for that night.

Here’s my theory with that:

The heroes have their first night off from duty for the first time in weeks. They attend the Watch Party for the election campaign but soon grow bored of the political festivities. However while at the party, JN(P)R_RWBY bump into Team FNKI again.

Upon learning that our heroes were free that night, FNKI urge JN(P)R_RWBY to ditch the Watch Party with them in favour attending a much cooler party—an underground rave or something of the like. So JN(P)R_RWBY sneak away to go better blow off some steam partying with the FNKI.

Flynt did tell JN(P)R to let him know the next time they were free. Not to mention that Neon also promised Yang and Weiss to go partying with her and Flynt the next time they meet up back in V3. I’ve been itching to see our heroes go clubbing with the FNKI crowd since V3 so it wouldn’t surprise me if we finally got that for the next episode.

Perhaps…Oscar will be allowed to join them on this fun team excursion with their FNKI friends this time. If the heroes go partying with FNKI, I pray that Oscar ISN’T omitted again ESPECIALLY since it was highlighted that Neon of FNKI seems to be fond of him. It will definitely bug me to no end if the group goes out to have fun with FNKI WITHOUT OSCAR again and not even Neon asks about the ‘cute farm boy’ who’s supposed to be with them since…y’know? He’s a part of the team!

Unless Penny Polendina is made into his substitute yet again since V7 has suspiciously been inserting more Penny moments with the team than Oscar. This shouldn’t bug me since I do adore Penny a lot as a character.

I mean, who doesn’t adore Pen-Pen, am I right?

However it does bug me since I find it unfair that Penny is the one allowed to be shown spending more time with our heroes gradually growing a better relationship with everyone while they’re in Atlas…but not Oscar? The newest member of their team? Hmmmm….

If you guys thought I was furious after V6CH9, I will honestly be livid if we get the Partying with FNKI subplot and Oscar is once again benched for some unexplainable reason that the PLOT couldn’t be bothered to show however Penny once gain gets to have this fun time bonding with JNR_RWBY. But not Oscar—the kid who’s supposed to be a part of the team.

I will honestly not forgive the CRWBY Writers (particularly the credited writer for the episode or episodes in question) if they do this to Oscar again. V7CH4 was one thing but this squiggle meister will not be so complacent if they do this to Oscar twice in one season. I’m just going to put this out there as my own stance on this matter. Feel however you will in regards to this but please respect my own.

Anyways getting back on track with my theory—as I said, the heroes go partying with FNKI. But as they’re getting all the way turnt up at a rave, unbeknownst to them, danger strikes on the Amity Tower site when the Happy Huntresses sneak onto the grounds to dig up whatever info they can find.

Unfortunately for the Happy Huntresses, they run into the Ace Ops on duty. A battle ensues pinning the Huntresses against the Aces and the tense commotion from the battle between the two factions attracts nearby Grimm to the site and an ambush occurs.

The tower site is flooded with Grimm with the threat of the recent shipment of supplies to continue construction at risk of being destroyed in the rampage. This leads to back up being called in, inclusive of our gaggle of young heroes. However…let’s say…they don’t get wind of this going on because they allhanded over their Scrolls at the rave or turned them off or just didn’t hear them go off because of all the loud music from the party or something to that liking.

Eventually they do get wind of what went down at the site. Perhaps…the Happy Huntresses survived the onslaught while pilfering some of the stored supplies that was supposed to be dedicated to the Tower. This act ends up aggravating Ironwood the next day since, let’s say…the Happy Huntresses’ stunt cost the Tower a week of construction resulting in a delay in its construction? That could be a possibility.

With me, my theory for Robyn Hill has always been that she will be used as another guinea pig by Watts in his ploy against the General. Sorry if this bursts your bubble anon-chan but my opinion is that Robyn will neither be successful in winning the elections or outing Ironwood.

The honour of outing the General will be given to Watts while I highly believe that he will use his galaxy brain hacking skills to tamper with the election results and ensure that Jacques Schnee not only becomes Councilman but also eventually usurps Ironwood in governing Atlas in some way or form.

My theory is that Watts will put a hit out on Robyn Hill. Since Ironwood mentioned that someone (Tyrian) has been targeting spokesmen from Mantle who spoke out against Atlas (like Forest), Robyn will also be targeted due to her influence on the People of Mantle. Tyrian will hunt down Robyn with the intentions of killing her—however Qrow and possibly Clover Ebi get wind of the attack on Robyn and come to her aid; as we saw hinted in the V7 Opening.

However during the fight—Robyn either gets killed or “it’s made to appear that she had been killed” and her alleged death is later pinned on Clover Ebi. Since the V7 opening teased Watts overlooking an image of the Aces while smirking cunningly, my hunch is that Watts will spark a scandal with the People of Mantle to further tarnish Ironwood’s public reputation with its citizens.

Since Robyn has been proclaimed as the local hero of Mantle and voice for the people, then what better way to put the final nail in Mantle’s growing hatred and outcry against Ironwood than a scandal where the leader of his elite team of military huntsmen is accused of murdering the lone representative from Mantle?

Robyn Hill will be made a martyr in the destruction of Ironwood’s dwindling goodwill with Mantle. That’s this squiggle meister’s theory and I’m going to stick with this until the PLOT tells me otherwise.

~LittleMissSquiggles (2019)

#Anon-ninja #squiggles answers: rwby #robyn hill #oscar pine #rwby theories #rwby volume 7 theories #rwby volume 7 spoilers

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sunflowerslyf · 6 years

Photo

Summary: After getting herself trapped in an unwanted mess, Katniss meets a familiar face at work. Through her stubbornness, she finally decides that the familiar face is the answer to her problem.

Rated M for potty language and sexual themes.

Author’s Note: So, this little one is finally here!! Sorry if this took a while but I had no inspiration for a few weeks. Thanks to my beta @booksrockmyface for being amazing in making this way, way better and for giving me advice when I was stuck💖

Read chapter one Here or on AO3 or ff.net

CHAPTER TWO

Katniss picked up her ringing phone to see Madge was calling to Facetime her.

She really didn’t want to be caught slacking in on work, but nobody really cared if she went away for a few minutes. She grabbed her phone and retreated to the side of the vending machine.

“You called?”

Madge’s beaming face popped up on her phone screen.

“Oh my god, I still can’t believe this.” Madge muttered before she turned to her on the screen. “Katniss, listen up. One of my cousins just moved here to New York after accepting a job offer last week. He also came from Panem like you…” Madge trailed off.

“…and I should care because?” She raised an eyebrow at Madge. She didn’t really care if Madge’s cousin moved to New York from Panem too, she sure as hell wasn’t going to socialize and try to be friendly.

“Did I tell you that he, what was that again?” The blue eyes looked away from the phone momentarily before zoning in on the screen again. “Oh, just that he has very blonde hair and very blue eyes?”

She told Madge and Johanna about what exactly she had said to Prim. And after laughing at her stupidity, they both decided to help her out and refrained from telling Prim the truth. It meant a lot to her that they were actually willing to help her out.

“Shit, really? Madge, I better meet him!” She sounded desperate and it wasn’t like her at all.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got it all covered. I already talked to him and he’s willing to help you as long as he gets something good out of it.” Madge said.

“Anything, Madge. Tell him I’ll give anything.”

“I will but maybe later because it’s his first day at work today and I really don’t want to distract him right now.”

“Sure. Thank you Madge! I owe you big time!”

“It’s no problem. Just please promise me one thing. Promise that you won’t hold back at being happy at least for once in your life and do something for yourself once this mess is over.”

Someone called Katniss and she turned to the sound of her name. Needing to end the call, she didn’t think twice before answering Madge.

“I promise.”

She avoided talking or looking at Peeta for the rest of the day. Katniss was still really pissed at him. From the café, to what happened earlier, her irritation still hadn’t subsided. But that didn’t mean that she succeeded.

Many times she would be caught staring at him and she would be rewarded with one of his cocky grins. It really got on her nerves. She had to admit though, the guy was a work of perfection. Those muscular arms that looked so delicious, she wanted to run her tongue over them. The thick hands that worked skillfully on his desk, like how skillfully he did her. Damn, she should really snap out of it and focus on doing her work.

A few hours later she received a message from Madge when she was about to scan her ID to sign out of work.

[Madge]

He said he’s willing to meet up for dinner later at Sae’s if that’s ok with you

Katniss checked the time on her phone which read 5:34 pm before replying.

[Katniss]

Sae’s is good. 8?

She finished scanning her ID and left for the parking lot of their office. She looked around, trying to figure out where she left her car parked when she realized that she actually commuted to work.

Letting out a groan, she made her way back to the office when suddenly she was halted in her movements.

Can’t I escape him, even for just a second?

There, Peeta Mellark stood leaning on his car, typing out something on his phone. He was very concentrated on what he was typing that for a second, he didn’t notice Katniss who was stood there like an idiot. When he was finished typing, he looked up at her and his eyebrows raised in surprise.

“Hey.” He greeted her and yet she remained there gawking at him. She was suddenly tongue-tied after realizing that she stood there like a stalker, waiting for him to notice her.

It’s rude of her, really, but she resorted to her easiest option at that moment. She ran away from him without saying so much as a hey back.

Right when she’s outside of the office and away from Peeta, she received another message from Madge.

[Madge]

8 is ok for him. Said he’ll see you later.

Katniss placed her phone back into her bag and entered the cab. She’ll have to go home and take a warm shower before preparing to talk to a complete stranger and asking him to be her fake boyfriend to show her sister. Definitely not creepy.

After her shower, Katniss donned a modest burgundy dress with sleeves that reached her elbows and a hem that hit her right below the knee. She didn’t want to seem overdressed for the occasion but she also wanted to look nice for the man she was going to ask a favor from and for the restaurant that was quite fancy.

She really only agreed to go to Sae’s restaurant because she knew that Madge had come from a wealthy family and if this guy was Madge’s cousin, then he could’ve been from a wealthy family too.

“Let me guess, hot date?” Johanna snickered once Katniss had descended the stairs.

Katniss snorted. “Not even close.”

As she was leaving the house, her phone pinged from her purse signaling another message from Madge. Since Madge wasn’t home earlier, they’d been texting each other about the details instead. She did wonder why Madge wouldn’t just give her this guy’s phone number, but she’s actually grateful for it since it would probably be very awkward.

[Madge]

He’s already there, said he’s seated at the very corner wearing a blue shirt.

[Katniss]

Thanks Madge, it means a lot.

She didn’t wait for Madge’s reply to her message, if there was ever one.

When she got into Sae’s restaurant, she was met with smooth white tablecloths, dim chandeliers that were hung low, few lit candles and staff that sported suits and dresses. It was too fancy for her liking. And too romantic for the occasion, if she was going to be honest.

She searched the restaurant for the corner seat and she found the man who is most definitely Madge’s cousin. The blue shirt is present and there’s a blonde mop of curls on his head. But he had his back to her so she couldn’t see his face right away.

She smoothed out an imaginary crease on her dress and made her way to the table where the man she’s about to meet waited with his hands linked together. The click clack of the heels she’d reluctantly chosen are visibly heard and she puts on the biggest smile she can muster before turning to the man and holding out her hand.

“Hi.”

Her smile immediately faltered when she saw the man’s face. The face she couldn’t escape for the past three days. Peeta.

Those enticing blue eyes gazed up at her and his eyebrows raised slightly as a look of pure shock covered his face.

‘Why didn’t I piece it all together until now?’ Katniss thought.

From when Madge called her saying that the man came from Panem, Katniss had known that Peeta came from Panem, to when Haymitch introduced him to her. When Madge told her that it was her cousin’s first day at work, it was also Peeta’s first day. When she went to that parking lot and stared at him like an idiot when he was typing a message, which she figured was to Madge because she received a message just a few moments later. In that parking lot, Peeta was wearing the same blue button down shirt he was wearing right now. And the fact that he had blonde hair and blue eyes. How could she have been so stupid?

She dropped her hand to her side and she could feel Peeta’s eyes burning through her skin when they swept on her from head to toe.

“Hey.” He grinned at her but it wasn’t one of his annoying smiles that teased her throughout the day. It was a sincere one, one that she hadn’t seen so far.

She plopped down on the seat opposite of him and fixated her stare on the plate in front of her.

“I guess you know why I’m here by now.” She sighed. Katniss didn’t want to be seen as vulnerable, especially when it was Peeta seated before her.

“Because you couldn’t resist me?” The teasing voice was back but when she looked up to his eyes, there was hesitation in them. She wasn’t sure why, but she didn’t want to find out anymore. She had humiliated herself enough.

Thankfully, a waiter approached their table with menus and she had an excuse to leave his statement unanswered. They both placed their orders and after the waiter left, an awkward silence consumed them.

Katniss looked anywhere but at Peeta as she tried to find an exit. Key word tried. She knew she had to deal with this mess, she’s the one who got herself into it in the first place. It would be rude of her to just leave after ordering and force Peeta to pay for a meal she didn’t even eat. Sure, he was a douche but she wasn’t that kind of person.

She only had four days left before Prim would be in New York. So, pissed or not, she’d have to ask Peeta if he’s willing to play along with her. If not, she’ll suck it up and tell Prim the truth even if that wasn’t an option at the moment.

“Since we’re not at work anymore, can we finally talk about that night, Katniss?” His sparkling eyes plead with her. It took everything in Katniss to resist kissing him then and there.

“What’s there to talk about, Peeta? Why does it bother you so much?” When he didn’t reply, she found the strength to look straight into his eyes and continued.

“I came here for one thing, and one thing only. Now, if you don’t want to get involved in this mess, please just tell me already. But if you do, then tell me too so I’m aware of how I’m going to pay you back.”

She diverted her gaze down to her fingernails that were covered in green chipped polish from when Prim coerced her to paint her nails. She had no idea what she was doing here, or hell, why she just asked Peeta to be her boyfriend when she was supposed to be mad at him. She was about to open her mouth and take back what she said and run out of there as fast as she could when he beat her.

“I’ll be your boyfriend.” Her head snapped up to meet his eyes as her jaw dropped.

“I–what?” She blinked repeatedly.

“I’ll be your boyfriend, on one condition.”

Katniss’ eyes remained wide as she waited for the condition. She was supposed to be prepared for whatever he had in mind but nothing can prepare her for what comes out of his mouth.

“I want a date. Just one date after the entire pretending.”

She finally closed her mouth after gaping like a fish and opened them again to speak. “But you’ll be with me the entire time before that… I don’t understand?”

“I mean a real date, Katniss.”

She figured that one date wouldn’t hurt, it was what her sister asked of her but it was also what got her into this mess. She’ll be ending this all with one date too. Just one date. Her sister’s trust on her depends on this.

So she accepted. “Okay. One date.”

“One date.” Peeta repeated with a smile.

“You didn’t tell me that your cousin was Peeta Mellark.” Katniss accused.

“I didn’t think you knew him.”

Katniss kicked off her heels. Madge didn’t need to know how she already knew Peeta because that would be too embarrassing to tell even a best friend. But she didn’t doubt that she could trust Madge to at least not laugh at her.

“I don’t. I mean, I do know him but just…” She sighed.

“Don’t tell me he was one of your one night stands.” Madge’s eyes widened slightly. “God, he’s such a catch. If only he wasn’t my cousin.”

Katniss ignored the latter statement. “We didn’t! I mean he did, no, I…” She exhaled a big breath and scrunched her eyebrows together. There was no better way of saying it. “He went down on me at the back of that bar we went to.”

“Damn.”

A voice replied from behind her, which clearly didn’t come from Madge. Both Katniss and Madge taken by surprise faced a newly awake Johanna who leaned on the door frame.

“Finally! Brainless is getting some action.” Johanna trudged toward them. “It gets tiring to be the only one bringing a guy home. You bringing him over here?”

“The real question, Jo, should be how Katniss here knows my cousin Peeta.” Katniss just stared blankly at them.

“Peeetaaa. That’s a weird name. You sure your cousin isn’t some sort of creep?” Johanna asked while raising an eyebrow.

“Definitely not! In fact, he’s the kindest, most down-to-earth person I’ve ever met. He pretty much don’t have any flaws.” Madge said, leaning her chin on her palm.

Kindest, most down-to-earth person? She snorted and both of her roommates’ eyes turned to her.

“So, how exactly did you know Peeta otherwise?” A mischievous smile showed up on Madge’s glossy pink lips as she wiggled her perfectly shaped eyebrows.

“He’s my new coworker.”

Both eyes waited expectantly for her to continue. But she didn’t.

“That’s it? What about that ‘thing at the back of a bar’ that I heard earlier?” Johanna asked.

“Well yeah, that happened first.” She took in a deep breath while trying to figure out how exactly she was going to say the story of how she knew Peeta.

“Then we met again at the cafe down the street the following day, where I had to go back here to finish my job because he was distracting me.” Mischievous grins appeared on both Madge’s and Johanna’s faces when the word distracting left Katniss’ mouth.

“Unfortunately for me, I see him again at work because as it turns out, he’s the new guy and I’m responsible for showing him around which was actually very fun because he still wouldn’t shut up about that night at the bar…” She pointed to the window as if the bar she was talking about was there.

“This is the new guy I was talking about earlier, sweetheart. Meet Peeta Mellark. He’ll be working with you from now on. You’re also in charge of showing him around.”

Katniss’ eyes went from Haymitch to Peeta who had a smirk directed at her. She was sure that her eyes were bulging out of her head.

“Peeta, this is my assistant Katniss Everdeen.” Trying to be professional, she offers him a tight smile which would probably look more like a grimace.

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Everdeen.” He looks amused as he offered his hand to her.

“You too, Mr. Mellark.” She shaked his hand.

Haymitch flicked his eyes back and forth between them before grunting and walking away from them, his silver flask back onto his lips.

“Follow me and I’ll show you to your office… Mr. Mellark.” She avoided his eyes as she strutted away from where they stood with his heavy footsteps right behind her.

Peeta slightly quickened his pace until he was walking beside her. Katniss kept her gaze straight ahead as Peeta broke the silence.

“Tell me if I’m mistaken but I remember you walking out on me yesterday. Quite rude of you, wasn’t it?” He grinned at her which made those damn dimples appear. Katniss wanted so badly to wipe them away.

She ignored him and instead focused on the annoying clacking sound that her heels were making. They were the only distraction she had at this point.

“So you’re just gonna act like nothing happened? Is that it?” Peeta stopped walking now.

She blinked then stopped in her tracks. Letting out a deep exhale, she planted on her fiercest scowl before turning to him.

“I’m sorry Mr. Mellark, I’m trying to be as professional as possible. So if you don’t have anything to say that is related to work, then I suggest you just keep your mouth shut.” She’s astounded at the sudden burst of confidence that washed over her but didn’t regret anything she said as the smile on Peeta’s face faded.

“…and earlier, I see him again at Sae’s because lucky me, he’s also Madge’s cousin who also came from my hometown Panem and the guy who’s willing to fake date me. And that all went downhill at dinner.” Her hands dropped to the hem of her oversized shirt that matched the hue of her eyes as her friends’ faces remained void of any reaction.

“So yeah, he’s definitely the kindest, most down-to-earth person I’ve had the privilege of meeting.”

The two pairs of eyes that belonged to her roommates remained fixated on her. She was waiting for them to say something, anything just to break the silence that suddenly consumed the entire room.

‘Oh god, is Madge angry? Peeta’s her cousin after all,’ Katniss thought.

“Oh my god.” Madge said as if coming to a realization.

“What?” She was confused. What the hell was going on?

“You like him.” Madge grinned.

“I–” Madge cut her off.

“You like Peeta. Oh my god, I knew it!” Madge exclaimed like a giddy teenager.

“What? I don’t like him. In fact, if you haven’t noticed, I’m damn pissed at him.” She narrowed her eyes to prove her point.

“No you aren’t.” Madge waved her hands in the air. “As a matter of fact, you like him so much that you’re using hate to cover up your crush on him!”

“You watch too many rom-coms, Madge.” She looked to Johanna for help but Jo just shrugged.

“Sorry brainless, but I’m with Madge this time.”

This fueled more anger on Katniss’ part. After everything that had happened, even if he was willing to help her out, she hated Peeta. No, she despised him.

Didn’t she?

#everlark #everlark smut #fake dating #au #katniss everdeen #peeta mellark #teampeeta

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savvylark · 6 years

Text

Not Your Mama’s Hallmark Christmas Part 1

Thank you to the amazing @javistg being my beta and encouraging.

Katniss tends to be cynical about materialism, love, and marriage. Her friends have replaced the family she lost. So when Peeta needs help, her friends don’t need more than a strong arm to convince her. Katniss finds herself having a very different Christmas this year with the Mellark family, posing as Peeta’s girlfriend. What will change when this starts to look like a strange Hallmark movie?

Ready for part 2?

The air is thick with affection and laughter. Snow lightly falls, twinkling and tumbling outside the window, echoing the light-hearted mood inside.

The cynic in me can’t stand the jolly commercialism that the winter season brings. Despite all of this I can’t help but truly enjoy myself when we all get together, as if we are a real family celebrating Christmas.

Madge and Gale’s upscale apartment looks like West Elm meets Martha Stewart’s holiday catalog. Spread after spread of delicious and appropriately holiday themed hors d'oeuvre and snacks are on every surface. Wine and seasonal cocktails have been flowing.

“Hey! I don’t judge you with your choices in men!” Peeta’s tone is serious, but his expression says otherwise. He’s already 3 spiked eggnogs in, following tradition.

Finnick, Annie, and Thresh’s new girlfriend, Rue, are laughing around the table as I tease Peeta about his newest ex-girlfriend.

“I’m just saying, with a name like Glimmer? I mean, do shiny objects keep her occupied?” I ask Peeta.

He winces, but smiles.

“Is she confessing personal problems with that nickname?” I smirk, as the whole table erupts in laughter.

Gale and Madge are also pulled out of their own little world leaning near the wet bar.

Tresh joins us from the kitchen, shaking his head, amused at our usual banter. Thresh hands his girlfriend Rue another egg nog, placing a platter of food in front of us. Always playing host.

Peeta bites his lip to repress his laughter. Ugh, I love and hate when he does that.

He looks in my eyes and jabs back at me.

“Oh, you’re one to talk. A nickname like Marvel didn’t give you any clue that you had found your very own Sheldon Cooper?” Peeta’s blue eyes twinkle with amusement.

I scowl, but my eyes reveal the laughter I’m stifling. “Who doesn’t like the Marvel movies? I should have known that meant he would be SO into comic books!” I snap back with equal amusement. “And Cosplay.”

We all chuckle, there’s nothing wrong with cosplay, it’s just not my scene at all. A hilariously poor match.

Peeta looks over at Johanna.

“Jo, what was that hipster guy’s name you dated, the one who never showered? Bright?”

Jo scowls, but her eyes prove she’s just as amused as we are. “Hey, don’t bash a hipster! You’re looking at one.” She winks and continues. “BLIGHT was his name!”

“I hated that guy!” Thresh adds.

If our own 6’6” gigantic teddy bear didn’t even like the guy, that’s saying something.

Johanna sighs. “He was a disaster! I appreciate a man who has an aversion to anything mainstream, but he used it as a reason to have zero responsibility for anything. Blight, I’m positive he made that name up! Rhymes with flight. That should have been my first clue.”

She goes on to tells about the time he asked a librarian if they had showers in their bathroom. That’s how Jo promptly left Blight, stranded at the library.

Chatter continues throughout the room.

Johanna leans her body towards Peeta and pokes his side. “Weelllll, Peeta-bread, what are you going to do for your mom’s insane Christmas bash for all the rich snobs without Sparkle for the holidays?” Johanna pries, emphasis on the ridiculous name.

Peeta makes a low growl noise in his throat and shakes his head, raking his fingers through his hair.

“That’s why you started dating Glitter in the first place, right? To get your mean ol’ mommy Mellark off your back?” She’s teasing, but some concern is evident in her expression. She cares. Prickly, sarcastic Johanna Mason has always had a soft spot for the people she loves.

Every one of us knows just how awful Peeta’s mother can be. Last year easily takes the cake as being the height of humiliation. Peeta brought up the topic of marriage to his heiress and mother-approved girlfriend of 4 years. Her rejection lead to their break up, and left him a broken man.

Right before a prominent holiday season.

Peeta’s mother was awful to him the entire visit for Christmas.

Peeta is determined to avoid a repeat.

All of us stayed nearby our college town, hours from our hometowns, for similar broken or dysfunctional family reasons.

Staying together also means having the second family we’ve found in our friends.

We all went to Panem State together at various points of arrival. Gale, Peeta, and Finnick had been in their 3rd year when Madge and I started.

Thresh and I were fast friends our freshman year and started regular pizza and movie nights with Madge and Gale, our pseudo family slowly fell into place.

Johanna was, and still is, my roommate who I met through Peeta and Finnick.

Sweet Rue, Thresh’s girlfriend, became an easy addition in the last year.

Peeta doesn’t answer Johanna’s question. The conversation steers to memorable Christmas parties and ugly sweaters.

Jo smirks at me. “Remember that time–,”

“Oh I remember! Johanna tricked me into wearing the ugliest sweater at a party that WASN’T an ugly sweater party. I thought I was going to win!” I grit my teeth and scowl at the memory.

“Three years in a row!” Johanna adds, to my humiliation.

I growl.

I’m met with amused smiles and laughter.

Finnick delves into a ridiculous story about a friend who was wearing Christmas lights in his ugly sweater and nearly landed him a Darwin Award by electrocution.

Finnick heroically kicked him in the chest to unplug the lights, but in doing so, he embedded broken bulbs in the guy’s chest.

That party ended with a trip to the ER treating the friend’s electrocution and stitches.

The details he adds, no one could make up.

Finnick’s knack for acquiring stories is phenomenal. We’re all in stitches, laughing until our sides hurt.

“Well, Peet, if you have to go to the party alone, at least Annie and I will be there to take some of the pressure off,” Finnick says to his best friend as Annie hands him his coat.

Annie’s parents are old friends of the Mellarks, so she’s been to their parties since childhood and is well acquainted with how important appearances are, and the pressure Mrs. Mellark puts on her youngest son.

Behind them is Rue, also carrying 2 coats.

Thresh lifts me into his arms in his signature crushing hug.

Rue giggles as I make a show of gasping for air.

The couples continue to exchange their goodbyes, and ‘Merry Christmases’ handing each of us a present and head out of Madge and Gale’s apartment.

I watch the couples head to the stairs, hand in hand.

Rue’s warm brown eyes rarely leave Thresh’s face. She smiles softly as he talks to her with such affection. The look in his eyes says Rue is everything.

I know my friend. He’s in love.

Annie and Finnick are more playful.

Annie blushes as Finnick whispers in her ear then kisses her cheek. She’s pushes him away. Bumps his shoulder a little while their fingers remain entwined. Annie’s giggle is infectious and echoes through the stairwell. Again, it’s the look Finnick has in his eyes that melts my Grinchly heart. Annie holds his heart for eternity.

Then, it hits me.

Maybe I do want that some day?

I’ve never admitted it to myself.

Everyone knows I have scoffed at love and marriage, probably since the very first boy that caught my eye when I was 16.

But people change.

I shrug my shoulders and shut the apartment door, and those thoughts.

Jo has clearly had too many drinks at this point, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear. “I would definitely help you out if I wasn’t set on getting my ass to the beach. I just can’t stand family gatherings. And, as fun as it would be to piss your mom off, I think you’re hoping for someone to take away the attention rather than direct more to you, amiright??” she pauses and shoves Peeta. “I TOLD YOU, ask her!” Johanna whisper-yells in her drunken state.

Peeta’s face is red.

I’m pretty sure at one point Jo skipped the eggnog and has been downing the hard stuff straight.

Wouldn’t be the first time.

I purse my lips and try to think of who ‘her’ she’s referring to.

I’ve also never understood why his parents make this party such a big deal, but my own parents were very casual about gatherings.

When I had parents anyway.

Peeta has stressed about this Christmas party every year, but it was after he graduated that he made a point to always bring a girl.

For his mother’s sake.

Peeta looks sheepish, sighs and rubs the back of his neck. Then he turns to me.

Wait, me?

Oh. no.

I’ve seen this hallmark movie. I’m more of a Grinch character myself.

Okay, calm down, it’s just Peeta. Still, I start shaking my head.

Madge gives me this mad-scientist look, raises her eyebrows and I can see her wheels turning now.

She’s gone into planner-mode.

I know Madge is feeling guilty she can’t be there for her cousin Peeta.

Madge typically attends her Aunt and Uncle’s annual holiday party in Merchant. Had she not organized a charity event for childhood cancer that same weekend she would be. It’s hard to keep up with her event planning, and it’s busiest around the holidays and wedding season.

Also, being a senator’s daughter has expectations of it’s own. There are other obligations that she needs to attend.

I would hate to have to deal with the expectations and pressure Madge has, which she handles with such grace.

I imagine when Gale does finally pop the question with that ring burning a hole in his pocket the event itself is going to be insane, and the planning will be flawless.

Madge is very good at what she does.

I dart back and grab another drink while Madge joins Jo and Peeta to conspire.

I groan.

“So Gale, do you have any interesting plans coming up?” I elbow my best friend playfully.

I have been teasing him for months about asking Madge that daunting, er, I mean magical question.

I helped Gale pick out the near-colorless solitaire in a rose-gold setting, and I learned more than I ever wanted to about engagement rings that day.

Diamonds haunted the back of my eyelids for days.

Our cool-calm-and-collected Gale has been a little smug about revealing any engagement plans. Yet he turns into a giddy kid on Christmas morning anytime I mention, or raise my eyebrows in a silent question.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Gale teases back, but can’t keep the gigantic grin off his face.

“Well I better be the first one to hear it!” I say with a wink.

Gale rolls his eyes, laughs, but nods.

We know I will.

It’s actually contagious, to see my best friend so in love, I’m almost giddy with him.

Weird.

So maybe I’m not so allergic to happy endings either.

“Katniss!! We need your help!” Madge says in a sing-songy voice.

I grimace, let out a deep sigh and give Gale a pleading look.

He just shrugs.

Great. No allies here.

And so begins my acting career as Peeta Mellark’s girlfriend for the Holidays with his family.

Madge starts jotting down notes. She lists a hair salon, a wax center, a list of clothing, make up, shoes. Asking Peeta which family members will be in town for the week. Other tentative events –all of which made my childhood Christmases as a poor girl from the wrong side of town sound so meagre.

I’m already a fish out of water.

“I don’t, I don’t even know how–,” I stammer.

Madge interrupts,“Oh, nonsense! I’ll teach you everything, we have time to prepare. Just be yourself, Katniss. You’ve always had a calming effect on Peeta. He needs you and I can’t be there. Everything will be fine, Katniss!”

Jo is finding all of this amusing. “Hey, don’t be brainless! You get to pretend to be a different version of yourself. Haven’t you ever wondered what it would have been like to have more growing up? I have! This could be fun!” Johanna is surprisingly convincing for how drunk she is.

I have to admit, all the things Madge is talking about would be an experience, and I’m not alone. I’ll be with our friend Peeta the whole time.

Now I’m looking at Madge, then Peeta, and back.

“Can we establish a safe word? When it’s too much and I need an escape? I could say ‘do you want to build a snowman?’ Instead of making a run for it.” I try to make light of it but I’m a known flight risk. We all understand this.

“Absolutely, I can help you with an escape to a quiet place, just say so.” Peeta reassures me.

I hesitate and fiddle with my hands.

“All the Mellark baked goods will be on tap the whole week,” he adds.

I look sceptical. “If we’re doing this, we’re going to make it fun. Promise?” I add.

“I promise!” Peeta replies.

“Also, you’re so lucky Prim is off the grid, helping with medical needs from the hurricanes!” I tease. He knows I would never pick this over a Christmas with my sister.

I’m also keeping his little crisis in perspective, this isn’t a real crisis at all.

“Fine. I’ll do it,” I say with a huff.

Johanna and Madge cheer.

Gale is laughing at my predicament.

“You’re the best, Everdeen!” Peeta wraps me up in a tight full body hug.

I stiffen a little but don’t pull away.

I’m just not much for hugging, but I’ve tried to get used to Peeta’s, Thresh’s and, well, probably half our friends touchy, affectionate tendencies.Especially after the alcohol is flowing.

It surprises me that of all our friends, it’s actually Peeta and Annie whose touchy tendencies turn from affection to questionable around me after a few drinks.

Peeta keeps his body flush to mine and this hug is turning not so innocent.

I shove him back playfully. I have stories.

“Easy tiger! That reminds me. Let’s work through some rules? I think for all intents and purposes we should appear to be dating exclusively, just out of respect for each other. Try to keep excessive flirting with the ladies to a minimum?” I ask of Peeta.

“Noted. Only flirt with you.” Peeta grins widely and emphasizes you with his finger to my nose.

I roll my eyes.

“What about you, Peeta? Ground rules for your lovely girlfriend?” I ask with a sarcastic tone, batting my eyes in mock flirtation.

Jo smirks.

Madge is busy in thought.

Gale is cleaning up.

“Oh um, yeah, don’t jingle anyone else’s Christmas bells?” He grins.

I glare at him.

He laughs. “The only sleigh you should be riding is–,”

“PEETA!” I interrupt, trying to scowl, but my amusement shows.

Jo gives him a high five.

“Okay, OKAY! Umm, I’m going to be myself, so I’m going to be affectionate in front of people,” Peeta says while my eyes go wide, he’s not suggesting… “No! Nothing crazy. I just mean hand holding, arm around your shoulder, light touching. The kind a grandma would approve of. Try not to resist me,” he says with a wink.

Then he demonstrates by putting an arm around me.

Did it just get a little warmer in here? I shrug my shoulders up a little. Then I remind myself not to resist.

Madge and Jo laugh at me while I struggle.

Peeta has his Casanova smile, then he leans in.

I start to breath heavier when his hot breath tickles my neck.

“Remember, we’re madly in love, so it’s alright to kiss me anytime you feel like it,” he whispers.

My cheeks go red and I shove him away as Madge and Jo hoot and holler.

I shake my head and laugh with them.

I grab some ice out of my water cup and smear it all over Peeta’s face.

“Cool it there, Don Lothario! Not everyone is comfortable with such blatant forwardness!” I say grinning. I know I’ve won this round.

“Back to their antics!” Johanna mumbles.

Jo and Madge start whispering.

Nope, I’m not going to stick around for the teasing that will follow.

“Hey I’m going to get going. Jo, do you need a ride to our apartment? Peeta you’re staying here?” I ask the two who don’t live in this upscale apartment.

“I’m good,” Peeta says with a nod, raising another drink in his hand, meaning he’s staying here.

Jo grabs her coat as I say my goodbyes and hand out my remaining few Christmas gifts to our friends.

It’s so nice to have Christmas here every year.

Jo and I are adult orphans, so this is our family Christmas. Or was.

Now I’m joining Peeta’s family.

#savvylark #fanfic #holiday fic #katniss and peeta #katniss everdeen #peeta mellark #hallmark #not your mamas hallmark christmas #everlark #christmas fic #things savvy writes

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winterinpanem · 6 years

Text

Not Your Mama's Hallmark Christmas part 1/3

The air is thick with affection and laughter. Snow lightly falls, twinkling and tumbling outside the window, echoing the light-hearted mood inside.

Madge and Gale’s upscale apartment looks like West Elm meets Martha Stewart's holiday catalog. Spread after spread of delicious and appropriately holiday themed hors d'oeuvre and snacks are on every surface. Wine and seasonal cocktails have been flowing.

“Hey! I don't judge you with your choices in men!” Peeta’s tone is serious, but his expression says otherwise. He’s already 3 spiked eggnogs in, following tradition.

Finnick, Annie, and Thresh’s new girlfriend, Rue, are laughing around the table as I tease Peeta about his newest ex-girlfriend.

“I'm just saying, with a name like Glimmer? I mean, do shiny objects keep her occupied?” I ask Peeta.

He winces, but smiles.

“Is she confessing personal problems with that nickname?” I smirk, as the whole table erupts in laughter.

Gale and Madge are also pulled out of their own little world leaning near the wet bar.

Tresh joins us from the kitchen, shaking his head, amused at our usual banter. Thresh hands his girlfriend Rue another eggnog, placing a platter of food in front of us. Always playing host.

Peeta bites his lip to repress his laughter. Ugh, I love and hate when he does that.

He looks in my eyes and jabs back at me.

“Oh, you're one to talk. A nickname like Marvel didn't give you any clue that you had found your very own Sheldon Cooper?” Peeta's blue eyes twinkle with amusement.

I scowl, but my eyes reveal the laughter I'm stifling. “Who doesn't like the Marvel movies? I should have known that meant he would be SO into comic books!” I snap back with equal amusement. “And Cosplay.”

We all chuckle, there's nothing wrong with cosplay, it's just not my scene at all. A hilariously poor match.

Peeta looks over at Johanna.

“Jo, what was that hipster guy's name you dated, the one who never showered? Bright?”

Jo scowls, but her eyes prove she's just as amused as we are. “Hey, don't bash a hipster! You’re looking at one.” She winks and continues. “BLIGHT was his name!”

“I hated that guy!” Thresh adds.

If our own 6’6” gigantic teddy bear didn’t even like the guy, that's saying something.

Johanna sighs. “He was a disaster! I appreciate a man who has an aversion to anything mainstream, but he used it as a reason to have zero responsibility for anything. Blight, I'm positive he made that name up! Rhymes with flight. That should have been my first clue.”

She goes on to tells about the time he asked a librarian if they had showers in their bathroom. That’s how Jo promptly left Blight, stranded at the library.

Chatter continues throughout the room.

Johanna leans her body towards Peeta and pokes his side. “Weelllll, Peeta-bread, what are you going to do for your mom's insane Christmas bash for all the rich snobs without Sparkle for the holidays?” Johanna pries, emphasis on the ridiculous name.

Peeta makes a low growl noise in his throat and shakes his head, raking his fingers through his hair.

“That's why you started dating Glitter in the first place, right? To get your mean ol’ mommy Mellark off your back?” She's teasing, but some concern is evident in her expression. She cares. Prickly, sarcastic Johanna Mason has always had a soft spot for the people she loves.

Every one of us knows just how awful Peeta’s mother can be.

Last year easily takes the cake as being the height of humiliation. Peeta brought up the topic of marriage to his heiress and mother-approved girlfriend of 4 years. Her rejection lead to their break up, and left him a broken man.

Right before a prominent holiday season.

Peeta's mother was awful to him the entire visit for Christmas.

Peeta is determined to avoid a repeat.

All of us stayed nearby our college town, hours from our hometowns, for similar broken or dysfunctional family reasons.

Staying together also means having the second family we've found in our friends.

We all went to Panem State together at various points of arrival. Gale, Peeta, and Finnick had been in their 3rd year when Madge and I started.

Thresh and I were fast friends our freshman year and started regular pizza and movie nights with Madge and Gale, our pseudo family slowly fell into place.

Johanna was, and still is, my roommate who I met through Peeta and Finnick.

Sweet Rue, Thresh’s girlfriend, became an easy addition in the last year.

Peeta doesn't answer Johanna’s question. The conversation steers to memorable Christmas parties and ugly sweaters.

Jo smirks at me. “Remember that time--,”

“Oh I remember! Johanna tricked me into wearing the ugliest sweater at a party that WASN'T an ugly sweater party. I thought I was going to win!” I grit my teeth and scowl at the memory.

“Three years in a row!” Johanna adds, to my humiliation.

I growl.

I'm met with amused smiles and laughter.

Finnick delves into a ridiculous story about a friend who was wearing Christmas lights in his ugly sweater and nearly landed him a Darwin Award by electrocution.

Finnick heroically kicked him in the chest to unplug the lights, but in doing so, he embedded broken bulbs in the guy's chest.

That party ended with a trip to the ER treating the friend’s electrocution and stitches.

The details he adds, no one could make up.

Finnick's knack for acquiring stories is phenomenal. We're all in stitches, laughing until our sides hurt.

“Well, Peet, if you have to go to the party alone, at least Annie and I will be there to take some of the pressure off,” Finnick says to his best friend as Annie hands him his coat.

Annie’s parents are old friends of the Mellarks, so she's been to their parties since childhood and is well acquainted with how important appearances are, and the pressure Mrs. Mellark puts on her youngest son.

Behind them is Rue, also carrying 2 coats.

Thresh lifts me into his arms in his signature crushing hug.

Rue giggles as I make a show of gasping for air.

The couples continue to exchange their goodbyes, and ‘Merry Christmases’ handing each of us a present and head out of Madge and Gale’s apartment.

I watch the couples head to the stairs, hand in hand.

Rue’s warm brown eyes rarely leave Thresh’s face. She smiles softly as he talks to her with such affection. The look in his eyes says Rue is everything.

I know my friend. He's in love.

Annie and Finnick are more playful.

Annie blushes as Finnick whispers in her ear then kisses her cheek. She's pushes him away. Bumps his shoulder a little while their fingers remain entwined. Annie's giggle is infectious and echoes through the stairwell. Again, it's the look Finnick has in his eyes that melts my Grinchly heart. Annie holds his heart for eternity.

Then, it hits me.

Maybe I do want that some day?

I've never admitted it to myself.

Everyone knows I have scoffed at love and marriage, probably since the very first boy that caught my eye when I was 16.

But people change.

I shrug my shoulders and shut the apartment door, and those thoughts.

Jo has clearly had too many drinks at this point, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear.

“I would definitely help you out if I wasn't set on getting my ass to the beach. I just can't stand family gatherings. And, as fun as it would be to piss your mom off, I think you're hoping for someone to take away the attention rather than direct more to you, amiright??” she pauses and shoves Peeta. “I TOLD YOU, ask her!” Johanna whisper-yells in her drunken state.

Peeta's face is red.

I'm pretty sure at one point Jo skipped the eggnog and has been downing the hard stuff straight.

Wouldn't be the first time.

I purse my lips and try to think of who ‘her' she’s referring to.

I've also never understood why his parents make this party such a big deal, but my own parents were very casual about gatherings.

When I had parents anyway.

Peeta has stressed about this Christmas party every year, but it was after he graduated that he made a point to always bring a girl.

For his mother's sake.

Peeta looks sheepish, sighs and rubs the back of his neck. Then he turns to me.

Wait, me?

Oh. no.

I've seen this hallmark movie.

Okay, calm down, it's just Peeta. Still, I start shaking my head.

Madge gives me this mad-scientist look, raises her eyebrows and I can see her wheels turning now.

She's gone into planner-mode.

I know Madge is feeling guilty she can't be there for her cousin Peeta.

Madge typically attends her Aunt and Uncle’s annual holiday party in Merchant. Had she not organized a charity event for childhood cancer that same weekend she would be.

It's hard to keep up with her event planning, and it's busiest around the holidays and wedding season.

Also, being a senator's daughter has expectations of it's own. There are other obligations that she needs to attend.

I would hate to have to deal with the expectations and pressure Madge has, which she handles with such grace.

I imagine when Gale does finally pop the question with that ring burning a hole in his pocket the event itself is going to be insane, and the planning will be flawless.

Madge is very good at what she does.

I dart back and grab another drink while Madge joins Jo and Peeta to conspire.

I groan.

“So Gale, do you have any interesting plans coming up?” I elbow my best friend playfully.

I have been teasing him for months about asking Madge that daunting, er, I mean magical question.

I helped Gale pick out the near-colorless solitaire in a rose-gold setting, and I learned more than I ever wanted to about engagement rings that day.

Diamonds haunted the back of my eyelids for days.

“Wouldn't you like to know?” Gale teases back, but can't keep the gigantic grin off his face.

“Well I better be the first one to hear it!” I say with a wink.

Gale rolls his eyes, laughs, but nods.

We know I will.

It's actually contagious, to see my best friend so in love, I'm almost giddy with him.

Weird.

So maybe I'm not so allergic to happy endings either.

“Katniss!! We need your help!” Madge says in a sing-songy voice.

I grimace, let out a deep sigh and give Gale a pleading look.

He just shrugs.

Great. No allies here.

And so begins my acting career as Peeta Mellark’s girlfriend for the Holidays with his family.

Madge starts jotting down notes. She lists a hair salon, a wax center, a list of clothing, make up, shoes. Asking Peeta which family members will be in town for the week. Other tentative events --all of which made my childhood Christmases as a poor girl from the wrong side of town sound so meagre.

I'm already a fish out of water.

“I don't, I don't even know how--,” I stammer.

Madge interrupts,“Oh, nonsense! I'll teach you everything, we have time to prepare. Just be yourself, Katniss. You've always had a calming effect on Peeta. He needs you and I can't be there. Everything will be fine, Katniss!”

Jo is finding all of this amusing. “Hey, don't be brainless! You get to pretend to be a different version of yourself. Haven't you ever wondered what it would have been like to have more growing up? I have! This could be fun!” Johanna is surprisingly convincing for how drunk she is.

I have to admit, all the things Madge is talking about would be an experience, and I'm not alone. I'll be with our friend Peeta the whole time.

Now I'm looking at Madge, then Peeta, and back.

“Can we establish a safe word? When it's too much and I need an escape? I could say ‘do you want to build a snowman?’ Instead of making a run for it.” I try to make light of it but I'm a known flight risk. We all understand this.

“Absolutely, I can help you with an escape to a quiet place, just say so.” Peeta reassures me.

I hesitate and fiddle with my hands.

“All the Mellark baked goods will be on tap the whole week,” he adds.

I look sceptical. “If we're doing this, we're going to make it fun. Promise?” I add.

“I promise!” Peeta replies.

“Also, you're so lucky Prim is off the grid, helping with medical needs from the hurricanes!” I tease. He knows I would never pick this over a Christmas with my sister.

I'm also keeping his little crisis in perspective, this isn't a real crisis at all.

“Fine. I'll do it,” I say with a huff.

Johanna and Madge cheer.

Gale is laughing at my predicament.

“You're the best, Everdeen!” Peeta wraps me up in a tight full body hug.

I stiffen a little but don't pull away.

I'm just not much for hugging, but I've tried to get used to Peeta’s, Thresh's and, well, probably half our friends touchy, affectionate tendencies.Especially after the alcohol is flowing.

It surprises me that of all our friends, it’s actually Peeta and Annie whose touchy tendencies turn from affection to questionable around me after a few drinks.

Peeta keeps his body flush to mine and this hug is turning not so innocent.

I shove him back playfully. I have stories.

“Easy tiger! That reminds me. Let's work through some rules? I think for all intents and purposes we should appear to be dating exclusively, just out of respect for each other. Try to keep excessive flirting with the ladies to a minimum?” I ask of Peeta.

“Noted. Only flirt with you.” Peeta grins widely and emphasizes you with his finger to my nose.

I roll my eyes.

“What about you, Peeta? Ground rules for your lovely girlfriend?” I ask with a sarcastic tone, batting my eyes in mock flirtation.

Jo smirks.

Madge is busy in thought.

Gale is cleaning up.

“Oh um, yeah, don't jingle anyone else's Christmas bells?” He grins.

I glare at him.

He laughs. “The only sleigh you should be riding is--,”

“PEETA!” I interrupt, trying to scowl, but my amusement shows.

Jo gives him a high five.

“Okay, OKAY! Umm, I'm going to be myself, so I'm going to be affectionate in front of people,” Peeta says while my eyes go wide, he's not suggesting... “No! Nothing crazy. I just mean hand holding, arm around your shoulder, light touching. The kind a grandma would approve of. Try not to resist me,” he says with a wink.

Then he demonstrates by putting an arm around me.

Did it just get a little warmer in here? I shrug my shoulders up a little. Then I remind myself not to resist.

Madge and Jo laugh at me while I struggle.

Peeta has his Casanova smile, then he leans in.

I start to breath heavier when his hot breath tickles my neck.

“Remember, we're madly in love, so it's alright to kiss me anytime you feel like it,” he whispers.

My cheeks go red and I shove him away as Madge and Jo hoot and holler.

I shake my head and laugh with them.

I grab some ice out of my water cup and smear it all over Peeta’s face.

“Cool it there, Don Lothario! Not everyone is comfortable with such blatant forwardness!” I say grinning. I know I've won this round.

“Back to their antics!” Johanna mumbles.

Jo and Madge start whispering.

Nope, I'm not going to stick around for the teasing that will follow.

“Hey I'm going to get going. Jo, do you need a ride to our apartment? Peeta you're staying here?” I ask the two who don't live in this upscale apartment.

“I'm good,” Peeta says with a nod, raising another drink in his hand, meaning he's staying here.

Jo grabs her coat as I say my goodbyes and hand out my remaining few Christmas gifts to our friends.

It's so nice to have Christmas here every year.

Jo and I are adult orphans, so this is our family Christmas. Or was.

Now I'm joining Peeta’s family.

The lights and sounds of the impending Christmas week are evident as we make our way through downtown. The obnoxious bright lights that glimmer in the night linger and burn as I drive.

The snow falling lightly reminds me that I long for the woods, and the sight of a star or two would be a welcome sight. I keep my eyes on the road.

The slush sounds that accompany driving in these conditions are drowned by the warm buzz of contentment our friends bring when we are all together.

Well, Johanna is still buzzed from spiked eggnog.

As we drive back to our apartment, Johanna talks about her upcoming trip to the coast.

“I'm hoping I can score a fling for the week like you did when you visited Abernathy’s that one summer. How did you snag him by the way?”

Ugh. I don't want to say. It further confirms, to my friend's amusement, my poor judgement in choices of companionship.

I met him through my uncle's step-son, who lead with his own line. “Hey did you know it's legal to marry your cousin here?”

YUCK! That should have been a clue that his friend would also turn out to be a weirdo.

The beach was amazing with a strong handsome man who was so into me. It was a wild trist.

By the end of the week, I learned enough about him to be happy to leave it there.

Southern gentleman my ass. He started bragging about fights he'd been in.

No thank you.

The tipping point was when he started a story with: “Look, I'm not racist, but…” then continued with a racist comment.

Nope. You. are. DISMISSED.

“Oh I met that guy through Effie’s nephew,” I reply, but I'm still disgusted thinking about him.

My roommate gives me a thoughtful look. “You know, Brainless, you could have your own little something at casa de Mellark?” she says with mischief in her eyes.

I scowl.

“Oh come on, you seriously can't tell me you're not at all attracted to Peeta Mellark? That your ‘antics' couldn't lead to more? You never thought about hitting that? Probably any woman who has even met him has…” Jo insists incredulous of my scowl.

“FINE! Of course, I have! When we were younger, he would meet us at Madge’s pool parties. He was older and dreamy. The hair, the body, the eyes? Yes all of it. For a shy, hormonal teenage girl to get his attention, even for a minute was...ahh!” I have to catch my breath at the memory.

“But I knew he was out of my league. Then, you know, at college it was easy to live in the friend zone. Besides, he dates girls from old money, like Cashmere De Young, and I'm--,” I confess, gesturing to myself.

Johanna interrupts. “Incredible? Genuine? Real? Radiant with no make up? Smart? Funny? Loyal? I could go on…”

I'm surprised at my usually sarcastic friend's words of affirmation. It takes me a minute to take it in. “Hmm.”

“He's not out of your league. He never was. You have to believe that! You are unique, not some cookie-cutter bimbo dripping with daddy's money. Don't for one second think a girl like that has anything on you!” Jo insists.

Wow.

I'm not really sure what Johanna was trying to achieve by this pep talk, but I'm a little choked-up!

I just nod.

Barely a whisper, but I manage to say, “Thank you, Jo.”

She just smiles in reply. Then waves off my comment implying ‘it was nothing.’

That night I revisit memories I have long buried. It's all Jo’s fault.

“Madge! You did not tell me there were going to be so many hot guys here!” I scowl at my closest girl friend as I fiddle nervously with the green bikini she convinced me to wear. I'm not really a bikini kind of girl.

“Relax Katniss! Don't even start. You hang out with the hotness that is Gale Hawthorne all the time. Besides, you know all these guys from school.” She gestures toward the guys at the refreshment table. I do recognize each of them.

“And those,” Madge gestures to the hottest guy I've ever seen standing with a few other swimsuit clad high schoolers near the diving board. “--are my cousin and his friends.”

Madge says and gives me a knowing smile as she watches my jaw drop.

“Th-th-THAT is the cousin that used to tease us and chase us? The one who used to bring treats from his parent's bakery?!”

Madge nods, trying to hold in a laugh.

This time my eyes rove over the muscular, tall blond, I take in his chiseled chest, muscular arms…

As he dives into the pool I get a glimpse of his backside and it is ridiculous.

Madge is laughing at me.

“Katniss, I've never seen you like this! It took 16 years for a boy turn your head and it's my cousin of all people?!” Madge laughs incredulously.

I bite my lip, but keep my eyes on the water.

“Katniss has a crush!” Madge mocks. I was indeed the very definition of a late bloomer.

“I do not!” I argued, but she was right.

Peeta was a senior, and boy did he have the swagger of the wrestling champion that he was. Yet, his kindness, and steady protective nature remained the same as the boy I would see a few times a year.

Peeta had a way of making sure I was always included as kids.

He would patiently explain the rules to a new game and always seemed to be my ally in anything competitive.

He wasn't around as much in the high school years, so that day at Madge's pool party, I was looking at a whole new Peeta.

When he came up from under the water, Peeta whipped his head to the side, swiping his wet mop of hair out of his eyes.

Jeez, right out GQ magazine.

I know I'm staring.

Then he caught my gaze and smiled at me. A blinding smile that made my teenage heart beat faster.

I replied with a shy smile, and looked down.

Madge shot me a knowing smirk and shook her head with a laugh.

Wet arms wrapped around my waist from behind.

I barely had time to squeak before a dripping wet Peeta pulled me away and jumped into the pool dragging me with him.

I couldn't even be mad, the pool felt so good on such a hot day. I didn't mind his strong arms around me either.

We were both laughing as we reached the surface.

That set the tone for the day.

As we would mingle with our other friends and swim, Peeta and I would lock eyes. Gravitating back to each other.

Our interactions seemed to be flirty and playful. It became an unspoken agreement that when we were in the pool, where no one could see, hands could explore.

The first few times Peeta's hand brushed my thighs or hips in the deep end I didn't think anything of it, but the third time it lingered, I caught on.

He searched my face for a reaction, which I answered with a smile. I liked his attention.

The heat between us grew.

That summer Peeta seemed to show up at Madge's house almost every time we were in the pool.

The attraction between us was undeniable, but our secret.

As a shy girl who shut down every previous guy's advances I was in over my head.

I refused to think about a future with Peeta. After all, he was leaving for college hours away at the end of the summer. However, I would be lying if I said I didn't let this crush invade my thoughts all summer.

We had our own “antics,” (Jo would call them present day) and ongoing inside jokes, just like when we were kids.

It had become our mission to get everyone wet who refused to go in the pool at least once.

Between planned sneak-attacks and belly flops, Peeta and I were undefeated in our mission.

By the end of the summer, Peeta bought super-soakers for each of us. We snuck around the side of Madge's house, ready to ambush a particularly manicured group of girls, when he pinned me to the house.

“I've never met a girl like you, Everdeen,” he said, breathlessly. Then Peeta leaned in...

I never told Madge, but it was Peeta who was my first kiss. Pinned up on the side of her house, 18 year old Peeta Mellark left me breathless and dizzy in a mind blowing kiss.

I rationalized that it was probably that amazing because it was my first kiss, but I've always wondered why no kiss since then has ever come close.

Must have been the heat.

Also, the words super-soaker now have a double meaning I can never forget.

I lie awake frustrated. “Maybe going with Peeta isn't such a good idea?” I wonder to myself.

11 notes · View notes

and-muses · 4 years

Note

lex and ethan! or raoul and christine! or johanna and anthony?

Lex and Ethan (i was gonna do all of them before i realized how long this is oops)

where was their first date ?: I think it was at the movies (Ethan did the stupid yawn and wrap an arm around the shoulder thing)

what my muse would do to cheer your’s up: Either start using really really bad pickup lines or purposely act over dramatic about something.

who wakes the other up with kisses ( and where ) ?: Ethan is such a heavy sleeper that i dont think kissing would actually wake them up but they do try to wake Lex up with a bunch of little kisses all over her face

who would pour water on the other to wake them up ?: Lex easily

how my muse would wake your’s up: Either really gently or completely on accident but really loudly (the idiot would be trying to get ready in the morning and fuckin fall over trying to get skinny jeans on or trip on a goddamn flannel)

who would start a food fight while baking or cooking ?: Both do (Lex starts them by straight up throwing flour or something but ethan starts small, smearing frosting on her face)

who would suggest putting marijuana in the brownies ?: Ethan

who said i love you first and how ( or when ) did they say it ?: I think Lex. Ethan probably implied it a lot but he doesn’t say it verbally until Lex does and I think she probably said it, not even realizing it, after walking in on Ethan babysitting hannah on a bad day (it was the first time lex left hannah alone with him on a bad day and she hadn’t known how it would go but she walks in on them playing minecraft together with the sound off and captions on instead, with ethan’s headphones and hat on hannah because they figured it would help and hannah didnt want to take them off).

who would get into a physical altercation over the other ?: Ethan. Anyone says anything mean about Lex (or hannah) gets fucking decked. Ethan cannot fight worth shit but he will start swinging.

who insists on purchasing a pet together ( and what kind of pet ) ?: I think they both insist on it but both suggest different animals. Ethan wants a puppy. Lex wants a cat. Or maybe a reptile.

who is louder?: Ethan has no fuckin volume control. He tries really hard to not accidentally be like, yelling (and is pretty good about it near hannah but sometimes hes too quiet because he doesnt want to be too loud) but he just does not realize he’s that loud.

who takes more risks?: I think Lex. Ethan does risky shit and runs into problems doing it but he doesn’t do them unless he can guess the outcome. Lex seems like she would do it just because it sounded fun. I think California was her idea.

describe their typical kiss: I think the most common one is either forehead kisses from ethan or little pecks just bc ethan is very fond of kissing her

how my muse shows their love for your’s: They’re very touchy. I think they really like to be holding onto her hand or around her waist or something like that. Also definitely quality time

their favourite ways to give affection: Teasing (like the thing he does when he’s first introduced in Black friday)

who sings in the shower ?: Ethan (no volume control)

who washes the other’s hair in the shower ?: I think Ethan because he’s taller by a lot

who has the weirder taste in music ?: Ethan! He has this whole like. talks like a 50s car salesman guy thing and his music taste matches. Except it switches rapidly from 50s, to classic rock, to like. high school musical.

who would initiate dancing in the rain ?: Lex. Ethan’s worried about one of them getting sick but he goes along with it because it’s making her smile and he loves that.

who would be the one to suggest marriage ?: I think this would be Ethan. He says it like a joke just in case she takes it badly but he really would love to marry her.

what would they name their children ?: I think if they had a girl, Ethan would wanna name her after his mom (i haven’t decided what that name is yet) and idk about a boy.

who would their children take after more ?: I think it’s pretty equal.

0 notes

hutcherette · 7 years

Text

Flowers in the Window Chapter 4

Wow only me 5 months to update, sorry! Life & work stuff just took over all my time. I will try not to be so long in my next update. As always many thanks to my lovely beta and friend Heidi. She had a big job on her hands, as this chapter is rather long, so ta very much dude! :D xx Hope you all enjoy this chapter and thank you for reading and for the lovely comments. Previous chapters can be found on A03

http://archiveofourown.org/works/7594528?view_full_work=true

"It'll have to do" Katniss muttered under breath after she had re-braided her hair for the fourth time that morning. She took a deep breath in, breathed out hard and studied her reflection in the small mirror above the basin in the female staff bathroom. 8:47 am. Nearly time to roll. Toying idly with the end of her braid she pulled out her go-to 'I'm fabulous' perfect nude lipstick for yet another coat. Letting out a resigned sigh she grabbed her handbag and opened the door quickly.

"Pull yourself together Everdeen" She chastised herself with a heated whisper.

Unfortunately in the heat of scolding herself she hadn't noticed Johanna racing in the door. Her black duster coat whipping behind her.

"Woah there, Nelly! Are you trying to make my hangover worse than it already is?!" Jo gestured to her head, which Katniss was guessing, was pounding.

"Morning to you too Jo" she smiled patting the side of Jo's head sympathetically.

"Wild night?!"

"Wet n wild times K, all the way" Jo drawled winking at her friend. Katniss wrinkled her nose, turned back to the mirror and started toying again with her braid.

"So things good with Thresh still?"

"That man has moves that out-sex even Gloss" Jo replied pulling out her black kajal liner from her bag with the smirk of a cat who had recently had her fair share of top quality cream.

"Wow; even Gloss the man-whore extraordinaire? Well I guess it must be love," Katniss teased.

"Please." Jo rolled her eyes & applied a heavy line of sooty black in her lower waterline.

"Why are you in here anyway, K? It's almost bell and you don't fuss or primp your hair or makeup. Ever. If I didn't know you better I'd say you were avoiding the soon to be love of your life… or at least a couple of months of good lays."

Exasperated, Katniss grabbed her handbag and started fidgeting with the zipper.

"I’m not avoiding him...I just...look...urgh we talked about this yesterday Jo, it's just all so...awkward."

"Oh come on K, it's only awkward because you're turning it into some dumb high school drama á la Delly! It's very simple. He likes you, you like him. You had some weird serendipitous meeting years ago where you hit it off with each other, so? Who cares? Get in his pants already!"

"Always boils down to one thing with you doesn't it Johanna?" Katniss snapped. Johanna glared at her from the mirror.

"Harsh, Everdeen. I'm actually trying to help you bring a bit of happiness into your life but if you're too brainless to see that then fine; stew in your own misery." She picked up her bag & turned to face Katniss.

"If you need me I'll be in the photocopier room. I just saw Mellark on his way to Trinkets room, just a heads up there to aid you in your little avoidance plan. He also asked me if I'd seen you..."

"What did you say?" Katniss asked in a half whisper staring down at the sink. She knew Jo was right, she had to give him and whatever they had or could have, a chance. The whole thing had been gnawing at her all weekend to the point where she couldn't sleep. She wanted to text him but this wasn't a simple case of boy meets girl, boy kisses girl, followed by the obligatory ‘oh so charming’ text games that usually lead to a first date or being ignored. She wanted to speak to him face to face but now the moment was here...she was terrified.

"I said no I hadn't. Besides why do you care? It's all too awkward right?!" Jo huffed back and walked out the door.

The shrill clanging bell rang out breaking Katniss from her thoughts. Oh Shit she slapped her hand to her head. Monday mornings were her half day teaching in D12's kindergarten. The worst part of her week but she had been railroaded into it by Effie who had insisted how good the experience would look on her CPD plan this year although the truth of the matter was that every other staff member had passed up the opportunity to do it and Effie knew she could talk her round by bringing out the guilt inducing 'we need you Katniss' speech. Besides it was that or lunchtime detention duties 2 days a week. At least being there would give her head a break from Peeta mania. Mind you, the prospect of having to face Peeta later on with snot stains on her clothes and paint on her shoes didn't exactly thrill her either. Feeling a little more relaxed Katniss walked down the old rickety stairwell down into the main lobby, kindergarten bound. The years had not been kind to D12's main building, built in 1936 the red sandstone three storey building looked impressive from the exterior but inside was another story. Leaking roofs, peeling paint and some furniture that hasn't been replaced since Eisenhower meant that the school was often in a dilapidated condition. Mrs Cray wanted to bulldoze the entire building and rebuild but Cressida favoured fund raising events to preserve and fix, what was at its heart, a beautiful building full of character and history.

Katniss was rifling through her bag to find the key card that opened the kindergarten entry door when those smooth molten caramel tones echoed behind her. "Hey Katniss" Oh god. Oh god. Thought I'd at least have a couple of hours before facing him. She breathed out. 1-2-3. Slowly, she turned around, her eyes locking with a motherload of electric blue.

"Hi," she squeaked a little higher pitched than she intended. She cleared her throat trying to find a way to ground herself and not make this anymore awkward than it already was.

"Hi Peeta, hey, um how are you?" Those eyes twinkled and a soft smile crept over his lips.

"Not bad, all the better for seeing you."

If she wasn't so self-conscious she'd swear that Peeta's face flushed slightly. And then… Silence. Say something, say anything!

"Th-thanks you too. Hope the White Russians were kind to you next morning. I felt a little queasy but it wore off. Johanna swears by a Virgin Bloody Mary with her secret recipe hash browns & bacon breakfast. Really does sort you out..." Her voice trailed off as she realised she was in full babbling overload and that Peeta was smiling at her with a look of bemusement.

"I'll need to try that sometime. I personally prefer Cheese buns and a black coffee. I was helping out at the family bakery all day Saturday & that combination saved my ass. Not sure if White Russians were my best idea ever." "No, no they were good." Peeta beamed at her. As she started to feel lost in his eyes again.

"Mr Mellark! Where are you dear?" Effie trilled her clacking heels echoing off the concrete floor as she waltzed into the lobby. Her face a picture of panic as two children from Peeta's class walked sullenly behind her. One covering his nose with a blood stained tissue. "Two of your children have been fighting, yes fighting, in the playground!" She shrieked from behind. Peeta looked behind him and then smiled apologetically at Katniss.

"Sorry, looks like duty calls. Listen are you busy at lunch? I brought in left over cheese buns. I'd..." He hesitated as if trying to gauge what her answer would be. "I'd really like to talk...not to sound all heavy. But I'd like to explain why I didn't tell you what I knew on Friday night."

"I'm sorry I didn't text you Peeta. I, I, sorry it was just a lot to take in."

"Please, don't be – sorry I mean... Kinda figured you'd need some time. Hell, when I saw you for the first time last week, I definitely needed some time to process it all."

That smile, the one that made her melt the first time she had seen it through that crazy green headpiece, beaming at her, was full front and centre.

"Sure... um… meet me here, 12.15? I... I like buns.... cheese ones, I mean." She closed briefly her eyes cringing at her last statement. Learn to talk Everdeen.

"Good, good" he grinned, the look of relief pertinent on his face.

"Made by my own fair hand, so they should be tasty enough."

Was he flirting or was this just bakery chit chat?! Whatever it was she was starting to feel extremely warm again.

"Ok, um, I better get to Kindergarten. See you later." She clumsily turned around and gave him a wave.

"Give 'em hell, Dorothy girl" He smirked. Lord.

"I try," she mock sighed, pushing down on the door handle & walking through. Ok it was flirting, she grinned, definite flirting.

*********

"Sweet lord... unh… these are amazing," Katniss groaned and wiped her mouth self-consciously after what was her third cheese bun. Peeta laughed offering her a napkin and carton of orange juice.

"Honestly Peeta, your talents are obviously wasted here in the teaching profession. You bake like a bad ass." She grinned taking the carton. Jesus could I stop babbling at the cheese buns for 1 second and actually focus on the fact that Peeta and I are on a semi date?! And did I just say the phrase 'bake like a bad ass?' Do I now have the oracy skills of a ten year old?! Too many ridiculous questions were swirling around her brain. She took a long drink from the carton. Calm down Katniss, she mentally soothed herself. Not noticing her embarrassment Peeta grinned back at her.

"Ah, why thank you kind lady but I think I'll leave the bad ass for my time in the kitchen and keep the genteel for the classroom."

"Shame," she smiled back meekly. Peeta had been standing waiting for her at 12.15 on the dot outside the nursery doors. To be honest, after 3 hellish hours of dealing with runny noses, (one child has actually wiped his nose on her hand), repeated readings of The Gruffalo including one session where the Gruffalo and fox toy props were thrown across the room, seeing a gorgeous guy with knockout blue eyes holding a paper bag of freshly baked bakery goods was just the tonic. They sat on a bench under the huge willow tree in the front gardens of the school. It hadn't been as awkward as Katniss had worried it would be. Peeta was good at small talk and filling in silences, and just as she remembered from that fateful Halloween night, he always knew the right thing to say. Katniss reached over to take her juice carton, Peeta caught her eye and smiled at her, his cheeks looking slightly pinker than usual. Silence. Damn I spoke too soon. He cleared his throat and crumpled the paper bag causally in his hands.

"Uh Katniss, uh about the other night I..." the assured smooth talking stance seemed to be faltering.

"Yeah?" Katniss prompted.

"Well, ok here goes, I had this all rehearsed in my head and now I've messed it up already." He took a deep breath before continuing. "I like you Katniss. I've liked you since that night at the party. After we met I couldn't stop thinking about you but I was still involved with Cashm... my girlfriend at the time. We weren’t really getting on that well when we met but we had been together since high school and I wanted to make it work. It didn't though and we split up 2 years later. I wish, I had looked for you… God I wish so many things had been different. You were seeing a guy too right?"

"Yeah I was... um Gale. We broke up last year actually." She bit her lip. Where was this going? Did he regret meeting her, was it just too messy for them to even try and start something?

"Oh, I would say I'm sorry but..." He gently placed his hand over hers.

"But?" she breathed out shakily. The warmth of his hand was sending out those jolts of electric charge again.

"Well with no disrespect to Gale, his loss might be my gain?" Katniss smiled shyly, stroking his thumb gently.

"I couldn't believe it when I saw you here, just across the classroom. I wasn't sure if it was you at first. Having been a few years since that night and the fact that you weren't clad in gingham," he laughed softly. "I wanted to tell you at the Med but we were getting on so well and I guess I wanted to see if the same connection was still there, and it was... I felt it."

"I noticed you looking at me but thought maybe it was my imagination," she grinned.

"Why would you think it's your imagination?! You're beautiful. I don't think you know… the effect you have. "

Ok the fact that his head had come closer in proximity was definitely not her imagination. She feeling a little intoxicated. Those eyes and the fact that he had licked his lips were now all she could focus on.

"It's the same effect I felt at that party. It's dazzling, you're dazzling Katniss" He leaned forward, placed his hand on her cheek to cradle her face. His fingers softly grazed her temples. She could get lost in those hits of blue. She felt his breath on her lips, it was going to happen. Fuuucckkkk. She let out a soft squeak as she felt his lips graze hers. Heaven, heaven she sang in her mind. What - what what's that noise?! No, no! She groaned internally as the school bell rang with all its shrill intonations. She opened her eyes, Peeta touched her forehead with his. His fingers still stroking her face.

"Saved by the bell huh?!" He whispered huskily.

"Don't think I'd use the word 'saved' more like cursed," she rolled her eyes and lifted her hand up to stroke the tendrils of hair at the nape of his neck. He laughed and slowly pulled his head away but still holding her hand.

"Probably for the best really. Last thing we need is Effie hauling us into her office for unprofessional conduct."

Katniss laughed picking up her handbag and jacket.

"Hmm.... I think I would have risked it." He smiled bashfully, running a finger slowly from her temples to jaw. She shivered, oh god she was done for.

"Peeta Mellark... you live right on the edge don't you," she teased.

"Oh Miss Everdeen you have no idea," he winked cheekily. They walked up towards the school entrance in a happier much more comfortable silence. She stopped at the foot of the stairs.

"Thanks for lunch Peeta, it was... lovely." She felt her blush creep back with a vengeance.

"You're welcome. My class were in the gym hall for all of lunch. Cressida organised a judo instructor as a treat for their class of the week award. So I better go, and hope none of them try out any of their moves on me."

"Good luck with that," she laughed and started walking up the stairs.

"Uh Katniss...?”

She turned around. Nervous Peeta was back in business. "Would you like to get together one night this week? Dinner, or a movie or both?"

"Sure." Damn. She had gone for casual but it came out rather high pitched again. "I...I could cook dinner if you like, at mine. I'm no cordon bleu but I can whip up a mean Lasagne," she blurted out quickly. Her place?! Did she really say that? What was he going to think?! That she was easy. Learn also when to shut up Everdeen.

"Sounds fantastic. Are you free Friday night? You cook and I'll bring more buns?!"

"Yes: yes to all of the above. Seven a good time? And please do bring your buns, the more the merrier."

Peeta gave her a bemused look. "Yeah 7, I look forward to it and Katniss... my buns are always available," he grinned and walked away towards the gym hall before Katniss could respond. She was glad that wouldn't be able to witness how flustered and warm she had suddenly become again.

She was really going on a date with Peeta Mellark... monster boy... eyes that make all the panties drop. Oh lord she was done for.

******

"Let me be clear, you... Katniss Everdeen... offered up your cooking?! To an innocent victim?!" Madge cackled down the phone line.

"What's wrong with my cooking, I don't remember you complaining when you had the flu and I looked after you for an entire weekend!" Katniss shot back. "Katniss that was mostly grilled cheese sandwiches and heated up pizzas, which you burned!" She continued to laugh.

"Uh no I did not! And that was 6 years ago! I've been practising. Anyway Jo's Lasagne recipe is fool-proof.”

Madge had phoned that night for a catch up and now it had turned into a critical appraisal of her Friday plans with Peeta.

"Ok, ok no more roasting of Katniss, pun intended. At least tell me what you're wearing?"

"I haven't thought about it, jeans maybe, black top."

"Pants on fire K, I know you too well. You're crazy about this guy, but trying to play it cool, your tried and tested defence mechanism against disappointment. Which is mental. It's Peeta friggin' Mellark! He's a gorgeous and a total sweetheart. Why didn't you tell me you guys met at the Halloween party?"

"You know why! Um, long standing boyfriend at the time, you remember him...6 foot 2, dark hair, answered to the name Gale?"

"Har har, I just meant, it would have saved you a lot of time had you guys got together years ago."

"I wasn't going to give up my relationship for a crush on a guy in a monster costume Madge!"

"Uh-huh look how well that turned out."

"I know…" Katniss replied sadly.

"I'm sorry Katniss, that was out of line. Just been a bitch of a day and Adam is driving me nuts." Madge sighed

"Please, it’s us, we always have a get out of jail free cards for crabbiness, especially if it's about men being assholes." Madge and her boyfriend, the same Adam Gloss from the infamous Halloween party, were in the middle of a messy breakup. Adam, at being the dumpee, had recently started behaving a petty and spiteful manner towards Madge resulting in weekly demands for clothes, books, or some other, often insignificant object, that he wanted back from her apartment.

"Thanks. But still I shouldn't take his shitty behaviour out on my best friend. He texted me earlier and demanded a shitty plastic shot glass that he brought me back from Bermuda. Seriously K, I'm so glad I ended it, look at the kind of guy he is. He's certainly no Peeta." She sighed wistfully at the end of the sentence. "Maybe you should date him," Katniss joked.

"Haha! Nuh-huh, I've heard he's got it baaaad for you Everdeen."

"What, please… How do you know that?"

"I have my sources, namely Johanna." Katniss could almost hear her smirking. "And when have you ever listened to Jo?!" She laughed.

"Jo's a little intense but that's half the fun right?! Anyway you still haven't told me what you're wearing? I think you should go and buy a new dress. I'm thinking a sexy black body con style with your hair loose in tousled waves... If I wasn't three hours away by plane l would be coming over and supervising this whole date, instead I'm entrusting Johanna to man the decks."

"Body con Madge? Seriously. It's a low key first date, not dress up like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Besides Glimmer wears all those sultry style clothes and it hasn't impressed Peeta one bit." Katniss bit her lip remembering how all over Peeta Glimmer was at the night out. "That's just not me."

"Ok I know, I know, I'm just so excited for you plus you have an amazing figure Katniss. You should show it off sometime."

"One step at time. Listen Madge gotta run. Call you Thursday night ok. Love you." Katniss walked over and opened the door to Jo.

"You too, say hi to Jo, bye."

After their disagreement in the bathroom Katniss had apologised and provided a peace offering in the form of Chinese food and allowing Jo to bring over a choice selection of possible date outfits.

"You're as bad as Madge!" Katniss groaned later, upon viewing the 2nd outfit in Jo's often inappropriate collection of dresses.

"Madge has got some damn good taste then!" She sniggered running her hand down an obscenely short dark red leather dress.

"No, and that's the end of it. Do you have anything here that is..." She caught Johanna's eye and her challenging expression and she inwardly flinched at possibly starting another row with her.

"That's what K?" Jo replied with slight defiance in her voice.

"Well..." Katniss chose her words carefully. "More... me?" She looked up feeling a little anxious about how Jo was going to respond. Much to Katniss's relief Jo grinned wickedly, pulling out a dress from underneath the red leather one. "Yeah, yeah I get you K," she rolled her eyes. "So I came prepared." "Whadda'ya think?" She held up a sleek looking fine knitted black ribbed sweater dress. "100% Italian wool, ya know."

"Oh my god Jo, that's beautiful. Why haven't I seen you wear this before?"

"It's a little strait laced for my taste." She winked. "My mom got it for my Christmas last year. Forgot I had it. She gets all these swish looking dresses at that boutique of hers. I guess she was trying to smarten me up."

"You don't need it, perfect as you are Mason." Katniss bumped her fist affectionately on Johanna's shoulder.

"Well duh obviously, Brainless!" She laughed tapping Katniss's hand. "Anyway it's yours if you want it?"

"I can't have this Jo, it must have cost a..."

"Two hundred and fifty eight plus tax... Yep she left the tags on, just have it Everdeen. Don't say I don't treat you!" Jo flung the dress at Katniss. "Go try it on... You're gonna look hot, Mellark will flip his little blondie lid!"

"Thanks Jo, this is perfect" Katniss examined the dress. It felt so soft between her fingers. She inwardly blushed thinking about Peeta checking her out in it. "Anytime. Now about your makeup. I'm thinking a dark red lip and killer contouring of those cheekbones." Katniss mock sighed loudly before heading to the bathroom.

"We'll see…"

"No way, if I'm giving you that dress you're getting the makeup I order." Jo called after her.

"Sure Jo, sure." Katniss laughed closing the door.

The rest of the week had gone by in a blur of shy smiles and lingering glances across classrooms and stairwells. She hadn't got the chance to speak much to Peeta due to it being his turn to supervise lunchtime detention this week. By the time Friday afternoon came Katniss was beginning to feel definite pre-date jitters creeping up on her.

"What's the worst that could happen? Blondie won't put out on the first date." Johanna grinned mischievously as she gathered up a huge pile of homework sacks to give out.

"Har-har Jo, thanks. I feel much more at ease now," Katniss deadpanned. "Always happy to help K, - AARON CRAY WHAT DID MISS EVERDEEN JUST SAY?!" She thundered across the room to deal with more Cray shenanigans.

"Hey,” that beautiful voice that she came to crave and be fearful of at the same time echoed in her ear.

"Gah," she spun round to see Peeta leaning against the door frame wearing a sinfully fitting blue shirt that just made the blue of his eyes pop out even more. "Sorry you startled me there Mr Mellark," she self-consciously pushed her hair behind her ear and felt her face begin that familiar burn again.

"Apologies Miss Everdeen."

That sexy grin should be god damned outlawed she inwardly groaned.

"Was just wondering if I could borrow your copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? Promised the kids I'd read a chapter to them today."

"Sure thing," she walked over to her bookshelf behind her desk, smiling to herself. He could have sent his TA to get the book but he went instead. Yep must have definitely wanted to see her.

"Here you go, enjoy."

"Thanks and by the way," Peeta lowered his voice and looked furtively around the classroom for any eavesdroppers "We still on for tonight?"

"Yeah, yes definitely. Seven?"

"I'll see you then," he replied with a wink and turned around to leave. "Hey Mellark! I expect a good report," Johanna called across the room loudly.

Peeta looked a little stunned for a minute, rubbed the back of his beck and smiled back coolly.

"It'll be A star Miss Mason, I promise!"

The three kids standing beside Jo stared over at Katniss and Peeta looking completely perplexed.

"Hey you three, heads down and concentrate," Jo snapped then smirked at Katniss.

"See you later Katniss," Peeta smiled apologetically at her before walking out. "Jesus," she muttered as if her nerves weren't already frazzled. Would she even make it to 7 tonight?!

*****

Hair done, makeup on, dress on, ah shit perfume still to spritzed, teeth - not brushed!? Oh god yes good breath is imperative. Katniss continued to mentally compile the rest of her to do list while putting the lasagne in the oven. It was quarter to seven and she was running behind, and as Madge predicted the cooking wasn't quite up to Cordon Bleu standards. She had burned the onions in the Bolognese and had to run out to the corner shop to hastily get some more and now the fucking whipping cream for the individual trifles wasn't whipping.

'Soft peaks,' the recipe had said. No peaks, just a runny mess.

Where's Martha Stewart when you need her? She muttered to herself. Hang on, hang on she grinned at her own inventiveness. She pulled out a can of whipped cream from the fridge and started spraying it into the set custard. Sorted. She raced through to the bathroom toothbrush in one hand, her Black Nirvana perfume in the other. You got this in hand Everdeen, all is well she reassured herself in the mirror. She had managed to talk Jo out of applying her makeup by letting her curl her hair instead. The last thing Peeta would want to see surely was her face trowelled on with makeup like Glimmer or (dare she say it) Cashmere?!

Her buzzer rang in a volume that seemed louder than usual or was it her nerves jangling?! She ran over and hit the button.

"Come on up," she called trying to sound casual but epically failing.

1-2-3-4-5, she counted inwardly while standing by the door waiting to let him in. 6-7-8-9-10, oh god oh god it's Peeta, Peeta Mellark soon to be in my apartment, 11-12-13-14-15, on a fucking date.

16-17-18-19, Jesus Mellark how long does it take to walk up to my door?!

20 - a loud purposeful knock came from the other side of the door.

She opened the door a little cautiously. There he was all 5'11 of him, his hair styled lightly with gel so it was pushed away from his forehead. This just intensified his beautiful eyes even more. He wore a black fitted shirt, black jeans with a beige casual jacket over the top. She wasn't sure if Peeta hadn't actually moonlighted as an Abercrombie model in the past because he was certainly working it. She realised she'd just been staring at him when he politely coughed and smiled shyly.

"Oh, hi Peeta come in," she gestured with her hands a little awkwardly.

"Thanks," he grinned walking through. He seemed as on edge as her putting A hand in his pocket.

"Uh these are for you." He handed a paper wrapped small bouquet of golden orange sunflowers.

"They're beautiful, thank you. Take a seat I'll go put them in water. Dinner should be in ten minutes. Would you like some wine?“ she replied a little shrilly. Get to the kitchen Katniss, just get there and calm the fuck down. She scolded herself.

"Uh yeah wine would be good. Thanks. Can I give you a hand with anything?" He called as she sped off to the kitchen,

"No, no just relax," She hurriedly placed the sunflowers in the vase by the window. Grabbed the bottle of wine and two glasses. Before leaving she took two deep breaths and then went back through. She sat down next to Peeta on the sofa.

"You look beautiful by the way," he said softly his eyes never leaving hers. She grabbed the wine glass a little too hastily spilling a little on Peeta’s lap.

"Oh jeez I'm so sorry!" She grabbed a tissue from the table.

"Hey, hey it's ok, Katniss it's fine. Was just a little spill." He clasped her hand and gently rubbed her knuckles reassuringly.

"Besides it's not the first time you've spilled alcohol on me," he smirked taking a sip. She couldn't bring herself to take her hand away it felt so good.

"Oh god," she groaned, "that was so embarrassing," remembering her face slamming into his green Lycra clad private parts all those years ago. Peeta laughed.

"Without sounding like a total perv I didn't mind it at all." His flirtatious cheeky manner was in full swing and it was the sexiest feeling in the world to be on the receiving end of it.

"I'm glad someone enjoyed my shame," she laughed. His hand was still rubbing hers and god did it feel fucking good. He let go gently and took his jacket off. She missed the skin on skin contact immediately.

"So how was your day?" She asked. He was so good at putting her at ease in every situation.

"Not bad. Effie asked if-" Suddenly Peeta’s voice was drowned by the piercing wail of her fire alarm.

"Wha – oh, shit! The lasagne!”

Leaping out of her seat she ran to the kitchen. Smoke billowed out of the oven. Peeta appeared behind her his hand on her shoulder.

"Do you have a dish towel?" He called over the din. She grabbed one from the counter and handed to him. He immediately started wafting the smoke away from the alarm. Springing into action she switched the oven off, pulled open the oven door with the mitt and threw the lasagne in the sink with an almighty clatter. Tears welled up as she stared down at the burned lasagne clogging up her sink. She heard Peeta continue to waft his tea towel and the horrendous mocking sound of the alarm.

Suddenly silence. The smoke had dissipated somewhat but still clung around the kitchen.

"Well...." Peeta still had his hand mid-air clutching the dish towel. "That's a welcome I'll never forget!"

He looked at her and his mouth twitched in amusement. Whatever frustration and anger she had just been feeling drained and she burst into laughter with Peeta following suit. They howled with laughter and after a minute Peeta pulled her into an embrace, kissing the top of her head, before peeling with laughter once again.

"I think...." she breathed clutching her stomach with hilarity, "That this is god’s way of telling me not to cook anymore."

"You think?!" He joked rubbing her back.

The dinner was ruined, her pride a little dented but the incident had diffused the tension she was feeling and for that she was thankful. She could be herself not first date jitters-Katniss.

"You wanna order takeout? She said wiping tears of laughter from her cheeks. "I've got an idea that's way better than takeout. I'll cook for you." He leaned down and kissed her on the lips. There in the middle of a smoky, messy kitchen with her eyes streaming Peeta was caressing her face with both hands and kissing her. The kiss deepened and Katniss moaned, stepping back against the counter to steady herself. He lightly traced her bottom lip with his tongue before gently letting it caress her own. A few minutes passed before he gently pulled back still stroking her face and neck. His blue eyes a tad darker than their usual cerulean hue.

"If you cook the way the way you kiss then I'll be in for a taste sensation," she grinned rubbing her hands up his arms.

"Oh just you wait Everdeen," he pecked her on the lips again before making his way over to her fridge. "Hmm... ok yeah I can work with this," he murmured to himself.

"Go sit and relax, I should be ready in say about 20 minutes." He grabbed a carton of eggs, milk, butter and a packet of bacon.

"What no Peeta. I'm staying here to help you. Least I can do since I burnt your dinner."

"Nuh-uh. If you want your dinner you'll go sit. Go on... too many cooks and all that." He grinned, pulled her in for another embrace from behind and started playfully tickling her.

"Ok, ok, ok I give in," she laughed pulling him in for another kiss.

"Mmm, I could just stand here and do this all evening," he looked lustfully at her. "But I promised you dinner and cheese buns, so scoot. "

She laughed and left him to it. Sinking back onto the sofa she took a large gulp of wine and sighed. What a night. She was nervous as hell wondering how she was going to handle him being there and now there he was cooking her dinner and kissing her in an obscenely sexy way that made her want to clench her thighs together and head to her bedroom to recover. Peeta was special, there was no doubt about it and she felt so lucky that they had reconnected.

Ten minutes later, she heard some dishes clanging together. She kinda felt guilty about leaving him to it but he seemed determined. She switched on some music. The relaxing tones of Massive Attack's Unfinished Sympathy were welcome and soothing. Grabbing the wine bottle she poured herself another glass. She put her fingers up to her lips and thought about that kiss. God....

A loud knock at the front door reverberated through the room. What? Oh come on, who would be knocking at this time on a Friday? Maybe it was the Super coming to inspect the fire alarm. Oh joy. She opened to door quickly.

1-2-3-4-5

"Hey, Katniss."

6-7-8-9-10

"Gale," she uttered.

Duh duh duuuuuuuh! He's back...evil cackle.. Be rest assured i'm no fan of Galeniss in any form lol but Katniss needs to confront and deal with her past once and for all.

For those who don't know, i am a primary teacher like Katniss and I also dislike my time teaching in nursery. Her experiences were definitely drawn from my own. (Although sadly I didnt have Peeta waiting for me with cheese buns....such is life)

#flowers in the window #everlark #everlark fanfiction #katniss and peeta #chapter 4 #was so nervous about posting this #will not as long for next chapter mantra mantra

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thankyoufinnick · 7 years

Text

I was looking back at an old review of Mockingjay from a friend of mine who’s a trauma therapist. It was very influential on me, in that I took literally her advice to not read Mockingjay and to write an AU conclusion to the trilogy instead. I had finished Mags’ Weapon and was over 100,000 words into Mags’ War before I let myself read or watch Mockingjay or be spoiled.

I swear no one will ever believe the things I came up with myself that happened to be canonical. DAMMIT.

Anyway. I was reading this part, where she says

I was bored by the PTSD in this book. It felt very textbook, especially as everyone had the exact same symptoms. It was like "flashbacks, check; nightmares, check; jumpiness, check; loss of concentration, check; total despair, check." It wasn’t that it was wrong, it’s that neither people nor mental illnesses are cookie-cut-outs.

And of course I went, OMG, my characters have all those! Idk why, I *know* I went to a lot of trouble to decide who has what when and why. But of course I had a momentary freakout. Sigh. But it’s all good, because it gave me an excuse to think about which characters have which symptoms and why.

Jumpiness

I wrote extensively about Finnick and Annie’s jumpiness in another post. I’ll just add that Cashmere is *not* jumpy, for reasons discussed at the end of that post. Cashmere likes physical danger, she knows how to handle it. She doesn’t want to die, in fact her survival instincts are quite strong. But loud noises do not set her off.

By no coincidence, I didn’t even *write* her first Hunger Games. You just a few sentence of watching the recap with her during her Flickerman interview afterward, and it’s a bit of a blur. She had way, way more traumatic things happen to her, like, her entire life up to that point, and her entire life after her Victory Ball up until the AU divergence in Mags’ War. (She gets about six good months to enjoy her victory before Snow breaks out the forced prostitution.)

It’s also worth mentioning that Annie’s jumpiness dies down with time, especially with treatment, and Finnick’s with time, especially as exhaustion and depression start to replace hypervigilance.

Nightmares

Cashmere also does not have nightmares. She has dreams, of course, but a nightmare to her is going to be dreaming her brother’s alive, and then waking up and finding that he’s not.

Finnick originally didn’t have nightmares, then I reread a bit of canon where he has nightmares. Okay, fine, I’ll give him nightmares, but VERY FEW, and not the same kind Annie has.

Annie has nightmares about being hunted, killed, tortured, tormented, etc.

Finnick has equally violent dreams, but they aren’t *distressing*. He’s a lot more comfortable with violence than Annie. (This comes straight out of me and my partner: I have way more frequent and intense violent dreams*, but mine don’t bother me, and hers bother her a lot, like for the whole rest of the day. She also has anxiety disorders; I don’t.)

* Given the things I read, write, watch, and imagine, I wonder why, lol.

So as Finnick gets older and starts to care about people and develop a sense of responsibility, he gets a few nightmares about bad things happening to people he cares about. And when he wakes up from them, he won’t be able to go back to sleep. But he has insomnia anyway, so that’s nothing new. As he puts it, sleeping isn’t nearly as much of a problem for him as not sleeping.

Flashbacks

Annie’s the one with super strong flashbacks. She’s the one who was traumatized for a very brief period of time, and she can’t stop reliving the events. She’s the one who when the smoke alarm goes off, *knows* she’s in her kitchen but *feels* exactly like she’s in her arena, and has to go hide in the closet while she relives watching her district partner being beheaded and hiding from the Career pack until the earthquake and the flood. She always knows where she is, but it barely even matters.

Finnick, for a while after his two Hunger Games, gets fairly low-level flashbacks from triggers. Rain after the first one, because the thing that got him in his first arena was acid rain, and fog (I just realized the fog trigger line went away as part of a major delete! Note to self to work it back in somewhere else.) after his second one, because of the poison fog. Mags :( <3. But they wear off, and aside from grieving Mags, they don’t bother him *that* much.

If I ever write the sequel to Mags’ Heir, there’s one scene where a smell that reminds him of one of his patrons sets him on edge, but he doesn’t know why. And for very specific reasons: his MO was to power through and deny that he had any problem with it. Only after someone else figures out that the smell set him off, does he realize he was gritting his teeth and powering through an otherwise comfortable and enjoyable evening with family.

The only event flashbacks Cashmere gets are when she sees Katniss. Other than that, her traumas were more along the lines of “my entire abusive childhood” than “the one discrete bad thing that happened to me.” So certain interpersonal interactions trigger extremely strong emotions in her, like fear of disappointing authority figures, that make her feel like she’s five years old again, but not specific events. (She never disappointed them or got punished in any major way. She just had no security and lived her entire childhood in fear of disappointing her caretakers.)

Johanna gets a couple quick flashbacks, one when she’s telling someone about a traumatic event, and her body unconsciously adopts the same posture, and one where she feels like she’s switching back and forth between the present and the past for just a few seconds.

Loss of concentration

Finnick has zero loss of concentration. Funny, because he spends half of Mockingjay unable to concentrate. But that does not strike me as a problem he has (quite the opposite).

Oh, wait, no, it happens once in the shower. He’s definitely under stress, and it strikes him as unusual, but it’s no more than what happens to most of us non-pathologically: you’re so deep in thought that you lose track of what you did in the last 5 minutes, and you can’t remember whether you’ve washed your hair yet or not. It bothers him so much, because concentration is so critical to his success as soldier and as spy, and he’s under so much pressure. Similarly, you’ll also see him, at the very end of Mags’ Heir, lose track of what day of the week it is (like you do), and come down very hard on himself, when the truth is, this means the pressure on him has finally let up and he’s gotten used to not everything being life or death, and it was a *healthy* thing to do.

Johanna gets it only as a side effect of medication or sleep deprivation caused by chronic pain, not as a PTSD symptom in and of itself.

Annie and Cashmere both get it, for different reasons. (And here’s where I especially feel like I didn’t just go through a checklist, but their symptoms actually emerge from their personalities and experiences.)

Annie gets distracted easily because she’s constantly straining her ears for something bad to happen, someone to attack, an earthquake to strike, anything. Every little sound sets her on edge. Sometimes this means she loses her concentration.

Cashmere’s more or less fine with the prospect of physical danger. Where she zones out is when people are talking. She has to read their body language and their tone of voice and try to figure out what they want to hear so she can not disappoint them. Sometimes this comes at the expense of being able to hear *what* they’re saying. This, of course, reinforces her belief that she’s stupid and can’t handle the simplest non-scripted social situation.

Total despair

I don’t know if anyone gets *total* despair. You get depression, negative thinking, catastrophic thinking, self-flagellation, pessimism...but this universe is just not as bleak as Mockingjay. (Considering all the bad things that happen, my partner teases me about torturing my characters, and I’m always like, “No, this is my kinder, gentler AU! It’s way worse in canon!”).

Cashmere in the Quarter Quell, maybe.

Even Finnick at his most clinically depressed may have a very warped worldview around *himself* stemming from his endless self-sacrifice (trying to avoid too many Mags’ War and Mags’ Heir spoilers here), but he retains the ability to be satisfied that he accomplished something good for other people.

Annie right after her first Hunger Games is in pretty bad shape, but her problem is primarily anxiety, with depression secondary to it. She’s scared to death, but she’s fighting to get better because she believes it can get better.

So I actually think most of the characters’ symptoms come from an interaction of their innate personalities, their childhoods, their traumas, and their lives after the trauma, and not just “PTSD causes these symptoms.”

Johanna’s the one whose personality I have the weakest grip on. She’s also the reason this fic has taken so long to write--I have such a hard time figuring out what she thinks, feels, and does. I finally got something together that I think I can post, but I’m least confident that she makes any kind of coherent sense. Oh well.

#hunger games #rape tw #ptsd #trauma #violence #psychology #writing

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