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everlarkbirthdaygifts · 7 years

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Happy Birthday, demisexualkatnisseverdeen!

Today, we wish a very (though slightly belated!) Happy Birthday to @demisexualkatnisseverdeen! We hope you had a wonderful day, and celebrated in style! To keep the party going, the wonderful @mega-aulover has written a story just for you!

For: demisexualkatnisseverdeen

Prompt: Arranged marriage/canon-compliant marriage instead of Quell. Any rating is fine.

A/N: Happy birthday @demisexualkatnisseverdeen I hope you’ve had a marvelous day, I've tried to do this prompt justice. Special thanks to Norbertsmom for beta skills.

The Jubilee

Rating: E

“Breathe,” Katniss whispered to herself as she stood in front of the massive double doors. Her hands shook from the enormity of what she was about to do. She gripped the stems of the white roses that came from Snow's garden, tighter to keep them still. Her breathing was quick and shallow.

The stench of the roses made her nauseous.

Her body was swallowed up by the monstrosity of a wedding dress of milk white organza, chiffon, and crystal like diamonds. A dress she would’ve never chosen, but was hand-picked by Snow as there was a tie in the capitol voting for which dress she would wear. It was a subtle reminder that he was in control of her life.

The organ began to play the wedding march; her time was up. Her body trembled. She just wanted this to be over. However, this is the price that she had to pay to keep all of her loved ones safe. “Keep them safe,” she repeated to herself over and over again.

Snow promised her they would all be safe if she did her duty. She was to marry Peeta and have babies and keep her mouth shut. Katniss recalled that moment.

****

“Miss Everdeen and Mr. Mellark, come with me,” a soft voice called to them.

Katniss heart palpitated. Peeta gripped her hand as they followed the palace attendant. Tonight was as, Effie Trinket said, ‘The Glorious end to the Victory Tour.’ The party was the biggest social event in the Capitol. Katniss and Peeta were dressed up and brought here to be put on display for a hundred or more of the Capitol’s wealthiest.

Katniss glanced at Peeta; underneath his makeup he was pale. Earlier, during the fireworks she’d observed the President lift up a cup in their direction, but his eyes were cold and unforgiving. She assumed they hadn’t done enough.

After Peeta found out about her omitting the President's visit before the start of the tour, they’d come up with a plan between both of them. They’d grown closer, not just as friends or allies. They were a team, bonded by the crucible of the Games.

They walked passed the guard into a stark white hallway. She and Peeta were the only source of color as the attendant’s white uniform blended into the decor. They walked for ages without seeing another human being, only cameras captured their every step. Up ahead there were two guards stationed at a door. A man with rolled up sleeves exited the room. He was speaking with a Gamemaker Katniss recognized; he wore a bright blue jacket. They both looked solem and their whispered words between them did not appear happy. Katniss swallowed. She knew she would look like them or worse when she emerged from that door.

“Please wait here,” the attendant said, slipping into the room.

Katniss glanced at Peeta. She desperately tried to hide the fear she felt. They tried so hard. Acting was hard for her, but Peeta helped her. He always seemed to be able to make her feel calm.

“It’ll be okay,” he whispered.

She nodded, but she doubted it. Snow was a vengeful, evil despot. She turned to Peeta and he gently gathered her in his arms. She inhaled his comforting scent, cinnamon, dill and that clean musky aroma that chased the nightmares away. He kissed her forehead. These were the moments that she needed his strength and calming presence.

The attendant appeared in front of them. “The President will see you now.”

They walked into the room, which appeared warm and inviting. There was a fireplace to the side, the warm fire added to the allure, comfy sitting chairs in front of the fireplace. A large painting of the countryside hung over the mantel. The room had a large built in bookcase, the books neatly lined in the shelves. It looked quaint, yet it was a trap, set to lure those coming into the room to have a false sense of security.

Coriolanus Snow sat behind a massive desk made of mahogany, he looked threatening as usual, but Katniss notice a slight parlour underneath his facial hair. He was reading papers and drinking tea from a tea set that looked just like the ones in the Victor’s Village. It was a clear sign that Snow was always present, always watching.

“Miss Everdeen, Mr. Mellark, please have a seat.”

They seperated and sat in the large chairs in front of the desk. Katniss felt like a prisoner who was about to be sentenced by their jailer. President Snow put down the paper he was reading to add milk to his tea.

“Are you enjoying yourselves tonight?” The President’s voice sounded cavernous to Katniss ears. It held no trace of warmth or humanity. Katniss shivered, recalling the last time she’d spoken with the President. Peeta hadn’t been present; she’d been just as nervous then, except now she wasn’t alone.

“Yes we have sir. The cake was beautiful, and Katniss & I have never tasted so many delicious foods. She especially liked the small crackers with the black little bubbles.”

“Ah! The caviar,” Snow smiled, “Caviar is tasty, isn't it?”

Katniss wondered how Peeta did it: how he could make small chit-chat with an evil man that could have them executed at any moment. “Yes.” Katniss swallowed, woodenly saying, “They are tasty.”

“Your stunt worked. Everyone is clamoring over the engagement of the star crossed lovers.” He picked up his porcelain tea cup and drank from it before continuing. “It was a charming diversionary tactic.”

Katniss wanted to look toward Peeta, but her eyes remained on the President, afraid he’d see some weakness to exploit.

The President said, “By some stroke of luck, the districts have been pacified.”

The breath she’d been holding captive in her chest slowly left. To hear him say that, was a large relief, but her shoulders did not slope. She remained tightly wound up, Snow was not done playing with them; there was still more to come.

“I was surprised to learn you have succeeded, in convincing them,” he cleared his throat. His eyes narrowed, “but you still have not convinced me.”

Katniss blinked. Blood rushed throughout her system, drowning out all the noise in the room. Her eye's followed the President hand as he place the tea cup back on the saucer.

“We’ve done what you’ve asked of us, is there more?” Peeta asked.

Snow chuckled. “This isn’t a suggestion or a negotiation Mr. Mellark.” He leveled a maligned look toward Peeta. “You both will be complacent, and you will marry, and you will lead exemplary lives. Is that understood?”

Neither one spoke as they nodded; the only noise that could be heard was the ticking of the clock.

“You may leave now.”

The door opened behind them, and both stood up.

Katniss finally spoke up. The plan to marry was meant as a way to guarantee their survival, and the safety of their families. Katniss said, “I never wanted to enter the games, never wanted any of this. All I wanted to do was save my sister and Peeta.”

“Miss Everdeen, it’s the people that we love the most that destroy us.” He laughed shortly, “But we’ve agreed never to lie to one another, haven’t we?”

Katniss nodded. The President stared at them. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end and as if sensing she needed him, Peeta took her hand. She was able to stand straighter, as she awaited for Snow to finish his sentence.

Snows pale fingers picked up the cup of tea. “I am feeling generous today.”

Her breath was caught in her chest. Peeta’s grip tightened.

“Do as I have asked and all that you love will be spared.” He turned his head to the side slightly while staring at her. His lips thinned. “Even your cousins.”

Katniss swallowed thickly as she retreated quickly. She tripped on the hem of her gown. They were both pale standing outside in the sterile white hallway. Holding on to one another. They made their way back to the party. Neither one said a word until they were safely tucked inside of their train compartment.

They were in bed. Katniss kept the tears at bay. Peeta gathered her to him; her back pressed to his chest. He held her closely, and she bit down on her lip.

“I know you don't love me. I know that our engagement is fake-”

Katniss tightened her grip on his arm. “Peeta,” she whispered, wanting to say something that would make the pain and hurt in his voice go away, but she came up with a draw. The day they'd come up with engagement he walked away. At the time, Katniss wasn't aware of his feelings, but he was hurt and she did nothing. She had an opportunity to do something tonight. She could kiss him, but that wouldn’t solve the problem between them. “Haymitch said you wanted it to be real.”

“I do, I want you to want me. I want you to…never mind.”

“No, don’t stop,” she turned to face him. “Tell me, tell the truth.”

“I want you to love me for real, but you can never make anyone fall in love. My parents are a living testament to this.” His blue eyes were shiny with unshed tears. Katniss realized this went beyond them. This was something deeper to do with his childhood. She wanted to kiss his pain away, wanted him to feel better. She wanted to tell him the truth. But she herself didn't know what the truth was.

Peeta continued speaking, “They’re stuck with each other, and for us it’ll be the same, but worse...we’ll always have the Capitol or Snow dictating our lives...I’m sorry for this, for telling the whole of Panem that I liked you...now you have to marry me to keep your family safe.”

Her palms spread on his chest. She swore she could feel the steady beating of his heart underneath her fingertips. Peeta was part of her family and she needed to keep him safe as well. Her mind was filled with the instant dread of losing him, how damaged beyond repair she would be, so she blurted, “I want to kiss you, make all the pain go away, but that’s not going to work.”

He chuckled. “God, I love you.”

“I’m not good with words Peeta,” she snuggled closer. “I’m not there yet. I know I care about you. I know that if something were to happen to you...you’re like family.”

Peeta furrowed his brows. “Like Prim or Gale?”

“No not like Prim.” she smiled shyly up at him, “And not like my cousin.” She settled her head on his chest, closing her eyes to listen to his heart beat. “I need you, Peeta, I need you.”

His arms wrapped around her. His face slowly approached hers. He breathed on her lips. “You need me?”

She licked her lips. Her body warmed, and her lashes fluttered closed. “Yes I do.” His lips found hers, and this kiss was unlike all of the others. This was like that one kiss in the cave, except this time she felt a hunger to live and to be with this boy. Her hands slipped up the planes of his chest and she found purchase on his shoulders. He flipped them so that she was on her back, and he stared down at her.

She lifted her head to kiss him again, not wanting the feeling to stop. When his lips trailed to her neck, it felt good, and she opened her mouth to say so, but a low growl like sound came out. Her lashes fluttered open, when he stopped, “Peeta?”

He pressed his forehead to hers. “I think we need to stop.”

“Why?”

“Because you might later regret doing something and I don’t want that to happen.”

Katniss agreed, but she still wanted to kiss him and get kissed back. “Can we still makeout?”

Peeta swallowed. “Okay, but if it gets to be too much, we stop.”

Katniss nodded, a low pitched noise left her mouth as he kissed her again. That night and the next night they shared soaring kisses, desperate kisses that made her hungry for more. Her hands strained against his back as he spread kisses on her chin, on her neck, earlobes and anywhere above her collar, and the same rules applied to her.

They spent days trying not to kiss, but there were stolen moments that caused her to blush out of the blue and to lose total concentration.

It affected her hunting and Gale noticed.

“What’s wrong with you?” Gale growled next to her ear one Sunday morning when they were hunting.

“What?” Katniss snapped back. She had been thinking of the warm taste of Peeta’s lips. They were almost like cinnamon and sweet icing. She licked her lips.

“What are you thinking about?”

Katniss frowned momentarily, focusing on the present. She put her bow down. “Have you ever been…” she didn’t know how to put into words what was going on with Peeta. She couldn’t look at Gale in the face because it was insanely private. She reasoned that Gale would know what this was because there were rumors about him going with girls to the Slag Heap.

“What are you talking about?”

Gale’s face did not hold the same softness that Peeta’s held. His face was hard, she wrinkled her nose.

“Look Katniss, I know you had to kiss Mellark for the games, and that everything between you is a hoax, but lately I don't know. I don't know what's going on inside your head.

She breathed. “Kissing.”

He snorted. “I don’t feel like discussing this with you.”

“Gale,” she grasped his arm. “I need your advise.”

“I don’t want to give you advice to help...you get with him.”

“Why?”

“Because I...awe hell…” Gale sat down. He looked like the child of a Capitolite having a tantrum.”

“Gale, things between me and Peeta are different now.” She shrugged, trying to come up with the right words.

His lips thinned.

“If I don’t get an answer from you, I’ll get one from Madge.” She shook her head, and started walking away.

“WAIT!”

She turned around, watching him get up, and in two huge steps he was in front of her.

“No don’t do that...don’t go to Madge,” Gale pleaded.

Katniss raised an eyebrow. Something was amiss. “Okay then, tell me how do you make a guy do more than kissing?”

Gale opened his mouth, then closed it several times. He turned red and walked away.

“You never answered my question!” she shouted.

“You’ll figure it out,” Gale yelled back.

After their talk in the woods, Katniss started noticing Gale was hanging out with Madge. In many ways it was weird to see her best friends together, but Gale did seem happier and so did Madge.

Soon after, things with Peeta started to become desperate as more of their time was spent with Effie and her elaborate plans for the wedding. They were making out whenever they had the chance to be alone. With the upcoming nuptial, Katniss enjoyed these private moments with Peeta, hidden kisses behind trees, and behind doorways when her mother wasn’t looking. The best ones were when they escaped the watchful eye of Effie Trinket to have a heated makeout session in private.

Two weeks in and kissing was not enough. Katniss wanted more, and the first time his hand brushed up against her boob her heart nearly exploded. She kept on thinking he would do it again, but he only did it when his control was slipping, and Katniss waited. The next time it happened, she grabbed his hand and put it on her breast. When he squeezed it she arched her back, moaning as pleasure radiated from that point straight into her heart.

One night when her mother and sister were gone they were in her room. Her hands were traveling up his chest, and her lips peppered kisses on his nipple.

“Katniss we have to keep our kisses above the collar,” Peeta whispered into her neck.

“Got it,” she grinned as she leaned in to kiss him.

“Katniss,” he warned.

“I promise, no touching or kissing below the belt line,” she solemnly swore.

A month into this promise, Cinna raised an eyebrow at her. “What have you been up too?”

Katniss tried to cover up the mark Peeta had left behind her ear. “Nothing.”

“You’re a bad liar Katniss,” Cinna admonished.

She blushed, then confessed, “We’re getting closer.”

“Ah...” he tapped the spot behind her earlobe, “I see.”

Katniss looked down. They were getting ready to model some of the preliminary gowns for the wedding. Cinna didn’t say much after that, but outfited her in dress after dress, until she couldn’t move.

Katniss waited until they were all gone before she snuck out of her house and into Peeta’s. He always slept with his window open so it was easy enough for her to sneak inside. She found that he wasn’t in his bed, but she removed her boots and began stripping. She was buttoning his pajama top she borrowed when Peeta walked out of the bathroom, wearing only his pajama bottoms.

There was but a pregnant pause before they ran to the other. They met in the middle, kissing wildly.

“Goodness, I missed you today,” Peeta muttered in-between kisses.

“So did I,” Kantiss said as he carried her to the bed.

Normally they lay side by side kissing. The only time they’d done kissing where he was on top of her was on the train. Tonight however, she wanted to be on her back, wanted to feel his weight pressing into her. Soon her top was unbuttoned and his mouth was trailing downwards, then he stopped just before he reached her nipple.

“We need to slow-”

Raising her head a little she gave him a soft kiss, and he groaned. She could feel a hardness pressing on her leg, and she realized it was him. This is what they taught them about sex in school. Men got aroused when things like this happened. Curious, her hand traveled down to touch it. Her fingers grasped him and Peeta jumped up and out of her reach like Buttercup on bath day.

He squealed, “Whoa!”

Katniss grinned, liking this power. She sat up, pushing her hair away from her face. She felt like she was at home in her woods hunting, except that instead of hunting a rabbit she was huntin down a Peeta.

“Katniss?”

His pajamas were tented and he looked delicious. She bit her bottom lip, as she sat up on her knees. The action caused her to become aware of the wetness that had pooled between her legs. She looked down and curiously dipped her fingers underneath the band of her underwear toward the strip of hair her stylists left, and gasped at the contact.

“I’m wet,” she whispered. She glanced at Peeta and watched him jam his fingers through his hair. Her body seemed to pulsate at the sight of him. Her fingers slipped through her folds, searching for that pulse. Finding it caused her nipples to harden, and pleasure engulfed her body. She slid her fingers back and forth, the friction caused her to pant. “Mmmm,” she moaned.

“Damn,” Peeta muttered.

Katniss glanced up at him and saw that his blue eyes were dark and were riveted on what her fingers were doing. “Peeta,” she called and he instantly was before her.

“I want to see,” he said. His face was blotchy and she loved that about him.

“How?”

“Take off your underwear,” he said, licking his lips.

Katniss didn’t want to stop, but she did as he asked. She sat with her legs spread open. Her fingers slipped past her folds and she began the same movement as before, but this time she watched him take out his member. She gasped as pleasure shot through her at the sight of him. She licked her lips. He was long and thick. The head, bulbous, and weeping liquid. She became slicker when she watched Peeta begin to stroke himself. His mouth was open, his eyes looked like they were on fire. Her fingers swirled quicker on her throbbing little pearl. As her need increased, she moved her fingers quicker. Then it happened, everything exploded and her world was lit on fire.

Somewhere in the back of her mind she heard him exclaim something vulgar. Peeta caught her. She was leaning up against him, as they melted onto the bed. Katniss slowly drifted down. Her heart felt like a spring flower that bloomed in the middle of winter. Katniss blinked at the emotions. Her feelings for Peeta finally caught up to his. Her heart knew this was not simply about pleasure; this was real. “Peeta, lets do a toasting.”

“What,” Peeta was clearly still under the euphoria of their shared experience.

“A toasting just for you and me, before the wedding for Capitol and Snow.” She sat back on her hind legs. “I want it to be real too.”

His hand cupped her cheeks. He was crying. “Okay.”

After cleaning up, they left the confines of his bedroom. She watched him bake bread. “Technically we’ve already toasted,” he chuckled.

Katniss smiled, recalling the bread, the loaves that saved her family. It was always supposed to be Peeta, always supposed to be just them. When the bread had cooled down just enough they dressed and made the trek out into the woods. They wound up at her father’s abandoned cottage. They made a fire and toasted in the safety of her beloved woods.

Afterwards, they kissed, not in a rush to get home, but by the time the sun was about to set, they made their way back to the houses in the Victors Village. She kissed him sweetly before running into his house.

From there things progressed. They were summoned back to the Capitol for interviews. They were once more before Snow.

“Miss Everdeen, and Mr. Mellark please have a seat.”

Katniss and Peeta noticed the separate chairs were gone. They were seated in a larger seat that could accommodate them both. They sat with little space between them.

“The wedding is going to be a huge success. It is all the citizens of Panem can speak about. More than the Hunger Games.”

Katniss felt Peeta stiffen beside her. She put her hand on his leg.

President Snow stood from his desk, and came to stand by double doors that looked out into a garden of roses. Katniss noted he was thinner than the last time she saw him. “The citizens are clamoring for a Presidential Jubilee. This year celebrates my fortieth year as President of Panem, this leaves me with a conundrum as to what to do about the 75th Hunger Games. The Quarter Quells are always so special to the citizens.”

Katniss was fearful they’d spent the past few months in anonymity, and the bubble they lived in was about to burst.

“What would you like for us to do?” Peeta asked.

“Always willing, always so helpful,” The President said, clasping his hands behind his back. “You’ve already agreed to it. You will marry when I tell you too, and you will give an interview to promote the Hunger Games.”

“You must be convincing,” the President said.

Katniss knew their lives depended on it.

There was a knock on the door. “Come in.”

Katniss recognized the man who came in. He was the same man who had been outside of the President’s door the night of the party.

“Mr. President,” the man greeted.

“Ah, Plutarch, what news do you have?”

“Pardon, Mr. President I didn’t realize you had company.” Plutarch glanced at Katniss and Peeta, briefly acknowledging them.

“What do you know?” Snow asked, sitting down.

“The polls will not be to your liking,” Plutarch said, giving the president the paper.

“So the citizens have overwhelmingly voted for the wedding over the Hunger Games,” Snow’s voice was deadly soft.

Katniss quickly made eye contact with Peeta.

“Plutarch, I want you to advance their wedding to what would’ve been the start of the Hunger Games. Take them with you and prepare them for the wedding,”

“I’ve started to think of this. The Capitol citizens want to see the wedding, but that doesn’t mean they will not want the Games eventually.”

“Excellent suggestion,” Snow said, but his eyes conveyed his annoyance. He turned to Katniss and Peeta. “You will be married. I want you to show your happiness over the generosity of the Capitol.” He waved them away. “Oh and one more thing, if you do not convince me of your happiness if there is hint of scandal our deal is off.”

Hastily they walked away. Katniss wasn’t sure what happened, but she was glad they were dismissed.

They were escorted back to the training room. Peeta pulled her into the bathroom. “Shower with me?”

Katniss nodded, she began to remove her clothing and followed Peeta inside of the shower. His arms slipped around her and he kissed her, but it wasn’t a kiss to incite passion; it was a kiss that was meant to reconnect and help calm her down. They held each other as the water rained down on them.

“Peeta, if we don’t pull this off Prim, your family, everyone is in danger. I hate the stage. I hate having the cameras in my face. I hate…” She stopped when she felt she was going to cry.

Peeta held her. She absorbed his calming essence. His skin was warm, and the water that fell on them helped soothe her fears. Peeta stepped away and began to wash her. Katniss let him, let him wash her hair, and her body. He carried her to the drying pad, and ordered food for them. She was always the one to take care of other people. It felt heavenly to have Peeta take care of her.

“We’ve got to convince him all over again,” she whispered as they lay spooned in bed.

“We’ll do what he asks. We’ll save them.”

Peeta sounded so positive, so sure; she wasn’t. She loathed the circus. She hated what she had to become. She hated the Victory tour, staring at the families of the fallen Tributes, some of which she’d killed. She didn’t think she could do that again, go on tour, be put up for scrutiny. “What if I fail? What if I can’t do what we did on the tour? What if he kills them all? I hate the stage, I hate being on display.”

“I know, but you’re not alone; you’ve got me, and I’ll help you just like I did on the Tour. I’ll do the speaking. All you have to do is not scowl at anyone, and eat the food instead of shooting arrows at it.”

“Peeta,” she admonished. The grin on her face was instantaneous. He was making fun of the fact that she’d shot the apple, scaring half of the Gamemakers, including Plutarch.

“Bad joke?”

“Yes!”

“But I made you smile.”

“No, you did not.”

“Liar.”

Katniss chuckled.

“We can do this. I know that these weren’t our plans. I know that you were enjoying exploring and stuff, and we agreed to wait until the wedding next year to have sex.”

They hadn’t done ‘it’ yet. It was a funny thing because when she was with Peeta and they became intimate physically she wanted to have him, have sex, but when they were snuggled close spooning, she knew she wasn’t ready.

They agreed to wait until the wedding to have sex, but now with the date being pushed up, Katniss knew that the President would expect them to have a child soon after. They were both still sixteen. Both would be turning seventeen, but they were supposed to marry at eighteen. That extra year would’ve given them the time they needed to adjust to being adults.

Turning around she faced him. “Peeta what if I am not ready?”

“We’ll find a way. I don’t know how, but we will.” He gave her a comforting kiss on the cheek. “We’ll take one day at a time, focus on a goal for each day, just like we did in the Tour.”

Focusing on conquering each challenge the President threw their way was the only way Katniss could keep herself calm enough to do the dozens of interviews. She had to play up that ‘so-in-love-ditzy-girl-act’ at every task in front of the camera. Everything was filmed from choosing the invitations, to tasting the hors d'oeuvres. Every detail for the wedding was to be voted on, and every frame of footage was scrutinized by Snow. It was entrusted upon them to promote the President’s Jubilee.

For two weeks, they traveled by train from one district to the other. Katniss was exhausted. She lost a lot weight, lost sleep, and her nightmares were back. Eventually the strain of having to be perfect in public, demonstrating her romance with Peeta all the while promoting the Jubilee showed. Cinna was worried the dresses he made were not going to fit, but worst of all, her nightmares were back.

Peeta’s arms were a comfort for her, but he too was starting show the effects of the strain. He’d lost some weight as well, and was tired from having to comfort her.

A week leading up to the wedding, Snow forced Peeta and Katniss to separate. Peeta, his reluctant family, his prep team, and Haymitch were on the eleventh floor of the Training Facility while Effie, her prep team, her family including her ‘cousins’ the Hawthornes and Madge were on the 12th Floor. Katniss couldn’t sleep for fear of her nightmares. The terror of not being able to convince Snow was the basis of each one of her blood curdling dreams.

The day of the wedding Katniss was a wreck. Snow’s threats were real. The old Head Peacekeeper Cray had been demoted and the intermediate replacement Thread had installed a curfew. The black market had been burned down. Thankfully no one had been inside of it when it happened, but Katniss got the message, this could happen to your family.

She closed her eyes. She wanted to hurl the pristine white roses across the room or burn them. The small thought caused a small smile upon her face. But then she pictured Snow torturing Peeta over her throwing the roses in the fire and her smile disappeared.

“Katniss,” Effie said.

Startled, she was brought back to the present. Her hands shook. The music played and the massive double white doors swung open. Some walks she just had to do alone, but her eyes focused on Peeta. His blue eyes became teary when he saw her marching toward him. Everything was pushed aside, and peace descended on her shoulders like a mantel. She lifted her head and marched confidently toward him.

The ceremony itself was a blur and before she blinked they were standing at the balcony with Snow. The crowd were demanding a kiss. As she leaned into kiss Peeta, she heard the President begin to cough. Suddenly the crowd gasped as Snow clutched his stomach and careened over the balcony, dropping to his death in front of the crowd.

Between the crowds and the rush of officiates and Peacekeepers they were pushed back, ordered to their rooms in the Training Center, but everyone gathered in one place, riveted to the TV on the 12th floor, speculating over everything that happened.

At precisely 7:03 in the evening, Plutarch Heavensbee gave the announcement that the President wasd dead. They panned back to the studio. Caesar Flickerman was dressed in a dark gray suit his hair was gray as well began to speak.

Katniss clung to Peeta, not wanting to let him out of her sight.

“At this precarious time we do not know what will come as our illustrious President did not have a plan in place for a successor. We all look to the provisional government headed by Head Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee, to lead us through this dark time. It has been our privilege to have known such a great man.” Caesar solemnly said.

Katniss wanted to roll her eyes. She held onto Peeta as they sat together in a love seat. She was still wearing her voluminous wedding gown, Peeta in his white suit. She leaned into his chest, his arm went around her. Her lashes drifted shut as she listened to the steady beat of his heart.

She must have nodded off because when she woke up to joyus eruption of excited voices. “Peeta,” she said, quickly sitting up. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, alert but confused by the ruckus.

“Son of gun, he did it. He cancelled the games. He freaking stopped the games!” Gale was standing behind the seat she and Peeta were sitting in.

“What’s going on?” Katniss said

“Katniss we’re free, Plutarch and the provisional government showed the card from the founders saying the games are cancelled and that our debt has been paid.” Prim screeched launching herself into her arms.

Katniss wasn’t sure how to process the information; she was ecstatic. But, out of the corner of her eye, she caught Peeta standing up and walking to the furthest corner in the room. Katniss saw that he had a strange look upon his face.

As soon as she let go of Prim, Katniss walked over to Peeta and took his hand. She put her other hand on his forearm and whispered to him, “We’re free.”

“We’re free,” Peeta sadly said. He walked away from her.

She was perplexed by his behaviour. Katniss looked around, no one but Haymitch noticed his exit. This time, unlike the time on the train during the Victory Tour, she wasn’t going to let him go. She chased after him to his old room, and tripped over the organza of her dress. She knocked on the door. “Peeta.”

He didn’t reply, but she opened the door, and found him sitting dejectedly on the bed. The gown she wore was heavy and it impeded her movement.

“Peeta.” Standing in the room with him looking so sad, oddly made her want him. Katniss couldn’t be herself in this dress. It was important to be Katniss, not the the Capitol fabricated doll they wanted her to be. She began to search for the hidden zipper on the side.

“Look Katniss…I know this wedding wasn't real, and we did this to save our families and Gale. Now, well, now there isn't a reason for us to stay together...what are you doing?”

Katniss had half the dress over her head only the tips of her fingers could be seen from within the massive amount of fabric. “I'm trying to get-”

“What?”

“I'm trying to get-" she stopped speaking, frustrated that her words were muffled.

“Here...let me help.” Peeta began tugging on the fabric, and soon she was free. Her loose hair all on end, and it covered the front of her face, some of it got in her mouth. Peeta laughed at the sight of her.

Katniss looped her arms around his neck when he stopped laughing. Having his arms around her she sighed, then she punched him lightly on his shoulders. “Have you lost your mind? Do you really think I’m going to let you waltz out of this?”

“Maybe.” His eyes still contained laughter.

Katniss was serious. She was vulnerable in her undergarments standing before him, emotionally bare. “Don't you remember we toasted, twice.”

His blue eyes widened and Katniss had a vision of a little girl with twin braids and Peeta's vivid eyes.

“You can't get rid if me, Mellark.” Katniss swallowed. “I'm not gonna get rid of my last hope. You're my hope, my dandelion.” She pointed at his chest. Her voice wavered as she unearthed the secrets of her soul. “You said you were a goner at five when you heard me sing. Well you should know, I've been a goner since I was 11 years old and you threw that bread to me.”

He looks surprised.

“You saved my life, the life of my sister, and my mother. Your selfless act reminded me that there was still hope in the world. When I plucked that dandelion the day after I remembered things could be good again, it was the beginning of spring, the beginning of my life. When your name was called, I didn't want to hurt you. I tried my to tell myself that I could, but I couldn't, because you're good and decent. It would have destroyed me. Then during the games you risked all your life to help save mine and faced Cato.”

Peeta kissed her, stopping her from speaking further. The passionate kiss slowly ended leaving them both breathless. She whispered, “I love you Peeta.”

“Together,” Peeta whispered.

Katniss, nodded because after all as long as if they were together they could overcome any obstacle and live life to the fullest.

#everlark #everlark fanfiction #everlarkbirthdaygifts #everlarkbirthdaydrabbles #fan fic #by mega-aulover

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