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seasonsofeverlark · 3 years ago

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No Turning Back

Author: @always-andshewrites

Prompt: Katniss and Peeta are meant to be together. Their whole friend group is sure of it. But they seem oblivious to each other’s (and their own) feelings. So their friends have decided to take matters into their own hands. They set up a vacation weekend (Spring Break/Memorial Day/your choice) and have picked a house where there will only be one bed left for the two of them to share. Will Peeta and Katniss finally figure things out? [submitted by @jedimandy]

Rating: M / E (eventually)

Summary: The prompt says it all! ______________

Katniss had been looking forward to this weekend for months. Three and a half days locked away with her five closest friends. She couldn’t wait to be surrounded by the wilderness, to inhale the piney scent of the fresh air, and to have what would hopefully be a relaxing Memorial Day weekend at Annie’s uncle’s lake house.

She had finally arrived, no thanks to the miserable two-hour drive in her beat-up, air-condition-less Toyota Corolla. The second she stepped inside, she was more than thankful the lake house came fully stocked (meaning all she had to do was pack her clothes), but most of all, that it had fully functioning central air.

It hadn’t surprised Katniss in the least when Annie was assigning their bedrooms, that she was somehow paired with Peeta. Logically, it made the most sense. Annie would room with Finnick, her boyfriend since‒well, actually, Katniss couldn’t recall a time in which Annie and Finnick weren’t a couple. Then there was Gale and Jo. They would share a room, since, like Annie and Finnick, they were also an “item.” That left her and Peeta, and only one remaining room. In their previous trips to the lake, Katniss and Peeta always had their own room, but apparently, this year one of the rooms was undergoing renovations, leaving only one spare guest room.

Katniss wasn’t sure why sharing a room‒or was it the bed‒that seemed to be bothering her so much this time; it wasn’t as if she’d never shared a bed with Peeta before. Though they weren’t a couple, and never had been, they were best friends. They hit it off from the very first moment they met. She couldn’t count how many times she’d thanked Gale for forcing her to go to the beach that day.

“You know, I can always sleep on the couch if it–it um…makes you uncomfortable.”

Peeta’s voice broke her from the trance she was in‒thinking about that day on the beach as she mindlessly unloaded her clothes from her suitcase and tossed them into the drawers.

“Don’t be silly, Peeta; it’s fine. Your snoring doesn’t bother me anymore,” Katniss joked, trying to keep the mood light.

Peeta snuck up from behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist before planting a kiss on her cheek. For some reason, this caused goose pimples to form there, in the exact spot where Peeta’s lips had grazed her skin, all the way down her neck, along with a strange tingling-warm sensation throughout her insides.

“I don’t snore,” Peeta pretended to be offended, backing away. “It’s just…I don’t know, you seemed kind of tense when Annie paired us up. Anyway, just know it’s an open-ended offer. My feelings won’t be hurt if you change your mind.” Peeta tried to assure her.

“Shut up,” Katniss retorted playfully, pushing him away. “It’s fine, Peeta. I was shocked, is all,” Katniss defended herself, though even she didn’t believe her own words.

Since Katniss and Peeta were the last to arrive at the lake house, they weren’t privy to Annie, Finnick, and Jo’s deception. While Gale was scouting the woods, Jo cornered Finnick and Annie with a plan of her own. (A few hours earlier)

“Okay, who else is fed up with Cinnamon Buns and Brainless? They’re obviously sickeningly in love with each other…have been for God-knows-how-long. Everyone sees it except for them, so we’ve have to force them to admit it to themselves.”

Annie squealed, jumping up and down and clapping giddily like an excited little girl. “Oh! I’m so in, what were you thinking?”

“Well, hmmm,” Jo began, pressing a finger to her chin in thought. She had to think, and quickly, before Gale returned. He wouldn’t approve of their scheming against his two closest friends, and if he found out, he would definitely sell them out.

“Aha! I got it!” Jo beamed, her eyes lighting up with an idea.

Finnick simply stood back, observing the girls with amusement.

“First, we need to eliminate one of the rooms. Force them into sharing a room‒and a bed.” Jo waggled her brows for effect. “Any ideas?”

Annie’s brows furrowed in concentration as she thought of how she and Jo could pull this off. Then her eyes widened, lit up like a Christmas tree as the grin stretched across her face.

“We’ll block the room off. Say my uncle is doing renovations or something and he told me the only stipulation for us spending the weekend here was the one room is off limits.”

“Okay, but how do you suppose we block the room off?”

Finnick, who had been listening intently to the scheming girls had the perfect thing in his bag. And, of course he would, for he wasn’t known as an immature prankster for nothing.

“You girls just leave that to me.” Finnick grinned mischievously, pulling out a roll of yellow “KEEP OUT” tape from his pack.

X-X-X

Throughout the evening, Jo and Annie occasionally traded devious grins when no one was looking. Their first night was coming to a close‒everyone was exhausted from the drive down, coupled with the mind-numbing heat and the fact that it was almost midnight.

“I think I’m going to call it a night. This face doesn’t achieve perfection on its own; I need my beauty sleep,” Finnick said with a yawn. Annie shoved his head playfully, pushing him into the sofa.

“Shut up, Odair,” Katniss snarked as she and Peeta watched their friends exit the room. First Finnick and Annie, then Gale and Jo, disappearing down the hallway.

“You coming?” Katniss locked eyes with Peeta as she stood up to fall in line with her friends.

“I think I’m going to tackle the dishes. I wanted to make breakfast in the morning, and I’d rather start the day with a clean kitchen.” Peeta told her.

“Oh, okay. Um…” Katniss faltered, feeling disappointed. “I’ll help you then,” she offered.

“Katniss, um, that’s sweet but no‒” Peeta said softly. “You can barely hold your eyes open, and it’s really not that much. Just everyone’s glasses and a few bowls. Go get comfy, and I’ll meet you in there.” Peeta could tell that Katniss wasn’t going to let this go. “Look, it’ll take me less than ten minutes, but if you stay in here with me, we’ll end up talking and it’ll take twice as long.”

Katniss frowned, her brows drawing together. She wanted to object, but she knew Peeta was right. “Fine,” she stated stubbornly. “But if you’re not there in ten minutes, I’m coming to find you,” she playfully threatened her best friend.

“Deal,” Peeta said.

Katniss made her way to the room she’d be sharing with Peeta, grabbed her nightclothes and toothbrush, then opened the door to the adjoining bathroom.

I sure am glad it was the other room and not this one that’s getting renovated, Katniss thought optimistically as she made her way into the private full bathroom attached to her room. She picked up her nightclothes and slipped into the dark, hunter green tank top. Then, as she climbed into the orange-like-the-sunset, with light, paler orange polka dotted pair of boxer shorts she’d once stolen from Peeta, a smile crept upon her lips.

As she brushed her teeth, her eyes locked with her reflection.

“This is no different than any of the other hundred times Peeta and I have slept in the same bed,” Katniss felt silly defending herself‒to herself. Then, she could have sworn that her reflection crossed its arms and raised a condescending brow at her, so she closed her eyes tightly and shook her head back and forth. “Man, I must have drunk more than I thought,” she told herself.

When she was finished in the bathroom, she headed back into the room. She was eager to climb into the feather-light, queen-sized bed and slip under the goose down comforter and fall asleep in Peeta’s arms. For some reason, the nightmares never came when he was next to her.

So, that’s what she did. She pulled the covers back, toed her socks off, and waited for Peeta to join her.

And it wasn’t long. Two, three, maybe four minutes later, Katniss heard Peeta’s heavy footfalls entering the room. He spent less than ten minutes in the bathroom before he slid in next to her, smelling like…Peeta. She inhaled slowly and savored his musky scent of cinnamon and dill. Then, as if it was second nature, Peeta immediately pulled Katniss into his arms, close, close, closer to his body, not fully satisfied until Katniss’s back was pressed against his chest.

“Sweet dreams, Kitty,” Peeta whispered into her ear as she fell into a deep slumber.

Half-asleep, and moments from losing consciousness, the corners of Katniss’s lips curved up at the nickname. And then, just like that, she was out.

X-X-X

Katniss remembered waking up sometime in the middle of the night to see Peeta sleeping soundly. She was still cradled in his arms, their faces only inches apart. She was afraid to move, as she did not want to disturb him‒he just looked too peaceful. She was more than happy lying there, staring‒studying his features, something she rarely had the chance to do during her waking hours.

He really is a beautiful man, Katniss thought to herself as she mentally traced his perfectly symmetrical features.

And then: ‘Wow, I never realized how long and blond his eyelashes are…I wonder how they don’t get tangled when he blinks.’

That was the last thought Katniss had before she fell back asleep. She awoke some time later to the succulent aroma of bacon and the sound of grease sizzling in the frying pan‒in addition to an empty bed. She rushed into the bathroom, brushed her teeth and got dressed, then hurried to the kitchen.

“Good morning, sleepy head!” Peeta called out, grinning from ear to ear. Katniss surveyed the room to see that everyone else was already up.

“So, us girls are going into town today. Gonna have a girls day while the boys stay home and do housework,” Jo mumbled with a mouthful of eggs.

“And, what exactly does that mean?” Katniss questioned with a raise of her brow. She wasn’t sure she liked the sound of where this was going.

Annie politely covered her mouth with her hand and giggled. “The boys said they have a surprise for us tonight, so I decided we’re going shopping.”

Katniss rolled her eyes. She hated shopping. But she knew it was pointless arguing with Annie.

Once breakfast was over, everyone pitched in to help Peeta get the kitchen back in order. Then the boys kicked the girls out, demanding they not return until at least six o’clock.

X-X-X

“Tell me Katniss, how was snuggling in bed with Cinnamon Buns all night? I’m telling you, girl, if Gale wasn’t so talented with that thing he does with his tongue—” Annie shoved Jo, knowing Katniss could only tolerate so much teasing before she snapped.

“Don’t listen to her, Kat; I’m sure Peeta was a perfect gentleman.” Katniss rolled her eyes at Annie’s retort, although she was always grateful for her friends support.

“Anyway, Brainless,” Jo went on. “Cinnamon Buns is just going to love your swimsuit.” Jo chuckled.

“Oh, you’re out of your bloody mind if you think I’m actually going to wear this thing. I don’t get it, though; why does something with less fabric cost more than the one with more?”

“Because sexy ain’t cheap!” Katniss had to laugh at Jo’s statement. She supposed there was some truth to it.

The girls went back and forth with their chatter until they got back to the cabin, right at six o’clock.

“We’re out back!” They heard Gale call out as soon as they walked inside. The cabin, which was filled with the scent of fresh bread, was spotless. Katniss didn’t actually think they would do anything but drink beer and maybe go fishing. They followed the sound of Gale’s voice, walking through the cabin and out the back door to see the boys‒each with a beer in hand on the patio by the grill.

“Kiss the chef? You’re such a weirdo,” Jo said when she saw Finnick in his ‘Kiss the Chef’ apron. But when he turned around to grab the plate for the steaks, Jo almost fell on the ground from laughing so hard when she got a full view of Finnick’s backside. The only thing underneath his apron was a skimpy, navy blue speedo.

“Oh, come on. I’m bringin’ sexy back!” Finnick waggled his brows suggestively, then twirled Annie into his arms before pressing his lips to hers.

“I’m sorry, baby, but I have to agree with Jo. You’re such a dork!” Annie giggled, returning Finnick’s affection.

They had dinner outside, down at the Men’s Den, which was a small, screened-in porch-like structure at the end of a dock that floated on water. Dinner was steak, fried squash and zucchini, and baked potatoes, all cooked on the grill, in addition to Peeta’s famous yeast rolls.

After dinner, Annie handed out her and Finnick’s famous, homemade drinks. Fanny-rita’s, they called them.

Katniss began feeling the effects after her third drink. Her body slowly began to relax, and for some reason, every time she looked at Peeta she got this warm and fuzzy feeling inside. The feeling reminded her of happiness.

“Let’s go swimming!” Jo shouted from her position, straddled on Gale’s lap, cowgirl style.

“Let’s do it,” Gale mumbled in agreement.

“Oh yeah!” Annie squealed. “We forgot to show the boys what we got today!” Annie said, jumping up and flinging her sun dress off to reveal a cute two-piece bikini. Finnick pulled her to him and groaned.

“Oh baby, that is so sexy! And it’s definitely coming off…and soon.”

Peeta groaned at Annie and Finnick’s tongue-aerobics and said, “Gross, you guys‒get a room!”

Jo soon followed suit and stripped down to her two-piece bathing suit that Katniss wondered how it even stayed on. It barely came with enough fabric to cover her nipples.

“Okay, your turn, Brainless.” Jo called out. Katniss crossed her arms and shook her head.

With narrowed eyes, furrowed brows, Jo glared at Katniss until she finally conceded.

“Okay, if anyone laughs at me, I swear I’ll skewer you with an arrow in your sleep!” Katniss threatened her friends.

Peeta gave her a soft smile. “No one’s going to laugh at you,” he promised her.

Katniss removed her tank top first; that seemed the easiest thing to do. Then she slowly unknotted the tie of her wraparound skirt to reveal a modest, simple green halter-like top, and the bottoms looked like a pair of boy shorts. Jo was adamant she buy a bikini for tonight, and since Katniss lost a bet, she chose a bathing suit with the most fabric available.

Katniss was averting her eyes from everyone, trying to avoid their stares. But had she been privy to where her friends’ attention was directed at, she would have seen everyone’s eyes on Peeta, for they were only interested in his reaction.

Peeta tried, but he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off Katniss as she stripped down to her swimsuit. When the big reveal happened, his jaw dropped, his eyes widened, and then darkened with nothing but pure lust.

“See, that wasn’t so bad, now was it?” Jo asked, breaking the tension.

“Alright, let’s jump in!” Gale said, shoving Jo into the lake. The sky was beginning to darken, the sun was setting on the horizon.

At once, Katniss realized this was Peeta’s favorite time of day. And the sky‒it was his favorite color. She wondered if that’s why she chose an orange bathing suit versus her favorite color of green.

The boys rough-housed, as boys like to do on the swinging rope for a while. Then they gradually paired off‒Annie and Finnick to one side of the dock, Gale and Jo on the other, leaving Katniss and Peeta lying-floating on their life jackets.

X-X-X

Peeta reached out for Katniss, pulling her into his arms. He hugged her tight, and the warmth of his wet skin raised Katniss’s body temperature by at least two degrees. Or at least, that’s how she felt.

“I missed you today,” Peeta whispered into her ear, inhaling her scent. Katniss didn’t know what to say–she wasn’t sure how to respond since they’d only been apart for a few hours today.

Peeta finally released his grip on Katniss, so she treaded the water, her and Peeta’s noses only inches apart.

There was a pregnant pause, although not uncomfortable in the slightest. “Katniss,” Peeta whispered her name, and it sent another surge of heat surging through her limbs.

“Yes?” Katniss managed, beginning to regret those last two shots. The way Peeta said her name had her instantly worried, that, and the fact that he was refusing to meet her eyes.

‘Oh no, this is it. This is the moment I’m going to lose him. He’s going to tell me he’s met someone. That we won’t be spending as much time together,’ Katniss silently worried.

“There’s um…I need to tell you something, and I need to say it now, while I have the extra courage. But you have to know, Katniss; you have to know I’m not saying this just because I’ve had a few drinks. I’m not drunk, and I know exactly what I’m saying. I just need you to know the things I’m going to tell you…I feel them…every minute of every day, and especially when I’m completely sober.”

“Okay. Tell me, Peeta. You know you can tell me anything.”

“I know, Katniss,” Peeta paused, finally looking up to meet her eyes. “I just…I don’t want to lose you, I can’t—”

Katniss locked her hands around both of Peeta’s wrists, thankful for the life preserver keeping her afloat. “That would never happen Peeta. There is nothing you could ever say or do that could—”

In an instant, Katniss felt her body colliding against Peeta’s, his hands still firmly on her hips. He pulled her body flush to his—and the only place for her legs to go was around his waist. Then he pressed his forehead to hers so that their noses were touching.

“You feel it too, don’t you. Katniss?” Peeta’s question came out in a raspy whisper, almost seductive. Or, maybe Katniss was just imagining things.

“I…I—uh,” Katniss stuttered. Of course, she felt it, too; she’d felt it for a long time. But she was too much of a coward to say it out loud.

“I know you feel it, Katniss. Please…tell me,” Peeta begged her. “I-I need to hear you say it.”

Katniss tried to wiggle out of his arms, tried to break the hold he had on her, but Peeta’s grip remained firm.

“Peeta, you’re drunk,” Katniss dismissed his words.

“I might be, but that doesn’t change anything. My blood alcohol level doesn’t affect the way I feel about you, the way I’ve always felt about you. From that first day on the beach, I knew you were something special Katniss. I knew you were precious, someone to hold on to. I knew I had to have you, in whatever capacity you would allow.” The vibration of Peeta’s voice sent a shiver up Katniss’s spine.

“Now you’re just making things up.” Katniss blushed, finally giving up on trying to escape Peeta’s arms.

“I’m not. I remember the day I met you as if it were yesterday. It’s permanently embedded in my mind.

(Four years ago)

“Holy shit—who is that girl with your girlfriend, Finnick?” It took Peeta a moment to get his voice to work when he saw her. They were on the beach tossing a football back and forth while they waited for the rest of their friends to join them.

“Oh, that’s Katniss.” Peeta watched this “Katniss” run up to Gale and wrap her arms around his neck, and he felt red-hot jealousy bubbling in his veins.

“I didn’t know Gale had a girlfriend,” Peeta said to Finnick.

“Oh, they’re not together. They’ve been friends since like…they were in diapers—oh shit, Peet! You wanna tap that, don’t you? Don’t let Gale find out; he’ll beat the shit outta you if you hurt her. He’s like…fiercely protective over her.”

Peeta couldn’t wipe the grin off his face as he watched Katniss walking toward him, sandwiched between Annie and Gale. There was no way on God’s green Earth that he would ever hurt her. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. She was someone to love, to cherish, to worship. Her chestnut hair was in a single braid, slung over her left shoulder. The hair tie at the end of the braid was in the shape of a primrose. Her olive-toned skin sparkled under the sunlight, beads of sweat forming across her freckled nose. She wore a dark green, one-piece bathing suit, with one of those wrap-around skirts, tied at her hip.

Peeta forced himself to focus; he didn’t want to make a fool of himself—he knew first impressions were important.

“Yo, Peet,” Gale called out as he walked over to him, Katniss by his side. “This is Catnip.” Peeta frowned at the name, just as Katniss punched Gale’s bicep.

“It’s Katniss, don’t listen to this idiot,” Katniss corrected Gale, smiling from ear to ear, meeting Peeta’s eyes. At that moment, Peeta had never seen a smile as beautiful as hers.

“I’m Peeta,” Peeta said, waiting for her face to sour at hearing his name. Most people did.

“Like the bread? Hmm, I like it,” Katniss said, amused.

“Well, yes and no. It’s spelled differently. My dad’s a baker…”

“I can’t believe you remember all that.” Katniss blushed after Peeta took them down memory lane.

“I remember everything about you, Katniss.”

Time stood still as their eyes locked. No words were spoken under the light of the moon, for they didn’t need to be. Katniss felt her heart pounding inside her chest, felt a stirring in her belly, then a throbbing at her center.

Peeta reached up and cupped the back of Katniss’s head before gently, slowly, pulling her lips to his, so as to allow her time to reject him. However, the rejection never came. Peeta pressed his mouth against hers, ran his tongue across her lips and peppered her with sweet, gentle kisses.

In that moment, Katniss could swear she heard trumpets blaring, followed by fireworks. She meant to tell Peeta no, that they couldn’t do this. They shouldn't do this. She didn’t want to ruin the best friendship she’d ever had. She couldn’t lose Peeta, not over some silly crush. She meant to push him away, to swim back to the dock, but the moment his lips touched hers, she melted in his arms. She pulled herself closer to his body, if that was even possible and deepened the kiss, and she locked her arms around his neck, tightening her legs around his waist. A wave of embarrassment rolled over her when a moan escaped her mouth as Peeta’s lips found their way to her neck.

“Woo-hoo!!!” Annie called out, clapping giddily in Finnick’s arms.

“About fucking time!” Johanna snarked, and Katniss could feel her cheeks turning a deep shade of crimson.

“Shut up, ass suckers!” Peeta yelled at his friends, unable to wipe the shit-eating grin from his face.

Katniss hid her face in the crook of Peeta’s neck, too embarrassed to face her friends. They’d been giving her and Peeta hell for the longest time. Always nagging them about “getting over it and hooking up already.” And for the longest time, Katniss and Peeta insisted that they were only friends. And they were.

But now there was no turning back.

“Okay, continue,” Annie waved them on. “Pretend like we’re not even here.”

Peeta continued to hold Katniss while he bobbed in the water, but their moment was broken. Katniss was too nervous to do anything more. But Peeta was at least grateful she wasn’t pulling back.

“Want to go inside?” Katniss nodded at Peeta’s question. Peeta guided them to the ladder and climbed out, then helped Katniss up the ladder. He grabbed two towels from the warmer, handing one to Katniss.

“We’re going in. Don’t drown,” Peeta called out without looking back.

“Yeah, yeah, we’ll be up soon.”

Katniss and Peeta walked back to the cabin with their fingers linked and their hearts connected.

X-X-X

“Peeta, I-this-I don’t think‒” Katniss began to protest, but Peeta stopped her.

“Katniss,” Peeta whispered into Katniss’s ear and she melted like silly putty. “Can you honestly look me in the eye and say you don’t want this as much as I do? Because if you can, I’ll never mention it again. We’ll pretend like the last twenty-four hours never happened and nothing will change.”

Peeta and Katniss had been back from the lake for at least an hour. They had both showered (separately), gotten into their night clothes, crawled into the bed, and slipped under the covers.

A tear escaped from the corner of Katniss’s eye, and Peeta caught it with the pad of his thumb.

“Don’t cry Katniss, I’m‒”

“Peeta, no, I can’t‒” Peeta felt a giant lump form in his throat and it took everything in him to force the tears away. “I can’t tell you that Peeta, because I do. I feel it, too. I have for a long time.” Katniss knew this wasn’t what she should say, but she had never lied to Peeta and she didn’t plan to start now.

As suddenly as it appeared, the giant lump in Peeta’s throat vanished just as quickly. Peeta thought Katniss was saying she can’t—with him, but she was simply answering his question from a moment ago.

“Peeta, you’re my best friend. When something happens in my life, whether it’s good, bad, or something as simple as me finding a clearance sale at the grocery store, you’re the first person I want to call. You mean so much to me, and it’s just that…I’m not just scared, I’m terrified.”

“What are you afraid of Katniss? You have to know that I would never hurt you, I’d never betray you, I—”

“It’s not…that’s not what scares me. I don’t doubt that. But…what if it doesn’t work out? What if things end badly and I lose the best friend I’ve ever had? I…I don’t think I could survive that.” Katniss’s voice trembled as she spoke these words. The thought of losing Peeta, or the possibility of never seeing him again…it truly petrified her, and she wasn’t sure which scared her more.

Peeta gave Katniss a soft smile and twirled a lock of her hair around his finger. “But what if it does work out? What if it’s great and amazing, or better than anything either of us could dream of? Because I think it could be. I think we could be something beautiful. And I think it’s worth the risk. That you’re worth the risk.”

Katniss hooked her arms around Peeta’s broad torso, scooted her body as close as she could manage and just held on for dear life. “I can’t lose you Peeta…I can’t. It would break me.”

Peeta engulfed Katniss in his arms and used his cheek to brush the stray hairs from her face. “You’ll never lose me Katniss. Never.”

Katniss hooked her leg over Peeta’s and rested her head against his chest. She inhaled the scent of cinnamon and dill and shivered.

“Are you cold?” Peeta asked. Katniss blushed, glad for the poor lighting in the room.

“No. I’m perfect.” Katniss said.

Then Peeta pulled back slightly, tilted Katniss’s chin up so their eyes met. Katniss wasn’t sure how long they stayed like that, just staring into the others eyes before Peeta leaned in. Slowly, slowly, he inched closer and closer until finally, his full, soft and lush lips grazed her own.

It took everything in Katniss not to attack Peeta, she so badly wanted to flip him on his back and devour him right here.

Peeta’s kisses were soft and gentle at first, as if they were asking for permission. One of his hands rested on the crest of her hip while the other reached out to cup the back of her head. Katniss wasn’t sure how it was possible, but Peeta pulled her closer, deepening their kiss. She parted her lips, granting him access, which he accepted greedily. His tongue traced her lips before he slid it into Katniss’s mouth.

Feeling an insatiable amount of pleasure, Katniss moaned and couldn’t find it in herself to even be embarrassed. Then she slid her hand up the back of Peeta’s t-shirt and dug her palms into the firm muscles of his back.

“This is a million times better than my dreams,” Peeta’s raspy voice vibrated against Katniss’s lips, and it sent a surge of electricity straight to her core.

Katniss had always wondered if Peeta was a good kisser. She even occasionally found herself daydreaming about Peeta’s tongue. She wondered if he tasted like he smelled…thought about what his tongue would feel like inside her mouth. She had even fantasized on a few occasions, what his tongue might feel like…in other places. But all the daydreaming in the world could have never prepared her for this moment.

Peeta’s tongue…it was, in one word…sublime. Everything about it was perfect. Like the final puzzle piece, it fit perfectly in her mouth; it moved in perfect synchronicity with her own. It glided in and out, in and out slowly, then side to side…with the utmost perfection.

Yes, Peeta was definitely a good kisser.

“God, you taste so good,” Peeta groaned, his slick tongue gliding against the sensitive skin of her neck.

Katniss untangled her arms from Peeta and tugged his shirt up. She wanted it off. She needed it off. She yearned for his bare skin to collide with hers. Peeta acquiesced and raised his arms, allowing Katniss to rid him of the thin fabric.

In turn, Peeta did the same to Katniss, seamlessly slipping her tank top over her head. Like a magnet, they gravitated into each other’s arms. For several minutes, Peeta held Katniss against his chest, savoring the pleasure her bare skin gave him, and then finally, tracing his fingers lightly across her back.

“Katniss?” Peeta rasped her name, and once again she shuddered. “I want you.” Katniss wondered how three little words could have such an effect on her body and how they caused every nerve in her body to come to life.

“I’ve wanted you for so long. I’ve fantasized and dreamed about this day so many times over. I never…I guess…what I’m trying to say is you’re the one in control tonight.“ Peeta’s serious gaze penetrated through Katniss as she listened to him continue. "You call the shots. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you. But if you don’t…if there’s something you don��t want, or you’re not ready for, all you have to do is say the word. We won’t do anything you don’t want to do. I… just…please don’t be afraid to tell me no.”

How is this man so perfect? Katniss silently wondered as she tangled her limbs with Peeta’s, then slammed her mouth against his.

Katniss didn’t think there was a single thing she wouldn’t give Peeta‒tonight or…ever. Because the truth was, she’d never wanted anyone or anything more than she wanted Peeta right now.

To Be Continued…

#everlark #everlark fanfiction #spring 2022 #spring #always-andshewrites #submission #prompt

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seasonsofeverlark · 3 years ago

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Beautiful Disaster

Author: @always-andshewrites

Prompt: I would love to read a Valentine’s Day-themed Modern-Day AU! Katniss and Peeta are roommates. Mutual pining of course. An ice storm on February 14th causes a power outage and, since they don’t have a fireplace, sleeping in one bed is necessary for them to stay warm. Things heat up while they’re stuck inside all weekend! [submitted by @jedimandy]

Rating: M (To be on the safe side, sexual situations referenced)

Summary: I think the prompt says it all! Best friends and roommates Katniss and Peeta get snowed in Peeta’s room, due to a power outage. The temperature keeps dropping, so Peeta has to get creative on ways to warm them up.

Author’s Note: Thank you to @jhsgf82 for her wonderful, amazing beta skills and her continued willingness to always do it! Also, thank you to @jedimandy for the prompt…snowed in Everlark is my absolute FAVORITE! Plus, it has snowed literally every weekend for the last month, so I had a little inspiration by being snowed-in myself. I hope you guys enjoy! ______________

[ Peeta ]

“W-wh-en d-d-do you t-th-think th-the p-power will be b-b-ba-back on?” I sneak a glance through the hood of my blankets to catch the most stunning pair of grey eyes through the heaping mountain of blankets on the other side of my bed. Even though I can’t see her, my heart swells just knowing she’s there.

Katniss Everdeen: my roommate, my best friend and quite possibly my soul mate. I’m thankful for the blankets concealing my jubilation, otherwise my lit-up-like-a-kid-on-Christmas-morning face would betray me and reveal my secret. Don’t get me wrong, it wouldn’t be the end of the world for her to know; it’s just that…well, it’s not the right time. Not yet, anyway.

Katniss and I are in mirroring positions, both of us swaddled in our own, separate mountain of blankets, curled at opposite ends of my bed, knees tucked to our chest, teeth chattering relentlessly.

More than once I’ve almost been tempted to suggest the obvious—that there is a simple solution to our current predicament if only she could just get past this newfound aversion to being close to me.

A person would think that two people who’d been best friends since the third grade could do something as simple as hold each other for the sake of keeping warm during an ice storm. I mean, we are two people whose friendship outlasted the drama of middle and high school; hell, it even powered through work, life, and all the many stresses that college entails. It’s not as if we’ve never occupied the same space on a single bed before. There were plenty of drunken nights we found ourselves passed out in one of our college dorms—in a twin-sized bed at that. There were also numerous times in which we were both completely sober, either studying for finals or curled up with a bowl of popcorn and a movie. So, I don’t know if I’m being paranoid or if something happened to bring out this new, self-conscious side of her, but for the last two months, anytime I get within three feet of her, she seems to go running for the hills. She either hauls ass to the bathroom or spontaneously gets the sudden urge to do the tedious, nitty-gritty kind of cleaning. At times I wonder if she’s figured out how I feel and goes out of her way to keep her distance, so as to not give me the wrong impression.

“C-c-can’t l-la-last f-f-forever,” I say, unable to keep my teeth from clinking together. “B-but you have t-t-to admit, it is k-kind of b-beautiful.”

At the sound of my voice, Katniss pokes her head through her homemade cocoon of trembling blankets, her teeth still chattering and looks out the window. And, I don’t know why, but the sight of her nearly convulsing from the cold sends an intense surge of guilt rushing through me. I feel so helpless and incompetent because I want nothing more than to warm her up, for her to feel warm, safe, and comfortable. But that’s kind of hard to do in an apartment that has been without power for the last twenty-four hours and with no telling as to when it will return.

“I don’t know how you do it, but y-you always f-find the b-beauty even in t-the worst s-situations. I just…d-d-di-didn’t t-t-th-think it-t-t w-w-would g-g-get th-th-this c-c-cold s-s-so f-fast.” I nod, shrugging my shoulders just before hugging my arms to my chest. This time yesterday we were with power and had a perfectly warm and toasty apartment. We had the electric fireplace blazing in the living room, which was more than enough to heat the entire apartment. And here we are now, less than twenty-four hours later, unable to feel our fingers, toes, or noses. We’d be okay if we still had the fire, but an electric fireplace is useless sans electricity. At this rate we’ll be able to see our breath by the morning.

‘You know what to do,’ my internal voice of reasoning taunts me.

‘You have two choices: be a coward and continue sitting here watching the girl you’ve been in love with nearly your entire life freeze to death, or you can grow a pair. It doesn’t have to mean anything.’

By the time I’ve finally talked myself into doing something about our current predicament, my body seems to have taken on a mind of its own. Before I know it, I’m wriggling out of my own personal cocoon of blankets, letting them fall behind me. I scoot to the edge of the bed and plant my feet firmly on the frigid, hardwood floor. I have an idea, but the only way this is going to work is if I don’t give Katniss time to question me.

At first, I feel as if I’m moving in slow motion, but eventually, the blood starts pumping throughout my body, or at least enough for my arms to cooperate. I don’t look back to see Katniss’s expression as I begin shedding my layers, peeling off a thick, woolen sweater, followed by my UNCC sweatshirt. Then, I’m sliding out of my two extra pairs of sweatpants, leaving me in a single pair of clothes: a single orange, long-sleeve t-shirt, and a pair of thin, cotton, blue and white striped pajama bottoms.

When I turn around to face Katniss, I’m not at all surprised by her bewildered expression. Her eyes have widened to the diameter of golf balls, and her mouth is hanging open in shock.

“T-this is rid-d-diculous, Katniss. Survival one-oh-one says the best, m-most effective means of maintaining warm-t-t-th in hypothermic temperatures is with b-b-ody heat. You of all people know that.” I glare at her with a raised brow, throwing her own words back in her face.

On more than one occasion I’ve heard Katniss preaching this to her students, so I wonder why, at any point over the last twenty-four hours, the thought hasn’t occurred to her. Or, could it be that she’s so repulsed by me that she’d rather risk freezing to death than cuddle next to me?

Katniss teaches survival skills at the local YMCA. It’s what she does eight hours a day, five days a week. She’s got a natural gift for it, too. She keeps it one-hundred percent informative and educational while also making it fun, almost like a game and involving each of her students. She’s so amazing at what she does that people willingly spend months and months on a waiting list just to take her class.

I used to tease her, saying, “How difficult can it be to teach people how to go camping?” After that she dared me to take her class, the extended version. She ascertained that I wouldn’t be so cocky by the end of her four-week class. And she was right. (Of course she was.) I had a new appreciation for what she does after only one day. I was astonished and flabbergasted all in one at how in-depth the sessions were. Not only that, but the last two weeks of Katniss’s class is nothing but role-playing. She splits the class into small groups and gives each group a card, all with different scenarios. You then have to figure out how to survive with sometimes nothing but your wits and hope like hell that you paid attention the day she taught about edible plants. And if you happen to be one of the lucky ones, you might get a backpack filled with supplies. (I, however, was not one of the lucky ones.)

There has never been anything romantic between Katniss and I through all our years of friendship. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been secretly pining over her after all this time. I’ve just never been brave enough to initiate anything. Chalk it up to cowardice or whatever, but I’ve always been too afraid of losing her friendship, and our friendship means more to me than anything else in this world. Katniss is so important to me that I’d rather have her as my best friend than nothing at all.

“C-come on, K-kitty, don’t be s-stubborn.” I use the pet name I bestowed her with in the fourth grade, knowing she adores and detests it with equal measure. “You know I’m right.” I crawl to the other side of the bed, keeping my eyes locked with Katniss’s. “I p-pr-promise I won’t d-d-do anything w-w-wi-without y-your p-p-per-permission.” I grin cheekily, my teeth still chattering as I wriggle myself behind her.

She doesn’t object, whether it’s because she doesn’t mind or she’s still in shock, I’m not sure, but I take advantage of the moment and free Katniss from her wad of blankets. Then I begin peeling two of her three layers of clothes off while letting her keep the scarf.

Thankfully, she doesn’t seem to mind the assistance, and slowly, the shock begins to slowly melt from her face, followed by the corners of her lips curving into a smile. She tries so hard to fight the smile, but it’s a losing battle.

I fluff and resituate our pillows before stretching out on my bed. When I open my arm to her, her brows furrow, drawing together like she’s thinking hard about something for a second before she finally accepts my invitation. She curls up next to me, seeming to go out of her way to keep from touching me. This isn’t the first time we’ve shared space on the same bed, but this is the first time it’s been this awkward. And for the life of me, I wish I knew what was bothering her, so we could get rid of all this tension.

More than ready to put an end to this nonsense, I decide to confront Katniss head-on. “Why are you being so weird, Katniss? Come here.” I pull her back to my chest, draping my giant, king-sized down comforter over the two of us. With both of our heads resting on the same pillow, Katniss remains rigidly tense next to me. “Katniss, what’s the deal? Do I stink or something? I swear I took a shower the day we lost power,” I whisper in her ear.

I hear a slight chuckle escape from her, and I smile knowing my words have the desired effect. Slowly, her muscles relax, her body gradually forming next to mine. I tuck one hand underneath her, the other over her middle until my hands meet and inch her closer to my body. I know she’s lowered her guard and I’ve earned her trust when her arms settle on top of mine. I feel like I’ve won the lottery as she hugs my arms to her chest, pulling me even closer behind her.

“Wow, I’m actually starting to feel my fingers,” Katniss says, wiggling her fingers in the air. Then her body fully, completely relaxes, nearly conforming to mine. I inhale a slow, deep, and cleansing breath to steady my frantic, racing heart from bursting out of my chest.

Using my elbow to push myself up, I lean up and plant a kiss to her temple. “I don’t know what’s been going on with you lately, but it’s me, Katniss. Peeta Mellark, your best friend since grade school, and I hope you know that I would never, ever do anything to hurt you. You do know that, right?” She looks over her shoulder, meeting my eyes, and that’s when it happens. First, our heat merges; then there’s a spark, a yearning, like some kind of magnetic force pushing us closer…and it feels almost… electric. And maybe I’m crazy, but I think she feels it, too.

Our eyes remain locked and frozen in place for one, two, even three seconds before Katniss looks away uncomfortably. If I don’t do something to lighten the mood, there is no doubt she’ll pull away, so, using my toes, I remove my socks, then surprise her by planting the soles of my still-ice-cold feet firmly against her calves.

“PEETA!!!” Katniss shrieks, kicking her legs and squirming, trying to wriggle out of my grasp. Refusing to let her go, I tighten my grip around her waist while removing my feet from her legs.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I promise I won’t do it again, just…don’t leave. We’ll get cold again,” I reason with her, afraid she’ll go back to her solitary mountain of blankets, that I’ve ruined spending any time with her at all.

“I won’t go away; you’re the only thing keeping me warm,” she says with crossed arms and her chin pointed out indignantly, all while trying to fight the corners of her lips from curving up.

“Oh, that’s cold,” I say, feigning a bruised ego. Then she surprises me by flipping onto her other side—to face me.

“No…but, I bet…” I hear the mischief laced in her voice, but not soon enough. Not until it’s too late and her still frozen-as-a-popsicle hands are slithering their way up the back of my shirt. Then, she presses both of her hands flat against my skin. I manage to keep a straight face as her freezing cold, soft, delicate, and slender fingers work their way up my back.

I know she’s expecting a reaction much like hers, but I refuse to give her the satisfaction. Once her hands begin to warm up from the heat of my back, she flips them over to toast the backside of her hands. I cringe from the sudden temperature change, but manage to keep a straight face. Though I want to scream, squirm, and perhaps remove her hands from my back, I remain strong and hold my composure. Then I reach behind me and grab her hands, pulling them around to my stomach, and covering them with my own hands.

I feel like I’m in heaven, that my dreams, fantasies are coming true. Katniss is in my bed, with me in it, and her bare, naked hands are groping my stomach… Well, maybe it’s not like that exactly, but I’ll take what I can get.

“That’s not fair,” she whines. “My hands don’t feel cold to you?”

“No. Cold is a drastic understatement. Your hands are colder than the frozen tundra in Antarctica. But don’t worry, I’ll warm them up,” I tell her, waggling my brows. She responds with her typical scowl, but doesn’t move. We stay like this for what feels like hours, until I think we fall asleep.

[ Katniss ]

I love him. I love Peeta. And not just as a friend. I don’t know how it happened, or when it happened, only that I do. I really do. I know it more today than yesterday and less than I will tomorrow. Why the hell couldn’t this snowstorm have happened two months ago, before I realized I loved him? How the hell am I supposed to make it through the next few hours, much less days without him finding out? He can’t find out, he can’t. He’s my best friend, and I would die if I lost him, and I know that’s all we’ll ever be. A friend is the only way he sees me. I’ve come to that realization, no matter how painful it was.

Come on, get it together, Katniss. You can do this—you have to do this. Just…don’t do something stupid…like…kiss him. Or cry.

That’s what I kept telling myself before Peeta stripped us down, before his thick, muscular arms locked securely around my waist. Before the electricity filled every neuron, every atom of my body, making me feel safe. Before I caught sight of his perfect, broad chest in that stupid orange t-shirt. Before he pulled me into his arms and warmed us up using logic. For a moment I thought he looked at me…differently. It felt like…we had a moment. It reminded me of one of those stupid romance movies where the two best friends stare longingly at each other. The chemistry builds and builds, and then they finally kiss, just as the fireworks go off. I’m probably just imagining things, seeing what I want to see, except there was this pull, and then a spark, a jolt of electricity…and then finally, this look that we shared. So, maybe there is hope after all.

I still can’t believe Peeta didn’t so much as flinch when I put my hands on his back. I certainly wasn’t expecting him to grab my hands and move them to his stomach. Oh God, when he did that, I felt another surge of electricity that went straight to my core. MY hands were on Peeta’s rock-hard abs, which were somehow, also soft. How does that even work?

After that, I couldn’t help but snuggle closer into his arms, and we just stared at each other until he drifted off to sleep. But I can’t sleep, not now. The thoughts in my head are racing too much to fall asleep. And there’s not much else I can do without freezing to death other than watch Peeta sleep, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, so that’s what I’m doing.

I never realized how peaceful Peeta looks when he’s asleep. And he looks so much younger. All the worry lines have faded, his stress, too. And how did I never realize how beautiful his lips are…how perfectly they’re shaped? What I wouldn’t give to press my lips to his. And his eyelashes. I always knew they were blond, but were they always this long? It seems like they should get tangled when he blinks.

“K-Katniss? Are you watching me sleep?” Peeta murmurs. I jump, startled, and immediately feel the heat rush to my cheeks at having been caught.

“N-no,” I respond, thankful Peeta’s eyes are still closed, so he can’t witness my humiliation.

“Liar.” He grins, only one corner of his mouth turning up, but his eyes are still slanted shut. I begin to pull away, but his arms latch around my waist. “Don’t go, please.” I let him pull me close, so close that the only place for my head to rest is on his chest. I curl into him, our legs tangling together, and gently rest my head against his chest—just above the place where his heart is, and I could almost swear he lets out a hum of satisfaction.

“I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now and live in it forever.” Peeta sighs, disrupting the silence. Chills erupt throughout my entire body, and the butterflies in my stomach try to claw their way out. I wish he wouldn’t say such sweet things; it only gets my hopes up.

I don’t know what to say, so I change the subject. “Peeta, how much longer do you think the power’s going to be out? At this rate we’ll both have died of hypothermia by the time it comes back on.”

“I don’t know, Katniss,” Peeta says, running his fingers through my hair. “But if I died today, then at least I would have died a happy man.”

There he goes again. His words cause every nerve in my body to electrify, and my muscles go rigid. “W-what do you mean?” I want to blame my stuttering on the cold, but every part of my body is warm against Peeta.

“I just mean that…well, you’re my favorite person in the world, Katniss, and you’re here with me. There is no one else I would rather be trapped with, without power and holed up in this tiny room with. Absolutely no one else in the world.”

I try to fight the corners of my lips from turning up, but it’s a losing battle. Why does he have to say such sweet, amazing, and perfect things? Does he know what his words do to me? It’s no wonder I’ve fallen in love with him. I don’t know how it’s even possible, but somehow, I curl my body even more into him. With my eyes closed, I nestle my head against his chest and then feel his arms rest securely around my back. The last thing I remember before succumbing to sleep is the rise and fall of Peeta’s chest, combined with the steady thrum-thrum of his beating heart.

[ Peeta ]

I wake in utter bliss. Katniss’s body is molded against me, her legs entangled with mine and her head nestled in the crook of my arm. If I didn’t have bills to pay, I could easily spend the rest of my life in this position. Not long after I’ve woken, Katniss’s eyes begin to flutter, and her body becomes restless. Her eyes snap open—her beautiful, stormy grey orbs locking with mine. The corners of her lips begin to curve up, but then something startles her, and she nearly sprints off the bed.

“Peeta? W-what are you—” she falters, clearly in a state of confusion. I see her mind running at a million miles per second as she recalls what landed her in my room and in my bed. I knew we should have stayed in her room to wait out the storm, but we both agreed on my room since it’s bigger and has the walk-in bathroom. And the king-sized bed doesn’t hurt.

Katniss’s father died when she was a kid, and for a fleeting time, her mother was incapable of providing a stable home for her and Prim. They moved from one family member’s house to another; they stayed with a handful of friends, and sometimes even hotels. For about two years, they lived out of their suitcases. For the most part, Katniss has moved on from the trauma, but sometimes she still wakes up in the middle of the night in a state of panic, confused as to where she is and how she got there. I imagine this is what’s just happened, since waking up in my room is not a regular occurrence.

“Sorry,” Katniss says, refusing to meet my eyes. She pulls the hair tie from the end of her hair and loosens her braid.

“Hey, it’s okay,” I try to comfort her, but she still avoids my eyes. She runs her fingers through her hair, removing any tangles.

“It’s just…I should be over it by now.”

“Katniss,” I firmly state her name, urging her to look at me. And then she finally does.

“How many times have I woken you up from my bad dreams?”

“Twice,” she says matter-of-factly.

“Come back here; I’m cold,” I say, changing the subject and opening my arms.

“I…let me braid my hair first,” she says hesitantly, still averting her gaze.

“Leave it down. Come here. Please,” I beg her.

She looks at me for a moment, trying to gauge my intentions before she finally concedes. She slips under the covers and curls into my side.

“Were you watching me sleep?” she asks.

“I was just returning the favor,” I say with a grin, remembering when our roles were reversed. “But don’t worry, you didn’t snore. And you scowl at me a lot less when you’re sleeping, so why don’t you doze back off?” Katniss arches her head back to look at me, her brows furrowed, and then that scowl I love so much resurfaces. “See! There’s that scowl I know and love so much!” I can’t help but tease her.

“You’re so mean, Peeta!” Katniss flips onto her side with her arms crossed, refusing to face me. For a second, I’m worried I’ve gone too far.

“Katniss, come on. Please, Katniss, I was just teasing. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I love your scowl, I really do.” I tug on her arm, trying to get her to roll back over, but Katniss is just being Katniss: stubborn and refusing to budge.

“Katniss, please, I really am sorry.”

“Go away. Leave me alone,” she huffs.

“Okay,” I say in the saddest, most pathetic voice I can muster. “I’ll leave you alone if that’s what you want, but if I leave the safety of this room, I’m likely to freeze to death.”

“Fine, you can stay in here, but…just leave me alone.” I feel horrible for hurting her feelings. I really was just teasing. Knowing how stubborn Katniss can be, I decide I’ve got to do something to earn her forgiveness.

“Katniss, I’m sorry; I really am. Honestly, I was just teasing—I thought you knew that. But would you please turn back over and look at me, so I can apologize to your face? I need to see those beautiful and gorgeous, stormy grey eyes of yours.” With each word I speak, I can see Katniss’s hard outer shell beginning to chip away. Her stiffened body slowly begins to relax, until finally, she flips onto her side to face me, but keeps her arms crossed protectively over her chest.

“I only turned back over because I’m cold. Not because of…what you said.”

“Well, I do think your eyes are beautiful. Probably the most perfect, stunning, dazzling and incredible set of eyes I’ve ever seen in my entire life.” With her arms still crossed, Katniss narrows her eyes at me suspiciously.

“You’re so full of it.”

“I’m not lying. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried, and unsuccessfully, to capture your eyes on a canvas, and no matter what colors, or combination of colors I use, I can never get them exactly right. Like you, they’re one of a kind.” My words slip out softly, almost in a whisper as I stroke a tendril of Katniss’s hair to the side, finally tucking it behind her ear.

Katniss’s arms finally relax and fall to her sides. Then she looks at me with shiny, glassy eyes. I meet her gaze and try to convey all my love with this look. And then—it happens. The thing I’ve been waiting for. She looks back at me with equal measure…she looks at me like she loves me, too, and not just as a friend. I reach out and run my fingers through her hair, then settle my hand at the base of her head.

She just stares back at me as if breaking eye contact could very well break her. And in this moment, it’s as if time stands still. And I know, without a doubt, this is my moment. Our moment. And it’s finally here.

[ Katniss ]

“I’m sorry you’re stuck with me on Valentine’s Day. Didn’t you have plans with, what’s-her-name, Gidget?” I don’t know what to say after our uncomfortable staring contest, and this seemed to just pop out of my mouth.

“I’m exactly where I want to be, Katniss. There isn’t another person I’d rather spend Valentine’s Day with,” Peeta says, his gaze still locked on me. I’m not sure what’s happening, but something’s happening.

I begin fidgeting with my hair, wishing I’d braided it so I’d have something to keep my hands busy with, something to focus on other than Peeta’s eyes. Then I feel his fingers under my chin, tilting my head up to look at him.

“You can’t tell me you don’t feel it, too, Katniss. Am I wrong?”

“I—it—we—I mean,” I stutter, seemingly incapable of forming a single cohesive thought.

“I’m going to kiss you, Katniss, so if you don’t want me to, then tell me. Otherwise—” My heart begins racing frantically as Peeta slowly leans in. It feels as if time is moving in slow motion, but I realize that Peeta is deliberately taking his time, allowing me time to protest.

But I don’t, and if it’s even possible, my heart begins racing even faster by the time his lips meet mine.

The anticipation of his lips against mine floods my senses, sending goosebumps prickling across my entire body. Then, using his elbow to push himself up, he hovers slightly over-top of me. Every nerve ending in my body is on fire, screaming, thrashing—begging for him to do it—to hurry up and kiss me.

Our eyes are trapped in a penetrating gaze as he slowly closes the distance between us and presses his mouth lightly to mine. I’ve dreamed about this moment so many times over so many years, never believing for a second that it would ever become a reality.

And because it’s Peeta, I’d always imagined something beyond amazing. Because Peeta is, without a doubt, beyond amazing. But when our lips connect for the first time, it’s beyond even my wildest dreams. I never could have conjured something this perfect in my dreams, this amazing, this…incredibly, mind-blowingly perfect moment.

The first kiss is soft, sensual, and delicate, but somehow powerful, intense, and magnanimous. It electrifies every sense in my body, even senses I never knew existed. I find myself feeling disappointed when his kisses don’t deepen or intensify, and I wonder if something’s wrong. Then it finally hits me that he’s putting me in control, allowing me to call the shots.

I’ve never really had a serious boyfriend before—well, there was this one, but… I always made the excuse that I didn’t have time for a relationship, between work, school, and taking care of my mother and sister. In hindsight, I think it was this moment I’d always been waiting for. Because it was always Peeta I loved.

I encircle my arms around Peeta’s neck, trapping the back of his head with my hands as I deepen the kiss. It’s in this moment that I wonder what I was so afraid of. I wonder, if I hadn’t been so oblivious, then afraid to admit my feelings, if perhaps we could have had this sooner. How much time and happiness have I stolen—wasted, in the name of fear?

Unsure as to what comes over me, I suck on Peeta’s lower lip and he lets out a pleasurable groan. I can feel his excitement through the thin, almost transparent pajama pants he wears, and in a split second he flips me over, pinning me beneath him. He laces his fingers through mine, then secures our hands above my head. He locks eyes with me, his gaze seeming to penetrate through my soul before he leans in, slamming his mouth to mine. He kisses me deep and hard, intensely, passionately, and fiercely, alternating with soft, sweet, delicate, and gentle kisses. Our tongues collide perfectly in sync, neither fighting for dominance. I seem to know what he’s going to do before he does it and vice versa. It’s as if we’ve perfected the art of kissing, and have been doing this our entire lives.

Finally, we come up for air and lie side by side on Peeta’s massive bed, our bodies automatically curling into the other.

“Wow, that was—” Peeta pants contentedly, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

“Wow,” is all I can think to say, too.

Before I know it, Peeta is back on top of me, nestling himself between my thighs. Our noses are a breadth apart as he stares affectionately at me, his lips curving into a smile. I want so badly to say ‘I love you,’ but this time, not just as my best friend.

“You are so beautiful, Katniss. I could be happy staring at you all day, and literally nothing else,” Peeta whispers, tucking a strand of my wild, unkempt hair behind my ear, and it sends a jolt of electricity swarming through my veins. “I’ve wanted this for so long, Katniss, wanted you since the first day I saw you. Please, tell me this is real. That you want this, too. That this isn’t some, fighting for our lives, stuck without power during a snowstorm, one-time thing.”

I raise a quizzical brow at his statement. “Don’t you think you’re…I don’t know, exaggerating just…slightly?” I ask him.

Now it’s his turn to look bewildered. “To which part are you referring?”

“Since the first time you saw me? We were like…nine years old.”

“When you walked into Miss Trinket’s classroom for the first time, I swear, Katniss, my heart skipped a beat. Even at nine years old, I was mesmerized by your beauty. I remember the red, plaid dress you were wearing, and those cute black and white shoes you still have in your closet. Your hair was in two braids instead of one. But that was just me being infatuated by your beauty. The moment you stole my heart was when Miss Trinket gathered us all for “circle time,” and asked who knew the Valley Song. Your hand shot straight in the air, ready, willing, and eager to volunteer, to share it with everyone. And that’s when it happened. When your nine-year-old self sang that song, I swear Katniss, it was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard. I thought the angels had been sent from the heavens. In fact, it was so beautiful that all the birds outside our classroom fell silent. That was the moment you stole my heart.”

I don’t realize there are tears streaming down my cheeks until Peeta reaches up and wipes them away.

“All this time? You loved me all this time? But…what about all the girlfriends?”

“First of all,” Peeta begins, narrowing his eyes at me. “I’ve only had two girlfriends. I tried not to love you, Katniss. I tried to love someone else—anyone else. Because you were my best friend, and I thought that was all I could ever have. But it was always you I thought about. I know it’s wrong, but when I kissed them, it was your lips I was imagining. Which is why none of my girlfriends ever worked out.”

My heart feels like it’s being squeezed, and my stomach feels as if it’s tying in knots.

“What’s wrong, Katniss? I—I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have—” I hold my hand up to Peeta’s apology, cutting him off.

“Jo and I went for drinks about three weeks ago, and she wanted to test out her psychology skills and decided to “shrink” me. A few hours, and several drinks in, she tricked me into admitting it aloud, and I guess…that made it real. And once I did that, I wasn’t sure how to act around you. I thought if you found out it would make you uncomfortable, and that…it might ruin our friendship. And I couldn’t lose you, Peeta, I just—I couldn’t.” Peeta wipes the moisture from my cheek, and I feel so weak and ashamed for allowing the tears to come.

“What did you admit, Katniss?” Peeta whispers lovingly. Quickly, I look away, afraid to meet his eyes, terrified of what I might see.

“Katniss,” Peeta says more sternly, lifting my chin up. But I keep my eyes squeezed shut, still too embarrassed to meet his eyes.

[ Peeta ]

I can’t believe what just happened. I can’t believe what Katniss just said…or well, implied. I think she means to say she’s in love with me. I can tell she’s embarrassed and doesn’t want to say it, and I don’t want her to hurt, but I need to hear it.

“Katniss,” I whisper her name, hoping she’ll open her eyes and look at me. She doesn’t, but I press on. “I-I thought you always knew how I felt but you just wanted to be friends. And…I just…never said anything because I can’t lose you, either—I was terrified if you knew the truth, I would lose you. And I’d rather have you in my life as nothing more than my best friend, as painful as seeing you with other guys was, but it would have been more painful not to have you in my life at all. Because I love you, Katniss. It’s always been you. And…and I hope what you were trying to say was that it was me that you admitted your feelings to with Jo. Please tell me this is real, that you love me, and as more than just a friend. Because…I would really like to kiss you again.”

Katniss’s cheeks darken, but she finally opens her eyes and looks at me. Her eyes are widened in a state of shock, her pupils swelling, overloading her irises with what I hope is desire. “Y-you love me?” she asks.

I can’t help but chuckle at her question. “You say that like it’s absurd or something.”

“I mean,” Katniss shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly, clearly uncomfortable, “it’s just…I’m not that pretty, and I’m not always very nice. I see the way girls look at you; you could have anyone you wanted.”

With our fingers still laced together, I lock them even tighter, binding them above her head, and I slam my mouth against hers. Then I plunge my tongue between her parted lips and hope that I convey my feelings through my kiss. She has to know how much she means to me, how much I love her, and that there will never, ever be anyone who can come even remotely close to her.

“The only person I want—have ever wanted‒is the beautiful woman looking back at me. I love you, Katniss.” I take a deep breath and continue. “I know we just kissed for the first time a few minutes ago, and maybe it’s a little early to say this, but I do, Katniss. I love you.”

“I love you too, Peeta,” I finally hear her say, though it’s a hushed whisper. And it’s with those five words that I lose all my self-control. I wiggle my hands underneath her, so they’re locked around her back. Then I press my body against her, hugging her tight. She entwines her fingers in my hair, tugging my head up and begins kissing me frantically, as if her life depends on it. She continues to tug on my hair, turning my head to the side before she runs her tongue along the length of my neck, kissing and licking and kissing some more. I can’t help the moan that escapes from me, nor can I help the knee-jerk reaction that happens when my pelvis grinds into hers.

“Peeta,” Katniss pants in a breathy moan.

“Oh God, Katniss. We should um…we should probably slow down.” I’m not sure how I mustered up the willpower to utter those words, but somehow, I did.

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Katniss says, her voice full of rejection. It’s the last thing I ever want her to feel, so I force her eyes on me.

“I want you, Katniss. God, do I want you. It’s just that I want it to be perfect. For so long I’ve imagined this moment–being with you–and you deserve something special. You deserve everything special. I guess…I don’t want you making a spur of the moment decision based on hormones, only to regret it later.”

“How do you always know the perfect thing to say?” she asks, her eyes fiery with mischief. “Peeta, I don’t need “special”, because for some crazy, out of this world reason, you take the time to make every day special for me. You make me feel like it’s my birthday every day of the year. Don’t you see, you’re all I need, just you.”

It’s with those words that I completely unravel at the seams. I crash my mouth against hers, devouring her lips with my tongue. “God, you are so beautiful and perfect, and just…you’re everything I’ve ever wanted; you’re everything I’ll ever need,” I tell her.

She doesn’t need to say any more; it’s as if we’re on the same wavelength. I shimmy up her perfect, slender body until I’m where I’ve always been meant to be, face to face with the woman of my dreams. I take her face in my hands and press my lips to her mouth. She pulls me on top of her, situating me perfectly between her thighs.

Holding myself up with my elbow, I take a minute to stare into her perfect, stormy grey eyes. I open my mouth, feeling a desperate need to say “I love you,” but she beats me to the punch. Both of our faces stretch with an ear-splitting grin just before we join for the first time. Katniss encircles her legs around my waist, digging her heels into my calves. It is in this moment that I realize, while it is still freezing in my bedroom, we are no longer cold. And with Katniss at my side, I may never be cold again.

This is the night I will always remember. We created something beautiful, something majestic out of something wild and fierce. I will forever be grateful for the forces of mother nature that trapped us together that night. Because that was the night that forced us to face our feelings. It began a disaster and ended up being beautiful. A beautiful disaster.

#everlark #everlark fanfiction #winter #winter 2022 #valentine's day #always-andshewrites #submission #promp

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