#bestfriend!everlark

[thesweetnessofspring]

okay so since you've liked my post about the fake fic tag game, as my fav author of an on going fic, I shall bestow you with these tags: regency!everlark, bestfriend's brother!peeta (maybe madge's?), slowburn, suppressed tension, ball of the season just because i'm intrigued how you'll write some regency era with your creative writing style. Love ya!

Oh thank you, that is so sweet! And I love Regency!Everlark so this is fun! I did take a little bit of liberty with the best friend's brother, but given the language they used back in the Regency era, Madge would still call him her brother. And for those of you who don't know yet, this is from the fake fic ask game.

Title

Summary: At twenty-two years old and with no prospects, Katniss Everdeen's life is going the way of the governess, though she far prefers that work to marrying a gambler, cheater, or bore. Her dearest friend Madge Mellark, however, is certain that if Katniss comes with Madge and her husband to Town, that she can find her a match before Caesar Flickerman's end of the season ball. Katniss agrees to go to prove everyone--her friend, her sister, her mother--that there is no one who could tempt her to marriage. In Town, Katniss is not the only one Madge is helping search for a spouse. Madge's brother-in-law, Peeta, is finished with university and tasked by his mother to find a rich heiress to supplement the income of a second son or else be cut off from his inheritance entirely. Together, they enter a pact to protect one another from horrendous matches and obtain information about their prospects. Only when Peeta meets Glimmer Fairchild, a rich heiress with seemingly no flaw, does Katniss begin to realize that there is one man whom she could accept as a husband, but he could never accept her.

Excerpt:

Mr. Peeta Mellark stepped in front of Katniss, his stocky build blocking her slight one from the sight of Mr. Cato Thompson. She waited as still as possible until he continued past them, into the crowds of others at the assembly hall.

"This shall be the last dance of the evening, so you have successfully avoided Mr. Thompson," Peeta said. "I expect that in your diary tonight, you might properly credit me with the role of a wall you took vigil behind."

"Suppose I do not keep a diary?" Katniss asked, a challenging eyebrow raised up.

"Then in your letter to your dear sister," Peeta said. "For the way you speak of her, you must be writing her daily."

"I should, if your sister did not keep potential suitors in the drawing room all morning."

"Now that I am returned, we shall be sharing her attention on that matter," Peeta said. "So I am certain you shall have time to tell your sister of my usefulness to you."

Katniss observed Peeta and his somber expression at the turn of his mentioning the pursuit of a wife. She knew her disagreeable nature made the prospect of matrimony far from compelling, but what had he to fear? If he could speak with her all evening, then he could be happy with nearly any woman there was.

"The bonds of marriage coming on you too swift from the university?" Katniss asked.

"I have not ever feared that," Peeta said. "Except that my mother has in mind the sort of woman I am to marry, and our opinions on the matter do not match."

"Then I shall be your wall, as you are mine," Katniss cried. Then she looked down at her figure that had been called sickly more than once and and said, "Or, perhaps a fence will do?"

Peeta laughed. "Though your figure is small, you are stronger than any fortress, and I am grateful to your protection."

[thesunpersists]

Hi! Time to make a pinned post 🌞

I am Eli. I am in my mid 20s.

I am thesunpersists on ao3 🧚‍♀️

I have been a hunger games fan and Everlark shipper since the first book came out, but I decided to join tumblr after starting writing fanfiction last year

My in-progress fic is Go, Write Me a Letter, a series of letters between Katniss and Peeta in a Panem where the games are a distant past.

Check out my latest oneshot, Slutty Mockingjay, for a modern AU Halloween story.

My askbox is always open for games and questions. Thanks for stopping by!

Love, E.

The Third Thing: a pre-epilogue Everlark story, inspired by the essay by Donald Hall with the same name.

+some other things: little missing moments, deleted scenes, or entries from Katniss's journal that are supplementary to The Third Thing.

You Know Where to Find Me: a college AU where childhood bestfriends who had a fallout meet again in uni. Oh, and they are British.

★★★★★ barista was cute, would come back again (if he let me) : a two-part coffeeshop AU. if you like reading stories where k+p are idiots in love, this is for you!

The Yellow Line: a late night conversation where they make an important decision. Set six months after Katniss with a K and Codename: B³.

Does this hurt the fish? : a one-shot missing moment fic from the victory tour. Written for the comment feast May 24.

Strange Bedfellows: Never-hijacked AU. Peeta and Johanna make a deal in District 13 one late night. Written for comment feast July 24.

[ginger-bread-is-good]

Time for another random fic idea for Everlark, today it is Hunter!Katniss X Vegan or non human eating!Wendigo!Peeta

In Panem AU but no games

Basically Peeta is a Wendigo but a nice one 🥰, in myth I believe they crave human flesh but I'm unsure if they become full fledged carnivores, if they do I'm gonna retcon that fact. Anyways Peeta becomes a Wendigo after his mother attacks him leaving him fatally wounded, one of the ways someone can become a Wendigo is through intense conditions so I'm gonna assume this counts.

The general idea that Katniss notices Peeta is missing, girlie would unintentionally watch him throughout school and notice he wasn't there, during a hunting expedition Kat hears the wendigos screech, now Katniss would only recognise this from when her father taught her this when she was really young so it isn't until later that night that she remember his lesson. She returns the next day only to find nothing out of sorts, however another clique spawns and a storm approaches, she is forced to stay at the cabin beside the lake which is already being used by Peeta, once she gets there she notices the markings of someone using it recently but realises she doesn't have much of a choice with the storm.

Peeta comes back after he tried hunting for food but being raised in a bakery didn't leave time for foraging tips, when he gets there Katniss is already asleep but she wakes up from her sleeping in an unknown location, Katniss would react in composed hysteria while Peeta would try to calm her down, he would change back into his human form confusing her even more. The result being Katniss wondering how the sweet baker turned into a flesh eating monster, where she then learns from Peeta the details of what happened and how Peeta keeps stating that he refuses to eat human flesh.

Throughout the night they echange stories and get to know eachother, after the storm passes Katniss helps hunt for her and Peeta so he doesn't starve to death, the ensuring agreement being that Katniss helps teach him to hunt while she in return gets a Wendigo bestfriend. Once Katniss understand her feelings for him I would assume she would be hesitant to say anything but from some goading from Prim who only knows she has a crush on someone she finally tells him her true feelings.

Once they become a couple I would like to think that Peeta becomes slightly more possessive of her than he would normally be, not in the sense that he would stop her but that others trying to flirt or be with her ignites his possessive side easily, this is due in part from him practically being part animal. Katniss would also like to introduce Peeta back into D12 by saying that he hid out in the forest where he hunted for food and fell in love with her, but some people especially the few hunters would be sceptical of him, especially with the screeching that is sometimes heard.

Now the ending, Katniss and Peeta probably marry eachother now that his life is known again, potentially someone like Gale might figure out he is a Wendigo and try to kill Peeta to 'save' Katniss, because from his point of view Peeta is a monster. This could either be resolved quietly with Katniss explaining things to Gale or have Gale tell the town and have Katniss force them to kill her along side Peeta if they wish to hurt him, forcing them to listen to her. In the end they renovate the log cabin at the lake and as the lack of birth control options is apparent in Panem they would have children early on, maybe around age 19 or higher, but regardless they love their child and the future ones to come and live happily ever after mwah.

[tetheredfeathers]

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who liked or reblogged something from you! Get to know your mutuals and followers.

my bestfriend

writing

everlark cause like duh

sunrises

music

[andromedadoesntwrite]

Don't Kiss and Tell; Better Yet Don't Kiss at All

Okay, so this is my first time posting a fic, so have mercy on me :). Enjoy the first chapter of a little Modern day AU teenage everlark story I'm working on.

Summary: After a drunken tantrum, Katniss is left feeling unwanted and foolish. Meanwhile Peeta is left feeling confused and guilty.

sidenote: i listened to sextape by deftones while writing katniss' pov and good intent by kimbra while writing peeta's. idk might enhance reading experience :)

Chapter 1: Don’t Kiss and Tell; Better Yet, Don’t Kiss at All

Katniss 

"God, is the idea of kissing me so disgusting to you?"

I say to Peeta as he refuses to kiss me. His eyes are glassy, and I can't help but roll my eyes in response and hide the small bite of pain in my voice with a small chuckle. It's just a silly, drunken dare that everyone’s done at least once in their life. The fact that we've been friends since forever makes it, honestly, a tad insulting. It may have to do with the fact that I’ve had a few more shots than I can handle, but I find it a bit offensive that my best friend finds me repulsive and unkissable. 

"Kat, I'm not kissing you, okay?"

He says as he puts his hands on my shoulders. His strong and firm demeanor pisses me off even more. He's treating me like a child, a drunk child. I can't help but push his shoulders off and scowl. This is gonna be great for my self-esteem. But to be honest, I'm just a bit hurt that he immediately said no when Jo dared him. As he says it, I just scoff and chuckle in disbelief at how serious he's taking this whole thing, but to be fair he isn’t the one close to tears here.

"Fine, fine. I get it… Jo dare him to do something else because apparently kissing me is too far."

Trying to seem unbothered and unamused is way harder when you’re three shots into the night. So instead, I just look somewhere else to avoid his gaze. His desperately looking for mine, I assume to look into my eyes and puke as he realizes I'm not enough for him.

"Kat, listen- it's not like that."

He says in a hurried voice as the rest of the group moves on from him to the next person to dare. None of them care, they're either too high or drunk to care. The only comfort I find in it is that at least no one seems to notice how badly my eyes itch to cry. God, this is so stupid. I knew it was all just in my head.

"Hey, Peeta… I get it. No hard feelings."

I say trying to smile as I can’t believe I'm actually affected by this. He’s allowed to not want to do it; I just didn't expect him to be so utterly against it.

"No, Katniss, let me explain…"

I don't even let him finish as I get up and decide I'm just gonna head out for the night. I've had way too much to drink, and it's making me way too emotional. That must be it as I feel my head spin when I get up. That's just it, it's the night’s fault, not my unrequited crush on my bestfriend. His voice follows me as I gather my things and leave. I look at Jo and nod my head to signal I wanna leave. She's a great friend because she doesn't even question it and gets up to leave with me, scowling at Peeta. Funny how we actually became friends through him. 

"Way to go, Asshole."

Jo helps me into the passenger side of her car and sighs whenever she can’t get my seatbelt on me. I feel like a bag of bones with the urge to do nothing but cry myself to sleep. She mutters curses under her breath as she finally gets me securely seated in her car. 

"If you puke or even think about puking, you’re dead, Brainless"

She warns me in full seriousness but for a reason that gets a laugh out of me. A maniacal laugh that I then feel turns into a silent sob into the side of the passenger seat. I must be insane since I can't remember the last time I cried in front of someone—well,  someone that wasn’t Peeta. And that was a bad thought to have because now I can’t stop thinking about how badly he didn’t wanna kiss me tonight. I feel like I cry for hours as Johanna tries her best to soothe me. I don’t even bother on telling her that she doesn't need to even though I sense how hard of a time she's having at seeming caring. I instead just let myself be patted on the head by one of Jo’s hands as the other drives us home. It's only when the car stops that I manage to stop the tears rolling down my now aching face. I turn my head up and find Jo with an uncomfortable expression on her face as she tries to seem empathetic. I can’t blame her. This has never been our dynamic. This is something that Peeta does best. 

"Hey I’m sorry-"

"Its okay Jo."

I say through the snot on my upper lip and I can see her shoulders visually relax as she sighs, being freed of the awkward conversation she felt we needed to have. She already did more than enough anyways and I appreciate her. No matter how uncomfortable it might be next week in school. I get out of her car and stumble slightly as I get home. Hoping Haymitch is passed out by this hour. Fortunately he is, so I sneak to my room and fall asleep. Tired, sore and embarrassed. 

Peeta 

I think I'd rather die and go to hell than having to stand another sermon from my mom’s church youth pastor. I can’t believe mom got dad to drag Ryen and I to church hungover. It's like she knows and just wants to punish us, because when have we ever been devoted Christians? Certainly not when mom got pregnant with Oliver when she was 18 and certainly not after all the dumb shit Ryen saw me do last night. But the worst thing of all is that by sitting down in these uncomfortable chairs and being forced to silently listen to this 19 year old tell us all about temptation and carnal sins, I’m left to do nothing but think about Katniss’ insulted expression as I refused to kiss her. Her scowl turned into a soft dejected face as I said I wouldn't. It left me reeling as she left the party way earlier than what I knew she had intended. Leading me to take less than honorable decisions. My head hurts just to think about how much I drank last night. All in hope to get rid of the confusion of her expression. Why did she look so hurt? I wasn’t gonna kiss her. Not for a dare and not when she was borderline drunk. Not like that. Maybe I should've just kissed her. Maybe it would have helped prevent how offended she got and maybe she would have stayed the rest of the night. But I simply could not.

"Why do you look so depressed?"

Ryen asks me with a whisper and an elbow nudge, snapping me out of my daze. 

"I’m just hungover"

I whisper back to him, never dropping my eyes from the pastor as he goes on and on about sex before marriage or whatever the fuck he’s been rambling about for the past hour. Ryen eyes me and shoots me a look that calls out my bullshit. I ignore it, feigning sudden interest in the sermon. 

"So it has nothing to do with a certain black-haired archer?"

My eyes snap back to him with a surprised look and before I can even ask how he knows, he rolls his eyes at me and laughs.

"Your friend Finn told me that might be the reason you decided to get so wasted last night."

My cheeks are now tinted pink. He's gonna tease me about it forever, fuck. I dart my eyes to my hands to hide how embarrassed I am. Hopefully only God knows how much I’ve wanted to kiss her. Ever since I first met her on our first day of kindergarten. Ever since I heard her sing the Valley Song at our school’s choir. Ever since I offered to share my lunch with her when I saw she had none. Ever since I’ve known her my heart has undeniably beaten for her. And to know I hurt her last night is killing me. Ryen thankfully doesn’t press me for details and instead just goes back to listening to the pastor. Usually he’d tell me to move on or confess to her already but today I’m glad he doesn’t. 

The pastor or better said dropout-who-happens-to-be-the-head-pastor-Crane’s kid lets us go and we meet back with our parents at the outside of the church. My mom shoots Ryen and me a deadly look that without any words scolds us for drinking too much last night. So this was a punishment all along. We get home and I do nothing but paint my frustrations away. Debating on whether I should text her or simply wait for Monday to come and force me to talk to her. I finally decided to leave it up to fate and to just go to bed for the night. Hopefully my pillow gives me the answers I need. 

[dandelionlovesyou]

It’s You 2

Peeta gets stood up on his wedding day.

This is a short drabble between best friend!Everlark.

I hope you like it!

The other story on this collection of unplanned weddings is here 

AO3  FFN

"Peeta?" Katniss calls peering through the front door. She's supposed to pick up her best friend and drive him to the wedding reception at Sae's Mountainside Resort. Duly reminded by Finnick, the best man, to ensure that the groom was not late for his wedding, she came to Peeta's house three hours earlier than expected.

Letting herself in, she drops her set of keys inside her purple purse. It's not her choice of accessory, nor color, but for Peeta, she went along with Clove's theme selection. The mirror beside the door makes her wince as she sees herself in the off-shoulder violet and pink bridesmaid's gown. With a huff, she resigns to her fate. This day is the worst day of her life, and her dress is the least of her worries. She dreads the sight of her best friend for twenty-plus years, saying "I do" to another woman on the altar.

She’d rather that it be her.

"Hey, what are you still doing on your chair? You're about to get married in four hours." Peeta looks nowhere ready for his wedding. Looking at him, she highly doubts that he even took a  bath this morning. He also needs a shave.  

“Tsk … That’s not going to happen now,” Peeta scorns, leaning back slightly on his wheelchair. The pain in his eyes and the look of total defeat are like needle pricks to her heart. She hates seeing him like this, so out of life after his return from the war. She couldn’t blame him. Having both his legs amputated below the knee is heartbreaking. Every night she wishes she could have protected him from the IED that rid him of his legs.

“What do you mean?” she asks, mustering the courage to remain strong for him. If she plummets down with him, where would they be?

"No way! That crazy bi…," she screams when the realization hits her. A letter left open on the bedside table says it all. Clove is leaving him. Left him. Worst, she went with Marvel -- Peeta's physical therapist. That bitch indeed.

"Katniss now's not the time," Peeta dismisses, waving his hand with complete resignation.

Long silence spreads between them. Heaviness sets in.

“So, what are you going to do?” Katniss finally breaks the quiet. Shakily, she sits on the edge of his bed, debating whether to rip the letter into shreds or start a search party to locate Clove so she could rip her into shreds.

Nothing will come out of it, though. She's mad as hell that Clove left Peeta like this but getting back to her will not mend his heart.

“Marry me?” she says instead. It’s just above a whisper, and she chews the insides of her bottom lip, unbelieving that she let those words escape her lips. She winces before looking at her best friend.

Nothing. Peeta just blinks while staring out the window.

"I'm serious, Peeta," she follows, picking herself up and kneeling in front of him. Where this courage is coming from, she doesn't know. All these years, she has kept her feelings for him a well-kept secret. Unsure whether Peeta could love him the same way. She pined away year after year, girlfriend after girlfriend, watching the love of his life fall into someone else's arms.

"I don't need your pity, Katniss. I'll move on," Peeta finally answers. He sounded mad, and it hurt her.

“I don’t pity you, Peeta.”

"I'm half a person, Katniss. Have you seen my legs? Oh, wait, no, because they're gone!"

She shrinks at his volume. Instantly, Peeta regrets his tone, but there's so much vile rushing out of his stomach that he continues on his self-loathing. He couldn't stop his volcano of emotions.

“I’m half a man, Katniss! Heck, I don’t even know what I am at this point …”

“Peeta …,” she coos and shifts to touch him. But he backs away, rolling his wheelchair away from her until he hits the edge of the bed frame behind him with a loud thud.

"Just leave me alone, okay! And call off the wedding! Tell Cato and the crew they could have my cake and drinks … take everything they want! I don't care! They might as well have their own fun!" he explodes like a loose cannonball.

“Would you just stop!” Katniss bellows out, heat rising and making her skin warm. “Listen to me, Peeta!”

“Just leave me alone, Katniss! Let me be! I’m going out of my mind here! … Just leave me alone!”

Peeta tries to maneuver his wheelchair to exit the bedroom, but something from under the bed frame is stuck on his chair, and he can't get it to budge. He huffs and groans in elevated frustration, punching the armrest multiple times with closed fists before gripping the wheel and hand rim to push himself forward again.

He tries and tries again, gritting his teeth as he pushes the wheel.

Nothing. Peeta's wheelchair doesn't move.

“Fuuu***!!!!!”

This is not him, Katniss screams inside her head.

In a heartbeat, her lips crash into his. It’s a long shot, it’s friendship suicide maybe, but she did the only thing she could think of at that moment.

Kissing him full on the mouth, his whole body starts shuddering, but she keeps her lips pressed to his until she has to come up for air. Her hands slide up his wrists to clasp his, letting him go only when his muscles loosen up.

"Now, that shut you up," she says with a smirk. She's shaking, though, and her skin and lips tingle with prickly heat. "You're so stubborn, you know?"

Peeta just looks at her. Mesmerized as if it was the first time he had seen her all his life.

"I mean it," Katniss adds before brushing her lips on her shoulders shyly. "I love you, Peeta. I always have. Ever since we were little children. Remember when we used to swim in the lake in our undies? We were so young then, but somehow I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you."

“Katniss, please …,” Peeta whispers as she kneels down on the carpeted floor.

"Would you just shut up?" she stops him. "I'm not mad, okay? I just … It's just … you know? … hard for me to speak this way, so just give me time, okay? I have a point to get to."

Peeta releases a puff of air, all seriousness, and gentleness back on his face. Now, this is her Peeta looking at her.

"You've been my best friend all my life. I'm closer to you than anyone else I know, even Prim. You've always been there for me, and I'd like to think that I've been there for you too … for the most part, that is. You know I would have joined you overseas, but I couldn't leave Prim behind to join the military."

"Katniss, you don't have to explain that to me. You don't owe me anything."

"I know, but I could have protected you."

“No one could have, Katniss. It’s a war.”

"Now that you're here, I don't want to let you go …," she continues. "So how about it, Peeta? I'm already kneeling, see?"

Peeta laughs, and it's the good kind. The kind that brews her insides with fluttering air.

“You don’t have to do that. You’re always so sweet to me. Now, come and stand up. Please …”

He extends both his hands to her. They're not as steady as they used to be, but they're still strong and perfect on her palms.

“I disagree,” Katniss replies, squeezing his palms whilst refusing to stand. She gives him a mischievous smile.

"Okay, maybe not all the time. But this is very sweet of you. And you look very pretty in that dress. You don't want to ruin it."

“I hate this dress,” she says flatly. “I only wore it because it’s your wedding.”

“Which is not going to happen anymore.”

"Unless you accept my proposal?"

"Katniss, I'm no good for you." He cups her right cheek and rubs his thumb over her skin for a moment before putting it back on his thighs. "I need physical therapy three times a week. I can't do many things on my own yet, and I'm grumpy most of the time because of it. I won't be able to keep up with you. I can't go to the lake like we used to or even help you with the groceries. You don't want me. I'll only make things harder for you. You deserve someone whole, not another burden like me."

“But you’re not, Peeta ...”

“Yes, I am. It’s the truth.”

"Okay, you are," she chirps, but it's only to placate him. She could never think of Peeta Mellark as a burden.

“Thank you,” is his clip response.

“But why can Clove marry you and I can’t?”

“Clove’s different.”

Katniss scoffs bitterly. “How?”

“Katniss, she’s been my girlfriend since junior college …”

“And I’ve been your best friend since what?”

“Kindergarten.”

"Maybe even before conception, you know? That is if you believe all that karma and reincarnation stuff Uncle Haymitch keeps telling us. Sometimes, he actually begins to have a point."

“Katniss …”

“I’m serious. Why am I so different?” Katniss retreats to herself, insecure all of a sudden. She’s always been one of the boys, liking the woods and sports.

"I know, I'm not pretty. I don't dress, walk, or get dolled up like Delly or Glimmer, or Clove. Or any of your ex-girlfriends for that matter … but I'll take care of you."

"Hey now," Peeta coos and takes both her hands between his. "I know you would. You do ... Katniss, don't be like that."

“I’m sorry, Peeta. I think I just made a mistake here.” Katniss pulls her hands away, hesitant and embarrassed all of a sudden. “I’m sorry, I’m not good enough for you, Peeta. Just forget this all happened. I’ll go now. I’ll take care of everything at the reception.”

“Wait, Katniss, no.” He reaches her forearm and holds her in place. “It’s not that at all.”

He nudges her gently, turning her body towards him. "Katniss, please look at me," he murmurs.

“Don’t you dare lie to me, Peeta Mellark.”

“I promise, I’m not. Cross my heart, hope to die.” He gives her a lopsided smile. He doesn’t know the effect he has on her. Quickly, the atmosphere lightens.

"It's just, you deserve someone better than me, that's all," he says sincerely. "I'll never be better, Katniss. I'll never get out of this chair. This is a life sentence for me. And even if I get prosthetic legs, I will never be the same. You can't possibly want me, or even if you do, I think you deserve someone whole. Not someone like me."

“You’re not different.”

“I don’t feel the same.”

"Because you just returned from war, Peeta! … … … Give it time."

“A long time.”

"You know, you're not at all that different." Katniss fixes Peeta's chair, freeing him so he can roll to face the bed. She sits on the edge of the cushion, playing with the thin blanket she remembers gifting Peeta last Christmas. "You're still the same guy who gives me bread whenever I have a bad day. The same person who showers Prim with cookies and flowers on her birthday. The same son who goes to the bakery to help out his father because he believes in the heritage of their family and doesn't want it to die out. The same friend who knows how to lighten up the mood and make everybody feel that they have a role to play, no matter how little it is. You're still my best friend ..."

“Katniss …”

"The same one who wrote to me every day overseas even though I'm so bad at writing back. I'm just not good with words, you know that. You're still the same best friend who always goes with me to my parents' grave and holds my hand in silence. I could never have done anything after my parents' accident without you."

“You’re so much stronger than you think.”

“I know. And you’re part of my strength.”

"Hey, that's not entirely true. You're so strong, Katniss."

"Thank you."

"Plus, I have flaws."

“Yeah, like putting ketchup on your cereals even though it’s the most disgusting thing in the whole world. Or overcooking pasta, which I still could not fathom because you’re such a great cook.”

"Pasta and I have a love-hate relationship."

Katniss snorts, remembering the mush of a lasagna he served three nights ago at the dinner party with Clove's parents.

“You’re still you, Peeta ... You can paint, cook, bake, beat Uncle Haymitch in chess, wash the dishes, water the garden, … and make me smile. If you think about it, you’re really not at all that different to me.”

“You really want to do this?” Peeta asks after a minute, rubbing her knees over the soft fabric of her dress. “You’re still serious with your proposal?”

"Yes," she says surely, eyes all glassy as she looks at him in the eyes.

"You don't find it weird?" he jokes, and the twinkle in his expression matches hers.

“Only if you do, really … … I liked kissing you ...”

"It was nice, actually," he says, recalling their first kiss earlier. It was abrupt, maybe a little rough, but he quite enjoyed it. There was just something about it that settled deep down in his heart. Comforting.

Real.

She smiles at his wistful expression.

“I can’t believe I’ve never tried kissing you before. You’d think I was blind or stupid or something.”

“Well, Delly and Glimmer did have pretty big breasts,” Katniss chuckles, putting her hands in front of her sizing up Glimmer and Delly’s curvy blessings. “They could easily obstruct your view, you know?”

Peeta snickers and rolls his chair just a little bit closer to Katniss until their knees bump together. The air now feels different. It's fluffy and warm -- even electric.

“Or maybe they put some love potion in your drink? Remember when Clove spiked your drink to get your attention at the pep rally? You ended up noticing her then. Must have some Slytherin blood running through her.”

"Nah," he laughs as he slowly settles his palms on her thighs. The pressure of his hands weighs heavily on her muscles, and they feel incredibly hot where they touch. "I think, I'm just a total idiot all these years. Never seeing the real pearl in front of me."

"Well, I don't sparkle as Glimmer does," she banters. Her breath comes out unsteadily, her whole body coming alive at Peeta's proximity and contact.

“No, you don’t. That’s true.” He pulls her down to him by the waist and has her slowly sit on his lap. She pauses, thinking she might hurt him. “You weigh like nothing, Katniss,” he assures her.

"You know, I've never been fond of too much bling," he tells her once she's seated. His left hand wraps around her waist, cupping her slight curve perfectly. His right hand entwines with her left hand, and a feeling of security and ease washes over her.

"Glimmer was often too shiny and elegant, and I look like a barnacle beside her."

“You’re not a barnacle.” It’s too easy defending him. Katniss would never let anyone mock Peeta.

“No, I am not … I’m going to kiss you now, Katniss. Is that okay?”

Her brows shoot up, and she schools them quickly. The blush on her cheeks, however, can't be undone. She wets her lips as he pulls her down to him.

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

The Wedding

A collective gasp filled the room when Katniss walked down the aisle in the outdoor reception area. The crowd was informed of the change in bride three hours ago, but nothing prepared them for how beautiful the new bride was.

Prim and Uncle Haymitch unearthed Mrs. Everdeen's wedding dress. Their good family friend, Cinna, did a quick retouch to make it fit Katniss' petite form. Aunty Effie got the bridesmaids' gowns tweaked, removing the pink accents and replacing them with evergreen ones. With additional flowers on their hair, they all looked like fairies from the forest. Thank goodness the bridesmaids and groomsmen were all Peeta's friends, avoiding any drama. The maid of honor easily gave up her role to Prim and wished Katniss and Peeta well in their future together.

The dilemma of the wedding ring was quickly resolved with a trip to the candy store. Katniss and Peeta loved Ripper's sweet shop, visiting it even as adults. They loved Nerds, Gobstoppers, Razzles, Air Heads, and gummy bears. Finnick, the best man, was given of honor and responsibility of getting the rings. In just the nick of time, he bought them orange and green Ring Pops. The plastic ring with its big diamond-shaped hard candy center was the perfect and nostalgic choice. Everyone was swooning when the ring bearer brought out the brightly colored wedding gems.

It was a beautiful wedding. One filled with so much love, joy, and hearty wishes. The guests whistled and cheered when Katniss and Peeta kissed on the altar. Quite a few were teary-eyed and crying with joy. The whole town apparently was just waiting for Katniss and Peeta to stop being idiots with each other and to just fall in love already.

 -- The End --

[jlalafics]

Part Three of Everlark Prompt request-”49″

Thank you for your patience. It’s been a hard week for Hubbs and I. We’re both missing Juice fiercely and trying to function for Baby J.

I hope you enjoy this next part. I’m going to try to work on the next part this weekend...but I’m exhausted.

Part One

Part Two

49. Let’s have a baby.

Summary: Best friends Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are about to embark on the biggest adventure of their lives—parenthood.

_____

Two weeks later…

“So, how are we all doing?” Effie asked as they sat in the examination room.

Their fertility counselor was serious when she told them that she would be with them every step of the way. In fact, as soon as they notified Effie of Katniss’ positive pregnancy test, the Doctor arranged to have Katniss seen by the clinic’s top obstetrician, Dr. Cinna Ward.

“I’m freaking the fuck out!” Katniss burst out in a tight whisper on the examination table. She gripped Peeta by the hand and it pulsed from the lack of blood slowly leaving it.

“I thought this is what you wanted,” Effie reasoned.

“It just happened so fast…” Katniss’ eyes filled with tears. “I just thought we’d have more time.”

“Get used to it.” The woman in front of her pursed her mouth. “That’s what you get for making whoopee.”

“Give her a break,” Peeta said to Effie. “Did we think that we would nail it on the first shot? No! We thought that there were would be a whole bunch of times and ways to try to conceive a child.”

Effie raised a disapproving brow. “Ways?”

“Yeah,” Katniss agreed. “Like the Reverse Cowgirl.”

“Exactly,” Peeta added. “Or The Sultry Saddle. Maybe The Spider?”

“You’re getting lazy,” the mother of his child-to-be responded. “You’re more a Speed Bump kind of guy.”

Peeta winked at her. “You flatter me, sweetheart.”

“I just know you too well,” Katniss replied.

“Am I interrupting?”

They all turned to find a tall dark-skinned man at the exam room doorway. He gave them a perfectly bright smile, highlighting his handsome chiseled features.

“No, Cinna,” Effie said in exasperation, frowning at the duo. “You just have to have your wits about with these two.” She gave the doctor a smile as he entered the room and pulled a rolling stool towards the couple. “Dr. Ward, meet Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark—the banes of my existence as of present.”

The man chuckled, offering a kind smile while shaking Peeta and Katniss by the hand.

“And, what position got you this bundle of joy?” he asked good-naturedly.

“Plain ol’ Missionary,” Katniss informed him. “But, Peeta did this fabulous move where he hooked my thigh over his hip. Really got up in there—”

“And, this girl—” Peeta grinned at the man. “—kisses like a maniac. Tongues like she’s painting a masterpiece…in your mouth.”

“I like you two,” Dr. Ward remarked with a soft chuckle. “And, you two aren’t together?”

“We’re best friends.” Katniss looked to Peeta who pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “We go way beyond that.”

“Always,” Peeta agreed.

“Okay ‘Best Friends’,” Dr. Ward began as he went to the ultrasound machine. “I’m going to need you to keep each other in good spirits while I take this probe—” He reached for a long wand, sheathing it with a protective latex cover. “—to examine Katniss’ cervix and measure the baby.”

Peeta met Katniss’ wide-eyed stare. “Can you handle it?”

She snorted in response. “Doesn’t even compare to Bobby.”

“Who the hell is Bobby?” Peeta asked in mock offense.

“Bernie’s dearly departed older brother,” Katniss informed him smugly. “With Bobby, I couldn’t walk straight for a day.”

Dr. Ward looked to Effie. “Do I want to know?”

Effie shook her head in exasperation. “Definitely not.”

++++++

Peeta placed the ultrasound photo against the computer screen in his office.

The tiny-sized pebble of a baby was smaller than its yolk sac. Yet, it was the most beautiful thing that he had ever seen.

He and Katniss had created this little being together.

Seeing the baby on screen had nearly brought him to his knees and Peeta wanted to shout for joy, hug everyone in the clinic, and kiss Katniss until she couldn’t breathe.

He fucking loved her—and they had complicated things with amazing sex and a beautiful six-week old fetus.

They lived a relatively peaceful co-existence together until now. At present, just seeing Katniss made his heart race and stomach flip in excitement. Then, Peeta would flash back to that Saturday morning; Katniss’ wavy locks spread against her pillow and her rose-colored lips rounded in that perfect O as he came inside her.

There was a sudden knock at the door and Peeta stood up as a blonde woman in a black business suit entered.

She gave him a bright smile. “Peeta Mellark?” The woman held out her hand. “Delly Cartwright.”

“Yes. It’s nice to meet you,” he responded. “Mr. Snow said that you would be looking into how to improve the overall quality of our restaurant.”

Delly giggled. “Yes. My Uncle was very specific in his goals. He wants this to be a three-star Michelin restaurant by next year—no excuses.”

Peeta nodded in agreement. “How about I take you through the restaurant and we’ll go over procedures? Then Thresh, our Head Chef, will serve you a tasting menu.”

The woman turned to him, flashing him a bright smile. “Will you be joining me?”

Usually Katniss would be coming over, but she had planned to tell Johanna the big news. No doubt her friend and former boss would be grilling her over the details.

He turned to Delly.

“Sure, why not?”

++++++

Katniss walked up the stairs towards the Abernathy house. She was already feeling nauseous. Part of it was the baby, the other part was because Johanna and Haymitch would be the first to find out that she was having a baby with Peeta.

As soon as she reached their front step, the door swung open revealing Johanna carrying Ben against her hip.

“Hey guys!” Katniss greeted them brightly.

Johanna tilted her head, examining Katniss for a moment, her brown eyes sharpening as she peered at her friend.

“Oh…my…God!” the woman finally exclaimed. “You’re pregnant!”

Katniss squawked at Johanna’s words. “How the hell did you know?”

“Bad word!” Ben said before burying his face into his Mom’s shoulder.

“Yes, Auntie Katniss needs to put a dollar in the swear jar,” Johanna told her son as he slid down her leg. “Now go and paint one of our walls green or something.”

The little boy went off running down the front hallway, his excited squeal echoing and making both women’s ears sting.

“Get in here!” Johanna tugged at Katniss’ arm, bringing her friend quickly into the living room adjacent to the front door. “Haymitch, a little help here!”

Katniss sat on the sea-blue lounger, rubbing her abdomen anxiously as Johanna sat down on the couch, waiting for her husband to join them.

Haymitch entered in a flurry, paper towels in hand. “Which kid and where’s the barf?”

“None of them,” Johanna responded. “Just this dumb-dumb.”

Haymitch leaned down to give Katniss a kiss on the cheek before sitting next to his wife.

“Katniss is incapable of being a dumb-dumb as you so nicely called her.”

Johanna raised a brow and nodded at Katniss. “Go on. Tell him.”

Taking a deep breath, Katniss looked to the man. “I’m pregnant.”

“You idiot!” Haymitch barked.

“Daddy, swear jar!” came April’s sweet voice from the back of the house.

“I’ll put a dollar in later, sweetheart,” the man responded before looking to Katniss. “And, who is the father?”

“Peeta.”

“Wow…you two are dumber than I thought,” Haymitch declared. “I’m going to that restaurant to flambé his ass.”

“It was my idea,” Katniss burst out. “He’s just the donor.”

“So you didn’t have sex?” Johanna asked. “What a bummer. That’s pretty much the best part.”

“Oh no, we fucked,” Katniss assured her friend.

Johanna leaned forward, an anticipatory gleam in her eyes. “How was it?”

“Amazing,” Katniss responded. “I think I nearly broke his dick with how hard I came…but it gets a little complicated from here.”

“You’re in love with him,” Haymitch declared.

Katniss hung her head. “Yes.”

“And, boom goes the dynamite,” Johanna said slowly. “You two are real morons, you know.” Her eyes filled with tears and she stood suddenly to embrace Katniss. “This is all hormones and, as soon as this child is out of me, I fully intend to mock you.”

Katniss smiled as they pulled apart. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Sitting back down, she looked between the couple. “I need a favor.”

“You need a buffer next week for Thanksgiving,” Haymitch said slowly and she nodded. “We were planning to be there, anyway.”

“I think it’ll be okay,” Katniss assured them, ignoring their skeptical looks. “Our parents will totally understand.”

++++++

“Are you two stupid or something?”

Katniss and Peeta both looked up at Mr. Mellark’s question.

Their arrival at the Everdeen household was a joyful one as the two rarely came home from the city. Sure, their parents were disappointed that they came without dates and Katniss—according to her mother—was too pale and skinny.

“Now, calm down.” Haymitch stood from the adjacent seat, calmly walking to the two sets of parents. He placed a conciliatory pat on Peeta’s father’s shoulder. “Rob, this kind of thing happens.” Then he turned to the Everdeens. “This is your first grandchild. Try to understand.”

“Is this why you didn’t bring dates?” Donna Mellark asked her son. “Have you two finally decided to stop wasting your time and settle down?”

“We’re not together, Mrs. Mellark,” Katniss explained. “Peeta is just��a contributor.”

“So this was done in some sort of clinic?” Her own mother declared, whose blue eyes were wide in horror at the thought.

“Nope. This was done with the help of some liquor,” Peeta explained bluntly.

“Watch your words, young man,” Tom Everdeen intoned, his grey eyes stony. He looked to his daughter. “Is this because of Gale?”

“You’re beating a dead horse, Dad,” Katniss responded. “This has nothing to do with him. I wanted a child and I asked for help. Peeta, who you know and love, decided that he wanted to help me.”

Johanna rose from her seat slowly, one hand supporting her lower back and the other on her even larger stomach.

“Everyone, I know this is a shock—” she started. “—but these two came to you instead of hiding it. That has to give them some sort of brownie points.”

“I guess it could be worse,” Mrs. Everdeen reasoned slowly before looking to Katniss and Peeta. “Would you two even consider getting married?”

They looked to one another before bursting into a fit of laughter.

“We barely had a romantic relationship. Why would we bring marriage into the mix?” Katniss questioned.

“Because that is what people who have children do,” Mrs. Mellark responded. “They get married.”

“Yeah…no,” Peeta replied with an amused smile. “We love and respect one another. Our child will want for nothing. Let’s not complicate things.”

“Here, here,” Haymitch declared. “Now who needs a drink?”

Both sets of parents raised their hands.

++++++

“That wasn’t all that bad,” Peeta assured Katniss as they walked through their neighborhood. His arm went across her shoulders and she pressed to his side. “I mean, after Prim arrived with her new tattoo and a new boyfriend, we were pretty much non-existent.”

“Remind me to thank her,” Katniss replied.

“She’ll be the baby’s godmother—” Peeta declared. “—along with Haymitch and Johanna.”

“Yeah, if we’re suddenly offed,” she added, “they should definitely raise him or her.”

“And, our parents…” Peeta trailed off, lost in the past few hours. “My father said ‘I knew it would happen anyway.’”

Katniss grinned. “Like, he knew you would knock me up?”

“Or that we’d somehow end up being connected in other ways beside friendship,” he supplied before sighing and turning to her. “How are you?”

“My boobs hurt every time I turn in bed, I barf when I brush my teeth, and I’m always so tired,” Katniss said. “But damned if I don’t already love the kid.”

It was at the tip of Peeta’s tongue to ask if she’d consider maybe having something other than friendship. It had nothing to do with their child, but being with her, kissing her, and seeing their little one made him think that there might be hope for something more.

They rounded the corner and nearly collided with a tall, dark-haired man with sharp dark eyes.

“Katniss?”

“Gale,” Katniss greeted slowly, her cheeks coloring. “How are you?”

“Good,” her ex-boyfriend replied. “Just heading out to grab another can of cranberry sauce. How have you been?”

“Wonderful, perfect, fabulous…” It wasn’t lost on Katniss that Peeta had tightened his hold of her. “Peeta and I are just doing our thing—”

“Don’t forget to tell him the good news,” Peeta urged, his blue eyes cool as he looked at the man before him.

Any minute, Katniss was pretty sure the two guys would start grunting at each other like cavemen.

She sighed before giving Gale a small smile. “I’m having a baby.”

“Yup.” Peeta pressed a kiss to her temple. “We’re having a baby.”

“Oh wow…” Gale gave them an uneasy smile. “That’s really great.” He looked to Katniss. “You’re going to make a beautiful mother.” Then his eyes went to Peeta. “Good luck, Peeta.”

“Thanks, but I don’t need it,” Peeta declared. “Happy Thanksgiving, Gale.”

With that, he rushed Katniss across the street.

She chuckled at the possessiveness in Peeta’s usually calm blues.

“For a moment, I thought you were going to pee on me just to mark your territory.”

Peeta raised a brow. “Would you be into that?”

She elbowed him before taking his hand.

“Come along, father of my child. We have a family grilling to get too. Your brothers should have arrived by now.”

“Noooo…” the man whined.

Katniss looked over the pouting man and wide eyes, refraining herself from wanting to press a kiss to that lower lip of his.

God help her if their child was just like his father.

++++++

16 weeks

“Hey, little mother,” Rue greeted Katniss. “You’re looking very fruitful.”

Katniss looked down at her burgeoning stomach and shrugged.

“Seed of your boss,” She responded with a grin. “He or she has an appetite thanks to Peeta.” She looked around the restaurant. “Where is your boss-man, by the way?”

The server rolled her dark eyes. “With Miss Thing, of course. I don’t know what kind of deal you have with Peeta, but you better stake your claim. She is clingy little wench…and surprisingly anal for someone who I’m sure isn’t into it.”

“And, how do you know she’s not into anal?” Katniss asked in amusement.

“She wouldn’t be walking like her ass was plugged if she was,” Rue explained. “You know she wants me to fold every person’s napkin into a swan whenever they go to the restroom? I don’t have time for that nonsense!”

“Have you talked to Peeta about it?” Katniss suggested.

“Whenever I try, Delly is there in his office!” Rue shook her head. “Things need to change.”

“Mind if I step back there to see if I can rescue your boss?”

“Please,” Rue responded. “Rescue him because he is too nice to kick her to the curb.”

Chuckling, Katniss waved at the unhappy woman and headed to the back. After greeting Thresh, who was surprisingly disgruntled, she found herself at the entrance of Peeta’s office.

“So Peeta, do you think that we can cut these hours?”

Peeking in, Katniss could see Delly looking at the computer screen over Peeta’s shoulder, just almost pressing her breasts to his back.

Rolling her eyes at the overt display, she knocked against the doorway. “Hi there!”

Peeta’s expression brightened and he shot up from his chair.

“Katniss! Is it noon already?” Avoiding Delly, he rounded his desk and rushed over to her. His hand went to the belly affectionately. “How are you feeling?”

“The usual,” Katniss responded with a bright smile. Delly stood, arms crossed indignantly at having lost Peeta’s attention.

Was it normal to be filled with glee at seeing the woman discontented?

“Katniss, you look wonderful,” the woman remarked. “Filling out seems to have worked in your favor.”

Yes, it was perfectly normal to want to see this bitch unhappy.

“Thanks Delly,” Katniss responded easily as her hands went to her full breasts. “I mean, the breasts look great, right?” Looking to Peeta, she winked. “What do you think? I mean…at least they’re real.”

Turning, Katniss’ eyes went pointedly to woman’s perfectly sculptured chest.

“Why don’t I take you and your ample chest for some air?” Peeta suggested.

Putting an arm around her, her friend led her out the door and away from a fuming Delly.

++++++

“Dude, that is like totally inappropriate work behavior.”

Peeta sighed. “I know.”

They sat at a quaint French café, a few blocks away from the restaurant. His gaze went to Katniss, eyes closed as she soaked in the sun. Her bump only slightly prominent making her newly grown breasts the main star.

And, he appreciated the hell out of them.

“Rue is unhappy, too,” Katniss continued. She straightened in her chair and looked to him. “You’re responsible for all of them. Letting Delly implicate all these rules and standards is not good for morale.”

“She’s always around,” he informed her. “Always over my shoulder.”

“And, are you so inept that you don’t understand that she wants a little Mellark up in there?” Katniss raised a brow. “Not that I blame her. You’re a great piece of ass.”

Peeta reached for her hand, pressing his lips to her knuckles. “I’m flattered.”

“But, I’ve been super horny,” she continued. “And, I’m afraid to let Bernie visit so I have to do everything manually. So maybe you’re not as great as I think.”

“Now that hurts!” He gave her a plaintive look. “At least let a guy prove himself.”

Katniss quirked a brow. “Are you serious?”

His blue eyes were penetrating. “If I was?”

“Are you that hard up?” she questioned.

“If you think that Delly wants me, then I’m not that hard up,” he retorted simply. “As you said, she is more than willing.”

Katniss went silent for a moment.

After a moment, she responded.

“I’ll give you an answer by this weekend.”

++++++

“I need both of your opinions.”

Johanna and Haymitch sat across from her on the couch with Amy in-between. The girl sucked her thumb, staring sullenly at her Aunt Katniss.

Johanna had some strong genes as her youngest girl inherited her glare.

“Peeta and I had lunch today and I mentioned my recent…urges,” Katniss related.

Haymitch peered at her. “Urges?”

“You know…the ones that happen around this point in the pregnancy,” Johanna told her husband. “The ones that got me—” She pointed at her stomach. “And—“ Her stare went to the cranky girl in-between them.

The man’s eyes widened in understanding. “Oh yeah!” He turned back to Katniss. “Continue your story.”

She blushed “Well, he suggested that maybe…he help me with these…urges.”

Johanna placed her daughter in her, cradling the little girl. “So what do you need from us?”

“I need to know if it’s okay for me to accept.”

“So you want permission for us to have sex with Peeta?” Haymitch stated.

Katniss nodded. “Basically.”

Haymitch shook his head. “No.”

“Really?” Katniss implored. “I mean we’re both grown-ups. We have a child on the way…it could be nice.”

“You’re in love with him,” Haymitch responded evenly. “This might make it a lot harder on you.”

“But she’s really—” Johanna look down at the little girl in her arms. “H-O-R-N-Y.”

“I still say no,” the man declared. His eyes went to Katniss’ fiery greys. “But by the hungry look in Katniss’ eyes, she ain’t going to listen to a damn word I say.”

++++++

“Here we have the head,” the technician said as she moved the probe along Katniss’ stomach. “Everything looks tip-top in terms of development. I’m going to do a quick head measurement…”

Katniss turned to Peeta. “How are you feeling about all this?”

His eyes went to the baby on the screen above them. “It’s feeling very real. He or she is moving…has two well-formed hands and an adorable profile.”

“You didn’t have to be here,” she told her friend. “I know you’re busy at the restaurant.”

“I’m never too busy for this,” Peeta replied simply before taking her hand. She glowed at his words and he felt his own heart swell at her radiance. He pressed a kiss to her knuckles and Katniss sighed at the motion. “Listen, I think we should talk about us.”

Katniss looked to him, her grey eyes anxious. “What about us?”

“Everything is looking beautiful,” the ultrasound technician interrupted. “Did you want to know the sex of the baby?”

“I want to know,” Katniss replied. Her gaze went to Peeta. “Are you okay with that?”

He grinned. “Yes!”

The technician angled the camera probe for the perfect shot. Looking at the screen, they found themselves looking at the telltale V of the upward angle in-between their baby’s thighs.

Katniss gasped, her eyes filling with tears. “We’re having a girl.”

++++++

They were having a little girl.

The technician confirmed it before complementing Katniss on her astute eye.

Their mothers would be thrilled. So was he.

However, seeing their daughter on-screen made it all the more real. She would arrive in four months yet he and Katniss could never sit down to have real discussion.

Peeta wanted more.

Yes—there were times when he thought that she might feel the same way. It stopped being about the sex or the flirting long ago for him. Usually Peeta would go to his best friend for advice.

But what if the best friend was the one you needed advice about?

“Peeta?”

He looked to see Delly entering his office. It irritated him that she never bothered to knock anymore, having developed a “What Mine is Yours” attitude about the restaurant and the office. However, she was the boss’ niece and he needed the money with their daughter on the way.

Daughter.

“What can I help you with?” he asked congenially.

“Just went over the scheduling for the staff and posted it outside,” she informed him cheerfully as she sat in the chair in front of him. “I think that it’s much more organized.”

“Thanks,” he murmured. Peeta met her eyes. “By the way, the management of the front of house should be taken up with me. Some of my staff is unhappy with the changes.”

“That is why we have hiring companies,” Delly replied. “Your staff can be turned over.”

“We have regulars who love our staff,” Peeta argued. “I won’t have them inconvenienced by having to train a bunch of new hires.”

“Alright.” The woman crossed her legs, giving him an unaffected smile. “Would you care for a drink?”

“I’m not drinking,” he told her as his eyes went back to the graduation photo of himself and Katniss. “I promised Katniss since she had to stop. I have to show support for mother of my child.”

Delly leaned forward in interest. “Out of curiosity, have you two discussed what you want?”

Peeta shook his head. “We plan to.”

“When?”

“It’s difficult with both of our jobs and her being exhausted all the time.”

“I’m just going to put it out there,” Delly began. “It doesn’t seem like you’re ever going to talk about it. You keep on making excuses and that kid will be here in a few months. What happens if you get a job somewhere else? Or she does? What happens if she starts dating someone else? Or you do?”

“Katniss is not interested in dating anyone,” he told her tersely. “And as for me, I don’t think anyone could possibly see me in that way.”

“I do.” Delly looked at him imploringly. “I, for one, am not afraid to admit that I like you. What about Katniss? Will she say the same?”

He stared at her for a moment. Peeta had no idea that she even felt that strongly about him.

Of course, Katniss had brought it up but he thought that she was just fucking with him.

“I can’t answer for Katniss,” he finally responded

Delly smirked at him. “Can you answer for yourself?”

_____

That Delly is going to be a real problem.

Also, we haven’t seen the last of Gale.

The answer to whether or not, they give in to their urges in the next part. 

Thanks for reading!

[reachingforaspark]

The Countdown

And here we have it, the last, last, last of all the housemate!Everlark series that started due to @merry-katniss wonderful Octoberlark prompts. I know that some of you (Cough, @merry-katniss, cough, @wendywobbles, @butrfac14 and @arainydream) got plenty annoyed at the pace of the slow burn, but I hope it’s paid off! 

Find the previous chapters covering Halloween, the all important November 18th, Thanksgiving and Christmas-  Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8 and Part 9 here! 

No real warnings, just mild innuendo, not beta’d so also *shrugs* 

Thanks to @wendywobbles for the New Year’s prompt ❤❤❤

Happy New Year’s Everybody, Love you all. 

New Year’s Eve 

“Okay,” Katniss squeezes his hand, “I think we’re needing to be more overt.”

“More overt? But Katniss, you’re already holding my hand!” Peeta teases, giving her fingers a squeeze. Their hands have been twisted together since they arrived at the Odair’s New Year’s Eve party, and no one had even looked twice. Not so much as an eyebrow wiggle from Jo.

Peeta would find it a little strange, but he was too busy watching Katniss’s increasing frustration at their friendship group, as she clings to Peeta’s hand, and tucks herself under his arm, loops her arms around his waist. Her hands on his body are distracting enough without the pressure from their friends.

The little dimple under her bottom lip that appears when she scowls gives him endless diversion as well. He wants to kiss it away, having learnt over the past week that peppering her face, across her nose and jaw could brush away any of her moods.

“Hey, pay attention.” Katniss says lowly. “Stop thinking about kissing stuff.”

“I like thinking about kissing stuff.” He says. “I think about it all the time.”

“Gah!” Katniss says, and turns her face away swallowing her sparkling cider in a single gulp. “I want more of this.”

“And I want more of you.” Peeta mutters quietly as Katniss tugs on his hand, dragging him across to the drinks table. Delly shoots them a benevolent smile as she looks over from her conversation with Madge.

“Why don’t we just announce it?” Peeta suggests as she pours them more drinks. He continues even as her scowl deepens. “Like, low key, hey everyone, we’re together now, Happy New Year? It doesn’t have to be a thing.”

“I just don’t want to have to deal with anything.” Katniss repeats into her cup, an earlier argument.

Honestly, Peeta wants to jump on the couch, and yell it to everyone with his excitement at being in the relationship with Katniss. But he understands her reluctance, she hates both the attention and the talking about her feelings.

“Okay.” Katniss says, pulling Peeta’s hand down a little “New plan. It’s almost midnight, we’re just going to kiss.”

He shifts his arm on her shoulder, twists it to where he can see his watch just under her chin. Peeta’s heart stutters a little, as she melts into his side, and his nose brushes her temple. Because that’s what he gets to do now. Or in six minutes time, when he gets to officially kiss Katniss in front of all their friends. She looks up at him. Her eyes drop to his mouth and she bites her lip.

“Five more minutes,” he whispers to her, “and then you can kiss me anytime you want.”

She shivers. At four minutes, he runs his knuckles along her jaw. At three minutes, she tucks her head against his neck, her lips just brushing his pulse. At two minutes, she slips her hand along the waist of his jeans, heat spreading from the tips of her fingers across his stomach, and she turns him to face her, her hands settling on the small of his back. At one minute, he slides his hands up her spine, her sweater soft under his fingers, between her shoulder blades, and scoops her in closer, her body snug against his, so close he can feel her heartbeat against his chest.

Her breath catches as their friends count down.

Three, two, one.

Their lips slide together, a feeling that’s already so familiar and yet, exciting every time. The cheering and laughter of their friends fades away, as Katniss slides her tongue against bottom lip then into his mouth. He grins, breaking the contact with his smile then reconnects with her mouth, trying to press tighter against her as her head drops back under the pressure of his mouth. Her hands press against his lower back, skirting close to the waistband of his boxers, pulling her hips against his own.

His body jumps in response, and he’s suddenly aware that if it continues on, he and Katniss might end up showing more of their new relationship than they planned for New Year’s than they were counting on. He reluctantly breaks away.

“Wow.” Katniss breaths. “Okay.”

“Do you think we’ve announced enough?” Peeta wiggles his eyebrows at her.

“Oh. Oh yeah, right-“ Katniss glances around, then slips her hands from under his shirt. Her hands leave a hot imprint on his skin. “Wait, no one’s even noticed.”

Peeta glances around, and realises it’s true. He expected some exclamations, or some friendly wolf whistling at the very least, after they were practically mauling one another in front of the drinks table. But everyone is just laughing and drinking as usual.

“Let’s just announce it, Katniss,” Peeta says, “we’ll do it quick then leave.”

She nods.

“Hey! Hey everyone!” Peeta says loudly, “Can we have your attention for a minute? Katniss and I have something to say.”

“Oh my god.” Katniss mutters as their friends crowd around, their eyes wide in anticipation. Delly whispers something to Annie behind her hand, and Jo rolls her eyes before poking them both.

“Katniss and I are together.” Peeta says proudly.

There’s the silence he expected, their smiles stuck in frozen patience. The silence stretches out.

“And?” Jo eventually asks.

“And what?” Katniss says. “We’re dating now.”

“Were you not before?” Finnick asks in confusion.

“No!” Katniss splutters. “What made you think that?”

The group exchanges glances. “Well,” Annie says gently, “you show up in matching costumes to every costume party.”

“That’s fun!” Katniss protests.

“And you wear Peeta’s clothes at least once a week.” Gale points out.

“Laundry day!” Katniss objects.

“You bring Peeta coffee at work.” Thom says.

“He spends every holiday with your family.” Delly interjects.

“You respond to every event invite with, ‘let me check what Peeta has on’ first.” Madge adds.

“Friends!” Katniss yelps. “Friends stuff.”

“You live together!” Jo bursts out, “What about that time I walked in on you two? Are you telling me you’ve been living together all this time and not boning?”

“We had separate bedrooms, Jo?” Peeta says, face flushing red, “plus, have you ever seen us hold hands, kiss, anything like that?”

“I always figured Katniss kicked.” Jo shrugs. “And like, wasn’t into PDA.”

“So wait,” Finnick interrupts, “All this time and no boning? Seriously?”

“Oh my god.” Katniss throws her hands up, then covers her face. “I hate all my friends.”

“Lucky Peeta got that upgrade then,” Jo quips back.

Peeta grabs her around the waist and tucks her into his body as everyone laughs. As he buries his face into her braids, both of them flushing in furious embarrassment, he certainly feels lucky.

“Happy New Year.” He whispers into her hair, already knowing this one will be the best one yet.

[lemonluvgirl]

Are you still taking prompts? Because I'd love to see you write #36 'Giggling during sex'? :)

ok so Ima piggyback off another drabble prompt I wrote for a highschool/bestfriends/lovers everlark story I just posted. I wanna say this could be considered at Part Two to that story.

(Part One can be read HERE.) If anyone is so inclined.

Anyways....let's get cracking!!!

Peeta nudged Katniss for the fourth time, trying and failing to wake her up. She mumbled something unintelligible and just snuggled closer to him. So Peeta gave up trying to wake her.

It was a Saturday morning anyway, they had nowhere they needed to be right at the moment and they had both been up late last night exploring the new aspects (you might call them perks) of their relationship.

They were still best friends, of course. But now they were best friends who made out and held hands and had seen each other in greater degrees of nudity ever since he and Katniss had sleepily confessed that they both wanted more than friendship one night about two months ago.

Everything since that confession had been surprisingly great. At first they both had doubts about how dating would change things between them but aside from arguing about who got to pick the movie they watched whenever Peeta came over (which was almost every night now), they had a pretty smooth transition from friends to lovers.

Last night had been the first night they went all the way. It was a mutual decision they made, after discussing the practicalities and reasons for why they both wanted to take the next step. This weekend Mrs. Everdeen just so happened to be pulling a double shift in the ER and wouldn't be home until Sunday morning. Prim was having a sleepover at her friend's house. So it seemed like the perfect opportunity, and they agreed not to waste it.

The sex itself had been a little bit awkward but still glorious and satisfying. (Peeta had made sure to take care of his girlfriend before he got too carried away) And after they both had found completion they cleaned up, and settled in for a night snuggling under the covers in Katniss' too small twin bed like usual.

Everything seemed perfect in the light of a new day. Or well, as close to perfect as it could get until Katniss started snuggling closer to the spot under his ribs that she had been favoring lately.

The cold tip of her nose pressed into Peeta's overheated skin and he yelped, trying to move away from her. But she persisted, deliberately dragging her nose over his tickleish spot again. She was obviously awake and in the mood to tease him. It was a new favorite thing of theirs, this touching each other in these special or funny ways now that they had mapped every inch of each other’s skin. Peeta knew of a few spots she had, like the place behind her knees that made her kick and squirm. But he had a much bigger reaction to her wandering hands than she did his. 

Peeta couldn't help it. He was super ticklish. 

He giggled like a kindergartener every time she touched him there. 

“No! Katniss! Stop!” Peeta croaked between distressed breaths when her hands joined her nose as she tortured his stomach and ribs with her lighting fast fingers. 

“Nope!” She replied, redoubling her efforts as Peeta tried to roll away. Soon they were engaged in a naked ticking battle and as they dueled back and forth, getting tangled up in each other and her threadbare sheets. 

There was a resounding thump as they fell off the bed in a heap, Kantiss luckily landing on top of Peeta. Even though she was very light, weighing maybe 110 pounds at the most, she still knocked the wind out of him. 

Peeta lay on the floor of her bedroom wheezing and trying to catch his breath. 

“Are you ok?” Katniss asked, her voice full of concern. 

Peeta nodded, and managed to choke out a weak, “I’m fine,” after a few seconds. “Just winded.” He added before shooting her a half-hearted glare. 

Katniss barely batted an eye at him, and instead shot him her own hostile look. 

“Good. That’ll teach you to wake me up before 9 on my Staurday off.” Katniss replied before she shifted on top of him, straddling him instead of laying out across him fully. 

“That’s why you attacked me?! You’re an evil woman!” Peeta exclaimed in mock indignation, while trying not to get aroused by the sight of her atop him, completely naked.

Katniss gave him a wicked grin before she wiggled her ass against his swelling erection. 

“Evil you say? Would it be evil if I touched you here?” She asked before trailing her fingernail over his right nipple lightly. Peeta froze and stiffened under her, his cock hardening further. Peeta didn’t answer her, instead just muttering something under his breath while his hands traveled up to grip her slender thighs. 

“Or how about here?” She continued trailing her fingernails lightly down his chest and abdomen, scratching through the blond hair that grew denser the lower she got. 

Peeta let out a breathless chuckle, fully aroused by now and getting more so by the minute. But he wasn’t alone, the tips of Katniss’ breasts were sharpening into peaks and he could feel her wet, hot, heat pressing into him as she ground her center against his lower abdomen. 

They both let out a groan in unison when Peeta cupped her breasts in both of his hands. 

“You can touch me there if I can touch you here.” Peeta offered with a rakish smile. 

Katniss looked back at him heavy lidded, her pupils growing wider with each revolution of her hips. She nodded enthusiastically and Peeta started to play with her taut nipples. 

“I think this is my new favorite game of ours. This touching thing.” Peeta murmured as he thrust his hips up, dragging his cock along the cleft of her ass, enjoying the friction. 

Katniss let out a throaty laugh, tossing her head back slightly as he dark luscious hair rippled behind her. 

Peeta admired her understated beauty for a long second. 

“Actually I think my favorite new game to play with you might be the one we learned last night, you know the one where we got to see how well we fit together.” She told him with a teasing smile and Peeta felt his cock throb and twitch at her words. 

“Yeah?” He asked carefully, trying not to appear embarrassingly overexcited at her comment. 

“Yeah.” She confirmed and then licked her lips. Peeta swore, and couldn’t the reflexive desperate thrust his hips gave, his body searching for her tight heat wrapped around him once more. 

Katniss leaned forward kissed his lips sweetly, before flicking out her tongue and probing the seam of his mouth. Peeta opened up for her without question and his hands went to help her as she shifted atop him, balancing her weight to hover above his erection as she lined her entrance up with his tip. 

“I’m so fucking happy right now.” Peeta murmured as she reached down with one hand to guide him into her as she sank down. 

Katniss snorted a laugh. 

“You’re not even inside me yet, dork.” She teased, but her amusement was cut off as she took more of his impressive length and girth inside of her. 

“You’re so big.” She said in a more serious tone, holding still for a few seconds after he was fully seated inside her. 

“If you keep talking dirty I’m not gonna last.” Peeta told her through gritted teeth as he tried to temper the blissful feeling of being enveloped fully by her. 

Katniss shook her head, “That wasn’t dirty talk. That was just the god-honest truth.” She replied, serious as ever, her eyes closed as she tentatively began to move. 

Peeta let out a low chuckle that time smiling up at her in a very self satisfied way. 

Katniss opened her eyes and caught him grinning proudly and she smacked his chest. 

“Get over yourself Mellark. Its not like you’re porn star huge or anything!” 

“Nope. But I am big enough to leave a lasting impression.” 

“You’re insufferable!” 

“You’re impressed.” 

“Idiot.” She said before she rolled her eyes. Peeta decided to thrust up into her then, meeting her movements and she let out an embarrassingly loud moan and her eyes rolled back just a little. 

“See. You’re impressed. Just admit it Everdeen. You love my co-” Peeta began to tease her before she cut him off, her small hand nimbly finding his ticklish spot. She proceeded to tickle the shit out of him and Peeta started laughing and giggling so hard he couldn’t breathe. 

“I admit nothing. Now quit your bragging.” She said, finally taking her hand away. 

Peeta nodded, murmuring an impressed “Yes Ma’am,” as he gripped her hips tighter, refocusing on their love-making now that Katniss had properly chastised him.  

“Now that that’s settled,” Katniss said as she resumed fucking herself on his cock with renewed vigor. Peeta smiled up at her adoringly and shifted his hand between them to press against her clit. 

“Oh, god Peeta!” Katniss exclaimed as she clenched him internally while she rode him harder. 

“Come for me baby.” Peeta whispered, keeping pressure on her clit while thrusting against her as she keened above him. 

He felt her walls tightening, gripping him and he knew he wouldn’t be able to hold back. So with his free hand he reach back and slapped her ass hard, as he thrust up rapidly. 

“Peeta!” Katniss cried out, her ass stinging, but her orgasm unraveling in a warm liquid rush of heat and pleasure. 

“Yes, oh, fuck, squeeze me Kat.” Peeta groaned as he let go, spilling inside of her until his orgasm dissipated. 

Katniss collapsed against his chest, sweaty and spent. The only indication she was still alive was the harsh pant of her breath and her thundering heartbeat that slowed in time with his. 

Peeta wrapped one arm around her back and with his other hand her combed the hair away from her sweaty face. 

“How was that?” Peeta asked her quietly. 

Katniss groaned tiredly against his skin, tilting her head slightly to the side so she could speak. 

“I’ve never come so hard in my life.” She told him in a tired voice. 

Peeta smiled against her hair. 

“Good.” He said. 

She looked up at him tenderly and smiled a perfect, private sunny grin that he knew she never gave to anyone but him. 

“Admit it, you really really like it.” Peeta prodded her. 

She stared back at him for a sec, before her smile twisted into a little smirk.

“Eh, you’re not so bad, I guess.” She said and Peeta burst out in a loud, throaty laugh that rang through the room. 

Just then the door to Katniss bedroom opened and a voice that sounded suspiciously like her mother’s voice asked “Katniss who’s in your room?” from somewhere on the other side of the bed. 

End

[everlarkficquestions]

For the Everlark masterlist: please add "Love You Better" by everlarkxevermore. Complete and available here on Tumblr and on AO3. Under bestfriends and jealous!Katniss tropes. Thank you! Amazing job on this masterlist btw! 😊❤️👏👍

Thank you so much! That story has been added to our masterlist, Jealousy!fic - Katniss, and to out Best Friends list.

[dandelionlovesyou]

It's You

Katniss ends up with an unplanned pregnancy. 

This is a short fluffy drabble between best friend!Everlark.

This story was loosely inspired by the Netflix movie "Look Both Ways."

I hope you like it!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/41460582

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14131259/1/It-s-You

...... 

"We should get married," Peeta says quietly, breaking the long silence between us. We're sitting on the bed of his red pickup truck, staring out in the meadows for what seems to be the whole night. I look at him momentarily; he doesn't break his gaze towards the autumn sky ahead of us, seriousness plastering his expression.

"What do you mean, Peeta?" I ask because honestly, I feel confused. This day hasn't given me a break at all. Everything was changing every second, and I felt like crawling out of my skin.

"I mean, we should get married, married. Be husband and wife," Peeta answers surely before taking my hand in his. He's gentle and careful like my hands are made of thin glass. "We're both adults and have been best friends for thirty years. We practically grew up together. I still remember bathing in my undies with you when we were five. We would run around the lawn like some crazy children, thinking that the sprinkler was real rain."

“Peeta …,”

"I'm serious, Katniss," he continues on. "It seems like a good decision to me, and I promise I'll take good care of you like always."

"You don't have to do it," I tell him straightforwardly. "I know what you're trying to do here, and I'll figure things out with the baby. We're not your responsibility ..."

“But Katniss …,”

"Listen," I say and face him as I lean my head on the back of his truck. "Don't you want to marry someone you love? Someone you'll cherish for the rest of your life and love you back the way you should be loved? I know you, you're a romantic, Peeta. You should marry for love and not to save the face of your best friend. Marriage is something you should do for yourself and not for me." I want to add that he's already done too many things for me all my life. Peeta is the one true constant in my thirty-three years of existence. I've had to rely on him for far too many things, more than what I would ask from my family, even. He's just too good and deserves a person who would reciprocate all the love and devotion he pours out.

“Katniss, please lis …,”

“No, Peeta,” I cut him off quickly because as lonely and sad as I feel right now, I won’t accept his offer and take his chance at marriage away from him. “Thank you, though. You’re always so sweet,” I say and rub my thumb over the back of his hand.

"Katniss, what if I already have?" he says and then cradles my hand with both of his. He keeps his eyes on our joined hands, biting the insides of his bottom lip while he ponders.

“Have what?”

"Have found that person?"

"Person what?" Honestly, my brain is so filled right now that I can't take any more riddles.

"Found the person that I love. The person who I want to spend my whole life with and create a family with … that is if she'll let me."

"Oh," I let out and squeeze his hand. My lips quirk up into a small smile, happy to hear the news from my best friend. I didn't even know that he was dating someone. I guess I've been so preoccupied with my own life that I missed this part of his.

"Then you should marry her. I'm sure she would say yes," I add confidently because really, who could say no to Peeta Mellark? He's the best among all of us in this small town. Kind, generous, loving, funny, and strong. He's not perfect, and he has little habits that irritate me sometimes, but any person who refuses to see beyond his flaws is a huge idiot.

“You really think so? That she would say yes if I ask her?”

"For sure, Peeta. If she doesn't, she doesn't deserve you," I say matter-of-factly.

“Okay,” he answers and shifts in front of me. I take the instant to fix the pillow behind my back, fluffing it up because it feels flat from me leaning on it for hours since sunset. When I turn back, I find Peeta kneeling on one knee in front of me, fishing up something from the pocket of his sling bag.

"What are you looking for?" I ask and crane my neck. He gives me his signature smile, it's full and sincere, the corners of his eyes wrinkling from it. He lets out a deep breath then I notice his hands are trembling.

"Katniss Everdeen," he says as he looks deep into my eyes. His lips are also quivering, and worry rushes inside my stomach. "Will … will you do me the great honor of marrying me?"

My eyes must look like saucers right now as the realization hits me.

“I have loved you since we were children and will always love you for the rest of my life, Katniss. I love you with all my heart.”

I search his eyes, those deep blue eyes that bring me comfort every time I see them. The same eyes that bring me joy because when he smiles, I can't help but smile back even on a really depressing day. Peeta is just vibrant light and life. I have basked in them all my life, wanting his sunshine to lift me up from my misfortunes.

The expression on Peeta's face is genuine and sincere, albeit scared from baring his heart out. He's saying the truth. That he loves me and wants to marry me. My next-door neighbor. My fellow teacher. My best friend my entire life. Peeta. My Peeta. He deserves all the love in this world.

"What about the baby?" I suddenly say because it doesn't seem fair to him. As much as I am comforted and enveloped by his confession of love, I have to think of his own good. This baby is not his -- it's Marvel's, my ex-boyfriend who couldn't handle the reality that his girlfriend of three years is now pregnant. He just up and left, saying that he had dreams and goals that he wanted to fulfill. That he can't possibly have a child right now because his career in marketing is finally flourishing. He even advised me to give the baby up -- to discontinue it and move on with my life. What an asshole. I can't believe I stayed with him for three years.

“Peeta, you’re getting a family here and not just a wife,” I tell him frankly. Even before he answers my question, I know what his response would be, so I have to warn him about what he is getting into. I have to protect him.

"Katniss, I really don't care," he coos and reaches for my cheeks. The small box he got from his bag drops on the truck bed, but he pays it no mind. "I love you, and this baby is a part of you. She or he is one half of you, and I would love to be a part of her or his life … that is if you'll let me."

I squeeze his hands then, or more like clutch them down towards my belly because he's shaking too just like me. I search my heart then and realize that I love Peeta too. I don't know what kind yet, but it's definitely strong and abundant. I can't imagine not having him in my life. He's part of my air and my sunshine. My only fear is that I don't have the love that he deserves, that he should have.

“I love you, Katniss,” he lets out with a delicate breath. I feel like bursting into tears because his eyes and those three words are telling me that I am enough, that he will take my love and my circumstances however they are.

"Okay," I say with a croak, the word catching in my throat. It's weak and seems non-committal, but really it's a yes from the bottom of my heart. Peeta doesn't seem to mind my poor response because his tears finally fall, and he envelopes me in a full and tight embrace. I feel his breath on my hair, his thumping heart on my shoulder as I crash into his plumpish but sturdy chest. His soul washes over me, and I forget every awful thing that happened today. It's only here in Peeta's arms do I feel the world stopping and being whole again. No one ever holds me and makes me feel safe like he does.

"I love you," he slowly whispers, drawing out the words, making them seep under my skin and straight through my heart. His words and his tone are everything to me. I embrace him harder, drawing him closer to me and letting my lips graze the skin of his neck. Inhaling his scent feels like imbibing life itself. The aroma of hope and rebirth swirling inside my lungs.

All too soon, he releases me but only to find the small box that had been long forgotten on the bed of the truck. Inside is a ring, a real ring that he tells me he bought five years ago.

"I saw it when I went to Chicago to check out the art program there. I thought it would be so perfect on your finger. I had kept it with me ever since," he says with a chuckle. He takes the ring from where it's tucked and slowly slides it on my finger. It's a simple silver band with tiny crystals embedded in it. It's elegant and fits beautifully. Peeta knows me so well and has picked a perfect ring for me.

"I promise I will take care of you and your baby all the days of my life. You both are the most important person in my life right now. I am so happy and grateful to start this life with you," he vouches. With the softest of gestures, Peeta kisses my forehead as if I am or we are what he says. The most important and precious people in his life. I pull him closer to me, wanting his embrace and imagining a whole life with my best friend.

- The End -

[reachingforaspark]

Merry Christmas Y’all

Hey all! Merry Christmas Eve, hope you find lovely presents under the Christmas tree 😘 and here’s some midnight housemates!everlark for you! 

(Yes, I am aware this is SUPER late. As in, it’s 12 on New Year’s Eve, so also, happy New Year too xx) 

No real warnings, just some minor innuendo. 

Find previous parts Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8 (phew), one left after this!! 

December 24th Midnight

“Peeta! For crying out loud!” Katniss huffs, then twists. She weaves her arms around him and clamps down, clinging to him on the couch like a baby octopus.

“Um,” the sound is muffled by the fact his face is pressed into her bicep, “wha’re you doin’?”

Her socked feet hook over top one another and she squeezes him in tighter, locking his arms to his sides. “You can’t wiggle when I sit on you like this.”

“Okay, but-“ he says, twisting his face a little so he can breathe through her thick sweater. Not too much, because he doesn’t want to give up the feeling of Katniss’s warm body pressed up against his, even if she’s just messing around. She’s gotten more physical lately, ever since Halloween, but that’s almost a given, after that impromptu quasi make out session, and him making her breakfast in bed every morning since November Eighteenth. They were close before, but they’re closer now.

He shifts his face a little further, buries it into her sweater. He takes a deep breath.

“You’ve been fidgeting all night. I swear. It’s ruining my Die Hard-on.” Katniss says.

“Okay, first up, I am intensely uncomfortable with you referring to your Bruce Willis crush in that way. Second, I’m not fidgeting, I’m just-“ Peeta trails off, feeling the edge of the book Prim had given him digging into his side. “Really excited for midnight.” Peeta settles on.

Because tonight he’s going to tell her, and everything might change.

Katniss’s arms loosen, and she pulls back, and for a second he’s worried he spoke out loud. But probably not, because she’s smiling a little, biting the bottom corner of her lip. She laces her fingers together, and then unlaces them, then threads them back together again.

“Yeah.” She says, “I’m excited for midnight too.”

Someone screams from the television, but the lights from the Christmas tree throw pink and green light across Katniss’s face, and that’s way more interesting to Peeta than Bruce Willis. He forces his face back towards the screen anyway, and starts going over the major points from his speech.

“Hey,” Katniss scoops up the remote, pausing the movie, “why don’t we just do midnight now?”

Peeta checks his watch. “It’s like, 11:40!” And he still wants to rehearse his confession at least twice more.

“It’s our tradition,” Katniss rolls her eyes, “we can do it anytime we want.”

She hops up off the couch and goes over to the TV cabinet, pulling the Christmas Star and a large orange gift bag out from underneath it.

“I think this gets uglier every Christmas.” Katniss holds their Christmas Tree star up, catching the gaudy silver rhinestones and beads to their fullest effect. She sighs. “I kind of miss Effie, you know?”

“Nosiest neighbour we ever had,” Peeta nods sagely and grabs the footstool, placing it beside the tree. “But a sweetheart underneath all that mascara.”

Katniss hands him the star, then grabs onto the back of his jeans to steady him as he reaches across to anoint the tree with its official Christmas spirit. He really, really tries to ignore the way her fingers brush the small of his back where she pulls on his jeans. His brain is short circuiting as it is.

“Okay.” Katniss barely even takes a second to admire the evergreen in all its glory, topped with it’s fabulous and tacky Christmas star. She drags him into sitting in front of the tree, kneeling as well. “Present time.”

She shoves the gift bag towards him. Peeta smiles, Katniss always insists on wrapping things in a sunset orange colour, although she swapped to gift bags lately, after insists he kills her with the time it takes to unwrap the presents she gets him.

 Peeta pulls the green present from his pocket. He meticulously wrapped it, even with his hands shaking from nerves, so at least his gift looks composed. He takes a steadying breath as she smiles slightly at him, christmas lights twinkling in her eyes. She looks, looks so gorgeous, snuggled into a sweater and loose braid over her shoulder. His heart starts stuttering in double time. 

Katniss takes the gift from him, and tucks it against her chest. She settles down into crossed legs in front of him.

Oh god, this is the moment.

Do it, Peeta, he tells himself, don’t be a chicken. Just tell her. The worst that could happen is he loses his best friend and has to move out of his house on Christmas day. No problem. Deep breaths.

“You first.” Katniss says, still cradling the present.

“Uh-“ Peeta looks at the bag, and takes a deep breath. “Maybe - you should go first,” he gestures vaguely, then tucks his shaking fingers under his thigh, “mine has some words attached to it.”

“Oh, uh, okay.” Katniss’s eyes flick nervously to her giftbag and then back up to his face.

She takes the present from him, and turns it over, before unwrapping it carefully. The slowest he’s ever seen Katniss Everdeen open anything. She smiles to see the title of the book, and with his small prompt, flicks it open to the page where he’s wedged a small sketch. It’s Katniss, aged five, hair in two braids and that red checked dress he remembers so clearly. She’s holding a lunch pail, and kicking at the ground.

Katniss’s brow creases as she looks at the drawing, then at the lyrics to the Valley song on the page.

“That was the first moment I saw you,” Peeta says quietly, “back when we started school. And that song, you sang it in music class, when the teacher asked, does anyone know the Valley song? And you jumped right up on that stool and belted it out.”

Katniss smiles, and traces her fingers over the sketch. “My Daddy taught me that song.”

“I know.” Peeta says. “My father told me that when he sung, the birds stopped singing to listen.”

“That was true. You have a remarkable memory, Peeta.” Katniss says softly. Her eyes flick up to meet his with hesitation.

“Only when it comes to you.” He replies.

 Katniss’s fingers curl around the edge of the book, and she swallows. Peeta scoots a little bit closer, and reaches a hand out to rest on her knee.

“Katniss, you’re my best friend. I always want to be there for you. And, you can shut me up at any time-” Katniss bites her lip, and Peeta rushes out the second part, he’s committed now, ‘til the end he guesses, whichever way that goes. “But, that saying, about your dad singing and the birds stopping, that’s how I feel when you sing too. Like the whole world just spins to a stop, and there’s nothing but you.”

Like right at this moment, Peeta thinks, she sits before the Christmas tree, looking like a picture perfect holiday image. 

“Oh.” Katniss’s exhale of surprise is so quiet, barely a puff of air. Her hands flutter up to her face, still clutching the book tightly in her right hand. 

Peeta immediately wants to rewind every second of this evening. “Of course, if you just want to be friends, that’s-“

“I think you should open my present.” Katniss interrupts. He can’t read her face, but she’s nodding her head at the bag.

“Oh, yeah, okay.” Peeta scoops the bag towards him, confused, and hands shaking a little. It maybe feels like rejection, the abrupt change of tone. He pulls layers of tissue paper out of bag to reveal- Peeta’s mind blanks out for a second.

Mistletoe.

The whole bag is filled with Mistletoe.

He looks up at Katniss.

She shrugs. “I’m not so good with words.” She says, shifting her gaze to his left shoulder. “I kind of thought, this was obvious.”

“Yeah, okay, good.” Peeta says dumbly. “So does this mean- Wait, what does this mean?’

Katniss rolls her eyes, then grabs a small branch of mistletoe from the bag. She rolls up onto her knees and holds the mistloe aloft between them. Oh my god, Peeta thinks, as the movement tips her forwards, into his space, her hand falling onto his shoulder for balance. The touch sends heat through his body.  

“Is this okay?” She asks, dropping her head so her lips a breath away from his own.

He somehow manages a yes, then raises his hands to cradle her face. He leans away to take in her face. He needs a second, to feel her under his hands, to assure himself this is happening. It feels so different to last time, none of the frantic explosive energy. This feels more real, somehow. 

Katniss looks away, her nose smiling into his palm, then plants a kiss on his palm. “Stop looking at me.” She says, as his fingers curl on reflex, and stroke along her cheek. “Just kiss me already.”

He kisses her. Her lips curl under his own, happy, and he chases the smile to the corners of her mouth. He pulls her closer, even as she shifts in, dropping her hands. The mistletoe tickles under his neck as her hands curl into his shirt and she deepens the kiss.

She pushes him onto his back in front of the Christmas tree, and he laughs in disbelief as they tangle together. She tastes like butter and hot chocolate from earlier, and she squeals into his mouth as he rolls her over to underneath him. They kiss for for what seems like hours, or maybe just seconds, the feel of Katniss’s soft mouth and body against his own stopping time. It’s like flying and falling all at once and he’s drunk on it. Drunk on her, her peppermint smell mixing with the pine of the Christmas tree, and her hand pressed between his shoulders pulling him in tight.It’s all better than he ever imagined.

Eventually their kisses slow.

“Okay,” Peeta breathes, reeling and giddy, as Katniss rubs her nose against his own, “I could live with more of that.”

“Lucky you have a whole bag of mistletoe then.” Katniss laughs, picking the bag up from where it has tipped over beside them. She gives him another quick peck on the mouth.

“Right.” Peeta agrees, and pulls her against himself and staggers into standing. Katniss squeals as he carries her over to the door to the living room.

“What are you doing?” She locks her legs around his waist.

He balances her more firmly against himself. With his free hand he grabs another bundle of mistletoe. “Put this there.” He instructs her, pointing to the nail sticking out from above the doorway. “We’re redecorating.” He presses her against the timber frame to kiss her breathless again.

“Wait!” Katniss gasps suddenly, looking over his shoulder, “My movie!”

Peeta rolls his eyes. “Don’t worry, I’ve got a Die Hard-on right here for you.”

Her surprised laugh echoes down the hall as he presses another kiss into her neck and carries her towards the bedroom.

“You’re gross.” She says breathlessly, as he hooks some mistletoe over a picture on the wall, and kisses her again. “You’re so gross, Peeta Mellark, I don’t know what I see in you.”

“But you love me anyway.” Peeta dares to say.

“Yeah.” She laughs. “Obviously.” 

Obviously.

[reachingforaspark]

Octoberlark 2019 Drabble

Annnddd...my apology for the earlier continuation of beyond the hanging tree...

Part 2 of the Ghostbusters drabble  NO warnings, just fluff. 

*** The ghost in the hot chocolate 

A scantily clad cat walks past and pinches Peeta’s stomach.

He sighs in to his cider, not that she can hear him over the pounding music. He’s going to have bruises on his abs by the end of the night, prodded too hard too often by people mistaking him for the Pillsbury dough boy.

“No spare tire there.” she giggles, and he politely removes her hand from where it stays resting on his stomach.

“I beg your pardon?” Peeta yells at her.

“Aren’t you the Michelin man?” she yells back.

Oh for crying out loud.

He looks about the crowded room for someone to save him. His guardian angel stomps over in what was originally a mechanics outfit, swinging her backpack so it bumps into just about every person she passes. For a petite woman, Katniss sure takes up a lot of space.

“What?” She snaps at the girl.

The girl slinks away, but not without looking back and shooting Peeta a wink over her shoulder. He waves politely.

“Why the crap does everyone keep touching you?-” Katniss yells, waving her hands about like she does sometimes when she’s had a drink.

“What?” Peeta cups a hand over his ear and catches the end of her sentence.

“-After the rubbish that went on with last year’s costume.”

Peeta laughs and leans into Katniss, talking straight into her ear so he doesn’t have to yell at her.

“Oh man I forgot about that. You have to admit, Finnick and I made great gladiators.” he says.

“Yeah whatever.” she says.

“What?” he asks again.

Katniss grabs him around the neck and yanks his head down to her height. Her fingers curl into the hair on the back of his neck.

“I said, yeah whatever.” Katniss says straight into his ear, and her lips brush his skin.  

“Most of them want me to giggle.” He turns his head and talks into her ear back, their bodies crowded together. He’d recite the entire Iliad to her like this if it meant they kept standing like this. “That girl thought I was the Michelin man.”

“I dressed you as Mr Stay Puff’t for a reason.”

Peeta doesn’t have to see her face to hear her scowl.

“What is wrong with people?” she yells.

“Katniss…” Peeta says, a thought dawning on him, “are you trying to de-sexyfy me?”

She says nothing.

He yells the question into her ear again, maybe she didn’t hear him.

“No!” she really yells this time, and shoves him away from her. “Gross!”

She disappears into the crowd, bludgeoning people with her backpack.

He finds her twenty minutes later, sitting on the back step, arms curled around her knees.

“Hey.” He carefully lowers himself onto the ground beside her.

He passes her a mug of hot chocolate.

“Oh gimme,” she says eagerly, “where did you even get this?”

“I raided the kitchen.” he shrugs.

She frowns into her mug.

“Peeta, there’s a ghost in my hot chocolate.”

“I know.” He replies.

“Why?”

“It’s my apology. And my promise. I won’t say boo.”

“Ugh I hate you.” She groans and takes a sip of the hot chocolate.

“You don’t.” Peeta says easily.

“No.” Katniss bumps him with her shoulder, “I don’t.”

[reachingforaspark]

November 18th- you know what that means

Continuation of the Ghostbusters/ Housemates Everlark drabble series. 

Rated T for teen.  Also, if you haven’t done so, read the previous 5 short and sweet drabbles! I am too tired to link all of them. Here is part 5, with all the previous parts linked.  Nov 18th

Peeta flinches as the doorknob squeaks under his hand, then pauses, holding his breath. No noise comes from inside the room. He gently pushes the door open further, and slides through, letting it rest back to almost closed.

So far, so good.

He creeps over to Katniss’s nightstand, feeling like the way he’s skirting around her bed somehow reflects their friendship at the moment, skirting the make out incident on careful feet. And the familiar sensation of fumbling around in the dark.

He just wants things to be normal again.

He eventually finds her phone on the floor, plugged in to charge. Her lockscreen is still that picture of them at brunch. He opens her phone and scrolls to open her alarm settings. 

"Peeta?" Katniss says groggily. 

He freezes. 

"Hey." She says and slides her hand across the bed.

"Hey," like she's not surprised to see him in her room. Like she's happy he's here. He props his chin on the edge of her mattress, taking in the curve of her cheek in the dim of the still lit phone.

She puts her hand on top of his head and clumsily strokes his hair a few times. Then she pulls back, tucks her hand away back under her head. Her eyes drift closed. 

She looks like an errant child, her braid puffed out on one side. And far less hostile, not that he'd ever tell her that. He fights the temptation in his fingertips to try to untangle her hair, to soothe it down and play with it while she sleeps.

Better not, he decides, and stands, dropping her phone onto the nightstand. 

The floor creaks as he steps back.

"Hey,” Katniss pops one eye open, then closes it against the phone’s light. “Ya going?”

Her hand comes out from under her head again, wavering around in the air.

“Yeah,” Peeta whispers, grabbing her hand and giving her knuckles a quick kiss. “Back to bed.”

It's the first time he's kissed any part of her in 17 days.

“Don't.” she demands, and yanks on their intertwined hands. “Stay.” 

She wiggles backwards and smacks her hand hard against the pillow, pouting a little as she does. 

Her eyes haven't open, and as Peeta slides into the bed beside her he hopes she remembers she asked him to do this in the morning.

“Good.” She mumbles, immediately followed by a huge yawn. 

Peeta laughs softly to himself, mirroring her position, as his elbow knocks into hers and his knees tap against her knees. Her double bed so much smaller than his queen. She bumps her limbs against him back, and with that reassuring gesture he slides straight to sleep. 

He's ripped out of it again by the ker-ching of a cash register and a familiar riff of synths. Katniss twitches a split second after him, her knee driving into his sternum as she scrambles upright and, oh god he deserved that because-

"When the snowman brings the snow-" 

He drops his head into the pillow and wheezes.  Katniss is perched on her knees, blinking stupidly around the room as the music blasts.

"Peeta?" She asks in confusion.

“He's put a great big smile on somebody's face ”

He clamps his hands over his ears. She’s going to kill him and he deserves it.

“Oh I wish it could be Christmas every dayyyy-”

It takes her until the the chorus to put it together that the awful tinny music is screaming out of her phone in place of her usual six am alarm.

Then she clambers across his body. He's momentarily distracted by her warm limbs pressing over his and the cool slide of silk, because these are very soft, very small pajamas. He’s never seen them before.

She fiddles with her phone for a second. Peeta lets his hands drift down to her hips, rolling the thin fabric experimentally between his fingers. His thumb brushes the warm skin on her hip and he feels her shiver. The music cuts out. Katniss sits back up, straddling him.

Without the light from the phone he can't quite see her face. 

“Uh, good morning?” He offers. 

She doesn't say anything, just picks up the pillow she was sleeping on and places it on his chest. She settles her weight back onto her heels, still over top of him. Part of him wants to reach up and reposition her, grab her hips and settle her against himself, but the other part is listening to the ominous swish of the pillowcase as she presses the creases from it.

“I was supposed to be far away when that went off.” He offers. 

“Hmm.” she says, her tone cold. “That would have been safer.”

She snatches up the pillow and smacks him across the face with it.

“Hey! Hey!” He protests, throwing up his arms as she keeps whacking him. “Not in the money maker!”

He wrestles the pillow away, tossing it across the room.

She rolls off him. She starts pushing at him with her feet, heels pressing into his side and shoulders. He feels himself being pushed across the mattress. She gives him one last hard shove and he slides right off the edge of the bed.

He lays there, blinking into the rug.

The transition from asleep to awake has been abrupt.

Katniss groans towards the ceiling.

“I hate you.” She says.

“If it makes you feel any better, I hate me too right now,” Peeta says. 

Some shuffling, then her head pokes over the edge of the mattress.

“You owe me breakfast in bed until at least Christmas.” She says. 

“That's probably fair enough.” 

He scrambles ungracefully to his feet, then feels his way to the door. He flicks on the hallway light, grimacing against the harsh yellow glare, then looks back at Katniss, sprawled across the bed, a dramatic hand over her face.

“Nice jammies.” He says.

The pillow she whips at him still gets him in the shoulder, even though she throws it with her eyes screwed shut.

Later, he reflects his prank was unexpectedly genius.

He’s balancing a breakfast tray and the pillows they threw as Katniss pushes back the curtains. The sky outside is very slowly transitioning black into soft grey as he awkwardly props pillows up against the headboard. Katniss settles against one, patting the spot on the bed beside her almost unconsciously as she scrolls through her phone. He hesitates.

A soft indie Christmas soundtrack floats out of the speaker.

“For future reference, this is real Christmas music.” She says and takes the tray from him, gesturing with her chin for him to slide in beside her.

As she settles the tray down on his lap and their shoulders brush, she hums happily.

Oh yeah, he can handle five more weeks of this.

[jlalafics]

I love this story and Hubbs did the cover so it's extra special.

Flashback Friday: Guy Time

Summary: Peeta Mellark returns to his hometown to help his best friend, Katniss with her two rambunctious kids. What happens when he starts to fall for all of them?

A favorite of mine since the kids make the fic, especially Liam, little adult he was. The dynamic between him and Peeta is tops.

And...fluff...fluff...fluff...

Also, this cover was one of Hubbs' favorite to create!

Check it out here on AO3!

[jlalafics]

Part Two of Everlark Prompt request-”49″

Wow, thanks for love so far! Still looking into everyone’s title suggestions so no title as of yet.

If you haven’t caught up, here is Part One.

And onward!

49. Let’s have a baby.

Summary: Best friends Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are about to embark on the biggest adventure of their lives—parenthood.

_______

Part Two

One week later…

“My name is Effie Trinket,” the woman began with a bright enthusiastic smile. “I am going to be your fertility counselor.” Picking up the clipboard, she quickly looked over their application. “And you are Katniss Everdeen…” Katniss nodded nervously, her eyes roaming the walls of the office. “…and Peeta Mellark.” The handsome blond clutching Katniss’ hand nodded apprehensively as well.

Effie looked between the two, sizing them up quickly.

They both looked like they were going to the guillotine.

“Let me go over what I would do for you,” Effie started. “I will be guiding you through this journey from trying to get pregnant to the day your little one enters the world! Looking over your application, it looks like you would like to be inseminated using Peeta’s sperm. Am I correct?”

Katniss chuckled nervously. “Yes…that is correct. Just put his swimmers in me.” Effie raised a brow. “I’m a little anxious.”

Peeta squeezed her hand. “I think we can all tell.”

She turned and glared at him. “Would you please support me in this?”

“I’m jerking off into a cup for you, for fuck sakes!”

Effie held her hands up. “Time out!” The pair turned to her. “Do you two even know each other? This isn’t one of those Craigslist dads’ thing, is it?”

“No, we’ve known each since Kindergarten,” Katniss informed the woman. “And, we’ve been bugging each other ever since.”

“Could you tell us more about this procedure?” Peeta asked.

“It’s pretty simple,” Effie said. “You would go into one of our private rooms and produce a specimen. Then, during Katniss’ ovulation period, we would inseminate and hopefully it will be successful. If not, we try again during her next ovulation phase.”

Peeta shifted in his seat in discomfort. “And, when would I be giving this specimen?”

“Anytime really. We can store your specimen until Katniss is ready,” the woman informed them both. “In fact, if you wanted, you can even do it today.”

Katniss gave him a bright smile.

“You up for it, big guy?”

++++++

The room was sterile and pristine. It felt like any other procedure room in a hospital or clinic.

Except for the porn.

The DVD’s and magazines were set in a single corner next to the television and as Peeta examined the thoroughfare, he found that there was indeed a diverse selection.

The issue was that he didn’t normally use porn for masturbatory purposes. He was usually good with a regular ol’ fantasy conjured in his mind in the comfort of his bed.

Picking up a magazine with an abundantly bosomed woman, Peeta wondered if he was indeed a breast man. Or, was he into the ass? Maybe he just liked both.

“Oh crap. Can I do this?” he whispered to himself.

There was also the thought that thousands of other men had done the exact same thing that he was supposed to be doing in the very room he stood in.

“Shit.” Peeta took a deep breath. “Remember—This is for Katniss.”

If Katniss were here, she’d probably tell him to grow a pair and get on with it.

Hands on her hips, mouth in a tight line, and fire in those grey eyes of hers…

There was a sudden shift in his groin.

Was he seriously getting a boner imagining Katniss yelling at him?

Closing his eyes, Peeta imagined her again on their couch, wrapped in her blanket and smacking him on the arm.

‘You’re such a shithead, Peeta!’

His eyes rolled back as he felt the blood rush down and through his…member.

The sensation felt so overwhelmingly good and yet the realization that it had to do with his best friend filled him with guilt.

“This is getting too real.”

He left his specimen cup in the room.

++++++

“I’m sorry.”

Katniss turned to her friend on the couch and gave him a sympathetic smile. “It’s okay.” She shifted towards him and put her head on his shoulder. “I couldn’t imagine having to ‘hit a homerun’ on the first try. Was the room really all that bad?”

“I mean, the porn was nice and current…diverse...” Peeta’s complexion flushed at his words. “I just couldn’t do it there. I mean, a bunch of dudes have—you know—in there.” He met her eyes. “I didn’t think that producing a human life could be so clinical.”

She mused over his words for a moment. “What if it didn’t have to be?”

“What do you mean?”

Katniss straightened herself and turned to her friend. “What if we just try…the all-natural way?”

Peeta’s eyes widened at her words. “Like we…you know?”

She bristled in irritation. “Sex, Peeta. The word is sex! How old are you?”

“If you’re trying to turn me on, Katniss, it’s not working!” Peeta fired back. “This brings a whole new element to the equation. Sex between friends never works out!”

“Don’t tell me that you haven’t been curious,” Katniss reasoned. “We’ve already agreed that we want to co-parent a child together. I’m just thinking that maybe it would be a little better to tell the baby that he or she wasn’t deposited in a cup and inserted into my vagina.”

“That is true,” Peeta responded. “So what do we do? Do we just pick a night and go for it?”

“Or, we can just get trashed and have unprotected sex.” Katniss slapped her hands to her hips. “You know that I’m clean. Nothing has graced this sacred palace in almost a year and a half—with the exception of Bernie.”

Peeta snorted. “Bernie?”

“My vibrator. And I know that you haven’t been with anyone for a while,” she said to his dismay. “You’ve been home with me every weekend and as you said, the walls are thin. I hear everything that happens on Saturday morning.”

“Nice to know that you respect my special ritual,” he responded. “But seriously, do you really want to try this?”

“I trust you…you’re a good-looking guy.” Katniss stood up and turned to him. “Do you think that you could possibly find me a bit sexually attractive?”

She waited as Peeta examined her. His eyes, usually so calming, now made her feel unnervingly naked.

Finally, he stood and lifted her chin to meet her anxious gaze, his thumb grazing her bottom lip.

“You have no idea, sweetheart.”

With that, Peeta walked out of the living room and towards his room.

She whipped around to the direction he was headed.

“What the hell, Peeta?”

He returned quickly with two liquor bottles in each hand.

“Vodka or scotch?”

++++++

“And, he said to me that I was stringing him along!” Katniss screeched. “I do not string people along…I told him, ‘NO!’” She stood up, wobbling on her feet. “Katniss Everdeen does not play games!” Reaching for her plastic cup of vodka. “Nobody tells me what to do!” She gulped down the last of her drink before tossing the cup away. “Gale…and Mom…I’m my own boss!”

From the sofa, Peeta raised his own cup. “You tell ‘em!” He reached for the vodka bottle to pour himself more.

The scotch had been finished off…some time ago…and the vodka was well on its way out. He couldn’t remember if he had eaten anything…he should eat…right?

“Oh God…” Katniss stumbled onto the couch. “I cannot hold my liquor…and I’m soo hungry!” She reached over, moving onto his lap. “Aren’t you hungry?”

His eyes went to her mouth, moist with alcohol, and let out a shaky breath. “Starving.”

The laughter fell from her lips and Katniss reached to trace his mouth with her fingers.

“I’ve always been curious about you,” she told him, her eyes glazed with the liquor and boldness. “I think it would be good…so good…”

“So good…” he repeated breathlessly.

Katniss tugged at his arm, forcing him to stand with her. She tripped over herself but pulled him along into the small hallway leading to their bedrooms.

“Where we going?” he asked as Katniss kicked open her bedroom door before stumbling to the ground. Peeta helped her back onto her feet. “Watch out, sweetheart.”

“I’m okay…” Katniss turned to him. “Sit…sit.”

Peeta followed, sitting at the end of the bed. It was amazingly comfortable and her comforter was this pretty blue…he found himself shifting to lay on one of the many plush pillows at the head of the bed.

“So comfy…”

“We’re going to get this done…” Katniss was unbuttoning the front of her burgundy shift dress. “I got this new bra…” She shifted revealing the black lace demi-cup. “Tada!”

Peeta smiled blearily at the woman in front of him. “Lovely.”

He was so tired.

And, her bed was too damn comfortable…

++++++

Ow.

God, her head fucking hurt.

“Ugh…” Katniss groaned, slowly turning and feeling the cracking of her bones. “What the hell?” She shifted once more and realized that her dress was half-off.

It was not unusual for her to get sluggish when drunk.

There was a deep groan and she turned to find Peeta knocked out next to her.

Shirtless.

She lifted her comforter and…yup, he was naked. “Damnit!”

Peeta shot up. “What!”

Katniss looked to him crestfallen. “We didn’t have sex!” She buried her face in her hands. “We messed up again! We can’t even conceive a child correctly…”

“Hey…hey…” Peeta put an arm around her, pulling her close. “Are you sure?” He looked under her comforter. “I am naked.”

“Yeah, but have you seen that thing?” She met his blood-shot eyes. “I would have known if that monster was in me.”

“As flattering as that is, maybe it’s better that we don’t tell our kid that he or she was conceived after mixing hard liquors,” Peeta responded. Katniss’ lower lip began to quiver and he felt a twisting in his gut seeing her broken eyes. “Why don’t you lay down?”

She nodded before resting back on her pillow, her dark hair fanning around her heart-shaped face.

“Do you think that I’m making a fool of myself trying to do this?” she asked in a small voice.

“No.” Peeta rested onto his side, propping himself up on his elbow. “You just know what you want. Not a lot of people do.”

Katniss grinned, her hand reached to cup his cheek and he fell into her soft palm before turning to press a kiss into her tender flesh.

She drew in a short breath at the sensation. “Peeta.”

He leaned in, his chest pressing to hers to feel her heart racing—or maybe his. “We going to do this?”

She nodded, shifting to push the rest of her dress of her hips along with her panties. Peeta followed, moving over her and into the space between her legs. He could feel the wet heat from her center and his whole body stiffen in anticipative pleasure.

“Kiss on three?” Katniss said.

He nodded. “One.”

She exhaled, her hand reaching down to wrap around him. “Two.”

Peeta shivered, closing his eyes at the intense sensation of her touch. “Three.”

Their mouths met hungrily, melting into the taste of aged liquor. Katniss reached, wrapping her arms around his neck to bring him deeper.

He moaned, almost coming undone as she arched up to brush her damp center against his flesh.

This wasn’t the Katniss he knew. The woman under him was some sort of siren, undoing his very core until Peeta could do nothing but let her take all of him.

Her mouth moved against his ear. “I’m ready.”

Shakily, Peeta nodded and shifted to line himself up to her core.

He let out a breath, his forehead pressing against hers as he sank deep inside her.

Her mouth fell open. “Oh…”

They began to move languidly, savoring each feeling, and knowing that this would change everything.

Neither knew where they would end up.

They only knew that there was no going back.

Katniss surrounded him, pulsating and sating his senses until he couldn’t breathe. Peeta reached, hooking her thigh against his hip as he drove deeper into her wetness willing himself to find some semblance of control.

She gasped at the sudden change, her nails digging into his back, and her coal eyes widening as she lost herself.

“I-I’m coming…”

Her wail filled the room and he joined her, jerking roughly as he filled her, her name escaping through his clenched teeth.

And as quick as it started, it was over.

Peeta fell against her chest breathlessly as her hand reached to caress his hair and lips pressed tenderly into his matted locks.

“Sleep,” she whispered.

He slept.

When he awoke, Katniss was gone.

++++++

Four Weeks Later…

Positive.

Katniss stared at the pregnancy test before placing it on the bathroom counter.

It only happened once.

After that night, they went back to being Katniss and Peeta, best of friends. They went off to their respective jobs and had dinner together on their purple couch. Then at the end of the night, they went to their own rooms to sleep off whatever seem to be growing between them.

The sex had been the best and worst thing to happen to her.

She realized that she was in love with Peeta mid-climax.

However, Katniss had no idea if he even felt the same.

And, now she was pregnant with their child.

The front door slammed shut. “Katniss!”

Peeta’s rushed footsteps grew closer and he was suddenly in the doorway of the bathroom.

His eyes immediately went to the test with the glaring plus sign.

He beamed at her. “You’re pregnant.”

Katniss nodded. “Yes, I am.”

She was suddenly being lifted off the ground in Peeta’s strong embrace and her nose found its way to his neck inhaling his sweet scent.

“I’m so happy for you.”

Her heart fell to her stomach.

He had said, ‘You’.

But, she wanted it to be ‘Us’.

_____________

Yes, there is a Part Three. I’m feeling a bit rusty during the love scenes but well I was pretty much visualizing a shitty under five-minute tryst.

Also, I think if you listen to Live’s “Hold Me Up” during, it helps.

Thanks for reading!