Mockingjay

She bopped up to him, her lips crashing into his with such ease and attention he almost melted into her as she pulled away to settle into the seat. His cheeks flushing rosy at the evidence the feeling he shared was mutual. He shook his head, pulled from his stupor with a lightly embarrassed laugh as he shut the passenger door and darted around to the driver's side.

"Oh that? You said you hadn't eaten all day and you were talking about coffee. Just, that much caffeine on an empty stomach would make me feel sick." Peeta offered, pulling into the road. "I just didn't want you to be uncomfortable hanging out with me." he pulled to a red light stopping to look at her with a grin. "You really should eat more. Out of the cheese buns I made you already?" he leaned in eyeing her lips before glancing back up at her before pressing a more deliberate kiss than before.

"I'll remember to keep snacks on me for you too" Katniss had felt sick, but she'd pushed through it. The goldfish were helping, and the fast food would certainly aid in filling her stomach.

"I would of survived" Katniss turned to look at him, again fighting the urge to smile. "Yes, midnight snacks, duh" her breath stumbled as he leaned in, her own eyes darting to the light before leaning into kiss him a little slower than before.

"I'll try to eat breakfast, at least"

Peeta squeezed her hand in his. The feel of her palm against his, the spaces between their fingers fitting perfectly. How could she make every worry he had just melt away with a simple touch of her hand in his? It baffled him but he wasn't too concerned.

Instead he leaned in pumping their heads together affectionately. Not sure if a kiss hello would be too intense for their casual date out but still showing his adoration in greeting. "Whatever you have the budget for Katniss. I know it can get tight." Peeta answered, walking her all the way to the passenger door before opening it for her to slide in.

His head tilted slightly, a rise to his shoulders and widening of his eyes in hopeful curiosity. "Really?" he asked, the surprise not quite tempered in his tone. He didn't think she'd mind going to the museum. He thought it would be a good way to spend time with her and be productive, maybe show her his top five works but that she'd mostly just be doing it for him. It stirred something warm within the flutter of his heartbeat that the two of them might share this in common.

Katniss slid into the seat, bouncing up to press a kiss into his mouth before slipping back into the bar. "Yes, you've talked about it multiple times!" Katniss was smiling, a blush darkening her cheeks.

"Stop staring" Katniss was teasing him, but her attention was focused on opening the snacks just to avoid the shyness that overcame her. It was new to be affectionate, but Katniss was trying to lean into that fluttery feeling when they were around one another.

Alone, they never had a problem but out in the open...Katniss wasn't sure how much Peeta would want to be seen with her. "Thank you for getting me something."

She snagged the packets from his hand pushing into his space to leave her doorway. He shook his head with a chuckle. "You're lucky I didn't stop and just get a full meal." he laughed holding out his hand for her to take.

If she wanted to leave extras in his car he wouldn't deny her, but it would be funny eventually when this happened again and this time he'd be prepared. "You promised me dinner though remember." he teased as they headed downstairs.

"What's something quick that we could share? We can eat in the car before going into the museum." he offered, stepping closer to her so they bumped into each other as they walked and chatted. Wanting nothing more than to be intertwined with her proximity.

"I guess I'll count myself lucky" She offered a small smile towards him, her fingers slipping between his. It made her heart flutter, even the small gesture of holding hands made everything seem...softer.

"I did, I did" She mumbled, tossing another look over her shoulder at him. "Fast food? Fries sound good." Katniss was aiming for easy, quick— especially so Peeta could actually get to work and not worry over her.

"Quick bite, and then straight to studying." Katniss couldn't stop the smile on her mouth as he bumped into her, leaning into his arm as they matched pace. "I'm excited to see the museum..."

Peeta kept a close eye on his watch. The times ticking away as he ran the few errands and snagged a few small bags of goldfish in the store. Using the last of the cash he had in his pocket. University food stipend didn't exactly cover gas station snacks but he didn't care.

He took the stairs up to her apartment, two steps at a time, arriving to knock on her door at exactly fifteen minutes from his text. And it was just about the time she opened that he realized he hadn't changed from practice. Just a book bag on his shoulder, a simple t-shirt with the university logo across the chest, and his practice shorts. Not exactly date material but he couldn't help but beam at the sight of her.

Peeta held up the small bags of goldfish. "Ready?"

Katniss cracked the door opening, planning on waiting in the parking lot for Peeta. Her back straightened in surprise when he popped up behind her door, her eyes wide. "Peeta!" She took a small stumble back, looking at the few bags of goldfish. "You didn't need to get me three!" She reached out for them, the door closing behind her.

"Keep the extra two in your car for yourself. Have you had anything yet?" She asked, turning to look over her shoulder at Peeta while she locked up. "I really will be okay with just this you know, we can get going..." She mumbled, feeling guilty that grabbing dinner was going to cut into his study time.

[text -> Katniss Everdeen] Which flavor? [text -> Katniss Everdeen] (⌒_⌒) I'll be there in 15

[text -> Peeta Mellark] The regular, thank you

[text -> Peeta Mellark] I'll see you in a little bit <3

[text -> Katniss Everdeen] Already grabbing my stuff babe [text -> Peeta Mellark] I gotta stop and get gas anyway, what's a snack you want from the gas station? [text -> Peeta Mellark] We can get something small on the way, the museum is open until 9pm we have plenty of time for both.

[text -> Peeta Mellark] Fine.

[text -> Peeta Mellark] ...Gold fish please. [text -> Peeta Mellark] I'll be waiting!

[text -> Katniss Everdeen]

[text -> Katniss Everdeen] Excuse me ma'am. Why haven't you eaten? Screw later, I'm coming to pick you up now. What do you want for a snack on the way to dinner?

[text -> Peeta Mellark] It is a very common thing

Katniss pouting.

[text -> Peeta Mellark] I've been living off of coffee and water today, I can survive until later.

[text -> Peeta Mellark] You have that project! Let's just grab something fast, we don't need to get actual dinner.

[text -> Katniss Everdeen] Ooooh there's that local bakery down the block from the museum. Could meet there? I'm sure they have coffee. [text -> Katniss Everdeen] I promise to let you pay this time (^_~)

[text ->Peeta Mellark] I'll meet you there. Try not to cause any trouble.

[text -> Peeta Mellark] Exactly. It's my turn, you can get next one.

[text -> Peeta Mellark] I hope they have snacks. I'm starving. I ran out of the apartment and forgot my breakfast. I haven't eaten all day T_T

@nightlockrebel | for fun silly short stuff

[text -> Katniss Everdeen] I've got to do this assignment for my art appreciation class. It'll be a quiet night at the museum. Are you up for keeping me company?

[text -> Peeta Mellark] Hmmmm. I suppose I can join you. I could stop and get us coffee before?

Hi Loves!

So we are 30 days out from the wedding (EEEK!) and I mentioned a few weeks ago something exciting and I can finally share. We bought a house! Which is just, crazy timing. We didn't think it would happen before the wedding but now its like, everything falling into place. Wish me luck as I navigate the next 30 days of craziness.

#.mun

Peeta threw his head back with a laugh, resting his head against the warming bricks of the fireplace. He rolled his head to the side, eyes glowing with a sort of magical sparkle that could only happen in her presence. He grinned at her, the sweet quip on the tip of his tongue. You're the only one I don't lie to. But she continued, choosing instead to trust he meant what he said.

The curve of her smile. Inviting as her gaze lingered on his lips a little too long to not be purposeful. His palms moved along the curve of her thigh and hips. Pleasantly, absentmindedly. Something that would have been scrutinize in his own mind by the knowledge of cameras and watchful eyes.

It was different now. Easier. And for a moment, Peeta thought he could see that bold little girl he'd fallen for when they were in class. He shook his head beaming at her. "Don't be mad. You chased me. I chased you. We chased each other. Maybe it was just time, we waited...just to make sure." he offered softly, his hands trailing the curve of her backside to keep her securely in his lap as he leaned in closer, nose nuzzling against hers affectionately.

"I've never been good at waiting" She breathed, her arms slipping around his neck. "But you were certainly worth it" Katniss couldn't help herself, dropping her mouth right back on his. Peeta was always warm, and safe and home.

"I missed you. . ." Her nose brushed against his, "I thought you'd never come home" Truly, she thought that Peeta would never return to twelve, to her. There was a much better life for him out there, without the complication of this but Peeta...Peeta wanted to be here, wanted to try to build something between them again.

Peeta shook his head dismissively, waving her off for the apology. "Not your fault." he offered, hands running up her thighs comfortably. It felt so familiar to be this close to her. Like the broken bits of his brain that was trying to warn him were silenced by a soft warming deja vu. They'd done this before. A hundred times. Wrapped up close, talking about the way they saw the world.

The details escaped him, but his body moved on muscle memory alone. And it felt so natural to be in her space. He grinned at her comment with a laugh. "One of the few titles I'd gladly take." he quipped lightly.

Warm and safe even as the winds and rains howled through the cracks of the house, for the first time in a long time Peeta finally felt like he was home.

"What if I said you were what's good for me?" he asked innocently.

"Then I'd call you a liar" It was so hard to believe she could be good for him, after the hell they'd survived over the last few years. Katniss wasn't sure if she was the good one out of the two of them, and she'd even argue that Peeta was really the one who kept them all from falling apart.

"...but I don't wanna argue with you so if you think I'm good for you" Katniss flicked her gaze up from his mouth, if Peeta looked close enough he'd see she was teasing him now, and at the edge of her mouth was a sly smile hiding. "You know, the last few days I've been trying to figure out how to approach you" But there she was, curled up in his lap like they hadn't spent the last few months avoiding one another. "And all I can think about now is how mad I am that I waited for this just because I was worried"

Chilled fingertips found the space between his cautiously, but he squeezed her hand gently in return. Reverent in the feel of her hand in his again. Teeth marks faded into tiny little scars from where she had bitten hard enough to draw blood at Coin's assassination execution.

The warmth of his palm against her cheek could feel the chill in her body start to leave as he ran his thumb across her skin. A brighter smile at her question, but Peeta shrugged and shook his head. Not dismissively, but rather out of sheer loss. He didn't know honestly. Didn't know what he needed. Just that he wanted to be with her.

"For you to just...keep letting me know you want me around I guess." he offered, the tingle of her nose nuzzling into his made him feel all cozy inside.

His head fell back with a short laugh. "Then my only option would be to give you more." Peeta mused, scooting even closer to pull her into his lap and wrap his arms around her middle securely.

"I'll let them know when they need to know." Peeta said, a touch of defiance in his tone. "You care what the doctors think?"

"I'm sorry I haven't been very good at that" Not intentionally just...Katniss wasn't sure how to feel when she saw him that day, planting primrose, of course she'd thrown herself into his arms...it was the after that made everything complicated. Katniss had over thought every scenario of Peeta being home, and the obvious conclusion of him having feelings for her— it still didn't make sense in her head. He still had feelings for her. Did Peeta love her?

Katniss scrambled into his lap, flushed as she met Peeta's expression. "They'll call you a rebel" Her lips ghosted into a smile, curling at the end of her mouth. Rebels, yes, they'd been that before— using it now just felt silly.

"If I cared what they thought I'd be in the Capitol where they wanted me" Thank goodness for Haymitch making that fight to allow her to come home. The last thing that was going to help her was sitting with the doctors. Even if she had become a bit of a recluse, the woods healed her more than any doctor could.

"I just want you to do whats good for you"