Snippet Sunday: "Photograph"
I actually got some writing done this weekend, and I'm going about it slowly as I had a hectic week with work changes as well as deciding that I'm going to go back to school.
I'm hoping to update by the end of the upcoming week, but until then enjoy this small snippet.
“You look like you’re having some sort of existential crisis.”
Peeta approached, smiling bright and looking as handsome as ever.
God, she hated how hot he was and how hot he made her sometimes.
He stopped in front of her chair, holding his hand out to her, and Katniss took it without hesitation. Standing, Katniss greeted him with a light kiss before weaving her arm through his.
“I kind of was,” she admitted. “It’s not that I don’t love the girls and y—the Palace.” Her body sighed in relief at catching herself before she revealed herself. “But I remember that I had a life before this. And it was quiet and full of days where I got to be creative through my blog. Now it’s nothing but—”
“Events and watching me make speeches,” he finished for her. “I get it. You don’t want to lose you. I wouldn’t want you to because the person you are is the one that I’m crazy about. So crazy about that I stop myself several times in the night from barging into your room to have my way with you.”
Peeta stopped, his arms encircling her waist. In turn, Katniss wrapped her arms around his neck.
“We’re both feeling it. The coronation is just a few days away and yet I haven’t even had a chance to take you out on a proper date.”
Katniss flushed. “A date?”
“You know…where we have dinner and a movie? I walk you to the door and hope I get a kiss goodnight,” Peeta said. “I want to woo you, Katniss Everdeen. Not as King, but as Peeta Mellark.”
“Mellark? Is that your last name?”
“Well, when my parents got married, my grandfather made them Duke and Duchess of Mellark,” he explained. “Then when Dad became King, the title went to me.”
She grinned. “I’d like that, going out on a date with Peeta Mellark.”
“You would?” Peeta beamed before pressing a full kiss to her lips. “I can’t wait. I have a lot of planning to do. What do you like to eat? Italian? French?”
“Whoa there, don’t get so excitable, even if I think it’s cute. Let’s just get the time scheduled before even getting to that point.”
They continued towards the palace and even now, Katniss still couldn’t believe that she was living there. Her gaze went to Peeta, lit by the morning sun, not quite believing he was real and solid in front of her. She thought that crushing on someone was hard, especially when that person was a King.
It was even harder realizing that you loved them.
She couldn’t determine the moment it had all changed, but it seemed to happen as naturally as breathing. This encompassing love for Peeta’s kindness, gentleness, and passion. Yes, he drove her crazy with his arrogance. However, she could see through it enough to see that there lay a person who was just as insecure in his place in life as she was.
Yet, Katniss knew that this was just another thing that they needed to get through—together.
“Hey,” she called. “Does this mean my name is Katniss Mellark?”
Peeta laughed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “I believe it does.” He kissed her temple affectionately, his blue eyes aglow as he looked at her. “How are you this morning, Mrs. Mellark?”
Katniss pressed closer to his side.
