(no subject)

[inciting]

The fight or flight instinct still hadn't slipped out of Katniss's damaged mind.

She knew, factually they were in District 13. Even though they didn't even know it exsisted up until a few days ago.

Well, some of them.

Her family was here. Peeta was here. Gale was here. Katniss? She was pretty sure half the time she was actually still back in the arena. She had nightmares, she'd always had nightmares, but none has seemed to follow her into reality quite the same way.

Today was one of those days. She was completely still, breathing heavy, staring at the door, certain that what was going to come through wasn't going to be some District 13 medic. Sure the empty room was about to fill up with Capitol peacekeepers, or...worse. There was always worse.

Comments

[bakersson]

Peeta laughed at the smack, so glad to see Katniss smiling like that. It really didn't happen often enough. He really liked it.

"I know... I mean- well, I didn't know but... I meant it's okay." Because he sure as hell wasn't any more experienced than she was. "I didn't really notice."

[inciting]

"What if we're really terrible at it and just don't know any better?"

She tried to compare it to her kiss from Gale. Not that she was going to share that with Peeta. But...it didn't really compare. that was awkward, and stiff, and that didn't even get into the emotional turmoil from it. Happy, and heavy and warm were far from how it had made her feel.

[bakersson]

That earned another small laugh, both arms wrapping around her again. "Then we'll just have to keep our standards low with each other?"

[inciting]

That caused an unexpected little flip in her stomach, and she set that aside to think about later, too.

And instead just pressed her face into his shoulder.

[bakersson]

His fingers stroked down her long hair as he continued to hold her, keeping the silence going for some time. Had he just pressured her into something she wasn't prepared for? He hoped not.

"Unless... you wanted to kiss other people. I'd understand."

[inciting]

The silence, and his fingers stroking her hair were undoing her promise not to sleep for a long time. It was such a small movement, but so comforting, so calming.

"No." She said, before feeling that that was maybe not enough. "I'm fine with...you kiss well. It was...enough kissing."

She should have left it at no.

[bakersson]

Her answer made him laugh but definitely not in a mocking way, though of course it didn't stop him from teasing her. As usual.

"Did Ms. Katniss Everdeen just say I'm a good kisser? Really? I almost wish we did have cameras on us right now to capture the moment, so I could replay it over and over again. Forever."

[inciting]

"Actually I said kissing you was good enough." but she was smiling again.

And more than happy to give a little of what she was taking.

"You don't kiss as good with the camera's around. Must be performance anxiety."

[bakersson]

She made him laugh harder at that, covering his eyes with one of his hands.

"Ouch, okay okay I totally deserved that."

[inciting]

"Good thing you don't have that now..."

She leaned up, stealing another kiss. Because she liked them quite a bit.

[bakersson]

He was still smiling when she kissed him, though there wasn't a single moment of hesitation as he returned it happily, a gentle warmth settling in the center of his chest. This was too perfect.

"With more practice I'll get over it quicker."

[inciting]

"So are you saying we should practice more?" She cocked her head at him, biting her lip in a half grin.

It wasn't an idea she was going to object to. Practicing kissing in their little world.

[bakersson]

He pushed himself up a bit this time too until he was leaning on his elbow, meeting her halfway. "I'd never say no to that." Peeta grinned, before leaning into her this time and stealing the next kiss first.

[inciting]

"I didn't think you would."

This time she sank back, pulling Peeta half on top of her as she went. Let him be in control for a bit.

[bakersson]

He rolled onto his side with the movement, one arm propped on the bed to hold himself up a bit, though their bodies still touched when he leaned over her to place his lips onto hers again, starting the kiss sweetly like he would have in the arenas, though this time... it was twice as genuine.

[inciting]

It was nice, these slow, soft kisses. She tried to think back on all the ways they had kissed before, but those felt surreal, like they belonged to other people. Not them.

She laid small on his lips, his cheeks, along the strong line of his jaw, letting herself enjoy it. Exploring.

[bakersson]

He had no idea what this meant, where exactly the kisses put them, or if anything had changed, but those were difficult questions he felt would take longer to answer. For now, this was what they both wanted and needed and Peeta was more than happy to share it with Katniss.

And the kissing was really nice.

He couldn't stop smiling as she explored to other parts of his face, leaning in to gently place one by her throat in return, leaving an affectionate nuzzle there right after. "I could get used to this."

[inciting]

"That sounds so familiar!" She said with a smile. Remembering when she found him in the cave. And how happy a moment that had been.

Her hand found his and twined their fingers together.

sob I've been tagging angst all day... /sits here in the cute

[bakersson]

He laughed lightly at that, glad she remembered something so simple. "I definitely meant it then too."

And he'd continue to feel lucky forever if this continued, if they could get through this rebellion together and still be alive someday. It was a nice thought. Maybe they could rebuild 12, start anew...

He rested against her neck for some time with the comfort of her hand and body beneath him. He gave her fingers a squeeze before eventually looking up to her again, smiling softly (though that seemed to be his default expression tonight). "I'm glad we have this room." This little world. If every night could be like this, even the worst of days would be liveable.

come to me.

[inciting]

Her mother had been less than thrilled, and Katniss had promised she would speak to them about it.

It wouldn't the the first time she had lied to her mother.

"I am too." Her hand stroked over the back of his neck, curling into his hair, holding him to her.

/crawls into arms

[bakersson]

His eyes threatened to shut from how relaxed he felt but he forced them not to, knowing that would bring him an earlier sleep than he wanted.

"Thanks for... doing this," he murmured quietly after a long moment, kissing under her jaw soft but his tone serious. "Keeping my mind off of... things, even if you hadn't meant to."

[inciting]

It hadn't been her intent, but she was glad for it anyway.

"I'm glad. I'm...you know I'm here for you."

[bakersson]

"I know... and it means a lot to me." She was pretty much all he had at this point. "You'll always have my back and I'll have yours. I promise."

[inciting]

She leaned up, pressing their mouths together again.

"...there's a lot coming at us, you know." She didn't think he didn't. But she wanted to be sure they were on the same page.

[bakersson]

His eyes closed momentarily at the kiss, only looking down to her again at her words. "I know..." This was only the beginning. "The calm before the storm, right?"