The Nightmares Hidden in Dreams - A Hunger Games Fan Fiction

H E L P

The stream of water runs so hot it's scalding, leaving my skin red. I slowly massage shampoo into my hair, relishing the way the shower burns, washing away the hurt. This pain is a distraction from the tidal wave of my thoughts.

Another distraction walks in the door, form foggy through the steam on the shower doors. I swipe a hand over the glass, and smirk at the sight of Peeta on the other side. Goosebumps rise on my arms when Peeta pulls the door open, stepping inside with me. My stomach flutters as he steps so close to me that we're practically touching. I have to look up to meet Peeta's eyes, and the look he gives me almost sends me to my knees.

"Mind if I join?" he murmurs, his voice gravelly. I don't trust myself to speak coherently, so I just nod slowly.

I back up until my back is against the dripping tile walls and Peeta follows me. He takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger, tilting my head closer to his, our lips a breath apart. He gazes at me as though he can see every part of me, inside and out, and adores all of it. My eyes drift to his lips, and this hesitation is torturous, so torturous that I give up and swing my arms around his neck, pulling him into me.

Water continues to fall on us, making our bodies slick with moisture. I break away from Peeta to take a breath, while he begins to spread a trail of kisses down my body. He plants a kiss right over my navel, and my stomach flutters again.

Slowly, he works his way back up to my lips, and I lean back, waiting impatiently for him to get on with it. This hunger feels as though it's gnawing me from the inside out, like I'll explode if he doesn't kiss me again.

Finally, Peeta's lips meet mine, an openmouthed kiss in which we both give and take. I am set aflame, and not because of the boiling water.

For once, my brain is quiet save for its pleading for Peeta, Peeta, Peeta.

➳➳➳

I sit cross-legged on the bed as Peeta brushes my hair, plaiting it in the simple braid he knows I love best. The feeling of his hands in my hair is divine, so I'm disappointed when he ties it off.

"Haymitch called me earlier," Peeta starts, pushing a loose tendril of hair behind my ear. "While you were in the shower." Before I came in, is unspoken, but implied. "He wants to come over for lunch or something. Feels like it's been a while since he's seen us."

It's not that it's been so long. It's just that Haymitch still struggles, bottles in both fists. I make a habit of visiting him at least once a week, but sometimes he's so far gone that he's barely conscious. I know that he's trying to escape this vice, but the hold it has on him is just too strong to ever break free.

He must be having a decent day today to be sober enough to even suggest this. I brighten at the thought of seeing Haymitch, since he's as close to a parent as I can get out here in Twelve.

"Yeah, that's fine. Did he say what time?"

Peeta shrugs. "He'll show up whenever he wants to without any other warning. You know how he is."

And knowing Haymitch, lunch will probably be closer to dinner.

"So who's cooking, you or me?" I ask.

He stares at me wide-eyed. "Are you being serious?"

"No. Get in the kitchen."

➳➳➳

Peeta is just pulling the food from the oven when the doorbell rings, somehow timing it perfectly to Haymitch's arrival.

While he's occupied in the kitchen, I go to the front door and swing it open, the heat outside flowing in.