Unwanted Vows

Tension

When I wake up, the sun is shining on my face. For a split second I think that I'm outside, in the forest, waking up after an afternoon nap. Then I feel the satin sheets against my skin. I feel a heavy, hand over my waist, and remember where I am. I don't move, I don't want to wake him. I didn't have any nightmares last night, and neither did, Peeta, I think. All I remember is passing out in his arms after our final embrace, and then... Nothing. I haven't felt this rested in a long, long time.

A tradition in the Capitol, is for the bride and groom to have a special breakfast the day after they are married. Though certain things are to have happened the night before, as well. Peeta and I didn't exactly fulfill that tradition. I look at my hand, the gold band with a small diamond that sits on my ring finger. I remove it and read the engraving over and over.

The boy with the bread

It is carved into the gold band with a small heart that has an arrow driving through it. Peeta has the girl on fire written in his. It's silly I suppose and I don't really know why we choose those names, but it felt normal. Something had to be normal, something had to be right on our wedding day.

When he stirs next to me, and whispered good morning I loose grip on my ring. It tosses through the air and hits Peeta square between the eyes. I turn my face to look at him and I'm met with a pair of love filled blue eyes. He gently rubs the spot on his face and hands me back my ring.

"Sorry," I whisper.

He just chuckles while shaking his head, kissing my cheek and leaving to shower. The bed suddenly feels cold and lonely, too big without him.

On the nightstand sits a red notecard with small black scribbling. Taking a deep breath to brace myself first, I read what it says. The message is short, written in black ink in an unfamiliar hand.

"Breakfast is served at 10."

In District 12, the newlyweds are left alone on the morning after their wedding night. Someone leaves them a delicious breakfast outside the bedroom door, leaving the two newlyweds alone. In the Capitol, however, there is a breakfast for close friends, family and the most prominent wedding guests the next morning, which the newlyweds are expected to attend.

I think it's a cruel tradition, putting the newlyweds and their intimate relations on display. Effie forced me to read a book on Capitol weddings a few months ago, and apparently, the newlyweds are expected to display their passion for each other. A reflection of what went on the previous night. I was shocked to say the least, but I shouldn't have expected anything less of the Capital. In our case, it's pretty evident why Snow is doing this - he will use us to display his power over us.

We'll never win this fight.

It's nearly 10 already. We both take a quick shower and get dressed. We don't talk much, but somehow I'm not surprised when I see what Peeta's wearing. He's dressed in his old jeans and favorite t-shirt from District 12. I'm wearing my hunting clothes. A tight-fitting jacket, army green pants, black boots, and a simple t-shirt. My hair is in its usual braid, my face is free of make-up.

This is who we are.

The message is unmistakable.

You cannot change us.

"Glad to have you back, huntress," he says with a wink, and kisses me. When he finally lets me go, I can feel that my lips are red and my face is flushed.

"Peeta!" I screech, but my smile takes the edge away from my words. He smiles back, and takes my hand.

We are united.

They don't see us at first. The mood at the breakfast table is subdued - I don't know how many are hungover, probably quite a few of them. Perhaps some haven't even been to bed yet. The tension in the room is not un-noticed. Peeta's parents are there and my family as well. I don't quite know how to deal with my mother-in-law, I am hardly what she would want for her son. I'm sure she'd expected her son to marry a nice, blond merchant girl. Instead he's ended up with me - the scowling, dark-haired daughter of a miner, who grew up in the poorest part of the Seam.

Surprisingly, Haymitch is awake. His jaw is clenched, his eyes are hollow. He's the first to spot us where we stand, silently, hand in hand.

The hunter. The baker.

Victors. Allies. Married.

"Katniss. Peeta." Haymitch says, and what little chatter there was around the table instantly dies down. Snow's piercing eyes look straight through us. What does he see?

I don't care.

And then I realize what they all see. They see my swollen lips, the rosiness in my cheeks, the fire in my eyes. Peeta has branded me as his with his fierce kiss just a few minutes ago. He did it on purpose. He may look so innocent, but Peeta's cunning. He's learned how to play Snow's games.

We won't be broken. My gray eyes meet Peeta's blue ones, and there's a lingering moment where we say all there is to say, without words.

As we sit down by the table, I meet Haymitch's eyes, he's sitting right across from me. He lifts an eyebrow questioningly, my mother is sitting next to him, and I can't help but blush when I look at her. Prim watches our silent exchange with furrowed brows, clearly not quite understanding what's going on.

We are defiant. Peeta and I were forced to play the Capitol's game in the arena, but we bent the rules, and we got out alive. Together. Yesterday, we were again forced to play Snow's game, but we emerged stronger than we were before. Once again, together.

And I know that something starts here, today. I can feel it in the air. See it in the glances the other victors send us. We have shown them that the Capitol can be outsmarted in their own vicious game.

Maybe a life with Peeta, won't be so bad. No matter how tainted the relationship may be, maybe I'll be able to fall in love with him as well.

Peeta's hand is still holding mine underneath the table. His fingers are warm and strong around mine. I give them a small squeeze.

And I know this is only the beginning.

A.N. Hi you guys! That is it! So sad it has come to an end, but so happy we have finished. Comment and tell me what y'all thought!