Ashes Blow Away

Chapter Twelve

CHAPTER TWELVE: AFTER THE WEDDING

The guests don't leave until well into the afternoon, maybe around seven. When the last guest has left - Johanna - I flop backwards into a random seat, letting out a loud sigh.

Venia's heels click on the hard floor as she walks over to me. " Thank you for inviting me!" she squeals, bending down to kiss my cheek.

" Thank you for being here!" I exclaim, kissing her cheek back.

" Would you like us to help clean up?" she asks.

I wave her away. " Don't worry about it - we'll deal with it tomorrow."

Flavius, Octavia, and Venia are gone in less than a minute, leaving Effie behind. She squeals, running over and hugging me.

" It went smoothly!"

As we pull away from each other, I smile, holding her arm arms length. " Thank you so much, Effie. You went above and beyond."

" Oh, Katniss, I did nothing - you and Peeta were the real stars," Effie chirps.

I smile. " Well, thank you, anyway."

Effie grins. " Oh, one more thing," and she leans in as if to whisper, but it comes out at a normal volume, " about the lingerie. Are you sure? I could lend you some."

I feel a blush creep onto my face. And not because I'm uncomfortable with what she said, but because Peeta is standing there feet away, grinning from ear to ear.

" No!" I say flustered. " I'm fine, thank you."

A look comes upon Effie's face that would make anyone think I had done something to personally hurt her.

" Oh, well, if you change your mind let me know," she says.

Effie kisses my cheek, and with that, she takes her leave.

Peeta bursts out laughing, doing that hiccuping thing of his. I purse my lips.

" It's not funny," I tell him, crossing my arms over my chest.

" It's hilarious," he says, in between laughs.

" I'm glad you find my so funny," I say, raising an eyebrow.

" Oh, come on, Katniss. You know that's not what I mean," he says.

" No? What do you mean?"

Peeta groans. " Katniss, please don't make me say it."

" Say what?" I ask, putting on my best innocent face. The perfect payback, Katniss Everdeen - Mellark - style.

" The word."

" What word."

" The word."

" You mean this?" I say, stepping toward him. I reach up on my tip toes and kiss his soft lips.

He responds instantly, wrapping his arms round my waist. I jump up, wrapping my legs around his. It's thoroughly uncomfortable, since my overall pain from dancing, but the heat that flows through me drowns out all the other feelings.

Peeta's lips find my neck, trailing down my jaw. He repeats this action several times, and I huff, bored.

"Oh, come on, Peeta!" I say. " If that's all you've got then I may as well j-"

But then I am being whisked off my feet and carried upstairs. My heart swells with happiness, and since that feeling comes few and far between for me, I let myself be.

It feels pretty nice, too.

_________________________________

When my eyes open, the sunlight streams through the window. It blinds me at first, but when I've gotten over the initial door, I take in Peeta's sleeping form next to me. His eyes are closed in sleep, blond eyelashes touching his cheekbones. I reach out to touch his bottom lip.

" Peeta?"

He mumbles something I response.

" Peeta."

No response this time.

Since saying his names seems to be doing nothing, I lean in and kiss his cheek.

When his eyes flutter open, we share timid, embarrassed smiles, just like the first time.

" Hi," I whisper.

" Hey," he mutters.

We sit in silence for a while, before he says, " Last night was interesting."

I blush. " Yeah."

He grins. " Very interesting."

Oh, God.

I roll away from him, wrapping a sheet around myself as I stand up. He rolls his eyes as I back away into the bathroom.

I take a long, hot shower, washing away the last of the reception. There goes Annie, Beetee, Hazelle, but that stupid kid thing - it's still there.

When I turn off the water, Peeta knocks on the door.

" Katniss, can I come in?"

Seriously? He thinks because he's seen me naked twice now that it doesn't matter? No way.

" Not just yet. . . I need my clothes," I call.

" Well, come get them then," he tells me.

I groan. " Peeta."

" What? Come on, Katniss, don't pull that whole modesty thing on me."

" Peeta! Just hand me my clothes!"

He sighs. " Fine." I hear my dresser open and a moment later there is a knock on the door. " I have them."

I open the door a crack and reach my arm out. But there are no clothes. Before I can react, Peeta is pulling me out by the wrist. I go flying towards the bed, loosing my towel in the process.

" Gah!" I cry, fumbling for my towel, but Peeta has trapped it under his foot.

So here I am, completely exposed.

I reach for the bed sheet and wrap it round myself, sticking out my tongue at him childishly.

Peeta laughs shortly. " Only you would react that way, Katniss."

" You know," I say, " I'm seriously considering if I made the right choice with this marriage thing."

" Is that so?" he asks as he takes a step forward.

" Yes," I say, my breath catching.

He moves even further forward, lips hovering over my own. " Are you sure?"

" Positive," I whisper.

He leans into kiss me, but I jump away before he can. I shoot him an apologetic look and run downstairs. I hear him chuckle and then the water running a few seconds after.

I dig for clothes, and the first thing I come across a pair of denim shorts and a blue tank top. I throw it on. Underwear will have to wait till later, when Peeta isn't in such a weird mood.

Five minutes later, when Peeta comes downstairs, I keep my eyes trained on the floor. He sits beside me.

" Katniss?"

" Huh?" I ask, still staring at the ground nervously.

" I'm sorry. I was only teasing," he says.

" I don't like being teased!" I say, looking up at him.

" Look, Katniss, I'm as new at this as you are," he tells me, touching my cheek gently. " But we'll get used to it eventually."

I smile. Peeta pulls my head to his chest.

" We're an odd pair, aren't we?" I say after a moment.

He kisses my hair and chuckles. " I suppose we are."

" But things could be worse," I say quietly.

" Yeah, I suppose they could be."

So I hope this was fluffy enough for you guys :)

I just wanted to say quickly that I really like the new cover. I made it myself, and I want some more opinions. Let me know if you life it or not!