Are You Coming To The Tree?

Pairing: Peeta Mellark x reader

Request: I had some anxious Peeta in mind, where he is scared of losing you the second time you two have to go into the hunger games, so he constantly buries his head into your neck, touches your hand, and just wants to be with you the whole time? @starshippermoon

Tagging:@bitchwhytho@music-of-melody@shadowhuntyi@avada-kedavra-bitch-187

You know what’s coming before the peacekeepers are at the door. It’s just been announced that the Quarter Quell requires the victors to go into the arena once more, and while Peeta stands a chance to stay out of the arena with Haymitch as the other male victor of District 12, you know you’re not as lucky.

“You have a chance,” he says but what chance is that? President Snow allowed for you to move to District 12 as a favor to the people of Panem. They were all too engrossed with the star-crossed lovers that had met last year when Peeta and Katniss joined the games. You and Peeta had met with him being a tribute and you being a mentor, and the rest was history. They came out victoriously when it was announced that a District could win together, and you were allowed to leave your home in District 4 to be with Peeta and to keep the people of Panem happy, but now you would have to go back.

“Peeta, I can’t let Annie go into that arena again. And I’m definitely not about to let Mags go in. It’ll be me and Finnick, you know this.” He knows it. But it’s human to want to protect the people you love. And that’s the very reason you rush over to Haymitch’s house.

“If Peeta is picked—”

“I’ll volunteer. No worries, pumpkin.” You’re well aware that you’re asking him to volunteer himself to be killed but what can you do? Peeta can’t die.

“Thank you.” On your way out, you spot Gale on the steps to Katniss’ house. Once again, the girl he loves will be entering the arena and this time, she might not make it out alive. For a horrible second, you realize that you could be the reason for that, but you hope someone else will take care of that for you. In the distance, you see the peacekeepers meant to take you to the train station. Much too fast you’re back in District 4 and when Mags is chosen, you volunteer as tribute. You see the relief in Finnick’s eyes when he realizes that he won’t have to watch the love of his life be slaughtered, and the pity when he realizes that you just might.

“We’ll make him pay for this.” You want to tell Finnick that it’s cruel to make promises that you can’t keep but instead, you simply nod. You don’t doubt that Snow did this to send a message that no one is safe from the Hunger Games but it doesn’t matter. You still find yourself in the arena while Snow is sitting comfortably in his mansion. You still struggle to keep Peeta alive for even the first five hours while everyone starts killing while Snow gets to tuck his granddaughter into bed once the festivities are finished in the Capitol. You don’t care about making him pay, you care about the boy sitting right next to you, clasping your hand with his as you run away from all the horrible things happening behind you.

“We have to keep moving,” he says, pulling you with him but moving is pointless without water. You need to find water first but you don’t have the heart to tell him that. So, you keep moving and Katniss takes the rear end with her bow and arrows. Finnick eventually finds you too, and you’re so relieved to see him alive that you instantly pull him in for a hug.

“Hey,” he says, hugging you tightly. So many unsaid things are said between the two of you through the hug, but you both keep quiet as you return to Peeta’s side. You and Finnick said your goodbyes on the train, and you won’t open up that box now. Peeta lives. That’s the agreement and no one questions it.

“We need water,” Katniss says, and you agree. Once again, Peeta’s hand finds yours in an act of comfort, you’re too weak to resist. At nighttime, your thoughts are consumed by your need for water and when you see the sponsor gift float through the sky, you might actually weep from pure joy. You recognize the tap immediately and get a hole ready in a tree.

“Here,” you whisper, letting the others drink first. Relief floods your entire body as the lukewarm water fills your mouth. That night Finnick takes the first watch, and Peeta and you snuggle up under the cover of a low tree. You’re both sweating as the tropical night increases the humidity in the air, but neither of you is willing to let go of the other. A pattern that repeats itself over the next few days as the group grows with Johanna, Beetee, and Wiress. You always find a way to touch each other, and you find that you don’t mind showing affection in front of the others as much as you thought you would. The need increases even more after the Jabberjays. You run into the forest after Finnick and Katniss, only to find yourself trapped in there for what feels like an eternity. Haymitch’s screams fill your head despite your attempt to keep the sound out by covering your ears.

“Y/N,” you hear someone say softly, but you can’t move.

“You need to get up. We’ll go down to the water,” the voice says again, and this time you recognize it. Peeta is trying to get you to look at him, but you just can’t. He doesn’t leave your side after that. Not when Beetee comes up with his idea to use the tree hit by lightning, not when it’s time to lay out the wire. And you’re forever thankful to have him by your side.

“Whatever happens tonight, I love you. You know that, right?” You caress his cheek as your heart slowly breaks apart. There’s no way all of you make it out of this arena, and you know you’re not only fighting the others to keep Peeta alive. You’re fighting Peeta too because he wants you to be the victor. But you can’t return to your home without him. He still has his family, you don’t. All you have is Peeta.

“I love you too.” He pulls you in and kisses you gently. It’s not enough though. Tomorrow you might all be dead. So, you deepen the kiss, tasting the salt coating his skin. His mouth moves in familiar patterns, and you ache for home with him.

“Forgive me for interrupting, but we need to get this wire laid out,” Johanna says, not looking sorry at all. She gives a little smirk as you and Peeta take a step back, but he’s quick to grab your hand. Nothing pains you more than being the one to knock him unconscious.

“Get his tracker,” you order Johanna, keeping an eye out for whoever ruined the wire. You’re not sure what happens next. Enobaria strikes you and starts dragging you away from Peeta while you’re screaming for Johanna to stay with Peeta. Next, there is a huge explosion that disorients you for a brief second, then a hovercraft appears in the sky, and you just about make out Peeta’s figure being lifted out of the arena alongside Katniss and someone else.

“We’ll get him out, Y/N.”

“Promise me, Haymitch. Swear you’ll get him out before me.” He stays quiet for a little while, but you’re not letting this go. He needs to swear it.

“Alright. If it comes to it, I swear we’ll get him out first.” He fidgets in his seat, but you’re satisfied. You know what you’re asking of him, but he owes you this.

“But we’re coming back for you.” This time, you’re the one that keeps quiet.

You watch as the hovercraft disappears and as the first peacekeepers arrive. There’s no time for them to return for the rest of you, but you find your peace in the fact that Peeta made it out alive. You even smile as the first peacekeeper smacks you right across the face.

“Come get me, Snow.”