Bah Humbug, But That's Too Strong...

[the_effect_she_has]

Who: Katniss Everdeen and You
What: Kissmas (with a touch of violence.)
When: December 7th through the rest of Kissmas
Where: The Castle
Rating: Healthy PG-13. We don't know who she'll meet under the mistletoe, or what sort of shenanigans will happen.


Panem didn't have Christmas.

To be fair, it didn't have a lot of holidays, but it never had anything like Christmas. Katniss would said, with a twist of her
lips. Of course, she didn't think Christmas was like this in different worlds - with ghosts setting up decorations and little plants that made you kiss people.

Still, she had to be out and about now. Silva was going after people again - and she had to make sure the Castle was secure ... and to give him a moving target. She wrote one thing in her journal, and one thing alone, and then started her prowling, intermixed with strict training. She had seen what he had done to Castiel and Meg.

She wasn't going to let that happen again.

Even if she did run the risk of kissing, or being kissed.

Comments

[whichwayyoulean]

The Once-ler isn't even inside the castle, presuming his safety away from the building proper. Instead, he is out by the Truffula tree, brushing snow off the makeshift shelter he made for it, and checking on its general wellbeing.

He never thought the castle's OUTSIDE would be decorated, too. You live and learn.

[the_effect_she_has]

Katniss had been covering the outside of the castle, walking the perimeter. Looking for Silva, looking for the hints and clues of him. She knew he wouldn't be running off with a job undone. Castiel and Meg would become his new James and M, and she wasn't going to allow that to happen. Not without taking Silva's pound of flesh, with it.

Which was why she was making the rounds around the Truffula tree, which she always paused at any way, to wonder at the marvel of different plant biology. This time, she saw Once, smiled, and moved towards him.

Also not considering the outside might be decorated.

[whichwayyoulean]

Once-ler turns at the sight of someone moving in his periphery. He smiles when he recognises who it is, pausing in his work to give her a small wave.

"Hey, Katniss."

[the_effect_she_has]

She closed the distance between them, her smile wide and warm, before she looked over the shelter that he was dusting off. "Please tell me you're not living out here, Once ..."

She felt the draw before she could do anything else, but she wasn't sure if that was her own attraction kicking in or the mistletoe until she felt herself get dragged in all the way. "Oh ... hell. Once, I am sorry."

[whichwayyoulean]

"Nah, I'm staying at Lucrezia's mansion a little out of the town, this is just a shelter for the Truffula. I want to keep it safe from the snow, y'know?"

He didn't realise what was happening at first, until he felt that pull. He glanced around and...yep, there was the mistletoe.

"Okay seriously who even puts it outside?" he grumbles, stepping closer.

[the_effect_she_has]

"I do know ...but if you can protect it, by all means. Do it."

She sighed, keeping her eyes on it, until Once was looming over her.

"I really don't know - so here we go." One corner of her mouth lifts up in a smile. "I can punch you, I can push you, or I can kiss you. Your choice, Once."

[whichwayyoulean]

"Can't I have a running away really fast option?"

Apparently not, as the castle's magic works it's spell and he leans down to press a kiss to her lips.

[the_effect_she_has]

"Sure, if you can outrun magic."

She tilts her chin up to him, meeting his lips with her own, and it's a light thing, this kiss. But it's still real. More real than others. And that is why she lingers for a moment before pulling away quickly.

Because whatever that lingering flicker is for her, she knows that Once won't feel the same. "Right ... well..."

[whichwayyoulean]

Luckily, or perhaps unluckily for Katniss, he doesn't notice the lingering. Instead, he just looks gangly and awkward. This is legitimately his least favourite time of year in Paradisa.

"Uh...yeah. Sorry. You know...magic and all," a pause. "Please don't punch me."

[the_effect_she_has]

Katniss didn't look at him, just folded her arms over her stomach. A faint smirk twisted her lips then, because if he looks gangly and awkward? He didn't want it to happen, at all.

So this was how Peeta felt ... oh my. She owed him an apology, when she saw him again. So sorry, my boy with the bread.

"No worries. I only punch people I despise. That won't ever be you, Once."

[whichwayyoulean]

The Once-ler himself had been on the receiving end of the unrequited feelings thing. He knew how much it sucked, and finally, finally, was beginning to notice something was off.

"That's good to know but...are you okay?"

[the_effect_she_has]

Katniss looked up at him, and her expression was perfectly clear of any and all emotion.

"Absolutely. I'll leave you to your Truffula."

[whichwayyoulean]

He friend softly, but let it be, Knew she was was a private sort of person, much as he was. If she didn't want to talk about it, he wouldn't push her.

"Okay. Good luck avoiding all the mistletoe."

[the_effect_she_has]

She really did not. She did stop, though, looking over her shoulder.

"Once ... do me a favor. Avoid a man named Silva. He's loose, and dangerous."

[whichwayyoulean]

That gets a small frown from him.

"Okay...uh. What does he look like? So I can avoid him easier."

[the_effect_she_has]

"He's tall. Blonde, with straight hair, and he has a Spanish accent. He looks like a weasel."

She pointed a finger at him, her grey eyes firm. "You see him, you walk away."

[whichwayyoulean]

"Tall blonde, looks like a weasel," the Once-ler repeated.

He still didn't have a damn clue about Spanish. Which one WAS that again? Still, he raised his hands, nodding.

"Okay, okay. I'll walk away, I promise."

[the_effect_she_has]

Something in Katniss's shoulders loosened, and she smiled again, relieved.

"Thank you, Once. I appreciate it."

[whichwayyoulean]

He offers her one of his stupid, goofy lopsided smiles.

"Hey. Any time. I should be thanking you for keeping me out of trouble."

[the_effect_she_has]

She can't help it -- that stupid smile makes her smile more.

"You know I'll do anything to continue marshmallows and guitar music, Once."

[whichwayyoulean]

He laughs, giving a flamboyant bow.

"Well, I can always promise you that, Katniss."

[the_effect_she_has]

She bowed solemnly, and mockingly, in turn, before she rose up and looked at him thoughtfully.

"Peeta must have liked you, when he was here. I know Gale did."

[whichwayyoulean]

He smiled giving a small shrug.

"We got on okay, I didn't know him as well as I did Gale."

[the_effect_she_has]

"I think he would have liked you. You are ... strong, like him." And both of them were too good for her, it seemed.

[whichwayyoulean]

That, at least, makes his frown, confused.

"Strong? Trust me, that's not the usual adjective of choice to describe me."