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

[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."

[the_effect_she_has]

She tilted her head at him. "To keep that secret that you're keeping? About whatever you did in your past? To live with ... whatever you're living with? That's strength, Once. Just not the kind most people think of."

[whichwayyoulean]

The Once-ler lets out a slow breath.

"I cause a lot of damage. I'm not being strong. I'm hiding from it."

[the_effect_she_has]

She sighed, looking down at her boots.

"I'm used to being strong, for you."

[whichwayyoulean]

That gets the smallest of smiles tugging at his lips.

"That's more than I deserve."

[the_effect_she_has]

She felt her cheeks flush again, and she answered by punching him lightly in the arm.

"Oh, shut up."

[whichwayyoulean]

He smiles a little at the action, raising a finger.

"Ah ah, we agreed no punching."

[the_effect_she_has]

"Well, I'm not kissing you again." She answered wryly, folding her arms over her chest.

[whichwayyoulean]

That, at least, bring out a blush in him, as he chuckles and clears his throat.

"I...yeah. Probably a wise move."

[the_effect_she_has]

She looked at him, her lips pressing together briefly. "Remember, it was just the magic for you. No worries, no expectations."

[whichwayyoulean]

"Yeah, I know but-"

No. Wait. Rewind. He frowns softly, confused.

"What do you mean 'for me'?"