Chapter Text
After Peeta’s team, the Fighting Meadowlarks, won the coin toss, they prepared for the opening kick-off. Calyp, from the other team, the District 12 Destroyers, mightily kicked the ball downfield to Riley, who was ready and waiting at the 5-yard line. Riley, easily caught it and took off running toward mid-field while the defense rushed at him. His team and its spectators cheered him on.
In an evasive maneuver, Riley managed to avoid having his orange flag pulled by a burly defensive back by the name of Neem, only to be sandwiched in several yards later. His flag was snagged by a girl named Briar; although, he’d gained some decent yardage.
The ref blew his whistle, indicating the dead ball.
“Nice job, Riley!” Peeta encouraged, and he clapped while Riley’s mother cheered loudly from behind him.
At the line of scrimmage, the Meadowlarks’ center, Zetta Dawnleaf, snapped the ball to their quarterback, Jolt. Jolt Duskwater had a heck of a throwing arm, and his sister, Copper, had great hands–it was as if she had adhesive slathered on them for as rarely as she dropped a ball. Jolt looked to Copper, who wasn’t open; then he looked the other direction to see Blaze waiting downfield. Just as a particularly large 10-year-old rusher named Colt reached out for Jolt’s flag, he rocketed off a pass to Blaze.
“Go, Blaze!” cried out Katniss and Peeta when their son caught it. Ivy was looking up now, lightly clapping against the side of her olive-toned leg.
Blaze was on offense, a receiver. There was a defender coming for him now, and it was a good thing this wasn’t tackle, because, for an 11-year-old, Marsh Gallofeather, was a pretty big kid. Nevertheless, Blaze's older brother, Flint, was on it.
Stocky and strong, built a lot like his father, Flint Mellark played defense. He successfully blocked for his brother, and their parents and everyone else on their side cheered.
“Yeah, Flint!” shouted Katniss from her spot near the team bench. Peeta was standing several feet away, clapping for their older boy while their younger bolted, evasively whirling around an oncoming defender.
With the ball safely tucked into his right side, Blaze passed the defender and sprinted off toward midfield.
The two defensive backs rushed at Blaze, then. Seemed like the Destroyers had quickly learned that he was one of the fastest on the team, despite being nearly the smallest. They tried to pull the same thing they’d done with Riley, but Blaze saw it coming and managed to avoid the traffic jam.
The defense let out a collective groan at their missed chance.
“Get Mellark!” yelled Marsh, after his team had missed a chance for another down.
“I got him!” a girl by the name of Olivia Steelbrook (a safety) eagerly volunteered. She ran diagonally toward Blaze, who saw her coming and at the last second, half-rotated his body in order to misdirect Olivia. Olivia faltered for a second or two, long enough for Blaze to pick up his pace again.
Whistles and shouts emanated from the crowd.
But Olivia wasn’t giving up so easily, and she rocketed off after her blond adversary. Whipping her arms back and forth at her sides, she sped up to where she was practically nipping at Blaze’s heels. He turned back ever so slightly to look at her over his shoulder but kept going.
When she got close, Blaze veered off to the left, tucked his head, and dashed onward. However, he was cutting it close to being out of bounds, which seemed to be Olivia’s plan. She was trying like all fire to grab his flag, but in case that failed, she seemed intent on running him out of bounds.
With Olivia hot on his heels‒but just out of reach of his flag‒Blaze attempted another quick misdirection, but he crossed the line just a tad, and the whistle was blown on him.
“Out of bounds. Dead ball!”
Blaze huffed, blowing a wavy wisp of blond out of his eyes in the process.
“That’s okay, Blaze. Great job!” Peeta shouted to his son. He’d at least managed to make it past midfield for a 1st down.
Prior to the snap, Peeta motioned for Blaze, and he jogged over to the sidelines.
“Whew!” Blaze panted and ran a hand through his sweaty, blond waves. “I feel like I’m in the Hunger Games.”
“Don’t ever joke like that, son,” said Peeta. “At least, not in front of your mother.” Of course, the Mellark kids knew about the Hunger Games and of the role their parents played in them. It wasn’t uncommon for people around the district to occasionally make references to the Games, but not typically their children.
“Okay, Dad.” Blaze nodded. “So? Any advice?”
Peeta smirked. “Stay alive.”
“Okay…” Blaze frowned. “That’s it? But...she’s just gonna keep coming after me. It’s like she’s got it in for me.”
Peeta nodded in understanding. Naturally, Olivia was just playing the game; she was competitive. But there could be something more to it...
“Then I suggest you run.” Peeta ruffled his son’s hair.
“She’s fast,” huffed Blaze. He snatched up his labeled water bottle and took a quick swig.
“But you’re faster, right?” Peeta folded his arms, the corners of his lips upturning slightly.
The two were well-matched, for sure, but it couldn’t hurt to boost his son’s ego a little, fire him up.
“I don’t know...Maybe.”
Confidence was great, but there was also something to be said for humility.
“Come on, Dad. Give me something,” urged Blaze. “I can’t let her take my flag!”
Peeta placed his hands on his hips. Well, if going with the previous line of thinking… “Alright.” He clapped his hands together. “I suggest you run like there’s a mutt on your heels.”
Blaze blinked several times; he got his dad’s meaning, sure, but he’d just never heard him say such a thing.
“Better get back in there before we get a penalty.” Peeta clapped his son on the back. “Go get em.”
With a nod, Blaze ran back to take his place on the field among the others.
Peeta watched his son get in position, and the team prepared for the snap. Katniss would definitely disapprove of his little pep talk, but hey, maybe it would work. It wasn’t like he was trying to terrify his child. Overall, Blaze didn’t seem bothered by mutts; he knew they no longer existed. After catching a peek at some of Peeta’s paintings when he was younger, Blaze had a few nightmares, but Katniss and Peeta had explained everything to him and assured him that he had nothing to worry about. There were no more mutts, and they would protect him and his brother and sister, no matter what.
That’s what parents do, after all‒protect their children.
Blaze ended up with the ball again, and yes, Olivia seemed to be on a mission to stop him.
“You’re not getting away from me, Mellark!” she taunted, her long, slender legs galloping in the wind.
This time, Blaze didn’t look back, just ducked his head and ran as if there actually was a mutt tailing him.
Amidst the excitement, Rosa sidled up to Peeta.
“Wow. I think Blaze is running even faster. I didn’t think he could go any faster. What’d you say to him, Coach?”
“Oh, something I probably shouldn’t have,” remarked Peeta. It was good coaching to give a player some incentive, but probably bad parenting. Then again, Blaze was strong; he could handle a lot. When Rosa looked at him curiously, Peeta just shrugged it off. “I basically just told him to run as fast as he possibly could.”
“Oh.” Rosa pursed her lips and nodded.
Well, Peeta’s odd encouragement and Blaze’s speed combined was a success, and Blaze trotted into the endzone, leaving Olivia in the dust.
The ref blew his whistle and threw up his hands, signifying the touchdown.
The team and spectators went wild, and Blaze pumped a triumphant arm in the air. Blaze’s best friend, Em Commonhill, a dark-haired girl with pigtails and freckles, came up to him and high-fived him. After that, Blaze cast his gaze over at a very disgruntled-looking Olivia.
“Better luck next time, sweetheart,” Blaze called out to Olivia as he sauntered over to the sidelines. Well, he’d heard his Uncle Haymitch use that word about a million times; his dad, too.
Blaze laughed a little and tossed his opponent a wink, just to mess with her, something he’d also learned from his dad. It was pretty funny how her mouth dropped open like she couldn’t believe it, and she just stood there.
Red-faced, Olivia stared at Blaze’s back for several seconds then spun around, her thin double braids whipping in the wind.
The Meadowlarks ended up getting the extra point, and the ref indicated the change in possession. Meanwhile, Peeta brought Blaze in to give him a rest and sent one of the subs in to give them some play time.
Blaze plopped down on the grass beside his dad and folded up his wiry legs.
“Nice run,” said Peeta.
“Thanks, Dad.” Blaze chugged some of his water.
“But...you might want to be less cocky.”
“Why?” Blaze wiped a few stray water droplets off his mouth with the back of his hand.
Peeta pointed over to where Olivia Steelbrook was. Hunched forward slightly with her hands on her knees, she was glaring at Blaze as if she wanted to murder him.
“She’s just gonna come after you that much harder if you keep taunting her.” Peeta ruffled his son’s shaggy mane, and Blaze fell back onto the grass, flinging his arms out dramatically.
“Thought you said I was faster.” His gray eyes blinked up at the hot sun.
“You may be, but who knows what she’s capable of if you light a fire under her. Besides, it’s important to be a good sport. And it’s not nice to tease girls.” Not like Peeta hadn’t teased Katniss a thousand times; of course, sometimes it backfired on him.
“Okay, Dad.” Blaze pushed himself up, slapping his hands against his knees. “So, you’re saying I shouldn’t tell Olivia I ran faster because I was picturing her as a mutt chasing me?” he asked, semi-serious.
“I wouldn’t, son,” laughed Peeta.
The Meadowlarks managed to keep the Destroyers at bay and prevent a touchdown; however on 4th down, they chose to punt and were successful. Possession passed back to the Meadowlarks.
This time, Peeta’s team struggled to make it to midfield, but ever the strategist, Peeta had a plan. He made the time-out signal and motioned for his team. “Bring it in, everyone!”
One hand on her hip, Olivia smirked haughtily over at Blaze. He released a small puff of air just as Flint put him in a headlock and practically dragged him over to the sidelines. Along the way, Blaze looked over and waved at their mom and sister.
“Blaze, that’s not cool anymore,” teased Flint, squeezing him a bit tighter. Blaze’s cheeks reddened, partially from loss of blood flow and partially from embarrassment.
Okay, check. Waving to Mommy is out now. Yeah, he was almost 10; he should have known that.
“Okay, everyone, huddle up,” instructed Coach Peeta. He went down on his good knee, resting the clipboard with his playbook against the artificial one, and his 7 players gathered around him. Rosa also took a knee on his left side.
“Okay, here’s what I want you to do…”
. . .
“Got it?” Peeta asked after explaining the play. The kids all answered in the affirmative or nodded. “Okay.” He clapped his hands together and sent them off, but not before reminding them to keep their shirts tucked in, lest they incur a penalty from the very stringent ref.
The next play, a fake handoff and long pass was a resounding success‒their opponents never saw it coming‒and it ended in another touchdown. The spectators roared their approval.
“Brilliant play, Coach.” Rosa turned toward Peeta, smiling.
“Thanks.”
“I guess you don’t get to be a Victor without a good head on your shoulders,” complimented the young woman.
Peeta was surprised she’d brought that up. She should know by now that he didn’t like to be reminded of the Hunger Games; although, so did his son, and that hadn’t stopped him. Not like he could ever forget and wasn’t frequently reminded of it by his own mind, but thanks to Katniss and his art, he’d gotten a handle on it. He supposed it was next to impossible for some people to refrain from bringing up such an important, albeit awful historical event. Peeta didn’t see Rosa as one of those fangirls or history buffs who loved to dwell on The Hunger Games, though.
“Well, it had little to do with that, Rosa,” he told her, running a hand through his hair. “It was a lot of dumb luck and more so, because I had allies. I wouldn’t be standing here today if not for a number of people, namely, that one right over there.” Peeta tipped his head in Katniss’s direction.
Peeta was talking to Rosa and had just looked over at Katniss. She wondered what they were talking about, and how it involved her, but when her husband smiled and waved, she could only do the same back.
Furthermore, she was distracted by the sudden appearance of a tall, dirty blond-haired boy with brown eyes who was approaching Ivy.
“Hey, Ivy,” the slightly older boy greeted when he stood before her.
“Hey, Dash,” Ivy casually replied, her eyes barely flitting up. She knew him from school, but they’d never actually spoken before.
From her seat, Katniss observed Dash’s squirmy, awkward mannerisms, the way he rubbed his neck and shifted from side to side. As for Ivy, she seemed mostly unaffected, aside from the way she was lightly picking at the spine of her book. Katniss looked back toward the field, although her ears were pricked.
“Would you wanna...go for a walk?” Dash glanced nervously at Katniss when she looked over, then back at Ivy.
Ivy stared up a moment at Dash. “Well, I’m kinda watching my brothers play right now.” One might think her rude or blunt, but she was only stating the obvious. Her eyes dropped to the grass at her feet.
“Oh, uh, yeah, sorry.” The boy rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess I’ll...talk to you later...maybe?”
“Okay.” Ivy nodded without directly looking at him.
Dash meandered off, his tail figuratively between his legs. When he was out of earshot, Katniss leaned toward Ivy. “Don’t you like him?” she asked.
Ivy shrugged. “He’s okay. I just don’t think I’m ready to...take walks with boys.”
A walk was just a walk, but Ivy was aware enough to realize it was more than just a walk he was interested in.
“Your dad will be thrilled to hear that.”
Ivy made a noise in her throat. “It’s not because of Dad. I mean, yeah, sure, I like to please Dad, but it’s...because of me.”
Pressing her lips together, Katniss gave Ivy her full attention.
“See, I’m just not ready to date. Obviously, I’m not because I can’t even tell if I like Dash or not. I don’t even know what kind of guy I like, or if...if I want that...that stuff, at all.”
“That’s okay if you don’t," replied Katniss. "It’s okay if you’re not ready, too. It took me some time to realize what I wanted and how I felt.”
“But you didn’t really get a chance to date like normal.”
“No, I didn’t,” Katniss admitted. “But…” She went off in her head. “We ended up in a good place, anyway.”
“I mean, not like I want to get to know a guy the way you got to know Dad, but...the idea of walking with a guy, holding hands...talking...what are we supposed to talk about? I’m not good at saying stuff!”
Katniss smiled to herself. Apparently, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
“And...k-kissing…” Ivy could barely say the word. “No,” she shook her head, “I’m not ready for that.”
Katniss wasn’t worried about her daughter not being in a hurry to date; it was a relief, actually. She would have appreciated the chance to take things slowly without any pressure or coercion, from the Capitol or anyone, but that wasn’t her story. However, because of so many brave, sacrificial persons, her daughter had been given the opportunity to make her own choices, to live a safe, secure, comfortable life. In small measure, this was the kind of thing they had all worked for.
And as Ivy had pointed out, Katniss, herself, never got the chance to date normally. The most normal date she ever had was the time she and Peeta worked on the plant book together and she watched him sketch or maybe their picnic on the roof of the training center. In retrospect, it surprised her how romantic those times had actually been. Then there was the cave...their picnic once Peeta started feeling better. It wasn’t all for the cameras, and she supposed it was kind of like a date, although an extremely strange one... Did it really count when Peeta lay injured and they were in the middle of a death arena with their lives on the line?
After the war, Katniss and Peeta grew back together, and there were moments, wonderful things shared: in the meadow, by the lake, in the lake, in every room of their home… But it wasn’t like it could have been if not for The Hunger Games. And Katniss sometimes wondered how things would have turned out if she hadn’t volunteered and Peeta hadn’t been reaped in the 74th Games. Would she have still ended up with Peeta? In her heart, she believed so.
This would have happened anyway, she told herself.
Katniss reached over to pat Ivy’s hand. “You’ll know when you’re ready. Take all the time you need.”
At halftime, the Meadowlarks were ahead 13 to 2.
Peeta brought the team in, and after a quick huddle, most of them went for a water break and to find their families. Peeta, Blaze, and Flint joined Katniss and Ivy.
Peeta had noticed the boy who’d gone up to his daughter several minutes ago, Dash something-or-other, and he hadn’t been overjoyed about it. It had actually been a distraction from the game for him, imagining some guy trying to take his first-born daughter to the slag heap…
No, not his dancing girl.
Peeta couldn’t help drifting back to a young Ivy, dancing in the meadow, in their home, anywhere, really. While Ivy’s love for dance had tapered off over the years, her being his baby girl never would. He’d never forget the way she used to smile and giggle when he’d heft her up over his head and spin her around in the air. He remembered those days fondly; he’d always cherish them. Yes, Ivy was growing up, and she had different interests now, but he hoped she’d always cherish those times, too.
A boy trying to take her to the slag heap was all in Peeta’s head, of course. Just something fathers tend to worry about. He’d seen this particular boy around, and he seemed nice enough; his intentions might be completely honorable. Aside from that, Ivy hadn’t shown much romantic interest in the opposite sex as of yet, and from the looks of it, she’d sent the guy packing.
At first, it had given Peeta a sense of satisfaction and security to see Ivy turn the guy away; however, he did feel rather sorry for the kid. He knew that look. So many times, he had walked away from Katniss with that same dejected expression. Of course, he’d never had the guts to go up to her, not before the Games. Maybe, if the kid was persistent, he’d win her heart.
If Ivy chose him, that is.
Peeta was considering asking Ivy about the interaction when Flint spoke up. “How’s your leg, Dad?” he asked. Blaze looked over, too.
“Fine, son. Holding up well.” Peeta had to give the old Capitol credit for one thing; they made a damn fine artificial limb.
Peeta was just settling into the chair beside Katniss, which she’d put out for him, when Rosa wandered over. And from the looks of it, Katniss was not pleased about that.
Rosa Dayroot, Peeta’s youthful, pretty assistant coach‒Katniss didn’t trust her.
She was wearing a sweet smile and complimenting Peeta on the game so far, and for some reason, that brought out Katniss's scowl.
Hadn’t she chatted him up enough? Why couldn’t she leave them alone and let them enjoy a quiet moment as a family prior to the start of the next half without sticking her nose in?
Rosa gave her encouragement to Blaze and Flint, and then she turned to Katniss, almost as an afterthought.
“Hey, Ms. Ever-Mrs. Mellark...Katniss.”
Katniss hid her plain-as-day scowl as best she could and greeted the young woman back by her first name.
Peeta had commented before that their interactions seemed awkward and forced, and he seemed to take some measure of amusement in that. Probably because he knew Katniss was jealous and liked teasing her about it… He said she either offered Rosa a weak (clearly fake) pleasantry or scowled at her. It was true, she supposed.
Well, Peeta might think it ridiculous, but Katniss trusted her instincts. And her instincts told her that Rosa Dayroot was not to be trusted around her husband.
“Your boy sure can run,” commented the younger woman. “And Flint, he’s strong. Obviously going to take after his father.” Katniss’s features hardened involuntarily.
“Uh,” Rosa hemmed and hawed, clearly understanding she’d said something wrong. “Ivy’s really grown. She’s so pretty.”
“Thanks, Miss Rosa,” Ivy put in when her mother only nodded.
"You're welcome."
After that, Katniss found her words, though they were few, even with Peeta trying to smooth the path. Rosa, fortunately, didn’t stay long, and they were all able to enjoy a light snack together prior to the start of the next half.
Halftime ended, and Peeta and the boys prepared to head back to the game. Before walking off, Peeta leaned down and pressed his lips softly to Katniss’s. She responded immediately, capturing and sucking on his lower lip slightly longer than she normally would in public.
Pleasantly surprised, Peeta pulled away and rested his forehead against his wife’s. He whispered an ‘I love you’ prior to turning to jog off toward the team bench. As he turned, however, he received a moderate smack to the butt.
Peeta spun back around and was met with dark grey eyes and flushed cheeks. Grinning hard, he raised a brow at Katniss. The corners of her lips upturned impishly.
As for the children, Ivy was smirking; Blaze was staring, slack-jawed, and Flint was chuckling.
And all of a sudden, Katniss was pretending to be fascinated with her hands. Taking the opportunity to surprise her, Peeta went in for another kiss. He chuckled and jogged off.
Good for you, Mom, thought Ivy as she opened her book to its marked page. Kind of a weird way to mark your territory, but whatever works for you.
Halftime ended; the teams switched goals, and play resumed in the 3rd Quarter. Once her father and brothers were back in the game, Ivy closed her book and turned to her mother. Katniss met her eyes.
“Mom, you don’t have to be jealous of Miss Rosa, you know. Even if she does flirt with him a little‒that’s flirting, right?‒Daddy only has eyes for you.” Ivy switched legs, crossing them, and re-opening her book.
That seemed to be the end to Ivy’s pep talk, but it was plenty for Katniss. She pressed her lips together in a small, assured smile. Her daughter was right. Two people didn’t go through so much together only to be broken apart by something so foolish as a young, pretty admirer. And Peeta had proven time and again that he would always stay with her.
Out of curiosity, Katniss asked Ivy, “Is it weird or does it gross you out when your dad and I kiss?” She wondered if they’d become one of those embarrassing parent sets.
“No.” Ivy shook her head. “Because you guys are in love and married. It’s expected.”
Katniss smirked. How practical. She’d expect nothing less of her daughter.
“Besides, you do it a lot.” Ivy one-arm shrugged. “We’re used to it.”
Despite how long she’d been married and having three kids, Katniss blushed.
“I saw the videos of you two in the Games, too,” added Ivy. “There was a lot of kissing in those, so I’m basically desensitized.”
Ivy had rendered Katniss speechless, and her daughter's resulting playful smirk was surprisingly reminiscent of Peeta’s when he'd offered her the chance to kiss him anytime she felt like it.
“That slap on the butt, though...” Ivy mock-cringed. “That was a little much, Mom.”
“I guess it was,” agreed Katniss.
“Yeah, because, I mean, EVERYONE knows Dad is yours.”
Katniss nodded, and the two returned their attention to the game. Katniss was slightly embarrassed, and yet, she was wearing a satisfied smile on her lips. There may have been no need to flaunt that Peeta was hers to the entire field, but it was sort of gratifying to do so, and not to mention, pleasurable. And for all anyone knew, she was simply expressing her excitement over the game and congratulating Peeta on a job well done.
It wasn’t over yet, though.
In the 3rd Quarter, the Destroyers seemed out for blood, and they caught up. They even took the lead from the Meadowlarks in the 4th Quarter, but Peeta’s team was driven and resilient, and they managed to quickly make a comeback.
It was quite the battle‒not the Games by any measure, but things got a little heated. There were a couple of penalties, but overall, play was fair and fun. And the game ended in the Meadowlarks being victorious.
Afterward, the players all shook hands and told each other ‘good game’, and Peeta and Rosa did the same with the Destroyers’ coaches. The coaches wished each other well on the rest of the season, and the Destroyers' coach indicated his eagerness to face them again.
While Peeta was thanking the ref, he caught sight of one of the single dads trying to chat up Katniss.
First his daughter, and now his wife! It was not safe on this field! He’d better get the both of them out of here...
Peeta rushed through the pleasantries, and once those were exhausted, the Mellarks headed off toward home together. Flint and Blaze trotted off ahead, playfully jabbing at each other, and Ivy was lagging behind her parents.
They’d all worked up quite a sweat, not just the boys, but all of them, due to the heat. They would all be in need of a shower.
Having only one shower was an issue every Saturday when they all came back from the field a sweaty mess, and Katniss and Peeta had been considering constructing another. However, they’d come up with a solution they liked far better...
“So, the lake?” suggested Katniss when they were close to home. "Alone, of course."
“I was just about to say…,” smirked Peeta.
When the kids were nearing the door to the house, Katniss called out to them. “Go get your showers.” They’d let them figure out the shower order. “And no fighting.”
The kids looked back.
“We’ll see you later!” added Peeta just prior to clutching Katniss’s hand. He grinned down at her. “Shall we?”
Katniss nodded, the corners of her lips tilting. “Let’s go,” said she. And with an eager tug of his hand, they were hastening to the lake.