LOVELY

~ 3.22 ~

Wrapping her arms around him, the two blondes were reluctant to let go of the other. Trapped in an unfamiliar place, Peeta felt as if he had simply traded one prison for another. Indiana's visits provided him with a sense of companionship and he was reluctant for her to leave as he would be alone once more.

Guilt coursed through Indiana when she realised she was leaving him alone yet again. Peeta had grown hateful of the woman he loved yet Indiana was about to spend the night with the man she loved in wedded bliss. Eventually his conscience got the best of him and Peeta dropped his arms, pulling away from the beautiful bride.

"I shouldn't keep you from your groom for too long."

Wiggling his eyebrows suggestively at her, Peeta wished Indiana an enjoyable evening. Sensing her hesitation, he promised her that he would be fine on his own and that his slice of cake would be keeping him company. Kissing him softly on the cheek, she thanked him once more before skipping towards the door. Her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkled as she thought about what was waiting for her.

"Indiana?" Peeta called out before she could leave. "You look extremely lovely tonight. Cato is lucky to have you."

"After everything that's happened, I'm the one who is lucky to have him."

━━━━━━ ⋆⋅ ➹ ⋅⋆ ━━━━━━

Leaning back into her husband, Indiana smiled contentedly when he began loosening the braids in her hair and gently brushed out any knots with his fingers. Sighing at the tender touches, she turned in his arms and began undoing the buttons on his crisp shirt. Sliding the material down his muscular arms, she giggled when he jokingly flexed for her, his own fingers tickling their way up her arm. Gazing into his eyes, she smiled shyly up at him. Never breaking the eye contact, her hands wandered down his chiselled torso until they reached the button on his trousers. Popping it open, she shimmied them down his legs. Stepping out of them, Cato pulled Indiana to him and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

Winding her arms around his neck, she pressed her body against his until there was no space between them whatsoever. Cato's love for her pressed against her thigh. Lips inches apart, neither one moved to close the gap between them as Cato's hand hovered over the zipper on her dress.

Whilst it wouldn't be the first time he had seen her bare body or made love to her (they had done it for all of Panem to see it), this time was different. Indiana's body had undergone harsh changes due to her cruel treatment and whilst Cato didn't care if she looked different, he understood that she was anxious to let him see it. Nodding eagerly, she stopped him when he reached for the lights. As much as he wanted to see her body once more, he respected her discomfort and her decisions.

They were man and wife now. Her scars were his scars. His pain was her pain. Trauma was shared evenly between the two and they helped the other fight their battles and demons. No longer would she hide any part of herself from her husband. Understanding what this meant to her, Cato finally connected their lips and whispered his love for her.

Tracing the strap of her bra until he reached the back, Cato thanked her for sharing herself with him. Goosebumps prickled to life under the tip of his finger and Indiana shivered, coaxing a smirk from her handsome husband. Quickly unclasping the bra with one hand, his left hand wandered down until it reached the top of her plain underwear. Hand stilling before he could push them down, Cato wanted to ensure that she was willing to go through with it. If all she wanted was to fall asleep bare and in each other's arms, after weeks apart, that would be enough for Cato. Gazing into the familiar blue eyes that brought her safety and comfort, Indiana whispered her consent and let out a breathy moan when his finger rubbed her clothed core.