It Started With a Cake

Ch20. Overprotective

I smile, Peeta really is too good. "I think you know the answer to that already"

He grins back, "yeah I do"

"Well I'll go get on to that, why don't you have a lie down"

I cock my head at his suggestion, "why?"

He comes over to rest his hand on my stomach, "because you're probably tired from carrying this around all day"

"Are you calling me fat?" I gasp.

I can practically see the colour drain from Peeta's face as he stutters to reassure that's not what he meant but I just laugh.

"I'm joking"

Peeta sighs, "oh"

"And I'm fine by the way, I was actually just thinking that I'd clean the bathrooms. They're looking in need of a good wash"

"Oh you don't have to worry about that, I'll get to that after I make your cheese buns"

I frown, "you've just worked all day, let me take on some of the load here"

Peeta sighs, "I'll be fine, you should go take a nap"

"I'm not tired" I shoot back, my voice on the sharper side .

"Then read a book or something" Peeta suggests shaking his head.

I cross my arms, "I don't want to" 

Peeta pauses, "Then what do you want to do?" 

"Clean!" I shout, maybe just a little too loudly.

Peeta palms his face in frustration shaking his head, but I stand by my decisions so I continue to stand there with my arms folded across my chest. 

Ever since getting pregnant and now especially in the past week with my bump size increasing heavily he's been really protective of me, which isn't a bad thing but it becomes a lot when he's constantly taking over all the heavy lifting. 

So just this once I want to do something that makes me feel helpful and like an actual human.

Peeta sighs again, dropping his hands dramatically at my stubbornness.

Without another word I turn, setting out on my mission.

"I hope the baby doesn't get your stubbornness"

I only just catch his whispered words as I stalk away, rolling my eyes in reaction.

I hate to admit it but cleaning really did take a lot out of me, I'd just barely finished the first bathroom and I already feel in need of a good rest.

I'd take just a moment to sit on the now clean toilet lid I told myself as I wiped the sheen of sweat from my forehead.

But as Peeta pokes his head in to check up on me I know I'll never get to the next one. I'm suddenly very angry, and I can't even really understand why.

"Cheese buns are done" he gives me a cautious look before continuing, "I'll take over here"

I'm shocked to find actual tears come to my eyes.

Peeta seems to notice immediately and pulls me up into a tight embrace. "What's wrong?" He gently asks me, but I don't want his comfort right now.

I push out of his arms and brush past him towards the kitchen where I find the plate of fresh cheese buns he made just for me.

My tears pour over the savoury treat as I munch down on them.

Peeta follows me in shortly after coming to sit down next to me.

He silently watches me a moment, clearly trying to decide how he is going to handle this.

"What's wrong?" He finally asks me once again gently, though this time in a manor that tells me I can't brush it off, he is getting an answer whether I want to tell him or not.

I huff, finishing off the cheese bun in my hand before letting out everything on my mind.

"I feel—" I pause, how do I feel, upset? Angry? Worthless? They all fit but I can't find the right word to sum it all up.

"I don't know" I tell him truthfully, "I feel like a burden" I finally decide on.

"You keep doing so much for me and I do nothing in return. I want to help out around the house but I can't even do that" the sobs wrack my body all the more harder, and I feel his hand come to rest on my back to rub comforting circles.

"You're not a burden" Peeta tells me quickly, "I want to help you, I live to serve you and you don't have to do anything in return for that to change. I don't care if you want to do nothing all day, I will still love you and look after you"

I nod, "I just don't want to be treated like I can't do anything though"

"I won't treat you like that" Peeta says earnestly.

I pause "You've been doing it these past few weeks since I've gotten so big" I gesture to my bump.

This causes Peeta to stop in his tracks, "have I?"

I nod, "you keep insisting I rest, as if I'm about to break any minute"

He sighs but nods, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out like that, I just want to look after you"

I nod again in response, "I know it just becomes a lot after awhile"

Peeta frowns again, "I'll try not to be too overbearing. But only if you agree to tell me if you are ever in pain or fear of any kind, okay?"

"Okay" I nod, and with a small smile I curl my body into him.