Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It started out as a joke.

Effie Trinket had been in District 12 for work, and had stopped by the bakery when Peeta was working. The weather was starting to transition and with that, she’d asked if he and Katniss had any plans for their summer. Peeta said he and Katniss were planning to expand their garden this year, but weren’t quite sure with what just yet.

The garden Katniss and Peeta had maintained in their backyard was small, but well taken care of by both of them in the few years since returning to District 12. It mainly consisted of vegetables, such as carrots, peas, green onions and tomatoes. No matter how much money they’d have for the rest of their lives, the ability to source her own food was a part of Katniss she’d never be able to let go of.

Peeta liked the garden because the colours often gave him new inspiration for his paintings. When harvest season rolled around, Katniss and Peeta looked forward to fresh garden salads from the fruits of their labour.

Peeta was looking to add a few more flowers too. Nothing crazy, just a few varieties to brighten up the place. He could add a few vases around the house. Katniss loved receiving thoughtful bouquets of hand-picked wildflowers from Peeta and he loved giving them. Plus, who could forget the patch of primrose Peeta planted? So when Effie told Peeta about the greenhouse centres in the Capitol, Peeta was excited to spend his time in the dirt.

Effie promptly shipped the promised seeds. Haymitch was having dinner with the Mellarks when he noticed the package on the counter.

“What’d Trinket send you this time?” asked Haymitch. He didn’t need to look at the sender, only Effie sent things in outlandish packing materials. Most of the packages the Mellarks and Haymitch received from Effie were shipped in brightly coloured boxes, often packed with matching bubble wrap and tissue papers.

“Seeds. I’m going to grow some more flowers and add to the veggie garden this year”, replied Peeta. “I’ve been looking forward to it”.

“I bet I could make a better garden than you”, challenged Haymitch.

Peeta laughed him off, not believing him. “Sure you can”.

“Bet”.

Peeta rolled his eyes. “Your geese will eat everything the moment it sprouts. You don’t stand a chance”.

“Listen boy, I was on the brink of distilling my own turnips in 13 just to have a drink. You have no idea how far I can go. Just watch me”.

Meanwhile, Katniss rolled her eyes, listening to their banter. There’s no doubt in the world Peeta is one of the most gentle and selfless men to ever exist, but when he gets competitive, he gets competitive. He spent years wrestling his brother for championship titles, after all. She knew better than to get involved when her husband was going head-to-head with Haymitch.

Haymitch swiped a couple of packs of seeds before heading back to his house. Tomorrow, he’ll start prepping his garden. Peeta had a point about the geese potentially getting into the garden, but Haymitch won’t admit defeat that easily. He built his geese a pen before; he knows he can come up with an adequate garden. If all goes well, maybe he’ll ask Effie to send him his own garden supplies next year.