This is my first Hunger Games fanfic (one-shot to be exact) so take it easy on me, ha ha. It's in Katniss' point of view, takes place before the Quell, capeesh? READ ON! Oh and I own nothing blah blah blah.
I can feel his body next to me, his bare chest presses against me. His breath is soft, quiet, calming. I am safe in his arms, despite everything around us.
"Katniss," he whispers my name in his sleep.
Lying here, prepared for the Quell, it hits me. I love him.
I, Katniss Everdeen, am truly in love with Peeta Mellark.
I don't care what my mother thinks, I don't care what Prim thinks, I love him. No one can stop me. I don't even care what Gale thinks.
Gale. I think of his name and question myself. Have I ever loved him? Does he still love me? I'm sure it was terrible for him to watch me get closer to Peeta. I'm sure it was hard for him to watch me get hurt, to watch me almost die. But I can't think of Gale now. Not now, not as I prepare to die.
Peeta moves an inch closer to me, and I feel his prosthetic leg press against me. I made him loose that leg. He might forgive me, but I'll never forgive myself.
There is just another reason I love him. He is forgiving, and no matter what stupid thing I do, he still loves me. He still loves me, even after I faked my love for him.
But now, I really do love him. I love him with everything I have. I love him, and I must save him.
"Peeta?" I whispered. I know I shouldn't be waking him up the day before the Games.
"Hm? Katniss?" his wonderful blue eyes open and look at me.
"Peeta, I love you. I don't want anything to happen to you." I choke.
"I love you too." His hand touches my face.
"If anything happens to you…" I start.
"Sh. It's okay." He cuts me off and kisses my forehead. I take his face with my hands and bring his lips down to mine. It's the most passionate kiss I have ever given him and I refuse to let him go.
I pull away from him, tears in my eyes.
"Sh, sh. No, Katniss. Please don't cry. I love you so much." Peeta pulls me closer to him.
"I can't do this. Compete again." I cry.
"I know. It will be okay." He reassures me.
I know it won't be okay. There is no possible way we can both live. Either he dies, I win, and then have absolutely nothing to live for, or he wins and I die. I know both of our fears: The other one dying. It isn't possible that we can both live, and we can't both die. It is unacceptable.
It is a terrible fate.
And in the midst of all of my worries, I can't stand but to think about the 75th Hunger Games, the Games when we both managed to get out.
Rue. I think of the young girl who reminded so much of Prim. I practically started a revolution just by giving her death respect. Thrash. He had a good chance of living, but he saved me. Everyone who died in those Games, everyone who's minds were corrupted by the Capitol's ways. Marvel, Glimmer, Cato, Clove, Foxface. They haunt me every day.
The Capitol is cruel, unforgiving. They force parents to send their children out to kill each other off and to risk death. Lying here, in Peeta's arms, I realize I want to start a revolution. I have to save Panem from Snow.
And I must save Peeta.