MASQUERADE- Peeta's Point of View-
It started at the party in your mansion. The beautiful dark lighting suited the house perfectly. Our gazes met from across the room. You offered a gentle smile and I let my cheeks glow a bright pink. You were handsome and strong, and seemed to be quite the charmer with the way the girls hung over you. The son of the greatest creator in all of Panem. Me, a simple baker from the poor part of town, had absolutely no chance with someone of your standards. I admired you from afar that night, and I even caught you taking a few glances back. I was so shy, and I knew I didn't fit in at all, with my worn hand-me-downs compared to the elegant gowns and suits and my poor, scared smile compared to the smirks of the party-goers.
Your father, a saint, had invited his good friend who just so happened to be my father, to this party. He had dressed me and my brothers in our finest clothes, even though it wasn't anything fine at all. It all reeked of bread. Nothing strange considering my background. Your father hadn't liked me at all, because of my differences. I was shy and I didn't like the one thing all boys in Panem shared in common. Girls. It was an oddity to everyone. That's why I figured you were staring. You thought I was insane. But then came the warm smile that changed my mind.
I found myself in the middle of the mess of masked people, all beautiful and mannerly, dancing with the opposite sex as expected. Katniss Everdeen was the only one who understood me, though the one friend I had wasn't here tonight to save me and dance with me and make me look average. Then over the enormous crowd, I notice you approaching me, no girls left at your side admiring you. You had turned them all down. I see the corners of your lips move upwards underneath the half-mask you wear. It is black, matching everything else on your body accordingly. A mysterious color for a mysterious person.
"Hello Peeta." You say elegantly, and I am shocked you even know my name.
"C-Cato." I say returning the hello, though my stuttering shows nothing near your beautiful soft tone.
"Follow me." You demand, though it is gentle enough to seem like you asked.
I, confused and bewildered by your acts of kindness, just nod. I take the hand you hold out towards me, and step slowly as you drag me out of the glorious house and take me to the beautiful garden. You yank me underneath the small dome, and pull me in so our chests touch.
"W-What are you doing?" I ask softly behind a blush.
"You don't want to dance with me?" You respond, faking a puzzled look.
I bite my lip staring up at your tall figure, confused at why you would be doing this. I was under the impression you were attempting to embarrass me or hurt my feelings. But still, that smile reassured me as we swayed back and forth to the faint music echoing from the house that was just as gorgeous outside as on the inside.
"I have a secret too, you know?" You whisper to me, the soft smile turning to a devilish one.
I try to act like I'm not hopelessly in love with you, and speak in the same soft tone you use. "And what is your secret?"
Your smirk widens as you lean your lips to my ear. I can't help but turn bright red at the feel of your breath hitting my neck.
"I've been in love with you for a while, Peeta Mellark. And by the looks you were giving me in there, I think you feel the same." You whisper, the words causing my mouth to drop and me to shiver.
"Y-You think I love you? Cato I do no-" I begin but the force of your arms pushing me against a pillar stops me. Your lips hover over mine so they are just about to touch.
"Don't play pretend. I know you want me. I know you do." You say, and your heavy breath is obviously an act of seduction because I didn't put up a struggle and you've been whispering all night. Sadly it works and I give into you.
"F-Fine. I do want you. But it will never work because this kind of love is a sin." I say harshly.
"A sin? Then I have sinned quite plenty, and I don't think one more would change much." You say behind a smirk, and your eyes sparkling in the moonlight tempts me to give into the curse that is my love for you.
You remove your mask revealing your pale, satin skin. You bridge the gap between our lips, and I could swear fireworks went off when we kissed. It was flawless, just like you.
I bite my lip and keep my eyes sealed shut as you pull away, afraid that when I open them you will be gone and I'd find it was all a dream. When I finally do open them you are still there, smiling at me. Your handsome features changed from mysterious and devilish to loving and gentle. I was sure I looked like a love-sick fool, completely befuddled by the situation unfolding.
"My little admirer, I promise this won't be the last kiss. But I have to get back to my father and those pathetic girls." You say and prepare to turn away, but I grab you by the collar of your shirt.
"N-No, I need to see you again. We have to meet somewhere, because if we leave this to chance I think it will eat me away." I say, grasping your shirt as if it was my last chance of living.
You let out a gentle laugh as you slide your mask back on. "Meet me right here at midnight." You say and walk off, back into the glorious home of yours.
I do not leave my spot, and spend the time until midnight reminiscing the kiss. The gentleness, and the perfection. Everything about you is amazing. When ever I'm around you it's like I'm intoxicated.
I see you slip out of the house again, and without a word you take my hand and drag me out into the woods. "Cato where are we going?" I whisper, and the only response I get is a finger to your lips, telling me to be silent.
The place you are taking me is a tranquil, serene creek. You smile at me as I describe how thankful I am for you taking me here, and before I can finish you pull me to the ground. I land safely atop you, and you just smile at me. I have to return the notion, because you are so beautiful in the illuminating moonlight.
"Did you miss me?" You ask sweetly, gently pushing up so I am sitting backwards in your lap, my legs wrapped around your torso.
"I counted the seconds to your return." I whisper back to you, resting my forehead on yours.
You only stare at me for the longest time, and I can do nothing but that for you. The sound of crickets and frogs fills our ears, and your quick heartbeat against my own creates perfect harmony.
"Cato... I'm definitely falling in love with you." I say to you, and you can do nothing but grin wider from the looks of it.
"And so am I." Are the final words spoken that night before I consume you in a storm of kisses, wrapping my arms loosely around your neck.