Simple Moments Number One: Peeta/Katniss
It is these moments, these simple and yet exquisite moments, when her hair is splayed against her sweaty forehead and Peeta can hear the hitch of Katniss's breath as she affixes a fresh bandage to his gaping leg wound… it is these moments in which he is the most in love with the hunter girl from the Seam.
It is these moments; too, that Peeta is the most terrified for his life.
Vulnerability is not a luxury one can afford in the Arena. Honestly, anything but scepticism and survival is a luxury one cannot afford. But this is the most dangerous. Not only is he badly injured, he's also left himself unable to do anything but trust this girl, this strange girl with a voice that can still the birds, this strange girl who set everything ablaze in her Capitol ventures.
"Peeta," Katniss whispers, teeth gritted in disgust or determination - Peeta's not sure, as she tightens the bandage as securely as it will go. What they wouldn't give for a clip, for a scrap of tape to hold it shut. "You need to take it easier tomorrow. We won't make it another day if you keep putting weight on it."
Peeta sighs yet again, because these are words he's heard since they first met up upon the announcement they could win this together. But instead of arguing, he nods, and slumps against the cold, rough surface of the cave wall. Exhaustion begins to take its toll, and can feel Katniss's eyes watching him as he fights off sleep. He's so damn tired of fighting. Fighting exhaustion, the cold, the will to give in and end this himself. How easy it would be. The right aim of a sharpened rock into his artery, an excess of the sleep syrup Katniss so carefully monitors his dosages of. How simple death would come to a life so complexly formed.
As if she can read his thoughts and wishes to silence them, Katniss leans forward and kisses Peeta. It's a light, lingering kiss, but its connotation and the weight it leaves in his heart is heavy.
"You look much too philosophical for someone fighting his peers to the death." Peeta starts to respond, but then Katniss is kissing him again, and the heat of her breath is enough to shut him up despite his inherent stubbornness. With all the cynicism that comes from being bred in District 12, when Katniss kisses Peeta he is certain of one thing: that he loves her, that he lusts for her, that he'd sooner see himself dead than watch her lose her life.