A/N: Hello, everyone! I've had this idea stuck in my head for a bit after reading a prompt elsewhere and I've decided to try it out. Let me know what you think about the overall plot because it's definitely going to keep me going! I don't need much motivation since Peeto's the best ship around, but you get me. ;) First chapter's a bit short just so I can get the swing of things. Trust me, things will pick up later on. Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Not even the train was free from the set of cameras honed in on the two of them.

Six hours ago Peeta was waking up to perform the same routine that he had for an untold amount of years: wake up, shower, count the bakery's inventory, load up new supplies, and start baking everything that would hopefully sell that day. Nothing was different than the day before other than the unsettling mood that had taken over once he had woken up that morning, knowing that the Reaping was soon to take place.

It just wasn't fair.

Trees and mountains flew past the windows of the train but all the baker could focus on was the brunette girl that was going into the Games with him. He was full of nothing but envy. Not for her, no; Peeta was jealous that Prim had someone that cared enough for her to volunteer and take her place instead. Katniss was gazing out of the window in that blue dress of hers, more than likely reflecting back on how she had screamed at the Peacekeepers or Prim's expression when her name was called.

All Peeta could think about was what he wanted written on his gravestone.

The train was headed into a special subdivision deep within the Capitol. Ever since the 50th annual Hunger Games took place, the Capitol decided that it would be best to usher each tribute into one house and televise their attempts to live with each other. It was typically a living nightmare for the boys and girls that were locked up in the house, but residents of the city got to watch how they mingled with each other. Friendships were bonded, relationships formed, enemies were made… Once the time came for the tributes to actually go into the arena, every kill came as a shock that much more due to the investment of the show.

Katniss continued to look out the window as her hand brushed her bangs to the side which caused Peeta to return to reality from his thought. Even though he was soon to be pitted against his district partner within the month, he figured the least he could do was actually talk to the girl and start to build some sort of trust. After all, there's strength in numbers, right?

However, as soon as he opened his mouth to speak a high-pitched squeal echoed throughout the train's corridor, "Aren't we excited, tributes?!"

Peeta looked up to see Effie Trinket in her bright pink attire with dolled up make up to accent the outfit and sighed. Katniss didn't exactly give her the most pleasant look, either.

The woman didn't seem to notice and motioned toward the window. "We're almost there, Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen!"

His district partner glanced back out the window and Peeta followed suit just in time to see the elegant walls of the Capitol. Every possible color imaginable was somehow used in the beauty of the lights, buildings, advertisements and clothing and it all made the boy's mouth hang open from the sheer sight of everything. Effie didn't waste a beat to chuckle and continue her spiel.

"Now tributes, this is going to be the last time you see me for a month." She crooked an elbow and lifted a hand at head-level before snapping to get their attention back. "At the end of the month we'll start our training, but as for now you all get to enjoy the luxurious stay at the Capitol Manor. Remember the rules: no leaving the premises, no fighting, and have a blast!" A forced laugh rang out but Effie's face seemed genuine enough to make it work.

All Peeta could do was cringe.

Thankfully he still wasn't the only one to remain silent, so at least he and Katniss could bond over the fact that they didn't approve of Effie's mannerisms. Deep down he wished that he could talk to Katniss or someone - anyone - to take his mind off of the stress. It didn't help that there seemed to be a lump that was forming in the pit of his stomach even though it was going to be around a month or so until he was thrown into the Arena.

The train continued down its track and Peeta watched as the house came into view. He practically knew every square inch of the place since his district was forced to watch the show from beginning to end each year but actually seeing it in person blew his perception of the place out of the water. From the train he could make out the elegant fountain that was centered in the front lawn that cut each half of the grass symmetrically, overlooked by the balcony on the second floor that wrapped around the building. Although he couldn't see it, he knew that the balcony had a set of stairs on the other end of the house that led back down to ground level only to be met by a pool that took up the entire backyard.

Though very much a beautiful sight, it wasn't the home that was gathering his attention. Standing out front was a group of twenty-two other kids that were all lined up from the other eleven districts. Peeta could see another train disappearing into the horizon which meant that, unfortunately, District Twelve was the last to arrive. All eyes were going to be on him and Katniss the moment they stepped off the train.

Effie somehow managed to make the swelling in the pit of his stomach feel even worse as the train slowed down to a halt.

"Alright, tributes. See you in a month!"