I wrote this back for the Olympics in Brazil. But it's a timeless story of love. It's Un-Beta'd (all mistakes are all mine) but pre-read by the most beautiful thegirlfromoverthepond / Bilingual (Spanish and English) Translations at the end of the Story.

A/N: The Spanish used is the way my Dominican Grandmother and Mother spoke. T - I do not own the Hunger Games


Peeta was exhausted as he arrived in the Olympic Village. His journey began two days ago when he'd left Panem with the expectation to make it to Rio, Brazil in a day. The odds were not in his favor. He thought by becoming an Olympian for his country his family would have been proud. Instead no one in his family, his District cared. He worked hard to become a wrestler to represent Panem in the 2016 Rio Olympics. But he received no support other than from Haymitch his coach, a cranky ex-olympian. He had to work to pay for his passage to Panem. The Olympic department in Panem would only up to 25% of his travel fees. If he won a medal he'd be reimbursed in full. Not that anyone thought he would win.

Peeta often wondered now that he was gone if anyone in his family missed him. He sighed, he knew the answer to that question, no one would miss him. He thought perhaps he'd feel some sort of kinship with his fellow Olympians, and so far he was snubbed because he came from one of the poorer outlying Districts in Panem. The only one who offered him a friendly smile was Finnick, one of the swimmers from District Three.

The wild weather grounded the team in New York's JFK's International Airport. Without the proper visas, they couldn't leave the Airport. He'd spent the night and the morning in JFK, with his teammates sitting around at the terminal. Their Coach, Haymitch Abernathy tried to get their flights rerouted through another airline.

They managed to book a flight into Miami, but even before they took off they sat on the tarmac for nearly three hours. Yet when they arrived in Miami the wet weather caused further delays.

Finnick, seeing how sick he was offered him some Dramamine pills to control his motion sickness.

Peeta wasn't accustomed to taking pills fell asleep, he didn't even notice when the plane took off. When they arrived in Rio he was still groggy, all he wanted to do was crash in his room. They had missed the opening It was the middle of the night and the clerk at the Olympic Village spoke English, Polish, Urdu, Chinese, but not the rare Panem language that was a mix of Latin and the regional language of Panem.

His room was dark and hot. Normally he would have opened a window, but he was so tired he didn't care, he just want to drop into a blissful sleep. Instead, he shucked his clothing leaving his boxers on. He fumbled in the dark with the thermostat before slipping into the big bed he'd requested. Within seconds he was asleep.

Two hours later he was up, a woman was screaming hitting him with a pillow.

"Ahhhh," Peeta said.

Somehow they made it out of the room, her with a pillow and him cowering in a corner. The door closed behind them and neither one had a key though at the moment they weren't thinking about that. Peeta was trying to get away from the woman.

"O que está acontecendo aqui?" An Olympic volunteer asked. They held a clipboard and the yellow and green shirt and khaki pants.

At the same time they began speaking, Peeta in his native language to the volunteer in the hallway and the girl in Spanish.

"¡El está en mi cuarto!" The girl claimed, pushing her jet black hair out of her hair.

Peeta saw that the volunteer had not been able to understand him so he switched to English. He pointed to the girl who hugged the pillow against her chest, "She's in my room."

The volunteer took a whistle and blew it stopping them from speaking. They waived their hand letting them know to follow them both. They made their way down to the lobby to the desk Peeta had gotten their key.

The volunteer spoke to the young woman who was stationed in the Registration Zone for the Olympian tributes. The briskly spoke Portuguese. The young woman smiled and her eyes lit up at the sight of his nearly naked form and nodded before turning to them. She said with a heavy accent, "How may I help you?"

"She's in my room," Peeta tried to communicate in English, the language spoken by the young woman.

"Let me see," the young woman frowned as she typed into the computer. She picked up the mouse and crashed it several times. "You are Peeta Mellark, and she is Katniss..."

"Everdeen," Katniss pointed at herself. "Katniss Everdeen." She shook her head. "Primero, los baños no funcionan, ¡y ahora esto!" Katniss muttered under her breath.

"I see you are in..." the young woman said as she typed.

"We are not together," Peeta said pointing between them.

The lights flickered, and the young woman sighed.

"Isn't there any other place for me to stay tonight?" Peeta asked. He stood closer to the front desk he had a problem, and the shorts he had on did nothing to disguise his issue.

"I am sorry, but the Olympic Village is full." The young woman said in English to Peeta then turned to the female that was in his bed. "Mil disculpas. Todo está lleno, no hay otras habitaciones."

"Hotel's too?" Peeta asked.

"Sim," she said in Portuguese, it meant yes.

The phones began ringing, "One moment sir."

Somehow he was paired with not another man from his delegation but a girl from another country. Katniss Everdeen was from La Republica Dominicana, a small island in the Caribbean. From what he gathered their two countries were sharing the same hall since they had small delegations.

The phone ran again. The clerk picked up the pen and wrote quickly. The poor girl looked flustered, it appeared to Peeta they were having computer issues this evening. He couldn't speak Portuguese but he could read it and he read her notes on the pad as she wrote. There was flooding and a fire alarm in one of the buildings. She kept on apologizing. Peeta wasn't sure the young woman understood their situation.

Peeta glanced briefly at Katniss Everdeen. Her fists gripped the pillow and she looked murderous. But she was a striking petite girl with long thick dark hair, olive skin tone, and brilliant gray eyes. Momentarily her eyes were the color of quicksilver as she shot him murderous looks. He could see why she would want to defend herself. She'd woken up in the middle of the night to the discovery of a strange man in her bed. Peeta rubbed his face. Accidentally they were sharing the only bed in the room.

"I am sorry sir," the young woman said finally finished with the phone call. She took a room key and shoved it at them and smiled, going back to the phone call.

Peeta picked up the card hoping to make the situation better for Katniss.

"No, No, NO, NO!" Katniss said furiously in a language Peeta knew was not English. "Esto no es acceptable!" She tapped on the table and began speaking in rapid-fire Spanish.

He watched her speak to the young woman and heard a word that sounded like "manager." His eyes however feasted on the way her ruby lips moved. He swallowed thickly, it'd been a long time since he'd been with a girl. Coach wanted them to remain celibate until the competition was over. Standing in front of such a beautiful girl, knowing they'd have to spend the night in the room was not helping at all. He didn't think it would be wise for him to stay in the room together.

The young woman held her hands up in defeat.

Peeta saw there was nothing the young woman could do. She was speaking in Portuguese over the phone attending to whatever crisis was going on.

Peeta watched Katniss narrow her eyes and scowled before marching off to the elevator. He sighed ran his hand through his hair and followed her offering up a quick apology to the clerk before he followed her. She was so mad she glared at him with her arms crossed over her chest. Her foot tapped slowly as they waited for the elevator. They rode the elevator in silence and it continued until suddenly the elevator stopped and the lights went off.

"NO!" Katniss yelled with fear.

Peeta sat on the floor, his head against the wall of the elevator.

"Sácame de aquí," Katniss screamed in a panic. Her fists flew to the door as she banged on them.

Peeta found this funny. He wondered why people flew into a panicked state. The elevator was not going anywhere. Though when he heard her cry, he winced, knowing he was not acting like a gentleman. He once patted the spot next to him.

"No." Katniss's eyes were wide.

"It's okay," he said calmly once more patting the spot next to him.

After a few moments, she sat down a few feet away from him hugging the pillow to her chest. Her eyes wide, she bit her bottom lip.

The elevator groaned and she flew onto his lap. Peeta loosely wrapped his arms around her. She clawed at his arm but he patiently began to gently rock her. "It's okay, you're safe, safe, Katniss."

She slowly came down from her terror, her body sought shelter within his. He kept on telling her she was safe, he could feel her nod against his chest. Then she whispered, "Safe."

He repeated, "Safe." Despite his assurances she continued to shake in his arms, he decided to sing Disney's 'Let It Go.' Which made her laugh, his singing voice was not the best.

"No, cantes…ah singer, no singer," Katniss said chuckling.

Peeta challenged, "You singer? Sing, sing," he urged.

"Los pollitos dicen pio, pio, pio, cuando tienen hambre, cuando tienen frio. La mama le dice, pio, pio, pio, cuando tienen hambre, cuando tienen frio." She opened her mouth and Peeta was struck. Her voice penetrated through his bones and traveled up to his heart, it engulfed him and he forgot where he was. The small tune was clearly a lullaby by the way she made little baby chicken sounds. He could picture her singing this to a tender baby with brilliant blue eyes.

"Pita," She said touching his arm.

Peeta smiled crookedly as he heard her say his name. "Singer you."

"Si," She said, and even in the dark, Peeta imagined her face blushing. His mind tried to conjure up whatever Spanish he knew. He knew some words from an Enrique Iglesias song. He uttered, "Bailando."

She laughed at his word. Her laugh was the prettiest sound he'd heard in a long time.

Peeta stood, "Bailando," he said again taking her hand and pulling her toward him. There was a slight hesitation before she joined him. Her hand felt like the flourish of a butterfly wing on his shoulder. Her other hand lightly pressed on his forearm and traveled up to his waiting hand. He knew he shouldn't sing, but he couldn't help himself. As he sang what he knew, from Bailando, which caused her to laugh, but Peeta persevered. Until the lights came on, and he found her looking up at him with so much tenderness and warmth, he was rendered speechless.

They could have separated but didn't as the elevator started up again and came to their floor. When they entered their room, they stood awkwardly looking at each other. Peeta was sure the ground was going to open up at any minute and swallow him up for all of the impure thoughts he was having. He could hear Haymitch yelling at him to remain firm. "I'm going to sleep," he said grabbing a pillow and blanket. "In here," Peeta said pointing to the bathroom.

"Esta fuera de orden," she uttered but he had no idea what she said.

Peeta walked into the bathroom intending to sleep on the floor or the tub or something. He desperately needed the space, but when he walked inside there was a floor that needed to be completed. A bag of cement and tiles were piled neatly into a corner. Peeta was stumped by what he saw.

"No lo han terminado," Katniss said. "No goool."

Peeta scratched his head. "No good." He looked at her and then said, "You sleep there." He pointed to the bed. "I sleep here," Peeta pointed to the floor.

She nodded and slowly went to the bed and climbed in pulling the sheets to her neck. Peeta set himself upon the floor of the room, wanting nothing more than to sleep. He punched the pillow and fell asleep. Once again less than an hour later he was up. He sat up as he heard her say something he understood. There were a few things that transcended beyond the written word. Tata, Père, Far, heck Vader meant the same thing daddy or father, and she was crying out for her daddy.

"Papá." Her cries grew louder until he couldn't stand it. He got up from the floor and went to her. As soon as he neared her on the bed, her small arms reached for him in the middle of her nightmare. He soothed her back, her was face sweaty as she said over and over again. "Papá."

Peeta watched her silver eyes opened once she was calm. He tried to move away and she said to him, "Stay."

He didn't remember the words to say he wasn't leaving so he said, "Always." Together they snuggled into the bed and slept next to her until there was a knock on the door in the morning.

Groggy Peeta got up. He looked out of the window the sun wasn't even up. The time read 4:45 AM. Scratching his head as he walked he wondered who could be knocking this early. He opened the door, rubbing his face.

The young man with a blazer and a tag that read Brazil Olympic Housing stood at his door. "Mr. Mellark?"

"Yes," Peeta yawned.

"I am sorry for disturbing you, but I received a notice that you and your wife had concerns about the unfinished bathroom in your suite last night?" The young man said with a tablet in his hands.

Katniss came up behind him rubbing her eyes, she peered over Peeta's shoulder. She sleepily asked, "¿Pita, que esta pasando?"

The young man blushed at the sight of Katniss. "I am sorry about the bathroom, you and your husband were concerned about it last night."

"Katniss only speaks Spanish," Peeta sputtered in shock. He now knew why he and Katniss were placed together. They thought they were a married couple. Peeta wasn't sure how he was going to fix this, or if he wanted to fix the situation.

"Oh sim," He smiled politely and addressed Katniss. "Lo siento sobre el baño. Nos dijeron, que ayer por la noche, usted y su marido estaban preocupados, por que el baño en su habitación no esta cumplido."

Katniss looked at Peeta her eyes were wide, he smiled at her tentatively asking her if this was okay. He was afraid she might reject him. After last night he'd felt a strong connection with her. For the first time since he became an Olympian that he felt like he was part of a team.

Katniss's eyes took a certain look as she slipped her hand through his waist. "¿Cuando lo van areglar?"

Although he didn't know what to do about the situation he was relieved that she was relaxed by his side. He was sure the official from the Brazilian Olympic housing committee told her about their supposed marriage. Peeta glanced down at her, wishing he could somehow tell her that he liked her and didn't want to leave her side. He'd felt more at home with her than he did with his family back in Panem.

The young man looked at them briefly before smiling. "Today, hoy."

"Gracias," Katniss said.

Peeta frowned, getting that they were going to fix the bathroom sometime today, but that didn't resolve the issue they had. "What are we supposed to do about the bathroom?"

"Oh sim," the young man said handing them electronic keys. "Una noche en la Copacabana Hotel." He turned to Peeta and winked, "One night."

Peeta flushed not knowing how he was going to explain this to Haymitch, or how he was going to keep himself in check. He smiled politely and said, "Thank you."

Katniss closed the door her cheeks pink, her eyes shown like win silver moons. She bit her lip. He found her gorgeous and smiled openly as the camaraderie between them grew.

Thus their adventure began. He introduced her to Finnick, and of course, Finnick spoke Spanish as Annie his wife was from the Basque area of Spain. She too had been an Olympian and they'd met in London during the 2012 Olympics. But he was relieved Katniss was not too keen on the tall bronzed swimmer. They remained together throughout the games, eating, sharing music, laughing at his cartoon drawings.

They got to know each other. He drew his family, and she showed him a locket with hers. She had one sister named Primrose, whom she called Rosa. Katniss couldn't speak to her family because they had no phone. Peeta found out Katniss was impoverished; her Olympic gear was not as good as the equipment of the other archers. She had a hodgepodge of refurbished and scoured items she managed to barter for or buy from eBay.

Yet she showed him what she could do with the proper gear and he was left speechless. Katniss made it to the Olympics by sheer will and hard work. Although he did not have it easy, he was rich compared to Katniss.

When her trials began, she was surprised when she saw him rooting for her in the crowd. Katniss was alone at the Olympics. Most of her fellow countrymen did not show up at her qualifying trials. No one thought she would medal, but she bravely went on. Shooting round after round of arrows, with her used recurved bow, knocking down opponent after opponent.

Had she'd been a less accomplished archer her equipment would've kept her from moving forward. In the finals, she'd narrowly won her match. Peeta roared from the stands when she won her Bronze Medal. She was shocked and shook like a leaf when she realized she'd won. He'd hugged her, tightly and treated her to McDonald's which she couldn't afford, and afterward, they'd danced the night away goofily in their room.

When he lost his bronze match he couldn't look at her in the face. He walked away to lick his wounds. He knew his family, especially his mother would treat him poorly. Peeta expected the same treatment from Katniss. What he did not count on was finding her at their place waiting for him with a bag of McDonald's and Enrique Iglesias 'Bailando' playing in the background.

"¿Baila conmigo?' She uttered softly, Peeta stepped into her waiting arms.

This was their song and their dance was bittersweet because this was their last night together. They swayed slowly as one, holding on to each other, not wanting to separate. They were inseparable during the closing ceremonies each savoring the other's presence. The next day they were both at the airport, she looked sad as they stood curbside. He looked at his tickets and looked at hers, unbelieving it was over.

"I miss you," she said quietly holding on to him.

Peeta held her, felt the way she trembled in his arms. He whispered, "I miss you."

He watched her walk away and he thought of what he had waiting for him at home. Nothing he had nothing, but a disapproving mother, mocking brothers and friends who were going to turn their backs on him. He walked up to the counter and changed his plans.

On the plane...

Katniss sat on the plane unexpectedly sad. She'd won a medal. She'd achieved something for her country, but she felt as if she'd lost. All she wanted was the gentle boy who treated her like a she was a beautiful star. She looked out of the small window, wiping her tears. She closed her eyes and smelled his scent, that cinnamon manly smell of his that made her feel safe. The scent grew, and for a moment she thought she was loosing her mind. Her body ached to be in his embrace once again. Her gray watery eyes opened up, expecting to see the blue of the airplane seat next to her. She gasped when she realized he stood before her with his curly blond hair falling over his forehead smiling at her.

"Bailando, contigo," He said to her in his broken Spanish.

Katniss laughed even as she cried nodding. "Si, contigo siempre."

She'd found a dancing partner for life.

The end.


Songs Used: Bailando by Enrique Iglesias

Translation (sorry they are in no particular order) Spanish to English

¡El está en mi cuarto! = He's in my room!

No = No

Primero, los baños no funcionan, ¡y ahora esto! = First, the bathrooms don't work, and now this!

Esto no es acceptable = This is not acceptable

Una noche en la Copacabana Hotel. = One night in the Copacabana Hotel.

Mil disculpas. Todo está lleno no hay otras habitaciones = One thousand pardons. Everything is full, there are no other rooms.

Lo siento sobre el baño. Nos dijeron, que ayer por la noche, usted y su marido estaban preocupados, por que el baño en su habitación no esta cumplido. = I'm sorry about the bathroom. We were told, last night, you and your husband were worried because the bathroom in your room is unfinished.

¿Cuando lo van areglar? = When are you going fix it?

Sácame de aquí = Get me out of here

Esta fuera de orden = It's out of order

No lo han terminado = They haven't finished it

Pita, que esta pasando? = Peeta, what's going on?

¿Baila conmigo? = Dance with me

Cantes = Sing

Si = Yes

Hoy = Today

Pita = Peeta

Gracias = Thank you

Bailando = Dancing

Si, contigo siempre. = Yes, with you always

(Spanish lullaby) Los pollitos dicen pio, pio, pio, cuando tienen hambre cuando tienen frio. La mama le dice, pio, pio, pio, cuando tienen hambre cuando tienen frio. = The baby chicks say peep, peep, peep when they are hungry when they are cold. Mommy chicken says, peep, peep, peep when they are hungry, when they are cold

Different Languages Used:

Sim (Portuguese) = Yes

O que está acontecendo aqui? (Portuguese) = What's going on here?

Papá (Spanish), Tata (Polish), Père (French), Far (Norwegian), Vader (Dutch) = Father or Dad