23. Perfection – Harry/Peeta Mellark

Peeta had a specific Avox that would come into his room and sort everything out for him. He had black hair and the most stunning emerald green eyes he had ever seen, but the boy would never look at him and he didn't understand why. Had he done something – unknowingly – to offend him?

Sometimes he would see the boy looking at him, and he didn't know if it was sympathy or amusement he would see but something would be sparkling in his expressive green eyes. He had also seen the black-haired Avox talking to others secretly, using Sign Language as a way to communicate. Something helpful as they couldn't talk without their tongues.

It was the next time the boy came in; Peeta lifted his hands and signed when the boy was looking over at him.

'Hello.' He watched as the boys eyes widened before he turned away. The black-haired boy didn't turn to look until he was just about to leave. He lifted pale, thin hands.

'Hello.' The Avox repeated, smiling slightly. Peeta grinned and stood from his bed, taking the other boys hand and pulling him to the elevator. Pushing the button for the roof, despite the Avox's struggles, he waited until they were there and then pulled the boy out to the privacy that the roof provided.

(Harry, the Avox, was understandably nervous. He wasn't supposed to be doing this.)

'I need to go,' He signed, face panicked. Being up here with a Victor and re-chosen Tribute was Against The Rules. If someone found out about it, he would probably be ruthlessly killed. The Capitol didn't care much for those who went against them, and this certainly counted. 'I'm not allowed to be here.'

Peeta shook his head. "I'll just say you were helping me with something. Surely they'd believe that."

Harry hesitated for a moment before nodding his head and folding his hands in front of him, back straight. The usual position for an Avox.

"You can relax.. You're not here to be an Avox. Just.. try and make friends, I suppose." Peeta tried to give him a reassuring smile, but the black-haired boy just turned away to face the noise of the Capitol people.

As usual, they were making lots of noise in celebration of the newest Hunger Games. They were excited; it was even more interesting as past Victors were going up against each other. People were betting, choosing their favourites for who would win.

Finnick Odair was currently in the lead for that, Katniss Everdeen just behind him. She was slowly catching up. No one could forget her victory from last year, and her love with Peeta Mellark.

But.. Peeta didn't feel that any more. He had seen how Katniss acted around him, the fake smiles and the forced touches. The love he had had for her slowly faded over time since the end of the last Hunger Games, the feelings he had for her since he was 5 disappearing.

He had given up on her.

The Tribute looked over to the other, sucking in a quick breath at how perfect he looked. The light from the moon had hit him in a stunning way that highlighted the dark blue in his – what he had thought to be – black hair. The city lights below them made his eyes sparkle, the unique green sparkling as he looked down.

Unconsciously, Peeta took a step forward towards him, causing Harry to turn with a confused look on his face. Peeta stepped right in front of him, raising a hand up to his cheek and brushing it softly.

"You're beautiful," He breathed, causing the green-eyed Avox to look down and blush, a small smile on his face. It had been a while since someone had last complimented him.

Harry nodded once in thanks.

Peeta leaned closer slightly, as though he was going to kiss him, before pulling away again and stepping back. "I think it's time that we went back down.."

Looking almost disappointed, Harry nodded his head and stepped towards the door, an embarrassed blush replacing the happy one that had been there before. ('So stupid, Harry. Thinking he, Peeta Mellark, would kiss you. He's in love with Katniss Everdeen..')

But before he could walk away to open the door for the blond, his arm was caught and he was turned towards the one he was feeling embarrassed by.

"I'll.. come back for you," Peeta muttered. "This isn't the end."

Harry was left on the roof as Peeta walked away, feeling even more confused than he was before.