a/n: for Katniss' outfit I imagined her wearing a gray skirt, one of those old and tacky Christmas sweaters, some sheer stockings, a pair of leather combat boots and some cute legwarmers :)

disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Suzanne Collins or the Hunger Games.

I figured, since it's Christmas (I still can't wrap my head around the fact it's already Christmas Eve.), I'd update.

And no fear my dear readers, a dramatic, tear-jerking scene is on it's way !

and the quote of the day comes from... Effie
"Well, there's no doubt in my mind that you would make a wonderful boyfriend for a lucky girl Peeta!"

oh Effie.

"Peeta?" her groggy voice has me wide awake.

"Yeah?" I rub my eyes in an attempt to chase away sleep. As of late, our bond has grown stronger. Over pizza nights and singing songs in my bedroom, it wouldn't be a surprise if we were mistaken as a couple. In fact, I bet that's what is going to happen later tonight at my family's Christmas party. There's no doubt that my aunt Effie is going to hound me with questions once Katniss has left within ear-shot.

What's her name?
Where is she from?
Where did she get her shoes?
Did you propose?
She's pretty, did you ask her out?
Are you sure you two aren't dating?
You seem to like her a lot, just ask her out!

Ugh. Don't get me wrong I love my Aunt Effie, her eccentric personality just gets on my nerves sometimes.

"Will I have to dress up for your party?"

Oh. Right. If there is one thing Katniss hates, it's a party where you have to dress up.
"Umm," I stutter. "maybe just a nice skirt or a comfy dress, it's not too formal."

"Peeta Mellark," she hisses. "you did not warm me!" she exclaims, bouncing up from her bed and scurrying away to open her closet.

I'm not stupid. I know that Katniss doesn't own many dresses or skirts.

"I have an old skirt that I can wear under a Christmas sweater, will that work?" she asks. I barely hear her though. Her pajamas, for winter, are more revealing than I think I could handle. Her long legs seem to go on for miles under her sleep-shorts.

"Peeta?"

"Hm? Oh yeah, erm, that'll work,"

Katniss turns around and smiles at me, as if she knows why I seem to be nervous.

Well, the girl of my dreams is standing in front of me in sleep-shorts, what do you expect me to do?

Katniss has decided on an outfit. To her dismay, her mother has her wear a skirt with stockings and leg-warmers. To her fortune, her mother lets her wear her favorite boots.

The last thing she has to worry about is her sweater.

"Which sweater should I wear Peeta?"

my head whips around at the sound of her voice. Katniss stands, holding up two hangers where two equally tacky Christmas sweaters lay draped on the hangers.

"Hmmmm.." I swing around in the spinny chair to face her fully.

"This one," I pad over to Katniss, snatch the two sweaters off her fingers, and fling them somewhere in her room.
"What the hell?" she exclaims, scampering over to where one of her sweaters hang on her ceiling fan. While she's busy I reach under her desk to grab it.

"This," I say. "is what you're gonna wear to the party," I hand her neatly wrapped gift to her, the box slightly crinkling. Her eyes follow my gaze to what is held in my hands and she frowns.

"Peeta," she groans. "I told you not to get anything for me!" she exclaims, grabbing the box out of my hands and ripping the bright wrapping paper.

The expression on her face has me chuckling. She looks giddy and excited, biting her lip and eyes bright with excitement.

She opens the box and her expression falls.

"A sweater?" she inquires. "that looks just as tacky as my other ones?"

"Don't get me wrong Peeta, I appreciate that you actually got me a gift-" I cut her off by lifting the sweater away from the box. Her gasp of surprise makes me smile.

"Oh, Peeta," she breathes. "it's so beautiful!" Katniss lifts the necklace up, the light of the lamp catching on the chain.

"Here, let me put it on for you," I grasp the necklace out of her hands. I brush her long hair off her back, feeling the smooth skin of the back of her neck.

There's a slight shake, goosebumps arise on her skin and a blush starts to bloom on her cheeks.

I suppress an urge to smile excitedly. Not only is she wearing my old sweater, but she's wearing the necklace I bought her! And I have to admit, Katniss looks fabulous when she wears my clothes.

There's a part of me that wonders; what would happen if we didn't meet? Would we be friends? Would she even know of my existence? I'm sure she'd be famous without me, but what would happen to me?

I shudder.

I don't want to think of a life where Katniss wasn't in it.

In fact, if I were to live a thousand lives, I would want to make her mine in every one.

Is it not just me that feels it? She could feel the same way-no. No Peeta. There is absolutely no way she feels anything other than brotherly friendship towards you; you've been her friend for too long, and you've fallen into the friend-zone.

It's already too late.

The necklace looks beautiful hanging on her neck. The tiny little infinite loop, silver and gleaming.

"You know what this means right?" I ask her, looking at her in the mirror, my arms making their way around her tiny waist. My hand grasps the tiny pendant hanging on her neck.

"What?" she asks, melting into my embrace.

"This means I love you," I whisper softly. "always."