𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ 𝐧𝐜𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 - 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐮

⇛ 𝐂𝐇. 𝟖𝟔

jihyun was so exhausted yet she couldn't sleep no matter how much she tried. it was the same problem she had after the games and was happening again. she left her room, not caring that she was dressed in a nightgown in cold weather and made her way to the balcony. she rested her arms on the railings and leant against it, letting the fresh air fill her lungs and the wind blow her hair back.

she stood there for a while, looking up at the stars when she felt something drop over her shoulders.

"what are you doing up?"

"couldn't sleep."

she didn't need to look behind her to know it was mark. he stood next to her, looking up at the sky. they didn't look at each other.

"the stars... they look pretty tonight." he said and she nodded.

"do you ever miss your district?"

"part of me does because it's always been my home." he replied, glancing below him. "thirteen wasn't my home and the capitol never will be my home. but i don't think my district could become it again either."

"i think the same. it would have to be a place somewhere far far away from here to be called home. a fresh new start. but honestly i'll be happy as long as i have you and the others."

she turned to look at him and he did the same. the stars weren't as pretty as her. to him, she was the prettiest person he had ever landed his eyes on. even wrapped in a thin nightgown, bare faced showing off her prominent eyebags and scars, her messy bed-hair draped on her shoulders underneath his coat.

mark found himself inching closer to her until he was stood only a small distance in front of her. he placed his hands on her jaw and then brought his lips to her forehead placing a tender kiss to it.

"what was that for?" she asked, leaning into his touch.

"am i not allowed to show affection to the person i care about?" he said and she bit her lip, avoiding looking at him as her neck grew hotter. he laughed at that. "you're cute."

"stop flirting with me mark lee." she mumbled.

"why?" he asked and she gazed up at him through her eyelashes. he visibly gulped, his heart skipping a beat and if he had permission he'd have kissed her then and there without hesitation. "you're driving me crazy."

"i'm not even doing anything."

"you know exactly what you're doing." he whispered, one hand moving down her back to hold her waist.

"mark." she said, reaching over to grab his hand.

"don't worry. i'm not haechan or jaemin to keep pestering you. i just want a hug." he smiled and then pulled her closer, her head hitting his chest.

jihyun was quiet as she wrapped her arms around his back. she drank in his smell that she had missed everyday spent locked up. she still couldn't believe that they had all made it out of there alive. countless days of waiting and praying that someone would come save them when in reality, no one was planning to until the perfect opportunity was given at the most unlikely moment.

everything still hurt physically, emotionally and mentally, but in her friends arms she always felt safe. even when she had a gun pointing to her face, she'd be okay if she had her friends.

her eyes began to flutter shut as a wave of fatigue hit her. and then it wasn't long until she fell asleep in mark's arms. he had been watching her but didn't say anything and allowed her to use him as a bed. when he was sure she was in a deep enough sleep, he placed his arm under her knees and picked her up. he carried her back to her room and laid her on the bed, tucking her under the thick blanket.