The Boy In Love // THG Peeta's POV

The Roof

Effie escorted me to the dining room with almost frightening efficiency, a steady stream of mindless chatter tumbling from her lips; something about "last season's wigs" and "anyone who's anyone." 

The babbling ceased only when we reached the dining room, where we found the stylists awaiting us on the balcony. Cinna was dressed similarly to me, though in darker tones, while Portia was clad in a stunning black dress. For stylists, they seemed to have the simplest clothing in all of the Capitol.

"Hello!" Effie greeted, effectively announcing our presence to the pair, who turned in unison. They had looked rather deep in conversation, their heads inclined towards each other as they overlooked the Capitol shimmering below us, but they were quick to replace any negative emotions with smiles.

"Peeta!"Portia said, before kissing me on both cheeks so quickly I didn't know what was happening. "Allow me to officially introduce my partner and good friend, Cinna."

Cinna stepped forward to give my hand a firm shake, a smile on his lips and a glint in his eyes. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance Peeta. May I just say, that was one hell of an entrance!"

I returned the handshake and let an easy grin light up my face. Okay Peeta, keep it together. "It was all you two! The flames were genius, though I will admit you gave me quite a scare!"

Cinna chuckled and clapped me on the shoulder. "I like this one already!"

Portia swatted his arm off me. "Hands off, Cinna, this one's mine," she laughed good-naturedly, before offering me a stemmed glass filled with a translucent yellowish liquid. "Here Peeta, this is white wine."

Upon seeing that Effie and the Cinns held matching glasses, I accepted the beverage just as Portia raised her own. 

"To Peeta! Our very own boy on fire!" 

"To Peeta!" echoed Effie and Cinna, which was followed by the clinking of glasses around the small group. I quickly followed suit before taking a small sip, finding it surprisingly palatable. 

With the echos of the toast still in the air, Cinna wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "If you ladies will excuse us, I would like a moment with Peeta." I straigtened under his firm grip, not knowing what to expect from Cinna.

Effie distractedly nodded her approval, far too wrapped up in her rant about silver evening wear to bother with us, while Portia gave me an encouraging smile before turning back to Effie.

Cinna gave my shoulder a small squeeze and steered me out the door towards an out-of-the-way flight of stairs. 

*****

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Cinna asked, resting his elbows on the metal railing at the edge of the roof. 

I looked out at the city below us, the shimmering lights plainly visible even in the still-light sky. Frowning as I stood beside Cinna, I cocked my head slightly. "I suppose."

He peered at me curiously. "What do you mean?"

I studied my hands, trying to formulate an answer, smoothing my thumb over the distinct callouses on my palms. I had always hated those callouses, a constant reminder that no matter how strong I pretended to be, no matter how much armour I piled on, I was weak below it all.

"It's just so...mechanical. Everything here seems false."

Cinna smiled slightly. "You have no idea." With those words, he threw a small indiscernible object off the balcony, resulting in a large zap as it hit a previously unseen barrier. "Even the freedom is fake."

There was a short silence, but I spoke up quickly. "So, why are we up here?"

Cinna chuckled humourlessly. "Right to the point, huh?" He nodded towards the other side of the roof. "Come and see the garden."

I followed him to a sort of garden with flower beds and potted trees. From the branches hang hundreds of wind chimes, which created an almost deafening tinkling. Here in the garden, on this windy night, it's enough to drown out two people who are trying not to be heard.

As the thought struck me, I snapped to attention and stared at Cinna, who, upon noticing my change in attitude, shot me a wink. He took a seat on a small stone bench and patted the spot beside him.

As soon as I sat down, he began speaking in a rapid-fire tone.

"Do you love her?"

I jumped. "W-What?"

"We don't have time for your lies, Peeta. They might have already noticed we are gone." He gripped my arm frighteningly tightly. "Now answer me. Do. You. Love. Her?"

"Y-Yeah." My heart seemed to be attempting to beat out of my chest.

He let go of my arm. "Alright. Haymitch and I will help you get her out of there, but we'll need your help to put her in the best possible light."

At the mention of saving Katniss, my heart finally steadied. Time to focus. "Anything."

"You'll have to confess to the country."

"What!?"

"It's unavoidable. Nothing would help her more." Before I could protest further, a shrill beep pierced the air, and Cinna jumped to his feet. "Time's up. C'mon Peeta."

*****

Hiiii! So, here's an early chapter! Why? Well, it's a huge thank you to all of you for 500 reads! Yay! I hope you all liked it! Vote and comment, my dear cantaloupes! Until next time!

-Siren Song

P.S. What do you all think of my new cover? I love it! :)