yeeeeeeeeeeah | changed the lyrics because I can

Peeta wasn't one to care about things like nudity but for some reason it was different with Katniss, especially when both of them were involved. It wasn't like Johanna who they barely knew and felt comfortable enough in her own skin to flaunt it the way she did; he was sure neither him nor Katniss could walk around completely nude with the same confidence she carried.

And besides, this was the girl he loved... Clearly it was a big deal.

Even so, someone had to take the first step and he had a feeling it would be him. He was all too eager to get out of this stifling tuxedo anyway, so he began to strip off the gloves and bow tie, layer after layer being tossed onto a nearby chair in the wash room until he was naked from the waist up.

"Want me to close my eyes?" He smiled, though it was less teasing as he normally could have been, understanding the seriousness of this night.

"No, it's fine."

Actually she sort of did. But it was childish, and wasn't really going to help her get over this. The people on and off her mother table had helped, and she doubted she would react like her had in the Arena, when she had cleaned Peeta's leg, but this was very different. This was clean, and intimate and really...nothing but being naked together.

Reaching up, she started trying to get out of her dress,and realized that was going to be an issue without her prep team.

"Uhm...could you...?"

"Oh, yeah, of course," he walked over again to try and unzip and button her out of this dress, fingers moving delicately over the back, his knuckles brushing against the black feathers all along the dress that was once supposed to be for her wedding.

"That really was amazing, you know. When the dress started to catch on fire it just..." He shakes his head, chuckling some. "I think it looks better this way." And then she was free from the back and he began to tug so she could pull it off with his help.

"Me too."

She reached up to run her fingers over the feathers, thinking back to it. The way it has lightened around her. The reactions of the crowd.

There was still a knot in her stomach of worry for Cinna. She could add it on to all the other worries.

"You were pretty amazing yourself. That was something else."

He shakes his head again, feeling sick that they always had to deal with these lies but it was their fate amongst these Games. It was what helped keep them alive and if he had to lie until his last breath then so be it.

"Maybe if I was born in the Capitol I could have become an actor," he said almost bitterly, trying his best to keep it out of his voice but failing. He didn't want to say too much else though, never sure when they were listening or not, paying attention to every little detail to use against them. Even the bathrooms probably weren't as safe as they'd like to think.

Once he had helped her with the dress he continued with the rest of his clothing, shoes and socks already gone, though he did hesitate with his pants. It wasn't just the naked aspect anymore but his leg. He didn't exactly flaunt it around, least of all with Katniss, but they had no choice really and he just... continued to try and make this easier, left just in his underwear. "Need any more help?"

She snorted, hands working to wiggle out of the last remnants of the dress it's self. Even thought she knew it would be left in this room, and likely destroyed tomorrow, she carefully set it over a chair, not wanting to be careless with Cinna's brilliance.

The undergarments, however, she didn't care about respecting. And there were way too much of them. She tugged at laces, and wiggled and twisted to peel of slips and stockings, and it was lucky she didn't tear more of the sheer material than she did. Then again, it was somewhat satisfying to take out some of her pent up emotions on the frothy, lacy overkill.

"I think I got it..." She grunted, kicking of the last of it...only to realize her focus on her underthings had carried her right over being embarrassed about getting undressed.

Peeta couldn't help but smile in amusement at her reaction to all that lace, though he did look away like he'd promised after a moment, chuckling lightly. They really weren't Katniss' style at all, even though she always looked beautiful in the gowns and jewels as well as any other day.

"Sounds more like you beat them all up," he laughed, now naked with her though his body was still turned away, waiting by the door of the shower with one hand outstretched for hers behind him.

"They're off me, and that's all that matters." She snorted, kicking them away. The thought that this would be the last time she'd ever be dressed like that was perhaps one of the only good things about what was going to happen tomorrow.

But now all that was left was getting in the shower.

Or awkwardly standing outside the shower naked. Which seemed a far worse idea. She reached over, pressing the on button, and the over analysed shower started to pour into the stall. Stepping in, she held the door open for him, staring up at one of the shower heads.

He quickly followed inside and shut the door firmly behind them, though his eyes also remained cast to the side. Thankfully, the shower was large enough for the both of them to fit comfortably, but it didn't make this situation any less... intimate.

It felt nice to let the water pour down on his face, closing his eyes as his hands rubbed off all that stupid makeup, washing away a person made strictly for the Capitol. He felt more genuine naked in a shower with Katniss honestly, with only her to judge him.

She face the wall, head tilted up, just letting the water wash over her. Warm, and soothing, and for just a moment she could ignore everything going on. The awkwardness of this, the horror of tomorrow. Just felt it all flow over her.

Until she stepped back. Right into Peeta's back.

Edited (because this icon is worth it) 2012-07-11 04:18 (UTC)

The contact came as a surprise with his own eyes shut but he didn't exactly pull away, simply standing there tense for a moment or two. They were really naked.

It only took another moment for him to hesitantly but gently wrap his arms around her middle, damp skin brushing against hers in such unfamiliar territory, yet it felt right with the movement and he didn't regret it.

Despite his quickened heartbeat he was pretty sure she could feel.

Making a small sound, she tensed up at his touch, before forcing herself to relax. It was no big deal. None at all. It was just like on the train,but with less clothes. A lot less.

Taking a deep breath, she let herself relax back against his chest, staring at the tiled wall. When she relaxed, and didn't focus on it, it actually felt nice.

It was easier to relax when she did, dropping his head some to rest against hers as he gently kissed her bare shoulder, a simple one that barely touched the skin. Despite all the over-acting on their relationship with the lies about marriage and babies and ever-lasting love, Peeta did hold such strong feelings for her. He loved her. And every kiss he gave was genuine no matter where in the world or on her body it was placed.

Letting out a deep sigh through his nose, he tilted his head to press his face against her neck now, murmuring there quietly. "This is nice. I like this."

Who knew when they'd ever get the chance to do something like this again? The odds were not exactly in their favor once they stepped into the arena for the second time in their lives. That was never supposed to happen.

It was nice.

Shifting a little, she let her head fall against his shoulder, wrapping her arms over his on her waist. A small noise of content agreement came from her throat as her eyes closed again. Feeling him strong and solid behind her.

She didn't want him going in with her. It was the last thing she wanted. But she also wasn't sure how she would face going in without him.

"Really nice..."

One of his thumbs brushed against the skin on her belly, smiling against her neck. "I never thought you'd agree to something like this, Katniss."

His eyes were still shut because he didn't want to disrespect her wishes, though all of this touching was making it so difficult. He wouldn't do anything though. He didn't want to lose her trust...

He also really hoped they were not being watched at the moment.

"Something like what?" She asked, before realizing that he probably meant cuddling without anything on. Which made her aware of the fact they were cuddling without anything on. Pressing her lips together, she shrugged, suddenly feeling awkward again.

"It just feels nice. I mean...what else should we be doing?" That didn't really make a lot of sense. Except it made a lot of sense

He laughed quietly at that, arms firm around her now, almost protective even in here. "Nothing, nothing... This is perfect."

Besides, you shouldn't be thinking of 'other' things, he tried to remind himself, pulling his head up to rest his cheek against her head instead, squinting up ahead of them to the clean tiles. Maybe actually looking at something would distract him from certain feelings he was having.

"What do you mean nothing?"

Even Katniss knew someone saying nothing usually meant something. It usually meant there was something obvious she'd overlooked. She twisted, trying to look up at him, to read his face and try to pick out what had gone over her head.

And now he was blushing, caught, and hoping that the steam of the shower could be to blame for that. Her "purity" about certain topics was endearing and... cute, and he almost felt bad always being the one to break it down for her. Even worse when they were in this position.

"I just meant, you know..." He glanced down to her sheepishly, suddenly all too aware of how close their bodies were pressed together and he felt the need to pull his hips oh-so-slightly farther away. It was just a reaction! "When two people get naked in a shower together it's not usually to... cuddle. Or actually get clean."

Oh. That.

She flushed as well, reaching up to brush long strands of her hair away from her face. And cover how pink it had turned.

"I know that. But that's not the same." As what? They were pressed against each other. And they were adults. Adults enough at least. And naked.

"Not the same as what?" He was curious to hear her answer, eyes not leaving hers now. He hadn't meant to bring this topic up but he was just happy they were able to talk and enjoy each others presence, even if while naked in a shower together. He wasn't necessarily complaining about that either.

This conversation seemed serious, and Katniss turned to face him to continue it, not really thinking about any of the implication of that movement. Naked was naked.

"As this?" It wasn't much of an answer, and she knew it.

"No, it's not," he agreed, voice quiet. It did suddenly seem more serious than he had intended though and he found himself unable to look away, his arms gently pressing them closer together.

Peeta opened his mouth to say something but the words he usually found to come so easily just weren't there, instead simply uttering one word. "Tomorrow..."

Everything changes tomorrow. What if this is the only chance we have left? For what? To him... everything.

Tomorrow. She suddenly felt heavy, crushingly heavy. They could both be dead tomorrow, not even making it past the cornucopia. And if they did? Than the next day, or the next...there was no chance both of them would live to see home again.

He would. She promised herself again, that he would.

But this was their last night together, peaceful, alone.

With out thinking, she pressed closer to him, wrapping her arms tightly around him.

He would protect her. He had already made the decision that somehow, so long as he could help it, Katniss would be the victor. He'd use every possible strategy he could think of and every last breath would go into making sure Katniss was safe, that she was the one to make it and he would be dead. He was prepared to die for her sake and in his mind... that was exactly what would happen. His whole world would be crushed without her but she had people to take care of her and love her just the same.

His arms held onto her just as tightly, lips pressed to her temple as he shut his eyes and just held her, not caring about the physical between them right now. They were hiding more than they showed and he knew it... A part of him didn't want to face it right now either. He'd rather spend the rest of his last night with her blissfully unaware.

"Well be okay tonight," he murmured, leaving another soft kiss to the side of her head. "We won't spend a moment apart."

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