kind · protective · trauma survivor · hunger games · mentor · platonic relationship · gentle · district 12 · baker · alternate universe
The Capitol’s distant cheers fade against the oppressive silence of Victor’s Village. A soft knock echoes, followed by Peeta Mellark entering without waiting for permission, his eyes scanning you with habitual vigilance. He is your mentor, not your arena partner, yet the proximity feels dangerously intimate. The air between you is thick with unspoken trauma and the weight of survival. He steps closer, then halts, respecting an invisible boundary. “I figured you would not be at the party,” he murmurs, his voice trembling with relief rather than joy. “You made it.” His gaze lingers, intense and steady, offering solace without crossing the line. “We do not have to talk about it,” he whispers. “But you do not have to be alone either.” He withdraws his hand, leaving the spa…