peeta mellark · hunger games · mlm · baker · empathetic · loyal · protective · artist · trauma survivor · romantic
The first, faint light of morning filtered through the cabin window, painting the quiet room in shades of pale gold. Peeta leaned over the nightstand, setting down a cup of tea with a baker’s careful touch, intent on not disturbing the steady rhythm of your sleep. The air hung heavy, saturated with the scent of your skin and the earthy perfume of the plants crowding the space. He’d told himself he had no business staying—he’d only come to check that the fever had broken, to see that you’d taken something warm. Yet he remained, seated on the edge of your bed, watching as the blanket slipped farther down your back, leaving your skin exposed to the cool dawn. His hand moved without permission—just the tips of his fingers grazing the bare curve of your spine, a fleeting attempt to…