when katniss first describes peeta ascending the justice building steps, she points out the alarm that strikes his blue eyes (thg, 26). eyes that show the fear that his face is trying desperately to hide from the crowd.
and from this point forward, peeta's eyes weave their way into the narrative as a third character. eyes that could never be deadly (cf, 60). eyes with worlds hidden away, far from the reach of any careless passerby (cf, 46).
because, just as they revealed his true location amongst layers of caked-on mud and leaves to katniss, peeta's eyes reveal him (thg, 252). letting others see past his carefully crafted facade. and truly see him.
but living in panem, this presents a vulnerability. a truth that ensures pain. one he needs to hide. especially in his most vulnerable moments.
quickly flitting away as he prays katniss didn't see them (thg, 32; mj, 367). locking on his shoes as the entire country reacts to his love confession (thg, 133). refusing to meet his pretend-tv-fiance/real-life-lover's gaze, worried they might reveal the bombshell of a lie he is about to tell the world (cf, 72).
and although his eyes often hide behind his vaneer, it makes it even more impactful when he doesn't shy away. when he locks his eyes on katniss in moments when it really matters.
to show the reality of his feelings. his conviction to not let the games change him into a monster (thg, 142). the betrayal he feels for being deceived before the feast (thg, 277). the concern as he tries to protect her from questioning peacekeepers (cf, 45). the unbearable misery that awaits him if he were to let her die (mj, 371).
and he locks his eyes on her because, in those moments, katniss needs to see him. and in his striking blue eyes, she can find clarity.
making it ever so cruel for snow to take even that away from her. covering peeta's true self under a cloud of torture (mj, 130). clouded eyes that surely must mean that her peeta, the boy the bread, was truly gone. never to return to her.
but, just as his blue iris reemerged from scary pools of expanding black pupils as he renewed his vow to stay, her peeta came back (mj, 311).
with eyes full of clarity (mj, 380). searching for the only person who had seen the worlds hidden away. the only person who had really seen him.