peeta mellark.

Peeta awoke to the noise of jabberjays whistling through the trees, but in his lethargic state, sound wasn't the first sense he paid attention to. Instead, touch was his first signal, the stark contrast in temperatures on either side of his body. His right was chilled, arm bristled with goosebumps from the harsh morning air. His left was protected, warm, Gale's skin radiating heat into his own. He must've rolled over in his sleep, instinctively flinging his limbs over Peeta in an unconscious attempt to chase off the cold. It made the blonde smile, despite the fact that they'd spent the majority of the evening prior arguing between themselves. Peeta allowed himself to enjoy the rare calmness of it, nestling further into Gale's embrace, figuring an extra ten minutes of rest wouldn't hurt. They hadn't had any luck in the outskirts during their trip, and although it came as a disappointment, it wasn't unexpected. Jesus and Peeta had failed at successful recruitment plenty of times before. At the very least, Gale had managed to secure some meat to take home. A rabbit, a few squirrels. They'd almost caught a deer, but Peeta's heavy footing had scared the animal off before Gale had even pulled his bowstring back. They'd bickered about that, too. They'd barely made under the first concealment border before night fell, both driven by a desire to prove their own point. They were still snapping as they set up camp, and Peeta realised then that it was for the best they hadn't come across anyone seeking refuge. With how irritable he'd been, Gale would've certainly deterred them. Peeta was wrestling the return to sleep when he heard it, and his drooping eyes soon shot wide open, alert. Groans. Clicks. Several of them. As he focused, he noted they were nearing. The undead couldn't see them behind the magic, but most of them couldn't see much of anything. They relied on their hearing, and the concealment charms protecting them were purely visual. They wouldn't even have time to pack up, if the monsters were as close as Peeta suspected they were. Another tent wasted. They shouldn't have strayed so far out. "Gale," Peeta hissed, nudging his friend's shoulder as he quickly sat up, untangling their position. "Gale, get up. We have to go. Now," his sharp whisper was riddled with panic, as they were still a stretch away from the actual protective wards. They had to move quietly, and fast.