#xallyouneed

@river-nereus

Luca had spent the night in River’s bed since setting foot on the train after his district’s Reaping. He knew he wouldn’t sleep otherwise. Not with the unsettling feeling of impending doom sitting on his chest. And where he used to be careful and sneaky about his night’s spent with her previously, he no longer cared to waste such time and effort. Not with where they were going. He spent every moment he possibly could with her. The rumors, of course, had already begun cropping up again upon arriving at The Capitol.

It didn’t matter. None of it did. It was all so trivial, so exhausting. The dog-and-pony show. Luca was tired of dancing and jumping through hoops for them. He was tired of the Games. The show. The gross ruling and entertainment of the differing masses that made up their presently corrupted world. Something had to be done. All the rampant thoughts and emotions kept him awake at night more often than not. But what sleep he did get was made more peaceful by River’s presence beside him.

The morning of the tribute parade he awoke with the sun, eyes fluttering open to a tangle of sheets and limbs as River was tucked safely in his arms. He wished he could wake up to her every day like this. And as often as he did get to spend the night with her, they were careful to keep things private so he didn’t often stay through the night or risk being caught leaving in the morning. He wasn’t always in The Capitol either. Some projects were better suited for the space and convenience of his district. Sometimes he needed the peace and quiet of nature away from the chaos.

This was all he ever needed though. Her in his arms at the very start of the day, resting peacefully still. Her breaths were soft and steady, very much in sync with the rise and fall of his own chest. With a small adoring smile, Luca shifted ever so slightly in order to place a gentle kiss upon the top of her head and just remain nestled there. Her scent serving to calm him as he breathed her in. 

He never wanted it to end. This should have been the rest of their lives: together. And not just in their final days. Going to sleep and waking up to one another. Sharing everything about their days over dinner. Going and leaving places together. Doing things to surprise each other. Not sneaking around, pretending. But it was the only way to keep it untainted and undisturbed. To keep it for themselves since Snow and The Capitol reached into every other aspect of their lives.