And for once, Katniss understood a reason to keep her hair down rather than braid it. Everything about her normally was so functional. This was -- she was starting to understand how to exist beyond sheer, basic function.

She pressed a little closer, careful not to hurt him again, so her chest would be flush with his. Their hands were crushed between them, yes, but it was more of him than she'd ever felt against her in a long, long time.

She was starting to understand a lot of things, all of a sudden.