I was thinking about this, and I really wanted to say one of the minor characters like Rue or Greasy Sae, but I can’t help but flutter every time I read his name on the page: Peeta

So intelligent, so compassionate, so humorous, so charming, so innocent. He may be, out of the whole book, the most pure hearted. I know that sounds funny considering he’s a character that’s been in the arena, left the arena, participated as a rebel, and frankly has blood stained hands, but honestly… his genuine nature is what gets me. And maybe the not so lovely stuff emphasizes the lovely. I love that part about him, too. I love his strength and his bravery and while he’s usually the weakling physically, I think he may be one of the strongest mentally. He knows exactly what to say and when to say it. He uses his love for Katniss to defeat every obstacle he comes across. He’s dedicated. 

My favorite trait, however, is how he never, ever holds back. He is the most sincere character. I admire his honesty so much. I admire the way he was so frank about his love and adoration and care and ultimate devotion to Katniss, even though he didn’t know whether or not the feelings were reciprocated. Even though she would yell and give him bloody fingers in one chapter, in the next, when she’s begging him to hold her and protect her from the violent nightmares, he’s there, and his grasp is never frail. I never expect what comes out of his mouth, but even when I hated him I loved him. I wanted him around, always. Maybe, because I’ve been reading books centered around violence and war and hatred and cruelty, Peeta is refreshing. I can’t help but think of an abandoned warehouse, standing in the middle of an ash city, with big open windows streaming in the most silent of sunlight, and the most vibrant, tall, green blade of grass dancing in the soft draft coming in from broken glass. That is what Peeta is to me. I think that he holds so much together.