25 Ways Katniss and Peeta's Love Has Always Been Real

Updated on March 3, 2016 at 3:00 PM

"Real or not real?" Peeta famously asks in the Mockingjay book, and to hear Josh Hutcherson utter that line in Mockingjay — Part 2 will give anyone who read the books — or has fallen in love with The Hunger Games' central romance — some very real goosebumps. It's a phrase that somehow embodies the very complicated relationship between Peeta and Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence), who go from acquaintances to allies to a fake couple to a real one over the course of four movies. With The Hunger Games: The Four Film Collection coming out on March 8 on Digital HD and March 22 on Blu-ray/DVD, we are getting nostalgic over Katniss and Peeta — especially since watching that recently revealed deleted scene from the first movie. To celebrate the couple who has really, really been through a lot together, we're looking back at the evolution of Katniss and Peeta's relationship.

First, he's just the boy with the bread and she's the the starving girl.

With one act of generosity, an unbreakable connection is forged.

But the Reaping gives them something in common, sadly.

Their first interactions are not what you would call romantic.

The first arena brings them together, where they form an alliance to stay alive.

That involves pretending to be into each other.

They are the only reason they both survive.

It's a charade, but not totally.

Especially not for Peeta.

After the Games, their love goes on tour.

And it's a bittersweet situation for both of them.

But they make a really great stage couple.

First couple of Panem!

After the Games, Katniss needs Peeta as more than an ally.

She needs him for comfort.

For a long time, Peeta's arms are the only place Katniss feels safe.

Then, Katniss really needs Peeta for the second round of Games.

They are literally on fire together.

Like the first Games, there would be no way they could make it of the second round without each other.

Peeta saves Katniss and Katniss saves Peeta.

It's what they do.

Catching Fire is the first time they get physical — and mean it.

And the making out begins.

Everywhere.

Wouldn't you make out a lot if you might literally be killed at any moment?

But it's not about the physical for them — it's so much more.

Real. Definitely real.