i genuinely think that katniss would have to be the first one to initiate everlark's relationship post-war. because, even when peeta did not have to deal with the instability the hijacking left him with, he was very shy at initiating any romantic action.
sure, he will sweet talk his way into katniss's heart (thg, 72). and make a lighthearted joke about her kissing him in the arena (thg, 257). or even admit his longtime crush on her on national television (thg, 132).
but in the end, he is all talk.
and it is actually katniss who is initiation any action. she is the one kissing his bruise (thg, 72). and the one leaning in to kiss him for their first kiss (thg, 260). and the one to follow up that kiss with many more kisses of her own (thg, 262).
it is only after katniss repeatedly initiates these romantic gestures, that peeta starts to gain the confidence he needs to do his own. all of the sudden, he is the one bring katniss into him to snuggle in the sleeping bag (thg, 291). he is the one swooping in to kiss her (thg, 298).
and even though this confidence is shaken after katniss reveals that it was for the camera, he still feels comfortable initiating some softer forms of physical touch. like climbing into her bed to comfort her until she falls asleep (cf, 112). or intertwining his hand with her as they walk into town (cf, 38). or embracing her (cf, 45).
but it isn't until they leave district twelve for the quell, that peeta little by little starts to feel more comfortable
because katniss is allowing herself to actually do what she has been trying to stop herself from wanting since the last games. she starts holding his hand everywhere (cf, 74). dragging him into her room (cf, 112). and accepting proposals to live in a state of carefree happiness forever (cf, 70).
and so he reciprocates. playing with her hair (cf, 70). caressing her (cf, 100). and even going as far as giving her a private, light kiss (cf, 75).
but this is still familiar to them. now, it is sacred because it is now real for them. but they have done these acts before.
so, any escalation in their relationship still has to be initiated by katniss. because peeta is too insecure and scared of another rejection to do it. and that is why katniss is the one to initiate the passionate kissing on the beach (cf, 100). and after a few times, peeta starts to reciprocate.
after the beach scene, it almost seems like everlark is ready to confirm their romantic relationship that has been brewing under the surface.
but the hijacking reverses everything. and all of the romantic confidence that peeta could have built over the course of the quell was crushed. he is convinced that katniss could never want him (and frankly, that he could never want her).
but katniss, once she finally feels comfortable, starts to initiate some of those same romantic gestures from before as she reaches out to smooth back peeta's hair, offering him the comfort that he needs to be able to go to sleep (mj, 258).
and so it only makes sense that after the war, peeta would need katniss to initiate the romance then too. because, after the war, he is still the shy boy who used to stare at her in the hallway at school (mj, 314). the one who never thought that katniss everdeen would even spare him a single thought.
so, he can plant the primroses (mj, 325). and bring her to bed when he thinks she won't remember it (mj, 328). and bring bread every morning (mj, 328). but that is it.
he is too timid to reach over and hold her hand as they stroll through the town. or rub her shoulders when she starts to get frustrated. or offer her a sweet kiss before parting.
but lucky for him, his precious songbird has been patiently waiting for him to come back to her (mj, 324). and she is brave enough to give her happiness another go.
