#80th Hunger Games Fic

[fourthdistrictfishie]

The Victorious Pearl of Panem: A ‘The Hunger Games’ Fanfiction

🐚🐠🐚🐠🐚🐠🐚🐠🐚🐠🐚🐠🐚

Part One: The Reaping

-/-

I awoke, as usual to the sound of the gulls screaming from somewhere along the vast shore outside my window.

..Stupid birds…

I sigh. The light peaking in from the curtains says it’s still early.

But not early enough.

The smell of breakfast lures me to finally pull a blue robe around myself and slip into my slippers. By the time I reach the kitchen downstairs, Mother is pulling cinnamon buns out of the wood stove.

“Ma you shouldn’t have…” I mutter sheepishly.

I know she had to have made these herself from scratch. District Four has some nicer shops up in the northern city, with much more capital perfect pastries, but we definitely couldn’t afford them on a day like today.

“I’ve set your outfit on the bathroom counter, give the water heater a while to heat the water and you should be good to go.” She says, smiling. The smile does not reach her eyes.

I wolf down three cinnamon buns and some fresh Apple juice and try to keep from fidgeting out of my seat.

It’s half past ten, the reaping is at One.

I finish my meal, not bothering to clean my dishes and numbly shower.

My reaping clothes are a simple yet pretty seafoam green dress with once white flats, a little tan from being bought secondhand. I dress silently.

I tie my still damp red hair into a rubber band, and tie a small white ribbon into my hair with a hand embroidered anchor on the tail.

I spent hours sewing that anchor onto this ribbon. If I go into the Games today, I want a piece of home with me.

‘It won’t be me,’ A small voice inside me whispers. A louder voice argues that the odds are stacking against me. I’m Seventeen this year. My name will have entered the bowl more than six times.

I thank the Starfish that I never took out any Tesera in the years mom and I were struggling. We luckily could just barely afford to not have to get it, between the both of us working. And then Mom got that promotion and we were living pretty decently. Full time Power and Water, a fridge full of discount, but still mostly fresh food. We did alright for two women on our own.

I finished dressing, meeting my mom in the Doorway.

“You look absolutely beautiful, Pearl Marino” My Mother kissed me feverishly across the forehead.

We trudged outside, the beautiful sight of our seaside town, and the beautiful day seemed to be mocking me.

“We’ll meet at the Town Square.”

She seemed nervous as we walked our bikes down the stone boardwalk. A few others rode by periodically, also on bikes.

“I’ll meet you there, Ma. I promise, we’ll be fine. If I get picked…”

She shushed me, waving away a tear.

“I’ll see you there, honey. Be careful.”

I nodded, and got on my bike without another word, petaling as fast as my feet would take me in a dress.

In no time it seemed, I reached the Old Lighthouse that served as District Four’s designated City Hall and Reaping place.

The Peacekeepers are sat at their usual makeshift stations, lines of kids getting scanned in while their Parents stand helplessly behind the Thick Braided rope that stretched in a huge oval around the reaping stage.

I filed into line, gritting my teeth as my finger was pricked. I trickled into the massive pen of other youths, suckling the blood from my finger. The taste of the salt comforted me.

What seemed like a fraction of a second stretched out into Eternity, a colorful bunch of Capital people took their places on the stage.

The Woman, who had her hair dyed a rainbow of different colors, wore an oil spill colored suit that glimmered as she walked. She was slender, and tall…. A little too tall. She had to be at least Six Feet. This was Venus Aribosan, the District Four Capital Sponsor.

“Welcome, District Four, to this year’s reaping, for the 80th Annual Hunger Games!” She said in a low, yet boisterous tone. “First off, a message brought to you from our Prestigious Capital!”

A set of Screens showed the annual Capital Propaganda. It made my head ache just listening to it.

The film ended, and Venus took her stance above the bowls containing the names of the children of District Four. She gave a small speech about the Brave Tributes she was about to choose.

“As is Customary, Ladies First.”

She plunged her hand into the bowl, plucking a name out.

“Pearl Marino.” She declared.

I stood frozen for a long second, only moving when people turned to look in my direction. I smoothed my dress out, wiping my sweaty palms.

I plastered a smile on my face, and marched onto the stage, where Venus met me by putting a strong arm around my shoulders. I was thankful.

“Isn’t she lovely, folks? Congratulations, dear. Now for the male tribute.”

She plucked a name from the opposite bowl.

“Minn Flounders.” She cheered.

A small boy, looking around thirteen, with blonde hair was ushered onto the stage, tears dripping down his face.

“Shake hands, you two! Go on.”

I took the boy’s trembling hands, trying my best to smile at the Camera.

“There we have it folks, your District Four Tributes for this year’s Hunger Games!”

The crowd clapped awkwardly.

We were rushed away, put into the Lighthouse in white, waiting room style rooms to say goodbye to our families.

My mom just sobs in my arms. I promise her I’ll try to win for her. For Us.

And then I am put onto a train to The Capital.

[widovv]

yes i know it’s 2021 but i’m Back On My Bullshit with this ship (idk for how long, let’s enjoy it while it lasts) so here’s a brief rec list for what i’m calling the best of the best

28 fics under the cut (i told you it’s just the BEST) with links and descriptions! personal faves are marked with a ✦

you can find a much longer (65 fics) abridged haymitch/katniss list here and, as always, my complete hunger games rec list can be found here (haymitch/katniss + a few cinna/katniss), all other rec lists are here :)

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Longreads (20k+ words)

The Pardon by Nine Bright Shiners - Nine months after Katniss returns to District 12, she is summoned to the Capitol for her official pardon. She is accompanied by Haymitch. As underlying feelings are forced to the surface, choices need to be made.

From the Ashes by parapraxis - What could possibly be more dangerous for Katniss Everdeen than The Hunger Games?

Rekindling by WalkTheSun - Haymitch takes Katniss back to District 12 and instead of abandoning her, stays with her. When he steps in to help her heal, Katniss begins to see Haymitch for who he really is.

✦ The Pin by kardamon - A stray comment from Caesar Flickerman leads Katniss to watch the 50th Hunger Games much earlier, more thoughtfully and alone.

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Post-Mockingjay

Tick, Tock by thatchaoticart - It’s been three years since the Seventy-Fifth Hunger Games, and he’s lost all sense of time. But then she comes uninvited into his house, up close and personal, and brings it back to him.

✦ This Is the Moment, Then by disco_lemonade - Three scenes, during and after Mockingjay, where they figure each other out, bound to an inevitable partnership.

✦ Exist by rainbowballz - He can’t be mad at her up close, especially when she’s staring at him like he actually means something.

The Ache That Knows You Well by disco_lemonade - Every night you resist him, you see as a sincere conquest of will.

Darling, Believe Me (Things Stay the Same) by sirenalley - She has lost everyone, and it never gets any easier, and nothing ever changes. He’s there to mirror her misery.

sunspots by herbalist - She makes no effort to rationalize what happens next.

and we could be enough by songofthestars - He doesn't know exactly how it begins.

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Mid-series

Last Place in the World by kardamon - He waited until their steps faded completely in the distance before saying in a normal volume: “You can come out now.” Katniss jerked in surprise and bit her lip to keep herself from making a sound. “…unless, of course, you enjoy lying under my bed.”

Sure thing by kardamon - She remembers screams. She remembers the heat. She remembers dead children. She remembers fire. (Or, the one where Prim lives.)

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“Peeta Died in 74” AU

✦ The Unlucky Ones by neytah - “I’ve killed people, Haymitch, and I have to live with that. And you’re the only one who really understands.”

To the Victor, the Spoil by Annakovsky - No berries, no mockingjay, no rebellion. Katniss killed Peeta in the arena, and now she has to live with herself like every other victor.

send us a blindfold, send us a blade by noblydonedonnanoble - On the train ride home from the Capitol, Katniss burst into his room in the middle of the night, demanding some of his liquor.

Only Fear That Makes You Run by WrongRemedy - Haymitch’s life, from Katniss and Peeta’s reaping to the morning of the reaping for the 80th Hunger Games, six years later.

problem solving by hampersands - Haymitch has hated himself for so long now that when he figures out the extent of his feelings for Katniss Everdeen, it’s just sort of another day.

sing us a song to keep us warm (there’s such a chill) by thinkatory - The truth is that, no matter what Haymitch had said to the sponsors and the other mentors, he had no fucking clue how the 74th Hunger Games would end, or what would become of his tributes.

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“Alternate Third Quarter Quell” AU

✦ Sanctuary by disco_lemonade - Katniss is hijacked, and Haymitch is there to rebuild.

dulce et decorum est (pro amici vivere) by indigostohelit - Look at it this way, Katniss. At least you get to save someone.

quarter hell by clouberding - it’s a coincidence that it rhymes with hell.

in silent screams, in silent screams (i never dreamed of this) by noblydonedonnanoble - Haymitch thinks he might vomit as he steps forward. His voice shakes, but it still carries across the entirety of the crowd as he announces, “I volunteer as tribute.”

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Unrequited Love

✦ Footloose Man by FanficAllergy and RoseFyre - Kid deserves better than an old drunk like him.

duplicity by Nylex - “Let Peeta be happy, Haymitch. Let yourself be happy.”

✦ all this (and love too) will ruin us by polyommatusblues - Whatever she is able to give you is enough, even when it isn’t.

Lost and Found by humberquill - I mean so little to her, that I’m the only one able to talk her round.

[lucidpantone]

Wtfock Fanfic Recommends (Worlds/Lit adapt) Pt.1

What up Fockers! 🤘🏽(am back 😈)

Catch up on previous recommends here.

Worlds/Literary adaptation

Literary adaptation is the adapting of a literary source (e.g. a novel, short story, poem) to another genre or medium.

ITW = In the works

**Given recent events with wtfamers concerned over adult content not being marked properly I will be marking all these fics via the USA film rating system. I am going to air on the side of caution so if am over zealous its in respect to others. These ratings are a combination of my opinion and the author’s tags in Ao3.** Vampires

Open your soul out and let it pour out (oneshot) by orphan_account (PG-13)

Lets call this fic what it is. A bite feast. Do you wanna skip all the vampire lore and exposition and just get your teeth sinked into a one shot? Well here you go a funny little oneshot in which Sander bites Robbe(no turning). Its a quickie but it certainly quenched my thirst.

Dead of night (ITW) by orphan_account (PG)

Can’t say to much about this fic. Its a chaptered fic that started to get it wheels turning but we seem to be stuck in neutral. Author you asked for some HC to inspire you to write so jumping off your last vamp fic I would suggested exploring Sander as a lone wolf vampire and how finding Robbe ignites the idea to mate or to herd again. 

Paint me in trust (complete) by themoongirl/ @dearrobbe @dearsander (R/mainly due to violence)

Just completed and what a ride. This is truly a structured love story and though I don’t think the arc will be novel it doesn’t matter because this is such a deep love story about forgiveness, acceptance and sacrifice. I also love how the other characters feed the love story as a whole and how their experiences shaped Sander and Robbe to make decisions about how far they were truly willing to go to be together. The writing is so solid that you will wheeze through this fic. Structurally I think this fic is the author’s best work to date. Alpha/Beta/Omega 

Don't you call him baby (ITW) by @ayellowcurtain (R/Mature)

Big big shout out to this writer for doing something that is rarely successful which is creating an entire narrative story via prompts. Anyone out there who wants to start writing a world inspired fic but maybe feels like they would love input in what ideas to explore within that worlds setting should look at this fic as an example. Its really angsty and at times challenges the idea of the typical Sander alpha and Robbe omega love story. Its really unique but in an incredibly intelligent way and once again its told entirely through short form prompts. Its really great to see an author allowing their readers to create the angles of their storytelling.

Rescue my heart (I'll drown without you) (ITW) by @skamsnake & @zaddyskam (Explicit/Mature/NC-17) Kudos to the detailed world descriptions and exposition building that snake and zaddy undertake in explaining concepts around ABO because I didn’t even know what this genre was until I read this fic. From my understanding ABO writers decide what ABO concepts they borrow or chose not to use in the ABO world. This fic is in canon so set during an equivalent timeline to S3. We get an in-depth look into concepts such as alpha space and also how in this society Alphas/Omegas and Betas live and date interchangeably. Of course we have the normal angst ridden love story at the center of s3 but with a twist or should I say a knot.

Holding On Tight To You (Complete) by pinksaltcrystals (PG-13)

Am really happy to have a ABO fic in the mix that stays within a realm that accommodates readers of all ages. There is no explicit sexual content in this fic aside from mentions of heat and rut. It is a really good case study into how heat effects Robbe (omega) and also the very primal instincts the Alpha/Omega dynamic spark between the lovers(R+S) outside of sexual encounters. Also I love to see how other character canons in this fic are developed. Some interesting choices between who is an alpha/omega and beta. Really gripping read that explains the science of omega heat in the ABO world. 

Sander & Robbe (ITW) by JesseLblack / @jesyblack (Explicit/Mature/NC-17)

Written in Spanish this mpreg fic explores teenage Robbe getting pregnant after unprotected sex. Scandalous! It’s not complete yet but interesting concepts around teenage pregnancy in the ABO world and heighten fertility during heat. Author I haven’t seen an update in awhile but I would be really interested to see where you were going to take this.

Bring me a higher love (complete) By Skamtrash / @vearthling(Explicit/Mature/NC-17)

An Mpreg fic set into the future in which Robbe decides he wants to be a young dad and he has to convince Sander of that too. Once pregnant this is a cute quirky little fic into the weird abnormalities of pregnancy cravings and adjustments that ring very true to what most couples go through in these developing months. Super sugary and Sander gets no.1 best pregnancy partner in this fic. 

Hunger Games

just another dressed up heartbreak (turned his tears to diamonds in his crown) (kinda of a oneshot its part of a volume of works) by aletterinthenameofsanity  (R/mainly due to mentions of every dark trope you can think of)

Robbe and Sander victors of the 80th games. Cold blooded killers that fell deep in love during their Victory tour. This is a one shot in a large volume of works for this author exploring the Hunger Games. Milan is our Haymitch, I mean of course he is. This fic is a one shot part of the larger volume but in this part of the story we find out just because you win the games doesn’t mean the competition to stay alive has ended. Its sinister, dark and not for the fate of heart but some very interesting tropes explored and we truly get reminded that the capital always wins in the end. Also be prepared to see our evak couples how you have never seen them before. I like this fic alot but trigger warnings at every corner as this volume of fics are very very dark.

Game of Thrones

I, I Will Be King (ITW) by proawler / @sander-schmander (PG)

Sander Targaryen, First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Protector of the Six Kingdoms. Sander Targaryen is betrothed to Britt Lannister when Olenna Tyrell invites the king to a party at Highgarden. During his visit he meets Robbe Tyrell and all the tiresome work of politics melts away as he is completely mesmerized by the budding flower standing before him. Author please continue this fic!!! Its so good. I love everything I have read thus far. I beg of you, am a sucker for GOT and you have done a fantastic job thus far capturing this world.

GOT fics continued in part 2....