#but just thinking about like the ways in which peeta saw to the heart of her and showed her a fondness and appreciation and CHOICEEEEE to

[tastymelonfarm]

if I think about katniss and peeta too long my vision starts to look like when you take damage in a cod game

[rabbitsrants]

PROOF THAT SHINRAN IS ONE OF THE MOST BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN ROMANCES OF ALL TIME - PART 4

symbolism

disclaimer: gosho's imagery is subtle and therefore often overlooked, so in order to highlight it, i'll be referencing the work of suzanne collins, an author who tends to spell out her metaphors more

sharks

chapter 882-884

how the case begins:

how it progresses:

this isn't gosho's first time exploring the theme of sharks in the manga:

chapter 311

both shinichi and haibara relate to sharks, they're self-admittedly drawn to blood and darkness. but why?

haibara was born into it, she didn't have a choice... and even though she's no longer a part of the black organization, she still carries the past with her.

shinichi on the other hand? he seeks it out. he directly confronts it, because he wants to defeat it. his unfaltering idealism is what pushes him to be a shark.

ran is very idealistic too, which i talk about here. so why doesn't she act like a shark?

"Finnick knows then what Haymitch and I know. About Peeta. Being truly, deep-down better than the rest of us." - Suzanne Collins, Catching Fire Chapter 19

the closest that gosho comes to spelling it out like this, is haibara's line about ran "i'm up against dolphin, one of the most loveable creatures in the ocean"

ran's defined by more than her virtuous nature, she's also unbelievably compassionate and sensitive. that's what makes her a dolphin.

her unmatched kindness is constantly displayed throughout the whole manga.

sometimes it irks shinichi:

chapter 787

sometimes it hurts him:

but most of the time it baffles and touches him:

chapter 258

now i'm going to say something that might be controversial: from what i've gathered, shinichi doesn't just appreciate ran's tender heart... he depends on it.

and i'm not saying that lightly, i'm aware that ran's caring nature affects a lot of dcmk characters - it's the reason why vermouth calls her an angel, why haibara refers to her as a dolphin and sees her as a sister figure, hell, it's the reason why kogoro's able to function most of the time.

but i'd still argue that nobody relies on it the way shinichi does, which brings me to the next symbol i want to analyze:

cherry blossom

flowers can represent a variety of concepts, depending on your source and in what context you use them for your writing. the same rule applies to cherry blossoms.

gosho's used it as symbol for justice in the past:

chapter 687

it's interesting to look at it through that lense, but i don't think that's what the cherry blossom represents for shinichi.

after doing some research, i came to the realization that cherry blossoms are widely believed to symbolize hope and the beginning of spring.

i think that interpretation makes a lot more sense for shinran. especially if we examine their first interaction:

chapter 924

shinichi shows ran his deduction skills to impress her... ironically he ends up impressing everyone but her. shinichi's condescension leads to a full-blown argument:

but then something completely unexpected happens... despite the fact that they don't know each other, despite the fact that shinichi insults ran, despite the fact that ran's completely put off by his arrogance, despite all of that... she offers him a cherry blossom and along with it the kindest smile he's ever seen:

and i just can't help feeling like ran's cherry blossom is symbolically very similar to suzanne's dandelion:

"I found him staring at me  from across the school yard. Our eyes met for only a second, then he turned his head away. I dropped my gaze, embarrassed, and that’s when I saw it. The first dandelion of the  year. A bell went off in my head. I thought of the hours spent  in the woods with my father and I knew how we were going to  survive.  To this day, I can never shake the connection between this  boy, Peeta Mellark, and the bread that gave me hope, and the  dandelion that reminded me that I was not doomed. And more  than once, I have turned in the school hallway and caught his  eyes trained on me, only to quickly flit away." - Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games Chapter 3

"What I need to survive is not Gale’s fire, kindled with rage and hatred. I have plenty of fire myself. What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again. And only Peeta can give me that." Suzanne Collins, Mockingjay Chapter 27

and clearly, only ran can give that to shinichi...

let me further elaborate by revisiting the shark analogy:

the most beautiful dolphin in the sea sees a shark like him, calls him out on his bluff and instead of avoiding him, she actually welcomes him. ran shows him genuine affection, despite having so many reasons not to. how could he not fall for her?

for someone like shinichi, a cool shark who's able to recognize other predators in the sea from such a young age, seeing the innocence and warmth of a dolphin is pivotal for him, because it reminds him that there's so much more to life than constantly familiarizing himself with other sharks (in his childhood by reading and later by investigating them)... there's good too.

to summarize... shinichi sees a delicate cherry blossom, a gentle dolphin and holds on to her for dear life. he desperately clings to the promise of hope and spring, he depends on her affection and warmth. he needs ran, because without her winter would never end, he'd never escape to coldness of the sea, he'd freeze.

which explains why

a) he's so protective of her

b) ran's smile serves as a compass for shinichi throughout the whole story - while his mind is busy chasing sharks, shinichi's soul is persistently searching for the same smile that strummed his heartstrings all these years ago. which is why he immediately notices when ran's not okay (even though she's very skilled at concealing her pain) and why he always tries to make her feel better

and that's ultimately why

a) shinichi's keeping his identity a secret

b) he's so focused on getting his old body back

without ran, shinichi wouldn't have a constant inner conflict as conan, without her, he'd lack purpose and as a result, detective conan would be empty and lifeless.

ran's not just a love interest y'all...

she's the heart of the entire manga.

visit the shinran library for more

[ruewrote]

𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢.

PAIRING: peeta mellark x fem!reader WARNINGS: no use of y/n GENRE: super fluffy fluff SONG INSPIRATION: still falling for you by ellie goulding WORD COUNT: 709 REQUESTED: yes

navigation | ask | the hunger games masterlist

the day was slow and lazy, one of those rare moments where everything seemed to quiet down in the world. the soft afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, casting a golden hue over the kitchen as you sat at the small wooden table. 

you leaned back in the chair, watching as peeta hummed a familiar tune, his back to you as he carefully rolled dough on the counter. his strong hands moved with practiced precision, but you couldn’t help but notice how soft his humming had gotten, still finding it crazy how peaceful everything felt when he was near.

"are you staring at me?" peeta’s voice came, teasing but soft. he turned, eyes sparkling as he caught you in the act.

you grinned, shrugging. "maybe."

his smile grew, that slow, heart melting one that always made your chest flutter. without missing a beat, he wiped his flour covered hands on a towel and crossed the room to you, stopping right in front of where you sat. he bent down, leaning in just enough that his forehead rested gently against yours. his warmth surrounding you like a comforting blanket.

"i love it when you stare at me," he murmured, his brown eyes holding yours. "but do you know what i love even more?"

you raised an eyebrow playfully. "what's that?"

his hands cupped your cheeks so tenderly, thumbs brushing over your skin. "everything about you."

your heart skipped at the sincerity in his voice, but before you could respond, peeta tilted his head and pressed a soft kiss to your forehead. "i love this mind of yours. how you’re always thinking, always caring about everyone around you."

he kissed the tip of your nose next, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "i love how you wrinkle your nose when you’re focused or confused, it’s adorable."

you laughed softly, but he wasn’t done. his lips brushed your cheek. "i love how you make me feel, just by being here. always feeling like home."

by now, your heart was practically a puddle. you could feel the warmth creeping into your cheeks, but his gaze remained full of warmth and adoration. he wasn’t just saying these things, he meant them, every word sinking deeper into your heart.

his lips found their way to your other cheek, pressing another soft kiss. "i love how you’re so kind, even when you don’t realize it. the way you care about people, about me."

you tried to protest, telling him he was being too much, but peeta shook his head, he read your thoughts before you could speak. "no. you deserve to hear this." his voice was gentle but firm.

he moved lower, pressing a kiss to your jawline. "i love how strong you are. even when things get tough, you never give up."

another kiss, this time to your hand, which he held so gently in his own. "and these hands… they’ve helped me in more ways than you’ll ever know."

you were silent now, overwhelmed by how deeply he loved you. every part of you. he wasn’t just saying these things to be sweet. peeta saw you in ways no one else ever had, down to the smallest details, the parts of yourself you sometimes overlooked.

"and," peeta said softly, finally meeting your eyes again, "i love how you let me love you. completely. just as you are."

tears welled up, not from sadness but from the pure, overwhelming happiness that filled your chest. you couldn’t believe how lucky you were, how loved you felt in this moment.

peeta pulled you close then, wrapping you in his arms. his chin rested on top of your head, you closed your eyes, sinking into his warmth, into the safety of his embrace. he smelled faintly of fresh bread and something warm and sweet, just like him.

“i’ll never stop loving you,” he whispered, his lips brushing your hair, the words a quiet promise between the two of you. "every part of you, forever."

and in that moment, wrapped up in his arms, you knew he meant it. every kiss, every word, every look he gave you was a reminder of how deeply he loved you. completely, unconditionally. 

and you, return, loved him just as fiercely.

comments and reblogs are appreciated ˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

© ruewrote 2024.

[savannahsdeath]

➶ CAN I HAVE THIS DANCE?

K. EVERDEEN

summary: you and katniss dance at the finnick&annie's wedding <3

warnings: alcohol and language but its pure flufff, katniss has a huge crush on you but she doesnt really understand her feelings untill...

a/n: pleaaaase let me know if u guys liked it and want more katniss:pp this is for my fav katniss lover (hi i know ur reading this anon !!)🩷

katniss was sitting opposite peeta, with you on her left side and haymitch on the other. she hoped she could stop him from drinking too much that way, but she eventually gave up. finnick was getting married, after all - that's something worth celebrating, and if his way of doing that is by drinking, then so be it. you couldn't care less. what you cared about, though, was taking her away from this table. she didn't look happy at all, not even bored, just... somehow out of place. of course, she smiled at you every one in a while. how could she not?

you were sitting there, the prettiest girl in her world, wearing the prettiest dress she ever saw, joking with peeta and already drunk haymitch. she heard you giggling and her heart melted. you made the girl on fire feel like she was really on fire, burning more and more with each of your moves. the point is, she was sure that's a bad feeling, yet she loved it. she was addicted to it.

but you were clueless.

she scraped her fork across the plate, making a sound which hurt your ears.

you propped your head on your hands. "what's wrong?" you frowned, trying to see through her.

she immediately smiled, shrugging her shoulders. "nothing's wrong."

"uh-huh..." you hummed, straightening up and tapping your nails on the table. your eyebrows furrowed, hoping she'll continue, but that was all she had to say.

she looked at the freshly married couple and her smile slowly faded away. once her gaze came back to you, you weren't in your place anymore. you now stood behind her and tapped her shoulder.

haymitch laughed, apparently predicting what you are up to. she also chuckled, before turning around to take your extended hand.

she stood up, her eyes drifting between your eyes and lips. "i'm not the best dancer" she admitted.

"we don't have to dance dance..." you reassured her, slowly making your way to the parquet, dragging her closely behind you.

once you got there, you loosely wrapped your hands around her neck, propping them on her shoulders. she hesitated before putting her own on your waist, but you moved a little closer, making it less awkward.

"so, how do you like it?" you smirked, as the two of you started to sway to the slow music.

"well, i'm happy for finnick." she looked at him one more time. "and the food is good."

you giggled and nodded. "of course it is, peeta's the man behind the baked goods." you paused for a moment, licked your lips and bit your bottom one. "you just don't look like you're having fun."

"oh, sweetheart, i do." she shook her head and smiled. she seemed genuine, but you knew what you saw earlier.

you cleared your throat. "then, let me put it another way. what would make you even happier to be here?"

katniss raised her right hand and tugged a strand of your hair behind your ear. her moves were slow, so you could perfectly feel how her finger brushes your skin and lasts there for a few seconds, giving you goosebumps. "i think i'm a little jealous." she grinned.

"jealous?" you frowned, pouting your already dry lips.

"yes, jealous" she confirmed. "i'd rather have my own wedding— with flowers, a huge cake baked by peeta with a little, made of icing me on top. me and..." she stopped speaking as her eyes pierced your body and seemed to look somewhere behind you. you gave her a minute, before she suddenly came back to reality. "you know."

you smiled again, this time not from amusement but admiration. you moved closer, so you could whisper while knowing she can hear you. "i didn't know you want something so serious."

"i didn't know either, that's why i'm so upset." she whispered back, her tone raspy from the change of tone.

that makes sense, you thought. "and who do you imagine as your other half?"

she shrugged, obviously not wanting to talk about it, but it wasn't a valid answer for you.

"you can tell me" you pleaded. "i won't tell anyone— not haymitch, not even for peeta."

she thought for a moment, a good, long moment. "there's that one girl. do you want to see her?" she leaned in, putting her face next to your ear. "look behind you."

you discreetly turned your head, seeing nothing but a window. it was already late outside and the chandelier lightened up the whole room, so the glass worked like a darkening mirror. you saw nothing but your own reflection.

when you wanted to look back at katniss, her hands were already cupping your cheeks. you didn't have time to react, though you wouldn't stop her anyway. oh, no, you wanted that as much as she did... or more.

✧˖°

[gutfaced]

re; ableism in the hunger games, infantilism of the traumatized/shunning of the traumatized.

okay so i woke up & my awesome mutual @ongreenergrasses made a post about this too (i JUST saw it and like oooh my god. i agree so hard and so much) and i'm just going to talk about what i've been thinking.

the hunger games is doused in some really nasty thinking when it comes to mental health, and then even more so when it comes to disabilities, addiction and PTSD. i'm going to break down this post in parts based on each character who represents this, and any misc. ones will simply be the issue at hand alone. i find that suzanne writes a certain stereotypical sort of rhetoric that goes unchecked by this fandom because the majority are not those who have experienced these things, but the ones who *have* should at least bring this to more attention if possible. katniss to me, is one of the most ableist characters (not of her own knowing) as the good and mighty protagonist, and seeing people headcanon her as autistic is very interesting when her takes on people with any sort of difference in mental states is.. it comes into question constantly.

𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐄

annie is very truthfully, a character who is only based on being the ‘poor mad girl who wins finnick's heart’ and yes, a victor with more severe PTSD which has come to affect her daily life, or at least when it comes to the games. suzanne collins’ constant use of the term ‘mad girl’ comes from katniss as protagonist, which reads as so ableist. watering anyone to their inpairments or their level of health is dehumanizing, and it reads to me like she regards annie as a sort of special case, like a wounded animal almost. the only positive talk about annie as a character minus her wedding, minus her relationship with finnick is when peeta explains annie's experiences in the games, which comes with empathy and understanding that most,,, are overbearing with. i see so many people water her down to just, being finnick's, and only being whatever level of trauma has enabled her consistent struggles. this i won't put a label on because i don't know what collin's was trying to achieve.

i even believe that finnick as her lover commits a level of ableist thinking in their relationship. he withholds information of the rebellion from her (despite her being extremely smart and just as career as anyone else from four,) and despite that not changing anything because she's still tortured, still abused in some way, he has a level of extreme overprotectiveness that reads as infantilism of his partner, and it seems to me like everyone considers finnick as annie's carer, and doesn't consider annie as his partner. yes his *lover,* but not someone on equal ground as far as their mental health issues go. the way annie is seen on both coins of fandom and book are incredibly ignorant and very, very harmful to disabled people. just because someone has a debilitating issue does not mean you get to treat them like they're a child, does not mean you go onto label them from that single trait. like i said, the phrase ‘the mad girl back home’ is so, so degrading to annie, who is a survivor and has overcome her experiences with respective scars. respect her humanity, because it's sub human thinking to call someone mad based on PTSD. leave that in the 1910s/20s.

𝐌𝐑𝐒. 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐄𝐍 & 𝐇𝐀𝐘𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇

(note that the haymitch part will be longer than the rest because i have enough content to go off of & this is my specialty)

mrs. everdeen and haymitch as characters both experience deprecating grief, to the extent where their mental health is tarnished from that. mrs. e becomes withdrawn and stiff from family; only able to function for the sake of work. her love, her husband dies and it emotionally disables her and severs a proper relationship to her two daughters. her mental health being dependant on the man/the loss of him and the fact that she discards her family is not only somewhat realistic for *some* cases, but also equally spitting out ideas of tradition and how "women need a man," with hazelle contrasting this and having to work for her 4 children to the point of blood. katniss’ perception of her mother's issue do come from hurt, but also internalised prejudice against those with mental health as she can see the extent of agony her mother is in and still loathes her, never leaving the door open for empathy.

the treatment of haymitch in both book and fandom is equally prejudiced and incredibly uneducated on addiction, and again — grief. haymitch self-medicates because his trauma, the extent of it is so mutilating to the point where he has to be flushing out memories on a constant basis. the fandom calls him a stupid drink, looks down on his intelligence. the books make him look volatile, squalored. the way in which suzanne collins describes his kitchen (which is filthy with old food, hazards, bottles and mice droppings) is VERY true of several people with severe mental health. katniss makes fun of him while he's in a state of approaching withdrawal, saying that the smell brings tears to her eyes, and at the end of the conversation ‘to take a bath.’ people with depression (which is what mrs. e and haymitch both have in different cases) find it difficult to do everyday chores and simple tasks, and katniss also repeats the idea of haymitch being unhygienic when she says ‘he's disgusting, but I'm greatful’ alongside commenting that it must've been a long while since he had bathed. haymitch is the richest man in the district, but not even that can stop the blatant hatred that katniss parrots. haymitch is to me, ill, and it reflects in his attitude during the games and when he's in withdrawal. suzanne hones in his mental state the most, and what he is a functioning alcoholic, and while that differs from regular alcoholism, people are consistent to demean his character with misconceptions and text books beliefs of what an alcoholic looks like. there are *many* takes, many examples of these sorts of people in society, but the constant abusive, violent, hateful, squalid, hedonistic ideas are parroted in fics when it comes to haymitch when he isn't.. any of those things. the society around him cares to consider the extent of his suffering and he doesn't have a good enough support system, as all whom he has loved are dead. i finish this by saying what i always do; he's extremely intelligent, extremely empathetic and wholly feeling, extremely caring and protective, and is meant to *defy* stereotypes. his ending however diminishes his ability to get better, and practically undoes any hope of his betterment despite it all.

𝐌𝐑𝐒. 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐄

mrs. undersee is mentioned a few times through the trilogy, and when it isn't related to her late twin maysilee donner, or her daughter madge, it's her chronic illness. katniss basically only mentions her when referring to her constant headaches and her morphling addiction, which makes me wonder why suzanne collins doesn't go into depth about how she's taken care of, who she's getting support from as the wife of the district mayor, and how she functions as a mother. she is basically made useless to the narrative despite her important role as a mayoral first lady & family member to someone who experienced and was slaughtered in the arena. i see next to no content on her which upsets me as she does play such a big role in the scheme of things, and has connections to the everdeens, to haymitch and to the donner family. she's got next to nothing on her wikipedia, and it's unfortunate as she could've been a good example of chronic ilness in an already revered YA series (which now comes under scrutiny for the faults being uprooted.)

[triassictriserratops]

Peeta and Katniss helping the other overcome their childhood traumas.

Such as Peeta getting really angry in one of their arguments at some point down the line and afterwards feeling like he’s becoming like his mother but Katniss reassures him he’s not, he never could be, he’s got a kind heart and then she softly kisses his cheek.

Peeta feeling like he’s not good enough for her because he was beaten down his entire life. And her holding him and telling him he’s worth so much more than he realizes and he deserves to be loved the best she can give him and more. And she tells him all his wonderful qualities while holding his face in her hands (mind u she’s smol and he’s average height so she’s reaching upwards to hold those cheeks).

With Katniss she doesn’t talk as easily about her childhood. But it’ll come out when properly triggered (which means dramatically). When Peeta tries to take care of her and gets annoyed she won’t let him and it suddenly bubbles out that no one ever took care of her until him and she can’t rely on someone else caring for her because what if they stop one day (like her mother when she was hit with depression). And he slowly cradles her and tells her he will never leave her alone like that, he swears.

Or when Peeta doesn’t come home until really late one night only to discover Katniss is really upset and he doesn’t know why. Until he slowly works it out of her that her father left one day and she never saw him again and the way the night stretched on waiting for him to come back home. And Peeta kisses her tears away and promises he’ll never leave her wondering where he is if he’s late again and pulls her close to hold her until she stops shaking.

Just side tangents because i'm thinking about it now - Peeta DOES have an anger streak. We see it in his (very legitimate) reactions both when Haymitch jokingly gives them the advice to "stay alive" and in District 11 when he throws and breaks things to express his rage. Peeta is someone who chooses kindness and softness first because he's been modeled what the opposite looks like and he know that it's within him to do as well. and holy SHIT does that resonate with me.

[katnissdoesnotfollowback]

i loved reading 9000 rpm and i love the ending you gave them, but i really wanted to read their second time/reunion in more detail. any chance we could get that from peeta's pov?

The following is RATED E for explicit sexual content and explicit language.

***

Peeta waits at a redlight, his heart accelerating the closer he gets to Katniss’s house. He grips the steering wheel and doesn’t even try to stop them this time. The memories that fly at him, of Katniss on top of him, surrounding him. Her wet clothes still clinging to her skin in places, her exhales on his face as warm and humid as the night around them. Her lips kiss swollen and parted as she moved. Bucking on him and driving him to the brink until she’d leaned back too far and they’d accidentally honked the horn.

He knows it won’t be like that. They’re not sixteen anymore. They’re parents. And even though Katniss was his first on that sweltering, rain drenched summer night, she hasn’t been his only. He knows better than to believe that what he felt that night could happen again. And yet, his hands still shake slightly with the nerves of a boy approaching his first love.

Glancing over at the passenger seat, he smiles, and soft warmth flows through him along with the jittery nerves, thinking about the way she kissed him just a few hours ago. The way she so unwittingly handed him back a burning torch of hope. 

Or maybe she knew exactly what she was doing, he thinks as the light turns green and he drives the last mile. He guides his truck down Katniss’s driveway, not knowing what to expect. It’s late and she may have already gone to bed. He probably should have called first, but he has keys to her garage. If she’s already asleep, he’ll just work on the Mustang until he can get his hopes under control. That won’t be anything new.

Only, there are lights still on inside the house. Several windows glow with their warmth. And as he puts the truck in park, someone steps out of the front door onto the porch.

Peeta forces himself to grab her shawl from the seat beside him and not think about how good and how right it felt to have her in his arms again tonight. To have her lips not only moving with his but so eagerly returning his own pent up need and desire through their kisses.

She’s leaning against the post at the top of the porch stairs as he climbs them. He notices that she’s changed into pajama pants and a loose, comfortable top. He can tell from the soft wispy flyaways from her braid that catch the wind that she’s showered and washed her hair. Did she want to wash his touch off of her skin? Or was it just a regular shower at the end of a long day? She’s wearing an inscrutable look on her face, but he’s gotten used to that. The trick is to get her talking. Then he’ll be able to figure out what’s on her mind.

But she’s already on the porch. Without him giving her warning. Which means she was awake. Maybe waiting for him to call or show up here. She heard or saw him pull up. Which means at the very least, she isn’t pushing him away just yet.

As if in a trance, he holds up her shawl and something flickers in her gaze as she reaches for it. Trying to tease that look into words, Peeta yanks his hand back, denying her the shawl and smiling at the faint annoyance in her expression. Arms crossed, eyebrow quirked up.

“You never answered my question,” she says and his heart thuds with a kick of more hope. So they won’t be ignoring or avoiding what happened.

Buoyed with new confidence, Peeta drapes her shawl around her shoulders and pulls her up against his body. A thrill going through him as she lets him. As she falls against his chest, tilting her head up to look at him. Her hands clenching into his shirt. It’s like something out of his dreams and his breath seizes in his chest as he tries to cool it. To not let his hopes run too far ahead of him.

“What do I want next?” He repeats her question and she nods, humming in assent, and for half a second, he thinks she’s looking at his mouth.

But as desperately as Peeta wants to kiss her again, he wants her to know, more than anything, he wants her to know all the wild, the sappy, the pathetically in love thoughts he’s buried beneath concrete walls and scorched rubber, running away from his own feelings as though it’d get him anywhere. Like he wasn’t stuck on a race track, burning himself in circles trying not to love her.

But with that quick little glance at his mouth and the way her eyes gleam when she looks up at his eyes, the words burst free in a torrent he has no hope of controlling anymore. Not after the way she kissed him tonight. 

“I want to wake in the morning tomorrow, roll over, and kiss you awake,” he says and he can hear it when her breath catches. That little sound may be an invitation or a warning, but he still can’t stop the words.

“I want to see Raven run into the kitchen, excited to begin the day and wondering what’s for breakfast. I want to be here when she catches the bus and wave to her from the end of the driveway. Blow her kisses so she knows how much I love her before she goes to school. I want to hold you in the rain, the sunshine, through every season and every step of our lives. I want to whisper in your ear how radiant you are and how you make air scarce every time you smile at me or laugh. I want to kiss you, love you, fall asleep beside you every night. I want to have silly fights with you, over what movie we’re going to watch and then spend the night making you moan my name to the sky instead when we can’t agree. I want to build that car in the garage with you and our daughter, then make love to you on the finished hood late one night. I want to watch Raven grow and blossom and fight for what she wants. I want a chance to hold a newborn baby with your eyes, to be there for every step of that journey, but I understand if you don’t want that. Raven is more than enough. I want to wake up one morning and realize we’ve grown old together, with a fridge covered in art and pictures. So many that we have to start covering the dishwasher or the walls. I want the muck and the grime of life but also the starlight and the dreams, and I want it all with you, Katniss.”

She might as well know it all and if she can’t handle it, if it breaks them and tears them apart for good, he’ll just have to find a way to put himself back together later. She blinks at him once, slowly. And he’s just happy that she hasn’t shoved him backwards down the stairs, when she speaks.

“Is that all?” Her words are soft, quiet, but the smile curling over her lips sends Peeta’s heart thumping madly. 

“I figure it’s a start.”

“Well then. Come inside and we’ll get started.”

She steps backwards, her hands in his shirt and his hands still clenching the shawl around her shoulders mean that he has to step with her. He gives her a quiet warning when they reach the door, so she doesn’t trip, but Katniss just leans back against it and it falls open for them.

Once he’s across the threshold, he doesn’t want to let go of her. He’s terrified that the second he drops the shawl, she’s going to come to her senses and push him away again.

Katniss must sense this, or she’s too impatient to wait on him to figure it out, because she leans into him, reaching behind him to fling the door shut. They both wince at the sound and Peeta glances over her shoulder, checking to see who else might be awake.

“Is Raven…?”

“Fast asleep,” Katniss murmurs. “So is Aunt Laverne. It’s just us right now.”

He turns back to her, leaning forward until his nose brushes hers, letting her sultry tone wash over him. Following her step by step. He assumes they’ll be stopping at the couch. Sitting and talking. Maybe kissing and making out, but Katniss keeps going.

In the hallway, he twists his wrists, wrapping more of the shawl around his fists as her hands slide up his chest, over his shoulders. Her fingers toy with his hair and he shivers slightly, watching her through his half closed eyes for any signs of reluctance or doubt.

But Katniss keeps walking them deeper into the house. He can feel her breaths picking up speed as they tease over his parted lips. He wants to drink her down, to live on her exhales as he waits for her to whisper his name or say something, anything, to confirm that she’s already as deep into this as he is. That he’s not dreaming and about to be rudely awakened, alone in his bed and reaching for her where she never is, never has been, and never will be.

He follows her across the threshold of her bedroom and swallows, letting his eyes close and expecting the alarm to go off or his body to yank him out of this dream. He pulls on the shawl as he hears the door close behind him. Her weight falls into him and he feels her standing on her toes, her lips brushing his.

If he’s dreaming, he decides, then he’s going to wring every possible drop of joy from this dream. He opens his eyes to gaze down at her, at the soft way she’s looking up at him. It’s not quite the way she looked at him that night all those years ago, when they were sixteen and a solid finish, some starlight and rain combined to make magic out of the air. No, this look is different. Deeper, somehow. So profound that it pulls him towards her.

Peeta wants to ask her if he’s dreaming or if this is real. Instead, he closes the remaining distance between them. She whimpers slightly and plasters herself to his body. And her mouth. The lips and mouth that sass him over the radio or over the open hood of a car work just as hard now to destroy every last chance he had of keeping his hopes in check. Because she kisses him back, with the same fervor she showed in the garage earlier tonight. Perhaps even more.

It’s too much for him to handle, so he diverts his mouth to kiss over her cheek, to her ear as she leans into him even more and sighs his name.

“Peeta.” The sound of it nearly breaks him as he considers hoisting her into the air and throwing her on the bed.

But no. He’s waited too long to rush this. Instead, he continues to kiss along the side of her neck, inhaling the fresh scent of her soap on her skin and savoring the taste of her. The breathy way she moans and whispers his name. Allows himself to fall headlong into the feel of her pulling on his hair and writhing in his arms.

“Please. Please,” she whimpers and then they’re moving again. Her feet guide them towards the bed. His heart thuds and his already half hard cock throbs to life.

“Katniss, wait,” he murmurs and tries to pull back, scared that if they move too fast, they’ll only ruin this. Certain he’s right when Katniss steps out of his embrace and the shawl finally falls to the floor.

His hands hover in the air and he watches her as she pulls her shoulders back, lifts her chin. “Wait? Wait for what? I’ve waited too long already.”

And with that hanging in the air between them, she pulls her top up and over her head, discarding it on the floor with the shawl. He’s struck dumb with her beauty, just for a moment. Until she reaches behind her to unclasp her bra, snapping him out of it.

“Wait,” he says again, stepping towards her and skimming his hands over her exposed skin, her belly now softer, perhaps a remnant of carrying Raven. Her shoulders, which he’s seen before of course, but in this new light, with this new freedom to touch her, he leans forwards and kisses along their ridge. Until she shivers and whispers his name again. 

“Wait for me to do that,” he tells her and skims his hands up her back to her bra, even as he bends his head to kiss her again. 

As soon as her bra hits the floor, Katniss starts grappling with his shirt and he smiles as they tear it up his torso and he lifts his arms. They laugh when their movements make him elbow his own ear. They’re still smiling as Katniss steps back, her hands roaming over his naked chest and her eyes fixed on where she’s touching. He takes the chance to steal glimpses of her naked breasts. But even that can’t distract him from the shivers and erotic thrill of having her hands all over him. Then her mouth as she maps his chest with kisses. He lets his head fall back then and tangles his hand in her hair, massaging the back of her scalp as she lays waste to the last of his defenses.

Her warm lips pressing kisses to his skin. Her nails scratching at his chest hair. Her tongue darting out to taste his nipples. He takes every second of delicious torment, all the while his desire, his need for her mounting higher, until he’s straining painfully against the constriction of his jeans.

“Katniss, fuck,” he murmurs and curses when she takes a nip at him and lifts questioning eyes to his. He pulls her up and against his chest, grinning when she shivers in his arms and rubs herself on his chest. “You like that?”

“Maybe. Why?” she says and he traces his thumb slowly over her lower lip.

“Because if you don’t tell me, I’m going to find out anyway. I’ll find every little thing that turns you on or drives you crazy. Give me the chance, Katniss, and I will make you sing with pleasure until you’re hoarse.”

With a full body shudder, she leans into him and grins, mischief blinking in her eyes. “Not if I’m busy learning every little thing that turns you on and driving you crazy with need.”

Her hand slips down his body and cups him through his jeans. She gasps comically and smiles when he bucks into her touch. When his grip on her tightens, limiting her movement.

“Are you seriously gonna make this a competition?” he teases. She bites her lip and shakes her head.

“Not a competition. A shared goal. We’re still a team, after all,” she says, right before their lips meld together again. Her hand on his neck and the one on his cock scrambles his thoughts, all he can do is follow her. Follow her lead as she takes a few more steps backwards and then turns them so that Peeta’s the one backing up. He lets her lead, sinking into her touch on him. He’s so absorbed with their kisses, with the feel of her heated naked skin pressed so intimately to his, that he’s unaware of almost everything else until something presses into the backs of his knees and he crumples.

Katniss follows him, straddling him where he sits on the end of the bed, her fingers tangling in his hair and tugging while they keep kissing, exhaling soft whispers into one another’s mouths, touching everywhere and anywhere they can reach. He slides one hand down into the back of her pants and grips her ass enough to pull her tight against his erection. He smiles against her lips at the little squeal in the back of her throat that causes.

“Alright, then. A shared goal,” he murmurs to her as she starts grinding on him. Her eyes flutter and she moans into his mouth. “Like this. You like this. Feeling me hard up against your lips, knowing you do this to me.”

“Peeta,” she gasps, but he doesn’t stop. “You… you like this too.”

“Damn right I do. Would you like to know how many times I’ve dreamt of us like this? How many times I stroked my cock thinking about you warm and writhing in my lap, looking at me exactly like you’re looking at me now.”

His words spark something in her and she twists out of his grasp, not entirely, just enough to kiss down his chest, towards his waist. To push his thighs wider and kneel between them. When she nips at his side, he flinches and leans back, curious how far she’s willing to take things tonight. He bites back a groan as her fingers work his belt loose and then his jeans open. She flicks a burning gaze up at him then and smirks.

“These come off now,” she says and Peeta obediently leans back on his palms, lifts his hips, watches her drag his clothes down his legs. Watches her eyes following the bob and sway of his cock as it lurches free of the removed clothing.

In his dreams, she’s always a little cock shy. He supposes that’s a hold over from when they were sixteen and she hesitated before touching him. Before taking him inside her. But Katniss now is riveted to the sight of him, even as she tugs off his boots and flings aside the mess of his jeans, shorts, boots, and one of his socks. Before he can tease her for her eagerness, she boldly wraps her fingers around his tip and swipes her thumb across the head. He has to bite his lip to contain a loud groan.

And that’s before she lowers her head and swipes her tongue in her thumb’s wake.

“Shit. Katniss,” he warns, his hands fisting the coverlet as she kisses and licks her way down one side of his shaft then up the other.

“Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about this,” she teases and he laughs slightly.

“Of course I have. I just wasn’t expecting this tonight.”

“What were you expecting then?”

“Honestly? Some cuddling on the couch. More kissing. Maybe a little under the shirt groping. And the serious need to jerk off in the shower later.”

“So I should back up and—“

“Don’t you dare,” he blurts out and Katniss grins at him. Right before she starts gliding her hand loosely up and down his shaft. The pressure of her touch just enough to make his brain fuzz over with pleasure, but not enough to get him started toward release.

“Why not? Do you like this, Peeta?”

He releases a heavy breath as she presses another almost sweet kiss to his head. His fingers ache from gripping the sheets and he nods dumbly. “Yes. I like it way too much. Your touch on me is…so fucking good, Katniss.” 

“Show me then,” she says and rises up on her feet until she can kiss him full on the mouth again, her hand on his cock still lightly stroking him. “Show me how to do this for you.”

For half a second, jealousy streaks through him. The words burn on his tongue, wanting to tell her that whatever she’s done to suck off Gale or Thom will probably work on him too. But that isn’t fair. He knows it isn’t fair. Besides, he doesn’t know for sure that she’s ever sucked their cocks. That’s the root of it, isn’t it? he thinks. He has no idea and it’s always driven him half mad, thinking of her with them.

But another memory rises up to help him swallow and dismiss the burst of jealousy.  Audrey on her knees, pushing him up against her front door, working his cock with her hands and her mouth, leaving a ring of bright red lipstick on his cock before he left her to go to work with Katniss one day. 

Peeta has no room to complain, he knows. So he lets it take wing and fly from his heart as he caresses Katniss’s cheek. What’s important is that they’re together, here and now, he thinks as he caresses back to the nape of her neck. He grabs hold of her braid and twists once, so her hair is wrapped tight around his fist.

“Kiss the tip again, please,” he says, his voice gruff and foreign to his ears, but Katniss’s eyes brighten and she smiles slightly before dropping to her knees again and lowering her head.

He groans and forces himself to keep his eyes open. To watch her even as the tendrils of pleasure start to burn through him at the feel of her lips pressing another delicate kiss to his tip before her tongue swirls around his head.

“Oh god,” he groans, trying to keep it quiet. His grip on her braid tightens and she tilts her head to look up at him for just a moment.

“Oh yeah, you like this a lot, don’t you?” She teases before she slides her lips down and over him, encasing about a quarter of his cock in her mouth. And it takes everything in him not to push himself further into the deliriously warm wetness of her mouth when she starts to suck.

“Oh fuck me. Katniss. Yes. Just… just like that.”

The next sounds he makes are garbled and unintelligible as she sucks on him and her fist wrapped around his base keeps stroking at a maddeningly steady pace. He can’t see her mouth on him at this angle, only her dark hair wrapped around his fist, his fingers clinging to the back of her head as she bobs and sucks at him. But even that is enough to blow all his long held fantasies out of the water.

And he can’t help it. He lifts his hips into her, pushes slightly, desperate to have more of his cock in her mouth. She takes it, moaning softly and only driving him closer to breaking.

“Ung, Katniss. Please,” he gasps. “Do that again. Moan like that again.” 

He curses when she does, gripping tight to her scalp, his body shaking with the need to snap, to fuck her mouth until he comes down her throat. Only a thin thread of control holds him in check enough to pull her off his cock instead. Up towards his mouth until he can kiss her lips. Their tongues tangle wildly and she places a hand flat on his chest, pushing him back and ending the kiss before he’s ready for it to be over. 

“Stop it. I’m busy sucking your cock here. Or hadn’t you noticed?” She says with a saucy lilt to her voice.

Where, he wonders, has this side of her been all these years? Another kick of jealousy hits him as he realizes she’s probably been like this the whole time. Just not with him. He’s choking on that jealousy, trying to swallow it down when her smile cracks slightly.

“Unless… you don’t like what I’m doing?”

“Don’t… of course I fucking like it, Katniss,” he says and motions towards his lap. His dick cooperates and lurches in anticipation of her mouth on him again. “You have no idea how much I’m holding back right now.”

“But… you’ve been with women who can probably do this better. Who’ve had more practice than I have.” His pulse skips at that. At her words implying she actually hasn’t gone down on Thom or Gale enough to feel confident in this. He reaches for her with his free hand and traces her lips. 

“Doesn’t matter. They weren’t you.” He whispers. “Even when I thought I was in love with someone else, you’ve always been there. In the back of my head. Unshakeable. And I am incredibly aroused by everything you are, everything you’ve done tonight. You could stop right now and this is still the best head anyone’s ever given me.”

She snorts at that, shaking her head slightly before lurching up to kiss him once. “Alright. In that case. Don’t come yet.”

“Huh?” he asks, dumbstruck as she pushes him back so he has to release her, to use his left hand to hold himself up as she descends once again. And despite the pause, bliss surges right back up to where it was before he made her stop. Overwhelming enough to turn him into a babbling idiot, he thinks but can’t stop himself.

“Ung. Don’t stop. Just… please. Feels so fucking good. Katniss. Your mouth is like heaven.”

She giggles around his cock and the vibrations only make him grasp tighter to her braid. They work together, his hand and his words guiding her. Until he can’t do much more than grunt and moan and gasp out her name.

“Fuck. Almost. Katniss. Please?” he begs and then whines when she not only slides her mouth off his cock, but stands up. A tug on his wrist and he releases her hair as she steps back, out of his reach.

Aching and throbbing with need, Peeta curls his freed up hand around himself. The touch does little to alleviate the pain of his denied orgasm. Especially when his grip and his jaw go comically slack as Katniss shimmies out of the rest of her clothes. All he can do is stare at her, frantically memorizing every line, every shadow on her skin, the way her dusky nipples stand erect and her dark curls spiral at the apex of her thighs.

Those curls at least are almost exactly as Peeta remembers them, but the rest of her torches his adolescent memories to the ground. Her hands graze her hips and she bites her lip as they watch one another. She breaks first.

“Oh come on,” she grumbles. “It’s not like you’ve never seen me before.”

“I’m not sure that I have,” he admits. “Not really.”

Katniss tilts her head and takes a deep breath that leads nowhere for a moment. Until she whispers one word. “And?”

Releasing a heavy breath, Peeta reaches for her. “Come here and I’ll show you.”

She laughs lightly at that, but places her hand in his. They’re both smiling as he pulls her onto his lap. As she reaches down between them and guides him straight to her center.

“What? No more foreplay?” he groans as she sinks onto him and Katniss leans forward to get the angle right, then back, taking more of him and kissing the words he’d planned right off his lips. 

“I’m done playing around, Peeta,” she whispers, her voice a little strained. “Done with running and hiding. No more games. No more PR stunt fake relationships. I just want you. Ung.”

“Are you okay?” he whispers back as she comes to rest, her face a little pinched as she stops, fully seated on him. Her thighs pressed to his and her hands hooking over Peeta’s shoulders. Her fingers toy with his hair. And she leans forward, until their foreheads touch. But she’s releasing fast, shaky breaths onto his lips.

“I’d forgotten,” she says softly and takes a few steadying breaths. “Forgotten how full I felt with you inside me. It’s… no one else makes me feel like you do, Peeta.”

“How do I make you feel?” he murmurs. 

Then her hips start to move in earnest. He grips her ass and helps her move with him, holding his gaze intent on her face, waiting for an answer and desperately trying not to succumb to the overwhelming pleasure of their joined bodies and movements. To the temptation of her head thrown back and her arching back, her breasts pushed up and exposed for him to just bend over and ravage. 

“Katniss, honey girl, tell me how I make you feel,” he practically begs and she moans before whipping her head back up and gripping his hair, not breaking her stride or slowing down. No, she speeds up, and Peeta can feel himself racing towards the end. He bites the inside of his cheek as she touches his lips almost reverently.

“Like we were made for each other,” she gasps. Her words tumble out in bursts as she moves her hips faster and harder against him. “I need… I need… need… you... Oh Peeta.”

Her moans have gotten louder. Dangerously loud. Their movements now frantic. He fights back the burning need inside him and reaches up to cover her mouth with his hand.

“Shhh, Katniss you can’t be that loud,” he whispers and she whines, her lips sliding under his palm until his fingers slip inside her mouth. Her lips close around his fingers and she sucks, sending fiery bolts up his arm, straight to his groin. “Fucking… Katniss, stop. Don’t do that or I’m gonna come right the fuck now.”

Her eyes gleam and she slows her motions until she’s just sitting on his lap. He curses again as she sucks on his fingers at the same time she squeezes her walls around his cock.

He grips her braid with his other hand and pulls until his fingers pop free of her mouth.

“You fucking tease. Finish it,” he growls and shifts his hips, just enough to push a squealing soft moan from her throat. But he gets what he wants. Katniss starts moving again.

Flattening her palms on his shoulders, she shoves him, flat onto his back on the bed. Her thrusts turn almost desperately fast and her eyes glassy as he touches her. Caresses her softly all over. The headboard starts rapping against the wall and Peeta begs her, breathless and needy as the edge looms up in front of him.

“No more games, you said,” he whispers. “Make us come, Katniss. Please. Please make us both come.”

She whimpers something like his name and he smiles, relaxing as he feels the first tremors of her release grasping at his cock. Her entire body thrashes on top of his and the sight of her caught in her orgasm, the feel of her body now gripping him tight, rapid and desperate, sends him toppling over right along with her. He sighs out her name and lets bliss carry him floating along for the ride. Shuddering as he empties himself into her.

At last. 

“Don’t stop. Don’t. Please. Peeta,” she whines and somehow, addlebrained from his own release, he responds. He digs his fingers into her hips and keeps her body moving on his. Through a few more spine tingling contractions of her pussy on him. 

“Take it, Katniss. Take what you want. Keep coming, honey girl. I’m gonna make sure you never again forget how this feels.” 

She sounds almost like she’s in pain, her nails raking down his chest and clawing into his abdomen until…

“Oh fuck, yes,” she groans, swaying like she’s drunk before collapsing on top of him.

Wrapping his arms around her, Peeta holds her, pressing soft kisses to her crown and temple, nevermind the perspiration coating them both, as she continues to tremble. Her hands clench and unclench on his chest, tugging randomly at his chest hair. But the short bursts of pain are worth it. Worth this chance to hold her in the aftermath and hope, really hope for the first time in years, that maybe this could be something extraordinary. That perhaps it already is.

He’s still inside her as they catch their breath, and Peeta caresses over her spine, enjoying the way she shivers and hums with content every so often. Although he’s quickly going soft and will probably slip free soon. Which has him thinking about her labia, all swollen and wet from their sex, and his cum seeping slowly back out. 

Peeta licks his lips just thinking about her. Remembering her taste from when they were sixteen and wondering if she still tastes the same, or if she’ll taste different. He wants to know. Needs to know.

He considers rolling her onto her back and kneeling between her thighs, spreading her lips and waiting for the first sign of his cum dripping from her before feasting on her, hopefully making her orgasm again. But Katniss lifts her head then and props her elbow on his chest to hold her head up.

“So. I think that was a good start. You?” And then she yawns, her mouth wide and the sound adorably high pitched. He grins and pulls her down for a searing kiss as soon as she’s done yawning. 

“A very good start,” he murmurs, setting aside his dirty fantasy in favor of simply holding her for now. He’s been patient this long, he decides. There’s no reason to believe that he needs to rush things or try to cram everything he’s been wanting with her into a few days.

They have time now, he realizes as she shifts on top of him and whispers an invitation. “Stay? Peeta, stay with me tonight?”

[thgfanfictionlibrary]

E Rated Fics Masterlist (41)

Part 1 -Part 38/ Part 39 / Part 40 /

Created: March 27th, 2024

Last Checked:-----

Compromises-Xerxia (ao3)  Summary: Valentine’s day in the Everdeen/Mellark house is just another day... Delivered-HEA_andallthelike (ao3)  Summary: She thought she had done the right thing. She had tried to give him a chance to live in a world where his own mind wasn't able to hold him hostage to the memories of what he had gone through- of what they had gone through. He isn't thanking her for it, he is angry. She thinks it might all be better if she just slips away...... Delly's Memorable Visit-everydayescapeartist (ao3)  Summary: The last day of Delly's visit proves to be a day she and her good friends will likely never forget. Dispatches from District 12-Xerxia (ao3)  Summary: A collection of ficlets and drabbles I've written on Tumblr. All Everlark. Emotional Disregard-glintwarsgreatest (ao3)  Summary: Sometimes thinking can ruin a good thing. Right? Katniss and Peeta Modern Day AU Erased-HEA_andallthelike (ao3)  Summary: Katniss is surely destroyed. Peeta doesn't remember her. After everything they survived together, everything they meant to each other, he only knows her as the classmate he has admired from afar. Katniss is so different from that girl now. Bruised, broken, and deadly. There is no way for Peeta to remember her, unless they make him remember all of it. The games, the deaths, the torture, the murder- and she won't do that to him. That leaves Katniss alone, trying to end the war she helped ignite, wondering if any of this will be worth it. Fae-HGRomance (ao3)  Summary: When they were children, he stole her heart. But then he vanished and she never saw him again. Many years later, Katniss finds a portal into an enchanted and dangerous world, guarded by a fae boy who seems vaguely familiar. Fantasy AU. Feed the Beast-Hutchabelle (ao3)  Summary: Widowed, single-father Peeta has grieved for two years by writing a cookbook of the recipes he used to bake with his deceased wife. Filled with Mellark family traditions, Feed the Beast is the answer to the everyday humdrum of running a bakery while trying to raise his daughter on his own. When his Aunt Effie steps in and hires a young woman to help him at the bakery, Peeta’s immediately struck by her beauty, but Katniss Everdeen also infuriates him. Besides that, she makes him hunger for more than a lonely life. Fire and Ice-Falafel_Waffel (ao3)  Summary: His whole life Peeta Mellark dreamed of playing for the NHL. Now at 25 all he dreams about is winning the Stanley Cup, at least until he meets Katniss Everdeen. Soon he has to decide which he wants more, The Cup or the girl of his dreams. Flashover-Xerxia (ao3)  Summary: After a lifetime of loss, Katniss Everdeen turns her life upside down in a world half a planet away from everything she'd known. Written for the fandom for Australia fundraiser on Tumblr.

[the-disaster-in-waiting]

The Seamstress & The Baker

(Peeta Mellark X Reader)

Peeta stood still as the woman circled him measuring, writing and looking over him gauging size predictions.

“I’m Peeta” He broke the silence, scared and alone from the only other person he’d known. Peeta tried to make nice with those Effie had called his ‘Style Team’ Portia had left him in what she’d called capable hands of (Y/N) to take the measurements and prepare him for Cinna and her grand entrance they’d planned.

“I know I saw the show Katniss put on. Seems like you will have to catch up” (Y/N) swaggered around the room filled with items used to create all the most incredible outfits for the tributes.

“Wha… What do you mean?”

“Katniss, she’s the caring heart that volunteered for her sister. What pray tell is your thing?” She’d sat in a chair at that point comfortably crossing one leg over another, writing more notes in her small notebook. As Peeta realized he was now free to step down from the podium and sit beside her in the accompanying chair he continued.

“I’m a baker”

“I do not think a cake will be enough to sway the watchers” She leant over, placing the notebook onto a coffee table leaning back and digging her back further into the chair comforting herself.

“What do you think then?” Peeta was leant over watching (Y/N) arms braced on his legs as his only support. (Y/N) sighed as she turned to the screen featuring Peeta and Katniss’ tribute selection in district 12.

“You are very sweet and the way you look at Katniss. Use that, use your love, don't hide it. Be the boy who loves a girl you will be fated to kill or be killed by”.

“I don’t know what you mean. I don't have a crush on Katniss. I just don’t wanna die”

“You are a very sweet boy Peeta. I wish I could be like you but unlike you living in the capitol shows you how bad this all is I mean look around-’ (Y/N) spread her arms pointing to the whole room ‘-this all just for some stupid blood hungry game, I was picked young because so many of the seamstress’ had to leave overwhelmed seeing so many die this isn't easy Peeta you need to make a choice do you play the game or let the game play you?”

-

Peeta gazed over all the viewers as Katniss and he were pulled by horse through a long lane waving to all he looked to Katniss her face stone, scared or maybe meek he couldn’t tell quite yet as he passed a row he could see (Y/N) she looked over Peeta clasping her hands together signaling something to him it took a minute to catch on.

“And then

What is that in the background?” The commentators reviewing the tributes' entrances stopped at a pair from district 12.

“Come on. They'll love it.” Peeta whispered to Katniss, grabbing her hand once again, hoisting them high above their heads for all to see as (Y/N) clapped her hands at Peeta’s gesture.

“Now see that! I love that.

Two young people, holding their hands up!

Saying; ‘I'm proud, I'm from District 12.

We will not be overlooked!’

I love that.

People are sure to be paying attention to them right now.”

-

“You did good Peeta” (Y/N) could tell when Peeta entered the room he carried himself lower than a capital citizen and not many of the other tributes walked around the seamstress quarters their stylists normally handled. (Y/N) wondered if some even knew where it was knowing that some of the higher districts would demand their measurements taken in their apartments not bothering to meander about a place they didn’t want to be.

“Thanks for the suggestion” He stood around awkwardly waiting for (Y/N) to turn and face him, her back all he could see as she bent over a sewing machine the sound of which had stopped the minute the door opened.

“What do you need, do any of the clothes not fit?” She turned to face him looking over his attire, a piece she’d made from Portia's suggestion designed to look as if lava had fallen onto him.

“No I’m all good” He moved to a chair near (Y/N) making himself comfortable before facing her again.

“The interviews are coming soon”

“Yes, do you know what you are saying yet? I’m sure Effie and Haymitch have prepared you?” She pulled up the suit she was making from Katniss’ measurements designed by the game stylists out of the sewing machine letting it fall in front of her giving a cursory check before putting it aside and putting all her focus on Peeta.

“No Haymitch said to just keep doing the loverboy act and Effie’s just happy I smile unlike Katniss.” (Y/N) giggled at Peeta’s comment.

“Katniss can be hard to read but like you she is scared and just coping with this how she can”

“So what do you think?” Peeta looked to (Y/N) as her head tilted.

“What do you mean?” She shook her head and started to read from her notebook on Peeta’s measurements and needs for his game suit. Peeta grabbed the book from her hands, putting it behind him where (Y/N) couldn't reach it.

“I mean the interviews the hand hold worked I thought maybe you’d have some more ideas” He held (Y/N) back from trying to grab her notebook from him. Exasperated by her failed attempts she slumped in the chair and sighed at Peetas annoying antics.

“Why should I help you if you will just steal my things?” She smirked at the game, a welcome distraction from the work she’d been put through by the other seamstress’ all had goals to complete their work even if it meant fighting each other to leave early.

“Because you care? Hopefully, you've helped so far?”

“Fine you are lucky I like you” She instead turned to clean her station making her mind up to come in early tomorrow instead of continuing now that the tribute was annoying her so.

“Drop the bomb”

“What bomb” noticing her cleaning her gave back the notebook. (Y/N) carefully packed it away in her bag as she shifted it onto her back.

“Tell them just who you are fighting in the arena, let them know the love story they can expect” She turned to stand and leave as Peeta followed her.

“Where are you going?” She turned to look at Peeta. He looked tired, scared but alone mostly. She could understand the feeling of displacement he must’ve felt she’d felt it so many times before.

“I have some things to finish for school. They cannot be left waiting but do not worry, I will be waiting for you after your interview”.

[blues-valentine]

the Alina debate going on reminds me of the Katniss debate even years later. there’s people that in this date and age think Gale was a better choice …..some people hate to see girls that went through imaginable levels of trauma find themselves a calm and quiet life with a man that brings them safety and peace.

These two cases are pretty similar and with THG renaissance on social media lately the discussions about this subject are getting wildly inaccurate and lacking media literacy.

Alina and Katniss are similar in how they were just kids that had to grow up in a mess up world and take care of themselves alone. They both were thrown into a role way bigger than them. Deemed as holy and untouchable. Prayed as the sole savior of a nation, painted as a symbol. A role they’ve never felt prepared for and during all of that trauma and grief they just hoped for some normalcy beyond that chaos. Mal and Peeta represent comfort and security for each of them but still the choice to seek that peace creates controversy. I saw this amazing post (X) about how thinking Gale and Katniss should’ve ended up together is simply incorrect and a terrible interpretation of what the books and movies are telling you and similarly goes with Alina’s ending being sadly misunderstood.

People don’t get that Gale became everything he was fighting against. The thing Katniss was trying to run from. In his search to destroy the Capitol and eradicate the games he became too blinded by hatred and started justifying all that violence with the idea of revenge. He would easily switch off his humanity to justify the means in which he achieved those goals. He would’ve never been able to provide Katniss with the peace, safety and the healing she was searching. Peeta and Katniss both understood the trauma lived in the games and ultimately wanted the same thing: peace, get a hold to their humanity, move on from the pain. I still cannot comprended how people think Peeta is “boring” because he is by far one of the most complex characters but also, doesn’t Katniss deserve a mundane or “boring” life? One that isn’t pledge by chaos and trials? One that feels like a routine in the most full-filling way? Katniss getting that plus allowing herself to have kids — because she never said she didn’t want kids, she just didn’t want them to exist in a world in which the games existed, and she fought so it won’t ever happen again. Katniss deserves to have a peaceful life instead of feeling the burden of a role she has to play.

THG is still one of the most complex trilogies I’ve ever read. Katniss and Peeta’s love story isn’t typical but it’s true in its essence. Both were thrown into circumstances that only them would be able to understand and managed to find peace within each other. Their love was born from being able to give each other mutual understanding and comfort. Katniss is able to share her real feelings with Peeta, who sees her as Katniss and not as the symbol of rebellion. That guy, a kid himself too, who’s been used as a weapon to torment Katniss would give his life for her in a heart beat. His love for her is pure.

For Alina, her powers while they made her feel powerful at times, they were also a burden. They made her feel lost, confused, scared of herself and suicidal. Alina’s powers didn’t develop normally because she wasn’t raised as a normal Grisha. There’s a reason why the amplifiers are called a fetter and a collar. They were never meant to be seem as a positive thing. Alina’s whole journey has been filled with trauma and with the imposition of a role she had to play that went against her own freedom. Her powers made her a pawn. The title of the savior, the sun summoner, the queen, the Saint; those all were titles she did not ask for and she found a tremendous burden to perform. She said it herself multiple times. She felt like a fraud and people worshipping her made her feel like she was bigger than herself. Alina would’ve never been able to achieve her peace if she still had those powers and therefore would’ve never been truly free. I’m sorry, no one will ever convince me that Alina making the choice to remove herself from a world that has brought her so much trauma in exchange for a peaceful, mundane life in which she’s able to provide orphan kids just like her the love and security she didn’t get for herself (or for Mal) is not empowering. Her choice IS empowerment.

Mal, who was also a kid himself, had to deal with trauma, with the idea of being disposable and insignificant in a world that only valued those with powers or status. He was used as a weapon against Alina so he swears himself to be a weapon for Alina, because ultimately she is the only person he’ll fight and give his life for.

A thing that it’s similar to Katniss and Alina is that people are so convinced they should’ve healed from their trauma alone to be deemed more empowering. Why should they not be in the company of someone that brings them peace? Someone that makes them feel loved and comforted? Women are allowed to have character developed while also being with a love interest. Not all women have to stick to Hollywood’s propaganda of empowerment.

If you don’t understand why Alina and Katniss endings and the fundamental nature of their choices being about healing, and for Alina about the promise that her power lies in herself, on her own value, then you simply didn’t get it.

And no one can convince me this wasn’t a good, bittersweet but fulfilling ending for Alina:

[danisbrainrot]

could you write some katniss x fem!reader hcs?

basically its just after the 74th hunger games. the reader and katniss arent dating but there is some tension between them: they flirt a LOT and are often rlly close to kissing(but they never actually kiss). i think the reason why they are not a couple is because of peeta. katniss and him are in a fake relationship so if she wanted to be with the reader it would have to be a secret.

skip if you don’t want ofc🩷

how could I say no to katniss? also, this is just for after the hunger games and also a bit of the victory tour. if you want me to do hcs during and/or after mockingjay, I'd be more than happy to!!

katniss is terrible at knowing how she feels about people. in fact, she didn't realise that she saw you as a friend until you met up with her after she'd been reaped and hugged her, begging her to win. it warmed her heart, honestly.

when she came home after winning, you rushed up to hug her. even though you couldn't help but feel jealous, you didn't mind her "relationship" with peeta, you were just glad that she was home and back to you.

you'd always visit her at the victors village after that. she'd always have fresh bread waiting for you, courtesy of peeta, of course. you'd sit down and eat in silence together, katniss had never really spoken while eating before, so this isn't something new. you two would just enjoy the lunch you shared, knowing that neither of you had been able to eat this way before.

obviously, you are her best kept secret from snow. he knows you exist, of course, but he saw you as just a friend. once again, because katniss is horrible at working out her feelings, she definitely didn't know how much she liked you. however, subconsciously it showed. always hiding you away when peacekeepers or cameras came, walking you home before curfew, trying to distance herself from you in public so snow wouldn't find out how she truly felt about you.

banter with katniss in the kitchen when there's no one else around would be ELITE. or if you want to be her hunting partner instead of gale, your banter when hunting in the woods would be top tier. anyone else watching would honestly think you're flirting (and you two probably are) you just think that she's dating peeta and she's horrendous at admitting her true feelings, so the two of you think it's normal, friendly banter.

mrs everdeen and prim LOVE you. you'd come around all the time and hang out, seeming interested in their healing abilities. (you even let prim practice certain remedies and treatments on you). you could talk with them for hours, which makes katniss slowly realise how much she loves and needs you. again, if you're her hunting partner, you've promised to protect her family with your life—and you mean it. prim and mrs everdeen are like a family to you as well.

when snow comes around (grrr) to warn katniss about not buying her love story with peeta, her thoughts immediately go to you. did he know about you? would he hurt you if she didn't convince him? she's so freaked out for you throughout the victory tour, you never leave her mind.

when she returns and sees you at the train station, the first thing she does is wrap her arms around you and squeeze you tightly. she holds your hand tightly and you both walk to her house, your mindless chatter calming her down slightly.

she needs you so much right now, just so she can keep you safe—out of harm's way. or more like out of snow's way. she needed to protect you, and the only way she knew how was to never take her eyes off you. she invites you to sleepover, because she needs your company and its scary knowing you could walk off and never return.

later that night, you just held her in your arms all night. she was snuggled against your chest and she felt safe and sound for the first time weeks. she's so grateful that you seem to ward off her nightmares that she can't wait for you to sleepover again. but she doesn't want to appear to needy, so she never asks again.

by this point, peeta's definitely worked out what's going on, so he secretly tries to help you two get together, because if she doesn't want him, then he at least wants her to be happy. sure, it hurt at first, but he's also just so glad she managed to get him out of the games alive, and he thinks your nice. (peeta could never be mean in my eyes, we ignore what happened to him in mockingjay).

bonus! because this low key feels depressing: haymitch, cinna and peeta definitely have a bet going on about how long it'll take for katniss to confess her feelings for you. so far, haymitch is winning.

[swanimagines]

Hi! Can I get E12 + Peeta Mellark! Thank you!

Prompt: E12. Sitting by the fire

When you first met Peeta, you had never paid a thought on developing a crush on him when you'd grown up. You were actually annoyed by him trying to be your friend - you had always been alone, you had survived alone. You didn't need someone coddling you like a child. Even when you were children at the time.

Him not caring about you trying to push you away eventually developed into a tentative friendship. You still had your walls up, but Peeta just... knew what to say, how to chip your walls away. He even got you to open up a few times. You told him about always being an outcast in your District - District 9. People there seemed to think there was some kind of curse upon you, as everyone around you was always sent to be hunted at the Hunger Games, and they never won. Even those who said they didn’t believe in it, had started to avoid you.

And in a way, you were scared about it too. Letting anyone close would sentence them to death, so you started to avoid any friendships, any kind of relationships. Eventually, you fled your District, smuggled yourself to the farthest District you could get to. You built yourself a little hut in the woods and did as much by yourself as possible.

You knew that getting caught would end up in great trouble, but at least that trouble would only be bestowed upon you. Hardly no one knew who you were, where you came from and why you are rarely seen and don’t talk to anyone.

You were barely a teenager when you arrived in District 12. In the middle of the night, you found yourself a place to be, and only a month later, you first met Peeta, who had become curious of the mysterious person who lives by themselves in the woods. Compared to how your relationship left off, you shouting at him to get out of your property and then giving him silent treatment when he kept coming back, it was a surprise you had grown close over these three years.

Still, every year you dreaded the Games coming again. Year by year, the feeling grew - this time Peeta would get chosen. This time he would die. This time the curse would hit him too.

And every year, Peeta came over the previous night and stayed with you, reassuring you that he wouldn’t leave you. He reminded you about how narrow the chance is, he held your hand, making your heart race, making all the flashbacks take a step back.

The flames danced in your eyes as Peeta held your hand. He ran his thumb over your knuckles, staring into the fire with you, and you swallowed.

“What if… what if it happens this time?” you mumbled. “You have more and more entries every year, and you’re already sixteen. The chance grows each time, and–”

“I know,” Peeta interrupted you. “I just try to not think about it.”

You huffed. “I’ve only been at the Reaping two times. And both times, someone I knew was chosen and died. I was probably the only one there who wished it would be me. I would have thrown myself at someone purposefully, so I wouldn’t curse anyone ever again.”

You saw from the corner of your eye that Peeta had turned his head towards you. Some years ago, back when you met, he might have told you you’re not a curse, just incredibly unlucky. And how everyone in your District surely knew you somehow, they would have accused you about anyone. But now, he just let go of your hand and pulled you into him, stroking your back as you leaned against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

He still said it, but wordlessly. He knew you appreciated it more than him saying it. Words had little weight compared to actions with you. Yet another thing Peeta knew to do just right, which anyone else didn’t know how to do. You almost felt like he was meant to be there, you were meant to meet him. As if he was your soulmate, like in some silly romance book you once read when Peeta gave you that as a gift.

You wished you had enough courage to kiss him, you wished you would just sit up and lean in. Take the leap, take the risk. But you were still afraid, after all this time - if Peeta was chosen, his likely rejection would feel even more crushing. And if he returned your feelings and was chosen - your heart would break once he was killed. And in any case, you believed it was Katniss he wanted. Not you. Who would want you anyway?

Lying here against him was a momentary comfort for what tomorrow would bring. You wouldn’t be able to attend - officials would return you to District 9 right after they discovered you don’t belong in District 12. You always hid away on that day. District 9 had likely announced you dead by now, not seen for years.

“You come right back to me when the Reaping is over,” you muttered, feeling his hand rubbing your arm. “I want to know immediately when you get out. The feeling is worse this year.”

“You say that every year.”

“But this year it’s actually worse, a lot worse.”

He didn’t reply, just sighed, knowing there was no use in arguing. You were quiet for a moment again, before Peeta shifted slightly.

“It’s late. Do you want me to stay over?”

You slowly sat up, meeting his eyes briefly. “I may not be able to sleep.”

He stood up and held his hand out to you. “Then you’ll listen to me snoring. Maybe that will comfort you.”

You bit back a smile at that, taking his hand and letting him pull you up. You stood there for a moment, and you swore you saw him glancing at your lips. And at that moment, a voice started chanting in your head.

Kiss him.

Kiss him.

Kiss him.

But you pulled away, clearing your throat. Peeta frowned at you, and you took in a shaky breath. “Are you sure you want to come over?”

He stared at you for a moment and nodded, and you kicked dirt on the fireplace to extinguish the flames. You then turned towards your hut, but were stopped by Peeta grasping your hand. “Wait.”

You turned back to face him, cocking your head. He smiled, a kind of smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, and your heart started to race.

“What is it?” you whispered, somehow knowing where this was going, but you didn’t dare hope.

“I said I don’t believe I’ll be chosen, but… if I still–”

You shook your head. “Don’t say that, it’s enough that I’m–”

He interrupted you, “I want to look at you one last time. I want to remember your face if I end up dying on that battlefield.”

Your lips parted slightly, and you blinked at him. “Peeta, what are you–”

“Shh.”

And then, his lips were on yours, and the world seemed warmer once more.

---

Requests are always open! FANDOM LIST | PROMPT LIST(S)

I do not do taglists!

[mollywog]

Wild Wednesdays

a Valentine’s bonus

Suggested by @rarepairheathen 🩶 and when I realized Valentine’s was on a Wednesday this year, I had to work something up!

Pretend there’s another chapter of WW posted in which Katniss and Peeta begin dating (sometime around September of the previous year) - This would be their first Valentine’s together.

The date hadn’t even crossed her mind when she’d agreed to watch Daisy on Wednesday as usual. She should have guessed from Gale’s thinly veiled glee at her confirmation of a long standing arrangement that something was up. But it wasn’t until she saw the look of surprise and the hint of disappointment on Peeta’s face that she realized her mistake and by then it was too late to back out. She’d committed herself to Daisy duty on their first Valentine’s Day together.

February was a big month at the bakery and while Peeta was busy ensuring everyone else’s perfect Valentine’s Day, she was certain she’d just derailed theirs. But Peeta took it in stride, inviting his nephews over as well and assuring her it would be better to celebrate on Saturday anyways.

So they spend their first Valentine’s Day together like any other Wednesday, with the addition of a few extra hearts and pink sprinkles.

Once the children have been collected and the kitchen cleaned, they make their way up to Peeta’s apartment, flopping on the couch to recover. She’s just deciding it’s time to head to her house when, as if sensing her intentions, Peeta picks up her foot, and begins rubbing circles into her arches. She sinks back into the sofa, moaning her approval, her resolve melting.

“Stay?”

Nothing sounds better at this moment. “I can’t. No clothes,” she mumbles. She usually stays on Wednesdays, but then she’d accidentally fallen asleep here last night and this morning had to decide between re-wearing Tuesday’s outfit or borrowing something 3 sizes too big from Peeta’s wardrobe. She spent the day swimming in Peeta’s smallest sweater and yesterday’s leggings. It was cozy and smelled like Peeta, but she’d had to listen to Haymitch and Rue’s teases all day. Between work, and picking up Daisy, she had yet to make it to her house at all today.

“I’m sure I could find a small Mellark’s shirt downstairs. You could wear it with one of my flannels?”

“Do you have some Mellark underwear down there too?” She pokes his ribs with her free foot.

“Fresh out.” He moves his ministrations from her foot to her calf and she lets out another appreciative moan. “Turn today’s inside out?”

She scrunches her nose at him.

“Commando is really underrated, you know.” Blocking the pillow she flings, He sighs, “alright.” Despite his acquiescence, he picks up her other foot and resumes his massage. She closes her eyes, dreading the moment he’ll let go.

“You’re always welcome here, you know that right?”

She opens one eye to peek at him, “I know, but I thought we just determined that I couldn’t stay.”

“Yeah, but I mean not just tonight; anytime.”

She opens the other eye to get a better look at him. He shifts in his seat under her gaze. “Even if I’m out late with Prim and feel the urge to come over at some ‘ungodly’ hour? like 9:15?” She bites back a smile at the memory.

“About that,” he stands, lifting her feet from his lap and placing them in his vacated spot while he heads to the next room, returning with a single key.

“What’s that for? I already know the door code to get in.”

He rolls his eyes, “it’s a copy of the master key to the whole building and it’s supposed to be a symbolic gesture: a physical reminder and more permanent than a fleeting key code… It was also part of your Valentine’s gift, so Saturday will be a bit of a let down.”

She suspects that’s far from true, but she couldn’t care less about Saturday right now.

“I know we haven’t been together long, but you know where I stand and I think we’re on the same page,” he shoots her a nervous glance and she hoists herself up on her elbows, nodding her agreement. Emboldened by her assent, he continues, “I love having you here. Falling asleep and waking up next to you, even if you steal all the covers and take up way more than your share of the bed.” She rolls her eyes. “I love being the person you come to after a long day at work to commiserate or celebrate with and even just existing in the same space; when I’m painting and you reading, to look up and see you there. I don’t want to rush or pressure, or scare you, but know my home is yours whenever you’re ready.”

She’s neither pressured nor scared, just giddy anticipation. Prim had moved in with her girlfriend shortly after Katniss had begun seeing Peeta. For all the years she had put Prim’s needs before her own, she hadn’t noticed Prim doing the same for her. It had taken Prim moving out for Katniss to realize why her sister had stayed so long; to keep her from being alone.

With Peeta in her life and Prim no longer there, the house feels more like a bed and a closet than home. She’s ready for this change, she realizes she has been for some time. “okay.”

“Okay?” He says tentatively.

“Okay,” She smiles up at him, reaching for the hand outstretched towards her with the key, instead grabbing his wrist and pulling him down to the couch with her.

It was a pretty good Valentine’s after all.

[thegreenthepeacetheorange]

Everlark (The Hunger Games, Ch. 27)

(this chapter is particularly heart-wrenching when it comes to these two little fools, brace yourselves. it's a long one but there's so much in this chapter to talk about)

katniss expects us to think that she has to work very hard to convince the audience of her love for peeta when this is how she speaks of him: "he looks so clean and healthy and beautiful, i can hardly recognise him. but his smile is the same whether in the mud or in the capitol and when i see it, i take about three steps and fling myself into his arms"

peeta pushing caesar aside whilst kissing katniss without even looking at him. peeta is just so... ugh

again she's letting us know that she's acting all this and it's a whole big performance but when she curls up into peeta on the interview couch and he wraps himself around her and she clutches his hand, it transports her back to the cave, where it was all very natural to her.

"being very free with my kisses" - see, she took part in those kisses, even if she mostly describes them as "peeta kisses me"

throughout the whole night, from the stage to the after party, she doesn't let go of peeta's hand.

again, she's desperate to talk to him, to see him in private

"then peeta's there, looking handsome in red and white" - she's down bad and i feel like she really downplays her emotions in these moments that she sees him. i picture her being completely taken aback by how gorgeous she finds him, like the wind has been knocked out of her.

when peeta mentions that soon they'll be home and haymitch can't watch them all the time, katniss says: "i feel a sort of shiver run through me and there's no time to analyse why" - now this can be taken in two ways. first considering that she's aware she's being watched and it's a sinister shiver. secondly, and what i'm going to go with since peeta is flirting with her again and she says she has no time to analyse why (which is often synonymous with her feeling something big) , is that katniss is a little hor-knee. like the idea of them being alone? thrilling to her! if that's what he kissed me like in front of a screen, what is it going to be like in their absence?! in conclusion, katniss is down bad

i feel like in katniss's nervous answers to caesar, there's a lot of truth. we already know her previous interview strategy was just to tell the truth imagining it's cinna and i really do think what she says in the interviews is the truth because she cannot lie, haymitch knows and peeta knows when she is. this is what she says: "until that point, i just tried not to think about what my feelings might be, honestly, because it was so confusing and it only made things worse if i actually cared about him. but then in the tree everything changed... because for the first time... there was a chance i could keep him" - i don't know about you but i don't think she's lying or embellishing.

later on she says when asked about why she decided to eat the berries, she says "i don't know, i just... couldn't bear the thought of... being without him." again, not a lie because we saw her internal monologues in that chapter, where she literally said that if he died, she'd spend the rest of her life in that arena, trying to think her way out. so yes she thinks she's doing this for the performance but it's all true.

her devastation over him losing his leg. again, an always cool katniss loses her composure. she pulls up his trousers, whispers in horror, shakes her head, and is so worried she's going to cry that she buries her face into peeta's shirt. it takes minutes to coax her back out.

here comes the heartbreak, prepare yourself

when she's on the train going back, she starts to transform back into the old version of herself: katniss, the seam huntress. and she says that as she has this transformation, peeta's arm around her feels alien and she doesn't know how to talk to him. this is where we start to see her associate peeta with the capitol and the games. even though he's the boy with the bread and has been for time.

when peeta picks the wildflowers for her, she reluctantly accepts them and tries to seem pleased. she feels like she's been lying to someone who trusts her, or more accurately two people. clearly she feels like she's betrayed both of them in some ways.

when peeta realises that she's been 'acting' (which again, he prides himself on being able to tell when katniss is lying but he didn't on this whole thing, whatever he felt from her was genuine), he lets go of her hand and she has to take a step, as if to catch her balance. warm steady strong peeta is faltering in the wake of this news and he's let go of her hand and that means she's faltering without him to rely on. what a crazy thing to think so casually.

when he calls her on acting for the games, she says "not all of it [was acting]" and she says this "tightly holding onto my flowers." she is trying to hold onto these flowers he's given her so hard - to stop the feeling of him retreating from her physically and emotionally, to steady herself using something he's given her.

she's so focused on him she can hear every footstep he takes back to the train.

poor heartbroken peeta, who really just loved her so fully he didn't even think it could be an act. my heart hurts for both of them so much in this moment.

her looking out for if she sees him over the next day or two but she doesn't. and when she does, he's expressionless and this hurts her.

i think it's telling that while she's thinking all this she says: "that it's no good loving me because i'm never going to get married anyway and he'd just end up hating me later instead of sooner. that if i do have feelings for him, it doesn't matter because i'll never be able to afford the kind of love that leads to a family, to children. and how can he? how can he after what we've just been through?"

point 1: as someone who's been this person, this screams of katniss distancing herself from something good because she's in her head about it and believes she can't have/doesn't deserve it. this is how that thinking works and once you've done it yourself, you recognise it.

point 2: peeta has never actually said he wants marriage and babies. katniss is just fully imagining this. like she is imagining the possibility of marriage and babies with him and is trying to cut that thought before it blooms.

"i also want to tell him how much i already miss him" i actually felt this in my own chest. she LOVES that boy. capital L love.

when she hears his voice is hollow rather than angry, she's devastated. she can feel the boy with the bread slipping away from her. remember the opposite of love is indifference? she'd rather he hated her. going from love that blooms to hollowness? why don't you just throw her off the cornucopia to the mutts.

"i take his hand, holding on tightly... dreading the moment when i will finally have to let go" ugh. UGH.

[solar-halos]

odesta restaurant au hcs

• annie is a line cook and she is never allowed out on the floor. not in a mean way she’ll just lose her temper really quickly

• no one wants haymitch out on the floor either but sometimes he’ll come out and be petty w the ppl who are like “instead of giving my compliments to the chef can i put in a request to berate him instead”

• finnick is a server

• every ticket annie gets she’s like what the FUCK. well done steak? what the fuck. substitutions? what the fuck. an extra side of sauce? what the fuck

• finnick is a chronic ppl pleaser and rings up medium rare chicken upon someone’s request

• “guys i just rang in a really dumb order—“ doesn’t matter annie is ready to go off on him until she actually sees him

• since he’s pretty she completely switches up on him she’s like “it’s okayyy ur new <3 it happens :) ! ” and everyone (boh and foh alike) is like what the fuck

• she’s like “ew i’m not gonna be like all those creepy male line cooks who flirt w all the girl servers so i’ll just pretend like i fucked up an order and offer it to foh and see if he takes it great gatsby style” which arguably makes her more creepy

• finnick does not gaf he saw annie bare faced sweat dropping down her face apron splattered in unidentifiable substances about to yell at him and he went <3

• whenever he rings up a dessert by accident he gives it to annie but he’s actually upfront about it

• finnick is like hey annie u like cooking right? should i take u to a fancy restaurant? (bc he’d prob make bank off tips and not know what to do w himself at first)

• annie is like if u don’t mean this in a romantic way fuck off (he thought it was obvious he meant it in a romantic way. they go on the date. annie does not have the heart to tell him that most of the food on the menu at *their* restaurant comes in big ass kits bc she thinks its cute that he’s asking her for her food review after everything they eat)

• everyone at work thinks they hooked up but they don’t even get even get to tease them abt it bc they’re immediately so lovey dovey everyone wishes they HADNT hooked up in any sense of the word

bonus

• johanna is a hostess and she always takes the most zig-zaggy paths as she walks ppl to their tables bc she thinks it’s funny

• effie is running this shit like the navy

• bartender peeta

• busser katniss. usually effie would be like “noo girls shouldn’t be doing that let’s try getting her to do foh” but it very quickly becomes apparent that this won’t work. katniss is on that shit tho no one can say shes not workin

• peeta asks her if she wants to taste test all the drinks he knows will taste good and has finnick taste all the ones he knows will prob taste bad

[periwinckles]

Sorry this has then me so long. I thought of a prompt for an outtake from the train back to twelve.

A snippet from a camping trip Thom and Cyrus take together sometime in the future talking about their families.

(Headsup: not canon compliant as I'm giving K and P three boys, and they are born earlier than in the epilogue. Plus Thom and Cyrus end up talking more about the Mellark's than their own families, but I hope this is still ok!)

“We need to pick up the pace, if we want to get there before nightfall.”

Cyrus is taking the lead, but I’m right behind him. I always let him take the lead on our yearly trek to the forgotten bunker of district twelve. As if I didn’t know the way by heart now. I could probably do it with my eyes closed at this point, after coming here every year for twenty three years. Which is why I know he is right. If we don't pick up the pace it will be nightfall before we reach it.

“We’re getting too old for this aren’t we?” I ask, a little out of breath.

“Nah, you know what they say about District Twelve, Thom. We’re a tough nut to crack.”

“Yeah, but you’re not really from Twelve, are you?”

The snort that comes out of Cyrus tells me he takes my lighthearted joke for what it is. It’s been a long time since Cyrus has felt the effects of prejudice against him. He might have been a peacekeeper in the old regime, but everyone considers him one of us now.

We reach the bunker just as the light is fading away. Some years we just go there but opt to sleep outside in some of the old sleeping bags, just talking nonsense until we fall asleep. But we are getting old, so tonight we’re sleeping inside. Coming here always takes me back in time, to those first few months when we had to rebuild the district and none of us really knew what we were doing. Being suspicious of Cyrus, not knowing he would become one of my closest friends. Funny how things go. 

I start to unload my backpack, fruit, a couple of beers and a meat pie Delly packed for me, and a Rosemary focaccia, courtesy of Peeta Mellark.

“You went to the bakery? Is that why you were late to our meeting point?”

“No, and yes? It’s Peeta’s, but I picked it up from Victor’s village. I dropped Summer there. The kids are having some sort of board game night at the Mellark’s.”

I really shouldn't be calling them kids, should I? Summer is twenty two years old now. It feels like I saw her in Delly’s arms for the first time only a couple of days ago. Delly and I were way younger when we started a life together. But this new generation has a completely new life than what we had. For the first time, they can enjoy their young years, not dreading the reapings, the mines, hunger. Some of them even go to college, though they still need to do it out of district. One of the things I wish I get to do before I retire as District Mayor is to start a community college. Our population is not big enough for a fancy one like the ones they have in four, or three, which is why the government keeps putting down my proposals, and offering scholarships to our students instead. I still haven't given up though.

“You’re letting your daughter hang out at Mellark’s all by herself? You think that’s safe? You know… with all that testosterone going around?”

I can't stop the chuckle. It is sort of a private (or public?) joke that District twelve’s baker always produces three sons. The firstborn, Blaze, is a couple of months younger than Summer. They’ve been sneaking around for a while now, though Delly and I have agreed along with Peeta and Katniss to pretend we haven’t noticed yet, until they are ready to come clean. We had our first suspicion this would one day happen when Delly was tutoring Summer on her math homework (Seventh? Eighth grade? Damn, I’m getting old.) and she had Mrs Mellark written all over her notebook. Oh, but it was because Katniss is such an inspiring role model , or so she tried to convince us. Peeta caught them making out behind the bakery a couple of months ago, while Blaze was supposedly on a break.

“Peeta and Katniss were there. Besides, I trust Summer. Blaze too. He's a smart kid.” 

He's more than smart. That kid's strong. Probably the circunstamces of growing up with two hunger games's survivors and war heroes as parents. Katniss and Peeta were doing a lot better by the time he was born, but being the oldest one means he still took the major load, out of all three of them. Occasionally the bakery would be closed without prior notice, and we all knew what that meant. Peeta was having a bad day. By the time Blaze was fifteen, never again did the bakery close, because he would pick up the slack and skip class to get the bakery running. I remember that leading to a lot of arguments in the Mellark household. Blaze obviously won.

“Yeah, if I were you I wouldn't be taking any chances.” Cyrus answers back.

“Your daughter was there.”

Cyrus widens his eyes in a deadly stare as he places his beer bottle on the table with a loud thump.

“They’re kids, Cyrus. She 's graduating. Let her have fun, for a bit.”

“I let her have fun all the time. But preferably with no Mellarks in sight.”

I get his discomfort. It’s not easy for a father to see his little girl grow up, and honestly? I’m kind of glad I don’t really know when Blaze and Summer started whatever they have, because I might have reacted poorly if I did. Now, I’m mostly resigned.

“They’re good kids. Which one are you worried about anyway?”

They are. They get a lot of female attention, partly due to their parents' status, partly due to their looks. But they are actually quite down to earth, and I’m actually happy for Summer. She and Blaze were always good friends, and became closer throughout the years. And if it goes well, I guess I’ll get three grandkid boys out of it.

“Well, BabyToast is too young for my Calla.”

“You mean Rye?” I think he’s fifteen or sixteen. Not that young, but for teenagers a couple of years feel like a lifetime.

“And your daughter has the older one whipped, which leaves FrenchToast.” He says with a hint of annoyance.

“Robin? What’s your problem with him?”

“None! But have you heard him sing? That kid is going places.”

It is a well known fact that Robin Mellark is the spitting image of his late grandfather, Jack Everdeen, from his laid back demeanor, right to his singing voice. Just a couple of days ago we found out he won a scholarship to college, for an Arts, Music and Performance degree. In fact the last time we had dinner at Victor’s Village all we talked about was his plans for the future. Robin not only inherited Katniss’ musical skills, but also Peeta’s way with a brush. He lives and breathes art. Cyrus is right. That kid could make a name for himself, apart from his parents' legacy.

“Calla mentioned he’s going to college. In the Capitol.” Cyrus’ finally says with a pensive look.

Twenty years may have passed, but the Capitol is still the Capitol. We don't like it. We stay away from it. We deal with them as little as we can. 

“He’s just going there to study, he’s coming back after the three years are done.”

“You don't know that.”

“Yes, I do.”

I tell Cyrus’ all about the dinner we had at the Mellarks. How Peeta approached the idea of starting an art department at our local highschool, once Robin was done with his education. Teaching art and music in district twelve: that would have been the most ludicrous idea a couple of decades ago. It still would be now, if Peeta and Katniss didn’t offer to fund it. There is no way we would have the money to back it up, but if they are willing to pay for their own son's salary, who am I to say no? 

“If you’re scared he’ll drag her away from here, you have nothing to worry about. He’s fully committed to come back and teach here.”

After a few seconds Cyrus’ breathes out with relief. 

“I’m just glad none of us have more daughters. We would probably lose them to BabyToast.”

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- Blaze Mellark: Zac Efron when he was younger (because he totally has that Mellark vibe, doesn't he?)

- Robin Mellark : Tom Holland

- Rye Mellark: Josh Hutcherson, but with his dark hair. (picture him in Detention. Yeah, that's Rye Mellark.)

- Summer Campbell: Alexandra Dadario

- Calla Johnson: can't make up my mind. Suggestions welcome.