#darius hunger games imagine

[indigosuvi]

If Only

age in bio when interacting. minors do not interact.

Word Count: 502 | Read it on AO3

Summary: Nothing but sex here with Darius.

Your hands were on his abs. Slowly, you began to slide your hands up, feeling his body. Your hands rested on his shoulders. His blue eyes are watching your every movement. His eyes want you to keep going. He wanted to tell you to keep going. He wanted to tease you. There were so many things he wanted to tell you, but he never could. You ran your fingers through his messy red hair. He tilted his head up, and you moved in, your lips connected with his neck. He let out a moan, and then you started to move your hips up and down. He opened his mouth, his moan louder than before. You sat up, and your hands slowly traced the muscle of his biceps. You continued moving your hips up and down. Darius put his hands on your hips and helped you to move. Every so often, he would thrust up into you, and you would let out a moan. Darius smiled as he continued watching you. He enjoyed every moment he had with you. If it wasn't for his lack of a tongue, he would flirt with you. It didn't matter that you had been together for months. He had been a flirtatious person before his punishment. You continued bouncing up and down on his cock. Your noises filled the air, and Darius sat back, watching you enjoy yourself. When you came, Darius would soon follow after. Your movements soon slowed, and Darius kissed your neck. Your hand was in his hair and the other one was on his shoulder. He continued to kiss and gently nibble at your neck. You bit your lip, and when he finally stopped, you spoke.

"Let's go again." You breathed out.

Darius moved, so that you were lying down. His hands were on your hips. He slowly rubbed himself against you, the best that he could do at teasing. He continued rubbing himself against you until you began to whine and beg him to be inside of you. He slid himself inside of you and slowly began to thrust his hips back and forth. As time went on, his thrusting only became more intense. He went harder and faster. You were both moaning, and Darius always kept his eyes on you. He knew you could speak, and you would tell him if anything was wrong. However, he couldn't help but sometimes forget that he was the one who couldn't speak. He slid out and thrust himself into you, hard, causing you to moan out, and Darius continued. Your hands grasped his wrists as he continued to thrust. Once you had cum, Darius came and stayed inside of you, before eventually pulling out. He laid next to you and wrapped an arm around your body. His breathing was hard, but he tried his best to control it. It wasn't easy. It never was. He lost his tongue for standing up for what was right. The capitol never liked anyone that stood against them.

© SUVIDRACHE — do not copy, translate, modify, or plagiarize my work. reblogs are appreciated!

[smallpapers]

The Owl House + Lumity + Hunger Games AU??? Idk LMAO I’m still on a THG kick after rereading/watching the whole trilogy!!

Some thoughts on the AU under the cut

Okay so this is a stupid idea but I’m just having fun with it. Obviously it won’t follow the hunger games directly because the situation and characters are different, but some stuff kinda connects!!

Katniss and Peeta= Luz and Amity

Prim & Ms Everdeen & buttercup = Vee and Camilla and King

The Mellarks = Odalia (fitting!), Alador, and Ed + Em (fits since both Peet and Ami have two older siblings). I don’t think they’d run a bakery though, but something abomination related that fits here.

Haymitch = Eda

Madge = Gus??

Gale = I’m afraid there’s no Gale equivalent here because it doesn’t make sense in this AU, and I’m not a fan of love triangles anyway.

Effie = Hooty. This is funny to me. the peak of my fanart career

Cinna and Portia = Darius and Eberwolf

Senecca Crane = Kiki

Snow = Belos obviously

Ceasar = Adrian

Plutarch = Raine

Finnick = Hunter

Annie or Johanna ish situation = Willow??

Coin = ummm either Lilith or Collector hm

Anyways I kept the human and witch ears because I thought that could be an interesting tie with the Merchants vs Seam. And Amity’s hair is fully green in the interview scene because she got her grown roots dyed during the makeover! In this scenario I imagine Odalia would make her children dye funky hair colours in hopes of getting into the ‘capitol’ equivalent, which I guess is the Emperors Coven.

Also instead of girl on fire, Luz would have some ‘light’ related title.

[f1llory]

i know this all started like 11 years ago but i'm still so mad at how the hunger games movies have removed practically every trace of the avoxes that they can. i know that movies can't include everything from the books, but the avoxes are so important to the story and it does a real disservice to the movies by removing them. also, it would have added maybe a couple minutes per movie to include them the way they were in the books.

there are mentions of them here and there, and we do see lavinia briefly, but the only avox who's there in any meaningful way is pollux. and they couldn't take him out of the movie! not only is he important to include with the camera crew, he has to be there because he's the one who leads the group through the tunnels. if it were possible to cut him out of mockingjay, i think they would have.

removing so many scenes with lavinia genuinely detracted from my enjoyment of the first movie. especially witnessing her capture & carrying the guilt about it. when there are avoxes waiting on her, katniss does treat them politely, but i think it would have been so important & impactful to see her truly recognizing lavinia and her humanity and trying to communicate with her like anyone else. fixing this probably wouldn't add more than like 5 minutes to the runtime, but it would be such an improvement.

and don't even get me started with darius being removed from the movies. maybe he shows us a little less about katniss's character than lavinia would, but the mentions of him in catching fire add so much to our imagination of the hob and illustrate just how different peacekeepers were in district 12. this is also the first time this has happened to someone katniss actually knows. i think this would take maybe a minute and a half to fix? at most. really all we would need to see is darius talking to katniss in the hob, then being one of the peacekeepers getting captured when thread takes over.

obviously they kept pollux in because they literally couldn't remove him from mockingjay. i don't really have any complaints about his portrayal in the movies, which is kind of surprising given how passionate i am about him. also, the movie actually portrayed castor's death better than the book! it wasn't really in the book, basically castor was there and then he wasn't. so the movie version has a lot more impact.

also, it sucks that we didn't get to hear what happened to lavinia and darius. i always have intense second-hand embarrassment at the fact that in the book, peeta realizes pollux is an avox then immediately starts trauma dumping about seeing lavinia and darius tortured to death. if it were done as written in the movie, i might have experienced literal physical pain. but at the same time, i think it's very important that katniss finds out what happened to them. also in the books, squad 451 hears all the avoxes in the tunnels screaming as the mutts kill them. i feel like that would have been really easy to add in.

anyways we are moving on before i write an entire dissertation on pollux.

it was even worse in tbosas! the movie cut the scene where snow sees dr. gaul experimenting on and torturing avoxes. it would have been absolutely horrifying to see that translated to the screen, but it's incredibly important to snow's character development and his transformation into someone who both allows and perpetuates that cruelty. also, justice for ma plinth! i think it would have been incredible to see more of her and the way she treats people. in the book, she is so kind and caring to the avoxes working in her house. they're able to communicate with her, and she cooks food that will be easy for them to eat. since treating the avoxes as remotely human is so unusual, treating them with such love and respect is a revolutionary act, and goes to show what kind of person sejanus was raised to be. i know that this would add quite a bit to the runtime, but it probably should have been two movies anyways.

i know that side/background characters are cut from movies all the time. it happens. but even without getting a lot of lines, the avoxes are incredibly important to the story. these are people who have been enslaved, tortured, and dehumanized more than basically anyone else in panem. once characters truly see the avoxes, they're forced to confront the true brutality of the capitol and what they'll do to keep people in line. i think the movies don't truly force audiences to confront the brutality of this punishment. any rebellion is punished by literally robbing people of their voices and cutting them off from everything they've known. even if there's someone left to buy their freedom, they're physically disfigured for life--even removal of part of the tongue can have catastrophic side effects.

also, characters' perceptions of avoxes can say a lot about the kind of person they are. avoxes are the lowest class in panem, and treated with about as much agency as a piece of furniture. people aren't supposed to treat them like people. they're only supposed to talk to avoxes when giving them an order. despite this, there are certain characters who choose to show them kindness and love.

anyways i'm gonna end this here before i write a post so long it crashes tumblr but pls ask me literally anything about pollux i am in love w him <3

[justrainandcoffee]

Against all odds (Alfie Solomons x fem!oc) part 8

Crossover Peaky Blinders - Hunger Games

Masterlist. Parts One - Two - Three - Four - Five - Six - Seven

Summary; This is the end of the victory tour for Nina but the beginning of something new. || Alfie finds a method to talk with other rebels. || Nina learns the truth about the fate that some victors had to pay, including Alfie.

Warnings: Mentions of past abuse.

Words: 3.6 k || I know the part of the districts it's a bit rushed but I was afraid that if I continue writing I was going to need a third part and I didn't want to. Thanks for lending me your ocs (apart from the well known girls, I added Matthew Sutton who belongs to @emotionalcadaver . If you don't know him, just imagine someone like Lawrence but younger. Both are equally disgusting.)

A month before the victory tour.

Three pills was all Rose needed to left him out of combat. Pharmacist said one, but she really needed him sick, so she increased the doses.

There, in the bathroom after three laxatives, was Lawrence Evert, sweating and asking himself what did he eat to cause him that inconvenience.

It was the auction night. The moment he and one of his best friends, Matthew Sutton, were waiting. That young girl from district 9 should be his.

His intestines growled and Lawrence with them. He was too weak to even stand up. He looked himself in the mirror, he was pale like a ghost.

On the other side of the door, his wife was humming a song. Lawrence asked her to stay, but she refused "our president expects us," she said and he couldn't complain about it. Snow was more important.

Without Lawrence, the one who remained was Matthew Sutton, his best friend. Maybe Matthew was younger than him -he and Rose were almost the same age-, but both men share the same taste for the new victors. That's why they used to buy the same champion. But as far as Rose knew, his husband did things much worse than Matthew. Probably because he spent more time there.

That Matthew tried to approach her didn't surprise her.

"What happened with your husband, Mrs. Evert?"

'He has a diarrhea so intense that he's shiting on himself,' she thought.

"He's… indisposed."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. Are you here on his name?"

"No. I'm here for myself as always. And I work alone, Mr. Sutton."

Lawrence's smile disappeared. It wasn't new that he didn't like when women had the word, but he didn't dare to say anything. His friend was an idiot, but at also gave him access to places that he couldn't go otherwise. And pissed off his wife, wasn't part of his plans.

If anything new happened, it was that other people besides Rose wanted Alfie. Probably because Darius Armstrong, the auctioneer, presented him as "the mentor of our new victor." There weren't many offers, but enough to raise his price like never before since Rose was part of it. Over her dead body other person than her was going to be with him. Rose ended paying three hundred thousand dollars for him. But that was nothing compared to Nina.

.

It was really early, before the sunrise, when the smell of fresh bread woke her up. Still with her eyes closed, she stretched out her arm to find Alfie next to her, but the bed was empty.

Alfie was in his kitchen when he felt her arms around him followed by a kiss on his bareback. He smiled.

"Good morning, luv."

"Good morning, Al. Why are you awake so early?"

"Because I had an idea last night. So I got up an hour ago and I started to bake."

The weekends they spent together in the Capitol every month were usually filled with moments like that: Alfie waking up before her to prepare the breakfast and to bake her favourite bread. But this time he had a different idea.

"Look at this," he said.

Alfie showed her a basket with fortune cookies.

"I love them," Rose replied, "and they look tasty… but I don't understand."

"Because I didn't explain you yet, pet. Listen, you told me something last night, right? And I said that I knew who could join us. We can't openly speak about this but that doesn't mean we can't communicate with each other."

"Oh my goodness!" Rose opened her eyes wide "we can hide the message inside the cookie!"

"Exactly. Today I'm going to gave Lucy and Tommy a couple of these and a recipe. Then, I'm planning to do the same with Aveline Young from 11. Evie and the ones from 8 and 3. And Jack later. They need to learn to bake, at least just fucking cookies. I don't care."

"Are you sure about the one from 2?"

"Yes. Believe me, he's not the kind of victor you could expect from district 2. He hates Snow."

"Okay then. Cookies and a recipe for them. You're a genius, love."

"I'm not going to deny that, Rosie," he replied kissing her.

By the time that Alissa started to rush all of them to go to the train, Rose and Alfie already have already written all the messages to put inside the cookies and also had some time for both of them.

Nina had left food and plenty of water for Winston in her house and with everything ready, the new victor and the rest of the group went to district 12.

The train stopped in the station a couple of hours later.

Except Alfie and Alissa, no one of them had been there before. There wasn't much difference between that place and district 9. Both were in the top three of the poorest places of Panem. Thin people could be seen everywhere and most of them were young, because old people almost didn't exist.

"Remember what I said," Alissa said to Nina, "read the cards, smile and thank them."

"It's bullshit."

"Maybe, girl, but they expect that. Then alone in the train, you can keep complaining but not here."

Nina snorted, but picked up the cards and put them in the coat that Rose gave to her.

The van with the group and two peacekeepers accompanying them, just in case, parked behind the Justice Palace. It was similar to the one in district 9, except maybe for the walls and the carpet. While Nina went with Alissa and the hairdresser to fix her hair before the presentation in front of the people, Alfie saw the opportunity to greet his friends once the Major left them alone.

"Welcome here, Alfie."

"Thanks, Tom. Long time since I was here, no one but the major were here back then. And I think it was another one."

"It was, yes. This one became Major around seven or eight years ago. It's a good guy. Guess the rest is the same as you remember," Tommy continued.

"Miserable as ever," Lucy said.

Alfie couldn't deny that. The poorest district, they say. And above them for only few differences, were 11 and 9. So he knew very well the faces of the people approaching the stage. Famine, desperation and sadness was a good way to described those places.

"How's the girl?" Lucy asked.

"Fine. Well, you know… she's not fine, like we aren't. But she's trying. What other options she has? Poor girl. This nightmare has to end soon, guys. Ya know? My wife and I…" Alfie stopped for a moment when the couple looked at him raising an eyebrow "…I married her, last year. Yeah, I know she's already married and ours isn't legal and yet…"

"Who cares? If you and she are happy then it's fine and valid, Alfie. We're not going to say anything."

"I appreciate that. And I have something for you" Alfie said, giving them a cardboard box with fortune cookies. "There's the recipe inside it. I highly recommend you to learn to bake, if you don't know how."

"Thanks for the cookies, Alfie, but…" Tommy frowned looking at him "baking? Why?"

"You'll understand when you open the cookies. Not here, later and alone in your house. Take it as a present from district 9 to 12, for now."

Alissa started to panic so that meant that Nina was about to gave her short speech greeting and thanking the district for letting her to be in. Alfie left his friends and approached the escort who was more anxious than Nina. He was the one who remainder her to stay calm. Alissa nodded.

Fortunately for all the group, despite her own concerns, Nina did it well.

At night, they were ready to go to district 11.

"I'm a bit scared," Rose confessed to him when they found a moment alone in the train.

"Why?"

"Aveline Young. She hates me. And she's like twice my height."

Alfie's laughter resounded across the bedroom they share. "Are you serious?"

"According to the things you told me…"

"Avie won't do anything. Don't worry, luv. Besides you don't need to interact with her, I will. Just focus on helping Nina and try to keep Alissa as calm as possible."

Things in district 11 were a bit complicated than in 12. People there were more rebellious and ready to show the capitol that they wanted Snow's head, knowing that the man was watching. So, a nervous Nina tried her best to say the words she needed to say and went behind the scenes as soon as she could.

"You did fine," Rose said as Nina sat down on a sofa that was there.

"People was mad."

"But not at you. They're mad at the head of this, right? Don't worry, darling," the woman smiled at the girl and hugged her. "Next district will be easier, I promise."

Aveline was standing next to Alfie and the other two victors that the district had. But only the both of them were talking.

"Maybe I was wrong," she said.

"About what?"

"About her. I still have my suspicions, but- I realized today that maybe she's not like her husband."

"She's not. I told you."

"I saw her eyes looking at you earlier or now the way she's talking with Nina. You can't fake love. Nor the affection."

"I'm not that idiot either, to fall in love with a monster, Aveline. She's a good woman, she loves me as well and she does care for the kids. I wish you could know her better."

"One day."

"Yes, soon. You have the cookies, you'll understand better once you ate one. And use the recipe."

Same as happened with Tommy and Lucy, Aveline was intrigued by his behaviour but knowing Alfie's thoughts she didn't ask anything else and kept the box to opened it in her house.

If there was something good about visiting each one of the districts, at least for Alfie and Rose, it was the time they could spend together. The first moments they cared about the hairdresser and the makeup artist, but as the days passed, they didn't anymore. And it was usual to see them together, in arms of each other, Alfie usually holding her or sometimes resting his head on her lap, while she was caressing his hair.

It was raining in district 10 when they arrived. The floods that happened there a lot of years ago, crossed their minds, if that was the case then probably they won't be able to visit it, but luckily it was mild and an hour later, they'll be able to leave the train and go to the Justice palace. As always, it was Alfie who talked to the victors and in this case it was Eva who was waiting there.

"I… We have a similar box for Jack as well," he said to her when Eva accepted the cookies. "Try to convince them to bake, because I don't know if I'll succeed. Or maybe when, you know," Alfie lowered his voice "you're together you can do it together, when you find time."

"You're planning to do bad things," Eva said, "first the mysterious address, now this. How do you know I'll accept?"

"Because you're smart."

The man winked at her before paying attention to Nina who was going to the microphone in middle of the stage, once again.

"I'm in," Alfie heard her voice next to him.

"That's good, Ev."

Not all the districts received a box. Even when Alfie did know all of them he wasn't sure about the reception of their idea in some of them, so for now he only spoke with those he really knew.

Before they could realise, all the districts were visited. Only one remained: The Capitol.

Alfie found Rose in her compartment, the one they share, sitting on the sofa. Her eyes were full of tears and she was sobbing.

"Why are you sad?"

"I hate this. This," she said moving her arms, "the train, the distance, the prohibition. The system… I hate the system. Did you hear the word democracy?"

"Only in books. Banned books," he clarified.

"Me too. They said it worked, it has its flaws… but people somehow had freedom. But we were born in a world where restrictions are the norm. And it's fucked, so fucked up! After tomorrow is over. I can't see you again until next month and… I can't do it anymore Alfie, why? It's not fair. It's… I- Sometimes I fantasize about escaping and going with you. And after this trip, even more."

"It'd be worse, luv. Look at Eva and Jack. He risks his life to see her and the baby. At least we can see each other legally and often. You could protect Nina, something that other people can't do. But you're right. It's unfair. I wish you could escape, but you can't. Not now at least. But life can't be always so awful, pet. Come here," Alfie opened his arms and wrapped them around her. She clutched at his shirt. "It's okay, luv. We're still together."

"I love you."

"I love you, too, Rosie."

Alfie moved one of his hands to her head and caressed her hair, she hid her face on his neck.

"Alissa wants…" the door of that compartment opened, after few knocks and Alfie could see Nina's head.

"Tell Alissa to fuck off."

"I told her."

"Then tell it twice. Fucking hell, she can be a pain in the ass sometimes! I just want to spend time with me wife. Fuck it!"

"That's what I said but you know her. I'm sorry to interrupt."

Nina left without saying another word and Alfie tightened his embrace.

"Maybe she wanted to say something important," Rose said as she kissed his neck.

"No. She wants to remind me how to behave in front of Snow. Like I don't know what to do with that prick," Alfie lifted her skirt "but I can't. I don't have time for her bullishit. I have other priorities now."

Rose chuckled and removed his hands from her legs to take them in hers and guide him to their bed. Alfie was right, they still had time together.

By the time the sun started to shine again, the train was arriving to the Capitol. But lying together on the mattress, sleeping soundly, neither of them realised where they were until later when someone called them saying that the breakfast was ready.

The clothes that Nina wore the previous days had nothing to do with the dress that Rose prepared for her to the last night. That special moment in Snow's mansion. They expected to see something unique and that's what she did for her.

The mansion was full of people, lights and music when Nina and the rest arrived. They were willing to talk to her. The new victor. The new jewel.

A month before the victory tour.

Without Lawrence screwing her plans, Rose could offer for Nina as she and Alfie planned. Even when Lawrence's friend was making things really difficult.

As any new tribute, Nina's price started on a quarter of million dollars. And it was Matthew Sutton who made the initial offer for her.

And then it was another one that Rose didn't know. And Matthew again.

Same as Lawrence, Matthew was nothing but a waste of time for society. But they were willing to show how powerful they were.

She remained quiet, she was waiting the opportunity to pay and protect her. Even if the word used by Darius Armstrong was another one.

800 thousand dollars.

850.

Two of the bidders gave up. It was not worth paying almost a million dollars for just a skinny girl. But Matthew wasn't ready to give up.

The offer reached the million and keep raising. But it was a pause after a million and a hundred thousand dollars.

"Quite an extraordinary number!" exclaimed Darius. "Any one else? Mr. Sutton, it seems this is your day! 1…2…".

"No it's not his day. The day and that girl… are mine." Rose finally spoke and made an offer that she knew Matthew could never match "Three millions."

"What? Hey! It's not fair! I… I was offering for her!! This bitch is mine!"

"Language, Mr. Sutton!" Darius pointed at him with his hammer "Mrs. Evert offered before I counted three. It's a valid offer."

"Pay more if you want her," dared the stylist.

"Fuck you! Fuck you!"

Matthew stood up and left the room slamming the door behind him.

Rose smiled. With luck, he was not showing his nose again for a long time.

Three millions was all she needed to keep Nina safe. And doubled it for doing it for another year. Alfie was going to be happy.

.

"Your husband is here?" Alfie asked approaching Rose at the table where was the food. Nina was dancing against her will with one of the me there. Alfie had an eye on him but his grumpy expression was probably enough for the man to understood that he needed to behave with her.

"I guess. Somewhere. Probably next to some politicians. Not Snow, Snow can't stand him. Probably the only thing we have in common."

"I'd like to meet him, ya know? And probably punch his face while greeting him."

She couldn't help but laugh "I'm sure you will. But," she whispered, "you know you're my only husband, right?"

"I do, luv."

He just squished her hand. Too many people, too many strangers looking around to do anything else.

"Alfie?"

A voice interrupted them. "Alfie!"

No. No.

Rose saw the panic in his eyes when he turned around and saw the woman who bought him a decade and a half ago. The old woman was wearing a pink dress and was holding a glass of wine in her hands.

No.

"Alfie, my prince, it's me. Do you remember me? We spent a good time together years ago, handsome."

He didn't reply, he didn't move either. He was staring at her with hatred in his eyes.

"You don't need to be shy about that, baby. It was long time ago and…"

"Shut up!" Rose put herself in middle of them and pushed her away from him. "I said shut up. He's mine now, I paid a good money for him and I do whatever I want with him and my orders includes him not talking to anyone. So don't try, don't ever think try again to be next to him again, did you hear me?"

The woman opened her mouth but didn't say anything.

Nina who just arrived there had a perplexed expression in her face.

"What…?"

"Come with me, now" Rose ordered. "You too, Alfie."

Leading the way, she and both victors of district 9 and went out to the gardens. The smell of the white roses welcomed them.

"Can you explained me what the fuck is going on?" Nina demanded.

But this time Rose ignored her. Alfie was quiet and she had the idea that he was about to explode with furious in any minute. And that's what happened.

A bench that was there ended upside down and some rocks, heavy enough to broke a skull ended up on the other side of the garden.

"Alfie, Al… sweetheart. Al…" Rose put a hand on his arm and he stopped but he wasn't calm at all.

"Why!! Why the fuck she's still here! Why the fuck she's still alive!"

"I don't know. Life is not fair, Al. It's… I don't know. I don't even know what to say."

When he sat down on the cold floor, Rose knelt down next to him and hugged him. "I'm sorry, Al. I wasn't expecting to see her here, you know. I didn't think about that. She's disgusting, she… I'm sorry, sweetheart. And what I said to her… I hate the word 'paid' but I needed to say something. She was…- Al."

"I know, Rosie. You know her..."

"I do. I knew her the first year I came here. She was so horrible, the words she used… how proud she is. I never told you because I couldn't. And the following years I simply ignored her. It never occurred to me that tonight, she…"

"Not your fault, luv. Not your fault." Alfie put his head in his hands and stayed there.

Nina, the only one who remained on her feet, was staring at both of them trying to understand something.

"You need to know something. And it's not pleasant at all…" Rose said looking at her.

And finally Nina knew what was happening and by the time Rose stopped talking, Nina was sitting next to them as well. The dress that Rose made for her was wet because of the snow around them, but she didn't care.

"I never knew that Lawrence was part of that," Rose said, "never, until Alfie told me the first year I knew him. And it wasn't until a couple of years ago that I could be part of that and I could…"

"She could buy me. Because as Snow said 'any member of the Capitol can do that with any victor.'" Alfie said. "But I agreed with that. I consent it, of course I did."

"But you didn't consent this woman…" Nina talked more for herself than the rest. "I'm sorry, Alfie. I do, I'm sorry. No one deserves that."

"It's okay, kid. Long time ago."

"She'll pay for it, Alfie. I swear to God, she'll pay for it."

Rose also told Nina that even when she didn't say that it was okay, now Nina was safe with them now.

"I understand, it's okay. Thanks."

"You don't need to thank me. If I let him to put a hand on you i simply couldn't live with myself. I couldn't allow it."

Nina nodded. It wasn't the protocol and probably Alissa will be pissed off, but they didn't care. The rest of the night they stayed outside until it was time to them to go back to district 9.

This time only Alfie and Nina got in, the rest remained in the platform. It wasn't the night they were expecting.

He was about to kiss Rose on the cheek when she moved her face and their lips met. For a few seconds they kissed as they were alone.

"See you soon, luv."

"Take care, right?" Rose tried to ignore the lump in her throat "and I see you soon, Al."

He caressed her cheek and kissed her forehead before getting in the train. Sadness and a sense of injustice was stuck in the hearts of all of them.

Next

[thgfanfictionlibrary]

Teen and Up Rated Fics Masterlist (52)

Part 1- Part 48 / Part 49 / Part 50 / Part 51 /

Created: May 13th, 2024

Last Checked:—-

100 Channels and Nothing On-IzzySamson (ao3) Summary: Prompt- Katniss watches Capitol TV for the first time since coming home. Re-runs of the Games is on—Katniss’s Games. How does she deal with it, when it is showing on nearly every channel? 100 Tributes-JennaGill, Lbug84 (ao3) Summary: Peeta arrives home to some strange noises... 74th Hunger Games Challenge: We Always Were-jamiesommers (ao3) Summary: In this A/U story Katniss and Peeta go into the Games as a couple. It is based on the book, the movie, and a hell of a lot of my imagination. Since it is written in multiple POV's you'll be able to see what was happening in District 12 during the Tribute Parade, and what was going on at the Capitol during the Games. The Sequels are Catching Fire: Rekindling and Mockingjay: Broken Wings.  A Dare & A Date-JHsgf82 (ao3) Summary: Modern AU. Katniss is dared by her friends to watch a horror movie in the theater alone (and she hates them!). Little does she know she'll come home with far more than a movie ticket stub as proof of her evening. A Knock on the Door-JavisTG (ao3) Summary: “Soon after I go to bed, there’s a quiet knock on my door, but I ignore it. I don’t want Peeta tonight. Especially not with Darius around.” CF p220 Canon divergent. What if Katniss had opened the door? A Lubricated Conversation-icbiwf (ao3) Summary: Set pre-CF. The Victory Tour is fast approaching, and Haymitch has decided that Katniss and Peeta need to talk. Katniss needs to get some things off her chest. Peeta needs to be brought down a peg or two. And Haymitch really, really needs a drink. Better Together-JavisTG (ao3) Summary: The war is over. Prim is alive. What happens if Katniss doesn’t go back to District 12 after the war. Bound TwoGether-JHsgf82 (ao3) Summary: (AU) Autumn Everdeen and Dawn Mellark meet at an archery and survival skills camp. Even though their resemblance is uncanny, they've never met before, and they don't exactly like one another. Through a series of pranks and hijinks, they are forced together, and they bond, only to discover a secret...they're sisters! But not just sisters, identical twins! Each desiring to spend time with their other parent, and possibly get the idiots, who so obviously still love one another, back together, Autumn and Dawn come up with a cunning ruse. Based on "The Parent Trap." Dancing Under the Snow.-JavisTG (ao3) Summary: I open my eyes. The pale winter morning sun floods the room. Outside a soft flurry is coming down, the sunshine bounces off the snowflakes and makes them look like dancing falling stars. It's the shortest day of the year. Katniss wakes up in Peeta's arms. Delly's Present - A Bilingual Everlark One-Shot-JavisTG (ao3) Summary: Peeta Mellark just spent the last three months learning to speak Spanish. The certificate in his hand says he's ready to carry out a conversation but, is he ready to speak to the gorgeous shop-owner across the street?

[heavensbeehall]

"The Hunger Games", Chapter 6 & 7

Buy the book here.

Part 1: The Tributes

Chapter 6 & 7 -- The Tributes get rooms in the Tribute Center. Effie thinks Peeta and Katniss are pearls. The showers in the Capitol are weird (not sure a current through the scalp to detangle hair could work?). Katniss meets Lavinia again. Peeta covers for her. She confides to him. Katniss learns about force fields (for next book!).

In Chapter 7, Peeta and Katniss talk each other up to Haymitch. Katniss slams the door to her room, like any good YA protagonist. Training begins with the other Tributes. Rue follows District 12. Katniss doesn't like pretending to be friends with Peeta or how the Gamemakers ignore her. She shoots her shot and is not dismissed.

Questions:

-- Katniss is always describing food that sounds good. I have never had goose liver? Should I?

-- Would you flee the Capitol if you were born there? I think I'd like to believe I would. Or at least be part of the Underground Resistance. But if the Hunger Games was my only form of entertainment, the worst version of me might just binge watch all the seasons.

-- Why so many redheads in Panem (Lavinia, Foxface, later Darius, Annie, Mags as a girl, and most of the District 4 tributes in the films)? They are only 2% of our current population. It seems like there was some kind of ginger population explosion during the end of the world.

Quote:

And apparently, I have not been as oblivious to him as I imagined, either. The flour. The wrestling. I have kept track of the boy with the bread.

[black-dhalias]

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Last Updated: 12/07/24

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[seasonsofeverlark]

Hope Lies In Tomorrow

Author: @mega-aulover​

Prompt: Katniss is caught crossing the fence by peacekeepers. Serves time. Conditions of parole: employment nearby (busy bakery?) and reporting weekly to the parole officer (Haymitch?) Will she find anything to be thankful for this thanksgiving [submitted by @567inpanem​]

Rating: M (Because, well, it will get to that status. There will be violence and mentions of abuse, and some characters are off canon.)

Author’s Notes: This story took me for a loop. I couldn’t resist it. I tried to make it light and fun, but it just wanted to be a freight train to the gut. The words “serves time.” I kept on getting back to that, and my imagination just took flight so much that the first two chapters are about 9.5K words. I promise chapter 3 will be a painful doozy. Special thanks to @norbertsmom​.

     Chapter One

The spotlight made Katniss wince as she distinctly heard Darius say, “Pluck a duck,” into the cold dark night.

“We caught a Poacher!” The young Peacekeeper said out loud. He jumped and clapped his hands like a preschool girl with pigtails who just won a prized sticker. He was one of the new cadets brought in for training. 

Daruis was the new Head Peacekeeper. He earned the promotion when Cray retired. Darius also inherited the group of new Peacekeepers. They were eager rule-following Cadets. 

“Everdeen!” Darius groused.

Katniss sighed. She kept her hands in the air. It was the perfect ending to the worst day. It started with the evil spawn of Buttercup peeing inside her drawer. Things got worse when Gale announced he wasn’t going to be able to join her tonight, and he wouldn’t tell her why either. Then this afternoon she discovered her baby sister, well technically, Prim was seventeen and taller than Katniss, but that’s neither here nor there, she was rolling in the hay with Vick Hawthorne. 

Prim wasn’t supposed to be…. well…sex crazed.  Katniss saw red, took a bucket of ice-cold water, and dumped it on top of the two idiots. Vick was fifteen and, like Gale, looked older than Prim’s baby-faced self. Needless to say, Prim was livid. Vick went home with blue balls. And the arguing match that ensued gave Katniss a massive headache. 

However, finding her sister doing the equivalent of two goats breeding in Lady’s pen was nothing compared to their mothers’ reactions to Prim’s escapade. Euadora Everdeen backed Prim and said, “Prim was doing what came natural.” It was what came next that flabbergasted Katniss. “At least I have one normal daughter.” 

It was the last straw, until this moment.

This day was supposed to go so differently. She’d woken up with so much hope  then things fell apart. But she’d kept thinking, tomorrow, tomorrow would be a brighter day. Just get through today and tomorrow would be a better day.

“Katniss,” Darius growled.

Katniss shrugged. There was nothing Darius could do. If he had been alone, he would have looked the other way.

“I’m sorry, but I have to take you in.” 

She held out her hands; she knew the drill. This wasn’t going to be her first time in the District Twelve lock up. In fact, as Darius pulled her toward the transport, and she quietly climbed into the back, this was all familiar. The last time was at that darned Harvest Fair five years ago.

“This would have been easier had you gone to the Fair,” Darius said.

 Her scowl was instantaneous.

“What,” Darius said, jumping inside of the wagon while the young Peacekeeper closed the door. 

“I’m sorry, Darius. 

“I know, Katniss,” Darius was sympathetic. His communicator crackled with a voice that communicated a code. “Roger that.”

In the semi-darkness Katniss could see Darius teeth as he grinned. 

“Old man Haymitch is going to throw the book at you.” Haymitch and she had a long-standing history. She stayed out of trouble and he wouldn’t bring trouble to her. 

Haymitch Abernathy was the former Victor of the 50th Hunger Games and town drunk. The transition from a government run by one man, President Snow, to one run by a council with a true elected leader were the scariest months in Panem. No one knew what would happen. Fears of retaliation from the former government ran high. The word came down from the Capitol for each district to send a District Liaison.

Haymitch volunteered.  

Turns out the drunken Victor was smart, wilier than anyone could perceive. Haymitch helped form the transition team to create the new charter between the Capitol and the Districts. When he came back, Haymitch could have been elected to become the mayor. He could have taken over the position of Head Peacekeeper, since Cray was from the old regime. Instead, Haymitch made up a position, the town Magistrate. Every district would have a way to fairly dispense justice, with the Peacekeepers relegated to do just what their name described keeping the peace. From town drunk to judge, this was the world of the new Panem. 

Though Katniss would rather face Haymitch than her mother.

“Has your mother calmed down?”   

Katniss grimaced. It all started with the initiative. Ever since the President  went crazy and abolished the Games, calling it the Lucy Grey Baird initiative, and then promptly dying before anyone could change the law, her mother’s focus changed from reliving the past to finding Katniss a husband.   

Her mother began railing against her plan to stay single. Mind you Katniss was only sixteen at the time and she could only focus on the fact that her baby sister would never again experience a Reaping.

Nope, not her mother, Eudora Everdeen, somewhere between her melancholy that ensued after pa’s death and the cancellation of the 74th Hunger Games, decided to become a holy nightmare, worse than any horror Katniss’s imagination could conjure up. Her mother tried to fix her up with various men throughout the district. Her mother’s sting about her single status was the last straw tonight.

“She’s stopped,” Katniss flinched; it wasn’t the entire truth.

Eudora hadn’t really stopped, there were introductions all of the time. There was Waylon, Adam, Zachary, Jackson, Hank, Lee, Hunter, Davis, Ashley, Samuel, Vernon, Beau, Elijah, not to mention Humperdinck, who was also known as the Goat Man. It was always the same pattern. A subtle introduction, followed by an invitation to tea or supper or both, a run in in the Seam or the Hob, before the guy in question lost interest and her mother went back to the drawing board. Eudora didn’t push, but she didn’t relent either. However, recently, her mother had been quiet. Katniss hoped after 5 years, her mother finally gave up.    

“But?” Darius asked.

The transport shook as it began to move. 

“Nothing.”

“You know, you’re a bad liar.”

“She doesn’t like me being alone.”

“That’s preposterous. I know plenty of women Peacekeepers.”

“You know we are talking about Eudora Everdeen?”

Darius grinned. “You mother did tell one of my new recruits she should leave her hair down because it would make her look pretty. She even asked me when my time was up and if I was interested in courting you.”

“Yup,” Katniss breathed, “that’s my mother.”

“So is it true she tried to pair you with Gale and even Gale got scared.”

“How do you know?” Katniss’ mother first picked Gale, who conversely, after seeing her mother try to manipulate them as a couple, was shocked. One good thing came off Eudora’s meddling. Gale laid off the entire, we-make-sense offer to toast angle, and suddenly became a perfect angel around her and the rogue doubled his efforts around other women to prove that he wasn’t interested in Katniss.  

“You forget how small District Twelve is,“ Darius said looking tired as he rubbed his face.

He’s right. Twelve is the smallest of all the Districts. And nothing stayed buried, just like a piece of coal, it would be eventually unearthed.

"Gale said my mother was loonier than the Goat man when he got drunk on Ripper’s special liquor.” Ripper called her special liquor, the ‘shine.’ There were rumors the shine caused people to do strange things. Katniss wasn’t interested in drinking anything that wasn’t life sustaining. Her only thought was to keep food on the table and maintain the roof over her family’s heads. Just last summer she had to fix the roof all by herself. Drinking or marriage were out of the picture.

When Gale politely said he wasn’t interested in Katniss, her mother was upset, but said she understood that Gale only saw Katniss as a sister. Five years ago, Katniss hoped with her mother’s attempts thwarted, Eudora would give up getting her hitched. Little did she know it wasn’t over by a long shot. 

Darius snorted. “Your name comes up every year." 

"Ugh. I avoid that damned dance every year.” There were three main social events in District Twelve, where parents shoved their young for possible partnerships and couples did coupley things, The Spring Formal, The Harvest Fair, and the Winter Festival. The last of these major social events had been the Harvest Fair.

“Waylon still asks about you every time.”

Katniss groaned hearing that name again. He was Leevy’s brother, who was in Gale’s class. Waylon was the next on her mother’s list. Waylon’s obsession began slowly. He failed his last year of school and became a quasi-associate. He would show up at her locker and want to walk with her to class. At first it was nice. He was Gale’s friend and as long as he didn’t talk, she didn’t mind. When they graduated, he went to work in the mines.  Katniss set up a booth in the Hob selling her jerky.

And for a time, everything was calm. Then he started coming to supper. He tried to become friends with Prim. Her sister thought him weird. Then one day, Waylon tried to kiss her. When she pushed him away, he chased her straight into the forest. Thankfully, he didn’t dare go into the woods. 

The woods became her refuge. As soon as she knew Waylon was let loose of his shift at the mines, he would head straight to the Hob.  Katniss would pack up her booth and run off into the woods. She began hunting at night to get away from him. Also, she sort of used Gale as an unofficial bodyguard to keep Waylon at a distance. Waylon was a sore spot in her relatively short life span. 

“He does?” The words slipped out before they could be stopped. 

“He’s got a thing for you Katniss,” Darius’ voice sounded full of mirth, “He’s one of many in the district.”

“If I weren’t in handcuffs, I’d deck you.”

Darius grinned. “He still shoots Peeta the evil eye.”

At the mention of Peeta’s name, her brain misfires.

Peeta.  

Sigh, strong, capable, dependable, sweet, kind, lovely, delicious…always lurking in her dreams, Peeta. 

That night at the Harvest Fair, every time she saw Waylon come her way she hid. Thankfully Peeta came to her rescue. He asked her to dance and afterwards he escorted her the entire time.

Oh, Peeta tried to keep her out of trouble. He was so nice, and she had no way to pay him for his kindness in rescuing her that night. Even four years later she could still recall every detail. He did admirably despite her lack of social graces, and inability to dance. 

Katniss groaned in the transport, her head leaning up against the metal wall. Dancing with Peeta was heavenly, being with Peeta was indescribable, but Katniss shoved that feeling deep, deep, way deep inside of her, locked it up and only took out that memory in the dead of night. When she was alone in her bed, her fingers drifted to her lady parts and she sought relief from the thoughts of what it would be like to kiss him over and over.  

She had a secret bond with Peeta, a bond she couldn’t shake. “Peeta,” her heart whispered with longing. Katnis hoped Darius couldn’t see how deeply she was affected by her baker. Peeta was the one soul in the district who knew her better than anyone else. 

“So, it’s Peeta you have a thing for. Waylon’s not wrong in giving him the evil eye.” 

Katniss scowled at Darius, causing him to laugh.

“I’d have to be drunk on the shine,” Katniss grumbled. She hoped to redirect Darius, he was so near the truth.

“Katniss,” Darius rubs his face. “Please don’t tell me you’ve drunk the shine.”

“No. Gale swears he has. He said it’s so strong it has the power to peel paint off the walls. Is it true…about you and the shine?” Katniss asked.

Darius became serious.

"So, it isn’t true. I knew Gale was lying."  

Darius cleared his throat. "It made me hallucinate. There are things, Everdeen, you shouldn’t ever try.”  

"Duly noted.”

The transport rolled, and another command came through the radio. Darius “What?”

“Star 451,” the voice answered back.

“Pluck a duck,” Darius whispered angrily. “Are you sure?” 

His angry voice sounded out of control as if he wanted to hit something or someone. The atmosphere changed suddenly. It crackled with foreboding darkness. Katniss tried to ignore it, she knew she was in trouble.

For the rest of the journey Katniss wondered what was going on, what did that Star 451 mean? Katniss noted Darius became quiet, and sullen; all the traces of humor left his face. Darius stopped looking at her as if he couldn’t face her. Finally, the transport came to a halt.

“We’re here.”

Katniss winced, thinking of Haymitch Abernathy, and the uncertainty that faced her outside of the transport.

“Wait for me to get down before you get up,” Darius bit out as the door opened and the cold wind caused Katniss to shiver. 

Katniss wrinkled her nose. Haymitch was going to be a pain in the neck. The last time she’d been before him things were not pleasant.  When she got down, her eyes widened. They weren’t at the Justice building. They were at the Victors Village.

It was one thing to stand in the Justice building, a cold sterile edifice made of white stone. It was another to stand inside of a home. “Darius?”

The transport moved on and there was another waiting, one that did not have any insignia on the side. It was black and it reminded Katniss of the one they used to transport the corpses of the deceased.

“Come on,” Darius said gently, once more avoiding looking at her.

Katniss nodded. She wasn’t someone who let things affect her. She didn’t scare easily, this however, put pure fear in her heart.

Darius escorted her inside of the massive house and guided her into a room by the side. There was a roaring fire in the fireplace. The warmth stung her cold skin. There was a dark wooden desk, two comfortable chairs, and another pair facing the fireplace. “Sit.”

Katniss sat in one of the chairs facing the desk.   

“Give me your hands, Katniss,” Darius said.

Katniss lifted her trembling hands.

“What did I tell you ‘bout keeping your nose out of trouble, Sweetheart?” Haymitch grumbled from the door.

Katniss masked her fear.

Four years ago Gale was sick and couldn’t attend that darned Harvest Fair. Katniss needed a way out, thankfully Peeta rescued her.

Everything was splendid and at one point while staring into his gorgeous blue eyes Katniss was breathless. It was toward the end of the night when his mother, the witch, pulled him away and that’s where all hell broke loose. Accidentally, in her haste to get away from Waylon, a small fire started when one of the glass lamps fell, and broke. Several bales of hay caught fire. It somehow escalated and concluded with a goat stampede down the center of town. 

Her mother blamed Katniss for embarrassing Waylon and his family, and basically setting the fair on fire. Haymitch told her mother that her unfettered meddling would one day cause the destruction of all she held dear. Eudora Everdeen was not amused, nor was she happy with the outcome. Haymitch let Katniss go with a slap on the wrist because her only criminal act was trying to flee the unwanted attention of a man. Plus, thanks to Peeta’s quick thinking, it was only the stage that burned. He and his brothers managed to get the fire out and they built another stage, how they did it in one day, Katniss didn’t know. 

She kept away for the rest of the Harvest Fair, thinking it was better not to remind the community of her stupidity. She’d been lulled under Peeta’s spell. She’d done more than dance and start a fire at that fair. Heat rose from the pit of her belly and flowed to her core and spilled on to her cheeks.

The sound of a chair being scraped on the wood floor caused her bubble to break. Katniss shook her head. Her eyes came back into focus to the present.

“Darius, you can wait outside. Katniss isn’t going to do anything stupid,” Haymitch turned his grey eyes toward her, “are you?” 

Katniss shook her head no. 

Darius nodded and walked outside, closing the door.

Katniss didn’t even bother rubbing her wrists. She balled her hands and rested them at her side.

“You’re probably wondering why you got caught?”

She hadn’t really. Katniss thought it was just a routine inspection. There were bears in the woods and just one week ago the electric fence had been damaged.

“Your mother.”

“What?” Katniss growled. Her lips thinned her anger skyrocketing. Then she thought for a second it couldn’t be. “She wouldn’t…”

“She did, and there wasn’t anything Darius or I could do. We had to arrest you?”

A combination of bitterness and sadness swept into her soul like the bitter winds that brought the frigid winter air. It was one thing to try to get her to marry; it showed that her mother cared. However, handing her over to the authority showed Katniss that her mother had fallen out of love for her. Can a mother un-love a child? It could happen, she supposed, thinking of Peeta’s mother, the witch. That woman only cared for one person, herself.

“Sorry Sweetheart, Darius tried to dissuade her. She said it was time for you to learn what the real world was all about. But instead of leaving it with me and Darius, she went to the Justice building and filed a complaint with Panem’s Bureau of Justice. She got Seneca Crane’s underwear in a twist. He’s demanding you pay for your crimes.”  

Katniss gasped. Seneca Crane was from the old regime. He was the Head Gamemaker of the 74th Hunger Games. His arena was never used. The man was so twisted and evil that he was merciless with those who came under his thumb, and she was one of them. Katniss wondered how someone like him still had power in this new Panem. 

There was no doubt in her mind she was going to serve time. Those who served time were often sent away to another District. She could be sentenced to District Eleven to work in the fields, District Two to work in the mines, or work in District Four in the fish processing plants doing the lowest of menial jobs. “How much time will I be sentenced?

“A year Sweetheart, you can get out early for good behavior, come back here and work the rest of your sentence as a parole.”

Tears gathered in her eyes. She’d never been away from home, never was tempted to escape into the wilds of the forest. Now she was going to be carted out in the middle of the night. She was a blemish to society, unwanted, a problem for her mother. A solitary tear rolled down her face.

Katniss didn’t need handcuffs any more; she was about to be branded as undesirable.

Darius quietly walked in with the machine. They slid her hand in the machine and she cried as the skin of her wrist was seared with an imprint. Cradling her hand she read *451. Now she understood.

“I’m sorry Katniss,” Darius whispered.

Two heavy set men dressed in black came in and pushed her inside of the waiting black transport.

Chapter Two 

Peeta whistled.

“You’re in a good mood,” Norma Jean, his brother Graham’s wife said.  

Norma Jean was his favorite sister in law. Graham had fallen head-over-heels for her. It was funny because before Norma Jean, Graham’s type were tall statuesque thin blondes. Norma Jean was short, and as she put it, rounder than an apple. She was also sweeter than the candy she and Graham sold at the confectioners’ shop.

“I am.” He couldn’t help himself.

Today was Saturday, his favorite day of the week, one because the bakery closed early, and two because Katniss always came by on Saturday to trade with him. No one else. Peeta knew for certain Katniss didn’t trade with anyone else but him.

“Well it’s my favorite day.”

Norma Jean grinned. “Is it because of a certain huntress?”

“Maybe,” he said.

“Hmmm,” Norma Jean said, rubbing her belly, she was heavily pregnant. She was sniffing the air. When pregnant, Norma Jean had the ability to identify different herbs by smell. Her nose was that good.

Peeta kept quiet and wondered how long it would be before she sniffed the cheese buns he had hidden in the back.

“Have you heard from Rye?”

Peeta grinned. “He’s back in District Two.”

Rye was the reason Peeta had inherited the family bakery. With Graham married to Norma Jean, their mother thought Rye would take over the bakery, leaving Peeta out of the inheritance. Then, one-and-a-half years ago Rye announced he wanted to be a Peacekeeper. Nothing their mother said or threatened dissuaded Rye from becoming a Peacekeeper.

“He’s great actually, talked to him last night.”

“Graham’s still upset with him. He didn’t want Rye to sign up to a twenty year commitment to be celibate to serve home and country.”

Peeta recalled. “You know how Rye gets when he wants something.”

“Yeah.” Norma Jean nodded.     

“His training is over, and he’s waiting for his assignment. When we were talking at least ten guys came by to say hello.” Peeta had gotten to know the guys in Rye’s squad. They were from all over Panem.

“Good, I am glad.”

“Won’t Graham miss you?”

“Nope, my sister Virginia is helping him set up; the boys were fast asleep.”

“You do realize today is Saturday and they’re up early on Saturday.” Peeta said.

“Exactly, no one bothers the sweet shop at six in the morning, nine maybe, but six…only those who are craving stuff like me…now, hot buns, give me one of those treat’s you’re saving for your huntress,” Norma Jean demanded.

Peeta shook his head. “I would never deny you anything.”

He walked into the back whistling and grabbed two of the cheese buns he’d saved for himself to share with Katniss.

“For you,” Peeta said, bowing slightly.  

“I haven’t seen you like this since that Harvest Fair?” Norma Jean raised an eyebrow.

“Oh,” Peeta said.

“You can’t lie to me, Peeta,” Norma Jean said, narrowing her eyes, one fist curled around the cheese bun.

“You’re right,” Peeta said.

“So, it is Katniss,” Norma Jean said.

Peeta could feel the heat raising up to his cheeks. He looked at his reflection in the smooth surface of the metal case; he looked ruddy.

After they graduated, Katniss set up her shop in the Hob. Her jerky was a favorite amongst the residents. Katniss had enough coins to buy everything she needed. She could buy bread, but she didn’t. Their friendship began slowly. At first it was a slight nod, with her cheeks so rosy she couldn’t look him in the eyes.

The Harvest Fair changed everything. They’d been a little tipsy as a result of the hard apple cider Greasy Sae offered them. She’d pulled him into Mr. Plover’s blacksmith and horse barn and kissed him. The kiss got out of hand and one thing led to another. Soon they were in one of the empty horse stalls and tearing their clothing off. Katniss had given him her virginity and he had given her his. When they walked out hand in hand Peeta couldn’t help the goofy grin on his face. He would never forget how soft her eyes looked.

Then his mother came looking for him, and everything became a nightmare. Peeta advocated for Katniss, got his brothers and his friends to clean up and rebuild the stage. Katniss was arrested, and the community shunned her. They took Waylon’s side, no thanks to Mrs. Everdeen. Katniss had never attended another social event after that.

“Yes.”

“Oh,” Norma said excitedly.

“Well.” His eyes went to the store front. Mrs. Bernelle came into the store. With Thanksgiving tomorrow Peeta expected a brisk business today.

“Hello Mrs. Bernelle,” Peeta greeted.

“Hello Peeta, Norma Jean.”

“Hello,” Norma Jean said, rubbing her stomach.

 “You’re due any day now?” Mrs. Burnelle said warmly to Norma Jean.

“ Just about.” Norma Jean smiled warmly.

“How can I help you, Mrs. Burnelle,” Peeta said, wanting Mrs. Burnelle out of the store so that he could speak to Norma Jean.

“May I have a dozen of your dinner rolls, but only the freshest.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Peeta said, grabbing a brown paper bag. He quickly dispensed the rolls.”

Mrs. Burnelle smelled the bread, “These smell delicious,” she leaned over and with a mischievous lilt in her voice. “Don’t tell you father, but you are the better baker.”

“I won’t,” Peeta laughed. “Is that all for today?”

“Yes.” She had the exact amount. She put it on the counter. “Thank you Peeta and Happy Thanksgiving.”

Thanksgiving became a national Holiday after the treaty between the Capitol and the Districts was ratified as law. A day for both sides to come together and celebrate everlasting peace and tranquility and celebrated with a big meal. Normally the Capitol sent all of the Districts a parcel with some sort of treat. Each year a District was selected to make a parcel to send to the Capitol. District Twelve had yet to be selected.   

“Thank you, you too,” Peeta said. He waited until the door was closed before he turned his attention back to Norma Jean.

“Whatever you have to tell me has got to be really good for you to be acting like you did four years ago?”  

Peeta sighed happily.

“Did something happen between you two?”

Norma Jean knew all. Peeta confided in her. When Katniss didn’t show up that Saturday after the Fair, she encouraged him to seek out Katniss. Peeta gathered his courage and found her at the Hob. She looked like hell and she wouldn’t even look at him in the eyes. Peeta found out from Greasy Sae, no one was buying her jerky.

Peeta brazenly bought her jerky and told her he’d run out of squirrels. Then he sent Norma Jean, and Norma sent Rye, and Rye sent Delly to buy her jerky. Delly sent someone else and so forth. There was no way he was going to allow the people of District Twelve to turn their backs on Katniss.

The following Saturday he found a package at his doorstep. Norma Jean packed up some bread and told him to pay her for her game meat. He’d gone down to the Hob and put the bread on her table and told her she’d forgotten her payment before he walked away.

This went on for weeks until she came by and shyly waited to make the exchange. Every Saturday he’d do his best to tamp down his own yearnings because Katniss needed a friend. He made it his mission to befriend her. Like a flower blossoming she opened up to him.  

Peeta remained tight lipped.

Mrs. Evangeline walked into the shop.

“Good Morning Mrs. Evangeline,” Peeta greeted, but he could see Norma Jean wanted to shove the nosy woman out of the bakery.

“Hello Peeta,” Mrs. Evangeline said with her list in hand. She nodded at Norma Jean. This morning Mrs. Evangeline was in battle mode. “I am in a rush this morning. I have to get to the butchers before the best cut of meat is taken,” she muttered. 

“What can I help you with today?”

“My daughter is coming home with her new husband and I need her favorite bread, a baguette.”

“Oh yes, I remember Rosalee loves the sourdough with Mrs. Caries strawberry preserves.”

“Oh yes,” Mrs. Evangeline said. “May I also have a loaf of the sourdough?”

“Absolutely,” Peeta said.

“Thank you Peeta, you always remember everything,” Mrs. Evangeline gushed.

“It’s no problem,” Peeta smiled but he saw Norma Jean’s impatience.

“So, when you are due?” Mrs. Evangeline asked Norma Jean.

“Any day now,” Norma Jean answered.

Peeta bagged the baguettes and the loaf of Sourdough. “Here you go.”

“Thank you,” Mrs. Evangeline. “How much?”

“Ten credits,” Peeta said.

Mrs. Evangeline took out her credits and paid Peeta. “Thank you and happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.”

“Thank you, you too.” Peeta waved as Mrs. Evangeline left.

“Finally,” Norma Jean exclaimed.

Peeta shrugged not wanting to give anything away.

“I thought she’d never leave,” Norma Jean huffed.   

He feigned innocence.

“Okay hot stuff, what happened? And don’t spare any details. I know Katniss has been coming here every Saturday for the past three years.”

Norma Jean wasn’t wrong. Katniss had been coming to the bakery every Saturday.  She’d knock on his door precisely at nine in the morning. They would talk and sometimes she’d linger to drink tea. Recently he began showing her some new recipe he’d been working on.

Peeta grabbed a cleanser and a squeegee and wiped down the counter.

“Uh-uh…none of those diversionary tactics!”

Peeta put his hands in the air.

“Go on, what happened?” Norma Jean fixed with him the mommy glare.

“We kissed,” Peeta whispered.

“What,” she screeched. “When?”

“Last week.”

“Okay, more!”

“Katniss came to the door, we traded, we drank tea. I introduced her to my newest creation. These cheese buns. And I saw that same sparkle in her eyes, as the night of the Fair. I do not exactly know how it happened. But we kissed.” How precisely their lips met Peeta was still fuzzy on that, but he did recall the desire and longing that shot through him like the fireworks that lit the sky at Thanksgiving. Her lips were soft and warm, and he marveled once more at the taste of wild berries, sweet and tart, crisp and delicious.   

“Good for you,” Norma Jean said. “Are you guys going to talk today, going to, you know, talk about getting together?”

“I hope so. I’ve waited so long for her to see me, and not just as a friend.”

“I’m so happy for you,” Norma Jean said. Her eyes looked past him above him at the clock, and she groaned, picking up her packages. “I’m late, I have to drop this off at your mother’s house.”

“Good luck,” Peeta grinned.

“Nothing to it,” she rubbed her expanded belly. “Your mother is always rainbows and hearts when I’m pregnant. She keeps on expecting a girl. Sadly, I keep on producing strong Mellark men, much to your father’s delight. He loves his grandchildren. But not as much as your brother loves to keep me fat and round.”

“Norma Jean, you’re not fat,” Peeta replied.

“And that’s why my wife prefers you over me.” Graham came into the shop with his twin boys, one in each arm. Their other child was wrapped around his ankle.

Norma Jean patted Peeta’s hand. “Graham is the grouchy one and Rye is the wild one and you, Peeta are the good Mellark. You’re the hot goods every girl in District Twelve wants to get her grubby hands on, but only one can have.”

“Please don’t call my baby brother hot in front of me,” Graham whined.

Norma Jean grinned wickedly. “Sorry Graham we both know that even Rye with all of his wild ways isn’t as hot as Peeta.”

“Evil woman,” Graham said, handing one of his boys to Peeta.

“Hey buddy!” Peeta grabbed Malcom and tossed him in the air. 

“Uncle Peeta,” his twin brother Marvin shouted. “Me, I’m next.”

Martin who was wrapped around Graham’s ankle popped up, “Me too, me too.”

Peeta loved his nephews.

“Boys,” Norma Jean said with that firm mommy voice they listened to.

“Yes mama?” All boys said with rapt attention.

“Your uncle is working. He will wrestle with you tomorrow,” Norma Jean said.  

All three boys nodded their pale blue eyes wide with excitement.

“Here’s a cookie for each of you,” Peeta said, taking three plain cookies out. Norma and Graham were careful about the sugar the kids ate. “Why don’t you guys sit at the table and eat the cookies?”

All three of them scampered to the table and sat, eating.

“So if uncle Peeta comes over then maybe mommy and me can…”

“Nope,” Norma Jean said. “Peeta and mommy have serious girl stuff going on.”

“Seriously,” Graham settled his eyes on Peeta. “What the heck? What kind of pull do you have over the ladies?”

“I told you Peeta’s the hot one,” Norma Jean winked. But then placed a playful kiss on Graham’s lips.

Graham stared lovingly into Norma Jean’s eyes then turned to Peeta and playfully growled, “She’s mine, all mine.”

“I know,” Peeta shrugged. “Besides, she’s not my type.”

“I’m not,” Norma Jean said. Then she stood on tiptoe to place a small kiss on Graham’s chin. “If we leave the kids today at grampa’s, maybe we can have a private chat about my candy shop, after we close at noon?”

“Oh,” Graham said, his voice brightening.  

Peeta was grossed out by the innuendo.

“Okay, Mellark Clan, march out,” Graham said. “We’re going to grandpa’s.”

The store emptied of his brother’s family, but then the customers came in filling the store for two solid hours. As the time neared 9 o’clock, Peeta started whistling.

Nothing could get him down.  

He had the tea prepared, he had cream, and plenty of sugar. Peeta grimaced. How Katniss could drink her tea that way, he didn’t know, but Katniss loved her tea with loads of cream and sugar. He whistled as he wiped down the display cases.

He looked at the clock, 9 o’clock. His gut twisted, anticipating her soft knock. But it didn’t come. He put his cloth away and walked to the back door.

He opened the door looking to see if he could spot her trademark bag or braided hair. He worried something was wrong. Katniss wouldn’t have stayed away. He knew kissing her could have been a mistake and maybe she was regretting the kiss. Peeta shook his head. This was different. Something felt off and he didn’t know what it was. He couldn’t put his finger on it either.

Peeta looked at the clock, she was fifteen minutes late. Katniss was never late; she was alway punctual. He was truly worried, maybe she’d gotten into another argument with her mother over her single status. Mrs. Everdeen was dogged in her search for a husband for Katniss. All of the men Mrs. Everdeen picked for Katniss were strong minded individuals. Men who liked to be in charge. Peeta chuckled, Katniss didn’t need a domineering guy. Anyone with her same fire would cause them both to combust. 

These four years Peeta had gotten to know Katniss, and from what he gleaned she  needed someone who treated her as equal or someone to balance her fire. Someone who understood the value of partnership. Peeta hoped he was that man for her. 

He once more looked at the clock and another five minutes went by. Foreboding crept inside of his being, causing the hairs of his neck to stand on end. The last time he felt that was right before the fire. Something was wrong. 

“Where are you, Kat?” Peeta asked. He had half a mind to close the shop and walk to her home in the Seam. 

The bell to the front door rang. He sighed then went to the front. Though his mind was made up, he was going to close up shop and head to the Seam as soon as he finished with the patron waiting for him.  

“Dad?”

“Son,” his father glanced at him and there was concern in his eyes.

His father hardly came to the bakery now that he had retired. His parents moved to a house just outside the central market. His father enjoyed gardening and canning. He enjoyed his little group of other gardeners. His mother didn’t like the sedate life but she didn’t really have much of a say.

“What’s going on dad?”

“I came to check on you,” his father searched his eyes.

“Dad, you’re acting weird,” Peeta said, frowning. 

His father was uneasy, his feet shifted, his hands were buried deep in his pocket, and there was something about the way that his dad looked at him reminded Peeta of the day that his dad sat him down and talked about what it meant to be the third son of a baker. It was one of the hardest conversations they’d ever had. Peeta loved the bakery, loved the smell of yeast, and yes even though he didn’t like the heat, he loved the smell of the hot ovens. There was something immensely enjoyable about seeing the awe and wonder in a customer’s face when he delivered a cake for a special occasion. 

He hoped one day to see that same awe and wonder in Katniss’ face, if he could only find her talk to her.

His father cleared his throat.

“What is it dad?” Peeta said, walking to the shop door and flipping the sign from open to close. He closed the door. Peeta squared his shoulders waiting for whatever news his father had for him.

“Son,” his father drifted off. He closed his eyes then said, “…it’s about Katniss…”

“What about Katniss,” Peeta couldn’t believe how calm his voice was. He should have been freaking out. His father knew how important Katniss was to him, though he didn’t know the extent of their friendship.

“She’s been arrested.”

That feeling in his gut that told him Katniss wasn’t okay, caused Peeta’s senses to sharpen. He needed to help her get out of trouble. He stalked to the cash register as if it was his mortal enemy, opening the drawer he took out all of the credits and emptied it into a bag. “I’m going to Darius; what’s her bail?”

 “She was caught last night in the middle of the night, with squirrels, poaching.”

Peeta’s heart stopped beating. She’d been hunting for him. At least now he knew Katniss wasn’t running from him. His mind quickly formulated a plan. He walked to the back and put his coat on. As he walked, he talked, “Fine I can talk to Haymitch, tell him why.”

“Son,” his father’s grave voice let Peeta know there was more. His father put his hands on his shoulder. Peeta was still. He didn’t want to know more but he knew he needed to listen. “Her mother.”

“What has she done now?” Peeta didn’t wait; he shook his head. “No, I need to see Haymitch.” Peeta ran out of the back door and speedily ran to the Justice Building. He tore up the stairs taking them two at a time. She’d spent the night in jail.

He didn’t even bother talking to Haymitch’s assistant Anna.

“Mr. Mellark, you can’t go in there,” Anna stood.

Peeta had never been uncourteous to anyone. He was always kind, always aware of other’s feelings. It’s why his mother thought him soft, but he wasn’t really. Not when it came to Katniss. He loved her, and for Katniss he would give up his life.

“Anna,” Peeta growled, and her eyes opened wide as if she’d encountered a feral beast in the meadow.

She stepped to the side.

Peeta barged right through into Haymitch’s office. The last time he’d been here he was eighteen. Desperate to help Katniss. He wasn’t a kid anymore; he was a man, a man who was willing to move heaven and earth for the woman he loved.

Haymitch had a drink on his desk, and an opened bottle. Another was tossed into the waste paper basket. His office smelled of malt whisky and white liquor. Peeta hadn’t seen Haymitch drunk in years. Not since he was fifteen.  His eyes swept the room and he noted Haymitch was not alone.

Mrs. Everdeen and her sister Primrose stood in a corner. Mrs. Everdeen looked surprised to see him. Her pale blue eyes were like stones in a river, hard and cold. Her sister Primrose stood away from her mother. Her arms clamped around her middle. Her eyes were red rimmed and her nose was bright red. The rest of her, her face, hands, and legs looked pale, ashen really.

“I was wondering how long it would take you to get here,” Haymitch rasped gruffly.

“Where’s Katniss?” he demanded.

“Boy, sit, have a drink,” Haymitch said, pointing to the two chairs in front of his desk.

“No, where’s Katniss and how much to bail her out?”

Haymitch rubbed his face. “When I took this job on I did it because I knew that the people didn’t trust Cray or any Head Peacekeepers to make the laws just. I set up this position for each district so that they could have one of their own to make decisions on their cases. I specifically set it up with loopholes so that no party could have the ultimate power over the other.”

Haymitch gave Mrs. Everdeen a scathing look.

Mrs. Everdeen lifted her nose. “I only did what was right. She was poaching.” Her voice was filled with indignation, as if she couldn’t understand why she was being reprimanded.   

“Eudora, what you did was send an innocent girl into hell because of your stupid pride. You’re no better than the folks that tossed you out into the street when you chose to marry Jack,” Haymitch barked.

Peeta noted how Eudora blinked and her eyes flickered with momentary pain before they went back to that cool indifference. Katniss had a similar look, but unlike Mrs. Everdeen’s which held no personality depth, Katniss’ look always showed a small bit of vulnerability, compassion, fiery resistance and some trace of emotion. Peeta could spend a lifetime examining Katniss’ smallest gestures.

“What happened, Haymitch, where’s Katniss?”

“I don’t see why he should be here,” Eudora said coolly.

“He has every right to be here,” Haymitch said, standing up. “That boy is the one fella your daughter loves.”  

Eudora’s eyes widened with shock and she looked at Peeta, really looked at him as if seeing him for the first time. She shook her head, “No, not him, she doesn’t love him. She doesn’t even know him.”

“She does, mama,” Primrose said.

“Katniss was caught poaching for me,” Peeta said quietly. “Every Saturday she comes to my shop and we trade, and talk…” Peeta looked at Haymitch, “Where is she? I need to see her?”

Her mother suddenly looked pale.

“Eudora tipped Darius about Katniss poaching on Fridays late in the evening. I guess she thought Darius wasn’t going to do anything and filed a complaint to Panem’s Bureau of Justice. It got to Crane; that bastard ordered me to hand her over for justice.”

“No,” Peeta roared. He stood up, his eyes landing on Mrs. Everdeen. Prim stood at his side.

“No,” Prim said quietly.

His hands were stretched out resting on Mrs. Everdeen’s neck.

“Boy,” Haymitch ordered.

Mrs. Everdeen’s eyes were wider than saucers. Her body trembled underneath his fingers. There were horror stories about landing in the clutches of Seneca Crane. “Do you realize Katniss can be killed because she was bringing me squirrels.” His voice cracked. Tears stung his eyes. He let go of Mrs. Everdeen and sat in the chair.

“Momma, you’d done wrong.”

“Primrose, I wasn’t going to let her stop you from marrying. I wasn’t going to let her…”

“MOMMA!” Primrose squeaked.

Mrs. Everdeen became quiet.

“If you bothered to get to know Katniss, you would know that she would never stop me from getting married if that’s what I wanted. You would know that all Katniss wants is for me to be happy. Yes, I got mad at her for walking in on me and Vick.” Prim stopped, wiping the tears from her face. “But I know she did it because she loves me and she did not want me to foolishly get pregnant.” Prim squared her shoulders.

Peeta raised an eyebrow; he’d never seen this side to Katniss’ sister. Prim was a sweet girl, innocent, loving and caring. The girl before him had grit and integrity, something she learned from Katniss. Prim leveled a look at her mother before turning to look at Peeta.

“Yesterday she said she knew what it was like to get carried away in the arms of a man that loved you so much it hurt. She knew what it was like to give into pleasure so deep without thought of the future. She told me she didn’t want me to go through the worry of a pregnancy scare.”

Peeta’s hands gripped the arm of the chair he sat in. Katniss thought she was pregnant. He could just imagine her terror. He thought she’d been avoiding him because of the fire; he didn’t know it was because she didn’t know if they’d made a baby together. Katniss was right to be scared. They weren’t ready back then. He had no future and she still had her sister to rear. He looked up to Prim and nodded acknowledging her words.

“You and Katniss,” her mother sounded brittle.

“No Momma, don’t redirect; look at me,” Prim ordered.

Mrs. Everdeen looked at her youngest daughter.

“If you would have taken the time to get to know your eldest daughter, you’d know she sacrificed herself for me.  I made her promise me that after I graduated that she would follow her dreams. Katniss promised me,” Prim looked at Peeta. “She’d promised me she’d talk to you, Peeta.”

“I,” Mrs. Everdeen said.

“Katniss helped me, after I graduate, I was going to go to District 3. Dr. Jensen helped me get into an accelerated course in medicine. Everything is set up.” Prim’s voice sounded watery, she had tears running down her face. “Now I can’t go knowing my sister is in the hands of that butcher.”

Mrs. Everdeen flinched.  

Peeta stood and gently held Prim in his arms as she cried. “I don’t understand how you could do this to Katniss. I don’t understand how you could betray her when all she’s ever done is to put food on your table and keep a roof over your head. She is the most selfless person. The most loyal. All Katniss has ever done is tried to protect her family, yet you betrayed her.”

“I did it for her own good. I didn’t betray her.” Mrs. Everdeen stood straighter. “This new regime, it may not last forever. There are men like Seneca Crane out there who are vying for power. What if one of them becomes president and then we end up worse? Katniss is a foolish child. I had to do what I thought was best for Katniss, and taking away her ability to hunt was the only way I could think of to get her to think…to see how dangerous this world was.”

“What you did was feed her to the wolves,” Peeta spat. “They called my mother the witch, but you lady, you are a cold hearted bitch.”

Mrs. Everdeen’s eyes became colder. “Primrose we are leaving.”

“No momma,” Prim said, shaking her head. “I’m not going back to that house. I’m gonna to do everything in my power for my sister.” 

“How long?” Peeta asked Haymich.

“A year,” Haymitch sighed. He looked tired and drained as he spoke, “Maybe less for good behavior.”  

“Where?” Peeta asked.

“District Two.”

Hope bloomed in Peeta’s chest. “My brother is in District 2, maybe he can watch out for Katniss, keep an eye on her, and make sure nothing happens to her.”

“You think Rye would do that?”

“Yeah, he would,” Peeta said. Then he turned to Haymitch and  asked, “What happens when… if she gets out for good behavior?”

“If Crane’s people let her go for good behavior, and I doubt it’ll happen, Katniss will be paroled and required to work the rest of her sentence.”

“I want her assigned to me. She can work off the rest of her parole in my bakery. She can live under my roof and I can take care of her.”

“Okay I can do that.” Haymitch sat down at his desk. He pushed the bottle and the glass into the waste paper basket. He took out a form.

“Wait, what’s going on,” Mrs. Everdeen said.

“There’s no way I’m going to give up on Katniss. When she gets out of there she’s going to need a home, a place where she can be safe, and know that she’s wanted and loved.”

“What will your mother say?”

“My mother has no decision in the bakery or how it’s run. The bakery became mine last year when my father and Rye signed it over to me. Believe me, I’m going to make a Katniss campaign and when she comes back everyone in town will welcome her with open arms.”

“Haymitch,” Prim said, stepping out of Peeta’s arms. She sat in the chair facing his desk. “You said Seneca might not let her be released for good behavior. Does that mean he will make sure that she serves out her full sentence?’

“Yes, that rat bastard makes all of his victims pay.” Haymitch set the paperwork aside. His eyes though, were churning as if he was working on a puzzle.

“Then how can we make sure, or what can we do to make certain Crane has to shorten my sister’s sentence?” Prim asked on the edge of her chair. 

“What are you thinking about?” Peeta asked, sitting down in the empty chair. 

Haymitch opened his drawer and pulled out a slim electronic device. Because District 12 was the outlying district, and it was the poorest one, it dealt mostly with papers. However, there were things that needed to be done with the fancy electronics that the Capitol favored. 

Peeta had a computer at the bakery, it was one of the first things he splurged on. It helped him maintain his accounting and supplies. It also was a way for him to get incontact with his brother in District Two.

“This is a computer, and it contains all of the bylaws of Panem. When we set up the justice system, I wanted to make sure there was a catch. Our newly appointed President Paylor helped come up with this. I had forgotten about it until this moment, Prim.”

“What is it?” Prim asked, voicing what Peeta was asking himself.

“Ha!” Haymitch said triumphantly. “There is a clause in the law that stipulates that family members can step in and volunteer for family in case they unjustly fall into the hands of Panem’s Bureau of Justice. Your sister was caught with two squirrels at the time she was caught poaching. Now poaching is a serious offense. But squirrel hunting is completely legal. In fact it just happens to be hunting season for the little critters.”

“So in reality all Katniss did was get caught crossing the fence,” Peeta said.

“And that is a lesser offence than poaching.” Haymitch turned to Primrose. “Which means that her conviction is unjust and a family member can volunteer to work some of her time off here in the district. If someone volunteers, Katniss’ hard labor sentence will be cut in half, but she’ll still have to be paroled.”

“Six months of labor?” Prim whispered, before looking to Haymitch and asking. “Will I be able to finish school?”

“I don’t see why not, we just need someone to take you in for six months for you to work for them for free.”

“No,” Mrs. Everdeen said.

“I’m seventeen Momma, well past the age of consent in Panem,” Prim said.

“I forbade you,” Mrs. Everdeen said, stomping her foot.

“Haymitch, I volunteer for my sister. I volunteer to work off of her debt.”

“YOU CAN’T!” 

Prim turned to her mother. “This is all your doing Momma, if you’d let Katniss alone, she’d be with Peeta now talking about the future. Talking to the man she loved about a toasting, children, everything she denied herself for a long time. But you wanted to punish her. You wanted to punish her for looking like Papa, for being his daughter. For always doing the right thing even if it meant going against your archaic wishes. Now you will take the punishment the way I am sure Katniss took hers, with dignity.” Turning to Haymitch Prim said, “Where do I sign?”

Mrs. Everdeen cried, and ran out of the room.

Peeta turned to Prim. “Will she be alright?”

“No,” Prim said. “But Katniss was right; our mother is selfish. I didn’t see it until now. She thinks what she did is justified, that she did the right thing. But she didn’t and now it’s up to us to save Katniss.”

“You’re a lot like her,” Peeta said.

“Thank you, that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me,” Prim said.

“I think we need to get my sister-in-law,” Peeta said to Haymitch.

“Norma Jean,” Haymitch said.

My sister-in-law is pregnant with her fourth child. She said she is ready to give birth any time. Anyways, her sister Virginia’s getting married in a month to Jason Swanson, the railroad engineer’s son. Once she gets married, she’s going to work full time there, which means my brother will be alone in the store. They’re going to need help, and I know Norma Jean would never treat you poorly. She’s the only one I trust to help out. My brother Graham will pretty much do anything Norma Jean says.”

“Anne,” Haymitch barked.

Anne walked in, “Yes, Mr. Abernathy?”

“Go have one of Darius’ do-gooders get Peeta’s brother and sister-in-law here,” Haymitch grabbed another piece of paper. “We’re going to save Sweetheart’s butt.”

Peeta sat back, but he knew the battle was far from over. That night he called his brother. His brother was like him, but his features weren’t as soft. His face was angular, and his blonde hair was darker and it was curlier, though you couldn’t tell since he was sporting a buzz cut.

“Hey Peeta,”

“Rye I need…”

“Don’t I know. I heard about Katniss. It’s all everyone is talking about. The girl whose mother betrayed her for you. I’m kind of a celebrity now.”  

“You saw her?”

“No, she’s been put deep in the tunnels. The star squad is so deep they don’t surface for months at a time. Communication down there is only done when necessary.”

“Will you keep me apprised if you do see her, take care of her for me?” Peeta asked.

Rye nodded then he said, “Did Graham really say yes to Primrose staying with him?”

“Yeah,” Peeta smiled ruefully. He was tired and he wished he could have done more.

“Huh, was it Norma Jean?”

“No, he volunteered when he heard what happened to Katniss, before I could even ask.”

“Really, I guess he’s not like mom.”

“Nope, if he were like mom he would have married Esme Smith.”

Rye laughed. “I forgot about Esme; man you know she popped my cherry.”

“Rye, really, I don’t need to know your escapades,” Peeta joked but it didn’t reach his eyes. Rye was trying to make him feel better, but it wasn’t working.

“Look Peeta, I know Katniss is your girl, and I promise, in fact all of the guys in my squad, in all of the squads know how special she is, they told me if they’ll take care of her.”

“Except for the guys working under Crane,” Peeta muttered. He closed his eyes. He wanted to punch the wall, wanted to scream.

“Just hang in there, Katniss is strong, she’s tough. For any girl of twelve to brave the forest and hunt animals with the threat of predatory beasts to put food on the table, that takes bigger balls than I have.”

“Thanks Rye,” Peeta whispered.

“I’ve got to go, but maybe the next time tell Graham that what he did for Prim was great.”

“I will.”

The communication went off. Peeta sighed and leaned back. He looked up at the darkened sky just beyond his bedroom window. “Hang in there Katniss. Please hang in there,” he whispered brokenly.

A lot of things could happen in six months. Katniss could be beaten mercilessly. She could be raped by one of the prisoners or even by a sadistic guard. She could catch a disease and die. The fear he’d been fighting threaded through him and for the first time in all of his life he was unsure of the future. Sleep was not an option for him tonight and he couldn’t celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow. Not with the love of his life in some hellhole beneath the earth.

Getting up, he began to clean and sometime around midnight he decided to make bread for the children tomorrow; that would keep his mind occupied. The next six months were going to be the hardest of his life.

[infinite-xerath]

Xerath Interactions For Every Champ

I’ve done this before, but since we have some new characters and reworks, I figure I’d go and give this another shot.

Aatrox: “Just like the empire you served, Aatrox, you are now but a shadow of greatness.”

Ahri: “The temptations of flesh do not sway me, fox.”

Akali: “Flee into your smoke, girl; it will not hide you from me!”

Alistar: “You are not yet free of your chains, minotaur; join me, and reap your revenge!”

Amumu: “Friends will inevitably betray you, child...”

Anivia: “I needed only one rebirth to achieve greatness!”

Annie: “You hold great potential, child...”

Aphelios: “You conjure weapons from another realm? Show me more.”

Ashe: “You would unite your homeland, but I shall unite the world!”

Aurelion Sol: “I acknowledge your strength, star dragon, but I am power incarnate!”

Azir: “Cling to your precious Sun, Azir; I have no more need of it!”

Bard: “You may witness my triumph, storyteller, but do not interfere!”

Blitzcrank: “Such a crude golem...”

Brand: “A power rivaling even my own... I think I shall take it!”

Braum: “Cower behind your shield; it makes no difference!”

Caitlyn: “Mine is the only law that matters!”

Camille: “I will tear that gem from your chest, machine...”

Cassiopeia: “You sought power in the tomb, serpent, and you found me.”

Cho’Gath: “You think to devour me, beast? I welcome you to try!”

Corki: “I shall blast that infernal machine from the sky!”

Darius: “You are the mightiest warrior of Noxus? How underwhelming.”

Diana: “I tore the Sun from the sky. Shall I treat the moon in-kind?”

Dr. Mundo: “Abomination! You dare to approach me?”

Draven: “Look upon me, mortal, and witness TRUE greatness.”

Ekko: “The power to control time, in the hands of a mere child!? I shall rectify this at once.”

Elise: “You think yourself immortal? Allow me to enlighten you.”

Evelynn: “I will teach you TRUE agony, demon.”

Ezreal: “Surrender that gauntlet, boy, or I will claim it from your ashes.”

Fiddlesticks: “Fear? I have cast such emotions aside.”

Fiora: “Nobility means nothing to a god.”

Fizz: “Your childish antics end here, creature!”

Galio: “You consume magic, but even a titan has limits!”

Gangplank: “Yet another dethroned king, grasping for his lost throne...”

Garen: “Crushing Demacia will be child’s play compared to Shurima.”

Gnar: “A primal rage stirs in this whelp... Interesting...”

Gragas: “Such simpletons are beneath my notice.”

Graves: “Another mercenary? Let us put your skills to the test...”

Hecarim: “A horse without its reigns? I shall soon correct that...”

Heimerdinger: “A dull mind with delusions of brilliance.”

Illaoi: “I claimed what was mine. Now, the world will move as I will it!”

Irelia: “Entertain me, dancer. That is your purpose, is it not?”

Ivern: “Your influence in the desert is lacking, ‘green father.’”

Janna: “A guardian that relies on the strength of others is meaningless...”

Jarvan IV: “What is a king to a god, Demacian? Just a man with fleeting authority.”

Jax: “Join me, Icathian, and I will see the Void itself burned!”

Jayce: “You will not be the first hero I crush, nor the last...”

Jhin: “Mad though you may be, I could offer you a greater stage...”

Jinx: “You think you know chaos, girl? Your rampage is but child’s play.”

Kai’Sa: “If a mere mortal can survive the Void, then destroying it will be easier than I imagined...”

Kalista: “Azir made an oath he could never keep; HE is the betrayer!”

Karma: “They say your wisdom is unrivaled, yet you are still foolish enough to stand against me?”

Karthus: “You mistake eternal damnation for eternal greatness, lich.”

Kassadin: “You fight a battle you cannot win; surrender your relics, and I will finish it in your stead.”

Katarina: “Your sister proved most useful, assassin...”

Kayle: “I answer to no judgement but my own!”

Kayn: “You struggle endlessly for control of one-another; I shall put you both out of your misery!”

Kennen: “You are swift as lightning, yordle, but my fury is the storm!”

Kha’Zix: “I stand at the apex of life; you can never hope to reach my level!”

Kindred: “When next I strike down Azir, ensure he does not return!”

Kled: “A mad yordle on a frightful drakalops? Is this meant to be a threat?”

Kog’Maw: “I shall end your hunger... Along with your existence!”

LeBlanc: “Your petty tricks cannot deceive me, witch!”

Lee Sin: “A pity you cannot see the error in opposing me...”

Leona: “No matter how many avatars of the sun stand against me, I shall strike them all down!”

Lillia: “Dreams are but fleeting fantasies; I have no need of them.”

Lissandra: “You think a prison of ice can hold me? You are sorely mistaken.”

Lucian: “Your weapons may banish the dead, but to me, they are little more than toys!”

Lulu: “I sense the most primal of magics within you, yordle. Where did you obtain it?”

Lux: “Your light is but a spark next to me, girl!”

Malphite: “What sort of imbecile gives life to a mountain?”

Malzahar: “You are no prophet, Malzahar; you are merely a puppet!”

Maokai: “You seek to liberate your home from the dead? That can be arranged...”

Master Yi: “A master of the blade is no match for a master of the arcane!”

Miss Fortune: “Your city requires order, and I alone can restore it.”

Mordekaiser: “You may rule the realm of the dead, but Runeterra is MINE!”

Morgana: “If you would embrace chains, then perhaps you may have mine.”

Nami: “A civilization beneath the sea? Interesting...”

Nasus: “Come to face me again, Nasus? It will end no differently than your prior attempts!”

Nautilus: “I do not pay tribute to false gods!”

Neeko: “My essence is too great for you to handle, trickster.”

Nidalee: “Human, beast, it matters not; you will bow all-the-same!”

Nocturne: “My nightmares ended long ago, demon. Now, yours begin!”

Nunu and Willump: “Naive child. You are merely a pawn, just as I was once...”

Olaf: “No death will immortalize your name, fool; I alone am eternal!”

Orianna: “To preserve your life, you became a mere husk... I almost pity you, machine.”

Ornn: “Forge for me a weapon to shatter these chains, mountain god!”

Pantheon: “You will fall before me, Targonian, just as Asose did...”

Poppy: “The world I create shall have no need of heroes.”

Pyke: “Your mind is already shattered. Now, I shall break the rest of you!”

Qiyana: “Power? Authority? Let me teach you what those words truly mean, child!”

Quinn: “Tell Demacia what you have found, scout. Whatever defenses they prepare, I WILL break!”

Rakan: “Human, vastaya, it matters not; I shall reign over both!”

Rammus: “The beast of legend... Come, let us see if your stories hold true!”

Rek’Sai: “When I am rid of you, the Great Sai will be mine!”

Rell: “Pledge your power to me, child, and let us dismantle Noxus together...”

Renekton: “Do you still recall who imprisoned us, Renekton? Do not forget the root of your hatred...”

Rengar: “I can offer you elusive prey, hunter; her name is Sivir...”

Riven: “You would challenge me with a broken blade? Are all Noxians so foolish?”

Rumble: “Yordles are said to be honored creatures. Looking upon you, I fail to see why.”

Ryze: “The World Runes must be kept from mortal hands... That is why I shall harness their power!”

Samira: “You say I destroyed your home? You will have to be more specific...”

Sejuani: “You survived the harshness of your homeland, just as I survived mine...”

Senna: “Darkness, light, it matters not; no power can rival my own!”

Seraphine: “You seek to unite your home? I will unite the WORLD, child.”

Sett: “You fight for entertainment? Very well... Entertain me.”

Shaco: “I will not indulge your twisted games, jester. Perish!”

Shen: “I alone can bring stability to this world.”

Shyvana: “Such power... Why do you waste it in service to imbeciles?”

Singed: “You are little more than a walking corpse; I will return you to the grave!”

Sion: “You think you know rage? The Butcher shall enlighten you...”

Sivir: “The kin of Azir, wielding the Chalicar... You cannot be allowed to live!”

Skarner: “So the Brackern are more than a fable... But only just.”

Sona: “A fine instrument... Go on then. Play for your emperor.”

Soraka: “You bound yourself to flesh and blood, but I have surpassed it!”

Swain: “Vision, might, guile... I am the embodiment of your ideals, general.”

Sylas: “You and I are much alike... Stand with me, and Demacia WILL fall.”

Syndra: “Your magic is potent, Syndra, but your mind is dull and clouded!”

Tahm Kench: “You have nothing to offer me, demon. Begone from my sight!”

Taliyah: “You will tell me where she went, child, or I will pry it from your dying breaths!”

Talon: “You are not the first assassin I have faced...”

Taric: “My radiance far surpasses any gem, Targonian.”

Teemo: “Your tricks cannot hide you forever, yordle...”

Thresh: “No prison can hold me, least of all your frail lantern.”

Tristana: “You wish to become a soldier? That can be arranged...”

Trundle: “You think yourself clever, troll? That you would provoke me says otherwise.”

Tryndamere: “Mightier warriors have failed to best me. You shall fare no better.”

Twisted Fate: “You confuse petty tricks for magic, gambler. That was your greatest and final mistake!”

Twitch: “It seems the Voidborn are not the only vermin I must exterminate...”

Udyr: “Do you truly control the spirits within, or do they control you?”

Urgot: “I am the ONLY one with the might to stand above all others.”

Varus: “A mighty Sunborn, reduced to a squabbling trio of corpses...”

Vayne: “YOU are Demacia’s protector from darkness? This will be easier than I had imagined...”

Veigar: “You think yourself evil incarnate? How amusing...”

Vel’Koz: “Not even YOUR twisted mind could fathom the secrets I possess.”

Vi: “To think a city that prides itself on brilliance would birth a brute such as you...”

Viego: “You are but the shadow of a man clinging to petty emotions; you are CERTAINLY no king.”

Viktor: “I alone have achieved perfection, and perfection cannot be copied.”

Vladimir: “I congratulate you on your mastery of the most primitive spellcraft known to man.”

Volibear: “Even the storm bends to my will!”

Warwick: “Another dog to hound me? I shall return you to your leash!”

Wukong: “No level of skill may rival pure power, ape!”

Xayah: “Human, vastaya, it matters not; I shall reign over both!” 

Xin Zhao: “They say your will is unbreakable... I beg to differ.”

Yasuo: “What do you know of the girl called Taliyah?”

Yone: “You come to me seeking answer? Prove you are worthy of them!”

Yorick: “You would fight the undead... By raising the undead? Imbecile.”

Yuumi: “The book shall be mine, cat!”

ZAC: “What manner of twisted sorcery gave rise to an abomination such as this?”

Zed: “I will burn away your shadows and armor, and expose you for the weakling you are!”

Ziggs: “I may have use for weapons such as yours...”

Zilean: “You saved your people from the Void, only to imprison them beyond time? Icathia truly was a land of fools...”

Zoe: “Celestial magic is not a plaything, girl!”

Zyra: “The desert is no place you. Return to the jungle, or be pruned.”

[mtk4fun]

Katniss Everdeen’s Mental Health Toolbox

I’ve probably read The Hunger Games trilogy at least a dozen times now. And what’s become more and more apparent to me with every reading is the vast quantities of mental health advice that author Suzanne Collins has woven throughout the books. In these particular times, it might be useful to remind ourselves of the things that helped Katniss survive the circumstances she endured. Below is a compilation in no particular order. Katniss pays attention to the good. So I focus on the one really good thing that’s happened since I landed in the arena. I have a bow and arrows! (THG p. 19)

She uses self-talk to calm herself. I use a technique one of the doctors suggested. I start with the simplest things I know to be true and work toward the more complicated. The list rolls in my head…

My name is Katniss Everdeen. I am seventeen years old. My home is in District 12. I was in the Hunger Games. I escaped. The Capitol hates me. Peeta has been taken prisoner. He is thought to be dead. Most likely he is dead. It is probably for the best if he is dead… (Mockingjay p. 4)

She mentally stops scary thoughts until she is better able to deal with them. I push the thought (about Cinna’s death) away because it’s impossibly painful to dwell on without losing my fragile hold on the situation entirely. (Mockingjay p. 12)

She uses activity as a distraction. “Want to hear them do a real song?” I burst out. Anything to stop those memories. (Mockingjay p. 122)

He (Finnick) sits under the safety light in his space, knotting his rope, not even pretending to rest…“The more you can distract yourself, the better, he says.” (Mockingjay 154 &156)

She uses happy memories to calm her troubled spirit. I sit on the side of my bed (after discovering Darius is an Avox), elbows on my knees, forehead on my fists, and watch the glowing suit in the darkness, imagining I am in my old home in District 12, huddled beside the fire. (Mockingjay p. 218-219)

She uses the technique of acting “as if” to give her courage. I want to run away...But there’s no one here but me. I try to capture the calm demeanor my mother assumes when handling particularly bad cases. (THG p. 256)

She stills her fears through sensory means. I know velvet because my mother has a dress with a collar made of the stuff. When I sit on the (velvet) couch, I can’t help running my fingers over the fabric repeatedly. It helps to calm me…(THG p. 34)

I sit back on my bed cross-legged and find myself rubbing the smooth iridescent surface of the pearl back and forth across my lips. For some reason it’s soothing. (Mockingjay p. 33)

She recognizes that physical touch brings comfort in times of distress. Finally, Gale is here and maybe there is nothing romantic between us, but when he opens his arms I don’t hesitate to go in. His body is familiar to me. (THG p. 38)

…the warmth of Rue at my side, her head cradled on my shoulder, have given me a sense of security. I realize, for the first time, how very lonely I’ve been in the arena. How comforting the presence of another human being can be. (THG p. 209)

We manage the darkness as we did in the arena wrapped in each other’s arms, guarding against danger that can descend at any moment. (CF p.72 )

I wake screaming from nightmares of mutts and lost children. But his arms are there to comfort me. (Mockingjay p. 388)

She recognizes that she has emotions and takes an inventory of them. I dig around inside myself, trying to register anger, hatred, longing. I only find relief. (Mockingjay p. 384)

She feels her grief. Out of nowhere, the tears begin to pour down my cheeks. “She’s dead.” (Mockingjay p. 386)

She spends time in nature, relishing its healing properties. The woods became our savior, and each day I went a bit further into its arms. (THG p. 51)

We could be above ground. Out in the woods. We could be ourselves again. (Mockingjay p. 36)

It is the old Katniss’s favorite kind of day. The woods awakening after the long winter. (Mockingjay p. 385)

She understands that after loss basic necessities, familiar belongings, and pets can bring comfort. …there were more than enough clean, white living compartments (for the refugees from District 12), plenty of clothing, and three meals a day…..They were safe. They were being cared for. (Mockingjay p. 8)

My mother hugs the wedding photo tightly against her chest and then places it, along with the book of plants, on our government-issued chest of drawers. I hang my father’s jacket on the back of a chair. For a moment, the place seems also like home. (Mockingjay p. 19-20)

Prim just sits on the floor weeping (happy tears) and rocking that awful Buttercup, who interrupts his purring only for an occasional hiss at me. (Mockingjay p. 19)

She values her relationships knowing that they keep her centered. I drink in his (Peeta’s) wholeness, the soundness of his body and mind. It runs through me like the morphling they give me in the hospital, dulling the pain of the last weeks. (Mockingjay p. 22)

This is one of the few good things about 13. Getting Gale back…..we’ve managed to regain our friendship. (Mockingjay p. 28)

She practices her passion, and even views projects as a way to heal. We hunt, like in the old days… it’s about as close to happiness as I think I can currently get. (Mockingjay p. 53)

“Doing the cake was a kind of therapy.” (Mockingjay p. 228)

I tell him (Dr. Aurelius) about my idea for the book…. We (Katniss and Peeta) seal the pages with salt water and promises to live well to make their lives count. Haymitch finally joins us. (Mockingjay p. 387)

She keeps herself busy. I try to follow Dr. Aurelius’ advice, just going through the motions… we learn to keep busy again. Peeta bakes. I hunt. Haymitch drinks until the liquor runs out, and then raises geese until the next train arrives. (Mockingjay p. 387)

She practices forgiveness. I’ve been trying hard to mend my relationship with my mother… My time in the arena made me realize how I needed to stop punishing her for something she couldn’t help, specifically the crushing depression she fell into after my father’s death. Because sometimes things happen to people and they’re not equipped to deal with them. (CF p. 31)

I had to forgive Finnick for his role in the conspiracy that landed me here. …it takes too much energy to stay angry with someone who cries so much. (Mockingjay p. 12)

She accepts the reality of a difficult situation. Just accept that it will be a bad night I tell myself. (THG p. 279).

And yet there’s something calming about the idea that this torment could come to an end. (Mockingjay p. 167)

She learns to live in the present. “That’s one thing I think my head doctor might be right about. (says Johanna) There’s no going back. So we might as well get on with things.” (Mockingjay p. 239)

She learns to avoid self-pity. Finnick and I sit a long time in silence…”How do you bear it?” …“Better not to give into it. It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart.” (Mockingjay p. 156)

Katniss counts her blessings.  …on bad mornings, it feels impossible to take pleasure in anything because I’m afraid it could be taken away. That’s when I make a list in my head of every act of goodness I’ve seen someone do. It’s like a game. Repetitive. Even a little tedious after more than twenty years.  (Mockingjay p. 390)

[lovely-tothe-bone]

From an analytical standpoint I think some of the hardest deaths too (for me) are the other tributes in the 74th games, I think about how much Cato suffered and Peeta talking about their deaths in mockingjay. They were a victim of the system, and I think it is cruel in a different way than what Katniss went through in 12 because in the career districts they're raised to think dying in the hunger games is an honor. can you imagine teaching children that? i loved your previous ask so now I'm here

Cato's is the most gruesome because we know what's happening and how long it goes for. That's why Darius and Lavinia's affect me so much. I mean, the Games itself is essentially torture so you have that prolonged fear and hunger and pain. And then to die the way Cato did.

I truly can't imagine. I grew up very rough and so it's always been my aim to provide my kids the safety and innocence every child deserves. I would definitely not be having kids if I lived in Panem.

Always glad to hear others thoughts and feelings, thanks for sharing 🙂

[everlarkbirthdaygifts]

Happy Birthday, bandathebillie!

Apologies for the short delay in posting your fic, @bandathebillie! We hope you had a wonderful birthday, and celebrated in style! To keep your party going a little while longer, the lovely @herainab has written a story just for you!

Title: The Relationship Plan

Gift for bandathebillie who requested Catching Fire AU. This is part one with more to come.

I hope you have a wonderful birthday and enjoy a sweet hit of Everlark!

Premise: Peeta proposes a relationship plan to Katniss leading up to their Victory tour to try and beat President Snow at his own game. But there is more behind the love timeline than Katniss realises.

---

Thunder booms and the lightning lights up the late evening sky in the far distance.

The tears stream down my face.

There's a massive delivery sitting on my front porch. Packages covered in the official Capitol seal. Boxes filled with unimaginable things. Winter clothing that isn’t threadbare and worn. Food that could feed all of The Seam residents. There are things in there that I never imagined I'd own. 

This is my second delivery from The Capitol after being home for just 8 weeks. The first was just food and gifts from admirers. This is the first full package filled with our talent items, more clothing, food and anything else my mother ordered after I threw the forms at her.

I have electricity constantly. Running hot water. A fireplace to keep us warm with firewood cut and at the ready when the winter chill fills the air.

I have a house that could fit my home in the seam inside it several times. My own room with a soft mattress. A pillow that is not too soft but not too hard. Sheets and blankets that are made of the most beautiful silk.  

I don’t deserve any of this.

I stare at the boxes left on the porch, and I see them all. Rue, Thresh, Foxface, Glimmer, Clove.... they died for me to have this. To live a life of luxury. I don't have to worry about how I'm going to feed Prim. How I'm going to clothe her for the winter. What items I'm going to need to trade.

Mom and Prim are in town assisting in a delivery. I’ve been at our Seam house hiding out, unable to face my District. The fence has been on since we’ve returned. The children have just returned back to school after a happy summer. Families have been well fed and are enjoying extra portions of their rations.

But it’ll come to an end when a new victor is crowned, and the extra rations are delivered to a new district, and everyone will be left to starve and struggle. There'll be an influx of babies born but nothing to feed them with. Babies will cry in hunger, their mother's milk will dry up quicker than they wish, siblings will stand hollow-cheeked in the streets looking for food, father's wages won't be enough to cover daily expenses of food, the district will be exposed to a simple cold that will wipe a fair few citizens out, young and old.

They'll look to me for hope, but I have no hope to give them. All I can give them is a broken 16-year-old girl who is trying to keep her sister alive while still playing the game.

I can’t keep playing their game.

I turn on my heel, a knot of pain forming in my stomach, the rain has started to fall. I pass his house; he's just returned home from Town and to has received his package.  

“Katniss?” He calls out to me. “Katniss, stop!” He yells after me and gives chase.

“Would you just leave me alone?” I call back to him, tears streaming down my face. I’m hoping I can beat him and put some distance between us.

“Katniss!” He calls after me, chasing me through the Victor Village and towards the fence line.

“Just leave me alone?” I cry as I run, the knot in my stomach is slowing me down, and I'm feeling winded. Thunder sounds close to the District.

I have to keep running. I need to breathe. I need the woods. I need to not be here.

“Katniss, don’t!”

The fence is in my line of sight, and I reach out to duck underneath it, but he catches me, pulling me back before my hand touches the fence.

The electrified fence.

“Stop!” He tells me as I fight his hold on my body. He’s keeping me anchored to his body, trying to calm me down as I thrash in his arms.

"Let me go!" I cry, trying to break free from his hold. "Let me go!"

“I can’t.” He tells me as the thunder roars.

“Please!” I cry. “Just leave me alone.”

A bolt of lightning strikes a tree just inside the fence, splitting it cleanly right down the middle.

I’m too stunned to move and feel Peeta drag me away from the fence towards the safety of one of the empty houses.

We’re in the safety of the house when another strike of lightning hits the place where we were just standing next to the fence, the tree falling onto the fence as well, sending sparks flying and the power in Twelve sparking off.

He breaks a window, unlocking the door and dragging me down into the dark basement.

He allows me to cry it out while we wait out the storm.

I cry, trying to get the big knot out of my stomach but it just aches even more.

“Katniss. Talk to me.” He coaxes, crawling towards me. He's found a torch to light up the basement.

We're soaked to the bone. Covered in mud from head to toe. I'm shivering, but I can't focus on that.

“Katniss, please.”

I cry out a no and hold my knees to my chest.

He doesn’t stray far from me.

I can see he’s conflicted as to whether he should comfort me, wrapping me in his arms or let me cry it out.

I sob, hiccupping, before I bury my face into my knees as the rain continues to fall, the thunder and lightning right on top of us.

The thunder sounds like the canons in the arena.

“No, stop! Stop.” I cry, rocking as the thunder rumbles. “Please!”

I feel my hands pulled from my ears, my face brought towards, and he does the only thing he can think of.

To kiss me.

I focus on his lips. The way he squeezes my wrists and holds me steady as he kisses me. Trying to bring me back to him.

He pulls away slightly, looking me in the eyes and gripping my cheeks. “Stay with me.” He murmurs.

I look into his beautiful blue eyes. Settle on the calming color of the blues and exhale. “Always.”

He brings me to his chest, letting me rest against his chest and holds me as the storm passes. We don’t say a lot but being in each other’s arms is enough to get through the storm.

“What happened?” He asks me.

“I just saw the packages on the porch, and all these emotions filled me. I saw all their faces." I admit to him. "I don't deserve this."

He rubs my back before pushing my hair behind my ear and kisses my forehead.

“Nobody does.” He answers. “All I can think about is the blood on my hands. I can hear the screaming. The pleading to not be killed. The careers laughter. It’s like I’m reliving the arena in a waking nightmare.”

We’ve only been home for eight weeks. The scars may have been polished, but the internal scars will never heal. We'll be able to hear the screams for years.

"That's why Haymitch drinks," Peeta whispers. "To numb the pain." He exhales. "He sleeps with a knife under his pillow, and he doesn't sleep in the darkness because it's all too real for him."

“Will we ever leave the arena?” I ask him.

“No.” He breathes out. “This is our life. Expensive gifts, food to feed us for a lifetime, an allowance and everything else to try and hide the fact that we’re broken inside.”

“How do the other Victor’s survive?”

“I think they just hang on. Get through one day at a time.” He says. “We have to do the same just try and live each day.”

The storm passes, but we stay locked in each other's arms. Our clothes are soaked still, and I start shivering.

“We should get out of these clothes. Your mother will be worried.”

"She hasn't seemed to show a lot of that since I've returned."

“She might not show it or say it, but she does care for you." He reminds me. "She cares about you more than my mother does."

Which is true. I think his own mother was shocked to see him return home. I thought she'd ride alongside him on his win, but she's all but shut him out. They decided before we were even out of the arena that he was moving out on his own.

“Come on.” He says.

I stand first and help him up. We exit the same way we entered the house, and we study the damage done to the window.

“We should probably report the damage.” He says.

"Or it could have been a kid with a ball," I suggest. "We just stumbled across it."

“I’ll go and see Darius tomorrow then.” He says with a slight smile.

He walks alongside me, avoiding the puddles of mud and water.

“Did you want to come over for some stew?” I ask him. “I don’t know how long Mom and Prim will be with the delivery.”

He looks up at me and nods. “Alright.” He smiles slightly. “Let me get changed and I’ll be right over.”

I watch him walk into his house, and I go into my house, avoiding the delivery on the front step and focusing on the stew on the stove while lighting candles around the house.

Peeta arrives with a loaf of bread under his arm, and I watch him slice thick pieces for us to dip into our stew.

The one good thing about having him across the way was the abundance of fresh bread.

“Do you mind watching the stew while I quickly get changed?”

“I’ve got it.” He tells me with a smile. “Take your time.”

I nod, thanking him and heading up to change out of my muddy, rain-soaked clothes.

I dress in flannel pyjama pants and a sweater, knowing Peeta won’t mind the very casual look. I let my hair out of its braid, ridding of any tangles and letting the curls hang over my shoulders and down my back.

I find Peeta has begun to unpack the packages, especially the food and filling our cupboards.

I watch him from the doorway, watch as he quietly works, humming to himself as he flits between the package and the stew on the stovetop.

“You didn’t need to do that.” I say softly, startling him.

“I forgot how light on your feet you are.” He chuckles as he places a small package of flour in the cupboard. “I didn’t want any mice getting into it. Or the food especially.”

“They may as well, there’s more than enough to feed my family for years.”

He nods, and I move to help him unpack the last of the food.

The rest of the package is waiting in the living room. I know Prim will be excited to rifle through it all, trying on clothes, using the pens, claiming books and anything else that we've been gifted.

Peeta dishes up our stew, and we sit across from each other in the kitchen. Our only source of light is from candlelight.

“The last time we sat in near darkness was the cave.” He mentions.

“Hard to believe that was two months ago.” I say, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“I feel like I’ve aged 5 years since we left.”

“Me too.”

It’s mostly silence. We’ve hardly spoken since we’ve returned. Unsure of what to really say.

The train didn't leave us on the best of terms, and I've been cautious of how to broach anything with him. I hurt him. I know that.

But I hope he realises I did it to save his life. To bring him home, despite it not seeming as glamorous as people imagine.

We tidy up, Peeta washes, and I dry the dishes, putting them away.

“What’s the Victory tour going to be like?”

“I’m guessing a lot of speeches, dinners, balls and smiling.” He replies. “People will want to see us.” He swallows the lump in his throat as he hands me a plate. “We’re going to have to present ourselves as being in love, you know?”

I take the plate. “Yeah, I guess we are.”

“They won’t let us go that easily.” He sighs. “Katniss, I wanted to speak to you about my behaviour on the train. I shouldn’t have shut you out. You saved us. I know that.”

“You have nothing to apologise for.” I tell him.

“Katniss, I don’t think you lead me on either.” He whispers.

“What?”

“I know you felt something in that cave.”

I blush slightly. There's no denying that I felt this stirring when we kissed. I felt this type of hunger. I felt my soul awakening. Despite the heat of his fever and blood poisoning, we shared moments we'd never forget.

"It's fine to not understand your feelings." He reassures me. "I don't even think you're certain what was real and not real in the arena, but I feel like most of the kisses weren't for the cameras." He grips my hand, squeezing it and forcing me to smile at him. "We're under a lot of pressure.” He says. “But I hope you know that I’m here beside you through everything we’re going to be going through in the coming months. You can talk to me. Indulge me in those thoughts in your head. Lean on me when you’re scared. Ask me for advice.”

“Ok.”

"I won't break. I think to survive this, we're going to need each other." He sighs. "Only we know what we've been through. Only we understand what we've been through. Those nightmares, dreams, and tears, I'll ward them all away if you ask me too." He tells me. He pushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear and smiles at me. “Don’t shut me out and I won’t do the same.” He leans closer towards me and presses a kiss to my forehead.

I look up at him, staring into his eyes, our hands still connected and I watch as he licks his lips and I lean forward to press my own lips to his own.

“Katniss, you home?” Prim calls out, kicking her boots off in the hallway and coming rushing in. “Oh, Peeta, I wasn’t expecting to see you.” Peeta and I step apart from each other. Prim looks between the two of us.

“Oh, he dropped some bread off, and I invited him to eat with me." I tell her. "I wasn't sure how long you and Mom would be."

“Oh, the labor is going to last a bit longer. Mom sent me home because I have school tomorrow.” Prim tells us. “Is there any stew left?”

“Yeah, I’ll heat you up some. Why don’t you go and shower and it’ll be ready when you get out?”

She nods, giving Peeta and I one last look before she heads off upstairs.

“I should be getting home.” He tells me. “Thanks for dinner.”

“Thanks for saving me tonight.”

“I’ll always save you. In this lifetime and every other lifetime.” He tells me with a small smile.

I follow him to the front door, watch him put his shoes back on, and when he stands, I pull him towards me, pressing a kiss to his lips. Just a soft kiss but a kiss to tell him I appreciate his help today.

“Thank you.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He smiles at me. “Have a nice evening.”

“Night, Peeta.”

I watch him walk home before stepping inside, closing the door behind me.

“You like him!” Prim squeals from the top of the stairs where she’s perched herself to spy on us.

“Prim! What did I tell you about spying on people’s conversations?”

“Oh, lighten up. I was just coming back down for my pyjamas.” She tells me. “I just caught the tail end.”

“You could at least pretend you didn’t hear any of it.” I scowl.

“I think you like him more than you want to admit to me.” She pokes me.

“Prim, just drop it.”

“Ok.” She smirks. “For now.”

“Prim.” I groan as she rushes past me upstairs. “You like him, you like him, you like him.”

I much prefer her childish behaviour than the words she speaks in fear. She's thriving since I've returned and looks like the girl that never spent a day starving in her entire life.

If she had won the games, she'd never survive the life of a victor. She might for the first few years but the Capitol was attracted to beautiful things, and Prim would be one of them. She'd be defiled, used, abused and have her innocence taken away. She wouldn't return as my Little Duck, she'd be this broken

victor.

I wanted to keep her innocence as long as I could because having a broken sister would kill me.

“Fine, I do.”

She squeals and embraces me before running upstairs to shower, and I just shake my head with a slight smile on my face.

---

“Hey, thought I could accompany you two beautiful Everdeen girls into town?” Peeta calls out to us the next week. I said I’d walk Prim to school as I had to get a few things from town.

“Sure, Peeta.” Prim smiles. “What are you up to today?”

“Going to help dad out for a little while at the bakery." He tells us. I look at him with a worried look.

“Oh, are you decorating any cakes?”

“Well, I might be able to make you one especially, Miss Primrose.” He smiles at her.

Prim and Peeta chat mostly, and I feel like the third wheel as we head to town. We both say goodbye to Prim at the crossroads, and she catches up with some of her friends before we head on down the road to town.

“You know this is probably setting an impression on the townsfolk." I comment, noticing how close he is to me.

“Well, we need to keep up with appearances.” He tells me through gritted teeth. We greet a group of children on their way to school.

“What, why?”

“He’s watching us.”

“How?”

“Haymitch caught wind that a whole new team of Peacekeepers are being deployed in the coming week.” He tells me. “He’s also recruiting the help of a lot of cameras, locals and our homes are bugged.”

“What?”

“Last week after the storm, when the Capitol technicians came to fix the power, they added a few features to our homes.” He tells me. “Don’t worry, just the downstairs.” He tells me, shushing me to keep quiet. “Haymitch gave me the heads up.”

“What does this mean?”

"We continue on with our lives the way we have been. We watch what we say inside our homes. We ensure we're careful on what we're doing out in public. We just be on guard as much as possible. Anything relating to the Capitol we don’t speak of in our homes or around anyone we can’t trust.” He tells me.

“And what does that mean for us?”

“Well, if we continue visiting each other, going for walks together into town, keeping up those appearances then I think he should be happy.”  He smiles at me. “Haymitch told me Snow’s not convinced of our love story.”

“Oh, he told you?”

“If we continue the way we’re going, I’m hoping we’ll get him off our back.”

“So you want to continue a fake relationship?”

“I don’t think it’s fake, Katniss.” He says stopping me and grabbing my hands. "I do feel genuine feelings from you. And I hope you recognise my feelings for you are truly genuine." I nod as he cups my jaw with his hand and smiles at me. "No rush or pressure but I want you to know that you are looking quite beautiful today.” He brushes his thumb down my cheek and then presses a quick kiss to my forehead. A small group of peacekeepers are heading along the path towards the school. “Shall we continue into town?”

Peeta nods at the peacekeepers and grabs my hand as we head into town.

I had to admit, it wasn’t so bad. There could be worse people I could be engaged in a fake relationship with.

A group of merchant women have gathered outside the greengrocer. A toddler runs between the women, chasing his older sister who’s not yet school age.

They turn to look at us, noticing our fingers entwined and stop their conversation.

“Good morning to you all.” Peeta greets them as we head for the door of the grocer. He kneels down to be eye to eye with the two kids and smiles at them. “Morning Miss Penny and Mr Darcy.” He greets them, ruffling Darcy’s blond curls and smiling at him. “Hope you are good."

They both nod enthusiastically and Peeta plays a magic trick of pulling a coin from behind their ears. They’re entranced with the trick and Peeta gives them a small coin each.

I watch their mother roll their eyes at the ‘charity’ her children have just received but what Peeta has given them is enough for one sweet each.

I try not to scowl too much and watch as Peeta interacts with the children. My heart flutters inside my chest. I hope he'll one day get to become a father. A father to beautiful blonde haired and blued eyed children.

The women look up at me with the mother reaching down for their hands.

“Come on, Penny and Darcy, we better leave Mr Peeta and Miss Katniss to go about their day.” She reaches down for their hands, pulling them away from us. “We have work to do unlike others around here.”

The women stalk off, their noses held in the air like they’re something of importance.

“They really don’t like the idea of a Seam girl being a Victor do they?”

"No." Peeta replies and opens the door. "But they better get used to it. You are part-merchant."

“That I am.” I agree. “But also someone with a lot of spare change." I say a little too loudly for these women to hear me. "Worth a try." I shrug my shoulders.

Peeta carries the bag, and he accompanies me for the rest of my errands. We call into the bakery for him to say hello to his family and he collects some ingredients from his family, slipping some coin into the register and bidding them goodbye. His mother has just ducked out, and I know he doesn't want to subject me to her.

But we aren’t so lucky.

“Peeta, what brings you here?” His mother asks, stepping through the door. She looks me up and down and crosses her arms over her chest.

“Just saying hello.” He tells her. “How’ve you been?”

“You know, fine.” She purses her lips. “Katniss.”

"Hello, Mrs Mellark."

“What are you doing with my son?”

“She had some errands to run, and I thought I'd help her carry her things back.” He tells her. “Since we’re neighbors now.”

“Right, neighbors." She states. "How is Victor's Village? Cozy I bet?"

“It’s very spacious. You should come and see it for yourself one day.” He tells her. “I’d happily give you a tour of my new home, might even invite you over for dinner. Katniss makes a wonderful stew.”

“Why would I want a meal made by Seam Scum?”

“Mother, I will not have you insult my girlfriend like that.” He tells her, reaching for my hand. I watch the color drain from her face. “And she’s not from The Seam, she’s from Victor’s Village.” He reminds her.

“Just because she’s moved out from The Seam doesn’t mean she’s still not that scum.”

“Mother, I will not have you insult Katniss any further. If you wish to visit us for dinner one evening, you have my number.” He tells her. He takes one of the bags from me. “Come on, Katniss, we have to pick supplies up from the apothecary." He lets me leave first. "Goodbye, mother."

“Slow down, Peeta!” I call after him. We’ve just finished the last of the errands, and he's made a beeline to head back. The conversation with his mother upset him.

But she was insulting me more than him.

“Peeta, just talk to me.” I beg. He shakes his head and walks faster. I try to keep up, matching his strides.

Anytime before I’d had run out on Mrs Mellark. Let her words get to me and would have made my way to the woods.

But I don’t want that woman to reduce me to nothing. Not reacting was the best defence against Mrs Mellark.

I grab his arm and steer him towards the old rotunda. I check to see if it’s been bugged before I speak.

“Peeta, you’re mother is just wicked. She’s a sad woman who will never change." I tell him. "If I had almost lost my son in the games, I'm sure my attitude would change, I'd see this as a second chance to make my amends, but she's not like that and really, you don't need a woman who doesn't care about you."

“She’s my mother.”

“I know but the things she’s done to you, I don’t believe she should get to call you her son.” I tell him. “There are a lot of other people out there that care for you and want to love you." I squeeze his hand. "I can take her insults, Peeta. Her words mean nothing to me. They don't hurt me. I know where I came from, my heritage and all. People just forget that because I favor my father in looks."

“It just hurts that she doesn’t believe you’re worthy of me. That I can’t be with a Seam girl. She’s so caught up in the old ways that it’s scandalous of me to be interested in you.”

"Who cares what they all think. We're alive at the end of the day, and I think they should be celebrating that more than where we come from." I remind him. “Come on, let’s get these groceries home.

He goes to his own home, and I go about unpacking the groceries, making lunch and wandering the house bored out of my mind. I nap on the couch, read a book and braid my hair over and over again.

I decide I might walk into town to meet Prim, but I find Peeta at the front door, cake in hand and a notebook in the other.

“Hi.” I greet him.

“I have a proposition.” He tells me.

“About?”

“I think we should go somewhere else.” He tells me.

He places the cake on the bench with a note for Prim and takes my hand, leading me through the Victor’s Village towards the gardens. We find the stone bench and take a seat. Peeta shows me what he’s been working on and it’s in a lot of depth and detail.

The Relationship Plan

“You’ve planned out our relationship?” I ask him.

"It's about being three steps in front of Snow." He tells me. "We have to be on our toes so I thought if we have a timeline to follow, we can be smart and ahead of Snow. He won't predict our moves, and we're winning."

“I don’t want this to be about winning. I just want to keep Prim alive.”

"I know you do, but we can't protect Prim if we're dead." He reminds me. "We just have to be smart and on our toes."

“Don’t you think Snow will pick up that we’re following a timeline?”

“We’re madly in love, Katniss.” He smirks. “We’re just doing what they expect us to do but a little more prematurely than they expect. It’ll work, even Haymitch thought it was a good idea.”

I look at the timeline and see what he’s planned out from now leading up to the games and a little beyond.

“Peeta, they’re going to expect children from us.” I whisper.

He wraps an arm around my shoulder and scoots closer to me. "I won't expect us to anything you're not comfortable with.” He kisses my temple.  

It’s brilliant what he’s planned out. Every little bit of detail. It's a master plan, and I feel as if we can pull it off.

“So, if you agree we’ll start the ball rolling tomorrow.” He tells me. “I’ll call Effie and get her to organise some jewellery catalogues to be sent out. That will get the gossip started.”

I look at the timeline and study it. Peeta has thought of every detail, right down to the little things and people whom we’ll get to help us pull off our plan.

"We're going to have photographers in our faces and watching our every move."

“That’s alright. I suppose it helps Snow keep an eye on our every move.” I respond. “I won’t be able to hunt though.”

"Yes, you will, just limited trips." He smiles. "I'll be the diversion, and they officially can't step inside Victor Village so you'll sneak out and I'll head into town. It'll work."

“I won’t be able to see Gale.”

He frowns slightly. "I think it'll be best for you to step away from him, especially if Snow thinks something is going on between you two." He grasps my hand. "It'll be hard I know but think of Prim."

It’s true, anything to keep Prim alive will be worth it.

“Alright, let’s get started.” I smile at him.

---

“When will these photographers leave?” Prim asks, peaking a look out the living room window.

They've been camped out for nearly 8 weeks, and Peeta and I are planning our engagement to happen in a matter of days. He's ordered the ring, and it's arriving today on the train. The photographers have died down in numbers, assuming an engagement wasn’t going to take place but if one photo of Peeta carrying a small parcel from the train will set off the rumors again, and more photographers and possibly film crew will head on out.

"Soon." I tell her. "I know it's hard, but they just want to be here in case."

"But you and Peeta aren't planning an engagement are you?" She asks me. We hadn't informed her of the plan, and I was playing dumb.

“I don’t think so Prim. If Peeta is he hasn’t let on.” I tell her. “Come on, I’ll walk you to school.”

Peeta would leave just after us, the train arriving at 9 where he’ll pick up the ring packaged in the jewellery company seal and he’ll walk on home with the package on display.

I put my head down as we walk by the press and Prim and I chat quietly as we head to school.

I kiss Prim goodbye and turn on my heel, heading back home with my hands buried deep inside my coat pockets.

Peeta comes over an hour later, and we remain in the house together.

“Peeta, I need a hand down in the basement to move a few things.”

He follows me down the stairs, and we take a seat on an old chest.

“Did you get it?” I ask him.

I notice him beaming and he nods. "Yeah, I did. It's beautiful."

I decided I didn’t want to see it, I trusted him to pick something for me.

“We’re doing this?” I confirm.

He nods and smiles. "We're doing this." He squeezes my hand and leans over and kisses me.

In the last few weeks despite following the planned timeline, our relationship has bloomed. I’ve tried to focus less on saving my butt and actually enjoying time with Peeta. On learning everything there is about him and letting my attraction grow.

If we’re going to be on this train forever, I might as well get to know the man I’ll be spending my life with.

We pull apart breathless, and he smiles at me, brushing his thumb over the corner of my mouth and smiling.

“Can’t wait to get fake engaged to you.” He laughs.

I laugh too, and he kisses me again before he leads me up the stairs.

Two nights later, I'm standing in his kitchen where we've just eaten roast chicken and danced in the kitchen to some music before dessert when he gets down on one knee and professes his love as he flashes an emerald stone ring at me.

The ring was gorgeous.

"Emerald for your birth month and for your favourite color.” He tells me, slipping the ring on my finger and kissing me.

He spins me around the kitchen, and we dance the night away.

He walks me home quite late where we share the news with my mother and sister before he leaves for his house.

“It’s beautiful.” My mother comments. “He did a marvellous job.” She had helped him pick a few out. He also asked for Haymitch’s opinion.

I smile. I've been gushing all night because he genuinely does know me and picked something for me and not for show.

“Can I tell my friends at school?”

"Of course you can." I say as I embrace her.

We were relying on a few people to spread the news while I hid out for a few days.

Prim would go to school telling her friends who’d spread the news like playground gossip. The children would go home and tell their parents the news who'd have hopefully already heard.

I'd tell Madge when she comes around for an early breakfast, one we'd been sharing for the last 8 weeks. She'd hopefully bypass home and tell her father before rushing off to school. Her father would notify the staff in the house and then the team at the Justice building who'd tell everyone who'd step foot into the building. Commander Cray would hear, telling a few peacekeepers who'd then share the news amongst the barracks. The peacekeepers that hung out at The Hob would spread the news to all those in the Hob. Then those in the hob will share the news with their customers who'd later go and tell their families.

Peeta would inform his family first thing in the morning and hoped they’d display a picture of us in the window congratulating us. This notice would catch the attention of the Merchants and word would spread amongst them all and their customers who’d tell their neighbours and friends. By the time the notice goes up, Madge should have told her father who’d be on his way to work.

And finally, Effie we'd tell her during a phone call. She'll tell her friends who'd then spread the news to everyone they knew, and it’d quickly make it’s way to the President and the press. The press would camp out, knowing we were leaving for the tour very soon and knew they'd see the ring on my finger hopefully before we leave.

We'd step out first thing Saturday morning, Peeta picking me up and accompanying me into town. The press would have a shot of the ring immediately, and by the time we returned home, it'd be confirmed and Peeta and me on every Capitol TV program and front cover of their newspapers and magazines. The press would then head on back to the Capitol to ready themselves for our Victory Tour, and a Capitol TV crew would arrive early on Monday morning for our lead up interview of the Tour, and we'd speak officially and exclusively of our news. Our news we'd hope would set the tone of the Victory Tour.

And our plan is executed perfectly.

---

“Katniss and Peeta, we must know, how did he propose?” Caesar asks us through the camera.

We’re due to leave for District 11 in 15 minutes.

I'm standing with my left hand on his chest to show off the ring as we embrace. Snow flurries are in our hair and on the fur of our coats. My lipstick is slightly smudged, and Peeta has a little bit of pink on the corner of his mouth after our kiss in the snow.

"We had just eaten roast chicken, and I invited her to dance in the kitchen with me before we had dessert." He tells them. "I whispered in her ear as we danced how lucky I am to have found someone like her and how I don't want to live without her. I've almost lost her once, and I wanted her to know how much she truly means to me in case something does happen.”

“He got down on one knee… his good knee.” I laugh which causes Caesar to laugh wildly. “And then said, ‘Katniss, I don’t want to spend another day without you. I want to make you my wife and stay with you always.’” I recall for all of Panem, staring into Peeta’s eyes.

“And she said yes.” Peeta smiles, staring back at me. “She made me the happiest man in the world.”

"How exciting!" He gushes. "Am I right folks?" The crowd agrees with awes and coos. "Well we better let you be, and we'll be checking in on your throughout the Victory Tour. Thank you Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, we’ll be seeing you two here on this very stage in less than a fortnight.”

We wave goodbye and stand there until the lights on the camera go off. I brush the snow from his hair, fix his collar of his coat and smile just before I lean in and peck him on the lips.

"No time for that, we have a train to catch." Effie barks, stepping down from the porch of my house and leading everyone to the cars that will take us to the train station.

“You ready for this?” He asks me with a questioning look.

“Yes.”

[decadentrpg-blog]

WELCOME ROSE, YOU’VE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR THE ROLE OF ANTONELLA PICQUERY

Admins Note: My favorite femme fatale has arrived to stun us all. I absolutely squealed at your interpretation of Antonella. Every facet of her narcissism, her excessive indulgence and proud ego has been carved out. The sample paragraph had me chuckling, poor bloke! All in all, I can’t wait to see Antonella twirl past midnight, capturing sin with every step she takes.  Congratulations on your acceptance again, please make sure to head your way to the checklist and submit your account within the next 24 hours!

OUT OF CHARACTER

Name / Alias: Rose.  Pronouns: She/Her. Age: 21. Timezone: EST (GMT +5) 

IN CHARACTER

Full Name: Antonella Margaux Picquery Sexuality: Bisexual. Gender/Pronouns: Cis Female. She/Her. Hogwarts House: Slytherin.

Head canons

warning Mentions of death, narcissistic shenanigans.

ONE She caresses her lover’s cheek. I could kill someone, if I needed to, she thinks, and then kisses her. And even if I didn’t need to, I think I could.

TWO There are two sorts of lovers. Curiosities and passions. The former begins on a whim, at the briefest mix of boredom and interest. And is done with and gone as quick as it occured. The second is sweeter and, well. She doesn’t pursue them. She’s too beautiful to pursue anyone or anything. Anything she desires eventually must make its way to her. So she keeps the door open. She sets out the trail of breadcrumbs and waits for them to find themself where she always knew they would. In her thrall. It’s inevitable.

THREE Antonella has a higher tolerance for pretty muggles over ugly wizards. Far better to listen to idle small talk pour from lovely lips, rather than intricate spells from a cracked maw. In fact, she once had a muggle. He glanced about her apartments and laughed, nervous. Irritating. But he looked like the angels had cut him from the night sky. She wanted to sink her teeth into him. So she did. Until one day, she met a golden eyed half veela and left him, forgotten, in Morocco.

& HORUS “Stay with me,” she says. “I love you,” and it feels like the truth. The best lies always do. He stays, she stays, they stay. One day she lies to him and it feels like the truth, tastes like the truth, sounds like the truth. And while she remembers the words in stunned silence (were they the truth? impossible) he leaves.

FIVE Antonella is morbidly blithe and playfully cruel. She believes life is only a series of distractions and games. It is an exercise in enjoyment and the one who lives best is the one who laughs most. So she laughs and lives for herself and her pleasure alone. Labor is what others do to support her wants and her yearnings; worker bees for a queen. She bears them neither gratitude or malice. Her payment is every moment they’re allowed to observe her. What they have is symbiotic. Without culture, the arts, people like her, how could they ever bear their grim, small lives?

SIX Her grandmother dies, face haggard and hidden, and Antonella has never admired anyone more. When her mother comes to slide the veil away, Antonella slaps her hands. This is a final, sacred wish. The aesthetic preserved at all cost. She takes and keeps the lesson. She buries it in her heart, and lets it sprout.

SEVEN No one’s ever made her grow up and so, there are traces of a child’s ambiguous innocence within her. An almost complete absence of empathy for others. An almost impressive preoccupation with herself and her own wants, needs, and comfort. If an acquaintance is weeping, she knows enough to say nothing of her slight hunger, to embrace and comfort them, but she will wonder, wistfully, of when can she go and indulge herself? She has spent her life being spoiled, and sees no reason why that should stop.

EIGHT This’s how her parents regard her: A living doll. A paradox. Dolls don’t live. They exist. They’re displayed and owned. What do dolls exist for, if not to be handled? If not to be the eternal object to another’s subject. Nothing great could come from anything so slight, and delicate. This is the worst hurt of her half life.

& WREN She looks at Wren and says, “Charming.” This has only happened twice before, and the best time had been in an empty glen, her veins full of liquor and delight. The thestral had gazed at her and she at it. A warm, fondness overtook her, the same fondness that heated her neck when she considered Wren, the same fondness she had for all rough diamonds. For the beauty that hid itself in plain sight. With every rebuff and dismissal, the indignant fondness doesn’t diminish. It grows. “Quaint,” she breathes under her breath, as Wren flees her, because she has been here before. She has done this before. And the sweetest part of a thing’s creation is its destruction. The artist knows best how to ruin art. Piecing it all together, building it all up, only to learn its most intimate machination, to know the best way to pluck the heart of it out, and watch it topple. She’s a child demolishing her sand castles, her blood hot and salted. Another game, another dear distraction; the foundation of life.

& EVANDER Antonella never accepts the bill when it comes. It has never and will never occur to her that she should. Sometimes she might consider the morality of an action. That it’s wrong, that it might hurt. But then here is the crux of the matter: She wants, so she does, and she takes. She wants her fiance’s friend, Evander, so she has him, and when she no longer wants him--a whim, a curiosity--he’s tossed aside. Forgotten.

& DARIUS Given the choice, she surrounds herself with beautiful things and beautiful people. Envy is rarely, if ever, a present concern of hers. She would say, I long to be surrounded by beautiful women and beautiful men. And never dream to add, Beautiful, but not as beautiful as myself. What a hypothetical, theoretical waste of breath. Where would she find anyone or anything as beautiful as herself? Or, since she’s already sunk into the depths of myth and fantasy, more beautiful. In a story, or a dream? She may’ve met one such woman, in a nightmare, but it was only Antonella’s reflection arisen from the dark sea. She may’ve met one such woman at a party, where she had been so wrecked with terror and drunkenness and desire that she knew she would die, but it was only her staring back from the window.

So her fiance isn’t as beautiful as her, but she loves to look at him, and be looked upon with him. Has she ever looked finer than with him at her side, than with her at his side, their arms entangled? And has anything ever felt more distant and unsettled, than his hand on her shoulder? Stiff, dry, odd. Lust melts her lovers into her but he remains cold and far off. She might pretend to feel for him romantic distress when she clasps their hands together, but the more time passes the more her passion for him becomes devoured by pride and vanity and sooner or later, rage.

In Character Paragraph

Antonella sways, breathes in air soaked with color and delirium. Smiles at a girl draped in silver sparkle, her mouth like a melted rose. There are whispers and clumsy gazes directed towards Antonella, who preens. There are trumpets and saxophones screaming away into the night. “The muggles are working themselves into a terrible frenzy tonight.” She loves it. Her walk is one-third dance.

“They’re called No Maj,” her companion, Douglas, corrects her, thoughtless, and she ignores him in the same manner. He hasn’t noticed the anticipation of reverie around them. He doesn’t have the nose for it as she does, and he’s too preoccupied with how he must look to her, anyways. Which is just as well.

A Rolls Royce waits to chariot them to an intimate gathering of artists, on the edge of Harlem and nowhere. It’s a convertible; the interior all butterscotch leather that complements her dark silhouette, her cream gown, her easy privilege. Antonella drives because her companion can’t and won’t. Because he becomes wrecked with a terrible sweat at first sight of the automobile. Because she wants to and it’s hers and she ignores his hand wringing. His vague mutterings on humiliation and control. Was this the muggleborn in him talking? How exotic. “I prefer portkey,” he says, finally.

“Oh, darling, you’re no fun,” she replies, snapping her elegant, leather gloves on. Those gloves are too much involved in her excitement to drive. She has been overcome, for the past two days, by the thought of them and how sporty and fine she’ll look with her hands on the wheel. Her hair flying in the wind behind her, a cape of midnight darker than even the night around them.

How glamorous! And irresistable she’ll seem, even more so than she always does, if that’s possible. She regards Douglas, her expression pleasant and juxtaposed against the frost in her eyes, “Don’t tell me you get car sick, Douglas.” If he does, she just might abandon him right there, rather than follow him by portkey, or have him ruin her butterscotch seats. Her heart’s too much set on the idea of herself in the car with her gloves on. She imagines the jittering men and smirking women, their admiring gazes warm against her skin.

Rather than answer her, he gapes at her. His grey eyes wide and striking enough to remind her why she allowed him into her company. “My name is Harold.”

“What is that, Henry?” she asks, his voice lost beneath the engines hum and her own delight. As the car takes off at a terrible speed, he forgets himself and what he means to say. He clutches the dashboard instead. Her smile is serene. His yelps escalate as the vehicle slips off the Manhattan Bridge. The East River swallows them whole, and Antonella peers at the sickly sea life swimming around their bubble.

“How can you call yourself a wizard, Henry? Everything shocks and upsets you.” Ilvermorny must be a poor institution indeed. “It’s almost as if you’ve never been in an enchanted vehicle before.”

“You upset me,” he gasps.

Before she can reply, the car begins to sing, a sweet thrilling blues melody, and Antonella crows along with it, their voices clear and lovely above Douglas’s frantic complaints. The night looks full of possibilities. She can tilt the car just so and shake Douglas out into the blue beyond. (Cruel? Perhaps, but how cruel was he, to bore her so?) She can find someone beautiful and sink with them into the Atlantic. Laugh and drink at the intimate gathering. Laugh and drink at the frenzy behind her, instead, and fill those muggles’ hearts with unexpected rapture. Swim with the sharks. Make love beneath the moon. Or any number of pleasures, as yet undiscovered. How good to be alive. How good to be Antonella.

Extras

Mockblog.​Edits.​Playlist.

[noxianhand-archive]

curls her fingers into his breastplate, then tugs him down for a firm kiss. they'd done this dance long enough - her body ached for a release it seemed he could give. " come, general. i think you and i both tire of these games. "

hit darius with your best kiss | @eciledkinda accepting, yeah.

their few shared experiences in the battlefield made them flirt with possibilities, with something far more carnal than what is routine to the newly appointed hand. it’s by the tail end of one of the typical military events in noxus that she approaches him, eyes burning and hands firm as she tugs him down, kiss like treaty’s seal placed upon his lips; a pragmatic decree of intent, a confirmation of it. there’s a vague smile to his lips when she pulls back, a glint of subdued mischief in the dark rust of his eyes.

he’d imagined their banter and exchanged looks would lead to this, at some point.

he had not expected her to tire of the game so quick.

“direct as always, commander,”  the wolf’s growl in his voice is ever-present as he places a gauntleted hand over the small of her back, rough fingertips over the leather of her official garb. he leans down and captures her mouth with his own, a form of measured hunger in his actions, teeth dragging over her bottom lip before he breaks the kiss. “---but i believe we must find a more suited location for---this conclusion.”

[veneataur]

By day 30 I imagine Liam has gotten Darius to loosen up a bit. Probably even found that Darius has a bit of a devious, playful side of him that is hidden underneath the pressure of being a tech billionaire.

So, day thirty finds the two sitting in the main room of the Treehouse, an opened pizza box, with a half-eaten pizza, on the coffee table, along with some other junk food like M&M’s, Doritos, and popcorn and bottles of beer. Both have forgotten, momentarily, that in just a few minutes the ARK bunker will unlock, releasing the 160 occupants into a still-undestroyed Earth.  Thus, they are surprised when they hear a familiar voice behind them, piercing through their focus on the screen in front of them.

“Video games! This is how you spent your thirty days while we were locked in there, worrying day and night, on edge about every single noise.” Even in a crowd of thousands, Darius would know Grace’s voice, especially in that tone.

“It’s Mario Kart and no. We solved everything.” Darius doesn’t even look from the screen, twisting his body in time with the game.

“Everything?” Grace crosses her arms and gives Darius that look that should melt him because it has every other man in the past.

“Well we’re still working on world peace and hunger, but yeah.” That’s Liam with a level of sass that could only be gained by spending thirty days with Darius, a black belt in sass.

“I cried every night. I missed you every second I was down there.” Jillian takes a step forward.

“Did you even miss us,” Grace asks.

“Of course,” Liam and Darius answer in unison, the kind that spoke of spending too many long days together. Their sincerity is diminished by them still staring at the screen as their cars go careening around the race track.

“Harris?” The two women turn to Harris, who is usually quiet anyway but has been unusually quiet.

“I’m playing the winner,” he says, sitting down in between the two.

[leonum-matrem-blog]

The Hunger Games

Send Me A Fandom And I’d Play- | @poweriismaccepting

     FOREVER BITTER ABOUT THE LACK OF A PROPER DARIUS FROM THE HUNGER GAME FILMS. Well actually if they included all the violence and adult themes I’m sure the movie would be rated R. Anywho. The moment that Katniss seen him again with the girl that she failed to save and she pretended to drop something so and he helped and their hands clutched each other FOREVER HAUNTS MY LITTLE WRITER HEART OKAY. AND I NEVER GOT OVER HIS DEATH AND HIS TORTURE. And this is the closest to the way I imagined him. ( i mean put him in a suit or a wait outfit and you have him in my eye). I just-

     Darius needs more love. Okay. ‘Nuff said.