#everlark sss

[mollywog]

Elevator

Forts | Dough People | Roll | Leaves | Finger Food

Thank you @triassictriserratops for the inspiration!!

“Do you mind if we stop by the factory on our way back?” They’re walking hand-in-hand home from town when Peeta halts, “I told Fern I’d check in this week, it should only take a minute.

Katniss shrugs and they switch directions. The medicine factory is only four stories. Nothing like the buildings that disappear into the sky in the capital, but it’s still the tallest thing in the district so far.

The front is a wall of glass, bathing the lobby in sunlight. Peeta waves at the receptionist as they make their way to the elevators where there are more windows looking into the factory floor.

As they wait for the lift, she idly watches as the workers, unidentifiable in their white jumpsuits and hats, mill around the fancy machinery. She can’t hear their conversations from behind the glass, but she’s watching a group across the way when they erupt into laughter and she can’t help smiling with them.

She’s struck with the thought that it might not be so bad to work here. Not that she plans on giving up her days in the woods, but it’s reassuring that the District’s primary employer is doing its business safely above ground; that the children in the district won’t grow up fearing the emergency sirens. That it might actually be a better Panem for them. Every now and then she has wild thoughts like this, but then she’ll have a day where she can’t make herself get out of bed or Plutarch will call and those seedlings of hope will be tempered, not dead, but dormant.

But she’s still feeling giddy from the thought as they step into the elevator. Peeta presses a button and the lift comes to life. Her feet feel heavy against the floor and her stomach swoops at the gentle jolt of momentum. Her eyes widen and a grin creeps across her face. Her gaze flits towards Peeta who’s turned towards her with a similar expression of glee. Her stomach swoops again as the elevator glides to a stop. The doors open to their destination, but neither move, still staring at each other.

“Wanna do it again?”

[ophiedokes]

Six Sentence Sunday 10.13.19

@rosegardeninwinter tagged me for six sentence sunday. Thanks!

from How All This (and love, too) Will Ruin Us chapter two: 

When we were in District Eleven, high upstairs in the dome of the Justice Building, there was a dusty old, warped mirror. While we were explaining to Haymitch about the old man who whistled to us being shot, I caught sight of my reflection in it. Distorted, by just a little. Short in places that are normally long. Recognizable, though hardly. Myself, but a version of me that was entirely wrong. 

from Just Like Heaven, chapter thirty:

By the afternoon, I have myself mostly talked down from my excitement. She must be sad to be coming back after her trip, otherwise she would have called me by now. I barely saw her for days last time she had to come home. Still, I already promised her a birthday cake. Even if she takes a slice up to her room and locks the door behind her, that’ll be good enough. As long as she’s home and safe.

from The Circle Game, chapter four: 

The next day, Katniss shakes her shoulder gently, giving her plenty of time to get ready for their early appointment at the hospital. She’s surprised when, on the way out the door, Magdalena grabs her hand tightly. Her hand is cold, small. Determined, in the way it grips. “I was pregnant, once,” admits Katniss. It’s not a story she ever really tells. 

[louezem]

Six Sentence Sunday...

A few weeks ago, @alwayseverlark asked me if my divorced Katniss and Peeta were still living (in my head) and if they were happy! I can’t find her ask now, but it made me laugh... and a little bit guilty because at least I know how the story ends!  

Its ten years (if you can believe it) tomorrow, since I published the first chapter.  I can’t believe I’m still here, and still obsessed with Everlark, but I am, and as obsessed as ever.  I’ve left the rest of you waiting far too long (that’s if there are any of my original readers left!)   

So @alwayseverlark​   this is for you, and the answer is yes.  From the next chapter of DoS....

~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~    ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~    ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   

“Peeta, why did you leave like that last night?”

“I don’t know.” Peeta rubbed at his throbbing temples. He was tired of questions and always trying to figure out what he was feeling by himself. First his dad, now Prim.   

“Wait, that’s not true,” he surprised himself as the words came out of his mouth. He realised he wanted Prim to understand why he got so upset.  Maybe for someone else to see things from his side a little bit. 

“Prim, it’s hard to explain, but walking in and finding the people I consider my closest friends and my family like that, sharing pizza and a movie night all together just like we used to do?  I’m not going to lie, it cut deep. But what hurt me the most was that no one bothered to tell me it was happening. I felt blindsided and it hurt to find out that way that I’m not included anymore.”

Prim’s eyes widened then softened immediately at his outburst and he could see her earlier irritation with him fade instantly.  

“Oh Peeta,” she sighed, reaching out to squeeze his hand. “I’m so sorry. When you put it like that I totally get why you got so upset. I think you need to tell Katniss how you feel.  Maybe not today, obviously, but clearly there are some things you guys need to work on. Like sharing the same friends.”

“You’re right,” Peeta nodded. "I guess we do.”

“You should know that Katniss was worried and upset by the way you took off too. Promise me that you’ll talk to her about it?”

“Ok, I promise.” Peeta gave her a small smile even though it made his face hurt.  

“That’s all I ask.” Prim leaned over and gave him a light peck him on his unbruised cheek. “You may be an idiot but I still care about you, you know? She does too.”

~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~    ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~    ~*~   ~*~   ~*~

[jhsgf82]

Six Sentence Sunday-There’s No Crying in Baseball!

1988 

“Mom, come on, you really don’t wanna go?”

“No, Bryn, I really don’t.” 

“But why?” Bryn threw up her hands in exasperation. 

“Well, I just don’t see why I should go. I only played for one year. I wasn’t really a part of it, and it was never very important to me.” 

“Are you kidding me? It was the single most incredible accomplishment of your life!” 

“Well, I would argue that you, Reed, Savannah, Maisie, and Bear are the most incredible accomplishments of my life.” 

“Oh, please, Mom.” Katniss’s eldest crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes to slits. “Anyone can have children. We’re nothing compared to playing in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League!” 

Obstinately, Katniss wrinkled her nose. 

Bryn thinned her lips. “What would Dad have to say about this?” 

Katniss shook her head and sighed. She knew she was toast. When her husband was brought into the mix, how could she refuse? 

“Should I…?” 

“Fine,” Katniss cut her daughter off before she said what she knew she was going to, “I’ll go.” 

*Based on A League of Their Own 

[creamytinydays]

Six Sentence Sunday

From my Everlark WIP, The Waiting Room. Enjoy 🌿

“When Katniss is back, they’ll want to rehire her, no question. She’s one of the best attorneys the firm has ever seen.” Finnick pats my shoulder before sliding the papers back into his briefcase.

It’s the tone of hope in Finnick’s voice that gets to me. Tears start to prick at my eyes.

Graciously, Finnick doesn’t stare.

“I miss her, too.” Finnick says quietly, stirring his martini. “I could use her advice now with Annie.”  

“Aren’t you seeing someone?” I say, recalling the five different girlfriends I've heard about in the past year.

“No.” He shakes his head ruefully. “I’m pretty good for the first few dates, but then there’s always some issue. Katniss would give me advice during lunch.”

“Really?” I can’t envision Katniss delving into the details of Finnick’s complicated love life. Picturing them talking over their upscale lunches makes my heart hurt. Sometimes it seems like the world has forgotten she was ever here at all. This conversation is proof– I'm not the only one who misses her.

“Always good advice,” he says warmly.

“Like what?”

“Well, mostly she just told me what an asshole I was being.”

I smile, wiping at my eyes. That sounds like Katniss.

_______________

Tagging others to share what they are working on! @endlessnightlock @rosegardeninwinter @frick6101719​ @jhsgf82 @isarnicole​ @sparklingdust4612​

[hutchhitched]

High Society, Chapter 5

This week’s chapter marks the halfway point of the story. Thanks to all who are reading and enjoying. Here’s a snippet of Chapter 5 of High Society, written for @sunsetsrmydreams​​ for @fandomtrumpshate​​. The full chapter will post on Tuesday, January 25. _________________

Stunned and more than a little furious, Katniss broke away from Gale and smacked him on the chest. “What do you think you’re doing? I thought— Why?” she asked, face burning and anger welling inside her.

“I had to do that just once,” he replied, but his facial expression reflected his chagrin. “I’m so sorry.”

Irritated, Katniss turned to leave him and go back to the party before anyone missed her, but she froze when a figure emerged from the shadows. He was tall with white hair and a well-cut suit hanging from his frame. Even before he introduced himself, she already knew who he was.

“Governor Snow,” she gasped and took an involuntary step back against Gale’s chest. “I didn’t see you there. I’m so sorry if we intruded. I’m just so intrigued with your beautiful roses.”

Watching her with barely concealed amusement, he narrowed his eyes when she gestured to the flowers surrounding her. “My dear Miss Everdeen, I think we shouldn’t bother lying to each other.”

[icbiwf]

Six Sentence Sunday

Managed to keep it to six sentences this week! From Chapter 24 of Not All Of It:

“We had to coordinate our plan for your interview training. You know, since I'm your mentor." I can see a hint of mischief in his eyes, and a smile takes over his face as he explains the plans he and Effie made last night. "We both agreed that Haymitch already knows what to say in an interview, but how he presents himself is terrible. You know how to act in public after all the events we've done, you just need help with what to say once you're out there. So for training today, Haymitch will spend all day with Effie, while you'll spend all day with me."

Maybe Peeta shouldn’t be trusted with the power of mentorship.

Not All Of It on FFn - Not All Of It on AO3

[lovely-tothe-bone]

Reblog with your snippet 😻

[frick6101719]

🧸

This one was quite a bit of fun. Not as long as the last one, but I hope you enjoy it!!

~~~

“It’s bad luck to look at your cards before they’re fully dealt, you know.”

Katniss snorts. “Bad luck? Then why am I winning?” she picks up another card, adding it to her hand. “I’m just trying to speed things up.”

“Put us out of our misery quickly,” Peeta mutters, finishing the deal. He picks up his cards, giving them a quick look. He immediately sets them back down, giving a short laugh and turning to Gale. “Yours any better than last time?”

Gale frowns, looking at his own cards. “Afraid not. You sure you shuffled?”

Peeta shrugs. “I certainly thought I did.”

Katniss clucks her tongue. “It’s a good thing for you two that I pick up my cards. I need the bad luck to keep this interesting.”

Gale is opening his mouth to fire back when a little voice from behind him nearly makes him jump out of his skin.

“Can I have a drink of water?”

Katniss tries to hide her smirk behind her cards as Gale nearly falls out of his chair. He spins around to see Malec, blond curls flattened on one side of his head, rubbing his eyes with a tiny fist. He’s holding a teddy bear in his other hand that’s half as big as he is, its feet dragging on the ground behind him. Those footie pajamas give him an absolutely silent tread.

“Sure Malley,” Peeta says, already out of his chair and heading for the kitchen sink. “Did you have a bad dream?”

Malley shakes his head, toddling after his dad to accept the little cup of water. He tries to hold it and the teddy at the same time, almost sloshing the water all over himself.

“One at a time, hon,” Peeta says, smiling a little. “Do you want me to hold—"

“No,” Malley says, shaking his head again. He tucks the bear under one arm, still struggling a little, but managing to get both hands on the cup to tip it to his mouth.

He finishes the glass all in one go, handing it back to his dad. “More please?”

“No, baby,” Katniss says gently. “It’ll just wake you up again later on. You don’t want to be too sleepy tomorrow when we go hunting, do you?”

Reluctantly, Malley hands the cup back to Peeta. He clutches the bear to his chest, burying his face in its furry neck.

Peeta puts a hand on his head, smiling down at the boy fondly. “Do you want tucked in again?”

Face still pressed against the bear, the boy nods. But before he takes a step, he looks up, straight at Gale. “Can Mister Gale tuck me in?”

Peeta raises an eyebrow at Gale, nodding slightly to give permission.

Gale doesn’t even realise he’s already gotten to his feet. “Sure buddy. Just to let you know though, I’m a little rusty.”

Malley comes over, grabbing Gale’s hand and heading to the stairs. As he’s being dragged away, Gale looks over his shoulder, mouthing don’t look at my cards! at Katniss, who just shrugs.

Malley’s hand is so small he can only hold two of Gale’s fingers, and his legs are so small it takes two whole minutes to climb twelve stairs. He makes sure to stay close and just behind him, remembering how topsy-turvy Posy was at this age. He’s not about to let Malley tip and fall down the stairs on his watch.

The little boy doesn’t, and he reminds Gale to be very very quiet, because Wren is still sleeping.

The floor only creaks a little under Gale’s feet, following the little blond to the tiny bed on the wall opposite the window. The little figure in the bed across the room is far too rigid to be actually sleeping, however.

Malley hops onto the mattress, wiggling under the blankets before staring up at Gale with big grey eyes. “Mister Gale? What’s rusty?”

Gale smiles. “It means I haven’t tucked anybody in in a long time, and I’m not sure I remember how. Do I do… this?” he flings the bedsheet over Malley’s face, and the little boy dissolves in giggles as he pulls it down.

“No!”

“What about… this?” He grabs the tiny feet under the covers, tickling his little toes. Malley squeals, kicking violently. “Shh, Wren is sleeping, remember?”

Conspicuous snoring noises begin from across the room.

Gale pulls the blankets to around Malley’s shoulders, tucking down along the little boy’s sides. “How’s this?” He grabs the teddy bear from the floor, where he was flung in the sudden ticking, and settles him beside Malley, on the wall side, so he doesn’t fall again. He smiles again as the little boy wraps one arm around the bear’s neck, pulling him even closer. “Does your bear have a name?” Gale asks. 

Malley nods enthusiastically. “His name is Eyebrow.”

He tries to smother his laughter, he really does; he tries to pass it off as a cough or anything else, but it’s a good minute before he’s got it under control. He resolutely looks at Malley instead of at the bear, not sure he’ll be able to stop laughing if he looks at the thing.

Malley is blinking up at him with innocent grey eyes and a little smile, seeming completely oblivious to the source of Gale’s laughter.

He clears his throat one more time. “That’s uh, that’s a great name,” he says, almost cracking up again when he hears the stifled giggling from across the room. “Well, I’ll leave you under Eyebrow’s protective care.” He squeezes the little boy’s shoulder, standing from the edge of the bed. “You two sleep tight, okay?”

“We will. Thank you, Mister Gale.”

Gale nods, smiling down at the pair. “You’re welcome, buddy. Goodnight.”

Both Katniss and Peeta are staring intently at their cards when he returns to the table. Peeta bites his lower lip, conspicuously not looking at him. “So uh, you met Eyebrow?”

That does it. The three of them do their best to remain quiet, not wanting to rouse the kids again, but by the time the laughter subsides Gales sides hurt.

“That’s some kid you got there,” he says, wiping his eyes.

Katniss smiles, a bright, maternal smile that covers her whole face. “Yeah. He really is.” She looks back at her cards, all traces of humour suddenly vanishing. “Now pick up your cards, Hawthorne. I’ve got a game to win.”

[awhiskeyriver]

Six Sentence Sunday: LoA

Happy Sunday, here’s one more (way more than..) SSS for Leave of Absence. Most of you will be familiar with this scene but it’s a little different now ;) Enjoy!

                                                        +++

"Peeta...well...he was in an accident.” 

Rye’s eyes burned a hole into the back of my head, but I couldn’t turn to face him. Not even as I felt myself beginning to tremble.

“What kind of accident?” My voice was low and gravely. Somewhere behind both of us, Luke babbled on happily. My vision blurred, like I was on the verge of passing out. It had to have been bad, for him to be back in the states, right? Was he going back to Germany once treated? Would he even make it?

I twisted around to face Rye, who wore all of the distraught emotions I felt in his expression. His phone pinged again, and he answered the text with ease before blowing out another harsh breath. He looked completely overwhelmed.

“He’s stable,” he answered, and I got lost in his explanation of explosions and bomb raids and Peeta’s unit. Instinctively, I reached out for the counter, gripping it so hard I was surprised I didn’t get any splinters from its wood. 

“He was in the hospital over there for a few weeks. Had a few surgeries before they deemed him alright to fly back to the states. He’s been transported to Capitol hospital. That’s where he is now.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” 

Everything was starting to piece itself together; Mrs. Mellark’s inexplicable weight loss, their frequent disappearances from the bakery I’d known them to work in from sunrise to sundown since I was a little girl. The way no one seemed to be able to make eye contact with me.

“And say what?” Rye shot back with a scoff. “Look, I wasn’t ready to get you involved until I knew I had to.” 

“Well, you’re a shitty secret keeper,” I soured, placing my hands on my hips. “You think I couldn’t tell something was up? And why the hell was a bomb raid happening in Germany? That wasn’t a war zone.”

“He wasn’t in Germany,” Rye sighed, his normally bright blue eyes, dull. “He was in Afghanistan.”

[mollywog]

A little peek at something new

The young Prince is declared dead; The kingdom’s in mourning. Even Katniss seems bereft though he can’t imagine why.

One day while tending him, she tells him a story: “When I was a girl I dreamed of marrying the prince; at five, becoming a princess and living in a palace was the ultimate fantasy. How could I not believe myself in love? But then I witnessed the cruelty of the Queen and I couldn’t imagine any castle or wealth comparing to kindness. That dream died, but in its place was a new one.”

[shesasurvivor]

Surprise! I’ve been secretly hard at work on new material, and thought I would share a six sentence snippet with all of you this morning. 

The following is from Meadow Grows Green, chapter 4:

---

For the first time, I realize how far Peeta must have come since we were in 13, and his fits in the Capitol. He's had a few episodes since returning, but that's nothing compared to how he used to be. And if he's doing things like coming out to the train station, or regularly observing the wreckage of his old life without an episode being triggered, then he's really come a long way. 

I'm still thinking about this by the time we make it home with our deliveries. What happened? How has Peeta managed to make this much of a recovery?

[louezem]

Six Sentence Sunday.....

I may be on a tumblr hiatus at the moment, but I’m still as invested with Everlark fanfiction as ever, and I’m working away on my own in the backgound.  

I thought I’d post this brief sss teaser for my friend @notanislander​ and to let you know that out of sight, doesn’t mean out of mind!

This is un-beta’d so all mistakes are mine.  From the next part of “Saying Yes”

Enjoy :)

~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~ 

“Katniss dear, there is someone waiting to see you upstairs,” Effie popped her head around the stockroom door where Katniss and Johanna were returning the gowns from their morning appointments. “Come, come, you mustn’t keep them waiting!”

“Damn, they’re so early!” Katniss grumbled in annoyance as she glanced at her watch. “My next bride isn’t supposed to be here for another hour and I haven’t read the brief yet.  I’ll have to wing this one.”

“Go,” Johanna urged her.  “We can finish up here later. You know what Effie’s like. We must keep to the schedule!”

“Thanks Jo,” Katniss gave her friend a small smile. She paused briefly in the staff bathroom to smooth down her braid and clothes before collecting her iPad and heading upstairs.    

But when she reached the meet and greet area, she didn’t see any bridal party waiting for her. 

“Octavia?” puzzled, she checked with the woman reception, “Effie said there was a client waiting for me?”

“Oh Katniss, yes, it’s the gentleman over there,” Octavia smiled over Katnis shoulder, and pointed a perfectly manicured fingernail discreetly to her left. “Lucky you,” she added, her voice dropping to a whisper.  “He’s a cute one.”

“A gentleman?  There must be some mistake, I don’t do suit fittings shouldn’t this appointment be for the tailoring department?” Katniss’ words died in her throat as she turned to look and blue eyes she had never expected to see again met hers.

“He called ahead and asked for you specifically,” Octavia smirked. “Effie personally approved the change to your schedule.”

Katniss remained frozen in place as Peeta stood and walked towards her. She could hear Octavia’s appreciative sighs behind her.  He did look good, dressed in dark jeans and the same coat she saw him in outside his hotel, his cheeks slightly pink and blond hair tossed from the wind.

“Hello Katniss.”  He smiled down at her softly. “It’s good to see you.”

~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~   ~*~

[archersandsunsets]

Six Sentence Sunday: if i’m on fire, you’ll be made of ashes too

I was supposed to have this done by Halloween, but... You know what, I’m just going to let the sneak peek speak for itself. It’s still spooky season, after all. I might spill some secrets in my inbox if anyone is interested.

The bodies arrive on the next train out after the broadcast airs, a slew of cameras and reporters in tow.

Not a single person claps as they are unloaded, as memorabilia are handed out to the families by servants wearing Capitol attire.

Primrose Everdeen cries. Gale Hawthorne stomps onto the train platform to hold her, while Mrs. Everdeen stands stock still, clutching the ornate, gold-encrusted plaque wreathed in white roses with her eldest daughter’s name engraved on it.

Mrs. Mellark, five feet away, scrunches up her nose as she presses her son’s plaque into her husband’s shaky hands. She gives only a stiff sniff in show of emotion, more likely from allergy than tears. Her remaining sons stand in varying depictions of grief off to the side.

When the mayor steps onto the platform to read a perfunctory speech and asks if anyone would like to say anything about either of the victors, no one speaks.

But as Madge Undersee centers herself in the crowd below and raises a three finger salute into the air, everyone follows.

[bethpeaches123]

From Chapter 2 of Oh, it’s you:

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Yeah, maybe. Maybe I’ll see if he wants to go for dinner, just the two of us,” replied the petite blonde. Her eyes flickered to her dark-haired friend with a sly grin. “Look at you, being all wise and thoughtful towards your sworn enemy. Do I detect…kindness towards Peeta Mellark?”

“Ugh, NO. I’m helping you out, not him!” Katniss scowled again, finally tearing the tab off completely in frustration. “Remind me not to do it again in the future!”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

[icbiwf]

Seven Sentence Sunday

Somehow these snippets always turn out to be just over six sentences. From chapter 23 of Not All Of It:

"When you're pretending, you have all the charisma of a clump of mud. But when you act natural, when you let yourself go… you can't help but draw people in. It's how you got sponsors last year. It's how you got that little girl to trust you. It's how you got Loverboy's attention all those years ago. Heck, it's how you got me to actually mentor you. And it's how you've enthralled the country."

Not All Of It on FFn - Not All Of It on AO3