#everlark you will always be famous!!

[ivanttakethis]

I SEE IT!! I SEE THE VISION!!!

The side by side is so crazy it’s literally the same picture 😭😭

(Only difference is Peeta could never match Ivan’s freak lmao)

An Everlark style slow burn would be PEAK IvanTill imo.

Ivan being a constant in Till’s life, even if it was just in his periphery, like Peeta was with Katniss.

Ivan (Peeta) does everything he can to keep Till (Katniss) alive, both before and during the games. Ivan and Peeta’s shared charisma and self-sacrificial tendencies!!

Till and Katniss realizing too late/almost too late what the formers’ plans were. Kind of wet rags at first, but then slowly coming to realize over time that they care about their partners and eventually falling in love with them… I’M SO NOT NORMAL ABOUT THIS!!!!

Till with a big ass sledgehammer sounds metal as hell, I’m in!! You’re so right about his general attitude being very blunt and forceful and a sledgehammer matches that perfectly.

Ivan is canonically an unsettling character, so I wanted to lean into that. His District 2 militant background makes him similar to Sua (sharp, exacting, lethal), but in a more brutal/tactile way (physical touch is kind of his thing). He doesn’t really *need* a weapon when he *is* a weapon. But he purposefully becomes a shield for Till.

And him stealing things Till has stolen is so on brand for him lol.

I’m drafting a post right for potential outfit ideas (let me know if you have any more thoughts/ideas, the solar idea for Hyuna and Hyunwoo is GENIUS), but for now, please accept more of my ramblings about this AU:

Unsha and Urak still have their rivalry and want Ivan and Till to destroy each other.

Ivan tells Unsha that he plans to help Till get to the end and then kill him, to make the biggest impact.

He’s lying. Like a liar.

Mizi lays Sua to rest in a field of clematis flowers and sings to her.

She hunkers down nearby to watch over Sua, to make sure no one disturbs her resting in peace. One tribute tries to loot Sua’s body for anything valuable and Mizi beats them to death with her gifted brass knuckles (Mizi/Till parallels go brrr).

A little later on is when Ivan and Till happen upon her. Ivan even pays his respects to Sua, and tells Mizi he regrets that he didn’t get to know her better before she died.

When the rebels infiltrate the arena, Hyuna uses her vocal mimicry talent to lure Mizi away from a sleeping Ivan and Till by making her voice sound like Sua singing.

Isaac and Dewey create a technological distraction for the cameras and overseers and Mizi is quietly pulled out of the dome.

The canon never sounds to announce her death.

Till wakes up first and is distraught to find that Mizi is gone. He wants to search for her, but he receives a mysterious gift from an anonymous sponsor containing and note only he can read. The contents of it seem to set him at ease. Who is it from? 🧐

At the final two, Ivan tries to sacrifice himself so Till will win. But Till just… Won’t? Let him??

Ivan ate some nightshade berries — the same ones Acorn tried to poison Till with — and is coughing up blood (canon reference, yippee!). Till is furious and starts yelling at him, “You’re not leaving me again, you bastard!”

His anger catches Ivan completely off guard, giving Till the opportunity to tackle him and force the antidote down his throat.

Urak gave Till the antidote as a sponsorship gift earlier in the game after Acorn’s failed poisoning attempt. Using the antidote on Ivan of all people is a major act of rebellion for Till.

The Capitol audience is extremely moved by Till’s words, and they don’t want either of the star crossed lovers to die, so the game gets called after that.

Capitol shippers would lose their minds when Ivan and Till do the Victory Tour.

found my old hunger games au.... will I post about it? maybe one day....

[readingforaneternity]

I was 7 when the first Hunger Games movie came out and watched it within those two years of its release. Rue had always stuck out to me. Rue and Cinna. One because they were two out of three black characters, and two because of the amount of screen time they got.

At the time I didn’t realize it, but now that I’m older the HG movie was probably one of the first forms of media I consumed as a child where a black character wasn’t a stereotype of their race and culture.

What I love about Suzanne’s writing is that at face value her black characters are rooted in stereotypes. At least Thresh and Reaper. But what makes Suzanne so much better than loads of writers, game makers, directors, etc is that her black characters have so much more depth. Thresh and Reaper come off as aggressive and blood thirsty. They also have a stereotypical ‘strong black man’ body type. But what makes them full of depth is that that is not all they are. Both Thresh and Reaper were aggressive to deter the other Tributes from attacking them. They were gentle, kind, and full of mercy when it came to Rue and Dill (and as we saw Katniss and the other Tributes as well). Reaper especially with how he cared for the dead in during his Games.

The sense of community in District 11 that is shown through just four characters is telling. In the movies when they rebelled. Or in the books when D11 sent their loaf of bread to Katniss in gratitude. When that old man saluted Katniss.

I just love that her characterization of her black characters actually hold depth. Especially as side characters. She could have played into ignorance and say that they only served a purpose through their death, but she didn’t.

District 11 will always be my favorite District.

All of the characters of color in the HG universe hold a special place in my heart.

And although Cinna and Boggs are only black in the movies, they’re black in my heart when I read the books too.

[joshfutturman]

everlark you will always be famous to me (⁠*⁠˘⁠︶⁠˘⁠*⁠)⁠.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡

.・。.・゜✭・. .・。.・゜✭・. .・。.・゜✭・.

[thgfanfictionlibrary]

Friends to Lovers Fics Masterlist (13)

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 / Part 9 / Part 10 / Part 11 / Part 12 / 

Created: June 6th, 2024

Checked:---

That Time We Took Over the World-Gamemakers (ao3) Summary: Being a session guitarist pays well, but Katniss Everdeen’s always wanted a taste of the spotlight. Enter Peeta Mellark, whose boyband fame faded twenty years ago, and a not-quite-dying wish from an old friend, and she’s in for way more than she bargained for. The Dance of the Color Guard, Op. 64-populardarling (ao3) Summary: Katniss and Peeta used to be best friends when they were kids, but now in high school, they're barely on speaking terms. It isn't until they are forced together as the titular star-crossed lovers for their marching band's field show that they will have to face their past mistakes and try to get along if they ever hope of defeating the notorious Capitol Height's Imperial Marching Crusaders in competition. It's all about winning and if that means pretending to be in love with Peeta Mellark, so be it. But a lot can happen in six months. The Ghost of You-JLaLa (ao3) Summary: Katniss Everdeen thought they were just her imaginary friends. Turns out, they were very real—and dead. An Everlark take on the movie “Heart and Souls.” The Great Panem Christmas Bake-Off-JLaLa (ao3) Summary: Aspiring baker Katniss Everdeen finally gets her chance when she's chosen for The Great Panem Christmas Bake Off. Too bad, she's already managed to piss off famous baker and Bake-Off judge, Peeta Mellark. The Holiday Stand In-LemonLuvGirl (ao3) Summary: Katniss Everdeen needs a guy to pretend to be her boyfriend for the holidays, and when she meets Peeta Mellark she thinks he's the answer to her Christmas prayers. Peeta also happens to need a significant other to take home to show off to his folks. So Katniss proposes that they pose as each other's dates for the holiday season. Just to get their families off their backs. But pretending to be in love is a dangerous game, one that Katniss might not end up winning unless she plays her cards right. The Hoodie-LemonLuvGirl (ao3) Summary: Based off the prompt: I’ve been wearing my boyfriend’s hoodie around the house for the last week. I tried to give it back last night. “That’s not my hoodie.” He said. I then realized with horror I’ve been wearing our builder’s hoodie. In front of our builder. The Long Weekend-JLaLa (ao3) Summary: Two assistants who barely tolerate each other. One snowy cabin. One very long weekend. Oh, and one bed. The Marrow of the Story-hutchabelle (ao3) Summary: Written for the Everlark Fic Exchange Springtime 2020 Edition Prompt 17: Everlark enemies to lovers, a long-standing grudge (could be anything, even simple) but somehow it is discovered that Katniss is a bone marrow match for Peeta. If she doesn’t donate he will die. The One She Left Behind-Xerxia (ao3) Summary: Everlark modern AU Weeks after moving to New York, Peeta Mellark encounters a woman he thought he'd never see again. The Pact-endlessnightlock (ao3) Summary: prompt: best friends everlark!pact on marrying each other when they turn 30 and are still single. now both are 30 and very much married. what comes after? (surprisingly good sex, awkward kids talk, explaining to families and friends) its up to you☺

[thestarlightforge]

Imagine he’s by the river after Cato nearly killed him, mud all around, it dawns on him and he chuckles, “I’m gonna frost mySELF to death” 💀

katniss is so funny 😭

[petruchio]

I'm not really good with explaining myself (also English isn't my first language) but I saw someone else's post about it this week and their take when they first read the book was that Peeta used the "star crossed lovers" purely as a strategy in the beginning (the op of that post recognizes that they were wrong in that regard but it's such a good post! I could link it for you if you're interested?)

Anyways, they made the point that it started feeling real in the cave when Katniss is trying to get them food and she goes and says that Haymitch didn't want her to talk about certain topics. And then they kiss and Katniss feels something stirring inside

And I thought it was such!! An interesting view!!

Because like the op of that post and you just said: it would make sense for Peeta to feel a little betrayed at the end of the first book. Because even though it started as a strategy on his/their part, he fell and thought she was falling, too.

Which makes sense if we look at Katniss wording on that scene and the general opinion that she can't act out of the two of them. Of course he would think she was falling, after all he did.

I don’t know if I'm making any sense

I'll try to find the post I'm referencing tho!! They were way better at explaining than I could ever be lol

posting your follow up too!!

Found the post, if you're interested! https://www.tumblr.com/devildogdemon/750318145002192896/bracing-myself-for-committing-potential-everlark?source=share

yes i'm inclined to agree that it's the post-feast kiss!! i think it's the feast scene too -- @mollywog left an AWESOME reblog on my original post with some highlights for that exact same scene pointing to it as the moment when things become "real" for peeta. and i think, no matter how much we think peeta's crush is real or played up or whatever else, i agree that scene is significant as the moment where it becomes "real" for peeta. because she's willing to do something irrational for his sake.

and it's interesting too that that's ALSO the scene where it becomes "real" for katniss!! "it's him" she says -- she doesn't want to lose HIM. and then of course that famous "stirring" kiss

and interestingly we can also draw a connection to their beach kiss in catching fire -- another moment where the "reality" of losing peeta hits katniss in full force and she realizes she can't really deal with that. "i do, i need you" is kind of the grown up version of that "it's him" line -- they're both moments when she recognizes for herself that she isn't just doing this to survive, or because he happens to be there with her, but because she genuinely cares about HIM, as a PERSON, as an INDIVIDUAL.

@mollywog also pointed out that one of peeta's biggest pet peeves (seems like a weak word to describe it but go with it) is being called stupid or having it be implied that he doesn't "get" something. and yes it's a brilliant connection that it is the one line we get from his mother: where she calls him stupid. and whenever he gets mad at katniss and/or haymitch in the books, it's usually for implying that he's dumb or for keeping secrets from him. like when katniss says he doesn't "get" the concept of owing someone something and he's like um wtf. (that scene always makes me laugh bc she's like no peeta you don't get it, i owe you for saving my life, and he's like ok right... so the thing that you... also just did for me. but back to the topic at hand) and that moment at the end of the first book ties both those things together: not only does she imply that he misread her actions as genuine when she was faking them, she also says that haymitch kept the danger of their situation a secret from him -- and i think that hurts him too!

so i guess the answer is kind of what i was pointing to in my original post. that is, like, peeta is right! katniss IS genuinely falling for him, and he, correctly, picks up on that! it's not peeta's misreading of the situation, it's katniss' defense mechanisms that are the root of the issue. peeta knew when things became real; he's hurt that katniss is still denying it.

i guess it's just interesting because i feel like on a first read, it seems like peeta is just sad that katniss was faking their romance the whole time. but the more you dive into it, i think what he's actually sad about is that he thinks he misread the moment when things changed for her as just being part of the act. but the beauty of that is that like, he didn't! he was actually totally correct.

and katniss knows it too -- she talks about that kiss regularly. it also kind of ties into that quote from catching fire where she's talking about the fake pregnancy and she says "it could be true" but her logic isn't like "if this wasn't fake," her logic is "if i hadn't spent years building up my walls." so she kind of admits it as well -- that it's more so that SHE'S too scared to let it be real, and that SHE'S the one deluding herself -- not him! (i wonder on what level he recognizes that too! like, i definitely think he's hurt by her implication that he misread their whole dynamic. but i also wonder if there's a side of him that's also hurt that she won't let go of her defense mechanisms for his sake. because a part of him must still be thinking there's no way i misread ALL of that. why won't she just admit it too?)

ugh. so interesting to think about. he's so complex! it's easy to reduce peeta to just like -- king of my heart best boy ever the blueprint book boyfriend -- but he's actually a really interesting and nuanced character and his traits all make sense when you put them together in context of his background and his relationships. so good!!

[fyreflys]

Okay SURELY you return the favour and share your favourite greek myth

ARI!!! MY BELOVED!

Okay so it’s only fair you ask this question back but also HOW DARE YOU! You expect me to pick a favorite??? Impossible!

So instead I shall give you the one I think about most often, because of the Everlark story I’m writing. And that is the story of Leda, and the subsequent myths about each of her children.

Her story isn’t unique at all in any aspect; Zeus knocked up a lot of ladies and pissed off Hera multiple times, and a lot of his illegitimate children & his side chicks (& let’s get it straight- most of them wanted NOTHING to do with the guy) faced Hera’s insatiable wrath because of it. But I find Leda’s story interesting anyways. Incase anyone doesn’t know it:

Zeus was infatuated with Leda, and decided to seduce her by taking the form of a swan. He came to her for protection from an eagle. And then, in a ballsy ass move that I really wish not to think about too much, he proceeded to have a threesome with Leda and her husband, STILL in the form of a swan... Leda then gave birth to eggs, from which hatched Clytemnestra, the famed Helen of Troy, and the twins Pollox and Castor. It is unclear which children were sired by which guy, but most accounts seem to agree that Helen and Pollux are Zeus’s offspring, and Clytemnestra and Castor are not.

Obviously, Helen is major character due to her importance in causing the Trojan war. And her story is absolutely tragic. I feel like in no version is it great for her, either she is kidnapped and blamed for this whole thing, or she is put under a spell and falls in love with Paris, and then blamed for everything.

Her sister Clytemnestra is also famous for killing her stupid husband Agamemnon when he returns from the Trojan war with his “war prize” Cassandra (Trojan princess who was cursed with the ability to see the future but have no one believe anything she ever says, so instead she loses her marbles). She also kills Cassandra, which is sad, I feel like those two ladies could have been great friends.

And then there’s the twins, which I have mixed feelings for. Like yeah, they are the embodiment of the constellation Gemini, and Pollux asks Zeus if he can share his mortality with his brother, and they also save Helen when stupid-ass Theseus (god I hate that man, he is so lame) kidnapped her (why is Helen always getting kidnapped???). But also they stole Theseus’s mother which like, sure fuck Theseus but also his mother didn’t do anything RELAX. And the whole feud with their cousins over women and cattle and their greed which ultimately allowed for Helen to be kidnapped by Paris.

Now despite all this talk about the events leading up to the Trojan war, I’m not like crazy about that. I mean yeah it’s the Trojan war & it’s cool and epic but also there’s other cool and epic stuff.

For example, Ariadne is cool af. And I really like the story of Dionysus coming across her after egotistical-asshole-Theseus ditched her after she pretty much ensured he would make it out of the Minotaur maze alive. & I like the version where Dionysus is like “yeah fuck that guy, you deserve better” and then falls in love with her and they’re both happy. I don’t think that’s how the story goes exactly but I like to imagine it that way. In fact in most of the versions of her story Dionysus is an absolute creep & actually causes her death.

Also Persephone is cool. And Medusa’s story is fascinating. Can you tell I don’t have a favorite? LOL

[thesweetnessofspring]

What's your headcanon for Katniss and Peeta's children?

How old was Katniss when give birth to their daughter?

How many years apart between them in age?

Your headcanon for their name?

Who gets the singing and art skill from their parent?

Bonus question : please give recs of your fav everlark post-Mockingjay fanfic.

Thank you :)

@curiousthg

I can't pick names for them. Long time ago in my HalfHope days I would use Daria for the girl because I'd been looking up names that meant "Pearl" that wasn't already in the series (Madge and Mags) and found it, though now I can't find a source for that. I also used Orion for the boy, given the fact he's a hunter in mythology associated with Artemis. Now, I don't use names in fanfiction, though very recently I've started to favor Milo for the boy. Really though my only rule is: no dead people. I don't think that's how Katniss and Peeta would honor their dead.

I think Katniss and Peeta were 33-35 when their daughter was born, and there is a four-year gap between toast baby girl and toast baby boy. In the epilogue, the boy is a toddler (2-3) and the girl is old enough to be going to school and learning about the Games (5-6). I favor 4 years because it reflects the span between Katniss and Prim. ❤️

I headcanon that their girl is very bossy, take-charge type of girl. She LOVES to perform and be the center of attention. She got Katniss's voice but she actually likes to get up and sing in front of people. She's a little snobby and dramatic and knows how to butter people up to get what she wants. Katniss and Peeta have to guide her the most to keep her from being too spoiled and selfish, but in the end she's a sweetheart and very protective of her little brother. She's the one they have the hardest time convincing that being in the spotlight isn't all it's cracked up to be. She thinks she'll be different because she's not getting famous for the Games, duh! She's more open to leaving D12 and experiencing other Districts, but in the end, once she's seen the country and performed around and gotten a taste of the fickle nature of fame, settles back down in D12.

The boy is more quiet and reserved, but has a great sense of humor, though people don't recognize it until they get to know him. He's also made himself into a bit of a daredevil to keep up with his much older sister and her friends, but it always comes with careful calculations and figuring out how to succeed at the trick. He has a very logical mind and while he enjoys more of the outdoor nature stuff with Katniss, he's more of a naturalist than a hunter. He studies plants and animal patterns and how the world interacts around them. Based on the book his Everdeen line started, he makes it his life's work to write observations about District 12 wildlife and does so in a way that is both informative and creative/engaging for any reader.

[somebodylovesyougcv]

my deep love of pride and prejudice stems from being 16 and reading an everlark au where katniss reads p&p and then gets into fandom then discovers that peeta is also into fandom (im p sure it’s firefly????) but in that fic the author was clearly pushing her own agenda saying that the 1995 adaptation was better. so naturally i had to read pride and prejudice for myself to see what all this fuss was about. feb 2019 you will always be famous to me ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[swiftlark]

hey, it’s nothing it’s just… To this day, I can never shake the connection between this boy, Peeta Mellark, and the bread that gave me hope, and the dandelion that reminded me that I was not doomed. “No, don’t let go of me.” “She has no idea. The effect she can have.” “Well, there is this one girl. I’ve had a crush on her ever since I can remember. But I’m pretty sure she didn’t know I was alive until the reaping.” “Because . . . because . . . she came here with me.” All of a sudden, I’m overwhelmed by the thought that Peeta may be already lost. And suddenly, I’m not thinking of Gale but of Peeta. Before I can stop myself, I call out Peeta’s name. “Remember, we’re madly in love, so it’s all right to kiss me anytime you feel like it.” Impulsively, I lean forward and kiss him, stopping his words. Then he smiles as if he’d be happy to lie there gazing at me forever. “I woke up and you were gone,” he says. “I was worried about you.” Unlike the staged kisses and caresses so far, this gesture seems natural and comforting. I don’t want him to stop and he doesn’t. He’s still stroking my hair when I fall asleep. “No,” he says. “You’re not risking your life for me.” “Why? You know why,” Peeta says. “Don’t die for me. You won’t be doing me any favors. All right?” It’s him. I do not want to lose the boy with the bread. This is the first kiss that makes me want another. No one has held me like this in such a long time. “And right when your song ended, I knew — just like your mother — I was a goner.” For a moment, I’m almost foolishly happy. “I remember everything about you,” says Peeta, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re the one who wasn’t paying attention.” “No, I noticed just about every girl, but none of them made a lasting impression but you,” he says. “What do I care? I’ve got you to protect me now.” Because I’m so grateful that he’s still here, not dead by the stream as I’d thought. “You know I can’t,” Peeta says. And he goes on about how he loves me, what life would be without me. And now I know. It’s because you have no choice. I take about three steps and fling myself into his arms. and even while he lay in that mud bank, whispered my name in his sleep. I turn in to him. “Put you somewhere you can’t get hurt.” “I don’t know, I just . . . couldn’t bear the thought of . . . being without him.” “Then how much? No, forget that. I guess the real question is what’s going to be left when we get home?” he says. I also want to tell him how much I already miss him. But that wouldn’t be fair on my part. Already the boy with the bread is slipping away from me.

[charlieconwayy]

not to be dramatic but thinking about s5 and nancy wheeler giving “the promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. that it can be good again. and only Peeta can give me that.” about steve harrington is making me absolutely feral

[jhsgf82]

Favourite Peeta moment or quote in each books/movies?

Note : everyone is welcomed to answer this question, thank you for your answer 😊

@curiouspeetamellark

Um, wow, that's really tough. I don't think I can do just one. I feel like I've answered this before, but I will again!

I mean, gosh, everything he says and does is good/iconic/funny/sassy/sweet/incredible (any/all of those), but I'll give several from each movie/book:

*Most of these will be the famous ones, but I might throw in a few lesser talked about ones.

The Hunger Games:

"I don't wanna be another piece in their Game. [...] If I die, I wanna still be me." -This is just, wow. Enough said.

"Because she came here with me." (and his whole interaction with Caesar and talking about his crush on Katniss)

"She has no idea. The effect she can have." -This one's a classic. Every Peeta/Everlark fan loves this one and uses it in fics frequently, but we can't help it. It's so good!

"We're madly in love, remember? So feel free to kiss me anytime you feel like it." -Peeta is just the ultimate flirt (but with feelings). Such a Loverboy. He's half-dead by a river bank, and he's STILL flirting with Katniss. I guess he's thinking, what's he got to lose now?

The entire Cave dialogue, the lovey moments, Peeta flirting...

"We just have this and then we go home, and Haymitch can't watch us all the time." -I may have slightly misquoted this, but that's the gist. A lesser talked-about part, but I just love it (and also hate it). Peeta was soo happy and excited, so in love, and he's thinking, basically, that he and Katniss are gonna be sneaking off to be together every chance they get. And it even makes Katniss shiver. the girl SHIVERS at his words. It's so sad because Katniss isn't feeling as strongly as he is, and he doesn't yet know that it wasn't *all* real. Even so, she's confused and does later realize her feelings, the long, hard way, but it makes me ache for Peeta.

Catching Fire:

*Geez, there are soo many in this one; it's my favorite of the series, but I'll try*

The whole interaction after Katniss hurts her ankle. Peeta covering for her with the Peacekeepers, the teasing and playing keep -away with the sweets, then Peeta hugging her, realizing she's hurt and later just scooping her up and getting her to bed when she can't walk. And of course, of course, the "Stay with me"/Always” (in all iterations, which Katniss doesn't realize he says until later)

Comforting Katniss when she has nightmares on the train

Peeta volunteering for Haymitch INSTANTLY

“If it weren’t for the baby.” (BABY BOMB and that whole speech about them getting married/having a toasting) 

"Watch out, there's a forcefield up there."

Peeta comforting Katniss from the jabberjays. I loove how Katniss ran directly for Peeta (after being hurt that he didn't come after her, but he was trapped). And in the movie, you see how she just throws herself at him to be comforted, but she just bounces off the forcefield/blockade. He stays there, talks to her, puts his hand up in the movie, and then after, he holds her/cradles her in his arms (book) and convinces her how the Capitol won't touch Prim

Giving Katniss the pearl

The "You're gonna be a great mother" part with Peeta touching her stomach to play to the cameras after a serious, real discussion. *Added bonus, Finnick saying it's just her hormones after she was a blubbering, snotty mess when Peeta almost died, LOL. And then she nearly bites his head off, screaming at him that "It's not the hormones!" And ofc this looks to the Capitol like it is, so played just right, you two (good teamwork there, P and F), but ofc, we all know, that's just Katniss. Haha.

The beach scene/discussion/kisses

Peeta's whole monologue with the dying morphling, comforting her and talking about his paints and trying to capture sun on white fur and a baby's skin and a rainbow

I could seriously go on and on, but I'll stop...

Mockingjay:

Damn, this book gutted me. I read it in a day, just couldn't stop. I needed it to be good again (somewhat)

Peeta talking about what happened in the arena

Peeta being sassy/basically saying he's a prisoner and he doesn't like it (the cards, etc)

Peeta's warning to 13

Peeta being antagonistic to Katniss in the cafeteria in 13. Yes, I like that scene. Finnick chiming in after Peeta hits on Annie. Delly getting upset. I wish that scene had been in the movie. It's just rife with tension. So many buried feelings and frustrations there, for both P and K.

Peeta giving Katniss the lamb stew in the Capitol. He remember her favorite dish!

The don't let him take you from me/stay with me/always scene (of course!)

Peeta and Katniss's goodbye in the Capitol. Him wanting to be a freaking DISTRACTION for her because people know his face, even though they just saw a man who looked like him get beaten to death. I need to check the exact dialogue in the book, but I love the hug in the movie and the "If I see you again, it's gonna be a different world."

Peeta freaking putting Katniss out when she's on fire!!!! (why did this scene get cut from the movie?! Why?)

Peeta returning to Katniss in 12 and planting primroses. Assuming he carried her to bed.

Growing back together! 'Nuff sad

“You love me. Real or Not Real?” -OF COURSE, BOOM 

The epilogue. The picnic in the meadow and the toast babies!

(indirect Peeta quote) "...Peeta says it will be okay. We have each other and the book. We can teach them about it in a way that makes them stronger."

*Well, I probably missed a lot of ones I love, but there are so many!

[daydreamsandcaffeine]

Sugar and Spice Surprise

Author: @daydreamsandcaffeine

Card number and prompt: Card 3 - Baking Cookies

Title: Sugar and Spice Surprise

Rating: G

Summary: Of sweet traditions, grandmothers, and love - Poppy and Graham Mellark are eager to surprise their mama. Pure and utter fluff, modern AU.

Word count: 1,403

Author’s note: At the start of 2021, I never would've predicted that I'd write and share stories, and now here I am wrapping up a bingo card for @talesofpanem Everlark Holiday Bingo 2021. Kudos to @jhsgf82 for being an amazing friend and beta-ing, couldn't have done this whole writing thing without ya! To the readers, I hope 2022 is good to you.

“Papa, when can we put the cookie dough into the molds?” An eager blue-eyed, dark curly-haired 6-year-old Poppy Mellark asks whilst peeking up over the kitchen counter. Her 4-year-old chubby, blond, grey-eyed brother Graham stands next to her, his eyes shining with equal eagerness.

“Soon, my little bakers,” says her papa, who is prepping the materials on said counter. He holds up his right pointer finger over his lips. “But remember, we have to stay quiet if you want to surprise your mama with them when she wakes up.”

The sister and brother bob their heads up and down in response. Their eyes twinkle in merriment, struggling to contain their excitement to surprise their mama with Christmas cookies and decadent hot chocolate for breakfast.

—

The children loved the story about how their parents’ relationship began over a tin of spiced cookies. When their mama was 14, their Grandpa Everdeen had been in a car accident while driving home from work; another car ran a red light and hit the driver’s side. Due to the injuries, he spent the holidays that year in the hospital recovering, so the Everdeens were there everyday that holiday period.

Peeta wanted to do something, anything really, that could bring a semblance of festive cheer to his classmate and long-time crush, Katniss. Whenever he felt a little blue during that time of year, his Oma would bake a batch of her family’s famous speculaas cookies, and afterwards, they’d then munch on them together. Every single time, he felt full of joy-his blue mood forgotten, replaced with memories of delectable spices of clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, and ginger and his Oma’s love. So, he thought he could do the same for Katniss; if it successfully made him feel better, then maybe it would do the same for her. Plus, this would by far outdo the hospital’s holiday offerings, in his opinion, anyways.

On the last day of school before winter break, Peeta spotted Katniss clearing out her locker. He knew this was his chance, so after a brief pep talk to himself, he marched to her locker and handed her the tin of his Oma’s cookies. “I’m sorry about what happened to your dad, Katniss. I know it must be hard right now with him at the hospital instead of at home, but I hope these can help a little bit. I made my Oma’s special cookies that always make me feel better when I’m down.”

“Oh, um, thank you” was all Katniss could say. She herself was flustered by Peeta’s unexpected but kind gesture; otherwise, she would have tried to refuse, not used to receiving something without having anything to give in return. Not knowing what else to do or say, Katniss hurriedly rushed off to get Prim and then make their way to see their father. Peeta watched her go, and while he wished there could have been more to the exchange, he just hoped his Oma’s cookies would do their trick.

He was working his bakery shift a week later when he saw Katniss through the window. She seemed to be internally debating herself, based on her pacing back and forth and the serious look on her face. He saw her take a deep breath before she made her way to the door, opened it, and stepped into the bakery. She looked to the counter and made eye contact with Peeta. After a visible inhale and exhale, she walked towards him.

“Hey, Katniss. Welcome to Mellarks’,” he warmly greeted her with a smile, hoping to ease some of her nerves.

“Thank you for the cookies. Prim loved them; they made her happy. My parents also enjoyed them; my dad said it’s better than what the hospital passes for dessert,” she blurted.

“What about you?”

She quietly and shyly answered, “I really liked them, too. It helped us forget that we were in the hospital for a little bit.”

Peeta couldn’t help but beam upon hearing that. It was everything he’d hoped it would do and more. “It’s Oma’s holiday magic.”

Katniss nodded and then held out a canister to him. “Um, this is for you.”

He quirked an eyebrow in question as he took the canister from her.

“It’s Grandma Everdeen’s special hot chocolate,” she clarified. “To return the favor.”

He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand and shrugged. “It was nothing, Katniss. I wanted to do something that could bring a little bit of holiday joy to you and your family.”

A whisper of a soft smile graced her lips. “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Peeta.”

An act of thoughtfulness and a returned gesture lit the match, coaxing a pleasant fire between the two. Through kindle and tending, a friendship was forged that blossomed into the relationship they have now. Thus, each holiday season, Oma Mellark’s perfectly spiced speculaas and Grandma Everdeen’s rich hot chocolate made a special appearance.

—

This year, Poppy and Graham were giddy to participate in the yearly tradition, so they (Poppy talked for the both of them) asked their papa if they could help make the cookies and the hot chocolate and surprise their mama in bed (Mama had recently been feeling a lot more worn down).

“It’s time to put the cookies in the mold, my little bakers,” Peeta announces.

The children squeal with delight in return. After putting on matching red and green aprons that say “Santa’s Elf” on them, they step onto the foot stools Peeta has set up for them by the counter. With Peeta’s guidance, Poppy and Graham put speculaas dough into the cookie molds, and when ready, Peeta pops each cookie out of its mold. “Ooos” and “aahs” are bountiful during the process; Poppy and Graham point out various details they can see imprinted on the cookies.

After all the dough is used, Peeta places the molded cookies into the oven. He and the children make the hot chocolate while they wait for the speculaas to finish baking. Poppy, being the grown up 6-year-old she is, wants to be in charge of presentation; she picks out the plate and mug to place on the tray and uses some remaining holly and ivy decor to round out the tray. Once the oven timer dings , Peeta takes the cookies out and lets them cool for a few minutes before he carefully transfers the ones Poppy and Graham selected to the plate.

Once all is ready, Poppy and Graham lead the way up the stairs and down the hall to their parents’ bedroom as Peeta carries the tray. Peeta quietly opens the bedroom door, and in unison, the children run inside, jump onto the bed, and yell, “Surprise, Mama, surprise!”

Katniss, already awake, is sitting up in bed and scrolling through articles on her phone. She smiles at her children, eyes playfully curious. When Peeta steps into the room holding the aromatic tray, he grins, winks at her, and cocks his head in the direction of the enthusiastic kids. Her eyes dawn with realization, but she keeps up the charade. “What’s the surprise?”

“We made cookies!” Graham proudly announces. Simultaneously, Peeta sets the tray down in front of Katniss and stays standing beside the bed.

Poppy adds, “We helped Papa make Great Oma’s speculaas cookies and Great Grandma’s hot chocolate.” She carefully enunciates speculaas, since it’s not a word that easily rolls off her tongue just yet.

“It smells wonderful,” Katniss encourages. She picks up a cookie and bites into it. “It tastes delicious as always.” The smiles on Poppy’s and Graham’s faces grow even wider, rivaling their father’s. Katniss grabs the mug of hot chocolate and sips. “Mmm, just like Grandma Everdeen’s. Thank you, my little ones. This was a lovely surprise.”

The siblings clap their hands together, ecstatic that they pulled it off-with the help of their papa. Katniss gives each one a cookie, and they happily start eating them.

The weight of the bed shifts next to Katniss as Peeta joins her. He places featherlight kisses to her forehead. “How are you feeling?”

“Better now. It seems our grandmother’s treats were exactly what these two little ones needed. I can tell they want more,” she says as she caresses the swell of her belly.

“Hmm, maybe this time we should name them after the ingredients used in the cookies and hot chocolate,” he teases. “After all, our grandmas do know best.”

Fin.

—

Final author's note: My ethnicity has Dutch influences, and one of my favorite treats during the holiday season is speculaas (or speculoos in Belgian and French or spekulatius in German; Biscoff may be a more recognizable name). Growing up, my aunt in Germany would ship packages of these cookies to the states to my Oma (grandma) who would then spoil me (and my siblings) with them. These memories are what inspired me to write the above story for the prompt.

[thgfanfictionlibrary]

M Rated Fics Masterlist (9)

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 /

Created: October 16th, 2023

Last Checked:----

Naked, Hungover, and Married-hutchabelle (ao3)

Summary: Katniss wakes up naked, hungover, and in bed with someone who sounds remarkably like her ex. Worse, there's a ring on her left hand.

Natural Art-hutchabelle (ao3)

Summary: On his eighteenth birthday, Peeta Mellark moves out of the family bakery and into a place by himself. He’s aged out of the reapings and is expected to take care of himself. Terrified of failing, Peeta asks the only person who owes him, the woman he’s loved his entire life. Maybe it’s fate when Katniss says yes, or maybe it’s just natural that they always save each other.

Normal People-Abagail_Snow (ao3)

Summary: We could keep it a secret. No one would have to know. Loosely based on Normal People by Sally Rooney.

Not Afraid-thegirlonpeetamellark (ao3)

Summary: "I want to touch him. I want him to touch me. I want him to stop being so angry and afraid and help him remember about us." Takes place after Peeta asks to talk to Katniss in Mockingjay. Lemon.

Not So Famous-slagheapwhore (ao3)

Summary: I’m staring at her. I’m always staring at her.

Not What I Intended-Will Go Down With The Ship (ff.net) Summary: Katniss Everdeen, never thought she would be desperate for more time in the arena. That was before she made what might be the messiest decision of her life, figuratively and literally. One rainy day in the cave she changes the future in ways she never imagined. For better or worse… Rated for a reason, cannon divergent. Smut coming your way.

Now and Forever-JLaLa (ao3)

Summary: Katniss wanted to help her friend. She didn’t think it meant pretending to be Sadie’s new girlfriend for Thanksgiving.

now you know-thesweetnessofspring (ao3)

Summary: /When I think about dying I think about children And when I think about children I think about you And when I think about you I feel like crying Crying for my youth/ Katniss cries after making love, and Peeta is there to help her figure out why.

On the Threshold-ghtlovesthg (ao3)

Summary: A fic in honor of Katniss' birthday. Nineteen and free from the Reapings forever, Katniss finds a token on her doorstep commemorating her passage over the threshold of adulthood. Discovering the identity of the sender will start Katniss on a road that leads toward life's other milestones. Canon-deviating/Canon-divergent story.

One-JLaLa (ao3)

Summary: “Katniss,” her sister responded mockingly. “You need this. One night. One night of pure debauchery.” One night, one miscommunication, one baby. An Everlark AU loosely based on "Knocked Up". COMPLETE.

[sparklingdust4612]

Reviewing in a way I never did!

@andshewaits

I love your hunger games fanfics and am gonna go crazy here lol

Star: He's the son of a gentleman. She barely passes for a lady. In a world of ballrooms and proper snobs, they're best friends...until friendship is no longer enough. But who will admit it first is the maddening question. Historical AU.

An amazing fanfic that made me swoon. Peeta was so amazingly sweet that jIust wanted to hug him and never let go. I pity Mr Mellark and anyone who had to witness Katniss and Peeta's interactions lol. Poor Katniss, she felt so bad and put her walls up without knowing it after knowing of Peeta's escapades. So Glad that they found there way to each other and lived happily with an amazing family!

Enemy: I'm Katniss Everdeen-Snow. I'm eighteen years old, the president's granddaughter, and the youngest Gamemaker that Panem has ever known. I've been taken prisoner by Peeta Mellark and the rebels of District 13. But I'm dangerous and trained to kill, and I'm not going down without a good, long, hard fight. Canon Divergence.

Amazing what-if fanfic! Katniss was so sweet to help Peeta by acting all authoritative and threatening despite her age. Snow really did a number on her and Peeta, I fuckin hate him. Well what do you know, Kat Everlark (as if Peeta won't know where the last name came from) XD So glad he found his way to her and nothing can keep them apart!

Poet: Peeta is a famous erotic poet who sends readers into a tailspin with his verse. When he moves to Katniss's university hometown, she finds herself at his front door, hoping to get a critique of her story. One-shot. Modern AU. Written for the s2sl charity.

Were you like, trying to make people feel weirdly aroused by this??!! I loved this smutty, hot fic. How epic of Peeta to say all those vulgar words in front of a mortified Katniss haha. The smut was oh shit! and their future relationship, no doubt, won't ever be boring XD

Waterlily: Peeta's a high school exchange student spending a year on Panem Island, a foreign land of blue coves, lilting guitar melodies, and floral-scented breezes. He thought he left his love behind in America. But after meeting a village girl with a wild side, he's not sure where his heart belongs. Modern AU. Banner by Ro Nordmann: archiveofourown .org/works/960816/chapters/1882437

I liked this, poor Peeta, having to live with the images of Finnick fucking Katniss in two different ways. I loved Katniss' rebellious spirit and the fact she was doing most of it for the community was so heroic. One thing iI don't like was that it took them so damn long to get together and the fact Peeta kept thinking of Madge and rubbing her in Katniss' face even after knowing how she feels for him. That was shitty and pissed me off. Happy to see that they finally ended up together and Katniss loved him enough to start speaking again!

Rebel: Peeta is a bad boy. Katniss is a good girl. Neither are interested in changing. But when Peeta's sent to work on the Everdeens' Amish farm during the Autumn harvest, two very different worlds—and hearts—collide. Modern AU. Banners by Ro Nordmann: archiveofourown .org/works/564057/chapters/1008445

The idea of Peeta as a bad boy and player was, idk different. His personality has always been so charming and sweet that it surprised me. So cool to see their quick connection to each other. I loved the fact that everlark had to hide their relationship, makes it hawt!! Very informative and well written and I am so damn happy to see that they finally found each other and didnt have to hide anymore. Peeta, please work on your proposal skills XDD

Legend: People in the kingdom whispered about a legend: a boy with a bow. They said he took up residence in the woods, hiding out while committing random acts of kindness, namely stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Historical AU. Robin Hood. Banner by Ro Nordmann: archiveofourown .org/works/562105/chapters/1004309

Amazingly amazing, this one over here! Thank god Peeta, in a way, saved her from having to marry and bear kids of Seneca fuckin Crane. he doesn't deserve her!! Dancing around their feelings is such a Katniss and Peeta thing to do its not even funny. Hot as fuck sex and then they had to fall in love, damn! (damn for them, I was celebrating ;) ) They really had to go through so much but it doesn't matter much, because it brought them to each other and made them stronger. I loved their kid, so talented like his parents. Pretty cool conception there, kid!!

Fae: When they were children, he stole her heart. But then he vanished and she never saw him again. Many years later, Katniss finds a portal into an enchanted and dangerous forest, guarded by a fae boy who seems vaguely familiar. Fantasy AU. Banner by Mr. HGRomance: archiveofourown .org/works/683931/chapters/1255009

This is my favourite fanifc written by you!! and one of my all-time favourites in fantasy genre. Poor them, they both suffered so much after losing each other. they were so young but the fuckin Faes took him and hurt them both. How utterly clueless in love were they that they never entertained the possibility of being each other's Moonlight and Sunset. The hunger games type of challenge was so amazingly done and I believe no one could've written a fantasy version of the games better! "I remember you." awww such a tender and amazing moment. Poor Peeta, he did the right thing letting her go but it rewarded him in the long run. Mr Everdeen, so glad he remembered (wIas feeling sus when he disappeared without trace) such a sweet moment to see the Everdeens finally reunited. I loved the ending and it was such a wonderful journey :D Can someone bring me Finnick so I can kill him? Hated him in this. And would've loved some everlark babies but hey! it was perfect!!!

Are you writing any more THG fanfics?

[everlarkficexchange]

December nights in June

written by @viloula

Rated: M

Prompt 110: AU. Everlark live across from each other in fancy New York (or the like) penthouses. With all those large windows, they see each other daily and know the other’s routine and all he/she does, but they’ve never met. A chance meeting occurs. What will happen? The circumstances of their living arrangements/any backstory and what happens between them is up to you. [submitted by @acpoe82]

Summary: Peeta Mellark may be a successful junior partner at the lawfirm of Finnick Odair, he isn’t a successful partner at all when it comes to love. Every night when he comes home, he watches the lights of New York City, the people on the street… and a mysterious neighbour.

Part II is coming up!

Prologue

When he moved from the small town where he grew up to the big apple, the most fascinating thing about New York were the lights. Where he came from, there were only that many lights in December. Here, every night was like December. Lights everywhere: lights from windows, cars, streetlights. It was years ago when he changed a place where the only noises were the songs of birds to a place were it was never silent. The city that never sleeps.

He got used to the noises. But never to the lights he loved so much. Every night, when he came home from another day at the office, he stood there in front of his large window, watching the street, watching the other windows. He loved the fact that behind every window was another story.

***

January

“Peeta! I changed your appointment with mister Heavensbee to 2 o’clock. There are new files in the Cato/Clove case, and…”

“Good morning Delly,” Peeta smiled. “Thank you. Can I first…”

“I brought you a double espresso.”

“How can I live without you.”

“Not.” Delly Cartwright, his secretary, gave him his double espresso. “Have you seen Finnick?”

“The boss?” Peter grinned. “Think he won’t be there until noon. I’m at my office.”

He walked to his office, holding the warm cup of his favourite drink. His desk was filled with new documents of the Cato/Clove case. It was a law suit he was working on for a couple of weeks. An love affair at a firm between the managing director and an associate, that same managing director being sued by that same associate because she couldn’t finish her internship. It was his task to defend the managing director. A hard task, really. He tried to make arrangements between the parties instead of going to court, but the lawyer of the associate is a woman he knew from law school, Madge. Madge still can’t get over the fact that Peeta always won moot court against her, and also not over the fact that he broke up with her after she cheated. Sometimes, it felt like his life was a soap.

“Mellark! You need to come with me, right now.” Finnick Odair stepped into his office. He did that quite a lot. He always act like it is an emergency, but most of the time it was not. Peeta liked his boss. Although Finnick is a bit, well, Finnick, he is the best lawyer Peeta knew. And Peeta was proud to work for him. Proud to tell people that he was a junior partner of Odair, one of the finest law firms of New York.

“I’m sorry boss, as you can see, I’m busy reading new complaints about my client,” Peeta told him and laughed.

“You come with me now, or we are going to have an love affair.”

“You know, I am not your associate.”

“You were.”

“You missed your chance.”

“You will always be my special associate.”

“Finnick, what are you doing here,” Peeta laughed.

“I need your help.” Finnick sat down in one of Peeta’s chairs, in front of his desk. “I need a pro bono case.”

“Right.” Peeta rolled his eyes. “I need another file of complaints of Madge.”

“I’m serious.”

“Finnick, you never do pro bono cases.”

“That’s why I need you.”

Peeta sighed. “What can I do for you.”

–

Again. Peeta looked at his watch. 11 pm and he just got home. But, he might have found a way to beat Madge, thanks to Finnick.

He threw his leather bag gently against the kitchen wall and took off his coat and shoes. He couldn’t wait for spring and not having to use it anymore. He took off the jacket of his suit and he poured himself a glass of red wine. He loved his job, but his favourite part of the day was coming home.

After moving a lot, last year he was able to buy his apartment. It was a small place to live, big enough for a young man who isn��t home that much. There was a bathroom with plenty of space, a bedroom on the side of the street and a small living room with a comfy couch. There was also a bookcase he build. The bookcase covered almost the whole wall and was filled with many books: from Shakespeare to Alcott, from Reve to Montesquieu. After a whole day of reading files at work, most of the time he was too tired to read when he got home, but when he went on a holiday, he loved to read. 

Peeta’s favourite part of his apartment was his kitchen. The kitchen was in the same room as the living room and he spend a lot of money to have the kitchen of his dreams. During the weekends, he loved to cook and bake. Finnick loved to come over then, especially when he made his famous risotto.

He grew up in a small-town bakery. During his youth, he worked together with his father and two older brothers. He was responsible for the decoration of cakes which he loved to do. When he became older, he thought of going to college and take business classes, so he could take over the bakery from his father. Or well, that was what his mum was trying to convince him for. He was lucky his dad supported him with going to Harvard Law School. When he actually got accepted, his mother turned 180 degrees and she couldn’t stop bragging about her youngest son being a student at Harvard, later being a lawyer.

Like every night, he stood in front of his window, enjoying his glass of wine he thought he had earned today. He opened the window, felt the cold breeze of the late night wind.

On the street, some people were rushing by walking fast. Clearly the kind of people who felt uncomfortable walking in the darkness. He felt the same way when he just moved to New York, but after a few months, he realised there was never actually darkness in the city. You just had to be careful.

His eye fell on a window across the street. There was a woman, also holding a glass. Her hair was long and dark, and her face… he wished he could have seen it from a less big distance.

She was wearing a strapless dress, as if she just got home from a party. She was petite. She was beautiful. He had never seen her, but maybe he didn’t really noticed her window yet, there were so many things to see.

It looked like she looked at him. What colour were her eyes? He couldn’t tell. Could she also see him? He wanted to wave, but that would be weird. She was so stunning, he had never seen someone like her before.

His glass was almost empty. After he drank it up, he took a shower and went to bed when the new day started.

–

When Peeta parked his bicycle, he saw the name partner of the firm walking to the entrance. It was a sunny January day, the sunlight made the curls of Finnick turn into bronze.

“Good morning Finnick,” Peeta said.

“Good morning man. Seriously, still by bike?”

“You can get a man out of Amsterdam, but you can’t get Amsterdam out of the man,” Peeta joked, referring to his interview with Finnick where Finnick thought he was Dutch.

“Good point.” The two lawyers walked into the firm. “So, did you find me a pro bono yesterday?”

“I actually did.” They walked to the elevator, Finnick pressed the ‘11’ button. “You are going to defend a man who will be kicked out of his apartment,” Peeta said.

“A rented apartment?” When the doors opened, they walked to Peeta’s office.

“Yes.” Peeta waved to Delly, who was having a phone call.

“Good, you’re very good with cases like that.”

“That’s true. But then again, is there a case I’m not good at?”

“Madge cases?”

“Ah come on.” Peeta sat down, noticed that Delly brought him his daily double espresso. “But wait, me? I thought you wanted a pro bono.”

“I want a pro bono, but you’re going to fix it.” Finnick stood in front of the huge window in Peeta’s office. Peeta loved the fact that he had a window like that: there was always so much daylight, and at night the lights of the city. Though, he preferred his view at home.

“Finn, I’m not your associate anymore. I have this arrangement to settle with mister Heavens…”

“But you are my best friend and you are also the best social lawyer I know and I need you to do that pro bono.”

“But why? A case with a man being kicked out of his apartment is not that hard to do.”

“I just… I just want to do more pro bono cases in the firm and you are good with people.” Finnick had a strange look on his face. Peeta knew him for almost 10 years and he had never seen that look before.

“There is something you’re not telling me Odair.”

“Don’t make me beg Mellark. I promise I will tell you when the time is there.”

Peeta knew something was going on. “Fine. But what about the merge of mister Heavensbee?”

“Thresh can take it over.” Finnick walked to the door. “Thank you Peeta. You’re not only a good lawyer, you’re also a good friend.”

“It’s fine Finnick. I will see my name on the wall next week.”

Finnick laughed. “Are you making risotto this weekend?”

“Really?” Peeta laughed while he turned on his Macbook. “Fine. I will.”

Finnick gave him a thumps up and left the office. He looked… more happy than usual. There was no time to think about what was going on in Finnick’s head. Peeta looked at the pro bono case, which was at his desk with a post-it note, Delly’s handwriting on it. “Have fun!” she wrote. He smiled. Actually, he didn’t really mind working on a pro bono case. He would rather be the lawyer of someone who truly needs it, instead of being a lawyer for someone who wants to make more money. But in the end, he just loved being a lawyer; helping everyone.

–

10 pm. An hour earlier than yesterday. As usual, Peeta took of his coat and shoes, his jacket from his suit, he poured himself a glass of red wine and walked to his huge window. Immediately, he saw the woman from yesterday. She was talking to the phone and wore something comfy and green.

He didn’t know what it was that took his attention. Was it the way she moved her lips, her body? Her dark hair, her eyes he still didn’t know the colour of?

What is her name, he thought. It must be something unusual, or something really classy. Or both.

He walked to his bookcase, where his vinylplayer was, and put on some music.

“Rhiannon rings like a bell through the night…”

He sat down on his couch. Maybe her name is Rhiannon? He rolled his eyes at himself. He needed to stop.

But he couldn’t. All night long, he thought about what her name could be, what she would sound like, what the colour of her eyes were, what she liked to do and what she didn’t like to do. When he lied in his bed and wanted to close his eyes, his thoughts kept him awake. What would she be like? He had a feeling she was special, he didn’t know why. Maybe because he wanted her to be special, maybe because he wants someone special. Maybe he wanted to be special to someone special.

He needed to stop thinking about his beautiful, mysterious neighbour. How long was it ago, the last time he had his heart broken? When will he ever learn… He turned to lay on his back. In front of him, he could still see the hall of his old apartment. That white brick wall, with a picture of a cow and a windmill he got from Finnick as present for becoming a junior partner. It was that moment he noticed it had a crack on the left corner. He could still hear the sound of his fiancés voice, yelling to whoever it was that they could do it at least 10 more times before Peeta gets home.

***

February

January turned into the strange month called February. Peeta was on the road to meet mister Abernathy, his client in the pro bono case. Finnick was proud seeing him travelling to work by car, proud seeing him acting like he lives in New Amsterdam instead of Amsterdam.

While driving, he thought of a strange thing that happened to him this morning. It was the first time these weeks he saw her in the morning. He was up earlier than usual, and when he walked into his kitchen, he saw her. She stood in front of her window, holding a cup, he guessed it must be coffee. She wore something casual, a plaid shirt and jeans. Her hair was in a braid.

She put her cup away and suddenly started to dance, and probably singing, because her lips were moving. Peeta was amazed by what he saw. The way she moved her body was so beautiful yet so sexy. Unfortunately, her dancing wasn’t for a long time. She looked outside her window. She saw him staring.

Peeta started sweating, he took off his glasses, as if then he couldn’t see anymore that she saw him staring. He put them back on, like he realised it was a stupid thing to do.

She smiled and waved at him. He waved back. He wondered if she had the day off. He wondered if he could go to her door, introduce himself, drink something and talk about everything. He looked at his watch and realised it was time to go to work. He looked to her window, she was still standing there, watching him. Peeta grabbed his leather bag, hold it a bit higher so she could see it. Again she waved. He waved back. “Have good day, beautiful,” he said softly.

Peeta parked his car and tried to get his mind back to work. He felt kinda guilty that he had a car of his own, it seemed that this was a kind of neighbourhood where not many people could afford one. After a few minutes, he found the right address and knocked on the door, because there was a post-it note that the doorbell wasn’t properly working.

A blond man in his 50s who smelled like whiskey opened the door. “Are you my saviour?”

Peeta laughed. “I hope so. My name is Peeta, I am your lawyer in the case against your landlord.”

“Well, come in kid.”

Peeta was never called kid before by a client, but he didn’t mind. He had a feeling this wasn’t the last time he was going to be called ‘kid’.

The man walked into his apartment. Peeta went inside, closed the door and followed him. There were a couple of empty bottles, but it looked like mister Abernathy just cleaned the place. The place wasn’t that big, it was a small studio, filled with old, brown furniture. Peeta saw some pictures on the wall, of children in the forest.

“Ah yes,” his client said when he saw Peeta looking at the pictures. “I loved my job.”

“You don’t have a job anymore?” Peeta asked.

“Why else would I drink whiskey during this time of the day?”

“Fair enough,” Peeta said with a laugh. This man was very strange, but in a good way.

“Name is Haymitch,” he said and gave Peeta a hand.

“Peeta,” Peeta said again.

“Not Peter?”

“No.”

“Can I call you Peter?”

“Also, no.” Peeta looked at the pictures again. There 15, maybe 20 pictures hanging on the wall. “What was your job?”

“I was running a summer camp for kids, with outdoor activities and stuff like that. Lost the job because I showed up drunk too much. Now I am going to lose my living place as well.”

“We will see about that,” Peeta said and sat down on a chair. “Tell me your side of the story.”

“Well, I stopped paying my rent.”

“Why did you?”

Haymitch looked at Peeta. “You have a nice suit.”

“Thank you. But why did you stop paying your rent?”

“Because my landlord, mister Snow, is terrorising me. He is making this place a horrible place to live. I have lived here since my wife died 25 years ago. Suddenly, since 2 months I keep finding these cockroaches in my kitchen. I may be an alcoholic, but I am not filthy.”

“And you think your landlord has something to do with it?”

“It must be. I know it.”

Yes, Peeta thought, but you also have to prove it.

–

The raindrops were covering his glasses as he stepped out of the car and ran to his front door. Where the hell were his keys? He searched with his hands in his pockets, finally finding them, in the mean time becoming more wet because of the rain. As if it were a natural move, he looked across the street, looking for his mysterious neighbour he couldn’t stop thinking about during his ride back home. No one in sight. Peeta stepped inside, took the stairs and was finally home. He looked at his watch. 8 pm. He finally had the chance to make dinner instead of eating at the office!

After he changed his suit into sweatpants and a hoodie, he looked what ingredients he had in his kitchen. Not much, he really had to do some grocery shopping soon. Some pasta, there was also pesto. Pasta pesto it was going to be. He felt like he was a student again. He wished he was still a student, at least then he still had time to make dinner for himself every night.

While cutting some tomatoes, he looked out of his window. She was back, folding some laundry now. She was still wearing the same outfit as when he saw her in the morning. He hoped she wouldn’t look at his window right now.

His dinner was ready. When he walked to his kitchen table, he looked out of his window again. She stood there, she was watching him. She waved. He put his plate on the table and waved back.

Maybe one day, he thought. Maybe one day she will be sitting here across me, eating this student meal with me. He would ask her about her day and he would tell her that he is working on a pro bono case, and if she didn’t know what that meant, he would explain it if she wanted to know. He would ask her about everything and he would answer all of her questions if she had any. He would ask her if she wanted some tea or an espresso, or a glass of wine. He would invite her to come over some day in the weekend, promising that there would be self-made cookies.

Again, he rolled his eyes at himself. When will he ever learn. He closed his eyes. He could hear her voice again, yelling at him. “You are always gone, always working! And now you blame me for finding attention?”

“Finding attention?” he shouted back. “Is that what you call the cheating? With my best friend?”

“It was just the attention! You have my heart!”

“You can have it back!” Peeta shouted. “We’re over!”

The months after the break-up,  he felt miserable and a failure. At work, he was successful: he was quite young being a junior partner and he managed to bring lots of new clients to the firm. But he sucked being a partner for a woman he loved: not once, but twice his girlfriend would cheat on him because he was working too much.

He looked at the window again. She was gone. It has been 2 years after his break-up with Glimmer. Maybe his heart wanted to love again. To love and to be loved.

His phone rang. Finnick.

“Boss?”

“Hi, I saw you left earlier today.”

“I did, nothing more left to do.”

“Oh, I’m sure of that. How is the case of mister Abernathy?”

Peeta raised his eyebrow. “Fine. Trying to find evidence.”

“Think you’re going to win?”

“Of course.”

“Can you come to office? I’ve got this case and I really need your thoughts about it.”

Before Peeta could say something, Finnick hung up. Peeta rushed to his bedroom, changing his sweatpants and hoodie for something more suitable.

–

It was Valentinesday and it has been 4 weeks since Peeta saw her for the first time. Now they wave at each other on a daily basis: sometimes also in the morning, but every night. He was looking forward to it actually. He was also looking forward for growing some courage and ringing her doorbell. What is a better day for showing 2 minutes of courage?

“Happy Valentines day love,” Finnick said when Peeta walked into his office. Finnick was wearing a tie with both pink and red stripes. It would look horrible on everyone, but he could pull it off.

“Happy Valentines day to you too,” Peeta laughed. “And, did you…”

“Not here. So, how is the Madge case?”

“Really? Are you asking about my ex on this beautiful day?” Peeta laughed.

“She’s hot tho.”

“Case is going well. Court hearing next week, going to kick ass.”

“That’s my boy. So, plans for tonight?”

Peeta thought of his plan of growing courage and ringing the doorbell of his mysterious, beautiful neighbour.

“You have a plan.” Finnick laughed. “Getting drunk?”

“Yes,” Peeta said quickly.

“You deserve to have real plans though.” Finnick looked at him. “You are a good person. And a good lawyer if you return to your office right now and take a call with Crane Holdings.”

–

8 pm. It is a bit late, but it could’ve been later. But, Peeta thought, if this is the start of something new, I need to learn from my mistakes.

Quickly he changed his clothes into something more casual, he felt like showing up in his suit would be a bit overkill. A jeans and a shirt maybe? Maybe she didn’t want him to come in. He put on a pair of jeans and a green shirt. She had a lot of plants in her apartment, so he figured that she would love the colour green.

He took a deep breath and took his coat. He looked in the mirror. His curls clearly didn’t want to work with him today. He sighed. Grow some courage, he told himself.

Once more, he looked through his window. She was home. She was…

She was naked. She walked to somewhere he didn’t know. He could see her breasts, her bottom, her stomach, her long legs. She wore her hair down. He fantasized about her a lot these days, but he couldn’t dream of her being so beautiful as she actually was.

Am I dreaming? he thought. Maybe she just took a shower. Maybe I should wait. I should stop staring before she sees it.

But then he saw why she was naked. A tall man walked behind her, he grabbed her and kissed her.

Of course she is seeing someone. When will I ever learn? I am such a fool.

His phone rang.

“Boss?”

“I’m so sorry, but are you able to come to office or are you too drunk? It is really important.”

“Nah.” Peeta tried to keep himself together. Why did it hurt him so much? He didn’t know her, hell, he didn’t even know her name, or what her voice sounds like! “I can come.”

Finnick hung up. Peeta looked out of the window once more. She was gone.

–

Days went by. When Peeta walked in his apartment, it was 11 pm as usual. He threw his leather bag gently against the wall, took off his coat and shoes, the jacket of his suit and poured himself a glass of wine. Every night, he was trying to look to the city lights without looking at her. There were so many windows to look at, or cars, or people walking on the street. He tried to just look to those people walking on the street. He tried to read a book. He tried to play some music.

But he couldn’t. She was there every night, and there was something about her. What would she do during daytime? he wondered. Did she have a job? What was her age? What would her hobbies be?

Doing fun stuff with her boyfriend, you fool. Peeta sighed. He really needed to stop watching.

–

**

March

“My hero! You won!” Finnick laughed when Peeta walked into his office. It was already dark outside, the lights of the night shined bright.

“I actually didn’t win, I made an arrangement.”

“An arrangement that lets mister Abernathy keep his place to live! Can I get you something to drink?”

“You can tell me when you let me meet her,” Peeta said and winked. “The woman who made Odair do more pro bono cases.”

“It is for the goodwill of the firm.”

“Yes, of course. And your own.”

“I am one with the firm.”

“You sure are,” Peeta laughed. “But yes, I would love something to drink.”

Finnick poured two glasses of wine for them. “Well, it will be just a matter of time before your name will be next to mine. You are really, really talented. That bluffing, extraordinary.”

Peeta looked outside. No window with her.

“Santé Peet,” Finnick said when he gave Peeta a glass of wine.

–

1 am. Time for a midnight shower, his favourite kind of shower after the 3 am shower. It was a long time ago that he came home from work this late, but he had to admit it was not really work if you talk all night with Finnick, drinking wine.

He closed his eyes when the water washed his body. It has been a couple of weeks, but he still couldn’t stop thinking about how sad he was she was seeing somebody. And he couldn’t stop thinking about how he missed thinking about her without feeling guilty. He couldn’t stop wondering what her name was, how she would sound like, why he was thinking about her all the time. Could it actually be possible to fall in love with somebody you haven’t met? Maybe it was like F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote in the Great Gatsby: maybe it was a tender curiosity. Her smile is so beautiful, she, she is so beautiful, so pure. He had that feeling he couldn’t explain.  It had been so hard, trying not to want to look, trying not to want to think. And here he found himself again thinking about her.

He could feel himself getting hard. For a moment, he thought about touching himself. But it felt wrong.

He turned the water off, dried himself with a towel and put on a boxer short. When he walked to his bedroom, he tried not to look, but he did.

The light was on in her apartment. Was she a night owl?

Then he saw her. He could see she wasn’t at peace, the way she walked seemed restless. It looked like she was yelling.

Peeta put on his glasses and tried to find himself a sweater. When he found one, he looked out of the window again. He could see the man he also saw on Valentines Day and a couple of more times. He was yelling too. Peeta wanted to go to bed, he didn’t want to stare at a fighting couple. But he got a strange feeling about this, this wasn’t just fighting. He could see the man grabbing her arm in a rough way. She tried to get away but she couldn’t.

This didn’t look good at all. She kept yelling and he yelled back. She didn’t look like weak person, but she couldn’t stand a chance. The man was long, tall and strong.

I should really, really go to bed, Peeta thought, but when he looked outside once more, he saw the man raised his hand and hit her in her face.

Oh my god. He is hurting her.

He had to do something. Where were his pants?

She kept on yelling and got another hit. He needed to get her out of there. He grabbed his sweatpants, put on his coat and shoes and took the stairs, to go outside.

When he wanted to cross the street, he saw the tall man leaving the apartment.

Grow courage. He crossed the street and tried to find the right doorbell. He didn’t know her name or what her address was. Why didn’t he think of this?

E.E.L. Trinket, K.V. Everdeen or A. Cresta? It must be around 2 am, he thought.

He pressed the doorbell of A. Cresta. After a while, he heard a voice cracking from the intercom. “Hello?”

I don’t even know the sound of her voice. Crap. But, this woman sounded like she just woke up. It couldn’t be her.

“I’m sorry for waking you up ma’am, I’ve pressed the wrong button,” Peeta said. Then he got an idea. “Do you know the name of your neighbour, with eh, with the braid?”

“Katniss?”

“Thank you so much. Sleep well.” Her name is Katniss. It was, indeed, a special name.

With his heart beating in his throat, he pressed the doorbell. She didn’t open. Maybe she thought it was the tall man, returning.

He pressed the doorbell again. Then, she spoke. Her voice sounded cracked. “You have a key you know.”

“Katniss wait!” Peeta said.

“You’re not Gale. Who are you?”

He imagined the circumstances would be a bit different when he would hear her voice for the first time.

“I’m Peeta. I’m your neighbour.” Fuck, this sounded even more strange than he thought.

“What is my unknown neighbour doing here at 2 am?”

“Checking up on you. Please, open the door for me. I know what happened.”

“Wait, you are him? My neighbour?” the sound of her voice changed into a surprised tone.

“I think I just told…” Peeta heard the sound of the door getting unlocked.

He stepped into the hallway, it looked just like his. She must live on the 6th floor, their windows were on the same height.

He walked the stairs. Thoughts were running through his head, his heart was still beating in his throat. This was the must stupid idea ever. Who would go to a woman you’ve never met at 2 am, because you were staring at her through the window and had a bad feeling?

She didn’t sound mad. And she must have opened the door for some reason.

It was still the most stupid idea ever.

Peeta reached the 6th floor and saw an open door. What am I doing.

“Neighbour?” There she stood. Katniss. Her cheek was still red from the hit she got, but she was without doubt the most beautiful woman Peeta had ever seen. Her eyes were grey, something he had never seen before. She had long, black eyelashes. She was even more beautiful from a less distance.

“Katniss,” he said. “I wanted to check up on you, I saw what happened and…”

“I was planning to go outside actually, I’m sorry.” Peeta noticed the overnight bag next to her and that she was wearing a coat.

“Oh no, don’t be sorry, I’m sorry for coming here at 2 am.”

“Don’t be sorry, you were just worried and you have all right to. Shall we…”

“Yes!” Peeta started walking to the stairs. “Shall I carry your bag?”

Katniss laughed softly and followed him. God, could she even be more beautiful? “No, it’s fine.”

“You seem tired.”

“Most people are tired around this time, you know.” She sighed, and dragged her bag behind her. Peeta wanted to ask her again if he could carry it, but she seemed firm.

“Where are you going to?” he asked instead.

“I wanted to call my sister, but I don’t want to wake her, she has sleeping problems due to her pregnancy, my god why am I telling you this, I don’t even know you. What is your…”

When they almost reached the door, she fell the last three stair treads down to the ground.

“Katniss!” Peeta ran to her. “Can you stand up?”

Katniss tried, but it didn’t seem to go smoothly. She suddenly burst into tears.

“Shhh, come on, let’s get you out of here,” Peeta said. He took her bag and put it over his shoulder. He helped her standing up. “Don’t panic, but I’m going to take you to my place so I can check your ankle.”

She tried to speak, but she was still crying.

“It’s okay, come on.”

With a lot of effort, they crossed the street. The city noises seemed more quiet than usual, the city seemed more darker than usual. Peeta felt a certain kind of calmness, maybe it was because it was needed.

When they reached Peeta’s apartment building, Peeta put the bag on the ground. He wished there was an elevator. He was going to build one if the owner of the building didn’t, he had plenty of money.

“I’m going to carry you upstairs, could you try to climb on my back?”

Katniss didn’t say anything, she just did what he asked. She wasn’t heavy, fortunately.

Come on Peet. Carefully and slowly, he walked the stairs. The more stair treads he had done, the heavier it became. Finally, there was his front door.

Slowly and gently, he let her of his back. He opened his door and guided her to his couch.

“You’re safe. I’m going to get your bag.”

When he turned back, he heard her voice. “Neighbour?”

He turned to her. “Yes?”

“I may not know your name, but can I trust you?”

“You can trust me. I’m Peeta.”

–

When he came back, he saw her sitting on the couch, rubbing her feet. Why is she so beautiful.

“I may have to go see a doctor tomorrow,” Katniss said.

“What about today?” Peeta laughed.

“Oh God, I forgot it is…”

“3 am. Do you want to drink something? I’ve got eh… tea. Water. Coffee, but that’s a bad idea. And wine, but that is also a bad idea, especially for me since I’ve already drank some.” This sounded stupid. “Not that I’m drunk or something…”

“I would like some tea… please.”

“Sure!” Peeta went to his kitchen. The last couple of hours had been so strange. He went to court today, settled an arrangement, drank wine with Finnick, took a midnight shower, saw his mysterious neighbour who appeared to be named Katniss getting hit by her boyfriend, he went outside and now she was here.

He came back with two cups of tea, he hoped she would like chamomile. He also took an icepack from the freezer.

“I hope this helps,” he said and he sat down on the floor, holding it against her ankle.

“Thank you Peeta,” Katniss said. “Man, this is unbelievable.”

Peeta looked at her. Tears were streaming down her face again.

“But we’ve finally met, right? I really liked those moments of waving at you. It became part of my night routine.”

Still tears. “Can you… can you tell me something. My thoughts are…”

“Sure! Ehm… well. You see your mug?”

Katniss looked at her mug. It had a Van Gogh print on it, from the almond blossom painting.

“I bought it in Amsterdam a few years ago. My boss, who is also my best friend, thought during my interview that I was a Dutchman, because of my name and my hair. So, after working for him a few years, and after hearing him joke about it a few years, I took a plane to the Netherlands and went to Amsterdam. It is actually a nice city, I bought the mug in the Van Gogh museum. I want to go back and see more of the country, I’ve heard Rotterdam is pretty cool too and that it’s called Manhattan at the river Maas, so it should feel a bit like home.”

“Europe is great,” Katniss said softly. “Gale… that… that man took me once to Norway, to the forests and mountains…” She became quiet again. She was more quiet than an hour ago. Maybe because it just seemed to hit her, that her life was changed.

“That sounds amazing! Do you like the forests?”

“I love it. It feels like… home.”

“So, how did you come here in New York?”

Tears again. This wasn’t what he wanted. “Oh no, I’m sorry, I didn’t want to…”

“No it’s fine, I… It’s just… he cheated on me, I found out and… it all fell down.”

Peeta didn’t know what to say. She kept on talking.

“We were together for 7 years, it wasn’t always rainbows and butterflies… I started doubting about us a long time ago, that’s why I… why we… I didn’t want to be intimate with him anymore, I mean, not really anymore, but less and less and he… sometimes he wanted to and I not and… I think he started looking somewhere else and maybe it was also because I didn’t want to get married yet because of the doubting and…”

Peeta still held the icepack against her ankle. He felt that he wanted to go sit next to her, but his mind told him no, while everything else in his body screamed yes.

“I’m so sorry for bothering you with this,” Katniss sniffed.

“You don’t bother me at all,” Peeta said softly. “Trust me, I know how you feel. My ex cheated on me too.” And the one before. Peeta sighed. “You don’t have to be sorry and you’re not bothering me.”

He looked at her. Her grey eyes were still filled with tears.

“Hey,” he said and then he smiled at her. “You know, I am very curious about you. This is also a part of you, and if you don’t mind, I would really like to know you.”

Softly, she laughed. “Yeah, I think you could say this is also a part of me. There is not much more, actually. I’m a mess.”

“Well, what’s your favourite colour?”

“My favourite colour?” She raised her eyebrows and started thinking. “It’s the middle of the night, and you are asking my favourite colour?”

“I think I am,” Peeta laughed, still holding her ankle. “How is your ankle?”

“The icepack helps, thank you. Oh god, you are sitting on the floor the whole time! You can sit next to me, I mean, ofcourse you can, it’s your couch…”

Peeta laughed and sat down next to her. “You may rest your ankle on the couch if you like. Plenty of space.”

“Thank you.” Katniss put her legs on the couch. “This actually is really comfortable.”

“I’m glad. So, you favourite colour.”

“Right. It’s green.”

“Like the forests in Norway?” He smiled.

“Not in particular, but yes, I like the outdoors and nature. What’s yours?”

“Orange.”

“I can see why your boss thought you were a Dutchman.”

Peeta laughed. “I’ve never thought of it that way! No, it’s not because of The Netherlands. I like the colour of the sky during sunset.”

“That’s beautiful,” Katniss said. “So, you also like nature.”

“I do! There is not much nature here in New York, but I just like watching the skies, it’s like a painting.”

“An artist huh?” Katniss smiled. “I can tell.”

“How?”

“You look like one. But, artists don’t usually wear suits to work. Are you a politician?”

“No…”

“A lawyer?”

“Yes,” Peeta said. “A very passionate lawyer.”

“That’s so impressive. My sister is a doctor.” Katniss looked out of the window. “So strange to see my old place from here.”

“Old place?”

“Yes, I’m leaving it.” She stopped. “It’s Gale’s,” she said softly. “Why did you want to become a lawyer?”

“Well, at high school I discovered I was pretty good with words. I wanted to use that for helping people.”

“That’s beautiful. I’m sure you’re like Mike Ross or something, a pretty good one.”

“Except for that I actually went to law school,” Peeta laughed. “And what about you?”

“Me? I… well… I was starting to… to be a singer.”

“A singer?” She can sing? “That’s so special! I am not asking you to sing for me now, but damn, I am curious.”

“Yeah, Gale works at a bank, and I wanted to become a singer, so that’s why I live in New York and not in a cottage in the woods.”

“That last part doesn’t sound bad at all.” They looked at each other. There was this kind of energy, this kind a feeling that told Peeta she was thinking the same thing.

Katniss and Peeta talked all night. Katniss told him about her father who died when she was young, about her mom and sister, about her performances she did so far and that she liked archery. Peeta talked about his parents and the bakery, his two older brothers, that he liked to bake and read, painting sometimes. He told her about Finnick and his job: a few cases that were extraordinary. She laughed, sometimes she cried. He laughed, sometimes he wanted to hold her. They told each other about what they thought when they saw each other through the window.

Suddenly, Katniss spoke. “Hey, I’m just thinking.”

“Hm?” Peeta said, a bit tired.

“It’s the first day of spring today.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t you just love spring? All those flowers: primroses, dandelions. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again.”

And that’s when the sun started to rise.