#i love glimmer but she can’t touch clove

[anniecrestalover]

Clove Kentwell and Marvel Sanford>>>> the other Careers

[a-chaotic-ananas]

Clato: Dangerous Night (oneshot)

(Disclaimer: I don’t own Suzanne Collins’ characters of Clove and Cato nor the Thirty Seconds to Mars song Dangerous Night)

~ In the hours after Clove’s death, while searching for Thresh, Cato’s mind races through his recent memories. He remembers moments with his love, the too-few moments they got to spend together. He recalls meeting her, not understanding her, slowly falling for her, her driving him mad in the arena. He comes to the realization he cannot win without his true Star-Crossed lover, but he decides to make the Capitol remember them, the kids they brainwashed and robbed of their future. In his final hours, Cato refuses to play the game he has been training for his entire life. ~

We burned and we bled, we try to forget

She was the first thing he noticed in the arena, no matter how hard he tried to concentrate, no matter how much he wanted to simply start the game, taste the blood until her breath no longer lingered in his mouth.

Smoked raged through him, but it couldn’t burn away her touch, it couldn’t hurt more than he hurt already. Blood could wash away the bitter aftertaste; to wash away her essence etched into his soul, he would have to tear himself apart from the inside.

But the memories left are still haunting

It did no good. She was everywhere, her knives flying, her mad laugh ringing in his ears. She was in the eyes of the dead, in the clashing of weapons, she was the Chaos herself. Flames licked his insides. For a terrible moment, he felt a pang of guilt. There was no way he could do what had to be done.

The walls that we built from bottles and pills

They never really talked, back when they were still home, training in the District 2 gym, but that didn’t mean much. Nobody talked there, nobody cared, there were no friendships. You train, you sleep, you take whatever keeps your body from collapsing from the strain, you build your walls up high. Those things bring you victory. Friendship brings you death.

We swallow until we're not talking

He never questioned it, not the training, not the games. It was better not to think, better to turn off your brain and become a killing machine that would make your district proud. He learned to take it in without words, the inhumane strain, stress, long hours, fear, beating. He hardened himself as this was his only way of survival. When the choice was between trembling from fear every year, unprepared and helpless, and pushing yourself past your limits in order to create a beast out of yourself, for Cato, there was no choice at all.

I... I am a man on fire

He was in the training center, angrily pacing the room. Her calmness drove him crazy.

“But that’s the thing.” She grinned, her eyes sparkling with maliciousness. “That’s all he is – a boy on fire. A boy with no training, frightened, hiding behind those flames. They might have been a surprise, but they’re no threat. You take him out, I take fire girl, and in a few days, no-one will remember District 12 ever existed. You are a champion, Cato. Act like one.”

He wanted to smash her in the face.

You... a violent desire

He wanted to grab her head and punch her until she screamed, until she showed some sort of emotion, anything other than her calculating exterior, other than those mad eyes. How could she stay so cold? How could she train and kill and torture, without batting an eye?

Of course, that was what they were trained to do. But Cato was driven, he was driven by anger and adrenaline, by bloodlust and the need to survive. What made her the way she was? How does someone do all the terrible things they did for absolutely no reason? That was not sadistic. He was sadistic, because he enjoyed his victims’ screams. Her, she did not care whether they screamed or cried or tried to run away. She put her knife through their heart with as much emotion as she twisted her brown curls around her fingers.

He would never admit it, but she terrified him.

What a dangerous night to fall in love

And yet he was driven to her, more than he ever was to anyone in his life. Maybe it was lust, maybe it was madness, maybe it was the inevitability of the moment he would kill her, but it made no change. She was dangerous to him, in more ways than she realized.

Don't know why we still hide what we've become

The arena was bathing in colors of the sunset. Marvel, Glimmer and the rest were long gone, there was only a handful of them left alive. He couldn’t understand why she was still acting like a stranger around him. Not that he could generally understand anything she did, but there were no more Careers around to use it against them, and the audience in the Capitol would love it. They ate the Star-Crossed Lovers up like dessert. But she wouldn’t listen to him, of course she wouldn’t. It didn’t matter it might win them sponsors. It didn’t matter there was always a chance they would both be dead by morning.

“They can never know,” she said.

Do you wanna cross the line?

But despite it all, despite the denial and the hatred in her eyes, he could see she was in just as much pain as him. Their hearts were splitting into pieces and it was killing them both. One way or another, that would end soon. Pretending what happened was a dream, his hallucination, couldn’t cut it anymore. A decision had to be made; the question was whether they would murder each other with weapons or emotions. Once they chose their path, there was no coming back.

We're runnin' out of time

Death hung over their heads day and night, making the air thick with the unsaid. Time was up; they couldn’t run anymore, couldn’t keep putting off the inevitable. At some point, they had to make the call that would end it all, one way or another. After the calm comes the storm.

A dangerous night to fall in love

They didn’t even wait for the voice from the speakers to finish. She shot up and bolted towards him and his hands were on her jawline and in her hair and on her back, and her lips were on his, and their breaths were mixed together once more. All bridges were burnt, there was no going back, but she tasted sweet and he didn’t care. Finally, he thought. Finally, he could let himself love her. Finally, they could both go home.

Started a stranger, a lover in danger

The next few hours were a blur, a beautiful nothingness of pretending they didn’t have children to kill, of acting like normal teenagers in love, of starring into each other’s eyes. Moonlight caressed Clove’s pale face and right there and then, Cato knew he could never have killed her. She was much too powerful for her life to be taken away by his sword. He didn’t know her, not really, but he knew this – he could not go on living without her.

The edge of a knife

Knives. Goddamn knives. Cato hated those. He couldn’t understand why someone would choose a weapon that is shorter, less intimidating, and with practically no reach. But the girl seemed to love them. Of course, she was so tiny that he wondered whether she could even hold a spear or something as useful, but he decided not to ask her that. Despite her small frame, the girl was fear-inducing. Not enough to be a threat, but he would have to keep an eye on her out in the arena. He realized very quickly, on the first days of training, there was much more to her than she led on to. Clove, she said her name was. What a stupid, stupid name.

The face of an angel, the heart of a ghost

“Clove.” Her name sounded hoarse and distant coming out of his mouth, like it didn’t belong.

“I’m worried.” The words sounded wrong coming from her. If she was worried, he should be paralyzed from fear. She must’ve picked up the shock from his face, because she snickered. “I don’t even know why I’m telling you this. But I couldn’t sleep, and I kept thinking, what will be the thing we didn’t see coming, you know? So far, this isn’t hard. Something is bound to go horribly wrong and it drives me up the wall I can’t see what it is. I feel like it’s right in front of my nose.”

saying that, she didn’t move from his doorway. Cato wasn’t sure if she expected him to reply. He wasn’t sure of anything at this point. So, he did the least logical, least Career thing he possibly could have. The thing that was most likely to be his end. He stepped to her and gave her a hug.

She looked up to his face, and for the first time, he saw something in her eyes other than cold determination and cruelty. They were glazed over, however she wasn’t crying. It was a spark of hope, but something more as well, something deep and hidden that he couldn’t quite grasp. Regret, perhaps, sadness, maybe even the slightest hint of affection. It was a beautiful sight. Impulsively, he planted the faintest kiss on her lips. He was certain she would pull away and stab him, but she didn’t. She returned the kiss and smiled a little.

Was it a dream?

“We will never speak of this.” She didn’t sound like it was up for debate, so he nodded. He wasn’t offended or hurt – he knew this would only get them killed in the Arena. They didn’t need extra weaknesses, soft spots to be used against them. And besides, it wasn’t love that made them do it. It was irrationality, the last chance at freedom, fear. They let themselves be afraid together for a moment, admit how terrified they were, because they understood. They were the only ones that understood.

It would never happen again. The more time passed, the less Cato was convinced it even happened in the first place.

A dangerous night to fall in love

“Cato!” It wasn’t supposed to go this way. That was all he could think about while running towards the Cornucopia. It wasn’t supposed to go his way, none of it. “CATO!” Sprint out there, get the packs, leave. Deal with District 12 later, when they themselves have gotten what they need. It was that simple. He never for a second questioned that part of their plan could go sideways. Clove could run like the wind, he was covering her from the edge of the woods, and Fire girl was occupied with keeping Fire boy from dying on her. Districts 5 and 11 would probably wait until it’s all clear and then grab their packs. A simple plan, and then they would go home.

The first surprise was Foxface, bolting towards the Cornucopia before either of them could register what was happening. But District 12 still seemed helpless, and Clove was still confident in her part. She could do it.

It all went to hell, and there was nothing he could do. His muscles tensed when he lost sight of her, every nerve in his body buzzing. Suddenly, she was behind the Cornucopia, and he couldn’t have her back anymore. There was a scream and sounds of fight, but it didn’t sound like her. It sounded like Katniss. He let out a breath and rolled his shoulders, a single moment before he heard a clang of metal and another scream, a scream that pierced his ears and made his insides bleed, one that wouldn’t stop ringing in his ears until death took pity on him and took him away.

Before the Games, Cato would’ve gone for the boy. He would’ve realized Clove was past saving, and he would have gotten rid of Thresh when he was too focused on running away to notice a spear flying towards him. However, this wasn’t District 2 training center. This was the Hunger Games, where all logic was abandoned, and Cato ran for his dying love like he had never run in his life.

Thick red blood was dripping from the cut above her eyebrow, and for a split second, he thought it wasn’t that bad. The gash was nasty, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed. Then his eyes focused and he saw the dent in her skull, the glossiness of her eyes, the worst of all – fear. And he knew everything was lost. It must have been written on his face, because she smiled a little.

“I was right, see.” He wasn’t sure he heard her correctly. Her brain injury might have had her saying nonsense. “That thing that was bound to go horribly wrong? It went even worse than I’d anticipated.” A chuckle escaped her lips, followed by a weak cough.

“No,” he shook his head. “No, this can’t be it. We are so, so close. If you can hold on for a few more minutes, they’ll fix you. I’ll find the others, and I’ll kill them all. And then we can go home.” The last word got stuck in his throat. Even as he said it, he knew that wasn’t true. They could never go home. “Don’t leave me.” A pathetic request, and an impossible one. But he didn’t care. He couldn’t go on without her.

“Then don’t.” The words sounded pained, but strangely calming. “Don’t go on without me. Stop playing their game. Finish on your own terms. It seems so clear now, what we should have done. But alas, it’s too late for me now. You must bring this to an end. Avenge me, my love. Beat them at their own game.”

Tears fell on her face, but she couldn’t feel then anymore.

A dangerous night to fall in love

Truth hit him like a wave, crashing into his chest. It didn’t matter anymore. No, it never truly did. The final kill, the victory, him making it home – he could never have that. There was no home without her, no life if she wasn’t with him; it made no difference whether he lived or died, for he has been dead his whole life. He only ever felt alive with her, he only wanted to make it back to her, and now they took his Clove away, the only person that has ever made Cato question … Question everything, all of it.

There was no victory for him anymore. There was only revenge, a word that wasn’t near sufficient for what he felt, for what he wanted to do to that boy, to the fire kids, the Capitol, the world itself. No amount of mayhem, no number of screams could wash away her blood on his hands, make him forget her scream. But he would try. He would try to make them suffer as much as she had suffered. Somebody had to pay, and it was only Thresh’s luck he was the one he could get to.

He turned his face to the cameras in the sky, a cruel smile formed on his lips. “Go on,” he dared the Capitol. “I’m dead anyway.”

Alright! That's the fic, I hope y'all liked it. Please don't be rude about it lol, I don't usually write prose - I'm more of a poet. But I wanted to give this one a go. Also, this is my first full work in English (my 2nd language, I only learned it in school) ever so sorry if the language is too simple for your liking. Would appreciate any feedback and sharing. Lots of love to you all. 🖤

[ilguna]

Whist - Chapter Three

summary: you can’t protect her forever.

Word Count; 6.2k

Warnings; swearing

NOTES: not a finnick odair x reader. it’s a ‘what if’ series

–

“Today is your first day with the other tributes.” you fix Alyssum’s hair, and readjust Rigg’s clothing, “Make an impression.”

“The two of you may show off one important skill each.” Finnick says, “One thing that’ll stand you out to the gamemakers and make the other tributes want to be allies.”

“We’ll talk about how we’ll wow the gamemakers during the private session, later. I promise that if you use your good skill today, it won’t be a loss. The private session is typically for anything you want to keep a surprise from the other tributes.” you back up.

“Try out stations you don’t know anything about. This is your time to learn anything that you don’t have a clue about, or you’re shaky on. It’s a fantastic opportunity.”

The two of them nod, and after a few more pointers that Rigg probably won’t use, he’s the first to leave the apartment. Alyssum is a different story, she waits for you to tell her to go.

“Don’t psych yourself out today, okay? What you did yesterday is exactly what we’re looking for. Confident, smart. If you sound older and show them that you can fight, they’re going to want you.” you cup her face, “But do not stay with them the entire time. Go around and meet the other tributes too. Don’t stick with Rigg, let him do his own thing.”

“Right.” she nods, you let go of her face, standing up again.

“I love you.”

“Love you too, (Y/n).” she smiles, “I can go now?”

“Yeah. Make your skill count.”

“I will.” she goes down the steps, and Elysia trails after her loosely to show her the floor. She’ll only take the elevator down, and then she’ll go see the stylists.

Now it’s just you and Finnick.

“What’re you thinking?” Finnick asks, you look at him.

“I think we need to pay Haymitch a visit.”

The two of you spend the afternoon getting ready to leave. You take a bet that Haymitch is probably somewhere in the betting room, along with the other mentors. But just in case, you’ll take an elevator to the apartment and hope that he’s there first.

When Finnick’s gathered his bearings, both of you get to the apartment. Finnick knocks on the door, and you flip through the notepad, staring at the plans for today.

Talk to Haymitch, go see the betting room, then down to the stylists to help them on a few things. To tweak and make them to the tributes likings. After that, the entire day is up to you and Finnick to figure out a way to get Alyssum and Rigg’s scores to stand out.

“Could teach Alyssum a trick.”

“Alright, then what would we do for Rigg?” you ask, knocking on the door again.

“Have him make a hook or something. He said he was pretty good at that.”

You squint at Finnick, “We want them to stand out.”

“(Y/n), he doesn’t have the same training that Alyssum does. The kid barely knows how to hold a plastic sword correctly. He’s--”

Before Finnick can say the word ‘hopeless’ the door swings open to reveal Haymitch. He’s dressed fairly nice, a little hunched over. When he sees that it’s you two, he straightens up considerably.

“Odairs.”

You roll your eyes, “Abernathy.”

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” he asks.

You’re a little surprised to see that he doesn’t have his flask in hand. Normally it’s always right there, even the cap is unscrewed. You bet that it’s on the inside of his blazer, always within an arm's reach.

“Just curious about your tributes.” you give him a nice smile, slipping your foot inside of the apartment. Just in case he does try to shut the door, it won’t be that easy, “Quite the show yesterday.”

“The stylists' idea. Wanted something eye-catching, different.” Haymitch notices your foot, and after a long look at it, he looks back at you, “Here to steal my sponsors?”

“No, I’d like to negotiate something, though.” 

Haymitch squints.

Finnick picks it up now, “We’re allowing Alyssum to make allies on her own, but if she does settle on Katniss, are you willing to work with us?”

“Doesn’t look like I have a choice.”

You slide your foot out of the way, crossing your ankles, “Just wanted you to hear our pitch, is all.”

“Katniss is a hard one to work with. Aly would have a better chance if she talked to Peeta.” 

“We’re not after Peeta.” Finnick says, “We want Katniss for a reason.”

“Her sister, right? You think she’ll show the same emotion for your sister?” Haymitch makes a face, “Fine, whatever. I can’t guarantee anything.”

“We just wanted something to fall back on, is all.” you stand up straighter, “See you later, Haymitch.”

You and Finnick go down to the betting area next. It’s a simple task, talking to the sponsors that are loyal every year. And since it’s only a couple of people, the whole task is over before you know it. Then, you’re heading to see the stylists, prep teams and Elysia.

There, you spend the rest of the evening messing with everyone. Laurel has decided that she’s going to play off of the princess idea, and give Alyssum a dress that stands out, very puffy. It might just consume her when she sits down for her interview.

Rigg will be given a simple blue suit that vaguely resembles the one he wore for the tribute parade. There’s not really much that the stylists can do for the male tributes. A suit is expected, and so that’s what’s given. Plus, what else would you give?

Right when you’re done with helping Beth with this crown, you have to go and get the kids. You thank them all for their company, and just like that you’ve left with Finnick. On the way to the room, Finnick holds your hand tightly. 

“While you were in the shower, Reed called.” Finnick says.

You look at him, “Why?”

“Mox can’t bring himself to get out of bed. The peacekeepers have visited the house two times already, wanting him to watch with everyone else. Reed keeps telling them that Mox is sick but neither of them can provide proof.” Finnick shakes his head.

Poor Mox. And Poor Reed, too. Mox wasn’t nearly this hopeless when you left, but then again, you were fifteen. You had eight years rather than just a measly five years beneath your belt. You also didn’t have a couple of mean-looking career tributes to worry about. 

They really don’t make the tributes like they used to. Back when you and Finnick won, they were fairly manipulable. They were easy to shape and form, and they weren’t nearly as solidified as they are now. Hell, Finnick was able to get you in, and then you were able to get Thyme in.

It was definitely more people than they had wanted, and yet they didn’t care at the time. As long as it made themselves look better, stronger, more desirable.

Now, they just want the glory of the win. And to get to that point, they have to be ruthless. They have to show the Capitol citizens a show they’ll never forget.

So, every year it’s just a continuation of it. All of them are trying to beat each other. One up each other, and when they do it, the next round is screwed. 

It makes it hard to mentor.

Anyway, Mox has lost hope. And you feel bad for Reed because he has to put up with it. He has to act strong for Mox, but you know he’s tired of it. Although, you can imagine that the both of them are pretty guilty, especially since you’re the one that’s getting her ready to send her off.

“Better keep that to ourselves.” you give Finnick a smile, “Not tell Alyssum, so we can keep her mind on track.”

He nods, he understands.

You and Finnick make it to the door right on time to see Alyssum skipping out of the training center, a huge smile on her face. Rigg is nowhere to be seen.

“Where’s Rigg?”

“Left early, said he didn’t feel good.” she says, tucking some hair behind her ear, “Just me the entire time, wasn’t too bad.”

You hold the elevator for Alyssum, making sure Finnick doesn’t head inside. For a second, Alyssum is confused, until Glimmer and Marvel are sliding past to get inside. You give Alyssum a wink, because this was your plan all along.

Cato and Clove come around too, you give the five of them a smile, “I’ll see you later, Alyssum. I’ve got to talk to your sponsors.”

You let go of the door, watching as the steel doors closed. And as soon as they do, you brush off your hands, turning to look at Finnick. He’s got a grin on his face, shaking his head at you, “Dirty, dirty.”

“Gotta cheat to get ahead. Wanna take the stairs?”

“Do we have much of a choice?” he asks, and the two of you slip into the fire escape staircase.

When you finally do get back to the apartment, Alyssum has a giant smile on her face, “They offered an alliance!” she heads towards you, arms out for a hug. You pick her up, spinning her around, “I told them I’d think about it and tell them in a couple of days!”

You press a kiss to Alyssum’s forehead, squeezing her tighter.

The next two days followed as the first training day did. You got up, gave your tributes a few pointers on how they should do things, and then they were off. You didn’t visit Haymitch again, but instead saw him in the betting area. You broke the news that he wouldn’t have to worry about an alliance, and he didn’t really seem to care.

After the betting area, came the time with the stylists. The dress has really come along, and today will be the finishing touches. Adding the accessories that they think would go with it, tweaking the size and whether or not it’ll fit.

You stopped picking the kids up from the training center after the first day, especially since Alyssum said yes to the alliance. She needs to get to know the careers on her own. But you’ve given her a few pointers on how she might back a cozy place in their mind, so they might even feel bad if they kill her.

She’s getting along well with Glimmer and Marvel so far, and from what you heard yesterday, Clove is beginning to come around faster than Cato is. It’s a little worrying, especially since it seems that history is repeating itself. But Alyssum said what you told yourself when you first saw the District Two tributes; they’re a lot meaner than they’ve been the previous years. 

It’s only natural.

Now, today is the private session. And you just spent the last hour trying to teach Alyssum a trick that would catch the gamemaker’s attention. Unfortunately, she’s still shaky at it, and not entirely sure if she’s going to use it. But Rigg on the other hand--has decided that he’s going to try out something with a sword.

You run your fingers through your hair, motioning to the space in front of you, “Show Finnick.”

Alyssum gives you a reluctant look, “(Y/n)--”

“Come on.” Finnick urges.

Rigg isn’t even here, he hasn’t been spending much time inside of the apartment. It seems like he likes to run off, and you’re hoping that’s going to come in handy inside of the arena. If he’s not going to make allies, he’s going to need to be able to run.

That and he doesn’t seem to trust you and Finnick very much. Finnick’s gotten as close as Rigg will allow, but it’s not that much. He won’t tell you what he thinks about the other tributes, who he wants to make allies with, what his special skill is or what he’s going to do for the private training session. It’s all radio silence on his side of things.

And you understand that he’s afraid that you’ll pass all of that information off to Alyssum or something, but it’s really not like that. All he’s going is putting himself in a position where you see him as unpredictable, and therefore unreliable when it comes to certain things inside of the arena.

If you can’t confirm or deny his plans to sponsors, and you have to admit that you have no clue what his motive is--besides making it out alive--then he’s not worthy of sponsorship. And since he’s literally twelve like Alyssum, it puts him at an even bigger disadvantage.

Alyssum picks up some knives, twirling it between her fingers. She nails this, it doesn’t cut her skin at all. Then, she draws her arm back wickedly, throwing the first knife from her finger. Quickly, she passes off a second to her right hand, to throw again. It takes her only half a second to get a new knife to throw.

By the time that she’s done, there’s three new holes in the wall, and she’s nailed two out of three of the tricks. You go down the two steps, onto her level of the floor, continuing all the way up to where the knives are. You pluck them out, weighing them in your hands.

“Are these too heavy?”

“No, they weigh just fine.” she says, looking at you.

You stare at the human diagram on the wall. It’s the exact shape of Elysia. She wasn’t too thrilled to have her body shape be the example of a target, but it was what you two need.

Stopping right where Alyssum had been throwing, you take your shot at it. The first knife she always throws is for the thighs, left or right, it doesn’t matter. You aim for the right one. The next she throws aims for the heart, and hers all varies around the same area. This would be a good, direct kill. You get that one without a problem.

The one that Alyssum can’t get right is the forehead. You give Alyssum a look, and she shrugs her shoulders. All the holes reside around the head, not even one has come close to hitting the bullseye. You throw the final knife, getting the head without a single problem.

“Take your time inside of the session. I get that we want it to be quick, but it’s okay to be slow.” you fix some of her hair, “Go at your own pace. The gamemakers won’t be bored by the time you go in.”

“Make sure to be confident when you walk in. Wait until they say you can start, and they’ll also dismiss you.”

“Be nice to not get on their bad side, but show a little bit of arrogance.” you say, “And if you’re sure that you can’t get the forehead in there, aim for the throat.”

Finnick nods.

“Alright.” she nods, standing up straighter, “I guess I should go.”

You kiss her forehead, brushing her hair back, “Good luck.”

“Thank you.” she hugs you, and then Finnick on her way out. As soon as the door shuts, you’re leaving the area and heading for the cellphone. 

Finnick cleans up the wall as best as he can. But there’s a ton of holes in the wall, and the berry juice has left a faint stain on the white walls. Either way, Finnick dumps the materials, thanks the avox, and heads to the bathroom to wash his hands.

You tap your feet slightly, leaning your head against the wall. It’s a long moment of ringing before the phone is finally picked up.

“(Y/n)?” a voice asks.

You raise your head, “Yes, who is this?”

“Caspian’s brother--Lucas.”

Lucas. Shaggy blonde hair, blue eyes and tan skin. He mostly roams around his house without a shirt, which always drives his mom nuts, but he never changes. Sweet kid, he’s turning fifteen this fall.

“What happened to Mox?”

“At the hospital, so is Reed, Caspian, my mom and Mags. He’s unwell, and last night he wasn’t too hot. Reed went to see my mom because he didn’t know what to do and didn’t want to worry you or Aly.” Lucas pauses for a moment, “My mom said that they should bring him to the clinic, and that’s what they’ve done. He’s… strapped down. Don’t want him to harm himself or anything.”

You close your eyes, trying to fight back the tears that are gathering. You pull the phone away from your face for a moment as you take a deep breath in, and then you place it right back up against your ear.

“You’re not supposed to be telling me this.” you say.

“Yeah, but Annie said it would be a good idea anyway. Want to talk to her?” 

“Please.” you look at Finnick when he comes out of the hallway.

He has his eyebrows raised, and you’re shaking your head, trying to tell him that it’s not alright back home. In fact, it’s what you feared. It’s in shambles.

“(Y/n), how’s everything in the Capitol?” Annie asks, “Is Alyssum doing okay?”

“Got herself an alliance with the careers, looks promising. If she does well on tonight’s score, then she’s got an official spot.”

“Good.” she says, and then moves on, “Reed doesn’t want to tell you anything, so calling back later won’t do anything. He won’t admit it, even if you tell him everything you know. I’m keeping an eye on the both of them. I didn’t know much about what happened until two days ago.

“Mom’s been keeping me inside a lot, afraid that I’d get everyone around me sick. Only a stomach bug, I’m better now.” she pauses for a long moment, “Sounds like Caspian is back with Mags. I’d give them the phone, but they’ll assume the worst. Instead I’ll just say you called to check up on Mox.”

“Yeah, it’s not the best idea.” you hold your finger up to Finnick, “Which means that you shouldn’t tell them about the career alliance either.”

“I won’t, promise. Call again after the interviews, we’ll all be here. Good luck, (Y/n). Give my best wishes to Alyssum, please.”

“I will,” you say, “Thank you, Annie.”

“No problem.” and then there’s a click.

You place the phone on the hook, taking in a deep breath as you look at Finnick, “Mox is in the clinic because they’re afraid he’s going to hurt himself. Reed and a couple of others are there to visit him.”

“Oh, (Y/n).” Finnick says, face drooping as he reaches out. You let him take you in a hug, squeezing him tightly as you cry into your shoulder.

--

“Sit, please.” Elysia begs, pushing Laurel and the prep team to the big couch that’s entirely dedicated to them. Pleurisy and the others are already sitting on that same couch, ready to go.

You’ve got Finnick to your right, and Alyssum in your arms on the left. Elysia gets her own private arm chair, and so does Rigg, all the way on the right side of the living room. He’s got his legs pulled up to his knees, and he refuses to talk.

“I’m nervous.” Alyssum mutters.

“It’s okay, Aly.” you rub her shoulder, “As long either of you got anything over an eight, we’ll be fine.”

Caesar then shows up on screen, and suddenly everyone is readjusting in their seats to sit up taller, lean forward or get comfortable. You don’t move. Just tighten your arm around Alyssum’s shoulders.

Starting with District One’s Marvel, he kicks it off with a nine. And this is when you know you can relax. If a boy like him is getting something so low, then it’s easy. Alyssum will be just fine. And since Glimmer gets the same score, you can let out a breath of air.

With Clove and Cato, they get ten’s, which was expected. For District Three, get averagely low scores, and for your tributes, you sit up a little more.

“District Four, Rigg Estridge with a score of six.”

You resist the urge to physically wince. Instead, you turn to Rigg with a warm smile, “That’s good, Rigg.”

He gives a timid smile, and your attention is turned right back to Caesar.

He has a smile on his face, looking up to the camera for a moment, “District Four, Alyssum Gallows with a score of--” he pauses on purpose, and the smile only widens, “--eight.”

You shake Alyssum’s shoulder excitedly, patting her upper arm a bit. She looks as happy as you do about all of this. The praise comes from everyone, directed to both Rigg and Alyssum. 

The next few tributes aren’t all that important, they all get around the same score, which only means that they hadn’t done anything outstanding inside of the training center when they had the chances. Not even their private sessions were good, it seems.

Then, it hits Haymitch’s tributes. First is Peeta, who gets an eight. It’s not that bad, it’s actually pretty good. Considering that the careers are always the ones to have a score between eight and ten, he basically qualifies. As for Katniss--she gets an eleven.

You hum, eyes a little wide. You can’t remember the last time Haymitch has got a pair of good tributes. You can only imagine that if his tributes win, it’s going to dig him out of his twenty-four year long streak of only losers.

“Regretting anything yet?” Finnick whispers, you turn to look at him.

“She’s only one person--two if Peeta sticks with her. Alyssum will be surrounded by four people, and she fits right in. I’m not worried about Katniss.”

You look back at the screen, only to see that Caesar is analyzing the scores briefly, until he hits Alyssum again. Then, he picks apart everything that he thinks might have happened, “Do any of you folks remember what had happened during the Gallows’ family interview?”

He then pulls up a clip from the interview. Alyssum was only three then, so little. But that’s not his focus. No, he plays a particular clip where they’re discussing your score;

“That’s a reasonable thought,” Caesar says, a few people in the audience agree, but it’s basically none, “What about her training score? A ten is a very big score, especially for someone who’s fifteen! I would never have guessed it.”

“Me neither.” Reed admits, “I thought she’d get something a little lower, but she always has a trick up her sleeve. She likely thought up some trick last minute that she knew would blow the gamemaker’s minds. And it worked just like she had hoped.”

“I bet she did that trick with the two knives.” Mox says, “Do you remember her doing that?”

Reed shakes his head, “Not really.”

“It’s a difficult trick to pull off, it takes a lot of practice. But if she did the one I’m thinking about, it’s likely the reason why she got one so high. It would be impressive to see her kill two tributes at once.”

After the clip, Caesar’s back, “It makes me wonder if Alyssum had pulled off that same trick that we were never able to see--or something similar! I hope we get to see it inside of the arena.” he winks.

It moves on after that, and Elysia shuts the tv off, turning to all of you, “How do you feel about a celebratory dessert?”

--

This week has been one huge blur. You still can’t believe that the interviews are tonight, and your sister goes into the arena tomorrow. The fact that she’s a tribute in the hunger games doesn’t seem real to you at all.

This has to be one big nightmare that you can’t escape. Your little sister, Alyssum Gallows, who is twelve years old and has only five years of experience and her name was only in the freaking glass bowl once is going inside of the arena. Nine years ago she was three, and you were in the arena, yourself.

It seems like there’s some unfortunate pattern when it comes to the women in the Gallow’s family. First it was your great-grandmother, caught and killed for her participation in the rebellion. Then it was your grandmother for not obeying the laws and standing up for herself when a peacekeeper was out of line.

Then it was your mother, not surviving childbirth. You came close to death a number of times, thanks to the arena. And right when you had thought your family has gotten off lucky--that you had finally managed to break the streak--it falls onto Alyssum. If the universe couldn’t have you, then it would definitely have her.

You know that after this, when you get home, you’re going to see the remnants of Reed and Mox. Mox will probably have to be medicated for the rest of his life, like Annie. Only time will make the wounds better, but they will never fully heal. Alyssum is the final product of your mother, and sometimes, is her.

Reed will throw himself into work. Maybe something dangerous, something that will get him away from you all for a good amount of time. Take week-long fishing trips, and only come home for a day, before leaving again. You can’t imagine he’ll be able to take the pity that everyone will be giving you, well.

And you can assume that the nightmares will resume. They haven’t just yet, but they will when you get back home. You’ll have to avoid the television for months in order not to see the recaps. As for the victory tour--you don’t think you’ll be able to hand it. To have to stand on a platform with your two brothers, barely sane and being held together with tape and glue.

Finnick will finally be able to see what it’s like to be a part of the family. Misfortune follows you all like the grim reaper. It was only a matter of time before the next big thing would happen. 

“Please get that look off your face.” Finnick’s voice is gentle, he reaches up to bring your chin a little higher, wanting you to look at him, “You’ve done a very good job this week. She’s got sponsors, she’s got an alliance, and a high score. You and your brothers prepared her well, just like you said you would.”

“I don’t want her to go inside.” you tell him, throat feeling thick. You look back to the door where she’s supposed to come out in a few moments, “I want her to stay.”

“I know.” Finnick says, pulling you into him. He wraps his arms around you, and you lean your head against his chest, reaching up to grab one of his arms.

You two of you stand like this, staring at the door. The second she comes out, you’re going to have to force a smile and give her more pointers about what she should do on the stage. For now, you get a long moment with your thoughts.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to go home.” the words leave your mouth without a second thought to them, “Not because I can’t face my brothers, but I don’t think I want to see what they’ll become.”

“I’m here with you.” Finnick says, “You don’t have to go through it alone.”

“I know, I get that. But I can’t see them so broken and torn apart. Mox hadn’t even been like this for mom or dad. And Reed literally raised Alyssum and I…” you trail off, eyebrows drawing in, “I can face all the looks from everyone, and the funeral, and the apologies. But my brothers are a whole new thing.”

Finnick doesn’t say anything, but his arms do tighten around you a little at the thought of all that. He probably forgot entirely about the funeral. But it’s really not only that. As soon as they retrieve her body, they’re going to do their best to restore what she looked like before she died, and you and Finnick are going to have to approve it.

Then you get to travel back home with her in a casket that the Capitol provides. Since she was a tribute, and she ‘served’ them, she’ll be in a white one, with a Capitol seal as well as a district one.

You frown now, “No, I don’t think I’ll go home.”

Finnick opens his mouth, but the door opens, and it reveals Alyssum in the biggest blue dress you’ve ever seen her in. She gives a bright smile, and you give one back. She twirls a little for you, holding onto her necklace to keep it in its perfect place. Then, she does a curtsy.

“I love it!” she laughs, coming out of the doorway to allow Elysia and Laurel to slip out of the room, “I’m like royalty.”

“Because you are.” you want to give her a hug, but it’ll have to wait until after the interview.

She looks like she did when she was a child. Playing pretend with the fairy wands and the pretend paper and plastic crowns. You never understood her obsession, but now seeing it in front of you, it’s because she was able to have a childhood. Thanks to you winning the hunger games, you brought your family out of poverty, and it was right in time for Alyssum to start playing with toys.

You almost feel guilty for taking it away from her so soon. She really only got four years before you all were on her back simultaneously. Then again, your early training is what’s going to save her. Even if it’s just for a little while.

“Alright, make sure that one of the first things out of your mouth is a compliment to the Ca[pitol. Like their people, outfits, the apartments that they provide, whatever.” you tell her, “I want you to act like yourself today, okay? Make them melt.”

“Right.” she smiles, “I guess I don’t have to lay it on too thick, then. Especially with this dress.”

You laugh, “You’re already halfway there.”

“Answer the questions honestly, but if you think that it’ll get you in trouble, don’t. It’s okay to lie, they’re not going to know the difference. Not if we’re all going to lie with you.” Finnick says, “If you don’t like a question, answer shortly, and then move on before he can ask you a second question about it. He won’t go back.”

“Three minutes on stage.” you hold up your fingers, “He’ll likely split it into three things. Family, the Capitol, and then either a message you can say, or something about yourself. If you ever get nervous, we’re in the crowd. Find us if you need someone to look at for comfort. But I’d really like it if you looked around the room.”

“I can do this.” she says, “I think I’m ready.”

“Follow Caesar’s lead, he’s going to make you comfortable.” Finnick says lastly, “He’s got you.”

You all go to the line in the hallway to see the other tributes. You wish Alyssum good luck, before heading off towards to retrieve Rigg next. He’s not excited, more nervous and scared. You tell him that he’ll do just fine, and drop him off next to Alyssum.

You and Finnick find your places in the crowd, taking a very special spot next to Haymitch. He doesn’t care that you’ve sat next to him, and he even offers his flask without a word. 

You take it from him, take a nice gulp, and then pass it off to Finnick while your throat burns. This has to be the Capitol stuff, the districts don’t even nearly have something this strong. Finnick sputters out a cough, and the three of you share a laugh because of it.

“Thanks.” you say.

“You probably need it more than me.”

Caesar introduces the show like he always does, for the audience back home. He starts off with Glimmer, who comes on stage in a short pink dress, her blonde hair curled and a wide smile on her face, waving to the audience. Next is Marvel, who easily tours over Caesar because of his height. 

Clove comes in with a red dress, looking mean and smart. She spends her time being sarcastic, but clearly winning the hearts of the people around you. In this time, Haymitch passes the flask over for another drink, and you take it without complaint. You’d rather be drunk than sober when Rigg finally rolls around.

Cato is dressed in a blue suit, and talks about himself the entire time. When the interview is finally over, you’re all relieved and happy to be watching someone who isn’t as full of themselves. Before you know it, the District Four tributes are up.

Alyssum comes up the stage, holding the bottom of her dress just barely up enough so that she doesn’t trip on it. She stops next to Caesar, and the crowd is absolutely in love. You can hear a few people behind you muttering about the dress, and then the crown.

“Wow!” Caesar gasps, “That is--” he backs up, trying to get a whole view of it. Alyssum poses for him, and even turns side to side to allow him to see all of it, “Amazing! Let me guess, you’re supposed to be a princess?”

“Yes!” Alyssum gives a big smile to the crowd, catching you and Finnick instantly. And just as you instructed, she looks out to other people, “Being here in the Capitol makes me feel so…” she stops for a moment, thinking of the word.

“Famous?” Caesar encourages.

“Famous! That’s the word.” she laughs--or more, giggles--at herself, “It makes me feel like I have some fans.”

Caesar gasps, “How could we not? I know I have been a big fan, ever since I saw you for the first time! And you were just a little toddler.”

Behind her, a screen changes to her on Reed’s lap during the family interview.

Alyssum covers her mouth with one hand, “Oh, that’s embarrassing.”

The crowd loves this, and soon, Caesar is encouraging her to sit down too. Following in the footsteps of the six people before her. When she sits, the dress almost consumes her entirely, but she’s able to readjust enough so that it’s fixed.

“Now tell me, Alyssum, what was going through your mind at the reaping?”

Alyssum presses her lips together, a clear sign that she doesn’t like the question. She fakes thinking for a moment, and then gives a shy smile, “I was upset that it was my first year of the reaping and I’d have to go inside of the arena. I thought I’d have a few more years until I would have to start to worry. But, it’s not like that anymore.”

Caesar raises his eyebrows, “Why’s that?”

“I have my older sister here with me.” she places her laced fingers on one of her knees, “Even if this is my last few days, I get to spend it with the person I look up to the most. Or, should I say people. Finnick is pretty cool too.”

She looks right at you and Finnick, giving a cheeky smile.

“Speaking of which, what is it like being in the shadow of her? Being constantly compared to her?” Caesar asks, this question is especially ironic because he’s the one doing it.

“Hard, knowing that I won’t ever compare. But kinda fun too, knowing that people were already familiar with me.” She says, “It’s like going somewhere, thinking it’ll be full of strangers, but instead it’s just family friends.”

“What a thoughtful way to put it.” Caesar says, and then smiles, looking out to the crowd, “what do you think folks? Are you a family friend?”

You wince at how loud the auditorium gets, but give Alyssum a reassuring smile. This is a good sign, a whole audience full of ‘family friends’. This seems to boost Aly’s confidence a little too, and she sits a little taller in her chair.

“You scored very high on your training.” Caesar says, and Alyssum nods.

“I did.”

He smiles at this, “Is there any hidden skills we should know of?”

Alyssum laughs, “If I told you--it wouldn’t be hidden!”

“Fine, do you think you’ll surprise us inside of the arena?”

Alyssum tilts her head with a sweet smile, “I think I might, but you’ll just have to wait and see for yourself.”

The crowd is cheering now, and the buzzer is going off. It’s perfect timing, in your mind. Caesar and Alyssum stand together, he takes her hand in his, and encourages her to step forward. She gives a curtsy, one that’s much more graceful than the one she gave you and Finnick in the hallway.

The crowd is standing now, clapping louder. She gives one final wave, thanking them for their time, and then she’s leaving to go back to the hallway.

As everyone takes their seats again, you and Finnick are slipping out of the crowd, not too focused on Rigg. He’s made his intentions clear, you won’t bother trying to salvage something that doesn’t want to be salvaged.

In the back, Alyssum is twirling around in her dress, and the second her eyes land on you, she’s running over. You hug her tightly, with only praise rolling off Finnick’s tongue.

Now you only have to worry about tomorrow.

[everlarkbirthdaygifts]

Happy Birthday, bandathebillie!

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

Title: The Relationship Plan

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

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

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

---

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

The tears stream down my face.

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

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

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

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

I don’t deserve any of this.

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

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

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

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

I can’t keep playing their game.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Katniss, don’t!”

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

The electrified fence.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Katniss, please.”

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

He doesn’t stray far from me.

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

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

The thunder sounds like the canons in the arena.

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

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

To kiss me.

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

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

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

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

“What happened?” He asks me.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“How do the other Victor’s survive?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Come on.” He says.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Me too.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“What?”

“I know you felt something in that cave.”

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

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

“Ok.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Thanks for saving me tonight.”

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

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

“Thank you.”

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

“Night, Peeta.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Prim, just drop it.”

“Ok.” She smirks. “For now.”

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

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

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

victor.

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

“Fine, I do.”

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

---

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

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

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

“Oh, are you decorating any cakes?”

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

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

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

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

“What, why?”

“He’s watching us.”

“How?”

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

“What?”

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

“What does this mean?”

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

“And what does that mean for us?”

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

“Oh, he told you?”

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

“So you want to continue a fake relationship?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But we aren’t so lucky.

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

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

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

"Hello, Mrs Mellark."

“What are you doing with my son?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But she was insulting me more than him.

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

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

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

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

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

“She’s my mother.”

“I know but the things she’s done to you, I don’t believe she should get to call you her son.” I tell him. “There are a lot of other people out there that care for you and want to love you." I squeeze his hand. "I can take her insults, Peeta. Her words mean nothing to me. They don't hurt me. I know where I came from, my heritage and all. People just forget that because I favor my father in looks."

“It just hurts that she doesn’t believe you’re worthy of me. That I can’t be with a Seam girl. She’s so caught up in the old ways that it’s scandalous of me to be interested in you.”

"Who cares what they all think. We're alive at the end of the day, and I think they should be celebrating that more than where we come from." I remind him. “Come on, let’s get these groceries home.

He goes to his own home, and I go about unpacking the groceries, making lunch and wandering the house bored out of my mind. I nap on the couch, read a book and braid my hair over and over again.

I decide I might walk into town to meet Prim, but I find Peeta at the front door, cake in hand and a notebook in the other.

“Hi.” I greet him.

“I have a proposition.” He tells me.

“About?”

“I think we should go somewhere else.” He tells me.

He places the cake on the bench with a note for Prim and takes my hand, leading me through the Victor’s Village towards the gardens. We find the stone bench and take a seat. Peeta shows me what he’s been working on and it’s in a lot of depth and detail.

The Relationship Plan

“You’ve planned out our relationship?” I ask him.

"It's about being three steps in front of Snow." He tells me. "We have to be on our toes so I thought if we have a timeline to follow, we can be smart and ahead of Snow. He won't predict our moves, and we're winning."

“I don’t want this to be about winning. I just want to keep Prim alive.”

"I know you do, but we can't protect Prim if we're dead." He reminds me. "We just have to be smart and on our toes."

“Don’t you think Snow will pick up that we’re following a timeline?”

“We’re madly in love, Katniss.” He smirks. “We’re just doing what they expect us to do but a little more prematurely than they expect. It’ll work, even Haymitch thought it was a good idea.”

I look at the timeline and see what he’s planned out from now leading up to the games and a little beyond.

“Peeta, they’re going to expect children from us.” I whisper.

He wraps an arm around my shoulder and scoots closer to me. "I won't expect us to anything you're not comfortable with.” He kisses my temple.  

It’s brilliant what he’s planned out. Every little bit of detail. It's a master plan, and I feel as if we can pull it off.

“So, if you agree we’ll start the ball rolling tomorrow.” He tells me. “I’ll call Effie and get her to organise some jewellery catalogues to be sent out. That will get the gossip started.”

I look at the timeline and study it. Peeta has thought of every detail, right down to the little things and people whom we’ll get to help us pull off our plan.

"We're going to have photographers in our faces and watching our every move."

“That’s alright. I suppose it helps Snow keep an eye on our every move.” I respond. “I won’t be able to hunt though.”

"Yes, you will, just limited trips." He smiles. "I'll be the diversion, and they officially can't step inside Victor Village so you'll sneak out and I'll head into town. It'll work."

“I won’t be able to see Gale.”

He frowns slightly. "I think it'll be best for you to step away from him, especially if Snow thinks something is going on between you two." He grasps my hand. "It'll be hard I know but think of Prim."

It’s true, anything to keep Prim alive will be worth it.

“Alright, let’s get started.” I smile at him.

---

“When will these photographers leave?” Prim asks, peaking a look out the living room window.

They've been camped out for nearly 8 weeks, and Peeta and I are planning our engagement to happen in a matter of days. He's ordered the ring, and it's arriving today on the train. The photographers have died down in numbers, assuming an engagement wasn’t going to take place but if one photo of Peeta carrying a small parcel from the train will set off the rumors again, and more photographers and possibly film crew will head on out.

"Soon." I tell her. "I know it's hard, but they just want to be here in case."

"But you and Peeta aren't planning an engagement are you?" She asks me. We hadn't informed her of the plan, and I was playing dumb.

“I don’t think so Prim. If Peeta is he hasn’t let on.” I tell her. “Come on, I’ll walk you to school.”

Peeta would leave just after us, the train arriving at 9 where he’ll pick up the ring packaged in the jewellery company seal and he’ll walk on home with the package on display.

I put my head down as we walk by the press and Prim and I chat quietly as we head to school.

I kiss Prim goodbye and turn on my heel, heading back home with my hands buried deep inside my coat pockets.

Peeta comes over an hour later, and we remain in the house together.

“Peeta, I need a hand down in the basement to move a few things.”

He follows me down the stairs, and we take a seat on an old chest.

“Did you get it?” I ask him.

I notice him beaming and he nods. "Yeah, I did. It's beautiful."

I decided I didn’t want to see it, I trusted him to pick something for me.

“We’re doing this?” I confirm.

He nods and smiles. "We're doing this." He squeezes my hand and leans over and kisses me.

In the last few weeks despite following the planned timeline, our relationship has bloomed. I’ve tried to focus less on saving my butt and actually enjoying time with Peeta. On learning everything there is about him and letting my attraction grow.

If we’re going to be on this train forever, I might as well get to know the man I’ll be spending my life with.

We pull apart breathless, and he smiles at me, brushing his thumb over the corner of my mouth and smiling.

“Can’t wait to get fake engaged to you.” He laughs.

I laugh too, and he kisses me again before he leads me up the stairs.

Two nights later, I'm standing in his kitchen where we've just eaten roast chicken and danced in the kitchen to some music before dessert when he gets down on one knee and professes his love as he flashes an emerald stone ring at me.

The ring was gorgeous.

"Emerald for your birth month and for your favourite color.” He tells me, slipping the ring on my finger and kissing me.

He spins me around the kitchen, and we dance the night away.

He walks me home quite late where we share the news with my mother and sister before he leaves for his house.

“It’s beautiful.” My mother comments. “He did a marvellous job.” She had helped him pick a few out. He also asked for Haymitch’s opinion.

I smile. I've been gushing all night because he genuinely does know me and picked something for me and not for show.

“Can I tell my friends at school?”

"Of course you can." I say as I embrace her.

We were relying on a few people to spread the news while I hid out for a few days.

Prim would go to school telling her friends who’d spread the news like playground gossip. The children would go home and tell their parents the news who'd have hopefully already heard.

I'd tell Madge when she comes around for an early breakfast, one we'd been sharing for the last 8 weeks. She'd hopefully bypass home and tell her father before rushing off to school. Her father would notify the staff in the house and then the team at the Justice building who'd tell everyone who'd step foot into the building. Commander Cray would hear, telling a few peacekeepers who'd then share the news amongst the barracks. The peacekeepers that hung out at The Hob would spread the news to all those in the Hob. Then those in the hob will share the news with their customers who'd later go and tell their families.

Peeta would inform his family first thing in the morning and hoped they’d display a picture of us in the window congratulating us. This notice would catch the attention of the Merchants and word would spread amongst them all and their customers who’d tell their neighbours and friends. By the time the notice goes up, Madge should have told her father who’d be on his way to work.

And finally, Effie we'd tell her during a phone call. She'll tell her friends who'd then spread the news to everyone they knew, and it’d quickly make it’s way to the President and the press. The press would camp out, knowing we were leaving for the tour very soon and knew they'd see the ring on my finger hopefully before we leave.

We'd step out first thing Saturday morning, Peeta picking me up and accompanying me into town. The press would have a shot of the ring immediately, and by the time we returned home, it'd be confirmed and Peeta and me on every Capitol TV program and front cover of their newspapers and magazines. The press would then head on back to the Capitol to ready themselves for our Victory Tour, and a Capitol TV crew would arrive early on Monday morning for our lead up interview of the Tour, and we'd speak officially and exclusively of our news. Our news we'd hope would set the tone of the Victory Tour.

And our plan is executed perfectly.

---

“Katniss and Peeta, we must know, how did he propose?” Caesar asks us through the camera.

We’re due to leave for District 11 in 15 minutes.

I'm standing with my left hand on his chest to show off the ring as we embrace. Snow flurries are in our hair and on the fur of our coats. My lipstick is slightly smudged, and Peeta has a little bit of pink on the corner of his mouth after our kiss in the snow.

"We had just eaten roast chicken, and I invited her to dance in the kitchen with me before we had dessert." He tells them. "I whispered in her ear as we danced how lucky I am to have found someone like her and how I don't want to live without her. I've almost lost her once, and I wanted her to know how much she truly means to me in case something does happen.”

“He got down on one knee… his good knee.” I laugh which causes Caesar to laugh wildly. “And then said, ‘Katniss, I don’t want to spend another day without you. I want to make you my wife and stay with you always.’” I recall for all of Panem, staring into Peeta’s eyes.

“And she said yes.” Peeta smiles, staring back at me. “She made me the happiest man in the world.”

"How exciting!" He gushes. "Am I right folks?" The crowd agrees with awes and coos. "Well we better let you be, and we'll be checking in on your throughout the Victory Tour. Thank you Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, we’ll be seeing you two here on this very stage in less than a fortnight.”

We wave goodbye and stand there until the lights on the camera go off. I brush the snow from his hair, fix his collar of his coat and smile just before I lean in and peck him on the lips.

"No time for that, we have a train to catch." Effie barks, stepping down from the porch of my house and leading everyone to the cars that will take us to the train station.

“You ready for this?” He asks me with a questioning look.

“Yes.”

[everlarkbirthdaygifts]

Happy Birthday karebear923!

We apologize @karebear923 for posting this late, but we wish you had a lovely Birthday! To help celebrate your special day, the lovely @historywriter2007 has written a Everlark story just for you!

[banner is by @bandathebillie] 

Someone Like You- Rated E

Happy Birthday, karebear923! I hope I have enough smut for you!

When I was looking for songs Katniss would’ve sung I came across Someone Like You by Adele and it ended up changing the story slightly. There is some high school angst, but the majority takes place just after college. I hope this meets your Everlark needs.

Of course, I do not own Someone Like You, or The Hunger Games, that is Adele and Suzanne Collins.

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited

But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it.

I had hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded

That for me it isn't over.

Never mind, I'll find someone like you

I wish nothing but the best for you too

Don't forget me, I beg

I'll remember you said,

"Sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead,

Katniss’ car flew along the country roads, even though it had been years since she was home she still knew her way to the familiar cabin in the hills. It’s not that she was meaning to not come home ever, but since her mother and sister moved away right after she graduated high school there was really no reason. She stayed in touch with a few of her friends from home and after much begging from Madge she agreed to come home for the last weekend before she was to move to the capital for her dream job working as a research assistant at the children’s hospital.

As she pulled up the drive she saw his black Jeep parked along several cars she didn’t recognize. Panic and anger filled Katniss, what was he doing here? It’s not like he hung out with the rest of them. Immediately she thought back to the last time they spoke.

You know how the time flies

Only yesterday was the time of our lives

We were born and raised

In a summer haze

Bound by the surprise of our glory days

Katniss needed to get ready for the talent show and decided to stay after school to practice. She was singing Someone Like You, by Adele but it just didn’t feel right. She chose the song to show off her range, but something was off. Frustrated, she stormed from the music room and nearly ran into him. She stared at him, her eyes asking the silent question of why he was in the music hall.  

Finally he spoke, “Hey Katniss, I uh, I heard you singing. It sounds really good.”

“Thanks Peeta, why were you listening?” It came out more accusatory than she meant, but this was not an area Peeta Mellark normally hung out in. He was a jock, captain of the wrestling team, star football player, class president, up for Prom King and not at all someone who should be talking to theater nerd Katniss. Although Katniss had a crush on him, like all the other girls at the school, she wouldn’t dare let him know- he was out of her league anyway.  

A blush crept across his cheeks as he started to speak, “I just, well I was walking by and heard your singing, I remembered when you sang in elementary school. It was so pretty.” Katniss couldn’t help as her signature scowl took over.  He could tell she was questioning his motives and he was losing his nerve to do what he wanted. “When is the talent show?”

“Why, so you and your friends can come and make fun of everyone’s hard work?” Katniss was filled with rage and took it out on him, even though he was never anything but nice to everyone. His friends, on the other hand, thought they ruled the world and made sure everyone knew it. Even Principle Snow let them get away with anything they wanted.

Peeta was taken back by her comment, he knew his supposed friends were jerks, but they were a few weeks away from school being over and he was planning a clean break from all of it. He hoped Katniss wouldn’t be a part of that break, but he was quickly realizing she couldn't separate him from them. “No, I just thought I could come and hear you sing. Without any of them.” It wasn’t working, he knew he needed to leave before he made it worse. “I, nevermind. Have a good day Katniss. I’ll see you around.”

She stood firm watching him walk away, even if she thought he was there to really talk to her there was really now point. His blond curls poked out of his backward hat with the Panem University Logo. He had a full ride scholarship to go there for wrestling, which was four hours away from State where she was going on an academic scholarship. Katniss sighed and started to leave, deciding to go to the restroom on her way out.

Before she could leave the stall she heard the familiar voices of the “cool girls” Clove and Glimmer, she was planning to just push past them until they started talking.

“Did you hear Cato bet Peeta twenty bucks that he wouldn’t talk to Katniss. He told him he would give him twenty more if he actually asked her to prom.” Clove stated.

“Why would he do that? He’s going with me, we are going to be Prom King and Queen, it only makes sense that we would go together.” Glimmer protested.

“Well, you think he’s going with you. But I guess it was just a game to them. See if nerdy Katniss would actually think Peeta was interested in her. I wish I could’ve seen it. I bet she got all flustered and excited that he even knew her name.” Clove added.

Katniss had heard enough, she charged from the bathroom and went to the sink, loving the fact that both girls were suddenly at a loss for words. She decided to add one more thing to really get to them. “You can tell Peeta that I already have a date to prom, Gale Hawthorne is coming back to take me. Have fun.”

She charged from the room before they could respond back, and rushed from the building.  Of course it was a joke, she’s just glad she didn’t play her hand and let Peeta know she really did like him, but not anymore.  He was no better than the rest of them.

Regrets and mistakes

They are memories made.

Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?

“Hi Katniss.” His voice broke her thoughts as he approached her and she couldn’t control the butterflies that fluttered around her stomach. He was better looking now than in high school if that was even possible. His jaw had lost all of its roundness and was now sharp enough to cut glass, he looked a bit more muscular, no doubt from all the workouts he needed to do for wrestling, and his hair was shorter. One thing that didn’t change were his eyes, they were still deep blue, and right now they were filled with concern.

“Hi Peeta, what are you doing here?” Just like the last time they talked her question came out harsher than she meant, but to be fair the last time he was just there to mess with her.

“Madge invited me,” he replied, his voice seemed unsure. “I, well, I just wanted to say hi.”

“Well, you said it.” Katniss stared him down, as he nodded and turned away. When he was gone she was filled with sadness, maybe she could let his past actions go it was 5 years ago after all. She marched over to the cooler and grabbed a beer before talking with the few friends she actually wanted to see.  

The whole night she felt Peeta’s eyes follow her as she spoke with Madge and Gale, who were finally a couple, as well as a few others who she hadn’t seen in awhile.  Every time she looked over at Peeta he quickly turned away, much like he had all through high school. At the time she wished it was because he liked her, but after that day she knew it had to be something else.

Madge made her way from Peeta to Katniss, “Will you just talk to him?”

Katniss scoffed and took a sip of her beer as she shook her head. “Why should I? You know what he did.”

“Katniss, things aren’t always what that appear to be. Besides, that was high school, you are starting a new job, we can legally drink this stuff and are actual adults now. Maybe you should act like it.”

Katniss looked at her friend, “Some things can’t be explained away and forgiven.” She didn’t wait for a response before she marched off into the woods towards the dock. She was fuming, now her best friend was turning on her. What Peeta did was horrible, a move out of some dumb high school movie. She let her feet dangle into the water trying to calm herself when she heard a heavy tread start down the dock towards her.

“You gonna finish me off?” She asked without turning around, she knew it was Peeta, he couldn’t have been quiet if his life depended on it.

“No, I saw you storm off and Madge told me where you would be. Can we talk, please?” Peeta was still a few feet away, waiting for her to allow his approach when she nodded he sat beside her. The dock was so narrow she could feel the heat from his body on her legs and could smell him, a mixture of cinnamon, dill and something else.

He took a deep breath before speaking, “I’m sorry.” Katniss raised her eyebrow and opened her mouth to speak but he continued. “Just hear me out. I don’t know what I did but it must’ve been bad to get you so upset.”

Katniss was enraged, “What do you mean you don’t know what you did? Cato said he would give you money to talk to me, would give you more if you asked me to Prom when you were supposed to be going with Glimmer. What was the plan, to get nerdy Katniss all excited that popular Peeta liked her then make fun of me in front of the whole school? I’m glad I overheard Clove and Glimmer talking about it before I could let myself believe it was anything more than a game to you.”

Peeta looked at her in shock, “What are you even talking about?”

“That day, by the music room, when you spoke to me for the first time in years. I overheard those two making fun of me in the bathroom after you walked away. Tell me Peeta what did you do with your winnings?” She was so mad she didn’t notice Peeta’s face getting red.

“I didn’t take anything if anything Cato betting me to talk to you was about the only nice thing he ever did.” He looked down and sighed, “Katniss I have a huge crush on you, always have and that’s the truth. Cato realized I really did like you and in an attempt to get me to do something he told me he would give me twenty bucks to talk to you. I was never going to take the money, it was a way for me to finally get the nerve to speak to you. But you were so closed off and I don’t blame you. I lost my nerve and walked away. I know now what that must’ve looked like, but really I just...damn it...why can’t I ever just talk to you.”

Katniss softened a bit at his words. “So what about Clove and Glimmer? How did they know?”

Peeta looked away for a moment then looked back at her. “I honestly have no idea, but they loved being able to tell me that you were going to prom with Gale. They didn’t care who they hurt, they just loved doing it. That’s why I asked Delly to go instead.”  

Katniss thought back to that night, she called Gale as she was leaving the school and asked him to come back to go with her. Gale had told her he wanted to see if there could be something more than friendship between them, but as the night went on it was obvious to both of them they were destined to be only friends.

Peeta showed up with Delly, someone who was genuinely nice to everyone just like Katniss thought Peeta was until the week before. But she couldn’t deny how handsome he was in his tux. He was voted Prom King along with Glimmer, she often wondered why he hadn’t taken Glimmer, now she had her answer.

“I couldn’t take Glimmer after the way she acted, and I’m glad.  Did you know that Cato knocked her up that night?” Peeta’s words pulled Katniss from her memories.

  “No, I left after graduation and didn’t look back. Sounds like you dodged a bullet.”

“There is no way I would’ve slept with her even if we did go to prom together. I know you don’t know me that well, but I was never like that. In fact, I didn’t sleep with any of them.”

“Really?” Katniss just always assumed he had been with most of the popular girls.

“No, didn’t want to be with any of them. I was holding out for someone better.” Peeta bit his lip and looked down.

This all sounded more like the Peeta she built up in her mind. “I guess I had an idea of who I hoped you were. That day forced me to toss it all out the window.” Katniss replied.

“And who did think I was before that day?”

Katniss looked away, she couldn’t face him while she told him about the imaginary Peeta she had in her head. “Kind, generous, someone who didn’t care what others thought, someone who would do the right thing.”

“And after I was just one of them, right?” He added. Katniss swallowed hard and nodded. “I like to think I am more of the person you described before. I came to your talent show, by the way, you were great.”

Katniss’ head popped up in surprise, “You did? Why?”

  “I wanted to hear you sing, I always loved your voice.” Peeta looked down, the blush covering his cheeks was spreading along the side of his neck.

“I sang better because of you. After that day the song took on a new meaning to me.  I was hurt by you, and that was what the song was all about. Needing to move on.” She stared straight into his eyes and found that same hurt.

“Yeah, then I guess I was right in the feeling that it was meant for me. After hearing it I felt like I had lost my chance, especially after seeing you with Gale, which I know now is nothing more than friendship. Madge and he are good for each other.” Peeta moved to stand, “Katniss I never meant to hurt you, if anything I was just a stupid boy who couldn’t talk to the girl he had a crush on.”

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and started to walk away, but Katniss’ voice stopped him. “And now?”

He turned back towards her, it was getting dark, but she could still see the sincerity in his eyes. “Now I’m just a stupid man who still can’t seem to find the right thing to say to his crush.”

His admission finally gave Katniss the courage to do something about her own crush, “Do you want to go somewhere else to talk. Maybe we can catch up?”

For the first time all night Katniss saw a genuine smile on Peeta’s face. “I’d like that.”

After talking Katniss found out she was actually moving into the same apartment building as Peeta in the Capital. He had taken an entry level job in public relations for a firm near the children’s hospital. One week later he showed up to help her haul her things to her 12th-floor apartment, only three doors down from Peeta’s place. She did a double take when he came down the stairs, he had on jeans, a white t-shirt that was pulled tight across his chest and a backward Panem University hat, just like the last time she spoke to him in high school. It was almost as if she was getting a second chance to finish that day.

After moving everything in Peeta told Katniss to get cleaned up so he could take her out for her first night in her new place. An hour later he showed up at her door in dark jeans and a button-down blue shirt that made his eyes pop even more than normal. Katniss wore a dress she just bought at Madge’s insistence, it was a simple sleeveless green dress that stopped above her knees.

He stopped for a moment, looking her up and down before raising his shaking hand to give Katniss the small bouquet of flowers. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks, you clean up pretty well yourself.” She answered as she took the flowers from him, realizing the had no clue if she even had a vase for them.  

As if he was reading her thoughts he reached down and picked up a small glass vase from next to his feet. “I didn’t think you had a vase, so I got one as well.”

After she placed the flowers in water they left for The Arena, supposedly the best restaurant in the capital. Katniss couldn’t remember the last time she felt so free or laughed so much.  She finally put all the pieces together and figured out Gale and Madge were a part of getting Peeta and her to talk last week. Not to mention it was Gale that told her about the apartments Peeta and her live in, she would deal with his meddling ass later.  

After dinner, they returned to their apartment building and Katniss noticed Peeta was more nervous now than during the actual date. As they passed her door he paused, “do you want to come over to my place? I know you’re probably tired but there is something I’d like to show you.”

Katniss smiled at him, his cheeks had a blush to them again, how could she say no. “Sure.”

He slipped his keys in and opened the door, placing his hand gently on the small of her back to guide her though. His apartment was the same setup as her’s, a small entry that led to an open floorplan with a great room and kitchen, the bedroom was down a small hall.  He turned on the lights and Katniss couldn’t believe her eyes. A large sign hung along the back wall with “Prom 2012” on it and sailboats along, she remembered the theme their senior year had been “Sail Away With Me.”

“What’s all this?” She questioned.

Peeta smiled at her, “Well I was too much of a coward to ask you to prom even though I really wanted to go with you. I thought we could have a do-over.” Peeta hit a few buttons on his phone and “I Won’t Give Up” started playing over the speakers. He then held out his hand which Katniss took, allowing him to pull her close as they swayed to the music.

“I like this prom better than the one we went to,” Katniss admitted as she looked up at Peeta.

“Me too. Don’t get me wrong, I had fun with Delly but I spent the majority of the night looking over at you and Gale.”

“Well, now that you have me what are you going to do with me?” Katniss teased.

“I’m never going to let you go.” Peeta brushed a hair back from her face. “I just wish I had tried to talk to you again after that day.”

Katniss smiled at him. “I didn’t help the situation much. I was too stuck on seeing the bad and not trusting who I knew you really are. But I think this is better anyway.”

“How?” Peeta questioned.

“We know who we are now, and what we want. Before we were just silly kids with a crush.” Katniss raised on her toes so she could do what she really wanted, kiss Peeta. He seemed surprised at first and when his brain caught up he deepened the kiss building a fire in Katniss’ core.

When they finally separated Peeta asked, “and now?”

“I know I want to be with you. Aren’t you supposed to get lucky after prom?”

“I guess so, I didn’t though,”Peeta admitted, even though Katniss knew that was the case.

“I didn’t either.” Katniss pulled away and started walking towards where Peeta’s room should be. “You did say this was a do-over.”

Peeta stood slack-jawed for a few moments before he caught up to her in his room. Katniss stood by the bed waiting for him to make a move, she was so far out of her comfort zone being the aggressor she didn’t know what to do next.  

He wrapped his hands around her waist pulling her in for another passionate kiss. “Katniss, are you sure? We don’t have to do anything tonight. I’m fine just being with you.”

Katniss was always better with actions than words, she backed away enough to release her dress and let it fall to her feet. Suddenly she was very self-conscious of the fact she was standing in front of Peeta Mellark in only a set of black lacy underwear. She immediately crossed her hands in front of her, but Peeta closed the gap. “You are breathtaking,” he whispered in her ear before he placed gentle kisses along her neck.  All of her thoughts left her mind as she focused on the feeling of Peeta mouth and tongue working his way to the valley of her breast. Katniss moved her hands between them to unbutton his shirt, she pushed it off and took her turn to look him over. His body was still sculpted like a wrestler, strong arms, and broad chest, then her eyes went lower to patch blonde hair that disappeared below his jeans.

Peeta’s hands went to her breast, but she wanted to feel more. She unclasped her bra and let it fall between them. He wrapped his hands around her back and laid her down on his bed to continued worshiping her body with his hands and mouth. When his hands made it to her core he looked at her, “is this okay?”

She looked into his deep blue eyes, this was what she wanted, in fact, she never wanted anything more. Her answer was simple, “yes Peeta, I want you.”

He looped his fingers in her panties slowly pulled them down her legs, she expected him to come back up to her instead his face stopped at her core and the next sensation was one that made her whole body heat up. Peeta worked her with is tongue and mouth, until she exploded. As she recovered he crawled up her body and kissed her deeply, while Katniss tried to move her hands between them to get his pants out of the way. She was on fire and wanted everything.  He took the hint and tried kicking his pants down his legs as she helped push them with her feet. He reached past her to the nightstand rifling through it until he found what he was looking for. She thought the signals were clear, but he asked again. “Are you sure you want to?”

Katniss nodded, “I’m sure.”She took the condom from him, ripped it open and rolled it down his length. He was bigger than anyone she’d ever been with, not that it was an extensive list. He slowly pushed in and waited for her to be ready, she bucked her hips and he took it as the sign to move. His thrust were long and deep, hitting her in just the right spot. She felt a second orgasm coming on, “Oh my God Peeta. Don’t stop.”

He moved a hand between them, rubbing her clit causing her to explode once more. The feeling was enough to push him over the edge, and after a few more frantic thrusts he called out her name and stilled over her.

After disposing of the condom Peeta crawled back into the bed, wrapping her in his arms. “I don’t usually do that on the first date. I just wanted you to know that.”

The idea that he wanted her to know that made her smile, this was the Peeta she always believed was real. “I don’t either.” She had her head on his chest and took a deep breath, inhaling his scent. Everything about this should make her want to run for the hills, instead, she is happy it happened; that’s when it hits her. “We could’ve waited,” she felt Peeta stiffen under her and she moved to sit up so she could look him in the eyes to say the next part. “But I think we both know it would’ve happened anyway. This isn’t a one night stand for me.”

Peeta smiled at her, “It’s not one for me either, I like to think it’s the start of something else. Something real.”

Katniss kissed him, pouring all the emotions she was feeling into the kiss. She laid her head back on his chest over his heart and let the sound lull her to sleep knowing this is how it was always meant to be.