amandamorsttan-archive

[amandamorsttan-archive]

[amandamorsttan-archive]

One! When I was younger, I had hoped to get stationed in One rather than Three.. Did the war bring you here?

Harper could sense the hesitation in Amanda’s demeanor, and she paid her respect by listening carefully and nodding in acknowledgement with a solemn expression. "I was born in District one. Then I was—….Well, now I’m here."

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Not as long as others.... She hesitated to tell her the rest. However, thinking about Atticus and how she hasn't even told him she was born in 13 yet, made her hesitation go away. She wasn't going to keep it secret any longer. I.. was born her, but then I got stationed in Three. And now I'm back here.

"Have you been here for a long time?"

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I did. I had a lot of time when I was there. She chuckles. I know what you're saying, dear. You look like a good judge, though. Better than me, at least.

"You did?"

"It’s actually one of my favorites, so… You’ve good taste. Not that I’m— I’m not saying that I’m the judge of good books. It’s not like that; I just like to read. I read a lot.”

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Oh, you're welcome. It's a good book, that one is. Read it myself when I was still in Three.

"Yes, that’s it. Thank you. For holding onto it."

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You know what? I actually did. She fishes around her satchel, moving things around. This yours?

"Excuse me…? Sorry— I don’t mean to bother you, it’s just…. m-my book. I dropped my book and I don’t know w— I’m not sure if— where I…"

"…Have you seen a book on the ground?"

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Oh, you can be damn sure I'll teach him math. ..And a little more.

I’ll teach him the ways of my smile then so long as you teach him the rest. Like math.

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No, no. He needs your smile. ..The rest can be mine, sure.

He’ll just be very loved by all of us.

Yeah, well, hopefully he’ll get your smile and brain and eyes. All the good stuff.

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No harm in that. The more the merrier.

She snickers. Yeah, pooor kid.

I suppose but he’s going to think he has two dads if Alaric is always around. 

Oh god, poor kid.

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Yeah! C'mon, everyone needs to hold a baby every now and then. She offers her son to her, nodding in approval. She knew the girl probably needed it, and babies could to wonders to one's mood.

Hold him? [Katniss hesitates, trying to find the right words to express the unexpressable. Oh, she would love to hold him, he was beautiful, he was innocent, he was everything that made it worth living in the world. But that was exactly why she felt like she shouldn’t. She didn’t want to taint him.] I’m - he’s - I don’t -

… Are you sure?

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On the eighth. Would you like to hold him, Katniss?

When did you have him?

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I'm the mother, thank you very much. Can't have two mothers.

Mmhm. And your ears.

Oh, that’ll go down well. Can’t we write down that Alaric is the mother?

Not at all, he’s got your eyes and lips.

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I dunno, I mean. I could just tell him that Alaric's his father. .....Kind of.

Just like his father.

I know you won’t hurt me, so I’m going to be brave and call you a liar.

He held his arms open, making sure to support Christoph’s head. He’s just… perfect.

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Better watch yourself calling a momma bear a liar.

No, he's out like a light. She hands him over, carefully placing him in Atticus' arms. 

Lies. Slanderous lies.

I would love to. We won’t wake him, will we?”

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You're a terrible guesser, Atticus.

Would you like to hold your son?

I’ve always been a good guesser. I know, it may have already happened four times…

It’s still incredible.

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Mmmhm. Well, so far you're right. God, just look at him. Incredible.

Our child.

I guessed?

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Who said I still loved you?

To be fair, I’m just grateful you still love me after all that.