#Prim and Peeta siblings

[jhsgf82]

Feel the Beat, Always Part I

A/N: Thanks to @daydreamsandcaffeine​ for encouraging me to write this and for the little brainstorm session! I’m not very good with edits, but above is a little visual anyway. It’s kinda long. Enjoy!  

Katniss raises her arms above her head, stretching her lean, lithe body; she links her thumbs, bends her knees, and arches her chest as she drops her head back, leading with her fingers. Slowly, she goes into a full standing backbend, then drops down and catches herself. She bends her elbows and goes into a reverse tabletop position for about ten seconds, then lowers herself down to the mat.  

She’s been up since sunrise, limbering up and running through her dance routine, twice. Now she’s completing her post-dance stretches. Maybe she’ll go through the routine once more though, for good measure. 

After all, her big audition is TODAY. 

And big shot producer, Alma Coin, is going to be there. 

Dance is Katniss Everdeen’s life. And she’s good at it, really good. Oh, she’s not a star by any means, but she’s managed to land a couple of larger roles which have gotten her name out there, and she’s kept steady gigs in the chorus line of several popular stage shows. It’s been enough to make a living without having to work two or three jobs, which is a small miracle here in New York City. Her place isn’t a penthouse, obviously, nor is it a rat’s hole‒it’s just a simple loft, and it’s just right for her. What she loves best is that there’s plenty of space to dance. 

A small town girl leaving her small town life to make it as a performer in “the big city” is relatively unheard of–well, no, not unheard of. It’s all too common. What’s not common is being successful at it. But Katniss has talent, and she’s aware of it. She can sing; she can dance, and if only she could act, she’d be a triple threat; however, she sucks at acting. But that’s okay. She doesn’t really need to; she can make her body work for her when her words and facial expressions fail her. 

Katniss goes into a butterfly stretch. 

Her mangy old muddy-orange cat, Buttercup, whom she inherited when her grandmother passed, comes up beside her, brushing her with his tail as he passes. He stops to stretch out beside her, elongating his body and sticking his butt in the air as he digs his nails into the gray and beige geometric-patterned rug. Then he trots over and jumps up on her couch and assumes the loaf position. Lazily, he watches her with rotten squash-colored eyes. He blinks at her once, and Katniss’s lips twitch.   

Buttercup, an unlikely companion (and one she didn’t like very much at first), is quite possibly the ugliest cat she’s ever seen with his mashed-in nose and half an ear missing. He was definitely unwanted at first, but he’s grown on her. He’s her only company, truly, the only person in her life, and he’s not even a person. Well, Katniss hasn’t had a date in…some number of years, but that’s okay. She doesn’t really need anyone; she only needs the stage. 

As for family, there’s only her dad. She’s an only child, and her mom left when she was little. She does try to call her father at least once a week. They don’t have much to talk about, but they get each other all the same. For one, he’s good about not guilt-tripping her for never coming to visit; he’s just happy to hear her voice. It’s not that she doesn’t want to go back to New Hope, West Virginia, or maybe she doesn’t. Admittedly, it would be too hard to see…certain persons, namely one, and of course, she’d have to hear everyone drone on and on about how she abandoned the town to make her way in NYC.    

She finishes her stretches, showers, braids her long hair up in a high braid, and dresses in her dance attire as she doesn’t know what the changing room situation will be like‒she hates crowding in a room with dozens of other girls, all fighting over the last mirror. Not that Katniss cares about the mirror so much; she’s not a heavy makeup wearer. She checks the weather, and of course, it’s raining, so she grabs a trench coat and slips into it on her way out. In the elevator, she buttons it partially up and cinches it at the waist.  

Midtown traffic is a killer, per usual. Actually, it seems much, much worse today. What the heck is going on? It takes her nearly twenty minutes to hail a cab, and her once leisurely commute is suddenly a rush. When the cab comes to a stop, she says a silent thanks. But then, she sees a middle-aged woman with long gray hair across the street, and she’s going for the same cab as her. 

Oh no, no way. That’s my cab! thinks Katniss. 

Her competitive side kicking in (and also her survival instinct‒Katniss Everdeen doesn’t get pushed around by anyone), she runs for the cab as fast as she can in her character heels, and without being hit by traffic. Fortunately, it’s come to a crawl. The other woman gets to the cab just ahead of her and opens the door, and Katniss slips right in, calling out, “Thank you!” 

“This is my cab!” the woman screeches. 

“I’m sorry, but it’s a matter of life or death.” Katniss shuts the door and gives the driver the address, and he’s speeding off, leaving the woman standing there in the rain‒she’s lost her umbrella, so she’s getting pelted. For a moment, Katniss feels bad, but she can’t miss this audition; this is her big break. Wherever the woman has to go, it can’t be as important as where she’s going. She probably has some cushy office job, anyway, where it doesn’t matter much if you’re a few minutes late. 

Briefly, Katniss thinks of someone she used to know. He was always such a do-gooder that he’d never approve of this kind of behavior. He’d never make it in this city, she thinks; NYC would chew him up and spit him out. Even so, she decides to do something nice for some random stranger later in his honor; perhaps she’ll buy coffee for the next person in line at Starbucks after she nails this audition. 

----- 

Katniss gets to her audition with only five minutes to spare. It’s good she decided to wear her crop top and tights to the audition rather than change there; now she only needs to dry off her shoes a bit, so she doesn’t slip. 

When her name is called with a group of several others, Katniss heads confidently to the stage. She’s not nervous, not really. There was a time when she used to get nervous before auditions, but such a thing does no good. It’s better to appear confident, even if you’re not; although, she is. 

Katniss performs the routine perfectly. She noticed a couple of the dancers getting off the beat, but it didn’t throw her a bit. Those two will surely be cut. She makes it through the first round of cuts, and then the second, and she’s practically flying, her smile wide, her face glowing with hope and just a bit of perspiration. 

“Now, Ms. Alma Coin would like to have a look at you,” Coin’s assistant, who’s been doing the cuts, says. 

Katniss stands tall, strikes a pose, and smiles just as the cab woman walks out on stage. 

Oh crap.

Katniss prays this woman won’t recognize her, but of course, she does, her thin, lipstick-less mouth curling up into a snarl-grimace. Then she hopes for Ms. Coin to be professional, to choose the best dancers, regardless of petty vendettas. But no. She immediately begins dressing her down for her outlandish behavior, says she’d never allow such a disgraceful person to perform in one of her shows. It seems a bit much to Katniss. Just because she inconvenienced her and ticked her off she’s going to ban her from being in any of her shows? And not only that, but Ms. Coin also declares, in an overly dramatic fashion, that her ‘career is over.’ 

She can’t just decide that, announce that she’ll never work on Broadway again! 

Katniss tries to explain herself, smooth things over, but that only results in her accidentally knocking Alma Coin off the stage and injuring her. Not knowing what else to do, Katniss rushes out of the audition. 

-----

On her way back to her apartment, she receives several texts from her friend Cinna. Apparently, someone captured a video of her knocking Alma Coin off the stage and posted it on social media. The ridiculous thing is up to 30,000 views. 

Cinna, what am I gonna do? she texts.  

Cinna: Just give it some time. Lay low and try again after a month or so. It’ll die down. 

A month? she texts back. I don’t have a month. I’m already behind on my rent since the money from my last show ran out, and I’m sure my sleazebag landlord isn’t gonna be happy. 

Cinna: Don’t worry, darlin. Just let me know if you need some money. 

I don’t take charity, Cinna, she texts. 

Cinna: I know.  

-----

Over the next three weeks, Katniss does everything she can to make ends meet, even cocktail waitressing, something she never thought she’d (or wanted to) go back to. Additionally, Cinna had the brilliant idea that she should audition for Portia Rose, a big Broadway producer, who’s apparently the only one not intimidated by Alma Coin. But how is she going to audition for her? Her agent dropped her after the video, and it isn’t exactly easy to take meetings with wealthy show biz people.

Her one chance comes after Cinna does a little detective work and discovers that Portia will be dining at the ritzy Capitol Bar & Grille for lunch Friday afternoon. It might be crazy, but if Katniss can put on a performance on the sidewalk as Portia is coming out of the restaurant, maybe she’ll catch her eye. Dressed in her best dance ensemble, a sparkly silver little number designed by Cinna, she waits outside for Portia. Sure enough, she’s there, and the moment she leaves the restaurant with her group, Katniss goes right into it. 

Unfortunately, Portia either doesn’t notice her or doesn’t care because she walks right by. As she’s trying to get her attention, Katniss runs into a hot dog vendor and ends up covered in ketchup and mustard.    

For the topper on the crap sundae that is her day, and her life, when she gets back to her apartment, her stuff is in the halls and there’s an EVICTED notice on her door in bold black letters. And the locks have been changed. Did her asshole landlord throw her out with no real notice?! Okay, so maybe he’d been threatening her for weeks, but how could he just toss her stuff into the halls and change the locks? It could’ve been stolen! At least he put Buttercup in his cat carrier rather than turn him loose. She considers going to her landlord to plead her case, but he’s already made it clear he won’t be lenient anymore, that is, unless she wants to sleep with him. She’d rather be homeless. She doesn’t want to live in a place managed by such a creep anyway. 

Katniss slumps against her door between the boxes and slides down to a seated position. Her head falls back against the door with a thunk. Buttercup yowls from beside her, and she sticks her fingers through the holes of the carrier to let him sniff her. 

“We’re gonna be okay, Buttercup. We’ll be o-kay.” 

Just then, her phone rings, and as if he sensed her despair, it’s her dad. 

She hesitates, then answers the video call. “Hey, Dad.” She attempts for bright and cheery, but she’s sure she’s grimacing, and she can feel hot tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. Katniss hasn’t cried in years, not since her mom left, and she doesn’t plan to start now. 

“Hey, Catkin! How’s my best girl?” 

“Just…paying my dues, Dad,” she mutters. She can’t fake it much longer, but she doesn’t exactly want to give him the deets. 

“It’ll happen, sweetie,” her dad assures. “You’re so talented. You’re gonna make it.” He goes on to tell her how proud he is of her and how he’s saved the playbills she’s sent him for all of her Broadway shows. He’s only made it to one of her shows, but she knows that was difficult enough for him to manage, so she’s thankful. 

“Thanks, Dad,” she says, plastering on a small smile. 

“Are you…sitting in the hallway?” he asks. 

Oh God. She positions the phone to ensure he only has a view of the door, not the boxes and bags littering the hall.  

“Yeah, just, uh, waiting for my take-out,” she says. And he seems to buy it. Her dad knows how much she loves food. 

“Oh,” he clears his throat, “what’d you get?” 

“Chinese,” she answers immediately. 

“Oh. Sounds good.” 

There’s a pause. 

“Well, uh, Dad, I think that’s my food coming up the stairs now, so I better…” 

“Okay, honey. Call me later. Love you.” 

“You too.” She hangs up and sighs. 

She stares across the hallway at her neighbor’s door until she hears a little ding. She looks down at her phone. It’s from Dad. 

Dad: You can’t fool me, sweetie. Just come home. 

Dad: You can stay in your old room as long as you want. It’s all set for you. Haven’t changed a thing.  

Katniss sighs. She doesn’t want her dad to think she couldn’t hack it; she doesn’t want to admit failure. But what else can she do? Presently, this city is sucking the life out of her, and she needs a recharge. She can crash at home, er her old home, maybe get a job and save up some money, and once she’s back on her feet, she can work on getting to Portia again. 

-----

Against her will, her dad bought her a plane ticket and insisted on picking her up at the small New Hope airport. Probably for the best. There aren’t any cabs. Even Ubers are extremely rare. And unless she wants to hitch a ride on Old Farmer Diggs’ tractor, it’s best that she lets her father pick her up. 

They sit quietly in his truck; Katniss has barely said anything since their greeting and hug at the airport. After several minutes pass, her dad starts humming a little song they used to sing together, which successfully breaks the ice, and she starts humming, then singing along. Her dad has an amazing voice, always has. She swears he can make the birds stop to listen. Truthfully, he was her inspiration to get into show business, although she's more confident and comfortable dancing than singing.  

Just as they’ve passed the New Hope sign, “So, uh, heard from your mom lately?” her dad asks out of the blue, effectively putting the ice wall back up. 

“Nope,” she replies. She doesn’t know why he would think she would after all these years.   

Suddenly, Katniss has a terrible thought. Not that she should care about what the person who abandoned her thinks, but… “I hope she didn’t see the video.” Katniss groans. “Or anyone in town. I’d die.” 

“Oh, now, don’t be too full of yourself, sweetie. People around here have other things to worry about, you know. Their own lives.” 

“I know.” 

“Probably just me stalking your Instabook.”

“That’s Instagram, Dad.” Katniss smirks.  

“That’s what I said.” Her dad laughs a little, and Katniss’s lips quirk. But not long after, her lips curve into a frown. “I hate the internet,” she says on exhale. 

“Me too,” her dad replies. “Just keep up with it for my pride and joy.” 

That brings another little smile from her. 

They’re driving past Town Hall when they see Coach Odair and his football team. He’s barking at them to pick up their feet and run faster, so they’re not the slowest football team out there, as well as other little passive-aggressive encouragements. 

Katniss’s dad throws up his hand. “Hey, Finnick.” 

“Hey, Mr. E, how ya doing?” Finnick waves back, then proceeds to ride his team. 

“I see the football team still sucks,” remarks Katniss.  

“Ah, they’ve had their good years and bad. Finn’s a good coach. He rides ‘em hard, but he’s actually a big softie.” 

That sounds about right. 

Katniss and her father make idle conversation about his job in the mines, which Katniss wishes he’d give up, and about the possibility of making the farm his sole source of income, which she encourages. But he isn’t a risk taker, he tells her. Not like her. 

“Some risk taker,” she mumbles. “I take these huge risks and fail.” Katniss sighs, and Buttercup meows from the truck bed. “I really screwed up, Dad.” 

“Oh now, honey. That’s what the term risk implies, that you might fail. But you haven’t failed. This is just one missed opportunity, a minor setback after multiple successes. Like you said, in a profession such as yours, you’re bound to have to pay some dues.” 

“Thanks, Dad.” 

“Come on, gimme a smile.” She does her best to. “Aw, you can do better than that.” 

“This might be the best I have in me right now, Dad.” 

“Ah, that can’t be it. Hey, I know what you need…cheese.” 

Katniss quirks a brow. She does love cheese. Cheese and chocolate: two substances she could pretty much eat (or drink) her weight in. 

“Or better yet, cheese buns!” 

“No, Dad.” Katniss shakes her head. “Can’t we just get some cheese at the market? You know I can’t go to the bakery‒”  

“Not to worry, Catkin. He won’t be there. He’s never there this time of day. I’ll even go in for you, just in case.” 

---- 

Katniss waits outside Mellark’s Bakery while her father goes in for bread and cheese buns. She decides to get out of the truck for some fresh air. As she leans up against the truck, she cranes her neck to see if she can see who’s inside working. 

“Katniss?” 

Katniss spins at the sound of the high-pitched affected accent of who could be none other than Ms. Effie Trinket, her dance teacher from when she was a pre-teen through high school. 

Sure enough, there she is. She’s a bit older, though she looks much the same (probably thanks to Botox, and all the makeup). Naturally, her hair is dyed a vibrant color; today, it’s bright pink. She’s dressed in her usual flamboyant style and wearing at least three or four-inch stilettos. She’d always change into dance shoes for practices, but otherwise, she’d be wearing high heels around town. 

“Oh, h-hey, Ms. Trinket.” Although she’s married to the surly town drunk with a heart of gold, she still uses her maiden name. “How are you?”  

“Can’t complain, dear. How are you?” She raises her voice on ‘you.’ “The big Broadway star!” 

Katniss feels her shoulders slumping, but she puts on the hint of a smile. “Fine. Just fine. How’s Haymitch?” 

“Oh, goodness! He’ll be the death of me, I’m sure of it!” she wails. 

“You two are still…together?” 

“Heavens, yes.” Then Effie launches into a number of complaints about her alcoholic husband, who is apparently sober now (for the most part) and assistant coaching the football team, interspersed with sprinklings of praises throughout. These two have an interesting relationship. They’re so different, yet somehow, they’ve made it work all these years. 

“And what about you, dear? Any special man in your life?” 

Katniss shakes her head. “No, not really.” She knew it was a mistake mentioning Effie’s relationship, for it was bound to lead to questions about her own, or lack thereof.  

“Oh, speaking of, I just saw Peeta!” trills Effie Trinket.  

Katniss feels as though a large thorn has been jabbed into her side at the mention of his name. 

“Peeta?” another voice chimes in. “Oh, I saw him this morning!” Delly Cartwright has just strolled up the sidewalk hand in hand with her little girl, a light brunette girl with her hair in buns wearing a pink tutu and leotard. The last time Katniss saw her, she was a baby; she recalls that her name is Emmy. “Katniss! Is that really you?!” 

What is this? A reunion?  

Well, Katniss knew she was bound to run into people from her past in town. But does every one of them need to bring Peeta up?  

Katniss nods and smiles faintly, and Delly claps her on the back.

“I thought it was you, but I couldn’t be sure! I mean, I thought you were in N-Y-C. I’m so glad you’re back.”

“I’m not back,” Katniss protests, though they both seem to ignore her.  

“Ohhh,” Ms. Trinket claps her hands together. “It’s almost as if nothing has changed.” 

Delly smiles. “Minus Katniss and Peeta being attached at the lips, that is.” She giggles.  

Another thorn in her side.  

Katniss rolls her eyes out of Delly’s sight. It wasn’t like Peeta and she were super into PDA. Okay, maybe they were. Peeta, anyway. Oh, he was perfectly fine with showing his affection for her anywhere and everywhere, and he was, quite frankly, hard to resist, so that made Katniss a little more lax on her no-PDA policy. 

“Have you seen him yet?” asks Delly. 

“Who?” Katniss plays dumb. 

“Peeta!” exclaims Delly. 

“Uh, no, I haven’t.” 

“He’ll be glad to see you.” 

No, he won’t, thinks Katniss. 

“You know, back then, you two were pretty cute,” says Delly. “Some people thought you were a little sickening,” Delly giggles again, “but I always thought you two were perfect together. I really thought you were gonna get married and have a bunch of babies.”

Yeah, well, that was a long time ago, Delly. People grow up. They change.  

“Oh, but then you went off to dance school while Peeta waited at home and you got that audition in Manhattan, and then came ‘the text’.” Delly uses air quotes. 

Why is she giving her the play-by-play? As if Katniss doesn’t remember what happened. 

“Oh yes, the text!” bleats Effie. “How scandalous!” 

Katniss certainly doesn’t need to be reminded of the infamous text. She can’t help that she’s no good at saying things and chose the worst way possible to break up with her high school sweetheart. And apparently, Peeta went around telling everyone in town about it. She can’t believe he did that. 

“When you two broke up, it really messed with his head, you know,” says Delly. No, she didn’t. “He was moping around town for months, barely spoke to anyone, and you know how friendly he normally is. We were all very concerned about his depression.” 

Peeta was depressed? Katniss feels awful about that, but it was the way it had to be. It wouldn’t have worked out with her going to New York, and Peeta, quite obviously, wanting to stay in their hometown. Whatever existed between them was nice while it lasted, but it’s gone now. 

“Oh, you remember my youngest, don’t you, Katniss?” Delly pulls Katniss from her reverie, presenting the little girl in the tutu. She’s holding a stuffed pig. “She was in Pampers last time you saw her. Emberlyn. Emmy for short.” 

“Of course, I remember,” says Katniss as sweetly as possible. “Hello, Emmy. You’ve gotten big.”  

“Hasn’t she?! And she’s taking dance now, just like you!” 

“That’s nice.” 

“Ohh, and she’s doing just marvelously!” Effie chimes in. She bends slightly at the waist as she can’t quite squat in her skirt and heels and taps Emmy on the nose. “You know, Miss Emberlyn, Miss Katniss was my star pupil.” 

“That’s right!” chirps Delly. “And star soloist in the choir, too.” 

Wow, that was a long time ago. Does everyone in this town have the memory of an elephant? 

“And now she’s on Broadway!” adds Ms. Trinket with an air of pure pride that makes Katniss feel sick to her stomach. She hates the thought of letting down these people who believe in her. 

“How’s Gale?” deflects Katniss, needing a change of subject. 

But it’s short-lived as all Delly says about her husband is: “Oh, same old Gale, you know.” 

Katniss nods and says, “Give him my best.” 

“Will do!” bubbles Delly. 

“Oh, darling,” Ms. Trinket interjects, “while you’re in town, you simply must come by and see the girls at the dance studio!”

“Uh,” Katniss pauses, “I’d love that, Ms. Trinket…except…” She pauses. Being in a dance studio is the last place Katniss wants to be after the audition debacle; she doesn’t want to be anywhere near anything related to dance, in fact. Plus, she knows her dad was just blowing steam and she actually is under the town’s scrutiny‒it’s a smaaall town‒and she can’t face the looks and little whispers once they learn what a failure she is and how she blew her big shot. And as primitive as this little town is, someone is bound to see that video and pass it along. She doesn’t want to lie to them, and yet she can’t stand the notion of telling them the truth, either. So, she lies. “Except, it’s my dad. He’s sick.” 

As soon as she says it, her dad walks out of the bakery, a white bag tucked under each arm. He shoots her a curious glance. 

“Oh dear,” says Ms. Trinket. “I do hope it’s nothing serious.” She looks between Katniss and her father.  

Katniss looks to her father. “Oh no, don’t worry. I’m fine,” he says. “Catkin is just being overprotective, you know.” 

Katniss glimpses Delly, who also has a concerned look on her face. “Always such a trooper, Mr. E! Well, I’m gonna bake you a casserole!” 

Ah, small town hospitality. 

“Well, um, we…better be going, Dad.” 

“You’ll consider stopping by the studio?” Ms. Trinket jumps in before they can get in the truck. “Perhaps around…5:30? I know you need to take care of your father, but the girls…it’d be such a thrill for them. I’d hate to disappoint them.” 

Katniss opens her mouth, but her father speaks for her. “Of course she’ll be there. I can get by for an hour or two on my own, and we wouldn’t want to disappoint the girls, now would we?” Her father gives her a pointed look, and she’s toast. Although, why would they be disappointed if Ms. Trinket hasn’t told them anything yet? 

Katniss looks between her father and Ms. Trinket then says, “Sure, I’ll be there at 5:30.” 

“Wonderful!” shrieks Effie. “Well, you feel better now.” She pats Mr. Everdeen’s shoulder and announces that she’s off. Delly tosses out some last well wishes, a ‘good to see you, Katniss’, and a promise for that casserole ASAP. 

-----

After waving goodbye to her father, Katniss stands outside the New Hope Dance Studio. She stares up at the brightly painted sign with the dandelions on it, which was hand painted by Peeta, she recalls. She takes a couple of deep breaths before making her way inside. 

The place hasn’t changed much. It’s still painted a bright sunset orange. The reception area is exactly the same with the box of dance-related pamphlets on the counter and a couple of spare leotards and tutus hanging on the wall. She wanders over to the opposite wall with the corkboard. This area has changed a little. Namely, there’s a large framed collage photo of Katniss in various stages of growth in dance attire as well as the newspaper clipping with the story about how a local girl made it big in NYC on Broadway, also framed. 

Miss Trinket hums as she comes up behind Katniss. “I know I only taught you for 6 years 10 months and 22 days before you went off to real dance school in Chicago, but I’d like to think I had a hand in you becoming a Broadway sensation.” 

Katniss turns, smiles faintly, and nods. 

“Thank you, Ms. Trinket,” she humbles herself. “I’m grateful.”  

Miss Trinket sniffles and looks like she’s about to cry. She waves her hand in front of her face, then says with a hopeful expression, “Grateful enough to teach a master class, or three?” 

Katniss sighs. Not that grateful, no. 

“Oh, but don’t worry about that right now.” Effie tugs on Katniss’s arm. “Come on, let’s not keep the girls waiting.” 

Once inside the dance studio, which also looks exactly the same, and could probably use some renovations, Katniss surveys the young dancers while Ms. Trinket brings over a folding chair for her. Delly is also there. She’s a committed dance mom, of course. 

“Have a seat now, dear,” says Ms. Trinket. Then she turns to the girls. “Girls, this is Miss Katniss. She was one of my best students and is now a big Broadway star! Make her feel welcome, please!” 

The girls all clap, save for one. Katniss catches sight of none other than Primrose Mellark off to the side, and she looks none too pleased to see her. 

As for the rest of them, Katniss does her best to commit their faces and names to memory as best she can as Ms. Trinket introduces them. Meanwhile, Delly is signing alongside her. 

There’s a deaf girl with pale skin, amber eyes, and bright red hair. Katniss has already forgotten her name, but her face and nose is elongated like a fox, so she’s calling her Foxface. So, it must be for her benefit that Delly is using sign language.  

There’s Rue, a dark-skinned girl with soft brown eyes who gives off a very birdlike quality. At least she has the body of a dancer, so there could be hope for her yet. 

Then there’s a girl named Camille, who places a flower crown she made atop Katniss’s head. Katniss recalls Peeta doing the same thing one day in the meadow. It feels like so long ago…  

Speaking of Peeta, Katniss knew that Prim was interested in dance because she used to prance around in front of her constantly. And she didn’t seem half-bad for her age. She wonders how she’s progressed. Hopefully, she’s learned some actual steps. 

Katniss doesn’t know Peeta’s youngest sister as well, but she seems energetic, and maintains close proximity to her brooding older sister. 

Delly’s girls are there as well as Finnick Odair’s brood: a little girl with dark brown hair and sea green eyes named Morgan, and apparently, he leaves his son Rusty, a bronze-haired, green-eyed boy, there while he’s at football practice. Rusty just watches and colors. 

Ms. Trinket gets through the introductions, then decides it would be fabulous to have a Q&A session with Katniss, so the girls can learn from a real life success story. 

They ask questions like: When did you start dancing? Does the most talented dancer always get the part? Etc. And Katniss answers in brief. When one of them asks what show she’s in now, Katniss moves on to another topic. 

They’re all overly excited now, as if they’ve had sugar, and just about every one of them has announced that they want to be on Broadway someday. One of them raises her hand and asks how to get on Broadway. 

“Well, first of all, don’t ever make a mistake in front of anyone important,” Katniss says. Alright, so maybe she’s a bit jaded from her recent experience. “But here’s the thing. You don’t always know who the important people are, so that means you can never make a mistake in front of anyone, ever. Oh, and also, hard work and talent.” 

The girls are staring blankly at her. 

Katniss knows she should stop, but she keeps going. “I’d say you all have a .0001 percent chance of making it.” Delly signs it, then adds an enthusiastic little fist pump after as if to soften the blow.  

Despite Delly’s false enthusiasm, their faces collectively fall. And a few of them are even cuddling each other for comfort. But it’s better she tells them the honest truth now before they go out and fall on their faces. They look like criers. 

This seems like a good time to take her leave, so Katniss excuses herself (but not before Ms. Trinket slips a dance competition flyer into her bag). She feels a little bad about dashing those little girls’ hopes, but maybe she’s done them a favor. The life of a Broadway dancer is not at all glamorous.  

When she steps outside, Katniss is blindsided by the sight of her father standing next to none other than Peeta Mellark.

Katniss comes to an abrupt stop and gapes. 

“Look who I ran into, Catkin,” her dad says. 

Peeta is grinning at her. And he looks great. “Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in,” says he.  

“Peeta,” she mutters like an idiot, blinking rapidly. She’s not sure why she’s reacting this way; it’s not like she didn’t know it was a strong possibility she’d run into him while she was home.  

“You remembered.” He smirks. 

Katniss clears her throat. “Of course.” 

“So, the rumors are true. You’re back,” Peeta says. And she can’t tell if he’s happy about that or simply stating the fact.  

“Temporarily,” she clarifies. “I’m just home visiting my dad. He’s…” She looks to her father, who quickly chimes in with the fake story she made up in order to save face, which is probably already going around town anyway. 

“I’m sick,” her father chimes in. “I’ve been sick.” 

“Oh,” Peeta’s brow furrows. “Really? Mr. E, I’m…” Peeta doesn’t finish his sentence, but instead lays a hand on Mr. Everdeen’s shoulder. 

“Yeah…” Her dad gives a clearly fake cough. “I better go rest…in my truck.” 

Peeta nods solemnly, but the quirk to his lip indicates he knows it’s a lie. “Feel better, Mr. E. I’ll bake you a pie,” he promises as he waves goodbye to him. 

Well, at least thanks to her lie her father is going to be well-fed. He’ll have Delly’s casserole and now Peeta’s pie, both delicious.  

Once they’re alone, Katniss offers Peeta a thin smile. “So, um, what are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here?” repeats Peeta, clearly amused. “Did they wipe your memory while you were in New York? I’m picking up my sisters from dance class. Remember Primrose and Poppy?” 

“Of course I remember Primrose and Poppy.” 

They stand there a moment, Katniss shuffling her feet, Peeta staring at his. 

“So,” Peeta speaks up, meeting her eyes again and folding his strong arms across his broad chest. Has he gotten even broader? Peeta always had muscles, but now he’s…like a brick wall. A very cozy brick wall, she’d imagine… 

Katniss shakes off her delusional thoughts.  

“So,” she repeats, folding her arms and arching a brow. She hopes to appear nonchalant, although she feels completely the opposite. 

“So?” he repeats, the corner of his mouth twitching. He still has that damn dimple. Of course he does. She’s not sure why she’d think it would go away, or that it would stop having an effect on her.   

When she says nothing more, Peeta starts up a conversation, filling in both his and her parts. “So, how are you, Peeta? What have you been up to?” he says. “I’m great, Kat. Busy. Baking, of course. Doing odd jobs around town. And my Grandma Mags has been getting a little forgetful, so I’ve been taking over more with my sisters. You know, doing the grownup thing. Oh, and by the way, your dad is still on me about fixing the barn from that time we, uh,” he raises his brow, “accidentally started that fire.”  

Katniss’s cheeks warm, and Peeta adds proverbial fuel to the fire by saying, “Who knew starting a fire,” he winks, “could actually start a fire?” He gives her a sly grin. “Guess that broken lantern had something to do with it, huh?”

“Guess so,” she mutters, suddenly unable to look him in those blue-blue eyes.  

Working up her nerve, Katniss decides to just come out and say what needs to be said. “Look, Peeta.” 

“Mhm?” He strokes his chin and stares at her thoughtfully. Why does he have to make everything so difficult. 

“Since...” She sucks in a bit of air. “Since I’m going to be back for a bit, and we’re clearly going to be running into each other a lot, I should say…I know I broke your heart.” 

Peeta pokes out his lip and bobs his head up and down. Is he mocking her?   

“I know I didn’t end things in the most…thoughtful way…” 

“‘Sorry to do this in a text,’” Peeta quotes, “‘but I’m going to New York, so we have to break up. -Kat.’ No, see, I thought it was very thoughtfully-worded.” 

Katniss smirks and shakes her head at him. 

“I just wanted to make sure, uh, that there weren’t any hard feelings…” 

“Oh, Katniss, Katniss, Katniss, Katniss, Katniss. That was high school. Ancient history. I mean, it’s not like we were ever gonna work out.” 

For some reason, the way he says it so casually and cheerfully turns Katniss’s stomach. 

“Well, I better be going,” says Peeta, reaching out to graze her arm. She feels an electric current pass between them. He then tosses her father, who’s in his truck across the street, a ‘see ya later’

Mr. Everdeen calls out in reply, “That barn’s not gonna fix itself, young man!” Peeta just laughs. 

-----

Katniss is in a foul mood on the drive back to the Everdeen farm. And her dad doesn’t help matters by saying, “Well, it’s good he’s finally over you.” 

Katniss grimaces. 

“At least his skin’s cleared up.” Katniss shoots her dad a bewildered look, and he quickly changes the subject by pulling the dance brochure out of her bag. “Oh, what’s this?” 

“Just some dumb dance competition thing.” Katniss sighs. “Ms. Trinket actually wanted me to teach, can you believe it?” 

“Well, I think that’s nice. Means she thinks a lot of your skill.” 

“No, it means I’m a failure, Dad. I should be doing the dancing, not teaching.” 

“I told you, you’ll get your shot, honey.” 

Katniss huffs. Her dad clears his throat and starts reading through the brochure. 

“Hey, this doesn’t sound so bad. There’ll be all kinds of big name judges there.” Katniss gives a skeptical exhale. “No, really.” He starts naming them off, one of which he claims she is friends with, although she only danced in a benefit she hosted. “Then there’s,” her dad goes on, “Por-tee-uh Rose.” 

Katniss slams on the brakes and pulls off to the side of the road. “Portia Rose?” She snatches the brochure from him, and sure enough, Portia Rose will be one of the celebrity judges at the finals in Atlantic City. 

“I’m going to do it, Dad,” she announces. “I’m going to teach dance.” 

[dykesbat]

katniss is the eldest sibling ever bc she was parentified at age 11 even before her father was confirmed dead (shown by her being the one to pick prim up when the alarms rang for a mining incident and searching for their mom in the crowd and learning to not speak openly against the capitol bc she was worried prim would pick up on it) and ofc after her father died (being the sole provider of their family, taking of tesserae at age 12 while forbidding prim from taking out tesserae, haggling for money/food, breaking the law to provide, being the one to get prim her pets). her entire character story is motivated by prim (the person she says is the one person she’s sure she loves, the person she sacrifices her life for, the person who motivates her to live in both the games and afterward to the point where when prim dies katniss becomes suicidal). prim is the reason she becomes the mockingjay bc prim is the reason why she’s in the games and part of the reason why she has such a big soft spot for rue and why she even agrees to become the Mockingjay of the rebellion. prim is the weapon both coin and the capitol use against her (being the first voice katniss hears when she and finnick are tortured by jabberjays and deliberately killed by a rebel bomb)

[smallpapers]

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

Some thoughts on the AU under the cut

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

Katniss and Peeta= Luz and Amity

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

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

Haymitch = Eda

Madge = Gus??

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

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

Cinna and Portia = Darius and Eberwolf

Senecca Crane = Kiki

Snow = Belos obviously

Ceasar = Adrian

Plutarch = Raine

Finnick = Hunter

Annie or Johanna ish situation = Willow??

Coin = ummm either Lilith or Collector hm

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

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

[diana-bookfairchild]

No, but the Hunger Games did need the romance plotline. See, Snow got it all wrong for the cause of the districts' rebellion. He thought an act of love is entirely separate and different from an act of rebellion, that the two are mutually exclusive. But we saw even in Katniss' though process that the two are mixed. And for the districts, the two are the same thing. For seventy-four years they've been forced to watch their children, grandchildren, siblings, niblings, friends die in the Games or through exploitation, are told it's an honour for them to die for the Capitol and are not allowed to grieve. And then suddenly this girl comes up and plants her feet and says 'no'. She survives through illegal hunting, avoiding the miserable death via starvation or the terrible community home. She doesn't stand by to watch her sister die, she volunteers. She doesn't treat her friend's death as one of a tribute to the Capitol, but as the horrible killing of an innocent little girl who deserves to be memorialized. She thanks and humanizes another district's people. She gives another tribute a merciful death. She refuses to give up on the man she loves, repeatedly. Defying all sense and establishment.

That is rebellion, for the Districts. Love, loyalty, grief, kindness, mercy - they're all rebellious sentiments.

And romantic love is an integral part of that. Not the be all end all, but an intrinsic part. We see sisterhood with Prim, we see friendship with Rue and Finnick and Johanna (and Gale and Madge a little bit), we see mentorship and connection with Haymitch and Boggs, so of course we need the romantic angle with Peeta. Of course we need the dandelion that grows after the war, the dandelion that started it all through one act of kindness to the starving girl he loves.

[atelierlili]

I always wondered why Katniss factored marriage and children into the equation when it came to reciprocating Peeta’s feelings for her. It’s a rather large leap, especially when Peeta himself never expresses wanting children at any point in the story. He uses children as a tool to persuade Katniss and the Capital to save her life, but the only time we see him express any desire/feelings of having one of his own is when he’s crying after the baby bomb. But we never hear his real thoughts.

But you wanna know who does express wanting children? Gale.

It’s one of the first thing he mentions in chapter one. And it pisses her off so much.

(I also want to add that Gale reframes/establishes the dynamic of Katniss and him caring for their siblings from something that is sibling-sibling to parent-sibling. And he is not wrong. Katniss doesn’t refute him. Both Katniss and Gale are surrogate parents to their siblings. Which is also why Katniss love and affection of Prim, is not just sisterly. I’ve seen people say Katniss is only sisterly to Prim- but she’s not. She’s parentified their relationship to the point she subconsciously see Prim as her child, which makes this a tragedy because she’ll loose her first child no matter what she does by the end of the story.)

But Gale’s phrasing here elevates himself as a potential suitor to Katniss by placing them both as the parental roles to these children. (Which irritates her a lot ). Which is why she brings the topic up with her relationship with Peeta. Because she’s subconsciously aware of Gale’s efforts and knows it will be a point of contention between them. It hangs over her head in a way.

With Gale, children are extra mouths to feed. (But Gale will do fine. He can work. He can hunt.) It’s all framed with calculated survival in mind. But it’s also not something she had planned in the future at any point.

But Peeta’s children? Oh they deserve to be born because Peeta deserves to be a father. He would be such a good father. They deserve to exist in a world where they can be safe and happy. (Even if it’s not with her.)

This is also why I think she subconsciously sees Peeta’s baby as her own. And I don’t think of it as a cruel/heartless thing, it’s just you’d be more protective of your own child compared to someone else’s. Katniss sees Gale as a reliable person who’s equipped to look after a kid. She doesn’t express the same kind of maternal instinct/yearning for the Baby Hawthrone’s safety as she does with the idea of Baby Mellark, because she doesn’t think of Gale’s child as her own. She never hopes for a better future for them, but she does with Peeta because he and that baby gives her hope. And she loves him that much.

[iamfitzwilliamdarcy]

ok the evolution of Katniss and having kids post:

Katniss is thinking from the earliest moments of the book how she never wants kids. This is Chapter 1, even before the Reaping, when Gale mentions running away, if they didn't have so many kids, obviously here, he's referencing their siblings, but then this exchange happens:

"I never want to have kids," I say. "I might, if we didn't live here," says Gale. "But you do," I say, irritated. "Forget it," he snaps back.

This is literally page 9 in my copy from the library. Katniss has been thinking about how much they provide for their siblings already and she's also just given us exposition on her own parents-- her grief for her father and her resentment of her mother; it's also setting Gale up as a potential romantic partner, which Katniss readily rejects and is confused by the conversation at all (girly, you brought it up)

Again, in the first book, Katniss thinks she will never have children. This is nearing the end of the games-- it's just her and Peeta and Cato left-- and while Peeta sleeps, she lets herself for the first time think about making it home and what her future would be.

I think of Haymitch with all his money. What did his life become? HE lives alone, no wife or children, most of his waking hours drunk. I don't want to end up like that. 'But you won't be alone,"I whisper to myself. I have my mother and Prim. Well, for the time being. And then... I don't want to think about then, when Prim has grown up, my mother passed away. I know I'll never marry, never risk bringing a child into this world. Because if there's one thing being a victor doesn't guarantee, it's your children's safety. My kids' names would go right into the reaping balls with everyone else's. And I swear I'll never let that happen.

I included the long version and not just the part about never marrying, because Katniss recognizes she risks being alone forever. For her, even though it's terrible, it's better than having a child in this world, a world that is so horrific and threatening. She also automatically links marriage to having kids (as is natural), which complicates her relationships with both Gale and Peeta.

Catching Fire starts with a similar vein, but one Katniss now has to confront-- in order to keep those she loves safe, she will have to marry Peeta and live happily ever after with him. She wonders if President Snow will insist on them having babies, thinks it's likely a child of hers will end up in the arena because Victors' children sometimes do and Gale suspects the drawings are rigged. She reflects again on Haymitch's situation --unmarried, no children, wasted all the time-- and likens it to self-imposed solitary confinement.

Later, we get the fake baby drop, of course, and Katniss, processing, thinks "Isn't it the thing I dreaded most about the wedding, about the future-- the loss of my children to the Games? And it could be true now couldn't it? If I hadn't spent my life building up layers of defenses until I recoil at even the suggestion of marriage or a family"

We're still on the same track, the recognition of her fear of having kids in the world she lives in. Interestingly, I think it's still a loss of her children to the Games, but a less painful one-- nonexistent, possible children that she'll never have.

Peeta later is trying to convince Katniss to be the one of them to survive by talking about her family back home, and when he doesn't mention the pregnancy, she knows he's being sincere. He even mentions Gale and Katniss takes it in a way that means he would be okay if she wanted to be with Gale. He transitions back to playing the Games by telling Katniss, "You're going to make a great mother you know."

Katniss then wonders if it could be more than just a Games manipulation-- "Like a reminder to me that I could still one day have kids with Gale? Well, if thatw as it, it was a mistake. Because for one thing, that was never part of my plan."

It's HERE that we get a bit of a kicker-- she thinks about how of the two of them, Peet is the one who should be a parent. And she imagines his children--

As I drift off, I try to imagine that world, somewhere in the future, with no Games, no Capitol. A place like the meadow in the song I sang to Rue as she died. Where Peeta's child could be safe.

I think it's the first time she's considered the possibility of a safe child, and it has to be Peeta's child. This isn't something she ever imagines about anyone else, even when she thinks about running away with Gale.

Children are a sign of hope, of a possibility of living in a world where they won't be sacrificed on the altars of the Capitol. In Mockingjay, Katniss frequently notes that District 13 has very few children, especially following an illness, and that children appear to be prized -- it's partially why it's hard for her to initially accept that the rebels would bomb children- recklessly, wastefully

But it's the epilogue of Mockingjay, where this all culminates-- where her hope finds fruition. She says "Peeta wanted them so badly," but it takes years for her stop dreaming and start trusting that she's made that world, where her children, where Peeta's children "take the words of the song for granted"

It's a perfect ending, because from the start Katniss has denied herself even the hope of children, develops to thinking maybe that it could be possible one day-- for someone as good as Peeta, and that maybe his children could be safe, at least-- and in the end, his children--her own children--are no longer a hope, but Real.

[alohamoramylove]

whatever you do dont think about the hunger games from gales perspective

dont think about gale as a twelve year old boy when his father dies, learning to hitch snares and catch food, knowing his three siblings will starve without him. dont think about him finding katniss in the woods, and beginning to hope for the first time that he wont have to be alone, that he can have a friend and a partner in staying alive. dont think about how he spent years learning her (and himself through her), about the solace and the peace he finds in hunting with her, about the way that no one in his entire life has ever known him in the way she does, about how it is easier to stay alive with her. dont think about him as a 17 year old boy trying to survive, making due as he always has, and waiting out his reaping years. for the love of god dont think about the reaping day from his perspective. about him hearing prim's name and knowing instantly, probably even before katniss herself, that she will be going into the games. do not think about him swallowing his grief and rage and terror, the knowledge that he is about to lose the person most important to him. he knows what he has do to. he watches katniss move toward the stage. he bites his tongue and moves forward too. he grabs prim and holds her tightly, clenching his jaw against her thrashing and screaming. dont think about his visit with her, the sharpness of his hope, the depth of the promises he will now uphold.

dont think about him going into the woods alone for the first time in years, all of the pain and rage and sorrow and grief and despair rushing up at him in the hollow of the trees. how he still has to hunt, how he still has mouths to feed. about his weekly visits to the everdeen house to drop off game, how their house is empty of her, how alone he is now, how the loneliness has returned more viciously than it ever has been because now he knows what companionship means, how the task of surviving becomes less burdensome in the presence of love. and the whole time, he is watching the games. he is staring at her face, noticing every change with the capitol's makeup and waxing, watching her play the game before shes even in the arena. holding out hope, and watching her be traumatized in real time. eventually, watching her pretend to fall in love with another man, and maybe knowing it isnt true but knowing that it doesnt matter anyway, that she will be bound to those lies even if she survives. watching her kill and watching people try to kill her, watching her hunt and be hunted. he watches her notch her arrows in teh swift and familiar motion he has seen countless times, and he resents the eyes he knows are boring into her all across the country. because their relationship, the sacredness of their survival, will never be their own again. knowing that even if she comes back, nothing will ever be the same. and then she makes it, and shes home, and everything is different. watching her move away, and change, and process, seeing her have more money than he has ever seen in his life, knowing that she would provide enough for him that he would never have to hunt again, but she never offers because he would never accept it. working in the mines, where his father's remains still sit, where he was always headed. watching the capitol freaks visit her, dress her up and strip her down, watching the camera crews roll into town and steal her away and she is so distant now, so distant and never comign back. and still he loves her. still he knows her better and more deeply than anyone in the world. they still hunt together, but infrequently and she doesnt do it out of necessity anymore. snow threatens her and him, and she has to marry peeta and he knows she has to and still his mouth is soured at the thought. and then the announcement of the quarter quell strikes. she's going back in. he'd be a fool to think she will ever return. he readies himself for grief again, but this time it's different. shes married, and distant, and things havent been the same since the reaping anyway. and still, he prepares to watch his best friend die. the games progress, and she has allies now. people hes never met, could never trust. she used to be his ally, and him hers. and then the allies turn on her, and hes watching her bleed out on screen, and then shes fumbling with her arrow, and she is about to die. then the screen is black.

then the hovercrafts come in, and he saves the people he can but the ones he cant he watches burn, hears them scream. his entire home obliterated, his best friend likely dead but undoubtedly unreachable. three hundred mouths to feed and no foreseeable end. an eventual rescue and they let him see her, and he looks at her battered body and knows he has to tell her, and knows too that she will know her arrow sent the hovercrafts. but now his people are fed, and katniss is safe. or at least here with him. and he is trying so hard to connect with her but she is distant and scared and angry and there are parts of her now that he will never understand. and she is being used as a pawn again, just like she was in the capitol. but he is a soldier now, and he is fighting the war he has always wanted to. and he knows that she needs peeta out of the capitol, so he volunteers to save him. not because he cares for peeta, but because he knows its what she needs. and the decision wasnt even hard. and now peeta is rescued but it was a trap and peeta is a weapon and now he knows that he will never compete with peeta, that she will never look at him how he wants her to ever again. but he still has a war to fight, and so they do. he works on designing weapons, he films propos, he stays by katniss' side because thats what he does and it was never even a question. the war progresses and he watches her die a thousand times, sees that coin is trying to kill her. he fights beside the mockingjay and remembers a time when they were children in the woods together. they have never stopped trying to survive together. and the war is nearing a close and they are separated and katniss cant or doesnt shoot him. the war is over and someone is telling him that prim is dead. someone is telling him about the bombs that killed her and he recognizes it as his own trap. he is sick to his stomach and being torn apart. he spent his entire life trying to keep her alive. he can hardly face katniss. he is so riddled with rage and grief and trauma and guilt and he cant even fathom how it got to this point. he has lost everything. he has nothing left, everyone who loves him has died or stopped loving him. so he moves to 2, hears stories about katniss and peeta, about her children that she swore she'd never have. and maybe katniss was right, and war and death wasnt the answer, adn he gets that now, he really does. and its too late, and his understanding is worthless now. but he remembers that girl in the woods. the soft spoken, beautiful girl with wit and grit and incredible aim. he remembers the girl that taught him about love, and how to make a bow. he remembers that girl, and how they were each others survival, and he lives the rest of his life tremendously sorry.

[colddelusionsheep]

Hiii! I really liked your yandere hunger games ideas and was wondering if I could request it in the 75th game? Also, do you mind only doing platonic relationships (maybe the reader is a bit younger than Katniss + Peeta)?

Thank you!

I am happy you enjoy them! And of course you can! Also, as a small little note, I have only seen the movies. I have not read the books so keep that in mind. Also, I only did Katniss and Peeta for right now but I will get to the others once I can!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Katniss and Peeta would be great platonic yanderes. We already see what they do for the people they love in the original series. Katniss sacrificing herself for her sister, Prim.

So, let's say you were the winner of the 73th games from one of the outlier districts. You won the game at 15 years of age. This by the time of the quarter quell would make you a year younger then both Katniss and Peeta.

When your name was reaped for a second time in your life it was heartbreaking. It would show Katniss and Peeta just another one of the injustices of the Capital. Especially when all the other tributes were full grown adults pretty much.

They would meet you just before the Tribute Parade. Immediately they knew who you were. Your games were one of the more vicious ones. Yet you didn't kill anyone, surviving on your ability to hide till you outlasted everyone else. Much like the Morphlings did.

As the parade ended. They couldn't help but keep you in mind as one of the candidates for their alliance. Even though logically you couldn't do much against the careers.

As they started to train they would befriend you. They slowly(as slowly as four days till their upcoming deaths could go) let you into their hearts.

They would look upon you as a younger sibling. Already making a deal between the two that when the time came you would survive.

When it came time for the start of the game. One of them would make sure to get to your podium to make sure no one tried to kill you first. It likely would be Peeta.

For the rest of the games they wouldn't let you out of their sight. Always making sure you get water and food 1st.

When Katniss shot the arrow to destroy the arena, and the rebels rescued her and Beetee. They left you behind. Unaware of what a mistake that was.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you like it! Thank you so much for the request. I honestly love platonic yanderes. They are just a big comfort to me.

[thewriterlyowl]

Random but at the end of Mockingjay when Katniss says she needs "the bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction", and that "only Peeta can give [her] that", she's specifically talking about Peeta as opposed to Other Guy.

Because, fun fact: rue, (evening) primrose, and dandelions are all yellow flowers. All three of the characters associated with them are explicitly linked with hope throughout the series.

Peeta is the obvious one. He's the one who gives her the bread at the beginning that not only physically feeds her in the moment, which in turn inspires her to remember that she is capable of survival, but its probably the first act of kindness remembers since her father has died. The book specifically shows how everyone has abandoned them and there's nowhere to turn. Nobody gives her hope until Peeta does, both as at the beginning of and the end of the story. In addition to making a good salad, dandelions are considered pioneer plants because after a land has been destroyed in some way they're the first ones to colonise it. Just like when Peeta comes back to 12 to help rebuild it.

Then, there's Prim. Prim frequently reminds Katniss that there's beauty in the world. She's the reason Katniss fights throughout the first Games, and you can see that she makes Katniss softer. In CF, she specifically mentions that Prim is one of the reasons she's supposed to keep fighting, because she wants a better world for her. And then in MJ, she feels that hope reignited when Prim says they're training her to be a doctor when she says "this is the sort of future a rebellion could bring". She wants Prim to be reborn into a different world where these things can happen, and she wants to fight to make that world a reality. Yes, evening primrose wilts quite quickly after it blooms (iirc), but it also blooms several times a year, so Katniss will always be reminded of her sister.

My personal favourite, however, is Rue. In the arena, Rue reminds Katniss of Prim, which brings out her protective nature, but also of herself, which is one of the reasons they relate to each other. Both are older sisters who are protective of their siblings. Katniss says it's a bad idea to ally with Rue but she does it anyway for these reasons. But I think the reason Rue represents hope for Katniss is because of how she protects her in the arena. She warns her about the tracker-jackers and draws the poison out of her body. When Peeta describes the Games, he says that the world around you and the people in it become your final reality. Katniss - and anyone else, for that matter - would not have expected a singular act of kindness from the moment they entered the Games. They know the time for kindness is over. I know Snow must have been screaming, crying and throwing up during the 74th because between Katniss volunteering, Peeta protecting her, then Rue protecting her, then Katniss singing to her, and then Peeta and Katniss protecting each other and refusing to live without the other, the rebellion was already starting. Rue could have left her to die, and didn't, which Katniss acknowledges. Instead, she saved her life and lost her own. This is the act of goodness that spurs her on in the Games, and together with Prim, in CF when she considers running away. In sleep, she sees Rue reborn in the same world as Prim, safe in dreams where nothing can hurt her. Dancing in the meadow. Katniss helps create that world for her children, where they play in a field of yellow flowers, likely including Rue. And while the meaning of the name Rue is significant because Katniss regrets not saving her, it's likely significant for Snow and the Gamemakers as well, who likely regret her entering the Games in the first place; the plant (not the flower; the Everlark babies are safe!) Rue is poisonous to the touch, and as soon as Rue enters the Games, it's the beginning of the end of Snow's Games. Rue poisoned the Games with hope! And helped make the Mockingjay.

So anyway, I do think Peeta gives Katniss the most hope for rebirth. They are in love, after all. But Rue and Prim definitely gave her that bright yellow, too.

(Apologies to Katniss because buttercups are also yellow 😂)

[jhsgf82]

Feel the Beat, Always

Here’s a snippet of a new fic. More to come later. @daydreamsandcaffeine​ and I watched this movie, and it was just too cute and so Everlark, and I just couldn’t resist Everlarking it. Fantastic supporting cast, btw. Based on Feel the Beat (Netflix, 2020).  

Katniss raises her arms above her head, stretching her lean, lithe body; she links her thumbs, bends her knees, and arches her chest as she drops her head back, leading with her fingers. Slowly, she goes into a full standing backbend, then drops down and catches herself. She bends her elbows and goes into a reverse tabletop position for about ten seconds, then lowers herself down to the mat.  

She’s been up since sunrise, limbering up and running through her dance routine, twice. Now she’s completing her post-dance stretches. Maybe she’ll go through the routine once more, though, for good measure. 

After all, her big audition is TODAY. 

And big shot producer Alma Coin is going to be there. 

Dance is Katniss Everdeen’s life. And she’s good at it, really good. Oh, she’s not a star by any means, but she’s managed to land a couple of larger roles which have gotten her name out there, and she’s kept steady gigs in the chorus line of several popular stage shows. It’s been enough to make a living without having to work two or three jobs, which is a small miracle here in New York City. Her place isn’t a penthouse, obviously, nor is it a rat’s hole‒it’s just a simple loft, and it’s just right for her. What she loves best is that there’s plenty of space to dance. 

A small town girl leaving her small town life to make it as a performer in “the big city” is relatively unheard of–well, no, not unheard of. It’s all too common, actually. What’s not common is to be successful at it. But Katniss has talent, and she’s aware of it. She can sing; she can dance, and if only she could act, she’d be a triple threat; however, she sucks at acting. But that’s okay. She doesn’t really need to; she can make her body work for her when her words and facial expressions fail her. 

Katniss goes into a butterfly stretch. 

Her mangy old muddy-orange cat, Buttercup, whom she inherited when her grandmother passed, comes up beside her, brushing her with his tail as he passes. He stops beside her to stretch out, too, elongating his body and sticking his butt in the air as he digs his nails into the gray and beige geometric-patterned rug. Then he trots over and jumps up on her couch and assumes the loaf position. Lazily, he watches her with rotten squash-colored eyes. He blinks at her once, and Katniss’s lips twitch.   

Buttercup, an unlikely companion (and one she didn’t like very much at first), is quite possibly the ugliest cat she’s ever seen with his mashed-in nose and half an ear missing. He was definitely unwanted at first, but he’s grown on her. He’s her only company, truly, the only person in her life, and he’s not even a person. Katniss hasn’t had a date in…some number of years, but that’s okay. She doesn’t really need anyone; she only needs the stage. 

As for family, there’s only her dad. She was an only child, and her mom left when she was little. She does try to call her father at least once a week. They don’t have much to talk about, but they get each other all the same. For one, he’s good about not guilt-tripping her for never coming to visit; he’s just happy to hear her voice. It’s not that she doesn’t want to go back to New Hope, West Virginia, or maybe she doesn’t. Admittedly, it would be too hard to see…certain persons, namely one, and of course, she’d have to hear everyone drone on and on endlessly about how she abandoned the town to make her way in NYC.    

[homeofthelonelywriter]

RW: Never again - Peeta Mellark x Reader

(A/N) Time for another request Wednesday! This one was requested by a lovely Anon. I really hope you find this and like it!

Pairing: Peeta Mellark x Reader, Gale Hawthorne x sister!Reader

Warnings: cursing

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They won. They won!

A grin spread across my face as I turned to look at my older brother, Gale. Although he was never one to show a lot of emotions, a small smile was present on his lips, causing my grin to grow. Both of us felt relieved, that much was obvious.

His love for Katniss and my love for Peeta were the only things helping us to survive the past few weeks. The only things making us hold on to hope. And now it was over. They’d be coming home in just a few weeks and I could barely wait.

After celebrating a bit with our siblings and our mom, we made our way over to Katniss’s home, where we celebrated with Prim and their mom. Everyone in District 12 was relieved. Relieved and happy and excited. We haven’t had a winner since Haymitch and now we had two!

The preparations for Katniss’s and Peeta’s return started the very next day. Banners hung everywhere, displaying their faces and the joy could be felt in the air. The bakery that belonged to Peeta's parents even gave out treats, something that neither Gale nor I could believe.

The days passed and soon everyone was gathered at the train station, waiting for our victors arrival. The air was buzzing and as soon as the train pulled into the station, the noise grew almost deafening. The cameras were clicking and everyone was talking and cheering.

I was standing with Gale and the rest of our family close to the front. Apparently we were now related to Katniss. No idea who came up with that, but we accepted it, knowing that it, at the very least, came from the Capitol.

Soon, the doors opened and Katniss and Peeta stepped out, falling into the arms of their families. Still, they stuck close together. Even now, they kept up the front that they were madly in love with each other. And it was probably smarter that way.

As soon as Katniss was done with her real family, she moved on to us and soon we were hugging each other.

“I’m so glad you made it.” I squeezed her and a genuine smile was on her lips as she pulled back. She quickly mouthed ‘Thank you’ before continuing.

The whole procedure at the train station lasted for a few more minutes. After that, everyone that wasn’t family or close friends was ushered away. Katniss and Peeta gave a quick statement that they were happy to be back with their families and to have each other. And as they kissed at the end of it, a sharp pain spread in my chest. It was getting harder and harder to keep the smile on my face and I sighed in relief as they were shut off.

“Great! Now, the winners will be filmed entering their new homes for the first time. After that there will be an announcement to the public and a dinner at the city hall…” Effie kept on rambling on the plans for the rest of the day, hell, for the rest of the week, but I stopped listening as soon as my eyes caught Peeta’s.

A smile tugged on the corners of his lips and I myself broke into a grin. I was about to mouth something when Effie pushed past me, closely followed by the rest of the crew. As Peeta walked past me, his hand found mine and gave it a comforting squeeze.

“As soon as the cameras are gone.” It was a whisper, so quiet that I barely heard it, but it made my heart beat faster. I nodded in response and he was gone.

The cameras stayed for two whole weeks, filming everything they could. From statements from the victors, to dinners and Katniss’s and Peeta’s new everyday life. It was hard keeping up the front and I was counting the seconds until the train doors closed behind the crew from the Capitol. And as soon as they did, I made my way to Peeta’s new house.

Three knocks. I held my breath, waiting for the piece of wood in front of me to open. And when I did, I didn’t hesitate to jump into his arms. Peeta kicked the door shut, hoisting me up and pressing my back against the closest wall. His lips were on mine immediately, passion filling the kiss. My fingers tangled themselves in his hair, tugging on it, making him groan.

His reaction made me grin, reminding me on how much I’d missed him.

Much too soon, he pulled away. I whined, but he just chuckled, making me open my eyes. And the look on his face brought tears to them. His eyes were filled with adoration, love and relief, a gentle smiled spread across his face.

“I missed you.” Tears started running down my face at those words.

“I missed you too. So fucking much.” I leaned down again, pressing a gently kiss against his lips, both of us smiling.

We spent the rest of the day in his house, just lazing around, enjoying our time with each other. As it was getting dark, Peeta asked me if he should bring me back home.

“No. I want to stay here…if that’s okay with you.” He nodded, a grin on his face as he pressed another kiss to my lips.

“You can stay here for the rest of your life. I don’t want to spend another second away from you.” Yeah…neither did I. I nodded, smiling as I laid in his arms. Those arms I would never let anyone take away again…or so I thought.

[littlemarianah]

Modern AU - Peeta invites Katniss to go to an amusement park with him

Peeta hears that Katniss has never been to an amusement park in her life, he is shocked because his family usually goes to one every year during the holidays. For him it's even boring.

When a modest amusement park opens in the small town where they live, Peeta takes courage and decides to invite his friend, Katniss Everdeen, that he has a secret crush on.

Peeta's mother only lets him go on the condition that his middle brother goes with him, which sucks. So Katniss suggests whether her little sister can come along.

"Yeah, for sure!" Peeta says. Maybe a little disappointed not to be alone with her for a whole afternoon.

At the park, they create small competitions to see who does best in the games on the park.

Katniss is excellent at aiming and wins several teddy bears for Prim. She wins every game they play, she can be good at everything and Peeta finds this completely attractive.

He only gets an advantage in the strength test, which he does just to impress her. Rye says he'll try too and hits too weakly, Peeta knows he knows he can do better. From the sideways glance Rye gives Peeta, he can see that his brother is trying to make Peeta look stronger to impress the girl. It's humiliatingly embarrassing.

And Katniss doesn't seem at all impressed.

They decide to go for rides and Peeta chooses one first. He pick the pirate ship. Well it looks chill and fun, since she's never been to anything like it. But Katniss feels butterflies in her belly and squeals when the ship moves quickly downwards. She leans into Peeta and grabs his hand tightly, and he also feels butterflies in his stomach, but for a different reason.

He really feels like the happiest guy in the world, he can't hide a small smile of satisfaction. A girl sheltering in his arms? Oh, how lucky he is. He should have called her to the haunted house if that was the case.

Rye chuckles and Peeta rolls his eyes. He knows he will tell everyone about it later. His brothers never leave him alone about girls.

Katniss thinks Peeta is making fun of her.

Prim really wants to go on the carousel, the line is long. Rye suggests waiting with her and Katniss thinks it's weird.

"I'm really a fan of carousels, you know?" Rye says and Peeta almost dies of embarrassment at how obvious he is.

In the end, they get some alone time and they are both relieved to spend time away from their siblings' eyes.

Peeta suggests to go on the Ferris wheel this time, which isn't anything scary. They grab some cotton candy to eat on the way.

They enter and the wheel slowly rises until they reach the sky. Katniss seems to enjoy it more this time, as she looks into the distance at the city lights as night falls.

She is beautiful. Olive skin and black hair down her neck in a braid. Peeta can look at her up close, see her moles on her cheek and her almond-shaped lips.

The couple in the front cabin of theirs is aggressively making out. Katniss and Peeta chuckle awkwardly.

"Well, they must find the place romantic." Katniss says and Peeta agrees with bright eyes. Then she realizes that he also finds it romantic and that his looks at her all night may have a reason.

So she kisses him, without thinking much, she just does it. Feel the taste of cotton candy on his lips. Incredibly sweet. She feels Peeta's body tremble against her lips and she trembles just like him when he puts his hand on her waist.

He feels like the luckiest boy to ever walk the earth.

They return to the carousel and on the time to see Peeta's brother, a grown man, sitting on a little horse. Katniss and Peeta laugh at the scene.

Night falls and Peeta's mother is completely annoying about curfews. They say goodbye and go home.

On the way home Rye asks "Hey? Did you kiss her or not?"

"no" Peeta says with a shrug, he wants to keep the victory just for himself.

"You will never lose your virginity like that"

[daisytrails]

ok im all for gale slander. i think he’s the worst

but i think people need to remember that he is also a child being oppressed by the capital and taken advantage of by district 13

he was a starving powerless young person who’s been close to single handedly supporting his whole family from a young age under a tyrannical government and suddenly he’s been given access to everything he needs to take down the government that’s been oppressing his people. of course he jumped on the opportunity to do so

his bombs, which he designed with beetee as everyone conveniently forgets, were not meant for children. they were meant for full grown peacekeepers and the full grown capital medics who would go in after them. it was never meant for capital children or the rebel medics

on top of that, gale would never have hurt prim on purpose. he cared about her, saved her on multiple occasions when it would have been easier and safer if he didn’t. prim is to gale what gale’s younger siblings are to katniss and we see many times through the trilogy how much the whole hawthorne family means to her. gale swore an oath to protect prim and he wouldn’t have broken it.

don’t get me wrong, i dislike gale for many reasons mostly because he doesn’t see the inherent value of human life, he thought he had some weird claim of katniss’ heart, and he got pissy with peeta for how he saved her. i’m not a gale girlie by any means but he’s never been as bad as people make him out to be

you can say what you will about him but he didn’t kill those children and he didn’t kill prim. president coin did. that’s why katniss killed her and not gale or beetee. that’s the point.

[waywardangel-wilds]

Before I leave again, more mellark siblings ideas!

Back when Peeta was a toddler the oldest 2 would be normal siblings in the way they’d interact with him. Like yeah, they obviously cared about him but they were also his older brothers in a house where the relationship Prim and Katniss had probably wasn’t what the parents were encouraging. So sometimes they’d accidentally play/joke (antagonize) Peeta a little bit too much and he’d cry. This was back in the day when both parents still called Peeta ‘the baby,’ so making him cry was a no-no. They’d both react the same way I would if I were about to get caught stealing something (just frantic). Just: “shut up! Shut up! I’ll get you a cookie! I’ll bake you a cake! Just shut up!” And then one of their parents down the hall hears the crying and goes “why is the baby crying? BOYS!” Which means someone’s getting punished, so now they’re like trying to make him laugh so imagine them faking falling to the ground and getting hurt in a silly way only for toddler Peeta to crack a tiny smile and then that wonderful toddler giggle. Then the bedroom door would open and it’s Mrs. Mellark and she’s like “what’s going on?” And her 3 boys look at her all wide eyed, but Peeta’s face is still obviously wet so she’s like “get to work.”

[rose-pearls]

Watching you go - Part 3

Summary: the train ride to the Capitol is filled with planning your arrival but a revelation makes everything worse.

Previous part - Next Part

Your name gets called, of course it does. 

It was between Prim and you to be taken as the female tribute of district twelve and you would never be able to live with yourself if Prim had to go into these games.

The stage is large, larger than you ever thought it was. Prim is in tears all alone in the female section while the whole district is watching in horror. The male section is filled with more people, Gale and Peeta’s brothers are there with stone cold faces. Effie takes a slip of paper and before you can even think of who you would be able to go with a name is called.

“Gale Hawthorne.”, Effie looks like she is going to be sick, she is as white as a ghost.

The name is met with a loud silence, and you can’t help but want to throw up at the name, Gale and you were going into the games together and either none of you came back or only one.

He steps onto the stage, and you can’t look at him, you just stare in the distance trying to ignore your mothers’ cries and Gale siblings’ tears. Effie tells you to shake hands and as you look at Gale you see an ocean of emotions, anger, sadness, and fear. You both shake hands and just as you take your hands back the peacekeepers are taking your arms and dragging you into the building. 

“Immediately to the train.”, you hear in the distance, and you have just the time to hear the whole district speaking up and Haymitch’s voice before the door close before you. Gale is trying to get out of their grip but ultimately, he isn’t able to and the both of you get dragged to the train where Peeta and Katniss are waiting. 

The both of them are in the living room as you get thrown there and while Gale curses the peacekeepers out you try to get a grip on yourself. There was no time to cry.

Peeta is by your side in an instance, taking your face in his hands and looking at you with guilty, pleading eyes.

“I’m so sorry, if I could I would’ve stopped it; I’m so sorry.”, he continues to whisper the same words before putting his forehead on yours and continuing to whisper the words over and over again.

“Peeta.”, you whisper softly before saying it slightly harsher when the boy doesn’t stop his mumbling.

“You couldn’t have done anything. It’s done, now we need to make a plan.”, you whisper, trying to wake him up out of his trance and after a moment he does, tears in his eyes.

“We do.”, you hear Haymitch say and the four of you turn to look at him. He looks tired, like he just went through hell and back.

“I thought that making you their families would be enough to protect you but apparently you are a bigger threat then I thought you would be.”, Haymitch says, and you immediately feel offended, as if it was your fault that you were taken into the games.

“Calm down sweetheart it’s not your fault, I know.”, you can’t help but feel embarrassed at Haymitch’s words, but Peeta takes your hand, and you forget about the mentor for a moment.

“Now, we need a game plan kids.”, the four of you start to argue as his use of ‘kids’ but he quickly stops the four of you.

“You two are going to be the center of attention as district 12 won last year. Tributes will be after you, mentors will analyze your every move and the Capitol will adore you.”, the words are said carefully, like you need to pay attention to every single words.

“This will be the biggest show of your life from the moment you step of this train.”, you can’t help but feel sick at his words and you hear Gale scoff at his words.

“Gale you are going to be seen as the new Katniss, mysterious and untouchable. That makes them go wild.”, Haymitch says, and Gale looks at him for a long moment after his words before scoffing.

“So, what do I need to do then?”, the mentor smirks before sitting down on his seat.

“You don’t have to do anything but be your charming self, except for insulting the Capitol and everything.”, Gale looks slightly satisfied at his role and Haymitch turns towards you.

“You on the other hand will be their sweetheart, the apple of their eyes.”, a look of disgust crosses your face, and you feel Peeta’s hand squeezing yours in reassurance.

“We are going to make them believe that you are the most innocent one, sweet one they will ever meet so that they believe they can just kill you easily. But when you arrive in the arena you will show them exactly why they should fear you.”, you can’t help but feel confused at his words.

“What do you mean show them? I’ve never used a weapon in my entire life.”, you tell him harshly and Haymitch chuckles softly.

“You are the butcher’s daughter, aren’t you?”, you nod slowly, not completely understanding where he is going towards.

“That means you can handle a knife like no one else and you know where to strike someone to make it hurt.”, you look at him for a moment and can’t help but understand his strategy.

“Alright, so Gale is the mysterious one who will be untouchable while I play the sweet little girl before killing people in cold blood.”, you say directly and Haymitch smirks at your words while Peeta shakes his head at the words.

“Exactly.”, you nod in understanding before a thought comes up.

“What about our training scores? Do I have to try and have a bad one?”, Haymitch is still smirking, like he is proud of you for thinking so far.

“They told the mentors that we will only get to know your training scores the moment you get into the arena. You all won’t know how strong the opponent is until you have to fight him, and the scores are announced.”, you feel sick in your stomach, usually the training scores would help to figure out who was dangerous but here you were getting into the arena without a single knowledge. 

“Do we still have to keep up the couple’s charade?”, Gale asks, and you nod at his question, turning towards Haymitch.

“Do it discretely, make the people wonder until you get into the arena, and you reveal it then.”, the both of you nod before Peeta’s voice breaks through the silence.

“Won’t it feel reused? I mean Katniss and I played the star-crossed lovers, so if we do that again people might get sick of it.”, the four of you look at Peeta surprised before Haymitch huffs.

“Smart boy. Don’t play the lover’s card, he is right they won’t like it as much as it is the second time. But we do need a bomb to drop on them.”, the five of you start to think and you see Gale’s face twitch for a moment before he shakes his head.

“What are you thinking Gale?”, you ask him, and everyone turns around towards him.

“Have you never wondered how it comes that Haymitch and you look alike? My mother used to tell me when she had drunk that your mother was dating him before the two broke up ‘tragically’ and she suddenly got with your dad.”, the silence is loud at his words, and you try to wrap your head around his words.

“What the hell do you mean Gale? My mother was with my father since they were teenagers!”, you can’t help but raise your voice, feeling offended at the suggestion and Peeta tries to take your arm and calm you down.

“I am not saying anything I am just saying that I was thinking about it and that we could fake something around that. It would be quite the bomb to drop.”, he says like it’s the most obvious thing in the world and you can’t help but want to throw the glass in front of you to his face.

“I am not lying to the whole nation saying that another man is my father when he isn’t.”, you yell back, and Gale lets out a sigh before he tries to say something though Haymitch stops him.

“He is right.”, you turn to look at the mentor with wide eyes, Peeta’s hold on your arm has gone slack. 

“What the hell do you mean?”, Haymitch sighs before looking up towards you.

“Your mother and your father were together since they were teenagers but at one point they broke up and that is when I met her. I had just come back from the games, and she had been there for me even when I told her to go to hell. One thing led to another, and we ended up in bed, after that I told her that I couldn’t have a relationship with her, and she went back to your father. Nine months later you were born.”, the ground feels like it’s falling under your feet at his words, and you fall down on the couch, Peeta putting his arms around you in reassurance.

“I wasn’t serious when I was saying that. I didn’t know it was real.”, Gale whispers after a moment and you nod your head in acknowledgment before looking at Haymitch. His eyes suddenly looked more like yours then ever and you couldn’t help but feel sick as you remember his words.

“Did she ever tell you, my mother?”, you ask, barely above a whisper.

“She didn’t, I figured it out when I met the two of you at the bakery and I saw your eyes. They were my mother’s.”, he whispers under his breath, looking tired after his confession.

“I’m sorry you had to learn it this way.”, he says after a few seconds and you nod your head slowly, still in disbelief.

“Well, we found your bomb to drop, didn’t we?”, you say after a moment, looking at him straight in the eyes.

“The daughter of the last winner of the Quarter Quell is in the 75th Hunger Games. That will be quite the headline.”, Peeta tries to say something, but you shake your head.

The room is filled with a loud silence and Haymitch looks at you in apology, but you can only think of your father at home, thinking he has lost his daughter when she wasn’t even his.

“I need a moment.”, you whisper before leaving the room, Peeta quickly following you into your room.

You sit there on the bed, looking at the red carpet under your feet’s as if it would hold all of the answers you need. Peeta hovers next to you, lost at what he could say to help you out.

“I’m right here, whatever you need.”, he says after a moment and you nod your head slowly, feeling the tears in your eyes.

“I think I just need a hug.”, you manage to say before a sob takes over and Peeta brings you into his arms.

“You’re okay, I’m right here.”, he whispers softly over and over again as he holds you tight, trying to reassure you as much as he can.

The both of you stay there the rest of the night holding each other until you fall asleep in his arms and Peeta holds you even tighter. 

Effie knocks on your door the next morning and you can’t help but hold Peeta tighter, as if you were scared that he was going to leave.

“We are going to be arriving in one hour.”, she yells through the door, and you can hear Peeta respond to her before coming back in bed.

“We need to get ready beautiful.”, you nod at his words and Peeta sighs.

“Is there anything I can do?”, you know that he would do anything right know if you asked but you don’t know what you need.

“Just be there.”, you whisper under your breath and Peeta kisses you lovingly on the mouth before smiling at you.

“Always.”, the two of you stay like this until Effie yells through the door again and you get yourself ready to face the Capitol.

Gale is waiting for you at the door, looking at you with a sad smile but there is determination is his eyes.

“Ready for it?”, he asks, and you snort at his words before turning towards the door that would open any seconds now.

“As I’ll ever be.”

So happy that so many of you like this! I'm not entirely sure how this story is going to evolve but I have some ideas!

Taglist: @wannapizzamymindposts