#That's why Coin wanted Peeta too

[imjustmarcy]

Thought back to how everyone went off with the parallels between Lucy and Katniss bowing and. Guys. GUYS. Yes there's some of Lucy in Katniss (more so with her singing) but no, Peeta is the one who reminds Snow of Lucy.

They're the ones with the endless charm who convinced the Capitol to like them, the sweetheart that won over everyone with words and smiles and knew how to play the games before they went into the arena. They knew how to perform and did it flawlessly, and knew the games started as soon as they were picked as tributes.

Katniss is Sejanus. The one from the districts that infiltrated the Capitol somehow, who always wants to do the right thing even if it comes with major repercussions. They're reckless, and they care way too much about their own people to the point it gets used against them.

[mrsnancywheeler]

the river (3) // finnick odair x f. reader

summary: the Capitol has taken you away from Finnick, the life you've been trying to build together and now he has to fight to get every part of you back

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masterlist

4.6k words

warnings: angst, fluff, hurt/comfort, mental illness, self-hate, suicid/l ideation, brainwashing, paranoia, mentions of trafficking, s/h in the form of scratching, breakups, no use of y/n, unedited, President Snow, threats, slightly mean!finnick towards conway

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

Finnick wanted to beg the doctors to see you, but he also was terrified of pushing you into another breakdown. So he'd settled for sitting outside the hospital room’s two-way glass at all times. He didn't sleep, he couldn't, nor eat so he just watched. At first you'd been sedated, but you were relatively calm if untrusting. Which was nothing, especially compared to Peeta who'd tried to kill Katniss. You were quiet, voice small and shaky except when your distrust took over.

A doctor had been trying to get you to swallow some pills with your water which you'd been adamantly refusing, “I don't know what it is."

“It's just a medicine to help fight off any infections you might have." The doctor explained and Finnick was grateful that she was more patient than the others. Yet you still looked uneasy, “We can go over what's in it and what it'll do if you want." The doctor suggested and you slowly, unsurely nodded. They'd showed you the bottle, read to you, and let you read the bottle information before you'd finally agreed to take it.

After hours of this Finnick couldn't help himself anymore, "I want to talk to her.” He abruptly stood from his chair and stared at the medical staff.

"She's calm right now, it might not be wise to do something that could disturb her.”

“Can't you just explain it to her somehow, I'll stay in a chair in the corner, won't move a muscle, you can handcuff me. I need to talk to her." There were sighs, hushed arguments before an agreement was eventually made. So, he stood outside waiting as the doctors tried to convince you to see him.

“Someone wants to see you now, if that's okay. He'll stay right in that chair, won't move at all, if you feel uncomfortable and you call out for us, okay?”

You looked at her, untrusting, "Who?”

She sighed and sat down on the hospital bed with you, she must have decided you were less of a threat and more someone who had to be communicated with. It hurt Finnick to know you'd let a doctor you'd never met so close, but were terrified of him. “You remember that you're married, right?"

“He wants me dead." It was like you couldn't get it off your tongue fast enough.

“No he doesn't." The doctor says, very decidedly and before you can get your next words out she insisted, “We'll all be right outside, so if he did want to kill you we wouldn't let him.”

You shook your head, “No, you wouldn't."

“Why do you think that?"

You laughed a little, “Because I'm a threat, you don't know what I did or didn't reveal, and everyone knows that I…” You trailed off. He couldn't grasp his head around the idea that you were still so attached to that perception of yourself, you did what you had to do, to stay alive.

"Coin granted all the victors rescued immunity. We've got no reason to want you dead.” Silence. You stared at her, she stared back at you. The words must have registered, but you seemed to be too deeply steeped in denial.

“I want to talk to Peeta.” The universe despised Finnick, he was sure of it.

"We can't let you do that.” She said softly.

"Why not?"

"He tried to kill Katniss Everdeen.”

You shook your head, "No, he wouldn't do that. They're just in his head, he'll remember.” The irony of it all, Peeta wanted Katniss dead, and you thought Finnick wanted you gone as well.

“Did they get in your head too?"

You laughed again, “No, no, they didn't."

“Then why do you think Finnick wants you dead?"

You take a deep breath in and sound frustrated, hands bunching up the thin hospital blanket, “They're not in my head! They just showed me what I wasn't paying attention to, I know what happened, and the things I've done. I'm not crazy.” Your voice shook like you were going to cry.

"No one here thinks you're crazy.” Finnick could tell there was more the doctor wanted to say, but was holding out in fear of you devolving. "He will sit in a chair the entire time and no one will let him any closer, I promise you."

Finnick prayed to whatever might have been that they'd let him have a moment, that he'd be able to help you. Your head was buried in your hands, “Okay." You finally muttered and he breathed a sigh of relief.

The doctor smiled, giving an encouraging squeeze to your shoulder as she stood up. Pushing the only chair in the room up against the far wall before exiting. Finnick was anxiously messing with his piece of rope when the doctor finally approached him. “You've got the go ahead, but stay in the chair, no sudden movements, it might startle her enough to make her panic."

“I understand." Finnick nodded and the doctor waited a moment before she opened the door, letting him slowly walk into the bright, white room. And there you were, legs pulled up against your chest like it would give you some extra barrier. He wanted to hold you, to tell you it was all going to be okay, but Snow had even taken that away from him so he sat in the chair. “Hi, sweet girl." He gave a soft smile while you wearily observed him. You were silent though, "Do you know who I am, angel?” He knew you did, but just needed to hear you say something, anything to him.

Every so slowly you nodded, hands rubbing at your neck, "Finnick Odair.”

He hummed a yes,"Mhm, good job. Do you know what we are?” Finnick tilted his head slightly.

You nodded, but it was like the words were stuck in your throat. Squeezing your eyes shut for a second, “I care about you."

He nodded, “We care about each other. We got married, do you remember that?"

“People keep saying it." Stinging pain covered his chest, Snow had taken what was left of your trust, your happiest moments, and left you with the husk of anxiety. “I'm sorry, I can't, I don't know." You hit your head with the bottom of your and started crying.

“Hey, hey, it's okay, don't do that, it's alright!" He wanted to leap up, move your hands away, and have you in his arms. “You don't need to feel bad, angel, can you just tell me what you do know."

Your face became sober almost immediately, “You want to kill me."

“No." He said just as fast, “I'd never want that-"

“You don't have to lie to me, I understand. I can't be trusted, it's a smart move." Hands were back to rubbing your neck.

"What you did to survive all those years ago, when we were teenagers, doesn't mean you're not trustworthy. I trust you." He felt like he was going to cry, he was back at square one, when you'd returned from your games, but now you didn't even trust him.

You shook your head rapidly, “You're trying to get in my head!" There the tears were and his elbows landed on his knees so he could hide the fact his hands served to hide his cries. The world would've been a much kinder place if he was dead, if you were dead, if everyone could just die and stop this endless circle of torture. This was his inescapable boulder he kept pushing up the hill only to see it roll down over and over again, maybe if he'd died the first time around or even in the quarter quell the finality of death would bring peace. His eyes must have been bloodshot when he lifted them from his hands, only to grab the rope again. He needed more rationality to talk to you, this could help him ground himself because if had to live, it had to be with you.

“You used to teach me to tie ropes." You eventually muttered out, curse you and the way you were trying to say something to help him when he was at his weakest, even though you were convinced he wanted you dead.

He looked up from the knot and tried to smile appreciatively even if his eyes were still watery, “Yeah, I did.” He swallowed even though his mouth was completely dry, "I am. I am teaching you to tie ropes.”

You maintained eye contact with him for a while, like you were trying to read into the depths of his soul and he hoped you would find how genuine he was being. You leaned your head back onto the wall, “I could always do most of the knots after the first few times, but I liked it when you would keep helping me.”

"I know.” He missed it, all the times you'd grumble about the activity until he was right behind you, hands on yours where you'd suddenly seem a lot less aggravated. Then you were sobbing and he dug his hands into the chairs arms rests to force himself to stay seated. Not being able to touch you, help you on top of trying to convince you that he loved you was like his own personal hell, so perfectly built.

“See I couldn't even stop myself from lying about that." You choked out through the tears, the rubbing of your neck was turning into scratching.

“That was endearing, I could never hate you for something like that, I could never hate you." You didn't respond to that, the scratching was getting worse, “Sweet girl, you're gonna hurt yourself, you gotta stop." He pleaded, but you were too far gone, muttering things too low to hear under your breath. “God, I can't even help you." Finnick could feel another tear falling down his face, he couldn't grab your hands, breathe with you, keep you comforted, it was eating him up inside and out. So he did the only thing he could, call out for the doctors who quickly marched in to stop you. That's when the yelling that could print his ears with the cacophony of your agony for all of eternity, began. It was remarkable how many people it took to hold you down and get you sedated,

Finnick wished he'd savored every moment he could've had with you. There'd never been a point in leaving you the first time, you were bound to be dragged into the Games, he wasn't the fire that burned you. He could've stayed with you, had so many more moments to think about. Time with you was precious, delicate and he would do whatever it took to have you back

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

You were like heaven and he should have known that was something he wasn't worthy of. It was easy to forget that though when with each month he became more and more infatuated, it felt impossible to be as in love with someone as he was with you and so quickly. It just seemed like you understood each other, were so similar, but also filled the gaps for whatever the other lacked. He wanted to take you out every day and when he was feeling more impatient for your company he'd buy out the whole stock of crabs just so you could be off earlier. By the first month of going out he has noticed an interesting development in who Finnick considered to be the worst thorn in his side, Conway.

“Who's that?" Finnick had asked one day, tilting his head in the direction of Conway and a girl who he was with.

You smiled so brightly it made him want to live in a world where it was his sunshine, “Oh, that's Meena! They're going out now." Maybe that thorn was finally being removed.

"She looks just like you.” Finnick whispered slyly.

“She does not!" You rolled your eyes and glanced over at her, "I mean we have the same hair color. So maybe a little."

"And you're both similar heights, same face shape, I wonder if you both have the same eye color too.” You playfully hit his arm as a warning.

"It's better than him being single and moping around, it was kind of driving me insane how melancholy he was being.”

“Because he's madly in love with you." Finnick teased, hands on your waist.

“No, he's just got a crush because he won't talk to other girls. And now he's out of his shell.”

"Because he's madly in love with you and you picked me.” He smiled, leaning his face in closer.

"You're such a dick!” Yet you were smiling and your face was so close to his.

"No, I'm just saying how lucky I am.” You rolled your eyes again and Finnick used it as the perfect opportunity to kiss you which you instantly reciprocated. He was right about Conway and Meena of course, right after Finnick had broken your heart, he'd heard through the grapevine that they'd broken up. Conway was able to take his place back as having some sort of chance with you.

He'd miss the way you'd lay with your head on top of his chest at the beach, didn't stray away from being seen with him in any sense, if the Capitol cameras followed him around you would easily fall into keeping up his appearances for them, he should've been more cautious. When he was upset and couldn't tell you why, you'd hold him, rub his back, do anything to try and help. Which is why when Snow showed up at his house in Victor's Village he felt like any semblance of happiness was being torn away from his grasp.

“President Snow." He greeted, slowly walking inside of the room.

“Mr. Odair, the Capitol has missed you, so much in fact that I had to make this very disappointing visit.”

"I wasn't aware I was needed back so urgently, or else I would have come.” Usually he was notified of the visits, who wanted him now, and when.

"Of course you would've, but would you have been fully there?”

"I don't understand what you're talking about.”

"Your performance, to be enjoying their company, has been lackluster. People aren't convinced that you're, how shall we say it, emotionally present on top of everything else.” He wasn't, it was so much easier to check out of everything.

"I'm sorry.”

Snow hummed, "If people aren't convinced, they're dissatisfied, if they aren't satisfied then I'm dissatisfied, and we both know the outcomes of that.” Everyone he cared about dead, him lonely.

“Yes, I'll do better."

Snow's smile was so menacing, snake-like it sent shivers down Finnick's spike. “Good, we wouldn't want any complaints trickling down, would we?” He turned on a projection of something Finnick couldn't quite decipher. "She's very pretty, I'm sure no one would be pleased if the dissatisfaction continued.” Finnick felt numb all the way through, it was you, arms around him. How could he have been so stupid as to not think about you?

"It won't.” Finnick said quickly, voice choking involuntary.

"Oh good, I wouldn't want to have to get creative with it.” Snow rose from the chair, “The train will be here to pick you up in two days, Mr. Odair." Then the man who smelled of blood and roses was gone, abandoning Finnick with the feeling of lead in his stomach. He had to put as much distance between the two of you as possible, make you less of a target, shrink the one already on your back. He sunk into the chair he was closest to. Trying to remind himself to breathe as he tried to figure out how he was going to break your heart. How do you spend almost a year with someone, praising the ground they walk on and then suddenly leave them in the dust. He couldn't be cruel to you, not when you were so kind. The idea that you would put your walls up again and completely shut him out made his chest ache, a pain that threatened to tear him apart.

He'd have to give you up, condemn you to the life you didn't want to live. Watch as you lose the hope of something newer, something that wasn't expected and settled for the life everyone saw for you. Maybe that's why Conway made him want to be meaner, his blood boil, because deep down Finnick knew that if he didn't have you, Conway's persistence to love you would pay off. You'd stop being the girl who would barter for things she enjoyed if only for a moment, there would be no more fantasies of your soul finally feeling complete, the way you'd both felt together. To protect you, he'd have to put a damper on the dreams.

Finnick hated thinking about how he was supposed to see you that night, how he'd promised to meet you at the beach since you'd insisted you didn't care about the weather as long as you could see him. He'd have only as long as it took to shatter the hopes of being with each other to memorize you. Your smile, your laughter, your playful banter, the way your eyes twinkled, the smell of peaches and the sea, and tasted like peaches and vanilla. For the rest of time you'd only exist as moments he cherished in his brain, distance would be pivotal. No more escapes from your life to his lavish parties, that association would still be close enough to get you hurt, you'd have to be cut off from any droplets of the Fountain of Love he was to you.

He'd steadied himself when the clock had finally ticked to the time that told him to go to the beach, to his ending with you. Time to subject himself to a lifetime of acting for Panem and you to submit to fate. The fates that had decided you'd both had your run and needed to get back on the roads planned out for you. It was windy and cloudy over the ocean, like he was being mocked. He stood there, staring at the stormy horizon that lay ahead of him until you appeared.

“Hi!" The way you smiled like the sun made him think he couldn't do this to you, to himself. He solemnly nodded in response and your eyebrows scrunched together in confusion, you were so beautiful. “What's wrong? Are you not feeling good, we can just go inside, I'll make soup." This was a torture method, how was he supposed to hurt someone who wanted to take care of him at the slightest sensing of upset.

"No, I feel fine.” He said it too sharply and it visibly took you aback. You'd both bickered before, only when someone directly caused it, and then you'd both get over it. Usually someone would do something to get you both to laugh it off, but he'd never been harsh with you.

You crossed your arms like they would provide some sort of defense, the walls were already being put up as far as Finnick was concerned. “Sorry." You stopped looking directly at him, eyes focused on the sand, he wanted to say ‘No, I'm sorry. You're so sweet and you look so pretty.’ To kiss you, your cheeks, your forehead, for his lips to memorize you. The silence was brisk and awkward until you'd felt forced to break it, “So, are we swimming?" He shook his head and it was hard to miss the way you scoffed, “Okay, um, do you just wanna sit and talk? We can do that." How were you still so considerate and sounded so soft, when you were so annoyed? Maybe the barrier wasn't around you, but him because you made no move to give a comforting touch like you usually would, like you weren't sure it would be received well. “Finnick, if you're gonna be in one of your moods and not let me help, I'm sorry, but I'm gonna go home."

“I'm breaking up with you." It spilled off of his lips in a way that made him want to burn them off. He watched the look in your eyes go from concerned annoyance to sad shock.

“What?" The way your voice became shakier made him want to give up on the whole endeavor, say it was some fucked up joke he was dared to do. “What do you mean?" A small nervous laugh forced itself from your throat.

Finnick took a deep breath in, “I can’t be with you anymore.”

"Can't? What does that mean?” It would've been easier if you just cried and ran off.

"It's just not working out.” He didn't want to lie, say it's how he felt or what he wanted, but he had to get you away from the ticking time bomb.

"For who?” You sounded exasperated.

"I can't explain it, I just have to do this, it's better for you, for both of us.” He pushed down the part of him that wanted to start bawling, begging you to refuse to let him go. "I have to protect you.”

To his surprise you didn't pester on that question more and he watched a tear escape from your glossy eyes, "Don't say that.” You shook your head, bringing your hands up to your face to catch the tears. “You can't break up with me and say stuff like that, it's mean." He was confused and it was evident, "It makes me love you so much more.” No, no, no, no you couldn't say stuff like that when he was supposed to rid himself of you. It wasn't fair.

His fingers ran through his tangled hair, "I'm sorry. I really am, but it means you can't be around at all anymore, anywhere. You need to be as far from me as you can be." You tilted your head upwards, towards the sky, closing your eyes as you exhaled. "Say you hate me."

“What?" You looked at him.

“Say you hate me, hit me, tell me to go fuck myself, something. Be angry with me." He could feel the tears escaping, they were supposed to do that.

“Finnick, I'm not going to do that." Then you were unclasping the necklace, the one that you'd work every day since he'd given it to, and it was in your hands instead of around your neck.

“What're you doing?"

“Letting myself know it's over." Then the necklace was in the ocean, floating away, like any hopes and dreams of being with you. The way you'd built your walls back up, stopped crying, blocked him out from your feelings, astonished him. You trusted him enough to take him at his word, that he needed to protect you, and listened. Distance in the mind as well as in person. “Finnick, take care of yourself." You sent him a small, sad smile and then it was like the wind had blown you away. Out of his grasp forever.

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

“She agreed to see you again." Finnick's head shot up, the doctors wouldn't let him stay in your room so he initially had planted himself in a chair outside. Eventually they'd just rolled in a hospital bed when they realized he wasn't going to be leaving. He'd spent every second diligently watching over you, making sure you were alright from afar. You'd been sedated most of the time since your breakdown before except when you ate and sat solemnly with your thoughts. “Same rules apply, don't get closer unless she asks, keep a calm, steady tone." Finnick nodded with the doctor's words waiting to be let in.

“I understand." The door clicked open and he was back in that chair across the room. “Hey, angel. Are you feeling better?" Your blanket was pulled up as far as you get it over your knee that was pulled up, holding your face up.

You slowly shook your head, “It's cold." And he couldn't be the heat to contrast that, he couldn't even rise to get you a blanket.

“I can ask them if they can make it warmer or at least get more blankets."

You nodded into your leg,"I'm so lonely, I know you want me dead, but I miss you so much and I'm not even sure why.”

Because you had to know deep down that he would move mountains to keep you safe, that all that had really come forward was from your own self hate. "Why don't we play a game.” You looked at him confused, "You ask me if something is real or not real when you're struggling to tell. Just those words and I'll help you figure it out, angel.”

"How am I supposed to know you'll tell me the truth?”

"You just have to trust me.” You observed him like you were waiting to see a crack in the facade, for a muscle to indicate his deceit. You leaned back in the bed, letting your leg rest.

"You hate me, real or not real.”

"Not real.” You stared at the white ceiling.

"Why not?” There was a beat of silence, "I'm perfectly deserving of it, so why not?”

"Anything you think you did that's worth hating yourself over was something that couldn't be helped, you're so sweet, I could never hate you just because your hand was forced when you were a teenager.” Your eyes shifted back down to look at him, “You don't have to believe me yet, there's a lot going on, but it's true. I love you more than the ocean loves the moon.”

"There's just so much going on in my head. I want to believe you so badly, but something in my head says I can't.” You covered your face to try and hide the fact you'd begun to cry. The things he would've given to kiss away your tears.

“That's okay, sweet girl, I have all the time in the world to prove to that voice otherwise." It was painful to stay seated, to know he had to regain all the privileges he'd once had.

You rubbed at your neck again which worried him to no end, “Can you come closer?”

Finnick wanted to jump up, but he couldn't. "Are you sure?” You nodded and he ever so slowly stood up. "How close?” He asked.

You took some deep breaths to calm yourself before you answered, "Over here."

“You're sure?"

Your breathing was shaky, “Yeah." He was terrified of scaring you away. So he approached cautiously to see if you'd eventually startle, but you didn't. Then he was standing right beside you and it was even harder now not to reach out. Ever so slowly you grabbed his hands, fingers tracing around his palms, each callous, and then you were trailing up to his face. He was confused, but didn't make a mention of it. Your fingers lead themselves around his face, rose with his nose, like they were memorizing each crevice of his face. He shuddered when he felt your touch, it had been so long and your cold hands soothed his hot skin. Then your touch was gone and he instantly missed it, longed for it back. “Thank you. I'm sorry."

“It's okay, sweet girl." You moved away from him and settled yourself laying down.

"Can you lay with me?” You whispered out.

"Of course, angel.” Underneath his facade he was ecstatic as he slid into the spot you'd left for him.

"Can you just keep your hands on top of you, so I can see them?” Your voice was so nervous.

"Absolutely.” His hands landed firmly on his stomach as he lay there with you.

Maybe now the long rope didn't seem as appealing.

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

thank you so much for reading and all the support! comments, feedback, reblogs, and likes are all super appreciated. my ask box and requests are open, I've got some I'm working on right now, love you all so much 💋

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[nibeul]

there’s a lot of talk about Snow seeing Lucy Gray in Katniss which is true to an extent, but I think there’s a gaping flaw with a 1:1 comparison and it’s this: if Snow truly saw Katniss as Lucy Gray, then he wouldn’t have spoken to her the way he did throughout the series. elaboration under the cut because I have a lot to say

the most interesting thing about snow and katniss’s dynamic is that snow, on some level, respects her because he believes she is like him. Lucy Gray did not have that respect from him—he said it himself that he did not expect her to win the game, but that he hoped she would be successful enough that her appeal to the audience would boost his own standing:

“Coriolanus had never really considered her a victor in the games. It had never been a part of his strategy to make her one. He had only wished that her charm and appeal would rub off on him and make him a success.”

and another quote that makes his feelings toward her clear:

“Here in the capitol, it was given that Lucy Gray belonged to him, as if she’d had no life before her name was called out in the reaping.”

to Snow, Lucy Gray was always a means to an end. he loved her in the sense that he loved the success she brought to him, in a deluded manner where the power and her existence went hand in hand. Lucy Gray’s existence to him was as a tool and something to own, not as an actual person, and when we look at Snow and Katniss, that distinction isn’t there. here’s a quote from Donald Sutherland (Snow) that I find really interesting:

“Katniss Everdeen is the first person who has excited Snow, who has stimulated him. By the time you get into the, maybe the end of the second one, he's in love with her. Not sexually. No, my God, no, no, no, no: he recognizes in her everything that he could have been.”

In Peeta and Katniss’s relationship, through the eyes of Snow, Katniss is him, and Peeta—who is charismatic, knows how to play to the people’s heart, charms the capitol, etc—compares better to Lucy Gray. Yes, Snow places himself in the shoes of Peeta when he asks Katniss when Peeta realized her indifference (as he felt Lucy was indifferent to him), but it really goes the other way around. To Katniss during the first game, Peeta was a tool for her survival. For Snow, Lucy Gray was a tool for his.

despite this comparison, however, Katniss and Peeta are not what Snow and Lucy Gray could have had, but rather what Snow never was; even though the love between Katniss and Peeta was used as a tool of survival during their first game together, they continue to stick by each other and look out for each other as things get rough. Katniss is a survivalist, like Snow views himself, but she is also caring and loving and these are attributes that Snow never had (but someone like Sejanus did). Snow believes that humans are naturally violent, and he believes Katniss is like him, hence why he tries to prove that Katniss and Peeta are not in love at every step of the way.

when he is finally convinced of their love, he then views it as a weakness and punishes Katniss for it. it’s likely he hoped Peeta would kill Katniss, but I would also argue that he wanted Katniss to turn on Peeta too as he turned on Lucy Gray—another effort to break this love that he saw and warp it into something else. ultimately, we know this is unsuccessful, and I think that’s why the final conversation he and Katniss have went the way it did; he had lost at both games, the game of politics to Coin (briefly, though obviously we know he gets the last laugh with this one), and this game of love and identity to Katniss. Katniss is everything he was not, and it was at this point that he finally respected her enough to acknowledge that he lost.

[avoxrising]

The Feral One • Ch 13

Finnick x Y/N

Series Masterlist Link

Johanna thinks men are stupid and she doesn’t respect them (pls tell me someone gets this reference)

Content Warnings - your fave is an idiot (for now)

District 13 is lonely. They still won’t let you have any visitors and haven’t quite determined if you are safe yet. Their constant dismissal of your words reminds you of why you went mute all those years ago.

“Please,” you beg one of the doctors. “What do I have to do to prove I’m not a danger? You released Annie a week ago.”

“Miss Y/L/N I am not approved to clear you. That decision is made elsewhere,” the doctor responds.

“Then let me speak to whoever’s in charge!” you demand. “There has to be some way for me to show you all that I’m harmless.”

Ten minutes later you are sitting in front of a lady named President Coin. Your hands and feet are still cuffed but they gave you a jumpsuit to wear instead of your hospital gown. They wheeled you over here in a wheelchair despite your constant reminders that you could walk just fine.

“Miss Y/L/N,” Coin states. “What can I do for you?”

“I want to be released from the hospital,” you firmly state. “I’m of no danger to anyone here.”

“I’m afraid we cannot do that,” Coin replies.

“Why?” you ask.

“It was risky enough to bring you to thirteen,” Coin explains. “We can’t have someone as rogue as you wandering amongst the general population. It’s too dangerous.”

“How many times do I have to explain to you that I’m no longer a danger to anyone?” you practically shout. “They didn’t hurt me in the capital. They gave me some treatment that made me better. I’m not feral anymore.”

“And how am I supposed to believe that?” Coin asks.

“I didn’t talk to anyone for five years besides Finnick,” you snort. “You think I’d be talking to you if I wasn’t healed?”

“That is a fair point,” she sighed. “Maybe we could come to a compromise. I won’t permit your release yet but I will allow you to have pre-approved visitors on the condition that a soldier can monitor the visits and administer sedative if necessary. We can revisit this arrangement in two weeks and adjust based on results.”

“Fine,” you huff. “I just want to see Finnick.”

An hour later, Finnick comes to visit. You reach out to pull him onto the bed with you but he sticks to the edge of the room, sitting down in a chair in the opposite corner.

“Finn,” you whine. “Come here.”

“They told me I need to stay five feet away,” he states. “for my own safety.”

“Well that sounds a lot like a rule you ignored for the past five years,” you shrug. He just shakes his head in response.

“I can’t,” he states. “Not until I know you aren’t going to hurt me.”

You look at him dumbfounded. He thinks you would hurt him?

“You really think I’m going to hurt you?” you ask him.

“I,” he stutters. “I don’t know.”

“They fixed me,” you explain. “I can talk to everyone now. No more violent outbursts or breakdowns.”

He just shakes his head and puts his hands on his temples.

“If you’re just going to treat me like a feral animal, then leave,” you state, causing him to look up at you. What hurts the most is the fact that he actually does get up and leave.

He doesn’t trust you.

Three days later, Johanna comes to see you. Finnick hasn’t come back since you told him to leave so you’ve been all alone in your room.

“Hey Fiesty,” she mutters as she sits down on your bed. “What are you up to nowadays?”

“Nothing much,” you shrug. “I just got moved from one prison to another.” This answer gets a small laugh out of Johanna.

“Glad to see you’re talking again,” she states. “When are they letting you out?”

“They aren’t,” you respond.

“Oh come on,” she groans. “You’re harmless. Don’t tell me Finnick hasn’t tried convincing Coin to release you.”

“He hasn’t,” you reply, shaking your head. “He doesn’t trust me. He thinks I’m going to hurt him like how Peeta hurt Katniss.”

“Ugh. Men are so stupid,” Johanna groans. “I’ll talk some sense into him when he visits me this afternoon.”

“He visits you?” you ask. “Why doesn’t he visit me?”

“Because he’s stupid,” Johanna snorts. “Don’t worry. I’ll go fix your relationship.”

“It’s not a relationship!” you exclaim as she leaves your room.

“Shut up Fiesty!” she yells as she finally exits.

“Hey idiot,” Johanna states as Finnick enters her room. He looks like he didn’t sleep again.

“What did I do this time?” he groans.

“You’ve been avoiding Fiesty,” she replies. “She’s locked up in a room all by herself and I’m the only one who has visited her in days.”

“I can’t see her,” he responds, fiddling with the rope in his hands. “It isn’t safe.”

“Stop being an idiot,” Johanna states, causing Finnick to look up at her. “I don’t know exactly what her treatment entailed but it definitely wasn’t the same as mine or Peeta’s. She never screamed. She didn’t have a single cut or bruise on her body when they rescued her. They even polished the bite mark off her wrist. If they had done anything to her, I think someone would have noticed by now.”

“You said before that her room was near Peeta’s,” Finnick comments. “Did he see or hear anything?”

“Well I’m not allowed to see him so I haven’t been able to ask,” Johanna shrugs. “One of the soldiers, the one who is supposedly Katniss’ cousin, told me that Fiesty made a comment about Peeta being dangerous when she was brought in but he didn’t think much about it till he attacked Katniss. If she was also dangerous, I don’t think she would have tried to warn anyone.”

“I don’t know…” Finnick sighs.

“Look,” Johanna states firmly. “We will go visit her together, first thing tomorrow, and I will show you that she’s not dangerous.“

“Fine,” Finnick relents.

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[f4riedimples]

teachers pet

Pairings: katniss Everdeen x fem!reader

warnings: slight age difference(you can determine how much older katniss is than you for now),teacher/student relationship, affairs, talks of past trauma, g*le(1 mention)(no smut in this one sorry!)

summary: it was fucking beautiful, until it went too far.

wc:1603

a/n: I am not promoting anyone to do this irl, don’t let this flop, changed the og summary(I can tag u in the og ss)

This was never how it was supposed to happen.

At first you just came in and it was innocent practice.

How did it become more?

You never thought that this would happen and you felt guilty about it. But you didn't wanna tell anyone because not only did you not wanna rat out Katniss but you still enjoyed everything she did those days and nights as well

Just last week you lied about having to stay longer for "extra practice" to someone. In reality you were doing something you weren't meant to be.

You were sleeping with your teacher.(bow and arrow instructor)The mockingjay.

Katniss Everdeen.

Were you proud of it? Not completely but did it feel good for both you and Katniss? Hell yes.

And shamefully you were starting to feel something deeper for Katniss. But you knew you couldn't express it. She had peeta. And besides. She's older than you.

She would probably just try to dismiss it.

But you'd still go back. Out of love and out of the shameful way you would moan underneath her and twitch as she gave you what you wanted.

That was good enough. For now.

Right now instead of where you both usually practice which is in the woods or at a training center she's told you to come to her house.

Once you knock you know there's no point of even pretending to train. She was gonna take you.

She opens the door with a warm smile that turns into a small smirk once she sees you.

"Hi there Girl Scout. Looking for someone?" She jokes before chuckling. You can't help but giggle before she makes room for you too come inside.

You take a look around the house you've only been too once. Or twice. Or three times If you can remember. It's been a few months since you and Katniss started this but you haven't been able to come over her house that much.

"Hey Kat." You speak before looking down with a certain look in your eye. Katniss can't tell if it's just a soft look or if you want her.

At the end of the day you know you're here to do more than just hang out.

She takes a seat next to you. "Well hi there." You turn your body and look Katniss up and down as if you're asking if she's ready.

She's been through so much because of gale, the capitol, president snow and coin. Maybe she needs a stress relief. Although she's never really brought it up it still makes you think she deserves this.

Especially when she's rough. She needs to get her anger out.

She simply gives you a light kiss on your jaw then cheek before finally giving one on your lips. You moan as she slips her tongue into your mouth and gets a taste of you.

You, of course, immediately kiss back. Why wouldn't you? You both love this after all.

You run your fingers through Katniss' hair as she

puts her hands on your waist to pin you in place. Oh, the ideas that are coming to your pretty little head.

Just before you and Katniss can actually get down you both hear a knock on the door and immediately separate.

You instinctively whisper. "Who the hell is that?"

You ask with wide eyes before she speaks with a non whisper.

"I dunno." She shrugs casually and calmly before getting up with a sigh. She walks to the door but stops midway before turning around and speaking with a lower voice.

"Oh, and just so you remember, I don't think anyone would think anything If they saw me with a younger girl. Even if you're my student." She reminds you casually before turning around and walking back to the door.

She opens it and sees Johanna. "Well hey there brainless."

You see the smile on Johanna's face before she notices you and squints hers eyes slightly. Could she already be suspecting what's going on?

If she did you wouldn't be surprised since Johanna is pretty smart. As they talk you head to the bathroom and when you're out you get a bit of curiosity.

You decide to head to Katniss' room and go inside.

It's of course empty since she's downstairs with Johanna so you take opportunity to be nosy and look around.

You decide not to look on her dresser because that might have some precious things from her family but you do decide to look around and move towards her bed ready to take a seat.

Before you can however, you hear someone open the door and immediately turn around almost scared that it's Johanna or haymitch came over. Even worse:peeta.

Once you turn around to the person ready to explain you see it's just Katniss with a slight smile. "Hey baby. What are you doing in here?" She asks a little confused.

"Oh- I just didn't wanna interrupt what you and Johanna were talking about." You say with a nervous chuckle. Before you can apologize Katniss puts her hands on your shoulders.

"Oh that's no problem. You're always allowed in my room as long as you don't snoop around." She says calmly which you reply with a head nod. "Okay!"

And before you know it Katniss pins you against the wall. She of course had no intent on actually doing anything with you exactly at this moment but she liked seeing you nervous.

"Um- well this seems fun." You reply starting to shake the nerves off. Katniss gives a light hearted chuckle. "That's a good girl." She says before giving you a kiss on the head.

It was gentle and sweet which is something you liked about Katniss. She's didn't make you feel pressured into anything but she also didn't make you feel like a child.

It felt like a normal relationship.

"Now cmon. I think Johanna wants to see you." She says before taking your hand and leading you down

stairs. Once there you both immediately have a seat.

"So how've you been brainless junior?" Johanna quips mockingly. But not seriously at the same time.

It was an insult that she didn't care if you fight like but she also wasn't her intent to make you possibly upset.

You laugh at the nickname usually meant for Katniss. "Doing just well hothead." You spoke the half truth.

This was gonna be an interesting ride.

You and Katniss weren't getting to do anything which internally made you nervous and a little irritated not just for yourself but mostly katniss since you know that's probably the main thing she cares about doing with you.

You could tell by the look in her eyes she was upset especially when Johanna made a comment about inviting haymitch.

You saw the time and realized that your "lessons" were about to end. You get up from where you rested and head towards the door, followed by Katniss.

Katniss turns you around and looks at your face realizing that you're on edge. "What's wrong?" She asks as if she doesn't know.

You whisper trying not to feel any certain way.

"Because what do you think? Why didn't you tell me Johanna was coming over?" You ask trying to keep your composure. It's not like you mind Johanna's presence but this wasn't the time.

Katniss sighs before whispering back. "I didn't know okay? Besides you're acting like I'm upset we didn't have sex. I'm just upset we didn't get to spend a lot of time together." Katniss speaks pretty honestly causing you to sigh in a mix of relief and guilt.

Maybe you should've came quicker. (Something both you and Katniss have said before)

"I just- i thought that was the plan today." You say causing Katniss to roll her eyes at the idea. "Yeah."

"I did want sex. But I also wanted to see you just to see you." This wasn't one of the days Katniss just wanted to see you out of horniness which surprises

you.

"Oh..." Katniss softens up a bit. "We don't need to

have sex twenty four seven. Some days I really just wanna spend time with you." She speaks truthfully but you can't help but remember a thought just as

you were gonna smile.

"You have peeta. You don't need some random girl, someone you're training on the side." You whisper almost as if you're really getting upset now.

Katniss doesn't get mad immediately and actually seems a bit concerned and like she's trying to calm you down. Maybe just so Johanna won't hear or her suspicions.

"Listen, I know that. But I wanted you too. Why is that such a problem? We have each other now." Katniss says, developing a bit of attitude.

"So what? This is stupid. I can't keep doing this to myself Katniss. I might never be able to be with you like I want to not only because of my age. But because you're with peeta." You whisper your argument to Katniss. Trying to keep your emotions at bay.

Katniss starts with her feathers a bit ruffled. "It's it fucking stupid. I want you both. That's what I'm gonna get. Because you're perfect. I love you."

Katniss ends soft. She had never said this before.

Maybe she was just as deep as you knew you were.

There might be no going back on your emotions. You look up a bit stunned. "Okay.." you say a bit confused. Could this be true? "I- I love you too."

You spoke then giving Katniss a smile. Then you left.

Too blinded to turn back.

[littlemarianah]

I have so many theories about Katniss co-sleeping with her children.

I think in the Seam the houses are too small and too cold to have multiple beds. Katniss and Prim grew up sleeping with their parents until their teens. Of course, at some point the bed became too small for four, even so, Katniss and Prim still share a bed, especially in winter. Prim couldn't sleep alone and always went to Katniss's bed in the middle of the night.

When Mr. Everdeen dies, Prim and Katniss return to their mother's bed. Many times Ms. Everdeen couldn't even get out of bed and Prim would just lie down with her and hug her...

After the games, in the Victor's Village, Katniss wasn't able to be alone in her room. She never It saw a house with so much space and a bed so empty. This time she was the one sneaking into Prim's bed in the middle of the night.They hugged and talked until they fell asleep. After the Quarter Quell was announced, the nights became silent.

That's why on the trains of the Victorious Tour Katniss couldn't sleep without Peeta. It reminded her of home, as well as helping with the nightmares. But Peeta isn't small and skinny like Prim, he was big and his arms were strong. It was a different feeling, he was able to make Katniss feel tiny and her body tremble as he ran his heavy hands down her back. The beat of his heart sounded like a lullaby to her

That's why nights The hospital is so difficult for Katniss, that cold bed makes her want to scream. After she killed Coin and was locked in that empty room, was her worst punishment. Prim would never sleep with her again. And that cold bed only reminded Katniss of that.

When Peeta and Katniss reunited after the war, She came back to having someone to hug with, was reassuring and better than anything her therapist was able to do. Even with Peeta waking up nervous, forgetting where he was and why Katniss was there for a few seconds. Katniss felt safe, she placed his head on her chest until he stopped crying and calmed down.

She fell in love there.

That's why she felt that fire, that hunger inside her. She was safe there and he was sure she loved him. And only in the dark of the night and the warmth of the bed could she have the courage to do what she really wanted.

Years later when the little girl was born. Katniss couldn't stay away from her daughter. She even tried to put her in a crib next to the bed, but it wasn't enough. Her newborn cryed Katniss was sure it was because she missed her mom.

Willow grew up there between her parents in bed. Until the boy came, the new baby was too noisy to sleep with the girl, that was a toddler at the time. They stayed apart, Willow had her own room and seemed to like it, but Katniss didn't. She would check on her several times a night, until she got used to the fact that her baby girl had grown up.

Rye shared a bed with them until he was five years old. Peeta began to encourage him to lose his fear of the dark. And Rye was excited about the idea of having her own room like his big sister.

So Katniss was left with just Peeta again. It was good, discovering each other again. Every year her children got older and had no more nightmares and ran to their mother's bed at night.

I like to believe that Katniss never knew an empty bed again.

[i-love-your-shades-of-wrong]

you want complex characters? here's Gale.

I am fully convinced that people only hate Gale bc it's Liam Hemsworth and because they think he's annoying - and yeah, it's true, he IS annoying, but to like president snow more than him? (its pretty privilege)

Most people know by now that the love triangle in thg is for metaphorical purposes - the choice between peace and war. And it's not even a choice as a reader - there is quite literally no chemistry between gale and katniss (in my opinion). But that doesn't merit hatred for the character himself.

He grows up in the seam, poor and being the breadwinner for his siblings. (how sad) We're supposed to disagree with his motives by the end of it - he shouldn't want to get revenge because that makes him as bad as the capitol (yada yada yada). And Peeta is in the right because he wants to show mercy. (peace vs war)

But Peeta grows up as the bakers son. Has he ever gone hungry? No. Are we meant to feel bad for him because of his mum? idk. His name was in the bowl far, far less times. Does that make it any better? No, because he's picked (and this is meant to be about how the system is awful... you get it). But Peeta doesn't grow up hating the capitol because they don't hurt him... until the games.

Is this an attack on Peeta? No, of course not, but circumstances are important as the actions taken within them (situation ethics). Peeta goes into the games and you'd think his outlook on life changes, but it doesn't. Some people have stronger cores - a lifetime of security within yourself does that.

Peeta goes into the games again, Gale saves the citizens of 12 in the bombing. Peeta's kidnapped. And Gale says this:

"He might have been tortured. Or persuaded. My guess is he made some kind of deal to protect you. He'd put forth the idea of the cease- fire if Snow let him present you as a confused pregnant girl who had no idea what was going on when she was taken prisoner by the rebels. This way, if the districts lose, there's still a chance of leniency for you. If you play it right." I must still look perplexed because Gale delivers the next line very slowly. "Katniss…he's still trying to keep you alive."

So, he's annoying, but is he a liar? No. He's ever the strategist, thinking of things from the logical point of view. (really grasping for straws but I need a pro and less cons😭)

People really hated Gale for bombs - killing innocent people that just want to help the fallen? (ohno how sad). But are capitol citizens ever really innocent? Bystanders that simply allow children to be murdered year after year? The idea that they simply have no idea of the harm being caused is ludicrous. Do they not have critical thinking skills? No matter what happens in life, you KNOW murder is wrong. No matter what propaganda media shows you.

(also Beetee helped make those bombs too like gale was annoying but stop giving him full credit like if I was beetee I'd be pissed)

So, that comes to the idea that killing people as a whole is unethical, and it doesn't matter that they're awful people. Is that untrue? No. Is it far to those that have been oppressed their entire lives, being told that using force against their oppressors is wrong? Maybe. It's not an easy issue to resolve (kinda explains the metaphor, doesn't it?)

Neoliberalism probably wants you to blame the individuals. Coin, Gale, Snow. Coin and Snow were two sides of the same coin (ooh pun) - politicians, adults, playing for their own power. Is it wrong to enjoy power? No, of course not, just don't abuse it. Gale enjoyed power. But he was fighting for the freedom of the country, not himself. And he's only 19/20. You're a lot angrier when you're younger, as many adults forget.

The system is the real problem, clearly. Why should the capitol have all the power? Why are the districts being used? We don't know. But that's unimportant.

And then there's Katniss. She's the one making the decision - peace or war. On paper, its peace anyday. Katniss has seen both Peeta and Gale's hardships - Gale is a metaphor for who she could have been. Bitter, angry and hateful. It's not unjustified hatred but under Kantian ethics, murder is always wrong. Katniss does not want to retaliate because it's a vicious cycle of violence.

As far as we know, the capitol don't really pay for all they do. I know if I was a district citizen who suffered, I'd want capitol citizens to feel the same way. That is not to say that it is ethical, but it is not unjustified.

It would be more of a fair argument if Peeta and Gale suffered equally, but can you really quantify suffering. Their experiences shape them. Its easier for Peeta to want mercy for the capitol because he wasn't starved his whole life. And Peeta's stance is the right one.

But see, that's why we say complex character and not good person. Because the decisions aren't malicious in intent, just with clashing personal values to the norm. Like, bffr, half the people online hating on this guy would NOT have stood for mercy for the capitol.

(anyway have a nice day this was my ethics essay plan and I'd better get a 9 on it or else <333)

[rose-pearls]

That's the kind of heartbreak time could never mend - Part 9

Previous Part - Final Part

The hovercraft was silent as it flew through the night, all of the people that had passed the evaluation were now on their way to fight. Peeta wasn’t with you, and you couldn’t help but feel like you were sticking out like a sore thumb. Katniss wasn’t on the hovercraft either with the rest of you and you were trying to figure out why she wasn’t allowed to. 

“I can hear you thinking.”, a soft voice whispers and you turn around to see Finnick, smiling at you softly.

“Just feeling slightly confused at Coin’s choices.”, you can’t help but tell him, knowing that you could trust him.

“I know what you mean, however we can’t really say anything. I’m just hoping she knows what she is doing.”, he tells you, looking at you with a worried look in his eyes. You knew that he hadn’t been incredibly happy to know that you were getting dragged back into combat when your memory was still in crumbles.

“I’ll be fine, don’t waste your energy on worrying about me.”, you whisper and Finnick scoffs at your words, looking around you before looking back at you and coming closer to you.

“I think I will always worry about you, it’s like a second nature.”, he tells you, his eyes full of honesty and you can’t help but feel slightly breathless at the sight of it.

“Landing in ten minutes, get ready.”, you hear Boggs says in the distance and Finnick smiles at you before going back to his assigned seat. Leaving you there looking at him, wanting to stop him and say something to him but you are unable to.

You have been unable to really say anything to him since you kissed him in the hallway after the evaluation, feeling confused about everything you felt. Finnick hadn’t tried to force you to tell him why you kissed him, but you could see the longing in his eyes.

The camp is already set up as you arrive, and Boggs quickly sends you to makeshift tents to get you bags ready for the afternoon. Johanna helps you get your weapons ready and as you get out of the tent you see Katniss arrive.

“Katniss?”, you hear Finnick ask before he brings her into a hug, the sight of them brings a sour taste in your mouth but you try to swallow down the lump in your throat.

“Soldier Everdeen will join our squad.”, Boggs says while coming with a couple of other soldiers. 

“Now, you are a star squadron. This means that we aren’t really going to fight, we are just going to film some shots and stay into safety. Is that clear?”, Katniss doesn’t look pleased with the fact that you aren’t going into battle, but you can’t help but feel grateful of the fact you won’t have to fight immediately.

The card of the Capitol appears before your eyes, all of the traps are shown on the map, and you feel sick at the sight of it.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 76th hunger Games.”, you hear Finnick whisper at Katniss and you can’t help but feel jealous at the sight of them looking so close to each other. 

Shaking your head to try and shake the feelings away but it doesn’t seem to work. The nightlock pill is in your jacket and you can’t help but look at the little pocket where it sits, not knowing what was going to happen in there.

The streets are ruins, everything in rumbles as you walk along the streets wondering how you were ever going to make it out of this. The beeping of the pad makes you look up and quickly the group is gets moved behind the large statue.

“You need to shoot between the buildings.”, Boggs orders Katniss and before she can get there Cressida orders everyone around for the filming. The arrow flies smoothly between the two and for a second you wonder if something is going to happen when flames appear, burning everything between them to the ground. 

A car suddenly falls out of the fire making you flinch at the sound of it and Johanna quickly puts a hand on your shoulder. 

“It’s too far to hurt you.”, she whispers, and you nod quickly at her words, trying to get your breathing under control. Finnick is looking at you worryingly, but you send him a shaky smile hoping to reassure him.

--

A car arrives as you are all sitting down and as you get ready to go see what is happening a hand keeps you from moving.

“What?”, you can’t help but ask Gale as he stops you.

“You should stay here it isn’t safe.”, he tells you before walking towards the car himself and you can’t help but scoff, wondering who did he think he was. You get ready to step towards the car once again, but Finnick comes in front of you, making you look at him in frustration.

“I can defend myself.”, you tell him and Finnick smiles at your words, opening his mouth to answer you but before he can you hear a name.

“Peeta?”, you hear Katniss say and you look at Finnick in surprise, meeting his equally surprised gaze before going towards the rest of the group.

Gale has his weapon drawn and Peeta is just staying there, defenseless like he is waiting for Gale to shoot him.

“Hey! Get your weapons down.”, you tell the rest of the group before going towards Peeta, who seems relieved at the sight of you. He looks frightened, like an animal getting ready for slaughter and you take him into a hug.

“It’s okay.”, you whisper and Peeta nods at your words, Jackson follows you and gives you the restrains he had in district thirteen, telling you it’s for precaution.

“They want to show that he is on our side.”, Boggs explains as he finishes radioing Coin.

“He isn’t in control of himself.”, Gale says, looking at Peeta like he is just a piece of dirt.

“Neither am I and yet I haven’t heard you say anything. Or are you just saying it behind my back?”, the room falls silent at your words while you glare at Gale. He seems to want to say something, but Jackson interrupts him.

“We will surveil him around the clock, to make sure nothing happens.”, the rest of the squad nods but Katniss seems to want to say something.

“Put me on a timeslot for the watch.”, Jackson seems unsure and turns to look at Peeta for a moment before looking back at Katniss.

“Could you kill him if you needed to?”

“I wouldn’t be killing Peeta, I would just be killing a Capitol mutt.”, the words are cold, and you can’t help but scoff at her words, feeling anger at the way she just throws him so carelessly away after everything he did for her.

“That’s a great way to talk about your supposedly fiancé.”, you tell her, and Katniss looks at you like she wants to kill you.

“He tried-”, she starts but you don’t let her finish her words.

“Don’t. He was tortured by the Capitol because of you, and I don’t know why anyone is trying to sugarcoat it for you like they have been sugarcoating every single thing. But he got tortured and got his memories taken away from him and transformed because he was in love with you. And if he hadn’t been he wouldn’t have had to suffer like this. So, get off your high horse and show some respect.”, you tell her, she is looking at you furiously and you wonder if she is going to hit you, but Finnick comes between the two of you.

“Alright, why don’t we calm down, you come with me.”, Finnick doesn’t even let you disagree before taking you with him further away from the group but not before you hear Johanna agree at your statement.

“What was that?”, Finnick whispers, his voice hard and you can’t help but scoff.

“What was what? She was acting like she was so much better than him.”, you try to tell him, but Finnick doesn’t let you finish.

“She has a right to feel like this, and sure she isn’t handling it in the best way but yelling at her isn’t the right solution.”, he says, and you can’t help but scoff.

“Of course, you take her side, everyone does. Everyone is doing everything she wants, and no one reacts when she doesn’t follow orders.”, Finnick sighs at your words and closes his eyes.

“Jealousy is not a good look on you.”, his eyes are closed off, anger in them and you can’t help but feel helpless at the sight of it but the anger cursing in your veins is stronger.

“Jealous? Of her? I am just sick of the favoritism, and you seem to think she is so much better than everyone else.”, you tell him, sick of hearing him defending her.

“Why don’t we talk when you are calmed down.”, he tells you before leaving, leaving you there feeling furious, tears in your eyes at Finnick just leaving like that.

--

You hear them whisper to each other before your eyes open and as you try to adjust your eyesight to the dark you hear Peeta starting to get worked up.

“I just don’t know what’s real and what isn’t.”, Peeta says after a moment, his voice sounding defeated, and you can’t help but want to protect him, like you did when you were kids.

“Then ask it.”, Finnick says after a moment and you turn to look at him, he is looking at you for a moment before turning back to Peeta and explaining him what he means.

Katniss starts helping Peeta until it gets too much, and she leaves, sitting down next to Gale and you try not to look at a defeated Peeta.

--

The next morning is rough, Peeta losing his mind and throwing someone to his death and losing Boggs in the chaos of it all. Jackson seems to lose it a bit but Katniss and Finnick manage to convince her to give Katniss the pad. 

The apartment you enter is large, and looks like it hasn’t been lived in for a bit of time as dust has settled in. Peeta is sitting on the staircase, and you decide to give him a moment alone, sitting down on the couch.

Caesar Flickermann’s voice is what makes you sit upright, the images of all of you this morning appearing. 

“We are happy to tell you that the rebels have been killed.”, Finnick chuckles at Caesar’s words and you look at him for a moment. You hadn’t been able to talk with him since your disagreement and you didn’t know how to approach him.

“We need to find a way to use this to our advantage.”, Johanna says, and you all agree for a moment, thinking before Peeta’s voice comes behind you.

“Gale’s right, you should’ve killed me. I’m just a mutt.”, you turn to see him looking heartbroken, the images of this morning must’ve hit him hard.

“Peeta.”, you whisper, and the boy shakes his head at you.

“No, I killed that man. You should give me a nightlock pill so that I can end it if I get too dangerous.”, his voice is breaking, and you want to go to him and reassure him.

“If it gets to that point, I’ll shoot you myself.”, Gale says, and you look at him with badly hidden disgust. You knew he wasn’t a fan of Peeta but just saying that was a bit too far for your taste.

“Let’s find a way to get to the mansion.”, Katniss says after a moment and you all turn to look at the pad, to find the best way.

--

The tunnels are old and have definitely had better days as you walk through them. The walk is long and tiring but as you finally manage to find a place to stay for rest of the night you can’t help but feel unsafe.

“Can we talk?”, you hear Finnick whisper, and you turn to look at him, he seems to be unsure of what to say.

“Of course.”, he sits down next to you and lets out a sigh, closing his eyes before looking at you.

“What happened back then?”, he asks you directly and you appreciate him not turning around the pot.

“I don’t know, I guess I didn’t appreciate you defending Katniss like that.”, you tell him, your voice small and Finnick sighs.

“There is nothing between her and me. I just didn’t like the way you immediately attacked her.”, he tells you after a moment of thinking and you nod at his words.

“I know but she was just saying these things about Peeta, and I couldn’t listen to them.”, Finnick let’s out a frustrated sigh at your words and you look at him confused for a moment.

“Peeta again.”, he whispers under his breath, looking annoyed and you turn to look at him confused.

“What does that mean?”, Finnick looks at Peeta for a moment who seems to be talking with Katniss, but you only look at Finnick.

“It means that you have been with him this whole time, spending more time with him then you have with me.”, you can’t help but feel like it’s an accusation.

“That’s not true, I spend time with you. But he doesn’t have anyone Finnick, and I know him since we’ve been kids. He has been helping me remember things.”, Finnick closes his eyes, and he lets out a sigh at your words.

“But why don’t you come to me to help you remember things? I’m the one you were in love with and now it feels like you rather be with him. You spent some time with me and when we finally get close again you close off like something bad is going to happen.”, the words are painful to hear, and you can’t help but feel a familiar pang in your chest at his words.

“Finnick, I never wanted to hurt you. I’m just confused when things happen between the two of us and I need a moment to understand what is happening.”, Finnick nods at your words but he doesn’t seem convinced.

“Then tell me that, communicate with me. Fight with me if you have to, tell me what you need to say to me but don’t disappear.”, he tells you and you nod at his words, feeling tears in your eyes.

“I’m sorry.”, you whisper, hoping that he understands you never meant to hurt him and that you care for him more then you could ever tell him.

“I think we maybe need some time apart. Maybe that will help you with your memory and figuring things out.”, he looks pained to say the words and you feel sick at the implication of them.

“Finnick, please don’t do this.”, he closes his eyes, a painful expression crossing his face and you take his hand in yours.

“I know it’s taking more times than we thought it would, but I know that I care for you and maybe more than that.”, Finnick shakes his head at your words.

“You need to figure things out on your own and then, when you did do that, we’ll talk. It doesn’t mean that I don’t love you anymore, but it means that I’m putting myself first. I can’t do this.”, you don’t even have time to say anything before he kisses your forehead softly and leaves.

He had told you he would never give up on you, never leave you and here he was letting you go. Johanna’s hands take yours in hers and you let her whisper some reassuring words, but it doesn’t stop the tears from rolling down your cheeks after a moment. 

--

“Katniss.”, a voice whispers, the voice continues to whisper her name and all of you get up to see what it is.

“Mutts!”, someone yells and next thing you know Johanna drags you into a tunnel, water seeping into your clothes as you run away from the mutts.

The water is heavy against your tired limbs and as you run through the corridors, trying to wrap your head around what was happening you arrive in a larger room. A ladder leading you out of the tunnel, or so you suppose. 

The rest of the squadron arrives and before you can say anything to each other the mutts arrive, and you start fighting. It had been a long time since you had to fight against moving things but after a moment you get the hang of it.

Finnick seems to be handling himself well against the mutts, but you can’t help but look at him to make sure he is alright. Peeta manages to get a mutt away from you while you shoot one behind him dead. 

The squad starts moving towards the platform to get out and as you get ready to do the same thing you see a mutt going towards Finnick, he is too busy killing a mutt trying to kill Peeta to see it.

The mutt nearly manages to grab him, but you shoot it down before it can get to him. Peeta climbs on the platform while you try to kill another one, ignoring your hurt shoulder. 

“We need to go.”, Finnick says, and you nod your head at his words.

“Go first, I’ll cover.”, you tell him and Finnick seems unsure before killing a mutt and going up on the platform. 

You follow him and as he gets upstairs you can’t help but feel lighter knowing he is in safety. You shoot a couple of times towards the mutts before quickly trying to climb the ladder and just as you think you will be fine a sharp pain in your side makes you yell out in pain. Finnick screams your name, but you are gripping the ladder tightly and before you can do anything to kill the mutt yourself a gunshot gets heard and the mutt falls in the water.

You try to move your body and ignore your blurry vision until you are up there. Katniss helps you out of there before tossing the pad to make sure they are dead.

Finnick is by your side in an instant, looking over you in a frenzy, but the only thing you can do is lie down. The pain is too much as you move to lie down, and you groan in pain. Everyone is talking to each other, but you can’t hear them, your vision getting blurry as the pain takes over every single one of your senses. 

“Hey, hey.”, you hear Finnick say before his face comes into your sight.

“Stay with me.”, he whispers, and you look at him for a moment, not knowing what to say as he looks frightened.

“It’s okay.”, you whisper but Finnick lets out a choked sob at your words.

“Please don’t leave me, stay.”, he takes your head in his hands and you smile at him softly.

“I’m sorry.”, you whisper, and he shakes his head, mumbling under his breath.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t remember us sooner. Maybe I don’t remember a lot, but I fell for you through the past few weeks, the way you were always there for me, unwavering.”, Finnick has tears rolling down his cheeks as you smile at him lovingly.

“You are so much more then you think you are Finnick, and you deserve the world, you deserve the best things anyone could offer you.”, you whisper and take on if his hands in yours.

“I don’t want all of that I just want you.”, he manages to say, and you nod slowly.

“I’m right here handsome.”, Finnick shakes his head at your words, and you squeeze his hand.

“Please don’t leave me.”, he whispers as he comes closer to you, his forehead against yours and you bring a shaky hand to his hair.

“Never, I’ll always be there. Can’t get rid of me, remember?”, Finnick chuckles at your words, a sob follows it, but you ignore it as you caress his hair softly.

“I’m sorry for earlier, I love you so much.”, he tells you and you nod in answer, feeling tired.

“I know, I love you too.”, you tell him, and he lets out a wounded sound.

“Help is on the way, just stay a bit longer.”, he tells you and you look into his blue green eyes for a moment.

“I’m so tired Finnick.”, he nods in understanding and squeezes your hand.

“I know, just a bit longer darling.”, you nod slowly, unable to move more. You feel your eyes flutter close, Finnick’s hand is still holding yours tightly, but you feel yourself falling asleep.

“Please don’t - please don’t leave me. We still have so much to do.”, Finnick mumbles over and over again willing you to stay awake. 

He feels you squeezing his hand and he kisses you softly, hoping that it will keep you with him just a bit longer. Medics arrive as your hand starts to feel loose in his and they push him back to get to you. 

Johanna takes him in her arms as he starts sobbing in her arms, tears are falling down her cheeks as she tries to reassure him. 

“She is a fighter, she will be fine.”, she tells him over and over again hoping that Finnick and herself will believe it at one point.

--

The room is filled with mentors, moving from one place to another and he finds her there, looking at her screen looking frightened. 

“First day is always the hardest.”, he whispers, and she turns around, looking at him in surprise.

“Finnick! It’s good to see you.”, she seems shy and Finnick can’t help but smile at the sight of her wide eyes and a soft blush on her cheeks. 

“Good to see you too darling.”, the words roll of his tongue and her blush gets darker. Haymitch interrupts them before Finnick or her can say anything else but Finnick winks at her as she looks back at him a smile on her lips.

-

“You’re beautiful you know that?”, Finnick asks you and you hear yourself chuckling in response.

“Just beautiful?”, you ask him, teasingly and Finnick chuckles at your words.

“No, much more but we would be here for years if I had to say every single thing, I love about you.”, a blush appears on your cheeks at his words and Finnick smiles lovingly in response.

“Aren’t you the romantic.”, you whisper back and Finnick chuckles before bringing you into a sweet kiss, making sure that you know just how much he loves you.

“We need to get out of bed at some point.”, you whisper a few moments later and Finnick shushes you, holding you tighter to his chest.

“We don’t, let’s stay here for the rest of the day.”, he whispers, and you he can feel your smile on his collarbone before he feels a soft kiss there.

“Good plan.”, Finnick lets out a happy sigh as he closes his eyes and holds you close, telling himself that one day he’ll marry you.

You probably hate me right now but hopefully you liked it! There will be one last part after this!

Taglist: @nobody7102, @universal-s1ut, @wannapizzamymindposts, @ladyfiction, @readingb, @capswife, @bela-nov, @zendayabelova, @iwanttoleavekudos, @afraidofshrimp, @simpinformunson, @callsign-haze, @agent-grey-fics, @wolfiealina, @slytherpuffh0e, @certifiedsimp14, @sherlockstrangewolf

[linaisokay]

songs that remind me of katniss & peeta (these are real-time reactions because i'm listening to the music as i go😭😭)

THERE IS A LOT, BUT I WORKED LOWKEY HARD ON THIS SO I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU LIKED OR REPOSTED🤗🤗:

- The Night We Met (feat. Pheobe Bridgers) by Lord Huron.

it reminds me of what katniss was thinking about after peeta was hijacked, like how she took their whole relationship for granted, and then she lost him. she always expresses that all she wants is for him to go back to how he was. "when the night was full of terrors & your eyes were filled with tears," UM MORE LIKE "stay with me" "always" 😭

- Glue Song by beabadoobee

this is just a wholesome song that reminds me of how katniss slowly falls for peeta. i saw a post (not sure who it was by) that said, during the quarter quell, katniss believes that everyone is protecting peeta because he is so amazing, but that isn't true. the only reason why the other ppl in the games protected peeta was for katniss' sake bc she LUVSSS HIMMMM.

- TV by Billie Eilish

it's not necessarily the lyrics that remind me of katniss & peeta. it's more so the beat & background music. it genuinely reminds me of katniss when she gets back to 12 from 13 after the revolution was over, like there was no longer a use for her, so she was just sent back home. so i guess it is a little bit the lyrics because it says "what's the point of anything," which is similar to how katniss describes her feelings in the book. NVM, IT IS DEF THE LYRICS TOO LOLLL. "i'll be in denial for at least a little while. what about the plans we made?" + "maybe i'm the problem" basically sums up katniss' thoughts throughout all the books 😭😭

- War of Hearts by Ruelle

this specifically reminds me of how peeta feels about katniss throughout the books, even though we know very little of his perspective other than what he says. the lyrics are very similar to how i think he feels as he finds himself ACTUALLY falling for katniss (like it isn't just an act for the games anymore).

- How Villains Are Made by Madalen Duke

okok so peeta becomes a "villain" to the rebels involuntarily after being hijacked AND KATNISS HAS BEEN A VILLAIN TO THE CAPITOL SINCE BOOK 2 BUT ESPECIALLY AFTER SHE KNOWS WHAT THE CAPITOL DID TO PEETA.

anyway, i think the lyrics specifically relate to peeta, especially the "i don't trust what i see right in front of me. i don't know who to betray." he doesn't know whether to believe what the capitol has told him or what the rebels tell him.

- Waiting Room by Pheobe Bridgers

DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED 😭😭 i can't tell if this song reminds me more of how katniss feels about peeta or how peeta feels about katniss. they both just want to be with each other all the time (katniss, more so when she realizes that the capitol was torturing peeta). "i can wish all that i want, but it won't bring us together." IS LITERALLY KATNISS WANTING PEETA TO COME BACK TO HER (both him physically & then his personality). "plus, i know whatever happens to me, i know it's for the better." reminds me of katniss trying to take the nightlock pill after killing coin, but peeta stops her because he knows (even if he doesn't realize fully) that he can't live without her.

- Nothing's New by Rio Romeo

this reminds me of how katniss may feel after peeta is hijacked & is completely shutting her out (and literally choking her like bye). before she realizes he was hijacked (and doesn't just absolutely hate her for no reason), i feel like she would be so worried that it was something she did, and the lyrics of this song remind me of that possibility.

- Habits by Genevieve Stokes

SO KATNISS CORE OMGGGG. it's like she wishes she could simply love peeta, but there's so much going on in her life constantly that she can never truly find time, so she shuts him out. despite this, she would literally do anything for him, hence why she ran to haymitch before the quarter quell game & made him promise he would protect peeta & not her.

- Halley's Comet by Billie Eilish

"i don't want it, and i don't want to want you." katniss literally can barely openly admit her feelings for peeta until she loses him !! she's crazy & stubborn lol.

- GOLDWING by Billie Eilish

katniss views protecting peeta as HER responsibility. in a sense, the capitol sees peeta as this golden, sweet boyfriend to katniss, which is kind of what the song is talking about. the capitol could basically own peeta if they wanted to, but katniss would literally kill anyone who got in the way of her & peeta so likeeeee. (if u listen to the song, this will make MUCH more sense lol)

- Strange by Celeste

"i tried for you. tried to see through all the smoke and dirt," IS SO PEETA AFTER BEING HIJACKED (literally so is the entire song). no matter how hard he tries (at least for a while after being hijacked), he can't view katniss the same way he did before he was tortured by the capitol. this song is so sad because you can just imagine katniss & peeta looking at each other, but there is nothing left between them </3.

[jaqobis]

💜 with katniss and peeta (i'm giving you a real blast from the past here)

the two victors from district 12 stay curled around each other long into the night.

it isn't comfortable. the bed is barely large enough to fit the two of them, and they had to do a lot of negotiating to avoid dangling elbows and feet. but they managed; and this is a far cry from the worst place peeta has ever held her in his arms. district 13 isn't safe, but it isn't an area. it isn't the capitol. it isn't long days and nights on a train where their every move is watched.

oh, peeta is under no illusions that they aren't being watched here. a lot of resources went into extracting them from the arena, and he knows — they both know — it's only a matter of time before coin asks for her repayment. the war is in full swing now, and katniss is the mockingjay. they need her. peeta is, he knows, far more expendable to the cause — but he isn't expendable to katniss, and that's why he's here instead of a capitol interrogation facility. he isn't under any illusions about that either.

katniss sleeps about as often as he does, but she's been quiet, breathing steady, long enough that he suspects she's been lulled into rest. he likely won't be far behind her — he's exhausted, and these quiet moments are the only reprieve he gets. there's no painting in district 13, of course. there's barely any drawing. he gets the occasional allotment of pencils and papers, but rarely, and usually with a specific expectation of them. what use is letting him articulate his fear through art? but if he wants to depict some of the capitol's atrocities, and if he'll just turn his drawings over to coin's people so they can copy and disseminate them...

she shifts in his arms abruptly, and he moves to accommodate as she turns to face him. katniss looks at him with her dark eyes, haunted and unblinking, before bringing her lips to his. it isn't gentle. she crashes into him with enough force that he has to free one hand to brace himself on the side of the bed, lest they both topple over. but only briefly — because then he draws that hand around her shoulders, pulling her closer, opening himself to her. he's hungry for this too, is the truth. his family is gone. his life, such as it was, is gone. his district is gone. even his chance to die for the girl he loves in the arena is gone. all he has left is her, and this war.

that's all he has left, so there's no reason not to cede to this, to her. he kisses her, and again, and again. he pulls back slightly, only to find her throat with his mouth, but she untangles her arms to lay her hands on both of his cheeks and draw his mouth back to hers. or, she tries; he breathes out a laugh before he can stop himself, and he can feel the curve of a rare smile pulling at her lips.

"don't go anywhere," she says, with mock severity.

he raises his eyebrows, unable to keep the mirth out of his voice. "yes, ma'am."

still smiling, katniss closes the distance between them once again.

send a heart and a ship for a brief snippet! + now on ao3

[buggiebite]

What do you think about Mother's role in characters' life of The Hunger Games series?

Do you think there is correlation of their situation with their action?

Thank you :)

@curiousthg

What a great ask. I’m a firm believer in this too. What a mother/maternal figure does greatly affects the child, and the lack thereof. In the series, three mothers come to my mind: Mrs. Everdeen, Mrs. Mellark, and Hazelle Hawthorne. Thankfully, their children are big characters in the series so I can correlate actions and emotions to their mothers.

Starting with the obvious, Mrs. Everdeen and Katniss:

We do not know much about Mrs. Everdeen from before Mr. Everdeen died, but we can infer that she was a decent mother then. Happy even. Leaving her merchant life for love rather than status. When, Mr. Everdeen dies tragically, she is almost lifeless. Severely depressed and mentally withdrawn from the world around her. It’s this that drives Katniss to be the provider of family. Without the knowledge and skill of survival she would have never of made it as far as she did. Mrs. Everdeen is emotionally driven and so is Katniss. Volunteering for Prim. Singing for Rue. The nightlock berries. While Katniss has built a brick wall to hide her feelings from everyone, so has her mother. They just go about it differently. Then in Mockingjay, Katniss mirrors her mother regarding Peeta’s capture. I think a lot of people see Mrs Everdeen and Katniss as opposites, but really they’re just two sides of the same coin.

Mrs. Mellark and Peeta: While we really don’t have a lot of information on Mrs. Mellark, we know enough to infer that she was abusive. Unfortunately, we don’t know the reasons why she is the way and many chalk it to an unhappy marriage/life—and I agree. But, I want to focus on how much of opposites Peeta and his mother are. Peeta is this optimistic, self-sacrificing, charismatic, character. I think he learns this from his mother too, but in a backwards way. He learns what not to be. He does not want to be brutal. Does he have his outbursts of anger? Yes. Because he’s human. So he learns what not to be from others, while also seeing the good things in everyone.

Hazelle and Gale Hawthorne: This my least thought out, just because I never looked too much into it. Hazelle is a strong woman. A widow raising four children in poverty. She had to be strong. I feel like Gale saw this strength and made by it to help out his family. It’s altruism. Gale is a sacrificing character. Putting himself in harms way to save others. I trait he undeniably had learned somewhere, I just want to believe it’s Hazelle.

Thank you so much for the ask!

[rogue205]

Hunger Games rant

This is kind of surprising me because I used to ship Everlark when I read the books years ago but upon a re-read as an adult?

I’m just wandering through the Hunger Games fandom and seriously have to say… I very very much doubt that Katniss and Peeta “would’ve happened anyway” if they were not reaped nor if the Games never existed.

Sure, he had a crush on her which is likely why he gave her the burned bread that day(something that I’m pretty sure isn’t even covered in the movies) which people seem to think makes her required to like him back. Their relationship was also a forced play for the Capitol, she had no choice. If it was “gonna happen anyway”, she would’ve been dating him already by the first book. 

As an (now)Everthorne shipper, I am a little biased but she clearly has more in common with Gale, they had known each other for years, and she even bluntly states that “he is hers and she is his” at one point. Seems straight forward to me. Gale also deserved better than what SC did to him. Yes, he helped to design those bombs but I very much doubt he knew what Coin was going to use them for nor did he know that Prim was going to be there and put in the direct line of fire. Prove me wrong. I’m also slightly irritated that Katniss holds this over his head, and while I understand given that it’s Prim, she should know him better than that. Just seemed like an easy way for Collins to get rid of him so she could pander to fans by putting Katniss with Peeta. Yes, he lied by omission but he didn’t want to hurt her. And I find it odd that she just can’t seem to get over that, while she seems to just instantly forgive Peeta for every manipulation(unintended or not) that he puts her through. 

I do find it funny that some people seriously seem to think that Gale and Katniss actually are cousins. Take the Everlark blinders off, people. You really think that Collins would create a love triangle that involved incest?

She picked Peeta in the end because he could give her stability in a post war world when she had no one, not because she loved him like that. Matches up to “she’ll pick who she can’t survive without” to me. I know people immediately interpret that as “she’ll pick who she loves” but no. If Gale meant it that way, he would’ve said it that way but he also knows the only one Katniss would and could ever truly love is Prim. Peeta does not understand this about her.

The movies just showed a “happy-ever-after Everlark” ending while ignoring that fact that Peeta is still struggling with the hijack(and poses a continuing threat to Katniss because of it) and in the books, Katniss does wonder what kind of future she also could’ve had with Gale like they were talking about before the first reaping. But she dismisses it because she imagines that he’s moved on. Her ending with Peeta comes across to me as “obligation” still. Surprisingly, lots of people seem to get this too I’ve read but most are still “romantic Everlark” anyway. 🤷‍♀️

Katniss had gone through the books pretty adamant that she didn’t want to marry or have children and yes, that was largely because she didn’t want them to have to go through the Games but it’s also been said behind the scenes that she only did these exact things in the end because Peeta wanted it. Literally along the lines of “I didn’t want children but Peeta did and kept asking until I finally caved…” just rubs me the wrong way.

I think it would’ve been a refreshing change to have ended this series the way Katniss originally wanted. Where she didn’t end up with anyone. (@zalrb here on Tumblr says this all way better than I ever could. Go visit them.)

[sleepy-gee]

picking up the pieces - peeta mellark/gn!reader. fluffmas. ao3 link

Christmas and any other holiday celebrations that weren't birthdays were rare in District 12. But, now that the war is over, and there's peace, you have the chance to celebrate again. read here on tumblr or on ao3 (link above ^). Rated T. Angst w/ hurt/comfort. More winter themed than christmas tbh

Christmas never was a big deal in District 12. No one could afford it, except for the mayor, of course. Madge would drop off Christmas leftovers to you when she could, but that was the most you got. Also, faith had pretty much been wiped out in its entirety. If there was a God, then why was he letting all of this happen? All of this misfortune and horror?

There were a few obscure religions around, their main remnants being their holidays, but none of them were celebrated in District 12.

Christmas was noticed as a day of rest in District 12, the only one that was taken seriously. Sundays were supposed to be free, but most couldn't afford the time off. It was so odd, when you first returned, the freedom you felt. You could hunt without being prosecuted, walk freely, speak as you pleased. You didn't have to live a million and one lies, you could be yourself as you pleased. The adjustment was, of course, hard. Paranoia still wracked your mind, even though you had seen both Coin and Snow's mangled corpses with your own eyes, and watched a new president be named. 

At least you weren't alone. Peeta, while having his own unfortunately wide variety of issues to deal with, was there every step of the way. Physically, most of the time. The trauma inflicted by whatever the hell the Capitol had done to him wasn't going away anytime soon, and he spent a lot of time staring off into space, body pressed against yours in some way to remind himself that this was the present, this was real. He was safe, and loved. You both referred to it as his 'cuddle mood' to try and soften the blow of it, make it sound a lot better than it was. It brought Peeta comfort, and he didn't have to completely admit his vulnerability in situations where he didn't want to or felt like he couldn't.

The first half of December had been one long 'cuddle mood'. Peeta spoke less, only ever using his voice to ask if something was real or not real. It hurt to see the man you loved try and rebuild himself. He'd never be the same. You both had to fall in love all over again.

You first noticed the beginning of his 'mood' when he started to sleep less. Sleeping was the worst, he said. He could do whatever he wanted to prevent the thoughts and memories while he was awake, but there was little he could do asleep. Lucid dreaming barely worked. It felt so real. He told you with a bitter laugh that he thought tracker jacker venom had been injected in him so many times that it became a permanent part of his bloodstream. That hurt your heart. The poor man. The only remedy was having you near, your fingers combing through his blond curls and massaging his scalp. That sometimes worked, and it was a short term solution. You needed to sleep, too.

The second red flag was how isolated he became. He was the golden retriever to your black cat, a happy ball of energy equipped with a million sarcastic comments and stories that could have anyone laughing within a matter of moments. All of that vanished at the drop of a hat. Blunt, snippy comments took hold. You didn't blame him, of course. You only worked with him. The holiday season was approaching, meaning the bakery got a tad bit busier than usual. It was a tradition to have some sort of baked good for dinner. It meant good luck. Peeta focused himself on his work mostly, locking himself away in the kitchen and kneading until his hands cramped.

It was also the first Christmas without your family. Your sister was dead, mother on the other side of the country, and Gale, while he wasn't related by blood... Losing him hurt, too. Peeta was the closest thing you had to family, and he was gone, too.

Or so you thought.

Bit by bit, he reemerged, showing he was still thinking of you- Making your favorite cookies and decorating them with beautiful snowflakes, or painting a mural of your house covered in snow. His leaning on you turned into more of a gentle cradling, and the blue of his eyes wasn't quite as sad. The clouds were clearing from them.

One day you came home from a particularly nasty hunt, a trip on the ice causing you to lose most of your game. What a silly mistake. You carelessly placed your game bag on the counter and stripped off all of your winter and hunting gear, trying to forget the past hour. It's fine. You're not being watched anymore. You have food for the next two days. You can go hunting again.

A beautiful bouquet of flowers on the kitchen island caught your attention. Where did these come from? Had someone dropped them off? What kind of flowers were they, anyway? You recognized a few kinds- Babies breath, beautiful peppermint carnations, with leather leaf ferns cascading off the sides of the arrangement in a bowl like manner. But the center of it was unfamiliar- Blood red petals that curled outwards with multicolored innards. You stroked one of the petals thoughtfully.

"Those are poinsettias." Peeta's soft voice pierced through the silence and caused you to flinch. "I thought you'd like it."

Like it? You loved it. It was gorgeous, how could anyone not love it? "How much did this cost you..? And where did you get these flowers from."

"It was an.. Unorthodox payment for a pumpkin pie. It reminded me of you, so I accepted the trade." A sad smile flickered across his features. "Reminded me of the old days.. Trade some bread for a squirrel. Pie for flowers." You turned towards him, meeting his wistful gaze. "It also reminded me of you."

You glanced back at the flowers. "How..?" Was there some symbolism to them? A hidden meaning? A code in the way the flowers were arranged or the petals met?

"Bold. Beautiful. Different. Unorthodox. You want me to continue?" Your heart fluttered. It seemed someone was beginning to recover slightly. "And.. I also got them for you because I feel terrible about how I've been lately. I want to be the partner you deserve."

".. Peeta, you don't have to apologize." You walked over to him, leaving wet foot prints behind yourself on the hardwood floors as you took his hands in your own. Calloused. Warm. Protective. "You've been through hell and back, literally, and have to now adjust to a new life, no matter how much better it is. Those things take time. I'm just happy to be here for you."

He fell silent for a bit, looking down at your intertwined hands. ".. You mean that, real or not real?"

You squeezed his hands. "Real."

[avoxrising]

Isla - Part 2

(Part 1) (Part 3)

The first few days in District 13 were the hardest of Finnick’s life. He would gladly go into the arena all over again if it meant you and Isla were safe.

Finnick didn’t mean to push everyone away, but he did. Annie tried to help with Isla but Finnick wouldn’t let his daughter out of his sight in fear of losing her. He would shower with the curtain open and Isla resting in her bassinet on the bathroom floor. He’d bring her to his therapy sessions and even to the training room.

It had been a week since Finnick arrived in District 13 and he had barely slept. Isla was super fussy and it was hard to get her to eat anything. District 13 had very little baby formula available as single fathers in the district were practically unheard of.

Finnick’s therapist, Dr. Aurelius, ended up forcing him to attend a support group of new parents in District 13. He was the only dad there as the rest of the fathers of newborns were either working or deceased, as was the case with two of the mothers rescued from District 12.

The mothers fawned over Finnick and Isla, something he did not enjoy. He hated attention, especially from women who weren’t you. One of the women, however, quickly developed a friendship with him.

Eve and Herd were new parents from District 13. Herd worked as a maintenance worker so he was usually gone all day, leaving Eve to take care of their daughter, Kara. Kara was three months old and had beautiful brown hair, almost the same color as yours.

Eve pitied Finnick’s situation. Not only was he taking care of his month and a half year old daughter by himself, but he was grieving your absence and struggling to take care of himself. Finnick didn’t know why he trusted Eve with Isla, but he did.

Isla was able to nurse on Eve, making her a lot less fussy. Eve taught Finnick how to tie a wrap around him so he could carry Isla hands free. Gradually over time, Finnick felt himself getting the hang of being a single dad.

The residents of District 13 watched as Finnick would walk around the halls with Isla in his arms, pointing things out to her like the signs on the walls or the smells that wafted in the air. Although she was too little to understand, Finnick wanted to teach her about all the good things in the world.

Finnick healed to the point where he would let Prim watch Isla while he went to his appointments. Mrs. Everdeen was able to perform Isla’s 2 month checkup and she’s as healthy as possible. Annie comes around to see him and Isla occasionally, but she’s cautious not to disturb him too often. She reminds him too much of District 4 and everyone he’s lost.

When footage of Peeta was broadcasted throughout the cafeteria, Finnick was stunned. Was it possible that you were still alive? He raced up to command to see if anyone had any answers.

Unfortunately, nobody knew if you were alive. Beetee suspects that they’re keeping Peeta alive as leverage over Katniss so it’s quite possible that you are alive too. President Coin won’t send a rescue mission just yet, so all Finnick can do is wait and hope for you to come back home.

-

AN: Do y’all want a part 3?

[kahlanmars]

BAD FEELING part. 28

This has been a hell of a chapter to write so PLS comment or like if you liked it!

MASTERLIST

taglist: @crimsonincursive

28. I stand with the Mockingjay

Three days pass and nothing changes. President Snow is being captured in a palace with a beautiful garden, surrounded by his beloved roses and you can’t help but think that Alma Coin is trying to make an example out of it. Presidents should be treated with kindness and respect even after being captured. You can torture civils and guards if you want, but not the President. It’s just a coincidence that she is a president. 

Katniss is always with Prim, she reads her stories and she sings for her, while her mother is catatonic again, staring at the wall for hours. You sometimes talk to Katniss, but you can sense she is desperate, she stares at her sisters for hours and hours and she doesn’t talk to Gale Hawthorne anymore, which means she knows something about the theory about Snow and Coin.

Peeta is a little better. He has to continue the therapy and he spends an awful lot of time thinking he is in the Capitol being tortured, but now he knows that he loves the Mockingjay, he knows he is not in danger anymore and he even remembers some things.

He is a patient of Doctor Aurelius too, but today she wants to see you.

«So, how's it going today? Do you want to tell me something?»

«The nightmares are a little better.» You can tell her that. You have to deny all the other things, because she is on Alma Coin’s payroll and you may like her but you definitely don’t trust her. «And when I wake up Haymitch helps me.»

«Haymitch is your boyfriend.» She asks, but you don’t know why. She knows him, she’s seen you with him.

«Yeah.» You answer her nonetheless, because it’s the polite thing to do. And he hates the term, by the way. He keeps saying he is too old to be anyone’s “boyfriend” and “partner” is more than okay.

«He is a victor too.» She points out, maybe in a sense that tells you “He needs to be helped too”. You know it, every victor should be in therapy, but he in particular is a stubborn mule. Maybe after all this mess you will insist.

«He was my mentor. Like Annie and Finnick. And we fell in love. Are you going to tell me he is not right for me?»

«No, Daisy. You know what it’s right for you. I was just wondering if you thought about what we talked about last time.» 

You thought she wanted to ask you only about the murder, and it would’ve made sense, but Dr. Aurelius wants to know about your life, so you told her about Portia’s offer and how it makes you feel. 

It felt safer than talking about Caius or Clark, at the beginning. 

«He doesn’t know that. It’s not exactly a priority right now.»

«And you still want to go to learn from Portia?» 

«Yeah I mean, I like clothes very much. I like making clothes, you have that perfect image in your head and then you try to sketch it and in the paper it’s not sure, but then you cut the fabric and you sew and you embroidery… and it’s yours. It’s exactly how you wanted and you can have it because you did it. It’s fantastic.» You explain, quickly full with enthusiasm. 

Since you were little you’ve done dresses for your doll, Olivia, with little pieces of fabrics that Holly couldn’t use anymore. She wanted you to learn, because in the district life is hard if you don’t know how to do things yourself. She made you learn how to clean, how to cook, how to hunt (that’s not something you want to do) and a lot of other skills but you really enjoy sewing, you’ve always done it even when it wasn’t a necessity anymore. You used to do it for your friends and for their dolls, when they had them. 

«But you don’t want to stay away from Haymitch.»

You just shake your head, aware this is not right, it’s a person, not an addiction. But you don’t think you would be happy without him. «He hates the Capitol.»

«What about District One or Two? They are very close to Capitol City, so you can take the train everyday.» 

This is actually a good idea. An idea that could save the day, if you survive the last straw of the revolution.

You go out of the psychologist with a great headache and you decide you need to be in your room. Your room is not even yours anymore, you spend all your time at Haymitch’s room or the hospital and Effie is always there with Portia. And here you find her, alone, so you open your arms and you cuddle against her. 

«Friend.» You request with a little pout. Effie and Haymitch can’t resist a pout or big eyes. Then again you always want to snuggle against them and they humour you more times than not, so perhaps they just like to spoil you a little. Their last tribute.

«Of course!» She pats your head. You can only imagine the state of your hair right now. «Is everything okay? Is it Little Prim?» 

«No, she is stable. I just missed you.» You get to be whiny and spoiled with her. When you are with Haymitch he is your partner, so you can ask for a cuddle but you also have to prove to him that you are independent, and if you would try to act like this with Holly she would scream to you to stop it. Effie is different, she enjoys being the big sister and you get to have a holiday from being the strong one all the time.

«Haymitch told me he loves me.» You confess after a while. You don’t even know if you can say that to her, it feels a little like cheating. You don’t completely get people like Haymitch or Perla, so private. When you are happy you want to share it with the world, you want to scream it to everybody and you are glad to hear it from others.

«That’s wonderful news!» She hugs you again. «In times like this I-»

She can’t end the sentence, because two guards burst into the room. The door was closed, so they had a passepartout. They could have entered any time, you realise with a shiver down your spine. District Thirteen is a horrible place. 

«Miss Trinket, President Coin requested your presence for an interrogation.» The guard orders, and you watch her in disbelief. For an interrogation? About what? Effie has been nothing but perfect in this dreadful district since the moment you arrived. Much more perfect and well behaved than you.

«Miss Trinket has immunity.» You get up, shielding Effie with your body. Effie is taller than you, but she is so frightened and you, well, you did the Hunger Games, you are strong. The guards are not impressed, though.

«Not anymore.» Is the only answer you get. 

It makes sense. You got arrested, you don’t have immunity anymore, let alone give it to other people. 

Still, Effie was part of the revolution. Maybe not from the start, but she was. She was the one who said to you to hold on during the Games, she was aware of the plan and she is Cinna’s friend, she is not an enemy. She was a face of the Hunger Games publicly of course, being an escort for Twelve, but so was Plutarch being a Gamemaker.

You try to take their hands off of her, but they immediately out strong you and you see this scared, afraid woman in a grey jumpsuit taken away from you.

No, no, no, not Effie.

«Let her go, she didn’t do anything!» You scream.

«It’s just an interrogation.» The guard tells you, but you don’t believe him. If you let her go you will never see her again, and she doesn’t even have a bracelet.

«She is part of the revolution!»

Just for a moment you think you will hurt that man, but the blonde woman sees the glimpse in your eyes and stops you before you could do anything you would regret.

«Find Katniss or someone who could help us.» She instructs you, so calm despite the situation.

Not Effie. Not again.

You run as fast as you can, but you don’t know who to run to.

It’s Perla who finds you before you could catch her, though. She is still in bad shape and she has bruises all over her body, but she is up.

«They have Cinna.» She pants.

«Cinna?» You ask, worried.

«All the people from Capitol City. Cinna, Portia. Cinna was with me, I was about to leave the hospital and they took him.» She has trouble breathing, her face is so red you want to let her sit down, but you have more urgent problems now.

«They have Effie too.» 

«It doesn’t make any sense! Cinna basically started the revolution! Portia and Effie were part of it. I don’t understand.» She is panicking. You start to think about who you could call for help, because you have no idea. The victors have little power over Coin, and Plutarch never listened to you one day in his life.

You rush into Haymitch’s room, but he is not there, so you try to go into the hospital room to see Finnick, but he has vanished. You don’t get it, you don’t understand and you try not to be scared, but there is no chance Haymitch would have gone without telling you.

He doesn’t know about Effie, you reason. He loves Effie, she is his friend. He will help you.

If he is somewhere. What if they took him too? 

You go to the hospital again, thinking that maybe Finnick and Lora are there, but you only find Mags.

«Mags!»

When you spot the old woman in the hospital you are so relieved. She is still there. The grandmother with grey hair and a sweet smile, who has been in the hospital since she was retrieved. You nearly forgot about her.

Then you remember she doesn’t talk and she barely remembers you.

«Where are all the victors? Where is Finnick?»

She gestures something, but you are too on the verge to understand anything. Fortunately for you, Perla is more intelligent than that.

«They are in a room with President Coin?» She asks, and finally Mags nods.

Snow is captured and the victors are in a room with Coin, something big is going on.

Finally they open the door and all the victor go out. Finnick and Annie storm out of the room so quickly they practically bump into you, and Peeta looks at everyone with sad and judging eyes. When Katniss passes next to you she doesn’t even see you. Perla decides to follow Finnick, and you kinda think it’s the better choice instead of Haymitch, but you have loyalty to him.

Johanna Mason eyes you with a smirk. You don’t know what she has to laugh about. You don’t like Johanna very much, it’s like she brings trouble, and the only times she met you she always smiled at you kinda cruelly. The dark haired girl has been through hell like you, but she’s definitely not your favourite victor. 

Haymitch is the last to exit. His face is blank, but you can sense he is not right and his hands are trembling. He looks like he wants to drink so badly you just want to hug him forever and take him away from this madness. 

«Haymitch!» You call him, and you jump into his arms for comfort. «They took Effie.»

Now everything will be okay. The victors love Effie. They will rescue her one way or another, Haymitch and Finnick always know what to do.

«They did what?» He wants to know, and he is shocked. If he doesn’t know about the imprisonment they didn’t talk about it in the room.

«They took Effie for an interrogation.» You say again. «We have to go, we have to save her. They wanted information from her.» 

«Good.» Johanna gets in the conversation. «She is Capitol.»

«She is part of the Revolution.» You snarl. You almost assaulted a guard before, you can hit a victor now. Actually you want to punch a victor now, a victor like Johanna Mason from District Seven, but you are adult enough to stop yourself. 

«Once a Capitol, always a Capitol.» She talks back. Haymitch must see your expression, because he takes your hand.

You don’t handle well violence under stress.

«Johanna.» Haymitch growls. «Stop it.»

«Oh don’t be such a hypocrite! You voted with us.» The District 7 Victor reveals, and you don’t get it. There was a votation in the room? Is that why Finnick and Annie were so upset with everybody?

«What did you vote for?» You have a bad, bad feeling.

«I’ll explain in my room.» He tries to cut it off, but the woman interrupts his words again with a satisfied grin.

«New Hunger Games.» Johanna explains taking his place. «With Capitol kids.»

New Hunger Games. New… it’s not possible. Coin really thought it was a good idea. Kids from the Capitol being reaped. The Games, the television, the arena. Memories creep in your mind and you have to close your mouth with your hand, free from your boyfriend’s. 

«W-what?» You barely manage to talk. 

This is not possible, this is not true. The Games are part of your nightmares. They are all the victor’s nightmares. They were supposed to end forever.

«Sweetheart…» He searches for your eyes, but you don’t see anything. 

«This is not true. Haymitch would never.» You look at him. «You didn’t vote yes, right?» 

Haymitch is many things, he is an addict, he is rude, he is not gentle and he is rough more times than not, but he is not cruel. He is not one for vengeance on innocent people, and they are innocent people.

You are District Twelve by luck, or the leaking of it. If you grew up in the Capitol, that wouldn’t have made you a bad person. Yes, maybe a spoiled one, but not bad. Not all Capitol citizens are pro games. Not everyone is rich. 

And kids. Kids the same age Snow bombed. Or Coin bombed. Kids the same age you teached for. 

«It’s complicated.»

«Not really. Did you vote yes?» You start to shiver. Your world is collapsing. In these months the war was upon you and you were about to die, but Haymitch was a certainty. A good man. A man of honour. The man you are in love with.

«…Yes.» He sighs.

He tries to hug you, but you take a step back. His touch is weird now, this is not your Haymitch. «Don’t you dare.» You spat. 

Your head is spinning. Other blood, another game, another television show. Nothing is changing from this revolution, just the name of the tyrant. 

«Sweetheart, please.»

«Kids, Haymitch! Cinna’s family. Effie’s family. They are with us. Capitol doesn’t mean Snow… how is that fair?» Ivy is a Capitol kid, you want to scream. The sweet girl you saved, the sweet girl he saved.

«You have to understand-»

You slap his hand because he wants to stroke your cheek and right now you can’t handle his touch. «I don’t have to do anything! Now we save Effie. Then we can discuss.»

It takes hours to finally make them release Cinna and Portia. Coin has no leverage against them, they are part of the revolution since the beginning, and the President just wants to get them out of the way because she wants the Capitol to be the enemy. 

Effie has to stay in the cell for now, for “dubious connections”, but you can pay her a visit. Dubious connection, you don’t have any clue on what it means. Maybe her parents are on Capitol side, or her friends from her past life. Or maybe it’s just an excuse to keep Haymitch and you on track, because she knows you love her.

The room is little and grey, without any window. It’s claustrophobic, tiny, you can’t live in a place like this for more than two hours without screaming. No air whatsoever. There is a - grey - bed and a bucket you really don’t want to know what is used for.

«Darling girl.» She approaches you and she is trying to smile, but you can see she is frightened. 

She is not a fighter. She is a TV host. An escort. Yes, she reaped the names of the kids, but she is not a mastermind, she doesn’t have a great plan, and she is an active part of the revolution you morons.

«I’ll take you out of here.» You promise her, reaching for her hand. She is cold, and you didn’t think about bringing her blankets. 

«You are in danger too.»

«I don’t care, Effie. You will be free.» You smile through the tears. «You have to host me in Capitol City, okay?»

You are scared too. If the new games are real nothing reassures you Coin won’t torture her to get informations or kill her like she is about to do with President Snow. 

«Okay.» She reassures you. «I promise.»

«Good, a promise is always good. You promised. I promised I would outlive the Games and I did it. Don’t break the promise, Effie.»

You hug a little more, until a guard tells you to exit. When you go out of the room you start to walk really fast, because Haymitch is behind you.

«If you just-» He begins, but you are furious this time. No amount of kisses and caresses will fix this.

«If I just what?» You turn around and face him with fire in your eyes. «And what? Your precious mockingjay said yes and you followed her?» This is mean. Katniss is a broken child herself but damn it, she should know better. You are angry at her too. Prim is the same age as Capitol kids. 

«…Yes, but-»

«Kids, Haymitch! Capitol kids are still kids!» You shout, and you don’t care if all the district watches you. You are on a black list anyway, not really beloved by Thirteen. You are definitely the next after Effie. 

«Don’t scream, it’s dangerous.» He whispers and takes your shoulders, but you scoff him away.

«I don’t give a flying fuck! You condemned kids. There will be a new mentor. A new you. A new Effie and a new me, but maybe she will be Prim’s age! Are you ready for it? You will watch it on television, I bet it will be mandatory.»

«Look at me.» He takes your wrist and dear heavens you are about to slap him. «Do you trust me?»

«I trusted you.» You reveal. You trusted him with your life, and you still trust him that he thinks he is doing the right thing, but if he’s doing it to save Katniss he is trading a child for a child. 

«Remember who the real enemy is, Daisy.» He murmurs. 

Coin. He wants to do something about the Coin situation. He probably knows everyone is in danger as long as she is in power. 

Still, he said yes. The risk is too high. If whatever the plan is, if the plan fails, the “yes” will still be active and children will be reaped again. Children are not a price to pay. Children are the spark for the revolution. You don’t sacrifice children if you are not Snow or Coin. 

«You still said yes.» You whisper, trying really hard not to cry. «Are you one hundred percent certain of what you are doing?» 

He is about to lie, you see it on his face, but he closes his eyes. «No. Not one hundred percent.»

So children are a risk he is willing to take. «If anything happens, it’s on you.»

[waywardangel-wilds]

I recently saw you reblog the ask referring to the post about how someone stated that Katniss&Peeta and Finnick&Annie are only together because of trauma. I also wanted to say that's just not true? Like everyone in the series has trauma, everyone copes with it differently but I don't think Katniss, Peeta, Finnick, or Annie sought out their respective partners because they too had trauma. In the grand scheme of things, wouldn't it have been easier for Katniss to be with Gale so she wouldn't have to deal with Peeta's hijacking OR HIS TRAUMA from the games because wouldn't that trigger hers? (you know aside from the fact that Katniss will always link her sister's death with Gale's weaponry and disregard for human compassion). Same with Annie, would it not have been easier to just close off that chapter rather than be with Finnick, someone that is also linked to not only the Hunger Games in general, which is where "her mind broke", but HER GAMES as he was likely the mentor or one of the mentors for the male tribute who she watched GET BEHEADED. Like wouldn't Katniss have rather just not been with someone, like she always planned, or Annie been with someone from D13 who would have had no link to the games in general. Or Peeta been with Delly, who he didn't have hijacked memories of or been to hell and back with. Or how bout Finnick being with literally anyone but someone else in the games, someone who he had to fear for her life in the games?

I could rant about this all day. I looked into the person who wrote the original post and that just made me feel like I was losing my mind. I don't care if people like Gale, I can understand their points, but to tag everlark in a post shitting on them and then reply to said post and be like "I love debate" but then go about blocking people who are debating you AND CLAIMING that they didn't tag EVERLARK for attention, come on, you know you did. It's hypocritical. The person seems stuck in an old phase of internet which I have grown too old to engage in. Have your opinion, but respect general etiquette of keeping that stuff out of the tag you are actively shitting on. It only draws "bad" attention but they strike me as all PR is good PR which like, why do you want negativity in your space when you could just not?

And frankly, the original post was hypocritical because...Gale has trauma too, like a lot of it, which is what drove him to, in a way, be used by Coin. So, if the theory that Katniss had no thoughts, emotions, or feelings outside of trauma is true, would she not have originally had MORE trauma in common with Gale? Like Katniss should have fallen at Gale's feet no? Before the games, in those woods for hours, she should have bonded with him and fallen in LOVE with him due to that bond but she didn't. Because trauma doesn't make her love someone, who they are does. Frankly her bond over trauma with Gale is what kept her feeling guilty and like she had to be in his life despite, as we see in MJ, her realizing that outside of the hatred they had for the way things were in D12, they weren't compatible, their MORALS were different.

This rant is basically it. Its the HER or rants. Yes I agree. I must confess, I didn't take that other person seriously at all and mocked them in their comments, something along the lines of 'reading comprehension is dead.' (That's so mean what's wrong with me!!) I usually would feel bad about that but I think it's fair to say they were being mean for no reason (I actually still feel bad haha).

The only thing I really have to add is that the OG 'trauma bond' person seems to be using Gale's butthurt logic from the end of the last book. You know, when Gale is like "Katniss will end up with whoever she can't survive without." Which is so not the right thing to take away from the series. I thought it was common knowledge that this was incorrect, and it was put in to highlight once again that the entire series was about not just the war and the suffering but how it affected people. The whole thing is about emotions, and Katniss, the person whose emotions we know the best, is absolutely full of a kaleidoscope of emotions. It isn't so simple as to say 'Katniss chose Peeta because he was in the games with her.' Or 'Katniss chose Peeta because she was on the brink of death from depression.' No, Katniss chose Peeta because she felt so much for him. Because she was so deeply connected to him, as her friend, her partner, her teammate, even at times her enemy. She knew Peeta completely, and she liked what was there, that's why she chose him in the end. She saw him at his best and his absolute worst, but she wanted him anyway. That's love. I don't know how else to put it. But if any one of us is lucky enough to fall in love in this life, would we want to only be chosen at our bests? Why would I call that love? That's just infatuation. Love is the hard stuff.