#rory hawthorne

[court-jester-art]

Peeta!! you're also a counsellor!!! you can't be here !!!!!!!!

anyway um hunger games summer camp au-?

[ephemeral-phosphorescence]

So I know in the age of the Hunger Games renaissance we have a lot of post-war Katniss and Peeta parenting headcanons however, I’d like to take a moment to talk about their FRIENDSHIPS post war new and old because I love them and they deserve the best support systems.

- One of Greasy Sae’s grandchildren, a scrawny dark-haired man, who asks to be apprenticed in Peeta’s bakery since the coal mines are no longer safe to work in. A quiet man, with a lot of love in his heart for iced cakes, since his daughter likes to look at them in wonder through the glass.

- Johanna Mason and Katniss having four-hour long phone calls AT LEAST once a week.

- a poorer capitol couple who always dreamed of life in a smaller town end up buying one of Victor’s Houses. They’re nervous to say the least, but Peeta helps them settle in the town and Katniss eventually helps them to get comfortable in the woods. When their dog has puppies, the couple gifts them two.

- Gale never returns to District 12, but his siblings, Rory and Posy do. A friendship that’s sparked by reminiscing about cold mornings is now fueled by hot summer evenings, and bonfires, and roasted apples and singing.

- Peeta and Katniss visiting Annie in District three and swimming at the beach with her.

- Delly Cartwright rushing to the bakery to relay the gossip she just happened to hear at the post office.

- Haymitch’s house not being in a fit state, so Katniss and Peeta helping him to host his Senior Veterans’s support group at theirs.

- Speaking of veterans, Katniss’s mother visiting with one, a second-hand ring on her finger. He’s from District 11, a towering battle-scarred soldier but his eyes betray the people he’s lost in his time. His gravelly speaking voice would scare away even the tamest birds, but his hands coax rainbows out of the ground and Katniss is proud of her mother for being happy.

Now, I don’t think Katniss would ever get a full time job, with her mental health and Capitol stipend. I also don’t think she would become a doctor or apothecary, like her mother and sister. But in her late years, when she’s too old for hunting and no need for it anyway, I like to imagine she becomes a midwife. Idk, I think she would have a lovely no-nonsense bedside manner and a deep love for every baby she helps deliver and it is nice to think about. I just weep imagining her helping to deliver Posy’s first baby, or checking up on Newborn mothers around the town with gift baskets full of helping herbs and freshly-baked buns and being a familiar face for everyone in 12.

[3fluffies]

Fic Update: Favors (Hunger Games AU)

Favors. AU from the end of the 74th Hunger Games. After the two-winner rule is revoked, Peeta takes his own life before Katniss can stop him. Her grief-driven words over his body still defy the Capitol and endanger everyone left that she loves. Haymitch and the other victors struggle to help her navigate the dark, dangerous world of mentoring and forced prostitution…and in the end, she still becomes the Mockingjay.

Chapter 53: Speak Comfort To Me: Exhausted, heartbroken, and in shock, Katniss struggles to make sense of what has happened, commiserates with fellow victors, and Peeta is there in her dreams to help find her way. As her escape hovercraft arrives in District 13, news arrives of Madge and Rory and the other victors, some of whom did not survive the violent trip. Snow launches further retaliation against the victors throughout Panem as refugees flow into District 13.

To Stay or To Go is also now updated and COMPLETE with the last two chapters!

Enjoy! Discussion and debate joyfully welcomed, as are questions and criticism of all kinds!  Feedback! My kingdom for feedback!

[incorrecthungergamesquotes]

Vick: Hey, everybody, today Rory pushed down me so I’m starting a Kickstarter to put him down.

Vick: Benefits of killing him would be I would get pushed way less.

[jhsgf82]

Oh, How I Loathe (Love) Thee Chapter Two Posted!

Awesome cover edit by the lovely and talented @daydreamsandcaffeine​ Thank you, friend! For @lemonluvgirl87​

Snippet:  At their antics, Mellark arched a brow. “So, you wanna set me up with some girl?”

“Yeah,” said Rory, both Thom and him nodding vigorously.

“Why? So, we can double-date or some shit? Or, are you two pimps? Amateur porn filmmakers?” One corner of Mellark’s lips curled up, and Rory and Thom laughed as if on cue.

“Noo,” Rory laughed again, “none of that. But speaking of pimps…” Mellark shot him a look. “Have we got just the girl for you!” Rory cringed at the game show host-like tone to his voice.

Peeta Mellark cocked his head and smirked, seeming truly amused. “Thanks, but no thanks, guys. Don’t need any help getting girls.” He looked them over, not appearing at all impressed. “Especially not from the likes of you two.”

Read on AO3 HERE 

[number-onekidqueen]

𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀

Prim Everdeen x Rory Hawthorne

fluff

Warnings: Spoilers for The Hunger Games Series, class difference.

"Vick, it's not  wike dat!" Posy grumbled, as Vick took her by the arms and spun her around.

It had all started when Hazelle had found a frilly, pink dress of hers in a box that she had worn as a girl to a few reapings. She had given it to Posy that morning, who had been delighted.

And now Posy had got it into her mind that they had to dance in fine clothes, like Capitol people.

"It has to be much more pwetty," She commanded. "You have to take my shoulder and my hip and we have to step awound each other."

Rory watched as Vick put his hands in position, and began to follow Posy's instructions. It was going quite smoothly. Apart from a few clumsy mishaps, they were beginning to waltz, and Posy to smile.

Rory began to whistle a known romantic tune for them to dance to, and Posy giggled. Finally as the last notes came, their dancing slowed down and Vick and Posy bowed dramatically.

"Vick and Posy, ladies and gentlemen!" Rory mimicked in a Capitol accent, as he clapped.

"And now it's your turn Wowy!" Posy cried, latching onto his arm and tugging, "Come on, pwease, come on Wowy-"

"Posy, I can't," Rory said. "I've got to go meet Prim."

"You always have to," Posy grumbled. "Pwomise that when you come back, you will dance."

"I promise," Rory said with a smile.

Posy brightened. "Yay!" She said and gave him a hug, before releasing him and racing over to Vick, who was trying to escape.

Rory walked into the street.

The Seam looked as it always did. The grey tumbledown houses squashed into wonky 'streets'. Black coal dust even in the dirt of the path that led to the rest of District 12. A pine tree here or there.

He was walking towards the backstreets of the Merchant section, where he would wait for Prim behind the apothecary. That had always been the meeting place of Prim and him. Maybe some kind of connection drew them to it. Maybe it was the wonder of seeing the beautifully-iced cakes in the bakery windows, just next door. But since they were little kids, that had been their place.

He arrived at the back of the apothecary and waited, a nearby tree shading his face from the sunlight.

Five minutes passed.

Merchant children went by, ogling at the bakery goods, and then eyeing him confusedly. What was he, some bouncer for the apothecary?

Ten minutes. And then twenty.

Finally, he could see Prim running towards him. She was looking as she always did, simple and pretty with her long blonde hair in two braids, wearing simple and light clothes. She always looked like that.

But, she was . . . clean.

He had been used to seeing Prim grey-faced, and dirty, because of the water restrictions in twelve. But now she had hot water and soap, she looked different. She seemed to glow. Like she wasn't a Seam kid anymore. Wasn't the Prim he'd befriended.

"Hey Prim," Rory greeted, swallowing the hurt down.

She smiled in response.

"You're late again. For the third time this week."

"I'm sorry, Rory," Prim flushed, her smile fading. "It's just, I never realised how far away we are from the Merchant section. You know, in the Victors Village."

Another thing to set them apart. "Yeah,"

"Rory, you know I wish that we live back in the Seam, don't you?" Prim blurted. "I don't care if I have a bigger house and hot water and soap, I wished this never happened, and everything went back to how it used to."

"Me too," Rory replied. "But let's just forget about it, for now. What do you want to do?"

"I've got to go pick some herbs in the woods, because we're running low again," Prim replied, tapping the basket at her side. "You coming?"

"Yeah,"

The two walked all the way back through the crooked streets of the Seam to the wide, grassy fields of the Meadow. They glanced behind them cautiously, checking to see if anyone was following them.

There was no one. They were alone. Somehow that prospect excited and scared both of them.

Crouching, Rory crawled through the hole in the fence, followed by Prim.

They both weren't used to the woods.

It was peaceful, with mockingjays singing in tree boughs above them, but also intimidating, with no tracks to follow, and shrubbery and trees blocking any clear path.

"Do you know the way?" Rory asked Prim, stepping back to let her lead.

"More or less," She replied, tucking loose strands behind her ears.

They walked in single file, taking a twisting, turning path through grasses and shrubbery. The forest had grown to welcome them. Breeze ruffled through leaves, sunlight shone in lances through the canopy and birds and wildlife chirped and rustled all around them.

Eventually, Prim came to a stop. Surrounding them was a flat, grassy clearing, dotted with wildflowers and herbs. A small stream gurgled in the corner, water splashing over pebbles and stones.

Rory followed Prim, picking, crushing and gathering leaves and stems of the herbs she pointed out before placing them in the basket. After they had four neat, green mounds of herbs, she sat in the grass, and sprinkled them into glass jars she'd brought along.

Rory wandered off to the side and began to pick wildflowers, weaving them into a crown as Prim had taught him. When he finished, he crept behind her and placed it on her head softly.

"Princess Prim of Panem."

She turned to him, beaming.

"How's that for alliteration, Mrs. Jones?" he added, louder, referring to their ever-irritating teacher.

Prim laughed, her eyes full of mirth.

Her expression immediately shifted into a mischievous one.

"You know that means we've got to make one for you?"

"No! Never! Absolutely not!" Rory teased, lurching away from Prim's grasp. "You'll never catch me, Prim!"

"Oh, yes I will," Prim cried, scrambling up from the grass.

They began stumbling madly across the clearing away from one another, laughing wildly at each other's comic faces of triumph and fear.

Prim finally caught up to Rory, screeching with delight, and grabbing for him, she tumbled into him, crash-tackling him and knocking him over. Prim took a breath, about to giggle, then swallowed, as they began rolling with speed, down a steep slope she hadn't noticed.

"Prim!" Rory's eyes widened in surprise, and they grabbed onto each other's arms.

Whirling down the hill, they became one, tucked into each other. Heads smashing, elbows colliding with one another, they winced but also began laughing. Finally, finally they slowed to a stop, and they jumped apart, wiping the grass and its moisture off their hair and clothes.

Prim looked down at her pale clothes, which were now smeared with bright green grass stains, with a large frown. Her hair was wild, the braids undone. Rory thought she still looked fine. She became serious, her eyes jumping to his, filled with sincerity.

"Sorry about your clothes."

"These? They're just clothes. The stains will wash out for sure, don't worry." Rory scoffed.

Prim nodded, a grin covering her face.

"I'm going to make you a flower crown now, and there's nothing you can do to stop me."

Rory gave a dramatic sigh of disappointment.

Prim sprinted up the hill, and gathered some daisies, sitting and weaving them together into a crown as her mother had taught her.

When it was finished, she was giggling so much, she couldn't even proclaim his title, as she placed it on his head.

"Disgraceful," Rory sniffed in a drippy, Capitol accent.

That caused Prim to giggle even more, clutching her stomach tightly between peals.

"Well, your majesty-" She stated breathily before bursting into more laughter "-we best be off."

And with grins to one another, they charged back into the shrubbery, ferns, bushes and grasses brushing and raking past their legs. They made it to the fence soon after. It must've been about 3:00 in the afternoon, and Rory's mother would be coming home from work soon.

Rory suddenly felt guilty. His clothes would wash, but it would be even more work that his mother would have to do. Maybe he could wash it himself. He'd change quickly and-

"Prim!" Rory shouted, realising something. "Step away from the fence!"

The fence was on.

For some reason, they'd chosen today for the fence to be on. Rory could hear the quiet hum of the electricity from here.

Prim jumped back, realising the same thing. Oh goodness, she'd been so close. If she'd taken a step further, she could've been electrocuted.

"What should we do?" She called back, as Rory hurried over. "Just wait it out in some cave?"

"That's probably the best idea. Do you know where Katniss and Gale's cave is?"

Mentioning Katniss' name was a mistake he realised. Prim flinched, turning away from him, and Rory swore he saw fresh tears bubbling and shining in her eyes.

"Yeah," She said quietly, and began walking in another direction.

*********

It must've been about 9:00 now, and the cold was beginning to seep in.

Rory had borrowed Katniss' bow, and with the few basic skills he had, managed to kill a hare after a few hours.

Prim had made a good fire in the cave, and had cooked the hare on a spit she had constructed out of a long stick. The rabbit's meat was tasty and soft, and filled them up with warmth.

And now they were sitting together in silence, watching and feeling the warm, orange glow of their fire flicker in the shadows and darkness of the cave. Watching the amber sparks dance and spin into the starry skies, as the fire crackled merrily.

"You know," Rory said slowly, "Katniss will make it, Prim. I'm sure of it."

"How?" Prim asked quietly.

"She's spent her whole life hunting and surviving. Katniss is as tough as anyone. Tougher than anyone. She's already survived the previous games. She'll survive again, I promise you."

"I guess she already lived the first two days."

"Exactly. All she needs to do is survive the next few ones, and then she'll be home. Twice a victor, with a home in the Victor's Village, and all of the food and hot water and-"

"Rory, that's not all I want." Prim said sharply.

"It isn't?"

"No, of course not. Rory, I don't just want Katniss to come home, and have even more winnings. To be above everyone in the Merchants Section, the Seam. I don't want to be rich.

"I want to be able to share that to everyone, so all of us can live better. So there is no Seam. So we're all equal in wealth and status, and mostly I want President Snow to die."

Rory considered her words in silence, tumbling them over in his brain.

"Really?" He asked quietly.

"Of course, Rory. I'm tired, so, goodnight. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight."

The morning came, and thankfully, the electricity on the fence had turned off. Prim and Rory crawled through and after a brief goodbye hug, they went their separate ways, one the rich way, one the poor.

But all Rory could think about were Prim's words last night.

Because if she did think that . . . and if there were people like her, and if Katniss did come home . . . 

The Seam just might have a new hope.

[forwithinthishollowcrown]

So I was recently listening to Lydia the Bard's Disney princess villain songs, specifically "Fall Little Wendy Bird Fall" and this idea popped into my head.

So this scenario takes place in a kind of Dark Fantasy (and all together mystical but not really) AU of the Hunger Games, starting shortly after Snow tries to kill Lucy Gray, who ends up escaping into the woods, with her basically accidentally kinda like apparrating (like disappearing in Harry Potter) out of the way of his shots and ending up on a Neverland-like island (but the twist is that this island effectively makes her like a fairy from the Tinkerbell series). So basically ends up living out her life becoming more and more Fae-like and essentially lives due to people believing in her legend to survive, with the erasure playing a big role in her essentially dying by the time of the 74th Hunger Games (Snow is established to already be dying at this point).

That is until the tributes are released into the arena and lo-and-behold it's the island she made into her home, there she spots an opportunity that if she could get at least one tribute to believe in her then she's safe. So when three of the younger tributes end up stumbling upon her she's all for introducing herself to them and advising/teaching them how to survive. After all, she needs these kids to survive regardless if they are allies or not she doesn't exactly care; Lucy Gray refuses to be forgotten by the Capitol and will go through any means to be remembered.

With Lucy Gray basically taking the role of Tinkerbell/other fairies in the song and basically ensuring they'd survive to the final three and all hell breaks loose when the Capitol tries to get them to turn on each other at the end of it all, with Lucy Gray just ending the whole "show".

I may expand on this au if anybody wants me too?

[lyrakanefanatic]

Okay so I’ve been seeing @hathorneheiress do tig family hcs and I wanted to try that as well

but with my own!

- Grayson and phone girl (maybe 😜) would have one daughter

- Libby and Nash would have two girls

- Xander and max would have a boy and a girl, exactly the amount max wanted

- Avery and Jameson weren’t gonna have too many kids, but then Avery got pregnant with twins so they just left it at that 💀

- Avery’s daughter and Graysons daughter are 4lifers, and they hang out all the time

- they’re also super close with Xander’s daughter

- Nash and Libby’s daughters are polar opppsites. One’s quiet and shy and the other is popular and loud, but they both are best friends

- Graysons daughter is Rory Gilmore smart, and it’s her dream to go to Harvard like her dad (yes, like Rory and yes, I know Grayson dropped out 💀)

- jameson’s son and Graysons daughter have eternal beef for absolutely no reason, but they’re also very close. Also, Graysons daughter has definitely chased him around the house with a knife before.

- maxs son is super into books like his mom, and practically lives in the Hawthorne house libraries

-jameson’s daughter is super theatric and leads the school plays at her school

- and max’s daughter is smart, and more outgoing and extroverted than her brother

- she also loves board games and puzzles, and loves chess just like her mom

- Graysons daughter is TERRIFIED of sports. Like if she sees a ball coming towards her she will run away screaming, which kind of shocked Grayson since he was so athletic and into those kind of things

-but jameson’s daughter (and son) LOVES sports, and will take any chance she can get to do them

- all of the kids (except Graysons daughter) were terrified of Grayson till the age of 5, when they finally realized he’s nice and wont kill them in their sleep 💀

- Xander’s daughter uses big words even though she doesn’t know what they mean, like machiavellian

- Graysons daughter and Savannah are besties and hang out every chance they get

- all the kids love gigi and hug her every time they see her (🥺💖💖)

- the kids (except graysons daughter) were even more scared of Savannah then they were of Grayson, and Xander’s son would even cry everytime she would try to talk to him till he was like 7

-Nash and libby have a million holes in their backyard because their daughters wanted fish and they all died, and even though the fish kept dying after two days nash would still buy them even more 😭😭

- one time they rented a huge van/trailer and tried to do cute family road trip with all of them, and it did NOT go well

- graysons daughter and Avery’s son were both beefing (again, bc whose surprised) for absolutely no reason

-Xander’s daughter was throwing up on the side of the road because she has motion sickness

- jameson’s daughter was blasting Hamilton songs and was pissing everybody off, especially her brother, because apparently Hamilton songs “make his ears bleed”

- that started another argument

- xanders son kept asking Nash “are we there yet” every 5 minutes

- Nash’s daughter (the eldest and louder one) kept singing along to her music despite having headphones in, and then ANOTHER argument broke out between her and her sister

- Nash had finally had enough and yelled at all of them saying, “stop arguing! Can’t we all have fun as a family for once?”

- all the kids felt guilty but Jameson’s daughter and graysons daughter we’re trying so hard not to laugh

- anyways they finally made it to their place and never went on a road trip again

Okay I’m finally done, sorry it’s so long I have way too many ideas 😭😭

Again, thank you @hathorneheiress for giving me the idea 🫶🫶

[godofstupidsentences]

Sometimes it’s just you and the character hated by the whole fandom against the world

[thesimonhawthorne]

closed for @auroraxjackson

where: wingman's pub

Simon walked into the bar, his eyes sweeping over the eclectic crowd mingling amidst the warm ambiance. Amidst the sea of faces, his gaze settled on a young woman, seated alone at the far end of the bar, nursing a drink.

With a confident stride, Simon approached and as he reached Rory's side, he leaned casually against the bar, allowing a moment to pass before speaking.

"Well, hello there," he greeted, his voice smooth and confident. "Mind if I buy you a drink?"

[mega-aulover]

Katniss Everdeen Is Not a Stalker

Chapter 70

Chapter Summary: This is the Last Chapter and next week there is an Epilogue

Rated M: Bullying, Violence, Weapons, Canon Typical Violence, Eventual Romance, Humor, Character Death, Minor Character Death, Death, Gun Violence, Peacekeepers, Rebellion, AU, War,

A/N: I wanted to thank @norbertsmom who always is the sounding board of truth. Also to you guys thank you for everything I hope you enjoy the last chapter.

Read Here AO3 & FFN

[3fluffies]

Fic Update: To Stay or To Go (Hunger Games AU)

This is a small collection of extended scenes from my Hunger Games AU longfic, Favors.

To Stay or To Go: When the Second Rebellion begins, the victors have choices to make: to flee to District 13 with the 76th tributes or to stay in the Capitol and rally for revolution.

Chapter 1: One Stays For War (Augustus Braun)

Chapter 2: One Goes For Love (Finnick Odair)

Chapter 3: One Stays For Love.

Chapter 4: One Goes Who Meant To Stay.

Chapter 5: One Stays Who Was Meant To Go.

Chapter 6: One Goes In Search Of Hope.

Chapter 7: One Stays For Despair.

Chapter 8: One Goes For Despair.

Chapter 9: Two Stay For Others’ Sake.

Chapter 10: One Stays For Fear.

[incorrecthungergamesquotes]

Katniss: Next thing you know, Madge’s going to fall in love with you. Is that what you want?

Gale: [scoffing] Is that what I want.

Rory, from across the room: Yes.

[jhsgf82]

Oh, How I Loathe (Love) Thee-Chapter Three Posted!

Edit by @daydreamsandcaffeine​

Summary: Modern AU (Based on 10 Things I Hate About You). For Rory Hawthorne, it’s love at first sight with Primrose Everdeen. He has a mind (and a plan) to woo the beautiful, seemingly unattainable blonde goddess, but there’s a major snag: her sister. Not only are the Everdeen sisters not allowed to date because of a very strict father, but Katniss Everdeen, the elder sister, is the most unapproachable, vilest she-beast in the entire school. But Rory does not give up easily, and when a new deal is struck lifting the dating ban for the Everdeen sisters so long as Katniss dates, too, Rory leaps into action. What’s a lovestruck boy to do‒aside from paying off the most dangerous guy in the school, a blond, blue-eyed thug by the name of Peeta Mellark, to date Katniss, so he can date Prim?

Excerpt of Chapter Three: Taming Katniss Part I: Speaking of Peeta Mellark, the guy was one smooth mofo. That day in Home Ec, he’d slipped the remaining bread he hadn’t shared with Rory and Thom, which was most of it‒an entire loaf and then some‒onto Katniss’s table. So, that’s who he’d been saving it for. There was certainly no doubt in Rory’s mind that Peeta liked Katniss, but strangely, he hadn’t let her know it was him who’d left the bread. He just dropped it off and disappeared. Rory had watched Katniss when she’d seen the warm bread setting beside her stack of books‒she’d glanced all around the room, even trotted out into the hall so as to try and catch the mysterious bread benefactor, but she’d returned looking disappointed.

Rory supposed all guys were different when it came to liking someone. Some guys were forward; they just went up to a girl and said, “Hey, babe, let’s go out.” Others were more subtle. Some guys dropped love notes; some guys offered to tutor a girl in French class… Etcetera.

And then, there was Peeta Mellark. He was in a class entirely of his own. He left bread, apparently.

Read on AO3 HERE 

[number-onekidqueen]

𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝘆 - 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗿𝘆

Primrose Everdeen x Rory Hawthorne

angst

Warnings: MAJOR Mockingjay spoilers, death, mentions of depression, bombs, survivors guilt, just AnGsT

I sat huddled in the corner of the hovercraft airport. This was the place where we'd last met.

Where I'd said my goodbyes to Primrose Everdeen.

Prim.

Sweet Prim.

For as long as my memory stretched, we'd always been friends. It'd always been the little pair of us taking on the cruel world we lived in. And then the bigger pair of us. And then the big one. The kind-hearted, golden-haired younger sister of the feisty and brilliant Katniss Everdeen and the hard-working, yet lowly younger brother of the brave and mighty Gale Hawthorne.

Well, that mightn't have been everyone's perception of it; but that's always how Prim and I thought of ourselves.

We were always friends, each other's best buds.

And then we became more than friends.

It was incredibly sudden for me. 

Despite the terrible society we live in, when Posy asked Mum to tell her tales of true love and affection to help her get to sleep, Mum always had plenty.

Although I wasn't really listening that hard, true love seemed to have a recurring theme. The gorgeous princess would watch her valiant prince fight in battle, and suddenly she wouldn't see him as a simple boy or as a protector, but as her lover.

I never believed this would happen. It would be so simple. Wouldn't you know from the start that you loved a person, or know you don't feel anything except friendship for that person?

But love really is complicated.

I still remember the night, clear as a summer sky when I realised it.

Peeta Mellark had just warned us that Capitol bombers were coming for us, and so we had evacuated to the underground bunkers in semi-organised chaos. 

I'd shuffled to my crowded bunker with Mum, Posy, and Vick, and we were just sitting around, waiting for Gale. As the minutes crept by, we all became more and more unnerved by his absence. So much so, that I left my bunker and was about to go up and search for him.

And then I saw Katniss racing up the stairs like a lunatic, apologising at people she shoved, and pleading and yelling at guards.

"I need to go get my sister! Prim's still up there!" She was screaming.

All I remember was knowing in that moment I needed to find Prim too, I just had to, and before I knew it, I was pushing through the crowds as well.

And then Gale burst through the doors, with Prim beside him and a dishevelled Buttercup cradled in her arms.

And as heavy relief flooded through me, and I went to hug Prim, after Katniss had, an epiphany struck me in the face like a slap.

I never wanted to lose Prim. And the fierceness that had surged through my chest as I readied to try and find her was unlike any friendly protection I had ever felt for her before.

I stayed up half the night thinking about it. 

I loved Prim.

I loved her two blonde braids, her fondness for Buttercup, her shy smile, everything. 

It was so obvious that she was more than just a close friend, or someone nice I knew, I felt like such an idiot for not knowing my feelings before. For not acting on them.

And as I accepted and began to acknowledge my feelings, the rebellion truly began heating up.

Although Prim and I knew little about the rebellion with only the parts that Coin shared to the general public, the propos we watched, and the bits that Katniss or Gale told us, we could tell that a turn of the tide, for better, or for worse, was on its way soon.

After her shifts as a nurse, with nothing else to do, we mainly hung around and talked about it. What might happen. What could happen. What we would be able to do after the war.

Prim was always so optimistic. She had big hopes and dreams for the future.

"Just think about it, Rory! A Panem where there are no games, no Capitol. We can make our own future! One where we don't have to work to the bone, or sign up for tesserae to feed our families. One where things could be better, where we could all be happy, and united." She would say.

And it made me dream too. Maybe there could be a Panem, someday, where everything was as sweet and golden as Prim herself.

Then there was the storm of the Capitol. Prim and I talked a lot about that. We were scared. Katniss and Gale were the strongest people we knew, and knew only too well how to survive, but the Capitol had Peacekeepers and mutts. And an evil dictator whose number one mission was to hunt them down.

We were listening for news of their squad eagerly. When Coin announced that the squad had been terminated, life felt like it had ended. Gale and Katniss were dead. Our older brother and sister. They were gone. Forever. 

For that whole day, we only talked to each other. Even with the kind sympathy we received from everyone else, we were the only ones who really understood each other's pain. I can still remember our sobs echoing around the walls of some random storage cupboard.

When the Capitol announced that Katniss and Gale were alive, hope came again. Prim went back to the hospital and treated patients with ease. I went back home and talked to my mother and siblings of what we might do after the rebellion.

The rebels were in the inner Capitol. They were going to storm Snow's mansion and kill him. The man who had ruined and ended so many people's lives was going to die.

But we noticed there was one problem, watching the live reports taken from all over the Capitol. When Snow offered to take in all Capitol children to his mansion, to protect and feed them, he'd been lying.

Prim and I watched in horror as we saw a sea of children with varying ages of three to seventeen, barricading the mansion with Peacekeepers at their sides.

If a group of rebels tried to shove in, the kids would probably let them through, but the Peacekeepers would make them keep their formations.

Which meant the only way we could achieve entry, the only way we could ever win, was if we destroyed the barricade. Destroyed the children. Killed more innocent people. There was no other way.

Everything was on high alert, and so no sneak ins could possibly end well, and we couldn't afford to have casualties wasted on a naive plan. It was terrible. Killing. This was what we were trying to stop! Why we went to war in the first place!

Either way you looked at it, it was going to end in blood for either side. Which was why Prim and a bunch of other medics were called to the hovercraft port a few hours later, to wait until the right moment to leave.

And that was where I last met Prim.

I jogged to keep up with the sea of grey-uniformed medics walking away towards the port. My eyes scanned the crowd, looking for any signs of her. . . and there she was. Walking quietly at the side of the crowd, her distinctive golden hair in a braid resting on her shoulder.

"Prim!" I called as I came closer.

She turned, spotted me and smiled, pausing in her place.

"Hey, Rory," She said in greeting.

"There haven't been any casualties yet. Are you all going as a precaution?" I asked.

Prim nodded.

"Hopefully there won't be many, but. . . President Coin thinks it's going to end pretty messily."

"It probably will," I responded.

Prim seemed to pause, eyeing me intensely, emotions colliding through her blue eyes.

Then she launched herself at me, wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace. After the surprise, I hugged her back.

"Be careful out there," I muttered to her.

"Don't worry, Rory. Medics are helpers and healers of everyone, and so no one should be targeting us specifically. 

"And-and even if something bad does happens, and, I do. . go, I'd want it to be that way. To die helping people, or trying to at least, and making the world a better place for everyone. Just remember that if-if it does happen, okay?" She whispered.

A lump in my throat stopped me from talking, so I just gripped her tighter. Prim dead. I couldn't imagine a world without Prim.

"Oh well. I better go. Goodbye Rory. Don't worry too much about me." She said with a laugh. I didn't want to let go, but she pulled away and smiled at me.

I smiled back and voiced my goodbyes too, just like it was a normal day. But it was while she was walking away, in dreamlike slow motion almost, that a sudden anguish took control of me. Prim was risking her life in this operation. She could die easily. And she'd never know that I felt more for her than friendship. She needed to know. I needed to tell her.

"PRIM!" I yelled, desperate to get her attention.

She turned once more, her expression startled.

"Yeah? Are you okay, Rory?"

I raced over and grabbed her by the shoulders. Although she looked disturbed, I payed no heed. Logic had left my mind hours ago and all subtle and smart ways of expressing my feelings had left me. All that was left was my raw intentions and my desire to say what I had to.

"Prim, listen. 

"The other day, when the Capitol bombed District 13, you were back getting Buttercup. Katniss went after you, and I was just behind her. And as you came through those doors with Gale, I realised that I couldn't live to see you die, and that you were so much more to me than a friend, or even a best friend. Prim, you might not feel the same, but I love you. And I need to tell you that, because I need you to know, because you could be hurt or. . . or. ." I trailed off, my strength lost.

As Prim's expression still stayed surprised, my heart sank. I suppose that it was more important that at least she knew, but a tiny part of me had been hoping that she would respond the same way, and that she would love me back.

My expression must've been crestfallen, because Prim spoke immediately, her voice filled with softness.

"Rory, please don't be upset. I'm sorry, I'm just very surprised that. . well-"

"That I feel that way. And you don't." I said, my voice saddened as I pulled away.

"No, no, not that at all," She said, a smile spreading across her features, as she gripped my arms. "I'm surprised that you feel the same way. I love you too, Rory. For a while, I've thought I was the only one."

Then it was my turn to be surprised. Prim felt the same way. She loved me. We loved each other.

Our joy was immediate. I was the one that leant down, but Prim was the one that kissed me. It was full of joy, and softness and sweetness. We pulled apart and looked at each other, beams on our faces.

"Well, Rory, if you'll excuse me, now I really need to go!" Prim laughed.

I laughed too, and said goodbye and that I loved her, giving her a last, long and lingering kiss.

I should've stayed longer. I should've waved. I should've come with her, protected her, just done something.

In my happiness, I'd forgotten the silent threats lying overhead, quietly promising death.

And then it was too late. I saw her blow up on live television. I saw my Prim die, lost forever.

I let Prim go. She'll never come back to me.

She'll never cheerily say good morning to me.

Never walk by my side.

Tease me for being sensitive.

Smile brightly at me as we part.

Laugh at Posy's little jokes.

Her light and warmth is gone.

Forever.

And it was all my fault.

[rebellicnrising]

WHO: rory hawthorne & gale hawthorne @empyrcals WHERE: deep in the tribute center, near the hovercraft bay WHEN: post-failed launch

there are a lot of moving parts to today- to making the games grind to a screeching halt in defiance- and the evidence of that rebellion trickles down from the gamemaker control room down. as the dominos continue to fall, new orders come down the line, increasing walking patrol throughout the tribute center, all in hopes of finding the rebels responsible. rory knows some of the parts that are moving but there's still some that are hidden ( only a choice handful of people got to know everything ) and as he walks down the seemingly empty winding hallway that would eventually lead towards the hovercraft bay, he does so with a body winding tighter and tighter, coiled and ready to spring at whatever might interfere with those moving parts-- he's not the only one walking this particular level.

at the far end of the hallway comes the proof of that as another white clad uniform turns a corner, walking towards him. it only takes a few strides, his eyes taking in the way the other moved- how he carried himself, looking for a pattern of familiarity, thinking it'll be another working undercover- before there's that tickling suspicion in the back of his mind. ( i know that walk. ) the feature grow clearer the closer he gets and rory's determined stride falters for the briefest of moments, eyes widening ever so slightly as that recognition strikes like lightning. it's a rush of conflicting emotions- relief, panic, joy, fear-- crashing over him and he forces his feet to keep walking; there's this feeling like he has to run.

there's that pull as they continue towards each other to run to him, driven forward by the little boy who had always run for gale first, the ache for home almost overwhelming as he drew nearer to the one who had taught rory what home meant. ( because gale built their home- raised their family; it only means so much to rory because of gale. ) but there's that fear wrapping a hand around his mind and flooding it with panic-- they were so close. they couldn't afford distractions; there was still other pieces to be played before they were anywhere near the clear.

out of the corner of his eye, he catches a hall branching off from the collision course to gale-- and he turns sharply to the right, quickening his pace. he's hoping that gale would be too focused on getting away from where he definitely was not assigned to be ( rory checked ) to follow him. there's the sounds of steps behind him and that urge to run is back but he forces himself into a natural stride, ears straining and as the steps grow closer, that coiled feeling grows taut in his chest.