#she and peeta would have been recruited eventually

[caesarflickermans]

I've seen multiple claims about how the rebellion functioned already and have seen many of those relate to Finnick's place in the rebellion.

I do not know where people exactly get takes like "If Katniss hadn't happened, the 75th would have had Finnick as the face of the rebellion" comes from, but I'd nonetheless like to speak to some of those misreads of this above interview quote.

It should be very clear to anyone who read the books to know that Katniss' actions in the 74th were both not predicted nor planned by the rebels. Katniss' point in the story is her randomness. The rebels did not secretly rig the District 12 reaping.

Equally, I don't see the 75th Hunger Games as pre-planned stages for the rebellion before Katniss, either. The fire that those events brought could only have happened with Katniss' actions a year prior. And, again, those were random.

The uprising and war that followed wouldn't have existed without Katniss. You cannot plan a rebellion.

And in that sense, I think a lot of people in much less egregious ways misread the Finnick mention in the above interview. Collins mentions Finnick on the side. He is unlikely to be the first nor the last in a row of tributes (whether they survived or not) that Plutarch might have seen potential in.

This isn't a "well, next to Katniss, Finnick would have led the rebellion". Finnick, very specifically, did not lead the rebellion. His case was one of many that did not work out. If Katniss hadn't come around, there wouldn't have been a rebellion.

Nor does Collins speak to Finnick being the best of the potential figureheads. I'd find it even much more likely that there were tributes that had much more potential and who were killed off by the Capitol because they saw them for that, too.

This isn't a dig at Finnick! I still think he was one of the likeliest candidates—but he was just that. A candidate. And a failed one at that. Plutarch saw hope in him, and then nothing came from it. Finnick's chance of leading a rebellion were born and died in the year of his victory.

And I do not think Finnick was the first—that role likely falls to Haymitch—or last of those "candidates" Plutarch saw.

For all we know, someone like Annie or Johanna—those who came after—might have had chances, too. Annie who was likely seen as a disgrace of a victor, who so openly showed to Panem how horrendous those Games were. And Johanna, who was the one playing the Capitol with her pre-Game persona. Especially reading Haymitch as the "first" could-have-been tribute to Plutarch, Johanna's playing against the rules is especially in line with what Plutarch might have looked for.

In fact, I'd even argue that all those potentials are those that ended up being in on the rebel plan.

Finnick's tragedy as a could-have-been lies in the quantity of could-have-beens. There were so many, like Finnick, that never caught the spirit of the nation. Unlike Finnick, many of them are likely long dead by the time Katniss comes around.

[jlalafics]

Snippet Sunday: “I loved you first”

It’s actually happening! I’m writing an update for “I loved you first”! 

Thank you for being so patient as I rolled out, “We Go Down”. Y’all are amazing.

Anyway, here is a little flashback...though a not so pleasant one.

Enjoy.

_____

He was exhausted.

Nothing but back-to-back meetings, the constant grilling from his parents about whether his new ideas were feasible, and their building manager, Thom, asking where they were going to fit the new recruits in engineering.

There was never enough time.

When he finally had some quiet to go over paperwork and budgets, everyone had gone home for the night—except for him.

Trudging up the walkway to his house, Peeta brightened at the soft glow of lights that beckoned him home and into the comfort of his family.

Addie was probably already asleep and Katniss—

He’s disappointed her too many times to count.

They were supposed to talk about preschools for Addie this evening. He promised her that he would be home on time so they could have dinner together.

Sighing, Peeta unlocked the door and stepped inside.

Katniss was sitting on the stairs waiting.

She gave him a strained smile, standing as he took his coat off. “Long day?”

“I’m sorry,” he told her immediately. “I know we were supposed to talk about preschools for Addie—”

“It’s fine,” his wife replied tersely. “I would’ve appreciated a call or a text from you—”

“I was in back to back meetings—”

“A text takes less than a minute—”

“What do you want from me, Katniss?” he burst out suddenly. “Because whatever I do doesn’t seem to make anyone happy. I am trying…I am trying so hard to make sure that everything is running smooth at the office, so my parents don’t crap over any new idea that me and product development come up with—”

“You want everything to run smoothly at the office?” Katniss sneered. “But, what about here? With your wife? With your daughter? Adeline waits religiously for your lunch call and you can’t even give her that!”

“I know,” Peeta agreed. “I know I am messing up with her…and you—”

“Is there someone else?”

The words came so suddenly from her mouth that it seemed that Katniss didn’t even know why she said them.

Peeta faltered at the flicker of doubt in her beautiful grey eyes.

“How could you even think I’d ever be unfaithful to you?”

“Because—” Tears were suddenly rolling down her cheeks. “You have been constantly unfaithful to this family. You’ve chosen your job over us…you’ve chosen meetings over a phone call to Adeline…you’ve chosen working late over helping me with an important decision for our daughter’s future.”

His wife shook her head, letting a bitter laugh fall from her lips.

“It would’ve been a lot easier if you had been unfaithful.”

Peeta felt his mouth go dry. “Why would you say that?”

“Because you would have become tired of her, eventually,” Katniss responded, her voice full of quiet steel. “But your company…your job…your desperate need to prove yourself…you will never give that up. Not for Adeline and certainly not for me.”

“Katniss…” He felt his own eyes begin to burn. His neglect was plain in front of him. There was no way to contradict her words—because they were true. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry—”

“I don’t want to hear any more apologies,” Katniss told him, her voice thick. “They kill me every time.” Wearily, she turned to go upstairs, stopping at the foot, and turning to him. “I saved you a plate of dinner and I’ve printed out the curriculum for each of the schools I’m considering. They’re both on the counter.”

With that, Katniss walked up the stairs, and into their bedroom—slamming the door behind her.

Peeta swiped at his eyes, took a deep breath, and went to the kitchen.

As she said, there on the counter was a covered dinner and a pile of papers waiting.

Going to the pieces, his eyes immediately went to heart-shaped post-it: Your favorite!

Peeking under the cover, he found his favorite homemade lasagna.

“Damnit!” he cursed before heading out of the kitchen and towards their room.

Forget dinner and preschools.

There was no way he was giving up on their family…or on her.

[septembercfawkes]

The Hero's Journey Explained: The End

For the last couple of weeks, I've been talking about the Hero's Journey (the beginning and the middle), and today I'm back to talk about the ending of the story structure.

Reward: Seizing the Sword

During The Ordeal, the protagonist faced a trial that pushed them to the brink; they died, perhaps literally or, more often, figuratively (the old them died). Almost always this comes from having to confront some inner demon, a weak characteristic and/or a greatest fear (which plays into the theme). Now that they have faced such a crisis, they will be rewarded for it as they are reborn into something greater.

If they did die, literally, they will somehow come back to life--maybe through CPR, a prayer, or a magical item. If it was figurative, they'll be revived through a sudden realization, new information, a heightened level of determination, or perhaps something else.

The Reward may be something concrete--maybe the protagonist literally seizes a magical sword that will make her a more powerful fighter. But it can also be more abstract, like the personal revelation that brought him "back to life." Typically the Reward is what the protagonist truly came to the Special World for (whether or not she was fully aware of it at the time). In Star Wars, Luke rescues Princess Leia and gets the plans of the Death Star. In The Hobbit, the heroes regain the mountain and get treasure. In The Lion King, Simba finally realizes on a personal level who he is--the son of a king and true heir to the throne--as he gets to speak with his father one last time.

In a lot of stories, the Reward may be multiple things, something concrete and something abstract.

There is usually a moment of euphoria and celebration. Sometimes a bunch of people celebrate, like all the heroes going out to a tavern for food and entertainment. Or it might be more personal, like Simba racing to get back to Pride Rock as the music score crescendos happily.

After Mulan discovers the Huns are still alive, she rushes to tell the others, to tell the emperor even. No one listens to her because she is a woman (and a dishonorable one). But this leads to an idea, and a rebirth: a Mulan who now recruits men to dress and act as women to save all of China, including the emperor. A situation where being feminine can save everyone when being masculine can't. As the men act and fight disguised as women, we get that beat of euphoria, laughs, and celebration.

In Spider-verse

After The Ordeal, Miles has deep personal insight as the thematic statements coalesce. Miles doesn't need to fear that he won't meet others' expectations; it's his choice what to do and become; and that choice is put into action by a leap of faith.

Empowered with these epiphanies, he's ready to be Spider-man. After receiving these abstract rewards, he "seizes the sword" by grabbing concrete ones: venom-striking his way out of his hold, turning invisible, getting his own spider suit.

He has been reborn as something greater: Spider-man.

The Road Back

But the story isn't finished yet, because this new hero with her new abilities needs to prove herself by being put to the test. She came to the Special World and got what she needed, now she must use it against greater antagonistic forces, before she can truly return home to the Ordinary World.

After the celebration, it's time to get refocused. The hero may fully rededicate himself to the Adventure, and The Road Back may function as yet another threshold to cross--to something deeper, bigger, more dangerous, or different. Just as the hero has been reborn, the other antagonistic forces may have gained more power as well, sometimes even as a consequence of The Ordeal and the Reward. This may be a moment of retaliation. An antagonistic force that seemed to have been defeated may raise its ugly head again. The hero may have to draw upon and gather more strength.

The Road Back is a turning point that propels us toward the final climax of the story.

It is also another term that I think some people get confused about (and I personally think that is because of its name). This is not the denouement. This is the path leading to the climax. The reason it is "The Road Back" isn't because the story is over, but because the hero has learned whatever and grown however they needed to in order to do what is necessary to finish the story, and now they need to get back on track, on that road, to do that.  

With that said though, a quick search online will show that with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, some people say that the Hogwarts Express is "The Road Back" or that The Road Back takes place when Harry is unconscious after facing off Voldemort, but that doesn't make sense, since Vogler, who wrote the updated Hero's Journey states himself in his book that this takes place before the real climax. So I would argue, that he would argue, that The Road Back is the trio having to go through the trapdoor (and I would argue The Ordeal was when Harry faced Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest--which is a key part people seem to like to forget about when mapping it out online).

However, with that said, there are probably other variations of the Hero's Journey out there, which is why I mentioned at the beginning of this series that I was using Vogler's model, which is one of two of the most popular resources on the Hero's Journey.

But as always, the important thing is that you understand the shapes and structures--that's more important than arguing over terminology.

In The Hobbit, The Road Back is when there is conflict between the dwarves and the Lake Men and Thorin, which will lead to the Battle of the Five Armies (the climax).

In Spider-verse

Now that Miles has become Spider-man, he's ready to get back on track. He heads to the collider to face the antagonistic forces--which are stronger and more deadly than before, and his appearance is welcomed as his friends all take on the villains and try to stop the collider.

The Resurrection

Now this is the climax. Remember how the hero was reborn? Well, this is the moment to prove it.

Often at a critical point in the Resurrection, there will be an echo of The Ordeal--that crisis that betrayed our hero's weakness earlier. Here, they will be tested again (spoiler: and probably succeed this time). Can a woman honorably defeat the Huns and save China? Can the rightful Lion King take his place in the Circle of Life? Can Harry defeat Voldemort, when he had to be rescued by a centaur last time they met?

If there was a literal death and revival from The Ordeal, you may see it appear again here, but it won't be an exact copy. At my time of writing this, Star Wars: Rise of the Skywalker just came out. You know what I watched for? The death and rebirth moment during The Ordeal (which takes place at the remnants of the Death Star). You know what I watched for during the climax? The echo of it. It's there. (Also worth noting is that both were foreshadowed at the climax of act I.)

In some stories, the Resurrection may be the hero simply facing physical death one more time--one more, most dangerous time.  

The climax is the final test of the Special World; often it's when the hero has to take what she has learned while there, to succeed. This means Mulan must succeed using the skills she learned as a soldier, while looking like a woman. In Legally Blonde, Elle must win the case by using what she learned in law school as Elle.

In The Hunger Games, the final test of the Special World is when Katniss is told she must kill or be killed by Peeta. She uses what she knows about the Special World to defeat the true antagonistic forces, at their own game.

As Vogler puts it, the Resurrection "should reflect the best parts of the old selves and the lessons learned along the way."

Yes, lots of other things can happen during the climax, but this final test is the crowning moment that proves Resurrection. In order for the hero to make it back to the Ordinary World, they must show they are someone new.

During the climax, the protagonist should almost always be the most active hero. Sure, there are a few exceptions to this, but they are rare. And when I say "active," I mean the hero is the one that defeats the main antagonistic force. In a lot of stories, you will have a "showdown," where the hero and villain go at it one on one. If the hero does not defeat the antagonistic force, they usually will have learned something very valuable from the experience, or if more tragic, they die (literally or figuratively) because they haven't learned something valuable.

In some stories, the major climactic moment may be the hero making a significant choice that illustrates how he or she has changed.

And there may be multiple climactic tests--often one for the inner journey and one for the outer, but sometimes these things overlap in the same moment.

And usually during the climax, the hero has to make or at least be willing to make, a big sacrifice (such as being willing to give up his or her life).

In Spider-verse

One by one the heroes take on the villains--who are stronger and more dangerous than ever before--and begin to return to their proper dimensions, until eventually, there is a showdown between Miles and Kingpin. This is the ultimate test--both of the inner journey and the outer journey. Kingpin knocks Miles down. Will he persevere? Will he get back up? Yes! Because he has learned not to quit. Using his new Spider-man skills, he defeats Kingpin and saves all of Brooklyn. He is fully resurrected.

Return with the Elixir

This is the denouement. In a traditional Hero's Journey, the hero now leaves the Special World to return to the Ordinary World, having gained something valuable to bring back, the "Elixir." Unsurprisingly, this can be literal, figurative, or both. A literal elixir might be a healing potion that will help loved ones back home. But a figurative elixir is the wisdom the hero has gained. He gained knowledge from The Ordeal, but when he exercised that knowledge in the real world, he gained wisdom. He is now ready to return home a changed person.

Vogler adds, "Writers will sometimes put their heroes through an experience at the Return that was difficult or impossible for them at the beginning, so the audience can see how they have changed."

In some stories, the hero may choose to stay in the Special World, but in either case, she has usually grown and changed and gained some kind of Elixir, as she returns to a sense of safety (relatively speaking).

The denouement validates changes that took place. Sometimes this is done through rewards and punishments. The hero is honored while the villain experiences poetic justice. And like in all falling actions, any significant loose ends will be tied up.

Harry, who started the story unloved and powerless, returns to the Dursleys having learned that he is loved so powerfully, it can even defeat the evilest wizard of the Special World.

Bilbo returns to the Shire with wisdom and treasure.

Katniss goes back to District 12, having gained insight on who the true enemy is, having saved Prim, and having gained allies--and not to mention the rewards she brings to her whole district for having won. (And Seneca is punished by death.)

Mulan returns home bearing gifts from the emperor, as the most honorable woman--and person--in all of China.

In Spider-verse

After defeating Kingpin, all of the changes are validated and loose ends are tied up. We see Kingpin caught in a web and handed over to police. Miles makes up (somewhat) with his dad. But most importantly, we see Miles implementing the Elixir--by not quitting. He applies himself in school and turns in his essay--two things he wanted to quit when in the Ordinary World. He says, "I'm doing all sorts of things I never thought I'd be able to"--because he's persevering.

The Hero's Journey is one of the most popular story structure guides, but I hope through this process, you have also seen one of my points: That really, most of the guides are saying nearly the same thing, just from a different perspective, with different terms and emphases. They simply have their own methods of slicing and dicing.

But knowing multiple approaches can be helpful in planning and troubleshooting your own work. The Hero's Journey emphasizes the protagonist's adventure and growth, more so than some other guides. It also brings more mindfulness to certain features the others may not. For example, it might be that something feels off in your story because you don't have a Meeting the Mentor moment, and as you look at your own story through this structure, you might realize that. You might realize that you need to develop your protagonist's arc more, too.

However, as I said in the beginning, I also feel like this structure has weaknesses. As I've touched on, the terms themselves sound very specific, but what they are describing is rather broad, which can be confusing. Also, the terminology seems to emphasize the climax of the middle, rather than the climax of the end--but maybe that makes sense if this structure is more protagonist-focused, if what the story is "really about" is the protagonist "dying" and being "reborn." But the ambiguity can create confusion (The Road Back is pre-climax, for one, not post-climax).

While the Hero's Journey mentions antagonistic forces, it doesn't put hardly any focus on what they are doing, unlike the 7 Point Story Structure, which includes two pinch points, which are specifically antagonistic-focused.

I would say that the main thing is to find the story structure that best suits your understanding, and then refine it and test it through the other story structures. Remember, what matters is your understanding of it, rather than the exact definitions and terminology.

[everlarkficexchange]

The Misunderstanding Part Six

Prompt 56: We know that Katniss has always feared becoming a mother, but what if Peeta starts to become nervous about being a father when he remembers how his family treated him when he was younger? Katniss knows she is better with actions than words so, to prove that he will be a good father, she gathers up some of the children Peeta has interacted with at the bakery/ snuck extra sweets to:) [submitted by Anonymous]

The Misunderstanding Part Six.

Prompt 56: by @mega-aulover

Rated G

April 20, 1946

“She’s coming too,” the soft voice whispered.

The voices the dim light and the heat suffocated her. “Don’t move sweetie, you need to rest. Your body is overheated.” Her mother gently explained.

“Oh my, it was such a fright,” her Aunt’s voice sounded higher pitched than usual.

“Effie why don’t you get me some more cool water, she still feels too warm.”

Katniss could hear the click clack of her Aunts heels as she walked away. The door to the room was opened and closed.

“Mother,” Katniss groaned.

“Shhh, Katniss just rest,” her mother cooed.

“Mother, Peeta…” Katniss felt achy and out of sorts.

“Hush, Prim went to go get him,” her mother said. Katniss felt a cool cloth being pressed on her forehead. She allowed herself to be pulled back down under.  She awoke suddenly as the door crashed open. Her lashes were far too heavy to open.

Katniss weekly smiled, at Peeta. Her mother helped her sit up. Her body hurt and she was tired. She closed her eyes briefly.   

“Is she okay Mrs. Everdeen?” Peeta’s anxious voice cut through the hazy fog Katniss felt. She wanted to reach out to him but her hands and arms felt heavy.

“She will be, Peeta.” Katniss recognized her mother’s voice when she was in nurse mode. It was a soft reassuring tone.

“What’s wrong with her?” Peeta sat down by her he took her hand, and Katniss instantly felt better.

“Well Peeta, you’re going to be a father,” her mother said.

Katniss felt the moment Peeta’s hand went slack and then she heard a thump.  Peeta had fainted.

**

 Saturday August 17th 1946,

The radio played a lively tune, as Katniss entered the bakery.  She rubbed her back. Rye and her father-in-law were singing out of tune as they prepared the next batches of bread. “MMMMM….” Katniss moaned as she sniffed the air. “Are those cheesebuns?”

Rye grabbed one of them and beckoned her with his finger. Katniss had begun to waddle as she was now in the middle of her seventh month and her belly was huge.  She wobbled over to where her brother-in-law stood with the treat. She snatched it from his hand, and stuffed it into her mouth. 

“How’s my little precious peanut today?” Rye cooed into her belly. He placed his hand on her belly and the baby kicked. “Wow you’re getting stronger everyday.” Rye gave Katniss another cheesebun which she inhaled. I can’t wait to see you, we’re going to go to the zoo and I’m going to teach you to ride a bike. Oh and don’t forget ice-cream, I promise to take you to eat ice-cream every Sunday.”

Katniss laughed to see Rye Mellark dedicated skirt chaser come to his knees over her baby bump.  

With worried eyes he asked, “Do you think my little peanut Mellark knows, I’m its uncle?”

“Rye you’re its only uncle, now move out of the way, it’s my turn to address my grandbaby.” Mr. Mellark walked into Katniss line of sight, “Morning Kit.”

“Morning Pop,” Katniss greeted. It was only seven in the morning but the Mellark boys had been awake since 4:30 in the morning.

“How is my little sweet-pea doing this morning?” Mr. Mellark murmured affectionately to Katniss belly. “Your mommy’s too skinny. The doctor said she needs to bulk up so I’ve got a special lunch planned for her today.  All of your favorite foods.”

“More cheesebuns” Katniss whispered, “oooh with hot chocolate, and goat cheese with dried tomato and chicken, or how about lemon chicken soup with,” her eyes grew wider. “Roast-beef sandwiches with pickled cucumbers and mustard. Or a pasty, I haven’t had a pasty since I left England.”

Mr. Mellark laughed, “It’s a surprise, why don’t you go to the front ant sit with Peeta. It’s too hot for you here.”

“Nag,” she muttered but she did as he bid, but not before she grabbed a handful of the cheesebuns and made her way to the front of the shop. Her house dress was wide and airy, it was the only thing that fit her comfortably these days.  the bakery was already stifling. As she ate she paused at the entryway between the back and the front of the store.

“Can I have this one,” Joyce Randolph asked skeptically as she pointed to the display of cookies. Her round little face was deep in concentration. She scrutinized each cookie carefully, at seven this was a paramount decision.

“Joyce Mr. Mellark has other things to do choose one, already,” her mother Mrs. Randolph admonished.

“This a very important choice Joyce has to make Mrs. Randolph,” Peeta said going behind the counter.

Katniss shuffled in a little further to see Joyce was not alone her four year old brother Joey was with his little face was smushed up against the cool glass of the display window. Katniss hid her smile as she sat down in the stool the family had put there for her.

“I’m so sorry,” Mrs. Randolph mouthed to Katniss.

Katniss shook her head, and wrinkled her nose to let Mrs. Randolph know everything was alright.

“That one,” Joey said.

“Sure you can have which ever one you choose,” Peeta was hunched down between Joyce and Joey.

Katniss gently rubbed her baby as she watched the masterful way Peeta dealt with the children. In the beginning when she’d found out she was pregnant she was terrified of having a child. She was scared of her baby going through a war and being killed in some far away land. So many boys didn’t come back home. She’d voiced her fears to her mother and Aunt, but they helped her calm her fears.  Oddly enough the one person who should’ve been over the moon was Peeta.

He’d fainted at the news and although he was present at every doctor’s visit or appointment, he kept his distance. On the surface he was doing what he needed to do as a father. He cleared out a space for the nursery and focused in on getting it ready. But Peeta was hesitant to put his hands on her belly. They’d made love, for sure, if anything she couldn’t get enough of Peeta. All she had to do was look at him in a certain way and he was ready for action.

But when it came to the baby she saw the fear in his eyes.  Katniss had an idea it had to do with his mother and the way she treated him growing up. His mother hurt Peeta, emotionally and physically. He hid his issues well but having gotten to know him.

“He’s going to be a wonderful father,” Mrs. Randolph sighed, her children were now sitting on his lap with large chocolate chip cookies.

Katniss frowned as an idea began to formulate in her brain, “Mrs. Randolph you sister is Agnes Gifford owns the little school for children.”

“Yes,” Mrs. Randolph. “My sister and I we both run it.”

“Can anyone volunteer?” Katniss asked.

“I believe so,” Mrs. Randolph’s said but her eyes filtered down to Katniss baby bump. “We are always looking for volunteers.”

Katniss persisted, “Even men?”

“Well,” Mrs. Randolph asked the inevitable. “What is this about?”

Katniss made sure his attentions were still with the kids. “Peeta’s scared of being a father, its one thing to give cookies to the children in the bakery-”

“My husband was the same way,” Mrs. Randolph sadly spoke. Her husband was one of the men who didn’t make it home from the war.  “He had fears about being a good father.”

“If he could volunteer, it will show him he’s going to be fine with our baby arrives,” Katniss rubbed her belly.  

Mrs. Randolph looked at Peeta then at Katniss. “So you want your husband to work with a classroom full of children.”

“Yes, I want to experience the worst of it,” Katniss raised an eyebrow. “It will be good for him in the long run.”

Mrs. Randolph chuckled. An understanding was exchanged between both women, Peeta needed to face his fears head on.  “When would you like to start?”

“I’d have to speak to my father-in-law about it but if he agrees then he can start Monday,” Katniss smiled.

Mrs. Randolph eventually left, and by the end of the day Katniss had the other two Mellark boys eating out of her hands.  She’d even recruited her sister Prim to come and help clean up at night.  Peeta however was not happy about the suggestion.

They were in their bedroom and she was calmly laying on her back watching him pace.  Peeta took the news as she expected him to. She’d learned a few things in the time they were married. She knew that he listened when they fought, and he was an excellent communicator even though she wasn’t. So despite his agitated sate he would pay attention to each word she uttered.

“Why would you ever suggest that I volunteer with the kids?”  He paused to see if she had an answer.

“Well,” Katniss began but was cut off.

“I have so many things to do, with the ba… with getting the nursery ready, and then theirs the bakery. Dad’s teaching me to do the books.  Rye’s leaving, as you have the ba…well you know.”

Katniss smiled, “You can’t say the word baby.”

“I can too,” Peeta sputtered. He stood their arms crossed looking like four year old whose toy had been taken away. 

Katniss laughed, then said, “I know this stems from your mother.”

Peeta became quiet he sat down next to her defeated. “I’m just afraid of hurting you or-”

“Peeta you could never hurt me, you’re the gentlest person I’ve ever known. Remember when I yelled at you at the Fair last year.” Katniss rubbed his shoulders. “You didn’t yell back, you didn’t react the way I thought you would.”

Peeta looked over his shoulder at her, his brow was wrinkled, “React the way you thought?”

“You didn’t throw a tantrum,” Katniss said.

“What are you driving at?”

Katniss gently rubbed his muscles, “You remember Gale?”

“Yeah, I always you two were an item. I was so happy when I discovered you two weren’t together. He left for the war and I overheard you tell Madge you and he was nothing but a friend.”

“Gale was such a pistol. Whenever we had a disagreement, he’d loose his control. His aim was to make me feel small and insignificant.” Katniss stopped rubbing his shoulders. Peeta sat next to her listening. She placed her head on his shoulder. “Gale always wanted to win at any cost. Sometimes I feared Gale when he went bananas he has so much anger inside of him.”

“What did you talk about?”

“The war, Gale wanted to go and fight. I told him not to be so anxious to join. He wasn’t in the know, but he didn’t want to listen to me. Gale thought it was all gobbledygook.”

“That’s why you never fell for him.” Peeta took her hand in his and squeezed it.

She squeezed his hand, a soft smile came upon her face. She glanced up at him. “Peeta, you’ve never belittled me, even when we’ve had a row. You’ve always have been calm and accepting. I’m the one with the fiery temper.”

Peeta laughed, “I wouldn’t want you any other way,” he placed a kiss on her lips.

“It’s why you need to go that classroom. You think you’re going to be like you mother and I want to prove it to you.” She put her hand on his face, “If you can handle screaming out of control children in a classroom, than you can handle your own son or daughter.”

“Okay Katniss I’ll go.”

Katniss quietly let her eyes graze his strong capable shoulders. The muscled chest and she bit her bottom lip, “I think you need to be rewarded for excellent choice making.”

“Well I always did get high marks for behavior in school,” Peeta wiggled his eyebrows. Katniss chuckled as she slipped her hands around his arms. She hopped it worked.

**

Monday Evening, August 19th 1946

Katniss anxiously watched the road from the front of the window.  She wanted to know how his day went. He left early this morning and hadn’t returned yet. 

“Come Katniss, why don’t you come and eat,” Mr. Mellark called out from the counter.

She slowly shuffled across the floor.

The door opened and the bell above the bakery door chimed. There as a hush in the room. Katniss turned around. Her hand flew to her mouth. Peeta stood in the bakery with a smudges of pain on his face, there were hand prints on his shirt, clay in his hair. He looked a mess.

Peeta came rushing in and kneeled before her belly. “I can’t wait to see you.”

Katniss laughed, she slipped her hands through his blond locks. “What brought this on?”

“The school with all of the kids I had the best time. They were running all over the place it was controlled chaos but I loved every minute of it. I can’t wait until our baby is born. I’m going to show our little one to paint, to bake, to support do whatever she or he wants to be.”

Katniss smiled, she was glad he’d finally accepted his father hood.  Now all she had to do was have the baby.