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peakyswritings · 21 hours

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Brummie, I’m so late and I’m so sorry!

First of all, although I probably told you already, your dark fics are everything. You’re always so good at conveying the eerie atmosphere and the fear that (Y/n) is feeling. You literally take us into the scene with your words, and that’s amazing.

Now about the story:

[…] his bitterly cold cheek pressed against your own as you watched in unison the woman standing at the end of the bricked pathway, a woman that looked in every single way identical to you. Was Tommy right, was that you?

I feel so dumb now. I remove her asking myself who the people (Y/n) was seeing were, and it never crossed my mind that they could be Tommy and “modern” (Y/n). How didn’t I think about it before??

Poor (Y/n), she’s terrified, of course, and thinks she’s imagining things. The black cat that keeps on appearing tells me that something really bad’s about to happen, and I’m scared for her.

"Dear lord" Ada said wide-eyed as she looked to her Aunt who's lips were tightly pursed together, desperately holding back the humor in your uncanny resemblance to the local pigeon lady that had taken up residence on the church steps of Small Heath.

I know (Y/n)’s situation is not funny at all, but this made me laugh so much. Just like dark/eerie scenes, you have a knack for funny scenes. Poor girl, just when she thought she could have some rest, a horde of men enter the room.

Never having been able to stop her nephews' depraved ways, maybe this was her attempt at bringing Tommy's "Hobbies" to an end.

Wait - Polly KNOWS?? She knows about Tommy’s tendencies?? She’s playing with fire then.

By the way, Michael’s little crush on (Y/n) is rather sweet, I loved how he got all flustered. But he’s in danger now, because something tells me Tommy wouldn’t give a shit that he’s his cousin. And he’s acting fucking crazy, asking (Y/n) about her “distractions”. The man is completely out of his mind. The way he’s trying to make her feel guilty for just being friendly makes me want to punch him. In a new town and with all the terrifying things are happening to her, she’s in a vulnerable and fragile state, and he keeps on playing on that. And now he’s putting the thought in her head that Michael might be the one stalking her? He’s vicious. I’ve never hated him as much as now.

With each fraction of a second that past, you began to feel he was hiding a whole different self behind his crystal eyes as you sunk deeper into his stare.

(Y/n), please, let’s just forget Tommy’s whole different self, eh?

So Polly knows. Tommy’s not-so-veiled threat left me speechless. I’ll repeat it, he’s vicious. This whole ending was so scary, but so perfect at the same time.

Brummie, this was such a beautiful and intense chapter, and I can’t wait to see where this goes!

PREVIOUS PART MASTERLIST

Don't Fear The Reaper (Part Three/ Dark!Tommy)

Summary: After a restless night and chaotic start to your day, you arrive late for work. Unfortunately for you, your day of misfortune doesn't end there when Tommy's jealousy becomes uncontainable and he calls you into his office for some stern words and questioning as to where exactly your priorities lie.

Warnings: Language, angst, fluff, stalking, obsessive behaviour, supernatural themes, dark romance, manipulation of time, dark!tommy (This is a dark series with heavy potentially triggering undertones, please read the warnings before continuing)

Word Count: 4164

Authors Note: "Sweet Afton's" are a brand of cigarette seen in the show, smoked by Tommy. The two other brands of cigarettes mentioned in this chapter were also popular at the time. Sorry for being so late posting this part everyone. I hope you enjoy it!

How long had you been awake? A simple question anyone could ask themselves but a wasted one on you as you frantically rushed past your granddad through the cramped hallway, sending him no more than a faint smile as a greeting the very next morning as you made your way out onto the streets of Small Heath. A lack of sleep and an exhausted mind from countless hours of mulling over what you were sure you had seen the previous night consequently had you stumbling over your feet the very moment you stepped onto the cobbled path, and into a hard object you could only assume was a fellow human.

" Steady there love" a young man said, catching you before you landed face first onto the ground In front of him and further embarrassing yourself in your already flustered state.

" Sorry..." you replied abruptly pulling away from his hold, finding yourself studying his face longer than what anyone would consider socially acceptable let alone polite as you stepped back with caution. Was it him? You thought to yourself as your glare narrowed in on every feature his face possessed, his puzzled eyes turning into ones filled with nervousness when your stare failed to divert from examining each movement he made in an awkward, almost unbearable silence.

"Well...G'day to you miss" he said tipping his hat to you as he walked past your insistent eyes, his slow strides and labored limp absent of the speediness the dark shadow displayed last night quickly snapping you out of your unfounded accusations.

"Shit" you sighed under your breath as you straightened your hat that was now lop sided with a knotted ball of locks contained under it. In all honesty, you looked a bloody mess. A tangly haired, red-cheeked, nervous ball of mess. " Good day sir, and...and thank you!" You apologetically called out waving to the young man who your suspicious mind had all but convinced you in the space of a few seconds was the same creep that had been watching you. "Jesus Y/N, get a fucking grip" you scolded yourself under a heavy breath as you headed in the direction of work which you was already twenty minutes late for, the same place of work that just so happened to pass by the very spot said creep was standing in. As you approached the corner of the alleyway you came to a stop, your eyes briefly darting down to a burnt out cigarette on the ground you was convinced only one person could have been smoking. Bending down you picked up the rolled tobacco with the unintelligible charred words "eet ton's" printed on the filter, bringing it to your face as if you could distinguish the authentic smell of whatever tobacco had been used. In reality, you had no idea what you were looking for, but with wishful thinking and your nagging brain telling you to pocket the discarded cigarette, you did exactly that. Placing it between your hankie and carefully folding it within the embroidered fabric, your eyes shot up to the gulley that was devoid of anyone mere minutes ago when, just like the previous day, someone caught your attention. She was there again, watching you. " Hello?" You called out as the man that never ceased to be absent from her side made his presence known as he turned the corner, a bellow of smoke pummeling to the heavens with every swift stride he took.

" She can see me, Tommy..." Your panicked voice gasped as he approached you, his hand gently resting on your lower back, his bitterly cold cheek pressed against your own as you watched in unison the woman standing at the end of the bricked pathway, a woman that looked in every single way identical to you. Was Tommy right, was that you?

" Shh now darling" he soothed your worries away, his hand creeping under your jacket and grazing over your blouse, his fingers desperate to intimately feel the warmth of your soft skin he had longed to touch once again. This would have to do...for now. "She won't get any closer, I'll make sure of it" he assured you, closing his eyes as your intoxicating perfume brimming with notes of aldehyde and lemon filled his senses, transporting him back to the very year you were standing in, the very same day you were standing in.

"She's coming. Tommy, she's walking this way. Make her stop, please!..."

"Can I help you?" You asked, squinting into the distance as you strategically stepped around a muddy pothole whilst you made your way through the morning mist when a loud crashing of metal onto the cobbled path had you falling ankle deep into the very globe of sludge you was doing your up most to avoid. " Fuck sake. You again" you huffed as the black feline from the previous night ran out from behind a lidless bin. " You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? Made it your life's bloody mission to torment me" you ranted as he ran past you without a mere ounce of remorse whilst your eyes followed his nimble steps to the end of the alleyway that was now suddenly empty of the couple that had been standing there. " I'm losing it" you said wiping the whispers of hair from your face, grimacing as you pulled your muddy foot from the deep hole. " New job, no sleep and... I'm finally losing it" you continued to ramble to yourself, unwilling to speak of the very thing that had you in such a state as you took one last quick glance to the end of the path hoping that the past two days' unusual events were just a figment of your over-tired imagination. Fatigue. The only likely, rational reason...right?

" What the fuck-a-doodle-doo happened to you?" Ethel rather flamboyantly asked as you came thundering through the offices looking at you from head to toe, her and everyone else's eyes now fixed on your muddy stockings and disheveled appearance.

" Ethel!" Betsy scolded her. Her dear friend and colleague never able to, or willing to stop herself at any given opportunity to further elaborate whatever thought had entered her mind.

" I'm sorry love, It's just ..." Polly started to say, covering her mouth behind her cup of tea before her and everyone else burst into a fit of giggles, you quickly following suit as you got a glimpse of yourself in the reflection of a glass cabinet in front of you.

" Well Christ" you laughed, slumping down into your chair as you pulled your hat off.

" Dare I ask?" Ada said through a smile as she sat on the edge of your desk, receiving only a grunt from you in response. " Late night maybe? Followed by some cross-country hiking?" She teased, arching a brow as she looked down at your mud-drenched tights.

" Stepped in a pothole" you huffed, burying your head in your hands suddenly feeling sorry for yourself.

" And the birds nest currently residing on top of your head? " She asked as you ran your fingers through your knotted locks. " Getting there..." she smiled affectionately to you as your hair started to smooth down into something more manageable. " So, are you going to tell me what's got you looking like you was pulled through a hedgerow backwards ? " She asked as you started taking of your shoes, your lack of clothing in your frantic departure from home that morning making it near impossible to unbuckle your three-inch heels with your now, numb fingers.

" You know, they really should do something about all those potholes, Ada. I could have broken my ankle"

" Y/N"

" A foot deep, it was like a trench"

" Y/N!"

" Nothing" you replied, avoiding her gaze as you hitched up your skirt and unhooked your stockings, simultaneously avoiding Ada's worries and your own. With a room full of women, you were at no risk of further embarrassing yourself. Or at least you thought you were, when not only your boss but his two brothers and another man accompanying them sauntered in, coming to a sudden stop at the sight of your toe balancing precariously on the knob of your desk draw, the clasps of your garter belt on show and a stocking halfway down your leg. Oh, for fuck sake.

"I think I've just died and gone to heaven. Catch me Arthur..." John said, falling into his brother as a thunder of laughter resonated through the building, all but Tommy's that was.

" Get off ya bleeding egit" Arthur said, giving his brother a sharp elbow to his side.

" Gents" Tommy cleared his throat, motioning what might as well have been the entire British army and all the Kings' guards into his office as your face reddened, and you felt like bursting into tears at the sheer embarrassment of them seeing you in such a predicament.

" Kill me now. Just kill me now and throw me in the cut" you mumbled under your breath, tucking your legs under the desk as Tommy glanced back at you, his jaw tightening in what you could only assume was annoyance at your inappropriate display in a work place.

" Oh stop it" Ada scolded you as she rolled her eyes at your dramatics. " It's not like they've never seen a pair of legs before" she said placing a cigarette in her mouth as she tried to downplay your small mishap.

" Yes but maybe not at eight in the morning, and legs belonging to someone they hardly know" you huffed pushing your forehead into the palms of your hands, pushing the disastrous morning's events from your thoughts.

" You do realise you're in Small Heath, right?" She giggled, pulling a laugh from the frustrated pout that had weighed down your lips as you shimmered off the rest of your stockings under the cover of your wooden desk. Small Heath, you was begining to realise just what kind of place it was.

The remainder of the morning was thankfully a lot less eventful. You'd spent almost the entirety of it signing for letters, each delivery boy hanging around for a chat to see the latest newcomer to the Shelby offices after word had gotten around about the pretty-faced girl Thomas Shelby had hired. Though, every interaction had not gone missed by the watchful eye of the very man who had brought you into his firm, the same man who was starting to get increasingly angry with what he thought were your distracted priorities. Unbeknownst to you, you had already handed him two documents that didn't need signing for another month, and the ones that did have a deadline had all but gone missing. Second day of work, and you were unknowingly still making a mess of everything. The next interaction, or what Tommy believed, distraction, would be one he'd swiftly put a stop to before the annoyance his Aunt Polly had burdened him with got any ideas.

"Y/N love, come and meet Michael, my son" Polly ushered you over to her desk as you scooted out of your seat, catching the eye of Tommy who was watching you from his office through the glass windowed door separating you.

"It's nice to make your acquaintance again, Y/N" he said reaching his hand out for you to take as Polly looked straight ahead at her nephew who was now stood up at the window watching the whole interaction, his deathly stare enough for her to know he was getting progressively frustrated at the attention your presence had brought to the office. Was his dear, loving Aunt doing this on purpose? Tommy seethed to himself as he watched you smile to his cousin. Never having been able to stop her nephews' depraved ways, maybe this was her attempt at bringing Tommy's "Hobbies" to an end. For she knew better than anyone how your innocent beauty had already captivated him, how he'd already set his sights on his next endeavor. If his Aunt thought he would not take the needed measures to dispose of her beloved son, her judgment in his determination to get what he wanted was severely lacking, severely.

" Right yes, hi" you said, feeling the heat rise in your cheeks having now learned of whom the third man was that saw your misfortunate leggy display. " Sorry you had to see that" you said looking up through your lashes as you fidgeted with the pendant of your necklace sitting on your chest.

" Well, it was certainly one way to leave a lasting impression" he replied with a chuckle as you silently begged for the floor to swallow you up, and not leave one ounce of you left to endure the remaining embarrassment you were sure you hadn't heard the end of.

" Alright that's enough, leave the poor girl alone. She's had enough ribbing from us lot all bloody morning" Polly said as she lit a cigarette, the corners of her eyes turning up to match her smile at her son's less than subtle enamorment with you. " Y/N's been having trouble with her typewriter Michael"

" Uh huh.." Michael could all but reply as he watched your lashes flutter in the evening sun beaming through the windows as your fingers flicked through the file of documents on Polly's desk.

" Maybe you could show her...how to change the ink cartridge?" Polly encouraged him as you finally looked up to see the young man staring back at you.

" Erh yeh, sure" he promptly replied, sending you a smile to diffuse the look of confusion on your face. What had him all flustered? You thought to yourself furrowing your brow as you showed him to your desk whilst Polly sent her nephew a satisfied smirk. So she was doing this on purpose, purposely getting under his fucking skin. Tommy thought to himself as he marched to his door.

" Y/N, my office. Now" Tommy's voice boomed as he waited, checking his pocket watch in what could only be a blatant sign for you to, hurry the fuck up.

"Excuse me" you said bolting away from the young man with Tommy's appointment book in hand, tucking your hair behind your ear as you entered what felt like a triangle of stares between Tommy, his Aunt and cousin.

"Don't have something to do, Michael?" Tommy asked with a quizzical brow, not bothering to wait around for a response when his cousin opened his mouth before Tommy slammed his office door shut. " Sit" he demanded, his tone of voice absent of the niceties from the previous day as he leaned against the frame of the window lighting a cigarette, his eyes studying you from head to toe. Whatever did happen to your stockings? Tommy mused as his eyes darted down to your bare legs, his tongue wetting at how far up those legs he had seen mere hours ago." Now correct me if I'm wrong, but did you not say you were serious about your position in my offices? No distractions? Is my cousin a distraction for you Y/N?" Tommy said clearing his throat, flicking a scattering of ash into a decorative glass dish resting on the windowsill as he looked out onto the streets below him. Day-dreaming would have to wait.

"What?...No, no! You replied profusely shaking your head, feeling your emotions bubble up from an overwhelming start to your new life in Birmingham, and the telling off you were undoubtedly about to get from the most feared man in the smoke-fogged town.

"And the delivery boys are they a distraction too?" Tommy said as he blew a cloud of smoke up to the ceiling before the heavy sound of his pristinely polished boots traveled across the room to the edge of the desk in front of you, the buckle of his belt at eye level causing you to glance away in embarrassment. Well, isn't that sweet? Tommy chuckled to himself, your blushing cheeks giving him enough reassurance to know you weren't a woman of loose morals like the others.

" No. No...I was just being friendly, I..." You said feeling your eyes suddenly brimming with tears as he sat down on the edge of the desk. You had made a fool of yourself, once again.

" Friendly. Anyone else you plan on being friendly with love? Does the whole of Small Heath have the pleasure of looking forward to your charm?" He replied with a tone of disdain and irritation as you searched for a response. You were just trying to get by in what felt like a completely different world, just trying to be nice. " And here's me thinking you were serious about working for me" Tommy said with a look of disappointment spread across his face as he glanced down at your eyes fixed on your thumbs frantically rubbing against each other as a shame you hadn't felt in your attempts to be cordial suddenly heated your cheeks to a fiery warmth with every loud thump of your quickened heart. " Maybe you're not suited for this line of work, hm? Tommy said arching a brow as he went to stand up, and you, without an ounce of reflection, grabbed hold of your boss's leg.

" Please don't fire me..." You sobbed, your emotions finally getting the better of you. " I was just...trying to be nice" you wept, clutching onto him as Tommy's lips parted at the unexpected, but undoubtedly welcome contact of your delicate grip on him." I'm sorry" you said quickly pulling your hand away suddenly realising how inappropriate you had been. Is that what he thought you were, an immature girl that loved the thrills of flirting with any man in her presence? You thought to yourself as you tucked your hands under your thighs, shamefully looking up at your boss and the piercing stare he was now giving you.

" Y/N, there are two things I expect from my employees. Professionalism and trustworthiness. But from you, I expect a third" Tommy said as he watched your tears stream down your cheeks, hanging on to every word he said. " Loyalty" he finished as your fidgeting suddenly stopped and you locked eyes, Tommy's briefly darting between your own and your cherry red lips now stained from your trickling tears. Everything about you was so intoxicating, even that expensive perfume you had probably spent half of your life savings on. Lemon and aldehyde was it? Chanel No5. My my, someone was trying to make a good impression. Was this all for him? Tommy thought to himself as he watched you nod your head in agreement, desperately trying to hold onto your new life, and it's future he now held in his hands.

"I'm sorry I disappointed you. It won't happen again " you replied to the very man who's whole agenda has suddenly become, you.

" Good " Tommy ended his interrogation as you wiped your tears from your cheeks, searching in your skirt pocket for anything to dab away your embarrassment when your handkerchief fell onto the floor. " Sweet Afton's" Tommy chuckled, raising a brow as he picked up the burnt out cigarette between his fingers you had found that very morning. An unusual thing to save. He thought to himself when he suddenly realised, had you seen him? Had you been... meddling? " Would have taken you for more of a Craven A girl" Tommy said throwing the burnt rolled cylinder of tobacco in a bin next to his desk, clearing his throat as you watched your only evidence and reminder of the previous nights events being discarded of. "Here" Tommy said pulling out a fresh square of neatly folded cotton from within his suit jacket and handing it to you as he bent down to pick up your own, his finger grazing momentarily over the smoothness of your leg as he swiftly placed yours in his pocket as you wiped you cheeks.

" It's not mine" you confessed without realising the severity of what you had just said. So you had seen him. Tommy thought to himself as he tried to gauge exactly how much. " Sweet Afton's, I've never heard of that brand. Is it new? " You inquired as you sniffed away your remaining tears.

"New enough " Tommy replied, a small smirk playing on the corner of his mouth over something so mundane and insignificant as the brand of a cigarette you naively thought the man that had been watching you only used. Did you think you could fish out the owner of a cigarette that the majority of the country smoked? Tommy quietly chuckled to himself as a glint of mischievousness shone in his eyes, the sweetness in your naivety sending a shiver of goosebumps down his spine. You wouldn't last in Small Heath, even as a Londoner. Tommy thought to himself, waiting for another one of your queries as if this was a playful game, him having the upper hand, of course. But when your sweet voice stayed silent, Tommy could only assume you knew nothing more of his little late night stroll that just so happened to end up in front of your home. " Michael has a particular liking for them"

"Michael, Polly's son?" You asked, your brow quickly furrowing as Tommy watched your thoughts frantically tick over.

"An acquired taste. I tend to be more of a Woodbines smoker. Tobacco of the working man" Tommy lied, betting on your naivety to believe him as he continued to further sow the seeds of your suspicious mind.

" Woodbines? I'd say you've surpassed the class of a working man, wouldn't you Sir? " You replied as you looked around his costly office filled with luxurious rich mahogany furniture and the finest of staples any man of the upper class would possess.

" I'll let you be the judge of that Miss Y/L/N" Tommy replied, his mouth parting at your use of such formalities. Maybe he could do things the proper way this time, the correct way. He thought to himself as his eyes drifted down to the way the small rose pendant on the end of your necklace subtly moved with each breath you took, playfully luring him in. Who was he kidding, he would be a fool to think he could be so patient. And Tommy was no fool.

"I should get back to work" you said standing up, your movements snapping Tommy out of his deviant thoughts as you headed for his office door.

" Y/N" he stopped you, catching your elbow before you opened the door. " I feel I may have been a little harsh with you hm? " He confessed, the sudden softness in his voice catching you of guard. A brief glimpse into his lesser intimidating side piquing your curiosity.

" You wasn't" you looked up doe-eyed, your telling off still uncomfortably too recent to forget. For what was the briefest of moments, you found yourself getting completely lost in the oceans of his eyes as the man that never showed an ounce of fear held your gaze. There was something about him you couldn't quite put your finger on. Was it his charm, the authority he possessed or something entirely different? With each fraction of a second that past, you began to feel he was hiding a whole different self behind his crystal eyes as you sunk deeper into his stare.

"Y/N" Polly's voice awoke you from what had only been mere seconds of you pondering who your boss really was.

" There's a delivery that needs your signature" she said holding the door open as Tommy let go of your elbow, his Aunt looking right past you to her nephew who was now causally leaning against the frame of the door, watching you gracefully walk away.

"Not this one Tommy. You let her be. She's a good girl, she deserves someone..." Polly said standing in front of his line of sight, blocking him from the only thing his mind was hell-bent on having before he cut her off.

" What? Someone Like Michael?" He replied with a scoff as he reached into his pocket to pull out a cigarette. " I feel a change Aunty, a good one" he smiled wickedly, blowing the fumes from his cigarette in her face. " Now, stay out of it" he warned, his smile quickly dropping as the blues of his eyes turned to coal. " We wouldn't want anyone getting hurt from you interfering, would we? He smirked as he nodded to her son Michael in the adjoining office.

" You wouldn't dare" Polly's eyes widened, grabbing his arm as he turned to leave, a mere shrug of his shoulder and a sharp look he had conjured up from the very depths of hell, worthy of his only true fiery opponent enough for her to let go as she stepped back with heed.

" Wouldn't I?..."

NEXT PART

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peakyswritings · 22 hours

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I love how Jack’s appearance and behaviour change when he’s not in the Capitol, and the mention about his naturalness, which is something that the Capitol despises because it’s hard to control. Every meeting between Jack and Eva makes my heart melt. It’s so clear that they need each other, and that they love each other, and I’m so worried about what would happen if the wrong people found out. Now his mother has, and of course she’s not happy.

Another great chapter!

They didn't know we were seeds

Chapter 9

A/N: Aveline Young belongs to @justrainandcoffee

Cw: injury, mentions of nightmares and mentjons of sex

Taglist: @justrainandcoffee @emotionalcadaver @peakyswritings @call-sign-shark

“Ever left the district, Nelson?” Lyme keeps a steady pace south, past the ruins of the city that once connected them to 10 and into the woods behind the fence. This fence is high, near a thicket of trees that hardly cover it but, unlike the one up north, is not charged.

He’s come close to the fence up north, ventured past it enough times to keep his mouth shut about it. He knows he can trust Lyme, but Jack doesn’t tell he’s made use of the broken part that doesn’t charge up near a pine tree.

Besides she hasn’t been clear about this camping trip, all she said is that they’ll meet up with a friend of theirs at their destination. Now that they’re here, he knows she means Eva.

“Why are we going there?” he needs to know what the fuck is this for.

“After the two of you came out of the attic covered in dust, I thought I would show you this place. I needed to know Eva would appreciate such a visit and she demanded I bring you next time.” Lyme’s never lied to him before, but he knows she’s not telling him everything.

There was something else, something Eva was privy to. Eva would likely tell him; she hardly keeps any secrets from him in their strange whatever this is.

He really likes her, their stolen moments together were great, but they’ll only see each other half a month every year.

But he didn’t know about the trail before and that now changes things.

Jack wouldn’t mind seeing her often, preferably without Lyme. Maybe they could see where it goes instead of staking everything on how long the games last and that one of their tributes wins.

It would also be nice to pretend the world doesn’t exist for a moment, his times at his cabin are longer working. For fuck’s sake he printed out a photo of her at a lingerie shoot last July and kept it for lonely nights instead of seeking out the bartender that sort of looks like her if you’ve been drinking.

He’s still debating whether this was a good idea when he eats shit trying to walk over what used to be a road. It’s not enough to injure him, just leave his knee and shin hurting like a bitch as they walk to the farm he sees in the distance.

The fields are empty, the animals pay no attention to them, and the house sits on a small hill looking like something out of a dream.

It was plain white wood with a stone chimney and a porch wrapped around it, all surrounded by carefully marked gardens and flowerbeds marked by a simple dirt path outlined with pale stones.

Jack can’t help but smile when he sees her waiting for him. He doesn’t even mind the fact that he’s been limping for the past mile or so.

“Gonna have to stay the weekend, I wager.” He says even though he knows the aloe vera she’s wrapped around his lower leg to reduce the pain by morning.

Jack can’t help but think of ways to stay here longer without Lyme stuck here with them. Having Eva so near him was already making him wish they were alone.

“I wasn’t planning on staying here with you two lovebirds. Have some friends I’ll be staying with back home to give you an alibi.” The blonde admits as she helped herself to the lunch Eva had prepared just for them.

She’d dressed up, tried to make it look like she hadn’t, but the thought that she’d put an effort for him was rather sweet. She’d even remembered foods he had liked.

If he’d known he was coming here, he would’ve brought her something or at least packed some condoms. Jack supposed he could fix that next time he comes here, without Lyme preferably.

“My workers don’t work on weekends, and they come late on Monday since I wanted to be sure no one knows about this.” Eva supplies with a bit of embarrassment at Lyme’s words. “As far as everyone knows, I like coming here to get away from my auntie.”

The young man never gets around to asking Evie what she and Lyme are hiding from. Not that it matters, even without sex, he’s never had a Friday night he’s enjoyed like this these past six years.

“If I’d known I’d be seeing you this weekend, I would’ve brought you something. My mama raised me never to arrive empty-handed, especially with a hostess as lovely as you.” He is so different from the young man he is at the Capitol, she supposed she too was different from who she was over there.

He's hairy, his strange red beard coming in nicely and making a sharp contrast with his darker body hair. She’s never seen him like that, the Capitol hates body hair so much they suggested laser hair removal for his chest. He wears earrings, small ones because he thinks they were cool and little Gina refused to wear any unless he did.

Jack’s free with his words and doesn’t hide who he is, likes watching her as she goes about her day. He’s not as hurt as they’d thought he’d be, he’ll be back on his feet by tomorrow morning even if the bruising will take its time leaving.

“Maybe next time.” It’s evening, and after the aloe vera has dried up and become uncomfortable to wear, Eva helps him up to her bathroom upstairs.

He teases her, asks her to join him in the shower saying he wants to properly thank her for her hospitality.

The last person she’s been with has been him and while her line of work has made her immune to nudity and find no real pleasure in sex, the mere sight of watching him undress has her jumping his bones in her shower.

They have so much fun in just these couple of hours together, both forget this was all illegal.

“Wish I didn’t have to leave on Monday.” He admits when they wake up together in her simple bed on Sunday and the morning sun bringing out the contrast of the brown ring at the center of his eyes. Heterochromia, he'd called it, another thing the Capitol doesn’t like.

Laurie had been the one genetically engineered to be perfect, Jack was the one who came as nature wanted. And the Capitol hated what they couldn’t bend to their will.

But Eva doesn’t give a shit about what the Capitol like, she really likes Jack how he is with all these so-called imperfections that make him wonderful to her.

If Eva didn’t know any better, she’d think she’d fallen in love with him. Feels strange, to have fallen for him in the span of a handful of days scattered about maybe five months.

“You could always come visit; Lyme usually passes here once a month to see Aveline at 11. Shelby is a fan of impossible romances it seems.” Eva doesn’t mean to call them a romance, but the word slips either way.

“Beats having to wait a year come to think of it. Your birthday is in two weeks isn’t it?” he smiles softly as he pushed away her fringe from her face.

“Yeah, why do you ask?” the dark-haired girl wonders what he could be thinking.

“I owe you a gift for the hospitality.”

And she waits for him on the night of her 24th birthday in her best dress and thanks her lucky stars that Clemens never fails to send her birth control pills and that the weather was better than last year.

Jack brings a small radio older than they are that lets them hear the music from his district as they dance in her house as his gift, Eva bakes her favorite cake and buys a tiny bottle of white tequila for two.

He sings terribly, he likes this song. A romantic ballad his mom sang to him as a lullaby as a kid that he hummed to himself when he was in his games when the others weren’t paying attention.

The words come unbidden as she buries her face into his chest laughing from all the fun she has with him here, “I love you.”

Jack stumbles over the chorus he knows so well before growing still and then pretending it nothing changed. He doesn’t say it back, his body language telling her it was too soon, but he doesn’t leave, and both act as if she never said it.

That night Eva dreams she’s back in the arena only this time its not Laurie she kills, its Jack.

“I get them too.” Jack comforts her as if he’d seen what she saw. He holds her tightly as he soothes her unaware that she’s doomed them by joining the rebels.

Its spring when people begin to notice the change in him. Its summer when his mother finally asks him about it.

“You’re in love, aren’t you?” his mother asks when she notices how happy he is with his next gift for Eva.

He hadn’t meant to, but when he saw the puppy left last time he was in town Jack couldn’t help himself.

He likes dogs, she does too but keeps no pets because her cousin Ignacio is allergic and he lives with them in the Victor’s Village.

They could keep her at the farm, he’ll come visit them and they can continue to play house there as they’ve done since Lyme brought him there.

Eva had said the words first, when they were dancing in her kitchen to some old song he liked om her birthday. He hadn’t said it back, truth was, Jack wasn’t sure what he felt for her then.

Now that he’s thinking of ways to take the pup to her, he realizes that maybe he does love her too.

Who would’ve thought he’d fall in love with her?

“Yeah, I think so.”

“She lives in the south, this girl of yours. No wonder you never miss your hikes with Lyme.” his mom goes on with her assumption if this mystery girl and he doesn’t correct her.

As far as people know in Eva’s district, she is having an affair with a married man because he forgot his flannel there and her aunt was told they’d seen a man leave through the backdoor. He is Jacob the Carpenter who lives some farms away.

This was pretty tame in comparison.

Jack keeps it vague and hopes his mother forgives him one day.

Atia Nelson believes he is dating an apothecary’s apprentice named Evie in the outlying village down south who lives in a farm with her aunt and is painfully shy.

“I hope you’ll let me meet her one day.” She continues and he tries to hide his grimace remembering that Eva killed Laurie and lives in a different district.

His mother is open minded and progressive, but would she accept as a daughter-in-law the girl who killed her son?

Maybe one day, he thinks.

When he and Lyme meet up in their trail, he broaches the subject.

Lyme’s dad was still alive, knew she liked women and gave her the hunting knife she could be killed for if their district peacekeepers knew. He was once an officer, gotten discharged due to an injury in District 11 and hated the Capitol enough to teach his adopted daughter how to get in and out of the district undetected.

A great man, in short.

“Do you think we can trust my mom?” he asks as he leads the overeager pup walk in front of them for a short while.

“I don’t know yet. Even my dad doesn’t know where Aveline lives.” Not because he would betray them, but because these secrets get you killed or worse, turned into an Avox.

He couldn’t do that to his family, especially six-year-old Gina and his grandparents. Besides his mother worked inside the mountain, and one false move could have them all killed to protect Panem.

But when June rolls around and he comes back right before the Capitol decides to shoot some special about previous victors before the Games begin, his mother recognizes the puppy –now a half-grown dog— sitting at Eva’s feet in her home at the Victors’ Village.

“So this is your girlfriend, this wonderful Evie you love so much, the bitch who killed your brother?”

Jack has never seen his mother so angry and disappointed in him.

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peakyswritings · 23 hours

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Loved this chapter!

The fact that Eva made all the goods produced in the farm accessible to everyone is so generous, and it made me love her even more. Capitan Lyme’s appearance was so interesting, and I can’t wait to see how the Rebels’ plan will unravel. It’s understandable that Eva’s taking some time to decide, since there’s so much at stake and that the First Rebellion failed. I wonder how Jack will react when he knows about all of this!

They didn't know we were seeds

Chapter 8

Cw: ageism, mentions of the Dark Days

Rose and Aveline belong to @justrainandcoffee

Tagging: @justrainandcoffee @emotionalcadaver @peakyswritings @call-sign-shark

Eva puts herself to good use, using her talent for horticulture as an excuse to visit the farm and spend time there ---she did run out of space at the victor village at least that part wasn’t a lie. She plants, hires workers to raise the animals and till the fields and makes it known that all the things produced there were free to all.

Her aunt had joked and said she should try to run for office, as if they weren’t all rigged anyways. Eva could do it, if victors were allowed to use their influence for anything less ornamental, but the Capitol fears what a victor could do.

She needs a way to chart how far this trail went into Two and Eleven. There were enough ruins to provide a good enough cover, but Eva feared the beasts ---both natural and the mutts--- that roamed these borders. Even worse, what sort of hell the President would punish her with.

Eva does not risk going past the first sign of danger, especially armed with only a walking stick and small pack.

Districts were carved out in ways where you’d be in the wilds for a few stretches to deter any type of travel not sanctioned by the Capitol after the Dark Days. Her grandma remembered how towns used to be here and when the borders weren’t fenced off like that. Even the desert had towns and cities that hosted capitol and district alike.

But then the Capitol started hoarding the things the districts had and began leaving them out of the government. 13, being the more powerful district with great cities and nuclear weapons, retaliated and losing more than just the war. All dead, everything ruined and a cruel punishment to keep it from happening again.

10 had been amongst the last to rebel, their usual caution and fears of repercussions had them wait until they felt victory in their bones. If they’d known Two’s mountains were impregnable, they would’ve never rebelled.

But they had and now they’re all being punished for it 68 years later.

Eva makes her way back to the farm cautiously, careful to avoid leaving tracks that would incriminate her. She is not prepared for what she finds waiting for her on the porch.

“How?” Eva asked, fearing they’d be caught in minutes.

“You wouldn’t believe me if you knew, kid.” Tall, blonde and dressed in simple but sturdy clothing, sitting in her rocking chair to boot. Lyme, Jack’s fellow victor and mentor, had come.

“She could be our symbol.” Clemens suggests as they chat over dinner with their strange new guest.

So many traitors sitting at this table. If Shelby wanted to, he could have them all killed, but he won’t. He wasn’t Snow’s lackey like his predecessor was, he has a secret goodness he cannot hide.

Why else would he fight over Cashmere to keep her off the roster? Why else would he cover up Eva’s fling with Jack? Why else would he have the woman who took Finnick’s innocence murdered in broad daylight?

This man was one of them. She’d known it from the day she saw him.

“No, she lacks the marketability.” Plutarch Heavensbee shook his head. “She’s charming and good looking, but her story isn’t very inspiring. For fucks sake no one even bet for her, nor did she have a single sponsor.”

And while she cared for Eva, not many saw what she saw in her. Not many remember Lucy Gray Baird, especially her own district.

“Her affair with Nelson could help.” Fulvia comments only to be shot down by her boss.

“Districts hate 2, besides she killed his brother and that makes the whole thing unpalatable to everyone even us.”

Unpalatable.

Same thing Tigris was called when they fired her.

Her modifications were seen as stunning and beautiful when she was young, but when age began to take its course, she was mocked and greeted with disgusted looks even from the Capitol who once embraced her.

Coriolanus had gleefully told her why she was being fired, claimed he had received complaints from both the districts and her own protégé, Eva. The last had been a lie, Eva drunk out of her mind at the second stop of her tour had told her to her face that she loathed her for making her kill Laurie.

“She’s not your symbol because the time isn’t right yet, Heavensbee.” Shelby narrows his eyes at the word ‘unpalatable’ as well, his entire life he has been branded with that. His marriage to Grace had proved he would never be able to remove the label, not while the old families still rule. “We will worry about that later, for now we need to find ways to recruit more victors to our cause. They have sway with their own districts, most of them. So far, we have Lyme in 2, Solomons in 9 and if Lyme’s mission is a success, we may have 10 on our side.”

His idea had merit. To use the mentors and other victors to build a network of spies and agents for the rebellion they are building up, to use their influence and hatred for the system to gain followers.

An uphill battle for those in districts loyal to the capitol and a walk in the park for those who aren’t. 10 needed more pushing than its counterparts given how close they are to here, but it was not as impossible as Lyme getting her people to listen.

Jack and his mother had some standing, Atia Nelson worked inside the mountain and flirted with treason. He would join them if Eva got him to, just like Rose, the stylist for 9, convinced Alfie to meet with them despite the risks.

Aveline trusted Seeder and Chaff and the restrictions 11 had didn’t need much pushing to join them. They’d be the first to rebel just as they had done 67 years ago.

The time was coming, Tigris could feel it in her bones.

“How far does it go into your district?” Eva asks the blonde mentor who has yet to convince her to join her.

“Can’t tell until you give me your answer, Smith.” Lyme takes no shit from anyone, made her a force to be reckoned with. That combined with her training made her unmovable.

“Its not just me who dies if this fails, ma’am. I don’t follow blindly, I need to know everything and see if its worth the risk I’m taking.” Eva knows they need a better future with the games gone and Snow dead, but it’s too much of a risk.

They didn’t win the first time, what makes them think they can win on the second try?

“The dinner Mr. Shelby had you get Clemens to organize, it wasn’t just for gambling purposes. They’re all like us.” Lyme gives no hint at her patience wearing thin as she answers Eva’s questions.

“Cardew is Snow’s great-niece.” The dark haired victor points out.

“By marriage, no blood relation and whatever she’s seen behind closed doors was enough for her to join. Shelby is not like Luca, Tigris is his cousin and you don’t seem to have a problem with that.” The blonde points out.

Touché.

“Does Jack know?” Eva finally asks the question that’s burning in her mind since Lyme arrived.

“Not yet.” Maybe not ever, not if you aren’t there. Lyme doesn’t say it, but Eva can hear it just the same.

Jack may hate the games, but he has his family to think of. To join you must accept you and your family could die in the process and even that those deaths will be in vain.

The cemetery was full of brave and drunks, her grandma was fond of saying, said so when Alan volunteered in Gabriel’s place and the train took him to his death.

But Eva’s been dead since that train took her to the glittering slaughterhouse beyond the mountains, Eva’s cousins consider having children something unthinkable thanks to the games and Tigris did manage to have a winning strategy, as loath as she is to admit it.

“I agree to join you on one condition. You must bring Jack next time you visit.”

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peakyswritings · 2 days

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Omg thank you so much Alex! They’re so pretty!🤍🤍

hi, my love!! i'm sure you're totally strapped with requests (deserved as fuck!), so feel free to ignore this, but i wanted to request some hunger games dividers jic 💙 this mixture of imagery dividers and line based ones was so pretty, and i was thinking something similar with capitol and forest imagery could be cool? ...we're diving in peeta fic territory now, send help

zero pressure at all, appreciate you endlessly for all of the beautiful work you do!!

hi lovely bea!! I would be so thrilled to make something for you 💖 I am so happy you liked the style of those (thank you so much!! 🥹💕), and I tried to make similar ones ( + a few themed extras) for you! I really hope you like them!

[Free] Masterlist Headers & Dividers!

Please consider liking or reblogging if you use 💕

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peakyswritings · 2 days

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Alright I’m a bit late and I’m sorry!

First of all, I’m speechless. This chapter was a rollercoaster of emotions and I’m yet to recollect myself.

"They're gods and goddesses. They bet the death and they transformed themselves. They're not longer humans, Rosebeth, they're spiritual beings. And I'm not having sex with them, I'm giving them my soul."

Excuse me-

"It's a divine connection."

Do you know what would actually be a divine connection? The connection between my fist and your nose. Divine it would be.

I’m speechless. No, really, I have no words. He can’t possibly be serious. He needs an exorcism. The only good thing is that he’s not getting in Rose’s way.

That woman… she’s disgusting, and she talks like she’s proud of what she has done. Poor Alfie, he was just a kid. And it’s true, this whole thing seems like a cult. I would say that they’re out of their minds, but that would be too close to a justification.

The auction thing… it’s horrible. They’re selling human beings like horses. It’s so heartbreaking. I could feel Rose’s anxiety as Alfie’s turn approached. And Tommy… my heart aches. It’s understandable that Rose feels like she’s like them. But she isn’t like them, she’s not hurting anyone, she’s just doing something out of love.

The shift from Alfie’s love for winter as a child to his trauma regarding it now broke my heart. He’s suffering so much…

The latest winner being divided between four men made me feel sick. Poor girl. And it’s true that the true winners are not the victors, but all those who contribute to this hell and benefit from it.

Snow’s intentions made my blood freeze. He’s so fucking vicious. He understood that contributing to something like this by giving money would break Rose, but that at the same time she loves Alfie so much that she’d be ready to do anything for him, and he played on it. God, I hate him.

But now let’s talk about the one light in all this darkness - their private marriage. My heart is melting, it’s bittersweet, but beautiful in its own way. Rose and Alfie truly belong to each other. Flor, you never fail to transport us into their little bubble and make us see how deep their love is, in every universe. It’s amazing.

Wonderful, wonderful chapter🤍

Against all odds (Alfie Solomons x fem!oc) Part 5

Crossover Peaky Blinders - Hunger Games

Masterlist. Parts: One - Two - Three - Four

Summary: Seven months before the 65th games, Rose discovers the other side of the Games. A dark, corrupt and disgusting world. And yet, wherever she likes it or not, she's part of it because Snow wanted that. Because he's still in charge. || In his house back in district 9, Alfie thinks about the past and future. || Five years pass. Next stop the 71th Games, but before that something happens between him and her.

Warnings: Mentions of pedophilia, rape, sexual trafficking. A corrupted upper class. Snow is dick, but a very smart and manipulative one.

Words: 3.4k || Alfie x Rose Masterlist

The Capitol.

Rose looked at herself in the mirror. The beautiful green dress she was wearing was definitely a good choice for her first attendance at Snow's mansion. It was winter now, so she completed her attire with an expensive coat.

Last victor, the girl from district 2, was about to start her tour across Panem and in the Capitol the celebrations were about to start as well.

"You shouldn't go," Lawrence said entering the bedroom.

"I will. He's expecting me. Do you want to upset our president? Because I don't."

"No, of course not."

"Then move on."

"Rosebeth, I… I need to tell you something about those gatherings. There I -…"

"I know, Lawrence. You pay for having sex with victors. We haven't had sex in years, I assumed you were calming your urges somewhere else. Snow confirmed it to me."

"You're not upset." Lawrence seemed surprised.

"No. I feel nauseous looking at you. They're kids."

"Through your cock?"

"It's a divine connection."

Rose wanted to puke. Her husband was always an idiot but hearing him now, it seemed he joined a cult that was making them believe those ridiculous ideas.

"I understand," she said covering herself with her coat "I'm going to do the same."

"Are you going to join us?"

God. The idea of her doing the same as him, made her feel sick, but looking at the situation from other perspective, she was doing exactly the same as him: she was paying for the company of a victor. Even if that victor was the love of her life. Rose didn't want to think about it, she didn't want to be part of it… but for Alfie, she was ready to do anything.

"Yes."

"Oh, Rosebeth! I never told you because I thought you'll be disgusted. But if you're one of us now…"

Rose understood that same moment that Lawrence Evert was a rich powerful man living in a parallel reality. He truly believed he wasn't raping minors, but giving them his soul. And that was dangerous. How many of them believed the same? Who was the one who started this cult? Because that was a cult. They grew up believing that was a normal behaviour and even if they knew it was wrong they were willing to keep doing the same.

"Yeah… I guess, so," it was the only thing she said.

She couldn't wait to tell Alfie about this new revelation.

"You can use as many money as you want, Rosebeth. For the victors we have to do anything."

She nodded. The whole situation, even for the persona she created, it was too much.

Men and women from the upper class were there. Rose knew some of them but others were the first time she saw them. They were talking and giggling, the canapes over the table were disappearing and new ones were arriving. The little glasses containing the beverage that provoked vomiting were all over the place, too. In a month, several of them will be there again for the arrival of the girl of district 2, this time as a victor. And today Rose was going to witness those who were ready to spend a night with her.

"You're doing this for you and Alfie," she repeated to herself once and once again.

Rose was staring out through one of the windows. The green gardens that Snow had were beautiful and the infinite white roses were illuminated by the moon. It was a beautiful garden in the domains of an awful person.

"You're new," an old woman that Rose didn't know, approached her. She was at least 65 years old, maybe more. Her makeup was extravagant and clearly she had several aesthetic surgeries.

"I am."

"Don't be nervous, Darling. We don't judge here. Did you see the catalogue? You can see their prices."

"No? I didn't know there was a catalogue" Rose said.

The old woman offered her something similar to a magazine with the Capitol's logo in the front page. When Rose opened it she saw in the first page the face of the last winner.

"The older they are, the cheaper they're, too" the woman said as Rose was examining the rest of the pictures "people here desire the youngest ones. Not all of them are lucky and not all the youngest are desirable."

Rose forced herself to smile "I prefer those who are a bit older than 18," she said.

"I used to have the same thoughts, sweetheart. But one day I decided to try something new and I never regret it! It was long time ago. But never until recent times, I could be with the lastest victor."

"That probably was… memorable."

"It really was!" The woman said and it sounded like she was proud if herself "young men can be really passionate."

'Kids' wanted to correct Rose, but she kept staring at the woman.

"…it was 11 years ago. The one who won the 53th edition: Alfie. Do you know him?"

Rose's heart stopped beating in that moment. Her hands held the catalogue with such strength that wrinkled one page but the woman didn't notice her reaction.

So that woman was his rapist. That fucker old woman who was talking to her like a friend. She didn't know the trauma she caused in Alfie, she didn't know about his nightmares, his distrust on people. One night Alfie confessed to her that it was her, Rose, the one who helped him to cope with his fears. Behind the mask of rude man, was a broken person. And that old woman there caused several damage on him.

"He's still young," the woman continued "he's not even 30 yet. But I'm not into it anymore. Yet , I love to come here and see my friends. And it's good to see new blood like yours following our steps."

Rose didn't answered. She excused herself and ran towards the bathroom. She closed the door behind her and finally all her sickness got out of her body. Kneeling in front of the toilet she was still trying to catch her breath. She was crying. Rose didn't know who were the kids that Lawrence touched, she didn't want to know but the revelation this woman gave to her, it was too much.

She was the one who hurt the man she loved. Her Alfie. Rose wanted to kill her for him. For what Alfie suffered. But his voice was in her head.

"Let it go, luv."

Rose got out, fixed her dress and hair and walked where the rest were.

They were already reunited at the main table waiting for the dinner. The seat in the head of the table was empty, waiting for the host. Snow wasn't there and probably it was the reason of why they weren't eating yet. Rose sat down next to her husband who was talking and laughing with a man around his age.

Snow appeared not long after she did and all of them stood up and clapped. Snow was smiling and he gave a brief speech for them. All the guests paid attention to him.

"May the odds be ever in your favour," he finished.

"May the odds be ever in your favour!" the rest, including Rose, replied. They raised their glasses and cheered.

The dinner was delicious. Lamb and several salads were served, along with fresh bread. Even when she wasn't hungry, she ate anyway.

Rose also could swear that Snow looked at her more than once, but she pretended to talk with another woman.

It was late at night when the dinner was over, including the desserts. Except Snow who disappeared, they all walked into a different room and Rose saw it was like a little theatre. A young woman gave her something similar to a remote control with a number on it. Hers was the 44. Rose imagined it was for a register.

The anthem of Panem was sounding in the background and it was a flag on the stage, next to a tall man.

Darius Armstrong was a man in his forties. He had a long blond braided hair and was wearing a white suit. Darius Armstrong was the auctioneer, he already had the hammer in his hand and was waiting the moment to start his job.

This time, Rose avoided her husband and most of all, she avoided Alfie's rapist. Part of her mind was still telling her that she was doing the same as the old woman even when it wasn't true. She choose a distant seat and waited.

"Welcome!!" Exclaimed Darius capturing the attention of those who were still talking. "A new year together. I'm full of happiness, aren't you? Once again our beloved president gave us a marvellous dinner and also offered us this place where we can see our incredible victors once again. And if we're lucky, we can join them in their greatness."

Except Rose, all of them cheered excitingly and started to clap.

"Do you want to start?" he asked and once again, the public shouted enthusiastically.

A 3D projection appeared on the stage. It was so realistic that for a moment Rose believed it was a real victor. It showed an old man from district 1, winner of the 9th Hunger games. His price started on 20 dollars. Of course no one wanted him.

Rose understood that it was their obligation to show all of the victors including those who weren't desirable. It was an actual auction… but with human beings.

"Renata Farrell!" exclaimed Darius several minutes later "our victor from district 8, 40th Hunger Games. Her initial price is ten thousand dollars."

The price difference between this woman and the poor old man was abysmal and they weren't even close to the newers victors. Fortunately for Renata, no one paid for her either.

From where she was sitting, she could see her husband talking with other two men. One of them said something that caused some smiles between them.

Alfie's turn was closer than ever before. By the time Darius announced the man who won the 50th games, her heart was beating that fast that she felt she was about to have a stroke. Then it was the turn from the women winning the 51th and 52th. A man offered fifty thousand dollars for the last one.

"The night had officially started!" Darius commented smiling after the first offer of the night "now we have our 53th victor, Alfred Solomons from District 9. His initial price is sixty thousand dollars."

There he was in front of her. Again, the projection was so real that Rose believed she could cross the hallway and could hug him. His grumpy expression, his beard. It was him but at the same time, he wasn't. Rose pressed the button.

"A new offer!!" Darius pointed with his hammer towards Rose "how much are you offering?"

"Seventy thousand."

"Seventy for him! Who offers eighty? Eighty thousand anyone? No? Seventy thousand… 1. 2. 3. "Alfred Solomons, sold to our highest bidder. You can gave us the money once this auction is over," Darius commented.

Sold. He said sold. Like a piece of furniture, like an object. Rose avoided to look at anyone. Everything it felt like she was doing something illegal.

Rose never talked to him, but the next one after Alfie was Thomas Shelby. Sixty-five thousand dollars was his initial price. And people seemed to be willing to pay for him, despite he wasn't one of the lastest winners anymore. The highest bidder paid a hundred thousand dollars for him. It was one of Evert's friends. Rose didn't want to think what kind of perverse mind he had. She couldn't help but feel sorry for the young man.

Back in district 9 Alfie Solomons was contemplating the night. It was cold and it was clear that winter was almost there.

He used to enjoy the winter. When he was a boy he used to play with other kids in the snow until his nose was red. His childhood wasn't that memorable but being an only child it helped to keep the things easy for his mother. He was feed every night and every night too she tucked him in bed. When he was 12, his name was only once in the bowl, he hadn't need to ask for any tessarae. Same as he was 13 and 14. But that was the last year of peace. His mother got sick so she couldn't work anymore. Alfie spent his days studying but also working in the wheat fields but it wasn't enough so he started to ask for food and also medicine. The boy who only had three papers in the bowl suddenly had 30. And it was 55 the next one. And it was over 80 when he was 17 and finally was reaped.

That was also the last year he enjoyed the winter. The Arena, the frozen forest, caused such trauma on him that he couldn't bear it anymore. The snow was synonymous with dead. Instead of the pristine white surface, he always saw snow covered in blood. And it was usually the blood of his victims. Seven deaths and one was so severely wounded by him that it could be eight but the Gamemakers blamed that death to the hypothermia. Alfie knew it wasn't the weather. But, officially were seven.

And eleven years later that didn't change. Alfie dreamed of a different place, maybe next to the sea. But that was an impossible dream. He was used to district 9, it was his home but… Alfie sighed and approached his chimney. He was lucky not many people had one and not many people could afford to buy logs for the fire.

Or maybe keep living in district 9, he thought drinking tea, but with Rose.

Over the table was the ridiculous toy she gave him months ago. Wheaty. Its goggly eyes seemed to be looking at him its blue hair reminding him to the blue dresses he saw her wearing in different occasions.

In a couple of weeks they're going to be reunited again. Not the best circumstances. She was paying for him after all, but it was a legal way to see each other more often.

And he couldn't complain about that.

Maybe her company could make the winter more bearable.

The girl from district 2, the lastest winner, was beautiful. Her dark brown hair falling over her shoulders and her blue eyes seemed to bright with mischievous.

The same girl who won the games by killing 3 other kids, including the one from her own district.

The last victor of the night. Her initial price was 250 thousand dollars. But they paid for her 800 thousand. Divided in four men. One of them was Lawrence Evert.

"They're Gods and Goddesses"

Rose remembered Lawrence's words and felt sick again. He was now 48 years old, the girl was 17. And Rose couldn't do anything to help her. Same she couldn't do anything to help Tommy Shelby or the victor from the previous year, or any other apart from Alfie. It was that impossibility of helping them from being raped that was destroying her mind. She and Alfie were about to be happy together, to enjoy the mutual company and the love they had for each other. But for the rest of the victors that was the beginning of a new nightmare.

No one deserved that. No one deserved to be used by other people.

The stage was empty now. Someone turned the lights on and she could see the rest of them. They were smiling, patting each other shoulders. Of course they were. The upper class were celebrating a new year as the real winners of the Hunger Games.

Lawrence, his friends, the old woman who paid for Alfie when he was a kid, the one who bought Tommy's freedom… those were the real winners of the games. Not the victors. And how Rose could feel different from them when she was doing the same?

Far away in district 8 once existed a girl who believed that the games were a fucked up form of entertainment. Now existed a woman who believed the same but realising that even when Snow was the head of Panem, the rest of them every single one present there, were the engine who helped the killing machine keep going.

Including her.

Her seventy thousand dollars probably were going to help to install a trap who could help to kill a tribute or two.

While she was going to be making love with Alfie, her money was going to be part of new crime disguise as show. A mother was going to grieve her child because of Rose.

And the saddest part of it was that if someone asked her if she wanted to pay another seventy thousand dollars to enjoy Alfie's company twice a month the answer was going to be affirmative.

Because it happened. When she approached a desk and officially paid for Alfie, the man behind the desk, offered her the option to spend even more time with him. And she accepted.

A kiss, a hug, his comfort… in exchange for a new murder next year.

Snow, not far away from there, looked at her. Of course he could see beyond the obvious. He wasn't stupid. That young woman never liked him as she tried to pretend. She wasn't like her brainless husband. There was a rebellious spark in her eyes. And Snow hated rebels.

But he didn't want to kill her like he did with Lucretia Gold, wife of Aberama Gold, years ago. Snow wanted to destroy her soul and rebel spirit. The best way he found was offering her the only thing that Mrs. Evert couldn't reject: true love. Alfred Solomons was the only valuable thing she had and Coriolanus Snow knew a thing or two about true love. And again, he was right.

The rebel spirit of Mrs. Evert corrupted by his own system. Snow knew that paying for Solomons and seeing what her husband and the rest of them were doing with the victors was too much for someone like her. And breaking people made him happy.

Snow won once again.

A month later, a peacekeeper knocked on a distant house. Rose had rented a house in a small private village of the Capitol. Surrounded by gardens and trees. Colourful flowers genetically modified to survive the cruelest winter decorated its surroundings. The peacekeeper arrived with Alfie who was handcuffed, probably to prevent a escape.

"That's not necessary," she said to the man.

"It's the protocol, ma'am," the guard said, finally freeing Alfie. "I'll be back Monday morning."

"Okay," she said letting Alfie in and closing the door on the other man's nose.

Alone, both of them looked at each other for a few seconds before kissing.

Six months without seeing each other. Less than the previous years and yet the longing was the same.

While they were already in bed, naked and moaning, the gamemakers were designing the new arena. A salt desert this time, dry and deathly. Her money helped them to make a suffocating pit. In six months, when a new edition start, she was going to see the girl from district 6 and the boys from 12 and 11 die there.

All in name of love.

And the years that followed this one, little and nothing changed. Rose kept paying for him and Alfie was 'forced' to go to the Capitol every time. Every year that passed, his price decreased. New and younger victors were occupying his place. But not for Rose.

The games only showed them that keeping his kids alive was impossible. No one survived.

The only thing changed was that their love increased.

It happened after the 70th games. They were alone when Alfie did the question and she laughed not believing him. But Alfie wasn't joking. Ten years ago they've met for the first time. Both were 33 now.

"It's symbolic, private and not legal at all but I love you, sweetheart."

And she nodded. Symbolic or not, she belonged to Alfie in a way she never belonged to Lawrence.

For the rest of humanity, she was Mrs. Evert… for the two of them, she was Mrs. Solomons.

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