#Everlark Ficlet | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

mega-aulover · 1 year

Text

A S. W. A. N. Story

This is for the wonderful @alwayseverlark who is always finding ways for this fandom to unite. I am grateful for your friendship and for your encouragement. Thank you for all that you do!

Special thanks to @lemonluvgirl87 for betaing :)

T rating for some bullying family disputes - family drama-meet cute - elitism - A modern AU of an Everlarked Cinderella....but with out the whole shoe thing.

Summary: Katniss Everdeen is a smart girl. Brilliant, actually. She has more degrees than she has fingers on one hand. But she has never felt beautiful or interesting. When she is asked to be Madge's maid of honor Katniss has serious doubts she'll fit in with her childhood glamorous friend. Will she survive the wedding and find love? Or will she be a total embarrassment.

Katniss sighed as she looked at her image in the mirror. At 24 she wasn't the typical girl in her mid-twenties. For one, she had a masters in the field of botany and another in Environmental Biology, with two minors- one in Paleontology and another in Genetics. She had several papers published in prestigious medical and scientific papers and was one month away from getting her doctoral thesis reviewed.

Though none of her academic success wouldn't have happened had it not been for Mrs. Swanson. At the age of eleven Mrs. Swanson saw that Katniss wasn't interested in what was being taught. Her teacher suggested Katniss take an aptitude test to see if she had any learning difficulties. Her scores for the test showed that Katniss did not have learning difficulties, she was in fact a smart brilliant child.

Katniss was next given the national IQ test to see her acumen. Mrs. Sawanon believed Katniss was smart. Her high scores were surprising. As a result she was skipped from the sixth grade to high school. Katniss qualified to be instantly enrolled to the University of Panem on a scholarship when she turned sixteen.

Because of her genius, Katniss often found it difficult to interact with people. Unless she was truly comfortable, she didn't talk, and she often felt left out in social situations.

The weekend wedding, she was going to be part of, scared the living daylights out of her. It's why it was important this weekend, everything went smoothly.

Critically she examined herself in the mirror. She wore comfortable green cargo pants with the hems rolled up because she was short. Her white t-shirt was clean, her sneakers were new. Katniss slipped on a loose heather gray knit sweater as they were going to take a flight and planes were often cold.

Katniss grimaced at her reflection one more time giving herself a pep talk. "You're going to be alright, Everdeen. If it gets too much you can always take a walk."

Walking helped center her and it would also help her not stuff her face. Food was her drug of choice, when things became bad.

Katniss still had about ten pounds to lose. She'd gained a lot of weight during her undergraduate years. The University of Panem, located in the heart of the Capitol of Panem, was surrounded by an urban concrete jungle and she didn't have the ability to hunt or hike.

During that time Katniss learned she needed the outdoors to help her cope with the stressors of life. The gym wasn't something that motivated her and so she gained a lot of weight on her petite frame.

"Don't forget to pack your contacts," Prim yelled from the guest bedroom. "Madge does not want you to wear your glasses!"

Katniss rolled her eyes pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. Her contacts were packed, as Madge dictated. Anyone who was considered a plane Jane knew that removing their eyeglasses didn't turn them into automatic beautiful swans. She wasn't pretty, she was dull and uninspiring. No one would ever wax poetically about her physical appearance. Though, with a bow and an arrow in her hands, Katniss transformed into something powerful and unstoppable.

She sighed, "Too bad there isn't going to be an archery contest this weekend."

Katniss turned around and walked into her bedroom. She lived alone in the Capitol these past two years. Her sister traveled from the university she attended in District One so that they could travel together to the wedding destination. Katniss hoped that this weekend things would change for her and Prim. She wanted them to somehow grow closer. This wedding could be the jumping point for new horizons. Things had been rough between Prim and Katniss. Katniss hoped being accepted by Madge and her sister's friends, maybe just maybe Prim would see she was worthy.

Katniss sat on the bed briefly and picked up the framed photo of her parents. It was one of the few mementos she had of her fathers. Her father, the late great Jackson Everdeen was a well-respected archaeologist, and he took them on adventures all over the world. He wore a hat and leather jacket like Indiana Jones.

Then he became ill.

When he died, Katniss's entire world turned upside down.

Turning sixteen and losing her father while finishing her last year of school was not easy. Her mother became depressed, and the bills piled up. It was up to her to take the mantle of adulthood. Katniss learned how to budget for money. She sold things on Craig's list to make ends meet. While most girls her age were at the beach, she was preparing dinner and lunches for the week, mowing neighbor's lawns for extra cash, and buying groceries. With the help of a friend of the family, Katniss convinced her mother to get help. Her mother slowly came back but she was never the same.

By the time August came around, Katniss was considering not entering University. Things were just starting to turn around, and her mother's mental health was important. But her mother pushed her to leave. Katniss suspected her mother was relieved when she left to study at the Capitol. Her mother never cried when Katniss left. There wasn't pride that her eldest was going to university. There was a feverish desire to get rid of her.

Katniss supposed that she was a living reminder of her father Jack, and her mother hurt to see her. It was this discovery that caused her to leave her home.

While her mother recovered and blossomed; for Katniss, living in the Capitol was hard. It was a stressful transition from the gentle rolling hills and mountains of her home district to the frenetic energy of a city full of towering buildings made up of glass, steel, and concrete. The only green to be found was in the clothing people wore.

Katniss threw herself into studying and working to maintain herself while in the Capitol. She made sure to put aside any extra money for her sister. Katniss saved a nest egg to fund Prim's education.

"Is that what you're wearing?" Prim asked, frowning. She placed her hand on her hip. Prim was clad in a short bubbly-pink slip dress, and mile high heels.

"It's freezing outside."

"But we're going to a tropical island."

"We're going to be in the air for nearly five hours. And we'll land at like five in the morning. I want to be comfortable."

"You'll look like one of the servants."

Katniss looked down at her outfit and sighed. She wondered where her sweet little sister had gone. When she graduated and came home Prim was all grown up. Her sister had transformed into a great beauty just like their mother. "But I'm comfy…"

"It's horrible," Prim said, her fist curling. "You've got to change, or at least take your hair out of that stupid childish braid."

"There isn't time."

"Just don't embarrass me," Prim huffed.

Katniss looked down at the picture in her hand. "I'll stay out of your way, don't worry."

Prim stomped away. Katniss could hear her sister say, "I don't know why Madge made you a bridesmaid."

Katniss expelled a deep breath before putting her picture back on her bedside table.

Madge had asked both Prim and Katniss to be in her bridal party. Katniss was surprised. She and the Mayor's daughter sat together during lunch back in high school, they didn't talk but they were friendly. Katniss was flattered until she met the other bridesmaids. All of the bridesmaids including her baby sister were tall slender modelesque blondes, with fair complexions and pale blue eyes. In contrast Katniss was short, with dark hair, gray eyes, and olive skin complexion.

Once again, she felt as if she didn't belong. The first time she'd felt this way was the spring she'd graduated from her undergraduate program and returned home for one summer.

Prim and her mother were a team, Prim inherited her mother's looks and bubbly personality. Katniss looked like their father and had his fire and frightening intelligence. Her mother refused to engage with Katniss. Instead, their mother focused on Prim. She showered her baby sister with everything, while Katniss was pushed to the side.

Katniss was a fish looking out of the fishbowl not being able to participate in the life her mother and sister had outside of the bowl.

"Come on Catnip," Prim sang, knowing Katniss hated that nickname. Prim bounded out of the house. "The car is here!"

"I'm coming," Katniss muttered, she loathed being called catnip.

"HURRY!" Prim bellowed from the car.

"Okay, okay," Katniss said. It was so cold outside her breath came out in puffy white clouds. Locking up the door she ran to the car and got in. The warmth stung her cold cheeks.

"I can't wait to get glammed up," Prim said as she put her seat belt on.

The car pulled out of Katniss's driveway.

Katniss smiled thinly, wanting the three-day weekend to go well, as she had hoped.

"I can't believe Madge is getting married tomorrow night," Prim said as she hummed along to the bubbly song. "She was so welcoming to me when I was pledging to her sorority. Took me under her wing, and so did Glimmer and Cashmere who are cousins. I can't wait to see them."

"I'm glad you've made great friends," Katniss quietly said.

"I know you don't care but I can't wait to get into my dress," Prim squealed.

Katniss said nothing, as the car slipped into the highway.

"Madge said that Cinna was hand-making the dresses, it's why he sent his assistants to take the measurements," Prim chirped happily.

Katniss frowned. No assistant came to take her measurements. As per the instructions she received via email she was to take her own measurements and send them to the provided address. She'd made sure that followed all the directions to the letter, she didn't want to make anyone upset with her.

"Can you imagine, me, putting on a couture gown that's worth ten thousand coins?" Prim smiled, her eyes were bright with happiness.

Katniss didn't say anything. She settled back in her seat and tried to relax letting what Prim said go over her head.

When they pulled up to the private airport that was going to take them to the wedding destination.

Katniss's smile faltered as they got out and saw the other women who were giants, one was named Glimmer, and the other Cashmere. These women were always frosty to Katniss, but for the sake of her sister Katniss squared her shoulders and plastered a smile on her face.

Prim squealed when she saw them.

"Have you met any of the groomsmen?" Cashmere asked.

"No, I haven't met any of them," Prim said.

"They're gorgeous," Glimmer said.

No one had met their partner; Madge had gotten engaged less than two months ago. It was a whirlwind romance that led to a quickly planned wedding.

Katniss tried to keep her calm when she was left behind to take care of the luggage. All three women were talking at the same time. Their voices were a cacophony of vain prattle. On the plane, Katniss sat by herself as it took off. Five hours later they landed at the exclusive island Madge was going to get married at.

A car drove them to the house, and Katniss's jaw dropped. The white house was enormous, and it was set amongst lush landscapes. The air smelled sweet with tropical fauna. The botanist in Katniss wanted to investigate what flowers produced such a sweet scent. The elegant front porch with its roof supported by four tall columns was welcoming. The elaborate doorway was made from a native rich wood. The elegant large windows had shutters, which were merely decorative.

There was a woman waiting for them with three frosty fruity drinks.

Katniss was about to reach for one when Glimmer shoved her to the side.

"Oh, my goodness these are delicious," Glimmer said.

"I know," Prim squealed. "I'm legal here I can drink!"

"I really need to relax. I've been so stressed," Cashmere said giggling.

Katniss watched her sister giggle and nod.

Madge came out and she grinned when she saw them. "Hi, I'm glad you're here. We've got to get you guys ready for tonight. Cinna is here with his team. The guys are getting ready as we speak. Helene will take you to Cinna's prep team," Madge said.

Katniss was going to follow when Madge pulled her back.

"Katniss, thank goodness you're here, I need you to help with the flower arrangements, they're a nightmare."

Katniss smiled. "Sure."

While the others were whisked away for mani-pedis, and facials Katniss was put to work. Even though she didn't know much about bridal floral arrangements, Madge was right, the arrangements were a hot mess. Using her phone she looked up wild plants. Katniss found a few species of plants outside that could be used to better the decorations.

When she was finished with her first task, a message was sent down from Madge. Katniss was to assist the staff set up the reception, next she was told she was to help set up the cocktail hour, she was made to help while everyone was getting ready. That is how she found herself hauling chairs down to the patio.

As she was tying the decorations on the chairs that lined the wedding aisle, she heard the distinctive voices of men. She looked up to see four men dressed in tuxedos standing by the backyard entrance of the house.

One was tall with a slight build with sandy brown hair, another had thick meaty fingers, and there was another that was bronzed with green eyes. They were all handsome, but in her opinion, it was the last guy that was the best-looking one.

He had warm blue eyes and was athletic like the other guys, but his movements were graceful. There was something about him that caused her to want to give him a flirty smile. And Katniss did not flirt.

"Hey, Marvel, maybe she can get us some drinks," the one with the meaty fingers said as he pointed to Katniss.

"Cato, I don't think she'd know, she looks like she's here with the vendors," Marvel said.

"I don't think Madge would like for us to get drunk, until after we have taken the pictures," the one with the warm blue eyes said.

"Peeta's right, Madge would have our arse if we looked drunk in those pictures," the bronzed one said.

"Come on, live a little, Finnick," Cato said. Turning to Katniss the one called Cato said, "You wouldn't happen to know where the drinks are would you?"

Katniss shook her head, she was a bundle of nerves, and she couldn't answer their simple question. She brushed by them entering the house, hoping she wouldn't have to speak to them. She took her sweater and tied it around her middle. Her hair was piled up into a messy bun. She was sweaty and tired, and she still needed to take a shower and put on the dress she was sure would not fit her.

Katniss felt like she always looked like a frumpy potato sack, even when she tried her best. To her embarrassment her cousin Gale had taken her to her winter formal dance when she was sixteen. It was her father's last wish. The dress her mother had secured her was a tiered silky pink ruffled dress with high lace collar and long sleeves that were also ruffled. It was one size too big, and the color was supposed to be pink but in the pictures, it looked brown.

"Are you sure you don't know where the drinks are?" Cato pulled out a stack of coins and asked, "I can make it worth your while?"

Katniss took a step back not knowing how to make these men know that she had no idea where they would keep the alcohol.

"See I told you she wouldn't know," Marvel said.

These were the times Katniss wished she had her bow and arrow. These entitled pricks always thought they had the right to objectify women and treat them like crap.

"Leave her alone Cato," Peeta said. "Look she's just trying to earn a living okay? Just leave her alone."

"Peeta's right," Finnick said.

"She probably doesn't speak English." Marvel then proceeded to shout, "HABLA ENGLISH! ENGLISH!"

"Come on, we're wasting our time," Cato said. "We better get back."

Katniss was glad they were leaving, Marvel and Cato were idiots. Money did not buy people class.

Peeta stayed behind, as he watched the guys move on to the other side of the room. They cornered one of the waiters. Peeta turned to Katniss, "I'm sorry about them. They're not even my friends. You did a great job."

"It's okay really," she said.

"They're real jerks. I guess that makes me a jerk too, but I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to deal with guys like me, like us." He slipped his hand in his pocket and he looked full of energy as if uncomfortable.

"Thank you," Katniss said. She smiled politely. He was a nice guy and she wished that someone like him would one day pay attention to her. She knew that it was useless to want something like this. A gorgeous guy like him would never really pay attention to someone like her. She was the help in his eyes.

"So what…"

"There you are," Prim said, looking resplendent in a floor-length chiffon gown with open crisscross back and sweetheart neckline with spaghetti straps in a lovely peach shade. "Why aren't you dressed!"

Katniss was about to respond.

"Prim," Cato exclaimed.

"Cato, I didn't know you'd be one of the groomsmen," Prim said breathily.

Katniss rolled her eyes when she realized this was the guy Prim had saved in her phone contacts as Steak. She hung back.

"So…" Peeta said. "Do you work here or are you with the rental companies?"

Katniss cleared her throat, took a deep breath, and said, "No."

"Will you be at the wedding?"

Katniss nodded, her heart racing in her chest.

He smiled at her and Katniss swore time slowed down, like in the movies.

"Do you think you'll save a dance for me?"

Dumbfounded, Katniss stared into his eyes. She saw that he was a gentle soul. Katniss felt her cheeks heat up. He wanted to dance with her and that itself was a miracle. She gave him a crooked smile, unsure what to say. It figured she'd finally meet a guy when she looked and smelled her worst. He was in a tux, looking like a gift from the gods.

Before she could answer, her sister's head snapped to Katniss. She gave her a venomous look.

"So, I'll see you later?" Cato asked Prim.

Katniss glanced to her side wondering what she had done wrong.

Her sister giggled, before purring, "I've got to go, but I'll see you later." Her sister wrapped her hand around Katniss's arm and then dragged her away.

"Prim, would you mind slowing down," Katniss said as she was dragged to a corner. Katniss could see the guys from where she stood hidden in the shadows.

"You're not supposed to speak to anyone," her sister hissed.

What her sister said didn't make sense."Prim, I was…"

Prim pushed her away and pointed at her chest."Where have you been?"

Her tone denoted more of a demand than a question. "I've been working, while you and the rest of the girls were getting dressed."

"Madge…"

"Madge was the one who sent me down there to work."

"Madge would never do that," Prim huffed.

"You know I don't lie Prim."

"I don't believe you."

"When have I ever lied to you, Primrose? Besides, didn't you notice I wasn't there with you guys?"

"You know what, it doesn't matter. What does matter is the photographer is here to take pictures and here you are ruining Madge's day."

"I was only doing what she asked me to do." Katniss wished her sister would believe her. "Prim…"

"Instead of arguing you should be worried about getting ready. Though I doubt there is anything Cinna and his team can do to make you look better."

Katniss ignored her sister's insult, having an argument would be counterproductive. Her shoulders slumped, as she took a deep sigh. "Just point me to my room so that I can take a shower."

"Fine," Prim huffed.

Katniss followed Prim down a flight of stairs down a long corridor to a room far away from the rest of the guest's rooms. In fact, it wasn't even in the same wing. "Madge didn't want you disturbing everyone's fun this weekend," Prim smirked.

The room was smaller than her college dorm room. But at least it offered privacy. "Where is the bathroom?"

"It's in the hallway." Prim crossed her arms. "You'll be sharing it with the staff."

"Okay," Katniss said. It didn't matter; she was only going to be here a few days. "I can be ready in ten, fifteen max."

"You only have five minutes."

"Okay." Katniss was trying not to get annoyed by her sisters' curt responses. She opened her suitcase and took out her shower kit.

"Don't get upset. It's not my fault you don't have time, because you were wasting time downstairs."

"Prim I wasn't wasting time-"

"You know, Madge didn't even want you to be part of her bridal party. She knew you were going to do something to ruin her day. And she was right."

"Then why am I here?" Katniss asked, shocked and dismayed by her sister's vitriol. Her eyes watered up, but she tempered down her sadness.

"The only reason you're here is because Madge's father was a friend of his…"

"You mean our father, Prim, Jackson Everdeen."

At the mention of their father's name Prim's face became stormy.

That summer Katniss lived at home; Prim never mentioned their father. There were no pictures of their father in the house. In fact, Katniss noticed their mother had taken down any pictures of Katniss as well. Any time Katniss brought up their father, Prim became upset. Katniss tried to broach the subject with their mother, but their mother shut her down.

With rage Prim ground out, "He abandoned us."

"He was sick, Prim, for a long time. He fought to get better to stay alive. I don't know what lie you've told yourself but our father didn't want to die…he loved us."

"He wasn't even a father to me."

Katniss was going to respond but Madge and Glimmer came into the room. Madge was wearing a white robe with the word bride in pink crystals, and she also had a pink sash that said the same thing. Glimmer wore the same dress Prim was wearing except she wasn't wearing heels she was wearing fuzzy slippers. It was such a silly thing for Katniss to notice as she looked into Glimmer's steely eyes.

"Prim," Madge said, looking at Primrose with kindness. Her frosty eyes flickered to Katniss momentarily. "I came to get you. I'm about to put my dress on and I wanted you to be in the picture..." Madge said with compassion, "Primypooh, Are you okay?"

Prim stood there; her face twisted in anger. "No, I'm not! She always does this…like a dog with a bone."

Madge turned to Katniss and then spat, "I don't know why my father idolizes you. You're a freak of nature, you smell like dead things, you're fat, and you're not even that pretty."

Katniss opened her mouth and shut it. She turned to her sister, silently pleading for some sort of benevolence.

She didn't understand why her sister was so mean and caustic with her.

"That man messed up my mother. Fucked her up in the head! He was selfish. He filled mother's head with the life they would have. But in the end, all she did was suffer. Our mother could have married into a reputable family. A family with means, a name, like the Mellarks or the Johnstons. Mother had her choice of men to choose from, but she made one mistake. She got knocked up with her…" Prim pointed at Katniss. "She's just like him, ugly as fuck, and always ruining things!" Prim sneered at her with so much malice, Katniss was taken aback. "My mother regretted her life with that man. Regretted having you. She said she should've gotten rid of you when she had the chance!"

Katniss stood there numb. It was like being pelted in the face with a frozen snowball multiple times.

"I told you that she's a disaster," Glimmer said.

"Ladies," a gentle voice called from the doorway.

Katniss balled her hands trying to displace her pain and hurt into that part of her body so that they wouldn't be witnesses to her tears. Part of her acknowledged she should have stayed home, said no to Madge, and made an excuse. However, the drive to fix her relationship with her sister prompted her to say yes and come.

"Oh, Cinna!" Madge's tone of voice changed, and in an instant, the countenance of all three blondes changed from irate, to ambassadors of light and happiness. "What are you doing here?'

"I'm here to get Miss Everdeen ready," Cinna said calmly.

There was a woman with him, she had aqua-spiked hair and gold tattoos above her eyebrows. Her face did not belay the tension that had to be swirling in the room.

"I'm assuming you're Katniss?" Cinna asked.

Katniss nodded, she didn't expect Cinna to be so young for a man who'd already made a huge mark in the fashion industry. Even though she wasn't a fashionista, Katniss was aware of who Cinna was. He dressed one of her colleagues when their suit was ruined. Unlike the woman who stood next to him the only decoration he had was a thin gold line over his eyelids. He was dressed in an elegant black dress shirt with gold-colored buttons and crisply pleated pants. He glanced at Katniss and his smile was gentle, and his eyes were reassuring.

"Venia, tell the others to get everything ready," Cinna said.

Venia nodded.

"There's no need…I'm afraid plans have changed." Madge smiled thinly, but Venia didn't listen to Madge, she left.

"Oh," Cinna breathed out.

"I just don't have time for…besides you've dressed my cousin who I sent you the measurements for, she looks amazing in the dress. Plus, I'm sure, you don't have anything that will fit her."

"You know, your father was the one who made the request," Cinna said. "Mayor Undersea told me, it was important to him that Jack Everdeen's eldest be present in the wedding because he saved his life."

"My father?" Madge said.

"He did?" Prim questioned harshly.

Katniss had no idea, but it was a balsam to hear that her father was a good kind man, and not the monster Primrose painted him to be to Madge and the rest of the entourage.

"Yes," Cinna said, "He and your mother were excited that Miss Everdeen was the maid of honor."

"He did," Madge squeaked out.

"So, if you do not mind, I have to make sure your father's wishes are taken care of."

"I…" Madge stammered.

Cinna smiled.

"But she has no dress!"

"Do not worry, I will make sure your pictures are wonderful. Also, Caesar Flickerman is here."

"Caesar Flickerman!" Madge squealed.

"Upon my invitation, he came to interview you and your family," Cinna said charmingly. "Your wedding is the event of the season. You are, after all, marrying a Highbottom."

"OMG, Caesar Flickerman," Glimmer exclaimed. "My mother loves him!"

Katniss wasn't sure what was going on.

"You're needed downstairs," Cinna said, winking at Katniss. "Caesar is going to set up his cameras in the bridal suite so that he can have footage of you in your dress."

"Madge, forget about her," Glimmer urged. "You have to be camera perfect."

Madge turned to Prim, "I want you to be there for the interview."

"Of course, you're going to be famous," Prim said.

Madge turned to Cinna, "Thank you so much." She turned to Katniss and her face soured. "There isn't enough magic to make her look good, but if you can do something to make her less embarrassing that would be wonderful."

Madge, Glimmer, and Prim left in a hurry.

Katniss expelled the breath she was holding.

"I'm sorry," Katniss apologized; she never intended to cause problems.

"I heard everything," Cinna said quietly.

"Oh." She was mortified that strangers had heard everything. It was one thing to be known as the black sheep of the family, it was another to have it be known to strangers. Especially important ones.

"I am going to make you look resplendent," Cinna promised.

"You don't have to, I'm not going down there." The words were thick in her throat as it closed up with emotion.

"No, don't let them win," Cinna said. "Don't let your sister treat you like that."

"But, she…" Katniss stammered as the tears she'd been battling slipped from her eyes.

"She's a bratty bitch," Cinna said. "I've met plenty of girls like her, however, I've not met a woman like you…Mayor Undersee told me how you kept your family afloat after your father died. He told me how you are the one who is paying for your sister's education, and still sending your mother a part of your paycheck. The Mayor is very proud of you, he showed me the articles you've written, and the accolades you've received."

Katniss bit the bottom of her lip to keep from balling.

"I also heard the way you worked downstairs, pitching in…" Cinna said. "You're quite admirable."

"How?"

"My friend Portia was supposed to be downstairs doing the decorations. Her plane was late, when she arrived she said she saw you handling things. You're unique, and if they could remove the stick out of their asses they'd be able to see it."

"I'm not…" Katniss was going to say she wasn't worthy, but Cinna spoke over her words.

"You are," Cinna gently smiled.

"Thank you for your kind words," Katniss sighed. She blinked and then taking a tissue from her pocket blew her nose.

"No need," Cinna said. "Just leave that behind, I have everything you need."

Katniss blinked, she believed him and left her shower kit behind. She blindly followed Cinna. Part of her wanted to run and hide. The small hope Katniss held to possibly fix her relationship fizzled. Once more she felt unloved and an outsider.

When she arrived in his suite of rooms, his assistants were all ready for her. "Everyone I'm guessing you heard what this brilliant young lady has been put through."

Venia smiled and her eyes sparkled, as she approached. "We're going to make you look better than the bride. And when this weekend is over, everyone is going to love you!"

Katniss swallowed, the fiercely determined look in the eyes of the group of people, it made her tremble. No one had ever looked at her that way. Even though she was fantastic in her field she never attended social events. Katniss was terrified to be called a phony.

"Trust me?" Cinna said.

Katniss nodded. Instantly she was whisked away to the bathroom that was twice the size of her apartment bedroom. For the rest of the time she was soaked in luxurious scented water, buffed, polished, perfumed, and peeled. The peeling wasn't great but her skin had never been softer.

She sat in a chair, her hair in a towel having lost track of time.

"What do you want to do with her Cinna?" Venia asked.

"With those eyes, smokey and dangerous," Flavius said.

"I think we should keep it basic," Cinna said, tipping her chin up. "Amplify her classic beauty," Cinna said.

Katniss couldn't believe that Cinna was saying she was beautiful. Physically she wasn't pretty but Katniss knew in the woods, she shone like a diamond.

"Oh yes," Octavia breathed. "She's such an exotic beauty, we can play up her eyes, and her skin tone. Ugh…I wish I had your olive skin tone."

"You think I'm pretty?" Katniss blurted.

They laughed.

"You really don't know do you?" Venia said.

"You're a treasure!" Flavius exclaimed. "You are so gorgeous you make all of the girls ripe with jealousy."

Venia added, "And you have a banging bod!"

"I always thought…" Katniss didn't finish her sentence, instead, she peered at her reflection. The pert nose, the weird color of eyes, the extra weight. She was forever comparing her darker skin to her mother's and Prim's fair one.

"Did you bring contacts?" Venia asked.

"Yes, Madge said I should," Katniss said. "It's in my shower kit, but I left it on the bed."

"Kist," Venia said to her assistant. "Go get all of her stuff."

"Sure thing," Kist said.

"Well young lady, it's time to get your hair done," Flavius said.

Katniss watched as Flavius quickly transformed her thick straight dark locks into bouncy waves of perfection. He parted her hair to the side and then explained he was giving her a relaxed finger wave. Her hair looked fantastic.

After putting on her contacts Venia applied her makeup as Octavia finished up her nails. Katniss wasn't allowed to look at herself while they worked on her face. When they finished Cinna held out the dress. It left her speechless.

"What do you think?"

"Cinna's it's your best design to date," Venia breathed.

The dress looked like a soft sunset. It was a floor-length strapless gown with silk organza draped over one shoulder creating a small cape.

"Are those polka dots made from fabric?" Katniss asked.

"Actually, tiny crystals were woven into little pockets throughout the dress so that when it moves," Cinna said, moving the gown. "It glitters."

Katniss gasped as the dress shimmered in the light.

"She's going to look like a Grecian goddess," Flavius whispered.

"Let's get you dressed," Cinna said.

The dress slipped over her head and within moments she was ready. Katniss wondered what she looked like. They didn't have time to do a reveal because Madge was calling.

"Just trust me you look amazing," Cinne said, winking at her. Katniss nodded and stood straighter feeling it. The dress felt amazing, softer than her favorite cotton tee-shirt.

Cinna leaned in close and whispered into her ear, "It might hurt but sometimes you have to cut the toxic people from your life."

Katniss looked at him wide-eyed. She could never cut her sister out of her life. She was so alone and having her sister and her mother even if it was hurtful made her feel part of a family.

"Ready?" Cinna said.

Lifting her chin in the air Katniss nodded and followed them downstairs.

She could hear the women talking and laughing as they were congregated by the doors. None noticed her and for once Katniss didn't care.

"Katniss Everdeen," Mayor Undersea said, coming forward with his wife.

"You look wonderful," Roberta Undersea said.

"Thank you Mrs. Undersea," Katniss said. Roberta was Edward Undersea's second wife. Madge's mother passed away a few years ago due to a botched-up plastic surgery accident. She was smart and it was well known that Madge and her stepmother didn't get along.

"I am so happy Madge had the sense to put you as her maid of honor," Mayor Undersea said. "Come and see me. I want to introduce you to a few people here. They've read your articles and want to meet the young lady who is making our world a better place."

"Thank you, sir," Katniss said.

"Oh Peeta, have you met the young lady you are going to walk down the aisle with?" Roberta said, pulling the blond man from before. Katniss could feel her cheeks warming up at the sight of him.

"Uh hi again," Peeta stammered.

"Again?" Roberta said grinning.

"Well she was helping out before," Peeta said pointing to the outdoors.

"Of course, she was," Mayor Undersea said. "That's the type of lovely young lady she is, Muriel," he called over to someone.

A woman with a dour face and critical blue eyes came over. "This is Jack Everdeen's oldest. This is Katniss."

Muriel's face turned wide with surprise. "Oh, she's the one that saved us all of that money."

"Mom," Peeta said.

"Shut up, boy. This is the type of woman I wanted for one of your brothers, not one of those bottle died blondes with the botox-injected faces. I read your article on how to save money while going green. We saved millions because of that article."

Katniss hid her smile.

"Mom," Peeta said. "She's the girl who I'm supposed to be…"

"Don't lose sight of her, she's a peach," Muriel said. "I shudder to think of you with that Glitter girl."

Mayor Undersea laughed, "Muriel we'll do lunch next week. Catch up on that golf game?"

"Why not? You'll lose," Muriel said. Turning to her son she said, "Now just stand there, give her a compliment Peeta."

"Mom," Peeta looked at her. "She's right…I mean you're gorgeous and I'd like to know if you'd go out with me this weekend?" Peeta said, rushing through his words.

"Really?"

"He's the best of the Mellarks," Roberta whispered to Katniss encouragingly.

"Well you don't have to say yes, but I just thought you should know that I also think you're also amazing. She fixed the decor earlier this afternoon."

"They had you working?" Mayor Undersee asked.

"I was helping out," Katniss said softly.

"You were the only one. I can't even tell you where the other bridesmaids were," Peeta said.

"Father, Father…" Madge called out.

"Madge dear," Mayor Undersea greeted.

Madge's lips were thinned. Despite her unpleasant attitude, Madge looked gorgeous in her princess-cut cathedral-length ball gown. It looked like she had sparkly white coral motifs on her dress. Cinna had done an extraordinary job on her gown. It was masterful, it made her look regal. "You cannot expect me to have…that woman in my wedding party."

"Now Madge," Mayor Undersee began.

"Father, I have to tolerate having her here, but now my pictures will be ruined. I mean have you seen her, she's an unattractive troll."

"Madge," her father said.

"Why can't cousin Mavey take her place, she is after all family?" Madge argued.

Katniss realized Madge didn't recognize her and she decided to keep quiet and see what happened.

"Madge, you will do what your father wants," Roberta said, and winked at Katniss. She too had come to the same conclusion as Katniss. "He is paying for this entire affair after all."

Katniss could see Madge formulating the all too familiar you're not my mother when her father cut her off.

"I told you. I did not agree with you marrying that young man, but you wanted him. So out of love, I have done all of this. However, per our agreement, Highbottom signed an ironclad prenuptial agreement. And you were to have Katniss as your maid of honor and Prim as a bridesmaid."

"But…at least Prim is presentable. My pictures will be fine with her in the back…but Katniss…" Madge looked and finally spotted Katniss.

Katniss was sure Madge would recognize her.

"Ugh, I'd rather have this woman here. She's better looking than Katniss. She will even look good standing next to Peeta."

Muriel snickered.

"Madge," her father opened his mouth and shut it, he gave Katniss an apologetic smile.

"Fine," Madge ground out. She huffed away her gown, nearly knocking down the easel with an image of her and her fiance.

"Just like her mother," Muriel muttered.

Roberta chuckled.

"I am sorry for my daughter's rude behavior." The Mayor rubbed his face. "It's my fault for spoiling her after her mother's death."

"People do funny things while grieving," Katniss replied.

"You know it was me who introduced your father and mother. He was so brilliant, like you. I was lucky to have known him."

"And if not for you, I wouldn't have married Peeta's father," Muriel said.

Gentle music began to play. A sign for all of the guests to go to their seats.

"I think I better grab my seat. Remember Peeta don't let this one out of your sight," Muriel said to Peeta.

"I think I'll join you. Edward honey, you better join Madge I think they're about to start." Roberta left with Muriel. Mayor Undersee walked away to find his daughter.

Peeta glanced around, his face was red. "I'm sorry I thought you were an employee…I didn't know you were that Katniss."

"How many Katniss's do you know?" The cheeky words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them.

"Not many," Peeta chuckled.

"So how long have you known the groom?"

"To be honest the only guy I know is Finnick. He's in the fraternity that my brother went to. I've known those guys but never really hung out with them. Truthfully I think they picked me because I'll look good in the pictures."

Katniss found herself laughing.

"Honestly I'm glad the pictures are over with. I think after this I'm going to get a ticket and go back home."

"Why?"

"I'm not wanted here. I'm not going to stick around to be around people who don't like me."

"What if one of those people were your sibling?" The question slipped out of Katniss's mouth before she could even stop them.

"I overheard the way your sister spoke to you. You were only trying to help out the bride, not ruin her day. If anything without you the decor wouldn't have been finished."

"You heard all of that," Katniss felt her face become heated. It was embarrassing for her to know others had heard her sister's demeaning words.

"My older brother was that way. I love him but we don't get along. He disapproved of everything I did. I had to walk away."

Peeta's words were like a revelation to her. Her eyes found her sister. She loved her baby sister with every bone in her body but at the moment their relationship was toxic to Katniss. The words Primrose had spoken about their father hurt. The way Prim perceived Katniss hurt. Katniss looked up at Peeta.

"I learned a long time ago that family doesn't have to be blood-related," Peeta said.

Her sister threw her head back and laughed. It was a girlish yet feminine laugh intended to allure Cato. Cinna's words came to her in that instance. Both men were correct. As she watched Prim flirt with a tipsy Cato it dawned on Katniss that her sister was no longer a defenseless little girl. She was an adult.

Her mother was an adult.

They were all adults and her mother and sister didn't need her as much as she needed them. Katniss wanted more out of life. She wanted to feel safe again like when her dad was alive. She wanted that sense of family. Peeta was right she didn't have to be related to someone to call them family.

Prim was able to care for herself. Cato leaned over and whispered something in her sister's ears and her sister gave him a lusty look. Cato grinned and as he leaned back he nearly tripped over Finnick.

"Finn, you're cramping my style…" Cato looked flushed and his eyes were a little watery.

Marvel handed Cato a flask and the man drank from it and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Both of them chuckled. As they took more swigs from the flask. Marvel and Cato were clearly intoxicated.

"Marvel, Cato please find your partners," The wedding planner said. She was a redhead that looked like a fox. She wore sensible low-heeled shoes as she briskly put everyone in order.

She hovered over the group, her eyes quickly darted from looking at the tablet and looking about wildly at the group assembled.

"Peeta, would you happen to know where I can find Katniss Everdeen," the woman asked as soon as she reached them.

"I'm Katniss." Katniss said.

"Oh, I thought you were…well they said you…" The woman stammered.

"You thought I was ugly?" Katniss prompted.

"The way the bride described you…" she stammered then she took a deep breath. "We need you and Peeta to be ready to walk. I'll give you a signal to line up in front of the doors and then you march down the aisle."

Katniss smiled.

"Alright everyone please take your places," the woman shouted.

The procession began and Katniss watched a stately couple make their way through the doors. Katniss hung back as she watched the harried wedding planner try to wrangle the bridal party and the groomsmen. Katniss watched as her sister left with a drunk Cato followed by the other bridesmaids. It was finally her turn.

Katniss put her hand over Peeta's arm before taking a deep breath. There was a brief flicker of recognition as Prim recognized Katniss. Her sister's look was glacial, to say the least. Katniss stood waiting for the bride unaware of the appreciative glances she was getting from the groomsmen.

Madge floated down the aisle and did not pay any attention to Katniss; Madge was too busy hamming it up for the cameras and the audience. When the ceremony was over Katniss was glad that the reception was followed immediately by the cocktail hour and the dinner. They were waiting for the meals and Katniss was starving.

The meals were late and so the dance floor had opened up and people were dancing, and the drinks were flowing. Cato and Marvel were getting progressively louder. Waiters were walking around with small little hors d'oeuvres.

Mr. Undersea had been introducing Katniss around the room. She had more business cards in her hand than there were flowers in Madge's bouquet. Katniss saw a waiter with a silver platter loaded with bacon-wrapped scallops.

"I wouldn't eat those if I were you," Peeta said by her side.

Katniss turned around to ask why not when she saw that he had a slider in his hand. "Unless you're willing to lose some fingers I suggest you move that away from my face."

"Actually this is for you," Peeta offered.

"Oh, you're my hero," Katniss snatched the slider and with two bites it was gone.

"Katniss," Mayor Undersea called her.

"Hide me," Katniss whispered.

"Tell you what, I'll go get you food. Talk to the Mayor then meet me by the ice sculpture of Madge."

"As long as the food doesn't make me sick I'll eat anything," Katniss said.

"I'll take it you're not one of those salad queens."

"Either you cough up a salad or stop talking. I'm about to go outside and munch on the grass."

Peeta laughed. "Point taken."

"Katniss," the Mayor waived her over.

Katniss watched another waiter walk by.

"Trust me I get you the food." He winked and said, "I'll see you soon."

Katniss was headed to the mayor when a waiter got close. She was about to get an hors d'oeuvres when she was pulled back. Prim pulled her into a room where Madge was with the other girls.

"What are you doing wearing that!" Prim whispered furiously.

"Are you trying to upstage the bride?" Glimmer accused.

"Yeah," Cashmere said narrowing her eyes.

This was a little too reminiscent of every movie where the Cinderella character was confronted by the antagonists. Over the years it could be the evil stepsisters, the mean co-workers, the popular 'it' crowd, or the disappointed family members. Katniss stood straight; she wasn't going to be beaten down.

"I'm not going to justify your behavior by letting you beat up on me. I've done nothing wrong. Madge congratulations on your nuptials. I hope you have a pleasant life and that you will never need the prenuptial agreement your father put in place. Primrose, I think it's time you grow up. I love you but I've been killing myself paying for your expenses and your education and all I seem to get from you is rotten vitriol. It's time for you to grow up. I'm not paying for your education or your lifestyle."

"Doesn't matter, mom will take care of me."

"Our mother. She can't afford it," Katniss "You're such a big fat liar. Mom…"

"Why would I lie? Do the math. Numbers do not lie. Mother hasn't worked in years. Where do you think she gets the money?" Katniss felt no victory at her words but they were truthful and were coming from a place where she put herself first for once.

"From her family. Our grandfather left her a small inheritance."

"Oh Primrose, there is no inheritance. It's been me…" Katniss wondered what lies her mother had put inside Primrose's head. "I've been the one sending money home. The one who has paid for your education, and the one who has spoiled you rotten. It's time that I stopped and let you be an adult."

"I don't believe you," Primrose spat.

"Don't," Made said. "She's only doing this because she's jealous. Jealous of you, of me, of how hot I am."

Katniss smirked, "Right."

"The only reason you're here is because of my father. I think it's time you left. Glimmer, call security. I don't want this riff-raff in my wedding."

It didn't matter at this point. Katniss was ready to leave.

The door to the room opened, and Peeta walked in. The music blasted in, and there was shouting. The room became quiet when Peeta shut the door. "Hey there you are, I was looking for you." Peeta took a look around the room, "Are you alright?"

"Yep." Katniss felt lighter than in years. She smiled at Peeta. "I was about to leave."

Peeta offered her his arm and she gratefully took it.

"Oh Madge, I forgot to tell you. You need to go speak to Cato and Marvel. They're trying to hit on the officiant's wife."

"What?" Madge said.

Peeta opened the door and there was Cato and Marvel grinding against Madge's ice sculpture.

"No!" Madge screeched as she got up and walked out with her group. Prim wouldn't look Katniss in the face.

Katniss felt a stab of pain in her heart. At this moment she wouldn't cry, she'd save that for private time. Peeta put his hand on hers and gently squeezed.

"One day your sister is going to see that her friends are not supportive and she's going to regret this moment."

"I know but it still hurts. I love her so much," Katniss said.

There was a loud yell and both looked out of the door to see Madge falling into her cake. Marvel and Cato were on the table laughing as the only thing that could be seen was her red-bottomed shoes sticking out from a mountain of cake.

"I think this is our cue to leave," Katniss said.

As he walked with her out of the room Peeta turned to her and said. "I know this is going to sound very douchey. But I flew here with my mother. She's got her bags already packed and ready to leave. I wouldn't mind giving you a ride home or having you forever with me. Did I say there was a bounty of food aboard my plane? I have cheese buns."

"That is quite the request?"

"So I take it forever, is off the table?"

"I didn't say it wasn't…" Katniss was contemplating what a cheese bun was.

"Okay, so I got my swan chance?"

"Swan?" Katniss frowned as they walked across the reception to exit. Peeta pulled her into a dance. From the distance, she saw Mayor Undersee nod at her

"You know a story without a name, this is our meet cute…"

Katniss laughed. This was her Swan story.

The End….

Epilogue Sort of…

Katniss sat aboard Peeta's private plane. After the wedding, Katniss and Peeta started dating. They were going out for a few months. Katniss had never been so happy. She missed her sister and mother, but she knew they had to learn to defend themselves and learn to live on their own two feet.

"Are we ready," Peeta's father said, clasping his hands and walking into the cockpit.

Peeta and his father were going to fly his mother and father on a small vacation in another district. She bit into one of the flaky morsels of bread. The fragrance of the melting cheese and herbs made her mouth water as she moaned. This was her third one.

"Good huh," Muriel said.

"I'd marry your son for just these," Katniss said with her mouth full of food.

"I think that can be arranged," Muriel said.

Katniss's eyes widened. "Um…"

"Mom," Peeta said as he walked on board.

"She's a good girl, and smart to boot," Peeta's father yelled from the co-pilot's seat.

"My husband is right, plus, I need some intelligent grandbabies."

"MOM! DAD!" Peeta exclaimed. His face was red.

Muriel smiled and waved the plate in front of her face. "He made them from scratch."

Peeta gave his mother that please-stop-look before saying, "I wanted to have something to eat on the flight. I was nervous about the trip."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Katniss felt guilty. "I'm eating your food."

"No don't worry, I don't mind," Peeta grinned, taking one from her hand. "Just save me one or two."

"Don't worry Everdeen…you can keep your name if you want…I just want a grandbaby, in return."

"MOM!" Peeta exclaimed.

Peeta turned to her his hand rubbing his neck, his face red, "Don't…listen…unless you know… that forever thing…that's still on the table."

Katniss grinned. "If you promised to make me cheese buns, I'll take it into consideration."

Muriel laughed. "I told you she's a keeper from the get-go, I don't know what you're waiting for."

"Mom, please…"

Katniss couldn't help chuckling. Peeta and his family were always this way. His mother was right, though about the women his brothers married. Those women were only interested in the money, that's why they were not invited.

Peeta was going to head for the cockpit when his mother winked at Katniss but addressed Peeta. "Son, why don't I fly with your father? You come back here and get to know this lovely girl, entertained."

"Are you sure?'

"I don't mind, besides this'll be a bonding time for your father and me, and your dad gets a thrill when I fly." His mother saucily said.

"I think I need my ears checked. Do you know if it's possible for that memory to be erased?"

Katniss laughed. As Peeta leaned over and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. "I've been dying to do that all morning."

"Mmmm…" Katniss hummed contentedly.

"Sorry about my mom and her pushing for a wedding and a grandbaby."

"No need, she's just trying to take care of you."

"I just wish they'd let me woo you on my own," Peeta said.

"You're doing just fine, wooing me," Katniss said.

"I am?" He grinned.

"You are, and if you keep me feeding me I won't even notice the wedding."

Peeta laughed. "Alright duly noted. Just remember this moment when I propose. Because forever is on the table for us."

Katniss settled back with her plate, like a dragon hoarding a golden treasure. Her swan story was a beautiful one.

#A Swan Story #Swan Story #A Story without a name #Mega-AuLover #Ficlet #Katniss Everdeen #Peeta Mellark #Primrose Everdeen #Cato #Marvel #Madge Undersea #Cinna #Poria #Mayor Undersea #Mrs. Undersea #Mrs. Mellark #Everlark Fanfiction #Modern AU

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loungemermaid · 11 months

Text

No.1 Everlark Shipper

for @jhsgf82, based off this post by @goldrushenthusiast and some of the tags/replies I left on there. crossposted to my ao3!!

We’re standing in the disgustingly hot July heat, the sun beating down on us, already burning the tops of our noses. Really, for the sake of all us Townies, the town square should be covered. I’m pale enough, but some of these kids, like little Lottie Sayers over there, are too white to be outside now. She looks like she’s going to burst into flames at any second. I look around at the sea of sweaty necks and brows, looking for a dark braid instead a blonde one. Not for me. For my idiot brother. Everdeen has her hair up in a crown of braids today, and she’s in a pretty little dress, shows off her little waist. The hair and dress make her look sweet, maybe flirty, but she’s (as always) scowling. Can’t imagine why Peeta likes her. She looks fuckin’ mean. Stuck up. Also, the fact she can kill things and drag ‘em through town? Something tells me you’d have to make sure you toed the line with her, or else. Kinda like how Mama is to him. Well maybe that’s it then.

I have heard about Everdeen for comin’ on Eleven Goddamn Years now. I know everything there is to know about this chick that can be known without actually saying a word to her, because he’s never said a word to her. I’ve seen the sketches, the letters, the truly awful attempts at poetry, the (admittedly, pretty good) pencil drawings that took weeks for him to finish scattered across our room for Eleven Years. I’ve heard the soliloquies(see, Mrs. Marks? I’m payin’ attention) practiced in the mirror, the grand planned gestures, the paper flowers and ribbons gathered and then abandoned after Sweetheart’s Day, every instance of young tender love and I could not be more sick of it. It ain’t-isn’t. Isn’t real. Not a lick of it. If it was, he’d talk to her. If she’s too scary, which again, she sure as shit looks that scary, maybe move on? Maybe pick someone different? Hell, it can even be another Seam girl, if that’s what he’s into. Leevy’s got that same little tits and long legs thing. And she actually smiles. But whatever. One day something will break it, and then I won’t have to fuckin’ hear it ever again.

That weird Trinket woman is just about to pick the girl’s name, and I’m still wondering what it takes to get someone’s hair that big, that pink, that shiny when she reads out the slip. Primrose Everdeen. Well. Shit. I don’t know what this is gonna mean, when her little sister dies. When her dad died, Peeta talked for months about how we needed to help her. I kept telling him it wasn’t the time or place, that the last thing she needed was some over-enthusiastic Townie meddling in her shit. She already had it rough enough. We could tell she was taking care of everyone now. That her mama wasn’t doin shit, and she was the breadwinner now. I remember thinking it was weird, and how I couldn’t imagine it, then I thought about how that’s just what older siblings do. That that’s what Rye does for Peeta and me. A buffer for when Mama’s on the war path. Even when she ain’t-isn’t. Isn’t coming after me, he protects me all the same. She usually doesn’t come after me, and that somehow feels worse. I owe ‘em both a lot of beatings. Rye used to take the blame sometimes, but we all kinda quickly realized I could get away with significantly more than he could, and especially more than Peeta could, poor fucking kid. Never understood why she hates him so much.

There’s some screaming and shuffling, and I look over and there she is, her face showing real emotion for once, screaming that she’s volunteering. I can’t imagine that. How would you ever do that? And then it sinks in. Shit. Everdeen is gonna die. I look over at Peeta, who looks like he’s gonna spew. Shit. What am I even gonna say to him, when this is over? While we walk home? Happy fucking birthday! That girl you’ve been obsessed with your whole life is gonna get gutted by some teen-freak Career. It’s too awful. I just sigh and brace for the boy’s name. Almost over. One more year of it for me, two for him.

And then that pink and green bitch calls his name. I’m shocked. I can’t move, or see, or hear anything, and then it’s too late. He’s up on the stage and it’s too late. I can’t volunteer, can’t save him, can’t fix it. Once again he’s getting more punishment than his fair share. This kid that cries when he sees a hurt wild dog. That cried when he learned we ate our baby pigs. That’s been in love with the same girl for eleven years. The girl that’s going in with him. Shit!!! She’s going in with him!! They’re gonna die in there together. Well, I think darkly, they’re gonna have to talk now.

I go and look for Rye, and we both just stare at each other. He’s not saying it, but he’s thinking it. “Yeah, I know. I should’ve. I… I couldn’t make the words come.” I hate myself.

I’m expecting him to scold me, to yell. Being the parent’s favorite makes me the least favorite brother. They neither one like me much. Well, that ain’t-isn’t true. They like me just fine. They’re just very jealous. I would be too, if I was-were gettin’ beat for minor shit that don’t even matter, and someone else wasn’t. I don’t expect him to hug me. He does, pulling me in close, even kissing my forehead like he did when I was little. I don’t even wipe it off this time.

“Hush. It isn’t your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t do anything right neither.”

He smiles a little. “Either, you mean. But it doesn’t matter. It’s going to be okay. Besides, I think she’d kill him, if you went in instead. It wouldn’t be a good sacrifice. She’d hate him even more, especially if you didn’t come back.” He shook his head. “God help me for what I’m gonna say, but it’s better this way. If he comes back, JoAnn won’t think he’s worthless anymore. If he doesn’t”, his breath shudders, “if he doesn’t, well. Then she never touches him again.”

I swallow around the lump in my throat. The one thing she only did to him. Rye got beat, sure. But he didn’t get touched like she touches Peeta. It… it’s not that she straight up sleeps with him. But it’s…uncomfortable, to even watch. Humiliating. Can’t imagine what it feels like. “Right. Well, ready to say” Oh I can’t say goodbye. I blink some rogue tears. “To send him off?”

“Yeah.” He says gruffly. “Yeah.” I can tell he’s thinking what I am. This is gonna be a shitshow.

It’s worse than I thought it’d be. We’re all standing there and not saying anything. Rye at least held him while he cried. JoAnn is world class, says something truly evil. Says she’s rooting for Everdeen, and if there was any fondness I ever had for that woman, it’s done. She runs out, even though all the rest of us are begging her to not. I scoff, but Peeta is laughing, no, cackling. Like nothing has ever been so goddamn funny.

“Love you too, Mama! Hope I get to see you again!” He yells out, voice hard and bitter. “God. What the fuck?” He scrubs at his face, leans back, screaming and laughing and sobbing into his hands.

Rye runs after our useless fucking parents, trying to talk sense into them. It’s pointless. Anyway, we’re almost out of time. Almost out of time. I can’t fuck it up again.

“I know it ain’t great timing to be asking you a favor, but do one for me anyway?”

“God, Soren. What?” He sighs, clearly not in the mood for whatever he thinks I might say. I sit down on the saggy sofa, clapping his shoulder.

“I need you to tell her. Please. She deserves to know.”

He huffs, rolls his eyes. “It’s all a bit pointless, ain’t it? Nothing either one of us could ever do now.”

“Yeah, but I know you. You’d never be able to live with yourself if you never told her. So you’ve gotta. Find some way. Do one of those grand gestures you’re always planning. Or, fuck, I dunno, do it private. Over coffee or whatever. But tell her, little bun.” I’ve never called him that. Not sincerely, anyway. That’s what Dad and Rye(mostly Rye these days) call him. But, it felt right. “I’m really sorry I didn’t”

“Don’t be.” He cuts me off. “I get it. Don’t be sorry. In fact, promise me. You don’t get to feel guilty about it.”

I swallow hard again. The Peacekeepers are coming to take me away. I clap him on the shoulder one more time. “Alright. I love you. Uh, good luck and all that. And happy birthday”

It gets him to laugh, even if it’s just a dark laugh. “Thanks. Uh…see…mm. See you later.”

“Yeah. See you later.” I don’t know if I believe he will, but I know he can win this. I hope he does.

I try to keep my promise, of not feeling guilty, for not stepping up and going in for him. It’s not easy. Suddenly our room feels too big, too empty. Rye and I haven’t moved a damn thing. There’s still a half finished drawing on the desk, a pair of silver eyes. I wanna puke everytime I see them. I do my homework downstairs in the bakery now.

We’re closed on the day of the interviews. We close a little more now, though not as much as I thought we would. Dad hides, crying in long showers or disappearing on errands, and JoAnn, Rye and I are stuck in the bakery together, avoiding curses and rolling pins being hurled at us. Now that Peeta isn’t here, I’m getting on her nerves more. I’m sporting black eyes now too, though I don’t let them show. I can’t cover them like Peeta does, and I’m a little paler than him anyway, but the little tube of concealer he left behind does fine enough.

We all sit on the couch, pretend to be a family over some tea and cookies. We’re eating more fresh, a result of the sympathy money. People have been spending a lot on baked goods here lately. The mayer orders a cake a week. Madge must know we’re feeding Prim and Mrs. Everdeen(Mama does too, and she hates it. Dad catches an ashtray to the nose for it). She likes Katniss too.

Anyway, my baby brother is talking to Ceasar Flickerman, and they’re playing off each other like they’ve been co-hosts for decades. He’s charming. Affable. He could make this a career if…when he wins. And then Ceaser asks about a girl, his whole body shifts. He gets a little nervous, a little small, tries to shift the conversation but Ceaser ain’t having it. He pushes Peeta again. Say it say it say it, you little dork, or I swear to god. I’m staring at his face in the tv. Maybe if I think it hard enough he can somehow get it. You promised.

He clears his throat. “Well, there is this one girl…”

I sink back into the couch with a sigh of relief. There you go, bro. Took you long enough.

She even goes for it. When they change the rules(which I still can’t get over, but maybe young love is more exciting than child murder for those people.((if that’s the case, can we make it a matchmaking game? I’ll volunteer. I’ll host.)) I just don’t know if I trust it) and she’s up in that tree, screaming his name, I know it’s over. She likes him too. She tears through the Arena just to find him, looking very camouflaged and very dead by the river. He flirts, and she giggles and blushes. What? Maybe she’s just soft for him. Good. It’s what he deserves. Hard for everyone else but soft for him.

For a few days I’m worried I’m gonna have to watch my baby brother lose his virginity on national television, but as cuddly and kissy as Katniss is, she’s clearly not very experienced. She won’t change around him, she blushes every time they kiss. She’s actually sweet. A giggly, nervous, even precious little thing. She looks even tinier next to Peeta, so short and thin and fine boned. They fit each other. They’re striking together.

It’s all anyone can talk about, but for the first time I don’t mind hearing about it all. I join in at school, spilling all the secrets I know. It’s a little shitty, but I can’t help it. It’s so…excuse the dopey ass phrasing, but as one teacher said, life affirming to see. My homelife is worse, but if they really can win and win together, it’ll be like a real life miracle. Hard proof that not everything always has to completely fucking suck, all the time. That sometimes, good things happen to people. Sometimes good things happen to the people who deserve it the most.

The berries give me a heart attack. I’m on the edge of my seat and I don’t think I breathe the whole time. I don’t know what to expect. Are they gonna let them live? Are they gonna blow them up? Send in mutts again? Let them live and torture them on the air? I almost shut my eyes, bracing for the canons, but instead Templesmith is shouting, telling them to stop, that they both won, and he did it. He actually did it. I’m jumping and screaming and laughing and we’re all hugging even, because he fucking did it. He won, and he got the girl of his dreams. This one time, it actually works out for him. This time, Peeta gets what he wants.

#mer.txt #mer.fic #ficlet #hunger games #hunger games renaissance #everlark #peeta's brothers #also I know most make Rye the middle but I forgot that when I named mine so Rye's the oldest

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youcantseeus-fan · 1 year

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Fic: We Protect Each Other (Everlark)

Written for the April 2023 Genres of fan fiction prompts.

Prompt: I wouldn’t be here if not for you (Relationships 3).

______________________________

Katniss is carding her fingers through Peeta’s blond curls and watching him sleep when his eyes fly open, suddenly. He looks so alarmed that Katniss thinks that he might have been having a nightmare. Sometimes, he gets disoriented when he first wakes up, so Katniss speaks in a low, soothing voice.

“You’re safe,” she says. “You’re in District 12 with me.”

She feels his body relax in her arms, but his face is still wary.

“I’m only here because of you,” he says, his voice groggy. Then, he looks at her more insistently. “I’m only here because of you. Real or not real?”

Katniss takes a deep breath.

“Well, I think it’s true that you came back to District 12 partly because of me—”

“No, I don’t mean that,” Peeta says, turning a bit so that he can look her in the eye. “I mean … I’m only alive because of you. Real or not real?”

“Oh. That,” Katniss says, with a bit of a laugh. “Well, I guess that I did save your life a time or two. So real. But you’ve saved me as well. In so many ways. Because that’s what we do. We protect each other.”

“Oh,” Peeta says and his brow wrinkles. He seems to be thinking over her words. After a minute, his expression clears. “Good.”

“Good?” Katniss asks.

“Good.”

He snuggles closer to her and closes his eyes.

#ficlet #genres of fan fiction #everlark #katniss everdeen #Peeta Mellark #fluff #romance #everlark snuggles #rated: g #thg fanfiction #thg #Hunger Games

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everlarkism · 2 years

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how about a prompt where katniss does not begin to care for herself again after peeta returns to 12 at the end of mockingjay and after a few days he is desperate to help her so he takes her upstairs and gives her a bath? make as intimate or not as u plez

I am so happy a lot of you are sending them in. Other prompts will be posted when I have the time to write and upload them. Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about anyone’s! I’ve decided to try first person with this. I don’t do that often. Excuse any typos or if this is all over the place, I started typing this up at like 5AM since I was so excited to write something wholesome. It’s kind of rushed too, so it’s not my best work. Enjoy!

I know he doesn’t like seeing me like this. He never liked seeing me upset, period. But I’m not upset, I’m depressed and he obviously knows it.

Returning to Twelve was a blessing and a curse. It’s a relief that I came back to the place I call home, but it’ll never be the same. The Victors Village was still intact, but everything else had to be built again. My childhood home is demolished. Primrose is dead. Mom moved to another district, so did Gale. Haymitch was here and so was Greasy Sae who would frequently check up on me before Peeta’s arrival. That woman would even drag her young granddaughter along… I’m aware Sae wanted to help, but I don’t like feeling as if I’m a burden to anyone.

I’m a fighter, I’ve been doing this for years. Why should I let anyone help me now? I can do this all by—

“Katniss.”

I’m quiet as I sit on the couch, running my fingertips against the cushion to ease my nervousness. I’ve been avoiding eye contact with Peeta from the moment he walked inside. It’s been around two weeks since he came back from the Capitol, and I’m surprised he’s not like me.

Distant. Suicidal. Neglecting basic needs. Hasn't stepped foot outside in days.

Maybe it’s the therapy, Haymitch told me about it a day or two after he arrived. But that doesn’t mean he’s magically cured, or whatever. Peeta’s bound to have his episodes, regardless of how much treatments he’s had. At least they’ll be manageable. I know I should be doing therapy but I’ve been avoiding Dr. Aurelius at all costs.

“Katniss…” Peeta calls out again.

A heavy sigh escapes my lips as I lift my head. He didn't need my reply to continue talking, all he wanted me to do was look at him.

“You can’t stay in the house forever.” He said, taking a step closer and gesturing to the couch,”You don’t move from that spot either. Come on, you have to do something.”

I furrowed my eyebrows and shook my head,”No, I don't. I’m fine with what I’m doing.”

“That doesn’t mean it’s healthy… We can start small, okay?”

“We?” I repeat.

“Yes, we’re doing this together.” He nods,”Because-”

I cut him off, deciding to finish the sentence,“That’s what you and I do. Protect each other.”

A smile can’t help but to form on my face. He remembered.

“And that’s what we’ll continue doing.” He replied, making his way over to the couch and sitting beside me. His hand reaches over and rests on top of mine. “I care about you, Katniss and I want to be here for you in any way that I can… If you let me.”

Silence lingers between us for a few moments, until I finally make up my mind. I can’t push him away, we both know that - he would continue to try and help me anyways. “Okay, I’ll allow it.”

He leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “I’ll run you a bath, go eat something if you haven’t already.” Without another word, Peeta stood and walked upstairs to the bathroom.

There was already an urge to say something, to forget the whole idea and tell him I could run my own bath if I needed to… But we both know I wouldn’t. If he didn’t show up, I’d still be on this sofa, reeking of body odor and starving.

I sigh, pushing myself up from the couch and making my way into the kitchen. Buttercup was there, munching at the food in the metal bowl. Once the cat noticed my presence, he meowed.

“Yeah, I know. I have to eat too.” I roll my eyes. Cats can’t talk, obviously - but I swear Buttercup knows what goes on and scolds me.

I walk to the cabinets and decide on making a sandwich. It’s better than nothing. I slather peanut butter and jelly onto the two slices of bread then sit down to eat.

I took my time with eating, since it takes the tub a while to fill up. After I’m done, I head upstairs and as I’m making my way down the hall - the water is being shut off.

I lean in the doorway with my arms crossed over my chest, watching Peeta stand from the crouching position. He’s a bit awkward at times, but it isn't his fault. The prosthetic leg tends to make things more difficult. Over the years, he’s been better with it. When he turned around, he gasped and took a step backwards. I couldn’t help but to chuckle, I didn't mean to scare him.

“Sorry.” I mumble.

“It’s okay. I was going to come get you, but you’re here now.” He lets out a small laugh.

“Thank you, by the way.” I reply as I move past him. I looked over to the bathtub, and not only was it filled with water but there were bubbles too. “Seriously, bubbles?”

Peeta shrugs,”What? It might cheer you up a little.”

He was right. Peeta always knew what to do or say so I could feel better.

I remain silent and stare at the bathtub. I was drained as it is, even making a sandwich was hard enough. I bit the inside of my cheek before refocusing my gaze onto the blond boy. “Could you help me? Unless, that’s weird– I don’t want you to be uncomfortable, or anything.”

I blurted out the last sentence, since I was on edge. I didn’t want to make this weird for either of us.

“I promise, it’s not.” He shakes his head,”I don’t mind.”

He continued to reassure me as he helped me undress. Once the last piece of clothing comes off, I quickly get into the tub as Peeta looks away. I caught a glimpse of his face and it’s obvious that he’s blushing. To be fair, we were both nervous… I’ve only seen his body once, in the first Games by the river. That was it. Him, on the other hand, hasn’t seen my body at all.

I just wish he didn’t have to see my body like this - the scars, the skin grafts, the damage done after all of these years. I look more like a mutt than a human being. Hell, I look worse than him. However, that’s another thing we have in common now: Earning scars that will tell a story of how we got here.

The water was warm, it even smelled of lavender. He must’ve found the oils in the cabinet. I never bothered with messing with those. Luckily they’re being put to use now. Slowly, I leaned back and sunk down into the water until it was to my collarbone. My eyes flutter shut as I dwell in the moment. “This is nice.” I whisper.

When I sit up, that’s when Peeta rolls up his sleeves and kneels near the tub to reach for the shampoo bottle. He put a small amount into his hand and began to run his fingers through my long locks. My hair isn’t in the best condition, thankfully not matted as it used to be but it still has some bad knots. He’s gentle, taking his time with applying the shampoo and rinsing it out. I swear Peeta even hums a tune while doing so. A giggle escaped from me and he paused.

“What?” He furrowed his brows.

I shake my head with a grin,”Nothing.”

Next was the conditioner and as it sat in my hair, we moved onto bathing. He already has the cloth, so I hand him the bar of soap.

“I feel like a child… Maybe, I should’ve done this myself.” I admit with a laugh as he starts to clean my face and behind my ears.

“There's nothing wrong with asking for help.” He chuckled,”I don’t mind, Katniss.”

“But Peeta, I just feel like-”

He replies before I could even finish my sentence. “No, you’re not a burden. This isn’t a chore to me, either. I want to be here for you.” Using his free hand, he manages to pick up a small amount of bubbles and place it on my nose,”Even if it means giving you a bath.”

“Hey!” I exclaim, wiping them off with a smile.

“That’s what you get.” He teased me.

“Don’t make me splash you.”

“You wouldn’t.” He rolls his eyes playfully.

“Oh, but I would!” I pretend to get ready to splash Peeta and he leans back instantly. I can’t help but burst out in laughter. “You should’ve seen your face.”

He laughs along with me,”I seriously thought you were going to do it.”

After the little trick I pulled, he continued to bathe me with the washcloth. Every once and a while, I’d threaten to splash him again or pull him into the tub with me. Peeta got his so-called payback by splashing me instead… As if I'm already not covered in water.

When our antics come to an end, Peeta rinses my hair and I step out of the tub, soon wrapped in a towel he brought me.

“You reek of lavender.”

“Better than body odor.” I giggle.

“Yeah, you’re right.” Peeta chuckles. “Now, let’s go get you dressed, shall we? Maybe I could try braiding your hair?”

“You, braiding my hair? In your dreams.”

“Fine, but one day - you’ll have to teach me… Deal?”

“Deal.”

#katniss everdeen #peeta mellark #everlark #katniss and peeta #everlark fanfiction #everlark fic #thg drabble #oneshot #ficlet #post mockingjay

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mkaugust · 1 year

Note

13 and i hope it’s taylor ✌️

luna, or katniss, x anyone or gen!

OKAY you win, exposing myself for my love of The Hunger Games, this is a one time only experience. Probably Katniss/Peeta more so than gen, but up for interpretation. And it's not even a microfic! ~230 words! So it's under the cut for length, there's no cw or anything.

The song! Is Matilda by Harry Styles (I swear my spotify wrapped is more than half taylor!)

Send me a number 1-101 and I'll write you a microfic (this drabble is an Exception) (I'll take HP or OMGCP pairings/characters from here on out LOL)

Katniss grew up and found a way to leave it all behind. Uninterested in allowing herself to be hurt anymore, she worked and worked at it until she could let it go, until she could find a way to talk of the pain like it’s no big deal. Until she was doing it all on her own, and not because she had no other choice, but because that was how she liked it. Being on her own.

When she was ready, she came back. Not to everything, not to everyone, but to Peeta. Peeta, who had never truly left her alone, because that was what he needed and it worked out fine. They had an understanding of each other, a balance. Peeta loved Katniss in his way and she loved him back, in her own way. Together, on their own, they built their home, built their unique brand of love, nurtured it as it grew, changed shape, adjusted to the newness of each day. Together and on their own they found a way to share the sun on dark days.

Katniss wasn’t sorry for leaving and growing up. They couldn’t hurt her anymore, not while she was doing it on her own. Not while she was doing it with the family she started and grew on her own. They couldn’t tell her the right way to love her family. Only she could do that.

#spotify wrapped prompts #how do i even tag LOL #the hunger games #my writing #ficlet #everlark #katniss everdeen #harry styles

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thgfanfictionlibrary · 2 months

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E Rated Fics Masterlist (30)

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8 / Part 9 / Part 10 / Part 11 / Part 12 / Part 13 / Part 14 / Part 15 / Part 16 / Part 17 / Part 18 / Part 19 / Part 20 / Part 21 / Part 22 / Part 23 / Part 24 / Part 25 / Part 26 / Part 27 / Part 28 / Part 29 /

Created: January 7th, 2024

Last Checked:-----

Better Life-Pookieh (ao3) Summary: They say life in a small town is so much sweeter, but for Peeta Mellark, it was more bittersweet than anything. Especially when that small town life was the reason the only girl he'd ever loved had stayed away. But now Katniss Everdeen is back, along with a secret that's sure to flip the world as he knows it upside down. If he can only convince her to give him a chance, he'll prove that their small town was exactly where she belongs. Everlark Modern Day AU. Cover art by Loving-Mellark.

Flying Solo-burkygirl (ao3) Summary: When Katniss Everdeen's best friend Jo bails on their trip to Mexico at the last minute, an angry Katniss expects to spend her first-ever vacation all alone. That is, until she sees a familiar pair of blue eyes on the flight to Cancun.

Katniss Gets Kisses-thesweetnessofspring (ao3) Summary: Three months left until the Quarter Quell, and Katniss wants to spend as much as she can of it with Peeta. With no expectations to live past the Quell, she can let herself explore intimacy she could never even contemplate before.

Lost and Found-Peetabreadgirl (ao3) Summary: Katniss Everdeen takes a much needed break from life on a deserted island, where she comes across the hidden treasure of a lifetime. Tarzan!Peeta request by Mega-aulover on Tumblr.

Match Play-Diana_Flynn (ao3) Summary: There is nothing like a disastrous double date to make you realize what you don’t want and who you really want. For Katniss Everdeen that was realizing that all she ever wanted was right in front of her all along - her co-worker Peeta Mellark. She’s just afraid she may be too late.

Mockingjay Inn-burkygirl (ao3) Summary: Katniss and Peeta are both frequent pop-in guests at an out-of-the-way B&B. One weekend, it is surprisingly booked up and the manager asks if they can share a suite in an effort to be less of an inconvenience for such loyal customers and since they sort of know each other.

Pearl Moon Saloon-DandelionSunset (ao3) Summary: Katniss Everdeen has worked as a bartender at Pearl Moon Saloon for three and a half years. It’s a pretty routine job until she becomes intrigued by a mysterious, handsome, and strangely familiar blond man who starts coming in every night. -one-shot-

The Bottom Of Effie's Purse-LemonLuvGirl (ao3) Summary: A collection of ficlets, drabbles, PWP smut scenes, and lint dragged up from the unfathomable depths of Effie's giant purse.

The One-burkygirl (ao3) Summary: Peeta is Katniss’s best friend and almost everything in her life revolves around him. When thoughts of Peeta start invading her dreams, Katniss must decide whether just being friends is enough. Written for Prompt 50 of the Everlark Fic Exchange, Springtime Edition.

To Seduce a Prince-muttpeeta (tumblr) Summary: Follow up to Royal Blind Date: Katniss was about to have sex in a castle.

#e #masterlist #everlark #everlark fanfiction #thg #thg fanfiction #e masterlist

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anotherbluesunday · 2 months

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✨WIP Tag Game✨

I’m definitely checking you’re fic out @michiganstray because you got me hooked! Thank you for tagging me too! I’m super excited to share this teaser with everyone. 💜💜💜

Alrighty, first Tag Game of the new year and y’all picked a good time because I’m writing the epic close to my ficlet Myth. Like I’ve said before, this story was inspired by a string of prompts, the rain, and a song. The final chapter name “Myth” captures all the more intense lyrics of the Beach House song, namely these six lines: “If you built yourself a myth, you’d know just what to give?”, “Can’t keep hanging on, to what is dead and gone.”, and “Materialize, or let the ashes fly!” I don’t want to give away too much. I want this final chapter to be emotionally and mentally cathartic for all who read it because the goal is to make you feel. What that means to you is up to you and your heart. But I want it to be something that leaves you all feeling your humanness pulsing through you like a current.

Now, here’s the snippet.

I didn't want to remember but I would and this alone felt like a death sentence.

So I kept it to myself. Fell in this spiral that was less like a swan dive and more like the aftermath of a mid-air collision. I gave Wednesday bits here and there to keep her floating in calm waters because she had no place navigating this wasteland with me. It was dishonest especially considering how we had promised to always tell each other when something was wrong. But this was where I drew the line. If what I thought had happened was what had actually happened to me then there wasn't any way I could tell her. Not entirely. And even if entirely, not right now. Not while she had millions of other things stacking up on her plate that was already full.

Staring at the wall a moment longer, I could almost make out the form of another. The shape of my tormentor. My accuser. My devil in white. I distinctly remember the color and it being draped in some way on them because it made their red hair stand out. Red hair and red nails. Slowly, this creature was coming out from the shadowed rafters like a reaper and I was lying there in wait as if I were set to die that afternoon. But it wouldn't come and drag me by the throat to my grave just yet. There was too much of this show left for it to do that.

Another minute turned into two turned into thirty until I made myself get up.

Stomach growling and skin and bones feeling particularly exposed to this crippling sense of humanness, I washed up first. Begrudgingly stood under the hot water and rinsed off the perfect combination of Wednesday's sweat and faint traces of her rose body oil. My therapist was quick to warn me of the road this relationship could travel down during our session yesterday. Said that for now it sounded healthy and supportive but that it could devolve into a codependency if we weren't careful. And I understood where Dr. Kinbott was coming from. Could see where there may be mild concern with a watchful eye waiting for the first signs of smoke. But Wednesday and I were conscious of this too.

Okay, I’m tagging both writers and artists because I want to see some gifsets that are WIP’s or hear what ideas they got for upcoming ones so yeah. lol.

I’m tagging @tastethesetears @remusjohnslupin @mistressvera @wednesdayandherhyde @michiganstray (in the words of Kylo Ren, MORE!) @darling-gemini @broken-everlark @gardenoblues @thelovelybookworm (because I also need more of what you’re cooking)

Happy writing/giffing and tag away!

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jlalafics · 2 years

Note

Idk if this will help buuuut fluff prompt:

Everlark + cotton candy?

Ask and you shall receive.

-----

“Katniss, look!”

Prim excitedly points at the Ferris wheel that’s been erected in the center of District 12. Her blue eyes round as they walk under the red and white archway and enter the carnival. Around them are sights that they never thought they’d see or have even heard of.

To one side are several booths with games to play; the prizes are small stuffed animals or other trinkets. To the other side are booths selling food and drink that the citizens of District 12 are all eager to try. The lines are numerous and everywhere there’s loud chatter to which Katniss grimaces.

“Cotton candy!” Prim suddenly calls out. She takes her sister’s hand dragging her towards the line. “Molly in class had it when she went to visit her cousin in District 1. She said it’s like eating a sugar cloud. We have to get some!”

“Well, if Molly says…” Katniss drawls. However, she can’t resist Prim’s pleading blues and her mouth rises in a smile. “Alright, let’s get in line.”

++++++

“Cotton candy!”

Peeta turns at the joyful cry, just in time to see Katniss and Prim Everdeen rushing past him. His hand rises to say hello, but quickly draws down seeing that they haven’t noticed his presence.

Katniss will never notice him.

It’s not her fault really. However, since they were children, he has noticed her. Since that day in school when she stood up in class, strong and proud with her two long pigtails flowing behind her, and belted the most beautiful rendition of The Valley Song that his young ears ever heard.

They’ve grown up together. She’s friendly but not social and usually sticks to her Seam friends. Gale Hawthorne, specifically, whose family is friends with her. Everyone was sure that they’d end up together and have a mess load of dark-haired, grey-eyed kids.

However, this summer something changed.

Suddenly, Gale is holding hands with the mayor’s daughter, Madge Undersee. Katniss had retreated into the forest to spend her days hunting and ignoring all the whispering behind her back.

Except for today.

Today, she has come to the carnival, in a pretty, blue dress and her hair in a single braid down her back.

Best of all, Katniss is smiling.

As she smiles adoringly at Prim, it feels like the gray pall over District 12 dissipates and he’s surrounded in the warmth of it.

Peeta is abruptly nudged at his side and turns to find Rye, his brother, smirking at him.

“Go on.” Rye puts an arm around his shoulders, leading him in the direction of where Katniss and Prim are heading. “You’ve only be waiting since you were five.”

“What do I say?”

Rye snorts. “How about ‘Hello’?”

Peeta laughs. “Probably better than screaming out my undying love in the middle of a carnival—”

“Hey Katniss,” Rye says.

“Very funny. No need to make fun of my crush on K—"

He turns and finds Katniss standing in front of him, her expression blank, as Prim smiles at the two brothers.

“Hey Peeta, Hey Rye!” Prim greets them brightly. “We’re going to get cotton candy! Do you want to come?”

“Of course, milady!” Rye replied before bowing gallantly to Prim. “May I escort you?”

Prim defers to her sister. “May I?”

Katniss looks at him pensively but manages a nod. “Sure.”

Together, Rye and Prim excitedly rush towards the cotton candy booth as he and Katniss follow behind, side-by-side.

++++++

Katniss tries not to stare at the boy next to her.

If she does, her face will get red and then Peeta Mellark will know the effect that he has on her.

Katniss has always noticed him, her eyes zeroing in on the boy with indigo eyes as she sang The Valley Song. As they got older, Peeta went from sweet-faced boy to a man with a chiseled jawline and broad shoulders.

Shoulders that she secretly admired during wrestling matches.

Gale never understood why she insisted on watching them, and Katniss could only reply that she had promised her mother that she would attend more school activities.

Her friend clearly saw through the lie, but joined her, nonetheless.

“Do you like cotton candy?”

Katniss whipped over at the question, and Peeta jumped back just slightly, almost tripping over his feet.

“Oh!” She reached over, taking his hand to steady him. “Sorry, I got lost in thought.” Katniss mustered up a nervous smile. “Never had it before. Have you?”

Peeta shook his head. “No, I don’t really know what it is.” His eyes went to Prim, who was chattering with Rye as they stood in line. “She seems really excited.”

“She is,” Katniss said. “There aren’t a lot of times where Prim gets to be just a kid. She’s always working so hard. Helps me with chores, or with my mom when she has her bad days…” She lets out a breath. “Even sells cheese from her goat. I just want her to have a good day, you know.”

Peeta smiled, his eyes crinkling at each side, and something inside flutters.

“You’re a good sister and you work hard too.”

She feels the slight pressure against her wrist and realizes that they are still holding hands, his thumb caressing her pulse point.

Katniss can stay in this moment forever.

“Katniss?” Prim calls out.

They’ve reached the head of the line. The cashier is waiting expectantly, and she quickly digs into her pocket, taking out the money she has to pay the man.

An attendant hands Prim a large pink cloud on a paper holder and her sister squeals in delight. Her hand goes to Prim’s shoulder, steadying her excitement.

“Aren’t you getting one?” Rye asks and she quickly shakes her head.

“Not really hungry,” she tells him.

The truth is just too shameful.

++++++

It doesn’t take long to figure out what’s going on.

Peeta watches Katniss quickly count out what she needs to pay. The change she gets is not much and based on the look on her face, it is all she has left.

His lovely, selfless girl.

Her eyes are glued on her sister who is in awe of her treat. The line of her mouth softens, and she places a hand on her sister’s shoulder, as if to warn her to not eat too fast.

“Are you getting one?” his brother asks.

Katniss shakes her head. “Not really hungry.”

“I am,” Peeta suddenly says and goes to the counter, ordering one. He pays and is handed the fluffy cloud of sugar. “Thanks.”

“Hey Prim!” Rye swipes a bit of her cotton candy, and she giggles. “I think there’s a petting zoo. I know you’re an expert on animals. Want to check it out with me?”

Prim turns to Katniss. “Can we go?”

Her older sister nods. “Sure—”

Rye and Prim dash away, leaving him holding a drooping pink cloud.

“You don’t like sugar.”

The sentence comes from the gorgeous woman standing beside him.

“I do, too!” Peeta tears a piece and sticks it in his mouth. He immediately bites back the urge to gag. Years of working with sugar at the bakery has killed his love for the saccharine flavor. “See?”

Katniss shakes her head, leading him over to a nearby bench.

“You’re lying. Everything that brought to school is savory unlike Rye and Bran.”

He turns to her. “You’ve been watching me.”

Katniss stiffens, her eyes going straight ahead. “I’m just…observant.”

Peeta hold out the gross sugar cloud to her. “I got it for you.”

“No…” She shakes her head, obviously resisting what she thinks is a handout. “…I’m really okay.”

“You work hard,” he tells her. “You deserve a treat.”

Katniss shakes her head once more. “I’m really okay.”

Peeta tears a piece holding out to her.

“Come on.” He gives her his best smile, trying to seem somewhat charming. “Just try it.”

“I really don’t—”

“Then, it’s going to waste—”

“You shouldn’t have gotten it for me—”

In-between their arguing, Peeta is trying to get the piece somewhere in the vicinity of her mouth. However, Katniss is quick, avoiding his fingers holding the cotton candy.

“I didn’t have to, but I wanted to!” he shouts. “That’s what you do for people you like. Do things that you hope make them smile! And today has been the first time in a long time that I’ve seen you smile like that. I just wanted to see it again…”

Peeta’s heaving from the torrent of words and he’s sure that she’s going to tell him to get lost—

“Let me taste.”

He swivels in surprise to find Katniss waiting with her mouth open.

Gently, Peeta brings the piece to her mouth, setting it down against her tongue.

He begins to pull away but her lips close against his thumb and index finger. Then, Peeta feels the tip of her tongue against his skin and the sensation of it spreads throughout his body.

He’s on fire and ready to burn just for that bit of her touch.

“Katniss…” His voice is strangled. “…sweetheart.”

Peeta tries to pull away, but she grabs his wrist to keep him close, his fingers still in her mouth.

It’s an unholy torture as Katniss drags her mouth away.

Then—

Peeta doesn’t know who pulls in first, but their lips are suddenly mashed together. A flurry of hands reaches to find purchase and his find home in her suddenly loosened hair—he has no idea who undid it. While hers grip at the front of shirt to pull him closer, so close that it’s as every part of them is connected from head to toe.

And most importantly, their hearts.

++++++

“You think they’re kissing yet?” Prim asks as she cradles a baby lamb in her arms.

“I hope so—” A goat hops onto the bale of hay next to Rye and he grimaces. Animals are not his thing. He looks at the young girl and grins. “Thanks for telling me that you were coming to the carnival.”

“Thanks for telling me where I could find you,” Prim replies. “Boy, they better get together.”

“Why?”

“Because I really don’t like cotton candy.”

FIN.

#lovely tothe bone #request #fluff #Everlark #Everlark ficlet #everlark fanfiction #no hunger games au #in district 12

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sylvies-chen · 1 year

Text

treasure me

JJ Maybank x Kiara Carrera

Warnings: none

Summary: Treasure (n.) - a quantity of precious metals, gems, or other valuable objects. OR: JJ finds a pearl and thinks of Kiara.

A/N: @alphinias this is for you!! my quick little ficlet of the ultimate jiara & everlark parallel. it’s my first ever jiara fanfic and it’s very scrappy because I literally wrote this in one day, but I just couldn’t help myself. I hope you all like it! also, I’ll be posting it to AO3 soon! I promise! (EDIT: I just realized that tumblr literally ate up an entire paragraph and I couldn't restore it because I wrote this in my notes app, so I tried patching it up but apologies if it seems a little choppy in the very beginning or if there are doubles of certain lines.)

••••••••

There are a lot of reasons why being stranded on an island should spark a particular envy towards rich people.

And yet, as he sits by the water with wet sand between his toes, JJ feels no hint of envy whatsoever. He probably should, and has certainly felt that jealousy millions of times, but he isn’t. Because he’s knee-deep in oysters and clams, and jesus christ, what kind of drugs are rich people on?

Oysters are fucking disgusting.

They may smell like ass, but he didn't know that then. So sue him, he went overboard.

The smell isn’t the only thing. When he takes the spear from his fishing mission with Kie to pry one of them open, the oyster opens up to reveal a foul, beige sort of… mucus?

Okay, he thinks, maybe the one he’s opened is just bad. Like, some other fish killed it and this is just a rotting oyster corpse that wasn’t buried deep enough. He picks a second one up, weighing it in the palm of his hand thoughtfully before going in with the spearhead and prying the small clam open.

Much to his disappointment, it’s still slimy mush.

Great. It smells bad and looks bad. At this rate, he doesn’t want to eat like a king. As a matter of fact, he’s never been happier to be a pogue. He’s had his share of mussels and shellfish before, which were delicious, but he’s never had real market price oysters or anything and he certainly has never handled them himself. Only rich people would be deranged enough to touch this stuff, nevermind guzzle this down. Honestly, it’s nauseating. The stuff is slippery, evades his touch when he pokes a finger into the flesh, and— “Ew,” he says out loud this time as he frantically retracts his finger, because there’s something legitimately moving inside of this goddamn freak of nature.

But then, curiosity gets the better of him. Clearly the thing is dead, if it hasn’t clamped down on his hand yet, right? So whatever’s moving in there must be something else.

It’s only after a moment of poking his finger around in the oyster again, when he feels something round and smooth, does JJ remember: oysters hold pearls.

Ah, so that’s why rich people like them so much. For them, eating them is probably like dominating a creature as punishment for withholding something shiny from their greedy hands.

He keeps poking around, massaging the flesh with his finger until an opening is found and a small pearl rolls out effortlessly.

The pearl isn’t white like he expected it to be. Instead, it’s a kind of steel blue so dark that to the unsuspecting eye, it’s just black. Matte but glimmering, the pearl sits lightly in the palm of his hand now. He discards the oyster shell and starts kicking all the other unopened shells back into the water. None of them matter anymore. Original plans be damned.

This pearl. Something about it is enchanting, feels precious and familiar. And maybe it’s just because he used the fishing spear to retrieve the pearl that he thinks of Kiara, or that he associates pearls with jewellery. But he thinks of her nonetheless.

The others are trying to gather materials for a fire, and he knows he should be helping with that. And yet, the pearl chains him here, sitting in the sand and looking out on an island they don’t have a name for. It’s a unnameable place, host to an unnameable feeling sinking into him.

Or maybe it’s not unnameable at all, because he rolls the pearl back and forth in his hand and it’s Kiara. He thinks of her, and feels her in the weight of the smooth stone. The feeling he has is her, and so is the stone. It just is.

Warm wind blows in his hair, and pulls his eyes away from the view to his left side, where Kie is standing.

“Mind if I join you?”

She’s already starting to sit down next to him before he can muster a spoken answer, so he just shrugs in the affirmative. Instinctively, his hand closes into a gentle fist around the pearl, concealing it but never putting it at risk of breaking.

“I love it out here,” he says, and it’s true.

“Me too.” She smiles, first at him, something genuine and incomprehensible, and then out at the view, crisp blue sky and waves included. “I mean, I miss having a comfy bed and all, but with a view like this who could even think to close their eyes and miss it?”

JJ looks out to the view (reluctantly, because Kie’s admittedly a whole other kind of view he loves), finally starting to smile himself. “Yep, it’s a pretty sweet view. Makes all the crazy shit we’ve been through worthwhile.”

“Is that why you’re out here instead of with the others?”

“Nah,” he says, “I was just trying to get some oysters.”

“I know.”

He snaps his head back in her direction to find her looking at him again. “You do?”

Kiara nods. “I saw you just a minute ago, huffing and puffing trying to open one. You talk to yourself all the time?”

“Only when cursing at disgusting sea slime,” he tells her, in a dry sort of humour as he shakes his head. “Fuckin’s oysters.”

As if smelling them in her thoughts, she scrunches her nose up in that cute way she does and winces with a smile. “They do smell pretty gross, don’t they?”

“Yeah, they’re awful,” he laughs, and laughs some more until it dies down and he settles into a calmer state. “S’not all that bad, though. Look.”

Cautiously, he stretches his fist out between them and opens his clasped palm to reveal the pearl that he found.

“Wow,” she says, sucking in a sharp breath of awe. “It’s gorgeous.”

And then, before he can even understand why what he’s doing feels so right, he does something unpredictable.

“Here,” he says. “For you.”

She blinks, her gaze softening into something dangerously alluring and, above all else, confusing. “Really?”

“Yeah,” he assures her, and suddenly starts to feel uncertain about it which makes things insufferably awkward. “It seems like you. I don’t know. You don’t have to if you don’t—”

The words stumble out of him as he tries to stop himself from revealing all the delicate parts of him that are partial to her.

But she grabs the side of his hand ever so gently, yet still with alarm. “No,” Kie interjects firmly, stopping JJ’s world with one look and holding that glance as she slowly glides her fingers into his palm. She removes the pearl. He lets her. “I love it. Thank you.”

She looks down at the dark pearl now in her hand, and smiles. That alone causes a wave of relief to wash over his whole body, swooping his tension away with the tides.

Still, for his own comfort, he adds, “Just don’t go losing it or anything because, y’know, it’s probably like, some super rare special kind of pearl that’s worth a million dollars or something so…”

“Right,” she chuckles sweetly, standing up from the sand. She’s still laughing as she ruffles his hair with her spare hand. “I’ll make sure to keep it on me at all times, and cherish it forever.”

“I’m serious,” he calls out to her as she starts to walk away.

As she turns around to face him again, still walking, she replies, “So am I.”

She says it with a lip-biting smirk that leads JJ to worry for a moment that maybe she’s just fucking with him, that she hates it, that he said something stupid. But then she takes the fist with the pearl in it and holds it to her heart. Her smile becomes more sincere and affectionate, and it stirs something fierce in JJ’s heart, and he knows she is serious. She really will keep it safe and cherish it.

It’s then that he decides that maybe he likes giving Kiara things.

••••••••

Kiara’s POV - a while later…

••••••••

“Kiara, dear, come on out!”

Kie lets out a pouting huff as she looks at herself in the mirror one last time. Her mother is waiting for— well, for this more than her. This dress, this look, this reformed version of her. Kiara looks at it in the mirror, inspects the semblance of elegance that she pulls off in the formal floral dress she finds herself in, and feels so uncomfortably dissociated from her reflection. Half of her thinks she should be used to it by now, and the other half knows she never will be.

Her mother is waiting for her though, so she ignores both halves of her heart and begrudgingly pulls back the curtain to show her the dress.

Instantly, her mom’s eyes sparkle with an excitement like ecstasy, something Kiara used to mistake for pride and love.

“Oh, dear! You look beautiful!” She clasps her hands together and then moves them to Kiara’s shoulders, herding her into a spin.

So Kiara has no choice but to comply, doing a full 360-degree rotation as her mother coos and gasps in awe. Nevermind that she’s been frowning the whole time. Nevermind that she’s already had her fair share of clothing and dresses picked our for her in harrowing situations over these last few weeks, none of which have felt remotely comfortable. Nevermind that she just wants to dress like herself for on goddamn night, not have all these greedy adults with nefarious agendas treating her like a doll or a prop. Things like that don’t matter to her mother. After all, she didn’t even bother to ask.

“Oh yes, this is the one,” she decides. “It’ll work perfectly for the anniversary party.”

“I don’t know…” Kie hesitates, and fights the urge to slag her shoulders a bit. “This isn’t exactly what I’m used to.”

“Well it shouldn’t be, dear. These things aren’t supposed to be comfortable, after all. But oh! I almost forgot,” she remembers, “the jewellery. That’ll really tie it all together. I saw a piece I thought would go nicely with your dress, hang on.”

She scurries away excitedly to fetch whatever dazzling necklace she has in store, and her sudden yet momentary absence allows Kiara’s anxiety to bubble to the surface. To calm herself, she instinctively moves her hand up to the necklace she has on now, and its small charm. The familiar steely blue pearl rolls easily between her fingers, its smooth surface reminding her of a sweeter, more boundless time when she felt most alive, most exhilarated and, perhaps, most in love with the person who gave it to her. So much so that she’d wrapped it in twine and pieced together some sort of necklace out of it, just to have it on her at all times.

Her mother comes back, and Kiara rips the necklace off of her own neck frantically, as if protecting buried treasure, or the last remaining part of herself that’s truly her. (The part of her that, in all honest truth, is JJ’s.) She holds it in the palm of her hands and stuffs it in the pocket of her dress which, to her, is the only real upside to this dress.

“Here we are,” her mother says, bringing out her necklace and parting Kiara’s hair at the back to put it on her. Kie can immediately feel how heavy it is. Big, clunky, jewel-studded. It’s gaudy, and she rolls her eyes. Her mother, still behind her, doesn’t see it.

Instead, her mom holds a hand mirror over her shoulder and tilts it at just the right angle so that Kiara can see the necklace. Just as she expected, it’s a gigantic, kook-like, showy statement piece of a necklace that could be objectively nice in the right setting, but just isn’t her.

It’s so ridiculous that she lets out a wild burst of laughter. Her mom pulls the mirror away, and Kiara knows instantly that she reacted the wrong way.

“What? What’s so funny?” She asks.

“Nothing! Nothing,” she tries assuring her mother, though she still feels her cheeks sore and stretched into a smile, fighting back laughter. “It’s fine, it’s a fine necklace.”

Her mother’s face sinks, flattens into something deadpan and sad. “You hate it.”

“No, I—” she tries sobering up to reality and putting on a good face again, because she really doesn’t want to get into it with her mother. “I don’t hate it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Kiara,” she sighs. “I’m your mother. You think just because you go off gallivanting with your friends that I can’t tell when you like or dislike something?”

Kie finally lets her shoulder sag. “Mom, I swear I don’t hate the necklace. It—It’s fine, it is. It’s just… it’s not really me.”

“I don’t get it,” her mother says.

Sadly, there’s the crux of it all. Kiara knows her mom truly does not understand it; she never had and never will, no matter how much she tries (or doesn’t). There’s a pitiful sort of disconnect between them, one that spawned into full fruition from the moment Kiara realized what kind of life she wanted for herself, from the moment she kissed JJ, and maybe even from the moment she met the guys. It was never going to work. This life was never meant for her.

Kiara thinks for one second, brows furrowing, and then slowly takes the necklace off. Delicately placing it back in its casing, she then grabs her necklace out of her pocket and puts it back on herself.

When she walks back over to her mother, who’s watching Kie with wildly confused eyes, she pinches the pearl between her index and her thumb and lifts it up to show her mom.

“This is me, mom,” she tells her. She drops the pearl but clasps a palm over it, holding the charm to the part of her chest right over her heart, just like she had in Poguelandia when she’d told thanked JJ for it and said she’d keep it safe. “This is me.”

“Okay…” Her mom says, though Kie can tell she doesn’t actually get it and is just trying to smooth things over. “Well, I’m sure you can wear whatever jewellery you want to the party. Pearls are very classic too. Now come on, let’s find your nice heels.”

Again, Kiara rolls her eyes. Her mom grabs her hand and drags her away, down and under to a world of someone else’s cruel creation. And though she is not ready for all of the hellish kook antics, the fake smiles and speeches, and above all else the complications with her and JJ, she rolls that gorgeous, simple, precious pearl between her fingers over and over, religiously, until she’s reminded of all the goodness in her life. With JJ, with the rest of the pogues, in the dream they share.

It’s enough to keep her going, running on a fuel of everything that makes it worthwhile.

#abby writes #outer banks #obx #obx3 #jiara #jj maybank #kiara carrera #jj x kiara #jj x kie #kiara x jj #kie x jj

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