crack_van | "Desert Blossom" by DustWriter (M)

Fandom: THE HUNGER GAMES
Pairing: Peeta/Katniss
Length: ~50k words
Author on LJ: None
Author Website: D ustWriter Fics

Why this must be read: Alternate-universe Hunger Games stories are incredibly hard to do well, because the progression of events and the high stakes in canon are so (intentionally) contrived that it's difficult to mirror them onto, say, a high-school or coffeeshop setting. "Desert Blossom" is the exception that proves the rule--a fic that takes familiar and original characters and situates them in modern-day Afghanistan. Rather than attempt to translate the Games or the strange and systemic oppression of Panem directly into our world, the author uses this setting to explore the contrasts between the lives of Americans and the Afghanis they purport to protect. The story is from Peeta's perspective, but I love what DustWriter did with Katniss--she is as strong, resilient, and protective as ever, but a different life story means that those traits manifest differently. The narrative stretches believability in a few places, but the whole things is so well-thought-out and thoroughly researched that you'll have trouble putting it down (figuratively speaking).

"Katniss," Peeta repeated with a slow smile. "That's a cool name."

"Any name you want here," Prim smiled. "You give the same names to children. Here, we use all names."

"Oh yeah, like Song or Tree and Sky," Gale said. "We are a little boring in retrospect. I'm Gale and he's Peeta."

"Gaaayylle," Katniss sounded out. "Pee-tah?"

"Yeah. That one's kinda weird too, I know," Peeta admitted. "My mom's family owns this bakery distribution center. My grandfather was pissed she married outside the business so she gave us all bread names to win him over. Didn't really work, he still hates my dad."

"Peeta. TMI," Gale rolled his eyes.

"Sorry," Peeta mumbled, wishing he could shut up in front of these girls.

"I'm going to get dressed," Gale said. "We need to find a driver, Peet. They said they lived in the country." He ruffled Primrose's hair as he walked past them to the bathroom.

"Your dresses are dry, if you want to get dressed. I don't have any pins," he apologized to the small girl. "I have a few paper clips, but I think we should just put your dress over Bristel's clothes."

Primrose nodded and wrapped the dress around her shoulders like a robe. Katniss stood up to take the dress from him. She waited for him until he figured it out.

"Um!" Peeta said, holding the dress behind his back for her. "Sorry."

Primrose said something gently in Pashto and he heard Katniss' smile in her response.

"All okay now."

Peeta turned around and hoped the burn on his face didn't translate to the bright red he couldn't hide with his fair skin. "Um."

Desert Blossom