ext_26861 (![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
abby82.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
crack_van2013-12-24 09:31 pm
abby82.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2013-12-24 09:31 pm
Entry tags:
Hero of the Story by atetheredmind [Mature]
Fandom: THE HUNGER GAMES
Pairing: Katniss Everdeen/Gale Hawthorne, Peeta Mellark/Original Character, Katniss Everdeen/Peeta Mellark (Everlark)
Length: 29,346 words
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: Author on AO3 | Author on FFN | Author on Tumblr
Why this must be read: What if Prim was never reaped? What if Peeta was never reaped either? What if there was no rebellion and therefore no mockingjay, just Panem living under the annual Hunger Games? It's a scenario that is brought up often in fandom. Katniss Everdeen has always maintained that she was never going to marry because to her that equals having children. She would never willingly risk a child of hers to the reaping. What this story examines is Katniss' life in District 12 after all of her loved ones have survived the annual reapings and her eventual marriage to Gale. The boy with the bread is someone she rarely if ever crosses paths with until a chance encounter long after their individual marriages. This story tackles so many fascinating topics including the class structure in District 12, safe birth control in a world where populations control is certainly not pushed by the government, the politics of marriage when both partners want different things, and the very ugly side of infidelity. Heads up that are some sensitive issues addressed in the fic but it's a damn good story and shouldn't be missed.
"You need to stop coming around here," she said, her voice low. Her eyes darted around the Hob, wondering who was watching them, waiting to report back to Gale. Peeta's brow furrowed.
"Why?"
"Because." He watched her expectantly, and she huffed. "Because people talk, Peeta."
He looked at her oddly. "Yeah. I know they do. People always talk, Katniss. What's your point?"
She ground her teeth. "Stop playing dense. People talk, and they think you and I—you and I..."
He just blinked. "You and I what?"
"Oh, come off it, Peeta," she hissed, her fingers curling into fists. "You know what they're thinking."
He sighed, rubbing his scruffy chin. "So, what—a man and a woman can't just be friends anymore? Without something illicit going on?"
She glared at him. "No, not when the woman is from the Seam, Peeta. You know how that looks to people."
His eyes darkened, his lips pursing stubbornly. "I don't care about that shit. These arbitrary class differences that dictate who can be friends with whom, who can love—" He stopped himself abruptly, swallowing, and she felt her pulse throb in her neck.
"They're not just arbitrary, Peeta; they're real," she ground out, a flush heating up her face. "And I have to deal with them every day. I have to deal with people judging me, looking down on me. So it doesn't matter what you care about because this affects me. I can't be your friend anymore."
His face fell then, the corners of his mouth and his eyes creasing with sadness. He dropped his head, and her heart constricted painfully. But when he glanced back up, he smiled ruefully. "Okay. I'm sorry. I will respect your wishes," he said, his voice thick. "It was nice while it lasted, but I guess I knew it couldn't last forever. Take care of yourself, Katniss."
Hero of the Story by atetheredmind
Pairing: Katniss Everdeen/Gale Hawthorne, Peeta Mellark/Original Character, Katniss Everdeen/Peeta Mellark (Everlark)
Length: 29,346 words
Author on LJ: N/A
Author Website: Author on AO3 | Author on FFN | Author on Tumblr
Why this must be read: What if Prim was never reaped? What if Peeta was never reaped either? What if there was no rebellion and therefore no mockingjay, just Panem living under the annual Hunger Games? It's a scenario that is brought up often in fandom. Katniss Everdeen has always maintained that she was never going to marry because to her that equals having children. She would never willingly risk a child of hers to the reaping. What this story examines is Katniss' life in District 12 after all of her loved ones have survived the annual reapings and her eventual marriage to Gale. The boy with the bread is someone she rarely if ever crosses paths with until a chance encounter long after their individual marriages. This story tackles so many fascinating topics including the class structure in District 12, safe birth control in a world where populations control is certainly not pushed by the government, the politics of marriage when both partners want different things, and the very ugly side of infidelity. Heads up that are some sensitive issues addressed in the fic but it's a damn good story and shouldn't be missed.
"You need to stop coming around here," she said, her voice low. Her eyes darted around the Hob, wondering who was watching them, waiting to report back to Gale. Peeta's brow furrowed.
"Why?"
"Because." He watched her expectantly, and she huffed. "Because people talk, Peeta."
He looked at her oddly. "Yeah. I know they do. People always talk, Katniss. What's your point?"
She ground her teeth. "Stop playing dense. People talk, and they think you and I—you and I..."
He just blinked. "You and I what?"
"Oh, come off it, Peeta," she hissed, her fingers curling into fists. "You know what they're thinking."
He sighed, rubbing his scruffy chin. "So, what—a man and a woman can't just be friends anymore? Without something illicit going on?"
She glared at him. "No, not when the woman is from the Seam, Peeta. You know how that looks to people."
His eyes darkened, his lips pursing stubbornly. "I don't care about that shit. These arbitrary class differences that dictate who can be friends with whom, who can love—" He stopped himself abruptly, swallowing, and she felt her pulse throb in her neck.
"They're not just arbitrary, Peeta; they're real," she ground out, a flush heating up her face. "And I have to deal with them every day. I have to deal with people judging me, looking down on me. So it doesn't matter what you care about because this affects me. I can't be your friend anymore."
His face fell then, the corners of his mouth and his eyes creasing with sadness. He dropped his head, and her heart constricted painfully. But when he glanced back up, he smiled ruefully. "Okay. I'm sorry. I will respect your wishes," he said, his voice thick. "It was nice while it lasted, but I guess I knew it couldn't last forever. Take care of yourself, Katniss."
Hero of the Story by atetheredmind