Hello everyone! This is only my second fanfiction (the other is still in progress as well) so I'm still probably a bit rusty at this. I'm really fond of the Madge/Katniss pairing and was really eager to write a fanfic on it! I really hope you all enjoy. Good/bad reviews are welcome.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters or the Hunger Games.
It was the way she carried herself. It was the way her long braid would sway as she walked. It was her eyes; her gorgeous eyes that she seldom got to see up close. It was in her bravery – in her everything.
Madge Undersee sat nearby on a bench with her nose stuck in a book, though her eyes wandered elsewhere. She tried to make herself as subtle as possible, sneaking peeks when she was sure no one would notice. She admired the girl from afar. Katniss Everdeen, the girl who she hardly knew but longed to. Madge admired her for everything she was; for the way she was so bold, for the way she kept herself together, for her natural beauty; the beauty she didn't even know she had. Madge admired her for all of it, loved it even, but could never tell her. She could never tell anyone. Just a thought of such was considered taboo – was wrong and uncalled for, especially in the Undersee home. So Madge kept herself quiet, kept her deepest secret locked in a vault within her heart.
Madge could remember the first time she really noticed her presence.
It was a hot summer day, and Madge followed in step behind her father to the Justice Building. "Strict District business," he told her, and let her tag along because he knew how she loved to feel important. It was the circumstances that made the day dreadful. There had been a coal mining accident, and many loved ones were lost, one of them being Katniss' father. All the children of those who died were given an award in honor of their bravery and valor, in remembrance of their death and hard work to their district and the Capitol. Madge's eyes were glued on the sunken, sullen eyes of the children – some too young to have lost a parent. Her eyes then fell on those of Katniss Everdeen, a girl with whom she'd never really bothered to take notice to until this point. Unlike the others, Katniss stood tall, put on a brave face, and kept her cool, whilst many of the others hung their heads and cried.
In that moment, Madge knew that Katniss was different from the rest of the District, and probably different than the rest of Panem. She was strong, brave, headstrong, and it was then that Madge wanted nothing more than to get to know her, to spend time with her, to love her. Madge wanted so desperately to love her, because despite her brave face and the way she held herself, Madge could tell that something was broken inside of her. Her eyes, although not teared and sunken, were empty. Madge wanted to be the one to fill them with life again. To bring a real smile upon her face and watch her eyes light up. Watch her become happy at Madge's own doing.
Madge knew straight away that this whole thought was impossible. Silly, even., for she was far too quiet, too reserved, too shy. Katniss had all the courage that Madge lacked and would more than likely never gain. Madge would stay in the background, quietly as always, and observe her. Observe the way she lived and wait for someone else to bring the light back into her eyes because she knew she never could; knew she would never have the guts to even try to make her happy. Madge was just a foolish girl, and nothing more.
She watched Katniss as she approached her father, her hand linked with her younger sister's, to accept their award in honor of their father. Katniss thanked him politely and Madge stood next to him, staring at her, wishing she would just notice her for a moment and give her the same attention back. For a split second, their eyes locked, and Madge couldn't help but smile at her softly, as a way of saying how wonderful she was, as a way of trying to comfort her. In return, Katniss only gave her a slight nod of her head and then looked away, walking off.
Five years had passed since that day, and both Madge and Katniss were the ripe age of sixteen, both having developed a lot since that day, and Katniss had only gotten better at putting up a front. Madge knew she was still no better, could still see behind those hollow eyes of hers, and still wished to fill them with happiness. Every once in a while, Katniss would sit at lunch with Madge and the two would talk. They would talk about pointless ideas and hopes and dreams, nothing any of the other girls in school would gossip about. They had created a special bond, even if it was only Madge that had noticed it, but she didn't blame Katniss for not wanting to get involved in anything with anyone, she probably always had the fear of losing them after her father passed away.
Madge knew that kind of pain. Not personally, but she saw it in her mother every day. Her mother who too had lost the light in her eyes, many, many years before Madge had even been born. Madge watched her every day as she shut herself up in her room, not wanting to see the outside world. Madge looked into her hollow eyes and wished she could help, just as she wished she could help Katniss. Madge watched her drug herself up in attempt to ease the pain, to take away the thoughts. Madge watched her fall apart all over again, every single day.
When her mother was only Madge's age, she lost her twin sister and Madge's aunt, Maysilee. She had been reaped that year and was made to fight in the Hunger Games, a punishment the Capitol had bestowed on the districts for an uprising that had taken place years before hand. Once you turned twelve, you were then eligible to become a Tribute in the Hunger Games; games where you were sent into an arena to fight to the death until only one was standing – the victor. Madge's aunt had been chosen to fight, and was killed by a flock of pointy-beaked birds who stabbed her repeatedly in the neck, and it was all televised. Madge's mother watched it; saw it all happen, and had never been the same since – never would be the same ever again.
Madge knew there was no hope for her mother. There was no way to bring her back to life when she was already so dead inside, but there was hope for Katniss. Madge could feel it, knew she had to have hope in it because if she didn't, no one would. How long it would take was questionable, especially with Madge being so shy, but she would try – would have to try – some day to make it all better. Not only for Katniss, but for herself, and for her mother. For her mother who had been robbed of all happiness years ago. Madge couldn't let that happen to Katniss. She wouldn't.