My Brothers Bride

My thanks to Savylark for the wonderful banner and inspiration. This story is unbeta'd so all mistakes are sadly mine.

CH1

Finnick read out loud, "Morning drew on apace. The air became more sharp and piercing, as its first dull hue: the death of night, rather than the birth of day: glimmered faintly in the sky. The objects which had looked dim and terrible in the darkness, grew more and more defined, and gradually resolved into their familiar shapes. The rain came down, thick and fast; and pattered, among the leafless bushes." ― Charles Dickens

The author Charles Dickens was and is one of Finnick's favorite writers.

"Finnick," Boggs Called.

"Yes," Finnick stood at attention. Boggs was one of the most respected Archangels in the heavens.

"Come along, you have an assignment."

Finnick followed along wondering if this time he would get his wings.

On Earth time sped by Finnick descended alongside Boggs watching the events unfold slowly, silently as their kind did for a millennium. The residents of the district ambled toward the Justice Building. The young people stood in two columns to register themselves a Peacekeeper in a white uniform pricked their fingers the small blood sample provided vital information, on health, recorded STD's or pregnancy.

Today was reaping day for all the young men and women ages 18 through 24 to get become engaged. They came from the Seam and from the Merchant sides of town dressed in their best frocks for the three-hour event. Katniss Everdeen glanced around at the division of the sexes, the women were sizing up the men like at a stud farm. She didn't want to make eye contact with any of them; she wanted to remain single.

Katniss experienced what this so-called love did to a person when the person they cherished the most was abruptly taken away. She wanted no part of marriage, but she couldn't avoid the process it was the law. Katniss tucked her hands into her coat pockets.

It was chilly today, and many wore coats to keep warm. The ceremony was always the same; it began with the Capitol Liaison welcoming everyone won to the most wonderful time of the year. A short film explaining why this event was necessary and then the Liaison would pull first a guy's name then their future spouse. Once both parties were at the podium, the contract signed and registered and the couple had until Christmas to marry. This happened repeatedly until the three hours finished, anyone not paired for marriage came back the next year until they aged out at 24.

They were at the tail end of the three hours, with less than 15 minutes left. On the male's side Peeta Mellark stood watching the current couple, sign the contract; on the side, their families looked ecstatic. The Radisson family were higher-ups in the mines, they were Mine Foramen, their son was marrying Izzie, one of the prettiest girls from the Seam. Izzie's family was one of the poorest and marrying into the Radisson family ensured that her father would get better treatment.

Effie smiled brilliantly as she watched the couple exit the stage she leaned into the microphone and said, "Now for our last candidate."

Effie reached into the bowl and pulled out a name.

"Rye Mellark."

Peeta's eyes flew to his brother.

Rey looked surprised then he smiled a sheepish smile as his friends wolf cries carried him to the stage. This was Rye's last year and their parents were afraid Rye would never get hitched. He got up on stage and gave that trademark grin of his that made the crowd chuckle.

"And now for your partner," Effie smiled as she teetered to the bowl.

His brother Rye stood on the podium his face flushed, but alert. Peeta hoped whoever they paired his brother with would be a good woman. Becoming engaged today ensured his brother's future. If it was a girl with an inheritance, his brother would naturally move in with their family. If it was a girl who didn't have an inheritance, his brother would inherit the bakery. Rye didn't want to be a baker. From as far back as Peeta could remember his brother never liked learning the recipes and, half of the time his baked goods were passable, their mother put Rye to work the front of the bakery.

His father worried about Rye and his partying ways. Their mother told Rye he needed to marry a hard-working girl who put the family business first. They were bakers and running a bakery was not an easy task. He hopped Rye was ready for the future.

Peeta watched Effie Trinket put her hands in the bowl and pull out a slip, he made eye contact with Rye. His brother winked. Peeta sighed internally, he hoped the future Mrs. Rye Mellark could deal with his brother's shenanigans.

Effie walked over to the microphone. Peeta quickly glanced over to the corded off section for the women. Wondering who it could be? His eyes settled on Katniss Everdeen and his heart rate tripled. She looked lovely today with her hair up in a braided crown. The microphone squealed causing everyone to groan.

"Sorry about that," Effie said into the microphone. "Now for your future bride," Effie turned to Rye momentarily and smiled.

Everyone waited to see who would be with Rye.

"Katniss Everdeen," Effie Announced.

Peeta stood in shock as he heard the name of the girl he loved being called not for him but for his brother Rye. He'd been hoping today the odds would be in his favor and they would reap him with Katniss the girl he loved in secret since he was a child. The more he found out about her the more he fell for her. He woke up expecting something wonderful was about to happen, instead, his world crashed around him. Sadly, the odds were against him.

"Well come along dear," Effie Trinket waived to Katniss.

A girl standing next to Katniss whispered something to her. Katniss nodded before stepping out into the path flanked by Peacekeepers that lead to the podium. She wore a red coat and black shiny shoes, Peeta remembered the moment he had first laid eyes on Katniss.

She was wearing a red plaid dress, and she braided her hair into two long ropes. Her eyes were like shining stars and when the teacher asked about singing, she'd shot her hand up. As a little boy, he recalled feeling happy whenever he set eyes upon her face but when she sang Peeta was a goner.

He watched Katniss Everdeen slowly make her way up to the podium where his brother stood. The look on her face to the crowd was unreadable but Peeta knew by the thin lips hearing her name called terrified her but didn't want the world to know. He watched them shake hands and before signing the contract that gave them until Christmas to get married.

Peeta glanced down to the ground he couldn't watch all of his hopes and dreams vanish into thin air. The news would devastate the only other person besides himself, their mother who loathed the people from the Seam. Katniss would enter a hostile environment and Peeta vowed he would make things easier for Katniss. Looking up towards the heavens he hoped for a miracle.

From the sidelines, Finnick rubbed his hands, "So my assignment is Peeta Mellark?"

"It's Katniss Everdeen."

"But she's scowling." Finnick pointed at the girl, "She looks like she's about to commit murder!"

Boggs raised an eyebrow. "You want your wings?"

"Yes."

"She's your assignment Guardian Angel Finnick." Boggs began to disappear, "Oh and by the way don't screw this up!"