THG AU: Katniss Everdeen and her brother, Primson, are reaped and thrown into the Hunger Games.


"Katniss," Primson croaked. "Katniss," his voice broke this time, tears spilling out of his eyes.

I finally lift my eyes to him, throat burning. A million images flutter through my mind—the sound of Effie Trinket booming into the microphone both my name and my brother's in the reaping, the startled cry that escaped my mother's lips, the dead silence that followed afterwards.

How could this be?

We sit here, my brother and me, in the room right before the private sessions with the Gamemakers. We are all alone. I'm glad of it, since the other tributes won't see my brother cry, and target him as easy prey.

Could the odds be that not ever in our favor?

I watch my brother, my only brother, which I won't see ever again, no matter what happened.

The thought shook me to the very core.

"Primson, I—"

And then he was hugging me, sobbing loudly into my chest. And I hugged him back, silent tears slipping down my cheeks. I had to protect him, 'till the very end. Even if—no, until I met my death. I'd help him win, return him to our mother, for God knows how'd she'd be if she lost both of us.

Yes, I decide, I must make him the victor. He'd return to District 12, and finally live well. They would never grow hungry again. They won't need me.

My mind suddenly drifts to Gale, my best friend, and maybe more. I will never know now. I think about him at the reaping, how I watched him break as they called out my name and my brother's. I saw it, in his eyes, the battle he had within himself, on whether to volunteer or not. And I had shot him a look, one that said everything I needed to say.

He had a family, one that needed him. He couldn't risk it, I wouldn't let him. And anyways, he knew I'd give up my life to help him win as well. He wouldn't be able to live with that. He would be depressed for days, or even worse, turn out like my mother, silent. He had a family to take care of. That just wasn't possible.

Finally, Primson pulled away from me and wiped his tears away. He looks into me, pleading.

"You're going to live, to grow old, to have children," I say firmly, ending our silent battle.

Primson opened his mouth to retort, but my look silenced him. He nodded numbly in defeat.

"Primson Everdeen," a voice overhead boomed, and swiftly my brother rose to his feet. Halfway through, he stopped and turned.

"I love you,"

His sparkling blue eyes darkened. His blonde hair looked golden in the Training Center's lights.

I strained to breathe, to stop the vertigo in my stomach, the pain in my chest growing until it's unbearable. I swallowed back my tears, and tried to look calm, for him.

"I love you too," I couldn't help it—my voice cracked.

Primson smiled, a genuine smile, one that reminded me of the bright sunrises in the woods of District 12. It's a quick image, the sun rising rapidly into the sky, glowing, beautiful, and so full of hope.

But just as fast, the sun sets, and Primson has disappeared into the room.

And my hope is gone.


Super short, again, and I'm not so happy with this one. I wrote it quick, so excuse any grammar/spelling mistakes I've made. Hope you enjoyed! :)

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