First Hunger Games fic. I dedicate this to daughter of the Risen King. I got my beta (who hasn't read the books) to edit this just so she can read it. AP buddy, this is for you.
This is angsty. But the Hunger Games is angsty, so it works (*self justification*). This takes place in Catching Fire during Katniss's interview for the Quarter Quell. And it's from Peeta's perspective, because OHMYGOODNESSIJUSTLOVEPEETA. Ahem, let's get on to the fic, shall we?
Enjoy!
-RD :)
All the King's Horses
She flies away, far, far from his waiting hands.
.x.x.x.
It feels almost like the world is caving in — like his lungs will collapse from all the pressure. It's melting away, just like her dress as she twirls and twirls and twirls and the pretty little thing burns away.
It's such a nice dress. It's a shame to waste it.
But now the dress is gone, long gone, burnt away into nothingness — and in its place is a new costume. It's covered in black and gray and white feathers, and though it takes him a few seconds to understand, the realization hits him like a wave.
She is a Mockingjay.
One of Cinna's works of genius, no doubt. The sleeves are fashioned to take on the appearance of wings, and the shape of the outfit is made to transform Katniss Everdeen, the girl who was on fire, into a Mockingjay, the symbol of her victory over the Games and so much more.
It's obvious she hasn't seen this wardrobe change coming, because she looks at herself with the same interest and surprise as everyone in the Capitol — everyone in Panem — gives her.
She's beautiful, stunning up there as she captures the hearts of the country for the umpteenth time and captures Peeta Mellark's heart for the millionth time.
For him, the Mockingjay represents a whole other set of things about her. She's free, unable to have her mind twisted into one of the Capitol's mindless puppets by the Games. She's unattainable — she flies away from the grasp of all who try to hold her.
And, of course, that includes himself.
The interview comes to a close and the girl on fire makes her way from the stage. It's his turn next, preparing to, hopefully, move the world as powerfully as she just did with his tales of a life that is not his, a life that's a lie, a life he only wishes he can live. In that life, Katniss Everdeen is Mrs. Katniss Mellark, they are a happy newlywed couple who recently eloped and have a child on the way, and their romance isn't just some façade expertly woven to save their lives.
In that life, Katniss Everdeen is really in love with him.
It's not all acting — not on his part, anyway. He's been drawn to her for as long as he can remember. Part of him wishes they could go back to Twelve and make a life together. Really get married. Start a family and find a way to keep them from the Capitol's cruel Games. Stop living a lie.
But the rest of him realizes that dream is as far out of reach as the Mockingjay.
As she brushes past him, he steles his resolve to show the whole watching world that he's the Peeta Mellark they know from television, the one hopelessly lost in his love for the girl on fire. He's got to convince Caesar. Convince the Capitol. Convince the whole of Panem. He might even convince himself, if he tries hard enough.
Maybe he'll even convince her before she flies away.
.
.
.
They are far, far beyond repair.