Title: Inconstancy
Summary:Because so much can be conveyed in a name. And in the end, it was the simplest things that mattered. Prim-centric. A collection of one-shots, in non-chronological order.
Notes: This one will be AU, in which Thresh wins the Hunger Games instead of Katniss.
This one seemed a bit cliche to me. I guess the idea is used often. Maybe that's why?
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games or the opening quote.
Daffodil
"Lore connecting the daffodil to not only a sign of winter's end but a lucky emblem of future prosperity is found throughout the world."
"I'm sorry for your loss," they said to her.
"If only things were different..." they murmured as she passed by.
If only Katniss had made it out of the tree in time. If only the Gamemakers hadn't sent that ball of fire her way. If only she ran to the fields of grain instead of to the forest. If only she hadn't volunteered. If only she went in instead of her, so it would be herself they would be murmuring about.
If only, if only...
The girl on fire, they dubbed her. The Capitol must be laughing in their silk-spun clothes, their flamboyant wigs. The irony of it all.
After the Games, Gale came by often. He provided her mother and herself with whatever the Hob had to offer that day, just like Katniss used to. His coat even has the same scent as Katniss used to have-that fresh forest smell. When he walked past her, she could just barely catch a whiff of Katniss.
Her mother accepted this with nothing but a strained smile. That was how she went about most things now.
These days, she found herself talking to Gale; he was the only other person who knew Katniss as well as she did. Most of the time, she was sure she didn't make sense at all. That didn't keep her from talking. She told him the stories most: that year Katniss bought Lady for her, the day she tried (and failed) to teach her how to use a bow and arrow. Some included him. Others didn't. But they were all stories he had heard before, but from a olive-skinned, dark-haired girl.
So when Gale offered to teach her how to hunt, she had to refuse. He shrugged and said something about going to the Hob. As he left, he didn't seem too disappointed. Relieved, maybe.