The Hunger Games AU: volunteering for the games is not allowed
I remember that boy - the one who’s bruised face is now on the tiny screen on our table, as he stumbles through the forest just a few feet in front of Prim. He saved my life once, a long time ago. And now he’s trying to save her’s. The only person I’ve ever loved. What he’s doing is unprecedented. No one has ever offered to save someone else’s life rather than fight for their own in the games. But, then again, no one else would’ve risked a beating to throw some bread to a dying girl in the seam. Peeta Mellark is much more remarkable than I ever gave him credit for, and now I will never be able to thank him. Prim’s arms are bruised and a small cut on her cheek is bleeding and I want to reach out and hold her close and promise her that everything’s going to be okay. But I know that that would be a lie, just like the pin on her jacket that I promised would keep the bad things away.
- Peeta: Katniss, I remember about the bread.
- Katniss: They showed you the tape of me talking about it?
- Peeta: No. Is there a tape of you talking about it? Why didn't the Capitol use it against me?
- Katniss: I made it the day you were rescued. So what do you remember?
- Peeta: You. In the rain. Digging in our trash bins. Burning the bread. My mother hitting me. Taking the bread out for the pit but then giving it to you instead.
- Katniss: That's it. That's what happened. The next day, after school, I wanted to thank you. But I didn't know how.
- Peeta: We were outside at the end of the day. I tried to catch your eye. You looked away. And then for some reason...I think you picked a dandelion. I must have loved you a lot.
- Katniss: You did.
That’s when we hear Maysilee begin to scream. The alliance is over and she broke it off, so no one could blame him for ignoring her. But Haymitch runs for her, anyway. He arrives only in time to watch the last of a flock of candy pink birds skewer her through the neck. He holds her hand while she dies, and all I can think of is Rue and how I was too late to save her, too.
