16. Favorite underrated character you think deserves to be talked about more?
So my answer to this is, perhaps surprisingly, Katniss.
I know what you’re about to say… “She’s literally the main character? She’s not underrated!” And in a way, yes. That is technically true! But also, I think she is a character deeply misunderstood in a lot of ways by people! I do blame this in part on the movies portrayal of her. Beyond that though, I think there are people who just miss some of the deeper layers to her!
She is flawed and genuine in a way that feels so visceral and real! She is unapologetically herself, whether she means to be or not, and she loves people so so big! Her inner monologue is so beautiful and funny and just such an accurate portrayal of the internal thought processes of a teenage girl!
As a writer I am constantly awed by Suzanne’s ability to craft this fascinating, brilliant, young woman! One I constantly find myself discovering new things about every year I get to sit with these books! After over 10 years of having her in my life, I can freely admit that Katniss as a character shaped me in ways I never could have guessed! I completely adore her and admire her for all her faults and her strengths! So in my mind, she will always be just a little underrated because there will always be someone who has yet to discover the magic of her!
Created: February 11, 2026 | Last updated: May 21, 2026
I primarily write canon compliant, post-Mockingjay everlark fics 💚🧡
A Hero on a History Book Page: Ten years after the 74th Hunger Games, a re-education program makes its way across the districts. Feeling inspired, Katniss signs herself, Peeta, and Haymitch up to finish their schooling.
Chapters: 5/?
Word count: 21,846
Rating: Teen
Last updated: May 21, 2026
Bed Chem: Teenage Peeta once daydreamed about his crush sneaking into his bedroom to "study" together. Now, 26-years-old and enrolled in a re-education program, he has the chance to reenact an old fantasy of his. A Hero on a History Book Page Peeta POV one-shot, but can be read as a standalone fic.
Chapters: 1/1
Word Count: 7,480
Rating: Explicit
Posted: May 16, 2026
Here your dreams are sweet: It's Father's Day, and what better way to celebrate Peeta by treating him to breakfast in bed while snatching his leg?
Chapters: 1/1
Word count: 3,048
Rating: General
Posted: April 23, 2026
You saw me start to believe for the first time: Haymitch finds a new reason to not join Lenore Dove in the sweet old hereafter, thanks to Katniss and Peeta. Sequel to Do you remember (we were sitting there by the water) but works as a standalone fic too.
Chapters: 1/1
Word count: 2,289
Rating: General
Posted: April 14, 2026
My heart, my hips, my body, my love: Katniss and Peeta's relationship is still relatively new, but the tiniest action unintentionally creates some self-esteem and body image issues.
Chapters: 1/1
Word count: 3,600
Rating: Mature
Last updated: March 22, 2026
my beloved ghost and me: The thoughts of Peeta Mellark just prior to his rescue and arrival in District 13.
Chapters: 1/1
Word count: 1,000
Rating: Teen
Posted: March 19, 2026
Long Story Short(s): A year after the events of Cultivating a War, Peeta finds himself in a new predicament: his gardening outfit has caused a bit of shock for Katniss and Haymitch. Can be read without Cultivating a War but pair well together.
Chapters: 1/1
Word count: 7,528
Rating: Teen
Posted: March 1, 2026
My cards are on the table (yours are in your hand): Two times Peeta Mellark wanted to give Katniss Everdeen a Valentine's card, and one time he actually does.
Chapters: 4/4
Word count: 8,766
Rating: Teen
Last updated: February 14, 2026
In the heat of your electric touch: Residual thunderstorm anxiety after the finale of the Quarter Quell has Katniss and Peeta on edge one night. They comfort each other in one of the best ways they know how.
Chapters: 1/1
Word count: 2610
Rating: Explicit
Posted: February 8, 2026
"and fuck this rock": On a hike to the lake, Katniss goes on a tangent about things Gale did in the past. The hike is temporarily forgotten about when things heat up between her and Peeta at the old meeting spot.
Chapters: 1/1
Word count: 2,279
Rating: Mature
Posted: January 10, 2026
Dancing in a Snow Globe: Katniss and Peeta try out the new outdoor skating rink in District 12, wrapped up in each other's arms.
Chapters: 1/1
Word count: 2,986
Rating: General
Posted: January 1, 2026 (Originally published on tumblr in December 2025 as part of Everlark Swiftmas)
Just being in your arms: Panem's winter holiday gives Katniss and Peeta new ways to create traditions and memories for their little family.
Chapters: 1/1
Word count: 5,180
Rating: Explicit
Posted: December 24, 2025 (Originally posted on tumblr in early December 2025 for Everlark Swiftmas)
Plaid Shirt Days: The newly revamped Harvest Festival gives Katniss and Peeta a reason to dance. A busy Peeta makes for a lonely Katniss, and his clothes start to go missing as a result.
Chapters: 1/1
Word count: 2,593
Rating: Teen
Posted: December 8, 2025 (Originally published on tumblr in October 2025 as part of Fluff Fest Harvest Edition)
Katniss P. Mellark: Peeta and his daughter, Willow, spend time together painting. A sleeping, pregnant Katniss turns into an unsuspecting canvas.
Chapters: 1/1
Word count: 1,931
Rating: General
Posted: December 3, 2025 (Originally posted on tumblr in October 2025 as part of Fluff Fest Harvest Edition)
Because I'm the one you want: Peeta wakes up from a nightmare in which Katniss cheats on him with Gale. Both are horrified and remind each other they're the only ones they want.
Chapters: 2/2
Word count: 3,317
Rating: Explicit
Last updated: October 24, 2025
Quiet: A freshly toasted Katniss and Peeta take a trip on the train for their honeymoon and are unable to keep their hands to themselves, or their voices down low.
Chapters: 1/1
Word count: 6,205
Rating: Mature
Posted: October 9, 2025
Movin' Out (Willow's Song): Willow Mellark has had enough of her crying baby brother and decides she's better off living in the woods.
Chapters: 2/2
Word count: 8,810
Rating: General
Last updated: October 1, 2025
Cultivating a War: A simple joke between Haymitch and Peeta over who will cultivate the better garden turns into a heated gardening war, complete with petty pranks.
Chapters: 11/11
Word count: 18,455
Rating: Teen
Last updated: September 24, 2025
A Song for a Road Trip: Katniss and Peeta take their two children, along with Papa Haymitch, on a family road trip. Peeta tries to find the perfect song, Katniss tries to keep everyone in check, and Haymitch does his best to get on her nerves. Truly a family bonding experience.
Chapters: 3/3
Word count: 9,408
Rating: Teen
Last updated: August 29, 2025
Do you remember (we were sitting there by the water): Peeta has a very serious, life-changing question he needs to ask his best friend.
Chapters: 1/1
Word count: 2,270
Rating: Teen
Posted: August 26, 2025
Red Plaid: An exploration of the passage of time between a little boy, a girl with a beautiful voice, and how things came to be for them. Available as a podfic!
Chapters: 1/1
Word count: 1,212
Rating: General
Posted: August 24, 2025
Papa's Party: July 4th is a complicated day for the District 12 Victors, but Katniss and Peeta's daughter wants to make sure her Papa has a good birthday.
Chapters: 1/1
Word count: 2,391
Rating: General
Posted: July 6, 2025
Is it cool that I said all that?: After Katniss and Peeta come home from the 74th Hunger Games, their friends Madge and Delly form their own friendship and observe Katniss and Peeta's feelings dance around each other. POVs from both Madge and Delly between the homecoming and up to the Quarter Quell.
Chapters: 5/5
Word count: 3,157
Rating: General
Last updated: July 4, 2025 (Originally published on tumblr in May 2025 for Fluff Fest)
One-shot collection: birthday gifts
A mishmash of one-shots written for everlark writer friends as birthday gifts compiled into one fic. Each chapter is a different rating, but all are focused on everlark. Fluff, smut, and more.
Chapters: 12/?
Word count: 28,045
Rating: Varies by chapter, ranges from General to Explicit
Last updated: May 3, 2026
Layout inspired by the master fic list of @firehelpmeforget
I was lucky enough to be involved in @thgpodficexchange this Valentine's and was matched with the wonderfully talented @electrictouchfob. I chose to read their work 'Red Plaid' because of the beautiful way it was written, spanning from pre-cannon all the way to post-mockingjay. It was truly a delightful read, and a great introduction to recording podfics. Go give it a listen, and the original work some extra love! Make sure to check out the rest of the collection too!
Do a run-through of your works, be they writing, art, or otherwise, starting January 1, 2025!
Thank you, @firehelpmeforget and @electrictouchfob for tagging me!
Summary:
Words written: 28,846
Stories published on AO3: 7
Podfics: 0
Tumblr drabbles: 1
Fandom written for the most: The Hunger Games
Most common pairing: Katniss Everdeen/Peeta Mellark
Most common additional tag: Post- Book 3: Mockingjay
Superlatives:
Longest: Sunrise without a Reaping
Shortest: "Stealing" from Mellark Bakery
Best Title: The Cumberland Witch
Most Popular: Let Me Show You How Real It Is
Most Overlooked: Do You Picture Me Like I Picture You
Most Likely to Be President: Invisible String
Best Dressed (workin/format): N/A
Life of the Party: Would It Be Enough
Late to Class: N/A
Director's Notes Under the Cut
Invisible String: My very first THG fic ever! I had just finished reading SOTR and I could not let go of detail about Burdock saving Otho's life. I wondered how Haymitch would tell his story and whether he would include this small detail and how Katniss and Peeta would react to it. I had so much fun writing it and it will always have a special place in my heart.
Let Me Show You How Real It Is: Very horny and very angsty. I was nervous about how far I wanted them to go... this could have easily turned into smut but I cut off before it could get there. I love hurt feelings, and making out what can I say? I love how Peeta can catch Katniss off guard and really fluster her. I love Peeta sass, and I feel like I represented it well here.
Do You Picture Me Like I Picture You: My first Peeta POV!! He is sad and horny. I wonder about Peeta's POV from the OG trilogy all the time, and I just had to get his perspective from the primroses scene, and I really liked the conversation with Haymitch. It was raw and messy. I think their dynamic post-war would be different and they can have those honest conversations. I would love to write from Peeta's POV again, his voice is hard for me to find.
Sunrise Without a Reaping: This is so sad. My brain really just came up with the saddest stuff it could come up with and wrote it down. It's also my longest fic... I just really want to set up Katniss's state of mind before Peeta comes to see her. I really loved the dialogue between Katniss and Peeta here. I was very specific about the words they used, I'm really proud of how it turned out. The last line "I want to believe him, I really do." is really important to me. I wanted to end it on hope. Hope for the future, hope that'll it get better. Even if Katniss doesn't quite believe it herself yet.
"Stealing" from Mellark Bakery: My shortest fic! It was inspired from this post. Just sweet domestic evelark fluff! This was my quickest fic too, wrote it in about 10 minutes.
The Cumberland Witch: A spooky(ish) one off for THG Trick or Treat 2025! I just keep picturing Katniss and Peeta hearing a noise in their house at night and thinking it's an urban legend from their childhood and it turns out to be Buttercup locked in a closet or something.
Would It Be Enough: My very first smut! Written for An Everlark Swiftmas! Not originally meant to be smut, but my hand slipped and it just happened. I actually cut around 300 words of the smut scene from the first draft because I thought it was too long. This one is also sad, I don't know what's wrong with me.
Untitled Drabble: This doesn't have a title, but I saw this post, and it was so cute, and I could clearly see the scene play out! I love flirty Everlark and I want to write more of it.
What's Next?
That is the question... I have two WIPs and a handful of ideas. I'm really excited for a catching fire au where Katniss and Peeta get over themselves and talk to each other before the victory tour. It's getting super long and probably going to be more than one chapter. I also have a long fic in the works that may or may not include Katniss singing fleetwood mac songs and a handsome bachelor from District 10. Do this fics have titles? No. Do they have a release date? No. But I am so excited to share them when they're ready! I've also been toying with the idea of a part two for Invisible String, one where Haymitch finishes his story and Katniss finds the goose eggs.
Thanks for letting me yap about my fics!
Tagging @mandrake-mistakes @hopeandwhiteliquor @dandelionsunset1210 and anyone else who wants to play!
Katniss and Peeta visit Disrtict 4. While there, they babysit Annie and Finnick's son. They prepare everything for a picnic on the beach, and once they arrive they actually see a whale! Baby Odair tells them all about them <3
“It’s okay, Katniss,” he murmurs, squeezing my hand. “We’re so ready for this. You can do it!” he encourages me. I nod back, but I don’t say anything.
I look down and notice my foot tapping on the floor, now realizing this is a habit I had as a girl back in school. No one ever called me out for it, but I feel as if I’ve been taken back to a dilapidated classroom full of dreaded coal lessons.
Ten years after the 74th Hunger Games, a re-education program makes its way across the districts. Feeling inspired, Katniss signs herself, Peeta, and Haymitch up to finish their schooling.
Do a run-through of your works, be they writing, art, or otherwise, starting January 1, 2025!
I was tagged by:
@firehelpmeforget
@peaonfire
@mynightmaresareaboutlosingyou
Summary:
Words written: 74, 778
Stories published on AO3: 14
Podfics: 0
Tumblr drabbles: 3, I think?
Fandom written for the most: The Hunger Games
Most common pairing: Katniss Everdeen/Peeta Mellark (everlark)
Most common additional tag: A variety of fluff tags, or Post-Book 3: Mockingjay
Superlatives:
Longest: Cultivating a War
Shortest: Red Plaid
Best Title: Movin’ Out (Willow’s Song)
Most Popular: Because I’m the one you want, although thinking of you is about to overtake it
Most Overlooked: A Song for a Road Trip
Most Likely to Be President: Movin’ Out (Willow’s Song)
Best Dressed (work skin/format): N/A
Life of the Party: Quiet
Late to Class: Just being in your arms
Director's Notes Under the Cut
Is it cool that I said all that?: My first ever fanfic written in Spring 2025. Fluff Fest was announced and originally I sent in several prompts (and many of which were picked and some great fics came from those!). It was kind of a whim but I decided to try my hand at writing fanfic myself, mainly because I wanted to feel like I belonged. I even further challenged myself by picking the “Delly and Madge gossip about everlark” prompt. I try to not look down upon it too much, but my writing has improved, which is a good thing! I think Madge, Delly, Katniss, and Peeta would've been such a sweet friend group.
Papa’s Party: I came up with this one pretty quickly after I went bowling for the first time since high school graduation over a decade ago. It just happened to be the same weekend as Haymitch’s birthday and given it’s not his favourite day, I figured he could use some cheer many years after the events of Sunrise on the Reaping. I wrote it almost in one sitting which I was impressed by! This was my first time writing parent!everlark and the toast babies, and as someone who does not spend time around children, I had no idea how they’d turn out but I loooove Rye here — especially when he bowls the wrong way. As I’ll mention again later, I like giving District 12 some fun activities. Willow's insistence of Haymitch wanting a pink and purple cake with lots of sprinkles was another highlight.
Cultivating a War: The first “long” fic I wrote, and even in the grand scheme of things, it’s pretty short. I had a dream back in June about a fic called Peppers for Peeta. I wish I had remembered more of it but this is where Cultivating a War stemmed from, along with a tumblr post. I loved writing petty Haymitch and it’s carried over into other fics. I would love to give CAW a sequel but I’d need to do some extensive planning first. It kept me occupied throughout Summer 2025. The mint plant and the toy bees deserve a round of applause.
Red Plaid: This is where I started to write more. I wrote this for Toast Babies Week 2025 after I scrapped my original fic. It shows the parallels of Katniss and Peeta’s first day of school followed by their daughter’s. In terms of plots, it’s pretty short and sweet but I think it shows just how much has changed over the years. I really don't have a lot to say about this one... it just kind of... exists.
A Song for a Road Trip: This one has such a special place in my heart. The Mellark family, along with Papa Haymitch, take a road trip up the coast. It technically takes place in Panem although I left it vague enough that it could be read as an AU if you prefer. For instance, Peeta owns a minivan for bakery deliveries — it has its own side plot in chapter 2. I had so much fun writing it, and again, it was another last minute fic I pulled together. Special shoutout to the "graphic design is my passion" banner.
Road Trip was heavily inspired by my own family vacations as a child and I’m especially grateful I wrote it as such now. Peeta’s oversized driving glasses and zip off pants were a staple of my father’s “driving attire” and unfortunately he passed away over the holidays (I’ll be fine, at some point, but I still can’t believe I’m even saying that), so I’m holding this fic even closer to me now. On a more humorous note, I was going to abbreviate the title but just discovered it spells ASFART. 😂 I would never, ever tell my family I write fanfics but I think he’d have a good laugh over the abbreviation. Someone loudly farted during a group photo at the family reunion a few summers ago, it’s possible it was him.
Do you remember (we were sitting there by the water): I was on vacation the week I wrote Road Trip and Do you remember. DYR was inspired by the announcement of Taylor Swift’s engagement and while it is named after a lyric in her song Mine, that’s the only reference in the fic if you’re not into her music. Peeta works up the nerve to ask Katniss “a very important question” and receives advice from Haymitch (in a very Haymitch way) and even from a Burdock in the breeze. It ends on a very “them” note.
Movin’ Out (Willow’s Song): I think this is my favourite fic I’ve written to date. The first chapter was inspired by the episode of Arthur when DW runs away from home due to a case of middle child syndrome and not adjusting to her baby sister (honestly, I don’t blame her. My brother and I are only 22 months apart and if the gap had been any larger I think I would’ve behaved similarly). Four-year-old Willow Mellark has had enough of her baby brother’s nonstop crying as he’s teething and feels put out her parents aren’t as focused on her as she wants them to be. This was originally a one-shot from her POV but at the end of September, I was in such a foul mood over something work related and when I shut my eyes, I saw the entirety of Katniss’ POV in front of me. I’m not a parent but I think I did a really good job getting inside Katniss’ mind. She’s trying to balance two kids with different needs, Peeta is at work, and now she’s overcome with stress and extreme guilt realizing her daughter is missing. At the end of the day, Katniss and Peeta Mellark are wonderful, loving parents, even if they make mistakes.
I am still pissed that tumblr flagged the runaway kid pic in the banner as mature. It’s not even showing the kid’s face, come on.
Quiet: Well, I went from “I’m embarrassed I’m reading fanfic” to “ok I’ll write it but I’ll never write smut” to “let’s make them fuck three times in one fic” awfully fast, didn’t I? This is my first time writing smut and I do think highly of it, for the most part. Katniss and Peeta are going on a honeymoon via train. Katniss has no concept of being quiet in bed despite her grumpy neighbour’s reminders to shut the window. Peeta reminds her of the same thing given they’re in close quarters but she just wants to have fun with her husband. In terms of bookmarks, it’s my most bookmarked fic and I’m not complaining. Any time I need a "modern day concept" to appear in post-war Panem, I say they learned it from Delly. She is the pop culture queen of District 12.
Because I’m the one you want: Started out from an idea of “what if Peeta had a nightmare about Katniss having sex with Gale” and evolved from there. Two glasses of red wine were consumed during the writing process and I thank the liquid courage they gave me. Katniss feels awful about the dream and makes sure Peeta doesn't have to ever worry.
I would rather die from suffocating while eating her out than relive the horrors of that nightmare. At least I would go to whatever heaven exists because with Katniss fucking my face, I'm already there.
Mic drop.
thinking of you: This is a collection of one-shots and drabbles dedicated to some of the wonderful people I’ve gotten to know this year. I’ll hopefully be picking it back up this month — I had some well underway before things went haywire in my life. The last one in the collection at the moment involves Katniss and Peeta having sex on a hay bale and I just find it so funny, their inhibitions went out the window that night.
Katniss P. Mellark: I wrote this during the fall for Fluff Fest: Fall Edition (I can never keep the name straight). Katniss is pregnant with toast baby boy and while she naps, Peeta and Willow get into the face paint and turn Katniss into a pumpkin. It’s the last third person fic I have written to date as I’ve started to transition into first person.
Plaid Shirt Days: Apparently I like plaid themed titles. A few years after the war, District 12’s Harvest Festival has been revamped and is a yearly favourite. Peeta’s a busy man getting ready for it at the bakery. Katniss is missing her husband and starts to wear his clothes to feel close to him. It comes to a head when Peeta notices most of his shirts are gone and Katniss sheepishly admits she’s been taking them. It’s cute and funny.
Dancing in a Snow Globe: I started this back in the fall, with the intent to publish it this winter anyway. @an-everlark-swiftmas came along and it was a match (prompt) made in heaven. I love exploring a rebuilding District 12 and giving everlark new experiences to try. I also got to add in some funny Owen Sparrow and Shiloh cameos (thank you @firehelpmeforget and @dandelionsunset1210 — and turn around, Mr. Sparrow). Katniss and Peeta have some entertaining banter and plenty of soft moments.
Just being in your arms: One last everlark fic to end out the year. I wanted to give Panem a winter holiday. It’s very heavily based on Christmas but more so the “traditions” like a tree, ornaments, mistletoe, etc. Katniss, our wonderful woman of the woods, knows how to cut down a tree thanks to Johanna. At this point, all of my fics seem to loosely exist in one vague universe so we have an older and just as matter-of-fact Willow, who has inherited her mother’s beautiful scowl. Rye is a delight. Peeta is living out his best life as the dad he deserves to be alongside Katniss, who loves her family with all her heart. Mistletoe also leads to sex in front of the fireplace.
What's Next?
My cards are on the table (yours are in your hand): a two times Peeta tried to give Katniss a Valentine, and one time he actually did fic for February. Poor, poor pining Peeta.
More one-shots for friends. <3
Another fic I’ve said I’d like to do for a while now is a Katniss POV of the winter Willow is 11. I imagine she has a lot of high emotions and worry as she watches her daughter reach the age she was when she lost her father.
And finally, I would like to come up with a multi-chapter fic at some point. I’ll need to do some brainstorming and planning.
Thank you so much to everyone who has engaged with my fics in 2025. It means a lot!
No pressure tags to: @cow-in-the-sunset @cafeinama @pinwheelwhirl @you-askedforthis @mage-chocolate @anotherunderpaidartist
