Tell me a tale...

to Panem, District 12, fanfiction, and everything else. Prompts will be posted on Mondays. Create and submit to Tales of Panem. New creations will be posted the next Monday.

[talesofpanem]

Everlark Holiday Bingo 2021

Tales of Panem is pleased to announce Everlark Holiday Flash Bingo 2021. All are welcome to participate. 

Here’s how it works: 

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[talesofpanem]

Who needs some extra time? While today is the last day of the bingo, Christmas keeps coming. Everlark Holday Bingo 2021 is extended through Monday, January 17. Happy reading, and happy writing!

[jhsgf82-deactivated20220508]

Peeta the Nutcracker Prince

Middle edit by @daydreamsandcaffeine​ Thank you!

Author: @jhsgf82​

Card number and prompt: Card 1, Unwanted Gift

Title: Peeta the Nutcracker Prince

Rating: G 

Summary: (AU) Peeta tells a fantastical tale to his children at bedtime on Christmas Eve about how he and their Mama met and fell in love. Is it true? Or is it merely one of Peeta’s beguiling stories? Written for @talesofpanem​‘s Everlark Holiday Bingo 2021  

Word Count: 6,197 (Completed one-shot)

Author’s Note: The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the story “The Nutcracker and the King of Mice” written by E.T.A. Hoffman. The basic plot is as such: It’s the story of a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads. Marius Petipa choreographed the story into a ballet, which was based on a revision of the story by Alexandre Dumas. Clara and Fritz were the names of the children in The Nutcracker. Originally, the girl was named Marie (or Masha), and she was an orphan and her doll was Clara, but this was adapted; sometimes she is referred to as Marie but most often, Clara (anyone can feel free to correct me if I’m wrong here). I’ve also seen Clara (Marie)’s mischievous brother called Frederick. The original story is quite a bit darker than the revised story and ballet, but if you’re interested, check it out.  

*I definitely took some liberties with the story and made some changes, tried to get a bit creative with it and parallel THG where I could, but I also tried to keep the heart of The Nutcracker story the same. Note: Italics indicates the story being told or thoughts (sometimes with single quotation marks); regular text is the present time narration.

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[daydreamsandcaffeine]

Sugar and Spice Surprise

Author: @daydreamsandcaffeine

Card number and prompt: Card 3 - Baking Cookies

Title: Sugar and Spice Surprise

Rating: G

Summary: Of sweet traditions, grandmothers, and love - Poppy and Graham Mellark are eager to surprise their mama. Pure and utter fluff, modern AU.

Word count: 1,403

Author’s note: At the start of 2021, I never would've predicted that I'd write and share stories, and now here I am wrapping up a bingo card for @talesofpanem Everlark Holiday Bingo 2021. Kudos to @jhsgf82 for being an amazing friend and beta-ing, couldn't have done this whole writing thing without ya! To the readers, I hope 2022 is good to you.

“Papa, when can we put the cookie dough into the molds?” An eager blue-eyed, dark curly-haired 6-year-old Poppy Mellark asks whilst peeking up over the kitchen counter. Her 4-year-old chubby, blond, grey-eyed brother Graham stands next to her, his eyes shining with equal eagerness.

“Soon, my little bakers,” says her papa, who is prepping the materials on said counter. He holds up his right pointer finger over his lips. “But remember, we have to stay quiet if you want to surprise your mama with them when she wakes up.”

The sister and brother bob their heads up and down in response. Their eyes twinkle in merriment, struggling to contain their excitement to surprise their mama with Christmas cookies and decadent hot chocolate for breakfast.

—

The children loved the story about how their parents’ relationship began over a tin of spiced cookies. When their mama was 14, their Grandpa Everdeen had been in a car accident while driving home from work; another car ran a red light and hit the driver’s side. Due to the injuries, he spent the holidays that year in the hospital recovering, so the Everdeens were there everyday that holiday period.

Peeta wanted to do something, anything really, that could bring a semblance of festive cheer to his classmate and long-time crush, Katniss. Whenever he felt a little blue during that time of year, his Oma would bake a batch of her family’s famous speculaas cookies, and afterwards, they’d then munch on them together. Every single time, he felt full of joy-his blue mood forgotten, replaced with memories of delectable spices of clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, and ginger and his Oma’s love. So, he thought he could do the same for Katniss; if it successfully made him feel better, then maybe it would do the same for her. Plus, this would by far outdo the hospital’s holiday offerings, in his opinion, anyways.

On the last day of school before winter break, Peeta spotted Katniss clearing out her locker. He knew this was his chance, so after a brief pep talk to himself, he marched to her locker and handed her the tin of his Oma’s cookies. “I’m sorry about what happened to your dad, Katniss. I know it must be hard right now with him at the hospital instead of at home, but I hope these can help a little bit. I made my Oma’s special cookies that always make me feel better when I’m down.”

“Oh, um, thank you” was all Katniss could say. She herself was flustered by Peeta’s unexpected but kind gesture; otherwise, she would have tried to refuse, not used to receiving something without having anything to give in return. Not knowing what else to do or say, Katniss hurriedly rushed off to get Prim and then make their way to see their father. Peeta watched her go, and while he wished there could have been more to the exchange, he just hoped his Oma’s cookies would do their trick.

He was working his bakery shift a week later when he saw Katniss through the window. She seemed to be internally debating herself, based on her pacing back and forth and the serious look on her face. He saw her take a deep breath before she made her way to the door, opened it, and stepped into the bakery. She looked to the counter and made eye contact with Peeta. After a visible inhale and exhale, she walked towards him.

“Hey, Katniss. Welcome to Mellarks’,” he warmly greeted her with a smile, hoping to ease some of her nerves.

“Thank you for the cookies. Prim loved them; they made her happy. My parents also enjoyed them; my dad said it’s better than what the hospital passes for dessert,” she blurted.

“What about you?”

She quietly and shyly answered, “I really liked them, too. It helped us forget that we were in the hospital for a little bit.”

Peeta couldn’t help but beam upon hearing that. It was everything he’d hoped it would do and more. “It’s Oma’s holiday magic.”

Katniss nodded and then held out a canister to him. “Um, this is for you.”

He quirked an eyebrow in question as he took the canister from her.

“It’s Grandma Everdeen’s special hot chocolate,” she clarified. “To return the favor.”

He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand and shrugged. “It was nothing, Katniss. I wanted to do something that could bring a little bit of holiday joy to you and your family.”

A whisper of a soft smile graced her lips. “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Peeta.”

An act of thoughtfulness and a returned gesture lit the match, coaxing a pleasant fire between the two. Through kindle and tending, a friendship was forged that blossomed into the relationship they have now. Thus, each holiday season, Oma Mellark’s perfectly spiced speculaas and Grandma Everdeen’s rich hot chocolate made a special appearance.

—

This year, Poppy and Graham were giddy to participate in the yearly tradition, so they (Poppy talked for the both of them) asked their papa if they could help make the cookies and the hot chocolate and surprise their mama in bed (Mama had recently been feeling a lot more worn down).

“It’s time to put the cookies in the mold, my little bakers,” Peeta announces.

The children squeal with delight in return. After putting on matching red and green aprons that say “Santa’s Elf” on them, they step onto the foot stools Peeta has set up for them by the counter. With Peeta’s guidance, Poppy and Graham put speculaas dough into the cookie molds, and when ready, Peeta pops each cookie out of its mold. “Ooos” and “aahs” are bountiful during the process; Poppy and Graham point out various details they can see imprinted on the cookies.

After all the dough is used, Peeta places the molded cookies into the oven. He and the children make the hot chocolate while they wait for the speculaas to finish baking. Poppy, being the grown up 6-year-old she is, wants to be in charge of presentation; she picks out the plate and mug to place on the tray and uses some remaining holly and ivy decor to round out the tray. Once the oven timer dings , Peeta takes the cookies out and lets them cool for a few minutes before he carefully transfers the ones Poppy and Graham selected to the plate.

Once all is ready, Poppy and Graham lead the way up the stairs and down the hall to their parents’ bedroom as Peeta carries the tray. Peeta quietly opens the bedroom door, and in unison, the children run inside, jump onto the bed, and yell, “Surprise, Mama, surprise!”

Katniss, already awake, is sitting up in bed and scrolling through articles on her phone. She smiles at her children, eyes playfully curious. When Peeta steps into the room holding the aromatic tray, he grins, winks at her, and cocks his head in the direction of the enthusiastic kids. Her eyes dawn with realization, but she keeps up the charade. “What’s the surprise?”

“We made cookies!” Graham proudly announces. Simultaneously, Peeta sets the tray down in front of Katniss and stays standing beside the bed.

Poppy adds, “We helped Papa make Great Oma’s speculaas cookies and Great Grandma’s hot chocolate.” She carefully enunciates speculaas, since it’s not a word that easily rolls off her tongue just yet.

“It smells wonderful,” Katniss encourages. She picks up a cookie and bites into it. “It tastes delicious as always.” The smiles on Poppy’s and Graham’s faces grow even wider, rivaling their father’s. Katniss grabs the mug of hot chocolate and sips. “Mmm, just like Grandma Everdeen’s. Thank you, my little ones. This was a lovely surprise.”

The siblings clap their hands together, ecstatic that they pulled it off-with the help of their papa. Katniss gives each one a cookie, and they happily start eating them.

The weight of the bed shifts next to Katniss as Peeta joins her. He places featherlight kisses to her forehead. “How are you feeling?”

“Better now. It seems our grandmother’s treats were exactly what these two little ones needed. I can tell they want more,” she says as she caresses the swell of her belly.

“Hmm, maybe this time we should name them after the ingredients used in the cookies and hot chocolate,” he teases. “After all, our grandmas do know best.”

Fin.

—

Final author's note: My ethnicity has Dutch influences, and one of my favorite treats during the holiday season is speculaas (or speculoos in Belgian and French or spekulatius in German; Biscoff may be a more recognizable name). Growing up, my aunt in Germany would ship packages of these cookies to the states to my Oma (grandma) who would then spoil me (and my siblings) with them. These memories are what inspired me to write the above story for the prompt.

[daydreamsandcaffeine]

Naughty or Nice

Author: @daydreamsandcaffeine

Card number and prompt: Card 3 - Santa

Title: Naughty or Nice

Rating: A very, very light M

Summary: Peeta lost a bet, so now he has a temporary new holiday uniform. Katniss reaps the benefits. Modern AU

Word count: 963

Author’s notes: Merry Christmas Eve, friends! (Or maybe I should call y'all dreamers? 🤔) This story is written for @talesofpanem Everlark Holiday Bingo 2021. The plot bunnies started churning in my mind after watching a scene in With Love. There is also a very brief mention of my NFL team. All mistakes are my own. Cheers to @jhsgf82 for encouraging me to expand this story a tiny bit. 😉

Katniss was 10 minutes early for her shift at Abernathy Pub, so she wanted to hang out in the staff break room before facing the crowd of out-of-town patrons only here for the holidays. When she stepped into the room, she was met with an unexpected sight and bewilderedly exclaimed, “What the hell?”

Finnick and Peeta, two of the pub bartenders, were putting Santa hats on their heads, but that was not what threw her for a loop. The tall and lean muscled bronze haired man and the shorter but stocky muscular blond were completely bare chested and only donning red velvet shorts, black boots, and said Santa hats.

Peeta shrugged and simply said, “Lost a bet.” Finnick peacocked at her, his brows turned up suggestively, and winked. “Like what you see, Kitty Kat?”

Scowling and choosing to ignore the happily married man’s question, she switches her attention over to the brunette with the pixie haircut in the corner of the room. Johanna, a pub server like her, looked like she was having a field day.

“Relax, Brainless. These two bet that their beloved Seahawks were going to win out the rest of the season and make it to the playoffs, but they lost on Sunday, so now Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum have to be sexy Santas for the rest of this week, and I get a cut of their tips.” Jo explains with flair. “It’s a win-win. This getup is going to drum up business; I make extra money without even trying…” She paused for dramatic effect. “Plus, you, Brainless, get a free show from Blondie and all his glory.”

Finnick guffawed; Peeta looked bashful, and Katniss turned tomato red. Why did she have to drunkenly ramble to Johanna about her crush? But by the shy looks Peeta was giving her, perhaps the feeling was mutual?

—

That’s how Katniss finds herself back in the break room standing next to a still shirtless Peeta who apparently doesn’t care who sees him nor is he cold, so he doesn’t bother putting a shirt back on. Both of their shifts have ended, and as much as she will not admit it out loud, Johanna was right, she did like watching Peeta in his “sexy” Santa getup. Getting to see his muscles ripple and move as he went about making drinks and tending bar made her insides warm and radiate with energy.

They’re both walking out into the hallway towards the pub’s back entrance when Peeta turns his head down towards Katniss. In his best Santa impression, he asks, “So Katniss Everdeen, have you been naughty or nice this year?” The twinkle in his eyes accompany his teasing smile.

Katniss directs her smokey grey eyes straight into his baby blues in a coy manner and steps in closer to him. Feeling bold, she skims a finger down his bare hard chest which flexes at her touch and sultrily answers, “I’ve been nice all year, but tonight I’m feeling naughty.”

A look of shock and pleasure flash through Peeta’s darkening eyes, her comment catching him off guard. She takes this moment to step away and walk towards the back door of the pub. She stops midway, turns back to him, and continues sexily. “So, Santa Mellark, are you going to reward me or punish me?”

Broken out of his stupor, Peeta sprints to her, grabs her by the waist with both hands, and draws her body so tightly close to his, it leaves no room for the holy ghost. The heat from his unclothed upper half seeps through her white button up shirt. Goosebumps dot her skin in anticipation; her nipples stiffen against her nude bra, and wetness pools in her panties. He tugs the ends of her braid as his lips move to graze her ears, and his whisper sends a delicious shiver down her spine. “Guess that depends on just how naughty you are the rest of tonight.”

Not letting nerves dictate her next move, Katniss turns her head so their lips lightly brush up against each other. She places her hands on the back of his head and pulls him in for a heated kiss. Sparks fly, and the two forget that anything else exists but each other.

It’s lips on lips, tongue against tongue, going after each other like the world is about to end. He gently nips at her bottom lip, and she lets out a moan. She lets her bottom half brush up against those velvet shorts where she feels an ever hardening thick swell, and he groans. The palms of her hands roam the smooth skin of his back; muscles tight and firm. He moves his hand up her torso, cupping her breasts gently before giving them a squeeze.

“Oh hell. Fornicate at ho-ho-home, not in my hallway!” A gruff voice demands. The culprits, caught in the almost-act, are apologetically sheepish as they try avoid eye contact with the pub’s owner, their boss.

Katniss hides her face on Peeta’s shoulder farthest away from their interruptor; her companion speaks for the both of them, “Sorry, Haymitch. We’ll see you tomorrow.” Putting an arm around her shoulders, Peeta turns the two of them back towards the door, and they finally make their way out the pub. Though a little embarrassed, both are still oh so wired and eager to continue their merry (naughty) night.

“Fucking kids. Shouldn’t have let Johanna convince me about the increase in business with that stupid getup while drinking that extra strong eggnog. This is a bar, not a strip club.” Haymitch grumbles to himself as he goes back into his office.

—

All the while from the entryway that leads into the bar, Johanna and Finnick, with knowing grins on their faces, high five each other and shout, “Finally!”

Fin.

[jhsgf82-deactivated20220508]

A District 12 Christmas Carol

Awesome edit by @daydreamsandcaffeine

Author: @jhsgf82​

Card number and prompt: Card 1, Scrooge  Title: A District 12 Christmas Carol   Rating: T   Summary: Miserly Haymitch Abernathy forces his clerk, Peeta Mellark, to work on Christmas Eve, and his wife is none too happy about it. Will he have a change of heart by morning, and miraculously learn to be kind and generous and love Christmas? Based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Word Count: 4,210  Author’s Note: This is a continuation of what I posted last year. There will be one more part after this. I attempted to go with the times (1840s Victorian era London), but do forgive me any period inaccuracies. I, of course, took some creative license in order to merge these two stories/universes. I hope you enjoy! Written for @talesofpanem​ Everlark Holiday Bingo 2021. Thanks to @sparklingdust4612​ for the pretty page breaks/line dividers!  Paraphrased and direct quotes by Charles Dickens: “Well, if they’d rather die, then they’d better do it, and decrease the surplus population.” “You were a tight-fisted hand to the grindstone…Hard and sharp as flint…Solitary as an oyster.”  “If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.”

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[daydreamsandcaffeine]

Peppermint Kisses

Author: @daydreamsandcaffeine

Card number and prompt: Card 3 - Peppermint

Title: Peppermint Kisses

Rating: G

Summary: District 12 has some new traditions - Winter Festivals, candy canes, and mistletoe. An In Panem/post MJ setting.

Word count: 718

Author’s notes: Written for @talesofpanem Everlark Holiday Bingo 2021. This is my first foray into writing In Panem, so I'm admittedly nervous, but the idea has been on my mind for a while. Shout out to @jhsgf82 for beta-ing and always cheering me on.

It was the first winter after the rebellion. In the months that followed, District 12 started to rebuild. The new 12 was a hodgepodge of those originally from the district and those from other districts wanting a fresh start. Though slow, construction was steadily going. Thom and his men worked as efficiently as they could, focusing on one area at a time. By wintertime, there were a few shops standing and housing units comfortable for folks to live in during this frigid stretch of weather.

While winter is not an easy time of year, the citizens of the district came together and thought up ideas for new traditions for the season‒to make winter feel warmer, cozier, and lighter as it could be‒so that they could get through it together. Thus, the Winter Festival was born.

The tuning of instruments could be heard, preparing to play the next song. Laughter and chatter abounded as adults and children danced or walked through the square where the festival was being held. Lined around the square were makeshift stands that served different foods, drinks, and treats; the wonderful aromas made stomachs eager to be filled. Garlands with holly, ivy, and mistletoe were hung around. Strings of lights and fire pits topped off the atmosphere, providing warmth and glow, erasing the chill and darkness.

Katniss looked on and observed the crowd. While healing takes time, there was something about seeing all these different walks of life celebrating and being merry‒living life as best they could after everything that had transpired. She herself still struggled daily, but the joyous new occasion brightened her up a bit. Well, really, a certain baker, ally, friend, and slowly something more had been the most tremendously helpful in bringing light back to her.

This friend was manning his own stand at the festival, passing out fresh hot rolls filled with either cheese and herbs or sweet cranberry jam. He told her he wanted the attendees to have options for whatever they fancied. She herself preferred the savory rolls and was enjoying them at that very moment. Right as she took her last bite, two small red and white striped sticks with a curve at the end appeared in her line of sight.

“They’re candy canes,” a friendly voice explained.

When she turned to her right, she saw that he had made his way over to stand next to her. She finished chewing and was about to question him, but he answered before she could, the candy sticks still in his hand. “Alfy is watching the stand and passing out the rolls.”

She nodded. Alfy was Delly’s younger brother; the Cartwright siblings were part of their close knit circle along with Haymitch, Sae, and Thom. Her companion continued to talk, breaking her reverie. “The new candymaker made them for today. He said in the olden days these were plentiful during this time of year. They were shaped like their name and tasted of peppermint. According to him, there were even other flavors and color combinations, but this was traditional.”

She hummed in response, and he handed her one peppermint stick while he popped the other into his mouth. She took the miniature stick and brought it to her lips. The minty scent of it filled her nostrils, and when she placed it on her tongue to taste, the minty treat felt cool and refreshing. “Mmm, it’s like mint tea,” she said.

Before he had a chance to respond, a girlish voice interrupted, “Hey, you two, look up.” The two turned towards the voice and saw Delly standing before them, beaming. Katniss and Peeta then looked up and saw a mistletoe hanging above them, another new tradition someone had proposed that had also existed a long time ago.

Katniss blushed. She thought the idea was silly, but as she looked at Peeta, a shy smile on his face, a small rush of excitement flowed through her. And the candy cane still in her hand was all but forgotten. She gave a slight nod in his direction; he moved in gently and tentatively, and after what felt like minutes, his lips touched hers in a short, sweet, and delicate kiss. And right after, all that registered in her mind was that he tasted sweet and fresh, just like the peppermint candy.

Fin.

[sparklingdust4612]

Author/creator: @sparklingdust4612

Card number and prompt: Card 1, Unwanted gift.

Title: Gag-Gifted

Rating: E

Warnings: A lot of swearing, smut, Older!Peeta and mentions of sex toys)

Summary: Written for @talesofpanem Everlark Holiday Bingo 2021.

It's secret Santa time at the office and Person A (Katniss) has unfortunately picked their personal work enemy, Person B (Peeta/CEO Mellark). Prompt by @creativepromptsforwriting

Word count (if applicable): 2,830 words.

Author’s/Creator’s notes: There is an employer/employee dynamic going on with a lot of mutual hate/thinly disguised attraction. And hey, I wrote smut so you've been warned. Anyway, enjoy 😅

Song Inspiration: Take you to hell - Ava Max

Movie Inspiration: The Hating Game

“MISS EVERDEEN!”

Katniss cringed visibly as she stood up from her seat and walked out of her cubicle, wondering why her boss was yelling her name.

He really needs someone to pull that stick out of his ass.

She knocked on his office door, smoothed her pencil skirt, and waited.

“Come in,” he sounded breathless, husky, and inherently sexy…Katniss shook her head to get rid of the train of thought. She couldn’t think that way about CEO Mellark, for one thing, he was her boss and she hated his smug ass for crying out loud!

“Ms. Everdeen,” he nodded, looking sinfully sexy in his navy suit. It did wicked things for his shocking blue eyes…

“I received a…gift, let’s say and I am not happy with either the gift or the accompanying note,” he said bluntly and she gulped. I am glad I didn’t give him what I originally wanted to give him. Hmmm, maybe Johanna gave him a sex tape or something? The explanation seemed plausible until Peeta opened his drawer and pulled out a familiar box. A very familiar box.

“Explain this to me, Ms. Everdeen because I have racked my brain and can’t come up with anything that would result in my secret Santa gifting me this,” he motioned towards the box of extra large vibrating dildo in her favourite green colour.

“I um,” she couldn’t come up with an articulate response and the smug asshole took it as his victory.

“Very well, I have no choice but to send this gift along with the note to Mr. Everdeen, he is well I presume?” Peeta smirked and she nodded nervously. If her father saw the box AND read the note, she can say goodbye to any respect he had for her along with passing the gossip material to his golf buddies.

“Peeta!” she hissed, trying to snatch the box but it seems he knew what her next move would be as he swiped the box and stood at his full height, holding it over her head.

“It’s Mr. Mellark to you, Ms. Everdeen, I am above all, still your goddamn employer,” he grinned looking very pleased with himself and she scowls at him.

“Mr. Mellark, sir, with all due respect, I am twenty fucking six and I no longer can be grounded by my father or anyone,” she growls, trying to get the damn box by jumping towards it and losing her balance. Fucking heels! I am going to set them on fire as soon as I go home.

Of course, he holds her wobbly form upright while keeping the box out of her reach.

“You’re not my mother or teacher that you can tattle to my father about shit,” she snapped and Peeta blinked before a slow smile spread across his entirely-too-gorgeous face.

“You’re right, I am not your mother or teacher and you’re a damn grown-up for heaven’s sake,” he says and pushes her to sit on his desk.

“Which is why I will teach you manners the way you teach them to a grown, stubborn woman,” he snarled, his eyes darkening and her own eyes widened.

“Wait what?” she asked but she lost all control of her mouth when the blond moved in and captured her lips in an aggressive kiss. It took her a while to process what was happening before she clamped her mouth shut and tried pushing him away.

That made Peeta growl before he dove in again and bit her earlobe hard, causing her to moan embarrassingly loud. He took it as an invitation and kissed her again, biting her lower lip hard enough to hurt. Damn, what got his boxers in a twist?

“Mr. Mellark, sir-“ her words are cut off by his low groan and he pulled away, leaving them both panting hard.

“I like that, keep calling me ‘sir’ or ‘Mr. Mellark’,” the asshole grinned. She huffed and crossed her legs in an effort to control her growing arousal. Traitorous body!

“In fact, I also like you sitting there, looking angry at the world but with flushed cheeks, messed up hair, and those delectable lips all swollen and red,” he winked and she started fiddling with her braid, trying to contain a pleased smile. Jesus almighty what the fuck did he do to me? I hate hate HATE him and yet he made me feel like I am falling and drowning all at once…

“Whatever,” she scowled at him and his eyes moved to her face and then her shirt which conveniently was unbuttoned at the top. Sly bastard!

Getting off his desk, she stomped towards the door before being pulled back and shoved against the wall.

“Did I dismiss you?” he gritted out, pressing his body flush against her, trapping her between his strong body and the wall. She shook her head ‘no’, staring intently at his shoes, feeling a rush of excitement run through her.

“Look at me,” he hissed, cupping her face and forcing her to look in his deep blues.

“I am going to teach you how to treat your superiors, Ms. Everdeen and you’re going to take it all with a smile on your pretty face,” he told her, rubbing his hardness on her thigh.

God, he’s turned on by me? I just hope he doesn’t realize how much I want him to bruise my beef curtains…

He gave her another hard kiss on her swollen lips and she instinctively kissed him back, whining when he abruptly pulled away from her.

Smirking like the dickhead she knew he was, Peeta stalked towards his desk and pulled out a scrap of paper with something written on it. Katniss gulped when she caught sight of her own handwriting.

“You, Ms. Everdeen, will read this aloud while I screw that stubbornness out of you,” he chuckled darkly, stalking towards her like a predator. She doesn’t move and as much as it bruises her pride to admit, she really wants him to make good on his threats.

“And since I am your boss, you’ll have to follow my orders too,” he mocks and she bit her lip to stop herself from screaming ‘Yes, please, god yes!’

“Alright, take off those torture devices first,” he motioned towards her heels and she sighed in relief. Glad he doesn’t have the heel fetish or my feet would’ve ceased working.

Taking off her heels, Katniss shuddered when he pulled the elastic securing her braid and placing wet kisses on her neck and shoulder.

“Oh!” she gasped when he found a sensitive spot even she wasn’t aware of. Peeta of course realized that too and started paying more attention to that spot while slowly unbuttoning her shirt.

It’s not fair he gets to touch me and I can’t, oh wait, he never told me not to.

The thought is enough to make her pull away, turn around and pull him down for a kiss, finally admitting to herself that she had wanted him badly since she walked in to apply for a job. And not to mention, fantasized about his handsome smug face as he did wicked things to her.

“Take it off,” he said gruffly and she gulped and let the shirt fall on the ground.

But being as impatient as he is, Peeta started trailing his fingers up her thighs, so slowly that she felt delirious with want but he wouldn’t touch her there.

“Peeta!” she groaned and he stifled a chuckle, no doubt amused by her neediness.

“Unhook your bra and take it off slowly, then I want you to take that lacy little thing you call underwear off and give it to me,” he murmured in her ear, moving his fingers softly over her drenched underwear.

Katniss squirmed against his fingers, desperately seeking relief but he removed his hands and grinned cheekily.

Aroused and pissed, she took extra time taking off her bra, trailing her fingers down her breasts and down her thighs, mewling softly.

“Fuck it!” he exclaimed huskily and pulled down her thong, stuffing it into his jacket pocket before getting rid of his pants.

His haste made Katniss smirk, and she felt victorious as Peeta tripped over his pants and nearly tore off his button-down.

“You’ll pay for this,” he simply said, as if he told her a fact like ‘I have a meeting today’ or something, and Katniss knew he would have his fun. I should never have messed with him…

“How do you like this, Katniss? I’ll make you regret ever picking me as your work enemy, make sure you feel how angry I was each and every time you pissed me off with your attitude,” he said with a devilish smile, pulling her flush against his now naked body.

She arched her back with a moan, loving the feel of his heated skin against her own as he fondled her tits and pinched her nipples until they were tight oversensitive buds.

“Read it, I want to hear you read it,” he hissed lowly and she nodded and brought the paper in front of her face.

“To not-so-dearest CEO Fuckface Mellark,” she whispered, moaning when he ran his fingers along her slit.

“Nice and wet, aren’t we?” he asked cockily, gathering the moisture and spreading it over her nipples. “I think the only reason you used to antagonize me so much was that you were frustrated, weren’t you Kitty?” he whispered, squeezing her dripping pussy softly. “Keep reading!”

Moaning loudly, she focused on the paper again, ignoring how madly turned on she was.

He lifted her up and her legs wrapped around his waist as if it wasn’t the first time they were doing that.

“Merry Christmas. It is I, your secret Santa. I know you’re my boss and all but I’ll be honest in this because I know you’ll never find this letter,” she groaned, realizing the other, real gift she wrapped in the same damn coloured paper must still be home. This is what you get for wrapping two gifts in the same-

She wailed loudly as he pushed them towards the wall and took a nipple in his mouth.

“Peeta raging bitch Mellark, you aren’t Apollo, the sun god, so stop acting like a superior prick because the sun definitely doesn’t shine out of your ass-“ she mewled loudly as he began thrusting his fingers in her overflowing cunt.

“Apollo huh? How can you think of someone else when I am finger fucking your slick as hell pussy?” he teased, pulling his fingers out and trailing them up to her body making her squirm and her mouth groan.

“Since we have established you aren’t god’s gift to humanity AND the sun doesn’t shine out of your windward passage, I have decided to gift you with something you desperately need- ohhhh God, Peetah!” she screamed when he finally thrust his cock inside her. He started thrusting in and out at a pace that would have been punishing, but she was so turned on by that point that he had her screaming in pleasure.

“So I am gifting you this monster dildo in my favourite colour so you can work out some tension whenever you feel the extra need to act like a colossal dickhead,” she panted out, and the last part turned into a long drawn out moan as he hit that spot that made her yell incoherently and squeeze her eyes shut.

“And know…that I gave the, the toy to ensure nothing crawls up your ass and dies and you stay in a sunny, happy mood-“ Katniss’ voice quivered as Peeta moaned loudly, thrusting faster and harder if that’s even possible, making her see the goddamn stars. God even the sounds he makes are so damn hot I can use them as a soundtrack for self-loving sessions.

He groaned, pressing down on her clit and she screamed in ecstasy, her voice raspy due to all the screaming. She squeezed his cock while coming down from her high and he came with a shout, painting her walls with his thick, hot cum.

They clung to each other, catching their breath and Katniss read out the last of her note.

“Because you really need to stop acting like a high and mighty douchebag whose got a permanent stick jammed up your ass, with i-swear-they-are-sincere wishes, your secret Santa, K,” she said softly and Peeta started shaking. Geez, I sure pissed him with the ending I guess.

It took her a few short moments to realize he was laughing. Honest to god shaking with laughter and tears pooling in his eyes. Just what I needed to see, those damn tears make his eyes appear so blue it feels like God crafted them out of Zircon gems.

She smiled at his face because he really did look adorable with his tousled sweaty curls, flushed cheeks, and throaty chuckle. His amusement was infectious, apparently, and Katniss found herself joining him in his mirth.

“Oh god! I don’t remember laughing that hard in years!” he wheezed, putting her down and wiping his eyes.

“It really wasn’t that funny,” she snorted.

“Well I appreciate the sentiment and I am pretty sure I can find some use for your thoughtful gift,” he teased, locating his briefs and pants.

Katniss smiled and they dressed up in silence, the question of what will happen next hanging in the air. Maybe he isn’t as bad as my mind made him seem.

“Will I see you again tomorrow?” Peeta asked, kissing her softly and she grinned and smacked his arm.

“You see me every day, I work here after all. But I really gotta go now, Peeta, people will be suspicious!” she sighed and Peeta’s smile turned wicked.

“They already know what happened here since both of us weren’t the least bit quiet so you can stop trying to look acceptable because the only person you need to impress is me and I am plenty impressed,”

“Don’t act so smug,” she snarked, and Peeta knelt and helped her put on her heels.

“I’ll see you later, Mr. Mellark,” she said, opening his office door.

“You know you don’t need to be so formal with me now that we know each other so intimately. But in all honesty, you look absolutely dick-timized,” he gave her a smile that says i-screwed-her-good-and-am-proud-as-fuck-about-it before adding, “And Katniss, from now on, you’ll be staying in late and helping me with more job-related work.”

“What? But that’ll mean you’ll have to, I don’t know, give me a promotion or something because there’s no effing way I will work extra for no added benefits,” she told him, eying him warily. I really hope he doesn’t mean he wants me to stay as his personal slampiece or something. What’s worse is, I don’t think I’ll mind…

He chuckled like the arrogant twat he was. Great, Peeta the proud prick is back.

“Don’t tell me you arent ad-dickted to the feeling of your boss’ big fat cock buried deep inside you. You don’t have to pretend you don’t want a piece of me on a regular basis now that you have had a little taste. I am quite the catch you know, everyone says so,” he beamed as if he didn’t just talk about his apparent superiority.

“And I like ‘em half baked,” he winked and Katniss’ mouth dropped open.

“And what does that mean?” she retorted, crossing her arms and scowling.

“It means I like them younger, all ambition, feisty behavior with a hot body. Younger women are more, half baked bread and I love that, it’s my favourite,” he shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal and Katniss’ mouth dropped open in humiliation and outrage.

“So, I wasn’t the only one,” she said, sounding so bitter she couldn't believe it could sound that way.

He doesn’t answer, choosing to pick at his cuticles.

I changed my mind, he is most definitely, 100% the way my mind made him seem, she thought irately.

“Good to know, Mr. Mellark, good to know. I am not your personal skank no matter how much you pay me for it so you can forget any gland-to-gland combat happening anytime soon,” she hissed before stomping towards his office door.

“Dismissed!” comes his way-too-cheerful voice as she stomped out of his office, stewing in silent anger. Just when I thought he was a decent person, ugh! I hate that-that…

“And Katniss, I was just messing with you, I am not one to take advantage or sleep with my employees. With that out of the way, I want you in my office, five PM, every day,” he said gruffly and his office door closed loudly.

He’s so fucking frustrating! If that’s how you wanna play Peeta Mellark, we’ll play it your way.

And with that thought, her scowl turned into an evil grin as she thought of all the ways she could drive him insane, including but not limited to fuckable lace panties and fishnet stockings.

[jhsgf82-deactivated20220508]

Spiked

Thanks to @daydreamsandcaffeine for the awesome banner! 

Author/creator: @jhsgf82​ Card number and prompt: Card 1, Christmas Punch Title: Spiked Rating: M (to be safe, for innuendo, mild language, and mention of guy parts) Summary: Modern AU. Coworkers/roommates/best friends-to-lovers. Haymitch catches sight of Peeta bringing Katniss home drunk from a holiday party.  Word count: 2,004  Author’s notes: Written for @talesofpanem​ Everlark Holiday Bingo 2021. When I started writing it came out in Haymitch’s POV and more humorous. I hope you enjoy. Maybe I’ll do an outtake from K or P’s perspective if there’s interest. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!

Keep reading

[lemonluvgirl]

Christmas For 3 (Part 2)

 by LemonLuvGirl87 

Chapter 2: All I want for Christmas is Both of Them

(Rated E for future content and language)

Summary: Things get worse, and then interesting after Katniss leaves Mellark bakery. (Everlark Holiday Bingo challenge Card #1 Prompt Heartbroken) @talesofpanem​ Read also on AO3 Here. 

For Horny Anon with love….

After her dramatic exit from the bakery that either should’ve earned her an academy nomination or a mental health evaluation, Katniss hightailed it to the grocery store and bought a smorgasbord of horribly fattening and unhealthy Christmas themed junk food. It had been an absolute crapshow of a day and she was going to go home and have a festive Christmas party for one. 

She got Christmas themed donuts and cookies, gingerbread, candycanes, swiss miss hot chocolate mix, cocktail wieners, a tin of crescent rolls to make a mini crescent dog wreath, and a shitload of eggnog. Like enough eggnog to get a small elephant drunk. 

She figured if she was going to be alone on Christmas eve, Christmas, and for the foreseeable future, she might as well not be sober. 

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[lemonluvgirl]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 1/3 Fandom: Hunger Games Series - All Media Types, The Hunger Games (Movies), Hunger Games Trilogy - Suzanne Collins Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Katniss Everdeen/Peeta Mallark/Peeta’s Twin Brother Characters: Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, Peeta Mellark’s Brothers, Original Characters, Gale Hawthorne Additional Tags: Threesome, everlark, Twins!Peeta, Sandwich!Katniss, Threesome!Everlark, Christmas Smut, It'sGonnaGetDirtyGuys, readatyourownrisk, Smuttysmut, everlarksmut, Hurt/Comfort, Heartbreak, SexualHealing, lawyer!Peeta, baker!peeta, BestofBothWorlds, BecauseTheirTwins, IdenticalTwins, TheBothAreWithKatniss, NotEachOther, NoTwincest, ButLotsOfDPForKatniss, Divorce, CheatingHusband, 30YearOldDivorcee, WhyAreThereSoManyTags? Summary:

Katniss Everdeen is looking at spending her first Christmas as a 32 year old divorcee alone and miserable. She doesn’t want to feel like a total failure at Christmas time, but will she get more than she bargained for in the form of two handsome identical twin brothers?

@talesofpanem​ for the Everlark Holiday Bingo challenge. Card #1 under the prompt Heartbroken. 

[lemonluvgirl]

Christmas for 3 (Part 1)

By LemonLuvGirl87 Rated E for future content. Card #1 Prompt Heartbroken

Summary:

For my dear friend Horny Anon, without you I never would have pushed myself to imagine a world like this. Because what could be better than Peeta Mellark I asked when you sent your smut request to my tumblr inbox. Two Peeta Mellarks you answered. And thus this fic was born. (Also wanted to submit this for the Everlark holiday bingo challenge under the square Heartbroken) @promptsinpanem

Katniss Hawthorne signed her married name for the last time on the bottom of her divorce decree. Just like that she was no longer married. No longer Gale’s wife. No longer Mrs. Hawthorne. Just in time for the holiday season. 

After this she would officially be Katniss Everdeen again. 

Merry Christmas to me, Katniss thought sarcastically, with a wounded undertone that smacked of bitterness. 

She looked up at Piers Mellark, her divorce attorney and gave him a weak smile, before handing the document back to him. He grinned enthusiastically and gave her a thumbs up. That handsome smile would have weakened her knees if she had been standing. But luckily they were seated at a small out of the way booth in his brother’s bakery to finish signing the necessary papers to finalize her divorce. It was a Tuesday, mid-afternoon and the bakery was quiet with very few customers. 

“Ok, you’re officially free Sweetheart.” Piers told her as he filed the papers away in his briefcase and she chuckled nervously. When he looked up he adjusted his square cut wire rimmed glasses slightly and the move made Katniss’ fingers itch to reach out and trace the outline of them. They made him look intelligent and mature. She really liked it when Piers pushed them up after they slid down his face. It was cute. It was also one of the ways to tell the identical twins apart, as Peeta preferred to wear contacts since he said working in a busy kitchen was not conductive to eyewear that could easily slip off or fog up. 

“So now what?” Katniss asked Piers as she folded her hands in her lap to keep from fidgeting while the soft instrumental Christmas music played in the background of Mellark’s bakery. Even after all these years his blue eyes still unnerved her. And his mischievous grin, which was so different and yet so similar to the one his gentle shy twin usually wore, still made her insides twist uncomfortably. 

Pathetic. Katniss thought to herself. She was a grown woman, and she’s known Piers and his twin Peeta nearly all her life having grown up in the same small New England town. She should be used to those arresting deep blues by now. That smile should have been old news. 

But today of all days, she felt just a little more vulnerable than usual.  And his smile hit her in a deep way that made her feel incredibly weak and feminine and also incredibly hopeless. 

Keep reading

[lemonluvgirl]

I meant to tag @talesofpanem

[daydreamsandcaffeine]

A Christmas Winter Wonderland

Author: @daydreamsandcaffeine

Card number and prompt: Card 3 - Winter Wonderland

Title: A Christmas Winter Wonderland

Rating: G

Summary: Katniss and Peeta find themselves at France's Capital of Christmas. Set in my unnamed van life!lark universe.

Word count: 526

Author’s notes: Written for @talesofpanem, this little drabble is inspired by the Christmas market photos I've been seeing on here and Instagram, a chat with @shewakesupwiththesun, and by my own limited experiences of European Christmas markets (Strasbourg, the Capital of Christmas, being one of them). As always, a huge thank you to @jhsgf82 for beta-ing<3

Driving around Europe seemed like a pipe dream when they first tinkered with the idea of traveling in a van, but now here they are in Strasbourg, France.

Their family and friends thought their plan was a little absurd - why navigate a continent they don’t know, in a van, during wintertime? But Katniss and Peeta insisted. They wanted to see Europe in its wintry glory. Plus, they had the internet to blame, or to thank, depending on how you look at it. YouTube videos and Instagram posts of the Christmas markets and the holiday decor blanketing the towns won them over.

So that’s how Katniss and Peeta find themselves at France’s oldest Christmas market and proclaimed “capital of Christmas” or as the neon lights at the entrance state: “Capitale de Noel”. It’s only fitting that the day they’re here is when the town is dusted in snow. They stand at the entrance of the market and are mesmerized by the sights, sounds, and smells of the ongoing festivities.

The archway that beckons them is well lit, bright white lights against warm yellow. Stars of varying sizes run along the arc, and two teddy bear shaped figures sit at each end. When they look past the arch, more lights are strung throughout in colors of red, green, blue, yellow, and white. Snowflake lights hang from the trees. Lit angels and gingerbread men hang high above the pathways. The stalls themselves have garlands and warm glows of their own. As Katniss’ and Peeta’s eyes wander to the picturesque buildings around them, they see garlands and streamers and Santa hats and banners of stars and hearts. A building or two has garlands made of cuddly teddy bears and boxes of presents with little trees at the occasional windowsill.

Excited chatter of children in awe of what they see fills the air; the little ones stretch their arms out attempting to point out the teddy bears or snowflakes or gingerbread men or other visual wonders around. Carolers sing Christmas classics in melodic harmony. Vendors are more than merry to talk to customers about their offerings. Clicks of cameras and shouts of what may be “say cheese” in varying languages can be heard throughout. Laughs and joyous vocals are abundant.

In unison, the petite brunette with a French braid hanging over her shoulder and the broad muscular blond with his unruly curls take a deep breath, inhaling the smells that waft its way over. Scents of evergreen, peppermint, and holiday spices tickle their noses.

What lies ahead of them is an absolute Christmas themed winter wonderland. Pictures and videos do not do it justice.

While excited, Katniss can’t help but feel a little overwhelmed, her senses overloaded. She takes another deep breath, readying herself.

Peeta stretches his left arm out to Katniss, and she enthusiastically grabs hold of it with her right. He gives her hand a squeeze which automatically makes her feel better. He looks down at her, eyebrows quirked and a smile on his face. “Together?”

Katniss grins back at him. “Together.”

Hand in hand, they walk into this Christmas Market wonderland, eager to take in what it has to offer.

Fin.

[daydreamsandcaffeine]

Sled into You

Author/creator: @daydreamsandcaffeine

Card number and prompt: Card 3 - Evergreen

Title: Sled into You

Rating: T (to be safe)

Summary: Katniss is feeling down, but Peeta has wintery plans to cheer her up. Best friends to lovers AU.

Word count: 1,851

Author’s notes: Written for @talesofpanem. This story is inspired by a scene in Midnight at the Magnolia. A couple of the lines used are paraphrased from that movie. And I obviously don't own THG; that belongs to SC. As always, huge thank you to @jhsgf82 for being a sounding board and a friend. <3

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“COME ON, EVERDEEN, COME OUT HERE BEFORE I BREAK YOUR DOOR DOWN!”

The constant pounding on the door and that familiar shout rouses her from her cocoon on the couch. All she wanted to do was stay at home, eat ice cream, watch movies, and wallow in her feelings, but it seemed like someone had other plans in mind.

She groans but gets off the couch. Her single braid is askew over her right shoulder and her sweats are all bunched up. Not caring that she looks like a hot mess, she trudges to the door and swings it open.

“This better be good, Mellark.” She gripes, as she crosses her arms and looks at her best friend, since 5 years-old, up and down with a scowl on her face.

The blond in question smiles brightly in return, blue eyes twinkling. His ashy curls are mostly hidden underneath a navy blue beanie. His fit broad body is clothed in a knit gray sweater, dark washed jeans, and a pair of L.L. Bean boots; a winter puffer coat completes the look.

He’s looking good as he always does, making her feel even more of a hot mess. She unconsciously pulls at her braid and starts finger combing out her hair. In doing so, she misses his response.

“What?”

“I said I’m taking you sledding.” He repeats nonchalantly.

Katniss furrows her brows. “Why exactly?”

“Because we used to do it all the time growing up,” Peeta answers with a shrug. “Plus, I figured you needed some cheering up after you texted me about your run in with Gale this morning.”

Right. The man who broke up with her a week ago and is now seeing someone else. (Or so she assumes after seeing him with a gorgeous blonde laughing and holding hands at their table of their coffee shop.) How dare he do that to her? She’s the one that introduced him to her favorite spot for handcrafted drinks. She shakes herself out of her thoughts before the anger can course through her again.

“And you thought sledding was the answer?”

“Yes, because sledding always makes you happy. So get changed and let’s go. I’ve got the sled in my car.” He points behind him where his Subaru is parked by the curb. “And a canister of piping hot chocolate calling your name.” He sing-songily adds.

That last part weakens her resolve. “Fine.” Katniss laments.

Peeta’s grin stretches across his face. “Chin up, Buttercup. You’re about to have the best day with yours truly.”

Choosing to ignore the horrible nickname he gave her when they were kids, she turns around and walks to her bedroom down the hall and gets changed. She replaces her sweatshirt with a cozy soft red turtleneck sweater and her sweatpants with a pair of her favorite black skinny jeans. She pulls on some thick socks before shoving her feet into her own L.L. Beans. She grabs a scarf, a knitted white beanie with a pom on top (Prim’s purchase for her), and her black winter coat, throwing them on as she walks back to her front door.

Peeta is now sitting in the driver’s of his car, fingers drumming the steering wheel as he waits. She locks her door then marches to the car and jumps into the passenger seat. “Okay, Mellark, dazzle me.” She throws up jazz hands sarcastically.

Her companion only chuckles, starts the car, and begins to drive.

—

It’s about half an hour until they reach their favorite hill for sledding. Fresh snow blankets the ground that all you see is glistening white. The evergreen trees lined throughout look picturesque with snow draping their needles.

Although she and Peeta have been here numerous times, Katniss can never tire of the scenery. The view itself is already making her feel better. The car comes to a rolling stop before Peeta puts it in park.

Itching to touch the snow, Katniss immediately opens the car door and jumps out; her boots sink into the powder as she lands. She closes her eyes and inhales, filling her nostrils with the piney scent of the evergreens, and exhales. Everything she was feeling prior to Peeta interrupting her day melts away. That best friend of hers always did know how to turn her day around.

“Last one to the top buys dinner!” Peeta’s shout breaks her reverie. She opens her eyes and sees him hastily making his way up the hill, the sled trailing behind him. Her competitiveness takes over, and she starts running as fast as she can through the snow.

She closes in on Peeta and gently smacks him on the back. “You’re getting slow, old man.”

“You try running while lugging a sled up the hill. It’s no joke.” Peeta grumbles.

Katniss rolls her eyes and smirks. “Excuses, excuses. Remember I pulled you on the sled to the hospital when you broke your leg after your epic jump on that thing.” She put up air quotes around the word epic.

Peeta snorts. “It took you 2 hours! And you were huffing and puffing along the way.”

“Hey, 2 hours is record time considering we were 12, and you already weighed a ton,” she fires back.

Peeta feigns hurt and dramatically clutches his heart at her remark. Katniss shakes her head at his display - always dramatic that one. She resets her focus on the remaining distance to the top. She starts running again, reaches the top, then turns around to tease the blond, sticking her tongue out for emphasis. “Looks like you owe me dinner.”.

“I let you win, Everdeen.”

“Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night.” She continues to tease.

Next thing she knows, she feels Peeta’s arms on her and is up in the air and thrown over his shoulder. “Peeta, put me down! I swear to god.” Her arms flail around as she tries to get a hold of herself.

“Nope. You did this to yourself so face the consequences.” Still holding Katniss over one shoulder, Peeta uses his other hand to maneuver the sled into a starting position. He then reorients Katniss in front of him so she faces the hilly slope and holds her close to his body. He pulls her down with him onto the sled, and they take off downhill - laughter and shrieks abound.

—

And that’s how the next hour continues. They go up and down the hill with the sled - sometimes together, sometimes individually - and banter constantly. Every now and then, they pause and engage in a snowball fight. When they tire from the up and down trek and goofing off in the snow, they find a conveniently placed log at the foot of the hill.

Katniss stays by the log and stretches her muscles while Peeta heads to his car to grab his bag. After finishing her stretches, Katniss situates herself on the log and takes in her surroundings. She feels absolute bliss like she can run the world, a complete 180 to earlier where all she wanted was to drown her feelings in ice cream and rom-coms.

Come to think of it, Peeta has always been able to cheer her up; he had a way of knowing exactly what she needed when she needed it. Memories of their high school prom flood her mind. She acted like she didn’t care about it, an unnecessary frivolous event she called it, but Peeta read right through her. He surprised her with a private promposal in the forest near her childhood home, using pine needles to simply spell out “Prom?”. In college, when she stressed over finals, he would talk her into study breaks and then take her to do some mindless activity like booking a room at a karaoke joint where they belted out their favorite songs from the 90s and 2000s. She reflects back on the sledding incident when they were 12. While she was freaking out over his broken leg, he stayed calm, cracked ridiculous bone jokes, and even held her in his arms to ease her worries. Really, if this hill could talk, it would have so many stories about the two of them spending time here in the winter with their sleds.

“I come bearing gifts.” Peeta declares, breaking her train of thought. He settles next to her on the log and opens his bag. “As promised, a canister of hot chocolate.” He pulls out the canister, hands it to her, and reaches into his bag again. “And what kind of best friend would I be if I didn’t bring cheese buns?” He adds, pulling out a rectangular container.

Katniss snatches the container out of his hands, takes a cheese bun, and gobbles it up. Although it has been sitting in the car for a while, it’s still a little warm. Peeta chuckles beside her and teases, “You’re welcome.”

Turning her head, Katniss studies him. His cornflower blue eyes are shining; his pink lips are upturned at the corner, a hint of a dimple appearing in one corner. Freckles dot the skin on his cheeks. His blond curls underneath his beanie are damp from the snow but still look soft to touch. She had always thought he was good looking, but now she finds him irresistible. Whatever mental block she put up about him and the possibility of more disappeared when she reflected on their past.

She finds herself leaning in towards him. Peeta glances down to her lips as he catches on to her movement and instinctively reciprocates it. As if everything was happening in slow motion and at once, their lips meet in a tender yet passionate kiss. He brings up his hands to cup her face. She wraps her arms around his middle trying to pull him closer. When they break apart, they stare into each other’s eyes.

“Wow,” Katniss breathes out. That kiss was nothing like she has ever experienced. It was sweet and affectionate but also breathtaking and leaving her wanting for more. It’s like putting the last piece of a puzzle in; she feels complete.

“I second that,” Peeta replies. “I’m not going to lie, I’ve been wanting to do that for a while now.”

“Yeah?”

Instead of responding, Peeta closes the gap between their faces and kisses her again. When he pulls away, he answers, “Yeah. And I’m more than happy with this, with us being more, if you are.”

Katniss ponders in silence for a moment, but not too long after, a soft smile graces her face. “I’d like that.”

Peeta’s lips slowly turn into a wide grin, and he intertwines her left hand with his right. “So you like like me, real or not real?”

Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes, Katniss simply answers. “Real.”

Peeta starts to stand up from his spot on the log, his hand still holding hers and tugging her up. “Want to go down the hill one more time before we head back to either mine or yours?”

She stands up straight and beams at him. “There’s no one else I’d rather sled with than you.”

Fin.

[talesofpanem]

Everlark Holiday Bingo 2021

Tales of Panem is pleased to announce Everlark Holiday Flash Bingo 2021. All are welcome to participate. 

Here’s how it works: 

Keep reading

[talesofpanem]

Everlark Holiday Bingo 2021

Tales of Panem is pleased to announce Everlark Holiday Flash Bingo 2021. All are welcome to participate. 

Here’s how it works: 

Pick a flash bingo card from the three available.

Create an Everlark-centric fanwork based on a prompt on the card.

Post to your blog with the tag #everlarkholidaybingo2021. To be extra sure we’ll see it, you can also tag us in the post with “Written for @talesofpanem.”

Tales of Panem will reblog your works.

Repeat as many times as desired between Thursday, December 2, 2021, and Thursday, January 6, 2022.

Participate with one square, a bingo by filling an entire flash bingo card, or by completing more than one card.

For all squares, please include the following information:

Author/creator:

Card number and prompt:

Title:

Rating:

Summary:

Word count (if applicable):

Author’s/Creator’s notes:

FAQs

1) What constitutes as fanwork?

Fanfiction

Drabbles (100 words exactly)

Outtakes of WIPs

Edits

Fanart

AUs

Manips

Playlists (10 songs or more)

Want to contribute something else? Let us know.

2) Can I use multiple squares in the same fanwork?

Only one square per fanwork, please, but a series is a great way to fill multiple squares. We love connected stories/fanworks with multiple related entries. To use multiple prompts, it must be a chaptered story, one chapter per prompt, that meets the minimum word count for each square.

3) Can I repost something I’ve already written?

While regifting is great in real life, everything posted for Everlark Holiday Bingo must be new.

4) What if Tales of Panem doesn’t reblog my work?

Please send us a message letting us know we missed it if it hasn’t been reblogged within 48 hours. We’d hate to miss it.

5) Will there be a masterlist?

Yes. Once the posting period is over, we’ll create a masterlist.

6) What do I get if I bingo?

First, the pleasure of creating and spreading Everlark holiday cheer.

Second, Tales of Panem will keep a list of participants (one square filled) and bingos.

Third, there are badges! Participation and bingo badges will be sent to participants at the end of the round.

 7) Will there be a makeup period?

Good question. We don’t really know the answer to that. We’ll figure it out if there’s a call for it. 

8) What if I have another question not answered here?

Send Tales of Panem an ask, and we’ll do our best to answer and clarify.

Big thanks to @beemotionpicture​ for making the cards. <3

[talesofpanem]

Everlark Holiday Bingo 2020 Masterlist

Holiday Baking by @eiramrelyat (B3)

Well, That Was Awkward by @hutchhitched (N4)

Santa Baby by @mandelion82 (O2)

Ribbons and Bows and a Cat by @mandelion82 (N2)

Baby, It’s Cold Outside by @eiramrelyat (O3)

Party With the Rock Stars by @hutchhitched (O2)

A District 12 Christmas Carol by @mandelion82 (B2)

The First Christmas by @xerxia31 (I3)

Jingle Bells by @thegirlfromoverthepond (B2)

At Least A Foot by @hutchhitched (G4)

Kisses by @ombradellaluna (O4)

Candles Flicker by @hutchhitched (N1)

Kiss Me More Times by @hutchhitched (O4)

Peeta’s Wish List by @hutchhitched (B4)

Bad Buttercup by @hutchhitched (I4)

A Lovely Winter Wedding by @mandelion82 (I2)

Mommy Used to Date Santa by @mandelion82 (G2)

So Really Good by @hutchhitched (N5)

One Date Can’t Hurt by @hutchhitched (N3)

Father of Pearl by @hutchhitched​ (N2)

Comes in Three by @hutchhitched​ (O1)

Always Prepared by @hutchhitched​ (O3)

Honeymoon by @hutchhitched​ (O5)

[hutchhitched]

Honeymoon

Author/creator: hutchhitched Square filled and prompt: O5, sand snowman (TRIPLE BINGO!) Title: Honeymoon  Rating: G  Summary: Two years later, and they’re still snowed under together. Word count: 100 Author’s/Creator’s notes: Last day flurry (pun intended)! Here’s the conclusion to At Least a Foot, Candles Flicker, Kiss Me More Times, Comes in Three, and Always Prepared. I wasn’t planning on adding this, but it works perfectly. Thanks for following me on my Everlark Holiday Bingo journey! I have one fill that has a few more parts coming. I thought maybe I’d get that done this week, but they’ll be along soon enough. xoxo

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