AU!Peeta
It was just over a year ago that Peeta became the face of the uprising. They had painted him as knight and dressed him up in shining armor. Beetee had even made him a sword and sheath to go with it all. But Peeta had hardly cared how he was made to dress, or directed to say. To someone who had lost the love of his life, none of it mattered.
Instead, what started spreading within him was an insatiable anger. Peeta had never wanted to kill before. Not even in the games, when the death of his enemies meant his own survival. But after Katniss was executed, he was never quite the same again. The gentle, boy with the bread hardened his shell, and all he wanted was to kill Snow.
The propos District 13 filmed from him and the other victors where nearly gold. Peeta weaved one analogy after another about the Capitol's responsibility for the death of every district's loved ones. At the right moments, tears ran down his cheeks as he recounted the life he was planning with Katniss, and their unborn child. But it was a life they would never have, and he knew that out there in the districts, year after year, more and more families had felt the exact same pain. He reminded District 2 that for them, it was a glorious to win the games, but an incredible dishonor when they lost. But more importantly, some must have felt an unforgettable amount of disgust many years ago, when at the end of the games, one child from their district had to slaughter the other, to claim the victor's title.
But all of that was over now. Coin had let Peeta stab Snow in the chest, right through his heart. And as soon as he pulled his sword out, Peeta knew that while he had slain the beast, part of himself had died with the blow. Perhaps it was the part that Katniss loved so much. That was six months ago. And since then, Peeta had nearly lost his purpose in life. Slowly, he had learned to enjoy little things again, and would on occasion find himself decorating a cupcake, only to throw it away a few hours later.
The only true respite he experienced, was during his visits with Finnick. Now that they were national heros, they were allowed to travel throughout Panem as they wished. These days, Peeta found himself spending more and more time in District 4 than at home. The pain he felt, the pointless of life, Finnick understood it all. And it was irreplaceable, the ability to be in the presence of those who understood.
Instead, what started spreading within him was an insatiable anger. Peeta had never wanted to kill before. Not even in the games, when the death of his enemies meant his own survival. But after Katniss was executed, he was never quite the same again. The gentle, boy with the bread hardened his shell, and all he wanted was to kill Snow.
The propos District 13 filmed from him and the other victors where nearly gold. Peeta weaved one analogy after another about the Capitol's responsibility for the death of every district's loved ones. At the right moments, tears ran down his cheeks as he recounted the life he was planning with Katniss, and their unborn child. But it was a life they would never have, and he knew that out there in the districts, year after year, more and more families had felt the exact same pain. He reminded District 2 that for them, it was a glorious to win the games, but an incredible dishonor when they lost. But more importantly, some must have felt an unforgettable amount of disgust many years ago, when at the end of the games, one child from their district had to slaughter the other, to claim the victor's title.
But all of that was over now. Coin had let Peeta stab Snow in the chest, right through his heart. And as soon as he pulled his sword out, Peeta knew that while he had slain the beast, part of himself had died with the blow. Perhaps it was the part that Katniss loved so much. That was six months ago. And since then, Peeta had nearly lost his purpose in life. Slowly, he had learned to enjoy little things again, and would on occasion find himself decorating a cupcake, only to throw it away a few hours later.
The only true respite he experienced, was during his visits with Finnick. Now that they were national heros, they were allowed to travel throughout Panem as they wished. These days, Peeta found himself spending more and more time in District 4 than at home. The pain he felt, the pointless of life, Finnick understood it all. And it was irreplaceable, the ability to be in the presence of those who understood.