Archive of Our Own

The phone on her desktop buzzed. Katniss lifted her hand to touch the screen, but was interrupted by Marvel, one of the sales guys.

“Hey Everdeen, our tech guy says a whole bunch of those small screens got damaged in transit," Marvel said.

“You mean the CDUs,” Katniss sighed. Salesmen were all the same; all they cared about was the sale. After that, they didn’t want to deal with anyone or anything. It was up to her to make nice with the customer or to generally make them complacent without being nasty.

“Yeah. Isn’t that what I said?”

Running the returns department was sort of like corralling a whole bunch of kindergartners hyped up on sugar. She gave him a stern look.

Marvel’s casual pose changed; he slipped his hands from his pocket and stood straighter. “So, when you can, you get together with Joanna from logistics and see if we can bring them back and send out a replacement…please.”

“I need a copy of the purchase order, invoice, and correct contact information. Without that information, I will not do anything.” Katniss gave him a slight nod, and Marvel zoomed out of her office. Nobody liked to hear ‘no’, and no one wanted to hear the term negative revenue, but it went hand in hand with manufacturing.

The moment Marvel left, Katniss turned her attention to her phone. She was waiting for two important messages, one from her sister letting her know she was arriving safely back at school the other was an update from her favorite FanFic writer, Dentalion. He described himself as a super fan of her favorite book, The Restitution Games. The notification was for her favorite writer, who had posted the next chapter.

Those books touched a cord with her; the protagonist, Scout, was a girl who was the reluctant hero. She was a survivor who was branded as unwanted by her own people. Katniss felt that way growing up.  She scraped by her whole life, making ends meet. She slowly made her way through a community college to be able to get this job. Growing up, she had little time to focus on herself, focusing on her family's needs, but the result was well worth the sacrifices.

Her sister was well adjusted, going to the school of her choice, and their mother was getting the treatment she deserved. In spite of having achieved all of her goals, Katniss was lonely, and there were times she wished for companionship. However, because of the upheaval she experienced as a young girl, she valued her quiet life.

She was by nature someone who didn’t like fuss, even with her passionate temperament. She’d dated, but it always ended in disasters, and even had sex once in her life. But it just wasn’t good, and she figured it wasn’t for her. She’d settled into her convent-style life.

Fanfic helped fill the void. Katniss quickly typed in her code, and she grinned slowly like a cat at the notification of the update.

Getting up from her desk, Katniss made her way to the private bathroom. She opened the door with her key, locked the door behind her with the key. She didn't want anyone to know that she was reading fanfiction while at work. She tapped on the screen and joyfully opened the app and smiled when she was connected to the story. She’d been waiting for this update. The two main characters, Scout and Barley, were at a critical point in the story. They were in a cave, and Scout was trying to save both of their lives.

She didn’t bother with the introduction as she began to read.

Barley captured Scout's hand, his blue eyes pleading, “You can’t go out there, it’s too dangerous?”

Scout scowled; there was a note in her voice that betrayed the harsh look. “Without that medicine, you’re going to die.”

“What if you don’t come back?” Barely asked, his body began trembling.

“Barley,” Scout whispered. She tightened her hand around his larger one. She noticed it was hot. She touched his forehead, and it burned. Gently, she put a kiss on his lips, “I can’t let you die. I’ll be back, I promise.”

“You don’t have to,” he said, but she shook her head in response. There was no way she was going to let him die.

Scout left him behind the bow in her hand, silently traveling through the man-made forest. There were ferocious beasts generated along with the kids who were hunting them down. There was a clause this year, there could be two winners, but only if they came from the district. There were only two district partners left, and Scout and Barley were one of the pair.

She made her way to the drop-off point. All looked deceptively peaceful. At the center of the clearing was a tree stump with the numbers of the regions they belonged to. Scout was a swift runner. As she ran around the stump, she quickly took her satchel. The ground shook beneath her feet, and a hole opened up. She quickly dodged the hole; the edge of the forest was near, but as she reached the edge, she was tackled to the ground by Anise.

They rolled near the holes. Scout managed to push Anise off, and the girl slid off her and fell into one of the holes. Her regional partner, a beast of a boy named Cabil, shouted her name. Scout got up and ran into the forest with the package with the medicine clutched by her side. Her sole focus was to arrive at the cave. When she arrived at the cave, she lost her breath. Barley was a greyish color. She quickly tore open the pack and took out the injection. She put it at the sight of the wound he’d suffered at the hand of Cabil.

Barley was good, and she couldn’t have his death on her conscience. If he died, she would never ever recover. The stuff engineered in the Capitol was one hundred times stronger than anything her mother, the region's healer, could ever come up with. She took his hand, and tears flowed down her cheeks. It was hot, but he looked like the patients who died on her mother’s table.

“Please, please, please make it…please live,” Scout begged, her face fell on his chest. With every passing minute, his breath became shallower, and death was at Barley’s door.

Katniss cupped her mouth as she read the ending over and over again. Her eyes teared up, her hands shook. She went from a state of shock to anger. “OH HELL NO,” she muttered under her breath. “He can’t kill Barley,” she fumed. Barley was important to Scout; he was her anchor in the upcoming rebellion.

Normally, she didn’t reach out to the writers; she only left a quick thank-you for writing or an emoji review. But this was an emergency, Dentalion was about to break canon.

Dentalion,

I normally do not reach out to writers and stalk them on Tumblr. I usually just leave a nice review, cause I know that I'm reading a story for free. You are one of my favorite writers, and I always can't wait for your updates. But, after your last update, may I express how angry I am about what you are about to do? Why would you write:

"With every passing minute, his breath became shallower, and death was at Barley’s door."

How could you try to break canon and kill off Barley? Are you out off-your-rocker? Barley is Scout’s support system. He’s the arms she runs to when things become rough! It’s unacceptable what you are doing. I cannot stand it!

-AllaboutRSgames

Katniss pushed herself off the door, slipped her phone into her pocket, and proceeded to quickly use the bathroom.

***KPKPKP***

Hours later, she smiled into her computer screen as she FaceTimed with her sister. “Why didn’t you tell me you got a flat tire?”

“Katniss, really, what could you’ve done from the Seam? I was on the road in the middle of nowhere.” Prim shook her shrugged her blond hair fell over her shoulders, “I called roadside assistance and they helped me change the tire.” Katniss couldn’t help feeling proud of the woman her sister had become.

“You should’ve told me,” Katniss made a face.

“Nag,” Prim mocked.

Katniss laughed. “Okay, I’m going to let you go cause I know you'd rather hang out with your college friends instead of your frumpy sister.”

Prim giggled. “You’re not frumpy, you just choose to live that way.”

“Oh, look at the time, it's the point of the evening for the 'Katniss needs to get out more speech'.”

“Katniss,” Prim warned.

“Nag,” Katniss mocked back.

They both grinned. Prim wanted her to get out more in the world to see what else was out there. “Just think about what I said, Katniss, please?”

“I’ll think about it,” Katniss began, but her sister's incredulous face stopped her. “Okay, I get it, I need more than just Ben & Jerry’s ice cream on a Friday night.”

“Good,” she curtly nodded, then her face turned sweet. “Night, sis, and enjoy that rocky road.”

Katniss smiled as she closed the window, immediately missing her sister. The loneliness gnawed at her. Her baby sister was right, Katniss needed to get out there. She could start by going to company-sanctioned teambuilders. They were held once a month, and that was the beginning. She was about to shut down her laptop when she saw that she had an email.

Dear AllaboutRSgames,

Thank you for your concerns. I am glad you think I am an accomplished writer. That being said, I understand you believe Scout somehow cannot survive without Barley. I believe Scout is strong enough to survive on her own two feet. She has her friend Collic at home, whom she can reach out to.

Collic knows Scout better than most people; it’s the reason she’s constantly thinking about him.

-Dentalion

Katniss stopped reading, her ire through the roof. She spat, “Are you a CISC SHIPPER!”

Sitting up in her bed, she quickly typed out.

Dentalion;

I’ve been reading your stories for a while, and I always thought you were an excellent storyteller. However, I must stress that Collic does not have the temperament to be the emotional support for Scout. Collic was well aware of the trials Scout faced when her father died.

Did he reach out to her in her time of need? Mind you, he had the means to do so, having the skill set to trap and hunt. Both families were active players in the rebellion, and granted, they are outcasts by law. But it was Barley who dared to cross that invisible line and helped her family. It’s the reason the government chose him to be in the games that were held every five years.

Scout knows this and is desperate to help him survive. In her mind, he should survive and not her. How could you even write that Collic is her friend?

- AllaboutRSgames, -

She sent it away and went to the fridge, where she grabbed her pint of rocky road and padded back to her bedroom and signed into Tumblr. She liked the anonymity of the website.

Unlike other places where it was all about appearances. Katniss liked keeping a low profile. It was as she was scrolling through the newest Star Wars that she got a ping from the private message on Tumblr. Glancing at the top portion, she thought it was Johanna who was also on Tumblr with her. She clicked on the icon, and her eyes went wide on her face.

Dentalion was instant messaging her. Sitting back into her pillows, Katniss considered whether she should ignore it or if she should read their message. She took a spoonful of her rocky road and scooped it into her mouth, trying to decide if she wanted to look at the message. Curiosity won out.

Dentalion: By your response, I am guessing you are a BAS Shipper.

Katniss rolled her eyes. She bit the bottom of her lip. Her fingers tapped on the keyboard, itching to write a snarky reply.

AllaboutRSgames: Your assumption is correct. I firmly believe the last book will confirm that Scout and Barley will end up together.

Dentalion: Why don’t you think Scout and Collic will end up together?

Katniss sighed and shook her head. The fandom was deeply divided. Collic was the typical alpha male. A gun-slinging, no question asked, type of hero that was so prevalent in the movies and in our culture, a guys-guy. Barley, on the other hand, was capable of being like Collic; he was built with strong shoulders, had great physical strength, and swift abilities. Yet he was the opposite of typical male archetypes. Barley was softer, a pacifist, and always willing to see the good in people. In the second book, he wept over the one mercy killing he did. It wasn’t in his nature to kill.

Leaning in, she began to type.

AllaboutRSgames: There are several reasons why I don’t think Collic is a natural choice. The first being is that Collic and Scout are exactly alike; they both have stormy temperaments. They both are impulsive, intelligent, with a happy trigger finger. They are always arguing and cannot agree to disagree; those two would combust if they were ever in a romantic relationship. The second and overlooked is that Scout is aware that Collic is handsome, and knows he has had several relationships, but that she doesn’t see him in that way. She states very clearly, “I do not love Collic and I cannot see myself marrying him.” There isn’t a “pull” between herself and Collic, but she states there is a “pull” between herself and Barely. Third, she admits she doesn’t like to be touched, but in the second book, she wants and desires to be physically close to Barely. She wants to have his arms around her; she craves them, and not just out of necessity. It’s the reason she sneaks to his house at night to snuggle in bed with him. She desires him but doesn’t know how to say what she feels to Barley, but she can tell Collic she’s not interested in him like that after he forcibly kissed her. It’s not okay to force yourself on anyone. Barley has never done that, while Collic did.”

Katniss finished typing and hit send. Dipping her spoon into the forgotten ice cream, she waited to see what he would say.

The ping came immediately:

Dentalion: I agree it’s not okay to force themselves on someone, even if it is with a simple touch. You’re right; Barley would never do such a thing.“

“Thank you!” Katniss exclaimed out loud.

Dentalion: “But Collic and Scout have a history.”

“HA!" Katniss muttered to herself. "He says they have a HISTORY! What history?" She snidely spoke to her monitor. "They’re neighbors, that's all. He was a jerk when they met as kids. And the only reason he wanted to hang out with her was because Collic discovered she was an expert hunter like her father. They clung together for self-preservation,” Katniss exclaimed. She took her spoon and took a big portion of her ice cream as she composed what she would write. Katniss frowned at the screen as her fingers flew across the keyboard.

AllaboutRSgames Just because you have a history with someone doesn’t mean you are going to have a great romantic relationship with them. How many girls didn’t you grow up with, and you’d never cross that line?

Dentalion: LOL, okay, okay…I’ve got this one friend, she’s like a sister. But still, the fact remains that women don’t want a mushy man who’s in touch with his emotions.

Katniss typed and spoke out loud.

AllaboutRSgames: How do you know????

Dentalion: You are like one of many women who say they want a man like Barley but only go out with or settle for a guy like Collic?

Katniss laughed out loud. She wasn’t the dating type, but if a guy was remotely like Barley became a reality, she’d date him, bed him, and wed him.

AllaboutRSgames: Men like Collic are a dime a dozen. I’d take a guy like Barley any day.

Dentalion: You want a sensitive guy? No one wants a safe, dependable guy. Every girl I’ve met wants the rebel, the bad boy.

AllaboutRSgames: Perhaps you haven’t met the right woman, or you don’t get it.

Dentalion: Then explain it to me, and I don’t sarcastically mean that either. I just want to understand.

AllaboutRSgames: When you go through a lot, you want someone who makes you feel safe. Safe doesn’t mean boring; safe means desired. Dependability is golden. I’ve been through a lot. I lost my dad at an early age, I had to take care of my mom, and raise my sister. I don’t need someone whom I have to worry about. I don’t need their fire; I’ve got enough of my own. That’s why Barely is, like, the dream guy. He’s steady and sweet. He's someone who will care for me just as I am. Barley will never gawk at the short skirts that walk by, even when he’s not with me, or rather, Scout.

Katniss shook her head. She’d just revealed a lot of personal information as she thought about how she wanted someone like Barely.

Dentalion: Honestly, it’s a little hard to believe, but I’ve never met someone who really wanted the boring guy.

AllaboutRSgames: It sounds like you had a bad experience.

Dentalion: LOL, you have no idea. I’m sorta like Barley

Katniss pictured a guy with a pudgy body and thinning hair. She knew he was well-read because he made references to those books in his writing, from Little Women to One Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Through the written word, she imagined someone not attractive, but someone with whom she shared many intrinsic values.

She was beginning to think that maybe he was someone who could offer her the companionship she wanted. Someone she could share a deep friendship even though he was a shipper of Collic and Scout. She could see women passing him up because of his looks. Putting her container down, she typed.

AllaboutRSgames: Wait, did some girl dump you?“

Dentalion: What are you a medium?

AllaboutRSgames: No, but I’m curious. My curiosity has gotten me into plenty of scrapes.

Dentalion: Okay, so there’s no chance I’d ever meet you, so I can be totally honest with you, right?

AllaboutRSgames: Go on, there will be no judgment coming from me other than your rather poor ship taste.

Dentalion: Hardy har, har, har. Are you finished?.

AllaboutRSgames: Ugh, I’m waiting for you, Dandelion.

Dentalion: Hmm, smart, not many people figure out what my name is.

Katniss' cheeks heated up at his compliments; she wasn’t used to getting them. Her job, her struggles helping her mother cope, and rearing her sister were often thankless. Dandelions reminded her of her father and the hunting trips they used to have. It was his name that first attracted her to his stories, about the books. She was an avid reader of his fanfics. Chatting with him was cozy.

AllaboutRSgames: I have an unnatural affection for that plant, now go on. Who broke your heart and caused you to become a Collic and Scout shipper?

Dentalion: Before I tell you anything that will make me look like a loser, how do you know what Dentalion means?

AllaboutRSgames: My father and I used to go hunting. It was our thing before he passed away. He used to tell me all of the flowers’ scientific names and an odd reference. Dandelions are known as lion's teeth. He used to make dandelion tea when we were out in the woods. Sundays were, well, still are my favorite time of the week.

Dentalion: I’m sorry about your loss. It sounds like you loved your father a lot.

AllaboutRSgames: I did, I still do.

Dentalion: You’re lucky to have someone who really loved you. I don’t have a good relationship with my parents. My mother and I we’re not on speaking terms; she was abusive toward me and my dad. My dad did the only thing he could: he paid for my college tuition and told me to flee to get as far away as I could. I did just that, though I’ve tried to reach out to her; she just doesn’t want me. I’ve done all the steps, gotten help, and figured out that I’m not the problem. I know I sound...pathetic. I'm sorry.

AllaboutRSgames: No, don’t you dare apologize for something that was out of your control.

Katniss shook her head side to side and became upset for him, for the way his mother mistreated him. No child should be hurt. Katniss sensed in him a goodness as he communicated with her. He wasn’t angry like she expected; he was still seeking a relationship with his mother.

Dentalion: It took me a long time to get to that point.

AllaboutRSgames: When it comes to parents, it’s not easy to reconcile the past.

Dentalion: No, it’s not. What’s your favorite color?’

Katniss moved her fingers away from her keyboard, slightly puzzled as to why he would want to know her favorite color.

Dentalion: Well?

AllaboutRSgames: Why?

Dentalion: If I am going to tell you about my deepest, most embarrassing moments, I need to know at least what your favorite color is.

His response made her chuckle.

Dentalion: Am I getting too personal?

AllaboutRSgames: No

Dentalion: So, what’s your favorite color?

AllaboutRSgames: If I tell you, will you share with me what’s yours?

Dentalion: Of course, I would never want our friendship to be lopsided.

AllaboutRSgames: Okay, then my favorite color is green.

Dentalion: Mine is orange

AllaboutRSgames: Like the fruit?

Dentalion: NO! It’s softer like, like the sunset.

AllaboutRSgames: That sounds beautiful, like an artist or something. I actually think you are an artist because you’re good with your words.

Dentalion: Thank you, but I am not as cool as you make me sound. Well, my last date didn’t think so.

AllaboutRSgames: So you really are going to tell me what really happened?

Dentalion: I sound like a total loser, but the last girl I dated left me in the middle of dinner at Saes. She said I was too nice, she didn’t feel I was manly enough. I guess if I were more like Collic, she would’ve stuck around. Girls have never wanted me. They’ve always used me as a stepping stone for a guy like Collic. My last three girlfriends, to be exact

AllaboutRSgames: Wait, are you talking about Saes on the corner of Fulton and Franklin?

It was too much of a coincidence. Katniss scooped up the last of the ice cream and put it in her mouth.

Dentalion: Yes. Do you live near the Twelve?

Katniss nearly spat out the ice cream from her mouth. She currently lived in the small inner city community known to the locals as Twelve. Cautiously, she typed.

AllaboutRSgames: I know the place, I live nearby, and that last chick was an IDIOT!

Dentalion: Yeah, all of the women I’ve dated always dump me for the macho man. I live around the corner from Saes. Do you want to maybe meet and talk about the book?

Katniss jumped up from her bed and looked down at her screen. The question mark jumped out at her. Her fingers trembled, and her heart beat out of control. As she didn't know what to say. Then he sent a message.

Dentalion: As friends…nothing more. I don’t want you to get freaked out, but I’ve got nothing to do tonight and am feeling rather sorry for myself. If you don’t want to, I understand, and it’s been lovely speaking to you.

Katniss sighed. His words touched her, his voice always reached her, and they were doing the same thing right now. Swallowing, she used her fingers to swiftly type.

AllaboutRSgames: Okay, why not? I’ll meet you in half an hour.

Dentalion: I’ll be wearing a red carnation. You bring the books. See you there.

As soon as she closed the laptop, Katniss's anxiety rushed through her body. She stood walking around her room, shaking her hands, trying to calm down.  She couldn't believe that Dentalion lived so close to her. She also couldn't believe that she said yes. 

"Oh boy, Oh boy. What if he doesn't like you? What if you sound like an idiot when you talk to him? He's so smart. What possessed you, Katniss?" She asked herself as she walked in circles. "Stop it, Katniss," she told herself.  She stopped walking and glanced at herself in the mirror.

“Okay, Katniss, no need to get nervous, you're going to go speak with him. Prim did say I needed to get out more. And this is a way of meeting someone that you know. I mean, he’s a phenomenal writer, but because he’s shipping the wrong couple, you will not get into a heated argument with him!” She looked down, then up, “You will, however, try to make him jump ship to yours.”

Pushing away, she put on a pair of dark jeans and a semi-decent top. She slipped her shoes on and braided her hair loosely. Before taking the books with her, she glanced at herself over. She looked passible. She was excited, and a smile brightened her face. In the taxi ride over, she tapped her hands on her jeans.

Her mind went over the conversation and how easy it was to share with him. She’d always been someone private, tight-lipped about her father or her sister. But with Dentalion, it was really easy to simply share. At this point, it didn’t matter what he looked like because Katniss liked him.

The driver reached Saes, and she walked in. Her grey eyes scanned the place for a guy with a flower. Her eyes rested on a heavyset man with thinning hair and glasses. She smiled and began walking toward him, but she noted he didn’t have a flower, and another woman sat down at his table. She stopped short and instantly felt foolish.

Just when doubt began to run into overtime, she noted a table with a red carnation. She couldn’t see the person because he was partially covered by the waitress. Katniss approached silently, hoping this was her Dentalion. She stood behind the waitress, who was tall and had more curves than a guitar.

When she moved to the side, Katniss' heart fell to the floor. She felt sucker punched as she openly and awkwardly stared at the gorgeous man sitting at the table, clutching the flower. He looked like a young Robert Redford, and in her mind was the very personification of Barley.

Katniss wanted to run in the opposite direction, but she forced her feet forward. His smile lit up the room when he saw her. They often said that when you met your soulmate, you knew - it was as if everything became crystal clear. For Katniss, all of her senses became elevated. All of the colors in the world became sharper and brighter. She could smell the littlest things, like the cinnamon scent that clung to his form when he stood to greet her.

“Hi.”

“Hi,” she mouthed back.

“I’m Peeta Mellark.”

“Katniss Everdeen.”

“You’re beautiful.”

Katniss blushed; the timber of his voice made her shudder. She’d never reacted this way to any man. It scared her the strong instant connection, but his nearness calmed her fears.  They talked well into the night, and walked home slowly, their hands brushing against each other, and tiny sparks of excitement ran through her system faster than the speed of light. She couldn’t wait to hold hands with him. Couldn’t wait to be held by him.  When he dropped her off at her apartment, Katniss impulsively leaned in and hugged him.

His arms were just as she imagined they would be. It was like coming home; it was better than wrapping herself in laundry straight out of the dryer. It was better than chocolate. It was better than cheese. When they separated, she took his hands and vowed never to let go.

***KPKPKP***

Two months later, she woke up to feel warm and safe. She snuggled closer to her Drntalion. Her mind flashed back to that momentous date.

She learned his name was Peeta Mellark, and he owned a successful bakery near her job. That night was magical; they stayed up all weekend talking, not wanting to be separated. They’d fallen asleep on her couch and woke up knowing they’d found their soulmate. They decided they didn’t want to live apart. Peeta wanted to marry, and Katniss agreed. They’d decided to wait until they married to have sex.

They’d surprised their friends and family when they announced their desire to quickly marry. Prim flew in to witness the quiet marriage at the town hall. Katniss wore a simple white dress. Peeta looked handsome in his dark suit, and Katniss carried yellow daisies to approximate the dandelion. The day of their wedding, she could not put into words what she felt, so she showed him on their wedding night. Both were glad they’d waited to consummate their relationship. 

Tonight she was reading when he’d come home. They reenacted one of his steamy love scenes. Love was perfect when it was with the right person. Katniss shifted slightly. Their limbs were tangled, her head nestled on top of his chest, and the memory of their lovemaking was still fresh on her mind. She basked in the heat of his body, and her lashes drifted closed. Her last thought was that every girl deserved their very own Dandelion.