The Hunger Games Universe - Blog Posts

In-law Dinners | Peeta Mellark

Peeta Mellark Masterlist

AU: The Hunger Games do not exist. They live in a small town that mines coal.

Word Count: 1.8k

Genre: Fluff | Hurt?/Comfort

Pairing(s): Peeta Mellark x wife!Reader

Summary: You are no stranger to dinners with your in-laws. However, it’s been a while, making you more nervous than usual.

Warnings: Hostility, anxiety, stress, food, just a kind of awkward dinner, and swearing.

Note(s):

Peeta’s mother and brothers suck

Established relationship

|PICTURES ARE NOT MINE|

——————————————————

You were stalling, you knew that. You told your husband that you needed to find a more appropriate jacket to wear with your outfit, instead of the one you usually wore.

You had no doubt that Peeta was aware you were stalling but as the ever perfect lover he is, amused you by playing into your lies.

To be fair, you did attempt to look at the other coats in your closet. Just to see if there was one that would make this night go a little smoother. But as your gaze rested upon each coat that you had personally picked and loved every time that you wore them, your mind could only bring up the nasty comments your mother in law never failed to make.

When you caught sight of his blonde hair in the mirror you pretended to straighten out the nonexistent creases or wrinkles on your outfit that you had already spent too much time worrying about the week that led up to this day. Both of you knew he would see right through this act, but you couldn’t bring yourself to talk about your negative feelings.

He walked towards you cautiously. When you could feel his body heat, he turned towards the closet. He examined the pieces of clothing before plucking one off of the rack.

“How ‘bout this one?” He smiled

You gazed down at the coat and your heart swelled. It was one of your favorites (you were certain Peeta knew), and it would go nicely with your attire.

As you took the coat from him he reached his hand up to your face so that he could push some of your hair out of your eyes.

“You wanna talk about it?” He asked softly, gazing at you with all the affection in the world.

You shook your head, drawing your eyes away from him.

He cupped your face gently and brought your gaze back to his, “We don’t have to go.” 

You shook your head again, “Yes we do-” 

“No, we don’t. I am not going to make you do anything that’s going to make you uncomfortable.” You knew he meant it. You didn’t even have to hear him say it.

“I want to do it.” You explained. The unspoken “For you.” hung in the air. 

He smiled appreciatively at you and stroked your cheek. You didn’t even notice yourself leaning into the warmth of his hand. 

“I know my family is hard to deal with..” Peeta began

You were quick to cut in, “Peeta-” 

“You don’t have to say anything, I know they are. Which is why I would never force you to spend any amount of time with them.” He said it so sincerely that you wanted to give in. To say “I don’t want to go” and kiss him goodbye, sit on the couch, watch a movie, and wait for him to get home. 

But you also knew you’d spend that time feeling guilty, even though you shouldn’t, because Peeta is right and you shouldn’t have to deal with your in-laws just for him. But you want to. Because even though Peeta’s family sucks, he cares for them. And he cares for you. And you know he’d put himself in this position one hundred times over if it was your family just to make you happy. 

So you don’t give in, even though you really wish you would. 

Your hand reaches up to cup his hand that was still cradling your cheek. You gave it a reassuring squeeze and looked him straight in the eye as you said, “I want to go to dinner with you tonight.” 

Peeta gazed at you for a few extra moments before nodding, “Okay.” he ended it with a sweet kiss as if to say, “Thank you.”

-----------------------------

Being in a relationship with Peeta improved your punctuality. You never arrived too early or too late. It was a skill of his you deeply appreciated and made you glad it rubbed off on you.

Peeta carried a tote bag (that you bought for him) with the baked goods he made for tonight in one arm, and held your hand in the other.

Before he knocked on the front door, he looked at you and smiled, “I’ll be right beside you the whole time. We can leave at any point, just say the word.” He whispered in your ear.

You gave his hand a grateful squeeze and nodded.

It took only a few moments after knocking on the door for his father to appear on the other side.

Simple greetings were made. Peeta’s father was easily the most tolerable, even if he could be awkward sometimes.

Peeta’s father ushered the two of you into the house and Peeta placed your jacket and shoes at the sad coat rack next to the front door.

His childhood house was smaller than your home, even though only you and Peeta lived there. Everything in this house was noticeably old and worn out. Which wouldn’t have been a problem if it wasn’t for the tense atmosphere.

You owned many thrifted things, and had done many home projects, but the two of you always felt it made your house more of a home.

As you walked through the small hallway you noticed all the things that were self-fixed and the cracks made in the walls that made the house look even sadder.

The sight of this house around you made you uneasy, your only comfort being Peeta’s hand.

Peeta

You turned your head towards the man you loved and your heart sank. Your wonderful husband who was kind and good, had the misfortune to grow up in a house like this.

He turned his head at the feel of your gaze. Somehow, he was always able to read your thoughts. A sad smile and a barely noticeable shrug was his way of saying, “It is what is.”

You held his hand a little tighter.

If it was just Peeta’s father and brothers, dinners wouldn’t be as hard for you to attend. But it wasn’t just his brothers and father.

Peeta’s mother stood in the kitchen, handing plates to Peeta’s two older brothers to set them onto the table. She had a look of annoyance on her face, just like every other time you saw her.

When she looked up you felt a jolt go through your body.

The woman’s look of annoyance turned to a scowl.

“Took the two of you long enough.” She barked

It was still a couple minutes before the agreed upon time.

“We weren’t expecting so much traffic.” Peeta said in his usual optimistic voice.

Peeta’s words didn’t soften his mothers scowl as she sharply nodded her head towards the small table, “You two can finish setting up.”

Her attitude wasn’t surprising to either of you. You had been friends with Peeta since school and got together before you graduated. You’ve had plenty of time to grow used to the less than hospitable nature of his mother. But it never stopped the anger from building in your chest when they treated Peeta the way they did.

——————

Dinner was..awkward, to say the least. A lot of jabs from Peeta’s brothers and outright degrading comments from Peeta’s mother. Your father-in-law mostly kept quiet unless he was making more small talk.

You truly believed that the only reason the two of you were ever invited to dinner was because of the envelope with a check Peeta would give his father at the end of every visit.

Peeta provided for them, because he felt he owed them for ‘raising’ him.

You agreed knowing it made him feel guilty not to.

The money he gave was some portion of the money that he made from his paintings, never asking or allowing you to give some of your money.

The car ride home was silent, unlike the one on the way there. Peeta was visibly tense and you were sure that you were too. But his hand wrapped with yours wasn’t firm or anything.

When he pulled in front of your house and turned off the car, the two of you just sat there for a moment in the dark.

You rubbed what you hoped was soothing circles on the back of his hand.

When he let out a deep breath you were relieved that you were helping.

“I don’t think I can do this forever.” He muttered

You nodded, “And you don’t have to.”

“Then, why do I feel like I do?” He turned his head towards you, his eyes glazed over in tears.

“Because you care for them…because despite everything they’ve done you give them the benefit of the doubt.”

“I keep thinking they’ll change.” He shook his head, “Then, I see how they talk to you and I..” he ran a frustrated hand through his hair.

You squeezed his hand and shook your head, “You don’t need to worry about me-“

“I do need to worry about you!” Peeta cut in with a loud voice, “You’re the love of my life and my family treats you horribly! And-and I let them!”

You think back to tonight’s dinner. How Peeta defended you from every comment, praised you for your achievements, and redirected any conversation they tried to start with you, “You don’t let them.” You brushed a couple stray hairs from his face.

“You shouldn’t have to deal with this.” He shook his head, “I won’t let you deal with this anymore.”

Your brows furrowed in confusion, “What are you talking about Peeta?”

“The next time they ask us over for dinner, I’ll send the check in the mail. They’ll get the hint.” He said with a sad tone.

“Oh, baby…” you weren’t sure what to say.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to stop seeing them entirely. I’m not sure I ever will. But some time away and some space will be good for me.” He looked at you again, but this time he smiled a little. “I think it’ll be good for us.”

You were close to crying yourself.

“I meant what I said on our wedding day, you’re the most important person to me and I promised to put you above everyone else.” His unoccupied hand wiped away a tear from your cheek.

You leaned in and rested your forehead against his, taking in his words and proximity. You knew how hard this was for him. How hard it’s always been.

“I’m proud of you.” You whispered

Peeta’s eyes met yours and he kissed you. A sweet, meaningful kiss like many you had had before.

Peeta was the first to speak, “Let’s go inside, I want to have a real dinner with my wife.”

—————

“Thank you for coming with me today. I don’t think I ever would’ve found the strength to finally admit to myself…something I think I’ve always known, without you.” Peeta murmured against the crown of your head.

Your head rested upon your husband's chest, listening to his steady heart beat, with one of your hands spread across his stomach, fingers laced with his.

“I love you.” Was your explanation.

You felt his lips curl up into a smile, “I love you too.”

Train Tracks | Peeta Mellark

Peeta Mellark Masterlist

Universe: Hunger Games AU, the Hunger Games don’t exist and they just live in a small town that mines coal.

Word Count: 886

Genre: Fluff | love confession | friends to lovers

Pairing(s): Peeta Mellark x Fem!Reader

Summary: Peeta has been your friend for years, but you aren’t close. Which makes him wonder why you chose him of all people to show the wonderous little paradise you found on the outskirts of town.

Warning(s): Food, kind of insinuations to Peeta’s abusive mother.

Note(s):

Friends to Lovers

|PICTURES ARE NOT MINE|

——————————————————————

“Hello, how can I help you?” Peeta’s professional tone is quickly replaced with a genuine smile when he notices it’s you he’s talking to.

You hesitated for a moment, “I was hoping I could show you something…when you aren’t working?” It came out as a question because your mind is suddenly questioning every reason you decided to ask him.

Peeta takes a glance at the space behind him. You see that he catches his fathers eye and the older man comes up to the front.

Peeta whispers something to his father as you observe the bakery. The comforting space was familiar to you as you had been in here as a customer many times. You were silently glad that it was only you and the Mellarks in. But, more specifically you were glad that Peeta’s mother wasn’t in.

When the whispering stopped you turned your head towards Peeta to see him smiling while examining your face.

He drew his eyes away when he noticed he was caught, “Let me put my jacket on, okay?”

You nodded and sat at one of the tables in the bakery.

Peeta wasn’t long, rushing out from behind the counter with a white bag with some of the bakery’s goods.

“I know these are your favorite.” He held them out to you.

You took them in a bit of shock, flattered that he knew that they were your favorite, “Thank you.”

He nodded and then sent a glance at the door. Suddenly remembering why you came, you hopped up from your chair and made your way out the bakeries door. Glancing back a few times to make sure Peeta was following you.

———————————————

After a few minutes of walking with pleasant chatter between you and the blonde, you stopped at the wooden fence that surrounded your town.

“It’s beyond the fence?” Peeta’s tone was questioning.

“Yep.” You said, climbing over the fence slower than you normally would, nervous that he would decide to back out.

But Peeta only climbed over the fence and looked at you with eyes full of trust, letting you lead the way.

You suddenly realized how easy it would’ve been to take Peeta anywhere. You could’ve taken him to an active volcano and he would’ve followed you loyally, trusting you with his life.

Your gaze found the opening in the trees that you had discovered not too long ago, and turned towards Peeta, only to find he was looking at you already.

“It’s through the opening right there.” You pointed. Peeta followed your gaze and nodded.

He let you go first before following through. The blonde gazed around the sight of the abandoned train tracks in wonder.

“The forest practically covers every entrance and exit. I’ve yet to find another opening I can easily get through.” You commented.

Peeta grinned at you, “How did you find it?”

You shrugged, “Dumb luck, I suppose. I was spaced out while watching the trees when I caught a glimpse of the tracks.”

“How far does it go?”

“Miles. I haven’t found an end though.”

“Does anybody else know about it?”

“Just us.”

Peeta turned at you, his gaze questioning, “Why did you show it to me?”

You avoided his eyes, “I thought you’d like it.”

“I do like it.” Peeta confirmed, “Why not any of your other friends?”

You kicked a stone you found on the tracks, “I don’t have many friends.”

Peeta shook his head, “I don’t believe that.”

You caught sight of his smile and you couldn’t help but match it. You sat down on the edge of a track, it wasn’t the most comfortable but you preferred it to the ground, “Well it is.”

“How come? You're such an amazing person. I mean, you're smart, kind, thoughtful, and beautiful.” Peeta said

“You’re not too bad yourself.” You opened the bag of the bakery goodies and offered him a bit.

He shook his head and plopped down next to you.

“I showed you because…you’re just…I like your company.” You said.

Peeta nodded, “I like your company too.” After a beat of silence he added, “Also, because..I admire you. I mean, I never would’ve been able to find a place like this.” He motioned to the space around us.

You shook your head, “It was just dumb luck.”

“Maybe. But anyone else wouldn’t have cared for it the way you do. They wouldn’t have seen it the way you do.”

“How do I see it?” You asked quietly

“Peaceful, beautiful, a place that’s so special you’d only show it to a few people.” He gazed at you, speaking in a whisper, “It’s one of the reasons I like you.”

You examined his face to see if you were interpreting his sentence wrong, but when he moved closer to you, your heart fluttered with joy.

“Can I kiss you?” He asked

You nodded so subtle you weren’t sure he noticed until he did kiss you.

His lips were warm, soft, and comforting.

It was a quick but meaningful kiss. He grinned widely before pulling you in for a longer one, his hand coming up to caress your cheek.

“You like me?” You asked after it was over.

“I thought it was obvious.” He laughed, “Do you like me?”

“I thought it was obvious.” You repeated, before kissing him another time.