Quick Rec: Two Fires by Isabugg

"Whoa, Little Miss Mionie! Another update? I thought you said this would be a casual rec site." Well, yes, I did say that - and I do mean it. But I'm on holidays at the moment, and the site's just started, so I'm trying to show off our awesome recs so more people will get involved :)

I'd firstly like to give a few shout-outs to the lovely people at TheHob.org and a few lurkers of ADifferentForest for their enthusiasm about Nightlock; and also to Muttations, our first wonderful affiliate!

Today I'm just posting a quick little rec - as recommended to us on twitter by the fabulous @AnonymousCiter! (What a sneaky way to get around using our forms, hehe.)

Two Fires by Isabugg

What if Gale, overtaken by the grief of seeing his oldest friend about to be swept into the monstrosity that is the Hunger Games, volunteered for Peeta and took his place? Gale Hawthorne x Katniss Everdeen

Why? Well, I've only read the first chapter, but even from only that, Isabugg's mastery of descriptive and emotive language is phwoar-worthy. The plot sounds unbelievably cool and intriguing (yet it's so simple!) A must for Katniss/Gale shippers.

Here's an excerpt to entice you:

"Let's get this over with!" Effie said, her voice struggling to keep its usual exaggerated timbre as she caught sight of the Peacekeepers. Without missing a beat, she spun the boys' glass ball before clumsily pulling out another slip of paper, smoothing out the surface across her lap before moving towards the microphone. I didn't even have time to hope that it wasn't Gale before her voice boomed across the square, announcing the name. "Peeta Mellark!"

I stared wide-eyed into the crowd, now biting my tongue for fear of crying in front of all these people and cameras. My eyes swept over his blond head, and a crushing thought weighed itself in the pit of my stomach.

I know him. A baker, about my age, and the son of the man my mother had rejected in her youth for my father. I quickly thought back to the time he gave me bread when I was in my weakest, hungriest state, but before he could even take two steps, I saw Gale violently pushing his way through the crowd.

"I, Gale Hawthorne, volunteer for Peeta Mellark!" His gruff voice echoed throughout the square, his hand up high and stiff above his head as he sprinted towards the stage, instantly engulfing me in his arms after he had reached it.

That was when the crowd got rowdy, pushing each other around and yelling obscenities up at Effie, threatening her and the Peacekeepers around us.

I heard gunshots pierce the air, slicing through the once determined protests and turning them into bloodcurdling screams.

But all this time, Gale wouldn't let me wiggle out of his strong arms.

~ LMM