Take It All Away (Katniss/Peeta)

Title: Take It All Away

Author: dreamyzingg

Status: WIP

Summary: What if Katniss didn't have the berries at the end of the 74th Hunger Games? Would there be two victors, or one? Victory isn't so sweet for the winner of the 74th Hunger Games. Katniss/Peeta, rated T for PG-13 content and depression.

Take It All Away is a fic that I've just recently discovered over the last two weeks. I really like the premise - that Katniss is the only surviver and Victor of her Games - and the fact that this is explored at length, and not just in a small one-shot like so many others.

Dreamyzingg does an amazing job of Katniss' characterisation; this is especially shown in her internal thought process. In chapter one, you can really sense Katniss' desperation as the double-Victor rule is revoked as she constantly questions Peeta's steadfast idea that she must win and he must die. Her constant awareness of the audience watching is something I really enjoyed reading because it's so refreshingly canon. I think this comes down to the author's writing style, which is purposely quite simple and without flourish to effect Katniss' voice. A lot of The Hunger Games-era fics fall into the trap of focusing solely on the interaction between characters, but I'm pleased to say that Take It All Away starts off with in all the right ways, making simple things AU whilst grounding the story with characterisations that we feel comfortable venturing in with. It felt like I was reading the first book all over again when I didn't know who would survive - and I know that sense of mystery and adrenaline is what drew a lot of people to the books. To show you what I mean, here's an excerpt from Chapter One, The Kill:

'I think of nothing that can save us both; nothing in the world that can get us out of this horrible situation.  I would never let him kill himself, have him leave this world on his own. And even if he were to kill himself, how would he do it? He is too weak to take my arrow to his own heart, to crack his own skull, anything. And letting his own blood seep from his leg would take a long time, endangering my health as well as his. If he kills me, he might still die anyway from his wounds, and there would be no victor. '

Reading Peeta die is exceptionally hard; that small moment is written beautifully. The real tragedy that Katniss has to kill him is so heart-wrenchingly tragic. 

"Katniss." I look up. Peeta's eyes are pleading with me to do the deed. He looks weak; he is growing pale and he is shaking. His leg is soaked in blood, and he is surrounded by a pool of it. He will die very soon. Painfully. The life seeping from him like a bee bites through the skin; excruciating and distressing. An arrow through the heart would be better, less painful. A clean shot would end his pain in a matter of minutes, maybe even seconds.

Peeta, you said at the interview that you'd had a crush on me forever. When did forever start?

"Kill me, Katniss." The clock is still ticking, the Games not over, and every second he grows weaker. My options are all expired, my own health growing dire.

He bores his eyes into mine, pleading for me to kill him. I cannot refuse. He won't let me.

Slowly, I pick up my bow and arrow, my arms shaking. In one second, my arrow is notched at his heart.

The more likeable he is, the more deadly he is.

"Peeta...I...I'm so…" Tears run down my cheeks, and I make choking sounds as I gasp for air.

The story then continues with the aftermath of Katniss winning the Games alone. I don't want to reveal too much, but let me just say that this twist on canon is intoxicating to read. Peeta haunting her in her dreams is eerie, and Katniss' depression is poetically evident. The little changes that occur for the Capitol, for the audience, for Katniss' family and for Katniss herself as a result of her actions are so interesting and almost unbearable to watch unfold. This fic is truly for angst fans.

Here's an excerpt that I really loved that shows the little changes: Katniss' post-games interview in Chapter Two, The Victor.

I am met with the roar of the crowd. The cheers are greatly outnumbered by boos. I try to smile, but my mouth feels strained and I can barely move it. I feel like a statue, unmoving, unemotional, unfeeling. Finally, my limbs decide to cooperate with my brain, and I step off the plate. I stagger over to Caesar Flickerman, who welcomes me and calls to the crowd to pipe down. He shakes my hand, and leads me to the victor's chair where I will have to watch a three-hour recap of the Games. This will be beyond painful; it will make me even more suicidal than I already am. I will have to relive the Games, watch all the tributes die, watch Peeta-

I shake my head. Peeta. Tears burn in my throat.

The lights dim, and the giant screen set up in the City Circle lights up. The seal of Panem shows, the anthem begins and ends, then the show begins. First is the reapings, then we whiz through until they show the victors' carriages parading through the streets of the Capitol. It is horrible to watch, since nearly everyone onscreen is dead.

Then we get to the interviews. Me, looking like a silly little girl twirling for Caesar. Then Peeta. I bury my head in my hands, cover my ears, not caring they are probably filming my reaction to this live across Panem. All I care about is not seeing the boy with the bread confess his love for this insane, murderous, manipulative girl who is me.

If you are looking for a new, multiple chapter, AU, in-character fic to love, try Dreamyzingg's Take It All Away. I personally can't wait until they update with chapter six!!

Happy reading!
~ Little Miss Mionie