Daddy!Peeta and Parenthood Fics

Artwork for Little Green by the wonderful everlart @ tumblr

Nightlock reader MJ recently requested Daddy!Peeta fics. Here are the cream of the crop we've found about Peeta and his toastbabies!

All I Know by JLaLa
“That is your mother, Katniss Everdeen.” Katniss and Peeta reunite under the most difficult of circumstances.
Best daddy feature: The angsty, original and captivating plot makes Daddy!Peeta AMAZING. It's on my to devour read list.

Little Green by jeeno2
"Hi," Peeta says quietly; almost shyly. "I'm your daddy, and…" His voice cracks on the word daddy, and Katniss' heart clenches painfully inside her chest. "I'm your daddy," Peeta continues. Stronger this time. "I've waited so very long to meet you." A post-Mockingjay AU.
Best daddy feature: A realistic look at the hard road to fatherhood.

Take Care by Amelia_Day (amelia_day)
Peeta Mellark is suddenly put into a position he never expected to be in--that of a parent. Low on patience, he hires someone as desperate for a job as he is for help. Modern Day AU.
Best daddy feature: This fic is really lemony - have fun picturing a hot daddy!Peeta!

Linger by kismet4891
AU. Peeta Mellark was not the self-assured, happy young man that he worked so hard to portray to the world. Years of emotional torment from his mother, and lack of support from his father had diminished his self-esteem and understanding of self-worth. His salvation came in the most unexpected form, a life altering mistake that taught him the true meaning of love.
Best daddy feature: A captivating look at Peeta as a young, unplanned father.

Drabble by annieoakley1
Drabble requested by a fan for single!daddy Peeta.
Best daddy feature: A cute but (sadly!!) brief look at Peeta as a single, caring Dad.

Tomorrow Will Be Kinder by Alexabee
In the turbulent years leading up to the birth of Panem, the world's crops have been all but destroyed. Facing food shortages, Peeta Mellark struggles to run the family bakery while singlehandedly raising his daughter in the wake of losing his wife. Katniss Everdeen has lost something important, too - her memory. 
Best daddy feature: Selfless Peeta at his parenting finest.

Roughing It by atetheredmind
After an argument with Gale leaves her stranded in the woods, Katniss joins a handsome stranger and his son on their camping trip.
Best daddy feature: Peeta's a dashing dad!

Daddy by FierceGift
"Daddy!" The simple word wakes me up from my sleep, opening my eyes hesitantly only to scrunch them close. The harsh light of early hours burns through the blinds causing my discomfort, I roll over from my back to my side facing Peeta. 
Best daddy feature: One of the few (sadface) queer!Peeta daddies! Interesting pairing for a daddy!fic, too!

A Mellark Goodnight by ThisIsTrueImmortality
A Hunger Games Next Generation story. Peeta wakes in the dead of night to the sound of his daughter's scream. When he tries to comfort Lucerne, he finds that he is not the only Mellark struggling through nightmares.
Best daddy feature: A measured looking at Peeta parenting.

Taken Away by RandomThoughtGirl
What if it were Katniss taken at the end of Catching Fire? What if she were pregnant on top of that? Add into that, that she believes Peeta, the father of her child, to be dead because of Snow, how can she keep going on? What will Peeta risk in order to get her back to him?
Best daddy feature: A canon compliant, angsty, protective daddy.

Blend by Lbug84
"You aren't the only one with a child to protect." An Everlark Modern Day AU about becoming a blended family.
Best daddy feature: Loving his partner's children, too.

All The President's Men by Baroness Kika
Panem AU; When a scandal puts the oppressive Snow administration in its political grave, young, charismatic District Twelve representative Peeta Mellark is thrust into the role of President. As he and his staff struggle to serve a troubled nation, Peacekeeper Katniss Everdeen keeps a watchful eye on the only thing Peeta loves more than his country. 
Best daddy feature: A powerful president and parent!

Everlark Drabble by the boy with the bread 
Drabble request about single!daddy Peeta, his naughty kid and teacher!Katniss.
Best daddy feature: We see a rare stern daddy in a sea of doting, indulgent cutie Peetas.

Invention of the Capitol by TheTruthLiesWithTheTwins
With the help of capitol doctors, Peeta and Gale will hopefully be able to begin a family.
Best daddy feature: Mpreg certainly makes this fic stand apart from the others. I wish there were more cis-Peeta daddy fics where he had a surrogate or adopted (mpreg is not my style - alas!)

Kudos to the everlarkrecs tumblr, where I was able to source some good suggestions!

Happy reading,
Little Miss Mionie

PS. Remember to vote in the Nightlock Reader's Choice Awards!

Nightlock Prompt Challenge Winner: Eirenewrites

Congratulations to fanfiction author eirenewrites, who is the winner of our writing challenge! The staff at Nightlock (Little Miss Mionie, Owl, Titania and Cindella204) have written a review of this fic. To remind you, the prompt was:

"She heard the music, first. It was the music that made her realise she was truly home."

Eirenewrites wins this shiny new banner (along with some others): 

As well as our review! Without further ado....

Convince Me by eirenewrites

“You’ve subdued the districts, but nothing has changed. You are entertainment. Show up when they say show up. Sing when they say sing. Marry when they say marry.”

Convince Me is an interesting story that had us right from the get-go. It is essentially a rewrite of Catching Fire, with author eirenewrites teasing out or including scenes shippers wish they got to see in the original series. The story feels very canon, and all of us had no problem diving right in to read it. This idea has been done before, but eirenewrites' plot, along with her effective employment of dialogue, reenergises what could have been quite a generic fic.

Eirenewrites' writing style is clearly that of an accomplished writer who knows how to write well.  The author captured Katniss' narrator voice perfectly. The chemistry between Katniss, Peeta and Gale feels very canon. The fanfic as a whole reads very solidly, in that there is enough plot and fandom knowledge to support the main focus of the story, aka Katniss' romantic relationships. A lack of convincing, interesting and dynamic storyworlds are often what let novella fic writers down in this fandom - this is a problem Convince Me definitely does't have!

We all really like how Eirenewrites has included our prompt. It both inspires a scene in the third chapter, and seems to be inspiring further events as the story continues.

Convince Me is currently WIP, with 4 chapters. You can also find it on ff.net.

Happy reading,
The Nightlock Team

Starvation Forum's Holiday Contest: Our Reviews

The wonderful Lavender Flame, a past reccer here at Nightlock, mods the Starvation forum over at fanfiction.net. We decided to pair up with our ally to review the entries for the Starvation forum's Holiday Contest.

Now, I know what you're thinking.... Christmas in June, Little Miss Mionie?! It's not even in July!

Well, both Lavender Flame and I had a lot to juggle for the past couple of months, so it's only now I've been able to review the entries. To make up for the delay, I've made banners for each fic for the entrants to take home with them! :)

Well done to contest winner DarylDixon'sgirl1985 and other entrants emeralddusk and ct255 - here are your reviews.

Christmas Memories by DarylDixon'sgirl1985

During the Hunger Games Clove thinks of her happiest Christmas memory ever. 

Review: The winner of the contest is the winner for a reason - Christmas Memories is certainly the most uniquely paired holiday fic I've ever read! DarylDixon'sgirl1985 has a command of dialogue that really drives this fic. Short and sweet, it's a great two-part story.

Eternal Noel by emeralddusk

Celebrate Christmas in Panem with all your Hunger Games friends in a brighter world.

Review: I actually enjoyed this fic being in italics - this style made falling into a memory of Katniss' much easier. Katniss' father as a main character in this story makes for a whimsical, bittersweet fic.

The Language That Lives Between Words by ct522 (by our very own Titania! Yay!)

Inspired by Colin Firth storyline in "Love Actually." Peeta and Katniss don't speak the same language. They find other ways to communicate, slowly falling for one another as they spend more time with each other.

Review: Love Actually is my favourite Christmas movie, so of course I was going to like reading this story by ct522! The author has gone to great detail for the setting and mood. The characterisations are wicked and funny at the same time. A cheery, festive fic. 

Happy reading,

Little Miss Mionie

Hunger Games/Harry Potter crossover fics (aka The Potter Games)

Wonderful manip by fadingtales @ tumblr

Many of us readers and writers started writing fanfiction in the Harry Potter fandom before moving onto others like the Hunger Games. It's great to see these two complex story worlds melting together - you can find cool images and ideas following this tag 'the potter games' on tumblr. Without further ado, here's just a taste of the bewitching Harry Potter/Hunger Games crossovers out there at the moment!

And you are only just beginning by swishywillow
Summary: "As the castle fades into the distance, disappearing around a gentle curve, it is almost hard to believe it wasn’t all a wonderful dream." A snapshot of Peeta Mellark's seven years at Hogwarts. 
In A Word: Unusual
(Recommended by The Owl).






Tonight. by Shulik
No summary given.
In A Word: Hilarious!
(Recommended by Weekend Sinner).

The Snow Queen by Darklooshkin
Summary: Rose Potter disappeared at the age of six. In Hermione Granger's sixth year, the Goblet of Fire summons a girl trained to be the champion of a very different kind of game. They wanted a saviour. They got the Snow Queen.
In A Word: Complex

District Four by GinnyMastrani
Summary: Harry Potter is just a kid from District Four. He never wanted this. Cato is a warrior from District Two, he volunteered. When these two collide in the arena, sparks will fly. HXC Warnings inside. Complete.
In A Word: Different

Dropped by BlueMoonsAndTooSoons
Summary: Fleur, Bill, Hermione, and Draco are suddenly dropped into the arena during the 74th Games to help Katniss and Peeta win. What they don't know is how they got there and what the point of all this is. What they discover may change everything.
In A Word: Popular

Unexpected Allies by smurfette81013
Summary: Harry thought his life was going to be as normal as could be. Voldemort is gone and Harry is now Lord Potter-Peverell-Black. Life is great, until a drunken Ron Weasley sends him to Panem. Katniss finds Harry in the woods, injured, and decides to bring him back to District twelve to heal. But when Katniss goes into the arena, what happens to Harry? 
In A Word: Interesting

Happy reading,
Little Miss Mionie

Expanded Mockingjay Fics

Hey fellow tributes! Our apologies for the long break in between fic recs. But, you know, we have lives and stuff ;)

This recommendation came at the request of Nightlock lurker Sahand who is searching for stories that expand Katniss and Peeta's relationship after he is rescued from the Capitol and before all the dramatic and angsty death stuff came along.

At your request, Sahand, we bring you...

The Watcher by lollercakes
Peeta is rescued seemingly without harm from the Capitol, but sometimes the deepest wounds are the ones you can't see and the memories you don't have anymore.
Review: Once again, lollercakes delivers with a superb expansion of Katniss and Peeta's relationship in MJ. The structure of staggered moments in Peeta's point of view make for a seamless and intriguing read.

The Mockingjay and the Mutt by Abagail_Snow
While taming a hijacked Peeta in District Thirteen, Katniss comes to understand a side of him that she had never allowed herself to see. Loosely based on Beauty and the Beast.
Review: The Disney inspiration and characterisation allows for an angsty take on Katniss and Peeta's relationship. A nicely written fic.

Visits by swishywillow
'I reach into my pocket, pulling out something that is always with me. “Do you remember this?” Peeta stares at the tiny object in my hand hard and then suddenly his expression softens, a Peeta I knew from a lifetime ago. ' An insert into Mockingjay.
Review: A brief story that I wish was longer. It could be made better by more descriptive language and more detail. While it's not a great fic, it does this 'type' well.

Blue Lips by swishywillow
“All around the dining hall, you can feel the rejuvenating effect that a good meal can bring on…I listen to Finnick telling some ridiculous story about a sea turtle swimming off with his hat. Laugh before I realize he’s standing there. Directly across the table, behind the empty seat next to Johanna. Watching me.” Peeta’s take on the dining hall scene.
Review: I much prefer this 'missing moment' from author swishywillow. Peeta's hijacked, betrayed state of mind in Mockingjay has been teased out in detail and imagery in particular in this fic.

(Remember that if you'd like to request  a fic or type of fic for us to review and share with you to please email us at nightlockrecs@hotmail.com or post at our tumblr.)

Happy reading!
~ Little Miss Mionie

'Peeta wins the Games' fics

Sierra once again called upon our fic-sleuthing services to find fics where Peeta Mellark wins the Hunger Games and comes home to Katniss. Now, I'm here to deliver with some of the best Peeta Wins! fanfiction I could find. If you know of any not listed, leave a comment!

I had to skew the definition given, so if Peeta wins (sans Katniss), but with someone else, I've included those since there aren't a lot of fics with Peeta winning and Katniss stuck in District 12.

Keep the Blood in Your Head by atetheredmind
"Katniss Everdeen wanted him to live. She wanted him to come home. And he could do it, for her. He would. If there was anything worth fighting for now, it was her." Peeta Mellark is chosen as tribute for the 74th Hunger Games.
Review: This fic is very well written, very descriptive. The sequel And Keep Your Feet on the Ground is just as gripping (with even more reviews than the first!)

The Other Perspective by annarosen
He takes off, his feet fast and strong. There's a bloodbath behind him, but he pays no attention. He is possessed by fear, adrenaline pumping through his body; I can almost feel his heartbeat. Careers are hungry, they are on a hunt; their target, the boy with the bread. I cling to Peeta's letter, the one he gave me to read if he dies.
Review: This is a great action-packed fic!

My universe will never be the same by Thomas Emerson
Peeta Mellark is reaped for the 74th Hunger Games. This year, the gamemakers have something interesting in mind... two tributes can win, but only if they're on the same team. But team does not mean district... 
Review: A really interesting plot to drive the Peeta/Cato ship. It's an original and unique take on this genre.

Capitol Pastries by aimmyarrowshigh
The only person who wins the Hunger Games is Snow, and you know it. You gave up happy when you kept playing Snow's games.
Review: Pretty sure I've recommended the Five Loaves of Bread series three times on Nightlock by now, but this fic is worth mentioning once again. Creepy and interesting plot.

The Precious Little Girl Who Glowed by blueSKIES247
"Volunteering is not allowed, dear." —How Prim and Peeta win the Hunger Games, how Prim and Haymitch defeat the Quarter Quell, how Prim becomes the face of the rebellion, and how everything turns out the same in the end.
Review: If you're a Prim/Peeta shipper, you'll love this twist on the first book. Great characterisation, pacing and writing style.

Thanks for the request, Sierra!

Happy reading,
Little Miss Mionie

PS. Has anyone checked out the Capitol.pn website lately? The design is amazing!

'Peeta with a Disability' fics: in which Little Miss Mionie cringes at inaccuracies and gets annoyed about ableism

Warning: this post has Little Miss Mionie going all social justice-y on yo' ass. She will not apologise for this. 

'Consequences' by leabharlann on DA

The lovely Fiona asked if we could find her fics where Peeta is disabled. Man oh man, they are hard to find! It's hardly surprising, since disabled people are a minority in our society and perhaps a lot of writers who don't have a disability aren't interested in creating a character with one, either because they're plain not interested, or because they are afraid of portraying a disability accurately. Perhaps this isn't helped by the fact that the moviemakers didn't include Peeta losing his leg in the The Hunger Games film (personally, I'm still hoping for a plot twist at the start of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.) The fanfiction world in general is pretty inclusive when it comes to the rainbow spectrum of sexuality (to a lesser extent, gender) and of race, but when it comes to disabilities, learning difficulties and impairments, ableism rules undeniably. This is a problem that hopefully our fellow awesome writers who either have a disability, difficulty or impairment and their friends can resolve by writing some kick-ass fics in the future! There is something quite ironic about an able-bodied person writing this post, too, so please do keep that in mind.

I studied sign language last year, and I know that Deaf people don't see their inability to hear as a disability but rather a communication difficulty; this makes perfect sense to me and I respect that in the real world. I naturally cringe away from fics with characters who are Deaf because I am convinced someone will be doing something wrong, so I don't actively seek them out, which is why I haven't reviewed any before this post. I don't really like including them in this post, but basically, without them, this post would be me ranting about social injustices and ableism without any fic recs. (Boring for most people, I'm sure). Plus, I'm sure Fiona and others who seek out 'disabled-Peeta' fics are looking for plots such as these. So, with a little cringing, I list for ye:

With Eyes To Hear by Amelia Day
Summary: Peeta Mellark has always relied on two things: his eyes and Katniss Everdeen. They've never thought of themselves as anything but normal...it's everyone else who has always had the issue. Modern Day AU.
Review: Why do all disability!fics have such cliche titles? Apart from that, this fic is cute and well done. I love the characterisations of younger Peeta and Katniss in the first chapter. The sign language and Deaf culture is handled well; my only wish is that it wasn't alternate universe. Otherwise, it reads like a nicely done romance/drama. (It actually reads to me a lot like a AH Twilight fic!)

Stories of Us by Ameiko
Summary: AU. Katniss never imagined that The Great War would change her life in the secluded PA woods, but it did. She also never imagine that crippled soldier Peter "Peeta" Mellark could heal her heart.
Review: I love all the American historical settings that are popping up in Hunger Games fics lately! This plot is great and I think, especially for the setting, that Peeta as an amputee has been treated very well by the writer.

A Way With Words by The Jumble Book
Summary: Peeta's been rescued from the Capitol and he's not been Hijacked. However he's not escaped unscathed. Snow always knew the boy had, had a way with words. How will Peeta cope without that talent? How will the rebellion cope without it? How will Katniss?
Review: This author works with people with disabilities, so there's an expectation for this fic to be well done. I enjoyed the plot (it's a believable way for Peeta to become disabled in a canon world), and Katniss' narration is a nice change from all the Peeta narration in other fics where he's the main character. It does leave a bit of a gap, however, knowing what he's thinking and feeling in the first couple of chapters before sign language is introduced. Also, I feel like Katniss especially picks up sign language super quickly in this fic, and Gale is relegated to OCC angry evil guy. It's not the best fic, but it's pretty good!

I couldn't find any *good* fics with characters who are blind, or who had a learning difficulty or developmental delay, so if you know of any, please comment below!

Finally, here are some excellent links on disabilities in The Hunger Games fandom and fanfiction:
Writing Disability in Fanfic: An Insider's View (blindness in particular)
Some Clues On How Not To Write Deaf Characters
Access_Fandom
So, How ABOUT Those Hunger Games?
Disability: Lost in the Translation of the Hunger Games

~ Little Miss Mionie

The Love Games (Katniss/Peeta)

The Love Games by OddCoupler222

Summary: Hope, dread, desperation, emotion. Love. Peeta Mellark had watched the Hunger Games ever since he could remember. But when he was sixteen, they ceased to be the Hunger Games, and turned into the Love Game. The Hunger Games told in Peeta's point of view.

Quickly.... This is a cool, in-depth Peeta's POV of the first book. The scenes with Peeta's family are creative and strongly plotted. I found the sentences a little too long and compounded for my taste, but I'm sure no one's really reading an alternate POV for the writing style; they want Peeta's voice! And OddCoupler222 delivers. This fic has over 404 reviews, so it's very popular and obviously for a good reason!

Happy reading!
~ Little Miss Mionie

Weekly Fan's Fic Rec: The Golden Mean

This week's fan fic rec is a sequel to a previous week's recommendation by maraudercat of the fab Fernwithy's HG fics. This rec comes from Suzume.

Title: The Golden Mean
Author: FernWithy
Summary: As Katniss and Peeta prepare for the Victory Tour and-eventually-the Quarter Quell, Haymitch Abernathy is preparing for a much bigger fight. Continued from "The Final Eight," which was in Delly's point of view.
Why do you love this fic? "At its most basic, "The Golden Mean" is Catching Fire from Haymitch's perspective, following after "The Final Eight," which provided Delly's point of view to the later portion of The Hunger Games.  However, this is no thin breezing through the events, but a full-fledged counterpart to the actual text.  FernWithy has a great Haymitch voice and peppers the story with intriguing backstory (which is filling out gradually) and well-integrated world-building.  Despite knowing the general outline that events will follow, I still find myself on the figurative edge of my seat waiting to see what will unfold."

Suzume also left us a cute message at the end of her rec which I thought I'd share!

"By the way, I suppose this is as good a time as ever to let you know how much I love Nightlock Recs!  Please keep on updating!  I read a lot of fic (a combination hazard/perk of being underemployed) and you've helped me discover a lot of gems!  Good luck keeping up the good work! :D"

Thanks Suzume!
~ Little Miss Mionie

Completely Fantasy

Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in. Back from too long of a hiatus, I'm bringing you two stories for the price of one. Both of these stories are fantastic for a light and quick read and they feature the perfect amount of playful writing with a dabble of angst and romance. I truly love the way that the author, HGRomance, has integrated classical myths/storylines into original works. So if you have a moment, please check out...

Title: Legend AO3 / FF.net
Author: HGRomance AO3 / FF.net
Rating: Explicit
Summary: People in the kingdom whispered about a legend: a boy with a bow. They said he took up residence in the woods, hiding out while committing random acts of kindness, namely stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Historical AU. Robin Hood.

Why? I chose this story this time around because I absolutely love Robin Hood. Okay, so that might be only part of the reason (really, I can whistle the whole opening Disney sequence), but I was on a roll reading everything HGRomance had written and this one stuck with me. Why you might ask? Well, that's easy. It's well written, well formed in terms of plot, and it let's the reader get lost in a fair amount of imagery. Plus, there's some pretty kick-butt romance tied in there that makes you swoon a little bit.

Now, when you think about it, it is also kind of the perfect pairing for a crossover type story - both stories are tales of ordinary people getting caught up in lives that rush them to change everything they've ever known. There's also arrows and bows and the woods which are all symbols tied in perfectly. In addition to all that, both the pairing characters (Peeta/Robin, Katniss/Marian) share a whole whack of similar traits like kindness, loyalty, and rebellious tomfoolery. Think you're interested? Go take a read!

Title: Goddess AO3 / FF.net
Author: HGRomance AO3 / FF.net
Rating: Explicit
Summary: If people knew who she was, they'd be confused. Their first questions would be these: "Where are your wings? Why can't you fly?" Ah, mortals and their fanciful beliefs and misplaced facts. Mythology AU. Cupid.

Why?  I didn't really know what to expect from this story when I read the summary. I mean, Cupid? What? What a silly concept for a story (all because I don't like the idea of a creepy little baby with an arrow shooting people). But I'll let you know, I was happily surprised.

HGRomance does a fantastic job with this story for more than one reason. Firstly, her writing is fun and exciting. The characters practically dance on the page with her descriptive use of language and the scenes play out so vividly that you can almost get lost. Secondly, it's cute. The characters, the plot, and especially the tie ins with the other deities. Thirdly, it's creative. So often do I read stories that tend to drift along familiar lines, repeating canon elements without added a little pizzazz to the story. But this story, this one could almost pull a Fifty Shades and just change the characters names to become 'original' and no longer 'fanfiction' (no, I'm not comparing their literary work, merely referencing the tactics used that somehow lead to Fifty getting published). Anyways. I'd like you to go read it. Now would be a great time. I mean, if you haven't already fallen into Legend.

Note! Update on Goddess, there's now a seasonal themed epilogue! Go check it out!

That's it for now. Enjoy your reading!

Guest Review by Cecilia!

Here's a fabulous guest review of two fics by Cecilia!

One I read today through one of the HG communities on FanFiction.Net is Hotel Paper by kattomas

Summary: Eighteen years after the Capitol fell, it's reclaiming its hold on Peeta. How much are his memories worth?
Review: [Warning: Will make you cry rivers of tears, almost guaranteed.] I thought Hotel Paper was wonderful and original- essentially, she's trading his memories of her for his life, and that idea in itself makes me want to cry. It's definitely thought-provoking, and it made me wonder what I would have done in that situation. Also, the writing itself is almost flawless, and the language is perfect. The only problem I have with it is that it's a one-shot, so there's no sequel!

The other is my limbs sing the hymns of a tyrant by hotpielookedlikehotpie

Summary: Peeta in the Capitol. Mockingjay spoilers.

Review: Of all the fanfics I've read involving Peeta in the Capitol, I thought this was simply the best. The author perfectly captured what I imagine to be his very conflicting emotions as the doctors' try to fix his memory with the tracker jacker poison, and by the end of it my jaw had dropped with horror. Reading it, I could feel Peeta's pain and fear, which is something few stories can do. Truly, it's amazing.

~ Cecelia

If you'd like to do a one-off guest review, email us at nightlockrecs@hotmail.com!

The Bun is Really in the Oven - Cherrypit8 Request

In any fandom, there always seems to be that one nagging 'What If' moment that seems to latch onto any and all reader's and fanfiction writer's minds. In THG fandom, we've got a lot of them. For example, we've got the 'post-Mockingjay epilogue fill in'; we've got the 'Prim in the Games'; and we've got the 'nobody dies', to name a few.

All of these 'What If' moments have a plethora of stories that are magnificent, practical, and filled with detail that we, as reader's, felt were moments of particular interest.

So when Cherrypit8 came to us at Nightlock and asked, "What about the 'Katniss is really pregnant fics' like KaKaVegeGurl's?" - we thought, huh, now there's a 'What If' that's hard to track down.

With that in mind, we went on a mission: Find the Katniss-is-knocked-up stories that give depth, quality and justice to a storyline that can be a pretty difficult one to write simply because, well...


Hormones. Characters change with hormones, okay?

Now, I'm not saying this mission was easy. There's a lot of fic-diving going on when you're looking for a particular story angle. We trudged through a few difficult-to-read stories and by no means should this list be considered the final word (*cough* We are open to suggestions!)

Without further ado, here's some completed "Katniss is really pregnant" stories, just for you Cherrypit8:

Title:  Running Right Into the Fire

Author:  Julia101

Summary: "You could live a hundred lifetimes and not deserve him you know." Haymitch is right. What other boy could still love me after what I've done? What other boy would still stick by someone pregnant by another? Katniss/Peeta/Gale

Rating: M

One Line Rec:  Taking a spin on the Gale train, this fic takes the 'What If' and turns it around a bit, leading the reader down a pretty heartbreaking road.

Title:  Missing a Part of Me

Author:  lovelyladybug5

Summary:  One night before the Quarter Quell changes Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark's life forever. When Peeta is captured by the Capitol, Katniss turns to Julian, Peeta's brother, for help getting the boy with the bread back, and for help with two big changes.

Rating: M
One Line Rec: Though I'm not a fan of the formatting (warning, italics in use), this story has a pretty decent plot to follow, using Peeta's brother as a significant character to add depth and a creative twist to the general idea.

Title:  Will He Remember - WIP

Author:  batbaby

Summary:  What if when Peeta is rescued, he finds Katniss to be pregnant and draws out his memories?

Rating: M
One Line Rec: A good story with solid follow-through, it's still a work in progress so we'll have to wait to see how it ends.

Title:  It Isn't a Trick FF.net  / AO3

Author:  lollercakes

Summary:  It isn't a trick, she is really pregnant. A spattering of ficlets around the idea that Katniss is indeed knocked up. Launched from a prompt by lillian raven over at the kolms Girl on Fire ficathon.

Rating: M
One Line Rec: This story takes a variety of POV's and uses them to provide a full-circle telling of a pretty tragic event that spans not just the Quell but into the Epilogue as well.

Hope you enjoy these and please, let us know if you have any others you'd like to add to the list!

Much love, Polkapop


Post-script: I'll do my best to link up any recs I give with AO3 or other sources due to the crackdown on M rated fics over at ff.net, just an fyi. I could only locate It Isn't a Trick on AO3, please let me know if any others are cross-posted. 

Johanna-Pairing Fics

Hello, everyone!  So, inspired by how much I unexpectedly loved a recent rec of mine ("the beautiful wreckage", Johanna/Annie), I went searching for Johanna rare-pairing fics.  I must say I was pleasantly surprised to find two wonderful oneshots with rather unique pairings.  This post, I present:

Title:  The war is over and we are beginning

Author:  mirrorOfsin

Summary:  It's not much, what they have, but it keeps them alive and that's enough.

Pairing:  Johanna/Enobaria

Rating:  M

Category:  Post-Mockingjay

Title:  003 First Times: Opposites Attract

Author:  Embracing-Immensity

Summary:  The two of them couldn't be more different if they tried. He, "The Victor with the Bloodless Hands," and she, the scary new Victor that no one knows quite how to handle. Will they make it work or will their differences be too much to overcome?

Pairing:  Johanna/Peeta

Rating:  M

Category:  AU

My Recommendation: 

*Mockingjay Spoilers Ahead*

"The war is over and we are beginning" -- so, the pairing is definitely something new.  Now, before you start thinking, okay, two minor characters, femmeslash, non-canon, definitely an odd pair... really?, consider Katniss/Peeta.  A lot of their relationship at first stems from the aftermath of the Games, opening up other possible victor pairings.  (Finnick/Annie, anyone?)  Both Johanna and Enobaria are characterized wonderfully, down to the last little details mentioned in the canon.  They're real, they're relatable, and in a fic like this, the relationship works.  Their similarities are definitely made apparent in a "show, don't tell" way.  The romance is nicely non-traditional, avoiding stereotypes of the genre and keeping them both in-character.  If you're looking for a very different post-Mockingjay tale, this one's for you.

"003 First Times: Opposites Attract" -- I must note the pairing again; Katniss/Peeta shippers, don't go running away!  This story is quite the AU, in which Peeta is the sole (District Nine) victor of the sixty-sixth Hunger Games.  His relationship with Johanna, in some ways, parallels his relationship with Katniss, but explores, What would've happened if Peeta had won alone? and, What did Johanna go through as a victor?  I have to say, I don't usually read extended-oneshots in one sitting, but with this one, I couldn't stop reading, through all the twists and turns it takes, straight through till the end.  I especially recommend this piece for its relationship development -- each one is different, as they should be, and realistic in a way it's sometimes hard to find in Fanfictions.  This is a wonderful and unique "Hunger Games" AU for every reader.

So those are this week's recs -- go enjoy and review!

10k Stories [Completed Fics]

Hi! This month I'm pulling out the big guns. And by big guns I'm clearly referring to completed one-shot stories that measure in at just over 10,000 words and have enough punch to knock you out cold. So check them out!

Title: Let Me Name the Stars for You
Author: SamSnead
Rating: Rated M - Romance
Pairing: Johanna/Gale
Summary: This is the story of how the Hawthorne family puts Johanna back together again. Or maybe it's the other way around. Post MJ.
Words: 10,905

Recommended because... 

Johanna Mason has grown on me. Really, she has. In the past little while I've read some amazing Johanna fics and this one has absolutely stood out to me because it's maintained her hard edged personality but also made her loveable. There's a scene that's about 700 words long (without giving too much away) regarding nightmares that solidifies her character as someone deserving of redemeption - and the author makes you feel it.

Using a pretty standard style of formatting for 10k oneshots (which actually seems to be a thing), the piece offers incredible punches of romance, friendship and familial kindness, that will make your heart just bleed. The author cohesively creates a story around the idea that Johanna can fit into the Hawthorne bunch and therefore can heal as a result which makes you, the reader, relate better to her character.

Title: Pieces in Their Games
Author: crazyundeadfairy
Rating: Rated M - Hurt/Comfort/Angst
Pairing: Katniss/Peeta
Summary: President Snow sets out to show that no Victor is truly safe before the Quarter Quell announcement. Slight AU tweaking of a cannon event. Katniss/Peeta.
Words: 10,696

Recommended because...

When the author says it's a slight AU twist, they mean it. It is slight. But it's a killer.

I loved this story because it takes one moment of canon and turns it around. The author has written the characters so strongly in character that you could almost imagine the story happening this way, instead of that. The conversations, the implications, it all makes sense which can sometimes be hard to figure into a 10k story. I rec this not only for the twist, but for the simple enjoyment of imaginging something went different and seeing how it plays out.

Hope you enjoy them!

Everlark Completed Fics!

 

 Ah dear friends! My apologies for my tardiness in this month's update - life has been incredibly busy and I'm just now beginning to catch up. In an effort to appease you, I offer two 'coffee shop' fics this month from easily the most common pairing in the fandom (and the one you seem to go mad over) - the Everlark fic pairing. Coffee shop fics are stories I consider to be easy reads that are the perfect size and could be read while hanging out for an hour or two.


Title: Bliss
Author: DustWriter
Rating: Rated M - Romance/Angst
Summary: After the fall of North America, life is dismal in District Twelve even without the Hunger Games. Katniss must do the unthinkable to save her starving family, but her actions bind her to the baker's son forever.
Warning: This fic has earned its 'M' rating and deals with mature subject matter - it's not for the faint of heart, so be aware of that.

Recommended because...

We over here at Nightlock seem to love us some DustWriter. This author has serious talent, no word of a lie. So finding this story, a slightly AU version of District 12, absolutely did me in. I recommend this one for two reasons, the first being that it takes canon characters in a different emotional direction that I find incredibly interesting and is portrayed extremely well. The second reason is that it's a decent size, complete fic, that fits into an easy read category. Especially for those who are busy but crave something more substantial than a one-shot. Go check it out, you won't be disappointed.

Title: Pretending That She Don't Care

Author: BleedtoLoveHer
Rating: Rated T - Romance/Friendship
Summary: The Games don't exist, but Katniss is still just as adverse to relationships. A story of how Katniss and Peeta come together without the arena.

Recommended because... 

Here's another coffee shop fic that I read and just loved.  I recommend it for all of its lighthearted goodness and the excellent way that it's written. The characters are endearing, the story is touching, and the author never misses a beat to keep the reader entertained. Not to mention that Gale is actually redeemed as a character in this piece - a rarity it seems in the Everlark cycle. Go check it out, you'll have a good time, I promise.

That's all for now, have a good month!

Desert Blossom - Peeta/Katniss, AU

Who's up for another totally completed fic? This month I'm bringing another DustWriter story into the spotlight as we look at Desert Blossom. This fic is an awesome alternate universe tale that mixes cultural, social and world themes together to create a compelling and entrancing story.

Title: Desert Blossom
Author: DustWriter
Rating: Rated M - Romance/Tragedy, AU
Summary: Peeta meets Katniss under very different circumstances in this present-day AU. Together, they must struggle together in a war-torn land to overcome tragedy and find the strength to live again.

Recommended:

I'm going to be honest - the THG fandom is incredibly talented. There are so many fics out there that are completed already that it makes my job hard sometimes, just picking one. But I think this month it was easier than most as I read Desert Blossom and it reminded me of why fanfiction is fun - it takes the characters we know and love and builds on them. An author of fanfiction can often create a character backstory that changes your canon view, can make storylines happen that confuse your canon, or even make it so totally believable that the characters exist outside of canon.

And that's exactly what DustWriter does in Desert Blossom. She makes the characters exist in a world that has nothing to do with Panem.

I'm recommending this fic for not only it's fantastic writing and inventive storyline, but more importantly for it's oustanding feat of making the name "Peeta" seem completely reasonable in modern day society.

The story follows the POV of Peeta as he, Gale and Haymitch study abroad in Afghanistan and struggle with the cultural divide between an American upbringing and the society that exists in the Middle East. And also he meets Katniss, obviously. This story is so far out of Panem that if not for the strong characterization loyalty you'd think that DustWriter had written accommplished original fiction. In my opinion, they have.

A further reason I recommend this fic is because it's researched (seriously, there's a legit bibliography). There are no (noticable for me, at least) negative stereotypes that would often be associated with an author unaware of cultural differences. The story is written with Katniss and Prim being of Afghani origin and it isn't just a forgotten fact - it's key to the characters development.

I love this fic. I really do. I think it pushes the comfortable boundaries of fanfic to create a story that bridges so many divides. Further, I think it's an important story to tell especially in a political climate such as this. It tells the story of people connecting regardless of their origins while still respecting their culture.

If you want to follow Peeta and Katniss out of Panem and into reality, this is the fic to read.

Peeta Mellark x 2

Peeta fans, get on these two fics!

1. Tinderbox by artemis_sparks
Summary: Somewhere someone is always screaming. Set during Mockingjay; Peeta in the Capitol.
Recommended because... The staccato narrative structure of Peeta being held hostage by the Capitol really communicates the drug-fueld, cruel and frightening ordeal. Artemis_sparks is a wonderful writer whose descriptive language will leave you breathless. Lines like "They'll all be dead soon, their blood is what waters the roses." help to set the fatalistic tone of this one-shot. Tinderbox is an excellent filler for those who wanted to know how Peeta felt during the months he has held hostage in Mockingjay. Awesome title, too.



2. The Empty Space Between Us by jairissa
Summary: They fell in love while a country was burning; it shouldn't be a surprise they find their way back to each other as a new one rises from the ashes. 
Recommended because... Only the prologue is posted so far, but The Empty Space Between Us has me hooked. Jairissa does an amazing job of presenting Peeta before he returned to Katniss in Mockingjay; it's a Peeta who's sanity and mental stability you question. The characterisation of our favourite baker is wonderfully angry and hurt, still marred by the Capitol's torture and all that he's seen. I found this fic to be so refreshing because it was from Peeta's point of view, and because it doesn't follow the fanfiction trend of picking up where Peeta's 'all better' and tending to Katniss' garden. Keep an eye on this one.

~ Little Miss Mionie