The Angel of Death || Peeta Mellark x Reader

Never Grow Up

As I was sitting in the barren, beige coloured room, my vision suddenly changed. I was no longer alone in this foreign room, but with my family. I wasn't sixteen anymore either, I was three. My brother, James, was six. My mother was setting the table, but the only thing that adourned those rough wooden bowls was an almost colorless stew, with the tiniest piece of bread to its right. She looked at me, her blank face twisted into a smile as I took a bite of the food. Then, she collapsed to the ground, and my brother beside me went up in flames. I tried to scream, but nothing escaped from my mouth.

Then, I was back in my solitude, the only thing I could do was wait for a peacekeeper to walk in and pull me from the obsolete chair in the farthest corner from the door. Then the door did open, but it wasn't a peacekeeper who came into sight.

It was Peeta's father, Mr. Mellark. His eyes flitted to my bloodshot ones, the redness and puffiness of my cheeks made it obvious what I was previously doing. 

He said nothing, but he placed a dark grey plastic box onto the desk beside me. I took a final glance at him before my curiosity got the best of me, and my hands reached for the box. When I opened it, I was hit with a sickeningly sweet smell. But I couldn't see much after that, since my eyes welled with tears. 

He brought me chocolate chip cookies, my favorite dessert.

I hadn't had them in years, ever since my father died, the dessert died too. We had very little money, but at least once a month, my father tried to bring James and I something nice. Most of the time it was a couple cookies from the Mellark's bakery, just like the ones in front of me now. He would only buy two, one for each of his children, but I always split mine in half so I could share.

I felt my body wrack with sobs, and I shifted my body towards the man and I embraced him. He smelled of chocolate, vanilla, and everything else you could find in a bakery. He was warm, and I noticed a few tears slipping from his eyes. I held him until a peacekeeper pulled us apart, saying our time was over. 

I never even said a word to him, he never said one to me, but there was a mutual feeling of comfort that radiated from both of us. 

It was only a few minutes before my next unexpected visitor entered the room. I saw her unmistakable blonde hair before I saw her face. Primrose Everdeen walked in with her hands intertwined and fidgeting. I could see she was nervous, so I wondered why she bothered coming to me. Maybe she felt sorry. But then again, who didn't pity me?

She spoke softly, like an angel that had just landed on earth. "Hi, I didn't know if you had anyone to visit you, and I didn't want you to be alone", she mumbled.

I smiled at her, and lowered myself to hug her. She didn't hesitate either, and for a moment, it felt like I had James back. 

"Thank you", I whispered, almost like it was a secret between us. "Peeta's dad visited  too, and he left me something, but I don't think I have any use for them now. Take them home for your mom and sister".

And before she could protest, which I knew she would, I shoved the box into her hands. The same peacekeeper from before burst in the door at that moment, and dragged Prim away from me. I could see her trying to express her thanks, but her voice was drowned out by the chaos the man brought.

And then it was silent.

I was left alone with my thoughts for a few minutes, now reflecting on what had been my entire life. I knew for certain I would die in the arena I am about to be sent off to, so I elongated my last few minutes of solace. 

I remember that my brother was the same age as I am right now when he suddenly did not get any older, forever stuck at the young age of sixteen. What did he feel when he died, did he even know what had happened? I assume that he had no idea, since he was always more focused on making the men he worked with rather than the actual tasks he was assigned.

He was much like Primrose Everdeen in that regard, seemingly too pure for this cruel world. 

——————

I mindlessly followed Effie towards the train that I had been dreading my whole life. Fortunately, I was able to suppress my fear, but one glance to my right showed me that my partner wasn't as lucky. His entire body was shaking with terror, and his eyes were glossy with unshed tears. 

Once we reached the steps that would lead us to certain death, I grabbed the silver railing and hoisted myself up. The first sight I was met with was heavenly, more food than I have ever seen in my life. Starved, I rushed over to the closest thing I could see, which happened to be sliced pieces of baguette, and desperately shoved them into my mouth.

I saw Peeta attempt to restrain himself, but he soon joined my side and began feasting. Effie cleared her throat, clearly appalled at our actions, but I just rolled my eyes and reached for the bright red strawberries next to my hand. 

——————

After all the food I consumed, I was exhausted from the day's events. I collapsed onto a couch, next to the one and only Haymitch Abernathy. He choked back a laugh at my actions, and continued to sip at the whiskey in his hand. 

I felt the fabric sink beside me, and I turned to see Peeta. He began to stir up a conversation about the games with Haymitch, but I never heard the rest. I felt tears prick at my eyes, and my surroundings became blurry. I stood up, but I felt myself tremble and nearly trip over myself as I rushed to find my designated room.

As soon as I found it, I locked the door behind me and ran to the bed. The mattress immediately enveloped me in its warm, gentle embrace, and I began to cry. I don't know how long it lasted, because the next thing I remember was being called by Effie to join the others at breakfast. As I brushed my hair and teeth with the expensive products the Capitol provided us with, a memory resurfaced from last night. 

It was late, past midnight, and I had just finished draining myself of all the emotion I felt yesterday. I was about to fall into sleep, but a knock snapped me out of it. I immediately recognized the person to be Peeta, since nobody else on this train cares enough about my well-being to check in on me. Even though I wanted to let him into my room, a nagging voice in the back of my mind told me not to get too attached.

——————

After a few silent days on the train, getting less than helpful advice from a drunken mentor, being nagged about etiquette by a certain Captiol-obsessed woman, and stolen glances at the boy who I'll meet death with, the train reached the Capitol. As our train entered the station, I heard roars from the outside world. I peeked out the window to be met with the oddest-looking group of people I'd ever seen, Capitol citizens.

As soon as my face appeared in their view, they went absolutely feral. Hysterical screaming, hands seemingly trying to grab me, and as soon as Peeta's face appeared beside mine, girls cries. 

God, I just wish I was back with my mother and father, back in the safety of my childhood home. 

A/N!!!

Hi guys!! Second chapter out! Sorry if these have been kind of boring, don't worry, I'm planning something a lot better for the future. I just have to set the backstory/scene for right now. I promise it gets better.