If We Burn (The Hunger Games x Reader)

Chapter 6

You ran to Katniss's house and found her in her room, staring at her reflection in the mirror. "I can't believe I have to go back there," she confided, "I can't do it again."

You walked up behind her, pulling her hair back to braid it, "you have to," you said, Katniss didn't need sympathy, she needed strength and you would be that strength for her, "for Prim, for Peeta."

She nodded, "at least if I die, everything goes back to normal, maybe the rebellion will die with me."

You tied off her braid and she slipped behind you, pulling your hair back to braid into a tight bun, "I think that is what the President is hoping for."

She finished off your bun and gestured to two garment bags on the bed, "I had Effie bring one for you too."

"I don't-"

"Would you just open it," she teased.

You smiled and walked over to the garment bag with your name on it, carefully unzipping and pulling out a black jumpsuit with subtle flames around the middle. Katniss stepped next to you and pulled out hers, a very similar design, only the flames covered the entire dress - Cinna's signature style for the girl on fire.

"Thank you," you said, quickly undressing and pulling on the matching jumpsuit.

After you were both dressed, she paused at the door, "this might be the last time-"

"Don't," you interrupted, "you have to start by thinking you can win again."

She eyed you seriously, "you can't actually believe Snow will let me survive again, he will make sure I don't."

You grabbed her shoulders, "show him that you will not be so easily beaten, if you are going to die in that arena, make it worth it."

She sagged in your arms, "I don't want a war."

"No one wants a war Katniss," you explained, "and part of me knows that winning again will be a long shot, but if you are going to die, start the rebellion, make it worth it. Don't let things go back to normal, that won't save Prim, that won't give her the better world you want for her."

Katniss nodded. You hadn't truly understood what Katniss could do before, but as you spoke to her you understood. She was a symbol, one Snow planned to destroy, but if she was going to die, it had to be so the rebellion could form, so someone could finally overthrow the capitol. "This is a dangerous game," she warned, "people who play Snow's games are bound to end up dead too."

You nodded in understanding but said no more on the subject. Katniss wrapped you in a tight embrace, "take care of Prim for me," she whispered.

"You know I will," you responded, holding her hug for longer than usual.

You walked downstairs with Katniss, her mother, Prim, Peeta, Gale and Haymitch were all standing in the living room waiting for you. You and Katniss gave each of them a hug, a small goodbye before you walked to the reaping. You held Prim tightly, "stay close," you whispered in her ear, a quiet warning of what she knew was to come. She nodded in understanding.

"Time to go," Haymitch said, checking the time. Everyone looked to each other in a nod of solidarity as Haymitch led you all in the small walk to the town square. As soon as you walked out of the house, the capitol cameras were on you. Katniss and Peeta reached for each other's hands as they walked behind Haymitch, Prim walked next to Katniss grabbing her other hand. You and Gale walked side by side behind them, you kept your head high as the cameras flashed around you.

It was a short walk to the square. Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch were led to a separate spot near the stage while you dropped Prim off in the section for the younger children. Then you returned to Gale in the section for the 17 to 18 year olds. He inched closer to you, letting his warmth bring you some comfort again. "I hate this," he whispered, "it's like last year all over again."

You nodded but couldn't reply as the reaping video began - the same as every year. Then Effie walked to the microphone, she lost her usual happiness as she looked at the four bowls in front of her. In the first bowl there was only one piece of paper, you knew it had Katniss's name on it. When Effie picked it up and read her name, her voice cracked, but Katniss silently walked to the stage and stood beside Effie.

Then Effie walked to the second bowl with only two names - Haymitch and Peeta. Gale stiffened beside you, as Effie read Haymitch's name and Peeta volunteered for him. You could see the shock in Katniss's eyes and a tear roll down her cheek as Peeta joined her at the front of the stage.

Effie now moved for the third bowl, this one was full of names of female eligible tributes. Gale reached for your hand and gave it a tight squeeze, you knew the gesture was a silent hope that it was the name of someone we didn't know. But your heart froze in fear as Effie read the name - Primrose Everdeen.