Oneshots and Drabbles from District 12 and Beyond

Playdate- Everlark (Modern AU)

"Alder!" Katniss called as she stood at the front door.

"Coming, Mama!" He responded, and her son came barreling down the hallway, his shoes untied. She bit back a small chuckle as she stepped away from the door, ushering him to the couch so she could tie his shoes for him.

"I'm going to show you this one more time, okay, Sweetheart?" She said as she held up her index finger. He nodded and kicked his leg up with a grin. She smiled and slowly began to tie his shoes, explaining each step for him. Alder was six years old, and having trouble with the whole concept of tying his shoes on his own. Katniss mentally scolded herself for buying him so many pairs of slip-on sneakers when he was younger even though it was just easier. When you were a single mother, easier ways of doing things were always welcomed.

Most people looked down on her for being a single mother, but Katniss was a twenty-four year old, grown woman who was financially stable and had a very nice job as an accountant when she got pregnant with Alder. She didn't care what was said and thought about her for raising her son. All she cared about was the fact that her son was loved and he was living the best life she could give him. Alder's father wasn't in the picture, and even though it was harder, Katniss preferred it that way. She was always an independent woman, and when her longterm boyfriend decided that he didn't want a child, much to his dismay, Katniss didn't shed a tear.

Alder was her twin. His looks were very similar to hers with his silvery gray eyes, dark brown hair, and olive skin. Whenever she looked at him, it was like looking in a mirror. When it came to personalities though, he was opposite of her. He was such an eager child who easily trusted everyone he met. At times, he could be standoffish and stubborn, but that was only if he was prompted to be. He was such a smart and sweet, loving boy though, and Katniss loved him to death. After she finished tying his shoes, Katniss kissed his forehead. "Ready now?" She asked him, and he had nodded, hopping up and standing in front of her.

"Uh-huh, I'm ready now." With that, they went outside, Katniss locking the doors before they headed towards the car. After a couple of days of speaking on the phone with one of Alder's friend's father, the parents of both children organized a playdate. Really and truly, Katniss had never met Alder's friend, Hayden, or her father, Peeta. Alder talked about her a lot though, and when asked whether or not if he liked her, he replied, "No, Mama. I don't like her like that. She's just a good friend of mine. Kinda like a sister, but not since we don't live together." Katniss didn't question it anymore than she already had. Hayden's father sounded nice though, and he was such a caring man on the phone. He asked about Alder's asthma and learned that it was triggered by rigorous activity (which happened more than Katniss would like with Alder being such an energetic child). He also learned about Alder's favorite food so that he can have that for dinner after the playdate. He was a really nice guy, and Katniss was sure his wife was a lucky woman.

When they arrived at the address Katniss was given, they found it to be a small, but nice house, similar to the one they lived in. Katniss helped Alder out of his booster seat and locked her car before they walked to the front door, Alder holding her hand. When she rung the doorbell, she heard the giggles of a small child, probably Hayden, as she ran to the door to greet them. The door flung open, and immediately, Hayden had grabbed Alder's other hand and excitedly tugged him inside. "C'mon, Alder, I gotta show you all my plushies!"

Hayden had curly, blonde hair, blue eyes, and dimples, and she was a somewhat chubby child. She was adorable, and Katniss' heart melted when she saw her pull her son inside. It kind of made her want a little girl even though she knew the chances of having another child were slim with her relationship status.

"Whoa, Pumpkin, can you let Daddy talk to Alder's mom first before you practically drag him inside?" She heard the voice from over the phone chuckle before he came into sight. She then realized where Hayden got her adorable looks from.