#everlarkeologist

August - 16

This is one of those fics I keep coming back to. Every time I read it, it draws me back in.   

If I Have You 

by @everlarkeologist

Everlark, months after their divorce. Written for the F4LLS charity drive.

Katniss wants Peeta to be happy. So, why is he in so much pain? 

A beautiful story of sacrifice and love that shows us how the pressures we put on ourselves can drive us to hurt those we love.

The emotions in this one-shot are raw, and real, and heartbreaking, and Everlark’s struggle is perfectly plausible given their tempers.

I reread a favorite Veronica Mars fan fiction over the last several days and marveled once again that it has fewer reviews, favs, and follows then I would expect for such an awesome piece of writing. It could be that it is posted in multiple places and I’m only seeing the activity on fanfiction.net, but regardless, I want you all to know about it and to check it out if you haven’t already.

Everything Hits at Once by @everlarkeologist is not of epic length - only 11 chapters and 67,000 some words, but it packs a powerful punch. I especially appreciate that the angst does not come from a love triangle (see how that works RT?!). Instead, Logan & Veronica are in a loving, committed, healthy relationship but have to get through a case that strikes particularly close to home.

The story is written with many flashbacks. So it’s important to recognize “when” you’re reading - but the writer makes that fairly easy with italics and date headings for certain sections.

The story was written in 2009, pre-movie. It wraps up many of the strings left hanging by the series - Gory Sorokin, the Fitzpatricks & Kendall’s money, Lianne’s fate and Jake’s part in it, where in the world is Duncan, etc. It depicts the challenges of the Logan/Keith relationship particularly well and you think it’s getting easier for them when POW! they are hit with a challenge that will be very difficult to move forward from. I hope that they are able to get past it - in my mind they do someday, but it will certainly take a long, long time.

You get to see Logan as a successful business man, and an even better father & husband. There are glimpses of his undying loyalty to Dick, and his grown up friendship with Mac.

This story shows Veronica really trying to make it work as an FBI agent but realizing that she really belongs back in Neptune (sort of reminiscent of the movie that had yet to be made!). It’s really a lovely story of Veronica finding her place in the world, her place with Keith & Logan. She’s successful running Mars Investigations, but it’s not without it’s challenges. And while she loves being a mother & wife she does struggle to figure out how to be herself and still be the best mother & wife she can be.

'Not flesh of my flesh, Nor bone of my bone, But still miraculously my own. Never forget for a single minute, You didn't grow under my heart, But in it.' -Adoption Creed.

This feature is a collaboration with panempropaganda and everlarkedalways as part of Panem Propaganda’s 100 Days of Mockingjay: Shipping and Fanfiction.

This interview is a companion piece to an article written for Panem Propaganda, available at X.

With many thanks to panempropaganda, everlarkedalways, and everlarkeologist.

Graphic by everlarkedalways​. Interview by papofglencoe​.

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“She manages drama and tension like Katniss manages her bow.” -trish86

What is so unique or special about Everlark to you?

I love that they have a shared history/connection through the bread incident, but that they still don't really know each other at the beginning. It's almost the best of both worlds in terms of watching a relationship develop.

I also love that they are very much a team, that one's perceived weakness is another's strength. It's a very strong partnership.

What inspired you to write Everlark fanfiction in the first place?

The very first round of Prompts in Panem. I saw the prompt for the school days one, and I thought, 'Why not?' So I wrote Poems of Panem in 20 minutes, just to test the waters. Essie (silvercistern) reblogged it with a compliment, and I admire her writing so much...that was a huge confidence booster.

What's your personal favorite of your own fics and why? What inspired it?

It's really one that hasn't been posted yet, but of everything else? This is hard because I don't reread my stuff. I guess The First Time, since that was the most fun to write (and so EASY to write at the time; I never second guessed any of it). I wrote it because I wanted to address that young love isn't always doomed, despite any odds. I married my first boyfriend, and we've heard it all before. But every situation, and every couple is unique. You just have to write your own story and forget about all the other narratives.

What's the greatest challenge for you to writing Everlark?

Writing something unique. And even if the plot isn't exactly unique, still trying to make it my own.

When you’re pushing the limits of character or situation, what ineffable traits of Katniss and Peeta/Everlark do you keep intact to preserve their characters?

For Katniss, it's that slow (sometimes frustratingly slow) realization that yes, she has those feelings. And once she acknowledges that, trying to figure out what to do with them.

With Peeta, it's like...There's Something about Katniss. She has to always captivate him in some way. Whether he admires her or is simply intrigued by her, she's definitely got his full attention.

What's your favorite Everlark trope and why?

I don't really have a particular trope I favor. I just love AUs in general. Modern day, or Panem AUs...anything. I love that you can put them in any situation, whether it's as intense as the Games or something totally mundane, like working in an office, and they're still going to fall in love.

What is an Everlark fanfic that has stayed with you? Why?

I was just thinking about this fic a couple days ago, lol. But Elasticity by TwoPisces. It was the first modern day AU I remember being totally excited over. I miss the days of getting an update notification and just waiting alllll day to read it so I had something to look forward to. I miss her in the fandom, and I love all of her writing, and that story in particular will always be special to me. Thank god she had them consummate their relationship before the story was abandoned.

What is your favorite Everlark headcanon or fanon?

Katniss and Peeta are both virgins. I mean, I try to be super relaxed about headcanons, but the one I would most likely get annoyingly obnoxious about is the idea that Peeta is far more experienced than Katniss. I just don't agree with it, and I don't think there's any evidence to support it. In my head, he's not only a virgin, but he's hasn't rounded many bases, either. I'm not saying he's never kissed another girl or touched another girl, but I just don't see him as a Lothario the way some others might.

so

I went to the lab at 10AM sleep-deprived but still feeling fantastic because I just finished one the many amazing fanfics in the hg fandom. 

so

thank you so much to the author of Love Is... for sharing to us your talents (i love you so so so much and your peeta is a heaven-sent angel)

Huge budget cuts and they’re probably still raising the tuition, too. That’s terrible, I’m sorry. :/

I’m only a year into it, but I think the thirties are awesome. Happy Birthday to you now since I won’t be around. I hope you have an amazing day and year and decade and all that. ily! <3