After the Games

Gales POV

I really can't believe it. Today she will come home to me; my Catnip made it. My mother warned me that Katniss's emotions may be fragile, and I cannot even imagine what the games must do to you.

Everyone is waiting in the square for her arrival. Well, everyone except the baker's family. He made it to the final three and everyone thought they would make it back together, those star-crossed lovers. But Cato would not go down without a fight, and he took Peeta with him, right over the edge of the Cornucopia, right into the herd of mutts. I know I should not have felt happy or relieved or joyous in any way about this, but now Catnip gets to come back to me. Not some baker who stole her from me. And maybe one day, we will figure things out; maybe one day, we can be more than friends.

I can't remember how long I have been wanting this, but Katniss is so oblivious to love and attraction. I see the way boys would look at her, and it made me sick. Katniss is mine and I am hers. At least I hope things will go back to that.

The train approaches and after a halt and about a minute, the doors open and Effie Trinket walks out. Followed by her. She's really here. I see her eyes scan the crowd and she finds her family about 6 feet away from me. Next to them is my family. And then there's me. The moment she sees me, we make eye contact and it is as nothing else exists in the entire world except us two. I suppose Effie is making some sort of speech made by the capitol, but it is easy to tell neither of us are paying attention.

Suddenly, something snaps me back to reality. That something is Posy, my little sister. "Why are you staring at her, Gawle?" she asks me in her little girl voice. Posy loves Katniss like a sister, and I know she couldn't wait for her to come back almost as much as I. But the same goes for the rest of my family and Katniss's family. Sometimes we really do feel like one big family. "Gawle? Do you wove Katniss?" She questions me once again. Geez, little kids can pick up on things too easily sometimes.

"Well Posy, don't you? We love her like family." I half-lie. I do not want anyone knowing the full truth, I only recently let myself start believing it lately. I do love my Catnip. I realized it fully when she was in that cave, kissing that creepy baker. I have to wonder what all went on in there, but that is for another day. I was jealous then, full of anger I stormed out of my house. I sat in the woods, contemplating the reason for the feelings and I came to my conclusion. I was in love with Katniss Everdeen. My hunting partner. Best friend. Love. But love needs to work both ways and I'm not sure if ours ever will.

"Of couwrse! Does she wove you too? Because she seems to be stawring back." Is she right? No, Katniss is just excited to see her friend. I think.

"I'm not sure Posy, maybe you should ask her later." And the conversation ended.

Effie must be done with her speech, because I see Katniss making her way towards me. My knees start to shake, I have never felt this way before. Not around Katniss.

Our eye contact never breaks and once she makes it to me she is immediately in my arms. I wish I could tell her how I feel right now, but I know I can't. So I just keep rubbing my hand around her back and our embrace seems to last minutes. I wish I could stay like this forever.

She starts to loosen her arms clasped around my neck, but only enough to let us see each others' faces. She looks tired, but absolutely beautiful, as always.

Her head leans against my chest and I whisper into her ear. "Catnip, you came back for me. I knew you could win. I missed you terribly."

She looks up at me with her gray eyes with the glints of silver and blue, so clear and caring. I know my eyes mirror her's, being the same color. We could be related, we look so much alike. But it is a good thing we aren't, because I love her. "Gale, everyday I thought of you. I did everything I could to come back to you, and I can't believe I'm here with you."

Eventually, we are broken up by our families. Katniss hugs her mother and then mine. Everyone has tears in their eyes, so proud of her but mostly so happy she is back. Then Posy grabs her legs and Vick hugs her around her waist. She turns to see Prim and Rory and realizes one surprising detail. They are holding hands. She looks at me with a questioning look, and I just shrugged my shoulders because I am in just as much confusion.

She pulls them in both for a hug and I hear her whisper something in Prim's ear, who just beams at her. I wonder what's going on here. I guess I'll figure it out eventually.

We all walk towards Victors' Village, where the Everdeens have already moved into a snazzy house. It's huge. Like a mansion. Like we could fit both of our old houses in here 3 times each. Literally.

Tonight is for celebration. We have a huge meal at the mansion, both of our families just enjoying the time together. I sit next to Catnip and Rory and Prim sit across from us still holding hands. How adorable. But before I know it, Katniss's beautiful hand is in mine. Feels so right.

We eat dinner then sit and talk until dessert. We eat ice cream, something we never could afford to taste. We devour the desert, everyone in such awe of its amazing taste on a warm day. Eventually, it's late and Posy and Vick are sent to share one of the smaller empty bedrooms. Then Rory and Prim are given permission to share one of the bigger rooms with two beds as long as they behave.

We are not questioned as I lead Katniss up to her new bedroom. It has one large king-sized bed and grand dressers, mirrors, and other furnishings around the room. Everything as a color the reminds us of the woods. I was sure to be there as they picked out the colors of the furniture and walls so that she would love it. By the look on her face, I think she appreciates it very much.

[Skipping all the descriptions]

She turns to me and we continue the embrace we started earlier, but now with more privacy. "I really did miss you Catnip. Life without you was hard."

"Gale you have no idea. I need you around me. Being deprived of you made me feel like there was something about me missing."

"Katniss, I just need to ask you something. Did you love Peeta?" I know it is too early to be asking this but I need to know in this moment.

"I knew I hurt you. I'm so sorry Gale."

"But did you love him?"

"No. Gale I-I-" Tears start streaming down her face and I lead her to the bed.

"It's alright Katniss. Shhh. It's alright. I'm here for you now." I take my thumb and sweep away the tears from her cheeks. I want her to love me, but I know she cannot just forget about him. All I can do is be here for her. "Hey, Catnip, I will always be here for you."

"I think I just need some sleep, is all. Maybe I'm just tired out." And with that, I lift her and then plop her down on her bed, pull the covers over her, and begin tucking her in. Then, she grabs my arm. "Wait, don't leave me. Stay with me tonight. Please."

She wants me to stay with her? Probably just to try and fight nightmares, just to make her feel safer. I swiftly slip under the covers and turn on my side to face her. She is staring silently at the ceiling. She looks so beautiful, there is moonlight coming in the window and it outlines every curve, every angle of her face. I love her.

"Gale?" I hear her, rather shyly.

"Yes Catnip?" I can't help but wonder what she is thinking about. And if she knew I had been staring at her.

She turns and looks at me. "I...I just...wanted to tell you-"

"Like I said before, it's alright. But there is something I should tell you."

"Fine. What is it?"

"I...Iahh...I never...never stopped loving you."

Her eyes widen noticeably and a tear forms in the corner of one. I knew I would screw things up. "Gale." is all she manages to get out before my lips lightly touch hers. What just happened? Her face looks terrified and happy at the same time. One side of her mouth forms a smirk while her eyes tell a different story, one of fear and grief. I know she can't stop thinking of Peeta. I should not have told her that now. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

She lets out a slight sigh that was not meant to be heard. "It wasn't real."

"What wasn't, Catnip?" I cannot seem to focus my mind. Should I knew what she is talking about already?

"The whole act. With Peeta. None of it was real. Gale, all those kisses in the cave were fake. Well, at least for me. I don't think Peeta ever knew. I feel so guilty leading him on, right to his death. He actually loved me."

"None of it? Since when could you act? You can't let yourself feel bad for that. At least he died rather happy. I mean, he got to make out with you. How bad could it be?"

"None of it. I'm so sorry. I put you through a lot of hurt, I suppose. Maybe he was happy, but his family must hate me."

"Don't worry about me Catnip, it's not worth it. I managed didn't I? And who cares if his family hates you, your family loves you. And my family. And me." I smile, one of those special smiles only Katniss can pull out of me. She smiles back, causing my heart to flutter.

"Let's get some sleep. We can talk more tomorrow."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I hope you all like it! This is my first fanfic so please let me know if it is okay or totally stinks. Just a little heads up: if you aren't Team Gale you won't like this fanfic. Review and let me know what you think and if I should keep going with the next chapter.
Thank you for reading! :)

SingingMySong