Hi, guys! This first chapter was a one-shot Galeniss I had written a while ago (unable to think of a proper ending or continuation) but I am going to continue working on it and share it with you all :) To avoid any confusion, it starts off taking place with Katniss at 17... Please review, and favorite/follow if you'd like to continue and get updates on this story! Thanks so much :)

GALE POV

It had been a dark time in the month of November for those who lived in the Seam. It was an especially cold winter, and, as always, funds grew low for all of the families during this season.

I walked over to the Everdeen household to deliver Katniss' share of game from my daily snares. Unusually, she hadn't felt up to going in to the woods today. Prim had ran over to my house to alert me that her older sister wouldn't be joining me today on our route.

Flurries fell from the sky and gently landed on my skin. They were nothing but a nuisance and kept Katniss and I out of the woods more often than in the spring or summer time. I knew she yearned for her 18th birthday in May and the strong sun up against her face, basking in warmth of the day.

I continued the short walk to their home and knocked slightly on the wooden door for entry. I was quickly allowed in by Mrs. Everdeen, who then offered me green tea with raspberries that we had harvested last week as she took my game bag. I accepted, as the hot drink soon invigorated my body.

I then turned the corner down the hall without approval into Katniss' bedroom to find her curled up in bed with the covers softly tucked around her. There was a slight beam of sunlight from the sunset entering through the window to her right which illuminated a sliver of her face. It highlighted her beautiful olive skin tone and rich, brown hair, and also an eyelid, which covered up an eye that could peer right into my soul.

I quietly placed my rough, calloused hand on her own soft hand peeking out from the covers. She immediately woke, exposing both of her gray-green eyes as they adjusted to the subtle light in the room.

"Hi, Catnip," my voice croaked from the lack of conversation and companionship in the woods today.

"I'm sorry I couldn't come out with you today," she apologized after taking a moment or two to properly wake up. Her eyes quickly went from our interlocked hands to my own eyes, and I could feel the sadness in her eyes as she met mine.

"Don't worry about it. I just came by the drop of your share of the game. It smells like your mom is making stew," I said with a smile.

She quickly turned over and burrowed herself back into the covers.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

She mumbled something inaudible into a pillow.

"Sounds like Buttercup's got your tongue," I laughed.

She quickly sat up and wrapped her arms around my neck as I sat on the edge of her bed, and I reciprocated by putting my arms around her waist and embracing her, giving her a tight squeeze around her small frame.

"Ow, Gale," she cried, her usual response.

I could feel her face sink into my shoulder and she continued to cry.

After a few moments, she pulled back and looked at me and apologized again, "I'm sorry, Gale."

"Katniss, it's really no big deal. It was just one day that-"

She cut me off, responding, "No, not that."

"Then, what?" I questioned as I looked at her forehead earnestly, her head now hung low, dawdling with her fingernails.

"You are so good to me, and I do not thank you enough," she took me off guard as she looked up at me.

"It's fine. I know how you feel, you know how I-"

She cut me off again. This girl.

"No, Gale." I was corrected again. "I love you."

I was completely taken aback. She had never, ever, mouthed those words to me, but I had to her.