Title: Birthday
Author: Cindy Ryan
category: fluff
timeline: pre-Hunger Games
Summary: Gale and Katniss celebrate Katniss's 16th birthday
Author notes: Just a fluffy oneshot I wrote for my friend's birthday this week. Hasn't been beta read all mistakes are mine

The woods had really begun to feel like their place. Though Katniss
was still unsure if she wanted to complicate her friendship with Gale
by adding anything romantic. She'd be blind not to notice he was
changing towards her lately.
His body language, the looks when he thought she wasn't paying attention.

Katniss shook off the thoughts. Today was her birthday; sixteenth
birthday to be exact.
Birthday's were special; even in the Seam.
As much as she loved her family she couldn't think of a better way to
spend the day then with Gale.
They'd spent the morning hunting and were now enjoying a lunch of one
of the birds they had killed. Now they sat with their backs against a
mossy rock ledge looking at the trees around them.

"It's been a nice day, Gale, thanks."Katniss stated quietly as she set
aside the bone from the meal.

Gale grinned. "We're not done yet."

Katniss raised an eyebrow and met his gaze. "We're not?"

"Did you think I wouldn't have a present for you?"Hawthorne countered
as he reached for something behind him.

"Gale,"Katniss began as she turned. "Spending the day with you is enough..."

Gale reached with his free hand and briefly touched Katniss's left
cheek. "You don't turn sixteen every day."

Katniss looked down as an object was pressed into her hands. She
knew instantly what it was from the shape and size. Tears began to
form and she blinked them back.

"Gale,"Katniss whispered as she turned the three arrows over in her
hands. "They're beautiful, thank you."

Hawthrone shrugged. "I know you lost that one a few weeks back and
didn't have too many left. My Dad taught me to carve stuff when I was
younger. Just haven't had time lately. Glad you like them."

"Almost don't want to use them."Katniss commented as she examined one
of the handcrafted arrows."You did a really good job."

"Happy Birthday, Catnip."Gale stated quietly.

"Thank you for a wonderful day."Katniss replied as she touched his
right hand. "Can we stay a little while longer."

"Anything you want."Gale replied as they settled back against the rock
and Katniss rested her head on his left shoulder. "It's your day."

end