I own nothing. Inspired by The Avett Brother's "January Wedding"

January Wedding

Gale grabbed the receiver of the telephone nervously and the piece of paper with her number that Madge had written down for him. It was his job to invite her and Peeta to their wedding, which was harder than it seemed. For starters, he hadn't spoken to Katniss in a few years. Despite the fact that Madge had spoken to her more recently she was not willing to risk Gale or Katniss's dramatics at their wedding. So it was his job to make up with her and then invite them to the wedding.

His fingers nervously entered each number. It rang once. It rang twice. By the third ring Gale was prepared to cower and try again another time. But before he could he heard the distinct voice of none other than Peeta Mellark.

"Hello?" His voice rang through Gale's ears.

"Err… Hi, this is Gale."

"Uh… Hi Gale." Peeta was obviously confused. "Is Madge okay?" That was the only explanation Peeta could come up with as to why Gale was calling after three years.

"Yeah, she's great. Um… Can I talk to Katniss?"

"Of course." Gale heard the phone hit the counter, then shuffling, and then muffled whispers between Peeta and who he could only assume was Katniss.

"Hello?" Katniss voice was filled with confusion and disbelief.

"Hey Catnip," Gale said it hopefully hoping she wouldn't hang up before he got his message across.

Katniss was silent. Gale couldn't tell if it was because of her obvious hatred for him, or because she was shocked he was finally breaking the silence between them. It had been such a blow to his ego and his heart, when Katniss chose Peeta and not him. Not to mention he hadn't been able to stop thinking of Prim, and the promising future she had had ahead of her. But because of him her life was cut short. He buried himself in his new life and job in District Two just to get through the days, until he met Madge Undersee.

After about five minutes of silence, Gale broke it. "Katniss, I'm marrying Madge in January and it would mean the world to both of us if you and Peeta were in attendance."

Katniss was silent on the other end. Madge always avoided discussing Gale with her whenever they talked.

Gale continued. "I know you know this, but I think it deserves to be said anyway. I know you hold me responsible for Prim's death." He paused gathering enough courage to continue. "I spent years hating myself for it. For everything. I went through every scenario that could have changed it, Katniss. I hated myself more than you could ever dream of hating me. I was just doing my part to help the Rebellion, that's it! I was nineteen years old, and I had no idea the consequences of my actions. I didn't get to choose when those bombs dropped. I spent years thinking I was a monster, but then I met Madge.

You know, I was so heartbroken when we met, and she had just lost her parents. All I can tell you is that we were both emotional wrecks. I found solace in her friendship. I had cut myself off from the world from the most part in penance. I didn't deserve to be happy, because she wasn't alive and it was my fault. Believe, you me Katniss I tried to push Madge away, but she just wouldn't let me. She helped me heal. Madge taught me to forgive myself. I just wish you would too."

Katniss was quiet on the other end for a few minutes, before whispering, "I already have. I just didn't want to be the first one to break the silence." Gale smiled. Stubborn old Katniss.

Madge had mentioned to him how Katniss was reluctant to marry Peeta. Stubborn Katniss. She just couldn't get over her thoughts on marriage, children, and the Hunger Games. Gale used this conversation as an opportunity to give his thoughts.

"True love isn't something you should turn down, Catnip." Gale paused smiling considering the fact that he had just called Madge his true love. She truly was. Fate had brought them together, and now Gale couldn't imagine himself without her "Don't ever turn it down. Don't stand in the way of your own happiness. Peeta makes you happy. Peeta helps you heal. Peeta teaches you how to forgive yourself. Peeta's your Madge.

"I hope I don't sound too crazy when I say this, but there's darkness all around us. I don't feel particularly perceptible to it, but sometimes I just need her. She just has so much light in her, Katniss, it radiates from her in everything that she does. When you find someone who can help you fight the darkness, then you can't just let him get away, Katniss, not for anything in the world. Sometimes I just can't believe that in January we're getting married. I was such an asshole to her because she was so privileged. None of that even matters anymore because her heart and my heart, they're the same. It doesn't matter with you and Peeta either. Those social hierarchies don't matter anymore. You can marry anyone you want.

It didn't take much for me to fall in love with Madge. I can still pinpoint the exact moment that it happened. I had taken her into the woods over here, just to see the sunrise and she let go of my hand and sat on this log and looked around at the singing birds and the trees where they're performing. God, she was just so goddamn beautiful. She just looked at me and told me all their names. You probably think that doesn't sound very impressive, right?"

This was the first time Gale had given Katniss any room to speak. "Yeah, not really. We know all the tree and bird names."

"She was telling me their scientific names, Katniss! Their goddamn species names!" Gale couldn't stop himself from laughing. He still couldn't get over it. "I just looked at her and I knew I loved her. It was second nature to her. She wasn't even trying to impress me or nothing. She said her mom and aunt used to be bird enthusiasts when they were younger, and before her mom got sick she passed down the knowledge. She's just so goddamn effortless.."

Gale could hear the smile in her voice, "Come January you're getting married, Gale."

"That's the plan," Gale smiled looking out the window at the autumn leaves falling off of the oak tree. "I just love her so much. Please say you'll come Catnip."

"I wouldn't dream of missing you marry a townie! The daughter of the mayor no less!"

This is what Gale missed, his best friend pulling his leg.

"Better than dough boy!"

Katniss laughed. "But not by much."

They said their goodbyes. Gale stood standing at the window, staring at a white oak tree.

"Quercus alba." Gale's head perked up at the sound of her voice. She was still dressed in her school clothes. Madge spent her days teaching kindergarteners their ABCs and how to safely use scissors.

He blushed slightly at the thought that Madge had heard him gush about his unending adoration for her, no matter how true all of it was. Madge's hands clutched her school bag, and with the light coming in from the window she was illuminated. Gale moved towards her enveloping her in his arms.

"I love you," she muttered against his chest and even though he could hardly hear her, he knew what she was saying because his heart and hers are the same.

"I love you too, soon to be Mrs. Hawthorne.

January couldn't come sooner as far as he was concerned.