I originally posted this as a one shot. Pending the potential readers thoughts, I will be turning it into a story with switching POV's. Please check out the second part of this and let me know what you think!

Gale Hawthorne

We lose ourselves in the things we love.

The storm was curling itself around the very edges of the sky threatening to swallow it whole. I looked over at the girl sitting under the tree watching the first drops of water fall into the lake. We had been sitting here under the protection of the leaves and branches for at least twenty minutes now, enveloped by an awkward silence. My heart was pounding so vigorously in my chest I swore she could hear it. I fumbled through our picnic basket as I helplessly tried to focus on something that wasn't Katniss. I was captivated by her. She was so beautiful, so strong, so funny, so full of fire. So complicated.

I needed her to need me again.

She noted my fidgeting with the basket and half-smiled at me, removing it carefully from my hands, taking an apple from it and placing it on a nearby rock. The touch of her hand would have made me fall to the ground had I not already been there. "We should head back."

My heart fell into my chest. "You really want to, Catnip?" I asked, unable to mask the disappointment eating into every syllable. She raised her eyebrows in confusion.

"It's going to pour soon. I have to go make supper for Prim."

"I know, but I thought-"

Seeing through my facade, she sighed heavily and rolled her eyes. "Gale, we've been through this."

"Katniss, I tried to begin, but she quickly cut me off.

"No. I can't be with you. You know that."

"I wasn't saying that-"

Her piercing grey eyes burned into the depths of mine. Nodding her head, she spoke delicately. "You were."

Biting down on my tongue, I had to look away. I focused my attention on the menacing sky. It was growing darker and thunder rumbled in the distance. I felt her eyes watching me, weighing my every move. Her gaze was eating through me. My heart was ripping itself open the longer I sat in her presence, yet I couldn't find the strength to go. I wanted to be around her. We belonged to each other in our own unique way. A small part of me clung to the idea that I could change her mind. That she would leave Peeta for me; that suddenly she would see that no one understood her like I did; that her soul mate was sitting right here.

But true to Katniss, she wouldn't have that.

"It's time to go." She said. "Prim is waiting, and so is Peeta. Come on, I'll drive."

I flinched at the mention of his name. I found myself glowering and without warning blood surged throughout my veins, fury taking over my body and spilling out in my words.

"What the hell is so special about Peeta?" I demanded. "Why are you with him? You know, I heard he was sleeping with Madge. I saw them together at the bar."

"They're friends. Friends hang out at bars together. It's pretty normal." She retorted.

"They looked awfully cosy to be just friends. You know what they say, once a cheater, always a cheater. He cheated with you, what makes you think he wouldn't cheat on you? How can you be so goddamn blind Katniss? I am the one who loves you!"

"Gale," I stopped immediately when I heard the dangerous growl in her voice. Her grey eyes had taken on a red glow and her body was tensed up as the vein in her right temple pulsated. "Do not ever speak that way about Peeta. I understand you don't see eye to eye, but how dare you make those insane accusations!"

We stood, our breath ragged, staring at each other for what seemed like hours. Breaking her defensive stance, Katniss sighed heavily. "Just go, Gale. I need you to go."

She uttered the very collection of words that had shattered my heart one year ago when she had told me when she told me she had slept with Peeta and was breaking off our engagement. Pools of tears were forming in my eyes. Embarrassed, I nodded and physically forced myself to walk out into the rain, which was now falling from the sky in sheets. I had almost reached the car when I felt her tug on my arm. Surprised, I stumbled awkwardly as she whipped me around to face her.

"Katniss, what are you-?"

"Damn you, Gale!" She lamented. What came next took my breath away. Pushing me against the car door, Katniss lunged at me, her lips crashing into my own. Her kiss tasted desperate and angry all at once. I felt her hunger, her longing, as I pressed into her closing the distance between us. We fit together perfectly. Countering her kiss, I slid my hand beneath her shirt. She let out a gasp when our lips disconnected and I trailed her neck and collar bone with kisses. Shivers of pleasure spread throughout my body. "More." I begged, but she had already pushed my frame away lightly with her hands. We stood watching each other once more, this time flushed, aroused and sopping wet. There wasn't a shred of guilt written on her face, only the undeniable lust that she was hell bent on suppressing.

"I'm sorry." She whispered. "I do love you, Gale. I just... I can't do this to Peeta."

"You can't do this to him, yet you did it to me?"

A long bout of silence followed.

"It's okay, Catnip." I lied pathetically, composing myself. "Let's go home. Prim is waiting." Katniss frowned, and I could see she was at a loss for words. I offered her the keys and she took them tentatively.

The rain began to let up as we drove together toward home. The storm was over, for now.