It was a time that Gale dreaded.
The Reaping.
It was Gale's last reaping, which was a big relief in itself, but then he would just have to work at the mines. Trading one horrible thing for another. Somehow, though, he knew this year would be different. He thinks that maybe the whole district could feel it, and the anticipation was thick in the air.
But the anticipation was dulled slightly by dread. Different isn't always good.
That statement was proved when the very colorful Capitol woman meant to reap for District 12 called out, "Gale Hawthorne!"
He stood there, numb, wondering if he heard it right.
"Gale Hawthorne? Where are you, dear?"
Everyone around him slowly moved away from him, making a path to the stage. He moved forward, but his mind was still back where he had been standing. The peacekeepers stayed at all corners while he walked. He felt trapped, and really, he was. He climbed the stairs to the top of the platform, and with each step, his mind was realizing that this was real, he was now competing in the Hunger Games.
He was broken out of his thoughts when the woman spoke again in her high-pitched voice.
"Now, for this year's games, things are going to be a bit different." Gale looked at her, studying her. She had bright purple hair, matching the terrifying amounts of makeup that was on her face, along with the odd looking dress. She moved to the other side of the stage where the glass bowl for the girl's reapings was. She gestured to the bowl as she said, "This year, for District 12, we are reaping two boys, instead of one boy and one girl."
Anybody with ears could hear the sighs of relief coming from the girl's side.
Anybody with eyes could see the boys tense up again, waiting for their name to be called with dread in their hearts.
Gale just stared into the crowd, wanting to get this over with. That is, until he heard the name, "Peeta Mellark!"
It sounded so familiar, though he couldn't remember where he had heard it. He searched the crowd, and at that moment, when he locked eyes with the boy, he remembered.
It was rainy, the ground was muddy, and the clouds made District 12 look gloomy. This wasn't a day to be outside, but Gale found that he didn't care. He was heading to the Hob, to trade his game for other things his family needed.
He could hear the patter of rain drops hitting the ground as he walked back to his home and the sound of splashing from his boots stepping in puddles like a little tune. He hummed along with it until he heard a sharp cry. He stopped, looking in every direction for where it could be coming from. After waiting several moments hearing nothing, he kept walking, though the tune was seemingly lost after hearing the pain filled cry.
Maybe it was his imagination, maybe-
"Ah! Please, stop!"
This time he just followed his instincts running to where he heard the voice, and what he found froze him in his tracks.
There were three boys, one of them being ganged up on by the other two. The boy had some arm muscle, but not enough to fight back at the other boys effectively.
Gale watched numbly as the other boys beat him, hitting and kicking anywhere they could reach. He watched until they finished, spitting on the beaten boy before leaving. He knew the boy was almost unconscious, but the boy used what little strength he had left to lift his head, and he seemed to stare right at where Gale was standing. Gale was standing behind a wide oak tree, the darkness of the clouds hiding him, but he couldn't help but think that maybe the boy saw him, right when they locked eyes.
They were the same brown eyes, and he watched as the boy- no, Peeta- climbed the stairs to the stage looking just as hollow as he had the day they met. When the woman suggested they shake hands they did, and Gale kept thinking that Peeta recognized him too, somehow, and that's why Peeta's grip was so firm, squeezing tightly at his hand in maybe anger at all those years ago.
With a few more words from the Capital woman, the reaping was over.
After a small talk with family, Gale and Peeta found both of themselves on the train, Gale appearing to have remnants of a smile on his face while Peeta seemed subdued, staring out the blur of people outside the window. All was forgotten though when the capital woman from the Reaping came into the train compartment.
She stood there awkwardly at first as if she wasn't sure what to do now. Usually, Gale assumed, she had one boy and one girl. He wondered how that would make any difference, but she was from the Capitol.
"Well," she started, "Introductions are in order, I suppose. I'm Effie, and my colleague Haymitch is your mentor."
"What does that make you then?" Gale inquired.
She pursed her lips, thinking. "I suppose that would make me your... escort? Yes, that sounds right." Peeta stares at her for a long moment, before asking, "Where's Haymitch then?" She waves a hand at him. "Oh, I don't know. He could be anywhere." She rolls her eyes as she adds, "Drunk probably."
"I may be drunk, but I can spot two twinks when I see them. Effie will have you fucking in no time."
The boys are startled as their heads whip to the doorway, where a blond man is standing, a glass of dark liquid in his hand. He swirls the liquid around in the glass as he states, "Effie, I could see you fangirling a mile away." She turns to him, and states in an exasperated tone, "I'm allowed to, aren't I? This is the first time I've had two boys! And I was going to be subtle, so thanks for that."
Gale and Peeta are confused. "What are you guys talking about? Fangirling? Twinks? Fucking?" Peeta asks incredulously.
"We aren't even together! That's not even allowed in the districts! And, in case you've forgotten, this isn't some sort of dating game, it's the Hunger Games. Not ideal for fucking anyone, I'm afraid," Gale says.
Peeta snickers before saying, "And neither of us are gay. Wait, you're not, right Gale?" Looking to him for confirmation. "No, I'm not. We barely have time for girls, as it is. There are other important things," Gale confirms. He stands up, walking to the other exit that leads to his personal train car. Before he leaves, he turns to point at Effie and Haymitch. "Whatever it is that you two have planned, don't bring me into it. Just let me play the Games, let me win, or let me die. I don't have time for romance."
Then he leaves, the door closing with a click.
Peeta blinks at the door before turning back to Haymitch.
"Aren't you supposed to have advice or something?"
Haymitch smirks. "Fuck all you want in the arena, but don't die."
Peeta could hear Gale groan from the other side of the door, "Again, with the fucking..."