Title: Unlock the Lock

Pairings: Johanna/Gale, implied Katniss/Gale, implied Johanna/Finnick

Prompt: Laura Marling – "Ghosts"

Word Count: 636

It's been six months since Katniss left for District 12 with Peeta. They were the first ones to go home, and Gale was determined to be the last – even if that meant he could never return.

He couldn't watch them together. It made him sick. Mostly because he knew, if things had played out differently, he would be where Peeta is now – if it weren't for those stupid Games.

"So, the truth comes out, then?" Johanna taunts from the doorway.

"Excuse me?" Gale snaps back.

Johanna explains, "You were thinking out loud."

"…Oh."

"You were ranting about the Games stealing her from you," Johanna continues. "Katniss?"

"It's none of your business," Gale retorts.

"Fine, tough guy," Johanna answers, strutting into the room as if she owns it.

Gale stares at her in disbelief. "Get the hell out," he shouts.

"I know more about this stuff than you'd imagine," she replies calmly, sitting on a chair by the bed and propping her legs up provocatively.

"Oh really?" Gale responds rudely. "Enlighten me."

Johanna grins impishly, "You first."

She just stares at him, locking eyes and refusing to blink. After a long staring match, Gale's the first to break the gaze, looking down at his hands. "I've loved her for a long time. A long, long time. But I couldn't say it until I was about to lose her, and then it was too late," he fights back the tears that are stinging his eyes. "The Games took her away from me, and everything changed between us. I watched her kiss another boy over and over on television. I watched her fight so desperately to keep him alive."

Johanna, still staring at him, interrupts, "When she was on TV, in the Games, it wasn't real. She didn't love him. She was doing what she had to in order to keep them both alive – which she had to do once they announced both tributes could live."

"Well, real then or not, it's real now. I lost her to those Games."

"No, Gale, you didn't," Johanna corrects. "You had her. You had your chance with her; but instead of getting the girl, you were too focused on punishing Snow and the Capitol."

"So I was just a war-mongering bastard who got what he asked for?"

"If she was what you wanted, you should've tried to get her – not revenge for your lost District, your dead father, and the Games that took her away."

"You don't know what you're talking about," Gale shouts.

"I missed my opportunity. I would've lost, and I know it, but I should've tried. I owed it to myself, and to him, to try."

"Who are you even talking about?" Gale asks loudly.

Johanna hesitates, "…Finnick."

Gale looks up at her, "…Really?"

"Yeah… I was only 10 when he was a tribute in the 65th Hunger Games. I remember watching those Games with rapt attention. I think I loved him from his first interview until the day he died. But I never could say it, and Annie would've won anyway." She brushes a stray tear from her cheek and sits up a little straighter. "So, I know where you're coming from."

"…I didn't know."

"It's fine. I'm fine."

"Can I get you anything? Some water to drink, maybe."

Johanna's eyes grow very wide, and she begins trembling. "…Water…"

"…Ah, shit," Gale mutters, coming around the bed to take her hand. "I'm sorry. Come on back, Jo. Come on."

After a minute or so, she snaps out of it. Looking at his hand holding hers, she snaps, "Let go of me."

Gale recoils slightly. "I'm sorry. I was trying to help." Before he knows what hit him, Johanna's gripping his shirt and pulling him toward her. Their lips collide: hers needy; his shocked at first, but growing desperate.