A/N: Just a funny little KatnissxGale idea I had. It's AU, so the characters are slightly older in this story. Also, Katniss' relatives will be various people from the movies/books.

Hopefully you'll enjoy it, but I can guarantee nothing.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games.


Chapter one: Proposal~


"Family what?" Gale asked, confused.

"Family reunion." Katniss said simply.

Katniss had been trying to convince her best friend Gale to come with her to the Everdeen family reunion for roughly two weeks. She had alluded to it on numerous occasions, only to have Gale cleverly avoid the subject with his utter obliviousness on the matter. However, now that they were alone in the woods - their usual hangout - there was no avoiding the subject. And Ignorance, as they say, is a game that can only be played once...or something like that.

"What's that?" Gale asked, unable to grasp the incredibly simple concept.

"A family reunion," Katniss repeated, becoming annoyed. "Is a get-together of family members. You know? A re-union?"

Gale made a face. "Why would I want to go to one of those? We're not family."

It was so incredibly 'Gale' to point this incredibly obvious fact out. He was a simple man with simple needs, and an even simpler way of thinking. He was by no means simple minded - he was wise beyond his twenty years - but he always seemed to have a knack for simplifying even the most complicated situations. It was almost ridiculous.

Katniss rolled her eyes. "I know that. It's just...I don't...know anyone there..." she admitted, embarrassed.

Gale shook his head, eyebrows briefly coming together in confusion. She honestly couldn't believe they were still having this conversation.

"How could you not know anyone there? Don't you go like, every year?"

"Yes, Gale, year. Every YEAR. As in ONCE every 365 days. So yes, I am unfamiliar with over half the people that attend."

"So don't go. You're eighteen now, you can do whatever you want. If it's not fun, why bother?"

"Because, Gale," Katniss exhaled, exasperated. "Prim's going. And it means the world to my mom. I can't just ditch."

He seemed to consider this, but she had no doubt that he would fail to see things from her point of view. Gale always had trouble relating to her family problems. They were both able to connect after their fathers died, but the similarities stopped there. Gale was always able to go wherever he wanted and do whatever he pleased (and often did) without worry of parental harassment, so of course he didn't understand why Katniss couldn't do the same. He would never harp on her for it, however, and for that she was thankful.

"I still don't see why you want me to go," Gale said, picking up a stick and poking at a random branch that lay on the ground.

"Because it won't be so boring with you there." She replied, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Gale sighed. He messed around with the stick he was holding for a few moments more, then reeled back and threw it as hard as he could to see how far it would go, disheartened to see that it only went a few yards. He looked at Katniss.

"I was supposed to go fishing with Rory this weekend."

Her face fell, but the change was hardly visible. "But I guess we could reschedule..." he trailed off, watching in bemusement as her features brightened.

"Thanks, Gale." She said, giving him a smile.

"Don't mention it..." He grinned, and they both turned to look out over the hills from their spots on the comfortable grass.

"...Ever."

"Ugh..."

She nudged him hard in the shoulder, pushing him over. It was just like him to ruin a perfectly good moment.


A/N: Hopefully that was competent for a first chapter. But worry not, hilarity and cuteness is sure to ensue.

This chapter was in Katniss' POV, but the rest will most likely be in Gale's.

'Til next time.