This is my first fanfic of all time. It may be my only one as well. I've always loved the Hunger Games, but I always thought Gale was the better match for Katniss. If you guys really like this, I may extend the story into all three books. Heads up, most of the details in this fanfic come from the films, such as character descriptions. Gale is 18, Katniss is 16. May the odds be ever in their favor. Some chapters will largely be flashbacks, but there will only be two of those.

Disclaimer: I own NOTHING, NADA, ZILCH. All is of Suzanne Collins.

The Sins of my Father

"Primrose Everdeen."

No. That didn't just happen. She did not just call that name, there must be some kind of mistake. Her name is only in there once, one fucking time, and yet she's the one who was just reaped. I finally come to realize that there's no mistake about it, twelve-year-old Prim is being reaped for the death games. And then I see her emerge from the crowd, Katniss Everdeen, the only girl I ever loved. I know what she's about to do, and I can't do anything about it.

"I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!" She yells. Effie's face is the definition of joyful surprise. The next thing I hear are Prim's pained cries, as Catnip tries to console her for what's happening. I impulsively move to help, and I pick up little Prim and carry her to her mother. She looks paralyzed, similar to what Katniss told me about her after the mining explosion. She seems to come to once I get there with Prim, but still nothing is gonna help her go through the soon-to-be loss of her daughter. As I finally return through the aisle to my area in the crowd, Effie asks for Katniss's name. She barely mumbles it into the microphone, and it surprises me that she was even able to say anything.

Effie asks in her rather annoying Capitol accent, "Well I bet my hat that was your sister, wasn't it?" A question Katniss answers in the affirmative. "Let's have a big round of applause for District 12's very first volunteer." Silence. More silence. Nobody gives any clapping, or any gesture of congratulations. Instead, we all give our highest honor possible, kissing our three middle fingers together on one hand and raising them to her. Unlike the Capitol and the wealthy districts, we find no honor in participating in the monstrous event punishing us for sins of our fathers and grandfathers. I sure as hell don't. "And now, for the boys." Effie's voice snaps me out of my thoughts. Great, now we get to find out the unfortunate male soul that will head off to the games. The name we hear has everyone starting to cry, "Gale Hawthorne." Unlike Prim, no one will volunteer for me, but I don't want them too.

As I walk through the wide aisle, all I can hear and see is Katniss sobbing uncontrollably, realizing that regardless, she's losing someone dear to her heart. I'm just grateful it isn't her innocent sister. When I finally get up the stairs where Effie's waiting, the first thing I do is wrap myself around her, her doing the same, both of us with tears running down our faces. Out of the corner of my eye, even Effie seems rather touched by what she sees. And then she bids the iconic last sentence, "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor. Shake hands…" The way she says the last two words make it obvious that she knows that won't happen. That we won't accept one another as competitors. Rather, I turn Katniss to look at me, and I lower my lips to hers in a heated and passionate kiss.

Goes to figure that the aptly named peacekeepers have no scruples tearing us from one another and dragging us into the Justice Building. I've never had the trouble of coming in here before. The room they toss me in is a slight testament to the luxury of the Capitol. Enough "snacks" to feed my family and Katniss' for multiple months on end, furniture that could fit Vick, Posy, and Rory considered small pieces. Dark colored curtains shading the light from outside, I kind of have to wonder if they're colored black specifically for the district's industry. The chandelier above emits more light into the room alone than most of the district during what can be considered a relatively nice day. All of this luxury contrasts the terrible reason I'm in here, and the contrast makes me even sicker than I already am.

Not even a minute after the door closes it opens again, this time letting my mother and my little siblings in. "You have three minutes," warns one of the peacekeepers. Before the peacekeeper finishes his warning, we're all in a somber embrace, and embrace of grief and tears. If I'm going to show any kind of sadness and grief, now's the last time I can. If I show any of this on camera, it'll scream weakness to everyone.

"Gale, I…Gale, I'm so sorry," my mother barely can even say through her infinite sobbing. Vick and Rory can't even say anything through their cries.

I barely can make out Rory trying to tell me he loves me, which I answer with another hug, and respond that I love him too, and I do the same with Vick. However, when Posy jumps into my arms, she's crying out, "Please don't leave!" It takes every ounce of energy and willpower I can muster not to start bawling myself, at hearing this.

When I finally return to my mother, she's a little more collected. She finally manages croak, "take care of yourself, and her. We'll help with Katniss's family." When I hear this, I feel some comfort, knowing that Prim and her mother won't suffer through this alone.

"Vick, Rory, Posy. I love you all more than I can hope to ever say. You guys have to be as strong as you can for mom. Rory. Whatever happens, don't apply for tesserae. It's not worth putting your name in more times." That was all I could get out before the peacekeepers came and took them from me. And Posy from my arms. I could barely keep from sobbing again when Posy called out to me again. Once again calling me dad.

As I stand there crying again once the door blocks Posy's voice, the door opens again. This time, for Prim and Mrs. Everdeen, and I give them the same somber embrace I did my own family. "They won't starve. I promise." I hear Mrs. Everdeen. I turn to her and give her a slight smile, one she reciprocates back.

I turn to Prim and tell her the same thing I told Rory, not to take tesserae. "I know, Katniss told me that same thing."

I tell the both of them, "my family will help you in any manner they can."

Prim then tells me some of the most surprising news, which considering the circumstances is quite something. "The Mellarks told us that they will try to keep us from starving, your family too." The moment I hear this, I feel slight relief, but at the same time, part of me wonders why they would help us. All we've ever really done is trade, no relationship worth such an assistance. The Mellarks owe us nothing.

All I do for what feels like forever is hold little Prim in my arms. Right before the peacekeepers take her and her mother from the room, I whisper to Prim, "I'll keep her safe. I promise you, she will come home to you, both of you."

P.S. : my chapter titles contain a lyric from various songs. If you can guess the right song in the reviews, I'll give you a little shoutout in the author's note in the next chapter. Try and guess this one.