She passes out not long after Prim and Mrs. E finish stitching up her back. I'd planned on apologizing but never got the chance so instead I pull up a chair and fall asleep with my head on the table next to hers.
I'm woken by something tickling my nose, I crack one eye open to find it's Madge's hair. The gold strands still perfectly curled, sprawled out on the table between us. It's still pitch black outside but I sit up slowly not to wake her and keeping our hands clasped as they had been last night, lift the bandages to check her back. A lock of hair falls across the stitches on her shoulders and I move it to the other side of neck, my knuckles graze the top of her spine and she moans lightly. I snatch my hand away terrified that I've hurt her and her breathing evens out. I can't help but think that wasn't the type of sound someone makes when they're in pain, it was a lot more like the sound someone might make when they felt very, very good.
The idea intrigues me and I lean down to be closer to the area, I blow cool air over the pale skin at the back of her neck and she groans, actually groans. I pull back quickly, surprised at the revelation and the fact I tested the theory in the first place. I should not be learning the mayor's daughters turn ons, I shouldn't be enjoying it and I definitely shouldn't be doing it while she's unconscious on my kitchen table.
"Gale" I turn on the spot to find Posy rubbing the sleep from her eye with the back of her hand
"Hey Pose, what are you doing up so early?"
"I had a scary dream"
"Come 'ere then" I hold out my arm to her and lift her onto my lap when she reaches me
"Who's that?" she asks sleepily when she sees Madge
"That's Madge"
"The princess?"
"Yeah Pose the princess"
"What's the matter with her?"
"She's just sleeping Pose"
"Why's she here?"
"She needed our help"
"But why?"
"I don't know Pose, I guess she was scared"
"But she's not scared now right? We're gonna look after her right?"
"Yeah we'll look after her" Posy looks down at Madge and puts her thumb in her mouth
"Ssshe hasss pwitty hhairw"
"She does" I agree pulling her thumb away from her face
"She's really beautiful"
"She is"
"Are you gonna marry her?" I can't help but laugh a little at my baby sister, she squirms in my hold until she's facing me "please marry the princess Gale, she's real pretty and she smells nice and -"
"Shhh Pose" I cut her off pressing a finger to her lips "you need to go back to bed"
"I don't want to, I'm scared"
"But you need to go back to sleep Pose"
"Tell me a story first"
"About what?"
"The princess"
"I guess I should have seen that coming huh? Okay, once upon a time there was a princess-"
"A beautiful princess" Posy corrects me
"A beautiful princess who lived in a castle in a faraway land. She had everything she could ever hope for, pretty clothes, fancy food and-"
"A pink kitten" Posy offers
"And a pink kitten" I chuckle "but she was all alone"
"Except for her kitten"
"Of course but she needed some friends, some people to take care of her"
"Like us?"
"Perhaps"
"Did she find friends?"
"I don't know do you think she did?"
"Yeah, I think she found lots of friends and a handsome prince and then they got married and everyone wored pink and had flowers in their hair"
"Alright" I hush her quickly in an attempt to stop her getting too excited "and everybody dances at the wedding"
"Uh huh"
"They twirl in their pink dresses" I gently untangle my hand from Madge's and stand with Posy in my arms, she grins as I spin with her. The words come naturally, a song my father sang to us, he sang it loud in the woods and very off key but it always made me feel safe. Posy should hear it
"A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain
Softly blows o'er Lullaby Bay
It fills the sails of boats that are waiting
Waiting to sail your worries away
It isn't far to Hushabye Mountain
And your boat waits down by the quay
The winds of night so softly are sighing
Soon they will fly your troubles to the sea
So close your eyes on Hushabye Mountain
Wave good...bye to cares of the day
And watch your boat from Hushabye Mountain
Sail far away from Lullaby Bay"
By the time I finish the song my eyes are wet and Posy snores softly on my shoulder. I carry her to the bedroom she shares with my mother and tuck her back into her bed, placing a light kiss on her head before returning to the kitchen
"I didn't know anyone else knew that" Madge's voice startles me in the stillness of the kitchen even though it's barely a whisper
"I thought you were asleep"
"Don't be embarrassed" she says firmly without looking at me "it was kinda beautiful"
"Uh, I-"
"Gale I'm literally half naked and bloody on your kitchen table, you saw me at my most vulnerable last night. Please don't be embarrassed" I flounder for a moment before taking my seat again
"You know that song?" she turns her head to face me and smiles without opening her eyes
"Haymitch used to sing it to me when -" she stops abruptly and the smile falls from her lips "every time this happened. So even though it wasn't for me and it was meant to be private that was exactly what I needed, thank you"
"Haymitch?"
"It was slurred and he was often crying but surprisingly in tune ... don't tell him I told you that"
"Wouldn't dream of it" I mumble
"How do you know that? The lullaby I mean"
"My dad - my dad used to sing it"
"I think he and Haymitch knew each other you know"
"I'm not sure"
"Well Haymitch grew up in the seam and he talked about your dad once"
"He did?"
"Right after- right after the explosion. He talked about a few people, your dad was the only one I knew" I nod and stare at the ground until any sign of tears has gone, I've gone years without a single tear I won't shed them now
"Maybe"
"Posy, she's really sweet"
"Yeah" I agree, unable to stop a grin
"She's going to be a handful though"
"She already is" I chuckle
"I mean with boys Gale"
"Yeah, there's no way that's happening ... ever" Madge laughs at me and it may be the most relaxed I've ever seen her. Even the times I've seen her play piano she seems to be lost so far in her mind she's trying to fight her way back so she isn't completely consumed. I watch her closely as she takes one of my hands in hers, she toys with it first, turning it over and tracing the scars then she pulls it towards her face and places it under her cheek like a pillow. The action takes me by surprise and I almost pull the hand away, stopping at the last second. Instead I clear my throat and look at my feet
"Sorry, I feel safe when you're here that's all"
"It's okay" I choke
"I'll be out of the way as soon as it's light out and I'll come back to pay you and the Everdeen's' for all you've done. I just - I need this, just for a little while" she murmurs her eyelids fluttering
"What do you need Madge? Tell me what you need" I tell her, more than ready to give whatever it is
"I just- I need to feel safe, just this once, you make me feel safe" her voice softens as she succumbs to sleep and her lips part
"I'll keep you safe Madge" I promise.