An: Hello readers, happy to be back with another chapter for you. first off id like to thank everyone who left a review, PM me, Fav and is now following this story. you guys make me want to write more and more. also thanks to those who helped me out with my spelling and grammar, i know i am terrible, i do try but i am only human :).
Ok so i know i said i wasn't sure what to do next but i did leave the Harvest Festival just hanging there for me to use so here we are. This chapter is more Fluff then lemons but still Galeniss so its all good, right?
Gale Lover: thanks, glad you enjoyed it. long live Everthorne :)
Ellenka: Ditto, guess they will have to wait abit longer to be "Alone".
FanFicforyou: thanks for the ideas, im still thinking about where im going with this but im afraid there will be more lemons to come.
katbow: i really don't know where to start, we will find out what on earth Gale was dreaming about eventually. Glad you enjoyed the gentleman side of Gale, it bugs me that some HG fans just think he's all cocky, selfish and full of rage where as i always sore him as a much more gentle soul but having to put on a tough front for the sake of his family. thanks aswell for future plans, ive got some ideas buzzing now but i need to figure a few things out first.
P.s. did anyone else see all the new TV spot for Mockingjay part 1? grrrrr gonna be so annoyed when i see it and see there making Gale all angry and such (I know, i know he kinda is but he's not like that to Katniss is he!). Also very happy to announce that I'm going to the Premier in London in just over 2 weeks time. very excited, fingers crossed i can get my Picture with Jennifer, Liam, Josh and hopefully Woody.
But anyway, On with the story! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own Nothing! all characters belong to Suzanne Collins
Festival and Dancing
I empty the last of the water over my head and let out a sigh. The water has cooled enough so it doesn't burn my skin. In the Seam, pouring water that's been boiled over a stove is the closest thing to a hot shower most people can manage. My mother had insisted that we all look clean and presentable for the festival tonight. Normally I would complain saying that boiling all this water would be a waste, however since I spent the whole of last night out in woods, I couldn't simply brush the dried dirt off my hands (not to mention the dried dirt on other parts of my skin that should have been covered), I figured it was a good idea.
The events of what happened in the woods last night have been bouncing around my head ever since I woke up. Id emerged from my room to find my mother and Prim just about to sit down, for what I first thought was breakfast, had turn out to be a late lunch. I looked over to the small cracked clock face in the corner to find id slept all morning. I reprimanded myself before remembering that I didn't actually fall asleep until early morning, preoccupied as I was with my own selfish 'activities'. The memory had brought a hot flush to my cheeks and I found that I couldn't meet my mothers or Prim's eyes.
"Well good afternoon, sleepyhead" Prim said, grinning at me. I stepped forward, kissed her forehead and yawning my own greeting.
"I was just about to come a wake you" my mother says in a soft voice, clutching two chipped plates of flat dense bread made from the tesserae grain with some dried blackberries id collected and she had preserved.
My muscles tense, like they always do when she speaks to me. I shot her my usual look of contempt and sat down saying "Well I'm awake now". She didn't say anything else after that; she set the plates in front of Prim and myself. We ate while my mother made us all cups of herb tea and another plate of food for herself; I ignored the glances she threw towards me with ease. This is something I've become very proficient at since my father died in the mines and she sort of died herself. In the early days I was terrified and frustrated with her, now I more or less ignore her completely. The only thing that stops me from yelling or sneering at her is the small film of tears that appears in Prim's eyes when she see me starting to glare at our mother.
For Prim's sake, I keep my hatred for our mothers weakness silent, at least around the house. In the past, when it became too much for me to take, I took off for the woods and taken out my annoyance on a random tree, firing arrow after arrow into the hard bark. I had stopped doing that after Gale found me and pointed out that my arrows were breaking faster than I could make them. He asked me what was the matter but I just brush it off telling him it was nothing. After the fourth time he asked, I snapped and started taking my frustration out on him instead. I shudder now at the memories of that day. I had shouted at him until my voice became hoarse then just settled on hitting every part of him as hard as I could. He never spoke or moved to defend himself; he just stood there taking my abuse and blows. After a long time, my ragged breaths became a sobs and he wrapped his arms around my shoulders, pulled me close to him and made soft "Shh-ing" sounds into my hair. It was a long time since I came to my senses and apologised for attacking him, he accepted straight away and told me to not to bottle up these thoughts and emotions, that it wasn't going to do me any good. Ever since that day, Gale was the only person, other than Prim, who I trust enough to share my secrets with and he in turn shared his with me.
I had finished the last of my berries, stretched my arms high and gave a groan as my muscles popped. Prim giggled at me then began asking about what happened last night. My eyes went wide and all I could think about was Gale's hands roaming underneath my underwear. "Err," I said, my neck beginning to grow very hot as I tried to collect my thoughts.
Unexpectedly, my mother came to my rescue. "Yes, Prim said the fence was on" she said looking concern. Then I remember why Gale and I were trapped outside the District in the first place.
"O yeah, Gale and I were on our way back when we heard the fence was on. So we sort of camped out there till it was turned off again." I said quickly to cover my tracks. "Didn't manage to get back until early this morning." Prim seems satisfied with my explanation and my mother nods silently.
"Wonder why the fence was on at all? There wasn't any announcement at school," Prim asked aloud. My mother shrugged and I told her about Gale's suggestion about a possible District inspection. My mother said there was no sign or word of an impending inspection and the topic faded away in puzzlement. Then Prim talked animatedly about the festival tonight, I indulged her saying that we were still going with the Hawthorne's and that id brought home some extra game that we could take enough with us to share.
"It's going to be so much fun Katniss!" she squeaked at me excitedly bouncing up and down in her chair. "You'll dance with me wont you?"
"Of course I will, little duck," I said beaming at her. Id glance over and sore my mothers face fall as she washed the dishes. Prim followed my eyes and I saw her own smile falter. After a second, she lent close to whisper something in my ear.
"Do you mind if I dance with Mom aswell tonight?" she asked. I was about to consider this but the sound of her voice was so hopeful that I shook my head knowing that I wouldn't deny her this simple request. She smiled brightly saying "Thanks Katniss" then added, in an off-handed tone, "and don't worry you can dance with Gale at some point." I gagged on my tea at Prim's last words. Out of the corner of my eyes, I glanced at her, was it my imagination or was there something in her blue eyes.
Before I could get a closer look, our mother told us that we should both wash up for tonight. Prim went first and my mother followed her with a pot of hot water, while I grabbed two empty pots and headed outside to pump up more water. My mother followed after her and between trips I tidied up the house, cleaned the rabbits and squirrels for tonight and soon it was my turn to clean up.
I emerge from the washroom wrapped in a damp towel and see my mother and Prim have already changed. Prim is in a light gray blouse and skirt and my mother is in one of the few dress she still owns. They both wear aprons over their clothes as they lean over the stove. The delicious smell of rabbit wafts through the house and my mouth floods with saliva. I walk to my room and find another one of my mothers dresses and a pair of woolen leggings laid out for me. I look at the clothes astounded. My mothers clothes are one of the few things she brought with her when she married my father, one of the few things she has that remind her of her old life. Letting me wear it may seem like a small thing but it speaks volumes to me.
I slip on the leggings, the soft wool warming my still slightly damp legs. The dress is light as a feather as I pick it up and slip it over my head. Looking at myself in the small cracked mirror in the corner I'm amazed at how different I look. The pale blue dress fits me pretty well; the soft fabric hugs my body comfortably, the hem falling loosely to my knees. I shrug and brush my fingers through my damp hair. The door squeaks open and Prim's head poke around to see me. "Oh Katniss" she gasps looking at me as she enters, "You look beautiful!" I smile and continue to braid my hair. In the mirror, I see the reflection of her angelic face fall.
"What's the matter?" I say looking back at her.
"I wish I looked as good," she mumbles, looking down at hem of her own skirt.
"Oh no, little duck. I wish I looked as good at you," I say, wrapping my arms around her shoulders, trying to sooth her. She giggles and starts running her fingers through my loose hair.
"Are you going to braid your hair tonight?" she asks.
My brow furrows at her question "yeah…I was," I say slowly, "why? Do you think I should leave it down or-"
"NO!" she says loudly making both of us jump as we break apart, "I mean, no I think you should keep it in your braid" she says her voice returning to normal as she slowly backs out of the room.
"O…kay" I say slowly, my curiosity truly peeking now. I'm about to ask her why she's acting so strange but she darts from the room before I speak. I ponder Prim's behavior as I finish braiding my hair and slip on my well-worn hunting boots. I dimly notice that the build up of dirt has been brushed away, the soft leather appears shinier then when I last took a close look at them.
Prim is clutching the old threadbare blanket as I come back into the kitchen. My mother slipping the cooked meat into a sealed plastic bowl, that she puts into a basket along with a bag holding a generous amount of greens, a couple of dense tesserae rolls and a canteen of water. The amount of food we are taking for the picnic is a practical feast for the three of us but of course, it's going to be added to the food Gale's family will bring aswell and shared between eight of us.
I take a seat on the couch and remember that this will be the first time I've seen Gale since last night. I've been expecting the shock or embarrassment from what happened out in the woods to creep up on me ever since I woke up today but it still hasn't come. I try to wrap my head around how I felt about Gale's lips and hands roaming around my body. I'm sure I enjoyed it, his fingertips setting my body on fire and his eyes full of warmth and desire still brings a grin to my face. But what did it mean? Was it just the fear of being caught by a Peacekeeper that made him kiss me? Was it that my own anxieties that made me kiss him back? I'm still so confused.
The loud knock at the front door makes me jump to my feet and I look to the door. My mother goes and opens the door revealing Gale and his little brother Rory standing up straight, their hands tucked behind their backs, grinning politely. My mother returns their smiles and ushers them to come in. Rory comes in first looking slightly uncomfortable in his shirt and trouser that seem to be a little too big for him but he does his best to not let it show. The rest of Gale's family enters after. His mother Hazelle is dressed in a flowery frock clutching 4-year-old Posy in her arm, while 11-year-old Vick trails behind her carrying another basket and waving at my mother in greeting.
I brush dust and soot away from my dress before my eyes take in Gale as he steps around the couch towards me. He still looks as handsome as he did when he stood under the tree even more so, dressed in black trousers and a simple gray shirt that almost matches his eyes. His hair has been combed back and the small amount of stubble has vanished since last night. The thought of last nights 'activates' makes my eyes drop to the floorboards, heat creeps up my neck to the tips of my ears but I quickly recover and look back at him. A crooked smirk spreads across his face and one of his eyes closes in a wink. His hands are still behind his back and when his two feet away from me I see him give Rory a nod.
Puzzled once again, I see Rory take a deep breath and step towards Prim, who is standing by our tiny dining table. Her face looks just as confused as my own but she smiles good-naturedly at him when he stops, standing a couple of feet in front of her.
Rory's cheeks have grown slightly pinkish in the candle light, as he shoots Gale one last terrified look before he starts to mumble something inaudible to his shoes. Gale says in a loud whisper "to her eyes, Rory. Remember say it to her eyes." Rory takes one more deep breath before his eyes lift to my sister's face.
"Um…Prim? Would you er… g-grant me the biggest honour by um… allowing me to escort you to the er… Festival tonight?" he says trying to project an air of confidence but failing when his voice breaks. A flash of something crosses his little face and from behind his back, he produces a flower connected to a pin and offers it to Prim. Her eyes go wide with surprise as she looks from Rory's hopeful face to the flower and back again. Her cheeks match his as they go pink, she gives a small nod and whispers "sure" and lets him pin the flower to her blouse.
A small chuckle from Gale brings my attention back to him as he to produces a similar flower for me. "Katniss, will you grant me the biggest honour of allowing me to escort you to the harvest festival?" he says sounding much calmer and far more confident than Rory did. I grin, try to stifle the giggle bubbling in my chest and say, "Yes Gale I will." I step closer to him and as he pins the flower to the front of my dress, his hand brush against the top of my chest. My body shudders at the contact and our eyes meet, he gives me a grin but doesn't say a word.
"Alright is everyone ready to go?" Hazelle asks the room. Everyone respond aloud except Prim and Rory who just nod silently and soon the eight of us begin the walk into the main square. Vick takes the lead carrying his basket and occasionally yelling back at everyone to hurry up. Our mothers follow, Hazelle still carrying Posy, whose little head keeps whipping around to look at the other people walking around of us. Then its Prim and Rory who seem to be having trouble meeting each others eyes. Gale and I bring up the rear occasionally laughing at the little nervous smiles our siblings are throwing at each other. Gale lowers his head to whisper in my ear, the rush of warm air against my skin brings goose bumps to my neck.
"He's been pacing around the house ever since I woke up. Took him for a walk around the Seam to tray and calm him down. Thought he would have relaxed after he gave her the flower." his brow furrowed as he continues to watch the small, silent exchanges between them.
The idea comes to the front of my mind and I quickly act on it. I reach out, wrap my arm around Gales, and smoothly slip my hand into his; he stumbles at the contact but quickly recovers himself before gazing down at me as I pull him closer to me. I do my best to ignore the warmth from Gale body so close to mine and hiss Prim's name when we are closer enough to them. I have to say her name two more times before she looks around to me. I nod from Gale and my intertwined hands then nod to Rory. I see the realisation in her eyes and after a few very long moments, she nervously reaches out, pulls his hand from his pocket and slips her hand into his. Rory jumps then looks from their hands to Prim's face which breaks into a shy smile.
I feel Gale's body shake as he laughs. Then he leans back down and whispers in my ear again, "You never fail to amaze me, Catnip." I can hear the smile in his voice and am about to tell him, more bravely then I should about how I am full of surprises when his lips brush against my cheek, which immediately flood with colour.
Ten minutes later, we arrive at the merchant square. Groups of families mill around everywhere chatting happily, sharing news and food. District Twelve may not be the richest District, the people who live here might not be the best looking or be the healthiest but one thing everyone who lives here agrees on is that when it comes to parties and festivals we cannot be beat. The center of the square has been cleared away and wooden planks have been laid down as a make shift dance floor. The resident band are standing on a raised stage playing and grinning merrily. Hazelle leads us over to the far corner of the square where a large area has been cleared for people to use as a picnic area; we find a free spot and set down our blankets next to each other. Soon everyone sits in a circle Prim and I sitting next to each other with Gale on my left and Rory on her right. Our mothers serve out the food and soon our circle is full of the sounds of chewing as everyone eats happily. Gale does his best to keep a conversation going with me but he's finding it hard due to Posy's constant pleas for attention.
Looking around I spot the bakers son Peeta Mellark wandering around with a tray of something, he bends down and offers the something to a family a little way away from our own. I return my eyes to my plate of food trying not to think about the only interaction I've had with the baker's son so many years ago. He has probably forgotten about it but I know I never will. Gale must have followed my eyes because he quickly stands up and quickly dashes over to Peeta. They're too far away to hear but I see him point back to our group. My eyes meet Peeta's for a split second before his go back to Gales; he nods and holds the tray out to him. Gale picks up a few of whatever it is before reaching into his pocket, I see Peeta shaking his head and walking off in the opposite direction.
Gale soon returns and notices that his brief absence has not gone unnoticed by our families. He smiles and shows everyone the four iced cookies in his hands. The kids look in awe at the cookies as he snaps each one in half and hands everyone half each. Vick and Rory immediately begin to scoff down theirs while Prim and Posy study the iced pattern upon their own. Hazelle gives Gale a questioning look as she accepts her own half.
"He didn't want anything for them," Gale says with a shrug.
"Well that was certainly kind of him," my mother says glancing over in the direction of Peeta's retreating back. I'm on the verge of telling her that the loafs of bread I brought home years ago were giving to me by Peeta but that peace of my past has always seemed little secret between Peeta and I. Looking sideways, I see Gales brow furrow as his whole body tenses. He looks down at the last whole cookie he hasn't snapped in half, lost in some thought.
I take a guess at where his head has gone. One sure-fire way to rub Gale the wrong way is to suggest that the merchant class of people are not as bad as he thinks. Of course, he knows that his anger is misplaced, that it's the Capitol, not the people in town who deserve his fury but the small injustice he sees in District Twelve every day only helps to remind him of the bigger picture.
Tentatively I reach out and grip his forearm; rubbing small circles in the crook of his elbow until I see him visible relax. His shoulders slump and his head lulls forward for a second before his eyes meet mine. He sighs deeply and withdraws his arm out of my grasp, sliding it around my shoulders and pulling me to him in a rough hug. My hand goes around his waist and settles on his hip. I sigh at the contact, there's something about how my simple actions can momentarily calm his fire that fills me with pride, as if I am the only one who can bring him back, back to reality, back to his family and back to me.
He hands me the last unbroken cookie, "You eat it, I'm not that hungry," he says with a shrug. I'm about to ague but he stops me with a look. He gives the same 'I can be just a stubborn as you can' look, he always gives me whenever I'm about to argue when he lets me have the extra money or meat from our trades. I give in and mumble a "thank you" as I bite into cookie.
Lanterns are glowing brightly in the fading sunlight around us as we finish devouring our meal. Vick helps our mothers to clear away the plastic plates while Rory and Prim, who seem to have gotten over their earlier awkwardness, are now chatting happily about Prim goat. Rory is grinning and nodding enthusiastically as he listen to how she makes her cheese from the milk. Posy is looking confused as she struggles to understand Gale's explanation about what the Harvest Festival is.
"Ok Pose, you know how they grow vegetables and stuff in District eleven yeah?" he starts and Posy nods slowly. "Well a long time ago, people used to grow them everywhere and before the weather started to get really cold, farmers would collect the crops so people had enough to eat during winter. After all the crops were collected the farmers and other people would come together, like this to have a party, you know to have fun and dance and stuff like that." he finishes with a grin and I see Posy little eyes squint as she tries to understand something.
"So how come we don't grow stuff here?" she says cocking her head to the side. Gale's shoulders slump and now he struggles to find the right words for a little four-year old to understand exactly how the country works.
Hazelle swoops in to rescue Gale as she takes Posy and sits her in her own lap. "Because if we did that then no one would have any coal and people would be sad because their homes would be cold," she says trying to sound cheerful. Posy still seems to be confused but a loud cheer from the square draws everyone's attention. A moment later, the sounds of drums and fiddles echoes from the distance stage.
"Katniss!" Prim squeaks and I see the excitement in her clear blue eyes. She quickly gets to her feet and takes off towards the music. I have to run to catch up with her, sliding through the crowd, trying to keep her in my sights and we quickly find a place close to edge of the dance floor. We take a second to join hands and get the rhythm of the drumbeat before we begin to move.
I laugh as Prim and I swing and weave around each. I remember myself doing the same thing with my father years ago; I'm taken back to the old carefree days before I had anxieties about being reaped or dying of starvation. Back when my father seemed to be able to solve any problems with a smile or a song. Glancing around I see Rory dancing with Hazelle and Gale, standing on the other side of the wooden square bouncing on the spot with a clapping Posy held in the crook of his arm.
I catch Gale's eye and see him give me the smallest wink followed by a devilish smirk that immediately take me back to the previous night. The memory catches me off guard and I almost trip over until Prim grabs my arm. I quickly find my feet and look over to see Gales grinning broadly at me just as the fiddler finishes the song with a flourish. The crowd applauds as the group of musicians smile and bow. Hazelle, Rory, Prim and I move back to the edge of the floor just as the fiddler strikes up another tune. A much slower one.
Prim quickly finds and pulls our mother out from the crowd and leads her somewhere to join the other dancers. I see Hazelle take Posy from Gale's arms and nod over to me, he smiles a little sheepishly at her before his eyes meet my own. Suddenly I'm rooted to the wooden planks beneath my feet and the simple action of moving towards Gale seems much harder than it should be. He takes a deep breath and steps in my direction. My surroundings seem to slow down and speed up at the same time, my legs begin to shake so badly that I'm surprised everyone hasn't turn to stare at my knees that, to me sound like woodpeckers hammering on a tree.
Sooner than I'm ready, I see him standing less than two feet in front of me. His cheeks have a slight pinkish tinge to them and he looks somewhat nervously at me. After a brief moment of hesitation, he lifts a hand to me in invitation. It might be just because I am so used to him but in this moment, it is as if I can read his thoughts, using our way of silent communicating. The thought of his hand reaching into the bush to help pull me out after he checked to make sure the white wolf has vanished and the sound of his voice 'Catnip, its ok. It's just me.' That's right, it's still just Gale, my hunting partner, my best friend, my… Ok he's defiantly something more to me aswell, but he's still the same Gale I've known for years, still the same person I've shared so many hours and secrets with. My hand enters his just as I come to realise what the new thing he is to me now. He's mine.
Our eyes never break contact as Gale gently leads me through other dancers who are holding each other closely, swaying slowly to the long clear notes from the fiddler. When we find a clear space on the dance floor, our hands land on each others hips at the same moment. We join the swaying crowd, slowly rocking from side to side. Looking up his face, I see him still looking at me sheepishly. I completely forget about my nerves and anxieties that our mothers and siblings might be watching us as I give him a small comforting smile and lay my hand and head against his chest. He lays a gentle hand against the my back and kisses my hair, my eyes close as I sigh content to stay like this forever. I breathe him in deeply, his body smells familiar and I lose myself in his scent any trace of embarrassment is completely gone now. All I can feel now is warmth spreading from deep within my body as we sway. I smile at how right this feels, at how even in this new situation we are in. We still move in such sync, like two halves of a whole being and I now realise that something important has fallen into place.
I have no idea how long we stay like this but it cannot be long because the fiddler is still playing the same slow song when I lift my eyes back up to find Gales. He looks like his dazed or daydreaming, eyes half closed, blinking slow and lazily. When they slide back down to meet mine, I see them clear and widen. Uncertainty floods into them and I can feel him shake himself like a dog trying to banish an annoying fly. He looks less dreamy and more longingly now and I see him growing frustrated as he tries to determine my thoughts. I decide to help him out.
I raise myself up slightly and the sides of our noses brush. "It's ok, Gale" I whisper, tilting my head a little, "It's just…" I run my fingers up his chest, along his jaw line and settle on his cheek "Me." I get out before pushing my lips against his in a lingering kiss.
His grip around me tightens for a moment before he relaxes. We still momentarily, his lips match my pressure as his fingers draw small circles on my waist. When the kiss comes to a natural end, his forehead leans forwards and rest against mine. We stand there basking in this moment, drinking in the atmosphere and each others warmth. I peak from under my lashes and see his eyes are still closes, I give him a quick kiss and they open. His smirk brings a smile to my lips.
The round of applauds makes me jerk back quickly. I half expect to see a sea of eyes staring at me but everyone seems to be looking up at the stage. Gale gives a hearty laugh and I blush embarrassed as he pulls me into a fierce embrace as the clapping slowly dies down. I'm flushed and short of breath as Gale releases me but I recover in a heartbeat, when the fiddler strike up a much more familiar tune.
Our faces break into the same enormous grin and in unison; we join hands and take our places. Other, much older people who still remember the song match our stance and after a pause the drums kick in and join the fiddle, everyone moves instantly. The tune is one of the Districts favorites, its upbeat, happy and easy to dance too. There is an actually routine to go with it but no one ever remembers it fully, even the old timers seem to have forgotten. Everyone knows how it starts and how it ends but the middle part is the gray area so most people just make something up. My father was particularly fond of indulging Prim or my whims when we would dance to the song. Gale and I decide to keep it simple but still enjoyable as we link arms and swing each other around and around. I practically squeal in delight, as I grow dizzier by the second. Gale holds onto me tightly as he lets out a girlish squeal mimicking my own, to which I respond by sticking my tongue out at him, he just smiles. I cannot remember the last time I was with a group of people in District 12 who were this carefree. No-one expression shows any trace of anxieties for future reaping's or lack of food. Everyone is safe tonight, everyone is happy and healthy as they laugh and dance. When the song ends, I'm about to dip low into the normal curtsy when Gale slides forward and cradles me in his arms. I lean back and instinctively grab him, one hand on the back of his neck, the other on his forearms to steady myself just as he leans forward and presses his lips to mine.
His kiss catches me by surprise but I recover quickly as he pulls us back up into a standing position. He tries to pull away by I don't let him, using my hand on his neck to keep him in place. I breathe his warmth in, let it fill me like water and hum a moan of contentment deep in my throat. Gale pulls my hand away from his neck a little more firmly and I pout disgruntled, he smirks and leans forward.
His breath tickles my ear as he whispers in my ear. "Sorry, Catnip but I didn't think you wanted too many people to stare." I feel a trickle of fear as I peek from his unashamed smirk to the other people around. Most of the crowd are either looking at the stage or other people, however every so often I spot a familiar face I've seen from the hob grinning at the pair of us. Gale friend Thom, throws me a small smile and nod from where he stands, Ripper lifts her remaining arm and gives us a thumbs up. Greasy Sae gives us both her bony grin and winks at me.
A red-hot flush creeps up my neck and I bury my head into Gale's chest in embarrassment. I grow painfully aware of the sounds of people I know laughing, the sound of their voices ringing in my ears makes my throat grow tighter. I feel Gales chest shake as he chuckles and I glare at his shirt, angry at how he finds my humiliation so amusing. I lift my glare to meet his eyes as he grins. I pull aware from him, square my shoulders and walk away through the crowd. Gale comes up right behind me and tries to get my attention by calling my name but I ignore him
"Catnip, come on don't be such a sour puss" he says playfully, taking my hand and pulling to stop and face him. "Their not laughing at you because you did something stupid or wrong. It's just… a shock, you know. Seeing you act so girly for a change, with the dress and the dancing and well…," he falters looking a little shyly at the ground and gesturing at the pair of us. "This" he finishes lamely.
I think about Gale's reasoning and try to put myself in other people's shoes. I've bin coming into the hob dressed in my hunting gear and my father's old jacket for years now, never caring about looking attractive or appealing. The only time I dress up like this is for the yearly reapings and only because I have to. The image of me trading in the hob in this dress does strike me as amusing in its absurdity. Gale tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear and brings me out of my thoughts; his smile has vanished to be replaced with a look of worry. I lean up on tiptoes to kiss his frown away, it works but his eyes still hold his anxiety's that I'm still upset.
"Come on, let's go find the kids" I say smiling. Slipping my hand into his, he still looks uneasy but I give his hand a squeeze and pull him along with me.
I spot our families sitting on benches by one of the many small bonfires; I'm surprised to see Prim sitting so close to Rory and even more surprised when she leans forward to him. I think she's about to kiss him but instead I see her lips moving non-stop close to his ear. Rory's eyes go wide as he nods and grins, his eyes shine in the firelight as he listens to whatever she's saying. Their whispered conversation stops immediately as I join them. Gale takes the bottle of water Hazelle's offer him and joins Vick and Posy on the blanket at my feet. He takes a long swig and offers it to me still with an uneasy look. I roll my eyes at him, huff a sigh at him, exasperated. Gale knows I do not forgive people this easily but I accept the proffered water, my eyes plead with him to understand that I'm not angry. He slowly understands and the unease in his eyes flood with relief and he gazes, dreamily in my direction again.
Posy and Vick seeming to decide that now, is the perfect time to strike. They surprise their eldest brother, whose attention is still on me, by jumping on him. Vick throws himself into Gale's side, emitting an eye-watering "ooft! What the-" is as far as he get before Posy lands on his chest, squealing "Sneak attack!" she and Vick then curl their hands into claws and then begin to quickly roll them around Gales body, tickling him non-stop. Gale burst into hysterical laughter, his legs flailing in the firelight, as Posy and Vick continue their tickling assault. Their giggling joins his and I can't help but smile at the sight of Gale overpowered by his brother and sister. I know Gale is allowing this to happen because like me if could never deny his youngest siblings anything, just as I would give Prim anything she wanted.
Posy seems to find particularly sensitive spots on Gale's ribcage and tickles it furiously, he tries his best, in-between more hysterics, to cover the spots with his arms but this leaves his neck exposed for Vick's attack. His body continues to jerk with fits of laughter. I join in with the others, who have all burst out laughing watching Gale's struggle.
"Kat- Katniss!" Gale cry's in-between pained laughs. I catch his tear-filled eyes as he looks at me, pleading for my intervention. I'm laughing too much at the sight of him to speak however, Hazelle comes to her sons rescue telling Vick and Posy "alright you two, that's enough," she says trying to sound stern but fails slightly as she stifles a small giggle.
Everyone's giggles slowly fade away as Vick and Posy reluctantly obey and withdraw their hands from Gale, who is laying flat on his back, groaning heavily and fighting off the last waves of laughter. His feeble groans make me smile and giggle to myself but they slowly fade when I spot Prim eyeing me reproachfully.
"What?" I ask.
"You should have helped him, Katniss." she sounds stern by her eyes are twinkling as Gale crawls over and rest his shaky back against my knees.
"It's… its ok Prim. I'm alright," Gale says with a coughing wheeze. Prim's eyes still don't leave mine and I suddenly feel like a child about get a lecture.
"Well…well what about Rory? Why didn't he go and help him?" I say back shortly my eyes on the back of Gale's neck.
Rory shrugs looking at me. "He didn't call my name," he says simply. I'm about to argue that it doesn't matter anymore, now it's over but Gale has another coughing fit and Rory adds "besides, I'm just his brother, you're his girlfriend."
Gale finishes coughing just as Rory says the last three words. All of a sudden, I notice how very quiet everyone around the bonfire has become. I look up to see six pairs of eyes looking in my direction. My brain seems to have jammed, my tongue has turn to stone in my mouth and my muscles have frozen in place. I not sure I'm ready to have this conversation in front of our families. My eyes fall back down to Gale and I see him grinning shyly at me as he reaches out to takes my hand in his. The feel of his thumb as it rolls over my knuckles, soothes me and brings a blush in front of everyone. I guess Prim did see us kiss while we danced after all and when I look up, I see her beaming at me with a giggle.
"What? When did it happen?" Vick says loudly looking around at us.
"About 10 minutes ago sweetie," Hazelle says unconcerned.
"Humph, took them long enough," he grumbles settling himself next to his mother.
"What was that?" Gale says affronted.
"Oh come off it! You two weren't fooling anyone. You've been dancing around each other for ages now," Rory says scoffing.
"We have?" I ask no one, my eyes looking into the bonfire.
Id never considered what other people might have thought about Gale and me. I knew where we stood and I was happy with that. At least I thought I was happy with the way things were but I guess I was only kidding myself or maybe I just force myself to not think about him that way, when I decided I didn't want to get married or have kids. Looking back down at Gales hand as his thumb continues to runs over my knuckles the warmth returns to my body and my muscles begin to thaw as my other hand wraps around his. He is really the only person I could imagine spending the rest of my life with, he's helped my family survive and I've done that same for his. He's done so much more for me aswell but he's never made me feel like I owe him or feel oblige to hunt or hang around with him. I do those things because I want to. I always look forward to seeing him. I want him near me, i want his warm comforting presence around me, his carefree smirks, even his stubbornness. I want it all and I want to be his because truly, he is mine.
"I guess we have," I whisper meeting Gale's eyes as they shine brightly. I lean forward and press my lips to his in another lingering kiss, my fingertips caressing on his cheek. Warmth floods my body filling me from my toes to the top of my head, I'm dimly aware that Vick is making fake sounds of retching in the background, telling us to get a room. Everyone's laughs again and Gale slowly pulls back, I pout unhappily at the abrupt ending but he just grins at me.
He catches my hand and kisses each of my fingers. I feel the same slow burning within my core as I see him looking up at me with darkened eyes; he pulls his mouth close to my ear. "Want to go for a walk, Catnip?" he asks in a husky voice that makes my breath catch in my throat. The dim aching throb returns and I nod vigorously. He quickly dashes over to our mothers and whispers something in-between their heads. I see Hazelle and my mother exchange a long look before glancing at Gale and then to me. I do my best to smile at them innocently and try not show just how much I want to be alone with Gale right now. Our mothers nod and Gale gives them a hug before he comes back to me. We make it about nine feet away then I hear Hazelle call sternly "Two hours Gale!" he lifts his hand to show he understands and we exit the merchant square via the same way we entered.
"What does she mean 'Two hours?" I ask, he just shakes his head and refuses to meet my eyes. I pull him to a stop and force him to look at my stern expression.
"I er… I agreed to make sure you get back to your house in two hours, since that's where they're going once the kids start to tire out," he says looking shyly at his shoes. My mouth goes very dry instantly.
AN: Ok must admit this Chapter went though many different versions before i was truly happy with it. Spelling/grammar errors are all my own, so please do PM so i can fix them. Reviews are always most welcome and so are predictions/suggestions.
Until next time.
Wolfskin.