Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games

I'm not going to promise a time line on updates, I just got back to writing and I seem to have several stories going at once, and I'm editing and finishing Playing Games. I'm going to write what I'm inspired to write at the time, not going to try to force anything. This story came to me in the middle of editing and I just had to write it and get it out of my head, I hope you like it. Thanks for reading!

Goodbyes

We are pulled apart and ushered into the Justice building to say goodbye to our families. I know this is going to be one of the hardest parts of the day, but I need to stay strong for them.

Mom, and Posy come in first and I hold them tightly. I'm unprepared for this, how do you say goodbye to someone when you know you will never see them again? Posy still clings to my legs, sobs choking her and I rub her back in an effort to comfort her. Taking her in my arms, I sit, rocking her back and forth slightly. How much of what is going on can she really understand being only 4 years old?

She whispers, "Please don't leave Gale, please." And I nearly lose it. This sweet little girl who I've helped raise, who I've promised to protect is begging me not to go and there is nothing I can do.

"I have to Posy, I wish I didn't, but I love you, okay?" I take a deep breath to keep the tears that are threatening to spill at bay, I need to be strong for them, I remind myself, "Will you do something for me though?"

She looks at me with her teary gray eyes and nods her head, "Be extra helpful to mom, and make sure you visit Prim she'll need some company can you do that?"

"Can I see Buttercup and Lady?" she asks sweetly which makes me smile.

"I'm sure you can."

She hugs me tightly and I hold her in my arms while I look at my mother, "Don't let Rory of Vick sign up for tesserae, it's not worth it."

She nods her head agreeing taking my face in her hands, she kissed both of my cheeks, "Please come home." She nearly begs.

I shake my head, I can't give her false promises, it would only make it harder later, "I can't, you know I can't."

She seems to understand why.

Peacekeepers come in saying time is up and mom hugs me telling me she loves me and has to forcibly remove Posy's arms from around my neck. I have a moment to compose myself again, taking a deep breath when the door opens again, Rory and Vick come in.

Vick has tears falling freely down his face but Rory seems to be trying hard to keep them at bay, just like I am. I hug them both tightly taking in everything so I can remember it.

I put my hands on Rory's shoulders, sad that I'm forcing this on my 13-year-old brother, but it's the only way, "Listen to me, don't take out tesserae, it's not worth it, okay? You can make do, do you remember the snare line?" He nods, I had taken him out a few times, "Good, keep up with it, check it every day. My hunting knife, it's in the top drawer of my dresser. Bring Prim with you, she'll know the plants that are edible, help each other okay? Work together."

Rory nods again but that's not enough, "Promise me." I tell him.

"I promise." He says.

I pull him close again, along with Vick. "Katniss will help you when she comes home, listen to her, she'll teach you more."

Vick clings to me still, but Rory pulls back and looks at me and I know he can tell what I'm not saying, that I won't be coming home because I'm going to make sure Katniss does. He gulps and nods again.

As they are pulled out the door I tell them I love them.

My next visitors are Ms. Everdeen and Prim. Prim launches herself at me, tears continuously flowing down her cheeks, eyes puffy and Ms. Everdeen follows in a mechanical way, almost like she is in shock and I guess she is, but I hope for Prim's sake she is able to pull herself together.

Prim still has her arms around me, much like Posy did and I sit with her in my lap, "Listen Prim, Rory's going to check the snare line, he'll bring you game. Can you go with him sometimes and teach him the plants to gather?"

She nods into my shoulder.

"I'm going to do everything I can to make sure she comes home to you." I promise her.

"I want you to come home too."

I hug her again and I'm surprised when she looks at me seriously, eyes clear and determined, "Make sure you tell her you love her, make sure she knows. She loves you too, ya know? She's just stubborn, both of you are."

I don't get a chance to respond when they are pulled out of the room, my mouth hanging slightly open. I'm not sure if my shock is her knowing I love her sister, or her declaring that her sister loves me too.

There isn't anyone else I expect to see so I'm surprised when the door opens again and Thom, my friend from school, we were training to work in the mines together, comes in.

"Don't worry about them Gale, they'll be looked after, just focus on what you need to do."

"Thank you," I say because there isn't really anything else to say, it's nice to know they'll have someone looking after them. Thom shakes my hand and leaves.

I'm doubly surprised when the door opens again and the baker, Mr. Mellark, the man we trade squirrels with comes in.

He sits awkwardly and hands me a package of cookies, the kind we could never afford to buy.

"I'll keep an eye on them. Make sure they don't starve." Mr. Mellark says finally.

He's the second person to promise me that today, that's 2 people I owe that I probably will never get the chance to repay. I'm not really in a position to question him so I just say thank you, grateful. As he gets up to leave I stop him though, "Mr. Mellark?"

He turns to face me. "If you are going to give these to me," I gesture to the cookies, "Could you give them to my sister Posy instead? I think they would help lift her spirits, she's only 4."

He agrees and takes the cookies out with him.