Disclaimer: I'm not Suzanne Collins so...

Set during the first Games.

Interviewers are constantly hassling Gale for an interview with Katniss Everdeen's cousin

The Interview. Chapter 3. (Gale's Point of View)

I head for the Hob seeing as it'll calm me down. Mum specifically told me to back in time for the arrival of 'the two star-crossed lovers of District 12'. I mean, I want to see her, but the place will be swarming with Capitol weirdos and I don't want to be regarded as her cousin. I'm not her bloody cousin.

I reach the Hob quickly. I have no real business here seeing as I haven't anything to sell but looking's not a crime. Well, perhaps to newcomers but not to me.

I head up to Patch's stand filled with random crap that most people crave and I find not just him but Darius there as well. Darius is my favourite Peacekeeper. He's really sound and he always manages to annoy Katniss which is always funny.

"I thought you'd be down there welcoming your girl back."

"She's not my girl, Darius."

He winks at me and tosses me a coin.

"Buy her a woo-ing gift. Girls can't resist a bit of charm."

I roll my eyes.

"And that's why you're married."

"Nope. Bachelor through and through."

"Yeah, well, she's 'in love' now so it might just be me from here on out."

He raises an eyebrow.

"Don't be so sure. I've seen the way you two look at each other."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask but he winks again and leaves. I decide to buy some soup.

After about five minutes, I decide that I'd better leave in case mum will be going ape. She insisted on putting Rory in my first reapings suit and gave one of Prim's old skirts for Posy and Vick is stuck in a little suit that fit me when I was six.

I at least don't have to wear anything because I refuse to wear one of my father's suits. She gave up half way through trying to persuade me to dress smartly and left me to wear and I quote "Whatever I damn well feel like wearing".

Of course, that consisted of just trousers and a shirt and I still felt over dressed.

"Come on, we'd better meet them at the train station."

"Yeah, I'm sure they'll be delighted to see their cousins."

"Drop it."

"Drop what?" I ask.

"Your attitude. I'm sure Katniss is very excited to see you."

"If she's not too busy sucking on his face." I mutter.

"What was that?"

"I said I'm sure everything is going to be great."

She doesn't believe me but she is too stressed too mind. I carry Posy in my arms because the poor thing had a cold yesterday. It doesn't take us long to reach the train station but by that time and Prim are already there. We stand together as the train draws to a halt.

Mum instructs us to stand behind and Prim so we can be introduced as their cousins.

The drunk comes out first, but surprisingly he's not drunk this time. The pink haired lady probably made sure of that.

He is joined by her but then the clapping grows louder. I know they're coming. They step out together, holding hands and their faces drawn with cheery smiles. He kisses her on the cheek and of course, it drives the crowd wild.

The step out together and the journalists swoop down on them to take pictures and get quick interviews. Haymitch grabs them both and pulls them both out of the way and towards us. It is the most honourable thing I have seen him do.

I don't smile as she arrives but everyone else is smiling so much I'm sure their mouths hurt.

They stay holding each other's hands and they kiss again, fully on the lips. My fists tighten. My mother notices and pats my hands.

The photographers snag her mother and start asking questions about her daughter's romance. Her mother insists that she is too young to have a boyfriend. I have to smile a little at that.

Haymitch insists that the journalists and the photographers depart and I am starting to like this guy.

Katniss grabs Prim and hugs her tightly. Peeta moves to his own family but he makes it look reluctant. I'm not sure if it is my imagination but I almost think that she's avoiding my eyes. She hugs her mother, then mine, then Posy, Vick and Rory as a group.

and my mother start talking as Katniss moves slowly towards me. I feel bad for making this awkward for her. She gives me a small smile but I don't return it. Instead I speak briefly with her.

"Well, do I get a hug or what?"

She smirks and wraps her arms around me tightly.

"Hey Gale."

"Hey Catnip. Hunting skills came in handy?"

"Definitely. So did the snares. You should've heard the guy at the knot tying station. He thought I was a child prodigy with knots but I said that he'd probably faint if he met you."

I smile for the compliment.

"Here, this is from Darius." I toss her the coin. She rolls her eyes.

"It's surprising that that guy can find at least one hundred ways to annoy me."

We are broken up by Peeta's return to her but I step back graciously. Peeta kisses her again and I am seriously resisting the urge to hit him. But I can't hit him. Maybe she actually likes this creep?

Afterwards, she comes over to talk to me again.

"Didn't think you'd do an interview."

I shrug.

"I wouldn't be able to go hunting or anything if they were still hanging around so I just did a quick one."

"You were good."

"Cheers. And I saw you falling off your chair. Sorry but I had to laugh."

"It wasn't funny. " She insists but I can tell she is trying hard not to laugh. I shrug.

"So...what now?" She asks.

I shrug again.

"I honestly haven't a clue."

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The end.

Hope you enjoyed reading it. Gale is one of my most favourite characters so I most of my stories are based around him.

LF xoxo