Chapter 7 - Cozy

Gale

To this moment, I still don't know what made me ask that boy to go out with me. Do opposites really attract? Maybe that's why. I didn't worry about it too much, since he seemed happy to join me after all. Later on in the evening at around six, I decided to start spiffing myself up before I left the house. It was laughable at how much I was overthinking a coffee date, but I promised myself I would at least look presentable. I ran a comb through my hair like three times before I went on my way. I wore the same brown coat I used to go hunting in, which was unavoidable since I didn't have any other colors in my wardrobe.

As I made my way to the bus stop, I admired how white the snow was tonight in contrast with the colorful Christmas lights. For once, I took joy in seeing all the colors in front of the snow white backdrop. After the bus finally arrived, I sat down and twiddled my knees in anticipation. Was I too early? Too late? What if he was already there? All of these questions attacked me as the bus grew closer to my destination. Finally, the bus stopped in the town square. A tall and massive Christmas tree was the centerpiece of the whole plaza as the other shops were illuminated with neon signs. I made my way to Martha's Cafe with a slight hurry in my step. I made it inside and let the indoor warmth hit my face accompanied by the scent of ground coffee. I ordered a warm cup of hot chocolate from the front counter before taking a seat at a table, hanging my coat on the back of the chair. The jukebox was set to play warm and jazzy holiday tunes, which I didn't mind at all. I waited at the table as I glanced at the clock.

7:05. Peeta should be arriving any moment now. I sipped on my hot chocolate once it wasn't too hot anymore as I watched shoppers outside the window. The taste of hot chocolate brought me back to the time where Peeta generously let me in his house and nursed me back to health. God, I was such an idiot for taking him for granted. I just hope that I get to make amends with him tonight.

It was hard to sit still, but once I noticed it was 7:15, I started to worry. My hot chocolate grew cold as my hope began to fade away. He wasn't coming. I should have expected it after all these years of treating him like crap. The boy just needed some affection, and I failed to realize that. I took my last sips of my hot chocolate before I got ready to leave for the night.

It wasn't until I finished the drink that the glass door of the cafe opened. Inside walked the short blond boy. Peeta came. My heart was relieved more than ever, as if the tiny shards had glued themselves back together. I didn't notice, but I was already smiling. The baker turned to notice me as I was sitting at the table in the corner of the cafe, and returned that smile I had on my face. His coat was a dark and dull orange, which complimented the color of his blue eyes very much. Once he made his way towards me, I felt my heart speed up for some reason.

"Mind if I sit here?" He asked, a bit jokingly.

"My pleasure." I murmured in return. Peeta pulled out the chair and let out a relieved breath as he took a seat across from me. It almost sounded like a sigh.

"I'm sorry… I know you said to be here at seven." He rubbed his forehead with an unsettled look on his face. "I had a really rough day at work today."

My brows furrowed in sorrow. I know it wasn't the best to begin our conversation on a sad topic, but I genuinely felt concern for the boy. I didn't want to get too attached, but seeing him stressed out made me feel the same way. "That's alright. What happened?"

He smiled down at the table surface before looking at me happily. "Don't worry about it. I'm okay." He chuckled softly. "I'd hate to start off the night like that."

I grinned as I admired his optimism. "Cool. I'll getcha something, alright?" I know Peeta was about to pull out his wallet and insist that he pay for it, but I left the table instantly to prevent him from doing that. I already finished my first cup of hot chocolate, but I was fine with buying another one so that I could enjoy it at the same time as he did. I could finally repay the favor of the night he made hot chocolate for me. But, was he okay? I know he said he was alright, but something tells me it isn't. He seems a bit on edge, as if he was concealing his stress. I ordered two more cups for the both of us before returning to the table. I placed his cup in front of him before sitting back down across from him. I hoped that this would get his mind off of things so I could be able to invite him to Christmas dinner.

"Thanks." His mellow voice was very unique, as it was soft yet energetic.

"Of course." I awkwardly avoided eye contact with him as I reminisced of the times I've mistreated the boy. I took a deep breath. It was time to man up and apologize. "Peeta. I just wanted to say this when it isn't written on a napkin with one of your pens." This seemed to make him laugh, and it did happen to lighten up the mood. I finally looked at him in the eye as I delivered my sincerities. "...Thank you for all those times you've given me bread. Thank you for being a brave soldier during the rebellion. Thank you for saving my life." I broke eye contact with him since it was hard to take myself seriously. Gale Hawthorne is now officially a softie.

"Gale…" Peeta's smile happened to be shining back at me. "I've never hated you, you know that?" He paused for a moment to think. "I mean, sure, you've ticked me off at times… But I realize how much of a loyal person you are. You're always the one to help Katniss stop crying when I can't." Peeta laughed softly as I rolled my eyes. I always admired his optimism and his ability to make light of dark situations.

"Yeah. Sure." I took a drink from my cup. Once I placed my cup down, Peeta took one look at me and suddenly began laughing for some reason. What was so funny?! The baker took a sheet of napkin from the dispenser on the table before wiping some whipped cream off the tip of my nose. My face reddened as I looked at him madly, but I admired his care. Now that the first step was done, the hard part was next. I rubbed the back of my neck and looked down. How was I going to bring it up? I took a glance back at him, and he seemed to be enjoying his drink. I'm such a laughing stock, but he seemed to be amused, so I didn't care. "You doing anything Christmas day?"

"Well… I'm just staying at home. The bakery's gonna be closed, so I'll just be at my house. ...Gale?" I completely ignored everything he said as I stared off into the distance. Outside the window, I saw a group of three guys that happened to be harassing a homeless street person. I stared at the vile act in horror, but I didn't say anything. I looked back at Peeta as if nothing happened. I didn't want to ruin his mood, so I didn't even bring it up.

"Sorry. What was that?" I asked in an attempt to get him to repeat what he had said. Unfortunately, I didn't hear the second time either, because who I saw entered the cafe caused me to freeze. The same group of criminals entered the cafe, and seemed to be approaching our table. Peeta had his back turned the whole time, so he was oblivious to the fact that they were nearing him. I stared in complete confusion before one of the guys began to speak up.

"Peeta Mellark! How was it taking out the trash?" The boys laughed, while Peeta could only watch as they taunted him more.

"Hey! What the hell's your problem?!" I couldn't hold in my anger any longer at the despicable bastards. I couldn't stand watching them mess with Peeta like that.

"Calm down. We just want some refreshment, that's all." And just like that, the gang's leader took Peeta's drink and immediately began to down it all. I looked at poor, defenseless Peeta, who was just covering his face with his hands in shock. I slammed my palms on the table before standing up.

"You do not mess with him. Am I clear?" I projected my voice in the same way I commanded soldiers back in 2. Despite this, the guy placed a hand on Peeta's shoulder. As an instinct, I grabbed the hooligan by his shirt collar, pulling him as far away from Peeta as I could. Balling my fist, I pounded his face once for taking advantage of Peeta, twice for the homeless vagrant, and thrice for the hot chocolate. Once I noticed his nosebleed staining my knuckles, I shoved him back and let him fall onto a mess of empty tables and chairs. His other two amigos made a run for it like the cowards they truly were. It sickened me that ever since Capitol citizens migrated to the Districts, they still think they're superior. Like they still own the games. Their days are over, and they need to realize that we're people just like them too. I immediately looked to see if Peeta was okay, but he was gone. I caught a glimpse of him outside the window, already walking away from the scene. Not even caring about the despicable guy, I left the cafe to run after the baker. "Peeta!" Once I caught up to him, he turned around, but didn't seem too proud about the whole thing.

"Hey." He slowed down to match my walking pace. "You didn't have to do that, you know."

"They were taking advantage of you. You had to defend yourself!" I raised my voice slightly, but only because I cared.

"You can't just solve everything with violence, Gale. You can't fight fire with fire." The disappointment in his voice was apparent. But, I still felt the need to defend my point.

"I can't stand to see you getting hurt like that." I quickly stepped in front of him so that I blocked his path and stopped him from walking any further. He was about a head shorter than me, which I found oddly cute, but nonetheless I was able to halt his steps. I looked down at the shorter boy as I spoke. "I don't think they'll be bothering you anymore."

"Yeah… I hope so. They trashed my bakery earlier. That's why I was late." He said with his head down. My heart shattered at that statement. I know I was an ass to Peeta before, but I would never even consider ruining his happy place. I thought about a way to cheer him up.

"I'm sorry, Peeta. Here." I reached into my pockets. Those five pieces of chocolate I bought for my family were rather expensive since they were luxury made from District 1 for the Capitol, and I was supposed to give each of them to my family for Christmas with one leftover for myself. But, I guess sacrifices should be made for the better. I knew I was never going to taste one ever again, but I'd rather leave it like that than have a sad baker on my hands. I took one of the wrapped chocolates and gave it to Peeta.

He looked at it in confusion, but then glee. I could tell that he was about to offer it back to me, but gladly accepted it in the long run. It made me smirk at how humble he really was. "Thanks." He said, accompanied with a soft giggle.

"C'mon. Let's get you home." I wrapped a protective arm around him as I began to walk him back to his house. Luckily, the Victor's Village wasn't too far from the plaza. I could just take the bus home after dropping him off, and hopefully there wouldn't be a surprise blizzard this time. It would be a shame if I caught pneumonia and died.

I kept the boy warm underneath my arm before we made it back to his house. In my head I kept on cringing at what happened earlier. I was about to ask him the big question before those idiots came and spoiled the moment. I had to wait until Peeta was calm and content before I could even bring it up again. Once we made it to his home, the baker went ahead and unlocked the door before turning to look at me.

"Well. Thank you for inviting me. That was fun." I enjoyed how his smile was short and sweet, complimenting his squared jaw.

"Of course." I ran a hand through my hair, wondering how I was going to have to bring it up again. I found it better to just bring it up and getting it over with. It's like ripping the bandaid off. "Peeta, I asked you what you're doing for the holidays 'cause, well… Christmas is in three days, and you don't deserve to spend it at your house baking cookies for yourself. Come spend it with me?" I unwillingly gave him a super cheesy and awkward smile, but he seemed to take amusement in seeing it. He was silent for a while, and I was afraid I had made the boy cry, but that thought disappeared once I felt his arms snug around me. I looked down to see that he had pulled me into a tight hug with his head rested firmly into my chest. I wrapped my arms around his back, returning the sudden hug. I hope this meant a yes.

"Can I? Please…?" I could have sworn I heard him sniffle, but I couldn't tell if it was from the weather or his emotions.

"Yeah. Only if you don't end up crying on me and my coat." I let out a hearty chuckle before he pulled away from the hug and looked at me with an I can't believe you just said that kind of look.

"Pfft. You're a jerk." As he said the last word, he gave me a playful punch in my shoulder. I have to admit it hurt, but I shielded my pain with my smile and continued to laugh it off.

"I'll pick you up Christmas morning." I bit my bottom lip, thinking of what else to say. "And here's a hint. I have a little six year old sister. She would love to see one of the Mellark Bakery's famous cookies."

"You can bet on it." Peeta nodded. With nothing else to say, I'm afraid this was the end of our night. "Get home safe, okay?"

I saluted to him before walking off. "I'll be extra safe this time." The last glimpse I got was of his cheeky grin before he closed the door. Once I was out alone outside, I rubbed my face with both of my palms. My heart raced, but I felt like the luckiest guy in the world. I guess this was really the light of Christmas.


A/N: Their adventure doesn't end here! Just to clarify any confusion. I will be writing more chapters about their Christmas day together.