Gale rolled his eyes as another of his soldiers whispered, "Have you seen her yet?" or about how hot the blonde was. Gale was annoyed at the lack of focus his soldiers had.
"Sarge, are you going to go see her tomorrow night?" One of the soldiers asked.
"Why would I waste my time on that nonsense?"
"She's hot!" One of the others yelled in reply.
"Do you know her, Sarge? Isn't she from District Twelve?"
He nodded answering with, "I didn't know her very well. If I hear another word about Madge Undersee you'll be running five extra miles. Go until I tell you to stop."
He grumbled under his breath. Bringing the girl to the base was pointless and a waste of time. They weren't gaining morale they were losing focus and that could have huge consequences for them on the battlefield. If he could he would've banned them from the event, but even he wasn't that cruel.
"You're beautiful," he heard one of the younger officers say to her. She politely said thank you and looked over the pieces she was playing. "Are you seeing anyone?" He asked anxiously.
She didn't answer, instead distracting him with a question. "Do you know Sergeant Hawthorne?"
"That grump? What would a sweet thing like you want to do with him?"
Her eyes flitted back to him, "Oh he was an acquaintance of mine back in District Twelve. I just wanted to see how he was doing. I haven't seen him since I was seventeen."
"Did you want me to find him before you play?"
The performer considered whether or not she actually wanted to see him and if so when. He was like a dream to her, this handsome boy from the "wrong" part of town. When she was younger she'd play out all the different scenarios of how'd they'd get together. Sometimes Katniss brought her along to a Seam dance and they danced the night away. Other times he left her a note in the basket of strawberries. Nothing ever happened between the two. He was too stubborn to see past her blonde hair and mayor's mansion.
"After." Let him see what she'd made of herself and how she wasn't as selfish as he'd always perceived her to be.
He'd gone. Despite his prenotions about the event and the girl, well she wasn't a girl anymore, about twenty-five now, woman performing.
Even while she gave a heartfelt speech, thanking the men and women risking their lives for the citizens of Panem Gale was rolling his eyes. Her sincerity did nothing for him. She'd always be the rich daddy's girl he'd known in his youth.
He couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe her.
He was wrong.
Even he felt this newfound energy running through his veins, the electricity of the music making everything around him seem brighter and better. Looking around the crowded makeshift concert hall, he could see that everyone felt the same way. Many of the younger soldiers were bouncing on the balls of their feet.
She was amazing, completely and utterly enthralling.
He had imagined stuffy music.
He hadn't imagined her coming onto the makeshift stage and playing songs they'd actually like, songs of freedom, the songs upbeat and fuck he couldn't even describe it. He didn't think they'd be songs that everyone would sing along to, like they were all best friends around a campfire. The songs embodied freedom, embodied the fellowship on the base. They brought back every reason he was still there; still fighting for the daily freedoms he had lived most of his life without.
When one of the guys told him she wanted to see him he practically ran to her temporary living quarters.
He knocked on the door.
The small blonde appeared within seconds, a smile lighting up her face. He could tell that the same energy and electricity was running through her as was him. He could see it in her eyes, in the way her fingers flexed. She looked absolutely breathtaking to him.
They had yet to share a word before Gale collected her face in his hands, lowering his mouth to hers. He tried to show his gratitude and sudden infatuation with her in the kiss. He needed her the same way he needed to breathe. Any woman who could make him feel things like that needed to be gathered in his arms, needed to know how he felt.
It was like she had cast a spell on him. All he could see was her. He could still hear her sweet voice ringing through the air before everyone else joined in.
She responded to the kiss as eagerly as him. He wasn't sure if it was because of the high they were both on, but he couldn't care. He lifted her small body easily, moving them out of the doorway. He sat her down on the dresser, trailing kisses down her neck, sucking gently on the collarbone.
"What is this for?" She asked, breathless.
"A thank you," he murmured against her skin. "You just-You enchant me."