Early A/N: Note that there are usually months in between each chapter. It's there in the text! This is not all happening in like a week haha.
He decides to tell her their plan.
The miners had agreed to keep everything below the radar, were advised not to talk about it above ground where there were always people watching and listening. But he has to tell her.
It's after dinner and the two are curled up on the couch. Madge has her nose in a book and is squinting to read the words. There isn't much light outside and the candles are down to their ends. His fingers trace circles on her hips and she rests against him, in her own little world that he hates to have to interrupt.
"Madge," Gale murmurs. She doesn't respond right away, her eyes darting up toward him before back down to the book. She makes some sort of noise that suggests he should wait a minute, and then Madge finally looks up for good. "You might want to close that."
"I'm almost done this chapter," she says. But when his eyes harden she nods, quickly placing her bookmark between pages and letting it shut. "What's wrong?"
"Why do you always assume something's wrong?"
"Is something not wrong?" she asks. Gale smirks and Madge sighs, inching closer to him.
"It's not necessarily wrong," he says. Not really. It's not… smart, probably. But it's not wrong. In fact, this feels very right. "Remember how the mines collapsed a few weeks ago? Killed those three guys?" Hesitantly, Madge tips her head forward. Her eyes are filled with concern, her lips slightly parted. "All of us down in the mines, we didn't think… we don't think it's fair how they treated their families. Barely any compensation. Nothing to really help them on their feet, you know? They all had families."
"What are you getting at?" she whispers, leaning to place her book on the coffee table.
Gale stretches his hand forward and gently curls his finger through her hair. Outside it's starting to warm up a bit, winter is melting and grass is sprouting in the dirt walkways of the Seam. Along with the new season Madge is different too, her eyes a bit more blue, her cheeks a little more pink. It's as though she's coming back to life again as well, finally adjusting to the changes of the Seam and embracing it as her home.
"We've got a plan," Gale says.
"A plan for what?" He sighs again, dropping his hand from her hair. It's complicated. The whole thing is complicated and he's not even sure why he agreed to it. "Is this why you've been coming home late?" Madge asks. "You and… and the miners. You've been planning something."
He hated sneaking around her back, should've known she noticed. At least her thoughts hadn't strayed to something more unfavorable than this. Or maybe they had, but with the admittance of this plan she's realized it can't have been true.
"If something happens to me down in the mines, Madge, I've gotta know you're being looked after. Taken care of."
"Gale—"
"It could happen any day," he blurts. All of a sudden he can't keep the urgency from his voice, the desperation that she needs to understand him. "Me dying. At any moment, and if it does I need to go knowing that you—"
"It's not going to happen," Madge nearly cries. Her voice shakes and her hands slip up to his cheeks, forcing him to look down at her. "It was one little collapse, Gale. You're not going to die any day!"
"I could," he murmurs. Her head shakes but he nods carefully. "You know it, don't even try to deny it." It's not something the two have really talked about, how every day when the elevator lowers into the ground he's putting his life at risk. Whether it be they haven't thought it necessary or they're both avoiding it, Madge and Gale both know any day could be his last. "So we came up with this plan."
Madge pulls away from him and swats at her eyes. "Well what is it?" He can tell she's trying not to cry, trying not to get too worked up. "This brilliant idea."
"We're going on strike," he whispers. She's shaking her head immediately, staring at him with sharp blue eyes and a worry line that makes him sweat. "Madge, just listen to me—"
"You are not going to go on strike, Gale Hawthorne," she nearly growls. "They'll kill you for that!"
He groans, "They're already killing us!" Gale grabs both of her hands with his and squeezes tightly. "They treat us like dirt. Shitty hours, crappy pay. There're hardly any protection policies for us in place! If we get hurt down there, if we die it's our fault." Madge's eyes are filling with tears at this point and she inhales sharply. "If we don't make a stand, if we don't work for a change then there's never going to be one."
"There are other ways," she chokes. "Resolutions, laws, bills…"
"Madge, baby," Gale continues to shake his head. "You know that's not gonna work. If it could be resolved that easily then it would've been done by now." His eyes drop down to her stomach. They've been trying for months now for a kid and there's still nothing. "When we get that family we're working for Madge everything's going to change." And now Madge is shaking her head, unable to look at him. "Like hell I'd leave you and our kids alone in this world without a chance to defend yourselves, to grow."
"You won't," she croaks.
Now instead of her cupping his cheeks it's the other way around. "I know. Because we're doing the strike." Her chin quivers and he wipes under her eyes with his thumbs. "We need to show them that we won't stand for this."
"They'll kill you," she whimpers. "Gale, please—"
"They're not going to kill me," he reassures her. "They're not going to kill any of us. We're just going to change things." Gale bends down so his lips can graze hers. "This'll be good, Madge. I swear. It's about time we started changing things around here."
Madge squeezes her eyes shut but hesitantly tips her head forward. "I just don't want to lose you," she whispers. He kisses her again and feels it in his stomach. "When is it? This strike you're talking about?"
"We're still setting a date," he tells her.
"You should wait for it to warm up some more," she says. Her eyes flutter open and her eyelashes are wet. "That way people won't need the coal to keep their houses warm. You know they'll send the coal to other Districts before keeping it here." Gale tips his head forward, he can agree with that. He'll bring it up at the next meeting. "Gale," she reaches forward and tugs on his shirt. "What if they punish all the protestors?"
"They'll be punishing everyone."
"You know how corrupted our government is. They would do it." Gale frowns but Madge only pulls him closer. "What if they take everyone to the whipping post? Ten lashes each?"
"I've had 40."
"And nearly died," she grumbles. Her hands bunch his shirt. "I just don't want you to get hurt. Promise me you won't get hurt?" And again, he kisses her, nodding his head forward.
"I promise."
Madge is highly distracted through her lecture. She trails off and forgets what she's already said and students end up pointing out that she's repeating herself multiple times. Finally Madge decides to stop talking and have them read from their books instead, giving her some time to think.
How stupid can Gale be? If only she knew what to say to talk him out of it, she would. Doesn't he understand how dangerous this is going to be? A strike? If all goes well the miners will end up with the same hours and the same pay, if it goes to hell… she doesn't want to think about that.
But Madge knows that it isn't going to get any better. It can't. She lived in the mayor's house for the entirety of her life, listening through doors at conversations about these sorts of things. There isn't going to be a change because the President has District 12 exactly where he wants them.
At the end of the day while Madge is cleaning her chalkboard and focusing on the dust particles that dance around her, she feels the air shift. Someone clears their throat and she tenses up before slowly turning around with a smile.
"Mr. Wentworth," she says brightly. The overseer of education is back, his thick square glasses making his face seem disproportionate and his hair filled with so much gel she's sure she could squeeze some of it out. "How are you? I hadn't known you'd be stopping by."
"We've just passed the halfway mark of the school year," he says, marching into her classroom a bit. "I always visit then."
"Of course," she nods. Madge lowers the chalkboard eraser and goes over to shake his hand. "It's always a pleasure," Madge lies. Just the sight of this man makes her sick. He has too much power and will use it whenever he so pleases. "Have you seen the other teachers already?"
"Yes, you're last on my list. I still have you penciled in as Undersee so you're at the bottom. I truly must change that one of these days." His grip is strong and her fingers turn white. To mask her pain her smile only widens. "How is the husband doing?"
"Wonderful as always," she says. "Enjoying spring."
"I can imagine," Mr. Wentworth nods. He gestures to her desk. "Mind if we sit?" Quickly Madge scurries across the room, placing herself behind her wooden desk and sitting up straight, waiting for him to sit across from her. "I've looked over the results of the midway tests for your class and they're higher than they've ever been, Mrs. Hawthorne. I want to say how impressed I am."
"I value the education of my students," she says. "Whatever must be taught I make sure they know it."
"I'm well aware." He fingers through the file in his hands and smiles coldly. "Impressive. Very impressive." She doesn't quite know what he's referring to she only straightens her posture, smiling a bit brighter. "You see, Mrs. Hawthorne, there's always been something I've liked about you."
"That's very kind."
"Not only are you such a zealous teacher but the way you present yourself is incredible." Madge feels her heart stuttering nervously in her chest. "Perhaps it has to do with the fact that you were raised in the mayor's household. How is your father?"
"We haven't spoken recently," she says, "but I'm sure he's fine. Very busy, as always."
"Yes, yes. You've learned a lot about presentation from him, I'm sure."
"I was educated in diplomatic arts as well as public speaking," Madge says. "He wanted me to take over his role of the mayor when I was younger and taught me very much about presentation. So yes, I learned a lot from him."
"And that's why I think you're perfect for the job."
Madge pauses. "The job?" Not mayor, she hopes? Are they going to kick her father out of office? Do they need someone else? "What job?"
"As you're well aware, Mrs. Hawthorne, I'm the overseer of education for all of Panem. The overseer of education for District 12 has fallen ill and we're not sure he will be recovering." Mr. Yeun? How did Madge not know about this? She hardly speaks with the man, sure, but she's sure she would've known if he had fallen ill. "We're looking for a replacement."
"Oh," she exhales. "And you think I could do it?"
"Perhaps," Mr. Wentworth nods. There's a look in his eyes that isn't friendly. "You already know what a government job is like having spent so much time with your father, I'm sure you would take Mr. Yeun's place with ease."
Madge blinks rapidly and tips her head forward. Of course she knows what comes with a government job. A house in town. A hefty pay. A camera in every room that monitors your behavior. A mask that everything is okay when you're really just a puppet on a string.
"This isn't an offer, Mrs. Hawthorne," Mr. Wentworth says, "we're just making conversation. Of course, however, I'd ask you to think about it in case an offer ever does appear."
"Absolutely," she croaks.
She decides not to tell Gale about what her overseer has said to her. He's too preoccupied as it is with his plans of striking and she doesn't want to distract him more. Maybe after the whole mess Mr. Wentworth will realize she's not cutout for the job after all and leave her alone.
"Madge, baby," Gale wraps his arms around her waist as she washes the dishes. "You're distracted about something. I was hoping you'd bring it up but I know you won't. So I'll ask. What's wrong?"
"You and that dumb strike," she blurts, though it isn't necessarily true. Gale smiles into her neck and presses a kiss to her throat. "How am I not supposed to be distracted?"
"Mmm," he sighs and tightens his hold, and Madge lets the bowl she's working on sink into the sudsy water. "You've got nothing to worry about. Landon's got it under control."
"Gale," she sighs too. "He's barely two years older than you. What makes you so sure he knows what he's doing?" He spins her in his grasp and watches as she looks up at him. "Will you at least tell me when you're doing it?"
"You'll just worry more," he hums. "And the last thing I need is you getting gray hair." Madge frowns and he smirks, leaning down and quickly pressing his lips to hers. "Can we not talk about that? I feel like it's all you want to talk about these days." Her fingers find his belt loops and he smiles wickedly. "That's not what I meant but I mean—"
Madge rolls her eyes as she presses herself on her toes to kiss him, cutting off his words. "It's all I want to talk about because I worry about you." She kisses him again. "Because I love you. And if I woke up one day and you weren't there hogging all of the blankets I haven't the slightest idea what I'd do." Gale grins and tugs her away from the sink. The two release their holds on each other and their hands find one another, linking carefully as he pulls them to sit on the couch. "What do you want to talk about?" she asks him.
"I want you to play me that song," he says. "The one you were writing."
Madge frowns. "It's not done."
"Fine," Gale frowns too. "Then I want you to tell me what it sounds like."
Madge lets out an airy laugh. "That's a ridiculous request and you're beating around the bush." Gale cocks an eyebrow and Madge shrugs. "You say you know when I'm distracted. I know when you're lying." One of her hands trails up his chest. "It's what we do, Gale."
Gale smiles crookedly and shrugs too. The mask he had been wearing fades slightly and he drops his gaze to her stomach, only to look back up and meet her eyes.
"Has anything… changed?" he asks. He looks back down at her stomach but this time doesn't look up. "We've been trying for months, now."
"Gale," she traces her hand up his neck and cups his cheek carefully. Her other hand finds his and squeezes tightly. "The second I know anything I'll tell you. But for now, no. Nothing's changed." He lets out a deep breath and finally nods, looking back up toward her. "It'll happen when it's supposed to happen," she tells him. Her eyes drop down to where his hand has crept up to rest on her stomach. "Until then…"
"What if we can't?" Gale asks. She looks back at him instantly, finding true panic in his gaze. "What if you can't get pregnant or I can't—" he cuts himself off trying to swallow. His gray eyes swim with true fear and Madge can't help but scoot onto his lap. "Madge," he croaks. Gale rests his forehead on her shoulder and squeezes her body against his. "God knows I love you. I do, so damn much. But before you all I wanted was a family, and it seems like—"
"We'll have one," she quietly promises. He lets out a shaky breath and nuzzles into her neck. "I want a family too," she whispers. It's spring, she wants to say. With spring comes new life. Maybe that means, maybe the two of them… she forces his chin up and gives him a deep kiss, shuddering when he sighs her name into her mouth. "C'mon," she parts, breathless. "Let's go to bed."
"Bed?" he asks with an eyebrow high.
"Yes," she nods. "Take me to bed, Gale." He chuckles briefly before kissing her again. Gale scoops her into his arms and she wraps her hands behind his neck, giggling as they move off to the bedroom.
It's become a sort of habit for Wesley to walk home with Madge after school. He's more open now that a few months have passed, puts more trust in her than he did that very first night. Unlike the cold, sharp kid she first met he's much more pleasant now. He smiles and laughs and talks abundantly about the things he likes to do.
She first noticed the change after he sat with Gale and Madge during the winter recital. Madge watched him gaping at Posy on stage, how her fingers tapped out such a beauteous tune. Posy always seemed to get a standing ovation but Wesley was most definitely the first one on his feet that time.
Now that it's warming up Wesley is once again in a better mood. "There're a few kids in my class who wanna play kickball today," he tells Madge. "They invited me. Cool, huh?"
"I was never any good at sports," Madge says, "but that does sound cool. Have you played before?"
Wesley shakes his head and lets his hair fly too. "My mom doesn't like it when I go out." Madge waits a moment, chewing on her lip. "But I really want to go, so I'm gonna go. Is that okay? Do you think that's okay?"
"I'm sure she'll understand," Madge nods. Wesley smiles brightly. "Is that all you're doing today? Kickball?"
"Nah, I'm going to Posy's to study," Wesley says.
Madge bites back her smile and asks, "What are you studying?"
"Oh. Nothing." She nudges him with his elbow and Wesley laughs. "It's nothing, Madge!"
"When'd you start calling me Madge?" she questions with a laugh of her own.
"When Posy said it was weird that I called you Mrs. Hawthorne," he answers immediately. The two reach their point on the walk where they split paths and Madge pauses a moment. She looks down at Wesley with his bright green eyes and dark hair and smiles. "If I tell you what we're studying you can't tell anyone, alright?" There's no joking to his tone and it shocks Madge into a silence. She nods and rocks on her heels. "It's not really studying at all."
"Wesley Beau if you and Posy are sneaking around and you expect me not to tell her mother then you—"
"Madge!" His cheeks turn pink and he looks down at his feet. "Calm down!" Madge lets out a deep breath and crosses her arms over her chest. "We're not doing… that… whatever that is that you're thinking." Oh, she's going to tell Gale anyway. She has to. If anything he'll get a kick out of it.
"Well if you not doing that," she mimics his voice, "then what—"
"We're trying to figure out who my dad is," he says quietly. "I thought maybe you could help."
A/N: Lots of little things going on! Woohoo! I love subplots and main plots and revolutions and how this will all eventually tie together. Sorry it takes me eight years to update between chapters haha. I love you all and hope you're still enjoying the story! Lots of love.
