Hi! Sorry this took so long to update. I had the chapter written out but when I was editing it, I just didn't like how it flowed so I took some more time to work on it. I hope you enjoy!
Warnings: BoyxBoy/sexually explicit situations
After thinking for a while about what he should do, Gale eventually just gave up and decided he would just go and talk to Peeta. He exited the kitchen and went upstairs to Katniss's room, wondering if Peeta would be asleep. Surprisingly he wasn't there. Gale got a sudden pang of nervousness at this, and immediately began walking through the house trying to find his friend. Eventually he burst into a bedroom he hadn't been in before, and found Peeta sitting on the floor next to a bed.
Peeta looked up at Gale, but said nothing. He had slowly been inheriting Katniss's indifference to life since her passing, and it was making Gale more and more worried. The blond hadn't smiled ages, and he had dark circles under his eyes. His eyes were constantly tired, and his voice was never more than barely a whisper.
Immediately trying to put on an act of indifference himself, Gale said, "Oh uh...there you are." He looked around at all the photographs around Peeta, "What are you doing?"
"Trying to remember." Peeta whispered, watching Gale as he walked over to him and took a seat beside him on the floor. "This was my parents room. I found some old photo albums."
Gale picked up a few photos, seeing some people he recognized as Peeta's family or people around the district. "Remember what?"
Peeta sighed and rested his head against the mattress behind him, "Remember if there was a time in my life when everything wasn't just miserable."
Resisting the urge to pull Peeta into a hug, Gale shook his head and said, "Things will get better Peet." But the blond just shook his head at his friends words and went back to looking at the pictures.
"Do you miss them?"Gale asked, picking up a photo of Peeta's mother when she was married. He could tell it was their wedding day when he saw her exchanging bread with the man Gale knew very well to be Peeta's father. He knew what a luxury it must have been to have these photos, since barely anyone owned a camera. But Peeta's mother was scowling into the photo, and Gale thought it was such a waste for her to do so with something so precious.
"Sometimes." Peeta answered quietly. He was silent for a while as Gale went through the photos, then said, "I'm sorry...about what I said to Katniss's mother-"
"Don't apologize. You were right." Gale interrupted, not even looking at Peeta as he found another picture. It was of the bakery when it first opened. But that wasn't what Gale was looking at. Instead, in the window, Gale could see a reflection. It was Katniss and Prim standing in a crowed of onlookers regarding the store. She still had the same serious look on her face, even though her mother and father were both standing behind her.
"Was she ever happy?" Gale whispered, and held out the picture to Peeta, pointing to the girl. Going back to Peeta's comment, Gale continued, "You were right to say what you did. She was never there for Katniss the way she deserved to have a mother be there for her." He took a deep breath, knowing it was now or never, "And...you were right. About Katniss. She didn't want to go on. She didn't want to live."
Peeta looked up at Gale, "I've never wished to have been more wrong in my life." He said, his voice full of sadness.
Gale looked back at Peeta, then slowly held out his hand and grasped his friends, "I spoke to her...the night before she...after the wedding."
Peeta lifted up his eyes from where they were staring at Gales hand touching his, saying, "What?"
Letting out a sigh, he said, "She seemed almost...coherent. She...I think she wanted me to know that she didn't want to try anymore. That...no matter what we did...this was her choice."
But those blue eyes filled with confusion, "What? I don't understand." Peeta took his hand away, "What are you talking about?"
"When everyone was asleep, she woke me up. Told me...she asked me if everything was gone...but I told her it wasn't. I told her I was there and you were there. That she belonged and we would take care of her and love her." Gale shook his head, "But she just...didn't care. She said it was her choice. Then...she said good bye."
"So you knew what she was going to do?" Peeta shot at Gale, his voice trembling with anger. But the brunette shook his head.
"Of course not! If I did I would have tied her to the bed and locked her door and never let her out again." Gale ran frustrated hands through his hair, "She wanted to die Peeta. She didn't want to live without Prim...she made her choice." Gale looked up at the boy, "She said good bye to you. She said she loved you. And that...she was sorry."
Peeta sucked in an angry breath, "What about me Gale? I didn't get to say good bye." He shot to his feet, "You should have known." He yelled, "You should have stopped her-"
But Gale got to his feet as well, "Do you really think I would have been able to stop her if I knew...which I didn't. And you know what else she told me? That she wanted you to live your life. That she would never be sane enough for you. And she was right Peeta. You deserve better than this."
"I didn't care." Peeta shot back, "Who else do I have Gale? My family is dead. Haymitch is useless And you-" Peeta stopped, sucking in a breath and started to turn away.
"What?" Gale said, stepping dangerously close to Peeta as he reached out to grab the blonds arm, "What Peeta?" Gale asked again at Peeta's silence, turning the boy so that they were facing each other. He grasped on tight to Peeta's arms, desperate to get this out so that they didn't part on bad terms.
"You're leaving." Peeta whispered, looking up with his eyes filled with tears, "You'll be gone Gale. Back to your amazing life in District Two. And I'll be here in this damn house alone." He shuddered, "And as much as it kills me to see you leave, I want you to go."
Hurt seared through Gales heart as he took in Peetas words, "Y-You want me to leave?"
"You are meant for so much more than this awful place Gale. You had your whole new life back in District Two. And I dragged you back here." Peeta shook his head. "It was a mistake."
Gale let go of Peetas arms, never realizing how much power the boy had to hurt him. "Because of Katniss?" Gale said, his voice dangerously low. He couldn't stand it if Peeta truly blamed him for Katniss death. He couldn't take another death on his conscience. He just couldn't.
But Peeta shook his head, looking up at Gale with pleading eyes, "No. I-I don't blame you for that. I'm sorry." He shook his head, "I never should have said that."
"Then what?" Glae shot at the boy, frustration and longing tangled heavily in his chest and in his words, "Why did you say it was a mistake?"
Peeta tried shaking his head, and muttering, "Never mind." But Gale wouldn't let it go.
"Damn it Peeta. Why?"
"B-Because..." Peeta started, then stopped. He bit his lip and tired again, "Because...I never-I never thought that-it-that I-" he stopped again and shook his head.
Gale stepped forward, whispering, "What Peeta? You never thought what?"
Peeta backed up like a frightened child, but stopped when his back suddenly connected unexpectedly with the wall. He looked at Gale who was advancing on him, invading his personal space to trap him with a whisper, "What Peeta?" Gale placed his hands up against the wall beside Peeta's head. He leaned in close, their noses almost touching. Peeta wasn't getting away, no matter what.
Swallowing, Peeta looked away and closed his eyes tight, finally answering, "I never thought it would hurt so much to watch you go." His words were just barely above a whisper, but he couldn't bring himself to look at Gale.
Those words hit Gale like a truck. He blinked a few times, letting them settle in his mind. He brought a hand up to place a knuckle under Peeta's chin, lifting the boy's face so they could see eye to eye. But Peeta kept his eyes closed, unable to look at Gale.
"Peeta." Gale whispered, "Open your eyes."
Peeta let out a soft whimper that twisted Gales heart. He repeated himself, a little firmer, "Open. Your. Eyes."
Breathing in heavily through his nose, Peeta suddenly opened his eyes wide, giving Gale a full view of those blue eyes he had fallen hard for.
Placing both his hands on Peeta's cheeks, he used his thumbs to wipe away the two trails of tears that had begun leaking out of Peeta's eyes.
"Peeta." Gale whispered once more, loving how the word sounded on his tongue.
Before Peeta could respond, Gale leaned forward and gently pressed his lips against Peeta's.
The blond let out another whimper of surprise, this time the sound going straight to Gales neither regions. When Peeta didn't pull back or try and break the kiss, Gale stepped forward, placing his body up against Peeta's. He was in heaven. He couldn't imagine this ever being better than it was, and he never wanted it to stop.
Soon the gentle kiss turned stronger and with more passion. Gale nibbled gently on Peeta's lower lip as each boy began running their hands along the others backs and arms.
But suddenly Gale pulled back, but not far since Peeta grasped onto him. Breathing hard, the blond said, "What? Whats wrong?"
"Is-I don't-is this to soon? Because...because of-" Gale didn't want to say it. He couldn't bring himself to say her name at this moment, but he needed to know. The last thing he wanted to do was damage Peeta even more.
Peeta brought a hand up to Gales face and said, "Katniss and I ended a long time ago. Long before you came back." He ran his fingers up through Gales hair and rested his trembling hand on the back of Gales head, "I've been wanting to kiss you since you first walked through my door."
Smiling Gale leaned forward again, attaching his lips to Peeta. He slid his hands down and grasped the boys bottom, then hoisted him up. Peeta let out a small, "Eeep!" of surprise, and wrapped his arms around Gales waist.
"I-ugh, Gale-" Peeta moaned as Gale pushed Peeta up against the wall, then ground his hips into Peetas, kissing him fiercely. They both could feel the others strong erections, which only increased their desire for the other.
Gale then turned them around and walked to the bed, laying Peeta down on it. Crawling onto the bed, Gale kissed Peeta again, but soon moved onto Peeta's neck while simultaneously running his hands up and down Peeta's chest.
Gale pulled back just enough to take off his shirt, then help Peeta with his, before their lips met again. Tongues battled, teeth clashed, their heavy breathing loud in the room. Both sought each other for the release that they so desperately craved.
Gale placed a hand between Peetas legs and rubbed gently, earning a loud moan from the blond. "You like that baby?" Gale whispered in Peetas ear before nibbling gently on the lobe, "You want me to touch you more?"
"Please." Peeta whimpered, and Gale had to place his own free hand on his own member to keep his lust down. Peetas face was flushed and his lips cherry red from their kisses, and it took all of Gales strength to not just tear Peeta apart right now whenever he made that sexy whimper.
"Wait." Peeta said, sitting up suddenly. Gale frowned, worried that Peeta was suddenly changing his mind, but Peeta looked nervous as he spoke.
"I-uh...I don't know...can...can we even do this?"
Gale blinked a few times, confused. If it wasn't Katniss...then what else could be wrong? "What do you mean?"
Biting his lip, Peeta shyly said, "We...we're both guys. I mean...we...we can both...you know...touch each other. B-But-I...we can't like...have sex like you do with a girl. And-And I-I don't know if you're okay with...that..." Suddenly Peeta stopped, confused when Gale began smiling wide and started chuckling a bit.
"Why are you laughing?" Peeta said, frowning and folding his arms.
"Because you are so damn adorable I can hardly stand it." Gale answered, running his hands through Peeta's blond locks and kissing the pout that had made it's way onto his love's lips.
"Stop it. I'm not adorable. And I'm being serious-!" But Peeta's words were cut off with another kiss from a smiling Gale.
When the hunter pulled back he said, "I know. That's what's so adorable." He began pushing Peeta back down on the bed, continuing, "Let's just say that I've learned a few things in District Two. So don't worry about a thing okay Peet?"
"But-" Peeta started when his back connected with the soft pillows, but Gale placed a finger on Peeta's lips, whispering, "Shhh."
Gale kissed Peeta once more, and when he pulled back he said, "Let me take over okay? Just relax." Gently tracing the erection pushing against Peeta's pants, Gale whispered, "Do you want me to take care of you baby?"
"Please." Peeta begged, bucking his hips up into the hunter's touch. Gale slid his hands along Peeta's hips, then hooked his fingers into Peeta's pajama bottoms, taking off his boxers and pants at once. Peeta gasped as the cold air hit his body, and he suddenly realized he was completely naked in front of Gale.
Instinctively he went to cover himself, but Gale saw what he was about to do and quickly grabbed his wrists.
"Don't ever hide form me." Gale demanded, his voice fierce. He didn't move until Peeta let out a shuddering, "I wont." Then he pulled Peeta's arms back above him, and kissed him deep and passionately.
Eventually he let go and began kissing his way down Peeta's chest and abdomen, and eventually reaching the sweet spot he so desperately wanted.
Peeta sucked in a breath as he watched Gale's movements. When he saw the boy getting lower and lower, he said, "Gale. Gale what are you doing?" His eyes grew wide when he put two and two together, and jerked out, "Wait! Wait! Is-that what-" But before he could finish, Gale's mouth took in Peeta's member. At the sudden warmth surrounding him, Peeta's stuttered out, "Y-You-you don't have to-oh God." He finished as Gale ignored his words by licking a long stripe up Peeta's hardened member with his tongue. Peeta grabbed the sheets in pleasure as Gale continued licking, then soon closing his mouth again on the pink tip. Trying to even his breathing, Peeta felt his head swim with pleasure. He pried open his eyes to watch Gale continue his actions, now bobbing his head at an even pace. The sight was just as amazing as it felt.
But Peeta could feel a burning pleasure in his stomach all to soon. He tried to keep it at bay, but it hit him fast and before he could stop himself he cried out, "Ah! Gale! I-it's-I can't stop-." He reached up a hand and placed it on Gales shoulder to try and pull Gale off, but to his surprise Gale took him in deeper, sucking hard as Peeta released himself Gales mouth.
Sucking in giant breaths of air, exhaustion waved over him, and Peeta whispered, "That was amazing."
Smiling, Gale let go of Peeta and sat up. He and crawled over to the trembling boy, capturing his mouth in another passionate kiss that went straight to Peeta's soul. "Just wait till you see what else I can do." Gale whispered, wrapping his strong arms around Peeta and pulling him close. Peeta shivered in anticipation at Gale's words.
Soon Gale pulled away, and ran a hand through Peeta's hair. He could see the exhaustion in the boys eyes, and whispered, "Go to sleep Peeta."
Peeta shook his head, trying to sit up, "N-no, What about you-?" But his words were cut off with another kiss as the hunter rolled Peeta back onto the bed. Gale was certainly growing to love this act of silencing Peeta.
"Shh." Gale whispered when he pulled away. He slipped of his jeans, leaving him completely naked with his manhood erect and very noticeable. Peeta blushed at the sight as Gale pulled back the sheets to usher Peeta and he under them. When they were situated, Gale wrapped his strong arms around the boy once again, pulling Peeta's back close to his chest.
"A-are you sure?" Peeta sleepily asked, feeling Gale's erection behind him as they snuggled close.
In response, Gale nipped Peeta lightly on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry baby. I'll get mine soon enough. Go to sleep."
Peeta nodded, and before he could even think about protesting again, sleep grasped him tight and he fell over into the darkness, for once without worry of any nightmares coming for him while he was protected by Gale.
Finally! I hope you all enjoyed!