A/N: Kind of steamy towards the end - not sure if it classifies an M because I'm not a smut writer (so if you know that stuff lemme know if I should change the rating). Sorry for the lag in update, but here's a longer chapter for you!
oh my love, oh my love will you take me home?
when i'm lost, when i'm lost will you keep me close?
After hugging her mom for a very, very long time and kissing her father on the cheek, Madge climbs into her car to drive to Gale's. She's chosen to wear a dress even though it's freezing outside because she's going to be inside for the party anyway and buildings full of people partying always get really warm. That and because it makes her legs look awesome. She's sure Gale's going to think so too, which is sure to lead to a very hot night.
But when she gets to Gale's she sits in her car for a few minutes, wondering if she should've brought the dress to change into. Will his parents judge her for being in a short, sparkly dress? She gnaws on her bottom lip and considers changing in her car, but that would be even more scandalous if someone was to see. But still, the dress is slightly revealing and she doesn't really want his parents to see her like this. After a bit more of internal debate Madge lets out a long breath. It's too late now, she should just go inside. Finally she straightens up and leaves her car, carefully walking in her heels along the salted sidewalk.
Madge knocks a few times on the door before it's opened, and smiles at Posy on the other end.
"Madge!" she cheers. There's some loud noises in the kitchen that sounds like maybe the dishwasher is being unloaded. "¡Gale, tu novia esta aqui!" Posy opens the door more and waves Madge inside. "You look muy bonita, very pretty!"
"Thank you Posy," Madge says with a smile. She steps inside and shivers a little, thankful that the Hawthorne's home is warm, and smiles when she sees Gale bounding down the staircase. "Hey, you," Madge calls, causing Gale to pause.
"Holy shit," he rasps.
"Gale!"
"Sorry, Pose," he says quickly. Gale races down the rest of the stairs and pulls Madge toward him, cupping both of her cheeks and kissing her deeply. "You look incredible," he breathes, and she smiles. He can't even see her entire dress because of her coat, but she likes the sentiment anyway. Gale kisses her again and she laughs against his mouth. "Okay," Gale pulls back and looks over his shoulder at Posy. "When are you all leaving again?" he asks.
Posy sticks out her tongue. "Ma," she hollers, marching into the kitchen. "Gale wants to know when we're leaving!"
"And why would Gale want to know that?" Hazelle calls back before marching out into the foyer. Hazelle pauses when she sees Madge and places her hands on her hips. A smirk fills her face. "Of course Gale wants to know when we're leaving," Hazelle says. She strides toward Madge and holds her arms out. "You look beautiful, Sweetheart," Hazelle says as she greets Madge with a hug. "We're leaving in about an hour," she says as she parts, shooting a pointed look in her son's direction who's smiling sheepishly from a few steps back. "Not that it matters," she continues, "because you'll be sleeping in Vick and Rory's room, won't you Gale?"
Gale clears his throat and tips his head forward. "Yep," he forces out. That was one of the rules. If Madge is staying the night without any other family in the house, then they're not sleeping in the same room. Hazelle doesn't quite care if they're college adults.
"If you're staying in my house," Hazelle had said when Gale brought it up, "and sleeping under my roof, then those are my rules! ¿Claro?"
So those are the rules. Asher winked from over Hazelle's shoulder, but Gale decided not to mention it.
He steps forward and slides his arms around Madge's waist, propping his chin up on Madge's shoulder. "We'll be good," Madge squeaks out, causing Gale to chuckle. He kisses her cheek and Madge pastes a bright smile on her face at his mother.
"You better be," she scolds them, before smirking again and walking back into the kitchen.
Still, Gale drags Madge up to his bedroom. He hitches her against the door the second it's closed and kisses her deeply. Madge groans into his mouth and wraps her legs around his hips while his hands slide up her calves.
"The dress was a good choice," he breathes before breaking away and peppering kisses down her throat. She unbuttoned her coat as they made their way up the stairs so now that they're alone he can really see how revealing it is. "Easy access." Madge laughs as he wraps his arms around her and carries her to his bed which squeaks as he lays her down. Again he moves to her throat, suckling on the spot below her ear and causing her to gasp.
"Gale!" She reaches down and grabs his head, yanking him up. "Your family is still here!"
Gale groans and pins his forehead to hers. "Yeah, yeah," he murmurs. He bends down and kisses her again. "But tonight…"
"Mm," Madge hums. She closes her eyes, thinking. "Quiero besar todas las partes de cuerpo," she murmurs slowly, as though she's unsure. Gale's eyes nearly bulge out of his body. It takes him a moment to react. I want to kiss you all over your body.
"Holy shit," Gale rasps. Madge grins as he sits up, forcing himself to restrain himself before actually losing his mind. He places his hands behind his head as he leans away just to be sure. "Where did you learn that?"
Madge blushes prettily, still smiling, and shrugs her shoulders. "I, um, looked into some phrases online." Gale groans again, sitting up and scrubbing at his face. "Was that right?" she asked. "I—I didn't know if it would match up." She knows he speaks Spanish, obviously, but isn't sure if it's Mexican Spanish or Spain Spanish or Puerto Rican or anything, and she doesn't know too much about how it all lines up. "But I figured—"
"No, yeah," Gale cuts her off gently. "It was good." Really good.
"There's another," she says. He arches an eyebrow and watches her lick her lips. "Hazme el amor," Madge whispers. Gale lets out a soft breath. Make love to me. But Madge spoke the H in the beginning which is supposed to be silent.
He smiles, turning back to her. "Close," he breathes. "Hazme el amor," Gale repeats. "Hazme." Ahhs-mey. He crawls back toward her, his hands easing up her legs. "And tonight," he exhales. "I am making love to you."
"Hazme el amor," Madge tries again, and Gale nods.
"That's it," he murmurs and she smiles brilliantly. Gale dips back down, kissing her again. "You're gonna kill me, Princess," he tells her. And he doesn't even mind.
More than once Vick remarks, "I can't believe I'm not going to see you until next year!" And soon enough all the kids are piled into the car.
Asher hugs his son last after Hazelle is in the car as well. "I'm not going to say anything to your mother," he says quietly. "But for the love of God, be careful. ¿Bien?"
"Si," Gale nearly groans. "Go," he nudges his father toward the car. "I'm not an idiot, Padre."
"Alcohol makes everyone an idiot," he warns. Asher winks and claps Gale on the shoulder before climbing into the car. He waves at Madge and Gale in the doorway before they drive away.
New Year's Eve parties are strange, Gale thinks, as they arrive at eight o'clock. They go on for literally hours with the sole purpose being waiting until midnight. But when they get there everyone is already drinking, the music is already loud, and Gale is ready to party. Madge shivers, the walk over was a little cold, but smiles once they step inside.
"Do I get to meet your friends?" she asks, and Gale nods as they make their way through the house. They round the corner into a kitchen where there's a group of five people, all who cheer when they spot Gale.
"It's about time you got here, Hawthorne!"
"Gale! It's great to see you!"
"Hey, hey," Gale laughs as the two girls hug him quickly, then he motions back to Madge. "This is Madge," he says to them as she steps forward.
"The girlfriend," one of the boy teases, holding out his hand to greet her. "Nice to meet you."
"This is Doug," Gale says, pointing to the boy who shook Madge's hand. "Richie, Wayne," he says about the other two boys. "Marnie, and Leevy."
"Nice to meet you all," Madge says brightly. "I'll probably forget names, but—"
"Don't worry about it," Wayne stops her, also reaching out to shake her hand. "We'll help you out." He motions to the counter where all of the alcohol is lined up and offers to make Madge a drink, which she agrees to at once. Something sweet, she says, and he gets right to work while Gale catches up with a few his friends.
"Well don't you just look so nice all dressed up," one of the girls says to Gale. Leevy, Madge thinks. She glances over her shoulder as Leevy steps toward Gale and rests her hand on his forearm. "I don't think I remember you looking this nice since my prom," she hums. Madge arches an eyebrow and turns back to Wayne who has a red cup in his hands for her. He makes a face at Madge, detecting he knows she's picked up on Leevy's presence, before passing the cup over.
Madge smiles. "Thanks."
Gale steps past his friends and grabs the cup from her hand, lifting it to take a drink before she can. "Shit, Wayne," Gale says, lowering the cup. "This tastes like gasoline."
"Perfect," Madge says, reaching up to take her cup back. Gale frowns as she takes a drink and remains unflinching at the amount of vodka in the drink. Gale can't keep his frown for long, soon it morphs into a little smile as well. It's going to be a good night.
Peeta and Katniss show up within the hour and even though Gale's friends are very friendly, she's relieved to see familiar faces. She hugs the both of them and tells them where the drinks are, but Peeta hangs back considering he doesn't drink. "Gale's friends are really nice," she tells him, bouncing slightly to the music that's playing in the other room. "But there's this girl, Leevy? She keeps flirting with him."
Peeta smirks. He lifts Madge's cup and takes a whiff, causing him to cough. "Jesus, Madge. How much have you had?"
"Hardly any," she says, waving her hand. "But, I don't know, I have a bad feeling about this girl, Peeta."
He laughs a little. "Gale isn't who he used to be, you know. There's nothing to worry about."
"I'm not worried about him," Madge murmurs. She turns, looking across the room at Leevy who's by the wall. She's talking to the other girl, Marnie, but her eyes are elsewhere. And when Madge follows her gaze she finds it on Gale. Madge takes a big drink from her cup. "I'm worried about her."
Madge finds Gale in the kitchen mixing drinks and approaches him by wrapping her arms around his waist and resting against his back. He spins and smiles at her. "Are you tired?" he asks with a laugh, and she smiles back, shaking her head. "Are you bored?"
"Mm… maybe," she says. Gale turns completely and she climbs her hands up his chest before latching behind his neck. Gale leans down to kiss her before she pulls back a little. "Your friends are nice," she says. Gale pauses, arching an eyebrow in confusion. "Wayne's friendly," she carries on. "He makes good drinks."
"I make good drinks," Gale corrects. "He makes poison."
"And Richie has The Slag Heap on his phone, so I like him too," Madge continues. Gale laughs a little. "But I don't think Lacey likes me very much."
Gale pauses, tilting his head to the side. "Leevy, you mean?"
"Right." Gale tilts his head again and she makes a face. "I thought you went to prom with Katniss?" Madge asks, remembering something Leevy said early. The girl mentioned Gale being dressed up at prom, which sounded odd to Madge.
"I went to Katniss's prom with Katniss," Gale says. "I took Leevy to mine."
"Hmm…" Madge trails off, unsure of what to do with this information. She decides the best approach is to ignore it. "Can you come dance with me?" she asks. Gale narrows his eyes and laughs a little. "I want to get stupid drunk and make out with you," she says.
"I think you're already a little stupid drunk," Gale says with a laugh. He reaches for the counter and grabs his cup, lifting it to his lips to take a quick drink. "I'll find you in a few minutes, yeah?"
"I'll go dance with Katniss, then," she hums. "Pretend like we're at prom." Gale laughs before he pulls her toward him and kisses her quickly. Madge then leaves the kitchen another time, off to find her friend.
Madge is gone for only a few seconds when Leevy walks in. She saunters up to the counter and leans backwards against it, looking in Gale's direction as he adds a little bit more orange soda to his drink. Gale turns his head to look at her and smiles.
Leevy's not a bad person. They dated back in high school but that was years ago. It was brief, it happened after he ended things with Katniss. And maybe she's been his New Year's kiss for the past few years, considering he hasn't had a date to any. Leevy's incredibly beautiful, Gale's not going to deny that, but there's nothing there anymore.
"So you have a date this year," Leevy says. "Leaving me hanging."
"I have a girlfriend this year," Gale corrects. Because he needs that to be very clear. Madge is not just his date, she's his girlfriend. Leevy pouts a little. "In fact I've got to find her before Richie starts hitting on her."
Leevy laughs. "Maybe you should let him." Gale lifts his cup and takes a big drink, arching an eyebrow at her. "Just for fun. See how she takes to it."
And while Gale thinks that might be an interesting move, he doesn't like the feeling in his stomach at that idea. He doesn't like that Leevy's suggested it, he doesn't like the idea of someone flirting with Madge, and he certainly doesn't like the idea that she might flirt back.
"I've got to find her," Gale says another time, tipping his head in Leevy's direction before marching out of the kitchen to find his girlfriend. And when he does she's dancing with Katniss, just as she said she was going to.
Madge slips away right before the ball drops because she has to pee. She's gone maybe five minutes and when she returns she finds Leevy by Gale's side, looking up at him hopefully. Gnawing on her bottom lip Madge lingers back, her eyes on the two of them while she fights some sort of fire in her chest.
Madge has never been jealous before. Not like this. She's never needed to be. But Leevy and Gale clearly have some sort of history she doesn't know about, and like every other girl Gale's been involved with she's drop dead gorgeous. She already fits in with his friend group and she seems to linger by his side so naturally.
She crosses her arms over her chest as Leevy grabs Gale's hand, touching each of his fingers as she says something. Madge feels victorious when Gale jerks his hand away, looking down at Leevy with a frown and shaking his head.
"No," he says, loudly enough that Madge can hear. Leevy looks disappointed but stays by his side and continues to say something else.
Suddenly the room is filled with chanting, they're counting down from 60 and Gale looks up from Leevy almost desperately. When his eyes find Madge's he grins and his entire face lights up. He strides over to her in three long steps and Madge smiles, too.
"There you are," he says. They're not even at 30 seconds yet when Gale bends down, lightly pressing his lips to hers. Madge smiles into his mouth, stepping on her toes to make herself closer. They part around 15 seconds and Gale bumps her nose with his. "Happy New Year," he whispers.
"Happy New Year," she whispers back.
And then his lips are on her again. He tastes like orange soda, and Gale's hand swings around to the small of her back to pull her toward him. They're still kissing when everyone shouts for the new year and silver sparkling confetti is tossed into the air. Gale doesn't pull away until everyone else is finished with their kisses as well. A smile blooms on Madge's face that makes the air rush from Gale's lungs.
"I am so incredibly lucky," Gale murmurs as he tugs Madge into his arms, "to spend tonight with you."
"The year," she corrects into his chest with a smile.
Forever, Gale can't help but think.
With the New Year in full swing, everyone starts taking shots. The only time Gale's ever really seen Madge drunk was the night of her Aunt's wedding, and she got pretty emotional then. But for now she's laughing and cheering with his friends who've welcomed her into their group like she's one of them.
Well, except for Leevy.
Gale's still frustrated with her. Right before the ball dropped she found him in the crowd, asking again if they could share a kiss. Gale reminded her that he has a girlfriend, but she simply shrugged.
"I don't see here anywhere," Leevy said. "It's not going to hurt anyone."
"No," Gale nearly snapped at her. "I love her, okay?"
Leevy looked taken aback at that, murmuring under her breath that she was sorry and she'd leave him alone. That was when Gale found Madge in the crowd and he nearly sprinted to her.
I love her. I love her. I love her. It rang through his head like a song on repeat. He hadn't said it out loud before, he wasn't even sure if he'd thought it? But he needed Leevy to know why he'd never bend, why he kept pushing her away. It was common decency to anyone in a relationship, but he also loves her.
Gale looks at Madge now with a smile on his face as she and Katniss twist their arms together before taking a shot. Katniss makes a face before bursting out in laughter and Madge won't stop bouncing on her toes.
"Gale!" Madge cheers, motioning him over. With a little laugh he strides to his girlfriend. "Take a shot!"
"Mm, okay." Still grinning he pours a shot and takes it quickly – straight vodka – and shudders afterwards.
"Another!"
"Slow down, God of Thunder," Gale teases. Madge is all sunshine right now and he's absolutely adoring it. "I want to be able to live up to that promise I made you earlier." Madge's eyebrows collide instantly. "Mi amor," he reminds her gently.
Madge's eyes widen, remembering the two of them exchanging phrases in Spanish, as Katniss sticks out her tongue at them in disgust. "Save it for the bedroom," she exclaims, a hitch in her voice that allows Gale to know she's plastered.
"I'll slow down," Madge says to Gale, ignoring Katniss who's still fake-gagging to Peeta. She reaches up to him, sliding her hands over the stubble on his cheeks before circling behind his neck and teasing the ends of his hair. "I wanna kiss you all over."
Gale grins, his head a little light from alcohol.
"Ugh," Peeta joins in with Katniss's gagging noises. "Shut up!"
Madge laughs and presses herself on her toes to kiss Gale soundly.
And, okay, they agreed to slow down, but they still do another shot anyway. And the next thing Gale knows they're on a couch in Doug's living room where it's pretty dark and some people are bopping to some distant tune that won't filter through his head. Gale is once again very thankful for Madge's choice in wearing a dress because she's hitched a leg around him and his hands keep teasing their way up her thigh as they kiss.
And they kiss.
And they kiss.
Suddenly Madge murmurs something as Gale suckles on her throat that makes him pause. "What was that?" he breathes, pulling back slightly.
Madge drags her hands through his hair and pulls him up to face her completely. "You're mine," she enunciates clearly. Gale blinks a few times while watching her eyes darken. Her tone is quiet, but demanding. It's an order. "Mine," she says another time, needing him to know this.
Gale isn't sure where it comes from, the forcefulness behind her words, but it sends warmth straight to his groin. She's being possessive. She's claiming him, if only by the way she's looking at him in this moment. And it is so fucking hot.
Gale nods frantically and bends down to capture her lips another time. This time teeth are clashing and Gale groans as Madge moves her hands from his hair to slide under his shirt. Her nails dig into his back and he forces himself to part before he humps her on the goddamn couch.
"Fuck, baby," he breathes as they part. "PDA?" he asks. She's always been against that, right from when they began. Madge shakes her head and pulls him back to her. "Drunk," he rasps, tilting his head slightly. No matter how muddled his brain is from all the alcohol he's had, he knows that Madge is drunk, and so is he, and no matter how much he's enjoying this time on this couch, public displays of affection are not her thing. "Madge," he cups her cheeks and she nearly whines. "We can… we can go somewhere," he says. Katniss and Peeta left ten? twenty? minutes ago, and Gale's house is only right down the road. They could be there in five.
"Who cares," she says, kissing him another time. Gale groans once again and she smiles against his mouth. "I want everyone to know," she whispers. "That you're. Mine." Fuck, he's going to end up grinding into her more than he already is. Doug is going to come and kick them out of his house. "Not hers," she adds breathily.
"What?" Madge kisses him again before she answers, clearly under the influence and feeling the spirit of the New Year. Still, her words are tumbling around in his brain. "Madge," he breaks apart and cups her cheeks another time. "What are you talking about?" She doesn't say anything but her eyes flicker past him briefly. Quickly he glances over his shoulder to see who she was staring at and finds Leevy looking at the two of them with a frown. Gale whirls back around to face his girlfriend. "Are you jealous?" he nearly chokes out.
"Gale…" Madge hesitates and her cheeks turn pink. "I… no, I—"
He cuts her off with a kiss and leans so she's pressed against the side of the couch. He pulls her bottom lip between his teeth and she groans loudly, causing Gale to rock his hips into hers.
"Yours," he pants and suckles along her throat. Madge's eyes are closed and her head is thrown back. "Yours, yours, yours," he repeats it until it doesn't sound like a word anymore. No one else's. A long time ago he might've been with Leevy but that time has passed. He wants nothing more than to be with Madge and only Madge. She grips tightly to his shirt. "Shouldn't be jealous," he forces out, trying to string his words together before saying them but needing her to know. "Pentenezco a ti," he breathes. I belong to you. "Siempre, siempre…"
Madge can't know what he means. She's drunk and she doesn't speak Spanish. But she must know it's important. They're both heaving for air when she forces his forehead to hers.
"We have to get out of here," she exhales. Gale nods in agreement.
Neither of them are entirely sure how they make it back to Gale's house. Sometime while Madge is nibbling his throat he remembers to lock and bolt the door, and together they scamper up the stairs. With a shriek of laughter after kicking off her shoes Gale carries her to his bed.
They tear the clothes off one another without any pretense. Gale's shirt and pants end up on the floor, Madge's dress is pulled up and over her head. Her underclothes match, a soft pink color that make Gale itch to have her closer. He groans as she unclips her bra, sending it into the pile with the rest of their clothes
"Hazme el amor," Madge pants desperately in perfect Spanish. He suckles on her throat as he blindly reaches into his pillowcase for a condom. "Please, Gale," she pleads. With his freehand he reaches down, sliding in between her thighs. It takes a bit of maneuvering to get her panties off but finally she shudders when his fingers part her and moans loudly when he eases inside.
She comes crying his name with an arched back, gripping his sheets to keep herself from floating away. And Gale thinks about having her climb on top but she wants him to make love to her, so instead he takes his boxers off and rolls on a condom and carefully slides inside with her still on her back. Madge gasps as he enters her and he reaches forward, tangling their fingers together while he moves.
It's much more coordinated than last time, even if they are still pretty tipsy. Her eyes are blown and blue and her chest is bright pink. Gale presses a warm kiss between her breasts and Madge bites her lip, tipping her head backwards and exposing her neck to him. "Madge," he breathes as he kisses upwards.
She moans again. Faster. He picks up his pace as she gasps in surprise, in relief.
Just like she did earlier she comes with an exclamation of his name, and then he follows shortly after. A few sweet kisses later Gale peels away to throw away the condom, and by the time he returns Madge is nearly asleep. She smiles at him as she sinks into his pillows. "Mine," she whispers.
Gale grins, climbing into bed beside her. He pulls her flush against him. "Yours," he echoes. "Te amo," he adds a tone softer. But she doesn't respond because she's already asleep. He hasn't felt this content in ages. Like everything is just where it's supposed to be. "Te amo," Gale whispers again before feeling his own eyes get heavy. I love you. And I'll tell you soon.
A/N: Sorry it's been so long! Every time I went to post I was like "well New Years is actually coming up... I should just wait!" but I was having a bad day and decided to get this done, so I hope you like it! Happy holidays, everyone!