Gale:
I inhaled sharply when I saw Katniss nearing the gate. She looked beautiful as ever and I had to push those thoughts to the back of my mind. She walked up to me slowly and I smiled warily at her. She didn't smile back. This made me swallow in nervousness.
Katniss finally reached me and she whispered somewhat impatiently, "What is it Gale? I can't be long." I swallowed harshly and whispered, "Is there any way we can get past this? Anyway at all?" She raised an eyebrow at me and I couldn't read her like I used to. Even that connection we used to have seemed to have dissipated. She was like a stranger to me now and that made my heart sad.
Katniss said swiftly, "What if it had been Rory, Vick, or Posy? What if it had all been my idea and they had replaced Prim? How would you feel, Gale?" I clenched my fists tightly and I felt my jaw stiffen. It was an automatic defense reaction I'd developed over the years.
I whispered in response, "I wouldn't like it. But what I want to know is, why did you bother to come and see me if you still felt that way? It's been years, Katniss." She looked at me without trying to give away her facial expression. She stared into my eyes and I felt like I was being burnt alive, analyzed with every ounce of her being. She nodded stiffly then, "You're right. I haven't forgiven you…but I don't hate you as much as I used to."
Katniss issued me a small semblance of a smile and I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe we could be friends, even if it was years from now. She sighed dismally and shrugged her shoulders, "I don't think Prim would want this for us, even if she had every right to want to see you in a grave. She would hate to see us in this state. And this might be just about the only reason I can maybe, at some point in time, see us being friends again."
These words made my heart lurch in my chest. I looked up to the heavens and silently thanked Prim for being the kind and caring person she was. I would never have heard these words from Katniss otherwise. I said tentatively, "So…where does that leave us?" We stared out into the forest and I glanced to the side to see her smile briefly before replying, "I think acquaintances. We haven't really had the chance to get to know each other for years. I don't know who you are anymore." I smiled and said jokingly, "I'm the same old Gale I always was." She raised an eyebrow at me and I found myself blushing, "Too soon?" This caused her to laugh and it was like music to my ears, "Way too soon," she replied.
Katniss:
I walked home feeling relieved. This big weight had just been lifted off my chest and I was finally feeling like something was becoming resolved. I walked home happy. Things weren't perfect between Gale and I- not by a long shot. But we were getting there, slowly but surely.
When I got home, I found Peeta sitting with Lil-Rose. It seemed like she had woken up from her slumber as they sat on the couch in the lounge again. She was crying a little and I walked up to him, kissing him on the cheek. He smiled swiftly at me before saying, "Lily isn't calming down. She's been crying since she woke up." I frowned and kissed her forehead gently, staring into her blue eyes. She then smiled automatically at me and the crying ceased. I laughed, "Is she feeling ok? She never stops crying when I'm around?!" This caused Peeta to chuckle and he rolled his eyes, "If only you had come home sooner!"
He handed her to me and I said dumbfounded, "I really can't believe she's ours! We made her!" This caused Peeta to smirk a little and he replied, "You've only just realized this now?"
I laughed happily and shrugged my shoulders, "She's beautiful. I'm glad you convinced me to have children." Peeta smiled and replied warmly, "I think you convinced yourself more than anything else." I stared back at him, as he leant down and kissed my lips gently. I sighed happily and asked, "How did I ever get so lucky to have you?" Peeta chuckled and replied, "We'll never know will we?"
Peeta:
I watched Katniss lying beside me, clothe-less, and I wondered for the millionth time in the life how she managed to love me, after everything she had been through. She could have literally anyone in the whole world and she chose me. I honestly still don't know why. I know she loves me…but she could love anyone.
I thought back to the war and how different she'd been then. So serious! She'd never crack a joke, or smile. She never thought she deserved happiness. I was so pleased this evening when she had admitted to me she was happy. It was everything I'd wanted to hear and more for years. I don't know if it was me or Lily-Rose who made the change…or maybe both…but either way it didn't matter. She was mine and I was hers and that's how it was going to be for the rest of our lives.
A/N: Hi all! Sorry this chapter has taken so long! I was lacking inspiration and I think this is just a bit of a filler chapter for what is to come! Thanks so much to everyone for all of the kind words! It really is truly appreciated.
