DISCLAIMER: HG CHARACTERS DO NOT BELONG TO ME
They sat on the steps of the cold stairwell, arms around each other, lips hungrily devouring each other. They had kissed before back in District 12 but never like this, this was a different kind of desperation, a different kind of passion.
Ten minutes had passed but it seemed like only a few seconds. It was dark on the stairwell, the only light coming dimly from above. They break away from each other as soon as they hear the sound, a door banging shut loudly beneath them. "Come on" Gale whispers in her ear as he grabs her hand as they stealthy go out the door nearest to them.
They come out near the cafeteria, they hide in total silence for what seems like an eternity, finally Gale whispers, "I think we can head back to the stairwell now".
They slowly open the stairwell door and once inside, quickly make their way back downstairs and back onto their floor. Gale walks Katniss back to her room and before they part he says, "Katniss-what happened back there-" but before he could finish she raises her hand to his lips and embraces him.
He hugs her back and she abruptly pulls away and goes inside.
Katniss's thoughts return to the present, to Gale angrily looking at her, waiting for an answer. Knowing that she owes him an explanation she says, "You think I am avoiding you."
"I don't think, I know you are."
"It's not like that."
"I don't believe you. Ever since you saw that video of Peeta you have only focused on him."
She opens her mouth to reply, but then stops herself. The day after their kiss she went to District 12 to get her things and Buttercup then later on that day she sees the video of Peeta and Caesar. While her feelings for Gale were as strong as they were the day she left District 12 for the second time there was no denying she had feelings for Peeta too. The last kiss they shared on the beach was for once, not for the cameras.
"You don't understand, I made a deal with Haymitch, Peeta was supposed to live."
"They couldn't get everyone out, they only had so much time."
"I know, I just-I should have listened to Peeta when he said we shouldn't have split up that day".
"Because he'd be here with you now."
She nods in response.
"And where would that leave us" he asks.
She contemplates a response; would she have kissed Gale like that if Peeta had gotten to District 13 safely? She thinks about how she felt when she kissed Gale and when she kissed Peeta and suddenly, she knew the answer.
Gale looks at her impatiently, she's not used to seeing him this way, his jealousy on full display.
She leans in and begins to kiss him, but he does not kiss her back and pulls away.
"I knew you would do that" he says, anger still in his voice.
Confused, she blurts out "How? I didn't-"
"Because I'm in pain, it's the only way I can get your attention".
She doesn't know what to say, realizing that her plan to show him her feelings with affection backfired.
"Don't worry Katniss, it'll pass" he says bitterly and gets up and walks out of the supply closet.
She is too stunned to go after him and sits alone in the dark instead.
The next day he eats breakfast with his family, ignoring her. Knowing she has to make things right with him, she approaches him as he exits the cafeteria.
"Gale, can we talk? Please?"
"I have a combat class I have to get to".
"Can we meet up later then?"
He sees the look of desperation on her face and his tone softens as he says, "I have fifteen minutes".
She nods as they begin walking, trying to find a private area to talk, as private as they can in this strange place.
Once they find a secluded area, Katniss turns to him says, "You know I am no good with stating my feelings".
He snickers and says, "Yeah"
"Then you'll know what I'm about to say is the truth".
He takes in her words then says, "Yeah"
"The truth is, before I blew up the arena I had-a-moment with Peeta".
"I know, I saw it".
"When we talked yesterday, I realized, that my feelings for you and Peeta are different."
He remains silent, encouraging her to continue.
"Peeta is so-good-so kind. In many ways he reminds me of Prim. I feel like he represents the light I need to get me through my deepest despair."
He gets a concerned look on his face, not liking where this conversation is heading.
"He gave me this" she takes out the pearl and shows it to him.
"What are you saying?" his voice timid.
"I do have feelings for him. Because of all we have been through, because of what he had done for me before the games. But, with you-it's different. You have a fire raging inside you. Sometimes I think I'm the only one who understands it. I have it too, but-Peeta inspires me to be the person I want to be. I need-hope".
"There will be more hope when we attack the Capitol, when we-" but she raises her hand to stop him from saying anything more.
"Please Gale-I need-we are never going to work if all that we focus on is our hatred for the Capitol".
Not believing the words coming out of her mouth, he finds himself repeating, "what are you saying?"
"I want-I need you with me. Peeta helped me at a time when I needed it most-but you and me-we have something I could never have with anyone else. We've always taken care of each other's family because we know what its like to lose someone important in ours. We have-had-a place that was just ours. And when I'm with you-that fire that we have-turns into a passion I didn't know could exist. But-it can't just be fire and passion, we need to be on the same page about this rebellion, how it is going to go."
"So that means-"
"I'm going to tell Coin today I'll be her Mockingjay, if she agrees to my demands".
"Which are?"
"Complete immunity for Peeta, Joanna, and the other victors. Buttercup stays, I kill Snow, and that you and I get to hunt above ground".
"What if she doesn't agree?"
"Then I'm not going to be her Mockingjay."
He nods his head, taking in her words. "I don't know if I can ever stop hating the Capitol Katniss, what they did to me that day in the square-".
"I'm not asking you to forgive and forget-just to focus on the future-together".
"You do love me".
She nods, unable to say the words just yet.
She sees the happiness on his face, in his eyes. He embraces her, holding her tightly. He quickly kisses her twice then leans his forehead on hers and closes his eyes as he says, "I have to go".
"I know".
He leans down and says into her ear, "I'll get Peeta back, I promise".
She watches as he turns around and runs to get to the combat training room.