Finally able to write and update! The wait is over!


Chapter 19

2 months later….

Things are not going as well as they did last time. I managed to find the same place to settle as before, but without the ax, I am left with a much more strenuous task in building our home. The hunting has been left solely up to Katniss since I'm spending full days trying to get the house finished. On occasion, I reset some snares to help out.

The main focus is on the house. Winter has decided to come early and I'm still building the walls. At least we have a fireplace, something I'm proud of. I put the boys to good use, carrying stones from the riverbed to build it. The fires have helped some nights but tonight it's nearly freezing. It's nights like this where I wish we still had the tent. The worn fabric and stitching were ripped apart on a particularly windy night one week ago. We are left to sleep inside the incomplete house. With the tent went my sleeping arrangements with Katniss. She sleeps near her family. I sleep close to the front door frame, in case someone has any ideas of entering. I miss her. I feel like I never see her anymore. She's hunting, I'm building. I'd give anything to have her lying close to me, feeling the warmth of her body touching mine.

My thoughts are interrupted when I hear Posy quietly telling my mother that she's cold. I hate to see any of my siblings unhappy. I stand up and bring my blanket over to her, tucking it around her and kissing her forehead before I return to my pillow. I lay on my back, looking up at the starry sky as I wonder if coming here was a mistake. So many things have gone wrong. So many things haven't happened. As the minutes pass, I can feel the warmth escaping from me. I rub my hands over my arms to generate some heat but it flees whenever my hands come to a rest.

I am surprised when Katniss comes into view, her blanket draped over her shoulders. She spreads the blanket over me before crawling beneath it, resting her head next to mine.

"It's too cold for that." she comments.

"I'm fine." I try to reassure her. Her hand slides up to my forearm.

"You're freezing." she says, her hand feeling as warm as fire against my thawing skin.

"Are you happy here, Katniss?" I ask, turning to face her.

"Yes." she replies. I let out a sigh, not believing her. How could anyone be happy with this?

"I'm sorry." I mutter.

"Why?" she asks me with confusion.

"I've failed you…I've failed everyone." I say, closing my eyes to prevent any tears from forming.

"Because of the house?" she asks. I nod. "It's just a little setback."

"We should have stayed in 12." I whisper in defeat.

"Why, so I could've marry Peeta and mentored in the Games? I would have had to give up everything I wanted."

"Like what?"

"Lots of things." she says, avoiding my question. I wish she was more open with me, like she was on those nights that we slept next to each other in the tent. Maybe we could get back to that place. "Are you happy?" she then asks me.

"No." I mutter, my eyes glossing with tears. When some catch on my skin, her hand comes close to my face, her thumb making contact with the wet trails. Before she can wipe it away, I flinch away. "Don't." I say sitting up. I quickly rub away the tears as she sits up and kneels beside me.

"What's wrong, Gale?"

"Everything." I whisper. We're bound to these woods now. There is no going back. And there is also her. I want to show her how I really feel but I don't think I could handle her rejecting me.

"You're taking on too much. I've seen the hours you've been keeping." she says, taking my hand.

"I have to."

"I worry about you sometimes. You are going to burn out."

"I need to finish the house, Katniss."

"But you also need to take care of yourself." she replies. I know she's right. "Let's get some sleep." she says extending her body on the floor. I match her, facing her and wrapping my arm around her waist. If needed, I could always blame it on the cold. She doesn't seem to mind. I close my eyes and she surprises me for the second time that night by running her fingers through my hair over and over again. I let out a content moan, enjoying her touch. She has such an effect on me, unlike any other girl before her. Her touch alone makes me feel more than I ever thought possible. Warmth fills me, driving the cold away.

"That feels good." I mutter to her, my guard slightly down. I'm so focused on the movements of her fingers that I miss the initial moment of her lips brushing over mine. I catch up to her, matching her rhythm with my lips. A part of me can't believe that this is happening…that she initiated this. My arm wraps snugly around her, pulling her body closer to mine. Neither of us have any intention of stopping. I've been waiting for so long for this. I fear that I might not get this chance back. Unfortunately, my body has other plans, due to the fatigue from the manual labor I've been expending. My lips part from hers. I hold her close, taking in her warmth.

"You have no idea how long I've been waiting for that." I whisper to her.

"How long?" she asks.

"Longer than you have." I comment, embarrassed to give her the real answer.

"How long, Gale?" she coos to me.

"Two years." I quietly answer, looking at her to gauge her reaction.

"Why didn't you…?" she trails off.

"You always told me you never wanted any of that. What good would have it of done?"

"How could I want any of that in District 12?" she softly questions me.

"Could you want that now?" I ask, tucking some fallen strands behind her ear.

"I think I could." she confides.

"With me?" I ask

"Yes, with you." said says with a grin.

"There was one time I tried to tell you." I divulge.

"When?"

"In the Justice Building, when the Peacekeepers interrupted us. I thought you'd never really know what I felt for you."

"Maybe it was better I didn't know." I nod, understanding what she means. It only would have complicated things. She had enough to worry about, going into the Arena.

"I love you Katniss." I whisper, finally confessing how deep my feeling go for her.

"I love you too." she whispers back, as if it were a secret. It's one I'll gladly keep, at least for now. My lips join hers once again, taking advantage of the fact that I can now do this with her. There's no fear of her rejecting me. I know exactly how she feels for me. I also know I don't have to worry about interrupt this kiss, fearing that it won't happen again.

"Pinch me, Catnip." my lips mutter against hers.

"Why?" she giggles.

"I want to make sure this is real." I reply with a large smile. She lightly pinches my forearm. "Harder." I insist, lightheartedly. She uses all her strength this time, not holding back.

"Ouch!" I say with a laugh.

"You said harder." she cuts back, laughing as she does so. Her laughter is contagious and we find ourselves both giggling like fools.

"At least we know I'm not dreaming."

"What if it's my dream?" she asks playfully. I lightly pinch her skin resulting in a smile from her.

"Still with me Catnip?"

"Yes."

"Good." I reply, resting my forehead against hers.

"Time to rest." she says, groggily.

"Yes. We always have tomorrow." I tell her. "Katniss?"

"Hmm?" she moans.

"I'm happy now." I confess before closing my eyes.

"Good." she says. We both drift off, finally in a place where we belong. We are safe in the woods with nothing to keep us apart. I could get used to this.


The chapter you've all been waiting patiently for is here! Please, please, please leave a review for this chapter even if you don't normally review. i'd really like to know what you thought of this.

P.S. Thank you to all the loyal readers who have stayed with this story. It's nice to have an audience to write for :)

Also, let me know if there is anything you would like to see in this story.