"We're going to have to tell her about this at some point, you know."
"No we don't." Gale replied, pulling a shirt over his head.
"You want me to tell her alone then? You know I could call her right now. And you know I would."
"I don't… listen, it's just, it's not a good time…"
"It's never a good time, is it? You can't be a chicken shit forever. She's going to find out eventually and I'd rather it be from us than some sleazy article or gossip or something." Johanna replied, propping herself up on her elbows.
"I'm not a chicken. I just don't think now's a good time."
"Okay, first of all, I called you a chicken shit. Second of all, what makes it not a good time? When will it be a good time?" She sat up all the way, kicking the blanket off of her and crossing her arms, an eyebrow raised expectantly. It was hard for her to look intimidating with sleep-mussed hair and a pair of pale green pajamas (a gift from Effie a while back, who was insistent that every lady needed proper pajamas), but she still managed it just fine.
He turned around to face her. "Listen, Jo, it's just, I don't know it feels weird. I don't know why but it does."
"What feels weird? Telling Katniss? Or us?"
He sat on the edge of the bed and sighed. "Telling Katniss. Because… well…"
Johanna waited a few seconds to see if he would finish the thought before speaking again.
"Gale, I'm her friend. It feels weird for me to lie to her about this. It's been a year and a half of lying about where I'm going and where I am and why I don't stay with them as long now. I don't want to lie to her anymore. It's hard."
"I just… I don't want to hurt her feelings." Gale admitted, looking at his hands. He wasn't sure how it would hurt her feelings, Katniss had Peeta, whom she loved and he loved her. She had never loved him that way and he had moved on from those feelings for her years ago, and they hadn't spoken in years now. But he was still concerned over her feelings.
"What feelings?" Johanna demanded. "For you? You know that ship sailed a long time ago."
He shot her a look. "No, I- I don't know…"
"Don't you think she'll be hurt when she finds out we've been lying to her? And what about my feelings?" Johanna asked, scooting closer to him, her voice gentler. "I don't like hiding us. Not that we have to flaunt it or anything, but this sort of sneaking around thing we're doing- it's not great Gale. I don't want to hide anymore. I've done enough hiding and pretending in my life. I want to live."
He looked to her. She was watching him with wide, almost pleading eyes, concern etched onto her face. He had never thought about it that way before. He took a deep breath. "I don't want to hide either."
Her face brightened a little. "Come to District 12 with me next week?"
He bit his lip. "Are-are you sure that's a good idea?"
"At least think about it? Please?"
He stood up from the bed and kissed the side of her head. "I'll think about it."
"Thank you,"
"See you later, Jo." He was going to work. Johanna, the nomadic Victor, did not have nor need a job unless she wanted one. The new government took care of the raining Victors well. Johanna often passed most of what she received to Annie and Finnley, or Peeta and Katniss to use for the bakery. Johanna was left to her own devices while Gale was gone. But that was okay. She had him most of the time. She had taken up little handicrafts over the years and between that, exploring, and watching mind-numbing television, she was entertained enough until Gale returned.
"See you," Johanna replied with a small smile.
He walked out of the room and Johanna heard the hall closet open so Gale could grab his coat. The door closed.
"Hey Gale?" Johanna called "I love you."
He smiled as he shrugged on his coat. They didn't say that very much. Johanna, well, because she had gone a very long time without anyone she loved and it made her nervous most days. Gale, because he didn't want to make her uncomfortable. "I love you too."