Stepping off the train to the cloud of coal dust was like waking from a nightmare to the smell of breakfast cooking. The familiar smell soothed the aches in my body brought on from the Capital. Katniss and Peeta stepped off behind me, arousing the cheers of the crowd waiting. A homely woman and her daughter came up for Katniss, followed by Gale, and lastly followed by Peeta's family. Minus his mother, of course. Now that the truth was out, I doubted she wanted much to do with her son; besides to leech off his money and fame.
Maybe at least she'd leave him alone about getting married to a nice town girl, now.
I stood to the side, watching, as Haymitch started home and the other two victors basked in the receptions from their families and friends. Gran made her way to my side, and we stood together in silence for a time.
It wasn't until the square was almost empty that she spoke.
"I knew you could do it. I knew they could do it. If anyone can, it's that girl and his love for her."
I looked down at her in surprise. "You knew before?"
"Of course I did. I'm surprised his own mother didn't. Then again... Mrs. Mellark never was fond of that poor boy."
I bit my lip and looked around the square. "I'm worried Katniss isn't, either."
Gran sighed and nodded. "I must be getting back to the shop now. Will you be coming for dinner, or should I bring it to your house?"
I thought about it for a moment as I watched the clouds drift lazily across the sky.
"Not tonight." At her worried look I added, "I'll make something for myself, I promise."
She made a noise in the back of her throat that suggested she didn't believe me, but let it go.
We said our goodbyes and I watched her leave.
"Aces." I looked up to see Peeta wobbling his way towards me with a smile on his face. A pained smile made it's way across my face as I walked to meet him.
"How's the leg holding up?"
"Not bad, not bad." He said, giving it a quick glance. "Could be worse. I'm... I'm glad to be back in Twelve." He cast a look towards Katniss and for a split second I thought I saw longing. "Could be worse."
I followed his look and watched as she gave Prim another large hug, and kissed her forehead.
"Did she say anything?" I whispered. Lord knows how many bugs they have around here.
He nodded and looked to the ground. "Could be worse." He repeated, and I knew what he was trying to tell me.
"I'm sorry." I said, pulling him into a hug and rocking us slightly. "It'll... Get better."
He nodded and wrapped the arm not holding his cane around my shoulders.
"I hope so."
We stayed like that for a moment, before the sound of someone clearing their throat pulled us apart. I caught Peeta discreetly wipe his eyes before I turned to look at who it was. I sighed and bit the inside of my cheek, trying to mentally prepare myself.
"Gale."
He nodded. "Smith."
I raised an eyebrow. hadn't I just brought his girl home, and all in one piece? Alive? Couldn't he at least have the decency to use my given name after I upheld my promise?
"You- You did good, I guess." He said, looking off over my shoulder, and that's when I understood.
He was just... Embarrassed? Maybe? I couldn't ever describe Gale Hawthorne as being shy, so embarrassed it is.
"You're welcome. She did most of the work- it wasn't really too hard."
He nodded. "She usually does."
I paused for a moment before deciding to throw it all to the wind. It was obvious, anyways, and I had long since come to terms.
"I guess that's why you like her. Cause she's strong. Really smart, too. I wouldn't have been able to do it."
"But you did."
I blinked in surprise at what has to be the nicest damn thing he has ever said to a little town girl. "Not in the woods like that. I wouldn't have made it past day one. I got lucky."
He looked down at the ground. "I think all Victor's do."
He wasn't wrong.
We stood there in awkward silence after that, and I noticed Peeta had snuck off at some point, leaving me alone.
"Why did you bring her back?" He said suddenly, causing me to look up and meet his eyes.
"What?" I breathed.
"You could have left her to die, and saved Mellark instead, without pissing off the Capital and Snow. You would have had your Townie friend and there would have been no competition for you. Not that-"
I cut him off. "Yeah, no, I get it. I thought about it. But I- I couldn't. That wouldn't be fair to her, mostly. If there's one person I respect the most in this sick, twisted world, it's probably Katniss Everdeen. And I promised Peeta, too. I knew if I made sure to bring him home, and not her, he'd never speak to me again. And let's be honest- it'd take a miracle to get him out without anyone's help. Besides, we both know I don't have a chance either way, but if I broke my promise and left her to die...
"I sound pretty selfish, huh?" I said, laughing a little at my own expense.
"Not really."
I cocked my eyebrow at him in disbelief. "No?"
"The selfish thing would have been to let her die." I nodded, and that was that. Gale turned and left without any goodbye, and I didn't mind.
I just wanted to go home.