Madge
The Seam is scary as shit at night. I have absolutely zero idea where I am, or where I'm heading, or how to get to Gale's house.
After watching the interviews, I knew Gale would need to talk about it, and since we are friends I thought I would be his 'shoulder to cry on' so to speak. Just like he did for me after my little freak out following the training scores at the Everdeen's.
I couldn't just up and walk out of the house right then and there, though. The Capitol guests are at my house, and I was entertaining them. Fulfilling my duties as the Mayor's daughter. But knowing how late they can stay up, even when they have to get up early the very next day, I appropriately excused myself with the tale of a headache to go to bed.
Once I made it to my room, I changed from my flowy dark blue dress, into a more appropriate; jeans, t-shirt, boots combo and opened my bedroom window. From my window ledge, there's a trellis about a foot to the right that I climbed onto to get down. I've done it plenty of times before, because I wanted to know that I could, and because there's a small thrill in getting away with breaking curfew. It's great to be the only one out at night; it's like a whole new world in the dark. But I mostly kept to the woods behind my house. I once tried a walk through the Victor's Village, but have never since tried it again. Those huge empty houses filled me with a terrible gloomy feeling.
I shake the feeling the empty Village gave me. I probably shouldn't be thinking about creepy things when I'm doing something that's giving me the creeps. In the entire time it took me to decide to sneak out and talk to Gale, staying at the party for another hour or two, excusing myself, and getting ready to leave, it had never once occurred to me that I have no fucking clue where Gale lives.
I have an extremely vague memory of Katniss pointing out the general direction of his house once when I was over, so I started out at Katniss' house. And started towards the direction I was pretty sure she pointed to.
Though, there was absolutely no way I was going to know if it was his house, unless there was a giant sign reading HAWTHORNE or GALE LIVES HERE, or maybe if he was just standing on the porch or something. But seeing as past midnight, and the sign thing not sounding very likely, I was pretty much screwed.
Yeah, tell the likelihood of me actually finding his house to the me half an hour ago, when I decided it was great idea to tread into unknown territory. Because how hard can it really be to make it back to Katniss' or my house? The answer to that question is pretty damn hard. All these Seam houses look exactly the same. And if that heart-shaped pothole is any indication I've been in this spot more than once tonight.
Seriously, what the hell was I thinking? I'm so stupid. I should have gotten a fucking map or something, I have no idea where I am. Do they even have maps for District 12? I don't really see why they-
My train of thought crashes into another fucking train going the completely opposite direction, when I feel a large hand grab my wrist, "AAAA-" The attacker's hand muffle's my scream.
I really hope someone heard that and they're on their way to help, but there is no way in hell I'm going to be some damsel in distress. Using some self-defense moves I learned from a couple peacekeepers my Dad paid to teach me, I break the attacker's hold on me. I kick his shin to temporarily cripple him, and bite his hand to get him to release me. I've never actually used these moves before, but it works. He releases me and I bolt.
There ain't no way I'm sticking around to see who this psycho murderer is. At first I don't hear any footsteps in pursuit, but then I hear the guy hot on my trail. He keeps saying something but I don't know what it is. Probably something like, "Stop I won't hurt you! I just want to cut your body up into little pieces, and save your golden hair as a trophy." No way in hell psycho.
I pick up my speed, but so does he. Something he says makes me falter in my steps. It sounded like my name, and Gale's? I throw a glance over my shoulder and a somewhat familiar hulking figure, stops moving. The figure raises it's hands in a show of innocence, I'm sure. The figure makes its way towards me. And this time when the attacker speaks I hear them loud and clear, "Madge, it's Gale. Sorry for scaring you like that."
"Gale?" What. The. Hell. Oh my god, what is wrong with him? I thought I was about to get murdered or something. I approach him fast, "What the hell was that?" I say through gritted teeth. I'm so pissed right now I push him as hard as I can, but it only makes him stumble back a few feet. Which pisses me off even more, because he didn't fall over, "You just sneak up on me in the dark, and grab me like that? You scared the shit out of me! What the hell is wrong with you?"
"I'm so sorry Madge." Oh he's sorry. Oh ok everything is all fine now, because Gale said he was sorry. "I honestly wasn't trying to scare you. I wasn't even thinki-"
"Yeah obviously you weren't thinking." I cut him off.
Does he even realize that I was so terrified out of my skull, I thought I was going to be killed. I think I'm handling this extremely well for someone who thought their life might end today.
He gives me that Gale look, and I just know he's going to fight me on this, "I said I was sorry, and what are you doing out here this late? Do you have a death wish or something? It's not safe for a girl like you to be wandering the Seam at night."
What? "A girl like me, what's that supposed to mean?" I raise my eyebrows, and cross my , I'm perfectly aware that it's not safe, but I wasn't really thinking about that when I came out here. I was thinking about helping Gale.
"It means a fragile looking, clueless pretty town girl isn't safe on the street at night."
I sputter for a second, he did not just say that, "Excuse me, as I think I just demonstrated, I can take care of myself. Thank you very much."
"God you are so infuriating!" I'm infuriating? He just attacked me, and then starts yelling at me?! "Are you really so stupid? Hell, were you even thinking? I know you were raised to think everything is just perfect, and that you're an untouchable princess, but in the real world you're just a helpless little girl."
God, of course he has to bring up the fact that I'm the Mayor's daughter. Like that somehow makes me not good enough, or makes me stupid. "I was thinking, actually. I was thinking that you might be upset after the interviews, and want someone to talk to. But I suppose I am stupid for ever thinking you'd want to talk to a girl like me!" He is such an ass.
He looked surprised when I said I had been coming to see him. "Oh god, Madge I-"
But I don't need his pity. "Save it Hawthorne, you clearly don't need anyone to talk to, so I'll just be on my way." Somehow I get even more pissed because I realize that tears are welling up in my eyes, and I don't want to cry. I want to be pissed. I turn quickly before he has yet another reason that I am a stupid idiot for coming out here tonight, and I start toward a direction that does not have Gale Hawthorne in it.
"Madge." I hear him call my name. Does he not get it?
"What!?" I say much louder than I meant to. When I whip around to face him a tear slips from my eye, and I try to wipe it off before he sees. But I see his eyes catch everything, and follow my every move. "What do you want?" Does he want to yell at me some more? What's it gonna be this time? Don't cry! If you cry you're going to fail at life-blahblah
"Your house is that way," He points to my right, and I let out a breath. I let the arguments I started building fall back when I realize he's not going to attack me again.
"Oh," I turn towards the way he pointed. That was a bit anticlimactic.
"Madge, wait. Please, wait?"
The way he says it makes me stop. I can tell he's sorry, and even though I don't forgive him, I'll hear him out.
I hear him approach me, and I try to school my features into nonchalance, so he doesn't see how upset I am. But to my surprise he stops behind me, giving me my space, "I'm really sorry, Madge. It's just. It's just that- Ugh" What is so hard for him to say? Sorry I'm a jackass? "Madge there are some really bad people out there." He places his hand on my arm, and gently squeezes giving me a moment of warmth in this cold speech. "They will hurt you, and they will enjoy it without a second thought. And I know you're strong and you can take care of yourself, but I'm worried about you. I don't want to see you get hurt."
Oh, please.. Well, he did seem really sincere though. I use the last bit of anger I hold, and throw it at him, "Yeah? What are you so worried about me for? I didn't realize you cared."
"Of course I care." Wow. He turns me to face him, but I can't look him in the eye right now. I'm still kind of embarrassed that I almost cried. He carefully pulls my gaze to meet his. "Madge, we're friends, remember? And I care about my friends," He really does care about me, I suppose. And it makes sense that Gale would react in that way to a situation like this, because that's just how Gale is.
His gaze is so intense, I can't stand it and I start to let my gaze wander. "I don't like them being in dangerous situations." He holds my head in his hands to bring my focus back on him. "And sometimes when they put themselves in danger, I get mad because I don't want anything to happen to them. To happen to you. Do you understand me?"
I get this is totally off topic, but he is really close to me right now. Like super close, and every breath I take I am rewarded with his delicious scent. Mmhm. Wait, oh yeah understanding something? Understand that he is overprotective and will get mad if you don't follow his boundaries. Reminds me a bit of someone, but who? Oh right, my dad. I close my mouth again, knowing there's no point in arguing. If he's any more like my dad then he'll ground me for back talking. I nod.
He nods back at me, his beautiful lips lifting into a smile. I've heard a lot about those lips. I've heard of all sorts of wonderful things they can do, and I'm finding that I wouldn't very much mind finding out for myself if those things were true. Right when I decide I'll go for it, he steps back a couple inches, out of reach. That's probably for the best. Most likely I'd have made a fool of myself, if anything he probably sees me as a little sister.
"And I do want to talk to you. I was going to your house before to talk to you, but I thought that with the Capitol people over.." That with all the Capitol people over it would be a terrible idea for him to come over. Probably true, I'm sure if he came over they would all fawn over his good looks, and say the most inappropriate things about his 'lifestyle'.
"Really?" I'm not sure if really believe that he was coming to see me, but it's nice of him to say so to make me feel better.
He acts offended that I don't believe him, "Yes, really. Madge Undersee, do you not know what a wonderful listener you are?" That makes me laugh. He thinks I'm a wonderful listener? He's the one who listens to all my problems. He's the one who makes me feel better after I have a mini freak-out. At least, he has before.
He's looking at me funny, and he's not saying anything. But then he just shakes his head, and grabs my hand, "Come on." He pulls me along beside him to- to I don't know.
"Where are we going?" I link our hands together, and I notice how different they are. Mine pale and small, compared to his huge, rough and dark.
"You'll see." I hate surprises.
I look up at him, "Why don't you just tell me?"
He returns my gaze, "Because it's a surprise." I don't drop his gaze, because he will be the one who backs down, not me. And he does. I smirk as I watch as his eyes drift down.. to my- lips? We stop walking. Is it just me, or is he leaning towards me? So, maybe he doesn't see me as a sister like I thought. I realize how dry my mouth is, and I lick my lips, so ready for this to happen.
His thumb is tracing my lips, and then he whispers those sweet words against my mouth, "You're so beautiful."
He leans closer still, and then he- he starts talking, "I can't believe we're about to do this." Yeah, well maybe if you'd stop talking we could kiss, and then you wouldn't have to 'believe' it. "Though, I can't say I haven't wanted to kiss you for a long time. I just never thought it would actually happen." I can't help but start laughing, he's so nervous! That's adorable. Who would have thought Gale Hawthorne Casanova extraordinaire, is nervous to kiss me? "But, wait-" he pulls back, oh god just get on with it already, "do you want me to kiss you? Oh my god. I've just been assuming you wanted to kiss me and you don't. And now-"
"Gale!" I laugh. How is it even possible that I wouldn't want to kiss him? But he really needs to get on with it. Despite how adorable it is that he's all anxious, and insecure, I'm getting a little impatient. One more word, and I'm going to have to take control of this situation.
"Don't worry Madge I won't do this again. That was so out of line. I don't know why I did that. I'm so sorr-"
"Gale," he stops, "shut-up." I link my hands around his neck, and pull his lips down to mine.
I press my lips to his, and pull back. That short touch did nothing but make me want more. He whispers my name across my lips right before he pulls me in for more. He presses harder into me, but that's not enough.
I swipe my tongue across his mouth, requesting entrance. He closes his lips tighter together in response. Oh so that's how it's gonna be?
I find the hem of his shirt, with my hand that's not buried in his surprisingly soft hair. I slip my hand under his shirt, and feel my way up his hard stomach and wonderfully muscular chest lightly brushing my nails against his skin.
His growl surprises me, but damn. Why was that so hot?
"My oh my, Madge Undersee, you are quite the little minx." That makes me giggle, I've never heard him talk like this, and the fact that he's talking to me? That is so hot. His hot mouth travels down to my neck, and he places kisses all across my collarbone.
He knows just when to push, and how hard. His hands are on my hips, holding me steady against him. I back him up against a wall, because he's been in control for far too long, "My turn," I start kissing from where I can reach, his mid-chest and I slowly make a languid trail up to his throat. It's kind of tiring to hold myself up on my tiptoes for so long, but the moans he keeps producing make this well worth it.
His hands are buried in my hair, but they make their way down and lift me up. The tables have turned, and he's pressed me into the wall. I wrap my legs around his waist, and revel in the wonderful sensations he is giving me.
This is the best thing about being with Gale, the way I can quit being the 'Mayor's daughter' and start being Madge. And the way he makes me forget everything going on around us. Right now we are the only two people in the universe.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DAMN KIDS DOING BANGING UP AGAINST MY WALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT?!"
And this old guy too, apparently. His presence shocks me quite a bit, and Gale starts laughing maniacally. Luckily I have fast-acting Gale ready to take action in any situation, or else I probably would have been glued to the spot trying to figure up from down and hands from feet.
I haven't been carried piggyback since I was little, and it makes me feel like a kid again. Gale yells something or other to the man whose side of the house we just defiled, but I'm laughing too hard to understand it. I feel vibrations running through me as Gale joins in on my laughter.
"Okay, okay, shh. We need to be quiet. The last thing we need is to be caught by a couple of peacekeepers." I know he's right, but it takes me a few minutes to reign in my laughter. Maybe I should spend more time with Gale, I always seem to have a great time. At least when we're not fighting, or when I'm not crying.
I realize that he's still carrying me, which he really doesn't have to be doing, "You can put me down you know."
I feel him tighten his arms around my legs, and his response makes me grin like a mad-woman, "I know."
I'm aware enough of my surroundings to know he isn't going in the direction that he said my house is in, so I guess he's still taking me to this mysterious place, "Are you going to tell me where we're going?"
"No." He laughs at my question, and I know he knows how much it's bothering me not to know where we're going. So, I decide to fish the answer out of him.
I know he was very vocal when I played with his neck before, so I go for it. Starting at the top of his ear I follow the edge with my tongue, drawing his ear lobe into my mouth and pulling at it gently with my teeth. When I hear him moan I whisper into his ear, in my very best seductive voice, "How 'bout now?"
"Nope," he is so irritating, but I'm not giving up yet. I place kisses down his neck teasing his pulse point.
"Pretty please?" I continue my ministrations.
"No way. We're almost there anyways, you could probably figure it out if you paid more attention to the road than my neck."
I stop immediately. Uh, rude. Wait I have an idea. I lean down and press my lips to his neck and- blow. I giggle at the feeling, and at memories of my parents doing the same thing to me when I was a child. Gale laughs too, and I decide to take his advice.
I look around and find I do recognize this area. If you take a turn to the left and travel on for a short way you would reach the town, but if you continue on forward, like Gale is, then you reach, "The meadow?"
"Yup, there's this small little clearing that I thought we could go to talk. We should be safe there, nobody has ever come across me yet." Yeah, Gale seems like the type of person who likes to spend some time away from the world. To escape.
When we arrive he helps me to my feet, and I take a look around. There's maybe 10 ft in each direction of open space, but it's enough to leave a great view of the sky. "This is beautiful." I look over at his lazing form, "Is this where you take all the girls?" Well, maybe he likes guys too? "Or guys?" I add thoughtfully.
He laughs, "Yeah, all the girls, and guys. Haha, but no. Unless you count my mom and my little sister, this isn't where I take all the girls, or guys." His words make me happy for some reason. I guess I'm glad I'm not just another one of the girls he uses and kicks to the side. Not that I know if he really does that, but I've heard things. I make a mental note to ask him about that one day.
Gale grabs my hand and drags me down with him, and I feel warm and comfy being close to him. "Can't we just lay here and enjoy the view?" he asks. And honeslty? I could be perfectly content just laying here with Gale all night, and forgetting about the world, but forgetting for now isn't going to help us any for tomorrow.
"Aren't we supposed to talk about the interviews? Or the fact that Katniss is going into the Games tomorrow? Or about how we went from hating each other, to friends, to making out in the time span of like two weeks?" I ask, trying to be the reasonable one.
"Hey, I never hated you."
Seriously? "Shut up, you know what I mean."
"Also, I'm not sure it was quite two weeks."
I smack his chest, "Gale." I say warningly.
He runs his hand through his hair, in what I've found is a habit of his when he's trying to pull himself together, "I know. Let's start with the interviews. What the hell was Mellark thinking? He made a fool of Katniss!" I had a feeling Gale might think this way about Peeta's big reveal. "Everything she accomplished to be intimidating-"
I sit up and interrupt him, "Wait. I know what he did looks bad to you, but it was actually really smart. You see he was-"
"Wait you're telling me that he was being smart?" he looks at me like I just said I eat metal cans for breakfast- like I'm psychotic.
"Yes, Gale he really is." He starts to interrupt again, but I hold up a hand to silence him. If he'll just listen I know I can make him at least partially understand Peeta's motives. Or what Peeta's interview is going to do for the both of them, "Let me explain it to you from a Capitol point of view."
He nods for me to continue, and I lower my hand, glad that he'll give me a chance to speak.
"They love Katniss; her poor little life from 12, her volunteering for Prim, her dress on fire, her 11 training score, and her modesty. And they love Peeta. Maybe not in the same way, but his charisma on the stage, and he got a score good enough for a Career, and then alas he's been in love with his fellow tribute since they were children. And now they are both going into a fight to the death where only one of them can survive. The Capitol citizens will eat this up! They love a good star-crossed love story. Katniss and Peeta will be getting a lot more sponsors, who are rooting for their love." A lot of this information isn't even just my own observations, I actually heard the Capitol people say some of these things.
"But he made her look weak." More desirable than week, but I'll let that pass.
"Maybe, a little. But if the other tributes see her as less of a threat, then they won't be out to get her from the start. And, she got an 11 how weak can you look after that?" Seriously, I bet the best I could do is a five.. Maybe.
He sighs and reluctantly agrees with me, "Yeah, I guess that makes sense. But I still don't like him."
I wonder if it's because he feels Peeta is encroaching on his' and Katniss' future relationship. Not that I'm really sure if he even has feelings for Katniss, but I decide to see if even he knows why he dislikes Peeta, "Why not?"
The question makes him think, and it's a while before he comes up with an answer, and not a very good one at that. "Well, I don't know.. Do I need a reason?"
"I suppose you don't need a reason, but I've always wondered.." I don't know. What if he gets mad at me for asking? Especially since we just kissed. I don't want him to think I'm jealous already when we only just started- well, started what? I'm not exactly sure. But we've started something.
He casually sits up next to me and nudges my shoulder, "Wondered what?" I still don't think I should ask, but maybe he won't get mad. And then we can get this conversation out of the way, "It's okay Madge, wondered what?"
That makes my decision, "I've always wondered if maybe you liked Katniss. Maybe more than liked her." Yeah. Like maybe you're in love with her, and also want to have her babies?
He's quiet for a long time, and I'm not sure if he's thinking about my question, and seriously considering his feelings. Or if he's super pissed/uncomfortable? I start pulling grass from the ground and putting it in a pile, trying to soothe my nerves. Finally, I can't take the silence any longer and I give him an out, "It's okay if you do. I mean she came way before me, and we can forget about that kiss if you want." He can just say he wants to forget it and I'll leave it behind me. I don't want to forget it. Ever. But if he wants to, I mean, what am I supposed to do? Force him to like me and not Katniss, or any other girl? I can't do that.
It feels like an eternity before he answers me, but it's probably only been a few seconds. "Madge, I don't want to forget that kiss. Do you?"
Really, he doesn't? That makes me smile from ear to ear, "No, I don't."
He smiles back and gives me a quick peck on the lips, "Good."
Mmm I want more, but he still hasn't answered my question. And I need to know, "But what about Katniss?"
He sighs, "I don't know. I guess I always thought we'd get married one day." So did everyone else. "I never loved her like that though. I suppose I could've, one day. But now- All I know is I've never felt about someone the way I feel about you. I don't know if it's possible for me to feel like this with anyone else." Aww. I feel the same way, when I'm with him I can be me. And when he kisses me- Ah I'm off track, I don't quite catch what he says at the end. Something about Katniss and him not working out anyways?
I nod, I get it. But what are we doing? My annoying practical self comes out, and makes me realize a few things. First: We can't seriously, jump in to this thing, when we hardly know each other. Second: I know I don't have feelings for anyone else, but he doesn't even know exactly how much he likes Katniss. Just because we've never felt how we do with each other with anyone else doesn't mean we, necessarily should be together. Third: He's super hot and I want to make out with him again.
Okay, that last one may not be from my more sensible self.
"I understand about Katniss, and about never feeling this way before. But Gale, do you think maybe we should take this whole thing a little slower. We only just became friends, and now we want to- what? Start dating? Maybe we should stay friends, and make sure that we aren't going to rip each other's throats out after a week of being civil." Or rip each other's clothes off mmm, my traitorous mind adds.
"Why don't we wait until Katniss comes back, maybe even for a while after that? To make sure you don't have feelings for her, and to make sure we aren't making any rash decisions, because of everything that's going on right now. Then we can see where this goes." But I also really want to make out with you, and touch your delicious abs. I add in my mind, because I don't think that really goes along with the rest of my speech.
"Damn, why do you have to be so reasonable?" He kisses my nose, and it's adorable.
But I have to push him back before I forget my reasons for not doing this, "Gale."
"I know, I know. It's a deal, no dating until Katniss has returned, and we've affirmed that I have no romantic feelings for her."
"Good." I shake his waiting hand, and suddenly I'm in his lap, and my mind is cloudy. And him pressing his face to the side of mine is not helping make anything clearer.
"But it's going to be really hard to keep my hands off you. Especially knowing what I'll be missing." He whispers. Like I don't know that? I kind of hate myself for not letting us just fool around, and have some fun, but I know if I do that I could seriously end up regretting it when Katniss comes home, and Gale decides that he really does love her.
But then he starts toying with me like I did to him before to figure out where we were going, and all thought leaves me completely. He must be much better at it than me though, because I'm ready to give in after about thirty seconds of his handiwork. "Well, maybe we can have one more kiss before we start."
"Mmm sounds good to me." He kisses my neck. Oh yesss, he pulls back. Oh noooo, "But we probably shouldn't." He teases.
"Oh shut up," I pull him back to my mouth, and if this is our last kiss until Katniss gets back, and Gale is sure of his feelings, then it's gonna be a great one.
I push him onto his back, "Lets make it count."
AN: Yay! I posted today like I wanted to! I love writing Madge's POV, I feel like I flow with her a lot better than with Gale? Tell me what you think!