A/N: Hey guys! So this chapter is just a lot of cute Galeniss fluff because I love them so much ! :D

Chapter Three

When I wake up it's still dark, it must be around five in the morning. I search around for Gale and when I can't find him I assume he's hunting. I fix my braid and go sit by the lake. I lie down and close my eyes, trying to forget what's happening right now in twelve. I think of Prim and how she's in bed with my mother, how in another hour or so she'll be woken up and sent in a panic state when she realizes I'm not with her. Prim and I are never far apart. The only time we aren't together is when I'm hunting or when we're in school. Even then I still worry about her. She's so small someone could easily take her without me knowing. Heck she could be held captive right now in Snow's mansion. I shake my head clear of those thoughts and remember the last time Prim and I were separated like this.

I rest my head on my desk. Today's the day we are getting a lecture on the history of Panem, something we hear about all the time I could recite my teacher's exact words in my sleep. This lecture however was different then all the others. My teacher is interrupted by a piercing noise that could be heard all through the district. A noise that could only mean one thing. There was an explosion, down in the mines where my father worked. Everyone rushes out in the neat orderly fashion we have rehearsed so many times before. As soon as we exit the classroom I disobey my teacher's orders and run to get Prim. I find her near a classroom crying and probably looking for me. She was so young at the time she had no idea what was happening. No idea that when she went home for dinner that night her father wouldn't be there. I remember getting home later than usual, to find my mother asleep on the couch. I tried to wake her but she wouldn't move. I figured I would make dinner and give her a break, after all her husband did just die. But now weeks and even months were flying by. With my mother in such a state I had to start taking care of what little bit of family we had left. I'll never forget Prim's face when I told her why our dad wasn't coming home. Her face when she realized her mother was gone too and never coming back.

Before I realize tears are streaming down my face. I hear a small tree branch crack and turn around to see Gale. Great, he must have been watching me the whole time. He comes over and takes me in his lap, his chin resting on the top of my head.

"I miss him," I say with a sigh. I don't say who because Gale already knows.

"Me too, Catnip. There was one good thing that did come out of it though," Gale responds.

"Hm?"

"I met you." I think about it for a moment. Gale and I met in the woods because we both needed to start providing for our families. Had we not, Gale probably would have never talked to me. He's very handsome for a boy in the Seam. He could probably pass as a town kid since all the girls there like him. Actually, every girl at school likes Gale. He's also quite strong; he's always been bigger than all of the other boys in the District.

"What did you think," I start, not really sure why I am asking this, "when we met?" I feel Gale's chest rise while he laughs.

"That you were an annoying, scrawny, twelve year old," he says flatly. I jerk my head around to look at him. He just laughs even more and takes a strand of my hair and tucks it behind my ear. I look away, not wanting him to see more tears going down my face. He grabs my face in his hand and turns it toward him. "But then as we started hunting more and you actually gave me a smile I realized you weren't so bad." He was teasing me now. "And then when you started maturing and growing up, I noticed how some of the guys at school looked at you," this time it's me who lets out a laugh, "I wanted to kill all of them." His voice is more serious now. "I wasn't really sure why it bothered me. Maybe because you were still young and I was just looking out for you."

"Then when did you know that you liked me?" Gale's words intrigued me now.

"Well, I realized the thought of you kissing another guy and being with another guy just really bothered me. You're my best friend. Not anyone else's."

"Someone doesn't like sharing," I reply, teasing him now.

"Damn right I don't. Especially not with Mellark. Seeing you kissing him in the arena, made me want to vomit." I feel the edge of his voice now and I lean up to kiss him because I don't want him getting upset. And what he said is true. Gale is mine, and I am his. Anything else is so extremely unthinkable I never want to leave his arms again.

"I love you," I say resting my head back on his chest.

"I love you too," although I can't see it I know Gale is smiling. I suddenly remember the locket Peeta gave me yesterday. I take it out because I didn't really get a good look at it yesterday. "What's that?" Gale asks, leaning over my shoulder to get a better glance.

"A locket, from…Peeta." I answer and hand it to Gale so he can open it and see what's inside. To his surprise he is in the locket. He puts it back in my hand and pulls me close.

"I promise when this is all over, we can be together forever with no worries about President Snow and the sick, sick Hunger Games. We can start new, and maybe start our own family." Gale's words shock me now. I knew he loved me but could we really have a family together? I always said I could never get married and have kids but the games changed that. Because without them there would be nothing to worry about. I look at him to make sure he is serious and he continues speaking before I get the chance. "I know you never wanted a family but it could be different now, in our new country of Panem. What I'm saying is I love you Katniss, and when this war is over, I want to spend the rest of my life with you." And it would be different with him. When Gale picks me up off the ground I realize how big I'm smiling. When he puts me back down he's holding a small box and opens it on one knee. "Marry me, " he says, grinning. I can't even say anything because I am crying. For the first time in months since the games, I am overwhelmed with joy. I shake my head rapidly and throw my arms around his neck. It was then that I understood I have always loved Gale and I know he will do everything he can to make this work. With him by my side, anything is possible.

Soo did you love it? Hate it? Did you laugh? Cry? PLEASE tell me in your reviews! So sadly, this might be the last chapter of this story because I'm all out of ideas! I might do an epilogue of after the war and stuff. I don't know. You tell me what you think about that! Or if you have any ideas (: