"The Hunger Games" is not my creation, unfortunately. No copyright infringement intended.

Katniss' POV

I didn't mean to kiss him like that. I just brought him to our place to see if returning to someplace we both know so well could alleviate some of the awkwardness that had ruled our interactions thus far. I thought that returning to the forest would help us feel like our old selves again, rather than attempting some pathetic version of a reconciliation in the Victor's Village, where neither of us really felt comfortable. Deep down, I knew that if I let Gale leave again, it would be the last time I would ever watch him walk away. I was desperate to make it through this with at least our friendship intact.

It's amazing how quickly I was able to forget about all of the reasons I had carefully crafted for not speaking to him for a year. Forgiveness has never been my strong suite (understatement), but for some reason, Gale has always been the exception to my rules.

I push myself into a sitting position, lifting my forehead from his chest. Brushing my hair away from my face, I turn, facing out into the meadow. I can feel him watching me, unsure of what to do next. His body is practically humming with anticipation, but I need to pause for a moment to think. My insides are roiling with emotion and indecision right now. Nothing has ever felt as right as kissing Gale has. I knew that even when we kissed back in District 13, but I was too scared and torn to admit it to myself.

But Peeta- sweet, kind Peeta. The one who was here to put me back together after I convinced myself that my best friend created the bomb that killed my sister and drove my mother out of my life for good. The one who took all of my rages and breakdowns in stride, holding me, feeding me, and weaning me back to life again. Again, I am faced with the question that has haunted me for the past year: which can't I survive without? Would it even be possible to live my life completely devoid of one of them?

My instincts momentarily kick in and I have a horrible thought. Peeta would probably stick around no matter what my decision is. Instantly, I chastise myself for yet again assuming that Peeta is just going to be there for me. He deserves better than me. He deserves someone that is going to love him as unselfishly as he loves me.

I can still feel Gale's eyes on me, studying my face, trying to read every thought that is running through my mind. If he still knows me as well as he thinks he does, then I'm pretty sure he won't have much trouble guessing.

As if on cue, he mutters, "If you're thinking about Peeta right now, I don't even want to know." He leans down and begins to mindlessly pick grass and throw the blades into the wind.

"If you must know, I'm thinking about both of you," I answer. If he wants me, then he needs to know what he's getting into. "You know just as well as I that I can't just abandon Peeta. He's done too much for me to just push him to the wayside. You don't know how bad it was when you weren't here, Gale." He flinches. I feel a spasm of guilt, knowing that I'm making him feel terrible for leaving me when, in fact, I was the one who left him. "I feel obligated to him. We've shared a lot over this past year and we've grown closer."

Gale stares intently into my face and I freeze, unsure of what he is thinking. "Katniss, I'm going to ask you a question and I need you to answer it honestly. Don't stop and think about it—just answer as quickly as you can. Do you love him?"

"Yes," I answer instantly. "Very much so."

Gale's mouth straightens into a hard line and he asks me one more question. "Are you in love with him? Answer me now, quick before you can think. Remember, obligation and love aren't the same thing."

I halt only for a moment before saying honestly, "No." Standing up, I turn around and look down at Gale. "No, I'm not in love with him. I thought I was at one time, and I had even convinced myself that we would have a good life together, which we would have. But I couldn't do that to him. Tie him to me when he could have a shot at finding someone who truly loves him romantically. Delly's in love with him, you know. She has been ever since she saw him again in District 13. If she can love him when he's crazy with tracker jacker hallucinations, then she can love him through whatever." I take a deep breath and, when I exhale, I feel like I'm letting out three year's worth of baggage.

Gale stands up and takes my face gently in his hands. I stand on my tip toes to press my lips to his again, this time fully conscious of my decision. "You and me, we still have a long way to go, Gale Hawthorne. But I'm willing to see where we can take this is if you are. "

He rewards me with a beaming smile and draws me into a hug. I can tell that I've pleased him, and for the first time in a long time, I feel truly comfortable with the choice I've made. We spend the rest of the afternoon walking through the woods, watching the sunlight dapple the leaves, kissing, and laughing about times past. I want to walk to my father's lake, but choose to save that visit for another day. As the sun sets, we make our way back to the fence to return home and get ready for Delly's party.

Looking in the mirror after my shower, I pin my hair back and stare at myself long and hard. I need to talk to Peeta tonight. The worst and most unfeeling thing I could do is parade Gale in front of him without explaining the situation to him first. I promise myself that I'm going to be as good a friend to Peeta as he has been to me.

Gale is already downstairs and looks so handsome in his black pants and grey t-shirt. The grey matches his eyes almost perfectly and makes them flash. I walk into the living room and hear his sharp intake of breath. I only have on a simple black dress, but he looks at me as though I'm wearing nothing at all. I can't help but blush and duck my head, his stare making me uncomfortable.

"Katniss-you're gorgeous." He walks over and draws me into a long, slow kiss, his mouth moving softly against mine. He kisses with such passion, sometimes I feel like his lips are going to burn through mine. I feel a warmth spread through me that I haven't felt in a long time. I had forgotten what it felt like to want another person close, as close as they could be, but I feel that now for Gale. I slide my hands up his chest, forgetting for a moment that we have someplace to be. He responds instantly and pulls me to him, forcing his hips to meet mine. His tongue dances in my mouth and he playfully bites at my lower lip. I laugh, but pull away before I let him get too far. His kiss-swollen lips instantly begin to pout. I laugh throatily.

"Come on, Gale. We've got to get to this party. I want to be there to wish Delly a happy birthday." I take his hand. He smiles at my effort and leads me out the door.

Walking down the road with his hand clutched firmly in mine, I feel like a new start could actually be possible. I allow myself to smile and enjoy the way the last rays of sunset were playing in the sky.

I don't know what makes me do it, but I glance up to Peeta's window as we pass his house. He is looking down on us through his bedroom window, his expression one of pain and disbelief as he takes in Gale and I's woven fingers, mussed hair, and carefree expressions. My heart sinks and I slow my pace. Gale looks back, confused at the sudden change.

"Gale, he saw us. He knows. I've got to stop. I have to talk to him now before we go any further." To Gale's credit, he disengages his hand from mine and steps in to give me a short, supportive kiss before gently pushing me forward to Peeta's front porch. He knows what I have to do and realizes that it will not be easy.

I step up to Peeta's door and, without knocking, push my way inside.