Prompt by starrful
A Dance in the Meadow
He came back searching for Katniss. 25 years should be enough for the bad blood between them to thin. He convinced himself that it was true, that time could heal even the largest of scars. After all, Katniss had forgiven Beetee, Snow's granddaughter and much of the Capitol folk. It was a bad idea. He should've known he'd be the last one she'd forgive.
The town rejected him just as much as he did. It was true; he was better off living in District 2 with other emotionless drones. The 25 years had done him well, he was now married. Still, he had so many loose ends to tie up in District 12. He had been a savior before the bombs landed. He had been their hero. Now, he was simply the guy who killed off all those innocent children.
He visited his mother first, of course, finding her helping Haymitch with some odds and ends around his house. Rory and Vick both had their own homes elsewhere, also choosing to leave the dilapidated District 12. Posy had begun a medical research lab somewhere in District 4 alongside Mrs. Everdeen.
The rest of the town had either forgotten him, or lost a child in his bombing. It was miserable. He finally found solitude in the meadow, the one place that hadn't rejected him quite yet. He could see the town from where he sat, in their special spot. He could even see his old house, slightly burnt down.
"Who are you?" He looked up to see a Seam girl, or at least she seemed to be with her brown hair and olive skin. She wore a green dress, almost the same color as the leaves on the trees behind him, her hair plaited as if ready to go to the reaping. He winced, the painful memory suddenly popping up again.
"I'm Gale," he replied, extending his hand. She shook it, a curious expression on her face.
"Willow," she introduced, sitting next to him. She pulled a biscuit out of her pocket, handing it to him. He took it graciously, munching on it in content. It vaguely reminded him of the days Katniss and he would sit in the same spot, eating bread she'd traded with the baker for.
No, he screamed at himself. He had a new life now, and he wasn't going to screw up this peace with old feelings for a girl who could never be bothered to feel the same. Just some old memories, he reminded himself. He shouldn't have come. He shook his head, the memories refusing to leave.
He finished off his biscuit, nodding to the girl in thanks.
"I think I'm going to go now," he told her, picking up his game bag. A few loose turkeys, not much of a catch. She got up, too, stretching out. There was something so familiar about her, yet he couldn't remember.
"Wait, one last thing, Mr. Gale," she said. She reached her arms out to him, grabbing his hands.
"Spin me!" she laughed. "Spin me!"
He blinked, almost unsure whether or not to actually spin the little girl. He made the choice to spin her, having her going around and around like a little Ferris wheel.
"Thank you, Willow," he said, starting on his way back to the District. He had barely walked two steps when he saw her.
She was still gorgeous, her brown hair no longer pinned in a braid. She let it fly about her face, loose. As free as her country.
"Gale!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening. Peeta stood behind her, timidly carrying a basket.
He watched Willow dash down from their spot, running up to Katniss. The realization hit him hard. He felt crushed, as if Katniss had smashed his heart down with her bow. Her marriage had already hit him hard enough as it is, but the fact she had a child now…he wasn't sure he could take it.
He closed his eyes, hoping she wouldn't say it.
Willow grinned, hugging Katniss.
"Momma!"
Well, that was tough to write. Next one should be easier.