Whoo getting into the new storyline! Actually really excited about their journey home... probably not gonna be smooth the whole time but we'll see.
The whole idea of it was spontaneous, it all grew from just a random thought, and now the two are dropping both of their newly built lives to make a visit home. It all happened so fast, the decision was made that night, and by the afternoon the next day Gale and Madge had both filed for a 2 week absence at work, gotten their bags pack and on route to the train station that will take them back home. Despite it being her idea, Madge feels that it still hasn't sunken in that they were doing this, and she herself was still feeling unsure about whether or not she's ready. But then again, things with Gale had always been like this, fast, passionate and spontaneous.
Gale help her with her bags as they aboard the train, hurrying into the two-people compartment they had booked overnight. They had originally wanted to book a flight on a hovercraft instead, seeing as it was faster, but given the sudden timing they weren't able to manage it. In some ways Madge is actually kind of glad, they never use to have hovercraft station in district 12 anyways, this feel more familiar, and real. Plus she knows that Gale isn't much of a hovercraft either, it reminded him of the war he had fought in, the same war that had scarred him so much.
Not long after they have seated, the whistle blew and the train slowly came alive, gradually speeding up along the rusty tracks. Madge glances up to see that Gale was staring at her, a genuine smile playing at the corner of his lips. As cheesy as it sounds, she feels as if she's falling for him more every time they were together. They had exchanged "I love yous" last night, and even though it freaked her out a little, it had felt so right coming out of her lips after hearing it first from him. It's crazy to think that they had really only been together for a couple weeks, but she thinks that she had probably loved Gale long before even their first kiss back in district 12.
They didn't tell anyone about their plans aside from a couple co-workers who asked when they filed their absences, it's going to be a surprise to everyone once they get their. Neither of them are sure what they'll actually do when they arrive, but they have faith that they'll figure it out like they always do. Madge has to admit that the unknowns of the trip scares her more than she could have anticipated.
"Did the guy who collected our tickets say that we'll be there by tomorrow morning?" Gale wonders, drumming his fingers against the seat, already seeming restless after only about half an hour on board.
"Yeah I think so," Madge answers, furrowing her eyebrows as she tried to remember "I think he said 9 in the morning? We can probably just sleep soon and we'll be there when we wake up."
"You nervous?" he asks, looking concerned when he noticed the way she hasn't stopped chewing on her lips, "You look like your worried, are you sure you're ready to do this?"
Come to think about it, he had not expected her to be the one that's unsure about this, because she did sound sure when she suggested it. He had thought that he would be the one freaking out about the idea, and maybe it's just hasn't fully sunken in yet, but he honestly feels relief and excitement if anything. He had always wanted to come back, but had always found excuses not to. Now that he is able to go with Madge, he's able to really see past his fears. He wants this, he wants to fix things up with his family and Katniss, he wants to free himself from the chains that have come with the war, and maybe now was finally the time to do so. He thinks that he had always known that he couldn't stall forever, he had to face them eventually, and he's more ready now then he probably ever will be.
"What? No, not nervous." she mutters in reply, obviously having been in deep thought just moments before.
Gale reaches across the compartment, taking one of her hands in his, "You sure about that? Because I get how scary this is Madge, just talk to me."
"Ok fine, I'm not as confident as I thought I would be last night, I don't know if I'm okay with going back." the whole time she talks she barely holds eye contact. "It's just different I guess than you Gale, not to be not understanding or anything but at least your families still there, no matter what they're alive and you and I both know that someday you'll be one big happy family again. I just- I don't know what I'm gonna do when we go back and I see the place where my house was knowing that it's been burned down forever and my parents are gone forever." her attempts at blinking back the tears were clearly failing now, "I've just been trying to forget about everything that happened, and it's all so real again, Gale I'm scared." She moved to sit beside him instead, and his arms are instantly wrapped around her, as he kisses her hair.
He was pissed at first when she said that his situation was a lot better than hers, and he thinks that she doesn't even understand how he feels. But then he thinks about it and realizes just how right she was, their was still a chance that his family could go back to how they were-and now that he thinks about it a very big chance-but she would never get hers back ever, and the realization made his heart ache for her, imagining the sadness she's obviously feeling.
"You have any idea what we're gonna go when we actually get there?" she asks lightly between sobs, chuckling slightly.
"No idea" he whispers into her ears. Then they're both laughing even though it's not that funny, but they do anyways because of the situation they're in and how ironic it seemed to them.
"How are you so calm about this?" Madge says, looking up. She says this almost jokingly now, the sadness having faded a bit from her eyes.
"Do I look calm? Because I'm pretty worried too. But I don't know I guess I just know that I have to do this eventually, and you were right when you said that earlier. About how it's likely my family will forgive me and stuff, at least I want to believe that." he thinks about what he's saying for a second, and still decide that he sounds kinda inconsiderate, especially after her little break down, "Look Madge, I feel kinda bad for having worried about my family so much, I guess I was so focused that I forgot what you must be going through. I'm sorry, I'm probably the worst boyfriend ever."
She laughs at the last part, her eyes shining again, probably because of what he just said, "You are the worst boyfriend ever, your making me cry all over again!" she laughs between sobs, "And it's okay, it's natural to put your own problems first, I probably would have too." She smiles and decides to add in an "I love you." at the end.
"I love you too," he says capturing her mouth with his, sharing a light but lingering kiss.
They don't talk about the destination for the rest of the night, choosing to just leave it to their instincts next morning. Instead they go back to the question game that they started the night before, accumulating more and more information about each other. They kiss, and touch, falling asleep late in the night in each other's arms.
They both wake up at the same time the next morning, both groaning as the intercom system in the train woke them from their slumber with the loud announcing that they would be arriving in an hour. Madge unwillingly untangles herself from Gale, she goes to move to her seat across when she realizes how stiff her muscles are.
"Good night sleep?" he asks her, smiling as she stretches out her arms.
"Yeah, if we weren't so cramped in a tiny box," she huffs, slightly annoyed.
"Well I slept great having you in my arms," he says, putting emphasis on certain words that made it sounds all dramatic.
She laughs yet again, "God Gale, when did you turn into such a sap?"
"Since you loved me," he says rather loudly, leaning over again to grab her, showering kisses on her face then neck. If they hadn't been in a public place she probably would have squealed, luckily she was able to hold the squeal but not the giggling though.
"Gale stop we're in public!"
"I don't see anyone around," he says as he continues to kiss her.
"I'm serious Hawthorne," she demands even though she's still giggling.
"I like when you call me by my last name, Undersee."
'Gale!"
"Ok fine!" he says pulling away, he probably enjoyed teasing her like that, seeing her reactions. She doesn't mind, she enjoys this kind of affection from Gale, but if he wants to tease her like this then she's gonna have to find away soon to get even with him. Two can play that game, she thinks, smirking.
Right after Gale sits down again in his proper seat, the train attendant knocks on their door, serving them their breakfast while reminding them again that they will be there soon. Madge smiles and gives him a look, giving him the message of how relieved she is that the train attendant hadn't decided to come even a minute sooner, and that he had been wrong about there not being anyone around. He seems to get the message, and he raises him eyebrows in response.
They eat their breakfast quietly, occasionally exchanging witty remarks, but as train keeps speeding on, the silence grows heavier and the playfulness fades. The approaching destination is dawning on them, and they tension that had been their the previous evening appears again.
By the time the system announces 10 minutes, their hearts were both pounding so fast they could practically hear it. Madge was shaking her legs, restlessly playing with a strand of her hair as Gale returned to drumming his fingers like he did before. Slowly the scenery around them becomes more familiar, especially to Gale whose been out further in the woods. If he squints he thinks he can see chimney smoke of in the distance, although he might have imaged that due to the anticipation. He takes Madge's hand again, and tries to calm her down, even though he's not that much more composed himself.
The first things he sees as the train pulls into the station are people. A fairly big crowd of them, bobbling up and down, obviously excited to welcome whoever it was that they knew on this train. He sees them waving, presumably to some smiling face in a window close to theirs. He tries to identify faces in the crowd, and he thinks he sees some kids he may have gone to school with, or a merchant he traded with. Just faint memories from the past though, no one he really knows enough to place a name on.
The train finally screeches to a stop, and a bell rings signalling the doors opening. Outside in the hallway, Gale watches the other passengers hurry forward, anxious to get to their loved ones. He and Madge were in no rush though, and they somehow silently agree to wait until the train clears out.
They were the last to exit.
They had watched from their window the way the families and friends greeted the people descending from the train, one by one they hug and kiss before walking towards the entrance with big smiles on their faces, probably impatient to go home or see more loved ones. By the time they got off, there was only a few people left. Gale didn't anticipate the emptiness that hits him as he watches them, and the expression on Madge's face as he glances over tell him she feels the same.
The first whiff of air that hits him as he exits the steel door of the train is familiar. It was familiar but foreign at the same time. This was his home, but so much has changed since he's last been here that he's sure at a certain point that he doesn't belong anymore.
But as he feels Madge's hand grip tighter to his, he knows that he belongs because he's with her, and together they head out of the station, beginning this long overdue journey home.
So, this chapter was pretty fun to write and sorry about the mistakes, I really wanted to get this out today. I will probably proofread it and reupload tomorrow if I or you guys find mistakes...
I wanted to explore their playful side in this one, idk how it went. But I felt like it was needed too cuz the next few are probably gonna be kinda heavy. I ended it here cuz honestly I', not too sure exactly how everythings gonna go and who they're gonna visit first and everything just yet.
But I hope you enjoyed this, because I enjoyed writing it. Keep the reviews coming pls
Oh and I made a new tumblr account thats just gonna be for my fandom stuff... I'm accepting requests for oneshots right now because I've never really done much of them and wanna try. Lol, so yea link: ( )
Please please review just so I know what you guys are thinking about this. It means alot and actually helps me when I write
K thanks