A/N: Didn't think I was gonna update today either, did ya? :D

Sorry I skipped yesterday, but I just couldn't type fast enough T.T All those other times I was a chapter ahead so I could post and be working on the other chapter at the same time, and now I'm...not. Ha. XD

Can't say it won't happen again, but I apologize in advance if it does ^^

SO, please enjoy this double-post to make up for it :D

Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games.

Chapter nine: Prayer~

After the playground mishap, Gale and Rory accompanied the Everdeens back to the shelter. Gale was surprised at how much more...busy the place looked. It was absolutely packed with family members and distant relatives, and every single table was filled, taken, or claimed; all except the Everdeen's. How ironic.

They walked up to their table and sat down, Katniss next to her mother and Gale next to her, with Rory and Prim next to him. Gale looked around, his eyes landing on the two very full tables at the end of the room towards the entrance. Full of food, that is. ...Oh wait, there were three! Three tables filled with food! He ran his eyes hungrily over the morsels, quickly scanning the contents of each one.

From the looks of it, there were two tables for lunch, and one for dessert. He hadn't eaten since 6:30, and that was five hours ago, so needless to say, he was freaking starving. Gale tried craning his neck to get a better look at the delicacies that would soon be gracing his stomach, but was interrupted by the sound of Katniss' voice.

"Hey, c'mon, it's time to pray," she said lowly, gently slapping his arm.

Gale looked at her, confused, but her eyes were already closed. It was then that he noticed everyone else in the room; their eyes were closed, too. He turned to look at Rory, who was clearly looking to him for guidance on the matter, and was obviously just as confused as he was.

He leaned down to his little brother's ear. "Just follow their lead." He whispered.

And without further ado, the two brothers clasped their hands together - albeit awkwardly - bowed their heads, and closed their eyes. Not two seconds later, they heard a voice call from the other end of the shelter, toward the fireplace and prize tables.

"We thank you, dear Lord, for the food which we are about to eat. We thank you for all of the guidance and wisdom you have bestowed upon us, and all of the wonderful things that have happened to each of us over the past year. But most of all, dear Lord, we thank you for family. For our brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles, some of which are twice removed-" a few light chuckles filled the room "-and for those of us who are here today that are new to the family, as well as those who are not. Because without family, we would all be lost. Amen,"

"Amen," everyone repeated.

Gale opened his eyes, and Rory leaned up to him, placing his hand to his ear.

"That was weird," he whispered.

Gale looked at him, smiling slightly in bemusement. "Yeah, I know," He whispered back. "But don't tell anyone else that, you might hurt Prim's feelings."

Rory rolled his eyes, and they each turned back to what they were doing.

Gale had never really given much thought to God or prayer, and he certainly wouldn't have pegged the Everdeens as religious. The Hawthornes had never prayed before they ate or anything, but they had never really talked about it, either. He supposed it was just a subject they had never touched on. It didn't mean that they weren't open to religion, he guessed, they just...didn't practice it.

Whatever the case, Gale was a guest here, and he had already decided that he would respect the Everdeen's ways, even if it meant participating in something he was absolutely clueless about. He could only hope that Rory would do the same. He was not looking forward to being embarrassed by the little demon again.

Mrs. Everdeen stood up, and her daughters followed, Gale and Rory joining them. They went to stand at the end of an already long line leading up to the lunch table, and Gale had to keep himself from drooling over all of the mouthwatering smells. Was that chicken? Burgers? Cheese? ...Oh, man, was that-

His cuisine-related fantasies were interrupted as someone rather roughly brushed past him and over to Katniss, who was standing in front of him. It was a boy, no older than his best friend was. He was stout and blond, with an innocence about him that gave him a rather boyish look, contrasting greatly with the hard, mature features of the young woman he was trying to talk to. It was actually pretty hilarious when he thought about it - at least, it would have been if not for the annoyance Gale felt at being (quite literally) pushed aside.

The nerve of some people...

"Hey, Katniss!" The boy said cheerily, smiling like an idiot.

The girl in question smiled, answering, "Oh. Hi, Peeta."

Peeta grinned even wider, looking at the floor as he scratched the back of his head, the look on his face clearly indicating that he felt as though he had just overcome a great obstacle because she had replied. What a douche.

"Hi! Uh..."

Gale watched with hidden glee as he witnessed 'Peeta' fumble over his words, stumbling over himself for what to say next because he obviously didn't expect Katniss to give him the time of day. It was kind of mean, he knew. But that didn't mean it wasn't freaking hilarious.

"Uh...yeah, so, did you wanna...maybe...eat together?" The boy finally managed to stumble out, his sentence ending weakly.

Gale concealed a grin. Time for the rejection.

"Oh, um, I'm sorry, Peeta, but, I'm already eating with someone else," Katniss said apologetically, turning around to face Gale.

Gale stood tall, all too happy that the attention was now focused on him so dear little Peeta could take a good long look at his competition. He honestly didn't even know why he bothered straightening his back or squaring his shoulders; he towered easily over the kid. But, nevertheless, he did. And the reaction was priceless.

Peeta followed Katniss' gaze with all the obedience of a dog, and his face nearly fell off when his eyes met Gale's. Gale could tell from his expression that it was obvious to him that he was way out of his league for Katniss, and Gale made sure of it.

"Hi," Gale said with fake sweetness, smiling as he uncrossed his arms and held out his hand.

Peeta hesitantly took it, and Gale made sure to shake his hand with the firmness of a bear trap. Peeta laughed nervously, glancing from him to Katniss, then back again, obviously trying to keep from wincing in pain because she was present.

"Hi. I'm Peeta," he introduced once he was released from Gale's hold, stretching out the fingers of his crushed hand.

"I'm Gale," Gale replied, smiling wider.

Katniss stared back and forth between them, an awkward silence setting in.

Well, awkward for everyone but Gale.

Peeta obviously wanted to say more, but now that Gale was in the picture it seemed as though he'd changed his mind. He scratched the back of his head nervously again, and he turned back to Katniss.

"Well, I gotta go get back in line...so, I'll see you later?" He asked, hopeful.

Katniss nodded. "Yeah, definitely."

Peeta smiled goofishly again, and he jogged back toward the end of the line to rejoin his family.

Gale stared after him, pleased with himself that he was able to drive him away so quickly. Smirking, he turned back to face the front of the lunch line - and a less than happy Katniss.

A/N: Okay, I just couldn't resist the prayer scene. It's a very common thing do at family reunions (it is at mine, anyway) and I could easily see Gale (as well as Rory) getting a little uncomfortable over it XD

I still feel like I wrote it (the prayer) all corny, though, which I probably did, but oh well. You get the picture *shrugs*

Anyway, don't mind me. Go ahead and get to that other chapter! :D