Author's Note: Obviously I do not own the Hunger Games. Further information: I'm really just winging Venus's character on a whim. So basically, whatever district she's from is really a big idgaf. It's unimportant, other than she's not from a Career district or 11 or 12. Which should narrow it down some, but hopefully not too much.
What made her the soldier she was, why she was a fighter… and he knew he might never get the answers. But somehow, that was okay for now.
Two months had gone by since he met that girl who was giving him a challenge. Eight weeks of laughter and play fights with the girl who was crazy. Fifty-six days of healing. One thousand, three hundred and forty-four hours of Katniss being driven out of his mind by a golden haired girl with the expressive eyes.
Two months had gone by since the girl had last considered death as a final option. Eight weeks of finally having someone to hold onto. Fifty-six days since she last thought of the fire. One thousand, three hundred and forty-four hours since she started to learn how to smile again.
It had been two months.
It had been eight weeks.
It had been fifty-six days.
It had been one thousand, three hundred and forty-four hours.
Gale had been smiling lately, enough to worry his co-workers that he was having some sort of mental breakdown. Gale never smiled at work, at least, he hadn't two months ago. Now, it seemed that this girl had some sort of spell over Gale, one that caused him to smile more and think less of the girl on fire. Her name barely crossed his mind except when he was wishing for his hunting partner back. He supposed he'd never get the friendship back either, just like he never got her love. Yet at the same time, Venus seemed to be offering only friendship. He supposed he'd just have to take that as well.
End of the workday, and he knew Venus was perched on the ledge outside again, waiting for him. It had become routine for them. He still hadn't the faintest clue what she did for a living – if she even had a job at all. He felt a clap on his shoulder from one of his co-workers. "Is that mysterious lady outside again for you?" Gale nodded, a smile on his face. His co-worker laughed and said, "You better hurry and ask her out. Every time she shows up, each of the other guys think they can get her on a date."
For some reason, it bugs him that the other guys are already descending like vultures on a girl that he's been spending most of his time with. Was it not obvious to them the change this girl was evoking in him? It was then his resolve was made up: he lost his first love, but he would not let it slip through his fingers the second time. Venus's smile was on her face, the smile that was reserved just for him. It wasn't long before Gale, ever the impulsive one, had pressed his lips against Venus's.
The blond was taken aback, but she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back eagerly, tenderly. It was the first time Gale ever felt truly happy again, with the small blond pressed against his body. He didn't want the kiss to end, but it had to for him to speak. "So… would you consider a date with me?"
The girl laughed, and Gale knew the answer before she even said it. "Soldier, it sure took you long enough to ask me out. Of course I would. I have been from that day two months ago."
Gale smiled, this time the smile going to his eyes. "Keane, I'm pretty sure that by the end of that day, I was prepared to go through hell and back for you."
"You already had," Venus pointed out, "and it's about time you came back from hell, isn't it?"