Disclaimer: All stories are individuals of themselves and are unrelated to each other.
They say that the girl's usually the one to get cold feet at a wedding, but Gale's the one who doesn't understand why he's doing this. Gale. Gale Hawthorne, war hero, member of the Star Squad, is getting married. Tying himself down for good. His hands are sweating, he paces outside the church nervously.
"You're going to be fine," Thom pats him on the back once before striding down the aisle and taking his spot as best man. Other people pass by Gale too. Rory and Prim walking down hand in hand, Rory being a groomsman, Prim as a bridesmaid.
Katniss next, giving Gale's hand a light squeeze. "Stop pacing," she smirks. Then she's off down the aisle and taking her spot as Maid of Honor. But Gale doesn't stop pacing. He's nervous. His throat is knotted, he can't get all the sweat off his hands.
But when it's time for him to walk down the aisle he does so, nearly stumbling over his own feet of course, but still proud and tall. That doesn't stop his nerves though, the way he fidgets uncomfortably at the front of the room. He thinks back to when Katniss and Mellark got married, the way Peeta stood calmly at the front with a gentle smile on his face. Gale already feels like a failure of a husband.
"Relax," Thom mutters from over his shoulder. Gale rolls his shoulders once and then eases his hands down against his sides. He still wipes his hands over his dress pants but it doesn't help dry them much. He knows he loves Madge. He knows it, but what if he's not enough for her? What if she deserves someone better?
The church doors open again and out walks Posy slowly, dropping flower petals off to the side and fulfilling her spot as flower girl. She makes eye contact with Gale and grins, her gray eyes sparkling with an excitement only Posy could have. Moments later his future wife strolls out, her arm hooked with her father. Mayor Undersee is aged, slow, but his blue eyes glisten with a happiness never thought possible.
Gale's breath gets caught in his throat as Madge's veil is lifted. He can't think straight, he must be dreaming. Beautiful, stunning, breathtaking. Her eyes meet his, calm, cool, she gives him a slight wink as her father trades off, patting his future son on the back once before taking his seat.
Gale has no words. Absolutely no words to describe his emotions in the moment he sees her. The ring he proposed with sparkles on her finger, her lips are arched in a tiny smile. He sees Madge after he found her in District 2, hair in a messy bun after a late night of work. Gale sees Madge in the kitchen with flour dusted around her gentle features, cake batter spilled all over the counter tops. He sees her on the couch watching a movie with Posy, in their bed reading a book before slumber. Gale sees the only girl who could ever fill the void in his life.
His footsteps are slow at first, all he wants to do is stare at her. Madge, the girl he fell in love with. Madge, wearing a flowing white wedding dress that curves around her gracefully. Madge, her hand steady on his shaking arm. She's perfect, she's timeless.
"What," she whispers gently, so quietly only he can hear, "no pretty dress comment this time?" A short laugh gets caught in his throat as her hand reaches for his, fingers intertwining delicately. She squeezes lightly and licks at her lips before a miniscule smile slips onto her features. His heart swells, a grin cracking on his face instantly. Gale's getting married. Gale's getting married to Madge, the girl who stole his heart, the girl that he's utterly and endlessly in love with, and he can't believe that he ever had cold feet.