Disclaimer: All stories are individuals of themselves and are unrelated to each other.
After his long day in the mines, Gale tiredly makes the trek into town. His family has been staying with the Everdeen's at their house in the Victor's Village ever since Katniss was thrown back into the Games again. Trying to make it feel less lonely. Trying to give the Everdeen's the small amount of hope that Katniss will come home.
As he passes through the square he keeps his eyes on the ground. The Games are playing on the screen, and they're blaring loud and proud throughout the District. Gale would rather not watch any more than he has to.
But this time is different. He hears something. Screaming. Instantly his head picks up in fear for his friend and he glances toward the screen. Katniss isn't screaming. She's holding her hands to her ears and rocking back and forth next to her fellow tribute Finnick Odair.
A jabberjay swoops by Katniss and screams in her face. Or rather, has Madge Undersee scream in her face.
Panic instantly sweeps through his veins. What did he miss while he was at work? Has the mayor been arrested? What for? Why would they torture Madge?
And before he can help himself Gale is sprinting off in the direction of the Undersee household. He hasn't spoken with Madge for a long time. Hasn't had time for trades and hasn't wanted to confront her since he found out she was the one who brought him morphling.
But she isn't a bad person. Madge Undersee is infuriatingly inspiring, overly kind and gentle. She has a view of the world that most people in her position wouldn't have, she doesn't deserve to have the crap kicked out of her just so Katniss can be tortured in the Games.
The outside of the Undersee mansion is perfectly normal. No signs of an arrest, no proof that anyone's been in here to steal the blonde away. Gale hops over the fence as fast as he can and quickly rushes up the stairs to their back porch, knocking away on the door as if he can still save her.
But then Madge is the one who opens the door, and his eyebrows are instantly knitted. "What'd they do to you? Are you okay?" Gale has lost his filter, the words fly from his mouth without any intention of stopping. "Jesus, Undersee," he steps forward and cups her cheek, shaking his head.
"What are you…?" she trails off, blinking at the physical contact. "Gale, I'm fine, what are you talking about?"
Instantly his hand drops and he continues to study her. Her eyes are a bit pink, probably from crying, but that's it. No bruises staining her pale skin, no rope burns circling her delicate wrists.
"The Games," he chokes out, too confused to form a real sentence. "You were screaming."
Madge frowns and takes a step outside, shutting the door behind her. "They used our interviews," she tells him. "All of them. Even yours, your family. Twisted the voices around to make us sound like we were hurt." Gale continues to blink, still confused. "I'm okay," Madge reassures him.
"No one touched you?" he asks again, his voice sharp and angry.
"No one touched me," Madge affirms, nodding slightly. Gale lets out a sigh of relief and runs his hand over his face, a weight lifted off of his shoulders at this declaration. "I thought the same thing at first too," Madge tells him. "When I heard you…" she trails off, dropping her eyes from his. "Never mind."
And then all of a sudden Gale's reaching for her again, his hand gently caressing her cheek. She closes her eyes at his touch. "I'm glad you're okay," Gale tells Madge quietly.
"Me too," she responds. Her eyes blink open and she adds, "Glad you're okay, that is." He smiles slightly and retracts his hand. "After everything you've been through it's always reassuring to see you on my porch again," Madge tells him.
"You've got nothing to worry about, Undersee," Gale mumbles softly. "They're not going to knock me down anytime soon." She smiles at his words, but he can see the way Madge's eye fill with worry. "I'll see you later." She nods before stepping back inside, a small wave over her shoulder.
And although the chances of something happening to Madge Undersee are slim to none, Gale resolves to keep his eye on her. Just in case.