Disclaimer: All stories are individuals of themselves and are unrelated to each other.
The party was great, honestly, but it probably would've been a thousand times better if Peeta and Katniss had stayed to help clean up. Not that I mind that they left, the mess isn't too big, but it's my house and the party was their idea.
Streamers and wine glasses and confetti litter every inch of my tiny apartment. I sigh, dropping myself to my knees to pick up a few more pieces of garbage.
"You don't have to do that," a voice rings out from over my shoulder. I glance once, surprised that Gale's still here, before returning to my work. I still have a bit of a buzz, probably the reason I'm so adamant about getting everything done now. "Madge," his voice is stern, closer this time. "You're not supposed to clean up after your own birthday party."
"If I don't then who will?" I ask, finally turning around for good. He still stands tall, his arms crossed over his chest. "Go home, Gale," I say with a sigh, rubbing at my forehead. "It's alright. Honestly."
But he drops right down to the spot next to me and starts with the beer cans I've missed. "I'll clean," he says softly. "Party was my idea anyway. You get to bed."
My face turns red in an instant and I can't suppress my smile. "Your idea?" I ask.
"Katniss hates surprises, was against it," Gale continues, not quite looking toward me. "Peeta thought a normal party would be fine. 22 is a big year," he says with a grin. "Thought you deserved something special." Before I can say anything he turns to face me, jerking his head toward my room. "Now go to bed. I'll clean."
I hesitate. When's the last time Gale Hawthorne's ever done anything nice for me? And now I'm finding out he's the whole reason for my surprise party? He sighs lightly, pushing himself to his feet in front of me and then offering his hand.
"You should make Katniss and Peeta clean tomorrow," I tell him as he pulls me up. Gale spins me around so my back is to his chest. His hands circle my waist as he pushes me toward my bedroom. "That way you don't have to."
"It's fine," he murmurs.
We reach my bedroom door and I pause, turning in his grip. "No really," I whisper. My hands slide up his shirt and clutch the fabric. "Make them do it." His eyebrows lift high on his forehead as he leans down. Closer, yet still too far. "Thanks for the party."
"You're drunk," he tells me, his voice clearly amused. I tip my head into a no and his smile widens. "Yes you are. At least a little."
"Maybe a little," I admit. Gale grins as I launch myself on my tiptoes, pressing my lips against his. Yes, definitely a little drunk. No way I'd ever do that if I wasn't.
But he doesn't seem to mind, carefully tightening his grip around my hips and kissing me back. As I tug on his shirt and pull him toward my room he stops me.
"Slow down, Undersee," he chuckles. Gale pushes a strand of hair behind my ear. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Saying thank you," I respond.
"Alright," he grins. Gale kisses the corner of my mouth. "How about you thank me in the morning then, hm?" Kisses my jaw. "So I know you won't regret it then." Kisses my throat.
My hold on his shirt tightens. "Gale-"
"Bed," he instructs. My head tips into a nod and I finally let go of him, stumbling into the darkness of my room. "See you in the morning," he hums before clicking my door shut.
A/N: This was a request by abc!