Disclaimer: All stories are individuals of themselves and are unrelated to each other.

Gale didn't like parties very much, especially when they were for him. He hated the forced mingling, he hated the polite smiles, he hated people he hadn't spoken to in years showing up and suddenly acting like they were very interested in his life. So when he told Katniss he didn't want a party for his 25th, she nodded in understanding. It was too much effort and he didn't get off work until 7 anyway so Gale just didn't have it in him.

When he got to his apartment after a long day in the design room he was pleasantly surprised to find that Katniss hadn't thrown him a party – only invited over a few close friends. No acquaintances, no awkward interaction. Just some wine and a few rounds of Cards Against Humanity. They cheered when he walked in but there was no confetti or overwhelming presence of humans that didn't need to be there.

Thom had been the one to let everyone in, Peeta supplied the cake, and Katniss had brought the game. A few other friends from their larger group were here as well, Finnick and Johanna, Bristel, but perhaps most importantly – Madge Undersee.

She looked a bit unsure if she wanted to be there or not. She and Gale had always had a very rocky relationship. He was a dick to her. Not because he hated her but because he liked watching her get angry. She was always so prim and proper that watching her explode made him feel things he couldn't quite explain. Some nights he'd wake up itching for her, others he'd pull up her name as though he was going to call and confess his hidden feelings. Gale knew he wanted to build up his friendship with her before making any moves, however. If he didn't she'd look at him as just trying to get in her pants.

Which he was. Just for the long run.

Time ticked on and people went in for their second and third and fourth glasses of wines. Madge was still nursing her first, and Gale had hardly had two. She sunk onto the couch next to him while their friends got in a heated debate about whether CaH was funny because it was offensive, or funny because they knew how offensive it was and respected the boundaries.

"Not up for it tonight?" Gale asked, motioning to her cup.

Madge smiled and took another sip, shrugging slightly. "I have work in the morning."

Gale frowned, "You didn't have to come."

It was her turn to frown. "It's your birthday," she said. "Yes I did." They were quiet for a few moments before Madge added, "I didn't get you anything."

"Aw, no? C'mon, Undersee, you've got all that money to blow." Her frown deepened and he chuckled, "I'mkidding. I don't care." Gale nudges her as she takes another sip, "I'm honestly just happy that you're here."

"Oh?" Finally her mouth curved upwards. "My presence is a present?"

"Mm," he chuckled again. Madge looked at him for a few seconds without saying anything, her blue eyes clear as they studied the man sitting next to her, and then she knocked back the rest of her glass. Gale's eyes widened as he watched. "You alright, Undersee?"

Madge nodded a lot and smiled. "I'm going to get another. Be right back." She stood and paused, the speedy intake of alcohol already making her lightheaded. She paraded over to the bottle and poured a very full glass of wine. Then she drank half before she returned to her seat beside Gale. "Are you having a good birthday?" she asked.

"I am, actually." Gale's eyes kept dropping to her lips. Maybe he needed more alcohol too. "My sister, Posy, she usually throws confetti on me when it's my birthday. I'm going home this weekend so there's no doubt she'll do it then." His eyes met hers. "Are you?"

"Am I?" she echoed. "Am I… what? Having a good birthday?"

"Oh. Shit." Madge laughed and Gale took another big gulp of wine. "Never mind. Yes. I'm having a good birthday. Usually my birthdays are really shitty, actually, so this is great." Gale moved his gaze to his friends playing Cards Against Humanity and smiled. "I don't need over the top celebrations I just want my friends to all come together and have a good time." He looked at his glass after he said this and frowned slightly. Clearly the wine was starting to talk.

"What could make it better?" Madge asked. As she spoke she had lifted her hand, moving it to rest atop Gale's knee. His eyes followed the motion; his tongue darted out to wet his lips. "Anything?"

"Undersee," Gale croaked. He was weak. Her hand slowly started moving toward his inner thigh. "People… people are here," he said, forcing his eyes back up to hers. Hell, she was beautiful. Had he tipped her off about how he felt? What the fuck did he say to get her to touch him like this? "Madge," he rested his hand over hers and she stopped where she was.

"They don't care," she said. His thumb brushed against her knuckles. "They're not even paying attention."

"I'm paying attention," Gale murmured. "You're not going to be my birthday present, Undersee." He forcefully removed her hand and her face filled with shock, then disappointment, but Gale turned their hands so their fingers laced. "Would I like to carry you to my bedroom which is just behind that door?" he asked, motioning to the door behind them. "Yes. Hell yes. But if you're going to leave in the morning then it wouldn't be worth it." He reached across for her other hand as Madge blinked at him.

"Wh—what?"

"Dammit—" Gale squeezes her hands. "I like you."

"Actually?" she breathed.

He laughed, "Actually." Gale licked his lips again and this time Madge's eyes dropped to his mouth. "You as a birthday present would be great if you stayed – if it wasn't a onetime thing."

"But, I—I have work in the morning."

"You have work in the morning," Gale repeated with a smile. "Work, I get it." He leaned in and gently brushed his lips over hers. "I get it," he exhaled. Her hands scrambled away from his as she reached for his shirt.

"I can come back when I'm off?" Madge asked. She stretched out her neck, trying to get her mouth back to his. "If you—if that's what you want.

"Mm," Gale nodded. "That's what I want. But not—not as a birthday present."

"Okay. I was going to try to seduce you and lure you into my trap but this works out a lot better." Gale laughed loudly and a few of their friends turned their heads, surprised to see them so close. No one said anything. "I drank a lot of wine really fast to work up the nerve."

"I noticed," Gale grinned. He tilted his heads toward everyone playing the card game. "Think I can make them leave so it's just you and me?"

Madge giggled, "It's your birthday. You can do whatever you want."

Gale thought about this for a moment before laughing as well. "Good point. Everybody out!"