[Flowers] • The Hunger Games

Twenty One

Gale and Madge were immediately taken to the hospital right after. Both of them seriously needed IVs and several different types of vitamins to become healthy again. They wouldn't let Asteria or Haymitch come in to see them for the first three days, but they waited outside in the waiting room anyway. Sleeping there in uncomfortable chairs leaned on one another.

When they were finally allowed in to see them, Asteria planned to bring them plates from the cafeteria filled up with pastas and breads. It was a kind gesture meant to take some of the seriousness away. Madge even managed to laugh, when she came into her room. Haymitch was with Gale first- they wanted both of them to be met with someone familiar when they were allowed in, so they'd divided and conquered.

"You did good kid, you did good." Asteria mumbled to Madge, holding her in a hug as she delicately ran her fingers through her hair.

"I just...your voice kept playing in my head, like a mantra." Madge told her. "Whenever I was scared, or hungry, or lost- I just thought about what you would do if you were me."

"You had me worried there for a while, Madge, but you did all of that yourself." Asteria told her. She pulled away, giving Madge a comforting smile.

"I- they won't let me see Gale, is he alright?" She asked. Asteria gave her a nod.

"Yeah, yes. He's fine. Totally fine. They had to fix his nose, and they're healing his flesh wounds. But both of you are in pretty much the same condition." Asteria explained. "They gave you a CAT scan, or whatever it's called. The seizures were brought on by a complicated mix of your injuries and environment, they shouldn't be a problem moving forwards, but they're gonna prescribe you a round of medication just in case. They're gonna want to have you ready for your interviews as soon as possible, so don't be surprised if they shove you out the doors in the next few days." She warned her.

Madge nodded. She looked a little- well, traumatized. But that was definitely to be expected from someone who'd just come from the games.

It was up to Asteria, Haymitch, and Gale to keep her and each other sane. They'd all have their coping mechanisms. They'd all have the bad days, the nightmares, the fear. They, the four victors from district 12, were the only ones who could truly understand one another.

"How are you?" Madge asked.

Asteria let out a short, surprised laugh at the question.

"Better, now that you two are safe." She assured her, smiling. "There's a...long list of things, we can talk about when we get back home. It's been an eventful time both in and out of the games. I miss my cat." Asteria laughed.

"You have a cat?" Madge asked, smiling a bit, too.

Asteria nodded. "Long-haired ginger. The other kitten of the litter belongs to a little blonde girl, the youngest Everdeen girl, I think."

"Katniss' younger sister?" Madge asked.

She hadn't known the two knew each other. That made her star-crossed lovers approach all the more confusing in Asteria's head. She must have known that...something...was going on between Gale and Katniss. And yet she'd gone down this avenue anyway.

"Yeah, Primrose, I think." She nodded. "I'm sure they'll be thrilled to have Gale back. Both of you coming back is gonna do a lot for the district. It's hopeful, you know?" She asked.

"Yeah." Madge said, with a hint of a somber tone.

"Hey. Remember- you did what you had to do to win those games. So did Gale, okay? It's the guilt of a victor. We all have it. If it ever gets too much, you know, nobody understands you better than we do. It's not your weight to bear alone." Asteria assured her. "Haymitch told me the same thing when I won my games. I didn't believe him. Tried to shoulder it all on my own. But eventually, you'll need someone. I'm telling you now that you didn't do anything wrong. You survived, and that's all that matters." She held her hand for a few moments.