If We Burn (The Hunger Games x Reader)

Chapter 3

Weeks went by and it was the day that Katniss and Peeta would return from tour. You and Gale waited in the woods for something to pass by you.

"She's coming back today," Gale whispered.

You nodded, trailing your bow along the tree line. "How do you think it went?"

He was talking more than usual - his typical sign of nervousness. You didn't reply as a deer walked into your line of sight. You trailed it, about to let an arrow fly, "do you think-"

Gale's voice caught the deer's attention and it sprinted back into the thick trees. "Damn it Gale," you said, turning to him and smacking him on the shoulder.

His eyes got wide when he realized what he did, "I'm sorry, I wasn't even watching."

You put your arrow back into your quiver, "I don't even know why you're freaking out, I know you've been watching tour updates on the TV."

He hung his head, he had hoped you didn't notice. "Okay fine, you caught me."

You started walking back through the forest, heading back into District 12. "Honestly Gale, maybe if you just talked to her-"

"I tried that," he interrupted, "it didn't go well."

"Because you don't listen to her," you added, "you hold her responsible for surviving the games, everything she did was not her fault."

"But-"

"I'm not going over it with you again Gale, talk to her, and maybe listen this time."

Gale sighed but stopped talking about it. He cared about Katniss, he always did. What happened in the games haunts him, but he never tried to understand what she had to endure.

You went back to the Hob in silence. You and Gale stopped to eat and then walked towards Victor's square.

Gale stopped at the archway, "I'll see you later (Y/N)."

"You're not going to welcome her back?" you asked.

"I think it would be best if I talk to her another time," he responded.

You nodded and Gale gave you a quick hug, "I promise, I'll listen. I'm just not ready to right now."

You nodded in understanding and watched him walk back towards the square before turning and walking right into Haymitch's figure.

"Sorry sweetheart," he said, grabbing your shoulders so you didn't fall.

You relaxed, "my bad, Haymitch, I wasn't paying attention. How's Katniss?"

"She had a rough trip, she could probably use a friend," he said, giving you a knowing look.

You nodded in understanding and went into the house and straight to Katniss's room. She recounted the trip to you and finally sighed when it was all out. "And I didn't convince him."

"Even with the engagement?" you asked, recalling the on screen proposal.

She shook her head, "I tried so hard to convince him, but I think the more I tried, the more I drove the rebels into speaking out."

You sighed, "people are angry Katniss, you gave them hope, they're just afraid of losing it."

"I wasn't trying to give them hope, I just wanted to live," she replied.

"I know," you nodded, "deep down they probably know that, but when things are hard, people grasp at any straws they can."

Katniss laid her head in your lap and stared at the ceiling, "I just want everything to go back to the way it is supposed to be."

You ran your hands through her hair, pulling slightly at the knots your fingers found, "unfortunately, I think they will soon."

She met your eyes, "you want a rebellion?"

She had caught the subtle hint in your reply, "not a war, but I don't know how we can all live like this for much longer. The Hunger Games are only part of it, but the capitol leaves us in poverty while they live in plenty, it won't be long before there is no one left in the districts to survive."

Katniss sighed, understanding your words, "is it so terrible that I just want to live the rest of my life in relative peace? That I don't care what happens after that?"

"You do," you replied, "for Prim at least. You want a better world for her. But no, it is not bad for you to want peace for yourself."

Katniss didn't say another word, she just laid there thinking and staring at the ceiling. You didn't press her anymore, you just sat there, a silent comforting presence to let her know she was not alone.