We meet again (Gale/Katniss one-shot)

We meet again

I finish up the cheese buns Peeta made for me and grab my hunting jacket. "See you later," I say. I give him a hug and go out the door. 

As I exit the victors' village, the morning breeze blows at my face and there are birds chirping. I start to see people in helmets walking and talking as they make their way to the coal mines. After the rebellion, even coal miners seemed to enjoy their job more. There are few children out; most will be up in a few minutes for school, including mine.

I pass by the Seam and enter the forest. There is no more electrical fence. I retrieve my bow and sheath of arrows from inside the log and sling it over my back. 

I don't feel ready to bring them back home. Not yet, anyway. So I keep them in the log.

As I venture into the forest, I start to find that even with the fence gone, there are more animals than before. I manage to shoot two fat birds and a rabbit when I see a figure. 

It's rare. There's usually no one in the forest.

He's sitting on the same rock I stood on so many years back, looking out into the horizon. And even with his back facing me, I already know who it is. 

"Gale."

He turns around in surprise and a small smile forms on his face.

"Catnip. Good to see you."

He almost looks the same as when we fought in the war together. Until he abandoned me for District two.

I take a seat beside him on the huge rock. We sit awkwardly on the rock for a while. I notice that he came empty-handed. 

He finally decides to speak. "So, how have you been?"

"I'm good." Is all I manage to say.

"How's Peeta? And the kids?"

"He's fine. He works at the bakery. The kids mostly go to school or follow him to the bakery." I'm starting to feel angry at how he's being so calm and friendly. Does he not remember anything? The war? My sister?

That he allowed a double-bombing on innocent children?

"Mm." He mumbles, then asks, "How about Haymitch?"

I lose whatever composure I had.

"Gale." I grit my teeth. "How are you acting so normal after what you did to Prim?" 

Her name sounds so foreign coming from my mouth.

Gale looks taken aback.

"You killed her! You killed my sister! And now you're acting as though you didn't do anything at all!" I shout and slam my fists on the rock in frustration. I regretted it immediately of course but hid it as well as I could.

I breathe heavily and angrily and stare at Gale. Tears are spilling down my face.

He looks really hurt but I can tell he's trying his best to hide it. 

"I'm sorry." He says quietly. "Maybe I should go." 

As he stands up to leave, I look into his eyes. 

They were the same eyes that followed me through the majority of my life. Hunted with me. Fought with me. Protected me. Did what was best for me. They are still the same. And will never change. 

That was when I knew I had made a big mistake.

He didn't allow a double-bombing. He didn't know they were going to bomb children. And Prim. It was Coin.

He is already walking away when I call out his name. 

"Gale," I say softly.

He turns around, still heartbroken, but eyes filled with hope.

"I'm sorry. Please come back."

He hesitantly comes back and sits down on the rock.

"I'm sorry Gale. It's not your fault Prim died." More tears escape from my eyes. 

Gale hugs me and I lean onto his shoulder. "She was a brave girl." He says.

He looks out into the landscape again. 

"We could have run away." He says, looking at me. "None of this would have happened."

"We could have. But you know I would have never married you." I say, knowing what he was trying to imply. "You're my best friend. My big brother."

I guess he doesn't know whether to be complimented or sad, so he just sighs.

And we just sit there in silence, appreciating each other's company and the beautiful landscape we never had in the past.

---

"Katniss! Katniss! Where are you?"

I slowly stir and realise I had fallen asleep beside Gale on the grass. He seems to have taken a nap, too, and was rubbing his eyes tiredly.

The sun is setting behind the horizon and the sky is orange, with dashes of pink, red, yellow...

"KATNIIIISSSSSSS!!!" 

I realise Peeta has been calling my name and his muffled footsteps are getting closer every second. I can hear the crunches of the leaves and the pattern of his footsteps and can easily verify it's him.

Gale quickly gets up.

"Bye Katniss. It was nice to meet you." He says, brushing his pants. 

"Wait," I say. "Peeta and the kids would love to-"

"It's okay. I'll see you again next time."

"Alright then."

I give him a hug and he quickly leaves.

A few seconds later, Peeta spots me and rushes over to me.

"Oh my god, Katniss, are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. I'm so sorry, I fell asleep." Which isn't a lie.

"It's okay, as long as you're fine."

We walk back to the Victors' Village together and enter the house where my two kids are waiting impatiently for their dinner.

---

After I kiss the children and tuck them into bed, I lie on the bed with Peeta. I just feel happy. And I thank god. 

I thank god for the meeting with Gale at the woods.

The short meeting helped me lift a huge weight off my shoulders and helped to calm my mind. I even missed my hunting partner and felt so good yet painful to see him.

I smiled.

See you soon, Gale.

~~~

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