Time froze as I stared into the eyes of Gale Hawthorne. My confused hatred for him had melted long ago, and it trickled warmly down my body as I reached for his weathered face.
”It’s really you.”
He pulled me into his arms, and I knew. There was no mistaking his scent, the way his shoulders closed around me and protected me. Our eyes met, and then our lips were aching for each other..
”Katniss, i’m home!” called Peeta.
We sprang apart immediately, feeling guilty as sin.
”Gale? Is it really you?” Peeta looked at us questionly, then walked over and threw his arms around Gale. They had never been what you would call ‘friends’ but they were civil enough. Well, that was twenty years ago.
Tea was made, and they sat around the table sharing stories of their lives apart.
”Katniss. I never meant..”
”Don’t, Gale. We don’t discuss it.. her.”
”But there’s someone i’d like you to meet.” he said.
He pulled out a picture of a smiling girl, who had cold grey eyes, just as the rest of the Seam had.
”Who’s this little charmer?” Peeta asked.
”This is my daughter.” said Gale.
Katniss’s heart stopped for a second, then she smiled as she always did to hide her pain.
Then his voice dropped to a whisper.
”Primrose.”
