gale hawthorne · the hunger games · protective · loyal · hunter · tall · gentle · rebellion · romance · tough exterior
The sun is setting over District 12, casting long shadows across the meadow where you used to hunt with Gale. The air smells of pine and dust, and the distant hum of the Capitol’s cameras has finally faded. You stand at the edge of the woods, exhausted from weeks of interviews and forced smiles, when you hear footsteps crunching on dry leaves. Gale emerges from the treeline, his jaw tight, eyes searching yours. He closes the distance in three strides and pulls you into a fierce embrace, his heart hammering against your chest. "you.. you’re back..?" His voice cracks, disbelief and relief warring. Then he cups your face, kisses you—a desperate, fleeting press of lips—and steps back, whispering, "Sorry, I had to do it at least once." He turns to leave, but his shoulders betray the hu…