aubergines | ( #002 ) FAKE MARRIED AU

ooc: an entire AU where it's Gale and Katniss as victors and pretending to get married or idk some au to unite the rebels... or something??

[ ooc: that sounds cool! Gale as a past victor who mentored Katniss, and they help kick off the rebellion? ]

[The Capitol has many ways of manipulating people, this is only one of them. On stage and on paper Katniss presents herself as a soft and demure, mostly it's at a loss for what she's supposed to do and say. Gale isn't any better. He may be at this longer, but he isn't good at hiding his true feelings. So for the safety of them both, she tries to be the strong one, smiling and answering questions. Truth is, she's aware of how he looks at her. She can't deny it. Perhaps it's always been there since the days they used to hunt in the forest outside of 12.

Now she's not sure how she feels. What she experienced in the Games makes her feel hollow. She doesn't sleep well, and while feelings and emotions aren't either of their strong suits, the heavy silence of just laying against him is usually comfort enough on those nights that she can't stop dreaming about killing the other tributes.

It's that kind of comfort that keeps her magnetized to him. Her hand holds his as Caeser asks them questions about the upcoming wedding. They've come on the show once again to talk about this farce that may soon be less of a lie. Her emotions on it are mixed for a variety of reasons, but here she can gush about how madly in love they are, about how he saved her during the Games, and it was his daring advice she took, because he couldn't see her die. But this is only the pre-show to a much larger announcement President Snow is going to make.

The half hour show goes by quickly. Katniss is as ever charming, and even makes a few light jokes with Caeser. It's hard not to. But the show closed out, and a large screen enters the middle of the stage so everyone can watch the President's announcement on the 75th Annual Hunger Games. Katniss is already ready to tune him out. She's exhausted from makeup and dress prep, the show, and all the lies. But her face stays angled toward the screen until the inevitable is announced.

Former tributes. Her face drops. She can't breathe, and she can't speak. This is why Snow brought them here, not to blather on about some stupid wedding, but because he is showing her how quickly he can take her future away. And all cameras are still on them. Snow ends the announcement, setting a date to pick the tributes from the Quarter Quell. She's sure Caeser is making some commentary on it, but all she can do is look at Gale's face. No, not here. Not now.]

[ For once, Gale doesn’t have to pretend to be happy during all this fanfare. It’s subdued, of course, in his usual manner, but it’s there, out for everyone to see, and his smile is a little brighter as he and Katniss sit with fingers intertwined, talking about the wedding like it’s the only thing on their minds. He’s always loved her, and now the world can see that for what it is - not just a mentor helping their tribute, or even a friend helping a friend. Gale is well aware that she isn’t wholly convinced that this is what they need to do, and honestly, he isn’t either, but this is the hand they’ve been dealt, and it isn’t as bad as it could. He knows that for a fact.

Unfortunately, that’s not the only hand they’re dealt, and when the announcement comes, his breath catches in his throat. Former Victors. That means… Katniss has to go back in. His eyes harden where they’re locked on the screen, mind immediately set on finding a way for them to survive this - for Katniss to survive.

There are two options: either he goes in with her, or Haymitch goes, and he helps from behind the scenes, like last time. Whatever happens, Gale’s already decided that this will be the last Game. It isn’t hard to recognize this as the turning point they’ve been waiting for.

Finally, he turns to Katniss. She looks horrified, and rightly so, but there is only so much either of them can do now, so soon after their wedding announcement, so he goes for the one he knows the crowd will fawn over, and pulls her into a hug. They’re supposed to be hopelessly in love, and now at least one of them will have to face the arena all over again. They’ll need to play this up if they’re going to get through it. ]

Don’t worry, Catnip, [ he whispers, determined as he holds her as tightly as any man who’d just learned his bride is being sent to die would. ] We’ll figure something out.

[While he's thinking about her, all she can think about is not only the fact that she definitely has to go back in but Gale's chances are much higher as well. That means having to try and kill either him or Haymitch. That pit in her stomach grows even as Gale takes her in his arms. In this moment she doesn't care about the farce. Katniss has to go back in, possibly with Gale.

She can't breathe, and her head swirls. She knows Caeser is asking questions, but she just can't begin to function enough to answer. The audinc is captivated in this moment, of one fiancé comforting the other. And that's all she needs. She keeps her head on his shoulder.]

I can't do it. I can't kill you or Haymitch. [It's whispered against his ear as she tries to shake her head. She doesn't want to be here right now, but she can't muster the energy to get up. The earth is spinning too fast under her feet, and she's sure it will give out if she tries.]

[ “You might not have to” are the words that instantly come to mind, but they’re certainly not the right ones, not at this moment. That could mean anything, from their plans taking off, or another one of the Victors getting to them first. Neither are things that Katniss should be thinking about.

Instead, Gale takes a breath and tells her, ] Don’t think about that, Catnip. We’re from the Seam, remember? We’ll find a way to survive. We always do.

[ Over her shoulder, his eyes find Haymitch, and they immediately come to a silent agreement. Whatever it takes, she will get out of there. The Mockingjay will live. ]

[Her heart hammers in her chest, and as comforting as Gale's words are, remembering first watching him in the Games and then having him me for her when she volunteered herself in place of her sister. She can't do this here. She pushes away from him, feeling the audience and the cameras pressing in on her. She doesn't look at Caesar or anyone really. She can't breathe, and she just needs out. Katniss pulls on her mic and moves off stage, just needing a moment before everything starts to crash down around her.

It didn't matter if Gale said she'd make it through. Could she even survive doing what needs to be done again? How often did she wake with nightmares? A hand sweeps through her hair as she leans into the wall. Haymitch is trying to say something but she just pushes him away and tries to walk down the hall. She doesn't get far before it all just hits her and she nearly collapses on the spot.]

I can't... I can't do this...

( #002 ) FAKE MARRIED AU

gale hawthorne

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tell me if I need to change anything

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