A Gale/Briony drabble I’ve had sitting in my drafts for @nixdragon
I entered the dining hall with my mother and sisters. The space had been beautifully decorated for the wedding with autumn foliage. It reminded me a bit of home...or at least the place that used to be my home, District 12. I leaned against the wall with my arms watching the people. Things definitely seemed lighter, and not only because of the propo we were creating. It was truly genuine.
An arm snaked around my waist. I must confess that I was expecting it to be my sister, but I was happily surprised to find that it was Gale. He bent his head down and gently kissed me. I smiled as I leaned into him, returning his kiss. Sometimes I felt guilty for being so happy with Gale compared to my sister Katniss, but even she knew that everyone deserved some happiness now and then. And Gale Hawthorne was my happiness.
“You look beautiful,” Gale whispered before he kissed the top of my head.
My brow furrowed. “I look like I do every day,” I retorted.
He smiled. “Like I said, beautiful.”
I scrunched my nose and he kissed me once more.
I moved my arms from their defensive position across my chest and wrapped them around Gale’s midsection. With Gale I didn’t need to pretend to be so strong all the time. He could carry my weakness with me, which I appreciated. For so long I had only looked to myself for protection and to find it in another person was quite a remarkable thing.
“We should probably go find a spot,” Gale said, gently rubbing his hands aimlessly on my back, sending shivers up and down my spine. He looked down at me, waiting for an answer. “Hmm?”
“Yeah, okay,” I responded before I reluctantly pulled away from him. He smelled so good and I felt warm and safe in his arms, a feeling a wished could last forever.
Gale pressed another kiss on the top of my head before his hand found mine and they entwined together. He then led me through the people until he had found the perfect spot for us to watch the wedding. Gale smiled down at me and my heart fluttered. I wasn’t sure that I would ever get over someone looking at me with such admiration. I was used to seeing people look at Katniss like that, sometimes even Prim. Gale was the only one I ever noticed looking like that at me. Although, it was possible I just never noticed before.
I turned to see my mother standing where I had been with my sisters. She looked at Gale and me and smiled softly. She nodded her head and I smiled. She approved of us. Not that I needed her approval, but it was nice to know that I had it.
The wedding began.
Annie looked beautiful as she made her way to Finnick. And I had never seen Finnick look happier. This might have been propo, but their love story was real.
Gale stood behind me and rested his chin on my head, me being the perfect height for him to do so. His arms wrapped around me, enveloping me. I rested my hands on this and sighed. I had truly never thought something like this possible. Together we watched as Finnick and Annie pledged their lives to each other.
“Someday,” Gale murmured against my head. I wasn’t sure if he meant me to hear him or not. But without asking, I knew he was talking about us. Someday that will be us. While we hadn’t been together very long, I already knew that without a doubt, I wanted the same thing. While I would never confess such a thing, I had loved Gale Hawthorne most of my life and he had loved me. While this part of our relationship was still somewhat new, we had loved each other long before. We were both just too stubborn to admit it.
But not anymore.
“I love you,” I whispered for only him to hear.
“I love you too,” he whispered into my ear. His warm breath sending shocks through me.
I still wasn’t sure how I got so lucky. But somehow, I did.
