I remember how I used to cringe or become annoyed whenever I thought about the whole “Gale is mine. I am his. Anything else is unthinkable,” but now I just laugh at it. Because to me, it’s not Katniss declaring her romantic love for Gale or even a big Gale/Katniss moment, but instead, it’s shedding light on what Peeta means (or even threatens) for Gale/Katniss. Because before there was Peeta and Katniss, there was Katniss and Gale. And I think that’s the point of her thinking about the phantom girl who was meant to represent Peeta, and her feeling the way she did in that moment ( plus yk her emotions being amplified because he was whipped with every inch of his life).
Gale and Katniss shared a strong connection, and here comes Peeta Mellark, just changing everything. She fell in love with Peeta instead, he was the one who she would drop everything for, the one who made her feel happy and hungry for kisses. Peeta made her feel more than Gale could ever in their five-year friendship. And both Gale and Katniss knew that. And I think that’s the point of “Gale is mine. I am his.” Because it wasn’t meant to be like that. Its almost like “how could I do this to Gale.” Peeta was the outsider. Gale was her rebellious best friend who came from the same world. Gale made sense, and Peeta was the merchant stranger. And yet, she continues to choose him, fall deeper in love, and desire him so deeply that she daydreams his child.
It’s not that I think she cheated on Gale or anyone, but to Gale and Katniss, she did. To them, Peeta stole her from Gale, and she betrayed him. To them, Peeta took her and made her feel so good that it felt like luxury. And I just find that funny in my weird, toxic way.
