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The snow is thick this year. Big, fluffy snowflakes fall like scattered ribbons, covering the burnt and blistered grass in pure, soft snow. Katniss likes winter—at least, she did before the games. Before the blood stained her hands, and she will never admit it out loud when Gale calls her out on it, but playing in the snow cleansed her soul.
The world looked new and soft with the scattering of snow.
Even on freezing nights, when there was little heat, Katniss would slip under the covers, breathing a deep sigh as she sank into the soft sheets, and not long after, Gale would join her and snuggle up beside her. Her toes are cold from the frost, but he pulls her into his arms, and like a cat, she nuzzles his chest. Gale gives her a hug and gently kisses her forehead, and she yawns to herself, feeling cozy and warm despite the kiss of winter. Even if she has nightmares, and her heart was racing, in Gale's arms was where she felt safe.
But ever since the games and Snow's threats to kill everyone she loves, Katniss hates the snow. The snow is now a plague to her—it kills her plants she uses for medicine when her sister is sick. The freezing cold chases away the livestock that she could hunt, and the meat of the deer tastes bitter in her mouth.
Katniss doesn’t sleep much since the games. The nightmares from the last games haunt her. She thrashes violently, frightening Gale, who startles awake. She wakes up, shivering and gasping for air as she curls up against Gale. “Shh, it’s alright, Katnip.” Gale hugs her softly, brushing a hand through her hair and scratching soothingly. “It was just a bad dream. I'm here; you are safe.”
She does not feel safe. She feels cold and alone, and she is always frightened, and so she trembles as she lies awake, clinging tightly to Gale. What seems like hours passes by. She is exhausted yet cannot sleep. Gale brushes his fingers through her hair, lightly petting her almost like a cat, comforting her, until slowly, Katniss relaxes as he lovingly holds her.
If she tries with all her might, she can forget about his terrible games and the hatred and violence she inflicted on others just so she could live. She thinks about her and Gale in the heat of the sun, on a beach somewhere warm and safe and far away from Snow.
However, the past never stays hidden. It finds her in her nightmares when thoughts of death, fire and red blood haunt her. The nightmares hit her like a brutal punch to the gut, forcing her breath to leave her in a gasp. She was a mess of nerves and emotions.
She could feel the prickling feeling of anxiety and anguish in her chest. But she slowly begins to calm down as he lies down beside her, still holding her and whispering that she is safe. She snuggles in closer, nuzzling Gale's chest. He is warm, and she melts. Her beautiful eyes fluttered shut: no fear or worry haunts her. Katniss sleeps peacefully once she is snuggled up in Gale’s arms.
This is all she needs—Gale safe beside her, reminding her that she is never alone in the dark—he was her bright light of hope. Even in the brutal cruelty of winter, there is heavenly peace.
♥ END ♥