Trying to explain what was wrong to Prim was hard, since it was difficult for him to really figure out. Gale knew he wasn't as tactless as he seemed but around Haymitch, it was a lot harder to remain collected. Haymitch was an asset, Gale knew that. Haymitch was also stranger, someone he only knew from whispers and bitter ramblings from certain people. Gale wanted to trust Haymitch, to put the lives of those he cared about in the man's hands but at the same time, he still wasn't sure what Haymitch was capable of. The man had gotten sober but sobriety and executing an unknown plan were two different things.

"I don't know." Gale sighed and pressed his lips together. "I keep trying to talk to him about Katniss and you and the Games..." He knew this wasn't the right time to be talking about any of it but with Prim, he could honestly talk about anything, as well as nothing at all. She helped even if it was just by listening or being around. "I feel like on one hand, we can trust him," Well they needed to, and they had to. "but then again, he's as wild as Katniss, unpredictable and I need to know he'll protect her, and you, if something happens." Of course whenever Gale seemed to open his mouth, a lot of junk ended up tumbling out instead.

For Katniss, the main goal was to get everyone except herself out. At least that was the goal until very recently. With her new relationship with Haymitch, things had changed and she wasn't sure if she could sacrifice herself so that the others would live. After having to involve everyone else, Katniss was fine with accepting her fate as long as her loved ones were never bothered or harmed again. She knew she should have died a year ago, should have let Peeta win but that couldn't be undone. She stayed quiet, keeping her mouth shut as she tried to think of a way to tell Haymitch that she would play for herself. He probably wouldn't believe her though, so what was the point in lying?

He continued since she had given no inclination of commenting. "This isn't..." She stopped herself slowly. "This isn't about me anymore." She told him. "This is about everyone: me, you, Prim, Finnick, Johanna...Rue." Katniss swallowed and sighed deeply. "You know I'm not going to leave anyone behind, not if I can help it." She told him firmly. "A few days ago...I was fine with living until I died in the arena because I had ways of getting the rest of you to safety." She told him. "I was happy to accept some delayed fate but-" She glanced over her shoulder, unsure if anyone had wandered out of the main living room.

"But now," It was very sappy and hard to admit but if she could admit it to anyone, it had to be Haymitch. "I have you." She finally got out. "I didn't think I'd have a chance to be happy like everyone else, hunting makes me happy sure, but it's not the same." She glanced off and wished someone would come and find them so that she could be saved from this conversation. She didn't think this was what was bothering Haymitch though. "Are you sure you're okay?" She asked him, happy to change topics for now since she hadn't really resolved his worry about her well being when it came to everyone else. It was probably an important matter to discuss but it wouldn't mean much when they were truly in the Games.

Gale wasn't too happy to be talking in depth about Haymitch. It didn't seem right, especially when they were teammates. His reservations, to him, weren't misplaced but they could surely be quelled somehow. Hopefully soon. But right now, they had other matters to deal with, like Peeta. "Anyway, as weird as this...music is, let's try to have a good time." He smiled to Prim and got up. He turned and held out a hand for her. "Let's get some snacks." He offered. When she took his hand, he headed over towards the table and made a small plate with Prim by his side. In a week, this would feel like a dream. "Hey Peeta, I heard Effie got you a nice cake." He called the blond over.

"It'll be nice not to have had to decorate it." Peeta commented, though doing so was a good way to take his mind off things.

"I bet." Gale nodded.

"So what are you two thinking about doing for the presentation?" 

"Oh, is that all you can talk about?" Effie interjected as she broke away from the stylists.

"Considering the Games are only a few days away, yes." Gale said honestly. Effie gave a pout and walked off, her heels clicking rapidly. Gale turned back to Peeta and shrugged, the boys exchanged a smile. "I was going to try some sword tricks I've been on so it's not too boring." He told Peeta.

Heels could be heard approaching and Katniss saw Effie inching towards them, looking a little bothered. "Come along you two, the cake is on its way up, I've ordered something special for our birthday boy and you won't want to miss it." Effie beckoned them. Katniss rolled her eyes, not happy that she hadn't been able to really speak to Haymitch but she knew she could try and get something out of him at night when they were in bed together.

"Right, sorry Effie." Katniss said and followed the woman back to the others, though still worried about a million other things.