For Haymitch to fully step out of the role of 'mentor' was a challenging one and Gale knew not to question the recent conflict openly. Still, he knew that the man and the much younger one were bound to clash when it came to the management of their team and though it should have been done sooner to clear the air quickly, he wasn't very surprised by Haymitch's different style and expectations, throwing Haymitch off who was not only a tribute again, but also sober as well. Gale had to respect Haymitch for committing to certain things but he also hoped that the man could calm down. As the bottle was passed around and said blond began to fill them in about how things were likely to go down, it was made evident that Haymitch was determined to give them all the best chance at survival and he wished he could reciprocate the same, but their plan was too fragile now, to risk giving away.

"Same here." He could only say to Prim.

He knew it wouldn't be that easy but for now, he could understand the need to live in the shade of fantasies before it was time to stand in the blinding light of reality, that enemies were plentiful and chances of survival, plan or no plan, were slim. Gale took the bottle and took another few gulps before he set it down, the glass making a sound as it hit the concrete under their feet. Prim had gotten out of her shoes and he figured it might be about time to wrap up their little get together. As nice and as needed, as it was, he knew their last night needed to be a restful one. He was sure that sleep would be hard to come by during the Games and probably impossible to retain once they made it out. Katniss and Haymitch were proof that their lives, everything, was about to be altered forever. And thus it was tough task to get them all out but Gale just hoped, that the risk paid off, that he wouldn't be wishing for death, years down the road like some past victors.

While she considered herself a realist, most would likely call her a pessimist.

The skyline seemed unbearably untouchable, even more so than usual and she wished she could see beyond those lights, hear beyond those noises of inauthentic existence. The longing to be anywhere else was starting to make her chest ache, the more she stood around with the others who were there because of her inability to just properly die a year ago. If she was dead, Prim would be safe and everything would be the way it was supposed to be. Katniss noticed her own silence after Gale had chimed in with his agreement after Prim said they would all be able to keep track of one another. She was sure that they would be randomly placed in a circle around the middle of the arena, probably paying special mind to make sure District 12 would have a hard time meeting up. Still, she didn't voice her thoughts, even if she knew they were what they needed to expect and prepare for.

"You know, Rue and I developed a system for keeping track of each other." She instead brought up, knowing her point would be better made if she added a solution, rather than just poking holes and making Prim's notion, a problem or unlikely situation. "Maybe we should find a way to signal each other if we're in the thick of it." She paused and wondered how easy it might be to mistake an friend for a foe. If she ever hurt someone she loved on accident, Katniss would never be able to handle it. But the Games were truly unpredictable. She remembered seeing footage from about ten years back of a tribute who was fighting off a group and when her male counterpart tried to help, she ended up stabbing him on accidental but the blow had been fatal, leaving her alone. She was from the Ninth District and didn't last two days after that. "Accidents happen and we could get picked up by other tributes and put in a touch situation, we need to be able to find each other and know if something isn't right." She told them.

Gale knew Katniss had a point so he nodded and thought for a moment. "The mockingjay whistle-"

"It's too obvious now." Katniss cut him off. "What about...the song, The Hanging Tree?" It was used around their home but nowadays, not so much. Now that she was older and knew what death looked like, she had been able to decipher a different, more honest meaning for the song. She was sure it wouldn't be as subtle but whistling was out and she knew clapping or yelling would be downright stupid. She then wondered if Prim knew the words or not. Katniss used to sing it with her father but whenever it came to her after that, she sang it to herself, usually when she was alone or just thinking to herself but she knew it was likely that Prim knew of it and she was sure Gale did and that Haymitch probably did too. "Anyway if any of you can think of something better, let me know in the morning but these heels are killing me." She then quickly laughed at herself and looked down to see Prim had discarded hers already. "I think Prim would agree..."

The idea of the song had come rather out of nowhere but he understood the slightly twisted logic.

"I think it's a fine idea." He told her though he'd think of any other alternatives as well. "And yes, we should get back to our rooms before mother or father notice we're up past curfew." He smirked, referring to Effie and Peeta as such, as he was sure they were busy trying to tidy up whatever mess Katniss and Haymitch made. Gale hoped he and Prim hadn't done any damage but something told him, pretty loudly in fact, that he and Prim's interviews had been very well received. Bending down, he picked up Prim's shoes for her and headed for the heavy door and held it open for the others. Katniss flashed him a smile before grabbing the bottle and finishing it off as she then walked through the door with the others. The door shut firmly behind them and they made their way, quietly, back to their suite to see no angry faces waiting for them. "Look." Gale pointed to a big glass vase filled with white roses on the dining table. "Those weren't there before...were they?"

Katniss swallowed.

She hadn't told anyone except Haymitch and Peeta about Snow visiting her months ago and giving her white roses.

She had a feeling this wasn't his way of showing his support.

"Anyway, see yuo guys in the morning." Gale nodded to them and headed slowly back to his room with Prim beside him as he looped his arm around her neck, his free hand brushing against her upper shoulder.

Once back to his room, the door closed behind him, Gale felt the undeniable urge to wrap his arms around her and kiss her like there was no tomorrow, and that's exactly what he did. He pressed her against the door, making sure not to be overly forceful but enough to prove he didn't want to lose her, that he was so lucky to have found solace in her because she would be a big driving force in the week ahead of them. He pulled back for air and brought up a hand to cup the side of her face, as her heels had been thrown to the side of the room, making a clattering noise as they rattled against the wall. Like Katniss, he was sure that they would be separated come the start, and that they needed a plan to reunite or identify one another at least but all of that was fading away as he wanted to enjoy the evening with Prim and forget about the war brewing around them. "We're not going to be the same after tomorrow." He said softly, looking into her eyes with a soft but serious gaze. "I want you to know that I will still love you, no matter how much we change."

There would be restless nights and pain, scars that would never heal but if he could get out with Primrose and get away from it all or make the Capitol pay, Gale would happily endure it all if it meant innocent people were no longer forced into something they didn't deserve.

Katniss watched the two figures turn a corner and vanish and she looked back to Haymitch, her expression of content understanding had now turned into solemn anxiety. Of course she knew Snow could enter anywhere as he pleased but it made her skin crawl to think he was in a place she viewed to be something like a sanctuary. She wondered if he knew she was on the roof or if he had wanted to speak with her. Either way, she knew sleep would be impossible to come by, even if she had Haymitch's company and comfort. "You mentioned a plan?" She glanced to Haymitch before they moved to retire themselves. "I hope it's better than Snow's." She said, and with that she headed off to her room to get changed. Even if she couldn't sleep, she was sure as hell going to at least be comfortable while counting the hours until the Games began all over again. "Haymitch." She sighed as she flailed her arms, trying to get her dress off as she stood in the middle of her room. He could help her unzip and hopefully he'd stay the night. Even if she couldn't sleep, she'd be able to watch him and play with his hair at least.

"I used to think that song was simple. But now I know it was about a dead-man, probably asking his lover to die with him because neither of them could be free, even with all of the warnings he gave her." She pulled her hair around her neck so he could unzip her. "Now I wonder if he knew death was better than where she was stuck, alone." She laughed softly. In her mind it nearly seemed fitting for it to bind their lowly district together. Though she didn't notice she had applied genders to where there hadn't been any, that she could have been the murderer and that Haymitch or even Peeta could have been the one she was trying to save by summoning them to death's damnation.