Gale's Pov

I slammed the door closed behind me as I entered Peeta's house in Victor's Village. I knew that Katniss desperately wanted us to get along, so we both have been making an effort to become friends. Though it hasn't been easy, considering how opposite we are from each other.

Peeta loves to paint and watch the sunset, while I spend most of my spare time hunting or working in the coal mines. But I must admit that there is something compelling about the blonde-haired boy.

I come over some nights for dinner when Peeta invites me. We don't talk much. Occasionally we'll talk about Katniss and what's going on in our lives at the moment.

I silently walked up the stairs towards Peeta's bedroom where I knew he would be. Peeta usually stays in his bedroom for most of the day, only paint, or eat. And speaking of eating, he already doesn't do that enough as it is.

I'm not sure if it's the stress or something like that, but he has plenty of food. Sometimes when I come over, I have to remind him to eat something just so he doesn't starve to death.

I called out to let Peeta know I was here as I came to stand in front of his bedroom door. I knocked and stood back to wait for him to open the door. When Peeta didn't let me in, I got a little worried, so I shrugged and let myself in.

I almost smiled at the sight. Peeta was curled up in his bed, asleep. I went and kneeled next to his bed. I needed to wake him up so we could eat dinner, but something stopped me.

He looked so peaceful sleeping. He's told me before that because of the Hunger Games, he has so many nightmares that sleeping most nights is almost impossible.

A bit of blonde hair fell over his face, so I gently pushed it back behind his ear.

Then his expression changed. Peeta's face scrunched up, and he started moving around in his sleep. I saw his lips moving and bent forward slightly so I could hear what he was saying.

He was whispering Cato and Katniss' names over and over again. Then a tear slipped down his cheek. Peeta must be having a nightmare.

I gently shook him, trying to wake the other boy up.

"Peeta, Peeta, come on, wake up. You're just having a nightmare."

After about thirty seconds, Peeta's eyes flickered open, and he looked terrified.

"W-What are you doing h-here?" he asked, his voice shaking.

"I came to make sure you eat. You were having a nightmare, so I woke you up."

Peeta visibly relaxed a little. "Thank you."

I offered a small smile, then held out my hand to help him up.

"Come on, let's go eat."

Peeta looked reluctant, but he took my hand and slowly got up. As we walked down the stairs and towards the kitchen, I could tell Peeta's leg was bothering him.

"Do you want me to carry you the rest of the way?" I asked kindly.

Peeta shook his head. "No, I can make it."

I wasn't quite convinced, but let it be as we were almost to the table. Peeta sat down as I got out the food I brought. I poured two bowls of soup and set one down in front of each of us.

We sat in silence as Peeta and slowly ate.

"So..what were you dreaming about?" I asked carefully.

Peeta shook his head. "I don't really feel like talking about it."

"That's fine."

It wasn't long before we finished eating. When I was gathering my things and getting ready to go, I was surprised to hear Petta mutter, "Do you have to go yet?"

I turned to face him. "Do you want me to stay?"

Peeta blushed, and I silently cursed myself for thinking it was cute.

"Yeah, kinda, but it's okay if you have to leave," he mumbled, not looking at me.

"I just don't really want to be alone after that dream. It brought back a lot of bad memories."

I nodded. "I bet. I suppose I might can stay the night," I told him, holding back a smile. Some strange part of me was almost happy he wanted me to stay.

By now it was almost midnight, so Peeta and I made our way upstairs to his room. We both sat down on the edge of his bed and I looked around his room. The walls were covered in his paintings.

Some were happy paintings of bright and colorful things, but most of them were rather dark and terrifying. Maybe things he had witnessed in the games.

"So which quest room should I stay in-" I asked as I turned to look at him, but I was cut off when I noticed tears rolling down his face.

I quickly moved towards him as I placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you okay? What's wrong?" I asked him quietly. I began to rub his shoulder soothingly, trying to help him calm down.

I helped him take a few deep breaths before he answered me. "You can stay with me in here, if you'd like. I would like that."

Then his face turned bright red. "I mean, only if you want to though." Peeta looked down at his sheets instead of meeting my eyes, so I placed a hand under his chin and lifted his head slightly to face me.

"Of course I will, Peeta."

The blonde-haired boy gave me a sweet smile.

After we both got ready for bed, Peeta and I both slowly got under the sheets of his bed. We laid there in silence for a few minutes before he spoke up.

"Thank you so much for doing this Gale. You barely even know me, and you probably wouldn't if it weren't for Katniss."

I heard him sniffle a few times before I realised he was crying again. I moved closer to his side of the bed and carefully wrapped my arms around him. Peeta froze when I first touched him, but he slowly relaxed into the hug.

"I promise, I don't mind at all. I'm glad I got to know you, Peeta," I said truthfully.

I let go of him and moved back to my side of the bed. A few minutes passed before I felt him lay his head on my chest. I wrapped my arms around Peeta and smiled into the darkness.