Gale whirled around when he heard Haymitch, of all people, speak up.

What could Gale say to that? That Katniss would be impossible to console? That being around Prim wasn't as complicated as walking around Katniss with careful footing? Gale would talk to Katniss but he didn't think she'd even be able to hear him at the moment. He was about to say something but Haymitch had already fled. Sighing, he looked back to Prim, not sure what else to say. Neither of them wanted to see Katniss struggle again and she was still damaged by the most recent Game, he wasn't sure if she could pull herself together in time to make a stand. It wasn't that Gale was questioning his faith in her or her ability but he wasn't sure if she could mentally go back out there, let alone only a year after getting out.

With Katniss an automatic tribute for the impending reaping, it made Gale wonder if it would be Peeta or Haymitch. And then their district needed another male and female duo. He wondered if he could volunteer as Katniss had done last year. He wished they had run away when they had the chance. Gale could have helped Prim survive and none of this would have ever happened. Katniss wouldn't have been forced to pretend to be in love, and she wouldn't have come back so broken and hollow. "Maybe I should volunteer." It would give Katniss a better fighting chance but at the same time, he wasn't sure about Prim, she would be truly alone if he did go along with Katniss willingly. Then again, she had a home now and her mother was becoming more present in their daily lives.

Outside, Katniss tried to cam her breathing, tried to pull herself together.

It wasn't really working.

After she finished screaming profanities at Snow in the sky above, she found the cold finally hit her. She was outside and angry and couldn't even begin to comprehend the consequences of her actions. She did hear someone approaching and out of instinct, her mind went into survival mode. She may not be armed but she could still fight if need be. When she saw Haymitch take a seat close by her on a log, she found it still rather hard to relax and put her guard down. Haymitch attempted to assure her that she'd be coming back which only made her lips twitch in a sarcastic grin. The girl let out a bitter laugh and shook her head. "I'm not worried about me." She was thinking of Prim and Peeta and even her mother. She knew there was a target on her back now and she had almost resigned already, accepting that the Quarter Quell would finally take her out.

"You can't be serious." Katniss laughed at him. "I'm not coming back." She wasn't sure and she had lost the ability to pretend that good things happened to her, that fairness ever existed. She wondered if she could do anything about Peeta. With his leg, he wouldn't make it very long with nearly fifty killers swarming around them. She could only hope the past victors had let themselves go with all the fancy luxuries they had been given as prizes. Katniss shivered but she wasn't sure if it was really due to the cold or to the fact that she was laughing at death again and this time, she honestly had no idea where to get strength from. She won already, Prim would be taken care of surely. Gale could help too, so if she really didn't come back, would it be so bad? "For all we know, Snow is going to make sure of that." She muttered, grim smile fading as she dig her fingers into the snow beside her.

Gale knew his thought about being a volunteer was unsettling but it was something to think about. He was sure he'd last a decent amount of time and would be able to help out Katniss and whoever went along with her. Something told him that she'd want Peeta to sit it out and have Haymitch go in his place. He wasn't sure if he could picture the drunk stumbling around the arena. If that was the case, it would be wise of the mentor to sober up before the Games even began. It still made Gale want to jump back into the fray with his friend. He could tell his random idea hadn't reassured Primrose much but he couldn't take it back now. And if he told Katniss, she'd refuse to let him do such a thing but it wasn't like she was in charge of him. "I know she'd want me to look after you but someone needs to look after her." He shrugged.

Looking over her shoulder, Katniss still didn't feel like going back. She would have to deal with her mother and then Peeta who would try to reassure her or make a terrible joke and Katniss couldn't handle them right now. She didn't want to leave Prim again though, Katniss would volunteer again if she could, as she didn't regret it the first time. Prim was all she had and that sliver of hope could be the key to bringing back the old stubborn determined Katniss. "Peeta won't...make it." She said quietly, trying to improve her tact since she got a hard time from Haymitch and Effie about being more likeable. "I need you." Katniss said bluntly and looked to Haymitch. "I wouldn't...you know I wouldn't ask you if..." She felt downright sick for asking him to take Peeta's place if it needed to happen but she needed him safe and Haymitch could be somewhat useful.