While Gale had a feeling his presence may not be as troublesome as say, Prim's in their eyes, he still wanted them both to be accepted. Gale wouldn't tag along if Prim couldn't go. He wasn't sure why Haymitch and Katniss were being so weary about them accompanying them. In his mind. he and Prim had valid points and needed to spend time with Katniss before it was too late. Katniss on the other hand, looked from Haymitch to her sister as the two began to exchange words. Katniss knew Haymitch had been stealing her away but Katniss needed to train with him. Their dynamic of mentor and tribute was beginning to dissipate and they were beginning to rely on each other, which was a priceless asset in the arena. Gale looked to Katniss as well, wondering what she would do now. He had a feeling she'd let them tag along but he could tell it bothered katniss to ruffle Haymitch's feathers. 

Gale wouldn't back down though.

"Haymitch, they won't slow us down." Katniss said, her voice less angry and more sincere, which was a surprise. She wasn't too happy with Haymitch but he had a point, but so did Gale and Prim. The wilderness was dangerous but Katniss had her supplies with her and was sure they would be just fine if they stuck together. Katniss wanted to look after everyone even though deep down, she knew she couldn't. She'd have to let someone go and trust that they wouldn't get killed because of her. Her hands were already covered in layers upon layers of blood. For a moment she found herself back in the arena after she blew up the trap at the Cornucopia. She left Rue, trusting she would be okay and yet she heard her scream and then it was too late. Gale noticed Katniss spacing off, her eyes becoming distant.

"Katniss." He reached out and touched her arm. "Let's get going." He said, knowing how the conversation would go if he asked if she was okay. She would say she was fine, he'd give her a look, she'd insist she was fine once more, he'd ask about the Games, she'd change the subject and he'd be left on the outside again. he gave another glance to Haymitch, almost daring him to act like an asshole before he removed his other arm from Primrose but not before giving her a bit of a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Great, it's settled then." Without anymore remarks from Haymitch, they headed off, Katniss and said drunk leading the way. Gale watched Prim out of the corner of his eye, not doubting her ability like everyone else was. "You'll be amazed at how much Prim's improved." He told the two in front of them though it was more for Katniss who knew Prim, than it was for the dubious grump.

Katniss was still a bit out of it as she walked alongside Haymitch. Her mind was prone to wander, fall back into the past due to the simplest of triggers. She saw so many similarities with Rue and Prim and she couldn't lose Prim. She wouldn't. She would die if it meant Prim would live. The nightmares still plagued her when night fell but with the training tiring her out, they didn't come as frequently to the exhausted teenager. When she brushed against Haymitch and he mentioned something to her which helped snapped her out of her violent fog. The girl looked around her surroundings and back over her shoulder at her best friend and little sister. Then she looked back to Haymitch, her eyes lingering. She knew he wasn't fond of the new addition but it was just this once and Katniss was sure things would be alright. "I can understand them, you know, missing me..." She nudged him a little. "You can't keep me all to yourself forever. Soon we'll be with forty-six other trained killers, you gotta learn to share, Haymitch." 

Her tone was quite but playful, the sort of gentle sarcasm.

As the quartet continued onward into the darkness of the night, they settled on a place to make camp. Katniss and Haymitch took care of the set up which meant clearing the area of bigger objects and rocks until they had a decent foundation that was comfortable but still secluded and unsuspecting. It was pretty dark but Katniss was used to seeing in the dark. Gale on the other hand, needed more time to adjust. He didn't go out at night too often and the area beyond the fence that they were in, was rather unfamiliar to him. Even so, he kept up with the two and made sure Prim was doing the same. "What can we do to help?" Gale asked, still trying to figure out when the best time to confront Haymitch would be. Haymitch was intimidating but Gale cared about Katniss enough to put that aside and make sure Haymitch was taking it seriously. Based on the chilly welcome they got back in District 12, he had a feeling Haymitch's mind was indeed in the right place.

Still, he wanted to be sure.

"We're gonna make a fire and practice climbing trees tonight." Katniss just said, trying to find the most suitable middle ground between being their friend and sister, and being a trained tribute with her mind steadily focused. Gale turned to Prim, his eyes finally adjusting to the darkness. The only source of light was the crescent moon off tot he side of them. Gale nodded and looked over at Prim who looked a bit out of place. He had faith in her and knew she could handle herself. 

"We can gather things for the fire." Gale said and reached out for Prim's arm. he knew how to start a fire and he knew what was needed to do so. Katniss glanced to Haymitch, aware he wasn't fond of their slow pace.

"Hurry back and stay close."

"We'll see what we find, it hasn't rained in a few days but you never know." Gale said and headed off with Prim but made sure to stay around the perimeter of the general area. As he began picked up dry objects which would act as tinder, he felt eyes on him but they weren't the eyes of humans. He leaned over to Prim and placed a hand on her back while the other dropped the dry brittle branches. "I think we have company." He had a knife but it was attached to his ankle. He had packed Prim's bag with a bow and arrow and could use it. She could grab his knife and they be armed at least. In the distance, a deer was watching them. It was weak but still dangerous enough.

"I know you're not happy but you could pretend to be, for me." She told Haymitch. As Katniss retied her shoes to make sure they were tight for climbing trees, a skill she wasn't great with, even in the daylight, she felt the air change as Gale had. "We need to find Gale and Prim." She muttered, licking her lips as a new rush flowed through her veins.