One

The first time it happens is when the whole district has turned out to watch the 74th Games. Gale's not been able to sleep properly since Peeta was found by Katniss, wounded. He tells himself that it's because he doesn't want Katniss to lose anyone else. Not after Rue. He tells himself that it's because he doesn't want to see her hurt beyond repair. But, the relief he feels when he sees that Peeta is alive can't be masked by lies. And when Katniss kisses Peeta... Gale can't work out what the multitude of emotions pulsing through his body are or who they relate to. He wonders what it would feel like to kiss Peeta and immediately he is ashamed and he is filled with worry that someone may have registered his thought. Irrational, he knows. But he turns and pushes through the crowd watching the Games and when people assume it's about Katniss, he does nothing to correct them.

Two

The second time is when Peeta gets off the train after the victory. Gale can see that he is exhausted and suddenly, inexplicably, he has to fight the urge to go up to him and to kiss him. He feels a familiar hot rush of shame flush through his body at the thought of kissing Peeta, but significantly less than the first time. Peeta rakes his gaze over the crowd and catches Gale's eye for an instant and Gale has the irrational fear that Peeta knows,but Peeta's gaze passes over and Gale lets out the breath that he didn't know he'd been holding.

Three

The third time is when Gale first visits Katniss' house in the victors' village. It's enormous compared to what Gale is used to and Peeta's there. Recently, every time he's seen Peeta, he'd had the urge to kiss him. This urge flooded Gale's body now and he could swear that Peeta looked at him like he knew. He nods coldly and hugs Katniss in greeting. And fuck it he can't stay here any longer, not with Peeta watching him, calmly. He makes his excuses. He only popped by on this way to do an errand and he should leave. Then, he goes. He tries to walk away calmly, but ends up running. Running to escape his mind.

Four

The fourth time it happens is when Peeta disembarks from the train after the victory tour. The mask slips, momentarily, and Gale can see that everything's not alright and he wants to hug Peeta and kiss him and tell him that everything will be okay. But he can't. He won't ever risk being humiliated or hated because Peeta doesn't love him back. He turns away from the train and the cheering crowds surrounding it.

Five

The fifth time it happens is when Gale is delirious with pain. He can't see straight. Katniss is hovering nearby, ineffectual in his pain. He hears Prim and Katniss' mother order her out of the room. He sees Prim lean over him and he tries to give her a smile, but it turns into a grimace. The pain is unbearable. Somehow, though, he's still conscious. He hears Katniss' mother tell Peeta to hold him down and he's momentarily surprised that Peeta has stayed before the pain intensifies and he can't think or see and he's not passing out. And then, it's over. He looks up and sees Peeta and God he wants to kiss him and–

When Gale wakes up, there's no one there and he feels slightly sad.

Plus One

It's a few weeks later. Peeta and Katniss are going to the Quarter Quell and, fuck, Gale is scared. He paces back and forth as he waits for the family to finish visiting. When it's his turn, he strides, hurriedly, into the room and up to Peeta and he kisses him. Peeta loops his arms around Gale in return. Once they've parted, he says, "Took you long enough." Gale grins and kisses him until they hear the guard about to open the door.

"Come back to me," Gale whispers.

"You wouldn't be able to stop me," Peeta replies.