Gale was all set to protest, because that was usually his way - he wasn't usually one to stay quiet when he wanted to speak up, but then he just...didn't. Broad shoulders slumped a little, and now more than ever he wished there were woods (fluttering leaves, the sound of the trees, the dappled shade that was inviting and home) to retreat to, the way he and Katniss used to when they were kids - but they weren't kids anymore, were they?
They were barely adults, but still not kids. They hadn't been for a really, really long time.
"I'll be around too," he promised. "If anything happens - if you need me, reach out? Because you're still - you're..." Katniss was still a part of him, and she always would be. There was no changing that. And maybe that was why it hurt so much to know things fell apart between them, because it was like missing a part of himself.
She touched his shoulder, and he drew her into a hug - a quick one, mindful of the kitten that was stashed between them.