"Everyone tries," Katniss gasps, feeling the dampness of his tears in her hair and not quite knowing what to think of this. It's Gale, and she's only ever seen the strong (or admittedly terrible) sides of him; not this. Soldier Gale Hawthorne probably wouldn't have cried. It helps her make the distinction between them, even if some days she's not sure if she wants to.

It feels as though she's been here before, Haymitch stroking her hair while she cried about how she couldn't be the Mockingjay if it was hurting Peeta. Always crying, doing far too much of it lately although most of her emotions have been replaced by a sort of enveloping numbness. A relief, really.

"Peeta tried too. I had a pill, poison. He didn't let me take it, and I'm not sure whether to hate him for it."