This is the story of how Peeta falls in-love during The Hunger Games with the most unlikely person: Cato. I'm going to try my best to keep them in character but for the sake of the plot I have in mind, they will go out of character. But that's expected, since they do fall in-love and all that sappy crap. I have so many twists for this story, I'm excited to write them! And I'm excited for you to read them :) I actually have all the chapters written out. I am going to do weekly updates so there's no fear of me leaving this story since I have it finished already.

I'll be taking quotes from the movie and books since I'm following the plot for the most part. The movie is different from the books, though, so some parts will follow the movie, others the book. A lot of it will be from the movie though. Since I've watched it already over ten times and I have it playing as I type. It's on repeat :3

I hope it doesn't seem like I steal anything from somebody else's story. All of this I'm going to write I came up with and if it's similar to someone else's story, then I'm sorry, but I'm not stealing. I'll stop rambling so you guys can read this before you lose interest 'cause I won't shut up... yeah.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Hunger Games. If I did, I would be so excited it was becoming a movie and rape- I mean love both Josh Hutcherson and Alexander Ludwig... Yep.

May the odds be ever in your favor~!

Keep Your Enemies Closer.

Chapter One.

Peeta Mellark feels sick to his stomach. The lunch he had earlier is ready to come back up and he swallows hard, trying to control the shaking of his hands. His nerves are going crazy and as he looks at Katniss, he has a feeling she feels the same way. But it's over, the carriage coming to a halt and he lets out a breath of relief. He's glad he can cover up his emotions or else all of Panem would have known his racing heart wasn't from the thrill of being screamed over. But he managed to get through it, with the help of Katniss holding his hand. It felt like an anchor, like she was holding him down, a small reminder somebody was there. He has a feeling she felt the same. But then her hand was gone and he was reminded that he was alone in this, that Katniss would probably leave him behind when the times comes. He hates the thought but he thinks it's true. He can barely concentrate on what the prep teams are babbling about, talking so fast and in that pointless Capitol accent, and he already feels overwhelmed enough.

He glances at Katniss and sees her massaging her hand lightly as he flexes his fingers. It brings a tiny smile to his face and then Haymitch is there, shoving through the prep team and loudly announcing that they did a good job. Everyone knows what's he been doing as he sways on his feet and Katniss can't help but make a comment about if he should be near an open flame. Haymitch is beginning an retort when his eyes flicker over and his face drops and out of pure curiosity, both Katniss and Peeta turn their heads. Peeta regrets it. A blonde boy was watching them, tall and muscular, thick neck, broad shoulders, obviously a Career. He's looking at Katniss with a look close to envy but then his eyes move over to Peeta. Peeta feels himself stiffen up as his eyes drink him in. He looks angry, his jaw set in place, but there's something else in his eyes: something Peeta can't pinpoint. Haymitch must think he's staring at Katniss because he takes Katniss' elbow, steering her away. But Peeta knows he wasn't staring at Katniss when blue on blue clashes. He feels frozen, he can't look away from the angry eyes with something hidden under them. And before Peeta can follow the others retreating back to their temporary home, the boy grins, a twisted, sly grin that has shiver after shiver crawling up and down Peeta's spine. It's a grin that belongs to a killer and Peeta knows, knows with his whole being, that this boy has already put a target on his back.

...

Peeta lets out a small breath as his fingers wrap around the paint brush. He feels familiarity overcome him, especially as the brush ghosts over his skin, leaving a light shade of grey behind. He can almost smell the cake, can almost see himself mixing the colors and then, using light strokes, applying them upon the surface of the cake. But as he hears the grunts of other tributes training, the sound of footsteps and talking, he can't fully imagine it. He begins to decorate his arm, slowly, taking his time, wanting to stay at this station as long as he can. It's a reminder of home, a reminder of something he enjoyed doing. He sucks in a breath through his nose and hears footsteps approaching him. He looks up, expecting to see Katniss, but he feels the blood rush from his face at the sight he's met with. The blonde Career, coming his way, a light sheen of sweat across his face. He had seen him on the wrestling mat earlier, maybe he had just finished. Peeta swallows, dropping his gaze before their eyes can meet.

He wonders if the blonde Career is going to talk to him but shakes it off as he continues to paint the grey and black bark on his arm. Why would a Career talk to him? Especially one that was obviously ready to slaughter him. Slaughter every last person in this room. He glances back at the tree behind him, making sure he's getting the shading right, when he jolts. The blonde Career was right beside him, arms over his wide chest, muscles bulging, as he stares down at Peeta's work. Peeta feels the tingling of fear crawling up his spine as he looks up at the Career, his brows furrowing together. He doesn't even know his name, just knows he was born a killing machine. He remembers seeing him explode over a simple knife at some tribute named "Jason". He wasn't sure which district Jason was from but he knows this Career will probably go through with his threat of him being the first one he kills. He starts to wonder if the blonde Career thinks Peeta took something he was using and Peeta feels that fear increasing but he tries to hide it, as he raises an eyebrow. The Career is staring at his arm and slowly, he lifts his blue eyes to meet Peeta's own. Peeta feels tiny under that gaze; it's a mixture of hate, of anger, and that same emotion Peeta can't figure out. He hides how scared he is though as he keeps that expression of indifference on his face.

"Can I help you?" he finds himself saying. He doesn't know why it slips but he's glad it does and he's glad it comes out steady and strong. Maybe by speaking first and sounding so strong, the Career would realize he's not as weak as he seems.

The Career looks surprised before that twisted, sly grin comes onto his face. He lets out a deep chuckle, picking up a brush and twirling it through his fingers. "You've got balls, 12," he says and Peeta wonders if he really just complimented him. "I'm going to enjoy cutting them off." his words makes Peeta's blood go cold and his heart to stop. He swallows, trying to keep up that indifference look, but by the way the Career's grin grows, he knows there was a crack in his fake expression and the Career saw the fear.

"What did you come over here for? Trying to scare me?" Peeta says after a quiet moment. He needs to keep up the act of being strong, of not being scared. And being rude to the Career was the perfect way.

The Career scoffs, the paint brush a blur as he twirls it faster in his fingers. "You were scared before so no."

Peeta's eyes narrow and he slowly straightens up, squaring his shoulders. "I was not." he lies smoothly, as they both stare each other down. The Career straightens himself up, being much taller than Peeta, but Peeta holds his ground, glaring up at him. On the inside, Peeta's a shaking wreck but on the outside, he's a strong man whose ready to take on anyone.

"You're a good liar, I give you that." The Career grins, his shoulders relaxing, as he slams the paint brush back down.

"Why did you come over here?" Peeta knows the Career caught his small flinch when he had slammed the paint brush down. But he keeps his shoulders squared, his posture straight.

"I can't make a new friend?" the blonde Career says mockingly and he bends down, getting right in Peeta's face, their noses almost brushing. Peeta stiffens up further, his lips pressing into a thin line as he wills his body to stay instead of backing away. "Do you know what my mentor told me?" the Career says, his voice lower, more menacing. That grin is still on his lips, slowly turning into an ugly scowl. His eyes are sharp but Peeta still sees that unnameable emotion. "If possible, get to know your prey before striking. See you around, Peeta." his name rolls off of his tongue smoothly, nearly sounding like a purr, stirring something inside of Peeta that at first he doesn't know what it is. But as the Career straightens back up, gives him one last look over, and walks off, Peeta realizes the emotion he just had. Even after the death threat, after the hungry look in his eyes because that's what it was, and even after the words sink it, Peeta still feels it. Arousal. He feels disgust at himself. How... how can he get aroused just from his name being said in such a way? It was sickening to him, that someone like a Career could make a heat stir in the pit of his stomach. He turns back to his arm and frowns. It won't happen again, he tells himself. It won't.

...

"You want me to what?" Peeta stares at Haymitch as if he grew a second head. Haymitch gives him a deadpan look and rolls his eyes.

"Team up with the Careers," he repeats, grabbing his glass and swishing the drink liquid around in it.

Peeta lets out a dry laugh and shakes his head. "The Careers look at everyone but themselves as a piece of meat. As something to stab. Do you really think they would let me, somebody from 12, into their little posse?" he says bitterly, wondering how much Haymitch has had to drink.

Haymitch gives him an angry look, taking a gulp of the amber liquid. "You wanted to train alone because you love and want to protect Katniss, right?" he snaps, his voice hard, and Peeta frowns.

"Yes but getting killed by the Careers isn't going to enable me to do that," he deadpans, crossing his arms over his chest and slumping down on the couch. He's about to drown out Haymitch's next words and tell him to get sober before he gives him advice about the Games when his next words causes Peeta to sit up straighter.

"If you can make an alliance with the Careers, you can keep them from killing her." Haymitch says, giving Peeta a hard glare, trying to make him understand the importance of this.

"If I even attempt to get near them, the one blonde Career would slice me with his sword." Peeta says, revealing he's been watching the one Career, the one so skilled with a sword in hand.

Haymitch notices this and raises an eyebrow. "You've been watching them?" he says and smiles behind his glass. "That's good."

"I had that blonde one come up to me... he basically told me he was going to kill me. How can I make an alliance with them?" Peeta asks, shaking his head. He doesn't get where Haymitch is going with this. Haymitch knows Peeta can't make an alliance with the Careers. They view Peeta as a weakling, even after he threw that giant ball weight around.

"Show them your skills." Haymitch says and catches the look Peeta gives him. "You have more skills than you realize."

"Really?" Peeta says, giving Haymitch a disbelieving look. "Name some."

Haymitch is getting fed up with Peeta. He leans forward, slamming his glass down on the coffee table, amber liquid spilling over from the force and coating his fingers. Peeta jumps, not expecting the sudden anger from Haymitch. "You can camouflage yourself, you can start a fire, you can lift ten times your weight, you know how to read people like a book and your best skill? You know how to use words." he says in a rush, all the while pinning Peeta to the couch with a harsh stare.

"Is everything all right in here?" Katniss is there, standing beside the couch, noticing Peeta's wide eyes and Haymitch's anger and split drink. Haymitch never split a drink.

Haymitch clears his throat, standing up on his feet. Peeta slowly relaxes, blinking and looking at the floor. Haymitch snatches up his drink, shaking his head, swaying some. "Yeah, it's just dandy." he says and stalks off, in search of more amber liquid. Katniss looks unsure as she sits beside Peeta, pulling her knees to her chest and tucking them under her chin.

"What was that about?" she asks, looking at Peeta.

Peeta shrugs, getting up. He can't tell her what he and Haymitch have been plotting. He knows Katniss; she would be offended, she would think they thought her weak and would lash out. "Haymitch just being Haymitch," he says and looks at her. She looks slightly concerned and he gives a small smile. "I was just trying to convince him to stay away from the bar cart. You know how he gets." he says, holding Katniss' gaze. She slowly nods, believing him. Sometimes, it unnerved him how well he could lie. He remembers what Haymitch said, what his best skill was: his use of words. He begins to head to his room, wondering what he should do about the Careers. As he looks back and sees Katniss turning on the TV and then seeing her turn it off and shake her head, since something about the Games was on, he decides. His best skill, he'll use it against the Careers.

...

Ohh, go Peeta. I hope everyone liked this chapter! This my first attempt at writing The Hunger Games but be as harsh as you want! I want to know if I need to improve on anything. Sorry for any typos, I read every chapter over a million times and my sister is my beta but even then, I bet there's mistakes. I'm very excited for everyone to see the other chapters... let's just say, Peeta is a bad-ass. Holla. God, I'm lame. Moving on. At the end of every chapter, there will be a "Question of the Chapter" instead of question of the day, you know, and you can answer it in your review if you wish. I think that might be fun! :)

Question of the Chapter is... DRUM ROLL...

What station would you choose to visit first in training? Which would you stay at the most?

Don't be afraid to review! I don't bite... unless you're into that kind of thing. Ohh. Much Love, LW.