"You're not supposed to be in here." Katniss dropped the bow and spun around to look at Cato, the tribute from District 2.
"Neither are you." she shot back acidly, crossing her arms across her chest. "What do you want?"
"What are you and Lover Boy playing at?" he snapped, mocking her stance. "Pulling this to get sponsors?"
"It's none of your business." she lifted her chin. Cato smiled absently and approached her with the lazy gait of a hunter stalking towards its prey.
Her eyes widened and she backed into the wall, dropping her arms at her side. Cato was tall, over six feet, and pure muscle, rippling under his shirt. He was a powerhouse, built to kill, and he knew it. She was a small thing, something that he could snap in half without even realizing it.
"It is my business, girl on fire." he leaned towards her, his eyes narrowing. "It has everything to do with me." his eyes trailed in appreciation over her face, down her throat, over her small breasts, and down her toned legs. She was a nice little thing, a strong competitor. He knew that it would come down to the two of them. He could feel it in his bones.
"Go, Cato." she whispered, her voice shaking. She was afraid that he would hurt her. "Go. The Games start tomorrow. You should rest."
"So should you, sweetheart." he grinned maliciously, watching her narrow shoulders stiffen at the tacked on endearment. Her jaw opens and closes several times before she says two words to him:
"Fuck you."
He tipped his head back and laughed, watching her shrink away from him. Cato knew this girl was fearless; after all, she had volunteered for this, but here, now, she shied away from him, afraid. His heart contracted painfully and he stepped away from her.
She thrust her shoulders forward and was about to slide away from him when he slammed his hands against the wall, boxing her in. "Don't you need your beauty rest?" he asked, craning his neck down to her eye level. "Pretty little Katniss. You're not ready for this. You're not ready to die."
Her eyes lowered-almost demurely-and she curled forward, a quiet hiccup coming deep within her chest. "You're right. I'm not ready to die. I'm not ready for this. I thought I was. But I'm only sixteen!" her eyes found his and she grabbed the front of his shirt desperately.
His eyes widened in surprise as she pressed her hands to her face. "I can't do this."
"Yes, you can." the words escaped before he knew it, but as soon as he said them, he knew that they were true. "You're a fighter, Katniss. I can tell. You're on fire." she smiled at the last word and looked up at him.
When her eyes met his, his stomach began to ache painfully. Before he knew it, he had leaned down and pressed his mouth against hers. Her mouth, small and warm, tasted of mint. His hand slid across the wall to cup the back of her head gently. He worked his fingers through her hair, deepening the kiss.
She planted her palms firmly against his chest, as if to push him away. A few seconds later, she did, ducking away from him. "Why did you do that?" she demanded, her face pale. "Why did you kiss me?" Cato stepped away from her, surprised.
"I'm sorry."
"Leave me alone!"
"Katniss-"
"GO." she picked up a bow and threw it at him. He caught it and threw it to the ground, lunging for her and pinning her against the wall by her wrist. He stared down at her, panting.
"Don't."
"Let go."
"Apologize."
"No. You deserved it!"
"Apologize!"
"Fuck you!" she screamed, slapping him with her free hand. "Let me go!" his eyes found hers and she froze, her hand falling limply to her side. And then his mouth is on hers again, fighting for control. She goes down without a fight, without a word.
A/N: I don't own Hunger Games, it belongs to Mrs. Collins :) Thanks for reading!
