A short Catoniss oneshot. AU.

He promised her, and she promised him. If they were to die, their last thought would be of each other.

Once best friends, both families lived in District 12. But then Cato moved back to District Two, when Katniss was 10 and he was 12, where he trained for the Hunger Games. Six years later, Prim was called to the stage. Katniss volunteered, and so did Cato.

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Cato goes up to the roof after training the first day, only to hear the small but definite sound of sobbing. He pushes through the plants only to find Katniss hugging her knees on the ground. He soundlessly wraps his arms around her and she leans back, instinctively knowing who it was. "What do we do now?" she asks hopelessly.

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In the Games, Cato forms an alliance with his district partner and the District One tributes, ordering them to save "the District Twelve girl" for last. Katniss keeps to herself, only joining with the District Eleven girl, Rue.

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Rue dies on the third day, speared in the stomach by the District One male. His death was quick—an arrow in the throat. She is buried in flowers. Cato stays with the group until Glimmer is killed. He leaves Clove and sets off into the woods, taking food, water, and first aid supplies.

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When he finally finds her, she's in a tree, waiting out game. She looks down and invites him up wearily. He lifts her up and settles her back on his lap, settling against the branch. They have half a rabbit and leftover roots and berries that evening. They're in the last five.

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The feast leaves the games with only one other tribute besides the pair. Looking for him, Cato hears a low growl. Sprinting toward the Cornucopia, the mutts race after them, and they get on top of the golden horn just in time. Unfortunately, Thresh was there too and, catching Cato by surprise, he pulls him into a headlock.

He draws a sharp X in Thresh's hand, but he launches past Cato and gives a heavy blow to Katniss's head before leaping to the mutts.

Cato cradles her in his arms and murmurs things into her hair. A tear slips down her face. "I'll love you forever, you know," he whispers.

"Forever," she repeats. She dies with a smile on her face.

He can't bear it when he releases her, and before the hovercrafts can pick them up, he slashes his sword across his chest and joins his soulmate once again.