Cato was walking back to the small camp him, Clove, and Peeta had set up. He spent the past hour hunting for game and collecting firewood. This was a job he usually forced Marvel or Glimmer to do, but seeing as they were both dead he was the only one capable of doing it. Plus, Clove made it sound imperative that he do it. Some bullshit about keeping equal work within the alliance. No matter, she's been dancing on Cato's last nerve for the past day and a half now. He could use the space. He wasn't a hundred percent sure, but he knows that Clove has been suspicious of him and Peeta.
They were careful to not let any of the other Careers to know, but Cato couldn't help but a little more protective of his Peeta or made sure they both kept watch at the same time and share the same tent. Something unorthodox for the blond brute, but the only person that would be able to notice it was his academy partner Clove.
He made it through the foliage and into the small clearing where the other two should be, but it was empty. "Peeta? Clove?" he was met with eerie silence. He senses go on high alert as he starts to look around wildly for any trace of the two. He saw throwing knives jabbed into the ground. A fight? The bushes started ti rustle behind him, causing him to whip around and grab for his sword on his waist.
It's Clove that exits the bushes "Calm down Cato, it's just me." she has bruises on her neck and a busted lip. If she was beaten like this, then where was Peeta? "What the hell happened to Peeta?" she scoffed at the question "Of course he's your priority. I told you before, he was a distraction." Cato's jaw clenched up. Clove has been trying to separate the two for some time now. She would try to get Peeta to take watch with the other tributes or get him to go off to scout on his own. Her excuse was that Cato was preoccupying himself too much on a non Career. But Cato always brushed it off as paranoia on her part. He should have taken more action though. Cato let out a ferrel growl "Answer me!" his fists started to tighten to the point where his palms started to bleed form his nails.
"I knew there was something wrong going on between you two. I did you a goddamn favor." Cato's eyes widened at the realization of what Clove did; the knives on the ground and the bruises on her face, she tried getting rid of Peeta entirely. Rage started to fill his body "You stupid cunt!" he shouted as his fist collided with Clove's face. She falls on her behind, but quickly jumps back up "Fuck you Cato Rumble. You know what I did was the best thing I can do for us. The sooner he's dead, the sooner you can get your head out of your ass." he let out another growl as he grabbed for his sword on his waist. Clove answered by grabbing for her knives in her pocket.
Before they can give all of Panem a brutal show, steady beeping was heard over head. The both froze in there in their positions until the small canisters makes a small 'thud' on the ground in between them. Clove let go of her blades and grabbed the canister, not breaking eye contact with Cato. She opens it, reading the note to herself first. She gave him a wicked grin "Get your shit together and get over it -Brutus" she crumpled up the note and threw it towards to the shocked blond while turning over the canister. What looks like crumbs poured out; he bends down and feel the pieces. It was a loaf of bread, ripped up into shreds. The metaphor becoming apparent immediately.
She forcefully throws the canister in front of him to get his attention "Now that we have that settled, it's time to he-" she was cut off by Cato grabbing her neck and arms and slamming her into a tree. "When it's just the two of us, I promise I'll rip out your annoying fucking voice box and then cut out your heart." he promises into her ear. "For him? Really? You'd give everything up for that filthy District 12 garbage?" Cato doesn't respond, but throws her onto the ground and smirks when she bounces off the ground. He grabs the bag of scarce supplies form the ground. "Where is he?" he asks not bothering to look at her. "Bleeding out somewhere in the forest. I made sure to cut deep by his femoral artery." he could practically hear the proud smirk on her face.
He walked past her and back into the foliage, he needed time to mourn, he needed to be away from her as soon as possible or he might kill her. She still had some use to her, she can tire Thresh out and make him more vulnerable for Cato.
He didn't get too far before he took a seat by the trunk of a tree while stabbing his sword into the ground next to him. His thoughts filled with images of Peeta and the short time they shared together. Maybe this was for the best, they both couldn't win, but he wanted to be with his baker for as long as possible. Memories from the three nights they shared together on the roof top to being huddled together in the tent 'it was imperative that you kept that ridiculous start crossed lover schtick with that coal miner's slut.' Cato grimaced but then smirked 'Good thing I was able to make you all mine the night before the games. I made you forget all about her and your thoughts were only on pleasing me.'
The sound of a canon booms through the arena. He starts to shake, the realization that the poor baker was dead makes his chest feel like it was searing hot and ripping apart. His thoughts are then flooded with the image of a bloodied and battered Peeta. His leg critically injured by Clove's skillful hands. The Career grabs his chest, the pain almost too much to bear.
Then he starts to feel angry, not at Clove, but at Peeta. 'How dare you leave me in this empty world. You said you loved me and this is how you lave me? Hollow? Peeta Mellark, I hope you know I hate you. I hate you for making me feel this pain, I've never felt so weak.
~I walk around the training center scoping out the other tributes. Nothing impressive, mostly children this yea. Good, the sooner everyone dies off the better it is for me. We'll just end with a typical showdown with the Careers, and even the rest of my group is pathetic. I can already hear the my name being announced as victor.
Then I see them, the coal munchers from District 12. I can feel excitement bubbling in my stomach. Them I want to kill first. They stole the show from me at the tribute parade. Only fare if I make them the first canons to go off. They're both sitting at the camouflage station, how pathetic. The girl walks away and I take the chance to go intimidate the blond boy. I'll make sure I'm his biggest fear when he hears the gong go off. I reach, grab his shoulder, and force him to turn around. I open my mouth to tear him a new one, but nothing come outs. The second I see his eyes my whole body goes numb. I couldn't think or say anything. I even forget to breath for a moment. All I see were his eyes go from fearful to curious.
I try to force myself to say something, but my brain goes straight stupid. I think it's his eyes that make me mute. They were basically oceans I couldn't look away from. I notice my hand is still on his shoulder and I take the chance to push him out of my way. I walk away from you, but I can sense you watching. You were numb too.
That night I spent the whole time thinking of that odd encounter. My mind was flooded with images of that boy from 12, I made sure to watch the reruns of the parade so I can get all the perspectives of Peeta. I wanted to figure out what it was that made me dumb and mute.
After dinner I stay in my room staring out the window, still trying to figure all this out. Then comes a knock on the door, my brainless escort enters "Cato? What's wrong? You've been distracted this whole night. I need you in you tip top shape for the games in a few days." I internally cringe at the phrase 'tip top.' I've been hearing her use it since she's been escorting for 2. "Luzon, I met someone today, and for some reason I don't want to hurt him." I let out an irritable sigh, I hate how she was the only one I can talk about this to. "Awh, that's so sweet. Maybe you like this tribute. Our sweet little Cato is in lo-" she screams before she finishes her sentence due to the glass vase I throw shattering by her head. Idiot fairy.
I shout for one of the mute Avoxes to come and clean up the mess. Once she exits (at least I think it's a she) I turn off the lights and get under the covers. Love. What a ridiculous emotion. Besides, there isn't any room for that in the arena.
I wake up the next morning, recounting my dreams that were plagued by that coal muncher. I do my morning routine and go to the training center as soon as possible. It was day two of four before deploy, I needed to be focused. I spend the first half of the day practicing with blunt objects, ignoring all the other tributes today. The bell rings and everyone files into the eating area, but unfortunately, we were the last two to leave, forcing us to make eye contact again. We both freeze again, just staring at each other. That numbness returns and this time I can feel my whole body going warm. Is this a fever? Maybe I got food poisoning from the Capitol food. But the Capitol would never allow that.
Out of nowhere, he had this bright smile plastered on his face. I snorted and pushed him out of my way. I hear him stumble over, but I don't bother looking back at him, even though my hand is warm where it made contact with his face. After a short lunch I decide to let my muscles rest for an hour on the roof top. I lean my back onto the edge railing and peer off into the distance, planning what to do with the second half of training. I hear the opening and closing of the elevator, but I brush it off. It's probably an Avox coming to water the garden.
"Oh it's you, I didn't realize anyone would be up here." that voice, the only voice to ever send a shiver down my back. I violently turn my head with a sneer "What are you doing up here 12? Shouldn't you be painting yourself?" I don't want to be around him what so ever, I'll make sure he's my first kill. "I just wanted to get some fresh air after lunch, it gets stuffy down there." he answered, not responding to the anger in my voice. "I'm Peeta Mellark by the way." he says extending his hand. Against my better judgment I shake his hand "The name's Cato." he smile at my response and it makes my stomach do back flips. I really don't want to be around this kid.~
He tries to calm down, but the fact that Peeta's dead makes Cato's blood boil. The career stands up and grabs his sword and heads back to where Clove has made a fire to cook the game he caught "Are you done sulking over that District 12 garbage? Because we need to figure out what we're going t-" she's interrupted by the booming voice of Claudius Templesmith "Attention tributes, attention. There has been a slight modification to the rules. There may now be two victors of the Hunger Games, as long they are from the same district. Thank you, and may the odds be ever in your favor." 'I guess Brutus heard my promise to Clove and got the sponsors to retaliate. No matter, I still plan on killing her. For him.'
The thought of gaining retribution for the man he loved made Cato smile.
"Hurry up and eat, I want to be in the forest after the anthem." demands Cato. They both eat in silence with the fire between them, Cato's mind still plagued with images and memories of his baker. It wasn't fair, someone so innocent shouldn't have come to the arena. Cato was always determined to win the games, the fame, the glory, it was tantalizing to him. But now what? The only person he'll ever love was gone. When he goes home, there'll be nothing worth living for. He's an only child and his parents didn't really mean much to him.
Cato would give anything up, his winnings, his glory, even his own life, if it meant that he would be with his baker for one more second. Just to hear Peeta's voice one more time.
~"So what's it like in District 2? I heard there's an academy for the kids." it was pitch black on the roof of the tribute complex. The only signs of light were from the President's Mansion and the street lights scattered all across the Capitol. I don't know how he got me to, but we spent the second half of the second training day up here talking. Clove and the rest must be shitting themselves right now. "Well, it's a hell of a lot better than District 12, I can tell you that much." he laughs at my remark and I join him. His stupid laugh is contagious "Please, the bathrooms here are better than my district."
"And yea, there's an academy. Anyone eligible for the games is automatically enrolled." he looks over the roof top in contemplation. Great, he probably thinks we're savages back in two. "So even the 12 year olds learn how to kill?" I simply nod my head. Whatever, I couldn't care less what he thinks. "That's understandable." that wasn't the response I was expecting. "What do you mean?"
He shrugs "If you think about it, wouldn't you want your citizens prepared for the games? I'm sure if District 12 had the resources, we would have our own academy too. District 2 was just fortunate enough." I never thought of it that way. I never gave it much thought actually. The Academy was just something all the citizens did at 2. How the hell can this kid so damn intuitive?
We both turned our heads when the elevator doors open. An Avox came scrambling towards Peeta with a note in her hands. "Thank you" he grabs and reads. 'sighs' "They're calling me back downstairs. Haymitch and Katniss aren't too happy that I didn't train." he looked upset at the thought of leaving. And truthfully, I was too. He stands up and follows the Avox to the elevator, but before he sets foot inside he runs back to me "I'd like to do this again, maybe tomorrow after training?" my body does that thing again where it goes numb and I can't think.
I just nod like an idiot. His response was a warm smile, causing my pulse to sky rocket. He walks back to the elevator, the doors close making me lose sight of Peeta Mellark. How the hell can this boy do that? I've slept with both men and women, the only thing they were capable was getting me hard. What makes him so different? Half of me wanted kill Peeta for making me feel so weak. How dare he make me succumb to my emotions. But if I kill him, where does that leave me? 'sigh' the loss of Peeta on the roof makes me yearn for him.
I need to keep him close to figure this out more. The only thing he leaves me to do is to add him to the Career pack.~
The anthem pulls Cato out of his memories. He looks up already knowing whose face was going to light up the sky, only one canon went off today. He wanted to see his baker one last time, but he was only met with the nameless face of girl from District 7. "What the fuck?" Clove exclaims as she puts out the fire. Cato stood up as if the height difference would make the face any clearer. 'He's alive. He's still alive and with me here.' "Clove hurry up. I'm leaving with or without you." Cato was too happy to be sitting still and waiting. Meanwhile, Clove was absolutely fuming behind Cato at her failure "Just because he isn't dead, doesn't mean he isn't crippled." Cato ignored her remark.
"Attention tributes, attention. There will be a feast at the Cornucopia this sunrise, and it won't be just any feast. All of you need something, something important. Thank you, and may the odds be ever in your favor." the booming voice of Claudius echoes throughout the arena. And on cue, a cold chill runs through Cato's body. A blanket and sleeping bag would be nice.
Cato's body tenses up when he's struck with the realization of all the announcements. There were only two pairs of same district tributes, the Careers and the star crossed lovers. Which was more likely to get the Capitol's attention? Katniss must have Peeta with her. That's why the feast is so important! There must be something there for Peeta's injury. A plan starts formulating in Cato's head. Katniss has to be going to the feast in a few hours, and when she takes the bag he'll ditch Clove and follow her back to his baker.
"Clove, we're going to the Cornucopia. We'll wait for the other tributes and hunt them down from there." Clove follows him obediently through the forest. It takes a few hours to make it to the clearing where the Careers use to occupy. Once they make it they take refuge in the bushes. They sit silent and patient until the dark sky slowly transforms into a dark azure blue. A few minutes later the first rays of sunlight peer through the clouds. "Cato look." the ground in front of the mouth of the Cornucopia opened up and a table full of numbered backpacks. Clove gasped "That clever bitch." from the corner of Cato's eye he can see the red head girl run out the mouth and sprint away with her backpack. She must have gotten there right before they did.
"Cover me." he says before sprinting towards the backpack marked 2. Before he turns back to their hiding spot, curiosity got the better of him. He ran over to the bag marked 12 and opened it. There was a large hypodermic needle. Good, this meant Peeta would survive. Before he placed it back down, he grabbed the bread from the bag he was already carrying and placed it in Peeta's. 'District 2 Stoney bread. You're the one that told me about it, you'll know I'm still here for you.'
Cato sprinted back to Clove "You jackass, can you get your head out of his ass for once?" Cato ignores her and takes a seat by a tree trunk. He opened the pack and was glad to find two sets of blankets, sleeping bags and some dried fruit and jerky. Ever since the explosion food and sleep accessories have been low or non-existent.
The two wait in the bushes for anymore tributes. About a half hour later rustling can be heard from the other side of the clearing, Katniss was sprinting for her pack. "She's mine" Clove exclaims before sprinting after her. She wanted more than anything to kill the Girl on Fire from taking all the attention away from the Careers.
Clove tackles the girl to the ground and has her pinned. 'Shit, if she dies, so does Peeta.' as Cato was about to exit his hiding spot, Thresh sprints to the girls. He lifts Clove by her neck, he says something incoherent to Clove and slams a rock onto her skull. A canon confirms her death. Cato smirks ' Only wish I could have done it.' thresh grabs his bag before sprinting into the forest.
Katniss jumps up and runs into the forest. Cato waits before running into the forest after her. She was the only way he was going to find Peeta. 'I'm coming for you Peeta. I swear to you I'll find you and you'll be mine again.'
(A/N) let me know how you guys feel about this so far. I already know where I'm going with this story and I plan to make it only three chapters. Thanks for reading!