Just a little Cato/Clove one-shot for you. This is part of my one-shot weekends. My first one was a Dumbledore/Grindelwald fic called Too Easy. Enjoy it!
My current ongoing story is C'Mon, and Charlie Weasley fanfiction. My tumblr is spankthebatchild. Please review!
Clove ran a well-manicured hand through her perfectly straightened hair. In past years, she only got dressed up for the show. She wouldn't spend too much time on her appearance except to look respectful. This year was different. This year was her year.
Reapings were pretty straightforward in District 2. They had all voted months before on who they wanted to be their tributes. No matter who was reaped, Clove would volunteer. After that, there would be no more volunteers. People had been impressed by ruthlessness, and they wanted to see it in the arena. Today was Clove's day.
She was wearing a tight red dress that nicely complimented her hair. There was a slight shimmer to her dress, but nothing to extreme. Clove looked back into the mirror and was happy with what she saw. She looked threatening and determined. Her work here was done, but she still had a long time before the actual reaping.
She stormed down the stairs in her high heels, ignoring her mother's rule about no heels on the stairs. Her mother's endless rules wouldn't matter soon.
"Clove!" her mother yelled when she saw her daughter. Clove expected to be yelled at, but instead her mother came running at her and threw her arms around her. "You look gorgeous," she said. "Today's the big day! Make your district proud."
"It's the only thing that I know how to do," Clove reassured her. It was the truth. From the age of ten, Clove had been put to training in secret from the Capitol. It had taken five years for the people of District 2 to vote her as tribute. What eventually led them to believe that Clove was the best option? Her knife throwing skills had stunned all who watched her practice. She could throw a knife more accurately than District 2's best archers could shoot an arrow.
Clove wandered out of her house and into the streets of District 2. She had one more thing that she wanted to do.
It wasn't hard to find Cato. He was sitting in his usual place, the roof of one of the textile factories. His feet hung over the edge, and he seemed not to hear Clove approach. She debated surprising him, but just as she got close enough, Cato pounced on her.
Clove was ready though. She reached into her shoe and tore out her switchblade. She kicked off her shoes and pushed Cato off of herself. They stood a few feet away from each other, both in a fighting stance. Cato started to laugh and put his hands up in defeat.
"As soon as it's long distance, I know I'm a goner," he joked. Clove laughed and put her knife back into her shoe.
"Are you excited?" she asked, sitting down. Cato plopped down next to her and put an arm around her shoulder.
No one knew about the details of Clove and Cato's relationship. It could have had a negative effect on the votes in their favor. People might assume that they wouldn't be willing to do away with each other in end if necessary. Kisses and gentle touching were left to times when they were alone.
"Yeah, I'm excited," Cato answered. "This is what we've been waiting for." He rubbed her arms affectionately and pressed a kiss to her temple. Clove clenched her stomach in unhappiness, and Cato could sense it immediately. "What's wrong?"
"I don't want to kill you," Clove admitted while closing her eyes to stop the tears from coming, "but if it comes to that, I will. You can't take this win away from me."
"Same goes to you," Cato agreed. "We're both good enough that we'll be the last two. It'll be a fair fight." Clove nodded. "Until that moment, let's just have fun with it! C'mon, Clove!" he said playfully punching her arm. "We're going to the Hunger Games!" Clove smiled.
"You're right," she said. "May the odds be ever in your favor!" They both chuckled and forgot about killing each other for the time being. They were cross that bridge when they came to it.
It would be fun in the arena. Clove was sure of it. She really did enjoy her practices, and the arena would be no different. People were bound to sponsor her. She was bound to win. There wasn't a doubt in her mind about coming home. She just wished that Cato would be able to come home with her.
