Hello! So, this fanfiction is going to explore a, well, gentler take on Cato and Clove. Yes, of course there will still be exhibits of brutality and bitterness, but I want to showcase Cato and Clove in a more human way. I want to show their softer sides toward one another, human emotions that many assume the careers, big and bad, cannot feel. Reluctance, regret, confusion, exhilaration, love, lust, so on and so forth. I know, I know, it might get a little bit sappy, but hey, who says sappy's always bad, right? I hope you enjoy this if you read it, I know I've really got to update that other story *Terrible personage right here* and I will, but this one's really been getting into my head. Please read, and if you could leave a review I would appreciate it greatly! I'd love to know what you like or don't like, anything I'm doing well, anything I'm doing wrong, maybe suggestions for things you may want to see appear, or change.
The story is rated T for some swearing, future violence, and possible suggestive situations.
Disclaimer: I don't own Cato and Clove, or the Hunger Games, or anything associated with it. That all belongs to the lovely Suzanne Collins.
The picture I used as the cover was not drawn by me, it was drawn by Iabri71 on deviantart. She's amazing, so you should go check out her artwork!
"Are you coming or not?!" Cato smirked as he heard Clove's impatience resounding in her voice as she called back at him. He had been walking too slowly for her, and he knew that; he always found it fun to annoy her.
"Oh, I'm coming, darling, don't let your world stop spinning just because you don't have something handsome to look at."
Cato caught Clove's grumble, "Don't call me that." and grinned as he picked up his pace, jogging up the hill to close the distance between the two of them.
"Miss me, darling?" He asked her, smirk still eminent on his lips as he stared at her.
Clove narrowed her eyes at him, "Call me darling one more time, I dare you."
"What are you going to do to me, darling? Tie me down and cut me? Or maybe you'll be using a whip?" Cato winked playfully, enjoying the reactions he got out of her. Clove rolled her eyes starting to walk again, hands gripping tightly to the rocks beneath her; the hill was getting steeper and it was the best way to pull her body weight up. "Want some help, Clove? I've heard having assistance in lifting your body weight, from someone, near your upper leg can be quite useful with a steep hike…"
"Cato, your hands aren't getting anywhere near my ass." Clove called behind her, not hearing the quiet chuckle Cato let out as he followed her, watching her carefully to be sure she wouldn't fall. Clove stopped, standing up straight and turning around to wait for Cato to catch up. Cato walked at a slow pace, taking his time until Clove gave him a look of irritation. "Really?" She narrowed her eyes at him.
Cato let his lips quirk into a slight smile."Alright, alright, I'm coming." Cato put his hands in the air as if to surrender, hurrying to catch up and slowing his pace once again to walk beside her. "So…" He started, walking through the foliage that seemed to pop up randomly around them. "How are things going with, oh what was his name…" Cato knew perfectly well Jonathan's name. You don't forget it when the girl you're fond of begins dating him of all people. "Doug? Damien?" He paused as if he was thinking, "Dick? He sure acts like one…"
He looked at Clove and Clove shook her head "Not funny, Cato. Also, wrong letter. His name's Jonathan, I'm surprised you don't remember." She paused, "And things are…fine." She stated simply, looking ahead of her.
"Uh-huh. So, is that why you weren't here yesterday? You had a…date."
"What's it to you?" She asked defensively.
Cato shrugged as if it was nothing, carrying the conversation. "Did this Jonathan..." He coughed lightly, clearing his throat and looking away, "invite you into his bed?"
"Cato!" Clove snapped, whacking his chest.
Cato chuckled "Oh, don't feel bad about it, darling. If your little boyfriend doesn't invite you, my bed's always available." He grinned at her again, his facial features contorting into an alluring expression.
From the expression on Clove's face, he assumed she had more to say, he also assumed that this Jonathan was not having much luck getting close to her; Clove was a difficult person to get to know. "You're such a flirt Cato." Was all she murmured to him, offering a small smile before picking up her pace to a jog the rest of the way up the hill.
"Only with you…" He breathed out quietly to himself, watching her run for a moment before shaking his head and nearly sprinting to catch up.
Having made her way to the top of the hill, Clove swung her backpack from her shoulder, sitting cross legged in the grass and tearing it open to rummage through it. Cato leaned against a tree nearby, observing the way the wind blew some loose strands from her braid into her face, the way her brown eyes sparkled in the same determined, competitive way they always did. Her eyebrows delicately creased in concentration as she searched for what she wanted. A triumphant smirk pulled at her lips as she pulled out the two apples she had packed that morning, throwing one at Cato. The hard fruit came into contact with his arm and he let out a small sound, more of surprise than pain, "Ow, geez. Today's the one day we don't need to hurt each other and you're throwing fruit at me? What is this?"
"Big baby," Clove rolled her eyes, mumbling. "And, you were staring." She turned her attention back to the morsel of food in her hands and tossed her backpack to the side, leaning back on one arm to watch the sun rise over District 2. Cato continued to observe her with a small sigh, watching one of her arms moving, apple in hand, to her mouth. Pushing off of the tree, Cato moved forward, retrieving the apple that had caused a small bruise to start forming near his bicep, and walking to sit by Clove. He sat down next to her, looking at her for a moment, then tearing his eyes away from her to look at the same thing she was. He tentatively took a bite of his food, and they both sat in silence as light flooded over the District. The Nut's shadow loomed over several houses, making them seem deserted and frightening, morbid even, but Cato thought it was fitting. Most people and places were morbid here. Cato became lost in thought, thinking about the events the day would bring. He had been told it was his privilege this year to volunteer, he had been trained his entire life and apparently he had exceeded every other boy's skill. Seventeen still seemed so young to him…well, there had been much younger before who volunteered.
Cato's thoughts were interrupted as he felt the slight sting of a blade barely grazing his skin. He reached across his body quickly, snatching Clove's wrist in his hand and holding it captive tightly, it was tiny in comparison. A devilish grin crossed her face as she looked up at him, the blade she still held had a small line of maroon coloring the edge of the sharp metal. "Just checking your reflexes, Mr. Victor of the Seventy-Fourth Hunger Games." She cooed, grin still wide as she attempted to pull her wrist back from Cato. He pulled her wrist, jerking her forward and closer to him. She fell a bit, narrowing her eyes and jerking her wrist back to her, pulling it through his hand.
"And I'm just testing yours," He replied with a smile. "I'm not victor yet, Clove."
"But you will be, everyone knows you will." Cato nodded; she was right, he was going to win. He was sure of it.
"And you, you'll be winning next year."
"You bet I will; no one will know what hit them." She laughed
"Until there's a knife in their back." Cato pointed out, smiling slightly at the grin he received.
She nodded in silence, then spoke up, changing the topic, "Make quick work of the games Cato…" Clove started.
"Why? You gone soft on me, darling?" He asked, no taunting in his voice at all this time.
"No, I've just… maybe, kind of become slightly fond of you." She looked over at him "In a training partner sort of way, only, of course." She clarified.
"Right, because that's why you walk with me to this spot every day, talk to me, and actually treat me kindly, unlike everyone else." He raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, fine. In a friendly way, then. Just… don't you die on me. I mean, if you're gone who's ass am I going to kick in training?"
Cato laughed "Ha! You? Kick my ass? More like the other way around."
Clove rolled her eyes "Whatever." She pushed him lightly, her hand pressing exactly where she cut, as she hopped to her feet, bending over to grab her back pack. "Come on, let's go. The reaping will be starting soon. Wouldn't want you to miss your big day." Cato nodded, pushing himself up and following after her quietly.
After minutes of silence, Cato spoke up "You going to be wearing something 'sexy' for your little boy friend?" He sounded slightly venomous as he spat out the boy's name, but tried to make it sound as if it was just his normal anger toward everyone…well, everyone but her.
"He's not my boy friend anymore." She commented, her voice neutral. "And I think I'll just let you wait and see what I'll be wearing, Cato." She grinned and winked teasingly, before skipping ahead and toward her home. "See you at the reaping, Cato." She called to him, waving behind her.
Cato shook his head, unable to keep the slight smile off his face. "See you there, Clove." He replied quietly, heading toward his own house.