HABITS – TWO

Cato dropped down and watched Peeta sleep that night. Peeta didn't even budge when Cato's tall figure hit the ground. He was a heavy sleeper, which wouldn't help him in the Games. Thank god Cato was watching over him.

Cato sat there until morning came, every now and then brushing Peeta's hair back down when it was blown in the wind. Peeta couldn't tell he was there at all; Which was a good thing for Cato. Surely Peeta would jump and attack if he woke up to the menacing Career tribute brushing away his loose strands of hair.

Peeta spent the next day looking. Looking for Cato Jensen. And Cato Jensen spent the hours watching Peeta look for him cluelessly. Cato was quiet for how big he was, and for a whole seven hours Peeta didn't even notice he was stalking behind him.

When Cato heard a rustling in the brush, he raised his sword defensively. It had gone unheard by the ears of Peeta Mellark. If it was Cole, Cato had no chance. Cole was fast and vicious. Cato was rather slow, an effect of his height and muscle.

And the fact they were both fucked cut in when he saw the blond hair swaying from behind the trees. But she didn't seem to see Peeta yet.

Cato runs out and jumps on top of Peeta, who opens his mouth to scream. He notices the purple berries in his hand and sees how his lips have none of the juicy substance on them.

Cato forcefully lays his hand over Peeta's mouth, and the screams come out muffled.

"Shut up! Do you want your insane District partner to hear you?" Cato harshly whispers.

Peeta immediately shuts his trap, and Cato doesn't remove his hand until the blonde locks are flying away in a sprint.

Cato stands and attempts to take the berries from Peeta's hand. Peeta instinctively slaps him away.

"Okay. Just don't blame me when when you're dead." Cato says, throwing his hands up, trying to push aside the worry he feels.

Peeta tilts his head and cocks his eyebrow. "D-Dead?" He stutters.

Cato nods as he turns away. "That stuff's nightlock. Kills you the instant you eat it. Thank me later." the mysterious career say as he walks off.

Peeta watches the boy walk off. He still wonders why the boy has to use such a mysterious nature. Why he can't even stay and let Peeta say thank you. Peeta still feels something for the boy though. He knows he shouldn't but he's saved his life three times in two days. And they've never even had a true conversation.

Peeta marks a mental note to thank him next time. He's sure there will be a next time.

"Tell Cato Jensen how grateful you are." He whispers to himself smiling, before placing the nightlock in the small pocket of his backpack. It could come in handy.

Cato ventures not to far from the innocent District Twelve tribute, keeping his still-watchful eyes trailing him through the woods. Peeta seems to still not acknowledge his presence, but he knows he's out there making an effort to keep him safe. Something just tells him he is.

And while the two blonde boys survive and smile at the though of each other, Marvel and Cole plot their attacks. Cole was just plain insane, but Marvel, he had a reason to hate Cato Jensen. He had just killed the one girl he ever loved. The girl he vowed to get out of this arena. Back in District One Glimmer and him had been inseparable. Nothing changed when she volunteered and he pretty much promised losing her life to save him.

But the truth was, Glimmer just used Marvel as her play thing. She'd use him for pleasure, and all the while he had loved her more than anything. He thought that maybe, just maybe, if he gave his life for her she'd finally love him back. Marvel was to oblivious to realize how big of a... well, bitch, she was.

Cole had lost most everything she owned in a fire. Her parents, her clothes, her food. She was a freak before it, but that drove her over the edge. Now she wanted Peeta dead, because he told her he hated his mother. She beat him and threatened him every night. She hated him so much because he had a mother, a family, but he complained. She would be happy to have a mother anymore, and he gets one but complains? It seemed off in her mind.

Peeta set up camp again, and heard Cato's rustle in the bushes. He swordsman was now tired and hungry, but he wouldn't stop for a break until he knew Peeta was safe.

"Cato?" Peeta asked in all directions, catching his attention. "If you're out there, come out here with me please." He asks as if he's speaking to no one.

Cato slowly steps from the trees, cautiously checking from side to side, making sure no one is watching.

"H-How'd you know I was out there?" Cato asks, only to receive a shrug and a grateful smile from the boy.

"Guessed." He says, and motions Cato to sit next to him. Cato instead takes a spot across from him as the young baker sets a fire with ease. Cato never liked fire, which was ironic because Peeta had come out on his chariot the first night engulfed in flames.

Cato sits awkwardly as Peeta offers him some meat he caught with his spear.

"You eat it. You caught it." Cato says, pushing it away. Peeta shoves it back in his direction.

"I insist."

Cato sighs. "I'm not hungry. Really." Cato lies.

Peeta rolls his eyes at Cato. "How can you possibly say you aren't starved? You haven't eaten in two days."

Cato shrugs. "I just... You need it more. Now eat it." Cato almost demands.

Peeta puses a few seconds, then pushes it back over to him again. "Please take it. I feel like I owe you. Please." he begs.

Cato sighs and rips it out of his hands, devouring the chunk of meat in mere seconds.

Peeta laughs. "And you weren't hungry." He says.

Cato smiles back at him. He decides to change the subject. "S-So... You knew I was out there... You're okay with me following you around like a puppy?" He says, his grin fading slowly though it's still there.

Peeta laughs subtly, tearing a piece of meat off and putting it in his mouth. "If you're protecting me then I'm really fine with it." he says, then decides to ask the question he's been wondering for a while. "Why are you protecting me?"

Cato doesn't answer and just sits there. He doesn't want to scare him off. "Hey uh, I think we should head to sleep..." He says awkwardly, trying to push the subject aside.

Peeta doesn't fight it and tries forgetting he even asked. "Sure." he says, his demeanor is annoyed though he lays his sleeping bag out and lays down.

Cato stands and brushes himself off, preparing to leave before Peeta stops him. "Could you... Could you please stay? Just until I fall asleep?"

Cato smiles and nods, falling back to the ground. He sits with him in silence until the morning. And Peeta would never say it, but secretly he hopes Cato won't be gone in the morning.