A/N: Thank you to everyone for the helpful reviews! They mean a lot too me! Any and all suggestions are welcome. All rights to Suzanne Collins, and may the odds be ever in your favor!
Part Four: Victory Tour
We fight constantly. Living here in the Capitol is about as unbearable as it is working in the mines. It is a constant battle for dominance between the two of us, and it doesn't go unnoticed by our other victors. Since our first night here, I find that he plays with my head. But there's something that keeps nagging at me, something that doesn't make sense to me. I have this dream, where I wake up back in the Capitol hospital, and he comforts me, but then says something that I can't quite catch. It's pointless however to try and figure it out. The only time that we truly spend with each other is at Capitol social events, or the photo shoots we are required to attend as victors.
We only have a week until Victory Tour, and we begin fighting even more. And of course, it's never over anything major. Who gets the bathroom first? Who used the last roll of toilet paper? Why can't you stop screaming at night? Why didn't you die when I had you pinned? I find I'm becoming more of my old self again when we fight, only for me to bottle it up and push him farther away, and he the same. The only time we are nice to each other is in the dead of night. After my first nightmare in the apartment, we shared the same bed. None of it made sense to me; we hated each other, but he was the only one who could calm my fears at night. That is, until Snow showed up.
I had just finished up showering, my wet hair braided to the side as I stepped out of the bedroom. He was sitting on the couch; his snake like eyes glistening with hatred and excitement all at once. He was up to something, and I instantly cleared my face of any emotion possible.
"Good afternoon Miss Everdeen, I do hope I am not intruding."
I stood in place, my eyes full of defiance as I watched him stand and glide around the room, inspecting things as he went.
"I assure you and Mr. Martin find everything agreeable? This is a beautiful home you both share here."
I nod once, watching him closely. Every one of my instincts was screaming to run. When Snow paid personal visits, it was never good.
"How is your cousin Gale, is it? He sure seems taken with you, even though; you my dear already have the wonderful Mr. Martin."
My heart drops; he had seen the letters Gale had written to me. He knew of the special bond that Gale and I shared since our fathers died.
"Yes, Cato is quite wonderful President Snow."
He chuckled darkly, facing me with a sadistic grin plastered on his features.
"Let's make a deal… We won't lie to each other and things will be much more pleasant between us."
I nodded once, sitting down and keeping my eyes trained on his every move.
"Miss Everdeen… With you and Mr. Martin both winning, and your lovely stunt with the girl from Eleven… there has been quite the unrest within the districts.
Now, I would presume those were not your intentions, correct?"
I sat up straighter, every words registering in my mind as a trap. He knew I had not intended for all of this to happen, but I would not let him put the blame on me or Cato.
"What do you want from me?"
He smiled and sat down across from me, his blue eyes glinting in the afternoon light.
"Unless you want to see your lovely… cousin, again, Miss Everdeen, convince me that you love Mr. Martin. Convince me that you did not intend for all
of this to happen. I think a rather unfortunate mining accident would cause your family a great deal of pain, would it not?"
Gale; he would kill Gale if I didn't qualm the unrest within the districts. I couldn't let that happen; I couldn't lose another person I cared about.
"What do I need to do?
"Marry him Miss Everdeen. Marry him and show the districts it was out of love. Convince me, and if I don't see any progress at the end of the Victory Tour
with your engagement, I expect you and Mr. Martin would produce the best of the best for a future tribute."
Cato had come home that night to find me on the couch, tucked away in my own little world after the incident with Snow. When I finally told him, nothing in our home was safe. Vases were smashed, knives thrown, curses yelled, and mirrors broken. He physically demonstrated how I was feeling, and I didn't stop him. We had talked to our mentors, and we had all decided on a plan. Once we entered District 12, I would wear an engagement ring that Haymitch and Brutus would pick out for Cato, and then we would announce our engagement at the end of the Tour, at Snow's mansion for the celebration.
We had barely spoken to each other since then, only at night when I would wake up screaming from a nightmare, would we truly talk.
"Katniss… It's okay… It's only a nightmare."
It became repetitive, like a game of sorts. He would hold me only until I fell asleep, for me to wake up and find his side of the bed empty. I was fine with it until the hospital dream started, and then it got me wondering: was he still playing with my head out of the arena? Were the feather light touches of my cheek, or the electricity between our shared, public kisses just another way for him to destroy me? I had tried to play along with all of it, unsure of how I truly felt about him. Was it all just part of the show for me too?
Cato and I awoke to the sound of joyous chatter, things being move around and the shrilly voice of non-other than Effie Trinket herself. I groaned outwardly, covering my eyes with my arm.
"Seriously, it's 5 am… We don't actually leave on Tour for another 8 hours…"
Cato let out a small laugh, shaking his head and sitting up in bed to stretch. That's when I noticed; I noticed the way his hair fell in the mornings, the way he stretched his arms and cracked his neck. I noticed the perfectly sculpted muscles he possessed. I had finally noticed.
"Well let's get going then Fire Girl. We both know out of the two of us you need the most work done to look half way presentable.
I scowled at him, my temper already flaring through at such an early hour.
"Katniss! Cato! Time to get up it's a big, big day!"
I sat up and rolled my eyes, getting out of bed and walking into the living room, only to see it was no longer my living room, but a salon from hell.
"Effie… It's 5 am. I'm pretty sure we don't have to start this early in the day."
She let out a light laugh, her blue eyes sparkling with delight at the thought of her first Victory Tour.
"Don't be silly Katniss. We have to get you and Cato prepped for the photo shoot beforehand with your mentors!"
I sighed as she finished speaking, only to have my prep team lead a surprise attack on me and began plucking and primping me once again. Cato emerged from the bedroom; a cunning smile etched his features. He was clearly enjoying my agony in all of this.
It seemed like hours before they were finally done with me. Cato had spent more of the morning working out and talking to his family on the phone. Cato's parents had highly disapproved of us, insisting I should have been left for dead as a small infant because I was nothing more than a Seam rat. My blood had boiled at this; Cato must have felt the tension when we had gone there on "official Capitol business" and surprisingly stood up for me. Once they were finished, Cinna came in and an instant smile etched its way through my features.
"Katniss, it's good to see you."
I smiled more, hugging him lightly, knowing that out of every person in the Capitol, he was the only one I could truly trust.
"Here… I have this for you."
He handed me a sketch book and I smiled lightly. Every victor was supposed to have a talent; Cato's was designing weaponry from the Capitol and mine was fashion, even though Cinna was the one doing all the work for it.
"Thank you… I'm sure they are amazing."
He smiles at this, and motions for one of the prep members to bring over a black dress bag.
"I want you to wear this today. I figured you would feel comfortable in it."
He opened the bag and I gasped in awe at the outfit. It was an exact replica of my dress from the Reaping, only this time it was much newer. I felt the tears sting my eyes. Home; it reminded me of home, of Prim, of Gale.
I nodded once. Taking the dress out and going back to the bedroom to dress myself in it. It went perfectly with my make-up; the neutral tones made me look natural and not overdone, while my hair was left down in its natural waves, cascading down my back. I looked at myself in the mirror and looked at the girl staring back. She was beautiful, but plain, broken but whole. She was me, and I had grown to accept that.
"Come on sweetheart, we're going to be late for our photo shoot!"
I sighed and smoothed the dress out, putting on a pair of matching flats as I left the bedroom. Effie smiled in delight as she saw me, and then began gathering our things as she was getting ready to shuffle out to the elevator. I looked to see Cato watching me intently, as if he was trying to figure out the right words to say to me.
"You look beautiful."
I nodded my head once, looking around the room and then followed Cinna out to the elevator after Effie.
The photo shoot had taken longer than I would have liked it too. We had several shots done with Enobaria and Brutus, then with Haymitch, then one with all the men and all the women, then Brutus, Enobaria, and I and so on. I couldn't have been more relieved than when we had boarded the train to District One, our first stop on Victory Tour. Dinner was quiet that night, so I had excused myself to my room, in hopes of getting some sleep that night. Cato had been quiet that night at dinner, more so than usual, so I had assumed he would be spending the night in a separate room aboard the train. I quickly changed out of my dress and put on my favorite silk green night gown and gray wrap, wrapping it tightly around my midsection as I settled onto the bed. I was starting to drift off when I heard the door open, and shifted myself to see Cato enter in, a small black velvet box in his hand.
"Would you like to see the ring?"
I sat up and nodded, extending my hand out to take the box. He moved closer to the bed and opened it, placing in my hand ever so gently. It was a beautiful, platinum diamond ring. I smiled lightly looking at it; it truly was perfect, and Brutus and Haymitch could not have done a better job of picking it out for me.
"Read the inscription on the band."
His voice pulls me from my thoughts as I gently remove the ring from the box, inspecting the band when I see it: 0407
I swallow hard as I recognize the date to be Peeta's birthday, and nod in approval. I place the ring back in its box and close the top, handing it back to him and clearing my throat.
"It's beautiful Cato… Thank you."
He nods curtly and places the tiny box back on the dresser before beginning to move his attire as well.
"Are you staying in here tonight?"
He sighs and shakes his head in a disappointment at me as I watch him curiously. I truly would have thought he would rather have his own room now that we aren't stuck to our one bedroom apartment.
"Would you rather sleep alone and wake up the whole train with your nightmares?"
I sighed and laid back down, turning on my side so my back would face the door way. Being with him in this way made things ten times more difficult for me to decipher. He wanted to share the same bed as me, but was only nice to me when others, excluding Haymitch, Cinna, Brutus, and Enobaria, were around. I pulled the blankets up around me and closed my eyes, hoping he would just get the hint and leave me be.
I felt the bed dip under his weight, and when I felt his arm snake around my waist and pull me close to him, a jolt of electricity ran through my body, sending shivers down my spine. I wasn't supposed to feel these things about him. He was just a stupid brutal monster who was incapable of loving people. He was the Capitol's lap dog, and he despised my very existence. He was just playing with my head; then why did I feel all these things?
We stand in front of the Justice Building in District One, Glimmer and Marvel's grieving families just beyond the steps in front of us in the front rows. I had personally killed both of their tributes, and seeing the faces of their families brought the flashbacks of their deaths fresh into my memory. Cato had done all of the speaking, since I didn't trust myself with words at this point. Seeing Glimmer and Marvel's mothers had broken me, and I wasn't sure if I would be able to do this Victory Tour after all.
The celebration afterwards wasn't any easier. Cinna had me in a jeweled floor length emerald green dress that reminded me of Glimmer's eyes. Cato had sensed my uneasiness and kept me close to his side the entire night, while introducing me to the past victors of District One. For once I was glad for the façade that Cato and I had to deal with, because I would never have been able to face the grieving families by myself. Cato must have grown tired because he excused us both back to the train, saying we needed to get a good night's sleep before the celebrations at District Three.
Districts Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, and Ten passed by in a blur. It was the same routine every time: Walk out to from the Justice Building, give a speech thanking the Districts for the honor of giving up their children, have a light lunch with the mayor before the Victory dinner that evening. Tensions grew higher and higher with each District we visited. District Four's crowd seemed to push the Peacekeepers towards the Justice Building, and then I realized what Snow had meant by unrest. They saw Cato and me as symbols of hope; that if two could make it out alive from the Hunger Games then the Capitol was powerless and weak. We were the strongest of all the Districts. I had become paranoid with each and every district stop, hoping that our plan to convince everyone, even Snow, that we were madly in love and not rebellious.
Once leaving Ten, I found myself becoming antsy, unable to stay in one place for a period of time. Haymitch, Brutus, and Enobaria seemed to give me the space I so desperately needed, but Cato seemed to feed off my anxiety, and lashed out at anyone who crossed his path. Rue; in a matter of hours I would have to face her grieving family. How am I going do this? How am I going to thank them for giving the Capitol their daughter only for them to slaughter her?
"That little girl was from Eleven… Wasn't she?"
Cato's voice startles me for a moment; I nod in reply and swallow hard. I wasn't sure I could do this anymore, even with Cato at my side.
"How am I supposed to thank them for giving their little girl to slaughter? How am I supposed to look them in the eye and lie to them about that? How Cato?!
How am I supposed to do this?!"
I feel the tears escape down my face and my walls begin to crumble. Cato got up from his spot on the love seat and took me in his arms, allowing me to cry in the warmth of his body.
"It's okay Katniss; they knew you tried to save her. Rue knows how much you loved her like you loved Prim…"
His words make me cry harder, knowing that he spoke the truth. I did love Rue like I did Prim, and I had been devastated that I couldn't save her. I sniffle lightly, staying close to him and sucking up all his body heat.
"Thank you…"
It was the only thing I could say to him before passing out from the stress and anxiety I had been feeling over the course of the last few weeks.
District Eleven: Mine and Cato's speeches about Thresh and Rue. My last minute added speech about Rue's and my alliance in the arena, and that everything reminded me of her in my life. The old man in the crowd whistling her four note tune as he gave me the three finger salute; the Peacekeepers knocking him to the ground and shooting him on the spot. Cato had picked me up bridal style and whisked me away into the Justice Building before all hell had broken lose. So much for trying to calm the districts down from rebellion.
We were only minutes away from District Twelve, only moments away from seeing Prim, my mother, and Gale again. Only moments away from being back home, even if it was just for a day. My hair had been styled into its signature braid, my make-up done ever so lightly as to not make me unrecognizable. Cinna had me dressed in a simple black frock, with matching simple black flats for the occasion. He knew I was still grieving Peeta, and this was his way of showing respect for that as we entered the District. Cato had been dressed in a beautiful black silk shirt and matching trousers, his hair spiked up and silver cufflinks to make the outfit.
As the train stopped, my stomach began twisting itself in anticipation of seeing my family again. Would they be mad at me for not coming home right away? Would they hate me for letting Peeta die? Cato grabbed my hand, taking me away from my thoughts when I noticed he had the ring in his hand, ready to place it on my left ring finger. I watched him closely, as his cold stare bore through my soul as he placed the ring on my finger. We kept eye contact until Haymitch cleared his throat, and we made our way to the exit of the train. This was it; I was finally going to see my family again. As the doors opened, we were taken aback at the sights and sounds before us. My stoic expression had changed into relief and happiness: I was officially home.
We stood at the train platform holding hands. I smiled at the crowd before us and waved to my District members. That's when I spotted her; golden hair done into two braids, blue town eyes glinting with elation and relief. I let go of Cato's had, taking off in a mad dash through the crowd. I didn't care if the cameras were watching; I was finally able to see my Prim. I reached her, my mother, and the Hawthorne's and threw my arms around her, hugging her and closely as I could to my body.
"Prim… Oh my Prim you're okay!"
I could feel my dress being dampened by her tears but it didn't matter. I had my Prim back, and that's all that mattered.
"Gale gave us game. He took really good care of us Katniss. I was afraid I would lose you…"
I pulled back slightly to wipe her eyes, smiling lightly at her as she spoke.
"I would never leave you Prim, remember that. Now come on, you can stand with Cato and I as we give our speech."
She smiled lightly at that and glued herself to my side. My mother smiled meekly at me and I gave her a small smile in return.
"I am very proud of you Katniss, and I'm sure he would be too."
I nod and clear my throat. I knew who she was talking about, but I don't think he would be proud of me. Would he want a child killer as a daughter? Would he even recognize me?
"Katniss I drew you a picture!"
My thoughts were broken by little Posy Hawthorne; she had grown since the last time I had seen her, and she was still one of the most adorable child I had seen.
I get down on her level and smile, taking the picture from her hand to see it's of me and Gale, our bows slung around our shoulders carrying baskets of berries.
"It's you and Gale and berries! Momma says I'm quite the artist!"
I laugh lightly and nod, kissing her head lightly in a show of appreciation.
"Thank you Posy… I'll have to take it home with me and put it on the fire place so everyone in the Capitol can see what a wonderful artist you are!"
Her smile widens as I finish my sentence only for her to hide in her mother's apron in shyness at my compliment. Hazelle smiles and tells me of the collection Greasy Sae had started in the Hob while Peeta and I were in the Games. I smile lightly at her and give her a quick hug, noticing that I hadn't seen Gale yet.
"He's in the mines. He started there about a week after you were crowned Victor."
Gale's little brother Vick gives me a look of weariness, and I nod in acceptance of his statement. Were they blaming me for him going into the mines?
Facing Peeta's family had been the hardest thing for me. As Cato went through his speech, I saw Mr. Mellark up front with Peeta's older brothers. I saw the sadness that reflected in the three of them, and found myself holding back tears at the sight. If it wasn't for me, Peeta would be alive. If I hadn't pushed him towards the Careers, he'd be the one standing at my side for this tour. When Cato finished, he looked to me and stepped aside. Walking to the microphone, I looked at the cards in my hand and found that I couldn't speak. How could I lie to the Mellarks?
"Peeta was a wonderful, kind, and gentle soul. He once gave me bread when my family was starving and I lost all hope. He gave me hope; he gave me a new
beginning in which I tried to take care of my family. He announced to all of Panem only a few short months ago that he loved me, and I found that I reciprocated
the feelings. I am truly sorry for your loss, and know, that I think of Peeta each and every single day."
I felt a strong hand grip my shoulder, and I turned to face Cato; the tears that I had been holding back had escaped. I missed Peeta, and this had made it all worse.
"Thank you for your son, and may the odds, be ever in your favor."
I didn't stop to wave to the crowd as they cheered and clapped. I went right into the Justice Building, finding the nearest room and locking myself in it. This was all too much, and I wasn't sure if I could handle the rest of the night, even though I was home.
Cato had found me, curled up into a ball on the dusty furniture in the Justice Building. He didn't taunt me like he usually did when I had a rough time at the speeches; he only stood there and waited for me at the door patiently.
"Katniss… We need to go. The mayor's daughter said she wanted to take us some place."
I nodded, sitting myself up I walked up to the door and unlocked it. I must have looked like a mess; his facial expression was one of mock and something else I couldn't quite place. I strode passed him to see Madge, smiling sadly.
"It's good to see you Katniss… I was elated to hear that you made it out alright."
I smiled lightly and followed her out, Cato striding closely behind me.
District Twelve had never been much of a sight, so when Cato scoffed as we passed the town square and passed the Seam; I felt a small bout of anger rise up in me. It may not have been much but it was still home. Madge led us through a small clearing, and I stopped dead in my tracks; it was a graveyard, a proper one, for all who had passed away in District Twelve. I swallowed hard; fresh tears threatened to escape again when she spoke softly.
"I… I had known for a long time that Peeta had feelings for you. So on Reaping Day, after you volunteered for Prim and his name was called, I knew the odds had
not been in his favor. He wanted to tell you so badly Katniss, before anything happened. And if I know Peeta, you were the last thought on his mind as he died."
I nodded grimly, sniffling lightly as she spoke. Peeta would have gladly died for me, and he did, so I could come home to Prim. I walked over to the freshly dug grave, a wooden cross with his epitaph beautifully carved into the pine:
PEETA MELLARK
APRIL 7TH
HUNGER GAMES TRIBUTE
LOVED BY ALL
THE BOY WITH BREAD
I sank to the ground as I read the cross, the tears escaping once again as I ran my fingers over the dry soil. Why, why did Peeta have to die? Why did he have to be chosen as tribute? Why didn't anyone volunteer for him? Why did I have to sit here at his grave knowing it was my fault he was dead? The boy with the bread… That's who Peeta was. He was gentle, sweet, caring, funny, and kind. He truly was better than me, in life and in death.
My body racked with sobs as I laid across his grave, truly getting to grieve for him, the one who gave me hope and life.
"Peeta… Peeta please… Come back to me Peeta… I can't do this anymore!"
I cried harder knowing that he was never coming back; my father, Rue, Peeta... They would never get to take another breath. I felt a strong pair of arms wrap around me, pulling me from the grave.
"DON'T TOUCH ME! DON'T MAKE ME LEAVE HIM! PEETA!"
Once I realized who the arms belonged too, I began fighting back. It was all Cato's fault that Peeta was dead. He had used me, tricked me into thinking that Peeta and I could have never worked, even as a ploy for sponsors. But now that I know the truth, that Peeta truly did love me and I thought I loved him too, I wanted nothing more than to kill Cato right here and now.
"ITS YOUR FAULT CATO! YOU USED ME! YOU TRICKED ME INTO THINKING I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO LOVE HIM! IF IT WASN'T FOR YOU PEETA WOULD
STILL BE HERE!"
I sobbed harder as I heard a voice come into hearing distance. It sounded worried and upset as a soft voice explained to the owner what was going on. I heard my name repeated over and over, but I couldn't respond to it. Peeta… All I wanted was my hope back. Without him here, I was nothing.
"Come on Catnip… Let's get you home."
Catnip; it was Gale's voice, Gale's arms carrying me, and Gale's scent that I was inhaling. I turned my face into his chest and cried harder. Half way through our trip back, I had passed out, dead to the world around me.
He must have brought me to Haymitch, because when I woke up, I could smell the strong scent of booze and vomit. Wrinkling my nose, I sat up to see Haymitch snoozing by my bedside. Years of tributes dying had taken its toll on him, and I now understood why he drank so much. I sat on the edge of the bed, trying to gather my bearings when I heard him speak:
"You went to the cemetery sweetheart?"
I nodded meekly, still unable to find my voice at this point. I heard him sigh and shift in the chair, as if finding the right words to say to me.
"It was Brute boy's idea to put Peeta's birthday on the ring. As shocking as it may seem, but I think he holds some feelings for you. From what Brutus tells me, him
and his little psycho knife thrower were quite close through the years. You aren't the only one hurting sweetheart, and remember, we need to pull this off. Maybe being
a little more affectionate towards him will do you both some good."
I scoff at this; Cato didn't care about me, he only cared about himself and being a Victor.
"He's the reason Peeta is dead Haymitch…"
I look back at him to see the confusion etched into his features so I continue on.
"We met a couple of times on the roof top, once after the training scores and another after the interviews. When Peeta had said he loved me, Cato told me that
Peeta didn't deserve me, and that I deserved someone who could keep up with me without looking like a love sick puppy. I believed him, and he helped me devise a
plan to get out of the blood bath. He knew that Peeta would want to try and protect me, so he allowed him in the Careers. He knew what Peeta was up too, and so
when I took the bow, he purposely had Clove teach Glimmer how to throw knives."
I choke at the end, knowing it was also my fault Peeta was dead. Why was I alive? I didn't deserve life after what I had done.
Haymitch nods once and stands up, carrying the half empty liquor bottle with him to the door.
"Get ready sweetheart; the banquet starts in an hour and your mother and Prim want to see you beforehand."
I nod, waiting until he closes the door behind him before I change myself into the outfit that Cinna wanted me to wear in Twelve. Opening the dress bag, I gasp when I see the beautiful creation before me. It was the same color as Peeta's eyes, with gold floral accents the same color as Peeta's hair embroidered into the soft fabric. I felt the tears again, plucking out the note attached to the bag and smiling softly as I read the familiar writing of my stylist:
"For Peeta. He would have loved to see you in this."
I smile lightly, changing myself into the dress and putting on a pair of gold gladiator sandals. Maybe I could do this after all.
The banquet had been better than I thought it would be. All of District Twelve showed up wearing their Reaping best; young and old joined along in the celebration of mine and Cato's victory, but more so mine than his. I smiled the entire night, elated to see the joy and happiness radiating off my people's faces. Tonight, no one would go to bed hungry. Prim and I danced the night away as the fiddler played our native tunes. Even Greasy Sae, who was normally straight laced without any frivolity danced with Gale.
I wore my engagement ring the entire night, seeing the look on people's faces as it gleamed in the lighting. For once, I was proud of my ring; it was my last gift from Peeta: the ability to move on, and know that he was always with me. I smiled as Prim and Posy danced along the edge of the floor. There was this emotion building up inside of me as I watched them, but I didn't know what to make of it, as I had never felt it before. I heard someone clear their voice and I turned to see Cato standing beside me in a stoic expression. I smiled lightly at him, placing my hand on his arm as a sort of affectionate way.
"Thank you Cato…"
He looks down at me, his blue eyes searching my own grey ones as he tries to figure out why I would be thanking him.
I stood up and placed a hand on his cheek, feeling his smooth, cool skin beneath my touch. He wasn't Peeta, but he had been there for me, whether it was for show or to mock me for it, didn't matter. He was here, and he allowed me to have my love for Peeta, even though I was supposed to love him. So when I brought my lips to his own for a kiss, I was surprised to feel him kiss back. I pulled away and smiled shyly, unsure of how he would react to what I had just done. All he did is watch me carefully, as if unsure of what to say to me after that.
"That dress looks beautiful on you. It really brings out your eyes."
I blush at his comment, stepping away from him slightly, returning my gaze to the little brunette and little blonde dancing away.
Hope; the feeling I get when watching my sister and Posy dance and play together is hope. Hope that one day they will be free of the Hunger Games. Hope that one day neither one will have to experience pain, hunger or fear. They give me newfound hope, and that is much more than I could ever ask for. So when Cato sits down and pulls me onto his lap, his hand caressing my sides, I realize that as long as we have hope, we have a future.
The ride to District Two was by far the hardest of all the Victory Tour. Cato had completely shut himself up, and I found myself singing again, which seemed to drive him to insanity. So I spent most of my time with Haymitch and Effie, watching the recaps of the Victory Tour or going over the details of mine and Cato's engagement. That's how the subject came up; that's how I knew how serious things were getting.
"Cinna has already designed your wedding dress Katniss. I'm sure both you and Cato will love it!"
I quirked a brow up at her, and she showed me the sketches of me in a beautiful white gown, with silvery glittering wing like structures on the dress. A mockingjay; mockingjays weren't supposed to be created; they weren't supposed to survive, but they did. I looked to Haymitch and he gave me a small look as if to say to not let Effie know too much, so I kept my mouth closed.
"Your mockingjay pin is in all the rage in the Capitol! And Cinna did such a beautiful job with this dress; I bet you will look gorgeous in it!"
I smiled weakly at Effie, nodding lightly and patting her hand in sincerity.
"I bet I will Effie, but if it's not you arranging my wedding, making sure I can be that gorgeous bride, I'll have to die in despair."
She blushed and I smiled more, knowing I had made her feel better with everything going on around us.
District Two was absolutely freezing out. It's mountain scenery brought a chill to my bones that no amount of fur or fire would keep me warm. Since pulling into the train station, Cato's cold exterior seemed to ice over even further. I knew this would be hard for him considering he and Clove had been close, and this was his home. Haymitch and Brutus had instructed us to keep close to one another, holding hands as much as possible, to show our unity in all of this.
Walking out onto the platform, the crowd cheered loudly as Cato and I raised our intertwined hands in togetherness, waving out to the crowd with our free hand. They were chanting our names, pushing against the Peacekeepers to try to get as close as they could to us. I tried to smile, trying to show that I was happy to be their Victor, even though I knew that they would have preferred to have Cato as a single Victor in all of this. I looked to the front of the mass of people to see two people, both with dark hair and dark eyes, looking at Cato and I with despair. They must be Clove's parents; my smile faltered slightly as Cato began his speech. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he had seen them too, and that he was missing Clove as much as I was missing Peeta.
At the end of our speeches, we were ushered back into the Justice Building where we were met by Cato's parents. His father was tall and muscular; his dull grey eyes held nothing but malice and contempt for me. Cato's mother however, her blue eyes shown with curiosity with a glint of disgust. I knew I wasn't their favorite person in the world, but I was still their Victor, and I was still their son's fiancé.
"We're honored to have you both back here in District Two."
Cato nodded curtly at his father and I returned the statement with a small smile. I now see where Cato got his personality from. His father was cold and domineering, looking down upon others as if they were dirt. However, Cato got his looks from his mother; her platinum blonde hair glistened in the light, her alabaster skin free of mar or wrinkle. And her blue eyes, the same color as ice, the same as Cato's. She smiled lightly at me and gestured me to follow her to the sitting room. I looked to Cato and he nodded for me to follow her. I made haste and entered the small room with her, closing the door with a soft click.
She gestured for me to sit on the plush looking love seat, and I indulged her request, keeping my posture perfect like Effie had taught me to do.
"I'm afraid we haven't been properly introduced; My name is Athena, and I'm sure you remember my husband Julius."
I smiled politely at her and nodded once, but she quickly cleared her throat, her ice blue eyes glistening at me with hatred.
"You know Miss Everdeen; I'm sure you are a wonderful young lady but you don't realize the shame you bring upon this family."
I am taken aback with her brutal honesty, but it's better than having to fake politeness with each other.
"What do you mean, Mrs. Martin?"
She stands now, striding over to marble fireplace, wringing her hands lightly at trying to find the right words to say.
"Here in District Two, winning the Hunger Games is a large honor, and brings pride to all of the District and the family of the Victor. However, this honor and pride
is meant for one person and one person only. When you and my son left the arena as Victors, part of that honor and pride was stripped from him. Your co-victory
has brought a shame upon this family that someone like you would not understand."
I found my emotions harden as she finished her piece, and I looked at her with cold eyes, similar to the ones her and her family bore.
"I never asked for this, Mrs. Martin. Quite honestly, had this been done my way, I would have killed your son, or his way, and I would have let him kill me. I never
wanted to be a co-Victor with Cato."
She scoffed at this, striding closer to me until she was towering over me. Her eyes had softened some, but not much.
"Please Miss Everdeen, my husband and I see it plain as day when we've seen you two on the television. You and my son are ideal for being Victors. He is strong,
good looking, talented, and smart. He has the training that most people would die for at this very moment. And you, my dear, possess the fire and conviction that
is required of a winner. You are a survivor; You have everything that many here in this district strive for, but yet, you were graced naturally with it."
She sighed for a moment, before looking at her own wedding ring, and then to my engagement ring.
"That day that my husband called you a Seam Rat, and Cato defended you, was the first time I had seen him care about anyone since before his training at the
Academy. And I warn you Miss Everdeen, do not ruin all the hard work and effort my son has put into becoming the person he is today. Please Miss Everdeen, I know
you are still in love with your now deceased District partner, and I know that Cato held a soft spot for young Clove. All I ask is that once the new Victor comes in from
the Quarter Quell that you leave my son. Let him come home, let him be the person he was meant to be: The true Victor."
