Author's Notes: edited August 17, 2018

Chapter Four – The Rooftop

PRIM

Apart from the elevator back at the Justice Building, Prim had never ridden an elevator before, and so watched in fascination as the crystal elevator zoomed up with her and her party in it as the people on the ground floor shrunk to the size of ants. She wondered if Effie would let her ride it again later on, or at least let her press the button. She would squeeze as much happy and fun memories out of the experience as possible. She was going into an arena to fight for her life in a couple of days – she might as well have fun while working her way there.

As they were corralled into their level, Effie droned on and on about getting sponsors and sang praises about Prim and Peeta's entrance. She continued on, giving the pair a tour of the level before leaving them to explore by themselves.

"How about we shower and then look around?" Peeta suggested with a boyish smile that Prim knew would surely attract a lot of girls when the interviews came around. She found herself smiling and nodding in agreement with him.

They did as agreed and Prim let her hair flow down to her waist this time, as opposed to braiding it once more. When she entered the living area, she found Peeta, Cinna, and Portia at the balcony, talking.

"Angel!" Cinna greeted as she approached, and Prim couldn't help but return his infectious smile. "I do hope you don't mind us calling you that. I've sort of rubbed off on Portia with calling you Angel." He said sheepishly, making Prim laugh.

"It's alright."

"Well that is what you are." Portia said from her place leaning against the rails. "Panem's Fire Angel," said she. "That's what they're calling you now. It's all over Panem, not just the Capitol." She sipped on her spirit-filled glass, smiling at Prim thoughtfully. "You look beautiful with your hair down, Angel."

"Thanks." Prim said sweetly, walking over to them, her hair swishing in the wind along with the hem of her blue dress.

"Would you two like to see the rooftop?" Cinna asked, sneaking a look upwards. "The view up there is magnificent, and the silence too."

"That'd be cool." Peeta said, meeting Prim's gaze, who was excited at the prospect of going somewhere new.

They took the stairs going up, and Prim's smile widened as the cool breeze blew. When its strength increased though, she found herself stumbling slightly, bumping into a surprised Portia who helped steady her with only one hand, seeing as the other still held a glass half full.

"Aren't they afraid that people might jump?" Peeta asked, going over to the railings.

"Try reaching out, as far as you can." Portia said, and from her place by the stylist's side, Prim watched as Peeta did so, eyes widening when he seemed to have been zapped and he took a step back.

"There's an electrical shield that would shock anyone back to the roof," explained Cinna.

And they stayed there for a while. After a good half an hour, Cinna and Portia left, saying they had to discuss certain things about their interview and training clothes, and Prim and Peeta were left alone at the rooftop, sitting on the floor with their back against the railings.

"What were you and Cato talking about earlier?" Peeta asked, breaking the silence that had settled between them. He turned to Prim with a raised brow, inquisitive and anxious at the same time.

"Oh," said Prim. "He asked if I'd like to join them with training." Her eyes didn't rise to meet his, and she supposed that there probably was tension between Peeta and Cato. Boys always seemed to fight more often than girls did.

"And…?"

"I said I'd have to ask Haymitch first." She replied softly. "And then I asked if you could join us, but he wasn't given the chance to answer, since that was about the time that you came."

"He wouldn't have agreed." Peeta declared, gaze snapping forward. "For some reason, he wants you in with the Careers, Prim." His look hardened, and his mind barely registered Prim's light touch on his arm.

"I wouldn't agree unless you were there with me." She said adamantly, smiling up at him. Sitting in the lotus position as opposed to Peeta's knee-to-chest stance, she laid her head on his shoulder cautiously. "Aside from Haymitch, we're really all we have left, Peeta." She mumbled, and they are both stunned at the depth and truth in her words.

"I'd want to leave this place if I could." Peeta said suddenly. "As much as I love the food, I'd rather not have to kill to survive. It makes me feel as if I'm no better than an animal – some insignificant beast they could just capture and chuck into an arena to fight with other animals." He paused, burying his face in the palm of his hands. "It's barbaric."

Prim frowned, not quite sure how to proceed. She placed her arm around his shoulders, which was difficult considering his broad shoulders and her short arm, before deciding that rubbing circles on his back would be the best way to go. With her other hand, she squeezed his upper arm reassuringly, her thumb going in an up and down motion.

"At least they'll be teaching us some things before we're sent to the slaughter house, right?" She said in an attempt to brighten the mood. She offered him a small smile as he turned his head to look at her, and they couldn't help but laugh.

They laughed at nothing in particular and everything at the same time. Their predicaments, their lives, their very sanity – all were so unbalanced one way or another, and with the games approaching, there was nothing else to lose apart from their life and sanity, really.

When dinner finished and everyone retired to their rooms, Prim found that she couldn't sleep. And so with a cautious air, she snuck out of her room and climbed the stairs. She stood on the rooftop and yawned, stretching as she did so.

She looked down at her clothes, her feet were left uncovered, a pair of silk shorts that barely reached mid-thigh, and a tank top that did nothing to lift her breasts, since she had opted not to wear a bra. She licked her lips as she walked towards the railing, wanting to look out at the view. She leaned over, crossing her arms over the railings and watching the beautiful night life that the Capitol had.

Her thoughts wandered over to her family back at the Seam, and she couldn't help but wonder if Katniss had fed Buttercup and her mother had milked Lady for the day. Tears gathered in her eyes as she realized that not two days ago she would have been tucked in bed around this time, with her mother and Katniss kissing her forehead. She sighed at the thought, a few tears escaping her.

"Can't sleep, Rose?"

The vaguely familiar voice startled Prim, and her hands slid and her fingers grazed the electrical barrier that Peeta had come across earlier. Wincing at the shock, Prim lifted her finger to her lips and sucked on the skin to relieve herself of the stinging sensation.

She turned around, head snapping from side to side to look for the voice's owner. Her eyes widened when Cato came into view, his body illuminated by the moonlight. She blushed as she realized that he was half naked – with his upper half exposed and only a pair of pants as the article of clothing she could see on him.

Prim pulled her finger out of her mouth and letting her hand drop to her side as she asked, "What about you?" Cato's eyes darkened with lust at the display, and his eyes raked over her barely covered form, his appreciation beginning to show against his semi-loose pants.

"Not really." He replied with a shrug, taking a couple of steps closer to her. Oh how he wanted to just grab her. "I just had to get away from Clove. She can be a pain in the ass." He stood in front of her for a moment, eyes unreadable, before he went to look out at the view of the Capitol. Following his lead, Prim stood beside him, their bare arms almost touching.

"Aren't you cold?" She asked shyly, eyes trailed on the ant-like people walking the streets in their colorful clothes.

"No." Cato replied. "This is how I've always slept." He shrugged. "Have you thought about my offer?"

"I-I'm sorry." Prim said. "I wasn't able to ask Haymitch earlier. He was rather busy…" vomiting in the bathroom, she added in her head. "I promise to give you an answer tomorrow though."

"He can't come with you." Prim turned to Cato, cocking her head to the side in confusion. "That other tribute… Peeta. The invitation was only for you. Not him or anyone else." Surprised and confused at Cato's obvious distaste for Peeta, Prim couldn't help but be worried for her friend. Her conversation with the aforementioned person earlier flashed before her mind's eyes. It turned out the Peeta was right.

"Then I'm going to have to decline." She replied nervously. Something about Cato unnerved her, and she supposed that his being a Career and considerably taller and more muscled than her may have something to do with it. "He and I are a package deal – I guess you could say."

Cato's eyes narrowed, eyes still fixed on the view of the Capitol below. His jaw clenched the same time his fists did, and he was left to ponder just what was going on between the two tributes from District Twelve.

"What are you two?" He asked bluntly. "Is he your brother? Cousin? Distant relative?"

And despite the fear she felt, Prim found herself giggling. Perhaps her sanity was slipping already. "Peeta? My brother? I don't think so. He's not my cousin or any other type of relative either." She looked back out, seeing the City Circle in the distance. "Why do you ask?"

"Similar features." He muttered. "The blonde hair, the blue eyes, the pale skin – hard not to think so," said he, angered by her answer. It only confirmed what he already knew though – there was a huge possibility for Twelve to make a move on his Rose. The thought alone made him want to kill Twelve… or at least maim or seriously injure.

"Well we both have blonde hair too." Prim pointed out. "Are you suggesting maybe we're related?" She joked, trying to make light of her current position. She knew that if she let him get to her, he would use that to his advantage, and she couldn't have that – at least, not while the games have yet to start!

"No," Cato chuckled, just as Prim shivered. His smile slowly transformed into a smirk as he stepped closer to her, mere inches separating them. He threw one arm around her shoulder and let his hands rest on the railing, trapping her between him and the metal bars. His eyes flashed as he found that she was a good foot shorter than him. He bent forward, so that his mouth was level with her ear.

"You cold, Rose?" He whispered, aware that his voice had dropped and was now lower than it had been just seconds earlier. Prim blushed at the close proximity, her eyes darting from side to side as she looked for an escape route. But since he had leaned forward, his arms were now just above her waist, and so she knew she would have a hard time escaping him.

Not waiting for her answer, Cato slid his arms underneath hers and around her waist, pulling her flush against him. He smiled at the little squeal-gasp combination that she let out, and he felt smug as she did nothing to get away.

They stood like that for a couple of seconds, and Cato couldn't help but have a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach as he felt his Rose slowly relax and lean into him. In the back of his mind, he understood that she was leaning closer to him for warmth, nothing more, but the more possessive side of him convinced him otherwise.

Taking a deep breath in, he savored her scent as it invaded his senses. Roses and strawberries. His grip on her tightened slightly, and it was enough to make Prim turn to him.

"Thank you," whispered Prim as she met his gaze. She smiled at him – pure and innocent – and he found that he couldn't resist. He leaned closer and caught her lips with his. His eyes remained open – as did hers – and he watched as different emotions flashed through her eyes.

Surprise.

Anxiety.

Fear.

Prim's eyes were wide as can be, as she felt Cato's lips move over hers, and she carefully placed her hands on either of his shoulder, feeling even more flustered as she remembered that he wasn't wearing a top. His muscles tensed under her touch, and she shivered as she pushed him off.

At first, she thought he wouldn't budge because of his obvious strength over her, but when he stumbled back, she was relieved. She straightened herself up, aware that she was flushed and shaking now. She subconsciously licked her lips and blinked in surprise when she realized there was a foreign taste on her lips.

Cato, upon being pushed away, quickly regained his balance and stood in attention. He didn't want to frighten her anymore than he already had – that would compromise her want to join the alliance. His mind raced with emotions he understood he was supposed to feel, but nothing apart from anger and rejection raced through his veins. Was she taken? Had Twelve taken her before he had? His thoughts clouded with possibilities, and he fought hard to keep himself in check. The only thing that kept him from lashing out at her was the way she licked her lips. Upon seeing her eyes darken, even if she was unaware of it, Cato's smug smirk returned.

"Try to think about our offer again." He said, turning his back to her. "I'll see you tomorrow, my Rose." He then began to walk away, leaving a flabbergasted Prim on the roof.

She stared at where Cato last stood, before another wind blew. Deciding that she should now return to bed, Prim headed back to her floor only to come face to face with Haymitch.

"And you're awake because…?" Her mentor asked, raising a brow at Prim's wrinkled clothes and rosy cheeks. Before she could respond though, he waved her over and they settled on the living area couch. "Let me guess," began Haymitch. "You either can't sleep or you had nightmares."

"I couldn't sleep," admitted Prim with a yawn. "I went to the roof for some air, and I guess I'm sleepy now."

"It wouldn't do to hold back any information from me, sweetheart." Haymitch said, eyes piercing through Prim. "Tell me something I don't know."

"C-cato offered to have me train with them – the C-careers." She mumbled. It seemed as if a blush would be permanent on her face as she faltered slightly under her mentor's scrutiny. "And I said that I wouldn't go if Peeta wasn't allowed. And then…" she trailed off, not sure whether or not she wanted to recount what Cato had done just before he left her.

"Tell them you'll train with them on the second day of training." Haymitch said after clearing the surprise that had covered his face. "I have other plans for tomorrow. Any other instructions I'll tell during breakfast." He paused, raising a brow at her. "And then what?"

"He kissed me." She mumbled weakly, causing Haymitch's eyes to widen, his eyebrows to rise, and for him to blink rapidly. That was definitely new news to his ears.

"Did he force you to do anything else? Anything more…?" He asked, concerned for the little girl before him. What was District Two up to? He frowned. If this was their way of establishing an alliance, Haymitch wasn't having any of it – unless he found something that would give his tributes the boost they needed.

When Prim shook her head, relief flowed out of him.

"Try to avoid any interaction with him tomorrow – other than to tell him your answer – all right?" Haymitch said. "Now, go to sleep. You'll be busy tomorrow."

And Prim did just as her mentor said, leaving him alone in the living area.

Breakfast came and Haymitch sat at the head of the table with Effie to his right, Peeta to his left, and Prim on Peeta's other side. Portia and Cinna situated themselves beside Effie, with Cinna sitting across Prim. They ate with an amicable air and mindless conversation droned on, it was only when Haymitch was finished that things turned quite sober.

"So let's get down to business. Training. First off, if you like, I'll coach you separately. Decide now." He said, and Peeta and Prim turn to each other thoughtfully. There was no resentment between them, and they already had a feeling that they were going to be working together no matter what, so being coached separately would be a little odd.

"I think together would be fine." Peeta said, with Prim nodding in agreement as she chewed on a slice of potato.

"Now, give me ideas of what you can do." Haymitch commanded, eyes darting from one tribute to the other.

"I can't do anything," said Peeta. "Unless you count baking bread."

And before Haymitch could speak, Prim had spoken, "That's not true!" She swallowed her food, a light blush on her cheeks at her momentary lack of decorum. "You can lift a hundred-pound bag of flour. I've seen you in the market!" She paused, thoughtfully adding, "Maybe that can translate into wrestling, or something." With a laugh, she continued, "Some of the other tributes probably weigh around a hundred pounds, anyways."

The laughter that resonated among the occupants of the table was short-lived, and Haymitch turned his attention to Prim.

"And what about you, Angel?" He asked. "Aside from killing tables, scarring my wrist, and undoing the ties of curtains, what else can you do?"

"I know a lot about herbs and healing." She said honestly, turning a darker shade of scarlet under the calculating gazes of the people around her. "And Gale taught me how to set traps and snares one time, after Katniss taught me how to use a bow and arrow." She didn't know how those things would mean much, but she decided that withholding information from their mentor was not a good idea – especially after last night.

"All right," said Haymitch. "Now, here's the plan. Stay beside each other the entire time. Go to group training and learn everything you can. Prim, you test what you know with herbs, knives, and bows and arrows, but only do it for one day each, Peeta, you do the same with the weights and wrestling. Other than that, stay in the other stations and act as if you two are the best of friends." He paused. "And when I say the entire time, I mean every minute!"

Peeta and Prim only nodded their heads, not really minding the other's company.

"And Prim," said Haymitch. "Remember what we talked about."

CATO

"And where have you been?" Clove asked impatiently, arms crossed over her nightgown-clad chest.

"I was at the rooftop – I said that already." Cato pointed out with a roll of his eyes. "You're not my nanny, Clove. There's no need to look after me like some child." He spat with an irritated growl.

"That may be the case, but with the way you're acting, you might as well be a child! Getting annoyed and wanting to harm a boy over some girl. I thought you were over that, Cato!" Clove had begun to pace, and Cato was getting more ticked off by the minute.

"I am over it." He said through gritted teeth. "But it doesn't mean she won't be mine."

"Will you stop it?" Clove said, stomping over to him. "She's an innocent girl that I'm sure wouldn't want anything to do with you. And from how you're looking, you either found an Avox to fuck or you got somewhere with Prim." She paused suddenly, looking at Cato in disbelief. "Wait. Did you actually fuck Prim? Tonight?"

Cato snapped, taking Clove by the neck with his right hand and lifting her up. He watched as the color drained from her face as she struggled to pry his strong hands off. She was a good foot off of the ground, and her eyes held his evenly.

"I never asked you to look after me as if I were some kid." He snarled. "And what happens between me and my Rose is mine to mind. All you have to know is that she wouldn't join the alliance if Twelve isn't in it." Realizing that his grip was a little too tight and that her lips were beginning to turn an unbecoming shade of blue, Cato dropped her, letting her fall to the ground, gasping for air.

"What?" Enobaria spat, having heard the last part of their conversation as she left the kitchen. "This won't do! If she forms an alliance with another set of tributes, then she would possibly heal what you destroy." She was about to leave to call Brutus when she caught sight of the still out of breath Clove on the pristine floor. "Cato! What did you think you were doing to Clove?"

"I was talking to her – telling her that she needed to mind her own fucking business." Cato hissed, turning to the direction of his room. "I'm going to bed. I don't want to deal with this any longer than I have to."