A/N: So sorry for the long update guys! Class and assignments kept me busy and now I have a part time job too so I need to manage my time carefully. But don't worry, I promise you I'll update at least once in 4/5 days or max once in a week. So I hope you'll be patient enough ^_^. Thanks for your reviews, favorites, and alerts, it's really lovely. Thanks to DragonDaemon93 this chapter is finally finished safe and sound, she's my hero :D
Disclaimer: Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins.
The Vow: Part 2
I sit between my father and Mrs. Everdeen, and even though I look very calm, I'm nervous as hell. I look around at the guests and I know that if I screw this up, I'll be screwing my life and Katniss' forever. I try to catch a glimpse of her but I don't find her. Instead I just find our groomsmen and bridesmaids preparing for their entrance. I see lover boy in the 4th row, sitting with his girlfriend and he looks rather devastated. I wonder if something happened. I also see Glimmer on the 7th row with my mentor / superior, Brutus.
"Don't worry, you're doing fine as usual," my father pats my shoulder. "I locked Arthur up far away from here; he can't crash your holy ceremony," he adds and that successfully makes me laugh. I can't still believe he's sitting here at my wedding and giving me a pep talk. The anthem starts. "Off you go," he pushes my back and I can feel my body stand automatically. As I stand on the altar and look at the end of the aisle, the first wave of groomsmen and bridesmaids walk in.
Thresh looks great as usual as he smiles to everybody, and Clove… I can't believe that Cinna did this miracle on her. She looks beautiful and girly as she walks confidently on Thresh's arm. She's even able to give decent smile to everyone; her bitchy image just disappeared. Second are Luke and Foxface. Both of them look very handsome and beautiful and vulnerable. I can't help but wonder if they would be an easy target for mutts. From how Luke steals a glance at Foxface, I know that he's secretly admiring her. Third are Marvel and Madge. Now this couple seems balanced; Marvel walks with raised chin and a cocky smile as he looks to the guest while Madge walks gracefully as she smiles softly.
Then Rue walk in and I can't help but grin because she looks really pretty. She smiles sheepishly to the guests as she sprays her flower petals from her wooden basket. Behind her follows our sister who looks extremely beautiful and innocence, both girls glowing in pink and grinning widely. I gulp as I feel a sob start to build in my throat because I somehow see that Darla is walking, not in her wheelchair. She also looks very happy and I'm glad I can give her joy like this. Do you see us now mom? I'm getting married, Dad's sitting and smiling proudly, Darla is floating through the isle, and Arthur hasn't burnt anything.
Finally Gale walks in with Katniss. Wait… is that Katniss? Don't be silly Cato, of course it Katniss! I gulp again but for a different reason, and I feel the air around me get warmer.
I recognize her even though she looks so different; she's beautiful. I remember her at the 76th ball when she loosened her hair and at the time I thought that she looked the prettiest, but I was wrong. The dress she's wearing now wraps her body perfectly. The bustier makes her look sexy, the skirt makes her look gorgeous, and the flowers make her look innocence and younger. I love her hair; it falls perfectly, and she wears makeup that helps enhance her natural beauty. She waves at my aunt and her mother and her smile is enchanting. Cinna, thank you! Oh God, did I just say all of that?
Close your mouth Cato! Don't drool! Don't drool!
Gale hands her to me and I can see that she's as stunned as I was with her, and I'm glad because that means I must be really charming right now. I take her hand softly and lead her to the altar carefully.
"My brothers and sisters, we gather here today to celebrate two souls become one," the priest starts his speech. I don't really listen to him because I'm busy glancing at Katniss. Damnit! She's perfect! She stares at the priest calmly but I know she's nervous because she tightly clutches her bouquet and my palm. "If there is anyone in this holy ceremony who does not agree for these two souls to be together, please raise." This part of speech finally able to catch my attention again.
I look around and I'm relieved because no one stands. If lover boy somehow manages to find his courage and stand, I will knock him out easily, but if it's Gale… Phew, thank God he remains on his seat. He grins at me and winks as he raises a thumb.
"Cato, are you willing to take Katniss as your wife?" the priest asks me. Cinna has organized it so Katniss and I can take our own pledge since he says that it'll be more beautiful, and he didn't allow us to tell our pledge to one another until the ceremony because it'll be more sacred.
"I do. I take you, Katniss, to be my wife, loving you now and as you grow and develop into all God intends," I look into Katniss' eyes, and to tell you the truth, I'm drawn into those intense gray orbs. "I will love you when we are together and when we are apart, when our lives are at peace and when they are in turmoil, when I am proud of you and when I am disappointed in you, in times of rest and in times of work. I will honor your goals and dreams and help you to fulfil them," I continue softly then glance at Darla as she handed me the ring. "From the depth of my soul, I will seek to be open and honest with you," after that I gently put the ring on Katniss' finger.
"And Katniss, are you willing to take Cato as your husband?" the priest ask again, breaking our eye contact. She looks as if she's holding her breath. She then hands her bouquet to Rue and takes the ring from Prim.
"I do. I love you Cato, as I love no other. All that I am, I will share with you. I take you to be my husband through health and sickness, through plenty and want, through joy and sorrow, now and forever," she says her pledge without hesitation. The pledge surprises me. It's simple but contains everything and is very genuine. After that she takes my palm and slips the wedding ring onto my finger. She looks up at me and smiles brightly.
Oh man, if this is not a fake wedding I would love to get laid with her. What? You think I'm pervert? I'm just a man with needs. She turns me on and also other hundreds of men in here.
"With this I hereby pronounce you as husband and wife," the priest makes a cross with his right arm into thin air. "You may kiss your bride," he smiles at me
Oh yes, I'm glad he said that since I can't wait to taste those pinkish shiny lips, and clearly I will not kiss them just once!
QQQ
His pledge was very beautiful and somewhat sincere; it mesmerized me. And his eyes... I hold my breath unconsciously. He's a really good actor, and I'm worried about my own pledge; it's short but I put all my thought into it.
Eventually I'm able to blurt out my pledge and give him the wedding ring. Our rings are very simple; 22K gold with a tiny diamond in the centre and carved with our name in it. But I like it very much since it's a classic model; Ophelia chose it perfectly. When the priest announces us as husband and wife my heart beats hard.
I'm a married woman now.
When he announces that the groom can kiss his bride, I turn into a statue. I can't help but want to kiss those red sensual lips that always smirk at me. Cato and I have agreed on open mouth kissing in this situation because people around us would start to wonder why we never kiss each other. We made up some reason, saying that it's not like us to show too much public affection before we marry. So it's time to show them.
He puts his arms on my waist and I put mine on his shoulders in reflex. He leans down and I lift my head and close my eyes. Musk dangerously fills my nose, and I feel something supple consuming my lips and sends hot breath inside my mouth. His lips genuinely move over mine; I shudder and kiss him back, and it strangely doesn't feel awkward like I imagined. It feels… somewhat right. I hear everybody around us start clapping. And I open my eyes as he pulls away, almost disappointed but I manage to hide it. It's been so long since someone's kissed me, and I'll be lying if I say I don't miss the sensation.
Cato's cheeks are flushed like mine, and suddenly he puts his right hand behind my neck and pulls me closer into another kiss. I let him and hug his shoulders as he takes my lips in his again. Everybody start whoooing and whistling at us. The second kiss lasts longer than the first; it's more passionate but we can still control ourselves, and when he pulls away I thought it's over but then he lean again and gives two quick playful kisses on my lips. The guests and I start laughing as the third kiss lands on my lips and he eventually pulls away.
I look around and start smiling. Everybody is standing and clapping, some of them crying, and the joyful atmosphere is very thick. And oh God, I just kissed my arch enemy on the lips!
Cato takes my arm and we start walking hand in hand down the aisle as the guests start showering us with petals and congratulating us. "I never imagined that you could look so beautiful as you do right now," Cato says as he waves confidently.
"I'll take that as a compliment," I wave my bouquet and grin. Thankfully Foxface realizes that Cato will start to drag me soon so she told Rue to quickly hand me the bouquet before I start stepping onto the aisle. "You look very handsome too," I squeeze his hand.
"Of course!" he smirks at me and his cocky attitude is back.
After the choir start playing, the next few hours went by with the guests congratulating us one by one. They comment how we're perfect for each other; they compliment our look, thank us for inviting them and pray the best for us. But then I just realize that not all the guests congratulate us. I can't find Peeta and Jasmine or remember them talking to us.
"Lovely," Cato's father says, impressed as he watches me twirl in front of him.
"Thank you," I laugh as he opens his arms and I step in to hug him.
"Can I release your brother now?" he arches an eyebrow at Cato.
"Yeah, why not?" Cato shrugs. I think it's a bit cruel how he and his father locked Arthur up somewhere, but it's probably for the best since we'll never know what Arthur would have done if he had joined the ceremony earlier.
"I'll order the guard to keep their eyes on him and make him stay away from the alcohol," the old man smiles widely at us. Cato nods in concern but I smile back at his father to show my agreement.
Finally lunch comes and we spend our time sitting as different people go to the stage and give some words for us.
They all leave different impressions; weird, warm, sweet, arrogant, and many others. But Gale's speech is the one which really leaves a deep impression in my heart.
"I never knew my father," he starts and everybody goes silent. "But since I hung out with Katniss, I finally knew the feeling to have one, even though it was only for a brief moment," he continue as his eyes wonder to the forest. I wonder to the past too. I remember when we were small; spending our time every day and never being apart. I remember when I met him for the first time and he misheard my name as Catnip; I remember he taught me how to make snares and I taught him how to hunt; how my father taught us how to survive in wilderness.
"I admire him very much, I look up to him. The old man loved me like his own son, and I even called him Dad, too. And there's a lesson in life that's marked in my mind and always will. He said: a true love can be only found when given. That's why the real unconditional love can only found from a mother to her child, or from God to us humans," he finally looks at us back with warmth in his eyes, something I see rarely in him. I remember how Gale always looked at my father longingly and gleefully at the same time; how the fourteen year old boy always listened to his every word closely and do as he said. I remember the three of us swimming and fishing in the river and then eating together around the fire as we sang and danced. It's not Prim or I that inherited our father's remarkable voice, it was Gale.
"I love you, Katniss, and I know that I'm not the only one who feels that way. And because I truly love you, I've let you go to Cato who I know can give anything you need, things that I and any other guy can't. That's why, now I would like propose a toast for my best friend Katniss and her new husband, Cato. May the odds always be in your favor, and may you both have lot of cute loud babies!" he then lifts his champagne and the guest start laughing as he prays for Cato and I. I look around and found the guests drink for us, Cato and I do the same and drink our glasses; this table was officially booked for only both of us.
When Gale steps down from the stage, Cato helps me stand on my feet so I can walk to Gale. He smiles at me as I open my arms, then he dashes forward, grabs my waist and twirls with me in his arms. We laugh and the guests start clapping for us as I begin to cry. He put me down, pulls me into a brotherly hug and calms me. I don't know why but with him I sense that my father is very close to us right now; to me.
"You okay, now?" Gale asks in concern. I was still crying so Cinna decided to take me to the dressing room so I could take my time and steady myself.
"I just… I really miss him," I force a smile and wipe my tears.
"I'm sure he watching us right now. He's probably announcing proudly in heaven hey, that's my daughter down there!" Gale helps me wipe them and cheers me up.
I nod and chuckle. After sometime I finally calm down and Cinna easily reapplies my makeup.
"Hey, Firegirl," Cato welcomes me when I return into our table.
"Hey, brute," I smile gently at him.
He takes my hand and pulls me into a light hug. "Sorry, I wanted to check on you but then we'll be irresponsible hosts, right?" he whispers as he kisses my forehead.
I blush when I thought about how we kissed after our pledge and quickly banish the thought. "Yeah," I nod and release myself from him.
At the end of the day I throw the bouquet, and the lucky one who catches it is… Greasy Sae!
XXX
The sun already set and I just finish changing my clothes in boy's dressing room. I look at my reflection and he looks back at me in satisfaction. I wear more comfortable clothes for tonight's reception; black pants, a black shirt, a dark green tie, and a dark glittering blazer. My spiky hair is back.
I take a glance to the party below, outside my window. I see a glimpse of white hair followed by a bunch colorful heads. "Crap, President Snow is here," I groan as I fasten my belt.
"You best be off now," Luke says. He's busy trying to button his new shirt.
"Is he with the Press?" Marvel asks as he wears his tie.
"Yes, only three! You're right about choosing this place for your wedding," Thresh informs us.
"Yeah. I'll see you guys downstairs. Don't drink too much okay?" I pat Thresh's shoulder and leave the room.
"Yes future daddy," I can hear all of them say in unison and I almost trip from the top of the stairs. What future dad? Oh yeah, they don't know that Katniss and I are just platonic roommates and in their mind we supposed to have a baby… really soon.
"He's here," Katniss meets me outside.
"Wow, you look fierce," I eye her from head to toe. She wears something like a bright red mermaid dress with only one shoulder. There's lace circling around her chest and her shoulder blade and her hair is tied up in a side ponytail. I glance at her glossy scarlet lips and quickly turn my gaze.
"You don't like it?" she asks in confusion.
"On the contrary, you're fascinating," I smirk at her. Cinna's done a wonderful job again, he successfully changed Katniss image from innocent to hot.
"Watch this," she suddenly smiled at me and start twirling.
My mouth drops as the tip of the dress starts flickering and burning. "Whooo! You have real fire in your dress? Cinna you're genius!" I clap my hands excitedly as she finally stops moving and I have to hold her arm so she doesn't fall.
"I just want to congratulate both of you in behalf of Capitol," President Snow shakes our hands when we finally welcome him in person.
"Thank you sir, for your time," Katniss nods firmly. Damn, this is a party, her party, why does she always be so stern?
"Enjoy your evening," I smile widely and pat President Snow's shoulder.
"Certainly," he pats mine too, laughs lightly, and walks to the crowd.
"Are you crazy?" Katniss eyes widen.
"What?" I give her a questioning look.
"You just patted our president!" she blurts.
"Relax and enjoy the party!" I groan. "Come on, my stomach's rumbling for food," I took her palm in mine and start dragging her to the catering table.
After our plates are filled with a decent amount of food, we start looking for some place to sit. Katniss suddenly drags me to her mentor's table and to tell you the truth I'm not really happy about her idea since Haymitch always smells weird, like Arthur – both of them always have an alcohol mixed with barf smell, and, Effie Trinket sit with him. Well, since they're a couple, I guess that's a normal thing but I just can't imagine how Haymitch can stand a… creature like Effie.
"So, there'll be fire tonight for both of you, right?" Effie blurts out as soon as Katniss and I take our place. See?
"I'm sorry, what?" I pretend to misheard her, while Katniss gives her a questioning look, completely lost by Effie words.
"Leave them alone, Effie," Haymitch chews on his meat slowly. I think he's sober tonight but somehow it makes him look unhappy and grumpy.
"This is your first night and you'll going honeymoon, right? I hope you enjoy the ride," Effie says teasingly and winks, ignoring Haymitch.
"Oh, that ride," Katniss blushes slightly and I can't help but scoff since she looks like a twelve years old who just find out about what sex means.
"We surely will," I nod and covered my mouth so I'll stop laughing. "Hey Katniss, pass the ketchup," finally I decide to turn my attention to another things since thinking about Effie's ride is very distracting and tempting. Crap, I need to cool my head later.
"You don't have pet names yet?" Effie whines.
"Huh?" at this point I really thought that I misheard her.
"Effie, tend to your own business," Haymitch groans and rolls his eyes.
"Like honey, darling, or something. I know that both of you were always trying to kill each other before, but now you married, be more romantic!" Effie claps her hands excitedly. Well, actually she's right. It'll be weird if I call Katniss only by her usual name since everybody calls her that. Girl on Fire doesn't count since it's a nickname.
"Umm, we're a bit picky actually," I quickly make up a reason since Katniss is just dumbfound and extremely unhelpful in this situation. "I tried to call her princess but she said to shove it," I add as I look at Katniss, hoping that she understands what I mean and follows my scenario.
"Well, that's cheesy," she waves her hand as she shook her head and laughs to Effie. Phew, so somehow our brain is connected.
"But if it's Cato who call me a princess, I think I hold on to that," Effie suddenly flirts at me and I spontaneously laugh, because it's in my nature to feel proud about myself when someone compliment me (that's a compliment right?) and I can't belief that Effie just teased me!
"Shut up and finish your dinner, okay?" Haymitch shoots a glare at her and none of us talk anymore.
We enjoy the entertainment as we eat. The stage was filled with the choir at morning, in afternoon it was my dad's fellow turn – which made me really bored and I almost fell from my seat because I was sleep for a few minutes, and finally tonight… Gale and his band, our main event. I must say, they really good! I mean, at first and because I never saw them practice I thought that they will be adequate, but now… I clap until my hands go numb when a song finishes because they are incredible!
"Why is lover boy still here?" I eye the guy suspiciously. He sits with his girlfriend Jasmine who looks really pretty tonight. Gale told me that he saw Katniss before the ceremony and I really want to know what they spoke about. But this is not the right time and well, Katniss still married me. I wonder why he chose Jasmine over Katniss though. How could you just throw three years of relationship over an unknown beauty? Jasmine is really pretty and yeah she looks really gentle, but if I was lover boy, I'd prefer Katniss, because she has this unique beauty (which I realized recently). She has guts but is also adorable, and she really excels and is very passionate in her job.
"How should I know?" my wife shrugs. Yeah, wife. The thought makes my skin crawl but also makes me… happy.
"Okay guys, we will take five or ten," Gale talks from stage and I can hear almost every girl around me protest. Huh, he'll clearly find no difficulties in finding a girlfriend. Gale laughs; he clearly enjoy the attention. "But of course, it'll be a waste if this stage is empty. So for any guest who wants to sing, give songs to our bride and groom, you will be very welcome to come up here," he then talk to the microphone again and looks to the crowd.
To my surprise, and definitely him, lover boy stands and walks to the stage. I scoff, is he really that brave to start some trouble with me?
"May I?" lover boy asks to Gale when he's finally on stage and both of them stand side by side.
I don't have to look at Gale twice to notice that he's a little tense right now, but trying to hide it for the sake of image to the guests. "Sure. The band will assist you," he then hands lover boy the mic and jumps down.
Lover boy turns to the band for a minute; I guess he settles the song with them. Then he looks back at the crowds and clears his throat. "Good evening everyone, my name is Peeta Mellark. I came up here to sing a song for Katniss as her wedding present and because I know that I've been very evil to her lately, and this is my apology," he says as he look straight to the girl beside me.
I glance at Katniss. She forces a smile and tries to relax.
Finally, lover boy start singing. And I definitely know this song, Painting Flowers by All Time Low.
Strange maze, what is this place?
I hear voices over my shoulder,
Nothing's making sense at all.
Wonder, why do we race?
When everyday we're runnin' in circles,
Such a funny way to fall.
Tried to open up my eyes,
I'm hopin' for a chance to make it alright.
"Oh, you got to be kidding me," I scoff sarcastically.
When I wake up,
The dream isn't done.
I wanna see your face,
And know I made it home.
If nothing is true,
What more can I do?
I am still painting flowers for you.
Show my cards,
Gave you my heart,
Wish we could start all over.
Nothing's makin' sense at all.
Tried to open up my eyes,
I'm hopin' for a chance to make it alright.
"That's not an apology, it's a cover proposal as in give me one more chance," somehow Gale's able to sneak behind me and my bride. He drinks his mineral water in one gulp and crushes the plastic bottle with his fingers.
I couldn't agree more with him. I turn my head to Jasmine and can't help but to feel sorry for her. The young woman looks confused, awkward, and hurt at the same time. She occasionally looks down to her knees and I know that she grips her glass tightly.
"Guys, leave him be," Katniss scolds us both and I roll my eyes.
Finally, lover boy stop singing and my turn is coming. I stand.
"Where are you going?" Katniss asks me in confusion.
"Just watch," I smirk at her and keep walking.
"Cato!" she calls me but I ignore her.
I wait until lover boy step down from the stage so I can smirk cockily at him before I finally conquer the stage.
QQQ
My heart is beating so fast. For a moment I thought that my newly husband will walk to my ex and break his neck. Thank God he didn't; he just smirks at him and gets on the stage. I wonder what he'll do. Well, not really, actually. Since it's Cato I'm sure that he's planning a counter attack. He walks to the band and asking for something. After that he takes a seat in front of the microphone with an acoustic guitar in his arms.
"Hello guys, thanks for coming here today to celebrate out wedding," he smile to everyone as he checks the guitar. Everybody is clapping and shouting different things, and most girls who I recognize from Catniss fan club (and some guys) come forward but are decent enough to stand behind my table. Except Prim who takes Cato's seat, while Gale's already disappeared.
"What are you doing here?" I ask Prim in confusion.
"And lover boy, thank you very much for your present, we got the message perfectly," then Cato nod to Peeta with mock seriousness. I glance to my ex who sits with his current girlfriend; he looks awkward and poor Jasmine, she looks conflicted.
"Are you kidding me? This is the main treat!" Prim shouts excitingly at me, and for a moment I forgot how old she is. I decide to ignore her and the other girls who start whining over my husband and focus my attention back to Cato.
"Now, this is also my present to my new beautiful wife," suddenly his voice changes deeper and turns serious. "I know that I've been so hard on you before, and even cruel. But with this song I hope you can understand how I feel about you now, and forever," he then looks straight into my eyes and stresses the last two words.
I gulp. What will he sing?
When I see your smile
Tears run down my face
I can't replace
And now that I'm strong
I have figured out
How this world turns cold
and it breaks through my soul
And I know I'll find
deep inside me
I can be the one
He starts singing and like I knew, in contrast of his brutal, look he has a sweet voice. He always stepped onto the stage every time he got the chance in a Hunger Games event, to show off and make ladies swoon for him. I swear I can hear some girl tributes start to faint around me.
I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to heaven
Oh my God, he really good at picking his songs, Your Guardian Angel by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. I even… Well, I admit I'm kind of drawn into his charisma right now.
Cuz you're my, you're my, my, my true love, my whole heart
Please don't throw that away
Cuz I'm here for you
Please don't walk away and
Please tell me you'll stay, stay!
I hear a sob next to me and find Prim (and also other girls) start shedding their tears. "Why are you crying?" I arch an eyebrow at her and look around me in confusion.
"You're so lucky," Prim sniffles as she wipes her tears with her handkerchief.
Use me as you will
Pull my strings just for a thrill
And I know I'll be okay
Though my skies are turning gray
Well, I have to admit again, that I can sense the message Cato delivers for me in this song. It doesn't take love to understand it. He's basically just telling me that he'll stay by my side as my partner / platonic roommate / friends – or whatever you want to call it, always.
The song is over and the loudest cheers and claps I hear today come from the guests. Cato jumps from the stage coolly (show off), and walks at me with smile across his face. I can't help but blush and bite my lips so I won't scream! His acting is too perfect! Too real!
"Do you get that, Fire Girl?" he suddenly kneels in front of me and I don't know what to do. My mind's blank.
"You better stick to that song or I'll shoot you," finally I'm able to speak something.
"You can shoot my heart anytime you want," and before I can respond he suddenly takes my palms in his and kiss them.
And the guests have gone wild! And I can feel my cheeks are burning, damn!
It's a beautiful night
We're looking for something dumb to do
Hey baby
I think I wanna marry you
Is it the look in your eyes
Or is it this dancing juice?
Who cares, baby
I think I wanna marry you
Gale suddenly bursts in on the stage with… Clove? They're singing Marry you by Bruno Mars in a duet and Cato laughs as he pulls me to my feet and twirls me around playfully. I laugh at his spontaneous act and the guests start dancing with us.
Don't say no, no, no, no, no
Just say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
And we'll go, go, go, go, go
If you're ready, like I'm ready
"Nice act," I whisper as Cato circles his hands around my waist.
"I know," he proudly smirks at me.
"I had no idea that Clove has a nice voice," I look to the stage and find Clove and Gale really enjoying singing the song together, and they even improvise as they holding each other hands.
"I had no idea she could even hold hands like that," Cato sounds confused and when I look at him he looks stunned as he watches both our friends on the stage.
"What?" I ask.
"No," he shakes his head quickly. I prefer to let it go and dance more with him. When the song is over I let go gently.
"Where are you going?" he protests as I walk away.
"Ladies room," I answer plainly.
"Need a help with lifting that dress?" he suddenly winks at me.
"I think I can handle this myself but thanks for the offer," I arch my eyebrow teasingly. He scoffs. "I'll be back in a minute," and before he can say something I wave at him and walk away, disappearing behind the guest.
The toilet is of course in the main building, left side from the hall, which now is empty. Or at least, almost empty. I stand still as I watch a couple arguing. Really, I should've turned away but I just freeze there.
"You can't do this to me, Peeta!" Jasmine manages to talk between her sobs. Her face is red and wet from the tears. She looks really hurt and I can't help but pity her. I remember I looked like her when Peeta broke up with me.
"I know, it's just that…" Peeta starts talking, and it somehow upsets me. "I don't want to lie to you and hurt you. If we'll continue this relationship that means that we'll be pretending and you may be happy, but I'm not…" he adds as he begs to Jasmine. Ouch.
"How could you even talk like that?" Jasmine shoves his hands away when he's about to touch her.
"Don't you feel bad for me?" Peeta inquires.
"Oh my God, I can't believe this! I'm so stupid!" Jasmine pulls her hair wildly and screams in frustration. Well, I can't agree more. Peeta always says something so absurd, but we (me and Jasmine) love him too much at that we can't see the truth and start blaming ourselves. And suddenly, while she pulling her hair and pacing the room she caught me from the corner of her eyes. I know right at that moment that I'm in trouble. "Eavesdrop much?" she glares at me. "Happy aren't you?"
Uh oh. "Look, I'm really sorry, Jasmine." An apology is the first thing comes to my mind. Meanwhile she starts walking at me with a raised chin and a very unfriendly expression which I didn't imagine would ever show in her beautiful and kind face. "Why don't you come with me and relax yourself?" I ask nervously as she stops in front of me.
She eyes me from head to toe. "This is your party, you should be celebrating, not cheering me up! Besides, you love it right? You're just a bitch that likes to play at other people feelings?" She suddenly pushes my shoulder rudely with her right hand.
My mouth drops open. I'm shocked she did that! "Hey-" keep calm Katniss, she's emotional right now.
"First you broke Peeta and then you beg him to come back. He already mine and you stole him back by using this wedding and that cheap dress and makeup of yours!" she pushes me again, this time harder and with both hands.
"He's the one who's ditching me for you so you don't have to worry about it!" I shove her hands and point to Peeta with my index finger. My voice is raising and before I realize, I start to run out patience.
"That's not what I see right now!" Jasmine shouts at me. Oh God, she looks really different.
"Jasmine, Katniss…" Peeta calls us nervously, but from his expression I know that he's afraid about this heated situation. Well, it's all thanks to you Peeta.
I almost shout back to Jasmine about Peeta always being a jerk and she should calm down and etc when suddenly…
"Don't you dare use my name and her in one sentence!" she yells angrily to her boyfriend / ex / whatever. "I know from the very first place you just a whore! Argh! I should've let the mutts kill you in the first place!" then she turns back at me and slaps me.
Wait what? Slap?
"What did you just say!" I caress my left cheek which is burning from the stinging pain and hardly maintain my logic.
"You heard me!" but then she jumps at me and starts beating me.
"Gah!" I yelp as she starts clawing me. I manage to push her away harshly. "Let me go or I burn you!" I warn.
"I love to see you try bitch!" she lets out a battle cry and attacks me again.
Okay, that's it! I want to beat her too when I knew that she's Peeta girlfriend after all! We kick, we punch, we slap, pulling each other hair, and spitting. I never remember Jasmine been this strong and this vicious in training camp. She even managed to throw me until I landed in the table, breaking the glass with my body. She then pulls me again and shoves me to the ground, lands above me and starts choking me.
"Stop! Both of you stop!" Peeta runs at us and tries to pull Jasmine from me but the bitch elbows his crotch harshly and the next thing I know Peeta cries in pain as he fall to the ground.
Meanwhile I manage to bite Jasmine palm. She screams and lets me go in reflex. I use the chance to kick her from behind, roll her next to me and it's my turn to sit above her and beating her. My hair is spread widely around my shoulders and my back, thanks to her for pulling it off. Her hands somehow manage to grab a shard glass and she almost succeeds bump my head with it if only I don't instinctively raise my hands to protect me. The glass breaks as it hits my arms, and as I whine in pain, she slams me back to the ground and almost stab me with the shattered glass. Yeah, you're not reading it wrong, she wants to stab me!
"Ladies!" when suddenly powerful arms circle around her and pull her away from me easily. "What's going on here lover boy?" the puller asks lazily and his voice is really familiar.
"ASK HER!" Jasmine manages to snap at me and that successfully burns me again. I jump up to find my gaze meet my husband's who warns me not to move closer. But it's too late, my body keeps dashing to tear away Jasmine from him.
But then I feel someone grab me tightly too, and I know that someone is Peeta. I can smell his familiar cologne which I can never forget. "What are you doing here?" his voice sounds rough in my ear. Usually it turns me on, but right now I just want to break free from him and attack his so called perfect girlfriend who made him dump me for her! Now we know that she's a psychopath!
"Aren't you glad?" Cato rolls his eyes at him, and while Peeta hardly holding me, he hold Jasmine firmly and steadily. "Katniss' definitely gone too long and I know you'll be making chaos, so it matches perfectly," he explains when Peeta doesn't respond. I try to thrash harder and Peeta circles his arms on my waist and my upper chest. "Hey! Don't you touch her like that! Keep your hands off her!" Cato warns him and I can see anger flash in his eyes. Suddenly, a berserk Jasmine is nothing compared to the creature behind her who can explode anytime.
"She'll kill Jasmine if I let her go," Peeta protests.
"Just let go off me Peeta. I want to rip her throat!" Before Cato can open his mouth I try to reach Jasmine from him since she just grins evilly and gives me the finger!
"See?" Peeta adds.
"Okay, let's switch in the count of three. Don't you dare put your arms there or I'll kill you!" Cato nods and talks calmly when suddenly I can feel Peeta grab me tighter, closer to his body, and his hand accidently spread across my breast, and Cato starts to yell.
"Oh I can't wait to scalp you!" Jasmine spits at me.
"Let me go Peeta!" I kick and punch harder.
"You mean like this?" Peeta talks, but I know he doesn't talk to me, he talks to Cato. I can feel something warm on my neck and suddenly something soft lands there and starts nibbling it. I get distracted and unconsciously moan in protest and… pleasure. Don't blame me! That's my weak spot!
The next thing I know I hear Cato roars. He storms pass me, pouncing on Peeta until he lets me go, both of them crashing into the table, and start killing each other.
I watch in horror as both men using their bare hands as if it's a knife and try to gut each other, their eyes and expression is full with rage. "Cato, Peeta, stop!" I start to run at them to separate because this is bad! Never in my life have I seen Peeta this strong, and Cato can kill him anytime if he gets the chance. Suddenly Jasmine jump at me and I end up wrestling with her again. "Get off me you idiot! Those men will really kill each other!" I shriek at her as she slams me up and down against the floor.
"So will I!" she roars right in front of my face. Oh my, poor girl, I think she has anger management issues. I focus myself in one final blow. I raise my hands in the right time, reach her head, and slam it really hard to the floor.
"Agh-" she yaps before she finally faints. Well, I hope she fainted, or I'll get a trouble.
After that I'm back on my feet and catching my breath as I watch Peeta slam Cato to the floor but then Cato throw him easily to the wall with only one hand. "STOP. FIGHTING!" I scream from the top of my lungs.
Thank God, the groomsmen suddenly run pass me and separate them both while the bridesmaid try to control the curious peeping guests. I guess our combat sounds finally reached the garden, huh?
"What the hell is going on here?" Gale stops next to me and stares at me in confusion.
I ignore him as I collapse beside Jasmine and lay there tiredly. After that the bride and the groom are excused to the dressing room while Madge's father takes care of Peeta and Jasmine. Nobody really comments; I think they know more or less what happened. After Cinna put some concealer on Cato and I and fixes our appearances, he tells us to go back down and wave the guests goodbye since we still have the honeymoon ahead and the train which will bring us to the floating city is just two hours away.
Cato and I don't get the chance to talk about the incident because we're really busy with the guests and we try to regain our sanity back in the dressing room. After everything is over, Cinna sends us back to each house while he and his team take care of everything there. I hear that Jasmine is okay and Peeta is sent to his parents' house. I feel bad for Jasmine.
"I don't need that, we're going to mountains," I protest as I watch Clove carry at least five matching sets of underwear – no, scratch that, lingerie, to my back pack.
"I think there's something wrong with you," Clove arches an eyebrow at me and sits in my bed with the lingerie on her lap. She, Foxface, Rue, Prim and Darla help me pack. Madge couldn't make it since her father asked her to watch Jasmine.
"It's how Katniss rolls, Clove," Foxface giggles. She helps me unzip the dress behind me and takes it off. I know that they talk about how weird I am to pick floating city and hiking as our honeymoon. If only they know that this is just a simple vacation that I rarely get.
"I guess so, and you will still need your matching lingerie," Clove shrugs and puts the lingerie in my backpack.
"Don't forget to loosen your hair, guys love it," Darla suddenly suggests when I finish wearing my jeans, my white shirt, and braid my hair.
"Rue and I bought you a perfume," Prim suddenly shrieks in excitement.
"Yes, it's very sensual and we guarantee that any guys will like smelling it," Rue nods as she hands me a cute pink bottle.
"Aren't you three still underage?" I'm dumbfounded at the three of them. So Foxface is the one who kindly takes the perfume from Rue.
"Katniss, who cares? They will know sooner or later," Clove rolls her eyes, still busily arranging my clothes.
"Hmm, it's nice. Good choice girls," Foxface smells the perfume and nods in agreement. The three youngest girls nod in satisfaction.
"This will help keep you both warm in the mountains, and trust me, it will make you horny and enjoy all the time, I put some herbs in it." Suddenly my mom bursts in with a box of chocolates in her hands, and I swear her face is glowing. "Oh, Cinna will need to put some concealer at your bruise. But considering how pretty you were today I think Cato wouldn't mind," she then eyes my bruise in pity but in the end winks teasingly.
"Ugh!" I groan as I throw myself to the bed, beside Clove.
"Mrs. Everdeen, there're underage children in the room," I can hear Foxface remind my mother nervously.
"Oh," is my mother's short response. And that starts another series of giggle.
XXX
"So, you've done it with her?" I just come out from Gale's bathroom and carefully putting on my normal clothes when Marvel suddenly asks me. The guys help me pack.
"What?" I arch an eyebrow at him as I fasten my belt.
"Sex, man?" Gale is the one who clarifies.
"No," I shake my head quickly.
"How come?" Luke eyes widen. I guess because he's used to hear me sleep with any girl I dated, even tough not all of them.
"Because Katniss is very stern about everything," Thresh comes to my aid.
"Thank you, Thresh," I nod at him in satisfaction.
"Then tonight will be a long night!" Marvel grins teasingly as he puts a bundle of t-shirts into my backpack.
"I bet the sex will be hot," Luke chuckles and Gale nods at him in agreement. Both of them are in charge of separating my clothes from my suitcase and giving it to Marvel with my backpack.
"You're all disgusting," I scoff in disgust.
"Cato, we're dudes, and Katniss is very attractive, you can't lie to us!" Thresh, who prepares my bath kit, comes to my destruction. I think I was wrong about him being my savior.
"I think I'll pack myself," I cross my arms in annoyance.
"Here it comes, and if we say anything again he'll threat to kill us," Marvel fakes a cough.
"I'm not scared, are you?" Gale shakes his head and pouts.
"Definitely not," Thresh says in mock seriousness.
"Not for tonight," Luke shrugs.
"It's four against one Cato, face it," Marvel puts his hands on his waist and smirks at me.
Damn you all. "I think I'll need to treat this bruise," I try to change the topic as I turn myself towards the mirror.
"Don't, girls like bruises and wounds in man. For them it make us hotter. Trust me," Thresh quickly responds. I have no idea I could be this close with him; we used to try to kill each other too, and I know he hate me enough to want me dead, but now we're here talking about my wife who is also his captain. I guess things do always change in the end, huh?
There's a knock on door. "Son, can I talk to you?" It's my father.
"Dad! Thank you very much!" I yell in happiness as I dash outside the room. Meanwhile, my groomsmen and Gale boo me. Hmmph, they better watch it or I'll make their wedding twice as chaotic as this.
"Here," my dad hands me a weird bottle when we finally face to face.
"What is this?" I receive the bottle and eye it suspiciously.
"Our family secret herbal, take three and you will be strong all night long!" my dad explains in excitement. Great, that's the last thing I need. "And just let that bruise there, it looks good on you," he then adds as he watches my face closely.
"Thanks," I say.
"I want my grandchildren, okay?" he then whispers playfully like a five year old kid when he wants a toy.
"It's not going to happen that fast," I sigh heavily.
QQQ
It's a bit hilarious actually, when our family and our friends wave us goodbye at the station. They act like Cato and I are ten years old children who wants to go to fieldtrip, not a newly wedded couple who wants to go honeymoon. I think they're overreacting, saying that I'm finally a big girl now and how Cato becomes a real man. They clearly expect something we will not do.
"I'm so tired," I sigh gladly as we finally found our executive compartment, relieved that our family and friends won't tail us anymore, and there's no need to pretend. The compartment is large, with a double bed, a nice bathroom, and small neat kitchen. I feel like we're in some kind mini hotel room.
"Me too, let's go to bed," Cato yawns as he steps in first and puts his backpack on the floor.
"But we still have a lot to talk about and I'm still too excited for our hon-vacation!" I protest.
"No, good night," he shakes his head and throws himself to the bed. "Jeez, I'm just joking, why are you so serious?" He get up again after he sees me frowning as I walk in.
I nod and gesture him to come sit on the carpet with me. "So, how'd it go when you packed?" I ask and pull out a notebook from my backpack.
"Chaos. My dad wants grandchildren. You?" Cato scoffs as he sits in front of me with a pillow in his hug. I can't help but remember how handsome he was this morning, and he still is now; he even looks rather cute.
"Disastrous. The girls kept talking about how many sons and daughters we will have, they even bet on it," I tell him and pull out a pen.
"That's crazy," he bursts laughing.
"You remember that we need contract right?" I ask again after he stops.
"Let's start," he shrugs after he notices my notes and pen.
"We give it a year for our marriage, to see if I want to continue or not, correct?" I clarify.
"Yep," he nods.
"Okay, now about physical contact," I start writing and he arches an eyebrow at me. "What? It's important," I assure him. "Public affection; kisses, hugs, holding hands," I explain when he finally give ups and scratches the back of his head. He clearly can't wait for this to finish, but at least he stays.
"Define kissable area on you," he sighs and leans to his pillow.
"Anything from my shoulder and my face, except my ears. And you may not do tongue, and the kiss on the lips only last fifteen seconds, max," I answer firmly. I already thought about my answer.
"Ear is your soft spot?" he smirks and I can see something naughty flash in his bluest orbs. Uh oh, actually neck is my soft spot, but my ear really turns me on. I can still handle a kiss on the neck, but clearly not on the ear.
"Define your kissable area," I ignore him.
"You can kiss me anywhere," he straightens his back and smiles arrogantly. I can't help but wonder if that's a challenge or… an invitation?
"Whatever," I ignore him again. "We only do that when the situation require us to," I warn.
"So I can't kiss and hug you in… normal situations?" he asks with fake innocence.
"Of course not, why?" I shake my head in disbelief.
"Well, since we're friends, and I see you hug and kiss your friend Gale very romantically, why can't I get that too? Besides, I've kissed and hugged you before, I even remember carrying you," he argues and damn, why does he have to use Gale?
"Fine, but only occasionally, and of course with the basic intention; because you're my friend," I nod firmly and sigh.
"Agreed," he scoffs and I can sense he underestimates it. "Nothing personal, it's just since we will live together, there's nothing wrong with being… close like that, right? We need a good relationship after all, if we want this to work" he adds in annoyance when I eye him suspiciously.
"Of course," I roll my eyes. "Now, about our living place. Do you have any idea?" I continue before he can say anything.
"Well, there's only apartments in Capitol, and we definitely won't stay in a dorm," he pouts and shrugs.
"Okay, have you chosen?" I ask again. Since he's the one who pays for everything I think I don't mind. "How many bedrooms?' I inquire after he nods.
"One," he smiles teasingly at me.
"Are you kidding me? Am I supposed to sleep with you?" I demand in confusion.
"It's not like we'll do something, I just sleep peacefully next to you and you mind your own business. Our families will be confused if we have separate bedrooms," he argues tauntingly. I want to slap him until I remember that it will cause us start killing each other again. He has a really bad temper even though it's just a joke.
"What if they come and stay over?" I try to talk as calmly as I could but I glare at him coldly.
"If it's female I'll sleep on the couch, if it's male, he'll sleep in the couch, like it or not," he lifts his shoulder in a half shrug.
"Okay. But you will not touch me, or do something funny when I sleep, and we need extra rules for living together," I give up.
"Hit me," he yawns again and stretches his body.
"No nudity in our apartment, we will wear bathrobes not towels, you will not wear anything topless and I will not wearing anything too revealing," I add and busily write in my notes. I'll need us to sign this later.
"Yeah, yeah, can I sleep now?" he nods quickly and asks tiredly.
"Sure," I sigh.
And without prompting he stands, pull out some clothes from his backpack, and heads to the bathroom. I realize that there's no use in staying awake all night too since I'll need the energy for tomorrow. So I pull out my new pajamas from my bag. It has long sleeves and I really like the color and the soft fabric. It's deep green and made from silk, and it's a gift from my dear strategist, Foxface. When Cato comes out he's already put on grey training pants and a big black tee. After that I take my turn to change and when I come out I expect him to already be asleep, but there he lays, relaxed, eyes still wide open and looks directly at me when I step out.
"Test drive," he pats the space next to him. I don't like the thought of it, but at least he didn't smirk which means he must be serious too. We did sleep together once in one room, but that was not the same as this. I turn off the lamp and climb slowly to the bed.
After that we pull the covers until they reach our chest. I turn my back to him so I don't need to see him and feel how awkward this is. Here we go.
"I think we forget to think about our pet names," he suddenly says out of nowhere, just when I thought he already fall asleep.
"Just go to sleep," I chuckle.
"Sweetheart?" he asks.
"No," I answer quickly.
"Why?" he inquires curiously.
"Because Peeta always called me that," I sigh in irritation.
"Okay, we'll figure something else," I can't see him but somehow I know he's nodding.
"Thanks for finally giving up on talking," I close my eyes in relief. But they quickly shoot open as I feel something warm and strong circling my waist. "Cato?" I call when hot breath brushes my cheek and I pull in to comforting warmth until my back touches something sturdy.
"Hmm?" he mumbles.
"Why are you hugging me?" I ask cautiously.
"Because I want to. Don't tell me Gale never hug you like this?" he protests. Again with Gale.
"Just for tonight, okay?" I give up again since he's been nice. But if he tries to do something more than this I'll give him a lesson without a doubt.
"I know you'll like it," he chuckles to my hair. It feels nice, and he pulls me deeper. Squashing me with his figure.
"The only reason I'm not arguing with you right now it's because I'm tired," I can't help but chuckle too.
"Yeah, right," he rocks my body playfully. I decide to roll over, so we lie face to face. It's dark but I'm getting used to it so I can see him perfectly and I know he can see me clearly too; we're trained for this. He looks calm as I studying his face, his hands still resting peacefully over my body. I lift my hands and began tracing his bruised forehead and his slightly slit lips with my fingers. "Are you worried about my injuries?" he arches his eyebrow mockingly.
"If pretty boy wounded you, I think many would be upset," I say with a fake innocence as I pull my fingers from his face. "Of course I'm worried, we're partners now. What kind of question is that?" I roll my eyes.
He look… pleased. "Okay, wife," and responds goofily.
I snickered since that's just sound ridiculous even though, yes, I'm his wife now. "Sorry, for the wound," I apologize softly.
He shakes his head quickly and smirks teasingly. "Don't worry; I kind of enjoyed it actually. And by the way, you're hurt pretty bad too. Want me to kiss the pain goodbye?" he carefully traces my face too with his right hand. I shiver as his warm fingers touch my cold face. This morning he used those tantalizing fingers to pull me into kisses.
Oh God, what is wrong with me? "No thanks, I'm fine," I decline as I smirk too. "Why don't I call you… hubby?" then before he can respond something appears in my mind and I say it to him. "From husband," I explain further.
"Sounds cute and very girly," he shrugs. "But I guess that's the way it is right, hunny?" then he adds proudly before I can open my mouth. I almost jump from our bed when he suddenly rubs my cheek gently with his thumb. It feels really nice and I had no idea that Cato would be able to make me feel like this.
"Hunny, really?" finally I regain my consciousness back.
"Yeah, from honey," he nod in excitement.
"Hubby and hunny," I replay our pet names to be. "Sounds matched enough. I guess Effie wouldn't complain," I nod in agreement and laugh, glad because we finally find it.
"You got that right," he laughs too and stops rubbing my cheek so he can raise his right hand into thin air. I give him a high five.
"Let me treat your wounds, okay?" I sigh as I stare to his face again. I really feel sorry about that. It's my fault; if I didn't eavesdrop Jasmine he would not be hurt like this.
"Just lay here with me," he suddenly pulls me in to another hug so I practically lean to his shoulder and his head rests on the top of mine. I blush as I feel our body press together. "Remember, we're very tired," he adds and kisses my forehead, which surprises me again since there's no bruise there and no one to impress in here. Oh well, he's probably just tired and seeking for comfort, just like me, so I don't mind. "Except if you want to tend to yours, but then I need you to get back to my arms quickly," Cato adds jokingly.
I chuckle and finally snuggle into his chest. "Night, hubby," I say as I circle my hands over his torso.
"Love you hun," he mumbles quietly as he kisses my hair again lightly. I know he's only joking.
So, tell me what you think! And if you crave for more Catniss kisses, just wait for my next chapter, it will be super! I don't really put much detail in here since it's the first time they kiss, so I thought it must be feel awkward slightly and well… short, since none of them want to step out from each other trust barrier. I think that my song picks for Peeta and Cato are perfect since it describes their real feelings to Katniss, and I'm sorry if it feels weird. On with the show! The review button should be under this, and have a nice day! :D
