Alright I'm here with another update... sorry for not updating sooner but this week has been kinda busy... a lot more then usual. (I mean I have hardly slept at all this week it's been that bad) still I got this out before the weekend so YAY. Anyhoo I did plan on getting a new chapter up for these broken pieces but I as you can tell haven't had time. That said, that story will be updated first next week. Again I apologises for the wait on my other two stories... I might have finally gotten passed my block but haven't had time to write :/ sorry. I'll do my best to get chapters up next week.
Oh and people I apologises if the action scene suck, it is honestly the weakest part of my writing. :/ Some (any) constructive criticism on it would be really really appreciated.
As I have said before, all grammar and spelling errors are my own and I apologise ahead. Also I do not own any part of the Hunger Games... wish I did but I don't still thank you Suzanne Collins for your amazing series.
Warning: smut, swearing, possible drug use, violence, boy on boy, possible girl on girl, talk of abuse, OOC-ness and all the wonderful bad things in life.
Before I reply to reviews I just would like to say a huge huge thanks to those who did, it means the world. Without the constant support I don't know if I'd be up to this yet. So again thanks you. Xo
pumpkinking5- yes a lot of tributes and a lot more excitement I hope :D. Omg you put it perfectly yes, Cato is very good at distracting Peeta. And what can I say I'm a sucker for smut. Haha. Thanks for the love boo! Xoxoxo
jmcarthy- awww thanks! Gotta love smutty and fluffy... best bits if you ask me. And yes I'm pushing the story through so the games finally start soon. I can't wait honestly. Thanks for the love boo! Xoxoxo
Silvermane1- aww thanks boo, glad you like it and continue to. Xoxoxo
Fuzzyfeather- haha no problem boo, you are here now. That's all that matters. Yes yes and yes... unexpected and leave you with more questions haha, that's exactly what I wanted :D. woop! For the smut. Thanks for the love boo! Xoxoxo
Strength Is Not Everything
Chapter Ten: Doubt
Minutes later I was laying in bed, facing the wall with Cato behind me, holding me close to his muscled frame.
"I want to be able to hold you like this the rest of my life." Cato whispered as he nuzzled his face into the back of my neck.
"I want you to hold me like this for the rest of my life as well." I answered back in all honesty, but from the tone of my voice I knew he could probably tell I didn't believe it would be possible.
"I just need you to believe it will happen Peeta, we are going to find a way for this to happen." Cato replied as his arms tightened around me.
The next few days seemed to mesh together. We would wake each morning, eat and talk strategy. Then trained with weapons for half the day, break for lunch and for the rest of the day was spent perfecting our skills at the survival stations. We alternated between the four of us so none of us were left alone. We wanted to make sure the public saw that all four of us were willing to work as a team and that no matter what we had each others back. Then we'd go back to either of our floors, eat and run through what we did with Haymitch or Brutus. Before retiring to Cato or my bedroom and enjoying each others bodies, rough hands and hard thrusts were met with passionate caresses and soft kisses. Cato could be so aggressive and powerful but then want to spoon and cuddle after, it was and odd mix that I found myself enjoying more then anything.
We had a few run ins with Marvel and Glimmer but nothing to threatening or troublesome. For the most part it seemed as if they had given up on being paired with Cato and Clove and resorted to simply giving the four of us dirty looks. All of the other tributes steered clear of us, I suppose they saw us as the new career pack and did not want to risk putting a target on their backs. I was honestly surprised they didn't try harder to make a connection with Clove or Cato in a bid to get paired with them but then looking over at Cato I knew it was because they found him to intimidating. Where I saw a brutish muscular boy with a perfect ass and beautiful eyes who hid his heart, the other tributes saw a tall aggressive bloodthirsty killer, void of emotions and empathy with a look that screamed 'you are next'.
I saw it in their eyes, the fear, and by association they looked at Katniss and I the same way. I knew Haymitch wanted us to come off as strong as the careers normally did but still show we had a heart but apart from interacting between the four of us and my affections towards Cato I didn't know how else we could possibly do that. And by the end of the week we had run out of time, we had shown the public what we could. All I could do is hope it was enough for there to be an overwhelming support to pair our Districts together and no one else's. I wasn't stupid though, as much as I wanted it to be solely based on votes I knew the game makers and President Snow had final say as to which District we would be paired with. It was common knowledge that they manipulated the results and arena to get certain outcomes they deemed more satisfying.
It was now the day for our individual evaluations. And after discussing it with Haymitch and Brutus it was decided I'd stick to showing them my skills with weapons and my strength. With any luck I'd be able to get a nine or ten, I had to aim high to keep the sponsors interested. I laid in bed that morning nerves starting to spark up in me. I let out a deep breath and focused on calming them when the arm that was resting on me side moved, pulling me closer to the body behind me as it tightened around my waist.
"You ready for today?" Cato asked, voice cracked and low due to sleep.
"Ready as I'll ever be." I reply turning my attention to the boy behind me.
"Good, I know you'll do amazing." Cato said kissing my neck.
"Do you now, how's that?" I ask back in a flirty voice.
"Because I would not be with you unless you were. I mean I deserve nothing less then the best so what makes you think I'd expect anything else from the person I shared a bed with." Cato smirked against my skin, voice cocky as his hands moved down my body getting dangerous close to my manhood.
I laugh at what he said turning completely over so I was facing him. "Full of yourself much?"
"You can be to if you want." He quickly retorts with a grin.
"Oh that's how you think you should talk if you want sex?" I ask as I shuffle away from him.
"I know it is." Cato replied lunging on top of me and successfully pinning down my hands above me.
"If you are so sure what are you waiting for?" I ask as I lifted my hips into his, I couldn't deny that I lusted after his touch at this very moment.
He simply smirked, moving his legs between mine before leaning down and kissing me with raw passion. A loud bang on the door startled us both suddenly.
"Get up Peeta, we have a half hour until we are suppose to head down for our evaluations." Katniss yelled through the door. "Sorry to be a cock block for the third time this week." She audibly laughed before walking away.
Cato sighed angrily but rolled off me. "We are going to finish this later."
With that we got dressed quickly, moving to the dining room to eat before heading down to the District Two floor to meet up with Clove. Then continuing down to the waiting room.
When we arrived in the waiting room and a trainer took down what stations and equipment we each wanted. I hugged Clove, wishing her luck before pulling Cato into a quick passionate kiss.
"We can do this, keep your head held high and stay strong." Cato whispered in my ear before going to where he and Clove had to await their turn.
I sat down next to Katniss and watched the other tributes file in. I found myself unable to sit still, my legs fidgety and my hands shaky. I tried to slow my breathing as I watched Glimmer walk through the doors first. When Clove was called she looked back and nodded a confident smile. Cato on the other hand took a moment to rake his eyes down my body and bite his lip before containing himself and mouthing the words 'stay strong'.
Then we waited, slowly watching tribute after tribute disappear behind the doors. It was excruciating how time seemed to slow and all I could do is sit there and wait. My mind wondering over my time so far in the Captiol. Sticking close to Katniss and keeping our friendship strong instead of turning on each other. I was proud to call her my best friend. Then realising I genuinely liked some of this misguided citizens that called this place home, Portia and Effie were a true help to me and weren't like the majority of the people here. Then to Cato, who's body I lusted over and wanted to enjoy for years to come. Who surprised me with his warmth and possessiveness. It was ironic I might have found love in the face of my possible death. Even with all the training and preparation I had for these games, all the time spent worrying, being picked this year for the games, I wouldn't change any of it because it brought me to him. If anything, had I known I'd meet him here, under the circumstances I'd volunteer to be in this very position just to get what ever time I had with him.
Katniss' name being called broke me out of my chain of thought. I looked up as she stood, calm and stoic as ever. "Shoot straight." I nod watching her take a deep breath.
She nodded in reply, a smile slightly showing before she walked towards the doors with a firey determination. Then I was alone, sitting there waiting for my name to be called. Waiting to show them I was a willing pawn in this game. That I was determined and ready to take on whatever they threw at me at the chance of making it out alive with the three people I had grown close to. Finally the call of my name came.
'Peeta Mellark, District Twelve.'
I stood and walked towards the opening doors. As I walked through to where the game markers where seated I notice several seemed a flutter of nerves and anger. I found myself wondering what Katniss could have done to get such a reaction. But now wasn't the time, I took one last deep breath before standing in front of them. "Peeta Mellark, District Twelve."
Seneca Crane nodded in in response, some of the game markers turned ready to watch while others still seemed preoccupied with what ever events had transpired before I had arrived. I rolled my eyes before turning towards the archery stand. I looked back at the game makers and noticed most were still to caught up in the drama of them selves. And that's when I noticed the avox behind them cleaning the floor, above her a hole in the wall from either an arrow of knife.
That's when it clicked, Katniss must have caught their attention doing something reckless after they ignored her. I smirked to myself and picked up the bow and an arrow before swiftly turning in the game makers direction, drawing the bow and aiming it at the game makers. I only need one of them to watch to get the desired effect. An older man watched in horror, his face contorted as he almost fell out of his chair with a gasp. That alone was enough for the others heads to snap in my direction before glasses started to drop and fear seemed to take over.
"I'd appreciate it if you would be ever so kind enough to pay attention to me while I'm here or I can assure you that you'll regret it." I smile as they all seem to nod in understanding.
Seneca quirked an eyebrow, interested to see what stunt I'd pull next. I turned quickly back around and let the arrow fly, hitting the furthest target dead in the middle. Before quickly moving on to the knives station. I nodded at the trainer when I was ready and as soon as the first moving target lit up I flung my first knife at it, moving quickly through the course, spinning and jumping as I hit every target. Before coming face to face with two trainers, one wielding a sword, the other a spear.
The trainer with a spear lunged forward, I side stepped before grabbing a hold of my last two remaining knives and ran towards the other trainer. I smirked as I watched the trainer swing the sword towards my head, thankful Cato had been teaching me how to fight opponents head on with just throwing knives. I quickly switched the knife in my left hand around before shifting and blocking the sword, inches away from my face.
I took this as an opportunity to kick the trainer square in the gut. As he bent over I use my other hand to knock way the spear that came flying towards my side by the other trainer. I threw one knife up, grabbing the spear just under the head and jerking it towards me so the trainer holding it became unbalanced and stumbled forward. I then kicked out his shins so he tripped to the ground before catching the knife I had thrown moments ago. I jumped over the trainer with the sword's second swing at me before flicking one knife towards his hand, causing him to drop the sword. I ran up and kicked my knee into the trainer who was stumbling to get up after I tripped him square in the head, successfully knocking him out before bringing my knife up to the throat of the seconds trainer.
I then turned and head towards the hand to hand combat station when Seneca cleared his throat. "That's enough."
I faltered for a second, why was I being dismissed before finishing what I had to show them? I nodded bowing before looking them down, not letting the fear and worry that now consumed me show on my face. "Know that there is a lot more I'm capable of doing, and am willing to do."
Seneca nodded. "Noted."
I walked out with my head held high, as soon as I was behind closed doors and in the elevator I punched the wall. If I had screwed my chances at getting a high score by threatening the game markers I wouldn't forgive myself. I need to breath and let my frustration go so I hit the button for the roof.
Moments later the doors opened and I walk out to edge, looking over the city and sighed. I cursed at myself inwardly as I slumped against the railing. I kept running over the events over and over wondering where it went wrong, not registering the elevator doors behind me opening and the sound of feet walking towards me.
"You do realise your whole floor is looking for you." Cato stated as he walked up next to me.
I turn to him and force a smile. "And did you tell them I was probably here?"
"No, I sent them on a wild goose hunt and figured I'd come find you myself so I could spend some time alone with you. I'm assuming you think you screwed up or something?"
"You would be right about that then." I replied turning completely around and sinking to the floor.
Cato sat down next to me, grabbing my hand and running his thumb up and down the back of my own. "Tell me what happened."
I explained what had happened in great detail. Cato nodded and listening carefully. When I was done he told be about his session and the fact he was also stopped early. Then telling me that I had nothing to worry about and that we both were going to get good scores, that the only reason he stopped me was because if I showed him any more he'd have to give me a twelve. And President Snow was never going to allow something like that. I wanted to believe Cato I just wasn't sure and I worried that I bombed and they would give me a score no sponsor would be interesting in.
After awhile though Cato has successfully calmed me down and then moved on to distracting me when he pulled me into his lap. Things started to escalate, lips started to bruise, hands found their way under clothes, hips thrusted into the others. I was enjoying myself to much to care we where sitting on the roof and anyone could walk in on us and just as I got Cato's top over his head I heard the elevator doors open.
"There you two are, I had my suspicious Cato would know where to find you this whole time. Don't worry though I didn't tell." Clove smirked as she walked towards me. "It's almost time fore dinner, we are all eating on your districts floor Peeta then watching the score reveal together. So get your asses up and let's go show Effie you aren't dead or have run off. I swear the woman has a few screws loose."
I laughed and got up before taking Cato's hand and walking back towards the elevator with Clove. When the doors opened Effie was the first to come rushing over to us.
"Oh Peeta you had me so worried. You should know better then to disappear like that." Effie said, warms flailing around.
"Sorry Effie, I just needed some time to think by myself." I reply as we followed her into the dinning room.
"Very well but next time you can think by yourself with one of us present." She responded making me laugh.
Dinner was pretty relaxing, no one thankfully brought up my session but when Katniss explained the events that transpired in her individual evaluation my suspicions about the hole in the wall behind the game markers was confirmed. I fully understood where she was coming from, had it been me I probably would have done something as reckless. I suppose in a way I kind of did but after talking with Cato I knew better then to dwell on it. Whatever happened is in the past and no matter the score they gave me I was going to still make it to the end with Cato.
Once dinner was done we all moved into the lounge, shortly after we were all seated Caesar appeared on the screen, his white teeth sparkling as he gave his trademark plastic smile.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Tonight I have the privilege of unveiling the score each tribute has been awarded by the game makers after their individual evaluations that took place today. And I have to say this year has to be one of the closest years yet! I've never seem this much talent and determination before, it's just so exciting isn't it." He laughed before he was handed a piece of paper.
"Well then as always, ladies first." Glimmers face appeared on screen beside Caesars head. "Glimmer with a score of seven."
A seven floated around her before it changed to a picture of Marvel. "Marvel with a score of nine." That didn't surprise me, they were both careers after all.
"Next District Two, starting with Clove with a score of ten."
The rooms spirits lifted and we each congratulated her before Cato's face appeared.
"Cato with a score of eleven!" Caesar almost yells excitedly.
Cato basically roared in triumph before pulling me into a kiss. The rooms atmosphere had grown in confidence as we watched each tribute after score numbers under a seven. It seemed we would be able to dominate the tributes from our reaping so far, the question was still what the second reaping would produce. District Eleven scored well though, the small girl got a seven and the beast of a boy got a nine. Finally it came to District Twelve.
"Finally District Twelve. The girl of fire, Katniss Everdeen with a score of ten!" Caesar exclaimed, retaining his excitement from before. "And Peeta Mellark with a score, unbelievable, for the second time tonight, a score of eleven! This has to be a first, remember tomorrow we will get a chance to get to know each tribute a little better when I interview them, I look forward to seeing you there, goodnight Panem! And happy hunger games!"
I was in shock, I got an eleven, the same as Cato. I spent the whole afternoon thinking I had screwed up but I got an eleven. I was congratulated by everyone, my head still spinning as I was in a daze. I didn't fully recover from the shock until I realised Cato had pulled me to my bedroom and he was stripping down in front of me. He said something that I didn't catch before stopping and staring at me.
"Sorry what?" I ask, slightly embarrassed but the distracted looking at Cato's body.
"I said are you just going to stand there and stare or are you coming for a shower with me?" He repeated as he pulled down his underwear and stood in front of me.
"I, um, yeah." I say snapping out of my trance, it was hard not to stare at Cato's impressive manhood. I forced myself to look him in the eyes, an action Cato noticed. He winked at me before turning towards the bathroom.
My brain finally took control of my body again and I pulled off my clothing and hurried into the bathroom. I slipped in behind Cato, my hands immediately wrapping around him. "Thanks for earlier." I say kissing his back.
"I told you that you had nothing to worry about didn't I?"
"You did." I reply letting go so Cato could turn around. "I can't believe they gave me an eleven though, I mean they'll have to pair us now."
"They will Peeta, so stop worrying and focus on the fact you are in the shower with a very naked me who wants nothing more then to celebrate how well we did." Cato smirked leaning down to kiss me.