Cato's POV
It was past midnight when the fever broke. Madge had fallen asleep on a couch next to the bed just before I covered Katniss with yet another blanket. The more blankets I drape on her, the closer it comes to breaking her fever. Katniss stirred and I took my place next to the bed.
"Madge?" she called, her eyes still closed shut. "Water…please…" Her voice was cracked and gravelly.
I filled the glass with the jug of water on the night stand and sat her up a little before giving it to her. She took a big gulp and muttered a 'thanks' before her eye lids slowly fluttered open. When her eyes landed on me, her expression went from confusion to anger to confusion once again.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
I sighed and grabbed the stuffed bear that was laying on the floor.
"I just wanted to apologize for being a jerk and thank you for standing up for my little brother," I mumbled. She gave me an even more confused look. "Peeta is my brother," I explained. "Half brother, that is."
"How can a sweet kid like that have a brother like you?" she asked a little sourly. I can understand why she's angry at me, I never really did apologize...
I chuckled, "I know I've acted like a jerk, and I'm really sorry about what happened. I should have done more to stop it." I said, handing her the teddy bear. I placed it on the bed just in front of her and I saw her lips quirk up in the slightest and her eyes soften a small degrees. She reached forward to grab it and then her eyes met mine.
She sighed, "If I say I forgive you, will you let me sleep?"
I laughed and shook my head at her antics. She was getting better alright. "Yeah."
Katniss gave me a small smile before turning onto her side holding the bear close to her chest.
"Katniss?"
"What?" she whined, making a face that I found absolutely adorable.
"Friends?"
She sighed and opened her eyes. Her electrifying gray looking right into my boring blue ones. She gave me a soft nod before almost instantly falling asleep. As her breathing slowed, I found myself moving a stray lock of her chocolaty brown hair from her face.
"You like her don't you?" Madge asked, making me jump. I forgot she was even here... I felt my cheeks flush and I cleared my throat awkwardly, quickly shaking my head.
"She's my teammate," I answered smoothly. "I wanted to make sure she was okay. She's valuable to our team."
"I didn't know you gave all your teammates a teddy bear," she replied smugly. I scowled at her which only caused her to laugh. "Katniss isn't your typical girl, she's-"
"Stubborn, reckless, a hothead, irritable-" I offered.
"A handful," Madge said cutting me off. "But she's worth fighting for," she added.
I took in her words before glancing over to Katniss. She was sleeping peacefully, holding onto the bear I had given her, and I could swear she was smiling. Soft snores escaped her slightly ajar mouth, making the only noise in the room. Finally I broke the silence.
"It's late," I said getting up. "I should get going. Let me know how Katniss is feeling tomorrow."
Madge smiled and nodded giving me a quick hug before I left. I dug my hands into my pockets thinking about what she said. Katniss was more than a handful, but there was something about her that I liked. She made me feel different, I can't explain how, but she just did. I smiled, I think maybe Madge was right. Maybe I did like Katniss, maybe I did think she was worth fighting for.
Madge's POV
I was so glad it was Saturday. Katniss didn't wake up till noon, and I wouldn't have left her side anyways. Sleep had evaded me through most of the night, as I periodically had to wake up to make sure her fever didn't return. Luckily it didn't. But if it meant helping Katniss get better, than I would gladly lose some sleep. She would do the same for me.
She stirred and a smile found its way onto my face, I was happy to see she was waking up. Katniss yawned and stretched before looking over at me, a small smile on her face. I waited patiently 'till I knew she was awake enough to continue our conversation from last night. Then, I spoke.
"How did you get those cuts?" I asked, trying to keep my voice open and even. She sighed and focused her attention on the bear in her lap. "I'm waiting." She didn't even glance up, and I could tell she was about to tell me another lie.
"Like I told you last night, I really suck at rollerblading," she replied with a half-hearted shrug. I wasn't convinced.
I let out an irritated sigh; she wasn't going to tell me anything. I'd suspected her father of abusing her for awhile now, but I could never prove it. It wasn't until recently that the abuse had escalated, almost to the point where I started to pay very close attention. Katniss always had an excuse ready for when I noticed a bruise here or there. I wanted to confront her about it, but I feared one wrong move would tear apart our friendship. I couldn't afford that. More importantly neither could Katniss.
As much as Katniss didn't want to admit it, or show it for that matter, she depended on this friendship and the emotional support it provided. But if this continued for much longer I'd have to take matters into my own hands. For now though, I had to make sure that Katniss didn't lose that support.
"I didn't dream that yesterday, right?" she asked, holding the stuffed toy the way a child would.
I smiled. "No, Cato was here. We were both really worried about you." I saw a small smile appear on her face and I couldn't help but grin. It was the first genuine smile I'd seen from her in a long time. But then I decided to bring up another matter...
"Katniss," I began carefully. "While you were asleep last night, you started talking."
Her body tensed and a look of panic invaded her features. She looked like a deer caught in headlights.
She swallowed, "What did I say?" From the tightness of her voice it was easy to tell she wanted this conversation to end, and soon.
"At first you were talking about your mother," I replied slowly. "But then you started whimpering and pleading for something," Someone, I thought. "To stop. It was almost as if...you were in pain."
Katniss suddenly found the floor a whole lot more interesting than the conversation that was taking place. She was fidgeting in her spot on the bed, nerves eating at her. "I don't know what you're talking about," she finally answered.
"You can tell me," I said gently, placing my hand on her shoulder. "You know you can tell me anything."
"It was probably just a nightmare," she responded quickly, still not meeting my gaze.
I shook my head. "No, you were telling someone to stop. Someone was hurting you." I paused and decided now was the time to ask her. "Katniss, does your-"
"Would you just drop it already!" she snapped. I didn't even flinch, but she must have seen something in my expression because hers softened slightly. "I'm sorry. You stayed up all night taking care of me, I don't have the right to be mad at you." Of course, she could never stay mad at me for very long, she's too good a friend for that.
I smiled and sat down next to her on the bed, throwing an arm over her shoulder. "I would do it again, you know?" I told her, sincerity in my voice. I saw her flash me a smile. "Are you hungry?" I asked, changing the subject.
Before she could answer, her stomach growled loudly and we bother shared a look before bursting into laughter. After I managed to calm down, I got up from the bed. "I'll go scrounge us up something to eat," I stated.
Katniss nodded in agreement before hanging her head to the side and pulling the bear closer to her with a grin on her face. I smirked.
Looks like Cato isn't the only one who has a crush, I thought.
Here comes the Catoniss! What do you guys think? Will Madge or Cato find out soon? Or will Katniss keep her secret locked within her forever?
Thanks Speedy08 and BG-13
Leave a review!