Chapter X

"Wake up !" a voice said next to Cato. He opened his eyes. The train had arrived at the station. The Peacekeeper left the wagon. Quickly, the boy grabbed his stuff and his luggage. Getting out of the train, his eyes opened wide as he remembered how poor District 12 was. He knew it was, but he never actually thought about it since he never thought he would live there.

"Can I help you sir ?" a Peacekeeper said.

"Yeah, erm. I'm looking for Peeta Mellark's house."

The man turned and raised his finger. "There, on the hill." Cato looked up and noticed a small village, beyond the shacks of District 12. Even though he was far from there, he could tell the houses looked a lot better than the ones where he currently was. It was the Victor's Village.

"Wow, it looks a lot like my own house."

"It's because they're all the same, Cato." He frowned and looked at the man. Had he already seen him before? "You don't recognize me, do you ?" the man asked.

Cato raised an eyebrow. He remembered the Peacekeepers were from his District. "No, should I ?"

"I'm Clove's father."

"Oh. I'm... I'm sorry, I'm sorry I didn't-"

"You did what you've been able to." the man said with a sad tone. "That's better than most of us." He put a hand on the boy's shoulder. "I think I know why you're here."

Cato sighed. "Do you ?

"We can't just move on, and get over the ones we used to love. If there's anyone who can understand that, it's me. Peeta, at least, is still alive. Enjoy it." He grinned.

Cato couldn't say a word. He was touched by what Clove's father had just told him. "I am sorry about Clove. I really am."

"I know you are." he shook his head. "Just... let's leave the games behind us," he finally said. "Go to him. I'll see you around."

"Yes..." Cato just answered. He thought that Clove's parents were mad at him, but no. That reassured him a bit.

As he was walking towards the Victor's Village, he noticed the gaze of many citizens. Some seemed kind, some seemed hateful. He decided to ignore them until he reached the Victor's Village. Of course, he recognized the District as he had been here a few months ago, but he had never seen the village. It was definitely the same village as in his District. He walked in front of the first house, and looked close. Abernathy was written on the porch. He walked again. Soon, he saw the name Everdeen on the second house. Deciding he would see Katniss later, he passed in front of the house and looked at the next one. Mellarkwas written on the porch. He walked up the yard to the porch and knocked on the door. His heart was beating so fast he felt like he was going to have a stroke. He heard footsteps and someone opened the door. He soon recognized Peeta's brother, Lethe.

The older boy opened his eyes wide. "Ca-Cato ? I can't believe it ! Erm, come on in ! I know someone who's gonna be happy to see you !" He opened the door wide to let the boy enter with his luggage.

"It's great to see you, Lethe." Cato said while shaking his hand. "Is Peeta home ?"

The boy shook his head. "Not yet, he works at the bakery today. He should be home soon though. I'm so surprised, I didn't think I would ever see you again. Peeta could have said something !"

"Well, he doesn't even know I'm here. I didn't call because I wanted this to be a surprise." Cato explained.

"Haha ! It'll work for sure! That's a heck of a surprise."

Cato took a moment to look at Lethe's face more precisely. He looked a lot like Peeta. They had the same hair (the same haircut, the same color.) Lethe was a bit taller, but not so much. His eyes were dark blue. Cato wondered who Peeta and Lethe got all that from. He had seen their mother but she sure was an ugly bitch. So it had to be their father.

I would like to meet him, he thought. Unlike Mrs Mellark, he actually seems nice.

The door opened suddenly. Cato turned back and felt his heart skip a beat.

"Peeta..." he whispered.

"Cato ?" Peeta said as he rushed into the living room and hugged him. Cato closed his eyes as he was embracing the younger boy. He couldn't believe it. It was happening, he had found his love again. He stroked his hand into Peeta's hair. He could feel him breath against him. He backed off a bit, just to see Peeta look up at him.

"What are you doing here ?" the boy breathed. "You never called me back !"

"Surprise !" claimed Lethe before Cato could answer. "I can tell you Peet', I was as surprised as you."

"Yeah, I really wanted to surprise you." confirmed Cato.

Peeta started smiling. "This is the sweetest surprise ever then." He reached up to Cato's lips, but before he could touch them, his brother interrupted.

"Guys, not that I mind, but uh. Not now." Peeta backed off. Cato let him go reluctantly.

"Why ?" the younger boy asked.

"That's why..." Lethe answered. Peeta turned back. His mother was there, on the doorstep, a rolling pin in the hand.

"What is he doing here ?" she yelled.

"Mom-"

"You, you miserable little prick !" the woman said to Cato. "You get out of my house !"

Cato didn't answer. He knew that if he did, he'd get angry. And angry was not a good thing.

"He won't get out." Peeta said calmly.

"That's what you say." the mother yelled back.

Lethe moved toward her. "Go away, mother. You've done enough for today."

"You stupid ungrateful child !" she screamed. "How dare you ?"

"I said, go away !" he repeated.

"You're lucky your father isn't here because he would beat the shit out of you !"

"No, he wouldn't." Peeta answered. "Dad is nice and caring, unlike you." he pressed his arm against Cato's.

"I will do it myself then !" she said, showing off her rolling pin. "And I will start with you, you little faggot !" she yelled at Peeta.

That was it, Cato was angry. He pushed Peeta away and moved toward the woman. "Excuse me, what did you just say ?"

"I said you're both a bunch of faggots. I'm not afraid of you."

He moved towards her. "You should." he whispered. "Remember what I did to that boy from District 3 ?" he smirked in an almost animal way. "Well I have the feeling it could happen to you very soon if you don't leave right now." She seemed furious. "Don't ever come back !" he yelled. "I'll be waiting if you do !"

She turned back, shaking her rolling spin in exasperation as she left the house. Cato watched her walk away and suddenly felt soft hands swiping on his stomach and Peeta's hand resting on his back. Cato understood it was Peeta's way to say thank you. The boy heard Lethe sigh. He backed off and turned to look at Peeta. He hugged him again. He could feel Peeta sob one more time.

"Is that how she treated you all your life ?" Peeta silently nodded. "Well now I'm here so she won't act like that anymore." Peeta sighed. He finally looked up and gave him a grateful smile.

"C'mon guys, let's eat." Lethe said.

During lunch, the three boys stayed quiet. Cato couldn't help but think that Peeta's mother spoiled their moment. They should have been happy, and just because of that stupid and hysterical woman, they weren't. Well, yes, they kind of were, but not like Cato would have imagined. He was with Peeta, whom he had not seen for months. The woman kept them from being happy, just between the two of them.

At that moment, he felt the urge to find the woman and strangle her. He looked at Peeta and sighed. She was his mother, after all. Yes, a monster, but still his mother non-the-less. He promised himself he wouldn't hurt her. He felt happy as he realized the games didn't take that away from him : he still wanted to kill.

After lunch, Lethe left Peeta and Cato to find his friends.

"So... where am I going to live exactly ?" the older boy asked.

"Wrong question, Cato." Peeta smiled.

He raised an eyebrow. "What ?"

Peeta moved towards him and put his arms around his neck, pulling the boy closer to him. "You should have asked : where are WE going to live ?"

Cato smirked. "Yeah. Then were ?" They were so close to each other he could feel Peeta's breath.

"I spoke to the mayor" he finally said. "The house next door is yours."

Cato couldn't help but smiling again. "That's... that's awesome ! How did you do it ?"

Peeta seemed proud of himself. "I told him that it would be a shame if we didn't welcome District 2's victor properly."

Cato, flattered that Peeta had done all this, gently put his hand on Peeta's cheek and started stroking it slowly. He bent over him, and softly put his lips on the boy's. It felt so good. This feeling. THIS, that he had missed for so long. When Peeta returned the kiss, Cato felt like he couldn't be happier.

Suddenly, Peeta broke the kiss. They stared at each other for a few seconds before Peeta took his shirt off. Looking at him with lust, Cato did the same and kissed him as they were both moving towards Peeta's room.

"Dunno... where... your room.. is.." Cato mumbled.

"Follow me" Peeta breathed.

Before Cato even realized, they were upstairs, in front of a door that Peeta opened with his foot, kissing Cato over and over again. They laid down on his bed. Cato smirked. That was it. This, it felt right. Not having sex, but... making love. He now understood the difference because it felt so much better. He was possessing Peeta, covering him up with kisses. He understood, with Peeta's moans, that he shared this passion and was enjoying the moment as well.

After a few minutes, they came together. Laying down on his back next to Peeta, Cato tried to catch his breath. He slowly turned his head to see Peeta who was doing it as well. They stared at each other's eyes for a few seconds.
Then, Peeta said. "I love you, Cato."

Review please ? * puppy eyes * :O

Forgive the randomness of Lethe's name.

Actually it's not that random... I have come to love greek gods. During my mythology classes, I have learned that the gods of Mount Olympia are not the only ones. There are a loooot of minor gods. All the streams, rivers, etc. were gods. I swear I love mythology, even though the class was lame as f*ck. Lethe happen to be the god of the Oblivion (I'm not referring to the elder scrolls !). IDK, I really like that name. In my novel I named a character after him. Ahah, I had no idea on how to call Peeta's brother anyway so I picked the first name that came to my mind – he also happen to be a character on my novel, but whatev.

Anyway, thanks for reading so far I know I'm a bit long to update the story but eh... I do what I can D:

xx

AC