xx-Want-A-Sugar-Cube-xx: Cousin love!

XxYesterdayTodayTomorrowxX: I was considering doing an OC form, but I realized it would take too much time, especially if I want to do the 75th Hunger Games.

I know, Clove's resurrection has already been documented, but I figured I could do a little drabble of what happened after Cato called Glimmer.

Clove

Cato barges into my room, grin on his face. "Clove, pack your bags."

"What?" I scramble into an upright position from my relaxed position on my bed. "Where are we going?"

"District 1," he says before walking right out.

"That guy," I sigh exasperatedly as I roll out of bed. Ever since Cato came back, Cato and I have been living together. Cato got a permit to build a cottage at the edge of the clearing where we had reunited, and the two of us moved out. We didn't hate our parents, we just wanted some time to establish who we were again. One thing was apparent; it wasn't what our District had once represented.

I gather some clothes and put them in a backpack along with any other necessities, then meet Cato in the hallway. "Ready?" He asks.

"Ready," I nod, and we leave the coziness of our cottage and head for the train station.

Once we're situated comfortably on the train, I ask casually, "So... excited to see Glimmer?"

Cato reddens the slightest bit before retorting, "Excited to see Marvel?"

"What? No! What are you talking about?" I ask, confused.

My cousin chuckles. "You know he was head over heels in love with you."

"I... thought that was to garner sympathy and pity for me and earn me more sponsors," I say, more to myself than anything, hearing Marvel's last words.

"Nope," Cato shakes his head. "It was all real. He saw through your persona as well as I could. Us Careers, we all could tell you weren't that bloodthirsty."

"Well I didn't have to intimidate you guys as much as I had to intimidate the other tributes," I shot back, mildly irritated at my apparently transparent front.

"Anyway, Marvel had this massive feelings for you since the Training Center," Cato continues. "I thought you felt the same way."

"I..." I stop short, completely disoriented. "I don't know. I was acting when he told me he loved me before he died."

"Well you better tell him that," Cato says seriously. "It's the least you could do."

"Okay," I agree quietly, before dropping the conversation and staring out the window, submerging myself in my thoughts.

Do I love Marvel? Well, maybe not love. But it's definitely more than like. He more or less retained his self, even when surrounded by murderers and death and killing, some by his own hand. I remember he was very uncomfortable with it, the nightmares taking over and his insomnia affecting his watches. I had had enough when I approached him at the fire during my watch. I had begun talking quietly to him about dealing with killing, and how I figured that the afterlife was better than life, but life was more certain. After that, Marvel could deal with the nightmares and the death that was the Hunger Games.

I realize now that he was less of a Career, and more of a person. Someone who deserved to live out of all of the Careers. If I had known this earlier, I would have saved him.

"Clove? Clo-ove. Clove!" I am startled out of my thoughts by Cato's hand shaking my shoulder. "We're here."

"Oh, okay," I say, standing up and picking up my backpack. "Let's go."

When we step off the train, the first thought that crosses my mind is Wow, this place is elegant. And it's true. District 1 is elegant, expensive, and soft. It's a wonder how District 1 produces some great Careers. "Uh... I thought Glimmer would be here," Cato stammers.

"Did you tell her which train we'd be on?"

"No."

"Did you ask her which address to meet her at?"

"No."

"Did you tell her we were coming today?"

"No."

"Did you ask her where we're staying?"

"No."

"Did you tell her how long we're staying?"

"No."

"Did you plan anything out?"

"No."

"Some head Career you are," I grumble playfully.

"Hey! I told her we were coming... tomorrow," Cato's face blanches.

"You idiot," I smack his shoulder. "You need to have a little responsibility."

"Sorry," he shrugs. "I was too excited."

I sigh. "I know. Let's ask where Marvel or Glimmer live," I approach a teenage girl who looks vaguely familiar. "Hello, do you know where Marvel or Glimmer live?"

She looks at me for a second, her face transforming into one of wonder and knowing. "If you mean the ones from the 74th Games, then yes, I know where they live."

"Yes, them!" I nod.

"I didn't know there were more Marvels and Glimmers in District 1," Cato comments.

"They're relatively popular names," The girl smiles as she begins to walk down the sidewalk. As we walk, I notice the golden doves on some doors. What strange decorations, I think to myself.

On the corner of Diamond Street and Golden Road is a cute little candy shop where I spot a familiar figure walking around. Suddenly, my heart beats faster and my stomach churns weakly. What is going on with me?

"You okay?" Cato asks me suddenly.

"Yeah," I shot him a smile that was not as strong or as confident as my usual smile.

"Alright," Cato replies, definitely not convinced, but going along with it.

The girl walks right into the shop, announcing, "Marvel, your friends are here!"

Marvel looks up, and gives us a big grin. "Cato! Clove!" He goes around the corner to give us each a big hug. "I thought you guys were coming tomorrow!"

"We decided to surprise you," Cato says. "Do you know where Glimmer is?"

"Right here." We whirl to see Glimmer, holding a basket of food and an ecstatic look on her face. She puts down the basket and runs right into Cato's open arms, while Marvel and I stand by, awkwardly watching their lovers' reunion.

"Want to get out of here?" Marvel says suddenly.

"What about your shift?" I gesture to the shop around me.

"I'll take care of it," the girl suggests. "You take your break, Marvel."

"Thanks, sis," Marvel gives her a one-armed hug before grabbing my hand and leading me upstairs.

He takes me into a neat bedroom that I assume is his. "So..." he says slowly.

"So..." I bite my lip.

"You saw me die." Marvel cracks a tiny smile.

"You told me you loved me." The words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop them.

"Love you, really. I still do," Marvel stares at something across the room, avoiding my eyes.

"I... I thought you were acting when you told me that," I confess.

Marvel looks at me, his face hurt. "So you don't return those feelings," he says in a small voice.

"No, I don't love you," I confirm. "But I don't just like you. It's in between." I uncharacteristically reach out and grab his hand gently. "You mean more to me than just a crush. I just don't know if I love you or not. Just... don't leave me."

Marvel looks at me. "There's that girl we Careers saw during the Games," he laughs quietly.

"Don't remind me," I mock groan.

When we quiet down, there's a moment of silence before I shakily and hesitantly lay my head on his shoulder. Marvel lays his head on top of mine, before whispering, "I think I'll like your visit a lot more now."

Such a fluffy chapter. Hope you enjoy!

~squirmyorchid