"Are you ready?" Satoru asked quietly, nudging Drew with the toe of his boot. The blonde sat cross-legged on the ground, eyes firmly stuck on the ground. He traced his finger over the rock as though he was drawing something there. A map.

"Yeah," Drew nodded, licking his lips. "Are you?"

"Well I don't really have much else I need to do," the older chuckled, awkwardly moving Drew's backpack higher up on his shoulders. It was filled to the brim now. Stuffed relentlessly now with the blanket they had received as well. Drew had been testing his theory over the last few days, and it seemed as though he was catching on to something. When he hugged Satoru, they would get rolls from District Nine. They kind Drew used to smell baking on his way to school every morning. Just the thought of them would make his mouth water. If they talked for long enough about a deep subject, again, the little parachute would fall from nowhere, landing at their feet.

Someone somewhere wanted them together.

Drew stood from his spot, picking up his dirty jacket from inside their cavern before he nodded, symbolizing to Satoru that he was ready to move. Today was the day they needed to get to the other side of the arena, or at least as far as they could go. Food was so scarce, the two had been relying on the small amount of meat they could pick off the bones of rodents they'd find crawling around in the rocks. Either one of them would literally have killed for the feasts back on the train.

"Lets go," Drew spoke quietly, taking the lead. The plan was simple. They would walk along the edge of the woods for shade, not going in too deep. If they went towards the center of the woods, the chances of running into the Career Tributes near the Cornucopia was far too risky. Though the food would be nice.

The heat was unbearable. Within minutes, Satoru had the water bottle pulled out, taking small, measly sips of the warm liquid. They had learned to ration, spreading the water for as long as they could. Luckily the warmth was getting increasingly humid, suggesting it may rain again soon. The downfall to that, of course, was that it could be acidic rain again. But even if it was, it cooled down the arena.

"You know what I realized?" Satoru asked, glancing up at Drew.

"What?"

"This whole time," he began to say, a small smile spreading across his face, "we have been being watched."

"Okay?" Drew asked, raising an eyebrow. Obviously they were being watched, that was the whole point of the games—they were a show to be broadcasted across Panem for the citizens to 'enjoy'.

"Every word we say. They know as much about us as we know about each other."

"And now they know that," Drew smirked.

"And this."

"So they know that we know that they know what we know."

"I know," Satoru replied.

They both chuckled, walking across the dry rock in no-mans-land. Things had gotten easier between them, ebbing and flowing almost as naturally as breathing. Drew never failed to notice how Satoru had changed since Mika's death, but in a weird, twisted way, it had brought them closer. The nights they had were spent talking, days filled with hunting, travelling, climbing, laughing and joking. It was almost like having a roommate. Someone you lived with day in, day out, and got to know very well.

A friend, even. But Drew wouldn't call him that. He knew it was different.

Satoru used the back of his hand to push the hair off of his face. It stuck up in little tufts, almost looking like the down feathers on a baby bird. The blonde stole glances every few minutes, taking detailed mental pictures of how the other would lick his bottom lip before biting it, or how he always blinked twice at a time. Drew noticed how his bottom eyelashes were unusually long and dark black, like a painter's ink. But Satoru wasn't blind; he could feel Drew's eyes on him. It made him feel almost self-conscious to know someone was watching him that intently.

But in end, wasn't that the original plan? Get Drew to fall for him. Get sponsors. Satoru was wondering recently if he had done what he was supposed to, if Drew had really fallen for him. But the most troubling thing for Satoru was that he hadn't been trying at all. He honestly liked being around Drew, this wasn't just a play for more sponsors.

After hours of walking, the two finally made their way to the forest. Slipping into the shade, they both let out relieved sighs, taking a moment to finally breathe. As the stopped, Drew pulled his dagger out of the bag, just in case, and held it tightly in his grip. Satoru always stayed directly at his side when they weren't in a cave. There was nothing that was going to make them loose each other now. A twig cracked a little further into the woods and Drew flinched, grabbing on to Satoru's arm protectively.

"Drew." Satoru rolled his eyes.

"Shut up," Drew whispered, pulling him away from the noise.

"Drew but it's-"

"Shh," Drew reached his hand over and covered the boy's mouth with his hand, trying to sneak away before they could get caught.

"Mmabrmph!" Satoru argued, pointing with his free hand towards the woods again. Drew glanced over and saw a fluff of white bouncing towards them. His hand fell, a blush spreading across his cheeks. He dropped his hand off of Satoru's face, chuckling awkwardly.

"IT'S A RABBIT," Satoru huffed at him, shoving him away with a small smile. "Pay attention next time."

Drew chuckled again, scratching the back of his head as he watched the thing bounce around, snapping another twig. "It could be a very dangerous rabbit."

"Oh yeah," Satoru laughed, "demon bunny. Admit it, you were worried."
"Of course I was," Drew nodded, already walking ahead again. "You really think I'd take time to think like that if someone was really coming after us? You think I'd let anyone touch you? No. Not even a bunny. So be glad you've got me around to protect you, you ungreatfull-"

Satoru paused, watching Drew for a moment before he ran up to him, tackling him in a hug. "Shh," he giggled, pressing his face into the taller one's back. "Thank you…you're the best demon-bunny protector out there."

"Glad to see I'm appreciated," Drew smiled, reaching his arms back to try and hug the smaller one. Neither moved for a minute, the hug lasting a lot longer then what normal people would consider friendly. With a clearing of his throat, Drew released the other, walking forward still. "Come on," he said quietly, "We've got a long way to go still."

Satoru, still smiling, walked in front of him, talking quietly about anything and everything. The time passed quicker that way, the two of them chatting like it was a walk in the park, not a walk that could end their lives. The afternoon brought cooler air, and a small cover of clouds that covered over the sun, keeping the two refreshed and encouraged to keep going. By the time they got out of the forest again on the other side, they were much closer to the other side of the arena then they had supposed.

The sight before them was slightly unexpected, however. The grass and dirt kept going, trees dotting the landscape here and there, with beaten down tracks leading in five different directions. It was a meadow, almost. But one that was not yet in bloom. Just the grass. Off in the distance, there was one larger mountain that was almost twice the size of any on the other side. Another patch of forest was to the right, deep and dense.

"Oh," Satoru blinked, twice, and looked around, unsure of where to go. There would be complete protection if they went to the mountain. That's what they were used to. But it could only barely be seen in the distance—at least an hour's walk. The two were exhausted, feet aching and eyes heavy.

"What do you want to do?" Drew questioned Satoru, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He looked around, nodding towards the mountain. "I think it's our safest bet."

"I say we rest for awhile then, okay? Just for an hour or so. We've got the rolls from yesterday, and still a lot of water."

"Yeah," Satoru grabbed hold of Drew's hand then, out of total instinct, and dragged him towards the other forest, his hand slightly shaking out of nervousness. He had no idea where they were or what they were going to face, and it scared him. Drew's hand was warm and instantly wrapped back around his, holding it tightly to try and prevent the shaking.

"Don't worry, Sat," Drew tried to calm him, walking close to his side, "remember nothing or no one is going to hurt you with me around."

"Then please stay around," Satoru murmured, turning his hand just slightly to lace his fingers in between Drew's. The blonde didn't object, simply walking slowly and calmly with the other, heading into the woods. It was darker inside. The chirping of birds was loud and persistent, the ground muddy beneath their feet. It was such a contrast to the other side of the arena, and Drew wondered if this mud could mean that they were close to water, or if it was just more rain.

They set up a pile of wood behind a thicket of bushes, lighting a small fire with Mika's flint. They took the last three rolls out of the bottom of their bag, splitting the last in half so they both had some. The fire was warm, not large enough to do anything but just give off a slight heat and glow, but it was comforting.

Satoru leaned into Drew's side, taking small bites out of his roll. He felt safer here then out in the meadow, but it still wasn't enough. They'd have no protection if it began to rain. But for now, curled up with Drew in the small little area of grass, Satoru was calm. District Nine finished off his half of a roll, wrapping one arm around the other's shoulders as he took a drink of the warm water. He would love to have a cold drink. It felt as though everything about this arena was warm; the fire, the air, the water…all except for the night, which was almost freezing. But it was getting dark now, the sky a light purple, and the cold would come quickly. They would need their jackets again, maybe even the blanket.

"There is one upside to all of this," Drew mumbled, breaking the silence.

"Oh?"

"Think about it. If I had never gotten picked, if you had never volunteered…I would have forever been stuck in District Nine…you in Three."

"Yeah, well obviously," Satoru looked up at Drew, leaning more against him. He slipped his hand around the blonde, hugging him close as he got colder.

"We would never have met then, right?"

"Right," the smaller nodded a little with a frown, "but that could be good and bad."

"Why do you think that?" Drew blinked, tightening his arm around the other.

"We're just going to loose each other. I-I know you don't want me thinking about that, but it's only the truth. Eventually we'll be separated…and sooner then I'd like. They wont let anyone out of this hell hole until one…or both of us…are dead."

"What would be different if you knew we both could get out of here? I personally am glad I met you. Even if this doesn't end well, this is always going to be one of the best parts of my…well, my everything," he paused for barely a second before continuing, "you. And nothing can take that away from me."

Satoru couldn't think. He wouldn't allow himself to loose Drew. But the blonde was right, and Satoru couldn't ignore that. Drew was going to always be something to Satoru, no matter the outcome of these games. Finally, after a long, heavy silence, Satoru looked over at his friend and mumbled "What would you do differently if you knew we were both going to get out of here alive?"

"Honestly?"

"Yeah."

"I'd…" Drew began to say, obviously conflicted by his words. "Well I'd let myself…I'd…"

"Come on, it's just me. You can tell me," Satoru looked up at the blonde, head resting on his shoulder.

"I'd let myself…u-uh…"

"Drew," he chuckled, nudging him. "Oh please it can't be that bad."

Drew took a deep breath; not looking at the smaller one that he was continuously pulling closer. "I'd let myself fall for you. Really, honestly fall for you."

The District Three Tribute was not expecting that. He looked at Drew with a dark red blush, eyes wide and confused. "What do you mean? Like…like…like me?"

"I think," Drew swallowed away his nervousness, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth.

"Well," Satoru whispered, smiling just faintly. "It seems as though I'm doing that regardless."

Drew's entire life changed right then. Satoru liked him, it seemed, and that made everything different. What was he to do now? He wanted to protect Satoru, he promised Mika he would. But knowing that he liked him made it almost impossible for Drew not to like him back.

Why shouldn't i? Drew asked himself. This is it. This is all we have left. Why not make the absolute best of it? You'll regret it if you just let this pass, Drew…and how much more regret in your life can you really handle?

Drew turned his gaze then to look at Satoru, internally convincing himself that this was what was supposed to happen. He knew he wanted to like Satoru back, in fact, he did. It was just his brain that was begging him not to, finding the reason and truth in the situation that Drew wanted to ignore. So, he did ignore it. He ignored it completely, the thoughts slipping from his mind the closer he got to Satoru. Every single one of his original plans had changed over the last few weeks, so why not go ahead and break his final rule?

Satoru blushed more as he watched Drew, eyes locked on his. A comfortable silence had filled the space between them as Drew inched closer, eyes darting down to look at Satoru's lips. With barely any space between them, Drew finally closed the distance.

He pressed his lips to Satoru's softly, every tension he had had henceforth instantly disappearing. His free hand moved up to rest on the other boy's cheek, keeping him there. Satoru smiled a little, grabbing onto the fabric of Drew's shirt to hold him close, finally feeling complete for the first time since Mika had left. The kiss was warm, comforting, perfect, and exactly what the two had wanted for so, so long.

When Drew finally pulled back, barely an inch away, Satoru let out a small chuckle, his cheeks dark red. Their lips still ghosted together, foreheads pressed close, as they stayed completely still.

"We…we can't stay here much longer," Drew whispered finally, brushing a bit of hair back off Satoru's face.

"One more?" He mumbled, tugging Drew closer. He pressed their lips back together, slipping one hand up into Drew's curls. The blonde obliged, kissing him back with everything he had, not wanting to let go.

Both of them ignored the silver parachutes that landed at their feet from out of nowhere, completely wrapped up in each other's arms. The two stayed there for the rest of the night, talking and laughing and stealing kisses whenever they could. If it was going to be the last few nights of their lives, why not have them be the best?