Response to reviews: (Thank you for so many, I was hoping the cliffhanger would result in many of y'all's thoughts, haha.)
Ripple237: Sorry for the so called torturing... Haha. Enjoy!
AnbuTobi154: Thank you! I'm glad you've come across this story!
BestFan00: More nervous than them, holy crap you must be a nervous wreck then! I definitely get what you were saying, but the question is; is it right?
Lulubell2495: Oh gosh, yet another person to hate me... Lol, just kidding. It's actually a good thing you hate me in my mind, it means you are very much into the story! So, I embrace the hate that I actually hope is fake.
HealthyHungerGamesObsession101: Don't die before the finale!
baileymarie: I'm glad you think that way because I do love Catoniss, but I also love the Karvel pairing. And have you noticed there are barely any Karvel stories? I may just have to add one more, or maybe not at the same time...
WolfGirl074: Haha, I hope by worst you mean best and with the most suspense! Thank you!
Annabeth-TheTributeThatLived: So confident that you're right, hmm? Well, that confidence just may be wrong... Or right. Eh, who knows? Thank you for being a loyal reader and for all the great reviews!
larich24: You say obviously they have a deeper love; but did you forget my quote already? Sometimes the obvious answer isn't the right answer, then again sometimes it is. Keep that in mind, but I think you will be happily surprised.
iluviggyhesthebest: That whole *sobs in corner* part of your review made me laugh pretty damn hard! I pictured the funniest thing, and thanks for the review!
PiratePrincess16: Sorry it was so short, but it was necesarry! I hope the quick update this time makes up for the shortness of last chapter!
gorrillaface345: If you are still reading, may I ask what your favorite ship is? Because my collection of short stories has a variety of ships, if it's one of the pairings I've incorporated into that collection maybe you should check it out! Or not, obviously your choice! I'm sorry you don't like either of the pairings, and hopefully you change your mind someday. :)
I know I said the next update was going to be over the weekend, but I had the urge to write so here it is! Enjoy!
Cato POV
I walk to the front and open the door, and to my utmost surprise I see-
"Haymitch? What are you doing here?" I ask, stepping aside to let him in.
He nods at me and enters the suite, immediately he goes to the liquor counter and pours himself a small glass of whiskey.
"Where's the ice?" He asks, looking in the empty ice pot.
"Uh, the freezer in the cabinet below it." I say confusedly, "You didn't answer my question, sir. Why exactly are you here?" I ask as politely as I can.
Is here to tell me Katniss didn't choose me? To let me down and tell me to leave?
He takes his time getting the ice, still not answering me. He closes the freezer and turns to me, one hand in his baggy suits pocket and the other holding the small glass. He takes a sip before gesturing it towards me.
"I heard from someone on the camera crew that you've got a certain ring in mind." He says and my heart starts beating again.
So he isn't here to kick me out.
I let out the breath of air I didn't know I had been holding in and nod. "Uh, yes sir I do. Would you like for me to go get the drawing?"
He nods and then makes himself at home, looking around the large space. I quickly walk to the counter on the other side of the room, I pick up my amateur sketch of the ring and make my way back to Haymitch. I hand it to the drunk, who just happens to be sober as of now, and he examines it with impressed eyes.
"This the ring you want?" He asks, raising his eyebrows at me. I can't tell if he's doing so in impressiveness or in worry.
"Yeah, that's the one. She'll love it, at least I hope." I say with an awkward chuckle.
He looks back down at it and purses his lips in agreement, "Alright, I'll have it to you in a few hours. Mind if I bring this along?"
I'm shocked to say the least, "You can make it that quickly?"
He cracks a grin, "Cato, this is the Bachelorette, we can get a lot of things done."
I grin back, "Well thank you, this means a lot."
He rolls his eyes and pats me on the back, "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll be back with the ring later."
With that he exits my suite with my drawing of the perfect ring, his finished glass of whiskey laid on the table. I sit on the couch with a plop and look around.
Well alright then.
Marvel POV
I open the door, expecting to see the ring guy, but instead I'm met with the beautiful Katniss. I smile at her, but I notice her attempt at smiling back is pitiful and fake. I frown and knit my brows together, letting her in.
"Everything okay...?" I ask, but I know nothing is okay right now. At least not for me, I'm pretty sure I know why she's here.
As soon as I ask, her eyes tear up and then the tears fall. They stream down her face silently and I pull her in for a hug to not only comfort her, but also to comfort myself. She pulls away after a few minutes and walks to the couch where we sit down.
"Marvel..." She begins, a sob almost passing her lips.
I take her hand in mine and give her a shaky smile.
"I... I'm so sorry." She says, sobbing and then looks away. She doesn't need to say anymore, I know why she's sorry. I feel my heart break into a million pieces.
It isn't me.
She's chosen Cato, she chose the brute over me. I have the right to be angry, I should be. But I'm not. I'm heartbroken because I'm not the one, and because she's crying. Seeing her in pain, and knowing it's because I'm not the one for her, it hurts, for lack of a better word.
"It's... I'm so sorry, Marvel! I want to love you like I love him, I wish I could have you both! But... I can't. And..." She sobs, her watery eyes finally meeting my own.
"And you love him more than me." I end softly, looking down with a sad smile.
She nods, "I'm sorry Marvel, I just don't see a future with you. I love you, I truly do. It's just, I think it may be a temporary love, I don't think I'm the one for you or vise versa. I'm sorry." She cries.
I shake my head and hug her, letting her sob into my shirt. "Shhh, don't be sorry Katniss. We..." I take a breath to hold back my own tears. "We can't control who we love. If it's him... then it's him. As hard as this is-" I pause for a few moments and hold her tighter. She gently rubs my back, letting me know I can take my time. "I'll get over it, I understand Katniss. I don't want you to be with me and not give me all your love."
Now my tears are flowing freely, I can't hold them back. It's inevitable. My body racks with sobs, and Katniss holds me tight. She continues to rub my back gently, combing through my hair. All I can think is that this will be the last time I ever get to hold her, the last time we will ever share a passionate embrace.
This is the last time I will see her in who knows how long.
I pull back after at least a half hour, I wasn't about to let her go any sooner. I give her a small, sad smile and she returns it. I brush a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"We can still be friends, right?" I ask, anything to still be able to see her.
She nods, "I wouldn't want it any other way."
In a way I've been friendzoned, but I'd rather this than her hating me. Because I will never be able to hate her, I'll always love this amazing girl I was lucky enough to meet. I'll always care for her, always wish the best for her. Even if that means that the best is with Cato.
She hugs me again, this one brief.
"Just know this, if he hurts you in any way, if he disrespects you or anything else, I'm here to beat his ass." I say, causing her to smile and nod. "I'll always be here for you Katniss, whether you need me or not. Remember that, anything happens and you can't go to him, you can come to me."
"Thank you Marvel, someday you're going to make someone the happiest girl alive, and they will make you the happiest man alive. I promise." She whispers, leaning in and kissing my cheek.
'But I want that someone to be you.' It forms on my lips, but I don't say it. I just hug her again.
"As long as you're happy, I'll be okay." I reassure her. She smiles stands, kissing my forehead before she walks herself out.
Now what do I do? I just lost the girl I thought was the love of my life, apparently our feelings were anything but mutual. All I can say is Cato better love her with all his heart and respect her. He had better not take her for granted, he was just awarded with the most precious girl in the world.
And I'm left here on this couch, alone and cold without her in my arms. For some reason, though, I know this is for the best.
Katniss POV
The look on his face... Heart break written all over, his eyes that were once filled with laughter, were then filled with grief and despair. His lips that are usually curled up into a smile were then turned down in an agonizing frown.
And it's because of me.
I just broke his heart, I don't think I'll ever truly get over that. Of course I know it had to be done for me to be with Cato, and for me that's more than worth it. Anything for him is worth it. Now it's time for me to go back to my own room and change into my dress for tonight.
XxX
As I stare at myself in the mirror, thoughts of a future with Cato instantly make me smile. The heartache of letting Marvel go earlier is slowly turning into excitement of a possible proposal tonight. I say possible because all in all it's now Cato's choice, he doesn't have to propose. Although, I think the odds are in my favor.
I take a deep breath, I take out my mothers necklace and hold it in my hands. It was the necklace my father gave to her when he proposed, he gave her a ring and a necklace. Why? I have no clue, but I do know I feel obligated to wear it tonight. Not only obligated, I want to wear it tonight. The night I get engaged to Cato, the man whom I love with every fiber in my being.
A knock at the door signals it's time. I take a deep breath before walking outside where Haymitch escorts me down to the dock on the gorgeous gulf.
"I'm happy for you, sweetheart. It's been one hell of a journey." He says, smiling down at me.
I look up at him with a grin of my own, in a way I've sort of seen Haymitch as a fatherly figure.
"You can say that again. Thank you for helping me through it." I say, laying my head on his shoulder briefly.
He chuckles and pats my hand in a parent like manner.
"No need to thank me, Katniss. You ready?" He asks, stopping just before we reach the dock where I will await Cato.
I take a deep breath and give him a giant nod, a smile attached to my lips. "More than ready. I want this, I want him."
He nods and then leans down to hug me. "I always knew you would choose him." He whispers softly, patting my back before walking back to get Cato.
I walk onto the dock to wait for him, to await what will be the best moment of my life.
Cato POV
I grab my suit jacket and throw it on, pulling it tight and making sure I look okay. After all, this is one of the most important nights of my life. I'm about to propose to the most perfect girl for me; Katniss Everdeen. I run my hand through my hair, mainly for the cameras. Effie said she wants us to be a little more 'showy' for them.
I sigh and stare at myself in the mirror; this is it. She either says yes, or shatters me with a simple 'no'. It's scary how much she means to me, it scared me from the moment I realized I was deeply in love with this angel. Now though, I've come to see just how truly special what we have is. It still scares me, because tonight will make or break the rest of my life. If she says yes, then I will be happy for eternity. If she says no, then I will be broken for the rest of my life and after, only she would be able to fix me.
My mother told me that true love is a blessing, and that I should cherish it because not everyone gets this feeling I'm lucky enough to share with Katniss. I knew that before my mom even told me, I know what I have with her is more than special.
Which is why I'm so nervous right now. A knock at the door signals it's time for me to stop worrying so much, time for me to propose. I stand up straight and nod at myself in the mirror.
"You've got this, she loves you. Don't sweat it." I command the Cato staring back at me.
He mimics my actions before I turn from my reflection and begin my trek to the door, I place my hand on the knob and open it up to reveal Haymitch.
"She's ready," he says, "are you?"
I smile confidently and give him a firm nod, "More so than ever before."
"Alright, let's go." He turns and starts walking towards the water, and I take off after him before I remember something.
"Uh, Haymitch?" I ask as I walk in step with him.
"Yeah?" He grunts.
"The ring? You said you would have it...?" I let my question trail off as he reaches in his pocket and pulls out a small, navy blue box. I open it up, and behold; the exact ring I've pictured is shining back at me. "Damn." I breathe, pulling it out to look at it.
"She'll love it kid, now go get her." He says, shoving me gently towards the dock when I see we are standing right at the base. I look up to see Katniss standing there, her back to me with her beautiful red dress flowing in the wind. Her hair is down, it's natural waves falling over her shoulders and cascading down her back. No one could ever look as gorgeous as she, I'm certain of it.
I take a deep breath and place the ring back in my pocket. I begin my walk down the long dock, walking faster with the knowledge that every step takes me closer to her. When I'm about five feet away, she turns and faces me. As soon as our eyes meet, I know what her answer is going to be.
I waste no time in bending down on one knee, a shy and hopeful smile stuck to my face as I take the little box out of my pocket. Maybe I'll be able to get through this without crying from the amount of emotions I feel right now. Each a synonym to happiness. Katniss eyes land on the ring, and they widen in shock and awe.
"Katniss Everdeen, it's easy to say that these past few months have been the best months of my life. Meeting you, getting to know you, falling in love with you, it's all been the greatest experience I ever hope to live through. And I'm hoping you and I continue this perfect experience together and make it a life style. Katniss, the truth is, is that I want to play with your hair while you slowly drift off to sleep. I want to hear your middle of the night thoughts. I want to roll my eyes at your endless sarcasm, and kiss you with our endless love until our lips go numb and even then I may never stop. I want to wake up to your beautiful smile and morning breath." I'm beginning to tear up, and Katniss is too. Her eyes are bright with tears of joy. She chuckles at my last sentence and I do too before I continue.
"I want to be there for you when you cry, holding you close to me and wiping away your tears. I want to be the one that leaves the house at three in the morning just to buy whatever you crave. I want to be the one that you cuddle up to in the dead of the night. I want to be the one that makes you laugh while you're in a bad mood. I want to come home to you every day, leave work and surprise you with a picnic lunch. I want my dreams of a future for us to come true, and I want you to want all this too. I don't only want you Katniss, I need you too. I love you, now, tomorrow, forever. So, Katniss Everdeen, will you make me the luckiest and happiest man alive and marry me?" I end my speech that I've gone over time and time again, I just let my heart spill out.
Her eyes are glassy with her tears, and she's too choked up to respond. But she nods, giving me all the conformation I need.
"Yes!" She's able to get out, and I jump up from my knee and quickly place the ring on her finger before engulfing her in my arms and swinging her around. "Yes a million times!" She says and hangs onto me like I'm her lifeline and I laugh as we spin around.
I can't believe it.
After all these months, she's finally mine. No one else's, she's mine and I'm hers.
I stop spinning but I still hold her in the air with my arms around her midsection. Her hands come up to rest on my face, my smile so big and broad that my cheeks actually hurt.
"I love you, Cato. I have ever since I our first kiss, ever since our first conversation, ever since I first laid my eyes on you." She says, her own gorgeous smile lighting up her features. My smile broadens, if possible, and her lips are instantly on my own. I kiss her with all I have in me, I pour everything into our kiss.
She just said yes to marrying me.
I'm going to marry Katniss Everdeen.
She's soon going to become Katniss Anderson.
Oh my god.
I laugh and spin us around again before I gently put her on her feet.
"I have waited so long to hear those words," I murmur against her lips.
She grins and threads her fingers through my hair, pulling me impossibly closer.
Don't forget, this is NOT the end! There will be a few more chapters, I'm not quite sure how many more but more nonetheless. Thank you all for every review I've received, it's been a long journey and it's still not over!
Don't forget to follow, favorite, and review! We're almost at 100 favorites, and it would make me the happiest person alive to get to that or over!
