Warnings: swearing.

I don't own anything.

--

Katniss's POV

The first half of the following day I decide to go hunting again, but this time it's only me and Cato. We spend the morning fixing Cato's habit to cause minor earthquakes with every step he takes, to finally stop him from scaring away every animal within a five mile radius, and he finally manages to climb into a tree, though not before falling down repeatedly, which by the end of it results into him being rather grumpy.

He's still grumbling something about "trees being retarded" and "better used as target practice or burn material" when we arrive back at his house.

Inside, after I tell him I'm taking a quick shower, he goes to sit on the backrest of the couch, and proceeds to stare into the nothingness outside.

When I'm finished and get back downstairs, he's still in the exact same position. I make my way over to him and gently take hold of his forearm.

Cato looks down at me, swings his legs over the backrest on the side where I am not, and slides down to sit on the couch. I settle on it myself, not afraid to throw my legs to the side and lay my head on his chest. I could sit normally, but he likes this and I like this, so why would I?

Cato has one arm behind my back to steady me and the other lazily around my side. He wants to talk about something. It would explain why he's been slightly closed off today. So I wait for him to open his mouth.

Sure enough he starts talking. "I realised something about yesterday," he says, sending me a smile, "Aside from the fact that you sing beautifully."

I blush but remain silent, allowing Cato to continue. "I understand what you meant with lying to Peeta; I did the same with Clove."

"You guys were together?" I blurt out before I know what I'm saying.

Cato's expression is one of horror. "Shit, no! I mean I lied to her by not telling her how things were. You know the districts that train their tributes, right?"

"One, Two, Four," I sum up mechanically.

"Exactly. Well, in Four the training is provided by the people themselves and volunteering victors. In One it's all arranged between the prominent families of the district, but in Two... in Two it is professional, handled and operated completely by the government. It's our way of life, what we are, hence why we have the most victors out of any district."

I'm not sure where he's going with this, but I suppose I'll find out soon enough.

"Clove thought she was fighting to bring pride to her district, which she was, just not in the way she imagined it. She was chosen and expected to die from the get go," Cato says, but I still don't get it.

"Ever wondered why she was only fifteen and volunteered, when she could've had three more years of training?"

Then it hits me. Clove was never expected to win. She was picked as a sacrifice for Cato's victory.

"She was nothing more than a tool. And I didn't even have the guts to tell her that."

''You were both tools to them, this is only more proof that to them, the Capitol and your academy, you were just an object. They truly denied you your humanity,'' I tell him.

He looks at me like he's lost. ''What does that even mean?''

I pause. How do you explain to someone what it means to be a normal human being? ''It means that they only regarded to you as a monster, and not the boy beneath it.''

"Maybe I am a monster," he says so sadly it hurts.

"Listen to me," I look him in his mesmerising blue eyes. "That is what they told you. Don't believe them. Believe me. Believe in yourself."

Cato isn't convinced. "I enjoyed killing kids."

"Right. Enjoy-ed. That's the past. Look at the future," I keep encouraging him.

''Katniss,'' he says. ''I'm crazy. I actually reveled in the killing. Like I got off in hurting people. That's not normal, you can't condone something like that.''

I'm taken aback for a bit. But I do not deter. "Maybe you were bad before, but now you have the chance to change, to be a better person."

He looks away. "Maybe I can't."

I grab his face and force it back. "You can. I know it."

"How? How can you say that? I tried to kill you more than anyone." he says, with so much shame I want to tell him it was okay.

But it wasn't, and never will be. However, I have forgiven him for it. "You did, and you would've succeeded if they hadn't knocked you out. But you aren't trying to kill me now. You already have changed. You just don't realise it."

Cato stays silent for a long time. Then, a small, but incredibly warm smile appears on his face. Slowly, he lowers his head and puts his lips on my forehead, with such tenderness and care that I don't dare to even breathe. I close my eyes, having no idea of what is happening, but afraid to disturb it, not wanting it to stop.

We stay this way for what feels like an eternity, until Cato finally lifts his head again and I open my eyes. He sighs. "I don't want to think of where I would've ended up without you," he whispers.

"Then don't. I'm here," I whisper back.

"Always?"

"Always."

That's what it takes for Cato to crash his lips onto mine. I kiss him back, throwing my arms around his neck. He isn't being gentle, but I don't care. The kiss is so full with his emotions, of anger, betrayal, desperation, fear, regret, happiness and finally love. It's also just Cato being on the rough side of things.

We finally break apart to catch our breath. He immediately starts apologising. "Sorry, I shouldn't have done that, I—"

I silence him by putting my finger to his lips. Cato stares at me, very slowly closing and opening his big blue eyes. This time I kiss him first. It is a much softer, but at the same time much hotter and more passionate kiss. Cato's lips move in harmony with mine, and when his tongue pokes my bottom lip I let him in without a second thought. I climb on top of him to sit on his lap. After a while, I feel something harden beneath me. We keep kissing until it just won't stop growing and it gets concerning.

"Sorry, this is really uncomfortable," Cato says, clearly extremely embarrassed. We change positions so he lies on top of me, with his head in the crook of my neck, and his 'problem' somewhere below my knees. I know he wants to talk to me to explain himself, so I put my speculations of his size aside, and gently straddle his golden blonde locks.

"Katniss?" he slowly asks.

"Yes?"

"Are you-are you mad at me?"

"No."

"Have I scared you?"

"Yes. But not in a bad way," I say truthfully.

"So everything will be the same when you leave?" Cato asks reluctantly.

"Do you want it to be the same?"

He shakes his head. "No. But I don't want to lose you."

"You won't lose me. I said I would be there for you, remember?" I reassure him.

"Okay. But I'm scared."

"Why?"

"Because I've never felt this way before. I think I love you, but I'm afraid I'll hurt you," he confesses.

His honesty means so much to me. "You won't. That's over now. I trust you."

"You do?"

"Yes."

"Okay," Cato says relieved.

"And Cato?" I say. I know he still wants me to react to him admitting his feelings. I can tell from the way he is still tense, afraid I'll reject him. So I'm being honest.

"Yeah?" He lifts his head to look me in the eyes again.

"I... I like you too. I don't know if it is love, yet, but I'll tell you when I'm sure."

"Okay," he says happily. "But what does that mean for us?"

"I'm willing to try 'us', if you are."

"I am," Cato says, no longer to trying to hide his joy.

I laugh at him. "You look like a five-year-old who just got some candy," I tease. I get a little sad when I realise the irony behind my words: Cato was probably around that age when they started beating out his emotions.

He doesn't notice it, though, and I instantly forget my previous thought when instead I see Cato smiling like an idiot at my comment. "I don't know, this is all new to me. I'm just so happy you're giving me a chance. Can I kiss you again?"

I laugh at his silliness and nod. Cato cups my face with his huge hands and closes the distance. He is now being much more gentle than in the previous two kisses, as if he's scared I could break at any moment. I actually could, with his weight on top of me, but still.

He pulls back, but keeps caressing my cheeks. "Will you stay with me again tonight?" he pleads.

Cato looks so happy I can't bring myself to say no. He's been so open and vulnerable, and kind and sweet, it would be cold to just leave. Besides, I kind of want to stay, with him.

"I will."

He pecks my lips, then my forehead, and he lifts me of the couch. He wraps his massive arms around me and we just stand there, hugging, him with his chin on the crown of my head.

"Hey," I say. "Are you okay with telling my mom and Prim? About us? You can come over for dinner. We'll go back after that, but we should tell them, sooner rather than later."

"Uh, if you want to. I don't think they'll like me," Cato admits.

"Prim will. My mother probably won't. But she'll accept you, and once they see you've changed, they'll both love you."

"Okay. If you say so," Cato doesn't sound convinced.

I decide to just leave it. "I say so. Now you need a shower. You can't expect to make an impression when you're all sweaty."

Cato smirks mischievously. "Right. And although I love smelling 'me' on you, you probably want to rid yourself of it as well."

I sniff my shirt. It strongly smells of Cato's masculine scent. I like his smell, but he's right. It would be awkward to explain.

I follow him upstairs, and after telling him I'll probably take 20 minutes, I dive into the shower.

After cleaning myself up I get back in the living room, Cato already there. His hair is now down, smooth, still a little wet. He looks a little younger this way, but I like his hair better spiked up. It makes him look sturdier. As if he knows what I'm thinking he puts some gel on when we're in the hallway.

"Ready to see mom and Prim?"

"I've already 'seen' them, you know," he points out.

"Let me rephrase that: are you ready to meet my mother and sister, as my boyfriend?" I say.

Cato shoots into a smile when he hears me calling him that. "I'm not sure. But then again, I've never been one to back down from a challenge."

--

Prim's POV

Katniss has been at Cato's house for a while now. She's been going there a lot, and I have started to notice little things going on. When Katniss is home, literally every single time I look outside, the big blonde boy from District Two is there with his eyes fixated in our direction. All Katniss tells us about him is positive and hopeful. Also, he dreams about her, and only yesterday she was smiling so widely after she was bantering with him. I'm not overly naive, living in Panem makes that impossible. I know that Cato has been very, very bad to my sister. Nevertheless, I can't help but have my suspicions. So when I open the door to find them both excitedly standing there, I'm not too surprised.

"Hey Prim, can you tell mother Cato will eat dinner with us?" my sister speaks up first.

"Okay Katniss. Hi Cato," I greet him and he quickly greets me back, after which I lead them to the dining room. Katniss seems a little nervous, but I can't tell why. Calling Cato nervous would be the understatement of the century. He is jumpy, his eyes constantly dart around, and he can't stop checking his hair and straightening his shirt. He's clearly thrilled to be here. We get to the dining room and it appears my mother has already begun cooking. Cato and Katniss sit down at the table and I move to help mother.

"Mum, cook for four, Cato is joining us for dinner," I tell her. I get started on the vegetables.

"Okay, that's alright. You know I always make extra anyways," she says. I know she does. Mother always makes way too much food for dinner as an excuse to give it to people from the Seam.

"Can you hand me that plate?" mother asks. I give her the plate and together we work on the food.

--

A while later we all sit at the dining table. Aside from the initial hello's between Cato and mother, we eat in silence.

When we're all finished Katniss speaks up. "Prim, mum, Cato and I want to tell you something," she starts. She looks towards Cato for reassurance, and he smiles back. "Well, um, we are together now, since today," she says, going for Cato's hand. He takes it and both of them look at us expectantly.

It was not too difficult to see this coming, but I'm still a bit surprised. Either way I am happy for my sister. If she likes Cato, then that must mean he is good to her, and that's what is most important. I already found him to be nice, but now I guess I should start seeing him as a brotherly figure.

I snap out of my thoughts, remembering that they're waiting for a reaction. "That's great, I'm so happy for you. Welcome to the family Cato!" I say, meaning every word I said. I still look at mother for some support but she remains silent. I sense that she wants to talk to Cato and Katniss alone, so I hint that I'll be in my room and leave.

--

Cato's POV

As Katniss's little sister leaves I can feel the tension rise. I force myself to look Katniss' mother in the eyes. Even though I'm well over a foot taller and have pounds and pounds of muscle on her, I have never in my life felt more intimidated.

Her expression turns dark and she starts to attack me with questions and accusations. "So, you think yourself worthy of being with my daughter."

I flinch. "Honestly?" I'm suddenly angry, but not at Katniss's mother. It's that I really don't know if I'm right for Katniss, I just don't. "No, I do not. She probably deserves better than me, but I still want to be with her."

She isn't impressed. "How can you be fit for her?"

I don't know what to say. Katniss's mother clearly doesn't like me, or at least me with Katniss. How can I convince her that I'm right for Katniss when I'm not even sure of it myself? "I... I can protect her. Nobody will ever hurt her as long as I am close. And I'll do everything in the world to make her happy," I end up blurting out. I feel Katniss tighten her grip on my hand.

Her mother gives me a look of disbelief. "Do you love my daughter?"

I feel cornered. I want to say that I do, but do I? What is love?

My hesitation causes her to turn to Katniss. "Katniss can I talk to you?"

Katniss is visibly disappointed in her mother, which causes me to breathe a bit easier. Katniss is taking my side. "Whatever it is that you want to say, you can say it to both Cato and me."

Katniss' mother can't argue with her, so I am allowed to stay. She begins to speak, "He is not good for you. You"—she turns to me—"aren't good enough for her."

This causes Katniss to be upset. "Mum, how would you know who is and who isn't good for me. I myself can be the judge of that," she says, squeezing my hand reassuringly.

Her mother doesn't back down. "This boy is not capable of love. All he will end up doing is hurting you. He is only capable of causing pain."

Katniss is losing it. I too feel a bit insulted. Although I'm insecure about what she said, it is harsher than I deserve.

"You don't know that. Cato has changed, and he is good and kind and gentle with me. Just accept him and be civil to him. That's all I-we ask for."

"I will not accept him. It is my duty as a mother to protect my children, and this boy is a dangerous killer."

Now Katniss snaps. "Oh is that how it works? You can disregard your 'duties as a mother' and neglect your own children for years, but when I find someone I like that you don't agree with you get to be like this?"

That hits a sensitive spot with Katniss's mother. She opens her mouth to say something, but Katniss isn't done.

"You know what? I don't need your acceptance or opinion. Prim is happy for us and that's enough for me. If you can't see that I'm happy with Cato, then I won't try to convince you."

Katniss' mother is silent. After a while she responds. "I just want you to be safe. If Cato truly makes you happy, than I'm willing to give him a chance."

Katniss turns to me. She kisses me on the cheek. "Cato, go find Prim and spend some time with her. I'll talk to my mother," she says, as though her mother isn't even in the same room.

I check her eyes to make sure she's okay. "You don't have to defend me. She is not entirely wrong."

"Yes she is. But don't worry about it, go find Prim."

"Okay," I give in. I kiss her on her temple and go to the stairs.

--

Katniss' POV

I'm so disappointed in my mother. Cato had even told me he was afraid of this, and I had said he didn't have to worry. Cato really doesn't need more people telling him he's a monster. The fact that it's my mother is just an extra punch to the gut.

"Mum, Cato is in a difficult phase right now. He's just finding out he's been lied to all his life long. He never had any family, so I want him to feel wanted and loved here. Even if you don't like him, please show a little kindness. If not for him, do it for me. That's all I'm asking for."

My mother's maternal instincts seep in and she nods. "Okay, Katniss, I won't come back on his actions during the Hunger Games. But I need to know if you've accepted what he has done."

"I have forgiven him. He feels guilt and shame for his past deeds. He knows that the things he has done are terrible, but like I said, it's very rough for him right now, realising all of that and still trying to better himself," I explain.

My mother gives me a small smile. "Does he love you?"

I also smile at that. "He does. He hesitated to tell you because he can be a bit confused and helpless when it comes to his feelings. He was always taught that to show emotion is to be weak."

"And you... love him?"

My smile grows wider. "I think so. Yes."

"Then I think we can welcome Cato to the family," she says.

I come over and hug her. "Thank you. I love you."

"I know sweetie. Go tell Cato. You two probably want some alone time now."

I hug her a bit tighter. I was right all along about my mother, I knew it. I say her goodbye and walk to Prim's room. Inside I find Prim on Cato's back, urging him on while he is doing his one-handed push-ups. They see me, and Cato gets up and sets Prim down. He comes over to me and I playfully smack him on his shoulder.

"Hey, what was that for?"

"Showoff," I mutter.

He pretends to not have heard me and instead cups my face with one of his big hands. "Katniss she didn't blame you, did she?"

I smile warmly at him. Cato just can't not be worried, can he? "Don't worry, I explained it to her. She will be nicer to you now." I turn to Prim. "Prim, I'm going back to Cato's house, okay?"

Prim nods, and I'm sure I see her sigh at Cato's show of affection for me. "Okay, good night."

"Sweet dreams, Little Duck."

Cato and I depart for his house. When we get ther, both tired, decide to go to bed. Weeach silently go to our rooms and change into sleepwear to get ready for the night. When I'm already lying in bed he comes to check on me. Apparently 'sleepwear' for him is wearing nothing at all but his boxers. Not that I mind seeing him like this, and I suspect he knows that too.

"Are you okay? Shall we talk tomorrow? Do you need anything? Will you be able to sleep?" Cato asks in rapid succession.

"I'm fine Cato, seriously," I assure him.

"Okay," he says. He walks to the side of the bed and kisses my forehead. "Goodnight Katniss." He walks to the door, but I stop him.

"Cato, you don't have to leave."

He turns around. "Are you... sure?"

I nod in consent. "Yes. Besides, one of us might get a nightmare. Let's save ourselves the trouble."

He gets under the covers next to me and throws his arm around me. I snuggle into his chest while he sighs a happy sigh.

"You're incredible Katniss, you know that?"

I look him in his big blue eyes. "You're not so bad yourself."

Cato is about to contradict me, but I silence him by bringing my lips to his. We kiss softly, not too long, before we break apart. I turn on my side and fit my back into his toned body. He wraps his massive arms around me and without needing words we slowly drift off. Lying here, with Cato's strong arms around me and his hot breath on my hair, all I feel is safe and happy.

--

AN: Okay so I'm really not happy with how fast this went. They went from trying to kill each other to madly in love in like two weeks, which is really difficult to take seriously.

But now that I admitted this out loud, I hope you can turn a blind eye towards this specifically and look at the bigger picture. Don't let this lessen your interest in the story.

That put aside, I hope you enjoyed this. I'll see you in chapter Thirteen. Don't forget to review!