Lady of the Lake

So here we are at Chapter 17! This is a fluffy chapter

WARNING: SCENES IN THIS CHAPTER MAY MAKE TEETH FALL OUT.

Fair warning given I reckon.

Anyway thank you to the reviewers who requested Behind the scenes drabbles of Lady of the Lake! They will be posted on our TUMBLR tomorrow. WOO You can find that on my profile here or search for it at

thgladyofthelake

Big thanks to StardustIsMagic for another beautiful art edit, which will also be posted there tomorrow!

This chapter features SKATO. And very little else. Basically they have a day all to themselves...and they romance it up. To those of you wanting to see a tenderer side to Cato...here it is.

As always review responses are at the end of the chapter!

Enjoy!


Chapter 17

"It's raining,"

We are standing in the entrance to the cave, Cato leaning against the wall, his arms folded broodingly, and I am just watching the drops fall down rapidly outside.

"Brilliant observation. Your deductive skills leave me just limp with envy." Cato snarks back, "I can see that it's raining. I'm wondering why it's raining."

I shoot him a look.

"Nothing happens by chance in this Arena." Cato clarifies, "Not the cold evenings, the hot days, not the lack of rain and now...not the fact it is raining. What are they up to?"

"Katniss was injured at the Feast, and Peeta was injured and sick." I point out quietly, ignoring Cato's brief smirk at the mention of the boy from 12's injury, "They want this to be a showdown. They're giving them a chance to recover. Us too..." I touch his arm, "You could use the rest you know, Thresh did injure you."

"Pain doesn't affect me." Cato shrugs arrogantly and I roll my eyes.

"You're such an idiot," I inform him, ignoring the glare he shoots my way, "You're human, not a machine, just take the time they've given you to relax, and...heal. "

I move away from the entrance and scoop up a small handful of the nuts we'd claimed from Teesa and Thresh's supplies. I don't look around at him as I pop one into my mouth and after a few moments I hear his feet walk over to me and his arms curl around my waist, holding me tight against his chest, protective and possessive.

"Are you going to entertain me then?" he murmurs in my ear, his voice low and deep, "I get bored very easily, little fish."

I elbow back at him at the nickname, and he laughs huskily.

"Depends on the entertainment you're after." I say, lifting a nut up over my shoulder. He hums contentedly and takes it from my fingers, lips brushing against them as he takes the piece of food away with his teeth, "You could have used your hands you know."

"And let you go?" He snorts, "Not likely. You're mine, remember?"

"You claimed me so you could kill me." I remind him, leaning back against his chest, "Hardly reassuring."

"You're mine." He breathes against my neck, "Now I can keep you, that is what I mean to do."

"I'm not a pet you know?" I twist in his arms, looking up at him, "Cato, I'm not a toy for you to play with."

"I know that," he arches an eyebrow down at me, "Stop fretting."

"I am not fretting," I huff back facing back forward and feeling his chin settle on my shoulder once more, "You're infuriating."

"So you say." We stand there for a few moments and then he lightly kisses the join of my shoulder and neck, "Tell me about District 4."

"District 4?" I smile slightly, "Well…it's by the sea…"

"I've never seen the sea," his voice is soft, "I've heard about it, from Peacekeepers who were sent to other Districts, but…I've never seen it."

"Really?" I shake my head, "You'll love it. It is water as far as the eye can see, with waves rolling in. The water is salty, and it has fishes swimming through it. The beaches are sandy…it's…beautiful…"

He seems to hear the homesickness in my voice, because his arms tighten, "You'll have to show it to me when we are crowned Victors."

"You'll never want to leave…" I warn him with a soft laugh, "It's perfect."

"Maybe I won't." he kisses my neck again, and I know this is the closest I'm going to get to a declaration of feelings, or an admission of a potential future between us, "You'll have to show me how to swim."

I look around at him in shock, "You can't swim? But…in the waterway in the wheat field…"

"I'm taller than you." He points out, "I could touch the bottom, and I didn't go any deeper." He scowls slightly and hunches his shoulders, "It didn't seem like a pertinent skill."

"I can't imagine not being able to swim," I muse, considering, "I could show you a few moves now?"

"It's raining, remember?" he rolls his eyes.

"You're going to get wet anyway genius." I poke him, "Besides, swimming in the rain is fun."

"It's not something I need to know right now."

"They might flood the Arena again." I point out, turning to face him completely, "Don't be a wuss now Cato."

"I am not a wuss." He growls down at me, eyes flashing slightly as I step away from him, over towards the entrance, "What are you doing?"

"Going swimming," I start taking off my boots, hopping on one foot and then the other, "What about you?"

"Staying here where it is dry and sort of warm." He scowls at me as I laugh, kicking off my socks.

"You big baby."

"I am not." His eyes run over me as I shed my pants next, standing there in only the plain, black, serviceable underwear and then bra that I'd been given to wear under the tribute uniform.

"You are too," I flush slightly at his scrutiny and then move away from him, stepping out of the cave, down the incline to the bank of the lagoon. The rain is cool on my skin, running down my arms and down the curve of my spine and I grin before doing a run along a rock shelf and diving smoothly into the lagoon.

The sound of the rain vanishes away and I smile as my body glides through the water, feeling sleek and powerful. I can't help but feel beautiful and graceful underwater, something I'm not on land. I trip over things far too much to have the poise and grace of some people. And I lack coordination.

But in water, gravity is suspended and even someone as desperately awkward in movement as me can glide like a boat…or a fish, I think, grinning at the thought of Cato's awful pet name.

I surface once more and push my hair out of my eyes, looking around to see Cato standing on the bank, eyebrow raised challengingly, arms folded over a chest that is bare.

As is the rest of him…except for those black short briefs he's wearing.

Holy…

I swallow slightly and dive down to hide my blush once more, swimming towards him and coming up out of the water nearby.

"Well?" I ask, arching my eyebrow in return, trying desperately to hold onto my composure, "Coming in?"

"I trust you will not let me drown?" He drawls, but his feet slowly move into the water towards me, until we are standing waist deep in the cool water, rain falling over us, "That would be an anticlimactic end to this…"

"You can trust me." I say with a smile, leaning up to kiss him lightly, "I'm a pro at this."

I draw him forward a few more steps and then coax him to lie down, my hand under the muscled curve of his back. It's a guilty thrill of pleasure, as I pull a face at my own silly internal flailing.

His eyes are closed though as he slowly lies back, letting the water and my hands support him.

"This is so weird." He mutters one eye cracking open, "Really weird."

"Shut up and relax," I scold him, and he huffs a soft laugh and slowly his body relaxes against my hands.

Slowly, I ease back, the hands slowly dropping away. Slowly he floats there on his own, seemingly unaware that he is in fact floating all on his own.

"Cato," I say softly, "Open your eyes."

He opens them slowly, and his head turns slightly, seeing me a few paces away. They widen and his limbs flail, causing his body to bow and submerge slightly. I dart in, helping him to his feet with a laugh as he growls at me about what a terrible teacher I am for leaving him.

"You were doing it on your own." I point out, "You didn't need me right there."

"Again," he tosses his head, brushing water out of his eyes, "Let's try it again."

Cato proves to be nothing if not a determined student. He's floating alone by his third attempt, and beginning to swim properly only a little while after. He's a bit of a natural at it, something I make the mistake of telling him.

He's insufferable about it from then on. Preening and smirking.

I roll my eyes at him and dive down, coming up under him to poke his belly.

He grabs at me, and hauls me to the surface, snorting softly as I laugh at him.

We play in the water for a while, just a young man and young woman, laughing and joking around, splashing one another and racing through the water. He cheats, by grabbing my ankle and hauling me back.

But after a while we just come back to floating, looking up at the grey sky as the rain lightly falls over us.

I look around as suddenly I feel warm, large, hands gently cup my back, and I smile up at him as he stands beside me, waist deep in the water.

"Hey," He says gruffly.

"Hey," I reply, smiling up at him softly.

He leans down and kisses me, and it's the most perfect moment I think I've ever had.


We risk a small fire in our cave that evening, cuddling by it quietly, wrapped together still in our underwear, under the blanket Finnick sent us. We share stories of our home Districts, Cato making me laugh as he tells me about his home, and the time he, Clove and the others spent at the Academy there.

He tells me about his father, who had been so proud when Cato had shown Tribute Aptitude. He sounded cold to me, but it was clear Cato had never really considered that a father could be anything else.

He talks about his mother, and his voice softens slightly. He thinks she is the most beautiful woman in the world, and I can tell she is the one he was most loathe to disappoint. He tells me about his two brothers, both of whom are Peacekeepers, and his younger brother who is in the academy.

I tell him about my parents, about our little weatherboard cottage near the sea, of the family evenings together. I tell him about my father who is a harbour master, organising ships and stock and inventory. I tell him about my mother who is skilled at weaving ropes and netting. I tell him about the repository, and the people I see working there. About Old Beckett and his endless sea shanties, some of which are too rude to sing in public. About Lusane and her endless patience and soothing singsong voice.

Finally we both fall silent, content, cuddled together by the fire.

"Do you think they would like me?" Cato asks slowly, his voice soft, "Your family, and your friends?"

"I think so," I look up at him, seeing the pensive look on his face, "Why?"

"I've…killed people." He reminds me quietly, "Children, like us. I did not mourn them or regret their ends…it's accepted in District 2… but your home…"

"We do not…train a Career mentality as you do." I say carefully, but I gently kiss under his jaw, "But they will like you."

"Why?" he says it softly, face turning slightly so my lips brush the corner of his mouth, "What makes you so sure?"

"You saved me." I remind him, "Twice. You've spared my life more times than I can count. You've been kind to me, protected me. You loved Clove as a sister, you treated Darrien and Marvel as kin…you are brave and loyal. So you thought another way…it doesn't define you."

"Cheesy," he murmurs but his lips curl up, I can feel them against my own, "My mother will like you."

"Yeah?" I murmur, kissing the corner of his mouth again, "I hope so."

"She will." Gently his hand lifts, tilting my head up just a tiny bit more until his mouth finds mine.

We kiss for ages, mouths slowly discovering one another, fearing no time limit or approaching impediment. This is the first time we've truly been able to savour one another without the future looming in our way.

We have a hope now, of a future together, maybe in District 4, or maybe in District 2. I imagine life with Cato, and it is never dull, never boring. He is so full of life, intelligence and fire. He's smart without being snotty, brave without being stupid, and the way he holds me, makes me feel like I am something precious to him.

Shifting around we settle with him leaning back against the stone, and me curled up in his lap, huddled together as we kiss and nuzzle one another.

This isn't about domination any longer, or about pain, or loss, heartbreak and suffering. We are no longer fighting against one another or with one another, we are simply being one, being together.

His fingers slowly work though my long, damp, tangled hair, gently teasing through the strands as his lips caress mine, and his hand rests against my neck, the thumb gently stroking over the pulse point there.

He says softly that he loves it because he can feel me alive, feel my heart beating against his fingers. It's reassuring, and the fact I allow him near that vulnerable place…is very pleasurable.

My head rests against his shoulder, eyes half closed as it tilts, allowing his lips to find mine, again and again, gently claiming my mouth as his own.

One of my hands is resting against his abdomen, fingers gently touching the warm, smooth skin, idly stroking there, needing to touch him. The other is cradled in his larger hand, the fingers gently intertwined.

We stay like that for hours, just breathing one another in, but eventually, reluctantly we have to move, to pull on our clothes and bank the fire before settling down for a small meal and then slipping into our rough, makeshift bed.

He curls around me as always, and it makes me smile at how familiar his warmth is becoming, how safe he makes me feel.

Gently his mouth kisses my neck, soothing and slow as we slowly relax against one another.

His hand strokes the plane of my stomach, slightly sunken in from the lack of food in recent weeks, where normally there would be a natural womanly curve to it. He nuzzles into the nape of my neck and settles there, slowly drifting asleep.

Eventually I follow, my mouth curling up.

It's been a perfect day, one without the pain of the Hunger Games looming over us. We've been able to be just us, just Sky, just Cato. A young man, a young woman. It may not have been what the Gamemakers expected of us but screw them.

This was our day.

Tomorrow we'll return to the Games.

And we'll be stronger for having had today.


Isn't just sweet! God...I'm a sucker for romance...

TitanShadow – Here is some more, and yes I think it was a big moment for Sky. It would have been easy to become cold, switched off, but she knew it wasn't a choice she could live with…and yet again she did the unexpected.

RoseMaple – I felt sorry for Thresh too, but yes, out of him and Cato only one was coming out, and Sky couldn't have had a moment like this chapter with Thresh so…sadly he had to go!

CatoSkyOBSESSED – They certainly are falling for one another. I certainly will write Finnick watching the games, I'm going to be writing the drabbles up tomorrow and posting them on the Tumblr, so keep an eye out on there

Bluetigers – I'm not saying about Teesa's fate, but I think she and Sky have one more scene. It'd hurt wouldn't it, if Sky and Cato died now. But some people wish for it to be so so who knows.

Luli Cullen – Thanks! Xoxox

Reviewer08 – Like I said to bluetigers I can't reveal Teesa's fate at this point But I'm glad you liked the little homage to Sky's Lady of the Lake origin. Your drabble will be written up tomorrow and posted on the tumblr, so keep an eye out there

Guest – It's different because you care about all of them, it's no longer clear just who are the heroes. Or least that's how it is for me. Cept I love Sky and Cato so…

DancingAroundAFire – Sky is coming into her own I think, the longer she's in the games. But she may well have a meltdown…if she survives. There's only so much you can take. And :O I can't believe you want my babies to die! Ahaha it is an option, and one that is being considered…trust me. Right now things can go three or four ways, and I'm swinging between them. As for the Capitol scenes, they'll be up on the Tumblr tomorrow. Anything in particular you want for them?

Physiologyfan – Thank you! I like giving characters a little heart and soul

MoonlightDiva – Thank you! So glad you liked all the different emotions

Rabbit – It will continue on after the games…and thank you for the rabbit and bird!

WonderGirl556 – Glad you're hooked lovely, here have some more!

Guest – You'll just have to wait and see won't you ;)

Aki-blood-dark-princess – I can't tell you the ending! That would ruin it for you! At the moment I'm still considering, there are a few options…but there is one I've had in mind since early on.

Madreader13 – loved getting your PM sweets. Sky's bag will be revealed next chapter.

Azulish – Would I really ruin things for you by telling you how things will unfold?

Coco2008 – Thank you so much for all your lovely reviews sweets! I'm glad you seem to be enjoying the fic so much.

Hahaha – Sky left her on the opposite bank, where she couldn't swim back to help Thresh, she left pretty quickly after that. You will definitely find out the ending of the Games soon.

SophiaLily1980 – I try to keep a rhythm going It helps. The longer you leave it, the more out of the groove you get! And thank you for the compliment sweetheart

StardustIsMagic – Thank you for the edit love! And thanks about the tumblr, I hope you'll follow along there too, should be some good behind the scenes drabbles being posted up there today. Yay Skato! And yes I'm sad there is no more Darvel too…surprised no one requested it for their drabble…and the ending will be coming soon…of the Games…not the fic.

Its-A-Passion – Cato can be sweet, hope you liked his extended sweetness this chapter. Finnick is love…can't wait to write more of him.

Livea – It isssssssssssss! :D

Eve - Yeah I imagine Finnick was having a minor coronary about it up in his mission control room. I think Mags would have been soothing him.