Chapter 17: The Celebration pt.2
The seconds of silence following my confession feel like they last an eternity, Cato's mouth open in surprise as he tries to come to terms with what I've said. "Shit, sorry. I didn't mean that. Well... I did mean it, but I didn't mean to say it. Ughhhhhh...can we just forget I said that?" I rush to say, stumbling over my words in an attempt to rectify the situation. We'd both just thoroughly enjoyed revelling in each other's pleasure without the need for such serious words, and I'd gone and fucking ruined it.
"Look Cato... don't feel like you need to say it back. We can just pretend I never-" "Katniss!" Cato, practically shouting my name over my increasingly distressed ramblings. I go silent and finally look back at him, his usually icy eyes melted into the tenderness that I truly adore him for, and release the shaky breath that was just adding to the tension within me. One of his large calloused hands comes up to caress my cheek, our sweat slicked skin warming at the contact, as he guides our lips together in what has to be our tenderest kiss yet. I try to deepen it, eager to prolong any contact between us, but he pulls back before I can, resting his forehead against my own as he just looks at me.
"Kat...I love you too." "You don't have t-" "No Katniss, I do have to say it. Not because you said it, or because it could possibly make things awkward between us if I didn't, but because I honestly feel the same way. I've known since the first day at the training centre. Hell, I knew when I watched your reaping on the train journey to the Capital. I love you Katniss. I love the fire in your eyes, always threatening to burn those who get to close, but providing a fiercely protective warmth to the people you care about. I love your bravery. The way that, while anyone else in your situation would probably come to terms with sacrificing their own life so that their soulmate could win, you knew from the first time we met that you'd sooner see the Capitol burnt to ashes than lose even one of us to the games. I love how you melt when talking about Prim, how you lived your entire life for her after your dad died, and never complained once about the burden, or how unfair it was. I love you Kat, I really do, and I swear to do everything in my power to get us all out of here alive."
His confession sent a rush of warmth through me, tears welling up in my eyes at his admittance of returned feelings. I jolted forward, crushing us together in an embrace I never wanted to end, though it did jarringly remind us of the position we were it, my breath catching in my throat as his member hardened inside me. My legs wrapped around his waist, locking at the ankle, bringing us even closer as I guided his hands down to my hips. I rocked slowly into him with a whimper, driving him deeper than I thought possible, as our lips connected. Our kiss was deep but unhurried, without frantic need, and instead full of tenderness as his calloused palms whispered across the flesh of my waist, soothing the already forming bruises from earlier.
"I love you so much Kat. You spend all of your time protecting us, and we love you even more for it. So, please, just let me take care of you for once. Okay baby?" I nodded, my face nuzzling deep into the crux of his neck and shoulder, gently sucking the skin into my mouth as his hips continue to roll deeper. His groans matched my whimpers, both of us knowing that we wouldn't last long, our bodies writhing as one. When we finally reached our peak, it was with whispered words of love and a tender passionate kiss. We clung to each other then, foreheads meeting as we enjoyed the moment, knowing that times like these would be few and far between in the near future. Everyone knows that, no matter the advantages afforded to you beforehand, nobody is safe in the games, and there is certainly no time to relax together.
These thoughts bring me out of the moment slightly as I climb off him, settling next to my soulmate, unable to shirk the thoughts of our fast approaching future. The feeling of Cato running his thumb over my knuckles pulled me back, and I turned to see him smiling slyly at me, mischief brewing in his eyes. "So, not that I'm complaining or anything, because that definitely isn't the case, but what brought all this on? Whilst I certainly don't mind practically being jumped by you, it definitely came as a surprise." He was fully grinning at me by the time he'd finished, making it clear that he was only teasing, though I had an answer to his question all the same.
"You know what you mentioned earlier, about making sure that we all get out of this okay? Well, whilst you were training, I introduced myself to the head gamemaker, Seneca Crane. I told hi-." We were cut off by knocking at the door, which I opened to find Marvel, Glimmer, Clove and Thresh, obviously having met up after showering and coming to the twelfth floor together. Good, I may as well tell them all together, it will save time with Marvel's ever inquisitive mind. "Come in guys. I have important news and we need to be as prepared as possible for the games." Their faces all show various levels of confusion, obviously not knowing the information I'm referring to, but they follow quietly and settle at the end of my bed, all shooting smirks at the still nude Cato, though he is covered by the sheets from the waist down.
"This morning, whilst you guys were training, I had a little chat with our head gamemaker. I explained that I'm bonded to the five of you, but I didn't mention my relationship to any of the mentors, and persuaded him that giving us a way to win together was what was best for business. So, when we're finally in the arena, tributes are allowed to form alliances with up to six members. I think they're gonna spin it as some sort of 'benevolent capitol' bullshit, but I honestly don't care as long as we can stay together. Crane knows that the Capitol would have a full scale riot on their hands if they didn't at least appear to give us a chance at winning after the news of our relationship breaks. Plus, I think even President Snow realises that they wouldn't stand a chance if the whole of Panem turned against them. I mean, think about it. If it was just me and Thresh, an uprising from the poorer districts would be easy enough to stamp out. But adding in districts 1 and 2? Alongside 4 and 7 if we reveal everything? The Capitol wouldn't stand a fucking chance, and they know it. Even if all of the peacekeepers turned on every citizen of Panem, they'd be outnumbered at least 50 to 1 overall, and before long they'd be crippled by a lack of resources from the districts. And the one thing that Snow can't afford? For the Capitol citizens to turn on him. So, if we play our cards right, we can make hunger games history, and stick it to the Capitol whilst they cheer us on. So, what do you guys think?"
I look around, greeted by stunned faces until Marvel starts to laugh, the rest of them seemingly still in a state of detached shock. I turn to him sharply, almost in disbelief, wondering if he really has that little faith in us, before I catch his eye. Where I expected him to be resigned or even mocking, he looks up at me, eyes filled with mirth and hope as his mouth stretches into a grin. He jumps up from his seat and shocks me with a peck on the lips before immediately pulling back, his hands on either side of my face as he gazes into my eyes, still grinning like an idiot. "How are you so calm? Do you get how fucking huge this is Kat? I knew going into the games, I had a pretty strong chance, being a career and all. Yet, from the moment I met you, I was happy to throw that aside for you to win. We all were. The fact that I don't have to, that we actually have the chance to win this intact, means more than I could ever hope to express. And it's all because of you. You're incredible Katniss. Plus, the fact that you managed to tie the gamemakers up in their own chains is super hot-"
"Get your head out of the gutter Marvel." I roll my eyes at his one track mind, though the goofy look on his face as he wiggles his eyebrows pulls a laugh from me. I look around once more, and though Clove is rolling her eyes at Marvel's antics, one single expression is shared between them. Hope. Hope for the outcome of the games. Hope for the meaningful bonds already forming between us. Hope for our family and whatever the future may bring for us. I let out a long sigh of relief, before letting my shoulders sag and finding a place on the bed between Glimmer and Clove. Once I was comfortable, a pair of arms wrapped around my, as I lay my head on Glimmers shoulder.
Our near future was quickly taking shape, and tomorrow, the final day before the interviews, I would update my other soulmates on these new circumstances. But right now, feeling the love and warmth practically radiating from my present mates, all I wanted to do was close my eyes and wish that this bliss could last forever. So I did. Initially a bit of a tight fit, we all managed to get comfortable under the covers, the weight of various limbs grounding me. "I mean what I said before Kat..." Marvel whispered from behind me. "You know, about you being hot.." "Shut up Marvel." "Aye aye captain." I reach back to swat at him, though he manages to evade me.
The all encompassing warmth surrounding me and the light sniggering from Marvel's words send me to sleep, easier than it has been for a long time. My last thought before I totally fade from consciousness being, god, I love these idiots.