You guys! I'm soooooooo sorry! This chapter took me forever to write, I wanted it to be just perfect, but I still feel like something is off. Anyway, I went back and changed the previous two chapters because I didn't like keeping both couples alive. So, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and pretty please leave a review! This has been so much fun writing and I couldn't have done it without ya'll! Follow me for updates on a new story I'll be beginning soon! And possibly a sequel (If you have patience) ;) Well, please enjoy and drop me a line! DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Hunger Games.
I wake feeling cold and heartless. I feel no joy of seeing my family again. No joy of the life I'll have with Cato. All I wish for is to be dead like the people I've murdered. But of course, I can't let anyone know that. So, I put on a fake smile the second my prep team comes to dress me and make me over.
The day is spent having my hair curled and straightened, having makeup artfully applied, and having fake nails plastered onto the small stubs that used to be my nails.
Nadab comes to help me dress in a pale green dress and strappy silver heels. He adjusts my hair and makeup, and then we simply sit and talk.
He asks me how I'm holding up and knows that I'm lying the instant I say "fine". I confide all of my feelings in him, knowing they'll be safe. When it's time to go, he wraps an arm around my waist and escorts me to the studio.
He kisses me on the cheek before I rise up, into the blinding lights and deafening noise of the crowd. Once again, I plaster on a very convincing smile and wave and blow kisses to audience members. I look to my right and I see Cato, standing tall and strong, not to mention insanely handsome in a jet black suit with a tie to match my dress.
I can't contain myself as I run to him, feeling all of my worries fade as he embraces me and buries his face into my shoulder. The crowd cheers and screams as we walk over to a beaming Caesar Flickerman who is waiting for us at the front of the stage.
"Now you two, is that how you properly greet your love?" he teases as the crowd chants "Kiss, kiss, kiss" over and over. I throw my head back in laughter as Cato smirks and smashes his lips into mine. The screams of the audience deafen me, but I could care less.
After a few moments, Caesar taps Cato on the shoulder, but Cato pushes him away and continues kissing me as the audience, and Caesar laugh.
Finally, we separate for air and Caesar jumps in to start the show. He guides us to a white couch and motions for us to sit as he does the same, except in a chair opposite us. I wrap my arms around Cato's bicep and tuck my feet up underneath me.
We're asked the typical questions that every victor has to answer, and then we get comfortable as the recap of the games begins to play. I watch intently, taking in move and gesture, however, I secretly close my eyes or look away when I'm pictured brutally murdering someone.
Cato takes notice of this and pulls me closer every time it happens. Finally, the film is over, and out walks President Snow. He gives us a congratulatory speech and places a crown on both of our heads. He embraces me and shakes Cato's hand while patting him on the back.
"We'll be talking wedding plans soon, I hope." He winks at me as he exits the stage. Caesar introduces us one last time and we receive a standing ovation as we walk off of the stage.
"Wedding plans?" I ask Cato, confused. "Hey, I'm all for it!" he winks and kisses me again. I pull away, "But, don't you think we should wait a few years? Surely he doesn't expect us to get married while we're still teenagers." I whisper, cautious of open ears round us.
I wouldn't want any rumor to escape to start about this. "Yeah, I'd say we wait until you're 21. I think that's very reasonable." He says as we head back up to our room to pack our things.
The whole concept still feels strange to me, being a victor, let alone to think of being married. I pack my clothes with a jumbled mind, and unable to focus on the task at hand, I ask for an avox to assist me. She nods politely and begins to fold my clothes, and carefully places them into an empty suitcase that I assume was delivered this morning.
I grab the last set of clothes in the drawer and change into them, placing my dress gently on top of the neatly packed clothes. The avox zips it shut and I carry it out into the living room where everyone is waiting for me.
We all file down to the awaiting car and ride to the train station. We board the train and I make my way to my room, the same one as on the way here. I strip off my clothes and take a shower, scrubbing every inch of my body, still feeling the stickiness of Katniss's blood.
Suddenly, I'm overwhelmed with a sense of guilt and shame of what I've done. I fall to my knees, under the steaming stream of water and sob uncontrollably. I cry for who knows how long, but I stop when I hear a knock on the door.
"Clove? Sweetie? Are you ok?" Cato asks concerned. I pull myself together and am about to answer with a yes, but instead, I begin to sob again. "Hang on, I'm coming in." He says as he open the bathroom door. He's considerate enough to cover his eyes and hand me a towel, which I wrap around myself. He then comes and sits by me, not even caring about the water.
I cry and sob all over him, for what seems like hours. And all he does is whisper sweet words to me and kisses my head while holding me as close as possible to him.
Eventually, I'm all tired out and feel myself begin to drift to off sleep. Cato scoops me up effortlessly, and walk me to my bed. He tucks me in and kisses me softly before turning to leave.
"Don't you dare leave me here alone." I say the second his hand touches the door knob. He nods and comes back to me, climbing into the bed and pulls me up to his side. I fall asleep within moments, feeling safe and sound.
Kish wakes us up exclaiming that we're almost back home. I roll out of bed, barely covered by my towel and go to get cleaned up. Cato does the same and I meet him back in the dining car for breakfast. I'm instructed by Enobaria to apply makeup and do my hair to make myself look, "presentable" before we appear to our friends and families.
I obey and tug various pieces of my hair into place and apply mascara and lip gloss. I finish just as we pull into the station. Kish ushers us to the front door and I can already hear the rumbling of the crowd. I look over at Cato, "What do we do now?" he asks as he takes my hand in his. "Try to forget" I say bluntly and with no emotions. He pauses, "I don't want to forget." He says with sincerity in his voice, and I realize the second the doors slide open, I feel the same way.
We're together because of the games, we share that with only each other, no one else. Not even the other victors have gone through the exact circumstances that we have. The games are the bond that holds us together.
"I'll never forget." I whisper, just loud enough for him to hear as the screaming crowd appears before us. I look out and see my parents gleaming with pride, I see my sister smiling from ear to ear, I see my former trainers finally impressed with me, and I see the girls from school looking jealous. Then, I look over at Cato. He's so perfect. I don't deserve him by any means, but the moment he raises our joined hands in victory, I know it was all worth it. Every last kill.
So, it is complete! This has been a really great learning experience for me and a marvelous first fanfic because of all of ya'lls support! I hope you'll stick around for a little while and see what my next story will be about! Once again, thank you for having patience, faith and sticking with me through this VERY long process. I hope it's been worth your time. I love ya'll!