Clove woke up to a warm arm around her waist and a soreness between her legs, she blushed when she recalled the events of the night before but didn't regret it even the slightest, she was only thankful that the training centre had put all girls on birth control as soon as they started their periods, she wasn't sure that she could handle any little Cato's running around at the moment. She glanced at the clock and jolted in surprise, they had one hour to get ready and get to the district centre before the reaping would start, "Cato babe, wake up, we have an hour to the reaping," she whispered, shaking him as he blearily opened his eyes and looked up at her through hooded lids that widened when he took in what she said.
"You know if we shower together it could save time," he whispered against her neck, turning his head to suck lightly at the juncture between her neck and shoulder. "Come on then big boy, I need to get ready," she said, standing up and moving about the room, not even bothered by her nudity, Cato watched through hungry eyes as she bent down to get her towel and only registered she was ready for a shower when she left the room. He cursed and scrambled to his feet, almost tripping over the covers in his effort to hurry to the bathroom. When he got there he heard the gentle drumming of the water against glass and saw a small silhouette through the steam, back faced towards him. He smirked and moved forward, pulling open the door and stepping in, he stopped for a second to watch her as she tipped her head back and allowed the hot water to beat down on her face and chest, her eyes shut as she enjoyed the gentle ministrations.
He stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her flush against him as his hands gently caressed her stomach, her head tipping back so it was rested against his chest, "Love you little one," he whispered, nuzzling her neck, "Love you to Cato," she whispered back, reaching up to sooth his hair with her hand, gripping his neck she spun around, pressing her chest and stomach against his, he smiled and lifted her up, her legs wrapping around his waist as he pressed her against the wall, the hot water still running over their bodies. His erection pressed against her warm heat and he slowly sheathed himself inside, his hands stayed balanced on her hips as he moved slowly in and out, holding herself up with her hands on his shoulders. He leant down and kissed her sweetly, his hands moving up to cup a breast in each hand as he massaged the nipples, she moaned and kissed him back, letting her nails rake along his chest, lightly nibbling on his earlobe. Cato kept his pace steady as Clove felt the now familiar sensations taking over her body. She moaned quietly and arched her back, pressing further into Cato as her body trembled, her pussy clenching and unclenching around Cato's thick member, the feeling of her walls contracting around his cock set him off and Cato came with a grunt.
Clove slowly detached her legs from around his hips and stood shakily, allowing Cato to pull her in a hug. "Well that was counterproductive," Clove remarked cheekily, grinning up at him through her lashes, "Let me help you with that," he smirked and reached for the shampoo, lathering it through Clove's long tresses so the smell of vanilla wafted through the shower. She tipped her head back slightly and allowed the warm water to wash away any traces of the bubbles. He grabbed the conditioner and repeated the process, quickly washing his own hair after he had done hers; the bubbles were long gone by the time the two got out, fresh and clean as they were before their date. "Less than an hour," Clove frowned, picking through her draw for the outfit she had bought for the reaping, moving aside the others items as she rushed to find them.
Cato rummaged through the duffle he had brought over the night before and pulled out his reaping outfit, quickly dressing in a pair of grey dress pants, a white button shirt, black dress shoes and a thick black belt. He left his hair to dry naturally, preferring that over the gels and lotions that the other boys used. Clove sighed with relief when her hand found the wrapped parcel and she tore into it quickly, tossing aside the wrappings and promising herself to pick them up later. She let her towel drop and tugged on some undergarments, a strapless rose pink bra and a matching pair of panties. She pulled out a beautiful dress and slid it over her head, letting the halter neck slip over her hair before tying it tightly. The fabric was a magnificent royal blue and matched the flats she chose perfectly. She tied her hair back in an elaborate braid and then flipped on a headband, slotting her favourite knife into the holster on her thigh, it was her first birthday present from Cato when she was 5 and he was 6, she had treasured it ever since.
"Here I want you to wear this," Cato whispered, coming up behind her and draping a necklace around her neck so it nestled against her collarbone. She looked down at it and felt tears prick her eyes as she saw the design, it was a golden heart locket with the words Love Is Endless inscribed on the front and Even in death carved onto the back. "It's beautiful Cato," she whispered, reaching up to brush it with her fingertips, leaning back into his chest, "Not as beautiful as you little one," he whispered back, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead and gently caressing her collarbone. She turned in his arms and pecked him lightly on the lips, "Come on Cato or we're going to be late," Clove groaned, detaching herself from his lips and turning towards the door, grabbing his hand to tow him from the house and out onto the streets. They joined the masses that were thronging towards the district's centre, mingling with their friends without letting go of each other's hands, Clove was giggling with her friends about her first time while Cato's friends were congratulating him on such a great catch.
They made it to the centre in record time and Clove drew in a rugged breath, turning to fling herself into Cato's arms, kissing him passionately as she tried to convey every feeling she had ever had for him into that one kiss. She pulled back reluctantly and nuzzled his chest, "You better come back to me Cato or I swear I will bring you back and kill you again," she whispered, pecking him lightly on the lips and stalking towards the sign in table, letting the representatives take her blood while managing not to slap the guy at the sharp stab of pain. The peacekeepers that were stationed around the centre ignored their little display and the others like it as it was the only time during the reaping that District 2 was allowed to show any kind of emotion, once the cameras started rolling that was it, any feelings people had were locked away and game faces were put on. It would not be good for Panem's leading district in distribution of weapons and supplier of peacekeepers to be anything but blood thirsty, heartless monsters that only existed for glory and to obtain the pride of their district.
Clove was corralled towards her roped off area and watched as Cato was directed to his; he glanced quickly in her direction, just long enough to blow her a kiss before he was lost among the throes of teenage boys. She grinned and took her place in the line, watching as the last of the eligible teenagers stepped into their areas. A metallic whirring was the only warning they got before the cameras were rolling and the district officials were exiting the justice building, taking their places on the side of the stage, all except the mayor who stepped up to the microphone and cleared his throat. "Good morning ladies, gentlemen, children and potential tributes, we are gathered here today to celebrate the 74th Hunger Games, A pageant of strength, honour, skill and courage, only the best of the best are afforded the honour of winning these games and I trust that of the two tributes from our district one of you will win it. I am pleased to announce the presence of our district escort one Florins Solobureau, please make her welcome," he concluded his speech and stepped off to the side of the stage, joining his fellow officials on the assigned seats.
Their escort had changed this year with the old one having given up his position to the person he had been mentoring; this escort was even more despicable to look at than the last one. She had neon green skin with sapphire heart shaped studs covering her faces, neck and arms. Her eyelashes had been joined together to make the shape of a flower and her eyes had been reconstructed to look like petals. Her lips had been shaped as well but they looked like the butterfly that had been tattooed on her hands. Her ears had been stretched and cut so the top and bottom were now pointed like knives and adorned with several earrings. Her clothes were tight, colourful and clashed horribly with the rest of her body, her heels were at least 7 inches high and she had crammed her feet into them even though they looked at least a size to small.
"Welcome my dears, welcome to the 74th reaping for the Hunger Games. Now unfortunately for you lovelies only two of you will be given the great honour of participating in the games so remember even if you aren't chosen you are more than welcome to support the person who will be. Also remember that with volunteers the first person onto the stage will be awarded the honour and only the first person, I do not mind how you do it but please no maiming or killing or we will be forced to remove you from the centre and you will miss you chance," she squeaked, her voice grating like nails down a chalkboard. The potential tributes nodded and she grinned, stepping back and pressing a button on her wristband that made a giant screen slide out and a video start playing.
"War. Terrible War. Widows, Orphans, a motherless child. This was the uprising that rocked our land. 13 districts rebelled against the country that fed them, loved them, protected them. Brother turned on brother until nothing remained. And then came the peace - hard-fought, sorely won. A people rose up from the ashes and a new era was born. But freedom has a cost. When the traitors were defeated, we swore as a nation we would never know this treason again. And so it was decreed that each year the various districts of Panem would offer up in tribute one young man and woman to fight to the death in a pageant of honour, courage and sacrifice. The lone victor, bathed in riches, would serve as a reminder of our generosity and our forgiveness. This is how we remember our past. This is how we safeguard our future." The film ended on a ringing note and everyone shifted impatiently, some moving their feet, getting ready to run for the stage as soon as the tribute was called.
"Alright then, gentlemen first," she called, it was district 2's tradition to change which gender was selected first every five years for the past three it had been boys and the boys were incredibly pleased that they got one of the quarter quells under their category. Florins heels clacked loudly as she moved across the stage towards the two large clear bowls, the entire district held their breath as her hand dipped into the bowl, after what seemed an age her long orange nails brought out a small slip of paper that she took over to read in front of the microphone, "Lucifer Normans!" she called, her voice sounding over the centre as the boy in question grinned smugly and started to make his way to the stage. He was only 13 so obviously he had yet to learn that there would be a lot of people wanting to take his place. "I volunteer!" lots of voices called from various places around the square as a horde of boys sprung forward.
There was the sound of fists meeting flesh as they each attempted to reach the stage, a flash of blonde hair broke through the masses and Clove watched with baited breathe as Cato moved ahead of the pack and dashed towards the stage, jumping up the stairs quickly and making it to the stage as the first person, "I volunteer as tribute," he declared, moving towards the microphone, "Lovely and your name dear?" Florins asked, reaching out a hand to grab Cato's and bring him closer to the microphone, "Cato, Cato King," he said strongly, taking his place a bit behind and to the right of Florins as she once more moved towards the microphone, "Time for the ladies now," she shrieked happily, her hand diving into the clear ball and emerging a lot faster than it did for the boys, "And the lucky lady is Clove Sevina," her voice echoed around the centre and Clove stilled, her mind going blank as she processed what Florins had just said. Knowing that she was now on camera she slowly made her way towards the stage, her fists clenched against her sides as she took small deliberate steps.
There were no calls of volunteering, no people rushing to take her place, Seraphine had made sure of that when she had declared a ban on people volunteering for those in the highest class. Clove slowly mounted the stage and joined with their districts escort, barely noticing as the woman asked her name, replying mechanically when asked. Then she was told to shake hands with Cato, finally coming face to face with the boy she loved. His much larger hand enveloped hers and she blinked back tears, meeting his signature ocean blue eyes that stared at her with love and agony in the mesmerising depths. Then they were being led to the justice building, separated as they were heralded into two different rooms. Clove sat through visits from her friends who cried with her about how sad it was, how unfair, but the only person she wanted to see was locked in the room beside hers. After her friends left she sat in silence, not expecting any more visitors as her family was dead, "Sir this is highly un-recommended, I must ask that you do not go in there," a vice sounded from behind the door and Clove perked up as she recognised the person it was arguing with.
"Listen buddy, it not against the rules and there is no legal way for you to stop me so open that door and let me in," Cato growled and Clove heard the jangling of the knob before the door was flung open and Cato strode in, heading straight for her as he picked her up in his arms and hugged her tightly. "I'm so sorry little one, I shouldn't have volunteered, I should have protected you," he whispered, pressing kisses to her lips in between words. "It's okay Cato, you didn't know, we can do this," she whispered back, winding her arms around his neck and kissing him square on the lips. "No we can't Clove. Once we leave this room we can no longer be a couple, I'm not sure I can be with you knowing I'm going to lose you in the next few weeks. Only one person comes out of this alive Clove and I'm going to make sure that person is you," he stated, kissing her passionately one last time before stalking back out of the room and slamming the door.
Clove touched her lips gently as she watched the place the love of her life had exited the room. His visit had only reaffirmed things for her. Number one, they were both going into an arena to fight to the death. Number two, she would make sure they spent their last few weeks together and Number three the person coming out of the arena alive was not going to be her, it was going to be Cato wether he liked it or not.
