As promised, a Calzona-centric chapter. Thank you, once again, to those who have reviewed (this might become a chapterly thanks :P), for taking the time to do so. Who do you think should come into the story more prominently, as an obstacle for Callie & Arizona? I was thinking Erica, George, or Mark, but let me know if you have any ideas
It was dark, and all the Tributes were aching by the time the first training session finished. Even the Careers, who had done something similar for the entirety of their lives, had been worked to exhaustion. This, however, was what was to be expected of training.
The thing that added insult to injury was that they were to attend the Tribute's Ball tonight – a televised event where the Tributes dressed up and danced together, allowing for them to form alliances without the threat of weapons in close proximity. It had been introduced after two Tributes had got in a skirmish over a broken alliance during training, and nearly killed each other, about ten years ago. Again, this was President Webber's more liberal system coming into play, with the added support of the head of the Games – Miranda Bailey.
...
Arizona was sore, and aching, her upper body especially, from being drilled constantly in knot tying, and knife fighting. They had spent their first day on skills that they excelled at, so the blonde was dreading the next part of the week even more; they would have to work on skills they found difficult.
On the other hand, Callie was fatigued, but felt alive. She had relished the physical training, but was dreading the stalls that required the identification of plants and other such things. She was intelligent, and given the time, she could grasp it, however, her father had focused on the combat aspects of her training, and there was never any need to find plants for food as they did in the poorer Districts.
One-by-one, they filed from the training room and it's stuffy, warm air, and passed the through the scanners that prevented them from sneaking weapons & equipment from the room. Callie noted with a smirk that Cristina had already been caught trying to smuggle out a fine set of throwing knives to practise, as she passed through the hidden scanners and was now sulking at having them confiscated.
Staying for as long as possible before having to leave, Arizona slipped out of the room. 'Callie was one of the first people out, so there was not a lot of chance of a sighting of her, or even a chance to talk', thought the blonde with a sigh as she left, catching sight of Charles dark head walking & talking around the corner with the pixie-like girl from Three.
From the looks he was throwing her, and the way he kept laughing for too long at most of what she said, it was quite clear that an alliance with her was just one on a list of objectives of his.
Watching the other Tributes, Arizona forgot one rather vital thing: to look where she was going. Stumbling, she fell against a wall, catching & steadying herself with one hand, and wobbling precariously before strong hands grabbed her hips from behind.
"This is the second time today you've needed my help", was the teasing voice that accompanied the hands – one the Arizona was used to sneaking up on her by now.
Willing herself not just to break down and flirt back, Arizona spun and grabbed one of Callie's wrists, yanking her into a small, quiet, deserted corridor, out of sight of the other Tributes.
"Whaaaat—", was the oh-so-eloquent response from the Latina, and Arizona was surprised to find that she enjoyed catching her off guard.
Sucking in a deep breath, and turning to face the Tribute behind her, she began to talk, a crease in her eyebrows appearing in concentration.
"Okay so, Callie, here goes.", she began, "We've know each other for two days. And barely even that. And you dragged me under your bed, which is always a great sign in a girl, but still. And then today in training? That was great. But I don't know you, and you don't know me, and it's not that I don't want to know you, it's the fact that we can't get to know each other, because eventually, you're going to have to kill me."
Pausing, she shot Callie a glare as the Latina tried to interrupt her., " Don't shake your head, you know you will. You're stronger than me, and I won't last a day in the Games and yeah, I'd love to know you, like I said, but it would just make this more painful for you when you win. So yeah, you're great, honestly but I can't – I mean we can't – do this, it's not that I don't want to bu—"
Callie had watched Arizona ramble, and had decided it was one of her all time favourite things. It was not the fact that she wasn't listening to what the blonde had to say – it was the fact that she had already thought through what the blonde had to say. Over and over again in her head, so she had discounted it, in her own mind.
The dark-haired woman had already tried to open her mouth to speak several times, but was not given a chance to speak by the blonde. Given their close proximity (Arizona had stepped in close when commencing her monologue), the move made by Callie was unconscious, a mixture of desire and necessity stepping, and firing her actions for her.
With a swift move, she reached forwards and cupped Arizona's face in her hands, capturing her lips in a soft kiss, cutting her off in midsentence, and disregarding every objection that Arizona had made.
Startled, Arizona jerked back, and then relaxed. This was what she had wanted, regardless of how wrong it was. It felt right, and that was what mattered. It was rare, and the sweetest thing Arizona had ever tasted. Her breathing hitched, and a shaky breath shuddered through her as she curved her body around Callie. It was three days of accumulated desire, which may not have seemed like a lot, but it was enough, combined with the dispelling of ethical dilemmas that Arizona had faced that made it nearly perfect.
What made it one-of-a-kind was the woman with her lips pressed to the blondes. Her head spinning, Arizona broke away, and leaned her forehead against Callie's, her eyes shut and her breathing ragged. She began to speak again, her lips brushing Callie's as she talked, tingling with the sensation that had been withdrawn moment ago.
"I-I can't…It's too soon…and we're Tributes…and we can't be together…", were Arizona's fragmented justifications, each punctuated with a light kiss from Callie, which sent shivers through her. A small moan escaped her lips, and she caved in, "Aaaand, I'm out of excuses…"
Tugging lightly on the lapels of Callie's training uniform, she shifted closer, biting her lip with a twinkle in her eye.
"You see? None of it matters. So shut up.", was the jesting, murmured response, the other woman leaning forward to brush their lips together once more.
Another shiver travelled through Arizona as she felt Callie's hands slide to her hips, and she felt weak at the knees, using the wall behind her to hold her up, and she traced the Latina's body lightly with her hands.
Callie let herself be pulled forwards, and gently pushed Arizona against the wall, supporting the blonde with her arms.
The kiss was unlike anything Callie had experienced before. It was hot, and steamy, to a certain extent, sure, but it was more than that. It was contentment – the feeling that it did not matter about their situation.
Soon, however, lust took over, and the kiss became more frantic, a more desperate edge to it, cutting into them both, their lips speeding up, and shaping themselves around each other.
This time, Callie was the first to break the kiss. She exhaled quietly, and ducked her face in to kiss Arizona on her neck, moving her lips lightly down to the blonde's collarbone.
"So...where do we go now?", whispered Arizona, feeling really fucking stupid for diving into this, and expecting the Latina to hold the answers.
"First of all, you have to swallow your pride, and join the careers.", replied the Latina, obviously thinking that she did hold the answers, continuing the casual caress off her lips on Arizona's neck.
Flinching, and pulling out of Callie's grip, Arizona sighed, and slipped down to the floor, where she sat.
"See? This is why we can't work. I CAN'T join the Careers. I just can't. You…not you…but your friends are monsters. Mark looks at my boobs when he talks to me. Cristina & Addison look like they'd eat me alive, and Derek's all McDreary in the corner. I can't…you KILL people, Callie. I can't do that, not even for you."
Callie stood, uncertain in front of Arizona, her voice becoming level and disconnected from her emotions, "So all of that, just then, meant nothing? It was pretty great for me, but if it wasn't for you, just say so. If you won't swallow your pride and join us, I can't protect you."
"No! No…I want you. Just you. I want to walk with you, and talk with you. I want to get to know you, and how you got magic fingers to tie knots so well when you fight like a demon. I want you, not an alliance. And that means we have six days together. It's up to you, but I can't put you through anything, and I can't make you think you have an obligation to protect me.", she paused, and let out a sigh, "I can't lose some-one else, even if I barely know you." Arizona was thoroughly miserable now, the buzz leant to her by the kiss removed by thoughts of Timothy, and Nick, and of the empty house on the day of the reaping. Her eyes welled up a little, and she looked away, unwilling to appear weak in front of Callie.
Callie slid down onto the floor beside Arizona, reaching an arm over her shoulders and pulling her close. The smaller women stifled a sob, and buried her head in Callie's shoulder. Already, she felt dependant on the Latina for support.
This was the start of something fantastic for her, and hugely detrimental for her chances of survival.
"We'll work things out, I promise.", were Callie's next words, spoken softly by Arizona 's ear, as she gently stroked the blonde's hair, "We can make this work, even if it's just for a little while. I'd rather have you for a little while than not at all."
Arizona looked up, and Callie's hand slipped to her chin, cupping her jaw and pressing her lips to Arizona's softly, sensitively. It was comfort, and once it was broken, they stayed, leaning on each other, in the whitewashed hallway.
Their one moment together was broken by voices calling their names. A redhead flashed around the corner, and nearly stumbled into a wall as it saw them. Addison gave a loud cough, and the two jumped, knocked from their reverie.
"Well, hi…Cal, we have to get ready. The ball starts in two hours.", said Addison awkwardly, raising one eyebrow in an expression that only she could pull of. It was a mixture of amusement, bemusement and doubt – one that Callie recognized immediately.
Both Callie & Arizona stood, awkwardly eyeing each other like 12 year olds at a town disco. Addison coughed again and, once again, they both jumped.
"I'd better go…See you later?", said Arizona quietly, feeling uncomfortable in Addison's presence.
Callie nodded, with a smile, "Save a dance for me."
Arizona blushed, gave a civil smile to the other Career present, and slipped off, out of sight.
Addisonn turned to Callie, her expression still in place, "Are you speaking the Vagina Monologues now, Callie?"
The Latina let out a snort of laughter, and gave her friend a shove before walking off, back to their apartments, leaving the redhead to catch up.