Thank you to all who have read, reviewed, favorited, and followed so far. It makes me so happy!
HungerWho37- You flatter me. I love it :) Here is that update just for you. Enjoy!
MangoMagic- I definitely want the district 12 tributes to have a heart like in the book. Cato is just being a typical Career right now. Hopefully if he gets the chance to actually get to know Peeta, he might change. Only time will tell ;)
I-AmHomo-Romeo- I'm glad you're enjoying it. Gotta love the Peeta/Cato fanfics out there! I feel the same way. Peeta having a good skill set makes the stakes higher in my opinion. He doesn't need to depend on anybody, especially Cato!
Pale Is The New Tan- You made me smile from ear to ear with your kind words. Thank you so much. I'm happy to have you here with me.
The next day at training, Peeta took Haymitch's advice and distanced himself from the Careers. He worked side-by-side with Katniss at most stations, both of them not fully revealing to the room the extent of their weaponry skills. Katniss would intentionally miss the target at times with her bow, as did Peeta with his knives. They even had a little fun when Peeta "accidentally" set the trainer's pants leg on fire at the fire making station. Apparently, they weren't faking being sub-par well enough because they were still catching the attention of the other tributes, especially the Careers.
"They're not bad," Marvel remarked to the pack as they watched Peeta and Katniss killing a dummy across the room. "Maybe we should ask them to join our pack. Wouldn't we want them as allies instead of enemies?"
"Are you kidding me, Marvel?" Coral from 4 scoffed with a look of disgust. "They are not Career material. They'll just be first on our hit list."
"Yes," Glimmer agreed. "The sooner those two die the better for all of us. We don't need them prancing around the arena with their little fire act taking away the attention that's meant to be ours."
"What do you think we should do, Cato?" The boy, Cast, from 4 asked their leader. Cato had been busy staring down Peeta who was in the middle of a perfect roundhouse kick to a dummy's face. Cato was not oblivious to how fluid and experienced the boy's movements were.
"I'm not sure," Cato truthfully spoke. "You all clearly know from our discussion at last night's dinner that I fully intend on finding that boy at some point in the arena. But as far as taking him and his partner in as allies, it may not be the best decision to further expand our pack."
Clove was happy to hear him be so rational. "I agree with Cato," she said. "I know they say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, but I think these enemies are best left at a distance… and best left dead."
"Agreed!" both Glimmer and Coral enthusiastically chimed in favor. And with that, the decision seemed to be made as the Careers went back to training. But Clove approached Cato and took him aside.
"I think we're making the right decision here," Clove continued on their previous discussion. "Don't get all defensive and bitchy on me Cato, but the way you look at Peeta, it can't do you any good to get close to him. I'm just looking out for us. We don't need anything or anyone clouding our best judgment."
"I'm fully aware of that, Captain Obvious. Thanks for the pep talk," Cato shot back at her. "I know what I'm doing. I'm not stupid. I know how to get what I want without getting attached."
"Good then," she said with raised eyebrows. "Glad to hear it. I guess it wouldn't bother you then if you and I went over there together to dig up a little dirt on their abilities? Maybe you could spar with Peeta again and sneak a few questions in between tackles."
Cato couldn't help but notice the challenge in her voice. "You know what? That's not a bad idea. Don't mind if I do." He accepted the challenge as they walked across the training center to the two district 12 tributes.
"Hello Peeta. Hello Katniss. I'm Clove. This is my partner Cato. District 2," Clove spoke coolly with a reserved smile.
"Uh… hi," Katniss hesitantly responded as she eyed the two Careers warily. It didn't escape her attention that Cato didn't even give her a passing glance. His eyes were locked onto Peeta.
"How kind of you to go out of your busy training schedule to introduce yourself," Peeta replied sarcastically to Clove, "but I know you're well aware that Cato and I already met yesterday."
Peeta looked over to meet Cato's gaze. The older boy just stared at him with the corner of his lips slightly curled up. What are they up to? Peeta wondered. And they know our names? Granted Peeta knew the names of each of the Careers, but he wasn't expecting them to know his name in return, or anyone else's for that matter. Why would they care?
"We noticed you both aren't too bad at target practice," Clove revealed. "We were going to wait our turn for the station until you were finished, but maybe we could just share? Maybe swap some tips? I couldn't help but notice, Peeta, that your wrist bends a little too far to the left sometimes when you throw." Clove spoke sweetly. Too sweetly. Peeta didn't like where this was going. First off, he was bending his wrist too far on purpose because he knew he was being watched. And secondly, well, he just plain didn't want to train with the Careers. He could see Haymitch in his head waving the proverbial red flag. Looking over at Katniss, Peeta could tell she didn't want to train with them either. She was quick to give her and Peeta an out.
"That's strangely kind of you," Katniss replied with obvious suspicion in her voice. "District 2 tributes aren't really known for their goodwill. But I assure you, Peeta and I are just fine. In fact we were just finishing up and heading over to camouflage. This station's all yours." Katniss tried to mimic the same sweet and blatantly false tone Clove had just used. Clove frowned.
"Actually," Cato chimed in, "Clove was the one who was waiting to use this station. Now that you mention it, I haven't been to camouflage at all yet. I think I'll check it out with you two."
"Suit yourself," Peeta replied. He knew it wasn't going to be so easy getting rid of this one.
At the camouflage station, the three tributes were painting and disguising different body parts in awkward silence. Eventually Katniss was called over to the obstacle course by Rue, leaving her district partner alone with the brute. Peeta looked over to sneak a glance at Cato. What he saw was a complete debacle of a paint job on the Career's forearm. Is that supposed to be tree bark? It looks like shit… literally. Peeta couldn't stifle the laugh that erupted from his throat. The district 2 boy looked up at him confused. He saw Peeta was laughing at him.
"What?" Cato barked at the boy. "What's so damn funny?"
"You're camouflage," Peeta answered, still chuckling. "Unless you're planning on hiding from people in the sewer, you won't be fooling anybody."
"Well… this is a stupid station anyway," Cato snapped back with fury and embarrassment, throwing his paints and brushes. "I refuse to hide from anyone or anything."
"Then why did you come over here?" Peeta eyed the older blonde curiously. Cato didn't want to answer that. He just worked himself into a tight spot. Instead of answering, he changed the subject.
"Your camouflage is pretty good. Actually, it's really good. No way you got that good in just a couple days here. Where did you learn to paint like that?" Cato was actually genuinely curious.
"I told you. I work in my father's bakery," Peeta replied. "One of my tasks is to decorate the cakes. I guess it translates over well. That's where I learned to paint."
Cato was ready to get some more answers. "And the knife skills? And your fighting style? Ya learn that in a bakery too?" He challenged the boy.
Peeta shot his head straight at Cato and locked eyes hard on the Career's. "Maybe I did. I mean, not all of us here get the privilege of training in a special little academy our whole lives like some people."
It was meant as a low blow towards all the Careers, but Cato was still too focused on the task at hand to get angry. "Seriously, what's your deal? Is it some big secret or something?"
Peeta swallowed hard. That's exactly what it was. A secret. He couldn't really divulge to his opponent about his years of undercover military training. Peeta needed to craftily manipulate himself out of the situation. He smiled and leaned in close to the older blonde.
"I'm full of secrets," Peeta whispered so close that his lips were brushing against the Career's ear with each passing word. Cato's whole body was tingling from the sensation. Peeta took notice. "But they'll never pass these lips. That's what makes them secrets." And with that, Peeta winked and got up to join Katniss and Rue at another station. The brute was left flustered and more frustrated than ever. Not to mention he still had his poop mural on his arm. As Peeta worked at the other stations, he had to admit Cato unnerved him. The district 2 tribute was prying a little too much for his own good. It was clear that Peeta could play the boy, but he also risked being played in return.
His mind raced back to Haymitch's warning to stay away from the Careers. But looking at how flustered he had made Cato stirred a temptation to use this to his advantage if he could. But Haymitch told him to keep his distance. He should really heed his mentor's warning.
Fuck that, Peeta thought. He had already deviated from Haymitch's plans last night when he and Katniss made their own strategy that basically opposed everything Haymitch told them to do. If Peeta was going to shit all over Haymitch's plans, he might as well go all out. Cato was a Career. Being the male from district 2, he would no doubt assume his role as the leader of the Career pack. He would be in that arena hunting Peeta down with the help of other trained killers. If Peeta could get under the brute's skin and throw him off his game, he would gladly take the opportunity. And all manipulation aside, the older boy was breathtaking. It certainly wouldn't be a punishment in Peeta's eyes to get close to him.
As the whistle blew for the end of day two's training, the pair from 12 walked to their elevator. They passed the Career pack that was staring daggers at them as usual. As they passed Cato, Peeta turned to Katniss, speaking loud enough for the male from 2 to overhear. "So, Katniss, what are you going to do after dinner tonight?"
"Umm, I don't know," she shrugged. "I might talk with Haymitch for a bit or just go to bed early. I'm pretty beat. What about you, Peeta?"
"After dinner, I think I'll spend the evening alone up on the roof. I'm craving some fresh air."
As the elevator closed off district 12 from the Careers, Cato was left with his pack grinning from ear to ear. He thought he would have to wait until the arena to get the blue-eyed baker all to himself, but it looked like the fates were working in his favor sooner than expected. "Clove, I've got some business to take care of after dinner tonight. If our mentors ask where I am, cover for me. Kay?" Clove just rolled her eyes and gave him a playful shove.
After dinner that night, Peeta went straight to the roof. It was beautiful. Opening the door from the stairwell, he was immediately greeted by a majestic fountain in the center surrounded by lush gardens and berry bushes on all sides. The walkway was paved with cobblestones and all along the roof's edges were tall dogwood trees. One could get lost in the foliage up here. The young teen explored appreciatively the entire landscape before settling on the edge's railing and staring out into the Capitol skyline.
It was only about 15 minutes later when he heard the door from the stairwell open and footsteps approaching him on the cobblestones. Peeta looked over to confirm exactly who he thought was joining him. He turned his head back towards the skyline so Cato couldn't see his devious grin. "Come up here to enjoy the view?"
"As a matter of fact, I did. But not the view you're probably talking about," the brute replied, eyeing Peeta from behind. The boy from 12 had a bangin' backside.
Peeta laughed and turned around to eye the Career incredulously. "You, sir, are relentless."
"It's in my nature," Cato smugly replied. "I'm a Career from district 2. We pursue what we want and stop at nothing to get it. That mindset isn't just exclusive to the Hunger Games. It's a way of life for us."
"Hmm, sounds intense," Peeta indulged the older blonde as he walked closer.
Cato was practically devouring the smaller blonde with his eyes. He did look delicious. "I'm very intense."
A gust of wind suddenly descended upon the rooftop, rustling Peeta's hair as it traveled to meet Cato. The older blonde was rewarded with wondrous bliss as the breeze carried across Peeta's scent. Cato closed his eyes and breathed it in deeply, reveling in the aroma.
Peeta smirked in understanding. "Do I still smell of cinnamon?" He asked with a little gravel in his voice.
Cato's eyes shot open at the sexy tone in which Peeta spoke and instinctively moved to pull the younger boy closer. Peeta looked up at him with bedroom eyes. The older blonde felt hypnotized by the younger boy, caressing his smooth cheek. Peeta leaned his face into the caress, giving the taller boy the signal to bend down and close the gap. As their lips met, the feeling was explosive… for both of them. Fire radiated between them as they deepened their kiss, tongues dancing with grace. It was as if their lips were made for each other's. As his air ran out, Peeta was the first to pull back and looked up bewildered by the overwhelming sensations. Cato just smiled stupid like he was high.
"Yes," Cato whispered in the younger blonde's ear. "You smell like cinnamon and you taste like sugar."
Peeta felt overheated, assured that his face was probably redder than a rose. This was all supposed to be for the games. He was supposed to be affecting Cato, not the other way around. This could easily blow up in his face if he didn't take control of the situation A.S.A.P.
"Glad you liked it. See ya." Peeta nonchalantly shrugged as he turned to make his hasty escape. Cato stood stunned by the blowoff for only a moment before grabbing the boy roughly by the arm.
"And where do you think you're going?" Cato growled. "We're not finished here."
"Uh, yeah, we are. You don't own me," Peeta bit back.
The Career slammed the smaller boy against a tree. "Oh, I beg to differ. I always get what I want."
As Cato was about to take another taste, Effie's shrill voice broke them apart.
"Peeta Mellark! Where are you? Katniss said you were up here. It's time to come back to our floor so you can get some rest. You know I run a tight ship!"
"I'm over here, Effie!" Peeta called back. Perfect timing, Effie. I knew you were good for something. He pushed the Career away and burst through the bushes to reunite with his escort. "I didn't mean to derail your well-oiled machine of a schedule. Can you ever forgive meeee?" He dramatically pouted, clasping his hands together to beg his escort for forgiveness.
He was clearly being sarcastic, but Effie was too dense to notice. "Of course, Peeta darling. I forgive you. Now come on. Lights out in 20 minutes."
Peeta linked his arm through Effie's as they departed, not bothering to give even a passing glance back to the Career. Effie was clueless that Peeta had company. Cato was left hidden in the garden, incredibly frustrated and furious. "Fuckin' little tease," he muttered as he left the rooftop soon after and headed back down to his own floor. Still hot and bothered without his baker boy for release, he was going to need to take care of himself if he wanted even a wink of sleep tonight.