abugsaunt- My family does Thanksgiving in the afternoon and then they like to do Black Friday shopping, which I don't, so that left me a whole evening free to post a random Finnick-centric chapter :) There is a definite deadline to the story. I'm trying to finish before Christmas. But your story will still be going strong so it's all good.
MangoMagic- Holding hands is such a simple gesture, but I think it resonates immense growth. As for Finnick, I've always had a soft spot for him and I just had to include him somewhere, even if it's in a story about Peeta and Cato.
CupcakeSprinkles14- I'm glad you liked it. I think finding out what happened to Finnick made them appreciate more their own circumstances, even if their own circumstances aren't ideal at the moment either.
anbeedomo- Thanks so much! It means a lot. My chapters are pretty short so I never know if I'm including enough detail. But yes, unfortunately, all things must come to an end.
Pale Is The New Tan- Ooh, thank you thank you! I'd love to share Finnick's fate... but I won't. You'll just have to keep reading to find out ;)
Insanitywriter- Holy shit, your reviews were great. I can see how you and SLASHMONSTER eatin yo boys up are besties. You both are wonderfully crazy. I loved reading all your different responses as you read through the chapters. I think your review of chapter 13 was my favorite. I about died laughing. Thanks! I'd love some cake. Oh, and it sounds like some of the people in your school just don't get it. I agree with you. The Hunger Games is definitely not a comedy.
Not long after Finnick's groundbreaking propo, Peeta broke free from the grief that tried to consume him and set out to strategize with 13's military leaders. With the districts under rebel control, all the Hunger Games' victors and families still living in their respective districts were put under heavy rebel protection to ensure Snow wouldn't go for round two. Beetee engineered brilliant surveillance equipment, with the help of Foxface, to monitor the skies for more potential air assaults. The fight in the sky that had taken place over district 12 took out the majority of the Capitol's aircrafts, so everyone agreed it was now time to strike the Capitol city itself. Training for every soldier became more strenuous and many of the refugees from 12, especially Gale, joined them to fight. Mrs. Everdeen took Prim and herself up to the infirmary to lend their talents and became respected members of the hospital staff. Maps were drawn, new squads were formed, and strategies were put into place. The main target: President Snow's mansion. If they could take down the leader, everything else was sure to crumble. To achieve such an ambitious task, every ounce of manpower was needed and any soldier with training was given orders. The tributes and rescued mentors were no exception. Equipped with bulletproof gear and weaponry, Coin personally assigned all the Hunger Games alums to a special squad that included Peeta and his famous sniper team of Boggs and Mitchell. She called them all the "Star Squad." When they were all gathered for their first day of training as a new squad, President Coin appointed Boggs as their Commander. The seasoned 13 soldier approached the tributes and mentors and laid down the ground rules.
"Being under my command, a lot will be expected of you. As the saying goes, 'you're only as strong as your weakest link.' There will be no weak link in my squad. You are to obey my orders, for they are the orders that will get us all out of the Capitol alive. Now, as we should always expect the unexpected, something may happen to me so there needs to be a chain of command. I have unwavering trust in my fellow soldiers, Mitchell and Mellark. If I am not present, you are to take orders from them. Is this understood?"
"Yes sir!" the Hunger Games alums shouted in synchronicity. Mitchell nudged Peeta then and the boy turned to see his sniper partner beaming proudly from the newly appointed position of power over all the tributes and mentors. Peeta nudged him back, harder, and whispered harshly, "I know what you're planning, Mitchell. If you go after Cato to personally give him hell, I swear I'll get my revenge on you. I'm not afraid to beat an old man."
Mitchell feigned a look of hurt but just snickered, "For such a young lad, you sure don't let people have their fun."
"Don't get me wrong," Peeta amended with a smirk. "It's not that I wouldn't enjoy seeing Cato put through the ropes, but if anyone's going to do it, I want it to be me."
"You sly little devil."
The training session for the new Star Squad commenced without a hitch and the whole day was spent running rigorous obstacle courses, mastering team-building exercises, and endlessly practicing at the shooting range. The tributes and mentors excelled throughout the day's training and no one soldier was singled out, not even Cato. Mitchell gave Peeta a look of expectation and frustration, but Peeta simply replied with a smile and a wink. He had his plans for Cato, but they were meant for later.
At the end of the day, the members of the Star Squad hit the showers and scarfed down dinner. As they all eagerly retired to bed, Peeta and Cato started walking back to Cato's bunk compartment as usual when Peeta suddenly turned the opposite direction.
"Where are you going?" Cato asked the younger blonde.
"I'm going to my bunk. Come with me," Peeta nonchalantly replied.
Cato curiously followed Peeta into his compartment and upon entering, Peeta slammed his door and locked them in. Cato turned swiftly around, startled, at the younger blonde's abrupt actions. Peeta simply leaned against the locked door with a mischievous smile.
"Take off your clothes… soldier," Peeta told Cato, still bearing that impish grin.
Cato couldn't help but feel a change in the atmosphere of the room. "Soldier?" He questioned Peeta.
"You heard me, soldier. Just as you heard your commander, Boggs, declare today that if he isn't present, you are to take orders from me. I believe I just gave you an order. Take. Off. Your clothes."
Cato's heart skipped a beat at the realization of Peeta's intent. The pit of his stomach fluttered at the prospect of a new adventure. He was immediately immersed in novel excitement and even perhaps a pinch of nervousness?
"Yes sir."
He could have denied Peeta and taken control as usual, but this reversal of experience was turning him on and fast. For the first time in his life, Cato did something a Career never did willingly; he relinquished power.
He slowly stripped for Peeta and tossed his clothes aside. The younger blonde approached the naked Career and ran his hands up and down Cato's hard body. Peeta stroked the older boy, eliciting shivers and an animalistic growl from the Career. Cato couldn't take it and moved his hands to Peeta's waist to bring him closer. Peeta quickly grabbed Cato's wrists and put them back at the brute's side.
"Now now now," Peeta chided, "I didn't give you permission to move."
Cato struggled to keep his hands still as Peeta continued to stroke him while rising up to suck the older blonde's tender neck.
"Fuck, Peeta," Cato moaned. Peeta forcefully pushed Cato onto his bed then and took off his own pants before straddling the older boy. He slowly removed his shirt as he sat above Cato and the Career couldn't help but pull Peeta down to kiss him. They made out fiercely, mercilessly tasting each other and moaning into each other's mouths before Peeta grabbed Cato by the throat and pulled away.
"You seem to have a problem with doing what you're told," Peeta growled playfully. "I guess I just need to keep your hands away from me. Kneel on the bed, facing away from me."
Peeta got off of the Career and sat at the corner of the bed to watch Cato follow his orders.
"Good. Now, bend over."
Cato's excitement grew as he got on all fours, baring his backside to the younger blonde. Peeta crawled closer behind him and caressed the Roman god's cheeks before gently spreading them apart to massage Cato's entrance. The older blonde tensed as he felt Peeta slide his finger in.
"Relax," Peeta commanded as he inserted another digit. Cato slowly eased his tension as Peeta slid a third finger in to loosen him until he ghosted over a sensitive spot.
"Peeta," Cato whispered with faltered breath. Peeta saw Cato's elbows slightly buckle at the sensation and knew it was time. He removed his fingers and prodded the older boy's entrance with his slickened member. He gently pushed in as Cato gripped the sheets. Both boys gasped at the feeling of each other and Peeta slowly built himself a rhythm to reach ecstasy.
With each sensual thrust, the Career's back arched until Peeta hit the special spot. Cato's breath hitched from the sensation and Peeta began to thrust harder. He ran his hands firmly along Cato's sculptured back as he drove himself deeper inside the older blonde. He brought his hands back down to Cato's ass and caressed the brute's cheeks tenderly before aggressively smacking them.
"Shit!" Cato jumped.
Peeta grabbed him and spoke through gritted teeth, "You like to give it rough. It's only fair that you take it rough."
Peeta was abusing his power in the best way. He squeezed Cato's ass hard before smacking it again, causing Cato to seethe from the pain that was strangely giving him immense pleasure. The younger blonde didn't stop manhandling the Career, all while he continued to relentlessly pound away.
"Ughhhh, Peeta," Cato moaned as he had to grip the headboard. Peeta reached around to grab the Career's throbbing member and stroked him to the point of no return. Cato arched his back one last time and exploded, crying out with his death grip still on the bedframe.
His walls enclosed around Peeta who firmly held Cato's hips as he rode out his own wave of pleasure, releasing inside the older blonde. They ripped the top sheet off before collapsing on the bed, Peeta on top of the older boy.
"So?" Peeta probed, gently biting his lip as he stared intently to gauge Cato's response.
"That was… thoroughly satisfying," Cato purred with contentment.
Peeta smiled brightly and kissed him. Cato kissed him back eagerly, running a hand through Peeta's golden locks before pulling him back to whisper, "Though I have to admit, you do that again, I don't think I can keep myself from touching you next time; 'orders' or not."
"Maybe you need to be tied down then," Peeta replied too innocently.
Cato's eyes and smile widened at the remark before he aggressively flipped over to bring Peeta underneath him. "Is that a threat?"
Peeta playfully stared Cato down before he broke his concentration with a chuckle and a shake of the head. "No, just a suggestion. You've never been one for blind obedience, Cato. I think we can both agree that behind closed doors, the 'chain of command' is null and void. You and I are equals."
"Deal. But seriously, that was fuckin' hot."
Peeta teasingly pushed Cato away with a lighthearted laugh and the two quickly fell asleep. Unfortunately, sleep provided no release from the nightmares of the Capitol. Their dreams were filled with fire and death and when they awoke, they spoke of none of it.
Okay, so this chapter went off the grid a little. I just figured that since Peeta's more of a badass in this story, then why does he always have to be the bottom? Hopefully I put it in a context that made it seem plausible. They are going into the Capitol next!