abugsaunt- Don't be mad, but yes, I'm separating them yet again. But like you said, if they truly love each other, one will make the sacrifice. Btw, I give you mad props for the length of your chapters. This is my longest one yet and it doesn't compare to the detail of yours. I felt like it would never end while I was writing it. You amaze me.
Guest- Since when does anything ever work out nicely in this story? Lol. I love separations and I love drama (in fanfic, not in real life of course) ;)
CupcakeSprinkles14- Yep, you read correctly. But here's the update to explain. Hope I didn't make you wait too long.
LFAC- I wish you would have found this story sooner! I'm so close to the end, like really close, and the review you left truly made me reflect on how I handled this story. I agree with everything you said but with the end of my story nearing, there's only so much I can do now to put your suggestions into effect. I'll give it my best shot, though, with the time I have left. Regardless, I tremendously appreciate the time you took to read my story and to give me an honest review of it.
DrarryFrerard- Thank you. Peeta has his reasons, but it certainly doesn't make it easier for him and Cato.
sundragons9- Hmm, your deductions about Peeta's reasons were very close. And I agree; they must stay together! But even when I get to decide the fate of the story, sometimes I just can't force myself to always make it a happy ending. Dun dun dunnnn!
Psi-lent Knight- If I were Cato, I think that's what I'd definitely do. I'm so glad you enjoy the story, despite Peeta always giving Cato such a hard time. Thanks for the kind words.
I'm sorry, Cato. But I'm not going with you to district 2.
"What?" Cato snapped. "What do you mean you're not going? Yes, you are."
Peeta cocked his head to the side at the brute's domineering command. "No, I'm not. I'm going back to district 12. The refugees have returned to rebuild. These people were my neighbors and friends. That was my home. I need to go with them and help rebuild my district."
"But what about us?" Cato felt his heart sinking.
"There will still be an us," Peeta assured. "The Capitol's been overthrown. Nothing's stopping the districts from intermingling now. Go back to district 2 and reunite with your family. I'll come and visit every chance I get. I just really need to do this, Cato."
The sinking feeling quickly escalated to intense anger as Cato tightly balled his fists. He felt like he got punched in the gut. He knew Peeta was headstrong and determined when he made his mind up on things. It was one of the many qualities of the younger boy that Cato admired. But now it was coming back to bite him in the ass. His lifetime of being a Career, and a hotheaded brute at that, made it impossible for him not to lose his temper at the boy.
"'Visit' every chance you get? What does that mean? That you may or may not have time for me? For us? That we'll only have a 'chance' every now and then to be with each other? What kind of relationship is that? Seriously, Peeta. This is fucked up. I mean, when? When will you come and see me?" Cato was rambling on angrily, demanding answers from the smaller boy in front of him.
Peeta tried to quell the Career's anger whilst simultaneously defending himself. "Soon, I promise. When everyone in 12 at least has camp set up and food available. Come on, Cato. This is important to me."
Without a level head, Cato no longer had a filter on his words. "I don't get why it's so important to you. 12's a graveyard now, Peeta. Just let it go and move on. I mean, you don't even have anyone to go back home to."
Peeta gasped, wounded. Cato immediately felt like shit. The hurt was clearly written on Peeta's porcelain face; more so in his widened and pained cerulean eyes. He wanted to slap the brute; to kick and scream at him. Instead, he only whispered in a broken voice, "You think I don't know that? Seriously, how could you say something so awful to me? That 'graveyard' I'm going back to is where my family lies. So fuck you, Cato. I'm not just gonna 'let it go' and 'move on.' It IS important and I don't give a shit whether you get it or not."
"Fuck, Peeta. I didn't mean it like that. Look, I'll go with you to help bury your family and then we'll leave for 2 first thing the next day."
The whistle of the train startled the boys as the conductor called out for final boarding.
"You just don't get it," Peeta spoke, frustrated. "I can't just abandon 12 like that. And I don't need your help. In fact, I don't want your help. Look, your train's about to leave. I don't want you to miss it and then not get to see your living, breathing family and all your friends, alive and well, in your perfect little district."
The comment was meant as a jab at the Career and it worked. "Yeah, I definitely wouldn't want to miss that," Cato scoffed. The brute irately turned away from the younger blonde and stormed to the doors of the train. Before he boarded, Cato turned back and held Peeta in his gaze. "You better come back to me," he warned the baker in a low voice, raspy with hurt and madness. The doors slid shut and Cato caught the boy still standing there as the train pulled out of the station. Despite their fight, Peeta was still seeing him off. He caught the baker's eyes and saw Peeta mouth "I love you" before the train slipped through the tunnel and the smaller blonde disappeared from sight.
Cato swiftly turned his back against the window and covered his face with his hands. He looked up to perceive that he was standing there all alone. This was not how he saw things going. Peeta was supposed to be here, next to him. It hit him hard and Cato felt his temper slipping further into madness. This time, Peeta wasn't there to pull it back in. The lack of the younger boy's presence only made it infinitely worse.
The Career stormed into the traincar designated for him and Clove and, sure enough, Clove was there waiting anxiously for him.
"There you are! I was beginning to think you missed the train. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if you did. A dumbass like you-"
Clove suddenly caught herself and stopped dead in her tracks as she felt the fury emanating off Cato like heat waves off a sidewalk. Right on cue, Cato roared and flung a table into the wall on the other side of the room. His fist connected with the door and the shriek of bending metal filled the car as the hinges of the door gave under the weight of his fists. Clove instinctively retreated to a corner, knowing from childhood experience that whenever Cato completely lost his temper, the best thing to do was to back off and give him space. The raven-haired girl simply stood in silence and observed her partner's tirade.
"This isn't fucking fair!" she heard him bark as a chair went flying and crashed into splinters against the wall.
"How could he do this!" he yelled between bursts of furious growling. "He was supposed to come home with me! What the fuck is his problem!" Glass shattered on the floor as Cato turned over a food cart and violently kicked it across the room. Finally, there was nothing left to destroy and Cato, panting heavily, resorted to seething bitterly in the corner on the other side from Clove. She figured it was safe now to approach the boy.
"Tell me what happened," she spoke softly.
"He's not coming back," Cato growled as he looked angrily in her eyes. "Peeta. He's not coming with us. He's going to 12."
"Shit! Did he break up with you?"
"No, he's going back to bury his family and help rebuild. And, I get that. I do. He doesn't think I do, but I do. And he said he'd visit a lot. It's just that I don't know how long he'll be gone. Rebuilding an entire district; who knows how long that'll take! And after all we've been through; how many times we've been torn apart by the Games and by the war. I just thought we could finally be together and be happy. Live our lives, ya know?"
"I know," Clove consoled quietly. "I'm kinda in the same situation with Marvel."
Cato looked at Clove and a light, devilish smile broke upon his lips. "I knew it. Has he gotten into your pants yet?"
The brazen girl gave the brute a sharp look before punching him viciously in the arm. "You and I are having a moment here; don't ruin it, you ass. Anyway, like I was saying, Marvel and I are battling it out to see who caves in first and moves to the other's district. I'll win, of course, but until then we're both still willing to make sacrifices for the other because we care. Peeta said he'd visit you and you know he means it. He loves you, Cato. I bet it won't be any time at all until he can't stand to be away from you anymore. He'll come running into your arms in no time and he'll stay in 2 with us forever; just you wait and see."
Clove's assurances had calmed Cato's madness, but the handsome district 2 tribute was still left unsettled. "I was so mad I didn't even say goodbye, Clove. Worse yet, I left without telling him I loved him."
"He fell in love with a Career. He knows what he's getting," Clove smirked playfully at the sullen boy. She became serious then and grabbed Cato's face to get him to look her right in the eyes. "He knows how much you love him, Cato. It will be okay."
It wasn't long after Cato left that the train headed for district 12 was boarding for departure as well. Peeta boarded it with Katniss and Gale, feigning happiness in their presence but retreating to solitude the rest of the trip home. They passed all the districts on their way to 12 and Peeta felt a magnetic attraction to stay by the window as district 2 passed in a blur. From that moment on, the whole ride seemed a blur to the young baker.
When Peeta first stepped out onto district 12's dusty remains, the entire experience was sobering. The original buildings of the district were leveled and now makeshift tents and outposts popped up throughout the ashy terrain. The work needed to make this a home again would be exhausting. And his body already felt a thousand years old.
"Oh my goodness! Peeta, darling!"
Peeta turned swiftly at the shrill greeting and was stunned at the sight. "Effie?" he marveled as he studied the pink woman shuffling towards him in 6 inch heels. He closed the distance and embraced his escort as the shock wore off. "What are you doing here?"
"She's with me, boy," a gruff voice interrupted from behind.
"Haymitch?" Peeta started in disbelief as he exchanged glances back and forth between his escort and mentor. "What? You two? Seriously? How?"
"Don't be so surprised, boy," Haymitch dismissed with a wave of the hand. "With Snow dead as a doornail, I don't have to keep shutting people out of my life to protect them. I'm finally living."
Effie saw the confusion lingering on her young tribute's face and elaborated, "Haymitch and I reunited while he was in the Capitol for Snow's execution. Something about the change in circumstances just ignited a spark, I suppose. And I know how he just hates the Capitol so... here I am. "
Peeta was still stunned. "Effie, you're seriously giving up Capitol luxury for this wily ole' bastard?"
"Young man! Manners!" The eccentric woman shrilled. Peeta feigned an apologetic pout as he reveled in the nostalgia of the moment. Effie sighed and smiled sweetly. "Yes, I'm staying here. Love works in mysterious ways, wouldn't you agree, Peeta darling?"
"I would," Peeta nodded, replaying in his mind the journey he had taken since the reaping. He had fallen in love with a Career from district 2. Who would have thought things would be the way they are now?
Haymitch pulled Peeta off to the side. "I must admit, I'm a little surprised to see you back here," he spoke to his tribute. "I figured you'd stay with that brute from 2. You two doin' a long distance thing or somethin'?"
"I guess so," Peeta answered. "Much to Cato's chagrin. He's back home with his family. I'm back here to bury mine. I just couldn't leave my home without trying to help it first."
"That's very noble of you, my boy," Haymitch nodded. "Let me get Effie settled here real quick and then you and I will go and do what needs to be done."
Peeta watched Haymitch and Effie depart and then slowly worked his way to the old village square. All the refugees of district 12 had returned to the ghosts of their pasts. As they rummaged through the wreckage of their destroyed homes, it resembled reaping day; a reaping of the dead. The once beautiful and pristine meadow outside of 12 had been turned into a mass grave for the unknown remains dug from the destruction. Passing by the scene, Peeta was sucked back in time to the day of the bombing. He could feel the heat of the flames against his skin. He could hear the whistle of bombs mixed with the bloodcurdling screams of the ones who were able to flee. He swore he could even smell the burning of debris, life, and precious memories as they violently turned to ash. The nightmare of Peeta's district represented all the atrocities and destruction brought on by man. It took the boy several hours to gather himself and face the ruins of his bakery and childhood home. His hands shook violently as he wearily began to dig through the rubble. Haymitch arrived alongside Katniss and Gale and the four of them worked silently throughout the entire afternoon.
The little remains that were found were buried in a quiet resting place near the lake Katniss' father taught her how to swim in. Several of the survivors of 12 who were fond of Peeta's father made the trek out to pay their respects. As it grew dark, the crowd scattered and Peeta was struck by the presence of a particular man amongst the faces.
"Dr. Aurelius?" He questioned. "Well I'll be damned. My return to 12 is turning out to be an unusual Capitol reunion of sorts. What brings you to my district?"
The good doctor made his way to the perplexed teen. "I've come upon request to help the good people of your home build a hospital here in 12. I met with the wonderful Mrs. Everdeen who has quite the spotless reputation amongst the people. She is a remarkable woman and healer. I look forward to working with her a great deal here."
Peeta couldn't help but hear the eagerness in the doctor's voice and the light blush that crept upon his cheek. "Yes, Katniss' mother is amazing. My father even fancied her in his younger years. I believe you two will get along splendidly."
Dr. Aurelius gave Peeta a warm smile and gently patted the boy's shoulder. "Thank you, Soldier Mellark."
"I'm not a soldier anymore, doctor. I'm just a boy; a 16-year old boy who was sent to the Hunger Games, fought in a war, and lost his family and his entire home. I feel so lost, doctor."
"Well, you have every reason to be, Mr. Mellark. The burden you have carried is too much for one person to bear alone, especially someone so young. You don't have to carry it alone, though. I must mention that I made a couple stops on my way here; one stop being to district 2."
Peeta's ears perked up at the mention of 2. "Cato?" He enquired anxiously.
"He's alright. I stopped to check on his progress. The scars from the mutts are already fading. But he seemed very distraught over you. Why isn't he here with you now?"
Peeta looked down at his feet. "We got into a fight back in the Capitol. He offered to help me bury my family. I told him I didn't want his help. I was just upset. Now I really wish he was here."
"I can see that, young man. You're hurting right now. I think the best medicine for you is to be with the one you love."
"I love Cato," Peeta whispered, his sapphire eyes sparkling in the twilight. "But I can't just up and leave. Not yet. There's too much work to be done."
"I understand," Dr. Aurelius responded. "But don't torture yourself too long. Although they say distance makes the heart grow fonder."
The next day the young rebel worked hard to help rebuild. Between meetings with Dr. Aurelius, Mrs. Everdeen made it a personal mission of hers to look after Peeta. She was a healer after all; inside and out. Peeta decided to live in a giant camp with hundreds of workers that tirelessly labored from sun up to sun down as they built the district from the ground up. The routine and camaraderie were therapeutic to the grieving boy, but his heart still ached for those he lost. It also ached for Cato. The dreams of his Career tribute were the only relief from the nightmares of flames and death. He knew he needed to visit his love soon.
When all the refugees had at least a tent over their head and a steady supply of rations coming in, Peeta eagerly decided to take a break from the heart-wrenching work of restoring his home to make the long-awaited trip out to district 2. Dr. Aurelius had used his connections to wire a message to the stone masonry district of Peeta's impending arrival. On the way there, the young blonde stopped at district 6 to visit Pip. It seemed so long ago that he had seen the boy and he was incredibly thankful Coin hadn't killed him in 13. Their meeting was joyous.
"Peeta!" Pip cried when he opened his door to find his friend and role model standing before him. Peeta stumbled slightly from the impact of Pip's powerful embrace. The mousy-haired boy already looked older and bigger in Peeta's eyes, but he figured it was due to the new found happiness in which the 12 year-old radiated. The war had exhausted all morphling reserves for the wounded and it forced the little boy's mother to rehabilitate herself off the drug.
"The difference between my momma is like night and day," Pip stated with a brilliant smile as he led his visitor into the kitchen. "And with the Capitol no longer oppressing us, I'm excited now for me and my family's future. I have you to thank for that, Peeta."
Such hope was like medicine to Peeta's wounded soul. He ached for his family who no longer had a future, but the bright future of the boy from 6 whom he had grown to care so deeply for warmed him.
"It does my heart good to hear that, Pip," Peeta smiled as he rustled the boy's hair for old-time's sake.
Peeta's eyes were drawn then to one of the cabinets in Pip's kitchen. Hanging from the door was a drawing of a young girl, lying in a bed of flowers.
"That picture," Peeta pointed. "Is that Rue?"
"Yes, she drew it for me," Pip explained. "When we got to leave 13 and go home, we promised to write to each other. She put that picture in one of her letters. She says she likes to rest in the orchards of her district. She sleeps in the flowers underneath the trees."
"How wonderful," Peeta sighed as he studied it further. Rue looked so peaceful, asleep amid the earth. It almost looked as if she could be more than just sleeping. She looked like an angel, gone from this world. Peeta felt a lump form in the back of his throat at the thought of how that almost became reality.
"Peeta?" Pip called as he waved his hand in front of the boy's face to snap him back to the present.
"Sorry, Pip. Keep Going."
"Anyway, I'm not as good a drawer as Rue. But I know you are. Do you think you could draw a picture that I could send to her?"
"That sounds like an excellent idea."
Although Pip was getting much too big to sit on Peeta's lap, he excitedly went to get his supplies and ran back in to plop right on top of Peeta. The baker sketched the exact scene of Pip and him at the kitchen table and let Pip color it in while he did the shading.
"Rue will love it," Pip exclaimed when they were finished. "She'll be so surprised when she sees you in the picture. I can't wait to write all about your visit."
"Well make sure you tell her that Katniss and I miss her and we'll both make a trip out to see her real soon."
Peeta spent the rest of the afternoon with Pip and even had dinner with his family. At the end of the visit, the blonde embraced the young boy tightly, bid well wishes to his family, and with renewed spirit, continued towards district 2.
Upon arrival the next morning, Peeta jumped off the train and looked out into the distance. His initial reaction of 2 was that it was a very stately place; much grander than district 12 ever was. His attention then turned to a crowd of annoyed looking citizens that were all being rudely pushed aside. Of course, the pushy culprit was none other than Cato.
"Can you people be any more in my way?" he growled as he shoved his way to Peeta. The younger blonde just smiled and laughed. Some things never change.
When Cato broke free, he ran and picked Peeta up, swinging him around and burying his face in the younger boy's blonde locks. "Ahhh," he sighed. "I'll never tire of the smell of you-"
Cato was cut off as Peeta reached up to plant an eager kiss upon his lips. It quickly escalated as they started devouring each other's faces until a catcall interrupted their frenzy.
"Whoo whoo! I'd say that you two should get a room, but I have to admit I'm enjoying the show," Clove smirked as she walked towards the reunited pair. She was holding hands with another familiar-looking boy.
"Marvel?" Peeta questioned surprisingly.
"What's up 12?" Marvel smiled to the younger boy. "Don't be so shocked to see me. You aren't the only one making trips to 2."
"Clove plans on convincing you to make your 'trips' more permanent," Cato grinned slyly towards the district 1 boy.
"Shut up dickweed!" Clove blushed. "And you have a lot of room to talk about me convincing people to stay. Peeta, you better watch out cuz it isn't beneath Cato to tie you to his bed to keep you from leaving either."
"Go fuck yourself, Clove," Cato angrily snapped back.
"Excuse me, but that's my job," Marvel beamed teasingly. He received a quick slap to the face from an embarrassed Clove who then dragged him off before Cato could have a field day with the remark.
"Peeta, I would never tie you down to force you to stay," Cato reassured. "I would tie you down for other reasons though."
"Well, now I'm looking forward to tonight even more," Peeta smiled back with a quick peck on Cato's nose. "Look, about what happened back at the Capitol…"
"You mean when I was a complete ass to you?" Cato interrupted.
"Well, I didn't handle things too well myself," Peeta countered. "I kinda just blindsided you about me going back to 12 and then I told you to go and fuck yourself. I'm sorry."
"And I'm sorry for being an aggressive jerk about it. I've been racking my brains out over it ever since I left. I wanted to come to 12 to support you but you said you didn't need or even want my help. I have to admit, it's been killing me."
"Well, I'm here now and I'm telling you it's all okay. I love you, Cato." Peeta smiled as he tenderly kissed Cato's lips.
"I love you too, Peeta."
The two boys held hands as they made their way out of the train terminal. "So, where are we headed?" Peeta asked.
"I figured I'd show you around the district and then we'd go to my house. My mother's preparing a feast for you."
Walking through the well-kept cobblestone streets of 2, Peeta thought the people here too closely resembled their stone structures: hard and cold. It certainly wasn't surprising to Peeta how tough and severe the people of district 2 were. This was the district that bred the deadliest Career tributes and the most brutal peacekeepers. Despite the brusque nature of the citizens, Peeta was welcomed as a worthy visitor to their homeland.
"So, Peeta, how is everything back in 12?" Cato probed as they walked through the town square.
"Busy," Peeta began. "Everyone's teaming up and working hard and there's several buildings whose main structures have already been erected. Dr. Aurelius is there too. He's working to build a hospital. We never had one of those before. It's pretty remarkable."
"That sounds awesome. Glad to hear it," Cato genuinely commented. He hesitated before adding, "Has it been very lonely?"
"At times, it's torture," Peeta answered honestly. He felt a comforting squeeze of Cato's hand. "The burial was hard. But I know I'm not really alone there. I see Mrs. Everdeen and Prim all the time. Katniss and Gale are there, too. Oh, and my escort from the Games moved all the way out there to be with Haymitch. Those two are very entertaining to watch."
Cato raised his eyebrows. "A Capitol native is voluntarily living in 12?"
"It's crazy, isn't it? You should see it, Cato. It's absolutely hilarious to see Effie out of her element. She's been trying to walk on the dirt roads there with these crazy heels of hers and Haymitch has to practically carry her everywhere. But the strangest thing is that the crazy old man actually does it. I've never seen him like this; so warm and caring and, for the most part, sober. It's… really nice." Peeta trailed off as he didn't want to add on that seeing Effie and Haymitch so happy together just made him miss Cato even more. He quickly took the attention off of district 12. "So, how's everything here in 2?"
"Different," Cato remarked. "Just like I expected. The people here are striving for bigger and better things now that the Games have been abolished. It'll take a while for everyone to adjust, but we're getting there. Oh, and Marvel arrived only yesterday. Today when I picked you up at the train station was the first I've seen of him. I figured him and Clove were pretty 'busy' the past 24 hours," Cato chuckled. "But I know Clove wanted to see you when you arrived."
"I'm glad I got to see them too."
Just as Peeta was eagerly welcomed by the citizens of 2, he was greeted with a stately welcome from Cato's parents when he arrived at their home. The Career's parents seemed strict and a bit intense at first, but Peeta saw it as that they simply cared for their son and only wanted the best for him. They deemed Peeta as such for all his brave efforts against the Capitol.
At dinner, Peeta better acquainted himself with Cato's parents. Cato's mother reminded Peeta of his own mother. She was a bit harsh and deeply unsentimental. Cato's father on the other hand, was nothing like Peeta's father. He was authoritative and rigid. It was clear to see how Cato grew up to be such a relentless Career, striving to bring honor home to his family. From these two parents Peeta was now getting to know, he knew they expected nothing less than greatness from their son. It made Peeta all the more grateful for his father's warmth. He missed the man terribly.
Despite Cato's perfect posture and attitude at dinner with his parent's, his hand was massaging Peeta's thigh under the table the entire time. It took every ounce of focus to remain unaffected in front of Cato's family. That teasing little bastard was going to pay.
After dinner, they all moved to the living room to continue the visit when Cato excused himself to "retire" for the evening. He started to go upstairs to his bedroom and looked expectantly towards Peeta to follow. The younger boy smirked smugly and continued to talk with Cato's parents. The older blonde tilted his head, bewildered at the blow-off before he just smiled and continued upstairs. He knew Peeta couldn't hold out too much longer. Sure enough, Peeta eventually turned to Cato's parent's, bowed appreciatively to his hosts, and made his way up to find the older blonde's room.
Peeta tiptoed down the hall and snuck into Cato's bedroom to find the boy reading in a plush chair in the corner. He crept in front of Cato and violently tore the book from the Career's hand. Cato looked up startled to see the young baker with an impish grin gracing his handsome face. The Career returned the smirk but before he could get up, the younger boy straddled his lap in the chair and began attacking his lips. The two devoured one another as hands ghosted up each other's shirts to remove them. The boys ran their hands over each other's bare chests, clawing for the warmth and contact that was long overdue. Peeta slowly scooted off the Career while unbuttoning the taller blonde's pants. Cato took it as a sign to get up and move things to the bed but found himself pushed back down into the chair.
Peeta locked his glistening eyes on Cato's. "We have all night, babe. Stay put and let me taste you."
Cato broke into an eager smile as he helped take off his own pants and relaxed back into the chair. Peeta kneeled down on the floor between Cato's legs and began skillfully stroking the Career's excited manhood. He trailed kisses along his shaft before licking the most tender spots. Cato gripped the armrests as he looked down at the boy worshipping his cock and Peeta soon engulfed the taller boy's entire manhood, bobbing his head with ease. Cato threw his head back in ecstasy as his hands left the armrests to grab fistfuls of the smaller blonde's hair.
"Mmmm, Peeta. That feels amazing."
Peeta was deep throating the Career and swallowed, constricting his throat around the head of Cato's cock, sending the older boy into a frenzy. Cato began running his fingers through Peeta's blonde locks in appreciation, trailing them down his neck and along his bare shoulders. The younger blonde moaned from the caress, sending the sound's vibrations along Cato's cock and pushing the Career to the point of no return. Cato cried out while exploding into Peeta's mouth and the baker boy drank every drop. Peeta slowly slipped away from Cato and licked his lips with a satisfied grin. Cato, coming down from his high, leaned forward and cupped the kneeling boy's chin before planting a sensual kiss, lightly tasting himself on the baker's lips.
"Incredible. Now let me return the favor."
Peeta gasped as he was instantly lifted over Cato's shoulders like a sack of potatoes. The taller boy crossed the room and Peeta was thrown onto the bed and his pants were yanked off. Lying on the Career's bed in district 2 for the first time, naked at that, Peeta reveled in the wondrous moment that might have never been. The bed was so big and plush he could easily fall asleep after such an overwhelming day, but right now his only thoughts were of the gorgeous boy that was sucking his dick. Peeta squirmed in pleasure at the sensation, writhing against the luxurious bedding that kissed his bare skin. He soon reached his own climax and after Cato sucked the last drop, the Career picked the younger blonde up and pulled the covers over them. Cato wrapped his arms protectively around Peeta and the two cuddled, drifting off to sleep.
Just a few hours later, Peeta awoke to the sensation of Cato sucking on his neck. Immediately alert, his eyes shot open to the soft glow of candles that gently illuminated the room in a splendid ambiance.
"Wow. Cato, this is wonderful," he whispered huskily, scanning the room.
"You said it yourself," Cato spoke into Peeta's neck, still peppering it with kisses. "We have all night."
The younger blonde chuckled lightly as Cato paid his neck a bit more attention before trailing down his body. Without wasting a second more, the Career started grinding his cock against Peeta's. The two both moaned from the friction. Now that Cato was back home, he had gotten lube and took it out of the nightstand to slicken himself while he was fervently making out with Peeta. When he was ready, he grabbed Peeta's wrists, pinning him to the bed, and slowly slid himself in. Cato couldn't help the guttural sound that escaped his throat at the feeling of the younger boy enclosing around him. He buried his face in Peeta's neck as he reveled in the pleasure. Peeta was lost in a haze and was sighing with delight from the sensation of Cato thrusting in and out of him.
Peeta's breath hitched as Cato hit the spot. The sound drove the Career wild and he became hypnotized by the boy writhing in ecstasy beneath him.
"Fuck, Peeta. You're so hot."
The older blonde was furiously pounding away at that point, every thrust hitting Peeta perfectly.
"Cato, Shit! You're amazing."
The younger blonde was tossing his head back and forth, crazed from the insane pleasure. He was whimpering now, so close to the finish. Cato was the same, clawing his fingers along Peeta's thighs, grunting obscenities with each maddening thrust. He grasped Peeta's manhood and massaged it avidly, gaining the sexiest reactions from the boy, until Peeta was finally sent over the edge. His whimpers turned into a cry of ecstasy as his orgasm tightened his walls around Cato and the Career exploded into his own ethereal rapture.
Slowly coming down from cloud nine, Cato fell back onto the plush bed and pulled Peeta to his side. He wiped him clean and the younger boy then rested his head on Cato's chest, relaxing under the older blonde's fingers now ghosting along his back.
"I've dreamt of this moment, you know," Cato quietly spoke. "You, in my bed. Me, pleasuring you all night. A little rough, a little tender. Perfection."
"How sentimental," Peeta teased, smiling into Cato's chest.
"I know. It's crazy, right? I've never been this way until you. Everyone here says I'm completely spellbound by you. They don't mind though because they're all in agreement that I was an ass my whole life and now I'm the least bit tolerable. Though I don't think anyone here has room to talk about my behavior. It's kinda like the pot calling the kettle black, if you ask me."
"Yeah," Peeta agreed, "the citizens here are more intense and unforgiving than what I'm used to."
"But it's not so bad, is it?" Cato asked. "I mean, it's something you could get used to, right? Everyone here approves of you, Peeta. I think you'd really like it here."
"Well, of course I'd like it, Cato. You would be here. But I can't abandon 12. There's still so much to be done, so much to rebuild and establish. There are so many people that need help. I mean, do you know how many orphans there are from the bombing? There's no place to put them, Cato. The orphanage, like every other building, was completely destroyed. I can't just leave them. I want to stay and do everything I can to help."
Cato tilted his head down to stare into the stoic face of his baker boy and sighed in defeat. He gripped his arm around Peeta tighter, trying to treasure each passing moment he had with the younger blonde before he lost him to 12 again.
I would have typically stopped about halfway and made this two separate chapters, but I was feeling the holiday spirit so I just kept going. I think the next chapter will be my last, so please send me reviews and let me know what you want in a finale for this fic! I love hearing from you guys. You all have been awesome.