Chapter 10: End of Pressure...?

I stayed standing and looking at the direction where Peeta exits. I can help but think about what he said over and over. It made me realize how big Peeta has change over the years, we both are and I couldn't be any happier. Of course minus the drama we are in right now. I didn't realize how long I've been spacing out until my thoughts were interrupted.

"You seem happy." I turn and look at smiling Cato behind me and I smile back at him.

I faced him, "How long have you been standing there?"

He smirk at me and reach for my hand, "I wasn't sure. About a minute I guess." We both head to the ticketing booth with Cato still holding my hands, "So, um. Where's Mellark?"

"He left." Cato stopped. And because he's still holding my hand, I also came to a halt. I turn to him and see him gaping at me. "Something wrong?"

He shake his head, clearly shaking away his expression and he cleared his throat. "Nothing. I, uh…" he squeezed my hand and pull me closer to him, "Are you alright?"

I stare at Cato, studying him while he have his head bowed and obviously trying to avoid my gaze. "Cato." He raised his head and I smiled at him, "I'm okay."

He let out a deep breath and smile widely, "That's great. It's not like I'm trying to pry you on telling me what you two talked about. I just want to make sure that you're alright."

I just nod and squeezed back his hand and we continue our way to the booth. There's ten people ahead of me and I can't help but notice Cato is being restless, "What's wrong with you?" I'm looking at him with my eyebrows furrowed.

"I, uh," Cato scratches his hair, "I was thinking earlier that if you would still go through with leaving. Well, I, um," he let out a breathy laugh and I feel his grip getting tight.

"Let me stop you right there Cato," I shake loose our hands and we stand face to face, "Where are you going with this?"

As we continue our eyes gaze at each other, I can't help but feel amazed how his blue ones can show every hint of his emotions. What seems to be hard to take from Peeta is easier to get from Cato. I can't help but see how honest he can be without him realizing it. "You're thinking of going with me?"

He remain silent and we just stood there looking at each other. It seems to be minutes have passed we he finally speak, "I love you."

"You said that already."

"And I mean it." Cato's voice is firm and full of conviction but also soft and gentle. "Look[TAV1] , I'm not asking you to give me an answer right now. I was just hoping you could give me a chance Katniss. I may seem desperate here, and I am. I've been waiting to meet you for the past two years and now that it happened, I just feel that I cannot pass this up." He reach to touch my face and put his forehead against mine and close his eyes, "Katniss, I love you. I may not be as good as Peeta when it comes to stuff like this but I'm willing to give it a try." He backed up and opened his eyes directly looked at me, "That is, if you'll let me."

We stare at each other with inches apart when we heard someone speaking to us, "Excuse me, are you going to book a flight?"

We both at look at the woman attendant and see that it's just us standing in front of the booth. I realize that I've been holding my breath and I turn to look at Cato again. And before I knew it, it's too late to hold myself back. After our intense encounter a day back, I finally kissed him. And Cato kissing me back, I felt his hand clutching my waist towards him with his other hand still cupping my face. I rest both my arms around his neck as we continue to kiss passionately. And then, I pulled back. Cato, clearly confused of my action just stayed in front of me, studying me.

I smile at him and gave him one more peck, "I have to go alone."

I head forward to the booth with Cato still not moving. I booked a flight for Boston, "The plane leaves in 45 minutes. I'll just punch in your ticket number and you're good to go. You can head to the gate if you want to. Have a safe flight."

I smiled at the attendant, "Thank you." I turn and walk towards Cato holding out my ticket and smiled at him. "I'll see you."

I start to head to the direction of the gate, Cato grabbed my hands, and I turn and feel a bit surprised to see him smiling, "Definitely."

I can't help myself but lunge myself towards him and embraced him tightly. I also felt Cato's strong arms lifting me and hugging me gently. He put me down and we kissed again, but this time it's brief. "Good bye Cato."

He cupped my face and stare at me intensely, "For now." he slowly close our distance and give me a sweet and gentle kiss before he escorted me towards the gate. I head inside and look back at him for a final look and see him waving at me with a wide smile on his face. I also waved at him before continuing inside and get settled on my seat.