Okay, this is fun(: And there will be a follow-up story to this. Since this is.. the last chapter. So sad..
But the follow-up story will be out within the next week or so. Called.. well.. I dunno yet. I'll think of something. Just get me on author alert and you'll know as soon as it's out. Love you all!
~.**.~
"NO!"
Peeta lunged for the edge of the Cornucopia, grabbing Cato's hand before he fell to the mutts below. The Career dangled, holding to Peeta's hand for dear life. Cato moved his legs out of the reach of the mutts, ignoring the pain in his hand as he was helped back up onto the Cornucopia. He held tight to Cato, crying softly against his shoulder. He thought he'd lost him..
"Ssh.. shh.. " Cato lightly rubbed his back with his good hand to calm him. "It's okay, my little jabberjay.. "
"Peeta.. what are you doing?" Katniss had another arrow notched by now. "He's from District 2. The enemy."
"I don't care!" Peeta yelled at her. "I love him! And you almost killed him!"
Katniss gasped, falling to the Cornucopia as Peeta attacked her, knocking the bow from her hand. It clattered against the metal, falling to the ground. "P-Peeta, stop!"
"You almost killed him!" Peeta yelled at her as they rolled around. "I love him and you almost killed him!"
The struggle went on, the two District 12 tributes rolling around on the Cornucopia. Peeta was stronger than Katniss. He managed to get her on her back, halfway off the Cornucopia with his hands around her neck. Choking her. Killing her.
"Peeta.. " Cato's hand fell on his shoulder. "Enough."
Peeta's eyes clouded with tears as he released Katniss and Cato pulled him back. She slid from the Cornucopia, eyes lifeless and dead as she fell to the mutts below. Peeta turned, burying his face against Cato's shirt as the Career's arms slid around him, holding tight. "Ssh.. it's okay.. " he whispered against his hair.
"I-I killed her.. "
"I know.. I know.. But it's just us now.. We'll be okay.. "
~.**.~
Peeta woke up when the arena turned to day. The mutts were gone, he and Cato still on top of the Cornucopia. They were the last 2 tributes. He slid down to the ground. "We're all that's left.. " he whispered.
"Mm.. Peeta?" Cato yawned a bit, sliding down to join him. "You okay?"
"We're the last ones," Peeta said softly. "We're all that's left.. "
"We'll be fine. I told you. I'm not letting you die."
"Before.. when I ran away.. I saw you kill that boy from 3.. and before Katniss shot you, I honestly thought you.. you were.. "
"What.. I was what, Peeta?"
"Gonna kill me.. "
That's what he was so afraid of.. Cato smiled gently. "Peeta.. I would never kill you.. I'd never do that to you.. C'mere, jabberjay.. " He pulled the younger blonde close, lightly kissing his lips. "But one of us.. will have to die.. And it's not going to be you.. "
Peeta's eyes widened. "I-I can't kill you. I won't."
"Peeta, either you have to or I'll kill myself. I won't let you die."
"W-What if.. we die together?"
"How?"
Peeta pulled out a handful of berries from the backpack he still wore. "I found these when I was running. Katniss called the nightlock. They'll.. They'll kill you if you eat them. We could.. die together. No one would win the Games, then. Maybe they'd stop."
Cato nodded, looking down at the handful of berries. He took some, looking down at the purple-black fruits. "Okay.. We can do this together."
Peeta nodded. They both lifted their hands to eat the berries. So close..
"Stop!"
Both blondes closed their mouths before the berries could pass through their lips, looking up at the sky. At the sound of Seneca's voice. "Ladies and gentlemen.. the winners of the 74th Hunger Games! Peeta Mellark and Cato Crowne!"
~.**.~
And there we have it. The last chapter..
The sequel will be out within a week. Promise.