All credit goes to Suzanne Collins. I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far!
I run down the stairs and open the door to find Cato with a bottle of wine in his hands looking extremely handsome in a button up white shirt and navy blue slacks. He even has his hair slicked back. Its obvious he has planned out his appearance as well. "Gosh, Cato," I joke, "Couldn't you have at least cleaned up a bit?" "Yeah well, at least I remembered to put clothes on." he replies while looking me up and down. Alright, so the dress was really short and revealing. "Not that I mind..." he adds, eyes lingering a second too long on my chest. I grab him by his tie and pull him into a kiss. "I made dinner." I say as we break apart. I take his hand in mine and turn around, leading him into the dining room, making sure to sway my hips a little extra, Cato is totally an ass guy.
Cato looked quite shocked at the food I had sitting on the table. "I didn't know you could-" "Cook? Yeah. I can do more with knives than murder people," I joke, "Turns out you can actually use them to prepare food, and not just as weapons." He smiles at me and we dig into the chicken. It turned out quite well. "How did you know it was my favorite?" Cato asks as I open the wine and pour it into some empty glasses. "You know I pay attention to detail." I reply, not wanting him to find out that I listen in on his conversations at training and school sometimes. "Well, not only are you good at chucking knives at people, but you are also an excellent cook." he says, impressed. "I made dinner as well, so don't get too full."
We discuss his strategy for the games, whether or not he should make alliances outside of the careers, what his angle will be in the interview, and every other game-related topic imaginable. By dessert, I have long since abandoned my glass of wine, being such a lightweight. It surprises me though that Cato is seemingly attempting to remain sober as well and has only had one glass. Usually he drinks two at the very least. It reminds me that tonight is important, special. Although neither of us acknowledge it, it could be our last night together.
We have been playing footsie under the table throughout the meal, but as soon as we finish the chocolate lava cake, I get up out of my chair and sit on his lap in the most un-lady-like manner possible. Footsie is great, but that is not the kind of closeness that either of us wants tonight. I'm removing his tie as he stands up, carrying me towards the stairs with my legs wrapped around his hips. I toss his tie on the banister as he walks up the stairs, our lips all over each other. He heads into my bedroom and places me down on my queen size bed. Before I can start to unbutton his shirt though, he stops me. "Wait." he says, "I want to ask you something." "Yea?" I reply, already slightly out of breath. "Clove, when I come back from the games, would you like to move in with me? You know, in victors village?" I look up at him, at a loss for words. I can't believe he is actually asking me this. "You don't have to... I mean only if you want-" "Of course I'll move in with you!" He smiles, as if he was expecting me to turn him down.
"Clove, ..." Again, I know what is coming. But this time I want him to say it. Where this afternoon it would have killed me if he confessed, now it would kill me if he didn't. "... I love you." I pull him down on top of me, "I love you too."
After sitting through dinner and being stopped a few minutes earlier, I am eager to get him out of his shirt. After it is unbuttoned and thrown onto the floor, he slides his hands down my figure to find the bottom of my dress and slip it over my head. I undo his zipper as he sucks on my neck. He finishes removing his pants and the real show begins. We roll around on my bed for a few minutes before he moves in and expertly unclasps my bra. Still kissing, he feels me up as I tug on his hair a little bit, messing it up. While his tongue inside my mouth feels amazing as usual, I want more. I remove his boxers and guide his hands down to my thong, giving him the message. I want the real deal and I want it now. No messing around, no hand jobs, fingering, or blow jobs. He hears me loud and clear and quickly gets me out of my underwear. By the time we are both through, I would have been surprised if the neighbors hadn't heard us. Not that I would really mind. It was incredible tonight. The best I've ever experiences, and judging by the noises Cato made, he felt the same.
We laid in my bed, his arms wrapped around me for some time before I whispered, "Do you have to go?" "No." he said, "My parents think I'm at the big party Saylee is throwing. I can spend the night." I'm relieved. I don't know if I could stand waking up without him at my side tomorrow morning. I tip my face up and draw him into another kiss.
The next thing I know, the morning has come far too soon. Cato is already awake and is laying beside me, stroking my hair. I turn towards him, "Good morning." he says. "Same." I reply. "Cato?" "Yes?" "You have to win. I don't know what I would do without you." "I will, Clove. I promise." "I know you will, but... just be careful, and don't trust anyone." "Alright." he says. And though I know that this conversation has ended all thoughts of the perfect night we had, it was necessary. He had to know how much I am counting on him. I rely on Cato.
He sits up and swings his legs around the side of the bed, facing the table. That reminds me of the stone. "Wait! I have something for you." I get out of bed, only then realizing that I'm not wearing any clothes (oh well) and grab the rock. I place it in his hand and ask him if he will take it into the arena as his district token. He grins and agrees. Then he surprises me with a gift in return. He walks over to where his pants lay abandoned on the floor and pulls a necklace out of a pocket. He walks back over to me and holds it out for me to see.
Its a simple gold locket, with a dainty sunflower on the front, my favorite flower. I open it to see a picture of us taken a month ago. At our school prom. Cato is wearing a tux and I have my long dark brown hair curled and am wearing a floor-length red gown. His parents had thought that we were going as friends and had insisted that I go over to his house beforehand so they could get some photos. Both of us dressed up with a matching corsage and boutineer, it was a night that made me feel like I was a normal teenage girl. I close the locket and throw my arms around his neck. "Its perfect," I tell him, "Thank you." He turns me around and I lift my hair up as he fastens it around my neck. "I'll never take it off." I promise. I walk over to admire it in my mirror. Shit. I have a big hickey... I vaguely wonder whether or not makeup will cover it up as we both pull on some clothes and head downstairs to grab some breakfast.
After eating the omelettes we made together (destroying the kitchen in the process) Cato has to leave to get ready for the reaping. He kisses me goodbye and I don't want to let him go as he exits my house and says, "I'll see you in an hour."
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