„Peeta, you have to calm down!" Katniss shrieked.
"I'm so stupid!" Peeta screamed against the kitchen door while pounding his fists wildly into the wall. Hard.
He couldn't stop even though deep blue bruises were already showing on his knuckles.
"Finnick will pay for this. I'M AN IDIOT!" Peeta yelled into the wall. His face was pale, his cheeks reddened and his eyes glassy.
"Peeta, please. It's not your fault!" Katniss tried to soothe him but it didn't work. Peeta only punched harder and harder into the stone cold wall. The skin on his knuckles was already ripping apart; tiny bloody stains began to appear on his hands.
"Why did I even let this happen? WHY?!" Peeta cried out. He stopped for a second to lean his head against the wall before he started banging his head against the hard material.
"PEETA!" Katniss screamed frustrated.
Then, Gale stumbled frantically into the kitchen, tearing Peeta away from the wall and enclosing him in a tight comforting embrace.
"Hey Peeta, it's okay. It will be alright; by hurting yourself you help no one. And definitely not Cato, that's the last thing he would want you to do." Gale said in a soothing tone while rubbing Peeta's back.
Peeta leaned into Gale's warmth; he trembled immensely and immediately started to sob into Gale's chest while they slipped to the ground.
"I-I'm s-sorry." He whined out and hid his face in Gale's arms. Yet, Peeta and Gale have never been so close but right now Peeta was more than thankful that Gale was here for him.
Katniss and Gale exchanged a worrying look. They felt sorry for Peeta; they knew they couldn't do anything for Cato's condition except wait. The silence was tense and only filled with Peeta's painful sobs and Gale's calming shhs.
"I-I don't want him to leave me." Peeta said numbly through his sobs.
Katniss walked to Peeta and Gale and kneeled down to their size.
"Peeta, Cato will be alright, we will go to the hospital now and see how he's doing. Cato is a tough person; he won't give up so easily."
All three got up, Gale and Peeta loosened from their embrace before he walked over to the sink and supported his arms on the kitchen bar.
"Katniss…" He began quietly. "I…I think I love him…" Peeta sniffed. "I-I'm afraid I will never have the chance to tell him." A tear fell down Peeta's face and on the sink, filling the room with an echoing splash.
"Peeta…" Katniss replied sadly. "Don't think like that… he will wake up soon, I'm sure of it." She paused. "And …I think he loves you back." Katniss smiled.
A sad but wide smile also formed on Peeta's face. "You think so?" He asked innocently.
"Oh of course." She said. "Can't be any different." Katniss smiled reassuring.
Gale observed their conversation. He didn't like Cato particularly, maybe that guy was better than Gale thought of him so far, but still he was not an innocent lamb. Nonetheless, Gale was sorry, not for Cato but for Peeta for not being able to be united with his love. Also he felt slightly guilty since he was the one at the party that tore Katniss from Peeta, leaving him alone with Finnick.
"Love is a strong word", Gale thought. Did he love Katniss? He wasn't sure of it but he wanted to be with her all the time.
Yesterday at the party when he and Katniss went upstairs, he told Kat that he wanted to be officially together with her. Katniss jumped of joy and they kissed passionately.
He really felt very possessive over her; he wanted her to be his and couldn't imagine to be separated from her. If Peeta felt the same but even much more, he had to be in terrible heart aching pain.
"Poor boy. Peeta has a warmth that was something comfortable and secure, no wonders Cato fell for him so easily" Gale thought.
Peeta touched his wound hands. They ached awfully. The open wounds burned and the rest of his hands were throbbing with pain. Peeta regretted his wall-attack immensely. He has never had his feelings under control and it was embarrassing enough that Gale and Katniss were witnesses this time.
Gale saw Peeta rubbing his knuckles. "We should bandage and disinfect that." Gale said.
Peeta nodded ashamed.
"Let me get the stuff, be right back." Gale walked downstairs into the basement.
Peeta was lost to thoughts about Cato; he hoped everything would be alright very soon. Katniss brought him a cup of coffee which Peeta accepted thankfully. He blew gently on the surface of the hot, strong drink before he carefully took a sip. In an instance, the liquid filled Peeta's mouth and throat with a comforting warmth. This was the right thing now.
"Hey, I'm back." Gale came up the stairs. "Show me your hands, P."
Peeta put the cup on the table in front of him before he sat down next to Gale and stretched out his hands.
"Oh Peeta, you've really hit it hard." Gale mumbled. "This might hurt a little." Gale poured some of the disinfectant on a clean pad. He grabbed one of Peeta's hands and dabbed the soaked material gently on Peeta's knuckles.
Peeta hissed sharply and clenches his jaw. His brows were furrowed as the pain increased immediately.
"Next one." Gale ordered as he took the other hand and performed the same procedure with Peeta's right knuckles.
"Alright, so far so good." Gale smiled encouraging. "Now just wrapping the bandages around your hands and you're done."
Said and done, Peeta relaxed when the pain on his hands eased. "Thanks." Peeta said gratefully.
"Ahh no problem." Gale brushed it off.
"Are you like doing something medical in your free time?" Peeta asked.
"Seriously Gale, those bandages look great." Katniss agreed.
"When my father was still alive, we used to go hunting together in the woods; he taught me all those kinds of things in case of any injuries." Gale explained, lingering back in the old memories with a sad smile.
Peeta didn't know Gale's father had passed away. Out of a sudden he felt extremely sorry for the grey-eyed boy.
An awkward silence followed until Gale said something.
"We should go to see how Cato's doing, right?"
"Yea. Sorry for bringing up that topic by the way." Peeta looked to the ground.
"No problem. I mean I do feel honored by you guys complimenting my medical skills." Gale snickered.
Also Katniss chuckled and Peeta did so too.
"So…Gale, you're coming with us, right?" Katniss asked and grabbed her jacket.
"Yes. Of course." He said and nodded.
"Peeta, it is okay that we accompany you?" Katniss asked Peeta carefully.
Peeta looked up as if she'd just asked the silliest question ever. "Yes for sure. You're my friends… I need you." He replied.
Katniss and Gale gave him a soft smile before all three left Gale's house.
The elevator opened with a 'cling' and an automatic voice announcement that said 'Floor 5'. Peeta's tension rose when they arrived in the floor Cato was supposed to be stationed at. The trio stepped out of the lift and walked further down the corridor.
"Room 528." Peeta mumbled and broke the silence.
"How you know?" Gale asked confused.
"Clove…messaged me." Peeta replied without looking at Gale. He knew Gale hated everyone from Cato's clique – which was why Peeta was so grateful that Gale was so supportive nonetheless.
"Clove? Are you two like… friends now?" Gale asked and Peeta didn't answer. "The heck, Clove is a bitch." Gale added.
"She's not! You don't even know her." Peeta hissed. He really didn't need to argue with Gale about that. The hunter boy had been really friendly so far – he didn't need to start being a jerk now.
"Ohh believe me I know her well enough to say she's a terrible person." Gale exclaimed sternly. "Is she here?"
"Gale, Clove is truly not that bad. She can actually be really nice." Katniss parted with Peeta.
"Katniss - you too? No way." Gale shook his head.
Peeta wanted to give a comeback but then they arrived at the waiting room in front of Cato's corridor. They wanted to pass the waiting room but a young nurse in a white uniform came across their way.
"Can I help you?" She asked the trio.
"Yes, we'd like to see Cato. Cato Hadley. He's supposed to lay in room 528."
"Are you in any way related with Mr. Hadley?" She asked.
"Well, not really. We're his friends." Peeta admitted disappointed.
"Sorry, only relatives." The nurse said right before she wanted to leave.
"Wait, please! I'm his…boyfriend." Peeta said.
The woman in white stopped and turned around, she smiled. "Okay, come with me. That's the closest we had today anyway. No family member showed up for Mr. Hadley." She said. "Well, except one." She corrected herself.
"One family member? Who could that be? His parents are on a business trip!", Peeta thought.
"Oh and your friends have to wait here." She pointed at Katniss and Gale.
Peeta turned around. "Sorry guys. I-um." Peeta wanted to say he'd hurry up for them but he knew he wouldn't. After all it was still Cato that was laying in hospital.
"It's fine. Just go." Katniss nodded approvingly.
Taking a last glance at Gale who smiled encouraging, Peeta turned on his spot and followed the nurse into the corridor.
The closer Peeta came to the room the more nervous he got. He felt extremely sick, the unwell tension in his stomach and his heavily pounding heart made it hard for him to stay focused.
The nurse seemed to take notice of Peeta's condition, as she took a worried glance over her shoulder; her following words were the best Peeta had heard this day. "Hey, you don't need to worry. Your boyfriend woke up about twenty minutes ago. He's stable, only his head still aches from the operation."
Peeta felt a huge stone being lifted from his chest; he even could hear a silent, strange sound slip out of his mouth that startled him at first. Kinda something between a sigh and a loud cry.
"We're there. Room 528." The nurse said.
For the first time this day he felt a heartfelt smile forming in the corners of his mouth, he stepped forwards, the nurse smiled at him as well and then opened the door.
Once the door was shut, a light weight crashed itself into Peeta's body.
"Peeta!" Clove shrieked and walked towards the entrance to pull him into a hug.
"I'm so glad you're finally here." She said.
"Clove how did you get in here?" Peeta asked.
She smirked. "Hi, I'm Cato Hadley's cousin, can I see him?" She imitated herself in an upper friendly voice.
"You're hilarious." Peeta smiled. "How`s…Cato?" He whispered.
"He's alright, just extremely angry but right now he's sleeping." She whispered back. "I think you can cheer him up though." She winked and gestured her head next to here, where a big white curtain was hanging in front of the bed, covering Peeta's view to Cato.
Slowly he walked around the curtain. Cato was breathing evenly in the bed, his eyes were closed. His injuries looked terribly painful. A big white bandage was plastered around his head and had dark bruises and deep-red abrasions were covering his arms.
Peeta felt so guilty about all this. After all it was his fault Cato came in this situation. He should have never asked him to accompany him at Gale's party.
"God Clove. What was actually happening? I can only merely remember anything." Peeta uttered, worries in his tone.
"Of course you don't. When we found you, you laid pale and exhausted on the ground of the corners of a couch. I was trying to wake you up but you didn't respond at all. You were like totally knocked out, almost.
Katniss and I brought you to Gale's bed. We gave you some kind of anti intoxicant and while Gale and Finnick were taking care of Cato, we were staying with you." Clove explained.
"What? Finnick took care of Cato? Why?" Peeta felt very helpless for not knowing what had happened while he was passed out.
"See, they had a fight and it was a very heavy one. Out of a sudden, some of us took notice of screams which were followed by an unbelievably loud bang. We were rushing outside the party room and as we arrived at the stairs the scene in front of us was terrifying. Finnick stood at the top of the stairs, whining, his clothes totally ripped apart, and Cato, covered in blood, laid passed out with his head in this splattered glass table. The act was understood as a physical confrontation that escalated due to alcohol. Finnick explained that Cato – allegedly – fell down the stairs accidentally."
"Accidentally?" Peeta burst out. "Finnick did that on purpose, I'd bet it all!"
"Peeta, I think so too… but there are no witnesses. Finnick insists on it being an accident. We can't do anything against it." Clove said.
"Oh damn. Fuck it, I hate Finnick. I hate him so much." Peeta rubbed his temples. "He deserves a punishment. How could he do such a thing?" Peeta asked desperately.
"Peeta, Finnick is a person that would do anything to get what he wants. In this case it was you." Clove rolled her eyes.
"But Clove… that freaks me out. He had put something in my drink, I just don't know what it was but I totally lost my mind and control over my body. I was like knocked out but still awake. The next second I found myself in a dark room and he threw himself on me. I couldn't stop it; I was like given to him without being able to withdraw myself. If Cato hadn't come, Finnick would have gone further. I have it in my guts." Peeta shook at the thought.
"I'm scared of Finnick." He admitted and pressed his lips together to a tight line.
"He drugged you? Oh my god, that explains why you've been so absent." Clove realized. "Shit we should go to the police, Peeta. This is really serious! Who knows what else he will try to seduce you. This could have turned out to be rape!"
Peeta flinched at the word. It always reminded him of his past. Quickly he pushed the memories out of his head. "Ah-um… Nah. After all he is Katniss' and Gale's friend. Maybe I could talk to him. Probably he will just stop though, how did he deal with the accident?"
"First of all, Gale and Katniss are still friends with him? After what happened? That's so wrong." Clove said misbelieved.
"Uhm I don't know. We haven't really talked about Finnick yet, I woke up and then we directly drove to the hospital." Peeta remembered his nervous breakdown this morning. Carefully sliding over his hands, his knuckles still burned terribly with each movement.
"What happened with your hands?" Clove asked predictably.
"Oh…um, last night I must have fallen…onto them." Peeta explained awkwardly but Clove seemed to buy it.
"So you wanted to know how Finnick reacted?" Clove quirked an eyebrow, whereupon Peeta nodded quickly.
"Well, I hated how he pretended to care. He was like being so dramatic and guilty about Cato's fall. He was constantly screaming 'it was an accident' and he yelled for Gale to call the ambulance."
Clove snickered.
"He really did a good show, this hypocrite of an actor - playing the victim in this fight, faking the will to help Cato. As if he'd really care… but " Clove leaned in closer to Peeta. "…I saw this glisten in his eyes. This satisfaction that he felt in finally overpowering Cato was easy to see- well at least for me and trust me I know what I'm seeing."
"That's so sick. He is sick." Peeta commented as he rubbed his forehead. He had a big headache; it felt like his brain was crushing down on him.
Suddenly they heard a silent moan coming from the bed. They turned their heads looking at the almost platinum blonde boy. Cato was starting to move. His mouth opened, his head turned slightly and then his eyes followed slowly. The lights seemed to blend him but when he was able to focus, a big smile appeared on his jaw.
"Cato!" Peeta almost screamed and rushed over to the bed, falling into Cato's tight arms. His grip was really strong for someone who just woke up and had been through a heavy head operation few hours ago.
"Peeta." Cato mumbled almost inaudibly.
"Cato, how are you feeling? I'm so glad you're alright." Peeta said, still in his boyfriend's arms.
"I'm good! I mean, my head aches terribly but it's all fine." Cato replied.
"What I still don't know, how did u get this head injury, why were u even being operated?" Peeta asked, carefully caressing Cato's forehead.
"Well, I can't really remember anything that happened after the collapse but Clove said when I fell down the stairs, I crushed into a glass table and they had to remove the glass splitters form my head." Cato looked reassuring at Clove who nodded.
"I-I was so scared." Peeta admitted and grabbed his boyfriend's hand. "I thought I might have lost you." Peeta uttered quietly.
"Hey, you don't get rid of me so easily, Peet." Cato soothed him and pulled him into another tight hug before he tenderly kissed Peeta.
"Guys, I'm still in here as well." Clove hissed.
"Sorry." Peeta blushed, leaning away from Cato who smiled satisfied.
"So, Cato can you remember whether Finnick pushed you intentionally?" Clove asked.
Cato leaned back; he was really thinking this through. "I… I don't know." Cato realized. "I can't remember. I just know that we had this huge fight because I caught him pushing his tongue into Peeta." Cato's voice fell stern towards the end of his sentence and he looked right at Peeta.
"Cato, I'm so sorry that this happened, he had put something in my drink, I wasn't myself anymore!" Peeta explained hurried.
"I know… you were totally knocked out. I can't believe he got hold of your drink to drug you."
"Well… actually I accepted a drink from him." Peeta admitted.
"What?!" Cato's eyes widened. "Why would you do that? I told you he is dangerous." Cato said confused.
"Umm… when I was in the kitchen do get myself something to drink, I didn't find anything, then Finnick came in and he offered me this fruit punch. He said it was the last one they had, everything's been emptied already."
"Peeta, there was no fruit punch. No idea where he got it from." Clove added and left Peeta in shock.
"B-but he seemed so… sincere!" Peeta insisted.
"Peeta what the fuck?! You didn't want to get in touch with him, you said you'd keep yourself away from him, didn't we agree on that?!" The rage in Cato's voice increased.
"Ah Cato, he excused several times! I thought he was really feeling sorry for everything. He said his behavior was wrong towards me."
"Why in the first place did he excuse for his behavior towards you?" Cato interrogated.
Damn. Peeta forgot to tell Cato about the incident in the gym at school.
"Oh… um Cato I forgot to tell you something." Peeta looked down to the floor and Cato quirked an eyebrow impulsively. "Yesterday when we talked after school, do you remember how upset I was?"
Cato nodded.
Peeta bit on his lower lip. Cato would be so mad about this.
"That was because Finnick said some super weird things to me. He threatened me and I just ran off…" Peeta breathed in "…before I bumped into you afterwards."
"Are you serious right now, Peeta? Why didn't you tell me? I'm your boyfriend!" Cato hissed.
"C-Cato. I- I didn't want to make a fuss about it. I wanted to do clarify this on my own; it was something between Finnick and me." Peeta replied.
"Peeta no you should have told me! Simply because I know Finnick all too well, I could have warned you. Can't you see that Finnick is a dangerous person? How naive are you?! And you really accepted his low key apology because of a fruit punch? How could you even talk to him after that?" Cato bombarded him with questions.
"I … don't know. I thought he was being serious. He really seemed to feel guilty." Peeta tried to defend himself.
"Goddamit Peeta!" Cato exclaimed loudly, Peeta almost flinched. "I told you NOT to trust Finnick! How often do I have to say this? Do you even listen to me? If you wouldn't have fallen for him, then we – I wouldn't be in this situation. I can't believe you didn't talk with me about the incident with Finnick in the gym." Cato shook his head, raging at Peeta.
"We all know Finnick can be really a good actor." Clove tried to help Peeta but she only received a death glare from Cato.
"Cato I'm sorry, I-"
"Peeta after all that how could you even let him talk with you?" Cato looked angry, upset. He really seemed to be mad at Peeta.
"I-" Peeta began but didn't know what to say.
Cato breathed in deeply. "Peeta, leave."
"W-what?" Peeta asked misbelieved. Shocked he starred at Cato.
"I said leave. So, go." Cato repeated.
"C-Cato, are you serious? I never wanted you to get hurt." Peeta said, his eyes were getting glassy already.
"Cato, calm down please." Clove said.
"Clove this is none of your business. Peeta now exit my goddamn room, I don't want you here right now." Cato said penetrative.
"Fine!" Peeta answered shakily and stood up. "And you know what? Don't call me when you're out of here!" Peeta exclaimed with tears that were already running down his cheeks.
"I won't!" Cato responded and in the next second Peeta flung the door open and stormed out before he shut the door with a loud bang.
Peeta came into the waiting room and saw Gale and Katniss looking at him with confused looks. Peeta starred at them back with blood-red eyes and wet cheeks, tears still recognizable on his face.
He stood there in front of them for a second before he ran off to the elevator.
"Peeta?" Katniss screamed. She and Gale stood up from their seats and ran after him.
Right in front of the elevator they found Peeta crawled together, holding his knees to his chest, while he sobbed silently into his thighs.
"Oh Peeta, what happened?" Katniss asked as she kneeled down to hug Peeta intensely.
"He wanted me to leave." Peeta whined "That's what happened." He sobbed.
"What? Why that?" Katniss asked shocked.
Peeta pulled himself together and rubbed with his sleeve over his red eyes. "I…will tell you in the car. Can we leave?"
"Of course." Gale simply said and helped Peeta up.
Meanwhile Katniss pressed the button for the elevator which shortly after arrived. They stepped inside the metallic cabin and drove five floors downwards which led to the parking lot. Soon they reached Gale's car, hopped in and drove back home.
Inside of the car they all set in silence. Peeta sat on the backseat and leaned his head against the window. He watched cars and trees passing by while his thoughts clung to Cato. How could he throw him out of his room? Did Cato even love Peeta the way he loved him and most of it all did he still like him? Peeta felt so rejected and hated and reason for all of this was Finnick Odair. The worst person on this planet.
Besides having no clue of where he stood with Cato, he was sure of one damn thing. Peeta would get his retribution and Finnick would receive his punishment.
"I need to know, Gale and Katniss did you talk to Finnick about yesterday? What did he tell you?" Peeta blurted out, not longer being able to hold it back anymore.
"Umm, I didn't talk with him, Peeta. He went off with Cato to the hospital; I haven't seen him since then." Katniss said.
Peeta nodded. "Gale?"
"Well, me neither really, P. Last night I went with Finnick to the hospital while Katniss stayed with you, the only thing he said that must have been an accident of a fight that occurred when…um Cato found you making out with Fin." Gale said absently while he focused on the street.
"That's not true!" Peeta broke out. He breathed in sharply.
"Guys, I think Finnick drugged me. I still can't understand he did something like that but it's true." Peeta said.
"WHAT?" Katniss shrieked. "Did he really? Are you sure of it?" Katniss widened her eyes.
"Yeah, he had put something in my drink. When I started feeling dizzy I was asking him if there was something special in the drink and he said something to bring me in the right party mood." Peeta explained.
"I would never betray Cato! He means…everything to me." Peeta chew on his bottom lip.
Gale, neither Katniss couldn't believe what they've just head.
"Peeta is that really true?" Gale asked, even stopping the car to take a look over his shoulder at Peeta
"Yes! It is. Why should I make this up? Finnick is not as innocent as he pretends to be!" Peeta exclaimed while he leaned forward, his voice strong.
"I always knew Finnick was crazy but that's too much." Gale mumbled, concentrated on his car.
"I-I'm shocked!" Katniss said. "What should we do about this though? Should we bring that up to the police?" Katniss exchanged startled looks between Peeta and Gale.
"That won't work. I have no proofs Katniss and the drugs are already out of my system. I mean luckily nothing bad happened, right?" Peeta knew they had to clarify that on their own.
"Yeah but you never know what could've happened if Cato didn't come!" Katniss argued.
"P is right though. The police can't do anything about that now, still… it's Finnick, right?" Gale replied. "He's my best friend."
"I can't trust Finnick at all now. He totally lost my faith in him." Katniss nonchalantly curled a strand of hair.
"I think we should expose him right in front of himself. We should bring that topic up to him all three together, don't you think?" Peeta suggested.
"Maybe. But we should keep you out of that for now. I will talk to Finnick first; still I am the one with the closest relationship to him."
"That's a good idea, Gale." Katniss said. "And Peeta you will deal things out with Cato. Tell him what you're feeling for him and I am sure things will go alright."
Peeta said nothing for a few seconds. "I feel like Cato hates me now." He mumbled, his voice weak.
"He won't." Katniss touched Peeta's hand that rested on the middle bar of the backseat.
"He didn't know how to handle with all this. Of course he likes you a lot, he wouldn't have reacted that harshly if not. Something must have hurt him badly; you just have to find out what it was. He cares for you obviously." Katniss smiled.
"Thanks Katniss." Peeta said smiling. "You're right. It will be alright." He convinced himself.
"Okay, we are back at home again." Gale said while he stopped the car and switched off the engine as he turned around the car keys.
"I don't know about you guys, but I am hungry." Peeta said, laughing sheepishly.
"Oh me too!" Katniss and Gale said at the same time before they erupted into laughter.
"Cute." Peeta commented, smiling at the two.
"Shall we order something?" Gale asked while they got out of the car.
Katniss nodded before she walked towards Gale. For the first time ever, Peeta saw the two exchanging a kiss which he thought looked super adorable.
"You guys are the sweetest ever." Peeta commented, grinning at the two.
Gale and Katniss just smiled at each other while Gale threw his arm around Kat.
They walked inside Gale's house and headed towards the kitchen. Gale's kitchen was very bright, light flooded into the room through big windows with clear, white curtains, herbs were hanging down from one white shelf and there was an old woodened crossbow on the top of a shelf which caught Peeta's mind. It must have been the crossbow from Gale's father who used to go hunting with his son.
Finishing his observation of the kitchen, Peeta turned back around to Kat and Gale while fiddling with his fingers.
"Guys, I think I will call Cato now. I can't get our fight out of my head and I want to clear out things between us."
"Sure." Gale said, walking over to the fridge, grabbing out some orange juice.
"We'll order something in the meantime." Katniss smiled encouragingly.
Peeta nodded and made his way back upstairs into one of the rooms. He took a second to stare at his location, there was a big king sized bed, red curtains and light woodened furniture. Maybe it was Gale's mother's bedroom. Did Gale actually have something like a stepdad? Probably but Peeta has never seen Gale with a sort of male parent, though he knew that Gale had many younger siblings. At least someone had to be caring for them, right? Where was Gale's family right now anyway? Whatever.
Peeta grabbed out his phone, thinking of what he should say to Cato. What did Cato want to hear from him anyway? After trying to gather the right words, Peeta finally found what he wanted to say. Something that he should've said way sooner.
He dialed Cato's number from his contacts and pressed on 'Call'.
It rang a few times until someone picked up on the other line.
"What's it?" The person said sternly.
"Cato?" Peeta asked reassuring.
"Yeah. Peeta, is it you?"
"Um yes. It's me." Peeta was confused by Cato's absent tone.
"Is it anything important you need to tell me?" Cato uttered.
Peeta didn't say anything for a few seconds, wondering if it was the right time to say what he wanted to say.
"Peeta?"
"Ah-yes. Um, I wanted to talk to you. About what happened earlier." Peeta mumbled the last sentence.
"Oh." Cato dully replied.
"I-I wanted to say sorry. I should have told you about Finnick, I know I promised to stay away from him. I couldn't really influence that though. Both time he kind of appeared out of nowhere. I didn't think he would go that far." Peeta explained.
"Peeta, listen I-"
"No, Cato, you need to believe me. I didn't want to make you hate me. I'm so sorry."
"Peeta, I could never hate you, I'm just disappointed. I'm your boyfriend but still you don't trust me. I don't know how to cope with that." Cato answered his voice strong but firm.
"Cato I do trust you! I just wanted to keep this to myself because I didn't want you to get in trouble."
Peeta could hear Cato inhale deeply on the other line.
"Cato." Peeta said. He hesitated a little but then finally said it. "I fell in love with you."
For a few seconds there was no reaction on the other line. "Wh-what? Peeta, I have to hang up, someone's coming into the room. I'll call you back."
"But Cato-" and then it made a sound signalizing the end of the phone call.
Peeta put down his phone, looking startled at the display. "What was that?".
Clueless, he kept looking at the locked screen for a few more seconds before he pushed it back into his pocket. Did Cato in all honesty just seriously hang up when Peeta said he loved him?
With a mix of emotions Peeta left the room and came back again down the stairs.
He walked down the small corridor and then entered the kitchen through the second door on the right.
Katniss looked at him, searching for an answer in his eyes. "How was it?" She asked.
"Cato is a jerk. That's all. I just told him I loved him and then he didn't reply for what felt like an hour until he hung up because allegedly someone came into the room." Peeta hissed, sitting down on a barstool in front of the kitchen counter.
"What, really? That's fucked up. He screwed it." Katniss said plainly before she rose her glass to take a sip.
"I know right?!" Peeta hissed even louder.
Then the house's door opened with a creak and steps followed that led to the kitchen. The paper bag in Gale's hands rustled and he stepped through the door frame.
"Hey, guys I got us some bagels and-" Gale stopped in the middle of the sentence, looking at a rather annoyed, angry Peeta and a confused Katniss.
"Umm… are you two alright?" Gale asked as he put down the paper bags.
"Peeta told Cato on the phone that he loved him and Cato simply hung up." Katniss explained.
"He did?" Gale asked misbelieved.
"Yes. Well, it wasn't exactly like that. He said someone would come into the room and he would have to call back later but to me it feels like a lame excuse to escape the situation." Peeta chewed on his fingernails – his other bad habit when he was nervous or thoughtful besides chewing on his lip.
"That's obviously a weak excuse." Gale agreed. "And you should definitely let him call you back. You shouldn't be the one running after him after that even though he's in hospital." Gale grabbed out the bagels and put them on the table.
"Yeah… you're right I guess."
"Of course I am, P." Gale winked. "So, lunch anyone?" Gale gestured at the bagels.
"The hell yes!" Katniss warbled, putting her glass on the kitchen counter while dancing off to the table with the food, making Gale chuckle before he gave a pet on her cheek.
Peeta smiled at the cuteness before he sat down as well, ready to pull down some bagels.
An hour and a lot of foods later, they ended up for a walk in the park.
Gale decided it would be a good idea for everyone's benefits to catch fresh air and get some exercise. So, they had left Gale's house and walked further down a few streets until they occurred at a small lake surrounded by some trees and meadows.
"I love being here." Gale said. "Besides the nasty mosquitoes, here are barely many people."
"Why? It's a nice place." Peeta asked while ironically fighting with a sneaky gnat.
"Since the capitol stopped the running of this lake for bathing, there are rarely a lot of people in this place. Also the residential area around here became older – from time to time you can see a couple of seniors here." Katniss explained, also trying to catch one of the mosquitoes that were flying around her head.
"Though still, in the morning you can see many people playing with her dogs on the meadow over there. Normally around this time, parents come here with their kids but probably because of the cloudy weather no one's here today." Gale clenched his jaw. "Except these two idiots down there." His gale was focused on Marvel and Glimmer that were a several meters distant from them.
Peeta and Katniss who weren't really fully part of the conversation anymore were fighting desperately with the flying gnats around them.
Gale chuckled. "Guys you need to stay calm, otherwise they won't disappear."
"That's what we're trying but those noisy bitches make it hard to stand still." Katniss hissed while slapping hardly on her arm. "Ha! Gotcha."
Both Gale and Peeta chuckled.
"Can you try catching mine too?" Peeta laughed. The other two joining him in.
"Oh, there they're coming." Gale mumbled, interrupting the group's laughing and making a stern face. Marvel and Glimmer were a few meters in front of them.
Peeta noticed that Gale really seemed to have a problem with Cato's friends or "clique" one might say.
"There must have been some serious trouble between him, Finnick and Cato's clique in the past", Peeta thought.
He himself didn't really mind Cato's friends, in fact he really liked Clove. Marvel though was a bit scary while Glimmer wasn't really known to Peeta. Also Cashmere and Gloss weren't all too familiar to him, but he knew they were siblings.
Overall, Peeta didn't think they were super dangerous anyways, just as Cato, he thought, deep inside they had a loveable side.
They walked past Cato's friends, Glimmer wasn't really paying attention to them, only Marvel was looking – no literally starring – pretty awkwardly and penetrative at Peeta. The blonde looked to the right and left, just to make sure if Marvel was really focusing on him. When he looked back, Glimmer and Marvel were already behind them.
"Um is it just me or did Marvel look at Peeta like he's just seen a ghost?" Katniss turned around for a last glance at the two behind.
"Marvel's a strange person anyway, Catnip." Gale brushed it off.
"No that wasn't a normal stare. Trust me, I recognize that." Katniss replied. "Peeta?"
"Um… well there once was a weird incident I had with Marvel but it's really not worth to tell." Peeta stumbled awkwardly. He wasn't necessarily in the mood to remember this memory; Marvel's stare was unsettling enough.
"Oh my god you made out…" Katniss stuttered.
"The heck? No!" Peeta brought his palm up to his forehead.
"What? You slept with him? Oh my..-"
Gale chuckled. "Oh, Katniss." He whispered.
"Dammit Katniss! Where do you have your thoughts?! Seriously, no. It was completely harmless. Well, pretty much. Do you remember Maja's birthday party from about two weeks ago?" Both Katniss and Gale nodded.
"Well before I left the party Marvel kind of flirted with me in the kitchen in a really weird way and he was obviously super drunk." Peeta said.
"Well he didn't seem to have forgotten it though." Gale joked.
"Nope. Unfortunately not." Peeta sighed.
"Marvel himself is a weird person. Doesn't explain why he starred that awkwardly though… unless he wants to get in your pants." Katniss joked, making her and Gale laugh heavily.
"Stop guys, I'm gonna vomit." Peeta hissed but couldn't contain a silly chuckle.
By the time the three were about to exit the park it was already early in the evening. Whereas Peeta really enjoyed spending some time together with Kat and Gale, he'd really like to go home now. He wanted to have some time alone for himself while he'd be waiting for Cato's call. Indeed Peeta strongly hoped that Cato would call him later in the evening; otherwise he'd no clue as what Cato was defining them. "Friends? Best Friends? Hopefully none of these", Peeta thought.
When they arrived at the gate that led to the street, they all stopped, looking expectantly at each other as in what they'd like to do now.
"Guys, I wanted to go home now. It's pretty late already and I really have to catch up some sleep, plus my father probably still thinks I'm in the hospital and I really don't want him to make a surprise-visit and find me actually not being in there."
"Yeah I understand. Sure, go home, P. Katniss and I will probably just go to my house and relax a little as well." Gale replied whereupon Peeta nodded.
"Alright." Katniss said as she walked to Peeta and enclosed him in a deep hug. "Don't worry about Cato. He's probably still just a little confused and out of his mind because of the operation. He will call you as soon as you're home." Katniss said encouragingly into Peeta's ear before she broke the hug.
Also Gale embraced Peeta in a brotherly, warm hug as a matter to say goodbye. "Katniss is right. It will go well."
"Thank you very much guys, we'll talk soon!" Peeta waved before he spun on his heel and began his walk home.
Soon Peeta arrived at home, the park was obviously not all too far from his own house.
He walked towards the door and stepped gently on the 'welcome'-matt before he pushed the key into the lock. Once opened, he plucked his key quickly out of the door and walked inside.
"Hey dad, I'm home!" Peeta called without getting an instant reply.
"Dad?" He walked into the kitchen as a small white envelope caught his attention. Peeta's name stood on top of the cover.
He tenderly opened the envelope and pulled out a small letter.
- Hey Peeta,
grandma doesn't feel good so I went there for a day. Glad to here Cato is alright and don't worry I didn't stalk you; I talked to Katniss on the phone while u were having your own call with Cato.
I'll be back tomorrow in the late afternoon.
Love, Dad -
Awesome, now Peeta wasn't only in a bad mood but also alone. What a great weekend.
Maybe Peeta should have felt sorry for his grandma; maybe Peeta should have wanted to know what was wrong but right now in this moment Peeta only cared for himself. Was that selfish? Yeah most probably but he knew that was the truth. What was the sense in hiding the truth anyway?
Peeta made his way upstairs with a coke light in his hand. He opened the door to his room as he saw an all too familiar silhouette sitting on his bed.
"Cato?" Peeta asked surprised. "What are you doing here? How did you get in here? Shouldn't you be in the hospital?" He asked confused, placing the coke onto the table to his left side.
"I needed to talk to you, Peeta. The window was open so I climbed inside, I was hoping you were here but you weren't. I decided to wait for you, the people from the hospital don't know that I left my room, I'm on a secret mission one could say." Cato grinned but received no laughter.
"What do you want?" Peeta asked plainly. He wasn't in the mood for any games; Cato owed him a load of a big excuse.
"I need to tell you something. Well, I'll make it short."
"Shoot." Peeta quirked an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry. For everything. The way I behaved, that I kicked you out of the hospital room and that I've said all those things. It's not your fault, if it's anyone's fault – then it is Finnick's. I know you always see the good in people; Finnick used that to his own benefits." Cato explained.
Peeta wanted to stay cold but Cato really got to him. "You really mean that?" Peeta asked ever so innocently.
Cato smirked. "Of course." He said and walked towards his smaller boyfriend and grabbed his hands.
"From now on I want you to know that you can tell me everything. I trust you and you can trust me. I just was so upset about Finnick and concerned about you, I'm sorry for acting like a total jerk. I can be very tempestuous sometimes. I'm sorry." Cato explained, leaning in closer to Peeta. "Do you forgive me, Peet?"
"Cato…I…" Peeta began. He relented. "Of course I do. You're my boyfriend, how couldn't I?"
Cato smiled. "I've got something else to tell ya as well." His blue eyes were glistening
"What's it?" Peeta asked drawing circles with one of his hands into Cato's palm.
"It was never easy for me to tell others about my feelings. In fact, I never said something like this to anyone ever before but Peeta, you really mean something to me. I should have said it earlier but in a way it scared me to reveal myself to a person in such an intimate way, but I want to return you words…"
Cato looked down to Peeta's lips and then back up into his eyes.
"I love you too, Peet."
Peeta, full of joy, hugged Cato immediately. This hug felt perfect - warmth, comfort and love were transmitted through Cato's strong arms that wrapped themselves around Peeta's waist.
"I love you too, Cato." Peeta responded happily while he looked up into the taller blonde's eyes.
"I know." Cato smiled and then pressed his lips down on Peeta's.
This was their first kiss in official love. It was different from any other kiss they have ever shared before; this one was immensely passionate but sincere and full of love – a deep, meaningful and loving kiss between two lovers.
Never before did Peeta feel so good and right with someone in his life. He knew he'd never want to lose Cato, they were meant for each other, they needed each other and they craved each other.
It was a bound so strong; it felt like it could survive everything.