The suit Amerite had made for him fit him perfectly, classic black and white with gold accents. She adjusted his tie as a member of the prep team fussed with his hair. They were waiting to go on stage, the swarm of nervous children and their stylists buzzed with an energy that was indescribable to him. His eyes glanced around nervously trying to find her.
I hope Cinna continued with the good ideas he had for the parade. I hope he didn't put her in something ridiculous. How did Haymitch coach her to play her interview? Please, not the sexy killer look Glimmer was going for. I have seen way too much of that girl than I ever wanted to see.
He had already shooed Glimmer away, trying to hide his annoyance at her constant attentions. She was wearing a see-through dress that was low-cut and very short. He was sure Cashmere was training her to play up the sex appeal.
It might get her sponsors, but she would be smart to pray she doesn't win.
He shuddered to think of the life she would lead if she did. Maybe if he convinced himself he was doing her a favor, having to kill her later wouldn't be so hard. Of course, she was wildly annoying. That didn't mean she deserved to die.
"Ugh, look at that dress. They're really sticking with that stupid 'girl on fire' shit huh?" Clove sneered at Vyan, "Why couldn't you two come up with something like that? I'm sick of being outdone by that rat."
It seemed that Clove had spotted Katniss, but he had yet to find her. His eyes darted across the room, faster now, until he felt his heart start pounding as he spotted a dark braid and a flash of red.
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
Cinna had made his little flame into an actual one. She was covered in jewel-adorned red silk that cascaded gently across her body. The gems started at a dark, midnight blue at the bottom of the skirt, fading into orange, yellow, and red. Her hair flowed over her bare shoulder in her trademark braid, small flecks of red crystals seemed to be weaved into her hair. Her face was not heavily made up, but everything about her exuded fire. She looked like a dream.
Perfect.
Katniss wasn't looking at him, but he could tell she was nervous. Her fingers tapped at her sides, and she seemed fidgety as she spoke to Cinna. He wished she would look at him, that he could walk over there and tell her how stunning she looked, hold her hands the way he had the way before. Instead, Cinna was the one comforting her. Her stylist was giving her a soft smile and approving look. Scanning his eyes across the District 12 team, he noticed a pair of blue ones staring back at him. Peeta Mellark was glaring at him in a way he had never seen the boy look before.
If looks could kill, I suppose.
He fought the urge to glare back, no need to egg him on. He simply smiled at the boy, trying to be as sincere as possible. Peeta looked taken aback by the look in his face, his eyes widening at Cato's white flag.
Don't look so surprised baker boy, everyone is trying to tell you I'm not the asshole you expect me to be.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, this year's tributes!" He heard Caesar announce. He had been so caught up seeing Katniss and distracting Peeta, he hadn't even notice Amerite ushering him into a line or the beginning of the host's introduction.
The lights on the stage were nearly blinding, the screams of the capitol citizens deafening. Caesar was dressed in all blue this year.
He looks like a fucking blueberry. Smile and wave Cato, smile and wave.
He slipped into character as he took his seat next to Clove. He eyed the crowd as Glimmer began her interview.
You know what you're doing. Don't give away any part of your plan. Be cocky, make them think you know something you don't.
"And now, welcome to the stage… our male tribute from District 1, Marvel!"
Alice and Mom will be watching. Be the typical career for now, you can show them who you really grew up to be in the games. Not yet. Not yet.
"Let's hear a big round of applause for our female tribute from District 2, Clove!"
Let Caesar lead you. Give the answer the audience wants to hear. Pretend like they don't make you sick to your stomach. Pretend like you're excited. Pretend like you want to be here. Pretend. Pretend. Pretend.
"Welcome to the stage, this year's male tribute from District 2, yet another volunteer… Cato!"
He stood from his chair, waving at the audience as he walked towards. The crowd was already wild, chanting his name as he smirked at them.
Good, play into my hand.
He took his seat next to Caesar, leaning back like he owned the place. He left the smirk on his face as he met the electric blue, jarring eyes of the man in front of him.
"So, Cato… how has the capitol been treating you?" Caesar started off the interview with the basic questions he always asked.
"Excellent" Lies. "I've got to say, I'm quite fond of the way things are here. I look forward to spending more time here once I win." I'm never leaving that arena, and I hate every single thing about this place.
Caesar chuckled at his display of confidence, "Well, we would love to have you back, wouldn't we folks?" The crowd screamed in response, Cato turned his head and gave them a big fake grin.
"Such confidence my boy, tell me… is that the same confidence you had when you volunteered? Tell me more about that." The blue man asked.
"Caesar, I've wanted a chance to be in the games for as long as I can remember." I couldn't want anything less. "I can't think of anything better than a chance to represent my home district, and I am truly honored to be here. I'm prepared. I'm ready to win." I'm ready to sacrifice myself for Katniss.
"Yes, well Cato we are honored to have you. The Hunger Games is a marvelous opportunity for you all, I imagine you're excited for the games?"
I couldn't be dreading anything more, you fucking fool.
"Oh, absolutely." He gave his trademark smirk. "I believe these are the greatest games ever invented." Bullshit. Big fan on tic-tac-toe over killing innocent children. "I've always wanted the chance to play and let me say… I have a lot of plans up my sleeve." Start dropping hints.
"Well, I, for one, can't wait to see you in there. Tell me, is there a special someone waiting for you back home perhaps? A handsome, confident man like you must have a long list of ladies to choose from." Of course, all the girls go crazy for murderers! How delusional the Capitol citizens are? This is the chance, hint. Hint. Hint. Hint.
"Hmmm, I can't say that anyone has caught my eye back home. I will say I do have my sights set on someone here with me in the Capitol." He turned to the crowd, giving them a big wink and a smirk.
Please, Caesar, don't press me too hard.
"Oh my! You can't just leave us with that! Give us a hint! What do you say folks, would you like a hint?" The crowd roared in response.
Shit.
He tried to keep his face straight. Show no panic, no fear. They will feed off your nervousness. Never reveal too much.
"A hint? Hmmm, let's just say you all know her name. No worries, I plan to make my move in the arena." He smirked at the crowd as they gasped, whispers and screams turning into an ear-splitting cacophony of noise.
Good, let them wonder. Let them think it's Glimmer or Clove… ignore the way you can feel her eyes burning into the back of your head. Please Katniss, ignore every single word I am saying.
"Oh my, well Cato. I wish you the best of luck. I can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve." The man said atop the still- screaming crowd.
"Thank you for having me Caesar, I'm sure we will meet again." I pray I never have to see your face again. He shook the man's hand as the buzzer went off, giving the crowd one last smirk before he turned to walk back to his seat.
He caught her eye as the girl from 3 was announced. Her eyes held a look he had never seen before. A mixture of hurt, jealousy, betrayal, and something else.
Do something, show her you were lying. Show her you were playing pretend. Show her that you were talking about her. Don't let her think you were talking about Glimmer or Clove.
"You." He mouthed to her, "It's you."
He barely had time to see the shocked look on her face before he reached his chair. His heart pounded with the reality of what he had just done. He had admitted, slightly, how he really felt. Admitted it was her he liked. Well, he never said he was in love with the mystery girl. He had just been so caught up in the hurt in her eyes… he refused to let her think for even a moment that he had eyes for anyone other than her.
His mind wandered to Maysilee and Haymitch. Did she die before he ever told her how he felt? Did Haymitch live in regret every day that he never told her?
Will you be content to die without her ever knowing? If she never knows how much you loved her, how much she meant to you, if she never gets that last piece of the puzzle, will she wonder about it forever? Will you be content to let Haymitch or Brutus tell her? No. She would never believe them. She would never know. It's not fair. She deserves to hear it from me. At least once, I have to tell her. Make it clear she isn't obligated to feel the same, make it known I am content to die without her ever returning my affection… but am I?
His mind continued to reel as the interviews progressed. Some of the kids were absolutely petrified, some gave decent answers. Rue was adorable, and he felt his heart shatter as he heard the nervous, shy tone to her voice.
Look at her you vultures… the girl you're cooing over might be dead in a few days. You'll watch her death and be happy about it.
Thresh went for stiff, cold, and threatening. He gave simple answers. Marvel had approached him on the last day of training, trying to get him to join their alliance. Apparently, Thresh had simply told him to fuck off. Marvel talked a big game, claiming he was going to go after him for turning them down. Cato had only thought that nothing could be a worse idea. In terms of threat in the games, Thresh was the biggest for Cato. Taking him down would not be easy, at all. He had to hope it wouldn't come to that, but something told him it would.
"And let me just say, I have been waiting for this one all night! Ladies and Gentlemen… you know her as the girl on fire! Let's hear it for Katniss Everdeen, our female tribute from District 12!" Caesar called as Katniss made her way to the front of the stage. The bright lights reflect off of the gems on her dress, she looked aglow.
She was nervous at first, missing Caesar's first question. Cato watched as she opened up more and more, playing a role he had never seen before from her. Only a minute in, she had them eating out of the palm of her hand.
The host asked about her parade outfit and at the mention of it, the crowd screamed as if they were on fire.
"I was just hoping I wouldn't burn to death." She answered with a smile. The crowd roared with laughter.
Good little flame, keep going.
"Katniss, I have to ask… the flames… are they real or fake?" Caesar begged.
"Oh they're entirely real." Of course, they are, look at her eyes. They're an extension of her. "In fact, I am wearing them tonight… would you like to see?"
The crowd went wild, begging for more. He barely hid his proud smile at the way they were entranced by her.
After minor protest from Caesar about safety, Katniss stood from her seat and twirled. The bottom of her dress lit up in flames, tiny sparks flying off her body. She was radiant. He felt his heart skip a beat at the sight of it all. He was tempted to get up and shout with the crowd, join in the massive group that was in awe of her.
That's my girl. You're amazing Katniss.
In this moment, he knew he had to tell her. It was worth the risk. She trusted him. She knew he wouldn't lie to her. She had to have all the puzzle pieces, so she could find peace after he was gone.
"Katniss, there's one last thing I must speak with you about. I think we were all very moved when you volunteered for your sister at the reaping. Tell me about that." Caesar asked her.
Be honest Katniss, let them see how much you love her.
"Yes." Her voice wavered a bit. "I love Prim very much. She is my whole life."
Perfect.
"And did she come to see you… to say goodbye, after the reaping?"
"Yes, she did." Katniss took a deep breath.
"And what did you tell her?" The host egged her on.
Tell them Katniss.
"I told her I would try to win… that I would try to win for her."
The room was silent. The capitol citizens were aghast at what they were witnessing. Cato could see their silent tears at the display. Katniss Everdeen had endeared herself into their hearts in the last 3 minutes, the same way she had to his.
"And try you will. I wish you the best of luck." Caesar grabbed her and squeezed it. "Let's hear it for Katniss Everdeen!" He stood and held her hand up. The crowd turned on a dime the way he had; the screams were deafening as she returned to her seat. She avoided his gaze, looking to the ground as she walked back.
Of course, she is confused by me again.
He prayed that he would see her on the roof tonight as Peeta's interview began. His ears listened intently. He felt himself start to worry as the interview progressed.
"Tell me Caesar, do I smell like roses to you?"
The boy was going for charming, convincingly enough. The capitol seemed to be enjoying him, laughing at all the right moments as he bantered with Caesar.
"So, Peeta Mellark, is there a special girl back home?" Cato perked up at this question, waiting with bated breath.
"Yes, but I doubt it will ever work out the way I want it to."
Please Peeta, don't say it. Don't create this shit show.
"Oh, I don't believe that for a moment. I'll tell you what, you go out there, and you win this thing… and she'll have to go out with you!" Caesar patted him on the back.
Peeta gave him a sad smile. Please, for the love of God. Don't do it.
"Thank you for the confidence, Caesar. I'm focused on the arena at the moment."
Cato let out a breath he didn't know he was holding as the buzzer went off. Peeta returned to his seat as Caesar announced the end of the interviews.
I don't know what changed your mind Peeta. I hope I don't have to be the one to kill you.