Hunger Games (DNF)

Part 1, Chapter 16: the secret and the truth

Last bit of art I swear.

Moment of silence for poor muffin.

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And done.
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Clay POV.

"Good morning George." I greeted, glancing at the brunette with a smile.
"Morning Clay." he responded. "How long have I been asleep?" the brunette asked as he sat up and stretched.

"A couple of hours, I woke up when a cannon went off... don't know who though," I lied.
"Hope it's not Darryl or the guy from your District." George said, and I nodded in agreement. If only.

"Want something to eat?" I asked as I stood up.
George nodded and he stood up after me, I moved over to the fire and lit it again enjoying the silence of the arena. Even if this may be the last place I ever see I have got to admit, it's peaceful.

The brunette sat down beside the fire, leaning back slightly to get into a more comfortable position. I moved over to an apple and grabbed it, wiping some... liquid off of it that I didn't pay attention to, before handing it to him. I grabbed myself an apple and sat down beside him.

"After this do you want to go for a walk and explore the arena a bit?" I asked him, "but only this side of the river though... because as far as I know every other tribute is currently on the other side of it."

George nodded in agreement as he took a bite of his apple and it caused him to squint slightly, "what's wrong?" I asked.
"Tastes weird... but maybe it's just grown differently in the Capitol or wherever this apple is from. It's absolutely nothing like the apples that you can get back in 3."
I hummed in agreement, "must be... this one tastes different to ones I get too."

We ate in silence before I stood up and threw my apple core into the trees behind us. George had stopped eating his apple when he was about halfway done and I raised an eyebrow as I looked at him. "Are you going to finish that?"

He shook his head. "I know that I shouldn't be wasting food but I can't get over the taste."
"It's fine. We should have enough food for ages, plus... I can fish for anything else we need."
The brunette nodded as he stood. "So are we going on a walk?" he asked.
"Yeah... if you want. It would be a good way to clear our heads."

"That'll be nice." he stood up and I held out my hand to him. After a moment he took it and smiled, squeezing it gently as I began leading him down along the river bank before turning into the treeline.

Every moment I felt myself looking over at the brunette, if I am going to die before the games are over I can be happy that I got to stare into his large brown eyes, and see his precious smile from under his plump, pink lips, and get to hold his delicate hand with his pale white skin.
I was going crazy in this arena but having him by my side kept me happy and sane.

"There is something I want to tell you." as soon as the brunette said that I turned to look at him and gave a smile.
"What's up George?" I asked, looking at him for a moment before glancing up to look at the treetops, we had to be close to the edge of the arena so I was cautious of where I stepped.
"Well... I know that I will probably be dead sometime in the last few days... but I could never live with myself without talking to you first."

My breath hitched, looking at him as we both stopped walking. Is this about what I am thinking this is about? I don't want to jinx it and so I calmed myself before answering. "Talk to me about what, George?"
"W-w-well... I-I think tha-at I may... like you." he stuttered, avoiding my gaze and keeping his own on the floor.

He... he likes me? I felt a flicker of hope, a spark of happiness ignite in my chest. It made me feel good hearing him say those words. But I also felt sad. One of us were going to die... or both of us.... Don't let it be you... kill him now and go home... you killed one from 3 and now you can kill the other.

No! I scolded myself. I will never hurt George. No matter what I have to do, it will never happen, I will kill anyone... everyone but not George... not him.
"I know that you probably won't like me back, and I know that in a week... maybe less you will be the victor, back in District 4 with your family and friends... and you can forget about me because my life is ultimately meaningless..."

"George..."
"Everyone watching this... everyone in this arena with us... everyone who designed this stupid fucking game... should know that you deserve to win..."
"George..." I repeated.

"You are possibly one of the smartest people in here... smarter than even me and Darryl and we are both in the technology district. And you are the most talented, you can fight with almost any weapon and you are one of the most decent people here, you haven't killed anyone yet."

"George!" my voice was louder this time, and he jumped a bit. Not that I wanted him too, I'm sorry for scaring you George.

"I like you back... I am sorry for seeming like anything else but it's true. This isn't the best place to fall in love but I can't help it, you're perfect. Kind. Funny. Smart. Cute. And I am glad that of all the people in the world that I could spend the last days of my life... that it's you..."

I let out a breath which I didn't know I was holding and looked back up at him, and saw his face tinted red with blush. He turned away from me, possibly to hide his embarrassment but I just chuckled and hooked my finger under his chin, causing him to turn back.
"I don't want to die George... but what you said to me is wrong. I have loved you since the day I first saw you. It sounds stupid and cliche but it's true..."

George's face was practically glowing now, and he stared straight at me, unsure of how to react and I didn't know what to say. We were both lost in that arena, filled with other people but it was just us, nobody else.

Without realising what I was doing I leaned forward and kissed him on the lips, it was a stupid and reckless desicion but he didn't flinch. After a moment I felt the slight pleasure of his soft pink lips pushing back against mine. My eyes were focused on his which fluttered shut and I smirked against his lips.

After a moment we parted and he looked up at me, his face turning away and he bit his lip. "I'm sorry.." I muttered, "I'm sorry if that's not what you wanted."
"That was my first kiss..." George's hand moved up to his mouth and he rubbed his bottom lip with the pad of his index finger.
"I-I'm sorry..." I repeated, but then his eyes finally focused and he looked back over to me.

"It's okay... I liked it." His voice was small and timid, and he leaned forward kissing me on the lips again. I smirked, and grabbed him by his waist, pulling his body against mine.
After a few moments of being cautious I nudged his lips with my tongue, and he opened his mouth in response.

I explored the inside of his mouth and he moaned softly, sending vibrations through my body.
George's head tilted backwards slightly and my hand went up to his hair, causing him to groan softly as his eyes rolled back.

When we parted again we both gasped for breath as my hands both moved back down to his waist. He leaned against me and panted slightly and before he could say anything I picked him up, his legs wrapped immediately around my waist and his hands wrapped around my neck as his head lowered to rest on my shoulder.

"I love you George." I said, as I began kissing the side of his neck while carrying him back to our camp.
"I love you too..." he replied, craning his neck to the side for me to kiss.

All I could think about was how perfect he was.
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1449 words.