star crossed killers - cato x reader (the hunger games)

9

It seemed like hours that we wasted talking about our homes and our families and our lives. I didn't realize how exhausting making friends could be. I this point my smile fell as I looked at the laughing faces of Katniss, Rue, and Jacob. This was the wrong time to have met them. We would have been great friends long ago if all of us were together in 7. I imagined Rue and June, they were so much a like. So bright and young. At this point I had made my decision. I would face the games alone in the arena. I had imagined it, an alliance with Katniss, Rue, and Jacob— and again with the careers. Both scenarios end the same each time I replay them in my mind: I kill them and they kill me. I couldn't be with either group, I couldn't let myself do this. I have to do this alone and play the game. I'll be the number the capital wants me to be. All the tributes are just numbers, and the faster the numbers are scratched out, the sooner I'm back in 7 with June and Copper and the Liles.

*****
That night I sat on the ledge of the terrace garden, plate on my lap, fork and knife in hand, and feet dangling above the miniscule-looking parties below. I couldn't eat my dinner at the table in the eyes of Jacob, so I retreated to the roof. I felt almost content here alone, stuffing myself with food on top of the world. It was peaceful, almost.
Tomorrow would be test day when they'd rank us, and at night the interviews. Then finally it would be time to enter the arena in only less than two days. I would have to earn a 7 at least in rankings to even get just one sponsor and I'm sure that won't even compare to what the careers will score.

Suddenly, I could hear the sounds of the elevator moving. My first instinct was to ditch my supper and scurry up one of the garden trees. But instead, I stayed put, content with my food and not bothered to even turn my head when the elevator dinged, indicating it was about to open. I already knew who it was. No one else dare come up this terrace that was supposedly restricted. No one else was as entitled as Cato. His footsteps were almost slow behind me. When I turned to face him, his face practically mirrored mine. So tired and miserable, crestfallen by the day. Our eyes didn't light up when we saw each other. But I felt new and vulnerable in his presence. He made me feel like nothing else mattered, like I could just fall into his arms and everything around us would disappear. The air felt cooler and fresher to breathe around Cato, I noticed as I began to crave each longer breath. His shoulders relaxed and his eyes eased when he became close to me. I jumped into his arms. This is where I wanted to be right now. For once I didn't miss my district or my old life. Cato's head fell onto my shoulder and his arms naturally wrapped around my body. I held my face against his chest, his heart beat was soft against my cheek. Neither of us wanted to break the embrace. So I spoke into his chest.

"I can't be with the careers, Cato."

His head rose and he brought my face to look at his own. Cato's eyes weren't pleading or disappointed, they were just that same sparkling, gentle blue. He understood. And for a moment his eyes looked at my lips and I let mine look at Cato's. But we resisted, whatever this was had to be over. For now at least. His hands slid down my back and my waist, slow. His eyes only leaving mine as his hands finally landed on the hem of my top where Cato focuses for a moment. My breath was becoming heavy and starved again. His fingers pinch and rub the material of my shirt until just as quickly, his hands fall and he is walking toward the elevator.

Cato calls out to me, before the elevator closes around him.

"I can protect you from them, but not from me."