Taste of heaven (Clove Kentwell fanfiction)

Twenty one

"Welcome Panem! Tonight is a special night." Said Cesar while announcing the menu of the evening.

The redhead was, in the backstage, being adjusted for the last time. They made her wear a red dress. So red that it remind her of the blood she had on her hands a few days ago. It was a beautiful creation that suit every part of her. Her lips as red as the dress she was wearing.

In a few days, she would be home with her family. This was the reason she walked down the hallway to the stage. She had not seen Clove since the morning. Their conversation was stop before it began. They needed to forget it for their safety. She had said the three words to her thinking she would never open her eyes again, but she did.

Clove stood at the other end of the stage, hidden by the curtains waiting for her entrance. She knew what she had to do. Show a crazy love for Aria. Enobaria had already lectured her for her supposedly dangerous act in the eyes of the president. The line had been crossed when she injured herself to save Aria.

As far as she knew, the consequences of her act had not yet had any great repercussions, still she had to remain as wise as possible. This wisdom was represented by the golden dress that shone with a thousand lights. It was as bright as the false stars of the arena that she had watched every night.

"It is now time to announce our Victors of the 74th Hunger Games! Clove Kentwell from District 2 and Aria Yrwin from District 8!"

Their eyes locked from both side of the stage and the familiar warm appeared once again. Each step was as if the fireworks in their bellies were about to explode. A feeling that appeared every time they looked at each other a little too long. Their bodies stopped in the middle of the scene. The screams of the crowd, the applause - everything was gone. The only sound they could hear was the beating of their hearts.

"Hey," Aria said after a long silence.

"That's the first thing you say to me after" Clove moved closer to her ear "your I love you?"

Aria's face became even redder than her outfit and Clove smirked before placing her hands around her waist to kiss her. A kiss so languid and soft that made Aria feel a strange sensation.

"Magnificent! How lovely the two of you are." Cesar nagged while making the audience laughed. Aria soon became embarrassed as she looked at the floor. She had just kiss in front of all Panem. In front of her family. I can already feel Aiden's comment.

Clove took her hand and directed them to the couch they were supposed to sit on. Her hand wrapped around Clove's brought her some comfort before the recap of the games. Cesar put them directly at ease, almost making them forget that the crowd was there.

Seeing the games again did not bring her the closure she would have liked to have, but rather sadness and guilt. The bloodbath came and seeing Jacob's death again filled her with anger.

"Clove, we have seen your talent in throwing knives. Why did you choose this weapon over all the others?"

"Knives are perfect. Their sizes make them practical without clutter you around. Their sharpness is art. Only the best can have the precision it takes to throw them. I am from the best." As she answered, Aria could feel the circles Clove was making with her thumb on her hand. A simple action that made her realize that maybe Clove loved her too. For real.

The deaths of Katniss, Peeta and Finch appeared.

"Aria, I loved the way you kept fighting to the end during that fight. It was captivating."

"Thank you Cesar. I-I just fought for my loves ones." The redhead turned to look at Clove before continuing to answer "I still don't know how I survived the night though."

The grass she collapsed on was special. It had medical purposes, being able to treat wounds which was rare to find in the arena. Aria thought about Katniss. She realized that Katniss was more than what people thought she was. You could see it in her eyes, she had a courage and ambition that Aria wished she had.

The tributes were killed by Clove during the quest for the careers. When she killed, there was no mercy in her eyes. She killed as if it were an automatic. There was no emotions in her face. Clove was complimented on this side.

Rue's death passed and the feast began. The kisses they had set the crowd on fire. A scene appeared on the screen, something she had never seen before. Clove came out of the cave and was walking through the forest when Cato and Sierra appeared.

"Where have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere. I found Sierra on the way," Cato said, checking her for injuries. He frowned as he saw the cuts on her face.

"It's nothing, I was with Eight. We had a little fight, but that's it" Clove said while shoving his hands away.

"You were with Eight? That bitch needs to pay for disobeying me. Where is she?" Sierra said while Cato nodded. He was probably angry because she had hurt Clove.

"In the cave, but I told her I was coming back with food. We can't kill her now. She is my prey. She's already in love with me, I'll kill her when I don't need her anymore." Sierra began to laugh while Caro only stare at his district partner.

"Why do you want to stay with her? She has nothing to offer you?" For Sierra, Eight was a nuisance that needed to be kill.

"Don't I have the right to have a little fun? I'll kill her quickly and join you at the Cornucopia in two days. The career said with a smirk on her face.

The other two careers nodded and Clove was about to leave when her arm was caught by Cato. He whispered in her ear "What are you playing at? Since when do you play with people's emotions?"

The two friends stared at each other for a long time before she said, "Since I know I'm not a good person." She turned around and went hunting.

Aria didn't know what to think about what she had just seen. She had been play all along. It was all just a stupid game to pass the time.

"There are many of us who wonder how you really feel about Aria?" The voice of Cesar resonated.

Clove's eyes locked with Aria's. Clove squeezed her hand, then spoke, "I've always loved her from the beginning. I didn't want the others to find out so I lied to spend more time with her. And I don't regret it."

Aria didn't know what was true or false anymore. Was she telling the truth? It didn't matter. Cecelia and Jonathan had told her that she had to express her love for Clove. Even though she didn't want to, she placed her lips on hers. This kiss was nothing like the one earlier. It was empty of all feelings. The audience screamed with joy that the two girls were in love. The end of the recap came and President Snow crowned the winners.

Author's note

Friday will have the final chapter of Taste of heaven! Have a nice day