FIRE ON FIRE ( cato hadley! )

epilogue

——☆ FIRE ON FIRE
epilogue

THE SUN WAS JUST beginning to rise, casting soft streaks of orange across the sky. The early morning light peaked over the large cliffs, illuminating the deep blue ocean below. Lilia led Cato up the narrow rocky path, breathing in the crisp, refreshing morning air. Once they reached the top of the cliff, Lilia gazed out at the view in awe.

"You sure you're up for this?" Lilia teased, glancing over her shoulder at him. "It's kind of a District Four thing."

Cato Hadley looked down at the crashing waves, his brows furrowed. "You jump off that into the ocean? Regularly?"

Lilia laughed. "You can't be scared of a little water."

"I'm not scared of water," Cato defended, but there was a grin tugging at his lips. "It's the whole 'jumping off a cliff' part that sounds insane."

"Come on," she said, reaching back to grab his hand. "We survived the Games, the war, everything. What's a little cliff jump?"

Cato snorted, his fingers tightening around hers as they reached the edge. The view from the top was breathtaking. The endless ocean stretched out in every direction, and the morning sun was just entering the horizon.

"Ready?" Lilia asked, standing at the edge, her toes hanging over the rocky ledge.

"You're really something else," Cato murmured, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Ready or not," Lilia said with a grin, "we're doing this."

The blonde girl gave him one last playful look before counting, "Three... two... one!"

They jumped together, their bodies soaring through the air. The wind whipped through their hair, and for a split second, they were flying, they were free. Then, with a splash, they plunged into the ocean, the cool water surrounding them in an embrace.

Lilia surfaced first, gasping with exhilaration as she wiped the water from her face.

"I told you it was amazing!" she called out, laughing as she searched the water for Cato.

Cato Hadley came up a moment later, shaking the water from his hair with a grin on his face. The boy swam toward her, a laugh escaping him.

"Okay, I'll admit it," he said, breathless. "That was insane...in the best way."

Lilia beamed at him, her eyes sparkling. "I knew you'd love it."

The boy chuckled softly as they began swimming toward the shallower water, their feet finally finding the sandy ocean floor. As they moved into waist-deep water, Lilia splashed Cato playfully, sending droplets of water spraying across his face. He smirked and splashed her back, but there was something different in his gaze, something more serious.

Lilia noticed the shift in his expression and tilted her head.

"What's that look for?" she asked softly.

Cato swallowed, looking down at the water for a moment before reaching into his pocket. His movements were slow, almost nervous. When his hand reappeared, he was holding a small silver necklace, a delicate ring tied to it by a thin chain. The sight of it made Lilia's heart skip a beat.

"I've been carrying this with me for a while," Cato said as he rubbed the back of his neck, clearly not used to moments like this. "I didn't know when the right time was. I don't really know how to do...this."

Lilia stared at the ring, her breath catching in her throat as she realized what was happening.

Cato continued, his eyes locking onto hers. "But after everything we've been through, everything we survived, I knew I didn't want to waste any more time. I've never been good with that kind of thing. But I know that you're it for me."

The boy paused, then added quietly, "You've always been it."

Lilia's eyes filled with tears, and she opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. The emotions swelling in her chest were overwhelming. She felt her pulse quicken as Cato Hadley stepped closer, the water gently swirling around them.

"I want you to wear this," Cato said, lifting the necklace, the ring swaying between them. "I want us to have a life together. Lilia Conway, will you marry me?"

Lilia could hardly breathe as she nodded, a smile breaking across her face.

"Yes," she whispered, her eyes never leaving his. "Yes, Cato, I will."

Relief flooded his face, and he smiled. His hands shook slightly as he lifted the necklace over her head and let the ring rest against her chest, just above her heart.

Then, without a word, he leaned in, capturing her lips with his in a loving kiss. It was sweet, filled with all the promises they had made to each other. Lilia melted against him, the kiss warming her entire body.

When they finally pulled away, both breathless, Cato brushed a wet strand of hair behind Lilia's ear, his thumb lingering on her cheek. "I never thought I'd find this."

"Neither did I," she whispered back, her heart full. "I love you, Cato."

"I love you too, Lilia."

With the water lapping at their legs and the sky brightening above, they stood there, side by side. Two survivors, two broken souls, healing together in the ocean.

The salt, the sea, and them.