A Different Game, The 74th Hunger Games (Clato)

Cato: Damn! Almost!

Chapter Eight.

Cato's POV

"Please…." I heard her say. Then she's crying so hard now. I can finally open my eyes! I opened them slowly and I felt I was back from the dead. Clove didn't see me, though.

I reached for her face and wiped her tear away, then see saw me. And my hands were still bleeding and it seriously hurts. "Hey," I say softly, cause I'm still too weak.

"Cato!" Clove exclaims. "I thought I lost you, forever" I gave a wry smile.

"Shh. It's ok… Don't.. Cry" I said. It's hard for me to speak, breathe or do anything. "I'm.. Sorry" I said.

She smiled at me then sobbed softly "No. I'm sorry". Then she hugged me.

"Clove..?" She pulled away and looked at me,

"yeah?"

I had no idea how to do this. But fuck it! I'm just gonna say it "I.. I.. love.. you." Tears went down her face immediately. "Clove?" she buried her face in her hands again, "Clove? Are.. you.. alright?"

It took my every strength to get up. "Cato – You don't know how long I've been waiting to hear that, from you." I gave a sigh of relief. "I.. love you too Cato!" She said then hugged me, hard. Causing us to fall on the ground. Then she leaned forward and kissed me.

And it was the happiest moment of my life. When the kiss ended, we were smiling. "You're hands looks seriously damaged," she says, then wiped a tear off her cheeks. "Let's go fix it up". I nod then followed her.

When we finally reached camp, I broke the silence. "Clove?"

"Hm?"

"What time is it?" She looked at me then continued bandaging my wounds.

"I don't know. I guess about 12 am?"

"Oh." I say.

"Why do you ask?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing. You go rest and I'll keep watch." She shook her head.

"No. You need rest. Besides, they witnessed enough action with Thresh and You then You and Me." I know she's right. But I still don't want to risk it. She just raised her eyebrow and waiting for me to follow her. We closed our tent then lied down, we lied facing each other. At least we have our privacy here. No cameras, No Capitol watching.

She snuggled up beside me and said "I don't wanna sleep."

"Why?" I ask. She needs rest, seriously.

She sighed, then said "Cause maybe if I wake up, all of this will be gone" I felt her sincerity. I want her to remember this moment forever.

"Hey," I say "We're gonna go home, okay?" she just nodded. Then I just kissed her. Passionately. And slowly my lips slid down to her neck and then she gave a low moan and said, "Cato – " I stopped immediately.

I got away from her. I feel so ashamed of myself! How could I do this to Clove? I hate myself! So I buried my face in my hands and said "I'm so sorry, Clove!" I shrieked " I just got carried away and – " then she sat next to me, reassured me that it's okay. I removed my hands and stared at her. She's so perfect. Then she kissed me and I immediately lose track of reality again.

No. I can't do this. I can't take advantage of her. Not Clove. Never. I pulled away then said "Clove?"

"Yeah?"

"We can't do this. I.. I.. don't want to take advantage of you. Not now. Not never. You're so special to me, okay?" I want her to know this. She's just too important to me.

"Cato – "

"Yeah?"

"You're not, taking advantage of me, Ok?"

"Clove –" I Am! I thought. But she said,

" I woundn't kiss you back if I don't feel anything real, ok? I know I loved you ever since we were.. what? 11?"

I looked at her, is she serious? "Clove, I'm gonna get you home, I promise."

"Cato?"

"Yes, Clove?"

"I Love you." I smiled at what I heard.

"I love you too" Then we kissed for what seemed like 2? 3 minutes maybe? It felt so damn right!

Then when broke the kiss, she lied down again. I lied down beside her. Sideways so we're facing each other. I pulled her so she's right next to me. I heard her sigh then looked at her. Her eyes were closed and she looked like an angel. Then she said " Goodnight Cato." Then drifted off to sleep. I kissed her forehead then said, "Goodnight Clove." Then went to sleep myself.

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