LOVELY

~ 2.5 ~

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'People fall in love in mysterious ways.
Maybe just the touch of a hand.
Well, me, I fall in love with you every single day.'
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Snuggled into each other's sides, legs and hands intertwined, the young couple spent their last night in the Capitol (for the second time, ironically) discussing what their future would have looked like together if they had won their Games the first time round. Knowing she would never get the perfect relationship with her perfect man broke Indiana's heart but as Cato pulled her closer to him and kissed the top of her head, she fell asleep with a smile on her face.

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Climbing off the Jet, Indiana was ushered into a familiar looking room as it was set up the exact same way last year's dressing room had been. Opening the door, she was greeted with a far more familiar face; her previous stylist.

"Indiana! My beautiful girl! I can't tell you how happy I am to see you again!" Phoenix screeched, throwing his arms around the nineteen-year-old. To say he was excited to see her would be an understatement.

"It's good to see you again too, Phoenix." Indiana chuckled, squeezing him tightly.

"I sobbed for days when you passed."

Ha, passed, as if it was some peaceful moment where her life ended, pain-free and during her elderly years. Not as if she had been run through with a spear and bled to death, and then been eaten by mutts.

"It wasn't my finest moment in life," she smiled grimly at the memory.

"Oh, you." Phoenix swatted her on the arm. "Always making jokes. Now, let's get you dressed and ready."

Her blonde hair had been braided into her typical French braids but they had been tied round the back to form a crown, her suit was lightweight and waterproof with a compartment belt around the waist. This gave Indiana the indication that swimming would be involved with this year's arena. In fact, all signs pointed towards the arena being some sort of tropical environment.

A knock sounded on the door causing Indiana to jump but Phoenix just giggled gleefully before rushing to open it.

"Indiana, Lover Boy's here." Phoenix declared, voice reaching higher tones. "You have two minutes."

Cato's suit fit him perfectly, muscles bulging under the fabric and threatening to rip at the seams. Pulling the small girl into his arms, he trapped her lips with his own and pushed her against the wall. Shoving his tongue into her mouth, he pressed his body against her own and snaked his arms around her wait. Sliding her hands into his perfectly styled hair, Indiana moaned into the kiss.

Unfortunately, it was over far too quickly when Cato remembered the reason for his visit and pulled away, creating some distance between the two.

"Indie, we don't have much time but I have to give this to you." Cato breathed, pulling something out from under his suit – a golden chain.

On the chain was a plain but beautiful golden ring engraved with the name 'Hadley'.

"It belonged to my mother, and my grandmother, and now I want it to be yours." Cato explained, getting down on one knee. "I know it makes no sense and that I fell in love with you in the most bizarre way but, will you marry me?"

"Yes." Indiana smiled, pulling him up for a passionate kiss.

Despite knowing they would probably be dead soon, it was a pleasant feeling to know that they had achieved something they'd dreamed of for their future – getting engaged. Cato clasped the ring necklace around her throat, smiling when she tucked into her suit for safe keeping and gave it a reassuring pat. It was nice to have a meaningful necklace around her neck again after her locket was returned to her aunt and uncle.

"I'll see you in the arena. I love you. So much." Cato placed a kiss on her forehead and brushed away the happy tear that had fallen, his own eyes having welled up.

Walking out the door being held open by Phoenix, he felt much lighter.

"Did he give you the ring?" Phoenix squealed.

"You knew?!"

"Of course I did. His stylist and I pulled some string to get him in here. We've been rooting for the two of you since your Tribute Parade," he winked before pushing her towards the platform. "Now, into the tube. You have twenty seconds."

Giving herself a reassuring nod, Indiana climbed onto the pedestal and closed her eyes as she tried to calm her nerves. She would see her aunt and uncle soon and somehow, that wiped away any fear she had.

"10 seconds until ascent." Plutarch Heavensbee's voice sounded over the comms.

"Give them hell." Phoenix smirked before disappearing from sight when the pedestal rose.

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Blinking rapidly, Indiana's eyes adjusted to the harsh sunlight before she began searching for Cato, Cashmere and Gloss. However, there were far too many tributes in the arena this year for her to see anyone she cared for other than Brutus and Enobaria.

"Welcome to the 75th Annual Hunger Games, the third Quarter Quell. May the odds be ever in your favour."

Glancing around at the arena, Indiana noticed that a body of water surrounded the shiny Cornucopia. The tribute pedestals had been placed a short swim away from rock walkways that connected to the Cornucopia. A bow was gleaming in the sunlight, catching Indiana's attention.

"10!"

"9."

"8."

"7."

"6."

"5."

Don't die, Cato.

"4."

"3."

Don't get yourself killed, Indiana thought.

"2."

"1!"

Indiana dove into the water and hoped for the best.

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'Place your head on my beating heart.
I'm thinkin' out loud.
Maybe we found love right where we are.'
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