Burning Heart ~ Cato 2 (Completed)

Chapter Eleven

     I sit nervously in the room, my leg bouncing against the side of the bed. Of all places in the Capitol, they have us stowed up in the penthouse floor of the training center. The place where I spent my last moments before being sentenced to almost death. The place where Peeta stayed. 

     I've learned from Haymitch that Cato has slept on the couch for the past two nights. Out of condolence for Peeta, he has refused to sleep in Peeta's room. 

     The two days we have been here, we have done nothing but entertain. Convince people, we were are okay. Convince them that all we were were two love birds. Two love birds and their prep teams. Not, of course, a love bird and his prep team, and a love bird and her team of agents all handpicked to take down the capitol. Well, all but the Bird Trio. 

     My restlessness finally gets to me, and I all but shoot up out of my bed. Peaking my head out the door, I check to make sure the close is clear. Even though the Capitol doctors cured me of everything and anything, Haymitch fathered me into staying in bed after everything. 

     I slowly walk through the hall, trying to make the smallest amount of noise.  I feel a presence behind me, and immediately I turn around, the candle next to me pulled out of the sconce. Cato's eyes are wide, and he takes a step back.  

     "Sorry," He says quietly. I take deep breaths before a soft smile crosses my face. I turnand put the candle back. 

     "It's cool," It then hits me what room he came out of. As I stare at him confused, he looks back to the door. When he turns back to me, be opens his mouth and begins attempting to form words.

     "Cato, why were you in Haymitch's room?" I ask him. He grows red, but not out of anger. Out of embarrassment. He shakes his head and mutters a curse, grabbing my elbow and leading me to the elevator. He presses the button for the roof. We begin to stand in silence, and Cato's hand doesn't leave my arm. It doesn't take long for me to notice the slight tremble in his hand. 

    As the door opens, we are already off. He leads me to where we had our rooftop talk all those months ago. I turn to him and he refuses to look me in the eye.

     "Cato?" I ask him. He shakes his head, looking out onto the parties below. He shifts on his feet, nervous.

     "Ash," He starts, his hand shaking even more. I've never seen him this nervous. He turns to me, searching my eyes, his chest lifting up and down rapidly.  

     "Cato, whatever it is, you can tell me," I whisper quietly. His eyes begin to get a glassy sheen.  

He can't do this anymore.

He's going to give up.

The thoughts swirl through my head and I take a shaky breath, forcing them away. 

     "Ashlynn, I love you. I love you more than life itself. I just wanted to do this here. Alone," He begins. I look at him questioning. He slowly drops to his knee, and the world freezes. My hands fly to my mouth in slow motion and his nervous expression is filled with what I can only describe as love. "I had a big speech planned out, but I can't remember it." He says with a laugh. 

     "Ashlynn Quarry, will you marry me?" He asks. 

No!

Yes.

I can't..

You will.

     I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out. I feel my body constrict, and the sound around me stops. I can't help the lone tear begin to roll down my face as I stare into Cato's hopeful blue eyes.

     The weight of what is happening hits me full force, and I can't help but deflate a little. If I say yes, Cato would be in grave danger, his life at stake for anyone trying to get to me. 

     But if I say no... 

     "Ashlynn?" He asks, his voice breaking, and his smile faltering. I drop to my knees in front of him, grabbing his face in my hands. His eyes study mine as I do the same to him. 

     But I'm willing to risk it all.

     "Yes," I say, more tears threatening to spill through.

     "What?" He asks in breathy pauses.

     "Cato Porcius, I would love to marry you."