The Sword's Other Half

Facing the Father

{Cato’s POV}
    After a couple of minutes just sitting in the peaceful silence I hear Lissa’s breathing even out. Glancing down at her I chuckle. ‘The little fairy fell asleep on me.’ I remain in this position for a little bit longer before deciding I should get her inside. Looking down at the petite girl I can’t bring myself to wake her up so I gently and methodically stand up and pick her up bridal style simultaneously. Once I have her securely in my arms she snuggles her face in my neck and releases a sigh of contentment causing a loving smile to make its way onto my face. Somehow, without waking the fairy I press the buttons for the elevator to open and also for the elevator to take us down to District 12s penthouse. The elevator eventually dings and opens the door to the penthouse. I look around and see the dining area. In the dining area I can see cookies and cakes galore. ‘What the hell? District 12 gets dessert? No fair.’ I mentally pout at the sweets before realizing I can just ask Lissa to bring me some next time. Walking into what seems to be the living room I see an older man who looked to be around 40 with blonde hair. He must have heard me walk in because he turns in my direction and sees me in the doorway observing him. He observes me right back and when his eyes meet Melissa’s figure in my arms his eyes visably soften.
    “I’m not surprised she fell asleep. She was pretty worked up after dinner. Come sit down for a minute I should take this opportunity to talk to you," he says as he gestures me over.
    I nod and take a seat on the other side of the couch facing him with Melissa in my lap still sound asleep. “You must be Haymitch her mentor,” I state.
    He chuckles slightly, “And you must be Loverboy.”
    I chuckle, “My name’s Cato, Sir.”
    He makes a look of disgust, “Don’t call me sir it makes me feel old. Also, I like Loverboy better.”
    I chuckle and nod at him. “Thank you for talking to my mentor; Brutus, about the loophole for soulmates in the rules. I don’t think he ever would’ve thought of it without your help.”
    Haymitch nods at me before looking softly at the fairy snuggled up in the crook of my neck, “I did it for her. She hasn’t had an easy life but she still puts everyone in the district before herself. After my games I was a mess. I started drinking to chase away all the memories of my game. One day a little girl around 11 at the time saw me stumbling around the streets and helped me home. That little girl stayed with me throughout that night and took care of me. She talked to me all throughout the night and kept me company. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel like I was alone. After that night, that little girl would always make an effort to visit me almost every day. I'd even see her out in the district giving food to whoever was hungry even though I knew she didn’t eat much herself. Because of her, I began to pull back on my drinking habit and even made an effort to take care of her. Every time she’d come to visit I’d make she she ate even a little bit of something before letting her go take care of the others in the District. She is known throughout the District as “The Sweet Fairy of District 12”. She has touched so many lives but doesn’t think about herself which I always find to be one of her most stupid yet endearing qualities. What I’m trying to say is that the girl in your arms means so much to a lot of people, especially me. I couldn’t just sit by and watch like I normally do for the tributes from our District. I’d do anything in my power to make sure that she as well as you make it out of that arena. She means a lot to me.”
    I smile as I listen to his words. ‘I just keep falling deeper and deeper for the little fairy in my arms.’ “She thinks of you as another Father, you know,” I tell him.
    Haymitch sits up straight in surprise so I continue, “When we were getting to know each other yesterday I asked her who she admires most and she said you. She smiled brightly as she talked about all the times you took care of her even though you didn’t have to and also how you tried to play it off. She felt as if you were filling the void that was left behind when her father passed and she said she will always be grateful for that.”
    Haymitch smiles gently at the still sleeping girl in my arms, “She’s like the daughter I never knew I needed in my life.” Haymitch sighs before standing up with me mimicking his action. He observes me one more time and chuckles pointing at me, “You are never going to get her to let go.” I look at him with confusion before he gestures to the grip Melissa has on my shirt. I jokingly shake my head at the girl with a loving smile on my face. “She's a cuddler when she sleeps, she normally either has a death grip on her pillow or the stuffed wolf I got her a couple years back. Don’t worry though, you can stay with her tonight. I’ll wake you both up before Effie even comes out of her room so you can get out of here unnoticed.”
    “Thank you, Haymitch,” I tell him genuinely. Haymitch shrugs me off before leading me to her room. I gently lay her down on the bed but like Haymitch said she doesn’t release my shirt. Haymitch laughs at my predicament from the doorway before turning and leaving me to figure something out. I grab the bottom hem of my shirt and pull it off of me. Melissa pulls the shirt to her but scrunches her face in discontent when she unconsciously realizes I’m not in it. I chuckle as I am able to grab the shirt from her grip and set it aside before laying next to her and pulling her flush against my side and wrapping her securely in my arms She unconsciously wraps her arm around my bare waist and buries her face into my chest sighing in contentment. I kiss her head and get comfortable. “Goodnight, Lissa. I love you, My Fairy,” After muttering these words I drift into darkness and a world of dreams.