Fandom Imagines!!

Victors - Cato (Hunger Games)

This was kinda a weird one for me to do but I enjoyed the challenge! Cato isn't one I would usually write for but thank you for requesting it @farmcat298 !

Word Count: 1016

   "RUN (Y/N)!" Cato screamed, fighting off the mutts attacking him. You took out 4 knives, and threw them at 4 of the large dog creatures, giving Cato a chance to break away and run. He catches your hand as he passes you, dragging you behind him. You struggle to keep up with him, the roots catching your feet on occasion. You were both bloody, having fought the mutts for the past 10 minutes. The Cornucopia appears just up ahead, you and Cato speeding up at the sight. 

   But let's go back for a bit of backstory.

   Having volunteered for Clove, the odds were already not in you or Cato's favor. You kept it on the down low for the publicity parts, not wanting to seem weaker by admitting you and Cato were in a relationship. There were rumors since you both held hands still, but you both tried to really keep it covered up. Your opportunity to use it to your advantage had already passed when Peeta Mellark from District 12 admitted to having a crush on his district partner, Katniss. Caesar of course started joking that this was a romantic Hunger Games since there were 2 couples, which the crowd loved. 

   The sponsors that came from that comment worked to your advantage though. Now you and Cato both had armor, and the only people left were the 2 from 12, AND if you could kill them both you AND Cato could go home!

   You had stayed by his side since the first day, both of you protecting each other. But this was the moment to see if it would all have been worth it or not.

   You scramble up the metal horn and pull Cato up. He's about halfway up, kicking back at the mutts when you see another small pack running up on your right, lead by the last 2 tributes, one of them limping. So he's still at a disadvantage... "Cato here they come!" You yell out, urging him to hurry up and get up all the way. He finally gets to the top as the other 2 get to the base of the horn. 

   You and Cato back up into the shadows away from the edge, waiting for Katniss and Peeta to get to the top. 

  When they finally get up, you and Cato are ready for them. Cato rushes first, shoving Peeta aside and locking his hands around Katniss' throat, pushing her head so it hangs over the edge. Peeta takes a moment to take in the situation before lunging at Cato, pushing him off Katniss. Cato wrestles him while Katniss gasps for breath. You move to stand over her, a knife in hand. 

   "Don't even think about it Girl on fire." you growl, kicking her bow away as she reaches for it. It falls down to the pack of dogs beneath you.

   You turn and see Cato with Peeta in a head lock, Peeta gasping for air. "On three!" Cato calls, tightening his grip. You nod and hold the knife firmly. "One....two...THREE!" you drive the knife into the heart of the girl beneath you at the same time a sickening crack sounds from behind you, followed by the impact of a body on the ground. You push the girl's dying body to the ground as well as the first cannon fires. Only 10 seconds later does the second cannon fire, leaving you and Cato standing on the horn together, the sun rising over the retreating pack. 

   You make your way down carefully, new bruises on the both of you, and make your way to the lake so the bodies can be collected. The hovercraft's take away the District 12 tributes and leave you and Cato. 

   "Where's the trumpets of victory?" you mutter, looking around. 

   "Attention tributes." the intercom comes on. "The previous rule in which 2 victors could win has been revoked. Only one may win. Good luck." Then silence.

   You and Cato look at each other, the realization and sadness reflecting on your faces. "What now?" he says softly, the hard expression he kept for most of the games fading into the gentle boy you rarely got to see when around others. 

   You pull him into a hug, stroking his hair. "I don't want to lose you (Y/N). Not after all this. I can't kill you."

   "I can't kill you either Cato. I love you as well." you sigh. "So either we both die, or we take our chances."

   He pulls away and looks into your eyes, cupping your cheek. "I can't live without you..." he glances down and sees a small pouch on the bank next to the water. He bends to pick it up, giving you both a chance to wipe your eyes and clear the tears gathering. He opens it to reveal a handful of berries. 

   "Cato those are poisonous." you say quickly before he can try to eat them. Food had been scarce the past couple days so it wouldn't have taken long for him to shove them in his mouth without questioning it.

   "That's the point." he says, dumping a handful into his palm. He offers you some as well. "We can't go on without each other so...so we might as well die on our terms."

   You nod, looking at the blue berries sitting on your palm. "One...." you whisper.

   "Two..." Cato's voice cracks a bit.

   "Three....." you both raise your hands to your mouths.

   "STOP! STOP! Ladies and Gentlemen, the victors of District 2!" Both your hands drop, the berries falling to the ground. 

   "Did you eat any?!" you ask Cato, panicked as the hovercraft appears. 

   "No. You?" 

   "No!" You let out a light laugh, grabbing the ladder with him and riding up into whatever the future may hold for the two of you. Sure, you had angered the president. But at least you could face whatever came next together.