#Cato and Clove

[kitkatdoodlez]

Some biblically accurate tributes

[cloveswifey]

Mentor

Pairings: Cato Hadley x Fem!Reader

A/n: not exactly sure if this was what you wanted when you requested; hopefully this is good enough. Part 2 will be on its way maybe?

Type: Angst + Fluff

Warnings: blood, swearing, the hunger games, insults, arguing, fighting, medicine.

Words: 1.9k

Request: Cato × reader when he won the 74 and she won the 72 and she's younger than him and they fall in love and ppl are surprised he's soft for her

Y/n had always known that she was destined for greatness. Growing up in District 2, she had been trained from a young age to become a tribute in the Hunger Games. She had learned how to use a bow and arrow with deadly accuracy, and she was smart enough to outwit any opponent who dared to cross her.

As the day of the 72nd Hunger Games approached, Y/n felt a mixture of fear and excitement. She knew that the Games were a brutal and unforgiving competition, but she was determined to emerge victorious.

When the Games began, Y/n immediately put her skills to the test. She used her bow and arrow to take down several of her opponents, and she quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with. She was smart enough to avoid direct confrontation whenever possible, instead using her wits and her knowledge of the arena to stay one step ahead of the other tributes.

As the days passed, Y/n continued to impress the audience with her skill and her cunning. She was one of the youngest tributes in the Games, but she was also one of the most deadly. She had a natural talent for survival, and she was able to adapt quickly to the ever-changing conditions of the arena.

Despite her success, Y/n never lost sight of her ultimate goal: to emerge victorious from the Hunger Games. She knew that there were still several formidable opponents left in the competition, and she was determined to outlast them all.

As the final showdown approached, Y/n prepared herself for the ultimate battle. She knew that she would need to be at her very best if she was going to emerge victorious, and she focused all of her energy on the task at hand.

When the final battle began, Y/n was ready. She used all of her skills and knowledge to outwit her opponents, and she fought with a fierce determination that left her adversaries reeling. In the end, it was Y/n who emerged victorious, having proven herself to be the most skilled and resourceful tribute in the entire competition.

As she stood before the cheering crowds, Y/n felt an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment. She had survived the Hunger Games and emerged as the ultimate victor, a testament to her strength and her courage. From that day forward, Y/n would be remembered as one of the greatest tributes in the history of the Hunger Games, a true champion who had overcome incredible odds to achieve her ultimate goal.

As Y/n emerged from the arena, she was greeted by a sea of flashing cameras and cheering fans. She had just become the youngest winner in the history of the Hunger Games, and her achievement had not gone unnoticed.

Alongside her stood Finnick Odair, the dashing and charismatic tribute from District 4. Finnick had won the 65th Hunger Games at the age of 14, and he had gone on to become one of the most beloved victors of all time. Now, he stood beside Y/n, the newest member of the exclusive club of Hunger Games champions.

As Y/n made her way through the crowds, she was praised for her incredible skill and bravery. She had faced off against some of the toughest opponents in the Games, and she had emerged victorious against all odds. Her youth had been seen as a disadvantage by many, but she had used it to her advantage, relying on her quick reflexes and her natural agility to outmaneuver her opponents.

Finnick, too, was quick to praise Y/n for her incredible achievement. He had been in her shoes once, and he knew just how difficult it was to win the Hunger Games at such a young age. He saw in Y/n a kindred spirit, a tribute who had overcome incredible odds to become a true champion.

Together, Y/n and Finnick became the talk of the Capitol. They were hailed as the brightest stars of the Hunger Games, two young tributes who had proven themselves to be the very best of the best. They were invited to all of the most exclusive parties and events, and they were showered with gifts and accolades from their adoring fans.

For Y/n, the experience was both exhilarating and overwhelming. She had never imagined that she would become a Hunger Games champion, let alone one who was celebrated alongside the legendary Finnick Odair. But as she basked in the glow of her newfound fame, she knew that she had truly achieved something remarkable. She had proven that age was just a number, and that anyone, no matter how young or inexperienced, could become a true champion if they had the courage and the determination to succeed.

2 years later

Years had passed since Y/n had won the Hunger Games, but her name was still remembered by many. She had become a living legend, a symbol of hope and resilience in a world that was often dark and cruel. So it was no surprise when she received a summons to President Snow's office, inviting her to mentor the tributes of the 74th Hunger Games.

At first, Y/n was hesitant. She had left the world of the Hunger Games behind, and she had no desire to return to it. But something in Snow's voice had piqued her curiosity, and she found herself accepting the invitation despite her misgivings.

Y/n pov

I soon returned to my home district, after being at the Capitol to fulfil President snows wishes.

As I arrived, Brutus was preparing to announce this year's tributes. She watched from the sidelines as Brutus approached the bowl of names.

But just as he was about to draw a slip of paper, a voice rang out from the crowd. "I volunteer as tribute!" My eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on a small, tough-looking girl.

She had dark brown hair and freckles scattered across her face. With a proud smirk, she strode up to the stage.

"What's your name?" Brutus asked into the microphone.

"Clove Kentwell," she replied with a smirk.

"Congratulations, Clove!" Brutus exclaimed, applauding. "Now, Y/n, would you do the honors and select our male tribute?"

I nodded and walked up to the bowl, but before I could pick a paper, another voice cried out, "I volunteer for the Games!"

A muscular blonde man stepped out of his aged-group line and began walking towards the stage.

"What's your name?" I asked into the microphone.

"Cato. Cato Hadley," he replied with a smirk, looking out at his district. He then turned to me and winked before taking his place beside Clove.

As they rode the train to the Capitol, Cato began making fun of Y/n for being younger than him. "How is a younger person gonna teach me anything?" he taunted.

"Age doesn't matter, Hadley," Y/n scoffed.

"Why's that?" Clove sarcastically laughed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Hey, now. Let's not be rude," Brutus said, trying to diffuse the situation.

But Cato wasn't having it. "You're just a kid. What could you possibly teach us?" she sneered.

Y/n took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "I may be young, but I have experience," she said firmly.

"Experience in what? Tying knots?" Clove scoffed.

"Shut it, Freckles. I could easily put one of my arrows into your thick skull and send you flying across this room," Y/n spat at the small girl.

Clove rolled her eyes, but Y/n could see a glimmer of respect in her gaze. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to prove herself to these tributes.

Y/n, Brutus, Clove, and Cato arrived in the Capitol, ready for the 74th Hunger Games.

As they waited for the parade to begin, Y/n noticed that Cato looked nervous. She walked over to him and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, you okay?" she asked.

Cato nodded, but Y/n could see the fear in his eyes. "I'm just nervous," he admitted.

‘Nervous? I don’t do nervous’ Thought Cato.

Y/n smiled. "I know, but you're going to do great. Just remember to stay focused and don't let your emotions get the best of you."

Cato nodded again, and Y/n could see that her words had helped calm him down. As the parade began, Cato and Clove climbed onto their chariot and rode through the streets of the Capitol.

The crowd roared as they passed by, and Y/n couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. They were representing their district, and she was determined to make them proud.

As they made their way back to the training center, Y/n pulled Cato aside. "Listen, I know you're a great fighter, but you need to be careful. Don't let your anger get the best of you. Stay focused, and don't make any unnecessary moves."

Cato nodded, and Y/n could see the determination in his eyes. She knew he was going to be a tough competitor, but she also knew that he had what it took to win.

As the days passed, Y/n continued to give Cato and Clove advice and support. She knew that they were all in this together, and that they needed to work as a team if they wanted to survive.

Cato was confident as he entered the arena for the 74th Hunger Games. He knew that he was a strong fighter, but he also knew that he had a lot to prove. Luckily, he had Y/n as his mentor, and she had been a great help to him throughout his training.

As the games began, Cato fought hard, taking down his opponents one by one. But when he came up against Thresh, things took a turn for the worse. Thresh was a tough opponent, and he managed to injure Cato's leg.

Cato was in pain, but he knew he couldn't give up. He thought of Y/n, who had sent him medicine to help with the pain. He knew he had to keep fighting, for her.

As the days passed, Cato continued to fight, but he found himself thinking more and more about Y/n. She had been there for him from the beginning, and he had come to rely on her for support.

As he made it to the final battle, Cato knew that he had to win. He thought of Y/n, and all of the help she had given him. He knew that he couldn't let her down.

In the end, Cato emerged victorious. As he stood on the podium, he looked out into the crowd, searching for Y/n. When he found her, he mumbled the words "I love you Y/n" under his breath.

Y/n heard him, and she smiled. She had grown to care for Cato as well, and she was proud of him for winning the games. She knew that they had a long road ahead of them, but she was ready to face it with him by her side.

[dreamofescaping]

In the hunger games they change the rule to say that both tributes can win if they are from the same district. Katniss thinks that its because of her and Peeta’s love story which true… BUT I don’t think they were the only reason why.

I think the people of the capitol also saw the love between Cato and Clove. The glances between the rough layers. I think they wanted a pair of lovers to win. Imagine the story between them which lover pair will survive. The anguish if they lose a partner. Best of all for the Capitol if Cato and Clove win a selling story for future Careers.

[spacebetweentheheavens]

What if it came down to Cato and Clove?

If katniss and peeta had died in the first games, and after the game makers revoked the two victor rule, do you think they would have turned on each other easily?

My instinct is yes, but what gives me pause is that when clove dies Cato in extreme pain. He is begging her to stay with him.

We know that Cato and clove are bloodthirsty and vicious in their interactions with Katniss (understandably so, you have to be on a certain level to win the games), but that’s not all they are.

The Cato that katniss knew, absolutely would have killed anyone without a second thought. (Didn’t we see that with the district 3 boy?) But the traumatized kid who is watching someone die, someone who represents home, probably the only person he can actually trust in the games.. that feels like a different character who would make a different choice

[catoslvt]

Cato Hadley x Reader

Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you.

Already together

Third person beginning.

Cato paces his room back and forth, unable to sleep, I mean, how could he? In a few days, he'll be going into the hunger games, but suddenly, an idea pops into his head he should go through to y/ns room to see if she's awake which is highly unlikely, everyone knows y/n could fall asleep anywhere and at any time.

Cato loves that about y/n, cato loves everything about y/n infact and she loves everything about him.

As cato presses the button, which opens the door to y/ns room, he has to hold back his laughter, for someone who's certainly not tall, she knows how to fill a big bed, laying diagonally with her arms and legs flung in every direction imaginable.

But catos eyes are quickly moved to the TV, which is showing interviews from past tributes of games.

As he slowly approaches y/ns bed, he looks at her face more carefully. It is now being lit up by blue colours as the district four interviews now begin to play, but her face doesn't move when he sits on her bed trying to stay as silent as he can because he doesn't want to wake her up.

He slowly sits down, biting his lip in fear of waking her up, and he lets out a small chuckle as it seems y/n has a cato sensor because the minute he sits on her bed she slowly wakes up.

Y/ns pov.

I let out a huge yawn as I rubbed my eyes and turned my head to the side to see the reason why my bed was dipping in only to see none other than cato sitting on my bed.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." He apologises, and I shake my head and pull him down so he's lying beside me, which causes him to laugh.

"You didn't wake me." I argue and he raises an eyebrow at me.

"Then what did?" He quizzes, and I smile, unable to think of an answer because cato did wake me up.

"Are you nervous?" Cato asks as he wraps his arma around me, practically pulling me on top of him at this rate and my head rests in the crook of his neck.

"Of course I'm nervous." I tell him laughing.

"But why? We trained our full life for this." He then tells me, and I nod.

"Well, yeah, but that doesn't help me get over the fact I'll be dead soon." I state, and cato shakes his head as he begins to draw shapes with his finger over my back.

"You're not gonna die in the games y/n, I won't let you." He argues.

"But I don't want you to die either, cato. If it means you can live, then I don't care." I argue back, although im practically crying at the fact that one of us, or both of us, will be dead in like a week, maybe two weeks' time.

"Y/n, look at me." Cato whispers, and I slowly lean my head up to look at him, and he smiles at me, and I smile back, suddenly washed over by tiredness because of cato waking me up.

"I love you." He states, and I know he means it, cato can't lie to me, and I can't lie to him.

"I love you too." I state back as he kisses me, his hands still sitting gently on my back.

I kiss back before we both pull away, and I yawn.

"Goodnight, y/n." He laughs as I slump my head down on his chest and close my eyes.

"Goodnight, cato." I whisper.

[clatoera]

Masterlist of Chapters: Always Remember We’re Burned For Better

hey guys! I just wanted to make a post with the links to each chapter of my Clato AU both here and on AO3 for convenience and easy tracking purposes.

I won’t be too verbose and will just get into it!

Chapter One: Crimson Clover    Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Two: Still, the Yearning Stays   Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Three: Checkmate, I Couldn’t Lose Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Four: I’ve Loved you three summers now honey, i want ‘em all Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Five: It’s Been a Long Time Coming Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Six: Everybody’s Watching to See the Fall Out  Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Seven: All These People Think Love’s For Show Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Eight: Would’ve. Could’ve. Should’ve. Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Nine: Everything was slipping right out of our hands Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Ten: Our Coming of Age Has Come and Gone Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Eleven: Baby, Let the Games Begin. Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Twelve: Meet Me At Midnight Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Thirteen: Don’t Blame Me (Love made me crazy) Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Fourteen: Who You Are Is Not What You Did Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Fifteen: If I’m on Fire, You’ll Be Made of Ashes Too Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Sixteen: I nearly lost you (I really though i’d lost you) Tumblr|AO3

Chapter Seventeen: What Doesn’t Kill Me Makes Me Want you More Tumblr|AO3

Chapter Eighteen: Not my homeland anymore...so what am I defending Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Nineteen: Always Remember We’re Burned For Better  Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Twenty: We Will Never Go Back to That Bloodshed Tumblr | AO3

Epilogue:  I Vow I Will Always Be Yours, For We Survived the Great War Tumblr | AO3

SEQUEL: Picket Fences, Sharp as Knives

Chapter One: At Dinner Parties, I Call You Out Tumblr | AO3

Chapter Two: Barefoot in the Wildest Winter, Catching my Death Tumblr| AO3

Chapter Three: All I Know, Is this could either break my heart (part 1) Tumblr| AO3

Chapter Four: ...Or bring me back to life (part 2) tumblr | AO3

Chapter Five: I once believed love would be black and white...but it’s golden. Like daylight. tumblr | AO3

Chapter Six: Not Trying to Fall in Love, but we did like Children running tumblr | AO3

Chapter Seven: They Got No Idea About Me and You tumblr | AO3

Chapter Eight: You Knew What You Wanted, and Boy You Got Her tumblr | AO3

Chapter Nine: I am what I am cause you trained me tumblr | AO3

Chapter Ten: The best thing that’s ever been mine tumblr | AO3

Chapter Eleven: When you can’t sleep at night, you’ll hear my stolen lullabies tumblr | AO3

Prequel: You Don’t Feel Pretty, You Just Feel Used Tumblr| AO3

Associated works: because friends who write together stay together (or me being really thankful for my loves who share this with me)

1.  Dust Collected on my Pinned up hair: au of an au from @crookedlyniceperson for my girl glimmer

2. Enobaria and Cashmere being cuties talking shit drunk in bed from @bodyelectric77

3. Honeymoon: Cash and Enobaria in D1 post war  @bodyelectric77

4. In a world of boys he’s a gentleman: glimmer and marvel get together THE fic i dream of sometimes @kentwells

[vampirehizzies]

the heat of your electric touch by enobariasdistrict2/enobarias on ao3 | clato oneshot | word count: 2.5k

"You were lucky. Probably didn't get any major arteries. Come on, let's get you more comfortable," he tells her after his assessment. A brief glance downward proves him right - the blood loss doesn't seem too concerning. She only nods vigorously, breathing slowing to a steady rate as she waits impatiently for her body to adjust. When he holds out his hand between them, Clove accepts his help, allowing him to guide her to a nearby rock, his palm flat against the relatively small plane of her back. The relief she feels once seated on the cool grey stone and having pressure off her foot is immediate.

Clove accidentally injures herself and needs her district partner's help. Cato comes to the rescue with first aid that might just be too effective.

Read on ao3 or under the cut.

The steel jaws of the snare clamp around her ankle with a vicious, unforgiving clang of metal, teeth grazing the skin of her foot and tearing, before she can yank it away in time. This torturous pain draws an involuntary gasp from her, and every amount of self control she has prevents her from stumbling around clutching her foot like an idiot. The screaming of her nerve endings in that region, and the accompanying sight of blood pouring forth from the recesses of her foot, contribute to her own personal hell, but are not nearly as unbearable as the shame that squeezes her heart, a self-loathing that comes only from her own carelessness and incompetency.

Really, she is, or should be, better than this. A decade of training under her belt, only to be injured by some strange animal trap like a half-witted lower district imbecile? Much like some of the blood vessels of her foot, her pride is torn into pieces.

Clove at least has the strength to not curl into a ball and whimper on the ground the way she desperately wants to. Being idiotic enough to land in an easily avoidable trap is bad enough, but she doesn't need to look like a weakling with low pain tolerance as well. The reputation of her District is too important, the consequences of betraying a home that gave her everything too great. Unfortunately, her nervous system doesn't seem to agree, continuously attacking her with sharp signals of pain that she won't be able to ignore for much longer.

"Clove, come on, why the fuck did we stop - oh," Cato responds to his own question once he sees the issue.

Right. Yet another miserable aspect of her current situation: her ally (and the boy who has become almost an extension of her) is present to witness her humiliation. Although his words are harsh, she detects none of the frustration typically characteristic of her district partner, only a weary exhaustion that she too has been feeling the effects of.

"Listen, I can help you out with that," he offers his assistance quietly. She doesn't face him, instead glaring daggers at her traitorous foot confined by the snare trap at the base of a tree. Judging by the proximity of Cato's voice, so intense that she can almost feel the pulse of the vibrations in the air between them, he is now far closer to her than he strictly needs to be. Clove wonders if she's imagining that heat at her back being a result of his body's closeness, or perhaps it's just the Gamemakers and their sadistic temperature controls.

She removes her boot quickly and tosses it to the side of the path - whether or not she retrieves it later isn't something she cares about at the moment. Clove releases her foot, tentatively setting it on the ground to right herself, taking great care not to place too much weight on the sensitive area, and uses one of her hands to lean against the tree. Unfortunately, her hands are now both very much covered with thick blood, like messy paint splatters across skin that will congeal into a rather lovely if mildly disgusting paste, but Clove can't bring herself to think about hygiene right now.

"God, your ankle is fucked up," Cato murmurs, staring at with widened eyes in morbid fascination. Clove briefly turns her attention away from catching her breath to glower at him for his asinine statement. Unfortunately, he isn't worth the effort it would take to deliver a scathing comeback, and her rapid breaths wouldn't allow her to form a coherent insult anyways.

"I'm fine. We'll rest for thirty seconds and then keep moving," she grinds out between clenched teeth, her voice too high, blinking back tears. Cato's polite enough not to point this out, and she might have considered it a kindness on his part, that he had no interest in extending her indignity, but he could also very well be afraid of the fact that she'd tear him apart for daring to tease her. (Both possibilities are strangely heartwarming.)

Clove is not pathetic enough to be in this much pain, but they've spent hours hunting for the damned wonder-kids from Twelve and if she's being entirely honest, the tediousness of the task is getting to her - to them both. Besides, even if she did experience the sick euphoria of taking her competitors down that everyone back home had promised her, spending her days killing people was unbelievably tiring, even more so than Training had been.

(It's a secret she will carry deep down in her bones, never to be known by anyone other than herself...

or the boy who wordlessly stares at her across the campfire every night with silent understanding.)

"We both know you're not going to be just fine in thirty seconds, Clove," the boy in question mutters softly. The fact that he isn't yelling at her or degrading her for her mistake is jarring. Clove isn't used to him being so subdued. She can see his jaw clenching with irritation, but there are no signs of a classic Cato meltdown, no traces of the boy who could go ballistic at a moment's notice for even the slightest provocation. The absence of bulging veins against a reddening face, and the general lack of a hysterical outburst, is more terrifying to her than anything.

"Yeah? Then what's your plan, genius?" she replies bitterly. Her voice is far more shaky than she wants it to be, frayed at the edges with little of her typical venomous edge to her otherwise mean-spirited words.

Clove has never felt more weak in her life, especially for a technically benign, non-life threatening injury. She can only imagine the disappointment of their family and friends back home, staring at the large screens installed in the Square, watching their chosen Tributes repeatedly disgrace what the Games stood for with their failure to kill Twelves - Twelves, such easy opponents, the laughingstock of Panem. The additive pain of an incoming headache joins the ache of her ankle, the effects of both making her dizzy.

Her partner doesn't answer right away, and only conducts a silent once-over of her from head to toe, mouth slightly parted with concentration in a way that's oddly distracting. His gaze snags on the torn skin at her foot, narrowing in on the wound.

"You were lucky. Probably didn't get any major arteries. Come on, let's get you more comfortable," he tells her after his assessment. A brief glance downward proves him right - the blood loss doesn't seem too concerning. She only nods vigorously, breathing slowing to a steady rate as she waits impatiently for her body to adjust. When he holds out his hand between them, Clove accepts his help, allowing him to guide her to a nearby rock, his palm flat against the relatively small plane of her back. The relief she feels once seated on the cool grey stone and having pressure off her foot is immediate.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. We can just continue on," Clove concludes, her voice a light, breathy gasp, a fragile band that is worryingly close to breaking. She knows she has no chance of convincing him, but sheer stubbornness might work out well in her favor...

"Absolutely not," he snickers, more fond amusement than mocking. Clove inhales sharply when he suddenly drops down to his knees, unfortunately maintaining eye contact - if she didn't know better, almost deliberately. She spends far too much time viciously fighting off the salacious mental images that plague her diseased mind.

Thankfully, he doesn't seem to notice what effect the sight of him kneeling before her has, setting to work with the resolute purpose she's more familiar with from Cato. She watches him more intensely than she should as he shrugs off his backpack, taking in the ripple of his muscles and his confident movements as he pulls out a first aid kit - one of the few salvageable items from Fire Girl's little stunt on the mines. He unravels the white gauzy material and flings it over his shoulder before grabbing the ball of her foot gently and wiping away the blood with a damp cloth.

"I'm cleaning it," Cato grunts in answer to her hiss of discomfort as the searing liquid makes contact with damaged skin. "Last thing we need is you dying of something stupid like an infection," he reminds her, not unkindly, looking up to meet her eyes. Clove is stunned into silence by the impossibly soothing effect of his gaze, the delicate way he handles her foot. The little circles he rubs on the sides of her ankles render her placid, a serene calmness enveloping her as her eyelids flutter, tempted to close and simply let him massage her foot for eternity.

That simply won't do.

"You're taking too long," Clove feels the need to complain, rather childishly - if only to save face, to distract from what she's sure is very visible evidence of the effect he has on her.

Cato only grins at her cheekily. "Yeah, yeah, then do it yourself," he snaps back at her with little fire behind his words. He returns to his task with determined focus, and she's transfixed by the way he dutifully approaches his work, efficient in the way he takes care of the wound for her.

She knows that he's right - the curriculum back home had extensively covered first aid and injury recovery. Clove could have certainly taken care of this on her own - and really, before their circumstances had so drastically changed, she would have had to.

There is no help, no guide, for anyone in the Arena. Although alliances and partnerships were of incredible importance in the initial part of the Games, self-sufficiency was quite literally essential to survival. A Victor that needed assistance beyond the generous gifts of sponsors and the efforts of Mentors was practically a waste, and their Academies would never produce a Trainee who couldn't stand on his or her own, let alone clear them for the Games.

Training had in fact prepared them well for the physical demands and psychological impacts of killing 23 kids, and endowed them with practical survival/first aid skills, but the teachers never told them about some of the unsavory realities.

Long nights staring at the stars after seeing hazy electric-blue images of dead people flash across the black canvas of night sky - lives they had taken, a revelation that Clove knows should have brought exclusively pride with no residual guilt.

Or what to do with the silence that is a natural effect of fellow Careers having long since been knocked down like flies, a stark reminder that just nights before their sleeping space had been alive with the crackling of the fire and the sounds of teenage chatter.

The Academy had also never taught them how to work as a team for so long - by now, had the rule change not intervened, she and Cato would have gone their separate ways or, more likely, fought among each other for the honor of being labelled Victor, as was the expectation of any worthy representatives of Two. Instead, they'd been forced to retain the alliance for convenience.

But alarmingly, it was beginning to not feel that way. Clove had grown rather accustomed to him being an irritating thorn in her side, but somewhere into their partnership he became something other than a meat-headed brute, transforming before her eyes into someone more logical, focused, even receptive to her ideas. It certainly wasn't overnight, but she finds his ego more manageable nowadays. Rather than assuming he had automatic executive authority, he instead deferred to her. Cato constantly checked if she'd had enough to eat from their sponsor gifts, listened respectfully when she suggested something, and had even granted her Fire Girl, the kill that he wanted the most.

These were the signs of a more functional partnership, but none of this explained him holding her foot with such reverence as he cared for the wound, helping instead of hurting, willingly submitting to her needs... It should have been impossible. If anything it is unnatural for people like them to act this way.

Predators, rivals, enemies. This is what they were always meant to be, but Clove isn't sure anymore of this simple fact. She isn't sure of anything, really, only that her foot hurts less now and he managed this small crisis so well she can't help but swell with gratitude and pride for him.

The deep, throaty timbre of Cato's voice cuts through her thoughts. "Clove? You're real quiet up there. Don't tell me you're going to pass out on me over a little blood," he teases lightly, even as his pretty blue eyes glance up at her in wary concern.

Suddenly, she wants to scream in frustration for reasons that have little to do with pain. Doesn't he know who they are, where they are? He really can't be staring at her with such obvious affection, or handling her injury so gently instead of taking advantage of her weakness the way he was trained to. It isn't right, nor is it fair for him to treat her this way, to look at her so softly it hurts, to have a touch that makes her crave more.

"I just know when to shut up, unlike you." It's easy to slip back into the sultry, apathetic voice she usually speaks with, now that the pain in her ankle has been reduced, calmed into dull throbbing.

For as much warmth and concern he dares to show her, Clove will be twice as hard, twice as cruel. It's better this way, for them both.

He narrows his eyes at her in disbelief, then tightens his grip on her foot. "Way to show some gratitude, Clove, really." Cato squeezes her ankle one final time in the wounded area, not enough pressure to exacerbate the pain but certainly enough to make her flinch, before repacking the kit and rising to a stand. She ignores the pinpricks of guilt that prod at her chest when he refuses to meet her eyes.

Clove also will never admit that maybe she wouldn't have minded if he'd taken slightly longer to heal her. The heavy warmth in her foot, left behind from where he'd touched her, would have to be enough.

"Come on, Clove. We still have hunting to do," he reminds her. Hobbling over to her discarded boot, she manages to pull it back on, wincing at her ankle's protest. When Cato wordlessly offers his arm for support, still not looking at her, Clove has no choice but to ignore her pride and accept, leaning into his body far more than was probably appropriate.

"Thank you," she whispers softly into the space between them, not expecting an answer. He pulls her closer to his side in answer, almost compressing her into him. They didn't look like classic warriors, the loyal Tributes their District and country expected them to be. She doesn't even withhold the small smile that pulls at the corner of her lips.

Clove wonders how they must look to everyone back home in Two. Ruthless, courageous soldiers acting like best friends, dangerously teetering towards something more.

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she didn't care.

[dandelionbreadboy]

Some songs that remind me of sourcemates :]]

Katniss : Evelyn Evelyn (Evelyn Evelyn), Nightmare (Halsey), State of Grace (Taylor Swift).

Prim : Seven (Taylor Swift), It's alright (Mother Mother), Family (Mother Mother).

Finnick : From Eden (Hozier), It will come back (Hozier), Pretty boy (Naethan Apollo), Summer night in Domita (Naethan Apollo).

Johanna : Ain't no rest for the wicked (Cage the Elephant), Hells comin' with me (Poor Man's Poison), Girl Anachronism (The Dresden Dolls).

Haymich : Mind is a Prison (Alec Benjamin), I bet on losing dogs (Mitski), The Garden (The Crane Wives).

Effie : I bet on losing dogs (Mitski), What was I made for? (Billie Eilish), Daylight (Taylor Swift).

Cato : Save yourself, I'll hold them back (My Chemical Romance), The Horror and the Wild (The Amazing Devil), The Devil's backbone (The Civil Wars).

Clove : Kill of the night (Gin Wigmore), Brutal (Olivia Rodrigo).

Foxface : The Fox (The Penny Candies), Steady Steady (The Crane Wives).

Rue : Rue (Girl in red), Fearless (Taylor Swift), State of Grace (Taylor Swift).

+ some songs Katniss said reminded her of me,,

Constellations (The Oh hellos), Shallow River (The Crane Wives).

[cloverskentwells]

literally one thing about boys with little sisters is that whenever any tiny girl bosses them around they immediately will do whatever she says. the capitol is completely baffled when cato just lets clove insult and yell at him and order him around, and later when he's talking about how he has a kid sister back home the capitolites are like "oh never mind i get it now"

[solitarybookdragon]

Okay so there's a few things from the hunger games books I wish was in the movie. Peeta losing his leg. We don't really see him that affected from the games themselves, more by the toture from the capitol afterwards, and I think it wouldve just shown that he also was affected by the games.

I also think they should've included the part where Cato is crying for Clove when she dies. He just seems like he has no empathy at all for anyone. But in the book it shows that he deeply cares about her and not only about killing everyone so he can win.

[cloveswifey]

Tough guy

Pairings: Cato Hadley x Fem!Reader

Type: Fluff

Caution: This content contains depictions of illness and stubbornness in the character of Cato, as well as scenes of Y/n providing care for him. Additionally, this work includes themes of falling in love and is presented as a brief imagine due to time constraints.

Request: Hi! I was wondering if you could do a Cato Hadley imagine we're he's sick and the reader winds up taking care of him if not that's completly fine.

Cato Hadley was known among his peers as a tough, unbreakable force. He was a skilled warrior with a heart of steel, always ready to jump into battle and protect those he cared about. But even the strongest warriors fall ill, and Cato was no exception.

One evening, Y/N woke up to find Cato sweating and tossing and turning in his sleep. Concerned, she gently shook him awake and was surprised to find him burning up with a high fever. Without hesitation, Y/N knew she had to take care of him.

"You're not okay, Cato!" Y/n persisted as the boy continued to argue, refusing to accept that he was ill.

"I'm fine," Cato grumbled with a pout.

"Stop being so stubborn and let me take care of you," Y/n huffed, prompting Cato to finally relent and allow her to make him some warm soup.

Over the next few days, Y/N was constantly by Cato's side, tirelessly nursing him back to health. She made sure he took his medicine on time, prepared soothing teas to ease his fever, and stayed up late into the night to wipe his damp forehead and offer words of encouragement.

Despite his tough exterior, Cato was grateful for Y/N's care. He had never known such tender love and attention before and found himself wishing that Y/N would never leave his side. As he grew stronger, Cato recognized his feelings for Y/N had grown deeper and more profound.

One day, as Y/N sat by his side, Cato took her hand and thanked her for all that she had done for him. His gaze met hers, and in that moment, something shifted. They both felt it - a deep, unspoken connection that had been brewing beneath the surface all along.

As Cato got better, he found himself looking forward to spending time with Y/N more and more. He would seek excuses to be around her, whether it was going on patrols or training sessions. Y/N would always be there, her gentle smile and caring eyes a constant source of comfort to Cato.

Eventually, Cato summoned the courage to confess his feelings to Y/N. He told her that he had come to realize that she was more than just his nursemaid; she was the love of his life. Y/N, overwhelmed with emotion, reciprocated his feelings, and they shared a tender kiss.

From that moment onwards, Cato and Y/N were inseparable. They fought together, trained together, and loved together. Their bond was unbreakable, and they knew that they would always be there for each other, come what may.

As they looked back on their journey, they realized that it was Y/N's tender care and unwavering love that had brought them together. Without her, Cato would have never realized how much he needed her in his life. And for that, he would be forever grateful.

[thisonetimeinmeridian]

Guys, I just thought of something. In a Modern No Games Panem, I can totally imagine Clato as one of those VanLife Couples. They totally seem the type to say screw one place, we want to travel together and go on adventures.

They'd obviously stop when they decide to start a family and get a real house. They aren't one of those family van life weirdos, but it's definitely something they are into for a bit.

[not-that-syndrigast]

usually not a fan of these, but there's one type of story set in the Hunger games that I would like to see;

I would like it to be about district 2, because in the movies at least Haymitch says 'they train all their lives and then they'll volunteer and by that point they are pretty lethal' or something along these lines.

The point I am making is, I would love to see the side of a "career" kid, how they are brainwashed into believing the games are good and that being a victor is nice.

Just for the story to end at the interviews, fading into;

"welcome to the 65th hunger games interviews!"

And you just know, you've got to love this character because the career kids are not evil, they are just brainwashed and enslaved children.

[vertigospiral]

my friend just said "i can take a pack of careers but not in a fight"

-i literally 💀💀💀💀

[clatoera]

I am begging pleading etc someone to connect with me to talk about the hunger games this is a side blog I cant reach out but I am begging  I need to process feelings at 25 that I had at 15 too. I just crave that community once again.

(hi im a 25 yo medical student girly slipping back into my hunger games era just in time to become a doctor, I follow back from my personal account whorphydice!)

[vampirehizzies]

clato are so "'i could fix him' well good for you, i can be the one thing he's truly afraid of" coded