"Cato?"

You were shocked now to see the male tribute from District 2, on your floor, simply staring out from your balcony at the Capitol down below. His back was originally faced towards you, but the moment he heard you whisper his name, he turned around, his grey eyes flashing under the bright lights of the Capitol in alarm. The ends of his dark blond hair were also glowing, and you could even make out his pale face, a sweater unzipped and hanging over his upper body, and his blue track pants.

"(Y/N)? Didn't, um, expect you to be awake," Cato finally said, laughing nervously, not moving from his position.

"Seriously, what are you doing here?" you hissed, half-surprised and half-angry at the same time. "Is this even allowed? Do they know?"

Cato laughed hollowly. "I doubt they'll ever have the chance to ask. Clove's pretty much dead asleep right now, for all I know. As for everyone else...well, they're too busy partying hard. And yeah, you got me, (Y/N). I can't sleep. Like, at all."

You nodded as you felt your feet move you forward towards Cato. "Me neither. Just...worried about things." As you finally made your way towards the balcony, you leaned against the railing, resting your hands against the metal bar as you looked on at the Capitol and all its glam. For all you know, this could be the last time you would see those lights for a very long time.

"Just...just listen to them," you muttered. "They're just cheering for our demises. Whoever would die during the Games, I mean."

Cato nodded as he leaned by the railing beside you, brushing his hair back with his hand. "It's insane, I know."

"Says the Career," you retorted quietly. "You've trained your entire life for this. What are you so scared about?"

You half-expected Cato to start boasting about himself and his strength like he probably would, but instead, he shrugged. "I...I don't know. I'm just scared about the Capitol completely changing me. I'm already dying somewhat, you know. I...I don't know if I can keep up this image."

"What do you mean? You're a fighter," you remarked. "What with your amazing strength and speed, no one can compare to you."

Cato shook his head. "No. There is one person, and she's standing beside me right now."

You turned to him in alarm. "So you're regarding me as a threat?"

"No no. Not at all," Cato said. "No threat whatsoever. Remember that first day of training? When I complimented you on everything you've done--the fire, the knives?" Cato then gave you a naturally charming smile that made you feel an unexpected rush of warmth from head to toe. "You're something, (Y/N). Maybe you could be a threat, but you're a fighter, and I accept that. Hey, I'm surprised you even outscored me and outshone us at the tribute parade."

"Says the Career," you repeated cheekily.

"Hey!"

The two of you then shared a good laugh as you both looked out again at the night sky, at the lights below, though this laugh was pretty short in comparison to the ones you shared with Peeta.

Peeta. That traitor. You had to stop yourself from balling your fists, because right now everyone on your floor is asleep and the last thing you wanted to do was wake Peeta up and engage in a fight before you entered the arena tomorrow.

"I'm being serious, (Y/N)," Cato said, a hint a sincerity in his voice now. Then he took in a deep breath and let it out in a fast exhale as he raised his hand to his hair again, clearly stumped as to what to say next.

"What--what's wrong?" you dared to ask, inching slightly closer to Cato.

Cato shook his head. "Nothing. Just...I'm sorry about you and Peeta," he finally whispered.

For a moment, you stood dumbfounded. Then you nodded and wrapped your arms around yourself, the chill just beginning to settle into your body the moment Cato brought it up. "I thought he would be forever with me. You knew we were childhood friends. But..."

"You're cold," Cato whispered.

You shook your head. "No, I'm okay."

"No, you're not," Cato whispered firmly. Next moment, you felt a heavy weight on your shoulders and you realized that Cato has given you his black sweater. Now he stood with a simple white t-shirt. He hovered over you somewhat now, his hands finally letting go of the sweater he just draped over you.

"It's the best I can do," Cato finally murmured.

You nodded and gave him a small smile. "Hey. It works, you know. Though you're probably going to forget that tomorrow and kill me the moment I hit the ground running."

"Never."

You immediately looked shocked. "What? What do you mean, never?"

Cato chuckled as he watched you pull the sweater over you, putting the arms through the sleeves. "I was only hoping our offer still stands, you know. To join us."

"Now how could I forget?" you murmured. "I don't know, Cato. I'd definitely be a threat."

"How many times do I have to say this, (Y/N)?" Cato asked, giving you a shifty smile now. "You're an asset to us as Careers. You think we'd ask you to join us if we knew you were crappier than most?"

"But what would happen in the end?" you asked him quietly. "When it comes down to a final showdown...wow, I don't even know why I'm telling you this, but what if I don't make it alive?"

"(Y/N), I will never, ever hurt you," Cato whispered, hesitantly putting an arm around you and lightly grasping on your right arm. "As sappy as it sounds, it's true." A tear slid out of his eye and you reached up with the same amount of hesitation to wipe it away.

"Cato, it's okay," you murmured, smiling as Cato pulled you close to him, and you leaned onto his shoulder, though you still kept your guard up somewhat. It's kind of queer for him to just show up on your balcony without even acknowledging his presence at all. What if you never showed up to him? Would he still get caught? And is he even talking to you genuinely? Like, does he mean every single word he says?

"I know Peeta hurt you beyond repair. I just wanted to check on you, that's all," Cato whispered. "The moment I saw you run away after the interview, I knew something was up."

You stiffened. "So you do care."

"I have to say it was unexpected," Cato agreed. "I mean, Peeta's confession to someone you probably barely knew."

"Cato..." you whispered, feeling tears leak from your eyes.

"The thing is, I fully support you and Peeta. I always have," he smiled. "Maybe the time in the arena would give you some air time, to clear your head, you know? You can stay with us for a bit. Then clear things up with him."

"You sure you won't get mad?" you asked him suspiciously. "You are from District 2, after all. Odds are you might kill me before I reach Peeta. Besides, you are a Career."

"(Y/N), please believe me. I want you to be safe and I will never ever hurt you in the process," Cato whispered. He even started rubbing a hand on your arm, which started bringing some of the warmth back into your body, and you smiled at him in appreciation.

"And how should I believe you?" you asked him finally.

"I swore to the entire Career band," Cato assured you. "If that's not enough, what about this?" He quickly leaned in and kissed you on the cheek.

This immediately made you blush. Peeta had never kissed you before, not even a chaste one like Cato's on the cheek. If Cato really cared for you...

Suddenly, as if on impulse, you wrapped your arms around Cato. "Thank you, Cato," you whispered softly, allowing yourself to take deep breaths as your eyes fluttered shut, hearing his strong heartbeat against his chest.

Cato chuckled as he wrapped his arms around you. "Looks like you're tired," he remarked quietly. With ease, he picked you up and carried you, bridal style, back to your room, where he laid you down and tucked you in. He didn't bother pick up his sweater--it's all yours now. A sign of your friendship with a Career who never saw you as a threat from the start, even if you did outscore him and bested out his probability of winning.

He was just about to leave the room when he hung back, mesmerized by your young and fresh face illuminated by the lights of the Capitol. Slowly, he made his way back to you, leaned in, and kissed your forehead lightly.

"See you tomorrow," he whispered, before he finally left you in your room, sleeping a dreamless sleep. Then he went over to the elevator, got down to his floor, and tiptoed over to his bedroom, eventually wrapping himself in his own blankets as he too fell asleep.