The Hunger Games X Reader ONE-SHOTS [COMPLETE]

Relax (Cato)

Hey, so if you haven't realized, I'm changing up the story a bit. I'm going to expand the horizons a bit because I don't know why BUT I AM SUDDENLY ON TEAM CATO! So here is a Cato X Reader for you all. Enjoy!

Guide:

(Y/N): Your Name

THUMP!

You grinned in satisfaction as you glanced up from your position to see that the spear you threw hit the dummy well in the heart. Like any other tribute from Districts 1, 2, and 4, you were to train for the Hunger Games for pretty much your entire life, and so far, you've been doing very well with it. You only just hoped you'd be able to bring District 2 some glory once you get out of the Hunger Games, should you ever get reaped.

But only one person stands in your way. A tall, young, muscular blond guy was also practicing very intensively, stabbing dummies with his sword and grunting every so often as he flowed from one position to another. Yes, the only one standing in your way was none other than the popular, all-too-good-looking fan favourite, Cato. 

"Good job, (Y/N)." The sound of your trainer's voice complimenting you snapped you out of your thoughts, and you turned now to smile at him.

"Thank you, sir," you bowed curtly. 

"Just work a bit on your position," he told you now, pointing at your feet. "Otherwise, that was good."

You nodded in assent, your eyes drifting over the huge space in the training room. Children from ages 11 through to 17 or even 18 were now working with weapons as if they were nothing but toys. Out of the corner of your eye, you suddenly caught sight of Cato resting up a bit, his sword thrown to the side, but his eyes now trained on you. Curious, you returned his gaze, an eyebrow raised, your heart suddenly fluttering madly under your chest. 

"(Y/N)?" Your trainer, this time, failed to get your attention, for Cato's gaze now held you down completely. He cleared his throat. "I'll, uh, leave you for a minute," he said quickly, bowing as he exited the training room, leaving you staring at Cato.

Your eyebrows now furrowed in curiosity. Why would Cato suddenly be looking at you? You were nothing. You were just another typical citizen of District 2 who was obligated, under the District's tradition, to train. And face it, you weren't even one of the good-looking kinds, despite the fact that you were smart and fierce. What's so special about you that makes him so...interested in you?

Apparently there was an answer to that that you have never thought of. As soon as the questions floated to your mind, Cato was now making his way towards you.

"H-h-hey, Cato,"  you managed to stammer out, waving a hand at him. 

Cato only smiled at you. "Hi, (Y/N)." 

"Uh, so, uh...what brings you here?" you finally asked him, unsure of what to say. 

Cato shrugged. "Just want to talk. I mean, what with intensive training going on and all. We barely ever have time to just relax."

You nodded, laughing shakily in agreement. "Who can't lie. I...I agree. They're going really hard on us."

"I won't be surprised if this is also how District 1 goes around too," Cato remarked, smiling as he looked at you. Internally, you were feeling your heart melt under his charm, but you kept your guard up. You can't be falling for Cato, can you?

"So, uh, what do you say we go out for a walk?" Cato finally suggested, biting his lip in doubt. Oh why did you have to ask that question? She could say no and continue training on her own!

You shrugged. "Uh, sure. I mean, my trainer just walked out, so I don't mind."

"Great." Cato smiled again as he wiped off the sweat from his brow. "Let's go."

*****************

A few moments later, you and Cato were just walking around District 2, both of you in complete silence. Cato's jaw still looked like it was set for an incoming battle. Your fists were also still clenched. That was...until Cato looked at you and your determined face, and his eyes softened.

"What's wrong, (Y/N)?" he asked. 

For a moment, you said nothing as you kept staring ahead, walking with a definite slow pace. Then you turned to Cato and frowned. "I don't even know anymore. First, I feel like hating you, because you seem to do so much better than me in training. And now, you're treating me as if I'm your equal! So now I don't even know what to feel. What are you even doing to me?" you added in agitation, clenching your fists even further.

"Hey hey, you just have to relax," Cato assured you. "Okay, well, I mean, let me admit it. I've been watching you in the training centre. And I didn't feel any kind of burning hate whenever I watched you. Sometimes you might best me, but I don't look at that. I just look at how amazing you are, and maybe you would get a chance at winning the Games. You looked so focused, so determined, so fierce..." Cato chuckled. "Maybe that's why I got interested in you."

To this, you looked up at him, stunned. "You what?!"

"Oh shit," Cato cursed, tensing up as he started rubbing the nape of his neck with his hand when he realized what he said. "Look, maybe I didn't realize it till now but I--"

"You were interested in me?" you asked, your eyes now softening at Cato's bashfulness. "As in..." Here, your voice trailed off as you unclenched one of your fists and took Cato's free hand in yours. "This kind of interested?"

As if by some kind of magic, all your doubts about your rival suddenly washed away the minute you reached out for his hand. Cato smiled at you again, and this time, it was easier for you to smile back at him without any hesitation. 

"Y-yeah," Cato nodded. "I mean this kind. Like, yeah." He started to rub his thumb over your fingers as the other hand on his neck dropped to his side. "It's kinda soon to say this, but I like you a lot, (Y/N). Just looking at you from the distance while you were training...I have to admit, you looked amazing when you're a fighter. But looking at you now, you're even more amazing than I imagined."

"Now?" you asked. "What do you mean, now?"

"You're not trying to kill anyone right now, for all I know," Cato grinned. 

You nodded. "Yeah. I suppose sometimes I just have to relax."

"That's it," Cato whispered, slowly leaning in until his lips touched yours. Shocked, you froze under his sudden move, but then you relaxed and lost yourself in the moment, closing your eyes as your lips moved with Cato's in gentle and soft rhythm. 

"That...was amazing," you admitted, the moment you let go. 

Cato smiled. "You see? No need to put your guard up all the time."

"Or do I?" you teased, feeling Cato change his hand position so that your fingers were intertwined with his. "Ready to head back?"

Cato nodded. "Best do that before our trainers start suspecting things."

Laughing now, you both headed back to the training centre, hand in hand, you and he both completely relaxed and at ease in each other's presence.

SHORT ONE, I know! Geez, I haven't had a lot of practice with short one-shots in a long time. I rarely ever do get inspiration when I'm drowning in school work and stuff. I hope this is good, though. 

Yeah. So, uh, that's it for now. 

-magic_mockingjay