Puppet Strings

Chapter Two

"Sick? Of you? I don't think that's even possible," said Cato. He was being extra affectionate, pressing loving kisses all over Peeta's neck and collarbone, holding him so close that their bodies were pressed against each other's. Peeta loved how Cato felt against him and felt a shiver shake his being every single time Cato held him so close.

"Trust me, it probably is."

Cato stepped back but held onto Peeta's hand. "Please. At least stay one more night?" As if already having decided for Peeta, he led him back to the bedroom. Peeta didn't protest or tell him to stop and instead allowed Cato to take him to what had almost become their shared room.

"Fine, but tomorrow you have to at least allow me to go home to collect a few things," Peeta said.

"Okay, that sounds fair enough." Once the door shut behind them, Cato twirled Peeta around and pulled him against his body. Peeta's heart was racing, Cato still managed to have an amazing effect on him. "So, what do you think? Pyjamas or just naked tonight?"

"I'd say pyjamas because being naked may be just too tempting for you," Peeta teased.

"I'll be tempted whether you're in pyjamas or not," said Cato. "If there are pyjamas then I'll just have to take them off again." He kissed Peeta firmly, slipping his hands down his back and cheekily pinching his ass. Peeta's blood switched momentarily to fire, like acid burning through his veins, before returning to normal again.

"Hey, stop it, cheeky," said Peeta. He forced himself to keep his voice under control and no give away to Cato the effect he had on him. "I really meant it when I said I'm tired, you know? I'd really like to go to sleep."

"How about a compromise?" Cato suggested. "If you sleep with me without the pyjamas then I won't try anything on. How does that sound?"

Peeta shrugged with a smile. "Sounds good to me," he said.

It was amazing how warm too bodies could make a bed without the barrier of clothes. Cato kept to his deal. He kept his hands around Peeta's waist and didn't make any inappropriate moves. Peeta adored how much he could depend on Cato. Cato didn't' lie or back out of promises, like many people in his life had done before. If he made a promise, he would stick to it.

"See you on the other side," Peeta sighed, closing his eyes and nestling his head onto Cato's chest.

"Goodnight Peeta," Cato replied, the adoration in his tone shining through like rays of sunshine.

The next morning, Peeta was woken up by Cato moving around. His eyes fluttered open, sticky with sleep, and he could vaguely make out his boyfriend moving around in the darkness. Mind clouded and body heavy, he mumbled, "Cato?"

"I've been called into work," Cato replied in a hushed voice. Peeta could just about make out the outline of the older man's form as he rustled around the room, probably getting dressed. "It's pretty early, you should go back to sleep."

"What time is it?" Peeta rubbed his eye in a feeble attempt to waken himself up. He had never been fond of the idea of being in Cato's apartment alone. It felt weird, especially since it was still early days in the relationship. If Cato was leaving, maybe he could get home for a few hours to pack some things up and tie up some loose ends with his family, who were probably wondering where the hell he had gotten to.

"4:30 in the morning," Cato answered.

Well, that explained how dark it was. Peeta propped himself up on his elbows and squinted through the gloom to try to locate Cato after losing the outline again. He bunched the duvet covers up to his chest to protect his naked body against the morning chill. "What should I do?" It was more a question of 'should I leave?' but Peeta didn't want it to seem like he was eager to go. He wasn't particularly drawn towards the idea of leaving but he wasn't too fond of the idea of staying in Cato's house alone, either.