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Lover Boy is lying to them. Sure, he’s fooled the others with his sudden (fake) blood lust for the girl he claimed to love just last night. He won the rest of the alliance over with his big words and the capacity for violence he displayed at the cornucopia. He’s sworn up and down that he wants to bring the Girl on Fire down, he wants to rip her apart. The “love story” was just something he thought up for the interview, a ploy to gain sympathy and attention. But Clove takes pride in her ability to spot a liar and Peeta Mellark is full of shit.
She could say something but why bother? He’s leading them away from Fire Girl, sure, but Clove isn’t particularly invested in finding her at the moment. Cato is the one with the bug up his ass about her. Clove is content to wait. There are plenty of other fish in this pond, plenty of other tributes to hunt down. Why go into fits about one in specific? Not that Clove would ever expect Cato to act rationally. That’s never exactly been his MO. If he wants to follow Lover Boy around like he’s some kind of bloodhound, hoping he’ll lead the group right to her, she’ll let him. Frankly, Clove isn’t even sure how Peeta is supposed to know where Katniss is anyway. It’s not like they have some kind of psychic link. Clove knows Cato like the back of her hand and, were he to disappear in the arena, she’d have no clue how to find him.
The others, Glimmer, Marvel, and Marina, seem content to follow Cato. Even if they aren’t exactly happy, none of them would be willing to go against him. There’s no way that all three of them care that much about tracking down Fire Girl but Cato’s ability to snap a neck is enough to keep them quiet. Clove isn’t afraid of him, though. Never has been. She’d tell him exactly what she thought about his plan, if she were inclined to do so. He’d scream, threaten, argue, but eventually he’d listen. Clove knows she’s the only person in his life who won’t back down during a fight. A week ago, Clove might have started an argument with him just for the hell of it. She never liked to let him think he was in charge for too long. But, for reasons she isn’t really prepared to think too much about, she’s willing to hang back and let him lead. Maybe she’s tired of being his voice of reason. Maybe she doesn't want to spend their last few days together arguing.
Peeta leads them up a steep embankment, going on about how “this is exactly the type of place she’d go.” Clove nearly rolls her eyes. Part of her wants to take out a knife and stab him through the eye, anything to shut him up. But she stays quiet and follows. She can’t help but wonder what his end game is. Lead them around aimlessly, hoping they’ll somehow spontaneously drop dead? Maybe he’s hoping Fire Girl will show up and kill them all. Clove doubts he’s going to take care of them himself. Despite his obvious strength, he might be the least threatening person she’s ever met in her life. There is a chance she’s wrong, of course. He could turn on them any moment. He might smother her while she sleeps. He might run Cato through with his own sword. Love does strange things to people, makes them do crazy things. She knows that all too well. And Peeta Mellark loves Katniss Everdeen. Really, truly loves her. That much is obvious.
As they make their way through the forest, Cato slows down and falls into step beside her. “You alright?” he asks quietly.
Clove just stares at him for a moment. Is she alright? What a question to ask. They’re in the arena, tributes in the 74th Hunger Games. She’s been waiting for this moment ever since she started at the academy. She’s excited and terrified in equal measure. Her adrenaline levels haven’t gone down since she left her platform. She killed three people this morning. They’re following a lovesick baker through the woods. No, she isn’t alright. But she just shrugs. “Fine.”
Cato frowns slightly. He doesn't believe her. Peeta might fool him but Cato always sees right through her. “You’re quiet.”
He’s upset because she doesn't feel like chatting? “Nothing to say.”
“That’s a first.” Cato pulls the thermos out of his backpack and takes a swig. He holds it out to Clove. “Water?”
She shakes her head and resists the sudden urge to slap it out of his hand. He’s trying to what, take care of her? Now? They’re days away from killing each other and he’s offering her water? “I’ve got my own.” She gestures to her own backpack.
“I know, I just...” Cato trails off, apparently unsure of how to finish his sentence. Clove knows exactly what he was doing. He was trying to act like things are normal between them, like they’re still a team. Like their past matters at all in the arena. “You don’t have to freeze me out,” Cato says. His voice is barely audible over the noise of the forest but Clove still feels her stomach drop. Have the cameras picked it up? Have their allies heard? She told Cato before they volunteered that she didn’t want to play it that way, didn’t want to use their… whatever it is... to gain favor or attention. She wants to win on the basis of her skills, her ferocity. Besides, being a love struck little girl doesn't really fit with the image the mentors crafted for her. At least, that’s what she told Cato. The truth is more complicated than that.
Clove decides to put an end to that line of conversation and doesn't reply. She takes a drink of her own water bottle. Cato sighs loudly. He never bothers to hide his annoyance. “Bitch,” he mutters, then walks back to the front of the group. Clove can’t help but grin. She wonders how their relationship might have gone over with the Capitol audience. It’s hardly the stuff of fairy tales.
“Let’s stop for awhile!” Glimmer calls out. “I’m starving.”
Clove thinks about arguing, just to have an excuse to vent her frustrations but she decides against it. She’s hungry too. They’re going to hunt all night tonight, might as well rest up a bit.
“Head back to camp or stop here?” Marvel asks.
He’s asking Cato but Clove decides to answer first. Who died and made Cato king? No one important, yet. “Stop here,” Clove says. “I’m not walking all the way back on an empty stomach.”
No one disagrees with her. They find a little clearing and drop their bags down. Cato and Marvel start to gather sticks for a fire. Marina, the girl from 4, digs out some matches. “We’ll need water,” Cato says. No one volunteers. “Clove?” he asks.
“Fine.” Clove unzips her backpack and holds it open. “Throw in your bottles.” They do and she gets up to go.
Peeta stands up too. “I’ll come with you.”
“Why?” Cato asks. He sounds suspicious. Maybe he isn’t completely buying Peeta’s story after all.
Clove bristles a little. He’s worried, doesn't want she and Peeta to go off alone together. Does he think she can’t defend herself if Lover Boy turns on her? “Come on,” she says to Peeta. Then, to Cato, “Lover Boy can help if he wants to.”
They walk off towards the sound of the stream, leaving the rest of the group behind. Clove waits for Peeta to do something, attack her away from the others. She’s the smallest, maybe he mistakenly thinks she’ll be the easiest to pick off. She’ll show him, she’ll slit his throat before he can so much as blink. She’s ready for it. She isn’t, however, ready for him to speak. “So, um, why haven’t you said anything?” he asks.
She nearly chokes. “Said anything?” she gasps, trying to keep her cool and failing miserably. “About what?”
He knows that she knows but he explains anyways. He’s far too kind. “You know, how I’m not really trying to help you find her. Find Katniss, I mean.”
Clove could pretend that she didn’t know. She could freak out, lose her temper. Kill him right there. She’ll kill him, eventually (or, more likely, let Cato take him out) but she doesn't want to at that moment. Strangely, it feels good to not have to pretend. “I don’t know,” she admits. “Don’t see the point in it, I guess.” She nearly cracks a smile. “No harm in following you around. What else do we have to do, anyway?”
A smile breaks across Peeta’s face. It’s like sunshine or something. He’s so pure, it’s almost sad. He doesn't belong here, with people like them. “That’s it?” he asks. They make it to the stream and kneel down to to fill their bottles. “You’re bored?” he doesn't sound like he believes her. In fact, he sounds like he might laugh. Fair enough.
“Yeah,” she says, filling up Marvel’s bottle. She screws the lid back on and starts on Marina’s. “Maybe I am.”
“How could you tell?” he asks, filling up Glimmer’s bottle. “That I was lying.” He hesitates, then adds “about hating Katniss.”
Peeta seems like a genuine boy. Kind, genuine, and good. He probably is. But he also seems to have a talent for working the audience. Clove suspects that’s what he’s doing now. She doesn't fault him for it. She isn’t ignorant to that line of thinking. The academy focused on physical training but they taught them to work the cameras too, talked about angles and story lines. The audience must be glued to their seats right about now, dying to hear what Lover Boy will say next.
“I can spot a liar,” Clove tells him. “And I’m in no rush to take out your Fire Girl.” She’s proud of her answer, tough and strong without giving anything away.
Peeta looks at her oddly. “You seem to be the only one.” He nods back towards the rest of their pack. “Cato’s chomping at the bit.”
“Yeah, I guess.” What else is there to say?
“But you aren’t?” Peeta asks. “Why not?” He sounds like he’s genuinely curious but Clove can’t imagine why he’d care. And she has no intention of sharing her personal feelings with him (or all of Panem for that matter). She just shrugs in response and finishes filling up Marina’s bottle, screwing the lid on tightly.
Peeta seems to notice her annoyance and puts up his hands in mock surrender. Clove hates that she’s a little charmed by him. Her hand inches towards one of the knives in her belt. She should kill him before he makes her like him any more than he already has. By that logic, she should have killed Cato a long time ago. It would have been better for both of them (but especially her). “Sorry if I offended you or something,” Peeta says, snapping Clove back to the present moment.
He’s really apologizing for having possibly upset her? Clove almost laughs at the absurdity of the situation. But she doesn't reach for a knife again. “Like you could upset me,” she says. Does he have any idea what kind of life she’s lead? Does he know where they are right now?
“You’re right,” he says, agreeable as always. “But still, I shouldn’t pry.”
Clove puts Marina’s bottle back in her bag, then grabs Cato’s. “No, you shouldn’t.” He’s more than welcome to make his feelings public to the entire nation but he’d better leave her out of it. It’s a strategy, sure, but it’s one that makes her sick to think about. Maybe she doesn't have to worry about liking Peeta too much after all. Using his feelings for Fire Girl to give him an edge in the games is pretty fucked up. “I’m not interested in getting to know you,” she snaps. And she isn’t interested in letting him know her, either. He’s nothing to her and he has to remain that way. That’s how this works. They’re allies, because for some reason Cato thinks he can use Peeta and Clove is too far gone into whatever she has with Cato to leave. But they aren’t friends. It’s nothing personal. She isn’t friends with Marvel, Glimmer, or Marina either. She finishes filling Cato’s water, then picks up her own.
“I know you aren’t,” Peeta says quietly. “I understand. Really, I do. But I wanted to thank you anyway.”
Clove doesn't know how to respond to that. Why does he have to be so decent?
Peeta continues. “You could have told them I was lying but you didn’t. Whatever your reason, you still didn’t. Thank you, Clove. Really.”
His words pierce through her. He can’t understand how much his pathetic gratitude hurts. “You’re welcome,” she manages. She puts her water bottle back in her pack. “Let’s get back.” She stands up and brushes the dirt off her legs.
Peeta just looks at her for a moment, apparently expecting her to say more. Then he just nods. “Alright.” They walk back towards the rest of the group, back into the thick of the forest. Clove takes a deep breathe, stealing herself to join back up with her allies. Readying herself to deal with whatever is coming.
“I know why you did it.” Peeta’s voice is so quiet that Clove almost doesn't hear him. “I know you love him.”
And there, in the quiet of the forest, hidden by shadows Clove decides to be honest. She nods, just barely. But Peeta sees. “He loves you too,” he tells her. As if she didn’t know. As if it didn’t tear her up inside every second of every day. She nods again. He looks at her for a moment. “I’m sorry,” he says. And she believes him. Deep down, she’s sorry for him too. He’s a good person, she’s sure of it. But to protect Cato, to protect herself, she’d kill him in an instant. And Peeta might not be quite so willing to turn to violence but he’d do anything to protect his Fire Girl. Katniss.
She doesn't exactly plan to speak but suddenly, she does. Maybe she feels like she owes him an explanation after all. “You’re helping me put it off,” she whispers. “As long as we’re following you, we aren’t hurting each other.” There. Now the truth is out there. She can’t keep faking indifference, at least not to herself.
Now it’s Peeta’s turn to nod. “Yeah,” he says. “Too bad it can’t last forever, huh?”
Isn’t that the truth? Clove sighs. “It can’t. I know that. I’ve always known that.” She and Cato were never going to get a happy ending. She never expected one. But it doesn't make it any easier.
Peeta looks at her sympathetically. “Yeah,” he says. “Yeah, I get that.” Clove know that, in some ways at least, he does. He and his fire girl aren’t both coming out of this alive, doomed from the start, just like she and Cato. The only real difference seems to be that Katniss was unaware of his feelings until last night, if her shocked face during the interview is to be believed. Clove and Cato have been dancing around one another for years, unable to fight against their feelings despite all logic and reason. She might not always like him (actually, she often doesn't) but he’s a part of her, like another limb. Even if she comes out of this, she’s not sure how she’ll live without him. He’d probably never admit to it but she knows that Cato feels the same way about her.
She doesn't reply to Peeta. What else is there to say? Besides, the cameras have probably picked up at least some of what they’ve said and she doesn't want to keep the conversation going. She’s explained herself to Lover Boy. That’s all she’s going to do. Her mask is slipping back into place.