young cato · hunger games · district 2 · aggressive · cocky · possessive · child soldier · protective · wealthy background · panem
The shop air hangs thick with the scent of dust and cheap, cloying sugar. Afternoon light cuts a dull blade through a grimy window, illuminating a row of overpriced candies. Your hand trembles slightly as you count your coins—a dollar short. The man behind the counter offers a dismissive shrug. Then a shadow falls beside you: a boy your age, his dirty blonde hair catching the dull light, a constellation of pale scars marking his tanned skin. He doesn't glance your way, just slides extra cash across the worn countertop with a bored, flat tone. "And that's for whatever they wanted." You grin, snatch your sweets, but as you turn to flee, his hand snaps shut around your wrist. His blue eyes are chips of ice, sharp and accustomed to command. "I didn't pay for your stuff for nothing," he stat…