| " K I S S . " |

___♔___

Seth's P.O.V.

I hear some arguing coming from across the training room. I roll my eyes, knowing it was probably Bane and Triton. Behind Lana's back, they fight all the time. She doesn't know, and they intend for it to stay that way. Everyone knows why they fight.

They stay far away from Lana, because if they touch her, they'll have to handle all of the careers, plus my group of allies. But mostly everyone knows not to do anything anyway. Lana has a fierce side, and she can fend for herself. But that's not what made me ask her to be my ally.

She was so careful around everyone.

Harmless.

Dreading.

Scared.

Perfect.

I had to ask her to be my ally. I didn't want to get too close to her, knowing that I had to win these games. But I did. I know that at some point, one of us will die. Maybe even both of us.

I'm terrified to lose her, even though it's been only days since we met. And so are Bane and Triton. They only want to protect her, so she'll win. But I want that too.

I have a protective side for her just like they do, and I know what's happening. I'm slowly falling in love for her. I shake my head at my thoughts, and throw another spear at the target. I smile in victory when it hits right in the center. Then I hear it again- the arguing.

"I am in love with her. How could you not fall in love with her? She's perfect." Bane says softly.

"I'm in love with her too, but she's mine. So stay away from her, and we won't have a problem." Triton argues sharply.

"You see, that won't work. She's mine." Bane growls.

I take a step towards them, and furrow my eyebrows. Jonah and Lana are in the corner of the room, watching it all happen. Just as Triton throws a punch at Bane, Lana jumps between the two of them, and takes his fist to her jaw.

I run over to them with wide eyes as Lana falls to the ground, immediately being knocked unconcious. Jonah and Bane are next to me, yelling at people to go get help. But Triton isn't.

He's out of the room.

I look at the bruise already on Lana's jaw, and listen to her steady breathing. My heart pounds in my chest.

The other tributes gather around us, especially the careers. Lily, Grace, and Maria are at my sides, pulling me away from Lana.

"We need to go, Seth. Her mentors are on their way, and they'll help. If the peacekeepers notice anything going on, they'll immediately execute anyone who did this. The last time I checked, that's Bane and Triton. I know Lana cares for the both of them, so we wouldn't want that happening. So we have to go, now." Grace says quickly.

I nod, and we go to the stations without another word about the quick incident.

I'm still worried about Lana, thiugh.

Her mentors step in, and one I know as Paul, picks her up bridal style, and leaves without uttering a single word to anyone. Bane walks over to the benches, and sits down, putting his hands on his face.

The tributes have now dispersed, leaving the peacekeepers no reason to be suspicious. Maria puts a hand on my shoulder, giving me a soft smile. I give her a fake smile to return her gesture. She sighs, and walks to the edible plants station, along with Grace and Lily. Laila, Raley, and Jonah are with Bane now, trying to get him to talk.

"C'mon Bane, we have to train. Lana's okay," Laila assures him, rubbing her hand up and down his back soothingly.

"This is my fault." He insists. With that, he gets up, and leaves the training room. Raley sighs.

After they go to their stations, I sit down where Bane was recently sitting. I lean my head back, letting it touch the cold cement wall.

I hope she's okay.

___♕___

Lana's P.O.V.

I let my eyes open, taking in the harsh light. It almost blinds me. I blink a few times, letting my eyes adjust to the light.

"Oh thank god, she's awake!" I hear someone screech, then arms are around me. I groan, and pull myself away. Leo, Krystal, Paul, and Reena are around the room, looking at me with releived expressions.

Oh, I remember now . . .

I took a punch for Bane. I don't regret it at all, though. I don't know why. Shouldn't I be mad that he basically got me into it?

"How long have I been out?" I ask Leo.

"Three hours." He replies.

"Can I get back to training now?" I furrow my eyebrows.

"Nope. Not a chance." A familiar voice says, as someone walks into the room.

Bane.

"We'll give you two some alone time," Reena says, as my mentors and Reena leave the room. I look around, and notice I'm not in a hospital wing- only in my room located in our living quarters.

"Why?" He questions me after they're gone. I raise an eyebrow. He seems to see the confused expression on my face, because he starts talking again."Why did you take that punch for me?"

"I-I don't really know. I acted on instinct," I stutter, placing a hand on my forehead.

"You shouldn't have taken that punch." He says, touching my jaw. I flinch, and he drops his hand down in sadness. I

know my jaw is bruised. It has to be, that punch hurt like a bitch. I'm not gonna lie.

"It was my fault that you guys were fighting anyway . . . " I mutter lowly, but he hears me. He stands up from my bed.

"Don't you ever think that. You weren't the reason we were fighting. Yes, we were fighting over you, not because of you." He says softly.

"Okay." I whisper, and look to the floor. He puts is hand under my chin and lifts it so that I'm looking him in the eyes.

"You're so beautiful," He murmers, looking down and me. I smile, and he returns it. "I know it's the wrong time to say it, but I think I should tell you something."

"Wrong time to say what?"

"That I'm in love with you, Lana. I have been for as long as I can remember, and I'm going to die in that arena, fighting for you." He promises.

A stray tear falls from my eye, and he wipes it away.

I'm speechless at that moment, not knowing what to say.

Bane is in love with me, I think to myself.

"I wasn't expecting a reply." He says with a fake smile, and starts to walk to the door. I grab his hand, and yank him back to me. Then I say something I never thought I would.

"I love you too, Bane."

He's shocked at first, but when he realizes what I've said, there's a twinkle in his eye. Then he pulls me against him.

"I've been wanting to hear that since I first layed eyes on you." He mutters, then locks his lips onto mine.

His hands grip my waist, holding me firmly against his chest. I wrap my arms around his neck, and move my lips against his. Fireworks explode in my mind as I run my fingers through his hair.

The perfect moment.

When we pull away for air, he places his forehead against mine with a grin.

"That was the best kiss I've ever had." He says, with a chuckle. And for the first time in forever, I laugh with him.

"Me, too." I agree. Just then, the door flies open. I huff, and turn to see my excited mentors and escort.

"Finally!" Krystal yells. I roll my eyes as Paul pats Bane on the back.

"I knew it would happen someday," Paul says with a smirk in my direction.

"Now, let's go to dinner. We have much to dicuss." Leo says, earning a nod from Bane and I. As I leave my room, Bane laces his fingers together with mine.

I haven't felt this happy in ages.

___♕___

After dinner, Leo starts to talk.

"Tomorrow are the training scores. They are very reliable for sponsors; who to pick, and who to not pick. It's very crutial that you give them the best you've got." He says.

"What are you planning on doing?" Krystal asks Bane.

"I'm gonna throw some spears, and tridents. Maybe use a sword." Bane replies, getting an aproving nod from Krystal.

"What about you, Lana?" Paul asks.

"Mostly throw knives. Do a few flips, landing with a spear to the heart. Something like that." I shrug.

"Add in some hand-to-hand combat, Ana. Bane, you need to paint yourself into a tree or something along those lines," Leo adds.

"You can paint?" I ask Bane. He nods with a smile.

"I do it all the time. I took art classes back in two." I raise an eyebrow, and he chuckles.

"Sounds like a plan." Reena says cheerfully.

"Now off to bed, you need some rest for tomorrow." Paul says, and shoos Bane and I away to our rooms. But Bane stops me.

"Goodnight kiss?" He asks hopefully.

"As if." I fake a scoff, Bane frowning at my expression. I smirk. "As if I wouldn't."

I add, and jump into his arms. He shakes his head, and pecks my lips.

"See you in the morning." He says.

"Goodnight, Bane." I smile.

"Goodnight, Lana." He replies. And with that, I walk to my room, jump into my bed, and finally have a peaceful sleep.

___♕___

I wake up to a knock on my door.

"What do you want?" I snap, covering my face with a pillow.

"Wow, someone's grouchy." Paul says with a stifled laugh.

"Yeah . . . I still haven't gotten my answer."

"Training scores are today." He states, sitting down at the foot of my bed.

"So?"

"They start in about eh . . . ten minutes at the most." He stares down at his watch. I jump out of bed quickly, my eyes widening in horror.

"What?" I gasp, grabbing my training outfit. I slip it on it the bathroom, and put my hair into a bun as fast as I can, being sure to make a new record.

"Eight minutes!" He announces loudly. I don't even look at the clock as I race out of the room, and into the kitchen . . . but it's empty.

I look around. No one is up. I tackle Paul to the ground after looking at the clock. Training scores start in two hours.

"Gosh, I hate you." I grit my teeth, standing back up with a glare.

"Whatever." He replies with a laugh. A knock on the door sounds through the living quarters. Who would be awake at this time? I walk to the door, and open it.

I gasp.

The boy's eyes are red and puffy.

He's been crying. And it's my fault.

"What are you doing here, Triton?"

"Can we talk, please?"

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