I like books and snowy owls :)

Okay so first of all it just makes sense, another pair of (unknown?)star-crossed lovers in the arena, the complete opposite of Everlark. The complete opposite but then again maybe more of a reflection, two survivor girls and two boys who’d do anything for their girl, one pair brutal and ferocious trained their entire lives for the Games and yet still lost, and the other dangerous in their own way and were thrown inside unwillingly, but made it back home together. Maybe it’s just me being delusional but TELL ME YOU DO NOT SEE THE PARALLELS.

Starting off, they were from the same district, and yes I know it’s a big district but there’s a chance that they knew each other before, maybe even trained together. Even if they didn’t they spent the weeks before the Games together, and seeing how close Katniss and Peeta grew during that time going from strangers to friends why not for Clato as well? And furthermore they had the Career alliance even after the Games started, so I think it’s valid that feelings developed.

Moving on to the Feast, and yes I will milk this scene and you can’t stop me

First of all, even Katniss immediately assumes that Cato is protecting Clove while she goes and attacks her(guard dog boyfriend behavior). And then when Katniss says Peeta’s out there hunting Cato, Clove kind of gets worried because she considers for a moment that Peeta might actually be out there, and since Cato doesn’t know about that he could be surprised if Peeta attacks him suddenly. I pray this makes sense

AND - this is one of my favorites - Clove says to Katniss, quote, “I promised Cato if he let me have you, I’d give the audience a good show.” HE LET HER HAVE KATNISS. Remember this is the monstrous boy who had it out for her the entire time, and he SPECIFICALLY said that he’d kill her, and nobody would interfere or they’d die too(it was implied). It was that important to him. AND HE LET CLOVE HAVE HER. IF THAT ISN’T LOVE IDK WHAT IS.

Later, Thresh comes and saves Katniss, Clove screams for Cato but he’s too far away, Thresh smashes her head with the rock, and then she’s dying(my poor girl 😭). And when Cato sees her on the ground it’s, quote, “ “Clove!” Cato’s voice is much nearer now, I can tell by the pain in it that he sees her on the ground.” The pain. Now we all know Suzanne’s writing is never a coincidence, and I think if they were merely allies or simple friends she wouldn’t describe his voice with pain. Maybe it would be like distress, or alarm, but usually pain is reserved for deeper things. Or maybe I’m delusional. You tell me.

Moving on: Cato finally reaches Clove, and he heads straight for her, ignoring Katniss and Thresh even though they’re within range to at least try to take down with a spear. And we know he’s extremely skilled with the spear, and before you say oh Katniss and Thresh were too far away by that point remember Katniss could hear him begging Clove to stay with him(my shaylas) so we know she was within range. He completely ignored her and Thresh(who might have been a bigger threat) to go to Clove even though he knew she was done for. And if he didn’t care about her A LOT he would have left her for a bit to try and get Katniss or Thresh, but no he WENT STRAIGHT TO HER AND IGNORED ALL ELSE 😭

Also it’s just so fucking sweet that he was begging her to stay with him, and we know Cato by this point he’s proud and he’s brutal and he don’t beg for anything, but he did for Clove… and showing emotion at this point in the Games, especially for a Career who’s only act was being cruel and sadistic and ready to win, was dangerous and could potentially hurt his chances with sponsors and might even get him in trouble with the Capitol, but he did it anyway. For Clove. Oh I can’t take this anymore

I’M NOT DONE YET

Oki so from here it’s slightly more delusional and minor BUT

Cato went after Thresh, not Katniss, and yes while we could argue that Thresh had the ‘thing he needed desperately’ wouldn’t it have been better to chase down Katniss first, before he could give Peeta the medicine and tend to her injuries, rather than get Thresh first and face the two of them after they had both recovered?? What if he was so blinded by vengeance that he missed that fact??(I know I’m going out on a limb here but THIS IS PLAUSIBLE RIGHT???) Also the fact that he did track him down in the rain in the thunderstorm and did not stop until he eventually did kill him like hello the dedication

Plus in the movies they lwk referenced Everlark and Clato because their interview outfits look kind of similar idk if I’m tripping for this one

LAST FACT: When Clove first screams for Cato before her death, Katniss is also confused as to why he’s so far away, and she makes a few guesses but we never learn the true reason. WHAT IF: the Capitol saw that Cato and Clove had the potential to become lovers and cast a threat to the og star-crossed lovers so when they saw Clove’s life in jeopardy they somehow held Cato back to stop him from saving her life??? I mean I’m probably being delusional but WHAT IF???