It was Reiner’s goal to win the games the second he was reaped in District 2. He detested the masochistic freaks that he was meant to align with in the games. Five other tributes who were trained from birth to kill and bring glory to the Capitol.

If he wanted to win the games, to see his mother again. He would have to make waves.

Who will the Capitol citizens choose to sponsor over the usual bloodthirsty Career Pack? A rogue hero.

And what could they possibly love more than a rogue hero?

An unlikely pair.

And though he sweat like a pig under the makeup and lighting in his interviews, one thing he did know how to do was improvise.

When he saved you from the bloodbath, dragging you up a fire escape and throwing you into an empty apartment bedroom, you didn’t appreciate it.

“I’m not going to kill you…” He starts, trying to come off as composed as possible, just as he rehearsed in his head. “if anything, I just saved-”

“Get the fuck back!” To your surprise, Reiner does back up. In fact, he must have not expected you to snap out of shock so quickly, because he practically jumped across the room at your loud command.

You both stand there for several moments, neither of you seemed to expect that.

This… wasn’t how this went in his head. You were more quiet during the training period. You were from District Three. Three! There hasn’t been a district three victor in almost twenty years. You had brains, but not strength. He thought you would at least thank him in tears for saving you from the bloodbath…

Straightening up, you look at him as if he had grown two heads. He claims to have saved your life, just to make you a target of the career pack?!

“No—” Your hands restlessly tug and dance along the raincoat with your district’s colors splashed onto it, your racing pulse skyrocketing as you look out the window. The arena was a city in ruin. From this view, all you see are dilapidated buildings, structured to create a labyrinth of alleyways and streets as far as the eye can see…

“Listen to me, we can help each other.”

“No!”

“Listen to me! I know everything about surviving. You got a five for your rating. You go out there? You’ll be dead by nightfall…”

“I’ll take my chances…” Grabbing your pack, you spin on your heel to go who the fuck knows where. This was a huge building, but you knew you’d have at least a day before the gamemakers set off mutations in the arena.

However a piercing shriek carried out from the streets below, and before you could stop yourself, you slowly walk back into the room where Reiner was in. The two of you squat down by the window, peeking down the fire escape.

In the street below, the female from District 8. Millie? No, something like…Masami…

Whatever her name was, she was scrambling on the pavement, clutching her bleeding leg and begging for mercy from the District 5 boy that was looming over her with a spear in his right hand.

“Please!” She screeches, similar to a stray dog being skinned alive, wildly shaking her head as if there were insects in her hair “Please! I’ll-”

The last thing you, and most likely Masami saw was the District 5 boy raising the spear above his head before Reiner dragged the two of you below the windowsill, trying to keep out of sight despite being pretty high up.

By the time the cannon went off, you were still hyperventilating with your head in your hands.

“Okay…” Reiner hears you pant out, your face still smushed against the dusty wooden floor. “Alright, I’ll bite…”

Though Reiner doesn’t show it (he still needs to keep his impression as the brave, now rogue Career up for the cameras that are no doubt watching you and him right now), he nearly cries with relief.

Patting your back, to which you merely respond with a startled groan, he drags his pack acquired from the cornucopia next to yours, hoping to take inventory of your shared supplies before you figure out what to do next.

“Alright…” He says, his tongue sticking out with a proud smirk. “Let’s start taking stock, ally…”