The reaping. The single worst time of the year.

Viktor hated it. But, well, who didn't? Watching children getting picked to fight to the death in an arena far from home was hardly enjoyable, at least for most districts.

Yeah, so. The reaping. Worst time of the year. This one was Viktor's last one, though. Freshly eighteen, hopefully getting sent to a school in district three next year. And with a whopping total of 25 entries in the bowl.

It was somehow surprising and totally expected when his name got pulled.

Scrawny kid with a limp from district 12, Viktor knew he didn't stand a chance. The sponsors knew it too. Not a single gift had come for him since he was in the arena. Him barely doing anything interesting probably didn't help, either. He didn't kill anyone, he didn't even hunt. Only foraged for whatever food he could find, finally putting all of his botany skills to use.

Well, until he met you. Or, more exactly, until you tracked him down and for some reason didn't kill him. It was still slightly confusing in his mind. But he had needed someone that could fight for him, and you needed someone to help yourself sort through what was poisonous or not, so you teamed up.

And it couldn't have gone better, for the moment.

Alliances never lasted long, in the arena. Viktor had seen it himself, on live television, year after year. People would die, kill eachother, go to another ally, all in the blink of an eye. But you two? It had been a week and a half, and you were still going strong. And surprisingly, more and more gifts were coming. You had seemed to become fan favourites.

Sitting by the fire, a rabbit cooking slowly as you cleaned your knife, Viktor stared at you. He knew the whole of Panem was staring too. He knew what this was, for them. For the Capitol. Just a show to make them pretend like they could feel something. He knew what they wanted. And if they wanted star-crossed lovers, if that would give either of you a chance to win, he would gladly play.

"You know, I'm happy we're here together."