Everybody in Panem has their eyes locked on whatever television or projector they can find as the finale of the 74th annual Hunger Games plays out. Somewhere, in an arena built strategically by the Capitol, this is happening live... That either excites or disgusts the citizens in this lone country. In other circumstances, the Head Gamemaker – Seneca Crane – would have found this to be the most exciting finale of all time; the two star-crossed lovers of District 12 fighting a career for their lives... For their future.

This is the moment that it all comes down to... And, as Head Gamemaker, Seneca has a choice to make. Does he keep them both alive, or does he revoke the rule change and let Katniss hate him forever?

She hated me before all of this happened. What difference does it make?

He almost scoffs at his own ridiculous question. The difference is that he has fallen irrevocably in love with her, so going back to that is just... It hurts too much to think about. The whole 'star-crossed lovers of District 12' title is almost amusing, considering that the real star-crossed couple is Katniss and himself... Although both relationships are doomed, in any case. I was stupid, he finally decides. I allowed myself to love and look where it has gotten me... Caring for District citizens and considering carrying out a suicide mission in order to save her and her boyfriend.

How pathetic.

He knows that this is the truth, but he cannot help but think of how happy she has made him. From the moment they first kissed to their parting words he has never felt so... Alive. He has spent his whole life trying to impress others and then she came along. Katniss is the first person he has met who has taken him by surprise and openly admitted that he could never impress her. She is exciting, breathtaking, stunning... Refreshing. All of the past tributes that have been entered in to the Games have been so predictable, but she has defied all of the odds along with her fellow tribute, Peeta Mellark, and has made it to the final three... He can tell from the dangerous spark in her Seam grey eyes that she'll be damned if either one of them dies now.

But Seneca is scared.

Peeta and Katniss are battling with Cato as they all try to stay on top of the Cornucopia and throw the enemy down to the mutts at the same time. The canine-like beasts' prowl around the Cornucopia as the tributes fight; they growl and claw at the metal structure occasionally, especially when they see one of them heading closer to the edge. The high-pitched sounds of their claws scraping down the steel have everyone in the audience cringing but they cannot turn away – not now. Cato has got hold of Peeta in a very familiar way – it is the way he had clung on to the male from 3 before he snapped his neck. Everyone can see what he is threatening to do.

Seneca's heart is racing as adrenaline seeps in to his veins. He tries to cling on to a metal bar for some form of support but perspiration causes them to slip off of the steel: he has to make a decision. Kill Peeta or kill himself? Die knowing that Katniss will be happy, or live despite knowing the woman he loves despises him... Is that really living? He knows that the answer to that is a resounding no, but the thought of ending his own life is still terrifying.

He starts to hope that Cato will kill Peeta.

It will be painless. Just a quick twist and he will be completely paralyzed. No pain whatsoever... It is probably the nicest death in the arena and this tribute is offering it up to Peeta on a silver platter.

Seneca knows that none of these thoughts will make him feel less guilty f, but he continues to hope. Hope. The Gamemaker smirks deprecatingly as he thinks back to his conversation with Snow; it is the only thing stronger than fear.

All thoughts are cut off at the newest turn of events. Peeta must have been signalling something to Katniss as, suddenly, one of her deadly silver arrows is shooting through the air. The point lands straight in to Cato's hand and the career lets out a yell of pain as he stumbles backwards – releasing Peeta in the process. The baker turns and quickly shoves Cato in the chest. The audience let out a collective gasp as the 18-year-old falls over the edge of the Cornucopia and in to the vicious clutches of the mutts.

"Fuck," Seneca curses aloud, spitting the word as he does. This shocks the majority of his fellow Gamemakers, but he does not care about what they think about his very unusual outburst. About half of them turn their eyes back to the screen whilst the other half begin to watch their boss pace back-and-forth across his usual spot on the outer balcony that overlooks the control panels. What now, what now, what now? Katniss and Peeta have come down from the Cornucopia by now. The pair are looking up to the sky expectantly. They are awaiting an announcement...

He makes his decision.

"Atala, tell Claudius that the decision for two victors has... Has been revoked. There can only be one victor."

There... It's done.

At least I kept my promise.

.x.x.

After around ten minutes of nothing but passionate kisses and the odd few pauses for breath, Katniss finally drew away from the man who was driving her crazy. She felt like his touches were igniting small sparks on her skin and, after letting the crackles of electricity run through her for so long, she had to have a break and re-collect her jumbled thoughts. Seneca's striking blue eyes opened as he felt the loss of her lips against his own, and then his facial expression turned in to a frown upon glancing at her uneasy facial expression.

"What's up?" He panted before pushing himself up from where he had been laid on the grass. Katniss broke her eyes away from his as she felt the desire to continue with their kisses threaten to overtake her. Instead, she began to nervously play with the disarrayed plait in her hair and admire the Training Centre.

"I can't..." She let out a shaky scoff before continuing in a fast, panicked tone, "I can't justify what I'm doing right now. You're the Head Gamemaker and I'm a tribute, Seneca! What're we doing?"

"We're living," He replied with a shocking and very sudden intensity, "Because if this is the only chance that I get to be with you then screw all of them because I'm taking it!"

"You could be with me, though!" She had almost snapped the words, "When all of this is over you could have me! If I win this thing then I will come back to you... Just... Just wait until I get out of the Games, okay?"

Wait for that... He knew that her return wasn't guaranteed to happen. Her life may have been in his hands but he wasn't God – he didn't get the final say in who lived or died; that was a matter of luck, strategic planning and – of course – the odds being in a tributes favour. But they were, weren't they? He had given her the map and he was willing to do whatever it took to keep her alive. If she memorised this arena and managed to keep a firm grip on her sanity, Katniss Everdeen could win.

And, with his help, she would be unstoppable.

"Listen to me," Seneca took her shaking face in to his hands and forced her to look him in the eyes, "I'm going to promise you something, alright? I promise you that I will do whatever it takes to get you out of that arena alive... Whether you chose to have me or not you will make it out. You will go back to District Twelve; I'll make sure of it."

"Thank you," She had barely whispered her response as she stared in to those intense, captivating cerulean eyes of his. Katniss had never been a girl of many words, but her next line came so naturally to her that she said it without a moment's hesitation, "But you don't have to worry... I would never want anyone else."

He had wanted to kiss her as passionately as he had before upon hearing that but, instead, he planted a soft kiss to her forehead and allowed her to melt in to his arms. He banished the thought of what she would be soon heading in to and focused on holding her... Because that was a promise he could only hope to keep.

.x.x.

Katniss isn't happy.

That cold look is in her eyes – the one that made an appearance whilst they had discussed the brainwashing of the Capitol on that very night. Her newest nickname seems very fitting, because despite her icy gaze this girl certainly is on fire as she blatantly refuses to kill Peeta but, more importantly, refuses to play along with the Capitol's rules. What is she doing? Seneca wonders desperately as she reaches in to her jacket pocket. He wants her to kill him so badly; if both himself and Katniss survive this then he'll fix her. He will help her get over the loss of Peeta Mellark and they can be together... But, as Katniss holds out those Nightlock berries, Seneca Crane realizes what this is.

She is using his promise against him.

I'm foolish, he sighs in agitation as her eyes connect with the camera... But it's not really the camera she is looking at, it is him. The look screams if you don't get us both out of here alive then I'm not coming out of here at all. This is defiance against the Capitol and she is stupid to not realize that, but right now all Katniss Everdeen is thinking about is manipulating Seneca Crane in to getting both tributes from District 12 out of that arena alive. This miniature act of rebellion is a spark and, if the spark ignites, it could become a ferocious blaze that even the Capitol would not be able to quench.

"Stop them! Atala, tell them that they've both won! Do it now!" Seneca snaps in determination as he meets his co-workers chocolate eyes. The whole control room fills with silence. Atala tells Claudius what Seneca said and all eyes are on him as she does so. Once Katniss and Peeta have been congratulated by Claudius on being the victors of the74th annual Hunger Games, Seneca heads out of the control room to spend the final hours of his life in peace.

Because giving up his life may just save a thousand more... And, as terrified as he is, he cannot live with the guilt.

Katniss has helped him realize that.