Disclaimer: I do not own SNK or HG or any of the characters in this story.
"Attention. Attention, tributes. There has been a slight rule change. The previous revision allowing for two victors from the same district has been, revoked. Only one victor may be crowned. Good luck."
Kenny Ackerman's voice, rather his announcement, rang throughout the near empty arena and kept repeating itself deafeningly in the minds of the remaining tributes. Eren and Mikasa. The star-crossed lovers of the Shinganshina District.
"And may the odds be ever in your favor."
In their favor? Huh. That was a laugh. They played them. They played them for all they were worth. Thinning the competition. Weeding out the weaklings. Revoking the damned rule to make them believe they could go home together. Having them actually fall in love with each other, albeit unconsciously. Hunting them down with titan mutts. Then revoking the two-victor rule just as they had survived. Fun-freakin-tastic. Of course everything was in their bloody favor. The were the favorites after all. Sina's favorite toys for the year. Job bloody well done, game makers.
"Go ahead," Eren said sadly as he turned towards Mikasa. "One of us has to go home," he encouraged. "They have to have their victor," he ran his hand through his hair as he tried not to look so dismayed by the broken look on his lover's face.
"No," Mikasa declares. She drops her katana and walks toward Eren, a brave look on her face. "Why should they?" She takes her hand out of her pocket and shows Eren the nightlock berries.
"No!" He tries to throw them away. "You have to go home. To Armin. To Levi and Jean and Sasha and Connie and everyone else."
"Trust me," she holds him still. Cherishing the warmth of his hands one last time. "Trust me." He takes a deep breath, squeezes her hands, gives her a centered look and nods. One look into his eyes was all she needed to continue.
"Together?" Eren smiled halfheartedly.
"Together." Mikasa tried to smile back.
People from walls Maria to Sina must think they're both too brave or too stupid to be smiling when they're right beside death's door.
"1," Eren resonated as clear as day.
"2," She held his hand as he touched her face. Memorizing each other's features one last time.
"3," they both finished. They leaned in for one lingering kiss before pulling apart and raising the berries to their lips as hurriedly.
"Stop! Stop! Damn kids." Kenny hissed at them, his voice booming even more throughout the arena.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present the winners of the 74th annual Hunger Games."
A chill ran down Mikasa's spine. She was in Eren's tight embrace before she could even comprehend what the words of the last sentence hand implied. They won. It was over. They were going home.
A/N: Thanks for reading. If you guys want a second part just tell me because I'm still kind of trying to figure out whether or not to write it.