Lorenzo Santiago
District 10
Died 29 A.D.D
He hadn't planned to propose to his girlfriend just yet. They had agreed to wait until after their final Reaping, which was two years away. They would be out of that period of uncertainty that came with the Reaping years, and it would give him time to save up for a ring worthy of his childhood sweetheart.
Then, she was reaped. He nearly broke down right then and there in the audience. It took every ounce of his willpower not to charge the Peacekeepers leading her to the stage.
He loved her to the moon and back, and while she was tough as nails and genuinely stood a chance, the idea of losing her was unbearable. When the escort went to the other bowl, he decided that he was going to volunteer.
He would have too if the escort hadn't beaten him to the punch and called his name as well.
His girlfriend, the love of his life, went as pale as a ghost upon hearing his name. As soon as he was on the stage, she rushed over and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back with trembling arms, hoping and praying that this was just one big nightmare, and he'd wake up in his own bed, frightened, but safe. He never did.
He decided right then and there that he was going to propose to her, a decision she supported wholeheartedly. The escort was kind enough to gift him a pair of rings that she never wore. Their peacekeeper mentor turned out to be able to perform wedding ceremonies and was kind enough to assist.
The night before the Games, the wedding was held in the rooftop garden, a private ceremony with only the District 10 team and their allies in attendance. A letter was sent to the families containing photos. They had no tokens, so they decided to take their wedding rings with them.
It was the happiest night of his life.
Tragically, it was also the last.
They found each other quickly when the Games began and started gathering supplies and searching for their allies.
One of the trained tributes quickly snatched up a bow and upon seeing his wife, who had scored a nine in training, sent an arrow right towards her.
He didn't hesitate. He threw himself in front of her. The heart wrenching scream that tore from her as he fell hurt more than the arrow that pieced his chest.
The last thing he saw was one of their allies pulling her away. Only when he saw her disappear into the arena did he allow himself to let go.
It was worth it. She was worth it.
Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate! And yeah, I was evil for that one. You might recognize this year as the year the District 10 Mentor, Texanna Catoico, won the Games, and she was in desperate need of some lore. I decided to have her district partner be her boyfriend and later husband, as they got married just before the Games. She never remarried and still wears Lorenzo's wedding band.