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Arrogance in a place such as Panem can be lethal. Arrogance, being the most problematic trait Game makers can have, but it's been reoccurring since Seneca Crane took over as head game maker. Even before that, no one is humble with this much power.
Arrogance is the one quality that gets you killed in this business.
Game-making.
She was smart, beyond smart and he saw the advantage in that.
Arrogance and intelligence. What kind of weapon could that make?
Fame.
The wealthy public adored her, adored her looks, body, life, emotions, and even more than that,
Her way of running the games.
Prudence had a way of getting what she wanted, the public loved it, her bossiness, her edge.
No one knew what she'd do. It could have been viewed as a threat, but it wasn't.
The 12 districts knew Seneca Crane was the Maker, they knew he was the reason for many deaths. They knew he was the spokesperson for the games.
She was more of a side piece of the operation.
What people don't tell you about Game Makers is that they're smart. Smarter than president snow lets on.
"You know what's stupid Peeta?" She questions.
He smiles, a small chuckle escaping his plush lips as he tries to catch up to her,
"What! You've been complaining all night," Peeta says, tilting his head back in exaggeration, "Prudence you've gotta give me a break."
"Oh, I'm sorry Mr. whiny pan-”
BEEP
Her phone rings. A small consistent ring that they both know won't stop until answered.
“Oh, big boss man, sorry.” He says.
A slight scoff of annoyance seeps through her mouth, she twists her arm around to grab the purse that is slung over her shoulder.
Her figure in the dim gleam of evening darkness and street lighting is beautiful, as beautiful as peace. An overlooked concept in the modern-day world. A shame, really. Because what Peeta was feeling in that moment, is happiness, a certain happiness he wished everyone could feel. A peaceful happiness.
Moving quickly, she unzips the purse that's colour is indefinite in the dark evening lighting surrounding the two, and pulls the see-thru gadget out.
Her eyes graze over the screen, Seneca's name blaring in such bright colours both of them squint their eyes.
Moving her index over the “accept” button, she pressed the pad of her finger down. Raising the oddly curved phone manufactured by district 3 to her ear, the sound of a deep voice slightly rings through the speaker. Not audible enough for Peeta to hear, only prudence.
“Yes, Seneca, I'm right outside. I bet if you got off your ass and looked down you’d see me!” She says, awaiting his next retort to her crudeness.
Peeta stares at her in awe, awe at her daringness, at her willingness to speak her mind. Only Prudence could do that to Seneca. Only she could openly express her opinions about him. Tell him what to do.
She smiles, a devilish one that could make any man's heart raise in pace.
“Oh, well I'm sorry Honey for keeping you waiting,” She moves the phone away from her ear, covering the microphone, “You believe this ass?” Prudence questions.
He smiles, hushing his tone down to a whisper,
“He’d kill you.”
“Yeah, well. I'm too popular for that.” Moving her wrist back up to her ear.
“Yes, yes. Sometimes Seneca I think of throwing you into The Games. See how long you’d las-” She stops, “Hello?” Bringing the phone away from her ear to her face. Examining to the front and aimlessly tapping the delicate screen.
“Mhm, he hung up."
“That was basically a death threat.” The blonde admits.
“I don't care.” She flatly says, putting the device back into her bag. Her face twisting into some kind of irritation.
Seneca and Prudence have this tension, not anger or distaste, but sexual.
Everyone in the general public had assumed something or other had happened between them. Maybe she had persuaded him into bed.
“After all, she is attractive.” People say.
Maybe he had won her over.
Maybe the small glances he quickly passed to her at meetings, interviews, and parties meant more. More to Seneca, not her.
The rumors still continue, with every game hosted by these two. Still continue after four games together.
When Caesar had interviewed them for this year's games, the first thing he had asked the two was, “So, how's the relationship?” and laughed. He laughed with the crowd, and with prudence.
I had never seen her laugh so hard, and I had never seen Crane so red.
“Crane? This meany? Pfft, I’d hardly concern myself or my body with him, guys! Hold me to a standard will ya!” She had said, a smile filtering over her features.
That's why they all love her, the way she speaks. The way she answers questions, how she holds herself. Her confidence.
Mainstream entertainment.
Prudence looks up at him,
“Crane needs help.”
“I assumed.”
“So,” she says as we begin our short walk to the headquarters door, “How about that crowd tonight huh!”
His soft gaze looks at her, a small smirk creeping onto his intricate features,
“You know what I think?” Peeta questions.
“What!” She asks chipperly, her happiness causing the warm feeling in his chest to spread to his cheeks. "Aw, look at you, all red. All red for me.”
It deepens, the hue of light red changing to a graceful dark.
“I-i thought you looked beautiful.” Peeta quietly says.
She smiles, an alluring smile.
“What are you trying to get out of me, huh? A kiss, a hug, maybe you want some kind of treatme-” The man abruptly cuts her off,
“Heya, OKAY!” He beams, an innocent flustered look evident on his face. His arms raised in the air, ”You need to be more careful!” He says but leans in closer, his breath grazing her ear, “They could be recording us.” He whispers.
A beautiful laugh escapes the woman's mouth, a loud caressing laugh that makes the man grin so wide his cheeks hurt from the feeling that she causes him.
“Peeta, stop being so paranoid,” Prudence says, leaning into close proximity of the man's face.
The shadows cast by the street lights surrounding her highlighted only the best part of her face. Highlighting what Peeta liked so much, her. All of her.
She leaned in, the faint smell of alcohol that the two had drank just minutes before now apparent on her breath. Her soft lips connected with his, what felt like minutes could have been seconds for the blonde-haired man, but he didn't care. The feeling of his heart beating so quickly against her body was hard to miss, hard for him to concentrate on anything else but her.
The way her lips fit his, the small smiles in between kisses.
The way her body gradually moved into his.
He moves his hand to the side of her face, placing his thumb under her chin and resting the other four fingers on her cheek.
“Ok lover boy,” She interrupts, placing a hand over his hammering heart. “You said discretion.” A faint smile spreads, Prudence walks away from Peeta to open the tall glass doors.
His face flushes with pink, and a huge toothy smile shines on his features.
“What!” He chuckles quickly walking after her, his pace turning into a kind of ‘hop’ “You, prudence, are the one that initiated that!”
“Well. Guess I'm a sinner.”
She reaches her arm out, Wrapping the palm of her hand around the cold metal door hand and pulling the weight of it towards herself, "After you, sir.” She says as she tilts her whole body weight to the side, swinging there, waiting till the boy reaches her.
“You most certainly are!” Peeta enthusiastically says.” Thank you, M’lady. Care for my arm?” Extending his arm out, a cheeky grin lays there as he waits for her answer.
She steps through the door, bright yellow lighting illuminates the area. The clean decor of only the shade white is placed around. A small desk for Maria is by the door, and a tall clear elevator to the only floor lay in the middle of the room.
They've been there long enough to have been acquainted with the Capitol staff, especially prudence considering she spends two long weeks in these HeadQuarters.
“Why yes sir.”
Peeta and Prudence walk to the elevator, arms linked together. Passing a few quick snapbacks and warming looks at each other before the loud,
DING,
Sound rings through both of their ears.
“Please submit an eye scan before entering.” The mechanical lift says.
She steps forward. A green laser contraption scans the surface of her brown eyes and quickly retracts. Prudence stands there, stands like this is nothing.
“Totally not freaky.” He says.
“I know right.” Peeta stares at her, an admiring smile plasters on his face.
“You are so smart,” He says, “Yet so dumb.”
She looks at him, a cheeky grin forms. Her arm quickly jerks around as she playfully hits him.
“Excuse me!” Prudence says.”Rude.”
“You are the one who just hit me!” He innocently says. Raising his spare arm up in defense.
She looks at him adoringly, a look that Peeta loved to see and loved to receive. He was so happy with her. So unbelievably happy that he should have been trialed for the joyful look he always had on his face.
He gets so caught up in the moment with her that time stops, he's so unimaginably happy that time leaves, leaves so that they can live together, grow old together and their feelings for each other never change. Rest in the same place, never move or flinch from the amount of affection they both feel for each other.
The sound of the robotic voice reappears, snapping both partners out of their wholesome moment.
“Hello, Miss.Peacevale and company. Welcome to Game Maker HQ.”
Heavy glass doors open, the sound of a compliant ding. As if signifying our access to the room far above our heads, and far above the clouds surrounding the exterior city.
Both man and woman walking through the entrance of the elevator. Once in, that same door closing almost immediately. Locking both him and her in the confined space.
Prudence's arm still chained around Peeta’s. Both extremely close in the tight area, almost considered intimate.
You know what Peeta?” She says. Almost quizzically.
“What?” A big smirk spreads across his features as he looks over at the woman at his side.
She considers, a wicked gleam in her eye appears as prudence looks back at him.
“Never mind.”
“What! You can't leave me at that!” Peeta says. A child-like face sprouted as he looked desperately at her to spill whatever she was thinking.
“Excuse me, Mr!” She chuckles.
The boy's smile is so wide with joy. A boy filled with hope and an untold love for the woman standing in front of him.
He unlinks their arms and quickly wraps his arms around her torso.
Peeta fits perfectly, like his arms, his hands were meant to touch her. Meant to be there.
“You caused this yourself, little lady.” He says. His wide smile plastered their. Like it won't leave in her presence.
“What do yo-” She almost finishes but the man that his arms encased around her starts to poke at her sides. “PEETA!” She yells, a beautiful laugh escaping her throat. His smile stays, radiating such a lovely emotion that at this moment both him and prudence feel as if they're surrounded by love.
The thrum of energy stops, and the heavy glass doors reopen.
Loud and chaotic chattering filters through the Game Makers room.
Discussions of what to send after the tributes next.
What kind of animal, bug, or weather may be more lethal to the group.
A room that is so bright, it hurts the eyes. This room, in particular, is filled with the smartest, most accomplished people in the Capital. That includes the woman who is wrapped up in Peeta's arms, laughing uncontrollably and instead of being enclosed in the dainty elevator now rings through the whole room.
Seneca's cold gaze lands on the two mingled together, he scoffs.
“Okay lovebirds. Times up,” He looks at them both, waving a disgusted hand at the cheery and flustered faces they both have, “Go intermingle somewhere else. God you people have no manners.”
He turns away, pinching the bridge of his nose, “When will they learn. Baboons. I swear.”
She looks at him. A gorgeous smile filters onto her features. Looking down, Prudence grabs his hand and gives a reassuring squeeze.
“Gotta go.” She says, quickly leaning in and planting a kiss on his flustered cheeks.
He looked at her, in that moment Peeta didn't feel embarrassed, all he felt was happiness. Happy to be by the woman he so deeply adored and happy to have the confidence to depict how much he cared.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------END OF ONE-SHOT-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welp yall, hope you liked it!
Stay safe in these bad times and please wear a mask and drink water.
I also recommend listening to some kind of whole music or a song you think works with this one-shot!
-H