The Games

DISCLAIMERS. I don't own Shingeki no Kyojin, the characters, or the Hunger Games

Eren Yeager is 16 years old, and he still standing after 3 years of participating in the drawing; but, he couldn’t shed the fear, the anger, the minut, yet probable chance of being drawn.

Tomorrow.

The next drawing was tomorrow, and Eren wondered how many times his name had been put in the bowl. How many times had he needed something as simple as bread? How many times had Armin and Mikasa?

Tomorrow.

He sat up in bed fast. How many times had he lied to Armin to assure him their was no way he’d get drawn because really there shouldn't have been a way.

         But the capital always found one.

Eren finally decided to get up, staggering from the disconcerting thoughts swimming in his head. He felt dizzy, but pushed through. Getting dressed as quietly as possible, so he wouldn’t disturb Armin, who was sleeping on the other side of the room. Eren reached under his pillow and pulled out two, small, knives, both with an angled edge and sharp points. They were made for precision, and had been his dad's.

Not anymore.

He hid them in his pant line covering them with his shirt, and made his way to the door, opening it to find Mikasa with a bow and several homemade arrows. She smiled slightly at the sight of Eren before the flattering curve flattened down into it’s usual line. She tugged her scarf further up her face, a little habit she tended to have when she was thinking.

“How did you sleep?”

“ Okay.”

The conversation ceased and they walked silently to the kitchen where they took their meals, eating bread silently. Just bread. Eren ate standing up leaning against a counter, while Mikasa sat like a normal person at the table. After a few minutes of silent, routine chewing, Armin walked in. Rubbing his eyes, and the back of his head causing his mop of blonde hair to go in all directions. He went and sat near Mikasa.

“ You’re bed- head is just lovely Armin.” Eren snickered, Armin just rolled his sleep-weary eyes in response before finding his own rations of bread.

Armin had been resigning at Eren’s place since his Grandpa died. He had been about 10 when he had watched his grandfather get flogged to death in the center of town.

It was honestly very depressing, some officials had somehow heard he had a certain collection of very illegal books, and when some of the more serious Peacekeepers learned of this they took immediate action. Armin never let go of the books though. When the officials had torn apart his old home he was five steps ahead of them, and had already buried the old books behind Eren’s house.

Eren began to reminisce, remembering how Armin used to read them every night, but the tradition faded as they got older, it was one thing Eren really did regret. He remembered how magical the non-fiction pieces seemed, how incredible and real, yet completely unattainable. He remembered how the books spurred his obsession of cold, white plains, rivers of fire, and more than anything the ocean. He missed those days.

Despite, how slow they ate, eventually the trio finished and Armin decided to break the silence, “Tomorrow's the reaping.” The three stared at each other, none of them wanting to point out the looming presence of an elephant in the room.

Eren answered, trying to hide a small studder of nervousness with annoyance, “So- we’ll be fine. Always are.” He changed the subject wanting to keep tomorrow’s problems for tomorrow. “ Me and Mikasa are going hunting, we’ll be back later.”

“Mikasa and I,” he corrected, “and can’t I come with you this time,” Mikasa just shook her head.

“We need you here for our mom, someone needs to take care of her.” Eren ignored the guilt that rose from the half lie. No matter how close him and Armin were- despite the fact they were basically brothers, Eren thought Armin was, sometimes, weak. He usually needed protection, and in certain cases was a burden. These mean thoughts were the reason Eren didn’t look Armin in the eye while he spoke.

He heard Armin grumble “Liar” only to drop it.

Mikasa and Eren found themselves quickly leaving their house right after, and a couple minutes later were standing under the huge faltering shadow of the ‘electric’ fence surrounding all of district twelve. It only ever really pulsed with power at certain times of the day, and this wasn’t one of those times. Allowing Eren and Mikasa to slip through a small rip in the fence, unscathed. Once on the other side they sprinted to avoid being caught, slipping into the deep underbrush of the unruly woods. They waited silently for a second, scouting their surroundings before unleashing their weapons onto the forest taking down as many animals as they could.

By the end of their attack Mikasa’s six arrows caught the eye of seven squirrels. Still unbeknownst to Eren how she did it. He did notice though, that his catch seemed meager in comparison. He had barely killed an old and slow cottontail trapped in his burrow and one squirrel. It was still a pretty good catch though, a lot better than most days, so Eren didn’t let it get him down.

They walked with their winnings, a huge smile dawning Eren’s tan face as they came across a clearing. They decided to sit under the comfortable rain of warm sun. Organizing their kill and cleaning their weapons in silence.

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy and Eren noticed Mikasa staring him down. She pulled her scarf up gently, covering her mouth, but failing to cover her emotions. “Eren,” he ignored her staring straight ahead. “ How many times-”

“ I don’t remember.” 48 times. He had lied. My name is in the bowl 48 times.

Mikasa looked like she didn’t believe him, but accepted the answer looking out towards the sky. The clearing was elevated on a hill and beneath them was acres of unexplored woods, a green sea, bright, under the gaze of the sun.

“ We could leave, run away.” Her voice was monotoned and deadly serious, but it was the sudden change of subject that caught Eren off guard.

“As great as that sounds, what about Armin and mom.”

“ We take them, I’ll protect them. I’ll protect you,” she whispered the last part like it was a prayer.

“ I don’t need you to protect me, “ Eren growled dangerously. Mikasa was unfazed.

“ Yes, you do, you always do.”She whispered harshly. Eren’s normally big, green eyes narrowed into navy, slits, and he angrily bounded up, bringing his kill, and running away from her. The warmth melting away and as always, Mikasa right on his heels.

*

The next day, everything seemed surreal. It did every year. And Eren, Armin, and Mikasa woke up under a cover of dread. Eren slowly got up, and, similarly to the day before, they all ate in silence. Except today, his mother had actually joined them, refusing to look anyone in the eye. When they finished, the three went on to get ready. Taking turns bathing and putting on their nicest clothes. The ones they only ever wore on reaping day.

Eren wore a faded baby blue button down, a tan cardigan, and long brown pants. Armin helped him comb through his hair, but failed at taming it.

It took a little bargaining, but Armin managed to convince Eren he should wear a braid similar to how he usually liked to. Eren grumbled, but by the end of the conversation had a tight braid along the right side of his scalp, pulled, and pinned under the rest of his hair. Mikasa looked him up and down.

“ You look nice”. Eren grumbled some more, this time about Armin tricking him.

“You look really nice too Mikasa,” Armin intervened. Mikasa did look rather pretty. In an attempt to be like Eren she had a braided halo around her head, courtesy of Armin. She also wore a clean, white dress that contrasted nicely with her blood red scarf. Armin looked quite spiffy too. Dressed in a white, short sleeve, button down and navy capris. Being so well dressed would have been a nice change for the three, had it not been the occasion.

“ Why don’t you braid your hair Armin?”

“I don’t know, I kind of feel like I’ve been doing it too much,” He shrugged to play off the blush on his face. Truth be told Armin was having a little trouble proving his masculinity and he knew his looks played a big part.

Eren persisted, “But we both have one,” He gestured between him and Mikasa.

“I'll do it next year,” there was a small silence, and the only thing Eren could think of was-

Next year.

Because this was gonna happen again.

And again.

And again.

Until they were 19.

A loud deafening horn sounded making them all jump.

“It's too late now anyways,” Armin whispered, his nerves starting to show. Eren rushed out the door eager to get the event over with, Mikasa followed close by his side.

“Eren, “ he turned to see Armin sprinting the short distance between them.

“What-”

“You almost forgot this.” He panted lifting Eren's old, lucky key by the wire.

“ Aw, Armin you're a lifesaver, ” he said putting it around his neck and tucking it onto his shirt.

“I know.” The blonde laughed. It was short lived though and they began to get into line, waiting to get their blood drawn.

Mikasa went first, and she didn't even flinch. She was quickly pushed away though, and Eren lost sight of her in the crowd. He went next and tried to wait for Armin only to get shoved forward by a peacekeeper. He mumbled angrily while he walked, settling into a spot in one of the many rows.

He immediately began to look for the two and found Mikasa already had her gaze locked on him. He shivered a little before spotting Armin behind him. He waved a little to get his attention, but Armin wasn't seeing him.

He eventually gave up facing towards the big stage in the front.

Typically the stage was dirty and grey, but servants from the Royal Capital had been working since early morning, washing and decorating it for broadcasting. The whole event was treated like some fun spectacle, it was all just child's play for the capital. Nothing more, nothing less.

The stage was the definition of patriotism. Huge district 12 flags hung limp on either ends of the stage, while a giant Panem flag was centered in the middle, perfect for the camera. Organized troops of peacekeeper stood poised like little toy soldiers. A giant white screen descended over the Panem flag, and a women walked out. Her light pink glove tapped the white microphone that was waiting, and her light, preppy voice overcame the noise of the crowd.

The women was wearing thick, pink, and high shoes perfect for her to click her heels and gain attention. While she waited, she lightly ran her hand over the back of her short, orange hair following the curve as it ended just above her shoulder. She then went to pull her dress up wiggling her chest as she reorganized her soft pink and blue, strapless, chiffon, short-front, long-back dress. The back of her skirt was pushed out by a crinoline, and she wore a headband with about a whole branch of multicolored flowers. A couple of the older men and boys whistled and she she scoffed, but held a genuine smile.

“Hello, welcome. Before we begin we have a little treat for you today. A video all the way from the Capitol, Ah! I hope you like it as much as I do.” She squeaked with excitement. Before a booming song and deep voice flooded the townsquare.

“WAR, TERRIBLE WAR-!” Eren tuned out, rolling his eyes at the video they showed every year, and turned around again to try to catch Armin’s attention. Only to notice a horrifying fear lingering in his eyes while he watched the screen. Eren wondered why he was so worried? His name couldn't be in the bowl that much. Eren wished he could stand next to Armin and comfort him, he was usually able to, but the damn peacekeepers had separated them this year.

A laugh caused him to snap his head back to the front.

“ Wasn’t that just lovely, I mean- WOW!” Her attitude irritated Eren to no end. Nothing about this okay, but there was this woman smiling with real, rosy cheeks, the kind that only come from genuine happiness. Her glitter lips stretch into a real, and too perfect smile.

“ Ha, alright. Now as you know two people will be drawn to have, the honor really, to represent District 12 in the 104th ANNUAL HUNGER GAMES,” she boomed raising her hands as if she expected a roaring applause. When she didn’t receive it her smile faltered and she dropped her hand, running it along her hair again before coughing.

She took a couple of steps towards an enormous glass bowl on her left. Holding all of their names. All of their lives. Their lives were literally in this women’s hands, and Eren couldn’t stop his nerves from racking or his stomach from quivering as she dug deep and pulled out one life. One poor soul.

“Ah alright, are first cadet is-” she unfolded the paper, “Armin Arlert.”

Everything blurred. Eren’s heart dropped and he whipped his head around to finally catch Armin’s eyes. His deep, blue, complicated eyes. Shattered with fear. And everything else melted away from Eren’s view except for a terrified Armin being ripped from the crowd and escorted to the stage. He didn’t lose eye contact as visions of Armin dying flashed through his brain.

Armin crying for mercy, Armin covered in blood, and Armin’s eyes staring at the sky, lifeless.

Armin looked away, like he could see what Eren was thinking, and it was too much.

Eren looked away as well and found Mikasa staring at him.Her dark eyes showing a mix of emotions he couldn’t comprehend. She mouthed his name and shook her head.

But Eren didn’t think twice, and for once Mikasa wasn’t fast enough. Eren pushed through the crowd, heart racing, body shaking.

“Armin.” His voice got caught and it only came as a whisper, he tried again and this time his voice was a guttural shout fueled by anger and sadness. “ ARMIN!” He was shoved backwards by a police blockade, and managed to duck under their arms only to get swarmed. But as fast as they came they were gone, and Mikasa was pulling Eren away from the town center. A sob almost tore through his throat as he realized he was going to lose Armin. His best friend. His brother.

“I VOLUNTEER I-” Mikasa covered his mouth, and he bit her till he tasted blood. Pulling away fast and running back to Armin, peacekeepers trying to stop him again. “ I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE, PLEASE I-I,” his voice got caught, and a few peacekeepers stumbled back in surprise.

Armin was released and immediately whipped around, staring at Eren like he was insane. Eren just rushed forward and hugged him tight, muffling all the screams that ripped through Armin like a high-pitched whistle. He saw Mikasa in the corner of his eye, her face showing an emotion he’d never seen cross her features before; and, he pushed Armin into her as he began being towed to the stairs.

“ NO! EREN!” Mikasa picked up the screaming and kicking Armin, walking away from the whispering crowd, and Eren nervously stomped up the rest of the stairs, standing near the colorful women. The blinding lights were on his reddening face, but the horrified stares of the audience were what burned him. So he kept his head down, hands clenched, trying so hard not to cry he was shaking.

“ So dramatic, I love it!” The women cheered.