Hey! So, here I am with my new Niff fic!

It's not too big though, but I hope you enjoy it :)

ATTENTION: Trigger Warning: Death, suicide

(I do not own the Glee characters in the story or the Hunger Games)

"Nick Duval!" The woman called out in her usual cheerful voice. Too cheerful for anyone's taste.

Nick froze in his spot before taking a deep breath and walking to the stage with his head held high, he wouldn't show how nervous he actually was.

He knew he was walking because he could see the stage getting closer and closer, but he couldn't feel his own feet, or his body. His vision wasn't the best either because of the tears that were fighting to break free, but he couldn't let that happen. It all seemed like a nightmare.

On the other side of the big open space you had Jeff. His younger brother was holding him with difficulty because Jeff's knees had lost its strength and he felt like he was about to pass out. That couldn't be happening. Jeff refused to believe that was actually happening, but there Nick was walking towards the stage.

Jeff wanted to scream, but he couldn't find his own voice.

Finally Nick was on stage beside the 13 year old who was the female tribute that year. His stomach did a back flip. She was so young, so fragile.

"Do we have volunteers this year?" The reaping woman asked, Nick had never bothered to learn her name, and it wasn't now he would try to.

Nick's eyes shot to where he knew Jeff was, he hoped he would keep his promise.

Before the reaping Nick had made Jeff promise he wouldn't volunteer for him, Nick had almost his name there sixty times - due to the fact he never let Jeff put his name for tesserae and they both had younger brothers and sisters and families to feed.

Nick could see Jeff's younger brother covering his mouth and holding him back while Jeff was struggling for freedom. Nick wished Effie would hurry up, Jeff couldn't volunteer.

Nobody volunteered, not even for the little girl, but that wasn't unusual in their district. Effie quickly started pulling the tributes to the Hall. Nick stumbled over his own feet and almost fell.

As soon as Jeff entered the small room after Nick's parents and brothers had left he jumped forward to the other boy and hugged him tightly. "Oh, Nick! I am so sorry! I-I wanted to volunteer for you! But my brother…" Jeff burst into tears and Nick only hugged him closer trying to keep his own in his eyes.

"Shhh… Calm down Jeffie…" Nick said softly and tried to sound confident but his voice broke at Jeff's name. "You had promised you wouldn't volunteer, so I am glad your brother did that." He said burying his face on the crook of Jeff's neck inhaling the other's scent for the probably last time.

Jeff shook his head. "I can't lose you! I just can't!"

Nick closed his eyes strongly and took a deep breath to stop himself from crying. He rubbed Jeff's back softly and leaned away from the hug to kiss Jeff's tears away. "I'll do everything I can to win. And I'll win for you, Jeff." Nick said looking at Jeff's teary eyes. "Just stay strong, okay? And don't believe in whatever you'll see in those screens. We both know they just want a good show." Jeff nodded faintly.

Nick leaned forward and kissed Jeff softly. A kiss that quickly turned to be needy and passionate. Neither of them wanted to break apart but then one of the Peacemakers announced their time was ending. "Don't sing up to tesserae for my family, okay?" Nick asked a little breathless as he leaned away.

"I can't promise that." Jeff shook his head. "You didn't let me sign up, you protected me, now it's my turn to protect your family."

"No Jeff," Nick wasn't able to finish the sentence as Jeff crashed their mouths together for the last time before a Peacemaker pulled him out of the room.

"I love you Nick!" Jeff said before the door was closed.

"I love you too!" Nick shouted hoping Jeff had heard it.

And it was then when the truth sank in Nick's mind. He was in the Hunger Games.

Nick wasn't stupid he wouldn't show everyone he was good with swords until he was alone for the evaluation. For the first time in his life he thanked the fact his father was a blacksmith. Around the other tributes Nick had chosen the 'weak look', he pretended he couldn't lift much weight, he pretended to be clumsy, distracted, an easy target.

His mentor Blaine had been helping him giving him advices, not only for the Arena but for his interview with Ceasar and how to win sponsors and all that stuff Nick needed to know if he wanted to survive. And he did, he would try his best to survive just to see Jeff again. Just to hold him in his arms again, just to tell him how much he loved him over and over again and never let Jeff forget that.

Nick was now trying to sleep, it was the last night before the interview and he couldn't hide how much nervous he actually was. He would have to act through the whole thing, he was going to laugh nervously when Ceasar said one of his jokes, he would pretend he was exactly what he had been showing to the other tributes and only when the time arrived he would be 'normal' again.

Blaine had the fear that when Nick acted like himself people would think he was just a big fat liar instead of understanding that it had been just his strategy. Images of the other tributes were flashing Nick's mind, and it only caused him to shudder even if his room was warm. That year's Careers were huge and scary.

Everything was so surreal, Nick who barely had to eat at home now ate almost three times more there just to gain some weight, everything was so colourful, weird and sickening. Nick just hoped he'd wake up and find himself in Jeff's bed after a bad dream.

Nick rolled on the bed and shut his eyes strongly, he didn't want anything of that, he didn't want the luxurious food, the luxurious rooms and all that publicity. He wanted Jeff. He let himself think of the blond, how was he now? What did he think of his costume of the first night? Did he already sign up for tesserae? Nick's stomach flipped with the idea and he rolled on the bed again. He had to survive that, not only for Jeff but for their families too.

Eventually Nick fell into a dreamless sleep.

Jeff was in front of the old TV biting his nails nervously, tonight's interview was very important and he feared for the boy he loved. He feared because Nick was too close of the confrontation, and although he knew Nick had good chances – he only had to survive until the Careers killed themselves and then attack – he couldn't help himself but feel his heart aching every time Nick appeared on the TV.

Not even the gorgeous costume his stylist had pulled up for him had made Jeff feel better. Nick had been completely stunning that day, it made butterflies grow in his stomach, but he would give up of those butterflies to have him beside him now.

The girl tribute before Nick was already leaving the stage, Jeff held a breath as Nick stepped in front of the cameras.

Nick's usual crazy hair was completely dominated, he was with a black suit with some patterns, but Jeff's eyes were glued on Nick's face. He looked... different. Nick nearly tripped over his own feet and fell, fortunately he supported himself before falling, and then he started laughing nervously.

What the hell? Jeff raised an eyebrow at the TV, he thanked the fact the rest of his family wasn't there. They were over Nick's family's house to support them.

"So, Nick," Ceasar turned to Nick. "How are you feeling?"

"Alive?" Nick said and then laughed nervously along with Ceasar.

"Tell me with what are you more worried about." Ceasar required resting his chin on his hand.

Sadness and hurt flickered in Nick's eyes. "To be truthful, my family and the ones I love back at home."

Jeff smiled sadly, it hurt him to hear the sadness in Nick's voice, but he hoped Nick didn't get distracted because of him or his family, he knew Jeff was here to take care of everything. He knew Nick was talking about him, but he also knew he couldn't say he was gay, because homosexuality was never encouraged in the Panem.

Ceasar smiled softly. "I see... And if you could say something to anyone in there right now what would you say?"

Nick smiled a little and turned slightly to one of the cameras. "I love you. And I promise you I will come back for you." He said his voice shaking a bit.

Ceasar led a hand to his chest like Nick's simple but so meaningful words had touched him. "That's just lovely... To an especial person I presume?"

Nick smiled shyly and turned to him again. "Yes."

Ceasar smiled at him. "So, Nick, your ten surprised a lot of people..."

Jeff smirked it hadn't been a surprise for him, he had seen Nick with a sword in his hands, and he was completely fearful in those situations.

Nick laughed and twisted his hands nervously. Jeff looked to his eyes, his eyes weren't showing the nervousness he was trying to show through his body and the way he was talking, and it was then when it hit Jeff, Nick was pretending to be an easy target. Weak, clumsy, the image he was showing was that he wouldn't last long in the Arena, he was making the other tributes think he would be easy to kill.

Fortunately Jeff was one of the few people who could understand Nick just by his eyes, so Nick was doing a good job because Jeff doubted everyone else didn't believe in this mask Nick was wearing, even if Jeff couldn't quite tell what Nick's strategy exactly was.

"I was pretty surprised too." Nick said finally making Jeff snap out of his thoughts.

"Oh, you were?" Ceasar raised an eyebrow curiously at him and turned slightly in his chair to be completely turned to Nick.

"I-I was..." Nick bit his lip. "I never thought I would even get an eight, so the ten was a big surprise." He lied and Jeff couldn't stop himself from laughing bitterly, Nick had always joked about receiving a ten if he ever ended in the Hunger Games, of course back then neither of them knew Nick was actually going to end up in there.

Ceasar was about to say something but the Nick's time was up and he had to leave. Ceasar did one last presentation to him and Nick stumbled out of the stage.

Jeff leaned back on the couch letting it all sink in, trying to figure out what was Nick's strategy, because if he showed he was weak, wouldn't the sponsors not bet on him? The only thing Jeff could think it was good for Nick to play that was the fact the other tributes would underestimate him and so Nick would have that advantage.

Jeff felt sick as he realised how close Nick was from being in the Arena. He feared for him more than ever, he just hoped this year's Arena wasn't a desert, Nick would die from thirst, or a forest because Nick wouldn't last long because of his pollen allergy.

Jeff barely slept that night, every time he closed his eyes he had a nightmare where Nick died and then he would wake up crying or screaming. Usually by now he would have jumped off his bed and climbed through Nick's window to stay the rest of the night with him, but if he did that he would just find an empty bed in a cold room.

Next day at school was a pain, everyone was silent, nobody dared to open their mouths. But when Jeff was leaving the school earlier with everybody to watch the first official day of the Hunger Games, Jeff heard one guy speaking, one Jeff knew wasn't very fond of Nick.

"I hope he doesn't pass the bloodbath. You saw him yesterday? He's a joke to our district! He's a coward."

Jeff was already on the edge that day and those words were it, he turned around to the boy and punched him hard in his nose before pinning him down on the ground. "How do you dare to say that?!" He shouted angrily punching him again. "Do you know how many times his name was that bowl? Sixty freaking times! You know why?" Another punch. "Because he never let me or his brothers or sisters or my brother or sisters sign in for tesserae!" Jeff was shouting so loud his throat was already aching but he wasn't going to stop. "How do you freaking dare to say such thing? I bet you hadn't your name there more than six times! But yet I saw you crying with fear before the reaping!" Jeff could hear a Peacemaker breaking through the crowd that had gathered around them to take Jeff away from the other boy. The other boy was gasping for air underneath Jeff, he was bleeding hard from his nose, lip and eyebrow. "Who's the coward now? Nick didn't even flinch when his name was called!" Anger was still boiling inside Jeff when the Peacemaker grabbed him by his waist and pulled him off the other boy.

"Calm down Jeff." The Peacemaker hissed at Jeff's ear. Jeff recognised his voice it was one old family friend so Jeff was lucky that time but he couldn't just calm down. He struggled from freedom but the grip around his waist only got tighter.

"You're lucky this time!" Jeff shouted pointing at the boy who was still on the floor bleeding. The Peacemaker took Jeff out of everyone's sight before slamming Jeff against a wall and not letting him move. Jeff continued to struggle for freedom. "Let me go!" He hissed.

"No! And you need to stop with this! You will get into trouble!"

Jeff closed his eyes and took several shaky deep breaths, he knew he had to calm himself down before other Peacemakers appeared.

"Good. Now I'll take you home." The Peacemaker said, Jeff tried to remember his name but he couldn't and it didn't matter because now he just wanted to go home and pretend he didn't exist until the bloodbath was over.

"No, I am not a kid. I can walk home alone." Jeff said coldly.

"Yeah, and find someone to fight with on your way? No." The Peacemaker started pushing Jeff towards his house.

An half of an hour later and Jeff was home, the walk had been silent and awkward and Jeff was glad it was over. The Peacemaker gave him a last warning saying next time Jeff would really get into trouble before turning his back to Jeff and walking away.

His parents were already inside. "Jeff! You're home!" His mother smiled softly.

"Hey mom!" Jeff said trying to smile back, but failing. "Aren't you going to the Duval's house?" He asked, he preferred to be alone than with his parents there. When he was alone he didn't need to hide his emotions, even though his parents knew about them.

"No." His father answered. "They didn't say anything but we understood they wanted to pass the…" He paused as like he was trying to find the right words.

"Bloodbath. That is what it's called." Jeff said coldly sitting on the armchair. He could hear his brother and sisters playing in their room, and it was better that way. The bloodbath was always the worst part. It was when more tributes died and when the Capitol had more fun.

"I know," His dad mumbled. "I just don't like the term. But as I was saying we understood they wanted to pass the... Bloodbath by themselves."

Jeff nodded. A few more minutes were left until everything began. Jeff was feeling sick and slightly numb, the fight had taken the rest of the energy he had that day.

"Jeff? Are you sure you want to watch this?" His mother asked softly as she saw how pale her son was.

"Yes. I am." Jeff said his eyes already locked on the TV.

Before the tributes appeared they showed what the Arena this year was. It was a rock desert. Everything was solid rock, they had a small river a few miles away from the Cornucopia, a lot of caves that were good for hiding, some bushes here and there with different berries, and a big cliff right behind the Cornucopia. The only thing that didn't quite fit in that year's Arena was the small forest that separated the Cornucopia from the river.

The tributes appeared from their glass lifts, Jeff's heart drop to his stomach as they did a close up to Nick's - incredibly calm and confident - face.

And the countdown began.

"How are you feeling?"

"How am I supposed to be feeling?! I am completely freaked out!" Nick answered to his stylist, Kurt. His body was shaking with nervous and he felt like he was going to throw up.

"Calm down." Kurt said in a calming voice giving the last touches to Nick's jacket. "Blaine asked me to give you the final advices…" He said after a while. "Don't step out of the circle earlier or they blow you up. Don't linger in the Cornucopia. Find a good hide place with water and food near you. And for now pretend to be calm and confident. Give them a good show."

Nick nodded, somewhat he seemed to be calmer now. Kurt finished his last touches and stepped back to see if everything was perfect. He nodded to himself. A voice called every tribute's attention from the room they were, two minutes until the Hunger Games started.

Kurt put a hand on Nick's shoulder and squeezed it softly. "Good luck Nick. I hope I'll see you again. I have a great idea for the outfit for the Victor's interview." He winked.

Nick laughed nervously before walking to the round glass lift taking deep calming breaths.

"30 seconds," The voice announced.

Nick closed his eyes and breathed again, the lift started to move.

The sun light hit his face and Nick had to blink twice before he could absorb the view around him.

They all heard the last words coming from the Gamemakers Nick was too busy scanning the Cornucopia area to actually pay attention, but he knew what they were saying, they were saying the last wishes of good luck, and the usual phrase Nick hated so much 'Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favour' especially when it was in that annoying Capitol accent.

And the countdown began.

10…

Nick's eyes landed on a white bag that was just on the other side of the Cornucopia. The bag had the same white shade has the rock underneath it, it would have go unnoticed to Nick if the knife that was on its side pocket hadn't reflected the sun light to Nick's eyes.

9…

A plan was already formed in Nick's mind. He knew what he had to do. He had just one chance, he couldn't fail.

8…

"No, no, no, no, no!" Jeff shouted and slammed his hand against the armchair's arm as he understood what Nick was going to do. Nick was turned to the centre of the Cornucopia already prepared to run. "No, Nick that's stupid! Run away from there!" He shouted pointlessly at the TV, feeling even sicker than before.

7…

Nick's eyes flickered to the weapons inside the Cornucopia, there were several different ones, between them there was a sword, but he wasn't going to risk it right now. What he was going to do was risky enough.

6…

The Duval's family was all gathered in the living room in a big hug, tears streaming down their faces. Nick's mother was sobbing quietly hugging her kids and husband tightly. They were all praying for Nick to make it through the bloodbath, at least the bloodbath.

5…

Nick gave a quick look through the other Tributes, most of them looked terrified, some looked calm - but they were probably pretending just like Nick - and the Careers were choosing their first victims, fortunately their eyes were far from Nick's figure.

4…

Nick took a deep breath to calm himself down, his heart was pounding loudly on his ears, but he couldn't afford to be nervous now. He had one shot, he couldn't fail.

3…

The Career boy from District 2 glanced at Nick and a grin grew on his face, it did go unnoticed to Nick because his eyes were now locked on the bag.

2…

Tears were streaming down Jeff's face. He tried to keep them inside, he didn't want to cry in front of his parents but he had a bad feeling tickling his stomach and although he wanted to ignore, he couldn't, because it was Nick who was there. His Nick.

1…

Nick reviewed his plan in his mind for the last time and took his last deep breath before it all began.

Go!

So did you like the beginning?

Leave me a review? I'd appreciate it a lot so I know what you think! :)