A/N: Hey guys- we have got to stop meeting like this- so this was a surprise huh? Well, I've had this idea in my head for a while and thought I'd try it out, but I'm not sure if I'm going to continue it or not :/ let me know what you guys think; I'm not sure. Anyways, hope you like this as I don't think this exists yet and I think it should. As always, please read, review, fangirl, and I hope you have a great day/night!
Alec Lightwood was the son of an artist and a doctor, however his parents had died when he was very young. District 12 had never been the same after the purge. Some sick vigilantes had decided that enough was enough. A hunger games could only work if there was a young girl and boy from the district, and the game keepers knew it. President Snow knew it too. And so, that was when it happened. Around three to four months ago, while most of the men, including Alec were out of the village, they struck. Rounding up all of the young girls in the town, and taking them away. Alec's younger sister Izzy was taken too. He never saw her again, and has never forgiven himself either.
He had been out hunting in the woods at the time, trying to catch a deer, since he knew it was Izzy's favourite. And now she was dead, and Alec would never see her again. But Alec's heart filled with dread today for a whole other reason. Today was the day. The day of the reaping, and Alec's name was in 62 times. Not only did he have to put in his name once more to make up for Izzy's death, or rather the fact that she couldn't participate which was just sick, but the rest of it was to get enough food to feed his other two brothers, Max, and Jace. There was also the fact that everyone a year older than 18 and a year younger than 12 also had to put their name into the reaping as a punishment this year. Stupid vigilantes. In trying to save us, they have killed us more than they know.
It wasn't the fact that Alec's name was in so many times that bothered him. It was the fact that his younger brother Max would be in the reaping too. He was only just 11, and Alec cursed Max's specific birthday every day for happening when it did. If it had only been a week later, Max wouldn't have to suffer this.
Alec got up, surveying the woods. He hadn't killed anything, but he had been hoping to meet Magnus before the reaping. No such luck. Clearly, Magnus was really, really annoyed. Being 19, Magnus wouldn't have had to take part in the games under the usual rules, just like Max, and yet, here he was. It was so unfair.
Alec worried for him too. Magnus and Alec didn't actually know each other too well, they had only met a few months ago, unified by a need to survive, and also because Alec had really needed someone to talk to the day the met. It had been the day Izzy had been taken from him. She had been the only person to truly know who Alec was, to know every secret about him. Now, that person was Magnus.
He had just been about to give up on ever finding Magnus when he came into view, his face the irritated and worried expression that Alec had been expecting.
He hugged Alec close when he approached.
"I'm sorry you have to go through all of this again." Alec said, after they had sat down side by side.
"It doesn't matter. I'm an only child, remember? I don't have anyone to miss me." He said, laughing bitterly.
Ah yes, the story with Magnus' dad. Magnus' home life was far from ideal now. Ever since his mother had died his father had turned to drink, blaming Magnus for her death, even trying to drown him one time. For this reason, Magnus spent a whole lot of nights in Alec's room, after climbing through the window. She had not died like the others. It was suicide apparently. Alec didn't know as much about that as he would like, but he didn't like to push Magnus. It was his business.
"I'd miss you." Alec said, and Magnus smiled, resting his head on Alec's shoulder.
"How many times is your name in today?" Alec whispered.
"Once." Magnus answered, sounding confused, as if it didn't make any sense for his name to be in more times. Alec let out a shuddering breath.
"Why?" Magnus asked, moving his head off of Alec's shoulder, and turning to face him, "How many times is your name in?" He asked, worry all over his features.
Alec couldn't look at Magnus then, guilt and shame and sadness rolling over him.
"It doesn't matter." He tried, "It's ok as long as you and Max and Jace are only in once." He said, glad that those closest to him were as safe as he could make them.
"Alec. How many times is your name in today?" He asked again, using a soft tone one would use with a deer.
"62" He whispered, and heard Magnus gasp. He couldn't look, just kept his guilty stare fixed on the grass in front of him. It was both selfish and selfless for him to do this, to spare the people closest to him so much pain but also to inflict so much pain onto them.
"No..." Magnus breathed, and Alec finally looked at him, shocked to find a tear rolling down Magnus' cheeks, his mascara cascading into a droplet of beady, watery black. It was the only make-up Magnus had-it had been his mother's. There was no way anyone could afford such a luxury now.
"I'm sorry. But I'll be fine. 'May the odds be ever in your favour' and all that." Alec said, forcing a reassuring smile onto his face as Magnus hugged him close.
"But the odds aren't in your favour, Alec." Magnus whispered brokenly.
"It doesn't matter, everyone I care about is as safe as I can make them." Alec insisted.
"Is Max doing ok?" Magnus asked after a while of pensive, sad, silence.
"No, but there's no way he's going in, even if his name gets called. I won't let him go."
"Oh Alec..." Magnus whispered, whipping his now red and blotchy eyes.
"You're my best friend Magnus." Alec said, feeling a need to say it, as if this would be his last chance.
"What about Jace?" Magnus whispered in mocked shock. Alec grinned.
"Promise not to tell?"
"Of course! Just for the record, you're my best friend too. And you're so much more than that as well."
Alec grinned an unsure grin, not sure what he should say.
Xxx
Alec POV
Max had been terrified, and it had taken around 10 minutes for Magnus, Jace and I to coax him out of the house. Eventually Jace had gotten a little frustrated- he was very clearly really nervous- so I sent him away to get in line, while Max hide himself into my shirt in fear, and we made our way to the line more slowly, me holding Max close, and Magnus gripping my other hand, whispering words of reassurance to all three of us. I wasn't actually sure who the reassurance was for, but I appreciated it all the same.
We were soon all signed in, and luckily we're allowed to stand together in the plaza full of boys, as Effie Trinket walked onto the stage towards a single bowl filled with names. It still hurt, even the little things like the girls' bowl just not existing any more. I really missed Izzy. Jace stood the furthest away from me, in what's known as 'the unlucky spot' ie, the closest to the aisle separating all the boys. It meant he had even less time for someone to volunteer instead of him. But he didn't need to worry, I would volunteer for him instead if it came down to it. I was still terrified however.
I felt Magnus and Max squeeze my hands. I looked over at Max and gave him a comforting smile. Magnus did the same for me, whispering to me to ask if I was ok. I just nodded.
We watched the propaganda vids of course, with Magnus next to me impersonating their stupid voices and making me laugh really loudly like an idiot. He's going to get arrested one day, just for doing things that no one else will dare to. Jace joined in with him though, just loud enough for the kids nearest to us to hear, but not the peace keepers.
Once the vids were finished, Effie made her speech about 'how awful it was that all out sisters and daughters and mothers have died' and that 'the capitol will always be here' blah blah blah. I admit I may have tuned her out after a while. It made me less likely to punch her. That was until I felt Magnus nudge me back into reality. And thank god he did.
"So this year, due to this horrible tragedy, we will be entering two boys from this district, instead of one. So lets get going shall we? And may the odds be ever in your favour."
Magnus stiffened beside me. I could practically hear him doing the math.
62 times. That's practically 62 times two, my name is practically in 124 times.
"124 times..." Magnus whispered, looking at me with a look that could only be described as fear.
"I'm not going anywhere." I promised. Squeezing his hand, mimicking his movement for a few moments ago. I could see Jace looking at me with a worried expression too. He was Mr Popular at school, so he knew how many times other people's names had been put into the bowl. I practically had to beg him not to tell me, else I might want to take it back.
I didn't regret it. If all went to plan, that food would feed us for months.
I looked down at Max, squeezing his hand too.
"Everything's going to be alright kiddo." I said, ruffling his hair a little bit, and he leaned closer to me.
"Alright!" Effie announced, "For the first boy," She said, making a big show of rummaging her hand around in the bowl and pulling it out, before walking back towards the microphone stand.
"The first tribute for district 12 is..." She said, pausing for dramatic effect as she opened it, "Maxwell Lightwood."
I froze. The world stopped and I froze. I couldn't move, couldn't even comfort my little brother as he bravely resisted the urge to cry, pushed past me, and Magnus, and Jace and started the slow walk up to the stage.
A few older kids gasped, and Magnus frantically tried to stop me from doing what I knew I had to do next.
"Please Alec, please don't, Please!" He begged, but I pushed past him desperately.
"I'm sorry Magnus."
"I VOLUNTEER! I VOLUNTEER!" I screamed desperately, "I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!" Pushing past the peacekeepers trying to hold me back, and running forward to gather Max in my arms, who finally broke down and cried.
"No... No no no no you promised Alec! You promised me! Don't go! You can't!" He cried, trying to push himself out of my arms. That was when Magnus stepped forward and hugged us both.
"Please take care of them Magnus, whatever you do don't let them starve." I asked him desperately, thrusting Max into his arms.
"I promise Alexander." He whispered, before stepping back into the crowd of people, letting Jace take Max from him.
I saw the tears in Magnus' eyes as I finally looked down at my fellow children from the stage. I was shaking.
"Why, a volunteer! I believe... yes... District 12's very first volunteer." Effie said in surprise, as she led me to stand in front of the microphone with her.
"So, dear, what's your name?" She asked, and I didn't take my eyes away from my family, my little family that I had saved.
"Alexander Lightwood." I whispered, not able to make my voice go any louder, I was still in shock. I was going to die. And I wasn't ready.
"Well, let's give a big warm welcome for district 12's very first volunteer; Alexander Lightwood!" She said, but instead of clapping, each and every member of the crowd kissed three fingers on one hand, and held it out to me.
The first person to do it is Magnus, with tears in his eyes. Then Max, then Jace.
Every member of the crowd follows his lead. This is a symbol usually seen at funerals; it is a thank you, a sign of admiration,
But it is also, a goodbye to someone you love.
I feel tears rising in my eyes, and cannot look away, instead I kiss three fingers on one hand and hold it out to them, saying goodbye to those I hold most dear, to my family who is finally safe. I breathe a sigh of twisted relief.
"And now, for the second." Effie says, and I hold my breath. Max is safe now, it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter.
"District 12's second tribute is... Magnus Bane!"
I can't breathe. This can't be happening. His name is only in once it's so unlikely it doesn't bear thinking about... it can't be.
But as he walks up to stand opposite me on the stage, I know it's true. I let the tears spill over my cheeks, and try not to sob. Not here, in front of all these people. I won't give them the satisfaction of seeing me break. Magnus smiles at me, he doesn't seem afraid. If anything, he seems glad to be here with me.
Doesn't he see? We might have to kill each other at one point. I can't do this. I can't. I can't. I can't.
"Go on you two, shake hands." Effie says, and as we shake hands, the tears I have been trying to stop drip over Magnus' tanned fingers, and he looks at me with such sympathy in his eyes that I fear I might actually break.
The peacekeepers go to drag us away, and I panic.
"No! NO! I get to say goodbye! I have to say goodbye!" I demand, but they ignore my protests.
Xxx
The room they lock me in is not unpleasant, but I feel trapped, and I don't know how to get out. I don't know how to get out of any of this. It feels like an hour of waiting but finally Max and Jace enter my room and are allowed to see me.
I hug them both close, not wanting to let go.
"I don't want you to go Alec, I don't want you to go." Max cries into my shirt, and I hold him close, cherishing this one moment that the game makers will let me keep.
"It's ok Max, It's alright." I told him.
"I-I-I brought you our sketchpad... I know- I know you're not usually allowed to bring things, but I thought it would remind you of me, and Jace and... and I-Izzy andM- Mum.." He said, holding it out to me, and I hugg it to my chest, stroking the thick spine. It is one of the only true things we actually have of Izzy and Mum.
"Max... are you sure?" I asked, touched that he would even consider it.
"We're sure." Said Jace, hugging me close,
"You can win this." He whispered, "No brother of mine is getting beaten." He said, smirking.
I looked down.
"It's more than a game Jace." I whispered.
"It doesn't matter. You're stronger than they are. I don't care what you think. You can do this."
"Thanks Jace." I said, hugging him one last time before turning to Max.
"I don't have a pencil, but I'm sure the capitol can give you one and-"
"Max." I interrupted, "This is incredible, thank you so much. Is there any way for me to repay you?"
"Just, try to win, ok?" He asked shyly, as if I wasn't already going to try.
"Of course Max." I said, smiling, and giving him one last hug as the peacekeepers arrived at the door ready to take them away.
"Just one more moment. Please." I asked, and they nodded. I hugged Max close, and Jace too, and whispered in Jace's ear,
"You know as well as I do, that if it comes down to killing Magnus in there I can't do it. I won't. And if that happens, promise me, you'll take care of Max. No matter what happens, you understand?" I asked, another tear spilling over.
And that was the first time I ever saw Jace Herondale cry.
"I promise." He choked out, as the peacekeepers came to take them away.
"I'll see you soon, ok? I'll see you real soon." Jace said, and then he was dragged away, and the door was locked behind them. I hugged our family sketchbook to my chest, it being my most beloved possession now.
It can't have taken them more than 2 minutes to come back and usher me into the train.
And those 2 minutes were not enough for preparing me for seeing Magnus again so soon.