Iwaizumi was standing in the front row, his neck craning to see the two boys running for their lives across the screen. The set up was in a wartorn district, buildings around them crushed and rubble standing in their way as the twins desperately tried to run from it when an arrow struck one of them in his Achilles heel. His scream tore through the air as he collapsed onto the ground, clutching onto it as his twin crouched down next to him, his trident rattling to the ground as he tried to help his brother to his feet.

"Haruka ni-chan!" Iwaizumi yelled as Oikawa tried to stop him from running to the screen. In front of them were Peacekeepers ready to shoot them down if anyone tried to disrupt the Games. Even though they were miles away from one another, Iwaizumi could feel his brother's pain, his raged breaths becoming fainter and fainter as he bled.

"Don't Iwa-chan!"

"I can't leave him be. He's going to kill them!" Iwaizumi yelled as the Tribute from District 2 strode towards the twins. Haruka was begging his brother to run, even as he picked up his trident and swung it in the air, getting into a battle position as he yelled, "I will kill you right now, Ushijima!"

Ushijima didn't flinch as he stared down at the twins, Haruka's eyes going wide in fear as he begged Ushijima for mercy.

"Please, spare my brother. At least take my life when I'm dying now."

"Hell no! I'm not going to let this bastard win the Games! We're going to go home to mum and dad and tell Hajime that we're the best bros in the world! We're going to eat good food every day and be safe," Hikaru snarled as he gripped his trident, the weapon slipping in his grasp from having held onto his brother's bloody foot. As he held the weapon in front of him, Ushijima didn't so much flinch as he removed the broadsword from his side, swinging it as Hikaru brought it up to counter it.

"You're weak. The fact that you're even begging for another to live means you're not worthy to be crowned Victor of the Hunger Games," Ushijima rumbled as he sliced through the air, Hikaru crying out as the sword cut neatly through his trident, snapping it in half before cleaving through his left arm. Hikaru screamed as he collapsed next to his brother, blood spilling on the ground as Ushijima raised his sword high.

"Let me put you out of your misery."

"STOP!"

Even as Iwaizumi screamed over and over for Ushijima to stop, to let his brothers go free, he couldn't stop the moment as the sword drove into them, blood cascading from the stone as he pumped his fist in the air, two shots ringing through the air as a single voice rang through the air.

"And the winner of the 70th Hunger Games goes to Ushijima Wakatoshi of District 2! What a thrilling game!"

A wailing sound pierced Iwaizumi's ears as his mother collapsed to the ground, howling as she cried out the names of her sons. Her husband wasn't faring any better as he held onto her, screaming profanities at the Peacekeepers as he made a beeline for them, brandishing his fists as he ran past Iwaizumi.

"You bastards will pay for killing them! Screw the freaking Capitol! You deserve to rot in hell, you child murderers!" he screamed as the Peacekeepers took aim. Iwaizumi didn't have time to scream as the crowd exploded, gunshots filling the air as gunfire rained on the audience. Before he knew it, he was on the ground, Oikawa covering the top of him as he tried to block him out from the screams of panic. Iwaizumi didn't dare to look beside him, blood already pooling from his father as he stared at his new reality.

"Iwa-chan. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"Iwa-chan. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Oikawa whispered in his sleep as Iwaizumi bucked up from his dream, his body coated with sweat as he gasped for air. The sound of gunshots still rang clearly in his mind as he fumbled for the lights, his hand hitting the button to turn on every light in the vicinity as he wrapped his arms around himself.

Its been years since he dreamed of losing his family.

That day, Oikawa and his mother had spent every moment trying to console the two, Mrs Oikawa promising to take care of her and her son while Oikawa held onto Iwaizumi in his room, the smaller boy sobbing into his chest as he cried for his brothers and father. After the incident, his father had been carted off, with the Peacekeepers saying that he would be put on display for the next few days as warning to those who opposed the Capitol. Iwaizumi felt like throwing up as he thought of watching maggots crawling out of his family's bodies when Oikawa pressed him tighter against his chest.

"I swear, Iwa-chan. I will protect you. I promise you that everything will be alright."

Iwaizumi groaned as he ran his fingers through his sweaty hair, moving to step out of the bed into the bathroom. He flipped on all the taps and threw in multiple bath bombs, an array of colours and smells filling the room as he sank into it, not caring if the water was way too hot as his skin began to burn.

How was he going to get revenge on his family when he had to kill Oikawa in the process?

That night will be the night they will formally be introduced to the Capitol. No matter how much he hated those people, they were the only chance of them surviving in the Games when others will be out to get them. Iwaizumi's heart clenched at the thought of dying, ducking his head under the water to block out the smell of blood and gunfire as he tried to forget it all when a hand reached into the bathtub and yanked him out.

"Iwa-chan?! What the hell?! First you turn on the lights and woke me up and now you're trying to drown yourself in the bathtub?!"

Iwaizumi let out a strangled breath as Oikawa pulled him against him, nearly slipping into the bath as he clung onto Iwaizumi's wet body, now slick with soap and foam. Even as his shirt got soaked through with multiple colours, Oikawa didn't let him go as he corded his fingers through his hair, holding onto him as tightly as he could before moving to slap him on the cheeks.

"What the hell?" Iwaizumi snapped as Oikawa did the same to himself, slapping himself as Iwaizumi's eyes went wide..

"Both of us are in the shit together. You need me and I need you so we better get our shit together and show those Capitol assholes what we're made of, alright?" Oikawa growled as Iwaizumi numbly nodded. Oikawa rarely shouted like that to him, though he knew the other boy could get very dramatic in certain situations. In this case, Oikawa placed his forehead onto Iwaizumi's own, closing his eyes as he whispered to him.

"I will be there for you. Always."

His breath ghosted his mouth as he slowly pulled away, leaving Iwaizumi dumbfounded for a minute as Oikawa left the bathroom to use his own. Iwaizumi placed a hand on his forehead, wondering if he had gone mad from soaking in hot water for too long or if he had just imagined Oikawa being the sensible one of the two of them for the first time in forever.

Was he blushing from the heat or was it the fact that Oikawa had nearly kissed him when he was buck naked?

…

Iwaizumi thought he would rather die than wear another freaking suit for the rest of his life. He was tugging at the crisp black outfit hugging his body, the velvety material making his skin itch whenever he tried to move in it. Despite the uncomfortable feeling of constantly having his skin prickling whenever he moved, he had to admit that he looked pretty good in this.

Tendou had come over earlier that day to do some fitting sessions with them and after having a bicker with Oikawa on who managed to get which outfit, Iwaizumi had settled with black while Oikawa went with white. Iwaizumi had scowled at the fact he was going to look even more daunting in his outfit when he lost to Oikawa in the game of rock, papers and scissors, a game of chance he always seemed to fail since he was a kid.

As he stood in front of the full length mirror in front of him, Iwaizumi couldn't help but give himself a pat on the back for all the exercising he had done across the years when going hunting. After hunting for animals in the forest for years, his arms had build up quite a bit of muscle from having to haul animals across the forest and his fingers callused from drawing arrow after arrow and notching them into his bow. As he flexed his muscles, his black dress shirt bulged, threatening to burst open when Tendou let out a chuckle from the other side of the room.

Their designer was a strange one. While Iwaizumi had felt he should put up his guard around him, Tendou seemed to treat everything around him like a game or even a joke. Most of the time he spent chatting with him about the latest manga series he was reading (Iwaizumi had no idea what that was since they hardly ever had any books except for the ones issued in school) or just gushing about how hot Ushijima looked. The man seemed to have a bit of a crush on the Victor, which Iwaizumi wished he would keep to himself especially when Tendou went on a rave on wishing he could design an outfit that would show off Ushijima's toned abs.

"If you're done looking at yourself in the mirror, you might want to go now. Its almost time," Osamu groaned from the door, his hand holding onto the tablet as he scanned through the plans for the night. Tonight was the night Osamu hated the most on the schedule, not because he had to go onto the stage, but because of the fact the whole nation's female and male population would be raving as his brother does his yearly Hunger Game talk show. According to him, Miya Atsumu had an ego the size of Panem and when he had gone on to become a television presenter, his ego had inflated even now, much to Osamu's horror and annoyance.

Before Osamu could say anything, Oikawa came prancing into the room, looking dashing in his white suit. He had a black rose blooming in his breast pocket, the flower a stark contrast to the white rose Iwaizumi had on his person. Tendou had insisted that they wear outfits that show that despite how polar opposite they may be, they are a duo to be reckoned with on the Arena, although Iwaizumi didn't exactly understood the point he was trying to give. Matsun followed behind him soon after, dressed in a crisp black and white tuxedo and looking surprisingly sober. With his face shaven, he looked more like the Victor he was back in his youth, even looking handsome to a certain degree.

"Iwa-chan, you look so good! Try not to burst your shirt will you? Your gorilla muscles look ready to blow," Oikawa giggled as Iwaizumi flexed them out of habit. He had always done so when he wanted to beat the crap out of Oikawa when they were kids.

"I think the ladies would actually love it if his shirt comes off in public in tatters. People these days dig all sorts of weird fashion trends," Matsun grinned as Oikawa gasped, "As if people would like a gorilla like him!"

"Shut it, Shittykawa or I will make sure you get a nice makeover before the show," Iwaizumi growled as Osamu stepped in between them.

"Try anything stupid and I will make sure the cameras zoom in on you nice and close and let my brother grill you for what he's worth. He likes to interrogate Tributes, and he seems to be particularly interested in you two."

Both of them fell silent as his words, Tendou clapping his hands at satisfaction of his work before herding them out of the building to where the TV station was. This was the first time they ever went out in a car at night, the streets of the Capitol bustling with people enjoying themselves. The streets had lights popping up every few meters, lighting up the city to make it seem as though it was still daytime. Capitol citizens were laughing and smiling as they shopped and ate, oblivious of the people they had robbed off power and the privilege to even enjoy life in the Districts. Despite how magical the city looked, Iwaizumi couldn't help but feel guilty that he was able to enjoy something that many people wouldn't never be able to do unless they were reincarnated as a Capitol citizen.

Having had ignored most of what Osamu and Matsun had been telling him during the car ride to the studio, Iwaizumi was met with shock when he stepped out of the car. The moment he stepped out, he was attacked by a barrage of cameramen, all of them yelling at him to smile and wave. Iwaizumi had to bit back the urge to growl at them, his hand slowly moving to cover his face when Oikawa's hand enveloped his and tugged him down the red carpet rolled out for them.

Some of the Tributes still remained on the carpet, although the ones from the nearer Districts had already gone inside. It seemed as though everyone had arrived according to District order, which meant Oikawa and Iwaizumi would probably be the last to get interviewed as well. Iwaizumi's stomach turned at the idea of having to sit in front of an audience of people dying to see them getting killed in the Arena and having to smile for them when he wished they could just die.

"Hey, Iwa-chan. Relax," Oikawa whispered, Iwaizumi nearly jumping as he felt Oikawa's hot breath down his neck, tickling the shell of his ear. Iwaizumi swore the sound of the cameras clicking away increased two-fold as they walked down the carpet, Oikawa all smiles and waves while Iwaizumi just put on a scowl the entire walk. The entire time, Oikawa kept his hand in his, Iwaizumi's mind going back to the time when they were children.

Back then, Iwaizumi had been the one always having to protect Iwaizumi from danger. When they went hunting for beetles in the forest, Oikawa would squeal that beetles were dirty and scary while Iwaizumi waved one in his face to spook him out. Oikawa would then break down into tears while Iwaizumi held onto his hand, slowly tugging him back home before his cries drew the attention of any animals who would like to have two little boys for lunch.

In school, Oikawa had been bullied by some of the boys for being a bit softer than most. Iwaizumi remembered the numerous times they both came home with bruises and cuts all over them, Oikawa sobbing into his back as he piggybacked him home.

"Iwa-chan, will you always be there for me?" Oikawa would sniff as Iwaizumi groaned.

"Always."

Now it seems as though their roles had been reversed, Oikawa being the one protecting him from the world he had dragged himself into. All this time, Iwaizumi had felt so lost and unsure if he had made the right decision but now, being able to spend his last weeks of life with his best friend, he felt it was all worth it.

Once they entered the studio, they were ushered into a room where most of the Tributes were waiting. Outside, the audience was getting pumped as Miya Atsumu walked onto the stage, smiling as he blew kissed to the crowd. Iwaizumi could practically feel the floor vibrating from the cheers coming from outside, his body beginning to sweat when Atsumu grinned.

"Welcome! Welcome to the 74th Hunger Games! I'm Miya Atsumu (of course you will know, I am the most famous and handsome presenter the Capitol has ever seen) and I will be your host for today. Every year, these brave young men and women give their lives for their Districts to win the title of Victor in the Hunger Games. This year, we have quite an interesting mix so without further delay, let us welcome Kageyama Tobio and Hinata Shouyou of District One!"

Both boys quickly stood up as their names were called, even scrambling to see who could get to the door first as their escort sighed with resignation before having to shove them through when they got stuck. Iwaizumi wondered how they could have so much energy to waste when they were going to fight in a few days, both of them walking onto the stage with pride as the crowd cheered for them.

While Kageyama was all scowls in his dark blue suit, Hinata was all smiles and cheer dressed in an orange suit as bright as his hair as he waved his hands animatedly about how he wanted to beat Kageyama and be the Victor this year. Atsumu seemed amused at how much the two bickered at each other one the stage, calling each other 'scrub' and 'boke' as he tried to pluck some answers from them.

"You know there can only be one Victor right?" Atsumu asked as both of them yelled, "We will both win then!"

The crowd broke into laughter and cheers as both of them butted heads with each other at having said it at the same time, the announcer quickly ending their interview as their stylist dragged them off the stage by the ears while their escort followed behind. When they entered the room, the stylist got to work in giving their an earful as their escort tried to calm them down.

"Ukai-kun, I think you're a bit too harsh on them," the escort stammered as Ukai sat the Tributes down and gave them a yelling.

"You're too nice to them, Takeda! They need to be taught how to actually follow the rules or they are going to have hell to pay later!" Ukai snapped as he turned to the two Tributes, who didn't seemed sorry at what they had done earlier as a weird muttering began to come out from Takeda who had curled up into a ball in his chair and was beginning to mutter something the equivalent of a curse under his breath.

"They are good boys. They will alright. They are good boys. They will be alright."

Aside from the mad duo from District 1, everyone else was as sane as they could get. The interviews flew by as Iwaizumi tried not to think about it, his mind going back to how his mother would probably be watching this from the District Square with Oikawa's mother back home. Whether they liked it or not, citizens of the Districts were forced to watch anything related to the Hunger Games, even when the Games began and kids were forced to kill each other.

Iwaizumi's gut clenched as he tried not to remember the faces of his brothers on the screen when he was younger, speaking that they will make it out alive together even though they had to go against Ushijima. Deep down, he didn't even know if he could survive the Bloodbath of the Cornucupia and he had to worry about Oikawa as well…

Heat rose from his freezing hand as Oikawa curled his hand into his, sending the warmth he so desperately needed as he saw the Tributes of District 11 walking back into the room when Oikawa whispered into his ear, sending goosbumps up his skin.

"Just follow my lead. I will protect you, Iwa-chan."

Iwaizumi slowly let himself be pulled to his feet and walked to the stage, the cheers and squeals of the viewers beyond roaring over his head as Atsumu spoke into the microphone.

"Well, let's bring it to our two final Tributes from District 12! The hot and stunning boy who could have easily passed as someone from an elite family in the Capitol and his illusive partner, Oikawa Tooru and Iwaizumi Hajime!"

Iwaizumi squeezed his eyes shut as the cameras and lights flashed around him, nearly making him stumble as he walked forward. The place was massive; there had to be about several thousand viewers in the studio right now, with the Mentors and escorts sitting in the front rows. Matsukawa gave them a thumbs up from his seat as Osamu was giving a glare at his brother, who smiled and waved at him from the stage as a few women squealed, "Oikawa!"

Oikawa blew them a few kisses, some of them gasping for air as they fell back in their seats. Iwaizumi realized that a few men had done the same, rolling his eyes as they sat down on the white coach opposite of Atsumu, who's ears twitched as he eyed them like a full course meal.

"Well, this year we have quite a crop of good looking Tributes, don't you think folks?" Atsumu drawled as the crowd went wild with catcalls and whistles.

"Most of the Tributes seemed to have known each other before the Games but I seem to be sensing something that is much more deep. What are you two to each other? Especially you, Iwaizumi since you volunteered for the Games when Oikawa was made one of the Tributes."

Iwaizumi didn't like the look in Atsumu's eyes as he raked them for information, extending invisible claws as he tried to find something from their past. Iwaizumi did not fancy telling a crowd of Capitol citizens about his harsh childhood in front of so many cameras when Oikawa took the reins of it.

"Iwa-chan and I have been neighbours for most of our lives. We grew up together and did everything together. Since I lost my dad years ago to the Hunger Games and Iwa-chan lost his brothers in the Hunger Games a few years back, we have been stuck together like glue."

"Ah, I remember that year. It was when Ushijima Wakatoshi was crowned Victor. The twins fought very well until the end; I should have recognized the same kind of hairstyle and brutishness of the Iwaizumi siblings," Atsumu purred as Iwaizumi tried to stop himself from curling fist.

"What I am curious about is why you two are holding hands. You seem like a very confident person, Oikawa but your friend here doesn't seem to like the cameras, don't you think?" Atsumu asked as Iwaizumi slowly began to realize that he was still holding onto Oikawa's hand.

"Ah, this? We do that all the time at home. Although he is normally the one to be holding my hand and leading me forward," Oikawa smiled, his smile soft and gentle as his eyes looked over at Iwaizumi.

"You could almost say, we might be closer to one another than best friends would normally would."

Iwaizumi felt his throat run dry as a gasp ran through the crowd, his eyes moving to see Matsun and Osamu nodding their heads as Atsumu asked, "Ohh, am I seeing a love story here?"

Oikawa giggled as he gave a wink at him before putting a finger to his lips, "Well, we will leave you to find out about that in the Arena, shall we?"