Sorry I haven't been active in a while. Been focusing on updating more on my AO3 account. Enjoy!
Today was the final day before they get sent into the Arena. Iwaizumi was surprised he even managed to sleep throughout the night, only to be woken up by Oikawa prodding him in the cheek and nearly getting a fist slammed into his face when Iwaizumi groaned about going back to sleep.
After both of them received their scores and the fact that Iwaizumi may very well be a target in the Arena now, Matsukawa had taken to himself to train the two of them to make sure both have an equal fighting chance in the Arena. Even though Iwaizumi had half begged Matsukawa to train just Oikawa since he felt his friend needed as much help as he could get, Matsukawa dragged them to the private training rooms and got to drilling them various survival skills and the dos and don't's in the arena. Even Osamu had tagged along, sitting on the bench against the wall munching on onigiri as he conversed with various people on the phone.
People who might very well be sponsors.
"Listen. You two have the basic skills in fighting. If possible, don't engage in hand to hand combat or close-range combat. This year's District 1 and 2's tributes are good at that and you want to avoid them as much as you can. District 3 are techies so you don't have to worry too much about them. District 7's Tributes might be a pain in the ass, especially Akaashi Keiji."
"Not Bokuto Koutarou?" Iwaizumi mused as Matsukawa sighed, "It's the quiet ones you have to watch out for. That guy clings to Bokuto a lot and I wouldn't have a doubt in my mind that he would do anything to protect him in the Arena as well. They may have or may not have formed an alliance with District 3. The reports showed them being thick together during training so you might want to watch out."
Iwaizumi almost feels sorry for the other Tributes to not be considered threatening enough to be watched out for in the Arena by Matsukawa but the fewer lethal Tributes, the better. He didn't want to have blood staining his hands if he could help it, even if it meant him coming out alive.
After a couple of hand to hand combat drills with Matsukawa and working on his shooting with him, the boys finished up for the day and went back to the apartment for lunch. As usual, the spread on the table was heavy enough to feed at least ten familiar in District 12 and Iwaizumi nearly snuck some food into his pocket out of habit to give to his mother, something he developed as a kid since they were barely earning enough to support themselves in the Seam.
"Well, you two sure have gained quite a rep out there. Might have to do something to really garner their attention tonight," Tendou grinned as he stabbed a fish in the eye, ripping its eyeball from its socket and popping it into his mouth. The man had made himself a guest in the apartment and while he could be a bit too loud, Iwaizumi appreciated his presence since he helped them with their social etiquette and how to act on the stage; apparently, Tendou used to be an entertainer and would have gone on to take Atsumu's position as the host of the games if he wasn't so invested in designing outfits for Tributes.
Tonight would be their final night before they go in the Arena and Iwaizumi could almost see the clock counting down to his impending death. Oikawa seemed a bit chilled about it, instead of going through with Tendou on what they ought to do on the stage that night. Tonight would be the final interview, which would be done on each Tribute individually and Iwaizumi didn't look forward to all the cameras.
"Neh, Iwa-chan, if you scrounge up your face like that, you're going to get more wrinkles than an old man," Oikawa whispered into his ear, his fist automatically moving to connect with his jaw as the other boy fell to the floor. Tendou screeched at how he might have possibly made his beautiful face a mess while Matsukawa muttered something about teenage boys under his breath.
"If you two have so much energy pissing each other off, you better use your last chance to impress the audience and do your shit. I've tried everything in my power to convince my brother to actually give you the limelight of the show so you better make the most out of it," Osamu hissed from the rim of his cup before turning to his tablet. The man had been busy with work the entire day and his temper was on the rise. Even Matsukawa didn't dare to say anything to the man as Osamu got up and walked to the living room to do his work in peace.
The rest of the day flew by with Matsukawa and Tendou going through the night's events with them before getting them dressed for it. Both of them wore the same matching suits as before, Oikawa in white and Iwaizumi in black. Tendou fake cries at how beautiful they looked as he finished up their makeup before shoving them to the lift. Iwaizumi's stomach was doing flip flops as they walked down, moving to stand with the other Tributes who were lined up at the backstage.
While the Carers were busy bickering among themselves, especially Kageyama and Hinata who had to be pulled apart by an exasperated Ukai Keishin, most of them were silent. Some of the Tributes clearly had marks under their eyes from the lack of sleep, and some of them looked visibly thinner, as though they haven't eaten since they arrived or had thrown up anything that they tried to put into their bodies.
Guess the odds weren't in everyone's favour.
One by one, the Tributes were called out and Iwaizumi found himself nervously tapping his foot to calm himself down. The cheers outside didn't make him feel any better as sweat welled up on his palms, his hands trying to do something other than fidget. Tendou and Matsukawa had left to sit in the audience, Osamu lurking around somewhere which left Iwaizumi without anyone to talk to.
"Iwa-chan, you look too nervous," Oikawa spoke up as Iwaizumi's head snapped up, realising that it was just the two of them left. The clock struck nine on the wall next to them as Oikawa smiled, licking his lips as he moved to kiss Iwaizumi on the cheek. As he bent his head to ghost his cheek, Iwaizumi tried not to shiver as Oikawa gave him a peck before trailing kissed to his neck before promptly giving him a hard bite that made him yelp.
"What the hell?!" Iwaizumi yelled as Oikawa stepped back, grinning just as he was called to the stage.
"Thank me later," he smiled as he walked off, Iwaizumi gripping the steadily growing red spot on his neck as he turned to look at a mirror placed on a nearby wall.
Oh shit, why did Oikawa have to give him a hickey of all times?
Oikawa's laugh echoed across the backstage as Iwaizumi looked to see Oikawa smiling away at the audience, his eyes ravishing each member of the audience as they squealed and swoon at his presence. Oikawa even had the nerves to wink and blow kisses at some of them as Atsumu spoke, the man seeming a little unnerved that the man was getting more attention than he was as he cleared his throat.
"So, what are you doing to do about the Games? As much as you love your beloved Iwa-chan, you know there can only be one winner."
A hush fell across the audience as Oikawa smiled sadly, his fingers clasped on his lap. Iwaizumi could almost see a tear trickling from his eye as he looked up to the audience.
"If the time comes that I have to sacrifice myself to let Iwa-chan win, I will. Hajime is my world, and I will do everything to protect him," Oikawa whispered as the audience broke into sobs, some people screaming that they loved him as Oikawa exited the stage. As Atsumu tried to calm the crowd down, Iwaizumi walked towards the stairs as Oikawa passed by, reaching to give him a pat on the shoulder as he said, "Good luck."
The moment Iwaizumi stepped onto the stage, the crowd went wild when they saw the hickey growing on his neck. Iwaizumi did his best not to blush as Atsumu purred, his ears pricking up as Iwaizumi sat on the chair, his knees shaking as he tried not to look at the audience.
"Oya? What do we have here?" Atsumu purred as Iwaizumi blushed red.
"Its not…"
"Oh really know a hickey when I see one, and its definitely a hickey," Atsumu mused as the crowd laughed, although there were sniffles and whispers of "Poor things. They're so much in love".
"So, on to things. Tomorrow is the Games. You're going to have to fight to the death. Are you prepared to kill Oikawa, or are you going to sacrifice yourself for him?" Atsumu asked, not hiding the expression of amusement on his face when Iwaizumi said, "I will do everything to make sure we both come out alive. I don't care if we need a miracle, but I will definitely make sure he comes out alive. Even if I do not make it out, if Oikawa does, I will be contented."
Claps and cheers rose from the audience as Atsumu raised Iwaizumi's hand into the air, saying his name as Iwaizumi's mind swam. His eyes no longer focused on the crowd, nor the sound of Oikawa calling his name as he walked back to him, only the feeling of him wrapping him in his arms as he was whisked away.
…
The hell he could go to bed.
With the Games the next day and Oikawa's side of the bed cold and empty, Iwaizumi found himself tossing and turning before finally growling in defeat and walking out, his feet slapping against the cold marble floor. As he shivered from having worn just a sleeveless shirt and a pair of silk pants, he turned into the living room to see Oikawa seated on the ledge, staring at the stars shining above their heads as the sounds of people partying filled the night air.
"Hey, Iwa-chan," Oikawa whispered as Iwaizumi moved to sit next to him. Oikawa scooted to the side, giving room for Iwaizumi to sit and stare at the few skies that were visible in the night sky. With the amount of pollution in the capital, it was a miracle that they could even see it.
"Whats going on down there?" Iwaizumi whispered as Oikawa said, "They're partying for tomorrow. The Games is the biggest event of the year for them so they're going all out."
"Sick bastards. Don't they know they're sending a bunch of kids to their deaths?" Iwaizumi whispered as Oikawa leaned against him. Iwaizumi automatically moved to card his fingers through Oikawa's hair, feeling the soft brown locks as he sighed. If he leaned in a bit more closely, he could catch a whiff of the coconut shampoo Oikawa had come to love using ever since arriving in the Capitol.
"Iwa-chan, if one of us doesn't make it tomorrow…"
"Don't be stupid. We will survive."
"Only one of us can make it out."
"Then we will break the rules. We can run away from the Arena, away from the Capitol and hide somewhere until everything is over."
"Oh, Iwa-chan," Oikawa whispered as his hand moved to cup Iwaizumi's cheek. Iwaizumi didn't move as Oikawa turned to face him, sniffling as his eyes watered. He slowly buried his face into Iwaizumi's chest, his sniffles turning into sobs as Iwaizumi's arms wrapped around him, trying to comfort the boy as he whispered, "I'm so scared, Iwa-chan. I don't want to die. I don't want to kill anyone."
Oikawa hiccupped as Iwaizumi kissed him on the head, his nose finally breathing in the smell of coconut as his arms wrapped around Oikawa even more tightly.
"I will protect you Tooru. I promise."