So a while ago in the thunderpride sever we were talking about a hunger games au where Scott gets picked for the games, and he wins but this makes the Hood mad. So he starts intentionally picking Scott's brothers for revenge, and each year they win. After Virgil gets picked, they start to realise that it isn't a coincidence, so the older bros start training the younger ones for when they are inevitably chosen for the games. So this is just a lil snippet into that au!
Prompt used: Set Up For Failure
Gordon avoided the swing that came his way, and he pushed the wooden sword aside with his own. He jabbed forward, but his own stab was blocked.
He took a step back to regroup. His eyes searched for an opening, and when he saw one, he swung again.
The lunge was obstructed by a mighty hit from the other sword. His weapon was ripped from his hands as the wood of both weapons banged loudly. Gordon watched it fly off, panicked now that he had no weapon to defend himself.
A sharp pain sparked in his side as a strong force sent him to the floor.
The air was expelled from his lungs as he hit the dirt.
"Ow," he mumbled as he rubbed his sore side and pushed himself up. "No fair."
"Life isn't fair, Gordon."
He looked back at his opponent to find the tip of his sword pointed at his throat.
"Okay, you win. Can we take a break now? I'm tired."
"No!" Scott yelled, and Gordon flinched at his brother's loud voice that echoed across the field.
Scott took a deep breath, and lowered his sword.
"You know we have to do this," his voice was softer then, closer to the big brother he knew. Although, he was never like how Gordon remembered him from before the games anymore. "I'm doing this to protect you."
"I might not even get picked this time," Gordon mumbled as he started to fiddle with a stone on the ground. He wanted to distract himself from those terrifying thoughts that he could feel himself spiralling down.
He remembered how horrifying it was to see Scott's name get chosen for the games, and then Virgil and then John. And that didn't even come close to the fear of having to actually watch the games when they commenced. Gordon suspected that terror would pale in comparison to actually getting picked himself and having to survive the games firsthand.
"Even if you don't, we have to assume the worst with President Hood. We had hope after Virgil that it had just been a coincidence. But you know that with John getting picked as well, he is doing this on purpose."
Scott came to crouch down in front of him. He caught Gordon's gaze with his steel-firm eyes.
"You need to listen to me. You could die out there. You will die if you don't pay attention to our training. We cannot afford breaks."
Gordon felt sick with the anxiety. It had been building ever since his family had come up with their theories that they were all going to be picked, but it had grown tenfold since Gordon's twelfth birthday started to approach. The nightmares that had just been sporadic, were now nearly every night, and the brutal training from his brothers was every day.
Now, with the reaping around the corner and Gordon finally of age, he wanted nothing more than to run away from it all. They all knew what the inevitable would be.
He didn't even realise he was crying until the tears rolled down his cheeks. He quickly wiped them away. He needed to be strong. His brother couldn't think he was weak.
A hand was suddenly under his chin, and it guided his head up so he could lock eyes with his brother's comforting gaze.
"Don't forget, you won't be alone in there. Virgil and I will be doing all we can to get sponsors. And you will have a bigger advantage than most of the other tributes in there will have. None of them are expecting to get picked, so they won't be training like you."
The reminder that Gordon would be in there with other people, just like him, was something he was trying hard to forget. He didn't think he could take someone else's life. Someone who could have a family and brothers like him.
Gordon didn't reply, and continued to fiddle with the stone.
"How about I let you take a break?"
Gordon sat up.
"Really?"
"Only if you spend it swimming in the lake," Scott compromised.
Gordon was absolutely fine with that. He could get his practice in and build his strength up for Scott's happiness, and he could relax and get out of his head for his own.
He launched himself at his brother, and Scott let out a surprised grunt as Gordon wrapped his arms around him.
"Thank you!"
He could feel Scott chuckle as he pulled Gordon in for the hug.
"Love you."
Gordon held onto his brother. He never wanted to let go.
"I love you too."
