Chapter Text
Percy woke up early even though he didn't need to on the day of the reaping. He was young but he still worked hard out on the docks doing whatever anyone needed so he could support his family. He became proficient in nearly everything by the bay. But there was no work today, everyone had the day off for the Reaping. Percy took his time getting ready, then helped dress up his baby sister. His mom held his head in her hands, "I love you Percy, stay safe."
"I know mom. I love you too."
Percy went out and did some trading to make extra money before heading to the Reaping. He checked in with the peacekeepers and stood towards the back with the rest of the twelve year Olds. Behind him were the 10 and 11 year Olds in their first couple years of being eligible.
They were only allowed to put their name in once until the age of 12 so they were rarely chosen. He saw a young boy and what looked like his older sister hug before separating to their designated areas.
It wasn't long before Aphrodite took the stage in an extravagent and ridiculous outfit she somehow managed to pull off. She approached the microphone with a smile, "Welcome all to the reaping for the 70th Hunger Games. As always ladies first."
She reached in and pulled out a slip of paper, "Bianca Di Angelo."
The group of girls turned to look at her and parted for her to walk but she stood frozen. Peacekeepers moved to usher her to the stage when a little boy cried out behind Percy, "No! Bianca!"
The boy cried and yelled but was shut up by his peers when peacekeepers started moving towards him. Percy averted his eyes as things calmed. He hated this part every year, seeing people's families be torn apart. It was sick. Aphrodite cleared her throat and continued, "Anyways, now for the boys."
Percy took a breath as she reached her hand in the bowl pulling out the small slip of paper that would determine his fate.
"Oh, this is interesting. Nico Di Angelo."
The air stood still as the people around Percy turned to look at the 10 year old. It was his first year eligible, he wouldn't stand a chance, and being in the games alongside his own sister. They would be forced to see the other die. As Percy watched the small boy make his slow procession to the stage Percy made his decision. He couldn't sit back and watch this happen. His voice cut through the eerie silence, "I volunteer as tribute."
He made eye contact with the kid, Nico who was staring at him with wide eyes. Percy's walk to the stage felt more like a funeral March. Aphrodite smiled pulling him on to the stage, "And what's your name young man?"
"Perseus Jackson."
"Well give a round of applause for our volunteer Mr. Jackson. I give you this year's tributes from district 4, Bianca Di Angelo and Perseus Jackson."
In the crowd he saw his mother put a 3 fingered claw to her chest and push out. A symbol of protection for those in district 4. The rest of the crowd followed soon after. The peacekeepers led him away to a private room where he would get to say goodbye to his family. As soon as he saw his mom and sister it sunk in what he had done. He clutched them both in a hug, "Mom, mom I don't know why I did that I'm sorry I'm so sorry."
His mom shushed him and held his face gently in her hands, "It's okay Percy, I know. Your heart has always been too big for this. You did a good thing Percy, never forget that. I am so proud of you."
She held Percy's head to her chest as Percy cried, "I'm sorry mom I'm sorry."
She ran her fingers through his hair, "It's okay Percy. I love you, I love you so much. Your such a brave boy."
They pulled away and Sally looked at Percy with shining eyes, "Percy I know what happens in those games but please, don't lose yourself. You are so compassionate and empathetic, don't let the games change who you are."
Percy wiped his eyes, "What if I don't come home?"
"That doesn't matter. Estelle and I will be okay, we'll manage. It will be alright Percy, okay."
Percy nodded hugging his mom again. He gave Estelle a kiss on the forehead before they were taken out of the room. Percy wiped his tears and tried to pull himself together. He could do this. Unexpectedly the door opened and a wide eyed young boy entered.
"You must be Nico."
"Why did you do that?"
"I don't know."
"Thank you."
"I couldn't just watch you go in there with your own sister. It's your first year, that's just cruel."
"I know you don't know us well but Bianca is all I have. Please can you promise me you'll protect her in there?"
Percy didn't hesitate before responding, "I'll do my best."
Nico left the room leaving Percy alone. He was led to the train where he would officially meet Bianca and their mentor. Bianca hugged him when she saw him, "Thank you."
"Of course."
She let go of Percy and stuck out her hand, "I suppose I should properly introduce myself, I'm Bianca."
"Percy."
That sat down in the diner compartment sitting in an awkward silence when someone walked in. They were young, probably no older than 20. He greeted them with a sympathetic smile, "Hi, I'm Grover your mentor. I'm here to help guide you through this and give you your best shot at survival."
Bianca replied, "Didn't you just win like 3 years ago? Isn't this, I don't know a little fresh for you?"
Grover took a breath, "Yeah, your right. But unfortunately that's how it works. You win, you mentor, regardless of how long its been."
Percy frowned, "That's not right."
Grover gave Percy an odd look, "You should keep those sentiments to yourself. The games aren't only a physical game. It is much bigger than just fighting other people and surviving the arena. There's a social element to this as well. Gaining the Capitols favor will increase your odds of survival. Also making alliances. Alliances mean less people out to kill you right away."
He turned to Percy, "You put a target on your back by volunteering. You can't afford to show any weakness, especially given your age."
Percy nodded. Grover turned to Bianca, "You watch out for eachother. It's easier to trust someone from your District in there so ally with eachother if you can. Or at least help eachother when you can. And if it comes down to it, neither of you go out without a fight."
Grover stood leaving the compartment to his private quarters. Percy stood up, "I'm tired I'm going to get some rest."
As Percy fell asleep he knew 2 things. One was that he wasn't going to make it home. He would never see his mom and baby sister again. And two, Bianca would see her brother again. Nico needed her. He would do whatever he could to protect her in that arena.
________________________________________
When Percy woke up they had arrived in the capitol. Citizens were crowding outside to see their arrival. Percy did his best to smile and wave at them. Bianca gave him an odd look, "Why are you doing that? Your not telling me your actually enjoying this are you?"
Percy sighed and turned towards her, face immediatly going deadpan, "No. I hate this whole thing. But Grover said we need to endear ourselves to them to survive so that's what I'm doing."
The train pulled in and Percy and Bianca were taken away to their stylists. Grover greeted them with a smile, "Vera, Agave, these are my tributes this year. Take good care of them and be nice."
They were pulled away. The stylists poked and prodded at Percy inspecting him. They then cut his hair, took off any body hair, and cleaned him up. Afterwards he was given a thin robe and met with someone else. A friendly looking young woman greeted him, "Hello, I'm Juniper, I'm your designer. My job is to make you look good for them, and make a statement without getting killed."
Percy raised his brows, "Wow, your straightforward."
"Yes, well I don't see much point in lying to you if your likely going to die in a few days anyways."
"What if I live?"
"By that point you'll understand the truth of it all."
She said this while taking measurements and holding fabric up to Percy. She motioned for him to put his arms up.
"For being from the capitol you seem..."
"Smart? Aware? Yeah, I didn't used to be."
"What changed?"
Juniper blushed, "I met Grover."
She finished dressing him and started on his makeup. The brushes tickled his face. Finally Juniper looked at him satisfied, "You look incredible. I'm going to go work on Bianca, the girls typically take longer to get prepped so I like to dress the boys first to give them some extra time."
She left and Percy was taken back out to a chariot. where Grover stood waiting for him.
"So what did you think of Juniper? She's something isn't she?"
"Yeah, very blunt. But I kind of respect it?"
Grover laughed, "Yeah she doesn't hold back, at least when it comes to tributes. Your just about the only people she can speak freely around."
Bianca arrived with Juniper to the chariot. Bianca was dressed in a flowy blue dress matching the color of Percy's outfit. She had golden string weaved into nets draping her arms. Her hair was perfectly curled and a jeweled diadem was placed in her hair. Her eyeshadow was glittery and blue with shimmering green eyeliner matching Percy's. Percy was wearing a fitted green tank top that went to his neck and simple black pants that had a subtle golden scale pattern. one half of his shoulder was covered by a partial cape that was of the same material as Biancas dress and the other shoulder had the same golden nets draped across him. He had a matching diadem in his hair as well. Juniper smiled, "You two look perfect. Now just smile and look proud to be here. In their eyes you are representing your District with honor. Especially you Percy. Eyes are always on the volunteers."
They entered the carriage and set off. Smiling and waving at the audience. There was a screech behind them and a crash. This spooked the horses. Percy took the reigns stopping their horses and pet them calming them down. He hopped out of his carriage and ran back to the scene behind them. The wheel of district 5's chariot had gone loose and fallen off. He put his hands out to calm the bucking horses and spoke to them gently, "Woah, woah it's alright."
The horses stomped nervously but stopped bucking. Percy lifted the overturned chariot and helped the two tributes out from the wreckage.
"Are you guys okay?"
The girl brushed herself off, "I'm fine, just a little shaken up."
the boy nodded, "Yeah. I'm okay. Thanks for helping us."
Percy looked behind them to make sure no one else was hurt. He pushed the wrecked chariot to the side and led the horses out of the path tying them up where they would be safely out of the way.
"It looks like everyone else is okay, we have some space in our cart, Why don't you come up with us so you can get to the end?"
The other tributes nodded and followed Percy to district 4's chariot. Percy turned to them, "What are your names?"
"I'm Michael and this is Bea."
"I'm Percy and this is Bianca, Bianca their cart crashed so is it alright if they join us so they can finish out the parade?"
Bianca looked at Percy for a moment, "Of course. Bea you stand next to me, I'll make sure you don't fall and Percy can get Michael."
The 4 held eachother in the chariot keeping steady the rest of the way. What Percy did not know was Zeus was watching. And he was not a fan of that little act of district unity.
After the parade they were taken away to prep for the interviews. Bianca wore a blue strapless dress with her hair in a curled updo while Percy was in a blue dress shirt and a green vest with golden decals on it. Before the interview Grover approached them, "Alright, you need an angle to get them interested in you and want to root for you."
Bianca thought for a moment, "I could talk about taking care of my brother? Wanting to win for him."
Grover nodded, "That's good. Now Percy your starting to get yourself into trouble. You need to find a way to play it off."
Percy shrugged, "I could frame myself as a charming troublemaker?"
"That might work... what about you volunteering, what's going to be your reason?"
Percy frowned, "I want to prove myself? Show I'm stronger than I look and I can win this?"
"Play into that cocky persona. They love confidence in yourself and your ability."
Percy nodded. They waited with the other tributes for their turn onstage. Before long it was Bianca's turn. She walked onstage giving a small wave to the crowd. Hermes smiled welcoming her, "Hello you must be Bianca. Now I hear you have a little brother back home watching."
Bianca smiled, "Yes, his name is Nico."
"Well Nico must be proud to see his sister up here representing district 4 so well!"
Bianca forced her smile, "I just hope I can make it back to him. I'm all he has."
Hermes laughed, "Oh how sweet, now he almost came here with you didn't he?"
"Yes his name was called at the reaping but someone else volunteered."
"How does that make you feel?"
"Well we all know only one comes out of the games, so I'm glad I don't have to face this alongside my brother."
"Do you have any messages for him?"
Bianca smiled and nodded, "Stay safe, I love you."
Hermes grinned, "Wonderful, just fantastic. Give it up for Bianca Di Angelo from district 4!"
The crowd cheered for her as she walked offstage. As soon as she reached backstage her smile dropped. She anxiously turned to Grover, "How was that?"
Grover looked at her reassuringly, "That was perfect. You did great."
Next up was Percy. He walked across the stage blinded by the bright stage lights but he still managed to give Hermes a crooked smile.
"Hello Perseus, I've heard so much about you."
Percy laughed, "Please, call me Percy. And thank you it is such an honor to be here with you tonight."
He shook Hermes hand and they sat for the interview.
"Now why did you volunteer for little Nico?"
Percy gave a smirk and shrugged, "I wanted to prove myself I guess. People tend to underestimate me because of my age but I've got some tricks up my sleeve."
Hermes laughed, "Ah, your bold aren't you."
"Well I wanted to get over with it now rather than wait to have my name called."
"You have really been making waves out here haven't you."
Percy laughed, "Well I am from the fishing district."
Hermes smile turned uncanny, "Now you are such a handsome young man. Why don't you stand and show everyone your outfit."
Percy obliged showing off the green and golden vest he was wearing.
"Very nice, very nice. Well I wish you luck Percy and may the odds be ever in your favor. Give it up for Percy Jackson everybody."
The crowd roared for Percy, along with some jeers and hoots from people in the audience. When Percy got backstage Grover looked at Percy with an emotion he couldn't quite place.
"Great job Percy that was... that was great. You did exactly what you needed to."
They were taken to their living quarters for the next few days. Aphrodite greeted them excitedly, "Ah you two were incredible out there!"
A new person spoke, "Nicely done cupcake."
Grover sighed, "And where have you been?"
"I've been waiting here for you kiddos. Grover is better at the social stuff anyways. I can help you fight."
Percy interceded, "And who are you?"
"I'm your other mentor, Hedge. I'm going to make sure you can defend yourself."
Grover sighed, "It's been a long day. You both should get some rest."
Percy grabbed an apple to eat and found a room for himself. This was a whole lot more difficult than it looked onscreen. And he hadn't even gotten to the Arena yet. But he would survive, just long enough to make sure Bianca makes it out. He would make sure she won, for Nico.