The 98th Hunger Games.

Chpater Four - Training.

T/CWS FOR THIS CHAPTER:
mentions of knifes/swords/stabbing, hints/symptoms(?) of eating disorders.

  Tommy shuffled on his bed, discomfort spreading through his body in waves. His pillow is moist and sticky from tears, and his face feels wet from drool and said pillow mixture.
  In disgust, he sits up and strolls over to his bathroom, ignoring how his pajama pants hung off of his hip, or how ridden up his shirt was. He must've moved a lot in his slumber.
  He washes his face in some cool water, trying to hide his urge to scrunch his face at the temperature. Instead, he grabs a side towel and wipes his face carefully, removing the drool and tears. He'll probably have to wash his pillow case, or just flip his pillow over onto the other side. He can do either of those things later— today, his focus is training.

  Tommy hasn't heard quite a lot about the training sessions, other than the fact that there will be lots of tributes there.
  His main focus— Dream. The Masked Man will be there.

  This is Tommy's time to show what he's got, and he's excited to show Dream that he has competition. Oddly enough, his only goal is to make an enemy of Dream. Why? He doesn't know either.
  He should be getting to breakfast, though, considering he hasn't ate in a while. The stress, anxiety and sadness has taken away his appetite, and he's hoping that the good Capitol food will help bring this back.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

  Tommy's fixed his night-outfit, and is now at a table covered in food. He wants to puke. The smells, the sounds, the thoughts— it's all too much for him.
  That is until, "Morning Tom."
  Tommy swallows thickly and doesn't look up from the disgusting sight in front of him, "morning Tub."
  "How'd you sleep?"
  "Fine."
  "The food won't kill you, you don't have to stare it down like that."
  Tommy awkwardly looks up and straightens himself, sitting down at one of the chairs. "Sorry."
  Tubbo's sitting next to him. "For what?"
  "I haven't been able to eat. This food looks disgusting."
  Tubbo nods. "The thought of eating it is disgusting. Here, let's try a chocolate pancake together."
  Tommy gulps and wants to cry. He can't. But Tubbo's already placing the plates in front of them.
  He cuts a bit in two pancakes, a tiny corner piece. He stabs his fork into his pancake. "I'll go first, but get the pancake on your fork."
  Tommy's shaking. He worries the pancake will fall off of his fork from all of his quivering. He's aware of the tear tracking down his cheek, now.
  He watches Tubbo slowly take a bit, chew, and swallow.
  "C'mon, Tommy, you've got it," he encourages.
  Tommy's staring at the bit of pancake, sobbing out a quiet, "I can't, Tubbo."
  Tubbo places a hand on Tommy's shoulder, rubbing softly, "just one. You got it. Just one bite, Tommy." He's running a soothing hand through Tommy's hair.
  Tommy's crying more efficiently now, opening his mouth and letting the pancake pass his teeth. He chews. He swallows and trembles.
  "Good job Tommy, I'm very proud of you," Tubbo says, never taking his hand away from Tommy hair. "Can you have some juice?"
  Tommy nods, sipping at some orange juice. Tubbo hums proudly.

  The rest of the feast isn't so hard. Tubbo's helping and praising Tommy for every bite, finishing his own plate after Tommy eats. Tommy wants to throw up, but his stomach is satisfied. Technoblade joined them midway, but doesn't say or question the actions of Tubbo or Tommy. He doesn't question Tommy's crying, he doesn't question Tubbo's massages.
  Tubbo's the only reason he'd ever been able to eat. It's always been Tubbo.

  And if he dies here, I will too.

- - - - - - - - - - - -
  The outfit for training is tight, and kind of uncomfortable. But! It makes him look fitter than he is, and he's thankful for that.
  As he's entering the training area, he remembers he and Blade's conversation beforehand.

  "You don't want them to know your actual talent before they have private sessions with you. This makes you more mysterious. So, try new things, learn new skills, and train."
  "Okay, Blade."

  Tommy and Tubbo split, but Ranboo, oddly enough, follows Tommy. They find a forest-y area, and settle on logs across from each other.
  "Let's make a fire." Ranboo suggests.
  Tommy's already on the idea, setting some twigs up, while Ranboo places a block of bark nearby the twigs.
  Ranboo rubs the top quickly and thoroughly, but no fire or smoke seems to be produced.
  "It isn't working. We should probably move on."
  "Eh- wait," Tommy's saying, moving next to Ranboo and swatting the others hands away. Ranboo's hands fly up, and he watches the other rub down the bark repeatedly, more towards the middle. A spark begins, which leads to a fire. Ranboo's grinning.
  "Wow, didn't know you were a fire-y type guy."
  Tommy shrugs, setting the bark aside and letting himself get warmed by the fire. "Tubbo's bee-traps help us catch the food, but i usually run off to start the fire to properly cook the meat." Ranboo nods.
  Tommy sits in silence for a bit, before getting up and leaving. Ranboo doesn't follow, this time.

  Tommy practices many things; archery, cooking, filtering. He meets his special someone at the swords.
  The Masked Man is fighting his buddy with goggles. It isn't long before he has him pinned on the floor, sword flying out of the brit's hand. They tease each other, giggling and pushing until Dream gets up. Tommy hates it. A lot.
  Tommy takes a sword and approaches. Dreams not much taller, but a lot more bulky.
  George eyes Tommy, then Dream.
  "Heh- Hello." Tommy says after the silence gets too loud.
  "Ah, another brit." He teases.
  "You're an idiot," George snickers, before leaving and walking off with Sapnap, who was waiting patiently for him.
  "You're Tommy, aren't you? Everyone's talking about your... heroic volunteer."
People are talking about me? Tommy takes pride in that.
  The mask makes the man look like he's always smiling, which is uncomfortable to Tommy, seeing as it looks as though he could be stabbed at any minute.
  "Duel?" Tommy suggests, earning a soft chuckle from Dream.
  "Sure, Tommy."
  Tommy masks a shiver that runs down his spine. His name pours out of Dream's mouth like too-sugary syrup.
I'm going to be the one to kill you.

- - - - - - - - - - -
  Tommy and Dream are on opposing sides, Tommy's sweat coating the base of the sword. He doesn't know why he's nervous, he shouldn't be.
  Dreams suddenly running at him, and Tommy wastes no time building that same stamina. As Dream approaches, he gets a random idea and drops to the floor. He's surprised when he manages to slide under Dream's legs, skillfully dodging a swipe of Dream's sword.
  This doesn't do him much justice though, as Dream's quickly turning around and swinging again. Their swords clash as Tommy brings his up just in time.
  Tommy's aiming everywhere he can, trying to stab Dream, but nothing seems to work, Dream's reflexes are too snappy.
  So he swings high at Dream's face, and as Dream's focused on a high point, slips his leg between the other's and successfully brings Dream's left leg off the ground, causing him to slip and crash onto the ground.
  Tommy wastes no time, shoving his foot into Dream's wrist.
I just need to keep him on the ground for five seconds.
Dream's other arm comes around, grabbing his sword and swinging it at Tommy's leg, holding it still.
four;
Tommy yelps and moves his leg, but kicks Dream in the face before he can focus on getting up.
three;
Dream's head hits the ground, though he wastes no time grabbing one of Tommy's legs.
two;
Tommy wiggles frantically, trying to get out of the other's grasp before he trips
one;
and falls into a straddle above Dream. He shoves his sword to Dream's neck, glaring furiously.
  Tommy's eyes are wide as Dream drops his sword.
zero;
  Tommy slides off of Dream's frame. He didn't want to win that. He just wanted to make a scene.
  "You're 16, yeah?" Dream asks, sitting up besides Tommy.
  Tommy tries not to submit beneath that emotionless gaze. "Yes."
  Dream hums. "I'm glad I found my first kill." He's getting up and patting Tommy's head, before he leaves and returns to his buddies.
Fuck.