May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor

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In which Tony and Peter are selected to compete in the Hunger Games. Tony is 18 and Peter is 13.

Warnings: some angst and violence (but I promise it gets better!) 2500+ words, it's a long one

Third POV

Three days into the Games...

"Tony!" Peter whispered. "They're coming!"

Tony looked up from the trap he was setting, his dark eyes shining in the sunlight. "Alright kid, get to the bushes." He ducked behind the glittering leaves, gesturing for the boy to join.

Peter obeyed just before voices could be heard nearby.

"Did you see his face when he ate that plant?" A teenager grinned.

"Yeah, the trap was so obvious." His teammate replied.

Peter bit his lip, shrinking back a bit. Tony put a reassuring hand on his knee, calming him.

The murderous group of teens (Peter heard four voices) continued walking past, unaware of the frightened boy and his protective friend right under their noses. The footsteps and chatter faded; the pair was safe.

After a few minutes, Tony emerged from the hiding place. He pulled Peter up.

"I guess the trap didn't go off," he sighed.

Peter shrugged. "It's alright, Tony, it was your first try."

Tony nodded and ruffled Peter's hair. "You're right. I'll try again tomorrow. For now, you find a hiding spot while I hunt."

"But- but Tony!"

"What?"

"You can't go hunting by yourself!" Peter's brown eyes were filled with concern. "Let me go with you."

"Pete..."

"I'm stronger than I look. You need someone to watch your back."

Tony groaned. "If it'll make you stop nagging, then sure."

Peter grinned.

***

Tony's POV

After five minutes into the hunt, I could tell bringing Peter was a better option than leaving him.

For one thing, he was really quiet when he wanted to be. For another, he kept my motivation up. And of course, I knew I would be constantly worried about him if he was alone anyway.

As I strung up the scented bait for an unsuspecting creature to bite, I thought back to the days of Peter clumsily worming his way into my heart.

"What are you doing in this training section? You can't even swing a bat without your arm breaking in half," a ginger girl mocked a boy who sullenly looked away. I kept moving, despite feeling sympathy for him. He kind of reminded me of myself when I was his age, even if he was from District 10 and I was from District 7.

But I couldn't move on when his large eyes met mine, only to glance away when the girl kicked at him, sweeping him off of his feet, aiming punches at his face.

"Hey! Lay off!" I yelled, pushing her off of him.

She gave me a venomous look. "Who the f*ck are you?"

"Don't waste your effort on a harmless kid. Save it for the Games."

"Why do you care?"

I hesitated, not really knowing myself. I felt a timid hand touch my elbow. I turned to the short, bruised boy the hand belonged to.

"Um... it's okay, you can go back to your training. I can handle it." He said softly, looking guilty.

The girl, who I knew from interviews as Natasha, huffed. "Fine, I'll lay off. But remember, Tony, that you pissed off the wrong girl." She stormed off to the archery area.

Rolling my eyes, I walked away to the training dummies. Before I could pick up a wooden sword, the boy said, "Do you have a team?

"What's it to you?" I scoffed.

He outstretched his hand for me to shake with a shy smile. "I'm Peter. Thanks for helping me, Tony."

I looked at the kid behind me, knowing that at this point, there's nothing I wouldn't do for him. Contrary to popular belief, he's not just a charity case. He's much stronger than he looks. Apparently, he really was holding back during that first incident.

Peter's gaze met mine, and he nodded to the trap, urging me to continue. I tied it off and stretched, my back cracking and groaning in protest.

"Urgh," I grunted.

Peter snorted. "You just aged fifty years."

"Shut up, you'll regret talking that way when you get to be my age."

That made him laugh, his eyes crinkling at the edges. But it disappeared as quickly as it came.

I paused, then said, "We should make camp soon. Somewhere close to the trap, but--"

"Not too close," Peter finished. He looked around, humming. "What about..." He walked a few feet behind me and shifted some hanging moss, revealing the opening to a small cave. "...here?"

I clapped Peter on the back. "Good eye, kid. I'll get some leaves so my back doesn't break in my sleep." I headed deeper south into the forest.

Pete stared after me as I left. He'll be fine, I thought. He's hidden from danger. I'll be back soon anyway. Stop worrying!

***

Peter's POV

I couldn't help but sigh after Tony disappeared from sight. He'd be back soon, so I might as well set up camp.

I gathered some twigs for a fire. The sun, barely visible through the thick canopy, was sinking below the horizon. The darkness grew larger, and the child in me shivered at the thought of it swallowing me whole.

Making sure the smoke would not be visible to someone outside, I set the twigs on the stoney ground within the cave.

I wished I grabbed a backpack at the beginning of the Games, but that would've been too dangerous. I could've died before the second day, and I couldn't do that to my Aunt. She's lost so much already.

A twig snapping somewhere interrupted my thoughts, making me flinch. I looked under my foot, seeing no broken wood beneath it. That means it wasn't me...

I scrambled to the shadowed corner of the cave. Short of breath, my chest began heaving in protest. I covered my mouth with my hand, muting the struggle.

Footsteps slowly approached the cave, louder.. louder.. I screwed my eyes shut, refusing to look.

The hanging moss shifted.

"...Tony?" I whispered, muffled behind my fingers, eyes still closed.

"Hey, kid."

I nearly fainted with relief, falling into a crouch against the wall. "Thank God... I thought you were someone else..."

"What?" Tony asked, his brows furrowed. "You good, kid?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm good. Just a bit..."

"Scared?" He kneeled beside me, searching my expression in the dark.

I didn't answer and looked away, embarrassed.

"Hey, no need to feel bad. I'm scared too."

I nodded, saying nothing.

I noticed a small mechanical glint in a crevice of the cave. A camera.

"The Capitol is enjoying the show," I whispered.

"We need those people on our side," Tony whispered a reply.

I nodded, understanding. "Thanks, Tony." I said louder.

Tony shook his head, and hugged me. "I'll get you out of here, if it's the last thing I do."

I couldn't tell if he meant it or not.

***

In the middle of the night, after the show in the sky of people who'd already been killed, I was in a state of restless sleep. Whenever I closed my eyes, I saw someone marching into the cave and attacking us at our most vulnerable. Not to mention the occasional cannon going off, making my stomach drop every time.

Giving up on any hope of a peaceful slumber, I stood and brushed off my shoulders, careful not to wake Tony, who was laying on his pile of leaves with his eyes closed and breathing steady. Lucky.

A dark thought crept to the front of my mind. If you kill him now, you won't have to worry about it later.

I started shaking with self-hatred. What were the Games doing to me? Of course I wasn't gonna kill him. I'd rather be eaten alive by... I dunno... a bear or something.

But if it came down to you or him... the voice pressed.

Let's just hope it doesn't come to that.

I needed some fresh air, and told myself I wouldn't go far. I nudged away some moss, blowing off a strand that got in my face. I scanned around; there was no one. I began to walk.

A grunt drew my attention to Tony's trap, sprung by a figure that was struggling in the net. It looked... humanoid. I should get Tony, but... maybe just a peak, to see if they're a potential friend or foe. It's not like they can hurt me if they're caught, right?

I treaded carefully. If the trap worked correctly, the prey should be dangling above the ground.

The trap went according to plan. The entrapped, however, was not as edible as I was hoping...

The victim was an older boy with blond hair. I think he was from District 4, but I couldn't really remember. His features and physique made him seem like he was born for television. (And, of course, the approval of the Capitol.)

We made eye contact, his bright blue eyes glinting in the moonlight. "What do you want? My stuff? My pack is here, if you let me go I'll--"

"You're from District 4, right?" I asked, my head tilted.

"Y-... yeah." He seemed confused.

"Do you have a team?"

The guy shook his head slowly.

I bit my lip. I should kill him, but... I can't. I hardly know him, and I can't leave him here.

I needed to get Tony. He'd know what to do.

"Wait here," I said to the blondie.

He blinked. "Uhm... I'm not going anywhere."

I ran to the cave and opened to a startled Tony. "I need to show you something," I whisper-shouted. He nodded, getting to his feet. He followed me to the net. It only took a second for Tony to recognize the captured boy.

Tony breathed a laugh. "Well, well, well. If it isn't Steve."

Steve immediately brightened. "Tony! Still alive, huh?"

Confused, I glanced between them. "You guys know each other?"

"We met during an interview," Tony smirked. "I'd hardly say we know each other, but..."

I noticed a spark in his look that was mirrored by Steve. If I didn't know any better, I'd say they had feelings for each other.

"I'll get you down," I said. I climbed a few branches nimbly, and untied the net from a sturdy branch.

Steve yelped as his rear hit the ground, the rope loose around him. He stood, glowering at Tony as he snickered.

I sighed, relieved that I went to Tony instead of... whatever else I might've done.

***

Third POV

The trio spent next day resetting the trap and eating their first meal since about two days before. Steve shared his bottle of water with the other two, quenching their thirst. (Tony purposefully left more for Peter.)

Tony and Steve shared glances, occasionally asking questions about where the other is from.

"You got any family back in District 4?" Tony asked nonchalantly.

"Yeah. Well, a best friend. He's waiting for me."

Tony arched a brow. "Think he's watching?"

Steve swallowed. "I don't doubt it."

Tony nodded.

Steve cleared his throat. "How about you? Got anyone back home?"

Tony shrugged. "Not really. I'm not a very... friendly person."

"That's not true," Peter piped up. He blinked, his cheeks coloring. "I mean, you're pretty nice."

Tony smiled, ruffling Peter's hair. "What about you? Anyone miss you in District 10?"

Peter bit into his meal. "My aunt May, my friend Ned, and MJ."

"Wow, Mr. Popular over here." Steve chuckled.

"Nah, you guys are just lonely." Peter laughed.

"Hey, respect your elders." Tony chided.

The curly-haired boy stuck out his tongue.

In an instant, the ground began to rumble. Their smiles vanished.

"What is that?" Peter asked, voice shaking.

Tony hauled himself to his feet. "I don't know... I think--"

Before he could continue, a loud buzzing could be heard.

Steve grit his teeth. "Are those--"

"Those damn Tracker Jackers! Shit!" Tony shouted. "Go, go, go!" He shoved the others ahead of him, and sprinted.

Peter stumbled but soon fell into a quick rhythm. "Where do we go?!" He yelled to Tony.

"Uh, try to find water!"

"Okay!"

The buzzing only gained on them. Peter couldn't see any water.

He noticed he was behind the others now, his scrawny legs struggling to carry him any faster. His panting grew harsher, his arms grew weaker. The buzzing didn't stop. It was like breathing out of a straw--

"PETER!" Tony cried before the boy felt a sharp pain on his back.

Peter winced and whimpered weakly but kept going. May needs me, Ned needs me, MJ needs me... he repeated this mantra in his head, even as more stings pierced his shoulder and arm and chest and the walls started closing in.

Tony cursed loudly before turning back and hauling Peter on his shoulders, despite Steve's protests, to a safe place: the small pond they found on the second day.

He dived in, submerging both him and an unconcious Peter in the water. Steve followed suit, to Tony's relief. The Tracker Jackers hovered over the water for a few moments before moving on.

Once the danger passed, Tony poked his head out before dragging Peter to dry land.

Peter, his doe eyes closed, expression peaceful...

Tony's breathing grew quick, his limbs began shaking, his hands drifted to his forehead, covering his face--

"Tony," Steve gently shook him, "Calm down. We're okay."

"N-no, I can't lose the kid, I-I can't--"

"Tony, look at me, he's alive. He's alive."

Panicked dark eyes met reassuring light ones. A laugh of relief rattled through Tony, and in his excitement he engulfed Steve in an embrace.

Steve hesitated a moment before hugging back, albeit awkwardly.

It wasn't even a minute later that a care package drifted from the sky, landing directly next to the hugging teens.

Steve opened it, showcasing its contents to Tony. Cream, bandages, and two loaves of bread.

Tony instantly went to work on Peter, lifting his shirt and covering every sting with the provided cure.

"...if you don't mind me asking," Steve said while Tony was busy, "Why do you care about him so much?"

Tony sighed. "Look, I don't know. It's like... I have this connection with Peter. A bond."

"Like brothers."

"Kinda. It's something more of a... paternal instinct."

"Like... father and son?"

Tony looked thoughtful for a moment. "Nah," he decided. "I'm too young for that."

"Well, regardless of what it is... there can only be one winner."

Tony shrugged. "We're gonna lose." He bit his lip and looked away, unwelcome tears brimming his eyes.

Steve put a hand on his shoulder and, with a determined expression, replied, "Then we'll do that together."

Tony nodded gratefully before bandaging Peter's injuries, thankful that Steve was so well-liked by the Capitol.

What Tony wasn't aware of, however, was that the package was sent for him.

Hello, author here. I got this crossover idea from a comment by Dr-Facilier, thank you for that! I haven't seen or read the Hunger Games in a long time, so if there is anything wrong I put in there, my apologies.

Let me know what you all think! I'd love some feedback/criticism.

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net