After a hushed argument between Sue and the Mayor, she returned to the microphone and with a defeated sounding voice announced “the female tribute for the 125th Hunger Games is Kurt Hummel.”

The whispers around them seemed deafening as heads all turned to where Kurt and Blaine were standing together. Kurt's brain and body hadn't caught up with each other. She had definitely said female, right? Had she opened the wrong card first? He could see his startled face on the screens positioned around the square, feel Blaine's tightened grasp on his hand, see the Peacekeepers coming toward him to walk him to the stage. He could hear someone behind him, Finn probably, yelling “that's not fair. Kurt isn't a girl!” Burt was on stage with the Mayor, pointing out into the crowd with a furious and heartbroken look on his face. Blaine saw his mouth form the words “that's my son!” The Mayor simply shook his head and avoided Burt's gaze as he replied. “The chosen tribute is obligated to compete.”

A Peacekeeper grabbed Kurt's arm roughly and pulled him out of Blaine's grasp, walking him to the front of the crowd. Kurt moved mechanically. He had been expecting to be chosen for the Games, but not like this. It was the single worst moment of his life, and he knew that his humiliation was being viewed live in the Capitol. It was all he could do to not show emotion. He tripped over his feet twice. The whispering in the crowd was broken abruptly when someone yelled “FAG!” All around Kurt other voices chimed in: “homo,” “fairy,” “fag.” He could hear the crowd laughing at him and knew his face must be burning red. As his feet hit the bottom step to the stage, Kurt looked up at his father standing there with tears in his eyes. Knowing that if he started to cry now he might not be able to stop, he tried not to look at Burt as Sue congratulated him in a quiet, sympathetic voice and asked him to stand off to the side.

As he did, Kurt looked out into the crowd. He knew his sexuality made him a target in his District, but he never imagined they would stoop so low as to write his name in as the female tribute. He didn't even understand how it had been allowed. Kurt looked to the girls' area and found Rachel. She was looking up at him, still sobbing quietly. She had been so worried about being selected that a small part of Kurt was glad that she wasn't the one standing up here. She was 18 and could never be picked now. She had officially survived the Games.

He was purposely avoiding looking into the boys' area, not able to stand seeing the look that was sure to be on Blaine's face. Instead, he turned to look at Sue just as she read the male tribute's name to the crowd.

“Finn Hudson.”

It was like the wind got knocked out of Burt a second time. Somewhere deep down he knew one of his sons would be selected this year, but he had held firmly to the “or”. It would be Kurt OR Finn. He had spent the last few weeks trying to come to terms with the idea that he would probably be losing one of his sons. Knowing that his family would be broken, but that they would someday heal. Together. Like he and Kurt had done after his first wife's death. But hearing both their names called was something he'd been completely unprepared for. It was unprecedented. He saw his wife, Finn's mother, in the crowd silently crying as her son started to make his way to the stage. She wasn't the only one. Rachel was now sobbing so hard she seemed to be having trouble breathing. The girls around her looked over with a mix of sympathy and secondhand embarrassment. No one made a move to comfort the crying girl.

More whispering erupted in the crowd as people discussed their motivation for sending Finn to the Games with Kurt. Since they were forced to choose the tributes this year, it made sense to destroy only one family by sending both of their kids. Besides, they reasoned, Finn might actually stand a chance at winning. The whispers were once again broken by a shout from the crowd.

“I volunteer as tribute!”

Silence. The whispering stopped as the entire district collectively held their breath. Surely they had heard wrong. There had never been a volunteer from 12. That was something that was done in Districts 1 and 2 where it was an honor to participate in the Games. Everyone started looking around, trying to make sense of what was happening. The camera feeding the screens around the square had finally located the voice, just in time to close in on Blaine's face as he yelled again “I volunteer!” He started to make his way through the crowd as if he couldn't get to the stage fast enough. As he passed Finn, Blaine gave him a quick hug and with his head held high he approached the stage. Kurt's resolve was about to shatter. What was Blaine thinking?

Like the rest of the District, Sue was caught off guard by this turn of events. She seemed to recover a little as Blaine stepped up beside her. “Well, that's unexpected. Come on over here and let's get this show on the road. What's your name?”

“Blaine Anderson.”

Sue glanced at Blaine's father standing behind her. He looked calm for someone whose son had just become a tribute. Almost bored. “I'm guessing that wasn't a family member you just volunteered for.”

“No.” On the screens surrounding them Blaine looked calm and confident. But he didn't elaborate.

Blaine moved to stand next to Kurt and with the eyes of the entire District and the Capitol on them, he reached out and took Kurt's hand. Smiling slightly, Sue faced the crowd again for her final announcement. “I present to you this year's tributes from District 12. Lady Hummel and Gay Clark Kent from season 1 of Smallville. May the odds be in their favor.”

Kurt and Blaine were ushered into the justice building where Peacekeepers walked them to separate rooms. This was their chance to say their goodbyes to friends and family before boarding the train to the Capitol. Kurt's first visitors were his stepmother Carol, Finn, and Rachel. Carol immediately embraced Kurt while Finn and Rachel came up behind him and engulfed him in a group hug. They stood together like that for a minute, everyone trying not to cry. Kurt knew that there would be more cameras on the way to the train and the last thing he needed was to look weak to the Capitol viewers.

“Stay strong little brother.” Finn's arms were so tight around Kurt he had to pull away before he passed out from lack of oxygen.

“I'm 4 months older than you.”

“Yeah, but you'll always be little to me.”

“You're the tallest kid in the District. Everyone is little to you.” The cheerful banter came so naturally to them now. It was hard to remember all the false starts they'd had when their parents first started dating. They had gone from vague strangers to family almost overnight. Now Kurt couldn't imagine his life without the big dope.

Carol kissed Kurt on the forehead the way his own mother used to when he was sad. His smile didn't reach his eyes when he told her “look out for Dad for me after this is over.”

She just shook her head. “You're smarter than they are. Make them love you like we do. Show them that you deserve to win.” She didn't waste time promising him he'd make it home. That wasn't a promise anyone could keep. But she had a point. Tributes from 12 rarely interested sponsors from the Capitol, but if Kurt could pull it off, maybe he could do this. He could be charming. And he was fast. Years of running from bullies and unfriendly neighbors had increased his stamina. In fact, the only person in the District who could beat him at a footrace was Blaine. Blaine who was going to the Games with him. Who would have to die in order for Kurt to make it home. His resolve to win crumbled.

As if she knew what she was thinking, Rachel took Kurt's face in her hands and pressed their foreheads together. “Blaine loves you Kurt. He's going to keep you safe. That's why he volunteered” Finn couldn't meet Kurt's eyes as Rachel said this. Kurt knew Finn would never have wished for someone else to take his place. It was one thing when someone else's name was called and you felt relief at being safe for another year. It was an entirely different feeling to know a friend would now be going to his death in his stead. They stood there embracing Kurt until a Peacekeeper opened the door to announce “time's up.” Carol kissed him one more time as they were escorted out of the room. “We love you son.”

Kurt spent the rest of his allotted time reinforcing his composure. No one else was coming to say goodbye. His dad would be going to the Capitol with him, and Blaine was in the next room saying his own goodbyes. Kurt concentrated on his breathing, checking his reflection in the window to make sure his eyes weren't puffy or red. Soon the cameras would be back on him and he knew he needed to make a good impression.

In the next room, Blaine had been sitting quietly with his hands folded; counting the minutes until it was time to board the train to the Capitol. His father hadn't come to say goodbye. Not that Blaine expected him to. As far as Devon Anderson was concerned, it was Blaine's fault they had had to give up their plush life in the Capitol and move to District 12 of all places. When his debts started to pile up, Mr. Anderson had taken advantage of his son's musical talent to try and pay off what he owed. He had booked nightly performances for Blaine throughout the Capitol. But he hadn't stopped gambling. And finally Blaine had had enough. He loved to write music and loved to sing in front of a crowd, but he felt like a performing monkey. He refused to perform another show unless his father agreed to let Blaine manage their finances. Two weeks later they arrived in District 12.

He flinched when the door opened and Kurt's stepmom walked in with Finn and Rachel. They had clearly just said their goodbyes to Kurt and it was obvious they were still trying hard not to cry. Blaine let Carol hug him tight, thanking him for taking Finn's place. “This family can never repay you. You gave Kurt a reason to smile again, made him so happy. And now this.”

“You have a wonderful family. I couldn't let them destroy it.” Blaine loved spending time at the Hudson-Hummel house. They had welcomed him with open arms even before he and Kurt started dating.

“You're part of this family. Kurt loves you. We all love you Blaine.” Carol meant it. It was easy to see how much Blaine and Kurt cared about each other. Blaine was just as much her son as Finn and Kurt were.

Finn towered over Blaine's small frame when he stepped up to hug him. “Take good care of him. It should be me going there with him.” Finn wanted to hope that one of them would win and come home. But he knew that hope was dangerous. And really, what chance did any of them have?

“Kurt will be coming home if I have anything to say about it. Take care of him when he gets back. Help him find happiness.” They knew Blaine meant it. It was just like him to be self-sacrificing. But even if he succeeded in helping Kurt survive, it would be a bittersweet victory. Because in order for Kurt to win the Games, he had to be the sole survivor. Blaine would be dead. Their family would be broken either way. “You guys forget that I grew up in the Capitol. I know the audience there. We're going to get sponsors.” Carol nodded silently, hoping she would see one of her boys again.

The door opened. Time was up. As the trio stepped into the hallway Blaine asked for one last favor. “Make sure he knows how much I love him.” The door closed behind them.

A second Peacekeeper arrived moments later to escort Blaine to the platform where he'd board the train back to the Capitol. He watched Kurt exit the building in front of him, facing the cameras for the first time since the reaping. Sue and Burt were waiting on the platform for the boys. Blaine's father was there as well, thanking the auxiliary Peacekeeper force for their service as they too returned to the Capitol. He didn't even look at his son. Blaine and Kurt turned to face the crowd and the cameras one last time before boarding the train. Blaine actually managed a cheerful wave to the cameras. Kurt wondered if either of them would make the return trip.