bakerstreet | the hunger games meme

the hunger games meme

warning for adult content and possible triggers:

violence, death, nonconsent and all around questionable situations.

THE HUNGER GAMES MEME

Congratulations, Tribute.

You have been selected to participate in the Hunger Games.

The rules are simple: there can only be one victor.
You have to kill everyone else or die. 

The last one standing wins.
May the odds be in your favour.

⚔

OPTIONS FOR THE SCENARIO-MINDED:

1. ENEMIES: in for the kill
The truth is you've been plotting each other's death for a long time. The only thing different about this situation is that everyone else actually wants you to off each other. Who cares if both of you are probably going to die anyway: no one is taking this bastard down except you.

2. ROMANCE: lovers in a dangerous time
What do lovers do when they know they're about to die? Last kiss, last words, last fuck? Maybe you're desperately trying to protect each other from the rest. Maybe you're the last two left alive. What sacrifices are you willing to make? How far will you allow each other to go?

3. ALLIES: set your arms down
It's in both of your best interests to stick together. Two together is more deadly than one, and you can pool supplies and weapons. Of course, this arrangement is most definitely temporary. Maybe it'll fall apart tonight, or tomorrow, or next week. Maybe your alliance has already run its course, and it's about to fall apart...right now.

4. TORTURE: death's not the worst
Sure, the point is to kill them. But why leave it at that? Maybe you've always secretly gotten off on this sort of thing, or maybe you've just cracked under the stress. When everyone is going to die, there's no point in sticking to all those rules society laid down for you any more. You've already incapacitated them; there's no way they can fight back. Might as well have some fun, right?

5. VICTORY: the finish line
You've done it. Last one standing. You've chosen to live, and no one but you knows how much that choice cost you, because they're all dead. At this point there's nothing that will stop you from stepping up to claim victory. You killed every other tribute. Or did you?

6. OTHER: write your own story
Anything and everything you can think of. In the arena, there are no rules.

⚔

Let the Games begin.

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But I-

[ It's always been a difficult thing for him, to have friends, people he can be himself around. Who accept him for the kind of person he is. So he always appreciates the fact that they stick close to him regardless.

But Riku, he's different. They're much more than friends, and he fears losing the other more than anything because then he'd lose the one person who understands him the most. He would be alone, utterly, truly. ]

It's still my fault, no matter what you say. I could have-

[ I could have lost you. ]

But you didn't.

[ he stops him. stops him right there, because he knows from experience that if he doesn't stop him right now, Roxas will fall further into that pit. and he won't let that happen. he places his injured hand over Roxas' arm, long hair fanning against his face as he leans close to him. ]

Stop punishing yourself. [ a bit of repetition. ] You can't focus on what you've done here. You have to move forward.

I know...

[ And really he does. Dwelling on the past never gets him very far, only making him fall further into the darkness that he once been in. That is until he'd gotten pulled out by his friends, ones who genuinely wants him with them, worry for him which makes him worry for them in return. Like friends should.

He takes a deep breath, easily done now that the pain's subsided from his side. A hand moves to grab hold on to Riku's coat, clinging on to this reality, this strength that's been here for him since the beginning. Since his name had been called. ]

I wish.. we could go back, though.

[ Back those easier days, full of happiness and laughter, when they didn't have to worry about anything until the next reaping. ]

It's cold, Riku.

I know.

[ he murmurs, and finally, he just pulls Roxas to him. finally, heat, reassurance. ]

I know, Roxas.

[ whichever he's saying--about going back or it being cold--he doesn't specify. ]

[ Roxas gives in to that warmth, finally, arms wrapping around as he buries his face into Riku's neck. Or as best he can considering the coat and fur. The chill staved off.

This unwavering acceptance, it eases the heaviness in his heart, giving him an assurance that speaks more than simple words ever could. ]

We should head back in.

[ Even though he says that, he doesn't move, not yet. He doesn't want to lose this contact yet, doesn't want to let of this warmth that's so freely given to him. Always given to him. ]

You don't need to freeze too.

[ he laughs quietly. ]

Okay.

[ he doesn't move, though. he likes to bask in this warmth they now share... will always share. until that time comes. ]

We're both going in. Ready?

Yeah.

[ As he moves away with reluctance, he wonders how long this will last, but then shoves the thought away. Didn't he just figure that he would make the most of the time they do have? Not think of the inevitable future.

He still sticks close by though, as they move deeper into the cave, hand holding on to Riku's uninjured one. His anchor.

A small smile makes its way on his face, the first one in all this time, since the unexpected attack. When they had been able to take a step back into the past, before becoming tributes for their district. When they'd been happy. ]

You should still eat, you know. Even if it's just a little.

[ he sits down silently. he knows he should eat, needs to eat to keep healthy during the last stretch of the games, so he does settle down to eat. even after eating so little before, he eats politely. people are still watching, after all, and he's not going to "disgust" them by munching in happily. ]

Did anyone else...?

[ he raises his eyes to Roxas. ]

[ Settling down beside him, he shakes his head. No one has died since the last time the cannon has gone off, which at this point can be a good or bad thing. There are only four of them left, after all, and with him and Riku joining forces it's hard to say what the other two will do to win. For all they know, the others could join up to get of Riku and him both before turning on each other.

No other tribute pair had been as close as them. It should have signified weakness, yet they've managed this far. So close to the end but they know that there's still a big obstacle standing in their way. ]

No. It's been really quiet the whole time. Hopefully that means that they're a couple of days away from here.

[ And not that they're lying in wait, looking for the first chance to strike, a moment of weakness. ]

[ he chews thoughtfully in the light of the fire, then pulls his coat closer to himself, closing his eyes. he's not sure what to make of all this. he knows there's still the Feast to go--the Gamemakers will surely try to smoke them out of this cave and into the four-way battle. he knows it is coming. they both know, from years of watching these games on their TVs. he tries to replay the last few days--being prepared, the luscious Capitol feasts, being fitted and made up... the private practice, scoring a nine by wielding a machete while blindfolded and completely sightless.

he draws closer into himself. mentors always favored one tribute over the other. it was fairly easy to see his mentor's interest in Roxas. it was easy to love Roxas, harder to love him. Riku understood his mentor, agreed with him wholeheartedly.

and this was why he was here. protecting Roxas as much as Roxas would let him while staying realistic. ]

Maybe.

Or they could be organizing an ambush.

[ he murmurs and swallows. ]

[ Either one is a possibility, a very real possibility and it'll be unwise to dismiss one or the other, especially with the end coming closer as tributes continue to die off. There no telling what else the Gamemakers have in store for them, to keep the Game interesting for the viewers of the Capitol. For a brief moment, he wonders what their families back home are doing, what their friends think of the proceedings so far. But he knows it's no good to think about them right now.

Fingering one of two blades he's kept on himself since he managed to get them, he remembers the Gamemakers finding interest in his ability to wield two, almost naturally. He got no higher score than Riku, but for some reason their mentor liked him more when it should have been the opposite. Riku's more knowledgeable, has a string of hidden talents under his belt. He should be the one in favor for winning this Game.

Leaning against Riku's side a little, taking comfort in that strong shoulder, he still doesn't even know what tomorrow is going to bring, nor the next few hours. ]

I guess.. we can't stay here for too long.

[ Although he'd been hoping for a small reprieve, a tiny piece of normalcy. ]

[ he looked down at Roxas as he tilted toward him and lay his head against the other's. ]

Until late morning at least.

You should sleep. You're exhausted.

[ he sneaks his fingers across to Roxas' free hand, his touch light as he laces their hands together, palms flush together. ]

It's my shift.

[ Riku turns his head a bit so his lips press against the blonde curls of Roxas' head. although Riku knew his brother would never, ever admit it, he was well aware that Mera was probably glued to the screen back home, huddled and anxious. both of them new Riku wasn't coming back. he'd told them flat out when he was chosen as a tribute, and no matter how his brother pleaded, there was no changing Riku's mind when it was made up. as aloof as their mentor had urged him to be, his smile when Roxas was brought up made the Capitol audience 'awww' and coo.

good. at the thought, he squeezed Roxas' hand lightly. ]

[ He actually hadn't been tired until the mention of sleep, causing him to fight back a yawn but not succeeding very well. The logical part of his mind knows that he should get some rest, having stayed awake all day to watch over Riku and prepare their supplies for the upcoming days. But another part of him doesn't want to fall asleep yet, the part that wants to spend every chance he can get, now that he knows it could be over any day now.

Or maybe it's just because he doesn't want to be away from Riku yet, wants to feel that body next to his, hearing the beating of the other's heart that can easily lull him to sleep. ]

'm not tired.

[ Words come out mumbled, eyes drooping even as he says them, but he doesn't move from his position to slide into the sleeping bag which would be warmer for him. Where he is, right now, it's where he's most comfortable. The chilling cold, the hard ground- none of that registers in his mind, only the strong shoulder and the hand holding on to his, him giving a squeeze back.

But the more comfortable he is, the more likely he's going to fall asleep and somewhere in his mind where the haze is settling, he knows that he isn't going to last much longer. Which is the opposite of what he wants. Just a little longer... ]

Stay? Just.. for a little bit.

[ Sounds weak in his ears and no doubt that the audience is eating it up, but he doesn't care about them anymore. Just about him. That's all. ]

[ he draws his head back, to look at him fully.

he really loves Roxas. as he is, here, leaning against him, claiming that he isn't tired, even though he clearly is. a soft smile spread across his usually scowling face, and his eyes close. he tries to remember a time where he hadn't been in love with the blond. he thinks back to when he, as a boy, was enrolled in a fishing class. he had stood between Sora and Roxas as they fashioned spears and took turns aiming for a fish fashioned out of wood, to prepare them to fish.

it was easy to fall in love there, when the sun beat down on them and Roxas' rare smiles drowned out the sun.

the request--that's even rarer. but he drops his mouth against his ear, soft. ]

You want to risk it?

[ it's not accusing, nor judging. simply a question; Roxas is smart. He didn't need a lecture on what staying could mean. ]

I know we shouldn't but.

[ But what?

He knows that they should keep moving, never staying in one place for too long, especially knowing that one of the more dangerous tributes is still out there, trying to hunt them all down. And the Gamemakers would make things difficult for them, should they keep quiet for too long as well. Would make them come out into the open, push them all together in order to fight, to kill each other until only one person stands.

He knows that they should do everything they can in to keep on living, until the very end.

And yet. ]

When.. will we have another chance?

[ A part of his mind, and his heart, echoes the potential never. That they won't have another chance to be like this, just sitting and being with each other before something happens, whether it be a feast or one of the others coming to find them hiding away in this cave or something else entirely. So he wants to take any chance he can get, before the end. He wants-

Looking up at Riku, the small fire that continues to burn offers some light, allowing him to stare at all the features that he's memorized, ingrained into his mind long ago. And without another word or thought, he leans up, pressing his lips against the other's. It's filled with a fervent wish, a single but empty hope that things will be okay. That he would see Riku smile again, that one smile from his eyes that completely captured him all that time ago. ]

Riku... [ please. ]

[ Never. he knows they won't.

this is the last stand. so after a moment, after their lips touch and he brings his bare hand to cup Roxas' cheek, he knows he can't say no. he pulls Roxas closer, not caring that his injured hand is hurting, just needing him near. ]

Okay.

[ he lifts his hand to Roxas' cheek again and brushes a strand of hair away with his thumb, pressing his forehead against the other's. ]

Okay.

[ he encircles his arms around his lover's. ]

[ For the first time in a while, since the night before they were raised on those platforms, the night before they entered the arena, Roxas relaxes. It's always been here, right here, where he can let down his defenses and just be himself. He didn't have to keep his guard up, knowing that he'll be protected while his walls are down.

Always with him.

Closing his eyes, he just takes in the moment, arms wrapping around Riku's shoulders as his own loses tension. This single moment where it's just the two of them, and nothing else matters- not the remaining tributes, not the Capitol, nothing. A moment of peace, the calm before the inevitable storm. ]

Thank you.

[ I love you. No regrets. Just you and me.

So many things left unsaid in those two little words, but they are understood, always understood between them. They never need a lot of words to convey how they feel about each other, just simple words or even a look. Messages only they can understand. And he knows what his final message to Riku will be, knows that he'll smile that one smile meant only for his lover one last time before eyes will close forever.

But that's not right now. It could be tomorrow or even hours from now, but it's not right now. It's just them and he doesn't need anything more than that. ]

Don't you dare look out your window, darling,
Everything's on fire.
The war outside our door keeps raging on.
Hold onto this lullaby even when the music's gone, gone.
Just close your eyes, the sun is going down.
You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now.
Come morning light, you and I will be safe and sound...

[ his voice was quiet and lulling--not quite meant to lull him to sleep, but to show him he was still here. still himself. plenty of tributes lost their minds and became savages in the arena, killing everyone and anyone in sight. Riku had yet to do so, even if he was on the brink every now and then. but he would find a curl of light on Roxas' cheek or a brush between them and he'd find himself again.

he'd find himself back on the edge of the ocean, looking out to the stars, singing quiet songs for his friends to help them with their nightmares. staying up by his lonesome, until Roxas joined him, to fend off nights of tossing and turning, because if he tried to sleep, he'd always wake up. it's a miracle he can sleep now. ]

[ Eyes closing, Roxas just listens, resting but not falling asleep like he had initially wanted. Basking in this warmth and hearing Riku's voice in melody again, it brings him back to those days back in their district. Sitting along the shores, sometimes at the pier, his favorite time has always been sunset, when the varying colors paint across the blue sky. The sun touching the horizon making the water glitter with its brilliance.

He also recalls when those soft rays touch on silver hair, bringing a certain spark to green eyes that he thought once unmatched by anything else.

Moving closer, wanting to just bury himself into Riku's side, he wishes he can contribute to this moment, but he can't sing to save his life. Maybe hum along but he never knows the songs that the other sings. So he just listens, listens and soak in the moment as fingers move gently against skin. Lips occasionally brush the underside of Riku's jaw, breath evening out as the minutes go by. ]

I've missed it. Your singing.

[ If only time could stop, if only another second wouldn't go by to let this moment last. He knows it's not possible though, but he can always hope, never mind how futile it is to. Because that's what he's clinging on to right now, hope and this feeling he has for this person. For only this person. ]

[ the notes slowly die on his lips as the song ends, and he sighs out. it's not unhappy or impatient, merely the opposite. content. in all these Games, he's content. because he has Roxas with him. he's scared to high hell, yes, but... ]

I've missed singing to you.

[ he admits quietly.

I'll miss singing. I'll miss you. ]

Can you.. keep singing?

[ The warmth, the softly singing voice, just Riku being here with his arms around him, along with his exhaustion- it's all catching up to him and he's on the brink of falling into a dreamland. What it would show him next, he doesn't know, but he knows that he'll be okay. Protected, loved, not alone.

And if somehow he does die in his sleep, he wouldn't want to be anywhere else but here. The last feeling being those arms around him, the last sound being his voice, the last sight being silver hair and warm green eyes, the last smell being the ocean and something so distinctly Riku that he can't identify it with anything else. And the last taste being the other's lips on his own, filled with something so simple yet indescribable.

Total peace and tranquility despite the hardships they'll have to face the next day. His sanctuary. ]

There's a place I dream about, where the sun never goes out, and the sky is deep and blue.
Won't you take me there with you...?

[ his voice is soft when he begins, long fingers brushing through Roxas' hair as he keeps him close. his words bounce off the wall, filling the cave, but in a quiet, hopeful melody. he can feel how tired Roxas is, as he falls against him. he's tired too. but being strong, and being brave, is about doing whatever you can in spite of that. pushing your limits. Riku will be brave for Roxas and whoever chooses to watch them as this unfolds. ]

We can begin again, shed our skin, let the sun shine in.
At the edge of the ocean, we can start over again.

There's a world I've always known, somewhere far away from home.
When I close my eyes I see all the space and mystery.

We can begin again, shed our skin, let the sun shine in.
At the edge of the ocean, we can start over again...

[ and really, being here with Roxas, being... whole again... it feels right. it's the best farewell he can muster. ]

[ This world that Riku is singing about, he wants to go there. To get away from all of this. To not have to go along with the whims of the Capitol and the Gamemakers. To just live his life again with Riku, with everyone, not having his movements pulled about like he has no control.

He hates it.

Staying here, being with Riku though, is partly defiance. That he can still keep this feeling, this person, despite having to kill. That he can still touch without having to shed blood, that he can still love. That he can still be himself because he has someone to keep him anchored instead of teetering on the ledge between sanity and insanity with every drop of crimson that flows.

As he drifts off to Riku's voice, nothing matters anymore, not in this moment of selfishness. There are no strings attached for this performance, nothing orchestrated about this little piece of home. This is just them and he doesn't care what the audience or the Gamemakers think of it.

Somehow nightmares are eaten away by pleasant dreams, allowing him a good amount of rest, but as Roxas finally wakes up, he doesn't know just how much rest he managed to get. Because knowing Riku, his older lover would let him rest all day if they could afford it. But they can't and he knows that, so just how long-?

Not too long hopefully. ]

[ it's morning, late morning at least. Riku tucked Roxas into the insulated sleeping bag after a while--he needed Roxas' warmth beside him, too--and, despite it being bone cold out there in the dark and ice, he went out to hunt. some creatures were nocturnal, and, as the audience in the Capitol knew from the first few nights alone in the arena, Riku was like a cat when it came to the darkness. he didn't need any goggles or high tech to be able to see in the dark. Roxas would call it one of his hidden talents, and Riku would call it little more than a parlor trick.

Riku supposed that emerged from fishing at night to feed his little brother. some fish grew to have luminescent scales and if Riku focused properly, he could see them through the dark. there were always speckles of light in the dark, you just had to see them. tiny glimmers of sunlight in the darkness... his mind just raced back to Roxas. those were the tiny glimmers in his life. searching through endless darkness for something he wanted, searching, searching, with Roxas by his side, always a quiet presence but there. it mattered that he was there, when all was said and done. and he didn't know how to thank the other for that.

until now.

he'd thank him by saving his life and, in the end, giving him stability. everything he'd hoped of doing in life, he'd achieve by dying for him.

that was okay for Riku.

it was as he trudged back to the cave with a fox that he heard a cannon go off--and another tribute's face in the sky.

not Ansem.

which meant Riku was well aware of how events were going to play out afterward. he closed his eyes and bowed his head, long hair shielding his face from the cold and the wind as he sat down heavily next to the fire.

he found some solace in quiet song, meant to soothe and lull and possibly take his nerves out, though he paused as he heard Roxas stir. ]

Morning.

[ Sleepy eyes look over to where they can make out where the other is sitting, not too far away from the fire, allowing him to see some features. The light streaming in from the outside should have given him a good indication to what time it is but his mind is hazy, still in that fog of sleep. As the second tick by though, the fog starts to lift and it helps hearing Riku's voice again.

Small reassurances he will take in abundance.

Roxas offers a small smile, glad to see that the other is still here with him. ]

Hey.

[ His voice cracks a little, throat slightly dry from the lack of water he's had. It hadn't been that long, had it? They need to reserve the water that they have, the snow offering something but it's not enough. Although in this situation, it'll have to be. Frozen waters, he'd been lucky to find a weak spot yesterday in order to get the water from the stream.

Slowly sitting up, he gives Riku a once over, seeing if there's anything different about the older boy. ]

Did anything happen?

[ A part of him hopes that nothing's happened yet, that they still have a little more time to spend here with just the two of them. But he can spot the slight tension around Riku, a clear indicator that something did happen and it could possibly mean that there are only three of them left in this game. Just them and one other.

The end is coming soon, too soon for him. ]

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