Crushing Weight of Paradise // [Milo's Last]

d10f ekta ram // [earthling]
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cameron stood in line for an hour for a stupid ride for me <3 best <3

Crushing Weight of Paradise // [Milo's Last] Nov 21, 2019 16:18:41 GMT -5

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Post by d10f ekta ram // [earthling] on Nov 21, 2019 16:18:41 GMT -5

They retreated, into the tangles and into themselves. After that last desperate attempt, Milo had spun himself into a knot, ensnared more effectively in the colorful threads than any spider's web. He ended face up so he could stare at the sparse branches, the cold blue sky. He blinked and his eyelashes came away wet.

"I'm dying, aren't I?"

He knew the question would not make them squeamish. The decay pressed on him from all sides. Pain, like fire, burned in his veins. "Did we save any of the wine?"

He turned his head just a little. The movement sent a ripple along the rainbow threads, reverberating throughout this small section of the arena. He curled his index finger - his one good finger - around a yellow line and gave it a little yank. Even through the haze of pain, he found small satisfaction in being able to do something.

"Maybe the yarn leads back home, if you follow it long enough." He gave another tug, then grinned at his allies. "Or maybe it'll always lead back to you two knuckleheads."

He blinked and more tears came away.

Table credit shrimp
Title lyrics from TRAMPOLINE by SHAED feat. ZAYN

credit hesper hart 🐺 d9f

credit [ retro gm ] angel lí ✨

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goat
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kindness, kindness prevails.

Crushing Weight of Paradise // [Milo's Last] Nov 22, 2019 1:00:26 GMT -5

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Post by goat on Nov 22, 2019 1:00:26 GMT -5

“I'm dying, aren't I?”

Delaney was already crying. “No. No, Milo, no. You’re okay,” she said, and she was lying, just like she had with Charisma, but it was the only thing she could think of doing. She didn’t know if she was strong enough to get through this. She’d been through it once and it had nearly destroyed her, sending her spiraling toward revenge and taking Charmisa’s killer’s head down with her. She couldn’t do it. Not again.

“Did we save any of the wine?” he asked, and Delaney laughed, the salty wetness of her tears seeping into her smile.

“No. I’m an idiot who didn’t save anything. I’m sorry.”

It felt like one of her siblings was dying, like she’d been back in Two and Kelly or Rory had been dragged away to die. Milo and Ridley had become her siblings in the arena, her dearest friends, and she was going to lose them, and she didn’t want to.

“Maybe the yarn leads back home, if you follow it long enough,” he said, tugging on one of the threads. “Or maybe it'll always lead back to you two knuckleheads.”

Delaney sniffed and took a deep breath. She couldn’t stop crying, and Milo was crying too, and it was all miserable and pathetic and she wanted to run away and slaughter every tribute left in the arena just to feel like she had control of something. “I’m going to win for you. I swear. If not me, then Ridley,” she said, and it was the first time she’d considered the probability of her own death. “I know one of us can do it.”

She’d thought nothing of Milo when they’d first arrived in the Capitol, but he’d proven himself to be just as brave and cunning as any other Career. She couldn’t believe she’d ever underestimated him. He was her friend.

He was her friend, and she was watching him die.

turn soft and lovely any time you have a chance.

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and i will hold you tight / like the moon in the arms of the sky

Crushing Weight of Paradise // [Milo's Last] Nov 22, 2019 15:39:08 GMT -5

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Post by Stare on Nov 22, 2019 15:39:08 GMT -5

Death never came kindly.

When Pax had died, Ridley had pretended not to hear the murmurs that hovered just within earshot at the funeral. People had shunned her for not shedding a single tear for the woman that had rescued and raised her, calling her cold-hearted and ungrateful. Ridley had kept her chin lifted and her features frozen into an expressionless mask, repeating over and over again in her mind everything that her adopted mother had taught her about strength and perseverance as she watched the coffin being lowered into the ground. Afterward she had walked home alone, not bothering to stay and chat with the others who had attended. She had entered her rooms, then sank down behind the closed door and lowered her face into her hands.

She'd sobbed until her chest felt raw and she could barely hear anything above the ringing in her ears.

Ridley hadn't cried in the Arena yet. Not when Charisma died, nor when Delaney had dragged her away from Torren. But as she sank down and gently lifted Milo's head into her lap, she felt her throat tighten against tears. She would not cry in front of him, not while he was dying. She would stay strong and hold him until he was gone.

“No. No, Milo, no. You’re okay.”

Ridley glanced up at Delaney. They all knew it wasn't true, but somehow the lies weren't unwelcome.

“Maybe the yarn leads back home, if you follow it long enough. Or maybe it'll always lead back to you two knuckleheads.”

“I’m going to win for you. I swear. If not me, then Ridley. I know one of us can do it.”

But Ridley didn't want to win for Milo. If there was to be more death, more slaughter for the sake of peace, more families left stranded without their children, she wanted it to be her name that was blackened. Not Milo's. Never Milo's.

"You did so well. You were incredible." Her voice was strained, barely above a whisper, but her tone was genuine.

She was so proud of her fighter, the boy with a heart big enough to care about her broken soul. A heart that Ridley hadn't been able to save. She cringed, ducking her face away for a moment. She didn't want him to die. But it was going to happen whether she wanted it to or not, so she couldn't fall apart. Not yet. Her hands found the side of his face and she leaned down to press her lips into his forehead, ignoring the blood. "We're going to stay with you now, okay? Until the very end."

She glanced up at Delaney, sucking in a shaky breath and seeking strength.

"Until you go home."

table credit goes to the fabulous shrimp!