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Based on the ecosystem of the tundra; the arena this year had turned out to be a cold, unforgiving wasteland. Being from a more southern part of Panem, a place historically named "Appalachia", the District 12 tributes felt woefully unprepared.
Peter Parker & Michelle Jones had found a cave and were huddling for warmth. Being hidden from the other tributes, they had managed to start a small fire seemingly undetected. For Michelle, this was enough. She wasn't cozy by any means, but not freezing. Her district partner, on the other hand…
Peter had a definite case of hypothermia. He had some kind of medical condition that made it harder for his body to regulate temperature even before the games, and as a result hes been shivering for entire duration of his time in the arena. His lips were tinted blue, his fingers nearly black with frostbite, and Michelle had to convince him that removing all his clothes would only worsen his condition.
It was a sin just to look at him shake and shiver, the way he whimpered in his sleep being enough to shatter her heart. Even more heartbreaking was his delirium; one time he was fully convinced his aunt was in the cave, and Michelle had to comfort him as she begged for her to help him, deeply confused as to why she wasn't doing anything. As dark as it is, the thought of mercy killing Peter in his sleep crossed Michelle's mind more than she cares to admit; she wasn't going to delude herself by thinking he actually had a chance of making it home like this.
That is… until she could. Until out of nowhere a rule change was announced, stating that two victors could win should they hail from the same district. She knew that was too good to be true, but she needed to hold onto hope that this kind soul had a chance of making it home. A hope that was only fuelled with the announcement of a feast— a promise that every district would be given something they need desperately.
"You… you can't…" Peter weakly pleaded with her through chattering teeth. "Too dangerous… careers…"
"Peter. You're dying. They probably have something to warm you up." Michelle pleaded back, desperation dripping every syllable.
"Let me die. M a burden." God this boy.
"No. You're not a burden." Michelle was firm in her assertion, leaving no room for debate. "And you will be coming home. We both will."
"Then lemme come. Dangerous to go alone… lemme help… protect you…"
"You can't come, Peter. That would be burdensome. You're too weak, plus you're hidden here. I have to do this alone."
"No… no…"
"Where would you rather die?" MJ leaned down to his level, feeling the cold radiate off of him. "Here in this cave? Or sometime in the future, in district 12, surrounded by people who love you?"
Peter flashed his sad puppy eyes at her. "You love me…"
Michelle halted a bit at that, the delirious comment stopping her in her tracks for a second. She could unpack that when they were safe, when they were home. "You know what I mean."
Peter just groaned, whether it was in pain or in whiny frustration was unclear. "Please…"
"I have to go, Peter." She exclaimed sadly, hand brushing over his ice cold cheek in a sad attempt to comfort him.
Something shifted in him, like he knew this was an argument he wouldn't win. "Promise you'll be back?"
She gave him a sad smile, reaching out her pinky. Once she devastatingly realized he was too weak to even lift his hand, she reached down to wrap her pinky around his anyway. "I promise."
Peter just gave her an adorable little smile, and something took over her. She wasn't sure what— a need to play up for the cameras that were surely in the cave, or genuine affection— but it didn't matter. All that mattered was she was leaning in and placing a gentle kiss on his frozen forehead, making him blush. He looked warmer than he had in days.
"Go to sleep." She requested with a soft grin. "I'll be here when you wake up."
And with that, Michelle was out of the comfort of the cave and into the harsh wind of the arena. A woman on a mission— keep Peter Parker alive.