ＷＩＴＳ | ＭＡＲＶＥＬ ＨＵＮＧＥＲ ＧＡＭＥＳ ✅

ｔｗｅｎｔｙ ｓｅｖｅｎ

 The two tributes walk for some time, neither speaking a word. They listen to the snapping branches and the singing birds. But soon she hears multiple birds sing out the same melody, and it clicks in her head. "Mockingjays," she says under her breath.

 "Huh?" Marvel asks, turning his head to look at her. He sees she's stopped in her tracks, looking up at the canopy. Some light breaks through, allowing Ryboon to bask in the sun.

 "Mockingjays," she says a bit louder. She does a six-note whistle, hoping for the birds to follow en suite. Their melodies pause before they sing her whistle, it echoing across the canopy. It makes a smile form on her face, and soon one forms on Marvel's, listening to the birds repeat her. "They're beautiful."

 "Yeah. I guess so." He watches her closely, seeing how her shoulders relax at the birds and how the stress seems to disappear from her features. Even for just a few seconds, she seems at peace. But soon the birds go back to their own melodies, reminding Rye of where she is. The tension is back in her shoulders, but it doesn't seem as bad as before. "Ready to keep going?" She looks at him, her eyes glossy from the tears she's holding. Despite that, a comforting smile is on her lips. She nods her head, and the two walk deeper into the forest.

 The two stop as the sun begins to meet the horizon. They decide to hide in a thicket of bushes. Rye pulls out the sleeping bag she tucked away in her bag.

 "When did you get that?"

 "Told you I had planned." He rolls his eyes but stops once he feels the cold night beginning to set in. "Want to share?" He does so without question. It's a bit of a squeeze despite how slim the two are but they manage, Rye laying part of her body on top of his. She can feel his heart beating loudly. "Are you okay?" she asks, looking up at him.

 "Yeah." He's happy the sun is almost down, as Rye would've been able to see the blush moving from his cheeks to his neck. Some time passes, both trying to get as comfortable as they possibly could before a thought pops into Rye's head.

 "You never told me what your favorite memory was, Marvel." She can see his eyes widen despite how dark it has become.

 "No I'm pretty sure I did."

 "I don't think so, Marvie." She hears a sigh pass his lips at the nickname.

 "...If I tell you will you promise never to call me that again?"

 "No promises." He sighs once more, his head hitting the ground with a quiet thud.

 "I-" he starts. She can feel his muscles tensing. "It was when my mom taught me and Icarus how to dance." His words take a moment to sink in. When they do, she snorts before asking, "Why?" He sighs, his heart hurting at the recollection.

 "It's one of the last memories I have of her being truly happy. Before Icarus died." Rye wraps her arm around him, wanting to pull him closer. "Now she's kind of a shell of herself."

 "She sounds lovely."

 "She used to be." Beneath the sleeping bag, Rye feels her hand brush up against Marvel's. He flinches slightly before brushing it against her's again. Rye feels her stomach turn as her fingers intertwine with his. She swallows roughly. "This is wrong." His words make Rye's heart hurt. She goes to pull her hand away, only for his grip to tighten. "I didn't say let go." She lets a breath she didn't know she was holding.

 "I've never felt this," she admits, feeling Marvel softly caress her hand with his thumb.

 "Me neither."

 "This isn't a good idea," she says under her breath.

 "You want me to stop?" he asks. "Tell me to stop." She doesn't answer, instead hiding her face in his jacket. He gives an airy laugh, putting his free hand in her hair. "I'll take the first watch." She nods into his jacket.

 It takes some time, but Marvel's hand rubbing her scalp lulls Rye to sleep in minutes. As her breathing evens out, Marvel admires her in the moonlight. His stomach turns looking at her, his mind wandering. The thoughts make him red in the face, not sure how he should react. But the urge to kiss her lingers in his head. He swallows roughly, fighting the urge. Instead, he kisses her gently on her forehead. The urges settle for a moment, allowing Marvel a moment of relief. He moves his hand from her hair to her back, holding her ever so closer.

 sorry it's a bit short