#damagedflames

[wvrricrs]

haymitch abernathy ft. primrose everdeen ( @damagedflames ) !

there's a reason haymitch was not in charge of anything regarding feelings . it's not that he was a heartless person, but the constant fear of letting people in & having it thrown in his face was the problem . the district , however, was a different story . and up to this point , he had thought nothing could happen to it . god, he was wrong .

after making sure sugar & spice were alive and well ( they were , they were smart dogs ) he had a grieving period, one to just himself. ( and after throwing some things, then picking up those things, then apologizing for throwing those things. ) then , on to the next issue . a knock on the door, "prim ?" a deep breath to compose himself, no shakiness will be present, "it's me."

[gladiatefm]

@damagedflames — ash ( district thirteen , medic bay )

mina's pregnancy has made itself clear over the last three months , a neat bump growing beneath the flat , muted tones of her district thirteen wear . it's a welcome reprieve , she thinks , from the revealing clothes her prep team preferred her in back in the capitol . it feels so long ago that the arena claimed her , swallowed her in its belly where she rotted into whatever it was that has since returned to life . district seven , the capitol — it is so distant now .

and what family has she got left ? she doesn't know , in fact they tell her nothing here in thirteen where a pregnant person is a delight in itself . so little children following the epidemic , it is up to them to repopulate , and why stress her out further with the truth ?

when ash is returned to her , mina rushes from her quarters , hand cupping her bump as she speed walks to the infirmary . there she sees her baby sister , perhaps the only blood she has left , and she approaches with caution . " ash ? " her voice is a wobble , softened by the months she has waited to see that face again . " ash . . . no one told me you were . . . i thought you were dead . "

[ofpancm]

from haymitch. / closed starter for annie. @damagedflames

"i'm starting to think i'm too old for this shit," haymitch had long confided in annie, seeing her as someone who truly understood the lost... somewhat absent feeling in his mind. he's been learning each day to choose his moments better, be a little more coherent in moments that are now calling for that but damn did it get harder the longer the stress of losing people laid on his shoulders. "it's been so long since i've had to put myself in this-." the stresses of mentoring completely by himself for years had taken a toll on him, tributes scoring low or unbelievably high as of late throwing wrenches in what he had previously planned, and the kids, it was just... heavy. "- and now it's not just random people, is it? they just had to drag me back in." leaning forward on his elbows, he finally catches a glance of annie's expression, "how are you feeling about it?" maybe he needs to hear something other than his own circular thoughts.

[riiseandfall]

@damagedflames

the interviews happened only a couple of hours ago and yet it felt like it had been days. the elevators were up and running and alex had spent the better part of fifteen minutes trying to pace a hole right through the floor of his own room. they were restless. the games were close and it was this time that was the worst—it felt like you were just waiting to hear that first cannon.

and alex looked half ready to crawl out of his own skin already.

so, when he got his first chance to attempt to sneak out? naturally, he took it. he just didn't expect to run into prim-and that much is clear from the wide eyed way he looks at her. "uhh....where are you going?" deflection. always a great tactic. nailed it.

[victoriams]

ᴡʜᴏ: SOLEIL FLEMING & PRIMROSE EVERDEEN ( @damagedflames ) ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ: TRIBUTE TOWER, TWELFTH FLOOR ᴡʜᴇɴ: DAY OF THE (PROPER) LAUNCH

Never let it be said that Soleil Fleming did not know how to process her feelings. In fact, she had three tried and true strategies – deflection, repression, and explosion. Sure, she'd been informed on numerous occasions that these weren't healthy coping strategies, but they'd worked well enough throughout her life that she'd never bothered to try and differently. Perhaps, she should have invested some time into this, she thinks – as she sits on the fifth floor, picking at her nails as she watches Finch and Ampere on the screen, no Lark nor Joule to be seen. Electra has disappeared somewhere, and, for the first time, Soleil has begun to comprehend that they are completely, utterly, alone.

They can feel their breathing quicken in a familiar pattern, legs bouncing up and down in time with it. The longer they sit here and dwell on their own loneliness, the more they're going to spiral. Fuck this.

They're not entirely aware of themself as they barge their way out of the fifth floor living area and into the elevator, nor when they press the button for the twelfth floor. Maybe they're just looking for company, for someone they know will be friendly, despite the situation. Despite how much they've teased her ( in their own head... mostly ) there is a sense of relief that comes with the sight of PRIMROSE EVERDEEN, even if she looks surprised to see Soleil on the twelfth floor.

"Uh... hi, Prim." They say, rubbing at the back of their neck. "I'm, uh... there's not really anybody left downstairs, so I was, um..." Soleil pauses, realising just how pathetic they sound right now. "Can I watch the games up here?"

[reblrths]

nikita gill // friends like that 2022 // vida 3.05 // what love can do, nizar qabbani // this side of paradise, f. scott fitzgerald // the crucible, arthur miller // equals, 2015 // euripides // seven husbands of evelyn hugo, taylor jenkins // as it was, hozier // euripides // 1q84, haruki Murakami // vida 3.06 // all of the girls you loved before, taylor swift // you with the crack running through you, Kim Addonizio // invisible string, taylor swift

@damagedflames

[rebellicnrising]

WHO: juniper torrance & annie cresta @damagedflames WHERE: snow's mansion ; tribute ball WHEN: after the tribute scores have been announced

it's a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach when her eyes pick out annie in the crowd that's scattered throughout the manor but she forces it back, making her way over with a soft smile. "annie, you look lovely tonight," she greets her warmly, moving to stand beside annie to face the rest of that crowd, eyes picking out finnick and then gill, "the stylists knew what they were doing when they dressed the three of you tonight—— you make a beautiful picture."

tilly's score had surprised her- a seven, somewhere middle of the pack between the crowd of sixes and sparse few eights- but it's not enough to set her heart at ease; so she turns her attention to those eights and the potential of alliance. it's that potential that has her approaching annie like this in the first place, with a soft but warm smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes, tinged with that understanding ( were they not both mothers swallowing screams as their children were being prepared for the slaughter? were they not both mothers who would do anything to give them a chance? ), "he's sweet— your boy. it's easy to see yours and finnick's mark on him."

[reblrths]

@damagedflames //

“she’ll survive. she’s spent enough time with haymitch to know better for the future.” // “let’s hope that checks out. i really don’t wanna be the one holding their hair back next time.”

Even when you hide it, I can always see the real you

[gladiatefm]

@damagedflames — ares ( district thirteen , medic bay )

she awakens with a start , and she finds that everything hurts . what can she remember other than caius beneath her ? the life as it left his eyes , and her hands covered in blood . so much blood . she looks to them first , those pale fingers now clean but she swears that she can feel it still , the warm stickiness of it , of all that she had done in the arena as it took whatever humanity was left in her in its teeth .

it takes time to lift her gaze from her shaking hands , to see ares by her side as he promised he would be . mina falls back in the bed , pillows soaking the shape of her skull in their comfort as her eyes flutter to a close . " we made it , " she says quietly , a statement rather than a question . " it wasn't worth it . "

[wvrricrs]

eugene denver ft. electra price ( @damagedflames )

eugene had no ties to district twelve . not that he didn't care , but it didn't personally effect him . something that did effect him, however, was the attack on the capitol . because, though he hated it, he could hardly remember a time where he was not considering the capitol at least partway home. electra price had become a huge part of that, which was a strange feeling. when the attack happened... he panicked, and before he knows it, he's at her door, furiously knocking. he doesn't want to scare her, but ... goddamnit, she should just answer.

[reblrths]

there is an innate force that lives inside of them, one that was born the moment wren was being picked on by the kids at school, all the way to when they were allowed to volunteer to go in with their tributes. it's extended to now, as they sit with a girl surrounded by the leeches of the capitol and watch until the waiter is out of sight -- finch has been around too many of these parties to not notice when someone was sizing up their next target. whether it was family or primrose -- finch would end up protecting them. every time.

they didn't move away entirely when she poked them the first time, the curve of her index just barely against their cheek. this time, there's not a beat between the moment she reaches out and the moment finch's fingers wrap around her wrist, big eyes boring into hers. "stop," they demand lowly, ignoring how close they'd actually leaned in. they let go of her wrist and lean back in the chair once more to continue to ignore the distance between them. "stop doing that."

they watch her from the corner of their eye, inspect the drink and force it down. they pick their head up to look at her -- if only finch could pretend not to notice the grimace on prim's face. their lips quirk into a small grin which turns into attempted stifled laughter, shaking their head and letting their hand all but cover their mouth as if it would hide the fact that they found this funny. first time finch has cracked a fucking smile all night; of course it was primrose who caused it. "that's real alcohol right there, prim," they tease, tilting their head as they look at her. "none of that colorful, syrupy bullshit you were being handed before," finch shakes their head. "shoulda known you preferred the sweet ones."

@damagedflames

Even in her drunken state, she could recall the moment she met Finch. The victor had been one of her first patients in her new role, and for an unknown reason, healing them had made her feel more comfortable in her position. Perhaps it was because it reminded her that no matter where she was, her skills as a healer wouldn't change. Or perhaps it was because, in a way, it made them realize something--- if she could save them, even from just a sliced-up cheek, perhaps she could save her other loved ones from harm too. Either way, the moment stayed with her all this time.

She chuckled as they spoke, their voice pulling her away from her distracted thoughts. ❝Lace--- it's such a funny word.❞ She let the letters rest on her tongue, mind deep in thought as she mused, "❝It sounds like brace.❞ A gasp escaped her lips a second later, ❝Or face!❞ Her finger reached out to poke the victor's face once again as she murmured, ❝I like your face.❞

She was so distracted by Finch that she all but forgot about the waiter until her elbow bumped one of the refreshments. She glanced down at the amber liquid, hesitant to drink it until she heard Finch's command. Their words propelled her mind forward, allowing her to grab the glass and let the alcohol graze past her lips. The drink was smoky, nothing like the sweet glasses of champagne she had earlier, and it all but made her gag. Still, she forced it down, since that's what Finch asked of her. In the end, she felt a wave of dizziness hit her, but she fought to hide it from Finch as she mumbled, ❝I don't think I like that drink.❞

@reblrths

[gladiatefm]

@damagedflames , during the feast .

she had been drinking a coffee when it happened , something sweetened by sugar and foam and all of the things she craves back in district four , but which carla has no access to . something luxurious which even the most well off of the districts cannot be handed ; this is the life of a victor , she reminds herself each day , of her luck and of her fervour which brought her to this couch in this lounge , sipping on something pretty .

the fine china smashes to the ground as her eyes track the large screen before her . she sees finnick fighting with katniss , she sees when they begin to lose their fight , and she sees when " gill . . . " it tears free of her throat and heads turn towards her , the dainty young girl in the beautiful dress who is falling apart before them .

carla picks herself up , her satin shoes crush the glass beneath her feet as she rushes , runs to find annie . she's lucky to find her swiftly , to pull her into her arms because there's no one else here for her . " oh annie , " she whispers against the silken sweep of her hair , she holds her together because the cracks in annie cannot remain glued together much longer . " i'm here , annie . i'm here . "

[ofpancm]

from julian. / closed starter for caius. @damagedflames

it was rare julian got much of a break during the day. but he'd been on shift for longer than anyone had anticipated, stood outside a door with familiar faces passing by him and shoved much further inside than he'd ever be allowed. he can't help but be curious about what happened, but he would keep his mouth shut for his own good. twenty years here wouldn't be too bad if he could keep it together. "hey!" he's not exactly sure if yelling to people here was good etiquette or not, but he'd already called out before that crossed his mind. spotting caius felt like destiny, a lull in his mind just what he needed right now. "do you want to get a drink with me? i haven't slept."

[gladiatefm]

open to @damagedflames

apollo can't hold back the ridiculous smile from his face these days , the happiness which has swelled up in him the last few days have stretched time out as though a decade has passed since he was kissed by alex gray . focusing has been difficult , on anything but him , the impending doom coming for all of them . he's torn between excitement and an awful , devastating dread . and so the champagne , the bubbles in the pit of his stomach form the grin on his face when he finds his way to annie , reaches to give her a gentle peck on either cheek .

" you look so pretty , " he says with a smile , aware of the terror waiting for her , what's in store for gill and for finnick . a fear has taken root in him , the knowledge that should alex make it home , his mentor will never return to his wife , their child . the smile falters , but apollo is well practised in keeping it together . " but you always look pretty . how are you holding up ? "

[gladiatefm]

@damagedflames

mina  had  been  making  her  way  towards  caius  when  the  news  bulletin  hit  ,  hand  pressed  to  a  stomach  which  would  soon  expand  with  the  life  they  had  accidentally  created  .  funny  to  think  that  in  a  few  days  time  she  will  be  fighting  the  father  of  her  child  ,  defending  her  sister  and  herself  against  a  man  she  had  spent  one  regrettable  night  with  —  and  is  now  bound  to  forever  .

"  we  need  to  talk  ,  "  she  tells  him  as  she  approaches  ,  her  hand  reaching  out  to  grab  his  arm  with  a  none  too  gentle  grip  .  her  voice  carries  over  the  sound  of  caesar  flickerman's  voice  ,  only  pausing  when  the  in  memorandum  music  begins  .  .  .  and  she  hears  cain's  name  .  her  hand  drops  from  caius  and  raises  to  her  lips  ,  parted  with  a  horror  that  is  all  her  own  making  .  but  she  must  keep  her  composure  ,  snow  is  watching  and  mina  does  not  doubt  that  she  will  be  next  if  he  suspects  her  of  anything  .  she  clamps  down  on  the  tears  ,  the  punches  she  wants  to  throw  ,  the  heart  breaking  swiftly  beneath  her  ribs  ,  and  looks  back  at  caius  .  "  somewhere  more  quiet  ?  "

[victoriams]

ᴡʜᴏ: SOLEIL FLEMING & ELECTRA PRICE ( @damagedflames ) ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ: TRIBUTE TOWER, FIFTH FLOOR ᴡʜᴇɴ: DAY OF THE LAUNCH

Soleil had elected to wait out the countdown to the launch from the confines of her bedroom. Not because she didn't care to see Finch and Amp and Joule and Lark off – but because doing so would probably kill her. She didn't think she could handle another goodbye – another mushy, sentimental farewell – and so she'd lingered back. Waited for the familiar sound of the elevator ding – signalling that they were gone and she was well and truly alone, perhaps for the rest of her life. But, that ding never came. Neither did the launch – instead an important announcement started to blare over the speakers, informing Soleil that the games had been postponed.

She wasn't sure whether she was supposed to feel elated or apprehensive, so she settled on a healthy mixture of both. Another twenty-four hours, at least, to figure out a way out of this mess. Another twenty-four hours to try and stop these games from happening altogether.

Now, however, they find themself alone in the living area of the fifth floor – save, of course, for Electra, who is rather annoyingly pacing up and down. They fidget with the token Nilani had given them the night before, shoving it into their pocket before turning their attention to the escort. Right now, they were both supposed to be high as kites and trying to stave off the grief that was sure to come. Instead, they're both left in a state of uncertainty – a giant question mark over what happens next. "So, like," They finally break the silence, looking over at Electra. "What the fuck are we supposed to do now?"