A/N: This is a songfic created for Down With the Capitol Author's Weekly Karaoke Challenge. The artist of the week is Ben Folds Five, administered by booksandmusic97. This fic is meant to be poignant and sad, so if you find sad things really sad, this may not be the fic for you. :) I hope you enjoy it, though. The italics are the song lyrics.
Credit to Suzanne Collins for The Hunger Games and to Ben Folds Five for the lyrics and music to Don't Change Your Plans.
Read, Review, Enjoy. I hope it's sunny wherever you are today.
~DG~
Sometimes I get the feeling
That I won't be on this planet
For very long
I reached up my hand to him, caressing his cheek. "Don't leave me, David." I implored him.
"I won't, love." he said.
"I won't be here for long." I said.
"Don't talk like that, August."
"I'm dying."
"No, you're not."
"Yes, I am. I love you."
I really like it here
I'm quite attached to it
I hope I'm wrong
"I don't want you to die." David said. A single tear rolled down his cheek. I moved my hand to wipe it away, and then moved it back to his hair.
"I don't want to die, either. I'm quite attached to living, actually."
He laughed. "You can still make jokes. You're not dying."
I just kept silent, not wanting to ruin the moment.
All I really wanna say
Is you're the reason I wanna stay
I loved you before I met you
And I met you just in time
'Cause there was nothing left
"Listen, David. I love you. I'm glad I met you, because," Suddenly, I was coughing. I put my hand to my mouth, and when I stopped coughing, my hand was covered with blood. "I'm glad I met you, because if I hadn't, it would be too late for love."
"It's never too late, sweetheart. You don't have to die, you don't have to leave me."
"I'm sorry, David." For a while, no words passed between us. He lay down next to me and held my hand, not caring that it was spattered in blood. He started to hum a nameless tune that oddly comforted me. I nestled my head into his shoulder and never wanted to leave. I knew my time would be up soon, though, so I relished my last living moments.
You must be freaking out
David could sense my depressed mood. "No, August, don't. Don't think like that. You've got to stay with me."
All I know is I've gotta be
Where my heart says I oughta be
It often makes no sense
In fact,
I never understand these things I feel
"I don't have a choice, David. You know I don't. I've got to be where my heart says I have to be, and right now it's not exactly agreeing with my mind."
"But," he started.
"I don't understand why I have to go. Trust me, it doesn't make any sense. When you leave to join me one day, you won't understand, either. But I have to go."
He sighed. "I know, August."
And it went back to our comfortable silence.
Don't change your plans for me
"David," I whispered, looking up at the sunny sky.
"Yes, August, darling?"
"When I'm gone, I want you to win the Games for me. Don't change your plans because I died. Don't become a martyr to join me. Win for me."
"I will, August."
"Thank you."
"Mm-hmm."
My heartbeats started to slow, and I could feel the blood leaving my veins. I knew that my time was almost up.
You have made me smile again
In fact, I might be sore from it
It's been a while
I know we've been together many times before
I'll see you on the other side
"Thank you for making me smile, David." I said. Somehow, everything I was saying had a comforting sense of finality to it. "It's been a while since I've smiled till it hurt."
He just nodded, letting me get it all out.
"I'm so grateful that you came into my life… If I've had past lives, I think I've met you there, too." He smiled at that. I continued. "So I'll see you again soon, okay? I'll see you on the other side."
My body felt weaker, and I couldn't talk above a whisper without exhausting myself. I started to slip away.
But don't change your plans for me
"Win, David. Don't…don't change anything. I'll…see you…soon." My breathing became heavier.
"No, August…" he said. I wanted to cry for his heartbroken tone, for the way I was leaving him, for the life I wanted to live. But I knew that if he was to survive, he couldn't dwell on my death.
All I really wanna say
Is you're the reason I wanna stay
But destiny is calling and I won't hold
And when my time is up I'm outta here
"Listen, David," I began. A violent cough interrupted me, and he held me until it was over. I looked into his beautiful green eyes. "You were the reason for my existence. You are the reason that I want to stay on this-" Another cough, but this one was longer. At this point, I barely felt the pain. "This earth." I finished.
"Stay with me, August." David said. I could tell that he didn't believe his own words anymore.
"But my destiny is calling, and I can't put it on hold." I managed a weak smile at my normal joking tone. "So when my time is up…" More coughing. "I have to go."
He pulled me into an embracing, wrapping me in his arms and holding me gently. "Don't leave me." I asked him again.
"I won't." he reassured me. I closed my eyes.
All I know is I've gotta be
Where my heart says I oughta be
It often makes no sense
In fact,
I never understand these things I feel
"I've got to go." I stated again. This time, though, it felt more peaceful. As if everything was okay, so I could leave now.
"Why?" David whispered. "Why, August?"
"I don't know. I don't think I'll ever understand. But I love you, okay?"
"I love you more."
"I love you the most."
"Never…" he whispered, gently kissing my blood-stained lips. I looked down at the knife wound in my leg, and the other one in my stomach, and I couldn't even cry anymore. I just knew that it was my time.
"I have to go now, David."
"Just a few more minutes." he said desperately.
"I love you, David."
"No, you can't go."
"Win for me. Don't change your plans. Don't dwell on my death."
"No…no…no, August, you can't leave. I need you."
"I love you. I'll always love you. And I'll see you. I'll be waiting for you."
"August, please!" he was yelling now.
"Shhh." I put my finger to his lips, before pulling his head down to kiss me. "I love you, David. Goodbye now."
"I love you, too. I love you more."
"I love you…" I whispered. He kissed me once more, and started to hum the peaceful nameless song. He picked a flower and braided it into my hair.
"Goodbye." he said.
I love you, goodbye,
I love you, goodbye.