Welcome to part 4 of the Arcade verse! I use 1-3 lyrics from the original version of Arcade by Duncan Lawrence for this multifandom verse.

It has been sooooo long since I've written an Ice Age fic. At least 11 or 12 years. And that was during my days on here when I was more active and the fics have long since been deleted. This movie series still holds a special place in my heart despite wishing that things could have happened differently and things not been left out in the sequels.

This is my first time writing a Mango fic. They have such great dynamics together even if you don't make them shippy. Now I'm in Mango hell lol.

I am also on vacation and will be taking a bit of a break with the Arcade verse.

Enjoy!

Tags: post canon, canon divergent, angst, hurt/comfort, established relationship, mango

Please, carry me, carry me, carry me home

Diego knew Manny better than anyone else did. To most Manny was serious, stoic, and grim. To few, he was kind, heroic, selfless, and brave. Diego was one of the fewer who had a deep understanding of the mammoth. Diego was practically his "right hand man." They were trusted equals to one another. They were—

"After all these years we still make a great team," Diego said lightly. "We still have each other's backs. Isn't that something?"

Since that day when Diego started warming up to Manny and Sid and trusted them, the unfortunate betrayal to please a pack that never cared about him, and the amount of forgiveness given to him by Manny and Sid… That despite everything that happened Diego was cared about.

Sid was Sid. He was such a goofball and dense at times, but he meant well. Manny, on the other hand, was something else entirely. Manny was… Manny was…

"Diego."

It happened again, though this time it was much worse. The pungent smell of gore was so strong it was sense numbing. It was everywhere on the valley turned battlefield while allies, friends, and family fought against unwelcomed invaders. Invaders that deemed Manny a weak and worthless leader.

"Diego," Manny said again. He held his breath for one moment…two. "I can't stop it. There's nothing I can do right now. I need more moss. I…I need more time."

"It's okay, Manny. It doesn't hurt anymore."

A liar. What a liar.

Manny did everything to focus on Diego's face and not the blood that pooled underneath him. The pool that spread to his feet. He couldn't stop Diego's bleeding. He couldn't save him. "Let me carry you—get you to someone who can do a better job at helping."

"Nah, Manny. We need you out there to lead…to fight for our homeland. You have to leave me here." Please, carry me, carry me, carry me home, Diego thought, but would never voice. He never knew what home meant or what it felt like until he met Manny. Even in near death, he was too prideful.

"I won't leave you." Manny was still stubborn as an ass.

"You've always risked your life for me…for everyone. It was time for me to return the favor." Again. If Diego hadn't gotten in the way of the enemy's attack Manny would have been as good as dead. "You…you need to go now while you still have a chance. We need our leader to lead us to victory. To safety."

Manny swallowed hard. The fighting continued on. It was so much louder than before. If that were even possible. Diego was right. He couldn't stay. Not when they were almost outnumbered. Not when they'd need Manny's strength and quick thinking—his leadership. He sighed in defeat. "I'll come back for you," he promised and slowly willed his body to move. He didn't look back to Diego or he probably would have cemented himself right there and done nothing to help those who were fighting for the valley.

Each step away from Diego was agonizing, but Manny kept going. He had to keep going. He couldn't give up. It wasn't the first time Manny lost everything.

And Diego watched under heavy eyelids the most important being in his life leave. He already missed him. Missed his fading scent, the way he always looked at him, his voice, his love, his understanding, his protectiveness even if it got annoying sometimes, the crumbling bond that they shared. Diego was right. It didn't hurt anymore. Everything was going to be okay.

Diego heaved his last breath and let his eyes slip shut as the world stopped turning.

Thank you for reading! Nice comments are appreciated!

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