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especiallythewomenandthechildren · 20 days

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As If Destiny (part thirteen) 🌹

Part 12🌹

A/N: please don't banish me to 12🙏

Hunger game warnings apply!

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The world had gone yellow. Over the days and hours, it remained muted but ever-present. Not even the glistening white walls of the laboratory could escape an aged yellow tint. Four white walls are supposed to drive one mad, but in the case of Clemensia Dovecote, it was the lack of pure color that had her picking at her scaled skin.

However, there was one spot that Clemensia knew retained its purest shade. The crimson splatter on the dented wall, caused by her ramming her own head into it when the hissing became too much. Ironically, her evidence of insanity was keeping her sane.

She was focusing on that wretched spot once more when the door to her room in Gaul's freak laboratory opened. Clemmie was surprised by the intrusion. It wasn't test time. Or had she lost all sense of time? And here she thought she was getting better.

All questions were silenced when a figure was rushed inside on a stretcher, followed by half a dozen glove-clad figures. Tens of commands were shouted in the air as Clemensia watched from her bedside. The appearance of needles and oddly colored substances brought waves of all too familiar panic over the young woman.

As knives and needles buzzed around the poor body beneath the doctors, not a single scream was heard. Clemensia found it odd. When she was first bitten by the snakes, she was sent into the very same room she had been stuck in for days. Her only memories during the operations and tests were the blinding lights, glass-shattering screams, and heart-stopping pain.

Not a peep was heard from the body under operation. Dr. Gaul must have been feeling in a good mood and knocked the poor victim out. Or the person was already gone.

Just as quickly as they came, the team of scientists and medical specialists left in a flurry. Clemensia sat frozen in her bed, unsure of her next move. Would she be subjected to more testing if she approached? While the raven-haired girl debated, the body began making noises. So, not dead. Or back from the dead?

Clemensia was sick of the questions and lack of answers, so she pushed herself off the uncomfortable bed and began taking cautious steps toward the waking person. The lighting was dim enough to obscure the face of the damaged body but caught the light of three dainty metal rings.

Clemensia's gasps radiated off the walls when recognition hit her. All thoughts of punishment evaporated as she rushed to the bedside.

"Y/N?"

Her panicked shriek was met with mumbles and grumbles as your eyes fluttered open. You were heavily disoriented, taking in your new surroundings— weird tiled walls, creepy lighting, and no Coriolanus. You turned to your left, and your eyes connected with another pair of pale yellow ones.

"Clemmie?"

The girl in question noticed your fear of her appearance but decided she could deal with that later. For the time being, she wrapped her healing arms around you in a crushing embrace. Your left shoulder became soaked from Clemensia’s body-shaking sobs. You had no idea what had, is , or will happen. You just felt you could do nothing more than rub your fingers through your friend’s dark locks in a comforting manner. Time passed in a fluid motion by the time Clemmie untangled herself from your healing body. You took in her eyes, now a marble mixture of yellow and red, while she took in the brutal cuts on your neck.

“I don't remember your cuts being this bad.”

Her slender fingers trailed lightly over the now stitched and wrapped injury. The motion was light yet still earned a wince from your chapped lips. Clemmie quickly removed her fingers and a string of apologies left her mouth. Odd. The girl you grew up with seemed to be shaken and hollowed out.

Clemnisa was always small, whether from genetics or malnutrition, but it wasn’t her body that gave the appearance now. It was the skittish movement of her eyes. The shakiness in her fingers. Short and shallow breaths. Though, those attributes were nothing in comparison to the scales that cover her once clear skin.

“Clemmie, what happened?”

Whether articulate planning or happenstance, the moment was interrupted by the shadow of gloom known as Dr. Volumnia Gaul.

“The dawn of Vaun, a deadly blade. Worn out dull from deadly decay.”

Cackles echoed off of the walls with the room lit up by the maniacal grin of the Head Gamemaker. Next to you, Clemnisa began twitching slightly from the woman. Oh, Clemmie, what has she done to you?

“Oh, what a lovely game you played, Miss Vaun. You have such wonderful potential to take over my position one day.”

Your jaw hardened at the thought. You wanted to do everything in your power to stop these games from ever happening again, not be the ringleader.

“Is Coryo alright?”

The woman’s demented eyes sharpened at you, in slight offense for cutting off her point. She took predatory steps towards you and shooed Clemnisa away to her respective bed. Dr. Gaul sat next to you and took your hand in her own cold, calloused one.

“Mr. Snow is quite alright. A few stitches here and there, but well earned. Your dear Coriolanus learned a good lesson about humanity though I doubt you needed a refresher. Not a second do you go from comforting your friend to murderer. You have a strength seldom seen these days.”

“You have not forgotten the war. Good. Don't you ever.”

You stared at her stunned and ashamed. Of course, only she would congratulate you on murder. You felt nausea swim through your veins and begged for moral release. You could feel Clemnisa’s stare burn across your face, but you had no words. How do you explain execution? Dr. Gaul felt satisfied with whatever she saw and sighed as she rose. A hand was firmly placed on your shoulder as she bore her gaze into your own.

“Check in on Mr. Snow. I fear he has been a bit shaken from his first death. Happens to the best of us, no?”

Flashbacks from the arena flooded in as you began remembering. The sound of splashing blood, bursting organs, and obliteration of bones. The sight of a wild man, unrelenting in his punishment over a boy. Coriolanus, the wild beast set upon poor Bobbin.

Your eyes shut in repulsion and discomfort when the door opened once more. A small woman with cold eyes and a stern mouth walked straight to Dr. Gaul. The Gamemaker wasn’t too close to you, but the proximity was enough to hear snippets of the whispers.

“Ravenstill… dead…”

Felix? You looked to Clemnisa and found that she must have heard as well as her eyes swelled with tears. She bit them back as Dr. Gaul looked you both over with a hard look in her eyes. She nodded to the woman and wordlessly made her exit. You waited a few moments before engaging in conversation, if such a thing could be done currently.

“Clemmie-”

“What happened.”

It was not a question but a demand. You took a moment to look at the world through Clemnisa’s eyes. It had been days since she was bitten. Days stuck in the laboratory with the wicked Gamemaker. No friends or family visiting. Then all of a sudden, her friend comes rushing in, flirting with death just to know that she had her hand in murder. Not only you, but yet another one of her close friends decided to join in the slaughter while another was dying. Dead.

This was not the Clemnisa you knew. She had her tears, but she did not bawl. Her body shivered but did not crumble. She became hardened at the edges. Though, familiar or not, she deserved answers. Your voice cracked and pitched as you relented to her demands. The agonizing tale of horror you had so actively lived and scarcely survived.

“The Hunger Games.”

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Arachne Crane was many things. Vile, cruel, demanding, sneering, and the list goes on. But one thing she was not, was a fool.

She was not to be fooled by Bobbin's sudden death. She knows there would have been recaps. Arachne noticed Coriolanus’s silence while his classmates chattered among themselves. His eyes were calculating like usual, but they were shadowed by a look of remorse. Guilt? Relief.

The red-haired girl certainly took note of your delayed arrival and the fresh-looking stitches on your neck. Peculiar as they looked perfectly fine last night before Arachne left. The look of unreadable emotion between you and Coriolanus was the most incriminating evidence. As if you never thought you would see the other ever again, yet there you were. However, the look was cut short as it was replaced with horror.

Upon the vast screen, a district caved into itself. Jessup began accusations against Lucy Gray, his closest confidant.

Most district pairs stuck together, but none more than Lucy Gray and Jessup. Even Arachne knew that neither would turn on the other, so why is Jessup Diggs chasing his friend with deadly intent? Arachne’s brown eyes moved from the screen to you and Coriolanus to ease her confusion. If it wasn’t enough that the tributes were friends, their mentors were more than enough to solidify their truce.

Yet, you both understood. Coriolanus noted the foam appearing from Jessup’s mouth and turned to you for help, but you were already ahead of him. You remembered rabies all too well. Hunched over your computer, you inhaled a somber breath.

“I know you did your best, Jessup. You did your part. It's my turn now. I’m so sorry.”

Your voice was small and quaking as your fingers hovered over, and eventually pressed the buttons signaling Jessup’s doom. A drone came rushing in, zooming straight for Jessup, narrowly missing both him and Lucy Gray. Instead, it hit the rock straight behind the District 12 boy, ricocheting off the stone and onto him. Fear overtook his eyes as he began swatting it off, only to have fright filling his lungs.

“What’s wrong with me?! What did you do to me?!”

His pleas echoed in the viewing hall as Lucy Gray’s heart was shattering as much as the glass that brought this situation. She begged him to calm down, but no sense rang through his ears as he tried everything to get the water off. His erratic movement caught up with him. The dark-eyed boy slammed into the rock below- a deafening sound.

“Jessup? Jessup!”

Your teary eyes watched on as Lucy Gray comforted and hugged her now-gone friend.

“I’m not going anywhere, you hear me? You watched over me and I’m gonna watch over you.”

With dirt-covered hands, Lucy Gray closed her friend's eyes as she hugged him close. In the hall, a buzzer was heard, signaling his death and your elimination from the wicked games. You knew this was going to happen. It was inevitable yet the truth brought no comfort.

You walked past Coriolanus and met his swimming blue eyes. A nod and eyes filled with thousands of emotions, flickering past too fast to decipher. One was gratefulness. Your own eyes had their fair share of emotions that shouted out to the star mentor. He knew the unspoken plea. There was no chance to be taken. He had to win.

As Lucky Flickerman ushered you out with his charismatic words, you made your way to the audience stands. You saw Tigris first and flashed her a soft smile, to which she reciprocated. When you reached the girl, she pulled you into a warm embrace. No words needed to be said. As you were in her arms, a soft thought fluttered your mind. Tigris has been nothing but kind to you and treated you like a sister. You never had a sister. Her smiles and jokes, even while surrounded by a crumbling and colder world stunned you day in and out. If you ever get your stuff back from your apartment, you don't have to sell it all. You had a few dresses you think Tigris would love.

You stayed there for a few moments, lost from reality, before taunting cackles were heard. Laughs you knew far too well for your liking. The scene played out in front of your eyes as Lucy Gray became cornered by Coral, Tanner, and Treech. All looked roughed up from the earlier night, but the sight of prey gave them more than enough energy. You and Tigris sucked in a shared breath as they got closer to the shaking girl. You watched as Coriolanus focused on his computer, slamming the buttons as fast as possible.

Confusion laced your features for a fleeting moment before realization dawned over you. Coriolanus Snow, you scheming genius.

Half a dozen drones swirl around the pack as they begin to defend themselves from the mechanical mess-ups. Coral swings this way and that with her trident as the rest of her pack does the same. You watch Coryo’s mouth move as he pleads to his tribute to run and to your collective relief, she does.

Lucy Gray takes advantage of the chaos and slips away under some rubble, taking two bottles with her. Coral and her pack are arguing among themselves while Lucy Gray regains her spirits. Coral and Treech target Lamina, who has yet to move from her spot on top of the collapsed rubble structure, while Tanner is left to guard the piled-up water. As the two zero in on Lamina, Lucy Gray makes her own moves; though, it can be argued how much of it is her idea when you notice the silver hiding in her hand.

Frantically removing the cap of one of the bottles, a beautiful silver compact shines in the light as she pours powder into the water. You stopped breathing as if you inhaled the substance yourself. Like when you had inhaled the substance. Your eyes shift to Tigris and see her own squinting, trying to pinpoint the recognition. But you know.

You move your gaze to the back of beautiful blonde curls but you are interrupted halfway. Instead, the cold hard stare of Casca Highbottom filled your vision. His face was cemented into a grave expression but you caught the gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. The dean made no move to back down from your stare, knowing he caught you right where he wanted. More specifically, he caught Coriolanus Snow.

The man smirked as he relented his gaze and directed it towards the screen where you missed plenty of action. Lamina succumbed to the power of Coral and joined Marcus beneath the structure while Lucy Gray, once again, hardly escaped from death. It was clear her various escapes drove a wedge between Coral and Tanner before the former drove her trident into her district partner. The crowd took a collective gasp at the sudden death and betrayal, but it was clear that today would be the day of death.

Only Treech and Coral remained of their former pack but that did not stop their hunting as little Wovey suddenly appeared. You had to look away as you heard their footsteps rush after the little girl, praying for her safety, even though it would be useless in the Games. The pair ran off into the tunnels, leaving the center of the arena with an odd silence.

No sign of movement for fleeting moments before a tribute could be heard before they could be seen. Coughing and stumbling, Dill from 11 approached the water. Or what she thought was pure water.

The relief on her face was blinding as she took gulps of the poison, no thought about the death she just consumed. You gulped down your nausea as she laid down next to the bottle. Your eyes shut as you heard Reaper call out for his friend. It wasn't supposed to be her. Why her? Why any of them?

Your face cringed in sorrow at Reaper’s howls and felt Tigris close her fingers over yours in comfort. You weren’t the one deserving of the comfort. Why were you given a shoulder of support while children had every last bit of hope and companionship slaughtered?

Reaper hovered over his friend's body and took off his hat in mourning. Your heart felt like it was going to give out in anguish. This isn’t a battle. This isn’t war. Death is indiscriminate except for the arena. Only the innocent. The good. The hopes of the world are massacred.

Reaper grabs Dill’s corpse and moves her to be with their fellow fallen tributes. One by one, Reaper lives up to his name as he creates the graveyard of innocent children. Most of which wished no harm to the other.

You take a look around the room and see sullen faces. Humanity and regret dance behind the crowd’s eyes. Maybe there is hope, a chance for change. Maybe the Hunger Games have grimly brought the Capital back to their senses-

Gasps shudder off the dome-like walls. Shrieks of offense and terror fill the air. You return your gaze to the screen, expecting more corpses and gore, but are only met with the flag between Reaper's hands. You look around the audience once more to see every pair of eyes hardening against the actions considered more vile than child slaughter. Every pair is focused in outrage at the offender who mocks the Capital and its punishment.

Every pair except a chestnut pair who stare at you. Arachne takes a look around the room once more and lands back on you. They always land back on you.

You watch her face contort into disbelief and realization. Across the room, your gaze connects as understanding flows straight to the girl.

Arachne Crane is many things. A top student, a promising youth, an unrelenting patriot.

Arachne Crane was many things.

But what Arachne Crane still is not, is a fool.

With the Panem flag draped over her fellow countrymen, she feels her blood boil with the districts, thoughts that would have never even scraped her mind before. But she was not the person from before. She is not, and never again will be, the Capitol's fool.

Your eyes still bore into one another when your attention was recaptured. So swift was Reaper’s act of rebellion cut off, instead replaced with the chilling look of a furious Dr. Gaul. Nothing good was to come of this.

“Capitol citizens, I’m afraid I must interrupt our Games to announce a tragic loss, one that affects us all. Felix Ravenstill, son of our beloved president.”

The sounds of shock and fury were drowned out as you only listened in to the Gamemaker. Watching how perfectly she articulates the fear to an unsuspecting audience. An audience that plays so perfectly into her game.

“He succumbed this morning to his injuries sustained in the rebel bombing. Out there in the districts, they will be celebrating this young boy’s death as a triumph. I will not allow my Games to give our enemy such a victory. I swear to you, here and now, before the sun goes down tonight, a rainbow of destruction will engulf our arena. Even if it means there’s to be no victor in these Games.”

You froze in disbelief. Not that Felix was gone, that fate was digested with Clemensia earlier. What you couldn’t believe was that all this time, you were led astray. You finally gathered the answer to Dr. Gaul’s question: ‘What are the Hunger Games for?’

You thought you knew. Everyone thought they knew. But this isn't about the districts. It has nothing to do with teaching them lessons or keeping them in their places. It has nothing to do with them at all.

The Hunger Games are not about survival. They are about control. And Dr. Gaul is losing her title as victor as the players stop playing.

“And where is he going?”

Your heart leapt to your throat at the sudden voice. You fully expected to see Casca Highbottom’s ever-present scowl as he seems to only show up at the worst times. However, you were pleasantly surprised to see your own scowling friend. You followed Arachne’s gaze to see Coriolanus rush out of the hall and you share a look of confusion with Tigris. You turn back to confess your lack of knowledge when it hit you. ‘A rainbow of destruction.’ Oh no.

“I have to go.”

You gave Arachne no time to protest in your haste to follow Coryo as you begged that you wouldn’t end up in the intimidating laboratory you have grown to detest.

Mere feet from the exit, you slam into something, causing you to stumble backwards into some unfortunate pedestrians. After collecting yourself, you realize that you didn't run into one of the many pillars surrounding the structure but rather an unamused looking Clemmisa Dovecote.

Nothing ever goes your way.

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“Where exactly is your boyfriend going because if it is Dr. Gaul, I will throw him into a pile of snakes myself.”

You hesitate for a few moments as you take in the fact that Clemmisa is out and free. She told you of her time at the laboratory, none of which was in any realm near pleasant. The fits of insanity, the burning of her scales, and the absolute torture she went through in Gaul’s expression of science. Despite all that, here she stood, in a black turtleneck to hide her still fading scales and clearer eyes. Your observation was cut short however as the girl cleared her throat, clearly waiting for an answer. You sighed as you confessed.

“Let his fate be quick please.”

Clemmisa was a singular second away from smashing her head into the nearest wall, not out of insanity, but rather frustration with her former class partner. However, any skull smothering plans were interrupted by an intrigued Arachne.

“Ah so that's what the ‘flu’ was.”

You and Clemmisa both turn at her startling appearance. Your face must seem to translate your confusion well enough as the redhead continues.

“You’re in a public and crowded area, be careful what you say. Plus, Y/N, don't be suspicious and expect people to not follow you. Though, it's good to know you are back Clemmie,”

“And that we are throwing Coryo into a pit of serpents.”

You turn to her unimpressed by the comment but she takes it in stride as she grins at you. Arachne gestures with her head for you and Clemmie to follow her into a more secluded part of the building. Ending up in an empty hallway, she turns to both of you, a thoughtful expression gracing her features.

“Wonder if Gaul’s colorful destruction has to do with her catching onto Coryo’s trick.”

You watched as Clemmie’s brows furrowed in confusion. If she just made it to the hall now, it was likely she didn't see any of the Games today or frankly, at all. But as Clemmie stood there, awaiting an explanation from her friend, you were on the other side of the spectrum and looked towards Arachne with shock. The girl rolled her eyes and scoffed as she leaned on a nearby wall.

“Oh please, no district kid has the money to get something that nice - singer or not. Besides, I remember fragments of Coryo's mother when our families used to get together and she was always fidgeting with that compact.”

As you digested her words, Clemmie still felt out of the loop and let out an exasperated sigh.

“Okay good to know, but what does that have to do with anything?”

The two of you were quick to catch your unaware friend up to date: deaths, eliminations, rat poison, and all. In turn, she, along with your help, helped catch Arachne up with recent events including the rainbow snakes and your dance with death in the arena. The latter caused a flush of fury to appear on Arachne’s fair skin as your battle for survival was recounted. Once you were done, Clemmisa huffed out a breath, clearly overwhelmed. She turned back to face you two as she tried to figure out Coriolanus’s motive.

“So what, he is just going to beg for Gaul’s forgiveness while he is actively cheating her games?”

“Coriolanus Snow does not beg. He is up to something obviously. Though what, I can’t figure it out.”

“It’s clear she is going to send the snakes in but I still don't understand what Coryo’s plan is going to be?” Clemmie puffs in aggravation at the dead end. Then, a look of conspiracy glistens in Arachne’s chestnut eyes.

Arachne turns to you in question. Since you seem to spend every breath with him, she thinks bitterly. You, however, turn to Clemmisa as she likely had insider information about Gaul due to her time spent at Gaul’s prison she calls a lab. It was clear from last night that those who work there don't mind having loose lips around their experiments.

“He smells like her.”

You whip your head towards her, face nearly daring her to continue with that train of thought.

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, don't even. You and I both know he's not like that.” She waved her hand in the air as if physically offended at your train of thought.

“I meant that he is her mentor, not to mention she saved his life, so they spent a decent amount of time together. When I walked past her at the zoo, even surrounded by dirt and disgust, she still had a strong perfume smell to her. If what you say about the snakes is true-”

“Then he is going to use Gaul’s snakes against her.” You finish the thought for Arachne who looks to you slyly. Clemmisa looked as if she were about to burst from glee at the thought of Gaul tasting her own poison.

With that, the three of you walk back into the main hall and can only wait for the events to play out. Pray and beg that you won't leave empty-handed, or more worryingly, hands tied behind your back.

Just as you reach the entrance to the viewing hall, you collide once again into an unsuspecting body. You really need to watch where you are going, you began saying to yourself before you felt familiar hands steadying you by the waist. Well, well, if it wasn't the golden boy of the hour, whose irises, colored in your personal favorite shade of blue, looked down at you in worry.

“Y/N? What are you doing out here?”

Clemmnesia didn’t have the patience for pleasantries and crossed her arms, ready for answers. “Okay, cut to the chase, is it gonna work or not?”

Coriolanus’s already pale skin lost any residue of color at Clemmie’s interrogation. The sight of his panic brought out a sick feeling of glee from Arachne as she laughed in her own high class, snobby, yet intimidating way.

“Take a breath, Coryo. Doubt anyone else noticed and besides, we all want you to win anyway. We wouldn’t hear the end of it if Festus won.”

Ara cringed at the last thought while you bit your lip in contemplation. Well, someone else, someone very important, might have noticed. You opened your mouth to voice your concern when Clemniesa clarified her own motivation.

“Not to mention playing Gaul and winning. I want to see her sense of power to crumble so perfectly in front of my eyes.”

Well, your discontent for Gaul was not as vile or seething as Clemnisa’s, it was enough for you to nod in agreement. Coriolanus didn’t know the details of Clemmies' pain, but he could see her burning glare had a yellow tint to it. Add on your own pain and separation from Coryo when you needed him most, Coryo won't question a single one of your feelings. Although, that left Arachne as the only one without a motivation. He turned to her with an arched brow in curiosity in which she was guarded in her answer.

“I have my reasons.”

Coriolanus figured he won't get any further answers from Ara, though she wasn’t the one he wanted to talk to. He knew he didn't have much time, but he needed to talk to you. Coriolanus needed just one ephemeral moment with you to know that you are okay. An assurance that you weren’t a biological lab rat like Clemmnesia or saw him differently after what he did. Of the two fates, he wasn’t sure which one was worse; Coriolanus would lose you in both cases.

The two other girls must have noticed the changing air between you and the charming blonde as they suddenly disappeared from your presence. Coryo took the slice of time to step closer to your cautiously worried being. You, much to Coryo’s relief, did not step back from the action but looked at him quizzically.

“Y/N, I –”

His ocean of eyes deepened as his breathing became shallow. The boy has always been a wonder with his wit and words yet all his ability decided to leave him at the moment he met your eyes. He couldn't stop seeing them closing in pain and refusal to open as death gripped you down. Will you ever be able to live without cruel fate seeking into every crack of your life?

The scream of Lucy Gray was impactful enough to hear it even outside the hall. Alerted and on edge, all confessions were pushed to the side as both you and Coriolanus ran to the screens. You were eliminated and you were not allowed back in the mentor observation area, but no one was able to move a foot as all were too captured by the action unfolding.

Coral and Treech had been poking up at Lucy Gray's hiding spot until the latter of the duo began coughing violently. His throat began closing up and even with the bad quality of the cameras, the life abandoning his adolescent body was visible to all. The singer from Twelve made a run for it as soon as she fell from the vents. Sprinting into the center, with Coral on her tails, Lucy Gray, along with the rest of the remaining tributes, were met with a chilling sight. An ominous glass container was slowly being lowered from an aircraft vehicle. It descended slowly and once finally released, the stillness of the arena was mocking. Desperate, sweet Wovey stumbled towards the glass-contained doom.

Your breathing ceased as Reaper's pleas for Wovey to stop moving rang throughout the nation. While the young girl begged for an end, Coriolanus had his own pleas: let his plan work. At once yet in slow, even artistic movements, the glass shattered, releasing death in the form of a beautiful display of colors. Wovey was the first to go, rapidly drowned by the snakes. Reaper took his death in honor as he kneeled tall, refusing to bend to the Capitol even in his final moments. The only two left were Lucy Gray and Coral, the latter only a few steps away from the venomous serpents. Your hand found Coryo’s in apprehension as you watched the two adolescents run from inevitability.

The girl from Four opened her own towards her final opponent as she begged for mercy.

“It’s not fair! It’s not!

I can’t have killed them all for nothing.”

The young life that was never allowed to blossom within Coral was extracted by hundreds of beautiful fangs. The room was covered in a layer of paralysis as Lucy Gray was the lone warm-blooded body standing. Your hand began crushing Coryo’s but he only squeezed back.

“She won.”

No, indeed it was rather the frighteningly seething Dr. Gaul, who was perched above. Coriolanus turned to the Gamemaker, doing what he does best: talking his way out of the situation. His victorious tribute was doing what she does best by singing to the snakes who were now slithering all over her, matching the bright colors of her mother’s dress.

Coryo looked to you for confirmation, as if it was an unbelievable possibility with no ties to reality. In all truth, it was to each mentor and spectator, but not Coryo or you. Especially with Coriolanus’s own battle moves and tactics. The boy’s blue irises frantically moved from yours to Lucky Flickerman. The host was no help in confirming Lucy Gray’s victory nor her release as it was “not his call to make.”

“Dr. Gaul, she’s won. Let her out.”

You’re headed for heaven, the sweet old hereafter. And I’ve got one foot in the door. But before I can fly up, I’ve loose ends to tie up. Right here in the old there-before. I’ll be along -

The woman was flushed with her anger, present through her twitching nostrils. Lucy Gray has won which means Volumnia Gaul has lost. The most powerful woman in Panem was outsmarted by a thin, sickly, backwoods singer.

As Coriolanus tried to convince the woman to let Lucy Gray out and confirm their mutual victory, you tried to cover up his meddling by attributing the snakes' calmness to the girl’s beautifully heartbreaking singing. You looked around at the hypnotized crowd and witnessed Clemmnesia watch on with a mix of envy and nausea at the girl's relationship to the very snakes who caused Clemmie so much trauma.

When my folks run aground. When I’ve tallied the score and I’m flat on the floor. Right here in the old there-before.

When nothing is left anymore. When I’m pure like a dove. When I’ve learned how to love. Right here in the old there-before. When nothing is left anymore.

“Dr. Gaul, please. Get her out.”

You watched as Coriolanus’s eyes dipped with persuasion and pleading as he started intently at Dr. Gaul, whose stance began to crumble. Lucy Gray can’t sing forever and you refuse to go back on your promise to Jessup. Lucy Gray will live.

“Get her out!”

All eyes turned to you as you shared the sentiment. If it was just going to be you and Coryo against the Capitol, so be it. However, you both know that if support was needed, it can always be found in Tigris Snow.

“Get her out!!”

She stood tall as she joined you in rebellion. Swiftly, two more voices were heard. Clemmnesia and Arachne bore their intimidating glares into Dr. Gaul while they joined the ranks of opposition. Within just a moment, the entire hall was heard chanting for Lucy Gray’s freedom. You knew that Gaul could not silence the entire Capitol and their demands. A truth Gaul was, reluctantly, able to acknowledge.

“Get her out.”

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Her hardened eyes ended up landing on your still intertwined hands while looking at Coriolanus, the victorious mentor of the ultimate underdog. The fact that he won hit you both a bit belatedly but as claps and cheers surrounded you, brilliant smiles broke across your faces. He separated your hands just to use his own to pick you up and spin you around in glee. As laughs and applause drowned out all your sense, the gaze of one Casca Highbottom was not felt. Though he was wearing a matching smile at the two of you. So happy the pair of you looked. Unaffected. Perfect and unscathed. Highbottom snarled at the thought.

Time to melt the snow.

When Coriolanus Snow was directed to follow a pair of Peacekeepers, he didn’t think much of it. He was on his way to congratulate Lucy Gray and released his breath knowing she lived. But while Coryo was lost in his accomplishment, you were not as trusting with his final destination. It was highly reckless, but then again, when did you ever have a clear head around Coriolanus Snow?

You watched as the still softly smirking boy entered the room that was quickly locked and guarded by Peacekeepers. If he was meeting with Lucy Gray, why would they lock the door? In the Capital's eyes, she is still a high-level threat and the Capitol’s golden boy has just been trapped in there with her. You hypothesized the possible scenarios until the light went off in your head. The realization that Coryo had indeed been caught by Dean Highbottom occurred at the same moment the aforementioned man appeared in the locked room.

“I warned you, Mr. Snow. Cheating will be punished.”

With a cynical laugh, he continued with his glorified lecture. “More poetically than even I could have hoped.”

“Lucy Gray, where is she?”

Coriolanus tried to retain his frustration and panic. He should have known. If Arachne and Clemnissa were able to figure him out, of course, the ever-vigilant and sneering Highbottom would in a second.

“I would be more concerned with your own survival if I were you.”

Highbottom circled around the teen until he came to a stop in front of the table that displayed his mother’s compact and father’s handkerchief, proudly embroidered with “C.S”.

“It’s fitting that both your parents could be here for your big moment. That compact. How many times did I see your mother use it to powder her beautiful face?”

The heir of Snow felt the anger boil as he clenched his jaw while the pure joy circulated in his father’s former best friend.

“Come now, we both know that child from 11 didn’t die of disease. Or that lumberjack from 7. And that old handkerchief, we found it in the snake tank, appropriately condemning you with your father’s own initials.”

Snow had no rebuttal as Casca continued with satisfaction lacing his words and cruel grin. The man was ready to continue before slightly muffled screams from the door were heard.

In the moments that Dean Highbottom spent giving his self-satisfied monologue, you grew anxious at the silent moments. You didn’t know what was happening but whatever Coryo was facing, he wasn’t going to do it alone.

You thought of trying to sweet-talk your way in, but just one look at the stone-faced guards was enough to scrap the plan. Alarm was overtaking your brain and any semblance of rationality, which left you with only one plan left.

You moved from your hiding place behind the pillars and ran straight for the door, barely scraping the doorknob before two pairs of strong arms began dragging you away. While they might have captured your body, your mouth was left free and used the highest decibel of your voice to alert a certain blonde.

“CORYO! CORYO! CORYO-”

While one of the guards was able to silence you, it was too late. Coriolanus turned in alarm at your screaming voice while Highbottom tilted his head in curiosity.

“Loyal one, isn’t she?”

The Dean notified the guards to let you in and within a passing second, your rumpled clothed figure stumbled in. You, unfortunately, met Highbottom’s mirthful gaze first, to which you returned with a harsh glare. You quickly then shifted your focus to the concerned Coriolanus as you walked to his side. With a deep inhale to steady yourself and sparing no further time to allow you to overthink your next actions, you addressed Dean Highbottom.

“It was me. I cheated in the games.”

Coryo’s brows furrowed in confusion and astonishment at your words while Highbottom’s raised in surprise. Though his surprise quickly morphed into amusement.

“Did you now?

His question was met with a steady nod and yet no movement from young Snow. The dean’s smile grows further.

“Care to explain how both Snow artifacts came into your possession?”

To your credit, you were quick on your feet, showing no signs of nerves.

“I thought of the poison plan too spontaneously to bring a proper container. Coryo had just given me the compact so I thought he wouldn’t notice.”

The “nor you” was left unspoken.

“Coriolanus gave me the handkerchief a while ago and I must have forgotten of the initials.”

Highbottom nodded along with claims though he was armed with follow-up questions.

“And when did you exactly spend so much time with Miss Biard to capture her smell on the forgotten handkerchief?”

Coriolanus watched as you answered yet again without a falter, though the answer shocked him at the near-total accuracy.

“I visited her at the zoo the night before the games.”

“You visited Lucy Gray but not your own tribute?”

“Lucy Gray might as well have been my tribute because I swore to make sure she won. I made that promise to Jessup because we both knew he wouldn’t make it. I was willing to break a few rules to ensure that he died for a reason.”

Highbottom stepped closer to you, which caused Coryo to put an arm in front of you and step ahead, much to the dean’s amusement. The Hunger Games’ inventor took you in as he calculated in that malicious mind of his.

“I must admit Miss Vaun, you are quite an admirable young woman. Clever and loyal. Not to mention one of the few Capitol kids with a heart.”

You and Coryo listened to his compliments with unease as you were sure that the other shoe had yet to drop.

“Smart explanations. There was a visitor to Lucy Gray’s cage the night before the Games, but I know it wasn’t you. The Zoo’s cameras need work but even those janky machines can pick up on the ridiculous shade of blonde of the real cheater.”

Coryo looked to you, defeat lightly creeping up on his pale face, but you were unwilling to accept his defeat. You didn’t care if you had to get on your knees and beg: Coriolanus’s family needed the money and Coriolanus.

“The Games are about survival and survival has no rules. In life or death, you don’t survive by playing nice. Coriolanus was just doing what those tributes were doing: surviving. And he won.”

Highbottom’s ever-irritating and grating laugh filled the enclosed room, shaking his head at you.

“Oh dear girl. Here you are, using every last inch of skin and bone to defend him and yet not a word of protest came out of his mouth. Willing to defend a Snow who is more than willing to let you take the brunt of their actions. You truly are your mother’s daughter.”

He takes in the pair of you with a mocking pout as he can sense your confusion.

The man’s bitter tone was dripping as he circled in on you both like a vulture. You had been able to piece your parents' former courtship but if only you knew the full extent. No need to worry; Casca Highbottom was oh so gracious to provide.

“Oh, don’t tell me you didn’t know? Y/N, where do you think that ring is from? After this, besides an excuse of a heir, the only remaining asset of Crassus Snow will be hanging around your neck. Ironic, after a war, death, and poverty, Snow still get’s the girl. Isn’t that right?”

“He was so quick to use the last remnants of his dead parents for his ambition, what makes you think he won't use you? I wonder if you are smart enough to realize it in time, just like your mother. So sad it didn’t matter in the end, Crassus brought her down into the grave with him.”

At that, Coriolanus finally spoke up, utterly done with Highbottom's mockery, especially when it came to both of your parents.

“She died from poisoned water. Years after my father's death.”

Highbottom looked at his two smartest students as if they were the dullest minds to walk on the earth as he explained.

“Now why would rebels go through so much effort to poison Cloria? If they wanted to hurt the Vaun family, why not cut off the head by taking out Tyre? He was a far easier target in the districts than his wife stored away deep in the Capitol. The rebels could have gone after you, Coriolanus, but humiliation states far better than ultimate demolition. But oh Cloria Vaun? The last fully functioning remnant of Crassus Snow. She may have run from his arms, she was never out of reach.”

“There was a reason your brother, your dear Otto, and uncle were sent to Twelve with Crassus Snow, Y/N. The family ties between your maternal family and the Snows were a notorious bond. One that couldn’t even be broken by the cruel heart of Crassus.”

Highbottom landed right in front of your swelling eyes as he spelled out the pain for you. Coriolanus kept his eye on you, dread flowing through his arteries.

“Every person you have ever loved died at the hands of the family you strive at any chance to defend. You are just the next victim.”

You look down at your necklace, a priorly never noticed detail shouts out at you. The two golden rings of your family were split apart by the aggressive silver shine of the Snow’s ring. Your breath began to quicken as Coriolanus ducked his head down to get your attention. His eyes began to match your teary-eyed ones as he too took in your appearance.

No, no, please no. You can't believe he is like his father. You can’t.

Casca Highbottom took in the scene of heartbreak in front of him with jubilation. He never had anything against Cloria, but he wished the world’s worst suffering against any bearer of the surname Snow.

“Your family won’t ever see that prize money now of course, Coriolanus. President Ravinstill has left your form of punishment to me, and I’ve decided banishment to the districts where you’ll serve your Capitol in exile for the next 20 years as an anonymous, peacekeeping grunt.”

Both pairs of youthful eyes snapped to the dean. You share a look with Coriolanus and in that one glance, you knew. You didn’t care if it was your so-called destiny to suffer. You refused to let your life be controlled by the actions of two people who weren’t you, even if they were your blood. You were unwilling to accept your love to be ripped from you by a man’s personal vendetta with a ghost.

The sound of fireworks popping in the distance filled the tension-packed room as Highbottom finally felt his long-awaited satisfaction.

“Do you hear that, boy? Finally. The sound of snow falling.”

Any arguments from you were drowned out by half a dozen Peacekeepers storming and dragging Coriolanus away. Just as you had pleaded on your way in, you did the same as he left.

“CORYO!”

You were held back by Peacekeepers just like before, but you made no effort to move. Your mind had nothing to provide as it was hazed with anguish. No thoughts were able to be formed besides the image of that singular look in Coriolanus's eyes. The look of one who was screaming their proclamation of love in a battlefield. The look you give to your loved one before you say goodbye. Forever.

You whip yourself around once you were finally released from the guards' grasps as you intend to argue against Coryo’s punishment. Your tear-streamed face was met with an unnervingly calm and serene Highbottom.

“Time to discuss your punishment.”

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You stood in front of the grey vehicle with a small bag in hand. A handful of items stuffed into it, the few personal items you had left at the Plinths. You heard the whistles blow, the third of its kind, alarming all persons on the platform for the train's soon departure. You knew you needed to get on but you felt frozen in time. No movement in your body, not even a blink or breath. All until a voice startled you into motion.

The train looked only slightly more advanced and clean than the cattle car the tributes arrived in. An arrival that was less than a week ago. Yet here you stood. From top student and Capitol darling to a scarred, disowned, and failure.

At least that's what kept on ringing in your mind when you went to the Snow’s apartment to break the news that no money would arrive along with their Coriolanus. The look in Tigris's eyes was a sure affirmation that sleep would not be coming to you for days.

“Wonder if it moves.”

You turn to your right and there stands a surprisingly plain-looking Arachne Crane. Your eyes squint in confusion at her appearance and presence but she takes no notice as she continues to look at the train like you just were. You clear your throat as you warily address her.

“It’s a train, Ara. Yes.”

“I was talking about you.”

She met your eyes with a smirk that only widened at your further confusion on just how long she had been standing there without your notice. The final passengers, mostly just Peacekeepers, boarded, leaving just you and Arachne.

“Alright, I admit it’s a decent-looking train but now it's time to get going.”

The girl grabs your hand and made it onto the train's low steps for boarding when you pull her to a stop. The girl turned around with an eyebrow arched in slight frustration.

“What are you doing, Ara?”

The girl huffed at what seemed like an obvious answer. She flipped her high ponytail over her shoulder as she switched hands to hold yours.

“I don’t like to be played like a fool. The Capitol says the districts are evil, let them but I’ll find out for myself. Besides, the two people I actually can tolerate here aren’t going to be here, so why would I?”

“You have Clemmnisa.” You countered which made the girl softly laugh.

“Yeah, but she isn't you. Besides, it's a ‘business trip’.”

You tilted your head at her excuse. “Arachne, your family doesn't have hotels in Twelve.”

She smirked at you gleefully at your comment.

“I know.”

And with that, she pulled you up into the train, feet leaving the ground just as the train left the tracks.

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A/N: FINALLY! sorry guys I was struggling to write this, material and time wise. To all those who celebrate Eid tomorrow, here is your lil gift;) to all: have a lovely day!!

@notyourwildestdream 🌹@darktrashsoulbear🌹@fantasylovestoryme 🌹@nekee-lilac02 🌹@a-avengerparker 🌹 @queenofshinigamis 🌹@darlingisntit 🌹 @scarletstarrs 🌹

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especiallythewomenandthechildren · 1 month

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*Y/n getting her period*

Y/n: Shit, I need pads. *grumbling*

Remus: Here! *dragging Sirius behind him*

Y/n: Remus no-

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especiallythewomenandthechildren · 2 months

Text

As If Destiny (part twelve)🌹

Part 11🌹

a/n: the gif says all you need to know.

warnings: death, murder, gruesome details, expected hunger games warnings

All interaction is appreciated!

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The sudden thud of glove-clad hands was the catalyst for your awakening. Though you began questioning if you truly were awake or had been transferred into a nightmare as the mismatched gleaming eyes of Volumnia Gaul bore into your own.

"Go grab your idiotic friend. Now."

Your mind didn't need to be running at full capacity to understand whom she was talking about. You quickly sat up in your desk and stifled a yawn.

"What happened with Sejanus?"

The intimidating woman shifted from her position straight in front of you to the side so the large screen was visible. It was then that you realized the only person here besides you two was Coriolanus, who was also now wide awake. Your eyes focused on the dark screen as they became accustomed to the shadowy figure kneeling beside another.

Oh, Sejanus, what have you gotten yourself into?

"Bread crumbs. I believe sustenance for a fallen comrade on his final journey. A District 2 superstition."

You remember Sejanus describing the funeral traditions from his home district. It was the vivid memory of him begging you to provide him bread crumbs when he was to pass, a plea you were slightly reluctant to accept. Not because of the unfamiliar customs, but rather the uncomfortable realization that there was yet another person you could, were, going to lose.

Your focus was attached to the feed of the boy who you considered a brother, in the middle of a death cage with nothing to defend himself but bread crumbs. Dr. Gaul continued on, addressing both you and Coriolanus.

"I’ll work on finding the Peacekeeper he bribed to get him in, and cut out their tongue. In the meantime, I need someone to get him out right now."

Your attention was stolen by her demand as you connected her earlier statement. She didn't show you the feed to display Sejanus's recklessness, you both were well aware of it. You and Coryo were being debriefed on your newest task: somehow climb into the arena, drag Sejanus out without making a noise, and all while trying not to meet up with Marcus on his journey.

"You should send Peacekeepers in."

The daunting Gamemaker tutted at Coriolanus's suggestion as if it was a personal offense.

"Only to have him bolt and hide like a rabbit? Felix Ravinstill is fighting for his life in the hospital, Mr. Snow. I will not have these rebels make a further mockery of my Games,"

She emphasized her point to both of you as she leaned in.

"Anyone sees us lose control of this arena, it might as well be sounding a horn to the districts to revolt."

Both you and Coriolanus were silent at her implication. No gasps of horror at the thought. You looked over to Coryo and his calculating indifferent mask was back in place. You couldn't tell what he was thinking or his position. The arena bombing was a clear indication that the districts have at least a bit of firepower. But if it was to come to a head, there would be no way the Districts could win a war against the Capital, not this soon after the last one.

It didn't truly matter what either of your positions were because it was clear you were going into that arena, no matter what.

"You choose to be friends with this radical."

Most would think that a friendship with Sejanus is nothing but a burden, though you were adamant that it was nothing of the sort. In a city surrounded by Dr. Gaul mindsets or followers, Sejanus was a refreshing breath of air. If you needed to lose your lungs for that air, then so be it. Others need it more.

Coriolanus, however, seemed unconvinced.

"It’ll look a lot worse if the tributes kill the three of us."

"So don’t let them." Dr. Gaul stated it as if it was the most obvious thing because of course you would choose the other option. The other option being an absolutely brutal and bloody demise.

Especially if Coral got her hands on you.

You had to restrain yourself from banging your head on the desk. You just had to threaten her about her chances if you were in the arena. For both your life and pride, you hoped you wouldn't be eating your words.

"Who knows? You get him out unscathed, I’ll whisper your name in his father’s ear. You still want that Plinth Prize, don’t you?"

Ah, and there is the only reason the youth of the Capital saw any worth in Sejanus. You watched as Coryo shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he avoided your gaze in a calculated manner. You understood the desperation he and his family had for the prize; he didn't need to be ashamed of that. You just hoped that didn't motivate him in his friendship with Sejanus. That a small part of him wants to get your kind-eyed friend out of the grasp of death for something other than money. To save him not as the heir of the Plinth fortune, but rather sweet-hearted Sejanus.

"I’ll freeze the feed for an hour. I estimate that’s all we have until the people notice."

And with that, the ominous presence of Dr. Gaul turned on her heel and away to the shadowy outskirts of the hall. You turned towards Coryo, who seemed to be in varying levels of regret and contemplation. You checked the clock.

3:11 a.m.

Not a second to waste. You got up and stretched your stiff limbs. The motion caught the attention of Coriolanus, who was quick to start protesting.

"Absolutely not. Go hom-go and calm Sejanus's mother if she knows. You aren't going in there."

The blonde was adamant in his statements but then again, he was the one following you out the door to where a vehicle was waiting to pick you both up. He reached for your arm multiple times, but you were quick to dodge and ignored all his calls for you to stop. Just as you reached the car, Coriolanus sped up and stepped in front of you, effectively blocking your entrance.

"Y/N, don't even—"

"No, you 'don't even.' I am not leaving either of you. You spending your energy on trying to stop me will only deprive you of it when you are surrounded by killers. Besides, I think I am the only one who knows how to defend if the situation called for it."

Coryo deflated slightly at your endpoint and the implication, and that was all you needed to gently shove him out of the way and get into the awaiting car. He looked into the area and as you securely strapped yourself in, Coryo could do nothing short of forcefully pulling you out of the car to ensure you wouldn't come. So he swallowed his fears and climbed in next to you, intertwining your hands along the way.

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You swore you could smell the death from outside of the arena. It felt tangible, as though if you put your hand out, death would pull you down into its realm along with the dozens of other children.

Your steps were heavy as they led to the caged entrance of the structure. Your breathing was even, and posture lucid, but inside, you were panicking. Every gruesome memory of the war flashed in front of your eyes. Long-dead bodies envisioned themselves on your path while there was nothing there. The tips of your fingers began curling and tingling, the familiar instincts coming back to you. Just survive. You've done it before. Fast, agile, sharp.

Wails and protests caught your ear as you began ascending the steps.

"No! Please, please no! Not her too!"

Ma Plinth was dressed in her nightgown, no doubt awoken from her sleep to this consuming nightmare. She was held back by her husband as she sobbed. You could tell she was trying to fight back against his hold when she caught your face in the dim lighting. Deep breaths were taken by you to steady yourself from cries of pain. The pain of fear of losing a son. You remember those cries.

You will strength throughout your veins. You refuse to hear those cries of a lost son again.

The woman who had taken you in as her own cried out your name and begged for you to stop. However, all her pleas were drowned out as the gates opened for you and Coriolanus to walk in. Not a second's hesitation was spared. You did not have the privilege of stalling.

The arena was humid, and the air so packed, it put weight upon your shoulders. Either that or the panic began silently packing in. Your steps were soft, barely audible, especially in comparison to Coriolanus. You could tell he was trying his best but there was only so much the tall boy could do. While you were focused on your objective of getting your naive friend out with all three of you in one piece, Coriolanus was too zoned in. So zoned in that he nearly gave away your presence with the mechanical voice that eerily wished one's enjoyment of the "show". Your arm was fierce in pulling him back, enough to get him stumbling into you.

His face was a display of confusion and unchecked offense at your action. In a near inaudible whisper, you reasoned.

"Over the entrance."

Looking back to the small gate, Coriolanus realized his near mistake. He was quick to slide over the metal and turned back to offer his hand to help you along. Once your feet were securely on the ground, you looked over Coryo's shoulder and saw Sejanus in the very same position. The devoted boy hadn't moved a singular inch in all the time it had taken you to rush here.

His knees securely being pinched and pointed by the endless sea of rubble, Sejanus was covered in the moonlight while his solemnness provided its own special kind of gloom. Coriolanus directly accented to Sejanus, in a hasty effort to get out as soon as possible.

Your path was led leftwards as you approached the large pile of rubble still dressed with weapons of murder. You hoped you and Coriolanus would be persuasive enough to get Sejanus out without an attack; however, survival wasn't reached by hope. Your fingers graced over several different types of knives and blades, narrowly missing the pile of still liquid blood. It was right when you chose a curved, small sharp blade that Sejanus spoke. His first words uttered into the silence as the hilt slipped into your hand. Fit so perfectly.

"I thought they’d send my ma."

You finally turned around and met up with Coriolanus's slightly distant position. You went past the anxious blonde as you addressed Sejanus, whiplashed.

"You were willing to waste her life like that?"

You were stunned. Sejanus's mother was the only thing he could consistently wake up for. Was his determination more powerful than his love for her?

"You need to go, the both of you."

"I’d like to. I really would."

You ignored Coryo's admission and focused on the wishful yet foolish stubbornness of Sejanus Plinth.

"Sejanus, we made a promise to get you out. Neither of us is leaving till you are with us."

Coryo met up with your stance, shoulder to shoulder, only a mere feet away from Sejanus and the rotting corpse of Marcus. Even with the close proximity, it was hard to hear the soft whisper.

"Why?"

In contrast to the weighted question, an airy and irritated sigh came from Coryo.

"Because you’re my friend."

The quiet after Coriolanus's apparently obvious reason bothered you to the bone. He was expecting you to answer?

"Are you being serious? You thought I wouldn't be here? That I would just sit by and not use any chance I have to help you? I already lost one brother, Sejanus, I'm not losing another."

The harsh tone of such sentimental words caught Sejanus off guard as he turned around to face the pair of you.

"I have to do this. I had to go where the cameras are." He stands up while Coryo steps forward, slightly irritated.

"You think anyone’s watching this? Gaul cut the feed."

Coriolanus steps closer to Sejanus to emphasize the point as reality began setting in on the latter.

"Tributes kill you in here, she’s just gonna say you died of the flu."

You had to swallow down your anger at the thought of his sacrifice being watered down to a "flu". You moved to step closer to the pair when metallic clanging could be heard. Footsteps that began getting closer. The grip on your blade tightened as you began looking around. You left the negotiation to Coryo while you got ready for a knife straight to the head.

"You need to decide right now. Do you wanna fight these tributes, or fight for them? Because if you wanna make real change, you need to stay alive to do it."

Your back was faced towards the boys as you began slowly distancing yourself from them and towards the dark and ominous tunnel near your group. You tried your best to convince Sejanus so all this preparation for a life and death battle will be for nothing and you will all be out in a blink of an eye.

"Sej, please. You are the only one who can make a difference. Don't throw it all away. One life can make a difference but not if you let it be manipulated to fit the Capital's picture."

You knew just from his frustrated sigh that he was starting to think his actions over and getting convinced.

"How can I make any change from out there?"

"You’re rich. Smart. You care."

You added onto his list to what you thought would be the most important point to Sejanus.

"And you aren't alone."

Coryo may not be for uprooting the entire social complex of Panem but that's why you didn't include him. Even if he isn't on board, Sejanus has you.

Coryo looked up from his focus on the brown-eyed boy and noticed the now decent distance between you and the boys. He noticed your body language, intense focus on the source of the now louder metal clanging and footsteps. His gaze was caught by your blade shining from a beam of moonlight and connected the pieces together.

"Y/N. Come back."

Sejanus followed his eyes and noticed the same picture playing out and felt his heart rate picking up. Coriolanus needed to get Sejanus out now so he can get you out.

"We’re dead if we don’t leave right now, Sejanus. Come with us. Spend your father’s money, do some real good."

His anxious blue eyes flickered back to your still turned body. "Or just be another dead body in Gaul’s war."

Sejanus took note of how your body began tensing and knees bending. Something was happening. Someone was coming.

Coryo began picking up pace with words while his brown-haired friend followed the pattern with his breathing. "Please. Trust me. Trust us."

Coriolanus placed his hands on Sejanus's shoulder to make him focus. To make him choose right. Just as the conflicted boy began stuttering out an answer, the other inhabitants of the arena forced action.

Out of the shadowed tunnel that you were focused on did Bobbin, Juno Phipps's tribute from District 8, come running out. He was shouting at the top of his lungs as he targeted the two boys standing in the middle. His shouts got the attention of Sejanus and Coriolanus running.

Bobbin must have been too focused on the clear position of the two mentors that he missed your much closer body. He was fast, much faster than Sejanus or Coryo, much to your horror. Bobbin ran straight past you and was making ground on the two closest people in your life.

Then you heard the tumble and screams of pain from Sejanus and the panicked ones to get the former up by Coryo. You felt helpless as you couldn't make it to the District boy before he reached them. That is until the blade in your hand felt tangible again.

You weren't a great aim but you didn't have much of a choice. Even if it didn't hit Bobbin, it might make him notice you and hopefully distract enough to give your friends enough time. A breath and a steady arm was all you got as you aimed at the upper part of his left leg.

Like stated prior, you didn't have wondrous aim but that doesn't mean you were hopeless. The target of his upper left leg was missed in favor of a slice on his upper right shoulder. It didn't impair the already disadvantaged boy, but it did make him stop and notice you. Good. Enough time for them to escape.

You stood in the open of the destroyed arena, now defenseless. Back during the war, you would be able to slip out of any confrontational instances and fight without any weapon if needed. But being trapped in the Hunger Games arena is not the way you wanted to test if your skills were still there after 10 years.

You turned your head back to see how close you were to the pile of weapons, which fortunately, wasn't very far. Unfortunately, that one second was enough for Bobbin to start running and get too close for your comfort within such a short period of time. You followed his lead and started running away from him and to the weapons. You didn't have timw to be picky or really notice what you chose, so you grabbed the closest thing to you, which happened to be a curved and frankly, beautiful sword.

Sword in hand, you climbed to the top of the rubble pile. It was unsteady, horrible for any opponent. It wouldn't be easy to fight for you either but you had steadier footing than Bobbin and experience. You survived off of the weaknesses of your opponents.

As expected, the boy from Eight struggled to get up to your level. You just needed to buy enough time for Coriolanus and Sejanus and you believed you did when you heard the gates open. Though the desperate swing of Bobbin's machaete reminded you that you also wanted to get out of here alive. You dodged the attack and attempted a strike at his chest, which he deflected.

You didn't plan on killing him, nothing of the sort, rather just hurting him enough so you could get out. Though, you didn't seem to think ahead about going hand to hand combat with an machete-wielding tribute from Eight.

You moved backward in a counter-clockwise motion while fighting against Bobbin's harsh attacks. With each blow, the more the past muscle memory started kicking back in. Your arms started moving on their own, even getting a few slices on his arm and left leg. Your eyes moved from the weapon only inches from your face to the boy's feet. He was getting tired.

His feet began dragging across the uneven rubble. While you were jumping from stone to stone and cognizant of the terrain, Bobbin looked one hit away from going down. So that's exactly what you planned.

As soon as you realized a break in his fighting position, you went for his upper thigh.

"Y/N!"

The shriek from Coriolanus caused the strike to be far weaker than intended and missed the target nearly entirely. You risked a look at the messy and panting teen who shouldn't be here. However, your attention on his sudden appearance was short as yet another swing was sent your way, mere centimeters from your still healing neck. While you might not have been trying to kill Bobbin, he certainly was trying to eliminate you.

Panic burned through your veins as you realized that all this noise and Coryo's shouting of your name likely alerted the other tributes. You needed to get out and get out now.

You began picking up your pace and running around the now shaking piled stone. Bobbin was already tired, you just needed him a bit more exhausted. He kept coming after you like a predator after prey.

His footsteps began slipping but were close to you when you stopped suddenly. You curled your upper body forward but had your arms straight behind you, sword sharp and ready. The screams of the other teen were more than enough to alert you that your plan worked.

You turned around to see Bobbin's right thigh stabbed straight through with your silver sword, now crimson. You watched as the tears welled in his eyes as he tried to remove the weapon, to no success.

"I'm so sorry, Bobbin."

You felt tears rush in your own eyes. You never wanted to hurt anyone again. You never wanted to be this person again. Was living as a killer better than dying?

You knew you had to live with what you have done and started running down the pile and toward Coriolanus, who seemed shocked at the suffering boy. Though relief overtook his features once you began sprinting towards him. The selfish part of your brain began defending your actions.

'You are a hero. If you didn't do that, Coryo would be dead." You shook the thought from your brain. You could deal with morals once you were out of harm's way.

Such an unfortunate thing that harm has such a large reach.

Once you became close enough to see the blue in Coryo's eyes and the relief swimming in them, the world fell.

Well, Coriolanus's world fell.

Silence was never a word one would use with Coral, but she would endure if she was determined enough. And determined she was as she tackled you to the ground.

You told her to thank her lucky stars you weren't in the arena, and she begged those stars to bring you to her. Oh, and did they provide.

Once your eyes cleared from the rubble and attack, you felt the weight of Coral hover over you as she smirked a bloodthirsty smile.

"Welcome to the Hunger Games, Princess."

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Not a second did Coral spare as she grabbed your sore throat and slammed your head across the crumbled ground. Again. And again.

Coral's yellow teeth glimmered in the shining moonlight as she watched the ground crack along with your head. Mizzen, Tanner, and Treech were watching the District Four girl until Coriolanus grabbed a metal bar, seeing only red and Coral's smirking face.

Said face noticed the violent intent within Coriolanus's hardened eyes and barked out orders to her goons to stop him. The three male tributes got their weapons ready to fend off the fuming Capitol mentor.

"Get ready, gorgeous, I'm gonna hang her up for all to see. How pathetic you all are."

Coriolanus could smell the morbid glee radiating off of Coral as her slams got harsher. Your vision began swirling and flickering, weakly trying to claw your way out of her grasp. Your instinct was to panic and squirm, but your experience taught you better. You let your eyes close, with a constant voice reminding you not to let the darkness and exhaustion overtake you. Your limbs fell limp and breathing shallowed.

Coral noticed this after a few more hits with no resistance, reaction, or anything. The redhead was stunned for a few moments. Even a bit disappointed.

"She threatened me and she this weak? No wonder you like her, gorgeous, easy to use and a pretty face."

Coriolanus knew he was being baited but he didn't care. How could he stand still for a second longer? He wasn't going to break the promise. The nightmare isn't going to become reality.

Coriolanus started swinging his metal bar with no real strategy. He swung in both directions as Mizzen and Tanner tried to stop him while Treech retaliated with his axe, but taming a wild animal is hard. Taming a furious and spiraling Coriolanus Snow is impossible.

While the four were in the midst of the battle, Coral got off of you and started dragging you to the pile of rubble. She either forgot or thought he was already dead, but she dragged your body through the rubble right next to Bobbin. He wasn't moving much but you could hear his labored breathing and struggle to get up.

You heard her move away from your still unconscious appearance to the other side of the rubble pile. You took this chance to feel around for any sort of rock or weapon. You moved your right hand around in a swift motion and were fortunate in finding a piece of a broken metal beam which was broken in a way that it was sharp as a knife. Though, the weapon was found in a pile of warm and thick blood.

Your mind raced as you knew your plan of attack had to be sped up as no doubt Coral would notice the bloody hand. Your eyes were still shut closed so you had no layout of the area around you spare from the shaky memories of your fight with Bobbin. Your ears were ringing with the slamming of metal on metal. You heard the grunts and shouts of pain of the four fighting teenagers, but you couldn't tell who was the one in pain. The thought of it being Coriolanus nearly ruined your entire plan as you were more than ready to attack any of the fitter boys.

The sound of their squabble was drowned out by the footsteps of Coral and the blood pounding in your ears. You hid your makeshift dagger beneath your arm and palm, but ready to pull it out at any moment.

"What do you think, princess? How long is it going to be till they see their Capitol darling, the same level as us district scum, huh?"

Her grime-covered hands grabbed your wrist harshly and you had no time to waste. As her hand covered your right wrist, where your blade laid, you turned it over and stabbed her arm. The girl shrieked out of pain and you took that time to jump up from the rubble and kick her down, effectively reversing your position. Just like in the van.

"District four doesn't have possums, huh?"

You didn't know how much time you would have if you ran, but you knew the window was short. There was a considerable chance that Coral would catch up to you. Though if you stayed, you knew it wouldn't be like Bobbin. One of you was going to die.

You took off, blade yet again in hand, and ran to the tunnel that led to the gates. A tunnel blocked by the now side-tracked boys.

"Coryo, run!"

The amount of shock this poor boy's body went through in such a short amount of time. He heard the words, saw you run so close to him, but he couldn't get his body to move. Every time he tried to help in this arena, you only got hurt.

As you reached the group of boys, Mizzen swung at you, but you countered with a stab of your own at his shoulder. You quickly spun out of the way of Treech's strike and cut his cheek. Tanner was an easy kick to the ribcage and push backward.

When you turned back, you saw Coral running full force toward you, trident ready. You turned halfway to push Coryo into running.

"CORYO, GO!"

You wanted to run with him, but you had one final step in your plan. Mizzen got ready to pounce on you when you mustered all your waning force and pushed him backward. Straight into Coral's trident.

The crimson blood splattered straight onto your similarly shaded uniform and face. The young boy from District Four started sputtering like the fish he likely caught back home.

Likewise, Coral was also covered in her District partner's blood, but the blood in her eyes was anger that only you seemed to conjure.

"WHAT DID YOU DO? MIZZEN!"

You knew you should have been focusing on the cold body you created, but you could only focus on the girl holding it.

Coral looked so young. So lost. She knew he had to die for her to win, but that knowledge didn't prepare her for reality. That her own weapon was the last thing he felt. Her stab in his back.

Treech went to help Coral up and retrieve her weapon. The weapon firmly set inside Mizzen's fresh corpse. On the other hand, Coral's screams were more than enough of an order for Tanner to follow. The scarred boy turned on you and Coriolanus, who couldn't seem to listen to your very clear orders.

The boy from Ten was filled with anger. Beyond fuming. The fundamental idea of the Hunger Games was death for the Capital by District hands. But even in the cruel morbid freedom, Capital hands couldn't shy away from the murder of anyone who threatened Capital peace and safety.

Tanner had spent the last few days hearing non-stop about Coral's dreams of torture for you, always spacing out as he never believed the chance possible. But here it stood, right in front of him.

Tanner raised his sickle and managed a hit on the wall behind your head as you ducked within a second of impact. When you raised your head again, it was quickly tucked back under due to the sound of bones being absolutely crushed.

Coriolanus was sick of you saving him and narrowly avoiding death. So he did the ever rational thing and bludgeoned the other teen's ribs until he plummeted to the ground.

Tanner out of the fight, Mizzen dead, and the other two frozen at the sight of yet another of their group beaten by Capital brats, you and Coriolanus finally had the chance for escape. The chance quickly taken by the blonde as he grabbed your hand and started sprinting forward.

He made it a good three feet before his vision plunged. Not because of any physical harm on his part besides the blood-curdling scream shredding your throat, cutting his ears. He turned around, still holding your hand, as your own crushed his in anguish.

Hovering over your now crumpled body against the wall, was Bobbin. Poor little Bobbin, whose breath was labored and wheezing. Face pale and bruised. The boy looked freshly risen from the grave just to drag you in his place.

He limped and leaned to one side due to the still bleeding wound on his thigh. Bobbin looked ready to give out at any motion, but he was satisfied. A look Coriolanus couldn't understand until he noticed the odd way your neck began hanging.

Coryo dropped to his knees, right in front of Bobbin's machete. All the district boy had to do was lift a few inches to end the heir of Snow's life. But like Coral, who now stood behind him, Bobbin wanted the youth of the Capital to suffer the same fate they did: a slow massacre of those dearest. Equality of death.

Coriolanus's pale hands grabbed the side of your neck and came away flooded with ruby liquid. You screamed with every ounce of pressure on your opened wounds. Bobbin's blade made no new cuts, just one large enough to reopen your healing cuts from the zoo attack.

Your eyes were in a competition with your veins to see which could produce more liquid. Tears or blood? Coriolanus tried to decipher which one as he took off your jacket and ripped the sleeve off to tie around your neck. He tied it tightly, but he could only do so much without choking you.

The boy kept muttering sweet nothings while you could only cry out. You didn't feel like yourself in that moment. You could see your body from a third-person point of view.

You choking on blood. Wails carrying through the entire arena.

This was it.

Your arms were weak along with the rest of your body, but you willed them to move. You snaked your hand to your upper chest, feeling around. New tears began to spring free, not out of physical pain but emotional.

Then you felt it. The rings.

As Coriolanus did all he could to keep you alive, you clung to all your will onto the three metal pieces. You felt the darkness getting stronger as you smiled.

At least you will see mom soon. And Otto. Oh, how you've missed Otto.

"Y/N? Y/N! STAY AWAKE!"

The only response heard was not from your frail form, but the deranged cackle of Bobbin, who was a corpse with a fringe of life clinging to him. Soon enough, Coral began joining in. She may not have gotten to make her tortuous dream into reality with you, but she still had pretty boy Coryo. Oh, how his little songbird would react to seeing her mentor bloody and gutted.

The two jeering tributes were too lost in their glee that they didn't realize Coriolanus still had the metal bar. The only one who noticed was Treech, who was down, tending to Tanner. Though the district seven boy was far too late to warn them effectively.

Within a blink, the laughter became screams. The metal repeatedly slamming into Bobbin's face was nauseating. The noises of bodily harm were different than how it was with Tanner.

Bobbin's organs and muscles were being bludgeoned too, not just bone. By the time Coriolanus got past the red caused by his rage, his eyes were covered by the red of his victim's blood.

His blows went straight through Bobbin's skull, splitting it. His eyes were dislocated, and any remnants of Bobbin's features were mush.

Coriolanus's heavy breathing filled the copper-secnted air of the arena entrance tunnel. The mentor looked up from the bloodied body in horror at his actions, reality not yet fully sinking in. When his eyes connected to Coral's, reality crashed hard.

One of the most feared tributes in the entire arena, who already had taken out multiple tributes, was petrified.

He blankly stared back before your whimpers were heard again. Unsure when Coral would snap out of her frozen horror, Coryo picked you up bridal style. Looking down, he noticed your face was much paler. Even paler than it was at the zoo.

You've lost so much blood that he didn't know where your pile ended and Bobbin's began. Coriolanus screamed with all his power for the Peacekeepers to open the gates.

Your body, as light as it was with the loss of blood, slowed the tall boy's stride enough for Coral and Treech to be at his heels.

"Open the gate! Open the gate!"

Coral had her trident in hand, still stained with Mizzen's blood. By just a fraction of a second, she missed her target, and the Capitol mentors safely made it to the outside world.

"Watch those screens, gorgeous. ‘Cause I may have missed you and the princess tonight, but your songbird’s next on my list."

Coriolanus watched as Coral and her pack walked back into the shattered arena. Back to Lucy Gray. She couldn't lose now. She can't. Not after everything you've all been through.

You began shivering in Coryo's grasp, which pushed all thought of the singer's victory or survival out of the boy's mind. Even as your strength wilted away, you clung onto the rings. More specifically, his ring.

Coriolanus laid you down as he screamed for the peacekeepers. He didn't know what, if anything, would help you, but he was desperate. On his knees beside you. The nightmare all over again.

The moon shone down brightly at the scene of your blood spurting, and Coriolanus grabbed any surface or material to stop it.

"Y/N?! NO, NO, Y/N!"

Sejanus jumped out of his mother's tight embrace to kneel beside you as you began sputtering out dark patches of blood. Sejanus never meant this. He never meant for you or Coryo to come in with him. He never meant to kneel beside yet another friend turned corpse.

The boy reached out to brush hair sticking to your face from the sweat and blood, some of which wasn't yours. Sejanus's hand was swatted away with such ferocity, he felt as if he was swiped at by a lion. The glare he was met with was so fierce it would challenge even the toughest of the former animals.

"Don't you touch her."

"I’m… I’m sorry. Coryo, I’m so sorry."

He looked back at your fading eyes. It wasn't supposed to be you. Never supposed to be you.

"I’m so sorry. For all of it."

Coriolanus saw the heartbreak behind those glassy brown eyes. Coryo knew he wasn't the only one losing you. Sejanus would be losing a sister. But it's not the same. No pain is ever the same as losing the love—

"Mr. Snow."

A stern-looking Peacekeeper appeared, a stretcher beside her. Over the shoulder, Coriolanus noticed the medical vehicle you would likely be transferred in. He moved out of the way immediately. The chance of saving your life was getting slimmer by the second.

Snow followed their accelerated speed to the vehicle. All pleas from Sejanus, the wails of Mrs. Plinth, and approval by Starbo Plinth were ignored as all he could focus on was you.

Your small puffs of air replacing your usual healthy steady breaths. Your beautiful skin cut and jagged with blood. The beauty of your eyes now wistful as you stare up into nothingness.

Coriolanus was so focused on your battered body that he didn't realize the vehicle wasn't sending you to the hospital. When injured to the brink of death, what better place than the torture laboratory of Volumnia Gaul?

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@notyourwildestdream 🌹@darktrashsoulbear🌹@fantasylovestoryme 🌹@nekee-lilac02 🌹@a-avengerparker 🌹 @queenofshinigamis 🌹@darlingisntit 🌹 @scarletstarrs 🌹

#coriolanus snow #coriolanus x reader #the hunger games #snow lands on top #tbosas #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #ballad of songbirds and snakes #reader insert #coriolanus x you #coryo snow #sejanus my beloved #sejanus x reader #sejanus deserved better #sejanus plinth #corio #arachne crane x reader #arachne crane #thg series #thg

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especiallythewomenandthechildren · 2 months

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expect a new chapter in the a.ms😁

A day in the life of a writer:

The entire day: Doing anything except writing

between 10 p.m and 3 a.m:

This was a day in the life of an exhausted writer, see ya guys 🤩😊✌

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especiallythewomenandthechildren · 2 months

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90% of story lines are made up when I binge write

"Can't wait to see where you take this story" well I can't wait to see where this story takes me either

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especiallythewomenandthechildren · 2 months

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As If Destiny (part eleven)🌹

Part Ten🌹

the games are not only played by the tributes.

warnings: hunger games.

any and all interaction appreciated!!

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The air was clear. The sun was shining. The smell was beautiful and oddly familiar.

Coriolanus looked around and noticed he was surrounded by glistening white roses. The field was endless with them, a never-ending sea of floral beauty. But among them all lay Coriolanus Snow's greatest desire. Dressed in a pearl white gown, there you stood, capturing the essence of beauty.

Even surrounded by similar shades, you stood out, colored in with an unexplainable emotion. The scene looked as though he was staring straight at a magnificent painting. Coryo began taking slow and cautious steps toward you. You faced the blonde boy, but your eyes weren't focused. Your gaze went through Coriolanus instead of on him.

"Y/N?"

The confused young man stretched his hand out to you, beckoning you over to him. You stood frozen in place, not a single hint of emotion on your face. Coriolanus analyzed your appearance in a frenzy and noticed the growing red beneath the lace of your dress. He took the movement upon himself and, as he took one step, panic began setting in. The sound emerging from his feet was not the sound of grass but rather the crunching of rubble. The scenery was no longer the picturesque floral field but rather dark woods; dark woods that were only lit up by wicked flames licking up the bark of the surrounding trees. Coriolanus's eyes frantically locked back to yours and were met with what he could only describe as otherworldly horror.

"Y/N! COME HERE, PLEASE!"

Your body was cemented in place; your being completely oblivious to the danger fuming around you. When Coryo took his eyes off of you to analyze the rapidly shifting surroundings, you shifted with the trees. In those few seconds, your face hollowed, and the dress was no longer the billowing white gown. The growing red patches had overtaken the fabric, painting the entirety a crimson red. Your once pristine skin was beginning to show black and blue bruises along your arms and neck. Coriolanus snapped out of his frozen horror and began sprinting full force toward your sickly being, a being that was suddenly hidden by the vast amounts of crashing and burning trees that now blocked the determined young man's path. The burning fire intensified, and the smoke began burning his eyes, granting even more obstacles to Coriolanus.

"Y/N! I'm coming! Please, say something!"

The only sounds that grimaced in his ears were the cackling of the burning wood. Wait.

A low, solemn hiss was nearly muted by the chaos surrounding it, but it was there. Slithering through the small cracks between the fallen tree trunks appeared a black and orange snake. It came from the direction of your position, a direction he was certain of when he heard your blood-curdling scream.

Just like your mother.

Coriolanus felt the sweat sliding past his brows, and it wasn't from the fire's heat. The heir of House Snow didn't care that the tree trunks were on fire. He didn't care that with each step he took, more and more snakes appeared. He didn't care that as he grabbed the top tree to jump over, his flesh began melting and boiling.

The second his knees crashed onto the ground, the alluring blue eyes that you loved so much were frantic to find you. In a mix of relief and hysteria, Coriolanus flung himself to your fallen body. Surrounded by a field of glass, skin charred, and dress now transformed into an ink-black color—a color caused by your seeping blood. Coriolanus realized this as he put his hands on your shoulders in panic and began moving upwards to your bruised and pale neck to check for a pulse. Your eyes were open, and once you saw the face of Coriolanus Snow, all the fear of the situation came alive in your gaze.

"Y/N! Please, please stay with me, okay?!"

Your response only consisted of heavily rapid breaths and a cascade of tears. You weren't like how you were when you got stabbed with the bottle. You were frantic and desperate, a desperation matched by the boy who now tried to lift you up. A futile attempt as your body was now tied down by a colony of snakes.

Coriolanus now had a matching face filled with tears and terror as he grabbed a flaming branch and began fighting off the slithering reptiles. A fight he was losing as only more appeared and began making their way to your neck to cut off airflow. You hazily realized this, and you began wailing with your few moments left.

"Coryo! Please, Coryo!!"

Coriolanus, not seeing straight from emotion, threw his full force at the snakes with the flaming wood. A hit that didn't land on the serpent but rather your midnight gown, setting it aflame.

"CORYO!"

No. No. No.

Coriolanus patted the dress down in an attempt to stop the flames, but it kept burning; burning right through the fabric and onto your flesh. The frantic boy threw himself on you, trying so desperately for the flames to connect to him instead, but they were unwilling. Not a single flame touched the blonde's skin or clothes while your hair was now starting to burn as the embers traveled upwards.

Your hands were somehow freed by the snakes as you placed them on Coriolanus's lower arms. They were so severely burnt that several layers of skin were melted through and charred.

The sight made Coriolanus want to vomit, but every moving atom froze at your pained eyes and scratched voice.

"You made a promise. You made a promise, Coryo. Why didn't you keep it?"

"Why didn't you save me?"

Coriolanus began choking on emotion as he watched your eyes flutter back. "Open your eyes. Open your eyes."

"Y/N? Love, please, open your eyes."

A suffocating silence overtook the woods. No longer did it burn. All the snakes retreated. The light from the burning trees now replaced by the silver shimmer of the moon.

The man in the moon glowed down on the scene of heartbreak in front of him. Coriolanus became hysterical and overcome with emotion he didn't know how to translate.

"WAKE UP! I beg of you! I'm on my knees, love, PLEASE!"

Coriolanus shook your corpse so violently, it was cruel, but he was in a dire need for any sign of life. The sobs of his were crushing and deep as he was, for what was truly the first time in his life, helpless. His intelligence and cunning could not help. Did not help him. Every skill he perfected failed him in saving the love of his life.

That was when the rage trickled in. Coriolanus could not be stopped as he smashed the glass around you over and over again. Even as the shards scraped his face and cuts were so deep, they reached the bone, he was unstoppable in his destruction.

Why couldn't he save you? Why couldn't he be in your place? Hands gushing with crimson blood, he put his hands out in prayer.

"ME! LET IT BE ME! I BEG, LET ME TAKE HER PLACE!"

It was irrational, a word never synonymous with Coriolanus Snow, though there he was, the heir of House Snow Begging for death.

"Why didn't you save me?"

The echo of your last words surrounded Coriolanus. They rang through his ears and rattled his bones.

"Why didn't you save me?"

"WHY DIDN'T YOU SAVE ME?"

"WHY DIDN'T YOU SAVE ME, CORIOLANUS?"

"CORIOLANUS!"

"CORIOLA-"

Your chants were no longer filled with ire. They were softer. Concerned even. Coriolanus took a look around the woods and realized the moon had abandoned him, plunging him into consuming darkness. There was no difference between his eyes open or closed, so the boy chose the latter and laid back on the bloody and broken glass. Next to your corpse and fully took your haunting chant of his name. He laid there until a shake rattled his body. He opened his eyes in surprise but was not met with the dark environment. To his utmost confusion and relief, his eyes opened to your beautiful face staring back at him.

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The two of you were in the Capitol hospital again, but roles reversed. Coriolanus now lay in the very same bed that you had only slightly more than twelve hours ago. Your face and hands had a few minor cuts from the bombing, but you were in far better shape than many of your peers. Not only tributes to the dead but classmates. Peers. Familiar faces you will never see again.

If the rebels wanted the Capitol to feel like the districts, they did a wonderful job.

Your concern, however, was fully taken by the sobbing blonde in front of you.

"Coryo?"

The mention of his nickname only seemed to fuel the misery tears. Coryo wrapped his arms around you and pulled you fully into him, ignoring the pulsing pain from his back and legs. He could handle any burns or cuts as long as you were in one piece and in his arms.

You were shocked but had no hesitation as you cradled his neck and began rubbing soothingly. You had just been finally allowed to see Coriolanus when you entered the room and saw him sobbing and struggling. The initial fear of yours was that his burns had somehow gotten worse, but his writhing wasn't one of physical pain. It dawned upon you that Coriolanus was deep in a nightmare, one you couldn't seem to wake him up from. After countless moments of calling out to him and even beginning to shake him, he finally woke up.

Coriolanus's eyes were a deep red and sore, while his whole body shook, hanging onto you for dear life. You were more than worried but it would be of no help to push him.

Time passed as slowly as Coryo's breathing became when he finally pulled away from you. His eyes were glossed over and lips chapped, but you still thought he was the most beautiful thing you've ever seen. A soft smile was sent his way in an attempt to comfort him into talking. You snuck your pinky beneath the skinny one on Cory's right hand. The small gesture brought waves of solace to the shaken man.

"Are you okay?"

Your shock caused you to struggle to hold a giggle that inevitably was let free.

"Coryo, you do know you are the one in the hospital right? With burns?"

His blonde curls swayed back and forth as he shook his head in disregard of his well-being. The pale fingers of his softly brought themselves up to the sides of your face, pulling you closer.

"But are you okay, love?"

Oh, you were certain his ice-cold hands could feel the firestorm beneath your cheeks at the use of the name and concern. You wished to avert your gaze, but his captivating eyes locked you in. With all the power within your being, you forced an answer out of your numbing lips.

"I am totally fine, I promise. Just a few cuts. What I'm not fine with is not knowing why you are so worried."

His face was fully etched in disbelief as you snuck your own hands to mimic his position. Your voice was soft, like the pretty smile on your lips.

"Hey, I am fine. You are fine, right? We are fine, okay, love?"

Coryo visibly calmed beneath your palms. Whether from your touch, words, voice, or just presence, you don't know. His heart rate slowed while yours rapidly picked up as you noticed his eyes flicker down to your lips. The small beeping of the machine surrounding you became white noise as you watched Coriolanus's blue hues disappear as he shut his eyes. The hands cupping your face became firmer in their hold as he leaned forward.

The panic from the hallway only mere days ago came rushing back. You really didn't have to do anything more than tilt upwards to catch his lips, but you were paralyzed and could only watch as the man of your dreams was only a mere inch away from you. Why you could not make the same effort, you were answerless. Yet another unanswerable question along with when will you two actually be able to have your moment in peace as the door of the hospital room was swung open and two perky voices entered.

"Coryo, you're awake!"

Tigris quickly rushed over and enveloped her cousin into her arms as she mulled over his well-being. You slowly, and hopefully subtly, moved further away from the injured boy. Your feet touched the shiny floor of the hospital when your hand was grabbed and you were silently urged to stay by the pale boy, who was now being caught up on the latest events by Sejanus.

The death of the Rings twins, Felix being hospitalized and in critical care, the dead tributes, Lucy Gray saving Coriolanus, and most painful for Sejanus, Marcus. You both hoped he was able to run far, far away, but the probability begged to differ.

You met Tigris's eyes for a split second and couldn't miss the smirk on her pink lips.

Coriolanus really needs to pick better places to make his move.

Your eyes drifted to the small TV across from the hospital bed and saw it was now Jessup's turn to perform an interview. Jessup was far dirtier and in dire condition due to the rapid effect of the infected bite. Any questions and urging by Lucky Flickerman were unheard by the struggling teenager.

After countless silent or aggressive interviews, Flickerman was over it and let out an exasperated breath while asking if there was anything Jessup wanted to say.

You expected Jessup to continue with his stoic behavior and for the interview to end, but to the surprise of all, the boy stood. His deep chocolate eyes were glazed over in a daze, but they focused in on the camera as he lifted his hand proud into the air. Three of his cracked fingers stood straight as if to test any judgment while his pinky and thumb connected over the palm.

The three of the Capitol-born youth of your group turned towards Sejanus in confusion. He nodded his head firmly toward the boy and grumbled, never taking his eyes off him.

"Must be a sign of resistance from his district."

"They will kill him for that!"

Tigris panicked as her heart went out for the sick and now stumbling boy as he was dragged off by peacekeepers.

"Can't kill him if he already beat them to it."

The three heads of your friends turned towards yours, completely in the dark of your meaning. Any further inquiry was quelled as the now well-known brunette singer appeared on stage. She looked beautiful, slightly shaken with nerves, but radiant, nevertheless.

"Good evening, Capitol. Districts. I wrote this song about a boy back in 12, and I hope he hears it."

When I was a babe I fell down in the holler

When I was a girl I fell into your arms

At the lyrics, you couldn't help yourself but turn to look at the very boy who held your hand and secretly, your heart. When your eyes met his, you swore you could see them shine and glisten.

We fell on hard times and we lost our bright color

You went to the dogs and I lived by my charms

It’s sooner than later that I’m six feet under

Your palm was squeezed, and you could feel the sweat appearing on Coriolanus's hand in fear.

It’s sooner than later that you’ll be alone

You squeeze back in reassurance but one look at his paled face tells you it isn't having an effect.

So who will you turn to

Tomorrow, I wonder

For when the bell rings Lover, you’re on your own.

Oh, Lucy Gray. As her song continued, you had a battle occurring in your brain. One part of you was reasonably panicked and torn up that a girl of her age had to suffer her fate. Though, there was that small promise between you and Jessup that kept hope alive. You knew the chances of him keeping that promise, unintentionally, were slim. But you were more than determined to keep the promise for the both of them, and the hard stare of Coriolanus told he was willing to do more than his share of effort.

Shortly after the performance ended, familiar nurses cleared Coriolanus to go back home. Tigris thanked them immensely while Sejanus waited on the side for you. After the harsh fight between you and your father, you decided you would stay with Sejanus and the Plinths. Ma Plinth was more than happy to welcome you, but there was a part of you that wished to go back home. Back to the Snows.

You tried to help Coriolanus out of the hospital, but he refused all but your arm intertwined in his. You shuddered down a giggle as the memory of the late-night walk from the library came back. Side by side in the late of night. In sickness and health.

"Where are you going to stay?"

Coryo was straight to the point, even though he assumed where with the curly brown-haired boy who was waiting patiently.

"The Plinths for now, until I can secure some sort of paid position. I might try to sneak back into the old apartment to get some of my stuff to sell."

As soon as the words escaped, you instantly felt regret settle just as much as the clear stress settled on Coryo.

"Hey! No, no! I can deal with this myself. You don't need another responsibility, m'kay?"

Your hands cupped the rosy cheeks of his once more as you emphasized your ability and sufficiency. Coriolanus, whether he intended to or not, always tried to take on the role of savior. A hero. For better or worse, it was the position he saw himself fit for.

You saw Tigris return after finishing up some paperwork and took that as your sign to cut the conversation before Coryo could refuse you. Your slightly chilled lips gave a swift peck on Coryo's cheek and flashed a smile to Tigris in invitation to sweep away her younger cousin.

You tried to think of something witty to reassure the overthinking eighteen-year-old, but there wasn't much light on the last night for more than a dozen kids. You wondered what was worse, having a sudden death like the academy mentors or waiting around to die like their tributes.

Your feet led you to Sejanus. His position against the wall, and you both began your trek to the Plinth penthouse.

Strabo had a car ready to escort you both home, though, as always, Sejanus preferred to walk. As he would say: "It's one of the few similarities the Capitol shares with the districts. We can walk around and safely! Of course, he would try to take that away."

The sudden thought that the car could be used to transport the limping Coriolanus was quite belated, and as you turned around to call out to the blonde, he was already gone. The feeling of disappointment and regret was clear as day to Sejanus, and the little shoulder bump he gave you was needed to regain your attention back to reality.

"Already did it."

Sejanus didn't need the moon or streetlights to go home; your smile shone enough for the both of you.

"I knew there was a reason I kept you around, Sej."

You've missed seeing Sejanus's smile. The boy has been walking around with a cloud over his head the past few weeks, understandably so. You knew the smile wouldn't last long, but you relished it as much as you could. Even in the safety of being outside of the arena, he was going to suffer just as much as his district-born counterparts.

"Yeah, well, for your information, your boyfriend is my friend too."

And the blinding smile of yours was swiftly replaced with a scoff and dramatic eye roll. Sejanus knew exactly where this path would lead, and he was definitely not going to let you refuse what he (and everyone with eyes) knew was only a matter of time.

"Oh, and by the way,"

"Hmm?"

"You missed his lips, went too far to the cheek."

The harsh slap to his arm earned you a very satisfactory yelp from the teasing boy. Teasing that followed you all the way through the Capitol streets on your journey. Some of the very streets taken less than an hour later by one injured, yet ever scheming, Coriolanus Snow.

Lucy Gray will not lose. You will not lose. Coriolanus will not lose. House Snow will not lose ever again.

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The golden designs of the ceilings were drawn over by your eyes endlessly as you bided your time. All mentors were required at the academy in half an hour, and you were still not ready. You had more than your share of excuses not to attend. You were still suffering from your injuries. And more grimly, you had already lost. Jessup would likely be gone by sunset.

The thought brought more than enough weight to weigh you down in the plush bed for eternity, but what good would it do to mourn? You must remind yourself that this was his act of resistance. He saved Lucy Gray on the train; now it's your turn.

Cleaning your face up and dressing in the infamous scarlet uniform, you left the safety of your temporary bedroom. Your senses were instantly hyper-aware.

Your nostrils were filled with the smell of freshly baked bread, ears rang with sobs, and eyes bore witness to Ma Plinth sniveling and cradling her son as if he was the one to be sent to the death arena.

Your eyes met his warm ones, now hardened with the upcoming reality. You sent him a sympathetic smile and walked over to give a slightly awkward side hug due to her position, to Mrs. Plinth.

“Morning.”

Your gentle greeting was left to mingle with the sullen silence as Sejanus untangled himself from his mother's embrace to ready himself to depart. Now fully available to you, you enveloped her in a comforting hug. You felt guilty for slightly using her as a substitute mother, but she never minded. She always wanted a daughter and gave her heart no small amount of joy to know that she was cared for by someone else besides her son and husband. If Sejanus had a small circle of friends, Ma Plinth was merely a dot in the populace of the Capitol.

You anxiously checked the time and realized that you really needed to get going if you didn't wish to start off with a bad impression. It may not have mattered to Sejanus, but you still wished to have a successful career and life with the powers of the Capitol. A final teary-eyed hug to the Plinth matriarch, and you two were on your hasty way.

The academy was always an impressive institution in its rigor and size, but today, it looked more intimidating than usual. Walking up the grand stairs felt like walking up the top of a mountain. A challenge added to by the heavy stares of the numerous attendees. The adults stared as the still somewhat prominent injuries lacing your neck, and fellow students gawked at your companion.

As you entered the hall that would be your home for as long as Jessup could survive, you and Sejanus split off. He found his designated chair first then spotted the ever-fimilar head of blonde curls. You wished to meet up with them before this whole thing started, but your attention was taken by a now-friendly (at least to you) Arachne.

“The big day, huh?”

“Please don't refer to this like a wedding.”

The girl huffed a bit but didn't add any further insults. You both stood at the farthest edge of the circular platform where the mentors with live feed of the tributes were stationed. Your eyes analyzed your fellow competitors and inhaled shakily. Arachne followed your eyes and your apprehension.

“I just want this to be over already.”

Your head whipped back to hers in surprise. Even with her slight softening, you expected Arachne to wish the tributes to suffer as long as possible. The Games were seen as a punishment and in her eyes, they deserved to pay for the deaths of the bombing victims. The fact that their fellow tributes were also of those dead didn't seem to matter to most of the Capitol anyways. Arachne took note of your confusion and elaborated in a matter-of-fact tone.

“The Games were a mess. I don't even know who got hurt the most, us or them.”

Lucky Flickerman sauntered in and began ordering everyone into their places in preparation to go live.

“I guess we will see now, won't we?”

You nod to Arachne as she takes the hint to locate a seat in the audience section. The seating was organized by the tribute district, so unfortunately, Sejanus was a far distance from you. Though you were given a bit of hope for the rest of the day as you sat next to Coryo. No conversation or words of affirmation were allowed to sprout between you two as the dramatic host droned on at a paid pace about rules and expectations. Your eyes stayed glued to the screen even as Lucky made his introduction to the now watching audiences.

“Good morning, I’m Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman. A man who needs no introduction. Weatherman, amateur magician, and today, I’m honored to say… first-ever host of the Hunger Games.”

His enthusiasm was met with thunderous applause, yet no movement was made by your hands nor Coriolanus. The two mentors of District Twelve were earnestly watching the screen for the glimpse of their respective tributes. The dirt, grime, and fear present on all of the young faces was predictable. But there was a tribute that stood out from the rest, most notably because he was not with the rest.

Tied up and left for dead, Marcus hung limply. The sight of the boy's beaten body caused you to tear your eyes away and towards Sejanus. Your gaze was quickly followed by the rest of the live audience as the fuming anger with the boy became too much as he flung his desk and turned his anger towards the gawking Capitol elite.

“You’re monsters! All of you!”

Sejanus left briskly, and an offended, gossiping crowd followed him with their eyes. You watched his departure and half-heartedly ran after your friend to comfort him, but your eyes met Coryo’s, and the slightest head shake cemented you in your seat, bracing yourself for the carnage.

You easily spotted Lucy Gray, but you were just as frantic in her search for Jessup, who you could not see anywhere. Surely, he isn't dead, right? If he was, they would have told you. Right?

As the haunting bells chime, your heart drops. So many children are murdered instantaneously, and in the bloodbath, the rainbow girl flurries to find her friend. Come on Jessup. Give her a sign. Keep the deal.

As you internally begged for your tribute to keep his half of the promise, Coryo was quietly urging him to keep hers. Nearly skidding around death more than should be possible within such a short amount of time, Lucy Gray finally spotted Jessup.

The poor boy was so dazed and disoriented that he was on all fours and had no semblance of reality. As you watch Lucy Gray pull the, as much as it hurt to say, useless Jessup down the tunnel system, you felt a presence behind you.

“I wouldn’t get too comfortable. You will reunite with your friend shortly, Miss Vaun.”

The ever-arrogant Casca Highbottom leered at you, and you could do nothing but keep silent and watch the screens as they shifted from tribute to tribute. You may have already lost, but Coriolanus hasn't, and you know that his victory would be Highbottom's greatest dread. Even more reason to aid in any way possible.

Lucy Gray finally brings herself and Jessup to safety, and you can feel your heart bursting. The loyalty of this girl. She is going home, no matter what you must do.

The rest of the day continues with little more violent action. Since the bell ringing, your mentor pool has sized down a good amount. As the night comes closer, you knew most would likely go home to rest, and by sunset, much of the live audience has returned back to their lavish apartments. You had been examining the now scarce audience section and noticed Arachne was still in attendance. In attendance and alert, unlike many of the slightly dozing crowd. Her brown eyes followed the actionless screen, clearly awaiting something. Not like how the mentors were waiting for a fight, but a patience for an expectation. You were unsure of what the expectation was but if it was the appearance of Lamina, she was spot on.

The District Seven girl slowly approached the hanging body of Marcus. In her hand was a hatchet, and her face was adorned with such guilt she was unworthy of. The tired audience began perking back up at the movement. She was slow and clearly unsure. But the soft cries and pleas of the suffering boy set the action straight for Lamina. You wondered if Sejanus witnessed the death of his former classmate. A death of mercy in the merciless arena. You took a deep breath of solemn realization.

These are the characters of the districts. Loyal, merciful, and honest. Why is it that they had to die while shallow and hollow beings were thriving? If only you had the courage like Sejanus to call out the Capitol in its ways. But then again, you were secretly sitting in safety and luxury. Would you really give that up for a land of authenticity and unfamiliarity?

The night dragged on, and sleep began to call your name. You settled as comfortably as you could into the chair and felt the world slip away. Coriolanus had taken his eyes off the screen every once in a while, to check in on you, and when he had done his round again, you were fast asleep. He got up for the first time in hours and placed his uniform jacket on top of your sleeping form, which you naturally snuggled into.

His heart ached at the thought of, yet another night spent in a place that you couldn't call yours. If he wins, when he wins, he vows to never let you be in this situation again. That you never have to wake with aches and rats crawling at your feet like him. That you never have to rely on anyone else again.

“A damsel in distress.”

The ever-unwanted voice of Dean Highbottom found its way to Coriolanus’s ears, unfortunately. The words sparked concern, and his blue orbs zoomed to the screen, which was still darkened and still. Huffing in annoyance to whatever game Highbottom seems to be playing, Coriolanus sharply replied.

“Lucy Gray is clever; she will figure out whatever comes her way.”

“Who said I was talking about her?”

Slightly reluctantly, Coriolanus moved his body to face the resentful man. On instinct, his eyes flickered back to your still slumbering being. Was Dean Highbottom threatening you?

“What do you want from Lucy Gray?”

“Nothing. I want her to live.”

“And the Plinth Prize would be a happy coincidence, I suppose.”

“I believe I’d be entitled to it.”

“Of course you do. Of course you do.”

The displeasure was so obvious in his tone it made Coriolanus wonder why Highbottom bothered to talk to him if it angered him so.

“Do you believe you are also entitled to the girl?”

Confusion laced Coriolanus’s features as he figured out which girl Highbottom was referring to. He replied with what he considered, the safer choice.

“Why would I be entitled to Lucy Gray? She deserves to live the rest of her life with her family in her district.”

The click of his yellowing tongue, the shorter man clearly displayed his obvious disapproval.

“You and I both know that is not the girl you desire.”

“If you win, I assume you will spend the riches on fixing your peasant and broken family up to your facade, no? But with the rest of the money, I wonder. Surely, you will have enough to protect young Miss Vaun.”

Coriolanus sat up straighter in his chair, apprehensive at the Dean’s next words. What exactly was he trying to imply?

“You would be entitled to her, no? Protect her from the lowest point in her life. You were there when she was vulnerable after her mother, after that oh so tragic attack, and single-handedly saved her from what is, essentially, absolute poverty and abandonment.”

The offense and surprise on the heir of House Snow’s face brought despicable levels of satisfaction to the older man.

“Swoop in to be the savior of the girl. Naturally, she is yours. The ever-charming Snow wins again.”

When will jabs at Crassus Snow and his offspring ever get old to Casca Highbottom? An incalculable question in truth. No matter how often they occur, they will always cause a stir inside of Corio and even more so when you are brought into the fray. However, any rash action was prevented by the appearance of an arguably, to some, a more dislikable presence.

“Am I interrupting something?”

The overly sweetened tone of Arachne Crane was a warning enough to cause, with slight hesitation, the departure of Dean Highbottom, likely to take another gulp of Morphling. Watching him storm off to intoxicate himself, Arachne turns back to her peer.

“Guy has problems.”

She moved to lean on the table holding the boxy computer, oddly relaxed. Then again, when did Arachne Crane ever have a normal reaction in any given scenario?

“Why did you do that?”

With a shrug, she met his analyzing eyes. The red head began inspecting and picking her nails while absent-mindedly answering.

“Your veins looked like they were gonna burst. Besides, I heard the things he said.”

Horror began to implement itself on Coriolanus's handsome face as he realized the revelation told by Highbottom's remarks. He wasn't sure how long Arachne had been listening in for, but if it was enough, it could ruin everything he had worked so long for when he was so close.

“Don’t worry, whether you believe me or not, I won’t say anything. Not because of you though. I know y/n would hate me if I did.”

She mumbled the last part as her yearning eyes focused on your peaceful figure. Ah, so that's why she interrupted.

Taking in a deep inhale, Arachne pushes herself off of the table and gets ready to leave when she pauses.

“You better win this, Coryo.”

And she continues on her way, leaving yet another thing for Coriolanus to ponder over. At least he has until morning light to get some semblance of peace of mind. Or so he thought.

Thanks, Sejanus.

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a/n: i know i take a long while between my posts now and i am so sorry, but i want to be real for a quick second. i am a junior in high school who is in a lot of hard classes and i have pretty bad anxiety and a big reason why i started this was as an escape from everything in my life. but lately, it has been a source of the stress, so i started putting it off. i am trying to work on myself and hopefully, this will translate to my work, but i felt i owed that to you guys. thank you for reading and supporting :)

@emma-andrea1 🌹@notyourwildestdream 🌹@darktrashsoulbear🌹@fantasylovestoryme 🌹@nekee-lilac02 🌹@a-avengerparker 🌹 @queenofshinigamis 🌹@darlingisntit 🌹 @scarletstarrs 🌹

#coriolanus snow #coriolanus x reader #the hunger games #snow lands on top #tbosas #ballad of songbirds and snakes #reader insert #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #coriolanus x you #hunger games #sejanus my beloved #sejanus x reader #sejanus deserved better #sejanus plinth #coryo snow #corio #arachne crane #thg #thg series

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especiallythewomenandthechildren · 2 months

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okay so ik im still writing as if destiny and i have no intent on slowing down, but i am looking ahead. what story would you guys like next? ive been getting into the marauder era of harry potter and im not a potterhead, but i really like the marauder era ( i 💓 prequel eras). i am open to write for a lot of series, so let me know!

update: i really wanna write prequel x men (like first class) lol so uhm that's also an option 😛

im too indecisive

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especiallythewomenandthechildren · 2 months

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our*

Coriolanus Snow's time in District 12 in a nutshell

Coriolanus [observes a rebel boy] : God look at that idiot, he's surely gonna get killed lol

realises it's Sejanus

Coriolanus: Oh shit that's my idiot.

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especiallythewomenandthechildren · 3 months

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As If Destiny (part ten) 🌹

Part 9.5🌹

a/n: the fact that i can keep finding gifs of this fine fine man.

love to you and even more love to you.

warnings: it's the hunger games universe. you know what you are getting into.

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3:02 A.M

3:03 A.M

3:04 A.M

Coriolanus Snow was immobile as he watched the time pass on the cracked clock along the wall. He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight so he didn't even attempt it. Even as he closed his eyes due to the pounding migraine in his head, all he saw was you.

Your falling form, shaky hands, empty eyes. Silent mouth.

Not a single scream was heard from you when you got hit.

That was probably what haunted Snow the most. Your tragedy was silent. Life was slipping out of your being with no noise.

He sighed as he rubbed his eyes in frustration. He has been in the constant loop of falling into a rabbit hole of you, fighting to get out, then falling straight back in. This torture cycle has been going on for hours and wouldn't cease until he finally got to see you again.

When Coryo made it home, he fell straight into Tigris's arms. There was no need for him to explain what occurred as news spread like wildfire across the Capital. He always hated the speed of gossip across the city but was thankful for this one instance only because Tigris already knew what to do. She comforted her younger cousin and didn't pester him with questions but made sure he wasn't too lost in his head.

That's how they spent their entire evening until it hit midnight. The older Snow cousin could barely keep her eyes awake but swore she would stay by Coryo's side. Although, with enough reassurance that he would be fine and exhaustion overcoming her body, she finally relented to her small room.

While Coriolanus was glad Tigris was getting some well-earned sleep, he most definitely lied.

He was not fine.

3:11 A.M

He looked down at his desk where his own ideas for the Games lay. He had written them, revised, wrote some more, and revised even more. It was the only thing that got his mind off of your massacred form. If he edited anymore, he was sure to ruin the proposals.

The adolescent's blue eyes moved from the pages to stare out the window you loved so much. Those blossoming trees didn't sway as they usually did. Even they seemed disappointed at your disappearance.

While the flowering trees did remind him yet again of you, they also sprung an idea. It definitely wasn't the most intelligent idea and especially not the safest, but any reservations had to settle down as the Capital Zoo gates came into view. Why he was here? Even Coryo couldn't answer that but he figured it would be as good of a distraction as any.

The sweat piling on his palms seemed to be the only sign of reason within his being as he inched closer and closer. Not even twenty-four hours ago, a murder was attempted. On someone just like him. And someone got hurt. You got hurt.

He sighed as he was now only mere feet away from the gates. Coryo wondered if you would be upset at him being here. Would you think he is foolish or would you have faith in Lucy Gray?

There wasn't much lighting around the zoo but it wasn't necessary; Coriolanus could feel the eyes on him. The mentor could only pray that they were the brown eyes of the girl he was looking for.

"Lucy Gray?"

The hushed tone was hard to pick up on except if one was within a few meters of it. Whether the girl in question should be grateful she heard was still to be seen. Gently sliding Jessup's head off her shoulder, Lucy Gray creeped closer to the bars. Coriolanus waited a few moments before he opened his mouth to call out again. Though before any words were said, he was cut-off by a greeting from the singer herself.

"Coriolanus?"

He let out a breath when the girl presented herself, her appearance slightly shining under the dingy lighting. He brushed his hands through his now deflated curls. Lucy Gray waited patiently for him to form the words. Words he was unfamiliar with as he just spewed what was on his mind.

"I'm so sorry, I just- I couldn't sleep and thought you might be awake."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the blonde wished he could take them back. The reality of the situation hit him full force. Here he is interrupting what may be the last peaceful moments of this girl's life because he couldn't control his train of thought. He buried his face in his hands and stayed there until a small giggle was heard. He peered up to meet the soft smile of Lucy Gray.

"I thought mentors were supposed to take of us."

If it wasn't for her kind tone and sweet smile, Coriolanus would have been offended. He didn't know why he came to her, but a part of him trusted her. Or at least trusted she didn't have many people to tell.

His blue orbs watched her face deflate into one of worry as she walked closer.

"Is she okay?"

It was a quiet whisper burdened with concern. His trust was reaffirmed in Lucy Gray as he heard her concern for you. He nodded slowly while he opened his mouth to speak in a grave tone.

"She survived and will be released in a few hours. However, the cuts are aggressive "

Lucy Gray hung off of every word, genuinely concerned for your well-being. You were nothing but kind to her and Jessup. Not to mention you did try to help Brandy. The rest of the evening Lucy Gray kept on thinking about you and your actions.

Your kindness on the station, intimidating aura in the van, and quiet talk with Jessup in the zoo. The talk he didn't go much into detail about, still unsure of what to make of it. Lucy Gray didn't wish harm on anyone who has never personally harmed her and even though the redhead who mocked her own tribute was clearly cruel, she didn't believe she deserved death. When it all happened, the singer was shocked into stillness as she saw the murder attempt and was forced into movement when she saw your neck covered in blood.

After the incident and Brandy's corpse being carried out, the zoo was nearly empty of all visitors. The tributes mostly kept to themselves or their fellow district pair. Lucy Gray often thought of her family, the Covey, especially Maude Ivory. But it wasn't long before she once again thought over why you took the hit instead of the snarling girl.

The mentor didn't seem very happy with you and was insulting not only you, but someone clearly important to you. Lucy Gray has been around enough nasty folks to know that they always choose words carefully. Lucy Gray knew very little about you but even she could tell that whoever Otto was, he shouldn't have been mentioned.

The girl sighed herself as looked at the exhausted boy in front of her. The affection between you two was quite clear and it made her a bit more accepting of the Capital citizenship. If one can love another, they must have some sort of humanity.

"I can see why you love her."

Coriolanus Snow choked on his saliva upon hearing the words. His eyes were bright with fear and shock. The boy never even admitted that to himself and well he knew his feelings were strong, the word "love" was never used. Lucy Gray began internally panicking at seeing the boy's silence.

"You do love her right?"

Coryo's eyes scrunched slightly as he analyzed the soft tone used. Analyzed her question. In all his analysis, no answer provided itself.

"Is this what love feels like?"

He was eerily quiet; words spoken at a volume, it sounded like it would break. The question of her mentor made her relax and give a little laugh.

"Oh, you poor suffering soul!"

She teased lightly. Twelve hours ago, this situation wouldn't even be in either teenagers' wildest imagination. Yet here they stood, one lost in love-struck daze and the other in a satisfied companionship. Lucy Gray was behind bars, counting down the hours she had left in her life, but she wasn't too focused on that fact for the moment. The poster boy of the prestigious Capital stood completely vulnerable in front of her in the dead hours of the night.

These might be her last days of her young life, but Lucy Gray feels an odd sense of gratitude. She hates that she, along with the rest of the innocent tributes, are forced to massacre one another. Her blood boils at the thought that the Games are allowed and even encouraged. But she is grateful for Coriolanus.

Lucy Gray is still unsure why he came to her, but the action made her heart swell. Coriolanus didn't just see her as a tribute, or worse, just a pawn in the game to win the prize. She knew that was part of his motivations in his care for her, but in this quiet moment with no cameras, Coriolanus Snow sees her as a friend. A confidant in the silence of the city of whispers.

Her smile slightly deflated as she thought of her own run with love.

"You know, whatever happens in that arena, thank you. If for nothing more than showing me at least one man knows how to love in this world."

Coryo's stupor evaporated as the Reaping replayed in his head. Oh.

"That boy? He-"

"Didn't know how to love the girl who loved him. Got too greedy."

Lucy Gray's snarl was apparent as she thought over the boy and his affair who sent her here. Her heart was already broken, why did she also have it to be physically stabbed?

Coryo could start feeling his own anger building at the thought of Lucy Gray being hurt. She was incredibly sweet, even surrounded by her future killers. He didn't understand it, but it creates a feeling of protectiveness to surge through the curly head. At the human-to-human level, not mentor and tribute.

He wondered if he would be used to this protectiveness if his sister survived. His mother would love Lucy Gray, if nothing more than her charismatic personality.

"The girl who you sent the snake on?"

"Daughter of the mayor and the reason we are talking."

She sighed at the recollection that of all the people for Billy to break her heart with, it just had to be Mayfair.

The anger that was beginning to build up was now 100% ready to burst.

"What? She can't do that! The Reaping isn't for personal vendettas i-"

The words died on his tongue as the realization hit him aggressively.

Coriolanus was complaining about rules of sending innocent children into a blood bath. The hypocrisy of the Reaping being used for personal pleasure at others' pain is exactly what it was made for. The entirety of the Hunger Games was a sick lesson of victory in others' misery.

Lucy Gray watched the cogs turn in the blonde-haired head of the teenager across from her and was relieved to see the revelation of reality.

Her motivation for survival in the arena was already high so she can make it back to see the Covey again and watch out for Jessup. But another reason was added in those morning hours. Survive so she can take care of Coriolanus as he did for her. To ensure at least one love story ends happy.

The brunette tried to convince Coryo to go back home so many times throughout the hours he spent in front of the bars with her, but he refused. Even though he was mere feet from where he saw you collapse, his mind wasn't plagued by your unconscious eyes.

Instead, his lips kept on repeating the lively moments he shared with you to the curious Lucy Gray. He appreciated he got to brag about every little thing about you to someone who didn't have some other motive. Even with Tigris, she already knew every detail about you from the aforementioned bragging by her cousin, but she would still listen just to give him some comfort and a shoulder to lean on.

But Lucy Gray forced him to step out of his brooding and focus on that you were okay and made him more comfortable in the revelation of his love. Lucy Gray was thankful she didn't have to spend these days in the humiliating zoo as just an attraction or threat. Coriolanus made her still feel human and a friend. She knew how desperately he wanted to win and yet, not a word of strategy was mentioned. They had the meeting later in the day to discuss. Right now, they both just needed a friend.

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After nearly running back to his decaying home upon seeing the sunlight appear, he changed in a flash. He got too lost into his youthful conversation with Lucy Gray that he nearly forgot of his responsibilities. One being not frightening Tigris at being gone for hours in the middle of the night.

Thankfully for him, Coryo made it through his bedroom door just as Tigris opened hers to get ready for the day. He got ready speedily and grabbed his proposals and neatly packed them away into his bag. Ensuring he had everything he needed, Coriolanus gave a quick kiss on the head to Tigris and sped towards the Capital hospital.

His stomach was grumbling heavily, and he could have benefited from grabbing a few leftover pieces from the breakfasts you always brought. Though he had to decide between sustenance and you.

Not a seconds hesitation.

Coriolanus walked through the pristine doors of the newly built hospital. The hospital was a part of the new reconstruction project for the Capital after the war. Life was finally getting back to normal.

With the infamous charming smile of his towards the receptionist, Coriolanus made his way through the sterile hallway. Upon reaching and subsequently opening the creaking door, Coryo was biting back a boyish laugh.

On the bed lay you, with your head was tilted on top of Arachne's as the forementioned girl curled into your side. Your eyes were awake but quite droopy as you attempted to fight off sleep. A fight you won swiftly as soon as you heard the voice you've been yearning to hear.

"Am I being replaced? Of all people Arachne? Didn't know you were into redheads, y/n."

His smirk was evident and more so as he walked over to your bedside. You turned your head to the left as you looked up to the tall boy with a soft smile playing on your lips.

"Can't be replaced if you were never in her place to begin with."

He mocked offense as Coryo retorted to your still sleepy voice.

"Are you upset that I gave you my bed instead of squishing us? I barely fit on my own, imagine the both of us!"

You already have imagined it actually. Multiple times.

Nothing graphic just a bit of snuggling and giving the smug blonde a good kick in the middle of the night while in deep dreams, of course.

"I just don't want you to be sleeping on the floor. It's cold, Coryo, and has to be awful for your back!"

Coryo knew you were right as the floor was extremely uncomfortable, but the feeling that you were mere arms width away gave him a level of comfort no mattress could provide. He only wished that you were in his arms rather than the distance of them.

"Such is the tragedy of being a gentleman."

He gave you a toothy grin as you laughed lightly, widening Coriolanus's smile even more. The young man got settled at the foot of your bed as he nodded questioningly towards the still sleeping Arachne.

You let out an amused laugh as your fingers began streaming through the now down red hair of the girl in question.

"Said she didn't want to leave me. I don't know why, but I'm not complaining. I've missed her and our friendship."

Coriolanus nodded along and gave no hint of what he was feeling inside. A feeling with the name of suspicion. He wasn't blind to her stares at you. They were icy and envious, or at least they pretended to be. One can't hide the longing for another, no matter how deep it's buried.

The blue stare of Coriolanus Snow moved across the room and landed upon the now crinkled parchment. He nodded in amazement with a proud smile.

"Gaul knows young promise, now doesn't she?"

You stretched forward just enough to smack his leg reprimandingly.

"Don't go getting a big head on me now, Coryo."

"Any bigger and we would have to calculate the surface area."

It seemed just a bit of rest was all that was needed for the notorious Arachne Crane snark to return. She quickly sat up, removed your hands gently, and patted herself up to perfection. As soon as she became presentable enough for public, a kind-looking nurse with honey eyes and light freckles entered.

Arachne froze for a second, fearing she was found out, though you had no fears. Due to her bright and rested attitude, the honey-eyed nurse was clearly working the day shift instead of the scoping night shifts. It only took a few moments and tests to reassure your release. You signed multiple papers that you didn't bother reading, and you were given the clear along with your still-stained academy uniform.

You fully intended on completing your mentor duties today and the following days but completely forgot about the state of your uniform. A quick scan to the clock showed that you didn't have time to go back to your apartment and get a clean spare. An apartment that you weren't even sure was yours anymore. It was most definitely not home.

However, your panicked thoughts must have been heard by your saving angel. An angel that came in the form of the familiar warm brown eyes and curly hair.

In his hands were a spare uniform for you (how he got it, you weren't going to waste the energy on questioning it) and a container filled with sweet treats sent from his ma clearly.

"Sejanus have I ever said how much I loved you?!"

He gave you a warm smile as he passed the clothes off and opened up the beautifully designed container. You quickly grabbed a few of your favorite sweet treats while the rest were offered to Coriolanus and a bit reluctantly, Arachne. The latter squinting at the treats in disgust. The food smelled delicious and looked even more delectable, but district hands still made them.

Though your clear enjoyment of the delicacies as well as the boys', who began quietly talking, Ara grabbed a small treat that has a red tint to it. The taste popped in her mouth and continued to as she fully enjoyed some of the best treats she has ever tried.

You laughed at her reaction and the flustered blush that appeared on the girl's cheeks caused a squint of distrust to frame Coriolanus's eyes and Sejanus's mouth to go agape.

"Since when did she sink her claws into y/n?"

Sejanus was concerned how you could so easily be friendly with the girl who was more than willing to let you die. At least in his eyes.

Coriolanus left the question out into the air as he focused on helping you out of bed, legs a bit shaky. He grabbed the rouge uniform and led you to the connected bathroom. A little interrogation was initiated as he tried to ensure your safety.

While you two were bickering back and forth about your ability to change on your own, an awkward silence firmly took place between Arachne and Sejanus. The brown-eyed boy unabashedly stared holes into the redheads face while she focused on your hospital gown-clad figure.

"Spread my thanks to your mother. She is a wonder with pastries."

Arachne's words were meek as she struggled to pull them out. Twenty-four hours ago, she would never have thought of complimenting district scum- no. Not district scum. District. Maybe scu- you wouldn't approve of that language. Arachne just got you back, she isn't going to lose you again.

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A half-hour passes, and by then, you are fully dressed and walking up the stairs of the academy with Sejanus. Arachne had to rush back home to get her supplies and clean up while Coryo went to drop off both of your proposals to Dr. Gaul. Technically, proposals by three academy students, though you doubted Clemensia put a wink of effort. Especially in her state yesterday.

On a good day, she would be more than happy to let Coriolanus do all the work and take the credit. But in tears and wreck, she needed to leech to survive.

As you walked through the pristine institute, you heard the whispers and felt the hot gazes upon you. The patched-up wounds on your neck felt extra visible and painful as you weaved through the gawking crowds. They eventually settled as the guard dog of yours named Sejanus, gave them a stare to scare the teenagers into silence.

The pair of you moved into Heavensbee Hall, where multiple tables and chairs had been organized into a circular formation. On your way to the academy, Sejanus filled you in on today's events. An hour meeting with the tributes, a fifteen-minute tour of the arena following, and in the evening a presentation paired with an interview of each of the district tributes.

As soon as you stepped into the grand hall, you were enveloped by a pair of arms connected to a certain bead of raven hair.

"Clemmie!! I'm okay, don't worry!"

You were met with no verbal response but rather a rather harsh squeeze by the surprisingly strong girl.

"Okay, I'm not okay because you are actually crushing my body!!"

As you could finally breathe through your lungs, you quietly conversed with your worried friend. It was only after a few moments after that the tributes were brought in as if cattle; each in heavy chains that connected to their peers in front of them in the single file line.

The look in Clemensia's eyes was screaming at you to leave and protect yourself, but all it was met with was a tight-lipped smile. You were making your way to the designated desk for you and Jessup when your path was intercepted.

"Miss Vaun."

Dean Highbottom was not someone you wanted to deal with this early in the morning, especially when the only words coming out of his mouth were subtly crafted mocks and the only thing going in was morphling.

"Such a shame to hear of your incident."

Each word he uttered made you nauseous. His calculated tone was dripping with hidden motives. Casca Highbottom was playing games with you though you had no idea what they were nor why. Though a speculation was that it had something to do with a certain curly-haired blonde who was now walking in your direction with a scowl towards your dean.

"Ah, Mr. Snow, I was beginning to fear you had yet another show to present. It seems the mentors are more the spectacle than the tributes."

The smile Coriolanus gave the bitter man was tight, just like his patience. Dean Highbottom, satisfied with the emotion caused, called for all mentors to join their tributes at their tables as he addressed the room.

"In spite of yesterday’s tragic events, our president has decided that the Games must go on to show everyone the Capitol is unafraid of such acts of terror."

Your cheeks burned as you ducked your head while feeling Jessup's eyes stare at you. Well, everyone's eyes.

"To which end, Dr. Gaul wishes you to preview the arena this afternoon with your tributes. Later this evening, there will be a special televised presentation and interview of each tribute to our audience to get to know them."

You sighed slightly as it was clear that Dr. Gaul liked at least some of your ideas if she implemented the interview and some sort of presentation.

"You will have an hour to discuss strategy. You may begin."

You lifted your head back up to meet the dark brown eyes of Jessup Diggs. You smiled shyly, unsure of where to start. Though there was no need for worry as Jessup was the one to initiate the conversation.

"Those are some nasty cuts."

You, in stark contrast to the solemn room, laughed softly. The boy's tone wasn't harsh or arrogant at seeing your hurt, but rather blunt. It was better than hearing a voice filled with glee at seeing your scars.

"Well now we match, huh?"

You sat back in your chair, getting comfortable. You had an hour ahead of you and the discussion of strategy wasn't going to take long if Jessup was still insistent on not taking medicine. The dark-skinned boy matched your position while you prepared your thoughts.

"You sticking to no medicine?"

His eyes drew over your neck again, seeing how much it has healed due to the remedies. But you didn't have to be locked into an arena filled with killers. He got the bite due to his character and actions, that's how he wanted to die. Not because of scared teenagers who just wanted to go home to their mama.

His silence was an answer enough for you; an answer that didn't surprise you. Jessup was stubborn, and you would bet there were few topics he would be willing to change his mind on. Though, you could never have bet that his mind was starting to change in regards to the children of the Capitol. That not everyone was horrible.

"I can't get you out of the interviews or presentation, but you can keep silent. There is not much they can do to force you. However, if you have something you want to say, feel free."

You knew that his silence would ensure he would have no sponsors, but that didn't matter in his case. The district boy looked a bit taken aback by your last statement and what he could do with it.

"Anything? Isn't that a little dangerous?"

The brunette knew it wasn't dangerous for him as he was already sentenced to death, but what about you? He wasn't sure why he cared, but he did. You seem to try to save anyone you can, an odd trait for a Capitol resident, but true nonetheless. You didn't deserve to get hurt because of his rash actions.

"I can't control your actions, Jessup. You are your own person. Even while this whole situation doesn't have anything to do with you, there is still control you have."

He mulled over your words, and even though it sounded farfetched, it was true. Even a smile appeared on his face as he agreed: he did have control.

You were happy to see that smile and know that he recognized his freedom in the cage. The two of you were content as you sat back and turned simultaneously towards the other District 12 tribute and mentor pair.

Coriolanus and Lucy Gray were not the normal pair. Lucy Gray wasn't sitting quietly or glaring. Coriolanus wasn't sneering or arrogant. Their conversation, a wonder in itself, was mutual. Your heart pulled at the scene, wishing that it could be in different circumstances.

Your head turned back to look at your own tribute, whose head was still turned towards his friend. His eyes were covered in reminiscence and pleas. Pleas that she will survive. That is when an idea came to fruition.

"What if we made a deal?"

Jessup slowly turned his head towards you in apprehension and confusion. What more could you possibly expect from him?

"You do everything you can to stay in control in that arena. Fight off the disease as much as you can because your sanity will disappear. I've seen it firsthand; any piece of Jessup Diggs will be gone. You will become a danger to Lucy Gray. Don't let her eat or drink after you. You could spread it."

Jessup took in what you were saying and agreed but was still confused about what the deal was. What was in this for you?

"Take care of yourself and her in the arena and I will do my best outside of the arena to make sure Lucy Gray goes home."

His brown eyes squinted at you in wonder and uncertainty. You were sincere in your words, but Lucy Gray winning meant more than just her success, and Jessup knew that.

"Why? So your boyfriend can win and spend all the money he doesn't need on your Capitol luxury?"

Your previously relaxed facial expression melted into one of simmering anger. You thrashed your body forward and toned your voice down into a chilled whisper.

"One, he isn't my boyfriend. Two, looks can be deceiving. He desperately needs the money. I know it's hard to believe, but his family is starving, and his grandmother and cousin need him. That's why he works day and night, so don't you dare say he doesn't need the money. You don't know him."

Your tone was laced with venom, and Jessup quickly took the hint. His eyes raked over the fair-skinned boy, and he could see you were right.

He was tall, yes, but skinny. Even kids in twelve weren't that malnourished. Jessup turned back to you with a little smirk, which brought you a sense of unease.

"Very defensive of your 'not boyfriend'."

You opened and closed your mouth while the seeming permanent blush appeared once more. Your lack of defense brought a small joy to Jessup, a feeling he accepted he would never feel again when his name had been called. You took a deep breath before properly explaining your reasoning for your little deal.

"I'm doing this in part for Coriolanus, yes. I would be lying if I said I wasn't. Another part is for Lucy Gray. I've never met anyone like her, and I think that's a universal experience. If I can't save you, I will save her. I won't let your sacrifice be for nothing. We've taken enough from you."

There was silence for a few moments as Jessup processed. He believed you, maybe too easily, but he did. What he couldn't believe is that you were Capitol.

"Don't say that."

"Say what?"

" 'We'. You are not the same as the people who put us here. You aren't like the rest of the mentors."

Your eyes shined with a few tears of gratitude as you struck your hand out. You had a lopsided smile and a laugh as you uttered a singular word.

"Deal?"

A nod and hidden smile were paired with a reciprocated action as your hands shook.

"Deal."

Hands still interlocked, the sound of Dean Highbottom's voice rang out.

"Snow. Dovecote. Vaun."

One last smile was sent toward Jessup as you stepped out and made your trek towards the infamous Dr. Gaul.

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You were right.

Clemensia didn't even know the proposals were written. Well you did cherish your friend, you had to admit Coryo wad far kinder than you would have been if you were in his shoes.

Clemensia vouleentered for this and yet she couldn't make the effort? You didn't appreciate being her excuse when he own excuse was able to get the work done. This wasn't some school project. This was real life and possibly world changing. You hoped, for her sake, Clemensia knew what she got herself into.

The three of you walked into the expansive lab fillied with odd creatures in all sorts of liquids and devices. You watched Coryo walk over to one and tap on its glass as you examined it from afar. Out of thin air, the peculiar woman appeared, slightly startling you and Clemensia.

"The star burns as it is orbited. Flames lick across it's surface while those circulate it with no fear. Fire pours and the star glows!"

You take in the woman's odd words and look to Coryo to confirm she is talking about and your condition from yesterday. She did call you and Coryo stars so it wouldnt be too far fetched. Unlike the head Gamemaker.

"The sun gets orbited, not stars."

You hear Clemmie whisper into your left ear and you sighed.

"Clemmie, the sun is a star."

Dr. Gaul overhead your whispers as she sent a quizzical and nerve wrecking look towards your companion, causing the latter to slightly shiver.

"Come and see my new babies."

The sickly sweet tone of the Gamemaker certainly didn't settle Clemensia's shivers. Your concerned eyes connected with Coryo, who also seemed apprehensive at the offer.

You followed the graying woman to a circular glass tank containing a vast array of slithering colors. You let your hand slide across the glass, oddly satisfied as the snakes followed your fingers.

"Is there a point to the color?"

"There’s a point to everything, Ms. Dovecote, or to nothing at all. Which brings me neatly to your proposals."

You sucked in a breath as you realized you could easily be thrown into the snake tank. But she wouldn't do that if she hated your proposals right? She might.

"Miss Vaun, next time, ask for a hospital room with better lighting. Your handwriting was incredibly messy."

You turned your head slightly in confusion. Should you be happy that's the only she has issues with? Is this her way to get you distracted to easily throw you in with the reptiles without fight? You didn't expect praise but you didn't know what to make of her given comments. Though you were quick to learn you should be greatful for having notably bad hand writing.

"For you two, which one of you actually wrote it?"

Dr. Gaul turned her unnerving gaze upon your friends. You knew who wrote it, so did they, and it seemed like Dr. Gaul had an inkling.

"Well, there was-"

"I was inspired by Coriolanus yesterday, of course. His little betting idea. But the sponsorships and the gifts in the arena, those were all mine."

You stood there shell shocked as you saw the girl unabashedly take credit for work she didn't even give a word to. The betrayal evident on her supposed partners face as he questioned her.

"Clemmie?"

The confusion between you and Coryo was not shared by Dr. Gaul as she was utterly unfazed.

"So it’s your sweaty handwriting on that page. Very impressive, Ms. Dovecote."

You watched as Clemensia proudly smiled at the woman's praises. Dr. Gaul's approval and audible pride in work was never a good sign. Oh how you wished Clemmie could have seen that.

"Unfortunately, my assistant mistook it for trash this morning and lined the shelf of this very terrarium with it. So, please, Ms. Dovecote, retrieve it for us, won’t you?"

All color of the already pale girls face was drained, a recation copied by both you and Coryo. Your brain ran through all the scenarios to get Clemensia our of there or what could have been if you just hadn't spoken up. None of Clemensia's actions were your fault but you couldn't help but step in.

"I can grab them, if that wouldn't be an issue."

A part of you wished you kept quite as the manically calculated eyes of Volumina Gaul met yours.

"Well they are Miss Dovecotes wonderfully inspired ideas. It is best for her to share it with us, isn't that right?"

You could do nothing but nod along, realizing there wouldn't be a way to get your dark haired friend out of this.

Dr. Gaul turned back to address Clemensia, who was clearly holding back screams of panic. A sight that brought a sick sense of satisfaction to the older woman.

"Don’t worry, my little predators are perfectly docile with those they can trust.

So if they’re used to your scent, if you’ve handled their food, for example, or if they’ve inhaled the sweat of your palm on a page, they’ll leave you alone."

The chilling woman curled closer to the panicking teen as she inhaled her fear.

"A new scent, however…

you’d be on your own, little girl."

That soft tone was quickly replaced with the ragged and stone cold demand.

"Retrieve it."

You felt yourself being held back by some force. You weren't running after her. You weren't jumping into the snake pit. You thought it was the fear holding you back, but you felt the familiar arms of Coriolanus Snow ensuring you weren't going to jump into danger yet again. Whether or not you both wanted to admit it, Clemensia got herself into this situation all on her own.

You held on his arms as you watched the mentor's hand go further and further down the pit of vemenous danger covered in an array of bright colors. The tips of her finger brushed against the page unharmed and a slight breath of relief, Clemensia reached fully for the paper.

The scream scratched against the deepest edges of your ears. Corners of your earlobes that haven't been touched since the death of your mother. Why is it that all those who you love have the scream?

"Clemmie, no! NO!"

When the girl jumped back in pain and shock, Coriolanus was quick to move you the way, accidently creating the clear path as she fell off of the slightly elevated platform. The gasped and clawed at her neck as you both rushed to her side, unsuccessful in finding a way to help your suffering Clemmie.

"You asked about the colors, Ms. Dovecote? I want my enemies to see a rainbow of destruction engulfing the world. I’m not above using spectacle to create a little terror."

You saw the vision but could care less as you desperately tried to comfort your friend.

Is this how you looked less than a day ago? Whipering in the floor while your neck is covered in evidence of an attack?

Some of Dr. Gaul’s assistants rushed over to take Clemensia away, having to push you away to do so. You wanted to run after her but was frozen once more by that sick voice.

"A strategy your classmate here articulated very well in his proposal."

The woman's fascinating eyes moved off of the now horrifyingly still form of Clemensia and back to you and Coriolanus.

"They’re good, your suggestions. The both of you. I’m going to recommend my team implement as many as possible tomorrow."

Coriolanus took the shock for the both of you as you were still focused on the now gone squirming figure of Clemensia Dovecote.

"Will she die?"

You didn't know what to expect exactly but of course, the reality of Dr. Gaul was even more appealing.

"The pleasure in breaking ground in one’s research is one gets to find out."

You shivered at her degradation of the girls struggle into a science experiment. You might have made a mistake mixing in with her, no matter the promise it held.

"You better keep Ms. Dovecote’s fate between us. I don’t think her mother would be happy to learn how she caught this sudden… flu."

You and Coryo shared yet another look as alarms rang in your eyes. Would you two be next if you were unsatisfactory?

Any fear picked up from either of you was ignored by the head Gamemaker as she sighed whisfully.

"Now run along, you have an arena to promote and it’s time for my milk and crackers."

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The arena wasn't far from Dr. Gaul’s laboratory. Only a few streets away, in fact. The entire way was filled with silence between you and Coryo, but it doesn't mean there wasn't communication.

Coryo kept his arm around your waist as you laid your head on his shoulder. He knew what Clemensia's screams reminded you of. He saw the memories flash before your eyes and instinctively scanned Clemmies mouth for any blood. Snow tried to convince you not to go to the arena.

He could look around with both Lucy Gray and Jessup if you wished. But you refused. You wished to tell him of your deal, but you doubted Jessup would inform Lucy Gray, so it would only be fair if you kept quiet for now.

When the pair of you reached the arena, the rest of your classmates and tributes were lined up, waiting for you two. How they knew Clemensia wasn't coming, you weren't sure, but as soon as you and Coriolanus ran all the way to the front where District 12 was held, you began the walk-in.

Coryo was in front of you as you took shallow breaths while walking into the area where you knew only one of the 23 kids would walk out. Your focus was on the blonde curls and square shoulders of your Coryo. Your Coryo. This was a very bad timing for this very sudden thought to appear.

Thankfully, or not, the robotic female voice poured out of the speakers as Coriolanus and Lucy Gray crossed the gates.

"Enjoy the show!"

Of course, it had to say that.

"Enjoy the show!"

The voice continued to repeat itself as the rest of the pairs walked in, along with a few peacekeepers. You watched as Festus directed camera crews to focus on the still sneering Coral. Sneers that were being sent pointedly in your direction. You looked over to Jessup, who seemed to be slightly dazed.

"Jessup?"

The boy turned to you, and it took him a moment for recognition to flash before his eyes. You gulped as you realized that Jessup won't be able to keep his side of the offer for long. But you were determined to keep yours up until the end.

The thought made you turn to the girl you wished to protect. She looked scared and has full reason to. She turned to Coriolanus with pleading eyes. You took a breath and nodded to whatever her request was. She looked back around, still apprehensive. Coryo could have followed her gaze, but instead, he met yours.

In the very same place where half of the inhabitants of the space will be dead starting tomorrow, he looked so calm. He looked worried and was scheming in his brain when he was talking to Lucy Gray, but when he met your eyes? He looked so at peace. You could be imagining it, but that smile was so, so real.

A true and lovesick smile. A smile that grew with every second that you met his gorgeous blue eyes. A smile that you matched in tandem. Young and in love. Lovesick looks across the battlefield.

To be in love during war is the worst casualty of them all.

The sound of heartbreak was the only sound that was more shattering than the explosions that blew around you all.

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a/n: please don't send dr. gaul to my house because i tool FORVER to finally upload this! thank you so much for the wait and support loves, it means the world! pls lmk what you all think💓

@notyourwildestdream 🌹@darktrashsoulbear🌹@fantasylovestoryme 🌹@nekee-lilac02 🌹@a-avengerparker 🌹 @queenofshinigamis 🌹@darlingisntit 🌹 @scarletstarrs 🌹

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especiallythewomenandthechildren · 3 months

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i would do the same.

Coryo: go fuck yourself

Sejanus: [mumbles] why don’t you do it yourself, coward

Coryo: what

Sejanus: what

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especiallythewomenandthechildren · 3 months

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OH NO. NO NO NO IM SO SORRY GUYS

PART TEN OF AS IF DESTINY WASN"T FINISHED YET!! It somehow posted I SWEAR THAT WASNT NOT THE INTENDED STOPPING POINT! I will not be deleting it but will be posting the rest as 10.5! I'm so so so sorry again!!

#coriolanus snow #coriolanus x reader #the hunger games #snow lands on top #tbosas #ballad of songbirds and snakes #reader insert #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #coriolanus x you #hunger games #coryo snow #arachne crane #corio #sejanus plinth #snow #sejanus my beloved #sejanus x reader #sejanus deserved better

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especiallythewomenandthechildren · 3 months

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As If Destiny (part nine.five)🌹

Part Nine🌹

A/N: YALL WE REACHED 100 FOLLOWERS (101 actually 💅) THANK YOU I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH THANK YOU I LOVE YOU ALL THANK YOU! Also how did I forget to write its been like two weeks s.o.s. okay now the story -> -> ->

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The only sound in the room was the pen swiftly moving across the page, the shuffling of hospital staff outside, and your labored breathing. The screaming match between your father put some more strain on your already injured throat. Your eyes have been focused on the fresh proposals for the past twenty minutes as you honed in on the material.

Arachne has permanently settled down in the chair next to you, book in hand. Coryo and the others gave quick goodbyes - at the urge of the receptionist - few minutes prior, much to your disappointment. You expected for Arachne to begin to pack herself up, but no movement occurred. Even when she was reminded that visiting hours were done, she ignored the reminder with a flick of her hand.

You didn't know why she was so adamant to stay, but you weren't bothered. Why not let her stay?

Your constant writing has caused an ache to shoot through your hand as you rested the pen to shake it out. A sigh was let out as you realized you could benefit from a break. Not just from the writing; you really needed a break from reality after these past few months. The thought made you laugh lightly as you took in all the chaos that has surrounded you recently. You turned your head, which was laid against your fluffed pillows (Coryo could not leave you uncomfortable), towards Arachne.

The girl could feel your glance but kept her own zoned in on the red leather-bound book within her fair hands. You began zoning out on her features until her brow arched, clearly awaiting a statement of some kind. You cleared your scratchy throat slightly before addressing the stern red head.

"Why are you here, Ara?"

Her sharp-featured face was still lost within the text, but her eyes seemed to freeze at the mention of the nickname. It's been a long while since you've addressed her like that. It has been a long time since you've addressed her alone in general. Nowadays, your only interactions are in public, surrounded by your mutual friends. You've missed Arachne a great deal these past few years, though you always assumed they were unreciprocated feelings. A statement utterly untrue for the hotel heiress.

Arachne always felt a cold and unique sense of loneliness when she saw you in the hallways. Especially with Sejanus by your side. The boy's presence always made her feel less than. How could district-born scum make one of the Capital elite feel inferior? The question was a permanent marking in Arachne's brain; although, no matter how many times it plays, there is never an answer.

A suspicion is that he doesn't snark at you. He doesn't feel that pit of envy within every atom of his being. Sejanus doesn't feel like crying out in mania every time you succeed. The boy was a better person, friend, and other half than Arachne could ever be.

Instead of taking her feelings and reflecting, she could only translate them through snickers and alternative hallways taken when she spotted your smile.

The Crane girl wanted to scream, throw the glass cup next to your bed, and then collapse into your embrace. But all she could manage was a small smirk upon her colored lips.

"Are you kicking me out, Ace?"

A smile shone on your face at her reciprocation of nicknames. You've really missed these quiet moments with her. You turned completely on your side and got comfortable as you faced her.

"Just don't want you to get in trouble over me."

Your response got the teenager across from you to finally lower her book. She stared at you with mouth slightly agape in a curl of disbelief, a look matched with her eyes.

"You took a glass bottle to the neck to save me from trouble. You think I'm going to care about getting yelled at by some nurses?"

A huff of slight irritation moved through you as eye contact was enacted.

"When are you gonna give that up? You don't owe me your life!"

"Yes, I do! We both know that I'm only alive because of you!"

Her hands were moving frantically, expressing her distress over the situation. In contrast to her state, you seemed to have suddenly cooled and calmed as assumptions raced through your mind.

"So that's why you are staying? Because you're guilty?"

You meant for the words to be harsh as the implication hurt you, but it only came out broken and torn. Arachne noticed your abrupt shift of emotion as she reflected it. She shook her head slowly and rubbed her hands down her face in exhaustion.

"I'm staying because I care, okay! I'm staying because I'm frustrated and confused too! I insulted you and your family, and you still saved me. You didn't even hesitate! I still don't understand if you jumped in the way because it was me or you are always the hero."

You stayed silent throughout her confession, letting her vent through her pent-up feelings. Her rant had caused her to jump out of her seat in frustration, so as she slumped back into the old hospital chair, you processed. Not about why you saved your friend, but about the fact that she is telling you all the thoughts that haunted her. It took a few moments for you to conceive of an answer that will finally put the girl at ease.

"Arachne, I jumped in front of that bottle because I care. You may have given up on me long ago, but you will always be my first friend. I know you hate I'm friends with Sejanus and that I chose him over you and the rest. I know you think that I would favor him than you any day of the week, but that's just not true, Ara. You have no idea how many times I wish you would stop pretending to be so cold. We've been distance for so long that I don't know if it's even an act."

"I guess I took the stab for the little girl who swore to take one for me. Maybe I'm a fool and you will mock my blind actions, but I would rather die than live knowing I didn't protect little Ara."

The tears pouring out of the ambitious girl were not like those from earlier. They were not silent and shattering. No, these salty tears were rough and plentiful as she broke down. Her sobs filled the room as her body began shaking with the rough emotion. You wanted to run and envelop her in a hug, but you could barely move.

You compensated with an outstretched hand with some tissues to the sobbing girl. Her eyes cleared of the liquid enough to make out the tissues and your sympathetic smile. Her mind was too overcome with your sentiments, though her body was awake.

In a flash, Arachne jumped towards your arms and settled into your side on the hospital bed. The force of her leap was enough to cause a yelp from you as she slightly landed on your bandaged neck. She suddenly began muttering apologies to which you shushed as you comforted her. She continued on sobbing while you leaned your head on top of hers as your arms consoled her.

As she began to settle, your smile returned. Not only due to her calmness but because you made the right choice. You saved that little girl inside of Arachne. You saved her from permanent physical death and revived her from mental and emotional demise.

Ara's breathing slowed as she picked up the parchment pieces across your lap. You let her settle as she read over your proposals while you began to nod off.

A few minutes passed before you snapped back into awareness with the sound of nurses outside of your room. The noise also alerted the comfortable Arachne. In an instant, Arachne was begrudgingly out of the warm hospital bed and running across the room.

The nurses began walking into the room while your head was still plastered to the left as you watched Arachne Crane shove herself into a supply closet in the corner.

Even as the hospital staff began questioning your progress and checking up on you, the stupor was still heavy on you. They summed up your distracted answers to exhaustion and not the fact Miss Crane was making a whole lot of noise in the closet. She seemed to have bumped every bottle and container within the space and nearly fell out not once, but twice! It was a wonder how the staff didn't immediately find the girl.

The checkup passed quickly due to the entertainment provided by Ara's antics, and you were informed that you are cleared to leave by morning light.

A few moments after the door was closed and the nurses cleared the hallway, Arachne fell out of the closet along with a couple of brooms. She landed on her knees and hands - still clutching your proposals to Dr. Gaul.

When you both made eye contact, a burst of laughter was heard throughout the room. She moved back on her legs as she howled at the situation while you clutched your stomach.

You couldn't even say you've missed this because for the first time in your friendship with Arachne, you both felt like your age. Just two teenagers doing ridiculous shenanigans while breaking some rules.

Even with the context of the hospital, you considered this one of your most cherished memories.

The rest were moments with Sejanus, hugs of your mother, faded tickles with your brother, and lately: every second with Coriolanus.

When the laughter between you and Arachne finally subsided, she got up and moved to sit on the edge of your bed. She gave you another little chuckle as she handed the now crinkled and a little sweaty parchment.

"And you were worried these wouldn't be impressive, pfttt."

You smiled at her compliment - one of the only you've ever received from the snarky girl. One more quick read over and you set it down on the small bedside table. You focused your attention back to Arachne who now seemed a bit more nervous as she played with the end of her rouge skirt.

"So how exactly are you gonna sneak out of the Capital hospital?"

Her presence seemed a bit more shaky and timid as she avoided eye contact with you. Her nervous fidgeting seemed to increase as did your concern.

"Ara? Is everything okay?"

The brown-eyed girl took a hesitant breath before meeting your eyes.

"Would it be okay if I stayed here tonight? I just- I just don't want to leave you here alone."

You looked at her a bit skeptically at the reasoning. You doubted that was the full truth but you didn't wish to press. So you gave a sweet smile and a happy nod.

Whether your demeanor, answer, or a mix of both, Arachne relaxed. You expected her to move to sit in the chair next to your bed or maybe even settle in next to you. Though her mischievous smirk should have given you a warning.

The girl settled in at the end of your bed before kicking off her pretty shoes and before you could react, her socks.

"ARACHNE NO PUT THEM AWAY EW ARA-"

Her laugh was bouncing off the walls as you tried to protect yourself from her painted toes. After enough torture of flinging her feet next at you, she settled in on the bed.

"You know you could just lay next to me right?"

She just laughed as she wiggled her toes next to your head as she moved her gaze up to the ceiling. Arachne was, for the first time, truly happy. More than happy.

Arachne Crane was giddy and childish. Since your blood started spurting from the glass impact, she was sure she wouldn't fall asleep at night. Likely for a while, but here she is.

Arachne wasn't very sleepy but she was sure it was possible now that she knew you were alive. You didn't hate her like she thought you would - well should. Of all the unexpected events today, Arachne would rank your rekindling and strengthen friendship to be the most surprising.

Your eyelids began drooping, and vision began darkening. The last thing you saw was a very cheery Arachne who couldn't seem to stop smiling up at the ceiling, completely lost in reminiscence.

⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆

and this should have been the rest of the chapter if i didn't accidentally post this before it was done 😔 part 10.5 will be up soon hopefully!

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especiallythewomenandthechildren · 3 months

Text

dealbreaker [Sirius Black x reader]

word count: 4k

summary: you work in a bookstore. sirius keeps finding reasons to need books.

“What you’re reading now made you seem pleased enough,” he teased. “Maybe something else.” “Let me read it, I’ll take notes.” The way he said it had you pushing your thighs together as tightly as they could go.

tags: marauders era, fluff, flirting lol, reader works at a bookstore, getting together, james is a good friend (and a bastard), fem reader

requested by anon here

There was a ridiculously handsome guy in the bookstore.

You pulled your makeup bag out as casually as you were able, rifling through it for your mirror compact. The reflection that stared back at you looked decent, for once - the bookstore was always quiet during late February, school supplies and Christmas presents were already out of the way, and as a result you looked more rested than usual.

You used the pad of your fingertip to rub away the dark smudges of mascara under your eyes and smooth down your flyaways. Not a bad hair day.

You felt silly. It wasn’t as if someone as attractive as him was about to waste his time on a checkout girl at the bookstore. Still, when he finally made his way to the front desk, book in hand, you put on your friendliest smile.

“Good morning,” you greeted him, voice soft to match the dim light of the shop.

“Hi,” he said. God, even his voice was handsome, bright and smooth.

“Is this all I can help you with?”

This is where he gave pause. “Well-“ he placed the book down between you both so that you could see the title, “if I can ask, do you think this is the type of thing a guy my age would like?”

You studied the cover thoughtfully, looking between it and him with slow blinks.

He tilted his head.

“If you tell me what you usually like to read, I can be of more help.”

“Oh, it’s not for me,” he smiled at you. “A friend.”

“Right,” you laughed awkwardly.

“He likes most everything,” he supplied.

You flipped the cover open to the first page, a list of reviews from other authors. You turned the book so that he could see it, trailing your finger under one of the review’s title.

“This one here. I read her novel, ‘Heaven’, not too long ago. It made me sad for a long time.”

“And that’s - bad?” He sounded genuinely interested in your answer.

You shook your head as though shaking water from inside your ear. “I think the way that it could even make me sad in the first place meant it was a good book. But I’m not sure, your friend might not think so.”

“And ‘Heaven’, you have that here?”

You shook your head. “I’m sorry. Not until next week.”

“I’ll come back,” he said firmly. He’d pushed his hair out of his face, revealing his lovely, soft cheekbones.

“Alright,” you said. It came out wrong.

That should’ve been the end of the conversation, but he hesitated to move, and then said, “Is it busy here?”

You smiled, pleased. Not many customers spent time talking to you beyond a simple thank you.

“It can be. Especially in the month before school starts. The day before, even.”

He chuckled. “I can imagine. I was always running around like a twat the day before term started.”

A startled laugh burst out of you and you covered your mouth with your hand. “Me too. I was never the organised sort.”

“You look plenty organised now.”

“Do I?”

“Oh, very much so.” He waved a hand at the tower of books you’d created earlier in the week that decorated the side of the counter. “A masterpiece such as this would never come about by someone who didn’t have sufficient organisational skills.”

You grinned, “Quite right. Complicated thing, stacking.”

“Yes, I’d think so.”

Your laughter petered out. He cleared his throat.

“Right then. I’ll be back next week,” he said.

“I’ll see you then.”

“Bye, love.”

“Bye,” you said, kicking the toe of your shoe against the desk, wondering how to spend the next few hours.

Truth be told, you’d almost forgot about the handsome customer the next time you saw him. Life was busy and lonely and loud, there were clothes to be washed and dishes to be done and stock to be counted.

You thought of him when the new shipment of books arrived for March. Had he found a gift for his friend? You set aside a copy of Heaven for him with a sticky note on top that said your name so a coworker knew who wanted it.

When he appeared the next time he was accompanied by a man with dark brown hair. You were in the storeroom, writing down figures, piling restocks onto your metal book cart.

Your coworker burst in. You raised an eyebrow.

“There’s a man here for you, asking about ‘Heaven’?” she said dubiously, raising her eyebrows at you.

“It’s a book,” you said.

“Sure, sweetie, sure it is.”

You rolled your eyes, dragging the cart behind you. You left it where it was when you saw him, making your way to the front counter. You pulled the copy of Heaven from your cubby. His friend had wandered off into the non-fiction section, leaving him standing by himself. He glanced at the counter and smiled when he saw you walking towards him.

“For you,” you said, offering him the book.

He turned it over in his hands. It wasn’t the most exciting looking book, and perhaps the story itself wasn’t exciting either. All you knew was that it was a damn good book.

“Do you think your friend will like it?”

He seemed surprised that you’d even remembered the book at all, smiling gratefully at your question. “I think he will.”

“Is it the one pretending not to be watching us right now?”

He looked over his shoulder with the essence of a regal man. The friend almost toppled over himself in his rush to move from sight. The handsome guy sighed through his nose. “No, not that dolt. Please ignore him.”

You laughed, a quiet thing.

“Do you need anything else?” you asked him, fully expecting him to say no.

“Actually,” he started, shoving his free hand deep in his pocket. “My friend over there is expecting. Do you have any books on pregnancy?”

You beamed. “Wow, congratulations for your friend. You can follow me down here and we’ll see what we find.”

You led him to the parenting section. It was a decent sized bookstore with a good selection of books, so finding something worthwhile was easy as pie. You searched the spines, running your hand across them until you found an old classic.

“‘Baby and Child’ by Penelope Leach,” you read to him. “Lots of mother’s come in for this one.”

You pulled it from the shelf.

“Any friend of the family’s for it?” he asked, eyes scanning the front.

“You’d be the first. It’s nice that you care so much.”

“Well, I’m his godfather. Or I will be, when he’s born,” he corrected himself in a hurry.

He was much too attractive to be stumbling over words talking to you. He was the kind of guy you’d expect to see in Teen Vogue, or in the transatlantic films they played in the local cinema. Not the kind of boy to waste time asking you about baby books and buying thoughtful gifts.

“Can I help you with anything else?” you asked, straightening your skirt out.

“Oh - no. No, that’s great. Thanks so much…?” his voice lifted up at the end.

“Y/N.”

“Y/N,” he smiled to himself. “Thanks for your help.”

“You're welcome,” you nodded, ducking away. You returned to your cart to finish putting the new stock away, watching your coworker checking out the handsome guy and his friend from the corner of your eye. You realised later that you hadn’t asked him his name in return.

The sunlight leaking in through the window was warming your face. Tired to begin with, you felt yourself close your eyes without thinking about it, face dropping where you held it in your hand.

It was still rather early in the year to expect any warm weather where you lived, so you savoured the heat. The pages of the book you’d been reading, hidden behind the till, were drifting shut around the fingers of your other hand. You were too tired to correct them.

The bell at the door jingled. It had been so peaceful that you flinched, straightening up on your stool.

It was the handsome guy from before. He drifted without preamble to the front desk. You hurried to look presentable, the first thought that ran through your head being, oh jesus h christ, he would come today. A day where you looked puffy and exhausted.

“Hi, Y/N.”

You did your best to contain a pleased smile. “I would say hi too, but I didn’t ask you your name last time.”

He leaned the palm of his hand on the counter between you, having to lean down just slightly to meet your eyes. “It’s Sirius.”

“Sirius,” you tested, the name sweet on your tongue. “Like the constellation.”

“Exactly like that,” he said. He was dressed smart as always, shirt rolled up to the elbows and slacks. You wondered what he did for work to dress the way he did.

“You need help?” you asked, closing your book.

He was watching your mouth. “I need a cookbook.”

“For yourself?”

“I’m hosting a dinner party,” he said. “Though ‘dinner party’ sounds awfully formal.”

“What kinda food do you want to make?”

He seemed reluctant to admit it, but he told you about how he was actually learning to cook for himself for the first time, and wanted to seem mildly put together at his house warming party. “Flat-warming party,” he corrected.

“You never cooked for yourself before?” you asked. He looked like he could be 20 years old, at least.

“I went to boarding school.”

“You did? Wow, what was that like?”

He grinned infectiously. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” he said.

You rounded the counter to lead him to the cookbook section. It was one of the biggest collections of books that you had, and he seemed appropriately daunted.

“There’s a few.”

You laughed agreeably. “I bet you saw some pretty good ones at school.”

“If you liked pickled newt and hogroast.”

“Private school, huh?”

He laughed, loud and startled, like it was the funniest thing anyone and ever said. You could feel your heart pounding in your chest. “Basically.”

“I don’t think we have anything like that…” you dug your fingertips into the soft skin at the base of your throat, thinking. “You like seafood? I use this one all the time,” you said, shuffling a few books to pull a familiar cookbook free.

“You have it at home?” he asked.

“I do. You think your dinner guests like prawn cocktail? That’s super fancy. Little cups of sauce, all that cool stuff. Oh my god, and crab! That would impress them, I bet.”

“You think so?”

“Sure. Well, maybe. There’s pasta?” you suggested, waving your hand vaguely at the Italian stuff.

He shook his head, holding his hand out for the cookbook. “If I take this one, you’ll mark down your favourites?”

“Sure.”

One day your coworker was grinning so widely you felt as though she was about to tell you something scandalous. You looked at her apprehensively.

“What?”

“There was a dashing young man here yesterday. Tall, dark, handsome. Spent 20 minutes loitering by the front, and then left.”

You smiled despite yourself. “He did?”

Your coworker smirked, a shark smelling blood in the water. “Yes.”

“He didn’t say anything?”

“I told him you’d be in again tomorrow.”

You gasped. “You didn’t!”

“He had that book you liked; I thought you’d be happy to see him.”

You went to the bathroom, frenzied, to apply a fresh dab of concealer under each eye, a new coat of sticky, shiny lip gloss. Your hair looked lackluster. You ran your hands through it, wetting your fingertips to push down the flyaways.

You spent hours behind the counter, at first attentive and then less so. Eventually you realised he probably wasn’t coming and stopped sitting ram-rod straight, your shoulders aching from the effort.

You took your lunch break as usual, eating a simple, squished sandwich with one hand and turning the pages of a new book with another. A romance, smutty, the kind that needed its cover to be hidden away to consume without shame.

The girl was shy, lonely, attending a Christmas party at an acquaintance's house. The love interest was intelligent, smooth. They were flirting. The guy had just said something that brought heat to your cheeks when a familiar voice broke your concentration.

“I fear I’ve come at a bad time.”

You flinched, shutting the book with enough force to make the stool wobble underneath you. He put a hand out to catch you instinctively. You recovered, dropping your sandwich back in the tattered cling film you’d wrapped it in.

You swallowed without chewing, throat burning. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear the bell.”

“Yes, you seemed rather… entranced.”

The blush intensified. “How are you?” you asked, desperate to move the subject on.

He seemed pleased. “Brilliant. Yourself?”

“I’m good, yeah. Had a day off yesterday.” As soon as you said it, you felt stupid. He knew you’d had a day off.

“Get around to anything?”

“I did about as much as I do here, which, as you can see, isn’t a lot.”

He leaned down, resting an attractive forearm on the countertop. He looked you dead in the eye, which was enough for you to flush again. “You do plenty.”

“No, really. Getting up to find my lunch was about as much as I’ve moved today.”

“I don’t believe you.” He pushed his hand into the big pocket on his jacket. He procured a slightly worn copy of Heaven. “I borrowed this from Remus - the friend, not from last time - and I wanted to talk to you about it, if you’ve a second?”

“Yes, oh my god. Did you like it?”

“It was sad, like you said.”

“It was.”

“And the ending-“

“Infuriating,” you supplied. He nodded, sending you a smile like you were both in on a secret.

“I kept waiting for him to go and see the painting she loved. I thought they’d go see it together, at least.”

“She left so suddenly, too.”

“Right? I thought maybe, before it finished, he’d go see it himself if he couldn’t go with her,” Sirius said.

You searched for the right words to explain your thoughts. “I think… I think because the painting was never really called heaven, that it was a name she chose for it, that when he sees the trees at the end and he’s crying - he’s seeing a version of heaven himself. Not like, God’s heaven. Her heaven.”

Sirius never once looked away from you, didn’t look bored or like he disagreed. He just listened.

“I still have to wonder what the painting looked like,” he said after you’d finished.

“What would your heaven look like?” you asked him. It was perhaps too personal.

“My friends. For you?” he asked.

You weren’t sure. You knew you should say your family, your friends, but something made you really think about it.

“Have you ever gotten up so early it was still dark outside, and you go outside and it’s so quiet, it feels as though nobody else in the world is awake? And you look at the sky - it’s blue with the yellow horizon, it’s purple, or it might even be those clouds tinged pink. I don’t-“ you paused, embarrassed at your babble, “I don’t think I could choose one to be, like, immortalized as heaven. But maybe then.”

He was smiling at you.

“I’m sorry, I must sound like a terrible person.”

“No, of course you don’t. The heaven she spoke about wasn’t necessarily what she loved most in the world. She went there when she was sad.”

You smiled in relief, shoulders relaxing. “Was it only sad?”

His face was handsome, poised, and although he doled out happiness generously you couldn’t work out how he was feeling . “It made me think about stuff I’d forgotten - how people do things to other people without thinking about it. For fun.”

He was so serious. You nodded, twisting your hand in the fabric of your skirt.

“It was a good book. But uh,” he pushed his hand up through his long hair. It fell down into place, looking amazingly soft. “Maybe you can recommend something happier, this time.”

You laughed. “Yes, I think so.”

“What you’re reading now made you seem pleased enough,” he teased.

“Maybe something else.”

“Let me read it, I’ll take notes.”

The way he said it had you pushing your thighs together as tightly as they could go.

It was busy in the shop one day the next week. You didn’t have a chance to sit down, carrying back and forth enough notebooks and new fantasy novels to fill a school library. Your legs shook by the end of the day. You basically had to crawl back to your countertop.

There, clear as day, was a bouquet of roses. They were small, barely blooming, the color of candy floss. They were wrapped in clear plastic and resting on their side. It wasn’t a grand display, but they were beautiful.

There was a note, written on a weird parchment that didn’t have any lines in ink. You gawked at it.

‘Busy day?’

You slipped the parchment between the pages of your current read to use as a bookmark, grinning. You took the roses home, where they lived on your dresser for a month without showing any signs of wilting.

Somebody was staring at you in the food shop. You could feel their gaze on the back of your neck. You turned around, a little worried, to find a cute young baby gazing at you excitedly. He was extremely happy looking, a funny looking rattle in his cute chubby fist.

You waved at him. He babbled at you.

His mother was turned from you both, looking at the pasta shapes.

The baby chucked his toy as hard as he could towards you. You laughed so abruptly his mother turned around in surprise, watching as you retrieved the rattle and offered it to her. She smiled at you in thanks.

“I’m so sorry,” she apologized, pushing her long, shiny hair from her face.

“Don’t be, please,” you said.

“Harry’s recently learned that when you throw things, somebody will pick it back up for you,” she said, half-amused, half-bitter.

“He’s gorgeous. He can throw things at me as much as he likes.”

“He’s the image of my husband,” she said, waving her fingers at Harry. “Don’t tell him I said that.”

“Don’t tell me what?” James asked.

You’d seen him before. He was the friend that accompanied Sirius to your bookstore a few weeks ago, peering at you around the corner.

“Oh, it’s you,” he said.

“James?” Lily questioned, looking between you both, mildly perturbed.

“This is Y/N. You work at the book shop near us, don’t you? Where Sirius goes,” James said, dropping the kitchen towels in the cart. Harry’s happiness was tenfold. “Hello, little man.”

“I’m Lily,” she introduced herself. “Sirius is Harry’s godfather, of course.”

“Of course,” you said, though you weren’t sure at all. Harry looked very old, and Sirius had mentioned a friend who was expecting. Looks could be deceiving, but Lily didn’t appear pregnant at all. James was watching you with an amused look on his face.

“He’s 8 months,” he said, grinning.

“He’s lovely.”

“So, you know Sirius then?” Lily asked. They were a stunning couple, grinning and fresh-faced.

“He buys a lot of books.”

They both laughed. “I bet he does,” James said.

You frowned, feeling as though you’d been walking down the stairs and missed the last one.

“James,” Lily scolded.

“I haven’t seen him for a while,” you rambled nervously.

“Don’t fear, he’s off helping Remus with a pest problem,” James said.

Lily and James were amazing at making small talk. They were the kind of people you felt like you could easily have been friends with in another life, both of them enamoring you with their charm and obvious love for each other. They moved like they were facing the same winds, like blades of grass next to each other. And baby Harry was an adorable plus.

Only because Harry was beginning to get annoyed with his constraints did they bid you goodbye. You’d retrieved your basket, telling them to come around the bookstore any time, and mentioning the storytelling hours on weekends. Lily promised to be there.

“And Y/N!” James called.

You turned back around.

“Sirius is allergic to shellfish!” he said over his shoulder. His wife punched him in the shoulder.

It took you a while to piece it together.

The more you thought about it, the more obvious it became. And even though you weren’t sure what a charming, stunning guy like Sirius wanted with a girl like you, you were 67 percent sure he fancied you.

You waited for the next time you saw him. He was loitering by your desk and trying his every best to look as though he’d been there by pure coincidence. You might’ve believed he was, if you didn’t know what you did.

“I was wondering if you could help me find a book,” you asked him. He turned to you, surprised. You continued. “On how to get a guy to ask you out.”

He gaped at you. Unusually, for somebody so well-composed.

“‘Cos I think I’m doing something wrong.”

“What gave you that impression?” he asked, voice scratchy.

“This boy keeps coming to the bookstore. A while ago, he asked me for a book on pregnancy for a friend who’d already had the baby. He bought a cookbook I recommended knowing he couldn’t eat a single thing in it, and the one time I wasn’t here he went home without buying anything. He even left me flowers.”

You took a deep breath, all the bravery rushing out of you. You looked down at his shoes.

“Despite all this, he hasn’t asked me out.”

“He sounds like an idiot.”

“He isn’t,” you denied. “He’s striking, intelligent and thoughtful. He’s not an idiot at all.”

“I think I have been.”

“Well, maybe a little,” you admonished.

He stepped into your space, shoes a millimeter from your own. You knew if you looked up that he would be incredibly close.

“Would you look at me?”

You held your breath, looking through your lashes at his face. His expression was hard to describe, lips in a straight line, eyes intense. He used his index finger to gently tilt your chin up towards him.

“I’m sorry to mess you around, but I’ve never been a big reader. If you think you can look past that, I’d like to take you out. Wherever you want to go.”

You bit the inside of your cheek, remembering yourself. “It’s a real deal breaker, but I think I’ll get over it,” you said quietly, feeling a shyness creep into your words that you didn’t recognise.

“Yeah?” he asked. He was closer now, his exhales tickling your face. You blinked slowly.

“Yes.”

He leaned forward. You closed your eyes, dazzled at the sensation of his nose against yours. He paused, a second, with his lips just above yours. The second was enough to make your stomach feel as though it had been inhabited by a family of butterflies.

He held your chin between his finger and thumb, finally letting his lips touch yours. He was firm, tender. You brought your hand up to his face, barely able to withhold the urge to run your fingers through his hair, relishing in the way he inhaled at your touch. You let him guide you, kissing you sweetly. A warmth bloomed in your chest.

He pulled away, moving his hand up to the side of your face. You leaned into his touch.

“Wherever I want?” you asked, seeing stars.

“Wherever you want. Heaven, if you’d like.”

the book they talk about is heaven by meiko kawakamI, which didn’t come out all those years ago but i put it in anyways! it’s a brilliant book and i recommend it to everyone

tag club :3:

marauders tag list @marimorena06 @glimmering-darling-dolly @siriuslystfu @thatblackravenclaw @etneufaled @thatonecomfyjumper @lupinlust

if u want to be added or removed or i forgot you pls message me! thank u tag club

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especiallythewomenandthechildren · 4 months

Text

As If Destiny (part nine) 🌹

Part Eight 🌹

A/N: This is shorter than my last few chapters sorry!! I have gotten used to a post schedule and I hope this is good enough yall please don't send snakes after me. I love you guys and hope you like this it's 5 am help. ALSO! PLAYLIST HAS BEEN CREATED! Link here and on masterlist. Ofc you don't have to listen, just for funsies :)

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Your senses were awake before your mind was. You could hear the beeping of some sort of machine. Your nerves were on fire and alive. The taste of copper blood was very present on your tongue. Your entire upper body felt sore and stiff. Stiffness that also seemed to wax your eyes shut. They were shut as if with staples, which made your heart drop to your stomach in fear. The possibility made you attempt to open them with even more force, though the attempt was futile.

But the sound of aggressive words, bordering on rage-filled yells, made your eyes shoot open. A part of it was the intensity of the sound, but more so were the voices. You couldn't make out the words, but the tone was more than enough.

As you looked around, you realized you were in a dim hospital room. The lighting was warm, as was the bed you occupied. There were no other patients, but multiple seats surrounded your bed. The TV in front of your bed was turned off, and no nurses were around, but you could see a few in the hallway through a long horizontal window. The same window that gave the loud voices faces. Two faces you knew very well: Sejanus and your father.

Your brain still felt like mush, but even if it was at its normal functional levels, you doubted you could have made sense of the situation. First of all, you haven't seen your father in weeks. Well, technically, you did yesterday, the day of the Reaping, even if only for a few moments. Was it only yesterday? How long have you been knocked out? You tried squirming around to find some sort of clock or a window to see the time of day.

Your efforts were of no avail, although your movements knocked off a tray that you didn't notice laid at the end of the hospital bed. A tray that had glass on it because, of course it did. The sudden commotion alerted not only the still shouting men but a number of nurses who rushed through the door. The shattering sound pierced your ears and kept on ringing as an onslaught of voices attacked your eardrums. You couldn't keep track of the flurry of movement. Nurses were cleaning up the mess, others checking your vitals and doing tests. One forced some water down your scratchy and dry throat, much to your relief.

Sejanus stood by the door, watching and waiting to finally approach you. He was soon joined by your father, who was forced away as he kept on interrupting the nurse's tasks. A few minutes and a bunch of vital checks later, the group left, and your father practically ran to your bedside. Question after question was asked with no break for you to actually answer.

"What do you need? More water? Food? Please, what do you need?"

His voice was on the verge of breaking. You examined your father for a moment. How much of his worry was genuine for your well-being? Was he just seeing his late wife in your place?

You opened your mouth, but no words came out. Your throat was too dry, but you kept on trying and trying. One glass of water later and only a fraction of your vocal power came back. Something came out, though it was so mumbled and scratchy; your father urged you to repeat it. But Sejanus knew what you were asking for.

Who you were asking for.

"Ccc..Cor-Coryo?"

Your father physically flinched at your first thought. You just suffered a physical attack, and all you care is about pathetic Snow? You shut your eyes after you spoke, the pain in your throat being too much to bear. Though, they snapped open at the sound of a chair scraping the floor and falling back at the force used.

You watched as your father paced back and forth, clearly trying to hold back some anger. Sejanus made eye contact with you, and the compassion on his face gave you some comfort. He mouthed the word "later" to calm any of your questions.

"No."

Any sort of calm given by your friend was scrapped by your father's declaration. The tilt of your head was enough of a translation of your confusion for an elaboration.

"No more 'Coryo'. "

He practically gagged at the nickname, which made you cringe in return. Your father was never a violent or aggressive man and this side of him was not one you wanted to get used to.

"Nothing good ever comes from dealing with Snows. You think he is so pure? If he is anything like his father, his pure white image will be covered in blood."

You wanted to scream but didn't have the physical capability. Thankfully, Sejanus didn't leave the widower's statement unchallenged.

"He isn't like his father. What is so wrong with all you adults? You force children into the footsteps of their parents! Maybe instead of blaming the sins of his father, realize what Coriolanus did for your daughter!"

You wondered how much Sejanus had to deal with when you were unconscious. His appearance was messy and tired. Did he ever leave the hospital since he came? Your question on how long you've been here has still been unanswered.

After Sejanus's argument, your father looked to you. Rage and offense were clear in his orbs. His stare was enough to make a man of good standing cower. But you no longer cared for his opinion, insensible fears, and blind hatred.

"Why are you even here?"

You managed to rasp out and gather enough energy to sit up, never breaking eye contact. The intensity of his emotions didn't waver, but annoyance was added to the list.

"You are my daughter and got hurt by those savages. Where else would I be? What kind of father would I be if I was anywhere else?"

His answer made the two teenagers in the room scoff and roll their eyes. Sejanus for his description of the districts and you for his hypocrisy.

"You wouldn't be a father. Or at least not worthy of the title. Which you aren't, dear dad."

The step the older man took might as well have shaken the floor with the amount of fury radiating off of him. It was enough to make Sejanus panic and rush to your bedside but was halted by the motion of your hand. Whatever was to be done or said, you were willing to take it. It would only give your argument even more credibility.

"What did you say to me, girl?"

What happened to you, Dad? Where did your love-filled gazes go? Your thoughts only heightened your emotions, and you couldn't hold back, even with your breaking voice.

"I said you aren't worthy of being called my father. A father is there for their child even when the mother isn't there! You lost the love of your life, you think I don't know that? Instead of grieving and rebuilding together, YOU LEFT! Did I only mean something when mom was there?! Did you only tolerate me because I was a copy of your wife? Is the image too painful for you now? Would you have treated Otto like this? You loved him, why don't you love me the same?"

Your eyes flooded with tears as your face reddened. You weren't thinking as you shouted, but if you did, you would have thought that the tears would give your father pause. But it seemed any sympathy or piece of the parent you loved so much was gone. Dead. The man in front of you was as cold as the metal rings on your neck. Rings harshly pulled to force your eyes to look at him.

The pain was burning you, and it felt as if you were being stabbed by a thousand miniature knives all over.

"Listen to me now, dear. You think these rings give you any strength? Want to know why I loved your brother so much? He stepped up. He faced whatever came to him, no matter how bad. But you? You are a coward. You left far before I did. Your own mother was dying, and you never gave her the time of day! Were you so ashamed of her? The love of my life only asked for you, and you couldn't even look in her eyes! She gave you her eyes! She gave you life and love, none of which you seem grateful for. Only looking for it in people who are incapable of it. You ever speak either of their names in vain, I promise you, girl, I will—"

"You finish that threat, and I will finish one of my own."

In your struggle to get your father's hands off of the necklace, you didn't hear anyone enter. But you didn't need to look up to recognize the voice. Even though it was laced with more malice than you could have ever thought possible for an eighteen-year-old, the voice of Coriolanus Snow was always recognizable to you.

His fair-skinned hand covered the wrist of your father, whose grip began slipping on your necklace. You couldn't see much from your angle, but it looked like Coryo's thumb was firmly pressed into a specific spot between the other man's wrist. It only took a few more seconds of sharp pain for the harsh grip pulling you forward to be released.

Due to the force the grip held, when it was released, your head flew backward. But Sejanus, who moved to the other side of you without your notice, was quick to catch your head before any impact. You thanked him with a grateful smile, which he returned. You both turned back to the scene before you.

Coryo was standing above your father, the only other man who might despise him as much as Dean Highbottom. He looked disheveled and exhausted, but the air of authority surrounding him made his appearance look respectable. His lip was curled in disgust, and his hand kept on tightening and releasing. As the seconds passed, it felt as if time slowed just to agonize you. The possibility of the young heir of Snow beating up Tyre Vaun was becoming more likely. But he wouldn't do that. No, he wouldn't. He wouldn't, right?

“I don’t think your presence is welcomed here anymore.”

Coryo’s voice was tight and sharp; he really couldn’t stand another moment with a man who threatened his only daughter. In response, the unwelcomed man laughed mockingly. He got up from his spot by your bed and looked around at the three teens in front of his eyes. A dark-haired boy, whose stretched-out curls represented his patience at this point; a girl with a bandaged neck and sullen eyes that reflected her heart at what has become of her family. And of course, the ever-tall and proud blonde who, unlike his companions, is not in the mood for calm action in the slightest. Coriolanus made a vow, and no matter how far he may have to stretch his morals, he will not break that vow.

"Well, look at this. You think you are all so grown up? You are just pampered children. When you watch the games, watch carefully. That's the real world. And well, y/n, you are old enough for the real world now, aren’t you? You want to be a Snow so bad. Knock yourself out. But when you come crying back, don't expect sympathy."

"If you come back. The Snows are known to be quite possessive and strangling.”

And with that chilling statement, he walked straight out the door, shaking his head like a madman. Your eyes were glued to the door frame even as the vision blurred with your tears. You didn't know what to think. It felt as if you were being torn from the inside out, and all you could do is accept the drops streaming down your cheek. All track of time was lost, even more so than before, as your world crumbled.

However, the hospital bed eventually dipped as you were pulled into a pair of arms. Considering the direction in which the arms came, you knew it was Coryo. Well, that and, of course, the smell.

Roses overtook your senses as you calmed down and snuggled into the embrace. Your eyes closed, and your breathing softened while Coryo’s fingers brushed through your locks. As his fingers drifted through your hair, you began drifting off into some much-needed sleep.

Sejanus left soon after Coryo began comforting you, promising to return with some food for the group. The sight upon returning gave him pause in the door frame.

You were curled up in the blonde’s arms while his head laid upon yours, nose stuffed within your hair. It seemed the smell of vanilla calmed him as much, if not more, than the smell of roses did you. The mutual friend worried he was interrupting a sweet moment, no matter how lost he was on it.

Eventually, the weight of the trays within his hands reminded him of his original task. He cleared his throat quietly as he reentered the hospital room. That notified Coriolanus of the other boy’s presence, but he made no move to change his own. No matter how naive Sejanus might be and outspoken, Coriolanus could trust him. If there was one thing about Sejanus Plinth, it was that he was loyal. To Coriolanus Snow and most certainly you.

Sejanus offered a tray of a delicious-smelling soup and rice with a side of bread and dessert to Coryo. He kept one for himself and put the remaining tray on the table next to your bed. Coriolanus rearranged the position you and him were in so he could eat the dinner he desperately needed. He removed the arm that was around your waist which smotherd you impossibly closer to him.

Instead, the boy moved your head to rest on his shoulder. Once ensuring you were comfortably in slumber still, he began digging in. The first few minutes were filled with a comfortable silence between the two boys. Sejanus wasn't sure how much of the situation Coriolanus knows or saw and wasn't even sure where to start. There may even have been parts Sejanus himself didn't see.

When he arrived at the hospital, he wasn’t even allowed to see you as you were in surgery. The woman with hazel eyes and pretty freckles at the front desk informed the distraught boy that it would be a couple of hours before he could even see you. So he decided to go home for the time being and seek comfort in his ma.

But as he began walking out, a very furious Coriolanus Snow shoved past him. Sejanus wished to call out to his friend but it was quite clear, to Sejanus and all those who moved out of the blonde’s way, that he was not to be trifled with at the moment. Considering all the nasty statements your father spit out about Coriolanus and his family, Sejanus very quickly connected the pieces.

Mr. Vaun must have clearly kicked Snow out, not even giving him a chance to see you.

“What a piece of work. No wonder why him and my father get along so well.”

The sudden break in silence made Coryo laugh as he broke apart the bread. Sejanus, along with you, have spoken in detail of Starbo Plinth’s harsh and emotionless character. He liked you well enough, but you assumed it was because you were “Capital enough”.

“He wasn’t always like that. You know, I used to even wish for him to be my dad. He used to always make sure I was comfortable and laughing. Losing your wife is never easy, but he purposely cut off his daughter.”

“And he calls her a coward.”

The scoff was evident in the young star mentor. You confessed to him all your regrets on one of the many nights you spent at the Snow’s. He knew how much it plagued your mind and to hear it used against you broke any further restraint he had.

“Just kept on blabbering how the districts are filled with barbaric animals. Even though y/n wouldn’t even be here if Arachane had a shred of humanity.”

The statement was uttered through clenched teeth. The girl from ten would still have had a chance to live, no matter how brutal and inhumane that chance was, if she wasn't provoked by her own mentor. The thought of all the chaos Archane caused Sejanus’s blood boil.

“Did anyone else come to visit?”

Coriolanus’s voice broke the musing teen out of his thoughts. Coryo had already finished his food, and Sejanus offered his plate, no longer having an appetite. He didn’t know about his friend's financial situation although he saw the signs in his constant hunger and creatively sewn clothes. He never questioned or brought it up, just helping whenever he could. Coriolanus gratefully took the ever-needed food with a nod.

“Festus, Clemmensia, Lyssie, Felix, and Archane. Seems she has a heart somewhere. At least for her own ‘kind.’ Y/n was still knocked out, and they said they would come back. Probably will soon enough.”

Coryo nodded along and looked at the clock on the far wall outside the room, visible due to his angle through the window. 6:56 p.m.

It was still early enough for them to come, and the thought upset him slightly. He wishes to have more time with you. Alone (Sejanus doesn’t count).

Silence overtook the room once more as the two conversing teens settled back into their thoughts. Only the slight noise of your sheets rustling was heard as you moved to find a more comfortable position. Now that he was done with the second tray and the foreign feeling of being full overtaking his stomach, Coriolanus was able to shift.

He turned on his side and pulled you into his chest while wrapping his arms around you. Snuggling to your liking, you ceased to move. However, the quiet was interrupted again by soft laughter. Looking up from staring down at your sleeping form, blue eyes met crinkled brown ones in curiosity,

“So this is how I find out. I started putting the pieces together but was hoping one of you would fess up. Would have be a nice courtesy, you know.”

Sejanus finished off with a smile. When he first started noticing the small smiles that appeared on either of your lips when the other was brought up, he was confused more than anything. Then he felt weird. He would officially become the third wheel, for starters.

But eventually, his heart grew giddy for his two friends. Sejanus wanted you to be happy, and if you asked him, there was no other man in the capital as good as Coriolanus. Sure, he knew he had issues, but compared to the rest of their peers, he was a far better choice.

Said better choice was currently on fire and as red as humanly possible. This was clearly an odd position for him to be in if he saw you as “just a friend”; he knew that. But he didn't know there were signs prior. It made him feel vulnerable that his emotions were so easily deciphered, no matter if it was just Sejanus. It better have just been Sejanus.

“Is it that obvious?”

“Coryo, you are literally snuggling and smelling her hair.”

The prior thought of him being as red as humanly possible? A new record of blushing has occurred. Sejanus, however, was quick to comfort his called-out friend.

“She isn’t much better. She literally parades your ring around. And don't even try to play it off, we both know why she wears it.”

The smug smile on Coryo’s lips would be quite hard to wipe off as he looked back down to your sleeping form. And there it sat, a thousand glistening snowflakes dangling from your neck.

“She is asleep, right? I do not want to suddenly be sucker-punched.”

A deep chuckle came out of the young blue-eyed teen. There were so many nights of you coming over, especially in the early days; you often fell asleep while Coriolanus was finishing up some work. Coryo was eventually able to tell the signs when you were in deep sleep or just faking it to surprise him.

“She is out like a light. Her nose is fluttering. She only does that when she is in deep sleep.”

The words just came out while young Snow was distracted by your soft appearance in the dim lights. You looked so peaceful, as if you weren't in the hospital due to a bloody attack that could have killed you if only the bottle hit you a few meters to the left. When Coriolanus finally realized Sejanus never responded, he looked back up at a face-wide smirk.

“So you know how she sleeps, huh?”

The stuttering response made Sejanus laugh and grin while he walked over to grab the empty trays to throw out. On his way, he made sure to give his friend a pat on the back which only caused further discourse as Coryo tried to deny any of what Sejanus was trying to imply. His trek to the trash can, which was just by the door, wasn't far but gave him enough range to hear the hazel-eyed lady at the front desk.

“She is right down the hall, second door on the left. Just a warning, visiting hours are almost done, so hurry up.”

The hiccuped “thank you” by Clemensia was more than enough to make Sejanus jump to action. In haste, Sejanus informed the still snuggled boy of the upcoming visitors. Coriolanus jumped out of the bed in the blink of an eye and made sure his facade was in place when his peers came through the door.

“Oh, Coryo!”

Clemmie’s cracked voice flowed through the room as she gave him a teary-eyed hug. He gave her an awkward pat on the back. Festus was quick to peel the dark-haired girl off once seeing the uncomfortable look in Coriolanus’s eyes.

Festus led Clemensia to a nearby chair and sat beside her. But Arachane, held back by the door. It seems Felix and Lyssie were unable to visit. A suspicion confirmed by Clemmie as she was in a dazed state looking towards you. Sejanus didn’t wish to be in any room in which the three newcomers were in, but he knew they were your friends.

And they did care about you, one of the very small list of people. He and Coriolanus took turns in responding to the barrage of questions from Festus and Clemensia. Though Arachne never perked up, staying as still as stone. She drowned out the noise as she stared at your injured figure.

If the situation wasn't so morbid, she would have laughed. The ever-mighty girl who has always been little miss perfect got so injured by district scum. But it was little miss perfect who saved my life, Arachne had to defeat.

She wanted to poke fun at the situation. Mock Clemensia's tears. It was how she dealt with situations. Arachne became bitter and poisonous. But it was that same poison she spat at you moments before you nearly lost your life. She said words to hurt you because she wanted you to suffer, and you suffered. But not by her words, but because you jumped in to save her.

The red-haired girl hated it.

Maybe you should have just let her get hit.

With all the sudden voices, you began to stir. Your eyes opened far easier this time, much to your relief. It took a few blinks to take in the situation. Your first instinct was to feel around for Coryo, but you were quickly assured when you met his blue eyes. The small smile was muscle memory to the sight at this point.

You scanned the room and noticed the new visitors. You tried to respond to as many of Clemensia's questions and settle her panic, but it seemed the hysteria was going to stay for the rest of the night.

Although, as you were consoling the raven-haired beauty, you noticed Arachne’s stoic figure. Her eyes were hard and calculating, scanning over you repeatedly. You sighed heavily as you requested the rest of the group to leave you and Arachne for a few moments. They all seemed reluctant, especially Sejanus who heavily despised the girl. She was the reason you were here after all, or at least in Sejanus’s point of view.

The red head stood by the door even as all her peers glanced her way as they filed into the hallway. The position stayed for a few more seconds. Unwavering mask and crossed arms. You didn't waver under her gaze as you gestured to an empty seat by your hospital bed. With a sigh, she took heavy steps to your bedside.

Upon reaching the chair and settling, her prior scrutinizing glances were focused anywhere but you. As the time and silence went on, her tough demeanor began to crack. The silent sole tear streaming down her face stunned you. Of course, Arachne was human and had feelings, but her constant tough character makes one believe she is incapable of tears. As if it's scientifically impossible that the Arachne Crane sat here so timidly and was crying.

“I hate you. I hate you so much.”

Her declaration of hatred wasn't met with any similar response. No, in fact, you responded with giddy laughter. The vulnerable girl in front of you freaked you out slightly, so it was nice to know Arachne was still, well, her.

“How can you just laugh?!”

“What am I supposed to do exactly? Get upset?”

Your eyes were still sore, but that didn't stop your eyes from rolling. You stared back at the girl as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. She seemed to heavily disagree as she huffed and threw her arms in the air.

“YES! That's exactly what you should be doing! Get mad at me, tell me you hate me too! That I deserve to be in that hospital bed not you. That I deserved each and every cut because I’m just a monster, right?! I don't have tragedy after tragedy to hide behind like you do!”

Your eyes crinkled in confusion and lips curled in slight anger. Arachne’s tears had heavily accelerated at this point, streams of black painting her pink cheeks. She had stood up and began pacing back and forth, waiting for your response impatiently. Your head was pounding at this point with the amount of emotions you've had to deal with in such a short time. You should have just shut down the conversation before it turned into a full argument, but how could you?

“Hide behind tragedy? Do you think I want to do that? You really think I sit every night and thank my lucky stars that I have ‘excuses’ for my actions?! Grow up Arachne! Tragedy or not, we have to deal with the weight of our actions. Just because your neck isn't bleeding doesn't mean you don't have your scars. Watching me suffer is a greater punishment than if our spots were reversed.”

She stopped in front of your bed, looking more like a lost little girl than the cold calculating young woman you were accustomed to. She wanted you to get mad and have a reaction but she didn't expect this. Because you were right.

If Arachne got hit like you did, she would only have more fuel for hate for the districts. There wouldn't have been any lesson learned, and every fiber of her being would be used to make the districts suffer even more. Yet, you were the one who got hit. Not because you did anything but because Arachne did.

It felt like Arachne stabbed you herself. She didn't like many people and well you were one of the few exceptions, she also disliked you more than the others. When you got sent away in the ambulance, a small part of her hoped you would finally see the barbarity outside the Capital. That you would grow bitter and hateful like she had become.

Arachne Crane has long known of her jealousy of you, though she would never admit it. She hated that after everything you suffered, you still smiled. You were weak, tired, and covered up in gauze in a stale hospital room, but you still looked as if the sun shone only for you.

The universe had favorites, and you seemed to be the apple of its eye while Arachne could only watch while being devoured by the darkness. The stars still shined for you while she suffocated by the black matter.

“I am sorry though. About the Plinth Prize.”

Your voice was soft as you watched your friend shatter in her thoughts. Arachne may have done this to herself, but it still moved you that she lost her shot at something she has been working years for. She just rolled her still crying eyes and scoffed. The girl had long lost hope that she would win the prize when she saw the dazzling show you and Coryo pulled. You both were already the top contenders for the prize, and it angered her again that you both were so chummy. That you weren’t so cut-throat. Cut-throat.

Did you deserve your cut throat for one last task to win the prize?

“We both know it was never going to be me. My tribute would never have won, and she didn't have anything to offer to the audience.”

You were ready to argue with such a blatant statement about a girl who is now a cold body. But she cut you off with a swift change in subject.

“Shame, though. Dr. Gaul won't get to those proposals from her star mentor.”

The emotions and hysteria of the now smirking girl had ceased as she returned to her normal behavior. Behavior, no matter how sour, brought you some comfort. Arachne Crane was good competition if nothing else.

“Well, why not? I’m going to be here until I get released in the morning. Might as well get something done.”

You matched her smirk as you asked for her to bring some parchment and ink. In all honesty, you did forget the proposals. And well, you had a pretty good excuse, an attack and all; you knew that wouldn't matter to Dr. Gaul.

You didn't necessarily like her as she seemed too manic for your taste, but this was a great chance to put your name out there. Especially in the scientific world as you were heavily interested in going down a path in biology, something you had a real knack for. There were few people more important in that field in the Capital than Dr. Gaul. Being able to please, possibly impress her, would be a major accomplishment. And well, you might be able to sway some public opinion enough to give more chances to the “weaker” tributes.

Arachne grumbled as she handed you the desired items, but you ignored her. She took a seat beside you, settling in to watch you work. With a deep breath and dip of your pen, the bold words were written, dark as the punishment it presented.

THE HUNGER GAMES.

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Feedback always appreciated and hope you have a great day love:)

@notyourwildestdream 🌹@darktrashsoulbear🌹@fantasylovestoryme 🌹@nekee-lilac02 🌹@a-avengerparker 🌹 @queenofshinigamis 🌹@darlingisntit🌹 @scarletstarrs 🌹

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especiallythewomenandthechildren · 4 months

Text

As If Destiny (part eight) 🌹

Part Seven 🌹

Warnings: Parent death, sibling death, death and brutality (it is the hunger games after all) characters may be ooc. Reader may not be your fav this part. I read the book a while ago but don't really remember much of Snows way of thinking (I mean I know its toxic and insane but yk the other things) so I will mostly be basing off the film and my own thoughts. Also I can't spell for the life of me so be prepared for bad spelling and grammar. Enjoy loves!

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The air of the station was stale, as if taking the simplest of breaths would cost a significant amount of energy. It felt as though even the bugs buzzing around in the spring weather were flying in slow motion. Maybe it really was the air, or more likely, the atmosphere of your mind.

You felt nauseous and dizzy at the arguments that split your soul. The tributes were to arrive today, naturally, Jessup with them. Were you here to give the best first impression or to size him up? A part of you wanted to save him from the horrors, but the lately very loud voice has been telling you that he deserved it. Especially a boy from District Twelve, around the age of those who murdered your brother in the dense woods of the small district.

Your long time waiting for the train arrival was spent trying to settle that internal struggle to no avail. You were staring straight ahead onto the empty tracks when something felt different. The peacekeepers were still stoic, tracks still echo-filled at even the slightest noise. But a slight breeze was felt behind you. When you turned around, that breeze of fresh air happened to be a certain blonde with irresistible eyes.

He was in the rouge academy uniform, as were you, and he held a pristine white rose in his hand. He had clearly expected the station to be empty, so the sight of your drained eyes made him suck in a breath.You let out a tired laugh at his appearance.

"So are we allowed to be here, or are we both going to receive whatever nightmare Highbottom has set up for us?"

Coryo walked to stand next to you as he retorted back with a sly grin.

"At least we will go through whatever the punishment is together."

"Ah, yes, nothing shakes the trouble duo!"

He took a sideways glance at you as he started chuckling.

"Trouble duo? That's really the best you thought of? I thought you were the poetic one."

He joked at you as you gasped in mock offense.

"I'm sorry, do you have any better names for us?"

Yes. Yes, he did. But none of them had to do with Highbottom or any mocking moniker. His personal favorite was "couple." The others were a bit ambitious and would be used in the far future, such as President and First Lady. Not a bad ring to it. But he wouldn't voice out his desires, even if he was on his death bed. Especially after what happened in that hallway yesterday.

However, you were too busy observing for the upcoming train to notice Coriolanus's gaze. When you turned around, he didn't shift away his gaze.

But you didn't question it. Maybe because it has become familiar and a comfort these past weeks. You had ammunition of reasons such as his hyperobservation to explain these glances. Not a single one of them hit the real reason.

The blonde was fidgeting with the rose slightly, which made a slight laugh creep past your lips. It took him a second to realize the cause, but when he did, he slightly blushed.

"I would have gotten you one too if-uhm, I knew you would be here."

Your lips curved into a shy grin at his flustered words.

"I'm not the one you need to charm, Coryo; you did that a long time ago."

You noticeably were avoiding his eyes, and he let it be because he was quite sure he was turning as red as his uniform.

"Can I ask why you are here, Coryo?"

He seemed a bit taken aback at your sudden question. Of course, he knew the reason he was there: to win the Plinth Prize. To do that, he needed Lucy Gray's trust, and this was just the way to do it. But he feared his reasoning was a bit too harsh. It was the last days of this girl's life, and he was just seeing her as a means to an end. Coriolanus didn't want you to think of him as heartless or worse, that he would be using your trust as a means to an end as well.

So he simply replied that he wished to gain the odd girl's trust, and this seemed like a good way to get a head start. You nodded along, agreeing that she seemed like the character who wouldn't do anything without trust.

Although, your eyes seemed to darken after his reasoning. He couldn't decipher the look completely, but it was clear guilt was a factor.

"Y/N?"

Your faraway eyes and mind locked into his at hearing his soft voice.

"Why are you here?"

You stared at him, slightly getting lost in the ever-shifting color in his eyes. You looked downwards as you breathed out.

"I don't know. I wish I did. Something told me I should come, see him for myself. Maybe it will help clear my thoughts on everything here. And I know a part of me wishes to find something in him to justify his murder."

You bitterly admitted. You were still glanced down when Coriolanus responded.

"This isn't your fault; you know this, right? You didn't choose him, and you didn't make the games."

He let it sink in for a moment, enough for it to visibly break through your guilt-made walls. Coriolanus waited for you to finally regain the will to look up at him.

"And if anyone has reason for the things you are thinking and feeling, it's you. They still want us dead. The Capitol says the war is over when it's far from done. I mean, come on, these kids are the next generation of rebels. It's either them or us."

His tone started out light and soft but quickly turned to stone. You wanted to argue with him, to shout at the top of your lungs that they are innocent and no part of the massacres you suffered. But how could you? How could you fight your exact sentiments?

You knew he was right, no matter how much it hurt your morals. They were old enough to feel fear. Old enough for that fear to become hate. Hate to violence.

And they were old enough to kill. The minimum age for the Reaping was twelve. You and your classmates had the ability to take a life at half that age.

After that, the long-awaited train began pulling into the station. You've only ever seen a train in person once. When you gave miniature hugs to your uncle Averic and freshly fourteen-year-old Octavious.

You were only five at the time, and the upcoming horror of the Dark Days were still a few months away. There were others there saying their goodbyes, but you weren't focusing on them. Or how they began filtering out as the time for departure came closer. You were still clinging onto your older brother's legs as your mother, aunt Fiora, and uncle Averic seemed to be in serious talks.

"Otto?"

The young boy seemed to be trying to listen in to their conversation, and it took a little slap to his leg to get his attention. When his eyes, which were the same shade of yours, landed on your own, they softened from his prior harden state of focus. He knelt down to your height as he turned all his attention on you.

"Why are you leaving?"

The boy had to take a shaky breath. He had slightly hoped you would just accept your mother's reasoning that he "just had to go." But, of course, you, being too attentive and curious for any kid your age, just couldn't let his absence go. In reality, he didn't have to leave. He had forced himself to be involved. It took every stretch of persuasion to convince his uncle to let him come along to what was being described as "a small rebellion."

He wasn't to do anything but take note and follow his uncle's lead. Otto dreamed that within a year, he would be given his own battalion, and the next, be his own commanding general. It was not extremely unusual for a young man of age sixteen or seventeen to be in command. Averic Emberidge was a living example. And like his maternal uncle, Octavious Vaun had great military promise. He had life promise.

He had promise.

And a promise given to his young sister. That he would come back.

Otto achieved his goals of military prowess. But the young man, no matter how skilled or trusted, broke his promise to the person he loved most.

But back then, the promise was fresh and believed to be easy to keep. The platform was empty save for one family by the time your own was forced to part. Your mother and aunt switched between the two members who would be off in District territory. You stood back and watched the goodbyes as a man approached.

He was tall, broad, and commanded the air of the room. As if even the rules of the universe had to bend to his will. He had two children and an older woman trailing behind him. All four had bright and magnetic blue eyes.

The Snows were not easy to miss, not even miles away, as though their powerful aura was felt in all areas of proximity.

He stopped right in front of your mother, who stood in a deep green fashioned vintage day dress. The beautiful woman still looked forward, slightly past her brother's shoulder.

"Cloria. Fiora."

He gave a nod after each name. The former turned to him with those still captivating eyes. The latter rolled her own pair at his presence. He acknowledged your uncle and brother as well, but they would have time for conversation later. They were all to be on campaign together after all.

Crassus and Cloria broke away for a very brief discussion while you still stood a bit away from the group. Your uncle noticed you and your lack of an official goodbye and smiled in invitation. You sprinted into his now-open arms as he spun you around, much to your oblivious enjoyment. When he set you down and grabbed your arms to make you focus on him, his prior smile dissolved into a grave thin line.

"Hey, kid."

Uncle Averic's voice wasn't the joyful one you were used to. You knew then that you needed to listen up and closely.

"I know you are a tough little girl. I saw how you beat up your brother, after all."

You smiled proudly while the aforementioned beaten boy scoffed. He was referring to the past few weeks in which Otto taught you how to fight. It was safe to say he wasn't expecting your level of skill and dedication. The fourteen-year-old just wanted you to have basic defense skills, but your speed of skill accelerated the lessons considerably.

"But y/n, things are going to be a little different now. I need you to watch out for your mom and aunt Fi, okay? I know Rhayen will be there, but you are responsible too. You are smart and strong, kid, just don't be reckless. Your mom doesn't need any more stress."

Your uncle struck his hand out, and you shook it in agreement. It didn't hit your young mind all that you would have to endure to keep this agreement.

Your mother and Crassus seemed to be finishing up talks, so you turned to Otto, who seemed to be holding back tears as the gravity of the situation hit him.

"Hey."

His still-changing voice broke. He scooped you up in his arms as he stared down at you.

"I will write all I can back home, and I'll make special letters just for you, okay? I'll draw out the words for you."

You could read, and at a very accelerated level for a girl your age, but Otto was already missing the days where you would draw out what you were feeling in situations you couldn't speak out loud.

"No! I want words, I can read Otto! I want hard words too!"

He laughed at your little pout of demand. Your determination to push yourself even in that small way was one of the many ways you motivated him throughout the war. Otto knew you were waiting for him, so he rushed to come back. But even his speed could not make him outrun fate.

Your mother had come back and had taken you - begrudgingly - out of her oldest child's arms. You watched them board the train and watched the adults' reactions. Each had a different expression.

The older woman who was with General Snow, who you would eventually call Grandma'am along with her grandchildren, looked proud; she looked overconfident and a bit arrogant. Fiora was on the brink of biting her finger off as she bit nervously at her nails.

And your mother. Her eyes were scanning the train, but they saw two worlds. One where the three men would come back, unscathed and victorious. The other was grim and the unfortunate reality of only the news of their death coming back.

You remember as you scanned the faces, all which were focused on the now-departing train, one was staring back at you. Even all those years ago, Coriolanus was always a face of comfort and reliability. Across the platform, you two bore into the soul of the other, trying to make sense of any of the chaos around them. Your family began walking towards the west exit while his the east.

The distance grew and grew, but so did the intensity of your connected gaze. Neither seemed to want to let go. As if you both knew this would be your last look for three years. The last look as unscathed children.

But those children grew up. And you were back on a train platform with those ever-searching blue eyes. Though, no longer did he search for sense or his father, but now for his ticket out of poverty. A ticket in the form of a fascinating brunette.

He walked towards the now-opening doors of the cattle train. The smell was foul, but you followed him. Some tributes got out, either by their own or forced out. A bat also flew out which you noted. The tributes looked at the Capitol duo with a range from curiosity to murderous intentions. You went down the near entirety of the vehicle the two from District Twelve appeared. Jessup got down first and helped Lucy Gray down by her waist.

You and Coryo sucked in a collective breath. Any last-minute nerves had to silence themselves because it was far too late now to back out.

Jessup immediately noticed you both and sent a glare. He stepped closer to Lucy Gray in protection while she was busy taking in her surroundings. The movement of Jessup and his noticeable stare past her made the girl turn.

She was quite beautiful; the screens didn't do her justice. She had coffee brown eyes, matching colored hair, and clear, tanned skin. But it was her expression that added to her beauty. She was clearly suspicious, to which no one could blame her, but as she raked over both you and Coriolanus's forms, she had a slight grin of curiosity.

It was quite a contrast to her fellow tribute, Jessup. His eyes were sharp, and he was clearly displeased at your presence.

But you cleared your throat anyway, although Coryo beat you to speaking.

"Welcome to the Capitol."

He held out the rose for the girl, who took a long good look at it before taking it.

"We are your mentors. It's nice to meet you both."

You said sweetly and had a small smile to which the girl returned but fell flat on Jessup. You put your hand out to Jessup, but not surprisingly, he left you hanging. You gulped down your embarrassment and bit your lip, signs of uncomfort ot unnoticed by Coryo. Lucy Gray looked you both up and down as she sized you up.

"When I was little, my mama used to bathe me in buttermilk and rose petals."

She took a petal off and stuck it right in her mouth. She gave it a good taste followed by a smile.

"Tastes like bedtime."

You turned to Coriolanus, who was still wide-eyed at his tribute's actions. You didn't know exactly what to expect when you came here, but it surely wasn't this.

"So what do our mentors do?"

It seemed like Lucy Gray was going to do all the talking as her friend stayed stone-faced besides her.

"We do our best to take care of you. Lucy Gray, Coriolanus is your mentor while Jessup, you are stuck with me."

Lucy Gray nodded along and examined her mentor once again. Jessup examined you as well but not in the pondering way his companion was. Rather, he looked like he was thinking venomous thoughts of you and as if your being was yet another punishment he had to endure.

Any further conversation was interrupted by several peacekeepers motioning for the two from twelve to get moving. Lucy Gray looked over her shoulder and wished you both luck on that front while she was being pushed towards a small vehicle along with the rest of the tributes.

Coriolanus already began asking the silent peacekeepers if we can escort them, but none were willing to answer. You followed him aimlessly, ready to start your exit and walk to the Academy. You both still had classes today, even though they were modified to center around your mentorship. But Snow wasn't willing to give up.

When a tall and lanky boy tried to make a run for it and distracted the peacekeepers, a certain look overtook Coriolanus. Everything seemed to be blocked out, just him and the door to the truck. You had a feeling what he was going to do and cursed him once you saw his legs start pumping.

I hate you so much, you idiot Coriolanus Snow.

Your chant of dislike was all you could think of as only a split second after him, you followed him into the abyss of the vehicle that held twenty-three (Wovey yet a year away) teenagers who wanted you both dead. A desire they might just get once the doors shut, trapping you in.

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As soon as Coriolanus landed on the truck, he went directly towards the back. Your legs weren't as tall as his, so it took enough effort from you to get on the truck that you fell onto the floor. That was when Coryo noticed you had joined him. His eyes widened in fright, and he moved to pick you up when another tribute shoved him against the back wall. He let out a painful groan as he tried to charm his way out of the situation.

The tribute holding onto him was even taller and considerably broader than the blonde boy.

"I'll kill you right now."

He snarled at Coriolanus and was backed up by a sick girl.

"He killed a peacekeeper back in eleven."

You learned that the peacekeeper killer was named Reaper, and the ill-looking girl was named Dill.

The threat on Coriolanus's life made you get up in a second and get ready to stop any further action. But as soon as you landed on your feet, your position mimicked Coriolanus's as you were being shoved by Coral, the girl from four. You knew she was Festus's assigned tribute and she seemed like a clear delight with her wicked smile.

"I call dibs on killing her."

Her breath, with the scent of fish still lingering, fanned all over your face. But unlike Coriolanus, your face didn't show any fear or desperation. You held her gaze with a glare of your own. You've fought off a lot more menacing figures than her.

While you had no fear, Coriolanus was taken over with terror.

"Don't you touch her!"

He made a move against Reaper, who shoved him back even harder against the wall. His struggle made the red head girl holding you laugh.

"Aw, how cute. Your boyfriend tryin to help you, princess."

Your hostile glare deepened at that. She had so much confidence in her ability and power over you. And while she was much stronger than you, she was sloppy. She didn't even hold back your hands or disarm your legs. You could easily throw her off if she made a move.

Lucy Gray watched the events unfold and glanced at Jessup who seemed okay with letting their mentors suffer fates similar to their inevitable ones. She didn't like not doing anything to help them. They were supposed to help her and Jessup, right? They would be at a clear disadvantage if something happened to them.

Plus, you and Coriolanus were interesting; nothing like what she imagined Capitol kids to be like.

As the rest of the group agreed on the murder of the academy students, Lucy Gray piped up.

"Y’all got family back home? They’ll kill them if you hurt them. Then you."

She made sure her message was clear. The thought of their families being hurt made them pause, as well as the instant death. In the Hunger Games, they at least had a shot at living. Reaper loosened his grip, and she continued.

"Besides, he’s my mentor. I might need his help."

She nodded her head towards the disgruntled mentor. She didn't mention who you were mentoring because she hoped Jessup would speak up. She knew Jessup didn't necessarily care for you, but he knew you might be some sort of help. The dark-skinned boy didn't get to speak up before Coral, however.

"And you a mender, princess?"

She shoved you again, which made Coriolanus flinch, but Lucy Gray motioned with her eyes for him to stay in place. His involvement would only make things worse.

"Better hope I'm not yours."

She didn't like your answer if her teeth-bearing snarl had anything to say about it. Something about it fueled your fury.

"Do you know why they call it the Hunger Games?"

You beckoned her with a slight smirk that angered the aggressive girl across from you.

"I'll still kill you."

She threatened you as she didn't know where you were going with this. The unknown was a disadvantage to her and fueled her fear.

You asked again, and the sweet-hearted Wovey answered instead.

"Because there is no food."

She answered confidently and in that sweet voice, which felt so wrong in this environment. You didn't want to go ahead with your plan of words, but when Coral turned back from looking at the little girl to you, the fire was back.

You stared straight into the angry eyes of Coral with a menacing smile.

"Oh no, there is plenty of food. I mean, look around. I see twenty-six bodies of food."

You could feel the girl's arms shudder, and you saw the rest of the faces go pale. But you weren't done.

"Hunger stands for the hunger in one's eyes. Once that bell rings, that hunger takes over. Hunger for blood, corpses. For survival and victory. And if you lose focus for just a second-"

You made quick work as you shoved Coral's arms off of you and placed them behind her back. You have now reversed places as she struggled against the wall and beneath your far more forceful and effective hold. Attention was still hooked onto as you finished your lesson.

"You're dead."

Your quick move shocked the entirety of the truck, including Coryo. He knew you could fight back from your younger days by the pestering of Festus, in which you gave him a solid black eye for days. Yet, he didn't know just how good you were, much of it still from your brother's teachings and occasional lessons from Rhayen.

You were ready to let the girl, who still wore her scowl but couldn't hide the fear behind her eyes, go. Although, you bent closely in front of her face to let her know your last message.

"You better thank your lucky stars I'm not in that arena with you. I already won my games."

You hissed out the now positively infuriated teenager. The other tributes ranged from absolute horror of you to confusion on your last statement and how you were so cutthroat. No one expected children of the Capitol to have this in them.

The entirety of the truck's eyes were on you, except Lucy Gray. She looked to Coriolanus to examine his expression. She wanted to know if this was all a front or your sweet nature on the station was. The best way would be to see what the boy, who clearly knew you, thought of the situation. His face was not expressing fear or confusion like the others, but rather a sad look of understanding.

All of the Capitol struggled most definitely during the Dark Days and still with its legacy and effect. But you were one of the few to suffer nearly all the horrors it brought during the war and the only one who still lost after it. The rest of your classmates seemed to move past the traumas, but not you. Maybe it was because of your mother, but it always seemed to play out on repeat behind your still-shining eyes.

Lucy Gray's eyes bounced from Coriolanus's face to yours again. She seemed satisfied and understood. You weren't bluffing. Though, as she looked again at you, she saw your eyes soften. You realized all you had done and said. You had felt threatened, and it had just become instinct to take control of a threatening situation. It hit you that you just became Coral. It was clear she was scared of being here, and her menacing demeanor was a defensive mechanism. And your haunting words were yours.

Lucy Gray took note. Maybe she and Jessup could trust you. But all of a sudden, the truck began shaking harshly and began tipping as the doors opened into the bright light. It shocked you, and due to being closer to the door, you were one of the few to fall. You fell silently but locked eyes with Coriolanus as you did, which was enough for him to let go as well. He was already slipping anyway as Lucy Gray hung onto him, and the truck began tipping.

The mentor was able to land without a scratch and checked on Lucy Gray, who was the same. She looked to her friend, who dusted himself off from where he landed a few meters away from her. Coriolanus watched her make it to Jessup when he began frantically looking for you.

You were more in the middle of the area, which he soon realized was the Capitol zoo. He scoffed at the insult to the districts as he rushed to your side. However, you weren't as lucky as those in the back. You had landed face first into some rocks, which busted a nasty cut above your eye. You had swatted away Coryo's helping hands and slipped off your academy blazer to dab at the blood.

"Huh, look at this. Capitol bleeds."

Your head snapped up to meet the mocking Coral. Coryo looked as if he was going to pounce on her, but you pulled his arm back. He helped you up as you looked past his shoulder.

"What in the world is the weather guy doing here?"

The quite loud presentation voice of the notorious Lucky Flickerman was heard as he tried to get your and Coriolanus's attention.

Lucy Gray and Jessup had moved towards you two while Coral walked off. When Coriolanus heard that he was live for all of the Capitol, he began to panic. His breath became rapid and shallow. You were quick to grab his cheeks to make him look down to you.

"Coryo. Look at me. It's nothing you haven't done before. I'm here with you, okay?"

You waited for his nod to smile back at him, which calmed his nerves considerably. Your tributes watched on, slightly amused. Lucy Gray felt charmed by your clear looks of affection, although it hurt her due to her own recent love troubles. Jessup felt amused that the girl who was just threatening Coral was so taken by a skinny, lanky, and pale boy such as Coriolanus.

You both turned to the other half of your makeshift group.

"Lucy Gray Baird, Jessup Diggs, let us introduce you to our neighbors."

You beckoned them forward, while you opened your hand for Lucy Gray, who took it with an amused tilt of her head. Jessup and Coriolanus shared a look, in which the latter looked at the former's hand and was swiftly met with a clear "no" at the thought of the two mirroring your actions.

When you reached the edge of the cage, you noticed two small children. Coriolanus moved to the other side of Lucy Gray while Jessup moved to you, still a bit back. However, your attention is quickly taken by the questions of Lucky Flickerman.

"Who are you two? What are you doing in the cage here?"

Coriolanus responds and explains the situation to Lucky while you and Lucy Gray focus on the children in front of you.

They seem very taken by Lucy Gray, and she is quite the charmer. She captures the attention of all around with her honey-like voice and witty answers. Soon enough, Lucky focuses on her, eager to learn all about the strange girl. She explains the Covey and the importance of her beautiful dress.

"This dress was my mama’s so it’s extra special to me."

You glanced at her with a shared sympathy as she informed the ignorant host of her mother's passing. She felt your stare shift and turned to you as you gave her the slightest of nods. You didn't know if she understood its meaning, but her knowing eyes crinkled with a smile that let you know your message was well received.

Lucy Gray had a good feeling she could trust you. Maybe if she somehow won, you two could be good friends. She was a charmer and well-liked in twelve, but she didn't really have friends besides the Covey; who were more family than friends.

"Do you know the wonderful mentors for me and Jessup? Seems we got the cream of the cake 'cause no one else even bothered to show up."

You took a gulp and forced a smile as the camera visibly moved to focus on you.

"Well, we've met Coriolanus Snow, yes?"

Flickerman paused to ensure he got the blonde's name right and was met with a nod.

"And who are you, young lady? And did you get that nasty cut from the other tributes when you jumped in the cage? Were you told to jump in?"

His questions flew a million miles a minute, but you responded with grace.

"Hello there. My name is Y/N Vaun and oh no, I fear I am quite clumsy."

You covered up the fact that you might have had your neck slit if not for Lucy Gray.

"And the game makers didn't tell us that we couldn't. They just said that it was a mentor’s job to introduce our tributes to the citizens of Panem. And we thought, well, if they were brave enough to be here, then why shouldn’t we be, too?"

You looked up to Coriolanus to assure your answer was sufficient enough, to which he agreed. Lucy Gray did have one adjustment though.

"For the record, I didn’t have a choice."

Which you couldn't help but tilt your head to the side in agreement to her statement while Flickerman opened up again.

"For the record, I think you both are about to be whisked away."

Suddenly, two strong peacekeepers began dragging you away with Coriolanus. You fought them off to freely walk on your own as you noticed Lucy Gray stop him and whisper urgently, to which he agreed.

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The walk to the academy wasn't too far, but your pace was set quite fast. You and Coryo were already going to attract a lot of attention; missing class for an assumed press event with the tributes was a big no. Your dash to the prestigious institution was a silent conversation between you and Coryo. There didn't feel like much to say as you both were too far in your heads.

Coriolanus turned to you slightly as the question that's been burning in his mind came out.

"Why did you jump in the truck with me?"

You didn't even hesitate as you answered him, still looking forward.

"Are you seriously asking me that, Coryo?"

When you were met with nothing but silence, you turned to him.

"You jump, I jump. You throw yourself in a cage filled with people who want to gut you? Expect to have a friend with you. Maybe it will make you think before you do something stupid next time."

Your answer and vow of companionship caused a satisfied smile to overtake the handsome boy's features. It stayed there for some time before your now dark voice piped up.

"Do you remember the station?"

Your sudden question broke the prior silence. The fair-skinned teen looked at you in question.

"The station we were just at?"

He felt as if he missed something. The thought of being out of the loop unnerved him. You motioned that the recent setting wasn't the point of your question as you elaborated.

"No, I meant right back when the rebellion started. That day when they shipped off."

The heir of Snow's face scrunched up as he thought of the memory; one of his first clear ones. Young Coryo was so confused with all happening around him. Crassus rarely acknowledged the five-year-old's confusion while grandma'am kept on repeating curses about the rebelling districts. Though, as always, Tigris tried to calm down and help her little cousin. She wasn't that much older but she was old enough to understand; her uncle, the sole provider of their family, was to be off across the country. It worried her beyond what her youthful face would show. A face constantly lit up with the warm smiles her young cousin elicited.

But there were moments, although few, where Tigris's attention was elsewhere besides Coryo. One of them being on that now demolished train station, where she watched Crassus Snow depart from the Capital and eventually, their lives. It was in that moment where Coriolanus didn't look to his cousin for comfort but rather the girl with curious and wandering eyes. He had seen you before, but that was the day you truly entered his life. The young man laughed sweetly at the memory.

"You refused to look away even as we were being pulled away."

"Hey, you didn't look away either!"

You retorted back to the reminiscing adolescent. His eyes were still glued forward as you neared your destination. Out of his peripheral vision, however, he noticed a solemn demeanor took you over.

"Funny how different my only two train experiences are."

You laughed without humor, a grim noise.

"The first time, I had the privilege of ignorance. Hands were clean. And the people. Nearly every person I loved in one place. Fast forward today. I'm all too aware of the blood dripping from my hands, and I keep on making it gush."

You paused to take a bitter breath while refocusing your eyes straight ahead. You both were nearly to the entrance of the academy campus.

"Not a single one of them made it out alive. The only one was you."

The boy in mention furrowed his brows at your statement. It didn't strike him until now that you were right. Every member of your family on the platform that fateful day is six feet under. And by the way you spoke, so was little five-year-old you. The thought of your absent family made him reflect. His life wasn't easy in the slightest, but he did have his loved ones, no matter how little the number was. Sure, his grandma'am was a bit eccentric and not whole in the head, but she was a reminder of the glory indebted to the Snows. She was, most of the time, a sweet grandmother and a constant pillar of support.

And of course, Tigris. His life was mostly filled with darkness, metaphorically and literally with the high cost of electricity. But Tigris was always a light shining bright. Guiding him when he was lost in the slightest bit. He left that station with nearly the same family he has today, excluding his cold father. And even though his absence was a painful reminder of their living situation, Tigris often reminded Coryo that was given a chance to be a better person without his father's controlling and cold nature. A chance she tried to make possible at every possible moment.

But you didn't have a single member of your beloved family anymore. It was true your father was alive, but Coriolanus knows he has all but officially stepped out of your life. A move that made the young man resent and hold a place of disrespect in regards to your father. Your feet had carried you through the vast academy doors and down the hallways leading to the class you should have been in half an hour ago.

It was when you were mere feet from the door when a realization hit him. You said everyone you loved was on that platform and he was the only one to live. wait. did you just- does that mean-

"Your little excursion was in violation of about five different Academy rules, Mr. Snow and Miss Vaun. Chief amongst them, endangering a Capitol student."

You had entered the domed classroom, and Coriolanus couldn't further question your prior statements. You had ascended up the stairs with Coryo following close behind. You turned to question Dean Highbottom, who didn't even look up at your presence.

"Neither of us forced the other to go. We went on our own accord."

You responded back to the dean still focused on his papers.

"I don't care how or why it happened. You both put yourselves in danger regardless. I’m moving for the Gamemakers to disqualify you as mentors immediately."

You scoffed at his actions in disgust. He really jumped at any chance to make Coriolanus suffer. Highbottom has now become a plague you now have to deal with as well. Young Snow didn't appreciate his operation against him and you as he questioned his validity.

"You said we had to get our tributes to perform, not that we had to stay away."

"I’ll add insubordination as well."

Coriolanus opened his mouth to retort back when he was cut off by a chilling voice.

"Snow and Vaun fell down in the cage."

The ever-infamous Volumina Gaul appeared with a devilish smile playing on her bright red lips. She crept closer as she continued.

"Snow fell down in the cage but it landed…"

Her riddle was quickly figured out by the pair who answered at the same time.

"On stage."

The quick and correct reply made her wicked smile grow impossibly more.

"You’re good at Games. Maybe one day, you two will be Gamemakers like me. You are quite the pair."

The decrepit Casca Highbottom turned to watch the interaction and grumbled at the head Gamemaker's implication.

"If the Games continue at all."

"Oh, they’ll continue. With performances like young Mr. Snow and Miss Vaun's in that zoo."

The eccentric woman made her way to the end of your row as she questioned.

"Which one of you had the idea to jump in the cage with the tributes?"

You and Coriolanus knew neither of you had an idea that you would end up there. That doesn't mean the brave (and stupid) idea to jump in the truck came from nowhere.

"Coriolanus was the one."

You were quick to respond that the boy couldn't cut you off to mention your own involvement. That doesn't mean he didn't have his own speed in answering.

"Y/N was the one who fended them off, though. She also was the one who thought of presenting Lucy Gray after gaining her trust."

To say Dr. Gaul’s already peaked interest didn't skyrocket would be an understatement. She remembered her surprise, an emotion that appears very little in the woman's life, at seeing the two academy students in the zoo. Their elegance and charisma in their performance were extraordinary. And to see how fast they are to jump to the other's defense and bolster made the peculiar woman ache for more. She may have found not only one but two promising students.

"Holding her hand, Y/N? Introducing her to people? You make it look as if we’re one and the same as those animals."

The disgust was clear in Clemensia's voice as she spoke. She was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt when it came to Sejanus, who lived most of his life in the Capital after all. But straight district? That was a whole different level of abhorrence.

Said district - not district boy had his own opinions to voice.

"Coriolanus and Y/N didn’t show those people anything they didn’t already know. That the tributes are human beings. Just like us."

He paused to let the idea sink in for the snobby children of the Capital. You and Coriolanus were not surprised at his little outburst, but that doesn't mean you were happy with it. You were very far from it. Sick and tired of constantly hearing the saintly nature of those in the districts. But the curly-haired boy continued.

"That’s why nobody wants to watch the Games. It’s because people know deep down that winning a war 10 years ago doesn’t justify starving people’s children, taking away their freedoms, their rights."

You stayed silent as your nostrils flared, and your teeth ground against each other. You weren't sure where all this anger came from, but you assumed part of it was all your memories of the war becoming so clear lately. The constant yapping of Sejanus that they are oh so innocent while you remember otherwise did not help the blood boiling. Your symptoms of rage did not go unnoticed by Dr. Gaul.

"And what do you think, Miss Vaun? Are the inhabitants of the districts human or animal?"

The entirety of the class focused on you as you took a second to compose yourself. You took a deep breath, and instead of looking at the woman who proposed the question, you locked eyes with Dean Highbottom.

"They are obviously humans."

The man's eyes seemed to have an odd look of relief at your response, but you weren't finished. Your eyes didn't blink nor flinch as you bore into the older man's eyes. "

Animals are incapable of reaching a man's level of sinister."

The recipient of your gaze flinched at your tone and words. It felt as if you stabbed a blade straight into his already shattered conscience. However, your answer sparked new levels of interest within Dr. Gaul. You seem to be more of a promise than you initially let on. Sejanus was far from impressed by your answer. You never spoke out against the districts before; what caused you to now?

"Some of those kids were two years old when the war ended. The oldest of them were only eight! They didn’t have enough to become sinister."

His tone implied the thought that your description of the districts' "humanity" was ridiculous. The people outside of the Capital were good. Far better than those within it, clearly. But Sejanus's blind opinion of them brought you to new levels of anger. You scoffed out a breath of pure disbelief as you turned to stare straight into the brown eyes of the boy.

"Too young? Eight is quite old enough to do sinister things. Look around, Sejanus. You think any of us, who, by the way, were those eight years old, survived by playing with our dolls?"

You paused, trying to compose yourself, while all pairs of eyes were on you. Well, all except Sejanus. You two have never had a quarrel. If there was anyone who the rest were certain would back up Sejanus, it would be you. But here you were, spitting words of venom and unfortunate truth.

"Death doesn't discriminate by age. War doesn't discriminate by age. Each and every one of us here had to become soldiers and survivors by age five." You paused, "Does that sound like humanity? Like the pure good you preach about the districts? They are just like us. Whether or not you want to see it. You claim us evil and we might be. But tell me who do you think caused us to be so harsh? If we were able to kill at six years old, I am quite sure those sixteen-year-olds wouldn't bat an eye. If you don't believe me, let me ask Otto."

The mention of your brother caused the already dead silent classroom to stiffen. Even Highbottom, who disliked yet another reminder of Cloria Vaun (or Emberidge, depends on what memories), had to throw back another shot of morphling. Sejanus was already uncomfortable with your sudden shift in demeanor and your public argument. His discomfort increased when you began using the words "we" and "us," but the mention of Octavius Vaun made him freeze. You rarely mentioned him and if you ever did, you couldn't bring yourself to say his name. You never gave the full details of his death, but you told him enough to know it was a subject never to be brought up. Now that you did, he, along with the rest of your class, knew you weren't going to be able to be controlled.

And you weren't. You didn't let up your hold on attention for a good while as you kept going.

"Hmm? Or how about we ask all of our classmates that should be here? All those people who should be our friends, lovers, siblings? What about those infants who died before they could take a breath because their mothers died of starvation? Let's go ask their corpses, huh! Oh wait, right. Just go around and ask the Capitol population. We didn't have a body clean-up system back in the war. What do you think we did with the bodies?"

The slow realization and remembrance of whispers of the war crept back to Sejanus's mind. Your voice was steady as you continued.

"We had to get whatever nutrition we could, no matter where it came from."

Clemensia had turned deep shades of green at the mention. At the memories.

"Y/N, please stop."

Her wobbly voice and discomfort did the exact opposite of her pleas. You took a look around the classroom to see your peers avoiding eye contact with you and looking one step away from barfing. The sight made you laugh in dark hysteria as you now addressed the room.

"Really?! That's all it took? Ten years? Ten years and you forgot everything! Now that you don't have to throw the last words of your loved ones in a fire to keep warm! These pristine uniforms and marble classrooms enough?! You forget when you had to survive for weeks off of a single rat carcass? When you had to fight deranged old men for a half-empty bag of moldy peaches for your entire family? When your only drink was your own blood? No memories!? No memories of the insanity causing people flinging themselves off of rooftops and others beating the vultures to cut up their corpses!"

Your voice was in a full, rage-fueled yell by the time you finished. You would have continued if a hand on your shoulder didn't signal to stop. You looked up, ready to fight whoever it was, until you realized it was Coryo. You expected him to be embarrassed of you, maybe angry. But he wasn't. His eyes seemed to be glowing with understanding and a shared irritation. After a minute of you calming down, a voice perked all too happily.

"My, my, what a declaration!"

Dr. Gaul was all too eager at your fury. Her blood was on fire with excitement at your sentiments. The question she initially came here to ask you and Coriolanus was finally ready to be asked.

"What are the Hunger Games for?"

The woman looked between you and Coriolanus, eager for an answer to which the latter responded.

"They’re to punish the districts for their uprising, to commemorate the end of the war."

Her smile was gone at the disappointing answer.

“Commemorate the… Dull, dull, dull. Punishment can take myriad forms. Why not drop bombs, cancel food shipments, stage executions? Why Games?"

Her question was not met by either of the two students she wished but rather the clear sympathizer in the form of Sejanus Plinth.

"Shouldn’t we be asking ourselves whether or not they’re right in the first place?"

"You have a problem with my Games?"

Any answer was intercepted by Dean Highbottom who has more than enough of this discussion and development.

"Perhaps the Capitol students are ill-suited to be mentoring tributes. Perhaps the Game’s time has passed."

It was then when you regained your voice.

"It clearly hasn't. The Games, whatever their ultimate purpose, is a reminder. To the districts, most definitely, but also the Capital. It is clear that most here wish to forget and hide away the horrors we've endured. Forget all you wish, but the districts won't. They have to suffer what we did and we have to remember why."

Dr. Gaul was taking in your answer. And it clearly pleased her, whether that be a good or bad thing. That curiosity and thrill continued as Coriolanus added in some suggestions.

"Maybe we should be viewing those tributes as human beings. I mean, you saw those kids in the zoo; they just… they just wanted to get to know Lucy Gray. If we need people to watch, we should be letting them get closer to the tributes before the Games. To make the stakes personal."

As your apparent partner continued, the gears in your mind started turning.

"Who will watch the Games if they care what happens to the tributes?" Arachne questioned. And you were the one to answer.

"Everyone."

When you answered, Coriolanus looked to you with a ghost of a smile on his lips as you understood.

"You wanted them to be spectacles? What's better than letting them share their characters? Their lives, dreams, regrets. Biggest loves and losses. If you want people to watch, they will when they have people to root for and against."

Young Snow was quick to pick up after you.

"And if we bend a few Capitol laws, we could even have them place bets. The winner of the arena may not be the same as the winner of the people."

You jumped back into the conversation with a slightly more chipper tone.

"Give them interviews to learn who they are. Maybe we can even do skill tests. If you use Coriolanus's betting system, it can give even the weakest of tributes more of a chance. People would not only be able to bet on who they like the most but who has more of a chance. Not to mention they would have the power to change those odds."

Dr. Gaul was at all-time levels of elation at the pair. She knows promise when she sees it.

"I’d like you to write up a proposal of these thoughts tonight, Mr. Snow and Miss Vaun. "

You turned to look at said Mr. Snow when a certain raven-haired girl stood up from her seat next to him.

"Wait. You mean you might actually use their ideas?"

Clemensia thought her two high-achieving friends' ideas would just be left floating and not actually implemented in one of the most important events of the country.

"If it’ll help the ratings, why not."

Dr. Gaul’s words made the realization hit you like that cursed cattle train. Your ideas were shared in a slight haze of excitement and lingering fury. If your suggestions really were implemented, you may have just subjected generations of children to death.

Your revelation was clear on your face as Sejanus looked up to who he called his closest friend. He felt slightly betrayed by your outburst, but more so confused. Though, his anger and confusion dissipated a good amount when he saw the horror of realization upon your face.

On the other side of the star pupils, Clemmie slightly shuddered as the outlandish Gamemaker turned her cold gaze upon her. The young woman put on her charming smile as she tried to weasel her way into success.

"Coriolanus and I are class partners, Dr. Gaul. We do all of our assignments together."

You shared eye contact with the girl's partner who seemed to be just as skeptical as you. You turned in Dr. Gaul's direction, which also happened to be Sejanus's. You looked down and saw his face look glossy and hurt. A pain that transferred over to you at the sight. But that would be for a later time. For now, you looked up and informed the Gamemaker that you would be doing your proposals on your own.

The classroom was filled with the manic laughter of the woman. Doubt started filling up your veins at working with the prominent figure. Her bright teeth shone bright as her diabolical smile grew.

"It’ll be an interesting test."

A test of intellect, character, and survival indeed.

⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆

You and Coriolanus sat at a small table on the edge of the cafeteria. You wished to be nowhere near the prying eyes and gossiping mouths of your peers. But apparently, Lucy Gray asked for food, and you couldn't let her or Jessup go hungry. Yet, you were now an active hand in their death.

That ever so active voice in your head kept on screaming against your heart. Your napkin was full of the food that used to reside on your plate, and now you were just waiting for Coryo, who came in a bit later than you. He was fast and smooth in his movements and was barely deterred from his actions when a voice rounded your table.

"You trying to fatten those kids up so you can finally start taking bets? Make sure they look lively enough to make good interviews?"

Sejanus spewed his remarks as he sat down on a chair at the head of the table. You glanced down in shame, but the words didn't bother Coriolanus.

"You think they’ll give those kids a scrap if we don’t give them a reason to do it? How do you think your tribute will have a chance if he can’t eat?"

You looked between the two. Sejanus seemed to concede at that point while Coryo kept on stuffing the napkin. The brown-eyed boy's voice seemed to soften in pain.

"He was my classmate. Back in two."

You sucked in a sharp breath. It was already hard enough for him to be a part of the game, especially being given a tribute from his home district. But his own classmate? If you were Marcus, you wouldn't spare Sejanus a glance or a word. And that was the worst part. Sejanus would try to help in any way he could, but the situation he was in, "the lucky one," wouldn't make it very easy to gain the trust of his former classmate. Coryo stopped his movements to look at the only boy he could call a solid friend.

"It’s not your fault it’s him."

You both knew that it would still sit on his conscience, no matter if he really was to blame or not. His scoff said it all.

"See, I know. I’m so blameless, I’m choking on it. My father bought him for me, you know, at the Reaping, just so he could show me that I could never go back to two."

You couldn't believe it. It was common information to you how much Starbo tried to change his son. That doesn't mean you expected him to go to such lengths.

"Maybe you could use that to your advantage."

Sejanus whipped his head to you as he squinted at you. The girl in front of him wasn't the same angry one in the classroom. No, this was the same one who he called his best friend for years, yet it just confused him even more as to why you would suggest that. You were quick to elaborate when it seemed that neither boy caught on.

"You want the Hunger Games to end, right? You can do something about it. No real change will happen unless it happens in the Capital. You are one of the few who can actually do something and one of the even fewer who wants to."

Sejanus seemed to be contemplating your words when Coriolanus added on.

"The best way to change it is to be subtle. Small little changes and actions cause enough damage over time."

Sejanus looked down at his two friends' laps and looked back up with a smirk starting to form.

"Like napkins of food. Make them strong enough to be remembered. Quite the rebels."

His smirk seemed to be contagious as it spread to Coryo. You had a smile as well that only grew as Coriolanus spoke again.

"Oh yeah. I’m bad news."

His eyes were on you the entire time as a blush crept on you. Your teeth couldn't help but show as the three of you got up and started your walk to the Capital Zoo.

Like your morning walk with Coriolanus, this walk was short but a bit more cheery as your little friend group conversed. You feared Sejanus would hold your prior actions against you, but he understood, as always. Well, that and Coryo's explanation on how you both expanded the odds for the weaker tributes instead of making it worse.

You and Coriolanus were recalling the earlier events of the morning that didn't appear on live television.

"Wait wait, you did what to her?"

You were holding back a laugh as Snow described how you switched up Coral and the overdramatization of it.

"Okay, first of all, I did not knock the life out of her. And she was getting on my nerves. Like if you are gonna threaten someone, at least do it right!"

The two boys shared a look and laughed a bit at you. A laugh that was swiftly met with a glare.

"Wanna see me execute my threat, Plinth?"

He was quickly grabbed by his sleeve by Coryo to ensure his friend's safety. You turned forward with a smug smile at their fear while they walked a good meter away from you. Soon enough, however, your little moment was met a swift end as you reached the zoo.

There were far more visitors than this morning, but many seemed to be a ways away; the tributes being watched from afar. You and Coryo spotted your two tributes on the far left side of the area, laying their backs on a large rock. Marcus was on the other side, so your trio split as Sejanus tried so hard to get him to take the food from his hands. A task that was unsuccessful.

You got closer and saw Lucy Gray smile at Coryo and the food he carried and promised he kept. She noticed the napkin of food in your hands as well, making her smile grow.

The singer walked to the bars while Jessup stood behind, still pensive at your presence.

"Is that for us?"

She took the two napkins out of the Capital students' hands, handing one of them to her friend. He didn't even give the food a glance as he bore into your eyes, displeasure evident.

"I’m not hungry."

You had a polite smile prior, hoping to get off on a better start this time. But his refusal made it slightly deplete. You understood why. You and the rest of the Capital students here, which now included Arachne, must have seemed like a cruel joke life played on him. You were willing to walk away, maybe try to focus on helping Coriolanus with Lucy Gray if Jessup refused you.

But Lucy Gray refused the boy who protected her to go hungry. She pushed the food into his hands like a mother would to her child.

"You think I can’t hear your stomach growling, Jessup Diggs?"

He looked between the food, his friend, and you a good number of times before he surrendered to his growling stomach.

Satisfied, Lucy Gray turned back to Coriolanus and seemed to settle in across from him. You doubted Jessup recreate the friendly posture, but you sat down a bit further down from Coryo. She wasn't much further from Arachne, who seemed to be playing a torturous game with her tribute, Brandy.

Your face contorted in disgust at her actions. The girl was going to already struggle, what is the need to play with her hunger?

"You sure you don't want to play with me first?" You turned your head from the perusing scene to the new voice. In front of you stood Jessup Diggs. He stood there, analyzing you as if you were a puzzle that had no connecting pieces. Your eyes moved down the concrete you sat on as you let out a soft, sad laugh.

"Already bad enough I'm not in there with you. Don't need to rub it in any further."

He squinted his eyes down at you. Every statement that has come out of your mouth has only served to confuse him more. From your very first meeting, the truck, earlier when you were in the cage, and now. Arachne's moves and character were what he expected when he was traveling to the Capital. But you and Coriolanus (and a recent brunette curly-haired boy on the far end of the zoo) were the anomalies. Lucy Gray told him to accept your help as she would her mentors, which was reasonable enough.

But why did it seem like she actually trusted you two? Sure, you jumped in with them, but it seemed for more personal gain than their tribute's benefit.

You looked back up to a questioning Jessup. He didn't understand what you meant that you should be in there with him.

"What's the difference between us? I happened to be born in the right place, I guess."

Your nonchalance intrigued him more than it brought fear. You may be just putting up a facade to make him trust you, but what would be the point? He was gonna die soon enough.

Jessup, much to your surprise, sat across from you as he gobbled down the food. He noticed you looking down and eyed you suspiciously. You just lightly smiled and promised to get him more if he would accept. He turned his head from side to side in thought, which caused the left side of his neck to be exposed. A dark and deep mark appeared against his skin, which caused you to have an instinct to reach out and help.

However, your sudden movement towards his neck caused him to back up rapidly. The action caused Lucy Gray and Coryo to look over in fright. But neither of you looked back as you stared at him apologetically while he eyed you again.

"Sorry, I just noticed and worried me."

You mumbled it quietly, which was oddly enough, reassuring to Jessup. He did see the worry appear in your facial features. The emotion was too deep and genuine to be faked. He slowly got back to his original position.

You kept your hands to your sides as you looked over his wound. Your eyes moved from his neck to his deep brown eyes.

"It looks new. Can I ask what it's from? I may be able to get some medication."

Jessup wondered how much was available to you at just a snap of a finger. Were you the type of person to do that? His assumption of the Capital made him believe so, but your personal actions proved otherwise. Especially your little stunt with Coral.

"Bat bite. Got it when covering for Lucy Gray. Rather me than her."

Your eyes went from warning to a softened glow. He didn't like the feeling of trust building

"I don't want medication though. I want to go out my way."

You couldn't help but smile at his conviction. If he didn't get medication, there was no way he would be able to survive. But that didn't seem to bother him.

"Jessup, if it's from a wild bat, there is a likely chance you can get rabies. Are you sure? It does wild things to those infected."

The effects of it bothered Jessup slightly. He didn't want to die as a deranged man he couldn't recognize, but he didn't want to give the people who took everything from him the satisfaction of his death. He shook his head in assurance, and you were ready to drop it when a thought sprang through your mind.

"I am willing to drop it, but please, be completely sure if this is what you want. Do you have family back home who need you?"

The mention of his family made him clench his teeth, and you were sure you messed up. You were quick to apologize, but that didn't erase the pounding thoughts of the boy's family.

"The only thing they need me for is to clean their gravestones."

Your gaze was sympathetic, but you turned it away. You knew what it felt to be looked at like a kicked puppy after people learned of your mother's passing. You were sure a man like Jessup wouldn't be very fond of pity.

"He looked a lot like you."

Your head went through whiplash due to the speed you turned to the boy. Your eyes were now the analyzing and questioning ones. You motioned for him to continue; to make sense of his statement.

"The boy who killed my family. He couldn't be any older than me, sixteenish. He had your eyes."

Your breath seemed to speed up as it dawned on you what he could be saying. That sweet little Otto was capable of murdering an entire family. Then again, what would he think of your actions in the war? Jessup took in your reaction as he cautiously continued.

"Don't think he don'it before. Kept looking back and forth between my pops and brother. Like he was begging them to change back time."

You were no longer looking at the talking boy, but it was clear you were hanging onto every word. Your eyes fluttered around as you tried to make sense of the new knowledge.

"He had reason if that makes you feel better. They were rebels and took out a good number of Capital forces. Just those two on their own."

He didn't hide his proud smile as he didn't even realize it appeared for a few moments. When he did, he was ready to see you storming off, glare knives into him, or plan ways to make him and his fellow tributes suffer. But you were just looking at him, a sad smile on your lips. You couldn't blame his smile. It was his family succeeding in their beliefs, no matter how it pained you. It wasn't as if you were sentenced to a bloodbath as your final moments.

The lack of aggression you presented allowed for Jessup to precede.

"They stood proudly as they were accused of their crimes. He gave them a chance, but they didn't say a peep. The boy with your eyes was shaky as he raised the gun. My momma couldn't hold back and ran into the gunfire. In just three seconds, my entire family erased. Glad they didn't shoot into the floor."

His face shifted from pride to bitterness to a hollowed smile.

"Always check the floorboards of twelve. Never know what you find."

You wanted to pipe up when you heard the disgruntled grunts of Brandy and the mocking laugh of Arachne. It had paused for the majority of your conversation with Jessup because Arachne was busy being interviewed by Lucky Flickerman. Though now she was back, her little game was resumed.

It burned your blood at seeing her cruel game. No one would ever describe Arachne as nice, but she would never stoop this low. Unless they were the district, apparently. You quickly muttered an apology to Jessup as you got up and walked unamusedly to the red-haired girl. Your hand swiftly snatched the glass bottle before it disappearedinto the bar to tease the starving girl again. Arachne looked up to the intruder, and a deep scowl appeared when she saw your face. Behind you, the sun was bright, as if casting a halo down on you. Oh, how fitting for little miss perfect, the sour girl thought.

You turned to Brandy and gave her a warm smile as you gently laid the bottle down next to her. Her eyes narrowed at your act and were glazed over in dehydration. The girl's hands were lightning as they snatched the drink and gulped it down as fast as was possible.

You left the tribute to her drink as you were met with the nasty stare of Arachne Crane.

"Feel proud of yourself for making her suffer even more? I mean, come on, Arachne!"

You huffed at her, irritated at her childlike behavior. Your back was turned as you began walking back to your own tribute when her voice sneered.

"Wonder what dear old Otto would think of you taking care of the same animals that chopped him up into tiny little—"

At the sound of your brother's name, you had turned back, and as she continued, so did your strides. But it was the sound of glass shattering that made you jump into action.

Physically jump as you pushed Arachne out of the way of the oncoming bottle. Brandy had a clear shot to the front of her mentor's throat but due to your speed and slightly turned position, it didn't hit her target. Instead, the broken bottle jammed itself within the side of your neck as your knees buckled on impact. You felt around the area as hot sticky blood poured all over your fingers.

Your hearing began getting muffled, but the gunshots were piercingly loud, as was the sound of your attacker's body hitting the ground. You saw red around you, unsure if it was one of your fellow students or even more blood.

Black dots began spotting your vision as you fought to keep them open upon the orders of someone. You weren't sure who, but whoever the saving angel was, they were doing everything to keep you conscious. No screams came out of your mouth, but warm salty streams across your cheeks, mixing in with the now pooling blood.

The lack of audible panic made your internal one settle slightly. Your mother surely screamed herself on the path of death as did your aunt Fiora. But then again, maybe your brother died without a squeak.

Your eyelids felt as if they were being welded shut against all your will power. You turned your head to the left, which was the side that hadn't been stabbed. The last thing you witnessed before you lost all reality was a head of pretty white hair with matching gorgeous blue orbs. His mouth kept on moving and forming words, but no sound pierced your ears.

You felt his hands around you, cradling your gushing neck. His hands looked as if permanently stained with red dye as he moved them around frantically. In such movements, his hands happened to fling your now apparent rings in front of your view. The two golden ones on the outside seemed mostly clear if the blood overtook her. That accursed silver of a thousand snowflakes glistened under the sunlight. As much as a ring being drowned in blood could.

Your eyes flickered from the bloody snowflakes up to the eyes of a bloodless Coriolanus Snow. A Coriolanus Snow who begged you to open up your eyes. Who attempted to will it into existence before he was pulled off by peacekeepers. Your body was hastily put on a stretcher and sent straight to the Capital hospital.

Not a single blink occurred from the blue frozen eyes of the Snow heir. How is it that it was only this morning when you were on the other side of the cage? Safer on that side.

Snow was on the verge of a breakdown. One of anger and of fear. He was only mere feet away. Only a few feet away and you still might lose your life because he wasn't careful. A promise was sworn internally within that calculated boy that day.

Never again will you be choking on your blood while he stood aside with nothing happening. You were not going to suffer the same bloody fate as your mother. You would not suffer. He swore the vow repeatedly as he rushed through the streets to meet your unconscious body. The world can take his money, parents, even the Plinth Prize. He would refuse to give it anymore.

He would not give up on you.

He would not give you up.

A/N: so sorry for it being so long! Not very carefully read I'm so sleepy I'm seeing things help. Pls lmk your thoughts. Much love !!

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@notyourwildestdream 🌹@darktrashsoulbear🌹@fantasylovestoryme 🌹@nekee-lilac02 🌹@a-avengerparker 🌹 @queenofshinigamis 🌹@darlingisntit 🌹

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