#coriolanus snow x festus creed | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

nuetralizedevangelist · 1 year ago

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❝i hope i was your favorite crime.❞ || coriolanus snow x f!reader

| request- hi! i was wondering if you could do a corio x plinth reader where he aproches her bc she is a plinth (and she notices and gets mad bc she think that corio takes her for a stupid girl who would just fall for his lies) but he slowly falls for her. i would really like if it ends well, like them together. i hope you understood my idea, i love your work btw.

| A/N- i wanted so bad to make sooooo angsty but i fought the demons. def ooc everybody besides festus. fuck you festus. hope you like it as much as i do 🫶🏻

| WARNINGS- alcohol consumption, creepy men, bad fathers (relatable), nice coriolanus snow, festus creed (he deserves a warning), eating, making out, traumatized sejanus (im sorry sejanus i love you)

the eldest plinth daughter. not an heir, but something you’d want to marry into. if you could get her, you’d never need to do anything again in your life. coriolanus knew that, he reveled in that. he’d never met her, all the times he went over to the plinth’s apartment she was either out or the door to her bedroom was tightly locked- not accepting visitors.

he wondered what she did with her time, was she in university? sejanus seems to never talk about his sister unless someone asks. but yet here she was. a floor length silver dress caught coriolanus’ eye, turning his head to follow the figure. she stood tall and confidently next to her brother. his eyes cascaded over the entire family, all in the same tantalizing silver. they were brightly shining in the ballroom of the benefit. it’d be hard to ignore them. he hated that.

he studied her, they way he could almost see a resemblance to sejanus but feeling as if he’s grasping at straws. her left hand holding a champagne glass she hasn’t drank from, and her right hand resting on sejanus’ shoulder. she’s nodding along to whatever nonsense pup harrington is spitting at her, no doubt making a pass.

she excuses herself and points at her glass, which is now empty after having to listen to the poor boy. when she reaches the full glasses lined up on the table coriolanus makes his move. “hello, ms.plinth.” her head turns to him and her eyes narrow. “coriolanus snow. my brothers supposed best friend- where’s tigris? i like her.” she quickly downs the glass and reaches for another. coriolanus can feel the disdain for him leaking out of her pores.

“she’s, um, she’s back at home. with grandma’am. she is quite nice to be around, isn’t she? how are you enjoying your night?” he attempts to flip the conversation back to her- oh wait, she’s not even looking at him anymore. her eyes find sejanus’ as he’s talking to livia cardew, and she begins walking in his direction. “nice talking to you, coriolanus.” but he felt like it definitely wasn’t nice. was he wanting to marry her for her money? yes. but was she also beautiful and apparently quite funny, as ma plinth has said? also yes.

she spent the rest of night collecting champagne glasses and not leaving sejanus’ side. even he was beginning to get bothered by the bachelors approaching his sister. she leaned against the back wall, yes, another glass in hand. she’d gotten roped into a conversation with festus, clearly tortuous. coriolanus was standing with sejanus about a foot away, so sejanus could keep and eye on festus.

“it’s just so frustrating, coryo! all these guys coming up and trying to make a pass at my sister while i’m right there, if i didn’t know any better i would’ve taken pup harrington outside. you should’ve heard some of the stuff he was saying to her. it’s horrible.” sejanus rants while staring at festus. “well, she’s gonna have to get married eventually, sejanus.” coriolanus says with a slight smile to his bestfriend.

“i know that, just none of these guys. we’ve been everyday with them at the academy. you know how bad they are, the shit they say about women in general. i don’t want those guys with her.” it’s obvious he’s quite over protective of her, even though she’s three years older than him. coriolanus nods along with him and pats his back.

“i’ll go save her.” coriolanus comforts his friend and makes his way to festus. “sejanus said he needed your opinion on some ideas for the food, seemed urgent.” she nods and offers a knowing smile to coriolanus. festus leans his head on the wall “man! i really felt like i was getting somewhere with her” coriolanus rests a hand on his shoulder. “trust me, you definitely weren’t.”

the party has picked up and died down, everyone sitting to eat but coriolanus couldn’t seem to figure out where she was. she wasn’t sitting with her family and unless she had friends he didn’t know, he couldn’t see her anywhere. he’d made his way outside to take a breather from all the talking and hugging old people who knew his parents.

that’s when his eyes laid upon the girl in the silver dress, and he took a seat next to her on the steps. she’s staring out into the gardens and her eyes are glazed over. no champagne glass in her hand this time. she doesn’t turn to look at him.

“i’m really drunk right now and i hate almost everyone in there. all they care about is money and those stupid hunger games.” she confided in him and rested her chin on her arms that are wrapped around her knees. “yeah, you didn’t look like you were having a great time. i tried counting how many glasses you had but i lost count after ten.” she lightly laughed and shook her head.

“i think it was thirteen but i’m not sure, i drank four while festus was chirping in my ear about how many children he wanted.” she feigned chills at the mention of his name and they laughed. she turned to look at him with a barley noticeable smile “you’re not like them, are you? you’re more like sejanus. quiet and doesn’t bother women they want to marry.” the comparison of sejanus would normally upset him, but coming from her it felt the highest compliment a man could receive.

she rubbed her hands over her arms to conserve warmth and coriolanus quickly removed his blazer to wrap around her and she muttered a small thanks. resuming her staring at the gardens. “would you like to grab you some water? or something to eat? it’s not gonna be very good for you tomorrow morning if you don’t eat something.” he whispers towards and she nods her head.

as coriolanus is walking back in, the plinths are walking out. “hey coryo. we’re heading home for the night as ma doesn’t feel too well, have you seen-“ coriolanus points outside “she’s on the steps, make sure she eats something when you get home. way too much champagne for a human.” seianus claps his hand against coriolanus’ chest and continues outside.

the sun is battering down on the capitol but the plinths home is cooler than a beautiful spring day, probably for the hungover girl inside. coriolanus knocks on the door and smiles as his eyes meet ma’s. “oh! coriolanus, it’s so good to see you. we didn’t talk much last night. come in! i just finished up some pies!” she ushers him inside as sejanus joins them in his mothers corner of the kitchen.

after the grueling and quite long conversation with ma coriolanus excused himself. sejanus seemingly interested in this new sugar ma had found. as coriolanus rounded the corner to her room, he stopped. suddenly feeling quite nervous and as if he might throw up. her bedroom door opened and her eyes meet his, he looks down and she’s holding his blazer out. “i heard you talking to ma, here this.” her calloused tone returns, maybe she only likes him she’s drunk. he better find a lot more champagne.

the plinth family plus coriolanus are sitting in the sun room, drinking iced tea and munching on whatever treats ma had baked. “so, coriolanus, do you have any plans on getting married after university?” strabo’s deep and rough voice cut over his wife’s story.

coriolanus set his tea down “i’d hope so, certainly.” his eyes skip between strabo and his daughter. she’s sitting with her knees pulled up to chest and she’s looking out the window. “well you know how much we’d love to have you in the family, we could arrange your marriage with-“ she sets her cup down harshly and stands up.

“you always do this! could you just leave me alone? maybe i don’t want to get married, ma said it was fine if i didn’t marry.” she’s waving her hands around and waits for him to answer. when she’s met with silence she storms out and slams the sunroom door. “strabo, you can’t make her marry someone she doesn’t love.” someone she doesn’t love.

coriolanus stands up and thanks them for the tea. “tigris wanted to head to the market and i’d never let her go alone, i’ll see you guys tomorrow night.”

he walks by her door and tries the handle, quietly. he fully expected it to be locked but the door swings open and she’s laying face down on the bed. “sejanus, go away.” she grumbled through her mattress. “it’s not sejanus.” she sighs and sits up, staring at him.

“do you not knock before entering a room?” she tilted her head and studied him. “i expected it to be locked, sorry. i’ll knock next time.” his eyes seem to gravitate towards the floor and he can’t will himself to bring them back up.

“i’m sorry about my father. i’m sure it made you very uncomfortable, he’s just always trying to marry me off.” her hands fidget awkwardly in her lap. “i wasn’t too uncomfortable, any guy would be lucky to marry you. i always heard that you were quite mean, i’ve yet to see that.”

she scoffed and turned her head to the window. “they only say that because i don’t hesitate to speak my mind. i taught sejanus that. i am definitely what they call me, but only to them.” why does she feel so comfortable spilling her guts to him?

“i saw you and sejanus’ sister a few minutes ago, coriolanus. are you willing to deal with her grating voice and attitude for the plinths money?” arachne sneers towards him and the group laughs. “it helps that she’s pretty, it’s already hard enough trying to talk to her.” coriolanus regrets it the second it escapes his mouth.

she liked him. she really did like coriolanus snow, but who doesn’t? she weaved her way through the crowd trying to escape him. he was hot on her trail until he catches up to her in one of the various bedrooms inside the ravinstalls estate.

“do you think i’m stupid, coriolanus? be honest.” he scrambles to find the words but his brain couldn’t function in the one moment he desperately needed it. “i said you were different, i talked to you about things i liked, i would tell ma all about you. but you aren’t different, you’re just like the others.” he ran his hand through his hair. “i was different, i am different. i don’t know why i said that, it just came out. i didn’t mean it, i promise.”

he attempted to take her hand but she ripped out of his grasp and stomped out of the room. shit.

the next day her door was locked. and the next. and the next. he wasn’t even sure she was there anymore. sejanus hasn’t mentioned anything but he wished he would. he wished he would tell him if she was okay or if he majorly screwed up.

as coriolanus and sejanus sit in the sunroom attempting to study, there’s a knock on the door. coriolanus cranes his neck to see festus ravinstill standing there with a bouquet of flowers. god, this kid is tragic. but then he sees you, take the flowers with a smile and a kiss on his cheek. strabo’s never looked happier.

coriolanus suffered in silence watching festus become a daily guest and drowning out sejanus’ complaints about him being there. for once in his life, he agreed with sejanus. when he enters the kitchen to refill his glass of lemonade he sees her watering the plants in the kitchen.

“don’t marry him. he won’t be good to you.” she drops her head and turns to him. “and you would?” she spits back sending him into a whirlwind. “yes.” he whispers out and she takes a few steps closer to him. “festus is nice and fathers happy with this. i don’t have another choice, coriolanus. i have to do this” how does she always sound so sure of herself? maybe coriolanus could take a class from her.

their eyes finally meet, after weeks of not seeing her eyes, she’s finally looking at him. “you could marry me, instead. i wouldn’t treat you like a prize, like festus would.” she steps impossibly closer and he feels like he can’t breathe when she’s around. oxygen becomes molasses and his knees become jelly.

she looks over coriolanus’ shoulder and stands up on her toes to kiss him. he takes a moment to catch on but he his hands find purchase on her waist and he leans down. all nerves thrown out the window and all he can think of is her, how she tastes, how she smells, he can’t even remember who festus is.

her hands wind his curly hair around her fingers as she swipes her tongue against his own and he pushes her against the refrigerator, causing a few magnets to fall onto the floor. his hands are trailing up and down the waist of the yellow dress she had decided to wear that day.

festus had left the plinths the second he saw her look at him over coriolanus’ shoulder. knowing he lost and there’s nothing he could’ve done.

she pulls back, panting. “i’ll marry you, just don’t call me annoying again.” her lipstick is smeared across both of their mouths and he gives her a dopey smile. “i wouldn’t dream of it” he brushes stray hair out of her face.

“in the kitchen?! we make food there!” sejanus is standing in the doorway, seemingly traumatized. “sorry, sej.” he shakes his head walking away but throwing a secretive thumbs up at coriolanus.

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slaymitchabernathy · 2 months ago

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Older & Wiser

| "...you're so much older and wiser and I, I wait by the door like I'm just a kid, use my best colors for your portrait..." |

Growing up, Soarynn heard lots of advice when it came to dating men.

Don’t date anyone who comes from a different financial background than you do. Upper class married the upper class, middle class married the middle class, and lower class married the lower class.

Those things don’t mix.

She was also told to wait until marriage. A good Capitol girl saves herself for marriage so that her husband knows that she’s pure, untouched by anyone but him.

Plus, it eliminates the fear of an unwanted pregnancy.

And although it was never directly stated, she knew that girls her age should stay far away from older men who were far too busy and important for girls like her.

But no one ever mentioned Coriolanus Snow.

It’s a damn shame that he’s thirty because he could easily pass for twenty-five. He’s so effortlessly charming, always knowing just what to say and working the room. He’s overly successful, rich beyond reason, devilishly handsome, and best of all, he’s obsessed with Soarynn.

They met one night at a silent auction. She had been dragged along by her good friend Livia Cardew who was looking for both a new piece of art and a potential husband.

She found the second one, Festus Creed, and left Soarynn to wander around the art gallery once the auction came to a close. She had been admiring a certain piece when Coriolanus came up to introduce himself.

However, a man like him needs no introduction, especially after placing the highest bid of the night. Still, she let him charm her, compliment her, and share a little bit about himself. By the time she had to leave, he had arranged for her to be picked up and taken to dinner at the end of the week.

Soarynn had been giddy with excitement, she never really dated while attending school so she didn't know what to expect but he surpassed every one of her expectations. They had dinner in a private room, lit by candlelight. The service was impeccable, Soarynn felt as if she were eating dinner with the President himself.

She learned a bit more about Coriolanus and the type of man he was, the type of man to crave dominance and control. She also learned that he had yet to marry because he hadn't found the right woman yet and was in no rush to settle down.

Despite hearing that, Soarynn held onto the hopes that she might be the one, the future Mrs. Snow.

Even now, waking up in his large bed alone, she hopes that one day he'll see that she's the one.

Coriolanus often rises before the sun, showering and getting ready for work which leaves Soarynn to wake up alone in his large penthouse apartment. The first time she woke up alone she had felt so...out of place. His penthouse is opulent, filled with tasteful furniture and expensive artwork. Everything about him screams how important he is.

But the household staff didn't bat an eye when she stumbled out of his bedroom in nothing but a borrowed button-up shirt from his closet the first time she slept over.

Now she's more than used to being here by herself, he even gave her a key! Soarynn just knows that it's a step in the right direction, that it shows how much he trusts her. She certainly trusts him, after all, she let him take her virginity.

He had been so sweet the first time, so patient and gentle, making it a magical experience for Soarynn. They often partake in rougher more passionate sex since she's more experienced and Coriolanus Snow is an excellent lover in the bedroom, always bringing her to a delicious orgasm without even trying.

Soarynn wakes up sore every morning in this apartment, covered in love bites in places that only he can see. Coriolanus is terribly possessive over everything he owns and Soarynn believes that he views her the same way, clear property of Coriolanus Snow and she's not mad about it.

It's her close friends who question his motives. They bring it up all the time how she should be cautious with an older man like him. "A man like Coriolanus Snow wants one thing and one thing only," Livia had told Soarynn one night at dinner, "I just don't want you to get hurt Soarynn."

But Soarynn had assured Livia that she knew what she was doing, Coriolanus would never hurt her.

She rolls over to face his empty side of the bed and smiles when she sees that a bouquet of roses has been left for her along with a little card. She takes the card and opens it, reading what he scribbled on the paper.

Buy yourself something pretty, darling. - Coriolanus

Soarynn can't help but squeal and kick her feet in excitement. He loves to spoil her. New shoes, new bags, new jewelry, new clothes and all on his card. Not that Soarynn can't afford these things on her own, but she's not going to be an idiot and decline such gifts.

Soarynn eventually pulls herself out of bed and goes into the bathroom, skimming her fingers on the marble countertops, imagining a life where she lives here all the time and has a vanity of her own. She does have a very small section of his closet filled with clothes she's left or purchased over the past few months.

She chooses a white dress, with a flattering neckline, short enough to drive him mad, and very flattering on her figure. She pairs the dress with red heels to give her outfit a pop of color along with gold jewelry. She puts on the necklace he gave to her just last week with a golden rose pendant hanging on the delicate chain.

Soarynn still doesn't have a lot of makeup in his bathroom, just a few toiletries and hair products so she'll buy some things today. She brushes through her long blonde hair, remembering how his fingers felt pulling on it last night. Soarynn sighs at her reflection, her life is so perfect, he is so perfect.

All she needs is a ring on her finger.

꧁ ꧂

"Ms. Nightingale, there's a phone call for you."

Soarynn looks up from the sofa she's sitting on, wearing only one shoe since she was about to try on another one with the help of the saleswoman. "Oh, alright, I'll be right back," she says, flashing the saleswoman an apologetic smile. She follows the other employee, a salesman to the back of the store where the phone is waiting for her to answer in the back hallway.

She brings the phone to her ear, "Hello?"

"Darling, it's Coriolanus."

Her lips curl up into a smile the second she hears his deep voice along with the pet name he gave to her, "How did you know where to find me?" She asks him, amazed at his ability to always know of her whereabouts. She rarely ever knows where he is but it seems that he prefers for things to be that way.

"I knew you'd turn up here eventually," he tells her, sounding prideful, "and I wanted to make sure that you were actually spending my money the proper way."

Soarynn giggles, twirling the phone cord around her index finger, "I am," she promises sweetly, "I was trying on shoes before you called."

"What color?"

Soarynn bites her lip before answering, "Blue."

There's a pause and she worries he might not approve, Coriolanus has a good sense of fashion and she's always trying to get his approval.

"Good, they'll bring out your eyes," he finally says and she sighs in relief. "Yes, I thought so too, are you still at work?"

Rarely does Coriolanus ever tell Soarynn about what his day entails, if he wants to see her, he calls her and she comes running. Their roles have never been reversed but once again, he prefers it that way. And she's not one to complain, Coriolanus is a very busy and very important man, she's lucky he can see her as often as he does.

"I am, although I might be at the office later than I normally am. Last minute meeting," he says as if that explains everything. Soarynn's smile turns into a frown, she was hoping to see him tonight, to spend the evening with Coriolanus wrapped in his strong arms.

"Oh," is all she says, her voice quieter than before.

"You should have dinner with some of your little friends, my treat darling."

Well, that's sweet of him. Soarynn leans against the wall and toes the ground, "You're so good to me," she tells him, knowing how much Coriolanus likes having his ego stroked, "I truly don't deserve your generosity."

The low chuckle that comes from her lover is all Soarynn needs to hear to know that she said the right thing, "Spend the night and you'll wake up next to me in the morning," he promises before she hears voices in the background, "I have to go, darling, I'll see you later."

"Goodbye," Soarynn whispers just as he hangs up the phone.

She wonders if he'd go into more detail if they were married, or engaged, or courting.

While they spend lots of time together with and without clothes on, nothing official has ever come of it and it's slowly beginning to eat away at Soarynn's heart.

She just has to act like it isn't.

꧁ ꧂

"Festus is being so annoying," Livia whines over dinner that night, "he won't stop pestering me about meeting his parents. We just started seeing each other!"

The bitter, jealous part of Soarynn wants to snap at Livia and remind her friend that she should be grateful that she actually has someone to call her own, unlike Soarynn.

But she bites her tongue and diligently nods to her friend's complaints, "That's so terrible Liv," Soarynn says, placing a sympathetic hand on top of Livia's, "he should respect your space and needs." Soarynn would be lying to herself if she said that she didn't want to be in Livia's shoes.

Livia is adored so publically, so openly by Festus who happens to be a good friend of Coriolanus. Soarynn wonders if Festus might pass along a hint for her, telling Coriolanus to hurry up and make her his.

People know that Coriolanus and Soarynn are friendly, that they spend a lot of time together but they're not courting so it doesn't even count. A bottle of champagne is brought over to their table by the waiter, "Oh, we didn't order that," Livia tells the man who politely shakes his head. "Compliments of Mr. Snow," he explains.

All the girls gasp at the sweet gesture, especially Soarynn because this must mean something. If he's sending her champagne then he must feel bad about working late tonight, which means that he's thinking about her.

"How sweet," she finally says, accepting the bottle, "he's always been so thoughtful."

"Has he mentioned courting you yet?" Clemensia asks from across the table, causing Soarynn to shake her head. "Not yet," she answers, "but it's coming soon, I just know it."

꧁ ꧂

Exhausted from a day of shopping and dinner, Soarynn is fast asleep in her lover's bed when he curls up behind her, wrapping a strong arm around her waist. Soarynn sighs and Coriolanus groans, hooking his chin over her bare shoulder, "How was dinner with the girls?"

Soarynn keeps her eyes shut, enjoying how his skin feels against hers, "It was good, the champagne was so sweet." Coriolanus shifts behind her and she can feel his bare chest pressing on her bare back, he always craves physical touch the most at night.

"My secretary suggested it," he mumbles, his voice growing deeper as he falls asleep, causing her heart to shatter into a million pieces. She thought that he was the one who sent the champagne, who thought of the sweet gesture. Not his secretary.

Soarynn feels her mood souring even more than before. She was already upset that she didn’t get to see him all day but this champagne is the last fucking straw.

Soarynn needs someone to appreciate her, to care about her, genuinely care about her.

She just wanted it to be him.

꧁ ꧂

Soarynn wakes up in a rotten mood.

The bed is empty. Again. But she can hear some sizzling in the kitchen. It’s Saturday which means the penthouse is empty, no staff on the weekends. Normally, Soarynn looks forward to these two sacred days. She gets Coriolanus all to herself since he doesn’t have to go to work. They run errands, go to the zoo, catch a movie, and end it all with dinner.

Not today though.

If he doesn’t see anything wrong with the amount of effort that he’s putting into this, then Soarynn is going to take it as an invitation to give Coriolanus Snow a taste of his own medicine.

At nineteen years of age, Soarynn considers herself to be a very mature young lady. Constantly complimented on how she carries herself, why, anyone on the street who laid eyes upon her would surely say that she’s at least twenty-one.

She knows how Coriolanus sees her. Sweet, adorable, submissive.

Harmless.

He likes her this way, likes carting her around on his arm, dipping into her fountain of youth. Soarynn sits up, pulling the covers up to her bare chest, and frowns, perhaps that’s why he’s kept her around for as long as he has. Perhaps she makes him feel younger, feel like he’s a young man again.

He certainly looks younger than thirty but still, he’s getting up there in age. Soarynn hasn’t even reached twenty and she already feels old, as if she’s outgrown her skin and her body. But Coriolanus might view her as a vice, something to remind him that he still has that famous Snow charm.

She glances over at the doors where she left all her shopping bags from yesterday, too tired to properly unpack them. She could stay for breakfast, let him dictate their day. Or, she could leave, leaving him dumbfounded.

Soarynn goes with the second option, quickly getting out of bed so she can dress herself. She doesn’t plan on coming back here for a long time, not until he comes crawling back that is. Soarynn knows Coriolanus well enough to know that he craves control and if he loses her, then he loses control.

Which is very unfortunate for him.

Pleased with her scheme, Soarynn goes out into the hallway, purse in hand, shoes on feet, and a determined look on her bare face.

“Darling?”

His deep morning voice catches her completely off guard. She freezes in her tracks, slowly turning around to face a shirtless Coriolanus. He looks so good right now, wearing some pajama pants with a plate in his hand. Whatever he made for them smells delicious and he looks delicious.

Maybe she could stay for breakfast.

No! She had to stay strong!

Coriolanus has a certain gravitational pull on people, drawing them in and keeping them right where he wants them to be, including her. It’s going to take a lot of effort to get out of his orbit.

“I…I can’t stay for breakfast,” she says, fidgeting with her purse. Coriolanus purses his lips, looking her up and down, “Why not? I made omelets.”

Coriolanus is an excellent cook even though he hires one, only showing off his skills to Soarynn. On Saturday nights he’ll pour them both a glass of wine and have her sit on the counter while he sautés a delicious meal. She’ll wear one of his button-up shirts, swinging her feet off the edge of the counter while she watches him.

Soft music will play in the background and he’ll have her taste test everything, laughing when he gets some sauce on her chin. Which will give him the perfect excuse to lean down, wiping it off before kissing her.

It’s a perfectly domestic thing to do with someone you don’t even consider courting and Soarynn feels a terrible chill run down her spine.

“I have to go,” she says softly, “there’s um, there’s an emergency.”

She could always tell him the truth, but when has that ever worked?

Besides, the terrible part of her still wants him to want her. So as a precaution, she’ll remain on his good side. A little distance will do them some good, even if he doesn’t know that’s what this is.

He looks concerned, worried for her well-being, and walks towards her, only stopping when he’s inches away from her and she can smell the omelet and the smell of roses.

It’s always been roses with Coriolanus.

“Is everything alright? Do you need me to do anything? Call you a car?”

He’s so sweet and caring even when she lies to him. Maybe she’s the one who doesn’t deserve him instead of it being the other way around.

Soarynn shakes her head, faking a smile, “No, no you don’t have to do anything. I just have to go alright?”

He seems disappointed that they won’t get to spend their morning together but he doesn’t push her. “Alright,” he mumbles, “call me when everything’s sorted then.”

Soarynn hums and presses herself on her toes to kiss him, short and sweet but she savors it all the same.

She doesn’t give him a chance to deepen it, pulling away as fast as she leaned in so she can leave. Soarynn closes the doors to his penthouse behind him, that terrible feeling still very persistent.

She hopes that he’ll pick up the pieces, put them together, and realize that she’s the one for him. Or he won’t and he’ll find some other girl to swoon and lead on.

She might have left the key he gave her in his room, but he still has the key to her heart.

꧁ ꧂

Three weeks pass by without a word from Coriolanus.

Well, he hasn’t come up and spoken to her in person that is. Soarynn has missed phone calls on her answering machine, unopened gifts that sit by her front door, and wilting roses that stand in a vase on her kitchen counter.

She’s been holding out on him, hoping, praying that this distance will remind him that she’s the one for him. He leaves notes with the gifts but they’re not confessions of love, just requests or possibly demands, all telling her to call him or come to his penthouse.

But Soarynn is done being at his beck and call, tired of being dragged around on an invisible leash.

She is Soarynn fucking Nightingale and she’s finally starting to act like it.

The sun is finally setting on the Capitol skyline and she’s forgotten how great of a view she has of it from her apartment. For a while, she was merely a visitor in her own home, coming and going whenever she needed something and then running right back to his place.

Not anymore.

Dressed merely in one of her many silk nightgowns, Soarynn prepares for a night in. She bought some chocolate and strawberries today at the store, planning on making her favorite dessert so she could snack while watching some television before going to bed.

A knock at her door pulls her out of the blissful bubble she’s been in the past few weeks and she walks towards her entryway. She mentally prepares to greet the gentleman who sits at the front desk in the lobby, responsible for delivering packages to the residents of the building. Or in recent weeks, gifts from Coriolanus that are addressed to Soarynn.

She’s sure this man is sick of her and her deliveries. She went from never coming home to the most popular person in the building in a matter of days.

She should really start tipping him.

Soarynn pops a strawberry into her mouth and unlocks the door, pulling it open and the fruit almost falls out of her mouth when she sees him.

Coriolanus Snow.

He looks furious. She’s been dodging his calls and ignoring him so he has every right to be but it’s something to see him standing her at her doorstep.

He’s never been to her apartment before. Never saw the need to.

And now here he is.

Soarynn doesn’t even know what to say, not with a strawberry in her mouth so she turns on her heel and walks back down the hallway, leaving it to him to either follow her or leave.

He follows her. Slamming the door behind him.

“So you’ve gotten my gifts and oh look, your phone looks just fine. I was starting to think that you fled the Capitol until I saw you earlier today on my lunch break, giggling with your friends as my car drove past you.”

Soarynn rolls her eyes, still chewing, men are so dramatic, and Coriolanus, although he won’t ever admit it, is always desperate for validation. Without her, she wonders who’s been stroking that big ego of his.

“Soarynn, look at me.”

She finally swallows down the berry and turns to face her lover, feeling simultaneously caught and commended for the efforts she’s gone through to get her point across.

You can be the most successful man in the world but without a woman by your side, you’re just another man.

"Why have you been ignoring me?" Coriolanus asks, looking confused while dressed in an expensive-looking suit, "You've been dodging my calls and tonight was the company gala, the gala that you promised to attend with me."

Oops. She forgot all about the gala.

"I thought you'd find someone else to take," she squeaks, watching the veins in his throat bulge. "Well I didn't," he hisses, stalking towards her, and for the first time ever, Soarynn realizes how big Coriolanus is, how strong and powerful he is. He could easily snap her neck, throw her against the wall, take her against her will. He won't, but he could.

"I looked like a fool," he continues, only a foot away from her now, "standing there without a date, being showered with pitying looks from everyone else. I had hoped that you'd come to your senses by now but you clearly haven't so tell me Soarynn, why are you so hellbent on ruining my reputation?"

Soarynn's jaw nearly falls open. He's not even here because he cares, he's here because his reputation is at stake. She resists the urge to slap him right across the face, even though he'd be quite deserving of it.

"Why won't you court me?" She finally asks, letting the question she's been thinking for months finally tumble from her lips. For so long she's held off on asking, held off on asking why she's never met his parents, or why he can call her every name in the book during sex but not in public.

Soarynn tries to be a patient person but her heart cannot say the same.

He looks shocked by her question, not expecting her to ask such a thing. A good Capitol girl never asks a man that, she waits by his side, waits for him to be ready to commit.

"I mean, you do everything else," she says exasperatedly, "you buy me things, send me flowers, kiss me, fuck me, and I do everything for you! I wait for you at your apartment, I listen to you talk about your day at work, I spend hours in bed with you. I just don't understand how difficult it is to court me, you're a grown man Coriolanus, you should be married by now, with children but you're not. And if you plan on being single for the rest of your life then that's fine but stop dragging me along with you."

They both stand in silence. Soarynn can't believe that she actually said that but at the same time, she's glad that she did. It's been too heavy of a burden for her to carry around any longer.

Coriolanus presses his lips into a thin line, composing himself after a moment of weakness, "Have you ever thought that maybe I don't see myself courting you? That I haven't taken this as seriously as you've wanted me to take it because I don't ever intend to?"

It's like he just ripped her heart out of her chest and tore it apart in front of her.

Soarynn feels the tears pooling in her eyes, unable to stop them from coming. This isn't how she planned for this to go, she thought he'd beg for her to come back and confess his feelings but instead, he's shot her down.

She sniffles as a tear rolls down her cheek, "Never mind then," she whispers, turning to flee the scene. She hears him calling out to her but Soarynn is already blinded by her tears and her heartbreak. She stumbles into her bedroom and runs past her bed into the bathroom where she can have a proper breakdown in peace.

She's been taking a lot of baths lately, reminiscing about the times when she'd take them with Coriolanus. Not anymore, she'll never think about him again after this. All those kisses, those smiles, those words. All fake.

How could she be so stupid?

She gave him everything. Her trust, her love, her virginity.

The gravity of what she's done hits her all at once and she sinks into the tub, curling up into a ball while she sobs. He's probably left already, perplexed by her strange behavior and tears. Soarynn has always remained cool, calm, and collected around Coriolanus, never whining or complaining. Not anymore.

She's so busy feeling sorry for herself that she doesn't even hear the tall, broad man pad into the bathroom, not until she feels his cold hand on her shoulder. Soarynn cracks her eyes open, gazing up at Coriolanus, somewhat surprised that he actually came after her.

"I didn't mean to make you cry," he tells her gently, crouching down by the tub, "you know that I care about you darling, but it's all...it's all so complicated. You wouldn't understand."

Those three words are enough to give Soarynn a second wind. She pushes herself to sit up and glares at the older man, wondering where he finds the audacity to say these things to her.

"Then explain it to me," she snaps, "because I'm not an idiot, I'm smart, I'm important, I am of value. I've given you everything Coriolanus, my trust, my love, my, my virginity," her voice breaks on the last word. She's ashamed all over again, she's been so foolish with him, so blindly trusting.

His brows crease and his hand remains on her shoulder, she hopes he doesn't remove it.

"Soarynn, you're so young, so beautiful and kind, it wouldn't be fair to chain you to me. I'm not always as kind as I am when I'm with you, not always as understanding. That side of me is reserved only for you but I can't guarantee that version of myself to my future wife, she'll have to deal with all sides of me, the good, the bad, and the ugly."

She sniffles, wiping away her tears in an attempt to look more presentable, "I don't mind," she mumbles and he sighs, "truly, I don't. I can handle it, I can be your wife Coriolanus, I can be Mrs. Snow. I won't let you down or embarrass you, I'll be so good, so devoted to you."

They both fall silent again but this time, she dares to reach out to him, cupping his face with her hand and he leans into her touch, "Who else decodes you like me?" She whispers, "You don't let anyone else see you like this but me, think about it, you've already got one foot in the door. Think about how easy it would be to just get married."

She can see him contemplating her argument, a desperate one but she's also desperate. Soarynn thought some time apart would remind him of what he took for granted but it also reminded her about how much she missed him. She's missed his smile, his laugh, the way he smells after they have sex.

Although he tries to remain cold and closed off, she can see right through his facade, she knows him too well to his chagrin and when he finally looks into her teary eyes, she knows that he's decided on an answer.

꧁ ꧂

꧁ Five Months Later ꧂

Soarynn sits in the finest nail salon in the Capitol, known for its impeccable service and treatment towards its clients.

With a fresh manicure and pedicure, she feels on top of the world, like a new woman. "What color did you get for your nails again?" Livia asks from the chair next to her. Soarynn lifts her left hand in the air for her friend to see her freshly painted nails, a light pink color, it's practically her signature. She admires her nails and more importantly, the way the sunlight causes her new engagement ring to shine and sparkle.

Soarynn would never consider herself spoiled, but she's used to getting what she wants.

Including a husband.

It didn't take much to convince Coriolanus that she was the one for him. After breaking down in her bathtub and telling him that she would be the perfect wife for him, she knew he'd make a move. He spent the night at her apartment, claiming that he didn't want to leave her alone in her moment of distress and they ended up without their clothes on, making up for lost time.

The next day they had officially made up and Coriolanus officially asked to court her. He told her that they'd tell everyone that they'd been courting for much longer but in secret. Turns out he was eager to make her his wife now that the idea was planted in his head, more eager than she was. He proposed a mere two weeks ago, getting down on one knee and shocking her with a gorgeous engagement ring.

The diamond is huge, and Soarynn loves looking at it, envisioning their wedding and what's to come shortly after. Children, pets, the whole nine yards. They're already decided on a date, next January since the Snows apparently only marry in the winter. Something about family traditions.

"I still can't believe you're engaged," Livia says with a shake of her head, "I mean, I suspected something between you two but still, it all happened so soon." Soarynn smiles, lots of people were surprised but she wasn't, she's been planning on becoming Mrs. Snow for a long time.

"When you know, you know," she replies.

She just knew from very beginning.

꧁ ꧂

When Soarynn finally gets home from another day of shopping, she finds that her fiance has busied himself in the kitchen rather than his study. An odd change of scenery for Coriolanus who’s always holed up in his study if he’s at home.

He’s chopping away at some vegetables on a cutting board, so focused on the task at hand that he doesn’t even notice she’s back until the timer on the oven beeps, snapping him back into the present.

He looks over at her and grins, “Darling, when did you get back?”

Soarynn remains in the doorway to the large kitchen, content with watching him cook, “Just now,” she answers, leaning on the frame, “is the cook not here?” He shakes his head, scraping the chopped vegetables into a large bowl, “I sent her home early, I sent everyone home early.”

Soarynn frowns, wondering if something happened while she was gone. She’s already moved in with him, selling her apartment but once they’re married, she’ll be in charge of managing the household staff.

Until then, Coriolanus is still in charge.

“Why?” She inquires, stepping into the kitchen and setting her purse down on the counter, “Did something happen?”

His smile only grows bigger as he goes to open the oven, a heavenly aroma quick spreads throughout the room and Soarynn suddenly feels very hungry. “No, nothing happened. I just wanted it to be you and me tonight.”

It’s Thursday which usually means Coriolanus coming home right in time for dinner and wanting to go straight to bed. But he’s already home, and cooking. Something must be going on, he must be cooking up something else besides dinner at the moment. She knows him too well.

“Is there a particular reason for that?” She asks sweetly, appreciating the gesture but questioning the intent behind it. Nothing comes without a price, nothing at all. Soarynn would know that better than anyone.

The ring on her finger is the perfect example. Only given to her once she bared her soul to Coriolanus and somewhat embarrassed herself by crying in front of him.

And he’s far too clever to come home early for no good reason, Coriolanus loves to play games, loves a good riddle, a good challenge.

Soarynn has never been too fond of games.

Coriolanus sets the pan down on the stove to cool off, allowing her to admire how handsome he looks from behind, his white dress shirt still tucked into his pants. She can see that his curls have broken loose from the gel he slicks them back with every morning.

“I have a gift for you.”

Well now her interest is piqued. He turns around and laughs at her expression, eager to see what he got her, “Oh, now you’re excited that I’m home early,” he teases, “well you’ll have to wait until after dinner.”

Soarynn pouts, already knowing that it’s pointless. Coriolanus is a simple man who likes to complete one task at a time. He won’t move to her gift until they’ve eaten dinner and he’s washed all the dishes. Which is very annoying for her and very amusing for him.

Even engaged he still likes to pull her around on a leash.

So she doesn’t fight it. She asks him about his day, lets him feed her pieces of food while he continues cooking until the entire meal comes together. They eat in the dining room, a huge room with an even bigger table for just the two of them. Coriolanus sits at the head of the table, of course, and Soarynn sits to his left.

“I was thinking about the wedding,” she says between bites of chicken, “we should really try to limit the guest list or we’ll be stuck greeting everyone all night at the reception instead of enjoying each other.”

Coriolanus sips his wine which is a shocking choice of beverage for a man who loves whiskey or bourbon. A small smile grows across his lips like he knows something she doesn’t. He probably does considering how much older and wiser he is.

“Darling, the guests will come to us,” he tells her, placing his hand on top of hers, “there will be no running around the greet the guests. We’ll sit down at our table and enjoy our dinner,” he gestures to their current situation to use as an example.

Soarynn feels a little silly now, of course, people will come up to them and not the other way around. But she’s never been to a wedding before, too young and none of her friends have even gotten engaged yet.

She’s the first.

At least she doesn’t have to worry about losing her virginity. They crossed that bridge months ago.

"Oh," is all she says, her cheeks burning with a little bit of embarrassment, "well, I think I found my dress today." Changing the subject is an easy way to avoid any criticism from Coriolanus who often expects her to act twice her age while still remaining the youthful, wide-eyed girl he met forever ago.

His eyebrows shoot up, he knows how stressed she's been about finding the perfect wedding dress. It has to be something distinguished, something elegant and flattering, something the wife of a Snow would wear.

He's got it easy, wearing a black suit like he always does for important events.

"Did you now? What does it look like?"

Soarynn shrugs, a sweet smile on her lips, "What does my gift look like?" Coriolanus laughs at her attempt to even the playing field, she can't help but want to know what he got her today. "Never mind then," he decides, shaking his head, "we can both bathe in the anticipation."

Soarynn groans but he doesn't give in. Every once in a while he does, even a grown man like Coriolanus Snow can't fight off her pouting and innocent gaze. So she shows him her freshly painted nails and asks him about work, it's a domestic night for the both of them.

Once dinner is eaten, she helps him with the dishes, passing them to him so he can rinse them off. Soarynn likes to imagine doing this a few years into the future with little ones sitting in the living room, whispering about how romantic it is that their parents do the dishes together.

Coriolanus has only spoken about children a few times since she met him but she knows that he expects to start a family. He's late to that race compared to his friends his age whereas Soarynn is very early.

"Alright," Coriolanus says, drying off his hands with a dish towel, "let's go get your gift darling."

Soarynn squeals with excitement, she's not always the most patient person in the world which is why Coriolanus loves to make her wait. He made her wait to get engaged but look how that ended for him.

She follows him out of the kitchen and down the hall towards his study. Soarynn has only been in this room a few times since they met, finding it boring since it lacks anything of interest to her.

"Sit down here," he instructs, patting an armchair that sits across from his desk. Soarynn does as she's told, sinking into the chair and crossing her ankles. "Now close your eyes and hold out your hands, no peeking Soarynn," he says sternly. Soarynn gives him the best innocent, angelic look she can manage, "I won't peek," she promises.

He grunts and she closes her eyes, holding out her hands to receive her gift. Soarynn listens to him walk away from her and then hears the sound of a desk drawer being opened. She hasn't the slightest clue as to what he's gotten for her. If it were jewelry or clothes then he'd bring her to the closet.

Soarynn feels him standing in front of her again and then feels the light weight of what must be a card placed in her hands.

"Open your eyes darling."

Sure enough, it's a card. Soarynn gives him a curious look as he leans against his desk, watching her with amusement. "A card? Did you get our wedding invitations back?" They finally decided on their wedding invitations and Soarynn has been waiting for all of them to be delivered so she can mail them out to their guests.

He merely grins at her guess, "Open it and find out."

Soarynn's fingers gently tear open the envelope and she's surprised to find no note or invitation inside. In fact, it doesn't look like there's anything inside. Soarynn purses her lips, turning the envelope upside down and shaking it when a small, pink card falls into her lap. Soarynn picks it up, holding it between her thumb and index finger to inspect it.

It's no bigger than her citizen's license.

"Well? What is it darling?"

Soarynn looks up at her fiance, very confused as to what this is and why he's asking her to tell him. She turns it to the other side and her eyes zero in on the words that have been engraved into the card.

Soarynn Snow - Capitol Banking Card - 05081 082810

A sharp gasp leaves her lips.

"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, is this, is this what I think it is?!"

For the longest time, Soarynn has just been using one of his cards to go shopping and spend his money. Coriolanus trusted her enough to hand over one of his many banking cards without batting an eye, telling her to go shop her little heart out. But that was back when this all first started, since getting engaged, she's still been using his card, mostly because he hasn't asked for it back yet.

His banking card is sleek and black, with his name and his card number engraved into it.

But this is her card, with her name on it.

Coriolanus smiles, nodding his head, "The bank called me this afternoon to tell me that all the paperwork was finally in order. I left work early to pick it up for you."

Soarynn leaps out of her chair, too excited to sit still. She flies into his arms, smiling and shrieking, "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Coriolanus wraps his arms around her, holding her tightly against him while Soarynn clutches her card like it's a lifeline.

It's her first step towards becoming his wife.

"You're very welcome darling, I figured it was time for you to have your own card since you seem so keen on using mine to spend my money," he explains, giving her a teasing look. Soarynn giggles, she might have a habit of spending a lot of his money, but he can't have his fiance walking around in last season's shoes!

"Well, I'm going to have so much fun using my own card to spend your money," she tells him, smiling down at her little pink banking card. She can't believe he did this for her!

Although she'd never admit it out loud, there was a short-lived time when Soarynn worried that he only proposed because he felt pressured to, that he was only doing it out of duty and obligation. If that was the case then she was in for a miserable marriage where it would always be known that she trapped him into getting married.

But this card is clear proof that he feels the same way she feels about him.

He hums, rubbing a hand up and down her back, "It's the first official document that has your married name on it, even the banking paperwork has been updated."

She hadn't even given it any thought but he's right. Soarynn's old card still has her maiden name on it. According to the people at the Capitol Bank, she is Soarynn Snow, Mrs. Snow, Coriolanus Snow's wife.

It's the most perfect gift she's ever been given.

"I love it, thank you."

Soarynn kisses him on the cheek, leaning into his touch which becomes more possessive by the second, "There will be limits" he mumbles, turning his head so he can properly kiss her, "just like when you were using my card there will be monthly limits as to what you can spend."

Soarynn gives him a playful whine, tugging on his bottom lip, "It's all a precaution darling, I can't have you running me into the ground with your frivolous spending."

Soarynn gasps, pulling away from their kiss, "Frivolous spending?! My lingerie that you love so much is not frivolous!" She's got him there, Coriolanus loves it when she spends his hard-earned money on lingerie that he can rip off later that same night. And it's not like Soarynn has ever gone and run him dry, she's very frugal with her spending, only buying exactly what she needs.

Which sometimes happens to be twelve pairs of shoes plus a few new dresses.

"I do love your lingerie," he agrees, giving her a squeeze, "but sooner or later it won't just be the two of us on my tab, we'll have little ones and I have an inkling that you're going to be quite the spender when it comes to our children."

Just the thought of having children with Coriolanus excites her. Soarynn has always wanted a family, to be a part of something and she's always dreamt of being a mother. She's spent long enough thinking about the type of mother she's going to be. She'll be a good one, raising her children to be polite and respectful, but also darling and adored by all they meet.

She's meeting his parents this weekend for the first time.

Coriolanus has always kept her far away from his own family, to the point where Soarynn had to question if his parents were even still alive. Hers weren't. But now that they're engaged, his mother is eager to meet her future daughter-in-law.

"She's going to love you," he had told her after bringing it up to her the other day after dinner, "she's always wanted a daughter and I already showed her a photograph of you, she thinks you're adorable."

Soarynn didn't quite know if adorable was what she was going for but it was better than some trampy young girl running after a man ten years older than her.

Coriolanus hasn't mentioned a thing about what his father will think of her.

She hasn't brought it up either.

But she knows that his parents will expect grandchildren and she'll be happy to deliver on that expectation.

Soarynn sighs into the kiss, "You always think ahead don't you?"

From the moment she met Coriolanus, she knew he was one of the smartest people in the world, always so sharp and bright, anticipating everyone's next move before they could even think of it themselves, including hers.

"Of course darling," he mumbles, sliding his hand down to her left hand, rubbing her engagement ring, "Snow always has to land on top."

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nickeverdeen · 7 months ago

Text

The Ballad of Snakes and Songbirds characters meeting your parents for the first time

Coriolanus Snow

Coriolanus would be incredibly polite and calculated, ensuring that every word and gesture is perfect

He’d give a very formal introduction, shaking hands with your parents and addressing them by their full names

Coriolanus would compliment your parents on their home or anything he notices, attempting to win them over with charm

He’d listen intently to anything your parents say, nodding thoughtfully and engaging in polite conversation

Although he’s charming, Coriolanus would subtly probe to understand your parents’ views and values

He might bring a small, tasteful gift for your parents as a token of respect

Coriolanus would maintain strong eye contact, trying to project sincerity and confidence

He would be subtly protective of you, ensuring the interaction reflects well on you

Despite his calm demeanor, Coriolanus might be internally nervous, knowing how crucial this meeting could be for your relationship

He’d likely err on the side of being overly polite, not wanting to make any mistakes

He might use some dry, witty humor to break the ice, but nothing too risky

Coriolanus would show a strong respect for your parents, likely due to his own upbringing and understanding of hierarchy

He might subtly flatter your parents, but in a way that seems genuine and not overdone

Throughout the interaction, Coriolanus would exude a quiet, confident energy

After the meeting, Coriolanus would likely ask for your thoughts on how it went and if there’s anything he should have done differently

Lucy Gray Baird

Lucy Gray would greet your parents warmly, perhaps with a hug or a friendly handshake

She’d be open and friendly, quickly engaging your parents in conversation

If she senses your parents enjoy music, Lucy Gray might even hum a tune or mention a song she likes

She’d keep the conversation light and casual, aiming to make your parents feel comfortable around her

Lucy Gray would offer genuine compliments, possibly about your parents’ style or home

She’d use her sense of humor to break the ice, making a joke or telling a funny story

Her eyes would reflect kindness and sincerity, putting your parents at ease

Lucy Gray might tell a captivating story from her past, drawing your parents in with her charm

She’d show respect to your parents, addressing them politely and listening attentively

Lucy Gray would be down-to-earth, not trying to impress, but simply being herself

She might bring a small, personal gift, like something she made or found that has meaning

Despite her confidence, Lucy Gray might be a little nervous, wanting your parents to like her

If your parents enjoy nature, Lucy Gray would connect with them over that, perhaps talking about plants or animals

She’d keep your parents engaged in conversation, asking them about their lives and interests

Overall, Lucy Gray would bring positive energy to the meeting, leaving your parents with a good impression of her

Dr. Volumnia Gaul

Dr. Gaul would enter the room with an intense presence, her eyes sharp and observant

She’d likely steer the conversation toward intellectual topics, perhaps asking your parents’ opinions on complex matters

Dr. Gaul might come across as slightly detached, not overly interested in small talk

She’d observe your parents closely, analyzing their reactions and responses

Her tone would be formal, not overly warm, but respectful

Dr. Gaul might ask challenging or probing questions, testing the waters with your parents

If she’s impressed, she might compliment your parents on their intelligence or insights

She could use some dry, almost clinical humor, which might go over your parents’ heads or make them uneasy

Dr. Gaul might let a few unnerving silences linger, watching how your parents handle them

She wouldn’t engage in flattery or small talk, focusing instead on the substance of the conversation

Her curiosity might come across as slightly unsettling, as she’d be genuinely interested in what makes your parents tick

Dr. Gaul would be aware of the power dynamics in the room and subtly maintain control of the conversation

Your parents might find her a bit eccentric, with her unique mannerisms and way of speaking

She’d maintain a respectful distance, not getting too personal or emotional

By the end of the meeting, Dr. Gaul would likely have established a subtle dominance in the conversation, leaving your parents a bit unsure of how to feel about her

Sejanus Plinth

Sejanus would be a bit nervous at first, stumbling slightly over his words in the introduction

He’d be incredibly polite and respectful, clearly wanting to make a good impression

Sejanus would offer a warm smile, trying to put everyone at ease despite his nerves

He’d compliment your parents sincerely, perhaps on their home or something they’ve accomplished

Sejanus would ask your parents questions about themselves, genuinely interested in getting to know them

He might show a bit of vulnerability, admitting that he’s a bit nervous or new to this

Sejanus would express gratitude for being welcomed into your parents’ home or life

He’d speak highly of you, telling your parents how much you mean to him

His voice would be soft and gentle, not wanting to come across as too forward

Sejanus might use gentle, self-deprecating humor to break the ice

He’d respect your parents’ boundaries, not pushing too hard to win them over

Sejanus would show genuine interest in your parents’ lives, asking thoughtful questions

He’d be open-hearted and honest, not trying to hide who he is

Throughout the meeting, Sejanus would give you affectionate glances, showing his love for you

Once it’s over, Sejanus might express relief, asking you how he did and if your parents liked him

Tigris Snow

Tigris would greet your parents warmly, with grace and elegance, making them feel immediately comfortable

She’d compliment your parents on their home or appearance, with genuine kindness

Tigris would engage your parents in light, pleasant conversation, perhaps about fashion or art

She’d listen attentively to your parents, making them feel heard and appreciated

Tigris would be friendly and approachable, putting your parents at ease

She’d show empathy, especially if your parents talk about anything personal or difficult

Tigris wouldn’t boast about herself, instead focusing on making your parents feel important

She might use gentle humor to keep the conversation light and enjoyable

Tigris would be very polite and respectful, ensuring she makes a good impression

She’d ask thoughtful questions, showing interest in your parents’ lives and opinions

There would be a nurturing vibe to her interaction, as if she’s already part of the family

Tigris would express appreciation for being invited to meet your parents, making them feel valued

She’d show genuine interest in getting to know your parents, perhaps asking about family traditions

Tigris would show subtle affection towards you, making it clear how much she cares without being over the top

When leaving, Tigris would offer sincere parting words, thanking your parents for their time and hospitality

Coral

Coral would greet your parents with caution, still getting used to being around new people

She’d maintain a respectful distance, not wanting to overstep or make anyone uncomfortable

Coral might keep the conversation brief, focusing on polite, simple exchanges

She’d be polite but reserved, not revealing too much about herself

Coral would be very observant, watching your parents closely to gauge their reactions and feelings

Her communication would be straightforward, without much embellishment or small talk

Coral would speak in a respectful tone, making sure she doesn’t offend or upset anyone

She might not use much humor, keeping the interaction serious and focused

Coral would set clear boundaries, not getting too personal too quickly

Despite her reserved nature, she’d carry herself with quiet confidence

Coral might feel a bit nervous internally, but she’d try not to show it

She’d be honest in her responses, not feeling the need to impress but also not wanting to disappoint

Coral might show subtle appreciation for your parents’ hospitality, perhaps with a small gesture or comment

If your parents bring up family traditions, Coral would show respect and interest, even if she’s unfamiliar with them

After the meeting, Coral might feel relieved, glad that it went smoothly without any issue

Treech

Treech would greet your parents with a guarded, cautious demeanor, not fully trusting the situation

He’d keep the conversation brief and polite, not offering much about himself

Treech would be very wary, observing your parents closely to understand their intentions

He might not engage much in conversation, letting you take the lead

Treech might come across as slightly defensive, especially if he feels judged or misunderstood

When he does speak, it would be direct and to the point, without much elaboration

He’d be polite, but it might seem reluctant, as if he’s unsure how to navigate the social norms

Treech would exude a quiet strength, making it clear that he’s not someone to be underestimated

He might not use humor, keeping the interaction serious and straightforward

Despite his guarded nature, Treech would show respect for your parents, understanding the importance of the meeting

He’d set clear boundaries, making sure the conversation doesn’t get too personal too quickly

Treech might feel slightly uneasy, not used to these kinds of social situations

He’d be protective of you, especially if he senses any tension or discomfort from your parents

Treech would be honest in his responses, not trying to impress but also not wanting to offend

After the meeting, Treech would likely feel relieved that it’s over, hoping he didn’t make a bad impression

Festus Creed

Festus would greet your parents confidently, with a firm handshake and a smile

He’d turn on the charm, using his natural charisma to win your parents over

Festus would use light humor to break the ice, making your parents laugh and feel at ease

He’d engage your parents in conversation, asking questions and showing genuine interest in their lives

Festus might flatter your parents a bit, complimenting their home, their style, or their accomplishments

He’d be warm and friendly, making your parents feel comfortable around him

Festus would be a smooth talker, guiding the conversation with ease and keeping it light and enjoyable

He’d give you affectionate glances throughout the meeting, showing how much he cares about you

Despite his confidence, Festus would be respectful, making sure not to overstep any boundaries

His quick wit would come out in the conversation, impressing your parents with his intelligence and humor

Festus would be sociable, easily adapting to your parents’ personalities and making them feel at ease

He’d likely compliment you in front of your parents, hoping to make them feel proud of you

Festus would make sure everyone is involved in the conversation, not leaving anyone out

He’d show genuine interest in your parents’ lives, asking thoughtful questions and listening to their stories

Overall, Festus would bring positive energy to the meeting, leaving your parents with a great impression of him

#preferences #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #tbosas #coriolanus snow #coriolanus snow x reader #lucy gray baird #lucy gray x reader #dr gaul #dr gaul x reader #sejanus plinth #sejanus plinth x reader #tigris snow #tigris snow x reader #coral #coral x reader #treech #treech x reader #festus creed #festus creed x reader

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captainremmington-13 · 1 year ago

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A Lady Made of Snow Masterlist

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐈 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐚��𝐬

Prologue

Cold (one-shot)

All The Rumors are True (or are they?) (one-shot)

A Night on the Town (one-shot)

New Year, Same Problems (one-shot)

Chapter 1: The Reaping

Chapter 2: First Blood

Chapter 3: Dropping Like Flies

Chapter 4: Death and Destruction

Chapter 5: Let the Games Begin

Chapter 6: The Victor’s Defeat

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐈𝐈 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝

Chapter 7: Reincarnation

Chapter 8: Chills

Chapter 9: The Calm Before the Snowstorm

Chapter 10: The Rise of a King

Chapter 11: The Fall of a Queen

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐈𝐈𝐈 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

Chapter 12: Out With the Old

Chapter 13: In With The New

Chapter 14: Erasure

Chapter 15: Blossoming “Love”

Chapter 16: Unraveling

Chapter 17: Power Struggle

Chapter 18: The Chase

Chapter 19: Fixed

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐈𝐕 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐛

Chapter 20: Bound

Chapter 21: Rising

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imsofuckingdonewiththisgoddamn · 1 year ago

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When Our Stars Cross Paths; III Treech x Mentor!Reader

Pairing: Treech x Mentor!Reader

Word Count: 1.3k

Warnings: Swearing, Slapping

Sweet Angels🪻: @nemesii @mrsyixingunicorn10 @chmpgneprblem @thxmiss @storiesofmyhead

🎬Mood boards🎬

You were really starting to regret showing up.

Holding out your hand for the taller boy to shake, you hadn’t expected a warm reception or even a polite acknowledgment. After all, your people were the reason he was in this awful situation to begin with. However, these doubts weren’t going to deter you from making an effort.

So when Treech made no move to shake your hand you tried to not take it personally. A feat that became exceptionally harder as you glanced over towards the District twelve cart where you saw how well Coriolanus and Lucy Gray were getting on.

Your gaze drifted back towards your tribute��s, who had failed to take his eyes off of yours since you had made your presence known. Cold, calculating eyes studying you, as if you were his prey that he was in the middle of stalking. His stare didn’t hold any anger per say, but rather mistrust and suspicion. Something you had seen when first approaching many of the other tributes you had previously offered food to.

Gradually becoming more uncomfortable by the growing tension, you decided to offer the District seven pair food from your canvas bag in an attempt to diminish some of their skepticism—or rather Treech’s skepticism and Lamina’s outright terror. Shifting your bag off of your shoulder, you held the tote out towards the two.

“Would either of you like some food or water?”

You gave the pair a soft smile, praying they wouldn’t let their hesitancy prevent them from taking what was most likely their first meal in days. You were overjoyed when Lamina took a step forward out from behind Treech and towards the bag, her vibrant red hair glittering as she entered the sunlight. Yet your hopes were once again squashed as Treech held out his arm to prevent the younger girl from moving closer towards you. His umber brown eyes never once leaving your gaze.

“Don’t.”

His voice broke the ever growing silence, this being the first thing he had said to you throughout your short interaction. You weren’t sure if he was ordering Lamina to not come towards you, or rather demanding of you to step away from them. No matter his intention, Lamina shrunk away from the bag, despite her eyes showing an obvious temptation to go against the older boy and pursue the food she so desperately needed. While you wouldn’t force any of tributes to take anything from you, you wouldn’t deny the frightened girl food even if her district partner didn’t approve. So reaching into the canvas to pull out a water bottle and a persimmon, you held the offerings out towards the girl who’s eyes seemed to widen at the sight of the drink and fruit. However she still appeared to be to scared to take the food from you while the disapproval of Treech loomed over her.

“It’s okay Lamina, these are for you.”

This time Lamina didn’t wait for Treech to stop her and quickly scampered towards your hands to collect her treats, giving a final glance into your eyes as if she was scared you would pull the food away at the last second. However, after you offered a gentle smile and a small nod, the last of her worries were put to rest and she quickly snatched up the fruit and bottle. You involuntarily shivered as her cold hands brushed against your own, not failing to notice the dirt that caked the inside of her nails from long days of working in the forests back home. You suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility for the girl and a desperation to help her stay alive, when you were reminded of the tribute you could in fact save-who also happened to be standing right in front of you. Taking your eyes off Lamina, who was currently peeling her persimmon, you brought your gaze back up towards the taller boy.

And oh fuck was he pissed.

“Just who the hell do you think you are?”

Treech was clearly infuriated by your persistence in talking to the two of them—which was largely due to your inherent stubbornness, as well as Lamina’s approaching of you, even after he deemed you untrustworthy. The stare that once held only skepticism and wariness, now contained a multitude of resentment and irritation. You were just about to start fearing for your safety when a piercing whistle broke through the air.

“All tributes into the van, now!”

Peacekeepers began marching over towards District seven pair, and you saw this as your cue to make your way down to the other districts you hadn’t reached yet to offer them food and drink as well. Remembering the little girls who couldn’t have been older than twelve that you had seen during the Reapings, you felt especially desperate to make sure they were hydrated and well fed. However, as you attempted to move around the pair you had previously been standing with, you felt a strong hand suddenly grab onto your arm, sending you stumbling backwards into a solid chest.

Twisting around to meet your assailant, you sent your hand flying across the face of who you assumed was a peacekeeper. Unfortunately to your horror the groans you heard upon impact did not belong to a grown man, but rather a teenage boy. Now mortified at the knowledge that you had just slapped your tribute-who’s safety you were responsible for, you sheepishly brought your gaze up towards Treech, who was rubbing his own hand against his cheek, clearly more shocked than angered at you hitting him.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

You were taken aback by his words. Not only for the fact that his voice had lost the sharp edge it previously held, but also that he cared more about you answering what you had assumed was a rhetorical question, than you striking him across the face. You felt your face heat up as you gazed into his still hard set eyes, unsure of how to answer his question, you had already informed him that you were his mentor.

luckily for you, your embarrassment was cut short by a peacekeeper pulling on Treech’s shoulder and yanking him towards a van that was parked on the opposite side of the train station. The taller boy tried to fight against the armed man, but his attempts were quickly shut down by a gun being nudged into his back. Treech spared one last look towards you as he was marched off towards the van, witnessing a slight scowl on his face as he eventually left your range of sight. Lamina, who you hadn’t noticed had already left, was waiting for him by the doors. Next to her was Lucy Gray and who you assumed was her district partner, Jessup.

You shifted your canvas bag back onto your shoulder, disappointed that you weren’t able to meet the rest of the tributes from the lower districts, who were currently being rounded up. The number of peacekeepers eventually dwindled as the last of the tributes were shoveled into the van, and you were just about to turn around and head for the exit when a flash of vibrant red clothing caught your eye.

Coriolanus was sneaking into the van with the tributes.

You wouldn’t usually think of yourself as an impulsive person, however something in your gut told you to follow your classmate. If not for your own curiosity than his safety. So watching diligently to ensure the remaining few peacekeepers’ attention was diverted, you swiftly made your way across the train station and hauled yourself into the now cramped vehicle.

You regretted your decision almost immediately.

A/N

So sorry for the short chapter and lack of updates this week as i’ve been sick, however more chapters are definitely on the way and i’m really excited to start building the relationship between Treech and our mc! I promise my posting schedule will start to be more often and consistent, please bare with me and thank you so much for your kind words and comments 😊

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amgk22 · 2 months ago

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HOW THE HUNGER GAMES CAST WOULD REACT TO….

being asked out by their friend

includes: katniss, peeta, gale, haymitch, effie, cato, clove, glimmer, marvel, thresh, annie, finnick, johanna, coriolanus, lucy gray, sejanus, festus, coral, reaper

Katniss would think it’s a joke. Definitely think it’s a joke. Once you reassure her it’s very serious, she’d be confused on why her. Eventually, you’d have to bribe her with something to give you a try, and later she’d call it the best choice she made unironically.

Peeta would be very happy, and accept immediately. Later, at your house, you’d be interrupted by Peeta with some muffins made just for you by him.

Gale would at first be upset, that you were able to ask before him. He’d definitely be getting teased by Rory. He’d tell you that he was gonna ask you as well, but of course that’s a lie.

Haymitch would be too drunk to understand what you’re asking him, and say no. However, once he’s sobered up and realized what you’ve done, he’d call you and ask you to come to his place so he could explain- and accept immediately. He’d be sober during this, a rare sight of Haymitch.

Effie would pretend to be shocked, but really, she knew you’d ask her out. She’d accept, and give you some flowers to seal the deal. She’d listened to you talking about your favourite flowers earlier, and bought them ahead of time.

Cato would think it’s silly you’d ask him out, as he thought he’d ask you out. He’d still accept, of course, but make sure that you knew that he was the ‘boss’ in the relationship by doing everything for you that day. Was it from jealousy? Embarrassment? Possessiveness? We’ll never know.

Clove would definitely have an ego boost. Like, you asked her out first? That’s both sexy and sweet, and she would never shut up about it.

Glimmer would definitely accept immediately with no thought, she’s the type to go all in with romance. You can expect some cuddles that night from her, along with some teasing.

Marvel would be confused. Aren’t the guys supposed to ask first? As soon as you told him that that’s a stereotype, he’d accept, but still be VERY protective. He’d be very disappointed that you beat him to it, but also a bit proud.

Thresh would NOT trust you. He’d think of it as a joke, more or less like Katniss would. However, once he realizes it’s not, he’d say ‘yes’ and walk away, mainly cause he has no idea what else to do.

Annie would make it her mission to shower you with love and affection the second you asked her out. She’d accept, then come to your house with flowers and little pearls by the sea as a thank you gift.

Finnick would definitely feel a bit embarrassed, but also attracted to the fact that you asked him first. He’d be a bit scared if anyone heard, because he’s supposed to be, like, single and ready to mingle- but as soon as he realizes no one’s watching, he’d say yes.

Johanna would be the type to say ‘no’ jokingly, and then tell you it’s a yes later on. She’d be a bit nervous on if she’s coming off as too harsh, but then decide on not giving a fuck.

Coriolanus would feel like the luckiest guy in the world at that moment. However, he’d definitely make sure to dictate your dates to his pleasure, so he can spend time with you and have what he wants as well.

Lucy Gray would accept, but run away right after with a smile on her face. You might think that she accepted as a joke, but in fact, she ran to go write a song about you, which you fully embraced as soon as you heard it.

Sejanus would definitely be confused, and ask if it was a bet due to his unpopularity in both the districts and the Capitol. Once you reminded him that you actually cared, he’d be very happy, now that he had someone to love and cherish as he does with Coriolanus and his Ma.

Festus would agree, but probably say some cocky shit like ‘I knew you’d ask me, I’m that hot’ but in a funny way. He wouldn’t stop until you laughed just a little bit, and make sure that plans are set in stone for a date.

Coral wouldn’t be the easiest to coax into saying yes. Sure, she’d been crushing on you, but on the inside, she really doesn’t think she’d be a good girlfriend. She’d say no, but regret it later and say yes.

Reaper would say yes, although he’d seem slightly intimidating. Seeing you be a bit scared, he’d immediately feel bad and give you something out of his pocket as a gift. Whether it’s a single nickel, or a piece of rust, it’s a gift alright.

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incorrect-tbosas · 1 year ago

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tbosas characters as taylor swift albums (all graphics are made by me, so if you use them as lockscreens, icons or repost or reblog them, credit the creator - me!)

#tbosas #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #incorrect tbosas #incorrect tbosas quotes #maude ivory baird #lysistrata vickers #clemensia dovecote #festus creed #tigris snow #coriolanus snow #lucy gray baird #snowbaird #coriolanus x lucy gray #sejanus plinth #reaper ash

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blabberjay · 1 year ago

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Arachne: Someone has been spreading a rumour around campus that you and Sejanus are a couple

Coriolanus: *mutters under his breath* I wish

Festus: What did you say?

Coriolanus: uhm...I said ...that bitch

Arachne: ....*judges*

Festus: *judges*

Coriolanus: *sweating* I hope whoever created such rumors is brought to the light soon, I despise liars

*The person who started the rumor in question*

Sejanus: *sneezes* I wonder if someone is talking about me?

#incorrect quotes #coriolanus x sejanus #coriolanus snow #sejanus plinth #arachne #festus creed #tbosas #thg series #snowjanus #snowplinth

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catindabag · 1 year ago

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I introduce to you ✨THE 24 OG MENTORS✨ in my TBOSAS Crack!Alternate Universe (also known as the world where Dean Highbottom made dumpster diving illegal because of Festus Creed and Coryo Snow’s involvement. Moreover, the 10th Hunger Games never happened because of a certain someone’s ✨nepotism✨). [Read this for context]

⭐️❄️⭐️

Class Pres. Felix Ravinstill took this class photo after the Academy Mentors barely passed their final calculus exam. As always, Urban Canville got the highest score.

Lysistrata Lizzie Vickers and Domitia Dairy Queen Whimsiwick (aka: The founders of the famous ✨SnowPlinth Fan Club✨) accidentally blocking Festus Creed and Sejanus Plinth in the picture. Coryo Snow and Io Jasper joined in for fun, while Urban Canville is smiling like an idiot at the back after seeing Florus Friend trip.

Apollo Ring with Androcles Andie Anderson and Urban Canville trying not to look suspicious after successfully stealing Dr. Gaul’s pitbull rabbit after class.

Festus Creed trying and failing to annoy Lucky Flickerman for the hundredth time. Jubilee was not pleased.

Vipsania Sickle and Apollo Ring ✨slaying✨ for that best dressed award.

Coriolanus Coryo Snow waiting for his sugar daddy ✨boyfriend✨, Sejanus Plinth to pick him up from school. They’ll go shoe shopping afterwards.

Class President Felix Ravinstill taking a selfie after ruining his family’s last Hunger Games watch party.

Coryo Snow trying and acting dramatic at the train station while waiting for the Tributes’ train to arrive. Also, this picture was taken by Sejanus Plinth. #supportive #rich #boyfriend

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slaymitchabernathy · 18 days ago

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Off to the Races

| "...who else is gonna put up with me this way? i need you, i breathe you, i never leave you. they would rue the day i was alone without you...and we're off to the races, places, ready, set, the gate is down and now we're going in..." |

| this drabble contains sexual content ;) |

The August heat is blistering for those who walk the Capitol streets.

Coriolanus almost pities them while his family's car drives past them towards the arena. Today is the fourth of August, and every year since he can remember, the Snows attend the horse races on this day. It's an excellent way for the wealthy to flaunt their money and for the poor to watch them do it.

The sunny day will be filled with champagne, conversations, betting, eating, racing, and of course, winning.

He sits across from his parents, his mother's hand rests on his father's forearm, sweet and submissive as he's always known her to be. Her hat is quite loud in his opinion, red to match her dress with a peacock feather sticking out of it. But he won't be the one to comment on his mother's fashion choices.

He's smarter than that.

The Snows sit quietly as the car rolls to a stop near the South entrance, also known as the entrance for those who can afford to buy a box. The poor people come through the North entrance.

"Remember darling, smile," mother reminds him, drawing her fingers up her cheeks as an example. Coriolanus nods, keeping a neutral expression, he's taken after his father in that regard, rarely smiling whereas his mother never stops. She's rich and doesn't have to work, he would be smiling all the time too.

But Coriolanus has a reputation to uphold as he begins his last year at the Academy, top of his class, more popular than ever, and the one person you don't want to mess with.

Smiling does not convey the message he wishes to be received by the general public.

Besides, he's seen the way people respect his father, how they move out of the way for him to pass by, how they duck their heads and avoid eye contact. If that's what not smiling can get him, then he's on the right track.

"Just watch how much you drink," is all father says before the driver opens the car door for them. Coriolanus steps out after his mother, shielding his eyes with his hand as the sun beats down on him. It's a beautiful day for the races, with not a cloud in the sky.

"Come along darling," mother trills, already walking up the carpeted steps with father. Coriolanus follows after his parents, keeping his head held high as they enter the arena. Coriolanus has undoubtedly taken after his father in looks, wearing the same blond curls, blue eyes and tall stature. They take up room and demand to be respected.

They make their way to the staircase that leads to the upper levels and private boxes, he can already hear the chatter and excitement from down here.

"Oh, there's the Creeds," mother points with a gloved hand, "and the Cardews!" Coriolanus sighs, he was hoping that Livia Cardew might not show up today, but with the races being so close to the beginning of the school year, she'd be a fool to miss it.

People will be talking about it at lunch on the first day back, no doubt.

Which means he ought to make the most of today.

He separates from his parents once they reach the top of the stairs, each member of their small family going their own way. Mother goes to her friends, and father to his, leaving Coriolanus to approach his classmates who have already arrived, Festus, Livia, and Lysisistrata Vickers.

He nods politely at the girls and gives Festus a firm handshake, "Rolling in fashionably late Snow," Festus notes with a smirk, "we thought you might not make it."

Coriolanus shakes his head, eyeing the table in front of him which has all sorts of cheeses, crackers, grapes, and meats, a lovely spread to snack on while they wait for the races to begin. "Of course not," he answers, snatching a cracker or two, "you know how we are, and mother needed to find a bird to strangle for her new hat."

The girls laugh at his joke, feeding into his ego. Coriolanus is well liked amongst his peers, especially the girls, but he hasn't really taken a particular interest in any of them. Livia is plain rude, an insufferable creature at times, so he could never court her.

Lyssie is nice, too nice for him, he'd never make her happy.

There's Persephone, but she and Festus have this unspoken thing that's been going on for quite some time now. He knows better than to get in the middle of that mix.

Clemensia Dovecote is one of the prettier girls in their grade, but she can be quite scary when she wants to be with her sharp words and even sharper nails, always manicured to perfection though.

Then there's Io Jasper, Didi Ring, Domitia Whimsiwick, Arachne Crane, surely he's forgetting someone but then again, they must not be that important if he can't even be bothered to remember their name in the first place.

No, best to go this year alone.

"My mother won't stop yammering about how this will be the last race I attend as an Academy student," Festus gripes, sipping a glass of posca, "she acts as if I won't be attending next year."

Livia sighs, scanning the room filled with the elite Capitolites, "It's a bit exciting though, isn't it? Next year we'll officially be adults, able to place bets without our parents, drink without limits." Coriolanus refrains from rolling his eyes at Livia's childish way of viewing adulthood. If betting and drinking are all she's looking forward to, then her father better prepare to be bankrupt before the year is over.

They chat about meaningless things for a little while longer, like who their teachers will be, who might start dating who, what they plan on studying once they go to the University.

The thought of the University somewhat worries Coriolanus, who has grown used to his small pool of familiar classmates. The Academy's tuition is the priciest in the city, only the richest families send their children there. But anyone who can pay their way into the University is allowed to attend, and that worries him greatly.

What forlorn creatures will be crawling out of the dark corners of the Capitol next year to seek a higher education? And will he be forced to sit next to them? To learn next to them? To treat them as equals?

He doesn't think so.

He glances around the large room, there are lots of young people his age serving as waiters and waitresses, will they be in his class next year? Will they think they're of the same descent as he is from?

Coriolanus is a Snow, and he'll be treated as such.

A trumpet sounds, alerting the attendees that the races will begin in ten minutes.

"We're in the box to your right," Festus tells him as they all begin making their way to their private boxes, "who are you betting on this time?"

Coriolanus bites back a grin, locking eyes with his father, "No chance I'm telling you Creed."

Festus lets out a defeated sigh, the Creeds have never had good luck at these things, "May the best horse win then." Coriolanus nods, "Good luck."

He joins his family in their box, filled with sofas, tables, a buffet, Avoxes to tend to their every need, and most importantly, air conditioning.

Coriolanus walks up to the balcony, gazing down at the poor people in the seats below him, fanning themselves with informative pamphlets. How pathetic.

Mother comes to stand beside him, holding her small binoculars, "Oh, there's our horse! Lucky Number Seven!" She's exaggerating really, it's not their horse but the Snows have always bet on the same number each year, and they've also won every year.

Snow always lands on top.

Mother leans over the railing, looking over to their right where the Creeds are also looking down at the crowd and then to their left, where an empty box remains. Or so he thought.

Mother lets out such a sharp gasp that both Coriolanus and his father jump, "There's the Nightingales! Goodness, they rarely ever show at these things, I wonder what's brought them out today."

Father rises from the sofa after recovering from mother's dramatic gasp, looking over the small wall that stands at about four feet, dividing each box where Glen Nightingale has appeared, making a surprise appearance.

A few murmurs pass through the boxes, rarely does Glen Nightingale show up to these sorts of things, unless...ugh. Coriolanus feels his jaw tick when he sees her, wearing a dress she probably bought just for this with gloves to match.

Soarynn Nightingale, Glen's only daughter, and the only one who could get him to come to something like this.

If Coriolanus is the King of the Academy, then she'd be the Queen. The only problem is, they can't stand each other. He can't tolerate her sweet, sugary personality, acting like she's the Capitol's darling with her long blonde hair and perfect skin. She's got everyone wrapped around her finger, students and staff included.

He truly believes that he's the only one who hasn't fallen for her false personality.

As if proving his point, mother abandons her own family to run over to the edge of their box, waving Soarynn and Glen over with her gloved hand. It's fitting that mother would adore Soarynn, always fussing over her at these events, always talking about how lucky her future husband will be whilst simultaneously jabbing Coriolanus in the ribs.

He sees what she's putting down, but he's not picking it up.

Soarynn and Glen make their way over to mother, and Coriolanus and father do the same, it would be bad manners to ignore them.

It's funny to see the two richest families in Panem clashing like this, making small talk as if they don't have great influence on this country. Father has made his fortune in the Capitol, whereas Glen has made his in the Districts, pitting them against one another business-wise.

Coriolanus had always thought it meant there would be animosity between them, that his father would hate Glen, but instead, he found that his father respected the man a great deal.

"He's provided for my family the same way I have," he once told Coriolanus when he asked about it, "and I'd be a fool to create bad blood between our families. Never burn a bridge you might have to walk back over someday son."

Coriolanus had been younger when he heard that from his father, not understanding what bridge he was referring to. But now, as he comes face to face with Soarynn, it's clear that they are the bridge, and all he has to do is marry her.

"Soarynn," he greets her with a fake smile, "how lovely to see you."

Soarynn returns his smile with her own, flashing her pearly whites up at him as she gazes into his eyes, "I was going to say the same thing to you Coriolanus, my, my how you've grown over the summer. You might just be as tall as your father by now."

His eye twitches but mother is quick to shove her way into their conversation, resting her hand on Soarynn's cheek, "Oh, you look so beautiful today darling, absolutely beautiful. Doesn't she Crassus?"

Father grunts, always a man of few words, "Looks just like her mother."

From what Coriolanus has heard, Cera Nightingale was an absolute vision. She was so beautiful that she had her pick of the litter and according to Mrs. Creed, who was once very drunk, Cera turned down Crassus Snow's advances towards her and instead, chose to court Glen Nightingale.

Coriolanus sometimes wonders what his father feels when he looks at Soarynn. Does he see the daughter he never had? Does he see the woman he once loved? Does he feel pity or envy when it comes to Glen who lost a wife but gained a daughter in the process?

To Coriolanus, it's clear who won the battle. Father has a son and a wife, both alive, both happy. Meanwhile, Glen is all alone, never choosing to remarry. But perhaps he's happier than some who are married with children. He certainly seems to enjoy his daughter's company, enjoys it enough to make a public appearance with her.

Soarynn smiles sweetly at father, "Thank you both, we just had to come and see the races today, didn't we father?"

Glen nods, pushing his glasses to the bridge of his nose, "Soarynn hasn't stopped pestering me about it for weeks, and I figured a little fresh air couldn't hurt." Mother nods in agreement, fanning herself from the exertion this conversation has caused her, "Well, it is the event of the season. Will you be placing any bets today, Glen?"

Coriolanus takes a moment to survey Soarynn's outfit for today. She chose to forgo the hat, pinning up her long wavy hair into a fashionable updo, showing off her pearl earrings she's always been so fond of.

Not that he ever notices these types of things.

For her dress, well, he hates to admit how fashionable it looks on her slender figure. It's white, perfectly tailored around her waist with sleeves that stop at her shoulders and the skirt stops right above her knees. The lapels of the dress are ironed to a crisp and the buttons stop right where she's able to show off a classy amount of cleavage.

Anymore and she'd look like a harlot.

She's paired her outfit with white heels and white mesh gloves that show off her golden rings and freshly painted nails.

As much as he can't stand her, he has to admit, the girl knows how to dress.

She catches him looking and a cruel smirk grows across her glossy lips. Soarynn has always been aware of how much he dislikes her. The feeling is mutual and it only feeds into his hatred more and more each day.

"I am betting on Number Six," Soarynn proclaims in a haughty tone, causing Coriolanus to scoff.

"You are going to place a bet?" He asks, unable to believe that this girl knows the first thing about handling money, "Do you even know how this works?" Mother immediately reaches over to pinch his arm but Coriolanus anticipates it and dodges her attack, "I'm serious," he says, looking around at everyone, "what do...what do women know about horse races?"

If Soarynn wasn't mad before, she's furious now, and if looks could kill, he'd be six feet under.

"If you can do it then it clearly can't be that hard," she fires back, causing both their fathers to chuckle. "Ah, young love," Glen muses, resting a hand on his daughter's shoulder, "we should sit down honey, get you something to drink."

Soarynn shoots Coriolanus one more nasty glare before following her father to one of the sofas, Coriolanus returns it with his own glare, he does not like that girl one bit.

"Really Coriolanus? You had to bring gender into it?" Mother asks with a huff, but he doesn't feel bad, not when it's with her, that prissy little primadona who always gets what she wants.

It's high time she learned that Snow always lands on top.

Even if it means Nightingale falls to the bottom.

꧁ ꧂

The beginning of the races is always the most boring, there's always some sort of delay, some lunatic running onto the track or a horse suddenly falling ill.

Good for the tabloids, bad for the people who showed up in person under this sweltering heat. Coriolanus feels even better than everyone else sitting high and mighty in his family’s box, cool as a cucumber whilst munching on sliced cucumbers.

He looks to his right where Festus is already getting properly drunk. He then looks to his left where Soarynn is rising from the sofa, empty champagne glass in hand. She hands it to an Avox before saying something to her father, vaguely gesturing to the door before leaving her box.

Coriolanus follows her as far as his obscured view will allow him to. She must have gone to the bathroom. He finishes off his own drink, whiskey, since his father slipped him one when mother wasn’t looking. She’s too preoccupied gossiping with Mrs. Creed, leaning over the wall that serves as a barricade for the boxes.

She might as well hop over to their side and make herself at home.

With no one actively paying attention to him, he decides to slip out as well, beelining for the bathrooms.

Some people enjoy the finger foods and air conditioning that these private boxes provide.

Others enjoy what really matters when it comes to these events: the private bathrooms.

They’re not enormous by any means, but they’re clean, cool, and are rooms instead of stalls. An entire hallway is lined with them, half for the men, half for the women. Coriolanus has found that there’s always a line for the women, he’ll never know why and he’ll never want to take their place either.

They probably spend too much time gossiping and obsessing over themselves in the mirror.

Nevertheless, he begins walking down the hallway, pulling on each door handle, disappointed when the doors swing right open. Perhaps he misjudged the situation, perhaps she went somewhere else, perhaps…oh, what’s this? The last door is locked.

He bites back a grin and knocks once, then twice, then once again.

The door swings open and he stares down at a very agitated looking Soarynn Nightingale, even in heels she’s shorter than him. “It’s about fucking time,” she huffs, grabbing him by the tie and dragging him into the bathroom with her.

Coriolanus laughs, she can act all high and mighty in front of their friends and family, but deep down, he knows she’s a simple minded girl with simple minded desires.

She wants to be fucked and he’s the only one who thinks he can properly do it.

Despite their roaring sexual chemistry, Coriolanus has managed to hold off any actual feelings for the girl since they started this entire sexual affair six months ago. It all started out so casually, a heated kiss in the empty hallway, grabbing her in the library, groping him in the courtyard.

One thing led to another, clothes came off, lips found one another, and…he’s trying his best to be good, to be cold and distant and act like this isn’t the best sex he’s ever had in his life.

But it’s hard. It’s so fucking hard because she’s so fucking tight, and flexible, so perfect for him. She’s so soft, she smells so good, and she takes such good care of herself. He didn’t even know it was possible to be this hairless but she’s managed to pull it off, doing it flawlessly every time.

And she gives a nasty blowjob.

His lips are on hers in seconds, leaning down while he fumbles with the lock, the last thing they need is someone stumbling in on them. Coriolanus and Soarynn have mastered the art of indifference and sneaking around. At school, it’s storage closets, at parties, it’s empty bedrooms, and at events, it's bathrooms like these.

He can’t begin to count the amount of times he’s disappeared for a good half hour all to bury himself in her tight little cunt. They come and leave separately, making sure that neither their family nor friends are none the wiser.

There have been a few close calls, or a few times where he's thought about properly bedding her in his apartment, but it's far too risky. Anyone who sees two teenagers leaving the same room together is left with little to assume. It would be an outright scandal for both of them and their families.

He can't have that.

So, it's a little rendezvous like this that keeps them going.

Her lips are impatient against his, using her teeth to tug at his bottom lip. Coriolanus nearly growls at her harsh treatment, they both need to leave this room the exact same way they arrived, unscathed and unblemished.

He's quick to place his hands on her waist, holding her against him so that he can regain some of the control. Unlike the other girls he's fucked, Soarynn does not necessarily lie down and take it. She enjoys taking the lead and frustrating him, challenging him every step of the way, which makes these quick interactions very stressful for him.

But he's embarassingly addicted to her cunt so there's no saving him now.

"Placing fucking bets, huh?" He taunts while kissing her, slipping one hand down to her ass, palming it through the thick fabric of her dress, "How much do you wanna bet that you're already soaking wet for me?"

Soarynn mewls at his touch, leaning into him as she wraps her arms around his neck. She can act all high and mighty in front of their family and friends, but he knows that she's just as addicted as he is to this little scheme they've been running.

He's counted too many longing stares, heavy sighs and pouting lips to put it past his own imagination.

But sometimes he wonders if she just wants him for the sex, or for something more.

It wouldn't surprise anyone if they were to start courting, it's almost expected so maybe that's why they're so opposed to getting along outside of these heated touches and secret kisses.

Either way, now is not the time to think about these things.

"Just hurry up and fuck me," she whispers, "my father will be wondering where I've run off to."

Coriolanus doesn't need to be told twice when it comes to sliding into her warm cunt. He breaks away from the kiss and spins her around, deciding that he can bend her over the sink for the easiest access.

"Where'd you run off to this time then?" He asks, using one hand to unbuckle his belt while the other unzips the back of her dress. Soarynn gasps when he tugs on the zipper too harshly, "I told him I was going down to the main level, and watch my zipper," she hisses, shooting him a glare through the mirror in front of the sink.

Coriolanus merely chuckles in reply, letting his belt and her dress fall to the floor. Next he unzips his own pants, groaning at how confined his hard cock feels in his boxers, so close to being set free. Apparently she anticipated one of their secret little meetings because she's wearing a matching set under her outfit today.

Lace panties and a lacy bralette, it does wonders for the human mind, in his opinion.

He allows himself to stare at her semi-naked body for about ten seconds before tearing her panties down her tanned legs, if he lingers too long, she might grow suspicious about how he feels about all of this.

A good player never reveals his cards.

He slides two fingers in between her legs, causing Soarynn to moan and throw her head back when his fingers rub against her clit, sopping wet already from her dripping folds.

"Little slut is already wet for me huh?" He teases, pulling down his boxers, "I bet I could've fucked you in the box and you'd like that too, hmm? Always desperate for a fight and a fuck."

Her back arches the more he rubs her clit and he quickly pushes the tip of his cock into her entrance, both of them moaning at how heavenly it feels when he's inside of her.

Coriolanus is quick to start up the pace, wrapping one arm around her waist while he rests his chin on her shoulder, watching their reflection in the mirror. "Look at you," he says huskily in her ear, "my little slut, always ready for it. If you place bets as well as you take cock then you just might win this race."

Soarynn has never shied from dirty talk but she also doesn't shy away from talking back either. A double-edged sword in his opinion.

She rolls her hips back to meet his thrusts, causing him to stutter at the sudden movement, "Well if your talk is as big as your game, then maybe you'll win the races today," she replies, digging her nails into his forearm. They're too evenly matched, both vicious in their own rightful ways.

He decides to focus on just fucking her, they don't need to talk all the time. If anything, their public arguments are just foreplay. Something to get both of them equally riled up so they can fuck it out later.

He watches her face in the mirror, how it contorts in pleasure, how her eyes flutter shut, how her lips fall open, how soft her skin is. He's heard that you're only as pretty as you are on the inside, but Soarynn must be some exception.

Her walls squeeze tightly around him, begging him to spill inside of her, which is something he takes great joy in doing. Thank goodness for the birth control implant or they would have a child or two already.

"I'm close," she pants, gripping the sink with her other hand, "make me cum Coriolanaus."

Coriolanus Snow, a boy who hates being told what to do, finds himself fucking her harder than before, desperate to get her to te finish line before the horses on the track do. It's like he suddenly has something to prove, something that lets her know that he is the only one who can satisfy her needs.

He can feel himself nearing his orgasm as well, they almost always finish together. Like a couple. A couple of delinquent teenagers fucking in the bathroom right now.

Their compromised position is what gets him to the edge, not wanting to spend too much time away to raise suspicion. He rubs at her clit even faster than before in tight circles, causing Soarynn to moan from the stimulation. He lands a few more thrusts right against her sweet spot as he paints her walls and that's all it takes to make her cum.

Soarynn does what she always does when finishing, she goes limp in his arms and for a short amount of time, trusts him to keep her upright and safe. He takes this short-lived responsibility very seriously and keeps his arm wrapped around her waist while they both pant, coming down from their individual highs.

He rests his forehead on her bare shoulder, smelling her soft skin, always vanilla with this girl. He debates kissing the soft skin near his lips but decides against it. He doesn't want to make things weird.

Soarynn lets him know when she's regained consciousness by tapping his arm, telling him to let her go which he does without protest, slowly pulling out of her cunt. They both groan at the feeling, at the emptiness inside both of them.

He wonders what causes that emptiness, the lack of sex, or the lack of a real human connection.

Now is not the time to ponder these things.

Soarynn and Coriolanus make quick work at cleaning up. Soarynn wipes herself down, fixing her hair and adjusting her makeup while Coriolanus wipes down as well. He pulls his pants back up and slides his belt through the loops. Soarynn slips her dress back on, going to pull the zipper up but she only makes it halfway.

"Here," he says, in a gentle tone compared to how he usually speaks to her, "let me." Her eyes slightly widen, he's usually much meaner after they finish, she is too. But then her eyes and shoulders soften, "Thank you."

He simply nods, zipping her all the way up, "I'll let you go first."

Soarynn hums, checking her reflection one last time before turning to leave, but for some unexplained reason, he stops her, grabbing her wrist.

"Give me a kiss," he says, almost like he's begging.

Her lips curl into a cruel smirk, much more like the girl he knows and hates, "A kiss? Don't tell me you've gone soft," she purrs up at him. Coriolanus scoffs, tugging her closer, suffocating on her intoxicating scent, "Just give me a kiss."

To his surprise, she does as he asks, pressing herself to her tiptoes to peck his lips. She slides her gloves back on and pats his cheek with her hand, "The big, bad Coriolanus Snow asking for kisses in the bathroom," she teases, "what would your father say if he saw you like this?"

His jaw ticks and she's successfully pissed him off all over again.

"You keep my father out of this," he tells her, growing angrier when she walks out of the bathroom with no response.

What would his father think of all this?

Would he think that Coriolanus was being foolish? Or would he see himself in his son? Running after the beautiful girl with blonde hair that he too chased after so many years ago?

His father has always said that Snow lands on top, but standing alone in the bathroom leads Coriolanus to question if it really does.

Or is that just a lie he tells himself?

꧁ ꧂

Coriolanus manages to return to his box without raising any suspicion and apparently, he didn’t miss a thing.

“There’s been a delay darling,” mother tells him, helping herself to some tarts on a silver platter, “something about the track? I don’t really know if I’m being quite honest, I was too busy chatting with Mrs. Creed when they made the official announcement.”

He’s not surprised.

Coriolanus helps himself to some fruits before sitting back down next to his father who hasn’t moved since he left, still as a statue.

“Where’d you run off to?” He asks and Coriolanus tugs at his collar, it’s suddenly very hot in here. “To see who they were predicting to win,” he easily lies, leaning back into the sofa, “odds are in our favor once again.”

Father grunts and glances over at the Nightingale’s box, Soarynn and Glen stand near the balcony, sharing conversation as well. “Good, apparently Soarynn did place a bet on Number Six. Glen let her choose.”

Coriolanus rolls his eyes, that sounds like the sort of thing he’d do. From what he’s gathered, Glen Nightingale is eager to please his daughter, even if it means letting her spend all his money on horses and shoes.

“Well, we’ll see how that plays out,” is all he replies with.

A few more minutes go by until it’s finally time for the races.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we thank you for your patience. The races are about to begin!”

A cheer goes up in the crowd but Coriolanus is far too preoccupied with his lingering thoughts from the bathroom moments ago. Maybe he needs to cut things off with her permanently, if he can’t have all of her, then there’s really no point in continuing this.

He also doesn’t want to see her end up with somebody else, doesn’t know the type of person he’d become if he saw Soarynn walking down the hallway holding hands with another boy.

Who else could be more perfect for her than him?

No one.

He’s so busy thinking about her that he missed the gun going off and the race beginning. But his father is already on his feet, pacing the length of the box as the race edges on, Number Six and Seven neck and neck with each passing lap.

Coriolanus stands to his own feet when they reach the final lap, yelling alongside his father as Seven nears the finish line, the jockey holding on for dear life while his horse thunders down the track.

He quickly glances over at Soarynn and finds her equally enthralled with the race, cheering for Number Six who’s up by a hair.

It’s a close race. It’s so close. It’s getting closer.

It’s done! It’s done and Number Six has won the race!

Coriolanus hears his father mutter some not nice words before returning to his seat, defeated and less rich than when he came to the arena.

Mother comes up to him, fanning herself with a gloved hand, “I certainly wasn’t expecting that,” she says to him, “we always win.”

Coriolanus looks over at Soarynn again but this time, she’s looking right at him, a big smirk on her face while waving a handkerchief at the jockey riding Number Six.

Gloating.

Coriolanus scowls, he’s definitely going to fuck her extra hard the next time he sees her.

He goes over to his parents, both look equally shocked and defeated as he is, “I think I’m ready to depart,” he announces, shoving his hands in his pockets. This feeling is so foreign, so...confusing.

Is this what losers feel like?

Mother nods eagerly, resting a hand on father’s knee, “Yes darling, we should go before traffic gets bad.”

Still upset over his loss, father stands without a word, leading their family out of the box and towards the stairs. The entire arena is slowly leaving the building, causing quite a traffic jam for those who bought general admission tickets. But for those who have a private box, they simply go out the private entrance.

While waiting for their car in the shade, Glen and Soarynn approach them, rubbing salt in the wound so to speak.

“Looks like I know more about betting than you think I do,” Soarynn brags in a haughty tone, ignoring the look her father gives her. Coriolanus scoffs, staring her down despite his epic, public loss, “Please, you got lucky. That’s all.”

Soarynn shrugs, “Luck is the name of the game, Coryo.” She tacks on that nickname to piss him off and it does just that, but before he can say anything, their car arrives.

“Lovely seeing you two again,” mother says, kissing both Glen and Soarynn on the cheeks, proper etiquette for those who reside in the upper class when saying farewell.

Soarynn smiles brightly at mother as if she wasn’t getting fucked by her son half an hour ago, “So wonderful to see you again Mrs. Snow, and you as well Mr. Snow.”

Father nods, shaking Glen’s hand, “Good luck in school this year young lady.”

Soarynn looks expectantly at Coriolanus to say goodbye as well, it would be proper to kiss the back of her hand or give a friendly hug, but he is not feeling friendly right now.

He either needs to punch someone or fuck someone and he’s already exhausted the second option.

Soarynn seems to be all too aware of that, and instead of leaving him be, she surprises all of them by stepping up to him and planting a big fat kiss on his cheek. Coriolanus is stunned beyond words, never has a girl shown this type of affection towards him in front of his parents.

These are the types of gestures that have meaning and intention behind them, not for the faint of heart, but mother looks like she might faint while placing a hand over her heart.

“I’ll see you in school,” Soarynn said sweetly, stepping back as if she didn’t just kiss him in front of their parents. Coriolanus coughs into his fist, he’s probably turning bright red, “Yeah, see you in school.”

He’s the first to leave and doesn’t wait up for his parents, speedwalking to the car so he doesn’t have to look at Soarynn for another second because he might explode.

Once everyone is in the car, mother pounces, eagerness in her tone, “Darling, she likes you! She kissed you on the cheek because she likes you! Is there something going on? Are you two thinking about courting?”

Coriolanus shakes his head, burning with embarrassment about the whole thing the more he thinks about it, “No, no, there’s nothing between us,” he swears, ignoring the look he gets from his father.

Mother doesn’t look convinced at his claims, “Well, I suspect that something might bloom between you two this year. How thrilling, Crassus, isn’t it thrilling?”

Father has a far away look in his eyes while gazing at his son, as if remembering his years during school. “Yes, I remember the thrill of the chase, I also remember how it ended.”

That’s all Coriolanus needs to hear.

All he needs to hear to decide that he will not end up like his father did. He’ll get the girl and keep her, proudly show her off while climbing to the top.

Today might have been an exception, but one thing has still been made perfectly clear to Coriolanus after all these years.

Snow lands on top.

| tumblr oneshot/drabble |

| 'Born to Die' |

{ Companion: ‘Million Dollar Man’ }

| taglist: @lovelylove268 @kickmybark @iswearicanfixhim @wonderlandbound111 @melodyoflovee @thevoicesinmyprettylittlehead @erensrealgf @evilmenarehot @cervvsq @snowgirl12 @matcha-muses @anisangeldust @snowsgames |

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bookishcarmela · 5 days ago

Text

Shadows of Affection

warnings: death

slow burn Coriolanus Snow x reader, slight Felix Ravinstill x reader

Chapter 16: Aftermath

You wake up feeling dazed, disoriented. The ceiling above you is unfamiliar, high and intricate with golden detailing carved into its moldings. The bed beneath you is too soft, the sheets too smooth, like silk against your skin. You shift slightly, trying to sit up, when an arm tightens around your waist. Your body stiffens.

What the fuck?

Panic shoots through you for a second before last night’s memories come flooding back. The exhaustion. Felix insisting you come home with him. Falling into bed before you could even think twice about it.

Oh no. No, no, no.

You groan internally. You were tired, sure, but how could you have let this happen? Felix’s house. Felix’s bed. Felix’s arms wrapped so tightly around you that escape feels impossible. And when you get home—if you get home—Quincy is going to have a field day. He always does. Though lately, he’s been too busy. You don’t see him as often. You don’t sit down for dinner together. You try to come home after everyone’s asleep and leave before they wake. But he’ll know. He always knows. And you have no explanation to give him.

You shift again, trying to pry yourself from Felix’s grasp, but he groans in annoyance and only pulls you closer.

“Felix,” you mutter, voice still rough with sleep. “I have to go.”

He buries his face against your shoulder. “No, no we don’t have to go anywhere,” he mumbles sleepily. “Stay. Let’s get breakfast. Let’s take the day off.”

You shake your head. “I can’t. I really can’t.”

Felix sighs, rubbing at his face before propping himself up on one elbow. “Why?”

You sit up, already scanning the room for your clothes. “I have to talk to Dr. Gaul. She’s going to be expecting me.”

His expression shifts, his easygoing sleepiness fading into something more tense. “Why do you always have to leave?” His voice is sharper than before, tinged with frustration. “Why can’t you just stay with me?”

You glance at him, confused by the sudden shift in tone. “What are you talking about? You know I’m busy. So are you. I can’t just take a day off.”

Felix scoffs, running a hand through his messy hair. “Is it Coriolanus?”

You freeze for a second before rolling your eyes. “Oh, please. You’re being dramatic. This has nothing to do with Coriolanus.”

“It always has something to do with him,” Felix presses, his voice darkening. “I saw it. The way you looked at him.”

You push against his chest, trying to create space between you, but he doesn’t let you. “Felix, you’re blind.”

“Then prove it,” he says. “Stay.” His grip tightens on your wrist. “Stay with me. Stay in bed.” His voice softens. “Please.”

You inhale sharply, heart hammering. “No. I can’t.”

Felix exhales slowly, finally loosening his hold. But even as he releases you, his fingers remain tangled with yours. He always does this—always finds a way to touch you. Whether it’s a hand on your knee, fingers brushing against your wrist, his presence always lingering.

He sits up, watching you as you move around the room, aimlessly searching. “Where are my clothes?” you ask.

“I had them thrown away.”

You turn sharply. “What?”

“They were filthy,” Felix says simply. “They were torn. You weren’t going to wear them again, so I had the maids bring you something new.” He gestures lazily. “They’ll bring it to you in a minute.”

You let out a slow breath, trying not to get more frustrated than you already are. “Fine.”

Minutes later, the maids arrive, carrying a neatly folded dress. You take it, holding it up in front of you. The fabric is luxurious, softer than anything you’d normally wear. The cut is modest—but just barely. If it were any shorter, it would cross the line from refined to provocative.

And it’s white.

You frown. White. You never wear white. It makes you feel like a child bride. And you know, without a doubt, that Felix picked this. He didn’t choose something you’d like—he chose something he would like to see you in.

You slip into the dress, brushing out your hair, trying to ignore the way it fits too perfectly, like it was tailored for you overnight. You stare at yourself in the mirror, lost in thought, when Felix moves behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist. His lips brush against your neck. “Stay,” he murmurs against your skin. “We could be comfortable. Come back to bed.”

You stiffen. His kisses become sloppier, more insistent. You know exactly what he’s trying to do.

“No,” you say firmly, stepping out of his grip.

Felix’s hands drop to his sides, his face darkening. For a second, it looks like he might argue, but instead, he lets out a heavy sigh. “Fine.” His voice is flat. “Call me later.”

You nod, barely listening.

“Call me tonight,” he repeats, watching you carefully. “We’ll go to dinner.”

You exhale. “Okay.”

Felix calls your driver, and soon enough, you’re slipping out of the house, walking through the eerily silent halls of the President’s mansion. It’s strange—so many people live here, so many servants, so many visitors from powerful families, and yet it always feels... empty. Hollow. Like the walls themselves are absorbing all the life inside them.

Finally, you step outside, into the fresh air, and climb into the car waiting for you. As soon as the door shuts, you let your head fall back against the seat and sigh.

You moved quickly through the corridors of the Capitol, your footsteps echoing off the pristine marble floor. The peacekeepers at the entrance barely gave you a glance before granting you access to the underground levels, where Dr. Gaul’s true domain lay.

The air grew colder the deeper you went, the artificial lights casting long, eerie shadows. As you descended, the scent of raw fish curled into your nose, unmistakable and putrid. A sharp chorus of squeals rang out—feeding time. Then, silence.

You swallowed thickly, keeping your eyes forward, pretending you didn’t hear, pretending you didn’t know what happened in these halls. You had always done that, because fear made it easier. Fear kept you from wondering too hard about what went on behind the reinforced glass or what kind of creatures lurked in the shadows of Gaul’s twisted creations. Fear reminded you that if it ever came down to you or them, you would always choose yourself.

When you reached the lab, Dr. Gaul was standing over a steel enclosure, dropping chunks of flesh into it. A wet, slithering sound accompanied each drop, followed by quick, greedy gulps. Your stomach twisted, but you forced yourself to remain composed.

Dr. Gaul turned to you, her smile wide and unnatural. “Oh, my little dove,” she cooed. “How was your little excursion last night?”

Your spine stiffened. “Eventful.”

“Eventful, she says,” Gaul chuckled, tilting her head. “Come, let’s check you up.”

She stepped forward, her gloved hands reaching out to examine you. Cold fingertips brushed against your wrist, then your jaw, tilting your head side to side as Gaul’s grin stretched wider, inspecting you like you were just another one of her projects. You forced yourself not to recoil.

“I started out as a medical doctor, you know,” Gaul said conversationally, stepping back. “Sterile. How awful, you must imagine, to be the first thing a baby sees in this world.” She sighed dramatically. “Parents always expect reassurances, but what can I possibly tell them? How could I know what their children would face?”

You said nothing, but you knew where this was going.

“Like you, last night,” Gaul continued, voice filled with an eerie amusement. “Who would have imagined the darling daughter of Lason Royce, fighting for her life in the Capitol arena? Not him, for one.”

Your lips parted slightly, but you had no response. You barely remembered your father anymore. His face was always a blur, shifting in your memory like a phantom you could never quite catch.

“What was it like?” Gaul asked. “The arena?”

You met her gaze, unwavering. “Terrifying. Just like it was designed to be.”

Gaul let out a laugh. “Yes, indeed.”

You exhaled sharply.

“What about the tributes?” Gaul smirked. “What about them?”

You hesitated.

“What did you think of them, now that their chains were removed? Now that they tried to kill you, not because they had to, but because they wanted to?”

Gaul’s eyes gleamed. “Ah. You’ve seen it, haven’t you?”

You thought back to the escape, to the sheer bloodlust in the tributes’ eyes even after they were free. “I felt like an animal. Like prey being hunted.”

“But you weren’t.”

“No,” you admitted. “But I always am. No matter where I go, I’m always prey.”

Gaul let out a delighted hum, as if you had just said exactly what she wanted to hear. “Mission accomplished, then.”

She walked over to a counter, idly flipping through a file. “That little one from Eight—Snow beat him to a pulp. Now we’ll have to fabricate some lovely tale for Flickerman to spin. What a wonderful opportunity for you.” She glanced up, her grin sharp. “Transformative, wasn’t it?”

You felt the phantom sensation of blood on your skin, the memory of Coryo bashing into that boy’s face over and over again. The sickening crunch, the shiver down your spine. It brought back too many memories—war, home, the never-ending cycle of violence.

Blood. Blood. Blood.

It was all you ever saw.

Gaul tapped her fingers against the counter. “Wasn’t it more than you could’ve hoped for?”

You inhaled slowly. “You needed me to get Sejanus out of the arena, obviously. But you also wanted me to… what? Experience it?”

Gaul’s grin widened.

“Even if it killed me?” Your voice tightened.

“That was a risk.”

“Without the threat of death, what’s the point of a lesson?” Gaul mused. She gestured vaguely. “What happens in the arena, my dear, that is humanity undressed. The tributes. And you. How quickly civilization disappears. All your fine manners, your education, your family background—it all falls away in an instant, revealing what you really are.”

Your stomach twisted, but you weren’t surprised. “And? What was the point? I already knew all this.” Your voice sharpened. “I’ve always known. I’ve seen it before.”

Gaul let out a pleased hum. “I thought you might need a reminder, little dove.” She stepped closer, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I don’t want you going soft.”

Your jaw clenched.

Gaul tilted her head, watching you carefully. “I need you to realize where you are in this world… and where you will stay if you don’t change it.”

Your breath hitched.

Gaul’s voice turned saccharine, condescending. “You can’t stay my little dove forever.”

Your fingers curled into fists at your sides. You had nothing to say to that. Because deep down, you weren’t sure if you wanted to argue.

Gaul simply smiled and turned away.

The conversation was over. But the lesson lingered.

The main student body had been told to report at 7:45, so the early arrivals consisted of active mentors and a few aides tidying up the hall. You couldn’t help but throw a guilty glance at Juno Phipps, who sat discussing her strategy, knowing she could’ve just slept in. Your thoughts wandered to how they would announce Bobbin’s death and how Coriolanus would react—but you doubted he would care.

Everything from yesterday had already been set up, and since the crowds hadn’t arrived yet, you decided to join Festus. The only thing being served in Heavensbee Hall was tea, which brought grumblings from Festus. “If we have to be here early, you’d think they could at least feed us,” he muttered.

“You’d think,” you replied.

Coriolanus sauntered up beside Festus, casually joining the small group. “What happened to your face?”

“Bike accident,” Coriolanus said loud enough for everyone to hear, his eyes briefly glancing at you. He tossed a bag containing a roll to Festus.

“Thanks, this looks great,” Festus said, digging in immediately.

Conversations continued around you, but you barely paid attention. Your mind drifted, replaying the events of the past few weeks. Your life had suddenly become a living nightmare with the start of the Hunger Games, and it didn’t help that Coriolanus kept making eye contact with you. As the rest of the school arrived and took their seats, you chose to separate from the group, heading toward the game makers’ station to observe behind the screens.

The monitors showed little change—except for the disappearance of Marcus’s body. No one seemed to question it. You assumed it was still by the barricade, where Coriolanus and Sejanus had abandoned it last night, just out of range of the cameras.

At the stroke of eight, the anthem played, and everyone stood. You weren’t much of a singer, so you remained quiet as Lucky Flickerman appeared on the screens, welcoming everyone to Day Two of the Hunger Games.

“While you were sleeping, something pretty important happened,” Lucky announced. “Let’s take a look, shall we?”

The feed cut to a wide shot of the arena before slowly panning in on the barricade. As you expected, Marcus’s body lay nearby, but your stomach twisted when Bobbin’s battered form came into view. He looked much worse than you had imagined—his limbs twisted unnaturally, his swollen face barely recognizable. Coriolanus had really done that to another boy—a young boy. You stole a glance at him, but all you saw was the back of his head. Even from there, you knew he was nervous. He might have seemed like a good liar to everyone else, but you always knew better.

After a long look at the bodies, the show cut back to Lucky, who pondered aloud who might have committed the act. His mood abruptly shifted. “One thing we do know is that we’ve got something to celebrate!”

Confetti rained from the ceiling as Lucky blew wildly on a plastic horn. “We’ve just hit the halfway mark! That’s right—twelve tributes down, only twelve to go!” A string of brightly colored handkerchiefs shot from his sleeve as he swung them around his head, laughing and cheering. When he finally calmed, he adopted a somber expression. “But that also means we have to say farewell to Miss Juno Phipps.”

A man approached Juno’s side to escort her out, but she suddenly spoke up. “Something seems off to me,” she said. “I mean, what’s he doing over there with Marcus’s body? Who moved it? And how did Bobbin end up dead? I can’t even imagine a likely scenario.”

The reporter, intrigued, pressed further. “What exactly would qualify as foul play?”

“I don’t know exactly,” Juno admitted. “But I, for one, would really like to see a replay of last night’s events.”

Good luck with that, you thought. But then the idea lingered. Maybe a recording did exist. Maybe there were two versions—one for the public and another kept private. You’d have to look into it later, though you doubted you could access it or that Dr. Gaul would even keep such a thing.

Juno was dismissed with a patronizing pat on the back, still sparkling with confetti. Lucky, oblivious to her frustration, leaned toward the camera with barely contained glee.

“And now, I suppose you’re all wondering about our extra big surprise! Especially if you’re one of the twelve remaining mentors.”

Your eyebrows furrowed. What the hell was he talking about?

Before you could dwell on it, Lucky bounded across the stage to reveal two men sitting side by side—his father, Strabo Plinth, whose stern expression was as immovable as the granite of his home district, and Sejanus, looking hollow-eyed and stiff.

Lucky took the host chair and patted Sejanus’s leg. “I’m sorry we didn’t get a moment with you yesterday to comment on your tribute’s… unfortunate demise.”

Sejanus merely stared, uncomprehending. Lucky seemed to notice his injuries for the first time. “You look like you’ve been mixing it up yourself.”

“I fell off my bike,” Sejanus rasped.

Two biking accidents in twelve hours? That seemed highly unlikely.

“Ouch! Well, I guess you’ve had some pretty big news to share with us,” Lucky continued, nodding encouragingly.

Sejanus hesitated, while neither he nor his father acknowledged each other. A silent battle raged between them. Finally, Sejanus exhaled. “The Plinth family would like to announce that we will be awarding a full-ride university scholarship to the mentor whose tribute wins the Hunger Games.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Several mentors gasped in delight. You rolled your eyes, knowing that most of them didn’t need the money nearly as much as others did.

As the interview dragged on, your thoughts churned. Sejanus had been right—his father was trying to cover up his son’s disgraceful behavior with a generous bribe. Not that it didn’t merit damage control. You hadn’t heard much gossip about the outburst with the chair yet, but you suspected stories were already spreading.

As the interview ended and the Games were broadcast once again, nothing particularly interesting happened throughout the morning. The tributes seemed hesitant to make any bold moves. Coral and Mizzen roamed together for a while, collecting food and water from their mentors, Festus and Persephone. The two mentors had been strategizing together, and it was clear that Festus had a crush on Persephone. It wasn’t exactly breaking news—he’d harbored feelings for her for a long time. Still, every time you looked at Persephone, you couldn’t help but think of Coriolanus and the story he had told you about her war time stew.

Would you tell one of your close friends that their crush was a cannibal? It seemed unorthodox, even cruel. For all you knew, Persephone herself might not even be aware. But the thought lingered, unsettling you as you moved through the uneventful lunch period. At least, this time, when people sent food or water, the drones didn’t crash. You had one of the other Gamemakers bring you whatever was being served—a small sandwich, nothing remarkable.

Later in the afternoon, You had the Gamemakers reduce the mentor seats to twelve, leaving only space for those whose tributes were still in the Games. “It makes it easier for the audience to keep track of who’s still a contender,” you told them, instructing them to keep removing seats as more tributes fell. A grim game of musical chairs, but with real consequences. The decision seemed to make livia even more bitter, if that was possible. You felt a twinge of sympathy—but only a small one. What caught your attention more was how this change forced Coriolanus closer to Clemencia, who remained scaley, snake-like, and entirely focused on him, her glare never wavering.

As the afternoon stretched on, your exhaustion caught up with you. Your head grew heavier, and at one point, a fellow Gamemaker had to nudge you awake—twice. Perhaps it was fortunate that so little was required of you today, given how last night had nearly killed you.

Tributes remained mostly hidden until late in the day when the Hunger Games finally delivered the kind of action audiences expected. The girl from District 5—a wiry, forgettable thing whose name escaped you—was caught wandering the arena. Lucky Flickerman managed to connect her to her equally forgettable mentor, Iphigenia Moss, the daughter of the man who oversaw agriculture and the distribution of food across Panem.

Contrary to expectations, Iphigenia always seemed on the verge of malnutrition. She had a reputation for giving her school lunches to classmates, sometimes blacking out from hunger. Festus had once mentioned that it was her only form of revenge against her father, though he refused to elaborate. True to form, Iphigenia funneled every bit of food she could to her tribute. But even as the drones made their long trek across the arena, the trio of Coral, Tanner, and Mizzen emerged from the tunnels, hunting.

After a brief chase along the bleachers, they surrounded the District 5 girl. Coral ended it with a trident to the throat, making you cringe.

“Well, that’s that,” Lucky said, unable to recall the girl’s name.

When prompted, Iphigenia had already left the dais. “Her name was Sol. Or maybe Sal,” the reporter said with a shrug.

“Not much more to tell.”

“Nice job getting her to the second day, alibina,” Lucky added.

“It’s Iphigenia,” she corrected over her shoulder as she exited, not bothering to glance back.

“Right,” Lucky continued smoothly. “And that means we’re down to just eleven tributes left!”

Thank God, you thought. I’m one step closer to finally going home.

The rest of the day passed without much excitement, and as you were finally being dismissed—something you were immensely grateful for—Lucy Gray made an entrance.

You groaned aloud as she sprinted out of a tunnel, her braid unraveling, her hair flying wild behind her. In your head, you were already hoping that one of the trio—maybe Coral—would kill her just to get this over with. Then you could finally go home.

But before you could even guess what was chasing her, Jessup staggered out of the same tunnel. At first, you thought he was wounded—maybe he’d been protecting Lucy Gray. They were from the same district, so it made sense that they would have formed a pact. But if they were allies, why had she run?

As the cameras zoomed in, it became clear that Jessup wasn’t injured—he was sick. Stiff, feverish, twitching with erratic movements. He swiped at the sun, crouched, then sprang to his feet again in an unsettling cycle. His behavior made your skin crawl.

Your first thought was poison. Had Coriolanus’s little songbird found a way to get rid of her own ally? But that seemed unlikely. Jessup was a valuable protector, especially with those other tributes prowling around. Any number of things in that arena could have sickened him—contaminated water, spoiled food.

But then, you saw the telltale foam bubbling over his lips.

Oh, God, you thought.

Jessup had rabies.

Rabies had made a comeback in the Capitol during the war, with doctors needed in the field and medical faculties and supply lines compromised by the bombings. Medical treatment had been sketchy for humans, and for a lot of people, it had become essentially nonexistent. Pampered pets were no longer a priority when people couldn’t even afford bread.

How it began remained a matter of debate—an infected coyote from the mountains, a nocturnal encounter with a bat—but the dogs spread it. Most of them were starving, abandoned casualties of the war themselves. From dog to dog, then to people, the violent strain developed with unprecedented speed, killing over a dozen Capitol citizens before a vaccination program brought it under control. You remembered the posters alerting people to the warning signs in both animals and humans, adding just one more potential threat to your world.

And poor Jessup had been bitten—by what, you weren’t sure. But it was on the neck. The quicker the virus reached the brain, the quicker you died. And of course, he was half-starved and weak. Poor Jessup, you thought. Even his death had to be horrible.

The recognition of Jessup’s illness put the audience on edge, setting off a wave of comments thick with fear and revulsion.

“Rabies? How did he get that? Must’ve come from the district.”

“I bet he’s gonna infect the whole city.”

“A little unprecedented, but not after seeing it spread through the city once.”

“The Capitol should just put him down. They knew he had it before he tried to spread it around like some apocalypse.”

The students seemed to draw back into their seats, not wanting to miss anything, but the murmurs of unease were unmistakable. The disease dredged up childhood memories of public warnings, and no one wanted to see its horrors play out again. You stayed silent, watching Jessup zigzag across the arena in Lucy Gray’s direction. There was no telling what was going on in his mind. Under normal circumstances, maybe he’d protect her, maybe not. But he had clearly lost his reason. If she had any sense, she’d run for her life.

The cameras tracked Lucy Gray as she sprinted across the arena, scrambling up the broken wall into the stands. The press box occupied a midway position, somehow spared in the bombings. She stopped a moment, panting, considering Jessup’s erratic pursuit. Then she made for the debris of the nearby concession stand. The skeleton of its frame remained, but the center had been blasted to bits and the roof flung thirty feet away, strewn with bricks and boards. It was an obstacle course as she traveled until she planted herself at the top of the mess. The Gamemakers took advantage of her stillness, zooming in for a close-up.

Much to your delight, she looked like hell. You didn’t know why you disliked her so much—you just did. And you weren’t sure you were ready to tackle the whole of that dislike just yet.

An order for a bottle of water came through from Coriolanus, which you approved with little interest, sending a drone out. Jessup, meanwhile, had made his way across the arena, climbing into the stands after Lucy Gray. His balance wavered as he entered the debris field. He fell twice, with such force that he opened gashes on his knee and temple. The second wound produced a fair amount of blood. He sat, somewhat stunned, reaching a trembling hand toward Lucy Gray, his mouth moving, but only foam dripped from his chin.

Lucy Gray remained motionless, watching Jessup with a pained expression. The scene created a strange tableau—rabid boy, trapped girl, bombed-out building—a tale that could only end in tragedy. Star-crossed lovers meeting their fate? A revenge story turned inward? A war saga that took no prisoners?

Just die already, you thought. Enough with the dramatics.

A drone carrying the water flew into the arena. Lucy Gray lifted her face, tracking its wobbly progress. Her tongue flicked across her lips in anticipation. However, as it passed over Jessup, something in him registered the sight. A shudder raked through his body. He swung at the drone with a broken board, and it crashed into the stands, the water pouring out of the cracked bottle. That was when he truly lost it.

Suddenly, five more water orders came through from Coriolanus. Then ten. You approved them absentmindedly, wondering what he was trying to do. And then it clicked. Hydrophobia. Rabies victims couldn’t swallow and went wild at the sight of water.

Clever, you thought, glancing down at the screen where Coriolanus seemed to be arguing with Sejanus. You couldn’t make out what they were saying.

Lucy Gray had worked herself into a tight spot. To her left was the high back wall of the arena; to her right, the thick glass side of the press box. As Jessup continued his pursuit, she made several attempts to escape him, but he kept cutting her off. When he came within twenty feet, she spoke to him, holding out her hand in a soothing manner. It stopped him, but only momentarily before he lunged again.

Across the arena, the first bottle of water began its flight toward her. The machine was steady and true in its course—a rare feat that disappointed you, given the drones’ tendency to crash. The small fleet that followed was more unpredictable. As soon as Lucy Gray spotted them, she stopped retreating, patting the ruffles of her skirt over a pocket, checking for something. Then she pointed at the drones, shouting, and succeeded in turning Jessup’s attention toward them.

Jessup froze, his eyes bulging with fear. The drones closed in. He batted at them but failed to connect. Then they started releasing the bottles of water. The impact of the first smacking into the seats sent him into a frenzy. When the contents of one splashed onto his hand, he recoiled as if burned by acid.

He turned to flee, bounding down toward the field, but another dozen drones arrived and bombarded him. Since they were programmed to deliver directly to the tribute, there was no escaping them. He flew toward the front row seats, his foot caught, and he tripped forward—hurtling over the arena wall and onto the field.

The sickening crack of snapping bones filled the speakers. The audience gasped. Even you felt queasy. Jessup had landed in a rare pocket of the arena with good audio. He lay on his back, motionless except for the heaving of his chest. The remaining bottles rained down on him, his lips curled back, his eyes locked unblinkingly on the bright sun glinting off the water.

Lucy Gray darted down the steps and hung over the railing. “Jessup!” she shouted.

You weren’t interested. You were tired. You wanted to go home. So you did. You told the Gamemakers to keep things running until the students left, then dismissed them as well. And with that, you made your way out of Heavensbee Hall.

#coriolanus snow #coriolanus x reader #coriolanus snow x reader #coriolanus snow fanfiction #a ballad of songbirds and snakes #sejanus plinth #coriolanus x lucy gray #lucy gray x coriolanus #the hunger games #my fic #fanfic #lucy grey baird #young coriolanus snow #sunrise on the reaping #felix ravinstill #festus creed

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especiallythewomenandthechildren · 1 year ago

Text

As If Destiny (part seven) 🌹

Part Six🌹

Warnings: Terminal illness, parent death, death and brutality (it is the hunger games after all) characters may be ooc. 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 vast hallways of the academy seemed longer today, while time seemed to speed up. With each step taken, more students seemed to file out of the halls. A quick look at the gold watch on their wrist, and their legs seemed to carry them out from under. In full force, the pristine doors of the academy classroom burst open, revealing a panting Sejanus.

His classmates seemed surprised by the sudden entrance, but more surprised by the fact that he was on time—or he thought he was. The boy took a step inside right as the bell rang, and with nothing more than a sigh, Dean Highbottom notified that "on time" meant being in your seat. Sejanus, still attempting to gain even a breath of air in his lungs, accepted defeat.

As he trudged to his seat, his eyes locked with the blonde boy one desk away. Your absence was all-consuming and isolating. Coriolanus noticed that the dark circles underneath Sejanus's eyes had still not left. They had been there the two weeks you've been gone and they don't seem to be going away anytime soon.

Most would assume that his lack of sleep is connected to the lack of your presence, but Coriolanus knew better.

Tomorrow is Reaping Day.

Sejanus has rarely shown his face most years, and if he has, you have always been by his side. But this year, there is a great understanding if he skipped out. However, you were conflicted whether or not to go. You felt the obligation to Sejanus due to the dark day for him, and you knew he had to be there for the Plinth Prize announcement.

And the announcement was your other felt obligation. You wanted to be there for Coriolanus when he won.

How Snow knew all this was in part due to Sejanus. The two have grown unexpectedly close these past two weeks. They bonded over your absence initially, and it eventually grew into a natural friendship.

Sejanus had always considered Snow a friend; truthfully, the only other person in the Capital besides you. But Coriolanus had been wary of the Plinth boy. He knew his distaste for the Capital, which is obviously not good company to associate with. He couldn't risk his reputation, no matter how sweet he was and the rarity of his character.

But something changed. He cared less and began spending more time with Sejanus. He knew he could trust him, and that was probably the quality he appreciated the most.

No wonder you were connected at the hip with the sweet boy.

He told you so after you ranted about the obligations you felt regarding Reaping Day last night.

You both ranted on and on nearly every single night. While you might not be at school, that doesn't mean you don't go out.

If going out means running in the dark streets of the Capital, only to reach the Snow door breathless and red, painting your features that were broken with a blinding and giddy smile.

A smile, that no matter what was discussed or how many tears were shed just prior at the Plinth house, always appeared. Every day, you did school work dropped off by Rhayen until mid-evening. You then spent a few hours calming and listening to Sejanus ranting on the Hunger Games and inhumanity. You agreed with him that they were cruel and brutal. But you kept the parts you disagreed with to yourself.

The parts that told you that they deserved it. That they needed a punishment just as bad as the one you suffered. They may be innocent but weren't you and the rest of the Capital children in the Dark Days?

These haunting thoughts lingered in your mind until you showed up at the cracking yet comforting ancestral Snow home.

Coryo, even as he studied and completed his assignments, always listened to you. He was the one who reassured you that you were not a cruel monster as you began to believe yourself to be but rather an unfortunate victim of war horror.

He was the one you confessed to about your fears of becoming bitter and cold after your mother's death.

You were in his room as he was working on the paper you long finished. The room, even with the constant dust and mold coating the walls and ceilings, had a fresh aroma due to the open window. Coryo knew you liked the smell of the flowers outside that only seemed to be grown on his side of the city. The breeze lightly moved through his curls, golden-kissed from the sun. It continued on through the portion of hair hanging off his bed where you rested.

The confession wasn't meant to be dramatic or any warning sign. In fact, you didn't even realize what you said until the smooth sound of Coryo's pen ceased to be. Your head lifted from the sunken yet rose-scented pillow. The sight before you was a stiffened Coriolanus with an analyzing expression covering his face as he was turned towards you in his chair. His mind seemed as if it was racing hundreds of miles a minute while you stood still in confusion.

You knew he was far too lost in thought to come out by himself. His eyes snapped back to reality as you sat up from your laying position to face him. You tilted your head in question to his actions and his pondering.

"That's not going to happen. Don't even spend time on that thought because it's not happening." His eyes were hardened by determination. You softened at his concern but you couldn't stop the argument slipping from your mouth.

"You can't say that, Coryo. This world doesn't really have the factors for the kind-hearted to survive. It either hardens or stops beating."

That only seemed to agitate Coriolanus into convincing you further. His legs pushed his chair and himself forward in your direction. He was now situated right in front of you, leaning inward slightly into your space which made it hard to look away. What made it impossible was the evening sun pouring through the window and reflected perfectly onto his mesmerizing eyes.

"You are not going to become cold. I promise you, I will take every hit and scar before you have to harden yourself to the world."

His oath was met with nothing but with searching eyes. They search for lies or hesitation but there was not a single speck of doubt in his golden-filtered blue orbs.

Your body leaned forward in response, with gratitude and tears dancing in your eyes as they also began to be lit up by the sunlight flowing through the window.

Your eyes were locked while emotions and unspoken words flowed between the gaze. It became too intense and you turned your head the split second before Coryo began leaning in. You seemed oblivious of his action as you stared out of his window. A favorite past time of yours it seemed when in his room.

His cheeks were flushed with slight embarrassment and the sight before his very eyes. The sun began to lower and while it still lit up the room and your features. It's rays were intensified on the shimmering diamonds of the silver ring around your neck.

He noticed it the very first night you showed up to his door after the night of your father's wrath. You came to apologize for his actions and plead for forgiveness but there was nothing to forgive, something both Coryo and Tigris assured you.

But as you paced back and forth that night, the dim light of the kitchen caught the small, brilliant blue stones. He saw the other two rings after your mother's funeral but that ring was new.

As you came around more, he swore it looked like snowflakes and felt a little smug but was never sure and never pressed you about it.

However, something overtook the teenager as he took the ring that has puzzled him for weeks. The movement caused you to look back at him. The proximity causing you to nearly smash your head into his.

You angled your head to take in his expression as his fingers grazed over the snowflake-shaped diamonds. You were so glad you did as you got to witness the smile spread across his face. If you had to choose what was more valuable to you: the moment or the ring, you would be tearing yourself in half for a decision.

"Snowflakes."

He peaked up at you beneath his blonde curls with his pearly whites.

Oh never have you made a decision between two things so fast.

The blush that spread across your cheeks was impossible to hide as you avoided his gaze. But it's not like you had anything to hide. The reason you wore the necklace was that it was your mother's.

The reason you wore the necklace was that it was your mother's.

The reason you wore the necklace was that it was your mother's?

"Rhayen told me it was gifted to my mom when she was our age. So-uhm, here it is!"

You never wanted to smack yourself more. Your voice cracked an impossible amount of time for such a few amount of words. You stuttered and acted as if you stole the necklace yourself from Coriolanus's family.

But he didn't see it that way in the slightest. He found it quite endearing and it was an obvious ego boost.

Sure, the reason for you wearing it may have nothing to do with him, but doesn't erase the fact that you are wearing his house ring.

You found his silence nerve-wracking and couldn't help but shrink under the pressure.

"Do you want it back? It's clearly the Snows so it's totally in your right!"

You began to move to take it off and managed to unclasp it before Coryo could stop you. But when you started slipping out the other rings to give him the one in the middle, he put his hands out over yours in a motion to stop.

Once again, the space between you two was quite thin.

"It was a gift to your mother, right? If so, then that means it's yours. And besides, it looks better on you than it would anywhere else."

He attempted to reassure you but you weren't convinced.

"Even so, you know this is worth a lot of money, Coryo. A lot of money that can help you and your family."

He knew this but refused to let it sink in. He was not going to take the one thing he could give you.

"Not ours to sell. It's yours."

The "as it should be" ran through his mind but never past his lips.

Your hands were still being held by the tall boy when he offered to place the necklace back around your neck.

You agreed and turned, moving your hair out the way and stared at the setting sun and brilliant hues decorating the sky. You could feel the cold metal slide back in place and as you felt the metal secure, Coryo moved your hair back in place.

Everything was back in its proper place. Your necklace, hair, and location. You and Coriolanus alone together watching the Capital in all its beauty. As if it all moved to your will.

Reluctantly, you turned your head to once again be met with the intense stare of enamored Coriolanus Snow. And once again, your faces were just mere inches apart.

But the ever-continuing staring contest was broken by the quick knock of Tigris.

"Y/N, Coryo, time for dinner!"

Her voice was slightly muffled by the door but you could hear the exhaustion in her tone. You took a huff of air as you gave a look back to Coriolanus as you got up.

The door opened up to a clearly tired Tigris. But her face no longer sinks in on tireless nights such as these.

And no matter how little she sleeps, there is still a smile gracing her features.

Much of it is due to the constant food and drink you bring whenever you come (nearly every day), lighting the load on her shoulders.

Said food was neatly prepared and smelled delicious. Because of your constant supply of material, Tigris has been able to try out some new recipes and enjoy meals instead of simply eating whatever is necessary for survival. You were even able to smooth-talk your way into Ma Plinth's secret recipes for her.

But it was all food you could not take from. This meal is a crucial part of their survival and you were fortunate enough to be able to have one the same size at home.

That is why you began excusing yourself as they began to settle in. Your excuses of needing to go home and rest did not convince Coriolanus in the slightest.

"Y/N, it's okay to eat. It's the food you brought over anyways!"

He had moved from his position by the table in order to come and take your hand. He saw the slightest hesitation in your eyes and took his chance and began lightly dragging you to the table.

You would have fought back but the delicate figure of his grandmother stopped any sort of action. You didn't wish to be seen as rude and when she noticed you and your hands intertwined with her grandson, you couldn't argue with her sweet smile.

And that is how you ended up at the dinner table with the last remnants of the House of Snow.

Tigris was explaining the new method of clothing construction that is going to overtake Capital fashion when the sound of her ancient grandma'am perked up.

Grandma'am was often silent in meals with a faraway look glossing her aged eyes. She never even seemed to take notice of the conversation nor who went or came. And especially not what anyone wore. But today seemed a day of surprises.

"My, how is the way I find out!"

The three of you all turned to figure out what the cause of her shriek was. Tigris asked what the matter was and the older woman disregarded her question and moved to situate herself right next to you.

You felt small as you sat in the chipped chair while she loomed over you. You shared a look with Tigris, who motioned to wait on any actions. You both needed to let it play out to inform what to do next.

A wrong move and the sweet woman in front of you would be transformed into the vile monster of fables. You've experienced it firsthand.

"What have you found out Grandma'am?" The term came naturally to you as it would have felt too odd to call her "Mrs. Snow" as she is only spoken as Grandma'am now-a-days.

She quickly clicked her tongue and feverishly shook her head. Her wrinkled hands took the silver ring as she analyzed it.

"I thought you were going to go with the one with the big diamond. And dear, it is far more suitable to wear it on your hand. How else will anyone know you are set to marry?"

The silence was strangling. Everything felt so unnatural. Grandma'am's oddly intense smile, a confused and seemingly horrified Coriolanus, and of course, you.

Mistaken to marry.

Marry Coriolanus Snow.

The only one who seemed composed was Tigris. You quickly gave her a look and mouthed to her "news?'

She gave you a quick nod across the table. The small and minute interaction was not lost on Coriolanus, even though he himself was lost. You followed orders and brought up the new renovations of the Capital park.

"The pond is stunning! The ducks are coming back naturally. And the flower garden is such a magnificent sight! You must go, Grandma'am. I could take you there if you wish?"

You finished off with an awkward smile. The panic surging through your veins made you accidentally offer to take her out for a day. Something you knew Coriolanus wished not to happen.

He fears what damage it would cause to his reputation if his grandmother was seen out and about in clothes that dated before the war. Tirgis could likely make something more modern out of those old dresses, but she knew her grandma'am would refuse wholeheartedly.

However, grandma'am quickly took the bait, and the previous topic was long forgotten. She seemed eager to see the flower garden, and your little adventure out. You hoped this would be forgotten just as quickly. By both her and the analyzing Coriolanus.

But if there is one thing about Coriolanus, it is that he never forgets.

So as you both cleared the table later that evening, his stare kept on locking into your moving figure; assuredly, in question and suspicion. He wasn't going to engage first, however.

His mind was making a thousand reasons and explanations instead of simply asking. You didn't wish to leave it to Coriolanus Snow to make assumptions.

"I would recommend having your eyes on the knife when cleaning it, Coryo."

His attention once again had drifted to your side profile as you were drying the dishes he was cleaning. Instead of focusing on the task at hand, he turned off the water and turned his whole body to you. You put the plate in your hands away and mimicked his position.

He didn't say a word and just took you in. His silence and constant picking apart began irritating you.

"Just ask me your questions. I don't like being watched and judged. Who are you, Arachne?"

You had moved around him and began doing the dishes he had neglected. His stare never once left you as he finally shared what was on his mind.

"Would you be ashamed of marrying me?"

You were grateful that you were washing a fork and not a plate because you were sure it would have been dropped in shock. Instead, you let the water run absentmindedly and held the fork so harsh that your knuckles turned white.

Coriolanus didn't know what to make of your reaction. How absent you've become. He feared he just confirmed your answer.

He moved to shut the water off after a few seconds. After all, every drop of water counts.

Is that why you wouldn't want to be with him? Was it his lack of money? That he could (hopefully would soon) change. Or was it him? Was it his family? Was it your family? Would you listen to your father?

Coriolanus also seemed to shift into his universe of panic, eventually mimicking your hold on the fork, but his was the faucet handle. It must have been quite a sight for poor Tigris to walk into.

"Are you both alright?"

She questioned the two teenagers holding onto the objects for dear life and burning holes into the nearest walls with their eyes.

The sudden intrusive voice caused you both to jump, then the realization of the other caused another jump.

Tirgis laughed at your reactions and shook her head. You two were surely the oddest people she knew, and that's saying something.

Or maybe it's what one of you does to the other?

She moved to grab the dusty cabinet handle and clutched a chipped cup. Her every move being watched by you and Coriolanus.

She turned around to the sight of you both wide-eyed and watching her. She felt quite uneasy and now was sure she interrupted something, no matter how strange it seemed to be.

The young adult moves to the sink to fill up her cup, and you both quickly part to give her room. The sound of the water filling up the cup also filled up the stifling silence. Once filled, she took a sip and glanced to her left at you and right at Coryo.

Did both of you lose the ability to blink?

She knew whatever she walked into was most likely Coriolanus's fault, but if she told him as much, she knew you would hear.

And probably the entirety of Panem judging by the quietness of the moment.

She cleared her throat and bid you both good night as she quickly walked and turned the corner. But not with one last look at the two teens doing anything but look at each other.

After she had left, you had gone back to washing the dishes, and Coriolanus drying the dishes. Roles essentially switched as you were now the one staring at him. Trying to find some sort of answer. He didn't know what you would find so he tried to give one of his own.

"I only asked because when grandma'am started talking about the ring and marrying, you looked to Tirgis. You both looked like you were expecting it. I didn't know what to think of it."

You've seen a lot of Coryo these past weeks but seldom has there been a time when he has looked vulnerable. Coriolanus Snow usually knows all and can read people so easily. But being left out of the loop by the closest people he has horrified him. Enough to make himself look like a fool, he thought.

You knew he didn't like feeling these emotions, much less express them. So you paired your explanation with an understanding smile.

"Sometimes when you have to finish up projects or had to run out, grandma'am comes and joins me and Tirgis. I don't mind it really and she usually just sits for the company, not the discussion. But sometimes, she uhm- she thinks I'm someone else. Like today. And me and Tirgis have a little list of topics to bring up when she starts going down that path. Just distract, not refuse."

Coriolanus let it sink in for a moment. He knows his grandmother's dementia overtakes her most of the time. He also knows that while she is mostly non-aggressive, her fury can come to the forefront. Well, she can be happy when lost in her mind; her fury can make an appearance as well.

It saddens him, however, that not only didn't you come to him about it, but Tirgis didn't either.

You noticed his facial expression and tried to assure him that there was nothing more he could have done. He nodded reluctantly and unsure.

"You don't have to take her, you know. To the park, I mean. She forgets everything but whenever you mention flowers, her memory is as sharp as can be."

He mumbled his words; the way his grandma'ams memory worked never ceased to surprise him. With the events and people it forgets and remembers. Especially when it came to you.

You promised it was not an issue for you if it wasn't for him. It might even be nice spending time with her out. The thought of being so close to Coryo's family that you would be taking the most secluded member out made you blush.

By the time you both finished, it had become quite late, and you needed to get home for enough rest. Tomorrow would be the first day you would officially come back to society after the funeral.

If that wasn't exhausting enough, Reaping Day comes with its own load.

Coriolanus, as always, offered to walk you home, but you persuaded him to stay and get as much sleep as possible. Which wouldn't be much due to his nerves and thoughts racing through his system.

You finished putting on your last shoe as you looked up at him. "Meet you here then walk together, right?"

You both talked about the heightened anxiety tomorrow, and if each has the other, the load would feel a little lighter. He nodded in assurance, and you opened the door ready to leave.

But something made you stop, so you couldn't move in the door frame. You turned your head to his face, lit up by the warm and dim lights of the apartment.

"Hey, Coryo?"

His eyes slightly squinted in confusion but waited for you to elaborate.

"I wouldn't be ashamed. Not in the slightest."

You had to duck your head to hide your teeth-bearing smile. You were scared of his reaction, so you quickly shut the door behind you and made your way back home.

In the apartment you left behind, a shocked Coriolanus stood. The shock quickly morphed into a smirk and pride.

When he turned around, donning the brightest smile, a smirking Tigris awaited him. Leaning on the corner wall in dusty pink nightwear, she had observed your little goodbye.

"Seems like you already won the prize, Croyo."

And with that, she leaves the head-over-heels boy in her wake.

He wasn't sure if your confession would give him the best sleep of his life or keep him up all night in thought.

Whatever the outcome may be, the reality of your presence tomorrow would be greater than any dream.

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The girl staring back in the mirror felt foreign, a stranger really.

You haven't changed much these past few weeks physically. A little bit of lost weight and slightly paler, but nothing unless you look for it.

But something behind your eyes was a calling sign of a shift. The last wish of your mother's came rushing back.

Don't change.

The reflection showed your straight posture while you donned a black midi dress with elegant blouse sleeves and sleek angular trimming on the neckline. Your hair was styled neatly with dainty pearl earrings and, of course, the necklace of rings.

Have you changed?

The ever-present little voice says that's not even a question anymore. The relevant one is how much?

You checked the small clock on your desk and noticed you needed to leave, or you are gonna end up running to Coriolanus's home. You check your reflection one last time, debating whether or not to display the rings.

Well, that ring. You would have enough eyes already; you didn't need any other unnecessary gossip.

You picked out obsidian black shoes to match with your dress. You were finishing up the last strap when the front door opened hastily.

The sight of your disheveled father saddened you on this already difficult morning. You haven't seen him since his outburst on the day of your mother's funeral. He has spent the last two weeks in near confinement at his office in the defense bureau.

Wonder where you got the trait of throwing yourself into work from.

If he isn't there, he is most often at his sister's house, your aunt Aeris. He came back to the apartment that seems to haunt him with memories as pale as a ghost. He wanted to get out of there as quick as possible. The only reason he came was that he had forgotten a few important papers. His haste was so intense he nearly missed your presence.

It wasn't until the sound of your hard shoes hitting the marble floor that he was alerted. You both acknowledged each other, but the air was stuffed thick with uncomfort.

Of all the days to reconter each other.

You coughed awkwardly, trying to figure out something to say. Your father seemed to do the same. The silence simply became too much, and you broke.

"You look well."

He didn't. You both knew he didn't. But instead of calling you out, he did a slow nod of acknowledgment. You huffed out a breath and grabbed your small purse as you got ready to walk out.

"Tell Aunt Aeris I hope she is well! Take care, father."

The word felt foreign. Sure, you would always describe him as your father around others, but that was normal in the Capital. You always called him dad. You assumed that you two had a relationship better than most father and daughters in the city but once your mother got sick, he shrunk into himself. The memories and love seeming to dissolve with him.

You opened the door and already had one foot out when he called for you. "Happy Reaping Day."

You paused and turned around, an emotionless expression on your face. You hate that he said that. You hated it because your mother hated today and all the Games stood for. But a significant part of you hated it because of the reminder that the bitterness her death has caused you.

Caused you to start warming to the Games. That's what you hated the most.

"Really, take care of yourself."

You didn't mean it in a harsh way as your tone was soft, but you said it with meaning. He couldn't take care of you, and there would be no reason for him to try to at this point.

You closed the door and left the already broken man to crumble like his life.

The timing of your arrival at the Snow penthouse matched perfectly with Snow's descent outside.

He looked as if an angel had descended from the heights of the universe, in a beautifully designed and crisp dress shirt, no doubt masterfully crafted by Tigris. His golden curls were lightened by the warm morning light. His eyes shined with determination that somehow made him even more handsome.

It took a second for Coriolanus to turn your way and realize your being, and it took a couple more seconds for him to recompose himself while he took in your appearance. You couldn't help but giggle a little and walk over to him. You adjusted the red rose on his vest that had been moved due to the strap of his bag.

"You look even more handsome than I thought possible for one man to be." Coriolanus is used to girls trying to flirt with him and his good looks, but all those compliments can come across shallow, a means to an end.

But yours was completely authentic. The grin that spread across his face was unable to be stopped. He offered his arm, which you gladly took, and began on your way.

He bent over to whisper into your ear as you passed a group of older women who smiled at the pair of you, a sign to them that happiness is an opportunity for the youth now, that even Dark Days haven't stolen that.

"I've stopped being surprised by your beauty. I am just thankful that I'm graced with it."

Oh, the charm of this boy.

The closer you both got to where the festivities would be held in Heavensbee Hall within the academy, the stiffer Coriolanus's arm got. You stole a glance at his face, hardened in worry.

"You do know you are going to win, right?" He seemed to snap out of his thoughts at your words.

"We both know it isn't certain. Maybe if we had a dean who didn't despise me, then maybe I could rest easy. But Highbottom is going to do anything to make sure we don't see a cent of the prize."

He hung his head low, and his shoulders showed a feeling of defeat. This look wasn't normal for Coriolanus Snow and unimaginable to nearly all others. But lately, as you've shown him your vulnerability, he has reciprocated.

You squeeze his arm a little, causing his concern-filled eyes to flutter to your own.

"Nothing is going to stop you from getting the prize, okay? If I need to break into the house of whoever Highbottom wrongly awards it to and steal, I will do it with a smile on my face. You deserve it, Coryo. You've earned it."

He smiled softly at your words and wondered how far you really would go for him.

If only he knew.

"And how are you going to do that? Climb tens of stories and smash through the window?"

He teased you on your ability for malice. You were known for being an unusually sweet person. The image of you trying to rob someone made him chuckle.

As he was laughing in your face, you rolled your eyes.

"I can be very threatening, you know!"

He laughed even harder. Even bending over in laughter. You had enough and immediately stopped, causing the blonde to slightly jerk forward due to the sudden pause.

You grabbed his arms roughly and forced him to look at you. His laughter died in an instant when he saw the seriousness within your eyes.

"Coriolanus Snow, you are going to win the Plinth Prize, and I swear if I hear one more doubt about it, I will be feeding you rat poison myself."

There have been very few times Coriolanus Snow has been wrong, but with the look in your eyes, it was clear that you would be able to carry out your threats.

Once you were sure he got the message and your ability, you let go and started up your walk. He grabbed your arm, pulling it through his and regaining your prior position.

"You know if I don't win, I deserve an apology for the threat." You turned to him with a deep glare and scoff.

"Didn't I literally just say I don't want to hear doubt!"

You were met with a series of heartfelt chuckles. His voice got an octave deeper as he got close to your ear once more.

"I'm not very good at listening to instructions, darling."

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The academy was filled with lively chatter and elegance on every possible surface. Only a few steps in when a certain dark-haired girl stopped in front of both you and Coriolanus.

"Y/N! I didn't know you were going to be able to come!"

Clemensia excitedly said as she moved in for a hug, which you returned. You smiled at your dear friend.

"Ah, well, I couldn't miss the victory gloat of this one."

You slightly turned back to Coriolanus, who softly scoffed at your words. It helped inflate his ego but also your argument about the size of it.

"Well, when you he does, remember I was the humble class partner."

He gave her one of his notorious charming smiles, but internally he was rolling his eyes as dramatically as possible.

The only work Clemensia did was write her name and look pretty.

Coriolanus wondered how things would be if you were his class partner instead of her. If he just said no and rather asked you.

Then again, you had instantly chosen Sejanus as yours. You always stood by him ever since that first conversation. And today was no different when you spotted him on the other side of the hall with his ma.

You bid your goodbyes to Clemmie and Coryo, assuring the latter you would meet up later before the announcement. Even as he locked his arms with Clemmie, who led the way and conversation, he watched you.

He didn't like that you were walking away; the feeling of someone else's arm in his felt like a crime.

But you were completely oblivious to the enamored boy's feelings as you smiled to the Plinths. You were quickly barged with a hug and motherly affection by Mrs. Plinth. As she enveloped you in the squeezing hug, she complimented you endlessly in ways that made your heart warm due to her affection.

Once finally freed, you turned to her sharp-looking son. You gave him a quick hug and assured him of his appearance, which he thanked.

"However, I would rather be wearing rags and be covered in filth than be surrounded by these pig-" the rest of the insults were cut off by your sharp jab done with your elbow into his side.

A group of powerful politicians and businessmen were right in front of you and began engaging in conversation with his mother. You two were unfortunately forced to stand there and be the example of future prosperity they talked so estimably about.

Across the hall stood the ever-judging gaze of Arachne, Festus, and Felix. The group, who stood in the middle, were soon joined by Coriolanus.

"Finally, some viable competition," Arachne admitted as she took in the newest addition to her clique. "Hmm, snazzy shirt. Is that tessare?"

He smiled that irresistible smile. "Huh, so that's why it reminded me of the maid's bathroom."

The red-headed girl looked him up and down in analysis as the other two chimed in.

"Have you tried this lamb? It’s scandalous," a munching Felix added over his plate.

"Ugh. Only the vulgar eat with their fingers, Felix," Crane rolled her eyes at the disgusting display.

"What, Daddy not teach you table manners?" Festus added.

"Maybe he would have if he wasn’t so busy running the country."

Moments like these make Coriolanus question why he was even worried he wouldn't win when he is surrounded by blabbering idiots.

But They had the option to be idiots. He didn't.

His attention was snapped back by a venomous scoff by Arachne.

"She's been back for what? Five minutes? And we don't even get a greeting while she contaminates herself with the likes of them."

Her poisonous gaze was trained on you, who seemed to be charming a group of older patrons and leaders of the financial sector of Panem. Coriolanus didn't like her tone directed to you nor her implication.

"She already said hi to Clemmie. Besides, she came here with me."

That last line caused the group of complicated adolescents to pause. Each turned, with a wrinkle in their eyebrows, to stare at the smirking blonde. His eyes were on your smiling face but didn't waste the moment to turn that smirk on them as assurance.

And just as suddenly as the situation occurred, it was ended with your entrance into the group; which, of course, was right by Coryo's side.

"I hope I didn't enter at too bad of a moment."

You said smoothly and in your tone that no one could ever seem to refuse. There was no hint of inner conflict nor unease in your body language nor voice.

You sure were giving Coriolanus a run for his money in the art of acting.

Felix, Festus, and Arachne shared a collective look of conspiracy. But for some reason, whether it be a feeling of celebration of Reaping Day or to be pocketed for later, they let it drop for now.

"Hey, they called us here for the Plinth Prize, right? Because I heard Dr. Gaul’s in the building."

You looked around and noticed all the key figures who aid and conduct the Hunger Games. It confused you on why they would celebrate the Games here, in the middle of the Capital academy. But the subject changed just as fast as the Capital's attention span.

“Plinth.”

They all turned their heads to snort in his direction, and you refused to follow their gaze of displeasure.

"I mean, look at his spawn."

"Who would have thought that you could buy your way into the Capitol?"

"Well, you can’t buy class."

You've given them enough time to snub him when you perked up.

"Clearly, you all are experts in the lack of class, are you not?"

Instead of the usual nasty retorts and efforts to convince of his lack of worth, Arachne laughed as if you were a misunderstanding child.

"Oh, Y/N, you need to learn to let him understand his place in this world. Besides, you are clearly moving on to bigger and better things."

Her smirk was odd but so was her blatant glance at Coriolanus as she shared her thoughts no one asked for. You looked to the handsome teen who locked eyes with you.

The others continued their attack on the Plinths' entire existence, but you were too focused on the blue orbs that seemed to have stiffened. No words were spoken, but the message was clear.

Let them speak their minds.

It will only hurt to refuse. Hurt you and Coriolanus.

Sejanus has lived long enough with the whispers about him; he can deal with it.

But the wrong whisper about Coriolanus? It will ruin everything he was worked a decade for. And you wouldn't even risk the slightest crack.

"Did you see his mother’s outfit? Sorry, his 'Ma’s.'"

You had more than enough insults about the teasing boy's own appearance, but your tongue had to be bitten.

"Dress a turnip in a ball gown, and it’ll still beg to be mashed."

You had to gulp down your emotion and nausea as Coriolanus joined in the fray.

"Don’t do that. We all know that you like him."

Arachne countered him. You were grateful for it, even though you knew it did not come from a place of compassion.

"I don’t like him, Arachne. I tolerate him. He’s district."

But the sneering girl wasn't looking at him when he responded. Her interest lay on you and your mediocre attempt to hide your opposition.

Who would have thought the mighty Vaun heiress would have a weakness in the form of charming, young Snow?

It didn't surprise the teetering Casca Highbottom, who watched the two with a keen interest from the back of the room. He continued to watcg as the very boy Festus Creed discredited appeared by the snubbing boy's side.

"Sejanus, you made it to the Reaping for once."

Sejanus stood on your other side as he turned his wit towards the curly red-headed boy.

"And you made it to graduation, Festus. We’re both shocked."

You were glad Coriolanus joined in your laugh at his jab. If there was one thing to say about interactions where Sejanus has to interact with the snobbing clique, it was entertaining.

But Arachne was not in the mood for a show.

"Spill it. Who won the prize? Is Y/N the winner? Is that why of all the days to make her reappearance, it would be the day she gets her shiny prize?"

You do question why you are still friends with someone who is so quick to jump to conclusions sometimes.

But Sejanus was quick to step in and put his hand out in front of you as a sort of protective force.

"Oh, no, I’m not gonna ruin my father’s big day. No one here actually likes him, but they do love his money. You know what that’s like, don’t you, Arachne?"

Oh, yes, so so entertaining.

Well, to everyone but the brunt of the joke.

"Funny."

The sound of magnificent music filled the hall, signaling the attendees to take their seats. You moved to a near seat by Coriolanus as the one by Sejanus was already taken. Sejanus seemed to be explaining something to Coriolanus, but you couldn't hear what. But seeing the color drained from his face assured you that it was nothing good.

All questions were cut off by the booming and crawling voice of Dr. Volumnia Gaul. As she addressed the crowd in her odd manners, you began to wonder what role she is playing in the Academy today. Maybe even the Plinth Prize?

She introduced Casca Highbottom, the constantly intoxicated Dean of the prestigious academy. And the creator the very inventor of the event this "holiday" was created to commemorate along with the Capital victory.

He draws on about the Hunger Games and the students' eagerness for the Plinth Prize winner, but he would never inform of the victor.

No, to your horror and Coriolanus's frustration, there would be one final task to determine the winner.

"But by who is the best mentor in the Hunger Games."

Best said by the creator of the bloodbath. You were meant to create children of your same age or younger into spectacles to win the prize. They didn't have to survive for you to succeed.

The realization that this will only amplify the widespread thought among your peers that districts were subhuman, hit you at once. Second class citizens.

They are to parade around in their last moments, all in mercy of their puppeteers: kids their same age. It sickened you.

But if it sickened you so much why does that voice still keep telling you that at least they have a chance to win? More of a chance then they had given you all.

The continuation of your moral conflict was paused as you tuned back into the words of your stumbling Dean.

"Your entire future rests on this last project. Oh, and I must tell you that anyone caught cheating to give their tributes an unfair advantage… will just have no future at all."

His words seemed a bit targeted and enjoyed too much. Nevertheless, the ceremonial music initiating the Reaping Ceremony began.

As each name from the districts was announced, so was the accompanying mentor. Anxiety began surging through your veins as it finally hit you that you will be an integral part of this year's games.

Blood will be on your hands.

You didn't know what to think when the district one tributes you were announced and your name was absent.

Should you be upset that the likelihood of a successful tribute is going to dwindle the further down the list goes?

When it was district two's turn, you hoped that neither you nor Sejanus are named. You knew he was going to suffer most regardless, but having to mentor someone from his own district was its own special punishment. All hope was crushed, however, when Highbottom opened his mouth.

"How apt. Boy goes to Sejanus Plinth."

The crowd applauded, but the sound of blood in your ears drowned it out. You instantly peered around Coriolanus to look at Sejanus. But his gaze was glued to the floor in front of him. Due to your now-close proximity, you could hear the talk between the two boys.

"You got the pick of the litter."

"You forget. I’m part of that litter."

The grave tone in Sejanus's voice wasn't one of surprise. But rather one of understanding. Understanding why him and why the tribute he landed with.

The tributes and districts kept on coming and coming. But not a singular mention of either you or Coriolanus.

It had gotten to District Ten and yet nothing. You turned to look at him and found him already staring.

That mask was fixed perfectly for all else. But the mask could never mask his eyes.

His now dull blue eyes filled with fear. And Coriolanus Snow showing fear was enough to ensue new waves of emotion in you.

You had the same mask plastered on, but you couldn't stop yourself from fishing your necklace out. You grazed your fingers across the cold metals of all three to calm yourself as District Eleven was finished up.

Your hand dropped to your side and was quickly grabbed and given a squeeze of reassurance by Coryo. Maybe even a transfer of bravery.

You both knew what was to come now. Who was to come.

However, you were too quick to judge.

"Twelve! Boy, Y/N Vaun!"

Maybe you were imagining things or letting your mind play tricks on you, but Highbottom's voice sounded as if it was laced with a slight enjoyment.

However, your attention was turned to the boy appearing on the screen. Jessup Diggs. He was tall and broader than you would have imagined. His face was stone cold and lifeless. A mirror of yours. How odd.

The moment to analyze was over as soon as it started when Highbottom began again.

"Oh. You’ll be happy about this, Ms. Crane. The “runt girl” from District 12, she belongs to Coriolanus Snow. Lucy Gray Baird."

The whole room seemed to freeze as a girl in a beautifully designed colorful dress walked solemnly to the front. A boy seemed to try to talk to her, but her eyes stayed forward with her hand clasped behind her back.

"What is that dress? Is she some sort of clown?" Arachne mocks, but you found it fascinating.

"I think it's beautiful."

Your genuine and soft admission brought back Coriolanus Snow's senses. But they were reinvigorated when a red-haired girl began shrieking in the crowd. It made him stand up in fear and shock. The mayor's daughter, apparently.

Others in the hall seemed horrified and disgusted. Especially with Lucy Gray's musical performance and ending line.

According to Arachne, she was mentally ill. But to you, she was fascinating.

While everyone began getting up, you leaned over to a still-shocked Coriolanus. "Even when all the odds were against your favor, you still seemed to bag a winner."

You really believed she had a shot at winning. She already had attention and clear potential. You could tell Coriolanus was thinking the same thing, but his hope was not fully shared with your amount in the girl. Lucy Gray is clearly outgoing and has, at least, the ability to charm. She is going to need a lot more than that, but fortunately, she has a clever mentor.

You stated as much in an empty hallway that you shared with Coriolanus. He was racked with stress and purpose as he paced back and forth the space.

"You know he purposely gave me the weakest tribute. He is doing all he can to stop me from moving forward!"

He took a strong bite of the crackers that he sneakily grabbed from the table of food earlier. You leaned on a pillar as you let him rant.

"Let him do all he can! Fate seems to have different plans. And was it that you always say? 'Snow lands on top!' "

He stopped his pacing to land in front of you. He had a few crumbs on his shirt that you instinctively brushed off without thought.

His glance back and forth between your features and hand on his chest.

"And besides, the future president of Panem is gonna deal with a lot of petty men like him. You are just getting early practice."

Your optimism showed through your pretty smile. You peeked up at him, and the intensity of his eyes had you bite your lip in nervousness. Maybe you stepped over the line? Maybe you got too comfortable? Maybe—

All thoughts seemed to dissipate the instant Coryo leaned in.

You didn't know what to do and were doing your best not to freak out. It's not like you didn't want to because that would be the biggest lie of your life.

But you've never kissed anyone before. And what if he was just wrecked with nerves?! What if it meant nothing?

What if it meant nothing.

But as Coriolanus was a millimeter from your lips, the clearing throat paused any further action. You quickly turned your head as the blonde opened his eyes and followed your gaze.

Oh, had he wished he didn't.

There stood the cursed Dean. A look you couldn't decipher expressed on his face.

"President? Well, my oh my. Ambitious, just like your father."

You glanced to your right as Snow now stood next to you, with a guarded yet confused look.

"Oh yes. He and I were best friends. Once."

Highbottom's targeted gaze fixed on you. "And your dear mother. I was so saddened to hear of her untimely passing."

His tone, however, felt anything but. He turned his attention back to the heir of House Snow.

"Enlighten me, Mr. Snow. What are your plans after these Games?"

"And if you fail to win the Plinth Prize, what then?"

"I hope to go on to the University, sir. Naturally." Coryo answered as if it was the most preposterous question in the world.

"We’d pay the tuition, of course."

Casca Highbottom's sunken eyes seemed to shine as if he had caught fresh prey.

"Look at you. Your makeshift shirt and your too-tight shoes. Trying desperately to fit in when I know the Snows don’t have a pot to piss in."

Both you and Coriolanus had bewildered looks gracing your features on his knowledge. The boy's breathing deepened as he tried to calm himself, but you could see the small sheet of sweat building on his face and neck.

Highbottom was already satisfied with his effect on Crassus Snow's poor offspring. But what more could a little fun hurt?

He took calculated steps towards you, and Coriolanus took a noticeable step forward, as if a shield from the hollow man's words. The dark-haired man's eyes seared into the ever-attention-getting silver ring. His smile made your skin crawl.

"And here I thought you would be smarter than your mother. But of course, the Snows are known to be entitled."

And with that, he turned his back, making his grand exit. He didn't even turn to give a look as he addressed Coriolanus.

"Good luck with that poor little songbird."

Once assured he was truly gone, you and Coriolanus shared a look. A look of horror, anger, and determination. Determination to make Highbottom wish he ate his words.

He may have thought he put you both in the worst positions possible. But there is a thing about two people put in a corner.

They can create quite a stir.

And there sure was a storm brewing.

Your anchor and lifesaver being the retreating blonde with a straightened back and a purpose never more solidified.

⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆⋇⋆✦⋆

A/N: AND ITS FINALLY OUT! pls don't send me into the arena🙏 I know I said it would be out DAYS ago (maybe even a week ago im sorry!) But I didn't like my original draft as it seemed just too rushed. I don't wish to post bad writing just to be timely. I hope you guys enjoyed the newest chapter and please let me know what you guys think and if you enjoy the longer chapters! Pls lmk guys I have been awake nearly 24 hours. Much love❤️

@notyourwildestdream 🌹@darktrashsoulbear🌹@fantasylovestoryme 🌹@nekee-lilac02 🌹@a-avengerparker 🌹 @queenofshinigamis 🌹@darlingisntit 🌹@mindymeeksmartinsgf 🌹@dilucpegg3r 🌹

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captainremmington-13 · 1 year ago

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A Night on the Town

A Bellova x Coriolanus One-Shot

DISCLAIMER: I don’t own The Hunger Games franchise, the images above, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, or any of the characters in this fic other than Bellova and the made-up places I included. I also do not condone the beliefs or actions of Coriolanus or Bellova.

SUMMARY: After drinking more than they initially planned during a night out with friends, Bellova and Coriolanus exchange secrets and promises.

⚠️Warnings⚠️: swearing, alcohol consumption, mentions of violence and assault, Festus being creepy, slight angst

A/n: This takes place the school year before TBOSAS occurs, so during the equivalent of their junior year of high school. Also, I HIGHLY recommend you catch up on my series, A Lady Made of Snow, before reading this.

“I am so glad that’s over with,” Festus Creed grumbled.

“It wasn’t that bad,” Lysistrata Vickers said as the group of students exited Professor Demigloss’s classroom and started down the staircase to the dining hall.

Persephone Price nodded in agreement. “I found it to be a pretty straightforward exam, all things considered.”

Festus snorted. “Maybe for you, but for me, it felt like reading another language.”

“I thought it was easy. You’re just an idiot, Festus,” Arachne Crane said smugly.

Festus opened his mouth to argue, but shut it when he noticed Bellova Reginelle had joined their group.

“Is Festus complaining about the exam?” she asked, giving the boy a teasing smirk. Lysistrata nodded. “I’m starting to believe you’ll flunk Demigloss’s class, Creed.”

He scowled. “I won’t, I’ll pass with flying colors, you just wait and see.”

Bellova laughed. “Keep telling yourself that and maybe it will come true.”

Bellova, like most of the students in her class, had been worried about Demigloss’s exam for the past few days. She and her study group had studied vigorously, but the stress kept mounting. The tension had put her on edge, and she’d lost her temper while bickering with a certain blonde boy.

Thankfully, the test was not nearly as difficult as she had expected it to be. She found that she had time to spare at the end of the period, which she spent passing notes back-and-forth with Persephone. They both agreed that their friend group should spent some time together outside of school to celebrate the completion of Demigloss’s exam. However, they weren’t sure what to do. They could visit someone’s penthouse or go shopping, but they’d done that several times already. Doing something new and exciting would give them all a chance to let loose a bit.

The group, consisting of Festus, the Ring twins, Arachne, Lysistrata, Persephone, Felix, and Bellova, sat at their usual lunch table. They were soon joined by Sejanus Plinth, to the chagrin of several people. Bellova ignored their silent attempts to shoo him away, and allowed Sejanus to sit next to her.

After chatting lightheartedly about some mundane gossip for awhile, Bellova cleared her throat, silencing the group.

“Persephone and I,” she began. “Were thinking that we should all go out tonight. But we weren’t sure what we should do.”

The group exchanged glances, waiting for someone to suggest something.

Finally, Sejanus spoke up.

“My Ma told me that there’s some kind of show happening at the Odysseus Theatre. You know, the one on Aleona Street? We could get dinner beforehand and go to that.”

Miraculously, the group seemed to like Sejanus’s idea. Festus added that it was an illusionist show reserved for the Capitol’s elite, and that unlimited drinks would be provided during the performance.

Lysistrata frowned. “Festus, some of us have never had alcohol before. What if someone gets sick?”

He shrugged. “Then that’s their problem.”

Bellova gave Festus a look. “Anyways,” she continued. “Are we all in favor of that plan?”

“Excuse me, what plan are you all forming without me?”

Bellova rolled her eyes when she heard the voice or Coriolanus Snow behind her.

He took a seat next to Sejanus, and gestured for Bellova to speak.

She sighed. “If you must know, we are thinking of going out tonight to destress and have some fun. Sejanus suggested going out to dinner and then going to a show. I was about to ask how everyone felt about it before you so rudely interrupted me.”

Coriolanus scoffed. “You’re so sensitive.”

“You’re one to talk about sensitivity, Mr. I throw a tantrum when I don’t get a perfect grade.”

“Guys,” Sejanus said, preventing them from continuing to bicker.

Bellova gave Coriolanus one last scathing look before turning to the rest of the group. “All in favor of the plan raise your hand.”

Everyone raised their hand, including Coriolanus. She raised an eyebrow at him.

“Bold of you to assume you’re invited.”

“Bellova, don’t be mean,” Persephone said, frowning. “Of course you can come, Coryo.”

Coriolanus smiled charmingly. “Wonderful.”

Bellova glared at him, but didn’t object. “Fine. Let’s meet at The Ambience on Heirloom Avenue at five o’clock. And make sure to wear something nice, we are going to an exclusive event after all.”

Everyone nodded and went back to talking as normal, except for Bellova. She was watching Coriolanus carefully, observing the way his body had tensed when she mentioned dressing formally.

‘How odd,’ she thought.

Little did she know that Coriolanus was internally panicking, wondering how the hell he was going to find something to wear that his classmates wouldn’t look down upon.

______________________________________________

“There she is! Oh, you look so gorgeous!” Diana Ring gushed, waving Bellova over.

Bellova smiled as she stepped out of her limousine, walking towards her friends who were standing outside of the restaurant. Sejanus greeted her with a warm hug, which Bellova generously accepted. She gave Lysistrata and Diana a friendly kiss on the cheek, and nodded politely at the others.

“Nice dress,” Arachne said, not even trying to hide her jealousy. She wore a dark green velvet dress, which Bellova thought was pretty but overall unimpressive, especially compared to her own outfit.

The sheer, glimmering material of her form-fitting silver dress made her look like a diamond personified. Her matching heels wrapped around her ankles, the straps resembling silver snakes. On top of her dress was a white fur shawl, which protected her from the chill of the evening air.

“Thank you, Arachne,” Bellova responded. “That shade of green really brings out your eyes.”

Arachne grinned proudly at the compliment. Festus, who was standing next to her, was obviously fixated on the bare skin revealed by the shortness of her dress.

“Festus,” Bellova snapped. “Stop ogling or I’ll rip your eyes out.”

The boy smirked. “Fine, fine. But it’s hard not to stare when you’re so…exposed.”

Lysistrata smacked him on the arm. “Stop it, Felix! You’re embarrassing yourself.”

“Damn right you are,” Bellova agreed, rolling her eyes. “Alright, are we ready to go in now?”

“We’re still missing Coriolanus,” Sejanus spoke up.

She huffed impatiently. “If he doesn’t show up in the next thirty seconds, we’re ditching him.”

“You’re out of luck then, Bellova.”

Bellova scowled as she saw the Snow heir approach the group. “I was hoping you’d get hit by a car on your way here so we could all enjoy our evening.”

“Guys please,” Apollo Ring said hastily. “Let’s not argue now. We should head inside, our table is waiting for us.”

The group of students filed into The Ambience restaurant, chatting amongst each other as usual. Bellova linked arms with Persephone, complimenting her outfit. She had chosen a less flashy dress than Bellova’s, which made sense given her more reserved personality, but still looked gorgeous.

They all took their seats around a circular table, which had been reserved by Felix’s father for the occasion. Unfortunately, Bellova ended up sitting between Arachne and Coriolanus.

So much for a relaxing evening.

She hoped that some alcohol would mellow the two out, but knowing them, it was safe to assume that wasn’t likely. But she had never been around them while they were intoxicated, so perhaps they were entirely different people while they were drunk.

As expected, waiters soon came to place small glasses of sparkling wine in front of each of them. Festus eagerly took a sip and immediately shuddered, making the group laugh.

“I suppose we’ll see how well Creed over here handles his wine,” Apollo joked.

“I bet he’ll be a mess by the third refill,” Arachne added, smirking.

“I disagree,” Bellova chimes in. “He’ll be a mess by the second.”

She saw Coriolanus grin at that, which gave her a strange sense of pride.

Felix raised his glass, indicating that he was about to make a toast. “To us, for surviving Demigloss’s exam.”

The rest of them raised their drinks. “To us.”

A chorus of clinking glass followed, as well as the sound of many of them coughing as the liquid burned their throats. Bellova, who had become familiar with the drink recently, had no trouble downing half of it in one go.

Coriolanus nudged her, making her cringe in surprise. “Someone’s been indulging themselves with alcohol recently, hm?”

She scoffed. “None of your business, Snow.”

“Easy there, I’m not judging you.”

“You judge me every fucking day, so forgive me if I don’t believe you.”

Coriolanus smirked. “Fair enough. But I feel like actually having some fun tonight, so I’ll try not to agitate you, regardless of how amusing I find your angry expressions to be.”

Bellova rolled her eyes. “How kind of you.”

“I know, my generosity is quite admirable.”

Bellova couldn’t help but laugh, making Coriolanus smile. She could tell it was a genuine one. He rarely gave those out, especially to her.

She secretly hoped she could elicit a few more before the night came to an end.

______________________________________________

By the time the group left the restaurant, several of them were quite tipsy. Bellova, as well as Sejanus, Lysistrata, Persephone, and Coriolanus stayed unaffected, thanks to either their higher alcohol tolerance or their choice to only have a glass or two of wine.

While waiting line to enter the Odysseus Theatre, Bellova listened to her friends chatter excitedly, speculating about who would be at the show. Apparently, there was some famous television star attending, but she wasn’t particularly interested in that. She decided to focus her attention towards Sejanus and Coriolanus, who were having a hushed conversation.

“What are you two conspiring about?” she asked, pulling a compact out of her purse to re-apply her lip gloss.

“We’re just talking about Festus,” Sejanus murmured.

Bellova looked over at the Creed heir, who was trying and failing to subtly steal glances at her. She gave him a cold stare, making him turn away quickly. “What about him?”

“He’s being a creep,” Sejanus said. “Looking at you like that.”

“I know,” she agreed. “If he keeps it up, he’ll be dead by the time midnight rolls around.”

Sejanus sighed. “You should talk to him and get him to stop before it gets to that point.”

Bellova huffed. “Fine, but don’t make me do it alone. He gets angry when he doesn’t get his way. And I don’t want things to get physical.”

Coriolanus laughed. “That’s a first.”

“Shut the fuck up, Snow.”

Sejanus ignored their exchange. “Coriolanus and I will be by your side to make sure Creed doesn’t try anything funny, okay?”

“Hey,” Coriolanus protested, pouting slightly. “Why am I getting dragged into this?”

Sejanus sighed. “I don’t want to see Bellova get harassed any more, and she wants some silent support while confronting him.”

The young Snow looked at Bellova, clearly annoyed. “Fine,” he relented after a moment.

“Thank you, boys,” Bellova said. “I appreciate it.

The group was allowed into the theatre without any trouble after showing a man their ID’s. Many of the Capitol’s richest were socializing loudly with one another, glasses of posca in hand.

They made their way through the crowd, eventually finding their way to their reserved area. Felix’s father, being the president and all, had ensured they had the best view possible.

“I want to sit next to Felix,” Arachne said obnoxiously, latching onto the arm of the president’s son.

“Relax, Arachne, nobody is going to steal him from you,” Diana teased, sitting down next to her twin brother. Arachne gave her a look before taking a seat as well, still holding onto Felix’s arm.

Noticing Festus move to sit next to Bellova, Sejanus quickly took the seat before he could. Coriolanus followed suit, sitting on the other side of his rival. Scowling, Festus reluctantly chose the seat next to Sejanus, and began chatting with Apollo.

“Creed!” Bellova said sharply. He turned back around, his eyes going straight to her cleavage. She scowled, covering herself with her shawl. “If you keep eyeing me like I’m a piece of meat, I’ll ensure that you end up like one: cut into pieces and served on a pretty platter.”

Festus gulped. “U-Understood.”

Bellova gave him a sickly sweet smile. “Lovely.”

She picked up the flute of posca set before her. After finishing the drink, she started to feel slightly warm, the effects of the alcohol beginning to set in. She folded her shawl on her lap, resting her hands on top of it.

Sejanus smiled at her. “You didn’t need our help after all.”

She shrugged. “It was nice to know that you two had my back. Or at least you did.”

Coriolanus frowned at her, setting down his empty glass. “Do you really think I’d let Creed assault someone and get away with it?”

She pursed her lips. “If it was me he was after, then maybe.”

He shook his head. “Bellova, I would never let harm come to one of my friends.”

“Hmm” was her only response.

Loud music began to play over the speakers, causing the chatter around them to quiet down. The lights dimmed, and the stage was illuminated a moment later, revealing a group of performers with sequin-covered costumes.

The illusionists were brilliant. They made white doves appear as if they vanished into thin air, and re-appear in a cloud of purple flame. The crowd was enthralled, gasping and applauding loudly. Avoxes walked through the room, keeping the guest’s glasses full of posca.

After the third glass, Bellova was definitely intoxicated. She felt slightly dizzy, and was trying desperately not to say anything that would embarrass her later.

While the performers were setting up their next elaborate trick, Bellova glanced at the two boys sitting next to her. Sejanus was in a dark blue suit that complimented his chocolate brown eyes. Coriolanus, on the other hand, wore a black long-sleeved dress shirt that he had rolled up to his elbows, paired with matching dress pants and black leather boots. There was a silver watch on his slender wrist that was engraved with the Snow family crest.

He looked like he was attending a funeral, but he looked as handsome as ever.

She giggled. “I’m in a Snow and Plinth sandwich.” Sejanus chuckled, making her eyes widen. “D-Did I say that out loud?”

“Yes, you did,” Coriolanus said, smirking. She sighed, rubbing her temples gently.

“I’ve got to stop drinking after this glass,” she murmured. “I’m going to keep saying stupid shit like that if I keep this up.”

Two more refills later, Bellova and Coriolanus were completely, utterly drunk.

Bellova had no idea that Coriolanus was the slightly giggly, honest type of drunk. She expected him to be meaner while intoxicated, not more pleasant. He was more boyish and cheerful, and had an almost goofy smile on his face.

Bellova looked at him, her eyes glassy and a bit unfocused. “What’s making you so happy?”

He shrugged. “Nothing. I just am.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Yes it does.”

“No it doesn’t!”

Coriolanus pouted, crossing his arms. “You’re so mean all the time. Why can’t you cut me some slack?”

Bellova smirked back. “I would if you weren’t such a cunt on a daily basis.”

“Watch your language, we’re in public.”

“Yes, I’m aware of that.”

“Stop giving me attitude,” Coriolanus said, glaring at her.

“You’re one to talk about attitude, Coryo,” Bellova muttered.

He suddenly placed a hand on hers, making her shudder slightly. His hands were cold, which was fitting, given his last name.

“What’s this for?” she asked, confused.

“You would be so much nicer looking if you weren’t always glaring. You have a pretty face, you shouldn’t waste it by scowling at me all the time.”

Bellova was too intoxicated to stop herself from blushing slightly. “You think I’m pretty?”

He rolled his eyes. “It’s an objective fact that you’re gorgeous. Everyone with eyes thinks so. You should hear what the older boys at the Academy say about you.”

Bellova winced. “I don’t want to know. They’ve harassed me before, have I ever told you that?”

“No, you haven’t,” he said, his eyebrows furrowed.

“Okay, well I don’t want to talk about it,” she snapped, suddenly feeling tense.

“Why?”

“Because,” she said, biting her lip. “It’ll…make me upset.”

“Why?”

“Coriolanus, I had to stab three boys in the arm to escape being forcibly stripped,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears that she hastily wiped away. “That was why I almost got expelled last year. I would’ve been if the boys hadn’t been threatened to confess by my father.”

Coriolanus stared at her in silence for a moment.

“That’s awful,” he said quietly. “I had no idea. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” she said. “It’s in the past now. Just…don’t mention it to anyone. I don’t want the drama to start up again.”

He nodded. “I won’t, I swear.”

“Good,” she replied, giving him a small smile. She saw him yawn, covering his mouth with his hand. “Tired?”

Coriolanus nodded. “Exhausted. I was up late last night.”

“How come?”

“I couldn’t sleep. Nightmares.”

Bellova frowned. “What about?”

“My mother. And the night she died. You know I was supposed to have a little sister? She died minutes after being born.”

Bellova felt her heart tighten. Coriolanus’s baby blue eyes were watery, and he looked more vulnerable than she’d ever seen him. He was still holding onto her hand, his grasp tightening slightly.

“I’m sure that your mother was a lovely woman,” she said softly. He nodded.

“She was. I keep her old compact by my bedside when I need to calm my nerves. There’s still rose-scented powder in it, and it makes me feel as if she’s in the room with me.”

Bellova gave him a soft smile. “That’s sweet.”

“I suppose,” Coriolanus said, his eyelids beginning to droop slightly. To Bellova’s surprise, he let his head rest on her shoulder. His golden curls brushed against her bare skin, making a warm feeling bloom in her chest.

Sejanus looked over at Bellova to see how she was doing, and his jaw fell open when he saw Coriolanus resting comfortably on his fiercest rival.

‘What the hell is going on?’ Sejanus mouthed at her.

Bellova gave him a dazed smile. ‘No clue,’ she mouthed back.

She felt as if she’d fallen into an alternate reality. This felt so odd, having Coriolanus cuddled up at her side and holding her hand while half-asleep.

But she wasn’t complaining. Not in the slightest.

______________________________________________

With a good amount of difficulty, Sejanus managed to convince Coriolanus and Bellova to accept his offer to call a cab to take them home.

Both were almost unconscious, and had forgotten to call their drivers to ask them to pick them up. Sejanus knew they both needed to be at home in bed soon, or they’d regret it in the morning.

In the back of the cab, the two academic rivals sat on opposite sides of the back seat. Bellova assumed Coriolanus had finally fallen asleep, as his head was resting against the window.

Her head was still swimming, the posca affecting her thoughts greatly. She had urges she’d never have while sober, such as the urge to run her hands through Coriolanus’s curls. They looked so soft, almost like a kitten’s fur.

She turned away to look out the window, staring at the pristine Capitol buildings in the distance. One day, she’d have one all to herself.

“Bellova?”

Coriolanus’s raspy voice startled her out of her fantasies, making her sit up. “Yes?”

“Maybe…” he said slowly. “Maybe we should stop being mean to each other.”

Bellova sighed. “Maybe. But it’s part of our relationship. It’s fucked up, but that’s how it’s been for years.”

“I don’t always enjoy fighting. It’s stressful and frustrating,” Coriolanus said. “And it gets tiring.”

“What exactly is your point, Coryo?”

“Let’s make a pact,” he said, his glazed eyes looking into hers. “An agreement to stop arguing for no reason. Maybe we’d be happier if we work together instead of against each other.”

Bellova hummed. She supposed he was right, bickering with him could get exhausting. It would be hard to stop trying to get under his skin on purpose, as it had become a habit. But was worth a try.

She extended her hand. “Okay. Let’s do it. No more pointless fighting.”

He grasped her hand, giving it a firm shake. “Promise?”

“I promise.”

When the cab driver reached Bellova’s estate, Coriolanus gave her a parting kiss on the hand, making her giggle loudly. She blew a kiss back to him before one of her guards escorted her through the gates, putting an official end to her night out.

______________________________________________

The next morning, Bellova and Coriolanus both woke up in their own beds, their hangovers giving them splitting headaches.

Coriolanus ended up vomiting in the bathroom, worrying Tigris immensely. He assured her he was fine, but she insisted on making him a cup of tea and coaxed him back into bed.

Bellova was prepared for the hangover, and took some medicine she had in her bedside cabinet in order to quell the pounding in her head. It was the weekend, so she had no obligations. After her headache had lessened, she slipped back into sleep.

Neither of them realized they had blacked out the previous evening. They didn’t remember anything after having their fifth glasses of posca.

Along with forgetting the deep conversation they had at the show, the promise they made to each other was forever lost in the recesses of their minds. They would continue to fight over the most mundane things, and do whatever they could to get a rise out of the other.

Until, of course, the conflict came to an end once and for all on that fateful October day.

✧ ‧˚₊ ❆ ‧ ₊ ⊹˚✧ ‧˚₊ ❆ ‧ ₊ ⊹˚✧ ‧˚₊ ❆ ‧ ₊ ⊹˚✧ ‧˚₊ ❆ ‧ ₊ ⊹˚✧ ‧˚₊

TAGLIST: @daenerysqueenofhearts, @squidscottjeans, @euphemiaamillais, @gracieroxzy, @effectwalker, @mystargirl-interlude

Author’s Note: Thank you for reading! Please let me know what you think in the comments! I really loved writing this one-shot, and I may write more for these characters in the future in order to expand upon their backstory. If you have any one-shot ideas, pls leave a comment below or send something to my inbox!

Also, let me know if you want to be added to the tag list!

#coriolanus snow #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #tbosas #coriolanus snow x oc #original character #the hunger games #thg prequel #coriolanus snow x reader #one shot #persephone price #arachne crane #felix ravinstill #sejanus plinth #festus creed

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