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hidden-poet · 3 days ago

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Poison: part 3

Summary: Coriolanus always hated Sejanus Plinth. He had everything that Coriolanus should of had; money, influence, and you.

Warnings: Coryo being de-lu-lu, unrequited love, Reader insert, dark!Coriolanus snow, unedited, dead dove to not eat

Word count: 9,832

Part 1 here

Part 2 here

Part 3

Part 4 coming

Comments and asks welcomed!

Coriolanus sat on the train to District 12.

Something compelled him to bribe the clerk for a ticket to district 12.

He wondered if Lucy-Gray would still be alive?

Would they kill her for his mistake?

If he wasn’t hopeful that he could get himself out of this mess and back to you, he would have killed himself.

The shame of it all was too much. He couldn’t even look Grandma’am or Tigres in the eye while he explained the circumstance he now found himself in. He felt as if he had failed them.

He knocks his head against the cold, hard glass. Watching as his surroundings sped past him.

The door was heard as it opened, but Coriolanus didn’t stir from his self-pity, sure it was another recruit just passing through.

When he heard Sejanus’s voice it startled him

“I thought I might find you here”, his old enemy spoke with a grin.

“Sejanus, what are you doing here?”

He rises from his seat, watching as Sejanus in a peacekeeper uniform came forward with a duffle bag.

He gazes back at the door with his heart in his throat. If Sejanus had brought you along to district 12, Coriolanus was sure to kill him where he stood.

But the door never reopened. You were safe back in the Capitol.

“Are you kidding me? After I found out where they were sending you I couldn’t get here quick enough”.

Sejanus throws his bag on the floor and takes a seat across the table. Coriolanus joins him with his questions.

“What about y/n? Did you break up”, Coriolanus asked too quickly and with too much hopefulness in his voice.

“No”, Sejanus’ coy smile angered Coriolanus greatly, “No. we are engaged.

Coriolanus swallows his rage to force out a “Congratulations”.

“Thank you. Yeah, you know. I figure I get through basic, and become a medic. They allow third year medics to bring over family, give you a house on base instead of sharing a dorm with twenty other men. We can carve out a better life for us out here”.

“You plan to bring her here? To the districts. Are you insane? They are savages here”.

“They are desperate people. People in need of help. Y/n and I have a real chance of making a difference out here, like you told me I could do”.

Coriolanus’s hands balled into fists. He hadn’t meant to get you tangled up in Sejanus' misled fantasies. He only wanted to get out of the arena.

“If you think I am going to let you bring her here, you are mistaken”.

As soon as Coriolanus got his hands on a piece of paper he was going to write to your father, and tell him of the plan. He properly didn’t even know of the engagement.

Sejanus laughs as if it was a joke. As if Coriolanus wasn’t imagining jumping across the table and pounding his face in.

“I know you want the best for her, Coryo. So do I. You’re a good friend, but y/n can make her own decisions, and she has chosen to follow me to district 12”.

The word ‘friend’ made Coriolanus’s ears hot. He was not a friend. Not to Serjanus. Not to you. Still his composure was his strength. He had to wait until the time was right. He couldn’t have you thinking he was jealous. Jealousy was weak.

If your father had already disowned you due to the news of the engagement, he would have no further cards to play. He would figure out a way to keep you in the Capitol, but it started with staying in the loop of information.

“Be careful, Sejanus. It’s a different world out here. One where you can’t buy your way out of trouble.”

Coriolanus looks to the window, sure if he spent any more time looking at Sejanus his fists would fly before he could stop himself.

“Ah come on, man. Don’t give me grief. I’ve come all this way for you. Why are we talking about my girl, when we should be talking about yours? The girl you risked everything for is just at the end of these train tracks”.

His girl, the one he risked everything for, was back in the Capitol, engaged to his enemy.

Coriolanus was sure he was going to kill Sejanus, but faked agreement.

—-----------

You would write Sejanus letters every week. Pages, and pages on how much you missed him. How you wore the ring with great pride, and never take it off.

You never mentioned the kiss. Never asked about Coriolanus. He wondered if you had told Sejanus or decided to keep it as a secret.

He liked the idea of you having a secret with him. Something that only you two shared.He thought back to the kiss often, wondering what he could have changed that would have stopped you reacting the way you did. But what did it matter? The outcome would have been the same.

His fate was sealed when his father made enemies with Dean Highbottom.

Late at night Coriolanus would break into Sejanus’ locker to read your letters. He would sit under the moonlight, pretending that the letters were written for him. He would pen one back in his mind.

He thought about sending you a real letter, but what would he say? I love you. Don’t marry Sejanus.

It seemed too little now.

He trained hard. Much harder than Sejanus.

He was desperate to be picked for officer training. From there he could make his way back to the Capitol faster than Sejanus could earn the privilege of bringing you here.

When he pushed his body to the limits during training, and remained studying while the other men captured what little joy they could. He thought of returning to the capitol while Sejanus was stuck in this living hell.

It would be hard not to fall in love while your boyfriend was in a different world.

Coriolanus would do everything with you, naturally as your only friend. You would feel terrible having rejected him just moments before he was shipped off. Maybe even regret it.

It would happen slowly and naturally. One day you would just wake up and realised you were in love with coriolanus.

It would break Sejanus' heart certainly. But Coriolanus had suffered in silence for years. It was his turn.

He would figure out money at a later date. An officer makes a decent wage, but not enough to afford you the lifestyle you deserve. That Grandma’am and Tigress deserved.

It was a hurdle he would jump through when the time came. First he had to survive district 12.

He was yet to see any of it. The Compound was locked down tight. You had to earn the privilege of time off. Not that Coriolanus had the desire to see any of it, or even take a break from his study.

But he had wished that Sejanus would be further away at times.

He followed Coriolanus around like a shadow. Swapping chores and assigned placements to be near Coriolanus at all times.

The only benefit of Sejanus’ friendship was Ma’s cooking. She would send packages of sweet treats each week.

It made Sejanus popular among the cohort. Coriolanus would always get first pick being Sejanus’ closest friend.

Having been fed three meals a day and Ma’s sweet treats, Coriolanus gained healthy weight.

He found himself being able to focus better and his energy flourished.

He would return to a changed man, but you hoped you would still be the same woman.

His mind focused on you as he pushed his body to the duties of a Peacekeeper.

Sejanus would talk of you which helped. Mostly things he had already read in the letters you send for Sejanujs, but sometimes he would derail and offer a piece of information Coriolanus never knew.

It made Sejanus slightly bearable. His presence is less insufferable when he is useful.

Still being followed everywhere was starting to grate on Coriolanus.

He walks fast to try and shake Sejanus, but the young boy takes it as a challenge to keep up even with his damaged knee.

He complains about the superior officers while Coriolanus races across the yard to return his patrolling uniform so he could return to his bunk and study for the officer test.

The gray uniform was heavy with padding, and his helmet was like a rock in his hand. It added to his irritation as Sejanus squawked in his ear about things he didn’t care about.

His mind floats to you and what you could be doing. He imagines you shopping for a new dress, and then going for lunch in the Capitals best restaurant, where he would be sitting there patiently waiting for you.

When he heard your voice in his ear, at first he thought he dreamt it, but he would never dream of you calling Sejanus name over his.

He whips in the direction of the sound to see Sejanus already sprinting to the fence.

You stood behind a tall wire fence that separated the Peacekeepers section from the nurses and doctors. You wore the dreadful blue nurses uniform with a white patch across the left side of your breast that stated ‘Junior nurse’.

With no makeup or jewelry and with your hair tied back into a ponytail, you looked pale and undressed.

He stared at you in disbelief but you never spared him a glance.

Sejanus throws himself into the fence in front of you, attempting to hold what he could of you. The fence separated your bodies, so intertwining your finger through the gaps was as close as you could get.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”Coriolanus could hear Sejanus ask in a tone of disbelief that spoke of his surprise.

Coriolanus moves over to the fence line to hear the reason too. Still half shocked that you were really here.

“What about your family? Your dad?”, Sejanus pesters. Both very good questions.

Did they even know you were here? Could Coriolanus work with your father to get you back to the Capitol where you belong?

You shake your head at him

“It doesn’t matter” you say, “All I have is you now, okay?”.

Sejanus laughs giddily at your words, but Coriolanus remains livid. You shouldn’t be here, moreover it wasn’t true, you didn’t only have Sejanus, but you had Coriolanus’ mind, body and soul that you are so quick to dismiss.

“Are you crazy?”, he seeths.

You tear your eyes away from Sejanus to glare at him.

“What a surprise Coriolanus isn’t happy again”, you remark.

“Do you realise what you have done? How dangerous it is to have followed him here?” Coriolanus pushes.

“I’ve made my choice’’, you state. Coriolanus felt you were speaking to more than your decision to follow Sejanus. You were making it clear that you belonged to Sejanus.

Coriolanus could feel the ghost of your lips against his. You hadn’t forgotten and forgiven the kiss.

How could he protect you here if you wanted nothing to do with him? How could he get you to listen to him if you willfully blocked your ears with Sejanus?

“Hey”, Sejanus scoffs, trying to ease the tension, “some things never change”.

Coriolanus felt Sejanus clamp his large hand on his shoulder. If he wasn’t so stuck in his anger, he would have shaken him off.

Instead he stood rigid staring at you. Hoping that this all was just a dream.

“I for one couldn’t be happier. I have the two most important people in my life. A path in life, a chance to make a real difference, freedom. Our lives have just begun. We’re going to do great”.

You smile at him in a delusional gaze.

“We’re going to do great”, you agree.

A whistle blows and an older woman in a nurses uniform begins to yell at you.

“I’ll see you soon”, you promise to your fiance.

“Hoffs given us leave passes for the weekend, can you make it?” Sejanus rushes.

You nod your head ‘yes’, half turning your body away before you receive a punishment for insubordination.

“Meet me at the front gates at 4 o’clock on Saturday”, he instructs.

Coriolanus felt his blood run cold at the thought of willingly bringing you out from the safety of the compound.

“I will” you promise. The stupid smile not leaving your face.

Your complete delusional state left you vulnerable to very real danger that the district posed.

“Take care of yourself” Coriolanus orders as you run back to where you were supposed to be.

Sejanus slaps Coriolanus' shoulder in glee, and this time Coriolanus has the capacity to shove Sejanus away.

He turns, regaining his fast pace to return the uniform with Sejanus following, but no longer talking.

The goal was to get back to the Capitol before Sejanus could bring you here, now you have come on your own accord and completely ruined his plans. Why did you have to be such a difficult woman?

Had you ruined his officer plans? How could he leave you here with only Sejnaus for protection.

The panic almost strangled him. He needed to recalculate his plan

But every outcome he could think of either let you down or grandma’am and tigres.

He left Sejanus still taking off his jacket in the uniform room to go back to his bunk.

Sejanus had swapped a week of Ma’s goodies for the lower bunk so Coriolanus only had a few moments before Sejanus would rejoin him.

His head hit the flimsy pillow and he covered his face with his hands.

He could think of a million things that could go wrong now that you were here.

A district could find his way into the Camp. Into your bunk, with your luck. You could get sick and have to rely on the district's poor resources.

Life in the Compound was no picnic. You would have to work harder than you ever had before. At home you ate and woke when you decided. Here you would have to earn your keep.

The privileges of your life lost because you loved the wrong man. The right man would stop at nothing to ensure your every comfort, not congratulate you for losing everything for him.

He wondered if he could kill Sejanus during training and get away with the accident angle. But you would never look at him the same if he killed Sejanus, accidently or not.

Footsteps approached the bed and Sejanus threw something heavy on the bed.

“Coryo, are you alright?”, he asks.

“You need to tell her to leave Sejanus. For her own good”, he commanded.

He uncovered his face to look Sejanus in the eye as he spoke but his words missed their mark.

Sejanus smiles instead and rolls his eyes.

“You worry too much. You’ve always been like that, even in the academy. Always watching everyone carefully choosing when to weigh in”.

“Well I am weighing in now, Sejanus. Is this really what you want for her? The slums of the District?”, Coriolanus snarls.

His push awakened something in Sejanus who now carried a look in his eyes that Coriolanus had never seen before.

“I know you and Y/n are friends so I’ve put up with a lot, but you are overstepping your boundary now. So long as Y/n and I are together nothing else matters. I don’t care if I am with her here or the hunger games. She’s not your girl, Coriolnanus, you don’t need to worry about her”.

His comment silenced Coriolanus who was forced to turn to his side away from Sejanus.

Coriolanus’s hands balled into fists ready to put Sejanus back in his place. But he was right. Technically you weren’t any of his concern.

If it had been anyone else Coriolanus wouldn’t have battered an eye. But it was you. The object of his obsession since the end of the dark days.

His life line to keep going through it all. His hope and joy, even if you never knew it.

Maybe that’s why you felt compelled to come to district 12. To help Coriolanus survive yet another feat.

To inspire him to work harder, to train longer.

Suddenly, he felt terrible for greeting you the way he did.

You were only trying to help him. You came to him in his hour of need, and he had bitten you for it.

A slither of hope ran through Coriolanus.

Maybe things would work out after all.

—------

Coriolanus counted down the hours until the weekend.

Sejanus too. It was the first time he had ever had anything in common with the district born boy.

He saw glimpses of you during training in the yard.

Never for very long and Coriolanus had to concentrate to find you amongst the other recruits. But a single glance for a split second was enough to renew his spirits.

He even found himself interacting with others. Ending nights in a friendly competition between friends, rather than with the training book in his hand.

There were many Peacekeepers in the compound, but few that he liked. Most of them knew nothing more than to follow orders and use brute force.

The unit he was placed in housed twenty men in a shed that didn’t leave for much room. Of the twenty, Coriolanus found company in only three. Beanstalk, called so for his great height, Smiley, a round face and eager boy and Bug, who often said nothing.

They had tried to give Coriolnaus a nic-name, but he pushed back against it. His name was the last thing he held to his capitol standing. He would die before he relinquished it.

Sejanus on the other hand accepted the name ‘Bulls-eye’, dubbed after an impressive training session, where he hit nearly all of the targets.

The name had taken on an ironic meaning after he failed to do so since. Coriolanus had warned him against showing such promise. They don’t need a medic with perfect aim. It may derail his plans of leaving the gun behind for gauze.

Coriolanus also didn’t need Sejanus taking any attention away from him during training. He needed to be the best in all categories so there was no doubt in the Commanders eyes that Coriolanus was the one to be sent for officer training.

Saturday came slowly, but finally arrived.

Coriolanus took extra time to groom himself. Ensuring that he looked and smelt his best after hours of grueling training.

The other men, who he had come to accept as friends until he could get out, snickered at him, asking him if he was prettying himself for the girls.

Coriolanus smirked to himself as the men jeered.

Sejanus came to his defence and the men left Coriolanus alone.

They stood together prettying themselves for the same girl.

“Do you think she will be there?” Sejanus asks.

Coriolanus felt a jolt run through him. Seeing you was the only thing he was looking forward to. Was your presence now a maybe?

“Who?”Coriolanus asks for clarity. He puts down his wet washer and faces Sejanus at the next sink. Surely, he couldn’t mean you.

‘Who else? Lucy-Gray!” He said without care.

Coriolanus huffs, feeling his heart go back down into his chest.

“I don’t know”, Coriolanus says, “I don't even know if she would still be alive”.

It saddened him to think that his cheating would cause her death.

“Do you think they killed her?” Coriolanus asked.

Sejanus shakes his head ‘no’ still looking in the mirror to apply his after shave, and pleasant smelling cream.

“Why would they risk it? She was a big hit. If they do have the games next year, they will properly invite her to sing at the opening ceremony”.

His words sooth Coriolanus, who picks up his soapy washer and runs it across his skin.

When he finally saw you standing just outside the compound gates with the sun going down behind you, it felt as if a heavy weight was being lifted from his chest.

You wore a nurses uniform, pale blue and faded from previous use. The sleeves came down to your elbow and hugged your skin.The top of the fabric cinched at your waist before falling into a straight line of fabric that ended just before your knees.

“Hey” you called with a wave.

Coriolanus fought to keep his hand down, as Sejanus ran up to you.

Sejanus took you into his arms and gave you a deep kiss, earring a cheer from the men. Coriolanus had to look away from the sight.

You break away to shush them, much to Coriolanus’s pleasure.

“Don’t draw any attention” you command, “I’m not supposed to be here. I gave a girl my gold hair clip to cover for me. It’d be a waste if you blew it for me”.

The men hush, instead shaking Sejanus in encouragement.

“Come on”, Sejanus commands, turning out from you but keeping a hold of your hand, “lets get there before all the seats get taken”

“I have to be back by ten. Thats when the head nurse checks the bunks”.

Sejanus hums in response, but Coriolanus was livid that you had a bedtime at all.

He wanted to say so to you, but found it difficult to get close enough to speak to you.

He was pushed to the back as Smiley, and Beanpole crowded you with questions, and idle conversation.

It left Coriolanus and Bug walking behind the group in silence. He never thought Bug would become his favorite.

The men disappeared as the large barn came into sight. Coriolanus took his spot next to you as soon as it opened.

He could hear the music from a mile away as he walked. The old barn had a yellow stream of flight that flooded the place, occasionally cut off by shadows of people walking past.

He stayed close to you as you entered the barn.

It was hot and loud inside. Peacekeepers and districts crowded the floor. No one seemed to mind the shared coexistence, but Coriolanus could feel the underlying tension. He would be sure not to let you go too far tonight.

A small blonde headed girl sings and dances on a makeshift stage. A call for peace while people were fixated on her.

Senjanus halts on the edge of the dance floor. His eye caught by something at the bar.

“Stay with Coriolanus. I am going to get a drink”, Sejanus orders.

He is weaving his way through the crowd before you could get your “okay” out.

Coriolanus stood straighter next to you. His hand reaches out behind you to keep you close but never lands.

The little girl on stage finished her song and the crowd roars for more.

“Is it getting hot in here?”, the girl calls to the crowd.

You cheer back, cupping your hands to scream back and clap.

“Well, we’re planning on heating it up just a tad more!”, she teases, “The one, the only, Lucy-Gray-Baird!”.

The world stops for a second as he watches Lucy-Gray dance up onto the stage. She was dressed in heavy dark clothing that resembled a costume, and had her face painted in make-up.

You hit Coriolanus’s chest in excitement.

He looks down at you. He had brought you this happiness.

You grinned from ear to ear. Your eyes sparkle with joy that he secured by cheating in the games.

He wondered if he would get a thank you. He wouldn’t push it from you, seeing you happy was enough for him.

Lucy-Gray warms the crowd with her charm before she starts her song. It was the same one from the reaping but placed to a happy tune. He almost didn’t recognize it. But her words were unforgettable.

“You can take my pa, but his name’s a mystery”, she sang,

Her eyes roam around the room before finally falling on you and Coriolanus in the crowd.

Her voice hitches when her eye catches Coriolanus. The words she was singing gets stuck in her throat until you draw her attention by waving.

Lucy-Gray gives you a flash of her smile and her singing voice returns.

He couldn’t believe it. She was alive. His filly in the race made it out unscathed.

You take a step forward into the crowd and Coriolanus goes along with you, hovering his body protectively close.

A shout is heard from the back of the room causing coriolanus to turn to see a dark featured man making his way through the crowd.

Coriolanus pushes you closer by the shoulder into him and out of the mans way as he pushes through.

“Lucy-Gray!”, he calls, “Lucy-Gray, you're sounding mighty thin without me! You all are!”.

“Billy!” the women trailing him scolded.

He feels you shuffle forward towards the scene, and clamps down on your shoulder to keep you at bay.

“I know you miss me!”, Billy yells as he attempts to climb the stage.

He is pulled back by the women, Coriolanus guessed is the Mayor’s daughter.

“You promised me you wouldn’t play with them again”, she demanded.

Her demand is met with a harsh shove back into the crowd. It agitates the atmosphere and people begin to become rowdy.

“Settle down, settle down”, Lucy-Gray says into her microphone.

The crowd does not. When a Peacekeeper gets punched, it incites the crowd to erupt into chaos.

Bodies shove into Coriolanus as some join the fight and others fight to leave.

You tear yourself from his grasp and push your way to help Lucy-Gray as Billy climbs the stage.

His hand wedges it way through the gaps but fails to pull you back.

Instead he forces his path behind you. Shoving people away to get to you.

His uniform made him a target in a roomful of angry and hungry district men.

It didn’t come as a surprise when a fist came flying at his face.

His face stung from the hit but he didn’t retaliate, too focused on yanking you away from Billy.

He had climbed on the stage to cling to Lucy-Gray’s dress and you had grabbed on to his arm to stop him.

When he shoved you harshly away, you latched on again like a fool.

Billy swung his arm back to ensure your compliance. It almost lands before Coriolanus yanked the threatening arm to spin the short framed man towards himself.

“Don’t touch her!” he shouts, pounding his fist into the side of Billy’s face.

From the corner of his eye he saw you recoil in shock. He should have stopped with three good punches but he found his fist flying again and again into the boys boney face.

It brought him back to the area. That same fierce protectiveness coursing through his veins. He didn’t want the threat to be neutralized, he wanted it to be eliminated.

“Coriolanus stop!” you call.

When you wrap yourself around his arm to keep it mobilized, he doesn’t shake you off. The sirens of the Peacekeeper vans could be heard over the commotion of the people.

He looks up to see Lucy-Grey clutching her mic stand, frozen from what she saw. Even after the Hunger Games violence was foreign to her. It wasn’t in her nature, but it was in Coriolanus’s.

He heard your name being shouted by Sejanus who tried to push his way through the dispersing crowd to get to you.

A loud bang knocked down the barn doors and fully equipped peacekeepers marched in, throwing around anyone in their way.

Coriolanus grabbed your wrist with his sore hand and yanked you towards the back exit people were escaping from. He couldn’t hear you over the noise of the barn but he could feel you tugging back against him.

Even when he hit the quiet, cool, outside air, he still didn’t release you. Continuing to force you forward into the darkness.

“Wait. We have to go back”, you demand with a harsh pull of your wrist.

“He’ll be fine”, Coriolanus assured, “He’ll find his own way out. Come on”.

He yanks you a bit too harshly forward and you stumble from the force.

“We have to get you back”, he addresses, loosening his tight grip to a firm hold, “They’ll be sure to conduct the bunk checks early with the amount of peacekeepers there”.

You follow him along the dirt, rocky road back to the Compound. A few people run past but it is mostly dark and silent. Coriolanus stews as you walk quietly beside him.

“What were you thinking?” he spat.

“I was thinking Lucy-Grey needed help”. It seemed his question had snapped you out of your compliant trance as you began to tug your wrist out of his hold again.

“From you? You could have gotten hurt”, he criticized.

“So I shouldn’t have done anything? Let go!”.

He doesn’t, swinging your wrist forward out of the way of your free clawing hand.

“Yes,Y/n. That’s exactly what you should have done”, he scolded.

“Maybe you should listen to your own advice. Saved yourself a busted lip, and sword to your shoulder”, you mocked, slightly out of breath from Coriolanus’s speed.

He hadn’t realised that his lip was bleeding until you mentioned it. Now he could taste the metallic warm liquid trickling into his mouth.

He wipes it away with his spare hand. The cut stings as he puts pressure on it.

Your own cruelty stunned you. A person who prided herself on her kindness and compassion now sneering at her saviour.

“Wait, Coriolanus”, you say, halting your steps. Coriolanus stops with you, releasing your wrist.

“I am sorry. That’s not fair”.

He stares at you in shock. You had always spoken to him quite guarded. Now it felt as if your relationship was growing. You were speaking your mind to him now. Apologising when you are wrong. It was a strong foundation to any relationship.

“You’re forgiven”, he whispers back.

He reaches out to take a hold of your wrist again but you know it back out of his way. He doesn’t attempt again, moving forward along the road.

“Come on, we have to get back”, he commands.

You do follow him, and the air is heavy with something you wanted to say.

“Coriolanus”, you begin after a moment of silence, “what you did back there. What you did back in the arena”.

Coriolanus cuts you off, sure the next words weren’t a thank you.

“Saved your life”, he turned to gaze down at you with eyes that spoke of how cautious you should be, “I did what I had to do to keep you safe”.

You shrinked under him. You nodded your head in agreement but your eyes looked unsure.

He followed you when you began walking ahead of him.

“It must have felt good to see Lucy-Gray tonight”, you say.

“Yes”, he agrees, “I am glad she is not dead”.

“Me too. I thought she was for sure when those snakes got dropped in the arena”.

“So did I” he acknowledges.

The night was quiet now. Only the moon lit the path back to the Compound. You and Coriolanus took a leisurely stroll away from the chaos of the barn. He found himself grateful for the eventful night now that he walked beside you.

He lifts his hand to place it on your shoulder closest to him. You stop walking immediately as it lands.

Coriolanus halts a step forward, turning his body back to you in question.

“You should know I didn’t tell him. I figured a kiss in excitement wasn’t worth upsetting him for”, you lecture.

He felt the lump in his throat forming.

“What is it you are insinuating?”

“You’re Sejanus’s best friend”, you accuse.

He needed to throw you off the scent. You needed more time.

“And you're my best friend's girl. Someone I hoped I could form a close relationship with, for Sejanus’s sake”.

“Sometimes it feels like you are taking Sejanus’ place”.

Some day he would. Sejanus would be a distant memory as you curled up in bed beside him, but for right now he was an active threat.

“You’re right” he acknowledges, “A kiss in excitement means nothing. I didn’t ask you to come here, Y/n. I don’t want you here”.

The kiss meant everything to him, and now you were trampling it under your foot.

He continues walking on. He wouldn’t leave you behind in the darkness by yourself but his resolve was slipping and he needed the distance to organise himself.

“I am sorry if I have given you the wrong impression but I followed Lucy-Gray here, not you. Whatever you think, I assure you, you have dreamed it”.

You jog to keep up, but he keeps his quick stride.

“You’re right, I am sorry. You’ve been nothing but a good friend to Sejanus and to me. And Lucy-Grey, I know you two got close. It’s just the kiss, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. I was looking for an answer where there wasn’t one, and I am sorry that I offended you. Honestly, Coriolanus”, you tug his arm back to slow his movements, “ I am sorry. I do want to be friends with you”.

Coriolanus tugs his arm away and continues walking back to the compound.

“Hurry up”, he calls.

You don’t speak anymore and Coriolanus swims with his thoughts.

He wasn’t the only one who was unable to let go of the kiss. Maybe you didn’t tell Sejanus because the shame of wanting him too was too much.

Your reaction and accusation, however, hurt. On top of that he had confessed untrue feelings towards Lucy-Grey. You had attempted to push him away and he had allowed you to.

Was it too late to undo the damage? Could he tell you he was lying and that he only ever thought of you.

The sight of the compound told him it was too late. He had made his bed, he would now have to lie in it.

He led you back to the medic side of the compound where the security was less militant.

“Go inside” he commands with a shove of your elbow.

You nod and walk past him. You don’t once turn to look back but he watches you until you fall out of sight.

—--------

He doesn’t see you for the next three days. Not even in crossing. Sejanus does however.

The lovers had found a quiet isolated place where they could meet. Coriolanus was yet to figure out where it was.

He thought about following Sejanus but instead chose to focus on his studies.

When a first aid course with the nurses was announced, Coriolanus couldn’t believe his luck.

The nurses needed volunteers to practice on. A whole afternoon of sitting in your presence. The whole cohort jumped at the chance.

Coriolanus knew that the Capitol had ulterior motives. They wanted Peacekeepers and nurses to get together and raise capitol loving children in the districts.

It was a good way to control morale and ensure obedience. The officer in charge gave the men a long list of chores that needed to be completed before such a privilege was granted.

Coriolanus did them happily. Sejanus too was eager to see you and worked alongside Coriolanus.

He wouldn’t allow Sejanus to come. Coriolanus was not doing the chores to see any other nurse but you.

Upon the day, Coriolanus excused himself from breakfast so he could go back to the bunks.

Discipline and obedience was a trait that was valued amongst basic training.

The superior officers demonstrated this with morning bunk checks.

There was a certain way that bunks had to be made. It was nothing more than a test of complacency, but it came with strong sanctions if not followed.

Coriolanus untucks Sejanus’s bottom bunk, and retucks it incorrectly. Leaving the edge of the fabric poking out. After that he picks random and unlucky beds and ensures they also won’t pass the inspection.

Pleased with his work Coriolanus returns to the mess hall in perfect time to be called for the morning bed inspection.

He fights to keep the smirk off his face while he lines up alongside Sejanus in front of their bunks.

“Snow, pass” the officer says, documenting the outcome on his clipboard, “Plinth, you’re with me”.

“What?” Sejanus questions. He looks back at his bed, noticing the untucked fabric and mentally scolds himself.

“Is that a volunteer for tomorrow too?”, the officer threatens.

“No, sir”, the boy spits in a strained voice.

The officer moves on to other bunks and the men are left standing there in silence like they are expected too.

Coriolanus could feel Sejanus’s disappointment radiating off him. The reaction was surprising. He would see you during your secret meetings. Why did it matter so much to him to lose out on this opportunity?

The officer finishes the morning inspection and wishes all the men going to assist the nurses a good time, and all the men assisting him today, good luck.

Coriolanus turns to Sejanus, who’s shoulders were sagged and face sour.

“Tough break”, Coriolanus offered.

“I swear that bunk was correct. I checked it three times”, Sejanus whines.

“Obviously not”. Coriolanus straightens as men begin to disperse to their destinations. He didn’t want someone else to pick you after all the effort he went to in order to get Sejanus out of the way.

“Can you tell y/n that I am sorry, and that I’ll see her soon”, Sejanus asks.

Coriolanus nods, although he had no intention of following through.

“Good luck, Sejanus” he remarks as he makes his way past his enemy and out the door.

—-

As he enters the usually empty hall that was now filled with tables and chairs and medical equipment.

He spotted you almost instantly standing in front of your small table. He could tell you were looking for Sejanus from the way your eyes darted across the room and your hands clasp together in front of you, almost in a begging fashion.

The men were stopped at the door, while the head nurse explained that the nurses would be practicing bandaging, and the men would sit quietly and allow them to do so. She made it clear that this was not a dance, or social event. The girls would learn and the men should try and pick up as much as they could as the information could one day save their life. With a final warning that too much fun would get them kicked out, she released the men to find a partner.

He went straight to you, but you still looked past him for Sejanus.

“Where’s Sejanus?” you ask as coriolanus takes a seat in front of you.

“He’s not coming. He didn’t pass the bunk inspection”, he explains.

You sigh in response and begin to unwrap the bandage from its wrapper to begin.

Coriolanus leans closer to you, mockingly whispering his words.

“Surely I am not that bad?”, he teases.

“No, Coriolanus, no. You’re fine. It’s just”, you begin but stop, dropping your hands to your lap.

“It’s just what?”, he asks sincerely. It hurt him a tad that you consider him just ‘fine�� and sought any further explanation as to why.

You look back at him and begin to wrap his fake wound as the teacher walks around the room.

“He’s been so distant lately. I wouldn’t be surprised if he deliberately didn’t pass the bunk inspection”.

His heart sank at your words. He didn’t want to hurt you.

“He’d be crazy to do that”, Coriolanus defended but your face didn’t change from it’s sullen expression.

“A lot of Peacekeepers didn’t pass the inspection, not just Sejanus. They were hard this morning”.

You offer a kind smile which eases him slightly.

“You’re right. I keep forgetting this isn’t the Capitol. Sejanus isn’t free to see me when he likes”.

He watches as you pick up a pair of scissors to cut off the extra material.

He wondered if not being able to see you when he liked drove Sejanus as mad as it did Coriolanus.

If it did, he showed no outward signs of it. But then again neither did Coriolanus.

“How are you adjusting here?”, Coriolanus asked.

You were mainly focused on getting the bandage wrapped correctly so you spoke slow and in fragmented sentences.

“Yeah, it’s. Um. It’s different”, the pin you drive into the bandage to keep it in place nipped Coriolanus, but he made no complaint.

“It’s nice. You know, independence. I’ve learnt how to wash my own clothes, and clean, and bandage perfectly good wrists”.

You pin another but this time it goes perfectly into the bandage.

“You shouldn’t have to”

“Everybody should have to. The Capitol keeps us dependant on the districts so we fear their uprising”.

“Y/n”, he growls looking around the room to make sure no one else heard you. That talk could get you killed.

You realise it too. Your eyes shift around but no one appears to have noticed.

You clear your throat before talking as if to clear anymore silly words coming out of your mouth.

“How are you adjusting? You must miss your family back home”, you comment.

“I do”, Coriolanus admits, “I worry about them all the time”.

“You’ll get back” you promise to him, “Sejanus tells me you are working your way quickly up the ranks. If there’s one thing Coriolanus Snow can do, it’s rise to the top”.

He smiles at you. Maybe being sent to district 12 was part of a greater plan to bring you closer to him.

District 12 offered a forced proximity. You just needed to get to know Coriolanus

“You know they never told us what you did”, you begin to pry. It makes Coriolanus’ heart jump to his throat.

“I cheated”, he admits after a moment of silence, “To save Lucy-Gray from the snakes”.

He awaits your reaction.

You nod in understanding, placing the last pin into the bandage.

“I am glad you did. It would have been a shame to lose her too”.

“Sejanus tells me that you plan to stay here. Is that truly what you want?”

Your face read shocked that he would ask such a personal question but you answered him anyway.

“I want to be with him. I don’t care where that has to be”

The teacher reached the couple which gave Coriolanus a nice break to gather his thoughts.

After constructive feedback was given, the teacher leaves and you begin to unwrap his dressing.

“I am sorry, I don’t mean to overstep”, he says. He could tell you were angry at him from the roughness of your hands and silence of your tongue. “It’s just we’re friends and I only want your happiness. If that’s with him here, fine, but I want to make sure it’s your decision, not his”.

“You are the only one who seems to want to make decisions for me, Coriolanus”, you bite.

“I only want to help you”, he defends.

“I don’t need your help,Coriolanus. I don’t need your friendship, and I don’t need your grubby little hands over me all the time”

Coriolanus hadn’t realised that he had reached out to take ahold of your wrist until you yanked it from under him.

You get up from the table completely which draws the rooms attention.

“Y/n sit down” he demands.

You do sit down, drawing the attention of the head nurse who comes over to inspect the scene.

“Is there something the matter?” she asks in a cold hard tone.

“No Ma’am”, you answer, “Sorry, just a cramp”.

The older woman runs her eyes over Coriolanus' wrapped wrist and begins to critique your work.

With instructions to do it again, the woman leaves the table, and the tense atmosphere returns.

You pick up the gauze again and undo it from Coriolanus’ wrist.

Coriolanus remains silent and allows you to break the stalemate with a deep sigh.

“Sorry, I just haven’t been sleeping very well. I don’t mean to take it out on you”.

“It’s okay”, he assures, “I understand”.

Your words still were unnecessary, but he could forgive you with the excuse.

“Is there something I could do to help you?” he asks.

Maybe he could find a way to get a firmer pillow for you. He knows the flimsy pillow he received drove him mad.

You shake your head ‘no’ with a sad expression that he wanted to wipe off your face.

“I keep having nightmares”, you explain and Coriolanus was grateful for it, “I am in the Hunger Games, being forced to fight for my life”.

Coriolanus grows cold at the memory of Sejanus’s rescue. He never should have allowed you in the van. Now you were carrying trauma that he could have protected you from if he had just been less of a boy and more of a man.

“Like that night in the arena?” he confirms. He wanted to assure you that you were in no danger. That he would and did protect you.

But you spoke before he could.

“Like as a tribute”.

The bandage was off and you began re-dressing his wrist as instructed.

“I can’t imagine what Lucy-Gray is going through right now”, you state.

Coriolanus turns his wrist up so he could take a hold of yours as he spoke.

“You’re safe”. He promises.

You remove yourself from his grasp.

“Until the Capitol decides I am not”, you declare.

It’s quiet again as you redo his bandage.He decides he better turn the conversation onto something more joyful.

“Lucy-Gray has invited me to go to a hidden lake tomorrow with her and the Covey. Perhaps you would like to join?”, he asks.

He, himself, was not intending on joining but maybe seeing that Lucy-Gray was okay would stop your nightmares.

“You’ve seen her?” you question, looking up from pinning the bandage in place.

He nods back in confirmation, “Yesterday” he remarks.

He doesn't mention Sejanus used that time to speak to Billy Tope and the Brother of the girl in the jail cell. The less you knew the better.

“Was she okay after the barn?”.

“Fine. So are you in?” he pushes.

Tomorrow was your day off, he knew it. If he rushed through his chores in the morning, he could spend nearly the whole day with you.

You nod back causing Coriolanus to smile. “Of course, what if someone needs my expertise wrapping skills”, you joke.

—----------

It was not a surprise when you showed up with Sejanus. Even so, Coriolanus felt disappointed. He had gotten up at 4:30 to start his chores in order to finish in time to take you.

You clung to his arm as you followed the Covey into the forest. Coriolanus held Lucy-Gray’s hand.

More so, she held his hand and he just didn’t let go. They didn’t talk. Coriolanus was too preoccupied to decipher your and Sejanus’s conversation and Lucy-Gray was happy humming a song.

Half way the blonde child complained she couldn’t walk any further, and hero Sejanus offered to give her a piggyback ride.

You fall back, giving Sejanus room to bounce and run with the child.

“Here, do you want a drink?” Coriolanus offers, letting go of Lucy-Gray's hand and reaching into his small bag to retrieve his water bottle.

You take it with a thanks and he watches as you place your lips around it to take a drink.

To his dismay, Lucy-Gray takes it next and swaps out your saliva for her own.

“That song you were singing, is it new?” you ask.

“No, been sang long before me” Lucy- Grey responded.

Coriolaus had not been listening, leaving him deeply regretting his choice now that he had nothing to weigh in.

Luckily, lucy-gray began singing it again with clear and slow words.

‘Oft I heard of Lucy-Gray, and when i crossed the wild i chanced to see at break of day the solitary child”.

The song did not thrill Coriolanus but you were enthralled with the performance. She sang of a girl with the same name, a child who got lost in the wild, who turned into some sort of ghost.

“Does she survive? Lucy-gray in the song?” he fakes interest.

Lucy-Gray grins back, “No one knows. It’s a mystery, sweetheart. Just like me”.

The view of the water breaks all further conversation. The lake was murky and still. A long wooden jetty reached from the shore into its depth.

The lush grass stopped upon the muddy shore, and weaved itself alongside the small cabin built upon it.

The Covey are quick to jump in. Disregarding their clothes to show the home made swim wear underneath.

You pose no hesitation in joining them, stripping down to your underwear.

If you were Coriolanus’s girl he wouldn’t allow it. Not with other prying eyes.

But as he was the prying eye, he stood in silence and watched.

Sejanus jumped in after you, pulling you close as you playfully squirm out of his grip.

Lucy-Gray blocks his eyesight as she shimmers off her dress and invites him to join with her smile alone.

He takes the invitation, ridding himself of his peacekeeper uniform and running off the jetty.

You pay him no mind as he joins you in the water. Your focus is on Sejanus.

Lucy-Gray pays mind, swimming over to Coriolanus and holding herself up on his shoulders. He hoped it made you jealous when you glanced at him to see it. But your head turned back to Sejanus too quickly.

You join the covey in water games while he and Lucy-gray float off on the side with each other.

Lucy-Gray seemed to what to say something but she never did.

One by one the water was evacuated. As soon as he saw you swimming to the shore, he followed.

You put on your nurse dress still soaked and it clings to your body, leaving dark patches of material where it dampened.

Lucy-Gray offers Coriolanus a towel to dry himself which he accepts. He wondered if it was just spare or if she had packed one especially for him.

As he dresses, you and Sejanus find a shady spot under a tree and you lay against him, talking.

He thinks about going over, but it is too awkward even for him. Instead Lucy-Gray calls him over to sit on a blanket with her.

Like a dog, he obeys and takes a seat next to Lucy-Gray who had thrown back on her purple dress.

“I am real sorry about y/n and Sejanus”, she remarks.

Coriolanus remains stone-faced and looks out to the lake.

“What’s there to be sorry for?”. The war was far from over.

“You said it was complicated, don’t seem too complicated now”

Her comment irritated Coriolanus. It was more complicated than it had ever been.

“Y//n doesn’t know what she wants”, he declares.

“I heard about the engagement”, she said awkwardly. She curls herself into a ball, hugging her knees tight to her chest.

Coriolanus shifts his gaze upon her in an intense stare.

“I don’t see a ring”, he states softly.

It was true. You didn’t wear the large diamond that you boasted about in your letters to Sejanus. He supposed they made you give it up when you volunteered for the districts.

“She followed him here”, Lucy-Gray reasons, “Sejanus says you followed me here”.

Coriolanus reflects on her statement. He supposed it was true. There was no other reason why he bribed the clerk into sending him to district 12.

“I guess I did,” he admits, looking back to the ocean, “I had to see if you were alive”.

“Well I am”, she declares. The new topic instills new confidence and she unrolls herself into a more relaxed position,”didn’t think I’d make it”.

Out the corner of his eye, he could see Lucy-Gray anxiously playing with her hands.

“Didn’t think I had what it took to survive”, her voice began to shake, earning Coriolanus attention back. “That little girl, Dill. I thought it would be one of the others. maybe Coral…”

“Hey” Coriolanus consoles, “You are not a killer, Lucy-gray”.

Her watering eyes that focused on the water, snapped to his in stern look.

“Yes, I am” she proclaims, “both of us are now” she adds softly.

Her assertion stunned him. How did she know about Bobbin in the arena?

It clicks and Coriolanus inhales a large breath.

“Dean Highbotton told you what I did to that boy in the arena?” he quizzed.

She nodded back, wiping away her tears.

“I didn’t have a choice”, he says softly. It was you or him and he had made his choice long ago.

“She wouldn’t understand. We’re the same, Coriolanus. We do what we have to so we can survive”.

Coriolanus is saved from having to answer when the smallest member of the group begins to shout excitedly, pulling out a flapping fish from the water.

He gets hold of it and turns as if he was going to show someone before all his sounds stop and he falls back into silence.

“Good work, Cc!” Lucy-Gray calls.

The small boy doesn’t respond as he hits the fish against a rock to stop it moving.

“See if you can catch some more. We’ll have lunch”.

A thumbs up is given to Lucy-Gray’s words before the boy turns back to fishing with the others.

“He misses Billy toupe”, Lucy-Gray addresses.

The disappointed look on her face spoke of her true feelings too.

“Do you?” Coriolanus pushes.

“No”, she says bitterly, “Not since the reaping. I can’t trust him anymore”.

“Trust is everything” Coriolanus agrees.

“It is to me” she declares, “More important even then love. Without trust, you might as well be dead to me. But you can trust me. I promise you that.If you can trust anyone in this world”, her eyes flick quickly to you before they go back to coriolanus, “You can trust me”.

Coriolanus wasn’t sure what to say. He did trust Lucy-gray, and he hoped that she trusted him. She did at least during the Hunger games.

“You can trust me too”, he answers softly.

Coriolanus turns hearing footsteps to see Sejanus and you walking hand in hand over to the blanket.

“Hey, you guys mind if we join you?” Sejanus calls.

“No” Lucy-gray yells back but her voice hinted that she did.

Nevertheless, you two sit down. Sejanus in front of Lucy-gray and you next to Coriolanus.

“Don’t have anything like this in the Capitol”, Sejanus comments.

“The Capitol also doesn't have bed bugs and rats the size of small children” Coriolanus bites.

“Come on” Sejanus laughs, “it’s not that bad”.

“You know what I miss?” you speak up, “Hot baths”.

Coriolanus hated the thought of you missing anything. Let alone because of a district born fool who doesn’t deserve you.

“I miss my ma,” Sejanus croaks.

It earns sympathy from you in the shape of reaching out to hold his hand. Coriolanus wanted to mention his dead mother who he will never see again, but it was a pitiful move.

Lucy-gray is also unfazed by his declaration, having experienced true pain and loss.

“You must miss your parents” Coriolanus asks you.

Maybe he could find a way to guilt you back to the Capitol and enjoying hot baths.

But you shrug your shoulders as if you didnt care.

“They made me choose. Sejanus or them. How can you miss people who disown you”.

The situation was worse than he had anticipated. You were disowned with no one to reach out to for help. Still you were a loved daughter, surely they would welcome you back. It was Sejanus they hated, not you. With Coriolanus by your side, they were sure to accept you back into the fold.

“Would you really go back through? I mean if you could” lucy-Gray asked.

Coriolanus felt as if she was solely asking him so he answered first.

“I have to. It’s where I belong. Where we all belong”, he states firmly.

“The Capitol’s not for me”, Lucy-Gray asserts as if Coriolanus was including her.

He hated the way she turned her nose up at the idea. As if she was better.

“At least it’s civilized. Has order” he provokes.

“Oh the Hunger Games are order?”Lucy-Gray returned.

“Making children fight to the death is civilized?” you take Lucy-gray’s side and he quickly backtracks haven forgotten you were there.

“No. No, of course not”, he defends himself to you.

“What if this was your life, Coriolanus? Out here. Waking whenever, catching your own food. Would you still feel the need for the Capitol even then?”, Lucy-Gray continues to aggravate the conversation.

‘‘Sounds like the life to me” Sejanus submits.

“And you?” Coriolanus corners you now.

“I would go back to the Capitol” you admit, “I would go wherever Sejanus is”.

Another fish is caught. The sound of the Covey clapping breaks the tense conversation.

“They are going to need wood for the fire” Sejanus notes, “I’ll put you to the test, come with me to the forest to collect firewood?”.

You grin at him, copying him as you stand.

“Lead the way”, you tease.

Coriolanus was glad you were going. Lucy-gray had ruined the peaceful atmosphere.

“Be careful of snakes!”Coriolanus calls after you.

He thinks maybe he should follow but he was still uptight from the previous conversation.

He leaves Lucy-Gray on her blanket, going back over to where his stuff laid and shoving on his shoes.

The group sat in a circle around the fire. Lucy-Gray kept her distance on the other side with most of the Covey members. While Coriolanus sat by you while you talked with Sejanus.

He had never had fish before and was surprised at how much he liked it. The only thing left on his fish was the bones. Everyone else still had a small amount of meat left. It was embarrassing and Coriolans tried to hide his fish with the leaf it was plated on.

Sejanus barely touched his. His eating was interrupted by constantly checking his watch.

“Hey, Tam” Sejanus shouted once it had hit the right time, “Would you mind showing me the way back?’

‘We’re leaving?” you ask, almost disappointed.

“You head back with Coriolanus. I am not going back to the Compound”, he answers, swinging his bag over his shoulder.

“Where are you going then?” you question.

“I told you I had something in town this afternoon”.

“You didn’t tell me what”.

Sejanus stands as Tam finishes packing his stuff to take Sejanus back.

“I didn’t think I had to. My father doesn’t run my life and neither do you”, Sejanus declares.

You stand up to his height, causing Coriolanus to strain to hear you.

‘I don’t want to run it. I want to be in it” you demand.

Sejanus turns soft, cupping the side of your face and speaking softly to you.

“If I thought I could tell you, I would. You just need to trust me”, he responds.

“I do trust you. Whatever it is, I don’t care. Just let me face it with you”, you beg.

Coriolanus implores Sejanus to say no. Coriolanus didn’t want you anywhere near Sejanus’s mess. A sentiment that was seemed to be shared by Sejanus when he pulls you in for a kiss to avoid answering.

“I can’t be late”, he says before turning to slap Tam’s shoulder in thanks and following the boy back to the district.

“What was that about?” Coriolanus digs as you sit back down.

“You should know, he’s your best friend”.

You pick up a stick and dig it into the ground to ease your frustrations.

“You see him more than I do. Suppose there's no room for serious talk in secret lovers rendezvous” he says bitterly.

His words surprised you and you snapped your head towards him.

“Rendezvous? What do you mean? This is the first time I have seen him in weeks” you state.

It fills Coriolanus with pure joy. When he was picturing you locking lips and sharing promises with Sejanus, you were really far from him.

“What could he be doing?” he pestered.

Could this be his way in? A thread of distrust had started, all he needed to do was pull the string.

You turn back to the fire and hold yourself like Lucy-gray did, tight and in a ball.

He reaches out to place a hand on your knee in comfort.

“I am always here for you”, he promises, “If ever you want to talk”.

“Thanks” you return flat.

You are quiet on the walk back but fall in line with Coriolanus beside you. As soon as he is in familiar territory, he diverts you away from the group without a goodbye to the rest.

He ensures you get back to your side of the compound safe, and you go towards the gate robotically.

You stop and turn however, just as your body crosses the threshold.

“Whatever he is doing, Coriolanus, protect him” you command.

Coriolanus would sooner throw him to the dogs.

But you didn’t need a response, trusting him to do it anyway and returning to the compound.

When Coriolanus returns to his side he is greeted by senior peacekeepers closing in on him.

“Private Snow? Come with us” one of them said with a harsh shove forward.

With no choice he follows as they escort him to the commander's office.

Coriolanus had done all his chores, there was nothing he could get in trouble for. Yet, his nerves still rose the closer they got.

Was it bad news? Did Grandma’am die of shame?

The doors shut behind him solidifying his fear that it was a private conversation.

His Commander sits behind a desk, finishing the sentence on his paperwork before looking up.

Coriolanus goes to stand before him, giving the Commander a salut in recognition.

“Snow”, the older man address, “I have received the results from your aptitude tests”.

Was that all? Coriolanus groaned. Hardly something he had to be called upon for.

“Looked over your training records too. Your performance is exemplary”, he praises.

“Well half the other recruits can’t read, sir”, Coriolanus states.

The Commander scoffs, placing down the results and folding his hands on his desk.

“You’re General Crassus Snow’s boy. What did you do to end up here?” the commander questions.

Coriolanus was hoping no one would connect Coriolanus to the great house of snow. But now the cat was out of the bag, he had to own it.

“I made an enemy, sir. In the Capitol”, he answers.

The response impressed the Commander who smirked back.

“I’ve made a career out of ruining my enemies’ plans. I’m going to reassign you to officer training in District 2. You’ll earn a real wage, maybe even have another shot at the capitol one day”.

Coriolanus should be overjoyed but now that you were here it wasn’t enough time. The official assignment wasn’t for another few months. He was counting on the period between then to win you over.

The commander reaches for his official stamp and places it on the paper. This conversation had been a test for Coriolanus. One he hadn’t meant to ace.

“The train leaves in ten days. Keep a clean record, you’ll never see anyone from district 12 again”.

The certificate is held out but Coriolanus’s hands froze to take it.

“Is there something wrong? This is an honor, private, not an option”, he criticized.

“Yes, sir. Thank you”, Coriolanus agreed, “it’s just, there’s a nurse I have grown quite close to”.

The Commander grins back. Coriolanus wondered what he said that was so correct.

‘A nurse, ey”, he brings back his outstretched hand to write on the paper with his pen, “my wife was a nurse too”.

“You’ll have to make her your wife to stay together in district 2 but the Panem welcomes such news”. He holds out the paper again.

This time Coriolanus takes it, noticing the plus one on the ticket.

“Thank you, sir” he genuinely says.

The world had fallen into place. All he had to do was find a way to get rid of Sejanus then you would be forced to marry him.

You wouldn’t stay here by yourself. Your family has disowned you. Coriolanus would offer you a lifeline as his wife that you couldn’t refuse.

Coriolanus had ten days to figure out how to kill Sejanus and get away with it. He slept soundly that night with the thought of it.

—------------------------------

Taglist?

#coriolanus snow #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #dark!coriolanus snow #coriolanus x reader #commander snow #tom blyth #snow lands on top #dead dove do not eat

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artsninspo · 2 days ago

Text

003 | Richmond Inc.

「 ✦ full library & archive ✦ 」

「 ✦ aaron pierre & characters library ✦ 」

⇚ 002

♠ summary: The forced proximity of a Swiss work trip makes Lorence's attempts at evading Mr. Richmond more challenging. Their already tense dynamic becomes all the more challenging when she finds out when he thinks of her terms and requests.

♠ pairing: Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre - Rebel Ridge) X Lorence Cole (Black Fem OC)

♠ word-count: ~2.7K

⌖ - St. Moritz, Switzerland

I check my watch noting my pulse is exactly where I need it to be. I can feel the blood rushing through my limbs as I dismount from my inversion looking at brave skiers taking on the slopes. I remove my mouth tape and take a deep breath. An integral of this position is being remarkable while not standing out too much physically. I need endurance and strength without looking like I train for a few hours a day in the gym. Morning yoga is my personal maintenance. I look out ahead and breathe deeply while admiring the serenity of the Swiss Alps. I could get used to this. I think to myself revelling in the privilege of the experience. Continuing my deep breathing I click off the noise cancellation on my headphones allowing the world back in and hear running. Frowning, I turn and find the Boss on the treadmill running with a large barbell over his shoulders evenly weighted with large black disks on either side. What the hell!? I think looking away before stealing a glance at him barrelling through his run in the mirror. He moves effortlessly with the deathtrap hitched on his shoulders like he’s carrying five pound dumbbells and not over a hundred pounds while running moderately. Of his own free will!

Maniac, I mutter snapping out of my thoughts. I manage to gather my things quickly, tossing them into my bag before disinfecting the mat I used. The cadence of his steps changes as he slows maintaining a slower speed and I wonder how he hast stopped yet. This tortuous exercise would have already murdered me. I feel self conscious in an instant when I remember my hair is in heat less rollers under a satin scarf and curse myself for leaving my room in this presentation. Mr. Richmond provides a notable monthly stipend towards the maintenance and upkeep of his employees. My current appearance is a huge faux pas. Appearance is everything. Not in a homogenous and boring kind of way, but in an eclectic way we've got something for everyone, kind of way. I hardly look my part right now, I have never been in the presence of the boss without a face on. A bare face isn't something I’d usually be self-conscious about but around Mr. Perfect; I am.

The running stops and I’ve missed my window to leave without an interaction. He slows to a stop before putting down the weight. He’s barely sweating and not nearly exasperated enough to be fully human.

“Good morning” he calls over to me, his baritone reverberating through the empty gym.

“Good morning” I respond hoping he hasn’t put his contacts in since he isn’t wearing glasses but it’s a foolhardy wish for a man as prepared as him. My phone rings and I smile when I see my father has saved me from the beast.

“Hey Daddy” I smile, picking up.

“Hi my love, I was just heading to bed I hoped you’d be up on time” Dad says.

“I am, thanks. I just finished yoga” I explain using the opportunity to get my bag on and slip out from under the Bosses nose.

“What’s it like?” Dad asks and I wish he could see it for himself.

“Cold and gorgeous I’ll take lots of pictures when I get a chance.” I smile.

“Remember to take some time to see it, really see it and bring home fondue and chocolate for your mother and I” he adds.

“Chocolate, cheese and wine - got it. Mom won’t let me forget it. I’ll be through with her list” I tell him.

“Atta girl, well I’ll let you get ready. Call me if you need anything” daddy says as I pass the Boss.

“I will, thanks dad - see you soon” I tell him. He sends a kiss through the phone and I do the same making it out of the gym without having to make small talk with Mr. Richmond. Joel’s been on assignment and I haven’t heard a thing about my conditions. I move through the building heading back to my room to find the bed maid. I have a shower and spend more time than I should watching people ski down the mountain while doing my make up for the day. I spray perfume and then get dressed before packing a bag in case of any surprises. When I leave, people have already started breakfast. A chef is at work and names set out on serving cloches. I find mine and see a perfect breakfast respecting my dietary restrictions.

“Thank you chef” I smile, thanking the chef and he nods smiling back. I find a seat at the table in my own world as everyone partakes in conversation. I’m not a morning person and if I want my breakfast to settle I can’t be aggravated or anxious. The room is buzzing with good energy overall, everyone is excited to be in attendance. I’m anxious. Although I have no responsibilities this go round I like being in a conference room surrounded by computers being fed intel and finding a way through as opposed to being on the ground. We leave in groups, staggering our arrival times. Joel appears just as I’m about to get into my black truck. He smiles getting in with me.

“How are you?” You ask, getting on your seatbelt.

“This’ll take some adjusting to the timezone change & climate. I just finished a job in Australia - it’s summer there” he smiles.

“You know flying so much isn’t good for you.” I tell him.

“I know, I’m being rotated out for the next six months unless it’s eminent” Joel responds.

It’s great news. “I bet your kids will be happy”

“Not my wife though,” he mutters.

“I’m sure living with a hyper-vigilant, ex special forces nut isn’t easy” I tease and he chuckles.

“You’re supposed to be on my side” Joel remarks.

I give him a curt look. “I am on your side. You can’t do this forever. All your awards and accolades mean nothing without your family ensuring they’re celebrated and live on” I remind him.

Joel beams bright, “I forgot how much I missed you” he laughs, shaking his head dismissively at my sentimentality. I snap a few pictures of the mountains in genuine awe of their magnitude.

“This is the job, seeing the best the world has to offer” Joel says beside me.

“I know” I nod.

“The Boss didn’t agree,” Joel says, drawing my attention back to him. “Actually, he was pissed,” Joel says, shocking me. I give him a moment to tell me it's all a joke and when he doesnt my heart starts to race.

“Great” I sigh sarcastically.

“Offered you a $850k and an increased therapy stipend. You have until the end of the week to decide if the response is no, HR will terminate your employment.” Joel says looking guilty. Now, I’m really in shark infested waters.

“Joel!” I snap looking him over.

“Joel what, it’s practically a million dollars!” he shouts like he isn’t the one who secured my spot on the Bosses shit list.

“To be ripped into and harassed. You know he’s gonna make every penny worth his while” I snap.

“You run things by me and I’ll do my best to catch any infractions. He really isn’t as bad as you think.” Joel says and I sigh near tears. I’m going to be out of a job. I think to myself with closed eyes. Maybe if I can manage it for a year then I can quit a million dollars richer? Maybe I can train for the verbal berating? My thoughts run wild and I take deep breaths.

“I’m sorry” Joel says finally. I open my eyes before cutting them over to him. “I’ll be home so I’ll have all the time in the world to be on call” he reminds.

“Whatever” I snap folding my arms. “I’m still not convinced,” I confess.

“It’s more money than the average person makes in their lifetime in a year. Think of all the good you can do with it. Think of all the potential investors and philanthropists you can meet?” Joel starts and his training is showing. He’s appealing to the things I value most.

The car stops and he gets the door. I put my game face on exiting behind him. We blend in with the understated upper echelon. In the field, what Richmond inc. is second to none, I spot my colleagues discreetly blending in amongst the crowd. Unlike the serious and burly security guards that are easy targets we blend in. Offering safety in numbers as well as increased observation. For the more curious attendees at these kinds of things our menial titles make us all the more visible. Consultants and special advisors are of little importance in most cases as they are far from where the money resides.

Joel and I separate as he schmoozes. His cover is that he’s an elite protection dog breeder. As a senior agent and not executive I don’t have that kind of story but no one pries when I tell them I’m his assistant. I’m a woman so it’s believable. I look the part and a few of them look at me like I’m a meal. It’s nothing I’m not used to in a sea of powerful men. They flirt and I giggle but that’s all it’ll ever be. I know better and this group works hard and plays harder. Not to kink shame but the shit they’re into turns my stomach. There are few novelties when you have as much money as they do. I tread lightly and make my rounds schmoozing and farming potential clients away from other security firms who are too busy eye fucking me to realize I may be why they’re out a job. When the keynote begins the rotunda leans out. The centre’s workers have their way with the decadent charcuterie boards and excess wine while myself and a few of my colleagues file out into our waiting cars.

They go skiing once we get back but I get out my notebook weighing my options with Mr Richmond’s counter offer heavy on my mind. The blank page stares back at me as I make the pros and cons list. I decide to try my hand at positivity first. The pay, the travel, the potential to meet incredible people. I pause from writing and look up at the ceiling to think. The amenities, the accommodations, the new experiences. I continue with my list until I begin to draw blanks. Are they really even pros when I currently make more than I need not by a longshot and can afford to put myself in the position to enjoy everything listed? I groan, tearing the page and tossing it into the modern black stoned fireplace. I know the cons intimately. Chronic stress from existing under a microscope, anxiety that would snowball into a skewed self-perception about my value and what I deserve. Verbal tirades that would also be intimidating and dramatic because of how big the brute is. Turning my head I watch the paper burn and try to find alternatives. Perhaps exposure therapy? Only being tougher and having thicker skin is not something I aspire to at this time in my life. I’ve faced about fear to tack on another one for the sake of greed and prestige.

Disappointed greenish blue-grey eyes find me in my thoughts where they are unwelcome. It would be easier if he wasn't so damn handsome, then everyone would hate him and we wouldn't have to pretend he’s this pleasant person to be around. Maybe then, he’d be nicer too - or just normal instead of so abrasive.

What if I just ignore what Joel told me and continue in my current position? But that would only work until the Bosses patience runs out. All I’d need to do is stand my ground. I have half a decade of nearly perfect reviews to make being fired an unjust and unlawful termination. Unfortunately, being in a litigious battle with Mr. Richmond is a terrifying idea.

I decide to stop worrying and make the most of the present. I put on my base layer before my thermals and a snowsuit for my solo adventure up and down the slopes. I make sure I have everything before heading out of my room with a slightly awkward waddle. Smiling, I take a photo for my girls back home. My hair is braided and put away under a fleece hat to keep it from freezing. The elevator dings and I walk in before looking up. Big mistake. Just the man I want to avoid is the one standing in there with me.

“Lobby?” he asks and I nod swallowing my smile. I see the lobby button is already illuminated.

“Sir” I force a polite smile.

“Miss Cole” he nods back. It’s the first time I’ve regretted our penthouse accommodations. It's a long way down.

“Is Mr. Jameson back yet?” The Boss asks, referring to Joel.

“I believe he’s still at the convention,” I respond.

“Have you two had a chance to speak yet?” Mr. Richmond pries.

“About?” I ask as the elevator doors reopen.

“Well hello handsome” she says in full winter gear. Her husband shakes his head completely ignoring his wifes antics. Well, I assume he’s her husband. “Ooo wee, Earl don’t you think one of the girls would love him” she says, elbowing her husband who is clearly ready to be outside. But Earl chuffs committed to not looking up at Mr. Richmond and it amuses me - Earl and I are on the same page.

“Cheryl quit” he says instead with a thick southern american accent.

I stifle a giggle and he looks up at me with an annoyed smirk. He makes a talking gesture with his hand before pointing to his wife, who is still admiring Mr. Richmond. He motions that his Wife's talking too much like a kid sneakingly mocking their teacher in class.

“Forty five years and she’s always got new material” he whispers, reminding me of my own parents. THeir irritation with each other is always second to their love.

“I bet that keeps things interesting” I respond and his eyes light.

“You bet,” he laughs, highly amused.

“Now Earl, nothing she says could be that funny” she chides him as the elevator sounds and the doors open. Earl throws his hands up in defeat heading out first and Cheyl gives Mr. Richmond a wave. I use the confusion to my advantage putting on my gloves and heading to the chalet where snowboards can be rented. The Boss will have to schedule a meeting with me where I can be prepared. This ordeal is hardly an ad hoc conversation. I live below my means and take care of my people so the money doesn’t seduce me. I like nice things but I have more of them than I have time for right now. The money I have been squirrelling away was for travel with my family. My priority is to smell the roses with the people I love.

I’m modest with my ascend up the slopes and do a moderate slope instead of going all the way up the mountain. I snowboard down a few times before taking my daddy’s advice. I FaceTime him while enjoying swiss fondue. Momma makes sure I write down everything for her gastronomy blog and I take lots of photos. I return to the hotel with a box of goodies and the doorman rushes to help me with it. The common area has a sprinkle of people. We talk about the convention and the weather before turning in.

My nightly routine is still in place. Before winding down completely I do a final once over of my emails and make sure all is going well with my team while I am away. I’m about to close out of my emails when one comes in from the Boss. I swallow hard looking at the encrypted email and slam my laptop shut. I try decompressing by brushing my team only to check my work phone and see I have a 9:00 a.m meeting with the man himself tomorrow morning.

FUCK!

authors note: thanks for reading! I really hope you enjoyed this part, let me know what your favorite part was in the comments. Don't forget to like, comment, reblog and vote on the polls 🖤

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#aaron pierre x black reader #aaron pierre imagine #aaron pierre fanfic #aaron pierre #aaron fics #terry richmond x you #terry richmond x black oc #terry richmond imagine #terry richmond #terry richmond x black reader #rebel ridge fanfiction #rebel ridge #terry richmond x black female reader

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theocddiaries · 1 day ago

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[Minutes later, Ivo is still locked in the bathroom, crying inconsolably and loudly. Rouge and Shadow are on the couch, lounging and staring at the ceiling, she with her back against the couch, and he with his head in his hands] Robotnik: FORSAKEN! I'VE BEEN FORSAKEN! I AM LOVELEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESS! Shadow [through gritted teeth]: Rouge, tell him to shut up already. Rouge: Eggman, stop being so annoying! Robotnik [through sobs and hiccups]: Oh, sure! Ignore the drama! I’ll put duct tape over my mouth so I don’t bother you two with my broken heart’s laments! Shadow: The duct tape’s in the second drawer, thank you. [The front door opens abruptly, and both of them sit up tense. Abraham enters the house like a basilisk, followed by Knuckles and Sonic, trying to stop him] Abraham: What’s this about you going to a party!? Robotnik: God, the last one I needed: the tin soldier. Knuckles: Sorry, Rouge, I thought he knew! Shadow [to Rouge]: Didn’t you take away his keys?! You all come in like this is a free-for-all! Abraham: Rouge, I thought you were going to come have dinner with me so I wouldn't spend the night alone! Shadow: When was that decided?! Robotnik: Well, too bad, 'cause they’re going to a party and leaving me alone! Sonic: Why is that man yelling in the bathroom??? Shadow: Why do you think? Rouge, because of these messes, I’ve been telling you, you need to get a planner! Rouge: Stop with the planner! Are you getting commission for recommending them?! Knuckles: But, who are we going to have dinner with? I’m getting confused. Robotnik: You’re having dinner with everyone except me! Sonic: Don't you think there's a reason why? Shadow: Don’t destabilize him even more! Sonic: Has he ever been stable? Rouge: People, calm down, it's okay! Robotnik: No, it’s not okay! Abraham: I’ve got the turkey ready to go! How could you do this? Shadow: Abraham, don’t start with the victim act. Robotnik [sniffs]: I feel so alone… Shadow: YOU STOP IT , TOO! Rouge: Look, we’re all adults here. Our plan is to go to Amy’s party. Yours can be whatever you want. Period! [Everyone goes silent except for Eggman, who continues sobbing from the bathroom] Abraham: Well, hm, I’ll go buy a quail because the turkey is too much for me alone… Happy New Year, guys. Robotnik: Happy New Year, Abraham, darling. [Abraham leaves the house. The couples exchange a look. Knuckles rubs Rouge's arm] Sonic [goes to hug Shadow by the shoulders]: Thank goodness, it was about time you two stood your ground. They always do whatever they want with you. Rouge: I actually feel sorry for them… Shadow: I mean, we can always go to Amy’s party after twelve-- [As on cue, Eggman comes out of the bathroom and Abraham re-enters the house] Robotnik: Of course! Abraham: We’ll have dinner together and then you can do whatever you want! Sonic [to Shadow]: Softie, you're nothing but a softie. Robotnik: I’ll cook! I’ll make my coq au vin for you! Abraham: No, no, I’ll cook. I already have the turkey. Robotnik: You can choke on that stupid turkey for all I care. Abraham: Hey, don't you dare insult my family’s turkey! [pulls his mustache] Robotnik: Not the mustache, not the mustache! [grabs his hair] [They fight and fall to the floor, continuing there] Knuckles [sighs]: This reminds me of the holidays I used to spend with my tribe.

Part 1

#incorrect quotes #sth #sonic the hedgehog #shadow the hedgehog #rouge the bat #abraham tower #commander tower #knuckles the echidna #sonic #sonic fandom #ivo robotnik #dr robotnik #dr eggman #knuxouge #sonadow

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lukeynewtssimp · 3 days ago

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When Nic is out and about with her bf all I see from Lukolas is pure hate and disdain for them both. It’s only now that the man brought out his gf that suddenly everyone is okay with it. Does that seem like equal treatment to you? Where was your defense before this?

You’re happy and proud of him for finally claiming her but where is the happiness for Nic? I’m still talking about Lukolas in general.

Do you not see the people saying he’s finally with someone well matched with him? And when people said the same hateful things after premiere night because of that stunt where was the support for Nic? You think his choices didn’t affect her, whether it was intentional or not?

This side of the fandom is extremely male-centered and you just don’t want to admit it. I am still very much hoping to be proved wrong in the future.

Wow okay there is a lot to unpack here.

Let me start by saying that my blog is very new. I only started posting like a month or so ago so excuse me for my lack of defence back when Nic apparently “needed” it.

Neither of them “need” anybody to defend them lol. We don’t get brownie points for proving we are their number one fan. They literally have no fucking clue who I am and don’t care to find out either. I just use my platform to express my love for the people I am a fan of and the things I am passionate about and to express my frustration at things and behaviours that annoy me. That’s the point of having a personal blog.

idk how to make it any clearer. Like it’s literally in my username, yea I am a fan of Nicola too but I’m a bigger fan of Luke. We all have our faves so I don’t get why you’re so angry that Luke is mine.

Yes I see the very small number of people making comments like that about Antonia looking good next to Luke or whatever. I choose to ignore it because I have seen a very small number of these comments and me talking about it would only amplify these pathetic people’s voices. I obviously do not agree with this take. It is rooted in fatphobia and those people can say whatever they want but they do not speak for Luke or Nic.

Nic is not some self conscious young girl waiting for a man to notice how beautiful she is. The fact that you think Luke’s decisions about who he’s dating affected her, then you’re the problem. You’re the one painting Nicola as this desperate girl crying for attention. Nic is a confident and very sexy woman and she fucking owns it and knows it. She literally ruled 2024 and has gained so much popularity last year as she deserves. And you know what? Luke knows it too and that man, unlike what you and other people think, is not and was never ashamed to show that he’s attracted to her and finds her beautiful and sexy and smart and talented. He’s not the most talkative when it comes to that stuff, that man literally blushes at everything. But his actions speak louder than his words. Just because he is dating a woman who doesn’t look like Nic does not mean he does not find Nic attractive and it also does not mean he rejected Nic by doing so.

As @jenhack beautifully put in the comments: Nic is not bothered! She is busy talking to other SAG nominees and being lauded by her peers. She does not need to, or have to be defined by any man she is connected with.

Crazy Lukolas do not only hate on Jake and Nic but they also hate on Luke and Antonia. Have you seen all the nasty stuff they have called this poor girl?

Sorry this has been very long but I just need everybody to stop projecting their hurt feelings and traumas on Nicola and Luke PLEASE!

PS: the “you” is not just aimed at you specifically anon, but everybody who agrees with that discourse of Luke hurting Nic by dating another woman and taking her to the premieres that I am tired of hearing about. And let’s not forget Nic took Jake to that premiere too…

#stop projecting #just my opinion

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honeyhotteoks · 15 hours ago

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i never thought i'd be alive to see my man yunho show this much skin...

how are we doing miss chai? was your day memorable? your coffee warm enough? was this yunho treat enough to pull you through the week? i need thoughts on his UNBELIVABLE acting out bc im clearly not coping well

✨anon

ohhhhh ✨ anon you know me so well.

so how am i doing….. i’m actually amazing - my skin is clear, my bed was warm, my coffee is perfectly delicious. i’m in eastern time usa for those who don’t already know, so i was settling down on my couch with my coffee and my ipad, ready to scroll the news and twitter and then i got the notification…. and i could see in the thumbnail yunho was shirtless, and the rest, as they say, was a totalfuckingblackout i freaked out and threw my phone.

this yunho was definitely enough to pull me through the week though, i’m absolutely going to watch this every time work tests my patience because he’s seriously setting my monday up and my week up for something good.

but i actually do have so many thoughts about this as your resident yunho analyzer…. so if anyone’s interested:

During this Europe tour, three interesting things happened where it came to Yunho showing more skin. First, he did not go to the pool but did joke around with atiny on live who said he should have gone / were joking around about pool pics. Second, he showed up on that live in a tank top and was a little embarrassed about showing too much skin, but then when atiny assured him they’ve seen the same from other members, he said he’d remember that and to be more comfortable with atiny. Third…. his costumes for Europe tour have increasingly started to show more chest which is something he’s always been a little shy about, but especially since the Guerrilla wardrobe malfunction a while back. There’s the lace up white shirt of course, but his Silver Light white shirt is more unbuttoned than I’ve ever seen, and he’s no longer wearing a black turtleneck underneath the purple crushed velvet jacket that had the malfunction.

Next, I’ll mention in the recent voice live he was talking about skincare and his shower routine / hair routine because he had a break out, and was just kind of rambling about it and answering questions. At some point in this live he was like…. ah is this too much / not interesting? and apologized, but atiny encouraged him to keep sharing, they like that kind of thing etc. and were curious about what products he uses and his routine.

NOW take all of that information, and remember that Yunho historically does not show a lot of skin but does occasionally like to be a little extra (whether it’s the booty work tiktok, some of his cheekier boyfriend content etc., sometimes he just gets in the mood to show off)

So whenever he’s feeling like this he usually posts something boyfriendy or hiphop dance content, but I genuinely think he’s been live a ton lately and communicating with atiny a lot, and this was kind of swirling around - the idea that he has quite a modest persona combined with atiny pushing him to be himself more / be more comfortable.

I genuinely, genuinely believe he got a little jealous that everyone was talking about other members. We know he’s probably the most jealous one in ateez, the most possessive over his fans, and while yes…. that’s fanservice and he’s very good at it, I always see a nugget of truth in it when you watch his expressions on lives and stuff.

HOWEVER - Yunho is also not the type to post an outward thirst trap where like…. skin is showing. I think it makes him uncomfortable full stop, which is why people have been very respectful of him not showing too much skin / not circulating the wardrobe malfunction video etc. I think he likes the teasing elements (like when he checked if he had abs after Mingi’s photo shoot) but a lot of that reads slightly impulsive because he’s a little jealous and a little attention starved when his fans eyes start to wander.

So this video is the perfect middle. It’s boyfriend content, it’s soft content, it’s arguably not sexual in nature AT ALL and yet it’s the first time we’ve really seen his chest to this degree. He’s giving fans something they were asking for while sating his own desire for some amount of attention, and doing it in a way that I can only presume he’s way more comfortable with versus like…. shirtless bathroom pics / gym pics / dancing in something revealing etc.

He’s somehow struck the modest and showing off line so perfectly

I guess this is all to say….. Yunho is so fucking good at his job. He’s extremely attentive to what fans are saying and asking for, and he always leans into those things. Part of that is fan service and engagement, that would be natural for anyone making money off their persona or social media, but I also think some of this is just Yunho. It’s clear he enjoys connections with fans, showing off to them and being there for them, and some of his true personality is bound to bleed into that content.

I’ve also heard from him and other members that he’s one of the more “persona-less” members of Ateez. He’s not that different off camera, and I think that says something about these moments of content.

I think we can safely assume Yunho is that guy… he’s kinda dorky, kinda goofy, super fucking sweet, thoughtful, and LISTENS, and he also understands that appeal. He knows the boyfriend content is something he’s personally okay with and his fans love, because he understands it. He understands that some level of sexiness and skin is both appealing and effective, and he uses it sparingly and at the right times, often without being overtly sexual and more just being himself, which is the ultimate form of boyfriend content after all.

Anyways…. that’s my brain rot on yunho for the day. I’m here to say, this man knows what his fans want and knows how to deliver within boundaries HE is comfortable with and I think that’s really commendable. I’m also just further and further convinced that he’s a good guy who’s only real “fault” is an aries jealous streak and good lord we aren’t complaining out here about that when he shows up doing shit like this.

#answered anon #✨ anon #yunho brain rot

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bluebirdinhissky · 10 hours ago

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Emotional support for Chan.

Bang Chan x reader.

Bird note: Today’s Chan’s 🫧 messages made me want to hug him and just give him all the comfort he needs. MDNI!!, NSFW!!, 18+.

The world felt quieter in the safety of your bed, wrapped in the warmth of Bang Chan’s arms. The dim glow from the bedside lamp bathed his face in soft light, casting gentle shadows that accentuated the exhaustion etched into his features. He was shirtless, his bare skin radiating heat against your own, and his arms were locked tightly around you, as if afraid you’d slip away.

His head rested on your chest, rising and falling with your breathing. Every few moments, he’d tighten his hold on you, letting out deep sighs, his body tense even in your embrace. You ran your fingers through his curls, combing them back soothingly, waiting for him to speak.

“I hate people.” His voice was quiet but firm, tickling your skin.

You blinked, caught off guard by the sudden confession. “What?”

“I hate people,” he repeated, shifting slightly so his chin rested on your chest and he could look up at you. His brown eyes, usually warm, were clouded with frustration. “They’re selfish. They take and take, and they never think about how much it costs someone else.”

You knew what this was about. The endless pressure. The expectations. The criticism. The way he poured every ounce of himself into his music, into Stray Kids, into making Stay happy, only to be met with negativity sometimes. It wasn’t often that he let the weight of it show, but tonight, he wasn’t trying to hide it.

“I don’t hate everyone though” he amended, his voice softening as he nuzzled against you again. “I love SKZ. And I love Stay.” He hesitated, then, as if the words had been on the tip of his tongue for a while, he murmured, “And I love you.”

Your breath hitched. He said it so naturally, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Your hand stilled in his hair, heart pounding. “Chan…”

He sighed, burrowing deeper against you, his arms tightening around your waist. “Don’t overthink it. I love you,” he repeated, pressing a lingering kiss to your collarbone. “You’re the only one who makes me feel like I can just… be. No pressure. No expectations. Just me.”

You swallowed, warmth spreading through your chest. “You can always just be with me.”

“I know,” he whispered. Then, as if he needed to shake off the heaviness of the moment, his lips curled into a smirk. “That’s why I need my emotional support boobs.”

You barely had time to process his words before his hands slid under your shirt, cupping your breasts with a greedy squeeze.

“Chan!” You let out a mix between a laugh and a gasp, shoving at his shoulders.

“What?” He looked up at you with faux innocence, fingers kneading shamelessly. “You don’t understand. I need them.”

“You do not.”

“I do,” he insisted, shifting so he was hovering over you slightly. “Look at me. I’m a broken man. The world is cruel, and I am but a weary traveler in need of comfort.” His grip tightened, and his lips brushed against your collarbone again. “And these” he gave another squeeze for emphasis “are the only thing keeping me sane.”

“You’re insufferable,” you muttered, though the warmth in your cheeks betrayed you.

“And you love it,” he countered smoothly. His thumbs traced slow circles against your skin, his touch lazy and indulgent. His eyes darkened slightly as he watched you, and his smirk widened. “Mmm, they’re so soft… I could fall asleep like this.”

“Chan…” You meant to sound exasperated, but his weight pressing against you, the teasing glint in his eyes, the way he was so unapologetically needy it was making it hard to think straight and instead came out as a moan.

“Hm?” He feigned innocence, tilting his head slightly. “Do you want me to stop?”

You hesitated for a fraction of a second too long. His smirk deepened.

“Thought so.” He shifted even closer, his breath warm against your skin. “I love you, you know.”

Your heart ached at the raw honesty in his voice. You cupped his face, guiding him up so you could meet his gaze properly. “I love you too.”

His eyes softened, and for a moment, he just looked at you, like he was memorizing everything about this moment. Then he let out a dramatic sigh and dropped his head back onto your chest.

“Good,” he mumbled against your skin. “Now, hold still while I get comfortable.” His hands resumed their place on your chest, squeezing lazily as he let out a contented hum.

You rolled your eyes, but you didn’t push him away. If this was what he needed to forget about the world for a little while, then you’d let him have it.

After all, who were you to deny Bang Chan his emotional support boobs?. Tonight, there was no holding back. You were right here with him, in his arms, and the world outside didn’t matter anymore.

You feel the weight of his eyes on your skin as his lips trail down your neck. His hands, warm and firm, move to cup your breasts, squeezing gently in a way that makes your pulse quicken.

His touch feels so familiar, yet it still sends a shiver down your spine, making you arch into him. You’ve always felt safe in his arms, but tonight, it’s something more. Something deeper.

“I love these,” he mutters against your skin, his lips brushing over the curve of your breast before his fingers begin to knead gently. “So soft. So perfect.”

A breath catches in your throat at his words, your body betraying you as you feel heat flood your chest. You try to look away, but there’s something in his gaze, something possessive that holds you captive.

“I’m yours, Chan,” you whisper, your voice barely audible, but he hears it. His grip tightens, and he smiles against your skin.

“You’re perfect,” he murmurs, kissing your hard nipples, sending a tremor through your entire body. His hands slide lower, tracing the waistband of your panties, and then back up again. He’s taking his time, savoring every moment, every inch of you.

“Let me have this,” he whispers against your skin, his fingers skillfully pulling your panties down while your hands find their way to his hair, fingers tugging him closer.

He brings his mouth close to your core without hesitation, he kisses you there, soft and deep, his fingers opening you as if he’s trying to taste every part of you. His other hand is pulling you even closer to him.

“I need you” His voice is rough against your wetness, his breath hot and needy. “I need you more than you could ever know.”

His words stir something deep within you, and you find yourself responding to him in ways you didn’t think possible. His fingers move inside of you, teasing, he traces your folds with a tenderness that makes your breath catch in your throat.

You can’t stop the moans that escape your lips when his tongue finds your spot, pressing soft kisses. It’s like he knows exactly how much pressure you can handle, to leave you breathless and craving more.

“You’re everything I need,” he says, his voice heavy with emotion. His fingers fuck you deeper as if to prove it. Your hands tug at his hair, making him bury his face deeper in you. You feel like you’re melting beneath him, like there’s nothing but the two of you in this space.

He takes his time, pressing gentle kisses against your spot, as if savoring every moment, every moan that escapes your lips. His other hand is reaching up to one of your breasts, squeezing, caressing your body as if he can’t get enough.

You’re losing yourself in him, in the way his skillful tongue never leaves your pussy, in the way his fingers fit so good inside of you, in the way his voice rumbles against you as he breathes your name. There’s nothing else, nothing outside of this room, nothing but him and you.

“I want you,” he growls, his voice low, full of need. And you feel it—every word, every touch. You can’t deny it anymore.

And in that moment, you realize that tonight, nothing else matters. Just him. Just you.

#stray kids #skz #skz bang chan #christopher bang #chris bang #bang chan #skz chan #chan #bang chan x reader #smut

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arannellahowlett · 2 days ago

Text

Something's Not Right

Note: So this was actually half done when it was requested by someone so here we are...I hope you brought tissues. Song used for inspiration was Something's Not Right by Lilly Allen. I hope this is angsty enough for those who were looking for it..

Warnings: child loss, angst

Summary: Kyle gets a call that his wife has been rushed to the hospital...

“Sergeant Garrick, my name is Maddison, I’m a nurse at Royal London Hospital, your wife Y/N was brought in about 10 minutes ago, is there anyway that you can get here and quickly?” Came the soft voice of the stranger on the other side of the phone. A voice that he would undoubtedly remember for the rest of his life.

They wouldn’t let him drive himself, Price had taken his keys to his SUV and got in the driver’s seat. Soap and Ghost refused to stay behind and hopped in the back seat without a word. Kyle sat silently watching out the window, scenery passing by, but he didn’t really see anything, he was too lost in his thoughts. The nurse, after confirming that Kyle was in fact on his way, had gone on to explain what was happening, and it terrified him.

Y/N had been on her way to meet a friend for lunch, leaving the house and heading for the subway. Two men had been arguing near the steps down to the platform, shoving each other, and one horribly timed push later. Y/N was tumbling down the steps, her 7-month pregnant belly taking the brunt of it. His usually steady hands are shaking where they rest on his thighs. He tries not to think of what could happen. Everything was going to be fine.

Kyle was out of the car and running before it had even stopped, people staring at him as he ran through the halls of the hospital in his tactical gear, they had been running drills, and he hadn’t stopped to change. He managed to find the emergency department without too much trouble and approached the reception desk. A tired, older looking nurse with greying hair observed the man for a moment, trying to gauge how this was going to go, she’d seen many a time where families had rushed in and been downright hostile.

“Someone called me. Maddison? My wife, Y/N Garrick was brought in, maybe 45 minutes ago? Can I see her?”

The nurse’s eyes widened. She knew exactly who Y/N was because her arrival had caused quite a stir. She took a breath and motioned for him to follow her. “Come with me,”

The nurse led him to a little sitting room off to one side…a very, private room. Once he was in the room, the nurse spoke again. “Please wait here, I am going to grab her nurse.”

Kyle nodded, taking off his cap and running a hand through his short hair. Before the nurse went out of the room, he called out to her. “I have some friends who are with me, can they be brought back?” The nurse had stopped, turning back to him she nodded before disappearing around the corner. Kyle was pacing the room when she came back with the team, the three men sharing a look when they realized that a private waiting area wasn’t a good sign.

They waited in silence, Soap sitting in the corner, legs and arms crossed, anxiously pulling at the tools on his utility belt. John was seated across from him, watching Kyle pace, and Ghost was leaning against the wall, close to the door with his arms crossed. It wasn’t long before another nurse arrived, this one younger but looking just as tired, if not more so. Kyle stopped his pacing immediately. She looked around the room at each of the men.

“Sergeant Garrick?” She asked, needing to confirm just who the husband in question was. She had a good idea by the pacing but needed to be sure. When he nodded to her, she took a deep breath. “I’m Maddison. I think you should sit.”

That’s not a good sign he thought but did as he was told. “When can I see my wife?”

“It really should be a doctor speaking with you right now…but he can’t.” Maddison sighed before sitting across from him. “Y/N is in surgery right now. When she was pushed, her front took the brunt of things…the impact caused a placental abruption.” She waited for it to sink in before continuing. “This means, that the placenta has torn away from the uterus and has caused extensive bleeding. The doctor is one of the best in the world and he’s doing all he can to save her.

Kyle turned to look at Maddison, his face tense. “Her? Not them?” He’d picked up on it right away, the whole team had.

Maddison nodded sadly; this wasn’t going to be easy. “W-when your wife was brought in, she had already lost so much blood, and the baby was without oxygen for too long. When we did our initial testing, it indicated that the baby had passed.” Maddison paused. “I am so sorry; I know this is hard.”

Kyle swore his own heart had stopped. Just this morning he had been cuddling with Y/N, talking to the bump, excited for their future, for the daughter who would complete their family. A future that was brutally ripped from him and now Y/N was fighting for her life as well. He covered his face with his hands for a moment, feeling all eyes in the room on him. He took a deep breath before looking up at the nurse.

“Does she know?” He had to know what he was in for when she came out of surgery.

Maddison shook her head. “No, she was unconscious when she came in. I’m sorry I know nothing I say right now is going to make this better. I need to check on some patients, if you need anything, just pop out to the desk and they’ll grab me, as soon as I hear something I will let you know.” With that Maddison gone, Kyle was sure he saw her wiping her eyes as she went.

Kyle stared at the spot that she had just left. He had so many thoughts running through his head. Price and Soap were talking to him, but he couldn’t hear them. Instead, he was focused on how he was going to tell his wife that their baby was gone…and if he ever saw the man that pushed her, well he was going to wish that he’d never been born. He stayed lost in his thoughts for what felt like in reality it was just over two hours.

Another nurse came to update him. Y/N had pulled through surgery was now in a private room on one of the surgical floors. The team left for the night, giving their condolences. Price promised to stop by when he was given the go ahead, knowing that the support was going to be needed. Soap was going to drop off some clothes for him.

Kyle slowly made his way to the room, stopping outside the door. He didn’t go in right away. Instead, he stood tense, looking in the small window. He couldn’t see much, just the window and the bottom of the bed. He took a breath before pushing the door open. Y/N looked tiny in the bed, she was asleep, pale, a heart monitor beeping and an IV one with medication and another bag with blood. There was a chair next to the bed and he pulled it close so that he could sit next to the bed, taking her hand in his, his eyes went to her stomach where just 8 hours ago their child had been comfortably growing. It didn’t look much different, had he not known, he would think that she was still pregnant.

Kyle didn’t know how long that he sat there watching her, never letting go of her hand. He took in the bruises on her arms, her face and God only knew where else he would find bruises on her. He watched as she slowly started to stir, her eyes flickering under her closed eyelids and a groan coming from her. He squeezed her hand, letting her know that he was there. When her eyes were finally open, he could see the confusion as they finally were able to focus. She looked around the room before her eyes landed on his face.

“Kyle? W-what happened?” She was scared, he could tell. He squeezed her hand again, standing to lean over her and gently pressing a kiss on her forehead, smoothing her hair out. He took a deep breath before speaking.

“What do you remember love?” He needed to know so he could gauge how to handle the situation.

Y/N sat silently for a moment. “We got up, you showered, I made breakfast, you went to work, and I was going for lunch with Carrie.” Her eyes widened “Oh my god I fell…”

Kyle sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed and shook his head. “No love, you were pushed, went all the way down the tube stairs.” He watched the emotions flicker on her face, the shock turning into panic as her hands went to her stomach.

“K-Kyle? Is the baby okay.” He closed his eyes for a moment, resting his head against hers and wrapping his arms around her. How was he supposed to tell her?

“Sweetheart, I don’t…” He took a breath before cupping her cheek and turning her face to look at him. She knew he could tell by the look in her eyes. “I-I’m sorry love, we lost her.”

The wail that left his wife didn’t sound human. His heart clenched at the sounds and all he could do was hold her as she sobbed against him. Kyle wasn’t sure how long they stayed like that. He didn’t know what to say, what to do, so he just held her.

What seemed like hours later, a nurse came to check on Y/N. The nurse was quiet, checking her vitals. Before leaving the nurse hesitated for a moment. “I don’t know if anyone has offered…but if you want to see your daughter, we can bring her in. Normally you’d get to right away but with the surgery…”

Kyle felt guilty immediately. Not once had he thought about seeing his daughter. He was about to ask if they could have a few minutes, but Y/N spoke up. “Please, I need to see her.” It came out as barely a whisper, but she could be heard.

The nurse nodded, promising to return as soon as she could. Kyle held her close, concerned but also anxious to see their child. It wasn’t long before the nurse came back, carrying a tiny, wrapped bundle. Y/N bit her lip, fighting back tears but reaching out. Kyle held his breath as his wife took their baby into her arms, gently pulling the blanket away from the tiny face. He didn’t know why he did it, but he pulled out his phone, taking a few photos of them together without her knowing, Y/N’s focus being completely on the still baby in her arms. She had pulled the baby as close to her as she could, her forehead nearly touching the baby’s.

“I am so, so sorry baby girl, mama couldn’t protect you and now you don’t even get a chance…” she said, her heart breaking even further. “Mama loves you Cassidy, so much.”

Kyle, who had yet to allow himself to cry, felt the burning in his nose as tears tried to make their way out. “It’s not your fault love, not even a little.” He managed to choke out, he reached out, running a finger down the baby’s tiny cheek. “She’s…perfect.”

Y/N looked at him, her eyes full of tears again, she reached up resting her hand on his face. “She is…” She looked down at the baby again. “She has your stupidly perfect nose and chin.”

Kyle stared at Cassidy. Yes, she did have his nose and chin, but she had Y/N’s lips, her heart-shaped face, her hair, that was all Y/N. Y/N held the baby out to him, and he hesitated for a moment before taking her into his arms. She was so tiny, but so perfect. With her in his arms he finally broke, clutching her to his chest he let the tears fall, he buried his face into the bundle in his arms and sobbed, his body shaking. Y/N’s heart broke further, her strong, unflappable husband was crumbling to pieces in front of her and there was nothing she could do to fix it. She leaned against him, feeling one of his arms going around her shoulders, pulling her close so that they could cry together.

The nurse, who had silently returned to check on the broken family, slowly backed out of the room, closing the door behind her. She’d come back later. The family had a very long road ahead and she hoped that they had the support that they would need to get through this tragedy.

#kyle garrick x reader #kyle garrick x y/n #kyle garrick angst

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ceedak · 1 day ago

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can we get a ceedak timeline 🤔 i feel like there’s a lot idk abt them fr 😭😭

yes u absolutely can i could talk about them forever and ever 🥳🥳

disclaimer: i do wanna say this is just from what i’ve gathered because i didn’t become super fixated on nfl rpf until last year </3 one day i’ll do a legit deep dive like an insane person and update with all my findings…

second disclaimer: im delusional yes and a part of me straight up thinks that they’ve had to have hooked up at least once bc i love to psychoanalyze people i'll never meet but i’ll make sure to say when i’m being fully delusional KSDJFHSKDS

putting it under a read more because i’m sure it’ll be much longer than necessary

also i will reblog this and add links to some videos!!

SO before i get into like when ceedee was drafted and such i wanna talk about how invisible string coded they are because i love shit like this sm

both were born in louisiana only about an hour and a half apart from each other until ceedee moved to texas as a child after hurricane katrina hit (he’s said he’s moved around a couple of times as kid in interviews before)

dak went to mississippi st. in college and ceedee’s dream school was LSU (rival colleges… 🚬) but he had committed to oklahoma (also they wouldn’t have met or anything in college anyway because dak was drafted in 2016 and ceedee started playing in college in 2017 but i digress it makes my brain light up anyway lol)

when dak was drafted he was projected to go like late second round/early third round of the draft but 🗿 he got into some trouble beforehand (driving under the influence) and ended up falling to the 4th round (after the front office kept trying to trade up to get a different backup QB)

dak also had to compete for his spot as a backup and was named starter after romo was injured in 2016. this was dak’s rookie year and he led them to the playoffs - almost to the nfc championship game. after this he basically took the job from romo

okay so FAST FORWARD to the 2020 draft. ceedee was projected to go top 10 and he fell all the way to SEVENTEEN so the cowboys were able to grab him then (drafted bpa instead of for need)

idk all of this is just very <333 to me that so many things managed to fall into place just right and they managed to find each other on the same team out of THIRTY TWO teams it makes me weeeep 🤧 also just something else that i think is very cute because i truly am a little insane: ceedee was born april 8th and dak’s jersey number is 4 and ceedee’s is 88 so 4/8 ALL THE DOTS CONNECT SOMEHOW…

so we’ll go through a teensy bit about dak i suppose and then ceedee this won’t be too long

dak: baby of his family and has two brothers. his parents divorced when he was little and he was very close with his mom before she passed away in 2013 (he’s started a foundation since then for cancer research and suicide prevention/mental health). went to mississippi st, cowboys starter his rookie year, etc etc. he also lost his brother to suicide in 2020 and he’s said before he feels a responsibility to live on and carry his and his mom’s legacy throughout his life. he’s like suuuuuper underrated in the league i feel and a lot of cowboys fans are complete assholes to him all the time it makes me so mad cos they could literally never ever make me hate him - he makes me so weepy 😭😭😭 umm but yeah he’s donated a ton to children cancer funds too and donated during BLM protests and things like that - he won the walter payton man of the year award. he just had a baby and got engaged in october (remember for the yaoi LOL) ok im gonna stop here cause i don’t wanna rant too much lol

btw i know what you are dak prescott:

ceedee: MY BELOVED… my favorite my absolute favorite. he has two brothers and two little sisters. idk if he’s the eldest or not tbh i see different things all the time that he’s the second eldest whatever not that important i guess. so blah blah college blah blah - he wears 88 on the team because that’s considered really special to the cowboys franchise and is reserved for elite receivers. idk he’s the most beautiful man ever and he does a lot of donating too - i know he participates in a lot of football youth camps a lot to help kids out and he likes to provide meals to families around thanksgiving and christmas time. a loooot of cowboys fans have criticized him for not being that much of a leader and pouting a lot on the sidelines (which he does sometimes… my mimir) but i think this last season he’s reaaaaallyyy taken a step into more of a leader type position especially with dak being out and he’s proven himself more than enough. he LOOOVES spending money on clothes it’s so cute… gonna be a sad day when the class war happens and i’m faced with cedarian lamb. ummm i also legit think he’s gay and closet is made of glass but whatever

see this is the problem i never stfu but okay CEEDAK what you actually asked about ksjdksjdks

PRE-2020 SEASON: this was before ceedee was drafted (some stuff i found last night) and this is what i mean when i say i haven’t done like a deep dive into these things bc i’m sure there’s soo much more but this kinda gives the general vibes

“I was like a little kid at the playground,” CeeDee tells us. (on the first time Dak texted him to invite him over to his house, says it was surreal.) august 21, 2020

and i actually hunted the exact clip down where he says this: (will reblog with link - skip to 4:25 he talks for like a minute or so - sorry the audio’s funky it’s because of covid so all the reporters weren’t in the room i’m pretty sure) DELUSIONS: you can’t tell me ceedee wasn’t nursing a crush here idgaf

2020 SEASON:

ceedee’s rookie year

personal stuff happened with dak before the season started - this is when he lost his brother to suicide and he’s been really outspoken about mental health since then. on top of that he broke his ankle during week 5 of the season (and tried to snap it back into place by himself on the field). dak was performing on like a sort of insane level before the injury happened so </3 what could’ve been and all that… the what-ifs of it all… so that year they weren’t able to play together as much

Oct 11, 2020: “CeeDee Lamb said he texted Dak as soon as he got out of the shower. Thanked him for everything he’s done for him and they were gonna hold it down for him until they see him on the field again.” (after the game dak got hurt in)

POST 2020 SEASON:

"He came back from his second surgery about two months ago so he’s walking around, rehabbing, doing everything right," Lamb said Wednesday. "It’s great to see, especially when you seen him go down. You saw the look in his eyes and you saw how sad he was and how much this game meant to him. Just to see him smiling again, happy again, being with his guys is a great deal."

"First day he kind of caught me by surprise with his arm strength," Lamb said. "He knows the little nuances of the game to be better. He makes it easy to follow him, if you will."

2021 SEASON

ceedee’s second year, he was in a WR room with amari cooper (currently on the bills) and michael gallup (now retired) blah blah season happened whateverrrr but AFTER this season the front office (i’ll always be mad about this lol) traded amari to the browns for a 5th round pick 💀 hence THIS!!! which i consider the #Real beginning of ceedak:

“Dak Prescott asked for CeeDee Lamb’s locker to be moved next to his: ‘My two other locker mates left, so I was a little lonely. With him being young, hopefully he’s my WR until I’m done playing. Just bring him closer, more conversations, he’s right there to talk and communicate.’”

said he had no doubt ceedee could become his "main guy"

here’s some fun stuff i found from 2021 too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3hCmIZN-YI&ab_channel=DallasCowboys (7 min mark this was after a game winning td in overtime against new england)

“CeeDee Lamb on game-winning 35-yard TD: ‘It was the best feeling ever, honestly.’”

2022 SEASON:

https://youtu.be/T73xGDsFiVo?si=Qn_dwK1yfnHPiMya talks about dak here at 7:50 “all i need is him” 🤧

he’s actually said this a couple times lol he says shit like “we’re all we got” about each other - he’s said it this most recent season too so <3

dak injured his thumb this season though so he was out for like 7 weeks i think i can’t remember off the top of my head lol but again another season where they didn’t get to play much together

fun 2022 stuff:

“Last year, Cowboys caked Dak in the face on the field for his 28th birthday. On his 29th today, CeeDee told us they planned to do the same in the locker room. Hoped Dak would think he was safe after no cake on the field, and then locker room ambush.”

“Scene here: Dak was talking to us at his locker. CeeDee walks past wearing metallic red lens sunglasses indoors and eating chicken. Says the key to following up ass-kicking is ‘keep kicking ass.’”

“Dak on CeeDee’s vibe: Yeah, cool as hell - says ‘keep kicking ass’ while he’s eating.”

“Dak Prescott walked by during our interview with CeeDee Lamb - QB1: CeeDee’s that dude! / WR1: Happy birthday, Dak!”

link posted in reblog: skip to 2:30 he almost says he loves dak lol also very

2023: THE SEASON OF CEEDAK!!!

https://youtu.be/7_WRIzb5fPA?si=R0TETc2qtW0IOP5P the infamous "was gonna take him out for dinner tonight" clip is from this aka what got me hooked on ceedak lol (this interview is just so good in general i love ceedee sm - def recommend watching! such a nice look at his personality)

this is where my delusions take over i deadass think they hooked up at LEAST once around this time lol maybe end of 2022 season maybe early 2023 season IDK but anyway during this year the offense was soo wack for a couple of weeks until the bye week and then ceedee made some noise about it bc he felt like he wasn't being as utilized (which is true i'm so serious mccarthy was SUCH an annoying coach lol) but quotes:

“Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb said Dak Prescott approached him and said: ‘If you have a problem with anything, just come up to me and we’ll talk about it.’ Lamb said he and Dak worked on getting on the same page their first day back in the building after the 49ers loss.”

Dak: ‘I mean, a frustrated player that feels like we all could’ve done better and feels like he can change the game, I understand it. I really do. So it’s in the sense of just communicating with him… CeeDee is a guy that I’ll never lose confidence in and trust who he is and understand why he’s frustrated. But at the end of the day, he’s a leader. It’s about him leading other guys and picking other guys up and him just trying to make sure we’re all pushing our best. That’s where the frustration is, we have to remove that. And he will. He’s a young player that’s growing by the day and he’ll only get better. He’ll be better because of that.’

but after they switched the offense around dak and ceedee went craaaazyyy - ceedee was named all pro, dak was in mvp talks (should have won it to be honest i'm sorry lamar i still love you <3) but 2023 cowboys will seriously haunt me forever lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sudQu72KDXs&ab_channel=NFLonFOX

DELUSIONS: dak announced he was having a baby like two weeks after this game SO let’s just say…. maybe…. perhaps… they were hooking up… ceedee probably knew before the public did - not saying that’s why he seems a little upset at the beginning of this clip cause who knows 🤷‍♀️ like i said DELUSIONS but… i can’t help it when the timeline timelines don’t shoot the messenger

also i do wanna mention that dak’s fiance follows a loooot of cowboys players on ig but she does not follow ceedee and he doesn’t follow her AGAIN just delusions…. but… iykyk 👀

sooo they were poppin off in 2023, ceedee was breaking records and shit, won nfc east, went to the playoffs and then i DON'T wanna talk about it i have my theories about wtf happened during that playoffs packers game but 💀💀 anyway the offseason before the 2024 season was genuinely the worst of my life because BOTH ceedee and dak had to get extended and jerry jones (who is the worst) waited until after training camp to get them both signed lol so ceedee wasn't participating in training camp at all which affected them in the beginning of the 2024 season which was a complete mess A MESS but here's some fun stuff after ceedee signed his extension/during that offseason

“Remarkable. That’s who CeeDee Lamb is. … He’s special. He’s just getting going and as long as I’m here, he’s gonna keep stacking these records year after year.”

“CeeDee Lamb strongly defended Dak: No one deserves the criticism that he gets. The way he gets talked about is crazy.”

2023-2024 OFFSEASON:

worst months of my life lol ceedee was holding out for his new contract and didn’t get it signed until like… august i think? anddd dak was signed fucking three hours before kickoff the first week of the season lol i HATE this front office

but here’s some fun quotes after ceedee was signed:

CeeDee Lamb: “We were texting quite a bit. Obviously I missed being out there, competing with him… for is being so in tune together and all it takes is one text message or one conversation, one phone call… for us both… having the same passion for the game, same love for the game. I want what’s best for Dak and vice versa. Shout out to him too for getting that bag, too. We’ll be together for the next five years.”

Dak Prescott on CeeDee Lamb’s added muscle weight: “He’s wearing a lot more sleeveless shirts. As long as the speed is there, and it looks like it is (in practice), I’m fine with however big he is.” LMAO??

Dak Prescott: “I peeped the biceps. He’s wearing more sleeveless shirts now.”

Dak Prescott recently on CeeDee Lamb: “He’s talented. He works hard. He’s special. He’s the best receiver in the league for a reason. And I’ve seen Instagram videos. I know you’ve seen him. He’s working. And he works hard. So I have no angst, no worries about when he gets here that we’re not going to pick up where we left off. And when you're a stud like that and you’re smart like he is and you’re good at communicating, that makes that process that much easier. So it’s not like we’ve got to build something. We’ve got that. We just got to reignite it when he gets here.”

on how much ceedee worked with dak at the field at dak’s house even though he was staying away from the team: “Often. I would say quite often. Anytime that I’m back in town, and he’s obviously back here, I hit him and then… it’s very… good having a rich quarterback.”

Dak Prescott’s thoughts on the tandem of him and CeeDee Lamb being compared to legendary duos like Joe Montana and Jerry Rice: “I think that says a lot just cause we’ve only done it for four years and you just named some of those duos that did it for their whole careers. But then again, I feel like we can be better than all of them… so love the comparisons, they sound good and all, but hopefully one day people are saying these next duos and next tandems can be like me and CeeDee.” (i will kms over this quote one day)

i’m sure there’s things i’m missing but this is already sooooo long lol so

2024 SEASON:

WORST SEASON OF MY LIFEEEEEE / ceedak angst era

the front office set this team up to fail and let like a ton of players walk in the offseason, didn’t use free agency, injury riddled team, had a bunch of rookies starting but anyway just gonna go game by game really quick because this is when i was locked tf in and it’s more recent so ?? more detail seems alright when it's necessary also i wrote so many half-finished post-game fics this season to cope with how terrible it was i’m cryingggg it was insane

cowboys vs browns: i was at this game :) good game they won

cowboys vs saints: blocked this game out actually!!!

cowboys vs ravens: fake ass comeback also the game ceedee CRASHED OUT on the field lskdjslkdjsskjdsk which is so funny bc i literally love lamar sm and was so excited to watch but… my players wanted to make me MISERABLE

this was said a day or two after the game by ceedee (bc he fumbled during it and then wasn't there for post game media people andddd was yelling at dak on the sideline 🗿)

“Our relationship has, if anything, gotten stronger. Don’t let what, what’s out there fool you. We’re brothers to the end. We know that we all we got, and I tip my hat off to him. I got the utmost respect for him.”

“So with that being said, everything is gonna come out - the energy, the passion, the love, the fight - and then we’ll make up in the end. So no, no craziness now. Don’t.”

dak also said something about his rhythm with ceedee being a “rare feeling” which… okay internalized homophobia but i CANNOT for the life of me find the actual quote i’ve searched through my gallery but it’s not there </3 if i find i’ll add later (i’m pretty sure it was after the baltimore game but i can’t remember)

cowboys vs giants: this is a tremicah game no need to mention ceedak idt - nasty ugly win but whatever

cowboys vs steelers: dak prescott giving me a heart attack 12 fucking times during this game

cowboys vs lions: don’t wanna talk about it! i’m a hater! always will be sorry!!! ben johnson statpadding on my sorry ass terrible team i was SICKKKKK

BYE WEEK: my trials and tribulations…. my nfl rpf…

CeeDee Lamb on getting in some extra work with Dak Prescott during their bye week: “We love our bye weeks. We took advantage of it. We got right. We used every opportunity to get better and I feel like it’s going to show. We got on some routes, and obviously the timing is everything. We needed that.”

now ummm this is the week dak got engaged so. which is really funny because after the announcement post on ig ceedee went GHOST on instagramksjdjks like i went back to check because i’m crazy (these are delusions btw) and he had been posting like once a week… maybe once every two weeks PRETTY consistently like for at least a couple of months but after the engagement happened there was pretty much nothing for like… almost two months?? ummm which AGAIN i’m not saying anything i’m not insinuating anything buuuuut…… buuuuut….. also it’s really fucking funny because in this same interview ceedee dropped that he left the country during the bye week but didn’t post it on socials at all so i’m like ohhhh… you’re coping w the engagement… i see LMAO anyway

cowboys vs 49ers: sigghhhh….. lets get into it

SO this was a loss but two ceedee touchdowns.. i’m leaving with something!!!

“Yeah, I found CeeDee,” Prescott said when reflecting back on Lamb’s breakout in the Bay Area. “He did a good job of getting open, running all of his routes hard no matter where he was, if he was the one or if he was backside on a concept. Loved his intentionality in the game. He kind of said something like that to me during the game, midway through the game, like ‘Yeah, we’re back.’ And that was before, I think, his two touchdown drives. So just him even playing with that confidence, communicating that, it gives me a lot of confidence.”

super hopeful right maybe they'll really connect again and things'll be fine LOL

cowboys vs falcons: worst game ever dak tore his hamstring off the bone like a fucking idiot and ceedee sprained his AC joint and would not stop going back out into the game i was ready to kms

cowboys vs eagles: not talking about it idc

cowboys vs texans: loss because ofc but whatever ceedak hugged before the game tho so i didn’t gaf about the loss - i can’t find the clip rn but if i do i’ll post it

cowboys vs commanders: this is when i accepted they were tanking and then they decided to just be elite for whatever reason lol made me so happy though ceedee was so happy <33

cowboys vs giants: whatever

cowboys vs bengals: worst fucking game of my life nothing to do with ceedak but one of my other fave player’s (i also ship him w ceedee idgaf) knee EXPLODED so that was so much fun to deal with

cowboys vs panthers: i still can’t believe bryce young decided to forget how to play football in this game im crying

cowboys vs tampa: again they just wanted to be elite for whatever reason

cowboys vs: eagles: don’t wanna talk about it idc

cowboys vs commanders: WHATEVER thanks for the 12th draft pick ashton jeanty you will be a cowboy

SO. that’s basically where everything's at lmfao worst season EVERRRRR with ceedak ANGST um but yeah hopefully 2025 will be better... i��m cautiously optimistic because their old coach is finally FINALLY gone because he was really limiting them and their ability you know? 2023 season was amazing and then 2024 started and it was like… mccarthy just reverted back to his old scheme that wasn’t working. it was really annoyingksdkskds. but the new coach (despite it seeming like a silly hire) had a decent press conference (that ceedee didn’t attend bc he was playing around in paris LOL) andddd he seems to be setting up a nice staff around him so hopefully hopefully hopefully 2025 is a lot better and ceedak will save me again… can’t wait for training camp omg

anyway if u read all this i’m SO sorry i hope it’s… expansive enough?? i wanted to include kind of how it’s been through the years and i had a lot more to add for 2023/2024 because that’s when my adhd was just like Yea let’s hyperfixate on this so. been stuck here for awhile and i’ll probably be stuck here for years and years and years <3

#ceedak #ceedak timeline #THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR ASKING #i'm crying this was so fun i hope it's formatted properly - i haven't used tumblr in ages #but yes i love love love them sm #i would love to go back and watch a ton of videos from ceedee's earlier seasons and maybe i'll edit and add more to this whenever i do :3 #so happy i get to spread the ceedak agenda i've been stuck here with them for AGESSSSS #glittersgloom #ask #nfl rpf

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