#well 2 i guess counting coriolanus

[persephoneprice]

i’m finally restarting my tbosas reread and the mentors are truly all so annoying i love them all

[cosmicschmidt]

UNTIL I FOUND YOU (2)

PART 1, PART 3

Coriolanus Snow x fem!Reader

Synopsis: When the 18 year old Coriolanus Snow recieves the news that he has to mentor a tribute in order to claim the Plinth Prize, he expected everything but not a shy girl from district 12 to claim his heart.

Word count: 2,1K

Warnings: Reader pretty much just replaces Lucy Gray, Lucy Gray does not exsist in this (I´m sorry), some things might not fully add up to the movie plot ´cause I only saw it once and that was three days ago, use of Y/N, it´s implied that the reader is shorter than Coryo, small swearing, simple inhumane Hunger Games topics, mention of blood

Reblogs and requests are always welcomed <3 (just like pointing out grammatical mistakes :))

Previously…

A few screams erupt from the group of tributes, and everyone starts to slide out like bags of flour. Y/N yelps again and tries to hold onto Coriolanus, he manages to hold both of their weights, but Y/N´s grip on him loosens when she wiggles in his tight hold.

"Wait- Y/N hold on!" he hisses out, but Y/N moves in his grasp trying to get a hold of Wovey´s hand who´s close to sliding down as well.

"Grab my hand!" she yells, but Wovey slips away, and Y/N watches the little girl and Jessup moves out of her view into the unknown.

Y/N removes herself from his grasp, just as Coriolanus can´t hold them up anymore due to the shaking wagon, and they all slide into whatever the Capitol planned for them.

Gasps and yelps ring through the air as all tributes including Coriolanus are forced to leave the wagon, the feeling of falling long gone before Y/N can take in the situation, and with a thump, she makes contact with something cold and uneven. The warmth of her ´mentor´s´ hands leave her body, and the red of his clothes fall out of her reach.

A slight hiss escapes her dry and parted lips as a sting shoots through her head, a thin layer of sweat on her forehead that suddenly doesn´t feel so thin anymore, as a small trail of warm liquid slides down her temple.

Her brows furrow at the feeling, before she can stop herself she pushes her upper body up from the filthy ground and leans onto her forearms in order to sit up. The right side of her face still feels warmer than it should, so she moves onto her shaky knees.

While all her attention is on the side of her obviously wounded face, curses and groans echo through the air, most of the tributes stand up and brush their clothes off the dirt that still clung to them.

In the meantime, blurred-out voices slice through the silence, Y/N winces at the feeling of the small gash on her temple, the second her fingers touched the side of her head, she removed them again. Her hands wrap around the fabric of her shirt and she lowers her head to connect it to the wound, gently drying it of the red fluid.

"…well, give them a chance to stand up and catch their breath. I´m jealous of that entrance!" a voice speaks up, although it´s quiet to Y/N´s ears as the source of the words is plenty of feet away from her. She drops her shirt back down and leaves the wound by itself, although the slight sting practically yarns for better treatment.

"Y/N?" Jessup speaks up to her right, her head and upper body move in his direction, her body rotating to the right.

"Yeah, yeah.. wait," she speaks, lowers her hands onto the cold stone texture beneath her and uses her strength to push herself off the ground. Big and warm hands wrap around her waist unexpectedly and easily pull her up from the ground, setting her back on her feet.

A small surprised gasp leaves her lips, and she turns at the feeling of hands on her middle.

"Thanks, Jess-" she stops the words from spilling past her lips, the hands that still rest on her body don´t belong to the boy from District 12, instead, Coriolanus Snow shoots her a small smile. Y/N can´t stop her face from flushing at their close proximity before their short moment is interrupted.

"But guess where I am today!" the same voice from before again reaches their ears, and just now the girl realizes that she´s in fact surrounded by bars out of metal, their height makes it unable to climb them, locking the tributes inside like animals in a cage.

"Here´s a hint, that´s right! The Capitol´s Zoo, where this year´s tributes will be held behind these bars for your viewing pleasure."

"That´s right. All twenty-four of them-" Y/N peeks past a few taller tributes surrounding her, and her eyes fall onto a man who holds onto a small microphone, his body turned to another man who seems to record the scene unfolding in front of him. The speaking man himself is dressed in a plain gray suit, his black shoes underlining his obvious wealth.

At least a dozen pairs of eyes watch the tributes through the bars, expensive-looking clothes rest on their bodies, as a crowd including all ages from 4 to 40 don´t remove their stares. Some of their faces show awe and excitement, as if extinct animals have been reborn and are presented for the world to see.

Coriolanus´ eyes harden at the ogling eyes that skim over the players of this year´s game, although he does catch a guy around their age watching Y/N intensely. The sudden need to shield her from the praying eyes raises in his chest, and his hands - that still rest around her middle - tighten.

The guy in the gray suit stops in his tracks the moment he faces the cage, the unexpected color red catching his attention.

"What in the gem of Panem…?"

"You see that´s an Academy rouge, no?" he turns back to the camera with a questioning look on his face, seemingly addressing whoever is watching.

"Excuse me!" he yells over at Coriolanus, his eyes widen, probably in realization or maybe out of fear.

"Hello, Sir."

"Yes, you. In the red."

"Who are you, and why are you in there with them? We´re live!" Coriolanus gulps at the words, he opens his mouth but nothing comes out, he just continues to stare at the man at a loss for words.

"Uhm, I-…"

"Are you alright?!" the guy yells again.

Coriolanus removes his hands from Y/N`s waist and takes a small step away from her. Y/N quickly stops him and catches his arm in her grasp causing him to stop and turn his eyes back to hers.

"What are you gonna do?" she asks quietly, shielding her face from the camera.

"Y/N Y/L, may I introduce you to my neighbors?" he asks with a tint of amusement, yet his face is filled with dread.

"A reaction would be appreciated, anything would be nice!" the voice speaks again.

Coriolanus´ gaze falls to her right, the white of the rose he gifted to her gleaming in the sunlight, he takes a step and picks it up from the ground, before he snaps the longest part of the stem off throwing it to the side.

Although the rose did take a little damage due to the fall, its sparkle is still evident as the blonde tucks it behind Y/N`s ear, his blue eyes never leaving hers in the progress.

With a nod, he offers her his hand.

She gently nods back in understanding and her hand lands in his bigger palm again, although his fingers are a little rough his hand engulfs hers in a soft manner.

"Well that´s something you don´t see every day, they´re holding hands."

Almost every tribute found someplace to sit, watching the little show that unfolded in front of their eyes.

"Yes, yes, yes," he speaks again as Coriolanus leads her over to the bars, taking one step after the other, carefully stepping over smaller stones to prevent a fall.

"Who are you, sir? What are you doing in the cage here?"

Y/N´s hands start to sweat a little, the smaller the distance becomes the áudience´s´ eyes don´t prey away.

Y/N plasters a fake smile onto her lips, false enthusiasm spreading over her features, as two children, not a day older than 10 and 4 step closer.

"Hi," Coriolanus speaks.

"How do you do?" he asks, now directly addressing the young boy with shoulder-length black hair.

"My name is Coriolanus Snow, and this is my tribute. Y/N Y/LN from district 12," he says with a fake yet kind voice, as his gaze is fixated on the two children.

"Hi," Y/N adds and awkwardly waves her hand at them.

"What´s your name?"

"My name is Pontius." the small boy answers, the suit he´s wearing markless and clean.

"Nice to meet you, Pontius, is that your sister?" Y/N asks politely, Coriolanus squeezing her hand proudly at her quick improvising.

"That´s Venus, she´s only four," he says with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Well luckily four is my favourite number, it´s a great age to be."

"I remember you." the little girl in pink replies.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, you´re the one that volunteered for her sister," she says proudly, her face beaming with happiness.

Y/N`s face falls at the mention of her beloved sister, who´s most likely watching this conversation right now. Yet she shakes the thought off and the fake smile returns to her face.

"You´re right that´s her!" the reporter says.

"So, as already mentioned this is my mentor, Coriolanus Snow, it seems like I got the cake with the cream since no one else bothered to show up." Y/N say as she rests her elbow on his shoulder.

The reporter turns back to the camera in confusion, takes a small breath and then starts to ask "So, the game makers did tell you to jump in the cage with them?"

"They didn´t tell me not to." the boy beside Y/N answers, his expression showing no regret.

"They just said it´s the mentor´s job to introduce our Tribute to the citizens of Panem. And I thought if Y/N is brave enough to be here, why shouldn´t I be too?"

"Well that is a nice thing to do-"

"What´s that on your forehead?" Venus asks genuinely interested, seemingly uninterested in the fact that she just cut off the reporter, the camera moves to the small girl.

"Oh. that, well-" the District 12 girl´s hand moves back to the wound that still remained on her temple, her fingertips coated in red after touching the skin.

"That happened when we were…. delivered…." she adds, her voice holding fake amusement.

"You´re hurt?" Coriolanus asks from beside her, and before the girl can tell him that it´s fine and that it´ll heal on its own Coriolanus´ pointerfinger and thumb gently pull her face closer to his by her chin.

His blue orbs are looking down at her while her own hold his gaze, in order to see him she has to lift her head.

"Oh that looks like quite a gash doesn´t it?" the reporter slips in, while he gestures for the camera to move closer to the both of you, the sparkle in the reporter's eyes showing his excitement, that he´s the one to catch this simple yet intimate moment between Mentor and Tribute.

"Yeah well in the next 48 hours, the little gash might just be at the bottom of my list of problems," Y/N states in a cold tone, her face moving out of his grasp.

The reporter seems to lose interest in the sudden change of topic, and gestures for the cameraman to film the other Tributes, ranting on about whatever topic comes to mind.

Y/N scoffs at them and how easily they lose interest in something the moment someone´s actions don´t fit into their perfect picture.

"Here, let me." soft, white fabric presses against the side of her head, as Coriolanus cleans the wound of the remaining still air-drying blood that paints her skin, the cotton taking away the thin layer of sweat as well.

Even though her gaze is on her feet, she can feel his eyes boring into the side of her face.

"Does it hurt?"

"No."

He nods his head, yet he keeps his hands on her face, gently treating the wound, at the feeling of his warm hands, Y/N can´t help but blush. Her cheek grows warm where his skin meets her own, as her eyes stay on the ground.

"Are you sure-" Coriolanus is cut off again.

"I hate to interrupt, but I think you´re about to be whisked away, young man."

Someone harshly slaps Coriolanus´ hand that rests on Y/N´s face off, he gasps at the action, but neither of them can say anything before a Peacekeeper grabs his biceps and starts to pull him to the exit of the cage.

"Let´s go."

"Wait-" Y/N grabs a hold of his free wrist.

"Can you get us some food? Please? We´re practically starving."

Coriolanus just nodded at her quietly, the space between the both of them growing as he´s pulled away from her. The girl suddenly feels empty without him standing next to her, like a shield that´s been protecting her has been taken away.

The reporter - whose name seems to be Lucky Flickermann - now turned back to the cage ends his live report,

"The 10th annual Hunger Games are soon approaching, so come down to the Zoo and see the Tributes before it´s too late." he does a dramatic pause.

"And I mean, too late," he adds with a small smirk.

"Capitol news."

"I´m Lucretius.", he looks up to the sky before stretching out his hand and catching a coin.

"Lucky Flickermann." with that the live report ends.

For those who asked for a second part :) (I can’t tag everyone!)

@zucchinimalfoy

[thedarlingdearestdead]

Understanding

Ok I have a new hyper-fixation...

Summary: You are betrothed to Coriolanus Snow, rather against your will. At your engagement party you bitterly protest the attachment and so Coryo has to bring you around...

Warnings: Uh yeah, full on smut. R18. Dub!con/non!con. Bad Coriolanus.

Word count: 2,041

Part 2 on its way!

The marriage with Coriolanus happened so fast, it was completely out of your control. Your parents had, of course, been thrilled when they were proposed with the offer, the Snows were once again on top of the world, with Coriolanus joining the increasingly prestigious group of Gamemakers for the 13th annual Hunger Games. 

Now moving into his twenties, it was expected that the man found a suitable wife, and as the newly 18 year old heiress of one of the most wealthy old families still functioning, you supposed you must have been at the top of his list. 

You had not known Coriolanus in school, him being a few significant years older than you, but you had heard of him. His name had been everywhere even then. The handsome and reclusive Snow, with top grades in everything and not even a single scandal to be whispered down the gossip line. Until Lucy Grey. Until the games. Until those months when he disappeared from all sight before coming back with a splash. New heir to the Plinth money, apprenticeship under head gamemaker Dr Gaul, and on the unmistakable path to power and presidency. 

You didn’t much care for all that. You only cared that he had barely spoken to you, and yet your engagement party loomed, and you were set to move in with him that night. 

Your mother hung a dress above your closet for the occasion, a patriotic Capital red, you blanched slightly at the neckline and the dangerous slit on the side. Surely this would not be appropriate. “Mama, are you certain you have collected the right dress?” You asked entreatingly. 

“Yes dear, Coriolanus sent it himself, what a gentleman!”

Your heart plummeted, what a joke. 

By the time you were ready your car was already waiting outside, you had a feeling you had left slightly late, if the frowns of your parents were anything to go by. No matter. You doubted you would be much missed. You hadn’t been allowed a look into the arrangements or the guest list, you guessed it was just another opportunity for your ‘fiance’ to socialize with the upper classes, with his colleagues.  

But contrary to your growing feelings of insignificance, as you pulled up you saw the figure of a familiar young man. Coriolanus wore a fitted three-piece black suit with a bright red rose at his lapel. His blonde hair had been wrangled into respectable curls and his blue eyes glinted in the moonlight. But what truly took your breath away was the expression on his face. It was so tight.

As your car slowed to a stop, he moved for the door, first giving his aid to your mother and guiding her out, exchanging pleasantries and suffering her excited chatter, before moving to reach you. His hand was soft but gripped yours so hard as he all but pulled you out of the vehicle.

“Is it your habit, Y/N, to arrive so… fashionably late?” 

It sounded like a reprimand and made your heart beat into attention. The glamorous suit and charming smile that he wore on his face to your parents had such a threatening glint under the surface. You wondered at how they didn’t notice, chuckling softly, saying that yes, yes you had always been somewhat ignorant of keeping time. 

You saw the way his jaw clenched and you felt his firm grip on your arm now. “Well, let’s not keep your guests waiting. Shall we?” How dare he pose it as a question! He was already dragging you into the fold. 

It began in a blur of names, shaking hands and congratulations, all of which flew right over your head. Instead of paying attention to your audience you had instead attempted to track down some posca, soon nursing your glass in one hand, and letting yourself be led with the other. 

“And what a beautiful dress Y/N, perfect for such an occasion!” A couple from Coriolanus’ work had cornered the two of you by one of the tables and engaged you in conversation. Coriolanus smiled his twisted and charming smile, he, of course, remembered their names, asked after their children, her mother. 

It sickened you the way he played people, the way he played your parents. “Really?” You said in reply to the man’s compliment, “I wasn’t sure, it’s a bit bright and not entirely my style.” 

The man blinked at your dismissal of him. And Coriolanus went still. So you wanted something darker, he thought? He could certainly give you that. 

“What she means to say is that she wanted to try something new and special for this party, to begin this marriage as she means to continue it.”

By wearing his selection of dresses? By letting him control your every move? You flinched as he kissed your cheek. 

“Isn’t that right, dear?”

“Whatever you say.” You laugh and take a swig of your drink. His face stays mostly calm, but only you, in such close proximity to him, notice the twitch in his eye. 

From then he keeps a much stronger grasp on you, his hand never straying from your lower back as he trails you through the hoards of people, his trophy to show off. 

Walking past a buffet table, you lean over to grab one of the many sweet snacks, it was one of your favorites, a puffy red cube covered in icing sugar. Coriolanus was watching you, and he grabbed your wrist before you could place it in your mouth. 

“You’ll ruin your lipstick, you’ll be a mess.” He grimaced, a look of disgust crossed his face at the mere thought. You relished in it. You moved your hand back to the table, as if to put it back, causing him to release your arm. Just as he turned away to converse once again with some colleague, you snatch the treat back up to your mouth and revel in the tart rosy taste of it, feeling your lips coat with the white powder. 

His eyes caught the action and followed it as your tongue licked away the powder, his cheeks flush red in stark contrast to his growing frown. It brings a most dangerous light to his face, one that makes your body shudder as you clock eyes. 

He squeezes your waist threateningly. “Excuse us, please.” He says to the men he’d been talking with. He dragged you away through the crowd, not stopping for anyone else, only flashing that smile, faking an incident or rendezvous with his fiancee. He takes you down the side of the building, and stops, pushing you against the wall.

“What do you think you’re doing?” He hisses at you, face inches from your own. 

His closeness sent you spiraling, and his strength began to make you panic. He truly had you trapped there, hsi to interrogate. 

“I… I don’t know.” You gasped, his forearm against your throat, cutting off air.

“Are you so determined to sabotage me?”

“Why shouldn’t I be? You’ve given me no reason to support you.”

“No reason?” He says quietly, “No reason?” His voice increases in volume, “You are my wife, that is your only reason, your only job.”

“I am not your wife yet.” You almost spit it into his face. 

“Oh really? That’s not what the paperwork says.”

You shook your head desperately, “I haven’t signed anything.”

“Why would it need your signature?” He sounded genuinely confused, as if the thought had never entered his mind. A contract, your life had been given away on a contract. “The wedding is but a formality. You need to come to terms with this or I’ll…”

“You’ll what?”

His furious eyes blaze into your own, so full of righteousness, of power. It terrified you. You were so certain that he would act now, hit you, or scream at you, that you didn;t expect what happened next. You didn’t expect his lips to be on yours. 

He kissed you harshly, banging your head into the brick wall behind you, making stars swirl in your head, behind your eyes. It hurt as he dug his fingers into your waist, as he searched for the slit in your dress, and yanked it up your body. It hurt as he grabbed your thighs, picking you up effortlessly and holding you up completely. And then it didn’t. And then nothing did, and your body filled instead with an intense wave of unrelenting pleasure. 

“You’re unbelievable,” you gasp.

He barely let you breathe as his mouth attacked yours and his fingers ravaged your clit through your panties. It felt so good. Despite everything it felt so good. You whispered as much and moaned whenever a break in the kisses occurred. 

He didn't stop, didn’t slow until your body relaxed, until your forehead fell against his in a silent unwilling gasp. 

“Don’t you see it could be good?” He whispered right next to your ear. He kissed the soft skin underneath it, “It could be so good.”

And then he dropped you, and as your legs were weak from your orgasm, they failed to catch you, and you fell onto the ground. You looked up at him, your hooded eyes full of confusion and lust and desperation. There was a smirk on his face and desire was still lighting his eyes. 

“If you let me do whatever I want to you, y/n. If you accept that you belong to me.” He said it so simply, so matter of fact. He offered his hand to you, clearly ready for you to be compliant. So you swat it away, and stand up by yourself, ignoring the slickness between your thighs and the shaking of your body. 

It was clearly the wrong move. Fury burned in his eyes once again and he grabbed you by the waist. Twisting you around and turning you to face the wall. Your hands snatched out to stop your collision with it as he once again worked at your skirts. His breath was hot on your neck and you couldn't help the way your body was already reacting to this change. You could hear his every move, your heart raced as you heard him undo his belt. 

Working down your underwear, he kissed your neck lightly, surprisingly gentle when he eased himself inside you from behind. It was too much, it felt much too good. One of your arms reached back to try and touch him, and he responded by grabbing your hand in his before placing them both against the wall as he started to thrust inside of you.

“Are you going to be good for me?”

All you could do was moan as he settled himself deep inside of you, hitting all the right spots with a relentless precision. His grip tightened on your hand at your sounds which only got louder as he pounded into you. Tears leaked from your eyes, from pain or pleasure you couldn’t decipher. 

“Shut up. Shut up, or do you want them to see you like this?” He slowed his movements, returning his mouth to your neck. “Do you want them to see me using you? It’s not like they don’t know it already. You seem to be the last one to catch on” 

He released your hand and moved both of his to your waist, he pulled you backwards, making you bend even more obscenely against the wall. From this angle he was hitting you deeper, and it took all your effort not to let out a guttural scream. 

He seemed to enjoy this angle too, speeding up and becoming harder by the second, you could feel it. You felt all of him with his every movement and it was intoxicating. It became all too overwhelming when he came inside of you, it was blindingly hot, you felt all too full as you clenched around him in response. You scrambled for purchase against the wall but he pulled you back up to him, embracing you from behind to catch his breath. When he stepped back to pull out of you, he did so slowly, to watch his cum slide out of you onto the floor, to watch it trail down your legs. 

“Do you understand now?”

[iouinotes]

Good gone bad | Coriolanus Snow (part one)

pairing: young!Coriolanus Snow x female!reader

movie: Hunger Games: The ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

warnings: dark!character, smut

word count: 3,8k

summary: You are childhood friends and very close with him. When his behaviour starts to change for the worse, you try your best to hold on to his real-self.

a/n: I adored Snow the first half an hour, because he was a gentleman and cared so much! Then his character became dark, obsessive and murderous and it really was a game changer...but I definitely want to read the book, so I can describe his character in my following stories better!

part 2 here , part three

"I will call my new discovery just like you, Mr. Snow. The best student and the future of this world. No one will stand in your way, when the blizzard blows over the people. And because it will work so well for your little infatuation, it will function for every other naive creature too."

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

"Coryo!" I shot his name across the hallway, when I see his blonde locks, ignoring the looks from my classmates around me. At the sound of my voice, his head turns in my direction and I run faster towards his figure. As soon as I catch up with him, I meet his curious eyes and look further down to his smiling lips.

"Good morning to you too. Let me guess, you have something really important to announce or are just very happy to see me." Holding the door open for me, I try to catch my breath, wanting to ignore the lovely tone of his voice and the way he looks so outstanding beautiful.

"Well, both, but I heard some gossip about the upcoming ceremony tomorrow. Details who is gonna get the scholarship." Now, while entering the room, I have his full attention.

When I heard about the changes, that were made I immediately searched for him, clearly knowing how much he was ready to sacrifice for this academic possibility.

As he stops walking and places his hands on my shoulders, stopping me in my foodsteps and searching my gaze, I feel my pounding heart.

God forbid this man to look at me this way.

As I try to avoid his intense glare, his hands gently move to my cheeks to focus my eyes on him. I feel myself blushing, fiddling with the rings, that are attached to my fingers.

"No time for jokes, please. What do you know?" I clear my voice, trying to ignore our close gap or the way his curls lay on his forehead and how his skin shines beautifully in the light- No, wait. Not good. We're just friends. I don´t like him that way. Nope.

"I- uh, so please don´t freak out on me, but rumor says it's not up to the student with the best grades to get the scholarship..." I watch his posture straighten, see the how his facial expression turns blank and the irritated change in his mood. And I promise you, it´s not good.

When he lets go of me to strike forward, I try to hold him back. "Wait- you are angry and disappointed, so talk to me first before you let your emotions out on the others, okay?" I catch his left hand and hear his upset breathing.

"It's just- you know, more than anyone, that I deserve this scholarship the most! And now the only possibility to help my family and to become successful are at risks, because someone decided to change the rules? God, I worked my ass off to be the one they choose and now I'll probably get laughed at, cause I didnt get it!" I nod, trying to calm him down by listening to his outburst.

"You do deserve it, I know that. But you still have the chance to stand out more than the others. You are intelligent and brave, very ambitious and you care a lot. Not only for your family and friends, but for everyone. You are the best candidate and if they don´t choose you, then it is the wrong decision. Because they need someone like you. Just like I need you, believe me." I hold his hand close to my heart, trying to convince him of his abilities and his good heart, to show him that he deserves every recognition he gets.

And it works, because he relaxes slightly and after another second passes, I feel myself being embraced in a tight hug. His hand holds the back of my head and I hear his quiet "thank you".

"Always, blue. I am here for you." His lips linger for a second on my forehead, the kiss leaves me feeling warm and in love.

Even if I try to deny it.

"It's been a while, since you called me that nickname." I look in his eyes, when he pulls back. Admiring the shining blue that follows my dreams.

I only smile at him, shrugging when we have a normal distance between us, that helps me to concentrate again.

"It slipped out, I guess. But you are right, the last time I called you that, we were in primary school. How fast the time goes." Nodding we gently smile at each other and I clear my throat, when I get more and more enchanted to him.

We have known each other for so long, but nothing has changed about us.

Expect my feelings for him. They seem to never go away.

So, when I step forward and his eyes follow me, I start to walk to class again.

"Come on, we're being late. The greatest student of all time does not come late." He shakes his head, smiling at me and when I feel for a moment that something is different between us, I brush it off.

When he's finally catching up with me, I order my thoughts.

Don't fall in love with him.

Pretend, you didnt fall in love with him.

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

I am good at pretending, really. It normally helps me to focus on the important things in my life, for example school, my grades, studying and getting accepted by a college. Did I mention, my academic success needs to be excellent?

But now, the only thing I can concentrate on is him. And I can hardly pretend, not for much longer, that I am not in love with him.

Because his life is in danger, now that the Hunger Games have started and he is the mentor of the tribute of district 12, a girl named Lucy Gray, everything is different.

He is different.

I know him long enough, that I see how much he cares for her. And because I'm good at pretending, I can see right through his actions.

He maybe likes the girl, but even though he tries to hide it, he cares more that he is the victor in the end.

And that is something that I find quite odd. I mean, he always wants to win, wants to be the best and on top or ahead of everyone. But he was always fair, human and supportive.

But his behavior changed as the days passed. Of course, it's obvious that the violence and torment that the game brings with changes you. More for the worse, than the better.

But it's not only the pressure he is under or the tension that he feels, because he needs the girl to win. It's something different and I notice that none of this is doing him any good. Especially for his heart.

Because he is being distant, he talks less, smiles less, is acting like a person I don´t even know anymore.

And it scares me, it hurts to see him losing himself in the process of being successful.

The last time we talked, he said something to me that left me awake all night, thinking about the decisions and sacrifices he has to make to achieve his goal.

He said: "I will become president and when I am on top, the world will be as cold as the snow in the winter. Nobody will oppose me."

It scared me. He scared me.

And maybe it was the change of his behavior or the cold look in his eyes, with which he looked at everyone or maybe it was because I started to fear him, that I distanced myself from him.

And even though I thought, he wouldnt notice, he did.

And it made everything complicated.

He tried to approach me, talking and joking like we always did, but it wasnt the same. Because he wasnt the same. Even though the color of his eyes was still as bright as the sun, the way he looked at me hid something that was as dark as the night.

I didnt know how I felt anymore.

Because when fear is equal to love, do I fear him then?

I guess I did and it made me sick in the stomach. He lied, he betrayed, he murdered, he did things, I would hate anyone for.

He did things for that I started to hate myself, because I couldnt hate him. Not when he really was the victim in this cruel world, even when he presented himself as the victor.

But for me, he didnt win. Because he rather lost something.

My trust for him.

And that made him angry, so much that he started to manipulate his way into my life again, when I decided that I didn't want anything to do with him anymore.

At first it would be small things. He continued opening the door for me, even though I didnt walk to class with him anymore.

He always saved me a seat next to him, although I decided to sit somewhere else. Then he started bribing the teachers, so that I had to do my assignments with him, he started showing up by almost every place I would go to.

He would give me roses that I wouldn't accept or visited me at work, always with a smile on his face. But I could tell it wasn't real.

He wasn't his real-self after all. He pretended to be someone else and I couldnt trust this new version of him.

He cut his hair short, nowadays wears expensive and neat clothes, always speaks in a formal voice and does polite gestures.

Small smiles, fake laughs, adoring looks which he uses to hide his real intentions behind a facade.

He enchanted the whole world.

But his magic didn't work on me and he became more and more aware of it as the days went by and I continued to ignore him.

And then, on one evening he visited my dorm and before I could close the door, he stood in my apartment and said something, I will forever keep in mind. His presence began to feel like a short movie, captivating me with each encounter.

"I know that you don't like the way things are now. But I am doing this to maintain peace, to keep the people in the place they belong. And I want you to know, that you just need to understand my actions and start to trust me again."

As he spoke, he started to walk towards me, looking me in the eyes, trying to convince me. I had no way out, all I could do was to back up until I hit the wall and he was standing right in front of me. Starring at me, like I needed to be on his side.

I tried to avoid his gaze and the deep blue that somehow always successfully convinced me. Until now.

"Please look at me, I´m telling you the truth. You know me, I´m still the same guy. Why don´t you believe me?" His hands brush my cheeks, roughly holding my face in his hands to keep my eyes on him.

It wasnt new to me that he loved to manipulate. I overheard some of his lies, the hidden betrayal of his own best friend and I couldnt be sure, that he wouldnt do the same to me too.

The only thing I knew was that his striving for power was taking over his being and I seemed powerless to do anything against it.

"I can´t trust you anymore, Coryo. You are acting different and all the things you did-" his face gets closer to me and my heartbeat becomes faster the less distance there is between our faces.

I can´t deny it.

He looks so beautiful.

Even though I want to talk, he leaves me speechless. As if the cold blue of his eyes froze me into a stature, that can only listen to him.

"Everything I did was for you. I know you love me, always have and always will. But you don't admit it to yourself, you don't want to admit it. I know how you feel for me, sweetheart and you have no reason to stop loving me now."

His words are like magic, his eyes like a hallucination, that everything is fine. His hands so warm and familiar that it's hard for me to remember the bad things he did.

That he's trying so hard to make me forget about.

His fingers move around my neck, his body comes closer to me until we touch, until I can only see him and only he matters.

His face is so close to mine and my eyes flutter - out of fear or anticipation, I don´t really know - until I feel his breathing on my ear.

"If you just let me make you remember the old time. Everything we did, the fun we had, how much we trusted each other. How much I still care and appreciate you. Stop thinking and let yourself feel."

His lips touch my skin and I have to suppress a whimper. I can breathe in his scent, his hands around me confuse my thoughts. My dreams from back then, imagining being able to have him, love him and touch him - they make me insecure about my decisions.

I wanted him for such a long time, that it now seems impossible for me to actually call him mine.

But coming to my senses, realising he is no longer the sweet gentleman I fell in love with, I want to stop him, by holding my hands out to push him back. However his hands react quickly and enclose mine with a firm grip to press them against the wall.

"No, listen to me. I never told you, but I heard you dreaming about me once. You whispered my name, like your heart longed for me, in a way you would never be able to truly understand your feelings for me. Like I am the god you pray for and I promise you, if you would just let me, I would fulfill your every wish. Because, together, you and me, we can become holy in our own, untouchable way. "

When I try to shake my head, his hands change so that one of them is holding both of my hands and the other one is grabbing my face.

"Don´t fight against me, darling. It wont work. You know it, I always win."

And as his hands hold my chin and I can hear my loud heartbeat, his lips meet mine in a wild kiss, clearly showing me the control he has over me.

And it's addicting, but so so dangerous.

His lips are soft against my own and he roughly kisses me, like he's the devil trying to steal my soul.

His body feels warm against my own and I'm weak for a moment, gently kissing him back, enjoying the way he smiles at my reaction.

His kisses becomes more heated, his hands are roaming over my nightgown and his fingers caress the exposed skin. Everything feels too good to be true.

But I can´t let myself enjoy this, I need to focus.

"No- Coryo. We cant-" I try to studder, breaking the kiss and hating the way he makes me feel. Because I feel so good, like only he can make me feel this way.

When I interrupt our kiss and while I try to assert myself against him, I notice his anger becoming more and more obvious.

"What I do is only to make you happy, why dont you understand? I want to see you happy and because of that, I have to do certain things. Just like now." His intense gaze is focused on me.

Without being able to do anything, I suddenly feel a liquid on my skin, that first makes me shiver because of the cold, but in the next second, I feel as hot as if I was standing in the desert and would be dying of thirst.

His touch begins to feel like the only solution and I want more. So, I lean into his touch and literally melt against his body as his lips brush mine.

"Fascinating, as Dr. Gaul said. It becomes one with the skin and intoxicates the senses." He whispers, but I can't figure out what he means by that. The only thing I can concentrate on is him. Why was I here again?

"You need me. You said it yourself, I'm here to remind you." His voice is quiet and I feel my thoughts dissolving. Only the sight of him remains in my head.

His look, those beautiful blue eyes, they distract me and I can´t ignore the desire that his lips are about to meet mine again. We're just centimeters apart and even if I try to stop it, my emotions change. I stop thinking about all the things he did.

Instead, all I can think about is his touch, his lips. And now that I know the ghost of his touch, I wouldn't want anything else.

So, I lean myself forward and kiss him.

It feels like my insides burns with desire, something that is so indescribable, that I don't even know, if I'm capable of feeling this love for too long.

My hands move to his shoulders and to his head, but my control is quickly suppressed as he pushes me back against the wall. So that I almost can't move.

His fingers lift my chin up, I see him grinning smugly at me in triumph.

"Good girl, you only need to listen to me. No one else." And I want to believe him so much, that I suddenly want to forget my doubts.

So, I let him make me forget. His hands roam my body, freeing me from my clothes and holding me where he wants me.

And I let him because I remember that I always wanted him to have his way with me. And when I look at his face, I no longer differentiate. For me, only my Coryo exists.

I close my eyes and lose myself in these sensations, the heat of his words and his actions.

His lips are soft, his kisses leave me with an unknown want and I can't do anything other than just take everything he gives me.

When he strips me out of my pants and unbottons my blouse, he lifts me up against the wall. His hips are pressed against my waist and his kisses travel from my lips down to my chest.

"Everything I do is for you." His words sound familiar.

"You will never doubt me again, I promise you. I'll make sure of that. From now on, you will feel this good forever. Because of me, you hear me? Only because of me, always me." His words cover me like a veil, but I'm unable to process them. My head is so empty and just like he said, I only feel.

I've never not thought about nothing and even if it should unnerve me, I can't even remember to be bothered about it.

As my hands try to move further down to his back and my nails leave marks on his back, his hand squeezes my neck like a warning.

"I am in control, you do as I say. Now take off my pants, so I can fuck you until you believe in me again." I can't think straight, when his hands are undressing me, cupping my breasts and turning me on in a way, I only want to be here with him.

As soon as my hands undress him and his pants are pulled down, he tears my panties apart, meeting my lips in a wanting kiss.

I feel one of his fingers slipping through my wet folds, pumping roughly two fingers inside me. My mouth opens and moans escape me, while I hold myself onto his shoulders.

"You needed to play hard to get, huh? Look who is at my mercy now." My body is still pressed against the wall and as my eyes close on their own, I suddenly feel his tip at my entrance.

And when I want to protest, he places his hand on my mouth to keep me quiet.

"No talking back to me. If you don't listen, I will make you." He pushes himself into me and I feel every vein as his hands direct mine against the wall behind me.

When he starts fucking me, I'm sure I'll pass out.

"C-cant take- too big, please" I dont even know how to speak properly anymore. His hands hold me tight and his thrusts are so brutal, that I barely have enough concentration to breathe.

"What did you say? You want to please me? Then shut your mouth and let me use you." With every harsh thrust, I feel my muscles become more and more relaxed and only he is holding me up now. I can't concentrate on anything else other than him inside me.

My thoughts begin to only focus on being good for him.

I feel like my soul is leaving my body. All I can hear is the dull clapping of our bodies, my loud moans and his heavy breathing.

As he buries his head in the crook of my neck, I softly whimper his name.

I feel how he tenses, when he react to me calling his nickname. His eyes shift to me and suddenly he lets go of my arms and I put them around his shoulders without hesitation. The position now is much more intimate and I scratch his back as his thrusts become even deeper and harder.

I hear his heavy breathing and feel his arms wrap around mine too.

"Tell me you want me." His voice is menacingly quiet. When I don't answer, too focused on his hips thrusting into me, he lets go of the wall and lays me on my bed.

"Fine, I will make you say it then." He sits down and pulls me onto his lap with my back to him, sliding his cock into me again. I moan so loudly, that I notice him grinning contentedly against my shoulder.

"You like that? Good, everyone will know how me you like me, when I'm done with you." His hand directs me so his chest touches my back and one of his hands moves to wrap around my neck.

"You will get used to doing what I want and you will do it, because you want to. You hear me? You won't stay away from me anymore, you belong to me. Everything you do is for me and only me." My thoughts are so confused, I can't think straight anymore. All I know is that I have never felt so good and that he is the reason for my pleasure.

"But I fucked you dumb so it seems. Pretty, little thing. You are like my personal doll, that I can use as I please. This turns me on even more than I would have thought." He pushes me further down on him, making me bounce until that one special spot in me is abused over and over again. And all I can utter are useless words and loud moans.

"B-blue" I hear him chuckle darkly in response.

I'm no longer certain, that I'm even laying in the arms of the person I once loved so much.

"You should have let me fucked you much sooner. It would have destroyed any resistance you had towards me. Just like now and just like I wanted." His voice whispers in my ear and my head leans against his shoulders, my mouth opens and I feel every inch of him inside me.

His hand strokes the skin, where my heart lays and I feel his lips brush against my ear.

"If this heart ever beats for anyone else other than me, everyone in this world will die and I won't be afraid to tell you that it is entirely your fault."

I collapse in his arms, when I come, going completely limp and vulnerable, unable to move. This time I only seem to be physically present.

His arms wrap around me and he let me sink onto him again, then I hear his voice whispering promises into the dark room.

"You cant ever escape me. I will always find you and I will always get you."

[liketwoswansinbalance]

I've been thinking about this dilemma for so long, so I decided to make a poll.

All I can say for now is that I fall into the "situational" category. In my opinion, unless I've forgotten some critical, concrete evidence, it's so hard to tell, to the point that I think it must be nuanced and situational, or simply a non-explicitly-addressed point in canon.

We've nearly always seen him in a position of authority and he's a disciplined character, so we could say "rule-follower." Why would he sabotage his own rules, even if he had authority to supersede them as their creator. So, yes, he is (even tentatively) pro-rules or potentially pro-rule-of-law because of how he wields authority. Indeed, he is kind of a walking rulebook.

But that's no fun. Let's complicate matters, shall we?: he deserts the School in Rise. A notable exception.

(His Monrovia Prison prison-break doesn't count at the moment because that "had to be done," in the spirit of self-preservation.)

Then, what of others' rules?

Maybe he'd follow them only at his convenience? Because he's used to being the authority in every room?

Any rule that doesn't make sense, that would seem beneath him, or just wouldn't fly—he wouldn't follow or allow it.

But... isn't he also intentionally a contrarian over 50% of the time? So, maybe he'd flout the rules just because he can, or, i.e., because he (usually) has immunity from them in his authoritative position.

Yet, if he didn't have that position, would he still rebel? Hard to say.

If he already benefited, he'd have little to no reason to rebel for others' sakes, even if they were suffering, so he's no classic, rebel protagonist vs. a dystopian government. Seems too idealistic for his character.

If he were on the oppressed side of a society, what would he do?

Perhaps, just game the system for himself and himself only, climb the ladder for status, to reach a position of power and erase all evidence of his formerly being oppressed. Bury the old identity, supplant a dictator? (This hypothetical brings to mind Coriolanus Snow, haha.)

How do I know? Or how would I speculate that this would happen in the dystopian scenario?:

1. This "elevating himself" course of action would be the route of least resistance and the least effort, logically. No messy overturning of society as he's just one person. You can make a case for one person, if that person can prove they're "deserving" of more.

2. Canonically, he was willing to install himself in a position of power while others weren't impacted or were negatively impacted, by his conscious-or-not choices.

With sorcery, I feel as if his being oppressed couldn't happen believably. (Search up the logistical problem with the "oppressed mages trope" and you'll probably see a few world-building articles, if you don't know what I'm talking about.)

Ok, then, moving on, there'd still be evidence, internal evidence, in his mind that he was once in some form of some low (social) position (not even referring to Nevers in-narrative, no, I mean as a hypothetical).

Just take the oppressed fantasy class trope—like the Grisha (they are sorcerers/witches, to a degree, and the Small Sciences are nearly indistinguishable from magic, right?).

What would he do there?

Well, I'm tempted to say he'd be like the Darkling, side with those in power (Tsar) and just... grant himself every advantage, secure rights for his own kind (magic-users).

The problem: he may not even reach Darkling levels of "selflessness" or solidarity. At least, he wouldn't view himself as lesser-than, which feels impossible by default, given his ego.

But, we're still left with the question, and I guess the answer is just situational. That's all.

So, the best, approximate answer I have (now) is that he is a rule-follower—until something affects him and his own self-interest personally.

I don't think he could be the rebel-without-a-cause type, but that's already unspecific and a useless categorization.

I view him as a loophole abuser or exploiter (of the literal) because of the one, weight-in-gold, Man-Wolf-involved, Rufius-death scene from Fall.

Classic trickster archetype, as I tend to label him, or The Man of Exact Words and Clauses. And that's within the rules! Of language!

Thus, I'm (currently—you're welcome to try to change my mind) compelled to say: rule-follower at heart, with a rebellious streak, given extenuating circumstances.

Or, alternatively, True Neutral (literally his apathy) in most cases, with a self-serving streak and a severe case of monotropism/one-track mind.

Does any motive or incentive to dismantle anything, systems(?), lurk in the shadows of his mind? Possibly. Well—for anything that serves him (and his causes).

See the problem? Caveats to everything.

Any thoughts or more condemning-or-not judgments, anyone?

[rosewine-5]

Eyes Never Lie: Part II

gif made by thorinsbeard

Coriolanus Snow x b!woc reader

(Contains spoilers for T. B . O. S. A. S.)

summary: Being friends with Coriolanus for a long time lets you what drives him to succeed and survive. You've also gained the insight to guess how he's feeling or what he's about to say just by the expression on his face. But only things that you could never decipher were the thoughts behind his eyes.

A.N: Part 2 is here!

word count: 5.4k

divider made by firefly-graphics

Turns out you were right. As soon as the both of you walked in, Dean Highbottom threatened to expel Coriolanus. They got into an exchange. “And then you, little miss. You’re not even in the competition, what were you doing there?” He asked, turning towards you. “Helping a friend, is it a crime?” You shot back, meeting his stare. That was when Senjaus jumped in, “They didn’t show those people anything they didn’t already know.”

“I don’t need your help, Sejanus.” Coriolanus whispered while you gave him a “thank you.” “That the tributes are human beings, just like us. That’s why nobody wants to watch the games—because people know, deep down, that winning a war ten years ago doesn’t justify starving people’s children, taking away their freedoms, their rights.” You could see Dean Highbottom roll his eyes while your mouth almost fell open. He’s never sounded this passionate before. Let alone so serious.

That was when an all too familiar voice interrupted the moment. “Snow and his rose fell down in the cage. It fell down in the cage but it landed….” She dragged out, looking between you and Coriolanus “On stage.” The both of you said in unison. “You’re good at Games. Maybe one day, you’ll be a Gamemaker like me.”

“If the games continue at all.” Dean Highbottom cut in. “Oh, they’ll continue. With performances like young Mr. Snow’s and my pupil’s in that zoo.” She said a smile that could only be described as sinister. “But I came here to ask your star mentor and my student a question: What are the hunger games for?”

You and Coriolanus shared a look but he spoke up first, “They’re to punish the districts for their uprising, to commemorate the end of the war-.” “Commemorate the dull, dull, dull.” She said, interrupting him and slightly poking fun at him.

“Punishment can take myriad forms. Why not drop bombs, cancel food shipments, stage executions?” Dr. Gaul then looked to you, “And you, my student, what are the hunger games for? Shit. After a moment, you sighed, “A reminder, a way of saying you should never undermine the strength of the capitol, as well as the power.” She nodded her head, a nod of approval.

“Why Games?” Sejanus chipped in. “Here we go.” you thought. “Shouldn’t we be asking ourselves whether or not they’re right in the first place?” Sejanus asked. “You have a problem with my games?” Dr Gaul asked, a small smirk growing on her face.

“Some of those kids were two years old when the war ended. The oldest of them were only eight. The Capitol is supposed to be everyone’s government now. It is supposed to protect all of us. I don’t see how making children fight each other to the death is protecting anyone.” Sejanus said.

That was when you drowned everyone out for a minute. Between the back and forth of Sejanus, Dr. Gaul’s crazy ass, High-as-a-kite Bottom staring all 3 of you down and Arachne side-eyeing you and Coriolanus, you were five seconds away from dropping out when Corio’s voice caught your attention.

“Maybe we should be viewing those tributes as human beings,” He said, looking at Dr. Gaul, “I mean, you saw those kids in the zoo, they just, they just wanted to get to know Lucy Gray.” He had a point. The children had a genuine interest in Lucy. “If she could interest a child, imagine what she could attract from the Capitol.” You thought.

“If we need people to watch, we should be letting them get closer to the tributes before the games, to make the stakes personal.”

He had a good point, as he usually did.

“Who will watch the Games if they care what happens to the tributes?” Dr. Gaul asked, a blank face on her face but an amused edge in her voice. “Everyone.” You said, chipping in, standing up and facing Dr. Gaul alongside Coriolanus. “If they thought the tribute they cared about had a chance of winning. People need someone to root for and someone to root against.” You said, giving a quick look to Corio to see if he wanted you to continue, which he did.

“We need them to invest. And if we bend a few Capitol laws, we could even have them place bets.” You avoided Sejanus’ stare as you took a breath before continuing, “I know Lucy Gray may not win in the arena, but if you give her a chance, I would bet the Plinth Prize that she can win people’s attention.” You said, giving a Quick Look to your classmates just as Dr. Gaul gave an approving look to the both of you. “I’d like you to write up a proposal of these thoughts tonight, Mr. Snow.” Dr Gaul said, giving him the stamp of approval.

“Wait. You mean you might use his ideas?” Clemensia asked. “If it’ll help the ratings, why not.” Dr. Gaul said, a smirk on her face. “Coriolanus and I are class partners, Dr. Gaul. We do all of our assignments together.” She said, standing up. “Way to make me feel loved, Clemmie.” You thought since you 3 worked together on multiple occasions. Dr. Gaul then let out one of her signature chuckles before looking between her, Corio, and one glance at you, “It’ll be an interesting test.” And then she left the room.

After class it was lunch, and you couldn’t leave the classroom fast enough. As you grabbed your tray, the thought of Lucy passed your mind. Do they even feed the tributes? You thought. Before anyone could see you, you wrapped your lunch in a napkin, grabbed an extra water bottle, and walked out of the academy, set for the zoo. You wove between other Capitol citizens as you approached the bars, you immediately spotted the color dress of Lucy and called out to her. Her head immediately turned and began to walk towards you, Jessup not too far behind her.

“What brings you here, again?” She asked as you uncovered the napkin and sat down. You passed it to her through the bar. “Lunch.” Lucy sat down and you saw another tribute stand behind her, “This here is Jessup Diggs.” You nodded to him, but he only stared blankly back. As she took the food, she handed some to Jessup, who soon walked away. You decided to not speak up about the bite on his neck as Lucy talked up before you had the chance to open your mouth.

“You know, you’re an odd one, curious even. Ya don’t have a tribute but here every day.” Lucy Gray said, taking a bite of the sandwich you gave her, making you hum. “We all have assignments, I just got one different from everyone else.” “Why you, may I ask?” She asked with a smile on her face, making you chuckle. “I’ll tell you later.” You joked, making her smirk.

“So, Calanthe, how’d you end up without a tribute?” She asked again, making your head snap up. “What’s you call me?” You asked, making her shrug. “Calanthe, that’s your name, ain’t it?” She asked, making you shake your head. “It’s just a nickname Coriolanus gave me one day.” Making her raise an eyebrow. “Hmmm.” She hummed, taking another bite.

“So, that song you sang, did you make it up on the spot, or did you have it memorized?” You asked, making her nod. “Back home I’m a performer in the Covey, it’s one of my favorites. Hell of a place too, singing ‘n dancing,” she said before looking up at you, “come and swing by, have a drink and a dance one day, sing your little heart out too.” You scoffed, rolling your eyes. “You play too?” You asked, her nodding in response. “I play the strings,” She joked, “What about you?” “I can play a bit of a tune.” You shrugged, “I guess I can carry a note as well.” “Anyone can sing, try it.”She said. “Not me. I’m not the best.” You said, shaking you head. “And sing a spell.” Lucy said, scooting closer to the bars and looking at you, a clear sign she wasn’t taking no for an answer.

So you put your water bottle down and started singing.

You come home late, fall on your cot.

You smell like something that money bought.

We don’t have cash, or so you say.

So where did you get it and how’d you pay?

Lucy then gave you a small clap, making you flip her the bird. “You know, you make the Capitol people look good.” “Oh, don’t think that.” You said, whispering the last part to her. “ right, you’re special.” Lucy said, looking at you. “Really, and what makes me so special,” You asked. “Hmmm, I’ll tell you later,” Lucy said, repeating the answer you said earlier, making the both of you laugh.

After a moment, you looked at Lucy, analyzing her. “You’re not like they say.” You said. This made her raise an eyebrow, “And what do they say about me, since they know everything?” Lucy asked, taking a drink from the water. “Some say you’re insane, others say you’re a wildcard, even a clown.”

You said, adding the snide remark Arachne made. “And what do you think I am?” She asked you. “I haven’t found out yet, you’re officially my second mystery person sweetheart.” You stated a playful grin on your face.

“Who took the number one spot from me?” Lucy asked looking at you for a brief moment before they wandered behind you, looking at Coriolanus approaching the both of you. “That guy.” You said, nodding to Corio. He came forward with his napkin of lunch and offered it to Lucy, who then offered half of it to Jessup. “I’m not hungry.” He said. “You think I can’t hear your stomach grumbling Jessup Diggs?” She asked, giving him a sharp look. As he took it and gave the both of you a long stare, he turned and walked away, letting Corio see the bite on his neck.

“What happened to his neck?” He asked, looking between you and Lucy. “A bat bite. The first night on the train, he didn’t sleep a wink the whole journey ’cause he was keeping the bats off me, so I would get some rest.” She answered, her words trailing off when all 3 of you turned to watch Arachne taunt her tribute with a drink. “One thing I learned in 12 is that hunger is a weapon. Your friend over there sure knows it.” She said, keeping her eyes on her. “She’s not my friend, she’s poison with perfect teeth.” Coriolanus said, making you snicker.

For a moment you looked around at the tributes, zoning out of their conversation. You learned this skill during the war, drowning out the sound of the outside world to stay inside the peaceful silence of your head. It’s how you stayed sane as a child. With the sound of bombs and the agonizing wails from the dying and tortured outside, your mother taught you how to drown out the noise. You were successful, most of the time. But sometimes the screams would cut themselves short, reason unbeknownst to you. Sometimes you used it when your parents would nag, or when Dean Highbottom got on your last nerve.

Somewhere in between drowning out the noise, someone grabbed your hand, snapping you out of your haze. “You’re doing it again,” Coriolanus whispered, looking up at you now. When the hell did they sit down? “Sorry.” You said, apologizing to both of them. “Your friend here was just telling me how he ate a whole jar of paste during the war.” Lucy said a small grin on her face. She then turned to the young tribute, Wovey.

“That little one. She’s so sweet. So young.

Something about her reminds me of my cousin Maude Ivory.” She said, a sorrowful tone in her voice, “I can’t stand to think of them without me like this.” She said, talking about her family. “I’m sorry.” Coriolanus whispered in response. For a moment, all three of you sat in silence before Lucy broke it. “You two seem like good people.” She said, looking between the two of you. “Sure would’ve been nice to meet under different circumstances.” She said, a smile visible on her face.

“One of your shows maybe.” You said, her nodding in response. “Yeah. We could have had a drink. A dance or two. Like we had all the time in the world.” She said, smiling at the two of you. At that moment, Arachne’s scream cut through the air, making your head snap to hers. Her tribute had her by the neck as she took the bottle, smashed it, and stabbed it into her neck. Without thinking you ran towards her while others recoiled and even ran. “Oh no, no, no, no.” You said to yourself, trying to stay calm.

As you pressed your hand to the wound on her neck, the blood slowly seeped through as she grabbed your shirt in vain, “It’s okay, it’s okay.” You whispered, trying to give her some comfort, before you yelled again, “Medic! Someone help her, please!” That was when Coriolanus ran beside you and also tried to help you. “Somebody help us, please!” Coriolanus yelled before you saw peacekeepers approaching. For a second you thought they were there to help Arachne, but instead, they aimed and fired at her tribute. You felt Coriolanus cover you as you covered Arachne.

You knew they were aiming at her tribute, when they fired you knew she was dead. As you kept your head ducked, you saw the blood from Arachne’s neck and her tributes mixed on the ground, almost making you puke at the sight.

The rest of the world seemed to fade away as your mind began to flood with the screams of Arachne, the screams from the war, it hit you light a freight train. And it wouldn’t stop. You finally looked at your hands to see nothing but red, deep red. If you didn’t know any better, your hands matched your uniform, your bloody hands.

You were suddenly pulled back, in a firm but gentle manner, but as you snapped out of your trance, you realized it was a peacekeeper. That was when the world exploded with more screams, this time of the people in the zoo. People screaming in horror, seeing a murder in front of their eyes. In between the chaos, you were able to see the medics carry Arachne away on a stretcher, and away from her crime scene. Suddenly, someone shook you, making you scream, taking you out of your shock.

A woman was looking at your hands, asking if the blood was yours. After she realized it wasn’t, she put a towel in your hand and walked away from you. That was when you finally got another look at your hands, the blood had dried in those few moments, now dark. The sound of Arachne’s final breath and the blood burbling came back to you, audible over the distant screams of the Capitol citizens.

Suddenly, a hand reached for your face and made you look up. You were met with the worried look of Coriolanus, and for the first time, you were able to open your mouth. “I couldn’t save her.” You whispered. “I know, I’m sorry.” He said, beginning to walk you down the main path out of the park. You threw one last look over your shoulder, finding Lucy looking down at the ground, and refusing to tear her eyes away.

The two of you are soon joined by Festus and Sejanus as all of you are ushered out of the zoo. Clemensia soon joined the party, giving you a soft look before waking beside you. Sejanus’ hand reached for yours, but you yanked it away, remembering you still had blood on it. As you all passed a water fountain, you froze. Not saying a word, you walked up to it, and let the water run over your hands, the red slowly pooling around the drain as you washed it away.

The scarlet stained the clear and clean water, now tainted by the blood of Arachne, slain by her starving tribute. At that moment another person joined you, Sejanus. He had the towel the woman gave you. Except his hands were clean, why was he here? He let the towel hit the water and brought it to your face, dabbing it to your left cheek. When he pulled the towel back, small dots of red were on the fabric. He then used the dry portion of the towel to dry your hands before leading you back to the group.

As they got close to Coriolanus’ residence, you turned to him, seeing him starting to tear up, and you held his hand. “Do you think Dr. Gaul will still want the proposal?” Clemensia asked, breaking the silence. “I doubt it.” You answered, her nodding in response. You saw the tears brimming her face, knowing she didn’t want to think about it tonight, especially with the death of Arachne. As the rest of them walked on, you walked Coriolanus up to the penthouse. You told Sejanus to tell your parents you were staying over for a while, and he understood.

Grandma’am jumped as soon as she saw the two of you, fretting and almost in a panic. You consoled her as you saw Coriolanus walk to the shower. As you finally let her go back to picking a dress for her funeral, you heard Coriolanus call your name. When you walked into his room, he was in one of his father’s robes, and writing the proposal. “I thought you weren’t gonna work on it, Clemensia isn’t here.” You said. “I just want to take my mind off of the mess today. You need to as well.” He said, holding your hand before kissing it, offering you a bit of comfort.

You then sat on his bed and sighed, holding your head in your hands. “Okay, I’ll do my best.” You said, taking a deep breath and looking at the ground. For the first 20 minutes, the both of you didn’t say a word, but you kept your eyes on the ceiling, having laid back on the bed, lounging. As you attempted to silence the memory of the blood bubbling from Arachne’s throat, her scream would cut through your memory. When you tried to shut that sound out, the smell of her blood on your hands came to your senses. It was a never-ending sparring match, and you were losing every round.

“You got any ideas you want to add to this?” He suddenly asked, not looking up from the paper. That freed you from your thoughts, and you looked towards him only for him to do the same action. It took a while for your mind to come up with several ideas to propose. After a minute or two, you spoke up, “Food and water for the tributes, they’re in there to fight to the death, but they don’t need to starve while they’re at it.” You said, remembering how Lucy ate her food earlier today. “Meanwhile people throw away most of their food in the Capitol.” You thought.

“I was thinking the same thing, but how?” He asked, turning completely towards you now. “Well peacekeepers won’t do it, even though they have guns the tributes could sneak up on them.” You said, making Coriolanus scoff at the thought. Then the idea struck in both of your minds, “Drones.” Your voices mixed, making you crack a smile and a laugh for the first time since you left the zoo. Coriolanus was looking at you, a soft look on his face and a smile to match it.

“What?” You asked, leaning on your arm to look back at him. “It’s nothing.” He said, the smile never leaving his face. “If it’s on your mind, it’s something to me.” You responded, urging him to answer your question. “This reminds me of our study sessions.” He said, his grin getting bigger at the memory. Over the next hour, you and Corio bounced ideas off of each other, something veering off-topic to debate if the idea would be too much of a hassle to add on such short notice. He then gave you the proposal to read over, being his final check before he was done.

“Looks perfect to me.” You said and then took a pencil, checking for spelling mistakes. “Welp, you missed dotting one I, other than that, you’re good.” You said, holding the paper down and correcting the mistake. When you turned around, you didn’t realize he had taken the robe off and stood at the door. “Can I walk you home?” He asked. You shook your head, “I’ll be fine, Coriolanus.” You said, sliding past him. He then held your arm before making you look up at him.

“Don’t lie to me.” He whispered in a firmer tone. “I’m walking you home, whether you like it or not.” Most of the walk was in silence, but you kept a firm hold on his hand, a silent comfort for the bout of you. As you got to your doorstep, you finally broke down completely. You leaned on the door and let the tears fall. You hit your hand on the wooden door several times, hard. “Damn you Arachne.” You sobbed, hitting your hand on the door once more.

Coriolanus hand then turned you away from the door and into his chest before wrapping around you. One of his hands held your head while the other rubbed your back. You heard him whisper words of comfort to you, but they sounded distant, the memory of her scream weakening the sound of his words. Only the sound of the door opening made you snap out of it. “Thank god you’re alright.” Your mother said, looking at the two of you. You felt Coriolanus kiss the top of your head before letting your mother hug you, looking over you.

You were led into the house while your father closed the door, sharing a look with Coriolanus before walking back to you. “Those damn animals, all of them.” He said in a pissed tone. “I’m just glad you and Coriolanus tried to help that poor girl.” Your mother said, caressing your head and your braids. What? Your head slowly raised to hers, “How did you know? Has word spread that fast?” You asked, looking to your mother and then your father. “They even showed some of the footage. You looked like a real hero, darling.” He said, nodding to the TV, catching the end of the segment.

While you did have a scared look on your face, you could see the serious look in your eyes, holding the wound while Coriolanus looked like he had next to no fear on his face at all. “A hero?” You said, scoffing at his choice of words. “Herod save people, Father. Arachne Crane is dead.” You said, moving out of your mother’s hands and going up to your room. As you showered, the water reminded you of the sound her blood made while bubbling out of her neck, your tears mixing with the water hitting your skin.

You barely got sleep that night, the endless nightmare of the zoo haunting you every time you got a minute of sleep. The next time you woke up, you stayed up, refusing to go back to sleep, no matter how exhausted you felt. You took the quickest shower of your life, made yourself eat breakfast, ignored the stares of your parents, and walked to school. You didn’t even try and wait for Corio, you just walked past his residence and straight to the academy.

When you got there, it didn’t get better. An assembly, and tried to stay in the back. “Calanthe.” Coriolanus whispered, finally finding you. “Hey.” You said in a hushed tone. “Why didn’t you walk with me today?” He asked, a worried look in his eyes. “Didn’t get much sleep, I decided to head out early today.” You answered, keeping your eyes on the podium. He nodded a look of understanding in his eyes. Before he could say anything else, a voice in the microphone interrupted him.

“Good morning, students.” A woman said one you recognized. Satyria Click, the communications professor. You heard her speaking, but your mind began to wander off, the lack of sleep making you drowsy. You leaned on Coriolanus's shoulder and he wrapped his arm around you, keeping you secure so you wouldn’t fall. You didn’t realize you had drifted off when he shook you, and your eyes snapped open. “Assembly’s over.” He whispered as you straightened up. After covering up a yawn, you offered him a thank you and stood up.

“Excuse me, Dr. Gaul is requesting your presence.” Someone in a lab uniform said, standing right beside Coriolanus. You gave his hand a brief squeeze before following the woman. You followed the woman into the lab but didn’t see Dr. Gaul. “Mysterious as always, making her presence known.” You thought.

“Yes, yes, yes. The innocent spring flower has tasted her first kiss of death.” Her voice spoke, echoing through the room. She then walked from behind the other portion of the lab and made an appearance. She had a blank look on her face. “While your classmates mentor their tributes, you will assist me here, learning everything I will teach you.” She said, holding her hands open. You slowly walked forward then followed her past her desk to a large cylinder of snakes.

“My newest batch of children.” She said, nodding at the colorful collage of snakes. You got closer, watching the snakes move and the color with them. “Pretty.” You commented before looking up at her and following her up the stairs. You then looked down at the open compartment of the cylinder and saw 3 pieces of paper. As you looked closer, you noticed it was the paper Coriolanus wrote up last night. “While I was reading the proposal Mr. Snow and Ms. Dovecote wrote, it slipped from my hands. Would you mind retrieving one of the papers for me?” She asked, an unrecognizable look on her face.

You slowly reached down, the snakes moving around your hand. Slowly you were able to get one of the pages in between your fingers just as one snake wrapped around your left arm. As you came up, he rested around your arm as you handed one of the papers to Dr. Gaul. She had a raised eyebrow and a smirk on her face, “Good job, little flower.” She said, taking the paper from you. The snake soon wrapped around your neck, and soon around your right arm, moving around your collarbone. “Call them in.” You heard Dr. Gaul say. You then lowered the snake back into the cylinder and tried to get the other papers out.

“Leave them, you’ve done enough for the moment.” She said her signature dark grin on her face. “Sweet little things, those snakes.” You said, closing the hatch back up. “Sweet and deadly.” She said, making you freeze. Deadly? She then turned away from you as you heard new sets of footprints come into the lab. “Mr. Snow, Ms. Dovecote, come and see my new babies.” She said and walked back towards you. You stayed still as they approached you, Coriolanus giving you a confused look, to which you shrugged.

“Is there a point to the color?” Clemensia asked. “There’s a point to everything, Ms. Dovecote, or to nothing at all. Which brings me neatly to your proposal: which one of you actually wrote it?” She asked, leaning her arm on the lid.

Oh shit, she knew.

You shared a brief look between the two of them, a longer look was given to Coriolanus, egging him on to talk. Before he had a chance to speak a full sentence, Clemensia spoke up, “I was inspired by Coriolanus yesterday, of course. His little betting idea. But the sponsorships and the gifts in the arena, those were all mine.” “You bitch” you thought to yourself, your mouth falling open at her lie. “Clemmie?” You softly spoke, looking at her. Dr. Gaul ignored you as she stopped twirling her hair and her raised arm fell.

“So it’s your sweaty handwriting on that page?” She asked, all while Clemmie only smiled at her. “Very impressive, Ms. Dovecote,” Dr. Gaul said, only for her tone to change, “Unfortunately, my assistant mistook it for trash this morning and lined the shelf of this very terrarium with it.” She said as she opened the hatch, letting them see the snakes. “So, please, Ms. Dovecote, retrieve it for us, won’t you? So we might all consider your inspired ideas.” Dr. Gaul asked, a playful tone on the edge of her voice.

She then reached down and picked up a snake, “Don’t worry, my little predators are perfectly docile with those they can trust.” She let the snake wrap around her hand as she continued to talk, “So if they’re used to your scent, if you’ve handled their food, for example, or if they’ve inhaled the sweat of your palm on a page, they’ll leave you alone.”

She then let her hand go towards your arm that was on the lid and let the snake wrap around your arm and hand before taking it back and lowering it into the terrarium. “A new scent, however,” she said, a dramatic tone in her voice as she sighed and turned to Clemensia, “you’d be on your own, little girl.” “Retrieve it.” She demanded, she said in a sharper voice. You all could see the scared look on her face as she slowly lowered her hand down into the terrarium. “Clemmie.” Coriolanus warned, trying to get her to stop. As her hand got lower, you knew the inevitable was coming, and soon it did.

Clemensia suddenly ripped her hand from the terrarium as she screamed, a snake at the end of her hand. “Clem!” You shouted as you tried to reach for her, Coriolanus doing the same, but Dr. Gaul stopped the both of you as she hit the floor, the snake slithering away. Her scream echoed around the room soon followed by her gasp for air, a new sound to haunt your thoughts being born in front of you.

“You asked about the colors, Ms. Dovecote?” She asked, looking down at her in disgust. “I want my enemies to see a rainbow of destruction engulfing the world.” She said as someone injected Clemmie with something as she was dragged away by peacekeepers. You didn’t realize you were following her before Dr. Gaul pulled you across her body, practically shoving you into Coriolanus. “I’m not above using spectacle to create a little terror. A strategy your classmates here articulated very well in their proposal.” She said, turning towards the both of you.

“They’re good, your suggestions. I’m going to recommend my team implement as many as possible tomorrow.” She said, looking between the two of you, but got no response. “What?” She asked. “Will she die?” Coriolanus asked, looking at her as he wrapped an arm around your stomach in a protective manner. “The pleasure in breaking ground in one’s research is one gets to find out.” She said in a nonchalant voice. Your eyes began to water, “Clemmie might die” you thought. “You better keep Ms. Dovecote’s fate between us. I don’t think her mother would be happy to learn how she caught this sudden… flu.” Dr. Gaul said, shrugging at the thought.

She then spoke up before either of you had a chance to protest, “Now run along, both of you. You have an arena to promote and it’s time for my milk and crackers.” She said, dismissing the both of you before turning away. Coriolanus led you out of the lab as you wiped your eyes. “I, I didn’t know about the snakes.” You said, your voice cracking. “I know, goddamnit.” He sighed, rubbing your side. “That's two,” You said, looking up at him, “That’s two friends we’ve lost in 24 hours.”

“We don’t know if she’ll die.” Coriolanus said, looking down into your eyes. “We don’t know if she’ll be alright either. Those aren’t garden snakes, Corio, they’re Gaul’s, they’re deadly!” You shouted, snapping at him. You then took a deep breath, “I’m sorry. I’m just getting tired of these games.” You said. “Which ones? Dr. Gaul’s or the hunger games?” He asked. “All of it.” You said, then turned your head to the lab and then back to him. “You go on back to class.” You said, squaring your shoulders and going towards the closest hospital, and he was close behind you. When you ran in, you were immediately met with the screams of Clemensia. You tried to see her, but the doctors wouldn’t let either of you see her.

You finally left when her parents arrived, running inside not even realizing you two were passing. You only had one more thought as Coriolanus took you in his arms once more: how many more friends would you lose to these games?

[javistg]

Javis reads The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

The plot thickens. There are moves and countermoves wherever we turn. 

We get to learn a little more about what life was like in Panem. SC’s dark humour has made me laugh and cringe more than once.  

Comments, and spoilers, under the cut.

Aks, replies and discussion are always welcome!

For previous chapters, click HERE.

I have to admit that, at first, I felt sorry for Sejanus’s position as a mentor for District 2. It seemed cruel to have him train someone he might have known as a child. But that lasted about three seconds. After all, wasn’t that what all the mentors we knew had done?  

My reactions while reading the about Twelve’s reaping: 

Huh, so is this how President Snow became acquainted with snakes?

Wow, Mayor Lipp and his daughter are a pair of bullies, but they’re not above the law. 

The description of Lucy’s makeup immediately made me think of the first image I ever saw of Effie Trinket -- the one where she’s walking onto the stage before the 74th reaping. 

I loved Lucy’s song and the way she takes Jessup’s hand and takes a bow.

Back in the Capitol...

The story about the dead maid shook me. 

“The cousins never spoke of it even to each other, but it was burned into Coriolanus’s memory. [...] ...the absolute horror of realising that he, too, could now be viewed as edible”. 

The incident with the cans of dried lima beans and the  mention of hoarding took me back to Mockinjay. 

In the Capitol of Snow’s childhood hoarding was technically illegal. We know Coin punishes those who do it in District 13. 

But, when the soldiers from Thirteen complain about it, Messala explains, “On the contrary, in the Capitol you’d be considered stupid not to do it. [...] Even before the Quarter Quell, people were beginning to stock up un scarce supplies.”

It seems that people in the Capitol had good reason to fear scarcity. Most of them were too young to remember it first-hand, but they’d probably heard the stories from their parents.

Some practical bits:

The scheduling for reaping day is explained. 

“The reaping aired live from each district, moving from the east coast to the west, and was broadcast around the country. That meant District 12 would kick off the day.”

TBH, I had never given much thought to this. The first time I remember even considering it was when I read Absolution. From what I can remember, @sfcbruce​ got his description right 😊

The slips of paper went in burlap sacks and the mayor had to pull them out. Well... no wonder people were losing interest.  

The citizens of District 12 started working in the mines before their last reaping (maybe immediately after they turned 18, maybe before).

Some of the things the tributes of the first 9 Hunger Games didn’t have: 

Mentors, sponsors, escorts, stylists, prep-teams, a cornucopia inside the arena (although they did get weapons, so maybe that counts), interviews. 

It looks like they didn’t have any training, so it’s unlikely they were evaluated before going into the arena. 

Since I don’t think they got any food or supplies, I’m guessing these early Games probably didn’t last very long.