Wake Up Call (Coriolanus Snow X Fem! Reader)

I honestly meant to make/mention this a while ago but I forgot💀

BUT!! Here is my wattpad where I have 2 stories that are both published a Coriolanus Snow Fanfic and a Henry creel/001 Imagines+others. That I am slowly working on them! So no i didn’t forget!! and my TikTok where I make edits!! 🫶🏻

So please go check them out and follow (if you want💀😂) :)

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Man who can’t be moved (Coriolanus Snow x Reader)

(Summary: Coriolanus and you were once upon a time really close but when tragedy struck that had you torn apart but he has picture of you

Masterlist : Request Info

Word Count: 1.4k

(A/n: The Polls came out as even so I’ve decided to do both Finnick & Coriolanus for the song so keep your eyes open for Finnick Odair one!!)

(Warnings: song lyrics, Coriolanus Snow inner dialogue, death mentioned, Not fully proffered but most yes, useing she/her pronouns but can. Be read as Gender neutral)

"Going back to the corner where I first saw you.."

~~~

  Coriolanus Snow had never wanted to go back to District 12. The place where his father was murdered, where he almost died from a snake bite, where he murdered Sejanus poor pitiful Sejanus. and the victor of 10th annual hunger games that he mentored and sacrificed his future, but that couldn't compare to the one.

  The same place where he reunited and lost the girl he had lost when he was 12 years old. Only for her to disappear and leave him in those very same woods out in district 12.

  Coriolanus went over to the desk and pulled open the drawer that was the nearest to the sliding door of the train and pulled out a picture of her 'Y/n Reinswood'  taken at the place that she had shown him. A secluded corner of the forest where it overlooked a view of the lake.. it was their spot..Where they had their first kiss, I love you, and …

He walked over to the board where their were words on notecards, with his different speeches. It was his second year in his presidency campaign and 4 years since he last was in 12. Last time you saw you. He looked down at the picture of you with your beautiful smile. He used to wonder if he would ask showing people the picture. ‘If you see this girl, can you tell her where I am?’

When he decided to go back to 12 for his campaign. People would show him pity, confusion. He hated how he felt about her. How he missed her. How weak he was about her. He remembers Dr.Gaul saying ‘Love is weakness, being broken is weakness and being a broken hearted man is even weaker.’

He couldn’t show weakness.. especially to the rebels who wanted him gone and to stay higher up. Snow lands on top. His father’s motto and now his.

But Coriolanus Snow was not stupid or blind to how he actually felt about her. He knows it makes no sense. Especially, when he’s face to face with Tigris on the rare occasion they do see each other. She sees right through him. She knows he can’t move on because he’s still in love with you.

Which makes him almost hate her. He never wanted anyone to see his weakness.. not again..

‘Cause if one day you wake up and find that you’re missing me…

Ever since he had gotten back from 12 he would find himself missing you and wondering where in 12 if you were still there could you be. And he hated it so to put his mind to rest.

He had decided to go back to the place that they used to meet at after his speech. Was it risky a chance but having peacekeepers all around that place would be easy. He would go to prove to himself that you were gone and not coming back. Even though a smallest chance that you’ll see him waiting for you on the corner of the woods..

Maybe you won't mean to but, you'll see me on the news and you'll come running to the corner...

  It was a beautiful Spring Day in District 12, you were walking around the market after doing some shopping with the money you had earned from performing at the Hob.

  Passing by a house on the way back to the covey you heard on the TV 'that the up and coming president snow. has reached District 12.'

  Y/n froze looking over at the TV seeing Coriolanus's Face pop up in to the screen. Broad casted from an hour ago. You sighed before continuing your walk.

  As you were about to walk the path to the covey cottage you heard some by passing Peacekeepers radio go off saying that they didn't know where Snow went. Y/n stopped dead in her tracks thinking if he was at their spot.

'Cause you'll know it's just for you...

  Without a thought she grabbed the basket and ran to the spot in the corner of the woods just past the meadow. It was a small secluded spot in the forest over looking the lake not far from the outlook of the forest. The first spot where she took him those 4 years ago.

  Her breath got caught in her throat once she saw him. He was leaning against a tree with his hands in his pocket of his father’s long red thick coat. His hair combed back. She didn't fully believe it. Until she had accidentally stepped on a stick that had snapped which made her freeze.

  Coriolanus whipped his head around reaching for something in his pocket. Until he saw her standing there he quickly retracted his hand. His eyes widening in the slightest way before smiling slyly.

"I knew you'd find me here.." He said, smiling softly knowing he still had her.

"W-what are you doing here..." Y/n asked. Not really knowing what to do. He moved off the tree he was leaning on. Not answering her question.

"I should hate you for leaving me in the woods.. again.. but I couldn't stop thinking about you. I guess you would say 'I'm the man who can't be moved..'" Coriolanus said the last part jokingly, his finger tracing your jaw which made Y/n's breath hitch slightly.

"What makes you think i should believe you?" She asked. His eyes going slightly dark with slight frustration.

"Because ever since you left the capital and I found you here and you left again. I have not stopped thinking about you. I know what I did. I know what I've done. Yes I could kill you too. But I don't want that. It wouldn't be easier..." Coriolanus said, which made Y/n back up into a tree. Only for him to follow until he was in front of her.

"I've wanted you ever since I was 10 years old, when you gave Tigris and I food even though you needed just as much and then I had to watch you be taken away. And when I found you here singing at the hob with Lucy Gray after I helped her win. It fueled that those times we spent together before that day I've never forgotten or got over it. So Yes! I am the Man who can't be moved!" Coriolanus seethed with frustration almost hating himself for sounding so vulnerable and telling the truth.

  Y/n looked at him shocked at how he remembered that. She has also loved him for a long time but how could she forgive him? After killing her best friend that was practically her sister and Sejanus who was probably his only friend after she had left...

"Why the hell do you think I'm here? At our spot? Why do you think you came?" He said, looking into her eyes.

She hated to admit it but he was right she did come right here to see if he was here. She hated that she knew where he would be.. She hated that she missed him and would wonder where he was. Hoping and thinking maybe he'll come back to the this place.

   Coriolanus felt the same he hated that she was the weakness that wouldn't go away, the one he missed every single day seeing her face everywhere. And hoping that she was still out their for them to meet again. Even though he knew he could never hate her. No matter how much he tried.

  Y/n looked at him. His features from the once young boy now a man standing in front of her. Without so much as a thought she leaned in pressing her lips softly against his. Sealing her fait and saying her sorrys to the covey and two that she lost. Coriolanus a bit taken back for a split moment before kissing her back if not immediately as he sealed his and hers fait. With a kiss full of passion and love that had regained in this moment from 4 years ago.

  They both knew whether they had their reunion or not they would always go back to the corner whether in their mind or in reality as much as they would to fight it. They would camp in a sleeping bag that would never move..

So High School (Wally Clark x Reader)

(Summary Maddie Asks why you You and Wally are so close and well you explain)

Masterlist : Request info

(A/n: I've recently finished watching School Spirits and I loved it and can’t wait for more seasons!! So I was inspired and might start writing for Wally Clark! Loosely Based on so high school)

(Warnings!: Mentions of school shooting, Mentions of death, typical School Spirit stuff, mentions of bullying & mental health, and fluff)

~~~~

"I'll see you later n/n. Be Careful." Wally said giving you a kiss on the cheek before going to help Charley with Maddies and Simon's? plan.

"Yep, I will. You be careful too. Now, Go help them." You said giving him a smile as he gave you a goofy smile back before taking off after the others.

You decided to go wonder off to your personal spot to read and try to get your mind off of everything that's going on and read. But she couldn't help her thoughts going back to when her and Wally were alive.

~~~

Flashback

~~~

“Hey!” Wally said running up to you putting his arms around your waist bending down to kiss you.

“Hey.” You hummed into the kiss. “How was practice?”

“It was fantastic the boys and I are definitely going to kick ass at the homecoming game! You’re coming right?” Wally said energetically.

“I have a lot of studying to do and I have work..” you said looking down at the ground.

“What? You mean you can’t come just this once?” Wally asked. “It’s a big game… I’m gonna need you there..”

You looked up at him seeing the deflation in his eyes. You knew he loved his mom but you also knew how much pressure she puts on him to win. You even knew that he did not want to be on the football team but did it so he wouldn’t let his mom down.. after his father left them he was all she had.

Y/n sighed. “I’ll try to make it.. but please either if I do come or don’t come you won’t push yourself to hard.” Wally’s eyes lit up as you mention you would at least try to make it.

He gave you another peck on the lips. “I promise.”

~~~~

“Hey, finished up early. I was wonder if I could g-“ “Go! You’ve done good work today go have fun.” Mrs. Jones said as she waved you off.

Just as you were about to leave the phone went off. “Y/n it’s for you. And who ever it is does not seem.. well.” Mrs. Jones said.

Y/n’s eyebrows furrowed before going over to the phone and taking it from her.

“Hello-“ “Y/n?” She heard what sounded like Jess.

“Jess? What’s wrong?” She asked worriedly.

“It’s Wally…” Jess said as another sob came out.

Y/n’s whole world stopped at the next words that left Jess. She dropped to the floor as her whole world collapsed around her. Letting out a broken yell as she crumpled into Mrs. Jones arms as she comforted her while she sobbed

As time went on all she could think about was him. Their first date:

“I-I know it’s not much but-“ “it’s perfect.. Wally.” You said blushing. As you sat on a picnic blanket on the football field.

“It’s actually pretty romantic besides the part of being in the football field.” You complemented. Wally smiled.

“I’ve never met someone like you or..” “liked someone like me?” You asked he blushed slightly embarrassed.

“Yeah..” Wally let out a slight laugh.

“Guess it was a good thing I was your tutor? Huh?” You joked, Wally laughed. “Very lucky.”

Their first kiss:

“What do you think you’re doing?” You asked as Wally stopped throwing little pebbles at the window of your house. He dropped them and ran up to you.

“Look I’m sorry. I know I should’ve stopped them from bullying your friend. I.. I just..” Wally sighed running his hand through his hair. “And I’m sorry for what they said about you. I just don’t want them to hurt you.”

“Well that’s your choice!” You yelled at him.

“I keep putting myself out there and you keeping showing versions of a person that I don’t want to be with..” You said as the rain started to get heavier.

“Who are you Wally Clark? The real you?” You asked looking at him. He took a deep sigh Turing around to you.

“You want to know who I really am?” He asked and you nodded.

“I’m Wally Clark! I’m the football player that never really wanted to be a football player in the first place but did it so my mom wouldn’t be disappointed in me. Who’s friends aren’t the best but they are my team mates which is like family to me. And I’m the guy that had fallen for you! You’re smart, nerdy, kind, pretty.. very pretty and hot especially standing out here in the rain..” Wally was right in front on you now. “Thats who I am.” He finished looking at you.

You looked back at him with a slightly pity/just felt bad for him look for his confession before smiling slightly and pulling in his shirt into a kiss he immediately kissed back as he put his arms around you.

Their first time…

“Are you sure?” He asked.

Your parents weren’t home had gone out with friends from their school days to catch up. Wally and you had gotten back from a date an hour ago and had been making out for about half of that in your bedroom.

You nodded. “I’m sure.”

Before bringing him back into a kiss.

~~~~~

"So You and Wally are close.. really close actually.." A voice said from behind you. Y/n jumped as she turned around to see Maddy behind her.

“Sorry.. i didn’t mean to scare you..” She said.

"Oh no don’t worry but to answer your question We were.. are?" You said as you patted the seat next to you. Maddy gladly excepted it.

"What do you mean by that?" She asked you confused.

"We dated or well... are dating." Maddy gave her a surprised look. "I know. A nerd like me dating a jock. Not very common." You said with light laugh.

"I just wasn't expecting that." Maddy said her eyebrows raised in amusement at the unlikely pair.

"What happened to you?" She asked cautiously. Y/n took a deep breath while putting her head against the wall.

"It was a few months after Wally's death... that was the only game I couldn't make.." You sighed remembering the call and funeral.

"It's not your fault.." Maddy said. Y/n sighed and nodded. "I know but it doesn't make the guilt feel lesser.. Anyway back to your question.."

"It was a few months after only a month? Or two til graduation. Somebody had brought a gun to the school. I was walking with my one friend Jess and then Bang! Next thing I know I wake up here.."

(Flashback)

  "Y/n hurry up we're going to be late!!" Jess said as they walked into the hall. Y/n next to her with books in hand.

"How was I supposed to know their'd be traffic? Also we still have 15 minu-"

*BANG*

"Y/N!!" Jess shouted.

~~~

  A few minutes later you woke up seeing a figure standing above you. Your breath hitched where you saw Wally.

"Hey! Hey it's okay.." Wally said holding the back of your head.

"H-how-" You asked. Wally looked at you with sad eyes "...you don't remember.."

  Then it hit you. You walking into the hall with Jess and then a *BANG* and pain then... peace.

"I-I'm d-dead.." you said in shock. Wally hugged her.

"I-I'm so sorry..." he said tears falling as he pulled you into an embrace.

~~~~

"Wally was right there next to me.." you explained. "He kept apologising. I could tell he didn't want me to be trapped here or well.. shot.."

"Wait you were one of the people that were killed in the school shooting in 1983?" Maddie asked shocked. You nodded. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault."

"H-how are you so calm about it? You still had your whole life ahead of you and were about to graduate?" Maddie asked. You sighed.

"I knew the kid that did it.." her eyes widened. "He was scared. And angry... very angry. Nobody except me, Wally, and one or two others treated him fairly. H-he got bullied a lot and in particular circumstances you either go one way or the other. One that makes you angry and aggressive or you get suicidal and depressed." You explained.

"And I believe when it's your time.. it's your time.. like an invisible clock above you that's counting down your minutes.." You looked at Maddie whose eyes were wide in slight fear and shock. "Sorry.."

"You know a lot. Hell you could've been a therapist or something." She said, you laughed.

"I guess."

"Were you angry at first?" Maddie asked you then.

"No. When I woke up I saw the person that I felt lost without.. cheesy I know." You said.

"Believe it or not it's kinda... sweet.." she said.

“Um.. I’m sorry I asked about you and Wally and um your death it was probably ignorant of me.” Maddie said.

“Oh nonsense your fine. I don’t mind talking about it really.” You said smiling. Maddie smiled back.

“Hey! There you are! We have news!” Charley said as him and Wally come running up to the pair. Maddie got up.

“Great, let’s go see what you found.” Maddie said to Charley as she dragged him off.

Wally smiled at you as he sat down next to you. “I’m surprised. You never let anyone but me invade this spot.” Wally joked.

“She seemed like she needed a friend.” You replied, with a smile before giving him a kiss. Wally happily kissed back.

“What was that for?” He asked.

“I’m just.. happy that I’m still here with you..” you replied giving him a soft smile. His smile widened before kissing you again.

“I’m glad. I’m stuck with you here too.” He said wrapping his arms around you with your head leaning on his shoulder.

“Nerd..” He whispered. You gasped and gave him a playful slap on the chest and he laughed. “Jock.”

Netflix you know what you’re doing

Imagine you being Will’s and Jonathan’s Sister:

and Vecna/Henry/001 takes a liking towards you..:

SOMEBODY PLEASE WRITE THIS!

Also your Jonathan’s twin!

MASTERLIST

Imagine instead of Ms.Weems being murdered by Ms. Thornhill it was you instead and Tyler being there the whole time seeing his girlfriend die…

And yes you have my permission to use any of my imagines as a story or a oneshot/imagine!

Imagine how distraught snow would be if his wife had a really rough time giving birth to their child where she’s coming in and out of conscience and there’s blood and he’s terrified she won’t make it like his mother leading to him hating the baby for a little bc of how badly his wife was recovering sorry for the angst! Ignore this if uncomfortable <3

forever winter |young!coriolanus snow x capitol!reader|

prompt: as requested, troubles with child birth leaves coriolanus very cold towards your son.

contains: angst. mentions of parental death, blood, complications during birth. darkish coriolanus. kinda fluffy-ish end?

Coriolanus knew the horrors of childbirth. He knew the dangers, the risks. He’d seen the blank stares of a new mother rocking her baby, eyes blank and distant like she’d been through war. He’d heard the solemn whispers in a dim room, quiet and hushed, darting eyes that looked everywhere but the casket- sometimes two. His own mother had been torn from his grasp at a young age because of it, and for a while, he was sure he’d never let his own wife experience it. 

Then he met you. 

You who lit his world up from the inside out, who he rose only each day to see- to love. You who cradled a baby at your engagement announcement, a friend’s newborn, held him so naturally and delicately that it ignited something inside Coriolanus. He wanted a dozen babies with you, he decided at that moment that he’d do anything to make it happen. 

You’d blossomed so naturally, swelled up overnight. Round belly and a glowing demeanor- it was addictive to Coriolanus. How he’d brag, boast proudly to anyone who’d hear it- his wife pregnant, he couldn’t be happier. 

All those fears, worries, were replaced with new ones. Horror stories about infants, toddlers. His own consuming thoughts about being a father. The idea of childbirth was nothing but a fading thought to him. That had been in the war, technology was better, he was in a better place. Your father had ensured his darling daughter would have the best of the best- you always did. The best doctors, the best birthing suite, the best nursery- the best. 

But money couldn’t buy your own body betraying itself at birth. It didn’t stop the bleeding, the paling of your skin as you fluttered in and out of consciousness. 

You’d grunted like an animal, tearing yourself into two for hours, cursing Coriolanus’ name, begging him to make it stop, crushing his hands with your legs up in the stirrups, pushing your baby out. 

Coriolanus was in awe of you, though he’d never get the chance to tell you. How you’d willed yourself to hurt yourself, inflict that selfless pain to bring life into the world. It was positively poetic. 

He’d been so overjoyed hearing your babies gargled cry, the nurses announcing its gender- his gender. His son. A boy. A beautiful boy, wailing and delicate and covered in matter that Coriolanus didn’t even care about when he held him close to his own chest. 

“What is it, Coryo?” You muttered, eyes drooping, chest heaving with aftershocks of pain from the birth. 

“A boy, my love.” Coryo’s eyes shone with tears, lips pressing together to conceal it. “It’s a boy. Our boy, my darling.” 

“A boy…” Your speech was slurred, head lolling back onto the pillow. 

Coriolanus noticed for the first time how still the room had become, his son’s wailing the only sound. The nurses and doctors, once chipper and gleeful, now bearing a sickly paleness to their face, eerily quiet. 

“What? What’s wrong?” Coriolanus snapped, eyes wide, frantic, bouncing around the room. “What’s happening?” 

“We-We can’t find-” The doctor’s voice shook, ducked between your legs in a pile of crimson. Coriolanus’ stomach turned violently. 

“She’s bleeding. We-We can’t find where the bleeding is.” The nurse whispered. 

“What?” Coriolanus snapped. “Bleeding? H-How can she- Find it!” The baby wailed over the sound of Coriolanus’ demanding barks. 

“President Snow, we-we’re trying our best-” 

“-Try harder.” Coriolanus sneered, clutching the baby closer to his chest. “If anything happens to my wife, I will single handedly ensure your bloodline ends with you. Each of you will know what it feels like to lose your family too if you lose her.” He spat, sending the nurses and doctors into a fearful frenzy. 

The newborn wailed, doctors shouted, and Coriolanus’ ears rang, his chest too tight, painfully tight. He couldn’t lose you, he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t survive that loss. His eyes fell to the screeching baby beneath him, scrunched face and wailing gums. How was he to raise this baby without you? 

Anger boiled through his chest at the sight of his son- his fault. A cowering nurse, frozen in shaking fear in the corner, watched him carefully as he stormed towards her. “Take this.” Coriolanus sneered, shoving the baby in her arms. 

He hated the feeling, the helplessness that consumed him as he stood, wide eyed and shaking hands he clenched into fists. 

Somewhere, somehow, the doctor found the bleeding, stopping it with a triumphant cry. “Get the blood, get the blood!” He shouted, head hooked over his shoulder. “Infuse it now!” 

Coriolanus wasn’t sure he could remember how to breathe. Memories of the two of your: the moment you met, the first date, his shaking hands asking for yours in marriage, the way you beamed under your veil at the altar, the same glow that you had when you told him you were pregnant. It could all be gone so easily. Had his father felt this way? So helpless? 

Maybe that’s why he’d been so hardened and resentful, so he’d never feel attached- never allow himself to feel so helpless. 

Coriolanus decided he couldn’t blame him, sitting in this chair, watching as you rested. The doctor said there’d be a lot of that in the coming hours. That you’d gone through trauma and you needed time. He wanted to rip you from the bed, shake you until you awoke and told him you were ok. He needed to hear it, maddenned himself with the need for it. 

Instead, he sat. 

Coryo sent the baby out to the nursery. He knew your parents, Tigris, everyone waiting would be thrilled to see the baby boy. Coryo just couldn’t muster the feigned excitement now. The site of his own son made his stomach turn, fear soaked repulsion settled deep in the pitt of his own core. 

Somewhere in the night, you awoke. A rustling and a groan that had Coriolanus snapping out of his dazed sleep, head tucked to his shoulder, slumped in the chair beside your bed. 

“Don’t move.” Coryo commanded, eyes a kind of bright, frantic wide that had you stilling. 

Your throat burned, head dizzy with the medicine they’d pumped into your system. Coriolanus’ hands shook as he brought you the water, hand cupping your jaw gently to feed it to you. You blinked, bleary with confusion. “You’re alright, my love.” Coriolanus' heart swelled, suffocatingly in his own chest. You were alright. 

“Coryo,” You croaked, throat tight, rasping from before, you were sure. You remembered the birth, most of it anyways, the blurry memory of your baby in Coryo’s arms before your memory failed. “The-The baby… Is he alright? W-Where’s my baby?” 

“He’s with your parents, my love.” Coriolanus’ hand smoothes down your matted hair, sticky with dried sweat. “Nevermind him. How are you? Is anything wrong? Do you need anything? I-I’ll call for the nurse.” 

You shook your head, looking around the room. The sheets were clean, your gown clean, but you felt an achy soreness splitting you in half. “What happened?” 

Coriolanus felt the lump in his throat grow, strangling his words in his throat. “Y-You had some complications, darling.” He swallowed the burn of his own tears down in his throat. “You were bleeding but they stopped it.” 

You blinked, unmoving, soaking in the details of your injury. Coriolanus watched you with a studying glare, eyes scanning for any tiny, minor infliction that something was wrong. “Is-Is the baby ok?” You whispered, eyes shining with fear when you met his gaze. 

“The baby’s fine.” Coryo snapped, harsher than he meant to. It alarmed you, your eyes snapping to his carefully. He took a deep breath, holding your hand carefully into his own, thumb running over your knuckles. 

“He’s fine.” Coryo said, softer this time. “I need to know how you are. What do you need from me, my love? What can I do to make it better?” 

You squeezed his hand lightly, your strength weaker than normal. It made Coriolanus’ spine tingle with shooting chills of concern. “I want to see my baby.” You whispered, head leaning against Coryo’s shoulder. 

“No,” Coriolanus shook his head furiously. “No, you-you need to rest, and-and not be bothered by the baby-” 

“-Coryo,” Your eyes rounded, so pitifully pleading Coriolanus would have walked through fire for you if you asked him to. “Please? I just want to see our baby.” 

And how could he say no? He couldn’t, so instead, Coriolanus called the nurse in. Your parents, proud grandparents, holding the baby, tutting over you. Everyone flitting about the birthing room, Tigris even gleaming with joy at the birth of her nephew. All except Coriolanus, who watched in the corner of the room, a stoic look on his face. 

You looked positively radiant, glowing with joy as you held your son. As if that baby hadn’t nearly killed you, Coriolanus wanted to scream the reminder to you, but he didn’t. He wouldn’t dare upset you, risk upsetting you in front of your family. 

“Coriolanus,” Tigris’ soft voice pulled him out of his thoughts, brought him away from his own sinking, heavy feelings of disappointment. “Are you alright?” 

“I’m fine, Tigris.” Coryo’s voice was tight, firm and forced, like the look of awkward contentment he tried to paint across his features. 

“You… You haven’t held your son.” Tigris hesitated, voice dropping softly so the others wouldn’t overhear. 

“I don’t wish to hold him right now.” Coriolanus sneered. 

“He is your son, Coriolanus.” Tigris hissed, her voice dropping to a low hush in the room, terrified you or the others might hear. 

“And he almost killed her.” Coryo’s eyes flashed to Tigris’ in horrified rage. “Nearly fated her as my sister did my mother, and if you think for one second I am to be happy at that, then you are-” 

“-Coryo,” Your voice croaked, still weak and tired. It made his heart lurch, attention on you in a second, already walking towards your bedside. 

“Yes, my love? What do you need?” Coriolanus muttered. Normally, he’d be embarrassed, showing such affection especially in front of your parents, but he hoped they’d pardon his vulnerability in the moment, given the circumstances. 

“Look at him,” Your eyes shone with love, pure adoration, as if you weren’t cradling the very thing that almost killed you. It made Coryo sick. “He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” 

Coriolanus looked down at the small newborn, wrapped in swaddles, eyes closed and lips twitching with the faintest whimper of a cry. He looked so much like you, so much like himself- the perfect blend of the two of you taking your lips but Coriolanus’ nose. 

His heart swelled with pride before he could help it, lips curling in a half smile. He’d grown weak, Coriolanus decided, softened by you and your love. He should be disgusted by the baby, despise him and reject him like an animal in the wild would. But he couldn’t bring himself to it. 

“A fine young boy.” Your father boasted, nodding proudly. “The two of you should be very proud.” 

“Yes,” Coryo swallowed around the lump in his throat. You leaned into his touch, shifting the baby so he could better see him. 

“Any idea on the name?” Your mother hummed, moving beside you. 

“I still think Cyrene would be fitting.” You’re beaming, beautiful and proud when you meet Coriolanus’ gaze. “What do you think, Coryo?” 

“Yes,” Coryo nodded. “I think that would be a fine name.” 

“Cyrene Snow,” You cooed, pressing your nose to the baby’s, pressing a gentle kiss there. Your eyes brimmed with tears when you met Coriolanus’ gaze. “Do you want to hold him, darling?” 

“Are you getting tired?” Coryo watched you carefully. “Do you feel alright?” 

“Yes,” You nodded. “I don’t want to hog the baby. Want you to have a chance too, darling.” 

“That’s alright.” Coryo shook his head politely, suddenly very aware of your parents and Tigris’ gaze on him. “You hold him, my love.” 

You frowned lightly. You knew something was off with Coryo, the tightness in his tone, lips falling in a flat line. You waited until later, when Cyrene lay in his bassinet, your family all gone for the night, just you and Coryo in the birthing suite. 

“Why will you not hold him?” You asked through the still darkness. Coriolanus' eyes snapped to yours fiercely, startled by your tone. 

“Excuse me?” 

“Our baby.” You groaned when you sat up, Coryo rushing to your side. 

“You need to be careful-” 

“-You won’t hold him, Coriolanus.” You gripped his arm, eyes shining in something new- something Coryo wasn’t certain of, but it made his stomach twist. “Why?” 

Coriolanus swallowed, the lump in his throat suffocating him. “The last time I held him,” Coryo’s voice was soft, rasping in the quiet room, barely above a whisper. “You nearly died.” 

The room was still, far too still for either of you to find comfort. A harsh, shocking truth for the both of you, sickening and cruel. Your near damned fated reality, Coriolanus’ worst fears, the peaceful baby resting in the bassinet besides the two of you. 

Pressed into the side of your hospital bed, Coriolanus held you carefully, a stilled reminder that you were still there, that you hadn’t left him. The icy wall he’d built high for his son melted with every soft coo and whisper you gave him, a reminder that you were still with him and would be. 

When Coryo finally held Cyrene again, when he’d stirred awake and you were asleep, he turned to the window overlooking Panem’s Capitol, eyes shining with tears- of regret, joy, pain? Even Coryo wasn’t sure, but he rocked his son to sleep carefully, promising him that one day, he’d have what Coryo had. That he wouldn’t leave him the way his father had, that he’d keep him safe, teach him how to keep you safe.

Never Lose Me (Henry/001 x reader)

(Summary: Where you are unwillingly part of one of Dr. Brenner's project's in the lab, Henry /001 is the one who he pairs you with. But something goes wrong during the pregnancy..)

Masterlist

(Warning: Mentions of murder, Medical stuff, blood, death, dark themes, Dr. Brenner is his own warning)

   It was a cold rainy September night, when you got kidnapped by a old grey haired man named Dr. Martin Brenner. Who was now your 'boss'. He forced you to join one of his projects and he stuck you in a room with a very handsome mysterious guy named Peter Ballard, who you later found out his real name was Henry Creel.

(Flashback)

"W-who are you? Wh-where am I?" You finally got the courage to speak.

"Henry.. Henry Creel." "But I thou-" "Brenner changed my name.. and I'm sure you know why.." Henry said looking at you. He was right you did know, he was supposed to be dead but here he is in the flesh.

"I'm not going to hurt you..."  "Where am I? Why am I here? And don't try anything i know karate.." you said trying to stand your ground. He was not bying it.

"Your at Hawkins Lab, Dr.Brenner is making you become involved in one of his projects.. that's why your in here with me.."

"Wait you knew?" He nodded.

"He told me and showed me who you were. Y/n M/n L/n, 25 years old. Honor Roll in high school, went to one of the best schools for nursing, Single, and a Orphan... Brenner actually let me pick who was going to be apart of this project.." your face went back to a horrified expression. "Don't worry he was planning to get you anyways. He needs a new nurse."

"H-ho-" "He has a file of you.. he has files of everyone.. and I picked you because I can sense theirs something... between us..."

  And Henry was right. There was/is an unspeakable bond between the two of you no one could figure out... not even them. From then on, you both got to know each other he told you more about the lab, himself, how he was/is a number and that he has powers just like the other children. He also told you about the project.. how you and him had to conceive a child. You were mortified and refused.... Until that one night....

"What happened?" You walked towards him seeing him on the ground in pain. Henry refused to break down his wall and shook his head.

"They punished you didn't they?" You asked. He sighed and nodded.

  You got the first aid kit and asked him to take off his shirt. You never knew how toned he actually was until now... you quickly shook the thought away and You started to tend to his wounds.

"What happened this time?"

"Brenner doesn't like how close I am getting to 011."

"I see that.." you said with a frown as you finished tending to his wounds.

    But before you could move away, he grabbed your arm and lifted up your chin, making you look into his eyes and before you knew it, his lips were on yours and you were being pushed back onto his bed.

   Now, You were months into your pregnancy and at first everything was fine until the past few weeks going into the third trimester of your pregnancy. You had been exhausted and coughing like crazy you also looked survirly pale, but you just thought it was just because of being trapped in the lab. During your pregnancy you haven't been able to see Henry as much but, he did grow concern. You missed seeing him everyday, You thought, As you walked with one of the other woman in a different project Lydia, who had became your friend. While she talked to you about the reasoning she was here and her husband.

"I've been missing him like crazy. And the only reason I am doing this is because I need the money or I don't know what will happen to us-" you started to feel faint slowing down your speedy as well as starting to cough slightly, trying not noticing the blood that was coming out as well.

"Y-y/n are you okay?" She asked concerned, looking behind towards you.

"I-im..f-fine." You said in between heeps of breaths and coughing up large amounts of blood, before your eyes rolled back and you clasping to the floor. Lydia dropped her pad running towards you.

"Omg. Y/n? Help! HELP!" She shouted. To see Dr.Brenner and two orderly's running up to them.

"Lydia what happened?" Brenner asked eyes filled with shocked and a little horror.

"I-I don't know... w-we were just walking and she started coughing and slowing down. Before I knew it she clasped." She said with tears streaming down her eyes.

"Jackson take Ms. Rowe back to the project room. Lucas take ms.L/n to the infirmary immediately! And page the infirmary! Hurry!" Brenner ordered. The two men hurriedly went to there tasks.

While Lucas rushed Y/n to the infirmary. He immediately paged the infirmary.

"This is Lucas Soks i have a serious matter ms. L/n clasped in the hall coughing up blood. Dr. Brenner needs to have all hands on deck. I'll be there soon!"

Not occurring to Lucas nor Brenner that Henry over heard everything and is hot on their tracks.

Once, Lucas got her to the infirmary the team took you and placed you on the table placing an oxygen mask on to your mouth and nose, while giving you an IV as they pushed everyone else out of the room.

As Dr.Brenner was going to the infirmary to see what was happening he was stopped in his tracks by an all to familiar voice/person.

"What did you do to her?" A bitter voice said.

"001 we have no idea what happened. I'm on my way to figure it out now and I suggest you let me through or suffer the consequences." Brenner spoke.

Henry opened his mouth to speak then closed it again before letting Brenner pass.

"I will let you know what happens.." Brenner said before continuing to the infirmary.

Once he was gone, henry punched the closest wall near him. Though Brenner used you for his "project" you both actually fell for each other. He never expected to fall in love or have any actual feelings for anyone or anything but, their was something about you that allured him. Now that he has you he's not going to let you go no matter what. He couldn't bare the thought of losing you.

Once, Brenner got to the infirmary.

"What's going on?" Brenner asked one of the nurses.

"Her body is starting to shut down, one of her organs is clasping. We need to get her into surgery now." She explained.

"I don't care what happens to her but, make sure that baby is alive." Brenner stated.

"But sir-" "do as I say! Kill her i don't care but I.want.that.baby.alive!" He ordered.

They looked at him with a horrified expression before following his orders. One of the nurses Katherine was a very good friend of yours even before the lab. She couldn't believe what she had heard. And slipped out of the room to find Peter/Henry. She found him where he usually was working in the Rainbow room.

"Mr. Ballard could I speak with you for a moment.. 011s results came back." She made up a good excuse or well she hoped. Looking at the other orderlies who had actually bought it. Peter got up and followed her.

"I need to tell you something important."

"Ms.Thorn I don-" as he was about to walk back to the rainbow room " It's about Y/n." Henry paused in his tracks slowly turning around walking back towards Katherine.

"What about Y/n." He said in a deep almost concerned voice.

"Br-Brenner wants to kill her..." those four words almost sent him into a rage. "Y/n's condition, is one of her organs are failing. There getting her-she's probably already in surgery now. Brenner never cared about her seems pretty obvious but all he cares is wanting that baby... your baby alive... no matter the costs.." She explained. Henry was frozen in place rage filling him more and more like poison seeping through. He need to do his plan as soon as possible.

"I-I have to get back before Brenner notices.. I wanted you to know.." and with that Katherine went back to the infirmary. While Henry went back to the rainbow room to start his plan.

(Timeskip: past through the mascara and everything also eleven escaped through the tunnel when Henry showed her, also it's a bit different because he was killing everyone who was in the way of getting to you so yeah!)

Once, Henry finished off with the last nurse stopping him from getting to you. While compelling Katherine to tend to their daughter, he saw you laying on the table stitched back up in a gown. His heart dropped while he picked you up in his arms holding you hoping you will wake up and be with him. That he did not lose you and as if the gods were on his side he felt your fingers move against his back pulling your chest to his ear feeling/hearing your heartbeat once again. He picked you up into a bridal style pose. And took you and their daughter home.

Once you woke up, you felt as if you were on a cloud looking around to notice you weren't in the lab but in your house well your room to be exact. You heard footsteps coming towards you, to see Henry.

"H-Henry.." your voice croaked out he neiled down and pulled you into a deep hug you slowly wrapped your arms around him pulling him closer.

"I thought I lost you.." he said. While kissing your head. You pulled away putting your forehead against his.

"You could never lose me.." you said looking into his perfect blue eyes.

Before he could say anything their was a knock on the door frame. Both of you looked over to see Katherine and a baby.. your baby. You sat up as quick as possible.

"I-is she okay.." you asked concerned.

"She's perfect. Here. I'll give you three sometime." Katherine replied handing your daughter over to you. "She still needs a name by the way." She said before leaving.

Your eyes welled up as you looked at your beautiful daughter. As her arms moved and grabbed your hair.

"H-hi." You said as tears of joy streamed down your face. You saw her look over at Henry. "Is that your dada?" You asked lifting her up.

Henry watched mesmerised by just the small interaction between you and their daughter. "She does still need a name.." he spoke up. You looked at her for a moment before smiling.

"Hayley Grace... that's her name.." you looked at Henry for a moment. "Hayley Grace Creel.." Henry looked at you for a moment, before a smile creeped up onto his lips as he brought the both of you in his arms. While whispering "it's perfect.."

    You both stayed like that for a while, you couldn't imagine anything better. Your little family. You didn't regret anything, not even being forced to stay in the lab because if you didn't, you wouldn't be here with Henry and your daughter.

Word count: 2032

(A/n: I hope you all enjoyed this! I know it's kinda rushed but! I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS HAPPENS TO ANYONE ELSE!, Do you ever have a whole BUNCH ideas for writing but you have no idea how to start it?¿ please let me know that I'm not the only one haha.. anyways, I hope y'all enjoyed! :) )

The Valley Song

Requested: nope, I just wanted to write this

TW: just Coriolanus’ being himself.

Pairing: possible Coriolanus x reader, Sejanus x reader, Lucy gray x platonic!reader

Authors note: Listen to this for the story. I imagine this is what the reader sounds like when singing <3, I’m also changing the lore a little to the reader wrote the valley song to fit the story :)

Part 2

The Hob was filled with people as usual. The crowd of people made the heat even more unbearable, but everyone arrived to hear the Covey preform as always. The summer heat caused sweat to drip down everyone’s faces, but no one seemed to mind as they awaited the Covery to preform.

Drinks were being passed sound eagerly as the members of the district awaited the sound of the music and voices that allowed them to escape just for a few hours.

Coriolanus Snow stood towards the back of the Hob, Sejanus by his side as they spoke to his bunkmates, what were their names? Smiley and Bug. Such stupid names, Coriolanus thought he to himself as he leaned against the back, unsecured wall of the hob.

It wasn’t always his first idea of what to do in their night off, but then again they were in District Twelve…there wasn’t much to do to begin with.

Coriolanus’ attention was turned back to the stage as eager whoops and applause filled the Hob as Lucy Gray and the rest of the Covey made their way on stage.

With their clothes and make up, the girls had flowers entangled in their hair. It made it seem like they had rolled around in a field before coming up on stage. It was intriguing, but very much district, and it made Coriolanus internally scowl.

The covey continued to play for a few hours, rotating songs and singers. Giving each other a break, Maude Ivory sang for a while before Lucy Gray returned. Of course she held the audience in a captivated gaze at the sound of her voice.

Coriolanus and the other off duty peacekeepers were no exception as she twirled around the stage with her black guitar in hand. It was a sight, certainly one that would make her plenty of money if she came with him back to the capital. She would make a pretty capital girl, once she was cleaned up and better fed at least, Coriolanus thought.

The end of the night was winding down, and everyone was exhausted from the dancing over the last few hours. Lucy Gray panted softly before approaching the microphone once more.

“District Twelve ya’ll have been amazing as always,” she said with the biggest grin, like it was a privilege to be preforming at the Hob in the lowest district in Panem.

“And just before we go for the night we got a special treat. My cousin Y/N Rose Baird! She got an awful special song for y’all tonight to finish us off.. y/n!” Lucy gray turned and beckoned her cousin up front.

A girl, maybe not much older than Lucy Gray, maybe a year or two stepped up wearing a pink blouse and off white skirt, her hair was done half up, help of what looked like baby’s breath through her hair.

Coriolanus’ eyes widened a bit at the side of her, the soft rouge on her cheeks and pink on her lips. It was soft. Not harsh make up like Lucy gray had worn, but very little.

“Oh wow…” he heard Sejanus’ voice beside him, and for a moment he had completely forgotten he was there, “she’s beautiful,”

Sejanus was right though. This Y/N Rose was beautiful. Even from the way that she held the old brown guitar in her hands, everything about her intrigued him. The softness in her eyes and expression. Glancing around the room, he felt a hot jealously spring through him as he saw many of the other men looking at her the same way.

They didn’t deserve to look at you that way. You were too gentle, too soft and vulnerable. He could tell by just looking at you. The shy way you were glancing around the room. You preferred the background, and he liked that.

Lucy gray was always upfront, bold. Abrasive. But that wasn’t you. You weren’t like your cousin, who had killed in the games, you would never hurt anyone. And you needed protecting. He could do that.

“Thank y’all for comin’” Y/N’s voice rang into the microphone and he couldn’t help but stare. In the corner of his eye he could see Sejanus almost making heart eyes.

“This is a song I wrote a little while ago. Lost someone as we all have. Hope y’all like it,” she said nervously before she gently began to strum the guitar in her hands. One note after another. Then she began to sing.

“Down in the valley, valley so low,

Late in the evening, hear the train blow.

The train, love, hear the train blow.

Late in the evening, hear the train blow.”

Coriolanus felt like he was in a trance as she began to sing. Her voice was soft and airy, almost shy. It was so different to Lucy Gray. Though his mind snapped out of his thoughts as Lucy Gray found her way over to him with a grin.

“Hi! Good ain’t she?” She asked happily, rather proud of her cousin.

“Good isn’t the word for it,” Sejanus said, his cheek flushing a bit as he looked from Lucy Gray back to the stage.

Coriolanus cleared his throat, “yes, she’s quite good. But most of the Covey is,” he said, listening as Y/N continued.

“Go build me a mansion, build it so high,

So I can see my true love go by.

See him go by, love, see him go by.

So I can see my true love go by.”

“She was always shyer than most,” Lucy Gray said, “prefers the background. But I couldn’t let her not sing this one,” she said, and it make Coriolanus think….who was it about? Was this recent?

“Go write a letter, send it by mail.

Bake it and stamp it to the Capitol jail.

Capitol jail, love, to the Capitol jail.”

“Who is it about?” Coriolanus asked, he couldn’t help himself.

Lucy gray let out a small sigh, “someone she was with about a year ago. He was the bakers son. Honestly I never seen someone so smitten before,” she said fondly, remembering how Y/N was with the boy before shaking her head,

“but he got himself into some bad trouble with the peacekeepers. Attempted to bribe one of the commanders. They thought he was all involved with the rebels and then he was sent off to the capital jail. Never seen someone so heart broken before.” Lucy gray shook her head, her messy black curls moving as she did so.

“But anyway, she wrote this a while ago. But just finished coming up with the music. I think it’s a hit with the district. Many people lost a lot of loved ones. For things like stealing and illegal trading,” she finished explaining.

“Roses are red, love; violets are blue.

Birds in the heavens know I love you.

Know I love you, oh, know I love you,

Birds in the heavens know I love you.”

Coriolanus’ head snapped back as she continued to sing the last verses of her song. It reminded him of his mother, she would sing those same lines to him. And it made his stomach flutter. Nerves? Anxiety? He couldn’t tell.

Sejanus cleared his throat, “Lucy Gray….do you think you could introduce us?” He asked hopefully, and Lucy Gray gave a knowing grin.

“Why of course. Once the crowd clears,” Lucy Gray said.

Coriolanus couldn’t help but internally scoff at Sejanus. What could he do for a sweet shy girl like you? Sejanus was just as weak. You needed someone to protect you, who knew better. Sejanus couldn’t do that to you. But Coriolanus could. And he wouldn’t lose to someone like Sejanus.

His pale eyes moved from Sejanus as the crowd erupted into applause, and watched as Y/N gave a bashful smile and a cute little bow.

Yes.

He couldn’t lose you to anyone.

ABSOLUTELY PERFECTION as always!!

Me because every time theirs an update:

Shadows of Affection

warnings: despriction of death

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

Chapter 14: Slow Start

The Capitol news found short-lived relief by streaming footage of the plaza in front of the arena, where concession stands had been set up to sell drinks and sweets to citizens watching the Games on two massive screens flanking the entrance. With little happening inside the arena, most of the attention ended up on a pair of dogs whose owner had dressed them up as Lucy Gray and Jessup.

You rolled your eyes. You didn’t understand why people were so obsessed with them—especially Lucy Gray. The girl wasn’t anything special. She was a glorified carnival clown who just happened to be good at singing.

Bored and having nothing else to do but monitor the Games—which weren’t progressing at all—you barely noticed the approach of one of the Gamemakers until they cleared their throat beside you. You turned to see a frazzled-looking assistant clutching a clipboard.

“Dr. Gaul is busy,” they said hastily. “She needs you to do a quick interview with Lucky Flickerman.”

You narrowed your eyes. “Why me?”

The assistant gave a helpless shrug. “Because you’re available.”

You exhaled sharply. Of course. You had nothing better to do. Might as well entertain the masses. “Fine.”

A few minutes later, you were seated across from Lucky Flickerman, who looked a little too relieved to see you. He’d become visibly frazzled under the strain of keeping the coverage going despite the stagnant Games, and you figured he was desperate for any content to fill the gaps. The countdown began—three, two, one—and the camera’s red light blinked on. Lucky threw up his hands in bewilderment.

“So, what gives?” he exclaimed, forcing a smile. “What’s up with these slow Games?”

You fought the urge to roll your eyes. Instead, you turned directly to the camera, ignoring his performative frustration.

“Some of you may be wondering about the slow start to the Games,” you said smoothly. “But let me remind you what a wild ride it’s been just getting here. Over a third of the tributes never even made it into the arena, and those who did weren’t exactly powerhouses. In terms of fatalities, we’re running neck and neck with last year.”

“Yes, that’s true,” Lucky admitted, still smiling, “but I think I speak for a lot of people when I say—where are the tributes this year? Usually, they’re easier to spot.”

You could almost feel a vein popping in your forehead. You inhaled through your nose, schooling your expression. “Perhaps you’ve forgotten about the recent bombings,” you said icily. “In previous years, the areas open to the tributes were largely restricted to the field and the stands. But last week’s attack opened up any number of cracks and crevices, providing easy access to the labyrinth of tunnels inside the arena walls. It’s a whole new game now—first finding another tribute, then luring them out of some very dark corners.”

Lucky’s smile faltered. “Oh.” He blinked, visibly processing the explanation before quickly rebounding. “So we might have seen the last of some tributes?”

“Don’t worry.” You smirked slightly. “When they get hungry, they’ll start poking their heads out.”

Lucky didn’t seem thrilled by the answer, but he pressed on. “That’s another game changer, isn’t it? With the audience providing food, these Games could last indefinitely.”

You arched a brow. “Indefinitely?” You let out a short, humorless laugh. “Maybe you can pull another magic trick to keep people interested.”

Lucky stiffened. He clearly didn’t appreciate the jab at his little gimmicks, but instead of acknowledging it, he forced out a chuckle. “Well, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” he said, recovering. “We all want a good show, after all!”

The interview wrapped up shortly after, and as soon as the camera light clicked off, Lucky shot you a quick, dirty look before standing up.

You merely smirked back at him, entirely unbothered.

At 5 o’clock, Dean Highbottom dismissed the student body, but the remaining 13 mentors with tributes stayed behind, largely because the Communicuffs only worked through transmitters at the Academy or the Capitol News station itself. This also meant the Gamemakers including yourself had to stay as well, much to your annoyance. By 7 o’clock, a real dinner appeared for the so-called "talent." Your excitement and hunger quickly vanished as you looked at the pork chops and potatoes. The meat looked tasty and fresh, but all you could think about was Marcus’s corpse. The image of his lifeless body, left for the maggots, flashed through your mind, and your appetite disappeared entirely. Felix, however, had no problem digging into the food.

He shot you a curious glance between bites. “You okay? You’ve barely touched your food.”

You shrugged, stirring your potatoes with your fork. “Not that hungry.”

Felix leaned back in his chair, dramatically sighing. “You know, we had dinner plans tonight. Somewhere nice, just the two of us. No blood, no bombs, no corpse-inspired loss of appetite.” He gestured around the room. “And now look at us. Stuck here.”

You gave him a small smirk. “Yeah, well, I didn’t expect the games to go on this long either. But surely, they’ll only last another day.”

Felix quirked an eyebrow. “You never know. Might stretch overnight.”

You exhaled, shaking your head. “Doubt it.”

“Optimistic as always.” He flashed you a teasing grin before going back to his meal.

As Felix finished up, some activity in the arena pulled the mentors back to their seats, and you decided to stay with them, trusting that the other Gamemakers could handle things for a little while. The Gamemakers’ screens showed Circ, the District 3 boy, crawling out of a barricade near the entrance. He looked around before waving someone forward—a small, scruffy girl with dark, frizzy hair scrambled after him. Above them, Lamina, still napping on the beam, cracked one eye open to assess their threat level.

“No worries, my sweet Lamina,” Pup cooed at the screen. “Those two couldn’t climb a stepladder.”

Apparently, Lamina agreed, because all she did was shift into a more comfortable position.

Lucky Flickerman appeared in the corner of the screen, dabbing a napkin at his collar where a smudge of blueberry clung to his chin. “For those just tuning in, our District 3 tributes are finally on the move! That’s Circ—the boy who claims he can ignite things with his glasses—and, uh…” Lucky glanced off-screen for a cue card. “Test… Teslee from Three?”

“She’s being mentored by our own—” Lucky looked off-screen again, searching.

“That would be our own Urban Canville,” grumbled Urban from the first row. his parents were some sort of scientists—physicists, maybe. Urban was ill-tempered and universally resented for his perfect calculus scores. You, in particular, had a small rivalry with him, since last time you checked, he was just one point behind you in class rank.

“Honestly, could they get a professional?” you muttered under your breath.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t see Turban—uh Urban and, Teslee—at the interviews,” Lucky said quickly, clearly flustered. “Because she refused to speak to me.”

“Somehow immune to his charms,” quipped Festus from the back row, earning a round of laughter. Even you let out a small snicker.

“I’m sending Circ something now—no telling when I’ll see him again,” Io announced, working her Communicuff. You noticed Urban doing the same. You shot the Gamemakers a look that silently screamed, Don’t mess up the drones this time.

Circ and Teslee skirted around Marcus’s body, crouching down to examine the wrecked drones from earlier. Their hands moved delicately over the equipment, assessing the damage, probing over compartments most people wouldn’t have noticed. Circ pulled a rectangular object—you thought it was a battery—from one of them and gave Teslee a thumbs up. She reattached some wires, and the drone’s lights blinked to life. They grinned at each other.

“Oh my!” Lucky exclaimed. “Something exciting happening here?”

“It would be more exciting if they had the controllers,” Urban muttered, though he looked a little less irritated.

The two tributes were still examining the drones when two more flew in, dropping bread and water nearby—thankfully, without crashing this time. As Circ and Teslee gathered their gifts, a figure appeared deep in the arena. They consulted briefly before each grabbing a drone and scurrying back to the barricade.

The figure turned out to be Reaper, who ducked into a tunnel and emerged carrying someone in his arms. As the cameras focused in, you recognized Dill. She looked smaller, curled into the fetal position, her sun-dappled skin drenched in sweat. A wet cough brought a strand of bloody spittle from her mouth.

Felix leaned over. “I’m surprised she lasted the day.”

You hummed in response, feeling a pang of pity. She was already dying—a slow death by disease. Putting her in the Games was just adding salt to the wound.

Reaper stepped carefully around the debris from the bombing, carrying Dill to a sunny patch of ground and laying her on a charred piece of wood. She shivered despite the heat. He pointed up at the sun and murmured something, but she didn’t react.

“Isn’t he the one who promised to kill all the others?” Pup asked.

“Doesn’t look so tough to me,” Urban scoffed.

“She’s his district partner,” Listeria reminded them.

“She’s almost dead now. Tuberculosis, probably,” Urban added.

That quieted everyone down. A bad strain of TB still cropped up in the Capitol, barely managed as a chronic condition. In the districts, it was a death sentence.

Reaper paced restlessly for a moment, either eager to get back to hunting or unable to bear watching Dill suffer. Then, he gave her one last pat and turned toward the barricade.

“Shouldn’t you send him something, dummy?” Vipina asked Clemencia.

“What for? He didn’t kill her, he just carried her. I’m not going to reward him for that,” Clemencia shot back.

You, who had been avoiding Clemencia all day, decided you’d made the right choice. Something was off with her—maybe the snake venom had altered her brain.

“Well, I might as well use what little I have left—it’s hers,” Felix said, tapping at his cuff. Two bottles of water flew in by drone. Dill didn’t even seem to notice them.

A few minutes later, the boy from District 7—the juggler, Treech—sprinted out of a tunnel, his black hair flying behind him. Without breaking stride, he grabbed the water and disappeared into a crack in the wall.

“A last drink for her,” Felix mused.

“That’s good thinking,” Vipina said approvingly. “Saves me money. I don’t have much to work with.”

The sun sank toward the horizon, casting long, crimson shadows over the arena. High above, the carrion birds wheeled in slow, lazy circles, their dark silhouettes stark against the fading light. Below them, Dill’s frail body convulsed in the throes of a final, violent coughing fit. A gush of blood soaked through the front of her dress, staining the fabric in a macabre bloom. You swallowed hard, horror and revulsion twisting in your stomach as the life drained from her small, fragile frame.

Lucky Flickerman’s voice cut through the tension, his usual airy tone laced with the false solemnity of a showman. “And with that, our dear Dill, the girl from District 11, has succumbed to natural causes. A tragedy, no doubt—but that, my dear viewers, does mean the end of Felix Ravenstill’s tenure in these Games.” He brightened, clearly pleased by the segue. “Perhaps we can hear a few final words from our departing mentor?”

Someone pulled Felix out from Heavensbee Hall, and a camera zoomed in on him. He didn’t look particularly upset. If anything, he looked resigned. “Well, it isn’t a shock, really,” he said with a careless shrug. “The girl was on her last legs when she got here.”

“I think it’s enormously to your credit that you got her through the interview,” Lucky said sympathetically. “Many mentors didn’t even manage that.”

His words made you feel sick. A girl—a child, no older than twelve or thirteen—had just died. And not from the Games, not from a weapon or a trap or another tribute’s hand. She had died from an illness, something that had been festering long before she ever set foot in the arena. And Felix—Felix didn’t seem to care.

He’s his father’s son, you thought. The man who keeps the Hunger Games going. The man Felix idolizes and wishes to become.

You wondered if Lucky’s high praise had more to do with Felix’s bloodline than his mentorship. But you shook the thought away as the cameras cut back to the arena. The sky had darkened completely now, leaving only the faint silhouette of Laminia, still perched on her beam. Dean Highbottom dismissed everyone, advising mentors to bring a toothbrush and a change of clothes for the future.

One by one, the mentors approached Felix, shaking his hand and congratulating him on a job well done. Most of them meant it—today had bonded them in a way few outsiders would ever understand. When it was your turn, you hesitated, then finally stepped forward. “Congrats,” you said, though the word felt hollow in your mouth.

Felix grinned. “For what? Getting my tribute killed by tuberculosis?”

You rolled your eyes. “For making it through the day. Though, I guess that’s a pretty low bar.”

He chuckled, but his gaze softened. “You heading home?”

“Yeah, I’m gonna walk.”

Felix’s expression turned incredulous. “What? No. It’s late—it’s damn near nine o’clock. I’m not letting you walk home by yourself.”

You sighed. “Felix, I’ll be fine.”

“Just let me call you a driver,” he insisted. “Come on.”

You gave him a flat look. “Really, Felix?”

His jaw tightened, and for once, there was no humor in his voice. “Please.”

You exhaled. “No. Seriously. I’m walking home.”

He studied you for a long moment, then nodded reluctantly. “Alright. But call me as soon as you get home.”

“Fine.”

He hesitated, then leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to your lips before pulling away. “Be safe.”

You gave him a small, almost reluctant smile before turning and heading out. He watched until you disappeared into the night, then climbed into his waiting car.

You had barely taken three steps when a voice rang out behind you. “Miss Royce! Miss Royce!”

You turned, frowning as a Gamemaker came running out of Heaven’s Hall, his face pale. “What’s going on?”

The arena was quiet. The tributes had all bedded down for the night. Nothing should be happening right now.

“It’s urgent,” the Gamemaker panted. “Dr. Gaul needs to speak with you immediately.”

Your stomach twisted, dread curling through you. “Why?”

“She didn’t say. Just that you need to come. Now.”

Something was wrong.

Without another word, you followed them to a waiting car. The drive to the lab was silent, save for the hum of the engine. No one explained anything. They didn’t seem to know, but their nervous glances and stiff postures told you everything you needed to—Dr. Gaul was angry. And that was never good.

When you arrived, you were ushered through the sterile halls, the scent of antiseptic burning your nose. The moment you stepped into the lab, you knew something was very, very wrong.

Dr. Gaul stood by a monitor, her expression thunderous. The moment her eyes landed on you, she barked, “You need to put a leash on your deluded, demented friend.”

You blinked. “What?”

Dr. Gaul’s hands slammed against the monitor, and the screen flickered. Your breath caught as the image became clear.

The arena. But—no.

A figure was inside. A figure who wasn’t supposed to be there.

“Sejanus,” you whispered. Your stomach plummeted.

“How did he even get in there?” you asked, your voice barely above a whisper. “Why is he in there?”

Dr. Gaul’s face twisted in fury. “I’m working on finding the Peacekeeper he bribed to let him in. Once I do, I’ll remove their tongue myself.” Her voice dripped venom. “In the meantime, someone needs to get him out.”

You stared at her. “Send Peacekeepers. What do you expect me to do?”

Dr. Gaul leaned in, her eyes gleaming. “Oh, I expect you to go in there.”

A chill crawled up your spine. “You can’t be serious.”

“I will not have these rebels making a mockery of my Games,” she snapped. “If the districts see us lose control of the arena, it might as well be an invitation for revolution.”

You barely heard her. Your mind was racing. Sejanus—what was he thinking? And more than that… who else was in there with him?

Dr. Gaul’s voice yanked you back to the present. “I’ll freeze the feed for an hour. That’s all the time you’ll have.”

You didn’t answer. You couldn’t. The shock had rooted you to the floor.

Dr. Gaul’s eyes narrowed. “We don’t have time for this. Move.”

Your heart pounded. You couldn’t do this alone.

Your hands trembled violently as you reached for the nearest phone and dialed a number you had known all your life. You pressed it to your ear, but your grip was unsteady, slick with sweat.

“Hello?”

“Coryo,” you gasped, barely able to force the words out. “I need you. I need your help. Now.”

There was silence on the other end. Then, cautious, “What? Y/n, what’s wrong?”

“Look at your screen,” you choked out, pacing in frantic, uneven strides. Your breath came in short, panicked bursts. “Please. Just—just look.”

You heard a shuffle, a pause, then a sharp inhale. “What the hell—”

“Meet me at the arena,” you rushed out. “Right now.”

“Y/n, slow down, tell me—”

“No, Coryo, we don’t have time for this!” you snapped, your voice shrill with fear. “Just get to the arena! Please!”

“Y/n—”

You slammed the phone down before he could say another word.

Time was running out.