Lucy Gray - Tumblr Posts

Literally ALL OF HIS THOUGHTS WOULD'VE A BETTER RESPONSE.

dumbass

This man thought he was in a wattpad romance story and not in a dystopian universe

This!!!

I'm about to start a Sejanus Plinth defense squad considering the takes (tm) i have seen on his character.

The reason why Sejanus trusted Snow is because Snow never gave him a reason not to. It is not because he is stupid. Actually I would argue, if we didn't have his internal monologue and we didn't know his future, Coryo's actions before part 3 would make him seem very trustworthy as a friend for Sejanus AND as someone who is willing to defy the Capitol. But we have his internal monologue and Sejanus didn't.

Form Sejanus's point of view, he was bullied as a kid and Coryo was the only one who didn't participate in it.

Coryo was the one who went and met the tributes and climbed with them to the zoo. From Sejanus' point of view, this could be seen as his first act of defiance.

Coryo cheated to save Lucy Gray, the district 12 girl three times. He got expelled because of it, that's literally defying the Capitol.

Sejanus went into the arena to die and Coryo stopped him, putting his own life in danger in the process. Of course he would trust Snow with his life after that.

Snow put on a front. That's the point of the contrast between his extremely unhinged internal monologue and his somewhat heroic action. Lucy Gray fell for it (to a point), Sejanus fell for it , everyone fell for it.

That's not on Sejanus and it doesn't make him stupid.

I just know if Instagram existed Coryo would be there like "lucygray", "lucygray23" , "thecovey", "lucygrayofficial", "thelucygray", etc

His paranoid ass would have checked out each and every one of those

The "I can fix him" trope

Lucy Gray : NO <3

Jealousy, Jealousy | Part 1

Parings: Coriolanus Snow x Reader.

Warnings: Mentions/descriptions of sex, masturbation, swearing, manipulation, dub-con.

Summary: Coriolanus Snow is determined to make you his.

Part 2

The first time Coriolanus had seen you; it was during another one of the Covey's performances at The Hob.

He remembers that night vividly, having been stood at the back of the cramped barn and watching on as Lucy Gray sang one of her many songs with joy, the floorboards creaking beneath his feet with every step people took on the dance floor. The music of the band and the laughter that seemed to echo throughout the room caused for a sickly feeling in him. Despite telling himself that he deserved this night off away from his Peacekeeping job, all he really wished for in this moment was sleep and to be alone.

He debated leaving, his feet already shuffling closer to the door until his eyes were suddenly locked on yours.

It was quick and subtle, most likely to be forgotten in the next minute, but it was there. You had been smiling from ear to ear with your skirt waving around your legs as you danced, clapping along to the beat as you flowed your way around the crowd.

It was until the end of the song came that he realized he had been standing there watching you the whole time.

It was when Lucy Gray was tugging on your upper arm and leading you toward him that he finally allowed himself to move, barely managing a light smile when you and Lucy Gray stopped before him.

"I hate to be the one to disturb your thoughts, Coriolanus, but I knew you would've just loved to meet one of my dearest friends," Lucy Gray smiled, a mischievous gleam in her eyes that caught Coriolanus. When his eyes drifted back to you, he found that you were already smiling up at him, the same smile you had worn whilst twirling around the dance floor.

“I’ve heard lots about you, Coryo,” he didn’t fail to notice the mischief behind the tone of your voice, and upon hearing the nickname, a hot flush overcame him.

It was then that Coriolanus knew you would be his. Whether it was your decision or not.

He had made it his mission to chat to you throughout most of the night, drunk on the sound of your laughs and your gaze gleaming back up at him. So innocent, so stupid, and completely oblivious to the rush of blood going straight into Coryo's pants.

That night once he was back in his silly little cot, sure that the rest of the Peacekeepers were asleep, his hands were eagerly pushing down his pants from his waist, a sigh of relief escaping his parted lips as his hand grasped at his throbbing base.

You flashed in his thoughts. Your skin that was soft against his fingers, your breasts that rose and fell with every breath, your pretty mouth that he wished was sucking him in deeply, then your eyes.

He had to stifle a moan by burying his face into the plush of his pillow, brows squinted in concentration and mouth open in a silent 'o'.

With a few more silent pumps, he held in a gasp as he hit his climax, his spend hitting his sheets in a sticky mess.

The next time he had crossed you was when he was on duty in the merchant's section. He was stood beside a wall, gun held securely in his hands as his eyes observed his surroundings. And despite this, despite the loud chatter and occasional children screaming as they were chased by their friends, he still couldn’t get his mind to focus.

He wants to see you again. Needs to.

He wants to feel your presence, smell your scent once again, hear your soft voice.

It was as if the universe had heard his exact thoughts, because he felt his heart leap once he spotted you within the crowd, dirty dress and small bag at your side, observing the many small stalls around you.

He watched as you held up a piece of bread, offering the lady the few coins you had left over and give that darling smile of yours.

Oh, how he loved it.

He was just about to move from his position to get closer to you, until he halted in his tracks.

A man had strode up beside you, gleaming down at you with a wide smile that you gladly returned, and Coryo couldn’t do anything but watch as his lips pressed against yours, sweet and short, but full of love.

No.

He inhaled hard, teeth clenched and averted his gaze, his eyes travelling anywhere by back to you. You were his, and his only. How dare this man - this pathetic poor man - take you from him? How dare you do this to him.

His hold on his gun tightened, yet he kept his composure. Stood back in his original place, his eyes locked onto your interlocked hands with the man he now hated.

You were his, even if you knew it or not.

His thoughts were quickly snapped away when Sejanus nudged his arm, a concerned frown etched into his features.

“You ok, Coryo? You don’t look too good.”

His annoyance was growing. Did it look like he was ok? Could he not just back off him for once? With only a small nod, Coriolanus inhaled a sharp breath.

“I just need a minute. I saw something weird at the back, might check it out,” was all he said before he began to walk off, ignoring the confused look Sejanus gave him.

When Coryo made it to the back of the markets, he found that nobody was there. Only stacks of crates and old broken pieces of wood.

Ripping his helmet off, he ran a hand through his blonde hair and clenched his fists.

It had been a few minutes with him just basking in the silence. He needed this. He needed a break, but still, he didn’t open his mouth once he felt a presence beside him.

Your presence.

You didn’t say anything, obviously aware of the change in his demeanor, yet you stayed at his side. He had to hold back from pulling you in closer when he felt your fingers graze against his arm, and he opened his eyes to meet your own.

“Coryo? You ok?” You asked gently, almost like a whisper as if anybody could hear.

He couldn’t help but to let a small grin escape.

“Fine,” was all he said, watching as your fingers traced up and down his arm in rhythmic patterns.

So oblivious, yet so sweet.

You frowned slightly at his answer, unsure of his response.

“I saw you earlier, I was going to say hi but then you walked off and Sejanus said you seemed... off. I was just checking if everything was alright?”

“Everything’s fine,” he was quick to reassure once again, and he didn't mean the sharpness to his tone.

Your smile slowly lit up, and he swore that if you were to look hard enough, you would have seen how his face went flush, how his eyes flickered down to your lips and back to your eyes, yearning.

He couldn't help but to let the question slip. "Was that your boyfriend I saw over there?"

Your smile only grew, and as much as he loved the sight, he wasn't too pleased on as to why.

"Ryan? Yeah, we've been together for a few months now," you had said, looking over your shoulder to see if he was anywhere in sight. He wasn't.

Coryo nodded thoughtfully. "You looked happy."

Not as much as he could make you.

"Oh yes, I am," you smiled, and tugged on his arm. "Let me introduce you!"

He felt his heart pounding against his rib cage when you tugged on his hand, your hand fitting his perfectly.

Hesitantly, he pulled his arm back and out from your grasp.

"Maybe next time," he brushed you off. "I'm still on duty and I'm not feeling the best at the moment," he lied, hiding the fact that he hoped to just keep distance from the man.

Coryo felt a pang of guilt once your face changed from excitement to disappointment, and he resisted the urge to tug your hand back and tell you he'd come purely just for you.

Then the day came he had been dreading since the beginning. He had absolutely no desire nor intention of bumping into the man - but when Ryan had been pushed into Coriolanus' side at another busy night of the Hob, he couldn't have hated it more.

"You're Coriolanus, right? Y/N's told me heaps about you," Ryan said, his arm outstretching in order to give Coryo a handshake, although Coryo merely glanced down at his hanging hand which he awkwardly retrieved back.

He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "Look, uh, mate... I'm glad Y/N has somebody else she can come to, but I can't help but think maybe it's a little... too much."

Coriolanus felt a spike of hatred flaring within his chest. Nothing would ever stop him from getting closer to you, even if it were to be your boyfriend.

He continued. "Just thought that maybe we could tone it down a bit? Y/N likes you, and I don't want to take that friendship from her," he finished.

If Coryo didn't hate this guy before, he definitely did now. He swore his blood would boil over if he was left alone with this guy any longer - maybe even get one of Dr Gauls terrifying mutts to get rid of him. But no, she would never approve, despite her sickened mind, and of course he'd never wish your precious eyes to lay on sight of his mutilated body.

He'd just have to do it himself.

It was him who had to tell you the tragic news, and he watched as your eyes welled in tears and your heart ached, your cries and please for your now ‘ex-boyfriend’ to come back to you were filled with emotion. Coriolanus had to resist the satisfied smile forming upon his lips as you clung to him for support, your face buried in the fabric of his uniform and soaking up your warm tears.

Even when you hiccuped and sobbed, he still saw you as beautiful. All his. He let his fingers weave through your hair and whispered reassuring words into your ear… your body was shaking within his grasp, and Corio couldn’t help but love how much smaller your body was compared to his.

Coryo finally had you, and he loved it.

©x-gabrielle-x. Do not steal, copy or translate my works.

𝗯𝗿𝘂𝘁𝘂𝘀. coriolanus snow masterlist

PAIRING ➨ coriolanus snow x fem!oc (named brutus) GENRE ➨ fiction SUMMARY ➨ taken after the song brutus by the buttress, it essentially goes lyric by lyric, and the chapters will be based off the lyric i choose that day ! WARNINGS ➨ maybe some smut in later chapters, death, manipulation, the hunger games, friends to enemies, enemies to fake lovers, fake lovers to murderers. MAIN MASTERLIST

oo.i :: i've been watching him for my entire life

oo.ii :: i hate the air he breathes

oo.iii :: his foolish decrees, his words so contriving

oo.iv :: and i hate the way the townspeople gather outside. . .

𝗶'𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲. coriolanus snow

PAIRING ➨ coriolanus snow x fem!oc (named brutus) GENRE ➨ fiction SUMMARY ➨ taken after the song brutus by the buttress, it essentially goes lyric by lyric, and the chapters will be based off the lyric i choose that day ! WARNINGS ➨ maybe some smut in later chapters, death, manipulation, the hunger games, friends to enemies, enemies to fake lovers, fake lovers to murderers. SELENE NOTE ➨ first installment ! MAIN MASTERLIST

coriolanus snow was a strange child, no matter what he said against it. he showed little to no emotion, and sometimes he had to look around him to figure out which emotion he had to put forth to make himself look normal. however, coriolanus believed brutus—a girl with a boy's name—to be strange, from the way she picked haphazardly at the frayed edges of her uniform, to how she picked apart her steak sandwich and ate it in three separate pieces. first the bread slices, then the meat that was once in the middle, though she would nibble slightly at it before placing it in her back, wrapped in an expensive silk handkerchief.

if corio did that, his grandma'am would surely be angry with him for dirtying up something that was more than likely older than his father. he did not want to associate with brutus, no ma'am or sir, he was perfectly fine with sitting away from her, halfway across the classroom. she didn't exactly look dirty or poor, since every time she frayed her skirts, they would be immediately repaired or replaced with ones made of a heavier, more expensive material, or how she once complained about how the water had tasted funny when it was coming out of the drinking fountains—which, to be honest, corio did agree with her ramblings—and the next day it was announced that brutus' father had paid for an entirely new purification and fountain system in the academy so his precious daughter didn't have to drink the disgusting water.

nonetheless, when the professor announced that they were to do a group project, coriolanus wanted to team up with one of his friends in the class, however, his wish was not answered when he heard he was paired up with brutus. he was hit with a gust of what he once knew to be the smell of champagne and strawberries.

"hello coriolanus," she stuck out her hand for a shake, the pleasantries that had been drilled into them before the war had not left the younger capitol citizens. the adults, however, were still haunted by the monstrosities they had committed during it, and sometimes struggled with keeping face.

"hello brutus," he grasped her hand in his, shaking it gently before letting it go and grabbing his pencil. something about her was fascinating yet slightly unnerving, whether it was the way her auburn curls fell softly about her shoulders or the fact that her left eye was a bright green while the right a muddy brown. the green seemed to see straight through him, see that he needed the others' emotions to influence him because he did not seem to feel anything other than possessiveness, anger, and a slight need for vengeance after the death of his parents. his father he barely knew, but his mother. . . he was angry at the world for the way it took her from him. . . both her and the unborn sister he was going to have. if it weren't for the districts, he wouldn't be an orphan.

it had taken a while, a few months, to be a little more exact, for coriolanus to think of brutus as a friend. he found out why her name was brutus—her mother had wanted a boy, and was angry to find out that the child she bore was a girl—and why she stored the meat from the steak sandwiches they got at lunch—she wasn't the biggest fan of meat, and she had a pet dog at home that would be happy to eat it.

sometimes brutus was a little strange, but corio did not care for that as long as it did not affect his own image. sometimes she would invite him to her home—much larger than the apartment he shared with the grandma'am and tigris—to play with her dog, which was much larger than what he had imagined (he thought she had gotten a lap dog, which was very much not the case), and would sometimes even spend the night after he called the grandma'am back home to tell her where he was. after he had fallen asleep there a few times, on the ninth sleepover he had, he found out that brutus' mother had begun getting him his own clothing and even an armoire for the things she had bought. brutus's mother would even send him to school with a full belly of eggs, bacon, and a nice toast with some goat's cheese, and he was ever more thankful for her presence in his life.

brutus had broken off their friendship.

years of it in the making and she had broken it off.

corio thought he wasn't a bad friend. in fact, he was the best person that anyone could have in their lives. sure, he used them for his own personal good, but they received some of it back. when he felt like being nice. however, when brutus came to him to break off the friendship, she had been crying for who knows how long before she approached him. the puffiness of her eyes and the ring of red that marred the once-white sclera told him so. "what is it, brutus?" he snapped. "your mother wants me to come over tonight," he tapped his foot impatiently on the ground.

"you're no longer invited," she replied, quiet sobs marring her speech.

"did your mother say so?"

"no," she shakes her head. the curls, once at her shoulders, now hung by her waist, and they flew softly around her. "i say so. you have gotten closer with my mother, and i see that you are now only using me to get closer to her. she has always wanted a son, and now that she has you, she has cast me aside. never come by again." she breathed in, but it was broken by a few unshed tears. "i'll leave your things in a box outside the gates. but after you get them, leave. never come back. go back to that shabby apartment of yours. never talk to my mother ever again. don't contact us any more. and stay away from me."

thank you to @tinfairies for feeding into this illusion! love you will all my heart <33333

𝗶 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀. coriolanus snow

PAIRING ➨ coriolanus snow x fem!oc (named brutus) GENRE ➨ fiction SUMMARY ➨ taken after the song brutus by the buttress, it essentially goes lyric by lyric, and the chapters will be based off the lyric i choose that day ! WARNINGS ➨ maybe some smut in later chapters, death, manipulation, the hunger games, friends to enemies, enemies to fake lovers, fake lovers to murderers. MAIN MASTERLIST SERIES MASTERLIST

brutus watched as coriolanus looked around the classroom to see if anyone else was laughing about the way his tribute, lucy gray baird, had acted towards the girl in the audience. when he saw that everyone was, in fact, laughing, he let out a few chuckles himself, relieved that his tribute was good at something that might get him something good from the citizens of panem. however, this short-lived moment came to a halt when he saw his former friend, brutus, remain stoic whilst watching him.

she had cut off all contact with him after she had found out that he was, actually, using her for his own personal gain, wanting to feel a mother's love that he hadn't felt since his own mother had passed away a few years before he began befriending brutus. he didn't want to admit it, but she was pretty smart in figuring out his intentions, though it took her a little while to understand them. he guessed that she had even told her own mother about how they were to never speak to each other again because they had passed each other multiple times since then, and her mother had looked desperate to call him over.

he had remembered what brutus had told him years prior: her mother wanted a boy and had given birth to her, a girl, instead, and now that he had come into her life, she treated him better than she did her own daughter.

it wasn't his fault that her mother barely loved her, and it sure as hell not his fault that he was treated better.

brutus glowered at him, hating every aspect of him, hating that he had used her to get to her mother. perhaps he was also using her for her money, since she had given him food out of the pure kindness of her heart, clothes to keep him warm in the winter, and knew that he had little to no money of his own whilst she was the heir to her family's fortune once her parents passed away.

"coriolanus got himself a good tribute," someone from their grade told brutus, nodding over to the blonde boy that stood, also staring at brutus.

"just cause she sings doesn't mean that she's a fighter," brutus crossed her arms. this year, she was not part of the mentor program that they decided to implement, but her father had paid her way into being part of the inner circle so she could give some more insight about the Games. "her songbird wings can be clipped. just you wait."

𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀, 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴. coriolanus snow.

PAIRING ➨ coriolanus snow x fem!oc (named brutus) GENRE ➨ fiction SUMMARY ➨ taken after the song brutus by the buttress, it essentially goes lyric by lyric, and the chapters will be based off the lyric i choose that day ! WARNINGS ➨ maybe some smut in later chapters, death, manipulation, the hunger games, friends to enemies, enemies to fake lovers, fake lovers to murderers. MAIN MASTERLIST SERIES MASTERLIST

the boy brutus had known for many years, the one that she had once called a friend, and later an enemy, had become president after poisoning the people he had once considered allies. shortly after they both graduated from the university, snow under the tutelage of dr. gaul, and brutus taking classes that the mad scientist did not have access to, coriolanus had asked her to marry him.

her, of all people, the one who would sometimes promise herself at night that she would be the one to kill him, the one to maim him of his family name and get the riches he had bribed and killed for. her mother, who had found out about this sudden proposal, had said yes to the white-haired boy immediately, leaving no room for brutus to interfere in the dealings of her life. her mother would receive the son she had always wanted and coveted, and snow would be able to not only rule over brutus' life but also control the fortune she would one day receive upon her parents' deaths. her simple hatred of him went towards deep loathing, forcing her to lash out in the privacy of their rooms and hate the touches he would place upon her skin in public, the only place she was not able to move away to keep up the pretenses of a happy marriage.

almost two years of their marriage later, and snow had finally become president of panem, allowing him to place his ideas of diabolical pandemonium into action without consequences. especially since most of the capitol loved him and the districts simply did not have the means to revolt. one year after his inauguration and brutus gave birth to their first child, a son they named cassius, keeping up with the snow family's tradition of naming the first born son with a c starting name.

over the next few years, brutus bared 5 children to snow, and with each child, her hatred for her husband grew. he would keep his own children at arm's length, not knowing any of their true personalities or interests, and barely know their names and which face belonged to which name. once her son cassius was full-grown and starting to become a politician alongside his father, he married magnolia barlowe, the daughter of their old academy friend, livia cardew. they themselves bared a daughter, making brutus and coriolanus first time grandparents. whilst brutus was a little happier that coriolanus was paying attention to his granddaughter, she was still furious at him for not showing any attention to the children he had himself.

coriolanus, who was now presenting himself as president snow to the people of panem, fixed the lapels of his coat while he waited for everyone to quiet down and for the cameras to roll. this year, the 75th year to the hunger games, was going to be the third quarter quell, and as president, he was expected to read off what the card said would happen at the games that made it a special year.

brutus played with the end of rebecca, her granddaughter's, braid, and her other children lined up at her sides as they watched the speech that was about to begin. when snow saw that the cameraman gave him the signal he was to start, he hushed the crowd, a simple raising of the hands with his palms face down, and the chatter that once ricocheted off the capitol square became complete silence. "ladies and gentlemen," his voice had deepened over the years, some thinking it to be of old age, but brutus was the only one in her family that knew it was due to the sores in both his mouth and throat. the more sores he received, the deeper his voice became, making him sound more trustworthy to those who do not know of his prefered killing method.

"this is the 75th year," he looks down at brutus, "of the hunger games." seeing her glare at him forces him to tear away his gaze, hearing his people cheer about how long they have been allowed to view such a spectacle. "it was written in the charter of the games that every twenty-five years, there would be a quarter quell, to keep fresh for every new generation the memory of those who died and the uprising against the capitol. each quarter quell is distinguished by games of a special significance. and now, on this the 75th anniversary of the defeat of the rebellion, we celebrate the third quarter quell." cheers erupted from the stands, and snow picks up the card which holds the information of what the quarter quell would hold.

would it be double the tributes, as the 50th had? or perhaps more mutations? using the old arena that lucy gray had fought in, long ago? usage of explosions and more advanced weaponry?

"as a reminder that even the strongest cannot overcome the power of the capitol, on this, the third quarter quell games, the male and female tributes are to be reaped from the existing pool of victors."

𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶 𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲. . . coriolanus snow.

. . . hang on to every breath, cling to his chest / home to his heart full of pride. PAIRING ➨ coriolanus snow x fem!oc (named brutus) GENRE ➨ fiction SUMMARY ➨ taken after the song brutus by the buttress, it essentially goes lyric by lyric, and the chapters will be based off the lyric i choose that day ! WARNINGS ➨ maybe some smut in later chapters, death, manipulation, the hunger games, friends to enemies, enemies to fake lovers, fake lovers to murderers. MAIN MASTERLIST SERIES MASTERLIST

once coriolanus began his presidency at the young age of 25, brutus watched from the sidelines as the loving, doting (*gag*) wife she was supposed to be, smiling towards the citizens of panem, the ones who were so luckily born within the capitol to rich parents. whilst, yes, she was one of them, she hated the way each and every one of them took pride in the hunger games, voracious for the bloodshed of children and wanting to praise the victor for killing the people they could have easily been friends with if there were no districts, no barriers, just humans interacting with each other.

she hated everyone that surrounded her, the man she had been forced to marry by her own mother, her own parents for listening to a man rather than her, their own daughter, all because she was born with xx chromosomes instead of his xy. she wished people would chant her name instead of his, wished for the power that he had, wished to be him. everything that happened to her was because of him. she wanted to crawl into his skin, not for their pleasure, but to wreck his life as he had done and will forever continue to do. people would touch his chest as he walked, and he relished in their attention, loved the fact that he finally had her money and her mother's love, one that she never showed to brutus herself, but only reserved for the men that came into her life.

one day, she was sure, someone would come around and cut down the once proud house of snow, with coriolanus at its head. its roots would forever be upturned, and it would no longer seed, its pollen forever gone. his heart was full of pride, not for his country and the men and women that resided in it, but for himself, for the fact that he. was able to achieve everything in such a short amount of time, that he could now live comfortably in the country that was slowly going to break apart once again.

long ago, when they were still children, brutus had once felt bad for him, knowing that he had no parents and was living with his grandmother somewhere in the city, and wished to help him. however, the glares he threw at people he deemed strange stopped her from ever befriending him, and later, after her heart had been broken by him, she wished that their teacher had never put them together for that project. she would not be standing here, beside him as not only the president of panem but her husband and the ultimate heir to the money her parents had.

her parents, who thought her too weak-minded to truly inherit their money, decided to give him the power of attorney. and now, standing here on the balcony of the home they had been gifted upon coriolanus' presidential win, her hand in her oldest son's while she caressed the fabric that was stretched taut over the skin of her bulging stomach, she wished nothing but to be the one to cut down the head of the house of snow.

also the snake bracelet on Lucy Gray’s wrist she wears at her first performance after the games 😭😭😭

You Can't, You Can't Catch me Now I'm coming like storm into your town

Part 1/Part 2/Part 3

Masterlist

[Mentor!Coriolanus Snow x time-travel, hg-era, tribute!reader x toxic!Finnick Odair (in the Peacekeeper era)]

Warning: gore, blood, gun and knife violence, serious injury, death, physical assult, possibly non-con...as I said, maybe...

Summary: You are a rebel, the last chance of the rebellion against President Snow. You're told to go on one last mission to kill the man who massacred Panem. It took you years to understand your mission when you became [name] Lily Baird, starting from the age of five till before the reaping day of the 10th Hunger Games.

The day you began your plan to destroy President Snow before he became the villain he was meant to become.

'Both sisters, Lucy Gray and [Name] Lily Baird are a part of the Covey, and though they have been chosen as tribute for both District 12 and 9 because of our own mistakes, we hope they will stay safe.'

You knew about [Name] Lily Baird, named after her because your mother was inspired by her fiery personality and strength, but now you realize that you were transported to a time before the Baird sisters died, one of sickness and one because of Coriolanus Snow himself.

'I will kill you, President Coriolanus Snow.'

Once you woke up your body shuffled around on the cold floor. Apparently, in the old Training Center where all the tributes stayed, they had no real bed or even a room and most people tended to sleep in bundles next to each other for body heat.

You slept next to your sister and the District 8 girl you had met, Wovey.

You had planned to make use of your skill, like Lucy Gray’s snakes, Haymitch had told you about [Name] Lily’s mockingjays. Unfortunately, a Peacekeeper appeared to take you and Lucy Gray out to the Arena to meet up with your mentors.

A curly haired boy walked up to you two and extended a hand in greeting towards the girl beside you, proceeding to introduce himself.

‘Hi, I’m Sejanus Plinth, and I’ll be your mentor!’

Lucy Gray grimaced before accepting his hand and following him as he led the way.

‘[Name], how was your sleep.’ 

A gentle voice made its way into your ear. You instinctively lunged toward the person behind you but they managed to dodge, but not without a slight scar from your sharp nails.

Coriolanus Snow, that bastard.

You glared at him before accepting that you can’t do much to get out of the situation. Nodding towards him, you looked toward the other tributes that practiced with their mentors.

Coriolanus rolled his eyes but left you gazing away from him as he wondered why you didn’t like him much.

What have I done? I suppose that since I’m her mentor she might dislike me but…No she likes me, I can tell by her red face.

‘I’ve been curious ever since I saw you, why have you been hurting me with your scratches like you’re some cat?’

You rolled your eyes and frowned once you noticed Snow’s vibrant blue eyes coast over your body and meet your eyes.

You laughed as you met his gaze. 

‘No Tribute likes their Mentor, Coriolanus Snow…Besides, I can barely trust you ’

It was the best you could come up with since your reasoning-you killed many people and are just an asshole-wouldn’t be taken at face value.

Coriolanus hummed, his electric eyes glaring down at you before he shook his head and pointed toward a bow and arrow near the Arena doors, his crimson academy uniform blinding you.

‘Let me teach you how to survive the Hunger Games,’ he paused, looking back at you for some clarification to continue.

‘Because I promised to take care of you.’

might do part 4 today

You Can't, You Can't Catch me Now I'm coming like storm into your town

Lucy Gray x Sejanus' Pov

Part I/Part 2/Part 3/

Masterlist

[dark!Sejanus Plinth x Tribute!Lucy Gray Baird]

Warning: violence, serious injury, death, physical assult, gun and knife violence, possibly non-con...maybe.

Summary: You are a rebel, the last chance of the rebellion against President Snow. You're told to go on one last mission to kill the man who massacred Panem. It took you years to understand your mission when you became [name] Lily Baird, starting from the age of five till before the reaping day of the 10th Hunger Games.

The day you began your plan to destroy President Snow before he became the villain he was meant to become.

'Both sisters, Lucy Gray and [Name] Lily Baird are a part of the Covey, and though they have been chosen as tribute for both District 12 and 9 because of our own mistakes, we hope they will stay safe.'

You knew about [Name] Lily Baird, named after her because your mother was inspired by her fiery personality and strength, but now you realize that you were transported to a time before the Baird sisters died, one of sickness and one because of Coriolanus Snow himself.

'I will kill you, President Coriolanus Snow.'

‘ [Name],’ Lucy Gray started. ‘ Has your mentor acted…Suspicious?’

You hummed, eyes focused on your sister.

‘He always acts like we’re attached to the hip and never lets another Capital boy talk to me. I’m grateful for that but he’s too controlling, he thinks that he can own me.’

It's been a couple of days since the beginning of the 10th Hunger Games and Sejanus and Coriolanus have been acting like you and Lucy Gray are nothing but their precious pets.

Lucy Gray shivered before telling you her side.

‘ Sejanus gives me his ma’s cooking and likes to act like all he wants to do is stay close to me. The President’s son, Felix Ravinstill, came up to me once and Sejanus got mad and tripped him as he passed.’

The both of you faded into a silent duo once Reaper came into the room with Dill.

‘Wovey was tired but Dill wanted to hear more about District 9.’ Reaper smiled down at his fellow tribute.

You smiled up at the young girl and tapped on the cold floor as a motion to sit beside you and Lucy Gray.

‘Come over, Dill! What more do you want to know?’

It was nothing but a distraction for both parties involved.

After an hour or so, Peacekeepers brought most tributes out to practice with their mentors-including Lucy Gray- about how to try and kill each other.

Sejanus started to walk up to her before the District 4 girl-Coral- and her mentor, Festus Creed, interrupted the conversation.

‘You’re the District 12 tribute who was the thing that Sejanus Plinth traded his District 9 tribute for, right?’

Festus then smiled while looking at her. 

As if he was some kind of angel…

‘Lucy Gray, you don’t have to converse with him.’ Sejanus announced, glancing at the Creed boy. Festus’ smile faltered before whispering to his tribute to move past her.

Sejanus glared at his back before turning toward Lucy Gray and smiled.

‘So, what should we practice today?’

‘Sejanus! How was today?’ Ma questioned as her dress swished as she went to hug her son.

Sejanus smiled before beginning to talk about how he had developed a slight crush on his tribute. Luckily, his Pa and Ma understand the Districts and don’t mind if he marries a District girl.

‘Lucy Gray is just so…Gorgeous, she’s gorgeous, kind, and cheerful. I don’t know how to define my infatuation with her…’ Sejanus sighed before turning to his parents for a sign of advice.

Strabo Plinth laughed before gifting his son an idea of how to get Lucy Gray in his spell.

‘Help Coriolanus cheat the Games. You know that he will do anything to win and by promising your tribute you will take her away from this torture, she will devote her trust to you. Then you just have nothing but an easy ride up to convince her that you are the perfect husband for her.’ Strabo shrugged as he turned his attention back to the newspaper on his lap.

Sejanus grinned at his father before kissing Ma on the cheek and turning to the door to meet with Coriolanus Snow. Ma yelled for him to eat first but he told her that he would bring the Snow family to eat here.

‘Lucy Gray Baird…Don’t you love me too?’

posted like 3 chaps bc i havent posted in a while

You Can't, You Can't Catch me Now I'm coming like storm into your town

Part 1/Part 2/Part 3/rest on Masterlist

[Mentor!Coriolanus Snow x time-travel, thg-era, tribute!reader x toxic!Finnick Odair (in the Peacekeeper era)]

Warning: gore, blood, gun and knife violence, serious injury, death, physical assult, possibly non-con...as I said, maybe...

Summary: You are a rebel, the last chance of the rebellion against President Snow. You're told to go on one last mission to kill the man who massacred Panem. It took you years to understand your mission when you became [name] Lily Baird, starting from the age of five till before the reaping day of the 10th Hunger Games.

The day you began your plan to destroy President Snow before he became the villain he was meant to become.

'Both sisters, Lucy Gray and [Name] Lily Baird are a part of the Covey, and though they have been chosen as tribute for both District 12 and 9 because of our own mistakes, we hope they will stay safe.'

You knew about [Name] Lily Baird, named after her because your mother was inspired by her fiery personality and strength, but now you realize that you were transported to a time before the Baird sisters died, one of sickness and one because of Coriolanus Snow himself.

'I will kill you, President Coriolanus Snow.'

‘Coryo, how exactly are you supposed to cheat if you have no one on your side other than me?’ He shrugged, glancing towards the sunset past the arena they were standing in. 

 ‘I'm not sure but I will figure out a…’ 

Coriolanus noticed a boy walking towards [Name].

 Felix Ravinstill. 

He dared to try and help Coriolanus’ tribute practice when he noticed she was distracted. Coriolanus frowned, rage getting the best of him.  

But he couldn't do it now. 

Not in front of her.

‘Felix Ravinstill,’ the boy looked up, slightly startled by the hate in Sejanus’ voice. Felix had tried to seduce both of their women and they wouldn’t take that lightly.

‘How dare you try and woo our tributes? You have your own, go mess with her but stay away from our things.’ Coriolanus snarled, glaring sharply toward the cowering black-haired boy. 

‘Clearly, they don’t like either of you.’ The coward tried to smirk but he failed tremendously.

That was when Sejanus saw nothing but red.

‘Die, motherfucker!’ Blood pooled through a jagged bruise tearing through Felix’s skin before he ran away from the two vicious boys willing to do anything for their loves as long as they stayed with them.

It was now days before the Games but even then, early on a mentor and tribute died because of a simple tease toward a starving child.

Arachne Crane and her District 10 tribute.

While Coriolanus hadn’t known Arachne much besides being his childhood friend they had recommended him to sing Panem’s National Anthem. He had only decided to agree because he realized that if [Name] heard it she might finally compliment him.

‘Please, I want you to smile for me…[Name]...’

Living in the time of the 10th Hunger Games, you tended to notice the difference between the Capital from the place you called home. You tried to see the better in most people, expecting a kind person like Effie Trinket to appear amid rich, classy citizens, but it was hard when they just wanted to tease you with something you will never gain because you’re poor .

Sure, the District 1 and 2 tributes were treated much better but still, they were tortured by the feeling of inferiority coming from the people they depended on. 

 Now, you were accompanied by your mentor, Coriolanus Snow, on a walk into the Arena following the other tributes. It was a silent exchange when he secretly placed a napkin of food in your chained hands. You palmed them before slightly nudging Lucy Gray, she was behind you and you could hear her conversation with Sejanus as he quietly gave her a pouch of food to stuff into the pockets of her rainbow ruffles. 

You turned your head as if you were conversing with Coriolanus but let your eyes drift to your sister as she winked and nodded. That nudge was something you both had practiced years ago to signal if you guys were able to steal a piece of food or jewelry from the rich Peacekeepers in other districts before you two traveled with the Covey. Once you got that signal, you calmed down and began to whisper to your mentor. 

‘Coriolanus,’ you began before he interrupted you.

‘ Coryo . You can call me Coryo, I won’t mind.’

You grimaced before clearing your throat and faking a small smile, his piercing blue eyes lighting up.

‘Coryo, I, uh, I liked your singing.’

To be honest, you did. He sounded full and his voice echoed around the arena perfectly. 

‘You sounded like a man with great authority, my daddy wouldn’t have noticed much but he would’ve noticed that.’

[Name] Lily Baird was an orphan found by Lucy Gray’s parents at the age of four so you considered her parents as your own like every other child in that type of situation, and in return, they loved you like you were their child. 

Coriolanus smiled at your wistful expression before glancing toward the identical dresses the Baird sisters had on.

‘That means a lot considering that I thought that you hated me.’ He stared back at you with a cheeky smile on his face.

You rolled your eyes before a smile blossomed through the irritation. Maybe Coriolanus Snow wasn’t as bad right now…Maybe there’s a possibility to change him.

‘Well, I think that most Capital people would like that better than us being friends, right? It’s like we’re rats in a snake's nest.’

He glanced back at you before holding a hand up to his face to stop the laughter about to spill from his mouth. It might not have worked but seeing his red face from the joy in his eyes made you feel as if this Coriolanus Snow, this Coryo, was a completely different person.

Someone you would be great friends with.

But then the world exploded into fits of fire.

wow, i wish

You Can't, You Can't Catch me Now I'm coming like storm into your town

Part 1/Part 2/Part 3/rest on Masterlist

[Mentor!Coriolanus Snow x time-travel, thg-era, tribute!reader x toxic!Finnick Odair (in the Peacekeeper era)]

Warning: gore, blood, gun and knife violence, serious injury, death, physical assult, possibly non-con...as I said, maybe...

Summary: You are a rebel, the last chance of the rebellion against President Snow. You're told to go on one last mission to kill the man who massacred Panem. It took you years to understand your mission when you became [name] Lily Baird, starting from the age of five till before the reaping day of the 10th Hunger Games.

The day you began your plan to destroy President Snow before he became the villain he was meant to become.

'Both sisters, Lucy Gray and [Name] Lily Baird are a part of the Covey, and though they have been chosen as tribute for both District 12 and 9 because of our own mistakes, we hope they will stay safe.'

You knew about [Name] Lily Baird, named after her because your mother was inspired by her fiery personality and strength, but now you realize that you were transported to a time before the Baird sisters died, one of sickness and one because of Coriolanus Snow himself.

'I will kill you, President Coriolanus Snow.'

[bolded and italics is parts straight from the book]

As the world died, you stood still, seeing nothing but the burnt hospital where Katniss announced the rebellion. 

A scream caught your eye and that’s when you noticed that Lucy was beside you, perfectly lost in the chaos, but the scream came from the boy you think could be changed into a person who loved Panem and wanted to do what was good for all citizens.

Struck with silence, you felt a slow rush of smoke flutter through you but it felt like your lover.

Your Finnick.

‘[Name] Lily…Please…’

Coriolanus didn’t have the strength left to scream and cry like the other people surrounding them but his voice sounded broken, so different from his determined echo singing the National Anthem of Panem.

You helped him, but you felt tense because of the look on his face.

It reminded you of, 

‘Finnick, my…F-’

‘Who’s Finnick?’

You ignored Coryo’s freezing tone to say your love’s name in a calm chant. You felt woozy like you were drunk on Posca.

‘Finnick Odair, from District 4…I loved him with my heart until I had to leave him to save the Districts from the President…’

Coryo hummed as you slowly passed out and lost his balance because of his injured arm.

'Don't worry, [Name]. Help is coming...' But the help was for him, and they bashed a gun into your stomach, forcing you to cough up blood. Unfortunately, He was dragged away by the medics, but he yelled your name as you were taken from him,

‘[Name]! Don’t hurt her! Please!’

they ignored him, and he had one thought in his mind before he fainted.

‘I’m glad you left him, he doesn’t deserve you, that poor District boy. [Name] Lily Baird, you are a diamond bought by the future President of Panem, Coriolanus Snow, from a poor beggar.'

Finnick Odair.

But never forget, your Coryo won't overlook that name until Odair dies.

He woke up on a pure white mattress with soft sheets thrown onto his lean frame. 

‘Hi, Coryo. It’s us.’

Tigris smiled at him, checking his body for injuries the doctors hadn’t seen. Coriolanus hissed as a wound on his back started to sting, but still, he formed a small grin and faced his cousin and Grandma’am.

‘Hey, you missed bomb time…’

Tigris chuckled before frowning at the bandages wrapped around him.

‘Turns out that’s worse,’ she mumbled, ‘Knowing that you were there and I wasn’t.’

Coriolanus’ gaze faltered before he could reassure her that he was glad she was far from the Arena.

‘I’m glad that I’m not alone, and I’m glad that you’re safe and sound.’ He whispered, finally glancing back toward the blond-haired woman.

Tigris’ eyes teared up before clearing her throat and motioning to his scars to ask about what happened.

‘[Name] saved me…But she was hurt in the process…’

Tigris laughed before she could stop herself.

‘Well aren’t I glad!’

Grandma’am didn’t quite believe him until he gave a quick timeline of events.

‘Well, that does show some character, she seems like she wants to be a sweet capital girl. I applaud her personality.’ 

It was high praise for a District girl coming from a capital lady.

Especially from the woman who believed that all District breeds should be maids.

His grandma’am eventually shuffled over to him again when he lied down and took in a large breath.

‘I wonder if Clemensia felt this way when she was bitten by Dr.Gaul’s snakes.’ Was what haunted his mind.

After a bit of questioning, Coriolanus finally dared to ask what had to [Name] Lily. Tigris shrugged and only said that she wasn’t on the list of dead tributes before they settled into a deep silence.

Sejanus was silent, sitting on his couch while the news of dead tributes played over and over again. The male tribute from District 12, both tributes from 1, the girl tribute from 2, and the male tribute from 9 had died. Luckily, neither of the Baird sisters had died, well, lucky for him and Coryo, he supposed.

‘Sejanus, eat something, you could have been seriously hurt!’ His ma yelled.

Sejanus hummed, but his gaze never moved from the television, watching a brave brown-haired girl running through the camera’s vision.

It was hours after Coriolanus had awoken, and Grandma’am was busy complaining about how proud the Districts should be while watching the bombing.

‘But they say hardly anyone there saw it, Grandma’am.’ Tigris snorted. ‘You know they despise watching it.’

‘It won’t take a while for them to find out.’ Grandma’am clarified. ‘It’s the type of story that catches fire.’

The world had caught fire before your eyes and all it reminded you of, just like during the bombing, was the speech Katniss yelled out to President Snow during the 75th Hunger Games.

‘You can torture us and bomb us and burn our districts to the ground. But do you see that? Fire is catching... And if we burn... you burn with us!’

‘[Name], are you sure you’re okay?’

You smiled at your sister but you knew that wouldn’t quell her worries at all.

‘I promise, I’m fine, I’m just a bit shaken up.’

Lucy Gray nodded before staring into the cold alley where they kept all of the tributes that hadn’t died.

‘I’m happy that you’re okay.’

‘I’m glad you’re okay too, Lucy…’ You mumbled before embracing her in a warm hug.

The doctor who had entered to check up on Coriolanus was coincidentally the doctor he’d seen after the snake attack, Dr.Wane.

He reassured the Snows that Coriolanus was fine and had a mild concussion but he would, unfortunately, have to stay at the Hospital for a few more days before he could go home. 

‘Wait!’ Coriolanus yelled. Dr.Wane turned back and nodded.

‘Do you know how my tribute is doing? Her hands were burned and she was choking on blood and smoke before I fainted.’

‘I wouldn’t know, but right now that shouldn’t be your concern, young man. You should focus on resting for now.’

Coriolanus wasn’t quite happy with that information but he obliged, his eyes weighing down on him before he finally passed out.

ugh should i kill finnick when he comes on, its like the Peacekeeper part but i gotta think about it now...

Misc Characters (2024)

Some random characters I drew from January to now! Love these all so much! Visually, I think Wolverine and Finnick are my favorite!

Finnick Odair

Wolverine

Gatchaman Team

Lucy Gray

Shadow

Spiderman Noir

You know what I love and just applaud Rachel zegler for doing so well? Making Lucy gray’s mannerisms and tone slightly different whenever she’s performing for the cameras e.g the scene at the zoo when she was being asked questions

More than that I love that in every scene with Coriolanus she doesn’t do that tone or mannerisms EXCEPT THE LAST SCENE SHE HAS WITH HIM BEFORE SHE DISAPPEARS

Like everything about it from the tone of voice to the way that she said “I’m not made out of sugar” to the way that she smiled was just so eerily similar to the way that she acts when she is preforming for an audience

Like I cant be the only one who sees how different she acts

Look at that! that’s a woman PREFORMING if I ever saw one

But what’s so important is that SHE IS preforming, she’s made her choice, she knows she has to leave but she also knows that she is talking to someone who is extremely volatile and has shown that he can kill so she has to bide her time and play it perfectly to disappear like she needed to

So she preforms to stay alive, just like she did in the games, Lucy gray’s last performance was actually this conversation- not any song.

𝐄𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐞: 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐈𝐈 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐫

“You’re an odd one, curious even, not having a tribute but here every day.” Lucy Gray said, taking a bite of the sandwich you gave her, making you chuckle “ Well we all have assignments, I just got one different from everyone else.” “Now who’s the mysterious one?” She asked with a smile on her face. “So, Calanthe, how’d you end up without a tribute?” She asked, 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 you eyes, “Not much of a dancer, or a singer.” Lucy rolled her eyes, “And? Try it, sing a spell.” She said, scooting towards the bars and looking right in your eyes. “Sing what, exactly?” You asked, and all she did was shrug. “Anything. Give it a shot!” She encouraged, making it known she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

So you put your water down, and you made up a song.

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, I’m just special.” You said, whispering the last part to her. “Oh and what makes you special?” Lucy asked, looking at you. “Hmmm, I’ll tell you later.” You said, making the both of you laugh.

Eyes Never Lie: Part III

gif made by kvtnisseverdeen

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 3 is here! Sorry it’s late

word count: 4.3K

divider made by firefly-graphics

You didn’t know how you got in front of the arena, but here you were, being led to the place where all of these innocent kids would die. You then froze, and Coriolanus’ turned and looked at you. “don’t want you to be alone right now.” He added, holding your hand tighter. “Please.” He whispered, letting you know he didn’t want to be alone too. You nodded and squeezed his hand as he walked you toward the arena once more.

Before you realized it you were standing behind Lucy Gray and were ushered to walk forward. The darkness of the tunnel made it a bit hard to see, but the red lights made it easier. Walking forward, the turnstile turned and a voice said “Enjoy the show!” Definitely not creepy. Now beside Lucy, you felt her hand slip into yours, and you welcomed it.

As you walked further in, the hold on your hand got tighter, and you looked at her. She was holding onto your hand for dear life, Lucy was terrified. Suddenly, a noise made you look up and see the arena opening up the top window panels, letting the light in. It was eerie, somewhat amusing, and haunting at the same time. But the decor couldn’t dispel you from an ugly truth: 23 kids are coming into this arena, but only 1 is coming out tomorrow.

“Welcome to the arena for the 10th annual Hunger Games!” A voice cut through the arena. “Tributes, mentors, you have 15 minutes to survey the space and discuss strategy.” You let go of Lucy’s hand and rubbed your hands together. You saw her face contort into one of worry as her eyes darted to you. “Please,” Lucy whispered. “Coriolanus, please don’t let me die in here tomorrow.”

Before any of you could answer, an explosion cut your train of thought off as you were thrown to the ground. You covered your nose as you watched the arena get blown to hell and back. You, Lucy, and Coriolanus stood for a moment as the debris started to fall to the ground, a scream finally leaving your mouth as you ran away, Lucy in front of you and Coriolanus behind you. While you were running, though looked back for Coriolanus and felt a piece of the arena slide across your face, making you fall.

You felt Lucy’s hand turn you towards her, “Where’s Coriolanus?” She asked, making your blood freeze. That was when a familiar voice yelled out, “Help me!” You immediately knew it was Coriolanus. Following the sound of his voice, you soon found him under a piece of debris. You immediately tried to lift it but had trouble. You saw the fire on his back, and it almost sent you into a panic. “Lucy! Help me, please!” You begged, looking into the smoke where you think you saw her last.

She soon ran towards you and joined in the attempt of trying to get it off of him. You were so focused on lifting the beam you almost missed a tribute trying to convince Lucy to run out of the arena with her. “He wouldn’t save you.” You heard Marcus, Senjanus’ tribute say, before running to the blown open doors. But your eyes didn’t leave the beam, and to your suprise, Lucy never stopped to run.

You both lifted it just enough so he could slip away from it. You turned to Lucy, saying a quick thank you before she www dragged away. In that moment, you finally noticed your hands were singing, and saw the beam had burned your hands. But that wasn’t it, your head was also singing a symphony. In fact, the world was spinning.

The next thing you knew, you were falling to the ground, and the next, you were in a hospital bed. Your mother sprung up and hugged you, “Honey! Oh, thank god.” She sighed, holding onto you. “What happened?” You immediately asked. “The rebels bombed the arena. One of those animals from the districts escaped.” Your father said, holding onto you tight. “Coriolanus? Sejanus?” You asked, sitting up, tears starting to well up. “They’re fine, Coriolanus came in right before you did, Sejanus is fine.” Your mother said, and a breath of relief left your lips.

“You, on the other hand, will have a scar on your forehead as well as sore hands.” Your dad said, handing you a mirror. There was a long red scar starting at your left forehead, going across your eyebrow and nose, and ending in the middle of your right cheek. It was ugly, but nothing makeup couldn’t smooth out.

You then reached for your, neck and felt nothing. “My…..my necklace.” You said in a soft tone. “I’m sorry honey. We can get you another one.” Your father soothed, but you shook your head, the sentimental value now gone up in smoke. “Should I be good to go?” You asked, standing up, and finally getting a good look at yourself. You still had your uniform on, riddled now with dust and smoke, as well as your face. Other than the scar now on your face, you looked okay, as well as an exhausted Capitol child who’s survived a rebel bombing and the loss of two friends in one week can be.

You then walked past the rest of the beds, and one sight made you get chills. You saw the president’s son, Felix, your classmate, on a ventilator, scars all over his face. You let out a surprised shout before a nurse turned towards you and shut the curtain, closing off any view from him. Then started to walk out of the hospital and passed a TV.

Turns out they were still going on with the games. Lucky Flickerman was enticing the crowds once more as they were bringing out the tributes to give them one final spotting before they had to die. That was when you got an idea. You walked with a purpose past the beds, but slowed down when you saw a familiar blonde boy asleep in a bed. Coriolanus was okay, he was alive. You forced yourself to run with sore muscles to your house, and go to the back of your closet. You recalled when Lucy said she could “play the strings,” today would be her chance to prove it.

You finally found your guitar, still in its white case, and brought it out. After giving it an experimental strum, you walked towards the last showing of the tributes, and tried to sneak past a peacekeeper.

Unfortunately, you weren’t the best at it. “Hey! What are you doing back here?” One shouted. “I’m here to do one last observation for Dr. Gaul.” You said in your best calm voice, almost scaring yourself from how much you sounded like someone else. You stared back at them when one looked at the other, “Stay right there.” He said and walked out of the room. The minutes going by made you shift from foot to foot until he came back, “Go right in, we’ll be outside.” He said, letting you pass.

Slowly, you walked to the back of the stage and saw Lucy picking at her dress. “Lucy.” You whispered, getting her attention. She immediately ran towards you and before the both of you knew it, you were hugging. She looked at you, her head going to the scar on your face, “Your head.” “I’ll be fine, but I need a favor.” You said, holding the guitar out to her. “I know you said you won’t sing unless you have something to say, I get it. But this is your last chance before the games.” You said, a more serious tone in your voice.

“One last song to put your memory in the minds of everyone who has and will know your name.” You said, watching as she took the guitar and gave it a strum. “You had this? She asked, to which you nodded. You saw her nod towards you, a look of thankfulness before she walked out. You let out a sigh as you watched from a screen as she sang her song, letting her story be told for everyone to hear, making you smile. For someone who just got to the Capitol, she sure learned how to make a lasting impression, one that wouldn’t be forgotten for decades you would say.

As Lucy finished her song, she walked back towards you and tried to speak, but you silenced her. “You did amazing,” you said, taking your guitar back. You then took her hand and held it tightly. “I know you’re not my tribute, Lucy Gray, but I hope you win.” You said, before giving her one last hug before walking home. You laid in bed that night hoping for her survival. That morning you dressed and could barely eat, thinking about the games. As you left, you passed a mirror and got a glimpse of your face. Even though you put concealer over the scar, it was still red.

As you walked to the academy, you ran into Dean Highbottom. “Ah, ms capitol flower, what are you doing up here?” He asked. You then turned to him, “Just wishing my friends good luck.” You answered. For a moment, he didn’t answer, obviously looking at the scar on your face. “I’d only wish one of your friends luck, little miss.” Dean Highbottom said and turned away from you. As you looked for Coriolanus and Sejanus, Sejanus found you first.

“Hey. I didn’t see you at the hospital.” He said, looking at your face and not your eyes. “I left, they had already treated me.” You said. He then held your hand and squeezed it. “Are you okay?” He asked. “I’ll be fine.” You said, knowing what he was implying. Sejanus’ focus then shifted to someone behind you. “Corio.” Senjanus said, walking up to him. “How are you doing? You all right?” He asked, to which Coriolanus shrugged off.

He then turned to you, his eyes widening at the sight of the scar. Before he could speak, a man got the attention of the 3 of you, and signaled he wanted a picture. Sejanus put his arm across you to put his hand on Coriolanus’ shoulder as you felt his hand go to your hip, the same mannerism he used in the zoo. You put your arm around Sejanus’ back & Coriolanus’, and gave a small smile.

The man snapped the camera, immortalizing the moment in the photo. Sejanus walked off and Coriolanus suddenly held you still, looking at the scar closely. “Are you okay?” he asked, looking at you, his eyes, for once you could see how he was feeling: concerned. “I’m fine. It just stings.” you said, rubbing small circles on his hand. “Before I forget, here.” He said, holding up your necklace, the one you thought you would never see again. “How did you get it?” You asked, staring at the pendant dangling in front of you.

“I owed you and Lucy Gray a favor, this is yours.” He said, walking behind you and putting it back around your neck. You turned towards him, only to see him staring at you from over your shoulder. You two were so close to each other, you could feel the faint blow of his breath on your nose. Nervous, you broke the silence. “I hope you win, Corio.” you whispered, but he only looked at you in silence. “When I woke up in the hospital, no one had seen you, not even Sejanus. I thought you were dead.” he said, his voice breaking at the end.

“You haven't lost me, Cori, and you never will.” you said, putting your forehead to his, and kissing it. He then took your hand and kissed it, before smiling. “Happy Hunger Games.” he whispered. “And good luck to you.” you replied before walking out of the room and towards Gaul’s lab. As soon as she laid her eyes on you, that same sinister grin “Let me see you, my flower of death.” Squaring your shoulders, you approached Dr. Gaul, and her hand held your chin still. She chuckled, her eyes going over the length of your scar, before her other hand held one side of your face.

“Hmmm. This rosebud is tougher than I thought.” she then turned and went to her lab. “Come child, I have much to teach you today. For the whole day, you shadowed Dr. Gaul in her lab, learning her methods of creating her “babies” for the games, how to tame them, and how to make them vicious. During one moment, she looked at you as she handed you a snake, letting it get used to your scent. “One reason I chose the colors is to make an illusion. The colors are to make them enticing, the beauty masking their true nature, their deadly nature.” Dr. Gaul said, looking you dead in the eyes.

“Before you know it, you're too busy looking at the beauty of the colors to see you're about to be bitten with their poison, doomed to drown in the beautiful sea of death.” The snake was now circling your neck, before resting still, allowing you to let out a breath you didn't know you were holding. “Let me guess, I'm the fool drowning in the sea?” you asked. She only smirked in response, “Not yet, I'm still deciding if you're the snake not yet radicalized or the flower not yet fertilized with the malicious poison.”

“And how would the flower be poisoned, who does it?” You asked, wondering what her riddle meant. “That is a question that doesn't have an answer.” she said, chuckling as she took the snake from your neck. After a long day, you began to walk home just as a car pulled up in front of you. You began to reach up for your necklace to wrap around your knuckles just as a woman stepped out, looking frantic. You realized it was Senjanus’ mother. “Mrs, Plinth, what's wrong?” you asked. “Honey, have you seen Sejanus?” she asked, walking towards you.

“No. I haven't seen him since the games started. Did something happen?” you asked. “They captured Marcus and put him up in the arena before a tribute mercy killed him.” she said in a sorrowful tone. “One of the tributes mercy killed him, but he was home for one minute and the next he was gone.” she said, slowing her speech down to calm herself some. That was when something dawned on you, and the idea made your stomach do flips. “I'll help look for him.” you said and squeezed her hand.

“Thank you, dearie,” she said and walked back to the car. As you watched her go back, you noticed Mr. Plinth give you a nod before he joined his wife in the car. You, on the other hand, walked toward the arena and convinced yourself to not turn around with every step. You made a quick stop at Dr. Gaul’s lab, noticing she was already walking out. You both froze, looking into each other's eyes. “I take it you found out where your friend is.” She said, you nodding in response. “Go ahead, I'll send someone to go with you in a minute.” she said, and walked away from you.

“When you finally got to the gate, the peacekeepers eyed you, “Let me in, his mother is worried sick.” you said, looking between the two. It didn't take long for them to open the gates and let you in, as well as locking you in. You slowed your breath as you began to walk into the arena, missing the turnstile to avoid the sound going off. You looked around, making sure to keep your steps as quiet as possible so you could get to Sejanus. As you passed a pile of debris, you saw a bow and some arrows and decided to take one of them in case needed it. When you got close enough, his head whipped towards you and relaxed.

He didn't say anything, but he looked back toward Marcus’ body and you kneeled beside him. Against your better judgment, you helped him grieve for a moment, one of his hands finding yours, and you let your head rest on his shoulder. “Thank you.” he said, you only hummed in response. That was when you felt someone walking towards the two of you, raising the arrow in front of you, only to see it pointing at an equally nervous Coriolanus.

“I thought they'd send my ma.” Sejanus said. “I wish they had.” you said, looking back at him. “You need to go, Corio. Both of you.” Sejanus said, standing up. “I'd like to. I really would. But I promised I'd get you out.” Coriolanus whispered. So he was the backup Gaul sent? “Why?” Sej asked. “Because you're our friend.” You added, looking him in the eyes. “I have to do this. I had to go where the cameras are.” He argued. “You think anyone's watching this,” Coriolanus asked, “Gaul cut the feed. Tributes kill you in here, she's just gonna say you died of the flu.”

You then looked at the beam above you 3 and saw a tribute wake up and grab her weapon. You tightened your fist around the arrow as Corio started to pull you closer to his side. “You need to decide right now. Do you wanna fight these tributes, or fight for them?” Coriolanus asked Sejanus, “Because if you wanna make real change, you need to stay alive to do it.” “How can I make any change from out there?” Sejanus asked.

“You're rich, you have your father’s money. You're smart, you care,” you said, looking between Sejanus and the female tribute looking at you three, “You're the only one who stood up to Gaul in that class, not us.” That moment you heard a clatter from somewhere in the arena, putting all of you on edge. You could see Sejanus was starting to get antsy. “We're dead if we don't leave right now.” You whispered to Sejanus. “Come with us. Spend your father's money, and do some real good. Or just be another dead body in Gaul's war.” Coriolanus whispered, getting close to his ear.

“Please, Sejanus, trust us.” You begged, wanting him to leave with the two of you. That was when you heard a scream from the end of the arena, and saw a male tribute charging towards you. “Let's go!” you yelled and ran for the gate. Even though you were running as fast as you could, they both were faster than you. You saw Coriolanus’ hand reach for yours, and he helped you keep up with him. You were able to jump over the turnstile, Sejanus couldn't and you heard a bone in him snap. You ran over to help him up just as the tribute lashed at the three of you.

You were able to miss his first swing, but when he swung his blade low, he cut your leg, making you scream. By instinct, you swung at his leg with the arrow and surprisingly managed to get a cut on his leg before Corio bashed the boy with a piece of debris. Before you could get out the way you felt the boy's blade cut a long line up your back, dragging another scream out of your mouth.

For a moment your vision blurred, hitting the wall as Coriolanus pleaded with the tribute. It didn't work. You heard Coriolanus scream and then proceed to hit the boy with the beam before hitting him in the head, making him fall through the turnstile. You had just gone over to help Sejanus up with you saw Coriolanus hit the boy one more time, and he no longer moved. You and Sejnaus stared at the sight, the horrible display of the dead tribute making you sick. Your best friend just killed someone, and he didn’t need to.

You then heard a group of tributes start to run towards you. “Get up, Sejanus!” You yelled, hoisting him up with one arm and running towards the gate. “Open the gate!” Coriolanus yelled. You ran through the gate and let out a small sigh of relief when it slammed shut, stopping the tributes from coming through. That was when one female tribute, Coral, looked at you briefly before looking directly at Coriolanus. “Watch those screens, gorgeous. ‘Cause I may have missed you tonight, but your songbird’s next on my list.” She smirked before walking away from the gate. You let out a breath and. As you stood up, you then leaned on the gate, and a wave of pain went down your back to the cut on your leg.

Holding yourself up, you let out a whimper as you saw the blood going down your leg. You could also see the gash on Coriolanus back when Sejanus spoke up, apologizing, “I’m… I’m sorry, both of you, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry, for all of it.” He looked up at both of you. Behind him, you saw Sejanus’ parents drive up. “My father. Let the buying begin.” He said, and slowly stood up and walked towards his mother. You had just managed to stand up straight again when you and Coriolanus caught the eyes of his father, giving you a silent but grateful nod.

You and Coriolanus were led away and back to Dr. Gaul’s lab. “Snow and his rose stormed down, down on their heads. It stormed down on their heads, and now the boy is...” She stopped and made a noise, imitating the sound of a knife slashing. “Dead.” You whispered to yourself while she chuckled. You two have had enough of the Games tonight, I see,” she said, “Come, sit, I'll stitch you up.”

Coriolanus tried to usher you forward, but you sat down in another seat, “You saved us, you first.” He didn’t argue further. As he sat down, you grabbed a stool and sat beside him. “Who could imagine Crassus Snow's baby boy fighting for his life in the arena one day? What happened in there, that's humanity undressed,” Dr. Gaul let out a sigh before continuing, “Fueled with the terror of becoming prey, see how quickly we become predator. See how quickly civilization disappears?”

“Those tributes didn’t have a choice.” Coriolanus said, finally finding his voice. “I was talking about the two of you.” She said, your eyes finding his stare. “All your fine manners, education, background, stripped away in the blink of an eye, leaving a boy with a club who beats another boy to death to stay alive.” Dr Gaul said, before looking up at you, “And a girl who takes up an arrow and draws blood out of desperation to keep her life.” “You wanna protect people, Mr. Snow? To govern them like your father?

Then it’s essential you accept what human beings are and what it takes to control them.” She then patted his back, signaling him to move.

He squeezed your hand before he slowly walked out of the lab, leaving you alone with your mentor. For a while she stitched up your back, she didn’t say a single word, and neither did you. When she turned you around to sew up your leg, that changed. “So, Snow’s rose is growing her thorns,” She chuckled, “The daughter of the Capitol goes into the arena, who would’ve thought?” “I didn’t intend to humor you tonight, I went in to get my friend.” You replied. Dr. Gaul raised an eyebrow in response, “Be cautious of your loyalty and friendship, young girl.” “They would do the same for me.” You said, looking at her. “Oh I’m sure they would, that’s why you all could’ve died tonight.” Dr Gaul chuckled.

“It’s like I said earlier. Friendship like the one you have with Snow and Plinth can help you thrive as easy as it can be to die following your friend and lover into danger.” Your mouth fell open, but she raised her hand in response. “For a child so wise, you’re very blind to see the eyes of affection that boy has for you?” Dr. Gaul teased. “How are you sure?” You asked, curiously getting the best of you. Dr. Gaul chuckled, “Do you want me to point out the fact he calls you Calanthe, which translates to beautiful flower?”

As she finished the stitch on your leg, she smirked. “Love is a funny thing, pupil. It can be your greatest strength, weapon, or weakness.” “I don’t have a crush on-.” “Don’t lie!” Dr. Gaul shouted at you, making you shut up immediately. “If you don’t love that boy why did you protect him with that arrow in your hand?” She asked, holding your arm up, showing you the arrow still in your clenched hand.

You forgot you still had it.

Dr. Gaul looked at the arrow and then at you, helping you stand up, the stitch now complete. “You’re a strange one, little flower,” Dr. Gaul said, “You don’t see your strengths.” You then looked up at her, “And what do you see?” You asked, grabbing your blazer, and getting ready to leave. As you turned to leave, her chuckle made you freeze and turn around, “I still see what I saw the first time we talked my dear: potential.”