𝙎𝙊𝙈𝙀𝘽𝙊𝘿𝙔 𝙀𝙇𝙎𝙀 - coriolanus snow

𝙈𝙀𝙍𝘾𝙄𝙁𝙐𝙇

"Before you enter," The secretary said, adopting a reassuring tone, as she carefully tried to open the door without causing any creaking noises due to its poor renovations. "I need to know your name and your connection to Swan." It pained him to admit that he was someone who, in fact, cared deeply and perhaps loved her in the past. However, those sentiments were swiftly set aside, as Swan's well-being took precedence. "I am her mentor. Or... I used to be. Things got a little complicated in the midst of everything. I'm grateful that Dr. Gaul noticed her health before my own eyes did."

With a simple nod, the secretary appeared satisfied with the response she wanted to hear. However, over the past few days, Snow's desire to see the one he had hoped to have under his control had crumbled. Upon reflection, he acknowledged that proposing such thoughts to her had been premature. Not that he would ever have proposed such things to Lucy if she were still alive today. Seeing Swan in a distressed state added to his devastation, especially since he had promised her victory and a return home. He was determined to ensure that this promise was kept. Until then, the future remained uncertain, and he pondered how their paths might diverge, possibly leading her right into his manipulative schemes.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he entered Swan's resting room. Her face appeared pallid, and he could discern the emergence of dark bluish circles—a stark reminder that she hadn't enjoyed restful sleep, a consequence of the poor diet he had reluctantly initiated for her. It was a far cry from the beautiful red tray she had been accustomed to during the initial days of her arrival. Her refusal of a proposal had swiftly relegated her to the degrading treatment meted out to the other districts across Panem—a repulsive semblance of an animal. Snow's focus shifted immediately to Swan as he approached her bed. Observing that she had only been provided with fluids, he vowed to ensure she regained her strength by the time she woke up. Yet, the looming deadline in just a few days left him anxious, fearing he might not meet it.

So, he remained. He stayed until he depleted every last ounce of energy to be by her side. His entire being, even his meticulously styled hair, succumbed to defined curls—a departure from the carefully crafted appearance he usually presented when the situation demanded his best. His uniform's coat hung behind his chair, and he unbuttoned a few buttons to ease into a more relaxed state. Meal after meal, he endured sleepless nights until his eyes could no longer bear another minute, leading him to embrace a discomforting yet welcome nap. Swan's eyes gradually opened. As she tried to move her stiff fingers, she was surprised to find herself waking up. To her astonishment, she could only wonder if it was indeed true or if she was witnessing Coriolanus peacefully sleeping in her resting room's chair.

She hesitated initially, contemplating whether to utter his name, feeling somewhat weakened by the severe diet he had imposed on her. Initially, a surge of anger coursed through her, compelling her to scream at him for allowing her to starve. She yearned to convey the pain she experienced each night, shedding tears in solitude. She missed hearing his voice, the long and lingering stories about his past experiences as a mentor. Yet, nothing emerged this time, until her voice, soft but sufficient, stirred Snow awake, surprising him.

"Coryo..." Was all she could said.

To Snow's surprise, his eyes opened as well. His body flinched as Swan called him by his nickname, a fact known only to Tigris. He couldn't fathom the look in her eyes as they met his upon awakening. Staying in her room for more than a few days, he must have appeared a mess. However, she made no complaints about the smell. Instead, she wondered why he was there in the first place. It wasn't as if she had completely collapsed in the middle of a training session; even Dr. Gaul wouldn't allow another tribute to die before the Games commenced. "Dr. Gaul found you." He admitted, a tone of regret, shame, and almost pity evident in his voice. Pity for his tribute and himself, anticipating the rumors that would once again circulate beyond his control. However, this time he was relieved to see her awake and well. With sufficient rest and a return to the diet he had initially provided her upon arrival, he hoped the other tributes would finally cease teasing her, proving that she was destined to win. "Honestly, it was only luck. God knows what would've happened if it wasn't for Dr. Gaul herself."

In all honesty, Swan couldn't entirely blame Snow for allowing her to reach a state that could have jeopardized her life. Truth be told, it was only a few days before her last encounter with Snow that she found herself unable to contemplate the proposition she was being offered. The weight of that decision haunted her daily, rendering it unbearable to digest even the most repulsive of foods. She recognized her role in this ordeal, a contribution designed to make Snow feel like a complete fool, all in an attempt to draw her back to him. "You know," She began, struggling to articulate her words, prompting Snow to encourage her to take it slow as he helped her sit up correctly. "If it weren't for myself, I must admit that letting yourself starve might have taken a toll on me. I guess I was just trying to survive at this point."

Snow found it challenging to piece together her words, despite hoping to gain a better understanding after his own struggles. Yet, a sense of relief washed over him, knowing that his tribute hadn't completely lost her sanity. If it weren't for him, he realized, the prospect of becoming President would need to be set aside indefinitely. Especially now that Dr. Gaul would be scrutinizing every move and word from each mentor. That meant Snow couldn't afford to mess up again. "Well," He paused briefly, his gaze softening at the sound of her voice, recognizing her resilience and determination to triumph in the Games. "I am going to inform Dr. Gaul that you've awakened. Starting tomorrow, I'll ensure our rituals continue from this moment forward." This time, he meant every single word.

A reassuring smile played across Swan's features, though she displayed visible signs of fatigue and the need for recovery before her next training session. Snow was determined to ensure that by tomorrow's first hour, she would be both well-fed and given a proper bath. Recognizing the harsh reality that some tributes with infections or potential injuries were neglected, he intended to change that. Instead of being thrown into a bed, he aimed to provide proper care until they could indulge in their final moments of luxury before the Games even began. In his mind, Snow resolved that if the Games were to continue, and he were to be elected, he would overcome the shame of his previous actions in the district. To gain trust until the end, he pledged to ensure full medical services and proper preparation before tributes were thrust into the deadly survival game.

"You know, you can go home, right?" Swan's voice disrupted his contemplative thoughts once again. His piercing blue eyes focused on her, though her suggestion clashed with an internal resistance. Despite her words, something within him argued otherwise. Observing the disarray he found himself in—his hair barely brushed, uniform nearly torn—perhaps Swan had a point. Maybe he did need a proper shower, especially since he had a press conference scheduled for tomorrow. He certainly didn't want to be late, let alone make a less-than-impressive appearance. "After all, I'm not dead. Yet. Go home, will you? I can see dark circles forming, and your hair... If I were you, I'd be distressed seeing how I looked right now."

At least she managed to retain her sarcasm, he thought, acknowledging the truth in her words. With that realization, he rose, retrieved his coat, and cast one last glance at her before their next encounter. "You'll be okay, right?" he asked, even though he was well aware of the answer. This time, her smile widened a bit, as if she had mustered such a positive vibe primarily to please him. "Tomorrow, I'll be on my own two feet. Do not worry." A positive vibe before hand only did it for it to please him. "Tomorrow I will be on my own two feet. Do not worry."

In that moment, he nodded in approval of her statement, believing that what she said would indeed come true. With his requests for her to be properly fed and bathed, there seemed to be no cause for concern. He glanced at her once more and finally left, returning home to embrace Tigris, whose furrowed brow suggested that her cousin should take a bath immediately. As he tried on his outfit for tomorrow's conference, only a few seconds passed before, in his mind, all he could think of was Swan.