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“You look very handsome, Coryo.” Tigris chirped, her smile as bright as ever despite the bags beneath her amber eyes. She slowly pinned a reddish rose to his chest, patting it gently as she pulled away. “Grandma’am insisted on the red.”
Coriolanus looked down at himself, the dark suit was no beauty, but it would work. He couldn’t express his hesitation with Tigris near, as she’d spent quite a chunk of her well-earned money to rent it out for him. He’d figure out a way to thank her for it later — once he got back from the party.
To celebrate another successful year at the Academy, the school had curated a gathering for all of its students, and with the tenth Hunger Games approaching in just a few weeks, what better time than to host it now? With the anniversary and all.
“Thank you, Tigris. Really.” Coriolanus replied after gazing at the cuffs of his sleeves, “I don’t know what I’d do without you here.”
“Oh, don’t get sappy, now.” Tigris grinned, the pinkness of her cheeks glistening under their yellow kitchen light. “Come on, we don’t want you to be late.” she said, clasping her fingers around his arm and guiding him through their door.
He was unable to hide his anxiety during the walk to the high Academy entrance, the sky had deepened into a mesmerizing black and the wind was rampant. His hair twisted, tangling within itself, each time he tried to fix it, it only seemed to worsen. He stood under one of the beams, and Tigris examined him.
“It’s not so bad.” Tigris said, running her nails over his curls, adjusting them as best as she could.
Coriolanus sighed, glancing back at the rows of students that were now pouring into the building. “It’s okay, Tigris. I can tend to myself in the bathroom.” he told her.
But she didn’t appear convinced. “Are you sure? You don’t have to rush, Coryo. They just opened the doors.”
“I know, but…” he imagined stepping into the gym, the area quiet, his footsteps echoing. Suddenly, all eyes are on him and he’s embarrassed himself. His face heats up at the mere thought. “I’ll be fine.”
“Alright,” she wrapped his arms around him, he returned the embrace tightly. “Well, have the best time. I’ll be here to walk you home whenever you’re ready.” she pressed a soft kiss to his temple.
As they broke apart, they waved their goodbyes with their usual “Snow lands on top!” and went about their ways. Coriolanus up the Academy stairs, Tigris down the sidewalk. It was nothing new.
As soon as he stepped inside, squeezing in between bodies, he avoided as many wandering stares as possible. He couldn’t stop himself from worrying about how the rest of them would perceive his outfit — he locked eyes with Livia Cardew in the hall. The insecurity was truly getting to him now, she was probably laughing at him with her friends. Spreading the word, like always.
He finally finds the wooden frame, and pushes it inward with his shoulder, he breathes a huff of relief when he realizes nobody had been occupying the restroom. Making his way to the mirror, he notices how roughly the wind had messed with everything. His hair was frizzy, his suit was slightly wrinkled, and his tie had become loosened.
Without thinking, he reaches for the bud of his tie and yanks it free, unraveling it completely. He doesn’t pay any attention to it again until he’s made his strands look presentable, then, he remembers he has absolutely no idea how to tie a tie. Sure, he’s watched Tigris do it. But he’d never actually tried it himself — it seemed difficult. He resisted the urge to run outside to call for his cousin.
He stood starstruck in front of his reflection, what was he meant to do? Take it out completely and go out onto the gym floor with an exposed chest? Or, attempt to tie it, knowing it’d end in failure or a terrible mess. The stress builds behind his skull, and he’s nearly about to tear up when he hears the hinges of the door creak.
Coriolanus’s heart drops to the deepest pit of his stomach. It would obviously not be Livia, but what if it was one of the other boys from his class that he wasn’t friendly with? What would they say if they saw him like this?
The voice is recognizable. Easy. “Coryo?”
Sejanus.
“Hey…” Coriolanus still doesn’t want to look at him, even through the mirror.
Sejanus comes into his peripheral line of sight, “I was wondering if you’d come.”
Coriolanus pretended to know what he was doing with his tie. “Well… here I am.”
Sejanus doesn’t say anything in regards to that, but he does begin to stand directly in front of the sink that was next to Coriolanus. “Having some trouble?” he asked, pointing at his pathetic attempt.
Coriolanus let go. “I can’t seem to get it right.”
He starts to reach for him, then pauses. “Can I?” Sejanus asks, a gentle smile on his lips, “It’ll be quick. Promise.”
Coriolanus hopes he’ll stay true to his word, his hands fall to his side and he turns to face Sejanus in full. He feels envious, glaring at the blue velvet hue of Sejanus’s beautifully laced front, the stunning tie that made it all look so extravagant. Did he dress himself? His skin starts to flare up.
Sejanus works away at his stringy tie. His hands twisting around the fabric, looping across his fingertips. From here, Coriolanus can smell the cologne he’d dabbed onto himself, it’s rich, broad. He can’t say he doesn’t like it. His freckles are somewhat present in the brightness of the white tiled walls, he then suddenly tugs his undershirt.
“There, all fixed.” Sejanus said kindly, giving Coriolanus space.
Coriolanus allowed a small simper to engulf his mouth, he looked over his shoulder, back at Sejanus. “Thank you. I just blanked out there.” he lies, he’s never done anything like that in his life.
“Don’t worry about it. You look great, my friend.” Sejanus compliments him, a warm glint in the brownness of his eyes.
He swallows, a breath away from thanking him again when he’s interrupted by a falling Festus Creed. Swinging open the door once more.
—
The gym hadn’t been anything special. Tacky decorations were stuck upon the brick walls, lights flickered onto the students below as muffled music played, it’d been too forceful for Coriolanus, really. A simple get-together would’ve been fine.
He’d found himself chatting with Clemensia, Lysistrata, Felix, and a tipsy Festus, who had made no effort to stop consuming the spiked punch. He had no idea that kind of beverage would be served here. He feels better about himself now, watching Festus mumble like an idiot.
“Poor Sejanus, sitting all alone.” Felix said mockingly, discarding their past conversation about the upcoming Games, there had been a rumor floating around that the top performing students would get a spot as a mentor. But they were simply rumors, after all. Coriolanus took it with a grain of salt.
Festus was the only one to chime in. “Why even come? At this point… when you know you have no friends. Just seems like self-sabotage.” he uttered, trying desperately to keep up.
“You should probably stop with the punch.” Lysistrata took away his glass.
Coriolanus foolishly looks for Sejanus, searching the tables until he finds him. He could, unfortunately, spot him anywhere. He doesn’t appear to look exactly comfortable with himself, his hands are on his lap and he’s presented as if he’s waiting for someone.
Coriolanus glances at the floor, disgusted at himself for feeling a pang of guilt echo between his ribcage.
“I’ll be back.” Coriolanus tells his classmates before disengaging, he senses an odd obligation to settle himself into an empty seat. And he can’t control himself when he finds one next to Sejanus.
Sejanus’s expression brightens immediately, his colored brows are raised, teeth shining. “Hi.” is all he says.
“Hi.” Coriolanus repeats, dragging out the chair.
Sejanus scans him as he sits. “No more tie mishaps?” he jokes.
Coriolanus laughs. “No. Not yet, anyway. I’ll be sure to grab you if another comes along.”
Sejanus relaxes, but his body perks right back up when a gentle song begins to play. Its tune is soothing, quiet. Coriolanus watches as couples of two start to gush onto the floor, well. He may as well just stay here with Sejanus, then. As neither of them were going anywhere.
He surprises Coriolanus when he stands, inching around his chair. For a moment, he believes he’s misjudged Sejanus’s status here. Where was he going now? To grab his partner? If so, Coriolanus would feel offended that he didn’t tell him about them. But he doesn’t stray far, he’s directly in front of him when he looks up.
“How about a dance?” Sejanus asks politely, his hand shyly outstretched towards him. Coriolanus is caught off-guard, he’s never been asked to dance before — and to be asked by Sejanus? He instinctively checks behind him. “Just you and I.”
“Uh, I… I’ve never really —“ Coriolanus stumbled.
Sejanus catches hold of him. “It’s okay. It won’t be a long one. I can teach you.” he said quickly, “think of it as practice.” Coriolanus notices the flash of hurt that crosses Sejanus as the words leave his tongue.
“Okay…” Coriolanus rises with a fear of lingering eyes, he refuses to grasp Sejanus’s palm entirely, he lightly takes his fingers instead. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Sejanus throws his head back in laughter. “I think I can handle a few misplaced footsteps, Coryo.”
Slowly, but surely, he’d gotten the hang of it. He thinks. Or maybe Sejanus was just being nice.
The melody was more prominent now. It rang in his ears, however, all he could hear was Sejanus. The touch wasn’t as terrible as he’d been expecting, in fact, his stance felt natural. With his wrists resting around Sejanus’s neck, the pads of his hands landed firmly on Coriolanus’s waist. They swayed steadily, and for a while, he’d actually enjoyed it.
“So… any plans this summer?” Sejanus piqued.
Coriolanus shrugged. “Not particularly. I’m hoping to get selected to be a mentor — would give me something to do.”
Sejanus dampened. “It’s true?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m just assuming. Felix brought it up first, and, well, he is the president’s son. I figured he kind of knew beforehand.” Coriolanus informed him, Sejanus didn’t seem uplifted by it at all. “What’s wrong?”
“I think it’s crazy.” Sejanus said, “I’m hoping they don’t pick me.”
He was in no mood to listen to Sejanus’s opinions on the Hunger Games. Sure, they were dancing, as close as ever, but he couldn’t bear to hear his repeated complaints. He’d somewhat got the reputation of being a “rebel sympathizer” after expressing his discomfort with the Games throughout their school years together. To imagine him becoming a mentor… what a nightmare. He gets chills just thinking about it.
He nearly jumps when Sejanus’s voice returns.
“Not so bad, huh?” he whispered.
“No,” Coriolanus agreed, “I was just… afraid. To come out here — I guess.” he couldn’t believe he’d said that aloud to him.
“Why’s that?” Sejanus questioned, his cologne had started to make his head spin. The genuine concern in his voice wasn’t helping.
Coriolanus shook his head. Because of you! They’ll give me hell if they see me like this. “It’s nothing.”
Sejanus frowns, “I feel insecure sometimes too, you know. I understand.” Coriolanus’s eyes widened. “But you have nothing to be insecure about. I mean… you’re — you’re you.”
He’s shocked into silence. He couldn’t stop his pale skin from flourishing with red, he’s lucky the lights in the gym are dimmed. “That’s really sweet of you. but… it’s a little more than that.” A lot more.
Sejanus nods, “I see.” the music begins to fade, and he almost looks sad to free himself from Coriolanus’s frame. “Well, thank you for dancing with me. You’ll sweep someone off their feet someday with those moves, right?”
Coriolanus feels stupid for blushing. “I plan to.”
Sejanus scoots, and Coriolanus can’t seem to take his gape off of him until he turns. “And, Coryo?”
He grinned. “Yeah?”
“I meant what I said. About you being you.” Sejanus said with a smidge of awkwardness, Coriolanus’s core twists. “Don’t forget it.”
“I won’t.” Coriolanus reassured him, slithering away.
He’s working his way to the group he’d been chatting with before he’d indulged himself with Sejanus, and his entire being goes cold when he sees Arachne standing ahead of him with a revolting smirk.
“Now, that, Coriolanus Snow…” Arachne takes a sip of her red juice, pointing toward Sejanus across the gym with her pinky, “was romantic.”