HEART OF GOLD | CORIOLANUS SNOW

𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 33

Ordinarily, Lilith could have very well texted with one hand. This was her left one besides. As it was, she didn't have the strength. Navigating to the messaging platform alone had been a chore. Even speaking was an ordeal. Several attempts were discarded before she settled on the final recording. She replayed it for good measure:

"Hey, guys. Okay, don't freak out. I'm in the hospital. My arm's broken, but I'm fine, so don't fly over the moment you get this. Drive safe. Oh, and will you let Iggy know for me? Thanks. See you."

She thought she sounded sufficiently casual and not like she was out of breath. Was her message to Athena too obvious, though? Drive safe. Olympia, like Lilith, didn't have a license. And who was she referring to when she asked for someone to let Iggy know? Who was she hoping let Iggy know? Who was she hoping to see?

If this was before, Lilith would never have to think. All these considerations hurt her head, and she hit send.

The voice recording was delivered to the trio's group chat—the first message in over a week. It had been abandoned shortly after the whole apprenticeship award saga, after Lilith's endeavours to get in touch with Athena were (like via every other channel) blatantly ignored. Olympia had been communicating with each of them privately since.

It was impossible to inform one without informing the other. Informing them separately was the last option, but that entailed informing one before the other, which was equally inconceivable. They were both her best friends. News of such magnitude have always been shared concomitantly—together. In fact, Lilith failed to recall a time when she hadn't made announcements of this nature in both their presences.

Snow returned into her immediate line of sight as he folded himself into the visitor's chair. Hastily, Lilith collapsed her cordless back into its cylindrical form, concealing the pull-out screen that had been opened to the read receipt.

The Head Gamemaker's company was associated with more bad memories than good, and she could not say that she had ever enjoyed it—until today. Although foggy from the pain meds, something told her that presently was not the first time she'd felt grateful not to be alone. The station and the ambulance remained in clouds, as were what seemed to be efforts to make her experience less frightening. But in this instant, Lilith was clear on her appreciation: With him watching, she was forced to be on her toes. This ought to keep her stalkerish impulses in check.

Then again, she sensed that this wasn't all that desirable. It was a moment before it occurred to her why: The reason she was forced to be on her best behavior was because she feared disappointing him. Really, she feared disappointing anyone. And today was nothing if not disappointing. It was the disappointment of her life.

Her body seemed to have recognized this before her mind, because she realized she dared not look him in the eye. Very tentatively, she lifted her gaze from the bedspread. It was lucky that she had anticipated his scrutiny, that her reactions were somewhat retarded by the intravenously analgesia. She did not move—she didn't think—as he regarded her with an inscrutable expression.

Suddenly, he asked, "Who's Iggy?"

Breath caught in Lilith's throat.

"He's...a friend," she stammered.

This was not particularly inaccurate. Ignatius "Iggy" Silver was a close family friend. She had known him practically her entire life—longer even than Athena and Olympia.

He also happened to be her third cousin.

Snow pressed on. "Boyfriend?"

Again, Lilith hesitated.