DARK LOVE, Coriolanus Snow

XII, Swim

As we arrived at the lake with Lucy Gray, Coriolanus and the rest of the group, the children hastily jumped into the water followed by Lucy Gray who took off her purple dress and threw herself into the water. I turn to look at Snow smiling, I hasten to take off my dress only now wearing my swimsuit, I look at him, then I dive. The cold water comes into contact with my skin but the sun comes to warm me, only my head and neck are outside the water as I watch Coriolanus jump then swim to join me laughing... A laugh most sincere, a laugh that I had very rarely heard from him, hearing it you could even say that he looked like a child in a man's body.

- Do you even know how to swim? I tease him.

He wraps his arms around my waist and I wrap mine around his neck, smiling as butterflies start flying in my stomach, and I wonder how we got to this point? How did we go from being just classmates to this... to us? Together...

- If I can swim? He laughs under his breath then looks me in the eyes. Do I look like I'm drowning?

I shrug my shoulders with a little laugh then lay my head on his shoulder and close my eyes, feeling so good in his arms.

After staying in the water for a long time, we finally got out, now sitting near a tree, my head on Coriolanus' legs while further away, Lucy Gray is composing music with my guitar.

- I've never seen these birds before. Said Coriolanus looking at the birds flying above us.

- They are called mockingjays. I tell him while looking at the trees and branches on which the little birds are landing.

He gently runs his hand through my hair, trailing his fingers down my cheek as I hum lightly, my eyes shining with admiration each time they rest on his face.

- Do you remember when I made fun of you because you smelled like roses? Snow asks me as I play with her fingers.

I nod and look away from my best friend.

- Mmh. I sigh softly, nodding. You told me it was because I came from a district and that all I knew how to do was pick flowers!

He laughs remembering this as I slap his arm with a smile.

- Well, it's because it reminded me of my mother. He said, regaining his seriousness, his gaze fixed on mine. She always wore that smell and her scarf was the one that smelled the most, one of the only things I have left of her...

I straighten up a little, sitting in front of him before placing a kiss on his cheek then stepping back to watch his angelic face, as he takes something out of his bag.

- But, I wanted to give you this, it was my mother's and I think you will always need it more?

- Coriolan, I can't accept. I said in a small voice. You said it yourself, it's one of the only things you have left of her!

He gently takes my hand in his and places the scarf on it.

- But I want to offer it to you, because you mean a lot to me, Erato.

I smile at him and nod, wrapping my arms around his neck to hold him close.

- I will take care of it, I promise.

He kisses my cheek and I lay my head on his shoulder.

- You must really miss Tigris and your grandmother.

- Yes, I miss them, I'm worried about them.

I slide my hand into his to continue playing with his fingers while my other hand still holds the scarf.

-Would you return to the Capitol if you had the chance?

I raise my head to look at him and he looks down at me, our gazes remaining locked into each other in silence for a moment before he speaks again.

- Surely, yes, I grew up there...

- Even after they threw you out like nothing?

He nods, taking a deep breath.

- But I would like you to come with me if I have the opportunity to return to the Capitol.

I shake my head as I sit up, keeping my eyes glued to the resting water.

- No, they always saw me as a rat there, just like they do with you, the only difference is that you persist in believing that you have your place there, but I know that I never had anything to do there, at the Capitol.

He stands up and puts his hand on my cheek to force me to look at him.

- They are civilized there, and they have everything you need.

I shake my head in disagreement.

- No, they have everything you need, because everything I need is here, with you! I strike a pose and look him in the eyes. I don't need the Capitol, a place that forces us to kill our friends for their entertainment, because all I want is you, and this place!

I see his gaze change, as if he is absorbed by each of my words, he is about to speak, but stops when Lucy Gray hands me a shoot of Katniss.

- For your little home! My best friend smiles at me.

I retrieve the plant, my fingers caressing the leaves.

- You know exactly what flowers you should give her during your marriage proposal! Exclaims the brunette towards Snow as she walks away.

I laugh and roll my eyes, then turn back to Snow.

- Trust me, Coriolanus, when I tell you that the Capitol is not made for us, and you know how important trust is to me!

- Yeah, trust is a key point. he agrees.

- So believe me, you can trust me, more than anyone on this earth, and when I tell you that District 12 is much better for us than the Capitol, I know what I'm talking about!

He furtively kisses my lips, then, when he moves away, he leaves a very short distance between our faces.

- I trust you, Erato.

I smile at him and run my fingers over his jaw, looking into his eyes. I hoped he was telling the truth when he said he trusted me, because if he told me to jump from a bridge with my eyes closed and assured me that he would catch me, I would do it without hesitation.