❝ It annoyed me that I could act like such a carefree child, and it made me want to lash out at the weeds, who knew nothing but to grow taller. I wanted to try to be a good girl.
coriolanus snow x fem!oc
academic rivals to lovers
I didn't change; I just see things differently now.
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Tempest's father was never one to speak much, and he often struggled to find the right words to say. That responsibility always fell on her mother. As a result, Tempest became adept at deciphering her father's emotions through his subtle gestures. Whether it was a raised eyebrow, a slight frown, or a fleeting glimmer in his eye, she learned to read his expressions with great precision.
And right now, he resembles the way he did when she was a little girl and her mother never reached the bomb shelter.
He was looking at her like she was already dead.
Tobias Galdur, a man of unique parenting methods, stood apart from the typical fathers who would offer solace and reassurance to their distressed children. Instead, he opted for a rather unconventional approach by sharing intricate details of the situation at hand. While most parents would choose to soothe their child's worries, Tobias believed in equipping his child with knowledge and understanding.
In the face of the recent attack that had shaken their community, Tobias took it upon himself to enlighten Tempest about the ongoing investigation. With a calm and composed demeanor, he began to unravel the complexities of the situation. "To investigate the culprits behind this attack, we have deployed more than 50 troops. It's possible that the bombs were planted six or seven months ago," he revealed, his tone tinged with a hint of gravity, "making the search quite challenging."
Tempest felt an overwhelming urge to let out a scream. Wasn't there anything else he could say? Anything other than the painful topics of the deceased tributes, the tragic fate of the Ring twins, or the relentless rebel attack. All she longed for was for him to inquire about her well-being. She yearned to pour her heart out to him once he showed that he cared.
Everyone she held dear in that arena, or more like the two individuals she cherished most, Reaper and Coriolanus, had managed to escape unharmed. Coriolanus had carried her to the medical team, and Reaper was not among the list of injured tributes. They were safe. And that was all she needed to reassure herself.
Consequently, she longed for her father to cease discussing the attack. She yearned for him to possess the nurturing qualities of her mother. Her mother, who would lovingly stroke her hair until she drifted off to sleep, recite poetry to her, and tenderly wipe away her tears. However, her father was not her mother.
After his departure, she discovered herself engulfed in a profound void. His visit failed to offer any solace or improvement. Instead, it left her feeling utterly hollow.
She spent the next few hours toiling with the worn-out edges of the bed sheet, while summoning the bravery to confront her own legs. She had not seen them since they were all bloodied in the attack.
Tempest took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest, as she prepared herself to reveal her legs. With each count, she could feel the weight of anticipation building, the nerves tightening in her stomach. Finally, on three, she mustered the courage to let the sheet fall away, exposing the raw reality beneath.
Her breath caught in her throat as she beheld the sight before her. The thread, like a lifeline, tightly bound her skin, weaving a delicate tapestry that held together the wounds inflicted by shrapnel. The scars, jagged and angry, crisscrossed her once smooth skin, a haunting reminder of the horrors she had endured. The dried blood, now a dark and twisted hue, clung to the stitches like a macabre work of art, creating an eerie contrast against her pale flesh.
As she stared at her legs, it was as if she was peering into a stranger's world. The legs that once carried her with grace and strength now seemed foreign, alien even. They no longer felt like a part of her, but rather a cruel reminder of the past, a constant companion to the memories she desperately tried to forget.
It's hard to say how much time she spent examining every detail of the injury she had suffered. All she knew was that it was enough time for someone to discreetly open the door and silently approach her bed.
He softly whispered, afraid that speaking any louder might startle her. "I wasn't allowed to see you earlier. I was worried that something terrible had happened. How are you feeling now?"
It felt strange, a mix of emotions. She longed for someone to inquire about her well-being, but now that someone had, she found herself wanting to evade the question entirely.
"I don't feel anything," she admitted.
"Okay," he hesitantly approached. "That's okay."
The tranquility it brought was truly remarkable. His voice, like a healing balm, wrapped around her, dissolving all her sorrows and discomforts. As Coriolanus extended his hand towards her, Tempest's emotions swirled within her, a whirlwind of joy, gratitude, and vulnerability. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, a testament to the depth of connection she felt in that moment.
He calmly informs her, "I visited the zoo. Your tribute is fine. He inquired about you."
"He's okay?" Tempest inquired, her voice sounding distant, as if she was lost in her thoughts. Upon receiving his nod, a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "That's good to hear."
"You'll be okay too," he continued. "The medic mentioned that if the shrapnel had hit just two centimeters to the right, it could have caused damage to a major artery. Fortunately, most of your injuries will heal properly, although there might be some scarring."
It takes him by surprise when she asks, "Why are you here?" Her question is more curious than confrontational, her voice laced with genuine intrigue. And indeed, it is a question worth pondering. Coriolanus and Tempest have been rivals for as long as they can recall, their animosity fueling countless battles and bitter exchanges. So, what is the reason behind his presence in her hospital room, filled with concern for her?
As he stands there, his eyes locked with hers, Coriolanus feels a strange mix of vulnerability and determination. The walls of their shared history seem to crumble, revealing a deeper connection that neither of them could have anticipated. It is in this moment that he realizes the true extent of his feelings for her, buried beneath layers of rivalry and pride.
He takes a deep breath, his mind racing to find the right words to explain his presence. The truth is, he has been haunted by the image of her lying in that hospital bed, fragile and in need of care. The fierce competitiveness that once consumed him has been replaced by a newfound empathy, a desire to protect and support her in any way he can.
Coriolanus had always admired Tempest's strength and resilience, even when it was directed against him. But seeing her vulnerable, her spirit temporarily subdued by illness, has awakened a side of him he never knew existed. It is a side that yearns to be there for her, to offer solace and comfort in her time of need.
He takes a step closer, his voice filled with sincerity as he finally responds to her question. "I came here because I couldn't bear the thought of you going through this alone," he admits, his voice barely above a whisper. "Despite our rivalry, I've come to realize that there is something deeper between us. And I want to be here for you, to support you in any way I can."
Tempest's eyes widen, a mixture of surprise and gratitude shining through. She had never expected such vulnerability from Coriolanus, never imagined that their shared history could lead to this moment of understanding. As she takes in his words, a warmth spreads through her, melting away the bitterness and resentment that had defined their relationship for so long.
In that hospital room, filled with the fragility of life and the possibility of healing, a new chapter begins for Coriolanus and Tempest. Their rivalry, once all-consuming, now takes a backseat to the realization that they are capable of something greater.
