See How Snow Falls (The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Reimagined)

Chapter 7: Chances & Choices

Crow Calamine was scared. No, not scared. Scared wasn't a strong enough word to describe the guttural, leg-weakening, heart-bursting, complete and utter terror they were experiencing at being alone with Coriolanus Snow in the dark fields of District Twelve.
        "You've been avoiding me."
Coriolanus finally stopped walking, turning to look at Crow's moonlit face. Crow flinched at the words, knowing they couldn't deny it.
        "You're right. I have been."
They admitted, crossing their arms in a futile attempt to keep themself warm in the cool night air. Their brightly colored vest and pants were pretty, but barely did anything to ward off the coldness of the autumn night.
        "Why?"
Coriolanus's voice was harsh, spitting out the one word with barely contained rage. Crow startled, taking a step back, shaken just from the way it sounded.
        "Why? Corri, you know why."
They whispered, voice coming out gravelly and tight.
        "No. I don't know why. Enlighten me, as to why you have been avoiding me, little crow."
Coriolanus hissed, stepping so close to Crow that the two were toe to toe. Crow wanted to scream when Coriolanus used Sejanus's petname for them. What right did he have? They clenched their fists tightly and for the first time that week, the defiance and anger that they had kept in check, buried beneath anxiety and pain, came bursting through.
        "You kissed me Corri. You know I'm with Sejanus and you kissed me. After telling me he was a rebel! I HAVE BEEN AVOIDING YOU BECAUSE I AM AFRAID OF YOU GODDAMNIT!"
Crow shoved Coriolanus, hard, causing him to stumble back in surprise as their voice shook with unbridled rage.
        "I told you that to save you. So you could avoid him. So that you wouldn't get yourself involved with his idiotic plans."
Coriolanus was pissed, going so far as to grab the collar of Crow's shirt, pulling them toward him and up onto their toes with the sheer force he exercised.
        "All I have done is go out of my way to help you, you ungrateful little brat!"
He continued, practically snarling as Crow choked at the tightness of the fabric around their throat.
        "And how have you repaid me? By spending MORE time with Sejanus, and avoiding me. I go out of my way to HELP YOU. And THIS is how you repay me? You're pathetic."
Coriolanus let go of Crow's shirt, throwing them to the ground and watching with a twisted smirk as they landed in a crumpled heap on the ground. A long moment of silence ensued as Crow slowly sat up, tears starting to streak down their pale, exhausted face. They didn't bother to get off the ground, opting to stay down as they turned away from Coriolanus and let out a choked sob. More sobs followed the first and despite himself, Coriolanus felt a twinge of pain in his heart. Watching Crow cry wasn't as satisfying as he had hoped. After a moment he knelt down beside them, reaching out a hand and gently placing it beneath their chin, turning their face and forcing them to look at him.
        "Look. I know it's hard to imagine that your precious Sejanus is a rebel."
He finally said, still relishing the fear in Crow's eyes, even as he gently wiped their tears away with his thumb.
        "And I'm sorry that I got violent. But I just don't know what Lucy Gray would do without you."
He smiled softly, and caressed the side of Crow's face, as they continued to stare at him in some combination of pain and shock.
        "...I don't know what I would do without you."
He admitted finally, smile faltering a bit as he realized how true the words were. Crow's eyes widened a bit at the confession, and they stared at him for a few moment longer before managing a response.
        "I can't just turn off my care, Corri. I love Sejanus. Loving him is natural to me, it comes as easy as breathing."
Even after being beaten down, Crow couldn't help but continue to argue with Coriolanus. They had to argue. If they didn't, the gentle hand on the side of their face would be too much for them. They knew from the moment they stared into his blindingly blue eyes that Coriolanus was bad news. He was the type of person that people could get lost in. And Crow couldn't lose themself. Especially not to him of all people.
        "I can't just stay away from him, Corri. I can't do it. If he gets me killed, then so be it. But you can't save me."
Crow's statements were firm, voice getting stronger with every word. Coriolanus held their face in his hand for a moment longer, staring at them, trying to figure out what to do. Finally he moved closer to them, tipping their face up slightly and leaning in close.
        "I can't let that happen, little crow. You can try to spend time with him, but I'm going to be there at every turn trying to stop you. He already has you in life, he can't take you in death too."
Coriolanus murmured, refusing to accept Crow's stubborn answer. After a moment's consideration he leaned down, connecting his lips to Crow's in a soft, passionate kiss. Crow was caught off guard, somehow not expecting this behavior from him. They pulled away from him, but not before he noticed that they had almost started to kiss back.
        "Corri, stop. You can't keep doing this to me."
Crow whispered, sounding completely and utterly broken.
        "Why not?"
Coriolanus smirked, still holding their face gently, running his thumb absentmindedly across their cheek.
        "You belong with my sister. And I'm with Sejanus. It's not right."
Crow murmured, leaning into the comfort of the hand on their face despite their protests.
        "Why can't I have you both? Sejanus doesn't need to know, and I think Lucy Gray has figured it out."
Coriolanus replied, feeling a little giddy as Crow leaned into his touch. Unfortunately, this statement set something off in Crow as they pulled back, away from his hand, and stood up, staring down at him.
        "You can't have us both Corri. Make a choice. Make the right choice. As long as Sejanus is around, you have no chance with me. So stop kissing me. Stop trying to control me. Make a goddamn choice, Corri. Choose Lucy Gray. Because I sure as hell don't choose you."
With those words, Crow turned on their heel and ran off in the direction of The Hob, leaving a stunned, hurt, and fuming Coriolanus sitting on the ground behind them.
        "You can't run from me forever Crow Calamine."
Coriolanus muttered as he stood up, brushing himself off from kneeling in the dirt and watching Crow disappear into the distance.
        "Sejanus won't always be here. Who will you run to when he's gone?"
He continued, speaking into the night air. He knew the answer already of course. Without Sejanus in the picture, Crow would have no reason to resist him. They were practically already his.