REIN and SNOW ∞ louis & tom au

Chapter 7

Grandma Snow didn't approve of Coriolanus' little picnic with Louis. She had already felt indignation at the apparent teasing on live television that morning, but now it seems that a Snow is friends with a rebel.

"To feed him is one thing. To dine with him suggests you consider him your equal!" She shouted. "I had to warn your own father that those people are dangerous—that they're out for our blood!"

"Louis is an innocent child, Grandma'am," Tigris defends.

"He's district. Nothing innocent about him." Grandma Snow replied.

Coriolanus thought of how uneasy he felt when the tributes debated about killing him on the truck. They certainly wanted a taste of his blood, but only Louis objected.

"What does that even mean?" Tigris asked.

"It means he's no different than the rest of his kind."

"Louis is different." Coriolanus argued. "He's not from the districts, and he protected me at the zoo."

Grandma Snow held her ground. "Oh, please. He's either from the Capitol or the districts, and we all know he didn't come from our riches or else he wouldn't have been in the reaping! And would he have bothered to save you if you weren't his mentor? Of course not! He's an astute little boy!"

Coriolanus exchange looks with Tigris.

He then sighs, not bothering to argue further with the old woman. She always had the worst view of the districts, so there's no point in trying to chang her mind about Louis.

Instead, he went straight to bed, dropping with fatigue. The entire night, his mind raced and his thoughts of losing his childhood home grew louder, making it difficult to fall asleep. He took his mother's powder compact from the nightstand and ran his fingers over the rose engraved on the silver case. Her voice echoed through his mind, so real she could've been laying right there beside him.

We're safe from all the chaos.
I promise they won't find us.
I've got your hand tight in mine.
Now keep strong this time.

Close your eyes. Everything's gonna be alright.
I'll keep you safe, safe as I can.
As long as I live, as long as you're breathing.
You will be safe, safe in my hands.
Just drift away, and keep dreaming.

Tears brimmed in his eyes and since he was alone, he let them trickle down his face. Clicking the latch, the lid opens, and the floral scent wafts out. He gazed at his own glossy green eyes reflected in the round mirror. Just like your father's, the Grandma'am frequently reminded him. He wished he had his mother's pale blue eyes though, but never said so.

Coriolanus imagined his eyes were like hers for a split second, and then saw her staring back at him. More tears welled in his eyes as he slowly closed the compact. He turned onto his side and stared at the curtains on his windows, where a sliver of moonlight seeped through. He allows the memory of his mother's angelic voice lull him to sleep. But it was Louis Rein that took over his dreams...

*          *          *

Louis woke up sore and uncomfortable. The bruises on his face and neck are swollen and tender to the touch, and the throbbing pain has become unbearable. He could still feel Billy Trope's hands, as bare as they were, around his neck like the leash he was tethered with for so many years. It pained him to realize how much love he had wasted on someone who discarded him in The Hunger Games as soon as he became uncontrollable.

Suddenly, Coriolanus drifted into Louis' mind, diverting him from the pain. The handsome Capitol boy, dressed in a well-fitted school uniform, holding an elegant white rose with a bright charismatic smile was the only person thus far who made Louis feel appreciated and valued. Of course, it was clear that being a mentor is simply an assignment for Coriolanus, and he needs to pass. But, it's worth noting how uncomfortable he was with tributes being thrown around, and how he jeopardized his own safety to guarantee Louis' was secure. Not even Billy would do that.