REIN and SNOW ∞ louis & tom au

Chapter 9

Later that evening, Louis was escorted through the Academy by four Peacekeepers, his wrists bound in chains. He asked many questions with concern, yet the officers remained silent. Except for the occasional grunt.

At the monkey house, the mentors were filing in to engage with the audience and their tributes, except for Coriolanus. Louis grew wary as he watched the entrance to the zoo, waiting for his Capitol boy to show up again. Only Peacekeepers appeared to transport him discreetly onto a truck, leaving Edith alone with a mentor she didn't trust.

"It's gonna be okay. I'll be back, don't worry," he promised her as they whisked him away. But of course, he had no idea if he'd be back.

Louis wanted to ask once more where they were taking him, but the soreness made it difficult to raise his voice. In the back of his mind, he worried that his conversation with the guards this morning had been reported. But it doesn't make sense why they're taking him to his mentor's Academy, so he won't dwell on that thought for long.

Confusion washed over him when he was led to a door with a gold plaque that read, 'Professor Ava', and it all made sense when Coriolanus appeared on the other side of it. He greeted them with a charming smile and a white rose in hand.

"Good evening, gentlemen," Coriolanus nods at the guards. "Thank you for bringing him here safely. Professor Ava bestows her grace." He glances at Louis and winks.

"Whatever. You have ten minutes then we're bringing him back to the zoo." The Peacekeeper instructs, taking the chains off Louis' hands, and pushing him forward. "Dr. Gaul's orders."

"Yes, will do." Coriolanus steps aside to allow Louis to enter the office and closes the door on the officers before they can say anything else.

There was a moment of silence as the boys listened to the Peacekeeper mumble under his breath. They then shared a laugh.

Coriolanus turned and said, "I'm sorry about that. I hope they didn't frighten you."

Louis rubs his wrists while shaking his head. "I was a bit concerned. I thought I was in trouble for..." He caught himself  and decides not to tell his mentor about the failed attempt to see a medic.

With Coriolanus being a citizen of the Capitol, Louis is uncertain about how he'd react to manipulating authority, and would rather avoid that negative impression.

Coriolanus cringed at Louis' strained voice, assuming that's the reason he cut himself short. It's worsened since earlier, but he responds with a smile and offers the fully blossomed rose, "As promised."

Louis couldn't help the warm flush in his cheeks and a fluttering sensation in his stomach. He takes the rose and inhales its clean scent, briefly feeling as though he is outside in a meadow somewhere. The fond memories of his youth evoked a sense of nostalgia, and it was enough to satisfy him for a moment.

Coriolanus gestures toward Ava's refectory table. "I made tea for you. Chamomile and lavender. Very soothing, she says."

"Thank you," Louis says. He comes over and sits on the comforter. "It might work wonders for my throat." He went to take a sip of the tea, but then pauses. "Did you know both herbs are antiviral? They might protect me from whatever's flying around in that cage."

He raises the teacup to his mouth and takes a cautious sip to test the temperature. Pleased, he indulges more, allowing the warm liquid to soothe his throat. "Although, stronger herbs would work more efficiently. Chamomile just makes me sleepy."

"I didn't know that, actually," says Coriolanus. He sat down and leaned back on his favorite fluffy pillows, feeling right at home. Inside, he is delighted to share this second home with someone else, someone he is growing fond of.