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giuliettagaltieri · 2 months

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Shower of Gold

Pairing: Dad!Coriolanus Snow x Mom!Reader

Chapter Synopsis: The Mother

Warning: warming up to parenthood

Word Count: 2874

6 of 7

When Aurelius Hyperion Swansworth-Snow was born, Coriolanus’ world just got a whole lot bigger.

He never thought he could love another the same as he loved you. But he did.

Little Harper, as you would call him, looked exactly like his father. The same golden curls and piercing blue eyes. His cheeks were fat and pink as he babbled.

And just like his father, Little Harper loved you very much.

You have never been without Harper. To the point that it often puts a strain on the intimate relationship you had with your husband. But one pointed stare from you would let Coriolanus loosen his possessive hold on your waist, often looking like a kicked puppy as he sulks the entire night, sleeping with his back turned to you.

But with a wet kiss and a chubby hand slapping his cheek awake in the mornings, his brooding dissipates and he gladly accepts his little boy’s affections.

“Good morning, daddy.” You say as your son claps his hands excitedly.

Coriolanus blinks his eyes as he looks at you, the sleepy fog is yet to leave his head but it does not stop him from seeing just how beautiful you are. You are still in your sleeping gown, your hair disheveled, and your eyes still droop with sleepiness. He believes it was at moments like this when he loves you the most. When his mind is empty and your smiling face is the first thing that enters his head.

“Good morning.” He drawls and he turns to his son who was nibbling at his deltoid that was the size of the kid’s head. He looks at the string of saliva that webbed on his arm. “That’s unsanitary.”

You scoff at your husband, cooing at your baby the next second. “He just misses his daddy. Don’t you, Harper?”

Harper looks at you curiously, bringing his chubby fist to his mouth. You lay your head to Coriolanus’ chest as you coo at him. Harper was unsure what you were doing but the happiness on your face brought forth a toothless smile from him.

He receives a smooch to his cheek from you and absentmindedly, Coriolanus puts his large hands to your baby’s face.

Your baby’s eyes cross as he keeps his eyes on your husband’s enormous hand.

Before you can ask what he is doing, Coriolanus gently pushes him down to the pillow that supports his back.

You shriek in mortification, your baby blinks at the ceiling, not quite processing what has happened. You swat at your husband’s chest as you get up to help your son to sit back up.

“I am so sorry, baby. Daddy’s such a horrible man, isn’t he?” You coo to your baby who is yet unsure whether he should be laughing or crying. “Daddy, you bully!” You accuse him as you pat your baby’s leg gently.

He only looks at you blankly, making you sigh and lean down to plant a kiss to his awaiting lips. He always gets so cranky in the early mornings.

“Now, get up.” You say as you rub his chest. Coriolanus grunts as he gets out of bed, stretching like a cat as he yawns. He ruffles Harper’s blonde curls before leaving you to take a shower.

He was already halfway through his coffee when you arrived with Harper now freshly bathed.

Coriolanus looks at Harper as you place him on the high chair.

“We have a meeting today.” Coriolanus reminds you as he keeps his eyes trained on his son.

You nod. “Yes, I studied the report last night.”

“Harper?” He sips his coffee as he reads the recent reports about the new District 12 mayor.

You chuckle knowingly as you nuzzle your nose against Harper’s. “Little Harper’s coming with mommy, of course.” He giggled as his fingers were quick to grab at your clothes.

Coriolanus smiles in his seat after he stole a glance at you.

“One wail and he’s out.”

“Oh, honestly!” You have taken offense for your boy but Coriolanus challenges you with his own stern gaze. “So mean.” You mutter as you start feeding Harper with baby food.

Your husband puts the papers away and starts his breakfast. “I just did not want you to look unprofessional.”

“Corio?”

“Hm?”

“Shut up.”

His eyes narrow before he returns to his breakfast.

A scowl was painted on your face the entire breakfast and you refused to talk to him anymore. Responding with nods and silence to his attempt to start another conversation.

Coriolanus knows that he might have offended you deeply.

“Are you ready?” He asks as you wipe Harper’s face with the bib.

You respond by getting up and scooping your son in your arms, your chin raised as you carry yourself with elegance. The baby bag was waiting to be picked up by you in the corner but Coriolanus beats you to it.

He walks ahead of you, the baby bag slung on his shoulder and his briefcase on his other hand. You quietly follow him, not acknowledging him when he opens the doors for you, one leading out of your mansion and the other to your car.

Coriolanus waits by the backseat, just next to Harper’s car seat. He had to pick it personally. It was heavily padded, bulky enough to put you at ease, knowing that your baby will be protected should anything happen.

“I’ll strap him in.” He offers as he fixes the aviators resting on his nose as he looks past your head.

Coriolanus is a proud man, you understand this is his way of apologizing.

You kiss Harper’s nose and you place him in your husband’s secure hold.

In the meantime, you buckle yourself in the passenger seat.

Coriolanus soon joins you in front and he starts the car after securing his seatbelt.

The silence was loud, had it not been for Harper’s babbles, you would have been tempted to turn the radio on. You choose to review your itinerary for the day when a warm hand sneaks to your thigh and you feel Coriolanus’ thumb brushing it in a soothing manner.

“Apologize properly.” You quip.

“Y/N please.” He says tiredly.

“No. I want you to say you are sorry.”

He wets his lips with his tongue and his jaw tightens as he keeps his eyes on the road, the leather cladding the wheel creaks under his grip.

When he refuses to do it, you return to your schedule.

“I’m sorry.”

You keep your eyes on the piece of paper attached to your planner and your husband groans as he leans back in his chair, his head resting on the support.

“I’m sorry for antagonizing our son.” He squeezes your thigh. “And for insulting you. I know you are more than capable in balancing both your duties to Panem and our family.”

Finally, your rouge painted lips spread to a small smile.

“You are forgiven.” You place your hand over his. The glint of the rings on your finger easing his anxiousness a bit more.

Harper yaps and Coriolanus grins. “Yes, I know. I’m sorry, I’m not stealing mommy.”

You press a knuckle to your lips, not wanting to laugh as your son takes quick offense in being left out. You try to keep your voice down as you turn to your husband. “I’ll make time for us later, I promise.”

He brings your hand to his lips to kiss and quickly lets you go as Harper yaps angrily.

The moment you enter the presidential mansion, one you use only for official business, Harper understands that he cannot be fussy anymore. He was seated on your lap, nibbling on a fruit pacifier as a man talked while pointing at the bright square behind him. The moving objects greatly entertained the baby on your lap.

Harper recognizes your voice and looks up. He pulls the pacifier from his mouth when your tone sharpens. The boy’s blond crinkle together as his lips jut out when the unknown man responds to you with anger.

The other people in the room also seem to be angry at the person standing and Harper leans back on your stomach knowing that his mommy is not alone. But the man is suddenly pointing at you and to him, the poor innocent boy. Harper grunts and looks at his father angrily.

“Da!”

Coriolanus, who was leaning to the side with his legs crossed, looked at his son. He brings a finger to his lips and Harper huffs.

“You are failing to see things objectively.” Coriolanus says to the man who was starting to sweat under the disapproving eyes of everyone present in the room. “The Lady did not dismiss your idea because she was biased to infants. Your idea was dismissed as administering a vaccine to the younger population of Panem without having it thoroughly tested could be catastrophic. We are talking about large scale mortality.”

The man laughs and Harper presses himself closer to you, disturbed by the behavior.

“Why do you care, Mister President? They’re just Districts!”

Coriolanus nods, finally understanding the argument of this man. He had suspicions but he wanted the man to say it.

“Districts.” Coriolanus grins sardonically. “Do you plan to instigate a second rebellion?”

The man is tongue-tied, he makes wild gestures but fails to keep his argument. “Exaggeration.” He laughs nervously.

“When their children start dying off, will they not fight back?” Coriolanus asks. “And a rebellion does not happen overnight.” He adds. “It is because of the piling up missteps made by men like you.” Harper slams his chubby hand on the desk to show he is on his father’s side. “Thank you, Harper. And who will suffer when that happens?”

The man looks at his feet in shame. The backlash could be severe. The crops and livestock sent to the Capitol could be poisoned. The Capitol could be powered down when all the system shuts off.

Countless possibilities and consequences could take place after one wrong decision.

“But I understand that this vaccine is important.” Coriolanus sighs. “Send it back to the lab. Study it further for possible adverse reactions. I will not give the greenlight until you are able to tell me the mechanism of action of this vaccine without looking at your notes.”

As the men file out of the room, you sit Harper on the hard wood table as you clean up your desk. “I cannot believe the cabinet let this man reach your office. He was unprepared.” You say and Harper continues to chew on his pacifier, the crushed cherries inside needs replacing.

Coriolanus agrees with you and scoops Harper off the table, the little boy draws his arms and chin over his father’s shoulder to check if you are close by. “Shall we go, my love?”

You nod and you stand on your tippy toes to press a kiss on Harper’s cheek as you lean on Coriolanus for support.

The next event is the annual summit, where Coriolanus is expected to give a speech involving the latest reports and advancements made by Panem’s Capitol based research facility and what plans lie ahead.

In the ceremony, the Lady Justice was often a symbolic figure that was ever present. Only this time, a sword seems to have gone missing in the smaller statue that is kept in the Presidential mansion’s reception hall.

“This is a disgrace.” Your husband tells the staff who were in charge of the events. “How could something so essential be misplaced?”

Harper was getting fussy in your arms at the sight of his father so agitated.

It seemed rather insignificant but having it missing is a blatant display of disrespect.

Your mind races for possible solutions.

You can talk to the media to cut the view of the Lady Justice.

Or perhaps you can have the entire statue be carried out of the room, no that would cause too much commotion.

And then it hits you.

“Corio.” You call and he reluctantly heads your way. “The sword in your office.”

Harper pulls at Coriolanus’ tie and nibbles. Your husband gently pulls the fabric, ignoring the wet stain as he processes your words.

“I think it might be the perfect size.” He rubs his chin. “I’ll go send someone to get it.”

You put a firm hand on his chest and he pauses.

“Harper and I will come get it.” You smile at him reassuringly. “It’s only a few floors up. And the peacekeepers stationed in your office will let me through and out with no hitches.”

Coriolanus wanted to protest but you were right.

You would be most efficient for the task.

“I can watch Harper.” He offers but you shake your head.

“Relax for now. Harper is going to help mommy get the sword.”

Coriolanus smiles tiredly and he presses his forehead against yours, his large hand placed on Harper’s back protectively.

“Da.” Harper calls and Coriolanus chuckles and snaps his fingers, an Avox places a pair of aviators to his hands, one he previously wore, and he puts it on Harper.

You often do this when you expect a lot of camera flashes. You would hate to overwhelm your baby.

“Still can’t believe that’s his first word when he’s such a momma’s boy.” Your husband says, making you smile affectionately.

You give him one last look before you rush out of the room with Harper in your arms. Camera flashes from the reporters follow after you.

The guests are already arriving and the main media companies are setting up their equipment. You have no time to lose.

Harper was such a good kid, not fussing as he clung to you when you rushed to the office of your dear husband.

As expected, the peacekeepers stationed outside the doors let you through without even asking about your business to be in the office.

You easily spot the sword on the side. It hasn’t been removed from the position you first saw it in back at the inauguration of Coriolanus as President.

“You beauty.” You smile as you easily grab it from the bracket mounted on the wall. Harper made an attempt to touch it but you were quick enough to pull it away from him. “This is dangerous, sweetheart.” You easily slip it inside the scabbard as you refuse to take any chances for Harper.

The peacekeepers stationed outside the presidential office were oriented about what happened and gladly reopened the door for you and Harper.

People moved out of the way as they saw the sword on your hand and the baby on the other. You have your chin held high as you enter the hall. Coriolanus stopped mid sentence while talking to Strabo Plinth at the sight of you.

“Oh, good Heavens!” Mrs. Plinth exclaims and approaches you with concern. You looked rather dangerous with the enormous weapon in your hand. Harper smiles brightly when he sees her and he raises his arms, wanting to be picked up by the woman. Mrs. Plinth cups her mouth, touched by the little boy’s behavior. You gladly hand her your son.

Grandmotherhood is a privilege stolen from her.

Mr. Plinth was smiling at you when you approached him and your husband.

“She saves the day.” He tells Coriolanus who nods with a proud look in his eyes.

You give Coriolanus the sword and he steps on the ladders to place the sword on the empty hand of the Lady Justice.

“Justice is restored.” The former President, Maximinius Ravinstill, claps his hand and the rest of the crowd rises from their seats to applaud you and Coriolanus. Justice was not something that could have easily been lost after the disappearance of a sword but The Lady Justice was an important symbolic figure not just to Corso but to Panem.

That night, you are in your shared bedroom. You are resting your back on the headboard, your tired back being cushioned by enormously large pillows while your son has fallen asleep from nursing on your ample bosom.

You are humming a soft tune, your feet moving to the melody when Coriolanus enters. He is yet to change his clothing as he was still in his dress pants and shirt that has a few buttons undone.

“Your grand entrance overshadowed the event.” He grins as he shows you the paper. There in the headlines, a picture of you with Harper held on one arm and sword on the other.

“Oh, Corio.” You frown apologetically. “I am sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” He scoffs, the smile remaining on his face. “Everybody loved it! They forgave the errors I mentioned as they were so enamored by you.”

You are not certain how to respond but he shows you the photo once more.

“Look at Harper.” He says excitedly. “Grandma’am sent a photo of mine when I was still a toddler and he looks exactly just like me.”

You are not certain if Coriolanus was aware of the smitten look on his face but you dare not point it out as you listen to him talk about the photos and Harper.

Coriolanus might act indifferent to his son at times but he cannot deny the fact that Harper has him wrapped around his chubby little finger.

Quest for Happiness

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giuliettagaltieri · 2 months

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Footsteps in the Snow

Pairing: Dad!Coriolanus Snow x Mom!Reader

Chapter Synopsis: The Heir

Warning: parenthood

Word Count: 3133

7 of 7

When one has everything, the only foe left to face seems to be nothing else but time.

Coriolanus watched his son Aurelius Hyperion, or Harper grow. The little boy seemed to become more and more like him with every passing day. And Coriolanus is conflicted about how he feels about that fact as it seems his son grows farther and farther away from him.

You often reassure him that it is simply a part of growing up, that children will have to learn how to become independent. It was easy for you to say. You did not have the same crisis as him.

Harper would seek your company and still cuddles close to you despite him being seven years older since you have given birth to him.

It wounds Coriolanus deeply when he catches Harper laughing with you but his back straightens and the glee in his face fades to indifference when he is nearby. Coriolanus found it difficult to bond with a child so similar to him.

Without you, he fears Harper would have long left the manor.

“Harper, is there something you would like to tell your father?” You ask over breakfast, your voice light and cheery, a juxtaposition to the frigid atmosphere.

Coriolanus sets the newspaper down to give his son his undivided attention. It was something you taught him. To make Harper feel seen and heard. And he is thankful that you initiated an interaction between them. They felt nothing more than strangers living under the same roof.

The little boy glances at his father before he sets his fork down and wipes his lips with the napkin. Coriolanus waits patiently as the boy sips his water and clears his throat. He is stalling but Coriolanus will not let him get away from this.

“Yes?” He asks when Harper chooses to fix his cravat instead of talking.

You smile at your son when he looks at you for support. ‘Go on.’ You mouth at him.

Harper straightens his back and meets his father’s gaze with his unwavering ones.

“I was the top of my class, father.” He says proudly. “I also just learned a new piece on the violin.”

Coriolanus smiles genuinely, proud of his little boy.

“That is good.”

Harper looks at his father with his eyes mirroring the same happiness and for just a moment they stare at each other. Coriolanus watches how his joy seeps out again.

Coriolanus receives a kick to his shin and he looks at you with accusation but you are too busy buttering your bread.

“I would love to hear you play.” He tries to add but Harper only nods. “What piece was it?”

Harper sighs and Coriolanus purses his lips. “Paganini’s 24th Caprice.”

You sip your tea, quietly enjoying the wonderstruck expression in your husband’s face before he recovers quickly.

“And what does Grandma’am have to say about that?” Coriolanus asks gently, a soft smile on his lips, one that Harper returns.

“She doesn’t know.” Harper said mischievously. Grandma’am would have pulled his ear had she known.

“Let us keep it that way.” Coriolanus nods as he picks his newspaper again. “But will you play for me when you find time?”

Harper glances at you before nodding.

“Harper is coming to work with us today.” You tell Coriolanus who looks at you with mild interest, to ensure that Harper does not take it negatively but he was in truth asking you what you are planning. Again.

“It has been quite a long time since his last visit.” You say after pushing a fruit parfait in your son’s direction.

“Indeed, it has.” Coriolanus agrees as he picks up where he left off in the newspaper.

Your son knew that something might be wrong when you were smiling too much the moment all three of you entered his father’s office. Coriolanus was fixing the documents in his desks when you sat on the plush sofa, your heavy belly more prominent. You would have gone to your own office usually.

Harper sits on the other sofa across you, watching how his little sister sent kicks through your belly, making the fabric shift ever so slightly.

“Oh, dear me!” You suddenly gasp and both boys look at you with concern. “Vipsania Sickle’s afternoon tea, it’s tomorrow.”

Coriolanus raises a brow. “She hosts afternoon tea all the time, my love. There is no need to trouble yourself.”

“But I do not have a dress.” You argue as you attempt to stand with great difficulty. “And she claims this afternoon tea will best the recent one the Flickermans hosted, and mind you, that was pretty eccentric.”

Harper stands abruptly when you get off the couch.

“Oh, no, Honey.” You smile at your sweet boy, your hand brushing his golden head to keep it neater. “I will have to go alone. I would not want to burden you with scanning for dresses the entire day.”

He looks desperately at you, turns his back to his father and mouths pleas but you only smile cheekily and kiss his nose.

“I will see you later. Have a great day with your father.” You pat his cheek lightly. Coriolanus comes to kiss you, although a frown is in his brows.

“Be careful, I already sent for the chauffeur.” He tells you and you nod.

Coriolanus and Harper stand side by side to watch you leave and when the door shuts, they remain standing there staring at the door. Eventually they glance at each other but Harper quickly evades his eyes and circles back to the sofa where you previously sat, missing you already.

“I promise I will not be a bother.” He tells his father who has his arms crossed in his chest, looking at the boy who grabbed a high-end real estate magazine.

“Thinking of buying a property?” Coriolanus asks as he returns to his desk.

Harper lowers the magazine to peek at his father who is now working at his desk. “When I get old enough.” He taps his shoes together. “I’ll invite mother to come live there too.”

Coriolanus looks up from the document he is working with. “What about me?”

Not expecting such a question, Harper was a bit hesitant and he stared up at the ceiling before answering his father. “You can come too”

They minded their own business after that.

Coriolanus welcomed the silence as he got through his job without disturbances.

It was lunch time when the silence was broken.

A service trolley is being wheeled in and Harper perks up at the scent.

He gets up to greet the person who pushes the trolley and the old man dressed in a crisp suit smiles at the young boy warmly. The man takes his leave after telling them what was under the cloches.

Coriolanus sits with Harper in the lounge as they share the hearty lunch.

“Did you get a lot of work done?” Harper asks politely.

You told your husband that your son is only starting to learn how to make small talks and that he should be encouraged when he attempts to start one.

“I did.” Coriolanus nods. “Almost done for the day.”

Harper looks at his father in astonishment.

“But it is only lunch?”

Coriolanus nods. “I was surprised too. But then again, I stayed up late last night.”

“You did?” Harper raises a brow. “Mother slept alone last night?”

The fork stills in Coriolanus’ plate and he purses his lips. “Your mother understands.” He clears his throat. “And this does not happen often.”

Harper continues his lunch, not liking the subject anymore.

“How are your fencing lessons?” Coriolanus tries to open another topic.

“I excel at it.”

“That is good.”

“Yes.”

This was much harder than Coriolanus anticipated.

He needed a topic, something that would pique his son’s interest. Something to banish the suffocating formal atmosphere. They are father and son, for heaven’s sake. They are acting more like business partners, even the men Coriolanus meets do not act so awkward around him.

“When I was younger, there was this shop I often go to.” Coriolanus says as he wipes his mouth with the napkin. “They had the best gelato.”

Harper sets his glass of water down to listen to his father.

“The gelato that our chefs make does not even compare.” He continues, making his voice light and playful.

Coriolanus laughs at the skeptical look on his son.

“Our chefs make the best desserts,” Harper argues.

Harper watches as Coriolanus heads to the closet and pulls out a couple of white polo shirts. They were identical, only differing in size.

“I use these for golfing but I figured they would work fine.”

“Work fine for what?” Harper walks over to his father.

Coriolanus hands him the clothing with a determined smile as he places a hat atop his head. “We’re going out.”

Sneaking out of the mansion undetected was close to an impossibility if it were anybody else but Coriolanus was glad that the staff pretended to have seen nothing. Harper excitedly walked close to Coriolanus as they strolled around the Capitol. He only got to see things from the car window and everything looks so different when he treads the sidewalks.

Harper was astonished how people were simply walking past him, not even sparing him a glance.

“They don’t recognize us.” He whispered giddily to his father who glanced at him with a grin.

Coriolanus placed a hand on Harper’s back as they entered the small shop. It was not like the ones that Harper usually sees. It was incredibly small, but its business was doing fairly well. Harper saw another boy waiting for his cone, and he was almost bouncing on his heels.

Harper frowns, is this all it takes for that kid to be happy? Even that sailboat he got from the Plinths did not make him smile that widely.

“You’re next in line.” Coriolanus gently pushes him forward.

A wrinkly grandma is by the counter, she was wearing a pink dress, and her ears adorned by large golden hoops. “What flavor would you want, young man?”

Harper turns to his dad, not knowing what to get. He was just used to food being served to him, he never had to make an order before. Coriolanus points at the options just beside the cash register and Harper bends his head back to see from under his hat.

There’s chocolate and vanilla. Lemon and hazelnut.

“I will have the caramel, please.” Harper says politely and the old lady nods before turning to Coriolanus.

“And a pistachio.” Coriolanus says as he pretends to look at his wallet to avoid looking at the woman. He was incredibly popular, he would not want to risk people recognizing him.

When Harper receives the crisp golden cone that had two enormous scoops of caramel gelato, he cannot contain his excitement and takes a bite. Coriolanus snickers when Harper’s lips tighten as his blonde brows raise while his eyes are closed.

“You okay?”

Harper blinks rapidly as he clutches his head.

“I am fine…uhm okay. I’m okay.” He glances at the sweet old lady, wondering if his formal tone gave anything away but she appears to not have heard it. “Thank you. It is delicious.”

Coriolanus pays and he steps out of the shop with Harper focused on his cone, determined to keep up with the melting scoops. Coriolanus decided to take him to the park he donated and they took a slower pace as they walked through the pathways with enormous trees lining it.

“You’re right. This is better.” Harper tells his father. “I wonder if I can get them to sell their recipe.”

Coriolanus smiles discreetly, a victory.

Harper glances around the greenery, admiring the roses and the pigeons. One decided to follow him though. Harper looks at it from the corner of his eyes, trying not to make a sudden move that could agitate the bird.

It was persistent.

The boy quickens his steps and the pigeon hops and hops, using its wings to propel it forward. When it tries to peck his foot, Harper sprints to Coriolanus. “Dad!” He grabs hold of his father’s hand and clings close.

Coriolanus halts his step and as Harper warily stares at the pigeon who flew away in fright, Coriolanus had his eyes on his little boy, who just called him ‘Dad’.

To Harper’s surprise, Coriolanus scoops him up just like how he did when he was still a toddler. They both look at each other, a million words spoken in one eye contact.

With stomachs satiated, they walk the halls of the Presidential mansion hand in hand.

“Why do we not live here?” Harper asks curiously. “Most Presidents live here.”

Coriolanus rubs his chin. “I prefer to keep my family and work separate.”

Harper nods but he pulls Coriolanus when he sees a gigantic oil painting of someone he knew.

Coriolanus stands next to him to gaze up at the painting.

“Crassus Xanthos Snow. Your grandfather.” Coriolanus tells him.

“I know. We studied his biography at school.” Harper says as his soft small hand tightens its hold around his father’s much larger hand. “Everybody thought it was unfair as he was my grandfather but it’s not like I knew him personally.”

Coriolanus looks at the tall painting, meeting his father’s gaze as the cold unmoving eyes stare down at him.

“I didn’t know him very well either.” He tells Harper. “I was very young when he died.”

Harper shifts uncomfortably, not knowing what to say. He settles with a gentle pat to his father’s hand. Coriolanus smiles at his boy, appreciating the attempt to console him.

“You know, even after his passing, I still felt him lingering. His legacy was very great and it is difficult to live under his shadow.” His smile became sad.

“I might know how that feels, dad.” Harper slips his hand from his. “I mean…Father.”

Coriolanus looks away from the painting to look at Harper. “What do you mean?”

The kid sighs as he glances at him. “You’re so perfect. You make the best decisions. Everybody respects you. You are the great leader of Panem, you and mother.”

Where were you when he needed you?

“I wasn’t always like this.” Coriolanus tells him. “I used to make mistakes, great mistakes. People did not respect me, they respected my name.”

Harper shrugs. “Which makes it harder for me because even after all that, Snow landed on top. If I fail, even after everything I have, I will be a disgrace.”

“You will not be a disgrace.” Coriolanus grins. “You dominate every class they put you in. You learned Paganini’s piece and not everybody can say that.”

Scoffing, Harper scuffs his shoe against the carpet. “But I did not mentor nor did I become a scholar under Dr. Gaul.”

“I can help you.” Coriolanus assures him by placing a hand on his shoulder, one that Harper slaps away.

“I hate nepotism.”

This forces an amused laugh from Coriolanus. “You don’t need it. You are only seven and you already know words such as ‘nepotism’.” Harper frowns at his father. “What I am trying to say is, I can teach you. My father was not there for me so I have no references as to how fatherhood should be but I am willing to guide you.”

“Like a mentor?” Harper raises a brow.

“If you want, yes.” Coriolanus pulls his hat off to ruffle his hair, Harper scrunches his nose as his hair falls to his face. “And you can keep on calling me ‘Dad’.”

Harper grimaces. “Only in private.”

Coriolanus laughs. “Alright, I’ll take it.”

When you arrived later that day, Harper was fast asleep on the couch, the coat Coriolanus wore prior that day was draped over your boy to keep him warm.

“Ah, there she is.” Coriolanus grins as you walk in with shopping bags in your arms.

You carefully set them down as you waddle to the sofa. Coriolanus follows after you and proceeds to take your shoes off. You sigh in contentment as he massages your tired feet.

“And how was it?” You ask as you place a bowl of dried fruits on top of your round belly. “Did you get to bond?”

“We did.” Coriolanus nods. “We snuck out.”

“You what?” You nearly pull your foot but he tightens his hold on your toe. “Corio, that’s dangerous.”

Coriolanus smirks at you. “The most dangerous thing that happened was a pigeon chasing after him.”

You stifle a laugh. Oh, you would have wanted to see that. Strolling around the Capitol like a normal family and free from prying eyes sounds really nice. A pout forms on your lips.

“I’m jealous now.”

Your husband caresses your calf and leans over to place a kiss on your belly.

“Perhaps when our little princess is born, we can go on more vacations.”

Nodding, you pop a dried strawberry to your mouth as you watch the smile stay on your husband’s face. His face is glowing, eyes no longer holding a storm inside it.

“Corio, are you happy?”

His fingers still their movement as he raises a brow at you.

“When you asked me to marry you, you said a life with me might be a shot to happiness.” You continue and he gently lifts your feet off to come sit closer to you.

“Y/N, I have made many decisions in my life and marrying you still remains to be the best one.” He places a kiss on your nose and your eyes flutter shut, tickling your plump cheeks with your eyelashes. “You gave me love and two wonderful children.”

You both glance at Harper as he places a warm hand on your belly.

“Everything I am today is because of you.”

“No, Corio. You cannot give me all the credit-”

He shakes his head. “Everything I am today is because of you.”

You feel a sting in your eyes and your eyesight gets blurry from the onslaught of tears.

“All I did was scheme.” You laugh through your tears which he kisses away.

“And look where those schemes brought us.” He sits tall and looks at his office. “You brought us on top.”

Happiness was something Coriolanus thought to have been fleeting and sacrificed when in search for glory. But it was not. It was the culmination of everything that a person can achieve.

Money, Power, Glory.

They are something he sought for when he was young and naïve, but all three boils down to happiness.

And he was glad you stood by him. You made him feel things he thought he had no right to.

Coriolanus is happy. And he is loved.

And he will stain the world red to protect this life you created with him.

Quest for Happiness

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