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perhaps-in-anotherdream · 2 years

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[CN] Victor x MC – S2 CH 37 – Part 2 (Eng Translation)

“Being by your side is not ‘luck.’ It’s destiny.”

“This person in front of me is the origin of my strength, my safe haven, and the direction of my voyage returning home.”

Do remember to read PART 1 first: Here!

⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for a chapter that is yet to be released on the global server. ⌚

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

–

✧ [CH 37-9] ✧

While MC is reflecting on how she’s gotten back what belongs to her (i.e., CORE) but doesn’t know how to use it, and how NW may require longer to develop a cure——

Anna calls to make sure everything is okay with her (MC hasn’t contacted her since the NW CORE study began and handed over responsibilities to her).

After confirming everything is great with her company——

MC: That’s great. Then I can keep my back straight and report to CEO Victor!

–

━━━ [Cut To The Road, Narrator POV] ━━━

Just as Anna hangs up the phone, Kiki, who’s been waiting on the roadside to catch a bus together, comes over.

Kiki: Anna, what did the boss say? Is she okay?

Anna: She’s very good. It’s just that...

Kiki: What’s wrong?

Anna: It’s not much. Just now, after learning that the company’s benefit is good, MC said she would have the confidence to report to CEO Victor...

Anna: But which CEO Victor was she talking about?

–

━━━ [Cut Back To Victor’s House, MC POV] ━━━

The sunlight shines through the gauze curtains, casting a bright shadow on my face. I open my eyes, only to find that it’s already daylight.

After washing up, I habitually walk over to the dining table with ease. While browsing the news, I look at Victor’s figure from time to time, who is preparing breakfast.

Not long after, he comes to the table with two plates of egg rolls and shoots me a glance.

Victor: You are pretty self-conscious in this regard.

MC: After all, a good breakfast is the only way to have the strength to start a new day.

Victor pulls out a chair and sits opposite me, pushing over a plate of egg rolls.

Victor: So what does a certain someone plan to do after breakfast?

MC: Whether it’s the blood disease or the mechanical boxes, now there are people following up on them.

MC: The only thing making no progress is the overlapping phenomenon. So I’m thinking, why not enter an overlapping zone and have a look?

A little troubled, I pick up a table knife and paddle it through the egg roll, watching the tender golden puree slowly flowing out.

MC: The news just said the fluctuations in the space-time overlap zones are becoming more and more widespread, and the frequency of their appearance is increasing too.

MC: And if this goes on, it will soon cover the entire Loveland City.

Victor pours half a cup of coffee in an unhurried manner.

Victor: You ought to know that numerous eyes have their gazes fixed on the CORE right now.

MC: I’m mentally prepared for that. The biggest inconvenience at the present stage, though, is only the leech-like NW.

MC: They need CORE for their experiment, so they will always want to ensure that I’m under their radar.

MC: However, because of the cooperation regarding the effective cure, they supposedly won’t act rashly for the time being.

MC: And if they do take the trouble to find a door, I can act according to the circumstances when the situation calls for it.

Victor: Good analysis. But aside from the NW, you still have a thornier opponent.

Victor cuts off a corner of the egg roll as he speaks.

MC: …hm?

A little confused, I look at Victor and hear him speak.

Victor: [dramatic×3 voice LOL] BLACK SWAN.

I’m rendered slightly speechless, almost thinking I’ve misheard.

MC: …it’s not supposed to be a cold joke?

Victor: …of course not.

Victor: BS is coming up with a plan for an operation, and there is a high probability that CORE will be included in it.

Victor: [even more dramatic] And just yesterday, you revealed the information that CORE is inside you to the BOSS of BS.

My movements freeze for a moment, and the knife in my hand is clenched involuntarily, producing a noise against the porcelain plate.

After a few moments, I tug at the corners of my lips with a wry smile as the cause and effects flash through my brain at lightning speed.

MC: It’s really like manna from heaven, falling right at the doorstep of BS.

MC: This meal I’m having now… it’s not gonna be my last breakfast, is it?

Victor lowers his gaze noncommittally, taking a sip of his coffee. Resting my chin on my hand, I observe his expression for a while and speak to sound out.

MC: BOSS, will you cut me some slack and act as if nothing happened?

Victor: Certainly not. But I can give you an opportunity to ask questions.

Victor: If used correctly, this can become your winning point.

Sensing the atmosphere loosening up, I put down the knife and ask a little insatiably.

MC: For the sake of previously having worked for the organization for so long, could I get an extra chance?

Victor raises an eyebrow, a hint of helplessness flashes across his eyes, and his expression seems to be one of acquiescence. I seize this opportunity to think for a while, and suddenly something occurs to me.

MC: Hold on a sec. The thing about the CORE being inside me, did you only find out about this yesterday?

Victor chuckles softly, wiping the corner of his lips.

Victor: Nope.

…as expected. No wonder he didn’t seem surprised at all yesterday.

Having the vague conjecture in my mind verified, I hesitate a moment before speaking again.

MC: So when did you find out about this?

Victor: Around the meteor event.

–

[Tidbits]: He’s here referring to the events of post-CH 18 to pre-CH 25. In CH 18, after escaping NW, Victor asked someone to verify MC’s report the two of them had found, and the CH ended with him meeting with Time Observer Zero. As confirmed in CH 26, he was at the Space-time Bureau during the time he was MIA, and upon returning, chased MC out of BS, among many other things he did~ (PAIN WHO ಥ⁠_⁠ಥ)

–

My eyes widen slightly. Incredulous, as I’m about to ask more questions, Victor cuts me off as though he’s already anticipated for me to do so.

Victor: Let’s end that one here. As I said, it’s a one-time opportunity only.

MC: [sulking] ...

I bitterly take the final bite of my egg roll, muttering under my breath.

MC: ...you truly are a man of your word.

MC: But hearing what you’ve said, I, on the contrary, feel there isn’t any need to worry about BS.

MC: After all, the formidable BOSS of BS already knew CORE was on me before I had explained the circumstances to him.

MC: If he really wanted to do something to me, BS would have already done it a long time ago, wouldn’t it?

Victor raises an eyebrow at my words.

Victor: You’ve drawn this conclusion too rashly and haven’t taken the entire range of possibilities into consideration.

Victor: Perhaps BS didn’t take any action before because the timing wasn’t ripe. And perhaps now, the time has arrived.

Victor: Of course, utilizing the power of CORE requires your cooperation. Therefore, you can consider whether you want to cooperate with BS and, through this, get rid of those inconveniences.

There’s a calmness and weighing up in his tone, as though he is confronting a cooperative partner at the same level, or an opponent across the chessboard who cannot be underestimated.

I cock my head and ponder for a moment.

MC: Very tempting conditions, but I refuse.

MC: Although you have downplayed it, in the light of what I’ve heard and my experience in the past, this partnership cannot be that simple.

MC: Even if the problem is solved using BS, it’d still cost me an equal amount of price.

MC: [that smug smile LOL] This agrees with CEO Victor’s business principles, does it not?

MC: And right now, I don’t intend to create diversions for myself by anything other than the overlapping space-time incident.

Victor taps his fingertips on the dining table.

Victor: Back to the overlapping phenomenon, then. How do you plan to settle this?

MC: I’m thinking of investigating that space thoroughly first, then finding out more about CORE from it and accelerating the process of controlling it.

MC: Since this phenomenon is generated by the awakening of the CORE, there is a certain possibility that it will be bound by the CORE.

MC: The prerequisite is that I have complete control of this power.

Seemingly disapproving, Victor shakes his head.

Victor: One point, the quantity of time you’ll require to be able to control CORE is unknown. Perhaps before then, the space-time overlap will cover the entire Loveland City.

MC: ...then l’ll change the direction. Oh right! Aside from developing effective medicine, NW is also carrying out research on the CORE.

MC: If I add clauses in the cooperation with NW... or just infiltrate NW, perhaps I’ll be able to find crucial information?

Victor releases an imperceptibly soft laugh.

Victor: But you should also be clear that putting your hopes on NW is tantamount to giving up the initiative.

MC: …indeed.

The loopholes in my envisagement are unsparingly pointed out one by one. I open my mouth, only to find myself rendered utterly speechless.

Victor straightens up a little and speaks in a manner as though making an invitation.

Victor: The cooperation with BS will not affect your resolving of the space-time overlap. On the contrary, it may also be a help to you.

MC: Is there any connection between the two?

Victor: The phenomenon of space-time overlapping is a part of the Prophecy of Fatima.

–

[Tidbits]: I won’t go into much detail here, but the “Prophecy of Fatima” is a series of apocalyptic visions and prophecies. In the MLQC verse, BS was originally founded in 1908 to prevent those prophecies from happening by a group of 12 from the future who weren’t part of this world until, of course, the organization was led astray. There will be a little more about this later~ [see how the CH name and tagline are SO significant ಥ⁠‿⁠ಥ]

–

MC: Hold on... the Prophecy of Fatima? What’s that?

I blink a little in puzzlement at the quick succession of unknown information. However, Victor raises his eyebrows with his expression of remaining calm in the hour of peril, not answering my question.

Victor: This is confidential content of BS, and is not to be shared with anyone who isn’t a member of the organization.

Victor: Of course, if we were to enter a partnership, I’d consider disclosing it.

MC: ...

I ponder for a moment, sighing resignedly.

MC: Come to think of it, I seem to have never been able to say no to your proposals.

Victor: You will always have the right to choose.

Victor: [gets more mischievous LOL] But accordingly, I will also designate more terms so that you’re incapable of refusing.

His tone is laced with that familiar certainty and calmness, and I involuntarily curl the corners of my lips.

MC: In that regard, our partnership is confirmed, then?

I hold out my pinky to Victor as I speak, wiggling it lightly. He straightens up knowingly and hooks my pinky finger.

Victor: Mm, the partnership is confirmed.

His voice is solemn, as though it’s not a childish agreement, but a real contract.

I unconsciously reel in my relaxed posture and lock eyes with his focused gaze.

The dining table in front of us seems to have turned into a negotiating table. And the promise of this moment is the most solid commitment of all.

I withdraw my hand and look at my pinky, the corners of my lips arching up.

MC: Reaching the negotiation benignly with clear terms, and each playing their part for the common good after leaving the table…

MC: So, this is how it feels like to be your partner.

Victor’s hand lifting the plate pauses in its motion, and he looks at me a little helplessly, a peal of intermittent laughter flowing through his tone.

Victor: The partnership with you began a long time ago, back in the day when I invested in [MC’s Company Name].

Victor: Or do you need me to pull out the resources and let you fight for the funding once more so that you can feel the process of reaching the cooperation all over again?

–

[Anika’s Notes]: Fighting for funding incident never happened in S2, MC’s company thrived from the beginning as she did her best under his guidance since MC was 18 & Victor was 24. So this is yet another hint at either him remembering or seeing (at space-time bureau) his S1 memories~ 👀 PG gib us the R&S dammit ಥ⁠‿⁠ಥ

–

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

–

✧ [CH 37-11] ✧

Victor’s actions are in motion without the slightest delay, as always. The day after we’ve reached the partnership, arrangements for me to participate in the operation are already prepared.

The metal doors of the private elevator slowly close in front of us. Recalling what he told me last night, I speak with uncertainty.

MC: Would it be a bit risky for me to sneak into the Twelve main gods...

Victor: All successes are accompanied by risks. You can trust my judgment.

Victor: [sulking] Or is it that the cooperative partner I have chosen doesn’t have faith in me?

Victor says, pressing a few floor keys.

His gaze is as calm as it has always been, as though there isn’t anything in this world worth worrying about.

MC: It certainly is not. Being with you, I’ve never needed to worry about anything.

—

Victor leaves MC with the necessary instructions.

As planned, MC meets Anole (yes, it’s the S2 ver. of that appearance changing evolver from S1), and he helps MC put on the disguise of one of the Twelves, who is absent from today’s meeting by design [keep MC’s disguise in mind]***

Amid the grave, quiet ambiance of the meeting, Victor discloses that the organization has located CORE.

As expected, it gives rise to enthusiastic clamors, and people “express their different views” towards the CORE – Hades wanting to wipe away “inferior humans” (!ofc🤡), while others hoping to lead the path to evolution.

Having silently watched the drama so far, Victor declares that the carrier of CORE has infiltrated in disguise at his behest in this very conference room, but he won’t disclose the person’s identity.

That declaration, again, stirs everyone up while MC relishes on the side LOL~ :>

Victor then announces that he has more to say:

—

Victor: BLACK SWAN has always paid particular attention to impartiality.

Victor: Opportunities and information are never miserly to those who are trustworthy. This, of course, also includes CORE.

Victor: Therefore, what you guys have to do is prove that you are worthy of this information, and this trust.

His gaze slowly glides over the crowd, his eyes gleaming with a cold light.

Victor: But equally, if someone brings about harm to BLACK SWAN…

Victor: This information, then, will forever remain sealed.

Hades narrows his eyes with a bleak expression.

Hades: What does BOSS mean by this, does he suspect a devil among us?

As though he’s heard something incredibly ridiculous, Victor curls the corners of his lips, but there is no trace of warmth in his eyes.

Victor: It appears that everyone here has a poor memory.

Victor: Do I need to take some time out of the main gods’ meeting to help you all recall the STF’s suppression of BS?

MC: !?

The conference room lapses into a deadly silence within a split second. Victor’s cold words reverberate in the large room.

Victor: I’ve already warned some of you before. Who is doing what behind the scenes, I’m well aware of everything.

Victor: But you guys tried to test the limits of my acceptance, and even drew inconveniences to the organization.

Victor’s voice grows heavier.

Victor: The previous purges were simply the beginning. All factors that are not conducive to BS will be removed one by one.

–

[Tidbits]: He’s referring to S2 CH 25 chasing outs btw~

–

Victor: Dionysus, who was arrested a few days ago, was one of them. But he is not worth pitying, and someone more powerful will take his position.

Victor: And everyone present here is equally replaceable.

Everyone in the conference room falls silent, each with different expressions written on their faces. I seize the moment and open my mouth in an ambiguous voice.

MC: Since disclosing the CORE among us is not on the agenda, I’m assuming BOSS has something else to announce?

Victor’s eyes sweep over the faces of everyone one by one. Although I know his plan, I still shiver a little when I meet his tranquil gaze.

Victor: There is indeed something more important for you guys to witness.

Victor: This is the fundamental purpose for which you have become the twelve main gods.

—

With these words, everyone is instantly and abruptly brought to a desolate wasteland from the conference room, leaving them utterly shocked.

MC notes a uniquely shaped slab of stone standing tall behind Victor, its pitch-black color glowing in the bleak daylight, and its design is unlike anything she’s seen before.

At Artemis’s snarky urging, Victor explains unhurriedly:

—

Victor: In 1908, the ones who originally established BS came here.

Victor: They founded BS for the same objective, to change a prophecy.

At these words, someone in the crowd lets out an impatient, light sneer.

??: BOSS, we have very little interest in the development history of BS. Let’s not waste everyone’s time.

Victor’s voice becomes even heavier.

Victor: If you don’t have the patience for that, you may leave right now.

The crowd, which has been stirring restlessly, lapses into silence after a few moments of whispering. Amid the stillness enshrouding the entire surrounding, the complex emotions of crossing swords seem to be surging.

Victor: The original purpose of BS was more than just human evolution; it was simply a way to accomplish the ultimate goal.

Victor: But in the process, someone tampered with the original purpose and falsified the prophecy itself.

Victor: And today, I am here to rectify it.

Victor turns around, looking behind him with an indifferent expression.

Victor: Now, does anyone else have an objection?

–

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

–

✧ [CH 37-12] ✧

Of course, there’s a “polite objection” (from Poseidon) asking for the credibility of the prophecy Victor spoke of and if this place truly is the “Land of Advent.”

Victor, naturally, says he has the means to prove his words. He affirms if the carrier of CORE uses their power on the slab of stone, it will respond to them.

Knowing it’s her turn to step up, MC is puzzled about how to use the power of the CORE, and if it’s similar to how she used the QUEEN gene in the past.

At this moment, reading MC’s mind as always, Victor throws in the air that “the person simply needs to imagine themselves using the power.”

Getting the hint, MC does so, and not long after, the slab is soon enveloped with luminous white light.

[ Now, here’s a BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL description of the “majestic entity” (it sounds kinda sacred actually haha) that emerges, and I’m gonna skip LOL :> ] Long story short, those lights gradually reveal the silhouette of, literally, a spanning-to-the-sky edifice with the black door sealed with metal chains.

Naturally, it leaves everyone dazed, and as someone tries to get close, the edifice steps back on its own.

—

??: The Land of Advent denies your entry because you guys do not have that qualification.

A male voice suddenly shatters the silence, but it does not belong to anyone present on the scene.

??: Here is the origin of the variables, the endpoint of the omens. The trajectory was extended, and everything began from here.

I follow the voice and see that a man wearing a black cloak has appeared in front of the slab at some point. His face is hidden in the dark hood, making it impossible to see his appearance clearly.

Victor gives him a slight nod in greeting.

Victor: Eos.

??: Eos? How could a first generation of the gods be here?

A question, carrying shock, transmits from the crowd. I look up in some astonishment as I hear someone speak.

??: Haven’t those people all fallen already?

The first generation of gods, fallen... all kinds of unfamiliar details, known only to the insiders, surge to me. They are reminiscent of a clutter of thoughts filling my brain.

I look incredulously at the man behind the hood and see him raise his hand slightly.

The black streams of light suddenly coalesce in the air, and in the next instant, scatter in all directions.

The wisps of darkness grow increasingly thicker, obstructing the entire sky, with only the silhouette of the edifice becoming continuously clearer.

Suddenly, the chains on the gate begin to move. And the moment they crash to the ground with a loud bang, the door opens little by little.

I look towards the door in bewilderment and uncertainty, but can only see the darkness with no end in sight. Immediately afterward, a voice resounds from the depths.

“We come from the future, only with the purpose of better evolution of the human race.

We possess Evol; we create everything.

QUEEN will surely awaken and usher in transformation.

We look forward to walking side by side in the new world.”

For a moment, the only thing that can be heard in the world amid the darkness is that voice, and it’s as if the sound is knocking on the soul.

The familiarity of this content involuntarily makes me clench my fingertips. I suddenly react to something, causing me to be breathless.

...this content, it seems, is a bit different from what I remember.

Heart pounding in my chest, I anxiously recollect for a moment and finally remember the memories in the back of my mind, the content of the manifesto I had seen in the underground of the hacker conference.

–

[Tidbits]: MC is referring to S1 CH 8 btw~ :>

–

Back then, the beams of light cast into that room had reflected these words on the dimly lit wall:

“No one can stand in our way, for we are the ones to rule the world.”

But now, those words have disappeared.

Could this be the part... that Victor said had been tampered with?

Before I have time to think about it clearly, the darkness that pervades the surrounding disperses like a tide, and is replaced by a light that arrives from somewhere unbeknownst to me.

The glaring beam of light makes me close my eyes instinctively, and I can faintly hear shrieks from beside me.

I don’t know how long has passed when I open my eyes extremely cautiously, only to find an empty, pure white space entering my vision.

The slab of stone, the Twelve main gods, the towering edifice... everything has disappeared without any trace whatsoever.

I subconsciously search for Victor, but I’m unable to spot any signs of that familiar silhouette.

In front of me is only a shimmering staircase dappled with soft light, stretching towards the distant sky as though it’s guiding me in a certain direction.

I hesitantly approach and see my own appearance being faintly reflected in the pure and limpid texture of the steps.

MC: ...what’s going on?

I mutter to myself and touch my cheek; then I suddenly hear the sound of footsteps coming from behind me.

I turn back subconsciously and find myself looking into a familiar pair of eyes.

Victor stands behind me, gazing at me calmly, seemingly not at all surprised by what’s happening right now.

My heart, which has been at a loss just now, seems to have found its fulcrum and suddenly calms down. I briskly walk up to Victor.

MC: What is this place? Even Anole’s disguise has lost effectiveness…

Victor shakes his head.

Victor: It’s the first time I’ve been here too.

Victor: Everything here is probably some kind of Evol construction. It’s not surprising that it has resulted in Evol’s ability not working.

Victor’s expression is tranquil and calm, as though what he’s just said isn’t worth paying heed to. I hesitate a moment before opening my mouth.

MC: …so where did the others go?

Victor: This space is only open to the person who possesses CORE. They have been taken to a different space to witness that history.

Victor: When it’s all over, everyone will be returned to the original spot.

MC: Will we also be sent to the place we were just now after we leave here?

MC: …but what should we do now since my disguise is not working? Won’t my identity be revealed?

Victor: It won’t be.

Victor answers me resolutely and decisively. At the same time, I think of something in hindsight.

MC: Phew, that’s good. Wait a minute… why do you know so much about this? Also, why are you allowed to enter this place?

Victor’s eyes land on me with an expression written across his face that says, “why do you have so many questions.”

Victor: I’ve asked Eos to help, and he’s promised I can make it easier for you. So don’t worry. He will see that it’s handled.

Victor says, looking toward the steps of the path of light in front of us.

It spans forward quietly, dissipating at the end in a patchwork of light, as if it’s making a silent call.

Victor seems to feel something as he withdraws his gaze and opens his mouth to me.

Victor: Let’s go, some people should have been waiting for you for a long time.

I nod. Just as I’m about to move forward, my footstep suddenly stops.

MC: One last question! You haven’t told me; why would Eos help with this?

Victor’s eyelashes quiver slightly, and he speaks after a moment of silence.

Victor: I made a deal with him.

I freeze, and then it comes to my realization that there must be some kind of price involved in this deal.

My eyes sweep over Victor at lightning speed, and I speak with some urgency.

MC: What are the conditions he offered? Have you been hurt?

Victor: It’s not important. Since I’ve agreed, I can afford it.

Although he downplays it, I know very clearly that the price asked by the first generation of gods is bound to be not so simple.

This man seems to have always been like this, standing in front of me, calmly paying some price I don’t know about and bearing it all alone.

And then he returns to me as if nothing has happened and tells me that I don’t need to worry about a thing.

My eyes trace over his countenance inch by inch, then I lower my gaze with some astringency, murmuring softly.

MC: Didn’t we agree to just trust me and not let me rely on you?

Victor: [gentlest voice to exist, ever] That is why I am standing here.

Victor: [continuation x2] I said I would face it together with you, didn’t I?

I look up in a daze and meet Victor’s eyes.

In this void and quiet world, only his eyes shine with infinite tenderness and certainty.

Like an invitation, or some kind of guidance–– Victor steps on the stairs, turns back to me, and reaches out slightly.

Victor: Let’s go together.

–

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

–

✧ [CH 37-13] ✧

The flights of steps before us seems to have no end.

Palms interlaced with each other, as I climb upwards with Victor, I feel as if time has lost its concept, and I already can’t remember how long we’ve been walking.

I only know that if I were to turn around, I would no longer be able to see the beginning point of the zigzagged staircase behind us.

Gradually, my body begins to feel unwell.

I don’t know if it’s the exhaustion from the walk or something else, but the dizziness intensifies with each step forward.

The burning in my chest becomes distinct in my gasp for breaths, as if it were a viscous and boiling swamp that would engulf my consciousness at any moment.

I purse my lips to death. In a trance, I think of that NW experiment I was forced into for stimulating CORE.

At that time, my perception was also obliterated by such a burning pain. Could it be that this staircase is also some kind of system to stimulate CORE?

I take a step up the steps as I struggle to contemplate, and suddenly I feel a fleeting stinging pain in the back of my head as if being pricked by a needle.

My body sways, and I nearly lose my balance. At this moment, a warm, strong hand holds me steady.

Victor: [sounds like he’s in pain] Can you still go on?

MC: …absolutely. Compared with the NW experiments, it’s not that unbearable.

MC: I’m the chosen carrier of CORE, don’t underestimate me.

I look up as I speak, using all my willpower to lift the corners of my lips into a smile.

Victor looks at me quietly, his gaze clear and tender. He seems to be able to see through all my pretense and persistence amidst the staggering breaths.

After a few moments, he speaks in a low voice.

Victor: Thankfully, you are.

His words are reminiscent of some kind of peaceful sentiments, and I don’t know why but I ask in return:

MC: Is it something to be thankful for?

He replies with a soft “hmm,” and his deep and low voice brushes past my ears, giving my heart a reassuring certainty.

Victor: Even though the dummy I know would’ve seized every glimmer of opportunity with an overflowing zealous heart even if she wasn’t the CORE…

Victor: But CORE always means power.

Victor: With it, you will have more possibilities to solve problems, and also have the authority to choose in the face of many things.

It’s as though a ray of light from the heavens has shone through the foggy haze. I look into that pair of serene eyes and murmur.

MC: Actually, I used to feel that I was forced to take on a lot of heavy things because of the CORE.

MC: There have been many times when I was clearly exhausted, but I still had to persevere and keep going forward.

I say, looking at my empty palm.

MC: But now, I am slowly realizing that CORE has brought me even more than what I have to bear.

MC: As you said, I also have power because of it.

MC: I can change many things, instead of just having to stand still and wait to accept the outcome.

A tinge of warm hue flashes through Victor’s eyes.

Victor: Mm. In that regard, you are very lucky.

MC: Come to think of it, it really seems to be the case.

MC: But it’s not just because I have CORE, but because I’ve had you by my side all along.

As I speak, I sway our interlocked hands, hearing the hint of laughter tinting Victor’s voice.

Victor: In this regard, you are not right.

Victor: Being by your side is not “luck.” It’s destiny.

This familiar certainty causes a warm current to surge through my heart. I look back into his eyes and walk up the steps together with him.

–

[Tidbits]: Reference to the similar words in S1 CH 24 Black Cabin reunion~ ಥ⁠_⁠ಥ

–

The intense pain seems to keep growing as I climb up, the burning sensation spreading from my chest to my entire body.

I can’t help but tighten my hold on Victor’s hand, as if trying to draw some strength from it.

He doesn’t say anything, only holds my hand just as tightly and slows down his pace in accordance with mine.

On the endless staircase, we slowly advance together, the long shadows behind us seeming to blend into one.

I don’t know how long has passed when my almost paralyzed nerves suddenly shiver, reminiscent of a dragonfly lightly touching the water’s surface.

As if sensing something, I raise my head and look to the end of the flights of steps, feeling something that seems to be shimmering among the specks of light.

As if it’s telling me–– the following path is for me to walk on my own.

My body freezes up slightly. Victor immediately lurches to a stop and looks at me, as though waiting for me to say something.

MC: Just accompany me until here.

Victor doesn’t speak, but he doesn’t let go of my hand either. He simply gazes at me quietly for a long time, just like he’s watched me in every moment before as I ran towards the goal.

Victor: Go on, I’ll keep watching you.

I nod. Even though I’m already well aware of the answer to this question since long ago, I still gaze into that pair of eyes and speak softly.

MC: Will you still be here when I come back?

Victor: I’ve told you before, I’ll accompany you. The homeward journey alone is too far. Although I can’t be with you to continue moving forward, I won’t let you return alone.

I stagger up on my tiptoes and hug him, wanting to freeze time for even a second, all so I can sink deeper into this embrace.

The arms falling behind me slowly tighten. Encased by the familiar and reassuring scent, I close my eyes.

This person in front of me is the origin of my strength, my safe haven, and the direction of my voyage returning home.

No matter what lies ahead, as long as he is there, I can always rest easy.

I take deep breaths and soon feel a hand patting my head.

Victor: What happened again?

MC: Accumulating some strength for the rest of the journey ahead.

MC: I don’t know what I’ll encounter up ahead. But all I have to do is think that I’ll be welcomed in your arms, and I’ll be able to keep pressing on.

Victor: …dummy.

His soft and helpless voice brushes against my ear. I reluctantly put down my arms, turn around, and walk up the steps.

The pain cuts through every nerve in my limbs, but I grit my teeth and continue moving forward.

Even when the warmth on my palms is no longer there, I know that Victor is watching me from behind.

The path stretches step by step beneath my feet, and the brilliant rays grow all the more blazing. I look up in a trance and find that I’ve already reached the end of the steps.

The radiance before my eyes scatters into specks of lights, wrapping me in them. It’s as though they are swimming along my figure, dispelling the pain in my body.

The dizziness in my brain finally becomes clear, and the senses slowly return. And my palm seems to become a little heavy.

I lower my head as an afterthought and see that my hand has been holding a golden dagger at some point.

It’s coated with a hazy light and seems to be engraved with some sort of pattern.

Before I can see it clearly, it disappears into my palm the next second.

The light in the space suddenly flares up for a twinkling of a moment and soon returns to softness.

–

━━━ [NARRATOR POV BEGINS] ━━━

At the starting point of the steps, a figure wearing a hood stands beside Victor and speaks slowly.

Eos: Everything is moving forward toward an already determined future. Even if a temporary deviation arises because of her, it will be amended by the will of the world.

Eos: When that juncture arrives, everyone will need her.

There is not a single ripple in Victor’s voice as he speaks.

Victor: [this coldness is utterly different from ANY of his icy voices before] I brought her here, but it does not mean that I approve of her fulfilling your mission.

Victor: [continuation] She does not belong to you guys.

The face behind the hood seems to remain unmoved.

Eos: This is not up to you and me to choose. It has all been foreordained a long time ago. Once, for some reason, our observations were confined to that only remaining parallel world.

Eos: We have spent a tremendous amount of time trying to confirm Evol’s survival or otherwise, to investigate its different possibilities. The answer obtained from that is not merely a simple figure. You and I both know that very well.

The man looks towards the end of the stairs, his tone impassive.

Eos: We understand that others will not give their everything for other worlds. Therefore, we accepted being overthrown, and accepted that the prophecy had been falsified. But our goal has never changed from beginning to end.

Eos: Whether for us, the next civilization, or yourselves, she is destined to walk before the world.

Looking at the figure approaching from the distance, Victor opens his mouth, his voice carrying a kind of certainty and determination.

Victor: [again, utterly different from all the times before] Her existence has never been because other people “need” her.

Victor: [continuation] She only needs to be herself. She does not have to be any other existence.

Eos’s voice trails off with a faint lilt.

Eos: But there are some things she needs to face eventually.

━━━ [NARRATOR POV ENDS] ━━━

–

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

–

✧ [CH 37-15] ✧

A slight residual warmth lingers in my palm as though I can still feel the touch of the dagger.

I find myself immersing in amazement, clutching my palm as I walk down the stairs step by step. From a distance, I can see Victor’s silhouette waiting at the foot of the steps.

Just like he said, he would walk the journey back home side by side with me.

The joy seems to be as light as a feather, overflowing within me. My pace speeds up unconsciously as I run up to him in brisk steps.

Victor’s eyes soften a little imperceptibly, his gaze sweeping over me carefully as though confirming something.

I react in hindsight and speak in a rush.

MC: It’s done. I don’t feel any pain anymore.

Victor’s shoulders seem to slack a bit after hearing my words, and he nods.

Victor: Let’s go, then.

My brimming wonderment parks in my throat, and I tug at his sleeve with some surprise.

MC: Aren’t you gonna ask me anything else?

Victor: I’ve already learned what I wanted to know the most.

Victor: As for the rest, there will be opportunities later.

As soon as the words are out of his mouth, the invisible ripples surface before us once again. Like when we came, the scenes in all directions have begun to blur.

I take Victor’s outstretched hand in mine and close my eyes with my mind at peace.

Within a moment’s work, the originally quiet surrounding suddenly becomes more clamorous, and a slightly cool air brushes past the ears.

I open my eyes and find myself standing on some skywalk somewhere. The tall buildings are faintly visible in the distance in the limpid red twilight.

Not far away, the Twelve main gods are standing scattered in twos and threes, seemingly still immersed in the scene they have just witnessed.

I breathe a small sigh of relief, only to suddenly feel a sharp tightening of the palm holding my wrist.

I look at Victor with some confusion, but see that his brows are tightly furrowed, and a rarely seen grave expression emerges on his face.

My gaze descends unconsciously, falling on my wrist.

The skin that greets my eyes is still smooth, fair and clear, and has not become wrinkled.

MC: !!

A layer of cold sweat violently climbs up my back. How could Anole’s disguise not have been restored?

For an instant, my heart almost stops at half a beat. I turn my head to look at Victor, my voice shivering faintly as I open my mouth.

MC: Didn’t that Eos say he would help us? What should we do now…

In response to my words, a male voice reminiscent of aria rings out from behind me.

Poseidon: Bravo~ I didn’t expect BOSS to prepare such a great show for us.

I turn around and see Poseidon exaggeratedly bowing in Victor’s direction.

His voice draws the attention of the other main gods immersed in their own thoughts, causing them to look toward us, and their eyes land precisely on me without exception.

Their looks of either surprise or hostility turn into a sudden realization almost within a few moments, and they converge on me like wild animals hunting their prey.

Poseidon: Little did we know that underneath the mysterious veil of CORE was actually Nox. Come to think of it, BOSS chasing you out of BS really made us waste a lot of time we could have had with you~

Poseidon saunters over as he speaks, and I can ineffably make out a hint of excitement behind the white mask.

Although not explicitly stated, the meaning beyond Poseidon’s words is to implicate Victor. No matter what, we must not let the operation be exposed at this moment.

With this thought in mind, I open my mouth in feigned calmness.

MC: Whether it’s arranging for me to leave BS temporarily or calling me back, BOSS has his own plans.

MC: As subordinates, we only need to obey. How to play the game of chess is not for you to explain, is it?

Poseidon lets out a delighted laugh.

Poseidon: Indeed, I was overthinking it. I can’t believe I was worried that BOSS had something else in mind when he expelled Nox before… that’s truly absurd.

Poseidon: Anyway, since Nox is a member of the organization, she must also identify with our pursuit. How about leaving with us now and dedicating yourself and CORE entirely to where you belong, the organization? What do you think about that~

He exaggeratedly raises his arm as if he is singing a hymn. And behind him, a number of figures have gathered at some point.

I even see faint flashes of gray mist and white light in my peripheral vision.

…it’s Evol. These main gods have made no secret of their restraining dread for CORE. Are they trying to use their power to make me allow myself to be captured without putting up a fight?

Victor: It seems that you guys still haven’t learned the lesson.

Victor suddenly speaks in a heavy tone, carrying with it a few hints of intimidation while not revealing his anger.

Victor: Before acting self-righteously, how about contemplating clearly?

Victor: Why did I ask Nox to conceal her identity and arrange for you all to witness the prophecy.

A quietude hangs in the air of the spacious and empty rooftop. It seems that the calls and songs of a few tiny birds can be heard from the distance.

A few moments later, Hades takes the lead to part the crowd and stand out.

Hades: BOSS, you’re going around in a big circle. What exactly do you want to do?

Victor stands in front of me, calmly overlooking the crowd.

Victor: BS has already gone so far down the road of pursuing power that some people forget it’s merely a path to achieve a goal.

Victor: Or is it that as the main gods, all you want is this tawdry thing called “control of the world?”

Some people’s faces become visibly unsightly, but Victor turns a blind eye to them.

Victor: Being led by wrong notions has already caused unnecessary problems for the organization.

Victor: I don’t want to see the power of BS used only to carry out a pointless chase for evolution anymore.

After a brief moment of silence, Poseidon steps forward from the middle of the crowd.

Poseidon: I believe that everyone will remember your words wholeheartedly~ But even for the sake of the brand new future of BS that you spoke of, we still need to have CORE in our hands.

The color of Victor’s eyes seems to be churning, overwhelmed with heavy emotions. Shortly after, a strong hand spins me around and supports my shoulder.

Victor: Indeed so.

Victor: But what if, I don’t need CORE?

The words I hadn’t anticipated at all fall into my ears, and my eyes widen slightly. The next second, the icy muzzle of a gun is pressed against my temple.

Victor wraps his arm around me from behind, firmly imprisoning my body and seemingly cutting off any possibility of my escape.

MC: Victor, you––

My unfinished words are drowned out by the slight exertion of the force of his hand. The skin of my temple is throbbing, and I can almost clearly hear the sound of the trigger being stroked by a finger pad.

Victor never mentioned that there was also this part in the plan.

Numerous cacophonies of obstructions drift from before me. It seems that the gods are agitatedly talking about something, but I have no time to part my attention by listening to their words.

The icy temperature of the muzzle is magnified infinitely through my skin, stirring my shuddering breath bit by bit.

Cold sweat soaks my back, my dampened clothes clinging clammily to my body. I forget to breathe for a moment, opening my mouth in helplessness and fluster.

“BANG.”

A bird suddenly swoops up from a tree, screeching as it flies toward the blood-like setting sun.

•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•

—

❤️ [Calls and Moments]: In Progress...

—

#the explosion of info in this chapter literally had my brain spiraling for two days straight LOL ⊙⁠﹏⁠⊙#Eos’s “peptalk” is basically what Zero has been telling Victor for two seasons straight—“you CANNOT save her. It’s doomed.”#and he be like “I DID IT BEFORE. I CAN DO IT AGAIN.” Except for the fact that— Eos is “not” Zero in any way haha :>#it’s confirmed this man is not human LMAO. even if he’s “supposed to be” 2D – there’s NO 2D WAY in which he could possibly be human aksbkv—#— while also being THE MOST humanely human one could possibly imagine. I love him so much ಥ⁠_⁠ಥ Head empty. just THEM❤️#also–– someone gib me a time machine i shall travel to next December. how the heck on earth i’m supposed wait THAT LONG PG💀🔪#mlqc victor #mlqc li zeyan #mr love victor #mlqc #mr love queen's choice #恋与制作人 #李泽言 #love and producer #mlqc cn #mlqc spoilers #mlqc translations

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yesimwriting · 5 months

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okay but after the whole lucy gray thing we know coryo was done with “love” and everything BUT what if during the following year of thg he ends up falling in love with another tribute also from district 12 and he’s just going through it bad (again) however he somehow ends up actually getting the girl in the end, maybe even buying her way into the capitol

A/n I've been thinking about a very specific part of this since i first read it but i told myself no more fic writing until i finished at least one of my essays for finals seasons 😭

also ik in the book (and it's implied in the movie) that after the events of the book he lives with the plinths, but let's pretend he lives on his own with access to the plinth fortune for privacy

ik that makes it sound like it's smutty, but it's not lol

----

Proximity aggravates distance. The closer you are to something, the more damage any remaining space causes.

The few feet dividing the two of you have no right to jab at something inside of him the way it does. It's bad enough that instead of going to bed after a long night of fulfilling his apprenticeship duties under Volumnia's watchful eye, he stopped by your apartment. Only one floor away from his.

For months, the only thing holding the two of you together had been memories of those few nights before the Games.

Coriolanus's attempt to remain indifferent towards you had quickly failed, and his backup plan of learning to loathe you had proven to be just as useless. So he settled on letting you unabashedly take his hand whenever fear overwhelmed you and committing the way your kind eyes watched him to memory.

You're looking around the room--his room--openly, eyes darting from the mahogany surface of his desk to the details elegantly carved into his bed frame.

His fingertips itch with the uncertain desire to reach for you. You've only been in the Capitol for about a day and a half. Less than 48 hours. But the move, the beginning of a program for certain, qualifying victors and their families, had been planned for months.

You shouldn't feel like a phantom that'll vanish if he lets go for too long. "What are you thinking about?"

The question grounds you the same way it did last time he asked. You do your best to hide it, but you're still adjusting, still surprised that he managed to find a way to bring you together again. Just like he promised. Your doubt isn't personal, a fact he has to remind himself of.

"I'm just..." You tilt your head slightly, gaze retreating from the royal blue wallpaper and silver trim of his bedroom walls, "Analyzing."

The comment is followed by an easygoing smile that pinches at something in his chest. His new apartment, the penthouse of one of the largest buildings in the city, another gift from the ever flowing well that is the Plinth fortune, still reeks of former poverty. The few things that hint at the personal are hidden behind layers of desperate wealth so thick the items might as well be standard.

A lifetime spent in 12 means that there's no way you can read between the lines. He can't decide if your perspective will make this room look worse or better. It's a nice bedroom, definitely grander than any bedroom you've stood in before...but it's understated. Maybe even disappointing to someone like you.

"Analyzing?"

You turn fully, "A bedroom says a lot about a person."

"You might get more out of analyzing my study," an oddly school boy worthy partial truth slips out before he can stop himself, "I think I've been spending more time there than here recently."

You shake your head once, eyes landing on the crimson red vase filed with crisp white roses his grandma'am had gifted him on his last visit. Her pride and joy now more than ever. "I'm seeing all I need."

A hint of a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. It's the most genuine expression that's slipped past him in weeks. When he first worked out a way to bring you here, some doubting part of him wondered if the draw he felt towards you would still exist in person.

Less than two weeks after your victorious departure from the Capitol, he had searched through your files and found your address. He had written the letter in a moment of weakness and only sent it after deciding that writing a letter to never be sent is the only thing more pathetic than writing to you in the first place. He had spent the week following that wallowing in self loathing until an age-stained envelope arrived at his door.

"And what are you seeing?" He keeps his tone light. This is ridiculous. He dragged himself and his family out of a gutter clogged by the casualties of war. Coriolanus is stronger than fleeting emotion now. Your opinions on his room can't possibly affect him.

If he were to simplify what brought you here, to the Capitol, to him, he could blame it on his bedroom. The urge to see you, to figure out some way the two of you closer together before your undeserving district could swallow you whole in an attempt to make you like them, would flare up whenever he received one of your letters.

Those urges, however, had never burned him. Not until you wrote about wanting to see him out of the most curious nostalgia you'd ever felt. You wanted to see him in a way that'd let you know what his room looked like, in a way that'd let you guess at his favorite color.

He takes a few steps forward, making the conscious decision to not reach for you. You've never rejected his advances, not even when he instinctually intertwined your fingers after picking you and your family up from the train station. You had scolded him after, telling him that you'd hear no end of it from your mother. It took a lot of focus for Coriolanus to not smile at that. You spoke of it like it would've never occurred to you to just pull your hand away.

Your eyes shift from end of the room to the other. Coriolanus moves carefully, passing you before sitting at the edge of his crisply made bed.

"Before you make your decision..." You turn instinctually, expression so polite and expecting he almost doesn't know how to bear it. His hand briefly pats the space beside him in a silent invitation. "So you can see it from all perspectives."

Your head tilts slightly, and for a moment, Coriolanus can practically feel your rejection. Then you move, sock clad feet treading over smooth white-gray marble. You sit next to him so assuredly, anyone else would have taken the way you neatly fold your hands in your lap as politeness instead of a display of nerves.

Your family's presence makes you less pliable. It's a factor he's willing to work around considering that you would've never left them to come to the Capitol. And even if he had managed to talk you into it, your nostalgia and homesickness would've made you more of a ghost to him than before.

At least the position your family's in is uncertain enough to allow for some leeway in the social norms that you cling to. However, every once in awhile it hits you that at the end of the day, he's still a boy that you're close to, which means that it's your duty to create the distance necessary to keep everything proper. Leaving your bedroom in the middle of the night because said boy knocked at your door and then entering his room in his empty penthouse is something you would've done under normal circumstances.

But your connection isn't that black and white. If it was something so simple, he would have been able to sever it the night before your Games.

"It makes all the difference," you agree warmly, and only somewhat sarcastically. You give yourself another second to take in the space, "I like it."

He can tell that you mean it. "I haven't fully settled in yet."

You shrug, paying him little mind, "There's something about it that just feels like you."

Coriolanus shifts his focus to the ground. You can't possibly mean it in the way that he sees the room, as a reminder that he still doesn't fully fit into who he's become.

"I've been meaning to pick up a few things," he says, "Tomorrow, after my classes, I was thinking about browsing some paintings." Another half truth. He had been meaning to. Mrs. Plinth had instructed him to visit her art dealer whenever he had enough free time to pick out a few pieces to demonstrate his taste. He'd been putting it off as a dismissable task, but it feels like a safe way to give you your first taste of life in the Capitol. "If you'd like to help me pick some out."

You smile, eyebrows pinching together in a way that's just barely noticeable. You're as interested as you are puzzled. "I'd like that." Relaxing enough to let your hand rest between the two of you, you beam, "I don't know if I'd be much help, but I'd like that."

He'd be willing to get anything that caught your eye. Paintings and vases already with such an exclusive art dealer hold more or less the same level of standing, anyway.

Coriolanus moves his hand slowly, careful not to startle you before his fingers can settle against your own. You instinctually turn over your palm, intertwining your fingers. "I trust you."

You stare at him with wide, understanding eyes. Sometimes when you look at him, really look at him, Coriolanus is struck with the feeling that you can see right through him. It's an irrational feeling, that every good action and cruel deed is reflected in his eyes. Moments like this make it hard to be near you. They also, however, make the thought of adding distance between the two of you unbearable.

"I have an early class."

You dip your chin forward in an attempt to accept what you're considering a dismissal. "Right, you must be tired." The words sit between you for a long moment.

Your free hand presses into the silk of your still new pajamas. You shift like you're going to stand. His hold on your hand tightens before you can move away. You still.

He's being ridiculous. There's nothing about this situation that warrants his inability to look at you. "Stay here." His thumb runs across your knuckles. "With me."

The words are soft enough to be a request, but there's not enough space between them for questioning. He cautiously lifts his head enough to take in your reaction.

"What?" It's a display of shock more than an actual question. Coriolanus squeezes your hand even tighter. You don't try to get him to let go, but you do shift away just enough to create the reminder of distance. "You know I can't."

His other hand reaches forward, settling against your wrist. "Why not?" He doesn't mean for his voice to come off as raspy, as desperate as it does.

You swallow, attempting to straighten your spine in an attempt to offset the instinctual urge to hide your face. This isn't a topic you're even comfortable implying. "My mother would kill me if she so much as found out that I came up here so late, let alone..." You trail off, head dropping to your lap. "Stayed here."

He envelops your hand between both of his. "She knows we're friendly."

You look up just long enough to imply a pointed not that friendly. "It's--" You blink, eyes darting from to your joint hands and then finally to the ground. "You know it's..."

Coriolanus leans forward. The shift is small, just enough for his knee to brush against yours. "It's what?" He keeps his voice low, a barely there whisper that comes off as so innocent it nearly circles back to anything but.

You glance up, so wide eyed and flighty he's reminded of a rabbit. The level of precaution you're exuding can't just be about your mother's opinions, can it? He studies your expression openly, taking in the set of your eyebrows and the way you steadily press your lips together to avoid speaking without thinking. At least some part of you believes in your mother's concerns.

The realization strike shim so quickly he has to focus on keeping his expression neutral. Your bond is so much more than just coming together on a random night where exhaustion's already clouding his focus.

It will happen between the two of you. Eventually. But not yet. You've barely entered the Capitol and every aspect of your life has become vastly different than what you're accustomed to. If he were to attempt to cement any relationship between the two of you like that now, you'd be too overwhelmed or you might think that that's the only reason he brought you here.

He learned early on that it's best to introduce adjustments to you slowly, giving you enough time to hold onto ideas before enacting them. Anything of that nature would work that way too.

"I haven't been able to see much of you." He focuses on your hand, still resting safely between both of his. The words came out too quickly, a flash of some genuine sort of emotion that claw at him on the way out. With you, sometimes a glimpse of feeling works wonders.

Your thumb draws gentle patterns against the side of his hand. "You're busy." He relaxes his hand, turning over his palm. You place his hand on your knee, fingers tracing the natural creases etched into his skin. "You're important."

The way that last word comes out makes an uncertain warmth crawl up his neck. "I--I've wanted to see you more." Another thing he means so much it turns his stomach to admit it.

Your nail drags down a line that cuts across the length of his hand. "Me too."

He bends his fingers slowly, moving in until he's trapped your pointer finger against his palm. "Then stay." You twist your finger enough to express some lighthearted irritation, but not enough to count as a real attempt at escaping. "If your mother says anything, I'll explain it to her." You glare at him without any true aggression. "She likes me, doesn't she?"

Coriolanus already knows the answer. She credits your survival to him. You had mentioned that in a letter once, telling him that she insisted you pass along her gratitude after discovering that the two of you had started to correspond regularly.

He also saw the way she reacted to realizing that she had made it to the Capitol. Your mother's family had once been part of the wealthier side of 12. You're part of a recently fallen line of mine owners, a fact that your mother has only pretended to let go of. He saw a hunger behind her eyes that reminded him of a warped version of his own.

Coriolanus gave her back the pride the war had stolen from her family name tenfold. He owes her this much.

"She'd trade me for you in a heartbeat." He hears the grin in your voice more than he sees it. Your family means the world to you, which means he's subjected himself to seeking your mother's validation and winning over your two younger sisters.

It's not the way he'd choose to spend his limited free time, especially with you standing right there, but he's endured worse for less of a pay off. "Then she'd be a fool."

You fight to hold his gaze. "I doubt that."

Your eyes are pools of honest, unfiltered affection. The care that you're watching him with makes it hard to swallow. The instinct to press, to dig and claw and tear anything that could be hiding an ulterior motive into shreds makes it hard to take a full breath. You've always worn your heart on your sleeve. You're not a flighty songbird that uses its charm to distract its prey from its fang-like talons.

"Stay." Again. So breathless he almost doesn't recognize the word as his own.

The deliberation is transparent behind your eyes. You're considering it, but you're still not convinced. The hesitation stings in a way he doesn't understand. "I don't want to give her a reason to not like you."

So softly spoken he's shocked by the way the words manage to feel like a nail being hammered into his chest.

"She's let you stay with other people before." The response is too sharp, too sudden. He should refocus and think through what he's about to say. Coriolanus knows that it's easier to get you to agree to something through the use of honey sweetened words and displays of patience. "You wrote about him."

The confusion that briefly etches its way into your expression threatens to quell the uncomfortable swell of jealousy tightening his chest. "Warren?" The name makes tints the air between you with something acidic. "That was--different."

Your explanation adds an edge to the pressure in his chest. "Why?"

"We weren't--" You cut yourself off, the instinct to placate him and your desire to not start a conversation you can't finish battling each other oddly. "We were never alone." You squeeze his hand as best as you can. "He's a family friend and I only stayed over when my mom had to work late and I was too young to be alone for so long, so I haven't stayed over in years. And--and he shared a room with three of his siblings and his parents checked on us constantly."

He frowns, unconvinced. The lack of approval has you clinging to him, adjusting your hold on his hand as you gently trail your knuckles against the inside of his wrist. "I do miss you." You stare at your hands. "I know it's weird because we're--y'know--closer than before, but I-I do miss you."

The expanding wave of tension in his chest begins to deflate. You're good at that, at redirecting and soothing without even realizing it. A talent that had contributed to his original desire to loathe you. "I understand that." He runs his thumb over your knuckles. "Things aren't going to get less busy. That's why I want to use all the time we have."

You nod slowly, a hint of understanding making its appearance in the set of your brow. "I know."

"What you wrote," he begins, too aware of how much he means the question that follows, "Did you mean it."

"Of course I did." Not an ounce of hesitation, of uncertainty.

He turns your hand over before shifting his fingers up the inside of your wrist. "You wrote about wanting to see me."

"I did..." The pad of his thumb gently makes its way up your forearm. Your even breathing falters. "I do."

Coriolanus lets himself look up just enough to take in your expression. "Then stay." He swallows, too aware of the sudden dryness of his mouth. "Please."

You glance up at him through your lashes. There's a softness there that jabs at him. "Okay."

He lifts the back of your hand, carefully brushing his lips against your skin. "You mentioned wanting to see a library."

You wrote about it once. A brief mention in one of your letters of the small room in your school's office that served as a sort of communal study space with a few books stacked on a small shelf. Your longing had been clear.

Nodding curiously, you agree, "Yeah?"

"I could leave for my classes a little earlier tomorrow, you could come with me." The proposal comes out slowly, his own suggestion taking him by surprise. "My driver could bring you back, that'll give you time to meet the tutor that's being sent over for your sisters, and then when I get back we'll look at the paintings."

You immediately grin, "Really?"

He finds himself smiling back, pulling your arm closer. "Whatever you want."

You beam. "I'd really like that."

"Good," he affirms with a nod of his head that's a touch too forward. He regrets it almost immediately. "If you like it, I might be able to get your own tutor to meet you at a library."

Part of the still uncertain victor program relies on setting up the victor and their family with a new life. Education plays a role in that. Placing any one of you in an actual Capitol run institution is far out of the question. For everyone's sake. Even if the thought of sharing a classroom with someone from 12 didn't horrify the Capitol parents, you and your siblings wouldn't be able to just jump in. It's not that he views you as unintelligent, but District 12's education system isn't exactly on par with the Capitol's.

"That sounds nice," you sit up a little straighter, excited by the prospect, "A part of me kind of misses school."

Another aspect of your personality that he had learned about after your Games. You like school for the sake of it. "I'll check on the arrangements tomorrow."

He clears his throat before you can do more than just nod, "It's getting late."

Coriolanus carefully sets your hand down on the comforter. You awkwardly shift, now more aware of what you agreed to than ever. "Right," you push yourself to stand, "You need your sleep."

He pulls back his sheets before you can think about it even further. You crawl into the provided space without looking at anything in particular. He's quick to join you beneath the safety of plush bedding before leaning over and turning off the bedside lamp.

Darkness floods the space. There's something about the absence of light that makes things feel heavier. The potential intimacy of the situation sneaks up on him with no warning.

This isn't a loss of control. It can't be. It was his idea, he had pushed and convinced you to stay here. He's aware of everything that's led up to this moment, but that's not enough to stop him from wondering if this is something than he should have known better than to embrace. He had accepted the familiar, fickle knotting of his stomach once before.

Steady warmth presses itself against his arm. He blinks, head turning a second too quickly. Your hand has found his. Coriolanus relaxes, allowing himself to fully relax against his pillow. You pick up on his shift, reflecting it by laying down as well.

For someone that had been so hesitant, you seem to know what to do better than he does. You pull his arm towards you, gently trailing your fingers against the exposed skin. Heat crawls up his neck.

"Goodnight," you mumble, voice already drowsy.

Coriolanus lets out a long breath. He grasps your hand, bringing it back to his lips before settling back into the position the two of you were in before. "Goodnight."

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